102022 - Las Vegas Edition

US ambassador sees more high level visits to PH soon

MANILA – U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said more high level visits to Manila by U.S. officials may be expected soon as the two countries continue to develop their long-standing bilateral relationship.

Carlson said the U.S. is also looking to further develop its relations with Manila through areas such as trade and defense.

“The level, and intensity and complexity of our military exercises is a very important demonstration of how we are continuing to amplify and deepen the relationship and to meet the challenges, to ensure that we have a secure environment for our people, for both nations, and

for the Indo-Pacific, as we [want to] make sure that we ensure a free, open, prosperous and secure world,” Carlson is quoted as saying in a report by ABSCBN News.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman visited Manila last June and highlighted the alliance between the two countries.

In August, U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken also made a quick stop in the Philippines after participationg in the U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum in Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Blinken expressed U.S.’ support for the country’s

Updated COVID-19 booster shots expanded to 5 years and older

clean energy transition and reaffirmed the U.S.’ Mutual Defense Treaty with Manila.

Scrapped Russian chopper deal

Meanwhile, Carlson said the U.S. was “grateful” that the Philippines pulled the plug on its helicopter deal with Russia after it invaded neighboring Ukraine.

A September 29 readout from the U.S. Department of Defense noted that the U.S. State Department has already given a formal notice to Congress of its intention to provide the Philippines an additional $100 million in Foreign Military Financing.

Carlson pointed out that  PAGE A2

Sen. Cortez Masto meets with Fil-Am supporters on campaign trail

SENATOR Catherine Cortez Masto joined supporters across Northern and Southern Nevada over the weekend, hosting events with the Latino community, stopping by Seafood City for a meal with AAPI community leaders, joining Black community leaders at Men Who Cook, and engaging with union leaders and members across the state.

Eligibility for the Moderna bivalent booster now extends to individuals 6 years of age and older and eligibility for the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster now extends to individuals 5 years of age and older. This statement follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation and has the support of the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.

Jordan Clarkson stays with Utah Jazz for new NBA season

NEW JERSEY – Despite persistent trade rumors, Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson remained with the rebuilding Utah Jazz to start the new NBA season.

The 30-year-old guard has a big fan in the Utah organization, and it is no less than the Jazz owner Ryan Smith.

The Los Angeles Lakers tried to get Clarkson back, but the Jazz made it clear that Smith had no intentions of letting him go, according to The Athletic.

The Phoenix Suns also reportedly inquired about Clarkson in a possible swap with former Jazz Jae Crowder, per Yahoo! Sports.

Clarkson is expected to start and fill the shooting guard spot left by Donovan Mitchell, who was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Clarkson played that role in the preseason to mixed results. He averaged

Marcos ready to ‘defend’ peso

by CATHERINE S. VALENTE , KRISTINA MARALIT AND EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, October 18 said his government is ready to “defend” the peso as the currency’s slide continues to fuel inflation.

Marcos made the statement following his meeting with his economic managers in Malacañang Tuesday to discuss his administration’s “policy directions for the rest of the year and the first quarter of next year.”

“Number one priority is still inflation. We will continue to use interest rates to mitigate the effects,” Marcos said in a statement posted on his Twitter.

But the President maintained that the country’s overall inflation forecast remains better than that of other countries.

“We may have to defend the peso in the coming months, but the overall forecast is that we are still doing better than other countries in terms of inflation, though economic developments are still anticipated,” he said.

In its Asian Development Outlook 2022 update, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts inflation in the country at 5.3 percent in 2022 and 4.3 percent in 2023.

In Southeast Asia, the ADB predicts 17 percent inflation in Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 2022, 16 percent in Myanmar, and 7.4 percent in Timor-Leste.

Meanwhile, a recent Pulse Asia survey released

Supreme Court could strike down a rmative action

ON October 31, the Supreme Court will hear two cases that will determine the future of affirmative action. Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) is suing Harvard and University of North Carolina (UNC) for considering race in their application process. Further, SFFA says Harvard’s admission policies discriminate against Asian American applicants.

SFFA is a creation of conservative activist Edward Blum. He claims his non-profit has 22,000 members who were wrongly rejected by universities that use race conscious criteria to evaluate prospective students. None of Blum’s 22,000 alleged victims have testified. However, one was described but not named in the Harvard case as a Chinese student with first generation immigrant parents, perfect test scores and the best GPA in his class of 460.

In 2022, UNC received 43,500 applications for a freshman class of 4,325. UNC rejected 40,000 applicants. At that rate, if the top two dozen schools are considered, Blum’s 22,000 students account for just 2% of total rejections. That number falls to a negligible 0.0055 percent among the top 100 schools.

This is not a big problem, proponents of affirmative action say, especially given the fact that Harvard and UNC argue race in admissions creates campus diversity. The Supreme Court has held that to be a legitimate goal going back to the Bakke case in 1978.

In that case the justices threw out racial admission quotas but opened the door to the modern diversity

Paul Soriano named as presidential adviser on creative communications; accepts P1 pay

by DAPHNE GALVEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has named film director Paul Soriano as his presidential adviser on creative communications.

Soriano took his oath of office before Marcos in Malacañang on Monday, October 17, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said.

Soriano had agreed to take on the new post with an annual salary of only P1, the OPS added.

“One of the greatest assets of the Filipino is our creativity, and we must find many ways to highlight that to the rest of the world. And that is what Paul Soriano has already been doing in his career as a filmmaker. And now we have asked him to help us at one peso per year,” Marcos said, as quoted by OPS.

Soriano took his oath along with Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia and Commissioners Nelson Celis and Ernesto Maceda Jr.

His wife, TV host and actress Toni Gonzaga, witnessed the ceremony, along with their six-year-old son, Severiano Elliot.

Under his new role, Soriano will advise Marcos Jr. and assist government departments and agencies “on matters that will enhance their information dissemination programs and initiatives,” the OPS said.

“You know, in this day and age, you need to do it creatively, and you need to communicate so that the 

T

FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD. Roneta Laquere, 56, from Barangay Bautista, offers flowers on the grave of her husband ahead of All Saints’ Day inside the Panteon De Dasmarinas public cemetery in Barangay Sampaloc IV, Cavite on Thursday, Oct. 20. On All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, cemeteries across the country are crowded with people paying their respects to departed loved ones by offering flowers, candles and prayers. PNA photo by Gil Calinga

SACRAMENTO – California Health & Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, and Director of the California Department of Public Health and State Public Health Officer Dr.Tomás J. Aragón, issued a joint statement on the emergency use authorization of the updated COVID-19 boosters in the United States.

AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal

UPD-CS faculty work to address PH’s ‘most disaster-prone country’ status

THE Philippines is one of the world’s most disasterprone countries, according to a recent international study. But a handful of scientists from the University of the Philippines - Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) hope to change that.

The 2022 World Risk Report warned that, out of 193 countries, the Philippines has the greatest risk, exposure, vulnerability, and susceptibility to disasters, further aggravated by a deep lack of coping and adaptive capacities.

However, timely to the release of the Report, the University of the Philippines recently conferred the UP Centennial Professorial Chair and Faculty Grant on 98 UPDCS faculty members from the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology and the National Institute of Geological Sciences, as well as from the National Institute of Physics, Institute of Biology, Institute of Chemistry, Marine Science Institute, Institute of Mathematics, and National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

The conferment also came just days ahead of the UNdeclared International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction last October 13.

“The Centennial Grant is a welcome acknowledgement of, and support for, the hard work that UP’s scientists and researchers put into their respective fields. It helps us to focus on the tasks at hand so that we can bring the science to where it is most needed,” said UPD-CS Dean Giovanni Tapang.

“There are a lot of research studies to understand the physical, social, and economic components of risk. Our main role as scientists is to communicate and disseminate information on hazards and their impacts, hoping these will guide efforts in disaster response,” added Centennial Grant awardee Dr. Noelynna Ramos, a professor of Geomorphology and Geohazards at the National Institute of Geological Sciences and the head researcher of the Geomorphology and Active Tectonics Research Laboratory.

"Much of the research we

undertake is very meticulous and painstaking. For outside observers, they may not seem immediately important or even necessary. But patient persistence pays off, because we are eventually able to find underlying patterns that enable us to come up with practical, real-world solutions," explained Centennial Grantee and atmospheric physics expert Dr. Gerry Bagtasa. “There is much that can and should be done in terms of disaster response in the country, and I'm thankful that UP and the College of Science understand this and enable us to help address these."

The Centennial Grants are awarded annually to UP faculty members in recognition of their outstanding performance in the areas of teaching; research or creative work; and public service. In their various capacities, the Grantees’ research is helping improve our understanding of the natural world and, more specifically, the nature of natural disasters and how best to respond to them. g

US ambassador sees more...

Manila can use the money to purchase the helicopters.

“That would be one example but we would not dictate the

modernization efforts within the Department of National Defense,” Carlson said.

She also added that the U.S. is open to doing whatever it

can to assist the Philippines in joint maritime activities in the South China Sea, reiterating its commitment to contribute to a free Indo-Pacific. (Philstar.com)

Marcos ready to ‘defend’...

in October showed that 42 percent of Filipinos disapproved of the Marcos administration’s performance in controlling inflation, which has emerged as the top urgent national concern of Filipinos.

In September, inflation accelerated to 6.9 percent, its highest level in four years, due to continued increases in food and utility costs.

This brought the year-to-date inflation rate to 5.1 percent, within the government’s 4.5 percent to 5.5 percent target range for 2022.

At a Palace press briefing, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Arsenio Balisacan said that the Marcos government is “on the right track” in combating inflation.

Citing government data, he said sustained increases in inflation in 2022 and 2023 will cause a slowdown in the country’s economic growth, translating into a gross domestic product (GDP) level lower by 0.6 percent in 2023 than its expected level had there been no sustained inflation shock.

2023 economic directions

Marcos met on Tuesday with his economic managers to formulate the administration’s economic policy directions for the rest of the year up until the first quarter of 2023.

The economic team is composed of the secretaries of finance, trade, budget, public works and highways, the NEDA director general and the governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Balisacan said that while the Philippines “cannot escape the effects of these global headwinds,” the administration is “mindful of these challenges.”

He said the economic team has laid down its Medium-Term Fiscal Program and Philippine Development Plan (PDP) framed by the 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, where the government has developed critical policy

and legislative priorities to address the economy’s shortterm and medium-term issues for the duration of the Marcos administration.

“The PDP’s targeted completion before the end of the year assures us that we will have a robust roadmap for navigating shortterm challenges and uncertainties. At the same time, we are laying the groundwork for faster, more inclusive growth that generates high-quality employment to reduce poverty rapidly,” Balisacan said in a Palace briefing.

“The plan shall include measures to strengthen the economy’s foundation for more and higher-quality job creation by addressing the most binding constraints to business investment and expansion in growth drivers such as manufacturing and agriculture, tourism, IT-BPOs, construction, and the creative industries,” he added.

Balisacan further noted that the PDP also outlines strategies to quickly address constraints in the food, energy and transportation systems.

“These actions will mitigate inflationary pressures, protect the poor and most vulnerable in society through targeted assistance, and manage the socioeconomic scarring, especially for students and MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) to hasten our recovery,” he stated.

He added that the government has just established policy directions for the rest of the year and the first quarter of next year following the meeting.

Regarding the “short-term issues” of the high inflation, interest, and exchange rates, the NEDA director general assured that the government is “on track” and is not “distracted by these developments” en route to achieving the President’s shortterm and medium-term goal for the country’s economy.

“Of course, we are looking at the short-term issues, the continuing inflation and ensuring that as we address these short-term issues. We are mindful that we’ll not

abandon the medium-term goals, and we will make sure that we are on track toward economic recovery,” said Balisacan.

“But most importantly, we are also monitoring the developments closely so that we can deploy our monetary tools like the interest rate, for example, and how we can intervene in the financial market to tame these, including the depreciation of the peso. But again, as we do seek solutions to short-term challenges, we are very careful that we do not compromise our medium-term goals. We just have to put the economy on a higher growth trajectory so that we can achieve more jobs, high-quality jobs, and reduce poverty rapidly. That’s the overall architecture of the plan,” he added.

2023 GDP seen falling by 0.6%

The NEDA also said that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) may further drop by 0.6 percent in 2023, due to sustained increases in inflation the country is facing.

“Our analysis shows that sustained increases in inflation in 2022 and 2023 will cause a slowdown in our economic growth, translating into a GDP level lower by 0.6 percent in 2023 than its expected level had there been no sustained inflation shock. While we expect our poverty situation to improve as we continue our recovery, inflation and rising interest rates will mute this improvement,” Balisacan said.

According to industry players, the Philippines is expected to grow by 6.2 percent in 2023, slightly below the government’s target of 6.5 to 8 percent. This is also higher than the average 4.6 percent GDP growth for Asean-6 expected in 2023.

The country’s annual inflation quickened to 6.9 percent in September, hitting its fastest pace in four years, mainly due to higher food prices and power rates. The four-year high inflation also firmed up expectations that the central bank will further hike rates before the year ends. g

NATURAL DISASTERS: SCIENCE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS.

UP Officials and scientists composed of (From L-R) Dr. Mario Aurelio, Dr. Gerry Bagtasa, Ms. Jamaica Pangasinan, former UPD Chancellor Michael Tan, current UPD Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo, Dr. Giovanni Tapang, and Dr. Lemnuel Aragones, conduct a press briefing on the Taal Volcano Eruption in January 2020. Photo by Andro Sampang, UPD College of Science

Paul Soriano named as presidential adviser on...

mission and the vision and the message of the president is clearly communicated to the Filipino people,” Soriano said after he was sworn into his new position.

“It’s a passion of mine to just create and communicate. It’s an absolute honor that the President has trusted me with this position,” he added.

Soriano supported Marcos’

2022 electoral campaign with his wife, actress Toni Gonzaga. He also directed the president’s first State of the Nation Address and consulted in his inauguration.

Marcos and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are the Soriano couple’s godparents at their wedding.

The first lady is also Soriano’s aunt.

According to the OPS, Soriano earned his advertising and

marketing communications degree from De Anza College in California in the United States.

As a filmmaker, Soriano’s notable works include “Siargao” (2017), which won him the Best Director and Best Film awards in the Metro Manila Film Festival, and “A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery” (2016), which won him an Alfred Bauer Award for Best Film at the Berlinale International Film Festival. g

Jordan Clarkson stays with Utah Jazz for new...

PAGE A1 “I’m just trying to win and take whatever team it is to the next level to hopefully win a championship one day,” Clarkson added. “That’s my outlook on it.”

12.3 points in 23.2 minutes but only shot 37 percent from the field. Last season, he shot 42% from the field in 79 games as Utah’s sixth man. His efficiency took a hit against opposing starting units in the preseason.

Clarkson, however, found other ways to help the team by adding 3.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

Before the training camp, Clarkson wasn’t sure about his future with the Jazz after the team traded away their franchise cornerstones Mitchell and Rudy Gobert and veteran sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic.

“Whatever direction management, owners, and the team are trying to go, I’m ready for it,” Clarkson said.

He was one of Utah’s veteran players who were believed to be on the trade block until the report about Smith’s plans for him came out earlier this month.

While the Jazz were tearing down their roster in the offseason, Clarkson tuned out the noise by suiting up for the Philippines in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Clarkson averaged 25.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists in two games, including his first-ever game in his mother’s homeland.

With a starting role, Clarkson could approximate those

gaudy numbers with the Jazz.

“If I’m here in Utah, I want to win,” Clarkson said. “I want to strive for the playoffs, try to put a team together that could win something.”

Clarkson should be in for a rude awakening, as winning is far from the Jazz’s goals this season.

Utah posted a 1-3 record in the preseason, losing by an average of 17.7 points. It’s a portent of things to come.

With three first-round picks, the Jazz have their eyes on next year’s draft headlined by generational talent Victor Wembanyama.

Clarkson and the Jazz open what could be a long, agonizing season for them at home against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, October 19. (Alder Almo/Philstar.com)

Updated COVID-19 booster shots expanded to 5 years...

“We are happy to announce that the updated boosters are now available for children as young as 5 years old. These boosters are safe and have been formulated to provide better protection not only against the original coronavirus strain, but also against the subvariants that continue to infect many, including the youngest amongst us.

As is true of the other COVID-19

vaccine and booster doses, the updated boosters were designed to protect individuals from the worst outcomes of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. With the authorization of the updated booster to individuals as young as 5, we’re even closer to ensuring the whole family is protected as we head into the fall and winter when the spread of respiratory viruses is at its peak.”

Everyone 5+ who has had

their primary series vaccinations is eligible to get the updated booster 2 months following any COVID vaccine or booster dose.

In keeping with the SMARTER plan, the state is prepared to begin offering the strongest, most protective booster dose to all eligible Californians now. We encourage all Californians to talk to your doctor, go to MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-4224255 to find a vaccine or booster appointment near you. g

Supreme Court could strike down affirmative..

rationale that was affirmed by the Court in Grutter v Bollinger:“The Equal Protection Clause does not prohibit the Law School’s narrowly tailored use of race in admissions decisions to further a compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a diverse study body.”

Blum argues that raceconscious admissions violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He has brought four lawsuits in recent years but has yet to win one. Given the 6-3 conservative majority on the high court, Blum’s ship could finally be about to come in.

“I think it is too early to tell what the Supreme Court will do with respect to the Harvard affirmative action case. Obviously, we are very concerned based on the Court’s makeup, but we also know that for several years now, in repeated attempts by the conservative elements, affirmative action cases have remained on the books and there is strong precedent on the books for the continued use of race in admissions policy,” said John C Yang, President and CEO, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC.

Yang spoke during a media briefing on the upcoming SCOTUS cases.

Yang noted that both the district court and the appellate court concluded there was no evidence of discrimination against Asian Americans.

“In the case of Harvard, Asian American enrollment at Harvard has increased significantly. They make up nearly 28% of the most recently admitted class, even though Asian Americans make up only approximately 7% of the American population,” he said.

Yang added that a number of surveys since 2010 found two-

thirds of Asian Americans support affirmative action. He said that if Harvard stopped considering race in admissions the number of Black students would decline from 14 percent to six percent. Latino students would drop from 14 percent to nine percent. A Georgetown University study came to the same conclusion.

David Hinojosa is with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law. He will be arguing the UNC case in front of the Supreme Court on October 31st at 10 am.

“A lot of people are betting against affirmative action. They’re betting against fairness and opportunity. But the history is on our side; the Constitution is on our side; the law is on our side, and so are the facts,” Hinojosa said.

“They don’t want to just get rid of affirmative action. They want to completely whitewash history and reinstate all the privileges of yesteryear to today,” he said.

SFFA didn’t put any students on the stand. Harvard did. Sally Chen was one of them. The daughter of working class immigrants who speak limited English, Chen said she wouldn’t have the benefits of a Harvard education if not for Harvard’s race-conscious admissions policies.

Applying to Harvard, Chen ignored her high school counselor’s advice and talked about her background. She said that was really crucial to “getting across who I am, why I want to do the work that I do today, and having this context made me a much stronger applicant.”

Today, Chen advocates for policies that open educational opportunities for all, but especially for limited English-speaking immigrant families, at Chinese for Affirmative Action in San Francisco.

“Having diverse perspectives

at the table really made our education stronger, and it is an asset to the work that I do today where cross-racial coalition building is really key to what I do,” she said.

Chen was one of the couple hundred signatories to the amicus brief filed by the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) in the case. The fund represented 25 Harvard student and alumni organizations.

“All students deserve a fair shot at going to college, regardless of their income, where they grew up, or their racial and ethnic background,” said Michaele Turnage-Young, LDF Senior Counsel.

She said minority students, often poorer than their white counterparts, have less of an opportunity to amass the credentials that colleges consider in admissions. They are three to six times more likely than white students to attend a high poverty school.

“And many attend majority minority schools, which generally have, like high poverty schools, less experienced teachers, less advanced courses, inadequate facilities, less extracurricular activities, less arts instruction, less recess, and fewer classroom resources.”

College admissions officials try to balance out those things by looking at which minority students show the best potential even if their test scores aren’t the highest.

“Our clients, in particular, are concerned that erasing race from the admissions process will make it impossible for applicants of color to present their authentic selves in their college application,” Turnage-Young said. Chen echoed that sentiment. “We wanted to get across how we wouldn’t want to be at an institution that didn’t value us,” she said. (Peter White/ Ethnic Media Group)

STONE KINGDOM. Tourists visit the Igorot Stone Kingdom on Long Long Benguet Road in Baguio City on Saturday, Oct. 15. The place showcases the Igorot rock-laying skills, their creativity as well as their indigenous culture, values, way of life, and tradition.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Hand hygiene in the time of COVID

EVEN with all the controversies and problems besetting the nation, the day dedicated to the promotion of hand washing cannot be ignored. Last weekend, nations were urged to “unite for universal hand hygiene” – the theme of the 2022 Global Handwashing Day. In the Philippines, the theme was “sama-samang ikaway, malinis na kamay.”

The special day, marked every Oct. 15, was first celebrated in 2008, when over 120 million children in more than 70 countries washed their hands with soap to stress the importance of clean hands in promoting health. Experts have stressed the importance of hand hygiene, especially after using the toilet or before handling food, in dramatically reducing the risk of serious illness or death due to diseases such as diarrhea and respiratory infections.

Editorial

made hand hygiene even more important, with people encouraged not only to wash their hands with soap and water but also to disinfect hands regularly using at least 70 percent alcohol.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations Children’s Fund had reported that acute respiratory infections were the primary cause of death of children under five in the Philippines, and diarrhea the third largest cause.

Marking Global Handwashing Day this year, Unicef cited evidence showing that handwashing with soap can reduce diarrhea risk by 30 percent and respiratory infections by up to 20 percent.

Handwashing also helps to prevent, reduce and eliminate stunting, Unicef stressed. The Food and Nutrition Institute estimates that some 30 percent of Filipino children under five are stunted. COVID

Babe’s Eye View

BABE ROMUALDEZ

I ATTENDED the forum held at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, where White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan outlined the Biden administration’s National Security Strategy and its priorities, as the world braces for global challenges such as climate change and “competition between major powers” in areas that include the economic aspect.

A key focus of the strategy is for the U.S. to invest domestically to ensure that it is not dependent on foreign supply chains, and to build alliances abroad to counter the influence of its competitors such as China. Mr. Sullivan said the U.S. is willing to work with any country, including rivals, that would “constructively address shared challenges” while pursuing closer ties with other democracies to prove that they are able to deliver results.

“The world is at an inflection point, and the choices we make today will set the terms on how we are set up to deal with the significant challenges and the significant opportunities faced in the years ahead,” said National Security Adviser Sullivan.

The Philippines clearly has an opportunity to step up to the plate, considering that the U.S. National Security Strategy

Horizons

RICHARD HEYDARIAN

LAST WEEK, presidential son, Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos III, stirred a tempest in a teapot after an interview on the unprecedented state of Philippine peso. “The peso is not weak, because the peso is weak. The peso is weak because the dollar is strong,” said the neophyte congressman. What was likely concocted as a clever turn of phrase inadvertently unleashed a torrent of memes and mockery online.

But in fairness to the presidential son, no less than Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Felipe Medalla said almost exactly the same thing earlier this year: “This is a strong dollar problem, not a

This year, Global Handwashing Day was marked in the Philippines as face-to-face classes gradually resume. The government has said it is on track to proceed with full in-person classes by next month. Learners and educators alike are encouraged to get vaccinated and boosted, although it is not mandatory. Masking is still required in classrooms and in crowded outdoor spaces. Limited infrastructure has made physical distancing a challenge in many schools, forcing administrators to hold classes in shifts where possible.

Education officials have said they are heeding the calls of health experts to provide sufficient ventilation. Eating in school premises is also tightly regulated to minimize periods when face masks are taken off. Temperature scanners and alcohol dispensers are ubiquitous in most schools.

Handwashing facilities, however, still need

ramping up. For this year’s Global Handwashing Day, the joint monitoring panel for water, sanitation and hygiene 2021 of Unicef and the World Health Organization showed that only 64 percent of schools in the country have access to

handwashing facilities. Several schools lack even running water – a problem that has been around for years. While improvements have been made in hand hygiene facilities, much more work lies ahead. (Philstar.com)

Cautiously optimistic on economic recovery

also puts high importance on economic prosperity and is looking at opportunities to work with “allies and partners, especially in the Indo-Pacific,” who “stand on the frontlines of the PRC’s coercion and are rightly determined to seek to ensure their own autonomy, security and prosperity. We will support their ability to make sovereign decisions in line with their interests and values, free from external pressure, and work to provide highstandard and scaled investment, development assistance and markets.”

The timing for the recently concluded IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings here in Washington, D.C. was opportune, with our economic managers in full force to attend the in-person activities after two years of virtual and hybrid meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the meeting between Finance Secretary Ben Diokno and World Bank Group president David Malpass, the discussion centered on the Philippines’ economic growth as well as our vulnerabilities, with Mr. Malpass noting the importance of tax reform initiatives and the efforts to broaden the country’s tax base. It was encouraging to hear the World Bank’s readiness to enhance its support for the Philippines, particularly in the areas of agriculture, tourism, energy and education, among several other key sectors.

There is no question that countries are struggling to recover from the global shocks that have been coming one after the other – the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the climate disasters that have been happening across continents that are bringing about a “fundamental shift in the global economy,” as noted by IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva, who also warned that these shocks can throw countries off-course “more easily and more often.”

This is also why we have been relentless in our efforts to host and co-organize economic briefings, dialogues and forums, like the panel discussion we hosted on Friday, October 14 on the sidelines of the IMFWB Annual Meetings between key economic officials and U.S.-based companies, as well as business groups and financial communities. The dialogue, which had close to 70 participants, was a followup to the Philippine economic briefings held earlier in Singapore and more recently in New York during the visit of President Bongbong Marcos.

Finance Secretary Ben Diokno and BSP Governor Felipe Medalla are cautiously optimistic about the outlook for the Philippines, confident that we will still be in good shape.

As noted by Secretary Diokno, the high economic activity in the country as well as rising investor confidence point to

a rapid recovery and robust growth. Notwithstanding the key challenges that we face ahead – such as an elevated inflation rate along with the rest of the world, the lingering effects of the pandemic and the unpredictability of the global political economy – the Philippines is fully prepared to address geopolitical risks and the shifting economic landscape.

Clearly, we have to double our efforts to bring in more foreign direct investments. To compete with our neighboring countries, we definitely need to decisively make the country more attractive and easier to do business in.

Fortunately, the team of Speaker Martin Romualdez were on hand in Washington to listen to what is needed for the swift passage of bills and make the Philippines “the smart investment choice.”

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ES Lucas Bersamin: The right man for the right job

The recent changes in Malacañang with the appointment of former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin as the new Executive Secretary has been widely welcomed because of his experience as well as his impressive track record in the Judiciary. During the Judicial Excellence Awards in 2000, he received both the Best Decision in Civil Law and Best Decision in Criminal Law awards –described as unprecedented –and received the Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos Award in 2002.

Having known ES Bersamin for some time, he would definitely bring his professional management style and put it to good use. When I had a fairly long conversation with him in 2018 during a luncheon I hosted for Philippine delegates to the U.S. Legal Clinic in Washington, D.C., I was impressed with his credentials.

It’s normal for any administration to make changes in their Cabinet appointments, and even in the White House, changes usually occur during the first 100 days of a new

president – which are all part and parcel of finding out who would be the best fit for a particular position.

In the case of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, there is no doubt that he is, indeed, “the right man for the right job.” (Philstar.com)

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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

Time for economic revolution under Marcos Jr.

weak peso problem.” Unlike the presidential son, however, the country’s monetary chief rightly emphasized the chief factor behind the decades-high increase in U.S. dollar’s global standing: “The reason the dollar is so strong is their inflation rate is so high and, as a result, they will jump up their interest rates much more than we will…”

It didn’t take long for the country’s leading businessman, former senator Manny Villar, to also chip in, rightly arguing in a column, “the recent depreciation of the peso against the U.S. dollar … was triggered by the interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve.” With September inflation numbers in the U.S. (as in the Philippines) defying even the worst expectations of median experts, the U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to gun for another earth-shaking rate hike in the coming weeks.

The next Federal Open Market Committee meeting will be on Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. Another jumbo rate hike of 75 basis point, if not more, which still leave room for another hike by early next year, could push down the Philippine peso into new territories.

Perhaps, Rep. Joey Salceda’s P65-P68 to dollar exchange projection isn’t too farfetched; I suspect, though, the actual number would end up significantly lower, since markets were already warned about Federal Reserve’s leaning toward a 4.4 percent rate (from 3-3.25 percent currently) by the end of this year. The implications for the Philippine economy would be enormous: The world will be confronting an even stronger dollar and/or a steep recession. A stagflation— high inflation, low growth— crisis in the West combined with an uber-strong dollar

would mean declining exports, more expensive imports, and escalating dollar-denominated debt stress among emerging markets.

Parallel to the hullabaloo over Sandro’s hot take, however, was a more intellectually subtle yet spirited debate between two young thinkers, the historian Lisandro Claudio (University of California, Berkley) and economist Jan Carlo Punongbayan (University of the Philippines, Diliman), on central banking and monetary policy. It goes without saying that the debate had its more unfortunate turns, especially when I foolishly took on the matter over Twitter, where a cabal of economist friends (and their proxies) was seemingly adamant on shutting down any debate on monetary policy (by noneconomists).

And in the trigger-happy universe of social media, where

echo-chamber posturing often trumps substantive parsimony, some regrettable kerfuffle inadvertently ensued. But since this was a fundamentally “policy” issue, I, similar to Claudio, have insisted that it’s not something to be left to economists alone. Let’s be crystal clear: economics is not a natural science, but instead an admirable social scientific field that deals with complex human societies, where moral agency is inevitably part of the equation.

Thus, I commend both Claudio and Punongbayan, who also happen to be my friends, for their passionate interventions on behalf of substantive public policy discussions. And, dear reader, this brings us to the real economic challenge under President Marcos Jr.: The need for a fundamental reassessment of not only our monetary policy, which has its inherent limitations, but also our trade

and industrial policy, which have a direct bearing on our export capacity and overall economic productivity.

As former National Economic and Development Authority chief Solita Monsod has correctly pointed out, “The peso is weaker because … we have been having trade deficits … our imports have grown so fast and our exports are not growing at all.” If Mr. Marcos really wants to leave behind a transformational legacy, and make the Philippines a true “tiger economy,” he will have to overhaul our national economic strategy. It’s a revolution whose time has arrived.

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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * *

rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph

ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL

G. VISAYA

ROGER LAGMAY

Chairman

CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL

ROBERT MACABAGDAL Vice President & General

ManilaTimes.net photo

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Philstar.com file photo

Filipino Young Leaders Program announces 2022 immersion cohort

THE Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a joint initiative of the Philippine Embassy, Consulates General in the United States, and the Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI), announced the 2022 FYLPRO Delegates.

This year’s class marks the first in person immersion program in more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2022 FYLPRO Delegates (in alphabetic order) are:

Michelle Amor - New York, New York

Grace Arupo Rodriguez - Roseville, California

Joshua De Leon - Long Beach, California

Daniel Galeon - Montvale, New Jersey

Genevieve Jopanda - San Francisco, California

Michele Josue - Glendale, California

Agnes Lopez - Jacksonville, Florida

Angelo Mathay - Raleigh, North Carolina

Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos - Sicklerville, New Jersey

Constancio Paranal III - Honolulu, Hawaii

Melissa (Michi) Trota - Chicago, Illinois

Danicole Ramos - Waialua, Hawaii

Angelico Razon - Pasadena, California

John Victoria - Arlington, Virginia Neil Wingkun - Houston, Texas

In the 2022 application cycle, several changes were made that yielded an even more competitive application pool including raising the age limit from 40 to 45 and implementing an application administration fee. The immersion program selection committee also instituted a rigorous first blind cut round and a final virtual interview process where applications went through a series of several reviewers over the course of a multiple week process.

The increased age limit also gave an opportunity to those who would have aged out during the pandemic.

“After a two year hiatus due to the global pandemic, I’m pleased to welcome the next cohort of young leaders to experience the life-changing, transformative experience my 2019 cohort went through,” said 2022 FYLPRO President Leezel Tanglao. “This year’s cohort raises the bar across underrepresented industries and locations. I’m

excited for them to join the FYLPRO family and network.”

The 2022 cohort includes a five-time Hugo Award winner, an administrative judge, emergency room physician and Emmy award winning documentary filmmaker among this year’s delegates. This year’s cohort includes new regions represented with delegates from Raleigh, North Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida.

The delegates will be traveling in a week-long immersion trip to Manila, Philippines in November.

"We welcome the resumption of FYLPRO's inperson and immersive leadership development experience for the newly expanded delegation of 15 Filipino-American young professionals. There is no better way to cap off the 10th year anniversary than to showcase the growth of FYLPRO to the Filipino American community, and to major Philippine partners in the government, non-government, and private sector." said Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez. "I look forward to personally meeting and hosting them in Manila, and learning about their vision and aspirations as Filipino-American leaders.”

The delegates will get the opportunity to interact with Philippine Government officials and leaders in the fields of business, arts and culture, and civil society.

“We are honored to provide a platform for our FilAm leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue with movers and shakers both in the Philippines and the United States. We look forward to collaborating with our delegates in creating an impact in the lives of Filipinos all over the world,” said Ayala Foundation Ruel T. Maranan.

FYLPRO was established in 2012 by Former Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States of America, Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Mrs. Victoria J. Cuisia in cooperation with the Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) to annually identify outstanding young professionals in the Filipino communities across the United States and provide the delegates with invaluable community, business, and government insights and access to distinguished network captains of industry and government. g

Russia

RUSSIA wants the Philippine government to honor a signed contract to purchase 16 military heavy-lift helicopters, which the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte had canceled due to fears of possible U.S. sanctions.

Moscow's ambassador to Manila, Marat Pavlov, told reporters Wednesday night that the Philippine government has not officially notified Russia of its decision to cancel the deal and a Russian company was proceeding to manufacture the Mi-17 helicopters after the Philippines made an initial payment.

helicopter deal

Filipino pilots, who would operate the helicopters, have undergone Russian training, he said.

The Russian aircraft manufacturer was ready to deliver one of the helicopters in June, "but unfortunately, it was not accepted by your government," the ambassador said.

"We are ready to fulfill all our obligations as a reliable partner of the Philippine side in the field of technical military cooperation, and we consider that it will also be done by the Philippines," Pavlov said.

There was no immediate

comment from the Philippine government, but the Department of National Defense has said that after the decision to terminate the Russian helicopter deal was made, a government committee would be convened to thresh out the details and work to recover the unspecified amount paid by the Philippine government to the Russian company. The Russians can appeal, but there is little room for the Philippine government to reconsider, a defense official said.

"I know that in any contract, it should be mentioned how it could be solved in case one of the parties

DFA: 25 Pinoys remain in Ukraine

by Pia lee brago Philstar.com

MANILA — At least 25 Filipinos remain in Ukraine and none from the regions where Russia has declared martial law, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday, October 21 .

The DFA said the Philippine embassy in Warsaw, Poland and the Honorary Consulate General in Kyiv, Ukraine are constantly monitoring the conditions and

circumstances of Filipino nationals who remain in Ukraine.

“The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw and the Honorary Consulate General in Kyiv have accounted for 25 Filipino nationals in Ukraine, mostly residing in Kyiv, and none from the regions where martial law was declared,” the DFA said in a statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he was introducing martial law in four Russian-occupied regions

of Ukraine that Moscow claimed last month as its own territory, but is struggling to defend from Ukrainian advances.

The DFA, the embassy, and the Honorary Consulate General are ready to repatriate Filipinos should they request assistance for immediate return to the country.

During the first half of this year, the DFA has assisted more than 450 overseas Filipinos from Ukraine, with about 400 repatriated to the Philippines. g

Padilla wants tariffs on foreign shows to boost Filipino showbiz industry

by DaPhne galvez Inquirer.net

MANILA — Senator Robinhood Padilla on Tuesday, October 18 said he wants to impose tariffs on foreign movies and TV series being shown here to encourage the local industry to generate more of the same content.

During the hearing of the 2023 budget for the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) at the Senate, Padilla said funds from the tariffs on foreign shows could assist Filipinos working in the film industry.

“Maaari po bang gawan natin ng paraan na taasan ang tax nitong mga foreign series na pumapasok sa atin? Kahit paano po ang subsidy na makukuha, bigay natin sa workers sa industry natin sa local,” the senator said.

(Can we raise the taxes on these foreign series that are

being shown here? So that the funds can be used for subsidies for our workers in the local industry.)

“Sampahan natin itong mga pagpasok ng foreign dahil maraming nawawalan ng trabaho dito,” he added.

(Let’s impose a tax on foreign shows because many people in the local industry are losing jobs here.)

Padilla also expressed support for providing additional funds to the FDCP to restore old Philippine films and the FDCP’s bid to have its building with its vault to preserve old Filipino movies.

According to FDCP Chairman Tirso Cruz III, the building will last for at least 40 to 50 years, and the P500,000 monthly rent can be realigned to helping film industry workers, especially young directors and scriptwriters.

The senator also supported making tourism sites out of

areas where Filipino films were made.

“Ang pelikula ‘pag tiningnan natin, investment na ito habang buhay. Kung preserved or restored, walang pagtanda dito. Kasaysayan ito, kultura. Ito masasabi na treasure natin,” Padilla said.

(Films are investments for life. If preserved or restored, they are timeless. They are also a part of our history and culture, so they can be considered our treasure.)

“Dito sa Southeast Asia, tayo unang gumawa ng pelikula at tayo po palagi ang nananalong best actor, best picture sa Asia… Lahat po ay nagmamalasakit sa pelikulang Pilipino. Siguro ito ang umpisa na makaabante tayo,” he added.

(Here in Southeast Asia, we were the first to make movies and always won awards for best film and actor… Now, so many are trying to help the film industry. So perhaps this is a good point for us to start.) g

AFP celebrates Marawi’s 5th liberation anniversary

by Michael Punongbayan Philstar.com

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday, October 17 celebrated the fifth anniversary of the liberation of Marawi City from the Maute terrorist group.

A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig in honor of the 169 fallen soldiers and police officers as well as the 1,800 others who were wounded in the firefight.

The ceremony at the Libingan’s Pylon ng Marawi was led by Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity

Carlito Galvez Jr. Galvez said the rehabilitation of Marawi is ongoing, with roads, bridges and other infrastructure being built.

Former interior secretary Eduardo Año, who was AFP chief at the time of the Marawi siege, and former Social Welfare and Development secretary Rolando Bautista, former chief of the Joint Task Force Marawi, attended the ceremony.

AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said the services and sacrifices of those who died or were wounded in the siege would remain forever in the hearts and minds of Filipinos.

“We owe it to the valiant and

courageous men and women in uniform who fought against the Maute group that we can still fly the Philippine flag over Marawi,” Aguilar said.

The siege started on May 23, 2017 and dragged on for five months.

On Oct. 17, 2017, then president Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi free from terrorists after authorities confirmed the deaths of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Maute group co-founder Omar Maute.

Hapilon was reportedly the emir in Asia of the international terrorist organization Islamic State. g

Revilla wants further investigation into killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid

MANILA — Urging a deeper investigation, Sen. Bong Revilla Jr. asked the Philippine National Police to continue its probe into the killing of broadcaster Percy Lapid even after Joel Estorial, the alleged hitman and principal suspect was taken into custody after the latter surrendered out of fear.

In a statement sent to reporters, the lawmaker said Tuesday that he filed Senate Resolution No. 264 asking the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation to look into how persons in the New Bilibid Prison seemingly run their criminal enterprises from inside the National Penitentiary.

\"It seems that there is no end to this - that the syndicates are still running their crimes within Bilibid," said Revilla. "If what Estorial is saying is true, it is very annoying that those inside can reach anyone outside, and

they hold the life of anyone they choose," he said in mixed Filipino and English.

"It's ridiculous that government resources are being used to in effect protect these masterminds who are housed in a government facility, isn't it? This is why the PNP must continue investigating, and we at Senate must seek the explanation of the Bureau of Corrections. This must stop."

Lapid was shot to death last October 3 in Las Piñas City. Estorial, the self-confessed gunman, was presented by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and the Philippine National Police in a press conference Tuesday morning, where Estorial himself admitted to having three other accomplices in the murder who have not yet been caught.

According to the PNP manual, a case is considered "solved and closed" when the following elements concur:

• the offender has been identified;

• there is sufficient evidence to charge him; • the offender has been taken into custody; • and the offender has been charged before the prosecutor's office or court of appropriate jurisdiction.”

Revilla said the case cannot be considered solved because Estorial’s cohorts are still at large, and the mastermind has yet to be identified. He also called for urgency over Estorial's confession that the order to kill Lapid came from inside Bilibid.

Bureau of Corrections spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag told reporters in a text message that its leadership already asked the National Bilibid Prison's Superintendent to investigate the alleged connection of the gunman with an unidentified inmate and "submit a report within today." (Franco Luna/Philstar.com)

Marcos pledges to reboot tourism by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed to step up efforts to reboot the country's tourism sector.

Speaking at the Philippine Tourism Industry Convergence Reception held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Marcos described tourism, which took a heavy blow from the coronavirus pandemic, as the "driving force of the economy," and committed his administration's full backing to the Department of Tourism's (DoT) agenda.

"Under this administration, the government will remain committed to ensure that the inputs you have acquired from your listening tours will be optimized for the benefit of the sector," he said.

"I look forward to the roles that we will play together in ensuring the progress and recovery of our tourism industry. It is my hope that this reception will foster

a meaningful discourse and concrete plans that we can put into action," he added.

Marcos, pleased with Tourism Secretary Cristina GarciaFrasco's report that around 1.6 million international travelers have visited the country since it reopened its borders last February, directed various government agencies to closely work with the DoT in building new infrastructure, rehabilitating and improving existing tourist destinations and discovering new ones, upgrading sea and airports as well as public transportation, and securing tourists.

He said "now is the best opportunity" for the country to be a tourism hub with its vast, rich natural resources and best asset — the Filipino workforce.

"We in the Philippines have been so fortunate to have been born to this very beautiful country. And even more so, we have been so lucky to be born to such beautiful people," he said.

"This is something that

we can show the world, and immediately, this will come to help on the preoccupation. At the very beginning, we always talk about jobs, we always talk about employment."

The President vowed to ensure that the Philippines' assets be used "to bring jobs to people, good jobs to people, to bring visitors to our country."

Hosted by the DoT, the Philippine Tourism Industry Convergence Reception serves as the springboard in rolling out the administration's plans to re-energize tourism which suffered huge losses after the pandemic practically grounded international travel during its height.

"I wish that initiatives for greater tourism connectivity and convenience will be pursued after this event," Marcos said.

"I am certain that if we continue that trajectory we have started in the last 100 plus days that we will succeed for the benefit of our people and country," he added. g

PAROL MAKER. A man assembles a Filipino Christmas lantern (parol) at his stall at Central Market in Manila to keep up with the demand for the traditional decoration on Thursday, Oct. 20. Parol, derived from the Spanish word “farol” which means lantern, is made of thin bamboo sticks and Japanese paper or plastic cellophane. PNA photo by Alfred Frias

President Marcos speaks at the Philippine Tourism Industry Convergence Reception held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Malacañang photo

Quiboloy loses cyber libel case vs Pacquiao

by Edith REgalado Philstar.com

DAVAO CITY — The Davao City prosecutors’ office has effectively junked the cyber libel charges that international evangelist of the Jesus Christ the Name Above Every Name pastor Apollo Quiboloy filed against former senator Manny Pacquiao.

The six-page resolution signed by prosecutor Jose Charito Cortez II and approved by Davao City prosecutor Jhopee Avanceña last week contended that Quiboloy’s complaint against Pacquiao, who ran but lost in the May 9 presidential election, was unconvincing.

“The complainant’s contention that the various press releases of herein respondent signify proof of the latter’s malicious intention

is not convincing,” part of the sixpage resolution read.

The cyber libel charges that Quiboloy filed against Pacquiao stemmed from the former senator’s refusal to attend the presidential debates that the evangelist’s Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) sponsored and held at the Okada Hotel.

Pacquiao stressed that he could not get himself to attend the debate because of the nature of the cases that the pastor allegedly faces in the United States.

“As much as I would like to participate in every debate and public forum related to my bid for the presidency, I am compelled to decline the invitation of Sonshine Media Network International, which is owned by Apollo Quiboloy, who, according to the

US government, has molested and abused children,” the prizewinning boxer said.

He likewise stressed that he cannot, in good conscience, “be part of any activity organized by a man wanted for detestable crimes and who unconscionably used the name of the Lord in vain for religious scams,” referring to Quiboloy.

Davao City prosecutors resolved that Pacquiao’s statement on his refusal to attend the SMNIsponsored debate was without malice.

Earlier this month, the Court of Tax Appeals junked a P2.2 billion case of Pacquiao and spouse on alleged tax arrears from his boxing purse, saying the assessment made was “void” because without factual basis. g

US invests P228 million in YouthWorksPH to support out-of-school youth

MANILA — The United States said it is investing P228 million or $3.8 million in YouthWorks PH to train unemployed and outof-school youth.

YouthWorksPH is an initiative between the United States Agency for International Development and the Philippine Business for Education.

"Together with PBEd, we are providing training opportunities that will lead them to employment so they can provide for themselves and contribute positively to society," US Deputy Chief of Mission Heather Variava said.

The P228-million investment was announced during YouthWorks PH's Skills Partnerships Summit held earlier this month. Philippine business leaders, together with national and local government officials, discussed partnership opportunities for young Filipinos.

PBEd Chairman Ramon R. del Rosario Jr. underscored the importance of providing skills training for the Filipino youth as a form of nation-building.

Meanwhile, USAID and PBEd also named YouthWork PH's new partners, including McDonald's Philippines, Amazon Web Services, Banco de Oro, Unibank Inc., Proudcloud, and Launchgarage. The partnership

will use at least P54 million ($915,000) worth of training materials to support at least 5,600 out-of-school youth in the country.

USAID and PBEd have provided over 13,000 workbased training programs with its industry partners and helped nearly 4,000 individuals with

training for employment in Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, General Santos, Greater Manila Area, and Zamboanga.

Their joint program was also expanded to five other sites, namely the Agusan del Sur, Bohol, Northern Cebu, Sarangani, and South Cotabato. (Kaycee Valmonte/Philstar.com)

DepEd to junk ‘mother tongue’ subject, but not as medium of instruction

MANILA — Public schools may soon do away with the 50 minutes of students’ native language as a subject in classes subject to finalization of the plans, the Department of Education told senators on Monday, October 17.

Education Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III bared this plan before the Senate Committee on Basic Education’s hearing on Monday morning, saying the plans came after the department’s review of the K to 10 program in the country’s schools.

“We intend to abandon the mother tongue as a subject, which is a separate learning area in the curriculum. And we will simply use the mother tongue, which is already the vernacular of the community, neighbors, and family, as part of the medium of instruction. No longer as a subject to be offered from Grade 1 to Grade 3,” he said.

Densing was careful to point out that mother tongues would still be the medium of instruction; they just won’t be taught as a separate subject anymore.

“This will be reallocated for our national reading program and national math program,” he said. “There is no need to teach it to the children because this is already their everyday language in the school and community and family. So the assumption there is they understand it already before it’s taught to them.”

But even teaching in native languages presents problems of its own.

Students since have been taught in their mother tongue for all subjects, except Filipino and English, from Kindergarten to Grade 3 since 2013 as part of the Mother Tongue-BasedMultilingual Education (MTBMLE) in K to 12. English is used as

the primary medium of instruction after this period.

Leila Areola, Director IV of the Curriculum and Instruction at the DepEd Bureau of Learning Delivery said that only 78,872 of its targeted 305,099 educators have been trained for the use of the mother tongue as a medium of instruction.

Dr. Marie Therese Angeline Bustos, director of the Assessment Curriculum and Technology Research Center said that the national government should “ensure that as far as possible students are allocated to classes that use their mother tongue as medium of instruction.”

Citing DepEd data, Bustos also presented the results of its Early Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program in 2018 in arguing the mother tongue’s links to learning in other subjects, which found that:

• Almost half of all pupils were rated as being proficient and highly proficient in Filipino while only close to a quarter have reached proficiency and high proficiency in English

• About one-third of the non-Tagalog test takers were considered proficient and highly proficient in their respective [tests] and about 16% of the same group were proficient and highly proficient in Numeracy. Also, about 10% of pupils who took the Numeracy subtest in Tagalog are at a proficient and highly proficient level

The Philippine Institute of Development Studies found in a study that less than 10% of the over 16,000 schools that it included in its study had fully complied with the four main conditions of DepEd in rolling out mother tongue-based multilingual education, namely orthography, grammar, learning resources, and dictionary.

“The primary model of implementation assumes that a child is exposed to only one mother tongue as suggested by the linguistic mapping of the DepEd. The reality is further hampered by procurement and budget issues at the school level,” the 2019 study which was read at the Senate hearing says. (Philstar.com)

Russia tells PH: Honor helicopter...

would like to cancel," Pavlov said and expressed hope the issue could be resolved.

The decision to cancel the contract, which was approved by Duterte, was made amid concerns over possible Western sanctions, which could include restrictions that would slow down the bank transfers of the massive income that Filipino workers send home from the U.S. and other Western countries, among other

possible problems, according to Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez.

Romualdez has said Washington did not pressure the Philippines to drop the P12.7-billion ($215 million) deal with the Russians.

But following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, countries that purchase Russian defense equipment could face Western sanctions, he said.

"I think it was really prudent specially for President Duterte

to approve the cancellation of that contract because it can save us a lot of trouble," Romualdez told Manila-based foreign correspondents in August.

A U.S. offer to sell Boeing CH-47 Chinooks, which was discussed last year by former Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana and his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, could be considered to replace the Russian helicopter deal, Romualdez said. (ManilaTimes.net with reports from Associated Press)

of Supreme Court

E Ron Parraguirre

Appellate Court Department 1

Westbrook Department 2

P. Gibbons Department 3

Bulla

Justice Court Department 3 Harmony Letizia Department 4 Melissa Saragosa Department 6 William Gonzalez Department 7 Max Berkley Department 9 Danielle Chio Department 10 Cybill Dotson Department 13 Suzan Baucum Department 14 Amy Chelini District Court Department 9 Maria Gall Department 11 Ellie Roohani Department 17 Jennifer Schwartz

Family Court Department A Mari Parlade

County Commissioner District E Tick Segerblom Commissioner District F Justin Jones Commissioner District G Jim Gibson District Attorney Steve Wolfson Sheriff Kevin McMahill

STATE ASSEMBLY State Assembly District 1 Daniele Monroe-Moreno State Assembly District 2 Heidi Kasama State Assembly District 3 Selena Torres State Assembly District 4 Richard McArthur State Assembly District 5 Brittney Miller

STATE ASSEMBLY

State Assembly District 6 Shondra Summers-Armstrong State Assembly District 7 Cameron Miller State Assembly District 8 Duy Nguyen State Assembly District 9 Steve Yeager State Assembly District 10 Rochelle Nguyen State Assembly District 11 Beatrice Duran State Assembly District 15 Howard Watts State Assembly District 16 Cecelia Gonzalez State Assembly District 17 Clara Thomas State Assembly District 18 Venicia Considine State Assembly District 19 Thaddeus Yurek

State Assembly District 20 David Orentlicher

State Assembly District 21 Elaine Marzola State Assembly District 22

Melissa Hardy

State Assembly District 24 Sarah Peters

State Assembly District 28 Reuben D’Silva

State Assembly District 29 Lesley E. Cohen

State Assembly District 30

Natha Anderson State Assembly District 31

Jill Dickman

State Assembly District 32

Alexis Hansen State Assembly District 34

Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod

State Assembly District 35 Michelle Gorelow

State Assembly District 37 Shea Backus

State Assembly District 40 Phillip O’Neill

State Assembly District 41 Sandra Jauregui State Assembly District 42 Tracy Brown-May

McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO Kenneth Yang, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Heather Variava, PBEd Executive Director Love Basillote, McDonald’s Vice President for the Human Capital Group, Franchising, and Restaurant Support Group Rebecca Roselada, and USAID Mission Director Ryan Washburn attend the YouthWorks PH Skills Partnerships Summit in Taguig. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila

Senators Win Gatchalian (right) and Robin Padilla preside over the Committee on Basic Education's inquiry on the implementation of the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) under the K to 12 Law at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday, Oct. 17. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

LIFESTYLE • CONSUMER GUIDE • COMMUNITY • MARKETPLACE

by AJPress

IN honor of Filipino American History Month, get to know seven more Filipino Americans who are serving across the Biden-Harris Administration, from the office of the Vice President to government agencies.

Geri Sanchez Aglipay

Administrator

A second-generation Ameri can and daughter of a veteran, Aglipay became the first Filipi no SBA Regional Administrator and the first Pinay appointed by any president in a cabinet agen cy senior regional role. With over 20 years of experience in policy development, program administration, and workforce development, she was appoint ed by the White House to over see SBA programs and financial operations across offices in six Great Lakes states.

How has being Filipino American shaped your identi ty and career path?

I’m a Filipino American wom an who has grown up as the child of immigrants. I’m grate ful to have experienced many opportunities and privileges in America, but I have also experienced classism, sexism, racial bias and stereotypes. I understand the concerns faced by communities of color, women of color, and those who are low income, working and middle-income households who work hard to make a better life and obtain financial, home, and health security. These factors have influenced my career path, including how I navigate social norms

Michael C. George Senior Advisor for Policy to the Vice President Hometown: Los Baños, Laguna

The son of immigrants from the Philippines and India, George is a senior policy advisor for Vice President Kamala Harris. He comes into the role with non-profit experi ence, serving in roles like program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Founda tion, where he led a $30 million investment port folio to support low-wage workers.

How has being Filipino American shaped your identity and career path?

My mother is originally from La Union in the Phil ippines and met my father while studying at the Uni versity of Hawaii. After I was born in Honolulu, we lived in Los Baños, Laguna until I was 14 years old, so almost all of my child hood memories are of the Philippines. Growing up abroad always made me reflect on how lucky I am to be American, and how one of the things that makes the United States a great country is its diversity.

Why did you join the Biden-Harris administration, and what does it mean as a Filipino American?

The President and Vice President took office at a critical mo

Angela Dela Cruz Perez

Meet the Fil-Ams working in the Biden-Harris administration (Part II of II)

Deputy Press Secretary U.S. Department of Commerce

Hometown: Woodside, Queens, New York

Angela

Perez joined the U.S. Department of Commerce after working as a press as sistant at the White House Press Office. She was on the Biden-Harris transition team and worked for the campaign as a communi cations assistant.

How has being Filipino American shaped your identity and career path?

I’m lucky to be born and raised in Woodside, Queens, a very diverse neighborhood in New York City with a strong Filipino immigrant popula tion. My mother, who was quite new to this country, empowered me to pursue an education and a career in something I was truly interested in, while also making sure I didn’t forget where I came from.  Why did you join the Biden-Harris administration, and what does it mean as a Filipino American?

President Biden made a promise to build an administration that looked like America — and he kept that promise. As one of many Fil ipino Americans within the administration, I’m proud to be part an administration so aligned with my values.

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?

To me, Filipino American History Month is a celebration of Filipi no Americans past and present. Whether it’s celebrating the activ ism that helped create the Asian American movement in the 1970s, noting the Filipino American community’s countless cultural con tributions to American film, art and music, or honoring the tireless Filipino American healthcare workers, Filipino American history is being made every day.

Angela Dela Cruz Perez, Deputy Press Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce

Michael C. George, Senior Advisor for Policy to the Vice President

Geri Sanchez Aglipay,

Administrator,

Administration Great

(Region

Meet the Fil-Ams working in the Biden-Harris...

Russellie Boñgolan

Deputy White House Liaison

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Hometown: Hacienda Heights, CA

My grandmother was the first to teach me about civic engagement and public service, which ul timately set me on this career path. I have vivid childhood memories of following her around as a little girl as she volunteered at the polls for many years. While she would set up the polling stations and help direct voters, she’d tell me about her own immigration story, and tell me how lucky we were to be both Filipino and American.

Why did you join the Biden-Harris administra tion, and what does it mean as a Filipino Amer ican?

Russellie Boñgolan was recently named Dep uty White House Liaison to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). She was first appointed by the current administration the USDA’s Research Education and Economics Mission Area, where she worked to promote key priorities such as eq uity, modernization and climate smart agriculture. Prior to her appointment, she served as Political Director for Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and as Georgia Deputy Director of Coalitions for the Biden-Harris campaign.

How has being Filipino American shaped your identity and career path?

After working on the campaign in Georgia, I saw firsthand that the Biden-Harris administration is committed to serving all Americans. As a Filipi no American, I think about my own grandfather, who’s first job as a new immigrant was to harvest asparagus in the fields of Central California. The fact that, just two generations later, I am a White House appointee to the USDA is truly a testament to America’s promise.

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?   Filipino American History Month is a time to cel ebrate our history, our contributions and the fact that we are writing the next chapter. It is not lost on me that I stand on the shoulders of so many history making Filipino Americans who came before me like the Delano manongs who advocated for them selves alongside Larry Itliong and in coalition with Cesar Chavez.

Trisha Ann Castaneda

Confidential Assistant to the Director Office of Management and Budget

Hometown: Irvine, CA

The Philippines and Filipinos are always associ ated with being hospitable. I have always strived to make sure everyone I meet in my life and in my career is met with kindness and care, no matter the circumstances.

Why did you join the Biden-Harris administra tion, and what does it mean as a Filipino Amer ican?

I joined the Biden-Harris administration because I believe that everyone deserves a seat at the table. As a Filipino American I am proud to represent my community, whose history is so deeply intertwined with the United States.

Castaneda entered the political world during her senior year of college as an intern for Rep. Doris Matsui and subsequently served as a junior staffer in the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. She joined the Office of Management and Budget in June 2022.

How has being Filipino American shaped your identity and career path?

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?

Filipino American History Month is an oppor tunity to showcase my country and my culture to a wider audience. Not everyone has the ability to interact with and experience Filipino culture – the food, the music, the art, the people – and I believe that once they do experience it, they’ll develop an appreciation and, as a result, an understanding.

Christian Bato

Southwest Intergovernmental Specialist Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy

Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA/Las Vegas, NV

The son of Filipino immigrants, Bato joined the U.S. Department of Energy after working for U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and serving as the Nevada Coalitions Director for the Biden-Harris campaign. He began his career working for SEIU’s iAmerica, which advocated for immigrant justice in the AAPI and Latino communities.

How has being Filipino American shaped your identity and career path?

My identity as a Filipino American has been THE driving force for my career in public ser vice. I began my career advocating for immi grant justice in the AAPI and Latino communi ties and I did my best to help people navigate the complex immigration system in our country during that time. I continued along that path by helping all Nevadans work with the feder al government as Senator Cortez Masto’s AAPI outreach representative in her Las Vegas Of fice. I find myself doing that today as I help key stakeholders and communities across the Southwest United States access important fed eral dollars and resources at the Department of Energy, especially after the historic steps taken by the administration in form of the Infrastruc ture Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Serving and helping others is an inherently Filipino trait and it’s something I try to do every day in my role with the Biden-Har ris Administration.

Why did you join the Biden-Harris admin istration, and what does it mean as a Filipino American?

I joined the Biden-Harris administration be cause it was a great chance to help President Biden make good on the promises he made on the campaign trail. We were, and still are, at an inflection point in our country and I wanted to make sure I did my part to help push the nation in the right direction, particularly when it comes to combatting the climate crisis. I felt that I was my duty as an American, but also as the son of Filipino immigrants, to use my tal

ents to help make a difference for the collective good. My parents sacrificed a lot to move to this country and my service in this administration, at the highest level of government, is something that I feel justifies their decision.

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?

Filipino American History Month provides a great opportunity to uplift and highlight the of ten-overlooked voices of our ancestors who im pacted the rich history of our country. It’s also a time to authentically embrace our heritage and display it proudly. Most of all, it’s a time to build our power as a community through orga nizing and educating. We are an integral part of the fabric of the United States of America, and it is important that we take this month to celebrate that.

Michael C. George

ment – in the middle of an economic downturn and the height of the COVID-19 pandemic – and I wanted to help support our country. Being able to work for a history-making Vice President – the first woman, African American, and Asian American to serve in the role – is a huge honor. The Presi dent and Vice President are truly committed to building an administration that “looks like America,” from the most junior staff to the most senior, because they want to lead a government that stands up for all Americans of all backgrounds. And you can see that in everything they do –  like when they spoke out against the rise in Anti-Asian violence during the pandemic and when the President signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law.

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?   Filipino American History Month is an opportunity to reflect on the deep ties between the Philip pines and the United States, reflected in the ties between so many families like mine and the traditions and cultures we share.

Christian Bato, U.S. Department of Energy

Russellie Boñgolan, Deputy White House Liaison, U.S. Department of Agriculture png

Trisha Ann Castaneda, Confidential Assistant to the Director, Office of Management and Budget

Plans revealed for huge resort-casino in competitive LV strip

by RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman

THE ever-changing Las Vegas cityscape continues to attract huge developers who want to establish their niche in the gaming and hospitality industries.

The latest to reveal plans for a huge resort-casino is billionaire Tilman Fertitta, who owns the Houston Rockets as well as the Golden Nugget casino in downtown Las Vegas and Landry’s Dining, which has a varied number of brands under its portfolio.

Fertitta, who bought a piece of land along the Las Vegas Strip early this year, has long been rumored to covet a place in the competitive avenue. A recent report by the Las Vegas Review Journal said that the billionaire’s company has filed plans to build a 43-story hotel-casino on the property located on Las Vegas Boulevard and Harmon Avenue.

Along with 2,420 rooms, the new development will feature restaurants, a spa, wedding chapel, convention space, theater with about 2,500 seats and an auto showroom, as well as VIP salons, suites and villas, and a bar/ lounge for high-limit gamblers, the report added.

Currently, that piece of property has a shuttered motel and some closed retail stores, which need to be torn down before a massive build could take place.

While the cost may be massive for the project on the piece of land that Fertitta owns, which is estimated to go over $1 billion, it may not reach the level of the Resorts World Las Vegas that cost

around $4.3 billion to build. Still, that is another huge investment for Las Vegas.

With this project, Fertitta stakes his claim on the large pie of tourists/visitors who have started coming back to Las Vegas since the pandemic began. The last few months have seen about 3.7 million to 3.8 million people pass through McCarran International Airport, which is near prepandemic levels. The kind of project that he is reportedly building on the property is a high-end one, which will compete with Caesars, MGM, Wynn and other high-end casino-resort developers.

Currently, many of the major players in the competitive boulevard have shored up their portfolios, with MGM selling the Mirage and buying Cosmopolitan, and Caesars replacing Bally’s with its Horseshoe brand.

Resorts World Las Vegas, from the Genting Group, which opened in 2021 was the site of the Stardust Resort and Casino until 2007. It houses three Hilton hotels and is said to be the most expensive resort property ever developed in Las Vegas. It also currently has a station underground which can take patrons to the Las Vegas Convention Center and back via Tesla vehicles for a fee, courtesy of the Elon Musk founded The Boring Company. The station is part of the planned Las Vegas Loop, whose goal is to reduce travel time for visitors and locals in the gambling and entertainment haven, and ease the traffic in the

city’s busy corridors.

In late 2023, the Fontainbleau is scheduled to open, which will feature a two-floor retail area for high-end brands, lots of meeting spaces, a theater, nightclub, and more than 3,700 rooms, aside, of course, from a casino area. With its location near LV Convention Center, the resort will have a focus on conferences.

There are many other projects on the way in Las Vegas, including a planned guitar hotel by Hard Rock International (to replace the Mirage Hotel), a boutique resort casino being built near the airport, the Oak View Group’s $3 billion entertainment development near the I-15 and I-215 freeways, and Red Rock Resorts plans to develop a new casino in the southwest valley of Las Vegas.

This means an ongoing stream of construction jobs in Las Vegas. It also means many employment opportunities once these projects become completed and begin their operations.

Clearly, real estate in Las Vegas, particularly near the Strip area, is valuable. In fact, some industry analysts have said that real estate values have appreciated by more than 200% over the last decade, more so if you had bought properties decades ago. Still, if you are looking to a change in scenery and searching for affordable real estate, Las Vegas and its neighboring towns/cities may be an option for you.

Nevada has not been immune to the real estate slowdown, which is being experienced in many parts of the United States.

But in terms of affordability, land and real estate prices in Nevada are very competitive. In fact, the affordability factor may be one of the reasons why people and families from other parts of the U.S. are moving to Nevada. Plus, of course, the cost of living is lower, especially when you compare living in a major city like Las Vegas to, say, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Miami and Hawaii. An industry expert has put the cost of living in Las Vegas as 1.9% lower than that of the national average.

Now may be one of the best times to take a look at what’s out there in the market, and negotiate your way to a great deal!

The growth in Nevada, especially in Las Vegas and neighboring cities and towns, have been tremendous. I can tell you that from experience – I have many decades under my belt, assisting clients who are looking

for their first home, second/ vacation homes, investment properties or land (for future use/ development). I can assist you in looking for these opportunities, given your budget and things you are looking for. Many of my clients have begun to reap the benefits of their investments, including turning their properties to rentals or Airbnb, or getting a good return on investment for the properties they bought in previous years.

My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805559-2476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@preciousproperties.com or fely.precious@ gmail.com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702)

or send email to fely@preciousproperties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman is bringing in American investors who will provide reasonable and affordable energy to Filipino households, which is in line with one of the main goals of current Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

(Advertising Supplement)

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman attended the Philippine Business Expo in Manila Hotel to help promote Pahrump, Nevada. She is part of the Philippine Trade Mission from the Silver State promoting Pahrump and Las Vegas in the Philippines.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman and Russ Bateman at their residence in Vermont Royale in Antipolo City.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman is shown in photo above attending another convention in Manila.

NOTICE TO ELECTORS OF CLOSE OF REGISTRATION FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Registrar of Voters of Clark County, Nevada, will conduct a registration of qualified electors for the General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

Any qualified elector whose name does not appear on the official registry list may apply for registration by mail, in-person, online, or through same day registration in the manner approved by law according to the deadlines listed below. (NRS 293.3568, 293.560, 293.565, 293.5832, 293.5837, 293.5842, 293.5852)

The deadlines to register for the first time or update your existing voter registration by mail or online in time for the November 8, 2022, General Election and still receive a mail ballot are below. After those dates pass, voters who wish to register for the first time, or make changes to their existing registration information will have to do so through the same-day registration process, either online or in-person (at an early voting site or on Election Day at a Vote Center). New registrants will be required to vote a provisional ballot in-person at any early voting site or on Election Day at any Vote Center. We strongly encourage all qualified electors to register to vote or update their existing voter registration as soon as possible.

2022 GENERAL ELECTION VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES AND HOURS

Method of Registering Dates Hours

Through the mail, government agencies, or in person voter registration application to: Clark County Election Center 965 Trade Drive, Suite A North Las Vegas, NV. 89030

Online, only at www.Registertovotenv.gov, and must have a valid

Nevada DMV issued ID or Driver’s License

Same Day Registration (In-Person), must have a valid Nevada DMV issued ID or Driver’s License

Tuesday, October 11 (Deadline)

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Closed

Tuesday, October 25 (Deadline) to receive a mail ballot or vote a regular ballot in-person at any early voting site or Election Day Vote Center.

October 26 – November 8 (Online Same Day Registration), must show ID at early voting site or at Election Day Vote Center and may only vote a provisional ballot in-person at any early voting site or Election Day Vote Center.

October 22 – November 4 (all early voting sites, during voting hours); November 8 (Election Day at all Vote Centers, by close of polls)

CITY CLERK’S OFFICE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES AND HOURS (Mail or Over the Counter) Location Dates Hours

Boulder City City Clerk’s Office 401 California Avenue Boulder City, Nevada 89005

City of Henderson City Clerk’s Office 240 Water Street Henderson, Nevada 89015

City of Las Vegas City Clerk’s Office 495 S. Main Street 2nd Floor Las Vegas, Nevada 89101

City of North Las Vegas City Clerk’s Office 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030

City of Mesquite City Clerk’s Office 10 E. Mesquite Blvd. Mesquite, Nevada 89027

Monday - Thursday Tuesday, October 11 (Deadline)

Monday - Thursday Tuesday, October 11 (Deadline)

Monday - Thursday Tuesday, October 11 (Deadline)

Monday – Thursday Tuesday, October 11 (Deadline)

Monday – Thursday Friday

Tuesday, October 11 (Deadline)

7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Closed

7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Closed

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Closed

7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Closed

8:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.

7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday Closed

7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

A qualified elector who possesses a Nevada driver’s license or DMV-issued identification Card, and wishes to receive a mail ballot, may register or update his/her voter registration information online until 11:59 p.m., October 25, 2022, exclusively at www.Registertovotenv.gov, (Nevada Secretary of State). Those qualified electors who register online from October 26 to November 8 (by 7:00 p.m.), will not receive a mail ballot, must vote in person at an early voting site or on Election Day, may only vote a provisional ballot, and must be prepared to show their Nevada driver’s license or DMV-issued identification Card prior to voting.

Nevada and federal law require first-time registrants to provide an identifying number (Nevada driver’s license number or the last four digits of their social security number). If these do not match the records maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles or Social Security Administration, the registrant will be required to present identification before being allowed to vote. Forms of current and valid identification include a Nevada Driver’s License, Nevada I.D. Card, military identification card, OR a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or document issued by a government entity, listing the registrant’s name, and residential address. These individuals have been notified by mail of this requirement.

For more information, call the Clark County Election Department at (702) 455-8683.

Carla Abellana

Photo from Instagram/@carlaangeline

Carla looks none the worse for wear after breakup of marriage by Leah C. SaLterio Inquirer.net

CARLA Abellana looks none the worse for wear after going through the breakdown of her marriage with husband Tom Rodriguez. They were married for less than a year, after being together for seven years.

“I’ve been okay,” a smiling and beautiful Carla told the entertain ment press. “The blessings have been coming in. I’ve been doing TV guestings from time to time. I have appearances and my calen dar gets busy now.”

After going through this pan demic for nearly three years now, Carla still feels tentative about the new normal that everybody has been dealing with lately.

“There are so many people,” she surprisingly observed. “There are members of the press and I get interviewed again. I’m very familiar with this. I’m happy to be here. Excited.”

Carla’s last public appearance was in the GMA Gala Night in July at the Shangri-La at The Fort.

Early next year, the actress is also scheduled to do another teleserye in the afternoon prime of GMA Network.

She recently faced the press for her latest product endorsement, Collagen by Watsons. “This is not just an endorsement or a specific skin care product,” Carla pointed out. “Let’s face it, even if you’re a guy or a girl, products like Col lagen also help you to build your

confidence.

“This is not just meant to beautify yourself or take care of your skin. It also boosts your confidence. That’s important. This is perhaps not for everybody, but this is also for your confidence. A lot of it is for your own good.”

This pandemic, Carla admi rably learned soap-making and candle-making. “That’s some thing that I really enjoy,” she attested. “Those are new output and activities for me. They make me happy.”

Admittedly, she is not in a position yet to give advice to other women who went through the same personal experience as she did.

“Maybe one day, I can answer all the questions and give advice to other women. I live one day at a time. I don’t think about what I will do tomorrow, where I will be next week or what I will do,” Carla said.

“My best friends, all of whom have been with me since we were children, have always been there for me. They are my support system up to now. My family also helps me constantly. I also help myself. That’s important.”

Without going into details, the recent events in Carla’s life, espe cially the break-up of her marriage with Tom Rodriguez at the start of 2022, undoubtedly affected her confidence.

“That’s a big question. That’s a loaded one. I have many answers

for that. Baka abutin tayo ng bukas if we will go one by one. In life, we really go through ups and downs. We all have our own problems, personal issues, those are part of life.

“Not a year passes by when you don’t go through something important or challenging in life. Whether you’re on top, you’re happy, you’re at your best or you’re not, there will always be problems that will come unex pectedly.

“That is part of God’s plan. That’s how it is. But that doesn’t mean you can be crushed or pun ished. It’s how you will overcome or manage. That’s not necessarily a problem or hardship in life. You just have to experience them.”

Like any other celebrity, Carla also experiences “hardships, problems, pressures, personal issues” that the public may or may not know about.

“The Lord simply wants you to be strong,” she said. “You need to experience all that so you will re turn to the Lord. Whoever you are, wherever you are, you always face problems and hardships in life.

“Your strength will be tested, of course, even your faith in God. You’ll see who can really help you. Who are out there for you.

“There are so many factors in bringing back your confidence again. That’s not yourself alone. It’s not just one person who can help you. We are also human. We PAGE B8

Meet the Fil-Ams working in the Biden-Harris...

Loni Cortez Russell

Deputy Associate Administrator

Office of the Administrator, Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

I grew up in a Fil-Am household in Southern California surrounded by strong women who cen tered their family and heritage in all parts of our lives. My Ama, or grandfather, was the former governor of our province, and my mother was in volved in local politics in the Philippines. Filipino values, such as family, community, respect, hard work (and having a good time!), have always been core to my personal and professional identity.   Why did you join the Biden-Harris admin istration, and what does it mean as a Filipino American?

Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Administra tion, Russell spent over a decade leading local, state and federal advocacy campaigns to fight for climate action and public health for major environmental organizations across the country including as the head of public engagement for the Climate Action Campaign, a coalition of na tional climate organizations working to advance federal climate policy. She was born and raised in Los Angeles and credits her Filipino American heritage to her commitment to public health and the environment.

How has being Filipino American shaped your identity and career path?

Since day one, the Biden-Harris administration has centered the actions of the federal govern ment around the need to prioritize the most vul nerable and fight for social equity, especially in responding to the multiple crises of a pandemic, economic uncertainty and racial injustice.I was attracted to and am proud of my work at EPA leading and embedding this commitment to jus tice and equity in how the agency works with all its stakeholders like frontline communities, busi nesses, NGOs among others. As a Fil-Am, our culture is diverse, complex and rich with strong traditions of taking care of the most vulnerable and it is honor to work for an administration that shares those traditions and emphasizes diversity as core to public service.

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?

It’s an honor to recognize the deep history and diversity of the Filipino American experience. Fil-Ams have been an important yet under-rec ognized in American culture. There are so many incredible contributions that Fil-Ams have shaped and influenced in this country. Fil-Am History Month is an opportunity to highlight and cele brate our stories and people.

Geri Sanchez Aglipay

and intercultural communication.

Why did you join the Biden-Harris administration, and what does it mean as a Filipino American?

I joined the Biden-Harris administration to lend my expertise and experience for inclusive recov ery from the COVID-19 pandemic and help support the Administration’s and SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman’s goal for a new economy that works for everyone, especially from the bottom up to the middle out. The pandemic highlighted a multitude of disparities that many socioeconomically vulnerable and at-risk communities faced pre-pandemic, including Filipinos. So, it’s meaningful to me to be in this role to representing my community to support recovery.

What does Filipino American History Month me to you?

To me, Filipino American History Month, which was established by [the Filipino American National Historical Society], is about the struggles, achievements and history of Filipinos in the United States as impacted by forces not only in the Philippines, but especially on American shores. It’s a month to share writings by Carlos Bulosan and Dr. Dawn Bohulano Mabalon; learn about Larry Itliong, and the pensio nados; and continue a legacy of economic impact like the first Filipino credit union in Illinois. Knowing history impacts how we navigate our community, which is important for times where critical thinking and historical context impacts our future.

Loni Cortez Russell, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Bianca on the joys of parenting & podcasting

By Charmie Joy Pagulong Philstar.com

WHAT’S a typical day for mom and Kapamilya host Bianca Gonzalez-Intal?

For Bianca, as a mother of two girls, Lucia, 6, and Carmen, 3, having a work-from-home setup means more time to take care of her children.

“I think the beauty sa work ko is hindi ako 9 to 5 (job). Because of that, nadadala ko yung kids ko sa school, hinahatid ko sila,” she told The STAR during the Spotify Creator Mixdown event recently held in Taguig City. Tapos kapag times na may work ako, buti na lang my husband din hindi 9 to 5, siya naman ang sumusundo sa kids.”

The 39-year-old mom is mar ried to retired Philippine Bas ketball Association (PBA) cager JC Intal.

“The day is just filled with quality time with them and also work. Until now, work-fromhome pa rin ang karamihan talaga ng work ko so whenever I need (to) have interviews, when ever I need to make interviews, it’s still at home. Bihira lang yung mga in-person events. So, I’m really able to schedule well,” she said.

Bianca and JC are hands-on parents to their daughters. As Bianca shared, “Yes (even JC is very hands-on), including the preparation of baon in the morn ing. ‘Pag -take ng temperature, lahat, paghanda ng bag, super hands-on. My kids are young, 6 and 3. So, I feel that this is the time na ang bilis mawala na mal iit sila. So, I try to make the most of this age. Kasi ‘pag matanda na sila, ‘wa na sila care sa akin. ‘Pag may sarili na silang life.”

When it comes to disciplin ing their kids, Bianca admitted that she is the stricter parent as compared to her husband. “Because I guess daddy siya and we have two girls so parang konting hingi lang ng mga anak namin, he would give in. So, yes ako yung strict pero sobra akong malambing. Very loving, very malambing. Very hands-on and very strict.”

Aside from fulfilling her du ties as a mother, Bianca is also busy juggling her time between her podcast channel, producing videos on YouTube, hosting ABS-CBN’s CinemaNews and some side events as content creator.

When queried if she thought of doing acting again, she re plied, “Naku hindi na. Sa almost 19 years ko, lagi akong tina tanong mag-a-act ka pa ba? At this point, parang hindi na talaga. Mas enjoy kong interview-hin na lang yung mga bida ng pelikula kesa sa ako.”

Through her podcast titled Paano Ba ‘To, Bianca gets to share personal life lessons and advice to her listeners.

On why it is important for celebrities and showbiz person alities to have a podcast, she explained, “I think it all will start from the objective, I guess, of why a celebrity or someone from entertainment starts a podcast.

I think one thing in common na narinig ko sa local podcasters is they really started because gus to lang mag-chikahan, gustong mag-share ng stories.”

“So it was the same with me. Although with me, it already existed as a book and then a video series bago siya maging podcast so I think it’s a platform for everyone who are interested sa mahabang usapan, which is the nature of the podcast,” she furthered.

She pointed out how podcasts allow for a deeper dive into the topics at hand.

“We are used to short videos, snackable (content) but a pod cast kasi mas deep dive siya. You really get to spend time with the one you’re listening to. So kung yun ang goal ng isang celebrity na mas ma -explore yung ma habang usapan then definitely a podcast is a great platform,” she said.

For those who are new to

the world of podcasting, Bianca offered, “If they try listening to an episode na engage na engage sila, either sa topic or dun sa host, I think mae-enjoy nila yun. I think it’s so fresh na mahabang usapan naman. Hindi lang yung laging mabilis-mabilis. Yung na pa -practice din yung attention span. Yung slowness ng isang totoong kwentuhan.”

“My topics in my podcast are things that I’m really interested in, things that I really want to learn about… ‘Pag yung pinapak inggan ko sobrang interested dun sa pinag-uusapan nila, I feel like I’m into it, too. So parang nah ahawa nung energy ng listener dun sa energy nung conversa tion,” she added.

Meanwhile, Spotify’s head of Studios for Southeast Asia Carl Zuzarte shared that the current trend in podcasting is about love and relationships, entertainment and culture and wellness.

In the last 12 months, accord ing to a media release, these are among the top Spotify podcast shows: Barangay Love Stories, Dear MOR: The Podcast, Charot Readings with Macoy Dubs & Show Suzuki, skypodcast and Punchline with Alex Calleja.

Podcasting is “really (a) good reflection of the entertainment industry,” Zuzarte pointed out. “A lot of podcasters talk about what is happening, a big movie, what’s happening in sports and what’s happening in the news. So podcasting is a good mirror of that and because of all these conversations, it’s also shaping the industry, right? New trends (and) new conversations come PAGE B8

PRE-BID MEETING

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING

Procurement Dept. 340 N. 11TH Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101

FOR

B23011)

&

Wanda Beckett, Contract Administrator Telephone: (702) 477-3145 TDD: (702) 387-1898

Email: Procurement@snvrha.org or if not available, contact Linda Price Simpson, Contract Administrator (702)477-3144

1. 2.

DOWNLOAD AND RESPOND TO THIS SOLICITATION: Nevada Government E-Marketplace (NGEM) website: https://www.ngemnv.com/ Registered Users: Log in and insert Solicitation No. IFB B18025

Non-Registered Users: You must register your company before downloading and responding to this Bid, which is free of charge.

DOWNLOADS ONLY: The solicitation can be downloaded only from SNRHA website: www.snvrha.org click on Doing Business. Problems downloading the Solicitation, notify our IT Department at call (702) 477-3160, M-F, 8AM-5PM PST

PRE-BID MEETING: OCTOBER 24, 2022 AT 9:00 AM

Microsoft Teams Meeting: Join on your computer, mobile app Meeting ID: 219 605 619 293

Passcode: h8uLQ6

Download Teams | Join on the web Or call in (audio only) 1 323-406-1159 Phone Conference ID: 693 173 885#

DEADLINE

All questions must be submitted through the Nevada Government E-Marketplace (NGEM) https://www.ngemnv.com/ by:

NOVEMBER 17, 2022 @ 10:00 AM (PST)

All responses to questions will be issued in NGEM in the form of an Addendum.

HOW

Two (2) Step Bid Submission Process:

Per Section of the IFB document, both the cost proposal and delivery of the hardcopy proposal must submitted by the submission date and time noted below:

1. All Cost Proposal are to be entered in NGEM; and

2. Hardcopy proposals must be delivered to SNRHA

As stated within Section 4.0 of the IFB document, deliver three (3) copies of your “hard copy” proposal as specified in Section 4.0 of the IFB document.

NOVEMBER 28, 2022 @ 10:00am

Late Submission will not be accepted; Failure to comply with both submissions by this date and time will result in the bid being consider non-responsive.

Public Bid Opening: No public bid opening due to the number of cost items required. Bid results will be emailed to all bidders;

Aside from fulfilling her motherhood duties, Bianca Gonzales is also busy balancing her time between her podcast channel, producing videos on YouTube, hosting ABS-CBN’s CinemaNews and some side events as content creator. Philstar.com photo

No wedding bells yet, but Dominic says he is sure Bea is the one for him

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

DOMINIC Roque revealed that he sees his girlfriend, ac tress Bea Alonzo, as the one he would settle down with in the future, although he stated that they have yet to set their mar riage plans.

The actor spoke about this in a conversation with comedian-tal ent manager Ogie Diaz during the recently held “Gabay Guro” press conference, as per a vlog on the latter’s YouTube channel last Sunday.

“Sabi ni Dom, hindi naman talaga nila napag-uusapan ni Bea ‘yung kasal for now. Pero syem pre kung siya ang tatanungin, sigurado daw siya na si Bea ‘yung kanyang pakakasalan,” Diaz said. “‘Sure ako kay Bea,’ sabi niya.”

(Dom said that he and Bea have yet to talk about marriage for now. But of course, if some one asks him, he is certain that Bea is the one he would marry. “I am sure of Bea,” he said.)

Roque also gave a glimpse of his moments with Alonzo, through a three-part greeting for the actress’ 35th birthday on his Instagram page.

Meanwhile, Alonzo was also greeted by fellow actress Dim ples Romana who recounted how their friendship started when they were just 16 years old. Romana showed photos of them together with Janus del Prado,

Ahron Villena and Beatriz Saw, their co-stars in the 2007 hit film “One More Chance” and its se quel “A Second Chance” (2015).

“We have grown togeth er not just as actors but as friends as well. Thank you for the unending love for me and the FAhmeely,” Romana told Alonzo. “And know that the doors of our home will always be open for you 24/7 for late night chikas (stories) and even the more quiet moments.”

“Cheers to more restaurant dates [until] closing time and more of life’s beautiful surprises coming your way! God knows

you deserve each one,” Romana added. “Always be here by your side!”

Alonzo confirmed her rela tionship with Roque in August 2021. The couple marked their first anniversary last January, with the actress describing their relationship as “one of the best decisions she has ever made.”

Earlier this year, Alonzo opened up about her plans, not ing that she is not in a hurry to settle down and have kids. The actress said that she is “taking her time” and that she has her “own timeline” when it comes to these matters. g

Dennis reached out to Jennylyn after breakup years ago

By DAnA Cruz Inquirer.net

DENNIS Trillo opened up on his and Jennylyn Mercado’s sec ond chance in love, admitting that he was the first one to reach out to the actress after their breakup years ago.

The actor narrated the events leading to his reconciliation with Mercado when he guested on Nelson Canlas’ “Updated with Nelson Canlas” podcast on Friday, Oct. 14.

Trillo recalled that he got in touch with Mercado again through text messaging while he was in London for a show with his former “My Husband’s Lover” co-star Tom Rodriguez.

“Ako ‘yung nagtext… Sig

uro na-miss ko siya o ano,” he recounted. “Tinext ko lang na, ‘O, kumusta ka na?’ Nag-reply naman siya tapos simula no’n, nagtuloy na ulit ‘yung communi cation naming dalawa.”

(I texted [her]… Maybe I missed her or whatever. I just texted her, “Oh, how are you?” She replied and that was when we started communicating again.)

Trillo then expressed grateful ness over getting back together with Mercado, given that he did not imagine they would reconcile and eventually get married.

“‘Yun ‘yung nakakatuwa, na nangyari ‘yung hindi mo akalain tapos ‘di mo alam, siya pa rin talaga hanggang sa huli,” Trillo said on his relationship with Mercado. (That’s the good thing, when the unexpected happens and then you didn’t know, it’s still her

until the end.)

“Pareho kami, never namin na-imagine na mangyayari ‘to sa mga buhay namin, na mag kakaroon kami ng happy ending. Actually hindi pa happy ending, happy start,” he added.

(Both of us never imagined that this would happen to our lives, that we would get a happy ending. Actually, this is not a happy ending but rather a happy start.)

Trillo and Mercado became a couple in 2010, but the relation ship did not work out and they got into a public breakup a year later. They then got back together in 2014.

After being in a relationship for seven years, the couple got mar ried in an intimate civil ceremony in November last year. They then welcomed their daughter Dylan last May. g

Kim fulfills dream of starting own business venture

AFTER months of planning, Kim Chiu has finally made one of her dreams come true as she launched her own leather handbag business.

The actress revealed her new bag business venture, House of Little Bunny Philippines, on her Instagram page on Friday, Oct. 14. She also gave a glimpse of some designs for the brand, including a brown leather bag she brought to work.

“Finally hopped my way into the world of entrepreneurship!” Chiu told fans. “What started as a dream of having my own business venture has finally come [to] life.”

“My love for handbags is endless, and now I can finally share these bags that I have loved since the first time I saw them—they’re the perfect arm candies made of genuine leather, and comes with the perfect gold hardware,” she added.

Chiu expressed excitement over having her own business venture and stressed the importance of the public’s support as she hops into entrepreneurship.

“I am beyond excited now that I have something I can call my own,” she said, along with the hashtag, “#EveryoneHasToStartSomewhere.”

Among those who congratulated Chiu on her new venture were fellow celebrities Janine Gutierrez, Cherry Pie Picache and Chie Filomeno.

Chiu currently appears as one of the hosts of the noontime variety show “It’s Showtime.” She also recently starred in the film “Always,” the first movie in eight years where she starred with her boyfriend, actor Xian Lim. (Dana Cruz/Inquirer.net)

Bianca on the joys of...

from podcasting and are reflect ed back into the media. That’s how we see it.”

It will “help grow the creator economy,” he further told this paper. “Because this is another way now. Not everyone could be a certain kind of creator, this is a new kind of creator that we can target and if you look at the number of creators that you see coming from sort of like even students, professionals, this is just another opportunity to grow the industry even more.”

On the future of podcasting,

he noted, “In the Philippines, we will see. Given the trajectory to reach markets which have been podcasting for a long time, that means you see more creators are (into) podcasting (and) more listeners coming to podcasting. It’s as simple as that.”

“You see the key genres con tinue to grow. And you also find new genres popping up in the future. You see Spotify (is) in novating (and) who knows what else is gonna come up. We just see more listeners, more crea tors and more engagements in podcasting,” added Zuzarte. g

Carla looks none the worse for wear...

experience problems and hardships.”

Carla is now building her dream house on a lot she purchased back in 2018. “Just this year, construction of my house started,” she proudly shared. “Very exciting, but at the same time, scary because of the expenses.

“We started construction in March. The progress is fast. Grabe ang gastos. Construction materials spiked up, affected by the fuel increase. But thankfully, I manage. There is always enough that I can set aside for construction.

“At the moment, I still cannot picture the house clearly. It’s just the shell. Just the structure. I still cannot fully visualize. Although my architect and interior designers are always around. They submit their renderings and photos for all floors, the walls, roofing.

“Maybe when they start working on the fixtures, I can imagine and appreciate the construction. That’s more exciting for me. I’m very excited. Next year, the house will be finished and I can move in.” g

Kim Chiu

Photo from Instagram/@chinitaprincess

Dominic Roque and Bea Alonzo

Photo from Instagram/@dominicroque

Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado

Photo from Instagram/@dennistrillo

PhiliP S. Chua MD, FaCS, FPCS

RESEARCHERS studied autopsy findings on 24 brains, 5 of them people called “SuperAgers,” those who are 80 and over. I refer to them as “TeenAged,” individuals whose cognitive ability, alertness, attitude, behavior, posture, and movements are almost similar to people 20 or more years younger than they are.

The findings in this study revealed the brains of “SuperAgers” had larger neurons, the “information messenger” of the brain that transmit electrical impulses and chemical signs between various areas of the brain and between the brain and the rest of the nervous system and the body. The larger neurons in the entorhinal cortex (ERC) appear to help preserve memory capacity among “SuperAgers.” Memory capacity usually decreases with age, with about 40 percent of people aged 65 years and older having age-associated memory impairment, and about 1 percent of them progress into dementia each year.

The study also found that SuperAgers lacked neurons with “tau tangles,” that are characteristic of Alzheimer's Disease. SuperAgers have been “described as the ‘professional athletes of cognition,’ since they are rare people who continue to have sharp memories well into old age.”

Nasal vaccines

“No-needle” mucosal vaccination is now being developed, to be delivered nasally or orally (also transdermal, with a micro needle). Since the virus enters the nose and mouth, the hope is that the nasal/oral versions would halt the virus at those entry points and prevent it from spreading to the rest of the body. At least “a dozen nasal vaccine candidates are being studied and are at their phase III clinical trials.” The ones for COVID-19 are still far off from being available in the United States. China has approved an inhaled COVID-19 vaccine as a booster about 5 weeks ago. India is following suit with its own version of an intranasal vaccine for emergency use.

In the meantime, as of last Monday, October 17, 2022, there were 46,146 cases of COVID-19, with 338 deaths, 24,091 hospitalized in the United States. Sadly, very few have opted for the bivalent booster shot, which is a big mistake.

Vaping worse?

Jumping from the pan to the fire could well be the case of those who stopped smoking and started vaping (e-cigarettes).

‘SuperAgers’

Vaping, like smoking tobacco, is self-induced slow suicide. Why some people have to take in hazardous substances into their body is mind-boggling. Almost half a million die each year from tobacco-related illnesses in the United States. Secondhand smoke kills more than 41,000 people in the United States alone.

Vaping use is catapulting to a serious high. They are advertised as a safer option to cigarettes. Does it mean it would destroy the body more slowly, killing more softly? Those vaping are 40 percent more likely to have bronchitis symptoms, with lingering cough, phlegm, congestion, etc., and 53 percent, shortness of breath. Vaping is more toxic in close quarters. Those near a person vaping could also be exposed to secondhand vaping. Let’s stop being masochistic and cease hurting our body.

Early onset cancer

Cancer of the colon and 13 other digestive system cancers have been observed to be spiking as early-onset malignancies, targeting younger and younger people. This was revealed by a new study in 44 countries. The fact that these are gastrointestinal suggests the big role diet and the bacteria in our gut (microbiome) have in causing these cancers. Some factors that increase the risk for cancers are smoking, high alcohol intake, obesity, consuming mostly meat, lack of vegetables, fruits, nuts in the diet, too much carbohydrates (sugars), lack of exercise, environmental pollution. In 2022, about 1.9 million cases of cancer and nearly 610,000 related deaths (1670 deaths a day) are expected in the United States alone.

Selenium and aging

As we grow older, the caps on the ends of some of our chromosomes, called telomeres, get shorter. More evident signs of aging are wrinkles and gray hair. In the bloodstream, an ingredient, selenium, declines. Daily requirement is 55 micrograms per day for 14 and older. Pregnant or lactating mothers need 60-70 micrograms. Selenium, a trace element, which plays a vital role in DNA and cellhealth (and protecting the body from free radicals), can be found in multivitamins and mineral (combo) supplements. Experts believe selenium might help fight against aging. Selenium may be found in seafood, like shrimp, tuna, halibut, and sardines, as well as meats, Brazil nuts, and grains. Consult your physician for more details.

Microbiome – Diabetes

A new study links gut microbiome to the development of diabetes, where there is loss of dysfunction of the beta cells of the pancreas (which manufacture natural body insulin). This

research reports that “a protein called beta cell expansion factor A (BefA) secreted by certain gut bacterial species could induce the proliferation of beta cells in young mice and zebrafish.” This means dysfunctional beta cells (which is the situation in diabetes T2) could someday be replicated to produce insulin for the body, hence effectively helping treat or preventing diabetes.

This study shows how gut microbiome (the balance of the good and bad gut bacteria milieu) influences pancreatic beta cells development early in childhood. When this lab discovery is found applicable to humans, this gut microbiome strategy in “replenishing the beta cells of the pancreas” will tremendously benefit the more than 462 million individuals (6.28 percent of the world’s population) who have T2 diabetes and, especially, the 8.7 million with T1 diabetes. As we have posted in this column before, a healthy gut microbiome by living a healthy lifestyle would maximize our health and longevity.

Protect your DNA

We are healthy when our DNA is healthy. Protecting our DNA from childhood to adulthood is existentially vital. Any damage to the DNA caused by self-abuse (alcohol excess, smoking, illicit drugs, unhealthy diet, too much stress, lack of exercise, sleep deprivation, lack of rest, etc.), exposure to harmful chemicals, too much sun, and bodily injuries, will lead to disease of our system, resulting in illnesses.

As I have stated in my book, “Let’s Stop ‘Killing’ our Children” (view at philipSchua. com), protecting the DNA starts in the womb (maternal healthy behavior during pregnancy), and in the crib, when dieting should start, not in high school, if we are to prevent damages to the child’s DNA. The strategy to a healthy life and longevity, unlike the lengthy global search of Ponce de Leon for the Fountain of Youth, is actually here with us, all along. It is called living a healthy lifestyle. The execution of living a healthy lifestyle is the challenge, because it takes a lot of personal sacrifices and strict discipline to achieve its great rewards.

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * *

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/ author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and antigraft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

SPSA celebrates golden in Las Vegas

THE Society of Philippine Surgeons in America, including their members in Canada, commemorated its half a century of service to healthcare in North America and its humanitarian endeavors to aid the poor in the Philippines.

SPSA Fellows, surgeons from around the Unit ed States and Canada, came to Las Vegas for this historic golden celebration at the Casear’s Palace, October 19-21, 2022, according to SPSA President Honorio M. Cruz, MD, FACS.

This renowned exclusive society of Filipino sur geons of various sub-specialties was established in San Francisco in 1972, with Hernan M. Reyes as Founding President. A number of them are in aca demia, professors, Chiefs of Surgery, and medical staff presidents in various medical centers around the United States and Canada.

A 450-page SPSA Golden Yearbook, a historic account of the association and compendium of the contributions, achievements, and legacy of its mem bers, was presented to each SPSA Fellow during the Golden Gala Dinner-Ball on Friday, October 21, together with its 84-page supplement, the SPSA Golden Souvenir Journal.

These two highly treasured books are given free, one per each SPSA Fellow. Those interested

to obtain a second or more copies may order them by sending a donation of $75 per additional copy (net cost of printing, handling, and postage, which could be tax-deductible expenses) to Dr. Danny C. Fabito, at 6781 Ivory Sage Street, Las Vegas, NV 89148. These are both limited edition books and are available only while they last.

Among the 14 news SPSA Fellows inducted to the Society during the Gala was a Nun surgeon, Sister Eva Fidel Maamo, MSLP, MD, of Paranque, Metro Manila, Philippines, reported by Ed Gamboa, MD, FACS, Chairman of Membership.

Dr. Daniel C. Fabito, MD, FACS, FPCS, Past President and now Executive Director, said the com plimentary Welcome Dinner at the NoyPitz Bar and Grill on South Las Vegas, was very well attended.

“Las Vegas is a fantastic city. The Golden Gala Dinner-Dance at the Caesar’s Emperor’s Ballroom was a great success and a wonderful historical epi logue, a grand legacy of the SPSA as it embarks into its next chapter, its new voyage, SPSA 2.0,” states SPSA Golden Convention Chairman Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS.

For SPSA contacts, please send email to any one of these addresses: hmcruzmd@gmail.com, danielfab@cox.net, and scalpelpen@gmail.com. g

Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month

by Annie WAlters Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Nevada

OCTOBER is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

At Social Security, we recognize and appreciate the roles people with disabilities play in the work force. That’s why we’re celebrat ing and sharing Matt’s story.

As a job seeker who is deaf and needs accommodations, Matt was reluctant to tell prospective employers about his disability. He worried that employers would not hire him if they knew about his disability.

That’s when Matt connected with our Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program at choosework.ssa.gov.

This program supports career development for people ages 18 to 64 who receive Social Security dis ability benefits and want to work.

Through this free and voluntary

program, approved service provid ers offer supports and services as participants move toward financial independence through work. Matt found the service providers at choosework.ssa.gov/about/meetyour-employment-team.

Matt’s service provider told him about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it guarantees equal opportunities for people with disabilities and prohibits discrimination in the workplace. It accomplishes these goals through:

Anti-discrimination rules that prevent private employers from discriminating against qualified people with disabilities when they apply for jobs. See choosework. ssa.gov/blog/2018-07-26-theeeoc-and-discrimination.

Regulations that require em ployers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified em ployees with disabilities.

Matt and his service provider identified accommodations that would allow him to demonstrate his capabilities both during the application process and on the job. They created a plan for him to disclose his disability and request accommodations.

Since Matt also wanted to know how his employment might affect his benefits, his Benefits Counselor told him about our Work Incentives at choosework.ssa.gov/about/ work-incentives. These rules and programs make it easier for adults with disabilities to enhance their job skills while maintaining access

Winwyn says marriage still not a priority

KAPUSO actress Winwyn Marquez revealed that there’s no wedding bells ringing soon for her and her childhood sweetheart until their daughter Luna could walk.

In an interview with Philstar.com last Satur day in AQ Prime office, Winwyn said that her father Joey Marquez is really excited for the wedding but it’s better to prioritize Luna first.

“Gusto na kasi nila talaga. Excited na sila talaga pero we will get there. Pero gusto ko when I get married naglalakad na 'yung anak ko. It's better that way for us. Ang priority namin si Luna. We want to take care of her first. Darating din kami do'n sa pagpapakasal pero not now,” she said.

Winwyn also said that her father Joey is a good grandfather to Luna.

“Obsessed sa anak ko. Sobrang love na love niya. Every day tumatawag, hinahanap 'yung anak ko. 'Yung anak ko daw ang gusto niyang makita hindi 'yung mukha ko. Ang sarap lang na inaalagaan nila 'yung anak ko, nakikita nil ang lumaki si Luna,” she said.

Winwyn, who won her first Best Actress award at the 2022 International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) in New York City, said she loves being a mom and Luna is her lucky charm.

“I love being a mom. It's hard pero I love it. Sobrang fulfilling ng ginagawa ko. Sabi ko nga, I think my daughter is my lucky charm. Kasi

no'ng ginawa ko yung 'Nelia' nong press con, I was six months pregnant and now she's six months also. So parang feeling ko siya talaga 'yung swerte,” she said.

Winwyn gave birth to her first baby last May. She took to her Instagram account to show her newborn daughter.

"Our little princess, Luna Teresita Rayn," she captioned the post.

The actress-beauty queen revealed that she’s pregnant with her daughter with her non-showbiz boyfriend in a press conference for her Metro Manila Film Festival movie “Nelia” last December. (Jan Milo Severo/ Philstar.com)

James says new song about Nadine

ACTOR and singer James Reid brought kilig” frenzy to JaDine fans after revealing that his song “Always Been You” is about his ex-girlfriend Nadine Lustre.

In a listening party on social media recently, James dropped his “lovescene” album.

“This next one is called ‘Always Been You.’ Oh, man, am I really gonna explain all these songs? This one, I wrote about Nadine,” James said, talking about one of the songs in the album.

Some of the lyrics in the song goes,

“Oh babe, missing what I never had. It’s always been you. When everybody gets in the mood, I always end up dancing with you.”

“Dancing with you. Oh babe, wasted time I want it back. I’d spend it with you. Can’t hide it when I know that it’s true cuz I know it’s always been you.”

James and Nadine broke up in 2020.

Nadine is currently in a relationship with businessman Christophe Bariou while James said that he’s still single. (Philstar.com)

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness...

PAGE B9

to benefits. Matt reviewed the process at choosework.ssa.gov/li brary/fact-sheet-benefits-counsel ing-and-the-path-to-employment.

Matt also learned about our Medicare-Related Work Incentive at choosework.ssa.gov/library/ fact-sheet-medicare-and-medic aid-employment-supports. This allows him to pursue a career without worrying about health care coverage. Matt’s Medicare coverage will continue for more than seven years after he begins full-time work, even if his income exceeds the amount to qualify for disability benefits.

And if Matt’s disability interferes with work, he can return to re ceiving benefits, without having to file a new application, by using our Expedited Reinstatement Work Incentive process at www.ssa.gov/ disabilityresearch/wi/exr.htm.

Matt now works full-time as a human resource analyst. Thanks to the ADA, he received accommodations for the interview process and time spent on the job. He also found that the Ticket Program helped him find a path to a better future.

The Ticket Program is here to help no matter where you are on your career journey. You can read Matt’s full story at choosework.ssa.gov/ library/matt-success-story. Please share Matt’s experience with your friends and family. g

FOR RENT

Actor and singer James Reid Photo from Instagram/@james

T E Y E S

N

U E S T I O N 1

Guarantees Equal Rights for all persons regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation in the Nevada Constitution.

V O T E Y E S O N Q U E S T I O N 2

Removes the healthcare carveout that allowed employers to pay a dollar less if they offered health insurance, regardless of the quality of that health insurance.

in the Nevada Constitution. This drastically changes Nevada's electoral process and would create a confusing, convoluted process.

P