122323 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

DECEMBER 23-26, 2023 Volume 33 - No. 102 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

USA

DATELINE With rising COVID-19 transmission, LA County urges protection during holidays FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Marcos: China provocations worrisome

by KRISTINA MARALIT AND FRANCISCO TUYAY ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, December 21, reaffirmed his position not to yield an inch of Philippine territory to any foreign entity.

Speaking at the 88th anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, the president cited the military's key role in ensuring the country would "continue to assert our rights in accordance with the Philippine Constitution and international law."

"You have become crucial as the Philippines found WITH schools on break and many winter holidays still ahead, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) encourages residents to take commonsense precautions to avoid getting sick and spreading illness to others during the celebrations.

Amidst celebrations, it's important to remain aware of respiratory illnesses currently circulating, especially when there are guests who are more vulnerable to severe illness in attendance. Being proactive to prevent illness leading up to and during events can significantly reduce the risk of travel disruptions, last-minute cancellations, and inadvertently spreading illness, ensuring a more enjoyable holiday season for everyone.

In Los Angeles County, Public Health continues to report increased signs of

itself in the middle of geopolitical tensions. Despite the many attempts of provocation, the Philippines through the AFP remains a force and voice of reason, exemplifying dignified behavior in resolving issues in accordance with international laws," he said.

The president particularly took note of the incident where a boat on a supply mission to Ayungin Shoal with AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner and members of the media on board was blasted with a water cannon, surrounded, and shadowed by the China Coast Guard.

"The recent incident involving our AFP chief of staff

Marcos ratings up but VP Duterte’s fall

by AL JACINTO AND RED MENDOZA ManilaTimes.net

 PAGE A4

Fil-Am nurses, health care workers join strike at 4 hospitals in Southern California LOS ANGELES – Filipino American nurses and health care workers were among the 1,800 front-line workers who began a seven-day strike on Wedesday, December 20 at four big hospitals in Southern California.

The strike, which will extend through the Christmas holiday, is the second recent work stoppage at Prime Healthcare facilities in the region.

The first took place in October, when the same union, SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, went on a five-day strike.

“We are taking this action during the holiday season to protect our patients and ourselves,” David Santos, a Fil-Am licensed vocational nurse at Encino Hospital Medical Center, told Inquirer.net. “We have been stretched thin for far too long.”

Santos said patients are “not receiving the quality care they deserve” and hospital workers are constantly overwhelmed by the workload.

“It’s time for Prime executives to address the  PAGE A2

is worrisome, but it is a proud demonstration of Filipino courage against coercion and uphold[ing] territorial integrity," Marcos said.

"I know that our soldiers and our troops espouse the same values and principles, and they remain undeterred by actions that stir tension," he said.

The AFP must continue to sharpen its readiness to prevent and respond to present and emerging threats, the president said.

Earlier this week, Marcos signed the P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024 that allocated a total of P11.28 billion to the AFP, the Department of National  PAGE A2

FREE FOOD. Devotees receive free treats such as coffee, bibingka (rice cake) and puto bumbong (steamed purple rice cake) after the Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass) at the Kalayaan Grounds of Malacañan Palace in Manila on Friday, Dec. 22. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. invites the public to attend the Masses and also enjoy free carnival rides and games.

PNA photos by Joey O. Razon

AN independent and non-commissioned survey by Pahayag showed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s approval and trust ratings improved from 55 percent in the third quarter of the year to 58 percent in the fourth quarter.

This recovery was attributed to increased support in North-Central Luzon (NCL) from 56 percent to 62 percent, special land (SL) from 49 percent to 55 percent, and the Visayas from 52 percent to 57 percent. The president's resurgence was also buoyed by middleincome voters (51 percent to 60 percent), Catholics (51 percent to 57 percent), and the self-employed group (54 percent to 62 percent), Pahayag said in a statement sent to The Manila Times on Wednesday, December 20.

But the same survey also showed a decline in Vice President Sara Duterte's approval rating, dropping from 62 percent to 59 percent.

Duterte's downward trend is particularly pronounced in Mindanao, where approval decreased from 84 percent to 76 percent.

Contributing to the decline were various demographic groups, including the age groups 40-49 years old (68  PAGE A2

Duterte blasts suspension of SMNI program

by ARIC JOHN SY CUA ManilaTimes.net

FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte said the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) violated his constitutional rights when it suspended his program aired on the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

"One, you have to be in gross violation of my constitutional right to free expression," Duterte said on social media on Thursday, December 21.

"Second, of course, is the outfit I'm using as a platform for violation for press freedom," he added.

"In my view, the suppression of your right

to exercise this freedom cannot be subject to preliminary or permanent status," he said.

"That shouldn't be allowed. The right to free expression is absolute to me. That is how I understood it."

The former president also considered the suspension imposed by the MTRCB as censorship.

"So, to me, to that extent or to the full time you are not allowed to talk, it is a derogation of your right, of your constitutional right to free speech and free expression," Duterte said.

The Duterte wing of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) said the suspension is a "clear affront to free PAGE A2

Fewer Pinoys expect more prosperous Christmas

by JANVIC MATEO Philstar.com

MANILA — While most Filipinos say they are ready to face the coming year with hope, only one in three anticipates a “more prosperous” celebration of the holiday season, a recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed.

Results of the Dec. 3 to 7 survey released on Friday, December 22 showed that only 30 percent of the respondents expect their holiday celebrations to be “more prosperous” than last year.

It was down 13 points from the 43 percent who expected a “more Shoppers flock to Divisoria in Manila on Wednesday, December 20. prosperous” celebration ahead of Philstar.com photo by Walter Bollozos the holidays last year.

Meanwhile, those who expect their celebrations to be “poorer” than last year increased from six percent to 13 percent.

More than half or 57 percent said they expect their celebration this year to be the same as last year. It was composed of 41 percent who described their celebration last year as prosperous and 16 percent who said it was not prosperous.

Those who expect their holiday celebration to be “more prosperous” this year were highest among those in the Visayas – at 42 percent (down from 66 percent last year), followed by those in Mindanao at 31 percent (from 46 percent),  PAGE A3

Vice President Sara Duterte

ManilaTimes.net file photo

Sara stands firm: No to peace talks

by RED MENDOZA AND FRANCISCO TUYAY ManilaTimes.net

THE death of a soldier during a recent clash between the military and communist rebels has strengthened Vice President Sara Duterte's stand against any form of peace talks with the insurgents.

In a statement issued Thursday night, December 21, Duterte recognized the heroism of Army Sgt. Jernell Ramillano, who died during an encounter with the New People's Army (NPA) on December 17.

The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The vice president said Ramillano is just one of the victims of the "heinous crime" committed by communist rebels.

She also related the story of the mother of another soldier, Army 1Lt Jaren Relota, who was killed while fighting the NPA in Davao City in 2018.

"Paulit ulit na sumasagi sa aking isipan ang tanong ng ina ni Jaren na nagsasabing, 'Inday Sara, ilang anak pa ba namin ang mamamatay dahil sa mga teroristang NPA (I am continually reminded of the question Jaren's mom raised to me: 'Inday Sara, how many more of our children will die because of the NPA terrorists')?" Duterte said.

Speaking in Filipino, she stressed that the communists were out to  PAGE A3

A2 DECEMBER 23-26, 2023 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Marcos: China provocations...

PAGE A1 Defense, and the Philippine Coast Guard.

The president also encouraged the military to "enhance existing alliances and partnerships with your foreign counterparts" to maintain peace and order in the region. In an interview on Thursday, December 21, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said joint patrols with foreign navies would reflect the Philippines' determination to establish a free and rulesbased order in the Indo-Pacific.

Teodoro said countries like France, the United States, Canada, India, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Japan are planning maritime patrols with the Philippines to illustrate their opposition to China's incursions in the West Philippine Sea. He said that other than China, "no country has condemned us for standing up for our sovereign rights," he said.

If China's intrusions "are not condemned, if we do not protest, China can say, 'Hey, you didn't

file a protest, hey nobody is protesting, so you are accepting our version,'" Teodoro said.

Beijing has resorted to "swarming, area denial, harassment" to pressure Manila "into acceding into their demands," he said.

During the AFP anniversary commemoration, the president also recognized this year's Medal of Valor awardees.

He guaranteed that as an added incentive, the government would increase the awardees' lifetime monthly gratuity. 

PAGE A1

recovery in the survey, bouncing back from a decline of 43 percent to 47 percent.

This recovery was driven by increased support in special land (SL) from 35 percent to 47 percent. Additionally, positive shifts are observed among the age group 30-39 years old (44 percent to 55 percent), middle-income (43 percent to 50 percent), Catholics (42 percent to 47 percent), the unemployed (35 percent to 44 percent), and college-educated individuals (44 percent to 48 percent), Pahayag said.

The same survey showed that House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez's approval rating has stabilized, though a downward trend was evident, declining from 42 percent in the second quarter to 37 percent in the third quarter, and further to 36 percent in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo had the most stable approval rating at 37 percent and a trust rating of 28 percent. Though approval and trust are low, the chief magistrate does not lose or gain

much and is just stable across quarters, demographics and psychographics, said Pahayag.

As for the trust ratings of the national leaders, recovery to a flat trend is seen for Marcos (from 47 percent to 48 percent) and Zubiri (33 percent to 35 percent), and a downward trend for Duterte (from 55 percent to 53 percent).

Romualdez's trust rating continues to plunge from 29 percent to 25 percent, resulting in a low/no trust of 29 percent.

The recent Pahayag End of Year Survey, conducted from November 29 to December 4, provided a different perspective on the approval and trust ratings of key political figures in the Philippines.

The latest survey, conducted by Publicus Asia Inc., used purposive sampling of 1,500 respondents randomly drawn from the market research panel of over 200,000 Filipinos maintained by the Singapore office of PureSpectrum, a U.S.-based panel marketplace with a multinational presence.

The sample was restricted to registered Filipino voters. 

also slapped with a suspension.

In a related development, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said the NTC's suspension of SMNI is reminiscent of the Duterte administration's attempts to weaponize the law but reiterated that the red-tagging of the network's programs did enough harm.

"Vilification of journalists and of members of civil society that SMNI allows on its shows can and has translated to harassment, surveillance and targeting of the red-

tagged," the union said in a statement on Thursday.

"Even as SMNI and its supporters cry press freedom and freedom of expression now, may they also reflect on how they cheered on and abetted similar moves when these tactics were being used against journalists and newsrooms," it said.

On Thursday, the National Telecommunications Commission barred the network from airing for 30 days for violating its congressional franchise. 

Marcos ratings up but VP Duterte’s...

percent to 63 percent), 50-59 years old (56 percent to 51 percent), senior citizens (57 percent to 49 percent), low income (66 percent to 62 percent), high income (60 percent to 53 percent), private workers (65 percent to 60 percent), government workers (70 percent to 61 percent), the unemployed (54 percent to 50 percent), non-OFW families (62 percent to 56 percent), vocational (70 percent to 58 percent), and college-educated individuals (62 percent to 59 percent).

Previous survey polls by other independent firms also showed Duterte's popularity decreasing in many areas of the country, especially during the inquiries by the Senate and House of Representatives on her controversial P650 million in confidential funds — P500 million for the Office of the Vice President and P150 million for the Department of Education — in the proposed 2024 budget which was rejected by lawmakers.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri also showed a notable

Duterte blasts suspension of SMNI...

PAGE A1

dom of expression."

"The MTRCB has sent a chilling message to the Philippine media, most especially broadcast, in this act of curtailing our freedoms, which presents a clear danger to our democracy," PDP-Laban Secretary General Aimee-Torrefranca-Neri said on Thursday.

The MTRCB suspended Duterte's program, "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa," for 14 days after it received complaints regarding two of its episodes. Another show was

JAMPACKED. Passengers crowd the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 check-in area in Pasay City on Friday, Dec. 22. The Manila International Airport Authority says there were 141,164 passengers on Dec. 21, breaching the management’s estimate of 140,000 daily passengers during the holiday season.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler

Fil-Am nurses, healthcare workers join strike...

PAGE A1 short staffing crisis and put patients first,” he said.

The Prime Healthcare striking workers braved stormy weather to join picketlines at Prime St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood; Prime Centinela Medical Center, Inglewood; Prime Encino Medical Center, Encino; and Prime Garden Grove Hospital Medical Center, Garden Grove.

Picket lines will run daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Although there will be no picket lines after Friday, the strike will extend through the holiday, with workers returning on Dec. 27, according to SEIU. According to a statement from Prime Healthcare, the Ontario, California-based company is continuing to negotiate with SEIU. “Proposals have been delivered to the union from the hospital that would increase wages and provide a valuable health care plan, maintain important benefits, and be competitive with other hospitals in the market,” according to the company.

“It is disappointing that despite progress being made, the union has walked away from negotiations and has chosen to strike, but that will not impact our commitment to providing quality patient care to our communities throughout the holidays and always.”

Fil-Am nurses and healthcare workers were among the 1,800 frontliners who began a seven-day strike on Wednesday, December 20.

Inquirer.net photo

The union says workers are taking the action “after months of trying to address the facilities’ long-standing issues of understaffing, worker turnover, and patient care concerns at the bargaining table.”

SEIU-UHW says its efforts have been met by bad-faith bargaining and other unfair labor practices by Prime Healthcare management.

“For months, Prime management has been intimidating and attempting to silence healthcare workers for raising concerns about patient care and short staffing at their hospitals,” Dolores Aguilar, a unit secretary at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, said in a statement.

“We are exhausted and overwhelmed and are struggling to provide quality care,” she added.

“We are going on strike again

because Prime executives are bargaining in bad faith and are refusing to listen to us about worker and patient safety.”

Aguilar is one of four front-line health care workers suspended from the medical center just days after participating in a protest over staffing and patient care conditions at Prime Healthcare’s headquarters in Ontario, according to SEIU. Front-line health care workers participating in the strike include emergency room technicians, licensed vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants, radiology technicians medical assistants and respiratory technicians, the union said.

Prime Healthcare said the hospitals will remain open during the strike. (Nimfa U. Rueda/Inquirer. net with reports from CNS)

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DATELINE USA

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 23-26, 2023 A3

Bold changes are in store for Medi-Cal in 2024, but will patients benefit?

by BERNARD J. WOLFSON KFF Health News

SAFE CHRISTMAS. Tight security is observed at the San Pedro Square in Davao City on Friday, Dec. 22 during the Pasko Fiesta’s Parada sa Pasko. Thousands of police and military personnel have been deployed for the entire month for the celebration of the Pasko Fiesta 2023.

PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Sara stands firm: No to...

PAGE A1

destroy the government and lead the country to war, poverty and injustice.

Duterte once again described the recent agreement between the Marcos administration and communist groups as an "agreement with the devil."

Despite the agreement, the rebels have shown no signs of easing offensive operations.

On Friday, December 22, the military reported that soldiers from the Army 2nd Infantry Division on Tuesday, December 19 thwarted a plan by communist rebels to launch attacks during the Christmas season following the recovery of anti-personnel mines during a brief clash in Tagkawayan,

Quezon.

Reports said troops from the 85th Infantry Battalion chanced upon a 10-man NPA group in Barangay Manato Central, Tagkawayan.

After a 10-minute firefight, the rebels withdrew, leaving behind four anti-personnel mines, a bandolier with four magazines and ammunition, four backpacks, and subversive documents.

The rebels were members of the Platun Reymark of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee under Sany Broncano Alias Tau, according to 2ID Commander Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong.

Sergeant Ramillano, meanwhile, was killed during a clash between

2ID troopers and an NPA band in Balayan, Batangas.

Six rebels also died in the fighting.

Lt. Col. Hector Estolas, 2nd ID public affairs chief, said a certain Kyrie/Vince, a vice platoon leader of the SPP Kawing of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee's Sub-Regional Military Area 4C, was critically wounded and was abandoned by his comrades. He eventually died.

Two M16 rifles, an M653 rifle, a shotgun, 13 cellphones, and a laptop computer were among the items left behind by fleeing rebels.

2ID commander Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong praised Ramillano for his bravery and heroism. 

Fewer Pinoys expect more prosperous...

PAGE A1

balance Luzon at 29 percent (from 35 percent), and Metro Manila at 18 percent (from 32 percent).

Meanwhile, those who expect “poorer” celebrations was highest among those in Mindanao at 30 percent (from two percent), followed by those in the Visayas at 18 percent (from two percent), Metro Manila at 10 percent (from four percent) and the rest of Luzon at four percent (from nine percent).

The same survey also found

that 92 percent of respondents expect to face the coming year with hope, similar to the results in November 2022.

Only one percent said they would enter 2024 without hope (from 0.1 percent), while seven percent said they could not say if they would face it with or without hope.

Across areas, those saying they were ready to face the coming year with hope were mostly from the Visayas at 95 percent (from 99 percent), followed by those

in balance Luzon at 94 percent (from 89 percent), Metro Manila at 92 percent (from 94 percent) and Mindanao at 84 percent (from 89 percent).

None of the respondents in Metro Manila, rest of Luzon and the Visayas said they would face the coming year without hope, but five percent from Mindanao said they would (from zero last year).

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus 2.8 percent. 

CALIFORNIA’S safety-net health program, Medi-Cal, is on the cusp of major changes that could rectify long-standing problems and improve health care for the state’s low-income population.

Starting Jan. 1, Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, will implement new standardized contracts with its 22 managed care health plans, which collectively cover 99% of enrollees.

The new contracts tighten enforcement of quality measures, especially for women and children; require the health plans to report publicly on the performance of medical providers – and in some cases other insurers – to whom they delegate care; and mandate that plans reveal the number of enrollees who don’t have access to primary care and invest more to plug the gap. They also commit plans to better integration of physical and mental health care and greater responsiveness to the cultural and linguistic needs, sexual orientation, and gender identity of members.

To realize these promises, state regulators will have to be tougher than they have been in the past.

But that might be difficult, because the changes are happening at the same time as a number of other initiatives that could compete for staff attention and confuse some enrollees.

Beginning next year, over 700,000 immigrants without permanent legal residency will become eligible for full Medi-Cal coverage. In addition, an estimated 1.2 million beneficiaries in 21 counties will need to change health plans after the state last year rejiggered the constellation of insurers and multiple counties switched the way they deliver Medi-Cal. Some counties will have only one plan left. Where there is more than one, enrollees who are losing their plan will have to choose a new one.

Kaiser Permanente, the Oakland-based managed care giant, will start a new direct contract with the state in 32 counties, largely an administrative shift that should not disrupt care for most enrollees. And thousands of Medi-Cal enrollees in residential

care will be switched into managed care plans for the first time, as the state accelerates its move away from traditional, direct-pay Medi-Cal. All of this is happening amid the so-called unwinding, in which over 900,000 people have been shed from Medi-Cal thus far, and disenrollments are expected to continue until next summer. The unwinding follows the termination of pandemic-era protections.

“My head is spinning thinking about all of that going on at the same time,” says John Baackes, CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, the state’s largest Medi-Cal plan, with nearly 2.6 million members.

“Our call center is stacked to the gills.”

Tony Cava, spokesperson for the Department of Health Care Services, which oversees Medi-Cal, says the new contracts, signed by all the Medi-Cal managed care plans, will provide for “quality, equitable, and comprehensive coverage,” emphasizing prevention and “offering services that address long-term care needs throughout a member’s life.”

And in a groundbreaking move, the new contracts also require health plans for the first time to reinvest a portion of their profits – between 5% and 7.5% – in the communities where they operate.

They also provide a number of carrots and sticks, which include withholding a small percentage of payments to health plans with a chance for them to earn it back by reaching quality and health equity benchmarks. And profitable health plans that don’t meet expectations will have to reinvest an additional 7.5% of their profits in the community. This is all on top of increased fines that regulators can levy on poorly performing health plans.

The new Medi-Cal contracts also enshrine key elements of CalAIM, a $12 billion, five-year experiment, already underway, in which health plans aim to provide a range of social services for the neediest Medi-Cal members, including housing assistance and medically tailored meals, on the grounds that poverty and related social inequities are often the root of health problems. So far, however, the rollout has been slow.

Abbi Coursolle, senior attorney in the Los Angeles office of the National Health Law Program, says the requirement for health plans to report publicly on the care provided by their subcontracted medical providers should increase accountability, helping enrollees better navigate Medi-Cal. “This is a step forward that advocates have been paying attention to for over a decade,” Coursolle says. “There’s so much ping-ponging people back and forth between the health plan and the provider group. That dilutes accountability so much.”

Another big change for Medi-Cal is the elimination of the so-called asset limit test for a certain subset of enrollees, including people who are aged, blind, disabled, in long-term care, or on Medicare. In addition to meeting income requirements, people have had to keep the total value of their personal assets below certain thresholds to qualify for Medi-Cal. The assets that are counted include savings, certain investments, second homes, and even second cars.

Until last year, those limits were so low – $2,000 for an in PAGE A4

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY IFB NO. PO940-24 PARTS FOR TAYLOR-DUNN ULITILY CARTS SCRRA is seeking bids for Parts for Taylor-Dunn Utility Carts. Bid documents may be obtained at https:// metrolinktrains.com/doingbusiness (free registration).

Electronic Bids are due by 2:00PM (PT) on 1/22/24.

For further information, contact Dorothea Cantero, Contract Administrator, at (213) 452-0302 or CanteroD@ scrra.net.

12/23/23 CNS-3747318# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

A4 DECEMBER 23-26, 2023 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Bold changes are in store for Medi-Cal in...

PAGE A3 dividual – that people had virtually no ability to accumulate savings if they wanted to be on Medi-Cal. In mid-2022, however, the limit was raised to $130,000, which meant that for the majority of people subject to the test, assets were no longer a barrier to eligibility. In 2024, the asset test will be eliminated altogether.

But given last year’s change, the total elimination will likely generate only a few thousand new Medi-Cal enrollees. Still, it should save people the bureaucratic headache of having to prove they’re below a certain asset threshold.

If you want to learn more about the asset limit test, the DHCS has an FAQ on the subject on its website (dhcs.ca.gov).

If you wonder whether you are among the 1.2 million Medi-Cal members who need to change health plans, and you haven’t already received communication on the subject, the department has an online tool to tell you the plans that will be available in your county as of Jan. 1.

Nearly half the people who

need to switch plans are Health Net members in Los Angeles County who are being transferred to Molina Healthcare as part of a compromise agreement the state struck last year to avoid becoming mired in lawsuits by angry health plans that lost out in a bidding competition.

If you need to change plans and you’re lucky, your doctors may be in the new plan. Make sure to check. If they are not, you may be able keep them for up to a year or long enough to finish a course of treatment that is already underway. The DHCS provides a fact sheet outlining your rights to continuity. You can also contact your current health plan for additional information or ask your county Medi-Cal office.

The Health Consumer Alliance (1-888-804-3536, or healthconsumer.org) is another source of information and assistance, as is Medi-Cal’s managed care ombudsman (1-888-452-8609, or MMCDOmbudsmanOffice@ dhcs.ca.gov) Despite the state’s best intentions, an acute shortage of medical professionals could be

DATELINE USA

a big obstacle. “As these coverage expansions are happening, and as this innovation is happening, it is being built on a health workforce that is already strained,” says Berenice Nuñez Constant, senior vice president for government relations at AltaMed Health Services, one of the state’s largest community clinic groups.

Labor shortage or not, the health plans must deliver on their contractual obligations. Anthony Wright, executive director of the advocacy group Health Access California, says, “On some level, this is about holding the plans accountable for what they are promising and getting tens of billions of dollars for.”

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

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

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STEADY SO FAR. The prices of fruits sold at the Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City remain stable, vendors said on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

The regional agriculture office earlier said the prices of fruits would slightly increase during the holiday season.

PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

$700M settlement with Google a ‘step forward,’ says Fil-Am attorney general of California AG Rob Bonta sends a warning to Google and other corporations that they cannot flout antitrust laws LOS ANGELES – California, along with 50 other states and three U.S. territories, announced a $700 million settlement with Google on Tuesday, December 19 for monopolizing the Android smartphone application market.

The state’s Attorney General Rob Bonta called the settlement one of the most significant and far-reaching during a press conference announcing the multistate settlement.

Google will pay restitution to customers who made purchases on their Android app store between August 2016 and September 2023. These consumers were harmed by the company’s anticompetitive practices, Bonta said.

“The settlement we are announcing today is a step

California Attorney General Rob Bonta

forward to returning fairness and competition to the market and returning ill-gotten gains back to users,” Bonta said.

The Fil-Am attorney general said his office wants to send a warning to Google and other corporations that they cannot flout antitrust laws.

“Google’s anticompetitive behavior hurt consumers by limiting their options, inflating prices on in-app purchases, and creating an unfair marketplace designed to funnel ill-gotten profits back to the company,” he said.

The settlement, which is subject to court approval, provides $700 million in recovery for the coalition represented by 53 attorneys general.

“This settlement sends a

clear message: The California Department of Justice is committed to protecting consumers, holding industry accountable, enforcing antitrust laws, and ensuring a fair and competitive market,” Bonta said.

Those eligible for restitution do not have to submit a claim. They will receive automatic payments through PayPal or Venmo, or they can receive a check or ACH transfer. More details about payment distribution will be announced later, according to Bonta’s office.

The multistate coalition of attorneys general sued Google in 2021 alleging that the company unlawfully monopolized the markets for Android app distribution and in-app payment processing.

The states claimed that Google signed anticompetitive contracts to prevent other app stores from being preloaded on Android devices, bought off key app developers who might have launched rival app stores to the Google Play store and created technological barriers to deter consumers from directly downloading apps to their devices.

The lawsuit was led by the attorneys general of California, North Carolina, Utah, Tennessee, and New York. It includes the attorneys general of all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Two months ago, Bonta led three dozen other state attorneys general in suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, over allegations it harms the mental health of Photo from Facebook/@RobBonta young people. (Inquirer.net)

With rising COVID-19 transmission, LA County...

PAGE A1

COVID-19 transmission. This week, Public Health is reporting a daily average of 495 cases, an undercount due to the number of home-test results not reported.

This is an 80 percent increase from the daily average of recorded COVID-19 cases one month ago on Nov. 22.

During this same time period, Los Angeles County has also seen a significant rise in SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in wastewater concentrations. This week, Public Health is reporting wastewater concentrations that are 39 percent of last year’s winter peak, triple the levels reported one month ago, when wastewater concentrations were 13 percent of last year’s winter peak.

The impact of more COVID-19 circulating in the community can be seen in the rise in the number of COVID-positive hospitalizations in Los Angeles County. This week, Public Health is reporting a daily average of 601 COVID-positive hospitalizations, over a 65 percent increase from one month ago. The daily average of the percentage of Emergency Department visits related to COVID-19 has increased from 3.6 percent to 4.6 percent during the same period.

It is possible that at least part of the local increase in transmission is driven by new COVID-19 strains gaining dominance in Los Angeles County, including JN.1, a newly emerging strain descended from BA.2.86, an Omicron lineage. For specimens collected during the two-week period ending Nov. 25, the most recent data currently available, JN.1 accounted for 10 percent of sequenced specimens, a rapid increase from late October when the strain was first detected in Los Angeles County and

accounted for only 1 percent of sequenced specimens.

This same rapid increase has been seen across the United States. The CDC has a predictive model, called the Nowcast, that estimates the proportion at which each strain is circulating for more recent time periods, since it takes a few weeks to get measured data due to the time needed to sequence specimens.

The CDC Nowcast estimates that, for the two-week period ending Dec. 9, JN.1 accounts for more than 1 in 5 COVID-19 cases nationally and about 16 percent in Region 9, which includes California. Experts speculate that this may be due to an evolution on the spike protein which gives the new strain greater ability to evade immunity, and therefore, the potential to spread more easily. JN.1 does not, however, appear to be resulting in more severe cases of COVID-19.

Currently, in Los Angeles County, for specimens collected the two-week period ending Nov. 25, strains descended from XBB accounted for 87 percent of sequenced specimens. HV.1 accounted for the highest proportion, at 28 percent, followed by EG.5 at 13 percent, HK.3 at 11 percent, and JN.1 at 10 percent.

To protect against COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses circulating this holiday season, residents should continue to take common-sense precautions.

They should wash their hands often or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating, after sneezing or coughing, or when in public places. They also should consider wearing a wellfitted, high-quality mask in crowded indoor spaces, travel hubs or poorly ventilated spaces.

People should stay home if they have any symptoms of illness,

including coughing, sneezing, a fever or sore throat, and consider talking with friends and family so they know to be cautious about gathering if they show signs of infection.

Now is a good time to stock up on COVID-19 tests, and event hosts may want to consider asking their guests to test for COVID-19 before celebrations, especially if older or immunocompromised people will be present. Tests are widely available in Los Angeles County, including at libraries, through community-based organizations, by mail through the federal government, and at local pharmacies through your health insurance policy.

More details are available at ph. lacounty.gov/COVIDtests.

Vaccines also continue to provide valuable protection against severe illness. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older. People over 60, those with very young children and pregnant people should speak with their provider about the RSV vaccine as well.

If Los Angeles County residents have questions about vaccines, such as where to get vaccinated or how to get tested, the Public Health Call Center remains open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-833540-0473. However, the Call Center will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan.1 for the holidays.

Public Health staff can connect callers with resources and help people schedule vaccination appointments, including in-home vaccinations for those that are homebound. The Public Health Call Center can also be used to access free telehealth services for COVID-19, including a nocost prescription for Paxlovid, an anti-viral medication to treat COVID-19, if eligible. 

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

BUDGET. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial signing of the P5.768-trillion 2024 national budget on Wednesday, December 20, calling on agencies to carry out the expenditure program lawfully and to honor the taxpayers who made the next year’s budget possible.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Malacañang, President Marcos reminded agencies implementing the expenditure program to fight red tape “that leads to underspending and overspending that disregards legal guardrails,” emphasizing further that these are ‘two sides of the same coin.’

Malacañang photo

CBCP: Vatican nod on blessing for same-sex couples ‘self-explanatory’ MANILA – The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Wednesday, December 20 said Pope Francis' pronouncement of allowing Catholic priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples is self-explanatory.

“In fact, in paragraph 41, What has been said in this Declaration regarding the blessings of samesex couples is sufficient to guide the prudent and fatherly discernment of ordained ministers in this regard. Thus, beyond the guidance provided above, no further responses should be expected about possible ways to regulate details or practicalities regarding blessings of this type,” CBCP president Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said in an advisory.

He added that the declaration reaffirmed the Church’s teaching on marriage as a sacrament and indissoluble union entered into by one woman and one man.

“This declaration remains firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage, not allowing any type of liturgical rite or blessing similar to a liturgical rite that can create confusion.”

Meanwhile, Lingayen-Dagupan Bishop Socrates Villegas said same sex couples that seek blessing will only receive a “blessing of mercy”.

Villegas said the declaration opens up the possibility of blessing couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples "without officially validating their status or changing in any way the Church’s perennial teaching on marriage.”

“Therefore, when a Catholic

priest prays a blessing of mercy on a couple in an irregular situation, who ‘desire to entrust themselves to the Lord and his mercy, to invoke his help, and to be guided to a greater understanding of his plan of love and of truth’, he is asking God to have pity on both of them and to give them the grace of conversion so that they can regularize their relationships,” Villegas said in his pastoral guidance.

On Monday, December 18, Pope Francis approved the document allowing Catholic priests to bless couples in irregular situations including those who are in cohabitating relationships, non-sacramental civil marriages, divorced and remarried unions, polygamous bonds, and same-sex unions. (PNA)

MANILA – The number of poor Filipinos is down by 22.4 percent in the first half of this year from 23.7 percent in the same period in 2021 or from 26.14 million to 25.14 million, the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Friday, December 22.

This means that about 900,000 Filipinos managed to rise above the poverty line

which was set at P13,797 for a family of five to meet their basic needs from January to June in 2023, said National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa in a news briefing. The poverty line in the same period in 2021 was at P12,082.

Meanwhile, the number of Filipinos who cannot buy their basic food needs is at 8.7 percent

or 9.79 million individuals in the first half of 2023, down from 9.9 percent in the same period in 2021..

The Marcos administration hopes to bring down the poverty incidence in the country to between 8.8 percent and 9 percent by 2028, according to the National Anti-Poverty Commission. (ManilaTimes.net)

Poor Filipinos down in first half of 2023 – PSA

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 23-26, 2023 A5

A6 DECEMBER 23-26, 2023 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

FEATURES

OPINION

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No more NAIA nightmare

THE year started with an embarrassing paralysis at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, following a massive power outage at the height of the holiday air traffic.

Hundreds of flights at the NAIA affecting thousands of passengers were delayed, canceled or diverted, with flights in other airports affected by the disruption. It took a few days before NAIA operations were fully restored to normal. By that time, an estimated 78,000 passengers had been affected by the flight disruptions.

The reason for the outage compounded the embarrassment: the failure to properly maintain and replace electrical equipment.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines initially traced the outage to the malfunctioning of one of the blowers in the uninterruptible power supply or UPS system, but this was later found to be inaccurate.

Two UPS units power the Communication, Navigation and Surveillance / Air Traffic Management at the country’s premier airport. A probe showed the lack of a functioning automatic voltage regulator and a functioning redundancy to back up the system in case of failure. A short circuit had occurred on a power transfer switch, which the probe deemed could have been caused by overheating due to poor maintenance.

Two more outages hit the NAIA this year,

although nothing as serious as the New Year’s Day nightmare. CAAP and other officials have said the malfunctioning parts have been replaced and the electrical system checked, with regular inspection and maintenance now being conducted.

With air travel again at its peak in this holiday season, and more passengers expected amid the full lifting of COVID restrictions worldwide, airport authorities must ensure that the New Year’s Day disaster is not repeated. Multiple investigations were carried out and experts called in to establish exactly what happened to ensure that the fiasco is not repeated. The NAIA suffers enough from bad reviews from travelers. After that disaster at the start of the year, lessons should have been learned.

Another travel nightmare at the NAIA this holiday season would be inexcusable. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Commentary SENATOR MUSHAHID HUSSAIN

CHAIRMAN, SENATE COMMITTEE ON DEFENSE, PAKISTAN CO-CHAIRMAN, STANDING COMMITTEE, INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ASIAN POLITICAL PARTIES (ICAPP) IT is interesting that this time around, the birthday of one of Asia’s most eminent statesmen, His Excellency Jose de Venecia, Jr., coincides with the 23rd anniversary of his founding of the ICAPP, International Conference of Asian Political Parties. These two happy anniversaries are a testament to the resilience and vital role of ideas in the shaping of events and the moving of Asian history.

A great son of the Philippines and, actually, a greater son of Asia, Jose de Venecia, popularly known as JDV, is a unique one of a kind leader, innovative lawmaker, businessman, statesman, diplomat, journalist, family man, and a man of vision who founded what is today, almost a quarter century after its founding, the leading organization of political parties of Asia, ICAPP. It was at the turn of the century, the beginning of the 21st century which is now being seen as the Asian Century, that JDV, then not holding any office in government or parliament, conceived and launched the ICAPP. By then, he already had a track record of a person who galvanized people and places with ideas, issues,

The Broader View

HARRY ROQUE IN a pre-Christmas event in Tarlac, Vice President Sara Duterte expressed her wish for every Filipino household: peace, love and joy. I share the sentiment.

For many kababayans in all corners of the globe, the family is front and center of this happiest day in the Christian world.

Whether in the flesh or spirit, as in the case of our overseas workers and Filipino immigrants, we find ways to celebrate the Birth of the Savior Jesus with our loved ones.

May we continue to be a blessing to our kababayans and the nation. Maligayang Pasko po!

Speaking of the festive season, I am positive the Duterte family would have a fine celebration despite being in the maelstrom of politically motivated controversies in the last half of 2023. Recently, I received disturbing information from unimpeachable sources. First is the apparent about-face of the Marcos administration regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its decision to investigate human rights abuses related to the Philippine war on drugs from 2011 to 2019. The victims’

ManilaTimes.net photo

ICAPP and the ‘Asian Guru’: the one and only JDV

and initiatives, as a leader with the tenacity to pursue goals that would otherwise be thought an ‘impossible dream.’

This self-made statesman started writing when he was in his teens giving expression to his ideas about the world shaping around him, and in his late 20s, he was sitting on the high table in what was then the center of strategic gravity in Asia, Saigon, the capital of then South Vietnam, where one of the biggest conflicts of the post-World War II was emerging.

Representing his beloved country, the Philippines, JDV as a diplomat made his mark among the senior diplomats and generals with whom he rubbed shoulders. And from then on, there was no turning back for this young lad from Pangasinan.

He was a participant in several historic moments and movements, from conceiving the Filipino workers’ remittances program in the 1960s which was of immense help to the economy of the Philippines, to seizing the first opportunity for Filipino workers in the Middle East oil boom of the 1970s, JDV was always found at the frontlines of happening events not just in the Philippines but also in Asia as a whole.

JDV’s life is an embodiment of the Asian spirit of resilience, overcoming setbacks, facing challenges head on, and bouncing back like a bang. JDV

was financially shattered in the aftermath of the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, with his contracts and business in the Middle East destroyed, he was at life’s lowest ebb, and then, he met the love of his life, Gina, who was been his sheet anchor since. Gina’s steady hand helped in JDV’s phoenixlike revival and resurgence, both in business and politics: ICAPP followed, then the longest serving Speaker in Philippines history, plus a presidential bid where JDV landed second in the field of 10 candidates.

It is thus no extent that this man of unique intellect and remarkable brilliance took the initiative to launch ICAPP almost a quarter of century back in Manila, inviting Asian leaders to join him at the creation of what has become one of the most influential and important political organizations in Asia.

What is unique in the ICAPP is it is an inclusive body which includes opposition and government, Left and Right, secular and religious, radical and conservative, Marxist and Muslim, in fact it is like a rainbow representing the finest of Asia’s unity in diversity.

My own connection with JDV also began through ICAPP and it is now an almost a quarter of century old bond, reinforced by our common commitment to Asian values and a common worldview, where we see Asian resurgence

inextricably intertwined with peace, harmony, cooperation, connectivity, and camaraderie.

ICAPP is also a blessed body, bringing good luck for many of its key members and leaders as a role in ICAPP is often a fortuitous stepping stone for the future.

The Chairman of ICAPP His Excellency Chung Eui-yong came out of semi-retirement to become the Foreign Minister and National Security czar of South Korea. Dr. Nalinee Taveesin, after a long spell in the wilderness under the military regime of Thailand, has become a member of the cabinet and a key adviser of the Prime Minister on trade and investment after the recent election in the country. The wheel of fortune has also turned for the better for our friends in Cambodia, Her Excellency Madame Khuon Sudary, has now become the first woman Speaker of Cambodia, and the young and dynamic parliamentarian Sous Yara, who is a worthy successor to the late Dr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, serving his country with distinction and dedication, and he has now become an ‘Asian rising star,’ an indispensable political trouble-shooter for Cambodia.

In Sri Lanka, ICAPP leader Daya Gamage also became a cabinet minister while ICAPP has produced two prime ministers in Nepal, Madhav Kumar Nepal and

fold.

It is a departure from the original stance adopted by the Marcos government months after the unprecedented election victories of PBBM and Inday Sara. In August 2022, the president invited me to a meeting concerning the Philippine position on the ICC probe. Present at the meeting were Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce-Enrile, Department of Justice Secretary Boying Remulla, Solicitor General Meynard Guevarra, then Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez and Special Presidential Assistant Anton Lagdameo Jr. I told the president that the country is not obligated in any way to cooperate with the ICC because we are no longer a member. It also means that the Court lost its legal jurisdiction to investigate, prosecute and try individuals suspected of committing crimes against humanity in our territory. Why? The ICC lacks judicial cognizance of the case. The Pre-Trial Chamber (PTC) only authorized the preliminary investigation in 2021, which is two years after our membership withdrawal officially took effect. It is different from the preliminary examination – an informal process that does not involve the PTC – conducted by

the Prosecutor prior to 2021. I also informed PBBM and the legal team that the ICC jurisdiction does not have a retroactive effect. The Court cannot regain it even if the Philippines decides to resume ICC membership in the future.

Likewise, it cannot probe crimes while the country was not a State Party to the international treaty.

I also advised PBBM that cooperating with the Court would infringe on our national sovereignty and independence.

The Constitution vests the judicial power on our Supreme Court and lower courts to settle controversies involving legally demandable and enforceable rights (Article 8). The president and his team agreed with my legal opinion.

My position then and now remains the same. Two Appellate Court judges – who dissented on the majority decision to allow the resumption of the ICC investigation – align with my views. They opined that the Court cannot exercise jurisdiction since the Philippine withdrawal from the Statute became effective before the Prosecutor requested authorization for a probe. They said it differs from the case of the Republic of Burundi, the first member to deposit a written notification of withdrawal from the Statute in 2016. The PTC retained jurisdiction over the Burundi situation because the former Prosecutor was authorized

Changing tune

representatives have identified former President Rodrigo Duterte and Inday Sara as among the personalities responsible for the bloody anti-drug campaign.

Second, the government seems keen on cooperating with the ICC Prosecutor and other investigators. I learned from my source that several foreigners allegedly affiliated with the Court has frequented the law office assisting the alleged victims of the drug war. I am afraid to say that the government may have already allowed these individuals to proceed with the investigation.

It violates our Constitution since we are no longer a State Party to the Rome Statute.

Previously, the government has reiterated its disengagement with the Hague-based tribunal following our membership withdrawal in 2019. In July, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. stressed the “Philippines is done with the ICC” after the Appellate Court rejected our appeal against the probe.

But in November, the chief executive seems to have backtracked. It was around that time a rumored destabilization plot against his government surfaced.

Marcos said the government is studying the possibility of the Philippines returning to the ICC

JDV and Senator Mushahid Hussain of Pakistan

K.P. Sharma Oli. So ICAPP is not just a blessed organization but also a blessing for its leaders and members' success! Today, ICAPP represents the hopes and aspirations of Asia and it is without any iota of doubt, the institutional and political voice of the Asia Century.

As we celebrate the ICAPP success story, let us not forget its amazing Founding Father JDV, who planted this seed 25 years ago that is blossomed into a huge tree with strong branches and deep roots, blossoming into an all-inclusive Asian family that is marching forward to build a better tomorrow for the world’s

largest continent, a brighter, peaceful, prosperous future, with no overlords and no underdogs!

Thank you, JDV, for all you have done, above all, being a great friend and a doer who has delivered! Wishing you happy birthday and may you live a long life in good health and may the ICAPP continue to flourish as a democratic and inclusive organization, with its truly unique character! ***

to investigate within a year after the country’s withdrawal took effect. The Appellate judges added, “Once the State’s withdrawal has become effective, the Prosecutor can no longer open an investigation.”

The Majority, meanwhile, noted that the Philippine panel failed to properly raise the issue of jurisdiction before the PTC. I found out later that the pleading submitted by the Office of the Solicitor General devoted only a paragraph that challenged the Court’s jurisdiction. The dissenting judges said the PTC erred in law on the issue of jurisdiction. Further, they would have ordered the Chamber to discontinue all proceedings related to the Philippine situation.

So, what could have provoked PBBM to change his mind?

My informant revealed that the president was dismayed by the destabilization rumor allegedly involving retired military officers and FPRRD. Indeed, Mayor Digong met with the veterans.

However, the same officers reportedly disclosed their discussion with FPRRD to the president. In reaction, Marcos started having second thoughts about completely disengaging with the ICC. I am not privy to Digong’s conversation with the veterans.

But knowing my former boss, he has established close ties

with officers who served under his administration. He is also respectful of the military and police chain of command. He has high regard for Filipino soldiers who put their lives on the line to protect the country from terrorist and extremist organizations as well as foreign incursions into our territory and economic zone.

I do not see any reason why the government should be suspicious of FPRRD’s periodic meetings with these people. As a former president of the Republic and a man of law, Digong would never breach his allegiance to the Republic. He would not dare resort to any extraconstitutional or illegal means to replace the first majority-elected president in decades. He would not lead a destabilization plot against this government because his daughter is a Cabinet member with two concurrent designations.

To my knowledge, both PBBM and Inday Sara remain pillars of an increasingly fractious UniTeam alliance. Destroying the president means dragging the vice president down with him. Ergo, united they stand, divided they fall. It only takes common sense to figure it out. (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.

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

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

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 23-26, 2023 A7

SIM registration most searched news in Philippines for 2023 – Google

by JANVIC MATEO Philstar.com

HOMEBOUND. Passengers on their way home for the holidays queue up at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Police authorities managed the flow of passengers into the terminal as security measures were heightened to ensure public safety.

PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Lawmakers divided on Charter change

by ARIC JOHN SY CUA, JENICA FAYE GARCIA AND RED MENDOZA ManilaTimes.net

LAWMAKERS offered contrasting views on the House of Representatives proposal to amend some economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez earlier said that the House would study how to amend the Constitution to better entice foreign investments.

"We have to look at the procedural aspects of amending the Constitution. We must tackle that. And to make sure that the economic provisions are backed up, we must have a story of continuity in the government," he added.

The 19th Congress' legacy could be how it made the Constitution more attuned, sensitive and responsive to the times, Romualdez said.

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said that the passage of laws that circumvent the constitutional prohibitions is an "admission" to the flaws of the 1987 Constitution and its failure to adapt to the changing needs of the country.

Barbers said that a revised constitution was a better option that would serve as a tool for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sell the country to foreign investors.

"Even if Congress passes thousands of economic laws in contravention of the Constitution, nothing will change. They will be questioned before the Supreme Court. It is a waste of valuable resources. It is an admission that the Charter has failed us economically, politically and

socially," Barbers said.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Edcel Lagman expressed reservations on the matter, saying Congress should not liberalize foreign equity and ownership of sensitive corporations and enterprises at the expense of patrimony.

Lagman said that the amendment of constitutional provisions is not among the "imperative inducement[s]" for the entry of foreign direct investments as listed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

"The following major determinants for foreign investment are listed by the OECD: (a) ease of doing business; (b) elimination or significant reduction of official corruption; (c) predictability of government policies; (d) adequate and enabling infrastructure; (e) faster and reliable internet speed; and (f) cheaper cost of power," Lagman, the president of the Liberal Party (LP), added.

He cautioned that the extension of term limits of executive and legislative officials must not be an agenda of charter change as the issue has been popularly rejected by Filipinos in surveys.

The LP is unequivocally opposed to charter change.

"Changing the Constitution costs the people time and money," the group said. "This will take away resources that could otherwise be used to address rising commodity prices, the education crisis,

and new environmental and health threats," the LP said in a statement on Tuesday, December 19.

"When the amendment to the Constitution is opened, nothing prohibits the change in other provisions, which also includes those on term limits and the prohibition of political dynasties.

Any additional office, officials, positions, or even expenses are added to the burden of the Filipino people, especially in the midst of the biggest budget deficit and debt-financing in our history after the reckless borrowing from the [Rodrigo] Duterte administration," it said.

Meanwhile, Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual said he was confident that the initiative to amend the Constitution would push through.

"Yes, it will help the country.

Anything we do that will give confidence and increase the trust of the foreign investors to invest in the Philippines will help," Pascual said in a radio interview.

He urged Filipinos to support the government's drive to attract foreign investors.

"The good thing that I can say is let us all help to welcome foreign investments because foreign investments could bring not just capital, but also technology, expansion of industries, and increase the country's exports.

Also, jobs that it could create.

That is why let us all help from different levels of government, from national to local, to ease the entry of foreign investors," he said. 

No Filipino student hurt in deadly campus shooting in Prague

by CRISTINA CHI Philstar.com

MANILA — None of the six known Filipino students at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic were hurt in the shooting incident that took place on campus on Thursday, December 21 according to embassy officials.

The Philippine Embassy in the Czech Republic said in a statement on Friday, December 22 that it has gotten in touch with "representatives" of the

students and ascertained that all six are safe and uninjured.

A student at Prague's Charles University opened fire and shot 14 people dead and injured 25 others on Thursday according to authorities’ accounts, in what is believed to be the worst mass shooting event in the Czech Republic's recent history.

The shooter is now dead and "the situation is contained," according to the embassy, which cited Czech government authorities.

The Philippine Embassy in Prague said that the victims' nationalities have not been publicly released and that it would be notified by Prague police on any possible incidents involving Filipinos.

The embassy has advised all Filipinos in the immediate area to avoid the shooting site and to remain on alert.

Based on the database of the Czech Ministry of Interior, there are at least 1,512 Filipinos with long-term visas in the country. 

Israel’s ‘Bring them home’ campaign takes jeepney ride

by GHIO ONG, MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN Philstar.com

MANILA — Using traditional jeepneys, the Israel embassy urged Filipinos on Friday, December 22 to join in appealing for the release of 129 mostly Israeli hostages still being held

by Hamas militants in Gaza.

A delegation headed by Ambassador Ilan Fluss hung Israel’s flags and tarpaulins, which carried the word “kidnapped” written in capital letters and the photos and profiles of hostages, on 15 jeepneys plying the BaclaranDivisoria route and parked at the Quirino Grandstand parade grounds in Manila on Friday.

“Today, we’re using jeepneys as canvasses to convey a powerful message of solidarity with Israel and a heartfelt plea for the safe return of the abductees,” Fluss announced.

Among the hostages are the Bibas family, with their fouryear-old and 11-month-old sons. Jimmy Pacheco, one of two Filipinos held by Hamas, made friends with them since they were captured when the group, tagged as terrorist, attacked parts of Israel on Oct. 7, according to sources from the Israeli embassy.

Fluss, who shared how he

Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss places flags on a jeepney adorned with hostage profile tarps as he kicked off an awareness campaign at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila for the release of 129 people still being held by Hamas in Gaza. Inset shows the ambassador driving one of the jeepneys, which he said were chosen as canvasses to convey a message of solidarity between the Philippines and Israel.

Philstar.com photo by Ernie Peñaredondo

personally heard the harrowing account of Pacheco’s 47-day ordeal as a hostage of Hamas, urged the Filipino community to stand for good, justice and human rights by participating in this meaningful campaign.

While condemning Hamas’ murders and abuses against around 1,200 Israelis and foreigners they abducted, Fluss also reiterated the need for Hamas to release the remaining 129 hostages.

He also called on Filipinos to help Israel “put pressure on

Hamas to change (their) ways, negotiate, release hostages, and stop using humans as (their) shields.”

“Together, we can make a difference and contribute to the safe return of the remaining abductees,” Fluss said.

Previously, 153 out of 193 members of the United Nations including the Philippines voted in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza, a territory of Palestine which Israel has bombarded heavily due to alleged presence of Hamas militants. 

MANILA — The new law requiring Filipinos to register their SIM cards is the most searched news in the Philippines this year, according to technology company Google.

Google Philippines on Tuesday, December 19 unveiled the Year In Search 2023, its annual compilation of the top trending keywords and terms that Filipinos searched for.

“These top 10 lists serve as a record of the many events and issues that people have gotten caught up in over the year.

For example, SIM registration topped the News list because of the new law that mandated everyone to register their phone numbers, and because Filipinos wanted to know more about the process,” the company said.

Following “SIM registration” in the most searched news category was “precinct finder,” which allowed Filipinos to look for their voting precincts in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections last October.

“Persona non grata” ranked third, which Google said was due to the controversy involving drag queen Pura Luka Vega. It was followed by “Nipah virus” and the “War in Israel and Gaza.”

Sixth on the list was “lato-lato,”

a toy that surged in popularity in the country this year.

Other top searches in the news category included updates and information on disasters, including “Typhoon Egay,” “Taal Volcano” and “Turkey earthquake.”

Completing the list was “MoCa Farm,” the subject of an advisory from the Securities and Exchange Commission in June for supposedly offering investments to the public without proper registration.

Aside from the top news searches, Google’s Year in Search also featured top searches in other categories.

In sports, “Lakers vs Warriors” was the most searched keyword among Filipinos, referring to the National Basketball Association games between Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. It was followed by “Lakers vs Nuggets” and “FIBA World Cup.” Korean series “Duty After School” was the most searched show or series, followed by local series “Maria Clara at Ibarra” and Korean show “Moving.”

“Say You Won’t Let Go,” a 2016 song by James Arthur, was the most searched song or lyrics, followed by local songs “ERE” of Juan Karlos and “Pasilyo” by SunKissed Lola.

“Oppenheimer” was the most

searched film among Filipinos, followed by “John Wick: Chapter 4” and “Barbie.”

Top male personalities included South Korean actor Ahn Bo-hyun, who had a brief relationship with Blackpink’s Jisoo, as well as Japanese actor Mackenyu of One Piece fame and Filipino actor Marco Gumabao.

Top female personalities included British actress Katy Louise Saunders, wife of popular South Korean actor Song Joongki, as well as Filipino actress Cristine Reyes and British actress Millie Bobby Brown.

Google also released the most searched Korean series in the Philippines, which included “Duty After School,” “Moving” and “The Glory.”

It also had a list of most searched farewells, led by broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez, actor and comedian Joey Paras and “Friends” actor Matthew Perry.

For gamers, the most searched in the Philippines was “Blade Ball codes,” followed by “Delta Executor” and “Soldier, Poet or King quiz.”

Globally, the “War in Israel and Gaza” was the most searched news this year, followed by “Titanic submarine,” “Turkey earthquake,” “Hurricane Hilary” and “Hurricane Idalia.” 

Philstar.com photo

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Saturday, DECEMBER 23, 2023

LIFESTYLE CO N S U M E R G U I D E COMMUNIT Y MARKETPLACE

Success story: Parents’ ultimate sacrifice pays off when the family is finally reunited, on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday ROMEO and Connie came to the U.S. in 1994 agonizing decision to make, the couple knew their to visit, leaving behind their five children. They sacrifice was going to provide a better education remained in the U.S. after friends convinced for their children and a better life for their family. them to pursue a better life here. While it was an After 13 years, their green card finally arrived, and they immediately filed a petition for their youngest, Remuel, who was only eight years old when they left him behind in 1994. Their previous lawyer said that Remuel had already aged out and nothing could be done.

However, Mommy Connie saw a similar case on Citizen Pinoy, and she insisted and convinced her husband, Romeo, to consult with Atty. Gurfinkel.

During their consultation, Atty. Gurfinkel informed them that Remuel (left) was eligible for a visa under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), and Atty. Gurfinkel was able to bring their youngest to the U.S. as an immigrant in 2011.

Since then, Atty. Gurfinkel also worked At first, there were only two. Dad Romeo (left) and Mom Connie PAGE B2 (center) arrived in the U.S. in 1994.

FROM TWO (2) TO 14 – HOW THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE OF A COUPLE PAID OFF AND CHANGED THE LIVES OF THEIR WHOLE FAMILY, ON AN ENCORE SUCCESS STORY ON CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! When Dad Romeo (standing, left) and Mom Connie (standing, 2nd from right) came to the U.S. to visit in 1994, they did not know that they would not be returning to the Philippines for a very long time. Friends convinced them to stay and find work in America to support their five children, whom they left behind. It was a sacrifice that was heart-wrenching for any parent to bear, but they tried to focus on the end goal of being reunited in the U.S. When their previous lawyer said that they could not get their youngest since he had aged-out, Mommy Connie insisted they see leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, who had a similar successful case on Citizen Pinoy. Atty. Gurfinkel was able to deliver and bring the youngest three children and their families. The family of two, Romeo and Connie, has now grown to 14, and Atty. Gurfinkel is working on bringing the rest of the clan to the U.S. Watch this success story on an encore of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, December 24 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

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Jo Koy to host 81st Golden Globes Enchong, Cedrick say MMFF film ‘GomBurZa’ reminds Filipinos to ‘never be apolitical’

by Billy De la cruz AJPress

MARK your calendars for January 7, 2024 as Filipino American stand-up comedian and actor Jo Koy is set to take center stage as the host of the highly anticipated 81st Golden Globe Awards.

“I’m super excited to announce that the Golden Globes [is] in a couple of weeks. And you’re probably wondering who the host is,” Jo Koy said, as he shared the big news on his Instagram account on Thursday, December 21.

“It’s me! Jo Koy! That’s right,” the Fil-Am comedian exclaimed.

Following the announcement, Jo Koy said that he is looking forward to making his kababayans proud.

“I’ve stepped onto a lot of stages around the world in my career, but this one is going to be extra PAGE B2 Stand-up comedian and actor Jo Koy

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

Instagram photo/@jokoy

ONE hundred fifty-one years after the three martyred priests GomBurZa were executed, Cedrick Juan and Enchong Dee hope their Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry will challenge Filipinos to seek justice and to never be “apolitical.”

Juan and Dee, who were accompanied by their costars Ketchup Eusebio and Carlos Siguion-Reyna and

director Pepe Diokno during an advanced screening, said “GomBurZa” is a film that teaches their countrymen to “never [be] apolitical” through the story of the priests Mariano Gomes, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora.

“Isa sa pinakamaitutulong ng artists talaga ay ‘yung integrity.

Never dapat maging apolitical ang artists kasi everything is about politics talaga (What artists can really do to help is to practice integrity. Artists should never be political because

everything is about politics),” Juan said, in response to INQUIRER.net’s question on the role of an artist when it comes to keeping the public informed about history.

“In terms of politics, bawal kang maging ganito. Pero alam mo na sobrang halaga niya sa history nating lahat. Blessing [kung saan kami ngayon], kasi maraming gustong gumawa at mag-impart ng ganitong klaseng influence sa mga tao,” he continued.

PAGE B3

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Success story: Parents’ ultimate sacrifice...

PAGE B1 on Rina’s (5th from left) employment petition, and in 2019, Rina arrived in the U.S. with her husband and their children.

Atty. Gurfinkel also worked on Karen’s (2nd from left) family petition. She arrived in November 2022, together with her two children.

Atty. Gurfinkel (right) has successfully brought three children to the U.S. – Remuel (left), True to his law firm’s mission Karen (2nd from left), and Rina (5th from left). of “Bringing Families Together,” Atty. Gurfinkel is committed to keeping that promise. To this day, he is working on bringing the rest of the Padlan family to the U.S. From the original two members, Connie and Romeo, the family has now grown to 14 members who now reside in the U.S., living the American Dream.

Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, December 24 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.

Atty. Gurfinkel (standing, 3rd from left) makes it his mission to “Bring Families Together.”

Celebrities pay respects to actor Ronaldo Valdez

by Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

CELEBRITIES paid their respects to veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez at his wake in Makati City on Tuesday, December 19.

The memorial service for the cremated remains of Valdez took place at the Garden Suite of Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium in Guadalupe.

Among the visitors seen in Instagram posts of Valdez’s manager and bestfriend Jamela Santos were his “2 Good 2 Be True” co-stars Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Alyssa Muhlach, Gelli de Belen, Bianca de Vera, Franco Laurel, Pamu Pamorada, and director Mae Cruz-Alviar, as well as other celebrities like Anjo Yllana and Andrew Gan. Several individuals also extended their condolences through mass cards and sympathy flowers as shown in Janno Gibbs’ Instagram stories. They include (Advertising Supplement) former vice president Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, Vickie Belo and Hayden Kho, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, Robin and Mariel Padilla, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” and Precy Estrada, as well as Coco Martin and Julia Montes.

The national film agency, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), also paid tribute to the legendary actor.

FDCP posted: “The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) extends heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Ronaldo Valdez, Veteran Actor (1947–2023). Your contribution to the Philippine film industry will forever be etched in our hearts.” The German Moreno Walk of Fame Foundation also wrote on social media, “In loving

Ronaldo Valdez’s talent manager Jamela Santos with Valdez’s son Janno Gibbs and Daniel Padilla.

Photos from Instagram/@misseverywhere1

memory of a legendary icon that will be forever in our screens and hearts—Mr. Ronaldo Valdez.

Eastwood City and the German Moreno Walk of Fame Foundation join the entertainment industry in remembering a great actor and Walk of Fame inductee—Mr. Ronaldo Valdez. Thank you for the decades of cinematic magic. Your star will continue to illuminate in our memories.” Meanwhile, talent manager Santos threatened those who spread the sensitive video of the actor.

The video shows the response of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) personnel at Valdez’s residence, where he was found lifeless with a gun in one hand.

The same video also showed his body being transferred onto a stretcher and out of the house. It is unclear where the video originated and how it was captured, but many speculate that someone might have recorded Valdez while being investigated

by Quezon City police.

According to the talent manager, she will not let the disrespect pass and vowed to settle the score with these “animals” after mourning.

She added, “ “Why people can be soooo cruel!!!! I can’t believe it!!!! Ano para maka scoop kayo???? “Para mag trending kayo????!!! (What, to get a scoop?

To trend?) How can you be soooo low! Mga walang respeto!!! (No respect) A GOOD and a brilliant man like him doesn’t deserve this!!!! “Babalik senyo lahat ng ginawa nyo!!! (“Everything you’ve done will come back to you).

It’s just a matter of time.” She also posted it on her Instagram account, along with a call for help to mass report the social media pages that released the said video.

Santos also sought assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), saying, “Do we have someone from NBI that can help???? Please mass report it.” Ronald James Dulaca Gibbs in real life, Valdez died on Sunday. While the family did not disclose the reason for his passing, authorities confirmed that a.45 caliber pistol with an empty magazine was found near Valdez’s body.

As of posting time, no information has been provided regarding the date and location of the inurnment. g

Safety tips on how to prepare for storms AS more winter rainstorms are forecast for the Southland, you and your family can follow these nine steps to help keep you safe.

When there is heavy rainstorms and flooding, it’s important to plan ahead and be prepared.

Follow these tips to help ensure that you and your loved ones are safe and comfortable when storms hit Southern California.

• Watch for Downed Wires - Severe weather can cause power lines to fall. They can electrify puddles, wet grass and the surrounding area.

Never approach a downed wire or anyone or anything in contact with it. Stay away and call 911 immediately.

A downed wire doesn’t always spark or hum.

Always assume a downed wire is energized.

Coming into contact with electrical wires can cause serious injury or even death.

• Preparedness Kit - Make sure your preparedness kit includes flashlights, batteries, cash and first-aid supplies. Check out this preparedness kit checklist from our friends at the American Red Cross to make sure you have everything you’ll need in your supply kit.

• Prepare Your Home - Clear your gutters and outdoor drains. Keeping your gutters clear can help eliminate the risk of water damage from having clogged gutters. If water flow is not possible, it can accumulate water in areas of your roof, basement, cause rusting and lead to an increased risk of decay, moisture and leaks.

Also, be sure to use a sturdy ladder, be aware of your surroundings and stay at least 10 feet away from power lines. Sandbags can also be used to help protect your home and property before a storm.

• Trees and Vegetation - Prepare now for stormy, winter weather. Submit a tree trimming request by calling 1-800-990-7788 if you observe trees or other vegetation that are dead or dying and leaning into overhead power lines.

SCE will trim trees that are hanging from “pole to pole” free of charge, but the homeowner is responsible for trees that are between the pole and the house. If you wish to trim a tree growing around the power line that runs from the pole to your house, please contact us before

you plan to trim — if you have any concerns, our crews may de-energize and safely move these pole-to-house power lines out of the way so that the work can be done safely.

• Emergency Apps - Make sure you and your phone are prepared for an emergency or an outage. Check out the emergency apps from the American Red Cross to help you be prepared for an emergency or major disaster, such as floods or earthquakes. You should also download My SCE app on your iOS or Android device to make sure you have outage updates at your fingertips.

• Inspect Your Car - Make sure your windshield wipers are working and check your tire tread. An easy way to test your tire tread is by doing this simple penny test.

• Use a Flashlight - Keep a flashlight handy because using candles during an emergency or outage poses a high fire risk.

• Watch Traffic Signals - Watch for traffic signals that may be out and approach those intersections as four-way stops. Remember that if your windshield wipers are on, your headlights should be on as well.

• Secure Trash and Debris - Make sure to secure trash and other items that have the potential of blowing or floating away.

Here are some additional winter storm safety tips: • Beware during flooding. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and 2 feet can sweep your vehicle away.

• Never try to remove a broken tree limb or branch that has come in contact with a power line.

• Make sure you have battery-operated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries to make sure they’re fresh.

• If you use a generator, place it outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into it, using heavy-duty extension cords. Connecting generators directly to household circuits creates “backfeed,” which is dangerous to repair crews.

• Don’t leave your space heater unattended and unplug it when not in use. Consider getting a space heater that has an automatic shut-off.

For more safety tips, visit: sce.com/safety. g

Jo Koy to host 81st Golden...

PAGE B1 special. I’m so excited to be hosting the Golden Globes this year,” the 52-year-old said. “This is that moment where I get to make my Filipino family proud. Mahal Kita (Google it)!”

Just last month, Jo Koy was among the slew of iconic comedians featured in Netflix’s animated musical “Leo”. “Leo,” played and co-written by Adam Sandler, takes the audience on a captivating journey through the last years of Leo’s life, as seen through the perspective of a lizard on a quest for an extraordinary fifth-grade adventure.

Alongside big names in comedy like Bill Burr, Jason Alexander, Stephanie Hsu and Rob Schneider, who is also of Filipino descent, Jo Koy adds his comedic touch to the animated lizard world in the role of Coach Komura.

Jo Koy’s brand of comedy draws inspiration from growing up in a Filipino American household. He has continuously captivated audiences worldwide and filled arenas to capacity. The “Funny Is Funny World Tour” shattered sales records at venues globally. Before that, he delighted viewers with five top-rated stand-up specials on Comedy Central and Netflix, including his latest Netflix special, “Live From The Los Angeles Forum.”

In 2022, the Fil-Am comedian starred in the film “Easter Sunday,” produced by Universal Pictures. He has also appeared in Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” and lent his voice to the character Bendo in Netflix’s animated film “Monkey King.” He is set to voice the character of The Monkey King in the upcoming animated feature film “Tiger’s Apprentice,” which will premiere on Paramount+

on February 2, 2024.

Helen Hoehne, the president of the Golden Globes, said she is thrilled about Jo Koy hosting the prestigious ceremony mentioning that the comedian’s infectious energy and relatable humor will set the perfect tone for Hollywood’s award season.

“We can’t wait to see what he has in store for the stars in the room and a global audience. We know Jo is bringing his A-game,” Hoehne shared.

The Golden Globes stands as the grandest award ceremony honoring the best in both film and television. This year’s ceremony will introduce two new accolades: the Best Stand-Up Comedian on Television and the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.

“Barbie” dominates the nominations at the Globes, securing a staggering nine nods. The film is recognized in the Best Picture Musical or Comedy category, along with acting nominations for Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Additionally, three of its original songs have received welldeserved recognition. Following closely behind is Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” which has garnered eight nominations. The film is nominated in the Best Picture Drama category and has earned acting nominations for Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., and Emily Blunt.

The 81st Golden Globes will be aired live on CBS, for those watching on cable or broadcast.

Additionally, the program will be streamed on Paramount+ and can be accessed through the CBS app, thanks to a new agreement between the network and the Golden Globes. g

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Let’s live in peace, not wait till we “rest in peace”

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Give yourself the gift of ‘self -care’ (starting with Skin care)

This christmas and beyond Merry Christmas and happy peaceful new year to all!

The Metamorphosis ERNIE D. DELFIN THIS year which will soon bid us farewell has given me great lessons and priceless experiences both physically, emotionally and spiritually at this time of my life. It is filled with many occurrences , either imagined or planned, as well as events beyond one’s control, like death. Before thanksgiving my only living sister, Sor. Leticia Delfin, OP, (a Dominican nun for almost 50 years) passed away after a lingering deadly Parkinson’s disease!

As a practicing Catholic, I have accepted the inevitability of death, as part of parcel of living on earth. No one can escape death, the greatest equalizer in life, which even the richest or most powerful person cannot negotiate and win.

I believe I have undergone a profound intrinsic metamorphosis in my life, as I traverse my unique personal journey on this planet. As I do my regular walk of faith, I experience a wide gamut of human emotions along the way that often compels me to ponder and reflect deeply the purpose of my life With the expected passing away of my last living Sister Leticia ( I had 3 other sisters who have passed much earlier) before thanksgiving and buried on her 70th birthday last month, it hit me like a brick that any day it will also be my last day, considering that I am their eldest brother among my siblings.

On Thanksgiving Day and now the Season of Advent, I am quite aware and have made another resolution that indeed, I have to live the VERY best I can DAILY because one of these days, it really will be my last day too! Every waking hour, as I hike on this Earth, creating and adding substantial or meaningful “contents

“ placed inside that little inconspicuous hyphen that will separate the year of my birth and the year of death on my tombstone. What a sobering thought causing a very powerful earthquake in my bones shaking my whole being! Spiritually, I think I am ready to die, but as a human being, I am also scared to undergo that certain phase my life that I have never experienced before!

As my desire for material possessions has significant declined during the last couple of decades, my craving for inner peace and spiritual health has increased, following the example of my favorite Saint John the Baptist who unflinchingly declared that “ HE must increase and I must decrease.”

That bold statement that bewildered many of his followers must be shouted louder and with more frequency these days when most of pubic servants and civil or political leaders appear too callous and arrogant to recognize and work towards the common good! Many have become S. S. (self serving) leaders instead of true Servant Leaders like the likes of Mahatma Gandhi or George Washington.

Sad documentary of our times, but quite true as we are bombarded by depressing TV news and the daily newspapers.

There seems to be a dearth of good news, often hidden behind BAD news caused by evil men upon his fellowmen.

News from Ukraine to Israel, from the U.S. malls where emboldened daylight robberies occur , from school campuses to places of worship where random shootings take place, are now too common.

Devil appears anywhere working hard to win and destroy our peace on earth. It seems that there is no more public place that is sacred and immune from violence and crimes.

To be happy and at peace is getting harder and becoming very challenging. I am glad that I am now “retired” from the rat race in pursuit of material things that sometimes causes other bad things, like stress,

depressions or ulcers.

By no means, I am not a rich man, but I think I have a rich life.

As an active volunteer of our Peace & Justice Ministry of our church and a prison Minister in our Diocese of Orange, I have learned much despite that I have now lesser cash or income the last couple of decades during my retirement.

Ironically, however, there are upsides as I feel much happier and more fulfilled now that when I worked 50-60 hours a week chasing the Almighty Dollar. I now live a much simpler life and happier with more joy doing by doing “nothing” but just reading and writing (I have published by first book, “Finding Life’s Meaning & Leaving a Legacy” that was diligently done during the Covid19 years) For physical activities, I still bike and also do and enjoy my organic gardening and doing my “APOStolic” by being an uber driver to my two young grandaughers from school. If you are do what I do, you will know the JOY these activities can bring you as priceless rewards.

The biblical saying that “that where your treasures are, is where your heart will be is indeed true.

With that backdrop, please allow me to end my last 2023 column by sharing some random activities that you too can do that may contribute to your own life’s happiness, fulfillment and joy, while helping our world to become a better place and a more peaceful society for our children, their children and their children: • Minimize or moderate your greed for more material things.

Most likely you too have more than enough to last you until you die.

There is a study that after a certain amount of money you in your bank account, any more addition can no longer significantly augment towards your happiness and comfort.

• We all have two hands. Use one hand to help yourself, and the other hand, to help others.

PAGE B6

YOU’VE heard it said, many times in many ways: loving yourself is essential in finding true happiness. And of course what better way to do that but by investing in self-care. Selfcare, as the name suggests, is all about caring for yourself –– ensuring that your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs are met. This holiday, why not “gift yourself” some welldeserved self-care?

Taking inspiration from our company slogan, “Beauty is a lifestyle,” caring for yourself is a lifetime commitment and it involves several aspects.

Keep in mind that all the stress-relief activities in the world won’t do any help if you aren’t taking care of yourself. Meditation won’t do you any good if you aren’t getting adequate sleep. Similarly, hitting the gym (no matter how often) won’t relieve much stress if you’re not eating as healthy as you need to.

Skincare is self-care and rightly so. After all, the skin is the largest organ in the human body. It performs many important functions, including protecting the body from external damage, regulating temperature, and providing sensory information. Thus, it is extremely important to take care of your skin, because healthy skin means healthy you.

Start with having a skin care routine and stick to it The first step (and probably the most basic, yet very important) is to have a skincare routine. And with routine being the operative word, you need to do this on a regular schedule and stay consistent. Skincare routines vary depending on the skin types and skin concerns of the person, but it should consist of these four important steps: (1) cleanse, (2) correct and exfoliate, (3) moisturize and protect (daily use of Sunscreen).

1. Cleanse - Whether it is for a day or night routine, both usually starts with cleansing your face with a gentle yet effective cleanser. Some would be in a form of a specialized treatment based on their skin type, and a quenching moisturizer— supplemented by perhaps a carefully chosen face mask or even treatment and/or cleansing pads. Removing debris or dead skin cells is your goal for doing this essential step.

2. Correct/Treat and Exfoliate - Correcting or treating skin problems is very important. With so many different skin types and concerns such as blackheads, pimples and oiliness, it’s important to use products that

routine for every skin type and age. Protecting your skin from the sun is important even if you’re spending your days indoors, as UV rays can penetrate through the windows Quality is key. Know the right products for your skin type and needs. Now that we’ve narrowed down the essential steps in your skincare routine, you’ll do yourself a great favor if you use quality products and the right ingredients that are good for your skin, and of course, address your skin concern. And while we are soaking in on the holiday spirit, I am sharing you a list of our best-selling Iskin products to include in your journey to self-care. You may also check out other products on our website (www.iskinbeverlyhills. com), as well as the rest of the product ingredients.

Here are the best-selling iSkin products you need in your life now: 1. iSkin Botanical Cleanser is a blend of botanicals which focusses on calming and balancing your complexion, without over-drying your skin.

Main ingredients include Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Water, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Extract, and Hyaluronic Acid, among others.

2. iSkin Timeless Kit - this arsenal of agedefying products include (1) Hyaluronic Serum + B5, (2) Age Defense with Hyaluronic Acid and (3) Stem cell serum. The Hyaluronic Serum with B5 is made to “Hydrate - Plump – Smoothen” your skin. It is ideal for for acneprone skin as it deeply hydrates without clogging pores, while it plumps and smooths fine lines and wrinkles. This intensely hydrating serum is Hyaluronicacid-based and containsVitamin E (tocotrienol) and botanical extracts that promote balanced and healthy-looking skin, with no greasy feel. Its key ingredients are: Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Ginkgo Biloba, Vitamin E. The second essential product in this kit is the Age Defense with Hyaluronic Acid which is made to “Resurface – Tighten – Smoothen.” This skin-refining PAGE B6

Skincare is self-care and rightly so. After all, the skin is the largest organ in the human body. It performs many important functions, including protecting the body from external damage, regulating temperature, and providing sensory information. can specifically hone in on these issues and improve the overall health of your skin. Part of treating skin problems is to exfoliate. This step should be done once up to twice a week in order to keep pores really clean.

3. Moisturize - Whatever you do, do not skip this essential step. After you’ve put in all that work and have cleansed, exfoliated and treated your skin, -moisturizing your skin is integral because it’s an absolutely important to restore hydration, especially during the day, and it’s a step that all skin types (even combination and oily) can benefit from.

4. Protect - Dermatologists agree: Sunscreen is the most important step in any skincare

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Pastor’s Notes ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas WE are filled with joy as Christmas approaches. In just a few hours, we will be celebrating the Christmas liturgies: the Vigil Mass and Midnight Mass. Mary accompanies us in this joyful anticipation, as she is the ark of the covenant and the bearer of the long-promised Messiah from the lineage of David. Her spirit resides with us and the Church, characterized by her profound love for God who has showered her with loving kindness, her piety, deep sense of awe, humility, openness to God’s will, and her fidelity and obedience.

With Mary’s “yes,” hope is enlivened, and history is forever changed.

An unimaginable future for all people, including the Gentiles, has been bestowed upon us by God. Our celebration of Jesus’ birth tonight is a testament to the pledge made to David: God the Father’s everlasting love manifested through the sending of His only begotten son, Jesus, who becomes the indestructible temple not constructed by human hands but by unconditional love and selfless sacrifice for the entire world.

Celebrating Christmas Terminating an employee in the Spirit of Mary based on perceived disability

Today and this evening, I invite you to contemplate this mystery of God’s salvation. I encourage you to embrace the spirit of Mary: to be overwhelmed with awe and joy at the profound love God has for us and to reflect upon Jesus, the Son of God, who became like us. I urge you to encounter Jesus through prayer, Christmas liturgies, and witness His transformative effects and influence in the lives of our children, families, friends, society, and the world.

Furthermore, I implore you to share this divine love with everyone. Let your faith in Jesus shine for all to see. May this Christmas be more than just a holiday for our families and friends to gather, but a true celebration of our unwavering belief and faith in Jesus.

I encourage you to perceive God’s wondrous works in the world by faithfully witnessing the Gospel through our concern for those in need, including those suffering from war, natural disasters, poverty, and persecution.

I invite you to embrace the Spirit of Mary as portrayed in today’s Gospel. Let us be receptive to God’s will, trust in what may seem impossible, and

say yes to life with all its joys and sorrows. Let us heed God’s call to infuse this world with the spirit of the Gospel: love, kindness, mercy, gentleness, peace, patience, and openness to welcome all people into our lives.

I urge you to maintain hope in God despite the challenges we face in these times and our personal struggles. The true spirit of Christmas lies in feeling and believing that God has never abandoned us. He has fulfilled His promise of redemption through the birth of His Son, and He will fulfill His promise of Jesus’ Second Coming when justice and peace will prevail over all the evils of this world.

We look forward to seeing you tonight or tomorrow in the church to celebrate the profound mystery of God’s love: the birth of His Son, Emmanuel, for indeed, God is with us! *** 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. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

Enchong, Cedrick say MMFF...

PAGE B1 (In terms of politics, you can’t be like this. But you know that it’s very important to be aware of our history. It’s a blessing to be in this position because many want to create something like this, and impart this kind of influence to people.)

Dee likened his position to GomBurZa since they stood as the “first line of defense” in helping their countrymen fight for their independence — which inspired him to treat his status as a “responsibility.”

“I’d like to believe that the first line of defense were the priests. They have a position in society during that time. That’s why they were able to represent us as second-class citizens,” he said.

“I think there’s always a responsibility among people who have influence, and people who are somehow a little bit on that pedestal when it comes to our society.”

The actor further added, “Kung mahirap ka, wala kang boses (If you’re poor, you don’t have a voice). We have the responsibility. Especially us, with a little bit of influence, a little bit of popularity, a little bit of power. It is what it is, so we have to be empathetic with our countrymen).”

Juan also noted that teaching of history can be

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improved by paying more attention to imagery and emotions, apart from providing “factual text.”

“We rely on books kasi factual siya, base siya sa research. Kami [naman], as artists, feel ko ang pinakamaitutulong namin in terms of education ay kung paano itawid ang nararamdaman ng isang tao habang binabasa nila ang ganitong klaseng pyesa. And I consider that description, same ang emotion lalo na towards the end.”

(We rely on books because it’s factual, and it’s based on research. But for us as artists, what we can contribute in terms of education is how we can translate their emotions to readers while they read their stories. I consider the description similar to the emotions, especially towards the end.)

‘Personal’ film For his part, Dee considers “GomBurZa” as a “personal” film which he qualifies as his gift to the country as a Filipino. “It was somehow very personal. [GomBurZa’s story] is something that I include in my prayers nowadays.” “‘Yung Filipinos na pinagdaanan ang ganito, ang masakit is nanggagaling siya sa kapwa Pilipino. It is now part of my prayers. I hope the Philippines will continue to have justice,” he continued. “I PAGE B6

EMPLOYMENT

may constitute discrimination that to a friendly colleague, he admitted that our boss actually said something to him about my being a “potential liability” due to my past medical issue. He wasn’t sure what she meant, but he was afraid to ask. Do you think I might have been discriminated against?

A. There are indications that you may have been discriminated against because of what your employer perceived to be a disability. Under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (“FEHA”) it is unlawful to discharge a person from employment, or otherwise discriminate against the person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of a disability.

expressed her belief that your health condition was incompatible with your director position and that you were a potential liability to her department.

Based on your account, it atty. C. Joe sayas, JR. would appear that you were able to successfully perform the Q: I AM a marketing executive essential duties of your job, both with decades of experience. I before the pacemaker surgery am very good at my job and was and subsequent to it. You have promoted almost 2 years ago to a obviously been subjected to an director position at my company. adverse employment action, About a year ago, I was diagnosed i.e., a termination. If proven with a congenital heart condition true, your assertion that your that required I get a pacemaker. boss is actually promoting I told my boss about it to let her someone else to replace you, know that I needed some time off rather than eliminating your for the surgery. position, may be evidence that When I came back from leave, your firing was a result of your my boss asked that we meet to perceived disability. discuss my “reintegration” If you prevail at trial, to the team. During our you could entitled to Under the California Fair discussion, she asked recover lost wages and multiple questions about Employment and Housing benefits, as well as what she and my cocompensation for any Act (“FEHA”) it is unlawful workers would need to do emotional distress you in case I had an adverse to discharge a person from may have suffered as health event at work. She a result of your firing. employment, or otherwise also expressed concern Note also that FEHA that the demands of my discriminate against the authorizes recovery director position might of attorneys’ fees and person in the terms, conditions, be bad for my heart. I litigation costs, which explained to her that I or privileges of employment, allows employees with felt fine, and that, more meritorious claims to because of a disability. importantly, my doctor have access to counsel, ensured me I could return who may agree to to work like normal, with represent you on a contingency no restrictions.

To state a case of unlawful (no recovery, no fee) basis.

But she insisted we try to lighten disability discrimination, an *** my workload so that I’m not, in employee must have proof The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints her words, “too stressed.” Some that: (1) she suffered from a expressed by the author do not of my assignments were shifted disability, or was regarded as necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs around to others. I continued to suffering from a disability; (2) and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its do well, so I told her I was ready she could perform the essential management, editorial board and staff. to take on more responsibilities. duties of the job with or without *** She said ok and that she was glad reasonable accommodation; The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. to hear it, but nothing changed. and (3) she was subjected welcomes inquiries about this topic.

Later, my boss told me that I to an adverse employment All inquiries are confidential and at no am being terminated because action because of the actual or cost. You can contact the office at (818) they were eliminating my perceived disability.

291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw. position. But I heard from some Based on your recitation com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe people in my department that of facts, it would appear that Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered my boss is actually looking to you are not actually disabled wages and other monetary damages promote a younger executive in within the meaning of FEHA, for thousands of employees and our department, who has pretty which defines disability consumers. He was named Top Labor much the same background and as any physical or mental & Employment Attorney in California skill set that I have, to a similar condition that limits one or by the Daily Journal, consistently position. more major life activities. selected as Super Lawyer by the I’m still good at my job, but I Rather, it appears that your Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past feel like everything changed for employer simply regarded or Presidential Awardee for Outstanding me at the company after I got my perceived you to be suffering Filipino Overseas.] pacemaker. When I mentioned from a disability when she (Advertising Supplement)

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights

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B6 DECEMBER 23-26, 2023 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Let’s live in peace, not...

PAGE B4 • Like Mother Teresa has shown the world, we have to do our activities, not only with our H ead and H ands but also engage our H eart (to love others) This is the her Three H’s to be Happy and JOY-FULL • Volunteer to any ministry in your church or any community benefits organizations (CBOs) in your city doing good works for those who have less in life, the young and old

and vulnerable. Work for the common good, especially at risk children, the poor , the weak and those in need. Many non-profit organizations like the Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions , YMCA, RobynesNest, and many others that can use your time,. skills and experience.

• Tutor young children to read, teach them to become productive citizens while their minds are moldable.

Idle children often times lead to

destructive behaviors, and often the big factors why young people land in jails.

• Rather than cursing the darkness around you, light your own candle. Or become like the water lily plant that is over polluted waters but still thrives and cleanses the dirty water beneath it.

• For Christians, there are many corporal acts of mercy that you can do. Matthew 35 writes: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked or visiting those in prison are important corporal • Meet a new friend, by being a friend to someone.

• Live simply, so others can simply live. SHARE MORE! Many of us can easily do any of the above without much cost or hundreds of hours investment if you really wanted to. Time and talent even without much treasure can help significantly to better this world we all share. Thank you for reading this Christmas/ NY column.

Perchance, if you want more information what to do or how to volunteer, and make your boring life more exciting, and worth living, feel free to call me and I can share my factual experiences in volunteer work with anyone who calls me.

You may also visit any of these websites: Prison ministry (www.rcbo.com/restore) or Rotary (www.rotary5320.org) or the CBO for at risk kids at: (www.robynesnets.org) Or simply contact me at 714 746 3088 or send an email to: ernie.delfin@gmail.com.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! May the coming year bring you prosperity, happiness and PEACE! *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** ernie.delfin@gmail.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Who gets to claim the dependency tax exemption in their tax return when parents get divorced?

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes AS the year end comes near, divorcing parties begin to plan for how they will file their taxes for this year. Consider the common divorce scenario where the divorce judgment provides primary physical custody of the children to one spouse while the other spouse only gets visitation.

The parties begin to file separate tax returns. Which parent gets to claim the dependency tax exemption of the children in his or her return?

In this scenario, the noncustodial parents can no longer file as head of household, even if the noncustodial parent is allowed to claim the children as dependents under the divorce judgment because this requires that the parent have custody of the children at least 6 months of the year. Noncustodial parents also can no longer claim the earned income tax credit. However, the noncustodial parent can claim the child tax credit.

In the absence of a provision in the divorce judgment which states otherwise, the parent with primary custody of the children is ordinarily entitled to claim the children as dependents for tax purposes. If a qualifying child is claimed as a dependent by both parents and the parents do not file a joint return, the child is normally treated as the qualifying child of the custodial parent IRC § 152(c)(4)(B)(i) However, the Code allows the dependency exemption and child tax credit to be shifted to the noncustodial parent when a child receives over one-half of the child’s support during the calendar year from the child’s parents who are either (i) divorced, (ii) legally separated, (iii) separated under a written

separation agreement, or (iv) living apart at all times during the last six months of the calendar year. The child must be in the custody of one or both of the child’s parents for more than one-half of the calendar year.

IRC § 152(e) (1)(A) & (B) To shift the exemption and child tax credit to the noncustodial parent, the custodial parent must release or waive his or her claim to the exemption for the year by executing IRS Form 8332. IRC § 152(e) (2). The custodial parent can waive this right to claim the children as dependents and let the noncustodial parent claim them by executing IRS Form 8332 and filing it with his or her return.

Certain Tax Court cases held that the waiver is effective even if the Form 8332 was not filled out in detail. In Bramante (T.C. Memo 2003-228), the custodial parent agreed to waive her right to exemptions on Form 8332. The custodial parent realized that as her income increased, the value of the exemptions increased. The custodial parent discovered that her Social Security number was missing on the form and that the noncustodial parent, had dated the form in his handwriting. The tax court still upheld the waiver as effective despite the missing details from Form 8332.

In Boltinghouse, the IRS argued that missing details in the separation agreement defeated the waiver (T.C. Memo 2003134). In this case, the parties executed a separation agreement allowing the noncustodial parent to claim one of his children, but the noncustodial parent did not file a Form 8332. As a result, the court had to decide whether the agreement conformed in substance to Form 8332.

The IRS contended that the agreement was not in substance a Form 8332 because it did not reflect the years the exemptions were to be waived and it did not provide Social Security numbers for the parents. Although the IRS pointed to some cases in which

the Tax Court had rejected waivers that were ambiguous as to the applicable years, the Tax Court said that it was clear that this agreement applied to the years the parents began filing separate returns. As in Bramante, lack of Social Security numbers was not considered a serious defect by the Tax Court.

The custodial parent can waive the dependent exemption each year or for a number of years.

The noncustodial parent should file form 8332 with his or her tax return in order to be entitled to the exemption. To avoid any confusion and tax issues with the IRS, the parties should attempt to agree or resolve in court the issue of who will claim the dependency exemption of the children as part of the divorce judgment. Parties should seek the assistance of an experienced attorney to weed through complex family law issues. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.

This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010.

Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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Enchong, Cedrick say MMFF...

PAGE B5 think [GomBurZa’s story] is still happening to this day. Imagine, 151 years after, that’s when we realize that, how we wish we sought justice during those times.”

Meanwhile, the film’s director said the MMFF film is a “beautiful” medium to educate people about the country’s history, especially when it comes to “building emotions.”

“Iba kasi ang pagbasa ng tatlong martyr na pari at ‘yung nakikita at napapanood ang napagdaanan

nila. Nararamdaman ang napagdaanan nila, at nararamdaman ang injustice na kinaharap nila. I hope ang ipinarating sa film is ‘yung puso and kaya sinasabi namin na buhayin ang alab sa mga puso,” Diokno said.

(It’s different to read the story of the three martyr priests, compared to seeing and watching what they went through. We feel their struggles. And we feel the injustices they went through. I hope the film will deliver a heartfelt message to light up the flame in our hearts.) g

The cast of MMFF 2023 film “GomBurZa” during an advanced screening

Inquirer.net photo Hannah Mallorca

Give yourself the gift of...

PAGE B4 serum contains 0.5% retinol, apple stem cells, and skin-smoothing peptides that helps resurface rough texture, tighten skin, and reduce the look of lines and wrinkles. It uses the leadingedge delivery system and has moisture-boosting ingredients to help prevent skin irritation. Its key benefits includes: Reduces of the appearance of lines and wrinkles, resurfaces and helps tighten skin and encourages cellular renewal for smoother skin. (Key Ingredients: Retinol (0.5%), Apple Stem Cells, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Teprenone) The third one is the Stem Cell Serum which is made to “Firm - Tighten – Renew”the skin.

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Give us a call. We’d love to help you. If you are in the LA area, feel free to swing by iSkin Beverly Hills. And if you happen to be in the Inland Empire and Orange County, we have MiSkin Spa for your self-love and self-pampering needs.

For more information you may visit iskinbeverlyhills.com.

Visit iSkin Med Spa and MiSkin MedSpa for a free consultation. iSkin is located at 8665 Wilshire Blvd. Penthouse Beverly Hills ,90211 or call 424382-1002 MiSkin MedSpa is located at 9227 Haven Ave. Suite 120 in Rancho Cucamonga, 91370 or call 909-9898464.

You may also follow us on social media: @ iskinmedspa and @miskinmedspa. *** Known to several Filipino-American awarding circles, Imee has recently been awarded the “Premier in Beauty and Skin Treatment.” for iSkin Face and Body Spa. She maintains a monthly beauty column on Asian Journal, and a YouTube Channel, “Beauty Talk With Imee.”

Imee Ong-Maghanoy is an established aesthetician, a business owner and CEO of iSkin Beverly Hills, iSkin MedSpa and MiSkin MedSpa. Imee has been in the aesthetics industry for more than 20 years. She has a degree in Biology and Doctor of Dental Medicine. iSkin MedSpa and MiSkin MedSpa are fast emerging as a top spa destination in LA. iSkin is located at 8665 Wilshire Blvd penthouse Beverly Hills, CA 90211. MiSkin MedSpa is located at 9227 Haven Ave. Suite 120 in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, 91370.

(Advertising Supplement)

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B8 DECEMBER 23-26, 2023 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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