The Filipino Press: February 16-22, 2024

MANILA -- Personal remittances from Filipinos abroad reached an alltime high last year on the back of the increased deployment of overseas workers, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Thursday.

Data from the BSP showed that personal remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) amounted to USD37.2 billion, up by 3 percent from the USD36.1 billion in 2022.

"The robust inward remittances reflected the rise in the deployment of OFWs due to the continuous increase in demand for foreign workers in host countries," the BSP said.

The BSP said the full-year 2023 remittances accounted for about 8.5 percent and 7.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and gross national income, respectively.

Cash remittances coursed through banks reached USD33.5 billion last year, higher by 2.9 percent from the USD32.5 billion in 2022.

"The growth in cash remittances from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) contributed mainly to the increase in remittances in 2023," the central bank said.

The central bank added the US had the highest share of overall remittances during the period, followed by Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort said Philippine remittances

By Selen Ozturk/eMS

On Friday, February 9, the Federal Trade Commission released data showing that nationwide fraud losses topped $10 billion in 2023.

Nevertheless, the dramatic

from overseas workers have consistently been the fourth largest in the world after India, Mexico and China. He said this is a "sign of resilience and has always been a major growth

driver for the Philippine economy for many years."

"It is important to note that OFW remittances and conversion to pesos seasonally increased in the fourth quarter especially, during the

Christmas holiday season towards the end of the year, especially within a week before Christmas to finance the surge, if not the peak, in holidayrelated spending, a consistent pattern seen for many years and could

seasonally support the peso exchange rate as well," he added.

Ricafort said that in the coming months, the modest growth in OFW remittances could still continue as OFW dependents still need to cope

with higher prices that would require sending more remittances.

He added a seasonal increase in OFW remittances will be seen around July to August due to the changes in the start of the school year.

Ricafort, however, said risks of an economic slowdown in the United States, softer economic growth in China and other European countries, and the Israel-Hamas conflict could slow down employment opportunities for some OFWs.

PNP: PH crime rate drops 27.6% from Jan. 1 to Feb. 10

The country's crime rate has dropped by 27.63 percent from Jan. 1 to Feb. 10 this year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the number of index crimes during this period decreased to 3,246 from 4,485 incidents in the same period last year. Index crimes are considered serious crimes, while non-index crimes are violations of local ordinances and laws and road crashes.

"Focus crimes have also witnessed a notable decrease of 27.60 percent, translating to 1,229 cases --from 4,453 to 3,224,” Acorda said.

The eight focus crimes include theft, physical injury, rape, robbery, murder, homicide, motorcycle theft

Last

“One in four consumers reported losing money with a median loss of $500 per consumer,” she continued. Research shows that less than 5% of consumer fraud victims report at all.

The most common scam category was imposters “pretending to be a trusted entity like a business, a government agency, a family member or a romantic interest”; number two was online shopping and negative reviews; three was prizes and lotteries; four was investments; and five was business and job opportunities.

The most commonly reported form of imposter scams were business imposters, with $752 million in losses last year.

Per one example, Mayo said, “A consumer gets what appears to be a banking alert about fraudulent activity

with their account and is given a number to call. The call is transferred to a fake U.S. Marshal who tells the consumer their money is in danger because of a money laundering scheme. The consumer withdraws funds from their personal accounts and transfers them to a crypto wallet that the Marshal set up.” Government imposter fraud was the second-most reported type of imposter scam — in fact, losses to FTC imposters skyrocketed from a median loss of $3,000 in 2019 to $7,000 in 2023. While investment-related fraud was number four overall, it was the category where people reported the most losses: a total of $4.6 billion with a median loss of over $7,000 for these scams, which involve transferring money to people promising to teach them how to trade stocks. For the first time ever, “email was the most reported contact method of scammers in 2023, Mayo said. “In 2022, text was number one, but before that phone calls were always number one.” Nevertheless, people contacted by phone reported the highest median losses of $1,480, while those contacted through social media lost the most money overall, $1.4 billion.

Regarding common methods of payment, people who paid scammers by bank transfer reported losing $1.9 billion, while those who paid by cryptocurrency lost $1.4 billion.

AI scams

The FTC is increasingly worried about scammers using artificial intelligence to “turbo-charge fraud” through impersonation, said Lois Greisman, Associate Director of the FTC Division of Marketing Practices.

For instance, the scammer would get a voice clip of the victim’s aunt from social media and clone it to call the victim,

SAN DIEGO, CA -- San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk & Commissioner of Civil Marriages Jordan Z. Marks partnered with the Larry Himmel Foundation and the Helpful Honda People. The Himmel Foundation offered free marriage licenses and ceremonies to the first 20 couples on Valentine’s Day, February 14th on a first-come first-serve basis only at the County Waterfront Park located in downtown San Diego.

Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk

Jordan Z. Marks said, “Valentine’s Day is always a special day to elevate your love and this year I’m bringing Cupid and his checkbook to make it more special at our downtown historic waterfront location.” Marks continued, “I am thrilled to partner with the Larry Himmel Neighborhood Foundation again and to extend this tradition and offer 20 couples the opportunity to create cherished memories on their special day. The late Larry Himmel was a beloved figure renowned for his compassion and humor.”

Miles Himmel, Larry Himmel's son and founder of the foundation will be on hand to celebrate the newlyweds and pay for their marriage license and ceremony fees. Himmel said, "My dad loved Valentine’s Day and he was always looking for ways to spread joy on this special day,” said Himmel. “He would buy dozens of roses and hand them out to random people. In 2005, he even married a couple on Valentine’s

Day, which became a story on the evening newscast." Himmel added, "In keeping with my dad’s spirit, we want to continue the tradition by helping couples tie the knot and ease the cost burden on their special day."

The

OFW

Continued from page 1

and vehicle theft.

Acorda said police officers seized a total of PHP456 million worth of narcotics and arrested close to 6,000 drug suspects from Jan. 1 to Feb. 8.

Acorda further reiterated that extrajudicial killings are not part of PNP’s operational doctrine.

“With regards to that data as presented, we checked with the data of the DIDM (Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management) and indeed, there are some operations that resulted to such death. To our appreciation, these operations that resulted in some deaths, the use of necessary force doctrine was adopted. Meaning, even though it’s not our wish talaga na may mamatay (that somebody dies) but because in the act of self-defense and other circumstances, such death resulted (from) these kinds of operation,” Acorda said, when sought for a comment on "Project Dahas", a study released by the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.

The study logged 28 drug-related killings in January, nine of which were during police operations.

“We don’t condone extrajudicial killings and these allegations of Dahas, we welcome them. If they have some facts or circumstances and witnesses that will say otherwise to what was reported to our units on the ground, we welcome them because again as I have said, we

want our operations to be aggressive but we want it done honestly and we respect what we call rights of every individual na hinuhuli (who is arrested),” he said. Meanwhile, Acorda said the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group served 29 warrants of arrest and conducted 15 entrapment operations. Online scams topped the list of recorded cybercrimes at 749, followed by 368 cases of illegal access and 147 cases of online libel.

“I want to highlight the notable increase in online cases, particularly 439 cases of online selling scams, 113 cases of investment scams, and 102 cases of debit and credit card fraud/ phishing. As we celebrate the month of February, dedicated to love, it is crucial to remain vigilant in the realm of cybercrime and protect ourselves and our loved ones from falling victim to love scams. Let us prioritize education on digital safety and stay vigilant,” Acorda said. (MNS)

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PhilHealth vows to enhance benefit package, services

MANILA -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Wednesday committed to enhance their services and patients’ benefit package.

PhilHealth president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. made the commitment during the hearing of the House health committee in response to the call of Speaker Martin Romualdez to expand the state-run health insurer's benefit packages for its members.

“We are one we are one with Speaker Martin when he says we have to aggressively and continuously increase the case packages of PhilHealth across the board,” Ledesma said.

Ledesma said as part of PhilHealth's mandate, they would increase the benefit packages to make it easier for Filipinos to avail of healthcare services.

He added that it would be better for the country and its healthcare system if Filipinos could enjoy significantly lower out-of-pocket medical expenses.

PhilHealth’s vice president Eli Santos echoed Ledesma’s statement, saying he fully supports Romualdez’ directive for a review of their charter to expand patient benefits, including early cancer detection and to explore ways to provide more comprehensive healthcare coverage.

“We will be able to fulfill and comply with the directive of our Honorable Speaker Martin Romualdez,” he said. “We submit to the directive of our Honorable Speaker and the Committee to focus our resources in safeguarding the health of the populace."

Santos said the review of the charter should also look into PhilHealth's investment strategies to ensure its funds are used in ways that directly benefit the health and well-being of the Filipino people.

Ledesma said that while PhilHealth is increasing by as much as 30 percent the coverage rate of most of its benefit packages starting February 14, additional increases are still needed.

“Umpisa pa lang yung 30 percent (The 30 percent [increase] is just the beginning and we would really move forward,” he said.

Other enhancements

Ledesma noted that the PhilHealth’s benefit committee has recently approved the enhancement of the Z Benefits for breast cancer effective in March 2024.

He also highlighted that the agency enhanced several benefit packages after 13 years without changes, including: High Risk Pneumonia, from PHP32,000 to PHP90,100, or a 182-percent increase; Acute Stroke Ischemia from PHP28,000 to PHP76,000, a 171-percent increase; and Acute Stroke Hemorrhagic from PHP30,000 to PHP80,000, a 111-percent increase.

He said the Z Benefits package for colon and rectal cancers were also recently enhanced, allowing patients with metachronous colorectal tumor to re-avail of the package for colon and rectal cancer.

Ledesma said PhilHealth also revised the policy on select orthopedic implants, which allowed beneficiaries to avail of a maximum of two Z Benefits packages, regardless of laterality for procedures that were done on

different dates, or on the same day, within the same confinement period by patients with single or multiple injuries that requires more than one implant.

He said the package rate for select orthopedic implants were increased to respond to the increasing costs of orthopedic implant devices and minimize delay in surgeries.

Ledesma, meanwhile, said PhilHealth has settled its PHP50 billion-debt to health facilities from August to December 2023 in compliance with his commitment during a House hearing in September last year.

"It is in line with our promise, and we complied with it,” he said.

In directing the House committee to review PhilHealth's charter, Romualdez said there is a need for PhilHealth to function as a health maintenance organization, focusing its resources on safeguarding the health of the populace rather than investing in commercial banks and bonds. "With substantial annual allocations from Congress and regular contributions from private employees, there is no excuse for PhilHealth to scrimp on coverage. The effectiveness of the Universal Health Care system depends on our ability to provide for our citizens, ensuring they receive the medical attention and preventive care they deserve," he said.

Japan, IOM launch $2.58-M project to rehab Mindanao ‘peace stations’

The Japanese government is funding a USD2.58 million (PHP141.9 million) project that will rehabilitate four peace and security stations in Mindanao as a way to sustain the peace efforts in the region.

The UN Migration will implement the program for 12 months starting February 2024, which will also cover the capacity building for about 720 Joint Peace and Security Team (JPST) members from the 24 JPST stations across Mindanao.

The project, called “Enhancing and Sustaining Peace and Security Mechanisms in Mindanao,” will likewise benefit 80 JPST members from four community-based organizations, who will receive livelihood training and kits.

The JPSTs have been operating since 2019 to provide security during the decommissioning of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

These teams, based across 24 stations in Mindanao, are composed of members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

As the transition period has been prolonged and some of the stations were damaged by past natural disasters, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa said Japan decided to step in.

"Through this project, we fervently hope a strengthened JPST will be able to perform their duties with more ease and confidence, especially with the approach of the 2025 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election," he said during the launch in Makati on Wednesday.

"Please rest assured, the government of Japan will continue its support with the goal of attaining

lasting peace and development in the region.

This is the second time Japan supported the JPST, recognizing the need to provide them every possible support as front-liners who enforce the peace-building initiatives in the region.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Philippines Chief of Mission Tristan Burnett said the program targets to enhance the beneficiaries' social and economic capacities while reinforcing their ability to address both conflicts and disasters.

"This new project with the government of Japan is implemented as part of a broader program to prevent, manage, and resolve conflict as a driver of displacement and an obstacle to return and reintegration," she said.

"IOM remains committed to supporting the full implementation of the peace agreement to the best of our abilities, and in our common goal of achieving sustainable peace and development in the Bangsamoro."

IOM Philippines will implement the program together with the international non-governmental organization Nonviolent Peaceforce.

Among those present during the launch were Deputy Presidential Peace Adviser Senior Undersecretary Isidro Purisima and MILF-Joint Peace and Security Committee Chairperson Abunawas Maslamama.

DOJ indicts ship owners, maritime officers over Mindoro oil spill

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday ordered the filing of criminal charges against the owners of the M/T Princess Empress and several others for their part in the oil spill that hit Oriental Mindoro and Batangas provinces last year.

Named as respondents were corporate officers, along with several employees of RDC Reield Marines Services, Inc., the shipping company that owns M/T Princess Empress, 19 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel, and two Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) personnel, the agency said in a statement.

The charges include multiple counts of falsification of private documents, use of falsified documents, and multiple counts of falsification of public documents.

The Feb. 28 sinking of the oil tanker affected more than 75 km. of coastline and 42,400 families from 107 affected areas in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Antique, and Batangas.

"Following a comprehensive evaluation of affidavits and evidence, the panel of DOJ prosecutors uncovered irregularities in certain documents related to the construction and certificate of public convenience of M/T Princess Empress," the DOJ said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, meanwhile, said "negligence cannot be used as an excuse to destroy the environment and livelihood of people."

“It is important to be diligent on land and on our waters,” he said.

The case stemmed from the cases filed by the National Bureau of Investigation and officials of affected local government units. (MNS)

force

MANILA -- The country has sufficient water, power and food supply amid the threat of El Niño, according to the coordinating body tasked to consolidate measures to mitigate the impacts of the phenomenon.

Task Force El Niño spokesperson and Communications Assistant Secretary Joel Villarama gave the assurance on Tuesday, even as he shared that the number of areas to be affected by the El Niño phenomenon has gone down to 41 from the previous 50, based on the latest assessment of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

“First off, a bit of good news.

Doon sa initial o doon sa last report ng PAGASA, 50 provinces ang affected. Ngayon ay na-reduce na lang to 41,” Villarama said in a Palace press briefing.

He said 14 provinces are currently experiencing drought, 10 provinces experiencing dry spell, and 17 provinces experiencing dry condition.

“Medyo nagkaroon tayo ng relief because obviously, there is still the amihan season so hindi pa kainitan ‘yung nae-experience natin ngayon (We experienced some relief because obviously, there is still amihan season. So we have yet to experience the hottest weather),” Villarama said.

“As reported by the agencies in the task force meeting yesterday, water supply is still sufficient in Metro Manila and provinces; electricity supply is also sufficient; food supply is sufficient,” he added.

Villarama said the regions of Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula are “severely affected” by El Niño, noting that agricultural damage to the two regions has already reached more than PHP150 million.

He, however, assured the public that the government will continue implementing measures to stave off the effects of El Niño, like the ongoing repairs of irrigation systems in affected areas to ensure efficient water supply to crops, and the distribution of farm inputs and implements to farmers, particularly in these two regions.

“The task force is doing all it can to help the farmers affected by the situation,” Villarama said, adding that the coordinating body is ready to provide alternative means of livelihood for farmers that will be greatly affected.

“As the President has emphasized, our approach to El Niño is number one intervention. Number two, mitigation and then we enjoin everyone, it’s a whole of government approach,” Villarama said.

He said the task force is committed to carrying out the President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s order of taking proactive steps.

“Basically, the challenge is for the unforeseen events but as I said, as the President mentioned in his speech in Davao last week, under ‘Bagong Pilipinas,’ we try to nip the problem in the bud, not let them catch us off guard,” he said.

He assured the public there is close coordination among member-agencies of the Task Force El Niño to mitigate the impact of the phenomenon.

“The challenge of course is to anticipate based on models what the unforeseen effects,” he said. “In terms of the work of the task force and the government, we are forward looking to mitigate the effects until maybe June to September.”

He said losses in rice and corn due

to the El Niño phenomenon amounted to PHP131.24 million and PHP10.04 million, respectively.

Villarama said El Niño may persist until May 2024, while a “neutral” weather phenomenon or “[either] El Niño or La Niña” may be experienced by June the same year.

Task force ramps up mitigation efforts as 41 provinces hit by El Niño

The government is ramping up efforts to temper the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which now affects 41 provinces in the country.

Task Force El Niño chair, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., emphasized the importance of the collective effort of various government agencies in addressing the impacts of drought during the task force's meeting on Monday.

"Secretary Teodoro called on the members of the task force to work closely and ensure coordinated efforts, not just for El Niño but also for other emergency and disaster concerns," the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said in a statement Monday night.

Teodoro also noted the need to strengthen public information to engage people in preparedness measures.

The Task Force El Niño was reactivated and reconstituted under Executive Order (EO) 53, which took effect on Jan. 19.

Based on the latest assessment of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA), the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Masbate, Oriental Mindoro, Antique, Biliran, Capiz, Cebu, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Oriental, Samar, Lanao del Norte, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are now experiencing dry condition.

Meanwhile, provinces under a dry spell are Abra, Aurora, Bataan, Isabela, Metropolitan Manila, Occidental Mindoro, Quirino, Rizal, Zambales and Negros Occidental while under drought conditions are Apayao, Benguet, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, La Union, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan and Pangasinan.

PAGASA, however, noted that the number of affected provinces is less than the 50 areas recorded based on its Jan. 21 assessment.

Despite the reduction, the task force would reinforce preparedness efforts due to the strong and mature El Niño that is expected to continue this month and is likely to persist until May.

Meanwhile, lead agencies, such as the departments of environment and natural resources (DENR), interior and local government (DILG), energy (DOE), health (DOH), and agriculture (DA), presented situation updates and interventions on the water, public safety, energy, and health sectors, and food security, respectively.

The DENR, the lead on water security, reported that the water supply from dams would be sufficient until May.

Despite this projection, the public is still highly advised to conserve water.

The DENR continues to monitor water supply sources and has been working on the establishment of alternative water sources to prevent shortages.

The DILG, on the other hand, is continuously implementing programs

and activities on environmental protection at the community level, law and order, and fire safety.

On energy security, the DOE said interventions to ensure adequate energy supply are continuously being undertaken.

These include the implementation of transmission projects, ensuring the integrity and reliability of the power grid, and enjoining the electric power industry to actively take part in El Niño mitigation efforts.

Meanwhile, the DOH reported that no disease outbreak has been caused by El Niño but the department continuously ensures the readiness of health facilities.

On food security, the DA presented its priority interventions, which include water management, social protection for farmers and fisherfolk, including livelihood support and financial assistance, and price monitoring.

Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will work closely to ensure the effective use of the El Niño online platform.

The platform will be used to provide relevant and timely information to the public to help them plan and respond accordingly to the phenomenon's effects.

Rice supply stable despite El Niño -- DA exec

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday assured the public there’s no need to worry about the supply of rice in the coming months with ample supply both from importation and local production.

”We will be more comfortable with the consumption. Huwag kayong mag-aalala kung sino iyong mga mahal niyo sa buhay, mayroon pa rin siyang bigas (Don’t worry, whoever may be your loved ones, they will all have rice),” DA Undersecretary Roger Navarro said.

Navarro added that despite the effects of El Niño, the country has a sufficient supply of crop commodities.

“Secretary Kiko (Francisco Tiu-) Laurel just briefed the President that all our crops commodities, especially for rice, corn, pork, and chicken will be stable and there will be no problem in these coming months. So, we don't need to worry, just relax,” he said.

Navarro said the country needs around 2.6 to 2.8 million metric tons or at least 330,000 metric tons of rice import volume per month for the average consumption of 37 metric tons per day.

“To date, we already imported from January to now, something like 590,000 metric tons which is more than what we need for this month… With the coming production come March, until April, May, June, so we will have ample supply of rice,” he said. He, meanwhile, said the price of rice in the country remains close to its supplier countries like Vietnam and Thailand.

”We are not far (when it comes to prices), and they are supplying us with rice. So, in our words, the challenge (is) more on really stabilizing the supply than price. It’s better to have rice at PHP56 rather than no rice at PHP42,” he said.

Navarro attributed the current market price to the high input prices in the international market, particularly for fertilizers and seeds. (MNS)

“REMINISCENCES”: REMEMBERING GENERAL DOUGLAS

MacARTHUR ON HIS 144TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

“These reminiscences are neither history, biography nor a diary, although they compromise something of each of these categories. What is presented is far from a complete account even of all the incidents in which I had a part, but merely my recollections of events, refreshed by a reference to my own memoranda and a free use of staff studies and historical records made under my direction and supervision. It may assist the future historian when he seeks to account for the motives and reasons which influenced some of the actions in the great drama of war. It is also my hope that it will prove of some interest to the rising generation, who may learn therefrom that a country and government such as ours is worth fighting for, and dying for, if need be.

The greatest difficulty confronting me was that of recounting my share in the many vital events involved without giving my acts an unwarranted prominence.

In preparing this record, penned by my own hand, of my life and my participation in our great struggles for national existence, human liberty and political equality, I make no pretense to literary merit. The motive that induces me is not that of authorship. The import of the subject matter of my narrative is my only claim to attention. The statement of facts is a matter of documentary evidence. The comments are my own and show how I saw the matters treated of, whether others saw them in the same light or not.

Respectfully dedicating this work to the millions of armed men and devoted women who participated in the great wars of this country, I leave it as a heritage to my wife and son.”

- Douglas MacArthur

March, 1964

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Written in his own hand, and finished only weeks before his death, “Reminiscences” by General Douglas MacArthur spans more than half a century of modern history. These pages show a man whose unique vantage point at the center of the stage enabled him to illuminate major controversies of our time, and whose views and ideas – never before published in full – are (if I may say so, too) now bound to bring new and unexpected reappraisals to the conflicts in which he himself was the central figure. Never before has one soldier’s life so completely reflected a nation’s military history. After graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York with the highest average ever achieved by a cadet, MacArthur served in Vera Cruz during the Mexican uprisings and then as military attache in the Far

East, where he perceived Japanese aspirations for hegemony in the Orient. His courage in the trenches and his leadership of the famous Rainbow Division during the First World War were cited by General Pershing, who seven times awarded MacArthur the Silver Star.

As the youngest member of the General Staff, his plea for maintenance of an adequate armed forces aroused the enmity of those isolationists who believed America safe behind the wall of two oceans. MacArthur continued his campaign for preparedness as Chief of Staff and High Commissioner of the Philippines. After Pearl Harbor, he assumed command of a band of guerrillas who harassed the invader at every turn. His now legendary promise of return became the only hope of a forgotten people.

Appointed Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the Pacific, MacArthur was the architect of the campaign to drive the Japanese from their strongholds at Bataan, Corregidor, and New Guinea. His recounting of World War II is dramatically punctuated with intimate portraits of the key personalities – Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin, Nimitz, Halsey – written large in our history.

In “Reminiscences,” General MacArthur tells the complete story of the Billy Mitchell trial, of the Communists conspiracy that resulted in the ill-fated Bonus March, and of his disagreement with General George Marshall over Allied support of the Pacific War. MacArthur’s refusal to allow Russian participation in the occupation of Japan is explained, as well as the facts of his removal as Supreme Commander by President Truman. Here, for the first time, he also reveals his plan for winning the war in Korea, and the refusal by Washington to implement his strategy.

Decade by decade, battlefield by battlefield, “Reminiscences” is a portrait of our most decorated military hero. It is the deeply moving final testament to a life of duty, honor and service.

With certainty, I say that Americans love generals. We have elected twelve of them president. But for a president, generals can be an enormous pain – and a potential threat. James K. Polk worried (rightly) that Winfield Scott was hankering after his job. Abraham Lincoln couldn’t get George B. McClellan to fight, finally relieve him of command of the Army of the Potomac, and then beat him decisively in the 1864 election.

But the president who had the most tempestuous confrontation with a general was Harry Truman, if I may add it. He appointed

The joy of the Gospel (or Gospel joy), as Pope Francis would often emphasize, is perhaps the stumbling block for many Catholics, especially Filipinos. The fundamentalists and conservatives oppose many of the pope’s efforts to reform the Church as “too liberal” and that reforms stray too far from the deposit of faith (depositum fidei). Deposit of faith in the context of revealed truth in the Scriptures and tradition as preached by the Church. Mind you, there is a third component to the deposit of faith and that is the Magisterium, like what the pope is doing now.

Before Jesus ascended to heaven, he gave the apostles a mission to go and “make disciples of nations.”

Jesus defined their mission to make more followers of Jesus. Pope Paul VI reiterated this mission when he wrote, “The Church exists to evangelize.” Indeed, that is the very reason for the Church’s existence in faithfulness to the charge given to the Apostles to reach out to nations and make more followers of Jesus.

Something went wrong along the way. When the Spaniards colonized

"REMINISCENCES": Written in his own hands and finished only weeks before his death, General Douglas MacArthur's memoir spans more than half a century of modern history. His vantage point at center stage during major controversies of the twentieth century enabled him to present unique views of the conflicts in which he played a vital role.

Douglas MacArthur commander of all United Nations (UN) and U.S. forces in Korea in June 1950, only to relieve him of command ten months

PHILIPPINE LEADERS IN HAPPIER TIMES: The Commonwealth of the Philippines President Manuel Quezon (left) and General of the Army for the United States as well as a field marshal to the Philippine Army Douglas MacArthur.

FOR HEROISM IN THE SKY: In one of the last pictures to leave the Philippines before Manila fell to the Japanese during World War II, General Douglas MacArthur is shown pinning a Distinguished Service on Captain Jesus A. Villamor of the Philippine Air Force.

"I HAVE RETURNED": On 20 October 1944, General Douglas MacArthur waded ashore on Leyte Island in the Philippines and fulfilled his promise to return. The charismatic and dashing General was one of the most famous American military leaders in the world and his dramatic return to his beloved Philippines was a crowning achievement in his relentless battle to drive the Japanese Army out of Southwest Asia.

Jesse T. Reyes Filipino Potpourri

later for publicly challenging administration policy. MacArthur didn’t take his firing quietly. He immediately returned to the United States, and in April 19th, 1951, gave a rousing speech to a joint session of Congress. It remains one of the best speeches in America. And it nearly sparked a constitutional crisis.

The clash between Truman and MacArthur turned on what to about China. In the spring of 1951, the Korean War was not going well. The smashing victory that MacArthur had engineered at Inchon in September 1950 was swept away two months later when 300,000 Chinese troops storm across the Yalu River. Rather than facing a relatively weak adversary in North Korea, the United States now possibly faced total war with China – or worse yet, China and its ally, the Soviet Union. Truman concluded that discretion was the better part of valor. He would do what he could to keep the war in Korea limited. That means not attacking China itself. MacArthur, however, wanted to take the war to the Chinese. He thought that would break the stalemate that had begun to form on the peninsula and win the war. Truman ordered MacArthur to keep his opinions to himself. But the general made sure that his thoughts made their way into the public debate. He went one step too far, though when he wrote a letter to the House Republican Minority Leader criticizing Truman’s limited-war strategy. When the letter became public, Truman decided that he had no choice but to relieve MacArthur of command. As he said years later: “I fired him because he wouldn’t respect the authority of the President. I didn’t fire him because he was a dumb son of a b*tch, although, he was, but that’s not against the law for generals. If it was, half to threequarters of them would be in jail.”

Unfortunately for Truman, whose public approval rating stood at 26 percent at the time, the story did not end there. His critics lashed out at him for firing a bona fide war hero and a man who was one of only five 5-star generals in American history. Congress invited MacArthur to address a joint session – an honor never before (or since) extended to a general who had been relieved

So Much Ado About “Fiducia Supplicans,” Final Part

of command. MacArthur, who has been away from the United States for fourteen years, used his address to defend his preferred strategy for Korea at length, insisting that “in war there is no substitute for victory.” He went on to make a not-so-subtle jab at the president who refused to take the war to the Chinese: “There are some, who, for varying reasons would appease Red China. They are blind to history’s clear lesson, for history teaches with unmistakable emphasis that appeasement begets new and bloodier war. It points to no single instance where this end justified that means, when appeasement has led to more than a sham peace. Like blackmail, it lays the basis for new and successively greater demands until, as in blackmail, violence becomes the only other alternative.”

“‘Why my soldiers asked of me,’ surrender military advantage to an enemy in the field?’ I could not answer.”

MacArthur concluded his tourde-force with one of the most memorable passages of any speech ever delivered by an American and one that was clearly designed to put himself in the most sympathetic light for his countrymen: “I am closing my 52 years of military service. When I joined the Army, even before the turn of the century, it was the fulfillment of all my boyish hopes and dreams. The world has turned over may times since I took the oath on the plain at West Point, and the hopes and dreams have long since vanished, but I still remember the refrain of one of the most popular barrack’s ballads of that day which proclaimed most proudly that ‘old soldiers never die; they just fade away.’ And, like the old soldier of that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty that God gave him the light to see that duty. Goodbye.”

The speech was a sensation. Some thirty million Americans had watched it on television. Though MacArthur only spoke for twentyfour minutes, members of Congress interrupted him more than thirty times with applause. The City of New York then have for the General

See JESSE REYES on 6

the Philippines and planted the Cross, their idea of converting locals to the fold of Christianity was not so much to preach the Gospel. They mass baptized people “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” but did so without truly evangelizing the Gospel. They branded the locals as pagans because they didn’t know Jesus Christ, well, how could they? The locals followed their own religious beliefs using anitos for their rituals and worshiped their Bathala. Understanding the local practice of animism, the Spanish clergy brought with them images of saints to replace the anito images that the locals used. The “deposit of Faith” at the time was seamless as the locals didn’t have a hard time focusing their loyalties to the new images and fealty to the new “Bathala” – Jesus Christ. The Spanish clerics cultivated devotion to these images and other forms of art ephemera like paintings, relics, or pictures of saints as part of their effort to evangelize the locals.

Such devotional practices have been carried over to this day

and to some extreme. Think of the devotional celebrations for the Black Nazarene of Quiapo every year in Manila, Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City, and Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan. These practices are criticized by Eurocentric thinkers for apparent incoherence or inconsistency with the prescribed beliefs or practices.

In other words, such traditional celebrations are not rooted in the Gospel but carried over as part of the fiesta traditions.

From the get-go, the Spanish friars used fear as a tool to make Filipinos keep the foothold of Catholicism on the island. Those who resisted conversion were either excommunicated or told that their souls are destined to eternal damnation. Even after the colonizers have left, what they preached to fear eternal damnation was inherited by succeeding generations of preachers. They preached from the pulpit of beautiful churches and cathedrals.

Catholicism and the Spanish state were inseparable, and the religion played a predominant role in the administration of the Philippines.

The friars were interested in accumulating lands and in building cathedrals. They too were into politics and governance. Certainly,

during the Spanish colonial times, the state and religion worked as one to the detriment of enlightened Filipinos like Jose Rizal and the martyred priests (GOMBURZA).

When the Americans came, they wanted to exorcise the pagan Filipinos for their “worship” of idols and other religious artifacts. The new colonizers preached Protestantism, a religion that prohibits such “idolatrous” practices. Well, for the most part they failed because the Filipinos feared ditching the images lest their soul burn in hell and their spirit is eternally damned.

For the bulk of Filipino Catholics who are poor, the concept of Gospel joy is hard to grasp.

While Catholicism has been the cornerstone of Filipino identity since the colonial periods, many Filipino Catholics cannot discern Gospel joy because of how they view their practice of the faith –popular or folk Catholicism, as the West refers to it. They attend church services hoping for deliverance from poverty.

The term popular or folk Catholicism implies that it is not a mainstream Catholic belief, inauthentic at best. Certainly, in the case of the Philippines, the fervor (or joy) that devotees refer to is not long lasting. During the feasts for

these saints, throngs of devotees line up to touch the image. Just days after the feast, the lines are gone, and devotees go back to their normal routines. The multitude of devotees in hundreds of thousands, a million even, disperse back to their origins having completed their individual pilgrimages.

For centuries, Catholic churches in the Philippines waited for the faithful to attend church services and they came and kept coming. The homilies are Scripture-based and complemented by life-stories or life-lessons. People pray and many would even bring their devotional rosaries and novena mini booklets to read pre-written prayers. After the service, the faithful go back to their usual routines. This has been the practice since time immemorial as handed down from generation of Filipino Catholics. Gospel joy? For generations, Filipinos were told to not even venture reading the Bible and to merely trust the clergy for understanding. So, how does one evangelize others (and feel the joy) with such limited understanding of the Gospel? How can we make more adherents of Jesus Christ if we are not comfortable evangelizing? Filipinos use churchgoing as a process of enriching their faith.

The clergy preaches to the choir every Sunday and other days of obligation and practically relies on the devotional traditions to draw more adherents to the devotion –and hopefully to Christ. When Pope Francis alludes to Mother Teresa’s Gospel joy, it is hard for us Catholics to feel such joy. Why? Mother Teresa’s joy came from the faces of the poor she served. “I see God’s face in their faces,” said the saint. In the “Epistle of Joy,” (Paul’s Letter to the Philippians) Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice.” Paul refers to joy as “an enduring quality that results from deeply knowing God and actively engaging in God's eternal work in this world.”

Paul wrote the letter while he was incarcerated in Ephesus. According to Paul, “joy is a fruit of Spirit.” Stated differently, biblical joy is not solely an emotional response. If we follow Paul’s reasoning, to achieve the spiritual fruit, one must react to an emotional state (i.e., suffering, sorrow, disunity, persecution) with discernment and purpose in the long run and not just because of the circumstance. Virtue as a moral imperative, can be used as one of the lenses wherein joy can be viewed and achieved vis-à-vis discipleship, suffering, vocation, or justice. The Catholic Church can be a catalyst while pursuing synodality. It must get out of the business of maintenance (and politics) if it is to pursue and follow what the Apostles have started.

Professional Business Directory

Dear Readers,

Our Business Community needs workers for restaurants, medical offices, supermarkets, caregivers, delivery services and more. If you know of anyone, relative, friend, neighbor or former co-workers looking for a job, kindly give them a copy of the Filipino Press for job opportunities. Some jobs may not yet be posted, so you may visit our website at www.thefilipinopress. com or email at filpressads@aol.com. We are here to help you our kababayans find jobs, opportunities and connect you to resources that you may need. Thank you

U.S. Senate Candidates’ Forum with Lee, Schiff, Porter

By Selen Ozturk/eMS

As the U.S. Senate race heats up, candidates Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff and Katie Porter joined a forum to discuss their platforms.

SAN FRANCISCO. CA -- As the race to fill the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat in the U.S. Senate heats up, candidates Barbara Lee, Adam Schiff and Katie Porter joined a forum presented by EMS and California Black Media on Thursday, February 8 to discuss their platforms.

Barbara Lee

Representative Barbara Lee (D-12), who has represented Oakland and most of northern Alameda County since 1998, said many of the challenges Californians face are part of her lived experience.

“For a long time, I was on public assistance, food stamps and Medi-Cal, raising two small boys as a single mother, formerly a survivor of domestic violence … I formed a community mental health center and was a business owner with

JESSE REYES

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the largest ticker-tape parade in history.

Truman had a different assessment of MacArthur’s speech, saying privately that it was “a hundred percent bull sh*t!”

And although it was intended to be tongue-in-cheek, it highlighted the White House’s real concern that MacArthur’s behavior threatened the bedrock principle of civilian control of the military.

(FYI: William Manchester subsequently wrote a best-selling biography of MacArthur, the title of which, “American Caesar” implied the potential threat MacArthur posed to the American constitutional system.)

Fortunately for Truman, the controversy quickly died down, though less because Americans suddenly remembered that presidents had an unquestioned right to fire generals and more because they didn’t really like the policies that MacArthur favored.

However much a shock MacArthur’s firing was, it reaffirmed what the Framers had in mind when they made the president commanderin-chief – he, and someday maybe she, has unquestioned authority to

thousands of employees over 11 years,” she said, adding that she was running for Senate because “I know what it takes to help lift people out of poverty into the middle class, to grow the middle class, to create businesses, to address a mental health crisis.”

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-CA 12th District, discusses her support for single-payer healthcare and how she intends to expand access to healthcare if she is elected to the senate.

Of her experience as a Congressional legislator, Lee said “I’m a fighter, and I’ll stand my ground.” When George W. Bush was President, for instance, she alone voted against the blank check authorization which set the stage for “forever wars.”

Additionally, she led the effort to establish a framework for single-payer health care in California” through Affordable Care Act negotiations, and for AIDS epidemic responses through The Global Fund, which saved 25 million lives.

relieve military officers of command.

Many commentators speculated that MacArthur would emulate McClellan and challenge Truman the presidency. An effort by MacArthur supporters to get him the Republican presidential nomination in 1948 had failed miserably. But when 1952 came around, MacArthur instead endorsed Robert Taft and worked with the Ohio senator to keep Dwight D. Eisenhower, MacArthur’s former aide, from winning the nomination. That effort failed. In 1953, Eisenhower took the oath of office as the country’s 34th president and the last one to have served as a general.

MacArthur meanwhile made good on the closing passage of his speech in Congress and largely faded from public view; except in July 1961 when the then 81-years-old General and Mrs. MacArthur undertook a 10-day farewell and goodwill trip to his beloved Philippines to mark the fifteenth anniversary of the Filipinos’ independence. Then President John F. Kennedy was delighted to see MacArthur honored in this way and helped facilitate the trip by putting a Boeing 707 from the Military Air Transport Service at the General’s disposal. It was a particularly moving event and in Manila, alone, millions of people turned out to greet MacArthur for the last time.

These efforts extend to her current platform.

Lee said she supported Medicare for all, including for immigrants; would vote for any legislation that ensures a free and open U.S. press; was championing the OLIGARCH Act to tax extreme wealth; and backed the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine during the war.

Furthermore, Lee stressed — as the only person of color in the running — the need to protect disproportionately vulnerable communities of color through climate justice. She also emphasized the need for both border state and black and brown representation among legislators pushing immigration bills like last week’s GOP-blocked border deal, which had representatives of neither.

Adam Schiff U.S. Representative Adam Schiff (CA D-30), who has represented various parts of Los Angeles County since 2001, agreed with Lee’s criticism

Only papal visits have exceeded the welcome MacArthur received from our fellow “kababayans,” indeed.

There is no doubt about it that General MacArthur inspired both respect (and disrespect) that even the general’s detractors gave memorabilia to the MacArthur Memorial, adding that such detractors inevitably admired the general’s genius and his photographic memory.

James Zobel, who was the archivist at the MacArthur Memorial praised MacArthur’s becoming the youngest general in World War I, being the architect of victory in World War II, and called him the savior of West Point. He also drew attention to the general’s propaganda and showmanship, saying that after he had his picture taken with the defeated Japanese emperor in World War II, MacArthur arranged to have that picture appear on the front page of every Japanese newspaper, making all of Japan wake up and say “WHOA!” at the sight of the emperor’s calling on the general. Zobel also pointed out that MacArthur’s renown is seen in the monuments to the general found on such countries as France, Australia, Korea and – of course – back in our beloved old homeland – the Philippines.

Douglas MacArthur was born

of the border deal, adding that foreign aid should never “have ever been combined with an border provision, because it meant the President could be extorted over aid funding by unrelated domestic policy … I would support a comprehensive approach to immigration that includes a pathway to citizenship, and relief for DACA recipients and Temporary Protected Status holders.”

“I’m running for Congress because I want to fight to make the economy work for everyone and to protect our democracy and our planet,” he said, mentioning his support for a universal basic income pilot project for Americans on Medicaid.

Adam Schiff, D-CA, 30th District, discusses his support for Medicare for All and his efforts to increase the childcare tax credit. His other efforts on this front have included forming a bipartisan and bicameral Congressional caucus on

on 26 January 1880 in Little Rock, Arkansas.

As we commemorated the 144th anniversary of General MacArthur’s birthday last month – it must also be noted and remembered that the great debate the General launched during the war in Korea, on what constitutes victory and why, persists even to this day. So does his belief in the future of Asia and America’s role in that part of the world. Indeed, America’s most serious current geopolitical challenges emanate from the AsiaPacific region. Truly relevant to this day and age – “The lands touching the Pacific will determine the course of history for the next thousand years.”

William Manchester calls

Douglas MacArthur the greatest man at arms this nation has produced. Geoffrey Perret ranks his generalship in American history second only to Ulysess S. Grant. Arthur Herman in his new biography reaches beyond MacArthur as warrior and concludes he rivals Winston Churchill in having a personal stamp on twentiethcentury history. But the last word – if I must say and do agree with –belongs to British historian Harvey who writes simply but profoundly that MacArthur “bore the stamp of greatness. He was the last American hero.” Mabuhay!

faculty, and staff. President Dr. Mark Sanchez, governing board members, community leaders, students and faculty in celebrating this significant Asian holiday that carries a history spanning thousands of years worldwide. Southwestern College Governing Board President, Don Dumas will also be one of the speakers during the event.

Community has always been a priority for Southwestern College.

By celebrating Lunar New Year, the college proudly demonstrates its unwavering support and solidarity for the people, families and businesses that call San Diego home. This event also symbolizes the college's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that advances equity, diversity, inclusion, social justice, leadership, and organizational wellness.

Lunar New Year traditions trace back thousands of years and are celebrated in Chinese, South

Korean, Malaysian, Filipino, Singaporean, Indonesian and Vietnamese cultures, among others. The two-week celebration, which is also called Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, includes family and friends, feasting and fireworks, parties and parades. The holiday falls on February 10 this year, and 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, a zodiac sign that symbolizes power, honor, and success.

ABOUT SOUTHWESTERN

COLLEGE:

Southwestern College, the only public institution of higher education in southern San Diego County, provides services to a diverse community of students by offering a wide range of highquality academic programs and comprehensive student services — including those offered through distance education.

“The

said Christiana DeBenedict, Director, Environment Initiatives at SDF. “Our complex region calls for unique intersectional projects and collaborations to build binational climate resilience.”

“Our Cali-Baja region has long benefitted from forward-thinking climate leaders,” said Marisa Aurora Quiroz, President and

CEO of International Community Foundation. “Together, our two foundations are investing in their leadership and making a collective impact in how our cross-border region responds to our changing climate future.”

SDF will prioritize funding for projects taking place in and benefiting communities of concern or historically underresourced communities that could be considered underserved or vulnerable to economic, environmental and social impacts. Projects selected for funding will demonstrate effective cross-border collaboration and contribute to coastal preservation or resilience in two or more of the following areas: climate relevance, economic prosperity, knowledge sharing, organizational resilience and/or research. Proposed projects should include a U.S.- and a Mexico-based nonprofit partner. All applications must be submitted online by 5 p.m. PDT on March 8, 2024. Grant seeker forums will be held virtually on Feb. 15 and in person on Feb. 26. Please register online to attend either or both workshops.

The Binational Resilience Initiative increases the capacity of the Cali-Baja coastal region to survive and thrive in the face of shocks and stresses driven by climate change, as well as other natural, economic and social pressures. To learn more, visit SDFoundation.org/BRI.

About International Community Foundation

The International Community Foundation works across borders to connect people, ideas, and investments in the transformative power of community. Based in the U.S.-Mexico border community of National City, California, the International Community Foundation (ICF) is a growing organization committed to expanding charitable giving in Mexico and Latin America. Since 1990, ICF has granted over USD$100 million to education, health, and environmental initiatives. In addition, ICF manages several high-impact programs in Mexico, and more specifically the Baja California Peninsula, that support local leadership and work to improve quality of life for local communities. To learn more, please visit www.icfdn.org.

Spiritual Life

The Imperatives of Love

study the bible in earnest, I found out that this is just a phrase of a longer verse which says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”(1 John 4:78). Then another verse says, “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world, we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God, yet hate his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.

Aurora S. Cudal-Rivera

My Personal Testimony

And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 15-21).

The most popular verses about love is found in 1 Corinthians 13: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record

of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Love by its very nature should serve as the basis of all our actions. What a beautiful world it would be if we practice love the way, God sees it.

Almighty and ever-loving God, we thank you for the love that you have shown us in many ways. May we be able to follow your commandments to love you with all our hearts, with all our minds and with all our soul and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. May we be able to demonstrate our love to others by doing your Will in our lives. Amen.

A good investment return

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4).

It's rewarding to get a good return on an investment. In business we invest money, time, and people resources into promoting a product and service in hopes of a return. We make financial investments in hopes we can gain a return on our money invested. The apostle Paul understood another kind of investment. It was an investment in the spiritual lives of people.

He invested his life in a man named Epaphras, who was a man deeply impacted by Paul's investment in him. Paul makes reference to Epaphras when writing to the Colossians: "You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit" (Colossians 1:7-8). It can be rewarding to invest in other people's lives.

One day I received this note from a friend into whom I had

US SENATE

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press freedom; federally prosecuting oil companies smuggling waste; promoting Medicare for all and carrying legislation to make racially equitable health care a civil right; fighting online hate against communities of color; advancing a bill repealing the NRA’s immunity from liability; and fighting to more than double the Child Tax Credit, lifting 40% of families with impoverished kids out of poverty.

Schiff diversified the House Intelligence Committee as its chairman, and required diversification progress reports from other agencies like the CIA and NSA.

“Diversity is not only a moral and ethical obligation, but it’s good for keeping the country safe. You can’t have comprehensive, diverse intelligence around the world, if your people don’t look like the rest of the world,” he explained. “If I have a chance to weigh in on appointments, I’m going to elevate people of color to positions of responsibility and make sure that our workforce is reflective of America.”

As “one of the gravest threats we face is this now decades-long effort to disenfranchise people, particularly people of color, my first priority in the US Senate is going to be to do away with the filibuster and pass voting rights,” Schiff added.

Katie Porter Katie Porter (CA D-47), who

Danny Hernaez From Whom All Blessings Flow

made an investment: "You have had a tremendous influence on my life. For that, I will be forever grateful and love you as well." Sometimes we don't realize the difference we can make in another life. For us, it can seem a natural way of operating. We may not even think we are doing anything unusual. Until one day, you receive a note like this one.

At work, we can often get very focused on the projects we are called to promote and gain a return on. However, we each need to be making an investment in other people as well. Are you investing in lives that may be in your sphere of influence through your call? The returns on

has represented various parts of Orange County since 2019, said the biggest challenge faced by California specifically is the cost of housing: “I’m ready to make sure that the federal government is investing in affordable homeownership and undoing the harms of racist redlining policies. My Housing for Allplan would focus Washington on the numberone expense for California families, so every Californian can afford safe, climate-resilient housing.” “One of the most important functions of Congress is oversight,” she continued, explaining why she was running. “It’s not just about giving speeches, it’s about getting powerful people to admit the truth.”

On this front, Porter got Trump’s Director of the CDC to make COVID testing free for all Americans, regardless of insurance, or immigration status; got Tim Sloan to resign as the CEO of Wells Fargo by confronting his “ongoing willingness to cheat Americans”; and got Bank of America to raise its minimum wage to $20 an hour. This oversight extends to climate change, which costs taxpayers about $145 billion in climate-related disasters.

Porter said she has held polluters accountable through her work in the House Natural Resources Committee and by successfully pushing laws raising rates on those who drill and lease public land, adding that we should “not just address climate change, but

With the celebration of Ash Wednesday the Lenten Season has now begun. The whole season of Lent is intended to prepare us for the meaningful celebration of Easter. During this season we are enjoined to evaluate as well as strengthen our commitment to live our baptismal consecration in witness to the Risen Lord. The renewal of this baptismal commitment happens at Easter Vigil. A deeper look into the synthesis of the gospel of Mark (Mark 1:12-15) can help us achieve this end: Jesus led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days is victorious in all his tests. The Psalm directs us to prayer as the first step to take: “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths” (Ps. 25: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9). The carefully chosen readings for Lent are rich with insights, from which various themes can be developed. The gospel reading from St. Mark this Sunday is his account on the temptation in the desert; so brief yet very significant and full of symbolic meaning. Unlike other versions, it does not give much detail, but instead highlights certain elements which allude to baptism. Here, Mark provides a framework for a deeper appreciation of this sacrament. While Easter calls for commitment to live our baptism, it depends largely on how we appreciate it. Mark is a great help with this.

For the Jews, the number forty had long been associated with times of testing. Noah’s flood is one of the many instances. During that time, God sent rain that flooded the earth for forty days and forty nights (Gen. 6:5) to punish the people’s wickedness. Only his family and the animals with him were saved. After the flood, we hear God in the First Reading (Gen. 9: 8-15)

making His Covenant with Noah, promising never to repeat the flood. We may wonder why such a promise was made. God had in mind a new kind of “water” to wash humanity clean of sin. Peter explains this in the Second Reading (1 Pt. 3:18-22):

“This prefigured baptism, which saves you now.” As Noah and his family were saved through the waters of the flood, we were saved through the waters of baptism. This is symbolically depicted at Calvary by the water that gushed from the pierced side of Jesus, which brought forgiveness of sin and the sanctifying grace that made us God’s children.

By this, we understand that Jesus entered into what man had faced without success. Adam was tempted to disobey and fell into the serpent’s trap, bringing humanity into the reign of sin and death (Rom. 5: 1214, 17-20). Likewise, the Israelites were unable to fight the evil tendency to rebel, which made them wander and struggle in the wilderness. In the desert, Jesus was tempted but emerged victorious. Up to his resurrection, he conquered sin and death. He accomplished for us what we could not do for ourselves. This is what he does for us in baptism. Buried with him by baptism into death, he enables us to walk in newness of life with him. “For if we

have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Rom. 6:3-5).

This is reminiscent of Adam in Eden, who named the animals and lived among them (Gen. 2: 18-23). His original love of God had to be tested in order for him to truly rule over all creation. But, his probation ended in disobedience, which drove him out of Eden. In the desert, Jesus is the new Adam. Being among the beasts and being served by the angels, he foreshadows the new creation, a tender reversal of what had befallen the first Adam. In baptism, Jesus brought forth the new creation. We were made children of God in the water of baptism (2 Cor. 5:7; Gal. 4:3-7), each living in the kingdom of His beloved Son (Col. 1: 13-14). Jesus’ forty days in the desert speak a lot about baptism. As we begin this holy season, let us start reviewing our own baptism in this perspective. Let us go beyond the ritual aspect of this sacrament and discover in it our dignity and the rich inheritance that we have as children of God. This would encourage us to commit ourselves to live our baptismal consecration.

While we evaluate our life as baptized members of the Church and adopted children of God, the Church encourages us to make use of the ways by which we can be aided in this holy season of preparation, namely, through prayer, penance and alms giving. Let us continue to pray together as families under God’s protection. Let us do the appropriate penance and sacrifices that we can willingly offer to the Lord. And let us generously give whatever resources we have to help our neighbors, especially those who are in real need.

this investment are considerable.

And now may the Lord bless you, and may the Lord keep you, and may the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and may the Lord be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May you walk in the blessed assurance that your steps are being ordered of the Lord and that His angels are going before you to make certain that your life reaches its spiritual destiny. May the prayers that you pray, be reward to you according to your faith, for God is a faithful God, and He will open the windows of heaven and bless you with blessings you cannot contain, in Jesus' name. Amen.

also the health inequities that we have as a result of the fossil fuel industry … I’m a big supporter of Medicare for All, for undocumented immigrants as well.”

About recent border negotiations, she said “the bill did not tackle our actual needs for a lawful, orderly and humane immigration system … Immigrants are an incredible source of strength to this country. We cannot have the economy that we need if we do not have an immigration system that recognizes their value” through asylum protections and citizenship pathways, particularly for DACA and TPS recipients.

“I’ve never been for sale,” Porter continued. “I’m the only elected official in this race who has never taken corporate PAC or federal lobbyist money, because it corrupts decisions.” She said she aimed to follow her Shake up the Senate plan including filibuster abolishment, expanded voting rights and a ban on Congressional stock trading to tackle “the corruption in Washington to give younger voters what they have long deserved, confidence in our government.”

“There is no doubt that our next senator needs to be a champion for communities of color,” she added.

“Right now in the Senate, ultra-wealthy donors control the conversation. Elected leaders talk too much about how to help corporate America get even richer, and not nearly enough about how to help all of us make ends meet.”

Di ba’t ang ninanais natin ay panatag na kalooban Damdaming di nababahala sa mga bagay na di dapat pagkaabalahan Subalit papaanong ito ay ating maranasan at makamtan

Kung tayo ay balisa at abala sa mga bagay na dulot ng kamunduhan.

Ang kapayapaan na biyaya ng Diyos ay kaiba-iba Buong pusong tinatanggap at hinaharap ang mga problema, Dulot ay himbing na tulog sa gabi dahil hindi kakabakaba Walang kimkim na galit at imbi, nais lamang ay magsilbi.

Paano nga ba tayo tutugon, sa dakilang na pagmamahal ng Panginoon Hinihingi Niya na tayo ay SUMUNOD at MAGTIWALA Hindi man natin lubos na maunawaan ay ating tanggapin

Magtiwala tayo sa Kanya, utos ng Diyos ay ating sundin.

Utos ng Panginoon, “Mahalin mo ang iyong kaaway.”

Sa ating sariling pagsisikap ay napakahirap gawin

Subalit sa Kanyang tulong utos Niya ay makakaya

nating sundin

Biyayang Panatag na Kalooban ay mapapasaatin.

Mga problema at pagsusubok

sa buhay ay di maiiwasan

Matitinding sakit at paghihirap ang dulot kung minsan Ito ang sarili nating krus na dapat nating tanggapin at pasanin Makisama sa pagdurusa sa Kalbaryo ng Panginoon natin.

Walang pagsasama ang magtatagal kung

walang kapatawaran, Huwag na huwag magdala ng sama ng loob kapag may alitan Magpakumbaba, magpatawad ang isa’t-isa, ayusin ang problema Ito ang nararapat gawin, bago pa sumapit ang takip-silim.

Sa mga sandaling tayo ay nagkasala at nagkamali

Kapag sa ating pagninilay pinagsisihan ang pagkakasala, Tiyak na mararanasan natin ang pagbabagong buhay At minsan pang muli panatag

na kalooban ang ating taglay.

Ang pananaw ng Panginoon ay naiiba sa pananaw ng tao Wika Niya, “Ang una ay siyang mahuhuli, ang huli ay siyang mauuna.”

“Kailangang mamatay upang ikaw ay mabuhay.” Pag-aralang mabuti, Sumunod at Magtiwala sa kanyang sinasabi. Minsan pang muli ating babanggitin, Upang ang Panatag na Kalooban ay mapasaatin, Ang Sumunod at Magtiwala sa Diyos Ay siyang karapat-dapat nating gawin.

Fr.

Salvador

SCAM

to use,” said Greisman. “If they’re insisting on payment by wire transfer, gift card, payment apps or crypto, that’s a huge bright red flag … because it gives scammers the greatest measure of anonymity, and the likelihood of law enforcement being able to trace and return the money is extremely difficult.”

Why consumer reporting matters

Reporting scams like these to the FTC matters because the data helps nearly 3,000 state, federal, local law enforcement entities nationwide stop fraud, and because it helps prevention outreach, Greisman continued.

“When we see, for example, spikes in gift card scams, we reach out to the industry to see what they can be doing to curb abuse of cards,” she added. “When we see text messaging becoming a frequent point of contact, we reach out to the telecommunications industry.”

People can now report frauds and bad business practices in their preferred language — and anonymously if they wish — by phone at 877-382-4357, or online in English or Spanish by going to reportfraud.ftc.gov or by emailing fraud@ftc.gov. Identity theft can be reported in one’s preferred language at 877-438-4338, or in English or Spanish at identitytheft.gov.

“To help people spot and avoid

scams and identity theft and talk about what they experience, we offer information at ftc.gov/languages” in languages including Amharic, Arabic, simplified and traditional Chinese, French, Mam, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian and Vietnamese, added Larissa Bungo, Senior Attorney at the FTC Division of Consumer & Business Education.

“While scammers are really good at what they do, knowledge is power, and the best thing we can do is try to share what we know about spotting scams,” she said. “When people report fraud, they can share as much or little as they want to. We’re interested in knowing what happened. We want to know the story.”

SDG&E UNVEILS FOUR ADVANCED MICROGRIDS TO BOOST GRID RESILIENCE AND RELIABILITY

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 13, 2024 –

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) unveiled four new microgrids featuring advanced remote operation capabilities and state-of-the-art safety technologies to help enhance grid reliability and bolster resiliency for the surrounding communities.

The four microgrid and energy storage sites, located in the communities of Clairemont, Tierra Santa, Paradise, and Boulevard, will help address surging energy demands in the San Diego region, especially during hot summer days and the peak evening hours when solar power generation typically diminishes and there is significant strain on the grid.

The ability to remotely operate microgrids offers real-time monitoring, faster response to grid events, more efficient energy storage management, and enhanced grid resilience designed to help, optimize overall performance, reliability, and sustainability. These systems utilize lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells and have advanced safety and fire prevention features.

Caroline Winn, SDG&E's Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the significance of these clean energy projects in bolstering the region's resilience to the escalating challenges posed by climate change.

“Storage and microgrids are key to helping build a more resilient electric grid that can extend the availability of cleaner energy and help our communities better manage through grid emergencies like the extreme heat experienced in recent summers,” said

Winn. “These microgrids will actively dispatch clean energy to the grid when needed and help improve energy resiliency for critical facilities like fire stations, schools, and cooling centers in San Diego."

Nora Vargas, San Diego County Board Supervisor, has been a longtime environmental justice advocate and emphasized the importance of equity in our road to a net zero future.

“For communities like mine that often experience outages during power emergencies, we welcome infrastructure that will help keep our lights on and our refrigerators running during difficult times,” said Chairwoman Nora Vargas. “Enhancing our power grid is an important first step in making sure all communities have access to basic resources during a crisis, especially for our local schools, fire stations, and medical centers.”

In December 2021, the California Public Utilities Commission granted

the green light to SDG&E to move forward with these innovative projects. The four microgrids will operate independently or in tandem with the larger regional grid and offer a combined storage capacity of approximately 39 megawatts (MW) and 180 megawatt-hours (MWh) across four SDG&E substations.

These projects were set into motion in response to Gov. Newsom's State Emergency Proclamation in the summer of 2021. These facilities will be connected to the state energy market, allowing the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to dispatch these resources as needed to help maintain a balanced supply and demand of energy throughout the state.

The energy storage sites are:

The Clairemont microgrid serves the Balboa Branch Library/Cool Zone, Fire Station 36, and local schools such as Lafayette Elementary, Sequoia Elementary, Innovation and CPMA

Middle Schools and Madison High School.

The Elliott Microgrid will generate 10MW and has the capacity to power Fire Station 39, the Tierrasanta Public Library/Cool Zone, Tierrasanta Medical Center, Jean Farb Middle School, Canyon Hills High School, and Tierrasanta and Kumeyaay Elementary Schools.

The Paradise Microgrid that has the ability to power Fire Stations 51 and 32, the Southeast Division Police Department, and Bell Middle School as well as Freese, Boone and Fulton Elementary

The Boulevard microgrid serves the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Fire Station 47, Campo Reservation Fire Station, Cal Fire White Star Station, Campo Tribal Office, Campo Kumeyaay Nation Medical Center, Southern Indian Health Council Campo Clinic, the Boulevard Border Patrol Station,

Check out next week's featured restaurants, events, places, special offers . Enjoy and keep us posted. Happy President's Day!!!

Love You & What You Do

By FRANCINE m AIgu E

I hope you had a memorable Valentine’s Week, my pampered friends! Let’s let the love continue…

This week, I share with you one of my recent blog posts from thepamperedpinay.com complete with a fantastic reader response. This post revolves around the idea that what you do reflects and impacts your sense of self. To do what you are most passionate about takes courage and demonstrates an all-important love of self.

Stand in your truth, and welcome who you are & what you love with open arms, my pampered friends. If we don’t accept, respect, and believe in ourselves, how can we expect anyone else to?

“Pamper yourself by envisioning how you may turn a hobby or special skill into a profitable career.”

If you are currently able to make a living doing something you are passionate about, I commend you.

If you’ve been itchin’ to try your hand at building a career more in line with your deepest interests, I encourage you.

This economy has inspired many people to take on side work, when available, to jumpstart multiple streams of income. This economy has also posed the question, “If a paycheck and professional status are not guaranteed anyway, then why not love what you do?” Get some satisfaction!

Suddenly, folks are prompted to market more of their talents and hobbies as professional skills and products. I love that this era has reinvigorated the idea that one, single career title does not have to define you.

Though the possibilities are endless, here are just a few ways you may use your special skills and talents as selfstart-up professions:

1. Maybe you’re a wiz with numbers. Maybe you’re fluent in a foreign language. Maybe you’re a stickler for correct grammar. You could be an inspiring teacher or personal tutor.

2. Know what it takes to prepare for a marathon? Know how to drop pounds and keep ‘em off? Know how to motivate people? You may be the next great trainer or coach!

3. Got an eye for hot ensembles? Got a knack for setting trends? Got

a way with wearable art? The words “designer” and “fashion stylist” come to mind.

4. Do your friends ever call you OCD? Do you get a little antsy when clutter builds? Do you have special systems for saving space and time? Save the world from hoarding, and become a professional organizer.

5. In a word: Etsy.

Like I said, anything goes! If you are great at something AND love it, then PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE! Build your business, build your visibility, and build your $avings with your $pecial $omething! Best of luck, my pampered friends!

The Pampered Pinay Reader, Cheryl Daen, posted:

“As it’s said, when we do what we love, it never seems like “work” and the money will follow! (…or it is supposed to?) ”

The Pampered Pinay responded:

“I completely agree that we shine most brightly and are most successful when we do what we love, Cheryl!

One of my favorite quotes from Goethe says, ‘At the moment of commitment, the universe conspires to assist you.’ I’ve always found this to be true. When I invest my energy into endeavors that embrace my passions, somehow the respective projects prove to be fruitful in many ways. My pampered friends, check out Cheryl’s award-winning cosmetics line, Miss Cherie & Co.!” Always stay true, and enjoy being you, my pampered friends. You have so much to offer the world with your individuality and unique talents.

2024 Presidensyal na Primaryang Eleksyon

Boboto para sa presidente? Ang inyong rehistrasyon para sa pampulitikang partido ang tutukoy kung sinong mga presidensyal na kandidato ang makikita sa inyong balota. Matuto nang higit pa sa sdvote.com.

Bukas Araw-Araw ang mga Vote Center mula Ika-24 ng Pebrero – Ika-5 ng Marso.

Kumpletuhin ang inyong balota sa ginhawa ng inyong tahanan. Pirmahan, at petsahan ang inyong sobreng pagbabalikan, i-seal ang inyong nakumpletong balota sa loob, at ibalik ito sa pamamagitan ng U.S. Postal Service - hindi kinakailangan ng selyo!

Ibalik ang inyong balota sa alinmang opisyal na mga ballot drop box ng Tagapagrehistro sa buong county na magsisimula sa Martes, Ika-6 ng Pebrero hanggang sa Araw ng Eleksyon, Martes, Ika-5 ng Marso. Iwasan ang mahahabang pila sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng benepisyo sa maagang pagboto! Simula Sabado, Ika-24 ng Pebrero, magbubukas araw-araw ang mga vote center mula ika-8 ng umaga hanggang ika-5 ng hapon hanggang Lunes, Ika-4 ng Marso.

Sa Araw ng Eleksyon, Martes, Ika-5 ng Marso, ang mga oras ng botohan ay mag-iiba mula ika-7 ng umaga hanggang ika-8 ng gabi.

Humanap ng ballot drop box o vote center na malapit sa inyo sa sdvote.com