OCTOBER 21-24, 2023 Volume 33 - No. 84 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
Israel conflict claims 4th Filipino casualty DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
City of Carson to pay tribute to Larry Itliong during FAHM
by BernAdette e. tAMAyo
And clAire BernAdette MondAreS ManilaTimes.net
ANOTHER caregiver was the fourth Filipino killed in the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo reported on Thursday, October 19. "I regret to inform the nation that we have received confirmation from the Israeli government of another THE City of Carson, California will be Filipino casualty in Israel," Manalo posted on X closing out Filipino American History Month (formerly Twitter). with its annual tribute to Larry Itliong. On Saturday, October 28, the city will host its 13th annual Larry Itliong Day Celebration in the Dominguez Room at the Carson Event Center from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. located at 801. E. Carson Street in Carson. This free event celebrates the legacy of Filipino American labor leader Larry Itliong. His fight for the well-being of California Farm Workers transformed farmworkers’ rights and working conditions, making an indelible mark in the labor and civil rights movements of American history. This year’s program features a parade, entertainment, labor and organization awards, and the recognition of the essay and contest winners.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in a radio interview the latest fatality was among the three Filipinos earlier reported as missing after Hamas fighters attacked Israel on October 7. Manalo did not identify the female caregiver on her family's request. "But we have assured the family of the government's full support and assistance," he said. The other fatalities were Loreta Alacre, a caregiver from Negros Oriental; Angeline Aguirre, a nurse; and Paul Vincent Castelvi, a 42-year-old caregiver.
‘Stop all violence’: Marcos calls for de-escalation of Israel-Hamas situation by Jean Mangaluz Inquirer.net
u PAGE A2
The new vaccines and you: Americans better armed than ever against the winter blechs LAST year’s “triple-demic” marked the beginning of what may be a new normal: a confluence of respiratory infections — RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 — will surge as the weather cools each year. Like blizzards, the specific timing and severity of these outbreaks are hard to forecast. But their damage can be limited in more ways than ever before. More protective vaccines against influenza are on the horizon. And new vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, were approved this year, as were updated COVID vaccines. Although the first days of rollout for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines saw hiccups, with short supplies at some pharmacies and billing confusion with some insurers, the shots now are generally available at no cost. What’s more, after enduring the worst pandemic in a century, people are more attuned to protecting themselves and those around them. Wearing face masks and staying home u PAGE A4
In an online interview later Thursday, de Vega said the latest Filipino fatality was from one of the kibbutzim or small Israeli settlements raided by Hamas. "The Israeli minister did not provide us complete details other than to confirm the fourth casualty. And of course we already condemned the attacks on Israel on our countrymen," he said. "The reason why some of them died was because they did not abandon their work, something the Israelis praise [about] our kababayans' work," de u PAGE A2
DISTINGUISHED WOMEN. Ilocos Norte’s Magdalena Gamayo (left), 99, and B’laan native from Sarangani province Estelita Bantilan, 82, attend the “Dayaw, the Indigenous Peoples Festival” headed by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts at Arroceros Park, Manila on Friday, October 20. Both are National Living Treasure Awardees — Gamayo for weaving the finest inabel textiles with a very high thread count and intricate designs that sometimes take up to five colors and still teaching young weavers, while Bantilan is known for some of the biggest and most beautiful mats in Southeast Asia. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday, October 20 called for de-escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas as he urged both parties to stop all violence. Marcos addressed global leaders in Saudi Arabia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Gulf Cooperation Council (Asean-GCC) Summit. “The Philippines is deeply concerned about the rising number of victims and the safety of all persons, as well as the dire humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Israel and in Gaza. We hope that all parties will exert their utmost efforts to de-escalate the situation, stop all violence, and engage in dialogue and diplomacy,” Marcos said in his intervention speech. The president’s call for a peaceful resolution comes on the heels of the fourth Filipino casualty in the war. Marcos also stressed the need for rules-based order in
u PAGE A4
Napoles sentenced to 60 years in jail by Aric John Sy cuA And red MendozA ManilaTimes.net
THE Sandiganbayan on Friday, October 20 sentenced businesswoman Janet LimNapoles to at least 60 years in prison after convicting her in the case involving the illegal use of priority development assistance funds (PDAF) in 2007. On Friday, the Sandiganbayan's Special Second Division released a 57-page document confirming that Napoles was guilty of four counts of malversation of public funds, with a total prison term of at least 40 years. She was also convicted of four counts of
graft, adding 24 more years to her sentence. The court also ordered Napoles to return P20,910,000 to the National Treasury, which represented the amount that was illegally disbursed. The decision was penned by Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Edgardo Callona, with Justices Arthur Malabaguio and Bernelito Fernandez concurring. Napoles was accused along with former South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Arthur Pingoy Jr., former Budget undersecretary u PAGE A2 Vice President Sara Duterte talks about knowing true friends in a video she posted on Facebook.
Inquirer.net photo
Marcos says Maharlika Investment Fund pushes through FACEBOOK VIDEO POSTED AFTER LOSS OF SECRET FUNDS ‘Know who your true friends are’ – VP Sara Duterte by Jean Mangaluz Inquirer.net
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Senator Mark Villar during the signing of the Maharlika Investment Fund bill. File photo
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday, October 19 said that the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) will push through. In a speech before flying to Saudi Arabia, Marcos said he was “a bit alarmed” about reports that the MIF was postponed. “I was a bit alarmed by the news reports early this morning that I read in the newspapers that we have put the Maharlika Fund on hold. Quite the contrary. We are, the organization of the Maharlika Fund proceeds apace, and what I have done though, is that we
have found more improvements we can make,” said Marcos in his speech. “We are still committed to having it operational by the end of the year,” he added, even though the memorandum sent to banks suspending the implementing rules and regulations was released through the Office of the President by the authority of Marcos. Marcos also said that the Maharlika investment fund remains a good concept. “We should not misinterpret what we have done as somehow, as a judgment of the rightness or wrongness of the Maharlika fund. On the
by Jean Mangaluz Inquirer.net
MANILA — “Know who your true friends are,” Vice President Sara Duterte warned in a video posted on her Facebook account. She uploaded the video — simply captioned “Pahayag” (Filipino for “statement”) after the House of Representatives removed the confidential funds allotted to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which she also heads. In one part of the video, she u PAGE A2
said in Filipino: “Don’t take part in any sort of oppression. Instead, in times of difficulty, observe and know who your true friends are beside you. Everything in this world has its right time.” Duterte had earlier released a written statement mentioning her proposed confidential funds. She followed up this video, adding comments about true friends. In the video, Duterte also recited, again in Filipino, a Bible verse from the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1 to 8: u PAGE A4
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From The FronT Page
Israel conflict claims 4th...
PAGE A1 Vega said. He said he cannot confirm if the fourth fatality was abducted and then killed, only that "she was one of the three missing Filipinos that we were hoping to find." De Vega also said there were no Filipino casualties in the bombing of the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza which killed over 500 people. He said all 135 Filipinos in Gaza were waiting to be allowed by Israeli forces to cross the Rafah border to reach Egypt. The Philippine embassies in Israel, Egypt and Jordan are ready for the "worst case scenario" that might arise from the escalating conflict, he said. The worst that could happen "is that if our Filipinos in Gaza would not be able to leave," de Vega said. "But how are we prepared for that? Well, first we are diplomats. So, we have to show optimism. There will be a solution," he said. The DFA earlier placed Gaza under the highest alert level of 4 to pave the way for the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos in the besieged Palestinian enclave. It hopes to pull out all the Filipinos in Gaza before Israeli forces launch a ground assault. Once the Filipinos are allowed to leave, Philippine agencies will work on their repatriation to the Philippines. De Vega said the Israeli
authorities have repeatedly said the foreigners waiting at Rafah must "be ready" since the border crossing passage could be opened "any day." In a statement on the hospital bombing where Hamas and Israeli forces blame the other, the DFA said, "All parties should do their utmost to protect civilians in times of war and armed conflict." "We grieve for the hundreds of innocent lives lost in this tragic incident, noncombatants which include medical practitioners, children, the wounded, and displaced individuals, who only sought shelter at the facility," it said. Hard to leave Two of the 15 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were repatriated on Wednesday, October 18 said it was hard for them to leave their employers in war-torn Israel. Kathleen Joyce Tolentino, a former public school head in Tarlac City, has been taking care of a 98-year-old dementia patient in the central part of Tel Aviv since 2019. During the start of the Hamas attack, the patient's son asked Tolentino to leave his mother, who has experienced being caught up in previous clashes between Israeli and Hamas. Tolentino said she decided to leave because she was traumatized by the sounds of sirens every 6:30 in the morning
and the explosion of missiles and artillery shells that followed. "During the bombings, my patient was asleep [because of her condition]. When I'm about to leave, and noticed that I am cleaning the room for the next caregiver, she asked if I'm going on a day-off. She told her son not to allow me. That's when I broke down in my room that night," Tolentino said. She added, "the next day, her son told her to say goodbye. Then she held my face and said, 'God bless, you take care and I hope you'll come back'." While OFWs who leave Israel cannot go back, Tolentino said she hopes to at least visit her employer's family someday. Myline Rivera, who was deployed in October 2022 as a caregiver in the north of Gaza, said she had a hard time telling her patient that she was leaving. "She knew I went to the Philippine Embassy. It was really hard for me to say that I am leaving. They were really good, and I never had a problem with them. They were very generous," Rivera said. It was her patient's family who explained that she needs to go home to the Philippines. Tolentino and Rivera are among the first batch of OFWs who requested repatriation from Israel to escape the worsening conflict. n
PAGE A1 Mario Relampagos, and several others. According to the ruling, Pingoy endorsed the Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc., a nongovernment organization that was controlled by Napoles, for livelihood projects in his district with PDAF allocation. In his court testimony, Benhur Luy, who was Napoles' former personal assistant and former finance officer, said he and his colleagues in the JLN Corp. processed a total of P22 million of Pingoy's PDAF allocation, which was diverted into four Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs). "The transactions with Pingoy were facilitated through [former Pampanga Rep. Zenaida] Ducut,
a former member of the House of Representatives herself who acted as a 'go-between' for Napoles and the lawmakers, including Pingoy," the ruling read. "Pingoy received a total of P7,455,000 on various dates through Ducut, either in cash or via fund transfer to Ducut's bank account," it added. "Luy admitted that he never met Pingoy nor [saw] him actually [sign] the documents involved in the transactions." Luy had also assumed that the signatures in the documents were Pingoy's, who had been Napoles' client since 2004. Pingoy, Relampagos, and several others named in the suit have been acquitted after the prosecution failed to prove their
guilt beyond reasonable doubt. In a previous ruling on October 2, Napoles was acquitted of plunder because of insufficient evidence that she and a certain Edgar de Leon Valdez accumulated P50 million of PDAF funds through kickbacks or commissions. She was found guilty of nine counts of corrupting a public official and sentenced to at least six years in prison for each count. She was also ordered to pay a fine of nearly P27 million. Associate Justices Oscar Herrera and Efren dela Cruz, while concurring with the convictions, dissented in the decision acquitting Pingoy, saying funds could not have been released without his knowledge and active involvement. n
Napoles sentenced to 60 years...
COMPLIANCE CHECK. Commission on Elections Chairperson George Erwin Garcia (center) leads the “Operation Baklas” (dismantling) of illegal campaign materials of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections candidates along Oroquieta Street corner Recto Avenue in Manila on Friday, October 20. Most of the campaign materials removed were hanging from electric posts and wires. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
Marcos says Maharlika Investment Fund... PAGE A1
contrary, we are just finding ways to make it as close to perfect and ideal as possible, and that is what we have done,” said Marcos. According to the president, the Maharlika Investment Fund’s implementing rules and
regulations have undergone consultation with the economic managers and involved personalities. “We are encouraged by the reaction of our friends in the Middle East and, for that matter, around the world to the fund and we’re very encouraged that
we are going down the right path,” he said. Marcos is headed to Saudi Arabia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit. He also said he would pitch the Maharlika Investment Fund to Saudi Arabia. n
City of Carson to pay tribute to Larry Itliong... PAGE A1 The hosts for the program include Marc Anthony Nicolas, a two-time Emmy winner who is a producer for CBS TV, The Talk CBS, and produced the Kelly Clarkson Show, Tyra Banks Show, and Ellen DeGeneres Show; and Ranella Ferrer, a FilAm singer, host, and performer. Entertainers include: Jo Awayan, a singer who has earned the “Best Female Award” in the Awit Awards. Not long after, she became the “Sprite” artist where she toured with Janno Gibbs and Oggie Alcasid. Acting opportunities also knocked on her doors with sitcoms such as “Bistek” and “Palibhasa Lalake”. She also performed as a main act for Ichiban Library in San Francisco, California.
FilTrio, the fastest rising FilAm classical crossover trio under Starlink Music. Each individual has their own forte ranging from broadway to ballads. They recently released their first single "O Holy Night" and a New single " A Moment Like This". Kayamanan ng Lahi, a family -oriented, multi-generational Philippine folk and dance arts organization based in Los Angeles, California. Through education and entertainment, they provide opportunities to learn and experience the richness and diversity of Philippine culture through dance, music, and song. For over three decades, the Rondalla Club of Los Angeles (RCLA) has had the honor of performing at festivals, social and civic functions as well as
cultural events throughout California and beyond. In doing so, RCLA continuously shapes the Filipino American rondalla music aesthetic through an applied historical perspective combined with entertainingly immersive instruction. “The City of Carson is the first city to recognize the contributions of labor union leader Larry Itliong. We are proud to have this annual event and proud to have been instrumental in the movement to get Assembly Bill 7 passed in Sacramento recognizing October 25th as Larry Itliong Day throughout California,” said City of Carson Mayor Lula DavisHolmes. For more information about the Larry Itliong event, please call (310) 830-9991. (AJPress)
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California moves ahead of the FDA ‘Stop all violence’: Marcos calls for... in banning common candy additives PAGE A1 Asean and GCC regions, pointing to territorial tensions in the South China Sea, as well as the Arabian Sea. “As the two regional
by Annie SciAccA KFF Health News
HALLOWEEN candy could be in for a California makeover. Asserting that the Food and Drug Administration has not moved quickly enough on dangerous food additives, state lawmakers last month passed the California Food Safety Act, which bans four ingredients found in popular snacks and packaged foods — including candy corn and other Halloween treats. Consumer health advocates hope the ban, signed into law by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 7 and set to take effect in 2027, will lead confectioners and food producers to modify their recipes for products sold both in California and elsewhere around the country. The law prohibits the manufacture and distribution of brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye No. 3, which are used in processed foods including variations of instant potatoes and store-brand sodas, as well as candies. The additives have been linked to increased risks of cancer and nervous system problems, according to the Environmental Working Group, which sponsored the legislation, and are already banned in many other countries. Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs for the Environmental Working Group, celebrated the new law as “a very
organizations located astride the major sea gates and vital corridors of the world’s commerce and communications, it is imperative that we work together to promote peace, security, and stability in both
our regions, the South China Sea, and the Arabian Sea, grounded on the rules-based international order to ensure stability and prosperity of our countries and the rest of the world,” the president said. n
‘Know who your true friends are... PAGE A1 “For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted, time to kill, and a time
to heal, a time to break down, and a time to build up, time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance, a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace, and a time to refrain
from embracing, time to seek, and a time to lose, a time to keep, and a time to throw away, time to tear, and a time to sew, a time to keep silence, and a time to speak, a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” n
The new vaccines and you: Americans better... PAGE A1 Asserting that the Food and Drug Administration has not moved quickly enough on dangerous food additives, state lawmakers last month passed the California Food Safety Act, which bans four ingredients found in popular snacks and packaged foods — including candy corn and other Halloween treats. Pexels.com photo by Karolina Grabowska
big deal” and the first of its type in the country. Food manufacturers and their lobbyists opposed the legislation, rejecting the idea that the four additives are unhealthy and arguing that such assessments should be made by the FDA. “We should rely on the scientific rigor of the FDA in terms of evaluating the safety of food ingredients and additives,” said Christopher Gindlesperger, a spokesperson for the National Confectioners Association. But food safety advocates say the FDA has moved far too slowly in regulating food chemicals. “It’s unacceptable that the U.S. is so far behind the rest
of the world when it comes to food safety,” said state Assembly member Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills), who introduced the bill along with Assembly member Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), in a statement. A letter sent to lawmakers from the sponsors of AB 418 this year noted that many new additives put in food products are not reviewed by the FDA before reaching the market. A provision in federal law called “generally recognized as safe” allows the industry to designate the chemicals as safe enough to include in food, even without notifying the agency. FDA spokesperson Enrico u PAGE A5
when sick can stop the spread of most respiratory infections. The rate of flu vaccinations has climbed over the past five years. “It seems like the pandemic reminded them of how important vaccination is,” said Brian Poole, a microbiologist at Brigham Young University in Utah. In a study of college students, Poole and other researchers found that flu vaccination rates have nearly tripled since 2007, from 12% to 31% in the respiratory infection season of 2022-23. Only a minority of students expressed “vaccine fatigue.” T h e r e i s , h o w e v e r, o n e dangerous departure from the past. Vaccination has become politicized, with college students and older adults who identify as Republican or conservative being less likely to get COVID vaccines, as well as vaccinations against Wearing face masks and staying home when sick can stop the spread of most respiratory infections. The rate of flu vaccinations has climbed over the past five years. Unsplash.com photo from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
flu. Before 2018, studies found that political affiliation had no influence on vaccine uptake. But as measures to limit COVID, such as school and church closures, became controversial, some political leaders downplayed the effects of COVID — even as the pandemic’s U.S. death toll soared above 1 million. That messaging has led to a disbelief in public health information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports data showing that COVID hospitalizations nearly tripled in the latest surge, with more than 40,000 hospitalizations in the first two weeks of September compared with about 13,600 in the same period of July. But in a recent KFF poll, half of Republicans did not believe in the surge, compared with just 23% of Democrats. Messaging to minimize the toll of COVID also makes vaccines seem unnecessary, with 24% of Republicans leaning toward getting the updated COVID shot versus 70% of Democrats in the KFF poll. A larger share of vaccine-eligible adults said they planned to get, or have gotten, the flu shot and a new RSV vaccine. “It’s important to recognize that the flu, COVID, and respiratory viruses still kill a lot of people, and that the vaccines against those viruses save lives,” said David Dowdy, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Flu vaccines prevent up to 87,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths each year in the United States. “I like to highlight that,” Dowdy added, “as opposed to making up terms like ‘triple-demic’ to make people cower in fear.” Dowdy predicted this fall and winter will be better than the past few, when patients with COVID, influenza, or RSV filled hospitals. Even so, he estimated that more people will die than in the seasons before COVID appeared. About 58,000 people died from the flu last season, and hundreds of thousands more were sickened, staying home from school and work. This year, the flu doesn’t appear to be kicking off unusually early, as it did last year with cases picking up in November, rather than in January. And more people are partially immune to COVID due to vaccines and prior infections. The effectiveness of flu vaccines varies depending on how well its formula matches the virus circulating. This year’s vaccine appears more protective than last year’s, which reduced the risk of hospitalization from the flu by about 44% among adults. This year, researchers expect an effectiveness of about 52%, based on data collected during South America’s earlier flu season. Its benefit was higher for children, reducing hospitalizations by 70%. The flu’s toll tends to be uneven among demographic groups. Over the past decade, hospitalization rates due to the flu were 1.8 times as high among Black people in the United States as among white individuals. Just 42% of Black adults were vaccinated against the flu during that period, compared with 54% of white or Asian adults. Other issues, ranging from a lack of
paid sick leave and medical care to a prevalence of underlying conditions, probably contribute to this disparity. People who have asthma, diabetes, or cardiovascular issues or are immunocompromised are at higher risk of a severe case of flu. Sean O’Leary, an infectious disease pediatrician and the chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics committee on infectious diseases, urges parents to vaccinate their kids against influenza and COVID. Children hospitalized with co-infections of the two viruses last year were put on ventilators — an intense form of life support to allow them to breathe — far more often than those hospitalized for the flu alone. And COVID is surging now, O’Leary said. Hospitalizations among children under age 18 increased nearly fivefold from June to September. “Almost all of our kids who have died have been completely unvaccinated” against COVID, he said. The FDA greenlighted new RSV vaccines from the pharmaceutical companies GSK and Pfizer this year. On Sept. 22, the CDC recommended that pregnant mothers get vaccinated to protect their newborns from RSV, as well as infants under 8 months old. The disease is the leading cause of hospitalization for infants in the United States. The agency also advises people age 60 and older to get the vaccine because RSV kills between 6,000 to 10,000 older adults each year. Rather than vaccination, the CDC advised a new long-acting antibody treatment, nirsevimab, for children between 8 to 19 months old who are at risk of RSV. However, the price could be cost-prohibitive — anticipated at $300 to $500 a dose — and many hospitals lack the staff needed to administer it. Although insurers cover it, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that reimbursement often lags for a year. “We don’t have the infrastructure in place to ensure all children can access the product,” said its president, Sandy Chung, in a statement. “And that is alarming.” If the wrinkles can be ironed out, said Helen Chu, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Washington in Seattle, better tools could arrive as early as next year. Pfizer, Moderna, and other pharmaceutical companies are developing mRNA vaccines against influenza and RSV that may more precisely target each year’s circulating virus. Today’s flu and RSV vaccines are produced using traditional vaccine platforms, such as within chicken eggs, that are more cumbersome to handle, and therefore the vaccines take longer to develop each year. And President Joe Biden has awarded companies $1 billion to develop COVID vaccines that provide longer protection. “The future is going to be all three vaccines together,” Chu said, “but that will be a while yet.” (Amy Maxmen/KFF Health News) KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
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UNITED NATIONS. Learners at the Piedad Central Elementary School in Toril, Davao City celebrate the culminating activity for United Nations Month on Friday, October 20. Children from different grade levels showcased costumes from different countries. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.
California moves ahead of the FDA in...
PAGE A4 t Dinges, referencing the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, noted in an email that “food and color additives must be approved for their intended conditions of use, and safety information must be available to establish a reasonable certainty of no harm before they are used in products on the market.” He added that the agency regularly reviews new data on food chemicals, and it is working on a proposed rule to ban the use of brominated vegetable oil — one of the ingredients included in the new California law — as a food ingredient. Dinges said it was “not uncommon for a substance to be approved in one jurisdiction but not in another.” He noted some color additives are authorized for use in Europe and elsewhere but not allowed in the U.S. California’s initiative made headlines this year as a “Skittles ban” that would wipe popular candies off California shelves. But Gabriel and other proponents of the bill said the intention is simply to require modifications in the ingredients, as has already happened in Europe. One additive included in an original version of the bill — titanium dioxide, which is in Skittles and other candy — was removed from those products before the bill reached its final version. It has been labeled a
carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. “I admire the California legislature for doing this,” said Joan Ifland, a researcher who studies food addiction and a fellow at the American College of Nutrition. She hopes state lawmakers go further in addressing food safety issues and the chemicals in processed food. “It should give courage to other legislators.” Perhaps the most prominent ingredient on California’s banned list is red dye No. 3. It is allowed only in candied and cocktail cherries in the European Union but is widely used in the U.S. A search of Food Scores, an online database maintained by the Environmental Working Group, generated more than 3,000 products that contain the chemical. The list includes items like frosted pretzels and scores of brand-name candies such as Peeps and Pez. It also includes items like fruit cocktail cups, protein drinks, and yogurts. Peeps is already phasing out the ingredient — products will no longer contain red dye No. 3 after the 2024 Easter season, according to Keith Domalewski, director of marketing for its parent company, Just Born Quality Confections. “Just Born has always evolved with new developments and consumer preferences,” Domalewski said in an emailed
statement. “We have worked hard to develop new formulations to bring fans the colorful PEEPS they know and love.” Pez representatives did not respond to a request for comment. The two major manufacturers of candy corn also did not comment. The FDA banned some uses of the color additive in 1990, confirming it had been linked to increased risks of cancer, and prohibited its use in cosmetics and as a pigment in various foods. It said at the time it was taking steps to restrict the chemical — but never did. Another of the newly banned ingredients, potassium bromate, has also been linked to cancer and is on California’s Proposition 65 list of ingredients that may pose increased cancer risks. It also has not been banned. Food manufacturers and distribution groups did not indicate whether they would challenge California’s new law. This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
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Investing in Filipinos’ intelligence AMID the continuing controversy over confidential and intelligence funds, state universities and colleges are suggesting the realignment of a portion of the CIF to the improvement of higher education. With free universal education now expanded to higher education institutions, SUCs in fact need an increase in their funding. Students, faculty and staff of four SUCs issued the call in a joint statement last Thursday, October 19. They lamented that the P100.882billion funding approved for higher education in 2024 is P6.155 billion or 5.75 percent lower than this year’s allocation. The biggest cut was in the capital outlay, which covers long-term institutional investments and development of facilities. The four SUCs are the University of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippine Normal University and Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology or EARIST. The UP-Philippine General Hospital, where there are always long waiting lines at the emergency and consultation rooms, will also see a P2.1-billion reduction in its budget, from this year’s P7.57 billion to P5.496 billion in 2024. Representatives of the four SUCs pointed out that their institutions cannot even attract more educators because of a serious lack of permanent teaching positions. This lack of job security aggravates the modest pay that continues to drive Philippine educators to seek greener pastures
overseas. EARIST, for example, has only 255 regular faculty members for its 21,000 student population. The current faculty-student ratio is one to 82, but some classes have over 100 students. This has forced some professors to divide such large classes into two and meet each group only every other week. Obviously, this has an adverse impact on learning. The House of Representatives had initially approved P4.864 billion in confidential funds and P5.277 billion in intelligence funds. It later rejected the proposal of Vice President Sara Duterte for P500 million in confidential funds for her office along with another P150 million CF for the Department of Education, which she concurrently heads. Even local government units have massive amounts of secret funds. Sara Duterte had P460 million in confidential funds in 2021 when she was mayor of Davao City. With international tests showing Filipino ManilaTimes.net photo 10-year-old students faring badly in reading comprehension, mathematics and science, CIF regular funding. The controversy over secret funds not for confidential and intelligence funds, but critics have pointed out that basic education amid the deterioration in the quality of Philippine for greater investment in Filipinos’ intelligence. needs a hefty increase not in secret funds but in education has led to reminders about the need (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Remembering history more than the holiday
Glimpses
Jose Ma. Montelibano IF I wrote last week that the world was becoming a frightening space, this whole week has done nothing except to prove that it can get worse. As expected, the Hamas attack on Israel and the barbaric massacre and hostage-taking by the terrorist group galvanized an enraged counterattack from the Israeli government and military. It was clear to me that the violence would not be contained within Israel-Palestinian borders. Already, rocket fire is being exchanged between Israel and Lebanon borders. More should come, and more from other countries. Why would the United States send aircraft carriers closer to the conflict area if there is no threat that Lebanon, Syria, and Iran will join the fray? The bombing of a hospital in Gaza that killed hundreds of Palestinians being treated inside, plus ordinary Palestinians seeking refuge in what they thought to be a safe place, has heightened the rage against Israel. They all assume that Israel was the one who bombed. Naturally, the Israelis strongly deny the accusation and has instead pointed at Hamas and other terrorist groups who can
sacrifice the innocent for their cause. We from afar cannot judge who is lying and who is telling the truth. Both sides have the necessary motivation and will to kill the innocent – all for the higher cause, each will claim. I just find it very strange, even masochistic, for Israel to derail the visit of American President Joe Biden who was actually airborne when the hospital bombing happened. Biden was forced to cancel his Jordan visit and arrives in Israel under very much worse circumstances. Why would Israel do that? And why should enemies of Israel not do it if Israel will be blamed? But as the war rolls out, and as history keeps documenting events in ways that it has never done before due to cutting-edge technological advances, more facets of the truth will emerge. A matter of time, as the saying goes, but the truth will find the light of day. Which makes me wonder just how intelligent the new Marcos administration is. History can be forgotten, but it cannot be changed. This inane idea of trying to eliminate the People Power revolution of 1986, or EDSA People Power, from the attention of Filipinos by not retaining it as the national holiday it has always been, has instead renewed attention on it. I can understand how the
FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte must be fuming mad these days. From a virtual god whose words were law just over a year ago, he has been reduced to a mere mortal with gripes against the new government. As incumbent president, lawmakers who crossed his path cowered in silence when he bamboozled them with insults or threats. No one was exempted from his tirades, because he dished out foul language even against the Pope and the United States president. In a television interview last week, Duterte lashed out at Makabayan lawmaker and ACT Teachers party list Rep. France Castro, with threats to kill. He confessed that he advised his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, to tell the public that her now scuttled confidential
who were alive and participated in the revolution; rather, it is perpetuated by the stories of one generation to the next. And by the history of the world. Why should Filipinos forget it? It was a moment like no other, the only peaceful revolution that ousted a sitting dictator, or to many, a conjugal dictator. It was an army against a people massively but peacefully gathered around military camps. It was nuns against tanks, it was the best in us defying the beast in us. All saw the ouster of a dictator, but many were also awed by the miracle of peace against violence. We may not remember the personalities, but we cannot forget the miracle. We must not, either. In a world turning more turbulent and with violent conflict spreading so fast, our shores are not so far away that we can be insulated from the evil of war. The ongoing Middle East conflict can erupt into a Middle East war – on top of the Russian-Ukraine war with NATO and the EU involved as well. Plus, we have China and its expansionist 9- or 10-dash line claiming territorial waters of several Asian nations, including ours. The future is not bleak, it is outright dangerous. That is why I wonder just how intelligent the Marcos administration is. It is not EDSA People Power separating the
File photo
Marcoses and those who oppose them. But it will be the Marcoses if they will try to replay the Ferdinand Marcos playbook of governance – known in the Guinness World Records as among the most corrupt. The world remembers the same Ferdinand Marcos who left his country bankrupt, bankrupt in the national treasury, bankrupt in its morality. Better governance and an inspiring leadership can neutralize the darker side of history. But if this is not the vision and commitment of Junior Marcos, then he can be right that
the People Power Revolution can conjure dangerous thoughts. That may in his mind justify its removal by him of its status as a national holiday. However, he will probably learn that the holiday is not going to be the cause of the next revolution. It will be him, it will be his governance, it will be his greed, it will be his arrogance – yet, all avoidable, by him. (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.
The 2028 political circus has begun
Flea Market of Ideas Joel Ruiz butuyan
Ferdinand Marcos family can feel that the ugly past is better forgotten than remembered. Skeletons in the closet may be many, and many more be inside. It is logical for the Marcoses to wish that the most popular peaceful revolution in history be buried permanently. Unfortunately for them, that will not happen. History is not up to one family. History is a collaboration of many forces with the greater events impacting even global players. If Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. won the 2022 presidential elections with EDSA People Power as a holiday, experienced his first year as president with the historical event still a national holiday, and experienced very high approval and trust ratings despite it, does he not get the hint? In other words, the national holiday known as Edsa People Power does not dictate elections more than money and power. But if the memory of EDSA People Power is unduly triggered to become active and passionate, it can actually bring him down. The power of the people’s revolution is not in its being a national holiday. It lies instead in the hearts and minds of Filipinos who immortalize the value and impact of the uprising. You can delete the holiday but you cannot delete the memory. The memory is not only implanted in those
funds would have been used to kill Castro and her allies. Progressive groups associated with Castro announced that they will file criminal charges against the former president because of the threats. Lawmakers from major political blocs in the House of Representatives issued a rare joint statement chastising Duterte to stop “making threats or insinuating harm” against a member of Congress. In the same interview, Duterte also declared that he used his intelligence funds as then Davao City mayor to finance the killing of alleged communists in his city. He said: “My intelligence funds, I used it to buy. I had all of them killed. That’s why Davao is like that. Your companions, [Castro], I really had them killed. That’s the truth.” With said admissions, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV declared that he submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC) the interview footage as additional evidence in support of the ongoing investigation
against Duterte for crimes against humanity. Still, in the same interview, the former president called the lower house as the “most rotten institution” in the country. He called for an investigation against the lower chamber, and against Speaker Martin Romualdez in particular whom he accused of “swallowing” pork barrel funds. In the same joint statement earlier mentioned, leaders of major parties rebuked Duterte by declaring that their funds and expenses have passed examination by the Commission on Audit. Duterte’s tirades against Castro and corruption in the House are mere smokescreens. His real gripe is the removal of the confidential and intelligence funds of his daughter as vice president and education secretary. Besides, he complains about issues he himself tolerated, benefited from, and encouraged, during his presidency. He gave key
cabinet positions to the group he accuses of being communists, early in his presidency. He gave zero confidential or intelligence funds to then Vice President Leni Robredo. He tolerated the pork barrel system in order to buy the blind loyalty of Congress. This is not to say that the Marcos administration is undeserving of the heaps of criticism thrown its way. As a matter of fact, the scuttlebutt even among some lawmakers is that corruption now is worse compared to the previous administration. Smuggling is rampant and it’s killing local industries. There’s lack of direction and focus. There’s a penchant for window-dressing, rosy but empty speeches, and travel junkets. There’s no sense of urgency, even while the whole country reels from hard economic times. While the Duterte father and daughter tandem has joined the political skirmishes, President Marcos has stayed out of the
fray, at least for now. But he can’t stay away for long. His continuing silence will be viewed as acquiescence to his allies’ machinations. Any statement he makes that favors the Dutertes will alienate his loyal allies. The Dutertes are obviously at a disadvantage. The supreme power of the purse, which ensures the loyalty of political lords and security forces, is with the Marcos camp. The threat of ICC prosecution is a sword that the Marcos camp can keep hanging over the head of the former president. What was done to former senator Leila de Lima can be done to both Duterte father and daughter for the killings and corruption scandals that have been unearthed but left unprosecuted domestically. The only “weapon” that the Dutertes wield is their continuing hold on a perceived substantial chunk of voters, which they can use to either elect their own candidate
in 2028 or dangle as swing votes in favor of a third candidate. As the Marcos and Duterte camps smear each other, it will strengthen the viability of a dark horse in 2028. Sen. Raffy Tulfo is bruited about in political circles as someone who fits the populist mold favored by the masses in these times of desperation and age of disillusionment. If the Marcos and Duterte camps’ initial choices prove unviable, it could be a race to co-opt a strong third candidate like Tulfo, in order to ensure protection and extend influence. The way things are unfolding, the political circus leading to the 2028 presidential elections has arrived early in town. *** 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.
*** Comments to fleamarketofideas@gmail. com
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Marcos admin urged to allow ICC probe Duterte’s drug war anew by Ian LaquI Philstar.com
BACK HOME. Sixteen overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and an infant arrive from Israel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Wednesday, October 18. Upon arrival, the OFWs received financial aid and were assured of other forms of assistance. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Returning OFWs from Israel to receive cash aid, benefits — DMW by AdriAn PArungAo Inquirer.net
MANILA — Returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel will receive cash assistance as well as other benefits from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). “We are prepared to provide all the necessary assistance and support services for our kababayans (countrymen) who opted to return voluntarily and flee the violence as a result of
the Israel-Hamas conflict,” DMW officer-in-charge undersecretary Hans Cacdac said. Cacdac made the statement as a second group of 18 OFWs arrived from Israel on Friday afternoon, October 20, comprising 14 caregivers and four caretakers. The DMW said that the returning OFWs will receive P50,000 each from the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), as well as skills training and
financial assistance from the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA). They will also receive a physical and mental examination from the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The children of the OFWs will also receive commensurate financial assistance from the DSWD. Last Wednesday, October 18, 16 OFWs arrived from Israel as the first batch of repatriates amid the Israel-Hamas war. n
SUCs: Divert secret funds to raise our budgets, too by JAne BAutistA Inquirer.net
FACULTY and student leaders of state universities and colleges (SUCs) are urging the government to realign the billions of pesos in confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) budgeted for next year to improving higher education in the country. On Sept. 27, the House of Representatives approved the P5.768-trillion 2024 national budget, which includes a P100.882-billion appropriation for SUCs. The amount given to the SUCs was P6.155 billion, or 5.75 percent, lower than this year’s P107.0297-billion allocation. In a joint statement on Thursday, October 19, student, faculty and staff regents, student councils and publications, and faculty and employees’ unions of four SUCs called on the House and the Senate to restore the budget cut and even increase the higher education spending for next year. It noted that the maintenance and other operating expenses dipped while the capital outlay, which covers longterm development of facilities, equipment and other institutional investments, had the largest cut. “Excessive and unnecessary confidential and intelligence funds should be redirected to revamp our educational institutions in the sustaining efforts to recalibrate and provide long-term holistic learning to Filipino youth from all walks of life,” the statement said. The statement was signed by 11 teachers, school staff and students representing the University of the Philippines (UP), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Philippine Normal University (PNU) and Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (Earist). At a press briefing, UP faculty regent Carl Marc Remota cited the “alarming trend” of budget cuts in the education sector while CIFs had been allocated to “questionable” projects and programs of the Marcos administration. He said many SUC teachers have no job security due to the lack of plantilla positions in the government. The lack of permanent teaching positions results in heavier workload for instructors, professors, including teaching assistants and fellows, he added. “We are one with the calls of the education sector: oppose the budget cut and ensure that the questionable funds in the form of CIFs are rechanneled to programs that need it the most,” Remota said. Trying to put some humor on the dire situation, he said the intelligence fund was still useful. “I hope this fund is really for the intelligence of the current and next generation of teachers, students and staff to further improve the condition of SUCs,” he said. Earist case At Earist in Manila, the approved budget for maintenance and operating expenses and personnel services amounted to around P414 million, said
EDUCATION FUND CUT. The University of the Philippines is among the state universities and colleges (SUCs) that will have to make do with less funds next year after the House of Representatives slashed P6.155 billion, or 5.75 percent, from the 2023 budget of P107.037 billion. Inquirer.net file photo
Richard Jamero, president of the school’s faculty and employees union. With its 21,000 student population, he said the approved budget allocated only P20,000 for each student, which is P5,000 less than the P25,000 per grade school and high school student appropriated by the Department of Education (DepEd) for 2024. The school’s campus in Manila has a total of 255 regular faculty members, according to Jamero, and its faculty-student ratio is one to 82. In some instances, the classes exceed 100 students in a small classroom, he said. In such cases, Jamero said some professors divided their classes in two, meeting one group on the first scheduled class of the week and the other on the next. “They only meet once a week so it affects the quality of education that we give to our Earist students,” he said. PUP student council president Kim Modelo lamented the looming P3.9-billion budget cut from the P6.9-billion proposal of the university. Among the challenges at her university, she said, were the shortages in classrooms and laboratories, the lack of spaces for learning and organizations, and frequent power outages. PNU student regent Elisha Atayde said the university was projected to receive a 5.8-percent increase in its total budget, 6.73-percent increase for personnel services and 1.8-percent increase for maintenance and operating expenses. These increases, however, are still not enough to address the lack of classrooms and facilities in the school that trains future teachers, she said. Gatchalian’s vow In a speech at the Education Summit in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Oct. 5, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said he would work to divert some of the intelligence funds allocated in the 2024 budget for several national government offices to cover the P4.1-billion shortfall in the free higher education program of SUCs. The House initially approved P4.864 billion in confidential funds and P5.277 billion in intelligence funds. CIFs became controversial
this year following demands for transparency on how these monies had been spent and questions on why agencies with no national defense and security mandates had been given such funds. Lawmakers and critics pressed for the elimination of confidential funds, particularly for Vice President Sara Duterte’s offices—the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and DepEd. As a result, the P650 million allocated to the OVP and DepEd were realigned by the House’s “small committee” last week. That was over half of the P1.23 billion in confidential funds removed from the OVP, DepEd, and the departments of agriculture, foreign affairs, and information and communications technology to be reallocated to agencies involved in watching over the West Philippine Sea. This triggered criticisms and threats, including a death threat against one lawmaker, from the Vice President’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. His threats, however, were denounced by the main political parties comprising the majority in the House and several individual lawmakers. House move backed On Thursday, three more House members—Davao del Sur Rep. John Tracy Cagas, Misamis Oriental Rep. Christian Unabia and Rep. Richard Gomez of Leyte—defended the chamber. Cagas said the House’s action stood on “solid constitutional ground.” “The Congress, particularly the House, where the national budget bill originates, possesses that power,” he said.Unabia echoed his statement adding that “boosting the budget of national security agencies is a responsible way of spending public funds.” he added. Gomez said he fully supported Romualdez “because he is our Speaker. (He is the) head of our institution. We cannot back out on our Speaker.” Reacting to rumors and the former president’s allegations that Romualdez was planning to run for president against the Vice President in the 2028 elections, the former actor said the next general elections were “still far away.” “I don’t think it (realigning confidential funds) is due to political reasons,” Gomez said.
MANILA — The Magdalo group on Monday, October 16 urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration to allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators into the country to hold former President Rodrigo Duterte accountable for alleged "crimes against humanity." Magdalo National Chairperson Antonio Trillanes IV said that the group issued the statement in response to Duterte's recent admission that he used the confidential or intelligence funds for extrajudicial killings during his tenure as Davao City mayor. “Being the original filers of the ICC case in 2017, we have witnessed and documented the barbaric actions of the past administration, as well as the trauma and hardships that the thousands of victims and their families have suffered,” Trillanes, also a former senator, said in a statement. “Truly, justice is long overdue,” he added. In an interview with Sonshine Media Network International on October 12, Duterte said that he used the intelligence funds to conduct the killings in Davao City. “Ang intelligence fund, binili ko, pinapatay ko lahat. Kaya ganun ang Davao. 'Yung mga kasama ninyo pinatigok ko talaga. 'Yun ang totoo,” Duterte said in an interview while talking to one of Federal Bureau of Investigation's mostwanted, Apollo Quiboloy. (I bought the intelligence fund, and I had everyone killed. That's how it was in Davao. I really eliminated those who were with you. That's the truth.) The said interview has been taken down. Trillanes, who submitted a supplemental communication to the ICC regarding the extrajudicial killings in 2017, said that his group has forwarded a copy of the original television interview
This picture shows former senator Antonio Trillanes and former Magdalo Partylist representative Gary Alejano at the International Criminal Court. Contributed photo
footage to the ICC. In the same network, Duterte made a threat against Rep. France Castro (ACT-Partylist) on October 10, suggesting that she is the "first target" in the now-terminated confidential budget of the Office of the Vice President. Several parties of the House of Representatives took offense at these remarks and the tirades of Duterte
against Speaker Martin Romualdez, saying that he had sabotaged her daughter's request for the funds. “Rather than making sweeping allegations in the media, we advise the former president, if he has tangible evidence of wrongdoing, to present it to the appropriate authorities,” the House parties said. (With reports from Cristina Chi)
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From fraud to green card: Watch this inspiring success story on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
IT started in June 1998, when Reggie entered the U.S. under an assumed name. Since then, he obtained a fake entry stamp to the Philippines to make it appear he left the U.S. even while he remained in the United States. He was also able to renew his visitor visa at the U.S. Embassy in Manila under the assumed name. All these years, Reggie lived under a series of
lies. Finally, Reggie and his wife consulted with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel who obtained a fraud waiver and green card through a petition by his U.S. citizen wife. Find out how Reggie was finally able to legally acquire his green card. Watch this success story PAGE B2
‘The Suspenders’: ‘It’s Showtime’ hosts bond in Hong Kong amid suspension By anne Pasajol Inquirer.net
THE “It’s Showtime” hosts flew to Hong Kong and appear to have taken a breather amid the 12-day suspension imposed by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on the noontime show. Vice Ganda, Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Karylle, Ogie Alcasid, Ryan Bang, Teddy Corpuz and Jackie Gonzaga were in high spirits as they strolled together in what appears to be a mall, as seen on their respective Instagram pages on Thursday, Oct. 19. Karylle’s husband musician Yael Yuzon and Corpuz’s wife were also with the noontime hosts during the trip. A certain Paola Huyong, who appears to be Bang’s non-showbiz girlfriend, was seen bonding with them as well. Fellow hosts Kim Chiu, Jhong Hilario, Amy Perez and Jugs
GREEN CARD OBTAINED DESPITE NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF FRAUD, ON A BRAND-NEW SUCCESS STORY OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Some people commit fraud. They may have entered the U.S. under a different name. Some may have submitted fake documents. Reggie (left) committed multiple acts of fraud on his journey to legalization. Be sure to tune in and find out how leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to secure a fraud waiver and green card for Reggie despite all of his fraud. Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, October 22 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
JK Labajo is back on top with ‘Ere’ By BaBy a. Gil Philstar.com
“It’s Showtime” hosts in Hong Kong.
Jugueta were not able to join the out-of-the-country trip. “We fam,” Corpuz wrote in the caption of one of his Instagram posts, adding the hashtag “The Suspenders.” They also had a night of dancing and singing in a bar as well as a barbeque dinner, which was a treat from Alcasid. The MTRCB suspended
Instagram photos/@pereziion27, @tedspotting
“It’s Showtime” last Sept. 4 over hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez’s alleged “indecent acts.” The noontime show’s production filed a motion for reconsideration, but the regulatory board denied this, citing “a big majority” of its board members who voted against the appeal. PAGE B2
I HAVE nothing against Jung Kook or Taylor Swift or any foreign artist but I do rejoice whenever a Filipino talent bests them and makes it to the top of the hit charts. Think ‘Uhaw’ by Dilaw or ‘Pasilyo’ by Sunkissed Lola and others. Those are all great recordings that not only sold big but also brought something new to current local music trends. If you will check on the hit
lists of other countries, you will find only one or two foreign songs are in the Top 10 most of the time. All of the hits of a particular country are their local recordings. Not here though. Pinoy artists take a back seat to the foreigners most of the time. That is why, it is time for rejoicing when the locals put one over the foreigners. This week, I am in a rejoice mood again and the surprising reason is ‘Ere’, the latest release by the rock band that calls itself PAGE B2
JK Labajo’s Ere is the first Filipino song to enter Spotify’s global chart. It’s also the Philippines’ most streamed local song in a day this year. Photo from Philstar.com
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ABS-CBN execs visit ‘It’s Your Lucky Day’; Luis Manzano jokes: ‘Mukhang may dalang kontrata’ By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net
ABS-CBN executives Cory Vidanes and Carlo Katigbak graced the Thursday, October 19 episode of “It’s Your Lucky Day,” and host Luis Manzano, with his trademark humor, took it as a chance to echo fan suggestions of extending the show’s airing. “Binisita tayo nina Tita Cory Vidanes and Sir Carlo Katigbak,” Manzano said, while the camera focused on the network bosses. “Eto na nga— dinadalaw na kami Kapamilya!” (Tita Cory and Sir Carlo visited us. As you can see, Kapamilya, the bosses already made their visit here!) “Base sa suot ni Tita Cory, mukhang may dalang kontrata na. Sa bulsa naman ni Sir CLK, nando’n ‘yung ballpen pampirma!” he quipped, drawing cheers from the show hosts and the studio audience. (Based on what Tita Cory is wearing, it appears that she is bringing a contract with her. Meanwhile, Sir CLK seems to have a pen in his pocket for the signing [of contract]!) Fellow host Francine Diaz also extended her gratitude “in advance” to Vidanes and Katigbak, who were laughing and shaking their heads because
Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) was able to get a green card for his client, Reggie (left), despite the multiple frauds he committed.
Success story: Triple...
PAGE B1 on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, October 22 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
‘The Suspenders’: ‘It’s... Lucky Day” to fill in its noontime PAGE B1 spot. The show—hosted by Luis When “It’s Showtime” started ABS-CBN executives Carlo Katigbak and Cory Vidanes, and Luis Manzano. Screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment its 12-day suspension on Oct. Manzano, Melai Cantiveros and of the hosts’ humorous remarks. social media to ask fans on their game variety show, Manzano 14, ABS-CBN launched the Robi Domingo, among others— Manzano continued to tease preferred time slot if the game earned praise for giving a game variety show “It’s Your will be airing until Oct. 27. n the two, saying, “Pero mga variety show would get “lucky” chance to a hard-of-hearing person in the studio audience boss natin ‘yan, syempre ‘wag and be extended. “It’s Your Lucky Day” to dance and win a cash prize. natin lokohin; ‘wag nating temporarily replaced Some netizens then suggested i-pressure—Sir CLK, Tita Cory, has “It’s Showtime,” which was that “It’s Your Lucky Day” ready na po kami!” (But of course, they are our suspended by the Movie should be a regular show on the PAGE B1 bosses. We should not tease or and Television Review and Kapamilya network. Juan Karlos. It was, of course, named after front man and lead The game variety show vocalist Juan Karlos Labajo. This is no one man job. There are real pressure them—Sir CLK, Tita Classification Board (MTRCB) started on Oct. 14 and will air members. Jeriko Aguilar on lead guitar; Louise Bayas, bass; and for 12 airing days. Cory, we are ready!) On the second day of the until Oct. 27. n Manzano then took to his Gian Hipolito, drums. Juan Karlos sings lead, plays rhythm guitar, writes the songs and is the guy always on the spotlight. Now, why do I say surprising? This is because for a while I was under the impression that JK was giving priority to his acting jobs. Watch him in the Senior High series. He is a fine actor with impressive looks. He was also in When This is All Over. I thought that maybe he was also feeling a lot disillusioned because, although he continued recording new songs, he had ‘Kalawakan’, ‘Biyak’, ‘Sistema’ and others in the band’s first album Diwa, none of them turned out to be as big as ‘Buwan’ in 2018. After being shunted from one formulaic project after another as one of the winners of The Voice Kids, the 17-year-old JK broke free and rocked Original Pilipino Music (OPM) as Juan Karlos with the song ‘Buwan’. Remember “Sa ilalim ng puting ilaw/ sa dilaw na buwan/ pakinggan mo ang aking sigaw/ sa dilaw na buwan….” That one was huge. What followed were OK tunes but Buwan was proving hard to equal, let alone, top. That is until a few days ago when ‘Ere’ came along. Now, how did ‘Ere’ happen? Well, JK grew up. He is now 22 years old. Then, he fell in love and got broken-hearted. Was this with Maureen Wroblewitz? With memories of Buwan hovering over his head, he was in a revenge mood. So, he decided to let all his feelings out, in a big, big way. And ‘Ere’ became the song about just how one left hanging by anyone or anything feels. It is for everybody who was ever, naiwan sa ere. “O ‘di ba? Nakakaputang ina/ tayo’y lumilipad/ at ako’y iniwan mo/o ‘di ba? Pinag mukha mo ‘kong tanga/ tayo’y lumilipad/ at ako’y iniwan mo/ sa ere, ere, ere/ at ako’y iniwan mo.” I do not know if I have the figures right but ‘Ere’ has already broken some records. ‘Ere’ is, as of this writing, the No. 1 song in all music platforms. It is the most streamed Filipino song in one day in Spotify history, 1.3 million streams. It has entered the Spotify Global chart at No. 58. A live rendition by JK has already notched 10 million views on YouTube. Watch out for more records for ‘Ere’ to break. Why is this happening to ‘Ere’? Maybe because it is a well-written song with a melody one cannot place but which sounds familiar. It has reality-based lyrics, very conversational. Anybody can relate to what ‘Ere’ is saying. Including the language? Yes, including the language which should not be an issue because the Eraserheads already did it ages ago with Pare Ko. Most of all, it is because of JK. His singing comes from the heart, which as anybody in the music business will tell you, is what really matters. P.S. I so love that bitin ending. n
JK Labajo is back...
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 21-24, 2023 B3
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10 announced Metro Manila Film Fest entries going to LA
Films starring Vilma Santos, Alden Richards, Sharon Cuneta, Enchong Dee and Marian Rivera among entries
Liza Soberano, James Reid at the opening party of a Korean eyewear brand Philstar.com / Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo
Liza Soberano, James Reid spotted at same party amid reports of Liza leaving James’ Careless by jAn Milo severo Philstar.com
ACTRESS Liza Soberano has reportedly left James Reid’s talent agency Careless. In a recent episode of the online show “Marites University,” one of the show’s hosts, DJ JhaiHo, said a reliable source claimed that Liza’s aunt is her manager now. “Ayon po sa aking very reliable source, ang chika nga raw po ay wala na nga raw po itong si Liza under the management of Careless and also even kay James [Reid] wala na raw,” said DJ JhaiHo. “Parang ang sabi, ‘Sa Careless, hindi na siya mina-manage, kung hindi Tita niya na ulit ang nagmamanage sa kaniya’,” he added. The source also added that Liza will not accept any Filipino project as of the moment. Despite the alleged separation from Careless, Liza was seen
partying with James at the Gentle Monster opening party in Taguig City last Monday, October 16. It was last March when Liza revealed that she left Ogie Diaz management and joined James’ Careless. Ogie said Liza informed him about the latest career move of the actress. “Magalang naman ‘yung bata, in fairness, at saka kilala mo naman ako; kapag happiness na ng tao ang concern, ibinibigay ko ‘yan... Ang sini-save ko kasi ay ‘yung friendship... Lagi ko ring sinasabi ‘yan kay Liza na hindi mo rin dapat pinuputol ang tulay,” he said. “At ‘yun nga kasama roon sa mensahe niya sa akin na gusto niyang mag-try sa Hollywood. At siyempre hindi naman ako ‘yung tipong alam ko rin ‘yung hanggang Hollywood. Kumbaga hanggang dito lang ang kaalaman ko bilang manager,” he added. n
Andrea Brillantes reveals she moved out of family house, gives peek at new home Brillantes, 20, reached another milestone as she acquired a new home. OVER two years after The actress announced completing the construction this via her Instagram page of their family house, Andrea PAGE B7 By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net
SIX recently announced entries, plus four previously announced film projects in the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), will be screened in the inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles on January 30 and 31 and February 1 and 2, 2024. With the lineup of star-studded MMFF entries, the MIFF in LA promises to be an exciting one as well. The remaining six MMFF entries recently announced by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Romano Artes, MMFF selection committee chairman Jesse Ejercito and executive director Rochelle Ona are: * Jun Lana’s “Becky and Badette,” starring Eugene Domingo and Pokwang * Lemuel Lorca’s “Broken Heart’s Trip,” starring Christian Bables and Andoy Ranay * Zig Madamba Dulay’s “Firefly,” starring Alessandra De Rossi, Euwenn Mikaell Aleta and Dingdong Dantes * Pepe Diokno’s “GomBurZa,” starring Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero, Piolo Pascual and Cedrick Juan * Derick Cabrido’s “Mallari,” starring Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador * Conrado Peru, Rommel Penesa and Christopher de Leon’s “When I Met You in Tokyo,” starring Vilma Santos and de Leon The four previously announced entries are Nuel Naval’s “A Family of 2 (A Mother and Son Story),” starring Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards; King Palisoc’s “(K)Ampon,” starring Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay; Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Penduko,” starring Matteo Guidicelli and Cristine Reyes; and Mae Cruz-Alviar’s “Rewind,” starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes. For the first time, the MMFF executive committee decided to make the total of entries this year to 10, instead of the usual 8. These entries to be shown
“Becky And Badette”
“Broken Heart’s Trip”
in the 2023 MMFF will be the centerpiece of MIFF at the Directors Guild of America at 7920 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046. The MIFF, the first overseas edition of the MMFF, will be launched on November 2, also at the DGA with a screening of three films chosen from the eight entries in the inaugural summer edition of MMFF (Metro Manila Summer Film Festival – MMSFF) held last “Firefly” April in the Philippines. These three films and their screening times on Nov. 2 are Chris Martinez’s “Here Comes the Groom,” starring Enchong Dee, Miles Ocampo and Gladys Reyes, MMSFF special jury prize winner, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm; JP Habac Jr.’s “Love You Long Time,” starring Carlo Aquino, Eisel Serrano and Ana Abad Santos, 2:00 – 4:00 pm; Jun Lana’s “About Us But Not About Us,” starring Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas, “Mallari” which won several MMSFF awards, including best picture, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, including a Q & A with the filmmaker and stars. The LA launch will also feature a VIP reception and a meet and greet with the stars and filmmakers behind these three films, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Tickets to the November 2 screenings and events, to be held at DGA, including other details, are available at: https:// PAGE B5
“Gomburza”
B4 OCTOBER 21-24, 2023 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Should you modify your child and spousal support obligation if your income decreases? Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes IF you have an existing child support or spousal support obligation (court order) and your income decreases or even worst if you are laid off from your job causing a major loss of income, you may want to consider modifying your existing child and spousal support order. You are not automatically relieved from your obligation to pay a court ordered child and spousal support just because you were laid off from your job. Some people have a mistaken belief that just because they lost their job, they are automatically off the hook from paying support. This is not the case. The support order remains in place until it is modified by a new support order. You will need to immediately file a Request for Order (motion) with the Court to modify the existing support order when there is a substantial change in your circumstance such as a loss of income. The support orders are generally based on the parties’ financial situation and custody arrangements at the time of the settlement or trial. If your income has gone down substantially from the time that the child or spousal support determination, you may be able to file a modification of your support obligation. Losing a job or having less income constitutes a material change of circumstances that would allow the court to modify down your support obligations. Child support in California is based on a guideline formula. One of the factors that is considered in the guideline formula is your gross income. Usually the court would look at several months or even an average of the last 12 months
income. If your average income has decreased, you may be able to modify your child support to a lower amount. Bear in mind that there are other factors that come in the equation such as the amount of actual timeshare you spend with your child and the income of the other parent. If the other parent’s income has gone down, this may adversely affect your child support obligation. Also bear in mind that any unemployment benefits that you may be receiving will be considered as income available for support in the child support guideline calculation. Spousal support may also be modified unless you stipulated in a divorce judgment that it
Child support in California is based on a guideline formula. One of the factors that is considered in the guideline formula is your gross income.
EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
is non-modifiable. However, spousal support are usually calculated differently than guideline. The court will look at other factors in deciding whether to modify this. Those factors are listed in family code section 4320. If you are unemployed, the other party may be expected to try to impute income on you. However in light of the recent cases in California, they would have to prove that you had the ability and the opportunity to obtain employment. The Court will also look at the efforts you are making in trying to secure new employment under the current job market environment. If your income has gone down due to job lay off or unemployment, or if your hours were cut, it may be possible to modify both your child support and spousal support obligation.
FOR RENT
Without modifying the order, the current order will continue to be in effect and the same amount will accrue regardless of whether your income declined or your spouse income increased. It is important to file a post judgment request for order to modify support as soon as your financial situation changes. Failing to immediately modify your child and spousal support obligation and not paying them would result to your support obligation accumulating as child and spousal support arrears. The supported spouse is entitled to the statutory interest on any unpaid support arrears. If the County Child Support Service Department is involved in enforcing the support, CSSD may suspend your passport, divers license, garnish your bank accounts, and intercept any tax refunds due you by the federal or state government. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenryeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 21-24, 2023 B5
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Welcome Bishop Albert Bahhuth! Pastor’s Notes ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas WE warmly welcome our newly ordained auxiliary bishop, Most Reverend Albert Bahhuth, the Episcopal Vicar of the San Fernando Region, to our parish. It brings us great joy to have him with us this Sunday to celebrate Mass and bless our new Pre-K classrooms. Bishop Albert is no stranger to many in our region, as he previously served as the associate pastor of Holy Family Church in Glendale during his early years of priesthood and later as the pastor of St. Finbar Church in Burbank. Following his tenure as Vicar General of our archdiocese, he was appointed as the pastor of Holy Family Church in Pasadena. Bishop Bahhuth hails from a Lebanese immigrant family and responded to God’s call to priesthood later in life after completing a degree in engineering and pursuing a career in the food industry. His fellow priests and numerous parishioners recognize him as a compassionate man, a visionary and creative leader, and an exceptional administrator qualities that prove invaluable for a bishop tasked with navigating the complexities of church ministry and administration. We are delighted that he has been assigned to our region of San Fernando.
Being a bishop or priest does not exempt one from engaging in the affairs of the secular world. After all, whether clergy or laity, we are all citizens of a country and this world. Political matters, governments, and international relations affect us in various ways. We cannot live in a bubble detached from global issues such as the IsraeliGaza War unfolding today. This is how we should understand today’s Gospel, in which Jesus responds to a question from the Pharisees and Herodians about paying taxes to Caesar. By feigning sincerity in their desire to know Jesus’ opinion on the matter of paying taxes to the Roman ruler, Caesar, the Pharisees and Herodians aim to trap him. If he acknowledges the legality of paying taxes, the Pharisees will accuse him of siding with the oppressive Roman authorities. On the other hand, if he says it is unlawful, the Herodians will report him to the Roman authorities as a troublemaker. Jesus, perceiving their malice and aware of their ulterior motives, responds with wisdom and asks to see a coin used for the tax. They give him a denarius, a Roman coin with Caesar’s image and inscription on it. Jesus then delivers his famous response, saying, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” As Christians, we must fulfill our commitments and responsibilities to earthly governments, all while following the principles of righteousness and justice according to our faith and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to prioritize
our devotion to God while living in a world governed by human systems and authorities. We must denounce all forms of injustice, persecution, oppression, war, murder, and violence. I have often preached that spirituality is not merely a means of becoming more spiritual but also a means of becoming more human. For religion to be genuine, it must touch the human heart, making us more loving, merciful, compassionate, forgiving, kind, and generous. Religion and spirituality are meant to enhance life, not destroy it. Let us pray for all government and religious leaders, that they may lead with a vision of creating a more united world free from persecution, corruption, violence, and war. We also pray for Bishop Bahhuth as he leads our region, as well as the Holy Father, the cardinals, the bishops, particularly our archbishop, Jose H. Gomez, and the other regional bishops of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Lastly, we pray for our parish, that it may continue to flourish as a welcoming, joyful, and faith-filled community. Sending warm blessings to all! With 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.
10 announced Metro Manila... PAGE B3 manilainternationalfilmfest. com/ The MIFF founders are Omen Ortiz, chairman; Ebradu Udarbe, president; Lisa Lew, executive producer; Ruben Nepales and Janet Nepales, media relations consultants; and Celia Abaya Dy, ticketing manager. Also on the MIFF team are Leo Dela Cruz, chief financial officer; Erickson Ilog, chief operations officer; Ron Ramores, chief marketing officer; and Cindy Sison, consultant. n
“When I Met You”
Employer theft of employees’ wages: Are they more serious than mob merchandise thefts? Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights atty. C. Joe sayas, JR. IF you’ve watched the news lately, you’ve probably seen the shocking videos of smash-andgrab mobs stealing merchandise from some high-end stores. The news media have been playing these eye-catching videos along with interviews of corporate retail executives decrying a supposed loss of law and order highlighted by these high-profile thefts in retail workplaces. These organized mob thefts are certainly a problem that should be addressed by the authorities. But as an employment attorney, I can’t help but feel bothered that, while these handful of instances of high-profile thefts of luxury goods gets so much airtime, hardly any attention is paid to the numerous instances of wage theft that victimizes the working people of this country. In a recent Los Angeles Times column, Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Michael Hiltzik described having the same observation while watching an interview of former Home Depot Chief Executive Bob Nardelli, in which Mr. Nardelli warned that the recent spate of organized retail crime were indicative of an increasingly “lawless society.” Mr. Hiltzik observed that although Home Depot would seem to care quite a bit about crime in the workplace when it involved theft of the goods they sold, they would appear less concerned about theft of wages rightfully earned but denied to Home Depot’s own employees. In June 2023, Home Depot settled a class-action
lawsuit with workers alleging widespread wage theft, for $72.5 million. Home Depot didn’t admit to the allegation, but instead claim that settled for that amount of money to make the lawsuit go away. Hiltzik noted the “discordance in how we define ‘crime’ in the workplace. On the one hand, sporadic robberies inflated by retail lobbyists and media via eye-catching reports; on the other, the pervasive shortchanging of hourly workers by their employers.” The Economic Policy
d.) Denying meal and rest breaks, and the premium wages earned each time a break is denied; e.) Diverting workers’ tips; compelling workers to cover operating expenses out of pocket without reimbursements required by law; f.) Requiring workers to work off-the-clock to prepare for their shifts or complete their work after their shifts have officially ended. All of these practices of wage theft are illegal under California law. Employees whose hardearned wages have been stolen from them and their families might lament employers’ pervasive flouting of worker-protection laws. This is clear when approximately $50 billion a year in wage theft reflects an increasingly “lawless society.” Criminal prosecution is our legal system’s answer to smash-andgrab mobs. Meanwhile, to combat employer wage thefts, employees and counsel should be ready to prosecute civil actions. *** 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. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw. com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Fitlipino Overseas.] (Advertising Supplement)
Employees whose hard-earned wages have been stolen from them and their families might lament employers’ pervasive flouting of worker-protection laws. This is clear when approximately $50 billion a year in wage theft reflects an increasingly “lawless society.” Institute estimates that the aggregate instances of wage theft in the United States amounts to approximately $50 billion a year. There are many ways employers unlawfully appropriate a portion of employees’ wages. Consider the following: a.) Paying less than the legal minimum hourly wage; b.) Refusing to pay overtime by paying fixed salaries to individuals in jobs properly classified as non-exempt; c.) Misclassifying workers as independent contractors despite controlling them;
B6 OCTOBER 21-24, 2023 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Women’s wellness & weight loss franchise expands to Woodland Hills, CA BeBalanced centers open first Woodland Hills area location, celebrating with a grand opening and wellness educational event on October 25
WOODLAND HILLS – BeBalanced, a nation-wide franchise that provides holistic, natural solutions to common symptoms related to PMS and menopause, including frustrating weight gain and the inability to lose weight (despite diet and exercise), is now servicing the community of Los Angeles, CA at their newest location at 21809 Ventura Blvd in Woodland Hills. Not only does BeBalanced help women lose an average of 15-22 lbs. in the first month, and learn how to keep it off long-term, but most clients also experience improvements in their mood, sleep, energy, night sweats/hot flashes, bloating, digestive health, and more. They do this through a process called natural hormone balancing, helping to balance key hormones in the body, through a whole-foods diet, stress management, natural supplementation, and guided support. BeBalanced primarily focuses on supporting women, however, their programs also support men in reversing weight gain, fatigue, sleep issues, and other symptoms as they optimize health and well-being. A Grand Opening celebration event will take place on Wednesday, October 25th, 2023, from 11:00 am till 6:00 pm at the newly opened center at 21809 Ventura Blvd Woodland Hills, CA 91364. The
BeBalanced center is owned and operated by Cher Olivos, an actual BeBalanced client. For more information and registration for the grand opening, visit the event page here. “I am thrilled to share how BeBalanced in Woodland Hills is helping change the lives of women in our community, just like
like low energy, sleep issues, low libido, night sweat, hot flashes, as well as frustrating weight gain (or an inability to lose weight). Clients experience dramatic transformation not only in the mirror, but also through overall physical well-being and mental clarity in as little as a few weeks. According to a recent client survey, on average, 76.6% of clients who were experiencing issues with their mood, sleep, energy, night sweats, and bloating had decreased or eliminated these symptoms. In addition, on average, participants lost 18.01 lbs. in the first 30 days of our Becoming Balanced weight loss program. BeBalanced offers a variety of programs and products customize to their client’s individual needs. For more information on BeBalanced Centers in Woodland Hills, CA, visit their website here, or call (818) 8546416. Founded in 2007 and franchising since 2015, BeBalanced is a national franchise of non-medical, holistic wellness centers, helping women lead their best lives through natural solutions to stubborn weight, PMS, and menopausal symptoms. Today, there are 25 centers open and operating throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas, Minnesota, Florida, New York, Arizona, Virginia, California, and Connecticut. n
BeBalanced educates on how daily stressors can throw hormones out of balance, causing a cascade of symptoms like low energy, sleep issues, low libido, night sweat, hot flashes, as well as frustrating weight gain (or an inability to lose weight). it has changed mine. We hope to see you at our Grand Opening on October 25th!” Cher Olivos, BeBalanced Owner. The BeBalanced Woodland Hills Grand Opening event will host a ribbon cutting with the West Valley-Warner Center Chamber of Commerce, free educational presentations, free wellness assessments and tours, networking opportunities, along with food, prizes, and more! BeBalanced educates on how daily stressors can throw hormones out of balance, causing a cascade of symptoms
DTI Sec. Alfredo ‘Fred’ Pascual and Sen. Imee Marcos during the grand launch of Young Creatives Challenge (YC2). Photo from Young Creatives Challenge’s Facebook page
How Philippines creative sector can flourish amid the Korean wave by Charmie Joy Pagulong Philstar.com
EXPERTS in the creative industries have pinpointed the primary challenges plaguing the local sector and offered insights on how to better address these issues. Suzette Doctolero, the speaker for the screenwriting category at the recently-held Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) Grand Launch — an event in support of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act or Republic Act (RA) 11904 — mentioned the impact of the Korean wave, among others, on local content creators. She detailed to The STAR how difficult it is for television people to create content that will capture the younger generation amid their preference for Korean and other Asian shows. “That’s our problem because the young ones now like to watch Korean, Japanese or Thai dramas or anything but Filipino. So, it’s a challenge for us,” lamented Doctolero. “It’s really tough, especially ang television na halos pakonti-konti ang audience.” She further raised the concern that if the younger generation continues to patronize international shows, this might affect the future of Filipino content creation. “The problem that I see now is because of the younger (generation’s) addiction or preference to watch K-dramas, ang laking problem na mawala yung Filipino dramas,” she said, suggesting that future script writers might also lose interest in creating Filipino soap operas and other content. “For example bata siya, will he have the (interest) to write? Or ayaw niyang magsulat ng (Filipino) soap dahil nababaduyan siguro siya so he will watch (other content).” The Encantadia creator reiterated the challenge faced by the writers, especially for the newbies, to come up with scripts that will attract the attention of the younger audiences. In visually-driven medium, she questioned how they will reinvent Philippine entertainment in such a way na “makukuha nila ang kabataang ang hilig ay K-dramas.” Even for the experienced head writer responsible for numerous successful GMA shows, including the fantasyportal series Maria Clara at Ibarra, it remains a persistent “struggle” to persuade audiences that homegrown content creators are capable of producing content on par with international makers. They have embarked on “risky projects” in the hope that audiences will recognize that “hindi lang pala yung K-dramas ang magaling” but Filipinomade series as well. “But it’s a struggle to convince (them). Although there are viewers who said that… like, for example, with Maria Clara at Ibarra, sinasabi nila na comparable. Although mas mababa pa rin talaga ang budget ng Filipino (productions) so hindi siya nasu-sustain.” Comparing how Koreans support their locally-produced
content to the viewing preferences of Filipinos, Doctolero pointed out, “But the Filipinos would watch other (content) pero hindi manood ng sarili. Sad and tragic siya na pangyayari.” She believes it also has something to do with the Filipino’s “identity crisis” although she didn’t elaborate. Meanwhile, veteran singer Noel Cabangon, who was also part of the YC2 for the songwriting category, acknowledged that the younger generation is into K-pop and K-drama. While it is a “challenge” for the local industry, Filipinos can also look at it as a “model” which a local artist can get “ideas” or inspiration from, he said. “Of course, kahati natin sa market because many young Filipinos are into K-pop and K-drama, especially now with the advent of various music platforms, internet, online access and the competition is really or has become stiff. That’s why it’s a challenge and that’s really part of the challenge,” he told this paper. According to the awardwinning songwriter, the challenge there is “how to encourage the young creatives and young Filipino artists to be conscious in creating a Filipino work na… Actually, ako, it’s not really more of if it sells or not. It’s really more of encouraging the creative minds to create. “Then I think ‘pag nakagawa naman sila, ‘pag nagtuloytuloy, the passion will follow. Yun kumbaga yung reward. What’s important is that they will be encouraged and become conscious to create their own ‘obra’ na Filipino, sa Filipino and about the stories of us, Filipinos.” “It’s not a bad thing if we get ideas because lahat naman ng mga nagsimulang magsulat, nakakuha sila ng (inspiration)… Like me, I was also inspired by other artists, not only local but also international artists because of their expertise. That’s one positive effect of (K-pop),” he added. ‘Collective effort, additional support from the government Doctolero and Cabangon said that collective effort and more support from the Philippine government would be a huge help for the creative industry to flourish. “It’s really a big challenge for us and even myself don’t really know the solution because I am also struggling. So I hope with the launch of this kind of event (YC2), which will help the young artists to push and develop their talents, sana magkaroon din ng mga pagkilos para ma-preserve at matulungan yung industry,” said Doctolero. Citing how the Korean government has shown their support for their artists, she also expressed her hopes that the Philippine government will also do the same. “It’s not only the budget (from the government) but also the conscious effort na kumawala sa kahon because most of the young audiences don’t like to watch the (local) series dahil paulit-ulit yung kwento,” she opined. PAGE B7
Encantadia creator and head writer of GMA’s fantasy-portal series Maria Clara at Ibarra Suzette Doctolero.
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 21-24, 2023 B7
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Bb. Pilipinas Nicole Borromeo now top Asia-Pacific delegate in Miss International poll by Armin P. AdinA Inquirer.net
Other creatives at the event include filmmaker Darryl Yap and actor Rayver Cruz. Photo from Young Creatives Challenge’s Facebook page
How Philippines...
PAGE B6 “So, I think it’s a collective effort to let go of that kind of mentality, kumawala tayo sa kahon, at gumawa ng kasing level ng storytelling or directing or kung paano i-edit ng mga Koreans ang kanilang ginagawa at pantayan,” she stated and added that Filipinos can accomplish this with the support from the industry, government, and a shift in mindset. Also citing how the Korean government has invested in their creative industry, Cabangon remarked about the need for the Philippine industry to receive similar support from the government. He stressed the importance of investing in the creative sector, particularly the arts, to enable it to become a substantial contributor to the nation’s economy. “We need to invest if we really believe in our creative industry, especially the arts like to become players in contributing to the country’s economy. Then the government should invest. That’s what we also encouraged before like the OPM (Original Pilipino Music) summit we did before,” he shared. Young Creatives Challenge launched The recently-launched Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is a way to encourage young Filipinos to produce competitive art creations, according to DTI Secretary Alfredo “Fred” Pascual. The YC2 aims to inspire, recognize, and showcase creative talents in the fields of songwriting, screenwriting, playwriting, graphic novel, animation, and game development. The grand winner can win up to P1 million pesos, will be granted copyright and other intellectual property rights, and receive assistance in the promotion of the winning work. The semi-finalists will be announced this month and the awarding ceremony will be held next month. For more details, one can visit the YC2 website at www.youngcreativeschallenge. com/ The competition was organized in support of the RA 11904. “Through this, we are
BINIBINING Pilipinas Nicole Borromeo is now the leading delegate from the AsiaPacific region in the online voting conducted by the Miss International pageant, just one week before the coronation show. The Cebuano lass has dislodged Vietnam’s Nguyen Phuong Nhi who led in the two earlier partial results posted on social media. The Vietnamese beauty has also left the Top 3 in the region as of the most recent post on Oct. 19. Filipino-Australian Jazel Alarca, who is representing the Land Down Under in this year’s international competition, also moved a notch higher to second place since first joining the leaderboard in the previous count. Farzana Yasmin Ananna from Bangladesh is back in third place after missing out on the second partial tabulation. As in the previous edition, the Miss International pageant opened a public voting via its official mobile app, powered by Choicely and available for free on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Automatic spots in the Top 15 await the top vote-getters
promoting our own culture and bringing it to a stage where it can be commercialized,” said Pascual. “So that commercialization will help the artists and at the same time support the economy with contributions to RGDP (real gross domestic product) even if the creative work is sold in the domestic market, it’s also an added value in the economy. Export mas maganda (even better) here in foreign exchange.” When asked for his opinion on the widespread consumption of Korean content by Filipinos and its effects on the local creative industry, he expressed, “K-pop has become our benchmark. If they did it, dapat kaya rin nating gawin (or) pwede pang higitan.” He emphasized that we can surpass what the Koreans had done because “we are also Andrea Brillantes proud of our culture and we are proud of our talented young Filipinos, especially in digitallydriven creative works.” Sen. Imee Marcos, a proponent of the Young Creatives Challenge initiative, said that the Chinese, Koreans and Japanese have opened their doors in the international stage and she believed that it’s the Filipinos’ turn to also shine in the global scene, just like the achievements of Freddie Aguilar’s Anak, Hajji Alejandro’s Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika (composed by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab) and Ishmael Bernal’s Himala. The YC2 is a way for young Filipinos to get discovered as the country needs a new breed of artists, talents and creators, she said. “Ang mahalaga kasi sa creatives sa palagay ko yung mga nagtitipon-tipon (at) bigyan ng platform at higit sa lahat ikalat sa buong mundo (creative works).” Meanwhile, Pangasinan 4th District Representative and principal author of the RA 11904 Christopher “Toff” de Venecia hoped that the Philippines will be the No. 1 creative economy in ASEAN by 2030. “The sooner we realize this secret, not just for theater but all creative fields, the better for all of us and that (secret) is, ‘To be global, we must be hyperlocal,’” he conveyed through a video message during the YC2 launch. n
Bb. Pilipinas Nicole Borromeo (left) now tops the poll for Asia-Pacific, with Australia’s Jazel Mae Alarca (top, right) in second place, and Farzana Yasmin Ananna from Bangladesh in third. Facebook/Miss International
in three geographical regions—Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe and Africa. In the Americas, Itzia Garcia from Mexico has maintained her lead for the third time, while Vanessa Hayes from Bolivia moved up
a spot to second place. Yamilex Hernandez from the Dominican Republic is now in third place. For Europe and Africa, Lysia Allaire from France regained the top spot after dropping to second place in the previous count. Nassita Diako from Cote D’Ivoire, who topped in the last count, moved down to the second spot, with Zoi Asoumanaki Greece placing third in the three partial tabulations. Last year, first runner-up Stephany Amado from Cape Verde topped the poll for Europe and Africa, while second runner-up Tatiana Calmell from Peru earned the most votes among the delegates from the Americas. Savanna Delos Santos from Northern Mariana Islands, who topped the poll for Asia-Pacific, finished in the Top 15. Borromeo will try to become the seventh Filipino woman to win the Miss International title, after Gemma Cruz in 1964, Aurora Pijuan in 1970, Melanie Marquez in 1979, Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005, Bea Rose Santiago in 2013, and Kylie Verzosa in 2016. The international pageant will crown its new queen in a coronation show at the Yoyogi Gymnasium No. 2 in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward on Oct. 26. n
Andrea Brillantes reveals she moved...
Instagram/@blythe
PAGE B3 on Thursday, Oct. 19, while showing herself being cozy in the living room of her new house. “Just want to give a sneak peek of my new home. I moved out of our family house a couple of months ago,” she said in the caption.
Based on the snap she shared, Brillantes’ place is painted in off-white and features warmlighting lamps as well as floorlength white sheer curtains. The comment section was filled with cheers and admiration from fans who were in awe of Brillantes’ latest achievement. Brillantes announced in 2021
the completion of their family home, which was 10 years in the making. “You were my longest (10 years) and most difficult dream to come true. You have always been at the back of my mind since [I] was young pushing me to work harder,” she said of their family house. n
B8 OCTOBER 21-24, 2023 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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