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NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 Volume 34 - No. 45 • 12 Pages

T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

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Marcos to visit LA, Hawaii after APEC

by JEAN MANGALUZ Inquirer.net

QUAKE DRILL. Kindergarten pupils participate in the 4th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) at the Pinyahan Elementary School in Quezon City on Thursday, Nov. 9. The Office of Civil Defense said the NSED was conceptualized in the aftermath of the destructive earthquake in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on May 27, 2006.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

A Filipino educator is California’s Teacher of the Year EXTENDING his exceptional dedication beyond the four walls of the classroom made Joseph Alvarico deserving to be chosen as one of California’s Teacher of the Year.

For this Filipino educator, teaching is more than just textbooks. As he puts it, “When the student comes into my classroom, I have to know what that student is feeling.”

Though he feels like a rockstar when teaching, he shines the spotlight on the real stars: his students. He believes that “In order for the kids to shine, I actually have to step back.”

With Alvarico championing empathy and care for his students’ performances even in classes outside his own, his efforts have been recognized with Contra Costa County naming him as 2023 Teacher of the Year.

On top of this, he also received a call from  PAGE 2

Post-pandemic, homeowners of color face losing homes CALIFORNIA homeowners of color already face many threats to their family home. Now, more will risk foreclosure than ever as millions of dollars in pandemic-era mortgage relief is set to run out before they even know it’s there.

At a Thursday, November 2 briefing cohosted by Ethnic Media Services and Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA), housing attorneys and mortgage experts explained how homeowners can keep their family homes against these threats, while homeowners of color shared their personal experiences of struggling to preserve generational wealth.

Threats facing homeowners After years of no communication from lenders, many consumers believed their debt from the 2008 recession had been forgiven, paid off or wiped by bankruptcy proceedings, however, debt-collectors are now sending bills and demanding payments. Joe Jaramillo, Senior Attorney, Housing & Economic Rights Advocates (HERA), explains where the debt came from and how consumers can fight these unfair zombie mortgages.

Joe Jaramillo, a senior attorney at HERA,  PAGE 4

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to travel to the Indo-Pacific command of the United States in Hawaii.

Marcos leaves for the U.S. on November 14.

An official from Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the president has been invited.

“The president is being invited to visit the Indo-Pacific Command and he will also have a roundtable discussion with  PAGE 2 President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Malacañang file photo

House slams Duterte

by FATIMA CIELO CANCEL ManilaTimes.net

MANILA — Speaker Martin Romualdez resumed sessions at the House of Representatives on Monday, November 6 with an indirect swipe at former President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

“I will stand and fight against anyone who scares us into following what they want. I will – all of us will stand for the welfare of the country,” Romualdez said in Filipino, as he presided over the resumption of session.

President Rodrigo Duterte witnesses the program proper before leading the wreath-laying ceremony “We will also not allow anyone to stop us at the Holocaust Memorial Park in Rishon Lezion, Israel on Sept. 5, 2018. Joining the president is from accomplishing our mandate for our presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Malacañang file photo countrymen,” Romualdez said in his speech.

“Nothing personal, just business.”

Romualdez did not name names, but his ally, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., later identified Duterte and his daughter the vice president as the ones deemed

by House members to be maligning the chamber.

In his speech, Romualdez also referred to Sara Duterte’s confidential funds that the House has realigned to security agencies.

Romualdez, who heads the chamber whose mandate includes the power of the purse, has been the subject of the former president’s tirades made over a Davao Citybased TV station, after the chamber realigned the confidential funds of the Vice President’s  PAGE 2

‘Medicare is Better Than SC asked: Declare Sara’s secret funds unconstitutional Ever’ tour rolls into Las Vegas

by DAPHNE GALVEZ Philstar.com

MANILA — Legal experts and former government officials on Tuesday, November 7 filed a petition asking the Supreme Court (SC) to declare as unconstitutional the 2022 transfer of P125 million to the Office of the Vice President (OVP), which is under Sara Duterte, as a confidential fund.

Petitioners also asked the High Court to order the OVP, which spent the fund in just 11 days in December last year, to return the P125 million to the government’s treasury.

In their 49-page petition, petitioners argued that the decision of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the P125 million to serve as a confidential fund of the OVP was a “clear usurpation” of the legislative power of Congress.

The funds were released after then newly elected Vice President Sara Duterte requested P403.46 million for various purposes, P250 million of which were “confidential funds.”

The petitioners include Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987  PAGE 5

Tour educates seniors about lower drug prices

LAS VEGAS, NV — On Day 17 of Protect Our Care’s “Medicare is Better Than Ever” tour, Founder and President of the Asian Community Development Council Vida Lin, Dr. Yoojin Lee Sedera, and Medicare beneficiary German Cabansag joined Protect Our Care for an event in Las Vegas to educate seniors across the nation about new benefits thanks to legislation signed into law last year by President Biden.

As seniors begin to enroll in their 2024 Medicare plans, they could save thousands of dollars on their prescription drug costs, with even more savings down the road. Over three weeks, Protect Our Care will  PAGE 5

Demoted again: House removes Arroyo from deputy speaker position

by CRISTINA CHI Philstar.com

MANILA — The House of Representatives removed Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from the ranks of its deputy speakers during Tuesday’s (November 7) plenary session, stripping the former president of a House leadership title six months after she was demoted from the second-highest position at the lower chamber.

House Majority leader Manuel Dalipe said that House leaders decided to relieve Macapagal-Arroyo and Rep. Isidro Ungab (Davao City, 3rd District) from their deputy speaker positions after they chose not to sign a “pivotal” House resolution to condemn “levied criticisms and scurrilous attacks against the House and its leadership.”

Of the nine deputy speakers, only Macapagal-Arroyo and Ungab did not sign the resolution, Dalipe said.

“By choosing not to sign the resolution, Deputy Speakers Macapagal-Arroyo and Ungab have demonstrated that their perspectives differ from the collective stance of the leadership,” Dalipe added.

House Resolution 1414, which was sponsored during Monday’s (November 6) plenary session, calls on the House to “(uphold) the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives and (express) appreciation, solidarity and support” for House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Specifically, the House resolution took Asian Community Development Council Vida Lin, Dr. Yoojin Lee Sedera, and Medicare beneficiary exception to recent “statements made that German Cabansag joined Protect our Care in Las Vegas to educate seniors about the benefits of AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal  PAGE 5 Medicare.

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House slams...

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two offices.

The P650-million combined confidential and intelligence funds of the Office of the Vice President as well as the Department of Education – which the younger Duterte also heads – have been transferred to agencies handling national security concerns, primarily regarding the West Philippine Sea. The speaker likewise told his House colleagues that he is prepared “to stand before anyone and vehemently defend our actions and decisions, even in the face of issues that threaten this institution’s integrity.”

“We have consistently upheld the principles associated with democracy, representation, fairness, pluralism and even dissent,” he said.

Romualdez lamented that despite their hard work to accomplish the targets they have set for themselves, “certain sectors or individuals with misplaced priorities choose to malign and tarnish the positive image of this very institution we labored hard to achieve.”

The House leader recalled that when he was elected Speaker in mid-2022, he had set out “to pursue unity and ensure a fair and equitable distribution of government resources for the development of our regions, regardless of political affiliations.”

“I emphasized then that the politics of division has no place in this chamber. This still holds to this day, only now I reiterate this with a stronger resolve and greater conviction,” he said.

“But let it be said, never must we countenance or allow others not so like-minded individuals who choose to malign or put down the image of this institution and dictate the direction we must go. I urge everyone to rally behind our moral compass – the will of the people,” he said.

Lawmaker bolts In a show of support for Romualdez, Gonzales on Monday bolted from the senior Duterte’s once ruling party, PDP-Laban.

Answering the interpellation of opposition Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay, Gonzales categorically identified the elder Duterte as the one who treated Romualdez as a virtual punching bag while defending his daughter.

“Before I answer, I will resign now as member and officer

of PDP-Laban, it was former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte who was the one who said that, Mr. Chairman,” the Pampanga congressman remarked as House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe presided over the session.

Lagman, president of the opposition Liberal Party, wanted to put on record who the Speaker was referring to when he delivered an impassioned speech at the resumption of regular session on Monday.

“He (Duterte) has said so many derisive utterances before and he must answer for all of this and I fully support this resolution.

And that statement is also an accusation of the leadership of Speaker Romualdez and for that reason I truly support this resolution,” the Bicolano congressman stated.

Dalipe proposed a committee of the whole and introduced House Resolution 1414, which was overwhelmingly adopted by members of the super majority, where lawmakers reaffirmed their support for Romualdez.

Leaders of political parties, which also included House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan (4Ps party-list), have manifested their support in plenary, in sympathy to the speaker, who has been repeatedly lambasted by the older Duterte over the past weeks.

Among those who declared support were the 73-member Lakas-CMD party, whose president is the speaker himself, represented by Rep. Jose Aquino II (Agusan del Norte) and Rep. Albert Garcia (Bataan) of the 45 or so members of the National Unity Party; Reps. Robert Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte) of the Villarled Nacionalista Party, Jack Duavit (Rizal) of the Nationalist People’s Coalition of the late tycoon Danding Cojuangco, Johnny Pimentel (Surigao del Sur) of Duterte’s PDP-Laban.

The Nacionalista Party and Nationalist People’s Coalition both have about nearly 40 members each in the chamber.

The 54-member strong Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc., headed by Rep. Zaldy Co (Ako Bicol), was represented by Rep. Migs Nograles of PBA, neophyte ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo and veteran Rep. Toby Tiangco of Navotas.

From The FronT Page 47 bills approved Meanwhile, 47 out of the total 57 priority measures listed in the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) have so far been approved by the House of Representatives, which are all under the legislative agenda of President Marcos.

This leaves only 10 more priority bills awaiting approval, which may be passed on third and final reading before the year ends, the primary measure of which is the P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024.

A separate batch of 17 bills Marcos declared as equally important in his July 25 State of the Nation Address was also included – 10 of which the House had approved and another six consolidated in the LEDAC list – leaving only one more piece of legislation to be approved.

All in all, the House needs to pass 11 measures before Congress goes on a Christmas break.

The speaker emphasized the importance of cooperation between the legislative and executive branches through the LEDAC, recognizing that unity and collaboration are essential in developing effective policies and reforms.

“The progress we’ve made is a testament to the cooperation between the legislative and executive branches through the LEDAC. Unity and collaboration are essential in developing effective policies and reforms for the benefit of the nation,” Romualdez said.

The House leader said their focus will be on ratifying the General Appropriations Bill of 2024, along with the 11 more pieces of legislation that remain pending in the chamber.

“We are resolute in our mission to fulfill our legislative duties and responsibilities. Our primary focus continues to be the legislative agenda outlined

by President Marcos, and we are fully committed to working diligently to pass these vital bills,” Romualdez said.

The speaker expressed his categorical commitment to ensuring the timely passage of the remaining priority bills, underlining their vital contribution to resolving significant concerns and improving the welfare of Filipinos. u PAGE 5

HOLIDAY ATTRACTION. A giant Christmas tree is the star attraction in Araneta City in Cubao, Quezon City in this photo taken on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Araneta City has been putting up giant Christmas trees since 1981 to celebrate the Christmas season.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Marcos to visit LA, Hawaii...

PAGE 1 the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for security studies,” DFA Undersecretary Charles Jose said.

Marcos will be joined by the Philippine delegation during his visit to the Command.

Jose also mentioned a security briefing on West Philippine Sea is likely. The DFA official believes the trip “adds a layer to the

cooperation that we are trying to establish with like-minded states, in order to promote what we have been advocating all along – a rules-based order.”

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is a unified combatant command consisting of U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

It maintains the presence of U.S. military in Indian Ocean and

nearby portions of the Pacific.

Marcos will attend the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit 2023 in San Francisco, which will be held from November 15 to 17. After which, he will go to Los Angeles, and then to Honolulu, said Jose.

During the trip, Jose said that Marcos will meet with the Filipino communities in all three cities. g

A Filipino educator is California’s Teacher...

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Joseph Alvarico

Contributed photo

California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announcing him as one of California’s Teachers of the Year, making him the only teacher chosen in the whole of Northern California.

“It’s an incredible moment,” he shared with his family in the Philippines.

His unexpected journey as a Filipino educator Though both his parents were teachers, Alvarico never expected to be one. This changed when he received a scholarship from De La Salle University-Manila but with a catch—he had to take up education and teach for a year.

He then responded to an ad from Mt. Diablo Unified School District in Contra Costa County, California, and got an interview.

“They came, they actually came, the human resources came to the Philippines and interviewed me there,” he recalls. The next thing he knew, the principal was then interviewing him via phone.

He then landed a job teaching at a middle school before moving to Ygnacio Valley High School, where he currently teaches engineering. Alvarico also runs the robotic club, where they have built 120-pound robots in just 8 weeks.

Aside from teaching, Alvarico is also passionate about diversity and college access. One project he has, through Cal Poly, is called Femmineers, which aims to encourage more girls to pursue studies in engineering.

(Mary Villegas/Inquirer.net)

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023

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New California law offers fresh protection from steep ambulance bills

by Bernard J. Wolfson KFF Health News

LAST year, Jennifer Reisz’s college-age daughter, Megan, was kicked in the chest multiple times by the family’s horse.

Megan fell to the ground, unable to move or speak. Though she was alone, her Apple Watch detected her distress and called 911.

She was taken to a hospital in Clovis, a city in Fresno County, near where the Reisz family lives. But the severity of Megan’s injuries — four broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung — prompted doctors to transport her 12 miles by ambulance to the Level I trauma center at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.

While Megan was still recovering at home from her injuries, she received a $2,400 bill from the ambulance company — after the family’s health plan had paid nearly $2,200.

“When we received the bill, I thought our insurance company was processing the claim incorrectly,” says Jennifer Reisz.

An attorney, Reisz says she then spent hours on the phone with the health plan, the ambulance company, and a few consumer advocates. She learned that the ambulance company was not in the health plan’s network and was permitted to bill patients for any uncovered portion of its charges — a practice known as balance billing.

Starting Jan. 1, ground ambulance operators will be barred from doing that because of a new law signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. California is the 14th state to provide some protection against balance billing for ground ambulance rides.

At the federal level, an advisory committee established under the No Surprises Act is working on a plan to address the problem nationally.

Both the federal law, which took effect in 2022, and a California law that predates it largely banned balance billing for hospital care and air ambulance services, but not ground ambulance services.

And that is hardly fair, since patients have zero control in a medical emergency over which ambulance company responds, whether it is in network, or how much it will charge.

In California, nearly threequarters of emergency ground ambulance rides result in outof-network bills. The average surprise bill for a ground ambulance ride in California is $1,209, the highest in the nation, according to a December study.

The new law, which applies to about 14 million Californians enrolled in state-regulated commercial health plans, limits how much a non-network ambulance operator can charge patients to the amount they would pay for an in-network ambulance.

The law also caps bills for

uninsured people, stipulating they can’t be charged more than the Medi-Cal or Medicare rate, whichever is greater. (Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program, providing coverage to people with low incomes or disabilities.)

And it prohibits ambulance operators and debt collectors from reporting patients to a credit rating agency or taking legal action against them for at least 12 months after the initial bill.

Under current law, people in distress sometimes decline to call an ambulance for fear of a huge bill, putting themselves or a loved one at risk, says Katie Van Deynze, policy and legislative advocate for Health Access California, which sponsored the legislation. With the new law, she says, “they will have peace of mind.”

Existing laws already protect Medicare and MediCal beneficiaries from surprise ground ambulance bills. The new law does not cover the nearly 6 million Californians enrolled in the subset of employersponsored health plans that are federally regulated.

The advisory committee working on a federal fix agreed last week on nonbinding proposals that would, among other things, prohibit balance billing for the vast majority of ambulance rides and cap patients’ financial liability at $100. The committee plans to formally PAGE 5

SAFETY FIRST. Personnel of the Land Transportation Office inspect the registration, franchise, and condition of public utility jeepneys, as well as the driver’s license, along Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City on Wednesday, November 8. This is to ensure the safety and well-being of the commuting public.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Post-pandemic, homeowners of color face...

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a statewide housing legal service and advocacy nonprofit, said the main threats facing vulnerable homeowners are “keeping the family home when a parent or grandparent passes away; financing Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs which risk the borrower’s home if unpaid; and “zombie” second mortgages “that haunt borrowers with unexpected bills and threats While CA homeowners of color already face many threats to their home, more will risk of foreclosure.”

The passing of a homeowning foreclosure than ever when pandemic-era mortgage relief will run out.

Ethnic Media Services photo relative presents a threat when there is no will or trust, so that arduous, lengthy and expensive could contact CalHFA for housing loved ones have to go through an probate court to inherit it while counselors or legal services. property taxes, insurance and Predatory debts mortgages pile up with an unclear Even when relief like the responsibility of who’s to pay. mortgage grant is available, Jaramillo said Black and Latino many mortgage services don’t tell households report consistently homeowners about them, leaving higher foreclosure risks from this many vulnerable to unknown problem. outstanding debt, said Johanna He added that PACE, which Torres, program coordinator of finances clean energy home California Rural Legal Services improvements like solar with (CRLA). no-money-down loans repaid Her client, Saul de la Cruz, by adding expensive sums to shared his experience of this debt property taxes, has put thousands in the form of a zombie mortgage. of California homeowners of color Having bought his family at risk of foreclosure statewide. home in Salinas directly before “It sounds good in theory,” said the Great Recession in 2007, de Jaramillo, “but many salespeople la Cruz got two mortgage loans. and contractors target low-income The second company stopped households and misrepresent contacting him during the costs or install nonfunctioning or crash. He then modified the first nonconnected improvements like mortgage, assumed the second solar panels.”

— for $14,600 — was included, A third factor, he continued, are and nearly 15 years later received zombie mortgages: “second loans a request from the second lender often taken out at the same time to begin negotiating to avoid as a larger first lien mortgage, foreclosure. He borrowed the split to allow borrowers to avoid money from family and friends, large down payments and apply and is now struggling to maintain part of the second to the down.” both mortgages.

Before the 2008 housing crash, Although laws like the Real many predatory high-interest Estate Settlement Procedures Act loans were marketed heavily require most mortgage companies to lower-income homeowners to provide regular statements to assured their home values would the buyer, added Jaramillo, “this only rise; after the crash, second- is a common problem we see. mortgage zombie lenders stopped These predatory lenders are not billing because the homes were providing borrowers with the worth less than these mortgages, information that they should be and homeowners assumed the entitled to to figure out if they second ones were forgiven, really owe the amounts that are amended with the first, or gone being claimed.” with bankruptcy. Now that home Mortgage relief key to saving values are up again, however, homeowners from crisis debt collectors are back with Attorney Mary Hera and her years of interest and fees. client Danny Bishop detail how Key help for homeowners Danny nearly lost his family home running out due to a mistake made by the Rebecca Franklin, President, City of Richmond and the city’s California Housing Finance subsequent refusal to help Danny Agency (CalHFA), urges those as he sought to save his home. having a hard time keeping up As foreclosure rates return with housing costs to contact to pre-pandemic levels, grants the California Mortgage Relief like California Mortgage Relief Program. Even if the program are key to protecting families can’t offer direct help, it can put from losing their most valuable homeowners in contact with intergenerational asset — their other agencies and programs that family home, said Mary Day, an can provide assistance and help attorney at HERA. people retain ownership of their Her client, Danny Bishop, homes. shared his own story of saving his The California Mortgage Relief Richmond home from foreclosure Program is the main way that caused by bureaucratic confusion homeowners have been able and family health decline. As the to surmount these threats, said previous homeowner, his mother, Rebecca Franklin, president of began suffering dementia in the California Housing Finance 2015, her sibling neglected the Agency (CalHFA). property and began getting cited Since it was launched federally an ultimate total above $90,000 in December 2021, over 23,000 for code violations and property Californians have kept their tax evasions. homes due to the program, which Day then worked with the City offers grants up to $80,000 per of Richmond, which said that home for a total of nearly $650 $56,000 owed for code violations million dispersed so far. was a mistake, subsequently However, given that the one- reduced to under $30,000. time billion dollar fund is projected “They would never tell me why to run out by 2025, and likely they were charging so much,” sooner, she urged homeowners to said Bishop. “They said keep take advantage. cleaning your backyard, good job, Unlike Great Recession relief then one day they charged me programs, this one “is a grant tens of thousands.” you don’t have to pay back,” This bureaucratic unresponFranklin explained. “Often when siveness is par for the course homeowners hear about our when it comes to challenges facprogram, they say ‘Getting $80,000 ing homeowners who seek relief. they don’t have to pay back, that’s “The larger the entity, the too good to be true, this isn’t more resistant they are to dealing real.’ And it is real. Certain racial with individual situations,” said groups were hit harder financially Day. “Though there’s a tax code due to the pandemic, and a goal that gives them the discretion to of this program is to retain their give relief, they told us after six generational wealth and protect months they wouldn’t provide these first-time homebuyers who it. A city mistake and this tax sacrificed so much to get a home penalty caused just this snowball for their families.” effect where the family was Even if homebuyers don’t meet struggling with foreclosure… and the program’s criteria — “low to the bureaucracy was what made moderate income, it has to be it difficult. California mortgage your primary residence, you’re relief has been the family’s not able to own other homes in the savior.”

(Selen Ozturk/Ethnic state” — she said homeowners Media Services)

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New California law offers fresh protection...

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report its recommendations to Congress early next year for potential legislation.

Under California’s new law, patients can expect to save an average of nearly $1,100 per emergency ambulance ride and over $800 per nonemergency ride in the first year, according to a legislative analysis conducted this year.

Health plans will be required to pay ambulance operators the rates set by county authorities, which the study said would increase the average amount insurers pay per ride by around $2,000.

Since ambulance rides account for a tiny percentage of overall health plan spending, those increases should not raise premiums by much.

But local authorities might be tempted to hike ambulance rates over time to increase revenue for publicly run ambulance operators, such as fire departments, says Loren Adler, associate director of the Brookings Schaeffer Initiative on Health Policy. That could prompt health plans to raise ambulance copays, offsetting some of the consumer savings from the new law, Adler says.

Jenn Engstrom, director of CalPIRG, an advocacy group that

helped shepherd the law through the legislature, notes there will be built-in accountability, since the legislation requires public reporting of ambulance rates.

“If we notice that things start to skyrocket, there will be a need for legislative action or local action,” Engstrom says.

Reisz says the ambulance company that transported her daughter wrote off the bill after she made it clear she had no intention of paying it — and after her health plan ponied up a little more. But as she notes, not everyone is a lawyer adept at arguing their cause.

Even if you are no rhetorical wizard, you can take simple steps to protect yourself against errors or ambulance operators that disregard the new law.

Check your insurance policy to know your deductible and any copay or coinsurance should you ever need an ambulance.

If you get an ambulance bill, don’t pay it right away. Check your insurer’s explanation of benefits to make sure what it says you owe matches what you think your cost-sharing amount should be. If the bill is higher, the ambulance company may be trying to pull a fast one. Call the ambulance company and tell them they need to knock the bill down. If they don’t, file

a complaint with your health plan and include a copy of the bill.

If you disagree with your plan’s decision, or it takes more than 30 days for the plan to respond, take your complaint to the regulator.

The new law requires your insurer to tell you if your health plan is regulated by the state and thus subject to the statute. If it is, the regulator is likely to be the Department of Managed Health Care. You can contact that agency online (www.healthhelp.ca.gov) or by phone at 1-888-466-2219.

If your health plan is regulated by the Department of Insurance, you can file a complaint online (www.insurance.ca.gov) or call 1-800-927-4357.

Another good resource is the Health Consumer Alliance, which offers free legal assistance in multiple languages. Call 1-888804-3536.

This article was produced

by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

provision, the Office of the President (OP) has the power to “approve releases to cover the funding requirements of ‘new or urgent activities or projects that need to be implemented or paid.’”

The petitioners said the provision does not allow Congress to delegate powers that are purely legislative, which includes the authority to make a complete law.

“The appropriation by executive fiat in clear violation of the legislative intent does not fall under the delegated legislative power under Special Provision No. 1 of the Contingent Fund in the GAA for FY 2022,” the petition said.

Further, the petitioners argued that confidential funds do not fall under the funding allowed by the contingent fund.

The petitioners said the OVP’s budget in 2022 has items for the good governance program and traveling expenses, where the funds should have been

transferred, but instead the contingency fund of the OP was sent to the “inexistent” confidential fund of the OVP. VP welcomes suit Vice President Sara Duterte on Nov. 7 welcomed the petition challenging the constitutionality of her office’s P125-million confidential funds in 2022.

“We welcome the opportunity to discuss the legality of fund transfers. We hope that the wisdom of the Supreme Court will pave the way to finally end this matter,” Duterte said in a recorded statement.

With the petition pending before the SC, Duterte said she and her offices will remain focused on its mandates to raise “the level and quality of education in our country and protecting our students and DepEd staff from all kinds of threats and abuse.”

She also called on the public to focus on the rising prices of goods affecting “our students and their families.” g

SC asked: Declare Sara’s secret funds...

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Constitution; former finance undersecretary Maria Cielo Magno; former Commission on Election commissioner Augusto Lagman; Ibarra Gutierrez, who served as spokesman of former vice president Leni Robredo and seven others.

Named respondents were VP Duterte for the OVP, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

The petitioners argued that the transfer of funds from the national budget to the OVP is an exercise of legislative power, adding that it is Congress that decides how the budget will be spent, including on what programs or activities the money will be used.

They also argued that the transfer of the funds does not fall under the “delegated legislative power” of Congress under Special Provision No. 1 of the 2022 GAA. Under the said special

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Asian Community Development Council Vida Lin AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal

Chelsey Wininger

Medicare beneficiary German Cabansag

PAGE 1 travel to more than 10 states, make more than 25 stops, and travel over 7,000 miles.

The highlighted all of the new cost-saving benefits for seniors in the Inflation Reduction Act, including: • Medicare negotiation for lower drug prices • A $35 monthly copay cap on insulin

• Free shingles and other essential vaccinations • $2,000 out-of-pocket caps on prescription drugs beginning in 2025 Right now, the Biden administration is in the process of lowering prices for the first round of high-cost prescription drugs under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, and those prices will take effect

in 2026. The first ten drugs selected for negotiation are taken by nearly 9 million people on Medicare, who spent $3.4 billion in out-of-pocket costs last year alone. This new program will lower prices for some of the highest-priced prescription drugs on the market used to treat conditions like diabetes, heart failure, blood clots, and autoimmune disorders. g

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“The budget is the lifeblood of our nation’s progress and development. The House is fully dedicated to the task at hand, ensuring that the national budget is ratified and enacted on time to guarantee the continuity of essential services, support economic growth and

promote the well-being of our citizens,” Romualdez said.

The House over the weekend submitted to the Senate the approved 2024 General Appropriations Bill with P194.5 billion in realignments for security, inflation protection and food security. g

‘Medicare is Better Than Ever’ tour rolls into...

House slams...

Also, he expects the immediate ratification of the P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024 and its enactment into law with Marcos’ signature before the year ends, as has been the practice in practically every administration.

Demoted again: House removes Arroyo...

PAGE 1

undermine the independence, integrity and reputation” of the lower chamber.

While the resolution itself does not name names, House Senior Deputy Speaker Dong Gonzales (Pampanga) admitted during Monday’s plenary session that the resolution was in response to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s televised accusations about Romualdez’s alleged corrupt activities.

The House elected Rep. Antonio Tonypet Albano (Isabela, 1st District) and Rep. Yasser Balindong (Lanao del Sur, 2nd District) to replace the two lawmakers.

“While their contributions to the House are appreciated and respected, the leadership believes that it is in the best interest of the House to have leaders who fully

support and uphold the collective decisions and directions set forth by the leadership,” he added.

Asked for comment on why she did not sign the House resolution, Macapagal-Arroyo said in a message to reporters Monday night: “I’m currently out of the country. However, as I always said, I continue to support the leadership of Speaker Romualdez.”

A deputy speaker is the second-highest-ranking position in the lower chamber, right below the House speaker. Deputy speakers enjoy certain privileges that set them apart from other lawmakers, such as voting powers in all House committees and additional funding for their respective offices.

Before May, Macapagal-Arroyo used to hold the title of senior deputy speaker, which placed

her above eight other lawmakers in the same position. She was demoted to “unburden” her of the “heavy load required from the position,” Dalipe said.

Gonzales, a fellow Pampanga lawmaker who replaced Macapagal-Arroyo as senior deputy speaker, resigned from Partido Demokratiko PilipinoLakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) during Monday’s plenary session to tag Duterte as the source of the remarks that “challenged the integrity of the House.”

Duterte is the chairperson of PDP-Laban.

In February, MacapagalArroyo filed a resolution to call on the House to declare its “unequivocal” defense of Duterte from being investigated by the International Criminal Court. The resolution was also signed by Gonzales. g

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NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Building for resilience

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FEATURES

TEN years after Super Typhoon Yolanda turned much of Eastern Visayas into a wasteland, have lessons been learned in disaster preparedness and resilience?

In the catastrophic aftermath of the typhoon, there was much talk about building back better and designing resilience into the reconstruction effort.

The initial response of the Philippine government had been dazed incoherence. Fortunately, emergency response and rebuilding were made easier by the massive outpouring of aid from the international community, which sent not only relief goods but also aircraft, troops and experts who set up emergency shelters and helped restore basic utility services. Sadly, rescue efforts came too late for many. By the time Yolanda exited, over 6,300 people were dead, with more missing and never found even when the international rescue teams with special equipment were deployed.

Yolanda affected an estimated 16 million people in 41 provinces across nine regions, but Eastern Visayas was the worst hit. Tacloban City, where four ships ran aground due to powerful storm surges up to seven meters high, turned one of the vessels into a memorial for those who perished.

The devastated lives and livelihoods created a humanitarian crisis, with refugees struggling to rebuild their lives even as they mourned the loss of loved ones.

There were discussions about declaring certain coastal areas off-limits to human habitation, but this was deemed to exacerbate the woes of

marginalized fishing communities.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration stressed that it issued accurate forecasts and warnings about Yolanda, but the national and local governments failed to grasp the seriousness of the threat posed by storm surges.

Since then, with more storm surges hitting other places across the country, the nation has developed a better understanding of the dangers posed by the weather disturbance. But whether preparedness has improved commensurately with the awareness is debatable.

Building back better for disaster resilience, through engineering and architectural interventions, has also been spotty. With the country visited each year by an average of 20 tropical cyclones, and with limited resources, fatalism remains deeply ingrained in the average Filipino when it comes to dealing with natural calamities.

Still, there are some bright spots. Tacloban City has bounced back, although the scars of lives lost ManilaTimes.net photo run deep. Plantations that were razed by Yolanda have recovered and livelihoods restored. From the protocols in preparing for storm surges. With the can be done by way of disaster preparedness and tragedy, other parts of the country have enhanced existential threats posed by climate change, more resilience. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Worldwide concern for Israel-Hamas war increasing rapidly

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ VIDEOS and images of the atrocities committed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas when it launched a deadly attack on Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7 are horrific and appalling – with infants, young children, men, women and the elderly killed, and hundreds dragged away as hostages.

But the latest Israel Defense Forces (IDF) airstrike in Gaza, specifically at the Jabalya refugee camp, has also left equally disturbing images of the devastation that the IsraelHamas war has wrought, with people digging through the rubble to look for survivors, the huge crater in the middle amid a backdrop of wrecked buildings somehow capturing the sense of devastation that residents must be feeling. What is even more heartbreaking for many are the photos and videos of the wounded and crying children who are unable to make sense of the chaos that surrounds them.

The IDF said they have surrounded Gaza City, with

soldiers “fighting in close quarters” as they seek out members of the Palestinian terrorist group.

But the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, warned that Israel’s soldiers would go home “in black bags.”

Needless to say, the situation is causing an ever increasing concern not only in Washington, D.C. but all over the world because of the risk of escalation that can go beyond the Middle East as malicious groups and actors try to exploit the situation. U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby admitted that the United States is “deeply concerned about the potential for any significant escalation of these attacks in the days ahead.”

For one, the Lebanon-based Hezbollah terrorist group has already entered the picture – obviously supported by Iran – launching rocket and drone attacks against U.S. troops in Syria and Iraq two weeks ago.

In response, the U.S. conducted self-defense airstrikes on weapons depots in Syria used

by Iran-backed militant groups,

OUR history has countless narratives of heroism by Filipinos who were able to overcome enemies with more superior capabilities. One of these was the bravery and superior skills displayed by Col. Jesus Villamor and his 6th Pursuit Squadron in defeating the Japanese in an air battle during World War II. The invaders had 54 planes composed of the more advanced Mitsubishi G4M Bombers and the agile “zeros” who greatly outnumbered the three Filipino Boeing P26 Peashooters that were fit for the museum. Seven Japanese “zeroes” attacked the group of Captain Villamor.

In the end, four Japanese planes were shot down and the bombers were scattered.

Two of the destroyed Japanese planes were credited to then

in the war with Hamas to facilitate the exit of people from Gaza and allow aid to come in, saying “civilians should not suffer the consequences” for the inhumanity and brutality of Hamas.

“We need to do more to protect Palestinian civilians,” Blinken stated, admitting that “a number of legitimate questions were raised,” including the use of such pauses to maximize the flow of humanitarian assistance and the release of hostages while making sure that Hamas will not use the arrangements to its advantage.

This is a conflagration that everyone is watching very carefully, with people monitoring how things will pan out, walking on eggshells because the situation is rapidly deteriorating.

During a dinner I attended recently, I spoke with an analyst of a Washington-based think-tank that the U.S. political climate – with sharp divisions among legislators – is adding to the anxiety of the world as Congress gears up for a new round of resolutions to avoid another government shutdown

because the Nov. 17 deadline is fast approaching, right in the middle of the APEC Summit in San Francisco.

The Gaza conflict could also impact the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential elections, with President Joe Biden having to manage the conflicting pressure coming from Jewish, Arab and Muslim communities whose leaders have met with the president. While anti-Semitism is on the rise particularly on college campuses, there is also growing Islamophobia among Americans.

But what is concerning for a lot of countries including the Philippines is that the IsraelHamas war, the volatile situation in the Middle East plus the war in Ukraine could distract the U.S. and make it lose its focus on the Indo-Pacific region.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, assures us, however, that the upcoming trip of Secretary Blinken to Japan, India and South Korea following his trips to Israel and Jordan is proof that the United States continues to be “laser

focused” on the Indo-Pacific region.

Surely, the anxiety level will continue to grow until next year as there seems to be no clear sign at this time when the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine will ultimately end. So far, a small glimmer of hope for the Indo-Pacific region – although many analysts are saying that nothing substantial will really come out of it – is the meeting between President Biden and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco.

It will take more than a bilateral meeting to smoothen relations between the U.S. and China. Nonetheless, it’s an encouraging sign that also brings some hope there would be some room for dialogue that could somehow ease tensions, especially in our part of the world.. (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

Is our patriotism and heroism enough?

Perceptions

ARIEL NEPOMUCENO

and may conduct even more defensive airstrikes to deter Iran-backed militias. There is U.S. intelligence suggesting that Syria has agreed to supply Hezbollah with Russian-made surface-to-air defense missile system to be delivered by the Wagner Group, although it is unclear if delivery has been made.

During his trip to Tel Aviv where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top Israeli officials, State Secretary Antony Blinken reiterated that the U.S. stands

by Israel and recognizes that it has the right and the obligation to defend itself and make sure that the horrific Oct. 7 attack will not happen again.

Visibly shaken, Secretary Blinken also expressed shock that the brutality of the attack

by Hamas against Israeli communities near Gaza seems to have “receded so quickly in the memories of so many” as he described some of the horrific videos shown him during the meeting with the Israeli leaders.

But at the same time, he also called for humanitarian pauses

Cap. Villamor. For his gallantry and leadership, he was given the Distinguished Service Cross medal by no other than Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Later, he joined the defenders of Bataan and fought along with other soldiers in an epic tragedy that claimed at least 10,000 Filipino and American casualties, and more than 20,000 wounded.

After the war, he was awarded the Medal of Valor, the first in our military, for his extraordinary bravery in leading his men. Such a great feat for a man who had his humble beginnings in Bangued, Abra where he was born on Nov. 7, 1914, more than a hundred years ago today.

Series of invasions that have subjugated our country created heroes amongst us. During the Spanish colonization of our country for more than 300 years, we witnessed the armed uprising of Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Aguinaldo, Antonio Luna and many more who were more

than willing to die for the motherland. The Katipunan had been the clandestine home for all those who understood the urgency of risking one’s life to protect and defend the greater interest of the entire country.

The same heroic anecdotes were recorded during the 1899-1902 revolution against the Americans who took over from the conquistadores. And in our recent history, from 1941-1945, we did not rest in fighting the Japanese who, under the banner of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, launched their deadly campaign to occupy the Philippines and our neighbors.

As if not getting tired of military conflicts and overcoming the horrors of wars, we sent more than 7,400 Filipino soldiers to help the beleaguered democratic South Korea in 1950 against the communist north aided by the Chinese.

Ours is a race of proven heroes. Yes, there’s no doubt

that many of us will answer the call for the extreme mission of saving the liberty of our people.

This has been proven many times over. Our proud history has a hall of fame that portray many names that will not be forgotten by an indebted nation that recognizes the sacrifice given for our freedom and right to exist as an independent country.

However, why do we seem to still be trapped in a vicious cycle of economic poverty and political backwardness? At least 20 million Filipinos live in extreme material hardship.

At least 10 million agricultural workers are confronted with the uncertainty of having a stable income in spite of their important role of feeding the nation. Around two million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) choose to take their chances in foreign lands where they can be possibly abused or, as in the present situation in Israel and Gaza, be in harm’s way.

What went wrong? If we,

Filipinos, are naturally devoted to the well-being of our countrymen and to the best interest of our country, why are we lagging behind other countries in our region?

Politically, we have even become callous and ironically thankful that there were “only 19” casualties in the recent barangay and SK elections.

This is not the fault of Comelec.

The agency did an exemplary job under the leadership of Chairman George Garcia.

What’s alarming is our pathetic acceptance of having deaths as a natural part of our political exercise.

Patriotism and heroism must be embraced by everyone – from the masses of our desperate people, up to the echelons of our higher political and business leaders. Everyone must be in unison in protecting the survival and progress of the country.

Revisit our Constitution and re-engineer our economic and political frameworks.

As I always whine about,

doing the same thing and expecting a different result is foolish. Why are we hoping for better outcomes from the same political system and essentially the same business environment that dampens real competition?

We have to first accept the existence of our collective problem. That we clearly have to pursue strategic changes that will usher in new and better results in our political and economic processes.

Patriotism and heroism are enough only if everyone, especially our leaders, will truly put the interest of the country first. And these must be coupled with the necessary adjustments, or drastic changes, in our fundamental laws. *** 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: arielnepo.philstar@gmail.com

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023

7

6th batch of OFWs arrives from Israel

by Claire mondares

and Bernadette e. tamayo ManilaTimes.net

THE sixth batch of repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) composed of 34 caregivers, eight hotel workers and an infant arrived from Israel on Tuesday, November 7.

One of the repatriates, Guillermo Umayam Jr., shared that until now the attacks continued, forcing him to decide to go home.

"I am grateful that I have arrived home safely. The Hamas militants are still launching rockets until now. Whenever my colleagues heard sirens, they panicked, they were shouting and running back to the shelter to hide," Umayam said.

Umayam worked as a hotel worker for over a year in Bat Yam, LEFT OUT TO DRY. Marivic Tagitis, a grocer in Bago Gallera, Davao City, on Thursday, Nov. 9 sun-dries the rice grains that were soaked Tel Aviv, which is near Kibbutz, during Wednesday night’s downpour. At least 26 sacks of rice in her store were drenched, worth about P56,000. the place attacked by Hamas.

PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr. He said, of the three wars he has witnessed since he worked there, this was the most traumatizing.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health said it will provide questions from Senators Aquilino the tendency that this issue will psychosocial counseling

by Bernadette e. tamayo ManilaTimes.net Pimentel III and Ana Theresia become divisive," he said.

— in collaboration with the Poa added, "That is why our Department of Social Welfare "Risa" Hontiveros, the Senate MANILA - Vice President Sara approved the OPV's budget for vice president believes that she and Development (DSWD) — to Duterte gave up her office's next year. took her oath [as the nation's address the traumatic experience request for confidential funds (CF) Duterte also made known her second top leader] to keep the of OFWs. amounting to over P500 million decision to give up the OVP's Philippines peaceful and strong."

As of November 7, the amid questions raised over the CF through her Department of "Kaya hindi na po niya (That's government has brought home a need for such an amount.

Education spokesman, Michael why she will no longer) i-po pursue total of 182 OFWs and five infants Duterte was at the Senate Poa. ang (the [OVP's]) proposal for since the repatriation effort on Thursday, November 9, to Asked to comment on the passage confidential funds," he said. g started on October 18. attend the plenary debate for of the OVP's budget, Duterte said, the proposed 2024 budget of "USec (Undersecretary) Poa will the Office of the Vice President give the statement."

(OVP).

Poa, in Filipino, said the OVP Sen. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" has repeatedly said that it could Angara, Senate Committee on only propose appropriate budgets Finance chairman, said Duterte for the "smooth implementation informed him of the OVP's of projects against poverty and decision to forego its CF for 2024. programs that will promote the "They will no longer pursue the welfare of every Filipino family."

CIF or CF and the reason why is "Nevertheless, the Office of because it seems to be divisive the Vice President will no longer and as the VP swore an oath to pursue the original request for keep the country peaceful and confidential funds," Poa told strong," Angara said. mediamen.

After some clarificatory "Why? Because we really saw

Sara gives up confidential fund request in 2024 OVP budget

PNP investigating alleged China ‘sleeper cells’ in PH

by Faith argosino Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, November 6 said that it is coordinating with other law enforcement agencies in investigating the alleged existence of Chinese “sleeper cells” (a secretive group on standby to conduct “infiltration and intervention activities”) in the country.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the police force and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are monitoring reports on the alleged sleeper cells.

“With regards to sleeper cells, there are some accomplishments with other law enforcement units, and the NBI arrested some individuals. This is alarming; we are looking into it, and of course, it is not remote,” Acorda said in a press briefing.

Likewise, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Corpus Nartatez Jr. said they have yet to prove the existence of these sleeper cells — purportedly operated mainly by

foreigners, particularly Chinese and Taiwanese nationals.

“Tinitignan lahat ng anggulo and it boils down of course to the personality — anong makikita mo don na denominator are Chinese, Taiwanese or foreign nationals involved in Pogo (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) operations,” Nartatez added.

(We are looking at all possible angles, but it boils down, of course, to the personalities involved. The common denominator is that they are all foreign nationals — Chinese and Taiwanese involved in Pogo operations.)

Last November 3, the Chinese Embassy denied the existence of these alleged sleeper cells. “[We are] working with the Philippine law enforcement authorities to investigate the said case to combat transnational criminal activities jointly. We have also noted that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officer working on this case pointed out that there’s no truth that this is part of the plan of the Chinese to create a destabilization plot in the country,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement. g

‘PH could still attain 6% minimum economic growth’ MANILA – House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday, November 9 expressed great optimism that the nation could still attain its minimum economic growth target of 6 percent this year following the collaboration of the Marcos administration and the private sector.

Romualdez made this remark after National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan cited a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report that the economy grew by 5.9 percent in the third quarter of this year.

Balisacan said this growth was the fastest among major emerging economies in Asia. It was better than Vietnam’s 5.3 percent, China’s and Indonesia’s 4.9 percent, and Malaysia’s 3.3 percent.

He said growth in the first three quarters averaged 5.5 percent.

Romualdez said two factors would result in faster economic expansion in the last quarter - increased consumer spending during the Christmas season and year end disbursements and project completion by government agencies.

“The government is the principal driver of growth. We expect state offices to ramp up project and program implementation and activities.

Funds released to them are meant to be spent, not saved, though expenditures should comply with relevant accounting, auditing, transparency, and accountability regulations,” he said.

He said the House of Representatives would not hesitate to exercise its oversight power to check on the spending of agencies.

The country, he said, should expand by 7.2 percent in the fourth quarter for it to attain its minimum expansion goal of 6 percent for whole of 2023 “It’s a difficult challenge, but let’s do the most we can to hit the target. Let us not be distracted by political noise. Let’s continue supporting President BBM (Bongbong Marcos Jr.) in achieving economic prosperity for our people,” Romualdez said.

He reminded everyone that the economy grew by 7.4 in the first six months of the Marcos administration - 7.6 percent and 7.2 percent in the third and fourth quarters of 2022.

“So 7.2 percent is a fairly achievable goal. It’s not an impossible dream,” he said. (PNA)

The Department of Migrant Workers provides immediate financial assistance worth Php 50,000 to each OFW returning from Israel, along with comprehensive reintegration assistance and job facilitation services for other employment opportunities.

Photo courtesy of the Department of Migrant Workers

Just like the first five batches, the new repatriates received financial assistance of P125,000 each from the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, DSWD and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Also, the government has brought home the remains of three caregivers who were killed during the October 7 attacks.

The body of Loreta Alacre of Negros Occidental was brought home on October 21, the remains of Angelyn Aguirre of Pangasinan arrived on November 3 and the urn of Grace Cabrera was also brought to her hometown in Pampanga on November 6.

Also on Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs

(DFA) said 46 Filipinos in Gaza have been given the go signal to cross the Rafah border and were expected to reach Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday evening.

The Filipinos were divided in two batches.

"I'm pleased to inform you that they all have been approved for crossing today," DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in a virtual briefing.

"It's not just a batch of 20 but the second batch as well, which were approved for crossing today," he said.

"They will be home within the week," the DFA official said.

He added, "We talked to the Israeli ambassador [to Manila Ilan Fluss] yesterday who also worked on this tirelessly." g

8

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November 9, 2023

VEGAS&STYLE JOURNAL

INSIDE

LIFESTYLE • CONSUMER GUIDE • COMMUNITY • MARKETPLACE

‘Here Lies Love’ will play final Broadway performance on Sunday, November 26 ‘HERE Lies Love’ will play its final Broadway performance on Sunday evening, November 26, 2023. As of that date, the groundbreaking new musical will have played 33 previews and 150 regular performances at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street).

The producers of ‘Here Lies Love’ said: “When we started this journey to bring this bold and original work to Broadway, we asked ourselves: Can anyone produce on Broadway in a new way? Is there a new path forward? What does the template look like? Will audiences want something radically new? Who will those audiences be?

“We have learned a great deal about the answers to those questions. Yes, new ways can work.

Artistic excellence can be achieved. But the reality is, succeeding on Broadway means not only producing excellent work with artistic merit––it also means creating the audience for it. And how much time it takes to find and grow new audiences is out of sync with the tight timeframes for audience-building and awareness.

“Every aspect of our production brought new life and fresh ideas to Broadway, from the innovative music of David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, the beautiful choreography of Annie-B Parson, the masterful staging by our visionary director Alex Timbers, and the jaw-dropping set, lighting, sound, and projection designs by David Korins, Justin Townsend, M.L. Dogg, Cody Spencer and Peter Nigrini, and among the most dazzling collection of costumes ever seen on Broadway created by Clint Ramos.

“As the first-ever fully bina-

tional producing team, we are deeply proud and honored to have brought this pioneering theatrical event to Broadway.

The first all-Filipino acting company on Broadway received universal critical acclaim, celebrated by thousands of people from diverse backgrounds, including record numbers who experienced going to a Broadway show for the first time.

“As an artistic, cultural, and commercial enterprise, we believe that ‘Here Lies Love’ had to be presented on Broadway. We hope anyone who hasn’t seen the production will be able to get to the show before November 26.”

‘Here Lies Love’ will be filmed for the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive (TOFT) at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.

Discussions are also underway for two upcoming international productions in Japan and Australia.

‘Here Lies Love’ has been enjoyed by a wide breadth of audiences and has welcomed in especially high numbers members of the AAPI community. Industry sales data show aggregate ticket sales attributed to AAPI buyers at an average of 8% from March-August 2023. ‘Here Lies Love’, in comparison, saw AAPI buyers accounting for an average 16% of total sales for the same period, peaking at 20% for the month of August 2023.

‘Here Lies Love’ introduced a myriad of innovations and groundbreaking firsts during its Broadway run, including: The People Power Disco Hour series, featuring 90-minute after-curtain dance parties in the theater after select performances, DJ’d by DJ Cher-

ishTheLuv, Apl.de.Ap, Griffin Maxwell Brooks, and ‘Here Lies Love’’s own Fatboy Slim; The Democracy in Action ticket initiative in partnership with Gold House and The Asian American Foundation (powered by Producer Hub as a fiscal sponsor), which continues to run through the show’s final performance. Since the program’s launch in early October, more than 2,500 tickets have been provided to groups including the Asian American Federation; CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities; Chhaya CDC; Chinese-American Planning Council; CUNY Hunter - Asian American Studies Class; LaGuardia High School; NYC Department for the Aging (NYC Aging); and Marymount Manhattan College; and Broadway’s first free childcare matinee, in partnership with the Parent Artist Advocacy League and Broadway Babysitters.

The producers spoke to the Washington Post recently about the show: https://wapo.st/3PSUCxx From Talking Heads frontman and writer of “Stop Making Sense” and “Burning Down the House,” David Byrne; the beat master of “Praise You,” DJ Fatboy Slim and Tony®-winning director of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Alex Timbers comes ‘Here Lies Love’ —the “sensational, one-of-a-kind musical like no Broadway show ever” (Time Out New York). The Broadway Theatre has undergone an “astonishing transformation” (The New York Times) into Club Millennium, where a young woman gets catapulted to a life of fame, excess, and intoxicating power after winning the hearts of two political rivals. Witness her daz-

zling rise and fall through “exhilarating songs” (USA Today) and “imaginative spectacle” (The Guardian) over “90 breathless minutes” (The Washington Post). Whether you sit in traditional seats or move on the dance floor, ‘Here Lies Love’ is “the most entertaining new show” (ABC7) and “an experience the likes of which Broadway has rarely if ever seen” (Variety).

The show features the first all-Filipino cast to perform on Broadway: Arielle Jacobs (In The Heights, Aladdin, Between The Lines) as “Imelda Marcos,” Jose Llana (The King and I, The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee) as “Ferdinand Marcos,” Conrad Ricamora (“How to Get Away with Murder,” The King and I, Soft Power – Grammy nominations) as “Ninoy Aquino,” Aaron J. Albano, Melody Butiu, Moses Villarama, Jasmine Forsberg, Reanne Acasio, Jaygee Macapugay, Julia Abueva, Renée Albulario, Aaron Alcaraz, Carol Angeli, Nathan Angelo, Kristina Doucette, Roy Flores, Timothy Matthew Flores, Sarah Kay, Jeigh Madjus, Aaron “AJ” Mercado, Geena Quintos, Shea Renne, Angelo Soriano, and Danielle Troiano.

From its world premiere at The Public Theater in 2013, ‘Here Lies Love’ has enjoyed popular and critical acclaim. The show

returned to The Public in 20142015, debuted at London’s Royal National Theatre in 2014, and most recently opened at Seattle Repertory Theatre in 2017.

The creative team for ‘Here Lies Love’ on Broadway includes three-time Tony Award® nominee David Korins (scenic design), Tony Award® winner Clint Ramos (costume design), Tony Award® winner Justin Townsend (lighting design), M.L. Dogg & Cody Spencer (sound design), and three-time Tony Award® nominee Peter Nigrini (projection design), with casting

by Tara Rubin CSA, Xavier Rubiano CSA, Gail Quintos and general management by Foresight Theatrical. Additional creative team members include ATW Jonathan Larson Grant recipient J. Oconer Navarro (music director), Billy Bustamante (assistant director), Renée Albulario (assistant choreographer), Bobby Garcia (casting consultant/Philippines), Gregory T. Livoti (production stage manager), and Ryan Gohsman and Sheryl Polancos (assistant stage managers). Giselle “G” Töngi is the show’s Cultural and Community Liaison.

‘Here Lies Love’ is produced on Broadway by Hal Luftig/Kevin Connor, Patrick Catullo, Clint Ramos, Jose Antonio Vargas, and Diana DiMenna and Plate Spinner Productions, with Aar-

on Lustbader serving as Executive Producer.

They are joined by Lea Salonga, H.E.R., Jo Koy, Apl.de.Ap/Tala Creative Live, Rob Laqui, Giselle “G” Töngi, Adam Hyndman, Eva LaBadie, Georgina Pazcoguin, Marikit Ventures/Miranda Gohh, DJ CherishTheLuv/ Garcia At Rodis, Don Michael H. Mendoza/Lora Nicholas Olaes, Celia Kaleialoha Kenney/Jeremiah Abraham, No Guarantees, Yasuhiro Kawana, Elise K. Haas, Len Blavatnik, Warner Music Entertainment, Shira Friedman, James L. Nederlander/ Independent Presenters Network, LaChanze, Wendy Federman/Suzanne Niedland, Katler-Solomon/Charlotte Cohn, Cathy Dantchik, Elizabeth Armstrong, John Gore Organization, The Shubert Organization, Hunter Arnold, Creative Partners Productions, Eastern Standard Time, Global Creatures, The Public Theater, Triptyk Studios, Iris Smith, Michael Robin Productions/Anastasia Muravyeva, Alexi Melvin/Beesham A. Seecharan, Andrew Diamond/Patrick Trettenero, Buzzy Geduld/Gilad Rogowsky, Craig Balsam/David Brendel, Sok Sabai Productions/Ride or Die Productions, Marco Santarelli/Das Ellman & Howe, Linden Delaney/ Smigelrutter Fitviavi, and Laura Ivey/Janet Brenner.

Why Lovi keeps glowing despite long-distance marriage Boy Abunda on Kris Aquino reunion:‘It was different seeing her’

by Jan Milo Severo

by TeSSa Mauricio-arriola

Philstar.com

ManilaTimes.net

HARDLY a week after her fairytale wedding at the centuries-old Cliveden House in Berkshire, England, last August, noted actress and the former Lovi Poe had to fly back to Manila to return to set and resume work on her top-rated primetime series.

Now officially Mrs. Blencowe, she and her lucky new hubby Monty (short for Montgomery) needed to go back to their longdistance relationship (LDR) since work was likewise waiting for him in the United States.

Monty is a scientist and film producer based in Los Angeles.

Finally holding her first major media conference since exchanging "I do's," it was good to see Lovi, just before the long All Saints/All Souls break, still in high spirits. You'd think she'd seem a bit down, longing for her husband of barely three months, with whom she didn't even get to honeymoon.

Admirably and ever the professional, she had her emotions in check. In fact, she was just as radiant as the holiday jewelry collection she helped launch that day for her longtime brand ambassadorship, Imono.

Lovi explained that she remains very much the blushing bride because she is joyful and grateful that she married a very supportive and understanding man. Lovi said that since getting together with Monty three years ago, he never stopped her from pursuing her career, well aware that she is passionate about acting.

"We haven't even talked about where we'll eventually decide to settle in the future because, like I said, I'm just very happy that, he's very understanding of my job. That's why I'm the one who does the traveling [to see him] from wherever I am or wherever he is.

"I'm so lucky he is taking [our arrangement] the positive way because he really wants to see me shine and succeed as an individual. I know we're on the next level —the next stage [of our lives] — but he still wants to see me fly," Lovi added appreciatively.

TV host Boy Abunda admitted that he turned emotional upon seeing Kris when they recently reunited in the United States.

In an episode of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Boy said he cried because he missed Kris, his talk show partner for many years. They were among the hosts of popular 1990s and early 2000s showbizoriented shows "Startalk" and "The Buzz."

“It was a happy, beautiful reunion. It was different seeing her.

Tatanggapin ko po, ako ay naging emosyonal, sinabi rin naman ito ni Kris, I was emotional," he said.

“Pinipigilan ko pong hindi umiyak pero naiyak po ako, namiss ko si Kris," he added.

Boy said that Kris needs to be healthy again because he is planning a show for them.

“Kris, pagaling ka. Gagawa tayo ng palabas," he said.

Lovi Poe

As for baby questions and when they plan to have a little bundle of their own, Lovi was frank in replying, "Of course, we want to have a baby, but, so far, right now, we just want to focus on work and being together."

With the holidays coming, Lovi is looking forward to a freer schedule so that she and her husband can finally go on honeymoon.

"Any suggestions?" she jokingly asked the room.

After satisfying all the burning questions about her new married life, Lovi thoughtfully took the opportunity to thank Goldy and Imono for being part of her wedding.

"I wore an Imono locket which had the photo of my dad [the late King of Philippine Movies, Fernando Poe, Jr.] inside, and I gave one to Monty too to keep in his suit pocket, with his dad's picture there as well.

That way, we made them part of our wedding even if they're no longer with us," she touchingly said.

Taken by surprise, Goldy deeply appreciated Lovi's gesture and how it's not just

Photo from Instagram/@lovipoe

lip talk. She does wear Imono jewelry wherever she goes and whatever she does. So finally, in her speech, Goldy recalled how Lovi has been an ambassador for Imono Jewelry for several years now.

"She is an incredibly effective endorser because the jewelry products of the company suit her perfectly. In fact, Imono's prices are very affordable, but when Lovi wears them, they appear quite luxurious," the entrepreneur added. "Following her wedding, we just wanted to reintroduce Lovi as our endorser. "I can truly say that we've been very supportive of each other and Lovi, especially with the brand and every collection that we launch, like our latest holiday collection."

It wasn't lost on Goldy that the celebratory theme of the holiday pieces is very timely for Lovi what with the momentous milestones she had just had.

"We should really celebrate all the good things that happen to us every day," said Mrs. Blencowe. And for sure, they're all the more easy to appreciate when one is deeply in love.

Seasoned hosts Boy Abunda and Kris Aquino reunite in the United States as seen in Aquino’s Instagram post last October 27.

Photo from Instagram/@krisaquino

The popular talk show host commended Kris' sons, Bimby and Josh, for taking care of their mother.

“I’m just so glad that Bimb is doing everything he can. I’m so proud of him taking good care of his mother. Ang assignment ni Josh is to pray,” he said.

Boy also explained why Kris needs to stay in the U.S.

“Ang dahilan po noon ay dahil ‘yung meds na kailangan ni Kris ay available lamang doon. At saka ‘yung accessibility sa doctors ay kailangan po ‘yun,” he said.

Kris and Boy finally saw each other last October 25 since the former went to the U.S. to seek treatment for her auto-immune diseases. g

Getting to know Kaila by anne PaSaJol Inquirer.net

KAILA Estrada is definitely treading the right path to achieve her ambition of having a “versatile and long acting career,” and all the credit goes not to her showbiz background but to her aptitude for her craft.

The actress—third child of former celebrity couple Janice de Belen and John Estrada—has been the talk of the town after her commendable performance in the drama series “Linlang,” delivering an emotionally-charged exchange of lines with her co-stars Kim Chiu, JM de Guzman and the Diamond Star Maricel Soriano.

But even prior to this, 27-yearold Kaila already showed beyond doubt her talent through her previous acting stints—leaving viewers applauding in awe of the real “Anak ni Janice.”

At the height of the pandemic, Kaila—who had already set out in modeling—decided to venture into acting and had her very first audition for a TV series. Unfortunately, the young actress was not able to secure the role she auditioned for.

“Rejection is redirection. I’m so

grateful because when I didn’t get that role, ‘yung next na audition ko naman was for Raven ng ‘Viral Scandal’… It was one of the best roles I’ve ever played,” she said in a May 2023 interview with ABSCBN, referring to the 2021 TV series which marked her acting debut.

Kaila then became part of several TV series including “The Chosen One,” “Love in 40 Days,” “Love Bites,” and the two ongoing series “Linlang” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.” She also portrayed host and former radio DJ Karen Bordador in an episode of the drama anthology program “Maalala Mo Kaya,” which is arguably one of the highlights of Kaila’s career.

“I want to have a very versatile and long acting career,” said Kaila when asked what her ambition is, adding that she dreams of being part of an action-thriller project.

Kaila is also loud and proud of her admiration for her two “mothers” in the industry, Janice and Soriano, whom she regards as her “role models” and applauds for their dedication to their craft.

As for her personality, Kaila describes herself as “laid back, patient and a hardworking” person who goes through life with

Kaila Estrada Photo from Instagram/@kailaestrada

the mantra “whatever will be, will be.” Also evident in her social media pages, particularly on Instagram, is her love for beaches, her pet dogs and working out.

While she admitted that show business can be overwhelming at times, Kaila delights in the fact that her hard work has been paying off and has brought joy not only to her, but also to her parents.

“I’m happy when my parents say they’re proud of me and that they watch the work I do. They’re very supportive,” Kaila told Philippine Daily Inquirer in a 2022 interview.

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A busy 25th year in showbiz for Piolo Vice Ganda, Billy Crawford reconcile on ‘It’s Showtime’

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

FROM the silver screen, the musical theater stage, the concert hall, to the world of internet streaming, Piolo Pascual is an artist who continues to evolve and defy expectations.

With 25 amazing years already under his belt, there is no stopping the Philippines' "Ultimate Heartthrob" from furthering his artistry amid the ever-changing world of Philippine entertainment.

"Actually, I didn't want to necessarily celebrate or kind of highlight my 25 years because it's just a number. Though it's relative, I just want to keep on going," Pascual said in a media conference.

"But those 25 years I've been blessed. It's nice to reminisce or look back and just be grateful. But I think the driving force was always to work, to do something, be better, to grow. So that was constantly in my head," he continued.

The 46-year-old heartthrob considers 2023 as one of the busiest years in his entire career.

In June, Pascual took on the titular role of Crisostomo Ibarra, Jose Rizal's protagonist in his novel "Noli Me Tangere," via the original Filipino musical "Ibarra."

"The stage was my first love. It was an eye opener for me when I started doing theater from grade school to high school and all the way to college. I just had this feeling that I wanted to act. So theater was my way in. My friends in theater were the ones who encouraged me to audition in ABS-CBN with Star Magic," he recalled.

"It was like going back to school or training because the discipline is very different. For a month I was in a hotel near the venue, the GSIS Theater, and I just rehearsed everyday, took voice lessons everyday and I hang out with the theater people just to really immerse myself. It was worth it," he added.

Then in October 20, Pascual held a concert aptly titled "An Ultimate Night With Piolo" directed by Johnny Manahan at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. He had special guests including Jericho Rosales, Arnel Pineda, Erik Santos, son Iñigo Pascual, and Regine Velasquez as his surprise guest.

It took 15 years for him to hold a concert again, admitting that he feels intimidated whenever he performs on stage.

"I can be shy at times, almost bordering on being an introvert.

If you don't talk to me, I won't talk back. But onstage, to be able to

Piolo Pascual remains relevant 25 years on in showbiz.

Photo from Instagram/@piolo_pascual

get your audience engaged for two hours, that is hard because I'm an audience member myself. I'm not the type who likes to be the star or the host."

Currently, Pascual is in North America for a five-stop international concert tour in the US and Canada.

It started in November 5 and will continue until November 19. He will be sharing the stage with comediennes Ai-Ai delas Alas and Rufa Mae Quinto.

"I like singing because I get to express myself in a different way.

The way I work the camera for film or TV, it's a different expression. I get to be more personal and that's a totally different side of me when I do a show because I tend to just really get intimate and personal.

You want to be as engaging as possible," Pascual related.

"I will enjoy the whole twohour set and yeah, I'm not going to be doing something I'm not comfortable doing. But I'm going to showcase some strong songs that I've done through the years, through the last 25 years of being around in the industry," Pascual continued.

Once he goes back to the Philippines, Pascual will start promoting his Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) official entries.

This will be the first time Pascual will be a part of the much-anticipated film festival once again since 2002's "Dekada '70."

Pascual will lead "Mallari," a horror film inspired by actual events in the life of the first documented Filipino serial killer. Produced by Mentorque Productions and lineproduced by Cleverminds, Inc, the film is Pascual's first ever horror project.

In a media conference, Pascual confessed that he initially declined the project because he was doing another movie. However, after discussing serial killers with fellow actors Joao Constancia and Kyle

Echarri during the filming of their movie "The Ride," they discovered a Filipino serial killer named Severino Mallari, which piqued Pascual's interest.

He then decided to ask pitching of the project, wherein he eventually agreed on and took three characters who are all related from different timelines: the serial killer Mallari in 1812, John Rey Mallari in 1948, and Jonathan Mallari in the present day.

"I told myself, 'Three characters?

It seems quite challenging. Do I need this now? I'm busy.' But I guess you could say I'm a sucker for good stories," he said.

"It is complicated but if you watch the movie, there's a lot of back stories, good narrative that you'll be able to keep up.

We did this in less than a month and everyone just brought their A-game," he added.

As if taking the lead role in a MMFF entry wasn't impressive enough, the award-winning actor is also part of another MMFF entry entitled "GomBurZa" in a special participating role.

He is also part of the upcoming Netflix Original series "Replacing Chef Chico" — starring alongside Sam Milby and Alessandra De Rossi — the firstFilipino-produced series for the streaming giant.

On the international film festival scene, Pascual is one of the leading men of Brillante Mendoza's starstudded "Moro"' — a tragic drama about two warring brothers in Mindanao – that just recently premiered at the 28th Busan International Film Festival.

"With [Mendoza], it was a different experience all together because he makes you do improv.

It was a good exercise, you really have to know your character, you really have to know what you're doing to be able to communicate the scene well and to convey the message that he wants to convey the audience," he mentioned.

Lastly, this November as well, Pascual will be releasing a new album under Star Music, produced

by Jonathan Manalo. The album will contain eight tracks with Pascual performing alongside Juris, Morissette, Yeng Constantino, KZ Tandingan, Moira Dela Torre, Kyla, and Regine Velasquez.

With all these projects lined up just this year, there is indeed no signs of slowing down for Pascual.

Asked how he was able to do all them effectively, he finally shared, "If you settle for what you've already done, there's no more growth. That's why it humbles me every time I take on new character or new work."

by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

HOSTS Vice Ganda and Billy Crawford reconciled earlier on "It's Showtime."

Billy, together with wife Coleen Garcia and son Amari, were the special guests of Vice in his "Magpasikat" performance.

At the end of the presentation, Vice revealed that he and Billy are now on good terms.

"Thank you, Billy and Coleen kasi biglaan 'to. Kagabi ko lang sila tinawagan. Nagte-text kami ni Billy this past few days pero hindi namin 'to napag-usapan," Vice said.

"Lingid sa kaalaman niyo, okay na kami ni Billy. Dahil ang concept ay healing, bigla kong naisip na 'I think hindi lang natin sinasabi 'yung salitang 'healing,' pinaparamdam din natin.' Billy's presence here today and the Madlang People knowing na we are okay, baka ma-inspire kayo dito na mag-heal din.

"It's about time na makipagreconcile lalo na sa mga taong mahalaga sa inyo. Kasi si Billy, he's one very important person sa buhay ko. At the end of the day, you're my best friend and I love you very much."

Heeding father's advice Billy said that it was his father who requested him to reconcile with Vice.

"Thank you, Vice. Happy anniversary, first of all, to us.

Marami akong realization these past months. Kababalik ko lang galing States, kakakita ko lang sa daddy ko. Hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan ang daddy ko sa

Vice Ganda, Billy Crawford, Amari, Coleen Garcia Photo screengrabbed from YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment

mundong ito. Pero ang bilin niya sa akin ay mag-ayos tayo,” Billy said.

“Nu'ng sinabi ng daddy ko na part of that, it's beyond my control, it's beyond Vice's control din. I think lahat ng ito ay orchestrated

by God,” he added.

Billy credited "It's Showtime" for finding his own family in the show. He met Coleen while they were both co-hosting the show a few years back.

"Katulad ng sinabi mo Vice, nahanap ko ang aking asawa, nabuo ko ang aking pamilya, dahil sa programang ito. Para sa akin it really doesn't matter kung saan ka. Mahal namin ang isa't isa. Lahat ng pamilya nagkakaaway, nagkaka-labuan, but at the end of the day, in God's time, siya na rin ang bahalang mag-ayos.

“Kaya on my end, I want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Madlang People. I'm sorry, Kapamilya.

Magpapakumbaba na po ako.

Gagawin ko kasi ang lahat para sa

aking pamilya,” he added.

It will be recalled that Vice and Billy unfollowed each other on Instagram, sparking feud rumors in November 2019.

Billy announced his network transfer to TV5 via Vice’s YouTube channel. The “Unkabogable Star” then assured Billy that they will remain a family despite his network shift.

“Maaaring lumipat siya ng bahay, pero family pa rin tayo.

Kaya kahit lumipat ka ng bahay, kahit saang bahay man tayo magpunta, magkaka-pamilya, family kita, at mahal na mahal kita,” Vice told Billy.

All was well between the two until “It’s Showtime” director Bobet Vidanes left the noontime show to direct its TV5 rival “Lunch Out Loud," hosted by Billy.

Since then, Bobet received indirect criticism from Vice since Bobet said that he left the show not for money but for health purposes.

Alex bares second miscarriage

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

Alex Gonzaga Photo from Instgram/@cathygonzaga

TV host-actress and content creator Alex Gonzaga revealed that she had a second miscarriage last October.

Gonzaga had a miscarriage in October 2021. She and husband Lipa City Councilor Mikee Morada tied the knot in November 2020 after four years of dating.

She bared the sad news in an interview with her sister, Toni, which was aired on YouTube channel “Toni Talks” on Sunday, November 5.

“During that time, I felt a lot of pressure. I felt pressured by people asking, ‘Hasn’t she given birth yet?’ And of course, what happened to me earlier this year during my birthday,”

she said in Tagalog, recalling the bashing she got on social media after she was caught on video smearing cake icing on a waiter’s forehead during her birthday party last January.

“So, every time I met someone, they would say things like, ‘Oh, you’re actually kind,’ and I thought, ‘Why did that connotation develop about me this year?’ I couldn’t help but think, ‘I hope, Lord, the pain I’ve been through. I hope all that pain will result in something beautiful.’

Maybe this [getting pregnant] is it,” the 35-year-old Gonzaga added.

She and husband Lipa City Councilor Mikee Morada had been attempting to have a child through in-vitro fertilization PAGE 10

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NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Where is my America? Save your place in line with mobile check-in express

Health @Heart

In 1936 when I was born, my parents PhiliP S. Chua, knew I was a MD, FaCS, FPCS boy and that I was a he, for people then had common sense and accepted natural order.

Today, there is a debate about he and she, him and her, amidst confusion on when and what to say, where even a Supreme Court Justice was ignorant of her gender.

Indeed, the vulture of wokeism has so infected the radicals, spreading havoc and chaos to society.

And there are revisionist calls for historical monuments to fall, a movement to defund the Police and abolish ICE, an insanity of cancel culture and Asian hate, infanticide abound as barren couples wait in despair, and mutilation of children behind their parents’ back.

Racism, sexism, inequality, and injustice in our midst abridging our amendment rights, creating a dangerous and tilted world for all, hampering progress and making peace impossible.

The nation’s borders, agape, pregnant with unvetted illegals, more than ten million crashing in: Cartel’s killers, rapist, drug and sex-traffickers, child molesters, and terrorists, who might now be plotting a nuclear 9/11 from within, all these at the taxpayers’ shoulder and at the nation’s peril, robbing citizens of their privacy, security, and peace of mind.

There is wanton murder of policemen, senseless killings on the streets, mugging of old ladies, destruction and looting of stores and burning of private properties in various cities, as justice looks the other way and continues its slumber in woke and liberal quarters.

The thunderous chants of misguided, historyanemic ivy-league students and other ignorant bigots “Death to America, death to the Jews!,” the provocative cry to annihilate all the Jews and erase Israel,

PAGE 9

and singing praises no less to those barbaric monsters who behead babies, rape women, burn people alive, and shoot innocent seniors and children are deafening, gruesome, nauseating.

Can anyone think of any justification for these diabolical acts?

Chaos and stupidity grip our nation and its people confused, scared, and on their knees.

This is insanity at its height that threatens our very existence.

This madness must stop!

Where is my America of yesteryears, where Godliness, compassion, respect for the elders, love of fellowmen, tolerance, kindness, and common sense values prevailed, and where integrity, dignity, and honor were sacred, sometimes deemed more valuable than life itself?

I miss America, land of the wise and noble free, in its golden years of greatness and the wonders of all its people.

On my knees in supplication, I pray for God to wake us up from this repulsive and horrifying nightmare, and bless us with space and time to fulfill our aspirations and dream for our best eons yet to come. *** 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. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Alex bares second miscarriage

(IVF), but the procedure didn’t succeed.

She said that she apologized to Morada, who she said had provided unwavering support from the moment they started the IVF process.

“I told him, ‘Mikee, I’m sorry, it didn’t work out again. He responded, ‘Don’t apologize, we still have many embryos, so let’s keep going.’”

“He doesn’t show his sad-

ness to me. Sometimes I also feel sad because Mikee would say to me, ‘You know, I’m really happy even if it’s just the two of us.’”

“But, of course, I get annoyed with him because why would he say that? But he says, ‘You know, honestly, I’m already happy.’ Because when I cook him food, he’d say, ‘I’m very happy when it’s just the two of us. A baby would just be a bonus for me.’ So, when I

think about it, I get emotional because he’s already at that level.”

Gonzaga said Morada told her, “’It’s painful to expect, so I’m fine if the Lord gives this to us. I’m already content.’”

“He’s really very supportive, but he doesn’t show his emotions to me. But what I’ve seen the most in Mikee is that he’s a true partner who never makes you feel like it’s your fault. He’s really there for you.”

by Annie WAlters Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Nevada

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To use Mobile Check-In Express, scan the QR code located at your local Social Security office. This will allow you to check in for: • Scheduled and non-scheduled appointments.

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Please share this information with those who may need it.

Janine Gutierrez renews ties with ABS-CBN, game to work with GMA stars by nAthAlie tomAdA Philstar.com

JANINE Gutierrez is excited to renew her contract with ABSCBN and be part of their “global vision.”

“I’m just happy, really, to renew at ABS-CBN. From the bottom of my heart talaga, nagpapasalamat ako,” said the actress in our interview after her recent contractsigning with ABS-CBN executives.

ABS-CBN chief executive officer (CEO) Carlo Katigbak had earlier thanked Janine for her commitment to the network, especially during challenging times. “Thank you again for choosing to be a Kapamilya. When I was listening to you doing your interview there, you were saying that Kapamilya is someone who stays with you through thick and thin, and I remember you chose to be part of ABS-CBN even after we had lost the franchise. To me, that’s proof that family stays together no matter what.”

He further said, “We’re very, very proud of what you have done here in ABS-CBN, most lately with Dirty Linen. We’re very, very proud of what you’ve done for us Janine. Thank you so much for choosing to be a Kapamilya.

You’re a very well-loved member of the ABS-CBN family.”

As a Kapamilya, Janine has done a variety of projects, including the romantic-comedy series Marry Me, Marry You, the LGBTQthemed film Sleep with Me, and the thriller-drama Dirty Linen.

Under her new contract, she teased that she will continue to do movies and series.

“What I love working in ABS, parang very global talaga yung vision natin, yung content natin alam mong Filipino siya, Philippines yung mga issues, but it’s global yung pagkagawa, yung pagka-release,” she told The STAR. “Ito na din talaga yung pangarap ko, makasama ako dun sa mga projects na i-expose sa ibang bansa like Dirty Linen, which is is part of the Content Asia Awards. And I know that all the partnerships of ABS with Prime,

‘My heart is happy,’ says Janine Gutierrez after her contract renewal with ABS-CBN. Photo from Instagram/@janinegutierrez

where Dirty Linen is streaming, Sleep with Me naman is on Netflix, excited talaga ako that yung vision ng ABS is global and I get to be part of it.”

Asked if she’s been actively seeking out and auditioning for international projects, she admitted, “Hindi. I haven’t really thought about it. What I would prefer is yun nga, do projects that we do here, tapos makilala na ‘Ah, Pilipinas to.’ But of course, kung may dumating na Hollywood, why not ‘di ba? Punta tayo dyan.”

Meanwhile, Janine hasn’t really taken a break after the end of Dirty Linen. She’s been busy filming but cannot talk about what she’s doing as of yet.

“Actually, ‘di naman po talaga ako nag- break. ‘Di ko lang mapost… May ginagawa akong movie,” she said.

The actress is joined by her manager Leo Dominguez (second from right) and ABS-CBN bosses Rick Tan, Cory Vidanes, Carlo Katigbak, Mark Lopez and Lauren Dyogi. “‘Di ko makwento. May mga NDA (non-disclosure agreement).”

Speaking of Dirty Linen, she loves how the writers wrapped up the series. “Yes, I think, (the

ending for the characters was) well-deserved because the story was really about justice. I really liked what the writers did na napakagaling. In a way, it was poetic, yung naging ending na nabaon,” she said, referring to how Carlos and Leona Fiero (played by John Arcilla and Janice de Belen) ended up being trapped underground and presumed buried alive with their hidden wealth.

“We’re happy with the ending.

Even with the ending of Aidan (Zanjoe Marudo) and (my character) Mila,” said Janine.

Asked if she wants something similar, storytelling-wise, for her next ABS-CBN project, she said, “Sinasabi ko nga mahirap na din magsabi kasi mas higit pa yung naiisip ng ABS para sa akin. Like Dirty Linen, I would never have thought of it but it’s my dream role. So (I know) anything that they give me, maganda talaga. I will happily accept it.”

Janine is very open to the possibility of working again with her mom Lotlot de Leon after the film Dito at Doon and briefly in Marry Me, Marry You. “I want something like (the 2017 film) Lady Bird, a mother-daughter story,” she expressed.

Janine was also asked if she’s willing to work with artists from GMA, her former network. “Oo kasi nagko-collab. Wala, of course (problem), happy to work with (GMA artists)... (I want to work with) kahit sino. Lahat sila.”

Regarding the possibility of reuniting with Paulo Avelino, following their collaboration in Marry Me, Marry You and the 2022 film Ngayon Kaya, Janine, who has been romantically linked with the Linlang actor, expressed her willingness: “Oh my gosh, sila po kasi nag-de-decide nun eh. Anything they will have planned for me, I’m super game.

Whatever it is, I’m sure they know best.”

Meanwhile, asked about her lovelife, a smiling Janine answered, “OK naman,” and playfully added, “My heart is happy naman kasi kaka-contract sign ko lang, haha!”

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023

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NOVEMBER 9-15, 2023 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678