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I eat bacteria
answer may surprise you. In some areas, Carabao Milk Yogurt actually outperforms Greek Yogurt, according to experts, Philip S. Chua, because Carabao milk is natuMD, FACS, FPCS rally a “premium” dairy base, which “exceeds many of the YES, I literally eat bacteria - Greek yogurt’s famous nutriactual live bacteria - a billion of tional properties without needthem every morning, and some- ing to be as highly processed.” times, for snacks, six varieties Come and join me to eat live of them in one cup of Chobani bacteria! It’s healthy. 20 Gram Protein, Lactose-free, Veggie false claim Mango Greek Yogurt, with Zero Fruits and vegetables are Added Sugar. These are live healthy food items that should cultures of wiggly bacteria. be a part of our daily meals. The These good live bacteria sup- US FDA recommends 2-3 cups port our gut microbiome, where of fresh fruits and vegetables harmony is vital; any imbalance daily. The TV ads of Balance between good and bad bacteria of Nature (and a dozen others) can weaken the immune system claim that taking 3 capsules of and cause diseases, not only in its fruits and veggies is enough; the gastrointestinal system but a substitute “for good health” is in other organ systems. patently false. I switched from Chobani In fact, you would realistically Mango-Passion Fruit Greek Yo- need to take 40-50 capsules gurt, which I loved for its taste, every day to equal the USFDA because of lactose intolerance. recommendation for the daily Greek yogurt is the healthiest requirement of fresh fruits and variety of yogurt. vegetables. And even if one What benefits do we get takes 50 capsules a day, they from yogurt? Firstly, it is highly would still not provide the nutritious. It has double the pro- health benefits of natural fresh tein and half the carbohydrates. fruits and vegetables. Key health benefits include: It Why this misinformation, supports muscle and energy, which to me is fraudulent, is aids in weight management, im- allowed to victimize unsuspectproves digestive and gut health, ing consumers is puzzling to has live and active probiotic me. Granted, it may not harm cultures that boost the immune those who take the capsules, system, strengthens bones, but this precludes them from rich in essential micronutrients taking enough daily, which is (vitamin B-12 for healthy brain a deceptive practice by these function, zinc for the immune greedy entrepreneurs. system and cellular repair, This is why I have been adand iodine for thyroid health). vocating for decades that this Fermented dairy products, trillion-dollar food supplement like Greek yogurt, are associ- industry be regulated more ated with reduced risk for T2 closely and more strictly by the diabetes lowers blood pressure, government to protect the gullthanks to the potassium and ible and uninformed public. It magnesium in it. is regulated but not seriously. In the United States, more These Ads are supposed to be than 176 million Americans eat true and accurate by law, but Greek yogurt. No statistics for the US FDA has done noththe Philippines, but Chobani, ing about false claims about among others, has entered the hundreds of other food supplePhilippine Market. The coun- ments. The unsuspecting public terpart of Greek yogurt in the is the ultimate victims, who Philippines is “Kesong Puti” spend their hard-earned dollars (White Cheese), Carabao Milk to be healthier, but simply gets Yogurt, made by curdling raw scammed. Carabao (water buffalo) milk By the way, I have develwith salt and a coagulant (citrus oped and am selling Exercise juice or vinegar) and straining Capsules (Exercise Mimetics), out the liquid whey, like in mak- so you don’t have to move a ing yogurt, to achieve a thick, muscle, live on a couch with creamy flavor. a TV remote in hand, or sit Does the Carabao Milk Yo- the whole day doing computer gurt confer the same health work, to replace physical exerbenefits as Greek Yogurt? The cise. Dose: 50 capsules, 3 times
a day. Only a dollar a capsule. Anyone interested? Indeed, caveat emptor! Soft drinks and cancer When I was a youngster, I enjoyed the bubbly, fizzy, crispy taste of soft drinks until I went to medical school and learned that soft drinks, which I call “liquid candy,” were poison to our bodies. It causes metabolic syndrome, especially among children. A recent large study from Mass General Brigham involving 112,000 individuals suggests that daily soft drink consumption “is linked to a higher risk of developing stomach cancer, compared with those who drank them less than once a month.” Do yourself a favor, stay away from this poison, and warn the children too. Tai chi and the brain Against data from more than two decades ago, which thought the brain only produces new cells early in life. Now, we know that the brain has the ability to change throughout our lifespan, growing new cells, making new connections, and even increasing in size. “In a meta-analysis of 20 studies on tai chi and cognition, tai chi appears to improve executive function-the ability to multitask, manage time, and make decisions-in people without any cognitive decline. In those with mild cognitive impairment, tai chi slowed the progression to dementia more than other types of exercise and comparably improved their cognitive function compared to other types of exercise or cognitive training.” - MS Tai bo, modulated kick-boxing in slow motion for anyone, especially for seniors, is my game. It is like slow-motion shadow-boxing. It can be done anywhere in the house or outside. Like tai chi, it needs no gadgets or tools, just your mind and deep concentration. Coffee reduces fat Coffee is a healthy drink. Consuming 3-4 cups a day appears to help lengthen our telomeres and our longevity, as long as combined with a healthy lifestyle. Coffee confers a lot of health benefits. Finland, where coffee consumption is the highest per person compared to other nations, was an appropriate place
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LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 19 - 25, 2026
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USCIS Signals Leaner Times for Green Card Adjustments Barrister’s Corner A tty . K enneth U rsua R eyes IN a newly released policy memorandum (PM-6020199), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has sent a clear message to applicants that adjusting status within the United States is an "extraordinary relief" and an act of administrative grace, not an automatic right. The memorandum serves as a stark reminder that the standard mechanism for permanent immigration remains the overseas consular visa process. By reemphasizing the discretionary nature of Section 245(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), USCIS signals a more rigorous scrutiny of domestic green card applications particularly for individuals who have failed to maintain their nonimmigrant status or depart as originally expected. The memorandum grounds to track more than 2,200 adults born in 1966 and find out what coffee did to their bodies. Researchers found that “the heaviest coffee drinkers carried less total and visceral fat and more skeletal muscle than those who drank none, even with identical BMI.” Join me for a shot of Colombian espresso! *** 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. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
its directive in decades of federal jurisprudence and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) precedents, such as Matter of Blas, noting that adjustment of status was never intended to supersede regular consular visa issuance. The agency emphasizes that Congress designed a strict statutory framework that favors the orderly process of applying for immigrant visas from abroad. When nonimmigrants or parolees remain in the United States past their authorized periods to seek adjustment, USCIS views this as a subversion of Congressional intent. According to the memo, bypassing the consular process can be considered an adverse factor that applicants may need to overcome by demonstrating "unusual or even outstanding equities". The policy directive orders USCIS officers to take a holistic, case-by-case view of the "totality of the circumstances" when deciding whether an applicant merits a favorable exercise of discretion. Officers are explicitly directed to weigh several negative factors heavily: •Immigration Violations: Any past or current violations of immigration laws or conditions of status. •Failure to Depart: An applicant’s failure to leave the U.S. when their initial nonimmigrant admission or parole period expired, especially if they could have pursued a normal immigrant visa from abroad. •Inconsistent Conduct: Actions taken after entry that contradict the stated purpose of their nonimmigrant visa or representations made to consular officers. •Fraud or Misrepresentation: Any history of false testimony or fraud in dealings with government agencies. The memorandum clarifies that maintaining a lawful nonimmigrant status that permits "dual intent" (such as an H-1B or L-1 visa) is not inherently inconsistent with applying for adjustment. However, the agency explicitly notes that maintaining dual intent status is not sufficient on its own to guarantee a favorable
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exercise of discretion. To ensure these discretionary reviews are legally sound, USCIS is imposing stricter drafting requirements on its own officers. When an adjustment of status application is denied based on an unfavorable exercise of discretion, the written denial notice must now provide a detailed, case-specific analysis. Adjudicators must explicitly outline both the positive and negative factors considered and clearly explain why the negative elements outweighed the positive equities. This memorandum sets the stage for a more demanding adjudication environment. USCIS has indicated that it intends to review various pathways and discrete applicant populations to identify specific categories that may warrant closer inspection. The takeaway is clear, satisfying the basic statutory and regulatory eligibility requirements for a green card is no longer the finish line. Building a robust record that highlights positive equities such as deep family ties, strong moral character, and contributions to the community will be vital to securing an act of "administrative grace" in an increasingly stringent landscape. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes 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 is a licensed Attorney and CPA in California. 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. Web: kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
10 SEPTEMBER 19 - 25, 2026 • LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL
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God’s Radical Generosity and Kindness FIL-AM Festival Brings Filipino Food, Pastor’s Notes Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas THE Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard that we hear this Sunday is one of Jesus’ most challenging teachings about grace, justice, generosity, and the Kingdom of God. At first hearing, we may be tempted to judge the landowner as unfair. Why should those who worked only one hour receive the same wage as those who labored throughout the heat of the day? We might even judge the latecomers as lazy. But there is a beautiful detail in the parable that can easily be overlooked. The landowner asks the last group of workers: “Why do you stand here idle all day?” They answer: “Because no one has hired us.” Perhaps they were not lazy at all. Nobody chose them. Perhaps they were the weakest, the oldest, the least skilled, or simply the ones who had been overlooked. Whatever the reason, by five o’clock they were still waiting. And yet, the landowner goes looking for them. This gives the parable a deeply
pastoral and compassionate dimension. God continues to go out looking for those whom others have passed over. The person who comes to faith late in life is welcomed. The sinner who returns after many years away is welcomed. The person who has wasted opportunities is given another chance. The wounded, forgotten, rejected, and overlooked are never beyond God’s invitation. With God, five o’clock is not too late. This is the radical generosity, mercy, and kindness of God. God does not love us according to how much we have accomplished or how long we have been working. His grace is a gift, not a salary we earn. Psalm 145 beautifully describes this heart of God: “The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The LORD is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.” And the prophet Isaiah reminds us not to measure God’s ways according to our limited human calculations: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above
your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.” God’s justice is greater than our calculations because it is filled with mercy. His generosity challenges our tendency to compare, compete, and ask, “Why should that person receive as much as I do?” The Gospel invites us instead to rejoice whenever someone experiences God’s goodness. Perhaps this is also the challenge for us this week: Can we carry the heart of the landowner? Can we notice those whom others overlook? Can we give another chance to someone who has fallen behind? Can we be generous without constantly calculating what another person deserves? In a world that can be quick to judge, exclude, and divide, may we become a Church that goes out looking for those still waiting to be invited in. May we carry the generous and compassionate heart of God in the way we treat one another. And may we continue to pray—and work—for a world that is more merciful, more generous, and more kind. Much love, Fr. Rodel “Odey” 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
Distinguished physicians honored: The FEU-DNR School of Medicine Alumni Foundation of the United States recently paid tribute to the members of Class ’61 (Blue Sapphire 65th-year Jubilarian) at its 45th Annual CME Reunion at the Motor City Hotel-Casino in Detroit, Michigan. This exceptional Class of 1961 garnered 8 places in the 1961 medical board examination from the First Place all the way down, leaving only the 4th and 8th places to UST, almost a clean sweep, an amazing record in the history of medical licensure examinations around the world, unbroken to this day. Photo shows (l-r) Doctors Ernesto D. Madarang, Zenaida E. Ostman (her husband Henry behind her,) Moises L. Buzon, Rose Buzon, Arturo de Leon, Rosemary E. de Leon, Abraham Y. Sim, Lily N. Sim, Farida I. Chua, Hai Madarang, Remedios D. Sonson, Samuel Sonson, and Philip S. Chua (Class President).
Music, Culture, and Community Spirit to Newhall on October 3
ManoHealth Joins as Co-Presenter of the Community Celebration NEWHALL, Calif. — The Filipino-American Association of Santa Clarita Valley, together with ManoHealth as co-presenter, invites the community to celebrate the rich heritage, traditions, and vibrant culture of Filipino Americans at the FIL-AM Festival: A Celebration of Culture, Community, and Family on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Newhall Community Center, 22421 Market Street, Newhall, California. This free, family-friendly festival will bring together residents from across the Santa Clarita Valley and beyond for a full day of cultural enrichment, entertainment, food, shopping, and community connection. As co-presenter, ManoHealth joins the Filipino-American Association of Santa Clarita Valley in supporting a celebration centered on Filipino families, community connections, and the shared values that bring genera-
Atty. Joy Mendoza Rojas II with his wife Atty. Trisha Bunye-Rojas. The Rojas couple.
THE San Fernando Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will gather on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Encino for the 18th Annual Regional Feast Day of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila. This annual celebration honors the enduring witness of San Lorenzo Ruiz, whose courageous faith continues to inspire and strengthen communities across the region. This year’s feast day will be led by Most Rev. Albert M. Bahhuth, Auxiliary Bishop of the San Fernando Pastoral Region, who will serve as Principal Celebrant. This year’s celebration is hosted by Our Lady of Grace, with Fr. Marinello Saguin, Pastor of Our Lady of Grace, joining Bishop Bahhuth along with concelebrating priests from across the Region. The celebration will begin with a 9:00 AM procession, followed by the Feast Day Mass at 10:30 AM, with a reception and fellowship immediately afterward. The event highlights the transformative power of San Lorenzo Ruiz’s steadfast faith and reflects
Atty. Joy Rojas II in his art exhibit in Makati City. Atty. Joy Rojas II in Romania.
Very supportive Atty. Trisha Atty. Jose Ferdinand Rojas II in Bunye-Rojas (right) with Atty. Joy The Rojas couple celebrates their Visual artist Joy Rojas II with his pet dog TJ’s birthday. pet dog TJ. Europe Rojas II.
Rojas is a member of the Saturday Group, one of the country’s oldest artists’ organizations, and has participated in its group exhibitions and collaborations. He will hold his 10th solo exhibit at ArtistSpace at Ayala Museum in Makati City from October 10 to 26, 2026. He paints primarily in his rented studio in Pasig City. Horses remain a recurring subject, while his abstract works draw on memories of places he has visited. Rojas says he finds inspiration in the Philippines and abroad, particularly in Japan, France, Spain and other European countries. During weekdays, he divides his time among business, legal work and art. “Friday and Saturday nights, I devote my time to my wife,” he says. On Sundays, he usually spends time with his in-laws and other family members. He is also a lay minister at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church in Makati City and is occasionally invited as a guest on a Sunday radio program. His wife, Atty. Patricia “Trisha” A. O. Bunye, became the
first Filipino woman and first Southeast Asian woman to serve as president of LESI, the Licensing Executives Society International, a global organization focused on intellectual property, commercialization and licensing. When time permits, Rojas reads autobiographies, real-life stories, fiction and history. “I also love to read history books because there is something from the past that can be learned and applied to the present and future,” he says. When he was younger, he played tennis and badminton before becoming involved in equestrian sports and horseback riding. “But I am involved in horse breeding and horse racing as a hobby,” says Rojas, who served as director and corporate secretary of PHILTOBO, the Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization Inc., from 1997 to 2006. The youngest of seven siblings, Rojas was also a member of the Manila Jaycees from 1988 to 2006. He ends the interview with this philosophy: “Make the most
lasting memories for attendees of all ages. EVENT DETAILS What: FIL-AM Festival: A Celebration of Culture, Community, and Family Co-Presented By: FilipinoAmerican Association of Santa Clarita Valley and ManoHealth When: Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Where: Newhall Community Center, 22421 Market Street, Newhall, CA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UPAAGLA – University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles, SCV Ballers, Santa Clarita Sister Cities Program, Jollybox MEDIA CONTACT Alexis Riguerra, Public Relations Officer, Filipino-American Association of Santa Clarita Valley 424-392-0591 aariguerra@gmail.com
Feast Day of San Lorenzo Ruiz De Manila
Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II, an Artist Who Draws Inspiration From His Travels
DURING his teenage years at La Salle Green Hills, Atty. Jose Ferdinand “Joy” Mendoza Rojas II was already engaged in buying and selling different kinds of goods, which he offered to the parents of his classmates and to employees in offices his father, Jose Agreda Rojas, visited during the summer. He later entered the real estate business after graduating from the University of Massachusetts in the United States, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with majors in economics and political science, cum laude, in 1988. Rojas graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in 1994 with a Juris Doctor degree and passed the bar examinations that same year. He worked as an associate at a private law firm from 1994 to 1995 before becoming a partner at Rojas Sales De Leon Tecson & Desiderio Law Office. In 2000, he established the Jose M. Rojas II Law Office, which engages in the general practice of law. Beyond business and law, Rojas developed another pursuit: visual art, which began partly through charitable efforts to help others. The former general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has participated in numerous art-for-a-cause exhibits. On December 2, 2017, he held his first solo show at the Saturday Group Gallery in Mandaluyong City. The exhibit featured winning racehorses, reflecting his experience as a former chairman of the Philippine Racing Commission. Art critic Sid Reyes wrote that Rojas pursued a strain of abstraction in the tradition of French informel and matière, or matter painting, associated with Jean Dubuffet, Jean Fautrier and Georges Mathieu. “Rojas transforms a surface into an encounter with the infinite varieties of sensation, tension, and languorous mood,” Reyes noted.
tions together. Attendees can enjoy a variety of authentic Filipino food and beverages, browse local vendors and shopping opportunities, and experience live music, cultural performances, and entertainment highlighting the rich traditions and artistic expressions of the Philippines. A special Cultural Fashion Show will showcase traditional and contemporary Filipino attire, offering a colorful display of the country’s diverse heritage and regional influences. Sports enthusiasts can also enjoy the excitement of a Basketball Tournament, celebrating one of the most beloved pastimes within the Filipino community. From cultural performances to food, music, shopping, fashion, and sports, the FIL-AM Festival offers something for everyone. The event aims to foster cultural appreciation, strengthen community pride, and create
of your life by sharing what you have and serving others’ needs, and you will find happiness in your heart.” His words reflect a simple conviction: happiness may be fleeting, but bringing happiness to others can lead to contentment and peace. *** 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. *** Associate Professor III Rogelio Constantino Medina is an award-winning Filipino international journalist, columnist, and academic. He is well regarded for his extensive contributions to both Philippine media and major international news publications. His career spans several decades and covers a wide range of fields, including news, business, travel, lifestyle, science, sports, and health. He has written for major international publications such as the Far Eastern Economic Review in Hong Kong, The Japan Times in Tokyo, and Gulf News in Dubai. Notably, he made history as the first Filipino journalist to interview Japan’s first astronaut, Dr. Mamoru Mohri. He is also credentialed with the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Press Centers in New York City and Washington, D.C. *** Email: rogelio.medina@asianjournalinc.com
the community’s deep gratitude for Bishop Bahhuth’s presence at this year’s observance. All parishioners, families, and members of the wider community are warmly invited
to join this joyful celebration of Filipino Catholic heritage. For additional information, please contact Joel Raroque, Chairperson at jmraroque33@ gmail.com.
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LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 19 - 25, 2026
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Liza Soberano helps select Golden Globes ‘Filipiñana’ named Philippine Oscar documentary prize winner at Venice entry as FAP backs ‘58th,’ ‘Agapito’ by AJPress
FILIPINO American actress Liza Soberano served on a five-member jury that selected Andrei Kutsila’s Letters From the Silenced Country for the Golden Globes Impact Prize for Documentary during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. Presented with Artemis Rising Foundation, the prize honors documentaries addressing significant social issues through journalistic and creative storytelling. La Biennale lists it as a collateral award, separate from Venice’s official competition prizes. Soberano served alongside Golden Globes President Helen
Photo from Instagram/@lizasoberano
Hoehne; Artemis Rising Foundation founder Regina K. Scully; producer Geralyn White Dreyfous; and Think-Film Impact Production chief Danielle Turkov Wilson. Kutsila’s film, also titled Listy, screened in Venice Open, Out
of Competition. According to La Biennale, it portrays contemporary Belarus through people who experienced imprisonment, repression and exile. The winner receives a $10,000 prize from Artemis Rising Foundation. Soberano has said documentaries can help audiences understand experiences beyond their own. She is also an executive producer on a planned documentary adaptation of Filipino American journalist Alex Tizon’s My Family’s Slave, with Ramona S. Diaz attached to direct. Soberano made her U.S. feature debut in Lisa Frankenstein in 2024 and next voices Raissa in DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island, opening Sept. 25.
Filipino-American writer Michael Cruz Kayne wins 2026 Emmy with ‘The Late Show’ by AJPress LOS ANGELES — Filipino-American comedian and writer Michael Cruz Kayne won a 2026 Emmy as part of the writing team behind CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, adding another television honor to a career that has included multiple Emmy nominations and an earlier win. The Late Show won Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series during the first night of the 78th Emmy Awards on Sept. 5 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The Television Academy lists Kayne among the credited writers receiving the award, alongside Stephen Colbert, head writers Ariel Dumas and Jay Katsir and other members of the pro-
Photo from www.michaelcruzkayne.com
gram’s writing staff. The victory was not Kayne’s first Emmy. He was also among the credited writers when The Late Show won Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 2022. Academy records show that Kayne received additional writing nominations for The Late
Show in 2021 and 2023. He was also nominated in 2021 for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand Building Back America Great Again Better 2020. Kayne describes himself on his official website as a Filipino-American comedian, actor and writer based in New York. He has worked as a writer on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert while also performing in television and comedy. The 2026 Emmys brought additional recognition for The Late Show. The program won Outstanding Variety Series at the Sept. 14 ceremony, which concluded the three-night Emmy schedule.
by AJPress MANILA – The Film Academy of the Philippines has selected Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana as the country’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards, while backing two other Filipino productions seeking consideration in separate Oscar categories. Carl Joseph Papa’s animated documentary 58th is pursuing Best Documentary Feature Film, while Arvin Belarmino and Kyla Danelle Romero’s Agapito is seeking consideration for Best Live Action Short Film. The distinction is important. Filipiñana is the Philippines’ official selection under the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ country-submission process for International Feature Film. Documentary Feature and Live Action Short follow separate eligibility and submission rules. Written and directed by Manuel, Filipiñana follows Isabel, a 17-year-old tee girl at an exclusive country club outside Manila. The film premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision. It later screened at the Berlin International Film Festival and the New York Asian Film Festival. Papa’s 58th revisits the 2009 Maguindanao massacre through Reynafe Castillo’s effort to secure recognition for her father, photojournalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay, as the massacre’s 58th victim. His remains have not been recovered. The film premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and later competed in Annecy’s Contrechamp section. Agapito, a 15-minute live-action short set in an aging duckpin bowling alley, competed in the official Short Film Competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and later screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. The Academy’s submission deadlines are Sept. 30 for International Feature, Oct. 8 for Live Action Short and Oct. 15 for Documentary Feature. Oscar shortlists are due Dec. 15, with nominations on Jan. 21, 2027. The 99th Academy Awards will be held March 14, 2027. FAP support or country selection does not constitute an Oscar nomination.
Photos from Facebook/@filmacadph
12 SEPTEMBER 19 - 25, 2026 • LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL
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Finding Purpose at the Intersection of Science and Beauty Rhizomes
by AJPress
Prosy Abarquez Delacruz, J.D. “WHEREVER creative love enriches life, the Spirit is present and operating. The same is true when a person graciously loves himself or herself. If you enter into the love of God for yourself, knowing your wondrousness as a creature, forgiving yourself the way God forgives, then you have an encounter with the Spirit. Generous self love enables you to give the gift of love to others.” – Elizabeth A. Johnson I was having coffee and breakfast at a busy, vintage, Japanese-owned cafe, watching Glen cook breakfast, Linda take the orders, and Maria refill water glasses. On my left was a young woman enjoying her bacon and pancakes. She ordered Portuguese sausage with hash browns for her husband. “Nice, that’s what I would order for my husband, too,” I said. Our conversation moved forward as we discovered our commonalities: We are both Filipinas with science backgrounds, and our fathers are from Ilocos, hers from Dingras, Ilocos Norte, and mine from Vigan, Ilocos Sur, in the Philippines. She was an avid listener, picking a word from my sentence and connecting it to hers. It was a brilliant way of telling me that she was actively listening. We continued our dialogue weeks later at a Korean coffee shop, sharing an egg sandwich and, for me, a charcoal coffee latte. A shared meal is, for me, a form of shared humanity. Soulful Introspection on Her Life’s Journey Her birth name is Judith, from the Bible. As she grew older in high school, it became Judy. “Judith did not fit me anymore and after, it became Jude, it became more me. I grew up in a predominantly Caucasian neighborhood, one of three Asians in my school. I wanted to be like the other kids.” Feeling like an outsider during her formative years in school resulted in a natural desire to belong, to be cherished for who she is. It got to a point that when she came home, she told her parents to talk to her only in English. “Even if they talked to me in Tagalog, I responded to them in English.” Her father is Precious Andam, an immigrant mechanical engineer from Dingras, Ilocos Norte, known as the municipality’s rice granary. He became the head mechanical engineer at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in D.C. There, he met Alice, an immigrant nurse from Plaridel, Misamis Occidental, “known for its natural beauty, including the pristine Bawbawon Island and its commitment to organic farming, including kayaking, hiking and birdwatching.” They got married, had two children, and adopted two boys and a girl. Recently, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. “I learned the importance of work ethic from my parents. I saw their life examples of discipline, my dad working 9 to 5 daily, and my mom working three 12-hour days for the week.” “I became stronger-willed growing up, though I very much like being what others want me to be — malleable.” She described her assimilation journey and how, when exposed on weekends to folks of similar upbringing, “I felt a sense of belonging.” She described it as an inner feeling of wholeness, of liking the same stuff, of being able to relate to their activities, to the things they did, and to their supportive extended family members. She experienced a Bildungsroman, “where a character’s name change symbolizes transformation, maturity, reinvention or identity formation. Immigrant Bildungsroman often include Anglicized names to show assimilation pressures. In a Bildungsroman, a name change can represent assimilation into a new culture, gaining autonomy and discovering one’s true self.” Source: Cora Oriel, June 2026. So, from Judith, to Judy, to Jude, to a “disposition for benevolence, where sidestepping her ego allows mystical moments to move outside herself.” It was a case of envisioning her soul losing itself in love, as described by Gregory Boyle in Cherished Belonging. Cherished belonging is love fully engaged. It is tenderness in action. Cherished Belonging to a Marital Partner “I am married to Edmundo Martinez. He is wonderful and supportive,” she said with ebullient enthusiasm. “How so?” “We have been together now for 25 years, married for 17 years in August. It is more than just communication and growing together. It is finding who I am, who he is, and we are growing together, as us, communicating what we love and what we don’t love.” He instilled in her certain principles in choosing her current
Christopher de Leon revisits the film that began his career 52 years ago
career, and “he guided me toward what I want.” He noticed that she enjoyed putting on makeup and suggested, why not monetize it? He illustrated the importance of concentric or overlapping circles in making decisions, the so-called Venn diagrams. She drew three overlapping circles: one circle for compensation, another circle for skills, and a third circle for the colleagues she works with. If two circles out of three intersect, then the work is not as dreadful. And if three circles out of three intersect, there is satisfaction as “your passion, skill and purpose intersect,” she adds. For example, at work, one is exposed to a first circle of skills, a second circle of income, and a third circle of colleagues you work with. In the first circle, are you gaining the skill set you need to improve yourself? Are you getting the exposure you need to broaden the scope of your skill set? Go to the second circle: Are you fairly compensated? The third circle is your circle of colleagues: Do you like them? Do you grow as you interact with them? If all three circles are met, you gain an appreciation for your career path and achieve harmony and satisfaction. That diagram has guided her decision-making since she finished her college degree. Her present career choice, now spanning 15 years, has brought her a sense of contentment and radiance. It is as if she has reached “an interior castle where she has reached her highest degree of maturity,” and has one question left: “How do I align the compass of my heart with the energy of this wild God? We find the God of infinite welcome — of generous hospitality, close to see the intimacy of the unseen and allows us to live in the immediacy of wonder” (Gregory Boyle, Cherished Belonging). “When you feel good with the way you look, it makes it easier to feel good about who you are,” she emphasized, a principle that resonated with me. It is how she approaches every client — her wholesome being meeting another. Is the Face the Mirror of a Person’s Soul? Jude paused, thinking about her response. She described it this way: “Our faces are our ways of communicating as humans. We emote with our eyes, head, and nonverbally with our faces, connecting with people. That part of me when I work [is what I am mindful of], not to alter the way they look, but to enhance their natural beauty. Most of the time, women apologize for how they look, at times even asking to make them look in their fifties, though the client is in their sixties.” She reminds them of their beauty, that “each spot or pigment is part of your memory.” Where did this self-assurance come from, I asked? “I believe I am more than my outward appearance. I learned to be comfortable in my own skin.” Others refer to that as “growing more skin,” a form of cherishing oneself. She draws on her memories to describe how her family gives her a sense of belonging. It is why she wants to preserve her maiden name and not change it. Andam comes from the lineage of her father, meaning “fully prepared.” She believes her surname, “Andam,” represents part of her life’s journey, and taking on another surname, her husband’s, would be “symbolized erasure.” She adds, “Fortunately for me, my husband understands that.” She remembers what her mom, Alice, did to prepare for weekend activities. “Perhaps it is looking at Alice Andam, my mom. I watched my
mom get ready and being in so much awe of her after putting on her makeup. It was not transformation. It is enhancing what she has. I help my clients, enhancing their natural beauty, helping them be the best version of themselves. It is not transforming them, but keeping them true and real, as each face is very individualized. I am okay with wrinkles, okay with aging, and each pigment, each spot is a memory and experiences we have lived through. When you feel good [with] the way you look, it makes it easier to feel good.” ‘Imperfection Is Not Ugliness’ That multilayered wisdom, from facial aesthetics to where the beauty of her mom first drew her awe and attention to how folks mature and develop, was a revelation. “Imperfection is not ugliness,” she adds. I recall an African American woman who was walking on the sidewalk in front of my house. I went out the front door and stopped her abruptly. Imagine her walking briskly when I suddenly asked, “Your aura radiates peace. What is your secret to life?” She smiled and said, “I leave any place that I find, or work at, better than I found it.” I shared that with Jude, moved by her radiance and the vibrant aura that I observed in her: no makeup, clear skin, and just serenity. She has been working with a broad range of advertising and marketing clients, models and ordinary folks, including non-models, or even public figures like Tiger Woods. With regular people who at times apologize for how they look, “I reassure them that their interesting faces are revealing their accomplishments, their trials, their tribulations, and why would we take that away?” “I learned to do that during the pandemic, even more so, as within my personal bubble, without any work for eight to ten months, I went through a mental turmoil. I learned to separate my work from my self-identity. My hobbies are parts of me, but they don’t define me. Yes, I do enjoy nature, beach, travel, snowboarding, spending time with family and friends. While my job is a representation of my career, I remain curious about what I do in commercials, the fashion realm, advertising campaigns, live events, premieres, narrative work, short film, television.” With that curiosity about her projects, she keeps learning. A Science Degree — “Just a Piece of Paper” — to Skin Aesthetics How did you get to where you are today from finishing a degree, I asked? Ms. Andam graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in marine biology from Old Dominion University in Virginia. In taking her comparative religions class, “I learned different organized religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, Judaism, Catholicism. Common to them are their origins and belief systems; their similarities prevail despite the differences,” she reflected. “The unstated stigmas became implanted in our culture, leading to self-hatred. It made me understand transgenerational trauma — how not to pass on that trauma to the next generation. I also learned, reflecting on other people’s experiences, what I would do differently so as not to go through that traumatic experience. What would I do differently? I learned that to help my clients is by helping them be the best version of themselves.”
Armed with a college degree, she cultivated a growth mindset, aware of how conservative and sheltered her upbringing was. “So I looked at my folks’ lineage and asked questions: What can I learn from their experiences?” From a foundation of science, she first worked in an aquarium in D.C. “I had an inkling that I did not fit in this field.” But she stayed the course. “I was mentored by the dean of students, whom I approached, feeling that my 3½ years had been wasted. He advised me that the diploma is merely a piece of paper, that after I graduate, I can pursue what I want. I hunkered down, both in defiance and out of respect for my parents, and I graduated.” She moved from job to job, from working in an animal hospital to customer service to working as an office manager for a chiropractor. In those jobs, she felt something was lacking and left after 18 months. Instead of chasing after a paycheck or dwelling on disappointments, she started looking for what she wanted to do in her late twenties. Following the advice of her spouse, she researched how to monetize makeup application, something she loved to do. She looked at those who worked at makeup counters and those who were self-taught, but knowing her science background, she wanted a structured way of learning about the industry. She went to Cosmix, a makeup school, where she undertook six months of rigorous learning about skin biology, skin physiology and skin conditions. She learned more than makeup, aced her subjects, and got high grades. Each day was tiring, yet she had immense satisfaction. Fast-forward to today, she has a website illustrating her portfolio and her current projects over the last 15 years. Her website is a representation of the diverse genres of what she has achieved, going into another field and integrating what she learned in college. Her sense of contentment is unlike “modern city swamps where nothing is never enough. There is a coherence in her complexity of thoughts, working within a field of fragmentation, like the center of the onion bulb that hides the propensity for growth,” as Dr. Katrin de Guia wrote in her book, Kapwa: The Self in the Other. “When it comes to narrative work, I enjoy the emotional resonance that viewers experience through film and TV and the camaraderie that grows from working together with a production crew. My dream is to continue working on projects that inspire change and move emotions.” — Jude Andam *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and view points of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 18 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the U.S., in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.
MANILA — More than five decades after Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang introduced Christopher de Leon to movie audiences, the actor returned to the Lino Brocka classic at the Philippine premiere of its restored 4K version. The Sept. 4 screening at Red Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza opened Film Industry Month, which the Film Development Council of the Philippines is using to mark 50 years of what it describes as Philippine cinema’s Second Golden Age. Released in 1974, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang was de Leon’s first film. He was 17 when his movie career began. He played Junior, a privileged young man confronting prejudice, cruelty and hypocrisy in his community. De Leon recalled auditioning for the role and taking acting, voice and script-analysis lessons while performing in the musical Godspell. His first scene, opposite Lolita Rodriguez and Mario O’Hara, required eight or nine takes. He said Brocka and his veteran co-stars helped guide him. The film featured de Leon’s first onscreen kiss, opposite Laurice Guillen in a bowling-alley scene. The performance earned
Photo from Instagram/@sinegangdotph
him his first FAMAS Best Actor award and began a film and television career that has continued for more than five decades. The restored film had its world premiere in June at Il Cinema Ritrovato in Bologna, Italy. The 4K restoration was undertaken by the FDCP and Philippine Film Archive with Carlotta Films and Janus Films/The Criterion Collection at L’Immagine Ritrovata. Original picture and sound negatives were used except for reels 1 and 6, which relied on preservation elements held by the BFI National Archive. De Leon said the Manila screening marked only the second time he had watched the film in full, the first being more than 50 years earlier. He remains active onscreen and is part of the cast of GMA Network’s forthcoming medical drama Code Grey.
Kim Chiu pushes ahead with handbag business as legal dispute continues by AJPress MANILA — Actress and television host Kim Chiu is moving forward with her handbag business, introducing six new designs for House of Little Bunny Philippines while a legal dispute involving the company and her older sister continues. In a social media post this week, Chiu showed herself arranging bags by color, size and design before the release of a new collection. She said she personally organizes the products for each launch and announced six additions to the brand’s lineup. She also directed customers to the brand’s headquarters and online store for the newly released collection. The post did not mention her sister, Lakambini “Lakam” Chiu, or directly refer to their legal dispute. Chiu launched House of Little Bunny in the Philippines in 2022. The business later became the subject of a qualified theft complaint involving corporate funds. The Quezon City Office of the City Prosecutor found sufficient basis to pursue 124 counts of qualified theft against Lakam, according to a 21-page resolution dated Sept. 1 reviewed by Philippine media. The transactions cited in the resolution totaled Php 44,396,331.65.
Photo from Instagram/@ chinitaprincess
Lakam has denied committing qualified theft. She disputed the characterization of the withdrawals and transfers as unauthorized, maintaining that the sisters’ joint accounts could also be used for other business ventures. She also challenged findings from an audit cited in the complaint. Prosecutors rejected those arguments at the preliminary stage and found sufficient basis for the case to proceed. The resolution is not a finding of guilt. Lakam remains entitled to contest the allegations and present her defenses in court. Chiu’s latest collection signals continuing activity at House of Little Bunny as the dispute over the company’s finances moves separately through the legal process.
Zsa Zsa Padilla mourns death of younger brother
Singer-actress asks for prayers as family remembers brother who died at 57 by AJPress MANILA — Singer-actress Zsa Zsa Padilla is mourning the death of her younger brother, Peregrine “Sonny” Padilla, who died Sept. 13 at age 57. Padilla announced her brother’s death on social media on Tuesday, Sept. 15, describing Sonny as deeply loved by his family and saying his passing had left an “immeasurable void.” She said the family was grateful for the love, laughter and memories they shared with him and asked for prayers for Sonny and their family. “Rest in peace, my dearest brother, Sonny,” Padilla wrote. “You will always be loved and forever missed.” Padilla did not disclose a cause of death. Her daughter, singer-actress Karylle, also remembered her uncle, writing, “We love you Tito Sonny.” Friends and colleagues from
the Philippine entertainment industry, including Charo Santos-Concio, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano, were among those who posted messages of condolence. Zsa Zsa and Sonny were among the six children of retired international boxing referee Carlos Padilla Jr. and Esperanza Felipa Padilla, a family of two sons and four daughters. Carlos Padilla Jr. is best known in boxing for refereeing the 1975 “Thrilla in Manila,” the third and final fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Zsa Zsa Padilla began her professional music career with the Manila Sound group Hotdog in 1982 before pursuing a solo career. She has worked in Philippine music, film and television for more than four decades. In 2025, she marked her 42nd year in the industry with the Star Music album ’Pag Tinadhana and her Through the Years concert.
Photos from Instagram/@zsazsapadilla
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LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 19 - 25, 2026 13
Inside IMG’s strategy to build Alex Eala into a global brand The agency began laying the commercial groundwork after Eala’s 2022 U.S. Open junior singles title. Four years later, the world No. 18 is drawing attention from fashion and expanding her reach across major consumer industries. NEW YORK — Five days after Alex Eala’s U.S. Open campaign ended, the Filipino tennis star appeared in another high-profile New York setting, this time without a racquet. Eala made her New York Fashion Week debut Sept. 10 in the front row at Tory Burch, followed by appearances at Michael Kors and Calvin Klein. She shared space with prominent figures from fashion and entertainment, including Anna Wintour, and was featured by Vogue during the week. The appearances showed how quickly Eala’s profile is extending beyond tennis. At 21, she is represented by IMG Tennis, a division of WME, within a larger organization whose businesses span sports, entertainment, talent representation and licensing. The groundwork came first IMG began developing Eala’s commercial business years before she entered the top 20. Forbes reported that Max Eisenbud’s IMG group began laying the foundation after Eala won the 2022 U.S. Open girls’ singles championship, becoming the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam singles title. IMG agent Carter Lin later traveled to the Philippines to meet companies and promote
longer-term partnerships built around tennis’ international calendar rather than campaigns tied to individual tournaments. Eala’s 2025 Miami Open breakthrough sharply raised her international profile. She defeated reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, advanced when Paula Badosa withdrew before their scheduled match, then beat Iga Swiatek before losing to Jessica Pegula in the semifinals. Her rise accelerated in 2026. Eala won her first WTA Tour singles title in Washington, defeating Pegula in the final and becoming the first Filipino to capture a WTA Tour-level singles championship. She later climbed to a career-high No. 18. The IMG playbook IMG’s history in athlete marketing stretches to Mark McCormack’s representation of golfer Arnold Palmer beginning in 1960, a relationship that helped shape the modern business of building commercial careers around elite athletes. Eisenbud leads IMG Tennis while serving as head of client representation for WME Sports. His career has included work with Maria Sharapova and Li Na, while IMG Tennis has represented leading players including Car-
Photos from Instagram/@alex.eala
Bela Padilla, tech CEO Martin Tan confirm eightmonth relationship by AJPress MANILA — Actress, writer and director Bela Padilla and tech executive Martin Tan have confirmed they are in a relationship, ending months of public speculation about their status. The confirmation came in a street interview posted Sept. 13 by content creator Johnny K. Padilla and Tan were at the Legazpi Sunday Market in Makati when they were asked whether they were a couple. Padilla answered yes. Tan said they met through a mutual friend and had been together for eight months. Padilla said their shared interest in movies helped them connect. The pair also spoke about what they appreciate in each other, with Tan citing Padilla’s intelligence and humor and Padilla describing him as willing to try new experiences with her. Tan is chief executive of Tenext.ai, a software company developing artificial-intelligence tools for customer-facing busi-
Bela Padilla and Martin Tan. Photo: Instagram/@withjohnnyk
ness operations. The couple had appeared together publicly before confirming the relationship. Tan attended the Sept. 7 premiere of Padilla’s film Life After You, where he was photographed carrying flowers. Padilla had previously described their status more cautiously. At an Aug. 19 media conference, she said Tan was “not yet” her boyfriend and that they were still getting to know each other. Padilla was previously in a long-term relationship with Norman Bay, whose breakup with the actress was publicly confirmed by Padilla in August 2025.
Niño Muhlach’s license revoked for two years after Antipolo crash by AJPress MANILA — The Land Transportation Office has revoked actor Niño Muhlach’s driver’s license for two years after concluding its investigation into an Aug. 23 crash in Antipolo City that injured a man and damaged several establishments. The LTO said its investigation and hearing found Muhlach liable for reckless driving and classified him as an “Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.” The agency said severe exhaustion preceded his loss of control of the sport utility vehicle, which crossed into the opposite lane and struck three establishments and a parked motorcycle. Muhlach had earlier acknowledged falling asleep while driving and said the crash was “entirely my fault.” He said he would take responsibility for the injured person and property damage. The LTO initially imposed a 90-day preventive suspension,
issued a show-cause order and placed the vehicle on alarm status. The agency said the SUV would remain under alarm status while its resolution is in effect. The ruling followed a separate public dispute involving Nicolas Villanueva, who was injured in the crash. Villanueva had complained that his damaged motorcycle had not been replaced and that he remained unable to work. Muhlach’s wife, Diane Abby Tupaz, responded that the actor had continued providing assistance and that an insurer was processing the motorcycle claim. Those details were her account. Villanueva later apologized to Muhlach and his family, saying emotion over the motorcycle had influenced his earlier remarks. He also deleted his earlier post. The two-year revocation was announced Sept. 16 after the agency’s hearing.
los Alcaraz, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek. At that level, representation extends well beyond finding sponsors. Agents negotiate commercial rights, manage competing brand categories and schedule promotional work around training, recovery and tournaments. Forbes reported that Eala’s representatives have concentrated much of her commercial work into designated periods, including trips to the Philippines, limiting disruptions to tournament preparation. Building the business Forbes estimated in August that Eala generated more than $5 million in off-court earnings over the previous 12 months, before taxes and agent and management fees. Longstanding Philippine relationships form part of that foundation. Globe says Eala has been its ambassador since she was eight. Forbes reported that Globe and Bank of the Philippine Islands renewed four-year agreements with her in early 2026. Her portfolio has broadened further. Panasonic Philippines named Eala an ambassador in
Photos from Instagram/@alex.eala
August, while Marriott Bonvoy partnered with her for its “Tennis The World” campaign across Asia-Pacific excluding China, linking her with travel and tennis experiences tied to the Australian Open. The mix of telecommunications, banking, consumer electronics and travel shows how her appeal is moving beyond companies directly associated with tennis. Fashion widens the audience Fashion has become another outlet for that visibility. Vogue profiled Eala during the U.S. Open and later included her among breakout sports figures expected to attract fashion-industry attention. Her appearances at Tory Burch, Michael Kors and Calvin Klein followed within days. Wintour had already taken notice of Eala during the U.S. Open,
where the Vogue editor discussed the growing relationship between athletes and fashion. The significance lies less in any single show than in the audience surrounding it. Fashion Week places Eala before designers, editors, advertisers and international consumer brands as athletes increasingly move between sports and popular culture. Eala also brings a distinctive geographic dimension to that appeal. She commands a strong following in the Philippines while competing year-round on an international tour, giving brands access to an established home audience and growing recognition abroad. The value of the name Eisenbud believes Eala’s commercial future could eventually extend beyond traditional endorsements. He told Forbes that she could
develop a significant licensing business, with products associated with her name or image generating royalties. He also predicted that Eala could become the world’s second-highest-paid female athlete in 2027, behind Coco Gauff. The forecast reflects Eisenbud’s assessment of his client’s potential rather than an independent earnings projection. Eala’s expanding business remains closely tied to the tennis career that created the demand. Every appearance or campaign must compete with training, recovery and tournament preparation. As her profile grows, selectivity becomes increasingly valuable. IMG’s work is not simply finding the next opportunity, but determining which ones warrant Eala’s time and fit the longer career taking shape around her.
14 SEPTEMBER 19 - 25, 2026 • LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL
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