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Covered California’s “10 Years Strong” Campaign Visits the Bay Area to Celebrate a Decade of Historic Increases in Coverage and Highlight Ongoing Efforts to Reach the Remaining Uninsured

• Cove red California’s 10th openenrollment period began Nov. 1 and marks the continua tion of a decade of reduc ing the state’s uninsured rate to a historic low. • Open enrollment is the time of year when eligible cons umers can sign up for health insurance. • An estimated 1 million Californians do not have health insurance and are eligible to get cove red at low-cost or no- cost through Covered California or Medi-Cal. • Consumers signing up this year will benefi t from the continuation of increased and expanded federal fi nancial help through the In ation Reduction Act that is lowering costs for people in nearly every income bracket. • In addition, middle-income cons umers — both uninsured and those who purchase cove rage directly from a health insurance company — may save thous ands of dollars a year if they sign up through Cove red California. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. Covered California brought its “10 Years Strong” campaign to the Bay Area on Wedne sday, celebrating a decade of providing qua lity health insurance plans to people across the state. Over the past 10 years, Cove red California has provided access to health insurance for millions of Californians and helped reduc e the state’s uninsured rate to a historic low.

“Covered California is ‘10 Years Strong,’ celebrating a decade of expanding access to uality, a ordable health care for millions of people throughout the state,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Cove red California. (more)

“Open enrollment is here and now is the time to sign up for qua lity health insurance cove rage through Covered California that will protect you a nd your family.”

“Californians continue to benefi t from the fi nancial help and uality health coverage that Covered California o ers and now is the time for those who need health insurance cove rage to sign up,” said Secretary of California Health & Human Services and Cove red California Board Chair Dr. Mark Ghaly. “Together we are increasing access to care by making health insurance coverage more a ordable for Californians in every corner of our state.” 10 Years Strong

Covered California’s “10 Year’s Strong” campaign will highlight the progr ess made in expandi ng health care access by increasing the number of people with health insurance in every region ove r the past decade. It will also showcase continuing e orts to reach into every community in the state to make sure all Californians have access to qua lity health care. Since Covered California s fi rst openenrollment period in 2013, federal data shows that California’s uninsured rate fell from 17.2 percent to a record low 7.0 percent in 2021. California s success exceeded e orts nationally, and is the largest percentage point drop ove r this time period among any state in the nation ove r period.

Figure 1: California Drives the State’s Uninsured Rate to a Record Low

Since fi rst o ering coverage, more than 5.2 million Californians have received health insurance cove rage through Cove red California for at least one month. Cove red California’s has seen its ove rall enrollment grow by more than 40 percent, including a more than 30 percent increase in the number of people signed up in the Greater Bay Area (which includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo Santa Clara, Solano and S onoma counties).

Table 1: Covered California’s Strong Enrollment Growth Throughout the State

Counties June 2014 June 2022 Percentage Increase

Greater Bay Area 242,930 319,420 31%

Overall Enrollment 1,172,960 1,690,520 44%

“Cove red California enters its 10th open enrollment with a prove n history of being a critical resour ce for Californians, including more than 300,000 people in the Greater Bay Area,” Altman said. “We have opened the doo rs of qua lity health care to millions of Californians, but we still have more work to do – w ork that is happening now .”

One Million Uninsured Californians are Eligible for Low-cost or No-cost Coverage

Covered California enters open enrollment with 1.7 million cons umers. However, new data shows that there are more than 1 million uni nsured Californians who are eligible for fi nancial help to bring the cost of coverage within reach, including 57,000 people in the Greater Bay Area.

Figur e 1: One Million Uninsured Californians Are Eligible for Financial Help

Of the 1 million uninsured Californians, at least 55 percent – or about 568,000 people – coul d get qua lity cove rage through Cove red California or Medi-Cal at no cost. The remaining 471,000 uninsured Californians are eligible for signifi cant fi nancial help that will lower the cost of their monthly health insurance premiums.

Right now, percent of Covered California s enrollees ualify for fi nancial help, and thanks to the increased and expanded fi nancial help made available through the American Rescue lan and extended through the In ation Reduction Act, those consumers are saving an average of $475 per month, or an average of 80 percent of their monthly health insurance premium.

“Regardless of your income, if you need health insurance or if you’ re cove red directly through a health insurance company, come to Cove red California to see if you can get fi nancial help to make your insurance more a ordable,” Altman said. “The increased and expanded fi nancial help that was extended by the In ation Reduction Act is changing lives by helping more Californians get cove red and stay cove red.”

Currently, two-thirds of Cove red California’s cons umers are eligible for comprehensive health insurance cove rage at a cost of $10 or less per month.

Signi ng up f or Cove rage is Easy

Consumers can discove r their options by visiting CoveredCA.com, where they can easily fi nd out if they ualify for fi nancial help and s ee the cove rage options in their area.

e ica Altman E ecu� ve Director o ov ere ali ornia it Dr. o ert o ri uez S y ician Senator Sco� iener Dan Bernal San ranci co ealt ommi ion re i ent.

All they need to do is enter their hous ehold income, ZIP code , hous ehold size and the num ber of people who need cove rage and their ages into the calculator on Cove red California’s homepage.

Open enrollment began on Nov. 1 and is the one time of the year when eligible people cannot be turned away from cove rage.

In addition to visiting Cove redCA.com, those interested in learning more about their cove rage options can also: Get free and confi dential assistance ove r the phone , in a variety of langua ges, from a certifi ed enroller. Have a certifi ed enroller call them and he lp them for free. • Call Covered California at (800) 300- 1506.

About Cove red California

Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can fi nd a ordable, high- uality insurance from top insurance companies. Cove red California is the only place where individua ls who ualify can get fi nancial assistance on a sliding scale to reduc e premium costs. Cons umers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budge t. Depending on their income, some cons umers may qua lify for the low-cost or no- cost Medi-Cal progr am.

Covered California is an inde pende nt part of the state gove rnment whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s cons umers. It is ove rseen by a fi ve-member board appointed by the governor and the legislature. For more information about Cove red California, please visit www. CoveredCA.com.

DISAGREE WITH YOUR DISABILITY DECISION? WE WILL TAKE ANOTHER LOOK

By G. Samson

Social Security Public Aff airs Specialist in the Bay Area

Social Security is here to help millions of people secure their today and tomorrow by providing benefi ts and fi nancial protection. We continue to protect the integrity of our disability programs by ensuring we make the correct decision on each claim. However, if you disagree with the decision on your claim, you can ask for your case to be reviewed by fi ling an appeal.

How can I appeal Social Security’s decision on my claim?

Generally, there are four appeal levels. If you are not satisfi ed with the decision at one level, you may appeal to the next.

The appeal levels are: 1. Reconsideration A reconsideration is a complete review of your claim by someone who did not take part in the fi rst decision. We look at all the evidence submitted in the original determination, and any new evidence. 2. Hearing: If you disagree with the decision at the reconsideration level, you may ask for a hearing. An administrative law judge, who had no part in the original decision or the reconsideration of your case, conducts the hearing. . Appeals Council Review If you disagree with the hearing decision, you can request a review by Social Security’s Appeals Council. The Appeals Council looks at all requests for review. They will decide whether or not there is a reason to return your case to the judge for further review. . Federal Court Review If you disagree with the Appeals Council’s decision, you can fi le a lawsuit in a federal district court as the last level in the appeals process.

Please visit our Appeal A Decision webpage for more information at www.ssa.gov/ benefi ts disability appeal.html.

When should I fi le my appeal

If we denied your claim, you have 60 days from the date of the notice to fi le an appeal. The easiest and uickest way is to fi le your appeal re uest online at www.ssa.gov benefi ts disability/appeal.html. This is where you can submit associated documents electronically. You can also call your local Social Security offi ce or 1-8 - -1 1 to obtain the forms. You can fi nd your local offi ce at www.ssa.gov locator.

Do I need a representative to fi le an appeal

A representative or attorney is not required to fi le an appeal. Whether you choose to appoint an attorney or authorized representative is completely up to you. You may choose to have someone help you with your appeal or represent you. Your representative may be a lawyer or other ualifi ed person familiar with you and the Social Security program. We will work with your representative just as we would work with you. They can act for you in most Social Security matters, and they will receive a copy of any decisions we make about your claim.

If you need us to review your case, please go online at www.ssa.gov benefi ts disability appeal.html or call 1-800-772-1213. Please share this information with your family and friends.

Fil-Am surgeons celebrates 50th at Caesar’s, Las Vegas

Parks to People: Come and Enjoy, But Don’t Destroy

The Society of Philippine Surgeons in America (SPSA) and its Fellows from various cities in the United States and Canada, commemorated its golden gala at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, October 19-21, 2022. A 450-page Golden Yearbook and its 84page supplement Souvenir Journal chronicle the half-a-century of historic contributions of the SPSA to the US/Canada healthcare systems and the achievements of these surgeons, in academia as professors/department chairmen and in private practice, and as presidents chief sta s at various medical centers.

Besides its CME (Continuing Medical Education) Seminars, the SPSA was famous for holding annual medical missions to the Philippines and its Fellows, with their own teams, also ministering to the needy people around the world.

The number of physicians/surgeons from the Philippines in the United States is about 12,100 (4.7% of all immigrants), in Canada, around 10,300 (4%), and registered nurses 142,800 (29.3%), according to the 2018 American Community Survey.

An article in a newsmagazine a few years back stated, if all physicians, surgeons , and nur ses from the Philippines practicing in the United States were to sudde nly leave the country, the US healthcare system would practically collapse, admissions halted, surgeries cancelled, emergency patients enda nge red. Even casinos , cruise lines, and some restaurants, schools, engineering, internet services, etc. would be severely curtailed and s talled.

The re-structured surgical society, named Council of Past Presidents (SPSA 2.0), has, for its new pilot project, in partnership with the Philippine College of Surgeons in Metro Manila, the deployment of surgeons in rural towns where there is none. This humanitarian endeavor will be on top of its regular yearly medical/surgical missions.

SPSA 2.0 is chaired by original SPSA founding president Hernan M. Reyes, MD, with the following offi cers Treasurer and Mission Chair, Ed Barcelona, MD, ViceChair; Danny Fabito, Executive Director; Bayani Ignacio, MD, By-Laws Chairman; Philip S. Chua, MD, Convention Chairman; Ed Gamboa, MD, Membership Chairman; and Johnny Montero, MD, Liaison to the Philippine College of Surgeons. Honorio M. Cruz, MD, just completed his 3rd year as president of the original SPSA, and is running the SPSA website.

By Peter Schurmann

Nature, for all its majesty, is fragile. It can also be deeply healing. Which is why, dur ing the Covid pandemic, millions ocked outdoors to escape prolonged lockdow ns, with local habitats and the animals that call them home feeling the brunt of the impact.

That is nowhere truer than in the 125,000 acres and 73 parks that make up the East Bay Regiona l Parks District (EBRPD) which at the height of the pande mic saw record num bers of visitors.

“As we bring our selves to these parks, we need to unde rstand the history and the sensitivity of these parks to our presence,” says Dee Rosario, the fi rst Filipino American and fi rst Asian American board member with EBRPD, the nation’s largest urban regiona l park district. “These are our lands . They belong to everyone . But with that ownership comes respons ibility.”

Rosario was part of a panel of speakers dur ing a media briefi ng co-hosted by EMS and EBR D on ways to encour age better stewardship of public parks.

His own affi nity for nature followed a college visit to Humboldt in far nor thern California, where Rosario recalls the “awe” he felt at seeing the redwoods for the fi rst time. Thirty-seven years later, Rosario is among a cohor t of dedicated individuals at EBRPD working to strike a balance between rising demand for recreationa l use and the “intricacies and de licacy” of local habitats. Dee Rosario is the fi rst Filipino American and Asian American Board Member for the East Bay Regiona l Park District.

Data show a 400- fold increase along some of the more popular trails that crisscross EBRPD’s parks, with visitors fre uently venturing o trail to the detriment of nesting birds and other wildlife, including a number of endangered species or violating park regulations on things like drone ying. In one instance, a visitor crashed their drone into the nest of a bald eagle, destroying the nest and likely leading to the demise of the nesting c hicks.

According to Rosario, the rise in visitors is accompanied by an increasing mix of people to the parks and change s in how parks are used. Whereas onc e people ocked to open spaces in search of solitude today many visitors come with family. “This is something parks have to recognize,” says Rosario. “How do we meet the needs of diverse cultures while balancing the needs of the environment.”

Becky Tude n is the Environmental Services Manager with EBRPD. She says climate change , along with a prolonged drought and increased fi re risk, are among the stressors already taxing local habitats and threatening biodi versity. Many of EBRPDs parks also abut urban or semi-urban areas. Add to this the steep and sudden increase in the presence of people and it can lead to harmful outcomes for what are already f ragile ecosystems.

“Biodi versity is really important… and the adde d pressure of so many people aggr avates the system’s incredible biodiversity.”

Among some of the more harmful activities Tude n and her colleague s have witnessed are increasing amounts of litter, as well as letting dogs o leash in areas where that is prohibited. A dog owner herself, she says indi vidua lly it isn’t a problem. What dog owners don’t realize is that “there are 25 million other visitors, half of who own dogs .” The damage done by hundr eds and even thous ands of our belove d canines romping through sensitive habitat is a major challenge , notes Tude n.

Despite the dire warnings , speakers were eager to stress that they welcome the park’s increased popularity while acknow ledging “we need to go further” on public facing messaging a round how to better care for these treasures.

“What we need is a way of communicating to people to help them better protect the parks,” Tuden not ed. The enda ngered western snow y plove r has survived along the California coast for thous ands of years. It is among a number of enda nge red species that depend on EBRPD lands .

The Western Snow y Plove r weighs in at a whopping 1.5 oz. Yet despite its diminutive stature this slight bird has survived along California’s beaches for thous ands of years. Toda y there are fewer than 3,000 in the wild, with loss of habitat a key driver of their decline.

EBRPD Wildlife Progr am Manager Doug Bell says the plove r is one of four critically enda nge red species that rely on EBRPD’s parklands as important breeding grounds . Signs warning visitors to steer clear of areas where plove rs are known to congr egate are routinely ignor ed, he explained. That can cause birds to avoi d the areas entirely, further eroding what little habitat they have left.

“Just the mere act of hiking across the terrain can disturb the wildlife,” says Bell, a Bay Area native.

The other critically enda nge red species include the ridgeways rail and least tern, as well as the salt-marsh harvest mous e, which can swim for ove r two hour s and can drink water saltier than the ocean, among its other talents. Bell says most visi- (Continue on page 26)

25 November 10-16, 2022

 COMMUNITY NEWS Come and join the 9th Anniversary Celebration at Graton Casino!

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Graton Resort & Casino

Visit the all-round leisure and entertainment destination - Graton Resort & Casino to celebrate the 9th anniversary together! Get your free Graton’s Collectible Anniversary Rewards Card. More exclusive rewards are waiting for you!

On November 5, 12, 19, 26, every Saturday, there is Anniversary Clinko, drawings in every hour from 12PM-8PM, guaranteed 90 winners every Saturday! Plus, up to $1,000,000 in prizes! Come celebrate together! And, on November 3, 10, 17, 24, every Thursday, 5pm – 10pm, 9TH ANNIVERSARY SLOT TOURNAMENTS will be held. 50 winners are guaranteed at each tournament. The top prize is up to $15,000 cash! All reward members get one free entry into each tournament. For more information related to the promotions, please visit GratonResortCasino. com or call 707-588-7100.

There are 200 elegant comfortable rooms and luxurious suites, glamorous lobby and luxurious spa, more than 130 table games, including Blackjack, Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker and more at Graton. It also o ers slot machines, live poker, video poker and a large function space for different music concerts and special events. Graton Resort & Casino’s 9,000 square feet non-smoking gaming area which offers 300 slot machines and video poker is just next to the casino valet. You can enjoy gaming in a non-smoking environment at Graton Resort & Casino! And, there are delectable restaurants and bars, that o er di erent cuisines in the casino, such as Twelve-time World Pizza Champion Chef Tony Gemignani’s Tony’s Of North Beach, Pan-Asian Eatery Boathouse, a top-quality steakhouse 630 Park Steakhouse, and 500 seats from the Marketplace, o ering casual and convenient eateries, for your selection, you will be sure to have a happy and unforgettable experience.

About Graton Resort & Casino

Located in Sonoma County, Graton Resort & Casino has a commanding presence among the rolling hills of Northern California’s wine country. Owned and op-

erated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Graton Resort & Casino features table games, the latest slot machines, upscale and casual dining, plus entertainment options for visitors and locals alike. For more information, please visit www. gratonresortcasino.com. Cecile Alvarez only Filipino honoree at Remake A World Gala in La MaMa Theatre

As founder of the Philippine Educational Theater Association and for her lifetime commitment as cultural caregiver, Cecile Guidote-Alvarez is among the seven outstanding honorees and the only Southeast Asian at the Remake a World Gala on November 10 at La MaMa Theatre in New York City.

Though she has long retired in PETA, nowadays Guidote-Alvarez continues to do theater through the Earthsavers Dreams Ensemble, whose members are the di erently-abled, street children and the indigenous youth.

The award cited her work for Earthsavers in providing free arts training to these often marginalized sectors of society.

The Earthsavers Dreams Ensemble has been consistently renewed as UNESCO Artist for Peace since the award was given in 2003.

Guidote-Alvarez also busies herself these days as president of the Global Social Change Network of International Theatre Institute. One of her recent accomplishments in relation to ITI happened in September this year when she presented to UNESCO in Paris the successful holding of the Manila SDGs ResiliArt Earthsaving events as the country’s techno arts modelling for lifelong learning to assist our country s fulfi llment of the UN 2030 SDGs agenda.

La MaMa is marking its 61st Anniversary Season this year as a creative home for experimental artists. The Remake a World Gala is a celebration of La MaMa’s global community: the artists and audiences who have long been part of its “One World Vision”.

Among the artists nurtured at La MaMa have become big names in the industry like Diane Lane, Bette Midler, Sam Shepard, Philip Glass, Harvey Feirstein, and a lot more.

At the Remake A World Gala, Guidote-Alvarez’s co-honorees are as follows:

Belarus Free Theater from the landlocked country in Europe, the Republic of Belarus. BFT is being honored “for pioneering an award-winning global model of activism that unites artistic, geopolitical, environmental and human rights concerns, using theatre to build a movement for democracy, human rights and artistic freedoms. BFT is the only theatre in Europe banned by its government on political grounds.”

Richard Lanier from the United States is being honored “for his commitment to forging connections through cultural exchange over the course of his career, and his invaluable contributions to the global dialogue as president emeritus of the Asian Cultural Council and a founding trustee of the Trust for Mutual Understanding.” Colombia’s Alvaro Restrepo is an honoree “for his passions for contemporary dance and social justice, founding Cartagena’s The School of the Body, with a unique interdisciplinary focus on respect for the body that cultivates dances while at the same time addressing topics ranging from human rights to sexuality to drug addiction.”

Beka Vu o from The Balkans for “her work to support and encourage people to build a better, more just, and open democratic society in the Balkans and South Eastern Europe using arts, culture, and education through her organization My Balkans, and three decades of work with the Open Society Foundations.” Duk Hyung Yoo from South Korea is being honored for his “signifi cant contribution to the international understanding of Asian arts and his visionary commitment to using digital and emergent technologies to explore new forms of artmaking and cultural exchange across distance, creating a global network of artists and communities; that was the seed for what would become CultureHub.”

Incidentally, Duk is Guidote-Alvarez’s contemporary at the Dallas Theatre Centre when she was student in the early 1960s, the same time La MaMa was established by Stewart.

Serhiy Zhadan from Ukraine is being honored “for his work as an internationally recognized poet and novelist, a theater maker, and a revolutionary through on-the-ground action and establishment of the Serhiy Zhadan Charitable Foundation to provide aid to the front-lines. Zhadan currently remains in Kharkiv to provide humanitarian aid in his hometown.”

Winter Storm Moves through Northern and Central California Bringing Rain and Snow; Hundreds of PG&E Personnel Responding to Local Power Outages

Crews and Resources Positioned Proactively to Restore Power Safely and as Quickly as Possible

OAKLAND, Calif. acifi c Gas and Electric Company G E crews are responding to local power out ages from a storm system that is cont inuing to move through i ts service territory and is forecasted to last unt il Wednesday morning. Since Monday morning, G E has restored more than , customers who lost power, with percent restored in six hours or fewer.

This cold, low pressure weather system entered across the service area Sunda y evening r esulting in scattered showers, isolated thunde rstorms, heavy mount ain snow and br eezy winds . Shower activity is expected to linger through Wedne sday with additiona l snow accumulation a long t he Sierra before drier conditions return Wedne sday evening.

PG&E Executing Its Response Plan

In anticipation of widespread winter storm conditions, G E activated its Emergency Operations Center on Sunday, Nov. and has positioned personnel and e quipment to respond t o potential weather-related out ages safely and a s quickly as possible. G E has more than power restoration ground crews, including hundreds of troublemen, the fi rst responde rs for customers who lose power. The company ha s also stored a large number of power poles, power lines, transformers and other electric equipment at yards throughout its service territory to help crews restore power as quickly as possible.

Keeping Customers Informed

G E knows how important it is for customers to have the latest outage and r estoration information. Customers can view real-time outage information on i ts website outage center and search by a specifi c address, by c ity or by c ounty. This site has been updated to include in-language support for 1 languages. G E recommends that customers stay informed by signing up for outage notifi cations by text, email or phone. G E will notify customers about the cause of an out age, when crews are on their way, the estimated restoration time and w hen power is restored.

Storm Safety Tips

Never touch dow ned wires: If you s ee a dow ned power line, assume it is energized and e xtremely dange rous. Do not touc h or try to move it—and ke ep children and a nimals away. Report dow ned power lines immediately by calling 11 and by calling G E at 1-8 - - .

Use ashlights, not candles During a power outage, use battery-operated ashlights, and not candles, due to the risk of fi re. If you must use candles, please keep them away from drapes, lampshades and s mall children. Do not leave candles una ttende d.

Have a backup phone : If you ha ve a telephone system that requires electricity to work, such as a cordless phone or answering machine, plan to have a standa rd telephone or cellular phone ready a s a backup.

Have fresh drinking w ater, ice: Freeze plastic containers fi lled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer dur ing a n out age to prevent foods from spoiling. Blue Ice from your picnic cooler also works well in the freezer.

Use generators safely: Customers with standby electric generators should make sure they are properly installed by a licensed electrician in a well-ventilated area. Improperly installed generators pose a signifi cant dange r to customers, as well as crews working on power lines. If using por table generators, be sure they are in a well-ventilated area.

Turn o appliances If you experience an outage, unplug or turn o all electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits and to prevent fi re ha ards when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you w hen power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to nor mal.

Safely clean up: After the inclement weather has passed, be sure to safely clean up. N ever touc h dow ned wires and a lways call 811 or visit 811express.com at least two full bus iness days before digging to have all unde rground ut ilities safely marked.

Other tips can be found a t: pge.com/beprepared, Storm safety, safety action c enter

About PG&E

acifi c Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of G E Corporation NYSE CG , is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 1 million people across 70,000 s qua re miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, vi sit www. pge.com/ and http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/.

‘Korean Kimchi Festival LA’ set in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES - In celebration of Korea Kimchi Day, KACIE will host the ‘Korean Kimchi Festival LA on Saturday, November 1 from pm to pm in Hollywood.

NGELES

The Korean Kimchi Festival LA is being he ld as part of an e ort to globali e the Korean staple dish and pr omote Korean culture. More importantly, it is to celebrate cultural diversity and inclusion w hile empowering Asian Americans and s trengthening t he relationships between the various communities of Los Ange les.

“This event is more than just a celebration of our food a nd culture. Food brings people toge ther, and through t his event, we are uniting pe ople from all walks of life. Especially with the recent rise in hate incidents and discrimination a gainst Asian Americans, there has never been a more important time to come toge ther as one,” said Cindy S hin, CEO of KACIE.

This free public event will be held in the Cour tyard of Ovation Hollywood 8 1 Hollywood Blvd , home to Hollywood’s most iconic landmarks such as the Hollywood Walk of Fame and D olby Theater. It will feature Kimchi making de mons trations , tastings of traditiona l and f usion K imchi signa ture dishes, drinks, as well as fun segments featuring well-known in uencers such as The Korean Vegan (3M Tik Tok f ollowers NY Times Bestselling Author , The Crunch Bros . M Tik Tok followers , Chefboylee 8 K Tik Tok followers , Misspiggieeats K Instagram followers , Comedian Ryan Koo K Instagram followers , and Noona s Noonchi K Instagram followers .

In addition to the free tastings , the festival will feature fun s egments throughout the day on a variety of topics and activities such as Kimchi-making de mons trations , stand- up comedy, beauty and skincare that stand f or every eye, lip,face, and pa w by e .l.f Cosmetics platinum sponsor , Kimchi probiotics by Biovista Nutraceuticals platinum sponsor , Kimchi Warrior animation/cosplay, interviews and mukba ng f eaturing in uencers, children s story time and arts crafts, etc. The festival will also broadcast live on s ocial media.

Last year, California lawmakers passed a resolution to declare November as Kimchi Day, becoming the fi rst US state to celebrate this Korean national dish. The date 11- represents the 11 main ingredients in Kimchi and health benefi ts that this dish provides.

KACIE is a nonprofi t organi ation with the specifi c purpose to Keep All Communities Informed and Engaged by pr omoting c ulture, building pa rtnerships and c reating c ulturally sensitive outreach progr ams for community empowerment.

About Kimchi Day

In , November became a national holiday in Korea to celebrate Kimchi, and last year, California lawmakers passed a resolution to declare this day as Korea Kimchi Day, making it the fi rst US state to celebrate this nationa l dish.

Parks...

(From page 24)

tors are likely to dismiss this ador able little super mous e with its tent of piled up twigs as just another “rode nt.” The salt-marsh harvest mous e can swim for ove r two hour s and can drink water saltier than the ocean. It is among s everal enda nge red species within the EBRPD.

And he adds that aside from the park’s increased num ber of visitors, the pande mic’s economic toll drove many families to abandon their pets, including a large num ber of cats that were let loos e in the parks. That’s led to an “overpopulation of feral cats, threatening other enda nge red species.”

Bell also echoes Rosario, noting that as more diverse communities enga ge with the parks some are bringing with them practices that can be detrimental to the health of the local ecology. That include s religious communities that traditionally release fi sh, turtles or other animals into local waterways to commemorate an individual’s passing.

Such practices can introduc e inva sive species, as well as harmful diseases or toxins that can cause signifi cant die-o of native species, explained oe Sullivan, who manages the EBR D s 1 fi shing reservoirs and four fi shing piers.

“We want people to come out and enjoy these resources, but people release pets goldfi sh, turtles, etc. — and these have cons eque nces,” he said, sharing a gruesome image of a river clogge d with dead frogs to drive home his point.

Rainbow and steelhead trout along with the California red legged frog are among the federally enda ngered species that Sullivan and his team are working to protect.

“It is a delicate balance,” said Tuden of the e ort to protect habitat while welcoming the increase in recreationa l visitors. “Imagine you’ re a gue st,” she urged visitors, “follow the rules and try to be sensitive.”

Upside...

(From Page 11)

Daly City Mayor Rod Daus - Magbual presents the Proclama� on o Dome � c iolence A arene ont D A to AL L E pre i ent unior lore . oto y . imenez on

lic educ ation presentation at the Philippine Cons ulate in San Francisco. For the fi rst time in the Filipino community, a survivor of intimate partner violence detailed her experience to ove r a hundr ed people in attenda nce as the highlight of the event. Every year since then, the community education team “gives a platform for survivors to share their stories,” said Vice Mayor Ray Buenaventura, said longtime supporter of the all-vol unteer group.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of your organi ation for giving survivors the courage to speak in public,” he said. “Hearing and watching them sends chills down my bones because their stories are real.” ADA TED FROM ORIGINAL RE RINTED WITH ERSMISSION FROM INQUIRER.NET.

TO BE CONCLUDED

Offl ine

(From Page 13)

of the peso has been foretold and predicted even by senior government offi cials.

See, Mr. ubiri Telling the truth is better than ignoring it, or worse, lying about what is really happening.

No, I am not defending the administration that you are a part of, Mr. Senate resident.

My only wish for now is for more offi cials of the administration to spit out the truth, painful as it may be. It is only when one recogni es that a problem exists that a solution can be found.

The present regime had nothing to do with the UkraineRussia war. It did not cause climate change that has led to global warming. And it most certainly had nothing to do with the actions of the US Federal Reserve that has resulted in the weakening of the peso.

But neither should anyone in government pretend that all is well, that all Filipinos can a ord decent homes, place suffi cient food on the table, and send their kids to school wearing proper clothes and enough money in their pockets to buy snacks when they get hungry.

What you, Mr. Senate resident, really want is to whitewash the current situation in the hopes that the very serious problems we all face will miraculously disappear.

You really want us to spread lies.

And that, good sir, ain t gonna happen. Not on my watch. And not on the watch of the hundreds of decent newsmen and women who know that our job is simplicity itself.

We tell the truth as we see it.

Do a good job and we will make sure the world knows about it, sir. But do a mediocre job and expect most of us to be merciless.

Comprende, senor

That s Spanish, by the way. You didn t think it was Greek, ersian, or Swahili now, did you

Merry Christmas, Mr. Senate President.

As I See It

(From Page 12)

solve these problems. We must not tolerate those ine uities.”

Having all these in mind, As I See It, the S SA believes the medical missions have to go despite hardships and diffi cult times in reaching out to benefi ciaries. One of the most unforgettable medical missions the association had was the AAN Medical Surgical Missions in San ablo City and Lucban, Que on when the Taal Volcano erupted and the corona virus started to become a pandemic.

In the Golden Gala Souvenir ournal commemorating the th anniversary of the association, resident Cru narrated their very challenging experiences in going to their destinations. “Taal Volcano started spewing ash on anuary 1 at pm as a level Volcano Alert, later on progressing to level hreatic eruption producing ash fall the way down to Metro Manila and close to San ablo City where we had one of our Medical Missions. Though it was the weakest classifi cation of eruptions, it was enough to do much damage to the businesses near the volcano, re uiring closure of establishments, evacuation and health problems due to the ash fall. It was in the midst of this volcanic activity, while we were busy packing for the trip to the hilippines. When we became aware of the situation with phone calls, from our three sons, uite concerned about our ight and the missions being close to the Taal Volcano, advising us to cancel our trip. However, there was very little chance that we would cancel the Missions unless conditions were too severe to continue, or the health needs of the poor in those circumstances increased more disproportionately. We did buy the N face mask to fi lter the ash fall, if we needed them. They were running out of supplies in Metro Manila.

Despite the ight ban in the NAIA on anuary 1 , by the time we stopped over n Hong Kong on anjuary1 , the Flight Ban was already lifted, but the departure was delayed by hours due to “weather conditions”, more probably because of the backlog of planes ying to Manila. Arriving at the Airport in Manila, there was a chaotic scene, as the facility was swamped with plenty of passenger arrivals, causing a delay of two hours before we got out of the terminal, but good news, Manila air seemed to be OK, no need for a face mask, but plenty of people were still using it.”

“We later boarded the bus to San ablo City after days, minus a few volunteers who cancelled because of the Taal volcano eruption,” Dr. Cru continued. Upon arrival, the following day, they did the major surgery at the San ablo City District Hospital with the cases mostly thyroids, gall bladders, and hernia and medical services for many patients having complications due to the Taal eruption mostly upper respiratory and pulmonary diseases.

After another four days, the group proceeded to Kamay ni Hesus, a regular stopover for their missioners, which have grown and developed under the guidance of Father oey Faller, the healing priest.

The narration of facts by Dr. Cru simply showed that the medical mission in the hilippines is better said than done. They did encounter a lot of problems and challenging times to be able to accomplish their mission. But, S SA volunteers never gave up because they feel they need to fulfi ll their much-needed work to help our countrymen.

Mabuhay ang S SA! They deserve the best accolade on earth! (ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and a multi-awarded journalist here in the US. For feedbacks, comments, email the author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com.)

Health & Wealth (From Page 12)

since 1 81. He is founder of MOBILE SIGNING SERVICES, FITNESS FOR HUMNITY aka FITNESS FOR CHRIST and ACA INOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California USA.

Speaking Out (From Page 12)

national greening sites in – a paltry area compared to the scale envisioned by elayo. But we have to start somewhere.

Echoing the sentiment of other bamboo advocates, elayo said “the best time to plant bamboo was fi ve years ago. The second best time to plant bamboo is today.”

Breaking Through (From Page 12)

by Ilocanos.

In fact, its fi rst president in 1 , Luciano Millan, was an Ilocano from Asingan, angasinan. Millan, who initiated the ac uisition of a lot where the head uarters of the N C was to be built, became a congressman of angasinan after his two N C terms.

Millan was succeeded as congressman by lawyer and angasinan News publisher and editor Narciso Ramos, one of the original Ilocano members of N C and father of the late resident Fidel V. Ramos.

The other Ilocano incorporators of the N C were ose Aspiras who became N C president and a Cabinet member of resident Marcos Sr. and later, an ambassador Manuel Vijungco also of angasinan, Benjamin Osias of La Union, and Consuelo Abaya, among others. Two “Baguio boys” – Speaker Ramon Mitra r., also an incorporator, and Speaker Fernando Feliciano Belmonte r., perhaps the only surviving co-founder of N C today, were also N C originals.

According to Gabot, the N C will not be what it is today without the support of two Ilocano Presidents – President Elpidio Rivera Quirino of Caoayan and Vigan, Ilocos Sur and resident Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay of Iba and Castillejos, ambales.

Despite heavy criticisms from the press due to alleged corruption and his so-called “golden arinola,” resident Quirino gave the best gift ever to the N C – signing Republic Act No. on December , 1 which conveyed for one peso N C s prime property at the heart of Manila, more than half hectare lot, ,18 . s uare meters in all, which today makes the N C a veritable billionaire!

Quirino had just lost to Magsaysay, his defense secretary, in the presidential election when he signed the law! Congress reporters Antonio Alano of Manila Bulletin, ose Guevarra of the Manila Times, and ose Noble of the Manila Chronicle used their connections when they worked out in Congress the enactment of the law authori ing the sale of the lot for one peso to the N C. Alano was one of the incorporators of the N C like Speaker Mitra. resident Magsaysay, on the other hand, upon the prodding of the N C then led by its president, Teodoro “Ka Doroy” Valencia of the Manila Times chain, gave the “go signal” for the then Republic Financing Corporation RFC , forerunner of the present-day Government Service Insurance System GSIS , to grant a loan of , to the N C for the construction of the four-storey N C building.

Harvard University-educated and multi-awarded architect Angel Nakpil designed the building and engineer Alberto T. Abaya built it starting in 1 . It was completed with facilities like an elevator with 1 , raised by Valencia thru a fund drive.

On December , 1 , resident Magsaysay came over to the N C to inaugurate it. Many hilippine presidents hence visited the N C building, including resident Fidel Ramos, who launched a co ee table book authored by journalist Melandrew T. Velasco, another hilippine News Today columnist, about FVR s lawyer-journalist-diplomat father Narciso Nachong Rueca Ramos, and resident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was a habitue of the club during her college days and who was the guest speaker of the N C when its fi rst ever founding anniversary celebration was held under the leadership of then N C resident Alfred Gabot.

According to rof. Gabot, the abandoned hilippine Long Distance Telephone Co. building and lot beside the N C building is owned by the N C. The press club allowed the LDT to construct its building on its lot on a long-term lease agreement with the N C, with the condition that at the end of the lease, the building becomes a property of N C. rof. Gabot rallied the current N C leadership to check on that building, rather than being “a big eyesore” next to the imposing and beautiful N C edifi ce. rof. Gabot also suggested that resident Ferdinand Marcos r., also an Ilocano, could be another knight in shining armor to the N C like residents Quirino and Magsaysay in the past for N C to be able to pursue the vision for greatness by its founding fathers. This time resident Marcos could help in the recovery of the LDT building and the lot on which it stands, being part of the original lot conveyed to the N C through Republic Act No. signed by resident Quirino.

As an active journalist for many years, I would like to thank you, former N C resident Alfred Gabot and now our editor in chief, for your insights on our prestigious club s history, and for scoring unsurpassed achievements in the N C and once more re-igniting the vision for greatness of the N C founders.

Health must be front and center in the COP27 climate change negotiations: WHO

1 million uninsured Californians are eligible for low -cost coverage

GENEVA, SHARM EL-SHEIKH – On the eve of the pivotal climate talks at CO , the World Health Organi ation issued a grim reminder that the climate crisis continue s to make people sick and jeopardi es lives and that health must be at the core of these critical negotiations.

WHO said it believes the conf erence must conc lude with progress on the four key goals of mitigation, adaptation, fi nancing a nd c ollabor ation to tackle the climate crisis.

CO will be a crucial opportunity for the world to come toge ther and re-commit to keeping the 1.5 °C Paris Agreement goa l alive.

“We welcome journalists and CO participants to join WHO at a series of high-level events and spend time in an innova tive health pavilion s pace,” the agency stated.

“Our focus will be placing the health threat from the climate crisis and the huge health gains that would come from stronge r climate action at the centre of discussions . Climate change is already a ecting people s health and will continue to do so at an accelerating rate unless urgent action is taken,” it adde d.

“Climate change is making millions of people sick or more vul nerable to disease all ove r the world and the increasing destructiveness of extreme weather events dispropor tiona tely a ects poor and marginali ed communities,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It is crucial that leaders and decision makers come together at CO to put health at the heart of the negotiations .”

He said health depends on the health of the ecosystems that surround us, and these ecosystems are now unde r threat from deforestation, agriculture and other change s in land use and rapid urban development. The encroachment ever further into animal habitats is increasing oppor tunities for viruses harmful to humans to make the transition from their animal host. Between and , climate change is expected to cause approximately additional deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and he at stress.

The direct damage costs to health (i.e., excluding costs in health-determining sectors such as agriculture and water and sanitation , is estimated to be between US – billion per year by .

The rise in globa l temperature that has already occurred is leading to extreme weather events that bring intense heatwaves and droughts, devastating oods and increasingly powerful hurricanes and tropical storms. The combination of these factors means the impact on human health is increasing and is likely to accelerate.

But there is room for hope, particularly if gove rnments take action now to honour the pledge s made at Glasgow in November 1 and to go further in resolving the climate crisis.

WHO is calling on governments to lead a just, equitable and fast phase out of fossil fuels and transition to a clean energy future. There has also been encouraging progress on commitments to decarboni ation and WHO is calling for the creation of a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty that would see coal and other fossil fuels harmful to the atmosphere phased out in a just and equitable way. This would represent one of the most signifi cant contributions to climate change mitigation.

Improve ment in human health is something that all citi ens can contribute to, whether through the promotion of more urban green spaces, which facilitate climate mitigation and adaptation while decreasing the expos ure to air pollution, or campaigning for local traffi c restrictions and the enhancement of local transport systems. Community enga gement and participation on climate change is essential to building resilience and strengthening food and health systems, and this is particularly important for vulnerable communities and small island developing states (SIDS), who are bearing the brunt of extreme weather events.

Thirty-one million people in the greater Horn of Africa are facing acute hunge r and 11 million children are facing acute malnutrition as the region faces one of the worst droughts in recent decades. Climate change already has an impact on food security and if current trends persist, it will only get worse. The oods in akistan are a result of climate change and have devasted vast swathes of the country. The impact will be felt for years to come. Over million people have been a ected and almost 1 health centres damaged.

Flurona - ComboVax

PHILIP S. CHUA

Heart of Hope

The predicted Tripledemic this fall and winter will bring us the Flu and Corona virus (Flurona) and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) a trifecta of infections. The Big Pharmas are working on vaccines for RSV and now, a combination vaccine for both the in uen a viruses (A&B) and the COVID-19 Omicron subvariants. The FC vaccines are two-in-one, a single jab for both the u and Covid-1 , annually.

Vaccine combos are not new; children’s vaccines, like MMR (Measles, 1963, Mumps, added in 1967, and Rubella, added in 1969); and DPT (Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus) since 1984, are multiple combo vaccines. And they have been working wonders for decades, saving millions upon millions of children’s lives.

The FC combo vaccines could be available for the next u season . fi er, Moderna, Novavax are working on this vaccine combo.

Hopefully, they would also develop a vaccine for RSV, and then make the FCR u-covid1 -rsv triple vaccine combo in the future. One needlestick for 3.

In the meantime, one can and should get the u shot and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, one in each arm, with your physician’s Rx.

XBB – new Omicron!

Among the new Omicron subvariants, XBB is here, besides BQ.1.1, BQ.1. , and BQ. . . , thanks to the 1 million unvaccinated whose bodies are massive reservoir for the viruses, where they replicate and mutate to various variants and subvariants. They are evolving to evade antibody protection from vaccines and antiviral medications. They are evolving to be more deadly to us. That’s the nature of viruses. Without a warm body host, viruses self-destruct!

According to the WHO, it is monitoring sub lineages of these viruses. BB was fi rst detected in India in August , and now in the United States and 1 other countries and is able to evade antibody protection exceeding BA.5 and the SARS-CoV1 (the famous “SARS”) level, which caused severe disease. Remember the fi rst COVID-1 and the Delta variant, which killed millions, the XBB could be as vicious, and is being closely monitored. The vaccines (1 thru 5) against COVID-19 do not guarantee a fully vaccinated individual against getting infected by newer strains/ sub-strains, but the vaccines (especially booster #3, the new bivalent one will minimi e the symptoms, the risk for needing hospitali ation and the risk of death from the infection. As these viruses evolve, let us continue to be vigilant, masking up and social distancing (again) till we get national herd immunity, and this will happen ONLY when all the 1 million get infected and obtain immunity from COVID-19 infection or from the COVID-19 vaccines. As I have advocated in the past, let us treat these invisible potential killers with wisdom, humility, and respect, and not with arrogance and recklessness.

Flu+Bivalent Booster

The CDC is strongly recommending for everyone eligible to get the u shot and the COVID-1 bivalent booster # as soon as possible. For those who missed the fi rst COVID-1 booster or both the fi rst and second booster, they may obtain the bivalent booster (#3) instead. The new bivalent shot is a reformulated one, designed t target the omicron subvariants, including the new ones. And the clinical studies so far show they are safe and very e ective in minimi ing severity/hospital/and deaths. Many who have been infected, in spite of the vaccines, had minimal symptoms (like mild cough only, and maybe a low-grade temp for less than hours. For the vulnerable, axlovid pills tabs twice a day for days have been most effi cacious, when given within days of the fi rst symptom following a positive antigen test. Blood thinners and statin drugs must be stopped when taking Paxlovid. As always, consult with your physicians for any medical concerns.

CBD tea

While some sectors of the community, mainly the purveyors of cannabidiol compound found in cannabis plant, hail CBD teas as benefi cial to health, there are actually no serious scientifi c studies to prove these claims. These marketing schemes are not supported by science. Not to mention the fact that they are expensive, that cannabis may negatively a ect male and female fertility, and that products containing trace amount of THC can produce positive drug test, which could be a potential problem with the Police. Hopefully, we shall have objective scientifi c clinical evaluation of the value, safety, dosing, effi cacy, and side e ects complications of using these derivatives from cannabis plants. In the meantime, let us stick to FDA-vetted and proven medications, and to green tea, black tea, chamomile tea, etc. for a simpler healthy refreshing drink. And talking about drinks, soft drinks of any variety are toxic to the body. They increase the risk for the development of metabolic syndrome, especially among children, but a lot of adults get it also. Stay away from this poison hiding behind its phosphoric acid fi . The acid chemical in these beverages could be used for cleaning carburetors and ushing blocked toilet bowls. hosphoric acid could induce kidney stone formation and increase in blood pressure even among young people. Google it, YouTube it, and fi nd out yourself how soft drinks increase the risk for metabolic syndrome.

Experts say that it is safe for pregnant women to drink co ee of no more than mg ca eine. One 8-o cup contains about 1 -1 mg ca eine . However, here is a warning: While it is safe for the mother, a recent study shows that those mothers who consumed ca eine co ee or ca einated drinks) had children who were shorter in stature compared to those conceived by mothers who abstained from caffeine. Ca eine consumption during pregnancy impacts child growth and development. The same could be true with those breast-feeding their babies. For women (and men) in general co ee consumption confers some health benefi ts to brain function (cognition and reducing the risk for dementia).

Alcoholic drinks in general, when imbibed wisely and responsibly, have been found benefi cial to health and longevity. The caveat is to drink in a disciplined manner: one drink maximum for women and two for men, per day. Unfair Sexist No. Why so Because studies have shown that this recommendation confers the best benefi ts to the body, with the least negative e ect for either sex, since their physiology di er somewhat. So, a glass of wine like inot Noir from Oregon, which has the highest resveratrol, a heart-protective compound from the grape skin), or a vodka or gin Martini (Beefeater’s gin dry Martini is my personal favorite), afterdinner drinks, any low sugar mixed drinks, or beer, have all been found to provide the same health benefi ts anti-stress, calming, happy-hormone stimulating, etc.) when taken as recommended above, one max for women and two max for men. Anything in excess is abuse and unhealthy. Adhering to the science when drinking, here’s to one and all: Cheers! A votre sante! To your health!

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888. com and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK

DEALING WITH LONELINESS AND ISOLATION

By TIM PEDROSA

LET US PRAY THAT OUR LONELINESS MAY SPUR US INTO FINDING SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR, GREAT ENOUGH TO DIE FOR. Loneliness and isolation can leave us feeling empty and without hope sometimes. I have learned that when we feel stuck in our own thoughts and just want to be free of this pain, then all we have to do is look to God, the creator of the universe. He sent His son to overcome all of the pain of this world and He wants to help us overcome our pain as well. Loneliness doesn’t come from being alone: it comes from feeling that no one cares. We are meant to thrive in the community. It adds so much more to our lives and causes us to be happier. We all deserve happiness. I have learned that loneliness is the human condition that we can cultivate. It can allow our soul room to grow. LET US NEVER EXPECT TO OUTGROW LONELINESS; NEVER HOPE TO FIND PEOPLE WHO WILL UNDERSTAND US, SOMEONE TO FILL THAT SPACE, OTHERWISE, WE WILL BE DISAPPOINTED. The best we can do is to understand ourselves, know what we want and not let others stand in our way. Never lower your standards just because you’re lonely. It’s better to be by yourself than to be with the wrong person. You can’t be lonely if you like the person you’re alone with. Never let loneliness drives you back into the arms of someone you know you don’t belong with. Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and solitude expresses the glory of being alone. WHY DO I WRITE? It is not that I want people to think that I am smart, or even that I am a good writer. I write because I want to learn from my loneliness, from the problems that life constantly brings and to inspire and encourage others to do the same. I have learned that if we try to really learn, sit with loneliness and embrace it for the gift that it is…and an opportunity to get to know ourselves; to learn how strong we really are; to depend on no one but ourselves for our happiness; we will realize that a little loneliness goes a long way in creating a richer, deeper, more vibrant and colorful self. There is absolutely no point in sitting around and feeling sorry for oneself. The great power we have is to let go… focus on what we have, and what we want and remove 1. Our Lady of Angels Church - 1721 Hillside Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010 2. St. Isidore Catholic Church - 222 Clark Avenue, Yuba City, CA 95991 which ones that have been mean or unkind to us. Once we have mastered 3. St. Andrew’s Catholic Church - 1571 Southgate Avenue, to do that, we will Daly City, CA 94015 never be alone 4. St. Jarlath Church - 2620 Pleasant St., Oakland, CA 94602 4. St. Jarlath Church - 2620 Pleasant St., Oakland, CA 94602 and lonely. Nega5. St. Isabella Church - One Trinity Way, San Rafael, CA 94903 tive emotions like 6. St. Catherine Church - 3450 Tennessee Church, loneliness, envy Vallejo, CA 94591 and guilt have an 7. Holy Child and St. Martin Church - 777 Southgate Avenue, Daly City, CA 94015 8. Parish of the Holy Infant Jesus - 37051 Cabrillo Terrace, 8. Parish of the Holy Infant Jesus - 37051 Cabrillo Terrace, Fremont, CA 94536 9. Good Shepherd Church - 3200 Harbor St, Pittsburg, CA 94565 important role to play in a happy life; they’re big, flashing signs that something needs to

For more information, please contact: change – Gretchen

JR: (650) 952-8238 Rubin.

The Divine and the Diabolic

Iwonder if we ever give a thought about the bad things happening a round us ; while also thinking a bout the good things occurring that inspire us. God causes the good a nd a ll godly things ; and all those doing the good a re instruments of God. E vil and ba d things are caused by the devil; we call all such things as diabol ical. Surely, we would want always to Afl ame The Heart be on t he side of the good, w ith God. I ndeed, must we be! However, this doe s not REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD happen all the time. Bad and e vil things happen, because we choos e and do t hem. As to results; whatever is divine, this gives us peace and s ense of love , the being a ble to love and be love d. With the divine, we experience the presence of God; we experience the sense of blessedne ss. We say, “I am blessed.” Meanwhile, whenever there is the diabolical, an experience of evil; we feel sad and s ense of anger or hated. When there is the work of evil, we do not have peace there is con ict within oneself or in con ict with someone. Division and discord are the devil s masterpiece. God’s work uni tes. A divine work brings into communion w ith God, a nd communion a mongs t people.

What is the devil? In Greek it is “diabolos:” “dia – to set apart – bol os – to throw;” hence, diabolos or devil, is one that throws apart. It causes conf usion, di scord, division, s eparation, a nimosity, and e nmity. Contrary with “synbol os:” “syn – t oge ther or a unity, bolos – to throw,” so, to throw to be toge ther, or to bring toge ther, or to throw into uni ty; and this is always what God doe s, or the result of whatever good de ed done . We must have some funda mental grasp of this simple truth of the devil’s works in our midst and in our lives; so that, we may not fall into being the devil’s instruments by doi ng w hat is evil and ba d. Let us examine in our lives what are the things or deeds that are bad, evil or sinful, that we do or we see cons tantly being done around us . Try to know them and shun these actions and things . Whatever divine things happening, these we must be instruments of their promotion, a nd w e our selves doing them. In the Scriptures or by e xperience; we know, the devil or the diabolic has in uenced people s lives in the worst ways. The person under diabolic in uences is in forms of sinfulness, in crime or violence or vices, in forms of lustful behavior, and many bad sorts. All or any evil deeds or in uences go a gainst God, a nd in Jesus Christ, such evil things will not stand. Christ Cross is powerful against all forms of evil and s in; so, we must love the cross or crosses in our life. Sacrifi ces and su ering are forms of the cross if we accept them and bear them in unity with Christ s su erings , we will not onl y atone for sins, but also we will be blessed abundantly. All temptations want us to shun any c ross; and ye t our Lord Jesus told us; “Whoever doe s not carry his cross… c annot be my disciple (Lk. 14: 27).” Or refer to the temptation of the Lord Jesus; it doe s not want Him to accept su ering and cross “Save yourself by coming down from the cross (Mk. 15: 30.”

If we are to fi ght against diabolic and demonic elements in life and in the world, we must imitate Christ Jesus by c hoos ing a nd a ccepting the Cross or crosses that come our way. The crosses, the forms of suffering and sacrifi ce, are important in our walk of faith and love of God. The Cross of Jesus Christ destroye d evil and s in; so also, our acceptance of crosses in our life will lead us to fi ght against all forms of temptation and win ove r them. The devil and diabolic works will want us to shun any di vine work, especially the good w orks in imitation of Jesus Christ. Sanctifi cation of life happens not without sacrifi ces and su ering done with love . Christ’s Cross has some conne ction to our daily crosses that God s ends our way, and the devil tempts us to never take or accept them. Never listen to the devil’s words but rather always listens to Christ’s words.

In our world, no one would like to talk about the devil or demons or the diabolic yet, their e ects, works, and in uence are clearly displayed. People do not want to acknow ledge this; because, all, including our selves, dear reader, we all like the moments of pleasure or of fame and be in spotlight to please our ego a nd pr ide, etc. However, the devil laughs loudl y at anyone of us falling into its trap. We must set our eyes on our Lord Jesus and listen to His voice. If we fall into sin, do not despair, ask for forgiveness and renew your life then, fi ght on the good fi ght of the faith until you ha ve put evil unde r your feet. Amen.

Recipe of the Week

Papaitan Baka / Pinapaitan Baka

Ingredients:

1 k. ox tripe innards 1 c. diluted ox bile 1 head whole garlic 1 thumb si e ginger, crushed thumb si e ginger, cut into strips 1 head garlic, chopped 2 medium size onion, chopped 1 bundle spring onion, chopped 1 small packet, sampalok sinigang mix - siling labuyo, chopped 1 c. patis salt and pepper

Cooking procedure:

Wash thoroughly ox innards, drain and cut into small slices, set aside liver. In a sauce pan put all innards, whole garlic and crushed ginger cover with water and boil for 1 minutes, drain and discard li uid. Rinse and add fresh water and boil for 1- hours or until innards are tender. Remove from pan separate broth and keep aside. In same sauce pan saut onion, garlic and ginger. Add innards including liver stir for - minutes, add patis and cook for another - minutes. our in broth and simmer for 1 -1 minutes, add siling labuyo, sinigang mix and goat bile half uantity at time and taste sourness and bitterness add more if re uired . Simmer for another - minutes. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with spring oni on. Serve hot.

Sagada opens new tourist hubs, relaxes entry rules

BAGUIO CITY – Sagada, a town in Mount ain Province famous for its hanging coffi ns on high cli s and centuries old burial sites, has opened new places to visit for domestic and foreign tourists.

This was disclosed by Mayor Felicito Dula who said the new destinations are in the town’s southern zone composed of four villages -- Ankileng, Nacagan, Takkong and Suyo ANTS which launched what they called as the “Southern Sagada nature treat, tour and a dve nture.”

“Marami pang destination at kasama natin ang VISIT SAGADA. Sagada y has launched the southern Sagada community sa pagbubukas nature treat, tour and adventure that formalizes tours and at pag-welcome ng mga vi it to t e a anyon ater all t e Taccon tra i� onal bisita para ma enjoy din burial grounds, Balangagan caves and the Pinumdeng skyline nila ang iba pang maga- unri e a amon t e a� rac� on . gandang lugar sa Sagada there are still other destinations and we are one with the community in opening them and welcoming the visitors to enjoy the other beautiful places in Sagada ,” Mayor Dula said in NA s Li a Agoot report.

Sagada, considered the Shangrila of the North, earlier relaxed entry rules that used to make visits to the town diffi cult and expensive for tourists.

The opening of additional tourist attractions in Sagada was earlier proposed to attract more tour ists and put Sagada on the bucket list of local and international tour ists.

Southern Sagada has the Obwa Canyon waterfalls, Takkong traditional burial grounds, Balangagan caves and the inumdeng skyline sunrise as among the attractions .

A camp site has been set up near the barangay hall of Suyo, which will have a tour ist information center where coor dination can be done and tour guides will be provided for the safety of the visitors aside from a Com AC Community olice Assistance Center .

Sagada, which has 1 villages, is divided into fi ve ones -- central, southcentral, northern, eastern, and southern zone s.

The eastern one, where the Marlboro Hills is located, is expected to be launched anytime.

Dula said most of the existing and popular tourist destinations are located in central and south central ones like the Echo-Valley, Hanging Coffi ns, pottery, Sagada weaving, Bokong Falls and the Kiltepan sunrise, same as the town proper or oblacion.

“They are ready to receive the tourists. The tour guides have been trained and accredited to bring the visitors and make them safe while in the village,” the mayor said.

Sagada has expressed confi dence that its tourism industry will ourish anew, according to Mayor Dula, who said every weekend for about four weeks now, tourist arrivals are on the rise. “We have recorded a total of ,8 tourists who arrived from anuary 1 to September . There are also a small number of seminars and conferences already being held here,” the mayor said. Pre-pande mic, Sagada averaged 1 , tourists per year. Sagada has lifted all entry re uirements for tourists, including registration, Covid-1 test, and proof of full vaccination. “We have decided to ease the restrictions because they prevent tourists from putting us on their list of areas to visit,” Dula said. “We had to move because tourism is the number one livelihood of the people in Sagada and making it diffi cult for tourists to enter our town will make it diffi cult also for our people to recover from the fi nancial losses that resulted from the lockdowns.” The mayor said locals own restaurants, inns, and souvenir shops while others are engaged in making processed items or serve as tour guides. Based on a 1 survey, Sagada has 1 , residents who are directly engaged in tourism or related business activities Culture preservation thru tourism Councilor aime Dugao, the Indigenous eoples Mandatory Representative I MR of the town, said during the launching of the southern Sagada nature treat, tour and adve nture that Sagada’s tourism is not just about the place but most especially about the people and the culture. “In accepting visitors, we do not just show the beautiful place that we have, but our culture, the way we deal with people, our care for each member of our community that is why we want that the benefi ts from the industry that we reap be shared to the other villages in our town, to all our brother I-Sagada. We have our way of attending to our visitors, we will take it seriously and we will make sure that tourists will have no sad stories because it will destroy the whole of Sagada,” he adde d.