LAS VEGAS
OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2023
T he F ilipino A mericAn c ommuni Ty n ewspAper
Volume 34 - No. 43 • 12 Pages
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US, Philippines reaffirm alliance after DATELINE USA Fil-Am candidate for state China’s dangerous maneuvers in WPS assembly leads in California FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Democratic Party vote
LOS ANGELES – Jessica Caloza, the Filipino American millennial running for a seat in the California State Assembly, emerged as the leading candidate in Assembly District 52’s California Democratic Party pre-endorsement conference vote over the weekend. “As a lifelong Democrat, I am honored to have earned the support of a diverse coalition of so many local grassroots Democrats across the district,” said Caloza, a longtime public servant and community organizer, in a statement. “Democratic activists make up the backbone of our party, and I’m proud to have earned their critical vote. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of the local delegates in AD-52 who gave me their support,” she said. Caloza finished first place, receiving 45 votes (45.5 percent of those voting) while the
MANILA — The Philippines and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to their alliance following China’s dangerous maneuvers during a resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea. According to a White House readout, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke with Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año
after Chinese vessels hit a Philippine resupply boat and a Philippine Coast Guard vessel. “Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Año reaffirmed the enduring alliance and friendship between our nations and discussed upcoming U.S.-Philippine engagements and ways to further strengthen our close partnership,” the statement read. “Mr. Sullivan emphasized the ironclad U.S.
AFP fears increased China harassment in West PH Sea
But military chief says he’s ready to defend country’s territory by Zacarian Sarao Inquirer.net
u PAGE 2
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 u PAGE 3
alliance commitments to the Philippines under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, which extends to armed attacks on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces — to include those of its Coast Guard — in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea,” it added. Manila and Beijing have traded blame over u PAGE 2
GLOBAL UNITY. A staff of Pandayan Bookshop in Cubao, Quezon City displays flags on Tuesday, October 24, which was United Nations Day. The occasion marked the anniversary of the UN Charter, which came into force in 1945. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday, October 25 is worried that China may further escalate its aggression and harassment within the West Philippine Sea following its recent collision with Philippine vessels. AFP chief of staff Romeo Brawner Jr. made the pronouncement after Chinese vessels hit an AFPcontracted resupply boat and a Philippine Coast Guard ship in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday morning. “Kasi nga nage-escalate na ito, ang unang kinakatakutan natin ‘yung talagang magbabangaan. Halos tayo ang umiiwas, we stopped our ships because they keep on conducting these dangerous maneuvers crossing the path of a vessel that’s moving forward. That’s very dangerous; dapat hindi ginagawa ‘yun,” said Brawner in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. (Because it’s escalating, the first thing we fear is that ships will deliberately hit each other. We are the ones trying to avoid it. We stopped our ships because they kept u PAGE 2
Lawmaker pursues criminal charges vs ex-president Duterte over death threats by ian laqui Philstar.com
MANILA — Rep. France Castro (ACTTeachers) filed criminal charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, October 24 at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. The Makabayan Bloc lawmaker, along with lawyers Tony La Viña, Rico Domingo, and others from the Movement Against Disinformation, initiated legal action in response to Duterte’s death threats against
Castro. The death threats stem from her scrutiny of the confidential funds of vice president and Education Secretary Sara Duterte. “Kailangan niyang harapin ang accountability sa matinding pagbabanta sa aking buhay (He [Duterte] must be held accountable for the serious threats to my life),” Castro said in a press conference. The charges filed fall under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), aimed at addressing Duterte’s tirades against u PAGE 2
More Pinoys seeking Marcos vows ‘world-class’ AFP ‘No Filipino should be left behind in Israel-Hamas conflict’ repatriation from Israel President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
by Catherine S. Valente
by Delon Porcalla Philstar.com
MANILA — A senior administration legislator is calling on the Marcos administration to do all it can in ensuring that no Filipino is trapped in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. “Let us stand united, ensuring that no Filipino is left behind, and reaffirm our commitment to their welfare during this critical period,” Rep. Ron Salo, chairman of the House committee on overseas workers affairs, said following the recent opening of the Egypt-Gaza border. “It is crucial to seize this opportunity for the safe exit of Filipinos.
We urge the Department of Foreign Affairs to coordinate closely with Egyptian officials and international organizations,” he said. “It is imperative that we ensure Filipinos won’t be left behind when other nationalities are allowed to exit. Every effort must be made to bring our countrymen home swiftly and securely. In the midst of this operation, maintaining clear and constant communication with Filipinos is paramount,” he said. Eighteen Filipino repatriates arrived on Sunday, October 22 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Israel. They were the second batch u PAGE 4
by Mayen JayMalin Philstar.com
MANILA — Aside from the three batches of 60 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have arrived from Israel, 120 are still expected to come home, according to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac. “We still have more or less 120 requests for repatriation,” Cacdac said in a radio interview, noting that the Philippine government is already processing the repatriation. “When I say process, it means calling them three times and making sure that they really want to go home.”
Half of those who requested repatriation assistance, Cacdac said, had already finished their employment contract and were scheduled to return home when hostilities in the Gaza Strip broke out. Cacdac said the government is ensuring that OFWs will still be on good terms with their employers so they could have the option to return when the situation in Israel improves. Most of the Filipinos requesting repatriation are caregivers while the rest are hotel workers. The repatriation from Israel remains voluntary. Cacdac, however, said the
ManilaTimes.net
THE government will continue implementing programs and policies to make the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) “world-class,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said. “Rest assured that we will remain steadfast in transforming and modernizing the AFP into a world-class force that is respected by its counterparts and is a source of national pride,” the president said during the traditional dinner for the AFP Council of Sergeants Major in Malacañang on Monday, October 23. “So, let me likewise assure you that we will continue to u PAGE 4
Malacañang file photo
implement programs and policies that will promote your welfare, and not only those who are in active service but those whose families I consider also to be in active service. So, keep up the good work. Know that this administration and the entire country are behind you as you fulfill your duties to the nation,” he added. Marcos noted the enlisted personnel’s crucial role as “the backbone of the military force.” Enlisted personnel comprise 90 percent of the troops, and their specialized abilities support the daily operations and institutional activities of the AFP. “You are vital to our sustained success of defending our u PAGE 4
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US, Philippines reaffirm alliance... PAGE 1 Sunday’s (October 22) incidents near Ayungin Shoal, with both sides filing diplomatic protests and releasing videos to support their accusations.
bong” Marcos Jr. also ordered the PCG to conduct an investigation into the maneuvers of Chinese vessels. No Filipino crew members were injured, but one of the supply boats was damaged and forced to turn back. A second supply boat reached the BRP Sierra Madre and unloaded its cargo. The Department of National Defense said on Tuesday, October 24 that it acknowledges the statements issued by the governments of France, South Korea and Japan supporting the Philippines. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered Monday the PCG to conduct an investigation This video frame grab from footage taken and released on October 22, 2023 by the Chinese Coast into the maneuvers of Chinese Guard (CCG) through the Chinese embassy in Manila shows a collision between a Chinese Coast vessels. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/ Guard ship (R) and a Philippine resupply boat (L) during a resupply mission in Second Thomas Shoal, Philstar.com with reports from in the disputed South China Sea. Handout / Chinese Coast Guard / AFP Agence France-Presse) The Presidential Communications Office said Monday, October 23 that the incidents are “being taken seriously at the highest level of government.” President Ferdinand “Bong-
AFP fears increased China harassment in... PAGE 1
on conducting these dangerous maneuvers, crossing the path of a vessel that was moving forward. That’s very dangerous and should not be done.) “Bawal na bawal ‘yun sa maritime rules, so that’s why we’re worried na baka mag-escalate pa ito,” he added. (It’s not allowed in the maritime rules, so that’s why we’re worried that it might escalate.) But Brawner said that the AFP
is ready to defend the country’s territory should China choose to intensify its harassment against Philippine vessels. “Our take is that the actions of China are really illegal, aggressive, and very dangerous. We saw an escalation of these actions of China. Nababahala kami (we are worried), but as mentioned by Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro Jr., the AFP is willing to defend our territory,” said Brawner in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
According to Brawner, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has already ordered the Philippine Coast Guard to conduct an investigation to be used as a basis for filing a protest before international regulatory bodies. “The president gave that specific instruction to the coast guard to investigate, come up with a report, so that this can be used as a basis for our filing of a protest before international maritime regulatory bodies,” said Brawner.
RESPONSIBLE VOTERS. Juliet Pilongo and her husband check their polling precincts at the Commission on Elections office in Davao City on Wednesday, October 25. The couple said they decided to prepare a few days before the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections for a smoother voting experience. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.
Fil-Am candidate for state assembly leads in... PAGE 1
other three candidates received a range of 0 to 16 votes. Since none of the candidates received over 50 percent of the vote, the party’s official recommendation was “No Consensus.” Caloza – a first-generation immigrant who was born in Quezon City, Philippines – has gained high-powered endorsements from top elected leaders, including lawmakers
Judy Chu and Ted Lieu, California Assembly Majority Leader Isaac Bryan, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and State Senators Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Dave Min. She is also backed by powerful unions — the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California State Council and the California Federation of Teachers. SEIU represents 2 million workers in health care, property services and the public sector. Speaking at a recent campaign fundraiser, Caloza thanked her working-class parents who have inspired her to fight for working families. “My mom was a cashier at different gas stations, at the 99 Cents store, and put herself through vocational school and retired as a nursing assistant,” Caloza told the Fil-Am community and business leaders who attended the event. “My dad was a janitor who worked his way up and retired as a hospital orderly.” The Oct. 12 fundraiser was hosted by Emmy Award-winning producer Lisa Lew, the daughter of the late lawyer and former Monterey Park Mayor Gonzalo Monty Manibog, the first Fil-Am to become an elected official in Southern California. If elected, Caloza would be the first Filipino woman in the state legislature. Caloza was the first in her family to graduate from college. After graduation from UC San Diego, she knew she wanted to be in public service. “I saw how government can change lives,” she said. She has served in various roles
Jessica Caloza, who is running for California’s 52nd district, finishes 1st place, with nearly triple the vote of the 2nd leading candidate. If elected, she would make history as the first Filipina in the state legislature. File photo
in government, most recently as the deputy chief of staff to California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Previously, Caloza served as a Los Angeles public works commissioner and also worked in President Barack Obama’s administration as an education policy advisor. Jessica Caloza has also served as a community organizer on President Obama’s campaign and worked for social justice nonprofits that provided critical services to immigrants, working families and youth. The 52nd Assembly District includes parts of Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Glendale and Silver Lake. The incumbent, Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, is retiring to run for the L.A. City Council District 14. (Nimfa Rueda/Inquirer.net)
Lawmaker pursues criminal... PAGE 1
Castro, which they said “pose a significant risk to her personal liberty and security.” The provisions of the RPC cited by Castro and her lawyers pertain to grave threats. If found guilty, the penalty could include imprisonment for a period of one to six months, along with a fine, depending on the court’s discretion. However, according to La Viña, the penalty may be elevated by one degree since it is also covered under the Cybercrime Prevention Act. “Duterte got away from many things because he had immunity,” La Viña said in the press conference. “For the first time, we are holding him accountable in a Philippine court,” he added. Under Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, felonies punished under the RPC receive a penalty that is one degree higher. On October 10, during a live television interview with Sonshine Media Network International, owned by his avid supporter Apollo Quiboloy, Duterte claimed that Castro was the “first target” of her daughter’s confidential funds. The video of the interview has since been deleted. On October 15, House parties, including the former party of Rodrigo Duterte, urged the former president to stop the death threats and insinuations of harm against any member of the House of Representatives. “We, leaders of all political parties in the House of Representatives, take utmost exception to the remarks made by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte,” they said in a statement. During his presidency, Rodrigo Duterte was known for delivering public speeches that often included strong language, tirades and occasional death threats. The House Committee on Appropriations scrapped the confidential funds of his
daughter’s office and reallocated them to various agencies responsible for West Philippine Sea security. Immunity lapsed Castro and her lawyers hope that further charges will be brought against the former president, considering his immunity from prosecution. La Viña, a dean and a law professor from the Ateneo School of Government, said that the former president can now be held accountable for the things he did. “Pwede na mag-file for crimes committed before his presidency, during his presidency, and after his presidency (We can now file charges for his [Duterte’s] crimes committed before his presidency, during his presidency and after his presidency),” La Viña said. “We are hoping na magbubukas (ito) ng wave of accountability lawsuits. (We hope that this will pave the way for accountability lawsuits against Duterte),” he added. The president’s immunity from prosecution is granted by the 1987 Constitution, specifically under Article 7. At present, the lawyers said that they still have no basis for other possible charges against Duterte aside from grave threats. “We’re sticking to the rule of law here. Even in the height of big problems, napapagalaw naman namin ang wheels of justice,” La Viña said. (We’re sticking to the rule of law here. Even in the height of big problems, we make sure that the wheels of justice continue to turn.) Human rights group KARAPATAN lauded Castro for filing charges against the former president. “The fact that Duterte and his ilk have the gall to declare open season against their perceived enemies shows that they are able to hide behind the same climate of impunity that shielded them when Duterte was president. This has to stop,” Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said in a statement. n
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Why is finding COVID shots for young children still so hard? The new vaccines and you: Americans better... by Jackie Fortiér, Laist KFF Health News
ON Sept. 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the next round of covid shots for everyone 6 months and older. The shots were expected to be available within days in pharmacies and doctor’s offices across the country, the CDC said. But more than a month later, the pediatric versions of the new covid shots, for children 6 months to 11 years old, are still difficult to find. A confluence of problems — from technicalities about who can give shots to small kids to the lack of accurate information online on where the kid-sized doses can be found — are still preventing parents from making sure their children are protected. “Nobody has accurate information on where doses actually exist. It’s just an absolute logistical mess trying to find information and it was driving me insane,” said Anne Hamilton, a Los Angeles resident, who searched for weeks to find a pediatric dose for her 4-year-old son, Jimmy. Hamilton checked first with her son’s health system. The website was offering vaccine appointments only for adults. On the website, “the popup says ‘new vaccines are expected in late September, try again later.’ Well, that’s a frustrating message to read when it’s October and they’re not giving you any other information,” she said. One problem that has caused headaches for parents has been trying to find doses covered by their insurance. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the federal government isn’t paying manufacturers directly for covid shots, a process that allowed doctors and pharmacists to receive shipments for free. Now, pharmacies and doctors have to pay upfront for vaccine doses from suppliers to stock them on-site. And families need to use their health insurance to pay providers for them — and that can be complicated. After days searching online and many false leads, Hamilton finally found a pharmacy over an hour away in Palmdale with pediatric doses. She called to make sure they actually had the shots and also accepted Medi-Cal, her son’s government insurance. After being assured of both, they made the hourlong drive. But when they arrived, the pharmacists said
they couldn’t give Jimmy the shot because he was under 18 years old. Hamilton called Medi-Cal to clarify. “The Medi-Cal phone representative explained to us that they need to go through the Vaccines for Children Program,” she said. “So we’re like, all right, we don’t know what this program is.” Under the federal government’s Vaccines for Children program, Hamilton’s son could get a shot only from a participating provider. “Nobody put out the information that children on Medi-Cal needed to be vaccinated through the Vaccines for Children program,” Hamilton said. “Nobody has information on how to find a pop-up [clinic] near you because half of those aren’t even listed on the myturn.gov page,” she said, referring to a vaccine appointment website run by the state of California. Hamilton was directed to a different California-run website that was supposed to show the location of Vaccines for Children providers across the state. “The website just flat-out doesn’t work,” Hamilton said after checking it. Frustrated, she emailed the California Department of Public Health, which told her they were aware the website was down and said “IT was working on it.” No one from CDPH offered to help Hamilton or direct her to the provider list she needed, she said. After KFF Health News and NPR asked CDPH why Vaccines for Children’s Google-enabled map was not working, the website was fixed. However, it shows only participating providers while neglecting to indicate if those doctors and pharmacies have pediatric covid vaccines in stock. Parents must either call providers individually to see if they are taking patients and have the shot or try to cross-reference with the federal vaccines.gov website. Hamilton was left frustrated and in tears. “I know parents all over the country who are looking for doses. It’s a hunt for everyone right now,” she said. There are two parallel vaccine systems in the U.S., and the one children use depends on their insurance. Children with commercial health insurance get vaccines through the commercial market. But kids with government insurance such as Medi-Cal get shots through the federally funded Vaccines
for Children program — and only participating providers, like Orange County pediatrician Eric Ball, can give them the shot. Under the Vaccines for Children program, “we actually place an order, the vaccines come to us, the government has paid for them already, and then we distribute them to patients who have those insurances, for free,” Ball explains. For children covered by commercial insurance plans, health care providers need to purchase the amount they think they’ll need ahead of time. But Ball said many pediatricians aren’t stocking or administering the covid shot for those children, because they can’t afford to. “A lot of pediatric practices are small businesses, and this means we have to expend a lot of money upfront to be able to buy these vaccines and then wait weeks or months to get that recouped,” he said. If parents seek shots at a pharmacy, they may confront another obstacle: regulations that restrict the types of providers who can administer vaccines to children. Pharmacists can vaccinate children 3 years and older under a temporary federal law. That leaves out children between 6 months and 3 years old, who have to see a medical doctor. “We have a very long list in our office of families who are waiting for the day that our covid vaccines come in so we can finally start vaccinating them. There’s been a lot of frustration,” Ball said. Ball’s office participates in both pediatric vaccine systems. Through Vaccines for Children, his practice received some pediatric doses, but he can administer them only to qualifying patients. For his commercially insured patients, it took over a month to get a delivery of just 100 pediatric covid vaccine doses. It’s not nearly enough to meet the demand. “It’s a shame because we’ve had so many missed opportunities since this vaccine was approved over a month ago,” he said. “We’ve had lots of patients who come in who want to get their kids vaccinated, especially young children and babies who don’t have the protection of previous vaccines.” St. John’s Community Health is a federally funded safety-net clinic with multiple sites across Los Angeles County. The network u PAGE 4
PAGE 1 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. “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 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 ‘tripledemic’ 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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‘No Filipino should be left behind in... PAGE 1
of repatriates who arrived in the country over the weekend since Oct. 20. As of October 21, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assisted a total of 34 overseas Filipino workers through the provision of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program. Each repatriated OFW received P10,000 cash aid and food assistance worth P10,000. “We will also endorse them to their respective DSWD Field Offices for possible provision of additional services,” Assistant Secretary for strategic communications Romel Lopez said. Repatriation from Lebanon The Philippine embassy in Beirut urged Filipinos in Lebanon to be voluntarily repatriated as tensions increase between Israel and Hezbollah. “Due to the heightened tension in the southern border of Lebanon, the Philippine embassy calls for the voluntary repatriation of Filipino nationals,” the embassy said in its advisory. Alert Level 3 was raised over Lebanon due to the worsening fighting related to the Israeli conflict. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in a radio interview on Sunday that “Filipinos are being informed that there is a program for repatriation and advised to go home.” There are around 17,500 Filipinos in Lebanon.
On Tuesday, the embassy urged Filipinos close to Lebanon’s southern border to evacuate preemptively amid persistent tension in the border. The embassy reminded Filipinos to “take caution and avoid public places, social gatherings, and unnecessary travels around Lebanon, especially to the South” due to the ongoing mass protests across Lebanon and persistent tension in the southern border, “posing a significant threat to the safety and security of civilians.” Since violence escalated between Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory on Oct. 7, there have also been clashes on the border between Israel and south Lebanon, resulting in casualties among civilians. Energy supply effects Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE) is hoping the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas will be contained as the agency continues to keep a close watch on developments abroad. Asked if the country should now be worried about the conflict’s potential repercussions to the local energy sector, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said “we continue to monitor.” The DOE earlier said it does not expect the attacks on Israel to have long-term effects on oil and gas prices, unless the conflict escalates. Last week, however, concerns escalated as Israel’s expected ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza was feared to set up a re-
PAGE 1 state, our sovereignty, and our patrimony. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that we help each other and make sure that they all reach their fullest potential so that they become well-rounded soldiers,” the president said. The president also acknowledged their efforts to stay attuned to the needs of the Filipino troops across the country and to boost their morale and welfare. He lauded them for their efforts to ensure the “strong and unbreakable” bonds between the AFP officials and the troops that help steer the direction and performance of the enlisted personnel within their respective units. “This is where you Sergeants Major come into the picture. As the most senior, most experienced,
[and] most seasoned amongst our enlisted personnel, you help in implementing the plans and strategies that we are enforcing on the ground,” Marcos said. “So, for all of these things that you do, I have nothing but utmost respect and admiration for all of you and for all that you have done for our country, for our people, for our Armed Forces. So, continue to show them your selfless and dedicated service to the nation that enabled you to reach the positions that you occupy today,” he added. Marcos likewise commended them for engaging their counterparts from other countries, such as the United States, to discuss important issues, including the proposal to create a mutually agreedupon Professional Development
Marcos vows ‘world-class...
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gional war involving Iran. “If dragged directly into the conflict amid the proxy war, Iran could potentially use as a threat the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, an important passage for international oil tankers, in retaliation to any action against it,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist treasury group Michael Ricafort said. Latest data from the DOE showed that all crude oil imported by the country for the first half was sourced from the Middle East. Bulk or 50.2 percent of it came from Saudi Arabia at 1,744 million liters, making it the country’s major supplier of crude oil. This was followed by United Arab Emirates, which provided 26.9 percent equivalent to 936 million liters, while the remaining 22.9 percent, equivalent to 796 million liters, were imported from Iraq. “To ensure a continuous, adequate and stable supply of oil in the country, the DOE still enforces the minimum inventory requirement (MIR),” the agency said. “Current MIR for refiners stands at in-country stocks equivalent to 30 days of crude and finished products, while an equivalent of 15 days stock of finished products is required for the bulk marketers/ importers and seven days for LPG importers,” it said. The country’s imports volume of crude oil totaled to 3,476 million liters in the first semester, up by 23.7 percent from June 2022’s volume of 2,811 million liters. n
Program in support of the Philippines-United States Mutual Defense Treaty. The president also expressed confidence that the sergeants major would continue to learn new skills, acquire more knowledge, and enhance their competence to fully realize the AFP’s objectives. The annual traditional dinner for the AFP Council of Sergeants Major was attended by around 180 guests from the AFP, the Department of National Defense, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs. The event took place in conjunction with the celebration of the 27th Non-Commissioned Officers Week and the 54th Founding Anniversary of the Office of the AFP Sergeant Major. n
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Why is finding COVID shots for young children...
PAGE 3 serves low-income children and families, and for its pediatric vaccines the clinic is dependent on the Vaccines for Children program. But President Jim Mangia said that for the new covid pediatric vaccine, their orders are being cut and they aren’t receiving the doses they requested. “We ordered 3,000 last week; we got 500,” he said. But St. John’s provides care for 50,000 children, Mangia said. Because of the shortfall, St. John’s isn’t advertising the covid vaccine or doing email or text blasts to spread the word, as the staff typically might. “We’re basically holding back,” he said. “If someone asks for it, we’re providing the vaccine, but we’re not doing the level of outreach that we normally do to get people vaccinated because we don’t have enough supply yet.” The Vaccines for Children program is run by the CDC. On a recent visit to Los Angeles, CDC Director Mandy Cohen said she was not aware of any covid
vaccine supply or ordering issues. “There’s no ordering caps. We’re hearing that folks are getting shipments within three or four weeks,” she said. “I will say, personally, my kid’s pediatrician has vaccine and has had a covid vaccine clinic, so the vaccine is out there.” Anne Hamilton’s son Jimmy finally got the shot through a pop-up clinic run by LA County. She feels lucky to have found it. “I told one of my friends that I was going to get my kids their shots, and she said, ‘You found pediatric vaccine? I can’t believe it.'” Ball is concerned about what the slow rollout will mean for vulnerable babies and toddlers, who are too young to have been vaccinated before and should get multiple shots before the predicted winter covid surge. “If we want to get these children vaccinated for gatherings such as Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, it’s critical that we start doing this now because this is not a one-and-done kind of situation. We need these
babies to get multiple doses over multiple weeks before they can be adequately protected,” he said. Meanwhile, children continue to get infected. One of Ball’s 4-year-old patients tested positive on the same day Ball’s medical office finally received 100 doses of the pediatric vaccine. The boy’s mother had tried to get him vaccinated earlier but couldn’t find a provider with the shots. “As a pediatrician, the only thing that hurts me worse than seeing a child get sick or hospitalized is them getting sick or hospitalized by something that I could have prevented. And if I don’t have the tools to prevent that, it hurts me and it’s very sad,” Ball said. This article is from a partnership that includes LAist, NPR, and 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.
More Pinoys seeking repatriation from Israel PAGE 1 number of those seeking repatriation is expected to increase. The returning OFWs will receive a one-time P50,000 grant as well as other assistance, including livelihood, re-employment facilitation and skills retooling. At this time, Cacdac said, the Philippine government continues to locate the remaining two Filipino caregivers still unaccounted for. In Gaza, Cacdac said there are 137 Filipinos who are hoping to return to the Philippines. Cacdac said they are not OFWs, but Filipinos married to Palestinian nationals. He said they would be repatriated as soon as they are able to cross from Gaza to Egypt. The DMW official said the government is also in the process of repatriating Filipinos from Lebanon, although they still do not have the actual number of OFWs returning home from Lebanon. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported that there are more than 17,000 Filipinos in Lebanon. But migration consultant Manny Geslani said the figure could be higher since there are many Filipinos who
entered Lebanon illegally. Alacre Center The local government of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental will be naming its newly built evacuation center in honor of slain Negrense caregiver Loreta Alacre, who showed heroism in the face of the attack staged by Hamas militant fighters in Israel, Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. said on Tuesday, October 24. The newly built evacuation center within Cadiz Viejo National High School in Barangay Cadiz Viejo, Cadiz City is to be named Loreta V. Alacre Evacuation Center in honor of the school alumna’s “heroism” for 19 years as an OFW, Escalante said. This was relayed by Escalante to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Arnel Ignacio, who visited Loreta’s wake at the family’s residence in Sitio Camay an, Barangay Cadiz Viejo. Loreta is scheduled to be buried on Nov. 5. Escalante described Loreta as Cadiz’s “Bagong Bayani” and that the request for renaming the evacuation center was already forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for delibera-
tions and approval. After the mass, Ignacio and the DMW turned over P50,000 each financial assistance to the family of slain OFW, aside from the financial assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as well as livelihood package from the Department of Labor and Employment. Aside from OWWA’s payment of P104,000 funeral expenses of Loreta, Escalante said it also assured full scholarship grants to the four nephews and nieces of the slain OFW, whose education she had financed while she was still alive. He added that the Cadiz City government is also willing to include the nephews and nieces of Loreta in the city government’s scholarship program, at P5,000 per semester, for college students. Escalante said they are also looking at the possibility of employing Nelia Alacre, youngest sister of Loreta, and her brother, in the city government. Speaker Martin Romualdez has extended P500,000 financial assistance to the family of Alacre, which was received by Loreta’s siblings last week. n
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2023
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Unmilled rice output forecast to hit record high this year by Jordeene Lagare Inquirer.net
FOR THE COUNTRY. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. waves a Philippine flag together with the Filipino athletes who clinched medals in the 19th Asian Games during the “Pasasalamat Para sa Bayaning Atletang Pilipino” at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Wednesday, October 25. Marcos assured Filipino athletes of his administration’s continued support for initiatives and programs to develop the sports industry. PNA photo by Alfred Frias
Marcos vows more support for athletes by aLexis romero Philstar.com
MANILA — President Marcos has expressed optimism that the Philippines would perform better in future sporting events as he vowed to boost the government’s support for Filipino athletes. Speaking during the awarding of incentives to Asian Games medalists in Manila on Wednesday, October 25, Marcos said the government is dedicated to fully developing future athletes who would proudly represent the country and is putting up modern facilities to enhance their training. “We are already doing a lot. But you can be assured that we will increase our support to our athletes and next time, we will see better results in our international competitions,” the president said in Filipino. “We know and understand that for our athletes to succeed in these competitions, they need all the help they can get, especially from their government,” he added. Marcos cited the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)’s fiveyear sports development plan for 2023 to 2028, which seeks
to address the longstanding concerns of Filipino athletes and encourage the private sector to support sports development in the country. “The government is providing assistance to state universities and colleges to fix sports facilities, exploring partnerships with the private sector to build basketball courts in public schools, gyms and facilities, encouraging local governments to support sports in their jurisdiction, and developing New Clark City as a sports hub in the Philippines,” Marcos said. “Our national athletes and those training to represent the country in international sports will also utilize the training facilities of the New Clark City Athletics Stadium and the Aquatics Center for free,” he added. Marcos ordered the PSC to work with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and other agencies to strengthen the medical scientific athlete services unit to help injured athletes recover quickly. He also urged donors who are helping Filipino athletes to continue supporting them generously. The Philippines finished 17th out of 45 countries in the Asian
Games with four gold, two silver and 12 bronze medals. The country bagged gold medals in men’s pole vault, men’s basketball and women’s ju-jitsu (48 kg and 57 kg), silver medals in men’s boxing and men’s wushu (56 kg). It also harvested bronze medals in men’s BMX race (cycling), women’s ju-jitsu (52 kg), men’s sepak takraw, women’s tennis (singles and women mixed doubles), women’s weightlifting (64 kg), men’s wushu (60kg and 65kg) and men’s taijiquan and taijijian (all-around). Marcos thanked the medalists for bringing honor to the country, saying they boosted the morale of their countrymen. “You brought joy to the Philippines. We are facing a lot of things and sometimes, they are saddening. But because of what you have done, the entire Philippines is smiling... The morale of Filipinos is high, especially the youth, those who will become athletes also. That’s a good example. They are our idols,” he said. “They strive for excellence, not just in international and national competitions, but in all that they do.” n
MANILA — Despite the El Niño phenomenon, an official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) is projecting palay (unmilled rice) production to reach 20 million metric tons (MT) this year, the highest in the Philippines if achieved, due to better harvest conditions. Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian said that assuming the same production scenario, the DA believes it is “still possible this time” to exceed the volume of palay produced in 2022 as a result of higher yields in the first six months. “Hopefully, we will reach 20 million metric tons. If not, we’re just a little short of that,” Sebastian said. Sebastian attributed the rosy outlook to the current harvest season, which he described as “fine,” adding that no strong typhoon has hit the Philippines so far, “only heavy rains and pest outbreaks in some areas.” He told reporters that the DA was assessing the impact of Typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri) on the agriculture sector, particularly rice, and other weather disturbances that hit the country this year. The agriculture sector sustained P4.66 billion in losses due to the
BUMPER HARVEST SEEN. Farmers take advantage of the sunny weather to dry their harvest of palay in Apalit town, Pampanga province. Inquirer.net file photo
combined effects of Egay and Typhoon Falcon (international name: Khanun), which wiped out P1.79 billion worth of rice, or almost 40 percent of the total losses. Cropping season adjustment To maximize production, the DA is in coordination with the National Irrigation Administration to study the adjustment of the cropping season as part of “huge reforms” in the rice sector, according to Agriculture Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla. “If they’re able to shift the planting season twice in the dry season, the yields are very much higher than during the wet season,” Sombilla said. Palay output reached 9.03 MT in the first semester of 2023, up by 3.4 percent from 8.7 million MT in the
same period a year ago, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. The January to June production represents 45.7 percent of the 19.76 million MT of the output recorded the previous year. However, last year’s production is lower than the record high of 19.96 million MT attained in 2021. Earlier, Sebastian said the initial palay harvest from the provinces of Isabela, Nueva Ecija, and North Cotabato, estimated at 900,000 MT, would augment domestic supply and stabilize prices. In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office quoted Sebastian as saying that the initial harvest of palay from the current wet season would occur until September. n
DURIAN SUMMIT. Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso Magno (center) visits the exhibit of the first-ever Philippine-Asia Durian Summit at the SMX Convention Center on Thursday, October 26. About 80 exhibitors from the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Cambodia are showcasing durian product innovations, such as candies and other food items, and services, such as training, consultancy, and seed laboratories. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.
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OpiniOn
OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
Maritime squatter
Features
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IT was described as a collision. But the West Philippine Sea is a vast expanse, and in fine weather, there is no reason for vessels in the area to be bumping into each other accidentally. China, whose greedy claim over nearly the entire South China Sea has been invalidated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, keeps trying to prevent the Philippines from carrying out resupply missions to soldiers stationed in the transport ship BRP Sierra Madre, which is grounded on Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines cannot let its troops, who are guarding the country’s maritime sovereign rights, starve to death or run out of needed supplies on the Sierra Madre. On Sunday morning, October 22, China coast guard vessels again blocked a Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin. One of its ships and a Philippine vessel collided. Ayungin is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone as defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Based on UNCLOS, to which both the Philippines and China are signatories, the arbitration court had declared that the Philippines has sovereign rights over Ayungin as well as Panganiban or Mischief Reef and Recto Bank. China should be asking the Philippines for permission to be in that area.
Babe’s Eye View BaBe Romualdez THE city of San Francisco in California is pulling out all the stops for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Conference in November, with an estimated 30,000 delegates composed of CEOs, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, media representatives and other key stakeholders together with world leaders from the Asia-Pacific region. Several of my business friends joining the president privately messaged me wondering why San Francisco was chosen as the venue for APEC 2023. There has been a lot of news coming out depicting San Francisco as a deteriorating city due to the crime surge especially in the downtown area, but local officials, particularly the police, are putting things in order and tightening up security measures for such a high-level event as APEC, which has been described as the “Super Bowl of World Economies.” The San Francisco police, the Sheriff’s office and the California
“AMERICAN leadership is what holds the world together,” declared United States President Joseph Biden amid an era of unprecedented strategic challenges, stretching across the Eurasian landmass and the IndoPacific. Accordingly, he called on the U.S. Congress to support the expansion of defense aid to besieged allies in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Billing himself as a “wartime president,” Biden asked for additional defense aid of $61.4 billion for Kyiv and $14.3 billion for Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, the entire Indo-Pacific theater, home to the world’s largest and most dynamic nations, would be entitled to $2 billion in additional funding. In many ways, the U.S. President’s speech was both understandable and baffling. On one hand, Biden sought to present the U.S. as an anchor of international stability as well as a reliable strategic patron to allies in multiple theaters of conflict. Yet, the gap between the U.S. defense spending priorities, on the one hand, and the American people’s threat perceptions, on
ManilaTimes.net photo
APEC San Francisco summit preparations in full swing Highway Patrol are all working together with various federal agencies to secure the areas where the leaders’ summit and other conferences will be happening. Road closures and parking restrictions will be implemented, delivery vehicles entering the secure zones will be strictly scrutinized and screened, while flight and maritime restrictions on the bay will also be imposed. The U.S. Secret Service of course is also involved in the preparations to help ensure the safety not only of the participants and the general public during the weeklong event but most especially the state leaders who will be taking part in the APEC Leaders’ Summit from Nov. 15 to 18, which has been designated by the Department of Homeland Security as a “national special security event.” Recognizing that such a mammoth event will undoubtedly impact the residents of San Francisco, the Secret Service through Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeremy Brown had assured that the goal of their law enforcement and public safety partners is to “provide a secure environment
while minimizing impact and inconveniences to residents and businesses.” While acknowledging the great opportunity to showcase San Francisco on a global scale, police chief Bill Scott also issued a warning that “any act of violence against any members of the public or against law enforcement will not be tolerated” and that all available resources will be used to protect the city. The APEC is the biggest forum of international stature that the city will be hosting in almost 80 years, and local organizers are understandably excited at the economic boon that the event will bring to hotels, restaurants and other business establishments, with many expressing optimism that this would press the “restart button” for their tourism industry. APEC economies – composed of the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, China, Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines – account for close
to 40 percent of the world’s population or about 3 billion people, representing 62 percent of world GDP and 48 percent of world trade in 2021, with real GDP increasing from $19 trillion in 1989 to $58.2 trillion in 2021, according to APEC data. Established in November 1989, APEC has since become a dynamic engine of economic growth and has emerged as one of the most important regional forums in the Asia-Pacific region. The idea of a regional economic and trade forum was first brought forth by the late Australian Prime Minister Robert James “Bob” Hawke in January 1989, when he gave a speech before a Korean business community in Seoul. The idea was simple – economies in the region should help each other as they pursue more trade, partnerships and prosperity. Hawke saw the potential of the region in helping resolve global issues, and appointed then Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Richard Woolcott as his special envoy to hold consultations with leaders across the Asia-Pacific region on the possibility of holding a ministerial level forum. In
November 1989, the first APEC leaders’ meeting was held in Canberra, with the Philippines as one of the 12 founding members. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed his attendance at the Leaders’ Summit as early as August during a courtesy call in Malacañang by the members of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (U.S.-ABC) led by its president and CEO, Ambassador Ted Osius, who brought 30 members with him, the largest contingent ever to visit the Philippines. The U.S.-ABC expressed interest in pursuing investments in a number of industries such as infrastructure, agriculture, clean energy, green metals and semiconductors. We have been coordinating with the State Department for protocol, security and other details, with our San Francisco consulate taking the lead more or less in the arrangements for the president’s participation. Consul General Neil Ferrer has been attending meetings and other activities relative to the preparations for the summit under the theme of “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All,” with
emphasis on building a more interconnected, innovative and inclusive APEC region to bring about economic recovery and long-term prosperity. President Marcos, who is one of the speakers during the highlevel dialogue on “Intentional Equity in Sustainability,” has a very good opportunity to engage with the top CEOs and highlight the economic reforms that the country has been pursuing and implementing to attract more foreign investment and expand commerce, not only domestically but also globally. The president will also bring into focus energy security which, as he has explained on several occasions, is high on his economic agenda, particularly in sustainable land, water and ocean solutions that align with the Philippines’ climate goals and will support plans to transform the Philippines into an upper middle-income country by 2025. (Philstar.com) *** 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.
*** babeseyeview@gmail.com
South China Sea: Three ticking time bombs
Horizons
RichaRd heydaRian
The arbitration court, in the same ruling that defined the Philippines’ maritime economic entitlements, also invalidated China’s entire ninedash-line claim in the South China Sea, and declared that Beijing is violating Philippine rights by keeping out Filipino fishermen from Panatag or Scarborough Shoal. Beijing has tried to bolster its baseless maritime claims by taking over reefs including Panganiban in the South China Sea and turning these into military-fortified artificial islands, destroying the natural marine environment and posing a threat to freedom of navigation. It deploys hundreds of militia vessels and coast guard ships, which are under its military command, to operate in swarms and try to keep Philippine fishing and patrol vessels out of the West Philippine Sea. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has described China as a “squatter” in the West Philippine Sea. The government should do more to put an end to Chinese bullying. Sunday’s collision should give urgency to mustering greater international support for a rules-based order in the South China Sea. (Philstar.com)
the other hand, is quite telling. According to the latest Pew Research Center survey, American people overwhelmingly see China (50 percent) as the greatest source of external threat, far ahead of Russia (17 percent) and North Korea (2 percent). Interestingly, Biden himself and the U.S. defense establishment themselves have repeatedly identified China as the greatest challenge to American primacy throughout the years. Moreover, the U.S. has been extremely generous to allies in both Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Last year, Ukraine received more than $46 billion in aid from Washington alone. As for Israel, it received more than $300 billion in military aid between 1946 and 2022. With both allies facing security challenges, the U.S. is signaling massive military aid for the foreseeable future. And this, dear reader, brings us to the Philippines and, accordingly, existential threats in the West Philippine Sea. To put things into perspective: America’s total defense aid to the Philippines in the past decade has been barely above $1 billion, even as we have been confronting the world’s largest naval force in the South China Sea. In fact, the Philippines is confronting three ticking time
bombs in the South China Sea. First is, of course, the Scarborough Shoal, which was coercively overtaken by China in 2012 after Washington refused to decisively intervene on behalf of its ally. And as the latest developments suggest, a potential armed confrontation between China and the Philippines over the contested shoal is far from unthinkable. Just as worrying is the simultaneous crisis in the Second Thomas Shoal. Our de facto base in the area, the dilapidated BRP Sierra Madre, is about to succumb to the elements, but China has made it crystal clear that they would intervene should we seek to refurbish our position in the area. So the Philippines is facing an impossible situation, whereby it risks either (i) confrontation with an Asian juggernaut or (ii) losing more sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. As if that weren’t bad enough, the Philippines is also running out of time to secure its energy security. The Malampaya plant is set to run out in the coming years, but we are yet to develop our energy resources in the Reed Bank area amid China’s constant harassment. Yearslong negotiations over a joint exploration deal, under a “service contract” modality, collapsed,
China Coast Guard ship with bow No. 4302 shadows one of two Philippine Navy boats on a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Inquirer.net file photo
thanks to Beijing’s refusal to respect both international law and the Philippines’ constitution. Next to Taiwan, which faces the real prospect of a full-scale Chinese invasion, the Philippines is arguably the most besieged American ally in the Indo-Pacific. And unlike America’s allies in other major theaters, we are yet to develop a minimum credible defense posture against a superpower. Against this backdrop, we should welcome Vice President
Sara Duterte’s (surprisingly) statesmanlike intervention last week, namely her call for a (humanitarian) ceasefire and “long-term peace” in the Middle East. We should also hope that Ukraine will soon be in a position to negotiate for peace from a position of strength in order to best protect its sovereignty against an aggressive Russia. The reality is that the Philippines can’t deal with the China challenge without robust U.S. assistance. Yet, the U.S. is no longer a
“hyperpower,” namely the colossus that could intervene in multiple theaters effectively. And China, like no other revisionist actor, is in a position to threaten multiple U.S. allies in the IndoPacific. (Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2023
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Zubiri: SC decision didn’t diminish Senate’s power DFA exec says 20 Filipinos in West Bank want to go back to PH by CeCille suerte Felipe Philstar.com
by Charie abarCa Inquirer.net
MANILA — Almost 20 Filipinos in the West Bank have signified their desire to return to the Philippines as fighting between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas intensifies. “There are a few. Almost 20 [Filipinos who have signified their intentions]. But [their repatriation] would be easier,” Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in a mix of English and Filipino during an interview with Radyo 630.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official also said at least 122 Filipinos are in the West Bank, one of two designated Palestinian-occupied territories, the other being the Gaza Strip. “Out of that, mga 20 ang gustong umuwi. Well, hindi magkaka giyera doon. Pero ‘yung peace and order [ang concern at] maraming protest ngayon. Mas madali ‘yun kasi tatawid lang [sila] ng Jordan,” he added. (Out of that, about 20 want to go home. Well, there will be no war there. But peace and order [is the concern, and] there are
many protests now. That’s easier because [they] will just cross Jordan.) De Vega did not provide more details, including the repatriation schedule, but noted that the Philippine government will bring them home as “soon as possible.” The DFA has raised crisis alert level 2 over West Bank. The Philippine Embassy in Jordan said this alert level is issued when there are “real threats to the life, security, and property of Filipinos” arising from internal and external threats to the host country. n
Rice retail prices rise by P2 per kilo by bella Cariaso Philstar.com
MANILA — Retail prices of rice have increased by P2 per kilo amid the rising farmgate price of palay, according to retailers’ group Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines (GRECON). In an interview with The STAR, GRECON national president James Magbanua said that in the Visayas alone, the buying price of fresh palay increased to P19 from P17 per kilo, and between P24 and P25 for dry palay. “The farmgate price of palay has increased since last week and it follows that once the farmgate price goes up, the retail price of rice will also go up. The P45 per kilo and P40 plus per kilo of rice is still available,” Magbanua said. He said the buying price of palay is higher in Luzon. Farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) chairman Rosendo So earlier said the farmgate price of palay has reached P27 per kilo. “The P27 per kilo buying price of palay is in Luzon. Here in the Visayas, it has yet to reach that level,” Magbanua said. He said he does not agree with So’s proposal for President Marcos to impose another price ceiling of P45 per kilo on rice next month amid the increase in the farmgate price of the staple. “To me, the price cap is not advisable. It is not healthy for the economy,” Magbanua said. He said that farmers benefit from the upward trend in the farmgate price of palay. “For the first time, I did not hear farmers complain about the low buying price of palay,” he said. Magbanua said the government should subsidize the retail price of rice instead of imposing a price ceiling. “The government can subsidize, but not the price cap. If it will release funding, it is better to subsidize (the retail price of the grains),” he said, noting that farmers are encouraged to plant more because of the high buying price of palay. “We need to implement a long-term solution to increase the yield (of the farmers) and lower the production cost. These should include transfer of technology, modernization of the sector and lower the production cost of the farmers. The government
A rice vendor inspects his products at a public market in Paco, Manila on September 6, 2023 after President Bongbong Marcos Jr. imposed a nationwide price ceiling for regular milled rice at P41 per kilo and P45 per kilo for well-milled rice. Philstar.com photo
should address the high cost of farm inputs,” Magbanua said. He gave assurance that the supply of rice amid the peak harvest season would be adequate. Meanwhile, Raul Montemayor, national chairman of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), said that traders anticipate high farmgate prices after the peak harvest season and the possible impact of the El Niño phenomenon in the increase in the buying price of palay. “There is an uptick in palay prices, which is good for farmers. But with the large harvest coming in, I don’t think prices will spike up very much. If ever in the short-term only, but the increase in palay prices – when these should be going down during the peak harvest season – indicates that traders anticipate higher prices after the harvest months, probably because of the continued high international prices and possible effects of El Niño,” Montemayor said in a separate message to The STAR. Montemayor said he is validating reports that retail prices of rice have increased. Like Magbanua, he also opposed a suggestion to reimplement the price ceiling on rice. “This (increase in the retail price of rice) should not be a reason to impose price caps and end up depressing palay prices and penalizing farmers again for something that is not their fault. The best and most reliable way to offset the increase in international prices and effects of El Niño is to encourage, not discourage, farmers to plant more by giving them a good price for their produce,” he said. n
MANILA — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday, October 24 downplayed the impact of the Supreme Court (SC)’s decision denying the Senate’s petition challenging the constitutionality of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to bar executive officials from attending Senate hearings. “It is my position that the ruling does not in any way diminish or disturb long-established doctrines on the legislative’s power to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation,” Zubiri said. The SC denied the petition for certiorari and prohibition filed by the Senate, which challenged the constitutionality of Duterte’s memorandum barring executive officials from attending hearings conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee on the budget utilization of the Department of Health (DOH). Through a memorandum in October 2021, Duterte, through then executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, prohibited executive officials and employees from attending the Senate hearings on the government’s disbursement of COVID-19 funds. Zubiri clarified that the Senate “respects the Court’s decision and the body will discuss how to move forward with this.” He said they would “certainly study the decision and use it to strengthen our internal rules while preserving our constitutional mandate.” The Senate president explained that the SC dismissed the case on procedural and not on substantive grounds – it considered the filing of the case as premature, saying that the jurisdictional issue raised by the executive branch should have been first resolved by the Senate using its own rules. “We note that the decision recognizes and upholds the inherence and breadth of the power of Congress to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation, provided that the inquiry is material or necessary to legislation,” he said. For former Senate president Vicente Sotto III, the SC decision only supported the Senate as a co-equal branch of the executive, maintaining that he has yet to read the complete SC decision. “While the SC denied the Senate’s petition, its decision only buttressed the independence
based on its duty to settle actual controversies and determine whether there has been grave abuse of discretion on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the government. “More than a power or authority to settle disputes, the court has a duty to fulfill its role in the system of checks and balances,” he said. He added that it is “completely illogical” to claim that there was no immediate or threatened injury to the powers of the Senate with the issuance of the memorandum, since executive branch officials attended the previous hearings prior to the Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri order. Philstar.com file photo “I therefore disagree with of the Senate as a co-equal the pretextual dismissal of the branch of the executive by petition because of the supposed declaring that the Senate rules absence of an actual case or should be followed in resolving controversy before the court. matters within its committee’s That is simply not the case,” Caguioa said. jurisdiction,” Sotto said. “By dismissing the petition “Also, as already pronounced by the SC in the case of Senate on the ground of prematurity, vs. Ermita in 2006, the Congress the court deliberately closed its has the right to compel the eyes to the public statements appearance of officials to of the president prior to hearings in aid of legislation, and contemporaneous with which the Senate used as a basis the issuance of the subject in its petition and still the case memorandum,” he added. The associate justice also law on the matter,” he added. argued that it is a “trivial and Dissenting opinion Meanwhile, Associate vain exercise” to require the Justice Alfredo Benjamin Senate to rule on its own on jurisdictional challenge Caguioa asserted that the SC the should not have dismissed before filing a petition before the petition challenging the the SC, saying the Senate’s mainly questioned constitutionality of a Duterte’s petition the constitutionality of the 2021 memorandum. In his dissenting opinion, memorandum. “This bone of contention Caguioa said the high court should not resort to presented by the Senate is “technicalities to conveniently already beyond and above a mere justify” the dismissal of the assertion of its jurisdiction to petition and “ultimately, evade conduct inquiries and to compel its obligation to be the final the executive officials to again arbiter on questions involving attend its hearings. This time, the validity of the legislative the Senate is already questioning or executive’s exercise of its the constitutionality of the action of a co-equal branch,” he said. authority.” “When there is a perceived In the SC ruling, penned by Associate Justice Amy Lazaro- encroachment by one branch of Javier, the high court found the government on the mandate that there is no actual case or and functions of the other, there controversy ripe for judicial is no other arbiter than the court adjudication, considering that itself,” he added. Chief Justice Alexander Gesthe Senate itself has its own rules in resolving committee mundo and 12 other SC jusjurisdiction challenges and tices concurred with the ruling should have resorted to that penned by Javier, all of whom are before bringing the case to the Duterte’s appointees. Caguioa and Senior SC. Justice Marvic The ruling also found that Associate the memorandum posed no Leonen, who were appointed immediate or threatened injury by Duterte’s predecessor, the late former president Benigno to the powers of the Senate. Caguioa argued that the Aquino III, issued dissenting SC’s power of judicial review is opinions. n
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OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
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Heart Evangelista claims someone ‘Don’t read the comments’: Pia stole her contacts to enjoy Europe Wurtzbach supports, advises Philippines’ by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com
MANILA — Kapuso actress Heart Evangelista revealed that someone stole her contacts for that person to enjoy Europe. In her Instagram live session, Heart said that she will give her contacts if that person just asked her. “Women should support each other. You just ask me. If you asked me for contacts, I would have given it to you,” she said. “Imagine mo, years and years ko siyang trinabaho tapos ganu’n lang? Kinuha lang ‘yung sheet, eh. Pero ganu’n talaga. Baka kailangan nila,” she added. When asked by her followers if it was Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach she was referring to, Heart said: "I'm not gonna name names." "You know, I think everybody naman, lahat naman, pwedeng gawin. I mean, you could do everything and if you like to do it, you can do it. It’s just the way or matter of doing it. That’s the only thing that sucks. Like, I expected more from you know, but I don’t know, ganu’n talaga," she said. “Parang kung baga, survival mode na ‘to. And ako, ‘di naman ako kailagang mag-survive. Okay naman ako. I think this is the sad part here in the Philippines. Everybody’s really crab mentality. Like, pwede namang ‘Girl, pwede bang ganyan?’ Sure, why not, no?' Hindi Heart Evangelista ‘yung ganu’n. Nakaka-turn off. Nakaka-sad,” she added. Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte
Hamilton cast admires Filipinos’ respect for elders and even strangers by nathalie toMada Philstar.com
THE international production of the Broadway megahit musical Hamilton has been playing at Theatre at Solaire for a month now, affording its stars ample time and opportunity to observe and soak in some local culture. In case you don’t know it yet, the Manila season serves as the Asian premiere of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony, Grammy, Olivier and Pulitzer-winning hip-hop musical about one of America’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. Australian actor Jason Arrow, cast in the titular role of Alexander Hamilton, and US theater veteran Darnell Abraham, who brings to life the character of the first American president George Washington, recently shared their experiences and insights so far during this Manila run. When asked about their encounters with Filipino fans, the actors were quick to highlight the warmth and respect they have received from the local audience. Jason particularly noted the level of respect that Filipinos exhibit towards strangers. In hallways or random interactions, he said there’s an immediate display of courtesy, regardless of whether they know you or your background. That respect left a lasting impression on him. Jason said, “I would say respect. That one really sticks with me… One of the things I’ve noticed is a lot of respect for people who don’t even know you, just randomly walking in the hallways or something. And there will just be an immediate respectful person next to you without knowing who they are, what they do, where they’re from. It doesn’t matter. It’s respect. It just sort of happens here a lot which you don’t really get anywhere else so it is very unique.” Darnell, in turn, expressed appreciation for the strong sense of community in the Philippines. He observed a deep reverence for elders and a preference for a “communal spirit” that extends beyond one’s immediate household. Darnell said, “Literally, the very first thought we talked about before we came out and that is the community. There really is a really a community here. “I think that’s not always the case in places that I visited all over the world. But there are places where there really is a preference for community that goes beyond your immediate house… and in fact, you see a respect for the elderly, for the elders.” Both actors agreed that the Filipino audiences are very polite. “Just to see folks interact and say thank you, po and for understanding that. We are not opposed to ‘sir.’ It’s even higher than that. It is so beautiful, and to be out in the community, but then to also experience the spirit of any audience that we can totally say Filipino audiences are so polite,” Darnell said. Jason also offered a peek into his daily routine that prepares him for the demands
Jason and Darnell with Smart Infinity executives (from left) Richard Mathew Dimagiba, VP/head of postpaid marketing; Ruth Coloma, AVP and brand head; Eden Techico, VP for Retail Operations; John Palanca, FVP for consumer sales and development; Alex Caeg, SVP for Consumer Business; and Sandra Laurel, AVP for Retail Operations. Philstar.com photo
of each performance night. His preparation varies from day to day, but he dedicates his mornings to both his mental and physical condition. This includes hitting the gym and engaging in exercises. The rest of the day unfolds organically, influenced by the requirements of his performance. Darnell, on the other hand, got to open up about his early introduction to the theater world. Growing up singing in church, he developed an interest in music and performing arts. He was in first grade when he was introduced to Shakespeare and classic Hollywood movies, perhaps helping lay the foundation for his acting career. His grandmothers had always envisioned him as a pastor or performer. He said his role as George Washington in Hamilton combines both aspects, with the character delivering a sermonlike speech in the song One Last Time. “You know, it’s an exhortation. And then, that validation was the most rewarding and I thank my parents and my families for nurturing that,” he said. Both actors also spoke about the unique challenges of being part of an international tour. After the Manila season, the international tour will head to Dubai and then Singapore, as just recently announced. Jason mentioned the aspects of navigating a foreign city, being away from home and living out of a suitcase. “Navigating how to get to work, where to buy things. All that stuff. And just things like waking up to an alarm clock. Being away from home, living out of a suitcase, things like that. You see two guys who are forced to go (on a tour together) for a long time… I see that as like, you know, I have to be open minded. I sort of meditate my way through the whole experience. What I’ve seen is pretty enjoyable,” he said. Darnell, on the other hand, considered the entire tour as a blessing but also stressed the emotional challenge of portraying historical figures. Ultimately, he learned to embrace the “historic significance” of a black man playing Washington as a celebration of the complexities of history. “In addition to what Jason said, for me, (the challenge) is taking the role of Washington because, I mean, these are historical figures
(in the musical). And so anyone can pick up a book and read about these people, especially George Washington because he’s the most captivating US president in history. Everyone has an idea of who George Washington is… He is in the pictures or, at least, artist renditions and illustrations.” Playing Washington as a human with imperfections rather than an idealized figure proved to be a difficult undertaking. “It’s a challenge, taking him off the pedestal, and humanizing this human being who had flaws and all. Also for me, as a descendant of enslaved black Americans, George Washington enslaved black Americans, and so it’s trying to reconcile that reality. And again, that was really difficult for me in the beginning. It was very, very difficult for me,” Darnell admitted. “Through a lot of time spent in meditation, prayer, and also in therapy quite frankly and speaking with my family, with people that I trust, I was able to work my way through it. While I represent George Washington, I represent my ancestors first. And this reconciliation can still be beautiful in that it’s not that we’re trying to rewrite history. “I think that’s what makes this moment so historical, another black man (playing) George Washington. And I think there’s beauty as a celebration of all it. It’s just a really great experience to share with audiences here in Manila. That’s been probably the single biggest thing I had to overcome.” Darnell and Jason had the opportunity to talk to the press during the recent launch of the new Smart Infinity Lounge at the BGC store. The event not only showcased the lounge but also the exclusive services it offers to Smart Infinity members. It also marked the announcement of the Hamilton VIP Experience in collaboration with Smart Infinity. Subscribers to Smart Infinity’s premium plans (5000 and 8000) now receive a pair of complimentary Hamilton VIP tickets for the entire duration of the Manila musical, which runs until Nov. 26. These plans include flagship devices, unlimited mobile data, calls and texts to all networks, exclusive access to Smart Infinity pre-show and afterparty events, as well as the chance to meet and greet the Hamilton cast.
Miss Universe bet Michelle Dee
by Nathalie tomada Philstar.com
MISS Universe 2015, Pia Wurtzbach, has complete confidence in Michelle Dee as she represents the Philippines in this year’s Miss Universe pageant. The 72nd Miss Universe coronation event will take place in El Salvador on Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. (Philippine time). When asked what she thought about Michelle’s chances to become the fifth Filipino to win the Miss Universe title, Pia said, “We’re ready.” “We’ve produced winners. We have that advantage. And what I love about Michelle, she’s very clear about her vision, she knows what she wants, and she also says it. “She’s firm about it but in a very sweet and gentle way. It’s very queenly. You really need somebody who’s firm in her stance. She knows na gusto niya yung hair niya na ganun. She knows her advocacy. She knows what she wants to talk about. She knows what kind of styling to go for. And I appreciate that in a winner. So, I’m very excited to see what she has in store for us.” Pia shared that she had a brief conversation with Michelle during the recent Avon fun run in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month and had a sneak peek at her gown. She said, “I loved it!” She’s going to have a longer chat with Michelle this week before the latter leaves for abroad. “I’m actually gonna have a moment to speak to her, mas private and mas matagal this week. And I’m already preparing little notes that she must remember, just to make her experience a little easier. Trivial things nalang ‘to like ‘wag mong kalimutan i-pack ganito, ganyan, just so she can get into a nice routine every day. I think they will be there for three weeks. So medyo mahaba yung competition nila,” she said. As for her advice to Michelle, she just wants her to embrace the whole Miss Universe experience. “I have a lot of advice, haha, but one thing that comes to mind right now is to simply savor the experience, have a strategy, stick to the plan, and when it comes to social media, people will be waiting for updates, and they will rely on her postings for her activities,” Pia said. “I mean, people are going to be looking at pageant pages for updates but people also want to see what she will be posting. So plan that, but don’t read the comments. Don’t read the comments, girl! It’s tempting but it’s time to focus on the bigger thing, which is the goal and that’s the crown.” Meanwhile, Pia welcomed the recent developments within the Miss Universe competition. Over the past year, the Miss Universe Organization has been introducing significant changes to the eligibility criteria, permitting mothers, married women, pregnant contestants and women of all ages to participate in the pageant. These new rules are expected to be in place for this year’s edition. “I’m very open to the changes happening now, in-expect naman natin na magiging mas inclusive na ang Miss Universe. I think it’s going in the right direction because isipin mo nga naman, ano ba ang Miss Universe? Like, what
Former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach is joined by Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee during the Fun Run to Boob Love event to promote awareness against breast cancer. Philstar.com photo
are her roles? She’s a spokesperson, she’s an inspiration, she will be using the platform to push for her advocacies and her causes as well,” she said. “Kung iisipin mo, may age limit ba yun? ‘Di ba wala naman talaga? Parang these are things that should be pushed by women, regardless of their age, regardless if they’re married or not, regardless if they’re 5’3” or 6’2”. “Like, bakit nga ba may restrictions? Parang I sometimes go back to that question, bakit nga ba may age limit? Bakit nga ba may height requirement? Bakit nga ba women lang or exclusive lang sa women before? And we always have to go back to what our definition of Miss Universe is, and if it’s still the same as my time where she’s a spokesperson, she has to inspire, she has to push for her causes, why can’t it be anyone? “And this opens the doors to so many more women who, in a way, missed out on the chance because they reached the age limit or because they had already decided to start a family and couldn’t compete again. So now, our wishlist is getting longer because we have former candidates who are considering a comeback, and that makes it even more interesting.” Pia has her own list of women she hopes will grace the Miss Universe Philippines stage again. One beauty queen she is keen on seeing return is Christi McGarry, who was crowned Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental when Pia finally won the Miss Universe Philippines title. “Christi McGarry is also a really good friend of mine,” she noted. “She kinda pivoted her career into hosting, DJ-ing and modeling now. She also has a few businesses. And she’s very tall and very morena, Pinay, ang ganda din. “I think it will be so interesting to see somebody who decided to let go of pageants, but now that the restrictions are off, decide to try again,” said Pia, who famously made three attempts before securing the spot to represent the country at Miss Universe. “Ang ganda din ng kwento na ganun na nagbalik loob. So, sila yung mga naisip ko. Marami sa mga mothers eh. Mga kasabayan
ko rin sila kaya.” Also on her wishlist is Alaiza Malinao, a beauty queen and model from Davao City, who became a Miss Universe Philippines 2020 finalist. “I’ve been seeing her posts. She’s very open (about her life), she shares about motherhood, she’s a working mother now. I can envision it. I don’t know if it’s her goal. Sorry Alaiza if I’m putting you on the spot, but I’m sure I’m not the only one,” observed Pia. On the topic of family and motherhood, she opened up about her own aspirations now that she is Mrs. Jauncey. “Definitely, one day, we want to have a family, we want to have kids. Jeremy loves the idea of a big family. Then that means, I’m gonna take a break haha! But, you know, he’s also very supportive of my career. We’ve agreed that we take this time to focus on our careers now and work towards our goal. We’re not in a hurry naman. I’m just glad I have somebody who’s very supportive in all of the decisions I make.” Pia tied the knot with Scottish businessman Jeremy Jauncey in Seychelles last March 24, with the announcement following almost two months after on May 5. When asked about her married life, she said, “I don’t feel much of a difference from when we were engaged. Except that now I’m getting used to being called Mrs. Jauncey already. Nung una parang ‘di pa ako sanay. I’m excited because I feel very safe in the relationship.” Pia also shared how big of an influence Jeremy is in her life, not just personally but professionally as well. “Jeremy has really been a big guiding light for me when it comes to all aspects of my life. Even my career. Like he gives good business advice, he pushes me to try things that I wanna do, he pushes me to go for my book. I mean the book was already finished bago ko pa siya nakilala. But he just pushes me to go for the things that I want and that’s a really nice feeling.” The press got to interview Pia during an intimate media huddle last Tuesday, October 24 about her latest milestone as National Book Store’s bestselling author for her first novel, Queen of the Universe. It’s now available in Singapore and set to launch in the U.S., Australia, Canada, UAE, and the UK later this year. The e-book version will be accessible worldwide starting on Nov. 7. Queen of the Universe is published by Tuttle Publishing, one of the oldest American publishing houses, and the world’s largest publisher of books about Asia. ABS-CBN Books represents Pia in this literary venture. The book can be found at National Book Store and Fully Booked branches in the Philippines, as well as at Kinokuniya and Times Bookstores in Singapore. For U.S.-based readers, pre-orders Pia on building a family with Scottish husband Jeremy Jauncey: ‘Definitely, one day, we want are available on Amazon.com to have a family, we want to have kids. Jeremy loves the idea of a big family.’ Instagram/@piawurtzbach and BarnesandNoble.com.
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2023
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Los Angeles City Hall gets bathed in the colors of the Philippine flag by Consul General edGar B. Badajos
AS part of the month-long celebration of Filipino-American History Month this October, the iconic Los Angeles City Hall building was bathed in the colors of the Philippine flag in the early evening of October 20, 2023. City officials, Philippine Consulate representatives, and Fil-Ams representing local government, businesses and community organizations gathered at the city hall grounds to witness the momentous occasion. Although October was first officially declared as Philippine American History Month in 2009 by virtue of a resolution introduced in the California State Assembly by former State Senator Leland Yee, it was only in 2019 when lighting of the city hall in Philippine colors began with then Eric Garcetti as mayor. Every year since then, the city hall lighting ceremony has become a much-awaited occasion by the Filipino diaspora in Southern California and beyond. Completed in 1928, Los Angeles's City Hall has a total of 32 floors. At 454 feet (138 m) high, it is the tallest base-isolated structure in the world. It has a neoclassical base with an Art Deco tower. In 1976, it was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. Just as the structure is a historic landmark in Los Angeles, lighting it in the colors of the Philippine flag is also of historic proportions. I say this because to me, this act rightfully shines light on the hard-fought and well-deserved recognition of the Filipino immigrant community as a full-pledged member of the city’s social, familial, political, and economic landscape. Indeed, from the first documented landing of a handful of Filipinos in what is now Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo, California in 1587 as crew members of a Spanish galleon en route from Manila to Mexico, to the sprinkling of Filipino immigrants in the early 1900s, Filipinos today comprise one of the largest Asian groups in the entire state of California and third largest in Los Angeles behind the Chinese and Indians. And Filipinos have made their presence felt not only through the sheer size of their community, but also by being generally successful at integrating themselves in all aspects of American life. Whether it be in the arts, media, and entertainment industry, trade or business, or in the political arena, the Filipino community has made inroads and made a difference well beyond the ordinary. California’s incumbent Attorney General is Rob Bonta is the first Filipino American to hold
that position. The city’s “chief accountant and paymaster” is Kenneth Mejia. He is the first Filipino elected official of the City of LA, and the first Asian American to be elected to the position of City Controller. The Commissioner of the Board of Public Works of Los Angeles, Susana de Los Reyes, and the executive director and General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting, Miguel Sangalang, are both of Filipino descent. Apl. de.ap, Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars, Jokoy, and Cher Calvin of KTLA 5 News have become household names in America’s music, entertainment, and media industry. In business, several Fil-Ams have made it to the big leagues, including the stylish Priscilla Dulay Hunt, president and CEO of a multi-million dollar residential and commercial real estate leasing company; business-savvy Rupert and Grace Mercado-Ouano, owners and proprietors of three (3) skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers in Northern and Southern California; socialite couple Dr. Edwin and Lani Raquel whose other claim to fame is as owners of a magnificent estate in a gated community in Los Angeles that was once the home of the late “America’s Sweetheart,” Mary Pickford; and Fil-Am power couple Roger and Cora Oriel, owners and publishers of Asian Journal, the largest Filipino-American printed newspaper in Southern California with branches in San Francisco, San Diego, New York, and Las Vegas. Recently, the Oriels ventured into the wine industry. If they are not attending to their newspaper business, they are busy developing Philippine distribution networks for their Napa Valley-produced Montemaria wines. But the journey of the Filipino immigrant has not always been easy. It is well-documented that there were many road bumps along the way, including specifically, racial prejudice. Many a time, these road bumps challenged the world-renowned patience and tenacity of the Filipino immigrant in the face of adversity. On many occasions, the road bumps forced the Filipino immigrant to wonder whether America is truly a land of opportunity where the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is guaranteed to everyone regardless of race, sex, creed, or political belief, or just an imagined reality where nativism and xenophobia are the rule, making some groups feel like second-class citizens. This month’s celebration of Filipino American history, therefore, is a poignant reminder of not just the Filipino immigrant
Sangalang and Reyes with awardee, beauty influencer and entrepreneur Patrick Starrr (center)
Sangalang and Reyes with awardee, actor Nico Santos (center)
Sangalang and Reyes with a representative on behalf of culinary arts awardee Margarita Miguel Sangalang, DJ E-Man and Susana Reyes Manzke (center)
Sangalang and Reyes with awardee, Anna Lisa de Guzman of Malaya Filipino American Dance Arts (center)
Sangalang and Reyes with awardee, fashion designer Puey Quinones (center)
Community leaders pose for a photo with surprise guest, comedian Jo Koy
Consul General Edgar Badajos Photo from Facebook
community’s triumphs and successes through the years, but also of the many trials it faced and hurdled along the way. For it is not so much the triumphs that built and defined, and will continue to shape, the character of the Filipino immigrant community as did the trials. As for the lighting ceremony, it is a dramatic reminder to Angelenos, if not all the peoples of the United States, that the Filipino immigrant com- Los Angeles City Hall was bathed in the colors of the Philippine flag on October 20, 2023. munity is now as much an integral part of mainstream America as any other American or immigrant community on the street. No amount of racial prejudice, in any form or style, can change or erase that. Mabuhay ang Filipino sa Amerika! *** Mr. Edgar Badajos is a career Philippine Foreign Officer. He is presently serving as Consul General at the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles.
Photos courtesy of Jose Lozano
LA Board of Public Works Commissioner Susana Reyes welcomes Bob DeCastro, an anchor and reporter for FOX 11 News, was the emcee for the Oct. 20 FAHM event. guests to the annual FAHM celebration at City Hall.
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OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
Health @Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS AS far as health is concerned, the majority, if not all of us, want the best health minus the sacrifices needed to achieve it effectively and safely. We want to be healthy without exercising, dieting or abstaining from smoking and without disciplined alcohol intake. We want to have good blood pressure and good cholesterol level without skimping on our salt and fat intake and quitting cigarettes. We want to lose weight without cutting down on our calorie intake and exercising daily. Everybody wants to get to heaven without dying! For expediency, any pill or juice or gadget that comes along with the claim that it is good for our health becomes a “mustbuy” crutch, believing it will confer upon us good health and longevity, without lifting a finger, moving a muscle, or getting off the couch, and putting down the remote control and the potato chips. Unfortunately, most manufacturers of these “health” lotions, potions, pills, juices and gadgets are mostly interested in making their bank accounts healthier, and least interested in the health of its consumer-victims. Otherwise, they won’t continue to prey on the unsuspecting public and sell their useless products, which may even have severe long-term adverse side effects. Organ failure and cancer are some of those possible complications. It is one thing to pay for a very expensive pill or juice or machine and find out years from now that it was not effective. It is another to discover years down the line that its use has caused a debilitating or deadly disease. Now comes the water ionizer, the “ionized” alkaline water it produces, the “special drinking water.” Not only are these marketed waters and the ionizing machines expensive, but they are, according to scientists, “medically baseless and worthless.” Most of the good effects these manufacturers claim for their products are available in healthy food items like fish, fruits, bran, wheat, nuts, vegetables, and water purified by the most advanced multiple-stage reverse-osmosis filtration system. It might come as a surprise to many but boiled water, minus its
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The ‘Ionizer’ scam sediments, is safer than some of this expensive drinking water. Using the commercially available home water filtration pitcher or the below-the-sink multiplestage reversed osmosis filtration system, and then boiling the water will even double the protection. This will certainly not cost $1500 to $2500 like the ionizers. When it comes to health, there is no better guide than our modern science, where extensive and rigidly controlled laboratory testing, and doubleblind, randomized, human clinical trials are the standard before any medication or device gets official approval and goes out to the market. Anecdotal reports (usually solicited) or testimonials (usually from paid endorsers) are not scientific proof. These are misinformation used to market the product with some semblance of “truth.” Candidly, these are nothing but deception to sell. If not approved by the U.S. FDA, RP-BFAD or any other similar national health agencies, any product is a potential suspect. So, public, beware! As far as the water ionizer is concerned, here is “the bottom line” as objectively explained in a detailed scientific paper, which aims to educate and protect the public: “Here, in a nutshell, are few basic facts that anyone with a solid background in chemistry or physiology would concur with: (1) “Ionized water” is nothing more than sales fiction; the term is meaningless to chemists; (2) Most water that is fit for drinking is too non-conductive to undergo significant electrolysis; (3) Pure water can never be alkaline or acidic, nor can it be made so by electrolysis; (4) Ground waters containing metal ions such as calcium and magnesium can be rendered slightly alkaline by electrolysis, but after it hits the highly acidic gastric fluid in the stomach, its alkalinity is gone; (5) The idea that one must consume alkaline water to neutralize the effects of acidic foods is ridiculous; we get rid of excess acid by exhaling carbon dioxide; (6) The claims about health benefits of drinking alkaline water were not supported by credible scientific evidence; (7) There is nothing wrong with drinking slightly acidic waters such as rainwater. Body pH is a meaningless concept in this context because different parts of the body (and even individual
cells) can have widely different pH value; (8) If you really want to deacidify your stomach (at possible cost of interfering with protein digestion), why spend hundreds of dollars for an electrolysis device when you can take calciummagnesium pills, Alka-Seltzers or Milk of Magnesia, under your doctor’s care?; (9) Electrolysis devices or ionizers are generally worthless for treating water for health enhancement, removal of common impurities, disinfection and scale control.” Talking about liquids, here is a warning: Soft drinks (cola or uncola, diet or regular), for instance, are poison to all of us, especially to children; they cause metabolic syndrome, which leads to major chronic illnesses. They are killing us softly! Among “killer foods,” processed foods, especially meats (almost all deli foods), increases the risk for cancer; and sweets and sugars are most unhealthy for us, responsible for obesity and most major chronic illnesses among us. To protect our health…and pocketbook, we must use our wisdom and due diligence in this informational age, where Dr. Google is on-call 24/7. Caveat emptor! *** 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 main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Related websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Angel Locsin proves one can live without social media by natHalie toMada Philstar.com
ONE might expect celebrities to be active on social media 24/7. It’s widely perceived, if not outright believed, that social media helps celebs maintain their visibility, relevance and engagement with fans. They leverage their social media presence to promote projects, endorsements and personal brand, among other things. That’s why it’s puzzling to many of her followers, even the showbiz press, why Angel Locsin has been M.I.A. or missing in action on her online platforms for over a year now. During the pandemic, the Kapamilya star was one of the most active and outspoken figures on social media. As an activist, she frequently utilized her platforms to generate awareness for advocacies and causes. She wasn’t spared from online criticism and controversies, largely stemming from her strong stance on socio-political matters. But the actress also didn’t shy away from addressing issues on her social media. However, her last post on Instagram, where she has 9.3 million followers and which has since been set to private, was in August 2022. Her YouTube channel, which offered a fun and intimate look into her marriage with businessman and film producer Neil Arce, last uploaded a video in August 2022 as well. Speculations about her sudden and unexplained “disconnection” from the online world range from pregnancy, being abroad to marital issues, health-related reasons, and so on. But it appears now that she simply wanted a more peaceful life. According to her close friend Dimples Romana, Angel may have withdrawn from the public eye, but she hasn’t disappeared from life altogether. She further shared that Angel is happier minus the constant social media activity. She’s enjoying married life with husband Neil. Dimples got asked for updates on Angel upon briefly mentioning the latter as one of her showbiz friends who expressed support for the launch of her own skincare brand, Dreamcake. Asked by The STAR if the former Darna star was aware that people have been “looking for her,” Dimples replied, “She’s very much aware, haha. And she’s very much happier you’re
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Dimples Romana on Angel Locsin’s long absence from the public eye: She’s so happy and she’s currently living a contented life with her businessman-husband Neil Arce. Philstar.com file photo
all looking for her. It’s touching her heart haha. Yun lang. Kasi ang saya ‘di ba? Don’t we all love that? Na parang wala muna akong social media, dito muna ako, ‘di ba ang saya?” “If I had that luxury, why not? But hindi pwede, mahal ang paglipad ni Ate sa Australia,” she added, referring to her daughter Callie who’s taking up aviation studies abroad. Dimples, nevertheless, emphasized that Angel’s indefinite soc-med hiatus doesn’t mean she’s not busy. “Alam niyo, hindi porke’t hindi niyo siya nakikita online… she’s busy. Especially in my life, she is ever-present. In fact, ‘pag tinatanong niyo nga ako, ‘dun ko lang naiisip ay oo nga pala hindi siya nagpapakita sa lahat. But kasi, I’m happy and fortunately able to see her.” Dimples continued, “I just have to visit her because she is there at home. I will tell you she’s so happy, she’s very light, she’s so giddy when I talk to her, I love the sight of her. If you miss her, please know that she’s doing well, she’s happy living her married life with Neil.” She indicated that Angel has even reduced phone usage that they connect through in-person visits instead. “She’s been asking about things that are happening in my life now kasi ‘di siya sumasagot sa phone, by the way. It’s an old school kind of visiting. Yung tipong hindi pa uso yung mga telegrama. Pupunta ka lang sa bahay. Ganun yung relasyon namin ngayon.” Dimples recalled her recent visit to Angel’s home. “Nakakatawa kasi ‘pag dating ko sa bahay nila… si Gel kasi, kilala niyo sya, ‘pag nagbabanyo ang tagal
haha! Alam niyo that of her kasi talagang matagal, talagang hours siya naliligo. “So kami muna ni Neil, nagbonding hanggang sa kailangan ko na umalis and sabi ko sa kanya, ‘Mars, ano na, lalabas ka ba or aalis na ako?’ ‘Hindi lalabas na ako.’ Usap lang kami sa pintuan. So she came out and you know, I’m always so happy to see her. “Because isn’t that a dream of ours when you just stop with social media and live a life that is simple, comfortable and happy, or somewhat detached muna from the world? Sometimes kasi, the way we consume social media gets to us eh. Minsan nga nagkakaroon tayo ng anxiety because we consume so much, we’re unable to control ourselves. “And I’m so happy with Gel, it came to a point, of course, with the help of Neil, to just detach a little bit. It has done her very, very well.” While her “comeback” on social media and showbiz in general remains uncertain, Angel is also proving that it’s possible to live without social media. When asked when Angel might reappear in public or return to the screens, Dimples admitted, “No, I don’t know, and it’s not something that I want to ask of her also because I see that she’s so happy eh.” “‘Di ba pag-kaibigan ka and you see your friend happy, ba’t ko siya idadamay, halika dito, damay-damay tayo dito, ayoko ‘di ba? Gusto ko nga ako idamay niya dun eh. Gusto ko nga sabihin niya sa akin, ‘Dimples, dito ka muna.’ Hindi niya gagawin yun kasi ang daldal ko. Siempre, ayaw niya ng makulit dun. Gusto niya ako dun in small doses,” she concluded.
Miss International 2023 Andrea Rubio of Venezuela and her court.
Inquirer.net photo from from Armin P. Adina
Venezuela’s Andrea Rubio is new Miss International; PH’s Nicole Borromeo places 3rd runner-up by arMin adina Inquirer.net
THE Miss International pageant has found its 61st queen in Andrea Rubio from Venezuela, who bested 69 other women from all over the world, including the Philippines’ Nicole Borromeo, in ceremonies held at the Yoyogi Gymnasium No. 2 here on Oct. 26. Rubio inherited the title from last year’s winner, Jasmin Selberg. She inherited the title from last year’s winner, Jasmin Selberg, and became her country’s ninth winner since the international pageant’s inception in the United States in 1960. Aside from Borromeo, those who made up the new queen’s court are: Sofia Oslo Luna of Colombia (first runner-up), Camila Diaz of Peru (second runner-up), and Vanessa Hayes of Bolivia (fourth runner-runner-up). Borromeo had to wait more than a year before seeing action
on the international stage. She received the Binibining Pilipinas International title in July 2022 from her predecessor Hannah Arnold, who was sent to the 2022 Miss International pageant later that year. Meanwhile, the special awards are as follows: Best National Costume – Angola Best in Evening Gown – Indonesia Miss Fitness – Zimbabwe Miss Photogenic – New Zealand This year’s edition of the Miss International pageant implemented major changes in the way the competition was mounted. For one, it was held in the evening in Tokyo, while the previous editions were done in the afternoon. They also moved to a bigger venue this year to accommodate a larger crowd. Since 2016, the Tokyo Dome City Hall was home to the global tilt. And instead of delivering prepared speeches, the finalists
underwent a question-andanswer round. But perhaps the biggest change was the scrapping of the swimsuit parade during the final competition. This also resulted in a program that was much shorter than the four-hour ceremonies in the past editions. The organizers clarified, though, that the delegates were still assessed in their swimwear for body proportions and skin quality in a closed-door evaluation. There have been six former Miss International winners from the Philippines— Gemma Cruz (1964), Aurora Pijuan (1970), Melanie Marquez (1979), Precious Lara Quigaman (2005), Bea Rose Santiago (2013) and Kylie Verzosa (2016). From among the longest running global competitions in the world, the Philippines has found most success in the Miss International pageant, only trailing Venezuela’s eight-win record.
Publicist defends Francis and Pia Magalona’s imperfect but ‘happy, loving’ marriage by HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net
FRANCIS Magalona’s former publicist Pilar Mateo said the music icon and his wife Pia certainly did not have a “perfect” union, but they were a “very happy and loving couple.” Mateo appeared to be addressing allegations made by former commercial model and concert producer Robby Tarroza, who claimed to be a close confidant of the Master Rapper, that the Magalona couple had a “dysfunctional” marriage. Their home situation, according to Tarroza, had resulted in Francis falling into the arms of another woman, that of former flight stewardess, Abegail Rait, who recently came out in public to disclose his affair with the OPM hitmaker. In an interview with Inquirer Bandera, Mateo discussed several photos that she shared on Facebook recently in the wake of Rait and Tarroza’s revelations, debunking the latter’s claim that Francis and Pia were not married to begin with. Mateo’s photos showed Francis and Pia — him, in a tie and suit; her in a simple white sleeveless dress — smiling happily before the camera after their supposed civil wedding in Hong Kong sometime in the 1980s. “ ‘ Yu n g t u n g k o l s a k a s a l nila, simple lang naganap na wedding in [Hong Kong]. Parang nagbakasyon lang kami. In one of the courts there [naganap ang kasal],” she said. “Sa dalas ko sa bahay nila that time, I saw a very happy and loving couple. Pia as the one managing FM’s (Francis) career was very hands on talaga pagdating sa trabaho ni Francis,” she said in the interview. (When it comes to the topic of their wedding, the ceremony in Hong Kong was simple. We were on vacation then they got married in one of the courts there. In my numerous visits at the time, I saw a very happy and loving couple. Pia as the one managing FM’s career was very hands on when it comes to Francis’ work.)
Francis Magalona and Pia Arroyo-Magalona
The former publicist also said Francis and Pia are “doting and very loving” parents to their children outside of their careers, and stated that while all relationships are “not perfect,” they remained as a “happy family.” “Masaya sila. Sweet couple. Not perfect. May away-away din. Wala pa sa ‘Eat Bulaga’ that time si FM. But I could say happy family, happy couple. ‘Di naman nawawala ang away at tampuhan,” she said. “Basta during my time with them, nakita ko how loving they were to each other. May mga problema man, petty ones na ‘di nila naso-solve. Iba rin ang ka-sweetan nila,” she further added. (They’re happy together. They’re a sweet couple. Not perfect, they go through fights. Francis Magalona was not in “Eat Bulaga” at the time, but I could say they’re a happy family, happy couple. Fights and arguments will always be a part of relationships. During my time with them, I saw how loving they were to each other. They’ve been through problems, petty ones even, but their sweetness to each other is different.) Code of silence Without addressing Rait or anyone in particular, Mateo pointed out that Pia is not
Photo from Instagram/@piamagalona
one to address controversies surrounding her late husband, although she noted that the “other family” should “live and let live.” “Sa pagkakilala ko kay Pia, she will not talk anymore. Nor stoop down sa ganitong sitwasyon. Actually, alam ko lumabas na ‘yan dati pa. She kept mum at ‘di na nag-react,” she said. “Kung meron pala iba pang family after several years na nagsama sila, then live and let live.” (As far as Pia is concerned, she will not talk anymore nor stoop down to those types of situations. Actually, I remembered that reports about the same topic emerged before. But she kept mum and didn’t react. If there’s another family after several years they’ve been together, then live and let live.) The former publicist stressed that Pia may be “feisty” but she would rather choose to protect her children, while asserting that the rapper should be allowed to “rest in peace.” “Wala sa personalinad ni Pi ang makipagbangayan pa sa mga ganyang bagay. Unangunang poprotektahan niyan ang mga anak nila. But she’s a feisty woman,” she said, referring to Pia using her nickname. “I have not seen nor talked to Pia for the longest time. Like I said, hindi na ‘yan magsasalita.” (It’s not in Pia’s personality to respond to those types of topics. She puts her children first, but she’s a feisty woman. I have not seen nor talked to Pia for the longest time. Like I said, she will not speak about it anymore) “Kung may pumasok na iba, after so many years na nanahimik naman daw, that’s her side of the story. Wala na si FM. Let his soul rest in peace (If ever there was someone who was around in Francis’ life and kept quiet for years, that’s her side of the story. FM is not here anymore. Let his soul rest in peace,” she further added. Since Rait made waves in showbiz with her controversial Francis Magalona, Abegail Rait with their alleged love child Gaile Francesca. revelation, Pia has yet to make a Screengrab from YouTube/Boss Toyo Production statement, as of this writing.
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OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 1, 2023 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
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