032826 - Los Angeles Edition

Trump orders TSA workers paid as DHS shutdown strains U.S. airports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 27 directing federal officials to ensure payment for Transportation Security Administration personnel, as a prolonged funding lapse at the Department of Homeland Security continues to disrupt airport operations nationwide.

The order instructs DHS to immediately begin compensating officers of the Transportation Security Administration who have worked without pay since mid-February, when congressional appropriations for the department lapsed. The action follows weeks of stalled negotiations in Congress centered on immigration policy and funding priorities.

Officials said TSA has initiated the pay-

Digital overhaul, fraud safeguards reshape Social Security services for millions

of Americans

Philippines declares energy emergency as Middle East conflict disrupts fuel outlook, revives China talks

by AJPress

it vulnerable to external supply disruptions and price shocks. The declaration activates the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), a u PAGE 2

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday, March 26, 2026, signed emergency legislation redesignating California’s March 31 holiday from honoring César Chávez to “Farmworkers Day,” enacting the change immediately ahead of next week’s observance.

The measure, Assembly Bill 2156, took effect upon signature under an urgency clause after receiving unanimous approval in both the California State Assembly and Senate earlier the same day. State officials said the expedited timeline was intended to ensure implementation before the March 31 holiday.

BALTIMORE, MD — The Social Security Administration (SSA) is implementing a wide-ranging operational overhaul that is beginning to affect how millions of Americans - including Filipino retirees and public sector workers -access benefits, resolve claims, and protect their identities.

The changes center on faster service delivery, expanded digital access, and tighter safeguards against improper payments. Faster service, digital access For beneficiaries, the most immediate shift is improved access.

SSA reports shorter wait times on its

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has called for a global prohibition on aerial bombardment, describing such attacks as inherently indiscriminate, in one of his strongest statements yet against modern warfare as hostilities involving Iran entered a fourth week.

“No one should fear that threats of death and destruction will come from the sky,” he said.

In remarks published by the Holy See, Pope Leo added that after the devastation of the 20th century, aerial bombardment should have been “banished forever,” cautioning

Speaking on March 23 before executives and staff of Italy’s ITA Airways and the Lufthansa Group, the pontiff said that aircraft should serve as instruments of connection rather than destruction, warning that civilians should never have to live in fear of violence from above.

Philippines hits gas at Malampaya amid energy

MANILA — Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, March 26, announced that the Philippines has successfully struck gas in the Malampaya gas fields at the Camago-3 well.

The drilling project, located offshore in Palawan, is part of an $893-million investment by business tycoon Enrique Razon and his partners. An earlier discovery was also made at Malampaya East 1, which marked the first time that gas was found in the area in over a decade.

In a video statement, Marcos said that the Camago-3 well pro-

crisis

duces up to 60 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

“It is the second major milestone under our $893 million Malampaya Phase 4 campaign, and it is significantly larger than our first. Camago-3 holds an estimated 2.5 times more recoverable gas than the Malampaya East 1 discovery,” Marcos said.

“So together, these two wells are projected to extend the life of the Malampaya gas field by an estimated six years,” he added, Marcos said that this discovery spells steadier and cheaper power, noting that Malampaya gas costs P4.80 per kilowatt

by AJPress

MANILA — The Philippines has received its first shipment of Russian crude oil in five years, marking a shift in fuel sourcing as the government confronts a tightening global energy market linked to escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Shipping data and port records show that the Sierra Leone-flagged

tanker Sara Sky arrived at Limay, Bataan on March 23, carrying about 100,000 metric tons of ESPO (Eastern Siberia–Pacific Ocean) blend crude, or roughly 700,000 barrels. The cargo was loaded at Kozmino Port in Russia and is intended for processing at the Petron Corp. refinery, the

by AJPress

MANILA — Lawmakers on Friday, March 27, 2026, criticized a petition filed before the Supreme Court of the Philippines seeking to halt impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, warning that judicial intervention could disrupt constitutionally defined powers.

The petition, filed by lawyers, seeks a temporary restraining order to stop ongoing hearings at the House of Representatives, where the Committee on Justice has begun evaluating renewed impeachment complaints.

Members of the House maintained that impeachment is a political process explicitly assigned by the Constitution to Congress, with the House holding the exclusive power to initiate cases and the Senate tasked with conducting trial proceedings.

Several lawmakers cautioned that court intervention at this stage may raise separation-of-powers concerns, noting that the judiciary has historically exercised restraint in interfering with impeachment proceedings unless clear constitutional violations are established. Constitutional timeline in focus

The current proceedings follow earlier rulings by the Supreme

Court of the Philippines involving Duterte’s prior impeachment case. In 2025, the Court nullified an earlier complaint on the basis of the Constitution’s one-year bar rule, which prohibits initiating more than one impeachment proceeding against the same official within a one-year period. That ruling became final in early 2026. After the lapse of the one-year prohibition, new complaints were filed, allowing the House to proceed with deliberations under existing constitutional parameters. Proceedings continue in the House The House Committee on Justice is currently determining whether the complaints are sufficient in substance, a required step before any measure can advance to plenary consideration and, if approved, to a Senate trial. Duterte did not attend initial proceedings. Her legal team has sought relief from the high court, arguing that aspects of the process may violate constitutional safeguards, including due process.

House lawmakers rejected that assertion, stating that the complaints were filed within allowable timelines and that proceedings are

Philippines declares energy...

PAGE 1

whole-of-government framework

designed to coordinate responses across agencies and ensure the availability of fuel and other essential goods.

Officials said the emergency measures would allow the government to move more quickly in securing alternative fuel sources, as the country explores diversified supply options, including nontraditional imports.

Marcos described the declaration as a precautionary step intended to enable faster coordination and response across government.

Transport strike exposes pressure points

The emergency declaration coincided with a two-day transport strike led by jeepney groups PISTON and Manibela, protesting sharp increases in diesel prices.

Commuters in Metro Manila experienced delays as many public utility vehicles stayed off the roads.

Government agencies deployed buses and service vehicles to provide free rides, while authorities monitored the situation for public safety.

Transport leaders called for more direct relief measures, including the removal of fuel excise

taxes and value-added tax on petroleum products, arguing that existing policies continue to burden drivers and operators.

In response to sustained price increases, Marcos also signed Republic Act No. 12316, which authorizes the President to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products once the average price of Dubai crude reaches at least $80 per barrel over a onemonth period, a condition recent market trends suggest has been met.

Renewed focus on China energy talks

The energy situation has renewed attention on potential joint oil and gas exploration between the Philippines and China in disputed areas of the South China Sea.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Marcos said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could provide the impetus to restart discussions on joint development projects.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila responded that its “door to dialogue” remains open, but emphasized that the Philippines must demonstrate “sincerity” before formal negotiations can resume.

The issue remains sensitive following the 2016 arbitral ruling by

the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which rejected key elements of China’s expansive maritime claims.

Philippine officials have said any future agreement must comply with the Constitution and protect sovereign rights. Economic outlook and supply buffer

Officials said the country maintains fuel supply for more than 45 days, while the government has earmarked approximately P20 billion to procure up to 2 million barrels of diesel as part of contingency planning.

Beyond fuel, the UPLIFT framework also covers efforts to ensure the availability and stable pricing of essential goods, including food and medicines, with authorities warning against hoarding and profiteering.

Some government offices have shifted to a four-day workweek as part of broader energy conservation measures introduced this month.

The emergency declaration is expected to remain in effect for one year, subject to government review, as authorities seek to stabilize supply chains and cushion the impact of global energy volatility on consumers. n

Philippines receives Russian crude shipment...

1

PAGE

country’s only operating facility.

The delivery follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a state of national energy emergency, citing an “imminent danger” to fuel supply as hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran disrupted key shipping routes and pushed oil prices higher.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said fuel reserves are estimated to

last about 45 days, prompting efforts to secure alternative sources and build buffer stocks.

The shipment was enabled by a temporary U.S. Treasury authorization allowing delivery of Russian crude already in transit as of midMarch, with the window expiring on April 11, 2026.

While the volume represents only a small share of national demand, it signals contingency planning as the Philippines, long

dependent on Middle East imports, seeks to diversify supply. Officials said additional sourcing options across Asia are under consideration to stabilize domestic supply. Supply outlook and policy response Authorities are expected to continue diversifying procurement while monitoring fuel inventories and price pressures as global energy markets remain volatile.

Lawmakers push back vs SC petition...

PAGE 1

being conducted in accordance with established rules.

Institutional boundaries under scrutiny

Legal observers note that the petition places renewed focus on

the balance between judicial review and Congress’ impeachment authority. Under the Constitution, impeachment is both a legal and political process, with removal from office and disqualification from

future public service as potential outcomes upon conviction.

For now, House proceedings remain ongoing, as the constitutional process moves forward amid heightened institutional scrutiny. n

Pope Leo calls for ban on aerial bombardment...

PAGE 1 that the continued use of advanced technology for warfare reflects not progress but regression.

The address did not explicitly name any specific conflict. However, it came amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where a widening confrontation involving Iran has drawn international concern.

The Pope’s comments form part of a series of public appeals issued over consecutive days.

On March 22, during his Angelus message, he described ongoing wars as “a scandal to the whole human family,” urging an immediate halt to violence.

A day later, on March 24, speaking to journalists while departing Castel Gandolfo, he warned that “hatred is increasing” and that violence is worsening, renewing his call for a ceasefire and for dialogue as the only viable path toward resolution.

“Peace is built through dialogue,” he said, emphasizing that solutions must be pursued “not with weapons.”

The Vatican has consistently framed its position in humanitarian terms, underscoring the protection of civilians and the moral limits of warfare, particularly in an era of increasingly sophisticated military technology.

While the Holy See has avoided direct attribution of blame to specific states, the Pope’s remarks signal a sharpened critique of air-based military operations and their impact on civilian populations, reinforcing the Vatican’s longstanding advocacy for de-escalation and negotiated peace. n

Digital overhaul, fraud safeguards...

PAGE 1

national hotline compared with prior years, alongside expanded use of the my Social Security online portal, which now allows 24/7 access to key services such as benefit verification, earnings history, and claims tracking.

For many in the Filipino American community, particularly retirees managing cross-border documentation or assisting family members in the Philippines, these digital tools reduce the need for repeated in-person visits or long call wait times.

At the same time, the agency maintains that phone and field office services remain available, recognizing that not all seniors are comfortable navigating online systems.

Record cleanup and identity protection

A major focus of the overhaul is data accuracy.

SSA has conducted a largescale review of records involving individuals listed at extreme ages, including those over 100. Officials clarified that these entries are typically legacy records rather than evidence of active fraud, but they can create vulnerabilities for identity misuse.

To address this, the agency is strengthening coordination with the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the Do Not Pay system, which helps prevent payments tied to inaccurate or outdated records.

For beneficiaries, the practical implication is increased scrutiny in identity verification processes - particularly when updating records, applying for benefits, or resolving discrepancies.

Benefit adjustments for public workers

The agency also continues to process benefit corrections tied to long-standing provisions affecting public employees.

Adjustments linked to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) are being distributed to eligible retirees, including teachers, law enforcement personnel, and other government workers.

These changes are especially relevant for Filipino Americans who worked in U.S. public service systems and may have previously received reduced Social Security benefits due to pension offsets.

SSA data indicates that millions have already received retroactive payments, with corresponding increases reflected in monthly benefits.

National workload system

To reduce delays, SSA has introduced a nationwide case-routing system that allows claims to be handled by available staff regardless of location. For applicants, this means that processing times are less dependent on local office backlogs—an issue that has historically affected high-density areas such as California.

What to watch

The modernization effort signals a structural shift in how Social Security operates - moving toward a system that is more automated, data-driven, and nationally integrated.

For beneficiaries, the transition brings both advantages and adjustments: faster service and improved access, alongside stricter verification and greater reliance on digital tools.

SSA officials emphasize that the goal is not only efficiency, but long-term sustainability of the system as demand continues to grow. (AJPress)

Philippines eyes defense cooperation with NATO, EU

by Michael Punongbayan Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines is pushing for broader defense cooperation with European nations at the ongoing 2026 Paris Defense and Strategy Forum in France.

Eyeing cross-regional convergence in the defense and military domains, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. engaged in a meeting with Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) chair of the military committee on Tuesday.

During the conversation, the Philippines underscored the need for broader cooperation among countries as challenges to global security and stability continuously evolve.

Teodoro discussed how the Philippines is presently laying the groundwork for enhanced interoperability and exchanges with the European Union and NATO countries, underpinned by the country’s duty to strengthen its resilience and protect the welfare of Filipinos wherever they may be in the world.

Cavo Dragone, for his part, affirmed NATO’s

willingness to pursue cooperation with the Philippines as both officials acknowledged the importance of sharing of information and best practices as inter-regional partners converge to mitigate the threats to the prevailing international order.

The two officials earlier met at the 2025 Seoul Defense Dialogue last September, where they shared views during a panel discussion on geopolitical competition and restoring strategic stability.

Meanwhile, at the Philippine Army headquarters at Fort Bonifacio, Army vice commander Maj. Gen. Efren Morados welcomed Tim Cahill, president and senior executive of American air defense firm Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, in a courtesy call also on Tuesday.

Cahill presented Lockheed MFC’s cutting-edge systems and advanced missile and sensor technologies, which can enhance the effectiveness of assets used in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Balikatan exercises.

The Philippine Army said it is “steadfast in its stakeholder engagement, fostering collaboration and strengthening the country’s defense capabilities.” n

Philippines hits gas at Malampaya...

Trump orders TSA workers paid...

ment process, with workers expected to begin receiving pay-

checks within days.

A funding lapse driven by policy divisions

The disruption began on February 14, 2026, after lawmakers failed to reach agreement on a broader appropriations package for DHS. The dispute has focused on immigration enforcement policies, with both major parties divided over funding provisions tied to enforcement agencies.

A Senate-backed measure to fund most DHS operations, including airport security, advanced but was rejected by House Republicans, prolonging the shutdown.

Strain at the nation’s airport checkpoints

The shutdown has had its most visible impact on airport security operations. TSA officers, classified as essential personnel, are required to work during funding lapses but do not receive pay until appropriations are restored.

By late March, operational stress had intensified:

• Approximately 50,000 TSA personnel were affected by missed paychecks

• Hundreds of officers resigned during the shutdown

• Absentee rates reached double digits at major airports

• Security wait times extended to several hours in peak travel hubs

Airports including those in New York, Houston, and Atlanta reported some of the longest screening delays in recent years, particularly during the spring travel period.

Federal authorities also reassigned personnel from other DHS components to assist with airport screening operations at

multiple locations.

Executive action as a stopgap measure

The White House framed the executive order as a response to operational and national security concerns tied to airport congestion and workforce strain. Administration officials indicated that the payments would be drawn from existing federal resources, though the legal and fiscal basis for the move has not been fully detailed publicly.

Policy analysts note that while the directive may stabilize TSA staffing in the short term, it does not resolve the broader appropriations gap affecting DHS operations.

From airport delays to system-wide pressure

The funding lapse has underscored the interconnected nature of federal operations. Disruptions in airport screening have affected passenger movement and airline operations nationwide, particularly during high-volume travel periods. Industry observers have pointed to longer-term risks, including workforce attrition and reduced operational resilience, if funding uncertainty persists.

Tests of governance ahead

The executive order provides immediate financial relief for TSA personnel but leaves the underlying political impasse unresolved. Congressional negotiations continue, with immigration policy remaining the central point of contention.

Absent a legislative agreement, DHS operations are expected to remain under pressure, with the stability of U.S. airport security tied to the outcome of ongoing budget talks. (AJPress)

Newsom signs law redesignating...

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Immediate effect

With the governor’s signature, California will observe “Farmworkers Day” this year in place of César Chávez Day, shifting the focus of the state holiday from an individual figure to the broader agricultural workforce.

State agencies, school systems, and local governments are expected to update official calendars, communications, and related programming in line with the new designation. In remarks following the signing, Newsom said the change reflects recognition that the farmworker movement extends beyond any single individual.

Legislative action

Lawmakers from both parties moved swiftly to pass AB 2156, describing the measure as a recalibration of how the state commemorates the farmworker movement.

The bill’s unanimous passage in both chambers marked a rare display of bipartisan agreement in Sacramento, with legislators emphasizing that the holiday should recognize the collective contributions of farmworkers across California.

Context and allegations

The legislation follows a March 18 investigation by The New York Times reporting allegations that Chávez abused women and minors during his leadership of the United Farm Workers.

The allegations, based on accounts reported in the investigation, have not been adjudicated in court. Their publication prompted a reassessment of Chávez’s legacy across state and local institutions. Among those who spoke

publicly was Dolores Huerta, a co-founder of the United Farm Workers, who said she had remained silent for decades about her own experience in order to protect the movement.

Statewide response The signing of the law coincides with broader reviews across California.

Local governments, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, have begun assessing public spaces, programs, and commemorations bearing Chávez’s name. Educational and cultural institutions are also reviewing monuments and recognitions associated with the labor leader.

Officials have not issued a statewide mandate requiring removals, but reviews are ongoing at the municipal and institutional levels.

Family response Members of the Chávez family said in a public statement that they were “devastated” by the allegations and expressed support for individuals who have come forward.

The César Chávez Foundation stated that the farmworker movement “was never about one man,” emphasizing its broader historical and social significance. A redefined observance

With AB 2156 now in effect, California’s March 31 holiday will be observed under a new designation centered on the state’s agricultural workforce.

The speed of the legislative process reflects the weight of the allegations and the state’s decision to respond through immediate policy change while reframing public recognition toward the collective contributions of farmworkers. n

DAteline PhiliPPines

PH ranks among world’s most polite, friendliest nations

The study gathered insights from over 4,600 respondents across 26 nations

by gavin Martinez Inquirer.net

THE PHILIPPINES ranked 6th among the most polite countries worldwide, according to a survey by Remitly, which gathered insights from over 4,600 respondents across 26 nations. The country also placed 8th in terms of friendliness.

Tagle to represent Pope Leo XIV at beatification of US Archbishop Sheen

by ian laqui Philstar.com

MANILA — Cardinal Luis An-

tonio Tagle has been appointed as the representative of Pope Leo XIV for the beatification of American Archbishop Venerable Fulton Sheen, the Vatican said.

The beatification ceremony is set on September 24 in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States, according to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

A papal representative presides over the rite on behalf of the pope and formally declares a “Venerable” servant of God as “Blessed.”

Tagle, who serves as pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, will act on behalf of the

pontiff during the ceremony. Who was Sheen?

Sheen was a prominent figure in the United States known for evangelizing through radio and television.

He joined the radio program

“The Catholic Hour” in 1930, which drew millions of listeners, and later hosted the television show “Life is Worth Living” beginning in 1951, which reached an audience of around 30 million, according to Vatican News.

Sheen served as Bishop of Rochester from 1951 to 1969 before being appointed titular archbishop of Newport.

Born on May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois, to an Irish family, he discerned his priestly vocation at age 24 and was ordained

in 1919.

A 1956 New York Times report noted that Sheen had papal permission to celebrate both the Roman Rite and the Byzantine Divine Liturgy. He was also known for efforts to seek common ground with Christians from non-Catholic churches, including Eastern Orthodox and Protestant communities.

Sheen died in New York on December 9, 1979, at the age of 84. Path to beatification. Sheen was declared Venerable in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. In 2019, Pope Francis approved a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to his intercession, paving the way for his beatification. n

P44 billion for Metro Manila subway project OK’d

by Aubrey rose InosAnte

MANILA —  About P44.17 billion has been released by the government to avoid project delays for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) phase 1 and North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System. The fund will cover loan proceeds requirements of the Department of Transportation, budget officials said yesterday.

Of the amount, P21.28 billion will support the two projects financed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Around P22.88 billion will support the NSCR System under its loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank.

The P44.17 billion was charged

to the “Support to Foreign-Assisted Projects” under unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 national budget, the Department of Budget and Management said. “As ordered by the President, these projects should not be delayed further,” Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo said. n

Rare Philippine deer sighted again in Marinduque

After decades without confirmed sightings, camera traps and community reports point to the return of the vulnerable Philippine brown deer in the Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary.

by Dennis atienza Maliwanag Inquirer.net

MANILA — The motion sensors were meant to catch whatever moved through the forest at night — a wild pig, a civet, maybe a stray dog. Instead, camera traps set in the Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary captured an animal many residents had stopped expecting to see: the Philippine deer. After decades without confirmed sightings and once believed locally extinct, the Philippine deer (Rusa marianna) has been seen again in several towns in Marinduque, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Mimaropa-PENRO Marinduque and partner communities. Through sustained conservation efforts anchored on Biodiversity Monitoring System activities, camera trap installations in Barangay Malibago, Torrijos, and Barangay Makulapnit, Santa Cruz, and expanded Communication, Education, and Public Awareness campaigns, the Marinduque Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area Management Office has confirmed the species’ continued presence.

Also known as the Philippine brown deer, the species is endemic to the Philippines and is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Records from 2025 documented multiple sightings across the sanctuary, with Barangay Makulapnit emerging as a key habitat and at least 10 individuals recorded. Additional signs, including footprints, were also observed in Boac and nearby

areas, indicating a broader distribution within the landscape. Despite the encouraging developments, threats persist. The protected area management office recorded several cases of deer mortality in different barangays linked to illegal hunting, poaching and attacks by wild dogs. On Dec. 28, 2025, a female deer in the Balagbag Range survived an attack by wild dogs, prompting a response from the office and partner enforcement units.

In response, the Protected Area Management Board is strengthening coordination with the Provincial Veterinary Office to address wildlife threats. The protected area management office is also intensifying public awareness campaigns to reinforce compliance with Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. Across the Philippines, remaining populations face pressure from habitat loss and hunting, and the species’ low

reproductive rate — typically one fawn per birth — can slow recovery.

The deer is generally associated with forest cover and dense thickets but forages in open areas such as grasslands. It is largely nocturnal and hunted for meat, which has been reported sold for about P150 to P250 a kilogram.

The species has been recorded in Luzon, Mindanao, Samar and other islands, though populations are under increasing pressure due to deforestation and fragmentation. Complementing field efforts in Marinduque, a proposed scientific study by the University of the Philippines Los Baños aims to assess the Philippine deer’s population status and provide data to guide long-term conservation and management strategies.

DENR said the renewed sightings underscore stronger collaboration among the DENR, the Protected Area Management Board, local government units and communities. n

The report highlights how simple gestures, such as greeting strangers, offering assistance or showing patience, can shape how welcome a person feels in a new country. These small but meaningful acts, often second nature to Filipinos, play a significant role in building the country’s positive global reputation.

Globally, Japan topped the list of the most polite nations, followed by Canada and the United Kingdom. China and Germany completed the top five.

Filipinos rate themselves lower

Despite the Philippines’ strong global standing, the study also revealed a notable contrast. Filipinos tend to rate themselves lower in politeness, placing the country among the least polite in terms of self-perception. This gap mirrors a broader trend seen in the study, where internal views do not always align with how others perceive a nation.

Meanwhile, countries like Brazil and Chile ranked highest in self-assessed politeness, while Japan, despite leading global perceptions, ranked near the bottom in self-evaluation.

In terms of friendliness, Canada emerged as the top-ranked nation, followed by Brazil and Australia, with the Philippines securing a spot within the top 10.

The findings ultimately point to a shared global standard of politeness rooted not in grand gestures but in consistent, everyday acts of respect and kindness. As the study suggests, it is often the smallest acts that leave the biggest impact. n

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY RFP C3165-26

Replacement of Motor Controls Centers, Exhaust System Controls & Remote Monitoring SCADA

SCRRA is seeking proposals for the above referenced project. Proposal documents may be obtained at https:// metrolinktrains.com/doing-business. Electronic proposals are due at 2:00 P.M. (PT) on 4/30/2026. An In-Person and virtual Zoom Pre-Bid conference will be held on 4/8/2026 at 10:00 a.m. with a Job Walk immediately following to Noon (PT) at Central Maintenance Facility | 1555 San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, Room 215. For further information, contact Sharon Williams, Sr. Contract & Compliance Administrator, at (213) 452-0294 or williamsS@scrra.net 3/28/26 CNS-4023833# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

LOS

COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

LACMTA will receive Proposals for PS140835 - Lines A&E Interlock CM/GC at the 9thfloor desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. All Proposals must be submitted to LACMTA electronically via email at bids@ metro.net on or before 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each proposal must be sealed and marked Proposal No. PS140835. For a copy of the Proposal specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business. metro.net or for further information email Victor Zepeda at zepedav@metro.net 3/28/26 CNS-4026182# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

FeAtures OPiniOn

When systems lose margin: a failure of design, not a failure of one agency

WHAT the public is experiencing today is not a breakdown in a single office. It is the visible strain of an interconnected system under pressure.

The standoff over funding for the Department of Homeland Security has become bound up with immigration enforcement policy.

Editorial

Republicans have pushed to move DHS funding without Democratic restrictions on immigration operations, arguing that enforcement is a core mission that requires immediate support. Democrats, in turn, have sought guardrails on enforcement practices—such as oversight and operational limits—and have argued those policies should be debated explicitly rather than folded into a must-pass funding measure. Both positions are coherent. One ties funding directly to mission and urgency. The other separates funding from contested policy to preserve legislative clarity and oversight.

But the structure of government does not isolate that disagreement.

DHS is not a single-function agency. It includes the Transportation Security Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and other components. When funding is disrupted, the effects extend beyond the policy area under dispute. Aviation security, disaster readiness, and other public-facing operations are drawn into the same uncertainty.

At airport checkpoints, that strain is already ev-

THE United States entered this war against Iran with much bravado. President Donald Trump believed that overwhelming military superiority and quick leadership decapitation would cripple Iran and force its collapse. It was a familiar playbook, one done in Venezuela. But Trump’s assumptions were fundamentally flawed. This is why I fear this war will drag on and we in the Philippines are to suffer a long period of economic blowback due to high oil prices. I also think that the U.S. is in danger of losing this war. Here’s why…

From the outset, Trump and his advisors misread Iran’s structure and its capacity for resilience. Washington mistakenly assumed that Iran was a centralized state that would fracture once its leadership was removed – much like Iraq and Saddam Hussein.

So in the last three weeks, the US and Israel targeted Iran’s leaders. The following were killed in quick succession:

• Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, alongside 40 senior political figures on Feb. 28

• Majid Ibn al Reza, naval defense minister, on March 3

AS the war that the United States and Israel unleashed upon Iran enters its fourth week, the prospect of escalation seems all but certain. The principal protagonists appear to have locked themselves in a mental trap that compels them to go for the limit. That all this is happening during the holy seasons of Ramadan and Lent invites an examination of its moral dimensions—and the need for a different kind of intervention.

The U.S. under President Donald Trump claims that the obliteration of Iran’s military capacity is nearly complete. “I don’t want to do a ceasefire,” he told reporters. “You don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side.” Having decimated Iran’s top leadership in targeted strikes, Israel under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now training its missiles on the country’s oil and gas fields and its proxy armies

ident. TSA officers designated as essential continued to work without timely pay, while absenteeism rose and hundreds of officers left the workforce. Wait times stretched into hours at major airports, reflecting not only inconvenience but instability in a critical function.

The strain has now prompted direct executive intervention. Donald Trump directed DHS and the Office of Management and Budget to use funds tied to TSA operations, consistent with law and available appropriations, to provide TSA employees with compensation and benefits during the impasse. At the same time, personnel from Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been deployed to assist at airports in support roles. These measures may ease immediate pressure, but they underscore a deeper reality: core functions are being sustained through workarounds rather than stable funding, and personnel are being reassigned across roles that were not designed to be interchangeable. That distinction is critical. These actions stabilize symptoms. They do not resolve the underlying system condition.

Congress remains divided. Senate efforts to advance a bipartisan measure funding most DHS operations have not resolved disagreements with the House over immigration-related provisions, leaving

• Abu Dhar Mohammad, commander of Iran’s missile units, on March 12

• Ali Larijani, Iran’s top security chief, and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij on March 17

• Esmaeil Khatib, Iran’s intelligence minister, on March 18 By conventional standard, the assassination of key leaders would paralyze the government. Decisions would stall, command structures would fracture and a leadership vacuum would follow. None of this happened. Instead, Iran continues to operate with cohesion and intent. Military responses have remained coordinated. Regional operations have expanded. The Iranians absorbed the shock and this is all by design. Mosaic defense

You see, following the fall of Iraq in 2003, Iran studied what went wrong for Saddam Hussein. The lesson was clear – centralized regimes are vulnerable. Remove the top and the whole system unravels. Iran worked not to suffer the same fate.

So in the early 2000s, IRGC Commander Mohammad Ali Jafari developed what is known as Mosaic Defense – a military doctrine built more like a spider web rather than a pyramid.

in Lebanon. Both leaders believe they have cornered the enemy. They cannot stop now.

Unable to shield itself from strikes that have killed its key leaders and thousands of its people, Iran has vowed to retaliate, attacking not just Israel but American facilities across the region. More than this, it has tightened its grip on the strategic Strait of Hormuz in sheer defiance of US and Israeli military supremacy. The US is now moving forces into the Strait in what the New York Times foresees as “the war’s pivotal battlefield.”

The near-total halt of oil tanker and commercial shipping through that narrow waterway—affecting one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply—has thrown global energy markets into turmoil. The bombing and closure of major airports in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi has compounded the devastation, producing economic consequences far beyond the reckoning of the war’s authors.

This is the scale of the tragedy now unfolding in Iran, across the Middle East, and in countries

the broader structure of funding unsettled even as targeted relief is attempted.

Margin is the buffer that allows complex systems to absorb stress. It exists in staffing depth, redundancy, and the ability to respond quickly when conditions change. When that margin narrows, systems may continue to operate, but with less resilience and less room for error.

Rather than rely on a rigid chain of command, Iran re-organized its military into a decentralized network of semi-autonomous units.

The IRGC, the Basij, the army, the missile forces, the naval units and an extensive web of proxy groups were structured to operate independently.

Each unit is trained to continue functioning even if communications were severed or leadership is eliminated. There is no single command node whose destruction would cripple the system.

So when the U.S. went on a leadership killing spree, Iran was ready and structurally designed to withstand the attack.

This is where the miscalculation becomes stark. Washington planned for a short war; Iran prepared for a long one. The U.S. now suffers the consequences of this misalignment. Despite weeks of sustained bombardment, Iran’s system remains intact. In fact, it is the United States that is now on the back foot. As the conflict stretches and deepens, the war is becoming increasingly costly and difficult for Washington to control.

Failure to anticipate

Compounding this strategic error is the United States’ failure to u PAGE 8

like the Philippines, dependent on Gulf oil and the earnings of millions of migrant workers. This war is neither proportionate nor just in any serious moral sense. It has equated an entire nation with the regime it wishes to punish.

Did Trump and Netanyahu expect the Iranian Islamic regime to simply fold after the killing of its supreme leader? Then they do not understand how the powerless translate their condition into a moral identity, or how weakness, over time, becomes sanctified as virtue, making ordinary political calculation nearly impossible. In such circumstances, resistance to the point of mass martyrdom often becomes the only available language of dignity.

This is what makes the quest for a face-saving exit so urgent and so complex. Wars of this kind often end only when someone quietly proposes a way for the losing party to leave the battlefield without being seen to have yielded everything they stand for. This requires genuine respect and imaginative sympathy for the dignity even of u PAGE 8

THERE is a dangerous ten-

dency in government – and, frankly, in the public – to assume that every crisis can be managed the way we managed Covid-19.

It cannot.

Covid was brutal, yes. It shut down economies, overwhelmed health systems and forced governments into extraordinary measures. But for all its devastation, it was still a crisis with “controllables.”

We had tools. We could impose mobility restrictions. We could test, isolate, vaccinate and spend our way through the emergency. We could intervene directly and shape the outcome.

The oil market does not care about any of that.

You cannot quarantine a barrel of crude. You cannot vaccinate against a supply disruption. You cannot hold a press conference and expect global energy prices to behave.

And yet many still speak as if this is just another episode of “temporary inflation” that will somehow sort itself out if we all

stay calm and use fewer air-conditioners. That is not a strategy. That is wishful thinking dressed up as policy.

Let us be clear about the problem.

The real danger is not simply that oil becomes expensive. The real danger is that supply becomes tight enough that fuel is either unaffordable or, worse, unavailable. That is when the real trouble begins.

When fuel prices spike, people complain – and rightly so. But when fuel cannot be secured in sufficient quantities, economies do not merely slow down. They begin to seize up. Trucks do not move. Food does not arrive on time. Agricultural inputs do not reach farms. Factories cannot plan production. Public transport becomes erratic. Supply chains become fragile. Inflation stops being a statistical inconvenience and becomes a daily punishment for ordinary households. And for an import-dependent country like the Philippines, this is not a theoretical exercise. We are not Norway. We are not

Saudi Arabia. We do not have the luxury of pretending we are insulated from external shocks just because we would like to be.

So let us stop pretending. If the global energy market deteriorates further, the Philippines will not be saved by optimism, hashtags or another inter-agency meeting with a nice PowerPoint presentation. What is needed is preparation. Serious preparation.

First, the country needs strategic reserves – not someday, not after another “comprehensive review,” but now. We should already be identifying how much fuel, food, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and other essential inputs we can physically stockpile and where we can store them. If existing depots are insufficient, then use alternative storage. Lease tankers if needed. Rent space. Secure supply while supply can still be secured.

Because if the country waits until everyone is scrambling for the same barrel of oil, we will discover, rather late, that “market solutions” are very elegant in theory and very useless when u PAGE 7

ENERGY Secretary Sharon Garin’s candid admission of a potential “worst-case scenario” of fuel depletion is not merely a bureaucratic warning—it is a stark declaration that the Philippines stands at the precipice of an unprecedented national crisis. With the government acknowledging only 50 to 60 days of fuel supply remaining since tensions escalated on February 28, every Filipino household faces an existential threat that extends far beyond the inconvenience of rising pump prices. The specter of complete fuel depletion looms ominously over April and the months that follow, and the gravity of this situation cannot be overstated.

Let us be unequivocal: a fuel supply collapse would systematically dismantle the infrastructure upon which modern life depends. Secretary Garin herself acknowledged the terrifying reality: “Worst case really is we won’t have enough, or we won’t

have any.” This is not hyperbole. This is the government’s own assessment of the abyss we are approaching. “If we don’t have any diesel or any oil, our public transportation won’t go. Our sea, air transport will be affected.” She might have gone further—without fuel, our entire civilization grinds to a halt.

The government’s announcement that it is considering securing one to two million barrels of oil as a contingency supply is, frankly, too little and far too late. This represents a desperate scramble after months of complacency. The fact that the Philippines has historically relied on private companies to maintain fuel reserves—a 15-day replenishment cycle—reveals a shocking lack of strategic planning. We have known for decades that fuel security is critical to national survival, yet we have left ourselves dangerously exposed.

Moreover, the government’s willingness to “pay whatever premium” for emergency supplies is a tacit admission that we will face astronomical fuel prices in the

months ahead. Every household now will bear this cost through skyrocketing prices for food, transportation, electricity, and medicine. We Filipinos are justifiably proud of our resilience through typhoons, financial collapse, pandemics, and countless calamities. Every time, history confirms we did survive. But today, history is a dangerous teacher. We face a crisis unlike any in its past—one that cannot be survived through the mechanisms that have always worked before. An extended oil shortage triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would expose a fundamental vulnerability: our total systemic dependency on oil that cannot be quickly replaced, cannot be imported from unaffected regions, and cannot be compensated for by adaptation or community spirit alone. We must stop assuming that resilience alone will save us. We must begin planning as if our survival depends on it—because it does.

In past crises, we faced challenges that, however severe, u PAGE 8

AS a patriarchal society, we have the tendency to highlight a single individual, especially males, and enshrine them into places of honor, our pantheon of heroes, naming streets, schools, and public places in their honor, and even designating a day of commemoration. For California, Cesar Chavez is one such person. A years-long investigation by the New York Times into Cesar Chavez, an icon of the farmworker movement, reported allegations that he was a very flawed individual who sexually abused girls, and even Dolores Huerta. Chavez and Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), a precursor to the United Farm Workers (UFW), which came about through a merger of NFWA, which was predominantly Mexican in membership, and AWOC (Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee), a predominantly Filipino organization. This exposé has led some cities, especially in California, to cancel Cesar Chavez Day celebrations, and in some cases to cover up monuments as resolutions for their removal are being debated. The reported allegations are shocking and deplorable. But merely removing him from our pantheon of heroes does not resolve the underlying conditions that enabled such behavior, so to speak. Despite being sexually assaulted, Huerta decided to remain silent at that time. From the interview she gave NPR after the exposé, one of the reasons she cites is that no one might believe her. During the period in question, the mid-1960s to the 1970s, the burden of proof on accusations of sexual assault or rape usually fell on women, if they could withstand the public scrutiny and negative innuendo that follow such accusations.

Many women have chosen to just remain silent, coming out years later when they “felt safe.”

Maria Hinojosa shared her story to empathize with Dolores Huerta during their interview, saying, “we are both survivors of rape.”

This derision and skepticism when women make accusations of sexual assault against men is gender inequality, part of an invisible knapsack of advantages and privileges that men carry and take for granted. We are probably in a better place today, thanks to the feminist movement, and more recently, the “me too” movement. But much work still needs to be done, for this requires a cultural change where men, too, consider such behavior as “unthinkable.”

The broader context which constrained Huerta was the task of building a farm worker movement that challenged growers for higher wages and better working conditions, and at the same time, undertaking a political campaign for legislation for farm worker civil rights. Chavez had become the face of the

Sexual assault on women, girls, and children should be unthinkable in a civilized community

movement, which still was in its infancy. To build this movement required farmworkers, hundreds of volunteers, and support from political leaders. It also required a leadership that was beyond reproach. Had Huerta accused Chavez of misconduct during that period, support from volunteers and politicians could have collapsed. Farmworkers, too, would feel hesitant to join and pay dues to a union led by someone morally compromised. Hers was a personal hurt, while the farmworker movement involved a large constituency of farmworkers, volunteers, and political leaders. She said it was her cross to bear.

It is important to understand why the farm worker movement in California, spearheaded by the UFW, was a civil rights movement, not just a movement to unionize farm labor.

The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 gave urban workers, e.g., autoworkers, nurses, teachers, truck drivers, etc., the right to organize and bargain collectively. Urban workers have since taken this act for granted, organizing workplaces whenever they felt a need for better wages and working conditions. But farm workers were explicitly exempted from these protections by this law. And in California, agribusiness corporations took advantage of this exclusion to exploit farmworkers. Without bargaining agreement rights, it often took great organized effort among farmworkers to get growers to agree to higher wages. Even then, such agreements were often seasonal and regional. Philip Vera Cruz, the Filipino Vice President of the UFW, tells how growers would agree to somewhat higher wages during the Coachella Valley harvest early in the season, but would rescind those agreements later when the harvest moved up to the Delano area.

There was a group of farm workers that was able to successfully strike and negotiate for better wages. These were the Filipino migrant farmworkers; they had clout in their numbers, being able to quickly organize along ethnic lines as the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), and even get sponsorship from a national labor union, the AFL-CIO. In the meantime, Dolores Huerta, a community social worker, and Cesar Chavez, a community activist, met and decided to start organizing Mexican farmworkers under the National Farm Worker Association (NFWA). This organization was just three years old when its path would intersect with AWOC. AWOC decided to strike the table grape growers in Delano, California, and invited NFWA to join. In the beginning, Chavez and Huerta were hesitant, but a week later were

prevailed upon to join. This new strength in numbers enabled them to picket more farms and prevented growers from hiring one group against the other. A year into the Delano grape strike, both AWOC and NFWA merged to form the United Farm Workers of America, now simply known as the UFW. This larger entity would mount the farmworker civil rights campaign that included marches to Sacramento to lobby for legislation, and grape boycotts at supermarkets where volunteers passed out leaflets urging people not to buy non-union grapes. These led to the passage of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act (CALRA) of 1975, which granted farmworkers the right to organize and bargain collectively. CALRA 1975 was the first of its kind, nationwide, to give collective bargaining rights to farm workers.

The New York Times’ reporting that the icon of the farm worker civil rights movement faced serious allegations is sad and tragic. It is especially so for everyone who supported this movement: the farmworkers, the volunteers who gave hours of their time during the grape boycott and the marches to Sacramento, and the political leaders like the Kennedys who identified with his crusade. The late Senator Robert Kennedy thanked Chavez and the farmworkers for their support in winning California’s presidential primary. Tragically, he was assassinated that same night. Ethel Kennedy celebrated communion with Chavez as he ended his 36-day fast in 1988. I remember spending a couple of weekends at 40 Acres, hammering nails into the wood frame of a building that would become Agbayani Village, the retirement home of aging Filipino farm workers.

Cesar Chavez’s exit from the pantheon of heroes offers an opportunity for us to address what has heretofore been an intractable problem: the gender-based inequalities that enabled such behavior, along with many other men who have assaulted women, young girls, and children. How much more of a consciousness-raising campaign do we need to make sexual violence unthinkable? We can start by unconditionally supporting its victims, encouraging them to speak out, and making outcasts of its perpetrators.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*

Enrique de la Cruz is Professor Emeritus of Asian American Studies at California State University, Northridge. He currently serves as a Commissioner for Human Relations with the City of Los Angeles.

The oil shock could be worse than Covid...

PAGE 6

there is nothing left to buy.

Second, we need to reduce demand.

This is the part governments usually avoid because it is inconvenient and politically unattractive. But supply shocks are not impressed by political discomfort.

A real conservation program means exactly that: conservation. The government should begin with itself. Official fleets, non-essential travel, fuel-intensive operations and wasteful public consumption should all be reviewed immediately. Large private users should also be pushed to adopt efficiency measures.

If there is a shortage, the country does not need slogans about resilience. It needs fewer unnecessary trips, less waste and more discipline. Third, this cannot be left to one department pretending to be in charge while everyone else waits for a memo.

This requires whole-of-government coordination with actual authority behind it. Energy, finance, trade, agriculture, transport, interior, defense and local governments must operate under one coherent contingency framework. Local governments should already be identifying which communities are most vulnerable to supply disruptions and what local fallback systems can be activated if normal distribution channels fail.

Because if the national plan is “we’ll cross the bridge when we get there,” then I have unfortunate news: by then, the bridge may not have fuel either. Fourth, the private sector

must be integrated into crisis planning now.

Fuel distributors, food suppliers, logistics operators, major retailers, banks and large manufacturers are not spectators in this story. They are part of the operating system of the economy. We need a localized and unified front where local government units (LGUs) organize their communities for grassroots resilience, while the national government convenes major business organizations like the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry to synchronize resources. If the government and business are not sharing information, aligning contingency plans and preparing distribution priorities in advance, then we are not preparing – we are improvising. And improvisation is expensive.

Fifth, financial stability must be protected with the same seriousness as physical supply.

A prolonged fuel shock will not remain confined to gas stations. It will hit inflation, transport costs, production costs, household budgets, business margins and credit conditions.

Government financial institutions like the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines must be prepared to provide support where necessary and ensure that a supply shock does not metastasize into a broader credit and confidence problem. This is where competence matters.

Because once panic enters the market, it does not politely wait for the next policy meeting.

RHIZOMES

Prosy Abarquez Delacruz, J.D.

A BOOK launch on The Last Conversations, written by Hospice Chaplain Rev. Dante Eleazar Lorenzana Simon and Elzar Dodjie Lorenzana Simon and edited by Dr. Elisa Simon and Elzar Simon, was held at the Philippine Consulate General’s Community Room in Los Angeles on March 19, 2026. Nearly a hundred folks attended.

What stayed with me was not just the gathering, but the reminder that the last conversations we have, or fail to have, shape how we understand life, love, and loss.

Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz gave effective introductory remarks, sharing two stories that resonated deeply with me and the attendees.

He recalled that at the tail end of COVID-19, his mom died. For her last eight months, he cooked her three meals a day and bingewatched Netflix with her. He held her in his arms as she faded away to go home to her Creator.

He also spoke of caring for his grandfather. Though he had seven siblings who migrated to the U.S., he became his grandpa’s favorite cook and took on night duty in his final days. Holding him tightly, his grandfather looked at him and said, “Sama ka na” (Come with me), drawing laughter from the audience.

Pause, reflect, and listen while we can, as we face life’s realities and learn from those who have gone ahead, he said.

Generation upon generations, from the past to the future, this book is a gem of reflections of triumphs, failures, struggles, and wisdom not easily found if one is superficial in connecting and relating with folks.

The Consul General asserts that these voices will continue to inspire, will prod us to think and value our daily conversations, to keep asking, to keep sharing our humanity.

His stories echoed something I had already lived.

I witnessed the halting breaths and lucid moments of my mother. She offered no last-minute advice. She only wanted to listen to Josh Groban’s sacred music. I held her hand and reassured her she had been a great mother to me and my sisters, and a loving grandmother. She smiled. Hours later, she passed on St. Patrick’s Day, 2015. Sixty days later, my eldest sister passed away.

Death became a familiar companion. In 2025, I lost selfless friends, including Bob Nakamura, Val Creus, Rina Bentajado, and Florante Ibanez.

I spoke with one of them days before their passing. They said, “I sought several healing therapies, and look at where I am now.”

I replied that they did it because they had a strong will to live. They sought those therapies so others may benefit, learning what works and what does not.

They asked, “What lies ahead for me?”

I said that they are God’s beloved and will experience grace upon grace.

The Last Conversations: Being present when it matters most

book friends he mobilized to pray for his daughter, who was nearly comatose when they brought her to the hospital.

After three days, she responded to insulin. When I read his post, I shared that it was a miracle. He wrote his final essay proclaiming that miracle and raising awareness of the disease. He and his wife even met with other parents of children with T1D. Days later, he died of a heart attack.

To live in pain and still give so much love to family and others, up to the very end, is something I have seen in him and in other selfless friends. I was attending this book launch on the very day of Joel Pablo Salud’s return home to God. His final words on life, love, and his daughter’s healing remain with me.

This is what The Last Conversations speaks to.

Rev. Dante shared that many of his hospice patients cannot speak due to medication. When they do, their words are like gold. They are brief, but filled with meaning. As the sole Filipino chaplain at Suncrest Hospice in Union City, he also faced colon cancer. These experiences made him more deliberate in loving his wife, his family, and his colleagues, more grateful, and more rooted in faith.

The book is thoughtfully written and emotionally honest, with language that carries weight and invites reflection.

I read several chapters and found myself returning to them. They are not distant reflections, but truths that mirror what we have lived, what we have witnessed, and what we often fail to say in time.

Here are some excerpts from the book, The Last Conversations by Rev. Dante Eleazar Simon and Elzar Dodjie Simon

“Faces of patients came back to me - not as tragic figures, but as teachers.

“My grace is sufficient for you.” In my weakness, that promise ceased to be a comforting verse and became oxygen.

Fragility is not a curse

It is an invitation

An invitation to love deeply

To forgive freely

To speak kindly

To give thanks daily

Each day is a day of praise

Each day is a gift from God

Each day, well lived, is enough

Ours is a ministry of presence more than answers, of listening more than speaking. We hold stories, fears, doubts, and prayers that others may not know how to voice. We sit in silence when silence is the truest language. We honor the faith that sustains, the questions that haunt, and the humanity that binds us all.

We pray because prayer acknowledges that the human experience is more than flesh and breath. Prayer invites peace where words fail, hope where logic falters, and comfort where pain lingers. Prayer is not only petition; it is connection to God, memory, to longing, to the depth of what it means to be fully human.

For in the end, every life, long

or short, quiet or resounding--echoes beyond its final heartbeat through the love it shared, the forgiveness it offered and the grace it received.

Death often draws out a wide spectrum of emotions. It exposes old wounds, stirs buried conflicts, and reveals the fragile ties that bind families together.

In this family’s story, there was the mother’s deep remorse over lost years [from addiction and inability to raise her children, separated as siblings in foster homes placement], the son’s long absence and bittersweet return, and the daughter’s hardened distance.

Each, in a way, was a prodigal: the mother lost in addiction, the son lost in time and separation, and the daughter lost in unforgiveness and disengagement.”

Elzar Dodjie Simon co-wrote the book while managing a demanding life. He runs a restaurant, oversees global IT infrastructure at a major university, organizes fundraisers for mental health programs at the University of the Philippines, composes music, and publishes work on Original Pilipino Music. He is even working on a musical in his spare time, supported by his wife, Dr. Elisa Simon, and their family, who all maintain fulltime careers.

For me, this is not about being a braggart, a show off, or a self seeker for attention to one’s accomplishments or successes, nor about being a pathological narcissist.

Rather, it is about being fully present. It is about sensing the underlying need of “the other” to convey their last words, and recognizing the quiet urgency in others who wish to be heard.I endeavor to love deeply, daily. This book affirms our shared humanity and urges us to act on it while we still have time.

In the end, every life, whether quiet or resounding, echoes beyond its final heartbeat through the love it shared, the forgiveness it offered, and the grace it received.

This upcoming Good Friday, Jesus Christ died for us all that we may live in eternity. May we live with such depth of love for God and for one another while we still have time.

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 13 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food

Finally, the state must be prepared to maintain order and continuity. That means using all available public assets including, if necessary, uniformed personnel to support logistics and protect the movement of essential goods.

That is not overreaction. That is what governments are for.

Covid was fought in hospitals, laboratories and vaccination centers. This one will be fought in ports, warehouses, fuel depots, transport corridors, farms, banks and distribution networks.

And unlike Covid, there is no vaccine coming to save us.

Only preparation will.

The hard truth is that this may be a more unforgiving crisis than the pandemic not because it is more dramatic, but because it is less controllable. During Covid, governments could at least pretend they had the steering wheel. In an oil shock, many countries will discover they are passengers.

The question is whether we intend to be prepared passengers or helpless ones. Because if we continue treating this as just another temporary inconvenience, the market will eventually educate us.

And it will not be a cheap lesson.

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * Carlos Dominguez served as finance secretary from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2022, leading the Department of Finance through the Covid-19 pandemic.

I do not know where those words came from. I had prayed to the Holy Spirit before visiting. The wake, funeral, and reception drew 2,000 people. These moments are not confined to memory. They continue around us.

This year, on St. Joseph’s Day, my Facebook friend Joel Pablo Salud passed away. A prolific writer, a great editor, a well-acclaimed author, a university mentor to journalism students, a Christ-lover who liked to impart the principle that “law is not equal to grace, as grace is limitless,” a journalist who used his words with raging fire to impart his perspectives on freedoms, human rights, and health care for his daughter, and one who deeply loved and shared his love story with his wife, Che Sarigumba, and his 11-year-old daughter, Likha.

Days earlier, I had messaged him, sharing my research on T1D (type 1 diabetes), and joined a group of 7,000 Face-

End of the road in Miami: Eala, Fernandez, and Krawczyk shift focus to clay

A Round of 16 finish for Alexandra Eala highlights a strong showing from players representing the Philippines, Canada, and the United States with Filipino heritage as the tour transitions to clay

by AJPress

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The 2026 Miami Open reached a turning point on Monday, March 23, as the tournament runs of several players connected to the Philippines came to a close, signaling a broader shift from the hard-court swing in the United States to the European clay-court season.

The exits of Alexandra Eala, Leylah Fernandez, and Desirae Krawczyk marked the conclusion of a notable showing from a Filipina competitor and athletes representing Canada and the United States with Filipino heritage at one of the WTA Tour’s premier events.

The final stand: Eala’s Round of 16 finish

Alexandra Eala, representing the Philippines, saw her campaign conclude in the Round of 16 after a straight-sets loss to Karolina Muchova, 6-0, 6-2, in a 68-minute match.

Muchova dictated play early, using her variety and court craft to limit Eala’s ability to establish rhythm.

Despite the scoreline, Eala’s overall performance in Miami reflects continued progression at the WTA 1000 level. Her run included a three-hour, 20-minute

second-round victory over Laura Siegemund and a straight-sets win against Magda Linette, 6-3, 7-6(2). At world No. 29, Eala remains firmly within the upper tier of the rankings and is expected to enter the clay season as a seeded contender in multiple events.

Weekend exits for Fernandez and Krawczyk

Leylah Fernandez, representing Canada, exited the singles draw in the Round of 32 following a 6-2, 6-2 loss to Jessica Pegula, representing the United States. Pegula’s baseline consistency and return pressure proved decisive throughout the match.

Fernandez also competed in doubles alongside Venus Williams, representing the United States.

The pair pushed the sixth-seeded team of Asia Muhammad, representing the United States, and Erin Routliffe, representing New Zealand, to a deciding match tiebreak before falling 3-6, 6-3, [11-13] in a closely contested finish.

Meanwhile, Desirae Krawczyk, representing the United States, partnered with Caroline Dolehide, also representing the United States, and exited the doubles draw after a tight straight-sets loss to Anhelina Kalinina and Dayana Yastremska, representing Ukraine, 2-6, 6-7.

Transition to clay

With the Miami Open nearing its conclusion, the WTA Tour now shifts to clay, where longer rallies and surface-specific movement reshape match dynamics.

Based on current tour schedules:

Alexandra Eala will continue representing the Philippines into the European clay swing.

Leylah Fernandez is slated to begin her clay campaign in Charleston before continuing to Madrid and Rome.

Desirae Krawczyk is expected to compete across the European doubles circuit, including Stuttgart.

Entry lists remain subject to change, but the transition marks a critical phase leading into the claycourt Grand Slam season.

A sustained presence on tour

While their Miami campaigns have concluded, the performances of these athletes reflect a sustained presence of Filipina talent and players representing Canada and the United States with Filipino heritage competing at the highest levels of professional tennis.

Eala’s continued rise, alongside Fernandez’s consistency and Krawczyk’s established doubles success, underscores a broader global footprint for Filipino representation across the sport. n

Exiting the trap...

one’s enemy. It demands, at minimum, that the winning side retreat from the goal of total destruction.

Let us call this task “moral diplomacy.” It is perhaps best performed by someone of the moral standing of the late Pope Francis. Francis instinctively understood the language of sacrifice and martyrdom, and was hopeful that it could be met and symbolically redirected within a shared Abrahamic worldview. His gestures of humility toward the Muslim world, his refusal to speak of civilization as a weapon, his insistence that the poor and the victims of war have faces—all these gave him a voice that no United Nations mediator, regional broker, or American ambassador presently possesses.

We can imagine his successor stepping into that void. How strik-

ing that Pope Leo XIV happens to be an American—a fact that seems, for a moment, to disqualify him from the role Francis might have played. But Robert Prevost is not only American. He is, above all, an Augustinian missionary, formed in a tradition going back to Saint Augustine, who famously sought to clarify the difference between the peace of dominion and the peace of genuine reconciliation. Leo spent years as a priest among the poor of Peru—learning, from the inside, what it means to inhabit a world not your own. A pope shaped by that tradition and that life is intellectually and spiritually equipped to speak to what is happening in the Middle East with a credibility that no political commentary can match. It is not a coincidence that this war has reached its present pitch during Ramadan and Lent—two

traditions of self-emptying and renunciation enacting themselves against a backdrop of imperial conquest. This convergence points to something that Jürgen Habermas, who died recently, spent his final years articulating: that secular reason alone, for all its procedural power, cannot fully communicate certain forms of loss, solidarity, and hope. Those semantic resources belong to religion. They are precisely what this moment needs—and what Pope Leo XIV, by formation and by vocation, may be uniquely placed to offer. (Inquirer.net)

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * public.lives@gmail.com

Why the US will probably lose...

PAGE 6 anticipate one of Iran’s most predictable moves – the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

For over a century, Tehran has signaled its willingness to disrupt global oil flows as a means of exerting pressure on its adversaries. And yet, when Iran closed the Strait, Trump was caught flat footed. He admitted not having been briefed about this scenario. Hence, no clear plan to secure uninterrupted passage through the Strait was put in place. No immediate multinational framework was ready to respond. It is a failure of strategic foresight.

The same lack of anticipation is evident in Iran’s expansion of the conflict beyond its borders. Tehran struck the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, thereby widening the theater of engagement. This, too, should not have been surprising. Iran’s doctrine has long emphasized asymmetric escalation, leveraging regional actors to offset the lack of military firepower. Yet once again, the US found itself reacting rather than anticipating. Trump’s confusion is evident

in his own messaging. He shifts objectives and tactics almost daily. One moment, the stated goal is regime change. The next, it is deterrence. Then comes talk of negotiation or de-escalation, only to be followed by renewed threats of overwhelming force. Such volatility speaks of strategic incoherence. War requires clarity and an understanding of the desired endgame. Without this clarity, the strategy become disjointed. Clearly, Trump is paying the price for having dismissed dozens of senior diplomats and firing over 1,300 State Department personnel, many of whom were experts in Middle Eastern affairs. These were individuals with deep regional knowledge, cultural understanding and strategic insight. At the FBI, counterterrorism experts were also fired, further weakening the analytical foundation needed for complex conflicts like this. What remains is a leadership structure operating with reduced expertise and limited perspective. The result is an over-reliance on brute force and on Trump’s assumption that military power alone can dictate outcomes. But

When systems lose margin...

PAGE 6

emergency vehicles, passenger screening, and post-incident investigation all function together.

The recent crash involving Air Canada Express Flight 8646 at LaGuardia Airport illustrates the stakes. Two pilots were killed and dozens of others were injured. The causes of the accident remain under investigation, with reporting indicating investigators are examining multiple factors, including runway coordination and safety systems.

It is important to be precise.

The funding standoff did not cause the crash.

But what followed offers a clearer view of system condition.

Jennifer Homendy said at least one investigator was delayed for hours in a TSA security line while traveling to assist in the crash response. That delay did not contribute to the accident itself. It does, however, demonstrate how strain in one part of the system can affect the speed and efficiency of another.

This is how the issues connect.

A dispute over immigration enforcement has stalled DHS funding.

That funding lapse has affected TSA staffing and airport screening operations.

And strained screening conditions have, in at least one documented case, delayed the movement of federal personnel, including an investigator responding to a crash.

At the same time, aviation safety depends on separate but interdependent layers governed

by the FAA and airport authorities. The crash itself is being examined within those operational domains, including runway procedures, vehicle coordination, and safety systems.

The relationship is not causal.

It is structural.

The consequences extend beyond aviation. Federal testimony has indicated that cybersecurity operations have been constrained and that Coast Guard readiness and morale have been affected by financial uncertainty. Disaster preparedness functions continue, but under conditions that reflect the broader strain on DHS continuity.

The burden is not evenly shared.

Lawmakers continue to negotiate within the structure of government. But the immediate effects are borne by frontline workers, by travelers navigating delays and uncertainty, and by communities that depend on reliable public systems. And in moments like LaGuardia, the stakes are not abstract. Lives are lost. People are injured. The consequences are permanent.

This is not a failure of intent. It is a failure of design.

A funding structure that binds multiple critical functions into a single legislative vehicle works efficiently when agreement exists. When it does not, it allows a dispute in one policy area to degrade operations in others.

Immigration policy becomes tied to airport screening. A legislative impasse becomes operational strain.

Responsibility, in this case, is shared. Republicans have sought to align funding with enforcement priorities. Democrats have sought to impose guardrails and separate policy from appropriations. Both approaches reflect legitimate concerns. But the mechanism through which they are being contested has exposed a vulnerability in how essential systems are funded. What must follow is not only resolution, but correction.

Funding for DHS operations should be restored without delay. Beyond that, policymakers should consider whether critical functions—aviation security, disaster response, infrastructure protection—require continuity protections so that they are not disrupted by unrelated policy disputes.

The goal is not to eliminate disagreement. It is to prevent disagreement from degrading systems that depend on continuity. A government is judged not only by the policies it advances, but by the reliability of the systems it sustains. When those systems begin to lose margin, the effects are gradual, then cumulative, and eventually visible.

The present moment is not defined by the failure of one agency. It is defined by the exposure of a system and by the measures now required to keep it functioning. And systems, once exposed, rarely fail all at once. They weaken in increments until the consequences can no longer be absorbed. (AJPress)

Nation on brink: this oil crisis...

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war is not merely a contest of strength. It is a contest of systems, strategies and adaptability.

Trump’s approach resembles that of a player entering a game of chess with no strategy – moving pieces aggressively, but without understanding the opponent’s strategy nor anticipating counter-moves. And the signs of strain are increasingly visible. Trump called on NATO allies – many of whom he alienated through threats and insults – to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz. Even China, often framed as a strategic rival, was approached for cooperation. This is not a position of strength. It is a signal of desperation. If America loses, it will not be because it was outgunned. It will be because Trump made wrong assumptions even before the first shot was fired.

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * E-mail: andrew_rs6@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @aj_masigan

retained some element of workaround. In the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, the peso collapsed but oil imports could still arrive; the economy could be restructured. In the 2008 food crisis, rice prices soared but alternative crops could be planted, and aid flowed in. In Typhoon Yolanda, one region was devastated but others sent help. In COVID-19, the economy contracted but people could shift to remote work and deliveries. Without oil, Government collapses: Police cars sit idle, Military operations cease. Officials cannot reach offices. The state apparatus that coordinates crisis response becomes immobilized. Without oil, food distribution breaks down, trucks cannot move, farmers cannot reach fields, markets cannot stock shelves. And within weeks, hunger spreads,. Water systems fail because pumps run on diesel and cities become thirsty. Power generation stops, thermal plants that provide baseload power shut down and blackouts cascade. Healthcare fails, ambulances cannot run. generators power down and hospitals become warehouses of the dying, not healing. Imagine the possible sequences happening within weeks or months.. Oil supplies tighten. Panic buying begins. Diesel prices spike to P150 per liter and other fuels up 60%. The government announces rationing. Black markets emerge. Long-distance trucking becomes sporadic. Food shipments from provinces slow. Supermarket shelves begin to empty. Hospitals report fuel shortages. Inter-island shipping halts. Mindanao and the Visayas face acute shortages. Agricultural production stalls—farmers cannot reach fields, cannot transport harvests. Hunger begins in rural areas. This is not a sectoral crisis. This is a “civilizational crisis”—a moment when the basic infrastructure of modern society seizes up. We import approximately 95% of our oil. Compare this to other countries that have invested in energy independence, and recognized that energy security is national security. Our former national leaders from 1986 or from Cory, FVR, Erap, Pnoy, Digong and until today, Bongbong, practical-

ly did nothing . We drifted along, assuming global oil markets will always supply us, that prices will remain manageable, that alternatives will appear when needed. After April, the question is no longer “when will oil return?”

Will supplies resume in weeks? Months? Years? But “will our society hold together?”

This is not speculation. This is the logical outcome of removing a foundational resource from a system built entirely upon it. The geopolitical closure of the Strait of Hormuz has no clear endpoint. The uncertainty itself becomes destabilizing.

When people cannot foresee an end to deprivation, social behavior shifts fundamentally. Early-stage cooperation and sacrifice give way to panic and self-preservation. After 2-3 weeks of sustained scarcity, the Filipino tradition of bayanihan erodes. Neighbors compete rather than cooperate. Hoarding replaces sharing. Rumors and conspiracy theories flourish.

Social media, which can amplify both truth and falsehood at the speed of light, becomes a vector for panic. False narratives spread faster than official communication can counter them. Trust in institutions evaporates. When trust collapses and uncertainty persists, the risk of mass unrest rises exponentially. History shows revolutions and violent upheavals are not triggered by absolute deprivation but by the loss of hope that deprivation will end. We are facing exactly this condition. And the saddest thing, our nation drifts toward this crisis unprepared, not because the threat is unknown, but because the present political system is structurally incapable of responding to it. Most politicians from both sides, Pro-Marcos or pro-Duterte, even incentivize crisis response thru their gimmickry rather than uniting and helping in its solutions. And today, we do not have the luxury of waiting for political consensus or perfect planning. If it is total systemic collapse, there may be nothing left to endure with. The time for half-measures and political theater has passed. The time for real preparation, real investment, and real leadership is now. The whole nation must imme-

diately act. Not because crisis is certain, but because the stakes of being wrong is too high to be ignored. Our survival depends on it. (next)

Call to all families to take action

In the coming weeks, various analyses and commentaries about this crisis will hound us. Critics may even call this writer a fear-monger , doom-sayer, a pessimist or alarmist. But if they wanted me to think that government, both administration and opposition, can help us in the weeks ahead, I don’t think so. Which is why I am calling on all of Filipino families to begin preparations this week. Not next month. Not when the crisis seems more imminent. This week. Have your own family meeting. Discuss the possibility of an oil crisis. Create a plan. Assign roles and responsibilities. Establish communication protocols. Start storing supplies. Buy first weeks’ worth of extra food and water.

Organize your trusted neighbors for a preparedness discussion. Form a crisis response committee. Establish a communication network. Start planning collective projects. Learn a skill. First aid. Food preservation. Water purification. Gardening. Bicycle repair. Basic carpentry. Every skill you learn increases your value to your community and your capacity to contribute to collective survival.

Every Filipino household must understand what lies ahead. April 2026 may mark the beginning of the most severe crisis this nation has faced in decades. Without immediate and decisive action, without massive fuel reserves secured at any cost, and without honest communication about the severity of the situation, we face the prospect of a nation brought to its knees by fuel scarcity.

This is not a time for reassuring platitudes. This is a time for truth, urgency, and extraordinary measures. The government must act now, or we all will pay the price in hunger, unemployment, and suffering. (Inquirer.net)

From "Catch Me if You Can" to "Tell All or Pay Up"

THE landscape of divorce litigation has undergone a tectonic shift. No longer is the "outspouse" (the partner without direct access to the books or business) forced to play a highstakes game of "detective" to find community assets. Modern fiduciary duties have turned the "burden of discovery" on its head, moving from a culture of "hide-and-seek" to a mandate of radical transparency. Historically, divorce discovery was an adversarial marathon. The spouse who managed the business or the family's complex investments (the "in-spouse") held all the cards, while the "outspouse" was burdened with demanding the right documents and asking the perfect questions just to see the community estate. This often led to "discovery wars" where the wealthier, more informed spouse could simply out-wait or out-spend the other. However, the legal tides turned with the landmark case

In Re: Marriage of Feldman. The court essentially declared that the era of "hide the ball" is over. Under Family Code §721(b), spouses are bound by the same fiduciary rules that govern business partners. This means you owe your spouse the "highest duty of good faith and fair dealing". The main statutory authorities in California

reinforcing this include Family Code Sections 1100(e), 2100(c), and 2102, Family Code §1100(e) requires parties to act as fiduciaries until the final division of assets. Family Code §2100(c) requires full and accurate disclosure of all assets and liabilities, regardless of how they are characterized. Family Code §2102: Extends these duties from the date of separation until the date of distribution.

In the Feldman case, the husband failed to disclose the existence of several new companies and assets, arguing that their creation was just "standard business" and that the wife wasn't harmed because she eventually found out about them. The court’s response was a $390,000 wake-up call in sanctions and fees. The court clarified several critical points. First, sanctions can be issued even if the other spouse suffers no economic loss. The goal is to deter the behavior itself. Second, failing to disclose an asset is a breach even if that asset is small compared to the total estate. Third, you cannot wait for a formal discovery request. You must proactively disclose material facts in writing, supplement them continually, and disclose new projects immediately. “A spouse who is in a superior position to obtain records... must acquire and disclose such information to the other spouse." Marriage of Brewer & Federici. A common misconception is that the duty to disclose ends when the judge signs the divorce decree. In reality, the fiduciary obligation remains in effect until the assets are actually distributed. If you wait un-

til after the judgment to move money or "forget" to mention a post-judgment dividend from a community asset, you remain at risk for sanctions or a complete "set aside" of the judgment. If you are the partner with superior access to information, the burden of proof is now on you. You must determine what is "material" and err on the side of over-disclosure. While this may increase your initial legal and accounting fees, it is a fraction of the cost of a $390,000 sanction or having to litigate your entire divorce a second time.

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Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC. This article is not a solicitation.

* *

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a BoardCertified Family Law Specialist and an active CPA. He is founder and owner of the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC and Reyes Capital Management, LLC. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is President of the PABA Foundation. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH U. REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

On Dying to Our Fears and Anxieties

THERE are aspects of our lives that need to die. These may include our pride, fears, anxieties, and our tendency to compare ourselves with others. We often become dissatisfied with not being and having enough, struggle with addictions, and grapple with our sinful ways. This, my friends, is the continuous invitation of Lent. It is through dying to ourselves and letting go of our angst and sins that we can achieve true peace within ourselves and with God.

On this Fourth Sunday of Lent, we reflect on the Gospel passage about the Raising of Lazarus. We learn that Jesus is deeply affected by His friend’s illness, yet He offers comforting words: “This sickness will not end in death. No,

it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

I shared these thoughts and the sentiment of Jesus in my homily last Sunday. I emphasized that our misfortunes, such as physical disabilities, can serve as avenues to reveal God’s works in our lives. Through virtues like courage, persistence, faith, and patience in dealing with our limitations, we can manifest the power of God, enabling us to live fully, achieve our goals, and meet the demands of life. Our strength amidst struggles, illness, and pain can serve as bold proclamations of our faith in God and Jesus Christ’s promise of new life in this world and the next. Therefore, our fears and anxieties must die so that we can reveal God’s glory. We must remind one another of this profound truth. In these times when many people feel anxious about the troubled state of the world, we must encourage each other to remain strong and hopeful. Our fears must be transformed into courage as we continue to preach and live the Gospel values of love,

mercy, compassion, kindness, justice, and the common good.

I also shared what I learned from our parish retreat last Saturday: “Love is the cure; the wound is the teacher.” Indeed, our wounds teach us to be compassionate to ourselves and others, to recognize our resilience, and to overcome challenges. They remind us not to stop fighting for and building a just and peaceful world. Jesus desires to unwrap the bandages of our emotional and spiritual wounds to reveal His healing power in us, who believe in Him and trust in His power and abiding presence in our lives. As we approach Holy Week and Easter, let us emerge from the darkness of our anxieties and fears and believe in the power of the Risen Lord!

*

* * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California

FROM my experience after retiring from my fulltime state job of 27 years as tax collector and transitioned into a self-employed tax professional for the past 15 years -- the Tax Season can be stressful. It starts every January when we collate seriously our tax documents.

To lessen this stress, let’s spring into action ASAP: organize and start gathering our documents and other pertinent information in one big brown envelope immediately at the onset of the tax year -- for example 2025 for the tax filing season of 2026. That’s what I do. Cramming is emotionally draining. It’s a roller coaster ride.

Among the documents that we should prepare are our W-2s if you are employed the previous year, 1099s if you are selfemployed, received your interest income and pension distributions like annuities, IRAs, profit sharing plans and other pension benefits like social security. Even certain gambling winnings should be reported especially if you were issued Form W-2Gs from the casinos. These documents are sent to the IRS Service Center too.

For deductions in 2025, the standard deductions are the following: for single, it ranges from $17,750 to $19,950; Married filing Jointly, from $33,100

to $37,900; Qualifying Surviving Spouse which stretches for two years following the spouse’ death, from $33,100 to $34,700; Married Filing Separately, from $17,350 to $22,150 and Head of Household from $25,625 to $27,625. These deductions depends however, on your income bracket.

If you opt for Itemized deductions, please provide your tax preparer with your tax withheld that are listed on your W-2s, property taxes, mortgage interest if you own a home, dependents like children depending on their ages or circumstances or credits for other qualified disabled dependents or relatives who lived with you more than half of the year, charitable contributions, medical expenses, vehicle registration renewal, among others. If you are a business owner, we also need your annual income and annual qualified business expenses for Schedule C. If you are in the business of rental property, business expenses like depreciation, repairs, management fees, supplies, among others are also tax deductible. Additional Significant Tax Tips for 2025 Filings

Other significant information for this year’s tax filing include: 1. Overtime income for employees are non-taxable. It is recorded on one’s Form W-2 on space number 14 with title OT Premium. Or you will receive a letter from your employer. This is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). It applies retroactively to overtime worked on or after January 1,2025. 2. Tips are also non-taxable. 3. Car loan Interest are tax deductible.

Health @Heart

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

Slowing ageing

EONS before Spanish Navigator/Explorer Ponce de Leon travelled around the world searching for the Fountain of Youth, people in their native domain, surprisingly, even the cavemen, had already been using local rituals and herbs to look and feel younger, and to live longer.

Today’s various media are loaded with misinformation and fake data on ways to slow down ageing, or even achieve immortality. Ridiculous as they may sound, here is an even more hilarious example:

“The search for a Fountain of Youth has driven humankind down some strange avenues of inquiry. But there may be none stranger than the work of Dr. Serge Voronoff. Known in his time as “the monkey grand expert,” Voronoff believed that human aging could be halted or even reversed by transplanting monkey testicles into people, for immortality.’ And that was among the most down-to-earth of his ideas.”

There is no medical evidence that monkey testicles, or organs (brain, heart, liver, kidneys, etc.) of baby animals, or any herbal concoction or modern drugs, promote longevity. Time to put these ‘theories’ to rest.

As I have written in this column in the past, humankind should stop wasting time exploring for the Fountain of Youth around the globe, because we have it right in our home, and right in our hands. It is called a healthy lifestyle, coupled with wisdom, discipline, tenacity, and persistence.

A healthy lifestyle starts with a smart diet of fish, vegetables, nuts, some fruits, minimal carbs and red meat, restful sleep, exercise, no soft drinks of any kind, stress management, abstinence from tobacco, and only occasional alcohol, if at all, since recent studies show no amount of alcoholic drink is safe. The great sacrifice this requires is worth the great dividend we get in terms of health, happiness, and longevity.

News: A 2026 study revealed that taking a multivitamin daily can modestly slow biological aging (by reducing cellular aging) in older adults by 2.7 to 5.1 months over 2 years based on epigenetic clock measurements. – (Nature

Medicine) To a significant extent, our health and longevity are within our control. It is never too late to start loving our bodies and stop abusing our health.

GLP-1 and vision There are about 12 percent of Americans currently taking a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and 35 percent of others are interested in using them. Globally, there are about 5.1 million users. Since the pill form of Wegovy was released, more than 170,000 Americans have been taking this pill. The obesity drug semaglutide (Wegovy) has a significantly higher risk of ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) than any other GLP-1 agonist, including semaglutide for diabetes (Ozempic), an analysis of FDA data (31,774 subjects) showed. Luckily, ION is very rare, but it is best to be aware of this finding. Discuss any concerns with your physician.

GLP-1: more benefits

While GLP-1 drugs have been found to be most efficacious in treating T2 diabetes, they have also been found to be a great aid in weight management. Latest studies reveal those on GLP-1 had a reduction of 10 percent to 20 percent in heart failure, cardiac arrest, lung failure, kidney failure, reduced joint pains, stroke, fatty liver pneumonia, and even Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. More extensive clinical use of these wonder drugs in the years to come will show us if they have any potential harmful side effects or complications from long-term use. The booster vaccine

A clinical research among “adults in England aged 50 years or older showed that those who received the bivalent BA.1 mRNA booster vaccine during the 2022 autumn campaign had substantially lower risks for COVID-related hospitalization and death for up to 350 days after vaccination compared to peers who did not receive the booster." Complete vaccination, including the booster shots, significantly reduces the risk of developing the devastating Long COVID.

Caring and cognition

Caring for grandchildren is associated with better cognitive performance among seniors, according to a study posted in Psychology and Aging. The brain, like our muscles, needs exercise and challenges. Puzzle-solving, social interaction, travel, and a positive attitude all boost brain power and minimize cognitive decline. However, “excessive caregiving stress could negate the potential benefits.” Everything in moderation, indeed.

Fatal falls Here are some scary statistics: “Fatal falls are increasing: the age-adjusted fall death rate increased by 41% from 55.3 per 100,000 older adults in 2012 to 78.0 per 100,000 older adults in 2021. Fatal falls are more common in December and January, likely due to factors such as more ice in northern climates and the desire to get on ladders to decorate for holidays and remove decorations. Most advice to prevent falls focuses on factors such as medication reviews, muscle strengthening, better eyeglasses, and getting rid of trip hazards. All are important, but we need to actively tell our older patients to stop getting on ladders (as well as step stools).” – MS Pancreatic cancer

The FDA has approved a firstof-its-kind wearable electrical device — Optune Pax (Novocure) — for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel. Optune Pax delivers alternating electrical fields, known as tumor treating fields (TTFields), to the abdomen. TTFields work by disrupting the rapid cell division characteristic of cancer cells, causing cell death. Swiss-based maker Novocure said the approval is the first for locally advanced pancreatic cancer in nearly 30 years.” – MS

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities, and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation, or treatment in our article is general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.

* * * The opinions, beliefs

4. Although this is nothing new, education expenses especially for working students, are tax deductible. Just present Form1098T (American Opportunity Credit).

5. If the IRS issued you a PIN number as a safeguard for scammers or from stealing your information or identification -provide it to your tax preparer.

6. If you are a retiree and is receiving social security benefits and on a high income bracket, a portion of SS income is taxable. I advise you to contact SSA for voluntary tax withheld of at least 15 percent. This will lessen your tax liabilities at the end of the year.

7. There is also an enhanced deduction for seniors amounting to $12,000 shown on Schedule 1-A on your Form 1040. The implication is: it will reduce your taxable income. If you are being refunded by the Internal Revenue Service or Franchise Tax Board, it is better that you provide a bank account to deposit your tax refunds. It is more efficient, reliable and quicker. Normally, it takes two weeks for refunds to be made available. But on some instances, it takes only a week. Don’t delay or procrastinate. File your taxes now on or before April 15 to avoid penalties and interests. Get it over with. –denino1951@gmail.com * Tel. No. 562-508-8099

Women’s Month in the Philippines and the laws that protect them

When women are protected and empowered, the entire nation moves forward

by Atty. Connie Jimenez-Aquino Inquirer.net

Across schools, workplaces, and communities around the country, National Women’s Month is a time devoted in recognition of a powerful and enduring force in society: Filipina women. In addition, Republic Act No. 6949 declares March 8 as National Women’s Day.

Women’s Month serves as a platform to amplify women’s voices, recognize our contributions, and confront the challenges we still face—particularly discrimination, gender-based violence, and unequal opportunities against our male counterparts. More than a celebration, Women’s Month serves as an enduring reminder of both the progress achieved and the continuing struggle for equality, safety, and representa-

tion. It also highlights the vital role women play in nation-building while encouraging conversations about gender equality and empowerment. Over the years, there have been legal mechanisms put in place by Philippine legislation in order to protect women’s rights. A legal backbone for women’s rights Behind the celebrations lies a strong legal framework designed to protect and uplift Filipino women. At the center of this framework is Republic Act No. 9710, also known as the Magna Carta of Women. This landmark law affirms that women’s rights are human rights, and mandates the state to eliminate discrimination and ensure women’s equal access to opportunities in education, employment, healthcare, and governance.

The Magna Carta of Women goes beyond symbolic recognition. It requires concrete action, such as integrating gender equality into government policies, increasing women’s participation in leadership, and establishing mechanisms like Violence Against Women (VAW) desks in barangays to assist victims. It also guarantees specific benefits, including special leave for women undergoing gynecological surgery and protection against workplace and educational discrimination.

Gender-based equality in the workplace Republic Act No. 6725 codifies the express prohibition against discrimination against women with respect to the terms and conditions of employment. It penalizes specific acts, such as payment of a lesser compensation to women employees for work

of equal value, favoring a male employee over a female employee with respect to promotion, training opportunities, and study and scholarship grants solely on account of their sexes.

Motherhood and pregnancy Congress has also enacted laws that specifically protect women, mothers, in awareness of the biological and physiological realities they face in relation to motherhood and childbirth, and in order to protect their overall reproductive health.

Republic Act No. 11210, or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law, recognizes women’s maternal

What Is Taking Shape in 2026 (Part 2)

AS the first quarter of 2026 draws to a close, the year is no longer about anticipation; it is beginning to reveal direction.

I asked seven individuals from different fields what they are seeing unfold, what they continue to work toward, and what they hope the rest of the year will bring. Their responses reflect a shift from expectation to action, where aspirations are tested against reality.

Photojournalist and singersongwriter Bernard Testa, who is preparing for a joint exhibit with Riza Zuniga this April, points to the kind of society he believes remains within reach: “A more civil society with progressive and honest leaders, better education, and a proactive, pro-people universal health care program.”

For Vancouver-based filmmaker Clyde Capistrano, whose film Lanaya is set for Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2026, the year is already in motion. “With more people discovering Lanaya, I’m inspired to continue creating films that are meaningful and personal. I’m finalizing a new screenplay and hope to begin production soon.

I also look forward to seeing our local film industry continue to grow.”

Robert Delgado, conductor of the PCSO Chorale and founder of the National Association of Filipino Choirs, Inc., is preparing for a global stage.

“What I look forward to in 2026 is the opportunity to present my research at the World Symposium on Choral Music, to be held this August in Macau, China, as a continuation of the initiatives I began in 2024, using this platform to further advance research and lead sustained efforts that equip both thriving and underserved choirs with the skills and opportunities to become meaningful catalysts in the socio-economic life of their communities. This ongoing work lies at the very heart of my organization’s mission.”

Anna Ylagan, director and producer of The OPM Friends’

Groovin’ The Greatest Hits, set for March 27 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, keeps her focus grounded. “Good health for me, my loved ones, and the OPM Friends—and more shows for this wonderful group.”

For overseas Filipino worker Norman Noces Rolle of Benguet:

“Embrace 2026 as a fresh, promising chapter for growth, boldness, and joy, designed to be shaped by your own actions, and an opportunity to live life as an exhilarating, full-throttle ‘ride,’ embracing new beginnings and manifesting success.”

Bob Zozobrado, CEO of the Philippine Retirement Authority, offers a perspective that cuts across all ambitions: “Peace all over the world.”

Meanwhile, San Franciscobased Ricky Concepcion looks toward a quieter form of progress, one measured in daily life. He hopes for balance, meaningful time with family, and milestones such as his son’s college graduation and his daughter’s continued journey in medical school. He also anticipates developments in areas he follows closely, including cryptocurrency and a shift toward more practical politics.

Taken together, these responses suggest that 2026 is no longer about what people hope will happen. It is about what they are actively building, and what is slowly taking form.

EDSA Guadalupe Billboard

I am honored to be among the awardees of the 2026 Philippine

Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers, alongside actress Marian Rivera and a distinguished group of leaders from business, government, and the arts. Their recognition reflects not only individual success, but the broader standard of excellence that continues to evolve within our communities.

Spending a day with the Dyna family

Thanks to dancerentrepreneur Emily Samson, I spent time with the Dyna Family (Dyna Dancers) at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque, offering a glimpse into the discipline behind performance.

In the dressing room and rehearsal spaces, I met members of the group and their choreographer, Severo “Toto” Sanglap, as they prepared for the show. What stood out was not just the scale of the production, but the precision and quiet focus behind it.

Among those present was Miles Obra-Borin, a Filipina dancer and actress now based in the United States, who continues to work in theater and television. During the final rehearsal, I also saw Tess Dabasol Smith, known internationally as the “Soul of Tina Turner,” whose decadeslong career spans Europe.

The Aldeguer Sisters, Lally and Terri, whose synchronized performances helped shape Philippine television dance, were among the highlights. Also present were Pia Moran,

Geleen Eugenio, and John Gaddi, alongside several dance groups including WEA Dancers, OCTOARTS Dancers, Vicor Dancers, and Urban Dance Crew.

Watching from the audience— first during rehearsal, then later from a more distant seat during the actual performance—I saw how much of what the audience experiences in a few hours is built on countless unseen hours of preparation.

The energy of the show carried through to the finale, where The Boyfriends performed for the crowd. It was only later that I learned actress Maricel Soriano had also appeared, while I recognized the voice of singer Sephy Francisco during the performance.

By the end of the evening, fatigue had set in, but so had a clearer understanding: much of what we admire in public is the result of quiet, sustained work behind the scenes.

Happiness, as it turns out, is not something easily pursued. It often arrives indirectly—through effort, shared moments, and the act of bringing something meaningful to others.

Birthday greeting Happy birthday to former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (March 28).

***

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com

function as a social responsibility, and provides them with ample transition time to regain health and overall wellness as well as to assume maternal roles before resuming paid work.

Notably, it increased the period of paid maternity leave for working mothers in the public and private sector to 105 days. This is unconditional, regardless of her marital status, or whether the birth is through natural or caesarian, provided that the mother has made the necessary contributions to Social Security Service. This is a significant increase from the previous 60 days of paid maternity leave for working mothers in the public and private sector.

The law also recognizes unfortunate circumstances, and carved out accommodation for such situations. Thus, mothers who also experienced miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy are also afforded 60 days of paid maternity leave.

Additionally, this law also understands the special circumstances of single mothers. In connection with Republic Act No. 8972, or the Solo Parents Welfare Act, mothers qualified as such are entitled to an additional maternity leave benefit of 15 days on top of the 105 days.

Addressing violence and harassment While equality for women is the goal, safety remains a pressing concern because of the prominence of gender-based violence in the Philippines.

One of the most significant is Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act.

This law criminalizes various forms of abuse against women and children—physical, psychological, sexual, and economic— and provides legal remedies such as protection orders and support services for victims. It also affords immediate remedies such as Temporary Protection and Protection Orders during the pendency of the criminal case,

and provides measures such as the installation of women’s desks in barangays around the country. Complementing this is Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, also known as the “Bawal Bastos Law.” It expands protection into public and digital spaces by criminalizing acts like catcalling, stalking, and online harassment, and imposes corresponding criminal liability. It also obliges institutions to create systems that prevent and respond to such behavior.

Together, these laws reflect an evolving understanding of violence—acknowledging that harm can occur not only at home but also in streets, workplaces, schools, and online platforms.

The continuing challenge

Despite these legal safeguards, challenges remain. Reports and public discourse continue to highlight cases of abuse, discrimination, and unequal access to resources. Awareness and enforcement of laws are ongoing concerns, especially in marginalized communities.

This is where Women’s Month becomes crucial—not just as a celebration but also as a call to action. It encourages citizens, institutions, and policymakers to ensure that laws are not only written but fully implemented. Ultimately, Women’s Month in the Philippines is one of resilience and progress. It reflects decades of advocacy, legislation, and cultural change aimed at building a more inclusive society. Yet, the responsibility does not rest on women alone. Achieving true gender equality requires collective effort from government agencies enforcing laws, to communities fostering respect, to individuals challenging harmful norms.

As the country celebrates Women’s Month each year, it also renews a commitment: to uphold the dignity, rights, and potential of every Filipina. When women are protected and empowered, the entire nation moves forward.

LOS ANGELES

DreamWorks sets ‘Forgotten Island’ for Sept. 2026 release

Bringing Philippine mythology to moviegoers ahead of its Sept. 25, 2026 theatrical release, the film features a cast of Filipino and Filipino American performers.

by AJPress

MANILA — DreamWorks Animation has released an initial preview of its upcoming feature Forgotten Island, an original animated project that places Philippine mythology at the center of a major studio production. The film is scheduled to open in theaters on September 25, 2026, according to studio materials. The project is directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, who also serve as co-writers. Mercado makes his feature directorial debut on the film, developed in collaboration with producer Mark Swift. The film reunites key creatives associated with Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, an Academy Award-nominated release.

Filipino-led cast anchors global ensemble The voice cast features a mix of Filipino and Filipino American talent alongside established Hollywood performers.

Singer-songwriter H.E.R. and actress Liza Soberano lead the film as Jo and Raissa, portrayed as lifelong friends whose story unfolds at a transitional moment before they are drawn into a mythological setting identified

Oscars to exit Hollywood in 2029

The Academy Awards will leave the Dolby Theatre after 2028, relocating to a larger downtown Los Angeles venue as production and staging requirements evolve.

by AJPress

— The Acad-

LOS ANGELES

emy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced plans to relocate the Academy Awards from Hollywood to downtown Los Angeles beginning in 2029, marking a significant shift in the staging of the film industry’s most prominent honors.

The transition, confirmed Thursday in a joint statement with AEG, will conclude the ceremony’s long-standing residency at the Dolby Theatre. The 100th Academy Awards in 2028 will serve as the venue’s final ceremony before the event moves to the Peacock Theater within the L.A. LIVE district.

A strategic shift in presentation

The relocation reflects a broader repositioning of the Oscars within Los Angeles and signals evolving priorities in production, scale, and audience engagement. Under a 10-year agreement extending through 2039, the new venue is expected to support expanded staging and integrated programming across the L.A. LIVE campus.

"For the 101st Oscars and beyond, the Academy looks forward to closely collaborating with AEG to make L.A. LIVE the perfect backdrop for our global celebration of cinema,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor said in a joint statement.

ceremonies will place increased emphasis on digital distribution and global accessibility, though specific broadcast arrangements beyond existing agreements have not been fully detailed.

Expanded scale and infrastructure

The move to the Peacock Theater introduces a significantly larger capacity, accommodating approximately 7,000 attendees compared with roughly 3,400 at the Dolby Theatre.

The agreement outlines several operational enhancements:

•Production infrastructure upgrades: Permanent stage and backstage modifications tailored to the technical demands of the ceremony

•Expanded event footprint: Use of the broader L.A. LIVE campus, including adjacent venues and public spaces, for arrivals and affiliated events

•Digital distribution capabilities:

While closely associated with Hollywood, the Oscars have historically been staged across multiple Los Angeles venues. The inaugural ceremony in 1929 took place at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, while later editions were held in downtown Los Angeles at the Biltmore and Ambassador Hotels, as well as the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium during the mid-20th century. The announcement follows the 98th Academy Awards held on March 15, 2026.

By relocating to downtown Los Angeles, the Academy positions the ceremony within one of the city’s primary sports and entertainment corridors, aligning its second century with evolving industry dynamics and audience platforms. PAGE 12

Officials indicated that future

Anne Curtis dismisses online rumor, rebukes lawmaker’s

remarks and weighs

legal options

Actress calls out misuse of her name in legislative setting, cites broader concerns on respect and

by AJPress

MANILA — Anne Curtis has dismissed online speculation about her marriage to Erwan Heussaff while separately condemning remarks made by a Philippine lawmaker that she described as inappropriate and disrespectful.

Speaking during a television appearance on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda , Curtis said she was aware of a circulating “blind item” referring to a supposed “power couple,” but did not initially realize she and her husband had been included in the speculation.

“I knew the issue, but I didn’t know we were part of the list,” Curtis said, adding that she does not give weight to unverified rumors. She reiterated a personal approach shaped by years in the public eye, choosing not to engage with claims lacking attribution or substantiation.

Curtis, who has spent more than two decades in the entertainment industry, said she avoids allowing speculation to affect her well-being, noting that undue stress can have lasting personal consequences. She described her relationship with Heussaff as stable, acknowledging that disagreements occur but are handled without escalation.

In a separate development, Curtis addressed remarks made by Bong Suntay during a House of Representatives proceeding. The comments, which referenced the actress, drew criticism online and prompted Curtis to issue a public response.

In a statement posted on social

public conduct

media, Curtis said her name had been used “without consent” and in a context she described as “vulgar” and “disrespectful.”

She said the incident reflects a broader pattern of language that women encounter in both private and public settings.

“What happened to me isn’t rare. It happens to women every day… What made this incident different is that it came from someone holding public office,” she wrote.

Curtis said she does not accept what she characterized as an insufficient apology and confirmed she is seeking legal advice. She also acknowledged

a separate apology issued by the lawmaker’s spouse, expressing empathy while maintaining her position on the matter.

As of this writing, no formal disciplinary action has been publicly confirmed by House authorities. The incident, however, has renewed scrutiny on standards of conduct within legislative proceedings and the use of language by public officials.

Curtis’ response, measured but firm, reflects a broader shift in how public figures address issues of respect, accountability, and representation, particularly in spaces where power and public trust intersect.

Representatives dismiss separation rumors surrounding Maine Mendoza and Arjo Atayde

Clarifications cite illness; no verified evidence supports online claims

by AJPress

MANILA — Official representatives for Maine Mendoza and her husband, Arjo Atayde, have formally denied persistent online speculation suggesting a separation, stating that the claims are unfounded. The clarification, issued between March 26 and 27, 2026, follows a wave of social media discussion triggered by Mendoza’s absence from a recent Atayde family gathering.

Official clarifications

According to statements from the family's public relations representative Chuck Gomez, Mendoza was unable to attend the event due to a temporary health condition, noting she was “not feeling well that day.”

A separate spokesperson similarly rejected the speculation, describing the separation narrative as “not true” and attributing her absence to a routine illness. No official statement from either Mendoza or Atayde indicates a change in their marital status.

Origin of speculation

The rumors gained traction after a video posted on TikTok by comedian Bayani Agbayani showed members of the Atayde family celebrating the birthdays of family patriarch Art Atayde and actress Ria Atayde. Maine Mendoza’s absence from the footage prompted online conjecture.

Netizens also pointed to the absence of Arjo Atayde from Mendoza’s birthday posts, including her 31st birthday on March 3, 2026, where she expressed gratitude for the ‘over-

flowing love’ but did not share a joint photo with her husband. Similar observations followed her subsequent travel posts from Ho Chi Minh City with friends and did not include Atayde. These social media details, however, remain unverified as indicators of any marital issue

Context and public record Mendoza and Atayde were married in Baguio City on July 28, 2023. Public appearances indicate the couple was seen together as recently as February 2026, including at the wedding anniversary of television personalities Vic Sotto

and Pauleen Luna. In late 2025, Mendoza issued a public statement defending Atayde against allegations involving public works contracts, asserting that their finances are derived from personal income and savings. No formal findings of wrongdoing tied to those allegations have been publicly established.

Atayde, a member of the National Unity Party and an Assistant Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, has not issued a personal statement addressing the rumors.

Veteran singer marks 40th year in OPM with top industry recognition and plans to scale back large-scale performances by

AJPress

MANILA — Regine Velasquez, one of the most enduring figures in Original Pilipino Music (OPM), has been named Woman of the Year by Billboard Philippines while indicating plans to stage a potential “final concert,” marking a pivotal transition in a career spanning nearly four decades.

The recognition comes as Velasquez marks her 40th year in the music industry, a milestone underscored by Billboard Philippines in its selection, citing her sustained influence and defining role in shaping Filipino music.

The Billboard Philippines Women in Music platform recognizes influential female artists across the industry, with Velasquez named its latest Woman of the Year honoree. Her selection reflects both commercial longevity and cultural impact, with the singer widely regarded as a benchmark performer whose vocal style and concert productions have influenced generations of Filipino artists.

A shift from large-scale performances

In a recent interview, Velasquez disclosed plans to mount what she described as a “final concert,” signaling a gradual step back from physically demanding solo productions.

She indicated that while projects remain in development, a transition toward reduced concert activity is already being considered as part of a longterm plan. Her remarks frame retirement not as an immediate withdrawal but as a recalibration of workload, with continued participation in television and selective appearances.

Longevity in a changing industry

At the Billboard Philippines event and in related remarks, Velasquez emphasized discipline and preparedness as critical to sustaining relevance in a music industry increasingly shaped by digital platforms and international audiences.

Her message reflects broader structural shifts within OPM, where artists must navigate both domestic recognition and global distribution channels.

Artistic independence and durability

Velasquez also pointed to early-career decisions that diverged from industry expectations, including choices related to musical direction and public image, moves that contributed to a distinct artistic identity.

Such autonomy, she sug -

gested, has been central to her ability to remain relevant across multiple eras of the Philippine music scene.

Her concert career, marked by large-scale productions and critical recognition, has consistently reinforced her standing as one of the country’s premier live performers.

Generational transition in OPM

The Billboard Philippines event also featured a mix of emerging and established artists, signaling a broader transition within the industry as legacy performers begin to scale back and newer acts expand their presence. Velasquez, in her remarks, pointed to younger artists as central to the future of OPM, aligning with ongoing efforts to sustain the industry’s growth and global reach.

able media

— Kris

made a rare public appearance in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) this week, marking a careful re-entry into social life following years of medical treatment abroad.

Aquino, 55, was seen Monday evening with her son, Bimby Aquino-Yap, alongside longtime friends including Dingdong Dantes and television producer Darla Sauler. The outing comes after an extended period of treatment for multiple autoimmune conditions that have largely kept her out of the public eye since 2022.

Her appearance, documented in social media posts by makeup artist Jonathan Velasco, showed Aquino preparing for the evening while receiving intravenous (IV) fluids, reflecting the continuing demands of her medical care. Visuals circulating online indicate an improvement in her condition compared with her departure for the United States in 2022, when her weight had significantly declined.

Aquino returned to the Philippines in September 2024 after undergoing treatment in California for a complex set of autoimmune disorders. She has publicly disclosed diagnoses that include Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,

Rheumatoid Arthritis, and ChurgStrauss Syndrome, among others. In past statements, she has said her condition requires ongoing immunosuppressive therapy to prevent further organ damage.

Recent updates shared through her official channels indicate a gradual improvement in weight and strength, though her health remains closely monitored. She has also undergone procedures related to long-term treatment access, including catheter-based interventions earlier this year.

Earlier in March, Aquino made another limited public appearance during a private visit to Malacañang Palace, where she attended a lunch hosted by Liza Araneta-Marcos. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was also reported to have briefly joined the gathering. The visit marked her first return to the presidential residence in several years.

Despite these appearances, Aquino has maintained that her recovery remains ongoing. She has previously described her condition as medically complex, with complications that have included Deep Vein Thrombosis and fluctuating blood pressure, requiring coordinated care from specialists in both the United States and the Philippines.

For now, Aquino remains on hiatus from regular media work. She has indicated openness to future projects, including a possible digital or video-based format, but has emphasized that any return will depend on her health.

The recent BGC sighting suggests a measured shift rather than a full comeback - one defined by limited engagements, continued treatment, and a deliberate effort to regain strength while reconnecting with a close circle of family and friends.

DreamWorks sets...

in studio materials as the island of Nakali. Lea Salonga voices The Dreaded Manananggal, described in official materials as one of the island’s most feared creatures. The supporting cast includes Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, Jenny Slate, and Amielynn Abellera. Dave Franco voices Raww, a supernatural companion who guides the protagonists through the island. Stakes tied to friendship and what is left behind

According to studio materials, the story turns on what the two friends may have to give up to find their way home. After arriving on the island of Nakali, Jo and Raissa are confronted with a condition that places their shared past at risk. The film draws from Philippine mythology, with creatures such as the Tikbalang and Bakunawa appearing in the narrative. It is set in the 1990s, a period the filmmakers have pointed to as a way of grounding the story in a time before digital communication, when friendships were shaped more by direct, day-to-day interaction. Strategic shift toward original storytelling Distributed by Universal Pictures,

by AJPress

tvN has confirmed that the principal cast of Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, widely known as Goblin, will reunite for a 10th anniversary special. Lead actors Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, and Yoo In-na are set to participate in a travelogue-style program tentatively titled Goblin 10th Anniversary. The special will follow the cast as they revisit filming sites and reflect on the drama’s cultural impact during its 2016–2017 run. Defining a cable television milestone Goblin remains one of the most commercially and critically significant Korean dramas of its era. Its finale surpassed 20 percent nationwide viewership, placing it among the highest-rated cable

dramas in South Korean history and reinforcing the viability of high-budget productions outside terrestrial networks.

At the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2017, the series secured the Grand Prize (Daesang) for screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, while Gong Yoo received Best Actor honors. The drama’s visual design and soundtrack further contributed to its sustained popularity.

Internationally, the series continues to circulate across streaming platforms, often cited as a key driver of the Korean Wave’s global reach.

Revisiting a cultural phenomenon

The anniversary program is expected to adopt a retrospective format, blending location visits with behind-the-scenes reflections. The approach mirrors earlier tvN reunion specials that

foreground cast chemistry and production history.

The project also aligns with the network’s broader anniversary slate, positioning the special as both a commemorative feature and a reaffirmation of its content legacy.

Cast and creative return Participation has been coordinated with the actors’ agencies, including Management SOOP and King Kong by Starship. The special marks the first full-cast narrative collaboration since the series concluded.

Director Lee Eung-bok is also expected to contribute insights into the production’s visual identity.

Release window tvN has not announced a specific premiere date but indicated the program is targeted for release in the first half of 2026.

The Global Phenomenon Returns: Two-Time Emmy® Award-Winning

Producer Marc Anthony Nicolas Premieres Season 3 of ‘Make Your Marc’

LOS ANGELES, CA — Twotime Emmy® Award-winning producer and celebrated host

Marc Anthony Nicolas is officially back for a third season of his hit series, Make Your Marc. The highly anticipated Season 3 premiere is set for Sunday, March 29, at 4:00 PM PST on GMA Pinoy TV, with new episodes scheduled to air every Sunday.

This season, Marc raises the stakes with sit down exclusive interviews with Philippine icons, including Miss International and Miss Universe Philippines Ahtisa Manalo, the Philippines’ beloved balladeer Christian Bautista, and many more. In addition, Nicolas introduces his ambitious new travel segment, LandMARC, taking viewers on a cinematic journey to the breathtaking natural wonders of the Philippines.

Make Your Mark Season 3

Highlights:

Following two critically ac -

claimed seasons, Season 3 serves as a bridge between Hollywood glamor and the heart of Filipino heritage.

"Season 3 is all about expansion," Marc Anthony Nicolas said.

"After two seasons of incredible stories, I wanted to physically take my audience to the places that shaped these icons. With the launch of LandMARC, we aren’t just sitting in a studio; we’re on a boat in the Loboc River and walking the centuries-old streets of Intramuros. It’s a homecoming and a world tour all in one."

The 8-episode season features the “best of the best” of Filipino excellence, paired with iconic destinations across the country:

•The Icons: Marc secures exclusive sit-downs with worldrenowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, couture legend Francis Libiran, and actress Patricia Javier.

•The Heritage: The Land -

MARC segment travels from the Chocolate Hills of Bohol to the Gingoog Chocolate Factory, exploring the history and craftsmanship that define the islands.

•The Finale: The season culminates in an all-access pass to The 100 Most Influential Filipinos of the World (TOFA) in Las Vegas, featuring interviews with Filipino superstars Jaya, Manila Luzon, and global trailblazers.

Make Your Make Season 3

Episode List:

•Episode 1 (March 29): Ahtisa Manalo + LandMARC (Rizal Park)

•Episode 2 (April 5): Christian Bautista + LandMARC (Intramuros)

•Episode 3 (April 12): Francis Libiran + LandMARC (Chocolate Hills)

•Episode 4 (April 19): Patricia Javier and family

•Episode 5 (April 26): Kenneth Cobonpue + Ross Paris + LandMARC (Tarsier Sanctuary)

•Episode 6 (May 3): Elvin Vitor + Loboc Children’s Choir + LandMARC (Loboc River)

•Episode 7 (May 10): Nora Galleros + LandMARC (Gingoog Chocolate Factory)

•Episode 8 (May 17): The 100 Most Influential Filipinos of the World (TOFA)

Marc Anthony Nicolas is available for exclusive one-on-one interviews to discuss the Season 3 premiere, the "Filipino Wave" in global entertainment, and his transition from a Hollywood power-producer to a cultural storyteller.

PRESS CONTACT:

Don Michael Mendoza, International General Manager for Marc Anthony Nicolas dmendoza@dmhmproductions.com

+1.412.877.7459 (Also available on WhatsApp and Viber) www.MarcAnthonyNicolas. com

BALI, Indonesia — Filipino-American leaders were among those recognized at the inaugural Global Impact Summit & Awards, held February 24 to 25, 2026 at the Harper Hotel in Kuta. The two-day gathering brought together entrepreneurs, innovators, and advocates from across sectors for a forum on leadership and purpose-driven enterprise.

Organized by Entrepreneurs’ Diaries Magazine, the summit convened participants from business, media, technology, philanthropy, and the creative industries. The program featured keynote sessions, panel discussions, and an awards ceremony honoring individuals whose work reflects both professional achievement and community impact. Filipino-American leaders recognized Several Filipino-American

honorees were cited for contributions spanning media, entrepreneurship, aesthetics, recruitment, and film.

Among them were Mic Diaz, founder and CEO of Mic Diaz Presents, recognized for work in multichannel media and cultural storytelling; Celeste Friedman, entrepreneur and executive producer of the film Love and Karma, honored for leadership across real estate, fashion, film, and coaching; Marlou “MC” Colina, founder of MC Aesthetics, cited for contributions in medical aesthetics, education, and philanthropy; and Jethro Lim Tseng, also known as Limson, CEO of HireFox LLC, recognized for building an international recruitment platform focused on ethical teacher placement. Also in attendance was Zac Tolentino, Miss Philippines USA 2024, who participated as a brand ambassador.

Dialogue on purpose-driven leadership

Beyond recognition, the summit centered on how leaders are adapting to a more interconnected and purpose-driven global economy.

Panel discussions moderated by Diaz explored themes includ-

ing aligning business growth with social impact and navigating cultural and geographic barriers in scaling organizations internationally. Speakers from the United States, India, Kenya, and Malaysia shared perspectives on collaboration, innovation, and the evolving responsibilities of leadership in shaping communities.

Creative expression across disciplines

The program also highlighted the intersection of business and the arts.

A fashion showcase featured the Bontika Collection by Friedman, designs from Bali-based label Shima, and wardrobe pieces from Love and Karma. The presentation underscored how fashion and film can function as platforms for cultural storytelling.

The evening continued with a musical performance by the film’s music supervisor, James Golding, followed by a trailer presentation introducing audiences to the project’s creative direction.

Extending impact beyond the summit

Participants also engaged with local communities during their stay in Bali.

Friedman, Golding, and Diaz conducted a lecture at Primakara University, where they discussed filmmaking, marketing, and creative entrepreneurship with students. The session focused on translating personal and cultural narratives into meaningful creative work.

Separately, Friedman and Diaz joined a medical outreach initiative in Amed, Bali, supporting volunteer efforts to provide healthcare services in underserved areas.

A global perspective on leadership

As the summit concluded, discussions emphasized a common theme among participants: leadership is increasingly defined by collaboration across borders and disciplines.

Organizers and attendees pointed to the growing role of diaspora communities, including Filipino-Americans, in shaping global conversations on innovation, culture, and social impact.

The event reflects a broader shift toward leadership models that prioritize both enterprise and service, underscoring an expanding definition of influence in a connected world.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles’ creative energy took center stage during LA Fashion Week Spring 2026 at The Lot at Formosa, where designers from around the world presented collections that blended fashion, art, and cultural storytelling.

Produced by The Bureau Fashion Week, the showcase highlighted emerging designers and global brands while reinforcing Los Angeles’ growing role as an international fashion hub.

One of the evening’s most compelling presentations came from House of Musa, the advocacy-driven fashion house founded by Filipino designer Joy Soo.

The runway presentation featured vibrant fabrics, bold textures, and flowing silhouettes, reflecting a fusion of fashion

design and visual art. The LA showcase, coordinated by creative director Cindy Mac, incorporated the textile art of Marconi Calindas-Cafege, whose graphic designs were integrated into fabric patterns and runway visuals.

Beyond its aesthetic, House of Musa is defined by its commitment to sustainability and social impact. Its signature Musa fabric is made from banana fiber sourced from Davao del Norte in Mindanao. Instead of allowing agricultural by-products to go to waste, the fibers are transformed into textiles used for couture garments and accessories.

The weaving process carries a deeper purpose. Banana fiber fabrics are produced inside cor-

rectional institutions in Davao del Norte, where persons deprived of liberty participate in textile production, gaining skills and income opportunities. The initiative operates through the Davao del Norte Association of Musa Designers Artisans and Seamstresses (DAMDAS), supporting local craftsmanship and livelihoods. House of Musa also supports humanitarian initiatives in the Philippines. Through the Musa Pink Foundation, it raises awareness for women battling breast cancer, while Angel’s Haven supports children with special needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization launched the “Mask of Hope” initiative, producing protective masks while promoting

resilience and community care.

The brand first gained international attention at New York Fashion Week and has since presented in Paris, London, and Milan, bringing global visibility to a textile innovation rooted in the Philippines. Each garment traces its origins to the artisans and weaving communities of Mindanao.

Another notable element of the LA presentation was the inclusion of older models, reflecting a shift toward greater inclusivity and age diversity in fashion.

The House of Musa showcase demonstrated that fashion operates beyond aesthetics. It can serve as a platform for sustainability, cultural storytelling, and social impact.