Philippine News Today

Tension rises anew as Marcos set for Bejing trip, meeting with Xi

WASHINGTON/MANILA – As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is getting ready for an official trip to Beijing for a summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, tension in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea rose again as Chinese Coast Guard and militia ships reportedly disguised as fishing boats continue swarming the Spratlys and areas near or inside the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

QUEZON CITY – Amid a record high 7.7% inflation, the highest since 2008, and while many are suffering from high prices of gasoline and petroleum

products, onions, sugar and other food products, almost all Filipinos or 92% remain hopeful for better prospects for the new year. This surfaced in the

MANILA – It’s not exactly a case of being stuck between a proverbial rock and a hard place, but it’s close enough.

The off and on trading of barbs between the US and China took another turn this week when

the the world’s most powerful nation told the Asian superpower to “respect” the international law of the sea in the South China Sea.

The US embassy in Manila released a statement from State Department spokes-

SAN DIEGO/DALY CITY, California – San Diego’s Filipino American Mayor Todd Garcia has been selected to lead the statewide coalition of big city mayors for

2023 and 2024.

This as Daly City’s FilAm Council Member Raymond Buenaventura has been elected as the city’s new mayor in a recent reorganization.

The reorganization also resulted to the election of former Mayor Juslyn Manalo as vice mayor.

Buenaventura,

One of the last places where Asian hate should be present, in fact it should be the very last place, is within the confines of our institutions of learning – our schools.

Yet this is where this condition exists, based on a couple of news reports that came out recently.

Scores of parents are said to be seeking the removal

Marcos signs P5.268-T national budget for 2023

budget, the roadmap that we have proposed from the Executive, is fully supported by our legislature. And that is very, very important indeed,” Marcos said. “Because it is what is essentially or sometimes regarded as a long, di cult, long drawn-out process... shown to still be able to express that kind of support, that kind of solidarity with the Executive.”

He also noted that the signing into law of the General Appropriations Act is important because it will provide the government with a tool to transform the economy, as well as in carrying the needed structural changes toward realizing the administration’s goals.

immediate and pressing concerns of all Filipinos in the near- and medium-term.

The administration s first full year budget shall serve as a springboard for the economy’s full-speed recovery and meaningful structural reform,” Pangandaman said.

Speaker Martin Romualdez, in a statement, said the newly-signed law will help the administration implement its Agenda for Prosperity to sustain growth, generate economic activities and jobs, and increase the income for Filipinos.

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed into law the P5.268trillion national budget for 2023 that is geared towards achieving post-pandemic economic recovery.

Marcos signed the 2023 General Appropriations Act in a ceremony in Malacañan Palace, witnessed by congressional leaders including Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.

The arcos administration s first spending measure is 4.9 percent higher or P244.4 billion more than this year’s budget of P5.023 trillion and puts top priority on education, infrastructure development, health, agriculture, and social safety nets.

In his speech during the ceremonial signing, Marcos said its passage is essential because it will serve as a roadmap of what the government intends to do next year.

“And to see the rapidity of the passage is significant ecause it means that this

“It is always very important that the GAA has been put together in consonance with all of the plans of the Executive. And that kind of coordination and that kind of synergy that we will gain from that is going to be an essential part of the way that we move forward,” Marcos said.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman earlier underscored that the 2023 budget was crafted in support of the administration’s 8-point Socioeconomic Agenda and the Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF).

Anchored on the theme, “Agenda for Prosperity: Economic Transformation Towards Inclusivity and Sustainability,” the proposed budget seeks to address the

“It is the most important and potent tool the President, his economic team and the entire government can use to accomplish the goals of the prosperity roadmap,” Romualdez said.

He said the House of Representatives and the Senate deliberated on and appro ed the resident s first full year ud get proposal “in record time.”

“As far as I can remember, the 2023 budget is one of the few spending bills signed into law in mid-December, way before the start of its implementation on New Year’s Day,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senate Committee on Finance Chairperson Sonny Angara said Congress worked hard to ensure the budget measure is signed within the year so that the delivery of public service would be uninterrupted.

DTI chief Pascual reappointed, Tulfo fate hangs

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reappointed Alfredo Pascual as head of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Malacañang announced.

It was not known if Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo has also been reappointed over his libel conviction and United States citizenship.

arcos administered the oath of o ce to Pascual as DTI secretary in a ceremony held at Malacañang Palace in Manila. The ce of the ress ecretary , in its o cial ace oo post, shared several photos of the oath-taking rites.

“Pinangunahan ni Pangulong Fer-

dinand R. Marcos Jr. ang panunumpa sa katungkulan ni Alfredo Pascual bilang kalihim ng Department of Trade and Industry kahapon, Disyembre 16 (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on December 16 led the oath-taking of Alfredo Pascual as secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry),” the OPS said.

Pascual’s reappointment came after he earlier failed to secure the nod of the Commission on Appointments (CA).

The CA on Wednesday bypassed Pascual’s ad interim appointment as Trade Secretary, hence, the need for Marcos to reappoint the a inet o cial.

Marcos once again picked Pascual as

DTI chief because of his competence, the OPS said.

“Kumpiyansa ang Pangulo sa patuloy ng pagganap ni Secretary Pascual ng kanyang tungkulin nang may buong puso para sa bayan (The President is confident that ecretary Pascual can wholeheartedly fulfill his mandate for the country),” the OPS said.

In September, Pascual’s ad interim appointment was also bypassed by the CA due to lack of time.

cops in missing Laguna ‘sabungero’ case

n a o . resolution made pu lic, the epart ment of ustice found pro a le cause to indict anghanggan, a arette and rosas on charges of ro ery and idnapping while it cleared asaluya and la eria.

The riminal n estigation and etection roup welcomed the indictment. to ay nagpapatunay lamang na hindi natutulog ang hustisya. Tayo ay natutuwa sa pagla as ng re o mendasyong ito at tayo y umaasa na mareresol a rin natin ang i a pang asong ating hawa para dito sa mga nawawalang i tima, chief rig. en. onald ee said .

, ue on ity i e police o cers who were in ol ed in the case of a missing online coc fighting master agent in aguna last year ha e een dis missed from the ser ice.

hilippine ational olice chief en. o dolfo urin r. signed the dismissal order against taff gt. aryl anghangaan, at. oy a arete, t. enry asaluya, aster gt. ichael la eria and at. egil rosas o er the alleged idnapping of icardo asco, an e sa ong master agent who was a ducted from his residence in an edro town in .

spo esperson ol. ean a ardo said the mo e was ased on the recommendation of the nternal f fairs er ice, which found su stantial e idence against the suspects.

he said these policemen are currently under restric ti e custody at the ala ar on regional police head uar ters.

tate prosecutors considered the testimonies of all the witnesses, as well as the closed circu tate prosecu tors considered the testimonies of all the witnesses, as well as the closed circuit tele ision footage of the id napping of asco, su cient to esta lish the case.

The suspects were positi ely identified y the wit nesses ased on their statements and other pieces of e idence as the group that entered the house of asco, introduced themsel es as ational ureau of n estiga tion personnel and arrested the ictim y irtue of a pur ported arrest warrant for large scale estafa on ug. , in arangay an ucas .

They also too with them personal elongings and cash of the ictim and his relati es amounting to o er . million.

The case of asco is one of the eight cases handled y the pecial n estigtion Tas roup a ungero who too cogni ance of the case for further in estiga tion after the complaint for idnapping filed y the ic tim s family efore the an a lo ity, aguna prosecu tor s o ce was dismissed.

Bantag faces torture, physical injury raps

T T uspended ureau of orrections director general erald antag, who has een charged for the illing of roadcaster ercy a pid, is facing new charges o er allega tions of torture and physical in uries.

ureau of orrections u or act ing chief regorio atapang said the complaints will e filed this wee against antag following the allega tions made y gang leaders inside the ew ili id rison in untin lupa ity that they were tortured y the suspended official early this year.

atapang said u or will help atang e u gang leader onathan anete and onald sman of atang indanao in filing the cases efore the untinlupa rosecutor s ffice either on Thursday or riday.

Canete and Usman claimed that

antag sta ed their hands and legs while the official was drun during a confrontation inside his office last e ruary.

ahapon inunan na namin ng sworn affida it itong mga dalawa sina sa sa amay at sa hita. opeful ly mai file namin efore riday yung aso dito na sa untinlupa. ito na man nangyari yung rimen, atapang said.

e said they ha e witnesses and hospital records to support the claims of the two inmates.

e said initial in estigation said the two were among gang leaders sum moned y antag to his office and con fronted them after an incident where four inmates managed to escape.

ina i nila na lasing na raw si antag. a anila na untong yung

galit dahil may na ata as, They said antag was drun . They were eing lamed ecause someone escaped , atapang said.

nother case of sta ing is also loo ed into, atapang said, referring to an inmate who was transferred from to u or eyte where he was sta ed later on y a fellow inmate. The inmate sur i ed the attac .

This inmate, he added, was trans ferred to eyte allegedly for failure to meet a million uota worth of al cohol, cigarettes, to acco and drugs assigned to him y antag and deputy security officer icardo ulueta.

loo out ulletin has een issued against antag and ulueta, the alleged masterminds in the illing of roadcast ournalist erci al a ercy apid a asa and inmate un illamor.

Mamasapano hero honored with QC ‘Bayani ng Bayan’ award

QUEZON CITY – A hero of the 2015 Mamasapano clash received the fi rst ayani ng ayan ero of the ation award gi en y the ue on ity eople s aw nforcement oard

at the ity all on ecem er . t. ol. aymund Train was a ground commander during the clash in amasapano town in aguindanao pro ince where troopers of the hil

ippine ational olice pecial ction orce died in an encounter with mem ers of local and international terrorist organi ations.

till, the operation on an. , called plan odus neutrali ed ul i fl i in ir alias arwan , a alaysian international terrorist and om ma er, in arangay Tu analipao.

ne of the sur i ors of the opera tion, Train said in pre ious inter iews that a representati e of the turned o er the inde fi nger of ar wan to the ederal ureau of n es tigation three days after the en counter to confi rm the identity of the terrorist leader.

The ased the testing on the of the terrorist s rother who was arrested in alifornia in 7.

Train dedicated the award to his fallen comrades, collecti ely nown as , and their families. ith pride and gratitude, accept this award, not ust for myself, ut also to gi e honor to my rothers in arms who painsta ingly ga e the ultimate sacrifi ce in e change for lasting peace to the whole ilipino people, said Train.

Train spo e in pu lic for the fi rst time since the tragic encounter as the local go ernment fi nally con inced him to come out.

Their mission was accomplished ut Train said he too the ictory with a hea y heart as gallant men paid the ultimate sacrifi ce.

e should stri e to e li e t. ol. Train. elfl ess ser ice eyond the call of duty. am one with the citi ens of ue on ity in conferring this award to this most deser ing iti en, t. ol. Train. This award is gi en so that his heroism will ne er e forgotten, ay or oy elmonte said in her speech.

NCR Covid positivity rate down to 13.9%

The positi ity rate or the num er of people testing positi e for the corona irus disease o id in the ational apital egion decreased to . percent as of ec. 7.

T esearch roup fellow r. uido a id said the fi gure is a . point decrease from . percent rate in the region as of ec. .

t loo s li e the . wa e is re ceding in time for a appy oliday. n the rest of u on, increase in positi ity rates were o ser ed in ataan, aguna, am ales, he said.

s of ec. 7, the other areas with decreased positi ity rates include l ay with . percent from . per cent amarines ur with . percent from . percent locos ur with . percent from . percent sa ela with .7 percent from . percent alinga with . percent from 7. percent ue a ci a with 7. percent from percent i al with . percent from . percent and Tarlac with . per cent from . percent.

utside u on, an increase in posi ti ity rate was o ser ed in isamis riental with . percent from . per cent.

igh positi ity rates in lan . percent , alawan . percent , and am oanga del ur . percent were also o ser ed.

eantime, low positi ity rates were reported in api percent , a ao del orte .7 percent , loilo . percent , and outh ota ato percent .

Balikbayan from US, 9 others dead in Muntinlupa fire

T T fam ily of , including a fi e month old a y and a ali ayan from the nited tates, died after a fire gutted down their home in arangay utatan, untinlupa ity on ecem e . ity ire arshall uperintendent ugene riones said the odies were recovered on the second floor of the house at a raf aint i ora ompound on ruger treet.

The fire reportedly started at a.m. t was declared under control at , and put out an hour later.

The ictims were identified as e rome, il, herry, ar il, na, mentues, e andro ose, mmanuel, laire and herise, all surnamed adia.

n estigators said the fire affected only the adia s house as firefighters responded uic ly.

riones said the ictims were pro a ly asleep and trapped inside when the fire ro e out.

rson in estigators are still loo ing into the possi le cause of the la e.

The fire damage was placed at ,

e u it fi ial e pl e a e M plun er ra t rap

CEBU CITY – Mayor Michael Rama has reassured city residents here that it is business as usual at the Cebu City Hall despite the plunder charges faced by three department heads and three other employees in line with a questionable P239.7-million garbage collection contract.

ama said he will implement a reshu ing in city hall in light of the filing of criminal and administrati e charges y the ational ureau of n estigation entral isayas (NBI-7) against some of his personnel.

e ad ised the personnel who were named in the criminal and administrati e charges filed efore the f fice of the m udsman isayas to go on lea e of a sence while preparing for their defenses.

The 7 filed plunder, mal ersation of pu lic funds, graft and corruption and iolation of the ode of onduct and thical tandards for u lic cials and mployees against former epartment of u lic er ices head now e u ity n ironment atural esource cer

a eat en era e re i ent uterte

T ormer resident odrigo uterte said the passing of ose aria oma ison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines , mar s the end of an era of communist insurgency.

is death certainly mar s the end of an era, and it is my hope that with it, the end of insurgencies in the hilippines and the re olutionary mo ement that he has founded as well, uterte said in a ace oo post.

n ec. 7, the announced that ison, , died after a two wee confinement in a hospital in the Netherlands.

uterte said ison is nown for his radical ideas that affected the course of the country’s history and

irthed a mo ement ew eople s rmy , that carries on up to this day.

hile r. ison and ha e had many disagree ments – especially in the ways in which he chose to pursue and effect change in the country – I would li e to elie e that, at the end of the day, we shared the same dream of creating a etter future for e ery ilipino, he said.

The former president also urged the ilipinos to carry on the wor of uilding a more harmonious and united country for the present and future generations.

“My sincerest condolences to his family and I pray that the Lord Almighty grants him and our country peace, uterte said.

ohn igo acua, former gar age disposal unit in charge now e u n ironmental anitation and nforcement Team head race uardo il a and acting ity Treasurer are ae ernande .

Mala a an pene t pu li r i an a i

MANILA – The public can now enter the Malacañang Palace Grounds to view the Malacañang Christmas Tree and parols and attend the Simbang Gabi as announced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last week.

Through the celebration theme dubbed “Tara sa Palasyo,” the Palace grounds are now open to the public starting Dec. 18 up to Dec. 24, from p.m. up to a.m. the next day.

The traditional Simbang Gabi, which will be until Dec. 24, will give the public the chance to view the Christmas Tree and parols, according to a Palace announcement.

Simbang Gabi will be held at 4:30

a.m., in front of the Mabini Hall.

Those visiting Malacañang can enter the Palace Grounds through Gate 6.

President Marcos announced the opening of the Malacañang Grounds for the traditional Simbang Gabi during the Christmas party held for the employees of the ce of the resident last riday.

Early this month, the President led the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang, and also spearheaded a gift-giving event and Christmas celebration in front of the Palace.

The President said his goal is to make sure that every Filipino child will have a joyful and meaningful Christmas

Mar et e pr i i n in nat l u et

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has vetoed three provisions in the P5.268 trillion national budget for 2023.

Malacañang said these were provisions that grant authority to a commission of the Department of Labor and Employment to use its income and provisions authori ing the ce of the ecretary (OSEC) of both the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Tourism (DOT) to establish a revolving fund and prohibit the use of funds to change the tourism campaign slogan, respectively.

“Among those vetoed by the President are the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Special Provision

No. 1, ‘Use of Income,’ Volume 1-A, Page 1157,” Malacañang said.

Marcos said the subject income “already forms part of the re enue and fi nancing sources of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 National Expenditure Program.”

Citing Section of Presidential Decree (PD) 1445 or the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines, he said unless otherwise specifically pro ided y law, income accruing to the agencies by virtue of the provisions of the law, orders, and regulations “shall be deposited in the National Treasury or in any duly authorized government depository and shall accrue to the unappropriated surplus of the General Fund of the government.”

He cited Section of PD 1445 and Section 45, Chapter 5, Book VI of Executive Order (EO) 292, which prescribes that “receipts shall be recorded as income

of Special, Fiduciary or Trust Funds or Funds other than the General Fund only when authorized by law.”

“It is noteworthy, the President said, that the NLRC is not granted authority to use its income under existing laws,” the Palace said. “Further, the funding requirements for the operations of the NLRC are already fully provided under its budget under this Act.”

Marcos also vetoed the DepEd-OSEC, Special Provision No. 4, “Revolving Fund of DepEd TV”, Volume I-A, Page 197 because “there is no law authorizing the DepEd to establish a revolving fund.”

He noted that DepEd TV “is not a business-type activity of the DepEd.”

Only business-type activities may be permitted to use a revolving fund under the General Provision on Revolving

Funds in the FY 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The last item vetoed by Marcos is the proviso “in no case shall the appropriations be utilized to change the tourism campaign slogan” under DOT-OSEC, Special Provision No. 4, “Branding Campaign Program,” Volume I-B, page 313 as it limits the exercise of the functions of the Executive Branch in implementing RA 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009.

Under RA 9593, the DOT is mandated to be the primary planning, programming, coordinating, implementing, and regulatory government agency in the development and promotion of the tourism industry, both domestically and globally.

It is tasked to promote tourism as an engine of socioeconomic and cultural growth in the country

M ane t uil M u in unit earl

PALAYAN CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public that he will e haust all efforts to li e up to his promise of building at least million low-cost housing units every year.

Marcos made the commitment during the groundbreaking of the Palayan City Township Housing Project in Nueva Ecija, as he pledged to help the homeless and the minimum wage earners whose dream is to own a home.

“I am glad that we are continuing. This is not the first ground rea ing that I have attended. I know that it will not be

the last, and that we will continue to break ground in different parts around the coun try para naman ‘yung ating pinapangarap na (to achieve our goal of building) million homes a year,” he said.

“’Pagka naabot natin, at least napakalaking bagay na ‘yan na nabigyan natin ng solusyon ang problema ng pabahay ng ating mga kababayan (That would be a ig help if we are a le to fulfill our goal of providing a solution to the housing problem faced by our fellow countrymen),” Marcos added.

Marcos thanked the Department of

Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), as well as the local government units (LGUs), for their role in the implementation of the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program.

e also e pressed confidence in the success of the housing projects.

“All of these things have to come together. It is not a question. Marami na tayong experience (We already have an experience),” Marcos said. “I hope that we’ll continue at this rate, at kailangan na kailangan nating gawin ito (and we have to do this). This is one of the many actu-

ally that we are going to break ground and I hope soon.”

In November this year, Marcos pledged to build at least million houses every year, as part of his administration’s effort to address the housing ac log in the country.

The Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino rogram is a flagship housing pro ect of the Marcos administration which aims to provide around million Filipino eneficiaries safe, afforda le and com fortable homes.

fi er et ne p t in late t re a p

CAMP CRAME, Quezon City –

Three ranking police officials were included in the latest reorganization of the Philippine National Police (PNP). In an order dated Dec. 19, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., designated Police

Regional

Alba replaced DHRDD director

Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, who will be headed to PRO 11 (Davao Region) while Brig. Gen. Fornaleza Bearis from PRO 3 (Central Luzon) will take over as PRO director.

“Somehow it’s a promotion, it’s a step towards a two-star rank, a step,

makakuha ako ng (I will get a) director position, ngayon deputy muna (for now, it’s deputy),” Alba said.

Alba, a former PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief, had a twomonth stint as PRO director since he assumed the post last Oct. 13.

Tunnel boring for P12-B Kaliwa Dam project starts in Rizal town

TERESA, Rizal – The China Energy Engineering Group Ltd. (CEEC) has held an open day acti ity as the first hard-rock shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) started the tunneling operation for the Kaliwa Dam project on Dec. 7.

The aliwa am is a significant in frastructure project under the cooperation framework between China and the hilippines. t is one of the flagship pro ects under Build, Build, Build program.

With a 21.9-kilometer-long diversion tunnel, the 73-meter-high dam is esti-

mated to supply 600,000 tons of water every day to augment the water needs of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

early guests, including staff members of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and several residents of Teresa town, Rizal province, where the outlet area of the project is located, have attended the activity.

In the presence of the guests and the Chinese and Filipino employees, the China-developed hard-rock TBM, named after the Philippines’ national flower sampaguita , started to e ca vate a conveyance tunnel of the project,

which highlighted the open-day activity.

Compared with traditional equipment, the drilling equipment is the most advanced TBM imported from China.

The dimension of the T cutter is 4.8 meters, the total length 372 meters and the total weight is about 1,000 tons. t is truly a steel dragon, hang ie, head of the diversion tunnel team of the dam, said in a news release on Tuesday.

Participants lauded the open-day acti ity with one guest saying, choos ing CEEC as the builder of the Kaliwa Dam is a wise and good decision as it deals with water shortage, improves wa-

ter safety, and participates in ecological conser ation.

Earlier, MWSS administrator Leonor Cleofas said the project is pushing through after securing all the necessary permits to build the P12.2-billion Kaliwa Dam.

t s a go ecause we ha e already acquired all the permits. In fact, we have signed a memorandum of agreement with the indigenous peoples (IPs) of Rizal and Quezon. These are separate because they are separate ancestral domains, leofas said

‘Marawi hero’ named new Air Force commanding general

over the command saber from outgoing PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas Sr. to Parreño during the change-of-command ceremony at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

The Battle of Marawi started when Islamic State-inspired terrorists attacked the city and its environs on May 23, 2017.

The battle ended in mid-October of the same year after the militants’ assaults were lunted in the ensuing go ernment offen sive.

Parreño is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1991, in which he was the lone tarman a highly distin guished cadet for both academics and conduct) and graduated as class salutatorian.

VILLAMOR AIR BASE, Pasay City – Newly-appointed Philippine Air Force (PAF) commander Maj. Gen. Stephen Parreño played a major logistics role in the fi e month attle for arawi in 7. uring the fi e month attle, arre o flew oc heed ercules cargo planes repeatedly for resupply missions needed to sustain military operations in the conflict.

resident erdinand . arcos r. e pressed confidence that the hilippine ir orce would achie e new heights under newly installed Commanding General Maj. Gen. Stephen Parreño.

Marcos made this remark after passing

llow me to e tend my heartfelt congratulations to our 39th Commanding General arre o . am confi dent that under your leadership, the PAF will sustain its ongoing initiatives and achieve new heights in responsive service delivery for the country and for the people, arcos said in his speech.

e said he is also hopeful that under Parreño’s leadership, the PAF would continue to stri e for honor and e cellence as they fulfill their mandate to the country and the people.

ota ly, he was greatly in ol ed in the air mo ility efforts of the during the attle of arawi where he flew as the flight commander of flights, flying to and from Guam and Arizona to the Philippines, to pick up and transport logistics for the sustainment of the ongoing oint operations, Air Force spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in a statement.

Baliwag now Bulacan’s 4th city

BALIWAG CITY, Bulacan Baliwag, once famous for its untal hats and inegar, is now o cially a component city of Bulacan, one of the country’s biggest provinces by population.

This as the residents approved the conversion of the town into a city in a plebiscite supervised by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The approval made Baliwag (also Baliuag), only 60 kilometers from Manila, the fourth city of ulacan after an ose del onte, its first city, alolos ity, the capi tal; and Meycauayan City, the jewelry capital. It is also the 147th city in the country.

With cityhood, Baliwag will have a bigger Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), after shedding costs of decentralization that is usually shouldered by municipalities and provincial governments. This

means the city of Baliwag would be able to spend more for the city’s projects and services.

As a component city, the people of Baliwag will continue to vote for provincial o cials and residents can also run for provincial posts.

Baliwag boosts of P330-million IRA and its conversion into city would double it to P660 million, according to Baliwag Mayor Ferdinand Estrella. omelec spo esperson ohn e au diangco announced the results of the plebiscite, stating that 17,814 residents voted yes while only ,7 oted no.

The Comelec noted a low turnout of only .7 %, or , out of , 7 registered voters who participated in the e ercise. The town as a population of about 170,000.

Before his appointment as PAF chief, Parreño served key positions in the Air Force which included stints as 220th Airlift Wing commander, Air Mobility Command deputy commander, Air Logistics Command deputy commander, Tactical Operations 3 group commander, chief of staff air staff and ice commander of the service to name a few.

e is also a mem er of lying School Class 1993 and he graduated No. 3 in this class.

Parreño replaced Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony D. Canlas Sr., a member of PMA Class of 1989, who retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age of .

Canlas served for more than 38 years at the time of his retirement.

man Ned Price, who said: “The reported escalating of swarms of PRC (People’s Republic of China) vessels in the vicinity of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal on the Spratly Islands interfere with the livelihood of hilippine fishing communities.

e added that these also reflect con tinuing disregard for other South China Sea claimants and states lawfully operating in the region.

China replied through its spokesperson in the Chinese embassy in Manila, who said, “What the US has done is not to help anyone but to serve its own geopolitical interests.

The spokesperson added that China strongly deplores and firmly opposes the statement from the US State Depart-

San Diego...

whose term expires in 2026, has once served as mayor of the city considered as a Filipino town due to its big population

last...

of a New York City principal over a long list of controversial actions including, but not limited to, making racist remarks as well as enforcing extreme policies.

No less than 64 parents have submitted a letter-complaint against K-5 Public School principal Debra Mastriano, who has been charged with making antiAsian comments.

Mastriano has been quoted as saying the school was ecoming too sian while also saying hate sian people.

The complaint was submitted to District Superintendent Kamar Samuels.

latest Pulse Asia survey on the Christmas season and the year ahead conducted between November 27 and December and results of which were results on December 19.

“Virtually all Filipino adults (92%) will face the new year ahead with hope, a sentiment echoed by 89% to 99% across geographic areas and by 86 to 94% in the various socio economic classes, ulse sia said in its statement and report.

Only a mere 8% of Filipino adults surveyed were ambivalent about the new year, while less than 1% felt they would face 2023 without hope.

Those surveyed in the Visayas were most upbeat with 99% saying they would face the new year with hope, followed by the National Capital Region at 94%, and balance Luzon and Mindanao both rating 89%.

The same survey which involved 1,200 adult respondents nationwide with a ±2.8 percent margin of error, found that 43% of Filipino adults will have “a more prosperous holiday cele ration this year, it added.

Forty-two percent expect their celebration will e no different from the one they had last year, which they described as prosperous.

Ten percent expect their celebration to be the same as last year, which they de-

ment as its unfounded accusations were an attempt to “stir up troubles and drive a wedge between China and the Philippines.

The verbal argument stemmed from an earlier incident in Philippine waters where a Chinese Coast Guard ship interfered with the attempts by the Philippine Navy to retrieve what was believed to be debris from a Chinese rocket ship.

The Chinese embassy had downplayed the incident as a misunderstanding that was quickly settled amicably by the two sides.

Their version of the incident was in stark contrast to the Philippine Navy’s account, which said that the debris had been forcefully taken from them.

While there was no proof on whose version was right, a Senate hearing earlier this month showed a video of the incident,

of Filipinos.

Another former Daly City mayor, Dr. Roderick Daus-Magbual remains a Council Member until 2026.

Other Daly City Council members are Pamela DiGlovanni and Gleno R.

Mastriano’s school is located at the city’s Upper West Side.

The principal’s hate speech has not been limited to Asian-Americans. She has also een charged with ma ing inflamma tory statements against Hispanics as well as African-Americans. Mastriano reportedly said that the minorities were living at a site that reeds dysfunction.

In seeking the principal’s dismissal, 73 current and former parents and 28 teachers voted against her, 18 voted to abstain, and most telling of all, no one voted to support her, according to a report from the New York Post.

At the Purdue University Northwest,

scribed as not prosperous.

Across economic classes, Class E was the most optimistic with 94% across all regions saying they believe they face the New Year with hope, while 92% of Class D is hopeful, compared to 86% of ABC.

That number is almost cut in half, or only 43%, when those surveyed were asked if they felt their upcoming Christmas will be more prosperous than last year, while 52% believed it would be the same as the previous year.

Among those who said that Christmas will be the same for them, 52% said that meant they had a prosperous Christmas, while 10% said they celebrated the Yuletide that was not prosperous.

which showed that the encounter was anything but friendly.

The Philippine Senate then asked President Ferdinand Marcos to take up the matter with China when he goes there for a state visit next month.

The senators asked the president to inform China at their anger of their “bullying tactics.

Philippine-China relations also took a downturn when aerial shots showed Chinese fishing essels had again entered Philippine waters last week.

In telling China to respect international law, the US was clearly referring to an arbitration case over the South China Sea, parts of which are referred to as the West Philippine Sea.

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea had ruled in the Philippines favor, declaring that China’s “nine-

Sylvester.

The Daly City Council made the announcement and posted it also on city’s website.

San Diego Mayor Garcia said the bipartisan group he will head is composed

meanwhile, the faculty senate has asked for the resignation of Chancellor Thomas L. Keon, who had made a racist joke during a recent commencement ceremony.

Eight faculty members of the university’s senate executive committee signed an open letter last week telling Keon that he “should immediately resign as chancellor.

The complaint stemmed from a Dec. 10 commencement ceremony where Keon spoke gibberish, and called it an Asian version of a previous speaker’s made-up language.

After his odd comments went viral, Keon issued a public apology.

The Visayas region was also the most optimistic for Christmas with 66% of respondents saying they believe that their Yuletide would be more prosperous than last year, compared to 32% in the National Capital Region, 35% in Luzon and 46% in Mindanao.

Across all regions, economic class D was the most optimistic with 44% saying they would have a more prosperous Christmas than last year compared to 36% in ABC and 39% in E.

dash line was in alid.

That line encroaches deep into Philippine waters, and has been used by China to fre uently send fishing essels to the country, with what is considered a military escort.

s a result, ilipino fisherfol ha e complained that their catch has been affected as the Chinese ships haul in tons of fish regularly.

Unlike his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, President Marcos had made it clear that the Philippines valued its long friendship with the US. With the Mutual Defense Treaty in place, the US is bound to help the Philippines if it is attacked by outside forces. The Philippines is also duty-bound to do the same.

But Marcos has also said that he wants the Philippines to be “a friend to all, and enemy to none.

of the mayors of the 13 largest cities in California, namely, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Baersfield, naheim, toc ton, i erside and Irvine.

In hindsight, it may be said that the Purdue University chancellor had simply made a bad, insulting joke at the expense of Asians and Asian-Americans.

The case of Mastriano, however, can be considered more serious as the principal had fl at out stated that she had an axe to grind against Asian-Americans, as well as other minorities, indicating that she has strong racist inclinations.

n oth cases, the school o cials have to learn an important lesson –words matter, especially when spoken by academicians who should be respected and never expected to make racist comments, jokes or otherwise.

US...

(From page 1)

At the same time, intelligence reports by the Philippine Armed Forces indicated that new reclamation may have been started by China near the Philippine territory, but could not mount an inspection in the area as Chinese vessels reportedly loc fishermen and other ilipino es sels going to the area to verify, bolstering reports to Philippine authorities that new reclamations may e in the o ng.

n angasinan, fishermen reported seeing a China-like spy plane over the hilippine air space.

The developments in the region triggered new tensions prompting the United States to express alarm and made known again that it is backing the Philippines and would come to its aid in case of any attack on its ships or airplanes in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea in keeping with the Mutual Defense Treaty of the two countries signed in .

The swarming of Chinese vessels were reported off ro uois eef and a bina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea which prompted the US State Department in ashington . . to e press alarm and concern, amidst China’s continuing denials of reports supported y ideos.

“The reported escalating swarms of eople s epu lic of hina essels in the icinity of ro uois eef and a bina Shoal in the Spratly Islands interfere with the li elihoods of hilippine fishing communities, and also reflect continu ing disregard for other South China Sea

claimants and states lawfully operating in the region,” State Department Spokesperson ed rice said in ashington . .

Price said Washington DC supports Manila in its continued call on China to respect international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and its legal obligations under the ar itral ruling.

Also in Washington, lawyer Jay Batongbacal of the University of the Philippines Maritime Institute, urged Philippine o cials to do something to stop hina from virtually invading Philippine waters.

“The Chinese are coming in nearer and nearer and often inside our Philippine exclusive economic zone in violation of international laws,” said Batongbacal interviewed in Washington D,C, by hilippine media.

“Patunayan natin na niloloko lang tayo ng China,” adding the country should strengthen its dialogue and partnership with its allies, not just the United States, to expose what China has een doing o er the years.

AFP Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos has confirmed that dozens of Chinese vessels have been moving closer to Palawan in recent months.

In a statement on December 14, the Department of National Defense said it views the swarming with “great concern” and maintained that the Philippines would not gi e up a single s uare inch of its territory.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila de-

nied the reports.

The US had also shared concerns over the unsafe encounter between the Philippine Navy and the Chinese Coast Guard when the latter seized debris that the Navy had fished out of the est hilippine ea on o em er .

“The United States stands with our ally, the Philippines, in upholding the rules-based international order and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, as guaranteed under international law, rice said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has e pressed concern o er China’s latest reported reclamation activities in some unoccupied features in the Spratly Islands on the South China ea.

This following a Bloomberg report that China is constructing on several unoccupied land features in the contested waters, citing warnings from Western officials that these latest activities indicate an “attempt to advance a new status uo, e en though it s too early to know whether China would see to militari e them.

oreign ffairs po esperson a. Teresita Daza said the DFA is checking the veracity of the report with relevant hilippine go ernment agencies.

“The department takes note of the Bloomberg article on reported reclamation activities by China in unoccupied features of the pratlys. e are seriously concerned as such activities contravene the Declaration of Conduct on the South hina ea s underta ing on self

restraint and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” she said in a statement ednesday. e have asked relevant Philippine agencies to verify and validate the contents of this report.

The Philippine government has protested hina s actions. To date, the hil ippine go ernment has filed a total of notes verbales, of which were lodged under the administration of President Ferdinand . arcos r.

The most recent one was issued by the DFA on December 12, protesting the Chinese Coast Guards’ seizure of debris pic ed up y the hilippine a y off ag asa sland.

China claims most of the South China Sea under its so-called nine-dash line, which also overlaps with the Philippines’ e clusi e economic one.

In 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration handed down a ruling based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea invalidating the invisible demarcation, which China disregards up to this date.

Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire sea and has ignored an international court ruling that its claims ha e no legal asis. The hilippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have overlapping claims to parts of it.

resident erdinand arcos r., who too o ce in une, earlier insisted he would not let China trample on the Philippines maritime rights.

Marcos said his planned visit to China in anuary could e an opportunity to find a way to a oid further incidents.

Romualdez vows to pass 12 remaining bills in 2023

MANILA – Following the swift passage of the P5.268-trillion national passage for 2023, House Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed to pass the remaining 12 Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) next year.

The 12 priority measures are the enactment of an enabling law for the natural gas industry; amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA; the nified ystem of eparation, e tirement and Pension; the E-Governance Act and E-Government Act; the National Land Use Act; the National Defense Act; the National Government Rightsizing Program; the Budget Modernization

Bill; the Department of Water Resources; establishing the Negros Island Region; magna carta Filipino seafarers; and the establishment of regional specialty hospitals.

“You can count on the House to work harder next year to do our part in improving the lives of our people. I truly believe it is the best way to express our gratitude for the greatest gift all pu lic o cials have received---the opportunity to serve our country,” Romualdez said in a statement.

He said the House leadership reiterates its unwavering commitment to support the agenda for prosperity of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., particularly the 12 remaining bills which are focused

on job creation, sustainable health system and ensuring economic recovery and growth.

n the first fi e months of the th Congress, Romualdez said the House back its commitment pass priority measures with “tangible results.”

The ouse has appro ed a total of of the priority legislations of our President. The rest are in advanced stages of consideration,” he said.

Aside from 2023 national budget, the House also approved pro-people measures, including the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) and 20 other priority ills of arcos, of which were listed under the LEDAC’s CLA.

“I must also cite the record swift pas-

sage of the historic P5.268-trillion 2023 national budget that President Marcos signed just last Friday, giving his administration the resources to sustain our economic expansion momentum and keep the country on the high-growth path,” he said.

Romualdez also said the House processed a total of 1,150 bills and resolutions or an average of 28 measures per session during its 41 session days from July 25 to Dec. 15.

In his report, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said a total of 7,402 measures were filed in the ouse of ep resentatives, 6,716 were bills, 685 were resolutions and 263 were committee reports.

Bishop urges faithful to attend ‘Simbang Gabi’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Amid the easing up of restrictions against corona irus disease o id , the rchdiocese of ampan ga urged the faithful to attend the “Simbang Gabi” (dawn masses).

In a circular, San Fernando Archbishop Florentino Lavarias called on parishioners to physically attend the nine-day annual pre-Christmas event.

Lavarias noted that such Eucharistic celebrations are best celebrated inside churches.

“Simbang Bengi (Gabi) Masses

are best celebrated in parish churches, shrines, chapels, and not in malls, hotels, o ces, resorts, radio and T stations, and private homes,” the archbishop said.

“Let us strongly encourage our parishioners to a real and actual celebration of the Simbang Bengi Masses and all other Masses subsequently in our chapels and churches, and no longer through virtual and on-line watching,” he added.

Lavarias noted that although the broadcast and live-streaming of Masses provide “valued service to the sick and those who are unable to go to church”,

personal participation in Masses is still a different e perience.

He added that virtual Masses also “risk distancing us from a personal and intimate encounter with the incarnate God.”

“The sacramental personal encounter is absent in online Masses,” said the head of the Pampanga archdiocese.

“Silent watching cannot be a substitute to personal, full, active, and conscious participation in the Liturgy. Moreover, spiritual communion can never be a substitute to real communion,” he

added.

The Archdiocese of San Fernando said the Simbang Gabi Masses in the evening can start as early as 6:00 pm while the last morning mass will be at 6:00 a.m.

The Simbang Gabi is a novena of Masses celebrated more than a week before Christmas in honor of the Blessed irgin ary.

Aside from morning novena masses which will be held from Dec. 16 to 24, the anticipated Simbang Gabi Masses in the evening will be from Dec. 15 to 23.

EDITORIAL

End of the road for #45

e may never admit it, but very clearly his time as a political leader is done. Perhaps his season as a business leader is, too.

Former president Donald Trump has been hogging the news for all the wrong reasons, and with each mistake in judgment he makes, more and more of his once hardcore fanatics are abandoning him. He has only himself to blame.

That ridiculous online scam he announced last week had even the likes of Steve Bannon and General Michael Flynn all but saying that he had lost his marbles. In fact, it made no sense at all. Worst, the designs of the virtual cards appear to show that they were pirated. At worst, the images make him look ridiculous.

Trump as a superhero r a o er r a fireman lease.

And while he supposedly sold out the virtual playing cards or whatever it is that he calls it, it only goes to show that he still has a strong following, but only among a diminishing number of his followers.

That number may not even be enough for Trump to clinch the GOP’s nomination in the 2024 elections.

is endorsement of would e pea er e in c arthy could pro e to e the final nail on his co n if the alifornia congressman fails in his id to succeed ancy e losi. A Republican will certainly become Speaker of the House next month, but right now there is no guarantee that McCarthy will be that person.

If McCarthy fails, it will only reinforce the image of Trump as backing yet another loser, as almost all of the candidates he handpicked in the recent mid-term elections fumbled terribly.

The GOP’s less-than-strong showing in those midterms has been partly or even wholly blamed on Trump.

ow the party is open to ha ing a stronger candidate in , and se eral credi le polls ha e already identified that person.

Like it or not, a newer and brighter star has emerged for the Republican Party, one who now appears to be favored by a greater number of the party’s faithful to reclaim the White House.

That would be Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is not even a declared candidate for the party’s nomination yet, but one whom pollsters have stated easily beats Trump in a head-to-head match-up.

e antis does not ha e the aggage that Trump has. ot only is he younger, ut he has a long list of accomplishments in the past that makes him an attractive candidate for Republicans. For one, he is a true conservative which makes him more appealing than Trump.

Best of all for the GOP, President Joe Biden has performed well in polling when he faces the man he replaced in the al ce. n short, if elections were held now, Biden would beat Trump. Again. But if the current president were to face the Florida governor, the results would not necessarily favor President #46.

Trump, on the other hand, has more baggage now than before, what with the number of court cases he faces moving forward. Most of all is the Jan.6 committee report that points the finger of guilt his way.

This time around, Trump’s lucky streak of winning when he was expected to lose may ha e finally come to an end.

FilAm women mayors...

The same evening Joanne del Rosario swore in for the unprecendented fifth time for a il m woman as ayor of olma, lor icolas too her oath as the first e er ilipino American woman Mayor of South San Francisco. Both have broken racial and gender barriers in cities as disparate as the two leaders are suited to govern each.

Veteran executive administrator Del Rosario’s background emerges in her city s e ciency and approacha ility, prompt and professional attention to detail implemented y the o ce of the City Manager.

icolas career in pharmacology igilance enhances her in teraction with the bulk of entrepreneurs in her city. She speaks their language, so to speak, understands their concerns.

Del Rosario shared lessons from experience after taking her oath before husband Rene Malimban at the Dec. 13 intimate reorganization at Colma City Hall.

LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE

“The future of the economy is still very uncertain,” she told Upside. “We withstood the economic downturn in the 2008-2009 period and were able to keep our town whole. During the pandemic, we mo ed uic ly to ensure that the safety of our residents, usinesses and staff were met. The initiatives and prudent economic decisions that this Council put in place over the years were key in furthering the growth and stability of our town and will continue to do so.

The entry of new faces in her administration augurs well for the city, she said.

“We will be working with two new council members this year, and I look forward with great optimism to their ideas and unique perspectives. As the saying goes, ‘It’s great to be alive in olma, or etter yet it s great to li e in olma. here else can you still en oy the enefits of a small town and yet have all the amenities of living right next door to a big city.”

With a population of 1,577 according to July 2021 Census estimates , Colma has the smallest population among 20 incorporated towns in the county. It is one of the most residentfocused and business-savvy, a two-mile municipality, where folks come from all over the Bay Area to its popular summer Community Fair. Residents are treated to yearly picnics at the town park. Two shopping centers, an expansive auto dealership and a cardroom drive the economy of the town that does not shy from its necropolis beginnings and dubs itself the “City of Souls.”

icolas was sworn in y her grandson ggy at a grand ceremony at the outh an rancisco Conference Center.

ow more than e er, we must all come together, she told pside. There is much wor to be accomplished in this City, and I’m excited to take on this challenge with my City Council colleagues, ity staff, and residents.

She vows to “further improve our diverse city and make it more racially and socially inclusive and equitable.”

“We will continue our work on making our city age, youth, and all ability-friendly,” she said, noting that outh an rancisco was chosen y the ational eague of ities as one of only 10 cities nationwide to participate in the inaugural Race, Equity, and Leadership Academy because of the accomplishments of the Commission on Racial and Social Equity that I chaired.”

As vice mayor she was instrumental in helping update the city’s general plan to factor in climate change in housing development.

Philippine News Today is published weekly by Philippines Today LLC with business and editorial offices at 156 South Spruce Ave Ste 205 South San Francisco CA 94080 Phone no . 650-872-3200 E-fax # 650-745-1442 and website address www.pnewstoday.com and email address advertising@philippinestodayus.com or editor@philippinestodayus.com

MANILA OFFICE: Le Marquis Townhomes, 51 P. Tuazon Blvd. Quezon City 1112, Tels. 8546.8426, 8451.1892, 8546.8421

The deaf don’t have to be mute Lasting gifts for Christmas

Recently, I had a scary experience of becoming temporarily but totally deaf and unable to make myself heard. I almost panicked because I was about to chair a zoom meeting. I noticed that I could not hear the participants. Neither could they hear me. Fortunately, the problem was only technical which was solved by switching to a standby laptop.

Now, I can more fully understand the handicap experienced by many Filipinos who are born profoundly deaf, who under normal circumstances are also mute. For many, there is no standby laptop.

Fortunately, we now have the Philippine Institute for the eaf, the first oral chool recogni ed y the epartment of Education. PID believes that the deaf don’t have to be mute. Thus, PID teaches the profoundly deaf to lip read, to speak and to succeed.

is non profit school esta lished in y ecuti e Director Julie G. Esguerra under the umbrella of the Sergia Esguerra Memorial Foundation.

As Executive Director Esguerra explains: “Whenever a deaf child comes to us, we’re challenged, because he or she shouldn’t be mute. This child has a voice, and all we need is to look for that voice.. and listen!”

t the , a deaf child enrollee first undergoes hearing and aptitude evaluation. Then there is the regular 3 times a week one-on-one speech therapy session. The training is supplemented by the K-12 curricular programs and activities designed to encourage the students to express themselves.

These programs include basic computer skills, home economics, physical education and sports, dance and theater arts, painting, gardening, crafts, cooking and baking.

PID believes in a holistic approach so, pre-pandemic, it also conducted workshops for parents, siblings, and yayas so everyone will know how to teach and motivate the deaf children at home and in their social activities.

Some tips when you meet a deaf person:

-Face the person while you are speaking, don’t turn away.

-Speak clearly without shouting.

-Repeat yourself if necessary.

-If the person doesn’t understand you, don’t give up.

- Write it down or draw a picture.

-Speak one at a time, don’t talk over each other.

-Keep your mouth visible.

-Smile and relax.

-Don’t speak too quickly or too slowly.

PID’s forerunner, the Julie Esguerra Speech Clinic, commenced operation in 1986 in a rented 4-bedroom bungalow along Scout Tuazon, Quezon City. In 1988, the Sergia Esguerra Memorial Foundation was incorporated, with PID as its flagship pro ect. The foundation is duly accredited y the Bureau of Internal Revenue and all donations to the foundation are fully tax-deductible.

In 1992, President Fidel V. Ramos, became PID’s number one supporter. Having been convinced of the value of PID’s alternative mode of training for the hearing impaired, President Ramos provided PID with a two-storey school building located inside the Presidential Security Guard Compound beside Nagtahan Bridge via a 25-year lease at P1/year.

Thanks to various corporate and individual donors, the compound is now a fenced secured campus furnished with 16 classrooms, one-on-one speech cubicles, an occupational room, a library and seminar room, a home economics room, a science laboratory, a computer library, a technical-vocational room, a guidance room, a multi-purpose gym with stage, and a small campus for sports activities.

PID has many beautiful and heartwarming stories to tell. There’s Ramizza Reyeg, who hopes to become a nurse someday. Christian Vega who is on track to becoming a physical education teacher. 37-year-old Karla, one of the pioneer students of PID, who completed a course in interior design in Mapua. 42-year-old Chrissy Camello, now living in Australia, married with chidren, who finished patisserie and retail baking.

There’s 31-year old Janno Lim, now in Canada, where he finished a achelor s degree in geography. anno currently wor s as pro ect coordinator for a non profit organi ation for the deaf.

(Continue on page 27)

Are you still thinking what to give as lasting gifts to your FRANC (Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, Neighbors, Co-Worker) this Christmas?

Health

Wealth

The resilient Communist insurgency

Since Jesus is the reason for the season, why not give to your FRANC copies of “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians.” Copies of the “ HISTORICITY OF JESUS” are now available through Amazon (Hardcover- $18.95 per copy; Paperback - $14.95 per copy and E—book- $8.95 per copy).

Foreword to the updated and revised Edition is written by Atty. Junas T. Sagurit, President of Asian Christian University in Bugallon, Pangasinan, Philippines. The back cover include the picture of the WE CARE Ministries Team with then congressman and former Philippine Senator and boxing icon Manny Pacquaio during a Courtesy Call and Prayer Meeting inside his mansion in General Santos City, Sarangani, Philippines last February 19, 2016. Members of the WE CARE Ministries Team who joined the Courtesy Call Prayer Meeting include Larry West from West Monroe, Louisiana; Cole Robertson of the popular Duck Dynasty TV Show; Steven Prine, Director, WE CARE Philippines from Oakland, California USA; Erben Gonzales, Evangelist and Minister, CALASIAO CHURCH OF CHRIST in Cabilocaan, Calasiao, Pangasinan; and yours truly.

Here are some reviews and comments on the “HISTORICITY OF JESUS” subtitled “Facts and Evidences for Agnostics, Atheists, Believers and Christians.”

“This book can help bring millions of Filipinos to Jesus, the Prince of Peace for salvation and spiritual awakening, “ wrote CORAZON M. NERA, former Chair, Regulatory Board of Librarians; Director of Libraries, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Manila, Philippines.

“I was blessed to meet and had prayer session with Evangelist Art Gabot Madlaing and members of the WE CARE Ministries Team in our home in General Santos City, Mindanao last February 19, 2016. For reformation, moral and spiritual regeneration, I recommend this book to everyone especially to Filipinos in our country and abroad,” echoed boxing icon and former Philippine Senator EMMANUEL “MANNY” PACQUIAO, General Santos City, Sarangani, Philippines.

“I urge ownership of this book. For faith building and antidote to fear and worry e erywhere, many enefits can result from reading this vital information under any circumstances and most doubtlessly now with the world in such turmoil from diseases and uprisings and all manner of a ictions, wrote ,, Teacher who finished in Special Ed and MA in Reading at Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas, USA.

“HISTORICITY Of JESUS is not only a tool for Christian wor ers in the field, ut it can e helpful teaching tool in our Sundays schools, fellowships, lectureships and other gatherings, “ wrote ATTY. JUNAS T. SAGURIT, President, Asian Christian University, Bugallon, Pangasinan, Philippines.

“Reading HISTORICITY OF JESUS should make it impossible for the smallest seed of doubt to be sown in anyone’s mind,” echoed JUANITA ROBERTSON, Retired Professor, City College of San Francisco, California USA

“This is a special book which merits devoted attention. The devastation caused by COVID-19 and the following new strains reveals more than ever how desperately we need to fellowship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” said HENRY T. BRAVO. Elder, SURREY CHURCH OF CHRIST, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

“How thrilling to read such a concise testimony concerning the historical evidence declaring the truth of Jesus Christ. Anyone reading this book would be hard-pressed to deny im, a rmed , Teacher, adies Children Bible Classes, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

“This timely book is a must read for agnostics, atheists, believers and Christians,” said FELIX L. OLIDAN, JR., Evangelist Minister, WANCHAI CHURCH OF CHRIST, Wanchai, Hongkong.

Another book that I strongly recommend as lasting gift for Christmas and other occasions is LONGEVITY TIPS subtitled “Secrets” You Can Dis-

Even in his death, Jose Maria Sison, the founder and leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), one of the world’s most resilient and longest-running insurgencies, cannot be forgiven by the Department of National Defense (DND).

In a statement, the defense department regretted not having caught and jailed Sison for his numerous crimes against the Republic, including murder, kidnapping, illegal possession of explosives and firearms, and re ellion.

“His death deprived the Filipino people of the opportunity to bring this fugitive to justice under our country’s laws,” the statement said, although technically the former university political science professor did not have any direct participation in the crimes.

But as the leader of the outlawed organization, he was blamed for the deaths of thousands of soldiers and civilians in the protracted guerrilla warfare that has lasted more than 50 years.

That s more than , people in a conflict that was also blamed for stunted economic growth in the resource-rich but impoverished rural areas in the country.

Sison, 83, reorganized a leftist movement on December 26, 1968 in central Luzon, the hotbed of agrarian unrest in the country during the first term in o ce of the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Bernabe Buscayno, alias Commander Dante, formed his guerrilla army three months later in the sugarcane fields of central Luzon.

Marcos’s repressive regime helped the New People’s Army (NPA) grow from a ragtag army of peasants to nearly 26,000 toward the end of the Marcos administration.

e el influence could e felt in a out percent of the country’s 42,000 villages, where a “shadow government” existed at that time in some remote communities where civilian government was absent.

In 1976, Sison and his wife, Juliet, were caught and he faced military trial, but was saved a decade later when Marcos was toppled by a near-bloodless, military-backed civilian uprising, the EDSA People Power revolution.

Democracy icon Corazon Aquino freed Sison and opened peace talks with the rebels’ political arm, the National Democratic Front (NDF).

ison wasted no time and fled to The etherlands months later and never returned to the country, although there were some reports Sison had contemplated coming home to resume peace negotiations.

Perhaps, he was already tired with his revolution and was thinking of retiring peacefully, like the other older revolutionaries, Buscayno and Satur Ocampo.

He never got the chance. He died on Friday after he was hospitali ed for an unspecified illness.

In a statement, the CPP paid tribute to Sison, calling him “the greatest Filipino of the past century.”

The Communist Party existed in the Philippines even before the outbreak of the Second World War as the ideology spread in Europe after the First World War.

A Soviet-styled Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas was formed in 1930 by a group of labor leaders led by Crisanto Evangelista who even went to Moscow to attend the fourth Congress of leftist trade unions called Progintern. But the PKP had no army.

During the Second World War, a leftist guerrilla army was organized by farmers in central Luzon and was known as the Hukbalahap, which later transformed into a Maoist rebel group in the 1950s under Luis Taruc.

An older version of the Communist Party of the Philippines existed in the early days of the Republic when various leftist groups, including the Partido Sosyalista ng Pilipinas, merged with the PKP.

Even Taruc’s Hukbalahap was part of the old CPP but Ramon Magsaysay ended the Huk insurgency in the 1950s.

The PKP and later the CPP remained a legal political party although the was riefly outlawed during the ommon wealth period.

Sison organized the Ka-

A case of mass murder?

Close to two years ago, news came out about the disappearance of sa ungeros, coc fight ing aficionados. had often wondered why not enough had been written about the mysterious case.

The disappeared ones were reportedly involved in e sa ong, meaning coc fights that could only e seen on line.

Nothing wrong with that, as the country – in fact the world was still in the midst of attling the pan demic, which was producing ariants and su ariants at a regular pace. o li e coc fighting was out of the uestion as crowds would ne er agree to social distancing.

must admit that ha e ne er een attracted to coc fight ing. t seems a little too iolent and cruel for me, e en if the only parties involved were male chickens AKA cocks (which always in ites o es and snide comments from macho follow ers of the game .

lades are placed at the legs of the coc s, who are then re leased to destroy each other. t s always a case of one dies, one survives, although it is not uncommon for the winning cock to also suffer in uries that pro e to e fatal.

n my entire life, ha e een to one li e coc fight, ut did not place any ets as had no idea which coc was etter than the other.

also found it uite odd that the ets were ta en y men who were referred to as ristos. hy they would e called y the name of esus hrist was way eyond my comprehen sion.

did appreciate the honor system that was in ol ed in the ta ing of ets. ou should shout which coc you fa or, and if it wins the risto pays you. f it loses, howe er, you simply throw the sum you had declared to the risto.

Cheat and you can end up beaten to a pulp outside the coc fighting arena.

was somewhat surprised to learn that a good num er of ery rich men were coc fighting aficionados. They raised their cocks – a good place for a green joke right there, huh? –li e they were their children, gi ing them the est foods, ha ing professional trainors care for them, and buying and selling them for tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of pesos.

The top owners would spend fortunes importing chicks to train into fighting coc s, too.

All in all, it was a pastime for the rich, but which depended on the entire to social classes to thri e. The coc fighting arena near the place where grew up would ha e a par ing lot full of new cars and s, ut the hoi polloi would also e seen entering the arena donning slippers and wor clothes.

t is that honor system that may ha e caused a case of mass murder that is only now eing re ealed e er so slowly.

The reports said more than coc fighting aficionados had disappeared in to .

That was it. othing followed. o news, no leads, not e en rumors of what had efallen them.

As far as everyone was concerned, it was as if they had disappeared from the face of the earth, never to be seen or heard from e er again.

o the o ious uestion is, what happened ast wee , the first reports came in after a long while. Three policemen had been dismissed from the force because of their in ol ement in the disappearance of one coc fighting aficionado. t is not clear if the missing person was some sort of risto.

hat has come out so far is that fi e policemen had origi nally been tagged as being behind one disappearance, but two had een cleared for lac of e idence.

The most accepted figure is sa ungeros as ha ing dis appeared etween ay , to arch of this year.

The disappearances do elie e that idnapping is the more apt word too place in se eral u on pro inces.

To this day, all are still missing, and can e considered as dead. f the total, are from aguna, si from anila, si from atangas, and two from ulacan.

The enate held hearings on the issue, ut not much came of it. The missing are still missing. ho is ehind the mass dis

Ilocos Sur’s new governor Jerry Singson: seasoned for the job

Among the northern hilippines new crop of leaders, locos ur o ernor erry ingson could e descri ed riefl y as the most reliable, competent, and knowledgeable in local go ernance.

Pretty much honed in pu lic ser ice, he s een in the business of serving the people passionately for a out half a century now.

e ser ed in arious posi tions without interruption. is record of winning elec tions after elections, is an en y to many.

tarting out as a arangay captain, he rose to ecome ice ayor of his hometown igan ity. rom there, he got elected as locos ur oard em er, then ice o ernor. inally now, he agged the plum seat of o ernor which is e ery ice go ernor s dream.

erry who was my schoolmate in high school, suc ceeded his nephew yan ingson who, in turn, had earlier succeed his father locos ur s pride and world renowned uis ha it ingson .

erry is ha it s younger rother who handpic ed him to run in last ay s elections to succeed yan who was elected ice o ernor.

erry s supporters said that former o ernor ha it ingson made the right choice in erry.

e faced the gu ernatorial election with impres si e credentials. e is called as ather of the oti a sa arangay and founded the edical issions, a hu manitarian project named after him and has served more than , indigents so far.

This health missions project which is provincewide has een phenomenal. y understanding is that it s een going on sans public funds, maybe with only a minimal of such funds, if e er. ow he does it is attri uted to his remar a le organi ational s ills.

e in ites medical doctors, surgeons, dentists, optom etrists and other health care professionals many of whom hail from a road. Their ser ices and engagement in the medical missions are free. t s their way of paying ac to the community.

e had ser ed as upreme ommander the highest post of the nights of i al. The of s mem ership roll includes nota les li e former hief ustices eynato uno and ilario a ide, former residents uterte, amos, and strada.

n the saddle as go ernor, he s laid down a point agenda that s targeted to e achie ed in the short and long terms.

mong them are agricultural e ciency and food production including the distri ution of solar powered ir rigation systems throughout the pro ince y ne t year.

To enhance tourism, he s eyeing the upgrading of the Vigan airport to bring in domestic and international fl ights, with domestic air tra els a aila le y ne t year.

e s pursuing relations with anada, srael and taly in the fi elds of agriculture and tourism. e is also aiming for the pro ince s ndustriali ation.

ith resident erdinand arcos r. and his rother uis ha it ingson ready to e tend their helping hands, erry could pretty well e on his way to accom plish his agenda y the end of his term. won y landslide in locos ur. erry y now has already ac uired a mo ile clinic and modern medical e uipment and machines for the pro in cial a riela ilang hospital as he is eyeing free hospital i ation for all indigents.

nly si months in his term, locos ur has een ad udged as the country s 7th ealthiest pro ince for y the ommission on udit, recei ed the eal of ood o ernance, and ational alasag award, oth from the epartment of nterior and o cal o ernment and the ational a ali at award from T Technical ducation and ills e elopment uthority .

(Editor’s Note: The writer is based in Hercules City, California and is currently in the Philippines the holidays and assignments.)

Will DOJ consider Jan. 6 Committee criminal charges v. Trump, et al?

After almost two years months to e e act , the January committee investigation on insurrection ended the other day. ince the committee has no prosecutorial power, their recommendation to the epartment of ustice has no legal effect. t s purely referral. o, the ues tion is ill consider their referral of at least four criminal charges against the former res ident and other co conspirators s ee t, should consider their recommendations for three reasons. ne, it too them almost two years to do the in vestigation with precision, clear discretion, scrutiny of hundreds of supporting e idence, and if will not consider it, it would e a waste of time, treasure, and talent Ts on the part of the mem er legislators.

Two, the supporting evidence are clear and valid that even an ordinary citi en can figure out with their na ed eyes there was really culpa ility on the part of the anuary perpetuators.

Three, nobody is above the law, not even a former president of the nited tates of merica . The committee found that for mer resident onald Trump was the central reason why the anu ary insurrection happened which resulted to at least four criminal charges.

The committee s full report will e released on ednesday for all concerned, especially to the citi ens of the nited tates, for them to fully understand the circumstances that led to the rape of merican democracy.

The criminal charges referred to include o struction of an o cial proceeding, that is for o structing the actual anuary count of the votes by Congress;

Then, conspiracy to defraud the nited tates. This refers to se eral instances, the committee says, including the so called ig lie by former President trump, as well as the idea that former Vice president Mike Pence could himself stop the electoral count;

e t, conspiracy to ma e false statements, that specially is about the scheme, as the committee puts it, to try to put false elector states on the board, overturn the electors for each state; and inally, assisting and aiding or comforting an insurrection.

These allegations are serious and needs to be scrutinized by . n fact, it was not only Trump who was found to ha e io lated the law ut a out four other former Trump o cials who were Trump s co conspirators tty. ohn astman who is eing referred to for two charges, obstruction and conspiracy; Kenneth Chesebro, also an attorney ar eadows, the former president s former chief of staff and well nown udy iuliani, president Trump s former attorney.

n their referral, the committee stated that asterminds and ringleaders cannot get a free pass . The committee elie es they have clear evidence that they have obtained on those referrals to prosecute and convict on these four charges for the former president, and so with these fi e co conspirators. n fact, the committee further elie e that there are other crimes committed and the should not e limited to these four charges. ased on the e idence they ha e su mitted in their report, can find other iolations which they may add up to the four referred charges.

There are also four current members of Congress who are being referred to from the committee for an ethics investigation by the House – Kevin McCarthy, the man who would like to be a speaker of the ouse im ordan, the man who is li ely to e the chair man of the udiciary committee ep. cott erry of ennsyl ania and Andy Biggs of Arizona, a former and a current chairman of the reedom aucus.

e ha e waited for so long for the committee to complete their in estigation. t is high time the merican people would now what really happened. o, the full report of the committee, which will be released to the American people, will surely give us the answer and the real picture of what happened on anuary . ince the final report, both written and visual, we can discern what the report is all a out, e en without the help of e perts, or , or the media. s the watchdog of democracy, we will be able to judge for ourselves and let now we are a rming the committee s referral to them.

f course, there are repercussions of the referral. ormer resi dent Trump, howe er thin it will help him. e was o erheard say ing t strengthens me. ormer ice resident ence said n dicting Trump is terri ly di isi e.

sa to ep. i heney yoming , ice chairman of the anuary committee she said e ery president in our history has defended this orderly transfer of authority, e cept one, anuary ,

, was the first time one merican president refused this consti tutional duty to transfer power peacefully to the ne t. n our wor o er the last months, the elect ommittee has recogni ed our obligation to do everything we can to ensure this never happens again.

The mem ers of the anuary elect ommittee are emocrats ep. ennie rown, ississippi, hairman ep. dam chiff, al ifornia ep. oe ofgren, alifornia

Petition for Caregivers

Do you need Caregivers in your Care Facility? This is a very challenging time for those Care Home Facility owners because of the shortage of Caregivers. Many caregivers can be petitioned by the facility owners whether they are coming from the Philippines or already in the United States. Our Law Firm can handle the process from start to finish. s of this writing the priority for caregi ers is une , . owe er, if you are inside the you can file an adjustment of status based on approved I-140 petition if your priority date is September 6, 2022.

What are the requirements for EB-3 Green Card for Skilled Workers, Professionals, or Other Workers?

nswer The green card co ers a wide range of applicants and has less stringent requirements compared to the two categories above. To qualify as a skilled worker, you must demonstrate that you have at least two years of job experience or training in the job you are applying through.

To qualify as a professional, you must have at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign degree e ui alent in the field you are wor ing in. ther wor ers are usually uns illed wor ers who are able to demonstrate the ability to perform unskilled labor that is not seasonal or temporary in nature.

What is needed to start a caregiver petition?

nswer n applicant must ha e a o offer from a . . employer and fulfill the a or ertification re uirements, which will li ely mean a longer application timeline than other categories where the PERM can be waived.

ote that since some cases re uire additional paperwor to e filed, it s est to contact a ualified employment immigration attorney.

What is the processing time for employment based green card?

nswer The employment ased green card timeline aries depending on the catego ry you qualify for. Generally, however, here are the steps you need to take if you are working toward getting an employment ased green card 1. Have a U.S. Employer . omplete a or ertification rocess erage of i to ine onths nce you ha e a ualifying o offer and an employer who is ready to sponsor your green card, the next step is to complete the Program for Electronic Review Management (PERM) a or certification. This is a process that re uires your employer to demonstrate that the for eign wor er you is not ta ing a o position away from ualified . . wor ers. What should an employer do to process PERM? nswer our employer with the support of an immigration attorney will conduct a recruitment process to ensure that you are not displacing any ualified . . wor ers

The PERM can take between six months and a year and a half to obtain depending on whether or not your employer is subjected to an audit. Here is the breakdown of the timeline for a or processing times re ailing age e uest two wee s ecruitment rocess eight to nine wee s T pplication wee s fter getting appro ed on the a or ertification, what is the ne t step nswer our employer will need to file a ettion for lien or er orm . nce your orm is appro ed, and your priority date ecomes current, you can file for an d ustment of tatus y su mitting an form. The is the last stage along the employment-based green card timeline, but in most cases, it has the longest waiting period. owe er, you will e issued a wor authori ation document after su mitting orm in a out fi e months.

ote This is not a legal ad ice and presented for educational purposes only. ur o ce successfully o tained green card for caregi ers.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

. T T

Our Law Firm entered into agreement with nursing facilities in the U.S. to process applicants for Nurses, LVN and Caregivers in the US ou may ualify if you ha e or license Inside or outside the United States

. T

The orona irus ares ct ic and amily ea e for elf mployed pro ides ig ta refunds for self employed indi iduals for ta years and . f you ha e filed your ta return and failed to avail of this refund contact us for consultation. The refund ranges from $4000 to $32000 per individual self employed depending on your income. all our o ce at 77 for confidential consultation

Bankruptcy Basics

1. Bankruptcy will actually improve your credit within one year because your unsecured de ts are discharged. lthough the an ruptcy will e in your records for years, not filing an ruptcy will ma e your credit e en worse until most your de ts are paid.

2. If you are being sued by your creditors, most money judgment can be eliminated in bankruptcy.

3. Collection actions continue and you can be sued if you are in debt settlement.

. hapter 7 will eliminate all unsecured de ts. f you are near retirement age, you must eliminate most of your debts.

We help our clients recover from employers’ unpaid minimum wage and overtime. Undocumented wor ers are ualified to apply.

CAR ACCIDENTS

ur aw irm successfully settled a car accident for 7 . .

We also handle uncontested DIVORCE.

SUCCESS STORIES

For the month of November, 2022, we received approval from USCIS two naturalization applications, one Fiancée visa petition, two removals of condi- (Continue on page 27)

Remittances seen to grow a i i er in ati n

The impact of the el evated inflation rate, along with improved diplomatic relations between the Philippines and host countries, are expected to further lift remittance growth.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) last week showed a . percent year on year increase in cash inflows from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) last October to . illion, up from year ago s 2.4 percent expansion.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort said the latest remittance monthly inflows is the highest in three months or since last uly.

“The continued growth in OFW remittances may be attributed to the relatively higher prices/inflation that may have required the sending of more remittances to cope up with higher prices of goods and services for OFWs and their families/dependents in the Philippines,” he said.

The domestic rate of price increases last October posted its highest since November 2002 when it accelerated to percent year on year from the pre i ous month s 7.7 percent, primarily due

to the impact of higher prices of commodities in the international market.

Seasonally, remittance inflows are higher during the last quarter of the year in time for the Christmas holiday.

Ricafort attributed the continued jumps in remittances to reopening of more economies where OFWs are working, with some workers regaining jobs lost during the early days of the pandemic.

He said the country is the world’s top supplier of nurses, accounting for about 20 percent globally, and the biggest supplier of seafarers at around 20 to percent.

ging population in some de veloped countries also structurally increased the demand for OFWs in recent years, especially amid tighter labor markets in some host/developed countries due to better economic recovery prospects,” he added.

Ricafort said remittances to the Philippines have consistently been the fourth largest in the world after India, hina and e ico, at around billion annually.

This, he said, is “a sign of resilience despite the o id corona irus dis ease pandemic.

Risk-on sentiments lift PH equities index, peso

ositi e earnings reports of some large nited tates ased firms boosted investors’ appetite in the local ourse on ednesday, enefiting the peso as well.

The Philippine Stock Exchange inde i rose y . 7 percent, or . points, to , . points.

ll hares followed with a ump of . percent, or . points, to , . points.

Most of the sectoral indices also gained during the day, led by Mining and il after it umped y . percent.

It was trailed by Financials, 2 percent; Property, 1.24 percent; Holding Firms, . percent and ndustrial, . 7 percent.

The Services index ended sideways with a drop of . percent.

Volume reached 4.36 billion shares amounting to nearly PHP6 billion.

d ancers surpassed decliners at to while shares were unchanged.

“Philippine and regional shares rebounded, buoyed by better-than-expected corporate earnings from Nike and FedEx,” said Luis Limlingan, Regina Capital Development Corporation (RCDC) head of sales.

Limlingan said investors are also awaiting more economic data for the remaining days of the week that include the ortgage an ers ssociation s wee ly measurement of nationwide home loan applications, as well as updates on existing home sales and consumer confidence data.

On the local front, he said “investors came rushing in before the Christmas

break, despite having the BOP (balance of payment) in November to swing back to deficit at 7 million.

“The over six times wider gap was due to the serviced foreign debt while the PHP (Philippine peso) was emerging from weakest levels against the greenback,” Limlingan added.

The local currency gained against the dollar and closed the day at . from its . close a day ago.

t opened the day at . , an impro e ment from its . start in the pre ious session.

t traded etween . and . , re sulting in an a erage of . 7 . olume reached .7 million, lower than Tuesday s . mil lion.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the peso gained for the sixth straight day against the greenback, partly on holiday spending, higher remittance inflows from o erseas ilipino wor ers (OFWs) and further reopening of the economy.

Ricafort said the peso also continued to strengthen amidst the upticks in global oil prices, which remained on its around one-year lows and the rise in US Treasury yields.

“Thus, the peso exchange rate has been insulated by the recent volatility in the local stock market, largely due to the seasonal surge in OFW remittances and conversion to pesos less than a week before Christmas,” he said.

‘Megastar’ Sharon Cuneta mulls retirement again

As this developed, Sharon annnounced that her family is complete for the 22nd birthday of daughter Frankie.

On Instagram, her mom Sharon Cuneta shared some photos taken from their warm and intimate celebratio, GMA News reported.

Apart from Sharon and her husband Kiko, also present were ran ie s roth er Miguel, and sisters Miel and KC Concepcion, who is the egastar s daughter with Gabby Concepcion.

championing of the masses in times of great need without regard for media attention,” said Balita.

haron e emplifies the e traordinary traits of Gloria Sevilla who gave back and inspired people while enjoying success and reaping accolades,” he added.

The daughter of the late Pasay City Mayor Pablo Cuneta, the singer-actress said in response, “Giving has been part of my life since I was born.”

“You automatically give to whomever needs them most,” she said. “I do not speak of my charitable endeavors. I rarely, rarely do. And when I do, hindi para magyabang. I only invite people to help certain causes I involve myself in ‘pag kailangan (if needed)...”

Cuneta dedicated the award to her children; her husband, former Senator Kiko Pangilinan, who was with her at the event; and her fans whom she called loyal haronians.

mamahal sa kanya ay mangyayari sa atin lahat,” she told the crowd. “Sana maalaala ‘nyo kaming lahat. Maalaala ‘nyo ako tulad ng pag-alala at never nating paglimot kay Tita Glo.”

Sevilla herself was posthumously honored with the Gawad Banyuhay Aktor g anahon, for her success in film and television since the 1950s and “relevance that e tended to enefit the communities and society.”

t was accepted y e illa s daugh ter, actress Suzette Ranillo, who thanked the foundation for eeping her mother s memory alive and “for continuing her legacy of compassion to colleagues and fans and the entertainment industry as well.”

Cuneta, now 56, is talking about retirement again after 44 years in the industry which started when she was a teenager.

In a social media post recently, Sharon, once dubbed the Megastar, is saying she that she is “exhausted” and would rather spend most of her time with her family.

Sharon wrote “retirement is calling” in an Instagram post where she shared a passage from a book, “The Stories We Tell,” by Joanna Gaines. The excerpt is a reflection on one s life and reconsider ing “always running at high capacity” at a certain age.

“This part really resonated with me because, well, I am 56 now and I am just undeniably exhausted. Retirement is calling,” Sharon wrote.

But while she wants to retire, she revealed that she can still appear in a movie or a concert or even a television show.

“Once in a while I can pop up in a movie or two, a concert, or a TV show, e en a season or a series if it s not too tir ing. But I am tired,” she said.

Lately, Sharon literally separated from her husband, former Senator Francis Pangilinan, for several months before they were able to talk things over.

“All I wish I could do is be with my family and take care of them,” she said, referring to her husband Kiko Pangilinan and their three children, as well as her eldest child, actress KC Concepcion as reported by her studio ABS-CBN.

According to the report, Sharon wrote that she also hopes to “do all those other things I always wish I could do but just couldn t find the time for.

Addressing her followers, she said: “Please pray with me. Thank you so much and I love you all.”

Sharon has mulled retiring as early as 2019.

“Yay! Family pic! First in a long time,” Sharon wrote in the caption. recently flew to the Philippines. In one post, haron s el dest said she craves time with family when she isn t tra eling.

eanwhile, ran ie flew to ew or last year for college.

Meanwhile, Sharon was conferred the Gloria Sevilla Award by a newly launched foundation headed by Dr. Carl Balita..

Named after the late Queen of the Visayan Movies, the award was in recognition of haron s e ceptional achie e ments as a performing artist and her spirit of philanthropy.

It was the highlight of the star-studded Gawad Banyuhay Awards Night that honored personalities and groups from the academe, business, and government service to entertainment and social media, Manila media reported.

The awarding coincided with the launch of the foundation named after Carl Balita, an educator and health professional, at the Maynila Ballroom of The Manila Hotel.

Other honorees were music icons Kuh edesma and ulce, social media influ encer Dr. Willie Ong, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, former Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena, the GMA Network drama series ‘Maria lara and arra represented y its lead star Barbie Forteza, actors Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, Chef Boy Logro, businessman Joel Cruz, Architect Felino Palafox Jr., nursing educator Eufemia Octaviano, and medical doctors Loysa Orense, Anthony Leachon, Raul Destura and Maria Minerva Calimag.

Each awardee received a trophy and , for their chosen charity.

Balita said Sharon was chosen for the award for her “stunning transformation, from megastar to the shining beacon of philanthropy.”

any are unaware of her selfless

“I hope with my movies and songs, I made people smile,” Cuneta said in her speech. “I hope I inspired them.”

Cuneta said the Gloria Sevilla Award “is another cue from God that I must not stop working,” just days after hinting at retirement from show business.

t didn t escape me na ang pag awala ni Tita Glo sa industriya at sa mga nag-

“Today, we are reminded of her life that is purpose-driven, coming into full circle with a gentle power that is strong and constant,” Ranillo said. “Up to this day and beyond, we will be forever grateful for the love you have given our mother, Ms. Gloria Sevilla.”

s a tri ute to e illa, sia s Time less Diva Dulce belted the Visayan song imingaw o, from one of e illa s award winning films with the same title. Singer-actor LA Santos, who is in the cast of ars a elo s arna series, also performed.

GMA Pinoy TV hosts Fil-Am leaders for Thanksgiving, network visit

the hosts of the ariety show Ti tocloc , uya im tien a, and tal ed with the rogram an ager of the show harles oo regarding the concept of the show. fter that, they isited the set of the amily eud game show in tudio 7.

The talented par ticipants were also a le to ha e informati e tal s with oltes egacy director ar eyes regarding the future and challenges of hilippine Tele ision. itness host and documentarist owie Severino gave them a uic ay ayin lesson.

Leading broadcast company GMA Network, through its flagship international channel inoy T , recently opened its doors to the delegates of the ilipino oung eaders rogram last o em er during their wee long immersion trip to the hilippines.

elcoming them is nternational irst ice resident and ead of perations oseph erome T. rancia who accompanied them in their full apuso e perience. e are delighted to ha e the e cellent delegates of this year s in . e loo forward to eing a le to contri ute in de eloping their talents and we are e cited for the great things that will surely come their way. t is through these acti ities that we are a le to reach out to our younger audiences and y sharing our nowledge and e periences to each other we ecome trongerTogether.

The young leaders were a le to step foot in the state of the art tudio of the ntegrated ews and met udio isual enior anager s. hris tina asual and and ead of tudio and emote perations of etwor nc. eff angelista. ery ody got e cited interacting with the technol ogy and using the teleprompter. They also met one of

This is the third year that inoy T partnered with s immersion program in the hilippines. The cohort includes elissa Trota, a fi e time ugo award winner ngelo Mathay, an administrative udge eil ing un, an emergency room physician and ichelle osue, mmy award winning documentary filmma er. oining them are ichelle mor, a manager of a digital commercial real estate fintech startup race odrigue , the ssistant eputy irector of egal ffairs at the alifornia epartment of onsumer ffairs osh de eon, an organi ational changema er, local political leader, and community organi er aniel aleon , a roduct is trategist at a de eloper oriented commerce company en e ie e illafranca opanda the first merican orn of longgo and aray a parents and a leader e ecuti e of years at a arious usiness operations gnes ope , a ilipino merican editorial and commercial photographer amille agtalon amos, an assistant professor and an ngaged i ic earning aculty ellow onstancio aranal , a lawyer speciali ing in the field of cy ersecurity law anicole amos, a law student and a ilitary ual pportunity cer ngelico a on, an internist, pediatrician and pu lic health professional and ohn ictoria, founder of a digital mar eting agency that focuses on helping home ser ice contractors.

is a oint initiati e of the hilippine m

assy, onsulates eneral in the nited tates, and the yala oundation, nc. t was esta lished in y ormer m assador of the epu lic of the hilippines to the nited tates of merica, ose . uisia, r. and rs. ictoria . uisia in cooperation with the yala oundation nc. to annually identify outstand ing young professionals in the ilipino communities across the nited tates and pro ide the delegates with in alua le community, usiness, and go ernment insights, access to distinguished networ captains of industry and government, and a deeper understanding and e perience of the ilipino culture. The program also aims to pro ide young ilipino mericans the op portunity to meet and dialogue with high le el go ern ment o cials, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs to forge closer hilippine nited tates relations.

e are ery grateful for etwor s hos pitality and generosity to our young delegates. Their tour around the studios and their meaningful con ersa tions with personalities will surely e one of the highlights of their wee long tour here in the country.

e are loo ing forward to more colla orations with the apuso networ that will help nurture the young minds of today s generation, says resident ee el Tanglao.

Pinoys in the U.S. honor Philippine culture and history in “Maria Clara at Ibarra” watch party

Clad in their best Filipiniana attires, Pinoys abroad from New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco took a historical trip to Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo via a watch party of GMA Network’s most-talked about and acclaimed primetime series ‘Maria Clara At Ibarra.’

osted y etwor s flagship international channel GMA Pinoy TV, the event is the Kapuso Network’s way of bringing Filipino culture to the Kapuso abroad of all ages, especially the Gen Z.

“Maria Clara at Ibarra is a GMA program that we are very proud of. Led by its director Zig Dulay, Ms. Helen, and the production staff, this watch party is our way to impart to our Kapuso in the United States and many parts of the world the lessons that our generation needs to know about our history and our culture. We recognize that our young Filipinos abroad today may not be familiar with a lot of things already from the Philippines. What we, in GMA International, do are bridging activities like this to our Filipino communities because if we know more about our culture, wherever we are in the world, we will be #StrongerTogether,” says GMA International First Vice President and Head of Operations Mr. Joseph T. Francia.

The event was attended by the powerhouse cast of Maria Clara at Ibarra -- Barbie Forteza (Klay), Juancho Triviño (Padre Salvi), David Licauco (Fidel), Rocco Nacino (Elias), Juan Rodrigo (Kapitan Tiago), Lou Veloso (Mr. Torres), Ces Quesada (Tiya Isabel), Karenina Haniel (Victoria), Dennis Padilla (Mang Adong), and Dennis Trillo (Crisostomo Ibarra).

The program’s creative team were present and answered questions from the audience. Among those who attended were GMA’s Assistant Vice President for Drama Ms. Helen Sese, Program Manager Edlyn Tallada-Abuel, Executive Producer Ms. Shielyn Atienza, Creative Consultant Suzette Doctolero, Head Writer J-Mee Katanyag, and Director Pam Miras.

“Maria Clara at Ibarra,” a teleserye based on Jose Rizal’s

Noli Me Tangere and El Filibisterismo, is still very relevant. Until now, it mirrors the realities that we are facing today. Aside from that, we also want to remind the youth that we have a beautiful culture, art, and literature that we can be proud of. It is great that Filipinos are already going global and experiencing the culture of other countries, but as Filipinos, it is important that we still go back to our colorful roots. This is why we create shows like Maria Clara At Ibarra,” says Creative Consultant Suzette Doctolero.

The cast also expressed their gratitude to the Filipinos in the U.S. who came in their best Philippine costumes and showed their support to Maria Clara at Ibarra.

“I am so proud to be Filipino, knowing that we are present in every corner of the planet because of the Kapuso abroad. I am also eternally grateful to GMA for creating and choosing me to be a part of a show that reminds us Filipinos of our wonderful history and culture,” says Barbie.

ennis also too notice of the efforts of the apuso a road in the United States who wore their Filipinianas even in cold weather. “We are very grateful to the Kapuso abroad for joining us in this watch party. They look very beautiful in their Filipino costumes. Thank you so much for wearing it even during the cold season. We can’t thank you enough for the support you’re giving us every night by watching Maria Clara at Ibarra,” he shares.

Vice Consul Adrian Baccay of the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco also reiterated the importance of shows like Maria Clara at Ibarra to the young Filipino-Americans who want to reconnect with their roots,”It is not often that we are able to watch a Filipino drama based on our culture here in the US. That’s what I’ve been noting with GMA--it’s really the home of the many teleseryes that are really based on our culture and history. The grade schoolers we’ve invited for this watch party are able to reconnect with their culture and

heritage because of shows like this, especially those who are born and educated here in the US. We are very thankful for entertainment companies like GMA who produce content and entertainment like Maria Clara at Ibarra.”

Finally, the President of the Filipino American Arts Exposition Al Perez thanked GMA Network for introducing him to Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere. “Thank you to GMA for creating and producing this project. It’s a great way to make our history and culture relevant, accessible, and current. I really enjoyed the episodes that we saw tonight and I appreciate the high quality of production and the great acting of the cast. My family immigrated to the US when I was just a young kid and I never got the chance to read Noli Me Tangere when I was in school. This production is really inspiring me to revisit and read the book of our national hero.”

The Maria Clara at Ibarra watch party is an initiative of GMA Pinoy TV in partnership with DollarHits, NYCFilipinos New York and Los Angeles, and the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco.

The high-rating and well-loved fantasy series Maria Clara at Ibarra airs on GMA Pinoy TV. To watch its full episodes overseas, subscribe now to GMA Pinoy TV or visit gmapinoytv.com/subscribe to know more.

iWantTFC offers binge-worthy action, e-sports, horror and martial arts content for free from Jungo TV this holiday season

LOS ANGELES - Unless you live among the small handful of countries where it’s summer during Christmas, chances are you’re either chilling or freezing as temperatures plummet around the world this winter. This means that you’d most likely spend the holidays streaming content from the comfort of your couch, maybe eside a co y fireplace, while getting tipsier with each glass of spiked eggnog.

But rejoice! iwantTFC -- the world’s leading Filipino streaming ser ice will set the holidays on fire with burning action-packed content from the channels of partner Jungo TV, an international streaming media company that operates multiple TV channels featuring movies, sports, music, and more.

BLACK BELT CHANNEL

On the Black Belt Channel on iWantTFC, join the martial arts craze by watching “Shaolin Drunk Mon-

key” on December 17 at PM and get the ultimate combat experience with a deep dive into the lives of fighters with an all day marathon of “Bushido Battleground” episodes on Christmas day.

The action continues in January with more exhilarating martial arts shows such as “Enfusion Reality Season 5” on January 1, “Bill Wallace Superfoot’s Secrets for SuccessVolume 2” on January 11, “The Combat Show - Fight Back: Scott Coker” on January 20, and “Bushido Battleground Season: Cocco vs Haus” on January 28.

A8 ESPORTS CHANNEL

Meanwhile, avid gaming fans are in for a treat with must-watch shows this December and January on the A8 Esports channel. Spend Christmas day with loved ones and enjoy backto-back episodes of “Super League - Clash Online Marathon” and catch “Min Hut Good Grief” on December

28 and January 1.

For viewers who are new to the gaming scene, learn more about esports by binge-watching “Clash Royale - City Champs” on January 11, “Logitech Challenge Episode 2” on January 20, and “Around The Block Episode 5” on January 25.

SCREAM FLIX

Scream Flix continues featuring your favorite horror movie genres each weekday all month long! Monster Mondays, Paranormal Tuesdays, Slasher Wednesdays, Thriller Thursdays and Classic Fridays stream on weekdays from 6-10pm PST 9pm1am EST 2-6pm GST

You may also catch a full day of scary holiday movies such as “Mother Krampus”, “Krampus 2”, “Christmas Evil” during Scream Flix’s Christmas Day marathon! Streams December 25 all day long.

There will also be a New Year Movie Marathon where Scream Flix will feature back-to-back episodes of “Bridget’s Hollywood Horror Nights” throughout New Year’s day.

TORO TV

Action Movie Block: Weekdays just got action-packed! Watch your favorite action movies every weekday afternoon on Toro TV. Streams Monday-Friday from 2-4pm PST 5-7pm EST| 10am-12pm GST.

Comedy Sci-Fi Movie Block: From “Jake” to “Battle in Outer Space”, tune in to watch some of the funniest comedies and other worldly sci fi films Toro T has to offer treams on day-Friday from 4-6pm PST 7-9pm EST 12-2pm GST.

Martial Arts Movie Block: Ready for master jumps, kicks, and tricks? “Hi-yah” your way to classic Martial Arts movies weekday evenings on Toro TV. Streams Monday-Friday

from 6-8pm PST 9-11pm EST 2-4pm GST.

Thriller Movie Block: These action thrillers will get your heart racing and keep you feeling excited and surprised! Streams Monday-Friday from from 8-10pm PST |11pm-1am |4-6pm GST.

Weekday Theme Nights: Action Mondays, Comedy Tuesdays, SciFI Horror Wednesdays, Martial Arts Thursdays, and Thriller Fridays stream weekdays from 6-10pm PST 9pm-1am EST 2-6pm GST.

Jungo TV channels on iwantTFC are available for free in the following countries:

BLACK BELT: PH, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, USA, Canada, Latin America

TORO TV: USA, Canada, Latin America, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain

SCREAM FLIX: USA, Canada, Latin America, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain

A8 ESPORTS: Worldwide

Watch iWantTFC on a larger screen with select devices, including VEWD, ROKU, and Amazon Fire streaming devices, Android TV, select Samsung Smart TV models, Telstra TV (in Australia), and VIDAA in select countries. Visit https://bit. ly/iWantTFC_TVDevices for a complete list of compatible devices, signin instructions, and account activation.

For updates, like www.facebook. com/iWantTFC and follow @iwanttfc on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to www.youtube.com/iWantTFC. For inquiries and concerns about the service, users can also send a message on iWantTFC’s Facebook page or e-mail support@iwanttfc.com.

Isko Moreno to play Ninoy Aquino in Darryl Yap movie

director Darryl Yap’s upcoming movie “Martyr or Murderer.”

Yap posted on his Facebook page a photo of Moreno holding the script, confirming his role in “Martyr or Murderer.”

“Isko Moreno as Ninoy Aquino. The Filipino is worth dying… INSIDE,” Darryl wrote in his post.

The Viva Films movie is the se uel of the much critici ed film, “Maid in Malacanang,” he said.

fla from historians and martial law survivors for “attempting to distort history.”

Moreno, an actor before entering politics, lost to Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in the 2022 presidential race.

will

“Maid in Malacañang” is about the last 72 hours of the Marcos family in the Palace during the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that toppled the dictatorship of the late president Ferdinand E. Marcos.

“Maid in Malacañang” drew

Prior the elections, Moreno said in an interview that he admired the elder Marcos “at some point” as he was a visionary, but Moreno noted that he is against the abuses committed during martial law.

In his past interview, Darryl said that “Martyr or Murderer” is set to release in February 2023, in time for the 37th anniversary celebration of the Edsa People Power Revolution.

Biz group wants Jose Mari Chan nominated as nat’l artist

QUEZON CITY – The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) has bestowed on music icon and top sugar businessman Jose Mari Chan the “FFCCCII Lifetime Achievement Award” during the “Pandesal Forum” in Quezon City.

The FFCCCII Lifetime Award for Chan was given in the form of a big plaque of honor and a special medallion.

Aside from singing several of his original compositions, Chan also thanked the FFCCCII for giving him the FFCCCII Lifetime Achievement Award.

Chan said that music is a gift from God and that he owes his wife and family for their support for his half-century music career.

He also paid tribute to his late father, the self-made sugar business leader Antonio Chan, who had migrated at age 13 from Fujian province in China to Iloilo.

He said that the secret to maintaining his singing voice is a healthy lifestyle of his daily exercise and without smoking.

He added that his love for singing is one way to stay young and that he has no plans to retire from singing.

The Barangay Kamuning Senior Citizens choir sang three Christmas songs for Chan, the “Father of Filipino Christmas Music.”

The special guests during the forum were Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama.

The FFCCCII is composed of president Henry Lim Bon Liong, vice-president Cecilio Pedro, vice-president and adviser of FFCC-

u lic nformation ommittee effrey g, and FFCCCII Public Information Committee Chairman Wilson Lee Flores.

Dep’t of Housing accountability unit marks first year, cites gains

SACRAMENTO – One year ago, Governor Gavin Newsom launched the Housing Accountability Unit at the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) with the goal of increasing stringent enforcement and oversight at the local level to create more housing, faster in California.

Since 2020, HCD has helped to clear the way for nearly 3,500 new homes, with about half of those as a result of the Housing Accountability Unit’s work in the last year.

“The housing crisis we are experiencing in California was decades in the making, but we are taking aggressive steps with an all-of-the-above approach, which includes unprecedented actions to bring about accountability at the local level,” said Governor Newsom in a statement sent to Philippine News Today. “Understanding that we have no time to waste, in just one year, the Housing Accountability nit has mo ed with a fierce intensity to rea the status quo and remove bureaucratic roadblocks.” nder o ernor ewsom, for the first time in state history, local governments are being held accountable to meet their housing targets, with a statewide goal of reaching 2.5 million new units y million of which must e afforda le.

To help reach this goal, the Housing Accountability Unit has worked with local jurisdictions to provide technical assistance and review of policies that often hinders the building of housing throughout the state. n their first year, the unit opened the door to nearly 1,700 new homes, with over 600 being affordable housing.

“California is removing barriers to housing development and preservation, streamlining permitting, and, most importantly, holding local jurisdictions accountable for meeting the housing needs of their communities,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez. “By prioritizing enforcement of state housing laws, we are working toward the day that all alifornians will ha e access to an afforda le place to call home.”

Among other key accomplishments over the past year, the Housing Accountability Unit launched a first of its ind olicy and ractice e iew into San Francisco’s legal, planning, and political barriers to housing production at all income levels. The unit also formally absorbed enforcement of the urplus and ct, unloc ing hundreds of afford able housing units through its review of state surplus land.

SACRAMENTO – One year ago, Governor Gavin Newsom launched the Housing Accountability Unit at the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) with the goal of increasing stringent enforcement and oversight at the local level to create more housing, faster in California.

on debt

Since 2020, HCD has helped to clear the way for nearly 3,500 new homes, with about half of those as a result of the Housing Accountability Unit’s work in the last year.

“The housing crisis we are experiencing in California was decades in the making, but we are taking aggressive steps with an all-of-the-above approach, which includes unprecedented actions to bring about accountability at the local level,” said Governor Newsom in a statement sent to Philippine News Today. “Understanding that we have no time to waste, in just one year, the Housing Accountability nit has mo ed with a fierce intensity to rea the status quo and remove bureaucratic roadblocks.”

nder o ernor ewsom, for the first time in state history, local governments are being held accountable to meet their housing targets, with a statewide goal of reaching 2.5 million new units by 2030 – million of which must e afforda le. To help reach this goal, the ousing Accountability Unit has worked with local jurisdictions to provide technical assistance and review of policies that often hinders the building of housing throughout the state. n their first year, the unit opened the door to nearly ,7 new homes, with o er eing afforda le housing.

“California is removing barriers to housing development and preservation, streamlining permitting, and, most importantly, holding local jurisdictions accountable for meeting the housing needs of their communities,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez. “By prioritizing enforcement of state housing laws, we are working toward the day that all alifornians will ha e access to an afforda le place to call home.”

Among other key accomplishments over the past year, the ousing ccounta ility nit launched a first of its kind Policy and Practice Review into San Francisco’s legal, planning, and political barriers to housing production at all income levels. The unit also formally absorbed enforcement of the Surplus Land Act, unlocking hundreds of afforda le housing units through its re iew of state sur plus land.

“Cities and counties must abide by state housing laws,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “First and foremost, HCD will provide technical assistance to create a path toward understanding and complying with state housing laws. But no longer are cities’ and counties’ compliance going unchecked. Accountability is key to getting the 2.5 million new housing units our state needs to serve Californians across the income spectrum.”

As the state continues to lead the nation in tackling the housing crisis, local accountability and enforcement measures will continue to e effecti e tools to ensure that every city and county meets its fair share of housing. Additionally, the Governor’s historic investment of $13.6 billion over the past two years – the most ever invested in housing – creates the state’s most comprehensive housing afforda ility strategy. To olster these efforts, in the last two years, the Governor has signed over 70 housing bills, providing cities and counties with the tools and support needed to build housing at all income levels.

To learn more about the milestones completed over the past year visit: Accountability and Enforcement California Department of Housing and Community Development.

Consumers are already showing signs of maxing out

Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino eight-division boxing champ is back

To be a champion, you have to believe in yourself when nobody else will. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PARE !!!

On Sunday the other week, Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, a former senator and the only creature on earth to win no less than a dozen world championships in an unequaled eight divisions Manny battled South Korean martial arts youtuber DK Yoo in a sixround exhibition.

He won without a sweat in what could serve as prelude to his eventual return to the sport that earned for him and his family enormous wealth and international fame only few of his kind had attained.

But at 44, isn’t it too late for Manny to stage another boxing return?

There are actually quiet a few former champions, who retired at ripe age only to return fighting and won world titles.

The most famous comeback in this list is heavyweight George Foreman, who initially retired in 1977 at age 28, but returned 10 years later, and lost twice.

But records show he knocked out Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champ of all time, aged . oreman would ha e four more fights efore again retiring for good in 1997 at 48.

Sugar Ray Leonard, one of boxing’s most beloved pros, retired in 1984, came back three years later and move up in weight to challenge the much feared KO master Marvin Hagler and emerged the winner in a famous but disputed split-decision to defy the odds and win the title after such a layoff.

At that age, he turns 44 on Saturday, not a few expressed concern to see Manny climb the squared ring again at high le el fights e en against the upcoming pre tenders in his welterweight division like Jaron “Boots” Ennis, who, reports are, is being eluded by 147-pound top dogs like Terrence Crawford and Errol Spence.

ur anny, despite his 7 fight career eight losses, is not new to hanging up his fighting glo es and retrie ing them back at least six times since his embarrassing KO defeat to unheralded Rustico Torrecampo in 1986 following a fight winning strea y since turning pro in 1995.

e came ac from that first career set ac for an other string of victories, including an eight-round stoppage of Thai Chatchai Sasakul in December 1998 for the orld o ing ouncil flyweight plum that actually set the tone of his remarkable 12-year, eight-division title conquests.

He yielded the throne to another Thai Medgoen Singsurat when he failed to make ther required 112-pound limit in 1999. But Pacquiao is not Pacquiao if he couldn’t

again rise when he falls.

The climb from one weight classes to another continued. He took his second d world crown jewel, then International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight from frican ehlo edwa a T in in , and two years later, his third by, again, stopping the popular arco ntonio arrera of e ico T in for the Ring featherweight.

Eric Morales, Barrera’s countryman, would spoil Manny’s title run by outpointing his future friend in his debut in the super-featherweight in 2005, although Pacquiao more than made up for this twice, both via knockouts.

Manny would then go on another unbeaten 15-outing strea in the ne t fi e years until which gifted him the last fi e of his ama ing record, ma ing him the first man to win world championships in eight weight classes. a total of world record eight.

Manny would crown himself the WBC super-featherweight kingpin at the expense of what would be be one of his arch enemies Juan Manuel Marquez, who he will meet four times.

a id ia T in for the lightweight, the rugged riton ic y atton in for the ing Magazine lineal world super-lightweight and another future Puerto Rican Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto for the World Boxing Organization welterweight diadem T in .

The husband of former Sarangani Vice Gov. Jinkee with whom he has fi e children, ended his title run y ruling vacant WBC super-welterweight beating by beating black and blue a taller and bigger Antonio Margarito in 2010.

That bloody unanimous victory clinched for him the “Fighter of the Decade” for 2000 to 2009 over archival Floyd Mayweather Jr who himself made a comeback to boxing after two years of retirement in 2009. That was besides accorded “Fighter of the Year” accolade three times.

Before making it to the 147-pound category, the then lightweight Manny fashioned out one of the greatest upsets in pri efighting history with a T in round conquest of Barcelona Olympics gold medalist Oscar De La Hoya in his debut as as welterweight in 2008.

anny would suffer ac to ac ring losses in , losing his WBO world welterweight jewel in a questionable split decision to American tough guy Timothy “Dessert Storm” Bradley before getting knocked out Marquez in December in a non-title showdown.

Calls for going back to private life sprang following this double whammy. But as he has been saying often: “Hindi pa tapos ang laban!”

He regained his WBO crown by outclassing the tal ati e radley in . e finally earned a crac at Mayweather after a long almost six years of talks, and lost again in a fight hristened ight of the entury for the sixth time in his career due to an injured right shoulder and his inability to solve the ”Money’s” hit and run tactics.

That much-awaited May 2015 contest generated an all time record high of nearly four million pay per view buys worldwide.

But Manny would again come back the following year repeating over Bradley in the third of their trilogy before taking on big American Jessie Vargas and, again, for the third time crowed himself the 147-pount king.

Then came the 12-round loss to former Australian school teacher eff orn, who ro ed him of his belt via another controversial verdict.

But again, Manny surprised the entire boxing world by winning yet another world title, though the WBA regular welterweight belt in stopping a former dreaded KO artist himself Argentine Bomber Lucas’s Matthysse inside seven rounds in a bout held in Kuala Lumpur in 2018.

He successfully defended the same title by pounding out a unanimous decision win over Adrien Broner then took the challenge of then undefeated Keith Thurman, knocking the latter down in the early going, to win via a close split decision in 2019.

Due to inactivity brought about by the Covid 19 pandemic, he was stripped of the crown in an unmerited decision by the WBA, which it awarded to Cuban Yordenis Ugas pro bono.

Ugas became a legit champion after winnng over Manny while subbing for Errol Spence, who claiming in ury, egged off from a title encounter scheduled in 2019. That prevented Pacquiao from re-claiming the throne he rightfully owned until unceremniously taken away from him.

That ictory o er oo definitely indicates anny is back. When, millions of his fans worldwide will have to wait.

And it won’t be for long.

Hidilyn Diaz elected to IWF Athletes Commission

BOGOTA, Colombia – Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz was chosen as one of 10 members of the International Weightlifting Federation thletes ommission during the election held alongside the World Championships in Bogotá, Colombia.

The year old ia pluc ed three gold medals in the women’s 55kg category during the competition held from December to 16.

Also elected from among the 18 candidates were aude harron anada , uisa eters oo slands , arie anitra oilya anai osoa auritius , asmin ammit te ens alta , ares rahim l a h a tar , a id iti ew ealand , orrester sei hana , yrille Tchachet nited ingdom , and eydomar

io anni allenilla anche ene uela .

They will serve until the next Electoral Congress, which will take place after the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

According to the report posted on the IWF website, the election was the first for the thletes ommission, which shows the IWF’s commitment to make sure that athletes’ voices are heard in all decision-making.

The report said that following the election, “the IWF will set new standards for athlete representation by having three athletes on the IWF Executive Board and also having three athletes as full voting members of the IWF Congress.”

“I would like to congratulate and express our thanks, both to the athletes elected and all those who put them-

selves forward in this process. It has been encouraging to see such strong engagement and commitment to shaping a new future for weightlifting from our athlete community. The IWF is proud to be setting a new standard for athlete representation in governance. As we look ahead, we see these elections as a crucial milestone in our journey of reform and towards ensuring a positive, sustainable and athlete-centered future for our sport,” IWF President Mohammed Jalood was quoted in the report.

Charron was the 2020 London Olympics and 2022 Commonwealth Games champion in the women’s 64kg category, Peters won the +75kg category at the 2015 Commonwealth Games, while Ranaivosoa bagged three gold medals at the African Games.

Covered California urges Asians to avail of health as it celebrates Its 10th open enrollment

Covered California hosted AsianAmerican health leaders at Asian Inc. in San Francisco to encourage the uninsured in the Bay Area to sign up for health coverage under the fforda le are ct with its 10th open-enrollment period underway.

n a roundta le discussion led y o ered California Executive Director Jessica ltman together with ational ouncil of sian acific slander hysicians

Chair Dr. Winston Wong, Chinese ommunity ealth lan arry oo, sian ealth er ices ecuti e cer ulia iou, orth ast edical er ices o ernment and ommunity ffairs anager essica o also dis cussed o erage and the rief histo ry of health care coverage among Asians through the decades, among others.

According to the California Health Inter iew ur ey, the uninsured rate among all sian groups in alifornia was 7. percent in , ut there were differenc es among ethnic groups and higher uninsured rates for newer immigrants.

ince o ered alifornia s first open enrollment period in 2013, 5.2 million Californians have received health insurance through Covered California for at least one month. Covered California has seen its o erall enrollment grow y more than percent, e emplified y a nearly 45 percent increase among those identifying as Asian.

“Since its inception Covered California had an academic short rate insurance from o er 7% down to 7% according to census data the largest reduction of any state in the entire country, over 5.2 million Californians have had health in-

surance through Covered California for at least one month, had an enrolment growth y more than % with % of sian merican enrolment with o ered alifornia ser ing o er 7, consumers which larger than all the con sumers in states like Illinois, Virginia, and ichigan, ltman shared.. .

lyman added that with the increase and e panded financial help first made a aila le y the merican rescue plan in the midst of the pandemic and now e tended through inflation reduction act, people are sa ing an a erage of 7 month of their insurance premium which co ers and a erage of % of the health insurance cost,

Two thirds of o ered alifornia en rollees are eligi le for comprehensi e co erage at a cost of or less month. This is to get more Californians get covered and stay covered regardless of your income, immigrant status. If you need health insurance come to coveredCA.com to check if you qualify for help and the choices a aila le, among others.

During the pandemic, Altman announced that they reached the highest enrollment we e er had and the lowest uninsured the state has e er seen ecause health care was foremost in mind of peo ple who were thin ing of healthcare in a way that it can impact them that it has not impacted them efore. There was a men tality shift that they suddenly realized that something could happen to them this time and o ered alifornia saw an increase of over 250,000.enriollees

There has een enrollment growth in large AAPI communities, such as Asian ndian nearly percent , hinese near ly 77 percent and ilipino 7 percent , and smaller ones such as am odian percent and aotian , percent .

The data shows that while the unin sured rate is lower than the state a er age in some AAPI communities such as hinese . percent , ietnamese .

percent and ilipino . percent , it is significantly higher in the orean com munity percent and among new im migrants fi e years or fewer in the . . at . percent for all ethnicities and those with limited nglish proficiency 7. percent .

Ho emphasized that their mission is for people who are uninsured regardless of income, documentation or immigration status y pro iding culturally sensi tive comprehensive compassionate health care services to anyone they come across on their community.

e ha e now e panded to o er sites in the an rancisco area we ser e o er 7, patients annually mostly from low oncome immigrant families and o er % of them prefers language other than English. We have to have not only linguistic capa ilities ut also cultural competencies, o mentioned, o ered California’s success come from speaking the language in the cultural competency that it has. That is how people come to now a out o ered alifornia and for that Covered California deserves commendation from the community.

Dr. Wong, for his part, emphasized that many patients ha e pre enta le conditions as patients came too late for prevention as it is important to have that pre enti e chec up y your friendly pri mary care physicians to ascertain what your health conditions are.

“If you do not come to them for checkups, then you might as well not ha e in surance. ot too many people now that in the sian community that the num er one cause of death is not strokes or heart attacks. It is cancer and most of these cancers are pre enta le. t is not finding something wrong if you chec in with a physician ut ma ing sure you stay health instead., ong underscored.

Wong also appealed to all to make sure that particularly on issues li e , health and disease, that all wor together to assure there really is accurate information out there ecause it is nown there is epidemic of misinforma tion disinformation and a lac of trust of informed health policy makers and physicians in our country now.

pen enrollment egan on o . and ends on Jan. 31. It is the one time of the year when eligi le people cannot e turned away from co erage.

Altman has this appeal to Filipinos:

“I am here talking to our Filipino merican residents of alifornia a out health care and importance of seeking health care insurance coverage, seeking health care to get healthy. want al of you to now that alifornia is here to pro ide options to you for co erage. ow is the time it is open enrollment to come in and seek coverage no matter your situation we pro ide free help. e pro ide con fidential help and we are here no matter what circumstances are here to help you figure out what your options are for your co erage.

“I want to ensure that South City will be better than how we found it for the sake of future South San Franciscans,” she summed up her vision.

The sign “The Industrial City” proclaims its original identity, but South San Francisco has given itself the title of “Biotechnology Capital of the World” for housing 16 R&D campuses and 250 biotech companies including industry pioneer Genentech. The business boom fueled multimillion-dollar investments in public improvements to raise quality of life. Housing palpably is on the rise, free shuttle service conveys residents to key sites for its 66,185 residents, per the city website.

BEST IS ES FROM P E S TODAY E ECUTI E TEAM

Philippine

Social Security Update

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS INCREASE IN 2023

Approximately 70 million Americans will see an .7% increase in their ocial ecurity enefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in . n a erage, ocial ecurity enefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in January.

ederal enefit rates increase when the cost of living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). The CPI-W rises when inflation increases, leading to a higher cost-of-living. This change means prices for goods and services, on average, are higher. The cost-ofli ing ad ustment helps to offset these costs.

We will mail COLA notices throughout the month of December to retirement, suri ors, and disa ility eneficiaries, recipients, and representati e payees. ut if you want to now your new enefit amount sooner, you can securely o tain your ocial Security COLA notice online using the Message Center in your personal my Social Security account. You can access this information in early December, prior to receiving the mailed notice. enefit amounts will not e a aila le efore ecem er. ince you will receive the COLA notice online or in the mail, you don’t need to contact us to get your new enefit amount.

COMMON ADVOCACY

The two Mayors share a common advocacy for families and the community, endorsing efforts to promote healthy relationships in and out of the home.

Nicolas is current Vice President of ALLICE Alliance for Community Empowerment, an all olunteer nonprofit founded in in the ounty to pre ent intimate partner and family abuse through free education events. Del Rosario, who was president of the organization in 2009.

couldn t e more proud to ha e lor as our first women mayor, said founding president Bettina Santos Yap, a South San Francisco resident. “She cares deeply about our city. I’ve personally seen her in action in many community advocacies. I’m excited to see South ity flourish under her leadership.

“Mayor Del Rosario represents the best of Filipino Americans,” said Colma resident and retired San Mateo County Commissioner on Aging Aurea Ocampo Cruz Cruz. “Hopefully she will give special consideration to our vulnerable and disadvantaged populations especially older adults and prioritize programs for their health and safety.

el osario and icolas are o cially umares, or Tagalog for confidante, as female members of ALLICE call themselves. They’re bonded by their common desire to advance sisterhood, Filipino American empowerment while providing resources, protecting the rights and ensuring the wellness of their respective town’s residents. ***

If you prefer to access your COLA notice online and not receive the mailed notice, you can log in to your personal my Social Security account to opt out by changing your Preferences in the Message Center. You can update your preferences to opt out of the mailed COLA notice, and any other notices that are available online. Did you know you can receive a text or email alert when there is a new message waiting for you? That way, you always know when we have something important for you – like your COLA notice. If you don’t have an account yet, you must create one by November 15, 2022 to receive the notice online.

edicare premiums are going down and ocial ecurity enefits are going up in , which will gi e seniors more peace of mind and reathing room. This year s su stantial ocial ecurity cost of li ing ad ustment is the first time in o er a decade that Medicare premiums are not rising and shows that we can provide more support to older mericans who count on the enefits they ha e earned, cting ommissioner ilolo i a a i said.

anuary mar s when other changes will happen ased on the increase in the national average wage index. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to ocial ecurity payroll ta in will e higher. The retirement earnings test e empt amount will also change in .

e among the first to now ign up for or log in to your personal my ocial ecurity account today. Choose email or text under “Message Center Preferences” to receive courtesy notifications.

California at Forefront of Protecting Older Adults from Pandemic

Once called the pandemic of the unvaccinated, COVID 19 is increasingly referred to as the pandemic of older adults because of its disproportionate impact on seniors and people with disabilities.

The mortality figures from the show peo ple over 50 are dying from COVID 25 times more often than young adults 18-29. The risk is 340 times higher if you are 85.

“We want to remember that the biggest predictor, and the most important risk factor, is just age,” said Dr. Tomas Aragon, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

ragon led off a panel of health e perts who shared strategies on how to protect seniors and those with disabilities at a recent oom news riefing hosted y and the California Department of Aging.

California’s greying population is surviving COVID a bit better than the national average. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, of the 1.1 million COVID deaths in the . . a out 7 , were people ages and older. That group accounts for % of the total . . population ut 7 % of all deaths to date.

n alifornia, 7 . % of deaths were people , according to , and that group ma es up . % of California’s population. Lifespan and quality of health are determined by a number of factors, including race, socio economic status, regular e ercise and diet.

California leads the nation when it comes to aging policy. The alifornia aster lan for ging, signed y o . a in ewsom three years ago, has fi e goals. They are housing for all stages and ages, reimagining health and healthcare delivery, inclusion and equity, support for caregi ers, and affording aging.

“We are focusing on the contributions that older adults ma e to our communities, said usan e arois, irector of California Department of Aging.

alifornia scores high on e ercise and healthy diets e cause many seniors lead very active lives. There are soccer

leagues for over-50 players, and many of the state’s 400 surf spots are considered “home breaks” for wave riders in their s and 7 s.

essica ehman, ecuti e irector of enior and is ability Action, said that when the pandemic began, news headlines reassured people that the majority of those dying from COVID were older adults, including many who lived in nursing homes, and that younger people need not be worried.

“Older people felt that they were not seen as part of society, that they were ignored and disposable,” Lehman said.

en now, there is this idea that if you re accinated, you re pro a ly fine eing around other people, doing things inside, going back to indoor dining, going to big holiday parties, not wearing mas s, e cept for those with high-risk conditions. It’s like we understand that some people can’t do this, but everyone else can go out and have a good time. It is creating further divisions in our community,” Lehman said.

“There’s also the assumption that if you have disabilities, including age, your life is less valuable,” Lehman added. f the decision must e made, etter to sacrifice you than a young nondisabled person.”

These policies are not only ableist and ageist, they are very clearly racist and classist and buy in to other kinds of oppression, she said.

The pandemic deepened the social isolation of older adults and people with disabilities, according to Ana Ac-

Notice of Reorganization of Daly City Council

aly ity, ecem er , otice is here y gi en that at a pecial eeting held on the 12th day of December, 2022, the City Council of the City of Daly City reorgani ed as follows

Raymond A. Buenaventura, Mayor** lected Term pires o em er

Juslyn C. Manalo, Vice Mayor** lected Term pires o em er

Dr. Roderick Daus-Magbual, Council Member lected Term pires o em er

Pamela DiGiovanni, Council Member lected Term pires o em er

Glenn R. Sylvester, Council Member lected Term pires o em er

aymond . uena entura, r. oderic aus ag ual, and amela i io anni were reinstalled for a four year term. aymond . uena entura was selected ayor and uslyn . analo was selected ice ayor for a one year term.

ton, Deputy Director of the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)’s division of Independent Living and Community Access. Those who lacked technology or digital skills were left out of critical services, such as telehealth, food and pharmacy access.

DOR runs 28 Independent Living Centers statewide offering group activities, counseling and community to help bridge this divide.

“Family caregivers are indispensable for helping us manage COVID,” said Dr. Donna Benton, Director of the alifornia amily aregi er upport enter at ni ersity of outhern alifornia.

When the pandemic started, family caregivers weren’t recognized as essential workers even though they were taking care of % of the senior and disa led population. s many family caregivers return to work and COVID numbers are rising, Benton’s center is making sure they know what resources are available, “because as a caregiver, you’re often the last to think you deserve those resources. You’re so focused on what your loved one or your relative or friend is needing.”

Four free tests per family can be ordered from the post o ce here https www.co id.go tests

ith the flu season underway, alifornia hospitals are pac ed with people sic from flu, , other respira tory syndromes, and “many other things just from delayed care,” according to Dr. Aragon. The big challenge now is to get older people up to date on their oosters only % of seniors have gotten bivalent boosters and the number is 10-20 percent for younger groups.

If you’ve never had COVID but at some point develop its flu li e symptoms, rag n says to ta e a test and isolate for several days if you are positive. If you get sick, you can ta e anti iral medicine li e a lo id. f you are on other meds, you can check to see if they are compatible. FAQs are a aila le here https co id .ca.go treatment

nti irals are now widely a aila le, and rag n says they are ery effecti e if ta en soon after you get sic . e suggests contacting your health provider to plan how to get the medicine quickly if you test positive.

COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations surpass December 2021 levels; LA residents urged to help limit community transmission

LOS ANGELES - As deaths and hospitalizations continue to rise in Los Angeles County, surpassing numbers seen at this time last year, Department of Public ealth o cials are as ing residents to play an important role in limiting the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday season y updating their accines, mas ing indoors, testing before gatherings, and staying home when sic .

This wee , os ngeles ounty re mains in the High Community Level based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designation, despite a decrease in reported cases. There was an average of nearly 2,920 cases reported per day, a nearly 20% decrease from the 7-day average of 3,639 cases reported per day last wee .

Los Angeles County, however, witnessed a troubling doubling in the reported 7-day average of deaths per day from wee s ago, currently to this wee , including the county s th confirmed pe diatric death. This milestone is a som er reminder of the nearly 34,400 precious lives lost in Los Angeles County since the pandemic egan.

Although the number of reported COVID-19 cases declined slightly in Los Angeles County, they remain more than 120% higher than numbers observed one month ago and wastewater data rea rms that transmission of COVID is currently high. or the most recent wee reported, the viral concentration of SARS-CoV-2 observed in wastewater was higher than it was during the pea concentration seen in uly during our summer surge.

Over the past seven days, the average number of daily COVID-positive patients in Los Angeles County hospitals is 1,252, very slightly elevated from last wee when the a erage num er of

positi e patients per day was , . Based on data collected from 90 hospitals that are polled daily by the LA County Emergency Medical Services Agency, as of ec. , there were a aila le adult eds, including ward and eds. The average number of available beds so far in December is the lowest number reported in the past four years. ontri ut ing factors include high circulating rates of respiratory illnesses and less available staff.

To minimize the transmission and impact of illness during the holidays, residents should thin ahead a out steps they can ta e to reduce the spread of , the flu and other respiratory iruses. mportantly, eing up to date on vaccines and the new bivalent booster provides essential protection against severe illness associated with COVID and flu.

f the nearly 7. million county resi dents eligible for the bivalent booster, ust . million residents ha e recei ed it. hile the num er remains low, more people are getting the new booster – up to % this wee compared to % on o .

7.

The new specially formulated bivalent booster for children months through age is now a aila le in os ngeles ounty. Previously, this booster was authorized only for children ages and older. To maximize protection against COVID-19, dosing and eligibility for this new pediatric booster is dependent on the primary series the child recei es.

If you have questions about vaccinating your child, you can call the Department of Public Health Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-540-0473 open daily 8 am to pm. any accine sites recei ed the new bivalent vaccines for young children

this wee . t the u lic ealth com munity sites, clinics, and mobile vaccine teams, staff are trained and ha e egun administering these new accines.

To find a accine site, isit ph.lacounty. gov/howtogetvaccinated or residents can reach out to their pro ider. s a note, many general pharmacies do not vaccinate children under three years old so please chec the u lic ealth we site or contact your pro ider to find a site a le to accinate young children.

In addition to getting the bivalent ooster and seasonal flu accine, it is im portant this holiday season to continue to ha e plenty of well fitting, high filtration mas s on hand, prefera ly s, s, or s. hen choosing acti ities or planning an e ent, it also ma es sense to loo for outdoor options. f it doesn t wor to e outside, open windows and doors to increase entilation inside.

It’s also crucial to use COVID tests efore gatherings. or more information on types of tests, where to get them, and how to interpret them go to ph.lacounty. go tests. lso, the federal go ernment reopened its free COVID test program; each household can get four free tests shipped to their home. Tests can e ordered at tests.go and ship ping will egin the wee of ec. . inally, it s important for family and friends to stay home when sic to pre ent others from getting ill. f you test positi e for COVID-19 and have symptoms, the therapeutics Paxlovid and Molnupiravir are both prescription antivirals that can e ta en at home. oth should e started within days of symptom onset. ontact your provider if you have a fever, coughing and sneezing, unusual fatigue, muscle aches, or other symptoms. f you do not have a provider, you can call the Public

Health call center at 1-833-540-0473 to get answers to your questions and access free telehealth ser ices.

“I extend my condolences to the all of the families that have been impacted y loss due to , said r. ar a ra errer, h , , d, irector of u lic ealth. a igating the pandemic has been made much easier with the new tools at hand and the data we can loo at to etter understand ris . igh num ers no longer mean shutting down events or gathering o er oom. e ha e the strat egies, information, and resources to celebrate in-person with friends and family in a safe way. hope that o er the ne t few wee s, e eryone can use this infor mation to eep each other protected. im ple efforts can lead to ig returns, and this wor s est when people come together and act collecti ely. e all ha e a role to play to reduce COVID-19 transmission and appreciate the inspiring efforts ha e witnessed in the community. our actions have personal impact, and also impact the people around you.

The Department of Public Health reported 20 additional deaths and 3,257 new positi e cases. f the new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 18-29, 10 people were between the ages of 65-79, and nine people were aged years or older. f the newly reported deaths, 18 had underlying health conditions. To date, the total num er of deaths in . . ounty is , .

Public Health has reported a total of 3,598,453 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of . . ounty. Today s positi ity rate is . %. There are , people with COVID-19 currently hospitali ed. Testing results are a aila le for more than 12,784,124 individuals, with % of people testing positi e.

A deep dive into LA politics, post-racist recordings

LOS ANGELES (Ethnic Media Services) - Los Angeles politics “post racist recording” is a fraught moment for communities of color and indigenous people in the city. t is also an opportunity for change, the renewal of coalitions that have e isted for decades, and a different ind of atino politics.

So said a panel of experts during the first e ent in a series that promises to dis sect the close relationship between politics and racism in the . . t started this wee with a loo ehind losed oors, a dis cussion of the lea ed recordings of a meet ing of os ngeles leaders ma ing racist remar s.

USC’s Price School and its Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID), the California lac reedom und, the atino om munity oundation, and the i ic

ngagement und are the series sponsors. e now that the lea ed recording in Los Angeles was just the tip of an everpresent ice erg. t pro ided a ery pu lic example of just how deeply rooted racism is in our electoral system and overall power structures,” said Professor Mindy Romero, founder and director of CID, who moderated the session.

The recordings involved top Latino politicians and leaders in Los Angeles, including former President of the City Council ury artine , councilmem ers e in de eon and il edillo, and a or edera tion head on errera, ma ing or allowing racist remar s a out frican mericans, Oaxacans, Armenians and Jews, during a con ersation a out redistricting.

That conversation exposed, according to USC sociologist and economist Manuel astor, a lac of solidarity, a forfeiture of leadership,” and evidence that these

leaders were playing a game of “ethnic succession and not of ethnic coalitions.

“The substance of the conversation was also a ind of ero sum politics in which the thought was that increasing Latino political power necessarily came at the cost of lac political power, said astor, who voiced his opposition with that point of iew.

hen we enhance lac political power, we are improving the political prospects for Latinos, for Asian Americans, for indigenous fol s who li e within Los Angeles, we improve the conditions for progressi e politics, he added.

He also called the aftermath of the recording a political earth ua e, sha ing the foundation of atino politics in . . and bringing an opportunity for a renewed focus on coalition politics.

Odilia Romero, co-founder, and executive director of CIELO (Comunidades In-

digenas en Liderazgo, or Indigenous communities in Leadership), pointed to the recording as a public expression of racism that has always been present against indigenous populations of the mericas.

“I mean, I wasn’t surprised by their comments because this is what we deal with every day from our Latino and our e ican relati es, she pointed out. he also shared her experience during a meeting with the Leadership of the Mexican ederation in the aftermath of the record ings that she called paternalistic.

“They said: you don’t want to go down in history as the woman that dismantled Latino political power,” she recounts, about some unnamed leadership acting, supposedly, on ehalf of councilman e in de eon. nd these organi ations ser ing indigenous people, you can imagine the treatment they get, right?”

Immigrants Help

(From Page 14)

tion on residence and two adjustment of status applications.

Note: If you have immigration problems write a letter and we will reply to you with no initial obligation. he a ces o rispin o ano can help you n a solution be ore your proble ets orse hich coul lea to deportation and family separation. You may request a free consultation at one o our o ces in ay ar or erritos A or by phone at crispinlo anola co e ail at in o cclla net

Offline

(From Page 13)

appearance can only be a matter of conjecture, but the fact that three o cers from the hilippine ational olice ha e been charged in one case is disturbing enough. There were several witnesses to the abduction, including the wife and inlaws of the victim.

The s riminal n estigation and etection roup along with the ational ureau of n estigation ha e ta en the lead in solving the mystery of the missing sabungeros. ther cases ha e een filed against other policemen. This can only indicated that the has too many scalawags within their ranks would readily commit the heinous crime of kidnapping if the price is right.

They have not only been dismissed from service, but are now facing kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges.

t is too early to say that the idnapping and possi le ill ing of the sabungeros is part of a grand scheme perpetrated by a mob boss who felt that the victims were not living up to the code of honor practiced in the field.

But that they could be nabbed in large numbers says there is something deeper than a mere case of bettors or kristos not paying their debts.

The families of the missing men are still waiting, and even hoping against hope that their loved ones are still alive. This is highly unlikely, of course.

Even Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said that “there really is no hope for them to return home alive.”

The charges will most likely be upgraded to murder depending on what the government’s prosecutors are able to find out.

There have been thousands of cases of Filipinos being abducted, never to be seen again. They are called desaparecidos, or the disappeared ones.

ilipinos did not in ent the word. t came into use in outh America to describe persons who disappeared and are presumed killed by members of the armed forces or the police.

Now it has become part of our language, for all the wrong reasons. Mass disappearances, ergo mass murder, remains a common occurrence in the country we call home.

As See It

(From Page 12)

ep. ete guilar, outhern alifornia ep. tepha nie urphy, lorida ep. amie as in, aryland ep. laine uria, irginia each rea and epu licans ep. i heney, yoming, ice chairman and ep. dam in inger, llinois.

hile fi e mem ers will e returning for the ne t on gress, four will not. Here are the four lawmakers two Repu licans and two emocrats who will not e ser ing in the House next year:

Rep. Cheney, a staunch Trump critic, is leaving Congress after losing her primary to Republican Harriet Hageman by 37 percentage points. Trump endorsed Hageman, an attorney, and made Cheney a top target.

ep. in inger, the si term congressman is the only other Republican on the panel, and he has also been a sharp critic of Trump. He announced his retirement amid a new congressional map.

ep. uria, first elected in the emocratic wa e, lost re election in the swingy nd istrict in o em er. e pu lican en iggans, who, li e uria, is a a y eteran, defeated Luria by 3 points.

The last one is ep. urphy who was first elected to the ouse in , defeating longtime ep. ohn ica in the competiti e 7th istrict, lorida.

o, will uphold the anuary committee s referral would say They should (ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and a multi-awarded journalist here in the US. or ee bac s co ents please e ail the author at estio oelpi io ail co

In The Trenches

(From Page 12)

ataang a a ayan in with ilo Tayag and set up his pro hina in , ad ocating the more attrac tive Marxist-Leninism-Maoist ideology.

The older ommunists stuc with the pro o iet , which survived during the Marcos dictatorship as a dormant political party, while ison s re itali ed attracted young er ideologues and university students and grew into a larger threat group. t was outlawed ecause of acti ities.

Other countries, including the United States, had declared the a terrorist organi ation after guerrillas am bushed and killed in broad daylight Col. James Rowe, the highest ran ing military o cer at the em assy, in . n , ongress passed a new anti terror law and des ignated Sison and his group as terrorists. But even during the martial law period, the military la eled the s as om munist Terrorists Ts in o cial reports. n later years, they were called ommunist Terrorist roups T s . ison was freed after ut the democratic space dur ing Cory’s time also broke up the left. Although the breakup of the old o iet nion in the s had nothing to do with the , there was a serious split etween two factions the re ectionists and rea rmists .

t was the most serious threat to the communist mo ement that led to purges and killings of many RJ leaders, kike Arturo Ta ara and elimon opoy agman.

The government exploited the split and made a deal with a faction the e olutionary or ers arty, created in 7 after rea ing away from ison s . The s anila i al egional arty ommittee and its armed wing, the le oncayao rigade , oined the s e olutionary roletariat rmy and signed a peace deal with the government under Joseph Estrada.

ts leader, ilo de la ru , alias ergio omero, has abandoned the ABB’s terrorist activities and shifted to organi ing trade unions.

fter Ta ara, agman, and dela ru , other groups ro e away from the . There are as many as se en om munist groups now.

This has led to the wea ening of ison s , which the military said has gone down to 2,000 armed members in 24 guerrilla fronts, mostly in the Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and southern Mindanao regions.

“The death of Jose Maria Sison is but a symbol of the crum ling hierarchy of the , which he found ed to violently put himself in power,” declared the defense department in the statement.

True, the Communist movement may have been greatly weakened over the years but it remains to be seen if Sison’s death will result in the demise of the movement.

There are still a few old guards in the rebel movement, like former Roman Catholic priest Luis Jalandoni and Rafael Baylosis who could rise up to take Sison’s role.

The number of Communist ideologues may be dwindling but the number of people who are victims of injustices, inequalities, and neglect remained high and they would not run out of issues to take up arms on, perhaps not as Communists, but as disgruntled and desperate Filipinos taken into the fold of the s.

itor s ote Pulit er Pri e innin ournalist an ournalis pro essor anny o ato rote this colu n or PressOnePh.)

Health Wealth

the secrets for good health and longe ity. recom mend it highly, wrote . , , author of the bestselling book “Nurses Notes on Medical, Surgical and Critical Care Nursing,” Sacramento, California USA.

T T and T T are the best and lasting gifts you can give to your FRANC riends, elati es, c uaintances, eigh ors, o or ers this Christmas and other occasions. The two bestselling books are also excellent addition to your personal and family library.

n the spirit of hristmas, am gi ing copy of T T for e ery order of the T T OF JESUS in hardcover or paperback plus one extra original copy of the T T . t s li e uying three books for one order. For orders and autographed copies, just write or call , 7 adrid treet, an rancisco, Tel. or 7 or email:artmadlaing@gmail.com

T T is accredited and commis sione otary Public an license eal state Bro er in ali ornia since e is oun er o B S S S SS A a a SS S an A AP Art is acti e an elist ith the A S in San rancisco ali ornia SA

Speaking Out

(From Page 12)

nd finally, there s osh ater aymundo, currently a li rarian at the hilippine ational i rary. pro ided Josh not only with quality education but more importantly gave him the gift of speech. Josh transitioned to a regular high school where he graduated with high honors. He later got a scholarship and graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in 2017 with a degree in Bachelor of Library and information Science. He passed the board exams for librarians the same year.

California adds jobs for the fourteenth consecutive month

SACRAMENTO – California’s job growth continued for the fourteenth consecutive month in November, with 26,800 new jobs – and the state continues outpacing the nation’s job growth rate, adding 675,000 jobs year-over.

The continued o growth was reflected across ten of California’s eleven major industries, with leisure and hospitality and education and health services adding the highest number of jobs.

(From Page 12)

co er and o for ood ealth and onge ity. oreword is written y r. onne . ulong, . . from aguio ity, hilippines. opies of this latest glo al estseller are now a aila le through ma on ardco er . per copy a per ac . per copy oo . per copy . ere are some reviews and comments on the book.

s nursing educator and practicing nurse, commend rt a ot adlaing, founder of T T , for writing this timeless oo . t is a must reading for e ery ody, wrote . , egistered urse with T , an rancisco, ali fornia USA.

“As founder of WE CARE inistries, am glad that rt Gabot Madlaing wrote this book. encourage e ery ody to order a copy, read it, heed it and be blessed,” echoed LARRY WEST, Evangelist, West Monroe, Louisiana USA

T T , an other estseller, is a magnificent read for you to discover and do

“California has added jobs for fourteen straight months and more Californians are working than ever before,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “The state also continues outpacing the nation in year-over job growth – all as millions of Californians are currently receiving the largest tax refund in history, boosting the state’s working families.”

November 2022 by the numbers:

California added 26,800 jobs in November –the 14th consecutive month of job growth.

The state’s employment is at an all-time high of 17,762,600.

Year-over, California added 675,000 jobs and grew at a 4% annual pace in November 2022, higher than the nation’s 3.3% year-over gain. This equaled the state’s largest pre-pandemic recorded year-over job growth rate.

Ten of California’s eleven major industries added jobs.

The unemployment rate increased by 0.1% to 4.1%.

WHO hopes Covid will no longer be global health emergency in 2023

GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it is hopeful that o id will no longer a global health emergency at some point next year.

In a news conference in Geneva, WHO DirectorGeneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the past year had been another challenging one for the health of the world’s people.

ne year ago, omicron had ust een identified and was starting to ta e off, Tedros said.

o id illed , people each wee at that time, while less than , people lost their li es last week.

That s still , too many and there is still a lot that all countries can do to save lives – but we have come a long way,” Tedros said. “We’re hopeful that at some point next year, we will be able to say that Coid is no longer a glo al health emergency.

t the end of anuary , the declared o id a pu lic health emergency of international con cern – the highest alarm level under international law. t that time, fewer than cases and no deaths were reported outside China.

‘Share the data’

“We continue to call on China to share the data and conduct the studies that we have requested to understand the origins of this virus better,” Tedros said. “As I have said many times, all hypotheses remain on the table.”

o cials said more accination is needed to com at o id , ut in hina, where there has een an upsurge, only a out percent of the population has been jabbed.

ince the first cases ecame nown, the has had more than million confirmed cases, almost

. million deaths, and o er illion accines ad ministered against the disease, which was first reported in hina at the end of .

The criteria for declaring an end to the emergency will be among the topics of conversation when the Emergency Committee meets in January, Tedros said.

“Of course, this virus will not go away,” he said.

“It’s here to stay, and all countries will need to learn to manage it alongside other respiratory illnesses, including influen a and , oth of which are now cir culating intensely in many countries,” the WHO chief added.

e said only one in fi e people in low income coun tries had been vaccinated.

“Access to diagnostics and life-saving treatments for o id remains unaccepta ly unafforda le and unequal,” Tedros said.

Weight loss ‘cures’ diabetes

others around him.”

Heart of Hope

Obesity has been known to be a major risk for the development of diabetes mellitus Type2 (DMT2) for decades. Overweight not only increases the risk for diabetes but also for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke, and it also elevates one’s risk for cancer. Worldwide, there are about 463 million adults with DMT2. Many are undiagnosed. In the United States, about 37.3 million people have diabetes mellitus T2.

DIRECT (Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial) in the United Kingdom has shown that among T2 diabetics, who lost significant weight more than ilos or pounds sustained o er months could lead to remission (reversal) of DMT2.

now of people, e en seniors, who lost pounds and achie ed their normal weight of pounds for months or longer y staying away from carbohydrates and controlling their daily total calorieintake and exercising who were able to stop taking their insulin shots and maintained normal blood sugar level. Is this remission or a cure? Whichever it is, this “transformation is ama ing and is definitely an inspiring dis covery for all diabetics. Obviously, this takes a lot of discipline, hard wor , and personal sacrifices. nowing how diabetes damages our organs, increases our risk even for cardiovascular illnesses, including cancer, and how it shortens lives, the great hurdles and pains of dieting and exercise (not by taking pills, which is dangerous is worth all sacrifices, ecause health is, indeed, wealth!

The uninvited celebrant Christmas season, my favorite time of the year, is around. The ing of all ings, the hum le sacrificial lamb, the savior of the world, born in a manger, is once again to be honored and celebrated. But watch how most of us behave in dashing through the snow, the silent of night, and the jingling of the bells.

The plot in the old TV series God friended me in the United States portrays “an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside down when he receives a friend request on social media from God and unwittingly becomes an agent of change in the lives and destinies of

The show is both funny and full of subtle wisdom and practical earthly realities. This makes me look at myself, and our society as a whole, and comment on our social behavior and attitude, especially about Christmas. Even atheists and non-Christians seem to have this perception of us, Christians, on how we celebrate the sacred day.

I remember well when movie icon, Marilyn onroe, in her se y tight fitting gown, in ay of , sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President,” and the attention of the world was only momentarily on her, but John F. ennedy, , on whose honor the party was eing gi en, was still center stage, the man of the hour, where the spotlight was redirected fully. After all, he was the honoree. He was not only invited but honored as should be.

Jolly Santa Claus, with his famous white moustache, eard, and long curly hair, red aggy outfit and winter lac oots, is a most popular figure at hrist mas. Every year, he gets the honor, and men, women, young and old, and children of all ages, have accepted him as a symbol of Christmas itself --- holiday cheers, gifts, food, and merriment.

It almost seems that without Santa Claus, there would not be any reindeer, no sleigh, no stockings, no gifts, and no Christmas. Ask any child, and that will invariably be the answer you get. Santa Claus is very important during this holiday. Without him there won’t be any Christmas. There won’t be any gifts. He is, after all, the bearer of gifts from the North Pole. That’s what the children are led to believe by our actions, unintentionally I am sure, but nonetheless that’s the subliminal vibe they get from us adults as they grow up.

Everything during the Christmas season, including our conversation and greetings, is about Santa, about parties and gifts, and about all the material things we can buy and/or receive in this highly commercialized world of today. Our mind seems to focus mostly on material things. Many of us hardly talk to our children and amongst ourselves about the Birthday Boy, the celebrant Himself. About His wonders, about His greatness, about is ultimate sacrifice. nd why e deser es to e cel ebrated and honored every day and especially on His birthday.

Many of us are focusing too much on the material and earthly things and too little on the sacredness of Christmas. There is nothing wrong with the glitz, glam-

or, festivities, food and drinks galore, and all the external grandeur we surround ourselves with during this greatest season of all, so long as we consciously invite to our midst, wherever we are celebrating, the Birthday Boy, the Celebrant, Himself.

I really think many of us around the Christian world habitually, albeit unintentionally and unwittingly, neglect to invite the Celebrant, which, sadly, is not only a great sacred omission but glaringly even a violation of Emily Post’s human rules on social etiquette.

We seem to have lost our focus, and Jesus, the celebrant, is often relegated to the background, even forgotten during His own birthday party. Shopping, food, and merriment preoccupy and overwhelm everybody’s mind during this holiday. The honoree, the Main Event, the very reason why we are celebrating this blessed day in the first place, is no longer on center stage. ome times, feel that some of us are indifferent to e en con sciously invite Him to His own party. In many cases, He is nowhere to be found, because He may not be a conscious priority on our mind on this busy and festive occasion. The sheer joy of the celebration and the loud Ho! Ho! Ho! seem to have drowned Him out. We seem to e missing the significance and the holiness of it all.

Isn’t it time we invited the Birthday Boy and put the Celebrant back on center stage where He belongs, and to pay homage and honor Him? After all, this is His party, remember? And we are only His guests.

Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful and blessed CHRISTmas, and to the Child in the manger: Happy Birthday, and thanks for the e-vite and for enabling us to attend.

Peace on earth to all men of goodwill! And to the others as well.

Philip Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/ author, a Health Advocate, Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1996, whose other awardees include: President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, Mohammad Ali, David Letterman. Websites: FUN8888.com and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

LORD!

ello God, I called tonight to talk a little. I need a friend who’ll listen to my anxiety and trial. I can’t quite make it through a day just on my own. I need your love to guide me, so I’ll never feel alone. I want to ask you to please keep my family safe and sound. ome and fill their li es with confidence for whatever fate they’re bound. Give us faith, dear God, to face each hour throughout the day, and not to worry over things we can’t change in any way. I thank you God for being home and listening to my call, for giving me such good advice when I stumble and fall. Your number, God, is the only one that answers every time. I never get a busy signal, never had to pay a dime. So thank you, God, for listening to my troubles and my sorrow. God, I love You. I’ll call again tomorrow! The man whispered, “God, speak to me.” But, the man did not hear anything. So the man yelled, “God, speak to me” and the thunder rolled across the sky. But, the man did not listen. The man looked around and said, “God let me see you.” And a star shined brightly. But the man did not see. The man shouted, “God show me a miracle.” And, a life was born. But, the man did not notice. So, the man cried out in despair, “Touch me God, and let me know you are here.” Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. ut, the man rushed the utterfly away and walked on. This is a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted ... even in our electronic age .. so we would like to add one more: The man cried, “God, I need your help!” And an email arrived reaching out with good news and encouragement. But, the man deleted it and continued crying ...Don’t miss out on a blessing because it isn’t packaged the way that you expect. When you’re down to nothing, God is up to something. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Share this page to people you want God to bless and expect the unexpected..... Have a blessed Day!

Christmas Season: The Day Jesus is Born

In the many Christmases that you and I, dear reader, have celebrated and lived through, what does the day of Christmas really mean for you, for me, for us? Many people would want not to call Christmas as Christmas, and not greet people saying “merry Christmas,” but say some thing else that may mean Christmas. We are pushed to believe to not believe on that Christ that makes Christmas itself; the very word Christmas bears the very name of the one that gives it meaning and merit. Are we among those who want to take Christ out of Christmas? Are we among those that says; “well, you know, I do want to take Christ out of Christmas, but I just want to not mention Him in order that I would more please all people; thus, I use other words that could still give the message of the season?” This kind is simply devoid of one’s willingness to give witness to Christ in a time that it is needed. Nowadays, people want to be accommodating even to the extent of compromising some fundamental truths of the faith. We want to be good to all, but we do not want to be good to Christ, the Lord. I want us to consider the following notes: First, on Christmas day, the day Jesus is born is the day we are born for God: The Son of God became Son of Man; so that, the son of man may become son of God. The Incarnation is the dawn of our salvation; that is why, even in the natural order, the winter solstice marks a new start; daylight begins to increase and nights decreasing; so that after December 21, light indeed has come; by December 25 there is more daylight than night’s darkness. Yet, it does not mean that it is really on December 25 that Jesus was born in strict sense; what is being proclaimed is the truth of His Incarnation and birth. The day Jesus is born is the day we are ushered into the company of God’s Trinitarian life: The Father calling us in His Son to share His life; the Son assuming our human nature bringing us into the participation of the divine life; the Holy Spirit animating us as children of God. From now on, we cannot take for granted Christmas Day. Strive, dear reader, not only to enjoy it with parties and gifts; but see to it that you are sanctifying it; you are praising and giving thanks to God for the gift of the Christmas day. The day Jesus is born is when you and I are born for heaven, born for the glory and union with God for all eternity.

Afl ame The Heart

Second, the day Jesus is born is when our salvation is secured. We are going to be saved; this Newly Born Divine Babe in a manger is orn to e an offering, a ransom of sacrifice so that, we no longer be in the darkness but people of the light; we will no longer be in our sins, but in the grace and favor with God. During Christmas day, let us never forget that we celebrate, we are happy; because, a great price has been paid. We celebrate the joy of Christmas in our time; because, this is the fruit of the salvation done by Christ: Christmas day is Easter day in December. The day Jesus is born is the day Satan and the powers of hell trembled; for they knew their end has come, their grip upon humanity in error and sin, in malice and vices, ends. There were attempts against the life of the New Born Jesus; but evil did not succeed and it will never triumph in the end. So, Christmas day announces already the victory of the Easter day; hence, let us see to it, that our Christmas day must be a day to do good and godliness, not to commit evil and sinfulness. Jesus is born; so that, we are saved; and by salvation, we are enabled to live for Him.

Lastly, the day Jesus is born, we are set in enmity with the evil one; for in Christ, we are enabled to destroy sin and sinfulness, vice and malice of every kind in our lives. The devil wants and it exerts strongly in its cunning, deceptions, and in temptations to destroy our relationship with Jesus Christ. Christmas day is a proclamation of war against the evil one; that we belong to Divine life and not to the devil’s life; we belong to God’s company and no one else. In Jesus Christ, as St. Paul puts it, “…neither death nor life… nor principalities… nor powers… not height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God… (Rom. 8:38-39).” That is why, the evil one is envious of us, humanity; in Christ Jesus, we are to wage war against the evil one and the victory is assured; for we are victors in Christ Himself who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13). Let us celebrate and enjoy Christmas day by freeing it from any stain of sin and folly.

Recipe of the Week

Adobong

Okra

Here is the recipe of my version of Adobong Okra.

Ingredients:

250 grams okra, trimmed, cut into half diagonally cup pork belly, cut into strips

1/2 head garlic, peeled, crushed small size onion, peeled, chopped 1/4 cup vinegar

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 tsp. peppercorns, crushed 2-3 pcs. bay leaf cooking oil salt

More ‘balikbayans’ arriving; PHL targets 4.8M visitors, $5.8-B tourism revenue in 2023

Cookingprocedure:

In a pan, place the pork and add cup of water bring to a boil and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or until pork are tender and all the liquid has evaporated and start to render fat. Add more water as necessary. Shift pork at one side and stirfry garlic and onion fragrant, stir in the pork. Pour 1/2 cup of water and add in bay leaf, peppercorn, soy sauce and vinegar. Bring to boil and simmer for to 8 minutes without stirring. Add in okra and stir cook for 3 to minutes or until the o ra are ust coo ed ut firm. orrect saltiness if re uired. er e hot with a lot of rice.

MAKATI CITY – The Philippines eyes to double its tourism revenues and reach at least 4.8 million in foreign visitor arrivals in 2023.

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco revealed the projections as she presented the efforts of the agency to expedite tourism’s recovery.

In Cebu City, meanwhile, more “balikbayans” or vacationing Filipinos are coming home to Cebu from the United States this holiday season, with passenger tra c almost nearing the pre-pandemic level, a US-based travel consolidator said.

Top US airports, from which passengers ha e oo ed flights to e u for the winter holiday period, are Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle.

eter a an, chief e ecuti e o cer of Trevolution Group, said research on winter holiday season booking trends indicated that the number of travel reservations made between the United States and Cebu in December 2022 and January 2023 has so far reached 70 percent of the reservations made during the same period in 2019-2020.

“Each year, winter holiday season is the busiest time for visiting friends and relatives,” Vazan said in a statement.

He said the changing booking patterns may mean more passengers will book their flights only wee s away from the holidays, ut still won t reach the tra c le els.

Frasco said DOT seeks to attract 4.8 million visitors and generate at least US$5.8 billion in revenue.

Latest data showed that the Philippines has already breached its 1.7 million arrivals target for 2022, hitting over 2.46 million tourists and PHP149 billion in receipts.

With the administration’s focus on tourism and the various measures implemented to ease travel, Frasco is optimistic Manila could even surpass the pre-pandemic

tourism figures efore .

DOT’s initial forecast indicated that Manila will not reach more than 8 million tourists until after 2025, a projection Frasco described as “alarming”.

“[T]o me, that was an alarming projection in a sense that is so far off for us to obtain our pre-pandemic levels until after 2025 and that really forced us to take an inward look as to how we can expedite the recovery,” she told reporters.

“Having set out policies under the Marcos administration, precisely to serve the more aggressive approach towards tourism recovery, we’re seeing now that we have been able to breach the previous projection as well as the high projection (for this year),” she added.

Aside from constructing rest areas and improving connectivity for inbound tourists, Frasco presented more initiatives DOT sets to undertake in the next few months.

These include showcasing the country as a top cruise destination by 2023, coordinating with the rele ant o ce to ease isa processing, and strengthening the promotion of Mindanao -- especially for halal tourism.

Frasco also said DOT and the Department of National Defense are soon to sign a Memorandum of Agreement to obtain necessary data to determine the “most ideal areas to begin the process of reopening Mindanao.”