110222 - Southern California Midweek Edition

IT’S fall again, meaning shorter days, cooler temperatures, and open enrollment for Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance — sign-ups begin this week for coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2023. Even though much of the coverage stays the same from year to year, there are a few upcoming changes that consumers should note this fall, especially if they are having trouble buying expensive policies through their employer.

In the past year, the Biden administration and Congress have taken steps — mainly related to premiums and subsidies — that will affect 2023 coverage. Meanwhile, confusion caused by court decisions may trigger questions about coverage for preventive care or for abortion services.

Open enrollment for people who buy health insurance through the marketplaces begins Nov. 1 and, in most states, lasts through Jan. 15. To get coverage that begins Jan. 1, enrollment usually must occur by Dec. 15.

Many people who get coverage through

Marcos rules

by KRISTINA MARALIT ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday, October 31 he will no longer declare a national state of calamity and instead directed the government to focus on relief and recovery efforts in areas devastated by Tropical Storm "Paeng."

"I don't think it's necessary. I came to that conclusion in consultation with DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) who said it was not extensive, how do we say... damage was highly

localized," Marcos said in a press briefing following his inspection of the town of Noveleta in Cavite, one of the provinces which felt the wrath of the storm.

"We're talking about the east coast of Quezon, here in Cavite, and then Maguindanao. So, those are areas. There's no need for a national calamity.

"For Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), there's also no need for [a declaration of] a national calamity. I don't think it's necessary. I think we will focus better if we stay with the calamity status as we have now," he said.

Philippines ready to

by LAWRENCE AGCAOILI Philstar.com

MANILA — The affirmation of the Philippines’ investment grade rating by Fitch Ratings reflects a credible economic policy framework, strong economic growth and sound external finances, according to economic managers.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla said the BSP “consistently signals to the market its unwavering commitment to use the tools at its disposal to address the current challenges brought by monetary policy tightening of advanced economies and its impact on small open economies like the Philippines.”

“This underscores the importance of having a credible central bank,” Medalla said.

The BSP’s policy toolkit includes interest rate adjustments, a flexible exchange rate and the use of foreign exchange reserves.

The central bank, Medalla explained, also supports the implementation by the national government of targeted non-monetary interventions to help address price pressures.

ELK GROVE, Calif. — Toni Sherwin is actually looking forward to the procedure that will relocate her dialysis port from her chest to her arm, which will be easier to keep dry. Since she started dialysis in February — as part of blood cancer treatment — she has washed her hair in the sink and stayed out of her pool to prevent water from getting into the port.

Three times a week, Sherwin, 71, drives to a dialysis clinic in Elk Grove, California, the suburb south of Sacramento where she lives, and lies tethered to a machine for about four hours while it filters her blood. The treatment exhausts her, but she feels well cared for and knows the clinic workers will call the police if she doesn’t show up for an appointment and they can’t get in touch with her directly.

“They don’t play games,” said Sherwin. Sherwin fears her access to the clinic is in jeopardy. A sign in the clinic’s window tells patients and visitors to vote “no” on Proposition 29, the third statewide dialysis initiative in five years. It would impose new

by CATHERINE S. VALENTE

The President shared photos of him attending the mass for the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Tuesday, November 1.

Aside from the President, his mother former First Lady Imelda Marcos, other members of the Marcos family, and other relatives also attended the Mass.

The President has proclaimed October 31 as

a special nonworking holiday so that Filipinos will have a longer weekend to visit their dead and spend more time be with their families.

In his message for All Saints' and All Souls' Day on Monday, the President called om Filipinos not only to remember their dead, but also heal their hearts and renew their faith as the country recovers from the pandemic.

He described All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day as important Christian holidays that celebrate the lives of heroes of the Christian faith and the memories left by departed loved ones, adding, "both remind us to strive, live Christ-centered lives, and fulfill our life's purpose until we meet our Creator."

"The pandemic of recent years forced us to

“The combination of these measures will help us

by KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress

LESS than a week before the contentious general election in which Los Angeles residents will be electing a new leader, mayoral candidate Karen Bass is confident that her decadeslong experience in public office would breathe new life into city leadership.

The race between Bass and her opponent, real estate magnate Rick Caruso (a lifelong Republican who is running under the Democratic Party) has heat up in the last stretch

of the election season, with both candidates emphasizing homelessness, housing, public safety, and civic ethics in their respective campaigns.

As the mayoral race tightens up, Bass and her supporters are putting in their last-ditch efforts to expound on something they’ve emphasized since Bass announced her candidacy in Sept. 2021: the 69-year-old congresswoman’s longstanding dedication to community continues to be one of her strengths, she said.

“Community has always been

by CATALINA MADARANG Philstar.com

SEVERE Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) caused one of the highest death tolls in the Philippines since Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) in 2013.

Paeng ravaged most parts of the Philippines last weekend as Filipinos commemorated their departed loved ones during the “Undas” season.

As the 16th tropical cyclone, it made landfall six times in different provinces. This

brought heavy rains that caused widespread landslides, flooding and power outages to all 17 regions in the country.

As of November 1, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that a total of 741,777 families or 2,418,249 persons were affected by the storm.

Paeng finally left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on October 31.

Rescue and relief operations are still ongoing as of writing. Despite being categorized as a “severe tropical storm”,

at the Manila North Cemetery on Tuesday, Nov. 1.  As the

ones by offering flowers, candles, and

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

rain brought by Tropical Storm Nalgae in Parang, Maguindanao province.

Rep. Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) meets with members of the Filipino American community in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles.

AJPress photo by Klarize Medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. visited the tomb of his father on All Saint's Day, when millions of Filipinos flock to the tombs of their loved ones.

Philippine President Bongbong Marcos meets with officials on Monday, Oct. 31 to discuss the aftermath of Tropical Storm "Paeng." The president announced that he will no longer declare a national state of calamity and instead directed the government to focus on relief and recovery efforts in areas devastated by the storm. Malacañang photo PAGE 2

Highest death tolls in PH: Cyclone ‘Paeng’ joins...

Paeng seemed as deadly and destructive as the past storms with far stronger intensities.

It followed the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) in terms of the lives it took from the Filipino people.

The following are numbers from the NDRRMC’s reported death tolls:

• Yolanda (from November 6 to 9, 2013) – 6,300

• Odette (from December 16 to

METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) INVITATION FOR BID

LACMTA will receive bids for MA95129 - FILTER ASMAIR INTAKE, ENGINE,at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

A Pre-Bid conference will not be held. This project is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) SetAside contract. To participate in this IFB, bidders must be SBE certified with LACMTA prior to proposal due date. For information on the Set-Aside program, visit: https://business. metro.net/VendorPortal/faces/ home1/certifications

All Bids must be submitted on forms furnished by LACMTA, and must be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/ CM Department, on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened. Each bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. MA95129.

For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business. metro.net or for further information email Veda Sargent at sargentv@metro.net.

11/2/22

CNS-3638727#

ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

18, 2021) – 405

• Paeng (October 25 to 31) –110 It should also be noted that Paeng is classified as weaker than the previous two storms.

Based on the state weather bureau’s website, here is the difference between a severe tropical storm and a super typhoon.

• Severe tropical storm – a tropical cyclone with a “maximum wind speed of 87 to 117 kilometers per hour or 48 –63 knots”

• Super typhoon – a tropical cyclone with a “maximum wind speed exceeding 185 kph or more than 100 knots”

A number of Filipinos also pointed out that Paeng is classified as a severe tropical storm only following reports about its destruction nationwide.

“What more in the coming months/years when Yolandalike typhoons strike the country? Brace for more deadly repercussions of climate change,” one user said.

“Huwag gawing dahilan ang ‘Severe Tropical Storm LANG kasi si Paeng at Super Typhoon kasi si Yolanda’ para i-justify ang kakulangan ng preparations.

After all what happened in the previous years, it is expected that we could have been prepared,” another user tweeted.

NDRRMC vs Palace Due to the extensive loss of Paeng’s aftermath, the NDRRMC led calls to declare the Philippines under a state of calamity.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., however, said that there is no need to declare a nationwide state of calamity due to Paeng.

For Marcos Jr., the damage is “very highly localized.”

“I don’t think it’s necessary. I came to that conclusion in consultation with DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources). Sabi hindi naman kasi extensive, very highly localized ang damage,” he said in a press briefing on Monday, October 31.

So far, the NDRRMC said that 160 cities/municipalities in the country have already declared their jurisdictions in a state of calamity.

Regions covered as follows:

• Cagayan Valley • Bicol

• Western Visayas

• SOCCSKSARGEN

• BARMM

Marcos rules out national calamity...

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) had recommended placing the entire country under a state of calamity after 16 of the 17 regions suffered damage from Paeng.

Marcos assured the availability

of different kinds of assistance for those displaced by the calamity.

"If the weather again becomes really bad, let's find other ways to send the goods, their needs, the relief goods, everything — water, medicines, everything the evacuees would need," he said.

The NDRRMC reported that 590,990 families or 1,953,814 individuals were affected by Paeng. 

Philippines ready to face challenges...

manage exchange rate pressures and bring inflation back to a target-consistent path,” Medalla said.

Fitch also said the BSP’s inflation-targeting framework “remains credible” amid monetary tightening and domestic inflationary pressures.

Last week, Fitch affirmed the Philippines’ BBB rating, a notch above minimum investment grade, and negative outlook for the country.

Marcos visits father’s tomb on...

come to terms with our mortality. It taught us to number our days as we realize the uncertainty of our time on Earth. It made us contemplate what it truly means to live a meaningful life and to die free of regrets and at peace with oneself," Marcos said.

"As we gain momentum toward complete recovery, I pray that our efforts to remember the saints and our late loved ones will bring healing to our hearts. May it likewise reinforce the foundations of our faith and compel us to live with genuine love and compassion in all of our days," he added.

The debt watcher sees the Philippine economy growing by 6.8 percent this year, driven by strong domestic demand, reflecting normalization of economic activity after the pandemic and the government’s investment program.

Fitch also expects the general government deficit to narrow to 4.3 percent of gross domestic product in 2022 and 2.4 percent of GDP by 2024 from 4.8 percent of GDP in 2021.

The direction of these estimates is aligned with the Marcos administration’s medium-term fiscal framework.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the framework was formulated to guide the government’s financing program for the next six years.

Diokno also emphasized that the government economic team is employing the necessary policy levers to address emerging risks.

Fitch, meanwhile, maintained the outlook on the country’s BBB rating as negative, citing risks to the Philippines’ mediumterm growth prospects, fiscal adjustment path, and external buffers in an environment of higher interest rates, weaker external demand and higher commodity prices.

The Philippines’ net external creditor position is likely to remain stronger than the BBB median, according to Fitch.

The rating agency expects the current account deficit to widen

to five percent of gross domestic product in 2022, driven by higher commodity imports supported by strong domestic demand.

Fitch forecasts a narrowing of the shortfall to 1.8 percent of GDP by 2024.

According to the debt watcher, “the emergence of a current account deficit has put pressure on foreign exchange reserves, although we expect reserve coverage to remain ample at about six months of current external payments.”

As of end-September, the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) stood at $93 billion, representing a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.4 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments services, exceeding the three months threshold set by the International Monetary Fund.

Moreover, the GIR is also about four to 6.6 times the country’s short-term external debt. 

You are best protected when you stay

on all your COVID-19 vaccines by receiving your primary series and the updated booster. It is recommended that you receive this booster dose as soon as you’re eligible, at least two months after receiving your last dose.

Your booster can be a di erent vaccine brand than you received previously.

The booster dose is recommended even if you've already had COVID-19 infection.

The CDC recommends boosters for people who are undergoing cancer treatment or have compromised immune systems or some types of disabilities.

by Robert

An aerial shot shows a flooded village in Tuguegarao, Cagayan province, north of Manila on October 30, 2022, a day after Tropical Storm Paeng (Nalgae) hit. Emergency workers scrambled to rescue residents trapped by floods in and around the Philippine capital on October 30 as Peng swept out of the country. Philstar.com photo

Department of Budget and Management Assistant Secretary Cristina Clasara said the NDRRMC has enough funds for relief efforts.

Shopping for ACA health insurance...

their jobs also must select a plan at this time of year. And their decisions could be affected by new ACA rules.

So, what’s new, and what should you know if you’re shopping? Here are five things to keep in mind.

1. Some Families Who Did Not Qualify for ACA Subsidies Now Do

One big change is that some families who were barred from getting federal subsidies to help them purchase ACA coverage may now qualify.

A rule recently finalized by the Treasury Department was designed to address what has long been termed the “family glitch.” The change expands the number of families with job-based insurance who can choose to forgo their coverage at work and qualify for subsidies to get an ACA plan instead. The White House estimates that this adjustment could help about 1 million people gain coverage or get more affordable insurance.

Before, employees could qualify for a subsidy for marketplace insurance only if the cost of their

employer-based coverage was considered unaffordable based on a threshold set each year by the IRS. But that determination took into account only how much a worker would pay for insurance for himself or herself. The cost of adding family members to the plan was not part of the calculation, and family coverage is often far more expensive than employee-only coverage. The families of employees who fall into the “glitch,” either go uninsured or pay more through their jobs for coverage than they might if they were able to get an ACA subsidy.

Now, the rules say eligibility for the subsidy must also consider the cost of family coverage.

“For the first time, a lot of families will have a real choice between an offer of employersponsored coverage and a marketplace plan with subsidies,” said Sabrina Corlette, a researcher and co-director at Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms.

Workers will now be able to get marketplace subsidies if their share of the premium for their jobbased coverage exceeds 9.12% of their expected 2023 income.

Panahon na para sa Taunang Buwis sa Ari arian sa Los Angeles County at ang Ingat yaman at Tagakoleta ng Buwis

Now, two calculations will occur: the cost of the employeeonly coverage as a percentage of the worker’s income and the cost of adding family members.

In some cases, the worker may decide to remain on the employer plan because his or her payment toward coverage falls below the affordability threshold, but the family members will be able to get a subsidized ACA plan.

Previous legislative efforts to resolve the family glitch failed, and the Biden administration’s use of regulation to fix it is controversial. The move might ultimately be challenged in court. Still, the rules are in place for 2023, and experts, including Corlette, said families who could benefit should go ahead and enroll.

“It will take a while for all that to get resolved,” she said, adding that it is unlikely there would be any decision in time to affect policies for 2023.

An Urban Institute analysis published last year estimated that the net savings per family might be about $400 per person and that the cost to the federal government for new subsidies would be $2.6

It’s Annual Property Tax Time in Los Angeles County and the Treasurer and Tax Collector reminds property owners that our offices remain closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Many self-service options are available online at https://ttc.lacounty.gov/, including:

8

‘Community has always been No. 1’: LA

No. 1 for me. [Public service]

has been my whole life,” Bass told the Asian Journal during a campaign event with the Pilipino American LA Democrats (PALAD) in Historic Filipinotown on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

The recent leaked tapes of three city councilmembers — Gil Cedillo, Kevin de Leon, and Nury Martinez (who had endorsed Bass) — making incendiary remarks against the Black, gay, Oaxacan, and Jewish communities has rocked the city. The tapes have also led to a distrust with local leaders among residents, but Bass was quick to condemn Cedillo, de Leon and Martinez for their comments.

Bass said that after the tapes were released, she and her team met with representatives of different ethnic groups that were “disparaged on those tapes” and brainstormed ways in which to reform city leadership to make it more equitable.

“There is inequity that exists in our city. Why is it that on one side of town, the city looks like one thing, and on the other side of town, there’s less resources,” Bass said.

“One thing I would bring to office is a long, long history of bringing communities together,” she added. “I’ve spent a good part of my life working in solidarity with other communities, which is why I have long relationships with the Filipino community.”

• Pay online (no cost for eChecks)

• Locate property tax amounts due

• Review your payment history

ay pinapaalalahanan ang mga may ari ng ari arian na mayroon na kaming bagong website ( https://ttc.lacounty.gov/ ) kung saan maaaring:

• Learn how to avoid penalties

• Manage multiple properties

• Magbayad ka online (walang bayad para sa mga eCheck)

• Hanapin mo ang mga dapat nang bayaran na mga buwis sa ari arian

• Suriin mo ang iyong talaan ng pagbabayad

• Alamin mo kung paano maiiwasan ang mga multa

• Pamahalaan mo ang maraming ari arian

Back in the 1970s, as a college student, Bass said she became aware of the growing resentment toward the regime of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. She learned more about the human rights atrocities that came out of martial law and joined Filipino students in their international protests against the Marcos dictatorship.

Bass’s political career began in 2004 when she was elected to the California Assembly, representing the South LA and Mid City areas of LA; later, she was appointed Speaker of the California State Assembly. Her career with the House of Representatives began in 2011, serving nearly the same areas as she did in the California Assembly.

“She is the only one who can restore our city,” Grace Barrios, vice president of Labor Relations at PALAD, told the Asian Journal. “She really has been with [the Filipino community] and today

So far, Bass has received endorsements from top liberals, including Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Local polls say that Bass is leading against Caruso as of press time, but it’s still anyone’s race as both candidates continue to court the city’s diverse electorate. As a real estate developer, Caruso’s powerful connections and celebrity endorsements within the city has made his spotlight brighter.  So far, his campaign has spent more than $88 million — most of which was funded by Caruso himself — while Bass has received about $8 million in political contributions, according to the LA Ethics Commission.

While Caruso’s campaign has emphasized his financial and personal success, Bass has been

running on something different: her knowledge of community activism and policy working with communities rather than just for them, she said.  Rather than making sweeping changes across the city, she said she plans to learn about all the different neighborhoods and see what works for them to tackle homelessness, public health and safety.

Describing the mural of Filipino historical leaders at Unidad Park, Bass told the Asian Journal, “That’s why this mural means a lot to me: I know that history. I think that’s what distinguishes me from my opponent who has no such history that way. He has a history of creating tremendous wealth for him and his family and giving to charity — which is laudable — but I’ve spent my life working in communities and bringing folks together because I understand that when we work together, we are much more powerful.”

The midterm elections are on Tuesday, Nov. 8. g

(L-R) Jessica Caloza, Grace Barrios, Rep. Karen Bass, Aquilina Soriano-Versoza, and Jocelyn Geaga-Rose pose at Temple Seafood Market at the end of a Jeepney tour around Historic Filipinotown.

Bass admires the Filipinos represented in the sprawling Unidad Park mural in Historic Filipinotown.  AJPress photos by Klarize Medenilla shows she really wants to learn more from us and give us a voice.”

California patients fear fallout from third...

PAGE 1

requirements on dialysis clinics, such as requiring a doctor to be on hand during treatments.

She and other California voters have also been bombarded by TV ads, in which patients in wheelchairs and doctors in scrubs warn that “29 would shut down dialysis clinics throughout California.”

“We’re terrified,” said Sherwin. “If they stop it, where are we going to go? We just die.”

Sherwin is among roughly 80,000 Californians who rely on 650 dialysis clinics tucked into strip malls and medical centers around the state. Patients arrive in medical transport vans, minivans, and the occasional ride-hailing vehicle and are often too tired and hungry after treatment to drive themselves home. They drag duffel bags and pillows into clinics, prepared to sit for four or five hours at a time, typically three days a week, as their blood is cleaned and filtered through a machine because their kidneys can no longer perform those functions.

Proposition 29 would require clinics to report infections to the state and tell patients when doctors have a financial stake in a clinic, rules that are similar to existing federal regulations.

The biggest flashpoint is the requirement to have a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant present at every clinic while patients are being treated.

Requiring a clinician on-site would increase each facility’s costs by “several hundred thousand dollars annually on average,” according to an analysis by the nonpartisan state Legislative Analyst’s Office. To deal with the additional costs, the analysis concluded, clinics have three options: negotiate higher rates with insurers, lose profits, or close facilities.

The Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, which is sponsoring Proposition 29, said reforms are necessary to keep patients safe during the physically arduous dialysis process. The union — which has tried but failed to organize dialysis workers — argues that the treatment is dangerous and that patients need access to highly trained medical professionals to deal with emergencies instead of relying on 911.

The union was also behind the two previous dialysis ballot initiatives, which failed by wide

margins. Proposition 8 in 2018 would have capped industry profits, while Proposition 23 in 2020 was nearly identical to this year’s measure. Both broke records for campaign spending.

The Proposition 29 opposition campaign, funded mostly by the dialysis industry, says keeping a doctor or nurse practitioner around at all times is both costly and unnecessary. Clinics employ registered nurses who check on patients and medical directors — physicians who oversee facilities but are often on-site only part time. About three quarters of California’s dialysis clinics are owned or operated by two companies: DaVita and Fresenius Medical Care.

So far, both sides have raised at least $94 million, according to the Los Angeles Times, with roughly 85% coming from DaVita and Fresenius.

Joe Damian, 71, doesn’t buy the claim that clinics would close if Proposition 29 passed. Of course, he said, he’d feel more comfortable if a doctor were onsite when his wife, Yolanda, has her treatments. He also believes dialysis companies would continue to make money hand over fist.

“How could it not be better?” he asked. “They just don’t want to give up any of their profits.”

Damian drives his wife to her treatments in Elk Grove. He understands why other patients and their families are worried about clinics closing but thinks the industry is fearmongering.

“Closing facilities is a threat they’ll never do,” he said. “Why would they close a moneymaking business?”

Proposition 29 includes provisions intended to protect against clinic closures, such as requiring facilities to get approval from the state before they end or reduce services, but opponents argue the provisions won’t hold up in court.

Nearly all the patients interviewed going to or from dialysis appointments at five Sacramento-area clinics had witnessed workers call 911 for another patient. Most said the emergencies had been handled well by the workers and emergency personnel. Overall, they said, they felt the dialysis clinics took good care of them.

The majority of patients had internalized the language of the opposition ads that warned of clinic closures.

Norbie Kumagai, 65, spent last Thanksgiving at University of California-Davis Medical Center, and his family was told it was time to say goodbye.

But Kumagai, who has stage 4 kidney disease and high blood pressure, pulled through and had to wait months for a dialysis chair to open up at a clinic in West Sacramento, about 13 miles from his home in Davis.

Kumagai generally agrees that the dialysis industry needs reforms. For instance, he said, he’d like the technicians who help him each week to get pay raises.

But he’s worried about what Proposition 29 might mean for the treatments that keep him alive.

“I’ve told my friends and neighbors I’m scared to death if it passes,” Kumagai said. “This facility will probably close.” (Rachel Bluth/Kaiser Health News)

This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

This clinic in Elk Grove, California, displays a sign urging people to vote “no” on Proposition 29. KHN photo by Rachel Bluth

Days of grief, remembrance

ON these days dedicated to the remembrance of saints and our dearly departed, we pause to join in mourning those for whom the wounds of loss are still fresh.

In several parts of the country, the death toll from Severe Tropical Storm Paeng surged to 98 as of Monday afternoon, November 1, with 63 still missing. Maguindanao bore the brunt of the tragedy, with at least 53 dead mostly from landslides triggered by incessant rains since Thursday night, October 27.

Editorial

COVID-19 also continues its relentless march, sickening and still killing people. As of Oct. 30, the rapidly mutating coronavirus has infected four million people in the Philippines and killed 64,033, with over 50,000 of the deaths recorded since the start of 2021. Many families have yet to get over their bereavement. Worldwide, COVID-19 has infected 630 million people as of Oct. 30 and killed 6.59 million.

Elsewhere in the world, South Koreans are in shock and grieving over the deaths of 154 mostly young people in a freak crush of crowds along a sloping narrow alley in the capital Seoul last Saturday night.

The revelers were celebrating Halloween for the first time in the popular Itaewon district after two years of COVID restrictions.

A day later, Sunday night in the Indian state of Gujarat, a newly reopened suspension bridge collapsed from the weight of a crowd of about

400 celebrating the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals. The revelers plunged into the river 33 feet below, leaving at least 132 people dead.

Only last Oct. 6, a police lieutenant colonel dismissed last year for drug abuse stormed a childcare center in northeast Thailand and shot and slashed people with a knife, killing 35 people including 23 children. He then went home where he killed his wife and child before turning the gun on himself.

And on Oct. 1 in Indonesia, over 130 people died during a stampede amid a football match in a stadium. Probers said the deaths were caused by the tear gas fired by police breaking up a riot among supporters of rival teams.

Over in Ukraine, the Russian invasion that began on Feb. 24 has claimed the lives of tens of thousands on both sides, many of them Ukrainian civilians, since February. The economic hardships and impoverishment arising from the conflict are compounding global misery.

In the Philippines, thousands of families have yet to get over their grief as they yearn for justice in the deaths of their loved ones slain in the brutal war on drugs waged by the Duterte administration. Mourning also continues for the many others for whom justice remains elusive

Providing an on-the-ground perspective

BABE ROMUALDEZ

A GROUP of journalists from Manila are here to take part in a reporting tour program organized by the Philippine embassy in Washington, DC to highlight the work that the embassy and posts are doing in accordance with our foreign policy pillars, and to elevate the economic profile of the Philippines. On many occasions, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has stressed that he wants to boost the economic aspect of the relationship between the two nations.

A core objective of the 2022 media reporting program is to give the participating journalists – who come from broadcast, online and print news outfits including The Philippine STAR – an onthe-ground perspective on the dynamics that underpin the relationship between the Philippines and the United States.

This is actually the second iteration of this one-of-a-kind program that we started in

November 2019, which allowed journalists to engage not only with officials from the Philippine embassy but key figures from various government agencies such as the State Department and the Pentagon. Interviews with American think-tanks and key members of the FilipinoAmerican community were also arranged, with the activities also allowing the journalists to build networks that served as reliable sources of information and, more importantly, helped deepen their knowledge on the issues that impact relations between the longtime allies. Our friends from the State Department and the Pentagon were appreciative of the outcome of the program in 2019 which was very successful. We would have wanted to make the reporting tour a yearly activity, but the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted our plans, which is why we’re happy that the situation has eased, allowing us to arrange the continuation of the program this year, which we have expanded to cover not only defense and security but foreign policy, trade, tourism and, of course, the people-topeople ties which underpin the relationship. Supporting

us once more in this initiative is our country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, which we are happy to note is starting to soar once again and is on track to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Naturally, the journalists who cover the Foreign Affairs and business/economic beats want to examine the current status of U.S.-Philippines bilateral relations under the administrations of President Bongbong Marcos and President Joe Biden, given the regional and global challenges that could mutually impact the two nations. Aside from the security and defense aspect of the partnership, the journalists also want to explore the mutual challenges faced by the longtime allies, including issues regarding trade and the economy, climate change, food security and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic (whose impact as we all know continues to be felt by countries all over the world), and explore areas that provide opportunities for further cooperation.

Like in the 2019 program, we arranged interactions with key officials of various government agencies, starting

with Director Amy Archibald of the Department of State’s Office of Maritime Southeast Asia, Bureau of East Asia and the Pacific who delved on the importance of having a Code of Conduct to govern the activities in the South China Sea as this could lead to an “international rules-based system that would allow a free and open, prosperous Pacific.” Upholding a rulesbased international holder is critical in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, and this message was also reiterated by U.S. Assistant Secretary of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink during his recent visit to Singapore.

We also arranged discussions with key executives from thinktanks such as Shay Wester, Director of Asian Economic Affairs of the Asia Society Policy Institute which tackles major policy challenges that confront the Asia-Pacific in the areas of security, prosperity, sustainability and the development of common norms and values for the region; and Greg Poling, Director of the Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency initiative of the Center for

Strategic and International Studies.

In his latest book, “On Dangerous Ground: America’s Century in the South China Sea,” Greg Poling discusses the complex disputes surrounding the South China Sea, which has increasingly become a source of concern for the United States and its goal to maintain freedom of the seas as it intersects with U.S. national security interests.

There were also deep-dive discussions on the work of attached agencies, with the journalists engaging with Philippine Air attaché Col. Dennis Alcarde, Philippine Military attaché Col. Arthur Romanillos who spoke on AFP modernization efforts and Police Brigadier General Wilson Lopez who tackled hate crimes.

One of the topics during the meeting with Commercial Counselor Kenneth Yap was the GSP – the Generalized System of Preferences – which is the oldest and largest U.S. trade program that provides nonreciprocal duty-free privileges for over 3,500 products entering the U.S. market from 119 beneficiary

Breakthrough Undas: How it began

ELFREN S. CRUZ

ACCORDING to the “Catechism for Filipino Catholics,” we Filipinos have traditionally manifested our deep faith in an afterlife for our departed loved ones, our devotion to saints and even general acceptance of the “spirit world.” Philippine culture places tremendous emphasis on the family.

During this period which we call Undas — All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day — people flock to burial sites of our deceased family members. This is both a religious tradition and a cultural norm. Christians, Muslims and Jews share a common practice of burying their dead in a special designated area called a cemetery. Even when the bodies are cremated and placed in an urn, this is usually placed in the equivalent of a cemetery, a columbarium. Not all religious faiths believe in burying their dead. For example, Hindus generally practice cremation but the bodies are then burned

in a funeral pyre. Burial is reserved for children, ascetics and people with certain diseases.

Christian burial practices can be traced to the early years of Christianity. In ancient Rome, underground passages known as catacombs were used to bury the early Christians, in order to protect the bodies of the faithful, since the Christian religion was considered illegal.

When Christianity was legalized and ceased to be persecuted, Christians began to bury their dead in the yard around the churches. However, as soon as these burial places became overcrowded, several burial grounds were established away from the churches and even outside the cities and towns.

Today, most of the cemeteries are owned by local governments and even by business firms who operate what are called memorial parks. It is the Christian belief in the existence of the soul and its immortality that leads to the belief that our ancestors continue to live. If we accept the existence of souls, it follows that there has to be a place where they can go after

their death.

This belief leads to a whole constellation of beliefs like a heaven and hell and a final resurrection. The modern concept of an immortal soul was also found in ancient Greece. Both Socrates and Plato shared in the idea of the “divine origin of the soul.” It was this idea that the belief took root that the soul was in fact more precious than the body. The ancient Greeks also believed in the underworld Hades, which derives from the root word meaning invisible or unseen. There was also a paradise derived from the word “paridaeza” which meant a vineyard or a grove of date palms. The word was also associated with royal hunting forests or simply the lush, shaded gardens reserved for the aristocracy.

When the Catholic Church canonizes a saint, it infallibly declares that the person has led an extraordinary life to a heroic degree. He or she is therefore in heaven and serves as a model of sanctity.

On All Saints’ Day, we are supposed to honor all the countless persons in heaven but have never been canonized.

Thus, we honor all saints, especially those with no specific feast day.

The choice of the date, Nov. 1, is rich in tradition and antiquity. In the year 609 AD, the Roman emperor Phocas ceded the Pantheon, which had been a pagan temple in honor of all the gods. This edifice was rededicated as a church in honor of Mary and all martyrs in May 13 of that year. Later, the day was moved to Nov. 1 because that was the day when many pilgrims were in Rome and this was after the harvest when food was plentiful. The idea of remembering Nov. 1 as a day with plenty of food is traceable to the early days of Christianity.

Another reason for the choice of the date was to counteract the pagan Druid feast of evil spirits which, by the way, was the origin of Halloween.

During these two days of Undas, let us remember all our ancestors and beloved dead, and continue to pray for all Filipino families that they remain strong and united in the face of all the challenges of the modern world.

*      *      *

“Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Urology Fellowship Training Manual” edited by Jose-Vicente Prodigalidad was released in 2022, along with a team of urology associatesresearchers at the Department of Urology at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Dr. Glen Denmer Santok, Dr. Dinno Francis Mendiola and Dr. Edward Uy Magadia.

The authors point out that the handbook is based on resources relevant to and in accordance with the accepted standards and guidelines at the time of publication. It is not meant to be used as basis of treatment or a substitute for professional consultation.

The authors’ credentials speak for themselves. Prodigalidad is a doctor we admire, a professional who has become more friend than mere doctor. He, like his late father, is a name associated with urology in the country, as he pioneered in laparoscopic urology. He heads the section of Minimally Invasive Surgery/ Endourology and is vice-chair of the Department of Urology at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. He also

countries, among them the Philippines.

Unfortunately, the GSP expired in December 2020 and no reauthorization has been issued to date, but what is surprising to note is that GSP eligible Philippine exports to the U.S. surged to more than $3.1 billion or 30 percent higher compared to 2020. Aside from having the GSP reauthorized so that eligible Philippine exports will enjoy tax privileges again, a priority is increasing U.S. investments in promising sectors such as IT-BPM and renewable energy, among others.

We’re pleased to note that this program is appreciated by our host country, with some of our friends in Washington now thinking of organizing a similar media reporting tour program for American journalists to visit the Philippines and see for themselves the real situation on the ground. (Philstar.com)

* * * 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.

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

heads the section of Urology at the Asian Hospital. Santok trained in Severance Hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Mendiola graduated with summa cum laude honors at De La Salle University-Manila with a BS Biology degree. Uy Magadia is a resident of urology at NKTI.

The handbook is meant to guide urologists towards more proficiency in MIS. It is intended as a guide for all practicing laparoscopic surgeons and trainees in the field of urology. This is not a book for the general public but what a contribution to Philippine publishing in the medical profession. We have long lamented the fact that the curriculum in medical schools uses largely books written by foreign authors, so it is a significant development that hopefully will inspire other doctors. (Philstar.com)

* * *

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: elfrencruz@gmail.com

– activists, journalists, legal professionals, environmental warriors slain in connection with their work.

In these days of saints and souls, we pray that the dead might yet rest in peace, and their families will find closure. (Philstar.com)

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

Disaster responsive 2023 national budget eyed

by PAOLO ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — The Senate will review and “readjust” some provisions of the proposed P5.268-trillion national budget to make it more responsive to disasters, as the chamber prepares its plenary deliberations on the appropriations measure upon the resumption of Congress session on Nov. 7, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said.

The Senate finance committee, chaired by Sen. Sonny Angara, endorsed for plenary approval the proposed budget before Congress went into recess last month.

Senators are expected to hold marathon deliberations on the General Appropriations Bill with the aim of passing it before the end of the month.

“With the recent earthquake in Abra and now Paeng, our 2023 budget will definitely have to be reconsidered, reviewed and adjusted – not only for the rehabilitation of affected communities, but also to strengthen the capacity of the NDRRMC and related agencies and local governments,” Zubiri said in a statement, referring to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

“We need to fix our fragmented disaster management efforts and adopt a whole-of-government approach going forward,” he said.

Speaker Martin Romualdez also said he is open to adjustments in the budget for the same reason. “We will do everything in our power to help our kababayans recover from this disaster once again,” Romualdez said in a statement.

The Marcos administration is asking for P31 billion in calamity funds to be administered by the NDRRMC.

Zubiri said the Senate is organizing relief operations across the country and that he himself would be in Mindanao, which was hardest hit and where most of the casualties were reported.

Zubiri also expressed support for the NDRRMC’s recommendation to declare a

national state of calamity to allow the national and local governments access to calamity funds.

Romualdez, meanwhile, said he has asked appropriations committee chairman Rep. Zaldy Co (Ako Bicol party-list) to make a comprehensive assessment of the damage and destruction wrought by Paeng to “aid us in reviewing possible adjustments in budget allocation for repair and rehabilitation of affected areas under the proposed 2023 General Appropriations Act.”

The House has already passed the proposed budget for next year on third and final reading.

Rep. Janette Garin (Iloilo), for her part, reminded government that two to three more cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month and two more in December.

While the country has available funds for national disasters, these should be “used accordingly,” Garin, deputy majority leader, said.

“There really is a sense of urgency, that is why power has to be restored and so are potable water and access roads but we need to be vigilant about interpreting needs versus wants,” she said.

“We should be very careful and judicious in utilizing our funds because we all know that using these funds will not be limited to Paeng alone. There is also the threat of eruption of Mt. Mayon whose alert level has been raised to Alert Level 2. So is Taal volcano,” she added.

“And we also have to remember the recent earthquake that took place in Abra,” Garin said.

Price freeze

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is reminding business establishments that a price freeze on basic necessities is currently in effect in areas under a state of calamity due to Tropical Storm Paeng.

In a Viber message to reporters on Monday, Nov. 1, Trade Undersecretary Carol Sanchez said a price freeze is in effect in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in

Muslim Mindanao, Albay and Picgcawayan, Cotabato.

“We will continue to monitor and provide feedback on possible concerns,” Sanchez said.

“The DTI is closely coordinating with the Office of the Civil Defense on the declarations of state of calamity,” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said.

“Automatic price freeze shall apply to basic necessities. Establishments found violating the price freeze may be subjected to administrative cases and fines,” he added.

Pascual said DTI monitoring teams in affected regions and provinces were checking supermarkets and grocery stores to ensure availability of supply and stability of prices.

“We also encourage consumers to be vigilant and report any violation or incident of overpricing or hoarding,” Pascual added.

Under Republic Act No. 7581, or the Price Act, as amended, prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen for 60 days in areas placed under a state of calamity.

The DTI monitors basic necessities under its purview such as canned fish, locally manufactured instant noodles, bottled water, bread, processed milk, coffee, candles, laundry soap, detergent and salt.

Other agencies implementing the Price Act ensure price stability and availability of supply of products under their jurisdiction.

The Department of Agriculture is in charge of rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh, dried and other marine products, fresh eggs, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar and fresh fruits while the Department of Health takes care of drugs classified as essential.

Owners of business establishments found violating the Price Act face imprisonment of one to 10 years or a fine ranging from P5,000 to P1 million, or both.

The price freeze shall be automatically lifted on their end date unless sooner lifted by the President. 

DOH on alert for possible disease outbreaks

by MAYEN JAYMALIN Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) is on heightened alert for possible outbreaks of water and food-borne diseases in areas devastated by Tropical Storm Paeng.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said all DOH units were placed on heightened surveillance against possible outbreaks of waterborne and foodborne illnesses as well as influenza-like illnesses.

“With the help of our local government, we will ensure that health services are unhampered and that our health care facilities are always ready to provide services to patients seeking care,” Vergeire said in mixed English and Filipino.

The DOH previously mobilized over P31 million worth of drugs and medical supplies to regions affected by Paeng.

Over P72.8 million worth of medical commodities are also on standby for mobilization if necessary, Vergeire said.

“Before the storm made landfall the DOH already made preparations because we know many will be affected by Paeng, so millions worth of resources and other commodities were prepositioned for easy deployment for those in need,” she noted.

Vergeire said the DOH also deployed human resources for health (HRH) to 633 evacuation centers nationwide to ensure the

continued provision of essential health care services in typhoonaffected areas.

The HRH is tasked with the conduct of screening and triage of evacuees in evacuation centers, as well as the provision of health, nutrition, medical and psychosocial services.

Rapid health assessments have also been conducted to assess the condition of affected populations.

DOH regional hospitals have been placed on high alert to prepare for immediate

deployment or augmentation, as well as to anticipate possible increases in hospital admissions.

All health facilities, including cold chain facilities and equipment, have been placed under close monitoring to ensure continued operations and all health emergency management teams and health emergency personnel in affected areas have also been deployed to actively monitor, report and respond to incidents in their respective areas of responsibility. 

Socorro, IrvineSocorro, Irvine

SUN’S UP. The worst is over for Metro Manila as far as Tropical Storm Paeng is concerned, as seen from Antipolo City, Rizal on Sunday, Oct. 30. The National Capital Region was under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 for most of Saturday, October 29. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Shopping for ACA Health Insurance...

billion a year. Not every family would save money by making the change, so experts say people should weigh the benefits and potential costs.

2. Preventive Care Will Still Be Covered Without a Copay, but Abortion Coverage Will Vary

Many people with insurance are happy when they go in for a cancer screening, or seek other preventive care, and find they don’t have to pay anything outof-pocket. That comes from a provision in the ACA that bars cost sharing for a range of preventive services, including certain tests, vaccines, and drugs. But a September ruling by U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor in Texas led to confusion about what might be covered next year. The judge declared unconstitutional one method the government uses to determine some of the preventive treatments that are covered without patient cost sharing.

Ultimately, that might mean patients will have to start paying a share of the cost of cancer screenings or drugs that prevent the transmission of HIV. The judge has yet to rule on how many people the case will affect. But, for now, the ruling applies only to the employers and individuals who brought the lawsuit. So, don’t worry. Your no-cost screening mammogram or colonoscopy is still no-cost. The ruling is likely to be appealed, and no decision is expected before the start of the 2023 coverage year.

The other court decision that has raised questions is the Supreme Court ruling that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion. Even before that decision was announced in June, coverage of abortion services in insurance plans varied by plan and by state.

Now it’s even more complicated as more states move to ban or restrict abortion.

State insurance rules vary.

Twenty-six states restrict abortion coverage in ACA marketplace plans, while seven states require it as a benefit in both ACA plans and employer plans purchased from insurers, according to KFF. Those states are California, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New York, Oregon, and Washington.

Employees and policyholders can check insurance plan documents for information about covered benefits, including abortion services.

3. Premiums Are Going Up, but That May Not Affect Most

People on ACA Plans

Health insurers are raising premium rates for both ACA plans and employer coverage. But most people who get subsidies for ACA coverage won’t feel that pinch.

That’s because the subsidies are tied to the cost of the secondcheapest “silver” plan offered in a marketplace. (Marketplace plans are offered in colored “tiers,” based on how much they potentially cost policyholders out-of-pocket.) As those baseline silver plans increase in cost, the subsidies also rise, offsetting all or most of the premium increases. Still, shop around, experts advise. Switching plans might prove costeffective.

As for subsidies, passage this summer of the Inflation Reduction Act guaranteed that the enhanced subsidies that many Americans have received under legislation tied to the covid-19 pandemic will remain in place.

People who earn up to 150% of the federal poverty level — $20,385 for an individual and $27,465 for a couple — can get an ACA plan with no monthly premium. Consumers who earn up to 400% of the federal poverty level — $54,360 for an individual and $73,240 for a couple — get sliding scale subsidies to help offset premium costs. People with incomes more than 400% are required to pay no more than 8.5% of their household income toward premiums.

For those with job-based insurance, employers generally set the amount workers must pay toward their coverage. Some employers may pass along rising costs by increasing the amounts taken out of paychecks to go toward premiums, setting higher deductibles, or changing health care benefits. But anyone whose share of their job-based coverage is expected to exceed 9.12% of their income can check to see whether they qualify for a subsidized ACA plan.

Won’t Stop Coverage

4. Debts to Insurers or the IRS

Thank covid for this. Typically, people who get subsidies to buy ACA plans must prove to the government on their next tax filing that they received the correct subsidy, based on the income they actually received. If they fail to reconcile that with the IRS, policyholders would lose eligibility for the subsidy the next time they enroll. But, because of

ongoing covid-related problems in processing returns at the IRS, those consumers will get another reprieve, continuing an effort set in place for the tax year 2020 by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Also, insurers can no longer deny coverage to people or employers who owe past-due premiums for previous coverage, said Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow at KFF. This follows a reexamination of a wide variety of Medicare and ACA rules prompted by an April executive order from President Joe Biden.

“If people fell behind on their 2022 premiums, they nevertheless must be allowed to reenroll in 2023,” Pollitz said. “And when they make the first-month premium payment to activate coverage, the insurer must apply that payment to their January 2023 premium.”

5. Comparison Shopping Will Likely Be Easier

Although ACA plans have always been required to cover a wide range of services and offer similar benefits, variation still existed in the amounts that patients paid for office visits and other out-of-pocket costs. Starting during this year’s open enrollment, new rules aimed at making comparison easier take effect. Under the rules, all ACA health insurers must offer a set of plans with specific, standardized benefits. The standard plans will, for example, have the same deductibles, copays, and other cost-sharing requirements. They will also offer more coverage before a patient has to start paying toward a deductible.

Some states, such as California, already required similar standardization, but the new rules apply nationally to health plans sold on the federal marketplace, healthcare.gov. Any insurer offering a nonstandard plan on the marketplace must now also offer the standardized plans as well.

Under a different set of rules, starting Jan. 1, all health insurers must make available cost-comparison tools online or over the phone that can help patients predict their costs for 500 “shoppable services,” such as repairs to a knee joint, a colonoscopy, a chest X-ray, or childbirth. (Julie Appleby/Kaiser Health News)

This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

MDWK

Mike de Leon first PH filmmaker to have a retrospective at New York’s MoMA

By ToTel V. de JeSuS Inquirer.net

THE “ber” months may have been associated with the rainy season. But for 75-yearold veteran filmmaker Mike de Leon, they’re perfect occasions to say, “When it rains, it pours.”

Danny Javier of Apo Hiking Society dies at age 75

By Zacarian Sarao Inqurier.net

SINGER-COMPOSER

Danny Javier has died due to a lingering illness, his close friends in show business confirmed on Monday, Oct. 31. He was 75.

Boboy Garovillo, who was the only one still active in show business among the iconic trio Apo Hiking Society, posted a heartfelt message about the death of his friend and colleague.

“Just feeling the loss of an old faithful friend who knew what love is although sometimes it just doesn’t show. My friend lives on in his music,” he said on Facebook.

Condolences poured in from other members of the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mangaaawit (OPM).

The CompanY offered condolences to Javier’s family and to Apo, who it said “helped build the OPM”.

“The CompanY sends their deepest and heartfelt

condolences to the family and friends of Danny Javier. Tight hugs to Jim Paredes and Boboy Garovillo. The APO help build OPM to what it is now. Your legacies are cemented for the ages. Thank you for everything, Danny,” it said on Facebook.

Others who offered condolences were Medwin Marfil of True Faith, Jett Pangan, and Mitch Vales.

In an earlier interview, Garovillo said that a reunion concert among him, Javier and their third member, Jim Paredes, may no longer be possible.

Aside from Javier’s illness, Garovillo said Paredes is no longer active in the entertainment business.

Actor Richard Merk also recently asked for prayers for the healing of Javier “Dear God, please heal a very dear friend of mine APO Danny Javier. Please embrace him with your love and protection. Get well Danny,” ang bahagi ng Facebook post

Continued on Page 10

First, there’s the monthlong retrospective in New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30, titled “Mike De Leon, Self-Portrait of a Filipino Filmmaker.” Another retrospective will happen at the 44th edition of Three Continents Festival in Nantes, France, from Nov. 18 to Nov. 27.

His first feature, the 1976 ghost story “Itim” (Rites of May), will have a theatrical screening at QCinema (Nov. 17 to Nov. 26) at Gateway Cineplex, Cubao.

Four years in the making, De Leon’s photographic memoir,

private event in University of the Philippines Diliman.

“It’s a happy coincidence that the much-delayed book’s publication will coincide with the retrospectives,” De Leon told Inquirer Entertainment

“The LVN films must be included in any retrospective. In Nantes, kahit paano, kasama raw ang ‘Portrait [of the Artist as Filipino],’ but they have not released the program. I don’t know how they will do it. I was told the program will be released in early November,” he added.

Just like an appetizer, on its social media page last Oct. 24, ABS-CBN Film Restoration streamed the 1959 social-realist classic “Biyaya ng Lupa” for free.

Earlier in October, the restored versions of Lamberto Avellana’s “Anak Dalita” (1956) and Gregorio Fernandez’s “Malvarosa” (1958) were also

streamed as part of its “Sagip Pelikula” project. For trivia addicts, Fernandez is the father of the late action star Rudy. In his book, De Leon described Fernandez as the most experimental director in LVN. These three restored LVN films made it to the MoMA retrospective.

“What I’m most happy and proud about is LVN’s legacy will not be forgotten, what with the book, the two retrospectives, and ABS-CBN’s restorations,” De Leon said.

MoMA’s Department of Film curator Joshua Siegel confirmed to Inquirer Entertainment that De Leon is the first Filipino filmmaker to have a retrospective at the MoMA.

Area of focus

“Yes, absolutely [De Leon is the first]—we have shown virtually every key Filipino filmmaker, but in other contexts and individual films, rather than a whole retrospective. So, yes,” Siegel said in an email interview.

“Southeast Asia has been an area of focus for us this fall (September to November), with retrospectives of Mike de Leon, Tsai Ming-liang and Rithy Panh, but prior to this, we have mostly shown filmmakers like Apichatpong Weerasethakul in other contexts, but not in full-blown retrospectives,” he added.

Siegel said there will be nine LVN features, nine De Leon features and eight De Leon short films, which include “Signos,” “Aliwan Paradise” and the behind-the-scenes documentary for Lino Brocka’s

Continued on Page 10

Danny Javier Inquirer.net photo

Mike de Leon (third from left) shoots a scene with Atom Araullo and Cherie Gil for 2018’s “Citizen Jake”

From left: Charo Santos, Sandy Andolong, Christopher de Leon and Jay Ilagan during a break in the filming of “Kakabakaba Ka Ba” Photos courtesy of Mike De Leon

titled “Mike de Leon’s Last Look Back,” has grown into two thick volumes and will have its official launch on Dec. 10 in a

community

Sarah writes apology to parents, family

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

AMID a music comeback that saw her release two songs within a month, singer Sarah Geronimo has penned a sincere and apologetic letter to her parents and family.

Geronimo posted on her official Instagram account today, October 29, a graphic of Psalm 28:7 which was accompanied by a lengthy letter the singer had writen. The said Instagram post has the comments section turned off.

The pop star started out by checking on everyone’s safety amid an ongoing storm, then reiterated her intention to keep her personal life private but wanted to ask her family for forgiveness.

“Gusto ko kunin ang pagkakataon na ito... na humingi ng tawad sa aking pamilya na labis na nasaktan sa aking naging desisyon sa buhay. Patawad po,” Geronimo wrote.

Geronimo addressed her parents, Delfin and Divine, extending her utmost gratitude to them for raising her and her siblings.

Lahat ng suporta at pagaaruga... ang inyong walang katumbas na pagmamahal, walang sinuman ang pwedeng makapagpunan po nito,” Geronimo said. “Mahal na mahal ko kayo, daddy at mama ko. Araw-araw ko po kayo namimiss at naiisip.”

It can be recalled that Divine

Sarah Geronimo Photo from Instagram/@justsarahgph

had not approved of Sarah’s wedding to her then-boyfriend of five years, Matteo Guidicelli. The couple were wed in an intimate ceremony in February 2020. It was reported that the actress’ mother allegedly crashed the ceremony, leading some of the internet users to refer to the incident as “Divine intervention.”

Divine was said to have asked for a moment to talk with her daughter over the lack of notice on the couple’s wedding. Reports said that Matteo allegedly accused and injured a closein security aide who was said to have informed the actress’ mother about the wedding.

Geronimo then went on to share that she had learned to understand there is no perfect

life or love from mere people, and that the most important thing is to accept that truth and help improve the lives of one another, especially of families.

“Napakadali din para sa atin na manghusga at mabigay ng opinyon sa buhay ng iba,” Geronimo continued. “Wala tayong kontrol sa pag-iisip nila, ang pinakaimportante ay alam mo kung ano ang katotohanan sa puso mo.”

The singer then addressed all who were reading her message to not forget valuing the time each person has been given and to let loved ones know they are important and indeed loved.

“Para saan nga ba ang lahat ng ginagawa natin kung hindi para sa kanila. Malayo man sila or malapit, yakapin natin sila ng mahigpit sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggap at pagpili sa kanila,” Geronimo said.

She then thanked her fans and supporters, her manager of nearly 20 years, Viva big boss Vic del Rosario, her Viva family, and again, her own family.

The last portion of her message was addressed to them. Para sa inyo ang aking muling pagyakap sa musika at pagkakataon na muling makapagbigay ng saya at inspirasyon sa ibang tao,” the singer-actress wrote.

She ended her message by saying that having love and peace in her heart as a part of her family is the true measure of success and happiness.

Jo Koy nominated for Comedy Act of 2022 at People’s Choice Awards

By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

FILIPINO American comedian

Jo Koy was ecstatic after he received a nomination at the People’s Choice Awards for his show “Live from the Los Angeles Forum.”

Jo Koy announced this as he greeted fans “Mahal kita!” (I love you) through his Instagram page on Thursday, Oct. 27. “Live from the Los Angeles Forum” is a stand-up set where Jo Koy spoke about “public sneezing, perseverance, the indignities of sleep apnea, and getting lost in the Philippines.”

Mike de Leon first PH filmmaker to...

Maynila, Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag.

As director, De Leon has made 10 featurelength films. With the exception of the Cherie Gil-Joel Torre-Rio Locsin starrer “Bilanggo Sa Dilim” (1986), those included at the MoMA are “Itim,” “Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising” (1977), “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?” (1980), “Kisapmata” (1981), “Batch ’81” (1982), “Sister Stella L” (1984), “Hindi Nahahati ang Langit” (1985), “Bayaning Third World” (1999) and “Citizen Jake” (2018).

To be shown also are Clodualdo del Mundo Jr.’s documentaries, “Itim: An Exploration in Cinema” and “Si Boyet, Hilda, Atbp.,” which respectively tackle the making of “Itim” and “Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising.”

For those late in the game, LVN is one of the three pioneering film companies during the studio era (1930s-1960s) that De Leon’s grandmother, Doña Sisang, cofounded in 1938. When Doña Sisang passed away in 1966, its management was handed to director Mike’s father, Manuel de Leon.

In its nearly two-and-a-half-decadeslong prodigious output, LVN Pictures produced around 350 films. As De Leon wrote in his book, in 1961, “the studio had become a veritable movie factory, producing an average of 20 to 25 movies a year—about one movie every two weeks.”

Being the only scion who still cares about LVN’s legacy, De Leon funded the restoration of some titles that could still be saved from the vinegar syndrome and total decay due to neglect.

Restoration In the book’s first chapter, titled “Unfinished Business,” De Leon explained, “I got involved in another aspect of cinema that continues to be my advocacy: the preservation, restoration and dissemination of the films of LVN Pictures, a studio that my family owned that made its mark as one of the three top studios during a crucial period in Philippine film history. Unfortunately, this period is largely forgotten as much as films from bygone days have disappeared.”

“If you ask young filmmakers today about vintage Filipino cinema, their knowledge would probably go as far back as Lino Brocka’s ‘Maynila, Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanang’ (Manila, In The Claws of Light),’ which I produced and photographed in 1975. For younger filmmakers, a film over 40 years old is ancient, and they might remark, ‘Hindi pa ako pinapanganak noon (I wasn’t born at the time),’” he added.

Eventually, he made those digitized LVN films, all in black-and-white, available to the public for free on YouTube and Vimeo, using the Casa Grande Vintage Filipino Cinema Facebook page as portal.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic’s intermittent lockdowns, it has been one of the most visited social media pages as people looked for good, quality and free movies from the studio

era to binge-watch on. Curated and moderated by De Leon, it has more than 50,000 followers.

In MoMA, it’s amazing that nine films from LVN Pictures will be seen again in a theater for a live audience. For example, its first film, Carlos Vander Tolosa’s romantic musical “Giliw Ko” (1939) will be shown 83 years since it was made.

Included also are Avellana’s “Pag-Asa” from 1951, “Huk sa Bagong Pamumuhay (1953), the classics “Anak Dalita” and “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” (1965). Though not with LVN but Diadem Films, “Portrait” was produced by Manuel de Leon, and restored in 2014 by Cinema Artists Philippines and the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Richard Abelardo’s “Mutya ng Pasig” (1950) opens the MoMA festival on Nov. 1, while De Leon’s most recent feature, “Citizen Jake” (2018), closes it on Nov. 29.

We asked Siegel how they trimmed the choices.

“I worked closely with Mike in making the selection and paired his own films with LVN titles with which he had a personal connection (memories of seeing them as a child, for example) or have thematic or stylistic affinities with his own work,” Siegel said.

He added that each film will have two screenings. The capacity of the venue officially called The Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters at MoMA is 200.

De Leon’s retrospective also opens doors for other Filipino masters.

“We hope to continue to feature work by Filipino film masters in the future. I’m particularly interested in the work of Ishmael Bernal,” Siegel said.

Elusive filmmaker De Leon won’t be able to attend the MoMA and Nantes retrospectives. His followers in the Philippines would be lucky if they see the reclusive, elusive veteran filmmaker attend the local theatrical screening of “Itim” in QCinema.

Just like any true artist who lets his work speak for him, De Leon said he has never been comfortable with the spotlight. He doesn’t even want to be referred to as “master,” “acclaimed,” “iconic,” “legendary” and the most used that he cringed on—“auteur.”

“Just veteran filmmaker would do,” he said.

But in the last few days of October, there’s suddenly a deluge of requests not only for interviews, but inquiries from other festival programmers as well.

Here’s good news to those who want to own personal copies of his works: the veteran filmmaker exclusively relayed to Inquirer Entertainment that in early 2023, most of his films and shorts, including Avellana’s “Portrait,” will be released on Blu-ray and DVD in a Boxset published by Carlotta Films of Paris.

The rains will surely continue to pour for De Leon until early next year.

IT is November. And we are coming full circle. Again.

A circle is perhaps the perfect geometric structure there is.

Although some would claim the triangle or a square to be better structures because of their stable nature, the circle and all its derivatives — the orb, the sphere, the globe and every structure on earth and in the universe with a core, circumference and radii emanating from the core — can teach and even help us to understand much about nature, human life, its cycles and seasons, and ultimately, ourselves and perhaps, our place in all these.

From the micro to the macro levels, every creative urge in every level —in both the intellectual and the physical realms— begins as a thought and if tenaciously pursued and fleshed out by one’s strength of will and purpose, proceeds from concept to completion as a circle.

Even in the mundane reality of living an ordinary life from day to day, circles and cycles mark the patterns of our lives. Note nature’s seasons and cycles of birth and death, of sleep and wakefulness, of sunrise and sunset, of the waxing and waning of the moon and of the quarter million year rotation of the solar system around the core

Circles, cycles and the seasons of our lives

of our home galaxy, the Milky Way and in the grandest of levels, the movement of a nearly infinite number of galaxies in the universe, the edge of which only the Creator knows.

On the minutest level, the astounding movement of electrons around a nucleus and the wondrous flow of the human bloodstream from and to the heart are cyclical.

As science has found out, blockages, either man-made or natural to the flow or movement in the processes existing in nature at all levels, can create anomalies, abnormalities and mutations, resulting in pain and illnesses in the human body and if uncorrected, result in diseases, debilitation and ultimately, DEATH.

This presents a strong argument for regular exercise and physical movement, which pumps the smooth circulation of blood flow down to the tiniest capillaries in our eyes and strengthens the muscles of the heart.

Nature moves in cycles. While the earth’s atmospheric cloak adheres to the surface because of the gravitational pull of the earth’s mass, the hydrologic or water cycle will continue to maintain our seas and give us rain to sustain all planetary life — that is, for the time being —unless something unforeseen and catastrophic upsets and upends this delicate homeostatic-like balance.

In a way, the life of our living, breathing planet is reflective of human life itself.

“Life,” according to Einstein, “is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

And on that point, we are finding out Einstein is absolutely right.

* * * 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.

* * *

Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya writes for Asian Journal. Email monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com for comments.

Divorce mediation as an option prior to pursuing litigation

Barrister’s Corner

Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes

IF the divorcing parties are both reasonable in their expectations in resolving their family law case and if they don’t think involving lawyers in their divorce case early on would be an efficient and cost effective way of going about their divorce process, then perhaps mediation is the way to go. It can be a more cost effective option to resolve your family law issues. There may be situations where involving the wrong type of lawyers in either side of the case can turn your family law case into a circus and end up costing the parties unnecessary legal fees x2 (legal fees for each party).

Remember, legal fees from both parties can rapidly escalate in litigation and those fees will be coming out of the same pie. If both you and your spouse are open to a fair and amicable settlement in your family law case and both of you are not interested in playing games or weaponizing the judicial process against the other spouse, then both of you can benefit from trying mediation first before pursuing litigation. This can result to a less stressful process and preserve the size of the pie that both of you are trying to divide in your divorce case.

By hiring an experienced mediator in your case, the mediator will serve as a “neutral” in your case. A mediator with many years of family law trial experience to draw upon to advise you on a myriad of possible solutions to your family law issues that is fair to both parties under the California Family Code and case law can increase the chances of settling your case substantially and in cost effective manner with less stress. Further, both parties can share in the cost of the mediation services instead of

each party paying for their own attorney to fight it out in court. If you have young children, taking a scorch earth position in litigation might not be a good idea. Remember, you will continue to co-parent your children even after the divorce case is over. Through mediation, you might be able to avoid burning bridges with your ex spouse. As part of the mediation services, mediators can also assist both parties in drafting the pleadings necessary to successfully complete the case. This may include filing the divorce petition, preparing the required financial disclosures, and drafting the settlement agreement and stipulated judgment should the parties successfully settle the case.

Of course, there is no guarantee that you will be able to come to an agreement but chances are higher is done through an experienced mediator. The good thing about family law is that each issue in a family law case is “divisible.” This means it is not an all or nothing predicament like in civil cases. You do not have to settle all the issues. You can settle some of the issues that you are able to agree upon and litigation the other issues you have an impasse on in court at a later time. For those issues you cannot settle in mediation, you will still have a chance to litigate them in court at a later time and hire lawyers to represent you.

Both parties can also utilize experts as part of the mediation process. For example if you own a business and need the business to be appraised, the parties may jointly retain an expert for purposes of appraising the business during the mediation process in order to arrive at a fair and equitable division of community property. If you own a property prior to marriage but there was a mortgage on the property which was paid using community income during the marriage, you may have to involve an forensic accounting expert to calculate and apportion the community

interest in the property during the mediation process.

In addition, most statements during mediation are privileged and confidential. The only statement or writing made in connection with mediation which can be disclosed without the express consent of both parties is the settlement agreement reached during the mediation. Except for limited exceptions created by the courts, nothing else said or written during or in the course of the mediation, or for the purpose of the mediation, can be received in evidence, compelled in discovery, or compelled as testimony in any proceeding. California Evidence Code Section 1119, 1121, and 1123.

Of course, both you and your spouse need to agree to give mediation a chance and will be jointly retainer the services of a neutral. Mediation should be a process to think about as an option in your divorce prior to litigation. It can save you a lot of agony and resources.

* * * Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.  The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC.  This article is not a solicitation.

* * *

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)

Danny Javier of Apo Hiking...

ni Richard.

Musician at heart

A native of Abuyog, Leyte, Javier was in fact the one who coined the term OPM to stand for the organization made especially to protect the interest of Filipino singers and song writers, and their music.

While he was known as part of the singing group Apo Hiking Society, which made its mark in the local music scene in the late 70s until the late 90s, he was also a composer whose compositions made the charts.

Among his popular compositions include Pumapatak ang Ulan (1978), Kaibigan (1978), Doo bidoo (1978), Kabilugan ng Buwan (1980), Blue Jeans (1981), Di Na Natuto (1985), Kumot At Unan (1991), Awit ng Barkada (1991), Just A Smile Away (1992), [3] Lumang Tugtugin (1992) and Isang Dangkal (1999).

His team up with Garovillo and Paredes produced several popular shows on television such as the long-running “Sa Linggo nAPO Sila” on ABSCBN. The group however

disbanded sometime in 2009. Javier is a product of San Beda College and Ateneo de Manila University, he also assumed a popular fictitious character as “Pidro,” a provinciano who came to Manila seeking good fortune. The character was such a hit that he ventured into a a T-shirt business with “Pidro” images.

The musician left behind his daughter Justine Javier-Long and brother, his brother fellow actor-comedian Dyords Javier, and niece, singer-actress Mica Javier.

Continued on

Jo Koy

Photo from Instagram/@jokoy

“To everything – turn, turn, turn. There is a season – turn, turn, turn

And a time to every purpose under heaven.”

— A song by The Byrds (based on the Book of Ecclesiastes)

In a separate post, he expressed his gratitude and asked fans for support by voting

for him at the American award show’s website.

Pahrump Balloon Festival expected to attract thousands

By RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman

COLORFUL big balloons are expected to don the bright skies of Pahrump, Nevada as the 9th Annual Pahrump Balloon Festival takes place from November 11 to 13 at Petrack Park.

The three-day event is expected to attract thousands, according to an article in the Pahrump Valley Times, where, aside from the hot-air balloons, attendees can partake of food and beverages from vendors, buy merchandise, indulge in family-friendly games, participate in karaoke and listen to music, and look at classic cars, among other things.

This year is different as Doug Dubin of Dubin Family LLC and Doug Campbell of Balloons Over Pahrump are taking the reins of the event from the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce, who introduced the festival to the town many years ago and hosted the festival in years past. Dubin and Campbell decided to step in and save the festival when the chamber announced that it would not be able to host the event this year.

With a motto of “Come for the Ballons and Stay for Everything!,” this year’s event is expected to generate a lot of fun and excitement for visitors and locals.

Opening day, which is November 11, Veterans Day, will see a sunrise service at the soccer field at the north end of the park where the American flag will be flown above as VFW Riders introduce the colors on the ground. A veteran will be singing the national anthem for everyone to hear and enjoy.

The day of the sunrise service and

succeeding days will see hot-air balloon launches for those wanting the experience.

According to Dubin, people will be in awe of “the beauty and the pageantry of more than 16 different designs” of balloons, some of which have never flown in Nevada, or Pahrump.

Organizers expect attendees to gawk at merchandise offered at the festival, which will include gifts for the holidays, and everything from handmade hair clips to wind chimes.

Food is another thing that festival-goers will likely enjoy, with varying cuisines competing for people’s palates, including Asian, Hawaiian, Mexican and American dishes and delights. Of course, people will be able to purchase beverages, from water, to soda and wine.

And as usual, music will be playing at the festival, with various acts scheduled to perform. A karaoke contest is even planned for one of the event’s nights.

Tethered hot-air balloon rides are offered on a first-come, first-fly basis, while those who want to get the full experience high up in the sky can purchase balloon flights prior to the festival.

Another great event taking place in Pahrump in November is a B2B (business to business) Expo where more than 50 local businesses are expected to participate, showcase their wares and talk about the services they offer to attendees.

Also, the event will provide “a platform for businesses to network with other businesses, build relationships, promote and market their products and services, and create business opportunities with their peers.”

According to Pahrump Valley Chamber CEO Jenney Sartin, the business climate in Pahrump is improving, and employment is trending upward.

“The energy, and excitement of the community is increasing. We want to keep moving things forward and as the re-imagined B2B Expo returns, the Chamber shares the business community’s optimism for 2023,” Sartin was quoted as saying.

As you can see, the town’s chamber and long-time residents are heavily involved in trying to improve the lives of residents and businesses by putting up events that cater to the needs of the community, including these two events. While the former focuses on fun, and perhaps an introduction of exciting things that happen to Pahrump for the town’s visitors, the latter takes aim at improving connections and relationships among the town’s businesses and customers.

The town, which lies about 62 miles west of Las Vegas, keeps on improving as the years go by. Construction is ongoing for additional business ventures that are homing in on the town and its increasing number of residents.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948, or send email to fely@ precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com.

Even with the recent increase in mortgage rates, Pahrump continues to be one of the most affordable options in Nevada, and even the United States. Its proximity to Las Vegas is a great advantage for those looking to make the town their home. When they desire to indulge in the big city lights and watch shows,

concerts, musicals or whatever fancies them, they can do so in about an hour’s drive or so.

Perhaps that is why Pahrump has always been on the radar of developers and people looking to buy homes who are priced out of markets such as Las Vegas. Now is a great time to look at what’s available in the market.

I have been a Realtor for many decades and can guide you on your real estate purchase, whether you are looking for a forever home, a sound investment, or a second/vacation home. Some of my clients are now reaping the

benefits of their real estate purchases, with some having income via Airbnb and rentals.

My company, Precious Properties, is a fullservice company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@ precious-properties.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. (Advertising Supplement)

Russ Bateman and Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman had a great three weeks in the Philippines where the couple also attended meetings at the famed Manila Hotel with the FPACC.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (middle, standing) brought in Engr. Daniel Kulik and Engr. Anthony Declue of Solar Freedom to Manila to help provide affordable energy to all Filipino households.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (seated, extreme right) meeting with Filipino brokers in the Philippines as she promotes Pahrump, Nevada.

‘Competitive environment’: Korina Sanchez, Karen Davila speak out on rumored rivalry

By Bot Glorioso Philstar.com

SEASONED broadcasters Korina Sanchez and Karen Davila finally shared their thoughts on their alleged rivalry.

Guesting on Sanchez’s NET25 show “Korina Interviews,” Davila attributed it to a “competitive environment.”

“Feeling ko, because workwise, parang it was such a competitive environment where we used to work. Parang they would always pit people against each other, perhaps. It would be, let’s say after Korina, nandiyan si Karen. Napakahirap din nun for any woman ha. Kasi nga, you feel minsan either may hinahabol ka o hinahabol ka,” Davila said.

She added that she missed the opportunity to be close to Sanchez because they had different schedules.

“I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Ako sa pananaw ko, isa sa mga nasayang na panahon ko sa ABS-CBN is ‘yung hindi kita nakilala doon. Of course, you were very busy. But I feel it was a lost opportunity for me, for both of us,” Davila said.

Sanchez echoed her sentiment, saying she only managed to get close to fellow broadcaster and radio commentator Ted Failon.

Sobrang busy. Iba-iba ang schedule natin. It’s not like nakakahuntahan ko ng madalas si Bernadette [Sembrano] or even Loren [Legarda]. Talagang ang nakakausap ko lang ay

si Ted [Failon] kasi siya ‘yung partner ko,” she recalled.

“Naunahan pa ng intriga.

‘Ay, ang pumalit kay Korina si Karen so baka galit si Korina kay Karen.’ Actually hindi ah. Decision ng management iyon nung pinalitan mo ako sa ‘TV Patrol.’ And there was [no animosity]. Remember when Mar ran, I even invited you?

Wala talaga ‘yun kasi decision talaga iyan ng mga boss namin nung mga panahon na iyon,” Sanchez added.

Sanchez began her career with ABS-CBN in 1986, while Davila transferred from GMA-7 to ABS-CBN in 2000.

The latter took over Sanchez’s duty as an achor on “TV Patrol” in 2004.

Gerald, Sam recall ‘PBB’ days, van incident

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actors Gerald Anderson and Sam Milby looked back at some of their most memorable times working together and individually in the last 10 years.

The two actors were at an intimate media dinner promoting the upcoming finale of their show “A Family Affair.”

Gerald shared the first time he saw Sam during the first-ever season of “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) in 2005.

Nasa General Santos pa ako [noon]. Wala akong alam about sa local shows [nang sabihin ng kaibigan ko], ‘Bro, pwede kang pumasok sa PBB,’” the actor shared.

He was playing billiards with a friend who said he resembled someone on the show. Gerald’s friend pointed at Sam, who was flashed on screen, and it got Gerald thinking about joining the show. He thought that he and Sam were both not fluent in Filipino at that time but the latter was well-loved by the public.

In that inaugural season, Sam was evicted on Day 77 after entering on Day 28; Gerald would join the first Teen Edition months later, finishing third behind Mikee Lee and winner Kim Chiu after 42 days in the PBB house.

[Si Sam] talaga ang inspiration,” Gerald said. “Ikaw ang idol natin, ‘yung standard!”

Sam then joked that he, Gerald, and their “A Family Affair” co-star Jameson Blake — who joined “PBB: 737” in 2015 — make up what could be called “AFAM Affair” given their foreign backgrounds. AFAM is an

acronym-slang for ‘a foreigner assigned in Manila’. From ‘Dyesebel’ to car rides Sam also commended Gerald for how much he has improved since they worked on the Kapamilya series “Dyesebel” with Anne Curtis eight years ago.

“Nakita ko ‘yung growth niya as an actor, ‘yung professionalism, na gustonggusto niya ginagawa niya,” Sam said, citing scenes where Gerald had him impressed. Gerald quipped by attempting to hand Sam his watch as a show of gratitude.

Gerald shared another anecdote involving Sam as a way to show the latter had a reputation for being “lutang” or oblivious.

He said he was in a van with Sam, his brother Ken, and fellow actors Rayver Cruz, Xian Lim, Enchong Dee and Jason Abalos. Sam was seated at the back with Jason. They had the scare of their lives when their van went out of control and was going downhill.

As he was in the passenger’s seat, Gerald helped the driver maneuver the van off the road to a halt before arriving at an intersection. Everyone was reacting loudly except Sam.

“Pagtingin ko sa likod [ang daming] ‘Ok ka lang?’ pero sa pinakalikod naroon si Sam nag-cellphone lang,” Gerald claimed. Sam disputed it, adding that he could not help anyway.

Gerald dared anyone to ask the other passengers about the said incident and he is confident that they would back him up. After a while, both Gerald and Sam just laughed it off.

Jo Koy nominated...

The comedian will be vying for the Comedy Act of 2022 award against Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, David Spade, Kevin Hart, Steve Martin and Martin Short, Wanda Sykes, and Whitney Cummings.

Last August, Jo Koy’s Hollywood comedy film “Easter Sunday” premiered in Los Angeles. The movie, which was produced by American film producer-director Steven Spielberg, tells the story of a struggling comedian who came together with his family on Easter Sunday.

From Page 10

Veteran broadcasters Korina Sanchez and Karen Davila

Photo from Instagram/@net25tv

“A Family Affair” actors (from left) Jameson Blake, Gerald Anderson and Sam Milby Philstar.comphoto