The Filipino Press: June 3-9, 2022

Rancho Del Rey Middle Robotics Team Wins WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

Eh Er MoSo

By ronald Mont

CHULA VISTA, CA -- During the 2021-2022 school year, more than 20,500 robotics teams from 49 states and 47 countries competed in VEX Robotics local, state, and regional leagues and tournaments worldwide.

In fact, under the dynamic leadership of Coach Joe Amaro, VEX Robotics League Coordinator, students in our own Sweetwater Union High School District excitedly competed in our district sponsored leagues as well as in regional and State tournaments.

How thrilled we were when Coach Kirk Braito and his incredible Rancho Del Rey Middle School

VEX Robotics Team 6446C Royal Robotics successfully competed at both the state and regional championships. The team was formed a year ago from two different elementary schools, Hedenkamp Elementary School and Heritage Elementary School. Robots were designed and built by students using STEM principles. Teachers and coaches served only as mentors. They qualified to be among the 508 middle school teams worldwide to compete at the 2022 REC Foundation’s VEX Robotics Competition World Championships in Dallas, Texas on May 3-5, 2022.

Upon their arrival at the event, Team 6446C was assigned to the

Opportunity Division, one of seven divisions. Many games were decided in the final seconds of the matches. In the Divisional playoffs to determine if a team advances to the VEX Robotics World Champions, and during the 16-Team Elimination Bracket Selection, the 11th ranked

Royal Robotics selected unknown 55th ranked Robohawks – Century as an Alliance Partner. Team Royal Robotics/Robohawks-Century won by 1 point in match one of the divisional playoffs. They won the next match in the best 2 out of 3 finals. They won first place in

their division! From there, they qualified to compete with the firstplace winners of the other six divisions and advanced at World Championships Tournament at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center “Dome.” It was a nail biter world championship final event.

Team Royal Robotics/RobohawksCentury lost the first game and came from behind to tie the second game. They won the final game by 10 points by double parking two robots on a see-saw ramp in the last 5 seconds of the match.

After two days of intense

competition, Team 6446C Royal Robotics successfully outmaneuvered and out strategized the top robot teams in all the other 6 divisions and earned the title of the “2022 VEX Robotics Competition Middle School World Champions” on Thursday afternoon!

You can view the VEX Robotics Competition on VEX TV https://www.vexworlds.tv/#/vie wer/?broadcast=pfrg9oxuyodlpi2no pib

What is VEX Robotics?

Even better. What is the VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) Middle School World Championship? This was the dream of all VEX Robotics Team competitors; to be a part of WORLDS!!! The Royal Robotics 6446C Team did not even think that they were going to compete in the VEX Robotics Middle School State Championship. But, through the Skills competition at the Robotics State Championship, the Robotic 6446C Team was invited to Worlds in mid-March 2022. The Team was notified during the week prior to their Spring Break which left very little time to plan and coordinate approvals from the school’s district. This was one of many major road bumps to their journey to Worlds competition, like the baseball team from the movie “The Bad News Bears”.

The Royal Robotics 6446C Team, one of three teams, from

SAN DIEGO, CA -- All 11 law enforcement agencies in the San Diego County region now will refer mental health crisis calls that come into 911 to a County-sponsored Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT). Chair Nathan Fletcher of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, flanked by members of local law enforcement, county behavioral health experts and MCRT clinicians, made the announcement at the County Administration Center recently. In March, law enforcement agencies signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the County, and since then the agencies have been phasing in the process of referring calls to MCRT.

As of Monday, May 9, all of the agencies are referring calls.

The participating law enforcement agencies are: San Diego Unified Port District (Harbor PD), La Mesa, San Diego, Carlsbad, El Cajon, Oceanside, Escondido, Chula Vista, National City, Coronado, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

“Mobile Crisis Response Teams are working, and through this new collaboration with the 11 law enforcement agencies in San Diego County, their dispatch teams are now on the frontlines to make sure MCRT reaches people in need,” said Chair Fletcher. “MCRT is operating around the clock and it is a better way to provide the right services, at the right time. MCRT has responded to more than 1,200 referrals and with trained behavioral health experts being the first person a patient encounters, it changes their entry point into the healthcare system, and changes their trajectory moving forward.”

The County continues to encourage people to first call its access and crisis line at 888-724-7240 to have a Mobile Crisis Response Team sent, but now because of the MOA, if someone calls 911, a team can also be dispatched from there too (Attached is a copy of the MOA).

During the announcement many of the participating law enforcement agencies were present, including the Chula Vista Police Department and their Chief of Police Roxana Kennedy. Her department was an early adopter of dispatching MCRT through their 911 and she said: “We are thankful for this partnership and we are

committed to its success.”

A 911 dispatcher from the Chula Vista Police Department also gave testimony about her experiences diverting mental health crisis calls to the County’s MCRT experts.

Christian Hodges, a Clinical Director with County MCRT contractor Telecare who is a member of the teams that connect with individuals when called to the scene said: “When someone is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, our teams of clinicians, case managers and peer staff that are trained to respond to a behavioral health crisis meet the person in the community where they live. We know how to deescalate the situation, connect with them on a personal level, and provide them with the care, and services they need to improve their circumstances.”

MCRT is Delivering Results

There are 16 Mobile Crisis Response Teams working different shifts daily all across San Diego County and it is now a 24/7 initiative as of April of this year.

Since January of 2021, Mobile Crisis Response Teams have responded to 1,277. One-thousand and ninety-nine were from the Access and Crisis Line and 178 were from Law Enforcement.

● Approximately 47% of calls responded to resulted in the individual being able to be stabilized and remain in the community;

● About 22% of calls responded

By Sunita Sohra Bji/EMS

A coalition of domestic violence (DV) organizations in California are advocating to continue $15 million for domestic violence prevention, a grant that was left out of the proposed budget introduced by Governor Gavin Newsom May 13.

The state Legislature, which is expected to announce its final budget on June 15, may continue the $15 million grant, which was allocated in last year’s budget. But the fate of several DV prevention programs hang in the balance: many organizations fear having to cut back on critical programming and reducing staff.

The $15 million grant supported 100 DV prevention organizations and programs last year, with a onetime grant of $150,000. The grants were administered by the California Office of Emergency Services.

The 2020 budget also had a $10 million grant, and the 2019 budget allotted $5 million for domestic violence prevention programs. But the budget proposed by Newsom includes no funding for DV prevention, despite a projected $97 billion surplus.

Domestic violence prevention “takes time”

Melodie Kruspodin, Prevention Specialist at the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, said the instability of funding from year to year poses a challenge in creating stable prevention programming.

“Prevention takes time. When

we’re looking at doing violence prevention strategies in the community, we’re really trying to look at knowledge, attitudes, and behavior shifts. And those sorts of shifts not only take time in order to be implemented, but it also takes time for us to be able to measure the effectiveness of those strategies,” she said.

“One year is just not enough time for us to see the sort of effectiveness that we know prevention can have in communities,” said Kruspodin.

Examples of successful prevention programs the state has funded include violence prevention curriculum at schools, and partnerships with local community leaders to be advocates for domestic violence prevention programs, said Kruspodin.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, the Partnership developed the

Minecraft club, a space for people to come together online. “It created a space for relationship conversations: how to navigate healthy conflict, how to handle stress, and everything that was happening in their homes and in their relationships,” said Kruspodin.

The coalition had requested $40.5 million to be included in this year’s budget. This included a $15 million investment in ongoing funding, specifically for domestic and sexual violence prevention grants to be administered by the Office of Emergency Services. Domestic violence has spiked dramatically amid the Covid-19 pandemic, even as resources largely shut down for people experiencing abuse. Pre-pandemic, one out of three women in the U.S. said

Royal Robotics’ Road to the 2022 VEX Robotics Competition Middle School World Championship

Pan de Sal

By Francine Maigue

Regardless of what appears on our holiday dinner table, one item has a permanent place…pan de sal. There’s nothing like a steamy pan de sal fresh out of the oven to go with…well, just about anything. I even plan on giving batches as gifts this year.

This week, I’m sharing my recipe for pan de sal that’s great during the holidays or, according to my nieces and nephew, ANY time!

#kayanatinto

INGREDIENTS

• 21 grams (3, 7g packets)

Instant Yeast

• ½ Cup Water, Warm (Not hot)

• ½ Cup Milk, Warm (Not hot)

• 8 Tbs. White Granulated Sugar

• 600 grams Bread Flour

• 1 tsp. salt

• 2 Eggs

• 6 Tbs. Unsalted Butter

• 1 tsp. Canola or Vegetable Oil

• 1 Cup Breadcrumbs

• 3 Tbs. Butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine water, milk and sugar. Add yeast, then mix and allow to bloom for 15 minutes.

2. In a large mixing bowl (use your stand mixer bowl) sift together bread flour and salt.

3. Stir bloomed mixture. Mix in eggs, then add entire mixture to flour.

4. Using dough hook attachment, combine in stand mixer on low-medium speed. Increase speed as mixture becomes more and more dough-like Add butter 1 Tbs. at a time while mixing. Knead in mixer until fully incorporated

and dough is smooth.

5. Remove dough and oil bowl. Return dough to oiled bowl and cover with a damp towel. Allow to rise and double in size (~1 hour).

6. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

7. Using a food processor, grind cold bread to make breadcrumbs. Place in a bowl.

8. Heat oven to 350 F.

9. Punch risen dough and divide into equal parts. (I like using a calculator and kitchen scale to be sure.) Roll each piece into a ball. Place on lined baking sheets. Cover with a damp towel and allow balls to rise.

10. Optional – This is the point where you can stuff you pan de sal. Mama likes ‘em with cheese.

11. Brush balls with melted butter and lightly dunk into breadcrumbs.

12. Bake until light golden brown.

13. Serve with love and enjoy!

Moira, Jason end marriage

MANILA -- Hitmaker Moira dela Torre and her husband and music collaborator Jason Hernandez, who inspired several of her romantic songs that followed her “hugot” and heartbreak hits, have separated, the former couple announced.

In a joint statement posted by Hernandez on his social media accounts, the couple said: “It is with a heavy heart that after 3 years of marriage, we announce that we are parting ways. Our love and respect for each other remains. We request for privacy during this difficult time.”

Dela Torre shared Hernandez’s post through Instagram Stories, without adding a personal statement.

In his own post, Hernandez referred to the announcement of the separation as “the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write.”

“But since you guys have been with us from the start, it is only right that you hear this straight from me,” he said.

Hernandez, who married dela Torre in January 2019, recalled that he exchanged vows with “my best friend with the intent of spending the rest of my life with her.” Hernandez was direct with the reason for their marriage ending: his infidelity.

“Though my love for her has always been genuine, a few months ago, I confessed to Moira that I have been unfaithful to her during our marriage. I believe that she deserved to know the truth rather than continue down a ‘peaceful’ but dishonest path. I take full responsibility and I’m doing my best to be better,” he said.. (MNS)

BRINGING ACCESS TO CARE FOR ALL WOMEN

DURING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Women's & Mental Health Awareness Month Is Key Press Conference Overview

CHULA VISTA, CA -- Serving as

a backbone in our communities, it’s important that the women in our lives are taking care of their health and mental well-being. In recognition of the month of May where we celebrate Women’s Health and Mental Health Month, San Ysidro Health partnered with Northgate Gonzalez Market and the County of San Diego, Health & Human Services Agency, Office of Equitable Communities in fostering awareness vital physical screenings such as mammograms as well as Behavioral Health resources and support services for women. Often times, women will neglect their care and miss routine doctor appointments to take care of family and loved ones resulting in catching a preventable illness far too late.

On Monday, May 23, 2022, a press conference from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00

a.m was held at the Northgate Gonzales Supermarket, located at 1058 3rd Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91911 with screenings from 8:00 am – 2:00pm. Attendees to the important occasion was attended by management of Northgate Gonzalez Market, San Ysidro Health, County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Department. The rosters of speakers include: Ana Melgoza, San Ysidro Health, Vice President of External Affairs, MC Teresa Blanco, representative of Northgate Gonzalez Supermarket, Hon. Nora Vargas, San Diego County Board of Supervisor ,Vice Chair, D1, Hon. Andrea Cardenas, CV Councilmember, San Ysidro Health Patient Testimonial, Dr. Gaurav Mishra, San Ysidro Health Chief Behavioral Health Officer, Barbara Jiménez, County of San Diego Community Operation Officer. In the past year, 1 in 5 women

experienced a mental health condition such as depression and anxiety –which affects more women than men.

Together with the limited knowledge of resources can lead to more stress and chronic illness for women and their families. Many times, women today are part of the “sandwich” generation taking care of their children while simultaneously the caregiver for an elderly parent or disabled partner. Most concerning, is many women are not aware of community programs to help them take care of their loved ones. Not only is this event about promoting the importance of health screenings such as breast cancer screenings and early detection, but it’s also about informing community members of the resources that are available to them to live and maintain a healthy life both physically and mentally now more than ever.

MEMORIAL DAY Commemoration of Medal of Honor Recipient U.S. Navy 2nd Class Fireman Telesforo Trinidad at the New Americans Museum at Liberty Station was held on Monday May 30, 2022. Attended by family members, friends of late Telesforo Trinidad and Fil-Am Community leaders and well wishers (by Zenply)

ASIAN AMERICAN and PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE Celebration in Southbay was made possible with collaboration of The Filipino Press, Joel Tubao and family of Market on 8th, Union Bank and various business/ community leaders who were treated with sumptuous dinner from Cafe Indonesia, pizzas, lumpias and more. Bottom photo shows winners of $50 gift cards from Noel of Gerry's Grill and Jinkee's products donated by Jean Pioso. Certificate of Recognition was given to FP by Jordan Marks, Assessor Tax payer Advocate . (Zenply)

ON SOCIAL MEDIA WORLDWIDE USAGE AND WHY FOREIGN VLOGGERS LOVE TO FEATURE THE PHILIPPINES

SAN DIEGO, CA – Warm greetings to you all!

How many people use social media? Social media usage is one of the most popular online activities.

In 2020, over 3.6 billion folk were using social media worldwide, a number projected to increase to almost 4.41 billion in 2025.

In fact, over the last two decades, social media has evolved from a way to communicate with friends to the ultimate channel for information and, increasingly, online shopping through community commerce.

Whether it’s for business, news, marketing or just fun, current statistics show 4.2 billion people across the globe (that’s half the world) use social media, according to Digital 2021: Global Overview Report. Although it’s more accessible than ever before, some countries and regions access some platforms more than others.

When reviewing any online behavior, we can’t ignore the disrupter over the past two years: COVID-19. Due to the pandemic, consumer habits changed with people flocking to social media to connect, find information, be entertained, and shop. In addition, some sectors experience huge falls in traffic and revenue while others saw massive increases.

The top social media platforms used globally include: YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tik Tok and WhatsApp.

Have you ever been curious as to which country is the social media kingpin?

Well, in Manila alone, social media is huge, if I must say it…so it’s no surprise that our beloved old homeland – the Philippines – has the highest social media usage rate in the world.

As-a-matter-of-fact, in 2021, their internet use is 60% higher than average, at 11 hours a day! That’s staggering online time, dear folks. And it’s been that way for the past few years.

On social media, our “kababayans” (fellow countrymen) spend an average of 4 hours and 15 minutes every day – making them first worldwide, followed by the South American state of Colombia. The most used platform in the Philippines is YouTube closely followed by Facebook and Facebook Messenger.

As a whole, Asia loves to consume social media and many nations rank higher than the average worldwide time of 2 hours and 25 minutes. The highest times spent on social channels for Asian countries listed on the report are: Indonesia –3 hours and 14 minutes, ranked 9th; Malaysia – 3 hours and 1 minute,

they had been victims of domestic violence.

Eric Morrison-Smith, executive director for the Oakland, Californiabased Alliance for Boys and Men of Color, told Ethnic Media Services that prevention is a major step towards permanently disrupting the cycle of violence in communities.

“We realize that violence experienced at home is reproduced on the streets. Racial and gender injustice lead to conditions that keep people trapped,” he said. The narrative must shift from punitive measures against men committing assault against their partners to addressing the root causes of violence. “Men and boys must get the healing support they need to break the cycle,” said Morrison-Smith. “Prevention works.”

One of the Alliance’s newest programs is Healing Together, which engages men and people of all genders in healing, gender justice, and racial equity, with the aim of

listed 13th and Thailand – 2 hours and 48 minutes, rated 16th.

Interestingly, the continent also has users on the other end of the spectrum, with Japan coming last in social media usage at 51 minutes a day and South Korea at just little over an hour.

South America also scores very high in the rankings. Colombia is second in terms of social media usage at 3 hours and 45 minutes with Brazil just 3 minutes behind in third. For Colombia, that’s an 11% increase year on year or 4 million extra users and a 7% annual increase of 10 million new users in Brazil.

In Colombia, most social media users are between 18-34 years of age active on YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp with 99% watching online videos. Brazil’s most active market is between18-44 and with a preference for the same three platforms as Colombians.

In the top 10 countries that use social media with the lion’s share, the platforms that prove the most popular differ. Interestingly, YouTube and WhatsApp get more traffic than the biggest network audience-wise, Facebook in these nations showing just how favored video and messaging is in 2021.

By the way, the Philippines has also by far the biggest percentage of internet users that watch vlogs each week, at 60.4 % of internet users aged 16 to 64, compared that to a 26.7% global average, and a strong influencer culture, with more than half (51.4%) of users following influencers on social media, more than double the global average.

But for those unfamiliar with itwhat is a vlog?

Vlog stands for a video blog or video log, and refers to a type of blog where most or all of the content is in a video format.

Vlog posts consist of creating a video of yourself where you talk on a particular subject such as reporting or reviewing a product or an event. It can even serve as a way to share your artistic process or provide a tutorial guide on an innovative practice or topic. Some vloggers even use it as a means to share new performance art or music they have created.

In actual fact just like blogs you can vlog about almost anything!

The term vlog is also used by video streamers or YouTuber’s who don’t use a blog but post scheduled updates via other means like YouTube and other video websites; their profile often promotes them as vloggers. You can also do live broadcasts from social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram.

Once you create your video (and

ending intimate partner violence. Morrison-Smith said he does not know how the organization will fill in for a possible budget shortfall. “We will continue to fight for what we need,” he said.

Importance of culture in domestic violence prevention

Genevieve Flores-Haro, associate director for the Mixteco/ Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) also fears that a cut in funding will likely lead to a reduction in prevention services. MICOP goes out into the fields to deliver its support and prevention programs in Spanish as well as indigenous languages including Mixteco, Zapateco, and Purepecha. “80 percent of our staff come from the fields,” she said. “We need the state to realize the importance of culture in the prevention of domestic violence.”

“There are not a lot of groups talking to our women about domestic violence. We work with promotoras—community health workers—who look like us,” said Flores-Haro. Women, who have been in the fields since 5 a.m., come

edit it to make it look and sound great), you can upload it online or embed the video within a post on your blog or website so your all followers see your latest update.

It’s no wonder then, that ArabIsraeli vlogger Nas Daly – who is most notable for creating over a thousand one-minute-long videos on Facebook - pause his academy in the Philippines after his dealings with revered tattoo artist Whang-Od riled netizens and stirred conversations on how foreign content creators like him feature Filipinos.

Was it clicked baiting?

Nas Daily (Nuseir Yassin in real life) said no. The noted vlogger emphasized he only meant to show the “bright side of the Philippines” and that he would continue to do it once he sorts out what happened with Whang-Od with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts.

YouTube is flooded with nonFilipino content creators who rack up tens of thousands of views documenting their lives in the

to the organization’s services after work; they are provided a meal and childcare while they engage in programs.

The organization works in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. It offers two programs for prevention of domestic violence: Living With Love, and the leadership program, Voice of the Indigenous Woman.

Krista Colón, Public Policy Director at CPEDV, expressed hope that the California state Legislature will include funding for domestic violence prevention programs in its budget. Despite ongoing discussions with the governor’s office—prior to Newsom’s announcement of his revised budget—Colon said no reason was given as to why the $15 million allocated in the previous year was not included in this year’s budget.

Colon urged people to call their state legislators to express support for continuing funding, as well as the larger request. Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, a Democrat who represents portions of Berkeley and Emeryville, has been especially

Jesse T. Reyes

Filipino Potpourri

the Philippines in their plotline,” he said in a tweet in January 2020.

“It’s meant for those who blatantly just sit down, force themselves to be amazed by everything Filipino related just to rack up stats,” he reiterated in another comment on YouTube.

It’s no wonder that some foreign content creators are fond of creating videos about our old homeland, truly the world’s social media capital.

As I have stated earlier above, Filipinos spend an average of four hours and 15 minutes each day on various social media platforms, more than any other nation in the world. The most used platform in the Philippines is YouTube closely followed by Facebook and Facebook Messenger. That’s according to a report by the sociallyled creative agency “We Are Social” and the global leader in social media management “Hootsuite” released earlier last year showed.

For the $64,000 Question – Why do Filipinos fall for the bait?

For Buendia, it’s because “our thirst for global validation is real.”

“We love international attention and approval. It’s a sad national issue and too bad others are exploiting it,” he added.

said. “It really leaves a bad taste” when creators become so obsessed with making Filipino content, he admitted.

“Lalo na sa iba na parang ‘Ano ba yan, lahat na lang ng content niya about sa atin.’ ‘Bakit ang obsessed niyo,’ may mga ganung critique,” he observed.

But netizens shouldn’t generalize, either. Cabbuag remarked there are also foreign content creators who genuinely love the Filipino culture and want to highlight it in their videos.

“Bakit mo naman pipigilan kung yun talaga yung naging passion project niya?” he postulated.

In his defense, Nas Daily claimed that he was not baiting Filipinos into watching his videos.

“There is no click baiting here. There is no ‘put Philippines’ in the title crap. This is us, on the ground doing the work to show you the bright side of the Philippines,” he stated in a six-minute Facebook video.

country, from cookie-cutter trips to Boracay which is world-renowned for its resorts and beaches and referred to as the capital city’s Chinatown of Binondo to househunting.

“You make content para ma-view ng mga Pilipino,” University of the Philippines sociology professor Samuel Cabbuag told a reporter. “And usually ang gumagawa noon ay mga non-Filipino para i-view sila ng Filipinos.”

It’s “Pinoy”-baiting, a term coined last year to refer to such content, which Filipinos binged on at the onset of the coronavirus lockdown.

And how does Pinoy-baiting actually work?

Filipino vlogger and podcaster M.A. Buendia was among the first to use the term Pinoy-baiting to refer to the “marketing strategy” of content creators to attract Filipino audiences into engaging with their content.

“Foreign YouTubers exaggerate reaction videos to our singers (and to) TV shows and films involving

supportive of the $40.5 million request, she noted.

The request will go through the Budget subcommittee on Public Safety chaired by Assemblywoman Christina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens; and the Senate subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation, chaired by Senator Maria Lena Durazo, a Democrat who represents portions of Los Angeles.

For Cabbuag, the sociologist, the so-called need of Filipinos for global validation boils down to the country’s colonial history. According to him, Filipinos have been neglected for many decades that some yearned for a sort of recognition from other cultures.

“It’s more of na re-recognize tayo, na meron pala tayong something na recognizable. Gusto natin magkaroon ng mas pantay na pagtingin sa mga kultura,” he gave voice to.

“It’s more of equality in terms of sa pagtingin na tayo ay isang grupo o isang bansa na may sariling language, na may sariling kultura, may sariling set of values. I think doon nanggagaling yung sinasabi nilang need to be validated,” he noted.

Although some netizens appreciate that the Filipino culture is being recognized, it doesn’t necessarily mean that Pinoybaiting is acceptable, Cabbuag

As the line between celebrating and commodifying Filipino culture is sometimes blurred, vloggers have the “ethical and moral obligation” to carefully conceptualize their content to ensure that no person or culture is being trampled on, Cabbuag said.

“Kailangan talaga nila isipin kung sino yung intended audience nila, sino yung nakikinabang aside sa kanila kasi alam natin na makikinabang sila. How do you make content na you’re not really baiting some people, but you are celebrating their culture,” he added.

Filipinos should also be more active in consuming content as well, Cabbuag commented. In a space like the internet where engaging posts and videos are everywhere, it always pays to be critical, he concluded.

“At first, it may be a celebration of culture, but it may not be the case all the time,” the sociologist supposed.

“If you really think that - that specific content is baiting and it’s already exploitative, then it’s really good to call them out. Engagekailangan talaga maging critical tayong viewers.”

What say you, “Kababayan”?

Professional Business Directory

where no Royal Robotics has gone before… VICTORIOUSLY WIN WORLDS!!!

Rancho Del Rey Middle School (RDRMS) in Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) at Chula Vista, CA had miraculously won the VRC Middle School World Championship on May 5, 2022. Middle School Worlds was held in Dallas, TX with 508 teams from over 47 countries competing as well playing over 1500 qualifications among 7 Divisions to be coveted the VRC Middle School World Champ. Coach Kirk Braito had mentored and guided the Royal Robotics 6446C team members to include Neil Ambalkar, Jolee May Esmele, Andrew Espinola, Ethan Ileto, Maile Lee, Lilianne Montehermoso, Enoch Shin. These magnificent students had proudly represented their school, district, city, state, country to victoriously be crowned Worlds Champions. It is very fitting to be from a school named Rancho Del Rey where Rey means king.

Let’s meet the team and the role each student executed: Manager - Jolee; Co-Manager/Scout/ Web Designer - Lilianne; Lead Engineer/Driver - Andrew; CoEngineer/Communicator/Navigator – Maile, Enoch; Lead Programmer – Neil; Co-Programmer – Ethan. Unfortunately, five students were unable to attend Worlds due to family scheduled conflicts or financial reasons. This had left the seven to take on the journey and boldly go

Although these band of students had only won 64% of their 2022 matches prior to going to Worlds and won ONLY two awards, Design and Tournament finalist, during their regular season, the kids did not expect themselves to be competing in the 2022 VRC Middle School Worlds Championship. RDRMS may have been crowned Worlds Champions, but their journey to Worlds was a challenge from the beginning. Their first hurdle, they needed to overcome the logistics of coordinating this journey which was too great for Coach Kirk Braito, aka Captain Kirk, of the Royal Robotics to take on alone. Captain Kirk was not able to move forward at “WARP” speed due to his Teacher Union’s contract with SUHSD was still pending at the time and teaching responsibilities, therefore he could not participate in the planning and coordination at the beginning. He had to be cautious to not break any Union policy or regulations. Therefore, he informed the parents that the logistical task was left to them to execute until his contract was settled. Thank God the parents had stepped up and led the charge, otherwise Worlds would not have come to fruition for the RDRMS Robotics Team.

Like their children, the parents were magnificent as well by “stepping up” to the challenge. Coach Braito was at awe while he observed the parents communicate

via zoom and coordinate the logistical requirements such as preparing the approval documents to the school district, booking airfare reservations, hotel reservations, car rental, and the transportation of the Team’s robot aka “Cookie Monster”. All these tasks were planned and coordinated for all seven families within a little more than a month time frame. Normally, this task was on the shoulders of the Coach. Keep in mind that the Team and parents knew nothing about Worlds and were notified about the invitation to Worlds just the week prior to their Spring Break.

The second challenge RDRMS had to confront was the “all mighty dollar”. The Royal Robotics Team like most school programs WorldWide were not always well funded. This is true since the students’ families had to pay out of pocket for majority of the expenses. In addition, there was very little time to fundraise since the competition was in the first week of May 2022. The parents knew Worlds was one of those one in million experiences that may not happen again. And therefore, all the parents decided to fund the trip regardless of if the SUHSD would approve any funding. The rest is history.

The biggest and final challenge for the Royal Robotics Team was to compete. The kids and Captain Kirk were all hoping to at least win two matches. But the students’ goal was to win three matches because Mr. Braito promised to NOT dismantle the robot and use the parts for next

year’s competition if the Team was victorious in successfully winning three matches.

SHOCK and AWE!!! The kids from Royal Robotics did it. The students themselves, Captain Kirk, and all the parents were at awe and shocked that the Team had won. Lilianne said the “experience is surreal”. Maile was “totally surprised and shocked!” From the VEX videos, Andrew’s and Enoch’s facial expressions were totally perplexed and bewildered that Royals had won!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Major Kudos to Rancho Del Rey Middle School Royal Robotics 6446C Team for being the VEX Robotics VRC Middle School World Champions!!! No one can deny that the Royals are champions in their division AND are VEX Robotics Middle School World Champions!!! With over 47 countries present at this competition and many middle schools throughout the United States battling to be KING of the Robots, this is such a huge accomplishment and exciting competition!!! The Royals are truly Champions!!!

Lastly, Great job to their coach, Mr Braito, teachers, RDRMS, and SUHSD, and with the full and loving support of the parents coordinating a major part of the logistics and financing of this trip in a short timeframe on behalf of their child, this VEX Robotics Worlds Competition trip may not have come to fruition. Many thanks to all involved!

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

Marcos inauguration set at National Museum

MANILA -- The camp of president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has picked the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila as the venue for his inauguration as the country’s 17th chief executive on June 30.

The National Museum, after being inspected by Marcos’ inaugural committee, was found to be the “suitable” site for Marcos’ oath-taking, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) secretarydesignate Zenaida "Naida" Angping said.

Angping said preparations are underway to ensure Marcos’ smooth inauguration.

"The National Museum of (the) Philippines building and its surrounding areas match our requirements for President-elect Marcos' inauguration. Preparations are already in full swing to ensure that it will be ready by then," she said in a press statement.

The National Museum, formerly known as the Old Legislative Building, has served as the venue for the inauguration of former presidents Manuel L. Quezon (1935), Jose P. Laurel (1943), and Manuel Roxas (1946).

It is one of three historical sites earlier being considered by the Marcos camp as possible inaugural venues.

The other two were the Quirino Grandstand and Fort Santiago.

The Quirino Grandstand was where Marcos’ father and namesake, the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., held his inauguration as the country's 10th president in 1965.

Angping said the Quirino Grandstand was not chosen as the venue for Marcos’ inauguration because the ocular inspection team had noticed that it was surrounded by several field hospitals accommodating individuals infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

"The safety and welfare of our people are paramount. As such, we chose to avoid disrupting the medical care being given to the Covid-19 patients housed there. That's why we opted for the National Museum as the venue," she added.

On May 25, Marcos was proclaimed by Congress as the country’s new president after winning the 2022 national elections by a landslide 31,629,783 votes, or more than 16 million votes ahead of the closest contender, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.

Marcos urges SC to junk petition canceling COC

The camp of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is urging the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition seeking to cancel his certificate of candidacy (COC) for lack of jurisdiction and complete lack of merit.

In a 45-page comment, Marcos, through his counsel Estelito Mendoza, said only the Presidential Electoral Tribunal may inquire into his eligibility.

Marcos also said the high court has no jurisdiction to issue a temporary restraining order to restrain Congress from canvassing his votes.

According to Marcos, the petition “defiles the sovereign will” of the people.

“To allow the defeated and rejected candidate to take over

is to disenfranchise the citizens representing 58.77% of the votes cast, without fault on their part,” Marcos said in the comment.

Marcos, proclaimed president on May 25, got 31,629,783 votes based on the official tally of the presidential race.

“[I]t is respectfully prayed of the Honorable Court to protect the free choice of the Sovereign Filipino People that their president is respondent Ferdinand ‘Bongbong R. Marcos Jr.,” the comment read.

The petition sought to cancel Marcos' COC and urged the SC to issue a TRO enjoining and restraining the Senate and House of Representatives from canvassing the votes cast for Marcos and proclaiming him as president.

In the comment, Marcos argued that he did not commit any material misrepresentation in his COC as the penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification was never imposed against him.

“At the very core of the argument of petitioners is the mistaken assumption that the perpetual disqualification under Section 286 (c) of the 1977 NIRC, as amended, is automatically imposed upon the mere fact of conviction,” the comment read.

The son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., Marcos also denied that he attempted to mislead, misinform, and deceive the electorate when he filed his COC.

Martial law survivors have also filed a petition urging the SC to declare that Marcos is perpetually disqualified from public office and cannot run even for the lowest elective position.

The petitioners argue that Marcos’ continued non-filing of his tax returns is “tantamount to a continuing violation” of Section 45 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

Incoming press secretary maintains Marcos will not designate a spokesperson

Incoming Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) chief Trixie CruzAngeles on Thursday maintained that President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will not designate a spokesperson.

Angeles said they have not received information that Marcos changed his previous statement.

“Maliwanag po yung statement ni President-elect that he will not designate a spokesperson,” she said.

“As far as I know hindi pa po nagbabago yung polisiya na yun. Wala pa po kaming information kung nagbago yun so we are operating on that principle for now,” she added.

It was earlier reported, citing Angeles, that former Public Works and Highways undersecretary Karen Jimeno and newspaper columnist Rigoberto Tiglao are being considered to be the next presidential spokesperson.

But Angeles, during Thursday's interview, said she was misquoted and clarified that she meant Jimeno and Tiglao were the names they are hearing from the “outside” who will supposedly take the presidential spokesperson position in the next administration.

Mainstream media

Meanwhile, Angeles said Marcos, son of the late dictator

Ferdinand Marcos Sr., will maintain his relationship with the mainstream media despite their criticism against him.

"Wala naman pong nagbago [nothing has changed]. It will be the same as always," she said.

"Like what I said pagdating din doon sa [when it comes to] accreditation policies, we'll just be first operating with what is there and then we will review as we go along," Angeles added.

Angeles maintained that Marcos "has had a pretty good relationship with the mainstream media."

"So we don't see any differences right now," she said. (MNS)

Marcos family to show their side of story, says Imee

The Marcos family won't revise history following the victory of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. but will share their side of the story, his sister Sen. Imee Marcos said Wednesday.

The senator, eldest among the children of dictator Marcos Sr and former first lady Imelda Marcos, earlier thanked the public for giving their family a "second chance."

"I don’t think that's our effort at all, we will not revise anything, all we we will do is to also make known, make public what we know our side of the story which we have perhaps been remiss in not telling simply because we were scared of the traditional media, of all the abuse, diatribe, the insult," she said.

"So di na, naging tameme na. We'll just tell our side of the story the best we can."

Marcos said her viral "Len-Len" series on social media was "my way of answering issues."

"I just couldn't let it go. I would need to answer issues because a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth and that’s a dangerous proceeding," she said.

Marcos said she would "continue to work with the new administration to make sure the poorest of the poor to get their fair share."

"I'm very very committed in mitigating, even ending poverty, it’s ambitious in these times but I'm one of those people who believe extreme hunger and poverty can be ended in our lifetime," she said.

"I'm not giving up and I have 31 million votes behind the Marcos family that seem to believe the same thing."

Marcos Jr, known by his nickname "Bongbong," won in a landslide, following relentless whitewashing of the family's past and leveraging of powerful alliances with rival families that control swathes of the poverty-plagued Philippines.

Marcos Jr's links to his father, especially the bloody repression of the martial law years, have made him one of the nation's most polarizing politicians.

But he has benefited from a deluge of fake and misleading posts on social media platforms targeting a largely young electorate with no memory of the corruption, killings and other abuses committed during the elder Marcos's 20-year rule.

Marcos Jr has denied using social media trolls.

Marcos Jr has also distanced himself from charges of pillaging state coffers and economic mismanagement during his father's regime that later impoverished the nation. (MNS)

Palace respects CA move to bypass 5 PRRD appointees

MANILA -- Malacañang said Thursday it respects the move of the Commission on Appointments (CA) to bypass the ad interim appointments of five officials picked by outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.

Acting Presidential spokesperson, Communication Secretary Martin Andanar, said the Palace would abide by the CA’s decision concerning Duterte’s appointees to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and the Commission on Audit (COA).

“We recognize the power vested by the Constitution in the Commission on Appointments and further respect its authority to confirm appointments made by the President,” Andanar said in a press statement.

CSC chairperson Karlo Nograles, COA chairperson Rizalino Justol, and Comelec chairperson Saidamen Pangarungan and Commissioners George Erwin Garcia and Aimee Torrefranca-Neri failed to secure the CA’s approval on Wednesday due to lack of quorum.

A quorum is the minimum required number of lawmakers who must be in attendance for the confirmation hearing to proceed.

Before Wednesday’s hearing, the CA had to delay twice the scheduled confirmation hearing for the five ad interim appointees.

The CA’s appointment hearing was initially scheduled on May 25 but was moved to May 30 to pave way for the congressional canvassing of votes cast on the May 9 national elections.

On Monday, the CA was supposed to deliberate on the five Duterte appointees’ application for top government posts, but Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri suggested the deferment of their confirmation to give the incoming Marcos administration a hand in appointing officials.

Zubiri also bared that there have been requests from incoming Cabinet members to give presidentelect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. the opportunity to choose his appointees for the affected constitutional bodies.

Justol was appointed by Duterte in February, while Nograles, Pangarungan, Garcia, and Torrefranca-Neri were appointed in March.

The non-confirmation of the five top officials’ ad interim appointments will allow Marcos to appoint his preferred officials to the constitutional commissions.

Customs fetches P68B from May 2022 revenue collections

The Bureau of Customs collected over P68 billion in May, bringing the total revenues for the country's coffers to P322.472 billion in 2022, so far.

In a statement released on Thursday, the BOC noted that the P68.245 billion collected in May was a 20.8% (or P11.767B) increase from its P56.478-billion target collection for the month.

It said that 15 of the 17 collection districts exceeded their targets for the month, based on the preliminary report from the BOCFinancial Service.

These were the Port of San Fernando, Port of Manila, MICP, Ports of Batangas, Legaspi, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic, Clark, Aparri, and Limay.

In April, the BOC also surpassed

its target by over P10 billion or 19.6% with a total collection of P65.7B.

Last March, the agency recorded its highest monthly revenue collection in its history with P70 billion.

Customs' initial report indicates that the P322.472 billion total revenues collected since January represents 47.5% of the 2022 annual target collection of P679.226B.

BOC credited the feat to the “improved valuation, intensified collection efforts, measures preventing revenue leakage, and the recovering economy of the country” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Despite this performance, the Bureau maintained its border security measures against undervaluation, misdeclaration and other forms of technical smuggling and collect lawful revenues,” it said.

The BOC is the government’s second largest revenue-generating agency next to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

For the past two years, the agency said it was able to surpass its annual target collection by 6.23% and 4.35% respectively even during a global health crisis.

Northern Samar 1st District Representative Paul Daza on Wednesday appealed to incoming Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno to choose the “rightful people” for the BOC as economic recovery greatly relies on efficient revenue collection.

DILG mulling sanctions vs. FB e-sabong operators

A Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) official on Wednesday said their legal team is studying its next action if illegal e-sabong operations in the Facebook (FB) account Meta continue.

DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said they have sought the help other concerned agencies that will compel FB to take down the pages of the illegal gambling game.

In a Laging Handa briefing, Malaya admitted that they are saddened that illegal e-sabong operation can still be viewed in the FB websites.

He said e-sabong operation is a direct violation of a presidential directive that is covered by the Cockfighting Law of 1974 or Presidential Decree (PD) 449 as amended by PD 1602 where it is indicated that only the traditional face-to-face cockfighting is lawful.

He said physical sabong (cockfighting) should be done only every Sundays, legal holidays and town fiestas.

“Lahat po ng uri ng sabong na labas sa PD 449 ay illegal (All kinds of cockfighting outside PD 449 are illegal),’’ Malaya said.

He said the DILG has sent a formal letter to Meta, the FB operator in the country, informing them of the FB accounts and FB pages of e-sabong operators that entice the public to bet on the unlawful gambling.

Malaya said until now, the illegal-sabong operations in the FB accounts have not been removed after visiting the FB pages of the unlawful cockfighting game.

“We have submitted to them the list of Facebook pages, groups, accounts, and sites encouraging people to play illegal on-line sabong but despite official communication

and public appeals, Meta Platforms has ignored the request of Philippine authorities. The said accounts are still operational -in violation of the Presidential directive and of the Cockfighting Law as amended by PD 1612 -and we have not received a reply from Meta to this date,” he said in a separate statement.

“Their continued inaction on the request of this Department, the Philippine National Police, and other government agencies to take-down pages, accounts, and other links encouraging people to patronize illegal e-sabong is tantamount to tolerating illegal activity in their platform. It is not only a violation of Philippine Law but also a violation of Facebook’s own community standards,” he added.

He noted that FB has yet to reply to the DILG’s request.

Being a business entity operating in local shores, Malaya said FB is bound by Philippine laws which they should abide by.

But based on the police reports, Malaya said there are still 12 identified e-sabong websites and eight FB pages of the illegal gambling activity.

Sara camp says proposal to amend K-12, revive ROTC ‘fake’ Vice President-elect Sara Duterte has not made any remark about the supposed plan to amend the K-12 program as well as the revival of the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC), her spokesman clarified on Thursday.

This as a quote card has been spreading online attributing to Duterte a statement regarding the proposal to amend the K-12 program, the introduction of the ROTC, and the mandatory military service in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"Vice President-elect Sara Duterte has never released any statements to this effect. The quote card is fake," Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco said in a statement. "This is not the first, and we anticipate that this will not be the last of these nefarious attempts to discredit, attack, and attribute lies and conjectures against Vice President-elect Sara Duterte as she transitions into the role of the Vice President and the Secretary of Education," she added.

The publication material supposedly quoted Duterte as saying, "After my proclamation as Vice President and immediate assumption as Secretary of the Department of Education, I will immediately ask the Congress to amend the K12 program to K14+ basic education program. ROTC will be again compulsory plus two years mandatory service in the AFP without salary. Sa ikauunlad ng bayan, disiplina ng kabataan ang kailangan."

Duterte had accepted the offer of President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to lead the Department of Education under the latter's administration.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones is expected to meet with Duterte in order to ensure a smooth transition of the new leadership.

Meanwhile, Frasco urged the public to be "circumspect against persons and groups who will no doubt continue to proliferate disinformation against Vice President-elect Sara Duterte in the coming months and years due to their own vested interests." (MNS)

TRAFFIC BUSTER. A man is clad in safety gear such as a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and gloves as he cruises along Edsa in Quezon City on Wednesday (June 1, 2022). Electric scooters, which can weave in and out of traffic during peak hours, are one of the alternative means of transportation at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. (MNS photo)

Luc Veron, Ambassador of European Union, pays a courtesy visit to President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. at the BBM HQ in Mandaluyong City. (MNS photo)

Summer is here! This season is

one of the most popular times to travel and if you or your family members are planning a summer vacation, make sure to check off getting your REAL ID from your travel checklist. Wherever your summer vacation is taking you, REAL ID is your ticket to fly! This time next summer, federal regulations will require you to show a REAL ID driver’s license or another federally approved form of identification (passport, military ID, etc.) to travel within the U.S. and to visit secure federal facilities (military bases, federal courthouses). Note that a REAL ID cannot be used for international travel, a passport is still required.

MCRT

Continued from page 1

to resulted in the individual being transported to behavioral health services in the community- such as the crisis stabilization unit;

● Approximately 13 % of calls responded to the individual declined services;

● About 20% of the individuals the MCRT have served have been homeless; and

It’s no secret, we’re all ready to start traveling again. And with a REAL ID, you’ll be ready! The REAL ID process is easier than ever with the DMV’s online services. Get ahead of the summer break rush and start your simple online application today.

Q1: My children are 7 and 11 years old. Will they need REAL IDs to fly to Florida next summer?

A1: No. The TSA does not require anyone under the age of 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. However, the companion will need a form of federally accepted identification (REAL ID, U.S. Passport, U.S. Passport Card, DHS Trusted

● Approximately 18% of calls resulted in one of the following: EMS intervention, Law Enforcement/PERT intervention, individual could not be located, call canceled while MCRT is enroute, or Hospital/ED.

“It is so wonderful to see the many months of hard-work in collaboration and in partnership with law enforcement, the County and the MCRT contractors. The ability to offer the community a non-law enforcement, clinician-led, behavioral health crisis response benefits the

Traveler Card, etc.).

Q2: Which documents will I need to get a REAL ID?

A2: You will need 1 original or certified proof of identity and 2 different printed proofs of California residency. Follow the three simple steps below and visit dmv.ca.gov/ realid to start your REAL ID application and view a complete list of acceptable documents:

1. Gather your documents

2. Complete your online application and upload your documents

3. Make an appointment and visit the DMV office to complete the process Visit dmv.ca.gov/realid to get REAL ID ready today

community, individuals and families who need assistance in a crisis,” said Dr. Piedad Garcia, Deputy Director, County of San Diego Behavioral Health Department. “Although we have come a long way, the MCRT is still in its infancy stage and we will continue to expand and attend to the lessons learned. Part of the growing process is learning and will continue to adjust and modify as needed based on input from the community and our partners, to ensure we continue to best meet the needs of our community.”

Spiritual Life

The Reward of Compassion

Most loving God, there are moments in our lives when we withhold help to others because we are afraid to go beyond ourselves and other people’s perception. Give us a brave heart and a deep faith to help those who are behind bars. Imbue us with love so that we can get rid of our fears and prejudices that deters us from reaching out to those who are not like us or who are different from us. Cast away our fears and change our unyielding heart through the power of Your love.

Amen.

I said this prayer after I read the following story.

In 1921 Lewis Lawes became the warden at Sing Sing Prison. No prison was tougher than Sing Sing during that time. But when Warden Lawes retired some 20 years later, that prison had become a humanitarian institution. Those who studied the system said credit for the change belonged to Lawes. But when he was asked about the transformation, he said; “I owe it all to my wonderful wife, Catherine who is buried outside the prison walls.”

Catherine Lawes was a young mother with three small children when her husband became the warden. Everybody warned her from the beginning that she should never set foot inside the prison walls, but that didn’t stop Catherine. When the first prison basketball game was held, she

Aurora S. Cudal-Rivera My

Personal Testimony

went walking into the gym with her three beautiful kids and she sat in the stands with the inmates. Her attitude was, “my husband and I are going to take care of these men and I believe they will take care of me! I don’t have to worry.” She insisted on getting acquainted with them and their records. She discovered one convicted murderer was blind so she paid him a visit. Holding his hand she said, “Do you read Braille?”. The prisoner asked, “ What’s Braille”. Then she taught him how to read. Years later he will weep in love for her.

Later Catherine found a deafmute in prison. She went to school to learn how to use sign language.

Many said that Catherine Lawes was the body of Jesus that came alive again in Sing Sing from 1921 to1937.

Then Catherine was killed in a car accident. The next morning Lewis Lawes didn’t come to work,

so the acting warden took his place. It seemed almost instantly that the prison knew something was wrong. The following day, her body was resting in a casket in her home, three quarters of a mile from the prison. As the acting warden took his early morning walk he was shocked to see a large crowd of the toughest, hardestlooking criminals gathered like a herd of animals at the main gate. He came closer and he noted tears of grief and sadness. He knew how much they loved Catherine. He turned and face the men, “All right, men, you can go. Just be sure to check in tonight!. Then he opened the gate and a parade of criminals walked without a guard, the three-quarters of a mile to stand in line to pay their final respects to Catherine Lawes. And every one of them checked back in. Every one.” Could we be like Catherine? I wonder.

Faith should never be dependent on results

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

I had read the book of Acts before and honestly, it fell dull and familiar as I read again. But when I came to chapter nine, something new jumped out at me. I began to see the word "rejection," although it was not in written form. Perhaps I saw what I was feeling that day - rejected. I was reading at the part of the story where Saul, a murderer, had just been transformed into Paul, a disciple of Christ. Even though Paul was a changed person, many rejected him because of his past reputation and lifestyle. Not only that, but as Paul became fully devoted to serving Christ - sacrificing his education, his life, and remaining single so he could better serve the Lordhe was falsely accused, thrown into prison more than once and shipwrecked on several occasions. Doesn't that seem odd for a man called of God? Wouldn't God's favor protect him from such adversity?

Perhaps, you've been there, too. Maybe you've been rejected by family, friends, and co-workers. Or you've been falsely accused. Maybe you're imprisoned by finances, or being blown around by the consequences of someone else's sin? It seems so unfair. You've tried to live right. You walk in obedience the best you can. You take God at His Word and trust in His promises. Shouldn't faith like this call for smooth

Danny Hernaez From Whom All Blessings Flow

sailing, instead of stormy, shipwrecking seas?

If we follow Paul's journey, we find God working through the rejection, the trials, the prison time, and the shipwrecks. Paul shared the gospel with the Pharisees through his rejection and imprisonment. People saw God's power at work when Paul survived the storms, when the snake bite didn't kill him, and when the jail shook - opening doors and loosing chains. Paul didn't let his circumstances wreck him with a sense of rejection. He didn't allow selfpity and doubt to overtake him.

Instead, we see in Acts 16:2231 that after being stripped, beaten, severely flogged, thrown in the inner cell of a prison and his feet in stocks, Paul prayed and sang hymns to God. And others around him were listening. The power of God came in such a way that the prison guard begged Paul to tell him, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" He replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus."

(verses 30b-31)

God kept His promise to work all things together for the good of this man who loved Him and was called according to His purposes. As Paul depended on God and trusted

His faithfulness in the midst of his adversity, many witnessed God's power and believed. And the same is true for us. God doesn't waste our pain, our rejection or our "shipwrecks." He uses them to bring about His plan - to position us so that others can see His transforming power at work in our lives and believe in the living God.

If that is true, and it is, then my challenge is to rise from the wreckage, like Paul, so that our lives will give testimony that draws others to the Jesus.

Today I will no longer sit on the sidelines of life full of selfpity. I choose to rise, pray and praise, so that God can position me to shine for His glory, and so that others will believe.

Dear Lord, forgive me for wallowing in self-pity and rejection. I trust that You see the bigger picture. I believe there is a purpose for my pain. Strengthen me to rise from my ashes so that others will see You are my help and my salvation.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God.

Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God.

Every moment, thank God.

<(((><

Tatlong Koro: Malaya Ka Pilipino

Unveiling of Filipino music in history and in-person

-- Now is the time to give ourselves a treat that we truly deserve. After a long hiatus from the pandemic season, we are back in finding the best live entertainment that suits our distinct musical taste. As they say, “Singing is a way to express our thoughts and feelings and has the

us

grand showcase of Filipino talent in-person on a full-length concert entitled, TATLONG KORO: MALAYA

KA PILIPINO! This musical event will be staged at the Immaculate Conception Church in Secaucus, New Jersey, on June 18, 2022, Saturday, at 7:30 P.M. One main attraction of this production is the feature of various genres of Filipino music in history as performed by the Filharmonix Choir, the Kayumanggi Chorale, Inc., and

Greetings in the Lord!

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, some disciples and the Blessed Virgin Mary. It has been a tradition to celebrate this feast fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and ten days after the celebration of His ascension into heaven. Two celebrations mysteries that reaffirm the divine nature of Jesus, his rising from the dead and his return into glory. A reaffirmation that the faith that we treasure is one that gives us hope that Jesus indeed has saved us and will lead us into the bosom of his Father, “in my Father’s house there are many rooms,” which he will prepare for us his disciples.

On this feast of the descent of the Holy Spirit which has been considered by many as the actual beginning of the Church as a community of disciples who heeded the call of Jesus to conversion and believed in his message of salvation in the Kingdom of his Father, I would like to continue my reflections on the reality that the Church that Jesus established with the coming of the Holy Spirit, is community of disciples who should be active witnesses of the saving action of Jesus in the world today. Hence, there are three points that I wish to share with you in today’s reflections.

First, the disciples who heeded the call of Jesus for conversion and faith in the Kingdom of his Father, is a community of disciples. This means that being disciples those

who compose the community are followers of their Master whom they should personally know, humbly obey and faithfully follow. Among the many precepts of Jesus as Master, one that every true disciple must keep in his heart and put into practice daily is what Jesus clearly proclaimed: “a new commandment I give you: love one another as I loved you.” One who claims to be a disciple but would not actually love his fellow men “as Jesus loved” by totally giving himself even until death on the cross in loving obedience to His Father, can never be a disciple. In fact this act of fully giving of self to others is the foundation of the disciples into a community of love. It is only in belonging to a community of love can one truly be converted and believe in the Kingdom of God.

Second, membership in this Church that is a community of love demands an outward manifestation of one’s identity. This outward

manifestation is concretely made when every member of this community becomes a living witness of the Person whom he believes in and the teachings of the same master whom he has committed himself to follow. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus clearly mentioned that his disciples would be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The community of disciples that the descent of the Holy Spirit has given birth is a community of witnesses of the salvation that Jesus has brought into humanity. A living testimony that should be grounded in genuine knowledge of the person of Jesus, fidelity to his teachings, and commitment in doing his command: “love one another as I loved you.”

Today, the urgent need for authentic witness is once more felt in the world. I do believe in the call for real disciples who are courageous witnesses in a world that has gone far from the teachings of Jesus, in a humanity that has grown deaf to the call for holiness, in men and women who have turned more selfish than generous in heeding the call of Jesus for the transformation of the world into his Kingdom of love. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit would open our hearts and minds so that we, who have given our “yes” to follow Jesus in the sacrament of Baptism would truly become real disciples in a community that would witness to Jesus our Lord. AMEN

The Bayanihan Singers. These three renowned Filipino choral groups are homegrown to and a source of pride in the New Jersey Filipino American community. Funds raised by this event will benefit the scholarship fund of UPAAA, and projects of other sponsoring organizations. H&R Block Bergenfield, NJ is the event’s Corporate Sponsor. Concert Overall Chair, Dr. Winston Umali from UPAAA appeals to the public and said that “Let’s support and enjoy this concert that conveys a message of love, peace and harmony while commemorating the birth

of our Filipino freedom.”

The UPAAA Scholarship Fund helps undergrad, graduate and post-graduate students at UP for school fees. It also provides assistance to students at UP Baguio with on-going medical expenses, temporary housing and basic electronic equipment.

For tickets, donations and other details, please contact Dr. Joy Celo at info@upaainamerica. org, Bel Molina (HTFI) 917-3253653, Cherrie Manez (FHX) 551221-3314, Grace Badiola (TBS) 908-313-5522, Marinilengson (KCI) 201-519-4598.