The Filipino Press: September 29 - October 5, 2023

MANILA -- Innovation is the linchpin for forging a progressive, sustainable and safe future, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said as the government launched the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD) at the Manila Metropolitan Theater on Wednesday.

“Let me reiterate the importance of innovation as the transformative agent of our time. It will help us shape a future that is progressive, sustainable, and safe,” President Marcos said in his speech during the launching of the NIASD.

The NIASD embodies the country’s 10-year vision, long-term goals, and strategies for improving innovation priority areas deemed important by the National Innovation Council (NIC).

President Marcos emphasized that the launching of the NIASD is a recognition of the Philippines’ stature as it has maintained its status as one of the innovation achievers in Southeast Asia.

“By this, we acknowledge that the Philippines has earned recognition as an innovation achiever that truly stands tall amongst our Southeast Asian peers, and as an exemplar that creates an environment of meaningful opportunities for citizens to seize and for them to flourish,” he said.

President Marcos also acknowledged stakeholders who continue to play an important role in promoting development through innovation.

“We likewise take pride in our people’s strength, resourcefulness, and resolve as they will help us develop our undeniable potential and realize comprehensive development

through innovation,” the President said.

President Marcos emphasized the need to collaborate with relevant stakeholders such as the academe

and other partners both locally and abroad to ensure that the government achieves its goals with the welfare of every Filipino at the center.

“These undertakings serve as

catalysts to achieve our overall developmental agenda. Your involvement will be instrumental to their success,” the chief executive said.

President Marcos also gave his assurance that the initiative will continue to have government support.

“Rest assured that we will remain supportive of your endeavors that will make these all a reality. Our government, both at the national and local levels, remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing innovation and sustainable development,” he said.

The chief executive likewise mentioned infrastructure, which he referred to as the crucible for innovation.

“We also understand the crucial role played by infrastructure development and cutting-edge facilities. They serve as the crucible for innovation and the foundation for our glorious future,” Marcos said.

“And that is why we will remain aggressive in our drive to invest in our infrastructure system. We will likewise encourage our counterparts in the local (government) sector to pursue projects that will meet the requirements for their own localities,” he added.

Marcos inks Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act

In a bid to generate more jobs in the country, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday signed the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act.

The said law aims to direct the formulation of a master plan to ensure

SAN DIEGO, CA, September 25, 2023 – San Diego County TreasurerTax Collector Dan McAllister said, “Don’t trash your cash!” today as he announced the deadline extension for people to file a claim if they are owed County Unclaimed Monies. Readers are urged to go online now to find out if they are owed part of $543,171 in unclaimed money before it is rolled into the County General Fund. The previous deadline of September 21, 2023, has been extended to Friday, October 6, 2023.

“It pains us greatly to see people walk away from money,” McAllister said. “So far, only a handful of people have filed claims. There is still over $500,000 unclaimed.

Because of that, I have extended the deadline and we are expanding our outreach efforts to reach those who may be owed money,” McAllister said.

“If you have done business with the county in the last three years, including paying property taxes, you could be on the Unclaimed Monies list.”

Each year the TreasurerTax Collector and other County departments have thousands of dollars that are owed to taxpayers. This usually results from warrants/ checks that are undeliverable by the postal service. Refunds-owed could be a result of overpaid taxes or instances in which individual and organizations are doing business with or receiving County services.

After several years of no claim being received the funds are escheated. While the County works to return these monies to the rightful owner, some refunds remain unclaimed.

“My staff and I are working hard to return this money to the citizens of San Diego,” said McAllister.

“The average refund is $998.76, and that can go a long way for those who are the rightful owners and who need it.”

To view a list of the 1,056 unclaimed refunds, go to Treasurer-Tax Collector’s website. Alternatively, hard copies of the list are available at any one of the following Treasurer-Tax Collector

office locations.

If you are owed money, follow the instructions on the unclaimed money page of the website to file a refund claim by October 6, 2023, before the money is rolled into the county’s general fund.

You can email your claim to refunds@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 1-877-829-4732 for more information. Anyone can sign up to receive emails when new unclaimed money lists are posted.

“We want all of

general fund.

Payment methods that scammers insist you use — like gift cards, cryptocurrency and wire transfer — are telltale signs of scams, the Federal Trade Commission reported at a Sept. 22 Ethnic Media Services news briefing.

For the first six months of 2023, $4.4 billion dollars were lost across over 1.1 million reports of consumer fraud, per the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network — “and we know from our working experience, and from surveys, this is only the true tip of the iceberg,” said Lois Greisman, Associate Director of the FTC Division of Marketing Practices.

Forms of contact, payment

The primary point of contact that scammers use to reach people is social media, by which $658 million was reported lost in the first half of 2023. Phone calls have the highest per person reported losses, with a median loss of $1,400 per person.

“Just as scammers like certain forms of contact, like the telephone, which are most effective at getting someone to part with their money,” said Greisman, “they like certain types of payment because they can take the money with very little trail, while for the consumer it’s virtually impossible to get this money back.”

By far the greatest losses by payment method owe to bank transfers, for which $901 million was reported lost in the first six months of 2023 alone.

An example of this scam: “I get a call. I am told my grandson has been in a car accident, can’t find an insurance card, and needs surgery right away. The only way he can get it is if I go to my bank and I ask them to transfer $7,895 to an account in Canada,” Greisman said. Other common payment methods include wire transfers, by which $164 million was lost in the first half of 2023;

credit cards, by which $123 million was lost; gift cards, by which $109 million was lost; debit cards, amounting to $106 million; and payment apps like Zelle and Venmo, and Cash App, amounting to $102 million.

Much of these losses owe to imposter, lottery, investment, and business fraud — for example, “You get a phone call from the IRS that you owe back taxes, or from the sheriff’s office that there’s a warrant out for your arrest, or you’ve won the lottery and all you have to do is pay a processing fee” by sending or reading aloud the numbers of “a gift card for $100, or a few hundred,” Greisman said.

In the case of larger payments in the thousands and tens of thousands through cryptocurrency and wire transfers, “there may be an ‘expert’ online who wants to teach you how to get rich quick trading cryptocurrency, or becoming an entrepreneur by selling on eBay,” she added.

Sophia Siddiqui, an attorney for the FTC Division of Marketing Practices, said that due to low regulations, cryptocurrency has been on the rise over recent years as “the payment method preferred by scammers. Through online trading groups or social media, they’ll say they’re making millions in cryptocurrency, and that they’re offering investment advice for a limited time for an upfront $10,000 fee. You pay using their link, they put that money in their crypto wallet, and never contact you again.”

Never send money “to someone you don’t know or trust, who pressures you to pay immediately, or says that a certain payment method like a wire, gift card, or crypto is the only way to pay,” said Siddiqui.

Owing to low regulations and small paper trails, it’s very unlikely that money lost to cryptocurrency and wire scams, and gift cards can be recovered.

Conversely, credit cards offer the best protections under federal law. Stopping scams

“If you call your bank and say you didn’t authorize a charge on your credit card, they have to investigate, and you shouldn’t be liable for more than $50 — many banks won’t even charge you that,” said Siddiqui.

Likewise, for a gift card like Amazon, or a wire transfer like Western Union, “contact the company and ask them to reverse the charge. If you send cash or a gift card in the mail, ask USPS to intercept the package. If you give a scammer your social security number, go to identitytheft.gov to see what steps to take, like monitoring your credit,” she continued. “If you give a scammer access to your phone or computer, update your security software, run a scan, and delete anything problematic.”

Those facing a scam can report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and find information on how to avoid scams in various languages including Arabic, Chinese, Hmong, Korean, Spanish, Russian, Tagalog and Vietnamese at ftc.gov/languages.

Red flags

The best weapon in the fight against scams is, by far, education, Greisman and Siddiqui agreed.

Never underestimate how persuasive a scammer can be,” said Greisman. “What most helps is informing people about red flags. The bottom line is that how they want you to pay is the red flag. If you get a call or message asking with threats or promising returns for a gift card, a wire transfer, crypto — hang up, delete it, go offline, do whatever you need to do to stop contact. That’s not how a government entity or other institution would reach you.”

Likewise, Siddiqui added, it boils down to this: “Only a scammer will guarantee that you will make a lot of money with no risk.”

THE PAMPERED PINAY

Women’s Health

By FRANCINE m AIgu E

This past month, we discussed Type II Diabetes and some easy steps and changes in our habits that can have big impact on having a healthier, longer life. This is particularly important because Type II Diabetes is a rising health threat in our community…but it's not the only one.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, my pampered friends. Along with Diabetes and Cancer, we’ll be taking a look at a range of diseases this month whose rates are rising in our community. When we know better, we do better…and this case, we may live longer.

Here's a glimpse into what I'll be sharing with you this month and some key steps we can all take to help prevent or overcome medical conditions that are especially impacting women.

Breast Cancer

As with most medical conditions, early detection and preventative measures make for the best outcome when dealing with breast cancer. The

American Cancer Society shares that breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. (The second is lung cancer.) Though some women may be predisposed for breast cancer, it's important that we all regularly screen for the disease and stick to some healthy habits.

1. Limit your alcohol intake.

2. Maintain a healthy weight.

3. Do regular self-exams and schedule yearly exams with your doctor.

4. Don't smoke.

5. Check in with your doctor if you have a family history of cancer.

Heart Disease

Ladies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is responsible for 29% of our deaths. The extra scary fact is the suddenness of such deaths. Many women go for years with undetected heart disease. Often they believe their inability to complete physically engaging tasks or difficulty breathing are simply signs of being out of shape. Unfortunately, heart disease in women, tends to be underdiagnosed, and the condition

is only identified when it's too late. This is our number one killer, and it's affecting women of all ages.

1. Monitor your blood pressure.

2. Keep a close eye on your cholesterol level.

3. Stay active.

4. Eat a balanced diet.

5. Don't smoke.

6. If you regularly experience nausea or jaw pain, check in with your doctor.

7. If heart disease tends to run in your family, it's never too early to get checked out.

Depression

While most folks tend to focus on physical health, mental and emotional health are equally important to address. As women, we try our best to juggle multiple stressful life situations and responsibilities with grace. We do it all and work hard to make it look effortless. The National Institute of Mental Health shares that women are twice as likely as men to endure depression. We may be Wonder Women, but we are human…and even gladiators have feelings. It's important to shrug off any stigmas and ask for help.

1. Set aside time just for you each day to reflect and relax.

2. Make your health and wellbeing a priority.

3. Regularly and openly communicate your feelings—at home, at work, amongst friends and family.

4. Seek help when overcoming a troubling experience, whether recent or from your past.

5. Say “no” and take a time out when you are feeling overwhelmed or when your health and well-being are being compromised. We get one life, one body, and one mind, my friends. Pamper them with care. Knowledge and healthy habits will take us far. Stay tuned! In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing tips from local experts in the medical field that will help make our pathway to better health a successful one.

Happy First Year Anniversary: Sofia's Precious Boutique Cheryl Barraza and daughter Sofia celebrated the first year anniversary of their unique boutique located at Old Schoolhouse Square shopping center, 600 E. 8th St. Ste#4, National City with dancers of Samahan Dance Company. Looking for Hello Kitty gift items and more? Call Cheryl at (619)534-0511. (photo by Zen Ply)

NEDA sees lifting of rice price caps ‘very soon’

MANILA -- National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan on Thursday said the decision to lift the price ceiling on the retail prices of rice varieties commonly purchased by households will come out “very soon.”

At the sidelines of a summit in Manila, Balisacan told reporters the government is looking at the indicators that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. would need to see to help inform his decision.

Asked when the price caps— which have been in effect since September 5—will be lifted, the NEDA chief said, “[V]ery soon because as we all know it, you can’t keep price cap for so long because the negative effects can far outweigh the positive effects.”

Under Executive Order. 39, the price cap imposed on regular milled rice was at P41 per kilo while for the well-milled variety, the price ceiling was set at P45 per kilo.

Balisacan said the price control measure could be lifted next month as the harvest season is seen to peak some time in October.

“October will be the peak of the harvest so we will be able to address the issue, remove the price cap,” he said. For his part, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the government is still conducting further study and monitoring the movement of the global prices of the crop staple.

“Further study ang ginagawa mahirap naman bigla bigla kang aaksyon. Binabantayan natin doon ‘yung movement of the world price of rice,” Pascual said.

(Further study is being conducted as it would be difficult to make an action suddenly. We are monitoring the movement of the world price of rice.) Balisacan said the economic team will be advising the President “and provide him with all the information that is needed to help inform that decision and I think that will come soon.”

PBBM orders DFA, DMW to help Filipinos hit by Hawaii

wildfires

President Ferdinand R. Marcos

Jr. on Thursday directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to assist the Filipinos affected by the deadly wildfires that struck the island of Maui, Hawaii in August.

“In the spirit of unity and compassion, I have instructed the DFA and DMW to collaborate with the state of Hawaii to assist grieving families and help Filipino communities rebuild,” Marcos said in a statement posted on his official X account.

“We stand in solidarity with those affected, offering our condolences and continued support,” he added. Marcos issued the statement following reports that more Filipinos have been included in the list of those who died in the wildfires.

According to a report by GMA News on Tuesday, 10 more Filipinos have been killed in the wildfire tragedy, bringing the death toll among Filipinos and FilipinoAmericans to 29.

“Our hearts are with the victims of the Maui wildfire and their families. With losses among the Filipino and Filipino-American communities, we deeply feel the weight of this tragedy,” Marcos said. A series of wildfires burned thousands of acres since it struck Maui, hitting the coastal town of Lahaina hard and leaving at least 115 dead and over a thousand more missing.

The DFA has urged the relatives of affected Filipinos to contact the consulate through its hotline number +1808 253-9446 to allow the foreign service post to verify its records of reported Filipino casualties or other distressed Filipinos, and to provide them with necessary assistance.

On Aug. 16, Marcos assured the public that he was closely monitoring the condition of Filipinos residing in Hawaii and guaranteed the readiness of the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu to assist affected Filipinos.

There are about 388,000 individuals in Hawaii who identify

themselves as Filipino or partFilipino, according to the 2020 US state census.

Around 200,000 of the 388,000 have parents who are both Filipinos but only 16 percent are Philippine passport holders.

Export of PH avocados to South Korea starts Sept. 30: DA exec

The export of Philippine avocados to South Korea will begin on Sept. 30, an official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Wednesday.

“Last week, we mentioned our export to South Korea of our avocados. Well, this will be the first.

Our maiden shipment will happen this weekend, this Saturday," DABureau of Plant Industry director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing over PTV, where he is one of the co-anchors.

The shipment of avocados to South Korea is for the 2023–2024 season, Panganiban said.

The fruit will be initially sourced out from DA-BPI-accredited orchards and packing houses of Dole Philippines in Davao, Bukidnon and South Cotabato.

The market access milestone is made possible through the effort of the DA-BPI and the Philippine Agriculture Office in Seoul.

The market access of Hass avocado to Korea was first requested by the Philippine government in 2009 but was put on hold due to the one-at-a-time policy for pest risk analysis (PRA). The PRA for Hass avocado resumed after the Philippines’ success in securing market access for okra exports to Korea in 2021.

Hass avocadoes have become popular in Korea as the main nutritional ingredients for salad and sandwiches. They are available at leading retail stores and online markets, in fresh and frozen form, but are mostly from Latin American countries.

In 2022, South Korea has been the fourth largest destination of Philippine agri-food exports with USD574.27 million total agrifisheries exports value. (MNS)

PBBM carefully considering naming ‘regular’ DA chief --

MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is being careful in choosing the next secretary who will lead the Department of Agriculture (DA), Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Thursday.

In an interview with journalist Anthony Taberna, Bersamin said Marcos is aware that he needs to appoint a “regular” DA secretary, given the issues besetting the agriculture sector.

“Eto kasing pagpipili ng sekretaryo, siguro tinatantya niya (Marcos) sino ang dapat dahil ang agriculture portfolio napakaraming issues diyan (Perhaps, he is estimating who should be picked as secretary because the agriculture portfolio has so many issues),” he said.

Bersamin said he is not privy to Marcos’ preferred successor, but stressed that there could be a shortlist of candidates for the DA post. He also believed that Marcos was “on the way” to making a decision with regard to choosing the new agriculture secretary.

“Matagal na iyang iniisip niya iyan (He has been thinking about that for a time),” Bersamin said. “Meron ding

Bersamin

nagsasabi na panahon nang ibigay niya sa iba at mag-concentrate na lang siya sa mga ibang pangangailangan ng bayan (Some also say it is time for him to give it to others and concentrate on other needs of the people).”

Bersamin, however, said Marcos is also considering the advice for him to stay as DA chief.

He said there are “many” people who want Marcos to continue leading the DA because only the president could solve the issues plaguing the agriculture industry.

“Sa dami ng problema diyan sa agrikultura kailangan talagang presidente ang humawak dun sa ngayon sa kalagitnaan ng mga issue na ito. Kailangan mas malaking authority kagaya niya (Considering the problems in agriculture, the President really needs to handle it right now in the middle of these issues. There needs to be a bigger authority like him),” Bersamin said.

“Sa aking tingin, mas matimbang ‘yung mga nagsasabi sa kanya na (In my opinion, those are more of people telling him that) he should still be there,” he added.

In a media interview in June,

Marcos said he would give up his concurrent position as the head of the DA only after completely addressing the pressing issues hounding the agriculture sector.

Marcos also bared in March that he prefers to appoint a successor who is an expert in the field of agriculture.

Serving the president Meantime, Bersamin squashed rumors that someone would replace him as Executive Secretary.

“For as long as the President needs me, I will be around,” he said. “That was what I told the President. ‘I will serve you for as long as I am useful to you and for as long as you need me.’”

Bersamin was appointed Executive Secretary in September last year after the resignation of his predecessor, Victor Rodriguez.

Before being appointed Executive Secretary, Bersamin served as chairperson of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) under the leadership of Marcos’ predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte. He was named the country's top magistrate in November 2018 and retired from the judiciary in October 2019. (MNS)

ROAD STRESS. A scooter driver carefully negotiates flooded Taft Avenue, near the corner of United Nations Avenue, in Manila on Thursday (Sept. 28, 2023). A low pressure area outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility is causing moderate to heavy rains for the past few days, according to state weather bureau PAGASA. (MNS photo)

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Asia is complicated. You – my dear folks – might have noticed. China is in the headlines a lot lately, for good (and bad, too) reason. But anyone who views the current set of issues as short term and requiring the usual “kick the can” treatment is missing a lot.

We have been “kicking the can down the road” for decades now in a number of places (e.g.,’ North Korea) but none matters more than China.

The “Middle Kingdom” (a term for China that dates back nearly 7,000 years) has been around a long time. For much of recorded history, it considered itself the center of the known world and the most advanced civilization on earth, not without reason. In the last few centuries, China suffered at the hands of Imperial Europe, followed in the 20th century by the unspeakable horrors first of the Japanese conquest and then the Mao regime.

Now, it seems China sees itself as moving back into its rightful place of leadership in the world. Perhaps, many of us in the West underestimate the extent to which China sees itself as moving on a long historical arc, remembering well the glory and pain of its long chronicle and the many injustices it suffered during what might be seen as a temporary downturn in their fortunes.

Well. Where to begin?

First of all, let’s take a brief moment to start with the present big picture.

As I have reported in my last column – an incredulous Senator Robin Padilla on Tuesday, September 12, could barely believe what he was hearing from officials of the Philippines’ Department of National Defense (DND), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG): that while the PCG was a uniformed civilian force, it’s counterpart and rival in the West Philippine Sea, the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) was not.

“Ibig ‘niyong sabihin, iba ang definition ng coast guard ng China?

Wow, ha, talaga lang, ha? (So, you mean, the Chinese Coast Guard is defined differently? Wow, really, are you sure about that?)” said Padilla during a joint Senate panel hearing into issues in the West Philippine Sea, or parts of the South China Sea within Philippine territory.

Padilla was also asking if it was appropriate for an American Navy plane to be present in the West Philippine Sea, the source of conflict between the Philippines and China, when it was the PCG and the CCG going head-to-head.

If I must say what the novice Filipino senator got wrong – and seemingly refused to believe – was that China’s structure was different.

The CCG, since 2028, has been under China’s Military Commission. It used to be under Beijing’s State Oceanic Administration.

And those are the genuine facts.

Padilla would eventually reach his main point: that the United States, the Filipinos’ sole treaty ally, should not be in the West Philippine Sea - and that China was never an invader of Philippine territories (unlike the Americans and the Japanese) and should therefore not to be treated as a foreign aggressor country.

I beg to disagree though with the good senator’s conclusion that China never intruded into our old homeland’s domain before.

Over the centuries a great many Chinese pirates made names to themselves, terrorizing the seas of Southeast Asia and being a thorn in the side of the Chinese imperial government as well as other major powers. In the Philippines, probably the most famous of these is the pirate known as Limahong. In 1574

AND ANSWER TO AMERICA’S ‘TOP GUN: MAVERICK’

he launched a large-scale attack on Manila, intending to wipe out the occupying Spaniards and become ruler of the islands. Defeated, he fled to Pangasinan, intending to establish his own kingdom there. To this day there are still folks in that region who claim descent from Limahong and his pirates, and who whisper of jars full of gold and treasure, buried somewhere in the earth.

I guess this is the kind of story that should either be a big-budget action epic or a musical. Nothing goes better than pirates and musicals, so to speak. What say you?

“The Limahong Invasion” by Cesar Callanta, while being a historical narrative is written in the vein of a swashbuckling pirate adventure. Using adjectives like ‘wily,’ ‘crafty,’ and ‘dastardly,’ the author sets up Limahong as a roguish antihero or villain protagonist. Although ostensibly nonfiction, like a lot of historical writing it uses more of the techniques of fiction. The readers are prey to the thoughts and feelings of characters: “Fine weather and a comparatively smooth sea brought feelings of relief from anxiety and raised the hopes of everyone, from Limahong, Sioco and the captains down to the soldiers, sailors, artisans and the women. Oftentimes standing on the forward deck of the flagship, Limahong felt proud, brave and full of confidence in the dangerous operation that they were undertaking.”

In reality, we have no way of knowing what exactly these people were thinking and feeling at the time. But passages like these lend human interests to the narrative. The addition even contains a “romantic” subplot between Limahong and a native chief’s daughter. This part is perhaps too fanciful and dubiously historical to make it into the main body of the work, which is why it is relegated to a postscript.

Although the book is short and fast-paced, it manages to give the readers a basic background of the economies and social climate in Ming Dynasty China and Spanish Manila at the time.

As a major colonial power then with gunpowder and an armada the Spaniards also needed to face pirates who generally played the role of maritime challengers in the Philippines.

Initially, the Chinese Ming Court had noticed the establishment of connections between “Hokkien” (Chinese immigrants traditionally inhabiting southeastern China) and the Spaniards but they were not too concerned then since these people “saved” by then Spanish Governor Miguel Lopez de Legazpi had confirmed a friendly image of Spain.

Prosperity generated by increased commerce attracted more Chinese immigrants to settle in Manila, something which later became a problem for the Spaniards.

In 1574, as I have indicated earlier above – Limahong, a Teochew (a group of Chinese originating from eastern Guangdong) pirate, heard that Manila was a new and relatively unprotected settlement. Seizing the opportunity to capture Manila, Limahong led nearly 100 ships and around 4,000 companions in an attack on the city. They killed the Spanish commander Martin de Goiti (one of the soldiers who accompanied the Spanish colonization of the East Indies and the Pacific in 1565 and who led the expedition to Manila ordered by Legazpi in 1569 – De Goiti was buried in the San Agustin Church in Manila -The Filipinos also named a public square in Santa Cruz after him – remember Plaza Goeti in Manila?) in a surprise raid at the beginning of the battle but were later defeated by Spanish reinforcements.

The Spanish fear of allowing any further Chinese settlement appeared after this.

After Limahong’s attempted conquest, the Spaniards became very suspicious at the Chinese diaspora. “It seems that in the kingdom of China this corsair, Limahong, has done much damage,” writes Spanish Governor Francisco de Sande. In 1603, the Spaniards suppressed the so-called “Sangley Rebellion,” killing many Chinese in Manila when they found out that some of these people were trying to take over the Philippines.

Because of the disproportionate number of Chinese casualties, the merchants referred to the event as the “Massacre of 1603.” To eliminate the Chinese living in the Philippines, the Spaniards worked with the native Filipinos and the local Japanese community from the Paco district of Manila. These groups competed economically with the Chinese merchants, and thus had an interest in aiding the Spaniards.

Jesse T. Reyes Filipino Potpourri

natives playing a supporting role in the narrative at best.

Conclusivelly, I reckon the book covers the events from Limahong’s first formulation of his plan to invade the Philippines up to his daring escape from the Spanish forces besieging him in his “kingdom” in Pangasinan. His childhood and early career are mentioned in passing. A brief passage described his decline and obscure death, ending a swashbuckling adventure on a somewhat melancholy note: “One Spanish traveler and writer reported that Limahong died in the village of Tonzuacaotican (Makung) of loneliness and grief because of his military and naval defeats and failure to establish a colony in a foreign country. Whether he perished on the sea or on land no one knows.”

Fast forward to the present –There is no doubt about it that “Born to Fly” – the Chinese Top Gun movie film puts tech propaganda in the frontline. In lieu of any real plot, I must tell you – my dear readers – that this flick centers more on political pep talks and jingoism, thereby making it more of a foreign policy document than a flyboy blockbuster.

“Born to Fly” was supposed to be China’s answer to Tom Cruise’ blockbuster sequel – “Top Gun: Maverick.”

Produced in full cooperation with

promising flyboy Lei Yu (Wang Yibo) is plucked from his unit by veteran Zhang Ting (Hu Jun) to join the elite Chinese outfit trying to get “limit data” at high-altitude from the new stealth planes. Apart from a passing rivalry with Deng Feng (Yu Yosh), that’s about it. But the drama of interest is taking place outside the confine of this film, as referred to in Born to Fly’s constant political pep talk about foreign powers trying to contain China and impinging on its territorial waters. The prologue features a pair of the incursive bad boys who declare: “We can come and go whenever we want.”

I say – Wrong, lawbreakers! Ha-ha-ha-ha!! Driven on by Zhang lecturing them about the country singlehandedly clawing its way back from past war strategic inferiority, Lei and buddies put themselves on the line to develop cutting edge tech for China’s servicemen – thereby giving director Lie Xiaoshi the opportunity for a couple of antsy spin-out sequences.

It’s not like Top Gun and the Rambo sequels weren’t also fill of the same hot militarism – or over patriotism, if I may add – but crucially they never forgot a sense of fun. But the attempts at “altitude” here are toe-curling timid of and committee-stamped: instructors who mess up must wear a little topknot (dunce cap?), while Zhang’s idea of letting the recruits cut loose is dumplings might round his place.

Moreover, it seems to be part of patriotic action movie DNA that the protagonist superpower must disingenuously paint itself as the underdog, as Top Gun: Maverick did in taking a fifth-generation RussianIranian Sukhois in F18’s.

But, as in the Wolf Warrior franchise, Wandering Earth and Battle at Lake Changjio, Chinese blockbusters really excel at this, with the same strain of maudlin masochism on display in Born to Fly. Liu almost manage to throttle up how Lei and the instructors push themselves and the planes into something dramatically interesting, but it never ignites. In the meantime, this is less of a movie, more a flying foreign policy document – in my humble opinion.

Interestingly enough, the traders in question were not associated with the Chinese government, or any piracy but the Spaniards still believed that they should not be minimized as potential threats. In the end, the perception of a warning resulting from a series of unnoticed incidents, and the Spaniards’ reaction in expelling the Chinese merchants, changed the trading status quo between China and the Philippines.

In Cesar Callanta’s “The Limahong Invasion” there are few but useful images – maps of the routes and areas discussed, as well as one artist’s rendition of several of the historical figures featured. By the way, the main source of the book are actual chronicles by Spanish friars, translated and collected in Blair and Robertson’s “The Philippine Islands.” This would probably account for why the Chinese and Spaniards are presented as the protagonists, with Filipino

the People’s Liberation Army Air Force – such as Maverick was with the U.S. Navy – the film showcases China’s most advanced stealth fighter jet, the J-20.

The pilots in this so-called Chinese Top Gun are mostly at the top of the ladder in the sense that they are in selfless support of China’s frontline troops - thanks to the emerging technological superiority of the People’s Republic (which would have made for a less snappy title). Another in China’s seemingly never-ending line of propagandistic, governmentbacked action films, this is only distinguished in dunderheaded patriotism from its American 80’s and 90’s equivalents by its absence of any functioning sense of humor.

It’s about the country’s nextgeneration fighter pilots, but the plot is last-generation, if I must opine:

By the way, Top Gun: Maverick never received permission to release in China but it did more than fine at the global box office, earning just shy of $1.5 billion – the most of any film in 2022 so far.

So, where does this leave us all about China?

This is really complicated; I mean REALLY COMPLICATED! This will take a long time, my dear folks. Don’t expect quick solutions or an end to uncertainty. On the other hand, one can always hope these issues are rational and calculating, and that they may take us all to the brink and back a few times, on the way to some positive change over time.

Meanwhile, we can’t predict the next move of the current volatile situations.

I say – hang in there!

And perhaps, “Be like water, my friend” as Bruce Lee used to say in one of his many blockbuster films. Mabuhay!

CHINESE CONNECTION: OF AN INCREDULOUS PHILIPPINE SENATOR ROBIN PADILLA, THE LIFE AND DEATH OF THE PIRATE KING LIMAHONG AND ON CHINA’S ‘BORN TO FLY’ FILM VERSION

'Born to Fly' is China's 'Top Gun' movie

Philippine Senator Robin Padilla questions presence of U.S. aircraft during Ayungin resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea

Chinese pirate Limahong failed in his 1574 invasion of the Philippines

Professional Business Directory

employment generation and recovery.

The comprehensive plan will also focus on improving the employability and competitiveness of Filipino workers through upskilling and reskilling initiatives.

In his speech, Marcos said the law would help in solving the various challenges plaguing the labor sector such as low quality jobs, skills mismatch and underemployment, among others.

“Under this law, we will also incentivize employers, industry stakeholders, and private partners who will facilitate skills development, technology transfer and knowledge sharing amongst our businesses and our workers,” Marcos said.

“With this concerted effort, I am confident that we will not only achieve the goals of this law but we will also realize our vision of Bagong Pilipinas," he added.

It will also provide support for micro, small, and medium enterprises as well as to industry stakeholders.

Marcos said the new law would lay the foundation for the Trabaho Para Sa Bayan Inter-Agency Council, which will craft the master plan for job generation.

He said the Council would be chaired by the Director General of the National Economic Development Authority and co-chaired by the Secretaries of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment, with representatives from other agencies and from various sectors.

“I, therefore, direct the Council and

all concerned government agencies to fast-track the issuance of the implementing rules and regulations of the law so that our workers and stakeholders can immediately benefit from it,” Marcos said.

Challenges in the labor market

For its part, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the TPB law is seen to address unemployment, underemployment, youth unemployment, the increasing precarity and informality of working arrangements, the reintegration of Overseas Filipino Workers, as well as other challenges in the labor market.

The council will also assist local government units in planning, devising, and implementing employment generation and recovery plans and programs within their respective localities, ensuring they are aligned with the TBP Plan, according to the NEDA.

“We support the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act as it contributes to the Philippine Development Plan

2023-2028, which aims to increase employability, expand access to employment opportunities, and achieve shared labor market governance,” said NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

“With the passage of the TPB, this will facilitate stronger coordination and partnership among relevant agencies and stakeholders for the efficient implementation of employment programs,” added Balisacan.

The socioeconomic planning agency said the TPB Plan shall serve as the State's master plan for employment generation and recovery.

The comprehensive plan will also focus on improving the employability and competitiveness of Filipino workers through upskilling and reskilling initiatives, according to the NEDA.

It will also provide support for micro, small, and medium enterprises and industry stakeholders, it said. (MNS)

Help Wanted / For Rent / For Sale

The Traslacion (Land Procession) over a week ago in the City of Naga was chaotic especially around the images of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro. A newspaper editorial on the Voyadores’ conduct was unforgiving and termed it “disgraceful.” Clearly, many were offended by the vulgar display of disrespect towards these icons.

While many have noted on social media, the nearly one million people in attendance who witnessed the various religious and civic activities that come with the annual festival, didn’t go unnoticed. Undoubtedly, the visit of the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown had a multiplier effect to such huge attendance.

Overheard from a social media video was a woman devotee retelling the overwhelming presence of male voyadores surrounding the images that she “could not even come close to Ina.” Another commented about how grand the occasion was and

how colorful the fluvial procession. Watching the Traslacion coverage, it was evident that the procession started peaceful but along the way when the spirits of the glass start to engorge the veins and arteries and buoyed by the chanter’s cadenced tempo of “Viva la Virgen!” and “Viva El Divino Rostro,” that the fervor began overwhelming some of the participants. Ahead of the images placed atop the orbs, devotees lined up behind bands and majorettes represented a more calm and orderly progression. There are several things to unpack here. First, let’s address the very object of people’s disdain and anger – the voyadores’ conduct. The unruly “sea of humanity” that surrounds the symbolic orbs disappointed many devout devotees who place an enormous honor and emotion on the images as if they’re the real thing –the symbolism of Mary and Jesus.

“How dare they defile the very sanctity of such representation?”

Check

This Year’s Journey with Inâ

You could almost hear them say.

The idea and evolution of the andases to the orbis looking metallic object, really find its genesis in the early ‘90s when the image of Ina was disrobed during the Traslacion. The spherical andas was designed precisely, to prevent a repeat of such disrobing incident. As in previous misfortunes, the voyadores get the blame. Well, caught in flagrante delicto, how could one deny especially with multitudes of cameras trained on them for social media postings?

The orbs remind me of another holier orb that Jesus holds, the globus cruciger as depicted in ancient art. With the cross mounted on a globe and a band of jewels around it, it represents a symbol of Christ’s dominion over the world. Salvator Mundi (Savior of the World) is Jesus holding the orb and the cross. I allude to such ancient symbolism to illuminate a human error. With the Divino Rostro on top of the orb, reminds us ominously, of Jesus’s triumph over the heavens. “He sits enthroned above the circles of the earth…,” Isaiah 40:22.

Whoever designed the orb knew precisely that people would attempt to climb it and hoped to grab the image. It has become, therefore, an invitation or a challenge to

voyadores who clearly take such challenges seriously. The recent incidents at the last Traslacion are exhibits of such manifestations. By design, the Church unwittingly has become complicit to obscenity. Too, having priests (or seminarians) involved in catching, wiping, and throwing towels thrown at them, they too have become complicit.

The bigger picture of such obscenity is encapsulated by that lady’s commentary, “I can’t even come close to Ina.” I know that woman was speaking in literal or physical terms but, nevertheless, it underscores the shallowness of such devotional practice. She did not mention the Divino Rostro, just Inamuch like other devotees who place more emphasis on the Patroness versus the Face of Jesus because it is her fiesta.

The Archdiocese of Caceres constantly reminds devotees through its Facebook page that “the Peñafrancia Fiesta is a religious activity and not a town or a barrio fiesta. It is not a carnival or a mardi gras. It is not about street dances, variety shows, and (or) talent competition. Also, it is not a mere vacation.” The host city, however, disagrees in toto. “The annual Peñafrancia Festival is more than just a religious celebration to many

Bicolanos. It is also a time for family reunions, carnivals, trade fairs, and various events celebrating Bikol arts and culture.”

The City’s understanding really goes back to how Bicolanos associated venerated images for successes and tribulations in life. They gathered and prayed as a community to their anitos, for deliverance or a bountiful harvest.

The Europeans replaced their “ugly” images with better looking and lifesize images that came with names. Perhaps, such duality is what allows devotees to conflate a cultural activity or tradition to that of a religious undertaking.

Bicolanos, from the get-go, celebrated these activities as an expression of freedom and presumed that the religiosity of which contained the absolute truth (Jesus).

Bicolanos, by practice of the annual festival, regarded its own nature and norms in accord with divine nature and obedience to the truth. As Pope John Paul’s Veritatis Splendor (The Splendor of Truth) enlightens us, that “finding God in this broken world” is not always easy” but that “life becomes possible in the following of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Perhaps, what we could discern from the Peñafrancia theme is the

conclusion to VS – the Splendor of Truth, is that it “entrusts the moral life of the People of God to Mary, Mother of Mercy” (both sufferings and joys). Hence, the morality of these “Challenging Times” is left to the individual who has been gifted with the natural law in his heart. Veritatis Splendor introduced us to the importance of weighing good and bad aspects of action to determine proportionality (allow good intentions or good consequences) or reasonable balancing of values at stake in this annual celebration that outweighs “evil thoughts.”

Rev. Fr. Francis A. Tordilla published a short article, “Queen Forever,” in the Archdiocese of Caceres’ Facebook page asking the question, “now what” that the fervor and euphoria has subsided?

Ina’s image is easily reachable in the Metropolitan Cathedral or the Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Why wait for the next fiesta?

Finally, God always works in mysterious ways. Maybe this time, God let loose those Voyadores for everyone to see the contrast between good and evil, and man’s folly. Yes, images are symbols of our faith, but we can’t be fanatics to feel the “pain” of these images. We cannot attribute to Mary or Jesus our own morality, emotions and disdain.

Spiritual Life

God’s definition of success

I’ve been receiving congratulations for the recognition that I got a few weeks ago from a coalition of organizations dedicated to the interests and concerns of women in San Diego County. Some considered that to be in the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame, is a mark of success. That I am a success, since I am aligned with women who are highly successful in their respective careers. Some though, do not consider me a success because I am on a limited income, I am living in a senior housing facility, and I have no car to take me where ever I want to go. In other words, I do not have man’s visible measures of success.

But what is success? Is it the position you have attained in life? Is it the number of properties that you have accumulated through the years? Is it the mansion that you’ve built in a gated, highend community? Is it the amount of money you have in the bank? Success means different things to different people. And usually, all these definitions do not match God’s definition of success.

Dr. Charles Stanley wrote, “When this life is over and you stand before the Creator to give an account for how you lived, what will you say? That you worked hard, had a beautiful home, and took your family on some

wonderful vacations? Or that you readily and obediently served Him, striving to be like Jesus in all you said and did?

After death all our accomplishments will be laid out before the Lord to be judged. At that point, it won’t make any difference how much praise you received, how far you advanced in your job or how much money you accumulated. The only thing that will matter is what God thinks about how you’ve used your abilities, gifts, and opportunities He gave you. We need to rid ourselves of the notion that success always involves riches, prestige or fame. Those are not the signs of success in God’s perspective. The issue is whether you are following His will and seeking to glorify Him in all things.

With these insights, I pray that I’ll not be blinded by the bright lights of material success. I pray that God’s infinite mercy and goodness will lead me to the narrow path that leads to His kingdom. While I appreciate the earthly success that comes my way, I always remind myself that they are all transient and temporal. I continually seek God’s will in my life and do things for his honor and glory. “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does he prospers.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

Today is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our Gospel reading narrates the parable of the two sons fascinates us with God’s unfathomable mercy. He is willing to wipe clean the slate of sin in our life when we repent, like what the first son did: he initially refused, but eventually “changed his mind and went.” The reason is simple, said the earlier verse of the First Reading: “Do I find pleasure in the death of the wicked? Do I not rejoice when they turn from their evil way and live?” (Ez. 18:23)

However, God’s forgiveness in the Old Covenant was mere anticipation of the ultimate saving event by Jesus. He was God’s own Son, who humbled Himself on our behalf and became obedient “to the point of death” so that we could be forgiven, washed clean from our sin - St. Paul explains in the Second Reading (Phil. 2:1-11).

God wants us to live. Though we are weak, if we turn away from our sins and do what is lawful and right according to His commandments, we will live. He is more than ready to forget our dark past; none of our transgressions will be remembered against us (Ez. 18:21-22). We may ourselves often have longer memories for the sins of others than

God and some of us may prefer to simmer over the previous failings of our brothers rather than forgive them. But, God is not like that.

When He forgives, he also forgets. No one who repents is barred from heaven simply because of his former life in sin. “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.”

Reminiscent of John the Baptist’s call, the sinners were ones who responded; they asked - “What should we do?”- in their sincere desire to repent and start anew (Lk 3:10-14). They changed their “no” to “yes.” The choice to live righteously always surpasses the choice to sin. There has not been a more humiliating parable than this for the “chief priests and

elders,” to whom it was addressed. They were supposed to be the ones who first said “yes” as spiritual leaders, but their actions eventually said “no,” like what the “second” son did: he said “yes” but did not go. What matters most is what we choose with our actions. It is never too late, though. People who stray far from God can always return. We have all the reason to make amends and return to God, and we can be confident that He will take us back because this is precisely what pleases Him and what He wants to do: helping sinners start to anew. “Good and upright is the Lord; He shows sinners the way” (Ps. 25:8) - the Psalm tells us. All we need is to humble ourselves, because God teaches His ways only to the humble (Ps. 25:9) - it says further. St. Paul tells us that Jesus is our model of humility. “Being in the form of God, He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are and being in every way like a human being. Yet, he was even humbler, accepting death on the cross” (Phil. 2:6-8). We should never tire of calling His name and following him. This is what it means to do the Father’s will and so enter the kingdom of heaven.

I think sometimes that I don't understand anything about prayer. I pray a lot, mind you. It's just that I don't understand a great deal about it. I sometimes pray for good things, and they don't come. At other times, I pray for myself or others to be spared bad things, yet they still happen. How does prayer work? How do I know what to pray for? Do questions such as these ever bother you?

Maybe at least part of our problem is in praying for wrong things. If that is the case, then I can certainly begin to see how praying could be confusing. When we are wrong-headed in what we ask, we can hardly blame God for failing to answer. Let me try to make sense of what I am struggling to say.

Back in the earliest days of the church, Peter and John were called before the religious authorities of Jerusalem. They were ordered to stop preaching about Jesus in the city. They were, in fact, threatened that bad things would come down on them if they didn't stop. Duly warned, they were released.

When the two men got back with their friends, they reported everything that had happened. Then they prayed:

O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great

boldness in preaching your word (Acts 4:29).

My fear is that I would have prayed for something different! For the officials to back off? Sure. For divine protection from them?

Absolutely. For a "new call" for my ministry? Perhaps. But they prayed neither for protection nor a new assignment. They prayed for boldness to say what Jesus had told them to say.

Maybe you and I shouldn't pray for more money and things; let's pray instead for an ability to appreciate what we have, manage it wisely, and use it unselfishly.

Maybe we should pray less to have our life-annoyances taken away; instead, let's pray for patience and to know that God's grace is sufficient, no matter what.

Maybe we even should pray less about good health and success; we might pray rather to be content, dignified, and courageous in coping with our

challenges.

It's certainly within God's will that we pray for daily bread and deliverance from trials. The Lord's Prayer models as much for us (Matthew 6:9-13). But even Jesus prayed for things in Gethsemane that he qualified it with the following statement:

Yet I want your will to be done, not mine (Mark 14:36).

Sometimes God's will is better done when one of his people bears a cross with courage rather than have her problem eliminated. That's why we surrender to his will over our own. That's why we accept the mystery inherent in his will.

When all is said and done, I should probably worry less about understanding the nature of prayer and simply pray.

God uses enlarged trials to produce enlarged saints so He can put them in enlarged places!

<(((><

Bakit nga ba’t bahagi ng ating buhay ang pagdurusa?

May mga naghihirap,nagugutom, walang matirahan May mga biktima ng sakuna, pandaraya at karahasan May mga nagkakasakit, may mga nawawalan ng Kalayaan.

Tunay nga bang mahal tayo ng Diyos? Tanong ng iba. Kung tunay ngang mahal tayo, bakit Niya tayo pinapayagang maghirap at magdusa?

Hindi madaling unawain kung bakit tayo nagdurusa Subalit sa puso ay alam natin na ang pagdurusa ay isang pagsubok sa ating pananampalataya.

Hindi ba ninyo napupuna?

Kung kailan tayo naghihirap at saka tayo lalong napapalapit sa Kanya Ang pagdurusa ay isang paalaala na hindi natin kayang mabuhay

na nagiisa Ang tulong ng Maykapal ay kakailanganin Sapagkat Siya ang may hawak ng buhay at kapalaran natin.

Noong nagkatawang tao ang Panginoong Diyos Siya ay hinamak, pinako sa krus, nagdanas ng matinding pagdurusa Hindi nagreklamo, ang pagdurusa ay tinanggap ng lubusan Alam Niyang ang susunod ay kaluwalhatian sa Kanyang Kaharian.

Hindi maaring ihiwalay ang sakripisyo at pagdurusa sa pagmamahal Pagisipan natin. Paano nga ba ang magmahal?

Pagmasdan ang Krus, tanungin ang sarili at magnilay-nilay! Handa tayong ialay ang sarili upang ang iba ay mabuhay?

Sa mga sandaling tayo ay naghihirap at nagdurusa Pagkakataon na dapat tayong kumapit sa ating Pananampalataya Sa Panginoong Diyos tayo sumunod at magtiwala At ng ipagkaloob ang biyayang Siya ay ating makapling sa buhay sa kabila.

Danny

International Preschool & Kindergarten celebrates 46th Birthday 10/4/2023

to come. Anyone may access their comments and reviews both on Google and yelp. We are grateful to you all.

school will give a $100 discount off October Fees to new students enrolling in October 2023. Please mention this article when you come. School tours are by appointment Monday- Thursday from 10 am- 12:00 Noon. Please bring your child with you as the child ‘s affirmation of the school is important as well.

International Preschool & Kindergarten was founded in October 1977. It is a Filipino owned school with professionally trained, highly experienced teachers located in Paradise Hills, San Diego. The main goal of the school is to provide a safe, caring school with a solid academic curriculum to prepare the children for grade school ahead. The school motto is “Achievers begin Here.” Indeed, we believe we found success in the learning program we have developed- a Fusion of good Eastern and Western education practices. The program hopes to result in thorough learning of materials and to inspire self esteem and creative imagination through dance, music, arts, public speaking, and performances, etc. We hope to inspire the children to love coming to school, be excited about learning and respectful of teachers and each other.

A very special thanks to all our parents who are with us now and the hundreds of families who have been

part of the IPSK School Family who have supported us by continuously referring us to their families and friends. Your faith in us has kept the school alive for the last 46 years and hopefully for many more years

A very special thanks to our staff too, currently Ms Fe, Ms Lyn, Ms Vilma, Ms Janeth, Ms Sienna. IPSK has been blessed with good hearted teachers since the very beginning. They are all skilled, resourceful, creative, and caring teachers. Please visit our website www.intlpreschool.com for their professional achievements. We are thankful as well to all our past teachers and staff since the school’s foundation who helped build the school’s good name in the community. Special mention to Mrs. Lydia Pabalan, past Director for 20 years, now retired. To celebrate the occasion, the

We accept CDA, YMCA and Military Childcare and Employer Assistance Program approved recipients. We have Flexible Programs and Fees schedules to meet any budget allowance. We hope to see you soon, this October! Please take advantage now of our limited remaining spaces. Thank you all.

Elenita Diesta School Administrator 619-479-2410 5940 Winchester St. SD CA 92139 Ipsk5940@yahoo.com efd.ipsk@gmail.com

Isang scan ka na lang mula sa pag-send ng pera sa Pilipinas kung paano dapat.

Itutok lang ang camera mo sa QR code para automatic na i-download ang Remitly app. May makikita kang app na nasa Tagalog, nag-o-offer ng nakakagulat na murang fees para sa pag-send ng pera at nagno-notify sa iyo kung nasaan ang pera mo sa bawat hakbang ng proseso.