AAPI HerItAg e MontH IgnIted A vIbrAnt celebrAt Ion of A new erA In l As vegA s’ brAnd-new ‘fIlIPIno town’
Written by: Leizel Trinidad, EIC
Southern Nevada is home to one of the largest and most rapidly expanding Filipino American populations in the United States, with estimates soaring to nearly 250,000. This dynamic community has woven itself into the very fabric of Las Vegas, contributing significantly across every sector imaginable – from the tireless healthcare professionals who staff our hospitals, to the dedicated hospitality workers who fuel the city’s tourism engine, and the burgeoning ranks of small business owners and educators. Their collective impact is undeniable, reflecting a deep-seat-
ed commitment to family values, hard work, and cultural pride that resonates throughout the valley.
For Filipino Americans in Las Vegas, AAPI Heritage Month is a time of heightened visibility and collective celebration. Throughout May, events ranging from cultural festivals showcasing traditional dances and music to educational workshops and community gatherings foster a deeper understanding and
LAS VEGAS, NV – As the desert blooms and the vibrant energy of Las Vegas pulses, May arrived, bringing with it the annual celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Across Southern Nevada, this month has been more than just a calendar designation; it’s a profound opportunity to honor the rich tapestry of cultures that have shaped the region. At the forefront of this celebration, the flourishing Filipino American community stands poised on the cusp of a new era, marked by the historic designation of “Filipino Town” – a testament to their enduring legacy, economic power, and vibrant cultural spirit.
Photo op during the kick off event of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign! Gold lights rim the iconic landmark to celebrate the #AAPI community and its expanding force that enriches every facet of So. Nevada. The color gold holds deep cultural significance across AAPI communities historically, representing pillars of home, family, power, sacred symbolism and wealth, further embodying resilience and quality in contrast to stereotypes. (Photos Courtesy of Clark County Gov’t Instagram Page)
Palace: Resign-all order won’t derail services, not targeting any exec
MANILA, May 23 (Mabuhay) -Malacañang on Thursday assured the public that government services and ongoing projects will not be disrupted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s sweeping directive for all Cabinet secretaries to submit their courtesy resignations, even as it clarified that no specific official is being singled out in the process.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the directive, meant to recalibrate the administration’s priorities, will not halt or cause delays in government operations.
“Maliwanag din po ang sinabi ng Pangulo, hindi po maaapektuhan kung anuman po ang pending at existing projects habang ito ay may transition. At tuluy-tuloy lamang po ang pagtatrabaho ng mga Cabinet secretaries at ng mga tao sa gobyerno (The President made it clear that pending and existing projects will not be affected during the transition. Cabinet secretaries and government personnel will continue their work),” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.
She clarified that Cabinet members remain in their posts unless the President formally accepts their resignations, ensuring continuity in leadership and operations.
“Mas maganda po itong mapakita rin ng ating mga heads of agencies, Cabinet secretaries na sila ay naaayon sa goal ng Pangulo, ipakita nila na sila ay dapat na manatili bilang parte ng administrasyon ng ating Pangulo (This is an opportunity for our agency heads and Cabinet secretaries to show they are aligned with the President’s goals and deserve to stay in the administration),” she added.
“Sabi nga natin, walang puwang ang tamad at korap sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. (As we’ve said, there is no room for the
lazy and corrupt in President Marcos Jr.’s administration).”
The Palace official also denied speculations that the move was intended to quietly get rid of certain officials.
“We have no update on that, if there is really a target secretary regarding this request for courtesy resignation. There is none, as of the moment,” she said.
The mass filing stems from a directive Marcos first hinted at in his “BBM Podcast” released Monday, where he announced an ongoing evaluation of his Cabinet’s performance.
READ: Marcos bares Cabinet performance review underway, changes possible
“This is not business as usual,” Marcos said in announcing the resign-all order, as quoted in a Palace news release. “It’s time to realign government with the people’s expectations.”
The Palace clarified that the request for resignations is not a purge, but part of a recalibration effort intended to give the President “the elbow room to evaluate the performance of each department and determine who will continue to serve, in line with his administration’s recalibrated priorities.”
“This is not about personalities— it’s about performance, alignment, and urgency,” Marcos said.
While acknowledging the dedication and professionalism of many officials, the President emphasized that the country’s evolving needs demand “a renewed alignment, faster execution, and a results-first mindset.”
The performance review and resignation call come in the wake of the 2025 midterm elections, where six administration-backed senatorial candidates won. (MNS)
FILIPINO TOWN - FROM A-1
appreciation of Filipino heritage. These celebrations serve not only to unite the community but also to share their rich traditions with the broader diverse population of Southern Nevada, highlighting the unique contributions that have enriched the American narrative.
The culmination of decades of community building arrived dramatically in April 2025, with the unanimous approval by the Clark County Commission to officially designate “Filipino Town.” This landmark decision recognizes a 1.2-mile stretch of Maryland Parkway, between Desert Inn and Flamingo roads, as a formal cultural corridor. For years, this area has organically served as a de facto hub, bustling with Filipino-owned businesses, community services, and familiar landmarks like the iconic Seafood City Supermarket. The official designation, however, elevates its status, transforming it from a mere geographical cluster into a powerful symbol of identity, legacy, and a vibrant future.
The creation of Filipino Town is more than just a name on a map; it’s a strategic investment in cultural preservation and economic empowerment. Clark County plans to allocate matching grants for façade improvements, streetscape enhancements, and public art projects that will infuse the district with distinctly Filipino motifs, from capizshell inspired lighting to colorful jeepney murals. Small businesses within the corridor will gain access to low-interest loans, and joint marketing campaigns will promote Filipino Town as a must-visit cultural destination for tourists and locals alike. This initiative is expected to drive increased foot traffic and boost revenue for the many Filipino entrepreneurs who call this area home.
This burgeoning community’s growth is also significantly shaping the Southern Nevada real estate landscape. Filipino Americans have historically demonstrated a strong commitment to homeownership, a trend that continues in Las Vegas, where many families are laying down roots and investing in their futures. The designation of Filipino Town is anticipated to further influence real estate trends within and around the district, potentially increasing desirability and property values as more families seek to live within this culturally vibrant
hub. While the broader Southern Nevada housing market in May 2025 is seeing a moderation in prices and an increase in inventory, offering more choices for buyers, the specific demand within Filipino Town is likely to remain robust, driven by community affinity.
At the heart of Filipino Town’s allure is its vibrant commercial activity, particularly evident on weekends. For many Filipino American families across Southern Nevada, a trip to Filipino Town, especially to the anchor Seafood City Supermarket, is a cherished weekend ritual. These aren’t just grocery runs; they are social events, opportunities to connect with friends, catch up on community news, and immerse themselves in familiar sights, sounds, and smells. Shoppers fill their carts with beloved Filipino ingredients, snacks, and household items, often making it a bi-weekly or monthly “balikbayan” (returning home) shopping trip to stock up on essentials that evoke a sense of home and cultural connection.
Beyond the bustling aisles of the supermarket, Filipino Town is also a culinary hotspot, offering a diverse range of authentic Filipino flavors that cater to every palate. From beloved fast-food chains like Jollibee and traditional eateries such as Max’s Restaurant, to bustling buffets like Kusina Ni Lorraine and street food havens like Toto’s Grill, the food here is a celebration of heritage and a gathering point for families and friends. And for quick, delicious meals, Grill City inside Seafood City provides convenient, cafeteria-style options with fresh, grilled favorites. These establishments, alongside numerous other Filipino-owned businesses, contribute to the lively atmosphere and serve as vital community anchors.
As AAPI Heritage Month unfolded, the story of Filipino Americans in Las Vegas is one of remarkable growth, cultural resilience, and a community actively shaping its own future. The official establishment of Filipino Town is a powerful affirmation of their contributions and a beacon for continued cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and vibrant community life in Southern Nevada. This May, and in the years to come, Filipino Town stands as a proud testament to a community building its legacy, one cherished weekend trip and cultural celebration at a time.
In celebration of the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a street sign was added at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. Senate sets June 2 for prosecutors’ arrival in VP Sara impeachment MANILA, May 23 (Mabuhay) -The Senate has scheduled the formal reception of the House panel of prosecutors for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at 4 p.m. on June 2.
In a letter dated May 19 but released to reporters Thursday, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the move is in line with Rule I of the Senate’s Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials.
Escudero said the House’s proper transmittal of the verified impeachment complaint allows the Senate to prepare for the next steps of the process.
“As stated in our letter dated February 24, 2025, the Senate shall expect the prosecution to read the seven charges under the Articles of Impeachment in open session,” Escudero said in his letter addressed to Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Following the June 2 presentation, the Senate will convene as an impeachment court the following day, June 3, at 9 a.m. to issue the summons and other relevant orders.
The Office of the Vice President confirmed receipt of the Senate’s letter on May 19. (PNA)
• What is Original Medicare?
• Are there other health care options?
• What do Medicare Parts A, B, C and D mean?
• Is Original Medicare enough health coverage?
• Are my prescriptions covered?
• How much will it cost?
• Do I have deadlines to enroll?
DOJ: Final SCS Code of Conduct must be consistent with UNCLOS
MANILA, May 23 (Mabuhay) --
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday said negotiators must ascertain that the final Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea does not supersede the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“The UNCLOS is considered the highest instrument or constitution for the oceans, so this COC must be consistent with UNCLOS, it cannot be higher than UNCLOS,” DOJ
Senior State Counsel Fretti Ganchoon said at the We Protect our Seas forum on ASEAN Maritime Security in Pasay City.
Ganchoon recognized that the COC is an important mechanism for states to manage tensions in the sea lane, but said it cannot include any provision that might impair the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.
“It cannot supersede UNCLOS, it cannot have rules there that would impair the Arbitral Award,” she said.
“Under UNCLOS, we consider that we have exclusive rights to all of the natural resources in the West Philippine Sea, exclusive jurisdiction with respect to marine scientific research and taking of measures to protect and preserve the marine environment.”
Within the West Philippine Sea, she said, the country must balance how to cooperate to protect the country’s sovereign rights in the area.
The West Philippine Sea is a portion of the South China Sea marking the maritime zone entitled to the Philippines under the UNCLOS.
In the same forum, political analyst Richard Heydarian agreed that a version of a COC that contravenes with UNCLOS, more so if legally binding, would be “worse than not having a COC.”
China, which lays claim on a huge swath of the sea lane, has
consistently rejected the UNCLOS Arbitral Tribunal’s 2016 landmark ruling on the South China Sea.
At present, negotiations to conclude the COC early are ongoing between Beijing and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Last March, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is ready to work with the bloc to step up talks, “so as to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.”
Nanyang Technological University S. Rajaratnam School
Associate Professor Collin Koh, meanwhile, said negotiators must ensure the COC has enough confidence and security-building measures (CSBMs) in place.
Citing the 2018 Single Draft Negotiating Text for the COC, Koh cited a “huge gap of difference” in priorities when it comes to driving maritime security cooperation.
“There are much more proposals when it comes to promoting practical security cooperation but very scant proposals when it comes to promoting confidence and security-building,” he said.
Koh said an effective COC would bank heavily on CSBMs to “moderate behavior” among the claimant states’ maritime forces.
“We need to focus more on that,” he said. “Without CSBMs, I don’t think we could go very far in actually implementing the practical security cooperation itself.”
In 2023, the foreign ministers of ASEAN and China adopted the Guidelines on Accelerating the Early Conclusion of the Code of Conduct and agreed to work towards concluding the COC within three years.
The recent negotiations were held in Manila in April, with the next round set to convene in Malaysia later in the year. (MNS)
ICC approves request to delay disclosure of witnesses in Duterte case
MANILA, May 22 (Mabuhay)
-- The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-trial Chamber 1 has granted the request of the prosecution to extend the deadline of the submission of several documents related to the crimes against humanity case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a 5-page decision signed by presiding Judge Iulia Motoc, Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou, and Judge Maria del Socorro Flores Liera, the chamber ordered the prosecution to complete the disclosure of the arrest warrant materials related to the relevant witnesses by no later than July 1, 2025.
Likewise, the prosecution was directed to submit any applications for redactions not falling into the standard categories, non-disclosure of witnesses’ identities, or non-disclosure of entire items of evidence on or before June 16.
The Victims and Witnesses Unit should also submit its observations on such applications, if any, by the same date.
Any responses to such applications, if any, must be submitted by no later than June 20, according to the chamber.
The decision was made after the ICC Office of the Prosecutor sought to delay the disclosure deadline until July 1—-the date set to complete the disclosure process; and that the final deadline to apply to the Chamber to withhold the identity of witnesses be extended until June 20.
The prosecution had stressed that the immediate disclosure of the witnesses’ identities “would give rise to an objective risk to their safety.” This was acknowledged by the Pre-Trial Chamber 1.
“The Chamber notes the Prosecution’s submission that, although it ‘does not presently assess that it will be required to submit requests to the Chamber for the non-disclosure of the identities of the [Relevant] Witnesses’, it ‘assesses that the immediate disclosure of their identities would give rise to an objective risk to their safety,’” the document read.
“For this reason, and further noting that the Defense and the OPCV (Office of Public Counsel for Victims) do not object to the Request, the Chamber considers that good cause is shown, within the meaning of regulation 35 of the Regulations, to grant an extension of the relevant time limits,” it added.
Duterte was arrested in the Philippines by local authorities on March 11, based on a warrant of arrest issued by the ICC.
He is currently detained in the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague for charges of crimes against humanity for the extrajudicial killings during his administration’s war on drugs.
The chamber scheduled the hearing on the confirmation of the charges on September 23, 2025. (MNS)
Palace urges youth: Join DSWD’s paid internship program
MANILA, May 22 (Mabuhay) -Malacañang on Wednesday invited qualified young Filipinos to experience public service and take part in the paid internship program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro encouraged eligible students to take advantage of the DSWD’s Government Internship Program (GIP), noting the program’s dual benefit of training and income.
The GIP is designed to equip the youth with practical skills for employment — particularly in government offices — while providing financial support.
Application is open to college students aged 18 to 25, preferably incoming third- and fourth-year students for the coming school year.
The applicant’s monthly family income shall not be above the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) latest regional poverty threshold.
According to Castro, 75 internship slots are available in each of the DSWD’s 16 field offices, while 35 interns will be accepted in its central office in Quezon City.
Interns will receive a stipend equal to 75 percent of the prevailing regional minimum wage for 30 days of work, Castro said. They will be assigned to perform administrative tasks, including data encoding, document filing, and coordination with other government agencies.
According to the DSWD, nearly 8,000 college students have benefited from the initiative from 2017 to 2024.
Applicants are encouraged to communicate with Verlan Rosales, youth program focal person of the Sectoral Programs Division of the DSWD’s Protective Services Bureau, through email at vtrosales@ dswd.gov.ph or may apply directly through https://bit.ly/DSWD_GIPApplication from May 19 to 21 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Students from the different regions may contact their respective DSWD field offices and look for the youth program focal person via https://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswdfield-office-2/ for the DSWD field office directory. (MNS)
Prior to the introduction of colonoscopy, colorectal cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths. Colonoscopy screening can lower the risk of dying from colorectal cancer by 20-60 percent.
From the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF): “Colonoscopies are generally recommended for routine colorectal cancer screening from age 45 to 75. While some individuals may continue to have them after 75, the decision to continue screening should be made on a case-by-case basis with a healthcare provider, and screening is generally not recommended for those over 85.” The American Cancer Society recommends stopping screening for those 85 and over.
About 50,000 to 53,000 people in the United States are estimated to die from colorectal cancer each year, in spite of the advances in medicine. Human neglect of their body, unhealthy lifestyle, undisciplined behavior and attitude about regular medical check-up, and misinformation on the social media are some of the reasons why modern medicine has not been able to cut down those statistics.
Colonoscopy today is a lot more comfortable using a 1 cm. fiberoptic flexible tube with a camera, a source of light, and ability to take minute biopsies, compared to the larger bore, rigid, tube in the past. Light sedation eliminates anxiety and discomfort, and the patient wakes up feeling good with the wonderful side-effect of the opioid propofol.
Cologuard, which needs a prescription, is a non-invasive, FDA-approved stool test for screening colon cancer is about 92 percent accurate in detecting colon cancer, but not as effective as colonoscopy in detecting colon polyps, where are pre-cancerous, and Cologuard also has a higher false positive rate (detecting cancer when there is ac-
Colonoscopy
tually no cancer). Colonoscopy is preferred for a more definitive diagnosis, at the same time the patient can enjoy the “high” from propofol. For those 85 and over, Cologuard may be the option for those who are concerned. The best is to consult with your physician.
Sleep and inflammation
Not getting enough good quality sleep, called sleep deprivation, is associated with markers of inflammation, such as increase in inflammatory molecules, including cytokines, interleukin-6, c-reactive protein (the marker that is elevated in people risk for heart disease and diabetes,) and others. While lack of restful sleep negatively affects the clarity of mind, mood, memory and energy, the inflammation sleep deprivation causes is of major importance. Inflammation is a big factor in the causation of many diseases, even cancer.
Listen to your body
Without pain, persons would burn their hand touching a hot stove, much like people with severe diabetes and nerve damage to the feet who could have a nail in their foot and not even knowing. I saw one such patient. Pain and other bodily discomfort are helpful warning signal that alert us that something needs to be checked, sometimes by physicians. Some of the other symptoms, besides aches and pains, could include toothache, headaches, thirst, stomach upset, dizziness, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, loss of weight, frequent tiredness, feeling of being unwell, unease. We must listen to our body because it is an existential ally, which has its own “intelligence,” a preference for a healthy lifestyle, and a warning system.
Keto for cognition?
The keto diet is a high-fat (70 percents of the total calories), moderate protein, and very low carbohydrates dietary plan that aims to
induce ketosis, where the body primarily burns fat for energy, instead of carbohydrates.
A new study suggests that the keto diet might protect age-related cognitive decline, which is very common among seniors and super seniors. The mechanism is still a concept: using ketones as an alternative brain fuel, and ketosis may help protect against cognitive decline by providing neurons with energy when glucose metabolism is impaired. Normally, glucose is the main fuel of the body for energy. This initial finding needs large scale studies “to confirm if, indeed, a ketogenic diet can consistently be maintained and offer long-term protection, particularly in individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s and whether it can be effectively incorporated into a broader treatment regimen,” according to researchers.
The keto diet, while usually effective for weight loss, has several potential dangers, including nutritional deficiencies, digestive problems, and increased risk for certain ailments. It can also lead to keto flu symptoms and long-term health issues. It is prudent to consult with your physician or dietician before you embark on any new diet regimen.
MS and microbiome
Around 2.9 million people around the world have multiple sclerosis, a chronic neurological disorder where the body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system. It is a disease that worsens as time passes by, termed MS exacerbation.
The risk factors for MS includes genetics, which is non-modifiable, and those which are modifiable, like smoking, unlight exposure (vitamin D deficiency), viral infection, diet, and gut health (imbalanced microbiome).
MS reduces longevity by 6-7 years on average, a 2-fold increased risk for death. But the
more concerning are the symptoms neurologic symptoms due to brain volume and grey matter loss, cognitive issue, pains, tremors, muscular cramping, inability to walk, poor balance, fatigue, dizziness, excessive urination at night, persistent urge to urinate, blurred vision, and others.
A new study in mice showed that the ratio of two types of bacteria in the gut microbiome may be able to predict the severity of the MS, and that bacteria among persons with MS differ from those healthy individuals. The composition of those bacteria varies across different studies. Bacterial balance is essential to health. More independent research is need to pinpoint what bacteria and the ideal ratio would be conducive to harmony and balance needed to prevent, minimize, or treat Multiple Sclerosis and other illnesses as well. Microbiome (gut bacteria) health is vital to our general well-being.
Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, pugilist Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom, distinguished educators, and renowned scientists. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
BLESSING, BOOK AND BABY
The Merry Month of May truly evokes the spirit of spring, festivity, and new beginnings with three special events I had the honor to attend: 1. A New Sanctuary in the Desert: Fred and Florence Jacinto’s House Blessing in Pahrump
In a beautiful expression of faith and hospitality, Fred and Florence celebrated the blessing of their new home on May 10, 2025 in Pahrump, Nevada—soon to serve as an Airbnb and spiritual retreat center for Christian groups. Nestled in the quiet serenity of the desert, the house promises to be a haven for rest, prayer, and community.
The blessing ceremony, held on a warm spring afternoon, brought together family, friends, and members of their church community. Prayers and hymns echoed through the open spaces of the newly renovated home, setting a tone of peace and purpose. Those in attendance, led by Pastor Warfil De Leon, anoint-
ed each room, dedicating them to healing, renewal, and fellowship.
The Jacintos, whose long-held dream has been to offer Christian travelers a place of rest and reflection, expressed their gratitude with heartfelt words. Their vision for the space includes Bible study retreats, worship weekends, and even silent prayer getaways.
The celebration concluded with a communal breakfast symbolic of the nourishment and connection the retreat center hopes to provide. As May ushers in new beginnings, this blessed home stands ready to welcome all who seek God’s presence in the stillness of the desert.
Award-winning Author / Journalist Carlos Palanca Awardee & Professional Host/Emcee
Author website: www.marylaineviernes.com
Happy Sweet 16, Sasha!
Straight out of a fairy tale, I thank the parents of Sasha, Mary and Richard Calderon for letting me serve as master of ceremonies as their eldest daughter, Sasha Marie turned 16! Special thanks to my beloved friend and uncle of Sasha, Gello Suarez too! What a lovely celebration it was, and most of all, what a beautiful family your have! May all your dreams come true, Sasha! Always stay loyal, brave, wise and true! Wishing you good health, safety, success & blessings! Stay gorgeous!
Congratulations to our friends from Wound Care On Wheels, “Your Wounds, our Priority” for their successful invitational bowling tournament in celebration of another year of success! I am blessed and honored to have served as your master of ceremonies, meeting your many partners and clients and working with the best in the business: DJ Cham Z Estrada and Joj Video & Photography by Joj Cordova. Wound Care on Wheels is the undisputed best and fastest wound care service provider in the valley thanks to its leader, David Apolinario, MSN, FNP-BC and his expert team! Happy Anniversary to you and we all look forward to your continued success and your many exciting celebrations! Cheers!
Congratulations to all of the awardees of 2025 Outstanding Mothers led by Dr. Michael Sta Juana, president of the America Awards Nevada, most especially my friend Jocelyn De Leon who is truly deserving! Thanks for having me as youe constant master of ceremonies. I feel so blessed to also receive recognition as a proud mother to my beloved children, Godric Matthew, 16; Brooklyn Mackenzie, 3; and my precious dogs, Ragamuffin (Muffin), 5 and Argonaut
a
(Argo), 2.
What
wonderful luau to celebrate our dear Alexis’ birthday! Along with husband to Gello Suarez, these two are known as the best artist and singers in Vegas and I am proud to call them my friend! Alexis celebrated with their big, beautiful Ohana! Wishing you more success and blessings!
Feliz Cumpleanos, Alexis Ay! Keep on singing and shining! I am very proud of you & Gello Suarez!
Know the Son to Know the Father And Have Eternal Life
John 17:3-4
3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
There are three Works finished by Jesus Christ to give us Eternal Life in Heaven.
1. To Reveal us The Father and Himself as The Messiah
John 17:3
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
2. To Glorify The Father
John 17:4
“ I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”
3. To Redeem Us By taking our punishment and from dying to our Sins and giving us His Spirit
John 19:30
“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
To have Eternal Life, Jesus Christ should give us life in Spirit. Even though we're living or alive, breathing here on earth, we live as dead because of sin. We remember Jesus Christ said to one who would like to follow Him but asked Jesus to wait for he needed to bury his father first. Jesus answered, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:21-22) For the wages of sin is death, (death in Spirit) but the [gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Like Adam and Eve, they died in spirit, because they sinned, they did not obey the Word of GOD. This caused them to die in spirit.
Genesis 2:16-17
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (After they ate, they did not die in flesh but in spirit.)
After their disobedience, they were cast out from the Garden of Eden and prevented from eating the fruit from the tree of life and eat, and live forever. After HE drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”
Another example is Saul, the first king of Israel. He died not following the instructions of the LORD.
In 1 Samuel 15:3, the LORD instructed Saul to totally destroy and not to spare life of Amalekites including animals, but in verse 15:9, Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.
Therefore in 1 Samuel 16:14, the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and GOD sent a distressing spirit to trouble him. Distressing spirit although sent by the LORD is not a living spirit of GOD, but the dead spirit of evil, the spirit of the world. (1 Corinthians 2:12-14)
So, to have Eternal Life is to know the Father and follow Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD. To know the Father is to know the Son.
John 14:6-7 says, “ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known
My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
We have to believe that Jesus is GOD, the Word in the beginning that became flesh (John 1:1-2,14). GOD became flesh so HE can reveal Himself and show how much HE love us.
The LORD revealed this plan in prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah’s time.
In Isaiah 7:14, GOD said “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
In Jeremiah 31:31-34, GOD said this;
Jeremiah 31:31-34 1 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Jesus Christ started to fulfill this prophecy of Jeremiah in the Sermon of the Mount teaching Beatitudes. Matthew 5:2 said that Jesus opened His mouth and taught them. This is the fulfillment of Jeremiah 34:34. “No more shall every man
teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
In Hebrews 1:1-3, it addressed us that “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word
So we will not suppose to wonder like Philip. Jesus said to Philip in John 14:9-11 “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.”
Jesus explicitly said to those unbelieving Jews that He and the Father are one (John 10:30)
That’s why John 3:16 sums up the requirement of Eternal Life.
“ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
We will not be able to know the Father without knowing the Son, and we cannot believe the Father without believing the Son. Eternal Life only comes when we know the Father and the Son are One. AMEN
You say you’d never let them have sweets for breakfast. Never stay up past their bedtime. You’d never give in to a meltdown. Or never let them have too much screen time. You also say you’d never leave them in the car.
Never happens. Don’t let it happen to you.
Kids heat up 3-5x faster than adults. Parked cars get hot fast and can be deadly to children.
ONCE YOU PARK, STOP. LOOK. LOCK.