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DECEMBER 1-7, 2023 Volume 17 - No.8 • 16 Pages

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Bongbong Marcos: Gov’t secured DATELINE USA last Filipino held by Hamas in Gaza FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

More than 60 Asian American groups raise alarm over surveillance program LOS ANGELES – More than 60 Asian American groups have opposed the anticipated reauthorization of a controversial surveillance measure that could be used to racially profile their communities. In a letter to Congress, the groups said the statute – Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) – has been “misused” to spy on Americans in the past. “The consequences of such misuse have had a profound impact on our Asian American community, resulting in wrongful targeting, unjust surveillance

by JEAN MANGALUZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday, November 29 that the government has located and secured the

second and last Filipino held by Hamas in Gaza. Marcos said Noralyn Babadilla is now in Israel. “I have entrusted our officials at the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv to attend

by ZACARIAN SARAO Inquirer.net

SHOPPING FOR HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS. A customer checks out the various hanging Santa decors, angels, candy canes, and other Christmas ornaments on sale in this shop along JP Laurel Avenue in Davao City, on Wednesday, Nov. 29. The decors’ prices range from PHP810 to PHP45,000 for the large statues. PNA photo by

Sara appeals to DOJ: From 20th to 98th: PH Don’t cooperate with ICC ranking drops in World MANILA — While maintaining that President Marcos’ foreign policy decisions should be followed, Vice President Sara Duterte said she would urge the Department of Justice (DOJ) not to cooperate in the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s investigation of the bloody war on drugs during the administration of her father. Asked about Marcos’ softened tone regarding the issue of cooperation with the ICC, Duterte said, “We all should respect the position of the president, being the chief architect of foreign policy. His position should be the position of all.”

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NO CRACKS IN UNITEAM ‘We just work as Pres. and VP,’ says Duterte on Marcos

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Vice President Sara Duterte Photo from Facebook/@MayorIndaySaraDuterteOfficial/

to her needs in coordination with Israeli authorities. With this positive development, I am pleased to inform the nation that all Filipinos affected by the war have been accounted for,” the President said in a post

Giving Index 2023 by ZEUS LEGASPI Inquirer.net

HAVE Filipinos become less generous last year? They have, according to the World Giving Index 2023 which survey conducted in 2022 revealed that the Philippines ranked 98th in terms of generosity.

MANILA — No “cracks” exist between the Marcos-Duterte tandem, otherwise known as the ‘UniTeam,’ Vice President Sara Duterte herself said on Tuesday, November 28. Duterte made the pronouncement after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently revealed that the prospect of the Philippines reintegrating as a state party to the International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently being studied. His statement fueled speculation that differences may have started to form within the political team-up.

2023 digital lending in PH tipped to hit $489M by RONNEL W. DOMINGO Inquirer.net

The latest standing of the Philippines in the World Giving Index was the lowest it has ever been as the country placed 20th in 2021, 65th in 2020, and 33rd in 2018. World Giving Index 2023 polled 147,186 people from 142 countries and asked

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MANILA -The Philippine digital lending market is expected to grow by 45.4 percent to reach $488.8 million in 2023 from $336 million in 2022 and is poised for a “rampant surge” over the next four years, according to PayNEXT360. The research and consulting firm—which holds offices in the United Kingdom, the United States and India—said in a report that

the adoption of alternative lending channels in the Philippines is growing by an average of 36.2 percent yearly during the forecast period of 2023-2027. This means that the market is expected to ring up $1.68 billion by 2027, thanks mainly to digital banking service providers such as neo-banks and financial technology or fintech firms. PayNEXT360 describes alternative lending as ranging from

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From the Front Page

Bongbong Marcos: Gov’t secured last... PAGE 1 on X (formerly Twitter). Marcos also thanked Israeli authorities for overseeing Babadilla’s release. “We extend our sincerest gratitude to Israeli authorities for facilitating Noralyn’s release, and for all ongoing assistance to Filipinos in Israel. Our gratitude also goes to Egypt and the State of Qatar for their crucial role in this process over the past several weeks,” he said. A raging battle between Israeli troops and Hamas militants ensued in Gaza following the October 7 surprise attack of the Palestinian militant group on Israel. A few days of ceasefire was sought and agreed upon last week to allow the release of civilians trapped and held captive in the war. g

SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS. Stalls selling pointsettias are starting to lure buyers at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on Monday, Nov. 27. You know that the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes, is just around the corner when these flowers bloom, usually from mid-November to January. PNA

More than 60 Asian... PAGE 1 and devastating tolls on careers, livelihoods and reputations,” said the letter signed by a coalition of 63 Asian American organizations. The coalition is led by the Stop AAPI Hate, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ) and the Asian American Scholar Forum.

Section 702 is a surveillance program designed to collect information related to national security threats from foreigners outside the United States. It is granted through annual certifications and relies on the mandatory assistance of American telecom providers. (Nimfa U. Rueda/Inquirer.net)

Palestinians fleeing north Gaza move southward as ambulances head towards north Gaza during a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas, near Gaza City, November 27, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/

2023 digital lending in PH tipped to... PAGE 1 personalized business-to-consumer offerings like payroll advances to strategic business-to-business solutions like lines of credit. Payment instruments for these transactions are listed as including cash, checks, credit transfer, direct debits, debit card, credit card and e-money. “The high percentage of the unbanked population, coupled with the growing demand for credit amid the current macroeconomic environment, has resulted in more and more consumers turning to alternative lending providers in 2022,” PayNEXT350 said in a statement. Inflation impact “This trend is projected to further continue in 2023, as inflation continues to impact the disposable income of many across the Southeast Asian market,” it added. Citing an example, PayNEXT360 noted that fintech startup Salmon launched its first lending product in the Philippines in January 2023.

For the launch of its point-of-sale lending service, Salmon partnered with 30 merchants and aimed at millennials and Gen Z consumers “who do not have the time and patience to go through the complicated processes of conventional institutions.” Tonik group also launched new lending products that offer flexible terms, such as no collateral required for consumer purchases, or the object of purchase—such as a property—to be the collateral itself. Another driver of growth is the trend of digital lenders teaming up with artificial intelligence-powered fintech firms in order to enable accurate credit risk profile assessment, including for the unbanked borrowers — such as UNO Digital partnering with Trusting Social. Also, players are teaming up with one another to diversify their service offerings and add another revenue stream to their core operations — such as Tala teaming up with Union Digital, which launched an e-wallet lending service. g

We just work as Pres... From 20th to 98th: PH ranking drops... PAGE 1 The speculation is further fanned with alleged plans within the House of Representatives to impeach the Vice President. “Wala naman. Wala namang [cracks]. (There’s none. There aren’t any cracks),” said Duterte at the sidelines of “Bata, Bida Ka!” program for the 31st National Children’s Month. According to Duterte, her partnership with Marcos continues even after the campaign period for the 2022 elections is over. “Ang UniTeam kasi, it was a tandem during the elections. Ngayon naman, ang trabaho namin is hindi na pangangampanya. Ang trabaho namin is President and Vice President,” said Duterte. (UniTeam was a tandem during the elections. This time, our job is not to campaign anymore. Our job is President and Vice President.) “With regard to our working relationship, wala akong narinig kay Pangulong Marcos na reklamo niya with regard sa trabaho namin sa DepEd (Department of Education). Tuloy tuloy lang iyong trabaho,” she added. (About our working relationship, I haven’t heard any complaints from President Marcos about our work in the DepEd. The work continues.) Asked if she had already met with Marcos after he made his statements that he is considering a return to ICC, Duterte said they had not yet seen one another. g

PAGE 1 them key questions related to donating money, helping a stranger, and volunteering time for an organization. The Philippines had a median score of 34, which is lower than the global average of 39. The report likewise disclosed that among its adult Filipino respondents, 57 percent or more than half said they helped a stranger, 34 percent said they have volunteered to an organization, and 12 percent said they have donated money to charity. The result of the World Giving Index 2023 came against the backdrop of a recent Social Weather Stations survey showing that 30 percent of Filipinos

say their quality of life worsened in the past 12 months. Philippines’ neighbor Indonesia topped World Giving Index 2023 with a median score of 68. Indonesia has been touted as the most giving in the global generosity survey for six straight years now. Ukraine trailed Indonesia with a score of 62 followed by Kenya with as score of 60. Liberia and the United States tied on the next spot as both scored 58 in the world giving polls. Based on the World Giving Index 2023, Ukraine was 2022’s “highest climber” among the countries surveyed because it added 13 points from its score in 2021.

The world’s least giving in the 2023 report was Poland, garnering a median score of 15. Each country’s index score and global ranking are calculated by averaging positive responses – a higher score shows more people in that country are involved in giving, the report noted. The World Giving Index is conducted by the Charities Aid Foundation, a “charity operating in the UK [United Kingdom] and internationally.” “The 2023 Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) World Giving Index gives us reasons for hopeful optimism against a backdrop of global instability,” CAF’s Chief Executive Neil Heslop said.

“It shows that the increased generosity we saw as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic was broadly maintained at a global level. That means that almost three-quarters of humanity did something to help others in the course of 2022,” he added. Heslop called on governments to make it easier for their citizens to display generosity. “This year we are calling on governments to do more to support those who can give money and time and to foster vibrant, engaged civil society organizations, which are dealing with social and environmental challenges and the fallout from conflict and displacement,” the CAF chief executive said. g

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Dateline USa

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Why long-term care insurance Sara appeals to DOJ: Don’t... falls short for so many by Jordan rau and Jonel aleccia KFF Health News

FOR 35 years, Angela Jemmott and her five brothers paid premiums on a long-term care insurance policy for their 91-yearold mother. But the policy does not cover home health aides whose assistance allows her to stay in her Sacramento, California, bungalow, near the friends and neighbors she loves. Her family pays $4,000 a month for that. “We want her to stay in her house,” Jemmott said. “That’s what’s probably keeping her alive, because she’s in her element, not in a strange place.” The private insurance market has proved wildly inadequate in providing financial security for most of the millions of older Americans who might need home health aides, assisted living, or other types of assistance with daily living. For decades, the industry severely underestimated how many policyholders would use their coverage, how long they would live, and how much their care would cost. And as Jemmott belatedly discovered, the older generation of plans — those from the 1980s — often covered only nursing homes. Only 3% to 4% of Americans 50 and older pay for a long-term care policy, according to LIMRA, an insurance marketing and

research association. That stands in stark contrast to federal estimates that 70% of people 65 and older will need critical services before they die. Repeated government efforts to create a functioning market for long-term care insurance — or to provide public alternatives — have never taken hold. Today, most insurers have stopped selling stand-alone long-term care policies: The ones that still exist are too expensive for most people. And they have become less affordable each year, with insurers raising premiums higher and higher. Many policyholders face painful choices to pay more, pare benefits, or drop coverage altogether. “It’s a giant bait-and-switch,” said Laura Lunceford, 69, of Sandy, Utah, whose annual premium with her husband leaped to more than $5,700 in 2019 from less than $3,800. Her stomach knots up a couple of months before the next premium is due, as she fears another spike. “They had a business model that just wasn’t sustainable from the get-go,” she said. “Why they didn’t know that is beyond me, but now we’re getting punished for their lack of foresight.” The glaring gaps in access to coverage persist despite steady increases in overall payouts. Last year, insurers paid more than $13 billion to cover 345,000 long-term care claims, according to industry figures.

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PAGE 1 But she stressed her office would continue to assert its position against cooperating with the ICC’s investigation on her father’s drug war. “But we will continue to reach out to DOJ regarding our position on this matter… and we will lay down the legal basis of our position,” she told reporters on Monday, November 27. Last week, Marcos said proposals for the country to rejoin the ICC are “under study,” raising the possibility of ICC prosecutors being allowed to investigate and possibly prosecute Duterte and his officials for crimes against humanity committed in the conduct of his war on drugs. Marcos made the statement after members of the House of Representatives, whose relations with the Vice President and her father appear to have soured, filed resolutions urging the administration “to extend their full cooperation to the ICC Prosecutor with respect to its investigation of any alleged crime within the jurisdiction of the ICC.” After years of delay, the ICC decided earlier this year to resume its inquiry into the Philippines’ war on drugs. The decision drew pushback from several lawmakers allied with former president Duterte, as well as from Marcos and members of his Cabinet, including Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. Over 6,000 suspected drug offenders have been killed in Duterte’s drug war based on government data. However, human rights groups said the number of fatalities could be several times higher. For lawyer and former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, ICC’s absence of judicial cognizance over the drug war case precludes it from investigating former president Duterte and his Vice President-daughter. Roque, who is included in the court’s list of counsels, also cautioned President Marcos that his political advisers were using the ICC issue to foment division between the Marcos administration and the Duterte family. The former presidential spokesman opined that the war on drugs case officially came under the ICC’s cognizance only after the PreTrial Chamber authorized a preliminary investigation in 2022.

“Regardless of our membership status, the Court cannot invoke jurisdiction since it was only in 2022 that the former prosecutor was allowed to proceed with the preliminary investigation. It was two years after the Philippines officially left the ICC,” Roque explained. “What the former prosecutor conducted before 2022 was a preliminary examination, which differs from an authorized preliminary investigation. She acted in her own capacity,” he said, apparently referring to Fatou Bensouda. “The ICC did not have direct participation in this informal process.” Prospective, not retroactive Roque added the jurisdiction of the ICC is applied prospectively and not retroactively. The ICC’s prospective jurisdiction over the Philippines, he said, took effect when the country ratified the Rome Statute of the ICC in 2011. It was rescinded in 2019, one year after the country deposited the notice of withdrawal to the United Nations Secretary-General as stipulated under Article 127. “Without a retroactive effect, the court cannot open past cases involving our former presidents because it will violate their right to due process,” he said. “Thus, the ICC cannot subject FPRRD to a probe because the Philippines withdrew from the Statute long before the Court authorized a preliminary investigation,” he said, referring to the former president by his initials. He expressed belief that given the court’s prospective jurisdiction, it can only investigate a sitting chief executive or current leaders suspected of committing grave crimes against the international community. Roque said he agreed with President Marcos that the Philippine government and the court must settle first the fundamental issue of Philippine sovereignty and judicial independence relative to the court’s jurisdictional reach. “I am worried that PBBM might be getting the wrong advice from people out to harass and muzzle FPRRD and VP Sara. I appeal to President to ignore those sowing discord in the UniTeam and dissension between the Marcos and

Duterte families,” he said. “After the botched impeachment moves in the Lower House on the Vice President, some ambitious politicos might capitalize on the ICC probe as a way to humiliate Inday Sara or worse, remove her from office,” he added. Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, for his part, said rejoining the ICC would be unconstitutional if done without Senate concurrence. Dela Rosa is one of 11 former officials being investigated by the ICC for possible crimes against humanity. Despite Marcos’ hinting at allowing the country to rejoin the ICC, Dela Rosa said he is counting on the chief executive’s previous statement that he is “very firm not to allow the ICC to interfere in our justice system, that’s a very fundamental issue. No. 1 is sovereignty and no. 2 is jurisdiction.” “If you want to rejoin, that will still have to go through the process before we enter into any agreement,” Dela Rosa said in an interview over ANC. “After the president’s ratification, it has to be concurred by the Senate by a two-thirds vote. So that’s the process. Back to zero, back to square one,” he added. The senator said failure to follow such process would be unconstitutional. No skeletons in closet But for Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, allowing the ICC to investigate on Philippine soil the drug war killings during the Duterte administration will send a clear message to the world that in the issue of human rights the government has no skeletons in the closet. “By allowing ICC to come, it’s telling the world that we have nothing to hide here,” Abante, who also chairs the House committee on human rights, said. Abante has authored a resolution allowing the ICC to investigate former president Duterte and some of his officials for possible case of crime against humanity in the conduct of his war on drugs. The gesture, he added, will show that the current administration is “very transparent with its processes” and its justice system is functioning. “We just want to show to the whole world and to the ICC that our justice system

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OPINION

FEATURES

In harm’s way

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THANKS to intervention by U.S. naval forces, another hijacking meant to show support for Hamas was foiled. Two of the rescued crew of the chemical tanker M/V Central Park are Filipinos. Five of the hijackers have been taken into custody by the U.S. Navy. The pirates had boarded the Liberian-flagged tanker, which is owned by an Israeli businessman, as it was transiting the Gulf of Aden on Sunday. The U.S. Navy received a distress call from the Central Park and responded. The conflict did not end there: the U.S. Navy reported that in the early hours of Monday, November 27, two ballistic missiles were fired from areas in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels toward the tanker and U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS Mason. Fortunately, the missiles missed their targets and landed in the sea. The Houthis are the same rebels who hijacked the Bahamas-flagged commercial ship Galaxy Leader last week and brought it to Yemen together with the crewmembers including 17 Filipinos. Hijackings targeting Israeli-owned vessels have intensified amid

the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Filipino sailors, who are part of the crew of almost every commercial vessel on the planet, are in harm’s way. Apart from rescuing Filipinos held hostage by Hamas and its supporters in other countries, the government must also provide mental health support to the victims. Filipino worker Jimmy Pacheco, who was among the hostages freed by Hamas during the four-day pause in the fighting, is reportedly suffering from trauma after 49 days of captivity in besieged Gaza. This type of trauma could last much longer than the period of captivity. The 17 Filipinos on the Galaxy Leader remain in captivity along with the rest of the crew – collateral damage, as one lawmaker put it, in the Israel-Hamas conflict. While Philippine officials have received word that

Editorial

The Broader View HARRY ROQUE AT last, the chief executive has gone on record against efforts to remove his vice president from office through a constitutional process. Last week, I appealed to President Bongbong Marcos Jr. to publicly express his categorical support for Inday Sara Duterte. It might have

ManilaTimes.net photo

the 17 are safe, there is no assurance that they will not suffer the same psychological trauma as the overseas Filipino worker who was freed by Hamas. Their plight, like those of the crew

of the tanker Central Park, highlights the costs of the OFW phenomenon, which arises from the lack of better opportunities in their own country. (Philstar.com)

Disengagement taken him several days to speak, but his statement somehow reassured the millions of Duterte and UniTeam followers. It means PBBM finds no compelling reason for the House of Representatives to initiate an impeachment case against the VP. It is his way of telling allies in Congress, led by presidential cousin and Speaker Martin Romualdez, to let the matter drop. Any politician worth their salt will not defy the wishes of the

country’s top leader. Personally, I would have wanted more elaboration from the president. If I were in his shoes, I would have emphatically stated that the UniTeam is as united as ever. That mutual trust and confidence remains the bedrock of the MarcosDuterte administration. As partners, they work tirelessly to address every internal and external threat to national stability, security and progress.

Despite some issue-based differences in opinions, there is absolutely no feud nor acrimony between the Marcoses and the Dutertes. Neither is a brewing ‘them versus us’ faction among the political parties within the alliance. By saying so, the Chief Executive would have disabused duplicitous politicians of any notion that they could succeed in the 2025 mid-term and 2028 presidential elections without the combined support of the

Marcos and Duterte forces. With the impeachment moves dead in the water, I thought that the antiSara instigators and leftist agitpropists in the Lower Chamber would lay low. I was wrong. Seemingly, they have moved to an insidious backup plan that could further erode the public trust in VP Sara, if not oust her from power. It might also be geared towards annihilating the Duterte political brand. I cannot help but think that

some leaders and members are out for blood. In the past weeks, former president Rodrigo Duterte and Inday have crossed swords with the Speaker and his allies over the controversial confidential fund allocation. Moreover, there was a recent ‘snubbing incident’ between Inday and Martin at the Villamor Airbase. While I admire Inday Sara’s sincerity and PAGE 10

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal. ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 1-7, 2023

Dateline PhiliPPines

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DOT hits 4.8 million 2023 arrival target before yearend by Rosette Adel Philstar.com

MANILA — Nearly a month before the year ends, the Philippines has already surpassed its 4.8 million international arrival target for 2023. This was announced by Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco at the first Philippine Gold Tourism Summit held at the Grand Hyatt Manila on Tuesday, November 28. Based on the data of DOT as of November 27, the country has recorded a total of 4,822,530 million international arrivals. Of these, 4,430,725 or 91.88% are foreign visitors, while 391,805 or 8.12% are returning overseas Filipinos. The DOT said that bulk of these foreign tourists are from South Korea, registering 1,271,602 visitors or 26.37%. U.S. is the second top source market for foreign arrivals as it brought 797,181

(16.53%). Completing the top 5 source market for foreign visitors are Japan with 272,735 (5.66%), China with 242,107 (5.02%) and Australia with 225,464 (4.68%). Pillar of Philippine economy Frasco said the international tourists also contributed P404 billion in foreign visitor receipts. She said this underscores the value of tourism to the Philippine economy. “As our President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has emphasized, tourism is a foundational pillar for the country’s inclusive growth and economic revival,” Frasco said. “Tourism continues to drive growth and provide income and jobs nationwide. With the implementation of the National Tourism Development Plan 2023 to 2028 approved by

President Marcos, we are beginning to see the merits of our strategies towards increasing connectivity, convenience, and equality in tourism development and promotions, as well as the invaluable partnership of our tourism stakeholders in the private sector,” she added. The tourism chief also said that according to the report of national economic managers, it manifests that “Philippine tourism is the second highest driver of economic growth” for the country. “This cements our position as one of the strongest pillars of the Philippine economy that employs no less than 5.35 million Filipinos in the tourism industry sector, ensuring jobs, livelihood, and the well-being of communities all over the country,” Frasco added. In December last year, Frasco said the agency gave a conservative projection of 4.8 million international visitors as its baseline.

Last year’s expanded target was only 2.4 million international visitors as the country only reopened to foreign tourists on Feb. 10, 2022. The country registered 8.26 million visitors in 2019, the full year before the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to leading the DOT, Frasco mentioned observing a projection indicating that the Philippines would likely reach its pre-pandemic tourism figures by 2025. The tourism chief, in December 2022, however, expressed optimism that the country will reach the prepandemic record way earlier than 2025. “And we feel that we would be able to exceed our pre-pandemic numbers way earlier than the 2025 year that was told to us when we assumed office with the improved policies under the Marcos administration,” she said last year. g

Dela Rosa to drug war critics: File case in PH courts, not ICC by ChARie AbARCA Inquirer.net

MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa dared Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros and other critics of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs to file cases in local Philippine courts and not the International Criminal Court (ICC). “We have a criminal justice here in the Philippines. I-file nila kung meron silang kaso. I-file nila kahit saang korte rito sa Pilipinas. I-file nila. Kasi alam nila na ang kanilang mga ginagawa ay

puro mga bula. [Alam nila] na walang leg to stand on ang kanilang mga [accusation],” a visible irked dela Rosa exclaimed on Tuesday, December 28. (We have criminal justice here in the Philippines. If they have cases, file them — file them in any court here in the Philippines. They know that what they are doing is only a bubble. They know that their accusations have no leg to stand on.) “They know that local courts will not entertain their claims. That’s why they prefer the ICC. What they are doing with the ICC is only propaganda. They

SOUVENIRS. A group of senior citizens from Mauban, Quezon province buy souvenirs at the Kadayawan Tribal Village at the Magsaysay Park in Davao City on Tuesday, Nov. 28. The group visited the city to witness the opening of the Pasko Fiesta celebration at the Rizal Park at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

know it,” dela Rosa added, partly in Filipino. Dela Rosa’s statements came after opposition lawmaker Hontiveros filed a resolution urging Malacañang to cooperate with the ICC and accommodate the international tribunal’s bid to start its investigation on the alleged rights violations that took place during former President Duterte’s bloody war on drugs. Dela Rosa, who was the chief implementer of Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign, said he was hurt by Hontiveros’ decision to file her ICC resolution. “Masama talaga [ang loob ko]. I have to tell you frankly. Of all the people, siya talaga. Baka sabihin niya [ay] trabaho lang, walang personalan — sa akin that’s very personal. Kahit pa sabihin mong trabaho mo ‘yan, that’s very personal to me because I am one of the subjects na imbestigahan,” he told reporters. (I was hurt. I have to tell you frankly. Of all people, it’s her. Maybe she’ll say it’s only a part of her job, do not take it personally — but for me, that’s very personal. Even if she says that it’s only a part of her job, that’s very personal to me because I am one of the subjects to be investigated.) When asked if he was planning to talk and settle disagreements with Hontiveros, dela Rosa immediately retorted: No, let her be. g

This photo shows a an 18-foot buoy effigy afloat the West Philippine Sea in Zambales put by the Association of Masin loc Fishermen in protest of the continuing harassment of China against Filipino fishermen at the Scarborough Shoal.

NSC allows Atin Ito’s Christmas convoy to pass through Ayungin Shoal’s ‘vicinity’

MANILA — The National Security Council (NSC) allowed the planned civilian-led convoy to sail through the West Philippine Sea but not directly to BRP Sierra Madre, the agency said on Tuesday, November 28. In a statement, the NSC said that it had met with the leaders of the Atin Ito coalition and agreed that sailing directly to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal would be “not advisable” for the sake of the safety of the Christmas convoy. However, the agency still allowed the coalition to sail in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal. “Nonetheless, the planned Christmas convoy will pass through the general vicinity of Ayungin Shoal as far as practicable, on its way to other selected PH-occupied features to bring Christmas cheer directly to our troops assigned to those areas as well as to our fisherfolks,” the NSC said in a statement. NSC said that the Christmas convoy will also visit Pag-asa Island where they will turn over the Christmas gifts and supplies PAGE 9

Sara appeals to... PAGE 4 is running smoothly,” he pointed out. But he stressed the ICC should not be allowed to indict or prosecute the former president and his officials in the country. “They can come in and investigate and even ask questions to the family of the victims but they cannot prosecute here,” he said. Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay, a human rights lawyer and a vocal critic of Duterte, maintained that letting the ICC in is not a surrender of sovereignty. “If we believe in the rule of law, then we must let ICC come in,” Lagman said. Abante and Ramon Gutierrez (1-Rider party-

list) filed House Resolution 1477 on the ICC entry during plenary on Nov. 21, while Lagman filed his – HR 1482 – on the same day. Marcos said the ICC issue is “under study” with Speaker Martin Romualdez making it clear that lawmakers would be guided by whatever the Palace would decide on the matter. This happened amid a word war between House leaders and Duterte, who called the lower legislative chamber a “rotten institution” after it rejected his daughter’s request for P650 million in confidential funds for the OVP and the Department of Education, which she heads. (by Neil Jayson Servallos/ Philstar.com)

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Why long-term care insurance falls short for so...

FIESTA. Colorful boats join the “Pistang Daluyong 2023” fluvial parade along Pasig River in Mandaluyong City on Sunday, Nov 26. The parade commemorates the 92nd anniversary of the Act Changing the Name of the Municipality of San Felipe in the Province of Rizal to Mandaluyong under Philippine Congress Act 3836 sanctioned on Nov. 6, 1931. PNA photo by

NSC allows Atin Ito’s... PAGE 7 to the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to be delivered in the routine and resupply (RORE) mission in BRP Sierra Madre. “By visiting the other PH-occupied features, the Christmas convoy will be able to visit a vaster area of the WPS and bring Christmas cheer directly to more fisherfolk and frontliners,” the NSC said in a statement. On November 21, the NSC

warned against sailing in Ayungin Shoal. It cited the frequent high tensions in the area between the Chinese Coast Guard and the PCG especially during RORE missions. The Atin Ito coalition organizers have affirmed a civilian-driven Christmas procession set for December 5, intending to voyage with a minimum of 40 boats toward Ayungin Shoal. (by Ian Laqui/ Philstar.com)

PAGE 4 Many policyholders and their relatives reported that their plans helped them avert financial catastrophes when they faced long-term care costs that would have otherwise eviscerated their savings. But others have been startled to learn that policies they paid into over decades will not fully cover the escalating present-day costs of home health aides, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes. And in other cases, people entitled to benefits confront lengthy response times to coverage requests or outright denials, according to records kept by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the organization of state regulators. Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for LongTerm Care Insurance, an industry trade group, said long-term care was the most challenging type of insurance to manage. “You need multiple crystal balls,” Slome said. “And you have to look 20 years into the future and be right.” The pandemic paused a long-term decline The industry’s wobbly finances haven’t steadied despite a brief profitable surge during the coronavirus pandemic. Earnings rose because thousands of people who were drawing benefits, many in nursing homes or

assisted living facilities, died from covid-19, and other policyholders died before using their insurance. Others stopped tapping their benefits because they fled facilities and went to live with their families, who provided unpaid care. Overall, earnings went from $2.3 billion in losses in 2019 to two years of profits totaling $1.1 billion, before receding into the red in 2022 by losing $304 million, according to Fitch Ratings. Still, none of that was enough to reverse the industry’s long-term decline. Doug Baker, a director in Fitch’s U.S. life insurance group, said long-term care insurance “is one of the riskiest in our universe” because of the lingering financial burden from underestimating the number of people who would tap their policies. More insurers now offer hybrid plans that combine life insurance with long-term care. Those policies are less generous than the ones offered a decade ago — and using the long-term care benefit drains some or all of the money policyholders hoped to leave to their heirs. “I don’t think people will offer unlimited again,” said Tom McInerney, the chief executive of Genworth Financial, which suspended selling plans through brokers in 2019. “One way or another, taxpayers are going to have to pay more for long-term care

9

needs of the baby boomers.” Many experts believe it’s untenable to expect that a private insurance market can protect most people from the growing burden of long-term care costs. “The whole situation is poorly suited to that kind of insurance offering,” said Robert Saldin, a political science professor at the University of Montana who studies the industry. Falling profits and skyrocketing premiums Starting in the 1970s, long-term care insurance was touted as a way to keep older people from eroding their retirement savings or resorting to Medicaid, the state-federal program for the poor and disabled. Early plans were limited to nursing home care but later expanded to cover in-home care and assisted living centers. Sales of the policies doubled from 1990 to 2002. As demand grew, however, there were signs the industry had vastly miscalculated the cost of its products. Insurers set early policy prices competitively low, based on actuarial models that turned out to be markedly inaccurate. Forecasters’ estimates of policyholders’ longevity were wrong. U.S. life expectancy increased to nearly 77 years in 2000 from about 68 years in 1950, federal records show. And as people lived longer, their need PAGE 10

10 DECEMBER 1-7, 2023 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Why long-term care insurance falls... PAGE 9 for care increased. Industry officials also failed to account for the behavior of savvy consumers determined to keep their long-term care coverage. Insurers counted on policy lapse rates — people giving up their policies or defaulting on payments — of about 4% annually. The actual lapse rate was closer to 1%. As the miscalculations sent profits plummeting, insurers raised premiums or exited the market. By 2020, sales of traditional policies had dropped to 49,000 and the number of carriers offering plans had fallen to fewer than a dozen from more than 100. Premiums for some consumers doubled in just a year or two. Three classaction lawsuits accused Genworth of failing to disclose to policyholders that it had planned multiyear rate increases, leaving them without information they needed to decide whether to keep their policies. Genworth settled the lawsuits with offers to allow customers to adjust their policies, and in some cases it paid cash damage to those who accepted reduced benefits. The company did not admit wrongdoing. The increases continue. AM Best, a rating agency, said in a report last November that Genworth “will continue to need annual rate increases for at least several more years to reach economic breakeven.” Prices for new policies have jumped, too. A decade ago, a couple aged 55 could expect to pay about $3,725 a year for a policy that included $162,000 in total benefits and 3% annual inflation protection, according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. Today, a policy that is virtually the same would cost $5,025, 35% more, even as rising health costs and inflation have eroded the value of the benefits. And that’s only for the people who can qualify. To limit their losses, insurers have narrowed the eligible pool of clients. In 2021, about 30% of applicants ages 60 to 64 were denied long-term care insurance. For applicants 70 to 74, the rejection rate was 47%. Even among people in

their 50s, more than 1 in 5 were turned down. Chronic health conditions, a history of stroke or diabetes, or psychiatric illness may all be grounds for disqualification. At the same time, insurers began scrutinizing claims more closely. “They tightened their belts,” said Alan Kassan, a senior partner with the California law firm Kantor & Kantor, which represents clients challenging denials. “Then they tightened their claim administration and started denying claims more and more.” In 2022, the proportion of traditional long-term care claim denials varied, from 4.5% in Rhode Island to 9.6% in Alaska, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Despite efforts to limit liability, financial problems forced several high-profile insurance providers to drastically revise policy terms and premiums or go into insolvency, affecting the investments of thousands of clients. They included Alice Kempski, a retired nurse who, after her husband died, bought a policy from the insurance company Penn Treaty and American Network in 2004 on the advice of a financial adviser, paying premiums of $180 a month for 16 years. By 2017, she was hobbled by osteoporosis and was struggling to manage her multiple medications, according to her daughter, Ann Kempski. She sold the family home in Wilmington, Delaware, in 2017 and, now needing help bathing, moved to an assisted living center there. But when the family tried to file a claim, they discovered that Penn Treaty was insolvent and the policy had been taken over by the Pennsylvania state insurance guaranty fund. The fund had frozen Kempski’s benefits and increased her premiums to about $280 a month, her daughter said. Her doctor told Penn that she had “mild dementia” and osteoporosis and should be in an assisted living facility. But the insurer said that there was not enough evidence that she needed help with two daily living activities or had severe cognitive impairment, conditions that would trigger coverage, according

to correspondence between Kempski and the company. Kempski was paying roughly $5,400 a month out-of-pocket to the assisted living center. She moved in with her daughter when the pandemic hit, but she continued to pay full rent to the facility to save her spot until she returned in 2021. In March of that year, when her daughter was preparing to refile a claim for longterm care insurance and her premiums had reached $320 a month, Kempski had a massive stroke. She died the next month. The insurer never paid for any of her care. Coverage in a facility but not at home The policy held by Angela Jemmott’s mother, Jewell Thomas, went unused for a different reason: Like many older policies, it covered only skilled nursing care in a facility. Her children had purchased the policy after Thomas’ husband died at 56. But decades later, once Thomas developed dementia in her 80s, her children realized how desperately their mother wanted to stay home. Jemmott said they tried to add a rider to the policy to cover home care but were told that their mother’s age (older than 75) barred add-ons. Now the siblings jointly pay about $4,000 a month for two home health aides, while still paying the insurance premium of more than $2,500 a year. “We feel like if we stop paying it, another unforeseen need will arise and cause us to wish we kept it,” Jemmott said. Not all policyholders are displeased. Bert Minushkin, of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, paid monthly premiums for 27 years, beginning in 1993 when the policy was offered as a benefit by Westinghouse Electric Corp., where he worked as a nuclear engineer. Over time, he paid about $120,000 toward the policy, said his daughter Lisa Heffley, 61, of Louisville, Kentucky. Diagnosed with dementia, Minushkin began declining swiftly in 2019. His wife spent $220,000 on assisted living facilities and private aides for him over three years, with about $90,000 of the cost offset by his policy, Heffley said. He died in February 2022 at age 91. “He didn’t break even, but

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Disengagement... PAGE 5 honesty, I would advise her to remain civil to her political rivals within and outside the UniTeam alliance. I also understand if Martin got upset by the cold shoulder treatment. He is but human. However, the Speaker should not be surprised by the VP’s reaction. His congressional allies would not have trained their guns on Inday without his blessings. But the incident should not warrant any form of political vendetta that jeopardizes our judicial independence and national sovereignty. A public servant must always prioritize national interest over personal issues. So, what is their Plan B? Right after PBBM voiced his anti-impeachment stance, the House human rights committee filed Resolution 1477, urging the Philippine government to cooperate with the preliminary investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the war on drugs campaign of FPRRD. It is currently under review by the justice committee. The speaker has also denied fast-tracking the bill’s passage. While a resolution is non-binding, it expresses the overall policy opinion of a coequal branch of government. It might also provide a legal cover for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reconsider its original position on the issue. In the past, the DOJ has threatened to arrest ICC investigators if they insist on coming to the Philippines without the authorization of our government. According to the ICC, the probe focuses on alleged crimes against humanity of murder committed in Philippine territory between Nov. 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019. Take note, Sara was the Davao City mayor from 20102013 and 2016-2019. Digong served as the local chief executive from 2013-2016 and our president from 2016-2022. There have been news reports that the complainants have included VP Sara in the case documents filed before the Hague Court. What does this mean? Should the government allow the preliminary investigators to set foot on Philippine soil, there is a possibility that the ICC can issue summons, even warrants of arrest, for Digong and Sara. Provided that the Court finds reasonable grounds against them. Under Articles 86 and 87 of the Rome Statute, the Court mandates State Parties to thank God he had it,” she said. Turning to crowdfunding Many experts say what’s needed is a governmentsubsidized or public program that requires people to carry long-term care insurance, as the Netherlands and Singapore have. But federal efforts to create such a system, including the CLASS Act, which was repealed in 2013, and the WISH Act, introduced in 2021, have failed to gain traction in Congress. At the state level, Washington this summer started a first-in-the-nation program that will provide long-term care benefits for residents who pay into a fund, but the maximum benefit of $36,500 will not cover a year in most assisted living facilities.

fully cooperate with the criminal investigation and prosecution under its jurisdiction. The request for cooperation shall be transmitted through diplomatic or appropriate channels upon ratification, acceptance, approval or accession of the State Party. In surrendering persons to the ICC, the Court may transmit a request for the arrest and surrender of a person. State Parties must comply with these requests. A person can challenge the request before a national court based on ne bis in idem principle (a person cannot be tried more than once for the same offense). The requested State shall immediately consult with the ICC to determine if there has been a relevant ruling on admissibility (Article 89). In 2018, the Philippines deposited the instrument of withdrawal addressed to the United Nations Secretary-General. As stipulated in Article 127 of the Statute, the withdrawal took effect in 2019 or one year after the date of the receipt of the notification. A State’s withdrawal, meanwhile, shall not affect any cooperation with the Court in connection with criminal investigations and proceedings that commenced before the date on which the withdrawal became effective. The ICC states that it retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes that occurred in Philippine territory while it is still a State Party. But it was only in 2021 – two years after we officially left the ICC – that the Pre-Trial Chamber authorized its Prosecutor to start its investigation. I maintain that the Court no longer has jurisdiction over the said crimes. Furthermore, we have functioning and competent domestic courts that are able and willing to give justice or provide legal remedies to those victims of alleged extrajudicial killings between 2011 and 2019. On more than one occasion, I have heard PBBM say that the country has disengaged with the ICC. Their intrusion or intervention insults our sovereignty as a nation. Our country will not cooperate with the Court in any way or form. Our lawmakers should heed and respect the President’s position. (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.

Lack of a safety net leaves some people unprotected, like Jeffrey Tanck, a real estate broker in Washington, D.C. In 2021, his mother, Sue Tanck, at 75, suffered a serious fall, leaving her with broken arms and a traumatic brain injury. She had been the primary caretaker for his father, Roger, then 77, who had rapidly worsening dementia. Without warning, Jeffrey Tanck had to assume charge of his father’s care, moving him into an assisted living center in Ocala, Florida, that now charges $4,600 a month, and had to get his mother into a skilled nursing facility paid for by Medicaid. With no money to cover his father’s costs until he sold their house, Tanck resorted to a plea

on the crowdfunding site GoFundMe. Wanting to shield himself from a similar financial crisis somewhere down the road, Tanck, who is 51, applied for long-term care insurance, only to be denied. The reason? He takes antidepressants, which help him cope with the anxiety and stress of caring for his parents. “What are people supposed to do?” Tanck asked. “I’m going to need something.” KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth 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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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

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Crewman takes his chances for provisional waiver: An inspiring success story on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday TONY entered the United States as a crewman in 2003. While visiting his mother, his family convinced him to jump ship and overstay, so he remained in the U.S. and met his future wife, Georgia. However, because he was a crewman, he could not apply for his green card in the U.S. Provisional Waivers (PW) became available in 2016. This would forgive Tony

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS WHILE cardiovascular mortality rates the past decades have gone down,

for having overstayed. However, his visa must be approved and issued at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Tony’s provisional waiver was immediately approved in 2017 after leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel proved to the USCIS that Tony’s wife and his mother, both U.S. citizens, PAGE 12

Plant-based foods cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has remained the leading cause of death in the United States. Several clinical studies have shown that there is a strong association between dietary patterns and the incidence

of CVD, and that people eating predominantly plantbased foods have lower rates of heart disease compared to those on animal-based foods. This does not even include the beneficial antiPAGE 12

CREWMEN AND PROVISIONAL WAIVERS WILL BE THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION ON AN ENCORE SUCCESS STORY OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! Tony (left) entered the U.S. as a crewman in 2003 and overstayed. As a result, he could not adjust status, even through marriage to his U.S. citizen spouse. In 2016, Provisional Waivers became available. This would “forgive” Tony for having overstayed, but he had to apply for his visa at the U.S. Embassy in Manila. However, the embassy was taking a hard stance on crewmen with provisional waivers and charging them with fraud. In 2022, Tony saw an episode on Citizen Pinoy where Julie, another crewman, took the risk and flew back to the Philippines with her provisional waiver, and she successfully obtained her immigrant visa. Upon seeing that episode, Tony informed leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) that he also wanted to take his chances. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, December 3 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

12 DECEMBER 1-7, 2023 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Plant-based foods...

PAGE 11 cancer effect of plant-based foods and the higher risk of cancer for meat-eaters. What is plant-based diet? The definition varies as there are different forms: 1. Vegetables, fruits, cereal, yogurt, beans, fish, and poultry; 2. Elimination of refined sugars, white flour, and animal oils; 3. Minimal animal products; 4. Seafood, with and without dairy; 5. Eggs and dairy; 6. No animal products at all (vegan), just ‘plants.’ But the common among them is absence of red meat. The major concern and rationale here is that red meat consumption is linked to cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Those diets, some with multivitamin supplements, have been proven safe and healthy, practiced for centuries in Asia and rural Europe. Is eating red meat safe? While eating red meat even only once a week is obviously not a plant-based diet, it could be safe among some people, depending on their genetic make-up, metabolism, and lifestyle, especially those who do regimented exercise daily. Since science still does not know who among us (based on our genes) could safely smoke, eat red meat ad libitum, drink alcohol daily, or not exercise at all, and still not get sick, the prudent health strategy is to minimize or eliminate red meat and high carbohydrate diets, and concentrate on proteins. This might sound against what we learned in the kindergarten and beyond, but clinical evidence today shows the adverse effects of eating a lot of carbohydrates day in and day out (soft drinks, potato, rice, bread, sweets, etc.) and saturated fats (red meats), especially processed meats. All soft drinks are toxic to our body, especially to children. Someday, science would be able to categorize us humans, based on our genetic composition as to who could eat, drink, or use what, and “are immune to their bad (unhealthy) effects, and who would develop major diseases (cardiovascular, metabolic, Alzheimer’s, or cancer) doing the same. That future would be most welcome. Any studies supporting plant-based diet? The data above are supported by many recent landmark reports, including Song et al.’s large prospective cohort study of U.S. nurses and other health professionals, which shows “higher intake of animal protein (including processed red meat, unprocessed red meat, dairy, poultry, and eggs) was positively associated with mortality, whereas the inverse was true for high intake of plant protein.” In another recent meta-analysis, Kwok et al. found similar results with vegetarians experiencing a 29% lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality relative to nonvegetarians. These findings suggest the importance of protein source and support recommendations to increase plant protein intake, which in turn calls for education of physicians, patients, and the public about the largely unrecognized protein content of plants (e.g., peanuts and beef having the same protein content, 26 g per 100 g). What are some actual clinical proofs? Here are some actual reports from the medical literature that are mind-opening and truly convincing: • “The 16-week randomized controlled trial showed that participants who ate a diet of vegetables, grains, legumes, and fruits significantly improved their overall

metabolic condition,” said Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD, of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C., and her colleagues. “Our study suggests the potential of a low-fat plant-based diet in diabetes prevention, addressing both core pathophysiologic mechanisms — insulin resistance and diminished beta-cell function — at the same time. The prevalence of diabetes is 46% to 74% lower in people who eat a plant-based diet compared with meat lovers in the general population.” • “Diets rich in plant- vs animalbased monounsaturated fatty acids show significantly lower rates of total and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, particularly when the plant-based fatty acids replace other notoriously unhealthy fats, including saturated or trans fats, as well as refined carbohydrates.” • “In the study of more than 63,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study and nearly 30,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up, an average of 22 years of follow-up showed that a higher intake of monounsaturated fatty acids from plants was associated with a 16% lower risk for death from any cause. A higher intake of monounsaturated fatty acids from animals was meanwhile associated with a 21% higher risk for death from any cause.” • “In overweight adults with no history of diabetes, a low-fat, plant-based vegan diet can reduce visceral fat and significantly improve both pancreatic beta-cell function and insulin resistance, potentially decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to researchers.” What is the societal cost-benefit from this diet? The benefit to society in general of a healthier diet implemented by the people at large is a massive reduction of disease and healthcare-related expenditures, which is currently almost 60 percent of Medicare beneficiaries. If plant-based diet is adopted, the incidence of hypertension will be reduced to 25 percent and save about 30 percent (billions of dollars) of the Medicare budget. So, what is the healthy strategy? Turning off the faucet of unhealthy foods that are poison to our body now to prevent diseases and maximize longevity makes more sense than mopping up the floor of major illnesses and premature deaths later. A rational and practical approach is to eat mostly plant foods and push ourselves away from the dining table less than full, as our mothers and grandmothers have been telling us for centuries. *** 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. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/

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Dolly to start working with Nicole Kidman in January By Rito P. Asilo Inquirer.net

ACTRESS Dolly de Leon has announced that since Hollywood labor disputes were settled earlier this month, she will be flying to Munich, Germany, to finally begin working on Season 2 of the mystery-drama series “9 Perfect Strangers” with actress-producer Nicole Kidman, no less. “We will start shooting on Jan. 15, so I will fly there on the first week of January,” de Leon told Inquirer Entertainment during the opening ceremony of the 2023 QCinema International Film Festival over the weekend. Swedish filmmaker Ruben Ostlund’s “Triangle of Sadness,” where de Leon plays one of the main characters, was the festival’s opening film last year. “I’m not really ready for it yet. Because of the strike, I didn’t read the script that was sent to me. I waited until everything was over. Now, I’m just waiting for them to send the rest of it. I only have the first six episodes. I’m waiting for the seventh, eighth and ninth,” she added.

De Leon signed up with CreaZion Studios as one of its clients.

De Leon is expected to stay in Germany for six months. “I’m hoping that my stay there will be shorter. There’s a possibility that the shooting will only last for four months,” she said. “Expectations? I’m going to have so much fun doing it, and I’m already sure of that. I also know that it’s going to be challenging because the cast is so small. It’s going to be super cold there, too— it will still be winter when I arrive. That’s also part of the challenge, and the fun.” The award-winning

actress continued: “I already saw the first season (currently streaming on Prime Video). In the second season, Nicole’s character is going to be way crazier! The story is about a psychiatrist who treats her patients with therapy, as usual, and with some hallucinogens. She has nine patients, and in Season 2, I’m one of them.” Booked and busy De Leon shot two Hollywood films earlier this year: Nathan Silver’s comedy “Between the Temples,” PAGE 13

Crewman takes his chances... PAGE 11 would suffer extreme hardship if Tony would not be admitted back to the U.S. Tony already had a scheduled interview at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, but since the Embassy was taking a hard stance on crewmen with provisional waivers and charging them with fraud, Atty. Gurfinkel decided to postpone Tony’s trip to the Philippines. In 2022, Tony saw an episode of Citizen Pinoy where Julie, another crewman, took the risk and flew back to the Philippines with her provisional waiver. Julie was able to obtain her immigrant visa. Inspired by that success story, Tony told Atty. Gurfinkel that he was willing to take his chances and apply for his visa in Manila.

Tony (left) was finally able to get his immigrant visa in October 2023, 20 years after he jumped ship as a crewman in 2003.

Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, December 3 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers,

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

right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising

candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 1-7, 2023 13

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Heaven celebrates 24th birthday with degree

Actress Heaven Peralejo graduated with a Business Management degree from Southville International School affiliated with Foreign Affairs. Photos from Instagram/@heavenperalejo

ACTRESS Heaven Peralejo celebrated her 24th birthday on Saturday, November 25 with an important milestone — by earning a business degree. “Starting my 24th year with a degree as I officially march as a graduate. Onto bigger and better things,” the actress wrote on Instagram. She posted her graduation picture and video where she was seen going up the stage to get her diploma. Heaven took Business Management in Southville International School affiliated with Foreign Affairs. The actress also posted photos of her birthday celebration with friends, including “Rain in Espana” leading man Marco Gallo. (By Kathleen A. Llemit/Philstar.com)

Dolly to start working with Nicole... PAGE 12 starring Jason Schwartzman and Carole Kane; and Paul Feig’s action-comedy “Grand Death Lotto,” starring John Cena, Awkwafina and Simu Liu. “It’s going to come out on Prime Video sometime next year. It’s both action-packed and funny,” she said of “Grand Death Lotto.” “It’s set in the very far future of Hollywood. It’s about a bunch of people who are into buying lotto tickets. The story gets interesting when one wins a jackpot prize because anyone can kill that person and take the prize.” The film is special to her because it was the first-ever Hollywood film that she has done, she said. “I was very nervous at the start. I really felt intimidated. But I quickly realized that they were all so warm, nice and friendly, so I felt at home right away—on my first day on the set,” said de Leon, this time, during a press conference organized for her by CreaZion Studios, which also announced that it will now manage all her career-related affairs here in the Philippines. De Leon also shot Alex Thompson’s “Ghost Light” early this month in Chicago. The story, by writer Kelly O’ Sullivan, is about a family’s way of healing through theater after experiencing death among its members,

EMPLOYMENT

she explained. Besides acting At the media gathering, de Leon was asked to talk about the fact that she isn’t merely a working actress in Hollywood, but also a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Science (Ampas). She then explained the importance of her being the first and only Filipino actor included in the Actors’ Branch. “First of all, everything happens via email. I would get email invitations asking me if I’d like to go to screenings or get screeners. But because I’m based here, I recently filled out a form requesting for screeners. I’m about to watch films for free! I’m excited about that,” she began. “I was also asked if I could vote for the International Branch. While I’m already under the Actors’ Branch—meaning I can vote under the best actor/actress and best supporting actor/actress categories—I was also asked to vote under the best international feature film category. I declined because I have a film that’s under consideration for a nomination, ‘Iti Mapukpukaw,’ and I feel that it’s a conflict of interest because I will definitely vote for that. At least, I get to vote in those four categories and, to me, that’s very important because we now have a voice and finally it can be heard.”

When asked for updates on the Oscar campaign for a nomination for Carl Joseph Papa’s animated drama “Iti Mapukpukaw,” de Leon said it kind of breaks her heart that the campaign is having a hard time taking off. The film needs at least P6 million for promotions and, so far, they have only raised half of it, she said. “The challenge is the funding. You need a lot of money for people to watch,” she began. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but when you say ‘Oscar campaign,’ you don’t just go around and say, ‘Vote for us!’ You say, ‘Please watch our film,’ so you reserve theaters, you give people tickets so they can watch the film for free. You send out screeners. You host dinners, soirees. You host a lot of events and this costs a lot of money.” De Leon pointed out that, while the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has already given financial aid, the film needs more from other arts-related branches of the government. “The fee for the public relations person alone costs $20,000. PR people schedule interviews, meetings and book restaurants. They get paid a lot because they do all the leg work. So far, we’ve been doing a lot of activities to raise funds, but things have to happen soon because voting should be done by mid-December.” g

FOR RENT

Longtime friends Roderick Paulate and Maricel Soriano reunite in ‘In His Mother’s Eyes’ as Bibs and Lucy.

Roderick, Maricel reunite in ‘In His Mother’s Eyes’ By Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

RODERICK Paulate and Maricel Soriano are two icons in the local show business. Paulate is known for his versatile acting skills, comedic timing, and unique character portrayals, while Soriano — often referred to as the “Diamond Star” — is a multi-awarded dramatic actress who also excels in other acting genre. The duo has previously collaborated on films such as “Inday Bote” (1985), “Inday sa Balitaw” (1986), and “Jack En Poy: Hale-Hale Hoy!” (1987). Their last joint project was in 1989 for the Regal movie “Gorio and Tekla.” Beyond their onscreen tandem, the duo forged a solid friendship that surpassed challenges. The 58-year-old Soriano admitted that there were times that they had misunderstanding but what helped was their enduring respect and trust. “My arguments with Dick don’t last long. In minutes, it’s over. It’s like going to the dentist,” she jested. “When I open up to Dick, he listens, he doesn’t forget. He also opens up to me, and I won’t forget that either. So how can you get mad at one person?” she continued. Reunion movie This year, the two iconic actors reunite in the film “In His Mother’s Eyes.” The story follows Tim (played by LA Santos), a special child left in the care of his uncle Bibs (Paulate) by his OFW mother Lucy (Soriano) for several years. When Lucy returns, she attempts to regain the affection of her son and brother. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as smoothly as she hoped. Despite her best efforts to make up for her absence, her attempts fail and only make things worse. Paulate expressed his excitement about working with Soriano again. In the film’s media conference, the comedian shared, “I PAGE 15

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DANCING DREAMS AND INSPIRING HOPE

Meet Chelsea Pe Benito, Philadelphia Eagles’ newest cheerleader by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress

SPIRITED and fun-loving Filipino American, Chelsea Pe Benito embodies the A convergence of passion, dedication, and a commitment to make a difference. Born to parents who sought the American Dream, her journey from her family’s roots in the Philippines to her role as a cheerleader for the Philadelphia Eagles is a testament to her relentless pursuit of dreams and her unwavering support system. Chelsea’s parents embarked on their American journey in October 1994, leaving behind their homeland in search of a better life. Her father hails from Quezon City while her mother originates from the picturesque Santiago City up north. Nearly three decades later, their pursuit of a brighter future for Chelsea and her younger brother, Matthew, has resulted in a legacy of inspiration. Since Chelsea was just three years old, her parents noticed she loved moving around a lot. So, they signed her up for dance classes. This early start made her really love performing, and that passion has stuck with her as she grew up. Now, as a cheerleader for the Philadelphia Eagles, Chelsea brings the same excitement to the field that she had when she first fell in love with dance. Joining the ranks of the Philadelphia Eagles cheer team was a dream come true for Chelsea. Beyond the glitz and glamour, she was drawn to the team’s deep commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and community engagement. As an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) excelling in the field of STEM, Chelsea aspires to be a beacon of hope for future generations. Her message is clear: dreams are within reach, whether in the realms of oncology clinical research or professional dance. The rigorous audition process for the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders spanned two intense months, commencing in April and concluding in June. Chelsea faced multiple rounds of assessments, including an open call, a comprehensive group interview, and a final audition that demanded both dance prowess and a showcase of her individuality. “I was thrilled when I received

“Literacy in elementary school is crucial to a child’s development as it improves reading, writing, and speaking skills, so I knew the importance of this project and the impact it would have on the youth,” Chelsea told the Asian Journal, explaining her efforts in donating over 2,000 books and upgrading an elementary school library in the Philippines. “My hope is to continue my philanthropic efforts within my local community and beyond and I am so excited to do so as a Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader!” Photos courtesy of Philadelphia Eagles

the news that I was one of eight new members selected to be part of the 33-member squad,” she told the Asian Journal. “Being one of the newest members of the Philadelphia

Eagles Cheerleader is a dream come true and it’s an honor to be a part of such a prestigious organization like the Philadelphia Eagles. I love how I can continue my passion for dance performing in front of a stadium full of 70,000+ fans while also serving the community and participating in the organization’s important initiatives. The public’s view of the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders may be confined to their spirited performances at Lincoln Financial Field, but there’s a deeper story waiting to be told. This dynamic team comprises dedicated professionals pursuing full-time careers or educational pursuits. Among their ranks are nurses, physical therapists, historians, chemists, teachers, and cancer researchers, all united by a shared commitment to community service. As cheerleaders, they extend their impact far beyond game days. They actively engage in the organization’s philanthropic endeavors, participating in initiatives that support youth programs, autism research, and military goodwill tours. “Not only are we talented entertainers, but we are global brand ambassadors for the Eagles yearround and participate in many of the organization’s philanthropic efforts locally and globally,” Chelsea shared. “As brand ambassadors, we have a unique platform to serve as role models through our involvement in Eagles youth programs, raise awareness and funds for innovative autism research and care programs through our Eagles Autism Foundation, and communicate initiatives as media representatives for the team.” PAGE 15

Chelsea has been a Girl Scout since the 1st grade, marking her early involvement in diverse charitable activities. One organization that holds a special place in her heart is the Make-A-Wish Foundation, known for fulfilling the wishes of children facing life-threatening illnesses. As a member of the Chi Omega sorority, she actively participated in initiatives to raise awareness for the foundation. Alongside her sorority, she organized and hosted various fundraising events across the college campus. All proceeds from these events were dedicated to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, aiming to bring joy to the children and their families by making their wishes come true.

“My family have been my biggest cheerleaders through it all and were elated when they found out that I made the Philadelphia Eagles Cheer team (especially Matt who goes to school in Philadelphia!) Their endless support in all my endeavors mean the absolute world and I am so lucky and grateful to have the best support system,” Chelsea said.

Being one of the newest members of the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader is a dream come true for Chelsea and she says it is an honor to be a part of such a prestigious organization like the Philadelphia Eagles. “I love how I can continue my passion for dance performing in front of a stadium full of 70,000+ fans while also serving the community and participating in the organization’s important initiatives,” she said.

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Kris shares new health setbacks

Kris Aquino

Photo from Instagram/@krisaquino

KRIS Aquino has encountered new setbacks in her path to recovery from autoimmune diseases. In an Instagram post on Sunday, November 26 she shared the challenges she is facing, including abnormalities in her blood panel that demand immediate medical attention. “There’s something I chose not to reveal but I feel I must. There were some abnormalities in my blood panel. My hemoglobin hit an all-time low, my sodium was as always low, but my potassium also dropped. If I want to get healthier it starts with my nutrition,” Aquino said. Since the 52-year-old is unable to tolerate iron supplements, she will receive iron infusions instead. “My Churg Strauss

syndrome can affect many organs because it causes damage to blood vessels. My lungs have already shown some minor damage, but now my heart is showing signs of exhaustion - just to pump blood that lacks nutrients all over my body, it needs to overcompensate,” she said. Aquino has been in the United States since June 2022 to undergo treatment for her autoimmune conditions. So far, she is diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria, autoimmune thyroiditis, churg strauss syndrome or EPGA, scleroderma or Crest Syndrome. The actresshost has since been keeping her followers updated on her journey through social media. (by Iza Iglesias/ ManilaTimes.net)

Roderick, Maricel reunite in ‘In His Mother’s Eyes’...

PAGE 13 won’t deny the fact that my excitement to work with Marya again is different. We see each other at parties, we see each other during productions, but we haven’t worked together again until now. Our ages were different back then.” “When they presented the project, it was actually just one meeting. I said, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’ I thought about it for a while until Maria arrived, saying, ‘Isn’t this discussion over yet?’the 63-year-old actor joked. “But actually, I did say yes because the story is so beautiful. There’s no pretension here. It’s an honor again to work with the Diamond Star, Maricel Soriano,” he added. In return, Soriano is also happy to be reunited with Paulate, praising him as a versatile artist. “Dick is an excellent artist. He is not only skilled in drama but also excels in comedy. But Dick is tearjerking when

doing drama. Maybe because I love him so much, I am deeply affected by him. Even though the movie is a drama, we are very happy on the set,” she shared. Santos’ first starring role Meanwhile, Santos felt honored to have worked with both Soriano and Paulate in his first starring role. Previously, he has appeared in projects such as “Durugin ang droga” (2017), “Maria” (2019), “Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told” (2022), and “Darna” (2023). Expressing gratitude for the veterans’ support and guidance Santos said, “It’s a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to work with them. They are both very supportive, and I want to express my gratitude a thousand times, including our director FM Reyes. I wouldn’t have been able to interpret my challenging role well without their help and guidance.” “I’m truly happy that they appreciate all my efforts to do justice to my role. At

first, I was nervous working with Aunt Maricel and Uncle Dick because we all know they are veterans in the industry. But they really guided me every step of the way. I listened to them and tried to absorb all their advice, and that was a significant help in bringing out any talent I have in acting,” he added. When asked how Soriano would rate the newcomer in his most challenging role to date as her autistic son, the veteran actress said, “He played it very well. There’s a scene where I hugged him. It was the first time for me to do it after not seeing him for a long time, and he felt shy about it. He didn’t know how to react, but he embraced me wholeheartedly. He was so apologetic after the take, but it came out very convincing.” Also starring in the film are veterans Ruby Ruiz, Maila Gumila, and Ogie Diaz, as well as young stars Elyson de Dios, Vivoree Esclito, Reign Parani, Inah Evans, and Bong Gonzales. g

Meet Chelsea Pe Benito, Philadelphia... PAGE 14 Balancing a demanding career in oncology clinical research with the rigors of cheerleading for an NFL team requires exceptional time management and organizational skills. Chelsea’s schedule is a testament to her dedication: bi-weekly evening rehearsals, game days on Sundays (or Mondays/Thursdays for primetime matches), and a smattering of appearances, including community service and corporate events. Through it all, Chelsea’s love for both her professions fuels her ability to manage and thrive in these dual roles. Chelsea’s philanthropic endeavors extend to global initiatives, exemplified by her involvement with the MakeA-Wish Foundation. This organization grants the wishes of children battling life-threatening illnesses, an initiative that Chelsea actively supports. In a testament to her deep connection to her heritage, Chelsea also spearheaded a project to upgrade an elementary school library in the Philippines. Her efforts resulted in the donation of over 2,000 books and essential resources, a

heartwarming endeavor that has undoubtedly transformed the educational experience for a number of Filipino children. “Having the opportunity to take my philanthropic efforts globally in the country where my parents were born and raised was important to me. My aunt is a teacher at the Masambong Elementary School in Quezon City and expressed the need for supplies in her school’s library,” she shared. “I adopted the public school library to provide students with essential resources. I hosted multiple fundraising events and book drives across the Tri-State area. Literacy in elementary school is crucial to a child’s development as it improves reading, writing, and speaking skills, so I knew the importance of this project and the impact it would have on the youth.” Chelsea Pe Benito embodies the best of both worlds, balancing a flourishing career in oncology clinical research with her dedication to being a Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader. Her journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring youth, reminding them that with passion, determination, and robust family support, they can overcome any obstacles to achieve their dreams. g

Forgiving heart eludes Pokwang By Ronnie CaRRasCo iii ManilaTimes.net

FORGIVENESS is a term yet to find its way into Pokwang’s vocabulary. For a short while, the comedienne had mellowed as far as badmouthing her erstwhile partner Lee O’Brian on social media is concerned — thanks to her BFF Eugene Domingo. Having wrapped up work in a movie together, Uge (as Eugene is known for in showbiz circles) became Pokwang’s adviser. Obviously with a broader understanding about life, Uge made Pokwang realize it’s about time the latter refrained from posting her hate comments against Lee. While she perfectly understands where Pokwang’s coming from, Uge is more concerned about Malia, her daughter by Lee. At 4, the pretty Malia may not fully grasp what happened to her parents and the cause of their separation — but she will, given a few more years. With every little thing readily available on social media — no matter how trivial — Malia will sure stumble upon an item or two about her parents’ hostility toward each other. This won’t help the child cope with the kind of family she was born to. Worse, Malia may develop feelings of resentment toward Lee — thinking it was solely her father’s fault. Of course, that wasn’t clearly the case. And we believe Pokwang’s version of the story — well, for the most part. Albeit childless as of yet, Uge’s heart goes out to blameless kids out there who are often at the receiving end of their parents’ failed relationships. It took Uge’s practical wisdom to knock some sense in Pokwang’s head. Or so the netizens thought. Stubbornness — again — got the better of Pokwang. Her what we may call “baitan-baitan school of acting” on social media was brief as it was pretentious. What triggered Pokwang’s anti-Lee mien anew was Ryan Bang’s guesting on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.” On the afternoon show, the South Korean yet Pinoy-

It took a dear friend’s practical wisdom to knock some sense in Pokwang’s head but stubbornness got the better of her. Instagram photo/@Itspokwang27

at-heart TV host expressed his gladness if he’d be allowed to stay in the country for as long as he so wished. Ryan shared how he has gotten used to our culture, and how he has endeared himself to us Filipinos — who love him back just the same. Pokwang must have monitored that particular episode, if only for having conveniently found a way to connect Ryan’s case to that of Lee’s. Pokwang then posted in the vernacular: “Ryan deserves to stay here because he’s a good person, who’s neither a user nor an opportunist compared to the others out there!” A no-brainer guessing game, there could be nobody else Pokwang was alluding to. Comments from netizens who could only take so much of Pokwang’s antiLee’s posts poured in. One social media user snapped back: “What can make you forgive Lee? Wasn’t it enough that you drove him out of the house, and the next thing you wanted was to drive him out of the country?” Still another netizen — who shared Eugene’s advice to Pokwang — wrote: “Shouldn’t you be thankful you met Lee in your life? Get real, without Lee, you wouldn’t have born a pretty Malia into this world.” “Move on, will you?” another netizen told Pokwang. It’s a pity that Eugene’s well-meaning advice as well as the netizens’ have fallen on deaf ears. Telling Pokwang to give Lee a break is simply an exercise in futility! g

16 DECEMBER 1-7, 2023 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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