LAS VEGAS
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MARCH 21-27, 2024
T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER
Volume 35 - No. 12 • 12 Pages
2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 201 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
US, PH alliance more than rock-solid – Blinken DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Fil-Am leader Jessica Caloza advances to general election in bid for CA Assembly
by CATHERINE VALENTE AND BERNADETTE TAMAYO ManilaTimes.net
UNITED States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, March 19 assured President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the alliance between Washington and Manila was “more than rock-solid” and that it was President Joe Biden’s “absolute priority.” Blinken, who arrived in Manila late Monday, March 18 after a stop in South Korea, reaffirmed this commitment during a courtesy call on Marcos in Malacañang. “We are working on a number of challenges
around the world and have even discussed them with you, but I think [this is] so important to us... that even with dealing with those other challenges, our focus, our engagement, [and] our commitment to the Indo-Pacific at large and to the relationship [and] alliance between the United States and the Philippines in particular, is more than rock solid,” Blinken told Marcos. “It’s the absolute priority of President Biden. That’s why he asked me to be here,” he added. Blinken also said that Marcos’ upcoming visit to Washington in April would result in a new level of cooperation as the U.S. and the Philippines are set
Creation of EDCA site at Philippine Rise proposed
FILIPINA American community leader Jessica Caloza is on her way to making history and securing a seat in the California state Assembly as she advances to the November general election. Caloza earned first-place in the race for California’s 52nd Assembly District, with 23,330 votes, or nearly 30%, topping a crowded field of 10 candidates during the March primary. Assembly District 52 includes south Glendale, Eagle Rock, Mt. Washington, Highland Park, Glassell Park, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Atwater Village, Lincoln Heights, Loz Feliz, East Hollywood, Cypress Park, Elysian Valley, Monterey Hills, Hermon, Montecito Heights, El Sereno and East Los Angeles. There are about 13,000 Filipino PAGE 2
by DELON PORCALLA Philstar.com
Generational wealth now in reach for first-time California homebuyers HOMEOWNERSHIP, often the first step for generational wealth, is ever-more unaffordable for California families — especially those of color. Now, the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) is changing that for firstgeneration homebuyers with its Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program. Dream for all The program, now in its second round thanks to $250 million from the state legislature, helped 2,000 homebuyers in its first round in April 2023. Dream For All is aimed to help another 2,000 now through a mortgage-lowering loan of up to $150,000 or 20% of a house purchase price, whichever is less. “With this program, we’re trying to jumpstart the generational wealth that owning a home can get you,” said CalHFA Information Officer Eric Johnson. “If it’s a 20% loan, for example, you do have to pay that 20% when you sell or refinance the home, plus 20% of what you’ve gained in the sale, so we can use that money to fund the next generation of new homebuyers. PAGE 4
LENT MUST-HAVE. Palaspas (woven palm fronds) vendors from Real, Quezon occupy a portion of a sidewalk along Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, outside Santo Domingo Church, on Thursday, March 21. They expect brisk sales as Catholics will commemorate Palm Sunday on March 24 to remember Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, which the Church says is a reminder to be ready to follow Him. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
Inquirer.net
MANILA — Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has been ordered arrested and detained at the Senate following his continued refusal to face the chamber’s investigation of his alleged crimes. The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros issued the order, which was signed by SenatePresident Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday, March 19. According to a one-page document released by Zubiri’s
MANILA — The country’s eastern seaboard where the mineral-rich Philippine Rise is located should also be protected from potential intruders, just like the West Philippine Sea where China has been making repeated incursions, a senior lawmaker said on Monday, March 18. Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of the second district of Surigao del Norte proposed the establishment of a naval facility in the province under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States to protect the Philippine Rise. Barbers commended Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro for the establishment of a naval detachment in Aurora to “protect the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the Philippine Rise.” The naval detachment in Aurora was part of the country’s Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept. Barbers said the country’s eastern seaboard “lacks enough security and protection and has been subject to China and other foreign intrusions, often becoming a passageway of ships smuggling drugs into the Philippines.” PAGE 2
Philippines second ‘happiest’ NaFFAA-Nevada celebrates country in SE Asia - report Women’s History Month by honoring exceptional Filipino American women by ARIC JOHN SY CUA ManilaTimes.net
MANILA — The Philippines is the second happiest country in Southeast Asia, according to the 2024 World Happiness Report. The country ranked 53rd, up by 23 places from 76th last year. The report surveyed 143 countries. The Philippines was edged out by Singapore, which ranked 30th, in the top place for the Southeast Asian region. Filipinos said they were generally happy when asked to rate their lives using a scale
from 1 to 10. Each country’s average score was calculated based on the ratings in the past three years. The Philippines had an average assessment score of 6.048, up from its previous score of 5.523. Vietnam placed 54th; Thailand, 58th; Malaysia, 59th; Indonesia, 80th; Laos 94th; Myanmar, 118th, and Cambodia 119th. China ranked 60th, Japan, 51st, and South Korea 52nd. Finland topped the list with a score of 7.741, followed by fellow Nordic countries PAGE 4
LAS VEGAS – NaFFAA-NV (National Federation of Filipino American Associations—Nevada) is gearing up to celebrate Women’s History Month by recognizing the outstanding achievements and contributions of Filipino American women in the community. The organization is set to honor women who exemplify the qualities of empowerment champions, change agents, community advocates, inspirational leaders, and collaborators. Jacque de Joya, President of NaFFAA-NV, announced, "The award ceremony will acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of Filipino American women. These honorees come from all walks of life and have made an impact on our lives." Nominations for these prestigious awards were solicited throughout the month of February and March, with individuals from diverse backgrounds and fields being considered for recognition. The selected honorees will be celebrated at an award ceremony File photo scheduled for Sunday, April 7,
Apollo Quiboloy arrest, detention at Senate ordered by MAILA AGER
to hold a three-way summit with Japan. “We have your upcoming visit to Washington to see President Biden and also to have a trilateral meeting with President Prime Minister Kishida; I think a new horizon of cooperation is also incredibly promising,” the American official said. “Our relationship between the Philippines and the United States is in hyperdrive if that is a word you’re willing to use, and that is so true; we see it across every domain; it’s something we attach very great importance to,” Blinken added. Blinken’s visit to Manila, his second since Marcos PAGE 2
office, Quiboloy was “ordered arrested “and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-AtArms until such time that he will appear and testify in the Committee, or otherwise purges himself of that contempt.” “The Sergeant-At-Arms is hereby directed to carry out and implement this Order and make a return hereof within 24 hours from its enforcement,” the document further states. In a statement, Zubiri explained that signing the arrest order against Quiboloy was “ministerial” for him following the rules of the PAGE 2
Religious leader Apollo Quiboloy
2024, from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm. "While we celebrate their successes, it's imperative to acknowledge that gender bias persists, and women continue to be underrepresented in positions of power and influence," remarked Gloria T. Caoile, Chairperson of the WHM 2024 celebration. "The fight for women’s rights as human rights remains ongoing, both domestically and globally. Additionally, we need to strive for health equity for women." The upcoming award ceremony not only serves as an occasion to honor the achievements of these exceptional women but also highlights the ongoing efforts to address gender disparities and promote equality in all spheres of society. Details regarding the venue for the award ceremony will be announced soon, with organizers working diligently to ensure a memorable and meaningful event. The celebration promises to be an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the resilience, leadership, and contributions of PAGE 4