South Africa’s healthcare system
My wife Farida, our daughter Portia, and her husband Chito, an interventional cardiologist in Elkhart Indiana, near Notre Dame in South Bend, and I just returned from our 12-day cruise in South Africa with a 2-day pre-cruise Cape Town city tour and The Big-Five Aquila Safari Tour. The healthcare system in Cape Town, capital of…
The Next Big Public Health Scare: Oropouche Virus
By Sunita Sohrabji The little-known Oropouche virus is causing concern among public health experts. More than 10,000 cases have been identified this year, mainly in South America and the Caribbean. The virus is spreading to the US: 94 cases have been identified for 2023-2024, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In two…
Resources Are Expanding for Older Adults on Their Own
Gayle Williams-Brett is frequently overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for her severely disabled mother, who lives with her in a two-story brownstone in Brooklyn. She has often felt entirely alone as a full-time caregiver. (Cornell Antoine) By Judith Graham Jeff Kromrey, 69, will sit down with his daughter the next time she visits and show…
WOOBIE’s Makeover! World Bazaar Festival Mascot Powered by Advanced Technology
The annual World Bazaar Festival organized by Worldbex Services International (WSI) has always been ready to serve something new on the table. For 24 years now, as the longest-running charity bazaar in theA Philippines, it is truly anticipated by loyal bazaaristas with great anticipation. And this year, just as the event never gets any older,…
California Falling Short of Enrollment Goal as Mental Health Courts Roll Out Statewide
California’s new initiative to compel treatment for some of the state’s most severely mentally ill residents — many of whom are living on the streets — is falling short of its initial objectives. But with the program expanding from 11 counties to all 58 on Dec. 1, state officials are projecting confidence that they can…
How Potential Medicaid Cuts Could Play Out in California
In 2017, the Republicans who controlled Congress tried mightily to slash federal spending on Medicaid, the government-funded health program covering low-income families and individuals. California, like other states, depends heavily on federal dollars to provide care for its poorest residents. Analyses at the time showed the GOP’s proposals would cut Medicaid funds flowing from Washington…
My encounter with Manny and Cynthia Villar
From left: Patrick de Jesus, Meiji Cruz, Rogelio Medina, Nirro Marcelo, Audrey Gorriceta, Diane Guerrer and Fifi delos Santos. IT was nice to see again host Audrey Gorriceta as I was amazed by the other hosts of Rise and Shine Pilipinas at People’s Television Network that early morning. It was my first time to meet…
California’s first Fil-Am state senator takes office
Christopher Cabaldon, former mayor of West Sacramento, assumed office to represent California state Senate District 3. THE Golden State’s first Filipino American to serve in the state Senate was sworn into office on Monday, December 2. Christopher Cabaldon officially took office on Monday, the first official day of the 2025-26 regular session, to represent California…
California’s first Filipina in state Legislature sworn into office
Jessica Caloza made history as California’s first Filipina in the state Legislature on Monday, December 3 as she assumed office to represent Assembly District 52. Jessica Caloza assumes office as assemblymember for District 52 HISTORY was made on Monday, December 3 as the first Filipina to serve in the California state Legislature was sworn into…
With Climate Change Intensifying, California Launches Initiative to Fill Forestry Jobs
By Selen Ozturk As California’s wildlife crisis deepens amid forester job shortages, the state has launched a new initiative to build up its forestry ranks. California has 33 million acres of forest land; for the 4 million of these that are highly managed, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has launched…
With Trump on the Way, Advocates Look to States To Pick Up Medical Debt Fight
By Noam N. Levey Worried that President-elect Donald Trump will curtail federal efforts to take on the nation’s medical debt problem, patient and consumer advocates are looking to states to help people who can’t afford their medical bills or pay down their debts. “The election simply shifts our focus,” said Eva Stahl, who oversees public policy…
As Health Care Access Passes in State Ballots, So Do Ballot Restrictions
By Selen Ozturk As state ballot measures advancing health access are advancing nationwide, so are those restricting ballot access. In 2023 alone, 75 bills were introduced in state legislatures to make the ballot measure process harder for voters to use; in 2024 so far, there have been 103 such bills. “Ballot measures are a form…
Nursing Home Industry Wants Trump To Rescind Staffing Mandate
Jordan Rau, KFF Health News Covid’s rampage through the country’s nursing homes killed more than 172,000 residents and spurred the biggest industry reform in decades: a mandate that homes employ a minimum number of nurses. But with President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the industry is ramping up pressure to kill that requirement…
Celebrate the season at Graton: $250,000 Santa’s Escalade Giveaway, Sleigh N’ Pay slot tournament, live concerts, and New Year’s Eve festivities
ROHNERT PARK – This December, Graton Resort & Casino is spreading holiday cheer with the exciting $250,000 Santa’s New Escalade Giveaway. Join us every Saturday in December for a chance to drive away in a brand-new 2025 Cadillac Escalade Luxury. Drawings take place every hour, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Celebrate the season with even…
Sky River Casino continues two exciting holiday promotions with over $1M in prizes
A $457,402 progressive jackpot was won recently by a lucky Sacramento resident playing an Ultimate Fire Link Explosion Progressive slot machine. Photo courtesy of Sky River Casino Elk Grove – Sky River Casino is ringing in the holiday season with two thrilling promotions offering guests the chance to win their share of more than $1…
De-stressing
HANS Selye, the renowned expert on this subject and considered the “father” of stress, defines stress as the “wear and tear of living.” The pressure we all face in our everyday life is stress. There are three sources of stress, called stressors. They are Physical: illness, medications, pollution, environment; Social: loss of a loved one,…
PAL RELAUNCHES CLARK – SIARGAO NONSTOP FLIGHTS
At the cake-cutting ceremony during the Clark – Siargao flight relaunch and send-off were (from left): Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 3 Director Richard Daenos, PAL Express VP for Ground Operations Matthew Tamaray, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO Atty. Agnes Devanadera, LIPAD President Noel Manankil, and Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) VP…
“Deserve ko ‘to”: How to Satisfy Your Holiday Impulse Buying
Holiday bazaars have always been a staple shopping destination during the Christmas season. These events feature various options from toys and trinkets to RTW’s and food products that are locally made and proudly Filipino. People come to these bazaars for last-minute shopping and to find gifts that are perfect as either presents to their loved…
‘Love the Philippines’ returns to Times Square
The DOT’s “Love the Philippines” campaign continues to highlight the country’s unparalleled beauty, rich traditions, and warm hospitality, this time on a Times Square LED billboard. AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya Philippine Tourism campaign shines bright in NYC for the holidays The Philippine Department of Tourism in New York (PDOT-NY), in collaboration with the…
Ted Herbosa, the indefatigable man of the hour
THE Department of Health, in partnership with the Commission on Population Development and The Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc., held recently the 2024 National Conference on Family Planning discussing innovative strategies, enabling policies, and collaborative efforts to improve family planning services and sexual and reproductive health across the Philippines. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa…
Anti-Fraud Efforts Meet Real-World Test During ACA Enrollment Period
Julie Appleby, KFF Health News Unauthorized switching of Affordable Care Act plans appears to have tapered off in recent weeks based on an almost one-third drop in casework associated with consumer complaints, say federal regulators. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees the ACA, credits steps taken to thwart enrollment and switching problems…
Make America Healthy Again: An Unconventional Movement That May Have Found Its Moment
Stephanie Armour Within days of Donald Trump’s election victory, health care entrepreneur Calley Means turned to social media to crowdsource advice. “First 100 days,” said Means, a former consultant to Big Pharma who uses the social platform X to focus attention on chronic disease. “What should be done to reform the FDA?” The question was…
NAPCA hosts ‘Confronting Obesity’ within the AA&NHPI communities congressional briefing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, November 20, NAPCA hosted the Confronting Obesity and Obesity Related Illnesses briefing in Washington, D.C., bringing together Congressmembers, over 60 attendees, and healthcare experts to address obesity and related illnesses in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA&NHPI) communities. During the event, NAPCA’s President & CEO Clayton S. Fong…
Lea Salonga Releases Holiday Album and brings Holiday Tour to San Diego
(New York, NY – September 3, 2024) Center Stage Records announced today the release of Lea Salonga: Sounding Joy – The Holiday Album. Her first holiday album in two decades, the Tony Award winner’s new album is available digitally and on CD on November 1, 2024. The album can be pre-ordered now at Amazon and…
Dyslexia and more
ROUGHLY 29 million Americans are dyslexic. I could not find any stat for the Philippines, but the consensus is that it has greatly increased. “Word blindness” is a term commonly used to describe this condition where a person, starting from childhood, has extreme difficulty reading, spelling, writing. About 10% of children are dyslexic, and it’s…
12,000 Entrepreneurs Gathered for 15th PHILSME Business Expo at SMX Manila
The 15th Philippine SME Business Expo (PHILSME) was held last November 22-23, 2024, at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, to celebrate and empower Filipino small and medium enterprises (SMEs). With the theme “Unlock Upliftment: Taking on Innovation, Coalition, and Excellent Client Relations for an Empowered Nation,” PHILSME presented a dynamic lineup of…
Paskonstelasyon 2024: Marriott Manila Illuminates the Season with Gratitude and Giving
Marriott Manila officially kicks off the holiday celebrations with Paskonstelasyon: Christmas Tree and Marriott Bonvoy Lantern Lighting Ceremony. (L-R) Director of F&B, Mo Ali; Cluster Director of Human Resources, Cora Aguillon; Cluster Director of Engineering, Marc Creencia; Resident Manager, Melvyn Angeles; Pasay Social Welfare Development Department (PSWDD) Department Head, Angelica Roa-Yu; Newport World Resorts Chief…
Los Angeles passes ‘sanctuary city’ ordinance to shield undocumented immigrants
IN a decisive move to protect immigrant communities ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s anticipated crackdown on immigration, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed a “sanctuary city” ordinance on Tuesday, November 19. The ordinance, which formalizes the city’s policy of non-cooperation with federal immigration authorities, is aimed at safeguarding residents without legal status from potential…
California Sets 15% Target for Primary Care Spending Over Next Decade
A California agency charged with slowing health costs has set a lofty goal for insurers to direct 15% of their spending to primary care by 2034, part of the state’s effort to expand the primary care workforce and give more people access to preventive care services. The board of the state Office of Health Care…
Stay Safe from Holiday Scams
Sponsored by JPMorganChase The holidays are a time to celebrate with loved ones, not falling victim to scams that can steal your cheer. Falling for a scam can lead to losing money and putting your account and personal information at risk, which can be both time consuming and costly. Here are some common seasonal…
