The Filipino Press: March 10-16, 2023

MANILA -- The Philippines has sent a delegation to the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York from March 6 to 17.

The Philippine delegation is headed by Antonio Lagdameo, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Their participation in the session comes as the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD).

The delegation’s primary representatives include Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Margarita

Gutierrez, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Cherbett Karen Maralit, and Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative, Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda.

The United Nations Observance of IWD, under the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” recognizes and celebrates women and girls championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education.

The observance will also explore the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities, and it will

also spotlight the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and addressing

online and ICT-facilitated genderbased violence.

Alternate Representatives

include Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Assistant Secretary Diana Minda Ignacio,

National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Secretary Sarah Daway-Ducanes,

DILG Assistant Secretary Ester Aldana, First Secretary Maria Roseny Fangco, Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Faydah Dumarpa.

Serving as advisers are National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Chairperson Allen Capuyan, Philippine Commission on Women Executive Director Kristine Rosary Yuzon-Chaves, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples OIC Director Dahlialyn DaitCawed, Department of Agriculture (DA) Deputy Executive Director Annray Villota Rivera, Philippine Commission on Women Chief Gender and Development Specialist Anita Baleda, DA Chief Agriculturist Lorna Villegas, PCO Planning Officer II Jean Denielle Cusi, Philippine Commission on Women Senior Gender and Development Specialist Avery Silk Arevalo Villarosa, and NEDA

Senior Economic Development Staff Christine Joy Mamuyac. Other advisers are Department of Foreign Affairs Desk Officer Evella Rose Macadangdang, Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York Attache Angelica Navarete, Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York Attache Nadine Guevarra-De Dios, Philippine Permanent Mission to

By Peter White/MNS

Nagsimula na ang Lunar New Year, at papalapit na ang tagsibol. Habang humahaba ang mga araw, magandang pagkakataon ito para alagaan ang iyong kalusugan at kapakanan, kasama ang iyong mental na kalusugan, sa pamamagitan ng araw-araw na pangangalaga sa sarili.

Ang kalusugan ng ating pag-iisip at ang ating pisikal na kalusugan ay magkaugnay. Nakakaapekto sa ating iniisip, nararamdaman, at ginagawa ang kalusugan ng ating emosyonal, sikolohikal, at sosyal na kalagayan.

Tumutulong ang pangangalaga sa lahat ng bahagi ng ating pagkatao na matukoy kung paano natin kinakaya ang stress, kung paano tayo nakikipag-ugnayan sa iba, at kung paano tayo gumagawa ng mga tamang desisyon tungkol sa ating

kalusugan.

Kapag pinipili mong maging malusog bawat araw, makakaugalian mo ito at makakagawa ka ng pagbabago habang papalapit tayo sa tagsibol. Narito ang ilang paraan ng pangangalaga sa sarili na maisisingit mo sa iyong mga pang-araw-araw na gawain:

• Itigil sandali ang iyong ginagawa para makapagpahinga sa pamamagitan ng pagmumuni-muni, pakikinig ng musika, pagtatanim, o iba pang bagong libangan. Sumubok ng mga bagong bagay at gawing regular na bahagi ng iyong linggo ang mga bagay na nakakapagpasaya sa iyo.

Makipag-ugnayan sa iyong pamilya at mga kaibigan, humingi ng suporta, at ibahagi ang iyong

mga nararamdaman. Makakatulong ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga kaibigan at pamilya online o pagtawag sa kanila o pakikipag-usap sa isang kapit-bahay para hindi mo maramdamang nag-iisa ka.

Gawing bahagi ng iyong pamumuhay ang pisikal na aktibidad. Hindi mo kailangang magparehistro bilang miyembro sa isang gym para mapangalagaan ang iyong kalusugan sa pamamagitan ng pisikal na aktibidad. Maaaring umunlad ang iyong mood at pangkalahatang kalusugan sa pamamagitan ng pagsasayaw, paglalakad-lakad, o kahit paggawa sa iyong bakuran o paglilinis ng bahay.

• Kumain ng masusustansiyang pagkain. Kung maaari, gumastos ka para sa sariwang prutas at gulay. Nakakatuwang ihalo sa iyong pagkain ang sariwang sangkap kapag nakahanap ka sa palengke ng gulay na hindi mo pa kailanman natikman o sumubok ka ng bagong recipe.

Tiyaking naka-update ang iyong mga bakuna, lalo na ang mga bakuna sa COVID-19. Maibabalik ng nakaupdate na mga bakuna sa COVID ang proteksyon na maaaring nawala na sa pagdaan ng panahon at mapapanatili ka nitong malusog para magawa ang mga aktibidad na nakakapagpasaya sa iyo. “Ang pananatiling updated sa bakuna sa COVID ay hindi

A new study finds masks do little to prevent the spread of viruses like the flu and Covid, and that hand washing and vaccines offer more protection.

An international network of health researchers reviewed 78 randomized controlled studies and concluded that wearing masks has little or no effect on spreading the flu, COVID, or other respiratory diseases.

The Cochrane collaborative published their findings in a January 2023 report which found frequent hand washing did more than masks to prevent viral infections.

At a March 3 EMS news briefing, three medical experts shared their views about the efficacy of wearing masks in light of the study. Except for vulnerable patients where masks offer an added layer of protection, their consensus was to forget about wearing masks and get vaccinated. They also stressed the importance of not losing trust in public health officials for changing their advice over time as they work to keep up with the latest scientific research.

Masks are ‘not magic’

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, led off the session by describing the challenges of conducting mask studies in the first place, whether in a health environment or in the community.

“You can’t monitor people about their mask-wearing behavior all the time. That’s certainly something you can’t do, and of course (masks)

have to be worn correctly,” he said.

While many researchers have looked at multiple physical measures to prevent people from catching a virus, the Cochrane reviewers evaluated studies that compared just three interventions: surgical masks, N95/P2 respirators, and hand hygiene.

Based on the results they were uncertain whether masks help to slow the spread of viruses but decided hand hygiene “may help to slow the spread of respiratory viruses,” Schaffner said.

Yet he also pointed out that in most cases, mask wearing was accompanied by social distancing, and… “in certain communities, we were in a lockdown. we stayed home. So, we did all those things more or less simultaneously. And it’s hard – impossible really – to determine what proportion of the reduction we saw on Covid was due to the mask itself.

As for his own advice, Schaffner emphasized that “masks are not magic.” But he said that people in

high-risk groups may start wearing them again next flu season. “They will offer another layer of protection to protect me, a highly vulnerable person, from acquiring an infection from others.”

No more mask mandates “I don’t think we can impose mask mandates on the public anymore,” said Dr. Monica Ghandi, Professor of Medicine and Associate Division Chief of the Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine at UCSF in San Francisco.

Gandhi noted a Danish mask study where no mandate was in effect at the time, and two others in Bangladesh and Guinea-Bissau where entire villagers wore masks. The study found “there was very little effectiveness” in wearing masks.

During the Delta surge, Orange County, California did not impose a mask mandate but nearby LA County did. “And there was no

The Pampered Pinay Spring Flings

By FRANCINE m AIguE

The days are a little warmer, the sunsets are a little later…May the spring fling parties commence!

Spring Flings are known for their fun themes. Having a great theme makes every celebration, from workplace potlucks to school socials, much more festive. Here are three classic party theme options and event must-haves to help you and your guests ring in spring!

Masquerade

Who said mardi gras was over?

• Menu Must-haves: fried chicken, corn bread, jambalaya, Cajun catfish, beignets

• Music Must-haves: brass band, blues, carnival drumming

• Décor Must-haves: purple, green, and gold streamers, beaded necklaces, feathers

• Activity Must-have: mask decorating station

LuWOW Say, “Aloooooha” to a good time!

• Menu Must-haves: kalua pork or lechon, macaroni salad, rice, grilled seafood, fresh fruit

• Music Must-haves: Hawaiian Style Band, Tahitian drumming, Elvis

• Décor Must-haves: tiki torches, Hawaiian shirts and sarongs, flower leis

• Activity Must-haves: limbo contest, Polynesian dancing

All Around the World Give your guests a much-needed vacation right in the comforts of home!

• Menu Must-haves: a wide variety of items to please all palettes like Japanese sushi, Indian curry, and Italian pasta

• Music Must-haves: Movie soundtracks such as “Memoirs of A Geisha,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” and “Cinema Paradiso”

• Décor Must-haves: maps, travel posters, postcards

• Activity Must-have: language exchange in which guests learn how to say phrases such as “Hello,” Goodbye,” My name is,” “I love you,” etc. in different languages that match the diverse menu items

Ask the DMV –Don’t count on being lucky, get your REAL ID ahead of time

If you haven’t already upgraded your driver’s license to a REAL ID don’t count on being lucky, save yourself the stress and get your REAL ID ahead of the enforcement date!

Q1: How is a REAL ID different from my driver’s license?

Q2: I’m ready to upgrade my driver’s license to a REAL ID, can I apply online?

A2: You can start the application process online to expedite your DMV office visit at dmv.ca.gov/realid

copies of any documents uploaded online and bring your confirmation code to your DMV appointment.

Q3: What happens if I don’t obtain my REAL ID by the May 2025 enforcement date?

Maybe you plan to invite dozens of your friends for a big backyard bash… Maybe you want to pamper a single special someone with a romantic, beachside BBQ for two… Either way, you have all the tools to pamper people with the perfect spring fling! Enjoy!

Your comments could be featured here! Again, just email us at filpressads@aol.com Got a business or event we should know about and that our fil-am community should know about and can benefit from? Do not hesitate to reach out to us. Missed an issue of our print newspaper? Come and visit us at www.thefilipinopress.com and get access to the digital version of our print edition. Available 24/7days/365 days a year.

A1: Good question! Your driver’s license is issued by the DMV; it gives you the ability to operate a motor vehicle and acts as a form of identification. A REAL ID is a federally accepted form of identification that can be used to board domestic flights nationwide and enter secure federal facilities, such as military bases, federal courthouses, and other secure federal locations. If you already have your driver’s license, make sure to upgrade to a REAL ID before the May 2025 enforcement date.

Getting your REAL ID is as easy as 1,2,3! Begin by gathering your documents, one (1) original or certified proof of identity, and two (2) different printed proofs of California residency are required. Check out the DMV’s interactivedocument checklist to see what qualifies.

Complete the online application and upload your documents. Make an appointment online to visit your local DMV office and complete your application. Be sure to bring printed

A3: Starting May 7, 2025, if you don’t have a REAL ID you will not be able toboard domestic flights using your driver’s license or identification card within the U.S. or enter secure facilities, such as military bases, and federal courthouses. Make your REAL ID your lucky charm and upgrade your license before the rush. For more information about the DMV’s online services, visitwww.dmv. ca.gov/online Note: DMV offices are closed on weekends.

Reps. Sara Jacobs, Scott Peters, and Juan Vargas Secure $3.4 Million in Federal Funding for the San Diego Community College District

Members of San Diego’s congressional delegation, including Rep. Sara Jacobs, Rep. Scott Peters and Rep. Juan Vargas, traveled to San Diego Mesa College today to present representatives from the San Diego Community CollegeDistrict with a check for $3.4 million in funding from the U.S. Congress. The funding, approved in December 2022 as part of the fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, will benefit district students in three areas:

* $1.2 million to better serve lesbian, gay, and transgender students,

* $1 million for an initiative to expand service at the San Diego College of Continuing Education to youths who have recently aged out of the foster care system, and

* $1.2 million for new and expanded centers serving undocumented students.

“These funds will support the academic success of our students, particularly students who face unique challenges as they pursue their education,” said Carlos O. Cortez, chancellor of the San Diego Community College District. “I want to thank Representatives Sara Jacobs, Scott Peters, and Juan Vargas for championing this funding on our behalf to support these students and our colleges.”

The $1.2 million grant obtained by Rep. Jacobs to support LGBTQIA+ students will be used to create or expand Pride Centers at San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, San Diego Miramar College and San Diego College of Continuing Education. The Pride Centers offer a safe space for persons of all sexual or gender identities and provide education, dialogue and research on issues related to sexuality and gender.

The grant will also be used to hire a regional coordinator who will act as a liaison among the many local agencies that provide services for LGBT students. It will also fund an annual leadership academy that encourages students to support the LGBT community, along with a weekly program that develops leadership for LGBT high school and junior high school-aged youth.

“LGBTQ+ youth should be focused on living their lives, but instead many are dealing with mental health issues resulting from the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, policies, and violence,” said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, Vice-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus and Co-Chair of the Transgender Equality Taskforce. “That’s why I was so proud to secure $1.2 million to expand the Pride Centers on each of San Diego Community College District’s four campuses and to scale up their Youth Leadership Academy and Pride Youth Collective programs. This funding will expand spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and allies to freely and safely be themselves, and strengthen programs that create community and teach advocacy skills.”

A $1 million grant backed by Rep. Peters will fund the Gateway to College and Career Program at the San Diego College of Continuing Education for former foster care youth. Studies show that 47% of youths who have just aged out of foster care are unemployed, and 33% are or have been homeless. More than 1,500 former foster care youths live in San Diego County.

For the past six years, the Gateway to College and Career program has offered services, learning opportunities, job training and internships to former foster care youth. The program collaborates with social service agencies to provide food, education, and connections with employers for former foster youth.

“Community colleges are an integral part of our region’s educational landscape,” said Rep. Peters. “It’s my job to fight for funding that supports SDCCD’s mission to uplift generations of students, especially those aged out of foster care who enter a new world of opportunity and challenges. I look forward to seeing the success of the Gateway to College and Career Program for years to come.”

A $1.2 million grant sponsored by Rep. Vargas will support Dreamer Resource Centers at the four colleges. The centers serve undocumented students, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students,

CITY OF CHULA VISTA RESIDENTIAL TENANT PROTECTION ORDINANCE IN EFFECT

Ordinance increases tenant protections for those renting a room, apartment, or house

by offering help with registering for classes, financial aid, and readiness for college and a career.

An estimated 1,200 undocumented students attend City, Mesa and Miramar colleges. Another 2,000 students who are undocumented or come from families with undocumented members attend the non-credit San Diego College of Continuing Education.

The funding will also be used to develop partnerships with community organizations that serve undocumented students and expand outreach at high schools for undocumented students there. The grant will also support an annual Undocumented Student Conference to demonstrate to the college community that the campuses are welcoming and safe for undocumented students.

“Dreamers and undocumented students deserve a fair shot at the American Dream like everyone else, and the great equalizer is a high-quality education,” said Congressman Juan Vargas. “I championed these federal funds in Congress because I knew it would benefit local students right here at home. These Dreamer Resource Centers have the potential to positively benefit thousands of students by offering critical support and financial aid. These are the great things we can accomplish when we put people over politics.”

As one of the largest of California’s 73 community college districts, the San Diego Community College District serves approximately 100,000 students annually through three twoyear colleges and San Diego College of Continuing Education. San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego Miramar College, offer associate degrees and certificates in occupational programs that prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and entry-level jobs. Mesa College also offers a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management. San Diego College of Continuing Education offers noncredit adult education at seven campuses throughout San Diego.

DEADLY CITRUS TREE DISEASE DISCOVERED IN CITY OF SAN DIEGO

SAN DIEGO, CA -- The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) recently announced the first detection of Huanglongbing (HLB) in the city of San Diego. Huanglongbing (HLB), an incurable plant disease that infects and kills all citrus tree varieties, was discovered in residential citrus trees in the Rancho Bernardo area of San Diego, prompting a plant quarantine to be established in the area.

HLB is spread by a small pest called the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) as it feeds on leaves and stems of citrus trees. HLB is not harmful to humans or animals, but once a tree is infected, it will die and must be removed.

HLB was first confirmed in San Diego County in 2021 in Oceanside.

To limit the spread of HLB, a citrus plant quarantine is currently in place throughout portions of San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. The Rancho Bernardo detections have resulted in the establishment of a new HLB quarantine area, including parts of Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Peñasquitos, Black Market Ranch, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Poway and Escondido.

The HLB citrus plant quarantine prohibits the transport and movement of citrus plants and material to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. The newly established quarantine zone will not intersect with the existing quarantine boundaries in the Oceanside area of San Diego County.

CHULA VISTA, CA -- Following the Chula Vista City Council action on November 1, 2022 to adopt Chula Vista Municipal Code (“CVMC”) chapter 9.65, the City’s Residential Tenant Protection Ordinance (“Ordinance”) is now in effect as of March 1, 2023.

With rental housing making up more than 42% of available housing in the City of Chula Vista and 44% of all Chula Vista renters paying more than 50% of their income toward housing costs (as local rents also increased in 2022), councilmembers cited the importance of addressing community requests for assistance following reports of “No Fault” evictions and tenant harassment.

The “California Tenant Protection Act,” a statewide law, has been in place since January 1, 2020. The state law has required landlords provide tenants with notice of the law, required just cause for terminating a tenancy, and required disclosure of the specific reasons for the termination of a tenancy. Such state law provisions are found in Civil Code Section 1946.2.

The purpose of the City’s Ordinance (viewable at https:// chulavista.municipal.codes/ CVMC/9.65 ) is to “require just cause for termination of residential tenancies consistent with Civil Code Section 1946.2, to further limit the reasons for termination of a residential tenancy, to require greater tenant relocation assistance in specified circumstances, and to provide additional tenant protections.”

The Ordinance does not prevent lawful evictions or justcause terminations and primarily strengthens statewide protections already in place, while providing greater tenant protections in certain instances of no-fault terminations of tenancy in the City of Chula Vista.

Relocation assistance is available to impacted tenants of properties subject to the Ordinance, along with increased protection from instances of landlord harassment and retaliation. Landlords whose properties are subject to CVMC 9.65 are now required to provide notice of Ordinance protections to existing tenants by March 1, 2023 and to tenants who renew or commence leases on or after March 1, 2023.

The City’s Tenant Landlord webpage (chulavistaca.gov/ landlordtenant) provides helpful information and sample notice forms for properties subject to and for properties exempt from the Ordinance. The notices are translated by the City as a courtesy in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Korean.

Beyond the requirement to provide the updated notice, the following property types are not affected by further action:

• Owned by a single-family owner who lives at the residence and rents two rooms/units or less.

• Duplex in which the owner lives in one of the units and rents the other.

• Single-family home or condo not owned by a real estate investment trust, corporation, LLC or managed by a mobile home park.

The required Notice to Tenants for properties exempt from CVMC 9.65 is required to be provided to the Tenant(s) at lease renewal or as an addendum to the lease or rental agreement on March 1, 2023.

Additional action beyond notification is only required if a landlord takes the following actions:

1. Issues a notice for Termination of Tenancy, and 2. Rents or owns three or more residential units, operates real estate investment trusts, or manages commercial apartment/ condo complexes.

The Ordinance was created with extensive input from responsible

landlord and tenant groups who emphasized that the requirements should protect good tenants by reducing instances of landlords exploiting loopholes in state law. The City gathered stakeholder groups for multiple in person and virtual meetings and conducted a survey in the summer of 2022 to learn more about local terminations, why they were occurring and suggestions for improvements. Over 270 tenants and 89 landlords renting 116 separate units provided survey responses.

Public input was requested through community groups, city social media channels, media coverage, the city newsletter and via engagement with public-facing NGOs like CSA San Diego County and other agencies participating in the City’s stakeholder meetings, including ACCE (Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Institute), CAA (California Apartment Association, LASSD (Legal Aid Society of San Diego), PSAR (Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors), SDAR (San Diego Association of Realtors) and SCRHA (Southern California Rental Housing Association).

The City Landlord Tenant webpage also provides additional general and legal resources for tenants and landlords, such as CSA San Diego County which is committed to promoting and enforcing fair housing laws and equal housing opportunities for all individuals who live in San Diego County. Find CSA San Diego County at (619) 444-5700 or www.c4sa. org; and Legal Aid Society of San Diego which assists any tenants who believe they have been unlawfully evicted or need legal advice. They can be reached at 1-877-534-2524, www.lawhelpca.org, or https:// housing.ca.gov/resources/tenant. html

HHS Announces New Proposed Foster Family Licensing Regulation to Help Expand Access to Kinship Caregiving

WASHINGTON, DC. -- Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced a new proposed regulation to lessen obstacles in licensing standards for kinship foster caregivers. This proposed rule aligns with President Biden’s priorities on providing necessary resources to keep families together and support kinship care.

“The Biden-Harris Administration continues to prioritize keeping families safely together, including removing barriers for child welfare agencies to license grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives and kin who step up to foster children during challenging times,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “As this new proposed regulation gives states and tribes the ability to adopt separate licensing standards for relatives and other kin, we encourage agencies to place as few burdens as possible on kin, consistent with the safety and well-being of the child.”

Currently, all foster family homes must meet the same licensing standards, regardless of whether the foster family home is a kin or non-kin placement. This updated regulation allows a child welfare agency to adopt different licensing standards for all kin foster family homes to lessen delays

in the kinship foster family licensing process. Kin can include individuals related to a child by blood, marriage, or adoption and other individuals who have an emotionally significant relationship with the child, such as godparents, and close family friends.

ACF’s Children’s Bureau encourages child welfare agencies to strongly consider developing standards for kin foster family homes that meet only the federal requirements and not additional standards the state, local, or tribal agency may require non-relative foster family homes to meet. These standards may include extending the age limits for kinship foster care providers to allow for older kin to foster a child or allowing kin children to share sleeping spaces.

“Across the United States, millions of children live with kin caregivers–aunts, uncles, grandparents, and other loved ones who stand in when parents are unable to safely care for their children. We know that children do better when they’re with their families,” said ACF Assistant Secretary January Contreras. “Placing children with kin allows them to maintain a sense of place and belonging and to maintain their cultural identity and connection to their own community. By allowing child welfare agencies to approve different licensing standards that recognize the needs and benefits of

kin caregivers, more family members would be eligible to be licensed and receive financial resources to support the child’s well-being.”

Encouraging and helping family and kin caregivers become licensed foster caregivers is beneficial to both the child and the foster care relatives. Research shows that children living with family experience higher stability and fewer behavioral problems compared to children living with nonrelatives in foster care, in addition to maintaining familial and cultural bonds. ACF believes that child welfare agencies can develop different foster family home licensing or approval standards for kin in a manner that does not compromise child safety and wellbeing. This regulation also does not change the requirements concerning criminal background checks or other important safety provisions.

ACF continues to emphasize prevention and kinship services provided in the community. Providing necessary support and resources to families has a proven track record for keeping families together. ACF encourages child welfare agencies to pursue options that keep families together and maintain family connections, including kinship care. In keeping with its overall mission, ACF is committed to seeking equitable outcomes for the children, youth, and families it serves.

California homeowners – 60% of whom are estimated to own citrus trees – play an important role in protecting our state’s citrus and are being asked to protect their own backyard trees by searching for signs of the pest and disease.

More information and photos of the ACP and HLB symptoms are available at CaliforniaCitrusThreat. org or the University of California’s website.

About the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program

The Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program is an initiative funded by California citrus growers and administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture dedicated to combating serious pests and diseases that threaten the state’s citrus trees.

Photo: (L to R) Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, Congressman Scott Peters, and Congressman Juan Vargas present a ceremonial check for $3.4 million to representatives from the San Diego Community College District and other members of the community. The funding will benefit students at San Diego City College, Mesa College, Miramar College, and the College of Continuing Education (SDCCD photo).

Japanese experts to help curb oil spill to leave for PH March 10

MANILA -- The Japanese experts who will assist Manila in responding to the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro will leave for the Philippines on March 10, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

The team will be composed of five experts from the Japanese Coast Guard and three others from the Japanese Embassy in Manila and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Tokyo said the deployment is on “humanitarian grounds and for marine environment conservation” and was made upon the Philippine government’s request.

“Japan hopes that this assistance contributes to the prevention of further marine contamination and to the restoration of marine environment, and intends to continue working closely with the Philippines,” it said in a statement.

The eight, it said, will assist in the conduct of the disaster survey, as well as “supervise and provide counsel to the ongoing oil removal and control activities” in affected areas.

The spill was caused by the sunken M/T Princess Empress, which capsized approximately 20 km. east of Mindoro Island on Feb. 28 while carrying about 800,000 liters of cargo fuel and diesel oil.

Japan dispatches team to help contain Mindoro oil spill

The Japanese government is sending a disaster relief team to help the Philippines contain a rapidly spreading oil spill in Oriental Mindoro province, the Japanese Embassy in Manila confirmed Wednesday.

“In coordination with the Philippine government, Japan will send a Disaster Relief Expert Team on oil removal and control to support on-going efforts in response to the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa said.

“We are one with you in these trying times,” he added.

The envoy said the team will be composed of oil control experts from the Japan Coast Guard.

The MT Princess Empress sank off the coast of Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro last Feb. 28 causing its load of 800,000 liters of industrial oil to spill into the sea.

The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute had estimated that around 20,000 hectares of coral reef, 9,900 ha of mangroves and 6,000 ha of seagrass may be affected by the oil slick.

The institute projects the spill to get closer to the northern Palawan mainland in about a week’s time.

The Department of Tourism earlier said the slick has already hit several Marine Protected Areas in the municipality of Pola in Oriental Mindoro, such as the KingFisher Reserve, St. John the Baptist Marine Sanctuary, Song of the Sea Fish Sanctuary, Stella Mariz Fish Sanctuary, Bacawan Fish Sanctuary, St. Peter the Rock Fish Sanctuary, and the San Isidro Labrador Fish Sanctuary.

Marcos hopes oil spill cleanup in Mindoro won't take months

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed hope that containing and cleaning the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro province would not last for months.

"Hopefully kung hindi kaya ng one month... hopefully less kasi ang Guimaras na oil spill apat na buwan

bago na-cleanup, siguro naman this time, kasi mas bawas nang kaunti ang oil spill ay mas mabibilisan natin, kahit na hindi sa isang buwan, hindi naman siguro natin paabutin ng apat na buwan," Marcos told reporters.

Motor tanker Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil when it sank due to strong waves on February 28. All the 20 people on board were rescued.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the motor tanker sank 400 meters into the ocean, which was too deep for divers to reach.

Citing an expert, Pola town Mayor Jennifer Cruz it would take six months to 1 year to finish the cleanup for the oil spill in the province.

Marcos reiterated that the government had offered a cash-forwork program to help residents recover from the incident.

"Pinalitan natin ng cash for work program dahil sila ngayon ang maglilinis (We implement the cash for work program because they are involved in the cleanup)," Marcos said.

"'Pag natapos na 'yun pwede na sila mangisda ulit, pwede silang bumalik sa trabaho nila (If it's finished, they can go back to fishing or their original jobs)," the President added.

Probe on oil leak from sunken tanker in Mindoro pushed Expressing concerns over serious damage that the oil spill may bring to the environment and marine life, a lawmaker on Tuesday pushed for the investigation, in aid of legislation, of the incident caused by the capsizing of MT Princess Empress in the waters off Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro province on Feb. 28.

Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr. filed House Resolution No. 829 calling for the full inquiry into the oil spill a day after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced it has located the sunken tanker that was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial oil.

Barzaga said the oil spill has affected around 10 municipalities but could also reach other coastal islands, including Palawan, Antique and Romblon.

"Additionally, the oil spill might affect 20,000 hectares of coral reef, 9,900 hectares of mangroves, and 6,000 hectares of seagrass and could possibly coat the marine habitats and animals…which can clog the gills of fish and marine invertebrates… damage the feathers of bird and fur of marine mammals," he stated in the resolution.

Oceana, an international environmental group, earlier called on the government "to immediately implement mechanisms and actions to stop further damage on the marine environment, fisheries resources and livelihood in the affected Verde Island Passage which is the ‘center of the center of marine biodiversity in the world.’”

It also asked the government to “start the investigation and testing on the extent of contamination… immediate assistance of the local fisherfolk dependent on the affected body of water.”

The capsized tanker, the DENR said, is about 1,200 feet below sea level and located 7.5 nautical miles from Balingawan Point, facing Pola municipality in Oriental Mindoro.

The DENR added that the tanker

is “believed to have moved southeast from its last known position where it completely submerged.”

The environment department, however, said it still needs to verify the location by deploying a remotelyoperated vehicle (ROV) "which will allow us complete visualization should the currents and weather permit."

"We are now preparing to access an ROV in order to fully determine where the vessel actually is and to completely model the way the oil will be spilling from the vessel,” the DENR said.

PBBM orders DENR to speed up oil spill efforts

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to speed up the oil spill cleanup in the affected areas in Oriental Mindoro.

In response to the President’s directive, the DENR is looking at the possibility of tapping the participants of this year’s Balikatan exercises for the cleanup drives along the shores affected by the oil spill caused by the Feb. 28 sinking of the MT Princess Empress in the waters off Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro province.

During a meeting with President Marcos in Malacañang Wednesday, DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga said the agency will work together with the United States (US) Embassy to explore the possibility of deploying the participants of the joint military drills, as part of efforts for clean up, mitigation, and remediation to reduce the impact of the oil spill incident.

The Balikatan is the annual Philippine-led bilateral exercise of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Armed Forces.

Loyzaga said Japan and South Korea have expressed their willingness to help contain the oil spill.

Loyzaga said the DENR is also coordinating with the provincial local government units (LGUs) the vessel owner, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as potential additional source of funds for the cash-for-work program as assistance to the affected residents.

According to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, areas to be given the temporary means of livelihood include the towns of Bansud, Bongabong, Bulalacao, Gloria, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Pola and Roxas in Oriental Mindoro; Caluya in Antique and Agutaya in Palawan.

Loyzaga, meanwhile, noted that around PHP60 million has been set aside for the cash-for-work program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) called Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

Loyzaga said the vessel owner’s insurance provider has offered to bring in a ship from China to plug the leak of the vessel.

The DENR chief cited latest reports indicating that the oil spill has reached the Cuyo Island group.

Meanwhile, the oil spill in Antique and Semirara Island is continuing to spread, she added.

Loyzaga said the rate of discharge of oil from the sunken vessel is estimated between 35,000 to 50,000 liters a day.

According to the models of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Naujan and Pola in Oriental Mindoro would be the hardest hit. (MNS)

MOTORCYCLE LANE. Motorcycle riders occupy the southbound lane along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Thursday (March 9, 2023) as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) conducts a dry run on the implementation of an exclusive motorcycle lane. The exclusive motorcycle lane, which will be strictly enforced starting on March 20, is located at the third lane from the sidewalk of Commonwealth Avenue, between the Elliptical Road to Doña Carmen subdivision. (MNS photo)

MANILA -- Officials are seeing a "pattern of impunity" in Negros Oriental following the March 4 killing of Governor Roel Degamo at his residence, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Thursday.

"What comes out is a pattern. It's a pattern of impunity that we did not sense before. It is something that is so new to us," said Remulla, who visited Degamo's wake on Wednesday evening along with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.

"It's very hard to imagine this happening before. But now that this (killing of Degamo) happened, the stories are beginning to make sense that there was a pattern of impunity within the area," he added.

Degamo and five others were shot dead in broad daylight while he was distributing aid to his constituents at his residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. Several others were critically wounded in the attack, and the following day that death toll had climbed to nine.

Without elaborating, Remulla said names were mentioned to them during their visit. He said the National Bureau of Investigation will call these individuals as part of its efforts to unmask the brains behind the killing.

"There will be more cases filed about past incidents that were dismissed before, that were not attended to before but would not constitute double jeopardy on the part of the accused," he said.

"So this is not just about nine murders, they may be more, more cases to be investigated, besides even the ones, the three cases, brought by Atty. Baligod brought here on Tuesday," Remulla added.

Atty. Levito Baligod represented the complainants in the filing of three counts of murder complaints against Negros Oriental Representative Arnie Teves for his alleged involvement in several killings in the province in 2019.

Asked if Teves is among those that will be called by the NBI, Remulla said, "Meron pang iba [there are others]. Basta there are many murder cases that are being rooted about that were mentioned to us that we have to investigate further."

When pressed to confirm if Teves is being officially investigated, the Justice secretary said, "Well, we're investigating everybody who may have something to do with what has been happening in Negros Oriental. Bar none. We are not exempting anybody."

Remulla said Teves, who has denied involvement in the killing of Degamo, has not made any effort to reach out to him.

"They know me well enough that this is business. They know me," he said.

Meanwhile, Remulla said Marcos had given assistance to the families. "Of course, we were there at the wake of the governor but the families also went there to see the President. So kinausap niya isa isa and he made sure that assistance is given to them," he said.

Remulla previously said the “end is near” in the investigation on the killing of Degamo. He also revealed that the suspects had a

video conversation with the alleged mastermind.

Four suspects in the Degamo killing are currently in police custody, with at least five more still at large.

Abalos has already ordered the replacement of all police personnel in Negros Oriental, starting with Bayawan City, following the killing of Degamo.

PH Army eyes unit to keep watch on activities of ex-soldiers

The Philippine Army (PA) on Thursday said it is looking at the possibility of creating a counterintelligence unit that will keep tabs on both active and former soldiers to prevent them from doing illegal activities.

This is in wake of the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo perpetrated by some dishonorably discharged soldiers last March 4.

"We are also exploring the possibility of creating a dedicated counter-intelligence unit that will work closely with the Philippine National Police to prevent illegal acts that may be committed by current or former Army soldiers," PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.

He also clarified that the PA also maintains a roster of all soldiers with special skills, including those who were dishonorably discharged.

"We call on all former soldiers to seek help if they are struggling with the transition to civilian life and to think carefully about the consequences of engaging in illegal activities," he added.

Trinidad also stressed that the PA is and has always been a highly professional organization dedicated to serving the people and securing the land.

"It is also worth noting that the vast majority of former soldiers are law-abiding and contribute positively to their communities after their retirement from service," he added.

Trinidad also pointed out that the PA is bolstering its values formation and character development programs.

"A soldier with strong core values stays ethical, disciplined, and professional even off the battlefield and beyond military service. We are also considering the review of the Philippine Army Transition Assistance Program which offers opportunities for education, training, livelihood, legal services, and financial counseling for retiring personnel for retiring soldiers," he added.

Trinidad also revealed that the PA is looking at possibly expanding this program to include dishonorably discharged soldiers to help them start anew with their civilian lives.

NegOr guv slay case dev't

Meanwhile, the gunmen behind the assassination of Degamo are now starting to talk and giving investigators identities of the masterminds, police official said on Thursday.

Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said once all the pieces of evidence are collated, justice will be served to Degamo and eight other people who died and the more

than 16 people who were wounded during the incident.

“The information shared by the suspects are very important. They have already executed extra-judicial confession and what they revealed has probative value, especially the video call between the suspects and the mastermind,” said Fajardo.

“The PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation believe that after we collated all the pieces of evidence, this case would be nearing its solution,” she added.

On Monday, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. disclosed that the four suspects arrested by the local police and military, including former soldiers, in pursuit operations have already started cooperating with the investigators.

All of the four suspects are now under the custody of the Department of Justice.

Asked of the motive behind the killing as disclosed by the suspects, Fajardo said there is no exact motive yet.

“But we are not discounting the political aspect in this case considering that Governor Degamo was an elected official,” said Fajardo.

Meanwhile, the PNP is continuously conducting internal investigation to determine the possible lapses that led to the death of Degamo.

Azurin earlier said that among the issues being looked into is the failure to comply with his order last month to all chiefs of police to conduct threat assessment on all elected and appointed public officials in their areas, the failure to conduct checkpoint that may have foiled the movement of Degamo killers and how the gunmen easily entered the governor's residence compound.

Fajardo said that the entire police force of Bayawan City and Sta. Catalina town were already sacked and replaced.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier revealed that the suspects in the March 4 brazen attack on Degamo and the alleged mastermind had a video call prior to the gun attack.

Remulla did not disclose the information on the topic of the video call. He added that there was also no motive mentioned.

Degamo killers started surveillance on governor as early as December 2022 — police

The perpetrators behind the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight others started their surveillance on the elected official as early as December 2022, the police said Thursday.

In a press briefing, Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare said the perpetrators came from different places and were gathered together.

“May mga dumating dito (Some arrived here) as early as December to conduct casing and surveillance to identify what is the particular mode of operation that they are going to launch for the attack to the governor,” Pelare said.

He added some of the perpetrators

WOMEN'S DAY SHAKE. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora (center) and his wife, Keri (in violet shirt), sway with Zumba dancers at their City Hall grounds on Wednesday (March 8, 2023), in observance of International Women's Day. The government continues to promote the welfare of women through various programs, including physical wellness activities. (MNS photo)

'Pattern of impunity' discovered in Negros Oriental after Degamo killing, says Remulla

THE HYPOCRISY OF AMERICAN HATE: FROM STOP ASIAN HATE TO SHAMING ASIAN WOMEN AND TO THE PASSPORT BROS MOVEMENT

“American woman, stay away from me American woman, mama let me be Don’t come a hangin’around my door I don’t want to see your face no more I got more important things to do Than spend my time growing old with you.” - “AmericanWoman”

By the Canadian rock band “The Guess Who” 1969

SAN DIEGO, CA -- No doubt about it, love can mean various things to different people: sex, partnership, thoughtful gestures. But on all these fronts, it seems to me that love is diminishing in the United States, which is why I wrote a column for Valentine’s Day on the issue.

Did you folks know that the percentage of Americans who don’t have a steady partner is up 50% since 1986? Americans are less likely to have sex than at any point since 1989. Fewer Americans are celebrating Valentine’s Day now than they did at the end of the 2000s.

This decline isn’t just about the pandemic since the downward trend was happening before 2020.

So just what the heck is going on?

I wanted to find out if love in America is really dead – and if so, who killed it?

The multinational news channel and website CNN’s Michael Smerconish highlighted some troubling statistics about young men in the United States and argued that they are in crisis. It seemed that the number of American men looking for dates has declined dramatically prompting the $64,000 Question of “Where the Boys are?”

Well….evidently Western men are heading overseas preferably to Asian countries such as Thailand and our beloved old homeland, the Philippines in search of love, happiness and peace in life.

They were looking for traditional women with beautiful faces and chiseled bodies - an antithesis to what they see as an alternative to the disappointing dating market back in their home countries.

I just finished reading a well thought out article by a writer named Lai Qin, who says that American women are mad that women overseas are taking the men they do not want.

She wrote it from her heart and shed light on many of the intricacies that this new movement has.

On January 20, 2023, the

TV program Isaiah Uncensored interviewed one of these so-called Passport Bros and asked him why he titled his podcast “Are overseas women ’easy’ if it isn’t about sex?”

The young man, who is only 23, mind you – said the podcast was not about sex…initially. Plus, he is not a “passport bro” that goes back and forth between countries. He lives in Asia!

He admits that he is in Asia because he wants a wife that cooks for him. The host, a Black man himself says, “Have you even given relationships in America a chance? Are you saying no American woman cooks?”

The young man shrugs saying he dated a lot of American women, and he knows better now (paraphrased). The host then says, “But you’re only 23! You haven’t lived long enough to know!”

Years ago in an Essence (a monthly lifestyle magazine covering fashion, beauty entertainment and culture magazine) publication, there was an article about men (Black men in particular), who said they were leaving American women because they are “too aggressive and do not cook.” I believe the article was well balanced though because of the Brazilian woman’s response: “American (Black) men are cleaner physically and they don’t mind giving me money before they go back to their wives in the states. Some still send money for me and my child.”

I’m restating her words because it was not so long ago. However, the idea here is that nowhere did she mention these men were placing wedding rings on their fingers, and she did not say that these men were treasured human beings.

I don’t think any American woman was upset, because it was not a bad look on them but it did shed light on the Passport Bro situation in all its “glory.”

Here’s the thing, when white men began choosing Asian wives, I do not remember there being a huge deal of them telling each other to grab passports and hop countries to find a wife.

They just did it! Simple as that, too!! No media…no interviews…no bashing their own women – they left! Granted many of them did not have to hop countries, they just chose someone different. This does not mean that all white men did this or that all Asian women are submissive…and we certainly are not generalizing here.

In summation, Proverbs 18:22 says, “When a man finds a wife, he finds a good thing.”

In my opinion, a good man

Jesse T. Reyes Filipino Potpourri

for they have avoided thy wickedest American women and achieved nirvana with feminine foreign women, restoring the natural balance between feminine and masculine and breeding out leaving in the dust thy wicked western ‘shemen’.”

Indeed, Passport bros are a new phenomenon of Western men who are deciding to go to Asia and elsewhere to find traditional/ feminine women to wife up because they are either annoyed at the insanely high standards that modern Western women hold, or they don’t share the extreme woke values, or because western women can be hypocrites who want a provider man but they won’t clean or cook.

Passport bros are a variation of ‘Men Going Their Own Way’ (MGTOW) – (an anti-feminist, misogynistic, mostly-online community advocating for men to separate themselves from women and from a society which they believe has been corrupted by feminism) but the passport variant are men who still want to wife up good women instead of rejecting marriage altogether. Passport bros believe that certain women are worthy of marriage and that both husband and wife should contribute to the marriage in some way.

Person 1: Bro the girl on Tinder says I must be 6 feet tall, 6 packs, 6 figure income, pay for all her gifts but she won’t cook or clean.

better and stronger family units, too!

Passport Bros tend to get “bullied” by western women, who, ironically, prove why those Passport Bros exist in the first place. And for some reason, black men are the primary target of that persecution, though men of all races, especially men with the money to do so, are leaving the west for a better life abroad. Perhaps the bullying comes from the fact that it’s the men with money, the men that these women want the most - that are the ones leaving.

Summing it all up the Passport Bros are finding greener pastures and happier, less stressful, more peaceful lives outside of places like the USA, Canada, and the UK. Period!

However, this trend has also attracted criticism from some African-American women who have made disparaging comments about the women from other countries that these men pursue. This has caused a backlash from supporters of these women, highlighting the unfairness and insensitivity of these comments.

Before the rise of Eurocentrism in the 16th and 17th centuries as an ideology that provided the impetus to bury Ancient Egyptian or other African culture, there was an Egyptian woman named Hypatia. Hypatia and her father, Theon were equally famous for their achievements in philosophy, astronomy, and literature. Despite their popularity, Hypatia’s mother was never identified or revealed in history which I found confounding. Who was Hypatia and why is she relevant to the Black History Month celebration?

First of all, lest I’m misunderstood, some clarifications are in order to establish the Black ancestry of Hypatia. Many people are probably not aware that she was Black because in Greek literature and Hollywood movies such as Agora, portrayed her as White. Agora was a fiction based on true stories. Watching the movie, one can really feel the greatness and Hypatia’s impact on modern civilization.

Just a side note since I opened the door to Hollywood, I'm glad

that Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” official video brings us back to Ancient Egypt when it was part of Kemet, or the Land of the Black People. Mind you, some scholars even argue that all black people are descended from ancient Egypt. In Michael Jackson’s video, Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, who was the first Queen of the 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt, is shown prominently.

There is really no existing picture of Hypatia, therefore, sculptures in Greece and Egypt that depict her as white should be taken at face value because she’s been “Europeanized,” meaning owned by virtue of her amazing accomplishments. The fact that her mother was never identified in history books tells me that she could have been a slave.

It is important to remember that race in our contextual understanding of the word, is more or less, a modern albeit medieval invention. Ancient civilizations never looked at race as “race” in our current context. In simple terms to relate it to racism, ancients were not concerned about the color of the skin other than

looking for a good woman is ideal and traditional.

What do you think?

Well…?

In recent times, there has been a noticeable shift in the dating landscape with some American men opting to travel to other countries to find partners, commonly referred to as the Passport Bros.

FYI: The “Passport Bros” are men who have chosen to seek out foreign women, typically from other countries, for relationships. They believe that western women have been influenced by cultural and societal pressures to behave in a certain way, and that by seeking out foreign women, they can find a more authentic, fulfilling, and

harmonious relationship. This is seen as a way to restore the natural balance between masculine and feminine energy, and to avoid the “wickedness” of western women.

“Mike has been traveling to different countries for the past year and has earned himself the nickname ‘Passport Bros’ among his friends, due to his tendency to only date foreign women.”

They point to the fact that men who understand that western women “have drunk the cool aid pass the point of no return”, so to speak - and got their passports to enjoy happiness and peace with fit, friendly foreign women.

And that to all of them, the Lord said “God bless the Passport Bros,

Person 2: Dude, just become passport bros like me. My wife is foreign and we are happily married for 5 years so far.

It is important to recognize that individuals have different preferences when it comes to relationships, and generalizing or making derogatory comments about a group of people is not appropriate. Additionally, shaming any group of people, whether it is for their race, gender, or nationality, is wrong and goes against the efforts to fight hate and discrimination.

There has been a noticeable shift in the American dating landscape with some men opting to travel to other countries to find partners, commonly referred to as the Passport Bros. See

Men in the west, who understand that the west (particularly the U.S.) is a sinking ship both financially and culturally, and therefore, choose to live in countries such as the Philippines where their money goes farther and they’re treated with more respect, particularly by women.

Passport Bros appreciate that their lives would be better in places like Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe, because strong family values are still seen as the norm in places like that. Hook-up culture isn’t as rampant in those parts of the world, and thus, the population especially the women, are far less “damaged.” And they do create

The recent ‘Stop Asian Hate’ movement has certainly brought to light the alarming rise of antiAsian hate incidents, leading to an increase in public awareness and measure to address the issue. However, it is concerning to see that some individuals who were supportive of this movement are now humiliating Asian women for being more attractive to American https://www.vox.com/22820364/ stop-asian-hate-movement-atlantashootings men, which is seen as a reason for men pursuing partners from other countries.

It is important to recognize that

Black History Month Should be a Universal Celebration, Part 2

the medical theorist Hippocrates mentioning a baby’s skin color or pigmentation being affected by climate.

Early Christians believed that skin pigmentation can be altered during baptism, but race definition took a turn in the 15th century when Spain applied the “Purity of Blood” concept to disqualify Jews and Moors from becoming Christians. Under this concept, Christians believed that group identity cannot be altered even with the use of baptismal water. This was of course, the period of religious wars between Christians and Moors (North African Muslims), and Christians against Jews.

Hypatia was from Alexandria, Egypt which is located in Lower Egypt next to the Mediterranean Sea and geographically close to Greece. People there were light skinned when compared to the Middle and Upper Egypt. Both Hypatia and Theon were light skinned.

According to ancient archeological findings and recent mitochondrial DNA and melanin testing of Egyptian mummies, ancient Egypt were predominantly Black, and their Sub-Saharan ancestry has been traced to the ancient Near East and the Levant. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited exclusively from the mother.

Hypatia, the first female philosopher and a profound orator is described this way in Chapter

15 of the Ecclesiastical History of Socrates Scholasticus, “There was a woman at Alexandria named Hypatia, daughter of the philosopher Theon, who made such attainments in literature and science, as to far surpass all the philosophers of her own time. Having succeeded to the school of Plato and Plotinus, she explained the principles of philosophy to her auditors, many of whom came from a distance to receive her instructions.”

For a woman to excel in philosophy at a time when such a field was dominated by men was truly remarkable. Hypatia clearly took after her father, a Greek scholar who was also an accomplished philosopher and mathematician. Both father and daughter taught philosophy, math, and astronomy but Hypatia was way better. She was credited with having invented a hydroscope used to visualize objects below the water and to measure water densities.

She also constructed astrolabes. As a mathematician and early cosmologist, she used an astrolabe as a tool to measure the positions and charted the courses of the stars and planets. Her acumen in cosmology, philosophy, and mathematics combined made her teaching of Neoplatonic philosophy even more convincing and powerful.

Neoplatonism espoused the Pythagorean philosophy of “love of wisdom” whose doctrine of

metempsychosis believed in reincarnation, the transmigration of the soul after death into a new body, human or animal. Her Neoplatonism involved religious thinking laced with a strand that is strongly mathematical that made it more real, more meaningful, and deeper thus a sacred pursuit for "The One."

Hypatia’s venture into the religious realm that early Christians called paganism, however, did not go unnoticed. Egyptian Coptic Bishop John of Niku: ““And in those days there appeared in Alexandria a female philosopher, a pagan named Hypatia, and she was devoted at all times to magic, astrolabes and instruments of music, and she beguiled many people through her Satanic wiles. And the governor of the city honoured her exceedingly; for she had beguiled him through her magic. And he ceased attending church as had been his custom… And he not only did this, but he drew many believers to her, and he himself received the unbelievers at his house.”

Hypatia was about 60 years old when she was brutally murdered during the Lenten season for her beliefs, by a mob of Christian fanatics led by a church lector, a private militia of the local bishop in Alexandria, Cyril. Cyril’s thirst for more power in the secular world governed by Orestes, the Roman Prefect of Alexandria created tension among their followers.

A confident public speaker, Hypatia attracted quite a following that included famous people like Orestes, a Christian. Much like Bishop Niku, Cyril suspected Hypatia of poisoning Orestes mind because of their closeness. The conflict between the bishop and the prefect is a fascinating political story in itself except that their rivalry turned the city into a tinderbox and Hypatia became collateral damage.

The manner in which she was tormented and killed was repulsive. She was dragged from her chariot as she was headed home, took her to the church where they completely stripped her, and sliced her body with tiles. After tearing her body in pieces, they took her mangled limbs to a cremation oven and burnt.

Hypatia was clearly ahead of her time, an early feminist and a Black martyr. A genius emulated by people who would later become Catholic theologians and canonized saints. Bishop Cyril became pope and was canonized for his defense of the Trinitarian God.

Hypatia lived a celibate life and died a virgin. She became popular in Greek culture much like a goddess like Minerva. They remembered and honored Hypatia as St. Catherine of Alexandria, patron saint of philosophers and scholars. The fictitious name was to hide Hypatia’s true identity and how she died. They made her a Christian murdered by a pagan emperor. (To be continued)

The Stop Asian Hate movement dramatically changed awareness of anti-Asian racism and is now at a crossroads.

American women are mad that women overseas are taking the men they do not want and has caused a backlash from supporters of these foreigners, highlighting the unfairness and insensitivity of their comments.

Professional Business Directory

REYES

Continued from page 5

attraction is subjective and can vary from person to person. It is not right to chasten any group of people for their physical appearance, cultural background, or nationality.

Instead, we should strive to embrace diversity and work towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society.

In conclusion, as a community, we need to be more mindful of the way we talk about and treat people from different backgrounds. We should celebrate diversity and respect the choices of individuals when it comes to relationships. It is only through compassion and understanding that we can build a better world for all.

At the same time, I say

Asian women particularly our “kababayans” should become politically active in order to control their lives. They should also join force with other groups that aim to promote social equality and humanity for all people.

Continued from page 1 JESSE

arrived in Negros Oriental two days or three days before the day of the attack.

Currently, Pelare said they are looking at 16 suspects in the killing.

It is in unity that we find strength, in unity we find hope, and in unity we can stand firm as the darkness approaches. Let us stand together – and stand firm – against the many faces of hate.

Our strength as a community comes in our unity. We – as Filipinos or FilipinoAmericans, for that matter - need to have a more empowering narrative that we are speaking out and fighting back.

Truly, when we work in conjunction and stick together – we are strong and blessed. Mabuhay!

According to Pelare, the perpetrators stayed in a safe house.

He said the perpetrators had several options on how to execute the assassination and decided that the best opportunity to launch the attack against Degamo was on March 4.

Pelare said the police are now just gathering some pieces of evidence to ensure an airtight case against the suspects including the mastermind.

“We also have proven that one of the recovered firearms, 'yun po 'yung nakatama, nakapatay kay (shot and killed) Governor Degamo,” he said.

Murder and frustrated murder charges have been filed against four suspects identified as Joric Garido Labrador, Joven Calibjo Javier, Benjie Rodriguez, Osmundo Rojas Rivero, and 12 John Does before the Tanjay City Regional Trial Court.

Charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives were also filed against three individuals before the Bayawan City Regional Trial Court.

According to Pelare, the 16 suspects include 10 direct participants, while the others were facilitators, conspirators, and the mastermind.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday claimed that the "end is near" in the Degamo case as they have a video of the alleged mastermind. (MNS)

Help Wanted / For Rent / For Sale

MASKS

Continued from page 1

difference in transmission or death rates. Very importantly, the vaccination rates made all the difference,” Gandhi said.

The most important thing people could do during the pandemic is to get vaccinated, Gandhi advised. “I think we have to keep it a choice for the masking.”

Gandhi’s recently published book, Endemic, is about the politicization of public health policy. She said that closing schools during COVID was a politically driven decision and “not good for children in the Blue States, because the Red States kept their schools open.”

Dr. Mina Hakim, a pediatric specialist at South Central Family Health Center in Los Angeles, offered a similar view about masks from “down in the trenches.”

“The results of the study were clear in that surgical masks, N95 masks, did not make a difference in the transmission of Covid or the flu,” Hakim said.

“The mask is a small piece of a much bigger shield that we have against COVID. I would use the bigger piece of the shield, which is a vaccine, and I would not recommend masks for the general population,” Hakim added. Like Schaffner and Gandhi, he recommended masks for vulnerable populations.

Kids and masks

He said the Cochrane review

looked at a few studies that were specifically for children, and those results were even more definitive.

“Kids are the worst at keeping things on. You’d be lucky if you have a kid with their pants on at the end of the day let alone having a mask on that increases humidity, increases difficulty of breathing, and it’s just overall uncomfortable,” Hakim said.

They’re constantly touching things, wiping their nose, taking their mask off to eat and drink. They share pencils and pens that have been in other kids’ mouths. And teenagers are horrendous at being compliant, Hakim added.

Like Schaffner and Gandhi, Hakim recommended wearing masks for vulnerable people.

“If we could provide masks particularly to those high-risk people, I think that might … increase the trust because we’re not imposing the masks on them, but making them available, so that people feel more comfortable and reassured that it’s a good thing to do,” says Hakim.

All three speakers agreed that as studies like the Cochrane report reveal new findings about the efficacy of preventive care, these should not diminish public trust.

“One of the most difficult things for the general public to understand is that we will give you our best advice today but if we learn something tonight, we may have to change that advice tomorrow, and that this is an ongoing process,” Schaffner says.

SC junks lower retirement age for female flight attendants

MANILA -- The Supreme Court en banc has struck down a provision in the 23-year-old collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the management and workers of national flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) mandating a lower mandatory retirement age for female flight attendants.

In a statement issued Friday, the SC said it has declared unconstitutional Section 144(A) of the 2000-2005 CBA between PAL and the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP), which pegged the compulsory retirement age of female cabin attendants at 55 years old and male cabin attendants at 60 years old.

The court said the provision "was deemed void for lack of basis, discriminating against women, and being contrary to laws, international convention, and public policy."

"The Court, speaking through Senior Associate Justice Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen, emphasized the fundamental equality of women and men before the law which is

enshrined and guaranteed by the Constitution, the Labor Code, the Magna Carta of Women, and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women," the tribunal said.

Furthermore, the SC said PAL "failed to provide a reasonable basis for differentiating compulsory retirement age based on sex. It found insufficient proof to support the conclusion that female cabin attendants between 55 to 59 years old did not have the strength to open emergency doors, the agility to attend to passengers in cramped working conditions, and the stamina to withstand grueling flight schedules unlike their male counterparts.

The Court also ruled that petitioners were denied employment opportunity at an age “not young enough to seek for a new job but not old enough to be considered retired,” and deprived them of benefits attached to employment, such as income and medical benefits, five years earlier than their male counterpart, without any factual basis. (MNS)

STAY SAFE EVERYONE WEAR YOUR MASK WASH HANDS OFTEN

COVID-19

Continued from page 1

lamang nakakabawas sa panganib na magkaroon ng matagal na COVID, nakakatulong din ito na maipagpatuloy ng mga tao ang mga bagay na nakakapagpasaya sa kanila gaya ng hiking, pagpunta sa mga pagtitipon ng pamilya nang hindi nag-aalala sa kalusugan nila o sa kalusugan ng iba,” ayon kay

Dr. Scott Huang, D.O., Family Medicine, Medical Director ng Chinese Hospital Clinics. Pumasok sa tagsibol, ang panahon ng pagbabago, na may bagong determinasyon na gawing bahagi ng pag-uugali ang pagiging malusog.

Para sa higit pang impormasyong tungkol sa mga bakuna sa COVID at para makahanap ng

bakuna malapit sa iyo, bisitahin ang vaccines.gov.

Turning points in my life

A friend came for a business call but we spent the first half hour talking about the turning points in our lives. I shared with him my personal experiences when I was still in the Philippines, that of “falling from the favor of men and being caught by the hands of God”.

I was 45 years old with ambitions to fulfill. I’ve worked hard and accomplished so much. I thought I deserved a promotion. So I went to the Secretary of Health to request that I be considered for appointment to the just vacated position of Executive Director of the Dangerous Drugs Board. He said, “Hija, you are already occupying a very good position. I have been sending you abroad to represent me in international conferences. Why do you have to apply for a management position?” I would like to try my hand in management, I replied. Then he started saying negative things about me. I pushed a little bit harder knowing that what he was saying was hearsay and I was qualified for the position. Then he said with a tint of sarcasm, “I can’t appoint you because you are a woman.” I blew my top. I stood up, banged my fist on his table and pointed my fingers to him. In anger I said, “when did you ever think that I do all the things I am doing for you because I am a woman. If you can’t promote me, then retire me!” His answer was curt, “file your papers.” I left the room, too proud to even look back. I fell from the favor of an influential bureaucrat.

When you have nothing to hold on to, in times of despair and disappointment, the only thing you can do is to hold on to the hands of God. I felt so distraught. When I came home that evening I got my

Spiritual Life Situational ethics

Lord, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart. (Psalm 15:1-2)

"I cannot believe they are not going to honor my bonus agreement," said the executive who was about to take another position in a new city. Her understanding of her present work agreement called for a bonus at the end of the year. Management saw the situation differently. "It's not right. I am entitled to that bonus," she complained. It was time to leave. The company had given her a laptop to use. However, when she left, she decided that because the company was not going to pay her the bonus she was entitled to, she would simply keep the laptop as compensation due her. "And they would never miss it," she reasoned. She was now in the employment of the new company. As each day passed, she grew uneasier about her decision. She could not get it off her mind. Finally, she concluded that the Holy Spirit was telling her this decision was wrong and that she needed to call her former

dusty and long-forgotten Bible, opened it and started to pray. After praying for discernment and forgiveness, I opened the Bible and my eyes fell on these verses, “But, seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33) So I started seeking His Kingdom by reading and studying His Words, by going back to church and serving Him with all my heart. One Saturday morning I attended the Women’s Society of Christian Service Prayer rally where women were so happy sharing their personal testimony on the power of God in their lives. After listening and being inspired by what I heard, I stood up to acknowledge the speakers, but what came out of my lips, was a profound confession. “I am a sinner and I’ve fallen short in the glory of God.” Then came a strange feeling within me, a very warm sensation engulfed my whole being. Then and there, I felt that God has touched me and made me whole. My life was transformed and since then, I claimed the words of Micah: “What does the Lord expect of you, to love mercy, to do justice and to walk humbly with God.” God opened new doors for me.

Danny Hernaez

From Whom All Blessings

boss to confess her action. She called him and confessed what she had done and why she had done it. Her boss accepted her confession and forgave her. Strangely enough, he allowed her to keep the laptop computer. Truth never changes. It is absolute. When we make decisions based on other actions that are taken, we move into making decisions based on the situation, not truth and righteousness. The executive may indeed have been wronged, but she had to address the wrong in the appropriate way. Trying to compensate for the wrong by doing something that violates another scriptural principle is called situational ethics. If the employer had never wronged the executive, do you think she would have felt justified in taking the computer? Probably

We are now on the third Sunday of Lent and in three weeks we will be entering Holy Week which is the immediate preparation for the celebration of the Easter Triduum, during which we will be renewing the baptismal promises. On the first Sunday we have been assured that despite the strong and constant temptations that the enemy faces the faithful in this world, we are confident that we can prevail over him, because Jesus has conquered him. Last Sunday was further strengthened by faith that this Jesus is truly divine and followed him faithfully is the sure way to share his glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit in a communion that is eternal.

God allowed me to be elected to various positions in the church and to one of the highest position in an international women’s organization, that of World Secretary of the World Federation of Methodist Women (1991-96). I traveled to East Asia, South Pacific, South America, North America and Europe, speaking before women’s groups. When I think of the many wonderful experiences I’ve had, I am reminded of what a friend shared with me from, Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I’ll answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” I called to Him and He answered me, and showed me great and mighty things I never knew.

There has been a season in my life when I was wounded and crucified, but I clung to the Lord in prayer. I’ve uttered to my detractors, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do” Figuratively speaking, I carried my cross. I was whip-lashed by a cruel pen and would have given up, but the message of the Resurrection – Hope and New Life were my constant source of inspiration. Hallelujah, Christ has risen. Christ has risen, indeed. Happy Easter!

Today's reading from the Gospel allows us to realize that "the question that Jesus puts to the Samaritan woman: 'Give me a drink' (Jn 4:7), which is presented to us in the liturgy of the Third Sunday; expresses God's passion for every man and woman, and desires to awaken in our hearts the desire for the gift of a "fountain of water within, springing up unto eternal

life" (Jn 4:14.): this is the gift of the Holy Spirit, who transforms Christians into "true worshipers", capable of praying to the fattest "in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4: 23). Only this water can quench our thirst for goodness, truth and beauty! Only this water, given to us by the Son, can water the deserts of the restless and unsatisfied soul, until it 'finds rest in God,' according to the famous words of St. Augustine."

Jesus' dialogue with the Samaritan woman is a discussion that revolves around a relationship between the teacher and a person who seeks the truth about life and what leads to eternal life. We see

how Jesus penetrates the heart of this Samaritan woman who tries to exchange with Jesus in matters that are deep but in reality for the intention of hiding the truth behind the personality characterized by ignorance and sin. However, we see a patient Master leading this woman to know herself and later an acknowledgment of the true nature of Jesus himself. This is one of the very important fulfillment we must come to have during this Lenten season: the acceptance of our total sinfulness and the constancy of God's love for us and mercy for those who come closest to him during their lives.

Let Jesus guide us to himself during this season by opening ourselves to him, accepting our own sinfulness and receiving his presence and forgiveness. Let us sincerely acknowledge our sinfulness and truly turn away from sin in a grave act of repentance so that we can truly become and become His followers and partakers of the glory that promises Easter to all who believe and trust in His goodness and faithfulness.

not. When you isolate the two situations, you see that one action was taken in response to the other action. Have you had any experiences in which you have used situational ethics? The Lord desires His people to have a higher standard, even at the cost of being wronged. Ask the Lord to reveal any business practices that may indicate situational ethics. You might be surprised what will happen when you do the right thing.

The disciples thought they suffered their greatest defeat when Jesus died on the cross. However, this defeat became the greatest victory on earth. Christ's death gave liberty. Forgiveness came to all men. New life came forth - new strength for the disciples. Resurrection and new life came as a result of a "defeat."

<(((><

Fr. Agustin T. Opalalic

Physical Therapists Help People of All Ages.

NATIONAL CITY, CA -- Physical therapists are experts in human movement who are trained to evaluate and treat all kinds of musculoskeletal issues. They are highly trained in prescribing and progressing exercise to help people move and feel better. Because everyone moves and everyone can benefit from exercise, physical therapists can help people through their entire lives. Some people see a physical therapist shortly after birth. The most common reasons a baby would need to see a PT would be something like torticollis or cerebral palsy. Torticollis is a postural issue that causes babies to hold their heads tipped to one side. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that causes difficulty with movement and coordination.

As children continue to grow, some have trouble hitting their motor milestones - like rolling, crawling, or walking. Physical therapists can use their expertise to help encourage development of motor skills and coordination to get these children back on track.

Sports injuries become more common in adolescents. Whether it's an ankle sprain, or an ACL surgery, a PT can help. Some adolescents have issues from the rapid growth their bodies go through. Things like growth plate fractures, growing pains, Osgood-Schlatter's disease, and Sever's disease are all common in adolescence.

As adults, a lot of us will have

back pain - studies say up to 80% of us. Physical therapy is one of the first treatments recommended for back pain. Physical therapists also see injured adults. It could be from weekend warrior type sports injuries, overuse, or from an accident at work. Some adults also start to show symptoms of diseases like multiple sclerosis, or myositis which also benefit from physical therapy.

Later in life, people tend to accumulate more health issues that impact their ability to move. Issues like arthritis, joint replacements, strokes, and heart attacks are all things a PT can help with. Physical therapists also help people age better - keeping them moving with exercise programs that help reduce falls, or helping them make adaptations and modifications to keep them in their homes safely. Movement is a constant in life. As

movement experts, PTs can help people of any age. Some specialize in treating pediatric patients, and some specialize in treating geriatric patients, but all PTs have the expertise to help people move better.

About The Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association

Founded in 1956, the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association champions the success of physical therapist-owned businesses. Our members are leaders and innovators in the healthcare system. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents more than 85,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students of physical therapy nationwide. For more information, please visit www.ppsapta.org.

Sarah Geronimo, Moira dela Torre, Morisette nominated at 8th PUSH Awards

MANILA -- Kathryn Bernardo, Jodi Sta. Maria, Jane de Leon and Janella Salvador and popular Kapamilya love teams are among the nominees at this year's Push Awards.

ABS-CBN's Entertainment website PUSH announced the official list of nominees over the weekend.

The 8th PUSH Awards also introduced PUSH Breakthrough Artist of the Year and the PUSH P-Pop Group of the Year categories to champion the local music scene.

Nominated for the PUSH Music Artist of 2022 are Zack Tabudlo, Ben&Ben, Moira Dela Torre, Morissette and Sarah Geronimo.

The entertainment website will also name three individuals for the Inspiration of the Year category at the awarding ceremony that will happen on March 31.

Fans can vote 80,000 times per account per category from February 26 to March 26 using their GMail or Facebook accounts.

The winners of this year’s PUSH Awards will once again receive special digital trophies in the form of nonfungible tokens (NFTs), amplifying the goal to recognize the personalities who have made a mark in the digital space.

Below is the full list of nominees:

PUSH Music Artist of 2022

• Zack Tabudlo

• Ben&Ben

• Moira Dela Torre

• Morissette

• Sarah Geronimo

PUSH Breakthrough Music Artist of the Year

• Adie

• mrld

• Ace Banzuelo

• Khimo Gumatay

• Arthur Nery PUSH P-pop Group of the Year

• SB19

• 1ST.ONE

• BGYO

• BINI

• KAIA

PUSH Content Creator of the Year

• Cong TV and Viy Cortez’s Team

Payaman

• Slater Young and Kryz Uy’s

#SkyFam

• MELASON

• Toni Fowler’s Toro Family

• Small Laude

PUSH Social Media Personality of the Year

• Maxene Magalona

• Mimiyuuuh

• Heart Evangelista

• Kristel Fulgar

• Xian Gaza

PUSH Trending TikToker of the Year

• Liza Soberano

• Joshua Garcia

• Bretman Rock

• Niana Guerrero

• Mona Alawi

PUSH Popular Love Team of the Year

• DonBelle (Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano)

• FranSeth (Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin)

• KDLex (KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad)

• BarDa (Barbie Forteza and David

Licauco)

• LoiNie (Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte)

PUSH Power Couple Of 2022 (reallife sweethearts we love to admire)

• Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla

• Vice Ganda and Ion Perez

• Cong TV and Viy Cortez

• Ellen Adarna and Derek Ramsay

• Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati

PUSH Celebrity Mom of the Year

• Melai Cantiveros

• Marjorie Barretto

• Andi Eigenmann

• Dimples Romana

• Anne Curtis

PUSH Favorite Onscreen

Performance of 2022

• Kathryn Bernardo (2 Good To Be True)

• Jodi Sta. Maria (The Broken Marriage Vow)

• Baron Geisler (Doll House)

• Jane de Leon (Darna)

• Janella Salvador (Darna) (MNS)

Loisa Andalio, Coleen Garcia to star in esports film from Mikhail Red

Red, who is known for thrillers and horror flicks including 2022 MMFF winner "Deleter," described the new project as "something fresh and exciting."

"I like to think of it as my most wholesome project, because it's more inspirational and it's a genre I've always wanted to try – the sports movie and the underdog sports story," the filmmaker told Variety.

"Esports is becoming quite big, especially in the Philippines, and there's this stigma and the lack of support. It's very new and it's something that a lot of people still don't understand. It's just interesting to follow the lives of these esports athletes who are handicapped in terms of resources, support, and even internet speed and lag," he said.

Red likened "Friendly Fire" to a "classic boxing story" that will have a "rags-to-riches career fantasy journey."

The film will be produced by Ten17p, which also helped Red bring to life the crime thriller "Arisaka" starring Maja Salvador in 2021.

"Friendly Fire" is apart from Red's expansive lineup of films under Evolve Studios, his joint venture with "Deleter" producer Viva Films, according to Variety.

Viva Films and Red previously announced that among Evolve Studios' first offerings is the horror film "Nokturno," which will mark the director's second collaboration with Nadine Lustre after "Deleter."

MANILA -- Eric Tai, also known as Eruption, remains grateful for the opportunity to be part of ABS-CBN’s noontime show “It’s Showtime.”

In a vlog of broadcaster Julius Babao, Tai revealed that he was let go by the program due to reformatting in 2016.

Eruption recalled that he was about to go to the “Showtime” studio when one of the producers pulled him aside for a quick meeting on the second floor.

“Umakyat kami sa taas and I was like, ’Uy, ba’t aakyat sa taas? Bibihira kami dito sa taas,’” he narrated.

He already sensed by then that something unfortunate was about happen. He guessed right, as he was told that his services would not be needed anymore because of the planned revamp.

Despite the sad news, Tai took it with a grateful heart, thanking the show for establishing his name in the industry.

“I took it on the chin and I said, ‘Thank you kasi kilala na ako dahil sa inyo.’ And I’ll always hold that to my heart na, ‘Showtime, maraming salamat,’” Tai shared.

He also mentioned former “Showtime” director Bobet Vidanes and mainstay Vice Ganda for helping him create his mark in showbiz. Tai was part of the program from 2011 to 2015.

“Direk Bobet, thank you so much.

And Vice, everyone there, thank you because I’m known as ‘Eruption’ and I have a name now. Dahil sa inyo, I have... I was able to get endorsements [and] my social media following jumped,” he continued.

After his "Showtime" exit, Tai didn't have to wait long for another opportunity, as he was cast the following year in “The Amazing Race Asia 5” in Singapore.

In the interview, Tai also revealed

that his co-hosts on “Showtime” sent him messages after his removal from the show.

“‘Do what you need to do. This is your time to shine on your own. We hope that you’re okay.’ Lahat sila they sent their messages. ‘We know na kaya mo ‘to,’” Tai remembered. Currently, Tai is busy producing content on his social media pages, with his dance moves going viral online. (MNS)

sigla at nagagawa nang ngumiti. Last year, successful ang operations. This year, maraming lumapit na parents.”

According to the singer, the foundation aims to help the children with their free surgery including transportation and maintenance medicine. Liang said they have tied up with hospitals where the consultation takes place before the operation.

“Marami rin akong natatanggap na messages from parents sa official Facebook page ng Ronnie Liang Project Ngiti Foundation, Inc, thanking me dahil nakaka-ngiti na nang maayos ang kanilang mga anak,” he continued.

Liang said he realized that the true purpose of his music is to touch and transform lives.

“Before this pa naman, I’ve been helping children with cancer. I believe for 15 years na. Ginagawa ko ang pagtulong sa mga batang may kanser tuwing birthday ko, January. That’s my way of giving back,” he said.

MANILA -- Several years back, singer and pilot Ronnie Liang rose to fame for his breakout hit “Ngiti,” which paved the way for him to make a mark in the local music scene.

In fact, “Ngiti” was used as the soundtrack of the ABS-CBN series "Hiram na Mukha'' in 2007 which featured Heart Evangelista and Geoff Eigenmann.

Today, the song has taken a whole new meaning as Liang becomes a hope for many children with cleft lip and palate with his latest project,

the Ronnie Liang Project Ngiti Foundation, Inc.

The foundation was founded in 2022 and officially registered to the Securities and Exchange Commission just this month.

“We are changing lives here. Nagsimula ang lahat dahil sa hit song ko na 'Ngiti.' I believe the reason why God gave me that song is to really bring ngiti to children,” he said.

“It always touches me kapag nakikita ko silang bumabalik ang

“I don’t know for how long I will be here in the entertainment industry but I know in my heart wherever I will go and whatever happens to me I have made a little difference in the lives of those children,” Liang ended.

Liang recently released a new song titled “Kailangan Kong Gawin” under RL Music. He also staged a successful private concert at Solano Hotel. The proceeds of which were directly handed to his foundation.

(MNS)

Variety.

In "Friendly Fire," Garcia portrays

a visionary CEO, Sonya, who aims to put Philippine esports on the map, while Andalio plays Hazel, a player whom the woman executive recruits and trains after randomly meeting her at an internet cafe.

"Helel," described as a "sci-fi spiritual horror film" about a Filipina astronaut, is also in the pipeline at Evolve Studios. Its lead star has yet to be announced. (MNS)

MANILA -- Alessandra de Rossi and Empoy Marquez share the screen again for the Amazon Original Movie “Walang KaParis.”

The breakout tandem known as AlEmpoy also reunited with director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, who first directed them in the 2017 sleeper hit film, “Kita Kita (I See You).”

“Walang KaParis” revolves around Jojo (Empoy), a Filipino artist in Paris. He has had many lovers, but constantly finds himself desperate to fill the gap in his life occupied by the mysterious muse of his paintings.

For years, his heart is held captive by a woman with no name and no history. Because of that, he looks for her in every girl he meets, hoping she will be “the one.”

One day, a woman named Marie (Alessandra) walks up to him and claims to be the subject of his paintings.

The romantic drama is produced by Spring Films and Viva Films.

“Walang KaParis” starts streaming on Amazon Prime Video on March 23 in 240 countries and territories

worldwide, alongside “Kita Kita.” Prime Video also recently released the first Filipino Amazon original film “Ten Little Mistresses” which became a top hit. (MNS)

Why Eric 'Eruption' Tai remains grateful to 'Showtime'

Ronnie Liang launches ‘Project Ngiti' to help kids with cleft lip, palate

Alessandra De Rossi and Empoy Marquez reunite for new Amazon Original Movie

MANILA -- Loisa Andalio and Coleen Garcia will be first-time costars in a film about esports to be helmed by acclaimed director Mikhail Red, according to

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the United Nations in New York

Assistant Diego Andreas Lingad, DICT Head Executive Assistant

Patricia Nicole Uy, Commission on Human Rights Executive Assistant

Liza De Luna, Pambansang

Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan Secretary General

Amparo Miciano Sykioco, and Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) Executive Director Liza Samonte Garcia.

The CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

It is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

International Women's Day is celebrated every March 8 to recognize women for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political, according to the UN website. (MNS)

5 women in Top 10 of PNPA

Class 2023

MANILA, Mar 8 (Mabuhay)

-- Five women are in the Top 10 of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) "Masidtalak"

Class 2023 composed of 208 cadets which is set to graduate on Friday.

These are Jail Cadet Mary Louise Moyano (Rank 3); Police Cadet

Claire Gean Pambid (Rank 5); Police Cadet Gezelle Sadian (Rank 6); Fire Cadet Gillian Torlao (Rank 7) and Police Cadet Kimberly Cruz (Rank 10).

Moyano, who will join the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), will receive the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Kampilan Award and the BJMP Kampilan Award. She will also be the recipient of the Servant Leadership Kampilan Award.

Meanwhile, Torlao will receive the Best in Forensic Science and Best in Laws and Jurisprudence awards.

This year's class valedictorian is 25-year-old Police Cadet Francis Geneta of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Geneta said poverty inspired him to give all his best despite graduating magna cum laude in his Bachelor of Science in Education Major in Mathematics at the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology-Main Campus.

“He was raised by a single parent. His mother, Sanny de Leon Geneta, is a seamstress by profession,”

PNPA spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Gonzaga said in an interview.

Geneta will receive the Presidential Kampilan Award and the Chief, PNP Kampilan Award.

Other cadets in the Top 10 are Police Cadet John Rafael Desiderio from Cubao, Quezon City (Rank 2); Fire Cadet Eden Jhun Santos from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

(Rank 4); Police Cadet Jefferson Mamauag from Cauayan City, Isabela (Rank 8); and Police Cadet Patrick John Alabado from (Rank 9). Desiderio will receive the Vice President Kampilan Award, Best in Police Administration and Best Thesis award.

Santos, meanwhile, will be awarded with the Chief, Bureau of Fire Protection Kampilan for being the top cadet who chose the BFP.

In an interview on Tuesday, PNPA director Maj. Gen. Eric Noble said the PNPA "Masidtalak" Class 2023 consists of 174 males and 34 females.

Of this number, 186 will be joining the PNP upon graduation while 11 will be serving the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and another 11 will be augmenting the ranks of the BJMP.

The PNPA Class 2023 was the

batch undergoing its second year of training when the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020. Despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, Noble said this class soldiered on and managed to complete their training. Adjustments were made to ensure that these cadets got all the necessary education and training despite the pandemic.

“Amid the grim struggle of winning supremacy over oneself, they have displayed paramount competence and excellence both in tactics and in the field of academics,” the PNPA posted in its Facebook page.

“These soon-to-be officers of the nation epitomize utmost determination, perseverance, and tenacity in performing their duties and responsibilities as cadets,” it added. (MNS)

FILIPINA MARATHONER. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (2nd from right) and Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito (right) congratulate Filipina athlete Julie Uychiat for being the first Filipina to finish the World Marathon Challenge, during a visit at the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday (March 7, 2023). Uychiat finished first place in four of the seven marathons held on seven continents. (MNS photo)