081823 - San Diego Edition

‘Eris’ on the rise: What we know about the new dominant COVID-19 variant in the US

IT may be time for U.S. citizens to take precautionary health measures again as the COVID-19 subvariant called EG.5, dubbed “Eris” on social media, has been on the rise—accounting for 17.3 percent of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. as of Aug. 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Dr. Andrew Pekosz of the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Johns Hopkins describes the EG.5 variant as very closely related to the XBB Omicron subvariants that have been circulating in the U.S. for the past six months.

“Notably, it contains one particular mutation that is known to evade some of the immunity that you get after an infection or vaccination,” Pekosz says.

While there’s no need to panic, Pekosz suggests those susceptible to severe COVID-19 such as the elderly and those with medical conditions should take care not to dismiss respiratory symptoms. Like in previous variants, EG.5 symptoms include

P100-million funding sought for PH Ayungin buildup

permanent structures in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea drew support from his colleagues and the chief of the Philippine Navy. The structures, according to the senator, could serve as permanent lodging for soldiers stationed at the rusty BRP Sierra Madre, a warship

intentionally grounded in the shoal in 1999 as a Philippine military outpost and now at the center of fresh tensions between Manila and Beijing.

“I will propose the allocation of P100 million to fund the construction of a pier and lodging

Senators raise concern about PH’s ballooning debt

MANILA — Should Filipinos worry or panic over the country’s ballooning debt?

Senators raised this question on Tuesday, August 15 as they scrutinized the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024.

By end of next year, the country’s debt is projected to climb to P15.8 trillion, National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon told the Senate committee on finance.

For 2024 alone, De Leon said the government needs to allot P1.9 trillion for debt service.

“How come the position is we should not worry about debts yet?” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III then asked.

“How come Filipinos should not worry about their ballooning debt na ballooning na rin yung principal and debt payments, and yet ballooning pa rin si total amount to be paid?” Pimentel asked again.

De Leon assured that the country’s debt is “very manageable” and “sustainable.”

Still, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa sought to u PAGE 2

COVID-19 cases are rising once again, possibly fueled by the emergence of the EG.5 variant. Hospitalization rates jumped by 12.5% nationwide in July, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This uptick comes even as the public health emergency has ended, taking with it free testing and therapeutics. And COVID fatigue has set in. People no longer wear masks in public, and a study has determined that the majority of Americans will forego new boosters, which will be available this fall.

At an Aug. 11 panel discussion organized by Ethnic Media Services, three eminent COVID experts examined the rise in cases, the new variant, and the new monovalent vaccine which will be available this fall.

Panelists included:

• Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, Associate Dean for Regional Campuses, University of California, San Francisco and Medical Educator,

DFA: Help underway for Hawaii wildfire-stricken Filipinos

THE Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, August 15 said operations to assist distressed Filipinos in Hawaii following the catastrophic wildfires are ongoing.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, Hawaii, will help Filipinos there.

“Our consulate is proceeding to Wailuku in Maui today to assist distressed kababayans and to get verified information on casualties, missing

DOT optimistic of getting 8 million tourists by 2025

MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is “optimistic” that the Philippines will welcome a large number of tourists by 2025 similar to the figures recorded before the global pandemic hit.

“The DOT is optimistic that we will be able to breach the 2019 pre-pandemic numbers of eight million by 2025,” Tourism Undersecretary for legal The DOT is optimistic on the prospects of the tourism sector, especially after President Marcos lifted the state of public health emergency due to the pandemic. Philstar.com file photo

u PAGE 4

persons, etc. They are in constant touch with the local authorities, as it is the latter who are responsible for these operations,” he said.

“The Filipino nation commiserates with the people of the State of Hawaii over this terrible tragedy,” he said.

Asked if the DFA already has the number of Filipinos affected by the wildfires, de Vega answered, “No exact data yet,” adding that there’s “no confirmed data on Filipino citizens affected by the disaster.”

Citing data from the government of Hawaii, de Vega said the wildfires have already claimed the lives of at least 96 people and that the inferno is “being contained.” n

Peso nearly hits 57:$1

low of 56.99. The STAR / Miguel de Guzman, File photo due to the decision of the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise key policy rates by another 25 basis points, translating to a narrower trade differential of 75 basis points.

MANILA — The Philippine government considers the escalating tensions in Taiwan Strait a “major concern” that could affect the country, according to a document published by the government.

The government said in its National Security Policy 2023 to 2028 that the Taiwan-China relations have the “potential to be the flashpoint in the region.”

“The Philippines is concerned about its economic stability, a potential influx of refugees, and the welfare of overseas populations,” the government said in the

MANILA — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is not worried about the weakening of the peso against the dollar, which almost touched the 57 level on Monday, August 14 due to the narrowing interest rate differential between the Philippines and the U.S.

The peso lost 46.5 centavos to close at 56.78 to $1 on Monday from Friday’s (August 11) 56.315. The local currency opened weaker and almost touched the 57 to $1 level as it lost steam further to hit an intraday low of 56.99.

According to BSP

Governor Eli Remolona Jr., the depreciation of the peso against the greenback was

Likewise, Remolona also cited the decision by Fitch Ratings to downgrade the credit rating of the U.S. to AA+ from AAA.

He explained that the peso has depreciated by 0.56 percent, making it the fourth least depreciated currency in the region after the Indian rupee’s 0.07 percent, Vietnamese dong’s 0.40 percent and Singaporean dollar’s 0.42 percent.

“Compared to our neighbors, the peso has weakened only slightly. The peso is

COVID makes a comeback, but new vaccines are around the corner

China-Taiwan tension a ‘major concern’ for PH

Senators raise concern about PH’s...

assuage fears that it would take generations to pay for huge debt.

“May nagsasabi na mas maganda siguro kung mas manganak tayo ng maraming anak para lumaki ang population natin at pag lumaki ang population, mas maraming maghahati-hati ng utang, mas bababa ang per capita ng utang natin,” he said.

(Some are saying we should have more children to grow the

population so that more people will share the debt burden, which would result in lower debt per capita.)

Dela Rosa then asked the economic team: “Tama ba sir sabihin natin sa mga Filipino nanood ngayon na pagdating sa national debt natin, don’t panic walang problema, kayang-kaya natin ito?”

(Is it okay to tell the Filipinos watching now that when it comes to our national debt, “Don’t panic, there’s no problem. We

can handle this?)

As in the past, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno assured the lawmakers that the country’s debt is manageable.

Diokno also pointed out that the composition of the national budget is mostly investment and is pro-poor.

“So don’t panic mga Filipino. Utang lang yan, kayang kaya,” Dela Rosa said.

(So don’t panic, fellow Filipinos. It’s just debt, we can definitely handle it.)

Like Pimentel, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said she is also worried about the ballooning budget of the country.

“Madali po sigurong sabihin wag tayong mag-aalala sa utang, pero tulad ni Sen. Koko nag-aalala po ako and sa totoo lang, di po tayo dapat magoverpromise kung nag-aunderdeliver pa…” Hontiveros said.

(It’s probably easy to say that we shouldn’t worry about debt, but like Sen. Koko, I’m concerned. And honestly, we shouldn’t overpromise if we’re still underdelivering…)

“Normal lang po talaga magalala sa utang kasi nga people don’t feel protected and I think we need to stay in touch with that,” she added.

(It’s really normal to worry about debt because people don’t feel secure, and I think we need to be in touch with that.) n

Peso nearly hits 57:$1...

somewhere in the middle,” the BSP chief said.

External inflows from remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) along with foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows continue to help build up the country’s foreign exchange buffer.

Although the country’s gross international reserve (GIR) level fell below the $100 billion level in May and June, Remolona said the foreign exchange buffer remains ample.

“These reserves provide a cushion against negative global spillovers. Our reserves have hovered around $100 billion, we expect it to remain at roughly the

same level in the coming years. We need these reserves because we think the world will slow down next year and the following years especially because of what the Fed has done,” he said.

Most economists expect the central bank’s Monetary Board to keep interest rates untouched anew on Aug. 17 amid the inflation downtrend and the disappointing gross domestic product (GDP) growth recorded for the second quarter of the year.

“We now anticipate the Monetary Board may opt for a hawkish hold beginning Aug. 17 to assess the inflation risks amid slowing growth and commit to possible actions should inflation

P100-million funding sought for PH...

Kalayaan group of islands, or the Spratlys.

risks escalate, chief of which may be a possible sharp spike in oil prices,” Security Bank chief economist Robert Dan Roces said.

Remolona reiterated that the decision of the Monetary Board would continue to be datadependent as inflation eased for six straight months to 4.7 percent in July from a peak of 8.7 percent in January, while GDP growth slowed significantly to 4.3 percent in the second quarter from 6.4 percent in the first quarter.

“We will go where the data will lead us but sometimes the data don’t seem to know where to go,” he told participants of the economic briefing. n

structures for our soldiers assigned in the area, and for our fishermen who might seek temporary refuge in times of bad weather,” Escudero said.

He said the facilities could also shelter fisherfolk of any nationality who might be caught in bad weather in the high seas.

“It will welcome fishermen in distress with warm accommodations and not with a blast of the water cannon. It is there to help and not to harass,” he said, alluding to the Aug. 5 incident when China Coast Guard ships fired water cannons at Philippine vessels on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre.

‘Soon lost to sea’

Since that incident, the Philippines and China had traded barbs over control of Ayungin Shoal, with the latter saying Manila had once promised to tow the warship out of the area, a claim denied by Philippine officials.

Escudero said the construction of structures in Ayungin should be done in haste as BRP Sierra Madre was degrading fast from its 24-year exposure to the elements.

“Sierra Madre’s greatest enemy is nature, and it will soon be lost to the sea. It’s now rusted, and [we cannot let] our soldiers die from tetanus,” he said.

“Its being beached there was supposed to be an ad hoc measure. After almost one-quarter [of a century] it is time for a permanent solution,” he said.

Escudero suggested that parts of the Ayungin structures be prefabricated on land and transported to the shoal to prevent any damage to the environment.

“There will be no China-style fortification in which the environment is permanently damaged,” he said.

Escudero’s proposal was received well by other senators.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, chair of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, hinted that he was keen to seek a budget bigger than P100 million to allow the government to carry out improvements on Ayungin as well as the

“Even the health center, the barangay center, there are no other services that can be offered by our government there,” he noted.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri vowed to introduce “institutional amendments” in the proposed 2024 spending program for improvements on BRP Sierra Madre and on Pag-asa Island, the largest of the Philippineadministered islands in the Kalayaan group.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III called Escudero’s proposal “an idea worth pursuing.”

“Because if an area is within our EEZ (exclusive economic zone) we have the right to build structures [there],” he said, referring to the 370-kilometer area that extends from a country’s territorial sea.

Escudero said initial funding support from Congress should give the president “flexibility” as the chief architect of the country’s foreign policy.

“What will be given is the congressional authority to build more in the Ayungin,” he said, adding that under budget rules, the president was authorized to augment any item in the General Appropriations Act.

Reached for comment, Navy chief Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. said he welcomed Escudero’s proposal of erecting permanent structures in Ayungin.

“We are appreciative and thankful for the support in order to enhance the habitability of the ship’s spaces and improve the physical condition of the vessel for our troops stationed thereat,” he said.

But he declined to disclose current funding for the upkeep and operations at BRP Sierra Madre, only saying it was “not much.”

“In the past years, the budget for Sierra Madre is basically used for the admin, logistics, and sustainment requirements of the troops stationed thereat, like food provisions, solar lighting systems, generators, medical provisions, and desalination equipment,” he told the Inquirer. Sovereignty budget

IN DEMAND. Vendors restock their native trays with ripe rambutan as demand for the sweet and antioxidant-rich fruit is high at their stall in Judge Jimenez Street, Kamuning, Quezon City on Tuesday, August 15. Rambutan

Australia and Hawaii, among others.

China-Taiwan tension a ‘major...

document.

“Any military conflict in the Taiwan Strait would inevitably affect the Philippines given the geographic proximity of Taiwan to the Philippine archipelago and the presence of over 150,000 Filipinos in Taiwan,” it added.

China claims Taiwan, and has vowed to take the democratic island one day—by force, if necessary—and ramped up political and military pressure against it.

In April, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian “advised” the Philippines against supporting the independence of neighboring Taiwan if it “cares genuinely” about the OFWs based in the island.

The envoy made the statement after Manila gave Washington

access to more military bases, some of which are located in Isabela and Cagayan—northern provinces facing Taiwan.

WPS issue a top concern For the Philippine government, the West Philippine Sea issue remains the country’s primary national interest.

“The divergences of claims, as well as the claimants’ methods of asserting their positions, continue to pose strategic challenges, endangering not only the country’s territorial integrity, but also the Filipino people’s exercise of legitimate rights and their safety and wellbeing,” the document read.

Last week, the Philippines summoned Huang and protested China’s “illegal actions” after the China Coast Guard blocked and fired water cannons at boats

on a resupply mission. Officials said the government will not abandon the Ayungin Shoal in the Spratly Islands.

Beijing claims the majority of the South China Sea, including parts that Manila calls the West Philippine Sea, as its own, using a “nine-dash line” on maps that an arbitration ruling in 2016 declared has no legal basis.

The government also said the “heightened rivalries among the major powers are contributing to a more tense geopolitical landscape.”

The plan also identified political stability and public safety, economic strength, ecological balance and climate change resiliency, and cyber security as the government’s national security interests. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com) n

P100-million funding sought for PH...

In the 2022 National Expenditure Program (NEP), there was no specific item for maintenance of the grounded warship although an operating expenditure item under the Department of National Defense’s military service support units was labeled “Sovereignty of the State and the Filipino people protected” with an amount of P43.5 billion.

In the 2021 NEP, a similar item was allotted P41.4 billion, but in the proposed 2024 spending program, no such item appears.

In a privilege speech on Tuesday, Estrada again denied China’s claim that Philippine officials, including Cabinet

members of his father, then President Joseph Estrada, had promised to remove BRP Sierra Madre from the shoal.

Such a claim “defies logic,” according to the younger Estrada.

“Ayungin Shoal is not just a piece of land; it symbolizes our assertions of sovereignty and our dedication to upholding international law,” he said, citing the Philippines’ 2016 arbitral victory against China’s sweeping claims in the region.

According to National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya, the country’s new national security policy (NSP) has again shifted to territorial defense from the

previous administration’s focus on internal security.

He said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an executive order over the weekend adopting and approving the new policy from this year to 2028.

“If you read the new NSP, it highlights external security challenges, particularly the West Philippine Sea, China, Taiwan Straits, the nuclear proliferation threat in the Korean Peninsula and Ukraine,” Malaya said on Radyo 630.

This was unlike the Duterte administration when the NSP considered communist insurgents and local terrorist groups as the country’s biggest threats. n

COVID makes a comeback, but new...

specializing in treating infectious diseases

• Dr. Benjamin Neuman, Professor of Biology and Chief Virologist, Global Health Research Complex, Texas A&M University

• Dr. William Schaffner, Professor of Preventive Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

What are the origins of the EG.5 variant? Does it differ substantially from its predecessors?

Dr. Neuman: EG.5 is one of the variants that’s spreading the fastest right now. It is a child of a thing called XBB 1.9. Basically, it’s another version of Omicron. And everything that is circulating in the world right now has about 100 to 110 differences from the original version.

This variant is spreading because it has a lot of changes at the receptor binding site that is the target of most of the vaccines and of some of the most useful parts of the immune system.

Will the new vaccines recognize the new variant and be effective against it?

Dr. Neuman: When the target changes, you have to change your aim. It has been over a year since we have had an updated version of the vaccine. It’s coming slowly, but uptake has not been great. The total uptake in the US for the bivalent vaccine is only 17%.

The formulation of the new booster is supposed to be a monovalent against the XBB variant. From the studies that we have now, it looks like new variants like EG.5 are close enough that a vaccine against XBB seems to work against it pretty well. So I think it’s a good move, and I wish they’d hurry up to release it.

Hospitalization rates remain relatively stable despite the summer surge of infections. Do you expect that hospitalization rates are going to rise at some point?

Dr. Chin-Hong: There has been a slight uptick in hospitalizations, not a tsunami, not even a surge. The way I think about it is a swell. It’s kind of like a general wave coming. It doesn’t overwhelm you. You don’t get submerged into it, but you kind of ride it until it goes to the shore.

So if you look at California, for example, one year ago, we had about 4700 people hospitalized at one point. And right now we have about 890 people hospitalized. So in perspective, it’s nothing compared to even one year ago when it was 4700.

Why is there a slight swell of cases now?

Dr. Chin-Hong: Four reasons. There are big concerts like Taylor Swift, bringing a lot of people together. And unprecedented heat waves have driven a lot of people indoors. So it’s kind of like a winter almost, even though it’s the summer.

People’s immunity is kind of waning from the last time a lot of people got infected, which was last winter. And then — although it’s speculative at this point — there’s the role of how EG.5 might relate to this uptick.

We’re seeing so many people get COVID in the community. But we’ve all been so exposed to COVID already, so it’s coming on inhospitable soil. More than 95% of us have had an exposure or have had a vaccine at some point. So that probably minimizes or mitigates the risk of serious disease.

Paxlovid and Remdesivir are currently the only therapeutics we have in our arsenal to battle. But they are problematic.

Dr. Schaffner: We know that if you administer Paxlovid — particularly to people at high risk — very shortly after they are infected, we can

reduce their risk of developing severe disease. But Paxlovid has limitations, as any therapy does. There are drug interactions. So if you’re taking certain medications, you have to be careful about taking Paxlovid. Or you may not be able to get it if you have kidney failure.

Remdesivir we now use very quickly once the patient is admitted to the hospital. But wouldn’t it be better if we had more therapeutic agents aimed at keeping people out of the hospital?

Will we soon have new therapeutics?

Studies still continue on other therapeutic agents, but I cannot tell you when they will become available. I think we’ll just have to see. But the research community continues, I think, to make some of the very best contributions to the control of COVID around the world.

Can you get long COVID from the vaccines or boosters?

Dr. Schaffner: Let us make it clear the vaccine is not associated with long COVID. There are some people who have received the vaccine who nonetheless can get COVID. We all know that that can happen. The vaccines seem to have some effect in reducing the likelihood of long COVID. But, yes, you can get COVID, and as a consequence, long COVID, even though you have been vaccinated. But the vaccines really reduce the risk of long COVID.

Minority populations and low-income communities have always been at a higher risk for hospitalization and death from COVID. With the end of the Public Health Emergency, how can we ensure that everyone gets the tests, vaccines, and therapeutics they need to stay healthy?

Dr. Chin-Hong: Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen a lot of disparities, including and particularly amongst the African American communities, both in terms of who is dying first of all and who is being hospitalized.

But then we began to address some of the root causes, which were related to access to testing and related to probably a lot of structural racism. Of course, politics played a role, but even after the new administration, those disparities still persisted.

I think one silver lining was that vaccinations increased uptake in all communities, probably given the advocacy of a lot of grassroots organizations and community-based organizations.

So what is still free, after the Public Health Emergency ended May 11?

Vaccines are still free. There’s a bridge program that’s going to probably come into effect nationally that allows people without demonstrating ability to pay to get them at least until the end of the year in California, and probably extended with a national bridge program.

And then if you have insurance or MediCal or MediCare, people are obligated to give you the vaccine for free without a copay because of the Affordable Care Act.

Final remarks?

Dr. Neuman: The moon is far away. Mars is far away. We’ve been to both of those. It seems like the end of COVID is far away right now, but I have to believe that with human ingenuity, we can get there. I think the biggest challenge was and is in people’s hearts, convincing them not to fear the new and the newly approved and to do everything in their power to stop this virus. Because it doesn’t add anything to life, it only takes it away.

Dr. Schaffner: We have to remind ourselves that although the pandemic has receded, the virus is still with us and will be for the foreseeable future. It

DOT optimistic of getting...

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concerns Mae Elaine Bathan said on Thursday morning, August 10 during the Philippine Economic Briefing at the Dusit D2 Hotel in Davao City.

In 2019, the DOT recorded a total of 8.3 million tourist arrivals led by South Korea, China, the United States, Japan and Taiwan.

Bathan said an estimated 3.35 million foreign travelers have visited the Philippines as of Aug. 9.

“That’s a little more short

for the 4.8 million that we have targeted for this year. This shows how strong our tourism industry is and how optimistic we are that we will be able to breach yet again our targets for this year,” Bathan said.

The DOT is optimistic on the prospects of the tourism sector, especially after President Marcos lifted the state of public health emergency due to the pandemic.

“We know that tourism is one of the economic drivers of our country and such proclamation

signifies that the Philippines is at par with its neighboring countries in terms of safety and travel protocols,” Bathan said. “It also signifies that the Philippines is open and safe for travel and we are more than willing and ready to welcome our visitors to our shores.”

During the same event, Bathan pitched Mindanao as a “viable, safe and worthwhile destination for all” including business executives, officers of local and foreign business chambers and government officials. n

‘Eris’ on the rise: What we know about the...

PAGE 1

headache, cough, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches.

“Its disease potential appears to be exactly the same as other variants’ as well. The antivirals currently available should work against it,” adds Pekosz. “And the diagnostic tests, both the athome rapid tests as well as tests that you get at medical facilities, all should recognize this variant quite well.”

With EG.5 closely related to XBB variants, the new COVID-19 vaccine targeting

the XBB 1.5 variant set for a fall rollout is expected to protect against EG.5 as well.

“Based on the available evidence, the public health risk posed by EG.5 is evaluated as low at the global level, aligning with the risk associated with XBB.1.16 and the other currently circulating variants of interest,” wrote the World Health Organization in its EG.5

Initial Risk Evaluation on Aug. 9.

“While EG.5 has shown increased prevalence, growth advantage, and immune escape

has the capacity to make people very, very ill. As I like to say, the virus is bad, vaccines are good. Take advantage of the new updated booster vaccine that will be available this fall, starting sometime in September. That will provide the best protection for yourself. Make sure your family is protected, and contribute to the protection of your own community.

Dr. Chin-Hong: Who would ever believe that we

properties, there have been no reported changes in disease severity to date,” the WHO went on to say. “However, due to its growth advantage and immune escape characteristics, EG.5 may cause a rise in case incidence and become dominant in some countries or even globally.”

This serves as a reminder for us that COVID-19 is still around and we should keep ourselves updated on how we can protect ourselves from it. (Amrie Cruz/ Inquirer.net) n

rallied together as a world to have so many tools to solve this crisis? It’s going to be around with us for a while: the 1918 flu influenza pandemic, there’s still vestiges still today. But the point is, we have these tools and it’s up to us to use it. And science and taking care of ourselves is not a political issue. We have to take care of all populations and make sure everybody has access and ability to get these tools. (Sunita Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Services) n

PH House expels Teves over failure to return to country, terrorist tag

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Wednesday, August 16 voted to expel Rep. Arnolfo Teves (Negros Oriental) over his continued absence from Congress and his recent designation as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council.

Rice prices surge to P56 per kilo

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is probing manipulation or hoarding that has jacked up rice prices that have reached P56 per kilo in the market.

DA deputy spokesman Rex Estoperez said the government is monitoring and taking steps to stabilize rice prices.

“If rice prices right now are reaching P56 (per kilo), that’s not right. We will import if needed. This is what we do to stabilize (prices),” Estoperez said in Filipino.

He said the DA can task its Inspectorate and Enforcement Office to conduct monitoring even if the National Food Authority (NFA) has lost its regulatory powers.

“Someone is saying there is stockpiling of palay and rice; that will be our focus. Even if the NFA has lost its regulatory function, we will ask the Inspectorate and Enforcement Office to grant visiting powers to see if someone really is manipulating (prices) or hoarding,” Estoperez said in an interview on radio dwPM.

He said they are verifying reports that boatloads of rice were imported into the country, and that some traders were overpricing their stocks.

Still, Estoperez noted that rice prices have been affected, as the harvest season is over

and won’t begin again until October.

Prices of imported rice have also increased, particularly in Vietnam, that has also led to price increases. Estoperez said some traders are playing with the prices, offering as low as P38 per kilo for very limited quantities, and that is affecting the price structure.

“It’s ruining the price structure. They’re selling in low quantities and raising prices. People are panic buying,” he added.

The DA official said the department is willing to help out private traders and retailers if they need assistance in logistics.

Estoperez also called for the review of the Rice Tariffication Law, but noted that they are still awaiting data from the private sector in terms of buffer stocks to ensure that the country has enough rice.

He noted that the NFA only has nine days of buffer stock, while the rest of the 81 days should be shouldered by the private sector.

“If it’s less than 81 days with the private sector, there will be trouble and our national inventory will be lacking. That’s what we need to address,” he said.

The House has given Teves the harshest disciplinary action possible after suspending him twice for his failure to face his colleagues in the lower chamber and for seeking political asylum outside the country.

The House ethics panel’s recommendation to expel Teves, which received 265 favorable votes, 0 negative votes and three abstentions, was based on a number of reasons related to his refusal to resume duties as a lawmaker.

Compared to the panel’s reasons for recommending Teves’ suspension – first on March 20 and then again on May 31 — the committee this time took into consideration Teves’ designation as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council in its decision. This “reflects the discredit on the House,” the panel stated in its committee report.

In particular, the House ethics panel said it arrived at its decision after it took “painstaking time and effort to inquire with several concerned national government agencies” that could detail recent developments with regard to Teves’ actions.

The House ethics panel recommended Teves’ expulsion for the following reasons:

- Teves’ ongoing and persistent pursuit of his application for political asylum in the country of Timor-Leste;

- Teves’ continuous absence without leave in the House of Representatives in violation of the House Rules;

- Teves’ designation as a terrorist by the Anti-terrorism Council-among other criminal charges which reflects discredit on the House of Representatives;

- Teves’ indecent behavior portrayed in social media which reflects discredit on the House of Representatives and diminishes the stature of the position.

“And the main basis for this recommendation is his continuous absence without leave in the House of Representatives by his persistent pursuit of political asylum in Timor-Leste. This constitutes abandonment of Public Office and violation of his Oath of Office as House Member,” the committee report read.

House Ethics Committee Chairperson Felimon Espares also cited the “landmark case of Osmeña vs. Pendatun” wherein the Supreme Court declared that House lawmakers’ parliamentary immunity does not absolve them of responsibility before the legislative body itself whenever they show disorderly behavior.

“It affirmed that the power to determine which acts constitute disorderly behavior rests entirely in the wisdom of each chamber of Congress,” Espares said.

Teves, who has been repeatedly urged by the House and by the president himself to return to the country to face charges against him, is still overseas and was last located in Timor-Leste. He has said in multiple press conferences that he refuses to return to the country due to fears for his and his family’s safety.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla previously asserted that Teves is the primary mastermind behind the killing of Negros

Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, describing him as an “executive producer” of the plan. Teves has consistently denied this allegation.

Terror tag

The Anti-Terrorism Council designated Teves as a terrorist on August 2 — a move that Makabayan bloc lawmakers earlier criticized as an unnecessary step by the government in going after the embattled lawmaker.

Rep. Raoul Manuel (Kabataan Partylist), among the three who abstained from adopting the House ethics panel’s recommendation, said that he chose not to vote due to the “very questionable” character of the Anti-Terrorism Council.

“I abstain from voting on this matter because, in the first place, the committee report should not have included what was being pressed on by the ATC, which is a very questionable body in our country right now,” Manuel said during the plenary session.

Murder charges have already been filed against Teves, Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said this week.

Teves’ counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, earlier told reporters that the House ethics panel should defer its proceedings pending the court’s decision on Teves’ liability or lack of it on the crimes he is being accused of.

Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio previously told reporters that the House ethics committee should hold off on giving its recommendations to the body until the court decides if Teves is guilty of the charges filed against him. n

SWS: 47% of Filipinos ‘competent’ with English language

MANILA – Almost half of Filipino adults nationwide are competent with the English language, according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey.

The poll, conducted from March 26 to 29, 2023, showed that at least 47 percent of Filipinos have the ability to think in English.

The March survey also revealed that Filipino adults’ understanding of spoken and written English was at 80 percent.

In terms of their skills in writing or speaking English, SWS said 69 percent of Filipinos write the language, while 55 percent speak the language. Only around 9 percent do not apply any of these skills.

Meanwhile, the pollster said the usage of the English language has been at its highest since September 2000.

The survey showed that Filipinos who use English fully jumped from 5 percent in

December 2016 to 9 percent in March 2023.

Those who fairly use the language also increased from 28 percent in 2016 to 35 percent in 2023, while those who use it partially only declined from 43 percent in 2016 to 41 percent in 2023.

Only 14 percent have no use of the language in 2023.

The same survey also revealed that at

u PAGE 8

Sentinels of sovereignty

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has spoken, and awarded the Philippines sovereign rights over Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal. The United States, the European Union, the Group of Seven and Australia, among others, have publicly recognized the PCA ruling, which also invalidated China’s so-called nine-dash-line claim over nearly all of the South China Sea.

So it’s time for the Philippines to more forcefully assert those sovereign rights, awarded in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which both the country and China have affirmed. Based on UNCLOS, the PCA defined the Philippines’ maritime entitlements within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

The PCA ruling specifically awarded the Philippines sovereign rights over Ayungin, Panganiban or Mischief Reef and Recto or Reed Bank, and ruled that China has no right to shoo away anyone from Panatag or Scarborough Shoal. Beijing has refused to vacate Panganiban, where it first built huts that it claimed were fishermen’s shelters. The reef has since been converted into an artificial island, with the huts transformed into a multistory concrete military installation.

With the arbitral award, the Philippines can claim the right to develop Ayungin, or at least to upgrade the facility that houses a Marine outpost.

The rusty, World War II-vintage BRP Sierra Madre

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

PHILIPPINE Coast Guard

spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela correctly called out a few misguided Filipinos who defend China’s aggression and even act like its mouthpiece as unpatriotic and a traitor to our country.

“If you are a Filipino, whether in government or private sector, regardless of your politics, defending and making excuses for China’s aggressive behavior should deem you unpatriotic, and a traitor to the Philippines and to our people. Given current developments in the West Philippine Sea, it is important to show loyalty to country.

“While I recognize freedom of speech as an important right guaranteed by our constitution, it should not be misused as a means to justify unpatriotic actions by acting as China’s mouthpiece,” Tarriela posted on Twitter, underscoring that all Filipinos should “stand united in protecting our nation’s interest” in the wake of China’s unlawful

Horizons

RichaRd heydaRian

PERCHED at the very center, flanked by a legion of national and local politicos eager to make their mark, he remained cool and composed. Although there were hints of exhaustion, he remained focused throughout the hour-long briefing. Though the nation’s most powerful man, he acted more like a school principal—gently listening to the counsel of various officials in attendance.

Far from a domineering patriarch, President Marcos gently moderated back-andforth exchanges among those in attendance. The occasion was a very public “situation briefing” among multiple stakeholders on the persistent flooding crisis in Pampanga. He kept his cool, politely directing questions and seeking clarification from various quarters.

And then, all of a sudden, the temperature in the room rose to a boiling point. Former public works secretary Rogelio Singson’s proposal for a water impounding system, similar to his water cistern project at Fort

looks like a badly injured whale beached on Ayungin. In 1999, the administration of Joseph Estrada deliberately ran aground the vessel on the shoal. His defense secretary at the time, Orlando Mercado, has denied that Estrada made any promise to the Chinese that the ship would be removed. President Marcos has said that even if any such commitment was made, he was rescinding it.

What the current administration can do is support moves in Congress to upgrade the Ayungin outpost to something befitting the military personnel assigned to the shoal, who are sentinels of the nation’s sovereignty. Unlike the artificial island building undertaken by the Chinese, the improvement of the Ayungin outpost should not destroy the marine environment.

Several senators are pushing for the allocation of at least P100 million in 2024 for permanent improvements in Ayungin, such as the provision of a pier and decent lodgings for the personnel stationed there as well as fishermen of all

nationalities who might seek shelter during bad weather. The proposed funding will be under civilian agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Philippine Coast Guard, which is under the Department of Transportation. The Chinese coast guard, unlike other such

services in most countries, is not a civilian agency but is under its Central Military Commission. The Philippines cannot match the military resources of the world’s second largest economy. But the Philippines can give its Marines stationed in Ayungin the decent facilities that they deserve. (Philstar.com)

We support and stand by our Philippine Coast Guard

and aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea, whose rich resources are for Filipinos. Commodore Tarriela’s post – which has since garnered hundreds of thousands of views and shared on social media platforms such as Facebook –has elicited strong reactions and angry comments, describing these “traitors” as descendants of the “Makapili” who collaborated with the enemy and betrayed fellow Filipinos during World War II.

No one can really blame the PCG spokesman for expressing such sentiments because if anything, the members of the Philippine Coast Guard are at the frontline in defending our country’s maritime territory from encroachment, with no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recognizing the PCG’s role in “defending our economic zones and our baselines.”

Aside from defending our territory, the PCG is also tasked with protecting Filipino fishermen and ensuring their safety while they engage in fishing activities which have been their source of livelihood for generations. Absolutely no one doubts the kind of

harassment and bullying that Filipino fishermen have been subjected to by Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels that shadow the fishing boats, forcing them to leave traditional fishing grounds that are within our exclusive economic zone.

Filipinos rely on our fishermen for the supply of fish which is a staple food, but according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Chinese incursions have contributed to the decline of fish production in 2022 –which is ironic considering that we have one of the longest coastlines in the world, even longer than the United States or China.

China’s bullying and aggression is a highly emotional issue for patriotic Filipinos so when they hear a few misguided, “intellectually stupid” people acting like China’s apologists, justifying the reprehensible actions of Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea, it really makes them feel so angry. It will not be surprising if it drives them to become a lynch mob.

The recent incident where the Chinese Coast Guard conducted dangerous maneuvers and

sprayed water cannons at two Philippine boats carrying rice, water, vegetables and other food supplies for troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal is just another example of the relentless harassment and bullying that we have been facing for years. While China keeps professing that it wants to resolve maritime disputes through “peaceful means,” clearly its actions indicate otherwise.

At the Singapore Shangri-La Dialogue last June, Commodore Tarriela pointedly asked Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu: “While China is talking about dialogue, China’s actions show confrontation. Why is there a big difference between China’s words and its actions?” The Chinese Defense Minister did not give a direct answer.

Like so many Filipinos, we commend the men and women of the Philippine Coast Guard who are true patriots, and it’s no surprise that they are getting a lot of support from our countrymen, including patriotic legislators like Senator Francis Tolentino and Senate President Migz Zubiri who declared, “I stand… with our Coast Guard

men and women as they face hostile actions by intruders right on our very own seas.”

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who has been very outspoken, is also getting so much respect. “China is not a friend. She is not even a good neighbor. Hindi tayo papayag na wala tayong gawin habang inaabuso at inaalipusta niya ang ating mga kababayan sa sarili nating karagatan (We will not just do nothing while they abuse and insult our countrymen in our own seas),” she said.

The response of the President to China’s claims that the Philippines promised to remove the BRP Sierra Madre, an active Philippine Navy commissioned vessel (which was deliberately grounded in Ayungin Shoal in 1999 and currently a military outpost manned by Philippine Marines), also uplifted the spirits of Filipinos.

“I’m not aware of any agreement that the Philippines should remove from its own territory, its own ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, from the Ayungin Shoal. And let me go further – if there does exist such an agreement, I rescind that agreement as of now,” the president said.

Saying “the Philippines has not and will never enter into any agreement abandoning its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal,” National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya challenged the Chinese government to identify the person or persons who made such promise to them.

Support is mounting for the proposal to refurbish BRP Sierra Madre, with Senate President Migz saying the Senate will fund a request, hailing our “brave men and women of the Marines and Navy” who deserve “our unconditional support as they sacrifice themselves for us.”

More and more countries are joining Filipinos worldwide in condemning China’s aggression and violation of our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

More importantly, true Filipinos support our troops.

* * * 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.

* * * Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

Marcos: Not so ‘weak leader’ after all

Bonifacio in Taguig City, was met with vehement opposition from the local politico.

“We will not allow the impounding of Candaba Swamp … If you want a security problem, go ahead and ruin the livelihoods of all the farmers in Candaba. We will walk out from here,” Pampanga Rep. Anna York Bondoc said, clearly asserting her authority as a local government leader.

At this point, however, Mr. Marcos immediately stepped in. He firmly, yet politely, explained the science as well as economics behind Singson’s proposal. He also reassured his local government counterpart that “[w]e have no interest in destroying the livelihoods of our farmers [in Candaba]. We will not leave them behind …”

Instead of engaging in populist antics or bullying subaltern politicos to please his ego or base, he pellucidly explained the rationale behind the proposal of Singson, who served as former president Benigno Aquino III’s infrastructure czar. In barely a single minute, he also evinced a respectable degree of familiarity with the fundamentals of environmental science, which clearly took some in the audience by surprise. At once,

he was both presidential and authoritative.

The curious episode was refreshingly revealing. It stood in stark contrast to preconceptions about Mr. Marcos prior to his assumption of power. Forget about the whole host of sensational rumors— and, at times, slanderous comments—circulating among his supposedly progressive critics. No less than former president Rodrigo Duterte, in a thinly veiled public rant, tried to justify his refusal to endorse Mr. Marcos in last year’s elections: “I am not impressed by him. He is really a weak leader.”

In fairness, Mr. Marcos’ tenure, so far, can be credibly criticized for a whole package of gaffes. From trafficking in historical distortion to multimillion “rebranding” projects and a multibillion Maharlika sovereign wealth fund, there is no shortage of questionable moves. And mind you, we are yet to see whether this administration will have any robust form of anti-corruption initiative, which is crucial both to our democratic health as well as economic dynamism.

Having said that, Mr. Marcos has clearly exceeded expectations on many fronts,

most notably on foreign policy. By all accounts, it was the former president who was a “weak leader” when it came to defending the West Philippine Sea. Instead of prosecuting our national position, he repeatedly echoed Beijing’s version of geopolitical reality. By alienating our closest allies, he empowered our rivals.

And his self-styled trip to Beijing last month, which effectively made him a “special envoy” to China, is a telltale sign of the former president’s foreign policy track record: Tough on the crimes of the West a century or half a millennia ago, but totally diffident (if not enabler) in face of Oriental imperialism in the Philippines’ own backyard.

In stark contrast, Mr. Marcos has consistently adopted an uncompromising stance, including on the finality and binding nature of our 2016 arbitral tribunal award victory under the aegis of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Crucially, the president has been flanked by an impressive group of individuals, including Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez,

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang photo

and Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, who have taken up the cudgels for the rule of law in our region. So far, Mr. Marcos has shown that one need not become a “strongman,” like Duterte or his father, in order to be tough where it counts. It remains to be seen, however, if this is more

signal than noise for his full term in office. (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.

* * * rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph

Former top diplomat Locsin named special envoy to China

MANILA — President

Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos

Jr. has appointed former foreign affairs chief Teodoro Locsin Jr. as his special envoy to China for special concerns, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, August 16.

His appointment comes amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea after the China Coast Guard blocked and fired water cannons at Philippine vessels on a resupply mission.

In September 2022, Locsin was named the ambassador to the United Kingdom, with jurisdiction over Ireland, the Isle of Man, Bailiwick of Jersey and Bailiwick of Guernsey. It is unclear whether he would keep his post as ambassador to

London.

Locsin was foreign affairs secretary from 2018 until the end of the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte Jr.

In 2021, Locsin told Beijing on Twitter to “get the f**k out” of the resource-rich waters—which China claims almost entirely— after months of swarming of Chinese vessels inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Locsin later apologized to Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Last week, the Philippines summoned Huang and protested China’s “illegal actions” after the China Coast Guard blocked and fired water cannons at boats on a resupply mission. China defended its actions as “professional” and “restrained.”n

‘No public funds spent on Palace fashion show’

MANILA — Malacañang defended on

Monday, August 14 a fashion show held inside the Palace last week, saying no public funds were used for the event.

Deputy social secretary Dina Arroyo Tantoco made the response following criticism of the fashion show dubbed “Isang Pilipinas,” which was held at the Goldenberg Mansion on Aug. 8, featuring the collection of fashion designer Michael Leyva.

“The government does not spend anything on the event because it is paid for by the designers and private institutions they

partner with,” Tantoco said in a statement.

This was the third of the “Fashion at Goldenberg” series project of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. Tantoco said the objective of the fashion show series is to provide a platform for Filipino artists to show their work in a historical setting “relevant to our cultural Identity.”

“The output is a collaboration between various creatives in the industry and creates awareness, thereby generating demand, for local fabrics and designs which have always been instrumental in our cultural identity,”

More flights, passengers cause long queues at NAIA, says transport security

AN increase in flights and passengers have resulted in slow processing and long passenger queues at the final security checks at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) said on Wednesday, August 16.

The OTS issued the statement following a recent review that labelled NAIA as among the worst airports in Asia.

“Based on our security screening procedures, we aim to process each passenger within a maximum of 1.5 minutes. However, this may vary depending on whether or not the passenger is carrying any prohibited items in their person or luggage,” OTS spokesman Kim Marquez said.

rental management firm Casago, NAIA ranked 8th among the 10 worst airports while Singapore’s Changi International Airport, on the other hand, is considered the world’s best in giving a smooth experience to passengers.

“It is true that queuing at airports can be affected by the number of passengers traveling at any given time, as we have experienced at NAIA due to the recent increase in flights and passenger traffic,” Marquez stressed.

This is not the first time that the country’s main gateway was tagged as among the worst airports in Asia.

A travel website Guide to Sleeping in Airports also branded the NAIA as among the world’s worst airports in 2011.

she said. Militant farmers group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said on Saturday, Auugst 12 the fashion show was inappropriate as the county “is deep in debt.” KMP chairman Danilo Ramos earlier challenged other sectors to criticize the “extravagant” spending habit of the First Family.He said the event happened after many Filipinos were affected by recent calamities and the rising prices of rice, food and other commodities. (Helen Flores/ Philstar.com) n

Rice prices surge to P56 per kilo...

No manipulation Rice traders in the Intercity Industrial Estate and Golden City Business Park – two of the country’s major rice trading centers – have denied allegations by some quarters that they are involved in rice price manipulations.

Rice stakeholders claimed that the Bureau of Internal Revenue has started conducting revenue inspections on rice traders in the two major rice trading centers, but wondered why the inspections are being conducted when rice and palay stocks are currently thin and business is on a slump.

A text message in Filipino

forwarded to The STAR states, “They (BIR) said issued receipts must have the buyer’s address… the penalty would be P5k per receipt.”

On the other hand, Malou Tolentino, Bulacan coordinator of the Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement, confided that many wholesale rice traders in Bulacan are thinking of temporarily shutting down their business due to the high cost of palay that translates to the rising prices of rice.

Meanwhile, rice trader Tony Santos said that the country is now currently at the peak of the “rice lean months” wherein stocks of the grain are thinly spread throughout the country.

He cited that rice prices usually increase during these times, as palay traders and rice traders have thin volume stocks of the staple grains, and prices follow the law of supply and demand.

Santos explained that the law of supply and demand states that prices are determined on the volume and supply of a product, wherein if the supply of a good or service outstrips the demand for it, prices will fall. If demand exceeds supply, prices will rise.

Citing reports from some quarters that rice traders manipulated the spike in rice prices, Santos urged these sectors to first assess

the meaning of rice lean months; assess if the NFA or what government agency has enough rice buffer stocks for the country’s rice lean months; the effect in the increase of fuel prices and the rising dollarpeso exchange rate.

“What really happened is that rice prices in the world market increased,” Santos said in Filipino.

On the other hand, Rosendo So, president of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), in a telephone interview, denied there is a rice cartel.

Just like Santos, So said the country is at the peak of the rice lean months and the DA can

The OTS said NAIA security screening procedures are aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

“We can say that it is the same procedures implemented by other member states around the world. The queuing at our airports is affected by the number of passengers traveling at any given time such as in the case of NAIA,” Marquez said.

Based on the study by vacation

conduct inspections on rice/ palay warehouses.

The inspections can only show thinly stocked volumes of rice/palay, he said.

So added that based on their monitoring, rice farmers engaged in a three-cycle crop season are currently harvesting their rice crops like in Pangasinan.

Farmgate price of fresh palay is pegged at P25 per kilo and farmgate price of clean and dry palay at P30 per kilo, he said.

However, So noted the bulk of the country’s rice harvests is expected to take place in October, and farmgate prices of fresh palay is expected to go down to P23 per kilo and clean

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the operator of NAIA, has been working to improve the airport facilities and passenger handling system.

The airport authority on Tuesday, August 15 conducted a five-hour electrical maintenance and upgrade at Terminal 3 to improve the current state and condition of the terminal’s electrical system.

MIAA officer in charge Bryan Co has assured there will be no disruption on flight operations during the maintenance work. n

and dry palay to P28 per kilo. At these price ranges, production cost of rice would translate to P2,146 per 50-kilo sack or P42.93 per kilo. Plus, the mark-up price of retailers will cost less than P50 per kilo.

Currently, imported Vietnam rice is being sold in the local market at P2,500 per 50-kilo sack or P50 per kilo, while imported Thailand rice is being sold in the local market at P2,600 per 50-kilo sack or P52 per kilo.

That’s why rice importers have only orders until October, since these will have stiff competition from locally produced rice that is cheaper compared to imported rice. n

PRA defends Manila Bay reclamation projects

MANILA — Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) assistant general manager Joseph Literal is defending reclamation projects in Manila Bay, maintaining that the projects are compliant with government requirements.

“(The 13 Manila Bay reclamation projects which were all underway) have scrupulously obtained their Environmental Compliance Reports, area clearances and necessary certifications while adhering to additional prerequisites,” Literal said in a radio interview over the weekend.

He added that the projects underwent “meticulous environmental evaluations, encompassing comprehensive studies delving into climate change impacts, geological analyses and holistic ecological ramifications.”

In a statement sent to The STAR, Literal claimed that the projects would not cause flooding in the mainland as reclaimed lands would be situated 20 to 200 meters from Manila Bay’s coastlines.

The 13 approved reclamation projects would develop only 5,000 of the estimated 199,000 hectares in Manila Bay from Navotas City to Tanza in Cavite, he noted. There are a total of 22 reclamation projects nationwide.

President Marcos suspended the 22 reclamation projects last week pending review of their compliance with environmental laws.

As for Chinese companies blacklisted by the United States and involved in the reclamation projects, Literal said they “possess Philippine Contractor’s Accreditation Board special licenses, substantiating their non-blacklisted status and compliance with Philippine laws, evading blacklisting.” (Philstar.com) n

Sandigan junks Napoles appeal on ‘pork’ case

MANILA — The Sandiganbayan has denied another attempt of detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles to be cleared of a plunder case in connection with the alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel of former congressman Edgar Valdez.

In a resolution promulgated last Aug. 8, the court’s Fifth Division said Napoles failed to raise any new meritorious argument in her motion for reconsideration that would warrant the reversal of its July 4 resolution, in which the court refused to admit her memorandum containing the summary of arguments and evidence her camp presented during trial.

Napoles, in her memorandum, prayed to the court to acquit her of the case, insisting that the Office of the Ombudsman’s prosecution panel failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

In its new resolution, the Fifth Division maintained that the memorandum must not be admitted for being filed beyond the 30day deadline.

The Fifth Division had earlier noted that while Valdez and the prosecution filed their memoranda last Feb. 15 and Feb. 20, respectively, Napoles only filed her memorandum on March 31, more than a month from the deadline of filing.

Besides, the Fifth Division pointed out, refusal to admit Napoles’ memorandum will not result in violation of her right to

due process as the filing and admission of a memorandum is not mandatory and is solely upon the discretion of the court.

Furthermore, the court said, all the parties were already given the opportunity to be heard and present their evidence during the trial.

Meanwhile, in the same resolution, the Fifth Division also denied Napoles’ appeal to take judicial notice of the transcript of stenographic notes (TSNs) of the testimony of primary state witness Benhur Luy, in which Luy supposedly admitted that he has no proof that the kickbacks allegedly received by Valdez came from Napoles’ JLN Corp. or from non-government organizations (NGOs).

“After careful examination of the issue at hand, we are not persuaded to take judicial notice of TSNs pertaining to the crossexamination of witness Benhur Luy by accused’s counsel,” the Fifth Division said. With the denial of Napoles’ appeal to have her memorandum admitted by the court, the case is now deemed submitted for decision.

Filed by the ombudsman in 2015, the case stemmed from the alleged misuse of Valdez’s PDAF from 2004 to 2010 during his term as representative of the party-list group Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives.

Valdez allegedly received P57.78 million worth of kickbacks from Napoles in exchange for allocating his PDAF to the businesswoman’s bogus NGOs for the supposed implementation of his livelihood projects.

The ombudsman said the projects turned out to be fictitious or were never implemented.

Valdez and Napoles were granted bail by the Fifth Division in April 2016.

Valdez had earlier posted P1.71 million bail for his provisional liberty while Napoles remains in detention at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City following her conviction of plunder in connection with the misuse of PDAF of since reelected Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. Napoles is also named as co-accused in the pending plunder cases against former senator Juan Ponce Enrile, reelected Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and former Masbate Third District representative Rizalina SeachonLanete. n

SWS: 47% of Filipinos ‘competent’ with English...

PAGE 5

least three out of four adult Filipinos, or 75 percent, are competent with the Filipino language.

SWS said that in March 2023, 96 percent of Filipinos read Filipino, 93 percent understand spoken Filipino, 93 percent

write Filipino, 87 percent speak Filipino, while only 1 percent do not apply any of these skills.

Filipinos’ usage of the Filipino language, according to SWS, is at its highest as well since September 2000.

The first quarter 2023 SWS survey showed that 53 percent

LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9014986 San Diego Rustic located at 34A 17th St. East, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: Carl Frank, 6261 Via Regla, San Diego, CA 92112.

business is conducted by

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF07/15/2019. Signature: Carl Frank. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/18/2023.

AJSD

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9015561

Zarlito’s Family Restaurant located at 505 E. 8th Street, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant:

a. Dorothy Ann Fredeluces, 7766 Bloomfield Rd, San Diego, CA 92114.

b. Ryan Fredeluces, 7766 Bloomfield Rd, San Diego, CA 92114

This business is conducted by Married Couple.

UNDER THE

AS OF

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9015098

MAARA Food Co. LLC located at 791 Avenida Solaria, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: MAARA Food Co. LLC, 791 Avenida Solaria, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/19/2023.

Signature: Mioak Hoh. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/19/2023.

AJSD 1221

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9014962

Orchid Thai Spa and Bodyworks located at 297 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Aiyara Thai Massage And Spa LLC, 8877 Spectrum Center Blvd Unit 11204, San Diego CA 92123. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/18/2023.

Signature: Yu Li. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/18/2023.

AJ 1222 08/04, 08/11, 08/18, and 08/25/2023. AJSD 1222

fully use the Filipino language, 29 percent fairly use it, 15 percent partially use it, and 4 percent almost have no use of it.

This is an improvement from the 2016 level of 49 percent for full usage, 23 percent for fair usage, and 6 percent for almost no usage, while the partial

usage for 2016 was slightly higher at 22 percent.

The First Quarter 2023 Social Weather Survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults aged 18 and above nationwide. It had a sampling error margin of ± 2.8 percent. (PNA) n

LEGAL SERVICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9016120

Sole Talk Therapy located at 5348 Carroll Canyon Rd Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92121.

Registrant: Krystle Lejano, 5348 Carroll Canyon Rd Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92121. This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/02/2023.

Signature: Krystle Lejano. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/02/2023. AJ 1223 08/04, 08/11, 08/18, and 08/25/2023. AJSD 1223

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9016766

Cash Star located at 610 Del Sol Drive #338, San Diego, CA 92108.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9016022

Lux Diamond Buyers located at 222 Eaton Way #2, Vista, CA 92084.

Registrant: Edward David Torrison, 222 Eaton Way #2, Vista, CA 92084. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/15/2020.

Signature: Edward David Torrison. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/01/2023. AJ 1224 08/04, 08/11, 08/18, and 08/25/2023. AJSD 1224

Barrett Lake Rd B5, Dulzura, CA 91917. This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/16/2022.

Signature: Carmen Munuz. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/03/2023.

Registrant: Heather Samantha Vargas, 610 Del Sol Drive #338, San Diego, CA 92108. This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Heather Samantha Vargas.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/14/2023.

1228 08/18, 08/25, 09/01, and 09/08/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9014607 True Theorie Mental Health Services located at 8340 Clairmont Mesa Blvd Ste 209, San Diego, CA 92111.

Registrant: Wang Marriage and Family Therapy Inc., 2415 West Ingersoll St, San Diego, CA 92111. This business is conducted by Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/12/2022.

Signature: Jadelyn Wang. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/13/2023. AJ 1229 08/18, 08/25, 09/01, and 09/08/2023. AJSD 1229

M ichaela Ternask y-Holland: A journeey of love, grief, and immersive stor ytelling

In a world where storytelling takes on new dimensions through emerging technologies, Filipino American director and producer Michaela Ternasky-Holland stands at the forefront of innovation. Her latest creation, “Mahal,” a captivating immersive film, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival this year, leaving audiences in awe.

With its roots in her personal journey of grief and love, “Mahal” is a heartfelt tribute to her father and a testament to the power of storytelling as a means of healing.

For Michaela, the motivation to create Mahal” as a love letter to her father and a platform to confront her grief journey was deeply personal. Originally conceptualized as a story about compromise, Michaela realized that she needed to share her experience of loss and her lifelong journey with grief.

“When I originally created an outline for Reimagined Volume II: Mahal II, it was a story about compromise,” she told the Asian Journal. “My producer and executive

producer at Meta felt that the script needed more depth and clarity, and so I dug deep and realized it was time to share about my loss and life-long journey with grief.”

Michaela is an Emmy and Webby awardwinning filmmaker who specializes in creating socially impactful stories using immersive and interactive technology. She is also an XR/metaverse creator, consultant, and speaker. (XR (Extended Reality) is an umbrella term for digital reality technology that works in tandem with physical reality, which includes virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and the metaverse.)

Translating personal grief into a film that resonates with others experiencing loss was a complex process for the young director. Collaborating with the project’s producer, Julie Cavaliere, and co-writer, Eleanor Thibeaux, they worked together to

clarify how each deity in the film processes their grief. By infusing her own experiences into the later drafts of the script, Michaela ensured that the characters’ personal connections reflected the universal emotions of grief. She shared, “I think the main piece that the team and I worked to unlock was to make sure none of the deity characters felt like an antagonist. Rather, we wanted to be sure that the audience could empathize with all of the characters despite the conflict, destruction, and chaos that unfolds.”

In the story, grief is not a singular idea. Sun god Apolaki masks his denial by struggling to keep a level of normalcy and routine in his family, but moon goddess Mayari holds anger and resentment that smothers her will to carry on her familial legacy. Star goddess Tala disconnects and numbs herself by intensely focusing on her creative outlet, while powerless youngest sister Hanan forgets how to voice her own needs to support her family.

“Only when a shroud of darkness covers the earth, do the siblings learn how to forgo their pride and stubbornness to begin the vulnerable phase of accepting their loss,” Michaela explained. “Ultimately, Mahal asks the question of what would happen in our world if we allowed ourselves and others to express depression, numbness, guilt, anger, and loneliness outside of the construct of time and space. Would our actions outweigh those consequences? Can healing even begin until our raw pain is truly seen and heard by our chosen family?”

The title “Mahal” itself holds great significance, derived from the Tagalog word for love. However, it also takes on the meaning of “costly” or “expensive.”

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Manay Gina Perez de Venecia: Lessons in life

GINA de Venecia, more known as “Manay Gina” to friends and supporters, was thrust into the spotlight when her husband, Jose De Venecia, became Speaker of the House of Representatives. With her husband’s position came her new role as the head of the Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc., where she was well loved, because of how hardworking and accommodating she was to everyone.

On May 10, 2010, Manay Gina finally entered the political arena and won as congresswoman of the Fourth District of Pangasinan. When she ran for her second term, she won by a landslide and after her proclamation she immediately extended the hand of friendship and peace to her opponents. She had one more term but opted to give way to her son Christopher to help fulfill the dream of her husband, Joe, who wanted to see his son succeed in public service like him. As she was to Speaker Joe, she always makes herself available for her son in case he needs advice, especially on women’s issues — their health, their family’s welfare and their rights.

For now, Manay Gina is content serving her loved ones and being there for them. But she has not closed the door on the possibility of running again. “I learned in this life is to never say no to anything; the future is yet to unfold before me,” shares Manay Gina. “Everything is fluid. My decision to run again depends on the clamor for my kind of public service.”

Here are some of the valuable lessons Manay Gina has learned in life.

1. Now is the only time we have, because tomorrow is not promised. I realized this when I lost my dearest daughter KC in a fire that also burned our home on Dec. 16, 2004. No amount of affection or careful planning for the future, even strong fortification, can shield anyone from death. To live meaningfully, it is important to accept that now is the only time we have control over. All else will be a bonus.

2. Make certain that your children will have a happy

childhood to look back on. I survived the depression that followed KC’s death because I had a happy childhood. My happy childhood protected and cushioned me from the blows and falls that I later experienced in life. My childhood was solid and happy. We grew up with the movie stars and their fans. Growing up, my parents gave me and my brothers and sisters so much love. It was like we were living in an enchanted kingdom. As a result, I became a complete person. So, when storms came into my life, and in times when my dreams crumbled before my eyes, what helped me pull myself together was that anchor. I hold on to the happy memories of that special place, where I was truly cared for — my happy childhood. I became a complete person.

3. Learn how to “walk with kings and eat with paupers.” My parents taught us how to “walk with kings and eat with paupers.” Papa (Doc Perez) said, “You have to love our people, the masses, because they are the ones who support our movies.” So, early on, we felt at home with them, and every year, Papa saw to it that we had outreach programs for them, especially when there were typhoons and floods. We were taught that when you give, you give all.

4. Love is never wasted. Genuine love for others is never wasted. It will always come back to you. I remember my father would always tell me, ‘Hija, lagi niyong isipin na

City of San Diego empowers young people through paid internships and workforce trainings

First-ever summer civic internship program focused on training the next generation of public service workers

SAN DIEGO – Furthering its commitment to invest in San Diego’s youth, the City of San Diego on Friday, August 11 celebrated the completion of its first-ever Summer Civic Internship program aimed at helping the next generation of workers make a meaningful impact on our diverse community.

Through the intensive eight-week program, which started on June 21, 125 interns gained valuable professional experience and were introduced to public service as a career option.

The Summer Civic Internship program is part of the city’s Employ & Empower workforce training initiative launched by Mayor Todd Gloria in 2022.

gumawa kayo ng tama because kung hindi sa inyo babalik, sa mga anak mo.” All the people who have showered grace into my life, my parents were once good to them.

5. Power is fleeting. This one, I learned from Manay Ichu (Maceda). Kung sino ang makikita mo sa iyong pagakyat, sila din ang makikita mo sa iyong pagbagsak. Power is fleeting. When you’re up there, there’s no other way but to go down. Power and popularity can be likened to a wheel. That’s why you have to be cognizant and appreciative of the people who helped you in reaching your goals, for they will be the same faces who will comfort you when things aren’t as rosy anymore.

6. Political ties are tenuous, but personal relationships are iron-clad. When I celebrated my birthday in 1999, a year after JDV lost in the presidential elections, the multitudes that once trooped to my home on my birthday when I was still the Speaker’s wife had dwindled to about 50. It was then that Mama Nene told me how lucky I was. “Hija, this early, you now know who your true friends really are.” Among the first to greet me was the late Tita Cory Aquino, who gifted me with one of her paintings. She said, “I may not have been there for you when you were up, but I will always be there for you when you are down.” President Estrada and his wife Loi also sent me a beautiful flower arrangement

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To date, the City of San Diego has hired more than 500 interns, with a two-year goal of employing 1,000 young adults.

Many of the Employ & Empower interns are actively working alongside city employees in various departments, learning about everything from budgets and finance to water distribution and waste management. This initiative was made possible through Californians For All Youth Jobs Corps state funding.

“The City of San Diego is committed to providing

paid workforce opportunities for young people to help jumpstart their passion for public service,” said Julie Perez-Rasco, Human Resources Director.

“Access to programs like Employ & Empower brings exposure to City operations and provides San Diego’s youth with the tools they need to build

Michaela Ternasky-Holland...

“Reimagined Volume II: Mahal” tells a story of how love comes at a cost. It revolves around four grieving siblings who, after losing their father, must confront their emotional isolation to save the world from the peril caused by their pain.

Capturing the essence of grief and healing in an immersive film format presented its own challenges. Michaela wanted to ensure that the audience felt a deep connection to the grieving deity characters throughout the experience.

Navigating camera movements and edits to create seamless transitions without causing discomfort or disorientation was paramount. With the expertise of lead animator Lucas Smarker, the team tirelessly tested different techniques to achieve the desired effect.

“Grief and loss is an emotion that a lot of diverse audiences have had personal experience with,” she said. “My hope is that these diverse audiences can feel connected to these characters, to this theme, to this world in some way shape, or form, and I hope they feel empowered to see themselves as both powerful humans as well as imperfect gods and goddesses.”

Authentic representation of Filipino and Filipino American experiences was a priority in the casting process. Working with SIDE LA, Michaela and her team reached out to the community, encouraging individuals with Filipino and Filipino American backgrounds to audition. The response was remarkable, resulting in an incredible cast that reflected the project’s authentic portrayal of

Filipino culture.

With “Mahal,” Michaela aspires to offer solace and connection to audiences, particularly those who have experienced loss. She humbly acknowledges that the audience’s interpretation and takeaways are beyond her control.

“My mentor, Jacob Rosenberg, shared with me that once you create a film, you have to let the audience have it,” she shared. “It essentially means that you have to allow the audience to take what they want without you having any expectations.”

Michaela’s work has been featured in TIME, Forbes, The Guardian, Cannes Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, The New York Public Library, The Nobel Peace Center, United Nations New York, and United Nations Vienna

She hopes Mahal would help contribute to the larger conversation around grief, healing, and the power of storytelling. By exploring the complexities of grief through the deities in the film, she hopes to encourage viewers to express and confront their own emotions.

Moving forward, Michaela plans to further explore themes of identity, healing, and representation in her upcoming projects.

“I would love to see how we can continue to create stories within the world of Mahal, whether it is spinning this off as an animated series or a fulllength feature film,” she revealed. “For me, I also want to continue to work in spaces, mediums, and projects that uplift diverse voices and culturally and/or politically relevant themes and topics.” n

City of San Diego...

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a career.”

During the Summer Civic Internship program, staff from city offices and departments shared challenges and highlights of the work they do in serving San Diego communities. Interns were tasked with researching solutions to projects that included helping library patrons navigate relevant and accurate information and developing educational outreach strategies and tactics.

In addition to the project work, interns also studied self-paced, online courses in communications, customer

City of San Diego seeks to document stories of immigrants and refugees

service, data analytics, environment, IT, project management and public safety – all integral elements of City of San Diego services. The Employ & Empower program is open to California youth between the ages of 16 and 30 who are enrolled in an academic or training program. Participants can receive transit passes, professional clothing gift cards and technology resources as needed. Interested participants can learn more about the program by visiting sandiego. gov/employ-empower. (City of San Diego Release) n

Manay Gina Perez de...

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and Imee Marcos dropped by at my birthday lunch. My friends, of different political hues and colors, had formed a rainbow of friendship for me.

7. Believe in the beauty of a second chance. Joe and I both emerged from difficult relationships, and we wanted to get it right together. Joe’s coming into my world transformed my life. Together, we have scaled the highest mountains with his political victories and knelt in the deepest valleys with the tragic loss of our daughter. But instead of adversity driving us apart, it cemented our love for each other. Without my husband’s trust and support, many of my dreams would have remained just dreams. I soared under his care and direction. He is the “wind beneath my wings.”

8. Credibility is the hallmark of great leadership. Leadership isn’t only about excellence and having good values; to me, credibility is the hallmark of great leadership. Trust, being the trademark of healthy relationship, inside and outside of the leadership realm. It was my misfortune to experience the most harrowing grief of losing a child, when my youngest daughter, KC, died. Losing your own child is the most harrowing grief that can be experienced by a mother. The pain is so extreme, it defies description; there’s no word for a parent who loses a child! When I lost my dearest KC, I also realized that a support group for “orphaned” mothers is needed to help us recover from the paralyzing grief. More so in a matriarchal country like the Philippines, where mothers are considered the “ilaw ng tahanan.” As the “heart” of every home, the mothers in our country cannot afford to be paralyzed by the debilitating pain of losing a child, and in the process, jeopardize the welfare of the other loved ones in the family. Having experienced that deep personal heartache, and having survived that numbing grief of losing a child also gave me credibility to lead the Inang Naulila sa Anak (INA) Foundation, and deliver speeches on the most enduring lessons on ‘orphaned’ mothers’ survival, in various forums.

9. Helping others can be a healing experience. I learned that listening to the brave testimonials of my fellow orphaned mothers in the INA Foundation could be very therapeutic. In the course of time, the heartfelt synergy among us slowly transformed even our most daunting challenges into a series of small, manageable steps until we learned how to live with our pain and become functional again.

10. On jealousy. My mother, Mama Nene (Vera Perez), showed me how to be a confident woman. Mama Nene was never a jealous wife. Her reason? She had always felt that she was the most beautiful woman, in the eyes of my father. My mom used to say, “Doc Perez was surrounded by the most beautiful women all the time, but he chose me, not them, to be his wife and the mother of his children. So, I, probably, am the most attractive of them all.”.

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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.

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For suggestions and comments, send email to monsrt@gmail.com, or follow on Instagram @monsromulo.

Photographer John Raymond Mireles selected for city’s first municipal photo fellowship SAN DIEGO – As part of an effort to explore civic and societal issues through photography, the City of San Diego has announced the selection of artist John Raymond Mireles for the city’s first-ever photo fellowship program, “Exposure.” Mireles will work alongside the Office of Immigrant Affairs and Arts and Culture staff to develop a project that shares the stories and lives of immigrants and refugees living in San Diego.

Mireles’ fellowship, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, runs through the fall of 2024. It includes implementing a temporary project and creating a body of photographic artwork for the city’s Civic Art Collection. His work will also highlight the stories of the programs and policies behind the city’s Welcoming San Diego initiative.

Mireles was selected as the Exposure Photo Fellow based on his artistic excellence, education and training as an artist, past involvement in photographyrelated projects, and various other factors. Mireles’ work has appeared extensively across the U.S., including New York, Oklahoma and Alaska. His most recent solo exhibition, “Disestablishment,” was shown at the San Diego Museum of Art.

“John Raymond Mireles will bring his artistic practice and his skills in photography,

community engagement and visual storytelling to the Exposure Fellowship, said Christine E. Jones, Chief of Civic Art Strategies, Arts and Culture. “In launching this new fellowship, we are excited to welcome Mireles and his numerous artistic talents and commitment to illuminating the Welcoming San Diego initiative and amplifying the stories of San Diego immigrants and refugees through the medium of photography.”

“Exposure” is a municipal

photo fellowship program aimed at showcasing the city’s pressing civic and social issues through photography. It’s intended to foster inclusive dialogue, community connection and broader access to arts and culture.

During his fellowship, Mireles will immerse himself in research and engage with the Office of Immigrant Affairs. He will learn about the ongoing activities of Welcoming San Diego, which ensures the City of San Diego is addressing the needs of our

diverse immigrant and refugee communities, and developing resources and inclusive policies for immigrants in San Diego. Mireles will seek guidance from relevant stakeholders and advisors on effectively engaging and building trust with immigrant and host communities.

“The city is committed to achieving equality for all its residents, and as a part of that mission, it fosters a thriving, inclusive and secure binational region that embraces individuals from around the world, enabling all San Diegans to prosper,” said Jonathon Glus, executive director of Arts and Culture.

“Arts and Culture takes great pride in contributing to these endeavors and collaborating with our exceptional partners at the Office of Immigrant Affairs on a fellowship that can address immigrant-related issues and captures the dynamic cultural and geographical essence of San Diego as a US/Mexico border City, all through the lens of arts and culture.”

The City of San Diego advances and drives an equitable and inclusive creative economy and cultural ecosystem by investing in the work of artists and creatives and the institutions and systems that amplify creative work and experiences. To learn more, visit sandiego.gov/artsculture.

(City of San Diego Release) n