120222 - San Diego Edition

Marcos buoyed by poll showing government in ‘right direction’

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

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

BOXING

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

Study finds Fil-Ams to be

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 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

Man

A MAN in Yonkers, New York who brutally attacked a 67-yearold Filipino woman in March was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison Tuesday, Nov. 29.

Tammel Esco, 42, had pleaded guilty to a hate crime attack on woman who was walking into her apartment building. He punched and stomped on her 125 times, sending her with a bleeding brain and facial fractures to the hospital, according to court documents.

Moments before the attack, officials say Esco called the

“It is very encouraging that people think we are moving in the right direction... I saw that it crosses

Marcos to sign ease of doing business order

by raMon royandoyan Philstar.com

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. would sign an executive order promoting ease of doing business in the country, a move that could prove redundant as a similar legislation has been passed already.

In a statement on Tuesday, November 29, Malacañang said the EO would make the country competitive with its regional neighbors in terms of attracting foreign direct investments. To do this, the EO, adopting a proposal from the Department of Trade and Industry, would establish a green lane for “strategic” investments.

The green lane would “expedite and streamline the process and requirements for the issuance of permits and licenses, including resolutions of issues concerning strategic investments,” the Palace explained.

The Palace noted that the proposed EO covers all national government agencies and their regional and provincial offices. This proposal also covers local government and quasi-judicial bodies that issue permits and licenses concerning strategic investments.

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

by

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 on Monday, November 28.

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

Remulla said the invitation to Tidball-Binz

Pope sacks Tagle, leadership of Caritas International

“deficiencies.”

by AJPress

VATICAN CITY – Pope

Francis sacked on Tuesday, November 29 the entire leadership of Vatican-based Catholic charity network Caritas Internationalis, including its president Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, and appointed a temporary administrator after outside experts highlighted management and procedural

The surprise move, announced in a Vatican statement, removes the existing leadership of the organization, a federation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social organizations operating across 200 countries.

According to a decree issued by Francis, Tagle will remain working with the CI assisting newly appointed

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.”

demographics, the number is more or less the same 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.

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

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

the

in hate crime attack on elderly Filipina in NY gets 17.5 years in prison Filipino former decathlete sentenced to 17 years in jail for cannabis-related scam

Gaea Katreena CabiCo Philstar.com

by robertzon raMirez Philstar.com

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.

LOCAL PRODUCTS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. looks at some local products displayed at a stall during the launch of the “Kadiwa ng Pasko” at the Quezon City Hall Risen Garden on Thursday, Dec. 1. The project aims to help Filipino merchants sell their products directly to consumers at lower prices.

PNA photo by Rolando Mailo

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

Pope Francis (R) thanks Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle after he addressed a message during a mass to mark 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines, on March 14, 2021 at St. Peter’s Basilica in The Vatican. AFP / Pool / Tiziana Fabi

Tamel Esco, seen in a security camera attacking his victim, was sentenced to prison for a violent hate crime that left a 67-year-old Filipino woman hospitalized. Inquirer.net screengrab

Marcos buoyed by poll showing government...

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.” n

Man in hate crime attack on...

victim an “Asian bitch.” A security camera at the building entrance captured images of Esco attacking the woman. He did not make a statement at the sentencing.

Westchester County DA Miriam Rocah said, “I want to assure every community in

Westchester County that my office will use every resource at our disposal to fight hate and hold perpetrators accountable.”

The unnamed victim was in court for the sentencing and thanked those in the community who helped her. She said she lost her home of 24 years and remains “on edge” and did not

want the painful experience to happen to anyone else. She could not believe she survived, she said.

If anyone has been a victim of a hate crime or bias incident, or has further information on this case, call the District Attorney’s Office at (914) 995TIPS (Inquirer.net) n

Marcos to sign ease of doing business...

“Until we get to change the procedures... and to say that... this might not be needed. This could be extraneous, might be obsolete. You cut it down as much as we can,” Marcos was quoted as saying by the Palace.

Malacañang noted that the proposed EO will mandate local government units and national government agencies to process a permit of license application within three working days within receipt if it’s a “simple transaction.”

A “complex transaction” should only take seven working days. Meanwhile, “highly technical transactions” should only take 20 working days to be issued under this proposal.

Likewise, the statement said that the DTI’s Board of Investments will create a technical working group will implement the EO.

A BOI-Investment Assistance Service (BOI-IAS) will be the single entry point of investment that avails Green Lane services that were endorsed as nationally significant or highly desirable projects.

Redundant?

As it is, the previous Duterte administration already created an agency with a similar policy thrust. The Anti-Red Tape Authority was established for the purpose of eliminating bureaucracy and improving the ease of doing business in the country.

Philstar.com reached out to the DTI for comment but has yet to hear a response as of reporting.

For Terry Ridon, convenor of Infrawatch PH, a public policy think tank, the Marcos Jr. administration’s latest efforts would only create another layer of red tape. He said that the

timeline commitments stated in the proposed EO were already part of existing rules.

“There is nothing new in this EO except to establish another bureaucratic layer in the permitting process through the DTI’s BOI,” Ridon said in a Viber message.

“The timeline commitments are already part of existing rules, and agencies and local governments cannot merely dispense with certain permits as sought by the President because these are statutory mandates, such as environmental permits and housing commitments,” he added.

“The main governance complaint by the private sector relating to projects was not so much about the number of permits but the corrupt activities undertaken by various offices issuing these permits,” he continued. n

Pope sacks Tagle, leadership...

temporary administrator Pier Francesco Pinelli, a former renewable energy executive and Bain consultant trained by the Jesuits.

Among Pinelli’s jobs will be leading preparations for the next general assembly of all Caritas’ member organizations planned for May 2023, when a president, general secretary and treasurer will be elected.

The removal of CI’s entire leadership follows a review of the “workplace environment” of Caritas Internationalis by a panel of independent experts commissioned by the Vatican’s dicastery for promoting integral human development (DPIHD).

“No evidence emerged of financial mismanagement or sexual impropriety, but other important themes and areas for urgent attention emerged from the panel’s work,” the DPIHD said in a statement.

“Real deficiencies were noted in management and procedures, seriously prejudicing team-spirit and staff morale.”

The DPIHD declared there would be “no impact on the functioning of member organizations and the services

of charity and solidarity they provide around the world.”

“On the contrary, it will serve to strengthen such service,” it said.

In a formal decree, Francis noted Caritas’ role in helping him in his “ministry toward the poorest and most needy,” but said its regulatory framework needed reviewing.

Caritas Internationalis had an income of more than five million euros ($5.13 million) in 2020, according to its annual report, almost half from membership fees and donations from member organizations, and the rest are contributions from external donors.

The Vatican said “financial matters have been wellhandled and fundraising goals regularly achieved” but the aim now was to “improve its management norms and procedures.”

Tagle defends Pope

Meanwhile, Tagle, former Manila archbishop, has defended Francis’ decision to cut short his term as president of Caritas Internationalis.

In an article posted on the Vatican News, Tagle said the pope’s decision was a result of a “careful and independent

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

“We have our temporary administrator. This news might be a bit disturbing or confusing to some of you. But rest assured that this decision of the Holy Father came after a careful and independent study of the working environment of the Secretariat and the governance exercised by responsible persons and bodies,” Tagle said.

Tagle made the remarks during the plenary meeting of Caritas Internationalis at the Villa Aurelia in Rome.

Tagle, prefect for the Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples, was elected president of Caritas Internationalis in 2015 to serve until 2019.

He was reelected for the second and last term in 2019, which is supposed to last until May 2023.

Under the rules, Caritas presidents are entitled for two terms with four years each term. – AFP n

Filipino former decathlete sentenced to...

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

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.

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. n

Million Trees Foundation urges planting of more trees

AS the country observed Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week, the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MTFI) has urged all stakeholders to support the priority programs of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure an integrated approach to the problem of climate change.

In a statement, MTFI President and Executive Director Melandrew T. Velasco said mitigating the effects of climate change needs the cooperation of all stakeholders. He cited that among the government priority programs, MTFI is committed to continue its support to the reforestation program and programs to ensure water security and resilience in high water-stressed areas.

“Our goal is to plant more trees and grow them. MTFI’s objective is really to grow trees in critical watersheds and continue the gains of the Annual Million Tree Challenge,” Velasco said.

“We make sure the tree species we plant are compatible with the type of soil,” he said, adding, this contributes to the success in reforestation. MTFI targets to plant 10 million more tress by 2030. It has succeeded in plating 5.2 million trees in seven critical watersheds in Angat, Ipo, La Mesa, Umiray, Laguna Lake, Kaliwa and Upper Marikina that supply potable water to Metro Manila and its environs from 2017 to 2021 through the Annual Million Trees Challenge (AMTC) of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

According to Velasco, reforesting the watersheds contributes to water security.

For his part, MTFI Chairman Emeritus Gen. Reynaldo V. Velasco said it is “our obligation to care for our environment.”

“Trees capture carbon dioxide and intensifying tree-planting means more trees to absorb carbon emissions,” he added.

MTFI has partnered with various organizations and the business sector to pursue its reforestation program.

One of its partners is San Miguel Corporation, one of the country’s leading conglomerates. Boltsering its climate action initiatives, SMC power subsidiary SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. (SMCGP) reported the successful planting and growing of over five million new trees and mangroves from 2019 to date, under its multi-year, nationwide forestation and carbon capture program. The company said it is also expanding the scope of the project to reforest areas u PAGE 5

PAGE 1

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 highprofile 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 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 head-butted 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 PacquiaoHussein 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) n

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

Filipino referee admits to... Study finds Fil-Ams to be... Group renews call...

PAGE 1 PAGE 1

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) n

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.

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

CHRISTMAS DECORS. A figurine of Santa Claus is on sale along with other Christmas decorations 24 days before Christmas Day at a store in Sampaloc, Manila on Thursday, Dec. 1. You can find these types of figurines at the Christmas Factory, known for selling large figurines made up of polyresin, which is a kind of plastic that can be carved into durable shapes and fiberglass, a plastic strengthened with glass.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Dateline PhiliPPines

Push for nuclear energy to face ‘vibrant discussion’ at Senate

by Franco Luna Philstar.com

MANILA — The Senate majority bloc is still undecided on the administration’s push to construct nuclear power plants around the country, pointing again to safety and funding concerns in one of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s pet projects.

To recall, the U.S. Embassy in Manila said earlier that among the key outcomes of Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to the Philippines was the announcement of the launch of the 123 Agreement for negotiations for civil nuclear energy cooperation to help increase the Philippines’ energy security.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva told reporters on Wednesday, November 30 that he has his own reservations on it.

Asked about the prospects of the Senate complementing the move, Villanueva admitted: “We are almost sure that every

one of them will have their own opinion, position and we’ll have a vibrant discussion on whether the Philippines should consider using nuclear power.”

Villanueva said he is open to discussions on nuclear power but that he also has reservations about it.

“We are all aware that nuclear power plants contain radioactive material that is extremely harmful to humans and the environment. We also need to conduct a thorough evaluation of potential sites for the power plant and waste storage,” he also said.

During the election campaign, Marcos said the country should look into reviving his father’s venture—the 621-megawatt Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, which was completed in 1984 but has been mothballed over safety concerns.

Both chambers of Congress are dominated by the president’s allies but Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri has promised that the supermajority coalition would

not be used to railroad the president’s favored bills.

For Villanueva, a number of key questions still remain.

“Can this technology be efficiently utilized in an archipelagic country such as the Philippines?” he said. “Lastly, we expect this investment would cost billions of dollars.

How we can afford these power plants, if the investment would be cost efficient, and how long it would take us to get a return on investment are questions that need to be answered.”

“That being said, we are more open to exploring the use of modular types of nuclear plants for the country. Using small modular reactors could prove to be an affordable option and manageable in size and scale for the country.”

The “123 Agreement” aims to support collaboration on zero-emission energy and non-proliferation priorities. The agreement will allow the US to export nuclear equipment and material to the Philippines

Million Trees Foundation...

PAGE 4 around its new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities—the first and largest such network in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

SMC President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang said that as of October 2022, SMCGP’s “Project 747” initiative has yielded a total of 5,010,116 upland and mangrove trees, across some 1,500 hectares of land.

The project’s goal is to plant seven million trees on some 4,000 hectares of land, in at least seven provinces. Thus far, SMCGP has planted in eight: Albay, Bataan, Bulacan, Davao Occidental, Negros Occidental, Pangasinan, Quezon province, and Zambales.

SMC Global Power Holdings (SMCGPH) has partnered with the Dumagats to plant white and red lauan, palosapis, apitong, yakal, guijo, bignai and narra, among others in the first 16 out of 55 hectares of land identified for reforestation. SMCGPH aims to plant seven million trees and mangroves on more than 4,000 hectares of land.

Meanwhile, in Angat, Bulacan a total of 54,056 trees and mangroves have been planted including those planted by employees of the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project on 14 hectares at the Angat Dam Watershed.

“The tree-planting activities of SMC contribute greatly to the government’s reforestation

campaign. I hope other organizations will follow and do their share in protecting the environment,” Gen. Velasco said.

Last month, DENR gathered over 200 industry and sector leaders to a multi-sectoral forum to strengthen the country’s environmental resilience. During the event, Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga reaffirmed DENR’s commitment to protect the country’s natural resources. She cited the need for inclusive and multidisciplinary dialogue to make this possible.

The observance of Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week every November 1925 is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1667 issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on November 18, 2008. The Proclamation enjoins all government offices including governmentowned and controlled corporations to observe the event through the conduct of relevant activities “in coordination with private sector institutions and in liaison with the UN family of agencies and regional groups” in the country.

This year’s observance of Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week immediately comes after the holding of the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Egypt last November 6-18, 2022. n

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.

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

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 that members of the fishing

longer publicly makes rape jokes or encourages 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

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.

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

Is DOT’s ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ tourism slogan on the way out?

have been proven to drive tourism growth.

IS the Philippines bidding goodbye to the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” tourism slogan? And soon?

Over the past few months, we’ve read reports from different news outlets that the Department of Tourism is reportedly planning a rebranding of the catchy slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” which has been the country’s tourism campaign for a decade.

In today’s competitive tourism industry, a country has to stand out to draw the attention and interests of tourists. A country needs to be distinctive and unique. Thus, branding is perceived as a major factor in gaining attention and motivation for the tourists to visit the place.

Effective marketing slogans

Using this new tourism marketing tool, many countries have been very successful with their campaign slogans that they do not even consider changing or rebranding – and for good reasons. Not only some tourism slogans reflective of the country’s identity, but they are also timeless and have a great recall value. For example, India’s “incredible India” was officially branded and promoted since 2002 and remains the country’s official tourism slogan. Meanwhile, from 1999 to the present, the slogan “Malaysia, truly Asia’ has been used as an official theme of Malaysia’s tourism promotions worldwide.

Before the worldwide pandemic in 2020, India saw 10.93 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2019, while a total of 26,100,784 international tourists visited Malaysia in the same year.

How has the Philippines fared with its tourism slogan?

Data from the Department of Tourism showed that the through its successful tourism

campaign of “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”, arrivals of foreign visitors peaked at 8,260,913 in 2019.

The “It’s More Fun in the Philippine” slogan was launched in January 2012, after Ramon R., Jimenez Jr. assumed the post of Tourism Secretary. Within weeks of its launching, it was dubbed the third smartest marketing campaign in the world by global annual ranker of marketing campaigns Warc 100. That year, the Philippines drew in 4.27 million visitors –a record high for the country.

As a former tourism officer at PDOT-Los Angeles, I am all for actively promoting tourism in the Philippines. And now, as the current president and chairman of the Philippines Association of Travel Agencies of Los Angeles and Suburbs (PATA), with an active membership of several hundred travel agents and representatives, experience has taught me that tourism is a big business. Today, the tourist market is rapidly changing and becoming even more competitive. Understandably

nations and individual cities are constantly battling for their share of the huge tourism market to sustain the economic viability of attractions that bring in tourists and travelers – whether they are pristine beaches, ancient monuments, or natural wonders. To attract more tourists, destinations, strive and outdo one another in trying to be different through destination branding.

Unless the DOT data are wrong, the fact is that the Philippines’ “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” tourism slogan is a very successful brand, which has attracted more foreign tourists to the country since its launching than any of the many shortlived, costly, and overly-hyped campaigns that the Department of Tourism has tried in the past, namely: “Philippines: Where Asia Wears a Smile,” “Fiesta Islands Philippines,” “Rediscovery Philippines,” “Consider the Philippines,” “WOW Philippines,” and “Pilipinas Kay Ganda.”

Now, reports have it that current Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco

is considering replacing the highly successful “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan with a new theme anchored on making the Filipino brand more “distinct”.

The new tourism chef reportedly said that the new branding campaign will “take into consideration the change in circumstances, citing that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, people are now in search for substantial and immersive experiences anchored on cultural experience.”

It is worth noting that tourism is a big spender, too. Specifically, changing slogans is costly and complicated.

Countries and destination cities generally spend considerable amount of money to adopt a catchy tourism slogan that sticks to the consciousness of the public; thus, launching new campaign can be very expensive. And that is why those with successful branding do not change their slogans at the drop of a hat.

Given the current situation of the country – contending with inflation, coping with the lingering effects of the

COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, rising unemployment and underemployment, poverty, among many others – is spending millions, or probably billions, of pesos on changing a catchy tourism slogan that has been proven to be successful and effective in drawing tourists to the country the right move? We should also better off noting that it’s not only a catchy slogan that attract travelers to a destination. There are other factors to consider, including: amenities and accommodation, infrastructure, accessibility, safety, activities, and the environment.

If the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan that captures the “fun factor” of visiting the Philippines and reflects the qualities that set the country apart from other countries does not reflect the Philippines’ “distinctiveness”, then what will?

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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SC vows to resolve public trust on social media to solve legal problems

by TeTch Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net

MANILA –The judiciary must “be dynamic and responsive to current realities” because the public uses social media to solve legal issues, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said on Thursday, December 1.

Speaking at the First Philippine Clinical Legal Education Summit, Gesmundo said it is no longer enough for lawyers to establish a physical office or conduct a one-day legal outreach program to solve legal problems, especially for people belonging to low-income communities.

Currently, there are measures to give the public free access to courts, such as exemption from payment of legal fees for pauper litigants and a legal aid program by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). In addition, the executive department also provides free legal assistance through the Public Attorneys’ Office (PAO).

Still, Gesmundo said, the

public has been resorting to quick-fix solutions to their legal problems by relying on personalities or social media influencers despite a lack of legal experience or background at the risk of being subjected to public ridicule or comments.

“While I am not in a hurry to condemn these programs which give relief to the public, personally, I cannot but be a little concerned [about] the growing acceptance of our people of a platform for redress with no established rules to protect the rights of all persons involved,” he said.

Thus, he said the courts must not just sit back and wait for the public to find them.

“The Court itself must go to those in need. If justice delayed is justice denied, justice kept beyond the reach of the underserved and marginalized is no justice at all,” he said as he stressed the need to increase efforts of giving access to justice.

The Court’s latest measure is the Revised Law Student

Practice Rules requiring all law schools to establish a clinical legal education program (CLEP) and law clinics nationwide.

The CLEP and the law clinics are mandated to ensure access to justice for the marginalized sector and enhance legal education by teaching law students the value of legal professional social responsibility and preparing them for law practice through experiential education.

The three-day Clinical Legal Education Summit in Taguig City started Thursday and tackles the needs of communities and services rendered by law clinics in the country.

The PIO said the summit is organized by the Legal Education Board in partnership with the SC, the Philippine Association of Law Schools, and the Association of Law Students of the Philippines, with the support of the Asia Foundation and the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. n

Push for nuclear energy to...

PAGE 4 to help the country achieve energy security and transition to clean energy.

Scientists and advocates opposed to the idea say the deal poses a threat to nearby communities and is counterproductive to Marcos’ supposed commitments to addressing climate change.

“Nuclear and fossil gas should be out of the picture today; it’s hypocritical to talk about addressing the climate crisis while prioritizing dangerous energy sources,” Greenpeace

Philippines campaigner Khevin Yu said. For his part, Sen. JV Ejercito brushed off safety concerns, saying “the safety protocols will strictly be followed...So many countries have successful nuclear energy programs.”

“We really need to reconsider nuclear power. We need to bring down the cost of energy for our economy to be able to fully develop and at same time address the issue of climate change and global warming which will be both addressed by [shifting to] nuclear power,” he said. n

Hontiveros urges border control, coordination with states to stop trafficking of Pinoys

MANILA — Amid her expose of a Chinese mafia’s trafficking operation targetting Filipinos, Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Thursday, December 1 called on the national government to tighten border control mechanisms and coordinate with other governments to ensure the safety of overseas Filipino workers.

In a statement sent to reporters, Hontiveros said that the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality would aim to hold accountable the individuals in the Bureau of Immigration and the Manila International Airport Authority found to be linked to the scam. She also called on other national government agencies to assist any OFWs reaching out to them.

“Border control should be tightened here in the Philippines to make sure that we do not let our countrymen fall into the hands of syndicates,” Hontiveros said.

The committee’s hearings have found that trafficked passengers were given a fake monthly pass stamped with the logo of the Manila International Airport Authority, which manages the terminals of the NAIA.

At Tuesday’s (November 29) hearing, Hontiveros and two survivors of the human trafficking operation also alleged that personnel of the Bureau of Immigration were involved in the scam and were responsible for the entry of the operation’s agents into the country.

“Filipinos who have been trafficked to other countries to scam must be sent home first. Rapid coordination is needed with various government agencies, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Migrant Workers, and the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration, as well

as liaison with governments in other countries,” she said.

The senator’s office unearthed the scheme last month after it found that unsuspecting OFWs looking for jobs abroad were promised a job in a call center as customer service representatives, or as data encoders but were kidnapped and then forced to scam foreigners.

Rescued OFWs have also alleged that the Chinese syndicate is holding similar operations in Thailand, the Middle East and Myanmar.

“Moving forward, there have to be clear transborder solutions. The Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia are bound by the ASEAN convention against trafficking in persons so there must be tighter coordination to suppress this crime,” Hontiveros said.

“It would be good to have cooperation and coordination with the states of the U.S., Canada, Germany and the UK, especially since their citizens are often the victims of scams.”

Amid rising prices locally, the senator also called for programs and policies that can keep Filipinos at home instead of seeking out better opportunities abroad.

A number of the rescued OFWs say they went along with the scheme even once they were kidnapped because of the lack of opportunities at home.

“There is no immediate solution to the hardships of the lives of our countrymen who are motivated to take chances in other countries. Therefore, the implementation of programs and policies that can really provide a decent life to every Filipino must be accelerated,” she said. (by Franco Luna/ Philstar.com) n

Group calls for treaty to protect people, environment from plastic pollution

by Gaea KaTreena cabico Philstar.com

MANILA — A toxics watchdog group called for a global agreement that will halt the harms caused by plastic and their hazardous chemical ingredients on humans and the environment.

Representatives of almost 200 nations gathered in Punta del Este, Paraguay to discuss measures to combat plastic pollution.

EcoWaste Coalition urged governments present at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC1) to adopt a strong treaty that will ban toxic chemicals in plastics, put a cap

on the unrestrained production of plastics and their additives, and disallow the burning of plastic wastes in cement kilns and incinerators, including waste-toenergy facilities.

The treaty should also bar plastic waste exports in order to halt toxic pollution and environmental injustice, the group added.

“The plastics treaty must uphold the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment,” said Aileen Lucero, national coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition.

Health Care Without Harm also called for transparency for

chemical information in plastics, stressing the need for publicly available information about toxic ingredients in plastic materials and products throughout the lifecycle.

The meeting in Uruguay comes after the parties at the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi agreed to create an intergovernmental committee to negotiate and finalize a legally binding plastics treaty by 2024.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the total plastic in the ocean has increased 50% in the past five years despite an increase in policies to fight plastic pollution. n

FIGHTING AIDS. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson (3rd from left) turns over the donation of 86,000 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load cartridges to Department of Health officials in observance of World AIDS Day in Manila on Thursday, Dec. 1. An HIV viral load is a blood test that measures the amount of HIV in a blood sample. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

LEGAL SERVICES

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

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: 01/03/2023 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 61

Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county.

Asian Journal: NOV. 17, 2022

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT

Michael T. Smyth Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1077 11/25, 12/02, 12/09, and 12/16/2022

ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

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

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

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

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

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1077

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9023277

Mammys Express located at 1070 13th St., Suite F, Imperial Beach, CA 91932.

Registrant: Jessica Perez, 5641 Surfrider Way #186, San Diego, CA 92154.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Jessica Perez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/20/2022.

AJ 1075 11/18, 11/25, 12/02, and 12/09/2022.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9025277

Irma R Smith located at 2010 McCloud River Rd., Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: Irma Rebeca Smith, 2010 McCloud River Rd., Chula Vista, CA 91913.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Irma R Smith. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/17/2022.

AJ 1079 12/02, 12/09, 12/16, and 12/23/2022. AJSD 1079

CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00046712-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED

PERSONS: Petitioner Peter D. Chu, Esq. State Bar# 98935

Attorney For: Sin Lee filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Sin Lee to Shin Lee.

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

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: 01/04/2023 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county.

Asian Journal: NOV. 18, 2022

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Michael T. Smyth Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1080 12/02, 12/09, 12/16, and 12/23/2022.

ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120)

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

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

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

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

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

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1080

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9025080

K & D Trans located at 11814 Via Hacienda, El Cajon, CA 92019.

Registrant: Karam Jameel, 11814 Via Hacienda, El Cajon, CA 92019.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/15/2022.

Signature: Karam Jameel. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/15/2022.

AJ 1076 11/18, 11/25, 12/02, 12/09/2022. AJSD 1076

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9026049

Mahamud, Nafisa Ali Family Child Care located at 3806 Fairmount Ave. #130, San Diego, CA 92105.

Registrant: Nafisa Ali Mahamud, 3806 Fairmount Ave. #130, San Diego, CA 92105.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Nafisa Ali Mahamud.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/30/2022.

AJ 1082 12/02, 12/09, 12/16, and 12/23/2022. AJSD 1082

LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES

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

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: 01/17/2023 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 25

Superior Court of California, County of San Diego North County Division 325 S. Melrose Drive, Suite 1000 Vista, CA 92081

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county.

Asian Journal: NOV 29, 2022 James E. Simmons JR.

Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1081 12/02, 12/09, 12/16, and 12/23/2022

ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

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

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

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

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

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1081

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9024824

The Garden State Of Mind Psychotherapy Services located at 142 Diamante Rd., San Marcos, CA 92078.

Registrant: Maria Aurora San Pedro, 142 Diamante Rd., San Marcos, CA 92078. This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/23/2021.

Signature: Maria Aurora San Pedro.

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

AJ 1078 12/02, 12/09, 12/16, and 12/23/2022. AJSD 1078

FICTITIOUS

BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9024361

SHEROKITRADES

located at 1721 Cripple Creek Dr., Unit 2, Chula Vista, CA 91915.

Registrant: Sherwin Sahagun, 1721 Cripple Creek Dr., Unit 2, Chula Vista, CA 91915.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Sherwin Sahagun.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/03/2022.

AJ 1066 11/11, 11/18, 11/25, and 12/02/2022. AJSD 1066

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

NO. 2022-9024684

MG Commercial Roadside located at 1556 Lancaster Point Way, San Diego, CA 92154.

Registrant: MG Logistics LLC, 1556 Lancaster Point Way, San Diego, CA 92154. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/09/2022.

Signature: Matthew Millican. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/09/2022.

AJ 1069 11/11, 11/18, 11/25, and 12/02/2022. AJSD 1069

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9024295

Jiménez Painting & Coatings located at 4077 1/2 Beta Street, San Diego, CA 92113.

Registrant: José Antonio Jiménez, 4077 1/2 Beta Street, San Diego, CA 92113.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/31/2021.

Signature: José Antonio Jiménez.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/03/2022.

AJ 1072 11/18, 11/25, 12/02, 12/09/2022.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO.

2022-9024260

FAIRMOUNT CENTER

located at 4265 Fairmount Avenue, Suite 130, San Diego, CA 92105.

Registrant: Nile Sisters Development Initiative, 4265 Fairmount Avenue, Suite 130, San Diego, CA 92105.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/01/2022.

Signature: Elizabeth Lou. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/02/2022.

AJ 1067 11/11, 11/18, 11/25, and 12/02/2022. AJSD 1067

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT

NO. 2022-9024356

a. Bombe Frenchies located at 100 Park Plaza, Unit 1504, San Diego, CA 92101.

b. Bombe Kennels located at 100 Park Plaza, Unit 1504, San Diego, CA 92101.

Registrant: Steven Alexander Eis, 100 Park Plaza, Unit 1504, San Diego, CA 92101.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/03/2022.

Signature: Steven Alexander Eis. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/03/2022.

AJ 1070 11/11, 11/18, 11/25, and 12/02/2022. AJSD 1070

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9023258

Billionaires Barber Club II located at 2220 E. Plaza Blvd., Unit No. 1, National City, CA 91950.

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

b. Julian Hodges, 5940 Kenwood St., San Diego, CA 92114.

This business is conducted by General Partnership REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/20/2022.

Signature: Julian Hodges. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/20/2022.

AJ_1073 11/18, 11/25, 12/02, 12/09/2022.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9024158

a. SPA HANS located at 10066 Pacific Heights Blvd., Suite 114, San Diego, CA 92121.

b. HAN SPA located at 10066 Pacific Heights Blvd., Suite 114, San Diego, CA 92121.

Registrant: Han Yue Wellness Inc., 10066 Pacific Heights Blvd., Suite 114, San Diego, CA 92121.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/01/2022.

Signature: Yue Han. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/01/2022. AJ 1068 11/11, 11/18, 11/25, and 12/02/2022. AJSD 1068

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9024734

SF Insurance & Financial Services located at 669 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: SF Financial Services Inc, 669 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/01/2022.

Signature: Selene Ferregut. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/09/2022.

AJ 1071 11/11, 11/18, 11/25, and 12/02/2022. AJSD 1071

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9024806

Carpenters Cartel located at 158 W. Calle Primera #16, San Ysidro, CA 92173.

Registrant: Juan Pablo Bastidas Hernandez, 158 W. Calle Primera #16, San Ysidro, CA 92173.

This business is conducted by Individual REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/10/2022

Signature: Juan Pablo Bastidas Hernandez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/10/2022.

AJ 1074 11/18, 11/25, 12/02, 12/09/2022.

TO ALL INTERESTED

PERSONS: Petitioner Anthony Jesus Hernandez filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Anthony Jesus Hernandez to Jesus Hernandez.

CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00047634-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED

PERSONS: Petitioner Christy Kha Phung on behalf of a minor filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Megan Kha Phung to Mei Kha Phung.

SAN DIEGO

C hef Tara Monsod on why Filipino c uisine is having a renaissance moment

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

you feel?

I was born and raised in LA, so it’s an honor to know that Filipinos are driving 2 hours to eat at Animae.

How would you describe the culture at Animae?

The culture at Animae is special. Culture is everything, it’s about the team working together for something they believe in. There’s no ego.

What is your ultimate dream?

Chef Tara grew up enjoying and cooking Filipino food with her family. Her Mom, having immigrated to the U.S. when she was thirty, held on to many traditional Filipino values, instilling those in her family.

Her culinary journey has brought this former almost-nurse to a position with a platform to further raise the stakes and introduce more Filipino dishes and ingredients to mainstream America. Chef Tara has worked in some of the big-named restaurants including Richard Blais’ Juniper & Ivy, Brian Malarkey’s Herringbone and Burlap, and Nancy Silverton’s Mozza Pizzeria to prepare her for her first executive chef post.

“It’s been a humbling experience. Being a chef isn’t easy by any means, it’s hard but incredibly rewarding,” Tara told the Asian Journal. “I’ve worked from the bottom up and continue to learn and grow every day.”

It is not lost on her that working at Animae has given her both a chance and a privilege to show more about her culture and upbringing and with her at the helm, the restaurant’s menu has become a reflection of her journey so far.

“It’s an opportunity to put Filipino food in a fine dining environment,” she shared. “Filipino food is typically seen as street food, so to be able to put it

in a dining room like Animae’s is changing the perspective of how our cuisine is seen.”

In this Q-and-A with Chef Tara, the first-generation Filipino American reveals how her parents got worried and upset when she came out and when she told them she was skipping nursing school. Chef Tara also shares her home-friendly recipe for Tinola, her favorite comfort food to make for her wife.

How do you see yourself five years from now?

I want to be one of the chefs that are responsible for putting San Diego food on the map, especially Filipino food.

Was there a specific moment in your life when you realized that you wanted to be a chef?

Before I started my journey as a chef, I was in nursing school and unhappy. It wasn’t until my cousin said to me, “All you do is talk about food and cooking. Why don’t you go to culinary school?”

It was what I needed to hear.

Who do you consider as your mentors in the business?

Chef Tara Monsod’s Tinola (Chicken Ginger Soup)

Tinola is the ultimate comfort food. It’s an indigenous soup that’s full of flavor from the tender chicken, chayote, ginger, and malunggay leaves. Growing up, my mom would always make a large pot of chicken tinola when I was sick. A bowl of chicken tinola feels like a hug from my mom and instantly transports me back to our family home in Los Angeles.”

- Chef Tara Monsod

Anthony Sinsay* and Peter Balistreri. (Editor’s Note: *According to the San Diego Union Tribune, Anthony Sinsay was known for championing local causes and supporting local farmers and fishermen. He was among a small army of Filipino chefs who began raising the profile of Filipino food by incorporating the cuisine into menus at some of the region’s high-profile restaurants, similar to what Chef Tara has done at Animae. Chef Anthony was diagnosed in 2019 with a late-stage form of a rare cancer. He died in May 2021 at the age of 37 and left behind his wife Elyse amd two young children.)

How would you describe working with notable chefs and restaurateurs Richard Blais and Nancy Silverton? What important lessons do you learn from them?

Working at both restaurants, I learned a lot about technique and building flavors.

How would you describe your childhood?

We were a commuter family. I grew up in Palmdale but my parents worked in the city, so we would always eat at different places. One day we would be eating Filipino food in the valley, the next day Mexican food in Boyle Heights.

What was your parents’ reaction when you came out?

They were nervous and scared because they were worried people wouldn’t accept me.

What was your parents’ reaction when you told them you wanted to be a chef?

My parents were upset, mainly because they didn’t think being a chef was a real career. At the end of the day, they want me to be happy and have supported me every step of the way.

What were the first dishes you included on Animae’s menu when then-executive chef Nate Appleman encouraged you to develop some dishes for the menu? What was your initial reaction when he told you to start developing dishes?

The Short Rib Kare Kare and Wagyu Lumpia were the first dishes I added to the menu when Nate Appleman was the Executive Chef. I was excited when he asked me to develop dishes for the menu, it was an opportunity to feature Filipino food. (Editor’s Note: The current menu offers tuna kinilaw, lechon kawali, Batangas kaldereta and chicken inasal.)

I heard Filipinos actually drive from LA just to eat at Animae, how does that make

Korean beauty named Miss Earth 2022

By Charmie Joy Pagulong Philstar.com

She

According to her profile, Mina Sue Choi was born in Sydney, Australia and lived there until she was seven years old. She attended Korean schools in South Korea when she was seven until 11. She has also lived in Canada, the United States and China.

The “most unusual thing” she has ever done in her life was going on a trip to Bali.

To be able to take care of my family and my team. To support my community and continue pushing the culture forward.

What are your favorite Filipino dishes to cook? To eat?

Tinola, Sinigang, Chicken Inasal, and my mom’s Kaldereta Adobo and pancit are both gateway dishes to Filipino cuisine. What other dishes do you think deserve to be known by the industry and the eating public and why?

Sinigang is a staple in every Filipino household and is the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and salty. It’s also such a comforting dish to eat and feels like a hug to your insides.

Where do you think Filipino cuisine is now versus where it was when you were starting in the industry?

Filipino cuisine is having a renaissance moment right now. This generation of Filipino chefs are proud of their culture and unapologetic. It’s beautiful to see because when I first started in the industry, there were only a few chefs that were cooking Filipino food at this level, it was mostly mom and pop shops. n

South Korea’s Mina Sue Choi is crowned Miss Earth 2022 at Okada Manila in Parañaque on Tuesday, November 29. She is the first Korean to win the pageant. The other winners are Sheridan Mortlock of Australia, Miss Air 2022; Nadeen Ayoub of Palestine, Miss Water, and Andrea Aguilera of Colombia, Miss Fire. Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban

A COMMUNICATIONS student at the University of Illinois, who represented South Korea, was proclaimed the winner of this year’s Miss Earth pageant held Tuesday night, November 29 at the Cove in Okada Manila.

is the first Korean beauty queen to win the Miss Earth title.

M EET Filipino American Chef Tara Monsod, who celebrates her life as an LGBTQ Filipina and her culture as she shines a light on Filipino flavors in the city home to the second-largest Filipino American population in the United States today.

Chef Tara is the Executive Chef at Animae, a renowned Asian fusion restaurant and steakhouse in San Diego that serves Japan’ss finest A5 wagyu beef. As the restaurant’s Executive Chef for almost two years now, Chef Tara offers guests a journey into her upbringing with Filipino dishes and flavors from her childhood, with a refinement that includes a Wagyu steak program and dishes from across Asia.

Among Animae’s Filipino fare are ginataang mussels, lechon kawali, lumpia, and short rib kare kare, a signature Chef Tara dish.

Animae Executive Chef Tara Monsod

Tara Monsod

Photos by James Tran

How to avoid holiday job scams

FOR lots of us, the holiday season is a good time to pick up some part-time work. It’s when retailers and delivery services need extra help — and it’s when some extra income wouldn’t exactly hurt. But if you’re thinking of getting a job to make some extra cash this holiday season, know that scammers are looking for you. Do you know how to spot them?

To keep your money and personal information to

yourself, follow these steps:

• Don’t pay to get the job. Scammers may promise you a job — if you pay them. But no legitimate job will make you pay for expenses or fees to get the job. Anyone who does is a scammer.

Never give personal info up front. Some scammers will try to get your credit card, bank account, or Social Security number as soon as you’re in contact.

• See what others are

saying. Search online for the name of the company plus the words “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” You might find they’ve scammed other people.

• Talk to someone you trust — before you take a job offer or business opportunity. What do they think?

Learn more at ftc.gov/ jobscams. And if you spot a job scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

All during December, as we start reflecting on 2022 and making plans for 2023, follow along as the Federal Trade Commission discusses ways for you to keep more of your hard-earned money by avoiding scams. We’ll cover things like spotting scammers who ask for gift cards, what to do if your online order never arrives, as well as how to make sure your year-end donations go to the organizations you want — not to scammers.

(Jim Kreidler/Consumer Educaton Specialist, FTC) n

Korean beauty named Miss Earth...

PAGE 9

“I went on the trip without letting my parents know. My layover time was short, and I missed my flight, so the wait was about 10 hours at the airport. It was my first time traveling alone to an unfamiliar place, but I recall feeling very adventurous,

lost, yet curious. Despite the long flight hours and delays, it was worth the risk. Not to mention, Bali was absolutely beautiful,” she said.

Her advocacy is “promoting reduction of carbon footprints in cities with sustainable mobility and encouraging lifestyles that

will help reduce carbon emission in our daily lives.”

Choi was asked during the question and answer portion about what she would like to correct in this world and how she would correct it.

“We often mistake kindness as being empathetic, but what being empathetic (means) is really putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. And when it comes to climate issues and other issues in this world, one has to be empathic,” she said.

“You need to really see how the other person perceives this world. You need to understand their pain by being in their shoes. And that, I feel like differs from being empathetic. Kindness and [empathy] can be different. And if I get the chance to really define it differently, that’s how I would define it,” she added.

Rounding up the winners of the just-concluded beauty pageant were Miss Fire 2022 Andrea Aguilera of Colombia, Miss Water 2022 Nadeen Ayoub of Palestine and Miss Air 2022 Sheridan Mortlock of Australia.

The Philippines’ Jenny Ramp finished in the Top 20.

Destiny Wagner of Belize was the previous winner. n

Mayor Gloria signs executive order directing action on illicit fentanyl

With addition and overdose deaths mounting, more serious consequences warranted for dealers

SAN DIEGO – Mayor Todd Gloria signed an executive order on Tuesday, November 29 directing further action and cooperation with law enforcement to address the illicit fentanyl crisis, in the hopes of stemming the addiction and overdoses that claimed the lives of more than 800 San Diegans last year – and is continuing to cause overdose deaths in the San Diego region at an alarming rate.

“The proliferation of fentanyl in our communities – and the accompanying death and destruction it’s causing in our communities – demands swift action from all levels of government,“ Mayor Todd Gloria said. “As Mayor, I’m going to do everything within my authority to tackle this crisis head-on. Today, we’re taking measures to help disrupt the distribution of fentanyl and hold predatory dealers accountable for the harm they’re causing to our community.”

Executive Order 2022-1 signed by the Mayor directs the San Diego Police Department to strengthen and prioritize enforcement for fentanyl sales-related crimes to the greatest extent possible. In addition, the executive order announces the city’s intent to pursue legislation at the state and federal levels to address the rise in fentanyl overdoses, including reclassifying illicit, non-pharmaceutical fentanyl and analogs as Schedule 1 drugs federally; pursuing sentencing enhancements for trafficking and sales near schools; and seeking state and federal funding for trafficking enforcement, education, and treatment programs.

“Far too many people in our community, from all walks of life, have felt the devastating effects of fentanyl,” said Police Chief David Nisleit. “We must take an aggressive approach to this epidemic. The San Diego Police Department continues to work with our law enforcement and community partners to track down, arrest, and prosecute those who would peddle this poison in our neighborhoods and to some of our most vulnerable populations.”

The order also directs immediate work developing a plan, in concert with the San Diego City Council and City Attorney, to develop a community outreach plan and funding strategy for the estimated $30 million in national opioid settlement funding that will be coming to the city over the next eight years.

“Combatting the fentanyl crisis in our region

which is harming and killing our family members, children and neighbors is a top priority for my office,” said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. “I welcome and support Mayor Gloria’s executive order which brings an enhanced focus to fighting this deadly epidemic through increasing prevention and education, alongside pursuing laws that will give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools to investigate and prosecute illegal drug dealers poisoning our community with fentanyl-laced pills and powders.”

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that was invented as an anesthetic for surgery. It is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger that morphine. Deaths from the drug, which is cheap to produce and 50 times more potent than heroin, have increased tenfold from five years ago, when it first emerged as a common street drug.

Fentanyl is also having an outsized impact on San Diego’s unsheltered population, killing 113 homeless people last year – an alarming increase from just five years ago, when two people experiencing homelessness died from fentanyl overdose. Dependence on the drug also prevents unsheltered people from accepting the services and assistance that could end their homelessness.

The Mayor announced his intent to enact an executive order on fentanyl at a media briefing with law enforcement earlier this month. The order takes effect immediately.

(City of San Diego Release) n

Balboa Park transforms into a winter wonderland for City of San Diego’s December Nights festival

SAN DIEGO – Mayor Todd Gloria and the City of San Diego invite all San Diegans to join in the holiday spirit with the 45th annual December Nights festival in Balboa Park. The park will transform into a winter wonderland with more than 1,000 performers on four stages, various activities throughout the park and more than 120 food and retail vendors. Some museums will offer complimentary evening admission and other features include the Gator by the Bay stage and dance floor, traditional International Spirits Garden and a new Plaza de Panama beer and cocktail garden.

December Nights is happening Friday, Dec. 2, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The holiday festival is the city’s largest free event and has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to Balboa Park over the past four decades. Mayor Gloria and Councilmember Stephen Whitburn will kick off the event by lighting the tree at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion at 6 p.m. on Friday.

“Generations of San Diegans have made December Nights part of their annual holiday plans, and we’re thrilled to welcome them back this year,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “After two years of a scaled-down version during the pandemic, we are so thankful to have December Nights back in its traditional form. I’m looking forward to what I think of as the official kickoff of the holiday season in our city.”

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is a valued sponsor of December Nights, and this year is teaming up with PATH San Diego to encourage visitors to donate socks at the SDG&E booth during the event. Toyota, official vehicle of the City’s Lifeguards, is supporting the initiative and will have its Sienna Sleigh next to the 91X booth for sock donations. Sock drive organizers hope to beat the Guinness World Record set by the city of Fresno last year with 80,000 socks.

“We are excited to bring a new charitable initiative to this year’s December Nights – a sock drive to benefit unsheltered San Diegans,” said Kazeem Omidiji, Director of Community Relations, San Diego Gas & Electric. “We encourage everyone going to December Nights to bring a pair of new socks to donate to our nonprofit partner, PATH San Diego. The sock drive, combined with a

charitable grant from SDG&E, will support PATH in its efforts to house and provide comfort to unsheltered San Diegans this holiday season.”

Another new highlight at December Nights is the Family Zone, co-sponsored by the City of San Diego’s Office of Child and Youth Success, Parks and Recreation and Library departments, along with CalKIDS and First 5 San Diego. The area will include safe activities for young kids including hula hoop contests, bean bag toss, ornament making and more. A private space is also available for nursing mothers.

The Family Zone features a special mural creation opportunity by Comic-Con Museum, sponsored by Tootris, and a solar system bracelet making opportunity by San Diego Air and Space Museum, sponsored by AT&T. Dave & Busters will have video games on site, along with Candy Land Princess appearances provided by Joshua’s Pest Control.

December Nights has many new attractions this year, including:

• Think Blue San Diego will be debuting SWEEP-E, the city’s new mini electric sweeper. This will be the first time San Diegans can have up-close view of the vehicle.

• The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is the sponsor of the Gator by the Bay stage and will have an on-site greeting card-marking opportunity for Serving Seniors.

• House of Pacific Relations International Cottages Inc. is represented with nine cottages joining the lineup this year for a total of 32 houses: Panama, Korea, Mexico, India, Peru, Guam, Palestine, Turkey and Philippines.

Local Media San Diego (91X, 100.7, Z90 and 92.5) is the official

promotional media partner for December Nights and will have various booths with radio

personalities, fun giveaways and more. XEWT12 is the official Spanish language media partner and will be offering holiday activities, TV personality appearances, mascots and more. KFMB/CBS8 is the official streaming partner to showcase the event, so those who can’t attend in person can enjoy the magic of December Nights from the comfort of home.

“There will be something for everyone,” said Natasha Collura, Executive Director for the city’s Special Events and Filming Office “We are so grateful for our corporate sponsors, City staff and Balboa Park organizations and institutions for joining us in one of San Diego’s biggest and most festive events and to welcome everyone back to December Nights.”

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is the event transportation partner and will provide free shuttle rides (ADA accessible) for people wanting to get to the park from off-site locations downtown. Free parking is available at City College and the San Diego Zoo. In addition, there will be convenient prepaid parking options for the first time. People can go to the City’s website to purchase a spot and find all available transportation options for anyone walking, biking, taking transit or driving.

Safety is the top priority for the City of San Diego during a large event like December Nights. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) reminds visitors to plan ahead and be aware of their surroundings. Both SDPD and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department will be participating in the event to also promote recruitment and encourage job seekers to join their teams.

For more information and a list of entertainment and food vendors, go to decembernights. org.

of San Diego Release) n

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that was invented as an anesthetic for surgery. It is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger that morphine. File photo/www.kpbs.org

Screen capture from Web/www.sandiego.gov

Hyatt Hotels acquires Dream Hotel Group

DREAM Hotel Group, which is developing Dream Las Vegas, has been acquired by Hyatt Hotels Corp. This was announced on Tuesday, November 29, and was featured in local paper Las Vegas Review-Journal.

According to the article, “the buyer is slated to pay a base price of $125 million, with up to an additional $175 million over the next six years “as properties come into the pipeline and open,” according to a news release.

The deal will include 12 managed or franchised hotels with another 24 management agreements for hotels that haven’t opened yet, the article added per the release.

Dream Las Vegas, one of the projects within the Dream Hotel Group that is being developed by Shopoff Realty Investments and Contour, both Southern California firms, will benefit from the deal, per a company official, citing the “depth of the Hyatt reservation system” and “the combined benefit of Dream’s creativity and Hyatt’s scale.”

Dream Las Vegas is a 531-room resort that is expected to open in 2025, and is situated on Las Vegas Boulevard, just south of Russell Road. It is slated to offer a smaller, boutique-style experience for its patrons.

The Dream Las Vegas is just one of the many projects or events slated to open in the next few years – and even decades – in Las Vegas.

Construction is booming in the town, with the massive projects planned along the Strip and elsewhere that have kept unemployment numbers down.

An anticipated project that many have seen towards the north end of the Strip is the

Fontainebleau, with its massive, bluish structure towering near the convention center location. One of the tallest structures in the city, it is located in the 2000 block of South Las Vegas Blvd. and has an “fb” etched prominently in the structure facing the street. Slated to open in late 2023, it features a huge space of meeting space (about 550,000 square feet), a two-floor retail area for high-end retailers, a casino and more than 3,700 hotel rooms, in addition to a nightclub, performing theater and a dayclub.

With conventions and expos coming back to Las Vegas, the Fontainebleau is positioning itself in the meet space industry, owing to its proximity to the Las Vegas Convention Center. It is expected to add luster to the northern part of the Strip, which has seen a lot more activity in the last few years.

Another project that is slated to open in 2023 is an Atomic Range near The Strat, also in the northern end of South Las Vegas Blvd. It is expected to be a premier golf destination in Las Vegas with facility users able to have an immersive experience. The facility will feature the latest in golf and entertainment technology, and will certainly create memorable experiences for facility visitors.

Atomic Range is seen as a center that will welcome all ages and people with different golf skill sets. Flite Golf and Entertainment, the developers of Atomic Range, see the project as a way to allow people of all ages to come and learn to play golf in a non-intimidating environment, while having fun in a facility that will be about four stories high. When finished, it is expected to add hundreds of jobs to the local economy.

Also in late 2023, Formula 1 Racing comes back to Las Vegas when the Las Vegas Grand Prix event takes place in Sin City, where the sport’s top drivers vie for the win as they navigate a 3.8 mile, 14-turn course where top speeds are expected to hit around 212 miles per hour.

Las Vegas’ iconic landmarks will serve as the backdrop for the race that will feature three straights, a high-speed cornering sequence and a single chicane section, with Grand Prix drivers running over 50 laps and trying to outmaneuver each other to capture the trophy. Not since the 1980s has there been a Grand Prix event in Las Vegas, and racing fans are excited at the prospect of witnessing Formula 1 Racing again and seeing their favorite drivers, most of whom are excited to visit the city and see what it has to offer.

Of course, entertainment seems to be a big attraction in Las Vegas. Country star Garth Brooks just committed to a residency at Caesars Palace in 2024, Carrie Underwood will be back at Resorts World in 2023, rap superstar Jack Harlow, Tiessto, Zedd and Kaskade are going to be headliners at Resorts World’s Zouk Nightclub, and fans and industry insiders are hopeful that Celine Dion will finally open her latest Strip production, also at Resorts World, in 2023. Meanwhile, Adele, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Aerosmith, Maroon 5, Barry Manilow, Sting, Foreigner and Shania Twain are in the midst of their residencies or will be starting their shows in various casino-hotel properties in the first trimester of 2023.

Most of the big gaming-hotel developers in Sin City are in the midst of consolidating, renovating

or developing their own portfolios, which is a win-win situation for both locals and visitors.

This just means that the demand for Las Vegas will remain strong in the future, even as mortgage rates are higher nowadays. Currently, there is a good inventory in the market for properties available in and near Las Vegas; buyers can negotiate more with sellers and get a good deal.

If you are in the market to buy real estate –whether it’s a house, land, condo, or even a commercial property – this is a good time to see what’s out there. I have decades of experience in the real estate industry and can help you find the property of your dreams and something that will suit your budget. Many of my clients who have invested in real estate have begun to reap

the rewards of their investments via rentals and Airbnb.

My team and I would be more than happy to help find your slice of land in one of the most exciting cities in the world, and help you achieve the American Dream of home/land ownership.

My company, Precious Properties, is a fullservice company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@ precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail. com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

(Advertising Supplement)

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s (extreme left) young investors from Palm Springs are looking at Las Vegas properties after closing their escrow in Pahrump recently.

Russ and Fely Bateman hosted a dinner for their Manila investors at the Stirling Club in Las Vegas.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s repeat investors in Pahrump is the mother/daughter team of Rose and Jessica Pacheco.

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

By RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman