The Filipino Press: December 1-7, 2023

PAMPERED PINAY:

will be back next week Happy holidays!

InternationaL cuisines

Fruit picking

and picnicKing Enjoy the activity with family

ADVENTURES IN TASTE

Leisure| P2

EMPOWERMENT | P2

SPECIAL OFFERS |

San Diego’s No. 1 Source of News & Information for the Filipino Community • An Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1986 December 1, 2023 - December 7, 2023

www.thefilipinopress.com • (619) 434-1720

Artificial Intelligence Could Dramatically Reshape the 2024 US Election

By Sunita Sohrabji/EMS

The Biden Administration’s executive order on AI places many standards on the emerging technology, but experts say much more is needed to safeguard the election process.

Generative artificial intelligence has the potential to dramatically disrupt the outcome of the 2024 US election, said experts at a briefing Nov. 27, hosted by the Brennan Center for Justice.

Once confined strictly to science fiction, AI is now everywhere.

Generative AI’s capabilities to manipulate data, impersonate experts, candidates, and political leaders, and spew out misinformation on social media arrives at a time when voters are already challenged with separating fact from falsehoods.

In a surprise moment during the briefing, moderator Zoe Schiffer, managing editor at Platformer News, featured a clip that used generative AI to create a cloned version of speaker Lawrence Norden, Senior Director of the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. The AI-generated Norden was able to accurately replicate Norden’s concerns about AI in the upcoming elections, but added additional disinformation and hyperbole about China, Iran and Russia’s alleged interference.

(Canva stock photo) Deep Fakes The real Norden broke down his concerns down into four categories: imitation threat, also known as deep fakes, in which Chat GPT is used to generate articles that look like they

are coming from election offices or candidates.

AI can also be used for harassment of election officials, said Norden, with AI-generated emails flooding election offices

with frivolous records’ requests.

“You could just imagine offices being inundated with thousands and thousands of requests that keep election officials from doing their work,” he said.

A third threat is cyberattacks, potentially against election offices, said Norden, adding that his fourth concern was public fear of AI. “There’s been so much written about it and there’s been so much

undermining of confidence in our elections already that AI itself, and the claims for what it can do may add to this undermining of confidence in election,” he said.

Multifactorial authentication — requiring people to put in a password sent to their phones — can curb some of the issues with AI-generated material, said Norden.

Voting machines and electronic poll books must have paper backups, he said.

Biden Executive Order “We need to make sure that election officials, the media are giving the public accurate information about elections,” said Norden.

In October, the Biden Administration announced an executive order, attempting to place safeguards and oversight on the use of AI. Mia Hoffman, a research fellow at the Center of for Security and Emerging Technology at Georgetown University, said the action was a good start.

“At a high level, it does a lot of things right. I think they’re trying to address a lot of different concerns with one directive and that’s hard to do,” she said.

In the context of elections, the executive order addresses disinformation with watermarking techniques: hidden patterns are going to be embedded in AI See ELECTION on 9

Medi-Cal Transforming Public Health Care FTC Scales Language Barriers to Battle Scammers

By Selen Ozturk/EMS

By Mark Hedin/EMS

California, which has the highest Medicaid caseload in the U.S., is set to dramatically expand access even as it continues to review eligibility post-pandemic.

As Medi-Cal expands next year to include all undocumented immigrants and new services well beyond the doctor’s office, California is on the national front lines of transforming public health care.

In a Wed., November 15 briefing co-hosted by Ethnic Media Services and the Department of Health Care Services, DHCS experts and ground-level community health workers discussed this expansion to include all immigrants and new services; the latest data on eligibility redetermination, and the transition to new care plans in 21 counties statewide.

Where are we with Medi-Cal redetermination?

Since the end of the federal COVID-19 emergency in May 2022, Medi-Cal has resumed its annual redetermination of enrollees’ eligibility.

Giving an overview of the latest data on this yearlong process, Yingjia Huang said as of September 30, 15.2 million people “are on our case rolls” — over a third of California’s population. “I’m proud to report that, overall, we’re holding steady as a state.”

Because California has the highest Medicaid caseload in the U.S., Huang — the Assistant Deputy Director of Health Care Benefits and Eligibility for DHCS — said over one million people have faced redetermination each month since June, the first month of actual disenrollments. In September, about 1.7 million were up for renewal.

About 20% to 21% of these people are disenrolled each month, she

As of this fall, the FTC's Language Access Initiative will expand its services to include up to a dozen new languages.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- The Federal Trade Commission has a new strategy for battling fraud. As of this fall, its Language Access Initiative provides interpreters who can take fraud reports and provide advice in many more languages than just English and Spanish.

At a Nov. 21 press briefing the federal agency hosted with Ethnic Media Services – simultaneously translated into Spanish, Korean and Mandarin – two FTC officials and a lawyer/journalist described how the new multilingual services work and some of the ways they’re expected to help protect consumers.

“We’ve long had the ability to hear from people in English and Spanish,” said Monica Vaca, deputy director in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Getting reports from people in other languages has been a limitation for us.”

Vaca emphasized the importance of people making those reports not just for their own sake but to help the FTC get the word out before more people are scammed. “We can only bring cases and do education about scams that we know about,” she said.

Fraud toll nears $9 billion Just based on the number of reports people made in English or Spanish, fraud and deceptive or unfair business practices cost U.S. consumers close to $9 billion last year, noted Larissa Bungo, senior attorney with the FTC’s Division of Consumer and Business Education.

People who are worried they

continued — much lower than many other states like Texas, which saw a 73% disenrollment rate by the end of August.

Hispanic individuals, making up the highest percentage of Medi-Cal enrollees, also make up the highest percentage — 53% — of those disenrolled. However, Huang said, many of these disenrollments may owe to families who “no longer need this coverage,” having found employer insurance or surpassed income limits since the pandemic, when eligibility checks were paused.

New managed care plans Those in the 21 counties transitioning to new managed care plans come January 1, 2024 will experience a change in the kind of health care they may be eligible for, said Michelle Retke, DHCS Chief of Managed Care Operations.

For many of these counties, managed care — which uses health insurance plans, like Kaiser or Anthem, to provide primary care doctors picked from a network of local health centers — is transitioning to a single-plan model where previously multiple plans were offered, Retke explained. For other affected counties, different plans will replace those currently there.

She emphasized that the main

takeaway for Medi-Cal members in these counties, listed here, is “Pay attention to your mail; in October, November and December, you’ll get a notice that your plan is changing, and an enrollment choice packet that you can fill out on paper or online.”

Medi-Cal expanding to undocumented immigrants As this redetermination and transition happens, Medi-Cal is also expanding to all undocumented immigrants come January 1; currently, those under 26 and over 49 are eligible.

Explaining the importance of this expansion to California’s hardest-toreach residents, Dr. Sergio AguilarGaxiola said “this is a tremendous need.

Meeting it requires more than goodwill and wanting to do the right thing.

In order to reach these populations, building trust is front and center.”

Many undocumented Californians are (or are related to) farmworkers, a population which Aguilar-Gaxiola — Professor of Internal Medicine at UC Davis and Director of its Center for Reducing Health Disparities — has worked with for decades. There are approximately 600,000 to 700,000 farmworkers in California, he said, See MEDI-CAL on 6

have been victimized can reach out for FTC help either on the phone or online.

Doing so will alert the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network – a pool of 3,000 law enforcement officers at federal, state and local levels – to be on the lookout.

If the FTC can catch the culprits quickly enough there is the possibility of getting your money back – another reason to not hesitate if you think you’ve been cheated.

For example, the FTC was able to recover $245 million that it is returning to customers of Epic Games, creator of the popular game Fortnite, which the FTC alleged tricked young players into making unintentional purchases.

The deadline for filing a claim is Jan. 17 of 2024.

Don’t hesitate to report fraud Of course, to get money back with FTC help, you have to identify yourself when making a report, but in any case, you will never be asked about your immigration status.

Sometimes, success in getting money back depends on how the victim was defrauded. For instance, if payments were made using a credit card, it may be possible to contest the charge with the card

company.

So be careful. “Only scammers insist you pay by gift card, cryptocurrency or wire transfer,” Bungo advised.

Another reason to not delay reporting suspicions is that scammers often work from overseas where they and the money they obtained are harder for law enforcement to reach.

Even if you successfully dodge a scam, reporting the attempt helps inform and thus protect otherwise unsuspecting potential victims, Bungo said.

The multilingual call-center staff and information available at the agency’s website can also provide a range of “next steps” for people to consider.

By phone, call (877) 382-4357, then press 3. A succession of messages in different languages will tell you what number to press next to reach an in-person interpreter who knows your language.

Lines are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

EST, which is 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the West Coast.

New language choices available as of last month include Portuguese, See FTC on

8

2 • December 1, 2023 - December 7, 2023

Filipino Press

www.thefilipinopress.com

Empowering your passion within

Begin the next step of your healthcare career today!

Register today!

Complete your Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) & Home Health Aide (HHA) Training at Heart to Serve Institute, approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

(619) 402 - 2349 Schedule: (Call and ask about our upcoming classes)

Scan to Register

1. Weekday: M - F: 7:00am - 3:30pm (22 DAYS) 2. Evening: M - F: 4:00pm - 8:00pm, Sat 8:00am - 12:00pm (44 DAYS) 3. Weekend: Sat & Sun: 7:00am - 3:30pm (22 DAYS)

Want to grow your business?

PLACE YOUR AD with Filipino Press TODAY! E-MAIL: filpressads@aol.com CALL: 619.434.1720 •

MONDAY NIGHT LIVE

WIN A BRAND-NEW LEXUS!

Win a NEW Lexus RX 350 on select MONDAYS in December

*

DRAWINGS AT 7PM, 8PM AND 9PM

EARN ENTRIES ALL MONTH WITH PLAY, EARN 2X ENTRIES ON TUESDAYS! Vehicles provided by Lexus El Cajon. No drawing on Christmas Day.*

20 minutes from downtown San Diego • 94 to Campo Road • 619.315.2250 • 14145 Campo Road, Jamul, CA 91935

Fun! Above all else. • jamulcasinosd.com Must be 21 or over. Need help? Call 1.800.GAMBLER (426-2537). Please play responsibly.

www.thefilipinopress.com

Filipino Press

December 1, 2023 - December 7, 2023 • 3

Wednesday Nights at Kyoto Gift and Food is my new favorite night NATIONAL CITY, CA -- Boxes of snacks like “Pocky” and “Hello Panda” cushioned the room. Rows of “Calpico” insulate the beverage refrigerators, reminding those who entered the market of the Japanese roots of this place. But on the periphery, near the ceiling, t-shirts lined the space with logos and art paying homage to Filipino dishes and Chammoro phrases.

At the center of the market, the chef, Wilmer Braulio, stepped up to the cutting board with his butter knife. There was some hurriedness and excitement as lights were turned on and cameras began rolling, and a brief scare when a computer crashed. But all of it subsided when the 40-pound tuna was carried into the room. It took up almost an entire table. With precision he evenly split the fish, following the bone to get every layer of meat, down to the last scrape. The knives had a story too.

He whisked some slices of fish to the kitchen, others he threw from the cutting board, straight into the mouths of the eager audience. Slice.

Toss. Laughter. Eat. Repeat.

A slew of people crammed around a hodgepodge of folding tables and chairs, wooden chopsticks at the ready, and a Christmas tree of wasabi and a nest of ginger made their rounds.

Over the course of roughly two and a half hours, I experienced raw fish in ways I did not think possible.

I slurped blue-fin tuna bone marrow, munched on kimchi poke, popped too many pieces of sashimi and, perhaps the most jaw-dropping, I ate toro, arguably the best part of the fish, fried and slapped into a taco. Sacrilege?

Perhaps … that is until you taste it.

Seeing the shelves lined with snacks and drinks I grew up with, like shrimp chips and “Hawaiian Sun,” felt like returning to the familiar. And that’s only part of what built the atmosphere. The two Filipino owners who were offered the chance to take over the place when the previous owners were ready to retire created a space that was simultaneously traditionally Japanese and somehow also inclusive of the broader community it serves. How two Filipinos could earn the creds to take over a Japanese establishment required proof in action. Rodney Regala, one of the owners, said the clientele tested them. I’d like to think that’s why they are so good at what they do now.

For almost a year they’ve been hosting Kyoto Test Kitchen events on Wednesday nights. After closing hours, the market is transformed and this interactive cooking experience can be attended in person; it’s also live streamed from their YouTube channel. They said they wanted to livestream because they originally didn’t want to have to dedicate hours

and hours to editing videos, but, to be honest, I think that’s what makes it so fun. It’s interactive; it’s real; it’s off-the-cuff. The interaction with the audience, the spontaneity, the laughter, the jokes — that’s what makes this place special. Oh, who am I kidding myself; yes, it’s that, but it really is the food.

The 40-pound, blue-fin tuna locked eyes with me, eyes clear, no blood or film clouding its vision; that’s how you can tell it is straight out of the ocean. The chef started by decapitating the fish, then slicing the body and removing the scales and fins. He sliced precise, horizontal scores in the body to begin fileting and then chopped the tail off in one clean movement. You can tell what part of the fish you’re eating based on the color of the flesh; darker red means it was closer to the bloodline.

Bone marrow is something I had never eaten in my life nor would I have considered eating. Yet, when it was plopped onto my plate, I knew I had to try it. I poked it with my finger first, a bit tentative, it jiggled back at me, like the fish’s eyeball. I slurped it down. It was jello-like but not too solid, perhaps more like liquid gelatin. It tasted like ocean brine but in the most refreshing way. It was distinct but more coy in flavor than the flesh of the fish. I wanted more; it almost felt like a palate cleanser, but that was what the ginger was for.

In another piece of fish sliced from the board, the lines of the fish looked like waves in the flesh. What the lines tell, I do not know. Perhaps age? Perhaps seniority in the school of fish? Perhaps it’s simply a sign that this was a freaking good and expensive fish. The carving of fish served to me folded, sort of like an accordion, the wavy lines stuck together and slowly unfurling as it hung from my chopsticks. It was a smooth and delicious cut.

Throughout the night, they offered random “fun facts.” It was a new experience for me. Given the people who made the food and ran the market are not descended from

the Japanese cultural identity, I was really moved by their dedication to helping us understand this delicious food. It was powerful to realize that I was also consuming knowledge as I scarfed down the fish.

For example, traditional poke must be marinated for at least two hours, and based on the taste of the fish that night, the length of time it marinates makes a monumental difference.

The way the fish remained true to its original taste, complemented by the soy sauce, sesame seeds and sesame oil was subtle and smooth.

Fun facts were blurted out every few minutes, and if you had a question about how something was prepared or where the fish came from, the chef, one of the waiters or the owners would have an answer ready. This appreciation and attribution is part of what made the food taste so good.

The chef shared stories as he cut the fish. The butter knife he used to cut the fish was created on a whim when his buddies said they didn’t think he could make a butter knife that could butcher a fish. He did just that.

The seared tuna garnished with lemon was probably one of my favorite renditions of the fish that night. All I wrote in my notes was “Wow.” The rolls and nigiri also walked the perfect line in the ratio of fish and rice.

However, what I think was the topper of the night was the toro taco.

Apparently, in the tuna world, it is a major mistake to do anything to this cut of the fish. But they did. The taco had this awesome crunchy texture, almost like chicharrón, but it was paired so well with the rest of the taco components. I wanted another one. It was bold and against the grain.

The energy in the room was something unique to witness. I saw playing out in front of me acts of camaraderie: a high school reunion, siblings supporting each other, father and son cooking together, friends laughing with (and at) each other. It was a mixing and melding of people and experiences and food. The

kimchi poke was like three cultures in one: Korean, Hawaiian and Japanese.

How can all of these coexist in one dish? It’s simple; it’s the same way we can all coexist in that census category: Asian. Our appreciation of food transcends.

We closed the evening sipping miso soup, filling our overextended bellies with searing broth that I’m

sure cooked down the raw fish that filled our guts. We watched as the chef rolled out over 40 sashimi roses which he turned into long-stem roses.

The sashimi board was given to a customer’s mother for Thanksgiving.

The chef said that when the customer approached him with the desire for a sashimi board, he knew exactly what he would make for the client: something beautiful.

That’s on par with what this evening was: a space to appreciate and give thanks for the 40-pound tuna and the people who know how to

serve food and teach others. So, yes, perhaps there was a lot of raucous laughter and a few technical issues at first, but mostly it was a whole lot of food, laughter, learning and jokes.

Food sacrilege?

Perhaps.

Unorthodox setting? Definitely.

Honoring of the cuisine? Yes. Delicious dishes? The very definition.

Kyoto Gift & Food is located at 1727 Sweetwater Rd, Ste 101, National City. Their test kitchen events are posted on their Instagram accounts @kyoto_giftandfood and @ kyototestkitchen.

4 • December 1, 2023 - December 7, 2023

Filipino Press

www.thefilipinopress.com

SolGen Guevarra: Marcos has final say on ICC drug war probe cooperation MANILA -- President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has the final say on whether or not the Philippine government will cooperate with the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation into the drug war deaths during the Duterte administration, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said Wednesday.

Guevarra, who served as Justice chief during the Duterte administration, made the comments when asked how the President would respond in the event that the House and Senate adopt the resolutions urging the government to cooperate with ICC probe.

“Your resolutions urge the President to cooperate, but the final say of whether in fact the government will cooperate will be with the President,” Guevarra said during a House deliberation.

“Yours is an expression of sentiment. That is who you feel about it. [But] it depends on the final decision of the President, whether he will grant your request. Nasa kanya po iyon,” he added.

Guevarra, during the same hearing, reiterated that the Philippine government has no legal obligation to cooperate with ICC since the court's Pre-Trial Chamber only granted the prosecutor’s request to conduct preliminary investigation in September 2021, or more than two years since the country's withdrawal from the ICC took effect in March 2019 or a year after it notified ICC of its withdrawal.

“The trigger of exercise of [ICC] jurisdiction came much too late,” Guevarra pointed out.

“We have no legal duty to cooperate,” he added.

Guevarra, however, also said that the President’s word on ICC cooperation will reign supreme and it is a political decision.

“The President has said we cannot give our cooperation with the ICC prosecutor several times, but if he will think twice because of these resolutions, siya po ang magdedecide ‘nun (It is ultimately his decision),” he said.

The ICC Appeals Chamber denied

in July the Philippine government’s appeal to stop the investigation on the drug war killings due to the Philippine government’s failure to prove that a legitimate investigation and the prosecution of perpetrators are being undertaken by local authorities.

At least 6,200 suspects were killed in police operations during the drug war based on Philippine government records. Human rights groups, however, claimed the actual death toll could be from 12,000 to 30,000.

Marcos earlier said that the Philippine government is done talking with the ICC. But just recently he said the country's possible return to ICC fold is under study.

SolGen: PH not obliged to cooperate with ICC’s planned probe State lawyers on Tuesday reiterated that the government is not obligated to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) despite calls to the contrary by some lawmakers.

In a message to the media, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra explained that the resolutions by lawmakers encouraging the government to cooperate with the ICC are mere expressions of sentiments.

“Non-cooperation with the ICC prosecutor and rejoining the ICC are two different things. The government has no legal duty to cooperate with the ICC prosecutor in his investigation of the drug war because the ICC can no longer exercise its jurisdiction after the effectivity of the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019,” Guevarra said.

He pointed out that the ICC prosecutor was authorized to investigate only in 2021.

“The House (of Representatives) resolutions encouraging the government to cooperate, if adopted, are a non-binding expression of their sentiment only. On the other hand, rejoining the ICC is a policy decision that will involve both the executive and legislative departments. This

matter needs a very serious study because many factors and competing interests need to be considered,” he added.

The SolGen’s position was echoed by Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Mico Clavano following statements allegedly made by Vice President Sara Duterte for the DOJ to take a stand on the resumption of ICC’s investigation.

Duterte’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, is the target of a supposed ICC investigation.

Clavano said the administration has not gone back on its previous stance rejecting participation in the probe.

“Hindi naman po kailangan mag-request dahil hindi naman po nagbago ang stance ng DOJ. Kagaya siguro ng sinabi ni Secretary [Jesus Crispin] Remulla, pinag-aaralan lang po dahil meron nagsalita galing Kongreso at trabaho naman po namin na makinig sa co-equal branch of government. Kaya po namin pag-aaralan dahil meron po nagsabi na siguro tingnan na lang muna natin ulit (There is no need for such request because the DOJ has not changed its stance. Like what Secretary Remulla has said, it is only because some lawmakers in Congress have spoken and it is our job to listen to this co-equal branch of government. That is why we are studying it),” he told reporters.

Clavano said the DOJ's stand remains that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, "although of course, we will be open if we see a change in the stated policy direction of the administration."

“Siyempre, kailangan natin maging deliberate, kailangan natin pag-aralan ng mabuti para ‘yung mga decision natin hindi makakaapekto sa ating state (We need to be deliberate and study so our decisions will not affect the interests of the state),” he added.

DOJ spox: No need for VP Sara to insist on ICC stance There is no need for Vice President Sara Duterte to insist with See Solgen on

8

HERO. The Andres Bonifacio monument near the Manila City Hall will be one of several sites where the founder of Katipunan, the revolutionary group that fought the Spaniards, will be honored on his 160th birth anniversary on Thursday (Nov. 30, 2023). The non-working holiday to mark Bonifacio Day, however, was moved to Monday (Nov. 27) to enable Filipinos to savor a longer weekend. (MNS photo)

Filipino hostage Noralyn Babadilla safely back in Israel MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday confirmed the release of Noralyn Babadilla, the other Filipino national taken hostage in Gaza by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

On his official X account, Marcos said Babadilla has already been freed and is now safe in Israel.

“Just days after expressing concern for Noralyn Babadilla’s whereabouts, I am very happy to announce that Noralyn is safely back in Israel, becoming the second Filipino released from Gaza,” Marcos said.

With Babadilla’s release, "All Filipinos affected by the war have been accounted for," Marcos said.

“I have entrusted our officials at the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv to attend to her needs in coordination with Israeli authorities,” he added.

Marcos extended his gratitude to Israeli authorities for facilitating the release of Babadilla, as well as for all ongoing assistance to Filipinos in Israel.

He also thanked the governments of Egypt and Qatar for their “crucial role in this process over the past several weeks.”

Babadilla’s freedom from the hands of the Hamas, came a few days after Marcos confirmed the release of Filipino national Gelienor Pacheco.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in a statement, said the Qatar government mediated the negotiations that allowed the release of Babadilla, and previously Pacheco.

DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza also extended gratitude to Israel for “agreeing to the conditions” which facilitated the release of more hostages as well as their assistance to all Filipinos in Israel.

“We also recognize the support and participation of Egypt as well as the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) and other international organizations in the process,” she said.

“We remain committed to looking after the welfare of Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict, and share the hope for the eventual cessation of all hostilities in the region,” she added.

Pacheco and Babadilla, a FilipinoIsraeli national, were among the more than 200 kidnapped by the Hamas group when it mounted a cross-border assault on Israel last Oct. 7.

Israel welcomes release of kidnapped Filipino The Israeli government has welcomed the release of Noralin Babadilla, the last Filipino left unaccounted for following the Oct. 7 assault on Israel, who was later found to be among those kidnapped by Hamas in Gaza.

“The Israeli Embassy in Manila expresses great relief upon the release of Ms. Noralin ‘Nataly’ Babadilla from captivity by Hamas after 53 days,” the Israel Embassy in Manila said Wednesday.

Babadilla is undergoing medical evaluation at Tel HaShomer Hospital in Israel, the embassy added.

The embassy said Babadilla and her partner, Gideon Babani, were visiting close friends in Kibbutz Nirim at the time of the attack.

Babani was murdered and Babadilla was taken captive into Gaza.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain for the safe release of the 150+ hostages, including 9 children, still held in captivity by the terror organization Hamas,” the embassy said. Babadilla will receive support from the Israeli government as given to all “victims of terror”, the embassy

said. (MNS) Israel salutes 4 Filipino Hamas victims, vows lifetime aid MANILA, Nov 29 (Mabuhay) -The Israeli government on Tuesday paid tribute to the four Filipinos killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and promised lifetime aid to their bereaved families.

In a press conference in Taguig City, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said Israel will be providing a base of PHP100,000 monthly aid to the victim's immediate family.

Fluss said the amount would still “depend on the status” of the family, whether the recipient is the parent or the spouse, while also taking into consideration the number of children.

“But I could tell you this is more than PHP100,000 a month and that’s the baseline -- for life,” he said.

“Israeli law understands that here the family has to continue to survive and this is why we need to continue to assist,” he added.

The envoy noted that recently released caregiver Jimmy Pacheco could also qualify for a “monthly aid” following his 49-day captivity.

The Embassy held a Mass for Angelyn Aguirre, Loreta Alacre, Grace Cabrera, and Paul Castelvi, the four Filipinos killed when the Hamas mounted a cross-border attack in Israel.

Also commemorating their lives were officials from the Philippine government, including Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo Jose De Vega, Migrant Workers Undersecretary Patricia Yvonna Caunan, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Arnell Ignacio.

Erlinda Aguirre, mother of Angelyn, said she sorely misses her daughter whom she called her “source of strength.”

“Until now I still cannot believe I lost my precious daughter. The pain is unbearable, why must this tragedy happen to her?” she said in an emotional speech.

“It is difficult for a mother to continue living without the presence of her daughter,” she added.

Angenica, Aguirre’s sister and a survivor of the Oct. 7 attack, narrated that she still remembers their last online conversation.

“She was telling all of us that she was scared,” she said.

“Magka-chat kami. Sabi niya natatakot siya. Parehas kaming natatakot. Ang sabi ko sa kanya magdasal lang kami at magiging maayos ang lahat (We we're talking over chat messaging she said she's scared. Both of us were scared. I told her to pray and everything would be fine),” she recalled.

When Angenica tried to reach her again, there was no longer a response.

Aguirre was a newlywed nurse from Pangasinan who, despite a chance to flee her attackers, remained by her elderly ward Nira’s side, resulting in both of them being brutally murdered.

Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, in confirming her death last month, praised Aguirre for her “unbelievable humanity and loyalty.”

Her husband, Nicolas, said he is still in disbelief over his wife’s death.

“Iniisip ko nalang nasa ibang lugar lang siya, na LDR pa rin kami kaso minsan kapag natutulog na ako biglang papasok siya sa isip ko. Nagigising talaga ako at ‘di ko na lang mapigilang maiyak (I'd like to think that she's just in a distant place, that we're still in a long-distance relationship. But thoughts of her wake me up and I just

cry),” he shared.

“Proud ako sa kanya pero masakit na nadamay siya sa gulo sa Israel.

Sobrang masakit. Sana matigil na ang gyera dahil lalong tumatagal, mas maraming taong makakaranas ng nararanasan namin (I am proud of her but what happened to her really broke us because she was caught in the conflict in Israel. It was extremely painful. I hope the war ends because the longer it lasts, the more people suffer the same way we do),” he added.

A humanitarian pause started on Friday and will go on for the next two days, allowing the delivery of humanitarian assistance into and across Gaza and the exchange of Hamas hostage victims and Palestinian prisoners.

Senate urged to ratify ILO Convention 190 to protect OFWs The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday urged the Senate to ratify the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment, noting its benefits to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"The Convention is especially relevant for our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), who may face various forms of violence and harassment in their workplaces abroad, such as physical, psychological, sexual, or economic harm," DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said in a statement.

Cacdac said the ILO Convention, which aims to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence and harassment, allows the creation of an international framework for the protection of OFWs. "[C]ertain groups of OFWs may be more vulnerable to violence and harassment, such as domestic workers, seafarers, health workers, and women workers," he said.

In a position paper submitted to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the DMW said the ratification of the ILO Convention will highlight the country's commitment in promoting a safe work environment.

ILO Convention 190 entered into force on June 25, 2021 and has been ratified by six countries, namely Argentina, Ecuador, Fiji, Namibia, Somalia, and Uruguay.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. earlier endorsed the ratification of ILO Convention 190 to the Senate in his referral letter dated 13 October 2023.

17 Filipino hostages in ‘good condition’ -- DFA The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said the 17 Filipinos being held hostage by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea are “in good condition”.

“Government sources say that the hostages are in good condition, and will eventually be released. Efforts are ongoing for this to happen as soon as possible,” it said in a statement.

The DFA had been making diplomatic representation with foreign governments for the release of the seafarers.

The 17 were among the 25 Galaxy Leader crew members who were on board the cargo ship hijacked by the Houthi rebels on Nov. 19.

On Thursday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that he is also dispatching a high-level delegation to Tehran, Iran to provide “necessary assistance” to the seafarers.

The agency has yet to provide information as to who will lead the mission. (MNS)

www.thefilipinopress.com

Filipino Press

December 1, 2023 - December 7, 2023 • 5

BRIDGING FILIPINO EXPERTISE AND THE UNIVERSE: A “BEAUTIFUL, ADORABLE AND TALENTED” 12-YEARS-OLD FILIPINA SINGER AND OF COURSE, THEIR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS ARE WINNING THE HEARTS OF NOT ONLY THE CROATIANS BUT ALSO ALL OVER THE WHOLE, WIDE WORLD! SAN DIEGO, Calif. – “Zdravo” Hello!

The country of Croatia may not be atop of many European trip bucket list but it is certainly a noteworthy addition to anyone’s travel itinerary.

And I do know that the first thing that comes to mind when one hears about this particular European nation is the hit show “Game of Thrones.” Many of the production’s filming locations are in Dubrovnik.

The latter is worth a few days’ visit, even if you’re not a fan of the entertainment. However, the country has plenty else to offer to those who want a list of culture, history and beautiful sceneries and architecture.

You could easily spend a number of weeks or so visiting just a few cities during your trip around Croatia. It is also an affordable country compared to other more famous European destination.

If you, my dear folks – are not aware of it yet – Croatia is one of the nations in the Balkans. It is surrounded by Slovenia and Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. Travel here and around Europe is easy as there are trains and buses connecting the “Schengen Zone” countries. There are direct routes or courses that requires one or more transfers that can last anywhere from minutes to hours.

Here’s the interesting part about this particular nation in relation to our beloved old homeland, the Philippines: According to the Croatian Ambassador to the Philippines, there are currently some 50,000 Filipinos in Croatia.

He also expressed appreciation for the amazing services provided by Filipino workers especially those with professional skills related to their tourism industry.

And how did the country of Croatia become the “El Dorado” for Overseas Filipino Workers?

OK, not literally El Dorado that you’ll swim in money but in the last few years (post COVID-19) without us knowing about it at all, there’s a huge influx of our “kababayans” (fellow countrymen/women) in Croatia.

Believe it or not, there were literally zero Filipino workers prior the year of 2020 in Croatia.

I say Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) started coming in drove in Croatia back in 2019. Most of our “kababayans” are “cross-country” meaning that they came from other countries like Kuwait, Dubai, Qatar,

Saudi Arabia, etc. Most of them applied through an employment agency situated in the region where they came from. These agencies offered a position in Croatia to them.

Some also landed a job in Croatia through direct hiring, while others got in through recommendations and online applications.

Most of the employments they have are quite “physical” as in maids, gardeners, kitchen workers, etc. and not that much paid (700-800 Euros or 42-48K Philippine pesos) but they do have free housing and food – and that’s enough to help their families back home in the islands and maybe even a little something for themselves, too. With the world often in turmoil these days, I also believe our “kababayans” are getting a better deal as they’re much safer there in Croatia than in most of the Western European countries especially those situated in large cities. At least, they don’t need to worry when and where they could walk – day, night, city, village included – as next to none, chances that someone will mug, shoot them or anything like that, for that matter – will ever happen to them. Besides, my own perception indicates majority of our “kababayans” would rather have less money and live more freely than being afraid walking somewhere as night falls – and that is just my two cents, by the way.

Interestingly, many Croatian employers love working with Filipinos, and in fact, main part of them even specifically ask for Filipino employees to work for them.

They admire our “kababayans” attitude, hard work, communication and technical skills and of course, their much-vaunted professionalism.

As a matter of fact, too - the Croatian TV recently featured some Filipinos wonderfully working as mailmen in their national postal service which just shows how they (the Filipinos) have adapted so easily into the Croatian bureaucracy – and how much welcomed they are in the local government.

Records show that Ventures Management Systems International Corporation is the first agency to deploy Filipino workers to Croatia in 2018.

According to the CEO of King Kresmir Hotel, our “kababayans” William and Elovelle arrived at the Croatian hotel as newly-hired staff members around the month of May that year – and given that the situation

Jesse T. Reyes

Filipino Potpourri Croatian and Filipino crossed flags

Zagreb is Croatia's capital and largest city.

With her rendition of the folk song "Dej Mi Boze" Filipino teen Chriztel Renae Aceveda wins the hearts of Croatians at the country's Super Talent show. In a historic moment in the presentation, the audience themselves pressed the Golden Buzzer for Chriztel when the judges couldn't because they have all used up their very own.

Chriztel Renae Aceveda is shown here with her Filipino mother Carla and Croatian dad Rajmund Petermanec at the Super Talent show in Croatia.

Chriztel Renae Aceveda wearing a traditional Croatian women's clothing

Chriztel Renae Aceveda is proud of her Filipino heritage and her Croatian cultural influence.

then on the labor market is familiar to the problems of recent years; and in order not to “wrestle” with standard labor-finding problems, they decided to bring support directly from the Philippines. He added that this is the present practice of other Croatian companies as they find the Filipinos are known as being worthy of their weight in gold and industriously dedicated to their assigned tasks as they have proven in his very own inn where he is the chief executive officer.

So, moving on, and currently

trending on social media is the story of 12-years-old Chriztel Renae Aceveda, the Filipino singing teenager who is absolutely winning the hearts of Croatians and the rest of the whole, wide world, if I may add.

I think it is so b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l on how she has embraced Croatian culture so fervently that it shows in her singing. In return, the Croatian audience has warmly reciprocated and has adopted her whole heartedly as one of their own.

No doubts about it, I believe this is how globalization should starts and

genuine world peace can certainly be achieved!

Goosebump…this is truly s-we-e-t! Ha-ha-ha-ha!! Music has no boundary, indeed nor language and this angelic 12-years-old Filipino girl absolutely proved this fact once and for all for the entire world to witness.

As Chriztel Renae Aceveda walks towards the middle of the stage, both the judges and the audience can’t help but gush over her sweet smiley bedimpled face, her traditional “Medimurska” costume and her adorable demeanor.

Greeting the audience in Croatian, she instantly endears herself to the judges leaving them curious about this 12-years-old girl from the Philippines on stage in one of Croatia’s most popular TV shows, “Super Talent.”

When it is time for her to sing, everybody holds their breath.

Without accompaniment, Chriztel’s sweet angelic voice fills the entire studio. The beautiful melody of the Croatian folk song “Dej mi Boze” (Let me have, God) and her soothing and heartfelt rendition bring some members of the audience to tears. The judges are speechless. Everyone’s mesmerized. Even Chriztel’s mom

The Journey towards a synodal Church is at a crossroads, Part 2

In the olden days, a “priestly character” is understood synonymous to being called a “father,” commanding great respect. It is this priestly character that made parents entrust their child into serving the Church as acolytes or sacristans. It was also a trait that made Catholics give undue deference to priests on many matters including serving food or giving head of the line privilege. Nowadays of priests going to discos and pursuing a secular life (cars, clothing, entertainment), the distinction is blurred but still many are enamored with the undue deference syndrome. It is this embodiment that allowed predatory priest behaviors to remain hidden for decades because the laity was canonically “forbidden” from talking bad about a priest.

At the adjournment of the recent Synod on Synodality, Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the Bishop of San Diego emphasized that “There should never again be a synod without lay people as voting members.” The cardinal’s pronouncement is a good thing and highlights the need for the

synodality processes to continue.

Cardinal McElroy believes that Pope Francis’ push for synodality is oriented toward the future and that conversations with people at the grassroots level and in the local dioceses and parishes must continue to help the Synod formulate the needed theology when they return next year. He believes that a “synodal culture is one founded on the Eucharist, the word of God, prayerful listening to one another, and dialogue, discernment, collaboration, coresponsibility, inclusion, humility.”

Synodal consultations and conversations should address an important matter that, I believe, contributes to the arrogance that some men of the cloth believe they possess passively in every aspect of their priesthood and that is with respect to their ontological gifts upon ordination. From “in persona Christi” to “in persona Christi Capitis” that Vatican II expanded, I believe also contributes to a mindset that an ordained minister (bishop, priest, deacon) possesses such ontological gift 24/7. To some degree, it is a

question for present day deacons and lay parishioners who volunteer (common priesthood) for important functions such as Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister.

The question of whether the ordained minister’s ontological gift transcends to the common priesthood is at the core of clericalism and that extends to the question of the existence of God. Ontology refers to the study of being, according to Catholic.com. More specifically, the theology on this involves the Trinitarian nature (God through Jesus in the Holy Spirit) of such metaphysical change.

The Council of Trent canonized the “in persona Christi” doctrine that allowed ordained ministers to celebrate the Sacraments (Eucharist, baptism, confession) as if they were Jesus Christ, himself in person.

Vatican II expanded the term of what appears to be unduly exalting a priest as if he is God, to include the extra word “Capitis” as in “in persona Christi Capitis” to mean that the apostolic succession from Jesus during the Last Supper where he granted the apostles the power to forgive sins includes by succession (Jesus to Peter, to pope successors) and by extension, to today’s priests.

This is such an important theology that was at the crux of Synod of

Synodality convocation. Following pre-Thomism understanding, only the universal Church was able to celebrate the sacraments and that priests were presbyters or representatives of the Church. The Council of Trent emphasized the objective efficacy of the sacraments that by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, an ordained minister acts in persona Christi. Did they really mean to put priests in such a pedestal reserved only for God? Cardinals from old school believes that the pope is the head of the Church, but it is the cardinals as a collegial body (through the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) who has the power to determine the direction of the Church, and to make or break a pope (conclave). The Synod of Synodality that was convened by Pope Francis meets the requirements of the Church’s dogma of “papal infallibility” because Pope Francis as the supreme authority (1) intends to teach (2) on a matter of faith and morals (3) to the Church (4). Yet, many conservative cardinals are bent out of shape because they are being left out and given lesser importance.

When Cardinal McElroy was asked, “who leads the Church” (in the context of ongoing Church division), he responded that there isn’t a singular answer to it. “The

whole people of God coming together (i.e., synodal Church). Secondly, the College of Bishops has a particular role in the church; and thirdly, the pope.” Think about the order of importance of his response: Whole people of God over the College of the Bishops and the pope. Such a concept really illuminates synodality and why it begins with the people of God at the lowest level of the church hierarchy through consultation and dialogue.

It is important for the faithful to understand these Catholic doctrinal issues that are cloaked with metaphysical attributes if we have to walk together towards a synodal Church. For example, in persona Christi Capitis only works when a priest celebrates the sacraments of the Holy Orders for Jesus. He does the action with the Holy Spirit in him.

It cannot be a passive one 24/7 and it does not extend to Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers and deacons.

In view of this, therefore, a confounding question arises: when an immoral priest baptizes a person, does it nullify such an act? Similarly, when a pedophile bishop ordains your cura parruco, what effect does it have on the Masses you went to? Did the priest get the ontological gifts?

Recently, a Filipino priest resigned when all the baptisms he performed

and dad are both fighting back tears.

Chriztel came to Croatia in September of 2020 when his Filipino mother and Croatian father moved to Sveti Martin na Muri. Born in Pampanga, Chriztel already showed interest in music at the young age of five, singing karaoke with her mom, Carla.

“When I was 5, I would record myself singing Celine Dion songs on my cellphone. I imagined I was Celine. Sometimes I felt like a rock star playing the guitar,” says Chrystel with a smile, who together with her mom Carla has agreed to share her story with Nats Sisma Villaluna, the publisher and editor-in-chief of the new “The Filipino Expat Magazine” via an online interview in their house in Sveti Martin na Muri.

Adjusting to her new environment proved not so difficult for Chriztel.

“Although I was a bit scared of how life would be here, I was very excited to have new friends, try their food and learn a new language,” remarks Chriztel, adding that making friends was easy for her. “I was riding my bike and a girl in my neighborhood came to me and we became the best See JESSE REYES on

7

were nullified by the diocesan bishop because he used “we” versus the word “I”.

These questions are valid topics for raising the laity’s awareness with a goal of diffusing the pervasiveness of undue deference. For example, the answer to the question about an immoral priest’s act of baptism.

The answer is “no” because it was the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus who did the baptizing and therefore, the priest’s immorality was not at play. Similarly, the answer regarding the pedophile bishop is “nothing” because in persona Christi works the same way.

The priest who used the imprecise word was ordained in 1990 when the use of “We baptize” went unnoticed following a formula emphasizing the connection of the local church as a community, with the apostolic Church. This practice, however, was halted by the conservative Pope Benedict in 2008 upon the recommendation of the Doctrine of Faith (DOF).

Which brings up a point about the DOF’s legalistic approach that invalidated many baptisms because of the wrong choice of word from a formula created by men. This included an ordained priest in Detroit whose baptism in the 90’s was invalidated and had to be re-ordained to cure the defect. Following the same doctrine of in persona Christi, the baptisms should have been fine.

Computers can be unforgiving, but the DOF cardinals had to make a point. (To be continued)

6 • December 1, 2023 - December 7, 2023

Filipino Press

www.thefilipinopress.com

Professional Business Directory PLACE YOUR AD TODAY! CALL: 619.434-1720 • E-MAIL: filpressads@aol.com • www.thefilipinopress.com

PLACE YOUR AD

E-MAIL: filpressads@aol.com

CALL: 619.434.1720

Dear Readers, Do not hesitate to Email us your story tips, dear editor letter, business referral etc. at

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS!!!

This Space is for SALE

Are you looking to sell your products or market your services to the Filipino info@thefilipinopress.com Community?

This space is enough engagement … You’re going address and so won’t get mail notices.

MEDI-CAL to build this new health care like the This is the strength of community reserved for you.. Continued from p­­­­­age 1 Field of Dreams, but the question is: work, reaching them where they are Will they come? They won’t take — whether in the institutions or on Call for special with 900,000 dependents — a total of advantage of these services unless you the streets as peacekeepers — and building trust to get them the care 1.5 million, “the vast majority of which know how to communicate them.” rate and are Mexican or Central American.”

Communicating new community they need, because they wouldn’t otherwise come to the government to In the 1990s, in Fresno health services learn about County, “we did a study of those Juan Avila, Chief Operating seek it out.”

This care, too, is expanding: come with Mexican origin, including Officer of Bakersfield-based Garden our effective farmworkers, which continues to be Pathways, shared his experience of January 1, Medi-Cal will include new, the most comprehensive mental health communicating health care newly community-based health services marketing population-based survey today,” he offered under Medi-Cal to another like reentry-related tattoo removal, said. “Among those who needed hardly reached population: formerly housing aid “for those at risk of program mental health services” — say, due to incarcerated and “justice-involved becoming homeless,” community depression, anxiety or substance abuse youth and adults”; in serving about 400 violence intervention, aftercare for Call /text: — “one out of three of those U.S.- to 500 a year through his nonprofit, violence victims, and “intensive born were using them, one out of six he learned quickly that “if those we care management for higher-risk 619-755-0755. (documented) immigrants were, and work with want to join the workforce populations,” e.g. substance abuse and less than one in 10 of undocumented again, they have to be healthy, and home health care, he explained. ****** In expanding to include these workers were. Almost half of them providing that care — preventative, didn’t know where to go, or couldn’t mental health, dental, substance abuse services, Avila said Medi-Cal is Looking for expanding the possibilities of health go to clinic hours due to work. I — requires trust.” believe that during the pandemic, this Since 2017, Avila said he and his care itself: “California is understanding Testimonials ? has gotten worse.” colleagues have built this trust by now that health involves services that The study illustrates a major “going inside the detention centers, haven’t traditionally been part of the Check at www. challenge to Medi-Cal expansion, he the county jail, to enroll individuals old model of ‘go to the doctor, get continued: “Rather than ‘hard to reach’ in Medi-Cal before they’re released your medicine, go home.’ Health is thefilipinopress. populations, I prefer to think in terms back into their communities, as many quality of life, and good healthcare of ‘hardly reached,’ because there isn’t reentry people won’t have the same treats barriers to it at the source.” com We are here to "Not all readers are leaders, serve you!

But ALL Leaders are Readers"

-Harry S. Truman-

www.thefilipinopress.com

Filipino Press

December 1, 2023 - December 7, 2023 • 7

Help Wanted / For Rent / For Sale

JESSE REYES

Continued from p­­­­­age 5

of friends. My dad would also tell the kids to come and see me. On my first day of school, the students gave me letters as their way of welcoming me. My new friends helped me with my Croatian.” After six months, she could speak Croatian fluently.

Sveti Martin na Muri is a small hilly village and municipality in Medimurje County, in northern Croatia. It is 110 kilometers away from the capital city of Zagreb. With a population of almost 3,000, it was only Chriztel and her mom who were the Filipinos when they arrived three years ago. Nowadays, there are at least more than 20 “kababayans” working in factories in the area. “The first time I saw them, they thought I was not Filipino. They were staring at me. Then I greeted them, ‘Hello, po’ and they realized ‘Pinay din pala ako,’” affirms Chriztel.

Her love for music is not limited to Tagalog and English pop songs.

In fact, when she first heard the Medimurska folk song “Raca lava po dravi” (A duck swims on the river) at school, she fell in love with its melody and lyrics. She sang the song in her Croatian language class to the amazement of her teacher. “My teacher discovered that I could sing and she gave me more folk songs to sing.”

With her newly discovered talent, she was invited to several festivals, recitals and singing contests. One notable guesting she did was at Croatian singer-songwriter and poet Lidija Bajuk’s concert. She also couldn’t forget her participation with other respected singers on a boat for the Miin na Muri Tourism promotion philharmonic.

It was her dad Rajmund who saw

the call for audition for Nova TV’s “Super Talent.” Several days after they sent an audition video of Chriztel singing a Croatian traditional song, the show’s production staff called them that Chriztel was going to the show to sing before a live audience and the judges. “The production team was very excited because it was the first time a Filipino was joining and singing a traditional song,” notes Carla.

To prepare for this important event, Chriztel chose the song “Dej mi Boze,” (Let me have, God) and practiced not only the melody but also the pronunciation every day. “I chose this song because I remember my family in the Philippines. The song is about missing someone that you really want to see - so you pray to God to see that person. I miss my family in the Philippines…my Mama Nelly, my grandmother, my aunts and uncles and cousins.”

“Let me have, God, eyes of a hawk. And along that, feathers of a swan…so I could fly over the wide sea…and kiss my darling.” Such beautiful lines, indeed – if I may say so - that made Chriztel remember home.

On the night before her trip to Zagreb, Chriztel prayed that everything would go well. “I tried not to be too excited and not scared.” She woke up early and slept throughout the two-hour drive to the Croatian capital. They arrived at the studio and waited for several hours until she was eventually called on stage.While waiting, she did a video interview where she spoke in Tagalog saying “Kamusta kayo mga kababayan, nandito na ako sa Croatia,” and in Croatian, telling how much she loves the place she now lives and its lovely traditions. Wearing pigtail braids and the time-honored costume, Chriztel’s number was finally called. “I wore

the costume because I want to show Medimurje to the whole world and I love the skirt. Every time I give it a twirl, it is like a balloon.”

Chriztel takes a deep breath and prays. Everything will be fine, she tells herself. “I was nervous but I was excited to talk to one of the judges, Maja Suput, a favorite actress of mine. I smiled a lot because daddy told me that I could win them with a smile. When I started singing, I was only thinking of the lyrics. I felt the meaning of the words. I could see the judges but not the audience. I didn’t see that they were crying.”

Chriztel’s mom Carla is extremely nervous. “My husband told me not to show my nervousness to our daughter. I was holding my breath.

I hoped that she would get three Yesses.” But as soon as the judges start giving the comments, Carla can’t hear what the judges are saying.

“My husband was translating it to me. I could hear the audience shouting ‘Publika! Publika!’ which means audience.”

Judge Maja Suput is the first to give her comment. “If there is one thing, I regret about at this moment is that I already used my Golder Buzzer.” Judge Martina Tomcic goes on saying that “she never heard anyone sing the song like how Chriztel has sang it…much less coming from a beautiful, adorable and talented Filipina.”

The judges can’t contain their excitement.

“Unbelievable!” declares Maja. “This is really for

a Golden Buzzer.” When Chriztel finishes her song, the audience and judges rise to their feet and gave Chriztel a rapturous applause. Some are seen still wiping their tears.

Much as the judges would like to press the Golden Buzzer, they can’t for they have already used up all their Golden Buzzer chances. “What is happening? Is this true? It felt like I was dreaming. I was telling myself – wake up, wake up!” describes Chriztel while waiting for the next thing to happen on stage.

While the judges can’t figure out what to do with their already used-up Golden Buzzer, the audience starts chanting and clapping. “Publika!

Publika!” and right there and then, a woman from the audience presses the Golden Buzzer.

As everyone knows, in scenes like this, as soon as the Golden Buzzer is pressed, confetti and balloons will fall from the ceiling and shower the lucky contestant. But in Chriztel’s case, no confetti fell on her as the production team never imagined such thing would happen. But hosts’ Igor Mesin and Frano Ridjan are quick to fill a square bucket and fill it with confetti, run to the stage and shower Chriztel – giving her a beautiful Golden Buzzer moment.

Chriztel cries as she is joined by her mom and dad on stage in front of an overjoyed audience who are cheering them on. “Everything was a blur. It was unbelievable. It’s only when we left the building that the whole thing sank in. I couldn’t

remember anything.

We were just happy,” shares Chriztel after watching the whole thing on TV. On the journey home, Chriztel sleeps the entire ride, her body exhausted but her soul, full of emotions. When the presentation was shown on TV, Chrystel was flooded with cheers and greetings from her friends. “They told me I deserved it. That they were proud of me.” Before coming to Croatia, Chrystel was a bit scared of what the Croatians would think of her, a girl who look different from them. With her Audience Golden Buzzer, she made history as the first participant to be stood for and “fought for” by

the Croatian listeners.

And for that, I do believe Chriztel should set aside her fear for she is now seen as the charming 12-yearsold Filipina talent who moved to their country and embraced their culture but doesn’t forget her Filipino roots.

Way to go, “Kababayan”!

“Dugzivot”… Long live!

Mabuhay!!

(FYI: Please check out and click on the link https://youtu.be/i668iSVe234?si= kkSCG9pR3uqvMQlh Chriztel Renae Aceveda/Historic Golden Buzzer/Croatian Got Talent Audition/1 Zlatni Gumb Super Talent)

8 • December 1, 2023 - December 7, 2023

Filipino Press

Spiritual Life The power of Hope I have been sharing my personal experiences and insights through this column for almost twenty five years. The enthusiasm I first felt when I started writing this column, upon the encouragement of the late Ernie Flores, original publisher and founder of The Filipino Press has never wavered. In fact, it has come to a point where I consider writing “My Personal Testimony” as a social responsibility towards the many readers of this newspaper.

A reader asked me, how do you decide on the topics you write about? I found some difficulty in answering her question because most often I do not decide on what to write. It is what I feel at the moment that inspires me to write.

I remember the time when I asked Ernie,” what should I write about?

His answer was, “write anything about life and living.” Then he became more specific, write about spiritual matters. Hence, my very first article was about the beginning of my spiritual journey and my personal testimony on how my life was transformed by God through my faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Soon I started writing articles about my activities and experiences. Apparently, my readers appreciated my candor in sharing about myself. My life became an open book. I met so many readers of The Filipino Press who inspired me with their comments. One said, “thank you for changing my life”, then tells me about the article I’ve written. I did not know her, but she embraced me and said, “I am glad I met you in person.”

While attending an event

Aurora S. Cudal-Rivera

My Personal Testimony

at the Tooma Park, an elderly person approached me and said, “Mrs. Cudal, I have all the copies of your articles. I cut them out and saved them.” It was a great compliment which served as one of my motivations for writing this column.

One of the theme that hovered in my mind the past week was about “the power of hope”. The pandemic has kept us anxious and fearful of an unseen enemy in our environment. COVID-19 is so deadly that it has caused the death of millions around the world.

The United States, supposedly, a country with the most advanced medical facilities leads the whole world in the number of people infected by COVID-19. But we now have hope, a vaccine has been discovered and will soon be available to protect us from this dreaded disease.

What is hope? This question led me to read more about this attitude common to all of us. One author said, “To have hope is to want an outcome that makes your life better in some way. It not only can help make a tough present

situation more bearable but also can eventually improve our lives because envisioning a better future motivates you to take the steps to make it happen.

Hope may mean different things to different people. Those who speak of hope in a spiritual context would consider it as a firm belief that good things will happen with faith on a higher power. Hence, they will direct their hope outward in prayer. In the Bible, hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness. For others, it might mean always looking on the bright side and seeing challenges as opportunities. In other words, always “hoping for the best”.

Whatever the details, hope in general means a desire for things to change for the better and to want that change to come as soon as possible.

Definitely, we are in a situation where we hope that things will change for the better. We are hoping that with the coming of the Covid19 vaccine, we will all be immunized and live a normal life once again. We hope.

Beware of placing too much expectation on others

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. (2 Timothy 4:9-10) Adversity molded the apostle Paul into the greatest warrior for Christ the world has ever known.

But there were times when adversity and disappointment took its toll on this rugged warrior. We can sense Paul's hurt and discouragement near the end of his second letter to Timothy: Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica... At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me... Do your best to get here before winter (4:9-11, 14, 16, 21).

Do you hear the pain in those words? Twice he urges Timothy to come to him. Do you feel his anguish when he twice speaks of being deserted by his friends?

In most of his letters, Paul seems to have an invincible spirit. Yet he was a man who suffered, felt betrayed, and was at times very lonely. However, Paul chose to look

FTC

Continued from p­­­­­age

1

French, Tagalog, Somali, Vietnamese, Arabic, Russian, Polish, Korean, Ukrainian, Hmong and Mandarin.

The FTC has the ability to find interpreters in almost 200 languages, as needs arise.

This multilingual reporting system can also be used to report identity theft situations. For those, call (877) 438-4338, then follow the same process of dialing 3 to access the various languages available.

You can make either fraud or identity theft reports online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or IdentityTheft.gov or, in Spanish, ReporteFraude.ftc.gov and RobodeIdentidad.gov.

Those four web pages all have drop-down lists in a box labeled “languages” or “idiomas” that let users complete reports in dozens of other languages.

www.thefilipinopress.com

Greetings in the Lord!

Today the Church begins a new liturgical year with the season of Advent. This season is composed of four Sundays that precede the season of Christmas. Every year we celebrate Christmas in order to remind us the mystery of the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. And the season of advent allows us to reflect on this deep mystery of in two ways: first by remembering the fact that Jesus will come again in the last days and by reliving the event of the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago. Indeed the season of advent is a season of waiting, joyful expectation of these two realities: the coming of the end times and the reliving of first a past marvelous event when God became flesh with the birth of Jesus.

The first two Sundays of advent allow us to focus on the reality that indeed the end will come, but when it will happen nobody certainly knows. It is a mystery that nobody can penetrate but everybody should be aware of. As I have shared my reflections two Sundays ago, I did not proclaim without hesitation that this end time is our own personal death, on the one hand, and the end of the world on the other hand.

And in both realities the common truth is the fact of its certainly and the certainty of its eventual mode

From Whom All Blessings Flow at life from a heavenly perspective.

That's why he could write: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).

Paul had experienced a level of opposition and suffering that you and I can scarcely imagine. People said they would do things but did not follow through. He could not depend on certain people. Yet he was not crushed, and he refused to give in to despair. He viewed his life as a continual process of dying. His

goal was to live in such a way that the life of Jesus would be revealed in his response to adversity.

Beware of placing too much expectation on others. Realize that people will let you down from time to time, but do not let that impact your faith. Trust God to work even through these disappointments.

The disciples thought they suffered their greatest defeat when Jesus died on the cross. However, this defeat became the greatest victory on earth. Christ's death gave liberty. Forgiveness came to all men.

New life came forth - new strength for the disciples. Resurrection and new life came as a result of a "defeat." <(((><

Bungo also described numerous resources the FTC provides at no cost for people to distribute within their communities, whether online or in print.

For instance, there’s a fraud handbook for recent immigrants and refugees and guidance for small business owners. There’s information about “four warning signs of a scam,” descriptions of common tricks such as fake invoices, business impersonation, bad business practices, phony job opportunities, phony online retailers and “phishing” links disguised to look like they’re from companies trying to make a delivery.

If asked, the agency will also print and ship these guides to community organizations, at no charge, Bungo said.

Information the ‘most powerful weapon’ against scammers Lawyer and journalist Jongwon Lee described a scenario he witnessed and reported on in

Atlanta’s Korean community, where a retiree lost tens of thousands to an investment scammer who gained his trust in part by being conversant in Korean.

Publicity about the case, a pyramid scheme that became known as Club Mega Planet, helped prosecutors uncover other victims in several states. Making law enforcement aware of additional cases increases the likelihood of criminals being arrested, and prompt reporting can help prevent the stolen money from being spent before it can be recovered.

“The FTC’s Language Access Initiative is historic,” Lee said. “It shows that government agencies are looking to do justice for immigrants like us. Language access gets rid of fear and shame and gives you confidence and encouragement that you are not alone and somebody is listening to you.”

“Information is the most powerful weapon against scammers.

Get educated and informed.”

and time of occurrence. Hence, the need to really be vigilant and truly be prepared. The Gospel today reminds us once more of the past events recorded in the old testament how people keep themselves occupied with their usual business when the deluge occurred “as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark.”

This is a very descriptive picture of the present generation when most are most concerned about material things and often neglectful of issues that truly matter. Our common concern now is how we can be liberated from the current depression, do away from tax cuts among the wealthy, more concerned about gainful employment of so

KAIBIGAN Ni Salvador S. Idos

Bahagi ng ating pagkatao ang pagnanais makihalubilo Hangad nating makasama, mga taong nagdudulot ng aliw at saya Isa sa mga taong ito ay natatangi at kinagigiliwan Siya ay ang ating kaibigan.

handang tumulong, kasangkapan siya ng Panginoon, tulungan kang bumangon.

Ano ba ang katangian ng isang kaibigan Kaibigan siya sapagkat kayong dalawa ay nagiibigan Walang hangad kundi magdulot sa iyo ng kaligayahan Handang ialay ang sarili, hangaring ito ay magampanan.

Ang kaibigan ay isang kapwa na ating maasahan Lalo na sa mga sandaling may pangangailangan Sa mga di mapigilang panahon na ikaw ay nagdurusa at nadapa Nandiyan siyang

Danny Hernaez

Fr. Agustin T. Opalalic

many of our brothers who have been laid off, how our homeless can recover their abode, etc. All these are very important issues, but in the final analysis will they matter at all when the final day when come?

I believe that we should truly be thankful that we have the season of advent to remind of the reality that like a thief in the night the Son of Man will come at the time we all least expect. And the gospel clearly warns each one of us “so too, you must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

What is the best preparation?

In the past Sunday when I spoke about the end times, I mentioned that the best preparation is constant examination of conscience. This time I would suggest that this examination of conscience should not only lead us to resolve not to sin anymore but to be reconciled with each other and be able to return to the Lord. Hence, the purpose of our Advent Penance Service scheduled much ahead of Christmas. Let us take advantage of this communal parish activity so that we can truly be prepared and be able to welcome the Second Coming of Jesus with fear and trepidation. Indeed being reconciled as a community of believers and reconciled with God is a wonderful way joyfully waiting for the coming of the Lord.

SOLGEN

Continued from p­­­­­age

4

the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the government’s stance on cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said Tuesday.

“Hindi naman po kailangan mag request dahil hindi naman po nag bago ang stance no ng DOJ,” Clavano said during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing..

This came after Duterte on Monday said she would continue to reach out to the DOJ regarding her position that the Philippines should not cooperate with the ICC in its investigation of killings attributed to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

She made the remark after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that returning to the fold of the ICC was “under study.”

Similarly, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also said that the country’s possible return to the ICC required “serious study" following calls from lawmakers to cooperate with the international body.

“Kagaya siguro ng sinabi ni

Walang ugaling maghusga ang isang kaibigan Siya ay bulag sa iyong mga pagkukulang Tanging hangarin ay iyong kapakanan Siya ay isang biyaya, maging sino ka man.

tanging yaman Dapat pagyamanin, pagingatan at alagaan Isang biyaya ang magkaroon ng isang kaibigan Ang Panginoong Diyos ay ating pasalamatan.

Sa ating kaibigan nakikita natin ang ating sarili Dalawang buhay, iisa ang damdamin at ugali Kaya nga’t kayong dalawa ay nagdadamayan Sa lahat ng panahon, lalo na sa oras ng pangangailangan.

Hindi madali ang magkaroon ng isang tunay na kaibigan Ang kaibigan ay isang

Salvador S. Idos

Secretary Remulla, pinapagaralan lang po, no, dahil may mga nagsalita galing sa Kongreso at trabaho naman po namin na makinig sa ating coequal branch ng government,” Clavano said.

(This may be why Secretary Remulla said it is being studied because there was a call from Congress and it is our job to listen to our co-equal branch of government.)

Clavano, however, said that while the department’s stance remains unchanged, the DOJ will be open in the event that there will be a change in policy.

“And I think dito po sa amin sa DOJ, sa ngayon ito pa rin po ‘yung stand namin na wala pong jurisdiction ang ICC. Although, of course, magiging bukas kami if ever meron po tayong nakikitang pag babago sa polisiya,” he said.

(I think, for us in the DOJ, right now our stand is that the ICC has no jurisdiction. Although, of course, we will be open in case there will be a change in policy.)

When asked if the DOJ sees a possible return, the Justice spokesperson said this is something that is still “far away."

The Philippines, under thenPresident Rodrigo Duterte, withdrew

from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, in 2019 after the tribunal began a probe into the government's anti-drug war. It was followed by a formal inquiry later that year.

In January 2023, the ICC authorized the reopening of the inquiry after it was suspended in November 2021. The ICC Appeals Chamber in July also denied the government’s appeal against the resumption of the inquiry.

For his part, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said that the Philippines’ possible return also deserves a “very serious study” as many factors have to be considered.

According to Guevarra, the decision to rejoin the ICC is not an exclusive executive decision.

“The house resolutions encouraging the government to cooperate, if adopted, are a nonbinding expression of their sentiment only,” Guevarra told reporters.

“On the other hand, rejoining the ICC is a policy decision that will involve both the executive and legislative departments. This matter needs a very serious study because many factors and competing interests need to be considered,” he added. (MNS)

ThisSpace is for SALE fornext issue contact us for Special Rate!!!

PLACE YOUR AD TODAY! E-MAIL: filpressads@aol.com CALL: 619.434.1720

www.thefilipinopress.com

Filipino Press

December 1, 2023 - December 7, 2023 • 9

John Lloyd Cruz, 'When the Waves are Gone', 'Leonor Will Never Die' win big at 2023 Gawad Urian Awards MANILA -- John Lloyd Cruz bagged the best actor award for his role in "Kapag Wala Nang Mga Alon" (When The Waves Are Gone) at the 46th Gawad Urian Thursday night.

"Kapag Wala Nang Mga Alon", directed by Lav Diaz, was also named Best Film.

Max Eigenmann, meanwhile, was named best actress for her role in "12 Weeks", while Martika Ramirez Escobar bagged the Best Director Award for "Leonor Will Never Die".

Soliman Cruz was named best supporting actor for "Blue Room", while Claudia Enriquez was named best supporting actress for "12 Weeks".

Aside from best film and best actor, "Kapag Wala Nang Mga Alon" also bagged the Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography awards.

Bianca Balbuena, one of the producers of "Kapag Wala Nang Mga Alon", took to Instagram to express her gratitude to everyone who worked on the film.

She also expressed hope that more Filipinos will be able to watch the film, which never got a commercial release.

"We never got a commercial

release here in our own country, so less Filipino people are able to see the film. But we won’t stop, we’ll keep showing it on non-commercial theaters, cinematheques, etc. I believe this is a very important work of Lav Diaz especially in these trying times," she added.

Here is the full list of winners: FILM Kung Wala Nang Mga Alon [When the Waves are Gone] (Bianca Balbuena, Bradley Liew, Joaquim Sapinho, JeanChristophe Simon, Marta Vieira Alves) DIRECTOR Martika Ramirez Escobar (Leonor Will Never Die) ACTRESS Max Eigenmann (12 Weeks) ACTOR John Lloyd Cruz (Kung Wala Nang Mga Alon [When the Waves are Gone]) SUPPORTING ACTRESS Claudia Enriquez (12 Weeks) SUPPORTING ACTOR Soliman Cruz (Blue Room) SCREENPLAY Lav Diaz (Kung Wala Nang Mga Alon [When the Waves are Gone] )

CINEMATOGRAPHY Larry Manda (Kung Wala Nang Mga Alon [When the Waves are Gone]) EDITING Lawrence Ang (Leonor Will Never Die) PRODUCTION DESIGN Eero Yves Francisco (Leonor Will Never Die)

ELECTION

will be subject to an annual risk assessment when AI is used,” said Hoffman, noting that the National Institutes of Safety and Technology framework — the gold standard for risk assessment — will be used.

Mekela Panditharatne, Counsel for the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice, said more needed to be done by Congress to safeguard not only elections, but general use of AI. Voter Suppression “Absent to Congressional action, theres sort of a modest amount that can be done and made enforceable by the federal government, and we kind of saw that with this order. So given those constraints. I do think it’s an admirable effort.”

Panditharatne said the order invokes the Defense Production Act, a national security law. “But when you look at what’s enforceable, it’s a very small portion of items.

Elements like voter suppression, the

use of AI in election administration, and election security aren’t expressly recognized. So as the order is implemented, there are certainly important steps that need to be taken to ensure that that those elements are sufficiently protected, but much more is needed by Congress as well,” she said.

False Narratives Post-election, Panditharatne said she expects to see AI employed to generate distrust of results, as with the 2020 election. “We might see sort of amplification of false narratives about the election process, potentially deep fakes of election officials manipulating the vote count or preventing people from voting. That’s something that we should be worried about potentially seeing,” she said.

All of the experts encouraged voters to deeply examine the sources from which they are receiving election-related content.

Continued from p­­­­­age

1

generated content so that it will be detectable and identifiable. “We can actually tell what information and what media is real and what’s fake,” said Hoffman. She added that she was also excited about investments in research into authentication technology.

Risk Assessment “Being able to tell that some information has not been manipulated might actually become more valuable than being able to tell if something has been AI-generated or not because it just requires kind of trustworthy issuers of news to be able to comply with this authentication rather than making everybody who generates something with AI use watermarking,” she said.

Election hardware and software

“There is a mistaken notion among some that to own a paper is to have a license to clobber one’s enemies and attack people we don’t like. A newspaper is an information tool to reach a large number of people at a given time.

A newspaper should inform, educate, entertain and provide viewpoints that could give us the means to make intelligent decisions for ourselves and others.” — Ernie Flores Jr., founding editor and publisher Mailing Address: 600 E. 8th St. Ste. 3, NationaI City, CA 91950 • E-mail: filpress@aol.com Office: 600 E. 8th St. Ste. 3, National City, CA 91950 • Telephone: (619) 434-1720 • Fax: (619) 399-5311 Website: www.thefilipinopress.com • E-mail: filpressads@aol.com for ads • E-mail: filpress@aol.com for editorial

Founding Editor and Publisher ERNIE FLORES JR. Editor-In-Chief SUSAN DELOS SANTOS Marketing and Sales info@thefilipinopress.com Graphics and Design A2 Studio Graphics Filipino graphics

Contributing writers joe garbanzos Adam Behar ALICIA deleon-torres Fr. Agustin T. Opalalic Cartoonist jesse t. reyes Community Outreach Rose San Pedro Lorna Delos Santos Christina Rutter

Columnists AURORA S. CUDAL Danny hernaez francine maigue GREG B. MACABENTA JESSE T. REYES al villamora Photographer Zeny PLY Circulation Rudy Avenido

The Filipino Press is published every Saturday. We welcome news, features, editorials, opinions and photos. Please e-mail them to: editor@ filipinopress.com. Photos must be accompanied by self-addressed, postage-paid envelope to be returned. We reserve the right to edit materials. Views and opinions by our writers, contributors does not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, management and staff of the Filipino Press. © 2011 Filipino Press

10 • December 1, 2023 - December 7, 2023

Filipino Press

www.thefilipinopress.com

Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo to star in new series next year MANILA -- Actress Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo teased that she will star in a new series next year.

“Confidential pa title pero next year lalabas comedy series,” the star shared.

Santos-Agoncillo also revealed that Edu Manzano, Gina Pareño, and RK Bagatsing will be part of the cast. Meantime, the artist took time to share cooking tips with the crowd who attended the event in Taguig City.

In an interview, she said being creative in the kitchen not only adds flavor to meals but also proves to be a budget-friendly approach.

“People think artista ako hindi kami nagtitipid. That’s not true.

Important pa din siya lalo na’t nagmamahal mga bilihin,” she said.

“Babalik at babalik ako sa budget-friendly. It is something you want to think about. You have to be wise and creative with what you pick.”

She also shared that she allows her children to experiment in the kitchen with her and likewise recommended the activity to other parents.

“Nutrition is very important. Sa dami ng junk food. We allow our kids, but it's important I know what they eat in the main meals,” she

explained.

“Assist your kid. Hayaan mo mag-experiment. More often than not, walang mali sa paggawa ng pagkain. Once you are creating a recipe that will last forever. At the same time, you are giving your children something nutritious,” she added.

One food hack for the upcoming Holiday season the actress tipped is swapping red meat with sardines in pasta.

“Cheesy baked spaghetti sardines kasi madami na senior sa pamilya.

So, we would also want to create a dish that is healthy for them.

Something magustuhan ng bata, at center piece na din. Pag di ka pa palakpakan ng kapitbahay at kamaganak mo,” she shared.

Santos–Agoncillo got to know several fans, took selfies, and hosted a short game at the event.

“I love making people happy and inspiring them,” she said. (MNS)

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A JOB? Looking for workers?

Looking for Renters or Room for Rent?

Check our weekly classifieds.

Opportunity awaits you.

Weekly.

www.thefilipinopress.com

Want to grow your business?

Filipino Press

PLACE YOUR AD with Filipino Press TODAY! E-MAIL: filpressads@aol.com

December 1, 2023 - December 7, 2023 • 11

SCAN HERE FOR A 3-DAY PASS!

SUMMER SWOLE MODE GO CRUNCH MODE TM

JOIN TODAY FOR $0 ENROLLMENT SIGN UP AT CRUNCH.COM OR STOP BY THE CLUB.

3030 Plaza Bonita Rd • National City • 619.434.8909 • CRUNCH.COM MEMBERSHIPS START AT $9.99/MONTH • #NOJUDGMENTS Enrollment offer valid at specified location only and expires 8/31/23. Guest pass valid for first-time guests, 18 or older, with local ID and must be used for consecutive days.

Monthly pricing refers to Base membership which provides general gym access.

Pricing & amenities vary by membership type. Additional fees and restrictions may apply. See club for details. ©2023 Crunch IP Holdings, LLC

12 • December 1, 2023 - December 7, 2023

Filipino Press

www.thefilipinopress.com