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DECEMBER 21-27, 2023

T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER

Volume 34 - No. 51 • 12 Pages

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Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Man who assaulted Filipina in New York pleads guilty to anti-Asian hate crime WITH anti-semitic attacks on the rise, let’s not forget that anti-Asian hate is still in the picture. Recently, a man fresh out of his parole hit off an unpleasant encore brutally assaulting a 65-year-old Filipino woman in New York. Brandon Elliott, who pleaded guilty to antiAsian hate crime, already had a crime history. He was on parole for killing his mother. This time, a Filipino American woman in New York was left battered and bruised. According to the criminal complaint, Elliott approached the victim shouting, “F*ck you, you don’t belong here,” before the violent attack, reported by AM New York. And as if that wasn’t enough, Elliott took out a knife and threatened a Good Samaritan trying to thwart the assault. Police caught him a few days later. He pleaded guilty to assault as a hate crime and criminal possession of a

Marcos says ‘paradigm shift’ needed in diplomacy with China by GAEA KATREENA CABICO Philstar.com

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the need for a “paradigm shift” in tackling China’s increasingly aggressive behavior in

the West Philippine Sea as diplomatic efforts with summoning Chinese envoys—had been disregarded Beijing were heading in a “poor direction.” by Beijing. In an interview with Japanese media Saturday, “We have been doing this for many years now, December 16, Marcos said “traditional methods with very little progress,” Marcos was quoted as of diplomacy”—such as sending note verbales and  PAGE 2

Filipinos upbeat on 2024 economic prospects by KRISTINA MARALIT ManilaTimes.net

 PAGE 2

California EDD language access expanded to include Tagalog LOS ANGELES – California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) is expanding language access options, which will include Tagalog starting March 2024. By that time, California residents can apply for unemployment benefits in the myEDD web portal and UI Online and manage their claims via application forms translated into Tagalog, Korean and Armenian, EDD has announced. This is in addition to the Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Vietnamese application forms already being offered. These seven languages represent the top languages spoken by working-age adults in California. “This significant enhancement to myEDD and UI Online is an important milestone in our multilingual expansion to better serve California’s diverse communities,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias. “This significant enhancement to myEDD and UI Online is an important milestone in our multilingual expansion to better serve California’s diverse communities,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias.  PAGE 2

BUDGET. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial signing of the P5.768-trillion 2024 national budget on Wednesday, December 20, calling on agencies to carry out the expenditure program lawfully and to honor the taxpayers who made the next year’s budget possible. Speaking during the signing ceremony in Malacañang, President Marcos reminded agencies implementing the expenditure program to fight red tape “that leads to underspending and overspending that disregards legal guardrails,” emphasizing further that these are ‘two sides of the same coin.’ Malacañang photo

MORE Filipinos are optimistic about the country’s economic prospects for 2024, the Publicus Asia’s yearend survey showed. Conducted from November 29 to December 4, the poll reflected a slight improvement in the public outlook of the country’s current state, from 43 percent to 45 percent. In terms of region, optimism in North-Central Luzon rose from 43 percent in the third quarter to 49 percent in the fourth quarter, South Luzon from 40 percent to 45 percent, and the Visayas from 41 percent to 47 percent. Optimism sharply declined in Mindanao, from 50 percent to 44 percent. The outlook on the country’s direction has recovered, surging from 61 percent in the third quarter to 66 percent in the fourth quarter. The positive views on economic prospects for the next quarter went up from 57 percent to 67 percent. This positive trend was observed across all demographics. “Household Financial Prospects for the Next Quarter also exhibit a positive trajectory, increasing from 62  PAGE 2

Groups say human rights in PH remain under threat even after Duterte by CRISTINA ELOISA BACLIG Inquirer.net

MANILA — Marking the 75th year of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, various groups in the Philippines claimed that the country’s human rights situation has barely improved, saying President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has transitioned into a “carefully crafted” persona that appeared to have a better human rights record. Last December 10, countries across the world observed International Human Rights Day and commemorated the 75th anniversary

of what the United Nations (UN) described as “one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges”: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR was officially announced by the UN General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948. It was the first major step in establishing fundamental human rights intended for universal protection. With translations in over 500 languages, it holds the distinction of being the world’s Overseas Filipino worker Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco, a freed Hamas hostage, hugs his loved ones most translated document. The landmark document lists down the upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Parañaque City on Monday, Dec. 18. PNA photo by Yancy Lim  PAGE 4

Filipino who was held hostage by Marcos on 2024 budget: Secret fund issue already settled Hamas finally arrives home in PH by DELON PORCALLA, ALEXIS ROMERO Philstar.com

TOKYO — As he prepares to sign the P5.768-trillion budget program on Wednesday, December 20, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, December 18 declared as a “settled issue” the controversy over the aborted inclusion of P650-million confidential funds in the 2024 budgets of the Office of Vice President Sara Duterte and the education department which she heads. Speaking to reporters who President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, December 18 declared as a “settled issue” the covered his visit in Tokyo, controversy over the aborted inclusion of P650-million confidential funds in the 2024 budgets Marcos said he was “fairly of the Office of Vice President Sara Duterte and the education department which she heads. comfortable” with the way the Malacañang file photo

budget has turned out, even as he acknowledged that “a little work” has to be done to make sure that the items in the spending plan would be funded. “Yes, I think we are scheduled for Wednesday (December 20),” the president said. “That was actually the initiative of the vice president,” he said when asked about the confidential fund issue that observers said had soured his relationship with Duterte and her supporters. “I’m not actually talking about  PAGE 3

by CHARIE ABARCA Inquirer.net

MANILA — Thirty-three-yearold Jimmy Pacheco, one of the two Filipinos previously held hostage by Palestinian group Hamas, has finally arrived in the Philippines. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and its attached agencies welcomed Pacheco on Monday, December 18 along with other Filipinos returning home in time for the holidays. Pacheco was released by Hamas in November after he was taken hostage on October 7. But despite his traumatic

experience, Pacheco said he’ll go back to Israel and continue his work as an Overseas Filipino Worker. “Gaya ng sinabi ko sa asawa ko, babalik po ako ng Israel dahil kahit ganun po ang nakaraan ko, [gusto kong] maibigay ‘yung gusto kong gawin sa kanila. Ganun naman po dapat ang mga magulang,” said Pacheco in press conference on Monday, December 18. (Just like what I told my wife, I will go back to Israel because I want to provide for my family. That’s how parents should be.) “Ayaw ko pong maranasan  PAGE 2

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http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

DECEMBER 21-27, 2023 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

From The FronT Page

Macos says ‘paradigm shift... PAGE 1 saying in a release issued by the Presidential Communications Office. “We have to do something that we have not done before. We have to come up with a new concept, a new principle, a new idea so that we move [...] the needle the other way. It’s going up, let’s move the needle back. So that paradigm shift is something that we have to formulate,” he added. Relations between the Philippines and China have deteriorated under Marcos, who has sought to strengthen ties with the United States and push back against Beijing’s aggressions in the West Philippine Sea. In contrast, his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte pursued a foreign policy shift toward China

in exchange for investment pledges. Earlier this month, the government accused the China Coast Guard of ramming and firing water cannons at Philippine supply boats. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, encompassing waters and islands close to its neighbors’ shores. It has ignored an international tribunal ruling in 2016, which stated that its claims have no legal basis. De-escalate tension Marcos also said the Philippines will continue talking to its partners not only in the Indo-Pacific region but also globally if necessary, to deescalate the tension in the vital waterway. “We do not want to go to the

point where there are incidents that might cause an actual violent conflict,” the chief executive said. “And so, we have, in my review, it’s time that the countries that feel that they have an involvement in this situation, we have to come up with a paradigm shift,” he added. Marcos was in Tokyo to attend the commemorative summit for the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan friendship and cooperation. Southeast Asian and Japanese leaders agreed to “strengthen dialogue and cooperation for the maintenance of maritime security and safety and maritime order based on the rule of law” in the face of China’s growing assertiveness. g

Filipino who was held hostage by Hamas finally... PAGE 1 nila ‘yung paghihirap ko simula noong bata hanggang ngayon na naghihirap pa rin. Ayaw ko pong iparanas sa kanila kaya babalik po ako,” he added. (I don’t want them to experience the same suffering I’ve experienced since I was a child. I don’t want them to experience that, that’s why I am going back.) Pacheco said he is looking

forward to spending the holiday season with his family, noting that it will be the very first Christmas he’ll spend with them since he became an OFW. In the same press conference, DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Cacdac said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed Philippine government agencies to implement a whole of government approach and help

the Pacheco family. “Meron nang paunang assistance na naibigay, but of course, upon his return, we will mobilize further our resources in terms of pangkabuhayan,” said Cacdac. (We’ve given them initial assistance, but of course, upon his return, we will further mobilize our resources in terms of source of living.) g

Filipinos upbeat on 2024 economic... PAGE 1 percent in Q3 to 70 percent in Q4. This optimistic outlook is shared across all demographic groups,” Publicus said in a statement released Monday. Overall, the positivity about the “state of the country

heading into the year 2024” saw a substantial increase from 59 percent to 68 percent. Negative sentiments about the country’s state heading into 2024 have declined from 41 percent to 32 percent, Publicus Asia said.

The survey had 1,500 respondents randomly drawn from the market research panel of over 200,000 Filipinos maintained by the Singapore office of PureSpectrum, a U.S.based panel marketplace with a multinational presence. g

Man who assaulted Filipina in New York... PAGE 1 weapon. As for the 65-year-old Filipina victim, the aftermath of the antiAsian assault left her a forehead contusion, fractured pelvis and other contusions all over her body. A broader issue of anti-Asian hate crimes This alarming incident is a reminder of the still rising antiAsian assaults in the community.

And it’s happening not just to average Asians. Even Asian American doctors are feeling the blows of racism as they battle against discrimination in educational institutions and hospitals, a recent study confirmed. Meanwhile, in lieu of the same issue, LA County breaks a 21-year record of hitting the highest hate crime rate, showcasing an 18

percent increase in 2022. “Brandon Elliot brutally and repeatedly assaulted a 65-yearold mother in a hate-fueled attack that shook our city,” said District Attorney Bragg in a statement. His message echoes loud and clear — hate-driven assaults must stop. If you’ve been a victim or witnessed a hate crime, call 212335-3100. (Mary Villegas/Inquirer. net)

STEADY SO FAR. The prices of fruits sold at the Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City remain stable, vendors said on Wednesday, Dec. 20. The regional agriculture office earlier said the prices of fruits would slightly increase during the holiday season. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

California EDD language access expanded... PAGE 1

“We are committed to knocking down language access barriers and improving the EDD customer experience for everyone.” Applicants can access the UI Online process in their preferred language, and they will receive real-time, in-language updates about the status of their claim, including payment notifications sent by email or text message. The new Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese language options when logging into myEDD will only be available to individuals

applying for unemployment benefits in UI Online. They are not yet available when applying for disability insurance or paid family leave benefits, or when accessing benefit overpayment services. Expanding UI Online access adds to the previously announced several actions EDD has taken to improve language accessibility in its programs and services, including: Requesting funds from the U.S. Department of Labor for these efforts Creating dedicated phone

lines in the seven top languages allowing customers to directly reach an agent to help with their claims Launching in July 2022 an EDD Language Access Office and hiring its inaugural Language Access Officer Increasing its website’s translated content, including vital program information, forms and publications, contact information and access to interpreters in over 200 languages at no cost Providing customers helpful how-to-videos for UI Online in different languages. (Inquirer.net)

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Dateline USa

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 21-27, 2023

Fighting car scams with the CARS rule

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by Selen Ozturk Ethnic Media Services

THE risk of getting scammed when buying a car — the highest purchase many consumers make short of a house — can be as stressful as the risk of a pile-up commute. At a Friday, December 15 briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services and the Federal Trade Commission, FTC officials explained how the agency’s Combating Auto Retail Scams (CARS) Rule, requiring transparency from car dealers, will protect buyers from auto scams. What is CARS and who’s affected? Malini Mithal, associate director of the FTC Division of Financial Practices said the CARS Rule, announced by the FTC last week, combats two main scams that car buyers experience: bait-andswitch tactics, “where dealers advertise a low price to bring you to the lot, but after you spend hours there you learn that the car is way more expensive than what was advertised,” and junk fees, which are charges hidden by long, complicated auto contracts. CARS — taking effect July 30, 2024 — will save car buyers facing these tactics an estimated $3.4 billion and 72 million hours a year, she explained. “The rule especially helps honest car dealers who will be able to compete on a level playing field; they won’t have to worry about losing business to a competitor pretending to have a lower price to lure consumers onto their lot, but then charging much more once the consumer gets there.” The CARS Rule makes this happen four ways, Mithal continued: first, dealers can’t lie about key information like costs, financing terms, add ons and rebates; second, dealers must tell consumers the total price of the car (e.g. the full price of a 10-year contract, not just the first few monthly payments); third, dealers can’t charge junk fees that don’t benefit the consumer (e.g. a second warranty with no coverage, or oil change add-ons incompatible with an electric car); and fourth, “Dealers can only charge for things if consumers know what the charge is for and agree to pay for it — so no more hidden costs in contracts.” The rule also requires dealers advertising a car in a certain language, like Spanish, to clearly disclose any added costs in that same language “so buyers know what

The risk of getting scammed when buying a car — the highest purchase many consumers make short of a house — can be as stressful as the risk of a pile-up commute. Unsplash.com photo by Erik Mclean

they’re agreeing to,” said Jamie Brooks, an attorney with the FTC’s Division of Financial Practices. Why bait-and-switch? The CARS Rule focuses so much on bait-and-switch tactics because of how many actions the FTC has brought against it, “where dealers advertise one price to get consumers in the door, but then charge consumers much more after they’ve invested time on the lot,” said Brooks. Most of this deceptive advertising involves misrepresenting a car’s full price, its monthly payment, or the dealership’s affiliation with government programs, she added. For example, in 2014 the FTC sued Casino Auto Sales of La Puente, California for advertising an $18,000 down vehicle while burying an extra $5,000 down payment in fine print specifically targeting Spanish consumers. In 2020, the agency sued dealer ad agency Traffic Jam Events of Kenner, Louisiana for mailers which supposedly directed consumers to a COVID stimulus relief program site, the address of which was really a car lot. These tactics not only harm car buyers but dealers themselves “who have to beat the bogus prices of dishonest competitors,” Brooks explained. “When a dealership advertises low prices, people end up selecting that dealership over others under false pretenses.” Junk fees, add-ons Many of these pretenses also involve “junk fees” for hidden addons — “like extended warranties, car or asset protection, or coatings that are supposed to protect the car” — which can easily cause unknowing buyers thousands of dollars, said Sanya Shahrasbi, an attorney with the FTC’s Division of Financial Practices. “In the past two years alone,”

she continued, “dealers have substantially increased prices for these add ons, even though such products and services largely are not constrained by supply.” A 2022 FTC lawsuit against multistate dealer Napleton, the thirteenth-largest dealership group in the country, found that 83% or 16,848 of the dealer’s customers were charged for add-ons that they didn’t agree to; for instance, “one consumer paid for a $2,000 service contract that the dealer said was free.” This Napleton action found not only that buyers were being charged for add-ons they didn’t agree to, but also that these buyers were disproportionately Black and Latino, added Mithal. A 2023 action against Wisconsin-based dealer group Rhinelander Auto Center found analogous targeting of local Native American consumers. Much of the vulnerability of these racial and ethnic groups owes to language access obstructed by lengthy contracts hiding fees; many Napleton buyers, for example, found themselves with paperwork requiring more than 12 signatures across over 60 pages. Regardless, Mithal continued, the CARS Rule “prohibits conduct which is already illegal, and if a dealer’s lying to you about the price of a car, they’re already violating the FTC, you’re within your rights to report them.” How, then, will the CARS Rule help stop scams that are already illegal? Because it underscores the money, said Mithal, “and people stand up when they are on the hook for a lot of money … It’s easier to get money back to you when scamming dealers see that they’re exposed through this rule, and honest dealers see the law is on their side.” g

HOMEBOUND. Passengers on their way home for the holidays queue up at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Police authorities managed the flow of passengers into the terminal as security measures were heightened to ensure public safety. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Marcos on 2024 budget: Secret fund... PAGE 1 the confidential funds and to not insist that they have such confidential funds. So I think as far as I’m concerned, it is a settled issue,” he pointed out. Speaker Martin Romualdez also said the president is set to sign the budget program on Wednesday. “The budget I think...very, very closely follows what our original NEP (National Expenditure Program) was... There is still a gap, a differential between the appropriated funds and the funds we have collected thus far. There is a certain amount that we have extra and we have to collect,” he added. Congress has realigned the combined P650million confidential funds of the OVP and the DepEd, fueling rumors that there is a rift between Duterte and some allies of Marcos. Duterte, who ran alongside Marcos in the Uniteam ticket during the 2022 elections, has withdrawn her request for the funds. The secret funds were instead allocated to agencies dealing with security threats in the South China Sea. While the realignment increased the funding for efforts to secure the Philippines’ maritime interests, Marcos admitted that the Philippines’ defense spending remains incomparable with that of China, which is claiming practically the entire strategic waterway. “Even if we go up to the desired level of spending on defense of up to two percent of GDP (gross domestic product), we will still be very not comparative in terms of actual military force to the Chinese. That is obvious to everyone,” Marcos, also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, said. “So that’s not the only side to the problem. We have to continue to ally ourselves with as many countries around the world, especially in Asia and the Indo-Pacific area (and) around the world... being able to speak with a unified voice is essential and that will only come with strong coalitions among different countries,” he added.

Speaker Martin Romualdez

Philstar.com file photo

Romualdez also told Palace reporters covering the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo that the budget program is ready for signing, possibly on Wednesday. “It’s ready for signing. In fact, he could have signed it before he left (for Tokyo),” Rumualdez said, referring to the bicameral conference committee-approved General Appropriations Act of 2024 embodying the P5.768-trillion national budget for next year. “I think there are still some printings that have to be done,” the House leader said. The administration stalwart, a first cousin of Marcos, also expressed belief – when asked by reporters – that no provisions in the new budget program would be altered or vetoed. “He’s not stating any. We’re just complying with the parameters (on the budget) and we’re working closely with the Office of the President,” he said. Romualdez also confirmed that, as agreed upon by both houses of Congress, no confidential and intelligence funds had been allocated to the Office of Vice President and the DepEd. g

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Dateline USa

DECEMBER 21-27, 2023 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

Survey: AAPI community feels pessimistic heading into the US presidential elections This high voter pessimism among AAPI could lead to big consequences in the next U.S. presidential election by Amrie Cruz Inquirer.net

IT seems that the U.S. government needs to wake up as well as double their efforts in raising voter turnout for next year, especially among the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. A recent survey shows that the AAPI community are feeling pessimistic about the state of politics and democracy ahead of the presidential primaries and caucuses. The survey conducted by The Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research and AAPI Data showed that “68 percent of people within AAPI communities, including 6 in 10 Democrats, believe the country is heading in the wrong direction” and “just 1 in 10 AAPI adults believe democracy is functioning well”—a concerning statistic despite “another 47 percent say it is functioning somewhat well.” This survey traces it back to low confidence in the people running government institutions, with only 17 percent expressing confidence in their state government. Federal institutions fared worse with roughly 1 in 10 or only 12 percent confident for the Supreme Court, 11 percent for the executive branch, and a mere four percent for Congress. Other reasons include concerns over electoral manipulation tactics such as voter misinformation at a high 83 percent, voter suppression at 46 percent, limitations on free speech at 41 percent, and voter fraud at 31 percent. Both political parties’ presidential nomination processes aren’t inspiring much confidence either,

A recent survey shows that the AAPI community are feeling pessimistic about the state of politics and democracy ahead of the presidential primaries and caucuses. Pexels.com photo by Mikhail Nilov

with the survey revealing that only 27 percent are confident in the Democrats’ process and 20 percent for the Republicans.’ The survey was composed of voters from the AAPI, with 52 percent identifying as Democrats, 27 percent as Republican, and one in five or 21 percent as independent or have no party attachment. AAPI adults under 30 were found to be more skeptical of both parties, with 38 percent of them having no trust in either. Will political parties heed these survey results based on the answers of 1,113 American AAPI voters as warnings for potentially big consequences in the next U.S. presidential election? Or will Americans continue to be disenchanted and dissatisfied by the electoral process until 2024? g

Groups say human rights in PH remain... PAGE 1 fundamental rights inherent to all individuals, irrespective of their race, skin color, religion, gender, language, political beliefs, nationality, social background, property status, birth, or any other condition. “The Universal Declaration shows the way to common values and approaches that can help resolve tensions and create the security and stability our world craves,” said UN SecretaryGeneral António Guterres. Human rights have become more recognized and more guaranteed across the globe since the adoption of the UDHR. It has since laid the groundwork for a growing system dedicated to protecting human rights, which now also emphasizes safeguarding vulnerable populations, including individuals with disabilities, indigenous communities, and migrants. While human rights have advanced in the 75 years since the proclamation of the UDHR, the UN stressed that this progress does not mean the fight for rights and equality ever ends. “[H]uman rights violations persist in many parts of the world, often without consequences,” said Volker Türk, UN high commissioner for human rights. Human rights violations persist in PH In a statement, the human rights alliance Karapatan said “the climate of impunity that shielded [former President] Rodrigo Duterte and his subalterns from being held accountable for the killings of activists and suspected drug personalities still rears its ugly head under Ferdinand Marcos Jr.” “Marcos Jr.’s carefully crafted attempts to project a different image of himself as that of his bloodthirsty predecessor are crumbling in the face of the extrajudicial killings that continue under his regime,” it added. As of November this year, Karapatan has documented up to 87 extrajudicial killings under Marcos Jr.’s counterinsurgency campaign since the start of his term in July 2022 — an average of about five killings per month. The group noted that the documented killings included five massacres where 27 victims were brutally murdered, including children and elderly women. Karapatan also documented other civil and political rights violations under the current administration, including: • 12 victims of enforced disappearances • 316 victims of illegal and arbitrary arrest • 22,391 victims of bombing • 39,769 victims of indiscriminate firing • 24,670 victims of forced evacuation • 552 victims of forced surrender • 1,609,496 victims of threats, harassment, and intimidation — including red-tagging. ‘Bloody’ drug war continues Karapatan, as well as the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) denounced the continuing killings related to the campaign against drugs that reached their peak under Duterte. Data from the Third World Studies Program’s Dahas Project, of the University of the Philippines, revealed that as of November 23, 2023, there have been 474 drug-related killings under Marcos Jr.’s anti-drug campaign — most of the killings,

ICHRP noted, occurring during law enforcement anti-drug operations. Karapatan stressed that the numbers disprove claims that the Marcos administration’s version of the drug war is “bloodless.” “Despite Marcos Jr.’s cultivated facade, the sordid figures on rights violations prove that he is his dictator father’s son and his regime, a continuation of that of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte,” Karapatan said. The groups noted that Duterte should be held accountable for up to 30,000 civilian deaths in his bloodthirsty anti-drug campaign and the killings of 422 activists, on top of other grave violations of human rights. “Domestic redress mechanisms have clearly failed to exact justice for the victims of Duterte’s bloody drug war, with only three convictions attained in the face of up to 30,000 drug war-related killings perpetrated by police forces and policesanctioned vigilante death squads since Duterte’s bloody campaign began in mid-2016,” the group stressed. “The ongoing investigations into Duterte’s drug war by prosecutors of the International Criminal Court (ICC) offers a glimpse of hope to the victims and their families. In the interest of justice, ICC investigators must be allowed into the country and provided access to the victims and all pertinent records needed for their probe,” it added. A ‘killing ground’ In a statement, ICHRP said that the country “continues to be a killing ground for perceived dissidents, community organizers, indigenous people, rights advocates, and alleged drug suspects.” Karapatan reported that numerous individuals are dealing with fabricated charges, including 795 political detainees who are challenging the unfair reasons for their incarceration and the dismal conditions in holding facilities. Among these, at least seventeen are peace consultants associated with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). The groups also emphasized that anti-terror laws are being aggressively employed to quash opposition and hinder progress and humanitarian efforts in the country. “The wrongful designation of peace consultants and negotiators, as well as community and indigenous people’s leaders, and the baseless charges against human rights defenders, have exposed the weaponization of these laws to violate the people’s constitutional rights,” Karapatan said. ICHRP further noted that the media continue to face challenges under the Marcos administration, exacerbating existing worries about the Philippines being one of the world’s most perilous countries for journalists. “Journalist, Frenchie Mae Cumpio, remains behind bars facing trumped-up charges. Marcos Jr. has not reinstated the broadcast franchise of ABSCBN suspended by the Duterte Regime,” ICHRP said. “Journalists also continue to be killed by state actors under the Marcos Jr. government, including the recent death of Juan Jumalon (DJ Johnny Walker), whose November 5th killing was livestreamed as he was in the middle of an on-air broadcast,” it added. Jumalon’s death marked the fourth journalist fatality

since Marcos Jr. assumed the presidency in June 2022. The case raised to 199 the total number of journalists killed since the reinstatement of democracy in the Philippines in 1986. These fatalities included those in one of the most heinous cases of attacks against journalists, where 32 journalists were among the 58 individuals murdered in 2009 by the Ampatuans and their henchmen in a Maguindanao town named after the powerful family. The Philippines is listed as the eighth worst country in convicting killers of journalists, with 20 unsolved murders between September 1, 2013 and August 31, 2023, according to the annual report of global media watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Uphold human rights In observation of the 75th commemoration of the UDHR, ICHRP denounced the ongoing attacks and violations of the rights of the Filipino people under the Marcos Jr. administration. “In this context, we urge the international community and international institutions to stand with the victims and those who struggle for democracy and human rights in the Philippines,” ICHRP said. “We call for continued pressure through international mechanisms and international solidarity to push the Philippine government to action,” it added. The group also called for: 1. The Philippine government to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC) and allow it to conduct investigations in the Philippines related to the crimes against humanity cases being charged against Duterte. 2. The International Criminal Court to pursue its case against former President Duterte and his senior officials, to follow the evidence and give voice to the victims 3. The Philippine government to stop the bombings of civilian communities and production areas in the countryside and other grave violations of International Humanitarian Law 4. The Marcos administration to respect all previously signed peace agreements with the NDFP and release the 791 political prisoners who remain in detention, and to remove the terrorist designation of the NDFP and Luis Jalandoni and others as a confidence-building measure for the peace process 5. The suspension of all international aid to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and counter-terrorism programs which would place weapons [in] the hands of those committing these grave human rights and [International Humanitarian Law (IHL)] violations 6. The Philippine government to uphold human rights and the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and its Additional Protocols of 1977 Karapatan urged the Marcos administration to “answer for its own perpetuation of Duterte’s fascist counterinsurgency and drug war policies that continue to claim the lives of hundreds of Filipinos.” “[W]e uphold the people’s right to resist in the face of repression, tyranny and wars of aggression. We stand resolutely with the Filipino people and all oppressed peoples in upholding human and people’s rights and our democratic aspirations,” Karapatan said. g

SEA OF DEVOTEES. Hundreds flock to the Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass) at Imus Cathedral, Cavite on Sunday, Dec. 17. Free kakanin (native snacks or desserts) were distributed after the Mass. PNA photos by Avito C. Dalan

Deep flaws in FDA oversight of medical devices, and patient harm, exposed in lawsuits and records by Fred Schulte

and holly K. hacKer KFF Health News

LIVING with diabetes, Carlton “PeeWee” Gautney Jr. relied on a digital device about the size of a deck of playing cards to pump insulin into his bloodstream. The pump, manufactured by device maker Medtronic, connected plastic tubing to an insulin reservoir, which Gautney set to release doses of the vital hormone over the course of the day. Gautney, a motorcycle enthusiast, worked as a dispatcher with the police department in Opp, Alabama. The 59-year-old died suddenly on May 17, 2020, because — his family believes — the pump malfunctioned and delivered a fatal overdose of insulin. “There’s a big hole left where he was,” said Gautney’s daughter, Carla Wiggins, who is suing the manufacturer. “A big part of me is missing.” The wrongful-death lawsuit alleges the pump was “defective and unreasonably dangerous.” Medtronic has denied the pump caused Gautney’s death and filed a court motion for summary judgment, which is pending. The pump Gautney depended on was among more than 400,000 Medtronic devices recalled, starting in November 2019, after the company said in a recall notice that damage to a retainer ring on the pump could “lead to an over or under delivery of insulin,” which could “be life threatening or may result in death.” As the recall played out, federal regulators discovered that Medtronic had delayed acting — and warning patients of possible hazards with the pumps — despite amassing tens of thousands of complaints about the rings, government records show. Over the past year, KFF Health News has investigated medical device malfunctions including: Artificial knees manufactured by a Gainesville, Florida, company that remained on the market for more than 15 years despite packaging issues that the company said could have caused more than 140,000 of the implants to wear out prematurely. Metal hip implants that snapped in two inside patients who said in lawsuits that they required urgent surgery. Last-resort heart pumps that FDA records state may have caused or contributed to thousands of patient deaths. And even a dental device, used on patients without FDA review, that lawsuits alleged has caused catastrophic harm to teeth and jawbones. CBS News co-reported and aired TV stories about the hip and dental devices. The investigation has found that most medical devices, including many implants, are now cleared for sale by the FDA without tests for safety or effectiveness. Instead, manufacturers must simply show they have “substantial equivalence” to a product already in the marketplace — an approval process some experts view as vastly overused and fraught with risks. “Patients believe they are getting an implant that’s been proven safe,” said Joshua Sharlin, a former FDA official who now is a consultant and expert witness in drug and medical device regulation. “No, it hasn’t,” Sharlin said. And once those devices reach the marketplace, the FDA struggles to track malfunctions, including deaths and injuries — while injured patients face legal barriers trying to hold manufacturers accountable for product defects. In a statement to KFF Health News, the FDA said it “has a scientifically rigorous process to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of medical devices.” ‘Too little, too late’ The FDA approved the MiniMed 670G insulin pump on Sept. 28, 2016, after its most stringent safety review, a little-used process known as premarket approval.

In a news release that day, Jeffrey Shuren, who directs the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, lauded the device as a “first-of-its-kind technology” that would give patients “greater freedom to live their lives” and to monitor and dispense insulin as needed. The pump was tested on 123 patients in a clinical trial over several months with “no serious adverse events,” the release said. Shuren declined to be interviewed. The FDA’s enthusiasm didn’t last. In November 2019, Medtronic, citing the ring problem, launched an “urgent medical device recall” of the pumps, which it expanded in late 2021. During an inspection at Medtronic’s plant in Northridge, California, FDA officials learned the company had logged more than 74,000 ring complaints between 2016 and the November 2019 recall. More than 800 complaints weren’t investigated at all, according to the FDA, which sharply criticized the company in a December 2021 warning letter. Medtronic is facing more than 60 lawsuits filed by injured patients and their families and the company believes it may be hit with claims for damages from thousands more patients, the company disclosed in an August Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Medtronic pumps that allegedly dispensed too much, or too little, insulin have been blamed for contributing to at least a dozen patient deaths, according to lawsuits filed since 2019. Some cases have been settled under confidential terms, while others are pending or have been dismissed. Medtronic has denied any responsibility in response to the lawsuits. In one pending case, a Las Vegas man using the pump allegedly fell into an “insulin-induced coma” that led to his death in 2020. In another 2020 case, a 67-year-old New Jersey resident collapsed at her home, dying later the same day at a local hospital. The recall notice Medtronic sent to a 43-year-old Missouri man’s home arrived a few days after police found him dead on his bedroom floor, his family alleged in a lawsuit filed in August. “Simply too little, too late,” the suit reads. The case is pending, and Medtronic has yet to file an answer in court. Medtronic declined to answer written questions from KFF Health News about the pumps and court cases. In an emailed statement, the company said it replaced pump rings with new ones “redesigned to reduce the risk of damage” and “fulfilled all pump replacement requests at no cost to customers.” In April, Medtronic announced that the FDA had lifted the warning letter a few days after it approved a new version of the MiniMed pump system. Shortcut to market The 1976 federal law that mandated safety testing for high-risk medical devices also created a far easier — and less costly — pathway to the marketplace. This process, known as a 510(k) clearance, requires manufacturers to show a new device they plan to sell has “substantial equivalence” to one already on the market, even if the prior product has been recalled. Critics have worried for years that the 510(k)-approval scenario is too industry-friendly to protect patients from harm. In July 2011, an Institute of Medicine report concluded that 510(k) was “not intended to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of medical devices” and said “a move away from the 510(k) clearance process should occur as soon as reasonably possible.” More than a decade later, that hasn’t happened, even amid mounting controversy over the clearance of hundreds of devices that employ artificial intelligence. The FDA now clears about 3,000 low- to moderate-risk devices every year through 510(k)

review, which costs the device maker a standard FDA fee of about $22,000. That compares with about 30 approvals a year through the stricter premarketing requirements, which cost nearly $500,000 per device, according to FDA data. Diana Zuckerman, president of the National Center for Health Research, said even many doctors don’t realize devices cleared for sale typically have not undergone clinical trials to establish their safety. “Doctors are shocked to learn this,” she said. “Patients aren’t going to know it when their doctors don’t.” In response to written questions from KFF Health News, the FDA said it “continues to believe in the merits of the 510(k) program and will continue to work to identify program improvements that strengthen the safety and effectiveness of 510(k) cleared devices.” The FDA keeps a tight lid on data showing which devices manufacturers choose to demonstrate substantial equivalence — what the agency refers to as “predicate” devices. “We can’t get detailed data,” said Sandra Rothenberg, a researcher at the Rochester Institute of Technology. “It’s very hard for researchers to determine the basis on which substantial equivalence is being made and to analyze if there are problems.” Rothenberg cited the history of “metal-on-metal” artificial hip implants, which under 510(k) spawned many new brands — along with a disastrous toll of patient injuries. The implants could release metal particles that damaged bone and led to premature removal and replacement, a painful operation. Just four of these hip devices have been the target of more than 25,000 lawsuits seeking damages, court records show. In early 2016, the FDA issued an order requiring safety testing before approving new metal-on-metal hip devices. Alarm bells Two former Medtronic sales executives in California argue in a whistleblower lawsuit that the 510(k) process can be abused. According to the whistleblowers, the FDA approved the Puritan Bennett 980, or PB 980, ventilator in 2014 based on the assertion it was substantially equivalent to the PB 840, an earlier mechanical ventilator long viewed as the workhorse of the industry. Medtronic’s subsidiary company Covidien made its claim even though the device has completely different “guts” and operates using software and other “substantially different” mechanisms, according to the whistleblowers’ suit. In response, Medtronic said it “believes the allegations are without merit and has moved to dismiss the case.” The case is pending. The whistleblowers argue the PB 980 ventilator was plagued by dangerous malfunctions for years before its recall in late 2021. One ventilator billowed smoke in an intensive care unit while the whistleblowers were told by one hospital that “the wheels for the ventilator cart may actually fall off the ventilator during transport,” according to the suit. Batteries could die without warning, kicking off a scramble to keep patients alive; monitor screens froze up repeatedly or otherwise went on the blink; and, in several cases, alarm bells warning of a patient emergency rang continuously and could be quieted only by unplugging the unit from the wall socket and pulling out its batteries, according to the suit. The December 2021 recall of the PB 980 cited a “manufacturing assembly error” that the company said may cause the ventilator to become “inoperable.” Medtronic said in an email that the ventilator “has helped thousands of patients around the world,” including playing a “critu PAGE 7

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Dateline PhiliPPines

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 21-27, 2023

5

Over 2M passengers to flock airports this month amid travel surge MANILA – The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is expecting 2.2 million passengers this month amid the holiday rush travel surge, assuring the public it is ready to augment assistance at the airports it operates. In a televised briefing on Tuesday, December 19 CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said passengers who may be needing assistance or who have queries may reach out to the help desks at the airports. "We have many personnel who could assist. We have those on standby in case more people are needed. The area

managers were also instructed to assist the passengers," he said. Apolonio said passengers who have complaints should go to the help desks. All the 44 CAAP airports are on heightened alert, in partnership with the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group and the Office for Transportation Security, he added. About 2.2 million passengers are expected to use the CAAP airports this December, expecting 7 to 10 percent in passenger volume year-onyear.

There were 2 million passengers at CAAP airports in December 2022. "So far, there are many local tourists. Maybe because it's more convenient and faster to travel by air. There are also promotions that make the airfare more affordable," Apolonio said. Meanwhile, to avoid hassle, Apolonio reminded the public to avoid bringing prohibited objects in their hand-carry luggage. Apolonio also urged the passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight. (PNA)

COVID-19 cases up 50 percent – DOH by Claire Mondares ManilaTimes.net

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, December 18 reported a 50 percent rise in new COVID-19 cases nationwide. Data showed that 2,725 new cases were reported on December 12-18, 50 percent higher than the 1,821 new cases recorded from December 5-11. The average number of new cases per day also increased from 260 on December 5-11 to 389 this week. Based on the DOH's COVID-19 tracker, as of December 15,

Quezon City had the highest number of confirmed cases with 278,483, followed by Cavite with 245,221, Laguna with 183,170, Manila with 165,295, and Rizal with 161,149. The department said 211 severe and critical patients were admitted to hospitals as of December 17. Of the total 1,101 intensive care unit (ICU) beds for COVID patients, 142 or 12.9 percent are occupied. More than 78 million people, or 100.44 percent of the target population, have been vaccinated against COVID-19,

while 23 million have received their booster shots. On the other hand, 7.1 million senior citizens, or 82.16 percent of the target A2 population, have already received their primary series. "Everyone is reminded not to be complacent about the threat of COVID-19. We must continue to properly follow the minimum public health standards under Alert Level 1. We also remind the public to always wear the bestfitted face mask and, if possible, stay in well-ventilated areas," the department said in a statement on Monday. g

Over 82,000 displaced in Mindanao due to ‘Kabayan’ — NDRRMC by Gaea Katreena CabiCo Philstar.com

MANILA — Over 82,000 people were displaced after cyclone Kabayan struck Mindanao, causing heavy rain and triggering flooding, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported on Tuesday, December 19. Of the 82,703 individuals who fled their homes, around 67,105 sought refuge in evacuation centers in Northern Mindanao, Davao region, and CARAGA.

According to the NDRRMC, about 22,000 were pre-emptively evacuated in Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao region, and CARAGA. The disaster agency stated that Kabayan resulted in at least one person being injured, while an individual from the Davao region was reported missing. Kabayan dissipated into a low pressure area as it crossed the rugged terrain of Mindanao after making landfall in Davao Oriental Monday morning. But state weather bureau

PAGASA said Tuesday the threat of flash floods and landslides remains in Visayas Mindanao, MIMAROPA, Bicol region, Quezon province, and Aurora due to rain brought by the LPA and the shear line. The government has so far allocated P92,676 in assistance to support affected residents. The Philippines has so far experienced fewer storms in 2023 than in any of the past 25 years. Only 11 cyclones have hit or come close to the Philippines so far this year, a significant drop from the average of 20. g

Clark County Fire Department FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU 4701 W. Russell Road • Las Vegas, NV 89118 (702) 455-3000 • Fax (702) 221-0630 John Steinbeck, Fire Chief Kelly Blackmon, Sr. Deputy Fire Chief/Fire Marshal Danny Horvat, Assistant Fire Chief • Wayne Dailey, Assistant Fire Chief

PATALASTASTAS SA PUBLIKO: Mga Mungkahi’ng Pagbabago sa Kodigo Ng Lalawigan ng Clark Tungkol sa: Titulo 12, Kabanata 13.04 Mangyaring bigyang pansin na ang isang regulasyon ay iminungkahi ng Lupon ng mga Komisyonero ng Lalawigan sa Lalawigan ng Clark. Ang iminungkahi’ng alituntunin ay babaguhin ang Titulo 13, Kabanata 13.04 ng Kodigo ng Lalawigan ng Clark upang idagdag ang Subseksyon 106.6.1.1 mga Bayarin sa Muling Pagsusumite at Subseksyon 106.6.1.2 Mga Bayarin sa Pagbabago sa Seksyon 13.04.070 Saklaw at Pangangasiwa upang isama ang mga karagdagang bayarin sa pagsusuri ng plano. Ang iminungkahi’ng tuntunin ay isasama at tutukuyin din ang wika gaya ng inilarawan sa Seksyon 106.6, Iskedyul ng Bayad Serbisyo at Permiso, Talahanayan 106-G. Bago ang pagpapatibay sa iminungkahi’ng tuntunin, ang Lupon ng mga Komisyonero ng Lalawigan sa Lalawigan ng Clark ay inatasan ng NRS 237.080 na gumawa ng isang pinagsama-sama’ng pagsisikap upang matukoy kung ang panukala’ng panuntunan ay magpapataw ng isang direkto at malaki’ng pasanin sa ekonomiya nang isang negosyo o direkto’ng paghihigpitan ang pagbuo, pagpapatakbo o pagpapalawak ng isang negosyo. Dahil dito, ang mga samahan sa pangangalakal, may-ari at mga opisyal ng mga negosyo na malamang na maapektuhan ng iminungkahi’ng panuntunan na ito, at ang iba pang interesado’ng mga tao ay kinakailanga’ng patalastasan at bigyan ng pagkakataon na magsumite ng mga komento, datos, o argumento sa Lalawigan tungkol sa kung ang iminungkahi’ng panuntunan ay: a) Magpapataw ng isang direkto at malaki’ng pasanin sa ekonomiya nang isang negosyo; o b) Direkto’ng paghihigpitan ang pagbuo, pagpapatakbo o pagpapalawak Ang mga komento ay kailanga’ng matanggap ng hindi lalampas sa 5:30 n.h. sa Enero 18, 2024 tulad ng sumusunod: Sa pamamagitan ng pagdadala sa: Kawanihan ng Pag-iwas sa Sunog sa Lalawigan ng Clark Lobi ng Kustomer 4701 W. Russell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89118 Attn: Sarah Stevens Lunes – Huwebes, 7:30 n.u - 5:30 n.h. Sa pamamagitan ng Koreo: Kagawaran ng Sunog sa Lalawigan ng Clark - Kawanihan ng Pag-iwas sa Sunog Attn: Sarah Stevens, Administrative Secretary 4701 W. Russell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89118 Sa pamamagitan ng email: shs@clarkcounty.nv - o - Sa pamamagitan ng facsimile: 702-678-5220 Ang isang kopya ng iminungkahi’ng panuntunan ay makikita din para sa pagsusuri online sa: https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/fire/fire prevention library.php#outer-10618 at Kagawaran ng Sunog sa Lalawigan ng Clark Unang Palapag sa Lobi 575 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119 Lunes hanggang Huwebes mula 7:30 n.u. hanggang 7:30 n.g.

-o-

Kagawaran ng Sunog sa Lalawigan ng Clark – Kawanihan ng Pag-iwas sa Sunog 4701 W. Russell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89118 Lunes hanggang Huwebes mula 7:30 n.u. hanggang 5:30 n.h.

Taos-puso, John Steinbeck, Fire Chief BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

JAMES B. GIBSON, Chair • JUSTIN C. JONES, Vice Chair MICHAEL NAFT • MARILYN KIRKPATRICK • ROSS MILLER • WILLIAM McCURDY II • TICK SEGERBLOM • JUSTIN C. JONES YOLANDA T. KING, County Manager

AFFORDABLE OUTFIT. A stall owner at the Baclaran area in Parañaque City arranges affordable dresses and ladies’ wear on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Sales of products are up during the Christmas Season including the outfits for gift-giving. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

Israel-Gaza conflict seen to affect PH seafarers, economy MANILA – A senator warned on Tuesday, December 19 the present state of the global maritime industry and expanding geopolitical conflict are threatening the jobs of Filipino seafarers. Senator Imee Marcos, in a news release, cited in particular the Houthi rebels constantly attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea which forced shipping companies to stop operating in the region. “Shipping giants Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have just announced a halt to their operations in the Red Sea, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacking more cargo ships to avenge the deaths of Palestinian civilians in Gaza,” Marcos said. “This is happening while shipping companies are coping with higher costs, lower freight charges, and a weaker demand for container transport amid an oversupply of ships,” she added. The Bab al-Mandab Strait acts as a strategic link between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Reports said about 10 to 12 percent of global trade passes through the area, or more than 17,000 ships each year.

In commemoration of the UN International Migrant Workers Day, Marcos urged the national government to “look at disruptive world events squarely” so that its programs for Filipino migrant workers remain relevant. Marcos said Maersk is planning to cut 10,000 jobs and HapagLloyd’s revenues dropped to 58 percent in third-quarter from a year earlier. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels recently set a Hapag-Lloyd containership ablaze during a series of missile attacks, while the Maersk Gibraltar was also targeted, with a missile just missing it while it was transiting near Yemen. Marcos noted that Filipinos comprise 40 percent of Maersk’s seafarers which is around 4,000 who might lose their jobs and would cause drop in remittances amounting to hundreds of millions annually. Filipino seafarers, who are among the highest-paid overseas Filipino workers are required to remit at least 80 percent of their salary each month, contributing PHP6.7 billion or some 20 percent of the total remittances in 2022, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Senator Imee Marcos

PNA file photo

As shipping companies take initiatives toward green energy, Marcos also called for better pay prospects and not just training programs for Filipino seafarers to be deployed on methanol-enabled ships According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the Philippines was the top source of seafarers in the world in 2021. The Maritime Industry Authority also reported that the country deployed more than 400,000 Filipino seafarers overseas, on average, from 2016 to 2021. (PNA)

CARPE DIEM! ATTENTION IMMIGRATION LAWYERS!!! LEGAL IMMIGRATION is a BIG ISSUE these days. MANY in our community NEED your services. There are thousands who may want to expedite their residency or pursue full citizenship but don’t know how to begin and where to go.

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6

DECEMBER 21-27, 2023 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Rights-based campaign vs drugs

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

FEATURES

HUMAN rights are supposed to underpin the criminal justice system and national security operations in democratic Philippines. The bloody crackdown on the illegal drug trade in the previous administration, however, turned the country into a global hotspot for human rights violations. The drug killings were on top of the murders of environmental activists, legal professionals and journalists even after the restoration of democracy in 1986, along with the human rights violations in connection with counterinsurgency operations. Now the government has informed the United Nations that a Human Rights Coordinating Council will be created in the Philippines to promote an approach to drug control and counterterrorism that is steeped in human rights, accountability and the rule of law. The move is in line with initiatives under the UN Joint Program on Human Rights. The UNJP is a three-year program launched in 2021, under which the UN provides technical and capacity-building assistance to the Philippines for rights-based approaches to drug control and other matters such as reforms in the justice sector. Speaking for the government, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announced the move in Geneva, Switzerland as the UN marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Oct. 10. While the Philippine commitment

is laudable, its fulfillment needs careful monitoring. From the start, human rights have been enshrined in the basic law of the Philippines. Yet the country saw gross human rights violations during martial law and the Marcos dictatorship. In the six years since 2016 under Rodrigo Duterte, over 6,000 people were killed in what law enforcement agencies described as legitimate operations against the illegal drug scourge. Drug suspects who weren’t killed were packed like sardines in poorly ventilated jails, in conditions that also violated the rights of persons deprived of liberty. Police officials have said that given the nature of the illegal drug scourge, an end to drug killings cannot be guaranteed. But it’s not impossible to prevent police abuses in the conduct of the anti-narcotics campaign. Bersamin told the UN that comprehensive reforms in the justice sector include setting up a training institute for forensic science and investigation. The judiciary can do its part by speeding up

Editorial

Commentary

NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC CENTER ON AGING MEDICARE Open Enrollment Period is ongoing. We chose several questions about this subject and want to share the information in this month’s column. We added one question to address the areas where many people are confused about the COVID-19 vaccine more clearly. Question#1: Why do I need to check my Medicare plan every year during the Open Enrollment Period and how do I check my plan? If you don’t take any action, your existing plan will be renewed for 2024. But that could come with cost and benefit changes. Your plans’ coverage may change, and your health care needs may have changed, too. This is why it's important

Eyes Wide Open IRIS GONZALES MUCH of the public’s concerns against the much touted Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF), the country’s first ever sovereign wealth fund, has to do with billions in ill-gotten wealth supposedly stashed in secret bank accounts abroad. Opposition lawmakers raised the alarm bells early on. Maharlika may be used to bring back the illgotten wealth amassed during the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., they say. Ill-gotten wealth Ah yes, ill-gotten wealth. In case people have forgotten, on July 15, 2003, the Supreme Court ruled that roughly P36 billion worth of assets of the Marcoses and their associates were considered ill-gotten wealth. This is according to the Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission. However, it is also important to note that the Supreme Court has affirmed the Sandiganbayan’s dismissal of the complaint filed by the Republic of the Philippines for the recovery of supposed P41 billion in ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses. It is one of many illgotten wealth cases. In any case, assuming there’s still unrecovered ill-gotten wealth in some hidden vaults abroad, would Maharlika be used to launder this back to the country? I asked Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) president and CEO Joel Consing, a topnotch

ManilaTimes.net photo

adjudication. Impatience with snail-paced justice is among the reasons why there are Filipinos who support extrajudicial short cuts in law enforcement. Old habits die hard; after six years of being given

free rein under Oplan Tokhang and Double Barrel to fight the drug menace, law enforcers must be made to go along with initiatives to promote human rights in the anti-drug campaign. (Philstar.com)

NAPCA shares info on Medicare open enrollment, COVID vaccination to check-up on your current plan during the period even if you're happy with your current plan. Your plan will send you a "Plan Annual Notice of Change" (ANOC) each fall. If you don't get this important document, contact your plan. The ANOC includes any changes in coverage, costs, and more that will be effective in January. Review any coverage changes including drug formulary. Think about any changes to your healthcare and/or prescription drug needs, and healthcare expenses to decide whether the plan will continue to meet your needs in the next year. Just remember to do so before Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7. Question#2: I signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan during my Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) this year, but I would like to change it to Original Medicare because I plan to travel to different

states throughout the next year. How can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare? You should contact your current plan to cancel your enrollment and call MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) during the Medicare Open Enrollment period. The change will take effect on January 1 of the following year. Original Medicare does not provide any additional benefits such as drug coverage, dental, or vision you may have with your Medicare Advantage plan. If you make this switch and you want drug coverage, be sure to sign up for a Medicare stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP). If you do not, and you decide to sign up for Part D coverage later, you may need to wait for another year until the next Open Enrollment Period and face a penalty for late enrollment. You may also want to consider purchasing a Medi-

care supplemental insurance policy, known as Medigap, that helps to pay your cost-sharing requirements under Original Medicare. You also can switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 to March 31). Question#3: If I make a mistake when I change my coverage during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, what can I do to fix it? If the Medicare OEP is ongoing: you can simply pick a different plan instead (by the December 7 deadline) and the new choice will take effect on January 1. If the Medicare OEP has ended: you can use the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MAOEP, Jan 1~Mar 31) to pick a different Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare and

a Part D plan. If you’ve enrolled in a stand-alone Part D plan that doesn’t fit your needs, your options are more limited. Changes to these plans can generally only be made during the fall Medicare OEP. Question#4: I have already received COVID-19 vaccines and the last vaccination was in January 2023. Do I still need to get another COVID-19 vaccine? Like Flu virus, the virus that causes COVID-19 has changed over time. A new vaccine has been developed and was approved by the FDA on September 11, 2023. The new vaccine provides better protection against the currently prevalent COVID-19 variant and is available for administration starting from late September 2023. If your last vaccine was before September 2023, please get this new vaccine. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a Flu vaccine, at

the same visit. Possible side effects after getting vaccinated are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines. *** 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.

*** National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of AANHPI older adults and their families. We operate a NAPCA Senior Assistance Center for Older Adults and Caregivers and is available in 5 different languages. If you have additional questions on Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace, Social Security Retirement Benefit, Supplemental Security Income, or COVID/Flu vaccination, there are 3 ways you can reach us today – Call: (English) 1-800-336-2722; Email: askNAPCA@ napca.org; Mail: NAPCA Senior Assistance Center, 1511 3rd Avenue, Suite 914, Seattle, WA 98101.

Maharlika and ill-gotten wealth investment banker and multiawarded CFO, about this. Consing, who has the Herculean task of making this wealth fund succeed, said there are measures in place to make sure this does not happen. “Regarding the Fund being used to get back ‘ill-gotten wealth,’ the banks through which funds will be transmitted for investment into Maharlika would have gone through a KYC (know your customer) process, especially for materially significant amounts, on both sides of the remittance process,” he said. MIC itself will conduct further due diligence, he added. “That said, while banks conducting KYC on inward and outward remittances provide a layer of protection against money laundering, the MIC itself will implement further due diligence measures to verify the legitimacy of investment funds, particularly for substantial amounts. This additional layer of scrutiny would strengthen the presumption of regularity and build public trust in the Fund’s operations,” Consing explained. It’s reassuring to hear this. Of course the real test would be to see it actually happen. The public’s deep mistrust is understandable, given the hard lessons from Marcos Sr.’s era. After hearing Consing talk about his plans, however, I am significantly more at ease now about the Maharlika Fund and I fervently hope it succeeds. As Consing’s track record would show – he has been involved in many successful start-ups and has worked

with tycoon Enrique Razon’s sprawling global ports empire ICTSI as CFO – he is a nononsense professional executive. He specializes in mergers and acquisitions, treasury management, balance sheet management, global capital markets and strategic planning. Upon hearing about the planned Maharlika Investment Fund, Consing already knew that he wanted the job because of the huge role the wealth fund could play in nation building and equally interesting for him was the challenge. He strikes me as a man who loves challenges – the more difficult the task is, the more rewarding for him. More importantly, he said that his loyalty is to the country and to the Filipino people – no vested interest or hidden agenda. His plans for Maharlika are quite impressive and challenging for sure because it’s never been done before, but Joel said if the Marcos administration wanted someone who would simply do what’s already been done before, then he is not the man for it – an indication perhaps of how his mind works, the kind that likes to solve complex problems before they even appear. National development fund In summary, he said MIF would start as a national development fund that would invest in critical areas in the country and address different pain points, including creating much needed jobs for Filipinos. This would be done by initially investing in four areas in the country: tourism infrastructure, energy security, digital infrastructure and agro-

Lawmakers applaud President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. after the signing of the law the establishing the Maharlika Investment Fund (R.A. 11954) in simple rites held at Malacanang Palace October 17, 2023. Philstar.com file photo

forestry industrial urbanism. I particularly like the plan to help address the digital divide through digital infrastructure. He envisions that the state corporation will play a role in building telecom towers in rural areas that still do not have internet access or mobile phone signals. I can’t wait for this to happen so that Filipinos in rural areas will finally have access to the internet. Once the Maharlika Fund generates excess funds from several low-hanging fruits, it can invest in the fixed income and capital markets, Consing said. It all sounds exciting and reassuring to hear Joel Consing

discuss the Maharlika’s blueprint, which is of course still subject to the approval of MIC’s board of directors. But as with every good plan in this nation of 114 million, the real test will be in the execution. MIC will be facing our impossibly slow bureaucracy as it needs to deal with other government agencies. It also needs to work with local executives, some of whom are notoriously corrupt. As I said, I hope Joel succeeds in making the Philippines’ first ever sovereign wealth fund work for Filipinos. Now if and when that happens, the next thing to watch out for is what happens when the next guy

comes along after Joel’s term ends in three years. Will the safeguards Joel put in place be retained? As former central bank chief Felipe Medalla once said, “will the guys five years from now still be OK?” For the sake of this nation of 114 million, I fervently hope so. (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.

*** Email: eyesgonzales@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen (Iris Gonzales) on Facebook.

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Deep flaws in FDA oversight of medical devices... SC nods Ombudsman’s probable PAGE 4

ical role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.” Late warnings The FDA operates a massive database, called MAUDE, to alert regulators and the public to emerging device dangers. The FDA requires manufacturers to advise the agency when they learn their device may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury, or malfunctioned in a way that might recur and cause harm. These reports must be submitted within 30 days unless a special exemption is granted. But FDA officials acknowledge that many serious adverse events go unreported — just how many is anybody’s guess. Since 2010, the FDA has cited companies more than 5,000 times for not handling, reviewing, or investigating complaints properly, or for not reporting adverse events on time. For instance, the FDA cited an Ohio company that made electric beds and other devices more than 15 times for failing to properly scrutinize complaints or report adverse events, including the death of a patient who allegedly became trapped between a bedrail and mattress, agency records show. In about 10% of reports, more than a year or two elapsed from when a death or serious injury occurred and when the FDA received the reports, a KFF Health News analysis found. That works out to nearly 60,000 delayed reports a year. Experts and lawmakers say the FDA needs to find a way to detect safety problems quicker. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have tried for years to persuade the agency to add unique device identifiers to Medicare payment claim forms to help track products that fail. In an email statement to KFF Health News, Grassley called that a “commonsense step we can take up front to mitigate risk, improve certainty and save money later.” The FDA said it is working to “strike the right balance between assuring safety and fostering device innovation and patient access.” Yet it noted: “Additional resources are required to establish a fully functioning active surveillance system for medical devices.” For now, injured patients suing device companies often cite the volume of adverse event reports to MAUDE, or FDA citations for failing to report them, to bolster claims that the company knew about product malfunctions but failed to correct them. In one case, a New York man is suing manufacturer Boston Scientific, claiming injuries from a device called the AMS 800 that is used to treat stress urinary incontinence. Though Boston Scientific says on its website that 200,000 men have been treated successfully, the lawsuit argues complaints piled up in MAUDE year after year and no action was taken — by the company or by regulators. The number of complaints filed soared from six in 2016 to 2,753 in 2019, according to the suit. By far, the largest category involved incontinence, the condition the device was supposed to fix, according to the suit. Boston Scientific did not respond to a request for comment. The company has filed a motion to dismiss the case, which is pending. By the FDA’s own count, more than 57,000 of some 74,000 complaints Medtronic received about the MiniMed insulin pump’s retainer rings were reported to the agency. The FDA said the complaints “were part of the information that led to the compliance actions.” The agency said it “approved design and manufacturing changes to the retainer ring to correct this issue” and “has reviewed information confirming the effectiveness of the modification.” “What is the threshold for the FDA to step in and do something?” said Mara Schwartz, who is a nurse, diabetes educator, and pump user. “How many deaths or adverse events does there have to be?” In 2020, she sued Medtronic, alleging she suffered seizures when the pump mistakenly delivered an overdose of insulin. Medtronic denied her claims, and the case has since been settled under confidential terms. Private eyes Some countries don’t trust the device industry to play such a key role in oversight. Australia and about a dozen other nations maintain registries that measure the performance of medical devices against competitors, with an eye toward not paying for care for a substandard device. That’s not likely to happen in the United States, where no device or drug manufacturer must demonstrate its new product is better than what’s already for sale. Product liability lawsuits in the U.S. often cite troubling findings from overseas. For instance, registries in Australia and other countries pinpointed durability problems with the Optetrak knee

implants manufactured by Florida device company Exactech years before a major recall. Exactech has declined comment. The Australian surveillance network also detected deficiencies with the Medtronic PB 980 ventilator, prompting the country’s health authority to suspend its use for six months until Medtronic completed training for health care workers and took other steps to improve it, court records show. Medtronic told KFF Health News that it had “worked closely” with the Australian group to resolve the problems. “We take patient safety very seriously and have processes to identify quality issues and determine appropriate actions,” Medtronic said. Registries have gained some traction in America. But so far, they typically have been controlled, and sometimes funded, by industry and medical specialty groups that share their findings only with doctors. One private registry managed by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, called Intermacs, tracks death and injury rates at 180 hospitals in the United States certified to implant a mechanical heart pump known as an LVAD. Some patients might find that information helpful, but it’s not available to them. ‘Exciting features’ While the FDA clears thousands of devices for use based on the “substantial equivalence” premise, manufacturers often tout “new and exciting features” in their advertising and other marketing, said Alexander Everhart, a researcher at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. These marketing campaigns have long been controversial, especially when they rely partly on wining and dining surgeons and other medical professionals to gain new business, or when surgeons have financial ties to manufacturers whose products they use. Orthopedic device makers have funneled billions of dollars to surgeons, including fees for consulting, doing medical research, or royalties for their role in fine-tuning surgical tools and techniques, even promoting the products to their peers. Marketing campaigns directed at prospective patients may receive little scrutiny. The FDA has “limited resources to actively monitor the volume of direct-to-consumer advertising,” according to a Government Accountability Office report issued in September. From 2018 to 2022, the FDA took 255 enforcement actions involving advertising claims made for devices, according to the GAO report. Legal barriers While manufacturers can advertise devices directly to patients, courts may not hold them accountable for communicating possible risks to patients. Consider the case of Richard Greisberg, a retired electronics business owner in New Jersey. He sued Boston Scientific in 2019, years after having a Greenfield vena cava filter implanted. The device is intended to prevent blood clots that develop in the lower body from traveling into the lungs, which can be deadly. Greisberg argued that the device had migrated in his body, causing pain and other symptoms and damage that took years to identify. Representing himself in court, he tried to argue that nobody had told him that could happen and that if they had done so he wouldn’t have agreed to the procedure. He lost when the judge cited a legal doctrine called “learned intermediary.” The doctrine, which is recognized in many states, holds that manufacturers must warn only physicians, who are presumed to have the knowledge to understand a medical device’s risks and relay them to patients. The court ruled that a 27-page manual the manufacturer sent to the physician who implanted it, which included details about possible risks, was adequate and tossed the case. Greisberg, 81, felt sucker-punched. “They never gave me any warning about what could happen down the road,” he said in an interview. “I never had a chance to have my day in court.” The family of PeeWee Gautney also faces challenges pursuing the insulin pump lawsuit. Gautney died in a motel room in Destin, Florida, a day after riding his Harley-Davidson to the Panhandle beach town on a weekend jaunt. The MiniMed pump was still strapped to his body, according to a police report. Medtronic had sent Gautney a form letter in late March 2020, less than two months before he died, advising him to make sure the ring was locking in place correctly. A week later, he wrote back, telling the company: “It’s fine right now,” court records show. Wiggins, 33, his daughter, who is also a neonatal respiratory therapist, said she believes a crack in the retainer ring caused it to release too much insulin, which her dad may not have recognized. “It should never be put on the

patient to determine if there is a problem,” Wiggins said. Medtronic has denied the pump failed and caused Gautney’s death. The FDA approved the device knowing patients faced the risk of it administering wrong doses, but believed the benefits outweighed these risks, Medtronic argued in a motion for summary judgment in September. The motion is pending. Medtronic also cited a legal doctrine holding that Congress granted the FDA sole oversight authority over devices receiving premarket approval, which preempts any product defect claims brought under state laws. Manufacturers have drawn on the preemption defense to sidestep liability for patient injuries, and often win dismissal, though federal courts are split in applying the doctrine. Wiggins hopes to beat those odds, arguing that the December 2021 FDA warning letter reveals that Medtronic violated safety and manufacturing standards. Her lawyer, Scott Murphy, said that insulin pumps are “really wonderful” devices for people with diabetes when they work right. He argues that the FDA records confirm that Medtronic significantly downplayed its pump’s hazards. “The risks get minimized and the benefits exaggerated,” he said. 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.

cause finding vs Janet Napoles by Ian LaquI Philstar.com

MANILA — The Supreme Court (SC) affirmed the Ombudsman's finding of probable cause against convicted plunderer Janet Lim-Napoles and others in connection with former Davao del Sur Rep. Douglas Cagas' 2007 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) worth P16 million. In a decision dated December 7, the high court said it had denied the petition filed by Napoles and officers of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) which challenged the Ombudsman’s finding of probable cause for Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Article 212, 217 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC). “The Ombudsman did not err in finding probable cause for malversation and corruption of public officers under Article 217 and 212 of the Revised Penal Code, respectively,” the SC said. “The Court found ‘no grave abuse of discretion that will allow us to interfere with the Ombudsman’s finding of probable cause,’” it added. SC also emphasized that the Ombudsman has broad authority in investigating and prosecuting cases within its jurisdiction. “In determining whether the Ombudsman gravely abused its discretion in finding prob-

able cause against Napoles, et al., the Court emphasized the nature of the Office of the Ombudsman as an independent constitutional body, with wide latitude in its investigation and prosecution of cases falling within its jurisdiction,” SC said. The funds were redirected through alleged non-government organizations (NGOs), namely the Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic and Development Foundation, Inc., and the Philippine Social Development Foundation, Inc. These diverted funds, intended for ghost projects, were transferred from the DBM to the Technology Resource Center. In Special Audit Report No. 2012-03 by the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding lawmakers' PDAF allocations from 2007 to 2009, which covered Cagas' livelihood projects in 2007, the COA validated the assertions of whistleblowers about the presence of a pork barrel scam. This scam involved implementing agencies, including the Technology Resource Center, falsely claiming to implement the PDAF projects. This led the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to submit a complaint to the Ombudsman on Nov. 29, 2013, urging the prosecution of Napoles and others, as well as the officers of the implicated

implementing agencies The Field Investigation of the Office of the Ombudsman subsequently filed a complaint in February 2015. The Ombudsman, which found prima facie evidence of the existence of the pork barrel scheme, then issued a consolidated resolution finding probable cause against Napoles and others in the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and also finding against Cagas and Technology Resource Center head Antonio Ortiz for direct bribery. It also found Napoles for corruption of public officials under Article 212 of the RPC. The SC also ruled that their petitions were “moot” after the Sandiganbayan found probable cause and the issuance of a warrant of arrest to those involved in the diversion of Cagas’ P16 million PDAF in a 2021 case. “The Court found that during the preliminary investigation, the Ombudsman sufficiently established its reasonable basis to file criminal charges against Napoles, et al., with the whistleblowers categorically identifying Napoles’ involvement in the pork barrel scheme. The accounts of the whistleblowers clearly show Napoles’ connection to all those implicated in the scam, including her co-petitioners,” SC said in a separate statement. g

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Manila International Film Festival announces screening schedule THE inaugural Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) recently announced the screening schedule of its films, which comprise the 10 entries of the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). These films representing various genres and offering entertaining fare, starring the most exciting actors in Philippine cinema and directed by ace filmmakers, will premiere at the MIFF from January 29 to February 2 in two prestigious venues in Hollywood, the TCL Chinese Theatres and the Directors Guild of America. MIFF moviegoers will be among the first to watch the 10 films after their nationwide debut in the Philippines through the MMFF from December 25 to January 7. The 49th MMFF was recently kicked off with its beloved Christmas tradition, the Parade of Stars which this year snaked its way from Navotas to Valenzuela. Thousands of people cheered and applauded the floats bearing the stars of the ten MMFF entries: Jun Robles Lana’s “Becky and Badette,” starring Eugene Domingo and Pokwang; Lemuel Lorca’s “Broken Heart’s Trip” (Christian Bables and Andoy Ranay); Nuel Naval’s “Family of Two” (Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards); Zig Dulay’s “Firefly” (Alessandra De Rossi and Euwenn Mikaell); Pepe Diokno’s “GomBurZa” (Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero, Piolo Pascual and Cedrick Juan); King Palisoc’s “(K) Ampon” (Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay); Derick Cabrido’s “Mallari” (Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador); Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Penduko” (Matteo Guidicelli and Kylie Verzosa); Mae Cruz-Alviar’s “Rewind” (Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes); and Conrado Peru, Rommel Penesa and Christopher de Leon’s “When I Met You in Tokyo” (Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon). With that lineup of star-studded MMFF entries, the MIFF in LA promises to be a very special one as well. Each of the ten entries will be screened three times throughout the five-day film festival in Los Angeles. All screenings and events will be at the TCL Chinese Theatres unless otherwise indicated below. TCL Chinese Theatres is located on the third level of the Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland), 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.

On the MIFF’s closing day, the screenings will both be at the TCL Chinese Theatres and DGA, located at 7920 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046. Filipino film lovers or movie aficionados and fans and followers of the featured stars in the entries, mark your calendars now. MIFF announced the following schedule: Monday, January 29 – Opening day 3:00pm – 5:08pm Conrado Peru, Rommel Penesa and Christopher de Leon’s “When I Met You in Tokyo,” starring Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon 4:30pm- 6:16pm Jun Robles Lana’s “Becky and Badette,” starring Eugene Domingo and Pokwang 5:55pm – 7:55pm Nuel Naval’s “Family of Two,” starring Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards 7:25pm – 9:58pm Derick Cabrido’s “Mallari,” starring Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador 7:00pm – 10:00pm Sponsored opening night – VIP reception 8:35pm – 10:45pm Mae Cruz-Alviar’s “Rewind,” starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes Tuesday, January 30 3:00pm – 4:44pm Pepe Diokno’s “GomBurZa,” starring Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero, Piolo Pascual and Cedrick Juan 4:30pm – 6:19pm Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Penduko,” starring Matteo Guidicelli and Kylie Verzosa 5:55pm – 7:55pm Zig Dulay’s “Firefly,” starring Alessandra De Rossi and Euwenn Mikaell 7:00pm – 10:00pm Sponsored VIP lounge – Industry mixer 7:25pm – 9:32pm Lemuel Lorca’s “Broken Heart’s Trip,” starring Christian Bables and Andoy Ranay 8:55pm – 10:42pm King Palisoc’s “(K)Ampon,” starring Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay Wednesday, January 31 3:00pm – 4:55pm Mae Cruz-Alviar’s “Rewind,” starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes 4:30pm – 6:16pm Nuel Naval’s “Family of Two,” starring Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards 6:00pm – 7:55pm Lemuel Lorca’s “Broken Heart’s Trip,” starring Christian

Thousands lined up to watch the recent Parade of Stars, a beloved tradition of the Metro Manila Film Festival, whose 10 entries this year will also premiere in the inaugural Manila International Film Festival in Los Angeles from January 29 to February 2, 2024. Photos by King Rodriguez/Daily Tribune, courtesy of the Metro Manila Film Festival

Bables and Andoy Ranay 7:00pm – 10:00pm Sponsored VIP Lounge – Industry Mixer 7:25pm – 9:53pm Conrado Peru, Rommel Penesa and Christopher de Leon’s “When I Met You in Tokyo,” starring Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon 8:55pm - 10:56pm Jun Robles Lana’s “Becky and Badette,” starring Eugene Domingo and Pokwang Thursday, February 1 3:00pm – 4:45pm Zig Dulay’s “Firefly,” starring Alessandra De Rossi and Euwenn Mikaell 4:30pm – 6:02pm King Palisoc’s “(K)Ampon,” starring Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay 5:45pm – 7:53pm Derick Cabrido’s “Mallari,” starring Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador 7:00pm – 10:00pm Sponsored VIP champagne lounge (Industry mixer/After-party) 7:25pm – 9:29pm Pepe Diokno’s “GomBurZa,” starring Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero, Piolo Pascual and Cedrick Juan 8:50pm – 10:54pm Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Pen-

duko,” starring Matteo Guidicelli and Kylie Verzosa Friday, February 2 – Closing day 12:00pm – 1:45pm Directors Guild of America Theater 1 Zig Dulay’s “Firefly,” starring Alessandra De Rossi and Euwenn Mikaell 12:00pm – 1:49pm Directors Guild of America Theater 2 Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Penduko,” starring Matteo Guidicelli and Kylie Verzosa 12:00pm – 1:32pm Directors Guild of America Theater 3 King Palisoc’s “(K)Ampon,” starring Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay 3:00pm – 4:55pm Directors Guild of America Theater 1 Mae Cruz-Alviar’s “Rewind,” starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes 3:00pm – 5:08pm Directors Guild of America Theater 2 Derick Cabrido’s “Mallari,” starring Piolo Pascual and Janella Salvador 3:00pm – 4:40pm Directors Guild of America Theater 3 Nuel Naval’s “Family of Two,” starring Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards 12:00pm – 2:08 pm TCL Chinese Theatres Conrado Peru, Rommel Penesa and Christopher de Leon’s

“When I Met You in Tokyo,” starring Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon 1:00pm – 2:46pm TCL Chinese Theatres Jun Robles Lana’s “Becky and Badette,” starring Eugene Domingo and Pokwang 3:00pm – 4:47pm TCL Chinese Theatres Lemuel Lorca’s “Broken Heart’s Trip,” starring Christian Bables and Andoy Ranay 4:00pm – 5:44pm TCL Chinese Theatres Pepe Diokno’s “GomBurZa,” starring Enchong Dee, Dante Rivero, Piolo Pascual and Cedrick Juan 5:00pm – 6:00pm DGA – Closing night awards gala Red carpet arrivals 6:00pm – 10:30pm DGA Grand Lobby Closing night awards gala Watch for announcements on how to buy early bird tickets at https://manilainternationalfilmfest.com/ MIFF was launched in glittering rites at the DGA last November. Gracing the occasion were stars and officials from the U.S. and Manila. led by Enchong Dee, Kaladkaren, Romnick Sarmenta, and Eisel Serrano, filmmakers Jun Robles Lana, Perci Intalan, and JP Habac Jr., MMFF overall

chairman, Atty. Romando Artes, and Executive Director, Atty. Rochelle Ona, MIFF president Ebradu Udarbe, chairman Ortiz, and executive producer Lisa Lew. A highlight of the launch at the DGA was a screening of three films chosen from the eight entries in the inaugural summer edition of MMFF (Metro Manila Summer Film Festival – MMSFF) held last April in the Philippines. These well-received films were Chris Martinez’s “Here Comes the Groom”; JP Habac’s “Love You Long Time”; and Jun Robles Lana’s “About Us But Not About Us.” The latter went on to be submitted to the 81st Golden Globe Awards. The MIFF founders are Omen Ortiz, Ebradu Udarbe, Lisa Lew, Ruben Nepales and Janet Nepales, media relations consultants, and Celia Abaya Dy, ticketing manager. Also on the MIFF team are Leo Dela Cruz, chief financial officer; Erickson Ilog, chief operations officer; Ron Ramores, chief marketing officer; Cindy Sison, consultant; and Meriden Angeles, coordinating producer. For MIFF sponsorship inquiries, contact Erickson Ilog (eilog@ manilainternationalfilmfest.com) and Ron Ramores (rramores@manilainternationalfilmfest.com).

Catriona looks back on her Miss Universe Vice Ganda on starting a family journey in crowning anniversary by Kathleen llemit

family in one of the segments of the popular noontime show "It's Showtime." tribute to her mother’s homeTV host Vice Ganda earned the The opinionated host was giving town. nod of many internet users when advice to the featured guests in “But just as so much happens he shared his take on starting a the segment "Expecially for You" beneath the earth before an eruption of the volcano breaks forth, so was the unseen work, hours of dedication, love and collaborative spirit that my team poured into me, that allowed me to shine brightest on that stage, in front of the eyes of millions,” she said in a separate post. Aside from her team and loved ones, Gray also thanked God for “every opportunity and every door” she received since her reign. “The fact that I couldn’t have even fathomed living a life such as this one that has continued to exceed even my wildest expectations, is a testament that He sees the potential that you yourself, can’t even trust to see… yet,” she added. The former beauty queen also hoped that her Miss Universe stint would inspire her fans to “never give up on [their] vision,” as it helps them to “rise.” “My journey in its simplest form, has and always will be, a love letter to my country of the Philippines,” she wrote. “I hope it can serve as a reminder to never give up on YOUR vision. And that no matter what the path you’re on looks like. Know that you are never denied and only redirected.” In a separate post, she hoped that her fans would find the strength to bring their “visions [they] hold close to [their] Vice Ganda Photo from Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin hearts” to the “universe.” Philstar.com

by hannah mallorca Inquirer.net

FIVE years after she was crowned as Miss Universe 2018, Catriona Gray said she has no regrets in being “vocal and stubborn in [her] vision” as it led her to winning the coveted crown. Gray looked back at her Miss Universe 2018 stint with fondness through a shoot inspired by her preliminary and final gowns on Instagram account last Sunday, Dec, 17, saying it was a time she “gave her absolute everything” despite being an “independent” candidate, meaning she was not under any of the beauty camps for management. “I’m fond of looking back on my journey and remembering how I had to conquer so many fears because in my pursuit, I went against the grain,” she wrote. “From being an independent, non-camp trained candidate and forming my own team; to utilizing visual, storytelling in every aspect from my national costume, to my ootds, to my accessories; to creating social media strategies and campaigns.” While comparing her pageant experience to an “Ibong Adarna,” Gray described her stint as a “comeback story” as it was also a time she “rubbed [some] people” off the “wrong way” due to her “vocal” nature. “Some people, I rubbed the wrong way because I wasn’t just a ‘yes’ girl. I was vocal, stubborn in my vision of what a represent-

Catriona Gray Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray

ative could, and ought to bring to the universe stage. Mine is also a comeback story. One that was rooted in failure,” she said. “That’s why the mythical folklore of Philippine mythology in the form of Ibong Adarna resonates so deeply: a phoenix that rises from the ashes. And five years ago, in Bangkok Thailand, I earned the greatest honor of bringing pride to my country as @missuniverse 2018,” she further added. Gray is also happy that paying homage to the Mayon Volcano — in the guise of her fiery red evening gown during the finals — “resonated with so many” people, as it was meant to be a

on Wednesday, December 20. Vice and his co-hosts Ogie Alcasid and Jhong Hilario were sharing their own dating/ relationship advice. Vice talked about being honest, especially when it comes to splitting or paying the bill when a couple goes out on dates. He shared that it's okay for the couple to split or that it is better to be honest with each other when they cannot afford to splurge for the date. Their conversation took a turn when Jhong discussed the initial phase, when the couple tries to impress each other. Vice Ganda interjected that this should not be the case when the couple decides to start a family. "'Pag gagawa ka ng pamilya, 'pag wala kang pera, 'wag kang gumawa ng pamilya. 'Yun lang 'yun," he stressed. "Sorry this opinion might offend other people pero kung wala kang pera, 'wag kang gumawa ng pamilya dahil kawawa lalong-lalo na kung may iluluwal kang batang hindi mo mapapakain nang maayos," Vice explained. The TV host reiterated this nugget of wisdom about being able to support or provide financially for oneself before starting a family. He argued that a person is solely responsible for himself. The responsibility of taking care of oneself lies solely on the individual, not on other people or the government. “At the end of the day, ikaw ang sasalba sa sarili mo. Hindi ibang tao, ni hindi gobyerno. Ikaw," Vice said.

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DECEMBER 21-27, 2023 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Health @Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS WHAT is Christmas Disease? This name does not have nothing to do with the Christmas season. Christmas Disease is a blood disease, also known as Hemophilia B or factor IX hemophilia. It is a hereditary bleeding disorder due to deficiency in coagulation factor IX. This condition is X-linked recessive inheritance, affecting only males, and occurs in 1 in 100,000 male births. This illness causes spontaneous bleeding in the joints. What is Christmas Blues? Christmas Blues is a form of mild depression (called Seasonal Affective Disorders, or SAD for short) that happens to some of us, normal and healthy people, during the Christmas season or other festive family occasions. Empty nest syndrome, where the grownup or married children have left home, creating an empty and lonely feeling in the parents, especially the mothers, is one such type of emotion that is magnified by family occasions like Christmas, New Year, birthdays, etc. Frequent visits from the children or family reunions during the holidays minimize these “blues” and provide a sense of parental security and happiness, especially among elderly parents. The other common cause of this extreme sadness is poor financial situation in life, where self-pity, panic, a sense of hopelessness and helplessness prevail especially on a holiday like Christmas. Is guilt more common at Christmastime? Yes, somehow this season of the birth of Christ, according to psychologists, brings out in most of us our good and better qualities, such as a more youthful exuberance, honesty, sincerity, compassion and humanity. During this season, many of us become more critical of ourselves and our past actions (sins of omission or commission against our parents, siblings or friends, or our less privileged fellowmen) and hence the feeling of guilt is more common on this holiday, and also a contributing factor to Christmas Blues. What is the shelf life of food at room temperature? Different types of food have different “spoilage times.” Fish, processed meat, cream-filled pastries, custards, fruits salads, noodles (pancit), food cooked with

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Christmas ailments Happy holidays from Social Security tomatoes provide good media for bacterial growth after more than 6 hours of exposure to room temperature, depending on how warm the ambient temperature is. Some dishes, like adobo or paksiw could last for even a week in room temperature without spoiling, unless contaminated by handlers. The prudent thing to do is to refrigerate the leftovers as soon as the meal is completed. Those who do not have a refrigerator should not cover the food airtight, since this will not allow the food “to breathe” and would tend to increase the heat and pressure, leading to a much shorter “spoilage time.” If using a plastic wrap, poke a few holes on it to allow for better ventilation. Keep the food in an ice box or in the coldest part of the house and eat it within 24 hours. What are the other common winter illnesses? The dozen common ailments of Christmas include: the common cold, the flu, Christmas tree allergies, Chilblains (small itchy swellings in extremities), dry skin and eczema, SAD, alcohol poisoning, indigestion, ear infection, Norovirus, sore throat, frostbite and hypothermia. We can add: RSV and COVID-19. Do wines or beer prevent diarrhea? To some extent, yes, but the dose of the enteroxins determines the potential seriousness of the condition. Imbibing alcoholic drinks during a (contaminated) meal does not confer guaranteed immunity from these bacterial or parasitic diarrheas. The low alcohol content of all these drinks is not enough to “sterilize” our gastrointestinal tract. What is Chinese Food Syndrome? This condition could sometimes mimic a heart attack. For some people, it causes chest pains, headache, facial pressure and warmth, and burning sensations throughout the body, sometimes with dizziness or fainting. This phenomenon is a pharmacologic reaction to monosodium glutamate (MSG or betsin), a popular white powder food seasoning used in cooking. The symptoms are not really due to an allergic reaction and is dose related. Most people are not bothered by MSG, but a small percentage react to it more severely. Although death is very rare with this syndrome, a surgeon classmate of mine, who was attending a meeting in France several years years ago, had so violent a reaction after ingesting

food with monosodium glutamate that he expired within an hour thereafter. But this is very rare. MSG has been studied a lot and found to be safe for most people. Those who develop any of the four symptoms enumerated above after eating food cooked with MSG should clearly request chefs or cooks in restaurants, at home, or anywhere else, not to use MSG in preparing their food. Because of this syndrome, most Chinese (and other) restaurants today no longer use MSG. If in doubt, ask the manager or waiters, and instruct them accordingly. What is Holiday Heart Syndrome? Prevalent during holidays, this symptom complex is mainly characterized by cardiac arrythmias (heart rhythm irregularity), mostly due to alcoholic binges. The excitement brought on by the festivities and ingestion of a lot of caffeine (coffee, chocolate, cola drinks) during the holidays could also play a role in this syndrome. On this sacred season, there is nothing more hurtful than being forgotten, neglected, or abandoned, especially our elders, friends or family, who are far from us. Let’s make sure they know we are thinking of them, we love and value them. That’s the best gift we could give them, not found in stores, but plenty in our heart. That will warm them during the winter of their life. Here's wishing you and your loved ones a safe and joyful Christmas and a New Year blessed with love, good health, cheers, prosperity, and peace. Let’s all pray for understanding, compassion, forgiveness, and serenity around the world.

by Annie WAlters Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Nevada

THE holiday season often brings us feelings of warmth and joy. At Social Security, we want you to know we share the same joy when it comes to serving you, whether it be online, by telephone, or in person. Our online services are available to help you do business with us in an easy, convenient, and secure way. It all starts with a personal my Social Security account. More than 71 million people have signed up for their personal account! You can create a personal my Social Security account to: • Apply for retirement, spouse, or disability benefits. • Apply for Medicare. • Check your application or appeal status. If you receive benefits, you can use your personal my Social Security account to: • Change your address. (Social Security benefits only) • Change your direct deposit information. (Social Security

benefits only) • Instantly get proof of benefits. • Print your SSA-1099. If you do not receive Social Security benefits, you can use a personal my Social Security account to: • Get personalized retirement, spouse, or disability benefit estimates. • Get your Social Security

Kim gives update on relationship with Xian by JAn Milo severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actress Kim Chiu gave an update on her love life following a rumored breakup with long-time boyfriend Xian Lim. In Maricel Soriano's YouTube channel, the "Diamond Star" asked the status of Kim's love life. “Ang dami-daming nagbubulungan, kamusta raw ang love life mo?” Maricel inquired. “Tinatanong nila love life mo e. Hindi naman ako makasagot dahil hindi naman ako ikaw,” she *** added. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints “Ang love life ko ay naka-hang expressed by the author do not necessarily ngayon,” Kim answered. reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of “Parang telepono ba?” Maricel the Asian Journal, its management, editorial asked. board and staff. "Oo," Kim replied. Kim Chiu *** Photo from Instagram/@chinitaprincess Recently, Ogie Diaz said that 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). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

Statement. • Get instant proof that you do not receive benefits. You can use our services onthe-go or from the comfort of your home. Please visit www.ssa.gov/ myaccount to view the services available to you. We want you to have a safe, happy holiday season and know that we are here for you.

Kim and Xian have already separated for about two months now. In the latest episode of his popular Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update YouTube vlog, Ogie was accompanied by his co-hosts Mama Loi and Tita Jegs on his December 12 vlog when they discussed the hottest showbiz gossip and stories, including the rumored split of Kim and Xian. “A friend of mine and a friend of Xian and Kim Chiu told me na totoong hiwalay na si Kim Chiu at si Xian Lim," started Ogie. “'Di lang maamin ni Kim Chiu kasi nga pinoproseso pa ni Kim Chiu, at si Xian Lim din, hindi mo rin siya maasahan syempre na magkomento or magbigay ng kanyang statement tungkol dito," he added.

Cherry Pie confirms breakup with Edu

VETERAN actress Cherry Pie Picache confirmed that she and Edu Manzano have broken up. In an interview with the media on the sidelines of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry "Firefly," a reporter asked Cherry Pie how her heart is. "Hindi ba sa edad kong ito ngayon, I cannot depend my happiness anymore on somebody else, hindi ba? Besides dapat din ay buo ako or whatever or kumpleto ako kung magmamahal ako — ulit," she said. "We are very good friends, he is a very good person. We are very good friends. We will always love each other, so 'yon. ....I think we are okay naman. I think we will always love each other and 'yun nga we are friends, we are good friends," she added. Cherry Pie also said that she is open to falling in love with someone again. "Pero habang wala, eh di masaya ka sa sa sarili mo. Lalo na after nu'ng pandemic, hindi ba 'yung self love? 'Yung hindi mo na pwedeng iasa 'yung kaligayahan mo o kabuluhan mo sa ibang tao. Nasa sa iyo," she said. "And ako personally I can't complain. God has been blessing me so much. Tapos tayo as tayo, 'yung magmahalan lang, magtulungan na lang,

Edu Manzano and Cherry Pie Picache Photo from Instagram/@yescppicache

hindi ba? We've learned so much from the pandemic. So ngayon may partner o wala, ayan na, may partner o wala, okay lang, hindi ba? Let's be grateful for everyday," she added. Cherry Pie and Edu rekindled their love after two decades when they joined the ABS-CBN teleserye “Marry Me, Marry You.” They admitted their relationship in December 2021. (Philstar.com)

Ryan praised for his multilingual skills during Asia Artist Awards 2023 hosting stint by HAnnAH MAllorcA Inquirer.net

WHAT was initially meant to be a formal event turned into an unexpected moment of laughter, as Ryan Bang caught the attention of the Korean press after hosting the Asia Artist Awards (AAA) 2023 red carpet in Bulacan. As over 50 stars showed up at the Philippine Arena lobby for the red carpet event of the 2023 AAA, Bang was a standout as he displayed his impressive grasp of Korean, Filipino, and English that caused South Korea-based press to notice him. “Ininterview ako ng Korean news. Tinanong ako kasi ba’t ang galing ko daw sa iba’t ibang lenggwahe, Tagalog, English, Korean. Alam mo kung ano sinagot ko? Sabi ko kasi dito ako nag-aral sa Pilipinas,” he recalled during the Dec. 15 episode of noontime show “It’s Showtime.” (I was interviewed by Korean news outlets. They asked me why I’m good at other languages like Tagalog and English, aside from my native Korean. You know what I answered? I said because I studied here in the Philippines.) Bang goes ‘multilingual’ on the red carpet During previous AAA red carpets, the focus was meant to be solely on the celebrity and their breathtaking visuals. But Bang stole the show with his hilarious commentary, uttered in Tagalog and Korean — which was even amusing to the stars themselves. During the red carpet appearance of NewJeans, Bang loudly confessed that he’s a fan of the quintet which made Hyein and Hanni giggle while waving to the fans. “Please wave to the Filipino press and your Filipino fans. Ah, I’m a fan,” he said in Korean. He then followed up with “Thank

Ryan Bang Photo from Instagram/@ryanbang

you. Ang ganda (They’re beautiful). Hay sobrang saya ko (Wow, I’m so happy),” as soon as the “Ditto” hitmakers left. Bang couldn’t help but unleash his inner fanboy as Kim Seonho made his appearance where he said, “Sobrang gwapo, grabe (He’s so handsome, it’s crazy).” He then instructed the actor to make several heart poses in a mixture of Korean, Filipino, and English saying: “Please look at the front. Please wave. Please do a finger heart, cheek heart, lahat ng heart na gusto mo (any kind of heart you want). Take your time. Basta ikaw (As long as it’s you), Kim Seon-ho.” Bang also made the Filipino fans laugh after complimenting K-pop boy group Stray Kids for posing right away. “Please face the Filipino fans and press on the right. Please make a finger heart,” he said in Korean and followed up with the Filipino remark, “Sana mag-guest kayo sa ‘Showtime’ (I hope you guest in ‘It’s Showtime’),” while referring to the Kapamilya noon-

time show. Laughter also ensued from the audience after Bang made a lighthearted comment on the school girl-esque outfits of J-pop girl group Sakurazaka46, saying in Filipino, “Parang may pasok pa sila (It’s like they have classes later).” Bang didn’t hesitate to praise the professionalism of The Boyz in an apparent reference to a Filipino Christmas carol, after asking them to make “heart poses for fans” in his native language. “Please stand facing the press. Right now, please give heart poses for your fans. The Boyz, everyone,” he said. “Thank you, ang babait ninyo (you’re all kind).” Meanwhile, Seventeen’s Seungkwan couldn’t help but pay close attention to Bang in apparent amusement, as the latter was asking the sub-unit BSS to make poses for their Filipino fans. Bang didn’t hesitate to joke around with Melai Cantiveros as he asked the latter to make “good poses” since her photos will be featured in Korean media outlets. “Tumingin ka sa harap, huwag sa akin. Mag-pose ka. Lalabas ‘yan sa Korea kaya ayusin mo ang pose mo. Bakit kay Melai, konti lang ang pinipicturan ng mga press ng Korea… please look at the left side. Thank you so much, Melai. Ngayon, tumingin ka sa likod, joke lang!” he quipped. (Look in front, not at me. Pose. It will be released in Korea so fix your poses. Why is the Korean press taking a few pictures when it comes to Melai? Please look at the left side. Thank you so much, Melai. Now, look at the back. Just joking!) Prior to the hosting stint, Bang revealed in May 2023 that he declined an offer from South Korean music label SM Entertainment, as he felt that he wouldn’t fit in the standards of his home country.

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EntErtainmEnt

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • DECEMBER 21-27, 2023

Beauty admits feeling awkward kissing Derek Jennylyn, Ellen on maintaining

pretty looks as ‘hot mommas’

by Marinel Cruz Inquirer.net

WHILE Beauty Gonzales admitted that it felt awkward to do a bed scene for the horror movie “Kampon” with Derek Ramsay, the husband of her best friend Ellen Adarna, the actress said her own husband, Norman Crisologo, acted really cool about it. Beauty and Derek play a childless couple in the film by King Palisoc, which is one of the 10 entries in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which will begin on Christmas Day. “My husband just said, ‘You know what to do. I trust you. You’ve already done a lot of love scenes in the past.’ Norman knows that I do it with respect and a lot of passion for my craft. He also told me, ‘You better make sure to brush your teeth before coming home. I don’t want to taste Derek’s saliva, too,” recalled Beauty, laughing. "Yes, it was really awkward so we did the scene in a rush, but not before talking about it with our director. We did it and didn’t dwell on it anymore,” Beauty told Inquirer Entertainment during a recent press conference to formally introduce the cast and creators of “Kampon” to the public. Dark twist In “Kampon,” Beauty plays Eileen, wife to Derek’s Clark. They remain childless after eight years of marriage. One day, a little girl comes knocking at their door, claiming to be Clark’s child. The story takes a dark twist when, despite the unexpected situation, Eileen accepts the child, who appears to usher in sinister tidings. How would Beauty have reacted when faced with the same situation? “I’ll accept my husband’s kid, too,” she replied. “I’d do it in a calm and composed manner, of course. Then I’d bring her to a police station to find out if there’s anyone looking for her. After that, I’d bring her to a place that takes care of kids. I honestly don’t know if I can adopt. I haven’t opened my mind to that kind of responsibility just yet. For me, a child is not a pet that you can accept as a gift. Raising a child as if he or she is your own takes a lot of time and effort.” Beauty then explained why her character seems to accept the child so easily. “She feels frustrated because of all the people pressuring her to have a child. It’s really because of her family and friends, as well as her social media life. They would tell her, ‘Hey! You’re the only one with no child.’ I guess most of us want to have an easy way to get the things we want,” Beauty began. “Also, she feels alone. Clark,

by arMin P. adina Inquirer.net

A scene from “Kampon” which star Derek Ramsay and Beauty Gonzales Photo courtesy of Quantum Films

a policeman, is always away working. Then here comes a child who can fill up those empty spaces in her life. Sometimes, we make decisions when we’re sad,” the actress pointed out. Since “Kampon” is part of the MMFF and all festival entries compete for awards in various categories, Beauty was asked if she was expecting to win, particularly in the best actress category. “Based on what we’ve observed in the past, festival judges don’t look much on performances in horror films. Nakalusot si Nadine (Lustre, who won the award in 2022 for ‘Deleter’). It was the perfect time for her.” Strong contenders Beauty continued: “Winning festival awards is really about luck. I don’t expect it for myself. I must admit, we have strong contenders this year—these actresses have already proven themselves with their past projects. But, of course, there’s no harm in aspiring to win. A nomination would be good. It’s a tough battle because there’s 10 of us, but I’m happy with the lineup—they’re all good films.” "Kampon” was first picked as an MMFF entry in 2019. Beauty’s role was originally meant for Kris Aquino, who took a break from show biz because of health issues. Beauty said it’s hard to compete with Kris who has done quite a number of horror films in the past and had been labeled ‘horror queen’ for a time. “A lot of things happened along the way in relation to the script. As for me, I tried to own the role by incorporating my style into the material. I guess when I finally win an award for a horror film, I can consider myself a horror queen. If not, I’ll still be OK,” said Beauty, who also starred in horror projects like “Abandoned,” “Hellcome Home” and, most recently, the country’s entry to the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, “In My Mother’s Skin.” ‘Like painting’ “It’s harder to do a film than a TV show. For TV, you already know what to expect. When you see an episode and find yourself lacking, you can always improve

Sharon hopes MMFF film ‘A Family of Two’ inspire mothers to let children spread their wings by HannaH MallorCa Inquirer.net

SHARON Cuneta couldn’t help but see the similarities between her character Maricar in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Family of Two (A Mother and Son Story)” and herself as a mom, as she noted that letting go of a child will always be a “heartwrenching” part of life. The MMFF entry tells the story of Mateo (Alden Richards) who wants to find a partner for his single mother Maricar (Sharon Cuneta), before he moves to Singapore with his girlfriend. During the film’s press conference, Cuneta related Richards’ character to her real-life children KC Concepcion and Kakie Pangilinan, who opted to finish college abroad. “I’ve been through this twice already. I have two more [children], Miel is leaving next year.” “We brought KC to Paris back in 2003, then Frankie to New York in 2019. While Miel, who’s still in her gap year, she’s leaving next. And I only have Miguel left,” she continued. “I realized na talagang dadating sa point (you will arrive at a point) when your children will leave you.” As a mother, Cuneta is aware of the reality that her children “will live their own lives” at some point, but admitted that it will always be—if not even more— “hear-wrenching” when it finally happens. “Your children will live their own lives. I’ve been through that. My brother has been through that. I’m sure my parents went through the emotions I went through. You’re kind of thinking that you’re prepared. Pero kapag aalis na siya, nadudurog ang puso ko (But when they leave, it breaks my heart),” she said. The actress-singer, however, reminded mothers about the “two gifts” they can give to their children which they can impart in their daily lives. “It’s heart

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Alden Richards and Sharon Cuneta Photo from Instagram/@sparklegmaartistcenter

wrenching for a mother. But like I said, you give them roots, then you give them wings. And when you give them wings, you don’t pull them back.” "You just keep on reminding them. And you have to trust them [based] on how you raised them. And if they decide to be something other than what you expect, that’s their life. You will love them anyway,” she further explained. ‘Instantaneous’ On the other hand, Richards admitted that his late mother was one of his key inspirations in bringing Mateo to life. His character in the film deals with the loss of his father when he was five years old. “I felt that I could relate to every scene. Ang bilis ko talagang naattach sa character ni Mateo (I got easily attached to the character of Mateo). In real life, my mom is absent,” he said. “But this time, my father is absent. When we do scenes, our emotions are instantaneous and it’s like we’re not acting at all.” The Nuel Naval-helmed film also stars Miles Ocampo, Pepe Herrera, Jackie Lou Blanco, Tonton Gutierrez and Donita Rose.

JENNYLYN Mercado and Ellen Adarna are two “hot mommas” that show mothers can still look great. And they admit that they do not feel any pressure to maintain their pretty looks. “I’m super flattered when people call me that (hot momma). But I do not want to put pressure on myself especially with how I look,” Mercado told INQUIRER. net in an online interview. Adarna chimed in: “Taking care of myself on a regular basis doesn’t feel like pressure. I’ve been doing it for years consistently, so it’s

in the next. When you do a film, you only have one chance to do it right. Also, especially in horror films, you won’t know the outcome until you see the final product. The only thing you can do is try to own the role and give the project your best,” she said. Beauty likened her acting style to selling and collecting framed artworks, an interest that she might have developed because of her husband, who is a visual artist and curator. “It’s really hard to describe my style. I’m very natural. I always think of the person I’m portraying as an individual. Horror is very hard to do. You have to be very creative, imaginative. It helps if you trust everybody around you on the set, especially your director. I find it hard to explain my style. It’s like painting. If I tell you what my style is and you are able to understand it, then ang baduy ko na. You won’t be able to sell me anymore, because art doesn’t have to be understood,” she pointed out. Ellen Adarna

just like breathing. It’s something very normal for me.” And both celebrity moms agree that, as mothers who teach their children the value of inner beauty, it is still essential to take care of one’s physical well-being. “If you look good on the outside, you feel more confident, which also, in a way, affects how we view ourselves and others,” Mercado explained. Adarna was more upfront, and said, “nobody wants to look and feel ugly, it’s as simple as that.” And for the holiday season where people are more stressed, Mercado advised mothers to hydrate. “No matter how busy

Photo from Instagram/@maria.ellen.adarna Jennylyn Mercado

you are with shopping, always drink water,” reminded the actress, and mother to Alex and Dylan. Adarna, mother to Elias, tells moms to learn how to prioritize. “Swallow some vitamin ‘N,’ vitamin ‘No.’ You always have a choice,” she said. “Me-times” are hard to come by as working moms. But bkth moms find them essential. So on the rare occasions that they get some time for themselves, both Mercado and Adarna head to wellness establishments. Adarna added: “Massages.. silence and alone in my room is my ultimate me time.”

Photo from Instagram/@mercadojenny

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DECEMBER 21-27, 2023 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678