071126 - Los Angeles Edition

Dealing with Assets Omitted in a Divorce Case

YOU and your spouse may have gone through a lengthy and contentious divorce proceeding. This is usually the most difficult period of a person's life. Finally, time heals all pain. You and your spouse get tired of bickering and being mean to one another that you both decide to compromise each other positions and resolve all issues in your divorce case through settlement. Shortly thereafter, the divorce judgment is finally entered by the Court and you get a sigh of relief. Later you discovery that "Oops!," your ex-spouse had community asset and/or debt that was left out of the divorce judgment. This may be a pension, retirement account, a hidden bank account, or a piece of real estate property which was not divided in the judgment. What is one to do in this situation? The answer can be found in California Family Code §2556. California Family Code §2556 provides “In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, for nullity of marriage, or for legal separation of the parties, the court has continuing jurisdiction to award

Pastor’s Notes

IT’S summertime! What a beautiful season to appreciate the wonders of nature around us as we stroll through the neighborhood, admiring the plants and colorful flowers in bloom. It’s delightful to hear the chirping of birds and the buzzing of bees flying in the air. And what a soothing feeling the warmth of the sun brings to our bodies, complemented by a cool breeze.

As we go out to meet family and friends on weekends, trying different flavors of food and drinks, we are truly blessed by our sense of taste, enjoying the diverse cuisines our city offers. How wonderful it is to feel the loving presence and care of our loved ones. Thank God for not being alone, especially during long holiday weekends when many people gather for parties, camp-

community estate assets or community estate liabilities to the parties that have not been previously adjudicated by a judgment in the proceeding.” California Family Code §2556. Even if the parties did not expressly reserve jurisdiction on that piece of asset, the Court retains the power to divide a specific property if there is a community interest in it. The Court's “continuing jurisdiction” over omitted community estate assets or debts is invoked by filing a post judgment Motion, or Request for Order in the divorce case. Family Code §2556 provides “A party may file a postjudgment motion or request for order in the proceeding in order to obtain adjudication of any community estate asset or liability omitted or not adjudicated by the judgment.” The postjudgment partition of the unadjudicated community estate claims is properly entertained by the court even absent an express reservation of jurisdiction in its prior judgment. Marriage of Moore & Ferrie (1993) 14 CA4th 1472, 1483, 18 CR2d 543, 549, fn. 9. The postjudgment motion is available to any omitted asset or debt not adjudicated by the divorce judgment. However, Family Code §2556 does not extend to division and adjudication of any separate property. Marriage of Klug (2005) 130 CA4th 1389, 1396, 31 CR3d 327, 331–332.

If an asset was partially omitted, the Court can still divide and adjudicate the portion that has been omitted postjudgment under family code §2566. Community Property adjudicated under § 2556 shall be divided equally “unless the court finds upon good cause shown that the interests of justice require an unequal division of the asset or liability.” Family Code §2556.

* * * 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, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. * * * Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. 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. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

The Joy of Summer

ing trips, and other celebrations. We are fortunate to be part of a community that gathers for worship and fellowship. Thank God for making us feel welcome, deeply connected to others, and for providing us with a sense of belonging. Thank God for those sacred moments when we experience peace and wholeness. Thank God for the periods of silence that soothe and heal our minds and hearts. Thank God for the works of art—a painting, a book, or a sculpture—that deepen our understanding, open our hearts, and inspire our spirits. Thank God for a heart that sees goodness in others and has the courage to face setbacks, challenges, and uncertainty. Thank God for a heart that forgives, understands, and empathizes. Thank God for a heart that is humble and seeks reconciliation. For me, this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 13:1-23 ) emphasizes the importance of truly seeing and listening to the Word of God made alive and fulfilled around us.

It’s about seeing not just with our

physical eyes but with our spiritual eyes—the eyes of the heart. It’s about opening our minds to the potential for ourselves and others to lead richer, more fruitful, meaningful, and harmonious lives.

My hope is that our eyes, ears, and hearts are open to witnessing God’s work around us, despite the challenges and struggles we face.

I hope we never give up on goodness, kindness, and forgiveness, even amid the threats of division within families and communities.

Enjoy this summer! As the old cliché goes, take the time to smell the roses. Rest your bodies and spirits. Speak kindly to one another. Care deeply and love generously!

Much love, Fr. Rodel Balagtas

* * * 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

The Long Middle: Why I Haven’t Quit

BY July, many of us are taking inventory. The excitement of our New Year’s goals has faded, and some dreams are taking longer than we expected. If that is where you are, you are not alone. One thing I have learned is that I do not like teaching principles I have not personally tested. It is easy to talk about perseverance after you have crossed the finish line. It is much harder when you are still in the race. And today, I am still running. As I have been building my skincare business, there have been moments when progress felt slower than I had hoped. Whenever I am tempted to question the process, I remind myself that I have lived this story before. More than 30 years ago, I entered the mortgage industry with little more than determination. I

knocked on the doors of real estate offices, dropped off pastries, attended networking events and invested thousands of dollars in sales training long before I saw meaningful results. People see the career. They did not see the tears. They did not see the rejection, the loans that fell apart or the “impossible” files no one else wanted. Looking back, I realize that those difficult loans became my greatest education. Every challenge sharpened my skills and prepared me for the career I have been blessed to enjoy today.

I have experienced the same lesson on the dance floor. People see the competitions, but they do not see the countless hours of practice, the injured knee, the fractured toe or the determination it took to return each time my doctors cleared me. Galatians 6:9 reminds us: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

I love that Paul does not say we might grow weary. He assumes that we will.

God already knew there would be seasons when we would feel

tired and discouraged and wonder whether our efforts were making any difference. This is not a rebuke; it is a reminder that weariness is part of the journey. Weariness is not failure. Often, it is evidence that you have been faithfully planting seeds.

As we begin the second half of the year, do not measure your progress only by what you can see. Some of God’s greatest work happens underground, where roots are growing long before fruit appears. Keep planting. Keep trusting. Keep showing up. Sometimes the greatest victory is not reaching the finish line. Sometimes it is simply refusing to quit.

* * * 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.

* * * KKathy Current is a financial coach, mortgage advisor, and author of Heal Your Money Wounds God’s Way, where she combines over three decades of financial experience with timeless biblical wisdom. Kathy addresses real-life questions about God and money, helping readers find freedom and purpose in their financial lives.

PhiliP s. ChUA, Md, FACs, FPCs

DOES diabetes affect sexual function?

Yes. In men, diabetes mellitus can cause a varying degree of erectile dysfunction (inability to attain or sustain an erection satisfactory for intercourse) as the diabetes progresses. Most of the time, however, the exaggerated and unfair condemnation of diabetes as causing severe erectile dysfunction leads to a psychological deterrent and a self-fulfilling prophecy in most men. Many well-adjusted and well-treated diabetics enjoy sex without problems. In women, loss of vaginal lubrication is a major sexual effect of diabetes. It is also theorized that there could be some erectile dysfunction of the clitoris (female anatomical counterpart of the penis) among women with diabetes. ED pills (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra), which are effective for male erectile dysfunction, have not been of help among females.

What are the other complications of diabetes?

Diabetes has a lot of potential complications. Among them are the effects on the small arteries and big arteries in the body, causing blockages in the circulation, leading to damages (poor supply of blood, oxygen and nutrition) to the various organs of the body: the eyes (retinopathy that results in blindness), kidneys (nephropathy resulting in kidney failure), legs (resulting in leg an feet ulcers, gangrene and amputation), nerves (neuropathy that causes numbness and pains in the feet), and cellular immunity (weakens the immune system leading to infections). This is why all diabetic patients must be under the care of a physician and why blood sugar must be well controlled at all times.

How common is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects about 322 million men around the world and an estimated 10 to 20 million men aged 19 and older in the United States. The prevalence is 52% in men aged 40 to 70 and increases with age.

What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is rare in diabetic men until their mid-30s. Erectile dysfunction is very common in the general male population, especially in these modern times. Contributing to cause this condition are psychologic factors

Sexual maladies

(severe anxiety, fear of intimacy, fear of unwanted pregnancy, sexual guilt, depression), drugs (most medications for high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, psychotropic drugs, CNS depressants-tanquilizers, etc. do affect erection), arteriosclerosis/ vascular (blocking arteries that supply blood to the male organ), and, rarely, biogenic (associated with low testosterone levels and reflecting disorders of the hyphothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis).

Does alcohol affect erection?

Alcohol definitely affects erection, either in diabetics or nondiabetics. As Shakespeare wrote, “Alcohol increases the desire but diminishes the performance.”

What is the treatment for these side effects?

Once the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is confirmed, Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra (ED pills) are often the first choice. Erection is achieved about one hour to one and a half hours following ingestion of the pill, which comes in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. Persons on nitroglycerine (medications for coronary heart disease) are strictly warned against taking these ED pills, the combination of which could cause intractable shock and death. If taken properly under a physician’s supervision, these ED pills are a safe and very effective wonder drug. Diabetes must be well controlled at all times for this to work. Quitting smoking, exercising at least 3 times a day, and having a conducive environment will help tremendously in improving sexual performance. If ED pills do not help, what next?

ED pills help alleviate erectile dysfunction in about 90% of diabetics and more in non-diabetics.

Other assistance may come from sex therapy, other medications (penile erection suppository; yohimbine, which is still controversial; prostaglandin E1), vacuum constricting devices, male hormone testosterone, which is rarely needed, and which increases the chances of cancer of the prostate; and, surgery (aorto-iliac procedures for blocked arteries in the pelvis that partly supply the male organ, and implantation of penile shaft prosthesis, but this keeps penis rigid at all times and not too comfortable. With the advent of ED pills, most of these “other aids” have been relegated to the background and used only in dire cases that do not respond to the drug.

How about in diabetic women?

Among diabetic women, the major sexual side-effect is loss of the natural vaginal lubrication, which makes sexual encounters

most uncomfortable and even painful. Masters and Johnson, pioneering sex researchers in the 1960s, stressed the importance of vaginal lubrication during the initial sexual arousal in women and throughout the sex act. The wet cavity allows the male organ to slide in and out more easily, increasing both partners' sense of ecstasy. The lubrication also increases the sensitivity of the vaginal lip and clitoris to touch, increasing the responsiveness and pleasure to digital caress. With proper vaginal lubrication, proper “ambiance,” and well-controlled blood sugar (and other medical conditions, if any), diabetic women can enjoy pleasurable sex at any age.

What are the other causes?

Other causes of loss in vaginal lubrication are: stress or psychological factors, undesired partner, drugs (Tricyclic Antidepressants, like Elavil, Anafranil, Tofranil, Sinequan, birth control pills, antihistamines, cold formulas, etc.), alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana. Other conditions include jet lag from travel across time zones, excessively prolonged foreplay or lovemaking, pregnancy, and childbirth.

Any remedy for dryness?

Loss of vaginal lubrication happens to the majority of women past 40 years old, some even as young as in their 20s and 30s. There are now a lot

California reaches major milestone in modernizing behavioral health care

More beds, more treatment, more accountability

SACRAMENTO — California has transitioned all 58 counties to the Behavioral Health Services Act as of July 2026, implementing Proposition 1, approved by voters in 2024.

The law replaces the Mental Health Services Act with a framework designed to improve accountability, coordination and outcomes. It directs counties to prioritize people with the greatest behavioral health needs, including those experiencing homelessness, veterans, children and youth at risk, people involved in the justice system, and those facing institutionalization.

The BHSA expands access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment, permanent supportive housing, field-based outreach, prevention programs and workforce development.

“Today marks a historic turning point for California,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said. “Through the BHSA, we are fundamentally reshaping how Californians receive mental health and substance use services and supports.” California Health and Human

Services Secretary Kim Johnson said the framework coordinates prevention, treatment, recovery, housing and workforce investments.

Under the BHSA, counties must integrate planning across behavioral health funding sources, maximize federal dollars and connect residents to existing health coverage. The law also establishes a statewide prevention program focused on reducing suicide, mental illness, substance use disorders and overdose.

California has spent several years preparing for the transition. Through the Department of Health Care Services, the state has awarded $4.17 billion under the Proposition 1 Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program to more than 330 projects. Once completed, those projects are expected to add more than 6,900 residential treatment beds and 27,500 outpatient treatment slots.

DHCS also developed a county policy manual shaped by more than 2,660 public comments. All 58 counties and two eligible cities

submitted draft integrated plans outlining how they will provide housing, crisis care, treatment, prevention and wraparound services.

The state has also launched a public county profile that consolidates behavioral health data, funding and service information.

The California Department of Public Health completed a statewide prevention plan focused on suicide, self-harm, overdose and disparities, with added attention to children, youth and underserved communities.

The Department of Health Care Access and Information also developed a 2026-2030 workforce education and training plan covering licensed providers, peers, non-licensed workers, career pathways, recruitment and retention.

State officials said the transition is intended to strengthen crisis response, expand early intervention and create a more connected continuum of care, particularly for Californians with complex needs throughout the state.

Filipino

PJN Church and Altar Dedication Marks the First Anniversary of the Poong Jesus Nazareno Filipino Catholic Center in Anaheim

by NaNcy cesar, DOsJFM

HIS Excellency, Kevin Vann, J.C.D.,D.D., Bishop of Orange, will officiate at the solemn dedication of the church and altar of the Poong Jesus Nazareno at the Filipino Catholic Center on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 5 pm. The dedication of churches and altars is one of the earliest liturgical traditions of the Catholic Church and is an integral event for a newly built or acquired building and altar to be consecrated as a place of worship.

This first and only Filipino Catholic Center of its kind in the United States, the PJNFCC was inaugurated by Bishop Vann exactly a year ago on July 21st. The Center property was purchased by the Alagad ni Maria (Philippine Disciples of Mary) with assistance from the Diocese of Orange San Jose Filipino Ministry (DOSJFM). Partnering with the Alagad ni Maria will enable the DOSJFM to achieve its goal of providing cultural experiences for the younger Filipino generations as well as enriching their Catholic heritage. The DOSJFM was established at the initiative of the Alagad ni Maria, and is recognized as part of the Ethnic Ministries of the Diocese of Orange in a decree issued by the Bishop of Orange in June 2021.

The Alagad ni Maria priests obtained a replica of the Poong Jesus Nazareno (the Black Nazarene) from Quiapo, Manila, which was eventually housed in the Alagad ni Maria chapel on Magnolia St. in Anaheim when it arrived in March 2024. The image

was visiting various parishes in Southern California for some time, but the idea of finding a suitable permanent home for the Poon soon became a priority. The Poon’s home was also envisioned to become the Filipino Catholic Center for the cultural programs and activities of the DOSJFM. And so the search for a suitable property site began. The search ended in February 2025 and escrow closed on the property in Anaheim three months later in May 2025. Finding the erstwhile Vietnamese Christian Church on 3700 W. Orange Avenue in Anaheim was literally a Godsend, and being able to raise almost 50% of its asking price was another blessing. On June 1, 2025, Fr. Peter Lavin, on behalf the Alagad ni Maria priest community in the Diocese of Orange, received the keys as new owners of the property. The life-size replicas of the Poong Jesus Nazareno and Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (popularly known as Our Lady of Antipolo) now permanently reside in the church at the property. Some necessary repairs and improvements were made to convert the church to a Catholic worship place. The church has a seating capacity of 200. The existing church pews have recently been refurbished with new upholstery and kneelers added. Masses are regularly held every day, except on Mondays when the Center is closed. Masses in English are held on Tuesday through Friday at 6 pm, and in Tagalog on Saturdays at 4:30 pm and on Sundays at 10 am and 1 pm. The Center’s facilities also include a fellowship hall with a 200-person capacity as well as three classrooms. These are utilized for folkdance and rondalla rehearsals, retreats, seminars, language classes, fellowships, social and cultural events and other religious gatherings. The Alagad ni Maria priests serving the Diocese of Orange also call the place home. Please join us in this milestone event. As many devotees are expected to attend the Dedication ceremonies, parking may be an issue; therefore carpooling is highly encouraged.

Filipino American leaders to meet in Colorado on issues affecting their communities

The national conference will address voting, mental health, public service, leadership and cultural preservation.

AURORA, Colorado — More than 200 Filipino American leaders, professionals, students and advocates are expected to gather in Colorado in August for a national conference focused on voting, mental health, public service, leadership development and cultural preservation, according to the National Federation of Filipino American Associations.

craftsmanship, sustainability and culinary heritage are redefining the European market

ROOTED in cultural heritage and resourcefulness, the Philippines is transforming sustainable innovation into products with global appeal.

From fashion made with natural fibers to food products drawn from local biodiversity, Philippine-made goods carry stories of skilled communities, environmental responsibility and cultural continuity. Across home furnishings, fashion and food, they are helping position the country as a source of distinctive, responsibly made goods for Europe.

The Philippines’ presence at Ambiente in Frankfurt, Maison&Objet in Paris and Anuga in Cologne, together with the FASHIONPhilippines program in Milan, reflects a coordinated effort to bring Filipino creativity before international buyers.

Connecting with Europe’s leading trade fairs Through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, or CITEM, the export-promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippines joins fairs serving the home, lifestyle, fashion and food sectors.

Together, these appearances create a visible Philippine presence across Europe’s major commercial centers.

Ambiente in Frankfurt

Ambiente is one of the world’s leading consumer-goods trade fairs. Under the DESIGNPhilippines banner, Filipino companies present home, fashion and lifestyle products combining contemporary design with indigenous and natural materials.

CITEM first joined Ambiente in 1990. In 2025, the country sent its largest delegation to the fair at that time: 52 enterprises, including companies and artisan groups from Quirino and the Western Visayas provinces of Aklan, Antique, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

The pavilion featured furniture, lighting, décor and accessories made from rattan, bamboo, wood, corn husk, piña, cotton

and capiz. According to CITEM, the delegation generated $4.5 million in sales during the fiveday fair.

The results reflected buyer interest in natural materials, credible sustainability practices, strong craftsmanship and cultural identity. These are areas in which Philippine producers can compete on design and quality rather than volume alone.

The Philippines returned to Ambiente in February 2026, continuing its participation and studying design trends and buyer preferences.

Maison & Objet in Paris

The Philippines has also maintained a presence at Maison&Objet, the international fair for interior design, home décor and lifestyle products in Paris. In 2024, the country returned with a pavilion for the first time since 2019. Called “Artipelago,” the presentation brought together 14 Philippine companies and works by 14 visual artists. Curated by designer Anton R. Mendoza, it placed furniture, lighting and decorative objects alongside contemporary art.

The exhibit emphasized rattan, abaca, buri, banana fiber, wood carving and solihiya weaving, showing how traditional skills could be adapted for modern interiors.

In January 2025, “Artipelago II” became the country’s largest Maison&Objet delegation, with 32 participants: 16 home and furniture manufacturers and 16 visual artists. The Philippines returned in January 2026 with “Artipelago III,” featuring 14 homegrown brands and one art gallery.

The series has allowed Philippine companies to seek orders, study European design standards, meet buyers and strengthen their international presentation. Anuga in Cologne

The Philippine food industry has pursued a similar strategy through Anuga, one of the world’s largest food and bever-

age trade fairs.

CITEM participated in the October 2025 edition under the FOODPhilippines banner, presenting the country as a source of natural, organic, halal-certified and specialty food products.

The 17-member Philippine delegation offered milkfish, tuna, dried fish, shrimp paste, calamansi and coconut concentrates, fruit preserves, pili nuts, banana chips, corn snacks and preparations made from fruits, seafood and vegetables.

These products combine familiar export strengths with a culinary identity rooted in regional ingredients and traditions. The presentation also emphasized food-safety standards and certifications required for wider access to European markets.

European consumers are showing greater interest in traceable ingredients, healthier choices, sustainable sourcing and authentic cuisines. Philippine companies that meet certification, packaging, consistency and production requirements are better positioned to build commercial relationships.

FASHIONPhilippines in Milan

The launch of FASHIONPhilippines Milan marked another step in the country’s effort to enter Europe through creative development and commercial exposure.

The program combined mentorship with an exhibition during Milan Fashion Week in September 2025. Selected Filipino designers received guidance in creative direction, buying, marketing, showroom management and brand development. It culminated in a three-day exhibition at Fondazione Sozzani.

The presentation also highlighted Filipino Innovation Textiles developed by the Philippine Textile Research Institute, including handloom-woven fabrics, KAWAYARN, bamboo lyocell and piña-cotton blends.

These materials connect Philippine agricultural resources and weaving traditions with the fashion industry’s interest in lower-impact textiles. The program’s value lies not only in displaying Filipino collections in Milan, but also in exposing designers to the commercial systems behind international fashion.

A Philippine advantage Across these fairs, a common theme emerges. The Philippines’ strongest products are grounded in materials, skills and stories tied to the communities that produce them.

Solihiya weaving, hand carving, embroidery, basketry and fiber processing are being reworked for contemporary interiors and fashion. In food, regional ingredients and traditional flavors are being developed into products that meet international standards.

Europe’s demand for responsibly sourced, well-made and culturally authentic goods gives the Philippines a meaningful opening. Success, however, will depend on consistent quality, reliable production, certification, competitive pricing and longterm relationships with buyers.

The European market is helping position the Philippines not simply as a supplier, but as a creative and commercial partner offering sustainable, culturally rich products for consumers.

pressed by the

* * * Email: rogelio.medina@asianjournalinc.com

NaFFAA’s 16th National Empowerment Conference is scheduled for Aug. 14 and 15 at the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center. Pre-conference activities on Aug. 13 will include registration, a professional boot camp and an opening reception.

Organizers said participants are expected from business, government, education, health care, nonprofit organizations, media, entrepreneurship and youth groups.

The program will include sessions on voting rights, immigration, mental health, entrepreneurship, health care, anti-Asian hate, Filipino American history and representation in elected office. A “Run for Office” panel will examine the transition from community advocacy to public service.

Dante Francis “Klink” Ang II, chairperson of the Philippine government’s Commission on Filipinos Overseas, is scheduled to deliver the opening keynote address. Michelle Mras and Dr. Stacey Litam are also listed in the program.

A founders’ roundtable will feature Loida Nicolas Lewis, Rodel Rodis and Gloria Caoile in a discussion of NaFFAA’s formation and development as a national network. The conference will also include the Emerging Leadership Institute, NaFFAA’s youth leadership program, which provides training, mentoring and professional development for young Filipino Americans.

Brian Flores of CBS News Colorado is scheduled to participate as a panelist and gala emcee, according to NaFFAA. Lorraine Eloriaga and Hannah Tolentino are also expected to take part.

The conference will conclude Aug. 15 with the Bayanihan Awards Gala and Fashion Show featuring Filipiniana fashion, cultural storytelling and recognition of community leaders. Registration is available at www.naffaa.org/nec2026. For information, call (301) 337-7352 or email info@naffaa.org. Organizers said the agenda is subject to change.

Registration opens for San Francisco’s 40th JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge

3.5-mile run/walk is scheduled for Thursday, September 10 at Chase Center

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Reg-

istration is now open for the 40th running of the JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge in San Francisco. The 3.5-mile run/walk will bring together hundreds of Bay Area companies on September 10 at 6:45 p.m. at Chase Center. Open exclusively to employees of local businesses and corporations, the event welcomes colleagues of all fitness levels to walk, jog, or run the course— building camaraderie and a tradition that extends beyond the workplace. After the race, company teams will celebrate inside Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors and the Golden State Valkyries, with an on-court post-race experience.

SF New Deal will serve as the 2026 JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge San Francisco beneficiary. Since its founding in March 2020, SF New Deal has deployed $59 million to 2,200+ small businesses across the city through innovative programs like Vacant to Vibrant and Neighborhood Vibrancy Funds, which invest directly in local businesses to activate commercial corridors and strengthen the cultural and economic fabric of San Francisco’s neighborhoods.

“The JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge is about teamwork—on the course and in the community,” said Tim Moffet, Corporate Challenge Team Captain, JPMorganChase. “For more than 120 years, JPMorganChase has supported the Bay Area by investing in the communities where we live and work. As we celebrate the 40th running in San Francisco, we’re proud to support SF New Deal as the 2026 beneficiary—helping strengthen the small businesses that are essential to the city’s vibrancy and resilience.”

Registration Company teams can register on the JPMorganChase Corporate Challenge website through Thursday, August 13 at 6 p.m. (or until capacity is reached, whichever comes first). The $85 entry fee per participant includes a drink ticket, meal ticket, and access to Chase Center post-race party spaces. Teams need at least four participants. Event inquiries: sanfrancisco@corpchallenge.jpmorgan. com | (415) 839-6558 (Advertising Supplement)

H Mart Recognized on Newsweek’s “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Entry Level 2026”

LYNDHURST, NJ – H Mart,

the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States, is proud to announce its recognition on Newsweek’s “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Entry Level 2026,” highlighting the company’s continued commitment to supporting and developing early-career talent across its organization.

This recognition is based on a nationwide study conducted by Plant-A Insights Group, which analyzed interviews from more than 113,000 entry-level employees across the United States. The study also included extensive desk research evaluating key workplace indicators such as professional development opportunities, training quality, and overall employee experience for individuals aged 18–28.

The ranking reflects organizations that demonstrate strong performance in creating supportive environments for entry-level employees, with a focus on career growth, skill development, and workplace engagement.

H Mart stated, “We are honored to be recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Entry-Level Employees. Our entry-level associates bring energy and fresh perspective to the company, and we are committed to investing

in their development and longterm success.”

Also added, “As a leading Asian supermarket retailer in the United States, we continue to expand nationwide while prioritizing employee development and fostering a workplace culture that supports career growth at every stage.”

About H Mart

H Mart is the largest Asian supermarket chain in America and a pioneer of Asian food culture in the United States. Since opening its first store in Woodside, Queens, in 1982.

H Mart currently operates 110 locations across 20 U.S. states, supported by 18 state-of-theart warehouse and processing facilities. As America’s premier food destination, H Mart offers a full assortment of Asian groceries alongside a broad range of everyday essentials, providing a comprehensive “one-stop”

experience that rivals traditional supermarkets.

H Mart is dedicated to serving both its immediate local neighborhoods and a diverse, multicultural customer base.

As America’s premier food destination, H Mart offers the full assortment of Asian groceries as well as a broad range of everyday essentials to complement its full-scale offering to that of a traditional supermarket. H Mart is dedicated to serve the immediate surrounding communities as well as a broad range of multicultural customers.

H Mart’s

LOS ANGELES

Bimby Aquino says half of first adult paycheck will go to church

The “Eat Bulaga” guest host also plans to use part of his earnings to treat his mother, Kris Aquino.

by AJPress

MANILA — Bimby Aquino-Yap said he plans to give half of his first paycheck as an adult to the church and use part of the remaining money to treat his mother, television host Kris Aquino.

In a video circulated online, Bimby was shown signing a payment voucher and receiving cash for his recent guest-hosting work on the noontime program “Eat Bulaga.”

“I’m claiming my first adult sweldo,” he said, using the Filipino word for salary.

Asked whom he intended to treat with the money, Bimby replied, “My mom, of course. I have to.”

Bimby said half of the payment would go to the church in fulfillment of a promise made by his mother to a priest he identified only as Father Jun. He added that the priest may now be serving as a bishop.

The amount of the paycheck and the church that would receive the money were not disclosed. His remarks described an intended donation; the available video did not confirm that it had already been made.

Bimby’s reference to his first “adult” salary distinguished the payment from money he earned as a child actor. He appeared in several films while growing up, including the 2013 comedy “My Lit-

tle Bossings” with Ryzza Mae Dizon and Vic Sotto. His recent appearances on “Eat Bulaga” followed an on-air reunion with Dizon in June. He later returned as a guest host, with Kris making a surprise studio visit on June 25 to support him. Now listed among the artists represented by Cornerstone Entertainment, Bimby is resuming television work as an adult after spending much of his childhood in the public eye.

Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda film joins MMFF 2026 lineup

by AJPress

MANILA — Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda will bring

their first movie together to the 2026 Metro Manila Film Festival after “The Greatest Showdown” was named among the first four official entries in the festival’s 52nd edition.

The selection was announced July 7 at GH Mall in San Juan, two days after the stars formally unveiled the project at Gateway Mall 2 in Quezon City.

Jun Robles Lana will direct the film, a joint production of ABS-CBN Studios, Star Cinema, The IdeaFirst Company, M-Zet Productions and APT Entertainment. Its story, supporting cast and production schedule have not been disclosed.

The project brings together two performers long associated with competing noontime programs. Sotto is one of the principal hosts of “Eat Bulaga,” while Vice is a longtime host of “It’s Showtime.”

Their programs compete for viewers in the same time period, but Sotto said the arrangement should not be mistaken for a personal rivalry. He described the two as entertainers whose shows happened to air opposite each other.

The collaboration had been under discussion since last year, according to Sotto. Vice said both performers agreed to the project when the possibility was raised.

At the MMFF announcement, each star greeted the audience associated with the other’s program, underscoring the cooperative tone surrounding the film. They also expressed openness to appearing

Live-action ‘Moana’ makes a festive world premiere at the Hollywood Bowl

Catherine Laga‘aia gives Disney’s familiar ocean adventure a grounded human center

by AJPress

LOS ANGELES — Disney’s live-action “Moana” arrived at the Hollywood Bowl on July 7 as both a world premiere and a large-scale summer celebration.

Before the screening, guests moved through an activation area built around the film’s island setting. Moana’s voyaging canoe, a figure of Heihei and a life-size LEGO Moana provided photo opportunities. Dole Whip pineapple soft serve was distributed alongside Coppertone sunscreen, limited-edition Zoa energy drinks and other partner giveaways. Hawaiian Airlines hosted a plumeria keychain-making station, while blankets were placed on seats for the outdoor presentation.

The festivities shifted to the stage as Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga‘aia joined the Nonosina dancers in a Pacific cultural welcome.

Director Thomas Kail and producer-songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda addressed the audience before conductor Sarah Hicks led the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a live performance of Mark Mancina’s score during the film.

returning as Maui, the demigod he voiced in the animated films.

The principal cast also includes John Tui as Chief Tui, Frankie Adams as Sina and Rena Owen as Gramma Tala. Auli‘i Cravalho, the original voice of Moana, serves as an executive producer.

side uncertainty. Her singing is assured, particularly in “How Far I’ll Go,” while the quieter scenes with Moana’s family give the performance its emotional weight.

Johnson brings physical presence and familiar comic timing to Maui, especially in “You’re Welcome.” Yet the transition from animation to live action is not always seamless. Maui’s transformations and oversized physical comedy remain naturally suited to animation, and some effects-heavy sequences emphasize technical execution more than discovery.

The music continues to carry much of the film’s appeal. Songs by Miranda, Opetaia Foa‘i and Mancina return, while the new “Along the Way,” performed by Laga‘aia, Johnson and Cravalho, provides a link between the animated and live-action productions. At the Bowl, the orchestra gave the score a dimension audiences will not encounter in a conventional screening.

on each other’s noontime shows while promoting the movie, although no guest appearances have been formally scheduled. Lana previously directed Vice in “And the Breadwinner Is...” and “Call Me Mother.” The new project will be his first feature film directing Sotto and Vice as co-stars.

“The Greatest Showdown” joins “2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7,” “Amir” and “Haunted Carnival” in the festival’s initial lineup. Four additional entries are expected to complete the eight-film field.

The MMFF is scheduled to open on Christmas Day. Further details about “The Greatest Showdown,” including its characters and additional cast members, are expected as production moves forward.

Coco Martin’s ‘Sigabo’ under fire over alleged use of AI on TV

COCO Martin’s primetime series “Sigabo” is facing criticism online after viewers alleged that a recent episode used artificial intelligence (AI)-generated visuals, reigniting discussions about the use of AI in Philippine television.

A clip from the episode, which featured a wedding scene, quickly circulated on X (formerly Twitter), where several netizens questioned the apparent use of AI. “They’re not stopping with the AI. Cringe on the highest level,” one user wrote while sharing the video.

Others expressed concern over AI’s threat on jobs in the creative industry.

“Di pa nga nakuntento sa masamang impluwensya sa mga kabataan sa mga barilan na yan. Mga totoong actors at creative staff naman ngayon yung gusto nilang palitan ng AI. About time na dapat may batas na magreregulate sa paglimit ng AI sa creative industry,” another netizen wrote. Still another user emphasized that apparent reliance on AI diminishes the quality of materials.

“The Greatest Showdown,” directed by Jun Robles Lana, marks the first feature-film collaboration between two mainstays of competing noontime programs. is disgusting. Kung wala nang budget at nagtitipid, ibigay ang slot sa iba. ’Wag niyo i-sacrifice ang quality ng materyal. Kaya ’di umuunlad ang creative industry ng Pinas dahil sa kagaganyan niyo eh,” the post read. Another warned about the possible long-term effects of normalizing AI-generated content on television.

days after the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board conducted a compliance seminar for the producers of “Sigabo” following complaints about the series’ alleged excessive portrayal of violence.

Fireworks lit the sky during the finale, bringing the evening to a close in true Hollywood Bowl fashion.

The film is Disney’s live-action reimagining of its 2016 animated feature. Kail directs Laga‘aia as Moana, with Johnson

The story remains centered on Moana’s first voyage beyond the reef of Motunui. When hardship threatens her island, she seeks Maui and undertakes a dangerous journey to restore the heart of Te Fiti and bring prosperity back to her people.

Laga‘aia gives the remake its clearest reason for returning to the story. She plays Moana with composure and restraint, allowing courage to develop along-

As a remake, “Moana” is polished, respectful and closely tied to its predecessor. It does not substantially alter the story, but Laga‘aia brings warmth and credibility without relying on imitation. The premiere supplied festival energy, cultural ceremony, orchestral scale and fireworks; its young lead gave the familiar voyage a distinct human presence.

“Moana” is rated PG and now showing in U.S. theaters.

“Using AI generated videos and air it on local television

“The problem with normalizing AI video on primetime national TV dramas is eventually everyone will just make their own microdrama episodes, forever,” the user wrote. Some, meanwhile, alleged that other materials related to the series, including its official poster, were also AI-generated. The online backlash comes

Created and directed by Martin, “Sigabo” is an action-comedy romance series, which follows Gabo, an exonerated convict who undertakes covert missions and eventually crosses paths with Sam (Julia Montes), a lawyer who also works as an investigative agent As of writing, Martin, Montes and the “Sigabo” production under ABS-CBN have not addressed the circulating clip and allegations that AI was used in the viral scene.

Melanie Marquez returns to her first love

ONLY a few Filipino living mannequins can lay claim to the title “supermodel,” and one of those is Melanie Marquez. Now the statuesque glamazon has come back to her roots after a long hiatus.

The model-turned-beauty queen-turned actress went back to her first love—playing muse to fashion designers—for the recently unveiled holiday collection of fashion designer Boyet Fajardo.

Marquez was a gangly girl from Pampanga in her early teens when she was discovered. With such long limbs, arresting beauty, and impeccable command of the runway, she instantly became a favorite among designers.

Renowned queenmaker and fashion designer Renee Salud then fielded her to the 1979 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, where she clinched one of the crowns.

She represented the Philippines at the 1979 Miss International pageant in Japan and became the third Filipino woman to bring home the title, also making history as the youngest ever participant to win the crown.

Marquez continued her modeling and even scored international gigs, sending her to many parts of the world. In New York, she won the “Face of the 80s” contest that sent her to the “Supermodel of the World” competition where she finished as a runner-up.

Melanie Marquez back in her element/EDWARD DE LA CUESTA Decades later, and after a rollercoaster of a personal life, she returns to her first love which is modeling.

“God will give you that brilliance, then your personality and good heart will glow. People around you think you don’t seem to age. And you are not bothered by material things. Let’s live within your means. You’ll find peace and contentment,” she said.

For Fajardo’s campaign, Marquez went before the camera of lensman Edward de la Cuesta, with Jonnah Huliganga handling hair and makeup. Bobbit Patag took care of the styling.

“My life is an open book, but one that is full of challenges. It may seem that I lead a glamorous life but, honestly, I hate dressing up and wearing makeup. Gusto ko, simple lang!” Marquez said.

Fajardo’s holiday collection, a series of creations mostly in black-and-white, will be available soon at the biggest malls and department stores across

the country.

“I feel excited about this collection. I was never excited about my photo shoots before, but now I am! This collection highlights my 48 years in the fashion industry, through all the struggles, as my journey speaks volumes of my acumen throughout all the generations I’ve served–from the baby boomers to the millennials, and now the younger crowd,” he said.

“I always want movement, constant movement, and never remain at a standstill, even during the pandemic. I’ll do the things i’ve been dreaming to do all my life,” added Fajardo, who emphasized that the pieces are limited and all locally made.

As for Marquez and her endurance in the industry that has spanned almost half a century already, this was what she said: “I think my X-factor comes from professionalism, coupled with my dedication and genuine character. Anything fake will eventually manifest itself.”

Charo Santos on savoring her luminous years

For Charo Santos, food is meant to be explored, experienced, and devoured with gusto

by reggie aspiras Inquirer.net

WHEN I came across a video of Charo Santos looking for Rosie, a longtime cook who had become part of the family over the years, I knew it was time to give her a call. As good an actress as she is, I could sense that behind the humor was a genuine longing for Rosie.

So I picked up the phone and dialed her number. And what started as a conversation about Rosie soon wandered into stories of childhood, family, love, and the people who shaped her life.

A trip down memory lane

Before long, Santos had transported me to Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. Her father, Dr. Winifredo Santos, was a surgeon who chose to remain in the province and serve the poor. Patients often paid him— not with money but with fish, chickens, vegetables, and whatever harvest they could spare. At home, he tended a vegetable garden while her mother, Nora Navarro, was a part-time teacher. She took care of the kitchen and fed a family of eight.

Life was simple. There were no household helpers. Everyone had chores. At 12, Santos learned how to cook rice. She knew how to buy fish at the

market and even knew how to dress a chicken.

As she spoke, it became clear that food had always been woven into the fabric of her life.

Explored, experienced, and enjoyed Breakfast remains her favorite meal of the day. Mention tuyo, daing na bangus, tapa, tocino, longganisa, or fried chicken, and her voice immediately brightens. I found myself laughing when the conversation turned to liempo. Not the lean version. The one with the taba.

“The pork without the taba is sad,” she declares.

This, after all, is the same woman who grabs a hotdog at Costco whenever she gets the chance, eats roasted beetles in Mexico, and continues to enjoy Indian food even when the spice brings tears to her eyes.

Food, for Santos, is meant to be explored, experienced, and devoured with gusto. And perhaps one of life’s little gifts to her was a naturally forgiving metabolism. Santos laughs, saying that she probably inherited it from her mother, who remained slim throughout her life.

Ask Santos about her favorite comfort food, and she doesn’t hesitate. “Tinola,” she says simply. It has long been one of her favorites alongside sinigang.

As she described it, I realized she might just as well have been describing herself. Tinola, she said, is calm and malinamnam. It is nourishing, healthy, complete, and joyful. Yet it still has a little kick from the ginger.

“A student of life”

The little girl from Mindoro eventually moved to Manila at 16. College opened new doors. There was modeling, then beauty pageants. After graduation, the late Lino Brocka noticed her and encouraged her to audition for the role of Teresa in Mike de Leon’s film “Itim.”

From there, one opportunity led to another. “I see myself as a student of life,” Santos tells me.

One evening at the old Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel, Cesar Concio Jr. proposed marriage. It was, by her own admission, a whirlwind romance. What she remembers most is the conversation. After the proposal came an even bigger question: When did she want to get married?

Without much hesitation, she said Nov. 7. And just like that, a new chapter began. Their marriage would last 40 years.

When Santos speaks of Concio Jr., she does so with tenderness. “He saw me as a person. Not simply as a wife. Not simply as a mother. As a person.”

Shaping meals and memories Santos readily admits that her husband was the real food enthusiast in the family. He worked closely with Rosie, planned menus, watched cooking shows, and helped shape the meals that gathered children, grandchildren, and relatives around the table.

But these days, she enjoys traveling and discovering new restaurants with her grandchildren. Today, Rosie has retired. And somehow, life has brought Santos back toward the kitchen. Not necessarily to cook—she is quick to clarify—but to oversee things once again. There is a new cook to guide, menus to discuss, combinations to think through, and household routines to revisit, especially when the brood comes together.

I realized that even if Santos was never the primary cook in the family, she has always known how a kitchen works.

She knows how to put together a menu, stretch a budget, manage inventory, and make sure everyone around the table is well fed. In many ways, it felt like a return to skills she first learned as

a young girl in Mindoro.

Life in full circle

Life, it seems, has a funny way of coming full circle. The Charo Santos on the line that afternoon spoke often about gratitude. About joy. About being present. She described herself as being in the autumn season of her life. There was no sadness in the way she said it. If anything, there was peace. At one point, she laughed and said she had already gone through her joyful years, her sorrowful years, and her glorious years.

Today, she believes she is living her luminous years. There was something beautiful about her acceptance of where life had brought her. The need to constantly achieve seems to have given way to a deeper appreciation for the present.

She no longer feels the need to perfect everything. “I don’t seek perfection anymore,” she tells me. There was no trace of resignation in her voice—only freedom.

These days, she prefers to go with the flow, trust her instincts, and listen to her heart. She still wants to learn. She still wants to tell stories. But she no longer measures life by how perfectly it unfolds.

To teach and to give back

There was always a teacher, a mentor, and a coach in Santos that still lives on. She likes helping people become better versions of themselves. She admits she can be demanding, but beneath that is a genuine desire to help people grow.

And if there was one word that surfaced again and again throughout our conversation, it was “kabutihan.” Goodness— and the desire to leave something good behind.

As our conversation drew to a close, I asked her: If she could have one last dinner with anyone who shaped her life, who would be at the table? Without hesitation, she answered: her mother and father. Her father, whom she lost while still young. Her mother, with whom she shared a deep bond. And what would she serve them? The freshest vegetables, the kind that her dad grew in their backyard.

The answer felt fitting. Because after all the success, Santos finds herself returning to the people and values that shaped her from the very beginning. A father who planted vegetables. A mother who cooked. A family gathered around the table. And a daughter who still wants one more meal with them—to say thank you.

I put down the phone, grateful for the conversation. Well done, dear Charo Santos.

Charo Santos’ tinola Serves 6

“We use sayote instead of green papaya. We don’t like the aftertaste of green papaya. We add lots of malunggay leaves and dahon ng sili, then finish it with tanglad for a more aromatic broth.”

Ingredients

•1 whole chicken (about 1.2 to 1.5 kg), cut into serving pieces

•2 Tbsp cooking oil

•1 large onion, sliced

•1 large knob of ginger, peeled and cut into strips

•6 cloves garlic, minced

•6 to 7 cups of water or chicken stock, do not put too much liquid, so that the broth remains flavorful

•Fish sauce, or to taste

•2 medium sayote, peeled, halved, and sliced into wedges

•1 to 2 stalks tanglad (lemongrass), lightly pounded

•2 cups malunggay leaves

•2 cups dahon ng sili

•Salt and pepper, to taste

•Whole peppercorns

Procedure

1. Heat the oil in a large pot. Sauté the onion until softened. Add the ginger and garlic and cook until fragrant.

2. Add the chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned.

3. Stir in the fish sauce and cook for another minute.

4. Pour in the water or stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the chicken is tender.

5. Add the peppercorns.

6. Add the sayote and continue cooking until just tender.

7. Add the pounded tanglad and simmer for another 5 minutes to infuse the broth with its aroma.

8. Stir in the malunggay leaves and dahon ng sili. Cook just until the leaves wilt.

9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

10. Serve hot with steamed rice and a small dish of fish sauce on the side.