Opinion: Election of Pope Begins May 7; Unnamed Vatican Insiders Pushing for Filipino Cardinal Tagle to be Next Pope? By Manuel Caballero

ON MY WATCH

By MANUEL L. CABALLERO

ELECTION OF NEW POPE BEGINS MAY 7; UNNAMED VATICAN INSIDERS PUSHING FOR FILIPINO CARDINAL TAGLE TO BE NEXT POPE?

As May 7 approaches, the start of conclave when 135 cardinals of the Catholic Church will elect a new pope, there are apparent Vatican insiders with good intentions who are posting audio-visual presentations in social media that introduce  Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. The videos  speak well of the good Cardinal from the Philippines. One  such video describes the Filipino Cardinal as "Asian Pope Francis." Another said Cardinal Tagle can maintain traditions and introduce modern-day changes within the Catholic Church.

It is quite obvious that those people who produced said videos prefer Cardinal Tagle to succeed the late Pope Francis.

Latest to express preference for Cardinal Tagle to be the next pope is Pope Francis' sister, Maria Elena. In a 45- minute video which described the qualities of Cardinal Tagle that make him fit for the papacy, the late Pope's sister was mentioned as endorsing the Filipino prelate because she believed that Cardinal Tagle could continue what her brother Pope has started and failed to finish.

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God bless the 135 cardinals as they perform their historic job of electing the next leader of the Catholic Church throughout the globe.

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While the conclave excitement is going on, US President Donald Trump posted in his social media an AI generated photo of himself in complete Papal costume from head to foot sitting in a Papal chair.

The photo was widely criticized as improper. Filipino Cardinal Pablo David had a short comment, "NOT funny, Sir!"

Indeed, it was not. Trump supporters thought it was funny. Though, I think it was an insult to the 1.4 billion Catholics around the world.

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New York PCG Celebrates National Literature Month with ‘SARI-SARI STORYTIME’

(Left Photo) Participants enjoy traditional games or palaro. (Right photo) Deputy Consul General Adrian Cruz delivers his welcome remarks. (Photos by Joey Magaso)

NEW YORK – In celebration of Philippine National Literature Month, the Philippine Consulate General in New York and Sentro Rizal New York, on Saturday, April 5,  hosted Sari-Sari Storytime, a special storytelling session featuring bilingual children’s books Jalal and the Lake by Hanna Usman and Kalipay and the Tiniest Tiktik by Christina Newhard, at the Philippine Center.

The event was held in partnership with Suló: The Philippine Studies Initiative at New York University, The Georgiu Library of New York University, The Filipino School of New York and New Jersey, Bakás Pilipinas, and Sari-Sari Storybooks—a notable publisher of Philippine bilingual children’s literature.

Ms. Hanna Usman (left photo, center) and Ms. Christina Newhard (right photo, center) captivate the audience with their storytelling.(Photo by Joey Magaso)

Founded by Filipino-American Christina Newhard, Sari-Sari Storybooks is dedicated to telling Philippine stories in both English and Philippine regional languages, such as Meranaw, Hiligaynon, Cebuano, and others. The project celebrates the country’s linguistic diversity, encourages mother tongue-based learning, and serves as an important resource for Filipino children growing up abroad who seek to understand their heritage.

The featured stories explored themes of bravery, friendship, and identity, set against the backdrop of distinct Filipino settings and folktales. Jalal and the Lake takes readers to Lake Lanao in Marawi, while Kalipay and the Tiniest Tiktik introduces them to Visayan mythology through the eyes of a small but mighty creature.

In his welcome remarks, Deputy Consul General and Philippine Center Manager Adrian Elmer S. Cruz said, “The Philippine Center in New York has long been a home for creativity—for artists from the Philippines and those raised here in the United States. Stories, especially when told in our native tongues, help our children understand who they are and where they come from.”

The event included games and art activities, creating a festive, educational space for families to experience the richness of Philippine literature.

Sari-Sari Storytime is part of the Consulate’s efforts under Sentro Rizal to encourage cultural learning and appreciation through storytelling. By showcasing books that are both accessible and authentic, the program helps strengthen Filipino identity among younger generations and builds bridges across cultures, languages, and continents.

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New York PCG and Sentro Rizal NY Receive Replica of Historic Murillo Velarde Map

Consul General Senen T. Mangalile (left) receives a replica of the Murillo Velarde Map of 1734 from Ms. Therese San Diego Torres (right), President of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), in a turnover ceremony held at the Philippine Center on 20 March 2025. (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas)

NEW YORK – The Philippine Consulate General and Sentro Rizal New York on Thursday, March 20, received an official replica of the Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de las Yslas Filipinas, otherwise known as the Murillo Velarde Map of 1734, from the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) during a turnover ceremony held at Philippine Center in New York.

Dubbed as the “Mother of all Philippine Maps,” the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map was created by Spanish Jesuit Friar Pedro Murillo Velarde, illustrated by Filipino cartographer Francisco Suarez, and engraved by Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay. As the first scientific and comprehensive map of the Philippine archipelago, it remains a significant artifact that highlights the country’s rich cartographic heritage.

The map played a pivotal role in the Philippines’ territorial claims, serving as fundamental evidence in the landmark 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the South China Sea by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which upheld the nation’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea.

The official replica of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map, now on display at Sentro Rizal New York, is a significant historical artifact that helped affirm the Philippines' territorial claims in the 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the South China Sea. (Photo by Nikka Arenal)

In remarks delivered during the turnover ceremony, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile emphasized the historical and diplomatic importance of the donation, stating that: “Maps tell stories—not just of places, but of people, of struggles, and of legacies. Today, as we welcome the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map to Sentro Rizal New York, we honor the truth it has preserved and the role it has played in shaping our nation’s history.”

He added, “It is only fitting that this map finds a home here at Sentro Rizal New York, where it will serve as a bridge between our past and our future.”

Ms. Therese San Diego Torres, President of AIJC, stated that “Today’s ceremonial turnover of the commemorative Murillo Velarde 1734 Map to Sentro Rizal New York, continues the narrative of the Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin (“Our Map, Our Story”) campaign. This campaign seeks to engage Filipinos, both at home and abroad in understanding and celebrating our shared history and cultural identity as a nation. Sentro Rizal New York, with its mission of cultural promotion, is a vital platform for this cause. The map is more than just an artifact. It is a piece of our collective history, a symbol of our roots, our land, and the story of our journey as a people.”

The Murillo Velarde 1734 Map remained outside the Philippines for centuries, eventually becoming part of the collection of the Duke of Northumberland in England. In 2014, the map was auctioned at Sotheby’s London, where Mel Velasco Velarde, Chairman of the AIJC and the NOW Group of Companies, recognized its historical significance and successfully acquired it for £170,500 (approximately PHP 12 million).

Velarde later donated the map to the Philippine government, which was formally received by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during a turnover ceremony at the Malacañang Palace on 06 December 2024. Today, the original Murillo Velarde 1734 Map is housed at the National Library of the Philippines, where it is preserved as a national treasure and an enduring symbol of Philippine sovereignty.

The replica of the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map is now on display at Sentro Rizal New York. To learn more about the significance of the map, watch the YouTube video “Mapa Natin, Kwento Natin” featuring P-Pop group SB19.

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Safer Streets: Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Strengthening New York’s Gun Safety Laws and Announces 53% Decline in Shootings

Governor Kathy Hochul also unveils new 2025 statistics showing shootings statewide have declined 53% since pandemic-era peak. (Photo: Aidin Bharti)

Governor Signs Three New Laws Strengthening New York's Gun Violence Protections

Governor Highlights Budget Plan To Invest $370 Million To Combat Gun Violence Across New York

Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday, April 3, signed three new laws to strengthen New York’s gun violence prevention efforts and keep New Yorkers safe. The Governor also unveiled new data showing a 53 percent decline in gun violence year-to-date, when compared to pandemic-era highs. As part of this year’s Budget, Governor Hochul is proposing a significant $370 million investment to fight gun violence and keep driving down crime.

“We’re taking action to drive down gun violence in the State of New York — protecting our communities and making our streets safer,” Governor Hochul said. “Public safety is my number one priority, and by giving law enforcement additional tools to stop gun violence in its tracks, we’re building on our promise to put the safety of New Yorkers first.”

In 2025, shootings have declined 53 percent year-to-date when compared to pandemic-era highs three years ago: from 497 shootings statewide from January to March of 2022 to 236 shootings statewide from January to March of this year. Earlier this year, Governor Hochul announced that gun violence declined to the lowest levels on record in the 28 communities participating in the State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative — including Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers — and the NYPD announced declines in shootings in New York City as well.

Legislation S.744/A.436 will ensure there are penalties for using “pistol converters,” which are rapid-fire modification devices that can be easily attached to semi-automatic pistols to make them even deadlier by allowing rapid fire with one pull of the trigger.

The $370 million investment to reduce and prevent gun violence and strengthen communities disproportionately impacted by crime includes, but is not limited to, the following programs and initiatives administered by DCJS:

• $50 million through the Law Enforcement Technology grant program, which provides funding so police departments and sheriffs’ offices can purchase new equipment and technology to modernize their operations and more effectively solve and prevent crime.

• $36 million for GIVE, which funds the 28 police departments and district attorneys’ offices, probation departments and sheriffs’ offices in 21 counties outside of New York City.

• $21 million for the SNUG Street Outreach Program, which operates in 14 communities across the state: Albany, the Bronx, Buffalo, Hempstead, Mount Vernon, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Syracuse, Troy, Utica, Wyandanch and Yonkers. The program uses a public health approach to address gun violence by identifying the source, interrupting transmission, and treating individuals, families and communities affected by the violence.

• $18 million in continued support for the State’s unique, nationally recognized Crime Analysis Center Network, and $13 million in new funding to establish the New York State Crime Analysis and Joint Special Operations Command Headquarters, a strategic information, technical assistance and training hub for 11 Centers in the State’s network and enhance existing partnerships and expand information sharing with the New York State Intelligence Center operated by the State Police, the locally run Nassau County Lead Development Center and the State’s Joint Security Operations Center, which focuses on protecting the State from cyber threats.

• $20 million for Project RISE (Respond, Invest, Sustain, Empower) in 10 communities to support mentoring, mental health services, restorative practices, trust building, employment and education support and youth development activities, among other programs and services that address trauma resulting from long-term exposure to violence, build resilience and strengthen youth, families and neighborhoods.

The New York State Police, the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the State Office of Victim Services also will receive funding through that $370 million allocation.

Other public safety initiatives outlined in Governor Hochul’s FY26 Executive Budget include $35 million for the next round of the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes grants to increase safety and security of organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs or mission; or investments that expand support for victims and survivors of crime, including doubling funding for rape crisis centers to $12.8 million.

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Photos: Celebrating Former President Duterte's 80th Birthday at Times Square in New York

On March 27, Thursday, supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte gathered at Times Square in New York to celebrate his 80th birthday. According to Jo, a co-organizer of the event about 300 people attended the event. Ex-president Duterte is now in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands he recently faced a pre-trial chamber at the ICC, suspected of the crime against humanity of murder, allegedly committed in the Philippines. Former president Duterte is scheduled for a confirmation of charges hearing on September 23, 2025. During the celebration supporters demanded that Mr Duterte be allowed to return to the Philippines.

Photos from SDS New York Facebook Page.

US Stands with the Philippines to Achieve Peace, Economic Prosperity

On Friday, March 28, United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reaffirmed his country’s commitment to its alliance with the Philippines and the economic partnership between the two countries.

Hegseth said he talked to US President Donald Trump before the courtesy call in Malacañang.

“He (Trump) and I both want to express the ironclad commitment we have to the Mutual Defense Treaty and the partnership – economically, militarily,” Hegseth told President Marcos, referring to the partnerships between the US and the Philippines in the economic sector and the military.

For his part, President Marcos said Hegseth’s visit to the Philippines strongly affirms the US government’s commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations and maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

During the courtesy call, Hegseth also told the President the “very real reason why our first trip and our first visit is here to visit you in your great country.”

“Because as we’ve talked about, ‘peace through strength’ is a very real thing. Deterrence is necessary around the world, but specifically in this region, in your country, considering the threats from the communist Chinese,” Hegseth said.

“Friends need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder to deter conflict, to ensure that there’s free navigation. Whether you call it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea, we recognize that your country has stood very firm in that location and defense of your nation,” he added.

“Your visit to the region and especially the fact that you have come to the Philippines as your first stop is very strong indication and sends a very strong message of the commitment of both our countries to continue to work together to maintain peace in the Indo-Pacific region, within the South China Sea,” the President Marcos told Hegseth.

Hegseth assured President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that the US continues to recognize the Philippines’ firm stance in the South China Sea and its efforts to defend its sovereignty.

The President led the Cabinet officials in welcoming Hegseth. Present during the courtesy call included Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.

Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., Presidential Communications Office Secretary Jaybee C. Ruiz, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. were also present.

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson and other US officials joined Hegseth during the event.

During the event, President Marcos stressed the deep, century-long relationship between the Philippines and the US.

He said the US is a treaty ally and a key force for peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Philippine Embassy Conducts First Consular Outreach Mission for 2025 in Miami, Florida

The Philippine Embassy team, led by Consul General Donna Rodriguez (center), together with VFS Global executives and Filipino Community volunteers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. conducted its first consular outreach mission for 2025 in Miami, Florida, from 21 to 24 March 2025.

Consul General Donna Rodriguez administers the oath of allegiance during the Embassy’s consular outreach mission in Miami, Florida, on 24 March 2025.

The Embassy’s team, led by Consul General Donna Rodriguez, provided essential consular services, including the processing of 153 passport applications and 14 notarial and other services. Consul General Rodriguez also administered the Oath of Allegiance to 71 successful dual citizenship applicants. 

The Embassy’s consular team capture the biometrics of senior Filipino passport applicants.

The outreach mission is an integral part of the Embassy’s consular services for Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in US states under its jurisdiction. Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez has emphasized the Philippine government’s commitment to protecting and promoting the welfare of Filipino nationals, and the provision of much-needed consular services significantly contributes to the achievement of this goal. 

The outreach was held in partnership with VFS Global, an outsourcing company for visa, passport, and other consular services. VFS Global hosted the mission at their Global Miami Visa Center at 2655 S Le Jeune Rd PH 1-A, Miami, FL 33134. It is an initiative to explore possible areas of cooperation between the Embassy and VFS Global to facilitate the provision of more efficient and effective consular services for Filipino nationals under the Embassy’s jurisdiction. 

For more information on consular services and upcoming outreach missions, please visit the Embassy’s website www.philippineembassy-dc.org.

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Rolando Lavarro Jr Announces Candidacy for Jersey City Council-at-Large By Manuel Caballero

ON MY WATCH

By MANUEL L. CABALLERO

ROLANDO LAVARRO, JR. ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR JERSEY CITY COUNCIL-AT-LARGE 

JERSEY CITY, NJ-Former City Councilman and City Council President Rolando Lavarro, Jr. formally  announced his bid to return and serve the citizens of this city as councilman-at-large in the November local elections. Lavarro will be with the team of mayoral candidate James Solomon.

The event was held yesterday (March 29) in a standing- room-only pub house on Mallory Ave. Supporters present included Lavarro's teammates, friends and many Filipino Americans who have supported him in the past. 

Four speakers, which included Solomon, were one in saying that Lavarro was the driving force behind the affordable housing project of the city, which started during his tenure from 2011-2021.

Likewise, they spoke of Lavarro as independent-minded and caring person and that he stands with what is right in any issue.

Lavarro responded by thanking his supporters, including members of the city's 20,000 Filipino American community.

In announcing his candidacy, Lavarro said he will continue to place "people before politics."  It could well be the theme of his campaign. Candidates in this city run by themes, not by political parties.

Elections will be on Nov. 4, 2025.

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