120222 - Northern California Edition

Filipino referee admits to cheating, helping Manny Pacquiao win ght in 2000

BOXING icon Manny Pacquiao could have ended up with one more loss in his storied career.

This after renowned referee Carlos Padilla, who officiated Pacquiao’s fight with Australian Nedal Hussein 22 years ago, admitted to knowingly aiding Pacquiao avoid an upset loss.

Pacquiao was defending the WBC international super bantamweight title against Hussein on October 10, 2000 at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City in a bout where he was expected to cruise to a win.

But Hussein proved to be a tough customer, knocking Pacquiao down in the fourth round with a short, stinging jab that had him dazed. It was where Padilla, then already veteran of several high-profile boxing matches, did his dirty work.

“That fight, I’m about to go and leave the following day. They told me, ‘Carlos, please… this is an important fight for Manny Pacquiao because the winner will have the chance to fight for the world championship,’” Padilla recounted in a recent interview during his

Study nds Fil-Ams to be the most obese Asian subgroup

A RECENT study from Northwestern University found Filipino Americans to have the highest prevalence of obesity compared to other Asian subgroups.

In the report released by Physician’s Weekly, the university’s findings reported that 16.8% of Filipino Americans are obese, compared to 15.3% in Japanese Americans, 11.2% in Asian Indian Americans, 8.5% in Korean Americans, 6.5% in Chinese Americans, and 6.3% in Vietnamese Americans.

The data was collected from 11,815 Filipino, 13,916 Asian Indians, 11,686 Chinese, 12,473 Japanese, 3,634 Korean, and 2,618 Vietnamese Americans.

According to BMC Public Health, the prevalence of obesity among Asian Americans is especially high among Asian Americans who live in California. In a 2013-2014

Marcos buoyed by poll showing government in ‘right direction’

by KRISTINA MARALIT ManilaTimes.net

Group renews call for thorough probe into EJKs ahead of UN rights expert’s visit

by GAEA KATREENA CABICO Philstar.com

MANILA — A coalition of human rights advocates renewed its call for a transparent and thorough investigation into extrajudicial killings ahead of the planned visit of a United Nations special rapporteur next year.

The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines welcomed the invitation of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla to Morris Tidball-Binz to visit the country. Tidball-Binz is the

UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

“Tidball-Binz’s visit would be an important next step in the process of seeking justice for the thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings under the previous Duterte government, as well as the current Marcos government,” ICHRP chairperson Peter Murphy said in a statement Monday, Monday 28.

The UN expert is a medical doctor who specializes in forensic science, human rights, and humanitarian action.

Padilla defends Dela Rosa: We’re not legalizing prohibited drugs

by DANIZA FERNANDEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — Decriminalizing the use of illegal drugs does not mean legalizing prohibited drugs and crimes related to them, according to Senator Robin Padilla.

Padilla clarified he and Senator  Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa are only proposing decriminalizing drug use to decongest jails in the country and save small-time drug users by rehabilitating them instead of putting them in prisons.

It was Dela Rosa who filed a bill seeking to decriminalize

drug use, while Padilla openly expressed his support for the measure.

“Ngayon kaya namin sinasabi na  i-decriminalize  po natin, dahil karamihan ng nakakulong ay mahirap na tao,” Padilla  explained in an interview at the Senate.

(We are proposing decriminalizing it because many  of those in jails are  poor.)

“Pag sinabi nating mahirap na tao, yan ang nakuhanan ng  piso, dalawang piso, isang joint, dalawang joint, three joints. Mga driver, labandero, labandera. Yan  po yung mga nakakulong

Filipino former decathlete sentenced to 17 years in jail for cannabis-related scam

On Monday, Nov. 21, David Joseph Bunevacz, 53, of Calabasas, California, was sentenced to 17 1/2 years by

to pay $35,267,851 in restitution, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

At the sentencing hearing, Fischer noted that Bunevacz had “preyed on individuals who believed he was their friend” and that the “seriousness of [his] conduct cannot be captured in mere dollars and cents.”

Fischer also found that Bunevacz continued to perpetrate his scheme even while serving probation for a state court conviction, concluding, “Not even a criminal conviction and the threat of jail convinced [Bunevacz] to become a law-abiding citizen.”

How expanded EDCA access to AFP sites could a ect independent foreign policy

by KAYCEE VALMONTE Philstar.com

WHILE the United States’ plan to expand coverage of its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines is seen as Washington’s “way of being a credible ally,” analysts point out the move may also reflect “security anxiety” over regional giant China.

They said the Philippines must be clear on what it wants from engagements with both the U.S. and China.

The announcement was made during U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to the Philippines earlier last week.

According to her office, the program will be expanding with more EDCA locations “identified.” EDCA allows the U.S. military use of facilities in Philippine military bases and camps.

“The U.S. investments on additional EDCA sites might be construed as containment and security anxiety against China but it is seen a s recommitment to foster the alliance between the Philippines and United States,” Chester Cabalza, founder and president of International Development and Security Cooperation, told Philstar.com.

The EDCA gives legal basis for service members of the U.S. and

photo by Ben Briones

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, November 29 expressed elation over a recent survey that showed a majority of Filipinos

believe that better days are ahead for the Philippines. The Chief Executive tagged as “very encouraging” the “Tugon ng Masa” poll conducted by OCTA Research, which showed that the majority of adult Filipinos see the country heading “in the right

direction.”

is very encouraging that people think we are moving in the right direction... I saw that it crosses demographics, the number is more or less the same 

2 by AJPRESS

A FORMER decathlete who also competed with the Philippines national team was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison for fraudulently raising more than $45 million from investors who were told their funds would be used to finance companies marketing cannabis vape pens.

United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, who also ordered him

Sen. Robin Padilla

Inquirer.net photo

Marcos buoyed by poll showing...

across the demographics. So, that is important to me. Every class of society must feel that they are being served by the government,” he said, following his visit to the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna.

The survey conducted from Oct. 23 to 27, 2022 showed that 85 percent of the 1,200 respondents believe that the government’s interventions are steadily bringing the country out from the slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic. On the other hand, 9 percent remains doubtful and 6 percent are still

undecided.

The same poll showed that those in the Visayas registered the highest agreement that the country is moving in the right direction, with 91 percent, while 87 percent in Balance Luzon, or Luzon outside Metro Manila; 84 percent in Mindanao; and 70 percent of adult Filipinos in Metro Manila think the country is moving in the right direction.

Among classes A to E, 79 to 86 percent agree the Philippines is on the right path under the President’s leadership.

“With that kind of statistic, it looks like we have at least, we have made the government

felt at every level of society. That’s what’s important,” noted Marcos.

Malacañang, in a previous statement, said the survey is also proof that the public is aware that the President “is determined and committed to making the lives of all Filipinos better, with programs providing job opportunities and ease in doing business and ensuring food security.”

The Palace likewise reiterated that the leader and his administration will continue to work “to fulfill his campaign promises to every Filipino here and abroad.” 

Group renews call for thorough probe into...

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Remulla said the invitation to Tidball-Binz is “more of a follow-up” to the capacity building under the United Nations Joint Programme.

According to government figures, over 6,000 suspected drug users or dealers, mostly impoverished Filipinos, have been killed in the government’s “war on drugs.” But rights organizations claim more than 30,000 have been killed since former President Rodrigo

Duterte launched the campaign in 2016.

“Given this recent announcement, we reiterate our call to the Marcos administration for open, transparent, and thorough investigation of these crimes, and justice for all victims and their families,” Murphy said.

“This means investigation and prosecution of all perpetrators of such crimes, and an end to the state of impunity which has allowed so many members of the

police force to avoid prosecution so far,” he added.

UN special rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography, and other child sexual abuse material Mama Fatima Singhateh is scheduled to visit the Philippines from November 28 to December 8.

Filipino former decathlete sentenced to 17 years...

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Bunevacz pleaded guilty on July 18 to one count of securities fraud and one count of wire fraud. He has been in federal custody since his arrest in this case on April 5.

Padilla defends Dela Rosa: We’re not legalizing...

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(When we say poor,  they were caught with P1, P2  [worth of illegal drugs], one joint, two, and three. They are the ones in jails.)

According to  Padilla,  decriminalization should be based on the amount of illegal drugs in one’s possession.

“Halimbawa piso, dalawang piso o tatlong  joint e  bakit natin kailangan ikulong?” he said.

(For instance, one or two pesos or three joints. Why do we need to jail them?)

“At hindi ko sinasabi at di sinasabi  din  po ni Senator Bato ng ating General Bato, na ilelegal. Kalokohan  po yun.  Hindi  kailanman male-legal ang mga drugs. Ang sinasabi po  namin ay itong mga mahuhulihan ng mga konting konti  ay di kailangan idiretso sa kulungan,”

the senator stressed.

Meanwhile, special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan will visit the country next year.  diyan.”

(Senator Bato and I are not saying that we are legalizing it. That’s foolish. We can never legalize drugs. We are saying that those caught with a small amount should not be sent directly to prison.)

Unlike critics of the proposal, Padilla said he  and Dela  Rosa have first-hand knowledge of what is happening inside detention cells.

Padilla spent more than two years in jail after being convicted of illegally possessing firearms in 1994. He was pardoned by former President Fidel Ramos and released in 1997.

Dela Rosa, meanwhile, headed the  Bureau of Corrections after his stint as head of the  Philippine National Police.

“Gusto ko lang linawin hindi po  natin dito sinasabi na ang

mga krimen na may kinalaman sa droga ay sila madedecriminalize. Malaki pong kalokohan yan. Ang sinasabi lang po natin possession lang ng small quantity,” Padilla said.

(We want to clarify that drug-related crimes will not be decriminalized. That’s a big lie. What we are saying is the possession of a small quantity of (drugs])

Padilla said he decided to speak up and defend  Dela Rosa because he could not sit idly while the latter was being criticized over his bill.

His only request to colleagues who may disagree with the proposal: “Magpagawa kayo ng kulungan.”

Hindi po pwedeng ganito sitwasyon natin, isang selda na ang dapat laman na 40 ay 100  ang laman,” he said. 

Magsasagawa ng Pampublikong Pagdinig ang Konseho ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa Enero 3, 2023. Iniimbitahan at hinihikayat ang publiko na magbigay ng mga komento sa mga pangangailangan sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad ng Lungsod para sa Bultuhang Pagbibigay para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad sa Taong Pananalapi 2023-24 (CDBG) Taunang Plano sa Pagkilos sa Taong Pananalapi 2023-24. Batay sa nakaraang pagpopondo, inaasahang makakatanggap ang Lungsod ng nasa tinatayang $1,150,000 sa CDBG Mga pondo para sa entitlement at $80,000 sa Kita ng Programa para sa TP 2023-24. Hindi bababa sa 70% ng mga pondo ng CDBG ang dapat makuhang benepisyo ng mga residente o kapitbahayan na may mababa at hindi gaanong malaking kita; may limitadong halaga ng mga pondo ang maaaring maipamahagi upang maiwasan ang kahirapan sa mga piling lugar.

Iniatas ng Departmento ng Pabahay at Pagpapaunlad ng Lungsod ang pagbuo ng taunang Plano sa Pagkilos (HUD), at isusumite ito sa Alameda County HOME Consortium. Tutukuyin ng taunang Plano sa Pagkilos ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng komunidad sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad. Kabilang sa mga pangangailangang tinukoy ng nagdaang Mga Binuong Plano ang: pagpapanatili at pagpaparami ng aboy-kayang pabahay at suporta; pag-iwas sa pagpili ng bibigyan ng pabahay; pagpigil sa kawalan ng tirahan at pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan sa pagpapaunlad ng komunidad na walang kaugnayan sa pabahay gaya ng pagpapahusay ng kapitbahayan, mga serbisyo sa publiko, mga pagpapahusay sa accessibility at pagpapaunlad ng ekonomiya. Ang Kabuuang Plano sa Limang Taon na sumasaklaw sa TP 2020-2025 ay makikita bilang sanggunian sa website ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa https://www.alamedaca.gov/Departments/CommunityDevelopment/Community-Housing-Resources

Ang Lupon ng Serbisyong Panlipunan para sa Ugnayan sa Publiko ng Lungsod (SSHRB) ay magsasagawa ng pampublikong pagpupulong sa Disyembre 1, 2022.

HINIHIKAYAT AT INIIMBITAHAN ANG PAGBIBIGAY

NG KOMENTO NG PUBLIKO

1/3/23 Pagpupulong ng Konseho ng Lungsod, 7:00 p.m. Pampublikong pagdinig tungkol sa iminumungkahing sa Plano ng Pagkilos ng CDBG para sa FY 2023-24. Para mapanood ang pampublikong pagdinig, bisitahin ang website ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa: https://alameda.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Puwedeng isumite ang mga komento tungkol sa iminumungkahing sa Plano ng Pagkilos kay Amanda Olson sa (510) 747-6883, (510) 522-7538 (TYY), o clerk@alamedaca.gov (email). Pakibigay ang mga komento bago ang 7:00 p.m. sa Enero 3, 2023. Pakikinggan ng Konseho ng Lungsod ang mga komento at isasaalang-alang nito ang pagpapatibay sa sa Plano ng Pagkilos sa regular na pagpupulong nito nang 7:00 p.m. sa Enero 3, 2023. Hinihikayat ang publiko na dumalo at makilahok.

MGA TULONG PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY KAPANSANAN

Kung ang sinumang taong interesado sa paglahok sa nabanggit na pederal na programa ay isang taong may kapansanan tulad ng tinutukoy sa Seksyon 504 ng Rehabilitation Act of 1974, at nangangailangan siya ng tulong para makalahok o makialam, puwedeng humiling para sa tulong kay Amanda Olson sa (510) 747-6883, (510) 522-7538 (TYY), o sa pamamagitan ng email sa aolson@alamedaca.gov. Kasama dapat sa nasabing kahilingan ang paglalarawan ng hinihinging tulong, kasama ang paghahayag ng kapansanang dahilan ng pangangailangan ng tulong. Susuriin ang anumang kahilingan para sa tulong at may sagot na ibibigay sa loob ng limang araw ng negosyo mula sa pagtanggap ng nasabing kahilingan. Agad na ibibigay sa humiling ang abiso ng anumang ibibigay na tulong.

MGA TULONG PARA SA MGA RESIDENTENG HINDI NAGSASALITA NG ENGLISH Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay may network ng mga empleyadong nagsasalita ng 45 wika na puwedeng magsilbing tagapagsalin para sa mga residenteng nanghihingi ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga programa ng CDBG/HOME. Kung maaabisuhan nang maaga nang dalawang araw ng negosyo, maghahanda ang Lungsod ng tagapagsalin. Makipag-ugnayan kay Amanda Olson sa (510) 747-6883, (510) 522-7538 (TYY), o sa pamamagitan ng email sa aolson@alamedaca.gov.

PATAKARAN SA HINDI PANGDIDISKRIMINA

Hindi nandidiskrimina ang Lungsod ng Alameda ng sinumang tao batay sa lahi, kulay, relihiyon, pinagmulang bansa, ancestry, biyolohikal na kasarian, kinikilalang kasarian, katauhang pangkasarian (gender identity), ikinikilos na kasarian (gender expression), sekswal na oryentasyon (sexual orientation), marital status, familial status, pinagmumulan ng kita, genetic na impormasyon, medikal na kundisyon, kapansanan sa pangangatawan o pag-iisip, o anupamang kategoryang pinoprotektahan ng batas.

Going back to 2010, Bunevacz created various business entities, with names such as CB Holding Group Corp. and Caesarbrutus LLC, that he claimed were involved in the cannabis industry and the sale of vape pens containing cannabis products such as CBD oil and THC.

Bunevacz falsely told at least one investor he had a longstanding relationship with a Chinese manufacturer of disposable vape pens and he obtained “raw pesticide-free oil” that was sent to a “lab that infuses the flavors into the oil with our proprietary custom process that renders the vape flavoring smooth and discrete,” according to court documents.

Bunevacz also provided investors with forged documents – such as bank statements, invoices and purchase orders – to support his claims of the businesses’ success and the need for investor funds.

Instead of using the funds to finance business operations – and while some of his

victims were suffering severe financial hardship – Bunevacz misappropriated the vast majority of the funds to pay for his own opulent lifestyle, including a luxurious house in Calabasas, Las Vegas trips, jewelry, designer handbags, a lavish birthday party for his daughter, and horses.

To create the false appearance that his companies were engaged in legitimate business activities, Bunevacz registered various shell companies, including several with names similar or identical to those of legitimate cannabis businesses. To conceal his control of these shell companies and the bank accounts associated with them, Bunevacz listed other individuals, including his stepdaughter, as the corporate officers of the shell companies.

Bunevacz’s blog touts his success as a former decathlete who competed for the Philippines, and his wife and daughter appeared in a reality television show. Despite Bunevacz’s promotion of his background, Bunevacz took efforts to conceal negative information from investors, such as his 2017 felony conviction for the unlawful sale of securities, according to an affidavit submitted in support of a criminal complaint in this case. After one investor uncovered

a lawsuit against Bunevacz, Bunevacz emailed a counterfeit version of the settlement agreement to falsely make it appear that he had been paid $325,000 as part of a settlement. In reality, it was Bunevacz who had agreed to pay $325,000 to settle the claim.

Operating through his cannabis companies, Bunevacz raised approximately $45,227,266 from more than 100 victim-investors, according to the government’s filing. Judge Fischer found that Bunevacz caused losses of approximately $35,267,851.

“The sense of violation, the assault on personal dignity, and the lasting trauma [Bunevacz] has caused are very much reminiscent of the harm typically associated with violent crimes,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “And, with well over a hundred victims, [Bunevacz] caused these harms at a scale rarely seen.”

The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission provided substantial assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander B. Schwab of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case. 

4 COVID-19 BOOSTER TIPS

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

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

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

PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG NG LUNGSOD NG ALAMEDA TUNGKOL SA MGA PANGANGAILANGAN SA PABAHAY AT PAGPAPAUNLAD NG KOMUNIDAD

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

Booster doses are important for those who are at increased risk of severe illness.

GETTING READY. The Davao City Hall is starting to come alive with Christmas decorations on Tuesday, Nov. 29. Residents are looking forward to the annual month-long event “Pasko Fiesta 2022” that will kick off with the lighting of a giant Christmas tree, 3D lights show and gift-giving at Magsaysay Park and People’s Park on Thursday, Dec. 1. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Study finds Fil-Ams to be the most obese...

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California Health Interview survey, researchers looked at factors such as age, sex, family income, marital status, education level, physical activity, and fast fThe prevalence

of overweight and obesity among Asian Americans in California was found to be 23.3% for obesity and 40.0% for overweight. The rate of obesity was especially high among men between the ages of 45 and

64 with higher family income, who smoked, frequently ate fast food, never got married, and had a lower education level with low physical activity. (Christyanne San Juan/Inquirer/net)

JFC expands Smashburger footprint

by IrIs Gonzales Philstar.com

MANILA — Smashburger has taken a bigger bite of the Big Apple, opening a new store in New York as Jollibee Foods Corp. widens the footprint of the casual burger chain in North America.

The newest store of Smashburger is in the Upper East Side at 804 Lexington Ave. in New York.

This is the second corporate Smashburger in the U.S. to open with a full-service bar, a wide array of drinks, including signature cocktails.

The U.S.-based fast casual burger restaurant has already

opened eight new stores this year.

The move is part of the Jollibee Group’s aggressive expansion program in the region, which is consistent with its vision to become among the top five restaurant companies in the world.

Smashburger likewise expanded its products with a new line of chicken wings.

Carl Bachmann, president of Smashburger, said the company continues its efforts to strengthen its presence in the U.S. and by elevating the quality of the store’s service and offerings.

“Smashburger is continuing its efforts to elevate the overall fast-casual dining experience

with the opening of our second full bar restaurant in New York City,” he said.

“More and more diners are looking for a place they can socialize and eat out, and the Upper East Side and the surrounding community now have the opportunity to enjoy a high-quality burger with firstclass cocktails and draft beers in a fun environment,” he added.

The Jollibee Group took full ownership of Smashburger in 2018.

It has been expanding in different parts of the globe, especially in the U.S., North America, China and the Philippines. g

Filipino referee admits to cheating, helping...

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induction to the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, a video of which has been posted by the World Boxing Council on its YouTube channel.

“So, you know the opponent, Hussein, or whatever his name was. He is taller, younger, stronger, and [a] dirty fighter, managed by Jeff Fenech.

“So in the seventh round [it was the fourth], I think, Manny got knocked down. I thought he was going to get up, but his eyes were cross-eyed,” he continued.

Padilla then said he administered the mandatory eight-count — a standard practice when a boxer is knocked down — longer than usual, which gave Pacquiao the chance to beat it and eventually recover.

“I’m Filipino, and everybody watching the fight is Filipino, so I prolonged the count. I know how to do it. When he got up, I told him, ‘Hey, are you okay?’ Still prolonging the fight. ‘Are you okay?’ ‘Okay, fight!’” Padilla said.

“Then Hussein, because Manny was not like Manny is now, and he wasn’t trained by Freddie Roach yet, he holds on for his dear life. The guy throws him, and he goes down again.

“I said to the opponent, ‘Hey, you don’t do this.’ You know, I was prolonging the fight. ‘You don’t do that. Okay, judges, [point] deduction [for throwing an elbow].’”

Padilla then admitted to another wrongdoing when he declared an ugly cut under Nadal’s left eye as being caused by a Pacquiao punch instead of a head butt — which is crucial in boxing as gashes caused by legal blows will result in a TKO win for the fighter who dealt it if the fight gets stopped by the doctor.

“Because he [Pacquiao] is shorter, he headbutted the other guy. There is a cut, but I declared it a punch,” Padilla continued.

“If there is a head butt, you have to stop the fight and declare to the judges a point deduction. But I didn’t do that, meaning the fight could continue.”

Pacquiao indeed ended up being declared winner by TKO in the 10th round after the ringside doctor deemed Hussein unfit to continue because of the cut.

‘Upset for full 24 hours’ Hussein got wind of Padilla’s revelations and expressed his disappointment.

“Honestly, after watching the referee video, it really hit a nerve. I was upset for a full 24 hours,” Hussein said in a report by World Boxing News.

“It’s not the fact that he said what he said. It’s more because we already knew it. But the way he said it with a smirk and a smile like he was proud of what he had done, like the depth of corruption, it’s obviously in his veins and his heart,” added Hussein, who moved on from the incident, winning several regional titles but not a single world championship.

The 88-year-old Padilla, a former actor, shot to boxing fame when he served as the third man in the ring during the historic “Thrilla in Manila” heavyweight fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier that was held at the Araneta Coliseum in 1975.

He went on to officiate many major bouts, and the Pacquiao-Hussein bout was his last.

Pacquiao, for his part, continued his path to greatness with a record eight world titles in as many divisions. He hasn’t completely closed the book on his boxing career, returning on December 11 with an exhibition fight with Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in Seoul. (Dino Maragay/Philstar.com)

Carlos Padilla in this screenshot of his interview during his induction to the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame

Photo screengrabbed from WBC's YouTube video

SENATE FANS. Barangay Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee (in Barong Tagalog) poses with senators during the plenary debate on the proposed bill granting him Filipino citizenship at the Philippine Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday, Nov. 29. Once granted Filipino citizenship, Brownlee will be qualified to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the sixth and final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers that will be hosted by the country in February 2023, and the FIBA World Cup 2023 to be co-hosted by the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

How expanded EDCA access to AFP sites...

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the Philippines to participate in security cooperation exercises, joint and combined military training, and humanitarian efforts. This complements the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement.

There are currently five military sites identified under the EDCA: Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu, Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro, Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, and Basa Air Base in Pampanga.

More support to come?

Since the agreement was inked in 2014, Washington has allocated over $82 million for its implementation and a senior administration official said more funding may be on the way. This will help back 21 projects of the United States, all of which will be completed by Philippine firms.

“We’re again engaged with our Philippine counterparts through our Department of Defense and obviously, this needs to be a mutual decision so we’re working on expanding the program, but the precise number of locations and where those locations will be is not for now,” a senior administration official told reporters in a background briefing on Harris’ visit.

The Marcos administration is already pursuing warmer ties with the U.S., compared with the previous administration’s pivot to China, with a foreign policy of being a “friend to all and enemy to none.”

Julio Amador, founder and CEO

of Amador Research Services, noted that “it should be expected [the U.S.] will show more efforts to help its less capable ally build up its capabilities to respond to external security threats.”

“Earlier, the U.S. has also promised to increase its foreign military financing to Manila; the question is, how will the [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and the [Department of National Defense] maximize this assistance? How will they use this to improve military capabilities?,” Amador told Philstar.com last week.

‘Warmongering’

However, the Asia Pacific Research Network warned that the announcement of a $100-million foreign military financing comes “amid the continued deterioration of the human rights situation in the country.”

“It is really hard to believe that the U.S. and Harris are oblivious to the continuing rights violations by the Marcos government,” APRN Board of Convenors Chairperson Azra Sayeed said in a statement. “Apparently, they are willing to turn a blind eye to these abuses for the sake of securing their interests in the country and the region.”

Local fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) separately raised concern that U.S. involvement in the country would further provoke China. APRN also warned that Washington’s military financing may be “warmongering”, which could threaten peace and security

in the region.

Harris during her visit to Palawan reiterated U.S.’ promise to back its longest treaty ally in Asia and former colony in case of armed attacks.

Test of alliances?

However, analysts have pointed out that talks on WPS issues should also be complemented with stronger alliances, aside from improved military capability. An independent foreign policy means that the Philippines’ relationship with one country should not affect another.

“What this simply means is that the Philippines has the capacity to choose its ally, friends, or partners. For as long as it has that agency, then it is independent,” Amador said.

“Moving forward, the Philippines should be clearer about what it expects from Washington, D.C. Stand with it when interests and principles converge, or stand up to it if it feels that its ally does not seriously give consideration its concerns.”

Cabalza also said the Philippines should wait and see before moving to set policy on U.S. and China relations.

“Marcos Jr. must listen to what the U.S. and China want before a potent independent foreign policy will be carved and implemented,” he said.

“No matter what happens in the power competition of China and U.S., our alliance with Washington will remain. It will be tested as EDCA becomes the new instrument of our alliance with the U.S..” g

Holiday to-do lists should include getting protection against COVID

IN addition to making food, preparing shopping lists, and planning travel for the holidays, taking steps to reduce the impact of COVID on your friends, your family, and yourself should be part of your holiday to-do list.

COVID cases are expected to rise this winter, and no one wants their holiday plans to be disrupted by illness. Dr. Tiffany Moon is a Chinese American anesthesiologist and mother of two who urges everyone to get the updated vaccine, which includes targeted protection against Omicron. “Getting an updated vaccine will help keep your friends and family safe while you’re gathering,” she said in an Instagram post.

In addition to Dr. Moon and other influencers, community organizations all over the country continue to support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign through events and vaccine clinics, including:

• Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) is offering the updated vaccines and flu shots in Miami on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the Nanay Health Symposium from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The location is the Nanay Community Center at 659 NE 125 St., North Miami, 33161.

• FYLPRO is also holding a vaccine clinic that same day, Dec. 3, at the Houston Holiday

Market, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market will be at the Pearland Town Center, 11200 Broadway St., Pearland, TX, 77584.

As holiday preparations begin, here are some answers to commonly asked questions about COVID and COVID vaccines: Do I need a COVID vaccine this far into the pandemic?

Yes. Even though COVID has been around for several years, it can still cause severe illness, especially to those who are not vaccinated. People ages 50 and older, and anyone with a chronic condition like diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease, is at increased risk of severe illness if they get COVID. While vaccinated people can still get COVID, vaccines provide protection against the worst outcomes.

What should I know about updated COVID vaccines?

Anyone age 5 or older who has completed the primary series of a COVID vaccine and had their last dose at least two months ago should get an updated vaccine. Updated vaccines provide protection against both the original COVID virus and Omicron.

Why should I get vaccinated before the holidays? No one wants to expose vulnerable family members to COVID or miss precious time with family and friends because they are

seriously ill over the holidays. Vaccines can help protect you, and since it takes a couple of weeks for the full protection to kick in, it’s a good idea to get vaccinated and get an updated vaccine as soon as you can. You should get an updated vaccine two months after your most recent vaccine dose.

What should I do if I test positive for COVID? People who are showing symptoms of COVID should stay home and test for COVID. Those who are positive should stay home for at least five days and reach out to a doctor. People who are 50 or older, or who have a chronic condition like diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease, are at higher risk and should contact a doctor at the first sign of COVID symptoms to see if they need a prescription for COVID treatment to help keep them out of the hospital.

COVID is treatable with antiviral and monoclonal antibody medications that doctors can prescribe based on how high your risk is for complications. When these medications are taken within days of the first symptoms of COVID, they work well to prevent COVID hospitalization and death.

COVID vaccines are currently free and widely available. For more information and to find a vaccine, visit www.vaccines.gov. (Advertising Supplement)

ISRAEL PROJECTS IN PH. Senators Pia Cayetano, Sherwin Gatchalian and Robinhood Padilla listen to Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss as he explains to them one of Israel’s projects in the Philippines on Monday, Nov. 28 in an exhibit at the Senate. The exhibit showcases the projects of Israel in the Philippines, including the role of universities as hubs of knowledge and innovation and how to pursue growth and commercialize innovations at the university level. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

FEATURES OPINION

The other global pandemic

EVERY hour somewhere on the planet, more than five women or girls are killed by members of their own family. This is the estimate of United Nations Women, which notes that violence against women and girls remains the most widespread and pervasive human rights violation in the world, affecting over one in three women. UN Women calls it a global pandemic of VAWG as it noted increased repression, violence including online and impunity against defenders of women’s rights.

In the Philippines, Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act was passed in 2004. The abuses, however, continue. A report published in respected medical journal The Lancet this year said COVID lockdowns worsened the problem in the Philippines, with victims often trapped at home with their abusers, and their ability to seek help from authorities restricted.

Editorial

The pandemic also rendered many women unemployed and economically dependent on their partners, making it harder to fight domestic violence or report them to authorities, the report pointed out. While the country ranks high in gender equality in the Western Pacific and groups working against VAWG are active, an estimated one in four Filipino women has experienced gender-based violence, and 41 percent of the victims do not seek help.

At least the current President of the republic no longer publicly makes rape jokes or encourages

Babe’s Eye View

BABE ROMUALDEZ

THERE was absolutely no doubt that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to the provincial island of Palawan, where she met with the fisherfolk of Barangay Tagburos in Puerto Princesa City, sent a clear message that the United States fully supports The Hague Arbitral Tribunal’s unanimous decision on the Philippine territorial claim.

The fishing community has a USAID-funded project in the area, and while the program’s focus is on countering illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing or IUU fishing, it also aims to promote good fishing practices and ensure a sustainable source of food and livelihood for the local communities, according to the University of Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Center that implements the project.

We joined the U.S. Vice President during the visit to Tagburos, and it was clear

Public Lives

IN the secretive and rarefied air of the Vatican, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s rapid rise to higher responsibilities as one of Pope Francis’ most trusted confrères has been an object of keen interest among papal watchers.

Recent reports therefore of the total overhaul of the top leadership of Caritas Internationalis, of which Cardinal Tagle has been president since 2015, sparked speculations of his fall from papal favor. Caritas Internationalis oversees the worldwide network of 162 official Catholic charitable organizations.

The local media’s frenzied reports of this momentous event were almost uniformly sensational: “Pope Francis removes Cardinal Tagle, other Caritas Internationalis leaders”; “Pope sacks Tagle, leadership of Caritas International”; “Cardinal Tagle replaced as head of Vatican charity.” Then followed the expected effort to manage the fallout, which only added more fuel to the bonfire of speculations: “Tagle: Caritas revamp ‘not about sexual harassment, abuse

the military to “shoot women ‘communist rebels’ in the vagina.”

He is also on good terms with his female Vice President and accords her respect both as the nation’s second highest official and as a woman.

More, however, must be done to end VAWG, including increased funding for the campaign.

The country has had women holding positions of power and taking on jobs in traditionally maledominated fields. RA 9262 also has some of the toughest provisions against VAWG.

Yet the abuses continue, with many women particularly in impoverished communities unaware of their rights and avenues for help under the law. There are also numerous reports of barangay officials who refuse to assist victims of VAWG. Either the barangay personnel are unaware that they are tasked by law to provide frontline assistance to VAWG victims, or they are ignoring the law, dismissing such cases as

private domestic disputes where outsiders should not intervene.

Counseling services are also needed to persuade women to file complaints against abusers who are members of their family. Even women who are affluent, educated and aware of the law can hesitate to file complaints, fearing humiliation or

stigma that might affect their families.

From Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, UN Women is carrying out “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence” worldwide. Launched in 2008, this year’s theme is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls.” This is another pandemic that calls for an intensified response. (Philstar.com)

VP Harris’ high impact Palawan visit

that members of the fishing community really appreciated the presence of VP Harris as she listened to their stories and expressed understanding of their concerns.

As she noted in her remarks delivered aboard the Philippine Coast Guard ship Teresa Magbanua, generations of families have fished in the waters of Palawan, providing not only food for their everyday subsistence but also serving as the economic lifeblood of their community. She also narrated her encounter with a young woman with a successful fishdrying business who helps other women by teaching them how to dry fish and derive some extra income for themselves and their families.

As explained by the URI, the “Fish Right” project uses “coastal science and fishery reform to improve the Philippines’ fishing industry – one of the largest in the world – which was endangered by destructive fishing practices, storms and coastal degradation.

The program seeks to build resilient fishing communities while ensuring that women and other marginalized groups

participate as equals in coastal stewardship.”

Actually, the project is also a classic example of the saying that goes, “If you give a man fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.”

But one might add that when you deprive a man of his livelihood and prevent him from feeding his family, then you are asking for trouble. We Filipinos are known to have a long endurance for patience and sacrifice, but like any normal human being, we have a limit to our patience, hitting a boiling point. Our forefathers fought hard for our independence and certainly, our fathers have fought many battles in the past. But as a peace-loving nation, we only have one wish for our region –“peace and prosperity for all.”

Nevertheless, 90 percent of Filipinos support President Marcos when he said – we will not give up one square inch of our territory to any foreign power.

And as VP Harris noted, the lifeblood of communities like Tagburos would be put at risk “when foreign vessels enter

Philippine waters and illegally deplete the fishing stock; when they harass and intimidate local fishers; when they pollute the ocean and destroy the marine ecosystem.”

In fact, many people have told me that they have never heard the United States send a more direct and clear message the way Vice President Harris put it when she said, “As an ally, the United States stands with the Philippines in the face of intimidation and coercion in the South China Sea,” not mincing words when she added that the U.S. will continue to rally its allies and partners  against unlawful and irresponsible behavior. “When the international rules-based order is threatened somewhere, it is threatened everywhere,” she emphasized. Naturally, the U.S. vice president’s visit generated a lot of interest. In my separate interviews with Karen Davila and Pia Hontiveros, and during the lunch of the Consular Corps of the Philippines where I was invited to speak, I was pleased to describe the significance of the historic visit – signaling a renewed commitment to the

alliance between our two great nations.

There is no doubt that the U.S. places a lot of importance on its bilateral relationship with the Philippines, as also evidenced by the past visits of high-level officials such as State Secretary Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and the Congressional delegation led by Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts. All of these developments tell us that the U.S. is squarely behind us with regard to the security situation in the West Philippine Sea.

There is also an effort from the United States to enhance its relationship with the Philippines by exploring new areas of cooperation to boost the alliance and, at the same time, strengthen their positions relative to the Indo-Pacific, given the evolving nature and emergence of security threats in the region.

During VP Harris’ meeting with her counterpart, Vice President Sara Duterte at the Aguado residence of Speaker Martin Romualdez, the interaction was very cordial and pleasant as they exchanged notes on a number of topics that included Filipino

food. Apparently, the U.S. Vice President is familiar with some Filipino dishes like lumpia or fried spring rolls, because there are Filipino-Americans in her office.

VP Kamala’s courtesy call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang covered a wide range of concerns that included the economy and how both nations can expand their investment and trade partnership across several sectors. They also discussed food security and clean energy.

Both President Marcos and VP Harris welcomed the start of negotiations on a civil nuclear cooperation agreement. As we all know, the climate crisis has made the transition to clean energy even more urgent now, considering the Philippines is one of the nations that is most vulnerable to natural disasters. (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.

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babeseyeview@gmail.com

The rise and false ‘sacking’ of Cardinal Tagle

or mismanagement’”; “Cardinal Tagle: Caritas relaunch not prompted by dark secrets.”

The reports made him sound as though he was desperately defending himself.

The subtext of all these headlines was, of course, this: “There goes the country’s fair hope for a first Asian pope.”

The Nov. 22 announcement of the massive changes in the leadership of Caritas was so cryptic that it allowed plenty of room for diverse interpretations.

Though it made clear that the professional audit team designated to perform the review of Caritas’ operations saw no signs of financial or sexual misconduct, the findings seemed serious enough to warrant the removal of the organization’s entire leadership.

The Vatican statement said: “Real deficiencies were noted in management and procedures, seriously prejudicing team spirit and staff morale.” What these deficiencies were exactly was not spelled out. Adding to the confusion was the positive observation that the organization had indeed met its fundraising and allotment goals.

The inclusion of two psychologists in the audit team perhaps provides a clue to what prompted the review which began early this year. The focus

of the commissioned study was “the workplace environment of the CI General Secretariat and its alignment with Catholic values of human dignity and respect for each person.” Interviews were done with present and former employees of the organization, vaguely suggesting that the organization may have been hit by an unusual turnover of staff.

A more careful reading of the events, however, would have shown the very opposite of the supposition that Cardinal Tagle was the principal target of the cleanup at Caritas. But then the resulting reports would have been less shocking, and less newsworthy. In fact, it appears more likely that it was Tagle himself who initiated the performance audit, preparatory to the election of his successor in mid-2023. (First elected in 2015, he ends his second term as president of Caritas Internationalis in 2023.)

In the first place, if he was being sacked, the Filipino cardinal would have been spared the ignominy of reading the papal decree announcing his own dismissal before the plenary meeting of his organization. But, it was to him, as “president emeritus” of Caritas Internationalis, that the Pope gave the difficult task of announcing the findings of the

audit and the Pope’s order to carry out a sweeping leadership revamp of the organization. The biggest casualty in this revamp was the incumbent Caritas secretary general Aloysius John, who did not attend the session.

Secondly, the leadership change meant that the entire secretariat was ordered to step down and give way to the interim administrator Pier Francesco Pinelli and his staff, who undertook the review process. A new president who will formally take the place of Cardinal Tagle will be elected at the organization’s general assembly next year. In the meantime, the Pope has asked him to help Pinelli in effecting the transition.

Thirdly, on top of the many other hats he wears in the Roman Curia, Cardinal Tagle is expected to devote a good part of his time now to his new responsibilities as “Pro-Prefect” for the Section of Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization, an appointment he has held only since June 2022. The Pope himself heads this particular dicastery or department.

And finally, it is noteworthy that the young Filipino cardinal, who is sometimes called the “Asian Francis,” in reference to the progressive views he shares with Pope Francis, was elevated by the latter to the highest rank

of cardinal-bishop in May 2020. This makes him one of only 11 senior cardinals, and the first Filipino cardinal ever to attain this rank.

Cardinal Chito was Archbishop of Manila from 2011 to 2019. But since his elevation to the College of Cardinals by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, he has spent much of his time in Rome, right at the center of the Vatican but away from his own country and people. Much was expected of him in Manila, where the late Cardinal Sin’s style of leadership continues to serve as a template of episcopal presence for many Filipinos.

Alas, relatively little is known of what the quiet and self-effacing 65-year-old Cardinal Chito has done for the global Church in the past 10 years. Judging from the way Pope Francis relies on him, we can assume that he plays a critical role in the realization of the embattled pontiff’s reform agenda. (Inquirer.net)

* * *

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.

* * *

POLICIES

President

MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor

ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL

JOSEPH PERALTA Vice President & General Manager

California Asian Journal

RANDY DAVID

Then-Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and Pope Francis. Inquirer.net file photo

Dateline PhiliPPines

DFA welcomes UN Special Rapporteur on sexual exploitation of children

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs welcomed on Monday, November 28 United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children Mama Fatima Singhateh.

Singhateh will be in the country until next week, December 9. Her visit is the first official visit of a UN Special Rapporteur to the Philippines since 2015, which she said is reflective of the country’s openness to engage when it comes to human rights issues.

DFA Undersecretary for Multilateral and International Economic Affairs Carlos Sorreta said Singhateh will note “the achievements and best practices of the Philippine government to eradicate [the] online sexual exploitation of children.”

Faithful urged to pray for Tagle

MANILA — An official of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino (PCF) urged the Catholic faithful to pray for former Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle after Pope Francis assigned him to several tasks when he was ousted from Caritas International, the charity arm of the Catholic Church.

In an interview with Churchrun Radyo Veritas, PCF Rector Gregory Ramon Gaston said that Tagle needs the people’s prayer as he emphasized that Pope Francis gave Tagle other assignments, including efforts to assist the new officials of Caritas International.

“We really need to pray for Cardinal Tagle because he has so many assignments in different offices of the Vatican. Even other groups of the church, governments, private organizations and individuals all over the world,” Gaston said in Filipino.

He added that many people also want to talk to and consult with Tagle.

Gaston clarified that Tagle was not removed from Caritas International, but the decision of Pope Francis to name temporary officials in the organization came in at the last term of the cardinal

who was elected president in 2015.

He also emphasized that Tagle will be able to give more attention to expanding the services of Caritas International as he is no longer focused on the central office of the Vatican alone, since he was tasked to coordinate with the social arm in every diocese around the world.

Pope Francis appointed organizational consultant and administrator Pier Francesco Pinelli as the new administrator of Caritas International, to be assisted by Caritas Internationales advocacy and campaigns manager Maria Amparo Alonso.

Tagle, prefect for the Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples, reiterated that Pope Francis’ decision to change the leadership of the Caritas International was a result of a “careful and independent study” of the Vatican.

He added that the decision does not concern cases of sexual abuse or mismanagement of money as it was meant to be “a call to walk humbly with God” and “a process of discernment.”

Tagle left the Archdiocese of Manila in February 2022 after he was appointed to the Vatican, where he was named as a member of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic

Anti-drug raids to continue

MANILA — After it spent much of the campaign season building support for its "recalibrated" antidrug program, the Department of the Interior and Local Government changed tune on Tuesday, November 29.

The government agency said that anti-illegal drug operations and arrest of drug offenders from law enforcement personnel "will continue with the same fervor" even under the supposedly "new multi-sectoral flagship program."

In a statement sent to reporters, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. said that the country’s anti-illegal drugs drive has been "gaining ground" after recording some 24,159 drug personalities who have been arrested from July 1 to November 24 alone. He did not mention the nearly 50 drug suspects killed in operations claimed by the Philippine National Police leadership earlier this month.

The interior chief also vowed that there would be no letup in antiillegal drug raids and operations by law enforcement units even as its new Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan or BIDA program shifts its focus on demand reduction and rehabilitation of drug users.

"BIDA will also focus on supporting drug addicts so that they can completely change their lives [but] the raids on drug dens and the police and other authorities pursuit of drug lords, financiers and drug peddlers will not stop. That's still going on," Abalos said in mixed Filipino and English in his statement Tuesday.

"The police should not be the only ones to act. Citizens are our partners in the antidrug campaign. All of us must take action and become BIDA advocates."

Citing PNP data, Abalos said the national police's aggressive campaign against illegal drugs has yielded the confiscation of some P9.7-billion worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 22,646 drug personalities in 18,505 anti-illegal drug operations nationwide since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. entered office in July.

The PNP has also admitted that

anti-drug operations have also led to the deaths of 46 drug suspects, though Dahas PH, a running count of reported drug-related killings by the Third World Studies Center at the University of the Philippines says the death toll is closer to 127.

Rights watchdog Human Rights Watch has since castigated the PNP for what it said was the latter's underreporting of drug war killings.

Abalos did not clarify if the ongoing drug raids would take on the format established by the Duterte administration's "Oplan Tokhang" or knock and plead. According to the first memorandum circular mentioning it, the first "barrel" of the last administration's anti-narcotics campaign is Project Tokhang, which "involves the conduct of house-to-house [visits] to persuade suspected illegal drug personalities to stop their illegal drug activities."

He also disclosed that some P9.9-billion worth of illegal drugs have also been confiscated in various drug operations during the same period, including 990 kilograms of illegal drugs worth P6.7-billion in Tondo Manila; P408-million worth of shabu in Pampanga; and P173-million worth of shabu in Quezon City.

"These numbers are a clear indication that our strict law enforcement against drugs continues. We will continue to catch drug pushers and drug lords," Abalos said.

"For all of us, the challenge is to root out the drug problem. Here at BIDA, it is not just the police and other law enforcement units that will act, we should be with the grassroots."

BIDA program is a nationwide anti-illegal drugs program that focuses on demand reduction and rehabilitation "using a more intensified and holistic approach involving the national government agencies, local government units, and other key sectors down to the grassroots level within the framework of the law, with respect for human rights, complemented by socioeconomic development." (Philstar.com)

Sea (APSA), which served as the Vatican’s central bank.

Pope Francis also elevated Tagle to the order of “cardinal bishops,” which is the highest rank within the College of Cardinals, making him eligible to become part of the “Dean of Cardinals” that presides at the conclave when there is no pope. g

“International cooperation and shared responsibility amongst countries is required to address external demand factors that fuel online exploitation of children.”

The government previously noted that the country has become a hub for explicit materials for pedophiles around the world, starting by launching its program to go after parents who participate in the abuse.

While in the country, Singhateh will meet with civil society representatives, private

sector stakeholders, as well as children and their families.

Her itinerary includes trips to Valenzuela City, Angeles City, Cotabato City and Cebu City.

She will also meet officials from the Council for the Welfare of Children, the Department of Justice, the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat,

the Philippine National Police, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, among others.

Following Singhateh’s visit, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan will also visit the country in 2023. (Philstar. com)

TOURIST COPS. Priest Bong Gonzaga blesses some 6,000 force multipliers who will be deployed around Davao City on Tuesday, Nov. 29.

The security officers are tasked to ensure the safety of Dabawenyos and visitors who will join the annual month-long “Pasko Fiesta” that will kick off Thursday, Dec. 1 with various events such as a 3D lights show and the lighting of the giant Christmas tree outside the city hall.

PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

with over 24k ‘drug personalities’ arrested under Marcos - DILG

DFA Undersecretary for Multilateral and International Economic Affairs Carlos Sorreta with Mama Fatima Singhateh, UN Special Rapporteur on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children. DFA photo by RobeRtzon RamiRez Philstar.com

Robredo says inequality, broken promises fuel disinformation

by Gabriel PabiCo lalu Inquirer.net

MANILA — Former vice president Leni Robredo said on Tuesday, November 29 that the rampant spread of falsehoods and propaganda in the Philippines could be linked directly to the vast wealth gap in the country and the people’s anger at the democratic system for its failure to deliver on its promises.

Robredo said during the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Solutions Conference on Fighting Fake News, Misinformation, and Disinformation on Tuesday that political forces took advantage of the years-long frustration of Filipinos over unfulfilled promises, channeling the people’s anger to benefit their own agenda.

She highlighted the sources of deception by quoting substantially from research on misinformation and disinformation conducted by sociology professors Jonathan Ong of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Nicole Curato of the University of Canberra.

“If we are to come up with truly long-term solutions, then we have to understand — this is the most important — the roots of the problem. The reality for the vast majority of the Filipinos is one skewed towards the welloff, the well-connected few. The ultimate question is, so why are Filipinos so vulnerable to fake news?” Robredo said in her keynote address.

“It is one where following the rules and working hard does not guarantee the achievement of their dreams — this is what starts the frustrations. The promise of fairness and equality put forward by our democratic order has, for many gone unfulfilled. Such

a situation has become deeply entrenched over the generations, yielding a deep undercurrent of frustration that was transformed into anger and set into overdrive by the purveyors of disinformation,” she added.

According to Robredo, when this anger is amplified by disinformation — just like what happened during the campaign period for the 2022 national elections — it becomes hard to start even simple conversations between persons from opposing camps.

She said that this was evident in how people branded the opposition using the color they used.

“Meaningful conversations become almost impossible. Facts, trust, and the sense that we are all in this situation together fall by the wayside.We come to view our fellow citizens as little more than adherents — to one story or its opposite; supporters of one politician or the other.So polarities are created,” she said.

“‘Even before the campaign, they have branded us based on what color we are wearing. So that is the biggest indication that polarities already exist in our society,” she added.

Experts and observers have described the campaign season for the 2022 presidential elections as polarizing, with the country split between supporters of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Robredo, and other candidates.

Along with this divisiveness is a very hostile social media landscape, with supporters of each camp waging word wars on comments sections despite leaders like Robredo pleading to be more gentle and inclusive in starting discussions.

Robredo said that this is also

part of why her camp copied Turkey’s “radical love” mindset, where she encouraged her supporters to understand that people from opposing camps are still Filipinos. However, with this failure, they changed their strategy and opted for a houseto-house campaign.

She believes that even though she lost to Marcos by a wide margin, the house-to-house campaign was a victory — in the sense that it showed how to address disinformation, which is to build damaged communication lines between people.

“If the grand strategy of disinformation actors is to stop us from talking to each other as citizens of goodwill, then the goal of the counter-disinformation agent must be to have people talk to each other again,” Robredo said.

“If disinformation wants to prevent consensus, and has eroded the spaces that allow for such consensus to be built, then we must either repair those spaces or build new ones,” she added.

After visiting the United States and Switzerland, Robredo returned home to comply with various local engagements. She will fly out of the country again later this week to attend to various invitations from academic circles.

Earlier, she revealed that the massive number of requests for her to talk in front of students and the academe comes from an interest in the Philippines’ disinformation woes.

According to Robredo, people have labeled the Philippines as a petri dish for entities who weaponize social media to their advantage. They are also curious as to how the country would solve the problem. g

Speaker vows passage of 9 economic priority bills

by Sheila CriSoStomo Philstar.com

MANILA — Speaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday, November 29 committed that the House of Representatives would pass the nine priority bills of Malacañang to enhance investment and business environment in the Philippines, all aimed to improve the lives of Filipinos.

Speaking at the Economic Forum organized on Tuesday by BusinessWorld, Romualdez said the priority legislative measures will boost the Marcos administration’s “Agenda of Prosperity,” the core mission the country’s “economic transformation towards inclusivity and sustainability.”

These bills are the GUIDE Act (Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery); Valuation Reform Bill; Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act or PIFITA; E-Government Act; Internet Transaction Act or E-Commerce Law; National Land Use Act; Enactment of an Enabling Law for the Natural Gas Industry; Amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and Amendments to the BuildOperate-Transfer (BOT) Law.

Romualdez noted they also “expect to approve on third and final reading 15 more measures before the end of our session this December.”

“We are on the first stage to full economic recovery, and we are marching in the right direction,”

he added.

Judging from the interest shown by global businessmen in the “international roadshow” with President Marcos, he underscored that the “Philippines may soon become the favorite investment destination in Asia.”

“We, in Congress, are committed to bring this goal to reality,” underscored the lawmaker as he urged businessmen and the public to “stay the course with us and share the benefits of progress and development.”

Romualdez assured the public that “the best is yet to come” for the Philippines, adding that the administration’s economic development objectives are spelled out in the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework and its eightpoint socioeconomic plan, which the House had adopted through Concurrent Resolution No. 2 shortly after the 19th Congress convened in July.

“For the first time, the country has a clear six-year agenda with

clearly defined goals,” he pointed out.

He said the economy improved by an average of 7.7 percent in the first three quarters of 2022 and it only needs to expand by 3.3 percent to 6.9 percent this fourth quarter to meet the growth target of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent this year.

“Without a doubt, this is because of the Agenda for Prosperity, the sound economic plan of our President and economic managers,” he added.

According to Romualdez, the “encouraging” economic figures “strengthen our resolve, as lawmakers, to remain fully committed in supporting the Agenda for Prosperity with the necessary legislative measures.”

“On the immediate, our focus is on creating legislation that will help the government boost domestic demand and increase the competitiveness of domestic production to sustain and further accelerate economic recovery,” he maintained. g

Hontiveros welcomes US support in sea row, wary of EDCA and nuclear energy offers

MANILA — While U.S. support for the Philippine position on the West Philippine Sea is wlecome, the Philippines should not rush to accept offers to expand coverage of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and for American assistance on nuclear energy, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Monday, November 28.

In an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel’s "Headstart" on Monday, Hontiveros said she appreciates support in recognizing the 2016 Hague ruling, which invalidated China’s nine-dash claims over waters that include the West Philippine Sea. She said she also welcomes the prospect of more joint military exercises but is wary at allowing more U.S. access to military sites for the sake of that support.

"I don’t want us to get stuck choosing between our former colonial master and one that wants to be the new regional or global colonial master," Hontiveros said.

In her visit to the Philippines last week, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced that additional EDCA locations having been identified, but not named.

The EDCA allows the U.S. to use Philippine

military facilities as training sites and as a base for humanitarian relief efforts.

A senior U.S. administration official said talks with the Department of National Defense are still ongoing.

So far, the U.S. has spent $82 million for the implementation of the 2014 agreement, with 21 projects underway.

'Nuclear energy might not be best option'

The U.S. also announced that it will be initiating negotiations on a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, which will be the legal basis for exporting nuclear equipment and material to the Philippines.

However, Hontiveros noted that a nuclear energy program might not be the best option for the Philippines since it would mean the country would import materials needed for it, on top of having to worry about the radioactive waste the program would produce.

"I continue to believe that we have much better, safer, and cheaper renewable energy sources compared to the prospect of opening a nuclear energy program here in the Philippines," Hontiveros said. (Kaycee Valmonte/Philstar.com)

DOH braces for new COVID spike

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, November 28 gave assurances that the country's health facilities are ready for any spike in coronavirus disease infections that may be triggered by the entry of the highly transmissible Omicron BQ.1 subvariant.

Fourteen cases of BQ1 have been recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Central Visayas, and the National Capital Region (NCR).

BQ1 is a sublineage of the BA-5 subvariant, is more transmissible than the other subvariants and is immune evasive.

A triage system and step-down facilities are now in place should there be an increase in the health care utilization rate.

The DoH said that sticking to health protocols and strengthening of the country's health surveillance on infectious diseases are still the best defense against the virus.

"Kaya ang mas importante talaga ay pigilan ang pagpasa sa virus para maiwasan ang pagmutate nito. At lalong importante na laging handa ang ating health care system to respond to these emerging variants (It's important to stop the spread of the virus to prevent its mutation. And it's more important that our health care system is always ready to respond to these emerging variants)," DHH Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

She gave assurances that available COVID -19 jabs are effective against the virus and provide an added layer of protection against infections.

Meanwhile, infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvaña said a

spike in COVID-19 cases is likely to be seen during the holiday season but that it would not be as high as the first COVID wave.

"Should there be a higher number of cases, it won't be as big, I don't think it will surpass 5,000 cases. And again, most of these cases will be mild and won't need hospitalization," Salvaña said in a press briefing.

"So, if ever the number goes up, it is because of the activity of the public during Christmas. I do not think it will be as dramatic as the number of cases that we saw last January, after Christmas. I think what will happen here, although there might be an increase (in cases), it will be minimal because many are already vaccinated," he added.

He urged the public to help keep the number of positive cases at manageable levels amid the relaxed policy on the wearing of face masks. g

SMOKE FREE BAYWALK. Officials of the Department of Health (DOH) spearhead the launching of Smoke-Free Manila Bay in commemoration of Lung Cancer Awareness Month at Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 29. The goal of the campaign is to provide a smokefree environment amid reports from the World Health Organization that lung cancer was the most common cancer death in 2020, with 1.8 million dying because of it. PNA Photo by Yancy Lim

Sen. Risa Hontiveros

Philstar.com file photo

Speaker Martin Romualdez

Philstar.com file photo

Fil-Am playwright, director Je rey Lo directs TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

BY JOSEPH L. PERALTA / AJPRESS

“Little Shop of Horrors,” which was originally a 1960 film by Roger Corman, has been adapted a few times to the silver screen (the 1986 movie of the same title directed by Frank Oz starring comedians Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, James Belushi, John Candy and Bill Murray) and musical stage (starting with the 1982 off-Broadway musical collaborated on by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman).

This iteration of the muchbeloved musical sees Lo bring “Little Shop of Horrors” to a new environment and time frame –specifically, modern-day San Francisco’s Chinatown district. Mostly, the films and plays has been set according to the original time/location of 1960s New York. The change in setting allows the production to explore the crosscultural community fostered there by marginalized people of color.

According to Lo, it has been “an absolute joy digging in with our cast and designers on how shifting this musical's setting and time period can create even more layers and nuance.”

The casting director and literary manager of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley told the Asian Journal that he has long wanted to bring this vision of “Little Shop of Horrors” to the stage.

“Little Shop of Horrors is a musical I’ve loved for quite some time and the thought of setting this beloved musical in modern day San Francisco Chinatown has excited me for many years. We’ve been waiting for the right moment at TheatreWorks to create this production of Little Shop and I’m so excited we are finally getting to do it now,” he said via email.

“One of the things that excites me so much about Little Shop is that it is filled with so much fun: the vibrant characters, the catchy music and the exciting dance. Woven within all of that fun is a cautionary tale about greed and hoarding resources. For me, this is when storytelling is at its best: when your audiences can have

so much fun while also walking away thinking about how they can be better people.”

While “Little Shop of Horrors” has almost always presented a multicultural cast, the Fil-Am stage director said that everyone involved in this production did a lot of work in order to present a show that deals with having the play set in the Bay Area and having a multicultural cast that audiences will see differs from the original.

“…In order to create a production like ours, which is set in a very specific neighborhood and features a multicultural cast that is different from the original, we put in a lot of work to understand, as best we could, what it meant to have these different people and different communities represented by these characters and this story.

There was a lot of work, a lot of learning, and a lot of listening that was incorporated into

every part of our production, including scenic and costume design to acting choices. I’m incredibly appreciative of our cast, designers, and our cultural consultant for working together towards a holistic approach to the representation found in our production,” Lo revealed, while reminding that “Little Shop of Horrors” has always had interactions between African Americans, Jewish Americans and the alien plant.

Lo believes that there is a lesson to be learned from watching “Little Shop of Horrors” and he is hoping that audiences will leave with a more positive attitude towards one another after watching the musical.

“‘Little Shop’ has always been a musical warning us about what can happen when greed overtakes – it reminds us of the importance of being generous to one another. I would love for audiences to leave our production rejecting a scarcity mindset and to instead envision a world where we embrace abundance and embrace supporting one another. I think this lesson is incredibly important in today’s world,” he said.

Lo, who’s directing credits include “Hold These Truths” and “The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin” at San Francisco Playhouse; “Vietgone” and “The Great Leap” at Capital Stage; “Peter and the Starcatcher” and “Noises Off” at Hillbarn Theatre; “The Crucible,” “Yellow Face,” and “The Grapes of Wrath” at Los Altos Stage Company; “Uncle Vanya” at the Pear Theatre (BATCC award for Best Production); and “A Doll’s House, Part 2” and “Eurydice” at Palo Alto Players (TBA Awards finalist for Best Direction), fell in

Battered wife gets green card through self-petition on an encore success story in Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

LANCE came to the United States in 2017, and then married his U.S. citizen girlfriend in a same-sex marriage. His wife petitioned Lance for his green card, but their marriage turned sour, and the wife kept

postponing their immigration interviews.

The American wife also started

out that his wife had a boyfriend.

When the wife left Lance for her boyfriend, someone suggested that Lance consult with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel.

“BATTERED -SPOUSE” GREEN CARD THROUGH A SELF-PETITION, ON AN ENCORE SUCCESS STORY OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Lance arrived in the U.S. in 2017 and married his U.S. citizen wife. The wife petitioned Lance for his green card, but the marriage turned rocky. Soon, the American wife started abusing Lance physically and verbally, and even threatened to have him deported. Upon a friend’s recommendation, Lance consulted with Atty. Gurfinkel. Atty. Gurfinkel converted Lance’s case from a spousal petition to a VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self-petition, which was approved in September 2022. Lance was able to get a “battered-spouse” green card. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, December 4 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

abusing Lance physically and verbally, stole money from him, and even threatened him with deportation. Lance also found

JEFFREY Lo, a Filipino American playwright and director, helms TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s presentation of “Little Shop of Horrors,” which is showing until December 24 at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto.

Filipino American playwright and director Jeffrey Lo brings the TheatreWorks Silicon Valley production of “Little Shop of Horrors” into a different location and time frame – modern-day San Francisco’s Chinatown. The musical play runs through December 24 at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. Photo by Tasi Alabastro

Phil Wong plays the role of Seymour in TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s presentation of “Little Shop of Horrors”

“Little Shop of Horrors” is currently playing at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto, CA until December 24. Photo above shows cast members

Phil Wong and Sumi Yu.

Photos by Andria Lo

Sumi Yu plays the role of Audrey in the “Little Shop of Horrors” presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley.

celebrityworld

By Ferdie Villar

FOR the merry month of December, internationally known boxing champ and former Philippine senator Manny Pacquiao heads the list of prominent celebrities who will be celebrating their birthdays this month. The eight-division world champion boxing legend turns 44 on Saturday, December 17.

Known by his monicker “PacMan,” Pacquiao added to his list of accomplishments when he became the oldest welterweight boxing champion in history in a thrilling split decision victory over previously undefeated WBA titleholder Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in 2019.

According to Wikipedia, Pacquiao is the only boxer to hold four world championships across four decades – 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s. He is also the only boxer to win twelve major titles in eight different weight divisions during his professional boxing career.

Prior to being a senator, Pacquiao had been elected as Congress representative for the province of Sarangani, which is located at the southernmost tip of Mindanao island and is part of what is known as the Soccsksargen (South CotabatoCotabato-Sultan KudaratSarangani-General Santos) region.

Pacquiao was a presidential candidate in the May 2022 Philippine national elections won by Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The former boxing champ will be participating in an exhibition bout on December 11 in Seoul,

Korea where he will take on Korean YouTuber DK Yoo. Other prominent personalities celebrating their birthdays in December are: December 3: Actress Jessy Mendiola-Manzano; December 4: Actor/singer/ model Ruru Madrid, former Miss Republic of the Philippines-USA winner Sarah Atienza Leong, pop rock singer-songwriter Yeng Constantino; December 6: Actor Christian Bables, Philippine News Today vice president for operations/ promotions Thelma Cruz; December 7: GMA Network Inc. chairman/CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon, model/actor/TV host Derek Ramsay, Daly City medical assistant Susan Gonzales, San Jose jewel designer/ manufacturer Josie Harris; December 8: Actor/politician Dennis Roldan, singer/songwriter Richard Poon, Filipina caregiver Aida Marinas; December 9: Marina Seaside community leader Anita Lomboy; December 10: Actress Krista Ranillo-Lim, Former Miss RPUSA World Eva Reyes; December 11: Actress Eula Valdez, actress/politician Lucy Torres-Gomez, former Philippine Medical Society of Northern California president Dr. Carmelo Lim Roco; December 12: Concert Queen Pops Fernandez, TV host/ rap artist/actor/model Carlos Agassi, Hillsborough successful businesswoman Upeng Abad Sy, current Makati Mayor Abigail Binay; December 13: Former senator and billionaire businessman

Internationally known boxing champ Manny Pacquiao heads list of famous December birthday celebrants

Fil-Am playwright, director Jeffrey Lo directs...

PAGE 9

love with theatre as a high school student.

“I was mostly doing it for fun when I first started. But when I wrote and directed my first play, a fire was lit inside of me and I really felt the power of what storytelling can do for the world. I was introduced to an artform that could help people feel understood, change people’s perspectives for the better, and create empathy in the world. When I discovered what storytelling could truly do, I knew that it was what I needed to pursue as my life’s work,” he revealed.

After “Little Shop of Horrors” Lo will be directing the Caridad Svich play “Red Bike” at Center Repertory Company, which will have its engagement at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek in February 2023.

His dream project, though, is something closer to home and to his roots.

“A few plays that I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to direct are ‘God Said This’ by Leah Nanako Winkler and ‘Gruesome Playground Injuries’ by Rajiv Joseph. I love both of those plays so much,” Lo told the Asian Journal. “But if I had to be really honest with myself, I’d have to say getting the chance to produce a deeply Filipino-American story like my play ‘Writing Fragments Home’ would be a dream come true. I have yet to be given the opportunity to tell a deeply Filipino story on a large professional stage yet and I cannot wait for that time to come.”

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has assembled a talented cast for “Little Shop of Horrors,” including Bay Area theatre veteran Phil Wong (“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show,” “Four Immigrants: An American Musical Manga,” “Currency”), Sumi Yu (credits include Starz’s “Heels” and NBC’s “Rise”), LawrenceMichael Arias (“M. Butterfly,” “Red,” “Bat Boy The Musical,” “Pacific Overtures, “Jayne Eyre”), Katrina Lauren McGraw, Brandon Leland, Nick Nakashima (“Sense and Sensibility,” “The Learned Ladies of Park Avenue,”

“A Little Night of Music”), Naima Alakham (“Dreamgirls”), Alia Hodge (“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” “Rent”) and Lucca Troutman.

“Little Shop of Horrors” also features musical direction by William Liberatore, choreography by William Thomas Hodgson, scenic design by Christopher Fitzer, costume design by Fumiko Bielefeldt, lighting design by Wen-Ling Liao, and sound design by Jeff Mockus. Taylor McQuesten serves as stage manager, with Emily Wolf as assistant stage manager.

TheatreWorks is committed to creating an environment that is accessible for all audiences in its community. American Sign Language interpretation will be available at the performance of “Little Shop of Horrors” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 13.

In partnership with c2 Caption Coalition, TheatreWorks will offer open captioning (a screen displaying all dialogue and a description of sound effects) for the performances at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., Sunday, December 18, and 2 p.m., Wednesday, December 21.

TheatreWorks is partnering with Gravity in offering audio descriptions to assist patrons who are visually impaired. This service, which includes a preshow talk, will be available 8 p.m. Saturday, December 17; 8 p.m. Friday, December 23; and 2 p.m. Saturday, December 24.

(To utilize audio description, patrons should pre-register at (877)-662-8978 after purchasing tickets). Assisted listening devices are offered at every performance with no advance registration required. For more information about accessibility programs at TheatreWorks, visit TheatreWorks.org/venues/ accessibility/.

TheatreWorks is also dedicated to engaging audiences through community programming and arts engagement, furthering its mission to develop programming that invests and amplifies the voices and experiences of the theatre company’s diverse communities. For each of the shows in the 2022/23 season, TheatreWorks will host In

Conversation events, a series of free community events allowing community members to be in conversation with artists and the works onstage. In Conversation events will be staged for Little Shop of Horrors after the 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday, December 10 and Saturday, December 17. Investing in the voices of the future, TheatreWorks will present a student matinee of Little Shop of Horrors at 11am Thursday, December 8, 2022.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 health and safety procedures, visit TheatreWorks. org/safetyupdate/.

“Little Shop of Horrors” is being presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley from November 30 to December 24, at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. Subscriptions for the 2022/23 season are currently available and single tickets (starting at $35) started to be on sale on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. For more information, visit TheatreWorks.org or call (877)662-8978.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, led by Artistic Director Tim Bond, presents a wide variety of contemporary plays and musicals, revitalizes great works of the past, and serves more than 100,000 patrons per year. Founded in 1970 by Robert Kelley, TheatreWorks has grown from a truly original Silicon Valley start-up to become one of the nation’s leading professional non-profit theatre companies. TheatreWorks was recently honored as the recipient of the 2019 Regional Theatre Tony Award. TheatreWorks also champions new work, offering artists support and a creative home as they develop new stories for the American theatre. Offstage, TheatreWorks’ arts education programs in local schools and arts engagement programs in Silicon Valley neighborhoods uplift its audiences and strengthen community bonds. Whether onstage or off, TheatreWorks welcomes the mosaic of people that embody the Bay Area and beyond, celebrating the transformative power of theatre to ignite imagination, inspire conversation, and interconnect our human spirits.

Manny Villar; December 14: Actor Mark Herras December 15: Cupertino jetsetter Rema Zafrani Vasa; December 16: Multi-awarded actress Gloria Romero, actress/ politician Aiko Melendez, Health Professionals Inc. chief accountant Elvie Angeles, the late and original Queen of Philippine Movies Rosa del Rosario; December 17: Former Miss United Nations International Anna Satorre, actor/comedian/ recording artist Michael V (of the top-rated GMA Pinoy TV show “Bubble Gang”); December 18: “The Gift” teleserye actress Mikee Quintos; December 20: Retired National Basketball Association player Raymond Townsend (first

Moira

Filipino American to play in the NBA), South San Francisco community leader the late Connie Belleza Gaspar; December 21: Actress/TV host/ endorser Valerie Concepcion, former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, former Ms. Republic of the Philippines International and fashion model Marilen Bernardo, former Mrs. Republic of the Philippines World Christine Acha, Filipino restaurateur Manny Noguera; December 23: Multi-awarded actress Lorna Tolentino, hotel executive Marc Garvida; December 25: Filipino musician Pepe Smith; December 26: Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados, former Speaker of the House (Philippines) Jose de Venecia Jr.,

singer Hajji Alejandro; December 27: Gilroy auto mechanic/shop owner Dar Rabonza; December 28: Former Mrs. Republic of the Philippines Las Vegas and fashion designer Nina Alberto, former LBC treasurer Fely Ruiz; December 29: San Ramon businesswoman Flora Enriquez; December 30: Star Cinema talented actor and model Jake Cuenca (born in San Jose, California), film director Lav Diaz; December 31: Indoor/beach volleyball player and coach Liz Masakayan; Happy Birthday to all December celebrants, and advance Happy Holidays to all Asian Journal readers!

on her glow-up after split with husband: ‘I just healed’

MOIRA Dela Torre opened up about her separation from husband, fellow singer Jason Marvin Hernandez, saying she is already healed and is now more confident about herself.

The singer revealed that she was somehow “prepared” for the heartbreak as she already had a “weird feeling” in the beginning of 2022, in an interview with entertainment reporter MJ Felipe for the news program “TV Patrol” on Friday, Nov. 25.

“I think when the year started, I was getting this weird feeling that I was about to enter into a new season and I didn’t know what it was,” she said. “It’s been a long time coming and I think my heart was prepared for it.”

For Dela Torre, her breakup with Hernandez felt like she was “released from a prison,” allowing her to regain her creative self which she “lost for a little bit.” Now, the singer has been “very careful” in letting people into her life.

Dela Torre then spoke about her after-breakup glow and how going through the healing process boosted her self-confidence.

“I think I just healed. There was a long time when I wasn’t confident in how I look and how I felt,” she told Felipe. “Ngayon ko lang siguro naramdaman na (Maybe I just recently felt that) I don’t look so bad after all.”

When asked if she is ready to fall in love again, the singer laughed it off and admitted that she is “open” to the idea. Felipe followed up and asked, “Are you looking?” to which she responded, “No. I know it will come.”

Dela Torre and Hernandez, who got married in 2019, confirmed their breakup in May, with the latter confessing that he cheated on her. Dela Torre initially kept mum on the matter but eventually broke her silence, dismissing speculations that she also cheated on him.

Earlier this month, Dela Torre announced her first world tour which will kick off in Araneta Coliseum in February 2023.

Meanwhile, Hernandez recently released two songs entitled “All I Can Do” and “Ako Nalang,” which fans speculated to be about his separation from Dela Torre.

Battered wife gets green card through...

After it became apparent that the American wife would no longer help Lance with his green card application, Atty. Gurfinkel advised USCIS that they will convert the case from a spousal petition to a self-petition under the VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), so that Lance can pursue his green card without the help of his spouse. In September 2022, Lance’s VAWA petition was approved, and Lance was able to get a “battered-spouse” green card. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, December 4 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising

Movie queen and multi-awarded actress Gloria Romero turns 89 on Friday, December 16. Photo from Instagram/@ queengloriaromero

Actor/model Jake Cuenca turns 35 on Friday, December 30. Photo from Instagram/@ @juancarloscuenca

by Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net

Former professional boxer Manny Pacquiao turns 44 on Saturday, December 17. He is scheduled to participate in an exhibition bout this month (December 11) in Seoul against Korean YouTuber DK Yoo. Photo from Instragram/@@mannypacquiao

Former Miss Republic of the Philippines-USA winner Sarah Atienza celebrates her birthday on Sunday, December 4.

Thelma Cruz, vice president for operations and promotions of Philippine News Today, celebrates her birthday on Tuesday, December 6.

Heartthrob Ruru Madrid, who starred in the popular “Lolong” teleserye series broadcast by GMA Pinoy TV, turns 25 on Sunday, December 4.

Former Miss United Nations International winner Anna Satorre celebrates her birthday on Saturday, December 17.

Rema Zafrani Vasa, a Filipina jetsetter based in Cupertino, celebrates her birthday on Thursday, December 15.

Former Miss RP-USA winner Marilen Bernardo celebrates her birthday on Wednesday, December 21. Facebook photo

Hotel executive Marc Garvida celebrates his birthday on Friday, December 23.

Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) was able to get a “battered-wife” green card for his client, Lance (left), on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy.

Moira Dela Torre Instagram/@moiradelatorre

Pahrump guided tours to start soon

by RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman

A GUIDED tour to the points of interest in the town of Pahrump will start soon, according to local newspaper the Pahrump ValleyTimes.

With the October 26 ribboncutting behind them, Cheers! Nevada will focus on offering specially-curated tours to those wanting to take in what Pahrump has to offer. Per the article, the company may start with their guided tours on Thanksgiving weekend.

According to owner Stefanie Kai Brant, the guided tours, have been created to highlight the town’s unique and diverse businesses –including wineries, eateries and more – with the help of the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Southwest Central Regional Economic Development Authority and local business owners.

She added that it was important that the community was on board

with the plans, as providing quality tours is of utmost importance to them.

Although the tours will showcase the various wines, meads, ciders and beers from Pahrump’s local artisans, Brant is careful not to make it look like a purely alcoholicdriven spectacle. Instead, she wants it to be a fun, educational and all-inclusive experience for each of the passengers. To that end, videos in the tour vans will present information about each destination as the tour goes along. Brant also wants to make sure that the tours will showcase the artisans’ passion in making their products and the quality of the products they come up with.

Among the points of interest in Pahrump that may be included in the Pahrump Town Tour include Coffinwood, Death Valley Marketplace and Chicken Ranch. A great component of the guided

tours is that that the company behind it is giving back to the community a part of what it earns to develop and enhance after-school programs for the youth.

Said Brant in the article: “The biggest motivation behind this tour company is community. We see a need for after-school programs. We want to give at least 10 percent of everything that comes in for youth art programs with the goal that other businesses will join as well to start supporting that.”

The announcement comes in the heels of a long-time event that drew thousands of people to Petrack Park in Pahrump for three days of family fun.

The 9th Annual Balloon Festival this year was organized by the Dubin family, in partnership with Doug Campbell of Balloons Over Pahrump. They took over from the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce, the previous organizer,

ensuring that people would not miss out on a local tradition that has been embraced by the community.

The event also honored the men and women who have served in the military as the event’s first day took place on Veteran’s Day (November 11), with a Veterans Day Sunrise Service and a special balloon honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action flying the American flag above the park.

This is another case of community members coming together to showcase what’s special about the town of Pahrump. From food vendors, to artisans, to featured games/tournaments, and other local vendors, the balloon festival attendees – young and old – were entertained.

Indeed, the town of Pahrump has improved noticeably since its humble beginnings. Originally inhabited by the Southern Pauite, settlers eventually came to live in

the area by the late 19th century. Initially the town had mostly large ranch-style holdings where livestock were raised and crops like alfalfa and cotton were grown.

Today’s Pahrump has seen its share of development. In addition to various wineries and establishments, it also has local hotel-casinos. It also features Spring Mountain Motor Sports Ranch which features the longest road course in North America (6.1 miles) and has nearby Spring Mountain Estates, luxury trackside homesites where homeowners have full access to all the amenities offered at Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club.

Another often-visited and highly-regarded jewel in Pahrump is the Mountain Falls Golf Club, which features an 18-hole layout co-designed by Nicklaus Design Group and Cal Olson Design. There are also homesites available in Mountain Falls. I hosted the late Philippine President Fidel Ramos, who was an avid golfer, in one of his trips to Nevada, and he was profuse in his compliments about the place.

Pahrump is located just 62 miles west of Las Vegas, and it is an easy drive for those who want the taste of big city life and entertainment of Sin City (Las Vegas) but who want the peace and quiet of living in a developing town, away from bustling traffic and big city headaches.

The town has many parks for avid walkers/joggers, off-road

trails for trail bikes, ATVs and motorcycles, bird-watching and hiking for those who prefer to commune with nature, and other recreational clubs that offer a host of activities.

I have seen its development through the years, and its proximity to Las Vegas makes it an ideal choice for those who are priced out of the Las Vegas market. With real estate prices in the state still higher than it was from a year ago, or even a decade or two ago, it may be an opportune time to look for your piece of real estate heaven –whether you’re looking for a new home, a vacation place, or looking for an investment property.

Some of my clients have begun reaping the benefits of their investments, as they have turned their properties into rentals or Airbnb.

I have decades of experience helping clients look for the right piece of property for their budgets. My team and I will work hard to look for the best real estate opportunities in Pahrump and other areas so you can achieve that American dream.

My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@preciousproperties.com or fely.precious@ gmail.com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow

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

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman was recently in Egypt where she visited the world-famous pyramids, one of the ancient wonders of the world.

One of two gas stations (Coyote Corner) in Pahrump that will open soon.

A second Circle K gas station will open in town on Homestead Road.

Guided tours will soon start in Pahrump that will feature the town’s local wineries, eateries and more. The tours will showcase the products made by local artistans and is projected to be fun, educational and all-inclusive for all tour participants. Photo above shows the Sanders Family Winery in Pahrump, NV. Screengrab from internet/www.sanderswinery.com

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

NOT a well-known entity even to many physicians is the Overlap Syndrome. One example of this is the combination of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), with closely related respiratory symptoms. There is a 66 percent association between COPD and OSA in the general population. In the United States, there are about 81 million people with OSA. The U.S., Brazil, and Colombia have the highest incidence of OSA, with about 170 million in the Americas.

COPD is a long-term inflammation of the lungs, commonly caused by smoking and environmental air pollution, which irritates and destroys the lung tissues, making it harder to breathe. OSA is a condition that causes breath-holding for a prolonged period during sleep, resulting in lowering of the oxygen level in the blood. It adversely affects vital organs deprived of normal oxygen level, and the patient is not able to have a restful sleep. People with OSA wake up tired and feel sleepy. The impaired sleep leads to increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and even cancer.

Having both COPD and OSA is a common combination among people. Each has its own treatment. Smoking cessation and breathing healthier air are both beneficial to COPD and OSA. Newer expensive inhalers, like Breztri and Trelegy, are effective in improving airway exchange and easier breathing for this overlap duo.

When confirmed by a Sleep Study, OSA is effectively treated with the use of CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) machine during sleep. This is the stateof-the-art, clinically proven, effective, standard management for OSA. Other advertised nasal and oral gadgets are a scam, a waste of money, and provide a false sense of security. These purveyors of fake treatment are doing a great disservice to humanity. They are basically criminal. Their gadgets do not treat the pathology which is in the throat. The CPAP does open the airway in the breathing pipe effectively with positive pressure, allowing normal oxygenation of the lungs and all other organs and provides a more restful sleep.

The marketed “Insure” surgically implantable nerve stimulator is recommended for those unable to tolerate CPAP machine. It requires an operation

Overlap Syndrome

and not guaranteed to work for everyone. The gold standard in the management of OSA is still the use of CPAP device, which could even be monitored (from the patient’s home) wirelessly (thru the internet) by the treating pulmonologist in the office.

If one has restless sleep and wakes up tired, sleepy by mid-afternoon, always feeling “blah,” a Sleep Study is in order.

Frequent breath-holding while asleep is dangerous to health and to life itself. Some who died in sleep were suspected of dying from heart attack brought on by too much prolonged breathholding. The body needs nonstop normal oxygen blood level to stay healthy and sleep is vital.

If you think you might have OSA, talk to your physician if you need a Sleep Study.

Oxygen and a restful sleep are two wonderful commodities that are free for the taking. Let’s ensure our body gets both in a healthy fashion.

Heart angiogram

Cardiac catheterization, known to laymen as heart angiogram, is a radiologic video procedure using dye to view the function of the heart and patency (or blockages) in the coronary arteries (responsible for angina or heart attack). The goal of a coronary angiogram is to find out what heart arteries are blocked, which could then be stretch-opened with a balloon at the end of the catheter inside the artery and a coil spring-like stent is left inside to prop it open. Or, in multiple blocked coronary arteries, coronary bypass could be done, preferred over angioplasty.

Since coronary angiogram was accidentally discovered by cardiologist F. Masson Sones, Jr., on October 30, 1958 at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, the symptom of angina (chest pain) was enough indication (with a positive stress test) for the performance of cardiac cath and coronary angiogram.

Today, after decades of peer reviews, the indication (justification) to do coronary angiogram is much stricter. For those with chest pain, the cardiologists are now required to try maximal intensive medical treatment first (using calcium channel blocker and beta blocker pills). On top of this, a CTA (Computed Tomography coronary Angiogram) is also required to be tried to find out if there are any significant blockages in the coronary arteries. Only when medical trial fails to relieve angina on a long-term basis would coronary angiogram be officially justified medically and reimbursable by insurance companies. Clinical studies (COURAGE and ISCHEMIA Trials) confirmed

this protocol as the medically sound standard practice in interventional cardiology. This has significantly reduced the number of coronary angiograms around the world.

Weight loss cures diabetes Obesity has been known to be one of the causes of diabetes mellitus Type2 (DMT2) for decades. Being overweight not only increases the risk for diabetes but actually causes this metabolic disease. Worldwide, there are about 463 million adults with DMT2. Many are undiagnosed. In the United States, about 37.3 million people have diabetes mellitus T2.

DIRECT (Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial) in the United Kingdom has shown that among T2 diabetics, who lost significant weight (more than 10 kilos or 22 pounds) sustained over 12-24 months) could lead to remission (reversal) of DMT2.

I know of patients who lost 40-50 pounds and achieved their normal weight of 130150 pounds for 12 months or longer by staying away from carbohydrates and controlling their daily total calorie-intake and exercising, and who were able to stop taking their insulin shots and maintained normal blood sugar level. Is this remission or a cure? Whichever it is, this “transformation” is amazing and is definitely an inspiring discovery for all diabetics. Obviously, this takes a lot of discipline, hard work, and personal sacrifices. Knowing how diabetes damages our organs, increases our risk even for cardiovascular illnesses, including cancer, and how it shortens lives, the great hurdle, and pains of dieting and exercise (not by taking pills, which are dangerous) is worth it. Health is, indeed, wealth!

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

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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.

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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. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Filipino Christmas crawl, art exhibit takes place December 10

HALO Halo Holidays, a Filipino Christmas crawl and art exhibit, takes place at Kapwa Gardens in the SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Heritage District on Saturday, December 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Per the Kapwa Gardens website, the event is described as a “unique, socially-distanced indoor/outdoor holiday cultural experience in the heart of SOMA Pilipinas” that features familyfriendly activities, food trucks and some of the community’s favorite retailers, merchants and artists.

Among the retail vendors joining the event are Bayani Art, ChulaSF, jmhNAILS, Kristian Kabuay Art, ME Crafts, Kandelita Company, Old River Design Co., Original Goddess, PALAKA Music and Arts Studio, Sparkle My Bubble, Studio Damili, Wounded Healing Art, KaySugars, Farol, Harina Baked Goods, One Ate Se7en, Jungle Dog, Lady Victory and Made By Grace at Kapwa Gardens; Baba’s House, dvniel.luu, Handmade by Pmaccay and MicheleDraws at Balay Kreative.

Among the activities attendees

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Experience Disney’s Frozen, the hit broadway musical

SAN FRANCISCO — Disney Theatrical Produc tions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher, and BroadwaySF, part of the Ambassador Theatre Group invites all to experience the magic of Dis ney’s Frozen this holiday season. Tickets for the long-awaited production are available at broad waysf.com. From the producer of The Lion King and Aladdin, Frozen, the Tony Award®-nominated Best Musical, is now playing at BroadwaySF’s Or pheum Theatre (1182 Market Street) through De cember 30 only.

Heralded by The New Yorker as “thrilling” and “genuinely moving,” Frozen has joined Disney Theatrical Productions’ megahit The Lion King on tour across North America, and the critics agree, “It’s simply magical!” (LA Daily News).

“Disney’s struck gold! Sumptuous sets, gorgeous costumes, and plenty of special effects to wow the audience!” raves the New York Post. “With the magic, the dancing, and all those iconic tunes, Frozen was born to be a stage musical!” writes the Evening Standard. The Los Angeles Times de clares “the North American tour is irresistible in its creativity and verve” and The Hollywood Report er proclaims that Frozen is “thawing hearts from coast to coast!”

Frozen has been created for the stage by an award-winning team and features the songs you know and love from the original Oscar®-winning film, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the film’s songwriters, Oscar winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez and EGOT winner Robert Lopez. Joining them on a creative team that has won a cumulative 16 Tony Awards are Oscar win ner Jennifer Lee (book), Tony and Olivier Award winner Michael Grandage (director), and Tony winner Rob Ashford (choreographer).

The creative team for Frozen also includes sce nic and costume design by two-time Tony and Ol ivier Award winner Christopher Oram, lighting de sign by six-time Tony Award winner Natasha Katz, sound design by seven-time Tony nominee Peter Hylenski, video design by Tony winner Finn Ross, puppet design by Michael Curry, hair design by David Brian Brown, makeup design by Anne FordCoates, special effects design by Jeremy Chernick and casting by The Telsey Office/Rachel Hoffman, CSA and Laura Wade, CSA.

Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus is music supervisor and creates vocal, incidental and dance arrangements. He is joined on the music team by Tony nominee Dave Metzger (orchestra tions), Chris Montan (executive music producer), David Chase (additional dance arrangements), and Faith Seetoo (music director).

Anne Quart serves as co-producer.

For information, visit FrozenTheMusical.com/ Tour, Facebook.com and Instagram.

Performance Information:

Frozen is offering an exclusive holiday special, and regular ticket prices will be 15% off select per formances with the code: ELSA

Performances subject to the discount are marked (*) below.

Orpheum Theatre 1192 Market Street, San Fran cisco

November 30 – December 4

Wednesday*, Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 PM

Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 1:00 PM December 6 – December 18

Tuesday*, Wednesday*, Thursday, Friday, Sat urday at 7:30 PM

Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 PM December 20-24

Tuesday*, Wednesday*, Thursday, Friday at 7:30 PM

Wednesday, Friday, Saturday at 1 PM December 26 – December 30

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Fri day at 7:30 PM

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday at 1PM

Ticket Information: Tickets available at broadwaysf.com Tickets start at $40.50, fees included.

Prices are subject to change.

Ticket buyers are reminded that BroadwaySF is the only official retail ticket outlets for all perfor mances. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that BroadwaySF is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact pa trons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the perfor mance.

PCGSF invites Fil-Am community to watch ‘Leonor Will Never Die’

website: https://www.galingbata.org/. Photos courtesy of San Francisco PCG

THE Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco is ex tending the invitation of the Film Development Council of the Phil ippines, the main film agency of the Philippine government, for the theatrical release of the award-winning Filipino film “Le onor Will Never Die” in the fol lowing U.S. cities under the Con sulate’s jurisdiction: December 2022

• Eugene, Oregon – Broadway Metro (www.broadwaymetro. com)

• San Francisco, California –Alamo Drafthouse (www.draft house.com)

• Seattle, Washington – Grand Illusion Cinema (www.grandillu sioncinema.org)

• Spokane, Washington – Magic Lantern (www.magi clanternonmain.com0

• Westminster, Colorado – Al amo Drafthouse (www.draft house.com)

• Portland, Oregon – Holly wood Theater (www.hollywood theatre.org)

(Check with websites for times/dates).

“Leonor Will Never Die” fol lows the story of Leonor Reyes, a retired screenwriter of Filipino

action films who is transported into the story of one of her own unfinished scripts after falling into a coma. The movie is direc tor Martika Escobar’s homage to Filipino action films in the 1970s and 1980s.

The film premiered in January 2022 at the World Cinema Dra matic Competition of the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, where Escobar became the first Fili pino recipient of the Sundance Special Jury Prize for Innovative Spirit. The film also won the Am plify Voices Award for emerging filmmakers at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. The movie made its U.S. West Coast premiere in San Francisco as part of the 2022 Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) Fest, the largest Asian American film festival in the U.S.

To watch the official U.S. trailer of “Leonor Will Never Die,” please click on the link: https://youtu.be/ ro6xty9NWe0. (PCGSF Release)

The spectacular new musical is now playing at broadwaysf’s Orpheum Theatre through December 30 only

PH CONSULATE IN SF DONATES FILIPINIANA BOOKS TO FEC GALING BATA ON THE CENTER’S 21ST ANNIVERSARY. Following the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco’s book donation at the San Francisco Public Library last October, Consul General Neil Ferrer led the turnover of more than 150 Filipiniana books to the Filipino Education Center (FEC) Galing Bata on Friday, November 18 at the Bessie Carmichael School, SOMA Pilipinas District in San Francisco. Site Director Charm Consolacion received the books on behalf of FEC Galing Bata. The Consulate’s book donation covers topics that include Philippine literature, Philippine history, and Philippine arts. Among those that were received by FEC Galing Bata were 120 coloring books titled “Stronger Together”—published by NYC Filipinos, and sponsored by GMA International and GMA Pinoy TV. The coloring books were made at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in support of the advocacy on mental health and anti-Asian hate crime. FEC Galing Bata, which is celebrating its 21st anniversary this month, has been promoting English and Filipino biliteracy biliteracy development and multicultural education to students from transitional kindergarten to the eighth grade at San Francisco’s Bessie Carmichael School. The program targets not only newcomer children but also U.S.-born children and families interested in bilingual education. For more information, visit the FEC Galing Bata

can participate in are the following:

• Holiday Wreath Making with San Bruno Mountain Plants

Selfies with Santa.

Kapwa Gardens is located at 967 Mission Street in San Francisco. To get more information about this event and other activities, visit www.kapwagardens.com.

Caroline Bowman (Elsa), Lauren Nicole Chapman (Anna). Frozen North American Tour.

Photo by Matthew Murphy