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T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c A n c o m m u n i T y n e w s pA p e r

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

AS FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH CONCLUDES

NYC Mayor Adams, Consul General Cato hoist PH flag

NEW York City Mayor Eric Adams on Friday, Oct. 28 joined Consul General Elmer G. Cato as they raised the Philippine flag for the first time ever at Bowling Green Park along with some leaders of the Filipino American community which celebrates Filipino American History Month every October.

“I will say this over and over again, people talk about the immigrant population in this country. The immigrant population, we need the immigrant population more than the

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Typhoon ‘Paeng’ death toll hits 110

by Francis Earl cuEto

and

cathErinE s. ValEntE

ManilaTimes.net

THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday, Nov. 1 said deaths from Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng” (international name: “Nalgae”) have reached 110, with 101 injured and 33 missing.

A report from the agency said that as of Monday night, Oct. 31, 59 of the confirmed fatalities were from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which suffered massive floods and landslides.

A total of 741,777 families or 2,418,249 individuals from 6,158 barangay (villages) were affected by the

storm.

Houses damaged numbered 6,542, of which 5,035 were partly damaged and 1,507 were totally damaged, for a loss of P12,415,000.

The NDRRMC said total damage to infrastructure was P760,361,175 and to agriculture, P1.3 billion with 58,086.852 hectares of crops destroyed.

A total of P50.327,122.52 in government assistance was provided to affected residents.

Severe losses from Paeng in the autonomous region prompted President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday to intensify tree-planting efforts in BARMM as he expressed alarm over massive deforestation in Maguindanao province.

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Marcos calls for better disaster response by

Shopping for ACA Health insurance? Here’s what’s new this year 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

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Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Consul General Elmer G. Cato of the Philippine Consulate General in New York led the raising of the Philippine flag at the Bowling Green Park on Friday, Oct. 28 to commemorate Filipino American History Month. Deputy Mayor Maria Torres Springer, the highest-ranking Filipino American in the city joined the festivities along with Commissioner Edward Mermelstein of the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs.

AJPress Photos by Troi Santos

This handout photo taken and released by the Philippine Coast Guard on October 28 shows rescue workers evacuating people from a flooded area due to heavy rain brought by Tropical Storm Nalgae in Parang, Maguindanao province.

CEMETERY TRASH. Employees of the Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management and School Division Office of Caloocan City pile plastic bags of the garbage left by those who visited the Tala Cemetery during the All Souls’ Day observance on Thursday, Nov. 3. The cemetery has a land area of around four hectares.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, November 1 urged local government units (LGUs) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to have closer coordination and have more joint projects for the easier facilitation of government aid in times of disasters and calamities.

“I think that is something that we can improve on, the coordination between the LGUs and BARMM. And then the procedures. I know that you are just drawing up your procedures now. But you can see why this is important,” the Chief Executive said during the situation briefing with BARMM officials and several key members of the Cabinet in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Marcos said joint efforts between the LGUs and BARMM are vital to ensure better response coordination in times of emergency to address the needs of those affected by the calamity while at the same time reducing the impacts of disasters.

“That is why I always press you about so that in times like this, you already know what to do. You

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PH still among world’s worst countries in prosecuting killers of journalists

by BEatricE

Pinlac Inquirer.net

MANILA – For the third straight year, the Philippines maintained its spot as the seventh worst country in convicting killers of journalists, according to a report released by a global media watchdog on Wednesday, November 2.

The annual Global Impunity Index of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a New York-based organization tracing attacks against media, saw no movement in the ranking of the Philippines, with 14

murders still unsolved.

Only countries with five or more unsolved cases are included on the CPJ index.

For this report, CPJ monitored unsolved journalist killings that occurred across the globe between September 1, 2012 and August 31, 2022 – from the administration of late and former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to that of current President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “The election of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. brought hope of a shift away FilVetREP Chairman Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret) introduces the Honorable Erika Moritsugu,

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Deputy Asst. to President Biden and Senior Liaison for Asian Americans Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders at the Oct. 22, 2022 6th anniversary celebration of the Congressional Gold Medal.

Contributed photo

US eyes allocating $70 million Marcos visits Educators mull ways of father’s tomb on for EDCA sites, arms in PH All Saints’ Day

by FrancEs

Mangosing Inquirer.net

MANILA — The United States is planning to allocate $70 million, or nearly P4 billion, in the next two years to implement the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a key military deal that would allow Washington to build facilities and preposition assets in some strategically located military bases in the country.

The agreement signed in 2014 — designed to address Chinese aggression in the South China Sea and respond to natural disasters — will finally make some major headway after facing delays during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, who had

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by cathErinE

s. ValEntE ManilaTimes.net

U.S. Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson Photo from U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ official website

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.

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

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teaching legacy of Filipino WWII vets to US students MORE than a dozen teachers educators, administrators and community organizers from across the country convened Oct. 22 in the first-ever “Duty to Country (DTC)” teachers’ conference in Arlington, Virginia, to explore ways of teaching American students the historical contributions of Filipino veterans of World War II. Hosted by the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education

Project or FilVetRep, educators and organizers reviewed the organization’s award-winning online exhibit and curriculum and shared ideas on how to improve existing teaching resources and practical ways to adapt these materials for their students.

FilVetREP will be working closely with these educators and teachers in the next 12 months

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From The FronT Page

Marcos calls for better disaster...

PAGE 1 know the coordination with the LGU,” he explained.

“I noticed that the BARMM and LGU, you have no joint operation.

You have to have joint operations to maximize your assets. There is only so much [you can do]; focus is needed. The different areas, of course, there are places with more residents in the BARMM; there are also places with more people in the LGU. So, join your forces for us to maximize that.

We need that coordination,” he added.

He also reminded all frontline government agencies and local officials not to be too strict in following the bureaucracy when it comes to giving aid to affected citizens during disasters, as there is a fine line between life and death in the middle of a crisis.

“Let’s not mind too much the bureaucracy; let’s send the relief. You know the people are fighting for their lives. This is life and death for them. So, let’s not wait. Let’s just go to them as

Philippine President Bongbong Marcos meets with officials on Monday, Oct. 31 to discuss the aftermath of Tropical Storm "Paeng."

Malacañang photo

long as we can give something,” the President said. “We have to make our SOPs (standard operating procedures) more efficient... The point of all these relief goods, to get as much relief goods, to give as much relief goods. There is no such thing as too much relief goods.

Whatever we have, we give

them away immediately. That is something we can improve on, the coordination between the LGUs and BARMM.” Prior to the briefing, Marcos conducted an aerial inspection to assess the damage left by Typhoon “Paeng” over the weekend in the province of Maguindanao. n

Typhoon ‘Paeng’ death toll hits...

PAGE 1 Marcos made the statement after conducting an aerial inspection in Maguindanao, which reeled from flash floods and landslides unleashed by Paeng.

During a situational briefing that he presided over in the province, the President pointed out the need to plant trees to tackle flooding as he acknowledged threats of climate change.

He said areas that were not prone to flooding in the past are now being inundated, while typhoons no longer follow their path as forecast.

“That’s the problem today. Talagang may (There is really) climate change. It’s undeniable,” Marcos said.

“So, we have to include tree-planting in our flood control. Dapat kasama ‘yan. Kung gagastos tayo sa flood control, kailangan may tree-planting (That should be included. If we spend on flood control, there must be treeplanting),” he added.

During the inspection, the President said he noticed that areas badly hit by Paeng were the ones that had been deforested.

“We have been hearing this over and over

again, pero patuloy pa rin tayo nagpuputol ng kahoy, ‘yan ang nangyayari nagkaka-landslide ng ganyan (But we keep on cutting down trees, so landslides happen),” Marcos added.

“Mag-isip tayo ng mabuti doon sa treeplanting. Hindi maliit na bagay yan (Let’s think about that tree-planting. It’s not a small thing).

I know people think that it is just for saving the environment. No, it’s to save lives,” he said.

The President earlier raised concern over the high death toll in the province saying, “That seems very high for a flooding incident.”

Latest tally from the NDRRMC indicated that most of the 110 reported fatalities, or 59, were from the Mindanao autonomous region.

In the briefing with the President, Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam Mangudadatu said Paeng left 61 people dead, 40 injured and 17 missing in the province.

On the other hand, BARMM Interior Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said damage to agriculture has reached P211,975,479.

He added that this could still increase as authorities continue to assess the damage from the tropical storm. n

PH still among world’s worst countries...

PAGE 1 from outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign of intimidation and harassment of the press,” the CPJ said in its report.

It noted, however, that the brazen murders of two toughtalking radio broadcasters – Percival Mabasa and Renato Blanco – since Marcos took the country’s helm in late June “raised fears that the culture of violence and impunity will endure.”

Somalia topped the list as the worst country for prosecuting

journalist murderers for the eighth straight year with 19 unsolved killings, according to the CPJ. The next countries in descending order with the highest tally of unsettled mediarelated murders are Syria, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Mexico.

After the Philippines, Myanmar debuted on the list at the eighth place followed by Brazil, Pakistan, and India.

Getting away with journo murders The CPJ’s 2022 Global

Impunity Index pointed out that the majority of the killers of journalists have still not been held accountable for their crime.

“In nearly 80 percent of the 263 cases of journalists murdered in retaliation for their work globally over the past decade, the perpetrators have faced no punishment,” it said.

From the total number of murdered journalists examined in the CPJ report, 148 were threatened, 47 were taken captive, and 20 were tortured prior to their murder. n

Marcos visits father’s tomb...

PAGE 1 relatives also attended the Mass.

The President had proclaimed October 31 as a special nonworking holiday so that Filipinos had 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, Oct. 31 the President called on 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 Christcentered lives, and fulfill our life’s purpose until we meet our Creator.”

“The pandemic of recent years forced us to 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. n

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D ateline PhiliPPines Study: Filipino women retire NYC Mayor Adams, Consul... reaching only 79% of what men earn

by Ramon

Royandoyan Philstar.com

MANILA — A new study found that by the time Filipino men and women retire, their accumulated wealth is not as equal as it’s supposed to be.

In a study penned by global advisory and brokerage firm Willis Towers Watson and the World Economic Forum, women in 39 countries on average only reach 74% of the wealth men accumulate by time they retire.

Within countries in Asia and the Pacific, the figure exceeds the global average by two points at 76%.

The stark disparity of wealth

among genders highlights the inequalities faced by women in the workplace globally, as studies in the past show women in developed economies are paid less compared to men.

The Philippines figured in the list of economies where the WTW Wealth Equity Index outpaced the global average.

The Philippines eked out 79%, counting itself among developed economies such as China (78%), Japan (82%), South Korea (90%), and Singapore (79%).

“The results from our global analysis are startling. It shows that there is a gender wealth gap consistently across the 39 countries that we studied,” said

Manjit Basi, senior director for Integrated & Global Solutions at WTW. The study employed qualitative and quantitative methods to dissect gender wealth equity within 39 chosen countries.

Likewise, the study revealed that within APAC countries, India’s gender wealth gap stood high at 64%. Pay gaps, especially in professional and technical roles still persisted alongside limited opportunities for women to climb up the corporate ladder.

WTW cited an age-old concern that women had to forego their careers, even at a young age, to prioritize childcare. Likewise, the

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First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos named ‘chief girl scout’

by KRistina

maRalit ManilaTimes.net

THE Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) on Thursday, November 3 conferred the “Chief Girl Scout” title to First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos in an investiture ceremony held in Malacañang.

As prescribed by Section 7 of Republic Act 10073, also known as the Girl Scouts of the Philippines Charter of 2009, the title is bestowed upon “a woman President of the Philippines or the First Lady of the Philippines”.

“As the First Lady of the Philippines, I have been designated as the Chief Girl Scout of the Philippines. It is a title that I will truly be proud of... not only because of its meaningful history but more so because it will allow me to help our young women cultivate the same values that I learned when I was a Girl Scout in school,” the First Lady said as she recalled her scouting activities during her younger years.

“As part of the GSP movement, I am committed to help shape our young women’s mental, emotional and social qualities. I will strive to help

Photo from Facebook Liza Marcos

our environment and do our part towards nation-building.

Together, we will achieve these goals,” she added.

Established in May 1940 through Commonwealth Act 542, the GSP has an estimated membership of 800,000 nationwide in the present time.

Araneta-Marcos lauded the organization for tirelessly delivering its mission to “prepare young women for their responsibilities in the home, the nation, and the world community” throughout the years and encouraged them to never cease in helping their countrymen.

One such initiative the First

Lady said she hopes the GSP would do more of is the planting of trees in different localities to avert another major damage caused by flooding like the one that happened during the recent onslaught of Typhoon ‘Paeng’.

“Climate change is the problem. Climate change is real. Who would’ve thought that years later, especially with the recent onslaught of Typhoon Paeng -- that something as basic as tree planting would be of vital importance,” she stated.

“And if we can find ways to help save our environment, we will definitely be able to help our community and our country,” she added. n

PAGE 1 immigrant population needs us,” Adams said. “For the first time, we’re going to raise the flag of the Philippine community to send a loud and clear message that we’re going to raise our spirits, we’re going to raise our energy, we’re going to raise the greatness of this city.”

Cato cited the shared history between the Philippines and the United States which started when the first Filipinos landed in Morro Bay along the coast of California more than 300 years before the Philippines became an American colony.

Filipinos first arrived here in New York City at the end of the Philippine-American War in the latter part of the 19th century.

Most of them were students enrolled at Columbia University and New York University as well as other institutions. Others arrived later through Ellis Island and settled in the city. They were followed by Filipino veterans returning from wars in Europe and the Pacific.

The Philippines began its diplomatic presence in New York with the establishment of the Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in 1946. Today, Filipinos comprise the third-largest Asian American population in the United States with over 4.5 million and in New York City, Filipinos are the fourth-largest Asian ethnic group.

“This is not only an extraordinary testimony to the immigrant success story but also proof of the enduring friendship between Filipinos and Americans. This multifaceted relationship has only deepened and strengthened over the decades, especially here in New York City,” Consul General Cato said. “We have seen the important contribution to New York City of Filipinos, particularly our doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers following the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic in the spring of 2020.”

The program also included a speech from Quimberly Villamer, a nurse who was among the thousands of frontliners as the city battled coronavirus.

“I stand before you today with pain because many of my

5

Leaders of the Filipino American community joined Mayor Adams and Consul General Cato at the historic raising of the Philippine flag in downtown Manhattan on Friday, Oct. 29 to celebrate Filipino American History Month.

AJPress Photo by Troi Santos

colleagues will not be able to tell their stories themselves anymore,” Villamer said. “But I also stand before you today with gratitude. I’m immensely grateful for I was able to see the best of humanity in the worst of times.”

A nurse manager for an NYC hospital, Villamer shared heartbreaking stories about devoting five minutes of their schedules to sing to their patients and their families who were FaceTiming with them.

“Imagine a patient on a ventilator getting her dialysis clapping her hand with us. A patient FaceTiming his family and I see his family dancing from the screen. That was the time when we couldn’t get visitors in the hospital and a bunch of exhausted frontliners were dancing their pain away,” Villamer recalled.

When New York City became the epicenter of the pandemic, Filipino nurses and other medical professionals stayed true to their oath to take care of the sick and the dying, sometimes at expense of their very own lives.

“Today, we honor the 30 Filipino doctors and nurses we lost during the pandemic, as well as other fallen heroes of New York City as we hoist the flags of both the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines. And we also honor the city that has welcomed, nurtured, and sheltered the Filipino American community through the years,” Consul General Cato said.

Deputy Mayor Maria TorresSpringer, the first Filipino American to be a deputy mayor in the City of New York, also delivered a short speech.

“I have always believed, and my Filipino parents believed, and I know generations of strivers and doers and survivors believe that New York City is the purest distillation of the promise of this country as a land of opportunity.

And so that is what we celebrate here today,” Torres-Springer said.

Mayor Adams promised that this ceremony will be held annually from now on.

“We’re not going to use this as a one-time event. Every year, we will be here to commemorate this great body of people who represent the greatness of this city,” Adams said, citing the numbers of Filipinos in the city and asking the community to harness this political power “to make sure that your voices are never ignored.”

“Bowling Green’s rich history dates back to the very founding of New York City in the 1600s,” said Arthur Piccolo, president of the Bowling Green Association.

“Like so many others, immigrants came to what is now Bowling Green Park in search of a better life.

Among the city officials who joined the flag-raising ceremony were Edward Mermelstein, Commissioner of International Affairs, and Manuel Castro, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigration Affairs.

(By Momar G. Visaya/AJPress) n

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OpiniOn

Days of grief, remembrance

Features

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, October 31, 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.

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, October 29. 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, October 30 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

Editorial

ManilaTimes.net photo

administration. Mourning also continues for the their work. many others for whom justice remains elusive In these days of saints and souls, we pray – activists, journalists, legal professionals, that the dead might yet rest in peace, and their environmental warriors slain in connection with families will find closure. (Philstar.com)

Providing an on-the-ground perspective

Babe’s Eye View 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

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

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

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

Undas: How it began

Breakthrough

elfRen S. CRuz

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

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 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

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Chief Executive Office

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With offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York/New Jersey, Las Vegas, San Diego, Philippines

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MOMAR G. VISAYA Editor-in-Chief San Diego Asian Journal

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 4-10, 2022

7

US eyes allocating $70 million for EDCA...

SHOPPING FOR DECORS. Shoppers check out Christmas decorations on sale at the Dapitan Arcade in Quezon City on Thursday, Nov. 3. The Philippines is one of the countries that have the longest Christmas celebration in the world, starting as early as September until the first week of January.

PNA photo by Alfred Frias

Educators mull ways of...

PAGE 1 as the project reaches out to school districts in as many states as possible to ensure that this program, which is accessible for free, will be widely used and taught in classrooms.

Education program “FilVetREP’s education program, “Duty to Country – Under One Flag,” is a powerful venue to remind not only ourselves but the next generation, to carry on the legacy of these brave soldiers and honor their service and sacrifice,” said FilVetREP Chairman Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba.

FilVetREP also celebrated the 6th Anniversary of the Congressional Gold Medal, a historic achievement when Congress honored Filipino and American World War II veterans on Oct. 25, 2017 with this highest civilian award.

Since 2017, FilVetREP has held nearly 100 ceremonies across the U.S., Hawaii and Alaska. Similar ceremonies have also been held in the Philippines.

To date, more than 5,000 veterans have been honored with this medal. On Oct. 22, seven more families received medals on behalf of their deceased fathers and grandfathers.

According to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), there are only 2,022 Filipino Veterans who are still alive, as of April 8 this year, 236 of whom are over the century mark. Among the longest living veteran in the Washington, D.C. area, Celestino Almeda, died in last April. He was 104.

Repeal of Rescission Act Taguba reiterated that the

organization is “committed to repeal the Rescission Act of 1946 – an act of Congress that tarnished the honor of our Filipino World War II veterans and brought pain and sorrow upon their lives and families for over 75 years.”

FilVetREP was formed nine years ago with three goals: to secure the Congressional Gold Medal for the 270,000 veterans who served, to develop an online interactive educational program to preserve their historic legacy, and to repeal the 1946 Rescission Act. “Having accomplished our first goal in 2016, we are currently expanding the education program, Duty to Country. Once this is completed, we will focus our energies on a national call to action to repeal the Rescission Act,” Taguba said.

“We must close this dark chapter in U.S. history and restore the honor and dignity of our heroes who were betrayed by America’s broken promise.”

In her keynote address at FilVetREP’s 6th anniversary celebration, Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Asst. to President Biden and Senior Liaison for Asian Americans Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, commended FilVetREP for securing the Congressional Gold Medal to honor the service and sacrifice of the 270,000 soldiers who fought under the American flag, and for its continued advocacy on behalf of Filipino World War II veterans.

“We must never forget their courage and grit. We must ensure their stories are not erased from history,” Moritsugu said. (Inquirer.net) n

PAGE 1 repeatedly expressed his disdain for the United States since he took office in 2016.

“These improvements are designed to enhance cooperative defense capacities and support humanitarian assistance disaster response activities, in ways that best meet the needs of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and the alliance,” US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said in a forum on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

The EDCA, she said, is “another way to operationalize” the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which binds both countries to defend each other in case of an armed attack. Prepositioned assets and weapons will allow the United States and the Philippines to respond quickly in times of disaster or crisis.

The two treaty allies have recently seen “new energy and revived confidence” under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has been reaffirming ties with Washington, marking a departure from his predecessor who sought favor from China and Russia.

Five locations Acting Defense Secretary Jose Faustino Jr. said they had made “some progress” in three out of five predetermined EDCA sites — Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, which is closest to the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea; Basa Air Base in Pampanga, the home of the Philippine Air Force’s fighter planes; and Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, the country’s largest military camp and a frequent location of Philippine-US military exercises.

The other two areas are Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City.

Both sides are keen on exploring additional EDCA locations “that will build a more credible posture,” Faustino said.

Counting on U.S. “The EDCA is an important example of how we can come up with implementing details to treaties we have concluded … as well as the prepositioning of materiel that contribute to the AFP modernization to enable greater interoperability, capability, development, and modernization between our defense forces,” Faustino said.

In late September, Faustino met US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Hawaii against the backdrop of tensions in Taiwan and the South China Sea to discuss various ways to step up defense cooperation, including EDCA. In the same forum, Foreign

Secretary Enrique Manalo said the Philippines is counting on the United States “to help support us in upholding our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea which are based on international law, and also pursue to deescalate tensions while promoting an international law-based order in the region.”

Faustino said that the Philippine-US alliance “makes an important contribution to our efforts to develop our own capability, as well as to regional peace and stability, which is an essential component of the Philippines’ national interest.”

Aside from EDCA, he said they are also prioritizing the conclusion of a General Security of Military Information Agreement, which will establish the terms for the protection of classified military information “with the hope that this will streamline technology transfer for our required capabilities

Shopping for ACA Health insurance...

PAGE 1 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 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

COVID-19 BOOSTER TIPS FOR PEOPLE 50+ Booster doses are important for those who are at increased risk of severe illness.

You are best protected when you stay up-to-date 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 different 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.

Visit www.myturn.ca.gov or call 1-833-422-4255 to schedule your booster.

NO TO AMERICAN BASES. Activists opposed to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the Philippines and the United States—shown here in a protest march in February 2016—may have a new reason to return to the streets following statements from US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

File photo by Grig C. Montegrande / Philippine Daily Inquirer

and ultimately improve our interoperability.”

Bilateral talks The Philippines and the United States will also hold a Bilateral Strategic Dialogue, and a “2+2 Dialogue” of senior foreign affairs and defense officials in the months ahead.

“These meetings represent important opportunities to reiterate our shared vision of the alliance and offer a platform to explore ways we can modernize the alliance to confront today’s complex challenges to our regional security interests,” according to Carlson.

EDCA was signed in April 2014 literally hours before then-US President Barack Obama arrived for a visit to Manila.

The constitutionality of EDCA was challenged in the Supreme Court, but it was declared constitutional in 2016 by the high court, which defined it as an executive agreement that seeks to implement existing treaties between the Philippines and the United States to boost defense and security cooperation.

The security pact grants the United States greater access to Philippine military bases, including the construction of facilities and storage of defense supplies.

In January 2019, then-Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and then-US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim inaugurated a warehouse, the first facility under EDCA, at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga, to house equipment to be used in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. —With a report from Inquirer Research n

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 employeeonly 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

u PAGE 9

8

NOVEMBER 4-10, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

2.9 million families experienced hunger in Q3 – SWS

by Janvic

Mateo Philstar.com

MANILA — Some 2.9 million Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the third quarter of the year, a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

Results of the Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 survey released over the weekend showed that 11.3 percent of the respondents

said their families experienced hunger and not having anything to eat at least once in the past three months.

It was statistically similar to the 11.6 percent obtained in a similar survey in June, but slightly below the 12.2 percent in April and 11.8 percent in December 202.

However, it was still 1.3 points above the 10 percent reported in September 2021 and two points above the pre-pandemic annual

LEGAL SERVICES CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00040273-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Peter D. Chu, Esq. State Bar# 98935 Attorney For: Samar Samir Hireish filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Samar Samir Hireish to Samar Isam Hireish.

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 11/21/2022 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county.

Asian Journal: OCT. 07, 2022 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Michael T. Smyth Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1054 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/04/2022.

ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date.

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

AJSD#1054

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9022992

KNA Towing located at 4266 Del Sol Ct., San Diego, CA 92154.

Registrant: Bonifacio Garibay, 4266 Del Sol Ct., San Diego, CA 92154.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/2/2019.

Signature: Bonifacio Garibay.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/17/2022.

AJ 1064 10/28, 11/04, 11/11, 11/18/2022.

AJSD 1064

average of 9.3 percent in 2019.

According to SWS, the October 2022 hunger rate is composed of 9.1 percent of respondents who said they experienced moderate hunger (down from 9.4 percent) and the 2.2 percent who experienced severe hunger (up from 2.1 percent).

Moderate hunger refers to those who experienced hunger “only once” or “a few times” in the last three months, while

severe hunger refers to those who experienced it “often” or “always” in the last three months.

The survey showed that involuntary hunger fell in balance Luzon, but rose in Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Involuntary hunger remained highest among those in Metro Manila at 16.3 percent (from 14.7 percent), followed by Mindanao at 15.3 percent (from 14 percent), rest of Luzon at 9.6 percent (from

LEGAL SERVICES

CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00042522-CU-PT-CTL TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Vincent Roberto Vasquez filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Vincent Roberto Vasquez to Vincent Roberto Hernandez.

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 12/08/2022 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county.

Asian Journal: OCT. 24, 2022 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Michael T. Smyth Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1063 10/28, 11/04, 11/11, 11/18/2022.

ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date.

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

AJSD #1063

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9022049

32nd & Broadway Market located at 857 32nd St., Suite 102, San Diego, CA 92102.

Registrant: SoCal CRV, Inc., 857 32nd St., Suite 102, San Diego, CA 92102.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/29/2022.

Signature: Anthony St. John.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/05/2022.

AJ 1065 11/04, 11/11, 11/18, and 11/25/2022.

AJSD 1065

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9022200

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9022359

EMPLOYMENT

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9022537

a. ISOLA LA JOLLA located at 7734 GIRARD AVE, LA JOLLA, CA 92037. b. ISOLA PIZZA BAR LA JOLLA located at 7734 GIRARD AVE, LA JOLLA, CA 92037.

Registrant: a. FAI Restaurant Group LP, 3736 E. Lizard Rock Pl, Tucson, AZ 85718. b. Punto A Capo Concepts LP , 1526 E. INDIA ST., SAN DIEGO, CA 92101.

This business is conducted by Limited Partnership.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/03/2022.

Signature: Massimo Tenino.

Statement filed with Recorder/ County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/11/2022.

AJ 1055 10/21, 10/28, 11/04, and 11/11/2022 AJSD 1055

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9022901 SAGETREE located at 1775 Sage Tree Court, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: SDTECHNIX LLC, 1775 Sage Tree Court, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

This business is conducted

by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/26/2017.

Signature: Richard M. Yumul.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/14/2022.

AJ 1057 10/21, 10/28, 11/04, and 11/11/2022.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9021847

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9023303

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-902204

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9023538

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9022536

AJSD 1060

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9022480

J X Cleaning And Refinishing Services located at 6377 Rancho Mission Rd #3, San Diego, CA 92108.

Registrant: Francisco Javier Reyes Vargas,6377 Rancho Mission Rd #3, San Diego, CA 92108.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/10/2022.

Signature: Francisco Javier Reyes Vargas.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/10/2022.

AJ 1053 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, and 11/04/2022.

Deathwish Bobbers located at 3028 31st St., San Diego, CA 92104.

Registrant: Xavier Cordova, 6126 Calle Mariselda Unit #102, San Diego, CA 92124.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/07/2022.

Signature: Xavier Cordova.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/07/2022.

AJ 1052 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, and 11/04/2022.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9023001 Cano Electric located at 820 Humphrey Place, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: Hector Cano, 820 Humphrey Place, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/17/2022.

Signature: Hector Cano.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/17/2022.

AJ 1060 10/28, 11/04, 11/11, 11/18/2022.

The October survey showed that 49 percent of respondents rated their families as poor, 29 percent as borderline poor and 21 percent as not poor.

Some 34 percent of respondents also rated their families as food-poor, defined as being poor based on the food they eat, 38 percent as borderline food-poor and 28 percent as not food-poor.

The survey had 1,500 adult respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percent for national percentages. n

LEGAL SERVICES

JS and CO located at 2630 Lightning Trail Lane, Chula Vista, CA 91915.

Registrant: Jessica Salvador, 2630 Lightning Trail Lane, Chula Vista, CA 91915.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/06/2022.

Signature: Jessica Salvador.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/06/2022.

AJ 1051 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, and 11/04/2022. AJSD#1051

a. ISOLA PIZZA BAR located at 1526 E. INDIA ST., SAN DIEGO, CA 92101. b. ISOLA PIZZA BAR LITTLE ITALY located at 1526 E. INDIA ST., SAN DIEGO, CA 92101. c. ISOLA located at 1526 E. INDIA ST., SAN DIEGO, CA 92101.

Registrant: a. Punto A Capo Concepts LP , 1526 E. INDIA ST., SAN DIEGO, CA 92101. b. FAI Restaurant Group LP, 3736 E. Lizard Rock Pl, Tucson, AZ 85718.

This business is conducted by Limited Partnership.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/01/2012.

Signature: Massimo Tenino.

Statement filed with Recorder/ County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/11/2022.

AJ 1056 10/21, 10/28, 11/04, and 11/11/2022.

AJSD 1056

11.9 percent) and the Visayas at seven percent (from 5.7 percent).

Based on the survey, some 16 percent of those who rated their families as poor experienced hunger in the past three months, up from 15.3 percent in June.

Involuntary hunger decreased among those who rated their families as “not poor” (from 8.1 percent to 6.7 percent) and “not food-poor” (from 7.8 percent to 7.4 percent), while it hardly moved among those who rated their families as “food-poor” (from 19 percent to 18.9 percent).

AJSD#1052

AJSD 1057

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-902204 Billionaires Barber Club located at 6919 Paradise Valley Rd., Ste 3, San Diego, CA 92139.

Registrant: Angela Ngoc Nguyen, 5940 Kenwood St., San Diego, CA 92114.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/04/2022.

Signature: Angela Ngoc Nguyen.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/04/2022.

AJ 1061 10/28, 11/04, 11/11, 11/18/2022.

AJSD 1061

AJSD#1053

Manna Health, LLC located at 8320 Camino Santa Fe, San Diego, CA 92121.

Registrant: Manna Health, LLC, 8320 Camino Santa Fe, San Diego, CA 92121.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF01/01/2021.

Signature: Jeff Hill.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/03/2022.

AJ 1058 10/21, 10/28, 11/04, and 11/11/2022.

AJSD#1058

Juliet Sailo Design & Alterations located at 2401 Highland Ave #6, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: Juliet Sailo Sunthang, 218 Willie James Jones Ave #6, San Diego, CA 92102.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/01/2020.

Signature: Juliet Sailo Sunthang.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/25/2022.

AJ 1062 11/04, 11/11, 11/18, 11/25/2022.

AJSD 1062

EMPLOYMENT

a. DADORA located at 1150 E ST., UNIT 2012, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101. b. DADORA VANILLA located at 1150 E ST., UNIT 2012, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101.

Registrant: Galarraga Kowatch LLC, 1150 E ST., UNIT 2012, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101.

This business is conducted

by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/20/2022.

Signature: Justin James Kowatch.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/20/2022.

AJ 1059 10/28, 11/04, 11/11, 11/18/2022.

AJSD 1059

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 4-10, 2022

9

PH Army soldiers train Shopping for ACA Health insurance... with US troops in Hawaii

by Michael

Punongbayan Philstar.com

MANILA — Select soldiers of the Philippine Army are in Hawaii for a month-long series of training exercises with United States military forces.

Army spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad said troops of the 91st Brigade Reconnaissance Company (91BRC) of the 1st Brigade Combat Team teamed up with the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade of the U.S. Army and 2-14 Cavalry Squadron, 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army for a recon exercise in the jungles of Oahu’s East Range on Monday, Oct. 31.

The training is part of the ongoing Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Capability (JPMRC) Exercise 23-01 being conducted by the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division, U.S. joint forces and allied armies across the Hawaiian archipelago.

Trinidad said the month-long training exercise builds upon shared tactics, techniques and procedures that enhance readiness and response capabilities for realworld crisis and contingencies.

He added that JPMRC 23-01 also bolsters the defense relationship between the Philippines and the U.S., fosters greater Armyto-Army interoperability and increases the defense readiness of participating forces.

Last week, Trinidad announced that 91BRC participated in the final mission briefing that kicked off the JPMRC 23-01 into high gear at the Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii.

Second Infantry Brigade Combat Team commander Lt. Col. David Forsha of the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division issued the operational order that laid out the unit mission and the commander’s intent to subordinate units and the 91BRC commanding officer 1st Lieutenant Junrey Bordado.

Trinidad said Bordado led the company’s final mission planning that laid the direction for drills scheduled on the East Range and other areas in Oahu.

Philippine Army head of delegation Col. Emmanuel Cabasan and the Exercise Directorate joined the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade’s Maneuver Advisor Team during the 91BRC mission brief. n

The Philippine-US 2022 Balikatan live fire military exercise at the Cerab Crow Valley in Capas, Tarlac.

STAR photo by Walter Bollozos

Study: Filipino women...

PAGE 5 firm reckoned that financial literacy and long-term financial decisions are often relegated to men. WTW’s Basi noted that these “influence women’s participation in paid employment and therefore their ability to build wealth.”

Broken down, the study showed that the gender wealth gap increases within senior roles. Women in senior expert and leadership roles globally raked in 62% less of what their male counterparts haul by retirement.

Within mid-level professional and technical roles, the gap stood at 69% but dissipated in frontline operational roles at 89%.

“It’s imperative that activities around gender diversity, equity and inclusion broaden to look at economic wealth at the end of women’s working careers,” said Clare Muhiudeen, WTW’s Asia head.

“Pay is a fundamental factor that underlies the gender wealth gap and while addressing the gender pay gap will partially close the wealth gap, it won’t eliminate it entirely,” she added. n

PAGE 7 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 employer-sponsored coverage and a marketplace plan with subsidies,” said Sabrina Corlette, a researcher and codirector 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 job-based coverage exceeds 9.12% of their expected 2023 income.

Now, two calculations will occur: the cost of the employee-only 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 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. Preventative 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 out-ofpocket. 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 second-cheapest “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 cost-effective.

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.

4. Debts to insurers or the IRS won’t stop coverage 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-ofpocket 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 costsharing 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. n

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SAN DIEGO

NOVEMBER 4-10, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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JOURNAL

10

N OV E M B E R 4 , 2 0 22

‘A WORLD WITH NO HUNGER’

ARK’s ‘Flip the Script’ raises funds to empower rural families A

by MoMar

Albert Samaha (fourth from left) reads from his book Concepcion at the Flip the Script event of ARK to raise funds for rural communities in the Philippines.

G. Visaya / AJPress

S Filipino American History month drew to a close, Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK), a social impact innovator and nonprofit staged Flip the Script on Thursday, October 27 at Honeybrains New York with readings and conversations from critically acclaimed Filipino American authors.

The sold-out book-reading benefit challenged the Filipino American community to help solve hunger in the Philippines in just 5 weeks through its program Feed Back.

The three FilAm authors featured were Daphne PalasiAndreades whose debut novel, Brown Girls, was shortlisted for 2022 Best First Novel by the Center for Fiction and is a New York Times Editors’ Choice; Victor Manibo a 2022 Lambda Literary Emerging Voices Fellow whose debut speculative fiction novel The Sleepless is Buzzfeed’s Highly Anticipated Thriller for 2022, and Albert Samaha a 2023 American Fellow

be able to put it down.” New York’s best-selling author, FilAm Jia Tolentino, says Concepcion is “Absolutely extraordinary. A landmark in the contemporary of the diaspora.”

An ARK team required reading, Concepcion, interweaves the personal with the intricacies of colonialism and geopolitics.

Samaha, who teaches journalism at his alma mater Columbia University delivers stories so powerful and well-researched that they have led to the freeing of a wrongfully convicted man from prison and pushed Congress and six states to pass bills strengthening police sexual misconduct laws.

Manibo’s debut science fiction noir novel explores grief, exploitation, and deceit in a futuristic capitalist society.

Specializing in constitutional and civil rights law from Cardozo School of Law, he spends his workdays defending immigrants from being removed from the country. As a queer immigrant and a person of color, he writes about people who live these identities and navigate the world in his fiction.

CUNY Baruch College, PalasiAndreades’ alma mater, has picked Brown Girls for their incoming freshmen to read.

She was born and raised in The evening’s hosts - Marisa Seifan, CEO and Co-Founder of Honeybrains, a family-owned Queens and holds an MFA from restaurant and café dedicated to brain health and wellness and ARK co-founder Ayesha Columbia University, where she Vera-Yu (right).

whose latest book Concepcion was a finalist for the 2022 National Critics Circle Award in Autobiography and received a Whitling Foundation Creative Nonfiction Grant.

Palasi-Andreades’ Brown Girls and Manibo’s The Sleepless are both debuts while Samaha’s Concepcion is his second book.

All three have been receiving great reviews from critics, fellow authors, and readers.

Author Raven Leilan says Brown Girls is “an ode to girlhood, inheritance, and the good trouble the body yields” while another author, Alex Segura, says “The Sleepless will prove its name: you won’t

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

was awarded the Henfield Prize and a Creative Writing Teaching Fellowship. Her fiction often explores diaspora, immigration, and the far-reaching effects of colonialism and imperialism.

Emmy award-winning journalist Ernabel Demillo and 2022 Open City Fellow at Asian American Writers Workshop, Vina Orden moderated the event.

They discussed topics explored by the authors in their works Daphne Palasi-Andreades (Brown Girls); Victor Manibo (The Sleepless) and Albert Samaha colonialism, immigration, (Concepcion) pose with their books and the event’s moderators Ernabel Demillo and Vina

u PAGE 12

Orden and hosts Ayesha Vera-Yu and Marisa Seifan.

A panoramic view of the Cove, part of the Journey at Pechanga golf course, and the Pechanga hotel.

Photos provided by iGraphix

Pechanga Resort Casino voted Best SoCal Casino, Best CA Casino Hotel in major publications’ readers’ polls Pechanga also picks up awards for Best Golf Course, Best Breakfast, Best Brunch

AWARDS season is upon us, but we’re not talking staged awards shows in a Los Angeles theater. These awards stacked up recently for Pechanga Resort Casino, one of the largest resort/ casinos in the United States.

Pechanga was recently awarded top honors by three national and regional publications’ readers.

The awards include Best So Cal Casino in two large regional newspapers/websites, Best Casino Hotel in California in a national website, and Best Golf Course, Best Brunch and Best Breakfast in one regional media outlet. Pechanga’s staff and management know these awards hold extra weight since readers cast their votes for their favorites.

Readers of the Orange County Register named Pechanga Resort Casino as the Best Casino in Southern California. Voted on by newspaper and web readers, 25 southern California tribal casinos were eligible for the distinction in the annual Best of Orange County poll conducted during the summer of 2022.

Pechanga Resort Casino was also awarded the Best Southern California Casino title by the readers of the Press-Enterprise. The annual poll asked readers to vote for their favorite businesses throughout the Inland Empire region this summer.

In addition to the Best Casino distinction, readers also named Journey at Pechanga the region’s best golf course. They also staked their love for Journey’s End, the restaurant inside the golf course clubhouse, as their favorite in the region for breakfast and brunch. Guests do not need to golf in order to enjoy an award-winning meal at Journey’s End. In a competition that’s had casino/resorts vie for the top spot since 2015, Pechanga Resort Casino came out as the Best Casino Hotel in California in the 2022 USA Today 10Best awards. Travel and

A well-appointed, luxurious queen room at the Pechanga hotel.

The beautifully-decorated entryway to the Pechanga Spa.

casino experts hand select the 20 competitors for the category. Voting then opens to the public to choose their favorite destinations, resulting in a top 10 list of winners. All aiming for the number one distinction, Pechanga’s management says their attention to detail and guest service sets them apart from the pack.

“The fact that readers voted us number one in these polls once again speaks volumes about how our guests feel about the level of service and comfort they receive here,” said Andrew Masiel, Sr., President of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “Our team works incredibly hard to ensure each guest’s experience measures up to a very high standard in every interaction we have with them. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for us.”

Pechanga’s 200,000 square foot casino floor sets the bar high for casinos throughout the country, having a larger casino floor than any Las Vegas resort, as well as being one of the largest resort-casinos in the United States. A selection of 5,400 slot machines and 154 table games in a completely non-smoking casino gives visitors the chance to enjoy themselves without being enveloped by smoke. Guests also enjoy the 1,100 hotel rooms and suites, 12 restaurants, on-site championship golf course, luxury spa and 4.5acre pool complex.

To experience all the award-winning amenities and gaming Pechanga Resort & Casino has to offer, visit pechanga.com.

Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experience anywhere in the United States. Rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2003, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 5,400 of the hottest slots, 154 table games, world-class entertainment, 1,100 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com.

Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter @PechangaCasino.

(Advertising Supplement)

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 4-10, 2022

11

Why Nevada is a good choice to settle to, live in

By RealtoR

Fely Quitevis-Bateman

THE State of Nevada is one of the places many people tend to look at nowadays when they are trying to find a place to move to or start their life/ career.

The state, particularly places like Las Vegas, which is a gaming/entertainment capital in the U.S. and a budding sports center, is not a onetrick pony. Since gambling was legalized in 1931, people tend to think that the only jobs in Nevada tend to be associated with the gambling industry.

Not so, as many industries and companies have found a happy home in Nevada.

There are many advantages to living in the state, and that includes the presence of jobs, whether it’s in the construction, mining, education, and gambling/entertainment fields. For instance, employment is up an estimated 9.2% in Las Vegas.

If you visit Las Vegas now, construction projects abound. There are many corporations, groups and companies that are betting on Las Vegas, as it comes out of the pandemic and resumes some type of normalcy. With tourists and visitors coming back, and McCarran International Airport reporting a huge number of travelers passing through its gates, it looks like the city is on its way to gaining back the status and revenues it raked in before COVID-19 reared its ugly head.

Education is also being emphasized by state and local officials, with the school systems trying to attract the best teachers out there to make the student population competitive. In fact, several colleges offer hands-on training for their students.

The biggest names in the casino industry are making their expansion plans. Red Rock Resorts

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.

are putting up projects in different parts of the state and pursuing projects in the downtown area and northern part of Las Vegas, while MGM Resorts International purchased The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and enhanced its meeting and convention spaces. Meawhile, Hard Rock International plans to open its hotel along the strip in 2025, which will feature a guitar-shaped hotel similar to the one they have in Hollywood, Florida.

Of course, gambling is not the only recreational activity in the state. When you tire of the slot machines and card tables, there are shopping avenues to get lost in, including high-end and outlet types. For many of the casino-resort properties, there are brand-name and other stores to visit, and purchase your favorite goods from.

Also, watching shows, concerts and musicals is another other great activity. Las Vegas is no longer the city where “old” performers make their way to when their popularity fades. Big musical and award-winning acts like BTS, Lady Gaga, Adele, Celine Dion, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry and Carrie Underwood have had their series of shows or residencies to cater to their fans.

Food is another great showcase in the state, with many popular chefs opening their places in the resort-casinos, especially along the Strip. Giada de Laurentiis, Bobby Flay, Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Guy Savoy, Buddy Valastro, Guy Fieri, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse and Masaharu Morimoto are just some of the world-renowned chefs whose restaurants have struck a chord with diners. Plus, many of the properties feature their own unique restaurants, with some featuring cuisine around the world (as with Pepita’s Kitchen in Resorts World, which showcases Lechon Diva Dedet De La Fuente’s unique take on a classic Filipino offering of suckling pig and is a part of the property’s Famous Foods Street Eats fast food section).

What draws people, too, to Nevada is the fact that it has no state income tax, and there’s also no tax on food and medicine purchases. Also, with a lower tax rate for businesses, many companies have found it easy to build their businesses in Nevada than in other states. And if you do your research, you’ll also find that Nevada does not have corporate income tax, no franchise tax, no inheritance or gift tax, no estate tax, no unitary tax and has very competitive sales and property tax rates, among other things.

Moving to a place, whether it’s for a job, a fresh start, or to retire to means looking for a place to live in. Or you may be looking at properties to plunk down your extra money in. While today’s real estate market is not as thriving as it was in the last year or two, it is a good time to look for a land or real estate properties as there is more inventory to choose from. Contrary to what took place in the last two years, where some developers and sellers put people on waiting lists or did a lottery to have prospective buyers have their turn at looking at a certain property, buyers now have more choices to look at and may be able to negotiate with sellers when it comes to prices and other things.

Nevada, and its popular cities like Las Vegas or burgeoning towns like Pahrump, has not been immune to the real estate slowdown, which is being experienced in many parts of the United States. But in terms of affordability, land and real estate prices in Nevada are very competitive. In

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman takes a picture from her place at Turnberry Tower towards the west side of her building, which shows the changing landscape of Las Vegas Blvd., which now includes Resorts World Las Vegas on the left and the Wynn/ Encore towers on the right.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman takes a photo of the east side from Turnberryn Tower, showing how developed the Las Vegas area is. The city has many projects under construction, which will change the cityscape and landscape of Las Vegas further.

The concrete building in the middle of the photo is a parking structure near the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and the Convention Center, which has been, in recent days, full to the top due to events in Sin City.

The Las Vegas Convention Center (in foreground) is currently the site of the SEMA Car Show 2022, where the latest product and custom vehicle trends, as well as innovations from new and iconic exhibitors can be seen by thousands of attendees.

The city’s comeback from the pandemic has seen the convention center attracting major expos and events from around the U.S.

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

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

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

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

My company, Precious Properties, is a fullservice company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-5592476 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)

12

NOVEMBER 4-10, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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Daughter of Filipino What you don’t know can hurt: immigrants runs for Community The facts about updated COVID vaccines College Board of Trustee

By We

DR. Judy Patacsil, a candidate for Palomar College’s District 1 seat, was born and raised in San Diego to pioneering immigrant parents and is a community college graduate, a current community college professor of Filipino Studies, a Trustee and President Emerita of the Filipino American National Historic Society (FANHS), and a fierce advocate for student success and equity.

Among the thousands of students Judy has impacted in her nearly 30 years in higher education, she has supported students from all walks of life.

Her experiences have provided her first-hand knowledge of the narratives of students, faculty, and staff who face the necessity of overcoming many barriers.

At her college, Judy initially provided academic counseling and later originated the Mental Health Counseling Department for which she also established a Behavioral Intervention Team, focusing on student wellness and campus safety. In addition to teaching Filipino Studies, Judy has taught Counseling and Psychology courses and worked on curriculum development.

Judy has a doctorate in psychology with an emphasis in

Dr. Judy Patacsil is a candidate for the Palomar College Board’s District 1 seat.

Photos courtesy of Judy Patacsil

Dr. Judy Patacsil receiving her father’s WWII Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

culture and human behavior. Her of “Filipinos in San Diego” and publications include lead author co-author of the guidebook for “Silent Sacrifices: Voices of the Filipino American Family.”

Her father was posthumously awarded the WWII Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) for Filipino Veterans who served in the Philippines. She received the CGM on behalf of her family. Her mother was a WWII War Bride and an officer of the historic Filipino Women’s Club of San Diego.

Dr. Patacsil’s experience includes direct engagement with diverse student groups. She has been the Faculty Advisor for the Filipino American Student Association. Dr. Patacsil looks forward to serving on the Board of Trustees for Palomar College, as she believes her experience can strengthen Palomar’s campus-wide efforts in the areas of academic excellence and student success.

To learn more about Judy Patacsil’s campaign, visit https:// www.vote4judypalomartrustee. com. n

cAn Do ThiS coViD-19 Public eDucATion cAmPAign

THE updated vaccines have arrived, but surveys are showing that some people don’t know much about them — even though they could make a big difference as cooler weather and growing case numbers abroad signal another possible COVID-19 surge.

“COVID is still with us,” said Dr. Neil Wingkun, an emergency physician at Houston Methodist.

“It’s important to stay vigilant and up to date with facts about the updated vaccines and protection against COVID during the upcoming holiday season.

As we bring together family, friends and loved ones, dive into celebration with peace of mind.”

To make our communities aware of the updated vaccines, the national We Can Do This Campaign has been releasing new ads specific to Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, South Asian, Vietnamese, and the broader Pan Asian audiences. Our audience will see and hear new radio, print, digital, and social ads in our language that urge everyone five and older to protect themselves by getting an updated vaccine ahead of family gatherings this winter. Also, be on the lookout also for a new television commercial, “Just in Time,” on English channels.

We Can Do This continues to work closely with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community partners and events across the country to support vaccine clinics that offer the updated vaccine.

Upcoming events include: • Vaccine clinics held by the Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) in Sparks, NV, Nov. 6 and Las Vegas, NV, Nov. 2, 3, 4, 8, and 12.

• A vaccine clinic at KoreaFest 2022, held by InWave, in Raleigh, NC on Nov. 19.

On Nov. 1, 2022, Dear Asian Americans featured Vice

President Kamala Harris in a special podcast episode. Vice President Harris spoke with host Jerry Won about her personal upbringing and Asian heritage, encouragement for the next generation, and a message ahead of Election Day. We Can Do This is proud to partner with Dear Asian Americans to urge everyone 5+ to get their updated vaccines.

Updated vaccines are among the latest tools for managing COVID. Hundreds of Americans, including Asian Americans, are still dying each day from COVID, and hospitalizations have been rising again in some areas. Maximizing the use of the tools developed in the last two years, including vaccines, can help prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and even death.

Here’s what you need to know about the updated vaccines: Updated vaccines provide protection against both the original COVID virus and Omicron. The updated vaccines offer you the only targeted protection you can get against the Omicron strains that are infecting people right now, and also offer protection against the original COVID virus.

Anyone age five and older who has finished a primary series is eligible. Once two months have passed since your

last dose, whether it was the primary series or a booster, it is time to get an updated vaccine.

Your body needs time to build up full protection, so it’s a good idea to get an updated vaccine as soon as possible to have full protection in time for holiday gatherings and ahead of a possible winter surge in cases.

If you’re 18 or older, it doesn’t matter which brand.

Regardless of which brand of COVID vaccine you got, it is all right to get an updated vaccine from either Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer. Updated vaccines are available from Pfizer and Moderna two months, and from Novavax six months, after the second dose of any of the recommended vaccines.

Updated vaccines are safe and effective. As with other vaccinations, side effects are possible, but they don’t last long. Some people have a sore arm where they got their shot, or even flu-like symptoms for a few days, but these are normal responses to a vaccine.

The updated vaccines are currently widely available and free. Visit www.vaccines.gov to find a vaccination location near you.

For more information and to find a vaccine, visit www.vaccines.gov.

(Advertising Supplement)

Lea Salonga sings Jose Mari Chan classic with Pentatonix’s new Christmas album

By Aric John

Sy cuA ManilaTimes.net

FILIPINO singer Lea Salonga confirmed that she is featured in the latest Christmas album of Pentatonix.

Salonga and Pentatonix will sing Jose Mari Chan’s Christmas classic, Christmas

in our Hearts, as part of the acapella group’s new Christmas album, Holidays around the World.

“Yes, folks! This is happening!

Had the most wonderful time recording this classic Filipino Christmas song with Pentatonix,” Salonga wrote on her Instagram on Thursday,

November 3. “And yes, fellow Pinoys, this is the Christmas In Our Hearts you think it is!”

The new albums consists of 12 Christmas tracks, including two original songs by the band.

Other singers in the album include Meghan Trainor, Magatte Sow, Grace Lokwa and Hiba Tawaji. n

The three FilAm authors featured were Daphne Palasi- Andreades (Brown Girls); Victor Manibo (The Sleepless) and Albert Samaha (Concepcion).

ARK’s ‘Flip the Script’ raises...

PAGE 10 identity, and the future.

The event was hosted by Marisa Seifan and held at Honeybrains, NYC’s best healthy restaurant.

The event also featured curated wines by Jhonel Faelnar, NYC-based sommelier, Wine Director to 2 Michelin-starred restaurant, Atomix, and 2020 Wine Enthusiasts’ 40 Under 40.

ARK’s Feed Back Program Through its proven community-wide vegetable solution called Feed Back, ARK is solving hunger in 5 weeks with rural communities in the Philippines during a time when food insecurity is at its height by empowering at-risk families to secure nourishing food from their backyards and create excess to exchange with neighbors and sell to nearby towns leading to much needed new income.

Through Feed Back’s 16-week time frame, ARK guides and supports community leaders and program managers to set goals, create operational plans, solve structural issues, and track impact. At the end of the 16-week program, ARK Feed Back leaves the community happy, united and investing in each other.

“We are solving hunger for good but we are not doing it alone. We do it in true partnership with rural communities who invest and pay for half the cost,” ARK co-founder Ayesha Vera-Yu said.

“In doing so, we break the lopsided dynamic of a benefactor and beneficiary (which borrows from colonizer and colonized).”

In her short speech and video presentation, VeraYu talked about their venture into Negros Oriental, a province in the Visayas region. She highlighted the story of Kapitan Glory, the village chieftain, a fierce woman who welcomed Feed Back, and the inspiring idea that families could learn how to farm in their own backyards.

Kap Glory’s village was predominantly a fishing community so the introduction of vegetable gardening and sharing their crops was something new to them. At the end of the program, the

community was able to share with each other over two tons of vegetables as each family was bringing on over 16 pounds for their weekly exchange. On top of families supplying all the food needs of the village, they are also selling to nearby villages and towns, eliminating hunger and malnutrition.

“We take on our most value-added role as Champions and cheerleaders of families and communities who know best and who are determined to solve because they are the ones living with the problem. By believing in them, we are changing lives. Together, we are creating a future that is equitable, just, and something our kids can be proud of,” the former investment banker turned farmer said.

Vera-Yu, who started ARK in 2009, also talked about the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the farmers and fisherfolk in the villages in rural areas of the Philippines. The attack on Ukraine has tripled the price of synthetic fertilizers and therefore prevented farmers in many parts of the developing world from planting their crops.

Because of colonization and chemical farming, farmers in the Philippines and many places in the developing world are left with just one crop - rice or corn.

In the Philippines, a bag of synthetic fertilizer is now equal to one month’s income for a farming family during the rainy season from June to August.

This is the time farmers plant their first crop and is their season of hunger.

The chronic hunger problem is now worse as there is widespread food insecurity for the entire nation, causing more people to go hungry.

According to Vera-Yu, there are two billion people around the world who face seasonal hunger year after year.

With ARK’s assistance, more rural communities now want to solve this hunger problem on their own. For more details on investing in these rural families and forging a partnership with ARK, visit www.arksolves/invest. n

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NOVEMBER 4-10, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588