Share Post Viber icon Viber Email The city unveils a bold Civic Center revitalization plan to transform six downtown blocks into a vibrant hub focused on arts, education, housing, and equity. Led by a diverse coalition, the plan aims to create a people-centered neighborhood with cultural venues, educational opportunities, and accessible housing. SAN DIEGO – A broad civic coalition has revealed a visionary plan to transform San Diego’s aging Civic Center into a vibrant, inclusive downtown hub for arts, education, housing, and public life. Announced during the inaugural WAVES Festival on May 6, 2025, the proposal aims to reimagine six blocks of city-owned property—currently home to underutilized buildings like Golden Hall and the Civic Theatre—into a new, people-centered neighborhood. The effort is led by the Downtown San Diego Partnership, the Prebys Foundation, U3 Advisors, and the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), with support from over 20 civic, educational, labor,...

Share Post Viber icon Viber Email Historical patterns in papal conclaves reveal how unexpected choices—like the election of Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost)—often defy frontrunner predictions, highlighting the decisive role of humility, spiritual discernment, and pastoral leadership in the selection of a pope. VATICAN CITY — Among the many traditions and superstitions surrounding the papal conclave, one phrase endures in both jest and wisdom: “He who enters the conclave as pope comes out a cardinal.” The election of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, is the latest and perhaps most striking example of this adage in action. Prevost was not among the most publicized “papabili.” Yet his election underscores a familiar pattern: when the conclave reaches an impasse among frontrunners, the cardinals often coalesce around a figure whose quiet strength, spiritual depth, and pastoral grounding offer unity more than headlines. That figure was Cardinal...

Share Post Viber icon Viber Email NEW YORK CITY — The 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Music has been awarded to renowned composer and percussionist Susie Ibarra for her powerful and environmentally inspired composition Sky Islands. The award celebrates Ibarra’s groundbreaking work that merges Filipino ancestral rhythms with contemporary classical form, creating a sonic tribute to the biodiversity and cultural memory of the Philippines. The Pulitzer Board praised Sky Islands for “challenging the notion of the compositional voice by interweaving the profound musicianship and improvisational skills of a soloist as a creative tool.” Soundscapes of the Philippines Sky Islands, commissioned by the Asia Society, premiered on July 18, 2024, in New York City. The piece evokes the disappearing “sky island” ecosystems in the mountaintops of Luzon, home to unique rainforest species and indigenous traditions. The eight-part ensemble performance features Ibarra on percussion alongside flutist Claire Chase, pianist Alex Peh, and members...

Share Post Viber icon Viber Email CERRITOS, CA (Asian Journal News, May 5, 2025) — Mark E. Pulido, a longtime Cerritos City Councilmember and former two-time Mayor, has officially filed his candidacy for California’s 67th Assembly District, formally entering the race to succeed Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, who is term-limited in 2026. With over 20 years of elected public service and nearly three decades in government, Pulido is among the most experienced candidates to step forward in what is expected to be a competitive contest for one of California’s most diverse legislative seats. “I’m running to represent the communities I’ve lived in and served my entire life,” Pulido said. “Our district deserves a representative who understands the challenges families face every day—and knows how to get things done.” The 67th Assembly District includes Cerritos, Artesia, Hawaiian Gardens, Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, and portions of Anaheim, Fullerton, and Orange. Following redistricting,...

Share Post Viber icon Viber Email PHILSME CEO and Managing Director Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla welcomes over 180 international and local brands showcasing their businesses and services for SMEs. Pasay City, Philippines – The 16th Philippine SME Business Expo (PHILSME 2025) officially opened its doors today at the 2nd Floor of the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, welcoming thousands of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and innovators eager to drive business momentum. The two-day B2B trade show kicked off with an Opening Ceremony and Media Press Conference, headlined by PHILSME Business Expo and Network CEO and Managing Director Trixie Esguerra-Abrenilla, who set the tone for this year’s theme: “Driving Momentum: Pursuing Ingenuity, Resiliency, and Customer-Centricity.” The 16th Philippine SME Business Expo and Conference opens with a ribbon cutting with VIPs from the Philippine and International business communities.“PHILSME 2025 is all about momentum,” said Esguerra-Abrenilla. “We’re helping Philippine SMEs gain the edge they...

By the time you read this article, we may already have a new pope. We pray that his leadership will continue Pope Francis’ vision of the Church as a “field hospital,” compassionate and caring for all people, especially those who are marginalized and “wounded” in our society. Rooted in Scripture and Tradition, we pray that the new pope will foster synodality— a spirit of listening, discernment, and engagement— pastoral accompaniment, missionary outreach, the co-responsibility of the laity, and collegiality among the bishops. We hope he will exhibit the courage and wisdom necessary to navigate church bureaucracy, to promote unity among cardinals, bishops, the rest of the clergy, and the faithful, and to challenge global leaders to work earnestly for peace, justice, progress, and human dignity for all people. His task is to embody the spirit of Vatican II, advancing the Church’s mission, engaging in dialogue with the world, healing divisions,...

Share Post Viber icon Viber Email Davao City, Philippines — Worldbex Services International (WSI), the country’s leading event organizer for world-class expositions, proudly returns to Davao City in 2025 with three of its premier expositions: the Philippine Building and Construction Expo (PHILBEX) Davao, the MAFBEX Davao, and the Travel and Leisure Expo (TLEX) Davao. Taking place from May 8 to 11 at the SMX Convention Center Davao – SM Lanang Premier .The sheer scale of this event signals a new chapter for Davao. More than 200 companies—spanning industries from construction to food production and tourism—will converge in Mindanao. They’ll network, forge new partnerships, and explore the innovations that are shaping their sectors. For WSI, the 2025 series is a reflection of the organization’s deep commitment to the region, which has seen a 25% increase in exhibitor participation from previous years. PHILBEX Davao 2025: Beyond Sustainnovation   For the construction industry,...

THIS Sunday on “Citizen Pinoy,” witness the moving story of a mother’s persistence and a sister’s sacrifice in the face of immigration challenges. Lolita, a devoted mother, petitioned both her… The post A mother’s love, a sister’s sacrifice: Citizen Pinoy shares the inspiring journey of a reunited family appeared first on Asian Journal News. Asian Journal

Share Post Viber icon Viber Email Mayor Todd Gloria Grassroots Movement Gains Momentum as San Diego Officials Push Back LA JOLLA — The push to make La Jolla an independent city has cleared a critical hurdle, intensifying a political and legal battle that could reshape the governance and financial landscape of San Diego County. The San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) voted to validate a citizen-led petition, allowing the effort to secede from the City of San Diego to proceed. The decision reverses an earlier determination by the county Registrar of Voters that the petition lacked sufficient valid signatures. With this reversal, La Jolla’s long-discussed secession bid is now poised for a formal fiscal review—a necessary step before any potential vote by the public. Who’s Behind the Movement? The effort is led by the Association for the City of La Jolla (ACLJ), a grassroots coalition composed of longtime...

Share Post Viber icon Viber Email TREAT yourself this May at Graton Resort & Casino – with big wins, live Asian entertainment, a refreshing new Graton beer, and sun-soaked pool parties. May 3-24, join us every Saturday night for the Lucky Lotus Giveaway! Drawings take place every hour from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., with one lucky winner walking away with $20,000 in cash. Plus, each week 60 winners will receive $500 in free slot play and 5 more will take home $1,000 in cash. Don’t miss the Grand Finale Drawings on Saturday, May 24 from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., where all cash prizes not claimed during the promotion will be given away guaranteed! The excitement continues every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the Over $200,000 Reel Sweet Slot Tournament. Top prize up to $15,000 cash! 50 winners guaranteed at each tournament. All Graton Rewards members...