010722 - New York & New Jersey Edition

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JANUARY 7-13, 2022 Volume 15 - No.9 • 16 Pages

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MEET MARIA TORRES-SPRINGER, NYC DEPUTY MAYOR FOR ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Fil-Am deputy mayor bares plans to accelerate NYC’s economic recovery by MOMAR

G. VISAYA

AJPress

MARIA Torres-Springer, a Filipino American career city official and most recently the vice president for U.S. programs at the Ford Foundation, has bared her plans to accelerate New York City’s economic recovery as the deputy mayor for Economic and Workforce

DATELINE

Development. Torres-Springer, along with Meera Joshi were among six deputies appointed by Mayor Eric Adams last week. They are the first deputy mayors of Asian descent. “This is an appointment that I accept with humility, with an overflowing love for our great city, and really incredible pride that I get to stand here in the company of trailblazing

women,” Torres-Springer said. “That I am standing here today, however, is a testament to the promise that this great city represents: the promise that regardless of where your life story began, you can dream here you have a home here, you can make a difference here.” She previously served in the de Blasio administration as commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation

DOH says PH back in high-risk category

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

LAUSD orders mandatory COVID testing for students, staff ahead of school return

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COVID CASES UP 570%

USA

FOLLOWING the latest surge in COVID-19 cases and the omicron variant, the United States’ second largest school district is ordering students and staff to get tested before they return from winter break. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced on Monday, January 3 that K-12 students and staff must be tested, regardless of vaccination status, before the spring semester begins on Tuesday, January 11. All students and employees will be re-

and Development, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp., and commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. At the news conference after the announcement, she described her upbringing as the child of Filipino immigrants. She paid tribute to her parents Manny and Elsa who

by KAITHREEN

CRUZ ManilaTimes.net

Maria Torres-Springer speaks at the news conference where the new Mayor of New York City Eric Adams (left) announced the appointment of five women deputies. A daughter of Filipino immigrants, Torres-Springer talked about how her parents struggled to make ends meet and how she became the first in her family to go to a U.S. university. Torres-Springer earned her bachelor’s degree in ethics, politics, and economics at Yale University and her master’s in public policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Prior to her stint at Ford Foundation, she served as commissioner for the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the nation’s largest municipal housing agency. Photo from the Office of Mayor Eric Adams

THE Department of Health (DOH) placed the entire country under the high-risk category as COVID-19 cases grew by 222% in just two weeks. “Nationally, we are now at high risk case classification — from low risk case classification in the previous week — showing a positive twoweek growth rate at 222% and moderate risk average daily attack rate at 1.07 cases for every 100,000 individuals,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said. She explained that the National Capital Region (NCR) had the highest increase in cases with an average daily attack rate of 5.42 cases per 100,000 population. Vergeire said that average daily cases signifi-

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FDA approves booster shots for children PNP includes parents DOT chief: Passenger from 12-15 as COVID winter surge rages on US arrested after skipping in complaint vs numbers increase following holidays, ‘quarantine jumper’ quarantine, getting massage LA County county officials continue to push vaccines MANILA — The Philippine National Police filed criminal complaints on Tuesday, January 4 against a Filipino woman who violated quarantine regulations and eight other people, including her parents, who allegedly helped her skip a mandatory fiveday isolation after her return from the United States before last Christmas. The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Gwyneth Anne

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by ROBERTZON

RAMIREZ

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Tourism reported another quarantine breach. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said a female passenger from the United States did

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Tourism Secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat Philstar.com file photo

THE United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Monday, Jan. 3 that it would expand eligibility for coronavirus vaccine booster shots to allow 12- to 15-yearolds to receive third vaccine doses, a decision designed to mitigate the rapid surge as the coronavirus outbreak

reaches its third year. The expansion only applies to Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine and comes as schools begin to reopen after the holiday break and the omicron variant continues to spread throughout the country. The FDA said that its decision this week was influenced by data from Israel, which has already been adminis-

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PH inflation climbed to PNP includes parents in complaint... 3-year-high in 2021 by Ben

O. de Vera

Inquirer.net

THE country ended 2021 with a three-yearhigh, above-target inflation rate of 4.5 percent, which meant that faster-thanmanageable price hikes, especially of food and oil prices, tempered consumer spending at a time it was needed to rev-up economic recovery and address poverty that was aggravated by the prolonged pandemic. Last year’s average rate of increase in prices of basic commodities was the highest since the 5.2 percent in 2018, when a spike in rice prices eventually led to liberalized trade. Rice tariffication, or allowing more imports in exchange for higher revenue through tariff, hurt local farmers but lowered prices of the staple food. Rice inflation slowed to 0.9 percent year-onyear from 1 percent last November. Rice also posted

a deflation, or lower yearon-year prices, at the start of implementation of the Rice Tariffication Act in 2019. In 2021, the economic team pushed for more pork imports to augment domestic supply which was battered by the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak since late 2020. While President Duterte had issued executive orders (EOs) to raise the pork import volume cap at lower tariffs, importation had been slow which led to price spikes as a result of high demand during the Christmas holiday season. Headline inflation eased to 3.6 percent — 2021’s lowest monthly rate — last December, but the full-year average remained above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 2 to 4 percent target band of price increases deemed conducive to economic growth. On a seasonally adjusted basis, price levels in

December were flat or posted zero-percent growth compared to November’s, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data on Wednesday (Jan. 5) showed. Vegetable deflation plus slower price increases in fish and rice helped bring down the nationwide inflation rate last month. Not even the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette (Rai) made a dent on vegetable and fish supply, National Statistician Dennis Mapa told a press briefing. It also helped that the government had allowed fish importation toward the end of 2021 amid closed fishing season. PSA data showed that areas outside the National Capital Region (NCR) posted a 3.9-percent yearon-year inflation rate in December, down from 4.5 percent in November but a faster pace than the 2.8 percent in NCR. Central Visayas and Caraga — two of the six

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PAGE 1 Chua and the others violated Republic Act No. 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. In the complaints it filed in the Makati City prosecutor’s office, the CIDG said Chua and the others failed to cooperate and comply with quarantine orders and violated the terms and conditions of directives issued by public health authorities under Section 1 (g) (iii) and (iv) of Rule XI of the law’s implementing rules and regulations. According to the CIDG, Chua arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Dec. 22 and checked in at Berjaya Makati Hotel at 11:23 p.m. Shortly after, her father picked her up in a sport utility vehicle. On Dec. 23, security camera footage showed Chua having dinner at Mijo Comfort Food restaurant in Makati City’s Barangay Poblacion. She later went to Kampai Japanese resto-bar, also in Poblacion. Kampai said in a statement that she arrived at 10 p.m. and stayed there until around 1 a.m. the next day. Chua returned to Berjaya on Dec. 25 accompanied by her mother. She took a swab test the following day and was informed on Dec. 27 that she was positive for COVID-19. She was later transferred to another hotel for isolation. The CIDG said it did not find sufficient evidence to file criminal complaints against the persons she interacted with at the restaurant and the bar who eventually got infected with COVID-19. “However, CIDG recommends and encourages the said individuals to file a complaint before CIDG for further referral to the prosecutor’s office,” it said in a statement. The Department of Health (DOH) said seven of 11 people with whom Chua had close contact, three of 26 who had “general contact” with her and one out of five second-generation contacts had all tested positive for COVID-19. The DOH, however, did not categorically say they were all infected by Chua. It also did not disclose the coronavirus variant — whether Delta or Omicron — that Chua and the others were infected with. The other respondents in

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra Inquirer.net photo

the complaints were identified by the CIDG as Chua’s father, Allan, and mother, Gemma; Rico Atienza, her boyfriend; Gladiolyn Biala, Berjaya general manager; Den Sabayo, hotel assistant front office manager; Tito Arboleda, security manager of Berjaya; Esteban Gatbonton, hotel doorman; and Hannah Araneta, front desk personnel. Another case Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said another Filipino woman who arrived from abroad on the same day as Chua also allegedly skipped her five-day quarantine at Seda Residences in Makati. Año told dzBB radio that instead of checking in at Seda, she boarded a car that was waiting for her at the hotel. The car took her to her condominium at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. The police said the woman, whom they did not identify, claimed in social media posts that she was exempted by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) from mandatory quarantine. The BOQ denied this. In compliance with regulations for quarantine facilities, Seda reported to the BOQ and the Department of Tourism that the woman was a “no-show,” according to Año. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat earlier said the woman even went for a massage and shared a video of it on social media. Suspected ‘racket’ Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he also ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to “conduct a thorough investigation of possible willful violations” of mandatory quarantine regulations by travelers—from their arrival up to their stay in hotels or their homes. According to him, Chua was just the “tip of the iceberg.” He suspected that there

was a “racket” for many “quarantine jumpers” starting at the airport. “Instead of being taken to quarantine facilities, passengers might be allowed to go straight home or other places,” he said in a radio interview. RA 11332 carries the penalty of a P20,000 to P50,000 fine and/or imprisonment of between one month and six months. How about VIPs? Two other prominent personalities have been charged with violations of health protocols in 2020—Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who visited his wife at Makati Medical Center after testing positive for COVID-19, and former PNP chief Debold Sinas for ignoring physical distancing during his 55th birthday celebration when he was Metro Manila police chief while the country was still under enhanced community quarantine. The Department of Justice had cleared Pimentel while the Taguig prosecutor had not yet decided on whether to charge Sinas in court. Berjaya had publicly apologized for the “very serious breach” and said “any employee found errant by commission or omission will be dealt with severely to deter a repeat of what happened.” Asked to comment during an interview with ANC on whether Chua should be declared a persona non grata by the city, Makati Mayor Abby Binay said that would be “petty” and that such a move was “reserved for someone who really deserves it.” “She’s young, she’s callous, but she will have to suffer the consequences,” Binay said. She advised people who had been affected by Chua’s actions to file a civil case for damages against her. —With a report from Tina G. Santos (By Dexter Cabalza/Inquirer.net) n

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From the Front Page

Fil-Am deputy mayor bares plans to accelerate... PAGE 1 immigrated from the Philippines a year before Maria was born. “They worked multiple jobs, yet struggled to make ends meet. We relied on Section 8 vouchers, food stamps throughout most of my childhood,” she shared. “My life follows the classic beats of the American immigrant story.” “It is the story of many New Yorkers, and as a city of immigrants, we all carry echoes of the choices that led our families to leave their homes and strike out for a better future,” Torres-Springer added. “My ancestors, like many of yours, were strivers and survivors, generation after generation, and so I stand here today because of their strength and resilience.”

Torres-Springer said she is ready to face the challenges as she acknowledged the difficult conditions they are inheriting: from high unemployment small businesses at the brink of collapse, and labor shortages in key sectors. “But we are also inheriting incredible strengths, a diverse economy, a resilient workforce and enduring spirit of entrepreneurship, a growing population, and the partnership from so many sectors across the city,” she said. She said she is looking forward to helping accelerate the city’s economic recovery under Adams’ leadership. “We’ll do that by jumpstarting small businesses connecting New Yorkers to family-sustaining jobs into ensuring that our diverse neighborhoods are indeed

flourishing. And that goal is singular,” she said. “It’s to drive an economic recovery that will make our city more equitable, more prosperous, and more resilient. And I really believe we can do that.” Aside from Torres-Springer, Mayor Adams also named outgoing Brooklyn Borough president Lorraine Grillo as first deputy mayor, Meera Joshi for operations, Anne Williams-Isom for health and human services, and Sheen Wright for strategic initiatives. Torres-Springer also acknowledged her family including her husband, Jamie Torres-Springer, president of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s construction and development division, and daughters Lea and Amalia. n

DOH says PH back in high-risk... PAGE 1 cantly increased by 570%, which was seven times higher than in the previous weeks. The national positivity rate has reached 10.8 percent, while NCR has a positivity rate of 19.4%. “An increase in the number of individuals testing positive, as well as positivity rate, were seen across all regions. All regions, except for NCR, showed a decline in the number of samples tested in the recent week compared to the previous week,” she added. Health care utilization rates in national and regional levels were low, after the DOH alerted hospitals and local government units to prepare for the possible increase in cases. Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary and Treatment Czar Leopoldo Vega warned that Omicron could become the dominant variant in the next three to four weeks. “I think in about three to four weeks, as predicted, the Omicron will be dominant in terms of 50 to 90% of the cases, overtaking the Delta variant. But the Delta variant is still around with us,” he said in an interview with ANC. He noted that studies on the Omicron variant showed that it only brought mild symptoms. However, he warned that the huge number of cases that could be caused by the Omicron variant could overwhelm hospitals. Vega urged the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19. “Vaccines prevent severe cases [of the virus] and even death. Definitely, all of these vaccines would wane in terms of the neutralizing antibod-

BUSINESS AS USUAL. Shoppers search for bargains in Divisoria in Manila on Sunday, Jan. 2, amid warnings from government officials on rising COVID-19 cases. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike Alquinto

ies for Omicron, but they can prevent serious disease and death,” he said. On Monday, January 3, the DOH reported 4,084 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the total number of infections to 2,855,819 with 24,992 active cases. Majority of the active cases were either asymptomatic or mild. Hospital bed utilization increased in Metro Manila to 29% occupancy for intensive care unit beds, 27% for isolation beds, and 30% for ward beds. At the national level, they were at 23% each for ICU and isolation beds and 16% forward beds. Vergeire reminded the public to follow health protocols. She also advised against visiting the three Cs — close spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings — where the virus could easily spread. “[DoH] would like to remind all our citizens that if you experience symptoms, please isolate at once and have yourself tested — it is better to test and be sure,”

she added. Vergeire said that PhilHealth now offers free Covid testing. Stay home Malacañang urged the public to stay indoors unless they have to do essential business outside. Cabinet Secretary and acting Presidential spokesman Karlo Alexei Nograles particularly addressed the call to those who “are not feeling well” and are exhibiting flulike symptoms. “Ang panawagan namin sa lahat (our appeal to everyone), when you feel something is not right, ‘wag ka nang lumabas (don’t go out anymore). Isolate then treat it as if you have Covid,” Nograles said in an interview with ANC’s Headstart. “Any symptoms... Mag-isolate ka muna, ‘wag ka munang mag-report sa work, magpa-test ka agad (Isolate first, don’t report to work, get tested immediately). Try to protect your families, those in the community, your workplaces,” he added. Alert Level 3 means limited

mobility anew especially for minors and senior citizens. Officials of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will meet on Tuesday, January 4, to discuss the restrictions to be applied in areas under Alert Level 3. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that unvaccinated people will not be allowed outside. MMDA Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said in a virtual press briefing that Metro mayors unanimously agreed to pass ordinances that will restrict the movement and activities of unvaccinated people. Abalos said unvaccinated people should stay at home. They will only be allowed out to buy food, water and medicine. They will also not be allowed in restaurants, malls, hotels, event venues and sports and country clubs. They will also not be allowed to take public transportation. “This is like [Enhanced Community Quarantine] but only for the unvaccinated, and for their own protection,” Abalos said. “It will be hard for us to go into lockdown again. We must learn how to live with the [Omicron] variant,” he added. Individual outdoor exercises may be allowed for unvaccinated people but it should be limited to “within the general area of residence.” Those who have to report to work will have to take RT-PCR tests every two weeks at their own expense. They must also present a negative COVID-19 test result. n

FOR SAFETY. The “Promenade Des Dasmariñas,” a public park by the riverside on Mangubat Avenue in the City of Dasmariñas, is temporarily closed as seen on Tuesday, January 4 to prevent people from converging in the area. It was closed as a safety measure against the spread of COVID-19 and as the province of Cavite is placed under Alert Level 3 from Jan. 5 to Jan. 15 due to the rising number of infections. PNA photo by Gil Calinga

DOT chief: Passenger... PAGE 1 not undergo quarantine and posted about getting a massage on the day she arrived. This was reported by an informant who personally knows the passenger. The informant gave a sworn affidavit about the quarantine breach. “Somebody gave the name even gave pictures that on the day she arrived she even got a massage, as in she was even posting it on her Instagram stories. She was very proud that she was skipping quarantine,” Puyat said partly in Filipino in an interview with CNN Philippines’ “The Source”. “That person has already been caught,” she added. Puyat said the arrested passenger just claimed she checked into a hotel but the report showed that she never checked in for quarantine. She added that the passenger went directly to her condominium. The DOT chief has yet to respond to Philstar.com’s request for comment on the custody and whereabouts of the quarantine violator. The DOT chief in the televised interview, however, said the details on the quarantine violator have already been submitted to the Bureau of Quarantine and the Department of Interior and Local Government. “I leave it up to them,” she said. ‘Poblacion incident’ The latest quarantine breach came after a woman, identified as Gwyneth Anne Chua, was able to skip isolation at a hotel in Makati to party and then eventually tested positive for COVID-19. Chua also arrived from the U.S. Berjaya Makati Hotel, the hotel under probe for the quarantine breach, said sorry “for failing to stop the guest from jumping her quarantine.” The DOT earlier served a Notice to Explain directing the establishment to submit its response to the allegations within the three days. Puyat said she already read the press release of the Makati hotel but had yet to receive a formal reply from the establishment. Under the country’s quarantine rules, passengers who arrived from countries and territories under the Yellow list such as the U.S. are required to undergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day, with the date of arrival being the first day. “Regardless of a negative result, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine up to the 14th day from the date of arrival,” the Department of Health said. Meanwhile, quarantine facilities such as hotels that would break the health and safety protocols of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases may be penalized. “Failure to comply with the health and safety protocols of the DOT, the DOH, or the IATF-EID may lead to criminal penalties of fines and/or imprisonment, and administrative penalties such as suspension or revocation of accreditation depending on the gravity of the offense,” the DOT said in a previous statement. n

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OPINION

FEATURES

Tracing, testing urgently needed

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Philstar.com photo

HERE we go again, forced to tighten public health safety restrictions as the latest COVID variant of concern threatens lives and economic recovery. After nearly two years, everyone should be familiar with the drill by now. And authorities should know the weaknesses in the pandemic response that still wait to be addressed, starting with contact tracing and testing. The government never fully dealt with the weakness of contact tracing capability, leaving the task largely to local government units while hoping that vaccination would make up for the inadequacy. Only international travelers have been properly documented for contact tracing. The StaySafe.PH tracing app is a national embarrassment and LGUs have yet to fully link their respective tracing apps to a central database. Contact tracing will be critical if the government wants to contain what is said to be the most transmissible variant yet of SARSCoV-2. At the same time, timely testing must be made more affordable and accessible. Even when showing possible symptoms of COVID and the potential to spread the disease to the entire household, the cost of a reliable RT-PCR test – the cheapest being

P1,500 for a saliva test – discourages many people from getting tested. Some LGUs with small populations have offered free testing to residents in low-income communities. Even those who are not extremely poor, however, but have lost their livelihoods due to the pandemic will be deterred by the cost of testing. If they get infected, the absence of contact tracing will raise their risk of spreading the virus. On Monday, January 3, the first working day of the year, the Department of Health reported that the entire country was back to “high risk” for COVID. At the same time, the DOH said people should behave as if there is now community transmission of the Omicron variant, said to be several times more infectious than the virulent Delta. The DOH is basing its warning on the leap

Editorial

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ THERE is absolutely no doubt that the highly contagious Omicron is now raging quickly all over the world, with countries in Europe as well as the United States and Australia reporting record-high cases of infection this week. To

in new infections. Within a span of one week, cases nationwide have surged from just 318 on Dec. 27 to 4,600 by Jan. 2. Monday’s cases were at 4,084, with no reports from 21 laboratories. In Metro Manila, epicenter of the contagion since the onset of the pandemic in the

Irresponsible travelers manage and control the transmission of this virus to the extent possible, strict health protocols need to be implemented. Clearly, the number one health protocol is to quarantine travelers from abroad. In the United States, a staggering 580,000 cases were reported last Thursday, Dec. 30, and experts have already warned of an “Omicron blizzard” as cases

of infection continue to rise dramatically, averaging 290,000 daily during the week. One good news is that recent studies on laboratory animals and human tissues indicate that compared to earlier variants, Omicron causes milder illness because it largely attacks the upper respiratory tract – the nostrils, throat and larynx – and causes less severe

damage to the lungs, most especially for those triple vaccinated. However, the speed at which it spreads still makes it dangerous in overwhelming hospitals and may cause deaths, especially to unvaccinated individuals. A study conducted in South Africa, specifically on the city of Tshwane which was described by researchers as the “global epicenter” of the Omicron surge, showed that

country, the stricter Alert Level 3 also began Monday. Restricting mobility and vaccination are not enough. From the start, efficient contact tracing and aggressive testing have been shown to be effective in containing a surge. They will be indispensable in fighting Omicron. (Philstar.com)

the peak has passed roughly one month after a surge in cases, with milder illness and no corresponding jump in hospitalizations and deaths. But this is likely due to high levels of prior infection and vaccination coverage, since about two thirds of the people in Tshwane already had some form of immunity from COVID-19 either through vaccination or prior infection. Yet there is still so much that we don’t know about Omicron so we have to be cautious. Even if studies

indicate that it is milder, particularly for those who received mRNA vaccines, it is still the responsibility of every single person – especially those who remain unvaccinated – to take precautions because they could actually be the carrier of a lethal weapon. Ultimately, no one will argue that it is our responsibility to make sure we do not contribute to the spread of COVID-19, even if in places like the US, freedom and choice are pre-eminent. PAGE 10

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal. ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

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Dateline PCHRhiliPPines to press on with rights

2022 election spending: Will it boost PH GDP amid COVID? education despite vetoed creation of Human Rights Institute by Cristina

Eloisa Inquirer.net

BaClig

MANILA — With the national and local elections inching closer this year, can the country’s economic growth—which has taken a beating from the COVID-19 pandemic these past two years—get a boost from this year’s poll spending? In 2020, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by a record 9.6 percent—the worst annual recession in the Philippines’ postwar history—caused by then the longest and most stringent lockdowns due to COVID-19. The economic output slid to P17.9 trillion that year. In 2021, GDP was expected to rise to P19.4 trillion. The government aims for a 7 to 9 percent GDP expansion in 2022, which was much faster than the 4 to 5 percent target last year but at the same rate as economic growth in years before the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, INQUIRER.net will try to answer the question of whether the upcoming major elections will help boost the Philippine economy this year—as the country continues

to battle against the impact of the dreaded disease. Elections and PH economy “[O]ne of the things that we look forward to … is the favorable impact of the national elections,” said De La Salle University school of economics associate dean Mitzie Conchada in a quarterly census survey on Asian economies by think tank Japan Center for Economic Research’s (JCER) released December last year. Elections, according to former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director-general Cielito Habito, always boost the Philippine economy. “A quick scan of GDP growth data over the past 25 years would readily show that election years tend to be marked by higher than usual economic growth,” Habito said in a column piece published on INQUIRER.net. Based on data presented by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno in a 2016 column piece on Per SE— which publishes commentary and research on current events and public policy by economists from the University of the Philippines (UP)— PAGE 10

by gaEa

KatrEEna Philstar.com

CaBiCo

MANILA — The Commission of Human Rights said it is “saddened” by President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to veto the establishment of the Human Rights Institute, but vowed it will continue to make human rights education accessible to people. Duterte rejected a provision in Republic Act 11639 or the General Appropriations Act of 2022 that establishes the HRI, a flagship program of the CHR. The president said no “appropriation is provided for the purpose,” meaning there is no funding set aside for it. In a statement on Tuesday, Jan. 4, CHR Commissioner

Karen Gomez-Dumpit maintained the item appropriation is for the discharge of the agency’s constitutional mandate. “The establishment of a Human Rights Institute is a longtime vision of previous and present commissions in ensuring crucial human rights education is made accessible to the people and for government personnel to better understand their role as primary duty-bearers in fulfilling human rights obligations to faithfully comply with human rights standards and principles,” Gomez-Dumpit said. “The HRI was envisioned to fight against revisionism and provide a gateway for robust human rights education

programs with other government institutions,” she added. Duterte’s term – which will end on June 30 – has been characterized by extrajudicial executions, rise in the climate of impunity, and deteriorating human rights situation, observers said. The president has repeatedly said that he does not care about human rights although the government maintains that it is aware of its obligations to uphold and promote human rights. Relevance in addressing world’s problems During the institute’s launch last month, Gomez-Dumpit stressed the need to study human rights, PAGE 10

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FDA approves booster... LAUSD orders mandatory COVID testing for... PAGE 1 tering booster shots for children and found that side effects are rare among younger people. Israel’s data included information from 6,300 people aged 12 to 15 who received a booster shot at least five months after the initial second dose. “Throughout the pandemic, as the virus that causes COVID-19 has continuously evolved, the need for the FDA to quickly adapt has meant using the best available science to make informed decisions with the health and safety of the American public in mind,” said acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock in a statement. The FDA’s announcement was preceded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) announcement that it will shorten the waiting period for the Pfizer vaccine booster shot. The CDC also supports administering the booster shot to children ages 5 to 11 who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, a recommendation shared by the FDA. Despite the controversy surrounding the CDC’s guidance surrounding isolation periods for people who test positively for coronavirus, the agency has been pushing to get more people vaccinated and boosted. “As we have done throughout the pandemic, we will continue to update our recommendations to ensure the best possible protection for the American people,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky, CDC Director, wrote in a statement. “Following the FDA’s authorizations, today’s recommendations ensure people are able to get a boost of protection in the face of Omicron and increasing cases across the country and ensure that the most vulnerable children can get an additional dose to optimize protection against COVID-19.” Confirmed by multiple scientific studies and trends across the country, those who are vaccinated and boosted are less likely to succumb to the more severe effects of the coronavirus. Walensky said last week that daily case counts across the country have climbed about 60%, but hospitalizations and deaths have been relatively low, leading to the conclusion that the omicron variant may be less fatal. According to the CDC, more than 70% of people aged 12 or older in the United States are fully vaccinated, as of Tuesday, Jan. 4. Since receiving clearance to get vaccinated in November, more children between 5 and 11 are getting vaccinated; as of Tuesday, about a quarter of all U.S. children in that age bracket have received at least one dose. On Monday, Jan. 3, the CDC reported 828,417 new cases across the United States. Additionally, the seven-day average for positive Covid cases stands at 480,916 new cases per day, according to the CDC. In comparison, the CDC reported 151,140 new cases nationwide a month before, on Dec. 3. The seven-day average then was 107,434. The surge this week is likely due to holiday gatherings, and health regulators are expecting an increase in the following weeks due to the holiday break. In Los Angeles County — once the most concentrated coronavirus hub last winter — officials reported 21,790 new positive cases and 24 new deaths from coronavirus on Tuesday, suggesting that “vaccines remain extremely protective against the most severe outcomes from Covid infections,” the county said in a statement. “Rate ratios are a key metric for evaluating the protection offered by vaccines. These ratios compare rates of an outcome in unvaccinated people with rates of the same outcome in fully vaccinated people; the higher the rate ratio, the more protective the vaccine is against the outcome,” the county said. Between Dec. 15-28, the rate ratio for admission into intensive care units was 21.3, which suggests that ICU admission was 21.3 times higher for unvaccinated patients than fully vaccinated individuals. “We are grateful to the 80% of eligible residents who have already received at least one dose of [the] vaccine – and we hope that the almost 2 million people who have yet to be vaccinated take time to talk with their health care provider to receive additional information about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines,” Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of LA County Dept. of Public Health. “Choosing not to take the vaccine during this explosive winter surge is very risky since so many of those ill with Covid in the intensive care units at hospitals are unvaccinated, and tragically, some of these individuals will not survive. n

PAGE 1 quired to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test in order to come onto campus on January 11. Families are encouraged to upload the external PCR or antigen tests, or at-home tests onto the student’s Daily Pass account no later than Sunday January 9. “As students return to the classroom, we all need to follow the public health safety measures in place to ensure our schools can

open safely after the winter break,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in the release. “Because higher community transmission creates additional challenges at our schools, everyone needs to do their part to slow the spread of the virus.” For information on testing centers and to make a COVID-19 test appointment at a Los Angeles Unified site, please visit lausd.net/ covidtestingappt or call the

Family Help Desk at (213) 443-1300. While appointments are encouraged, no appointment is needed for Los Angeles Unified COVID-19 tests. For a link of operating hours by testing site, please visit achieve. lausd.net/covidtestingappt. COVID-19 at-home rapid self-tests are available for K-12 students. Students can pick up a free at-home COVID-19 rapid self-tests on Friday, January 7 and Saturday, January 8 from

8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at any of the district’s 63 Grab & Go sites. Each student may receive two self-tests. Please visit lausd.net/covid for a map of pickup locations. Weekly testing will continue for all students and employees through the month of January. Masking will be required at all times, indoors and outdoors. Students 12 and older will be required to be vaccinated by the fall 2022 semester. (AJPress) n

PH inflation climbed to 3-year-high... PAGE 2 regions pummeled by Odette — posted higher inflation rates in December compared to November, PSA data also showed. The December nationwide rate decelerated partly as transport inflation, which included petroleum and fuel prices, fell to 6.1 percent year-on-year from 8.8 percent in November. The jump in oil prices eased, although still high, to 29.4 percent year-on-year in December from November’s 42.1 percent. As the economy further reopened and increased capacity in mass transportation, jeepney fare declined 0.2 percent year-on-year last month alongside a slower 1.7-percent increase in tricycle fare compared to previous months. Mapa said higher oil prices — owing to their low base in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic slashed global demand amid lockdowns which restricted mobility and travel across borders — was a contributor to the abovetarget 2021 inflation rate. However, it was still food and non-alcoholic beverages, which accounted for 38.34 percent of the consumer price index (CPI) basket, that contributed the most to 2021’s inflation spike. In December 2021, food inflation eased to 3.1 percent from 3.9 percent in November, but meat, especially pork, remained expensive. Meat inflation inched up to 11.3 percent year-onyear last month from 10.7 percent in November, Mapa said. Pork inflation alone rose to 17.9 percent from 17.3 percent a month ago.

Amid the Christmas holiday season, fresh pork meat prices in Metro Manila rose 4.7 percent to P348 per kilo from November’s P332 a kilo. The year-onyear jump was a bigger 14.2 percent from P305 per kilo in December 2020, Mapa said. In areas outside Metro Manila, pork prices, while less expensive, also climbed to P296 a kilo last month, up 1.8 percent from P291 per kilo a month ago and 20.3-percent higher than P246 a kilo a year ago. The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) had been flagging pork imports arriving in trickles, which the state planning agency reiterated on Wednesday, January 5 to push an extension until December 2022 of EO No. 133. The executive order in 2021 raised minimum access volume (MAV), or the amount of pork that could be imported, to 254,210 metric tons from 54,210 MT or about four times. In a text message, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, who is also Neda chief, said the proposal to extend the EO’s provisions on MAV had to be first recomputed based on the projected gap in demand and supply for 2022. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief economic manager, was amenable to Neda’s proposal to prolong EO 133’s validity, which expired in end-2021 as the President’s order stated that last year’s MAV balance cannot be carried over to 2022. In a statement, Neda said that as of Dec. 27, 2021, “only around 46 percent or 60,000 MT out of 130,000

MT of the MAV plus with import certificates was utilized.” Also, Chua again urged distribution of more imported pork outside Metro Manila, citing that “meat is among the top three drivers of inflation in 14 out of 16 regions outside the NCR in December 2021.” Meat inflation outside Metro Manila inched up to 11.5 percent year-on-year last month, from November 2021’s 11.3 percent. As imports had been sold mainly in Metro Manila supermarkets and not in wet markets, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in October 2021 issued a memorandum circular in October to distribute more pork outside Metro Manila and to institutional buyers and processors. “With the NCR and the neighboring provinces of Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan now under alert level 3, it is important to ensure affordable food prices and the continued delivery of goods and services,” Chua said. “To temper inflation in meat, especially pork, the government is working to increase local supply and ensure regular unloading of stocks from cold storages,” he added, referring to the stricter measures in place until mid-January, amid the current surge in COVID infections. For Chua, low and stable inflation would help the Philippines sustain its recovery from the pandemicinduced economic slump in 2020. “The emergence of new variants has shown us that the COVID-19 virus is not going to go away easily,” Chua said. “The good news is even

as we temporarily impose more stringent restrictions to contain the spread of the Omicron variant, we have learned to manage the risks and live with the virus,” he added. “Economic prospects in 2022 still remain promising, and we urge everyone to play their role in the recovery by getting vaccinated, availing of booster shots, and strictly adhering to the minimum public health standards,” the Neda chief said. The government expects to have ended 2021 with gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5 to 5.5 percent, to reverse the worst post-war recession in 2020 when economic output shrank by a record 9.6 percent. For this year, the government targets a faster 7 to 9 percent growth, alongside expectations of within-target inflation as food supply bottlenecks were being addressed. Prices, especially of food, also bore down heavier on poor Filipinos — end2021 inflation among the bottom 30-percent income households was a higher 4.8 percent, compared to the 4.5-percent headline rate. This was despite a bigger drop in December 2021 inflation to 3.3 percent year-on-year among the poorest Filipino families, mainly due to slower price hikes among the food items they consumed. The government last December reported that the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, which shed millions of jobs and closed down thousands of businesses, coupled with elevated consumer prices jacked up the Philippines’ poverty rate to 23.7 percent in the first half of 2021, from 21.1 percent in 2018. n

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2022 election spending: Will it... Irresponsible travelers...

PAGE 6 there has been a strong economic growth recorded during past presidential election years. “Every election year, especially in a presidential election year, the economy gets an extra boost,” said Diokno. Economic peaks which coincided with the presidential and local elections include 6.7 percent in 2004, 6.6 percent in 2007, 7.6 percent in 2010, 7.1 percent in 2013, and 6.9 percent in 2016, still according to Diokno’s report. In 2016, the same year Rodrigo Duterte ran and won the presidential elections, GDP grew by 6.8 percent in Q1, 7 percent in Q2, 7.1 percent in Q3, and 6.6 percent in Q4. A report by First Metro Investment Corporation (First Metro) in 2019, ahead of the general elections that year, said the country’s GDP was 7 percent average during the five past election years, while GDP during nonelection years was an average of 5.1 percent. “While there are surely many other determinants of economic growth, the above data seem to suggest that elections have a substantial growth-inducing effect on the economy, pushing growth by up to 2-3 percentage points,” said Habito. But how exactly does poll spending affect economic growth? A lot of money flows out during the election season. Habito explained that whether this money came from hidden or unhidden local or offshore bank accounts, out of government coffers, or other legal or illegal sources, this election money goes around the country’s economy. “All this money buys campaign posters, streamers and tarps; radio, TV and newspaper ads; land, sea and air transport services for candidates and their entourage; hotel and other accommodations; T-shirts and caps emblazoned with candidates’ names; show business personalities’ talent fees; salaries and wages of various campaign workers; food and meals consumed and given away during the campaign, and so on and so forth,” he added. A 2010 NEDA paper detailed that at least P13.5 billion additional spending in 2007 can be directly attributed to elections. This was equivalent to a 0.34 percentage point increase in overall GDP, according to Habito. This figure was comprised of campaign spending by both candidates and political parties, and government spending, specifically by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on election preparations and the conduct of elections. The GDP growth, as a result of election spending, however, can be predictably shortlived according to Diokno. “[T]he economy decelerates right after the election-related boom,” he said. “[GDP] growth slowed from 6.7% in 2004 to 4.8% in 2005; from 6.6% in 2007 to 4.2% in 2008; from 7.6% in 2010 to 3.7% in 2011; and from 7.2% in 2013 to 6.1% in 2014,” he added. COVID-19: low boost While election spending was expected to boost the economy this year, Diokno said it might be at a slower rate compared to previous election years. “There will still be a bump but not as big as the previous elections,” said Diokno last year at the European-Philippine Business Summit. He added that the bump brought by the May 2022 elections might be 0.50 percent, half

of the usual poll-related contribution to the country’s total GDP growth. “I don’t think this election would be as expensive as previous elections. I can say that because there will be no open campaigning,” he explained. “It will be through the social media and as you know, to me, that’s less expensive than the physical campaigning of politicians,” he added. According to Republic Act No, 7166 which the Comelec implements, candidates or political parties are allowed to spend only P10 per voter if running for president or vice president and P3 per voter if running for other positions. Candidates without support from any political party, or those running as independent, may spend up to P5 per voter, the law said. Political parties could spend P5 for every registered voter. “Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, any contribution in cash or in-kind to any candidate or political party or coalition of parties for campaign purposes, duly reported to the commission, shall not be subject to the payment of any gift tax,” the law said. Still, some economists were hopeful that the elections can bolster the country’s economic recovery. For this year, economists forecast a 7.1 percent GDP growth, higher than the 6.6 percent in 2021 and within the government’s 7 to 9 percent goal for 2022. Meanwhile, the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), in its Fiscal Risks Statement 2022 report released last December, said the upcoming elections “may affect the country’s political and economic climate.” “The implementation of the government’s infrastructure projects may be disrupted, as public works and the release of public funds during the election period are prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines,” said the DBCC. The DBCC was referring to the ban on public works, which will be implemented 45 days before the general elections. During this period, the government is prohibited from releasing funds for public works construction and the hiring and movement of government personnel. The ban aims to prevent government officials from using government resources and facilities to influence voters in their choices. “The prohibition on public works, as well as for social welfare dole-outs, may contribute to a slowdown on infrastructure disbursements during the first half of 2022,” said the DBCC. What’s ahead As the country moves closer to the 2022 general elections, the next administration would not only face the graft and corruption issues that gripped the nation in 2021 and in previous years, but also a gargantuan economic challenge and a mountain of debt, according to Sen. Panfilo Lacson. “The presidency—I’m saying this without politics, this is just practical application— cannot be practiced because the problems which will be faced by the next administration are already massive. It’s not OJT (on-the-job training),” he said. “You have to appreciate the problems. Don’t just enter without knowing your problems because you will have a hard time finding solutions,” he added.

PAGE 5 Some countries are imposing masking and vaccination mandates, limiting the choices of people: either you get vaccinated or risk isolation because you could potentially kill another person if you pass on the virus. Aside from the elderly and people with comorbidities, younger individuals have also become susceptible, with reports confirming that younger people are getting hospitalized due to Omicron. In the Philippines, the Omicron variant is already spreading with new cases spiking to 2,961 last Friday, Dec. 31 – the highest in almost two months, with the positivity rate recorded at 10.3 percent which is way above the five percent standard set by the WHO. Local cases of Omicron infection have also been confirmed in Metro Manila, which was to be placed under the stricter Alert Level 3 starting Wednesday, Jan. 5. The report about this particular individual who flouted mandatory hotel quarantine protocols and even went partying despite knowing she may be carrying the virus is really the height of irresponsibility. This person arrived from the United States and after checking in at a quarantine hotel on Dec. 22, had dinner with some friends the next day and even went partying at a bar in Makati later that night. On the fifth day since her arrival, she tested positive for COVID-19. After an initial denial, the woman admitted that she violated quarantine protocols, said Tourism Secretary Berna Puyat, who also disclosed that the hotel is now under investigation and was issued a show cause order to explain why the person was able to leave the hotel when she was supposed to be in isolation. Reports say at least 15 people who came into close contact with the violator have tested positive for COVID-19. The bar where the individual went partying also expressed its dismay and disappointment at the turn of events, with the health and safety

of the guests and staff already compromised because many have been infected. “For the past two years under this pandemic, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that our venue is a safe place for our customers to have a good time without fear of contracting the virus,” the bar said in a statement. The establishment had no idea that the woman came from abroad as she was with a group that had prior reservation. She showed proof of vaccination, had her temperature taken and even filled a health declaration form. As a consequence, the bar decided to close for the meantime, with the rest of the staff undergoing testing and strict isolation for the next few weeks. Aside from potentially passing on the virus which could prove fatal to high-risk individuals, this irresponsible behavior of one individual could also kill businesses that are crucial to the country’s economic recovery. People should not forget that more than ever this pandemic continues to be lethal. More than five million people all over the world have died, with over 286 million infected and counting – which means their families have also suffered and may be continuing to suffer through this pandemic. Add to that the trillions of dollars in terms of global economic losses. All of us may have different political beliefs or “colors” but at the end of the day, we all live on the same planet and only have one country. As true Filipinos, we should think of doing good to our fellow citizens and act responsibly. I pray the New Year will bring a renewed spirit of hope in our country. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

CHR to press on with rights... PAGE 6 which is relevant in addressing impunity, climate change, inequality, and other modern-day challenges. HRI offers general, special and professional courses online, which can be availed by law enforcers, jail personnel, judges, and prosecutors. It will also offer webinars, learning modules, and specialized courses on human rights. “The institute will not cause additional burden to the government as this will be undertaken with existing resources of the commission while harnessing its potential for collaboration and

partnerships with other institutions and organizations to further support it,” Gomez-Dumpit said. Despite the “disheartening” veto, the CHR will press on, the commissioner vowed. “We shall continue to pound the walls of impunity to convey the message of human rights straight and across to our people. We are fully committed to continuously engage government and encourage them to do better as we work towards educating the people about human rights and promoting human rights of all,” Gomez-Dumpit said.

Data from the Department of Finance (DOF) showed that the country has so far borrowed a total of P1.15 trillion for the COVID fight. The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) released data that showed that the country’s total debt has reached a historic high of P11.97 trillion as of October 2021. This was at least 0.46 higher than P11.92

Gender responsive restrooms also vetoed The commission also expressed disappointment with the veto of the transportation department’s Gender Responsive Restroom Program. “This appropriations item sought to address a specific gender and human rights issue—it was meant to recognize diversity of DOTr clients and ensure safe access to essential facilities without discrimination,” Gomez-Dumpit said. “Efforts showing commitment to gender equality and non-discrimination deserve support through the provision of sufficient resources.”

trillion in September. The BTr also said yearon-year debt stock rose by 19.4 percent from over P10 trillion in October 2020. The DOF reported last month that the national government’s outstanding debt might reach a record-high P13.42 trillion by the end of 2022—which will be faced by the next president and his or her administration. n

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COMMUNITY Journal

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Told she must leave, Marie was able to receive her green card in the U.S.! IN 2002, Marie and her three children visited the U.S. as tourists. They planned to visit family and then return home to the Philippines. However, Marie later decided to remain and became out of status. In 2009, Marie’s mother, a green card holder, petitioned Marie in the F2B category. When the priority date on her petition became current, she consulted with at least four attorneys, all of whom told her that because she was out of status, she had to go back to the Philippines to apply for her immigrant visa. But Marie did not want to go back because she was worried about the uncertainty of applying in the Philippines, and that she might not be able to return to the U.S.

She finally decided to consult with the “Attorney of Last Hope,” Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, who was able to find a way for Marie to apply for a green card (adjust status) in the U.S. After retaining Attorney Gurfinkel, Marie got her green card in October 2021 in the U.S., and can now get healthcare, find a better job, and enjoy the other benefits of being a green card holder. Watch this success story on a brandnew episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, January 9 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download free app. (Advertising Supplement)

GREEN CARD ACQUIRED AFTER BEING TNT FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS, THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Marie was petitioned as single by her father in the ‘90s, but she got married in 1998, revoking her father’s petition. The marriage did not last, and in 2002, Marie and her three children went to the U.S. as tourists. Since then, they had been overstaying and living in fear. Marie’s mother, a green card holder, petitioned her daughter this time. Marie had consulted with four attorneys who all told her she had to go back to the Philippines once her priority date becomes current. Marie refused to go back to the motherland for fear that she might not be able to return to the U.S. She consulted with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel who was able to find a way for Marie to remain in the U.S. and be interviewed here, and eventually get her green card in October 2021. Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, January 9 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

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Omicron: A ‘blessing’?

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS IF there is such a thing as “the best time to get COVID-19 infection,” it could be now with the Omicron variant, which appears (so far) to be milder although super contagious, especially for the unvaccinated. If those who have refused the vaccines are hoping to get natural immunity instead, Omicron could be their saving grace as it is less damaging to the lungs, compared to the original strains and the Delta variant. For those unvaccinated who have health issues, Omicron infection can still be more dangerous, riskier than getting the vaccines. When those with the booster get infected, they would have 2-tiered immunity: protection provided by the vaccines, and another from natural immunity. The latter is less stable and shorter-lasting and not as reliable as immunity conferred by the vaccines. If at least 80 percent of those (60 million) who refuse vaccination get infected now, they would develop some natural immunity, which might help the country inch toward herd immunity in a few months. It would be much faster if they got vaccinated instead. Omicron (thank God) is now the predominant strain, representing 95 percent of all COVID-19 cases, with infections one million on Monday, January 3 alone, although with fewer hospitalizations and deaths compared to Delta. The first death from Omicron was reported Monday in Harris County, Texas – a 50-year-old male, who was unvaccinated and got the infection. For the unvaccinated, the complications are much worse, especially among those with health issues. Had this man been vaccinated, he could have survived the infection. The risks and complications among those protected by the booster when infected with Omicron are markedly milder. A trenchant, ironic blessing, perhaps. News roundup In the Philippines, there have been 2,861,119 COVID-19 cases, with 51,604

deaths as of January 4, 2022. More than 100 million vaccines have been administered to a total population of 111,763,229. To get the Pfizer vaccines, people have to pay $100 per shot, while all the shots, including the booster, are free in the United States. *** According to a study from one South African hospital published on Tuesday, January 4, patient deaths from Omicron averaged 4.5%, compared to 21.3% from previous waves. About 45% of patients with Omicron required supplemental oxygen, while 99% of patients from previous COVID-19 waves needed breathing assistance. The average length of stay for Omicron patients was 4 days -- less than half the average for other strains. *** Researchers from the University of Cape Town reported that saliva samples yielded more accurate results in PCR analyses when Omicron was involved compared with nasal swabs. When patients carried the Delta variant, on the other hand, nasal swabs were more accurate. *** HHS announced that Roche and Siemens have two new rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 on the market. If COVID-19 infection is suspected, the best is to get tested. *** As of Tuesday, January 4, there were 293,264,764 cases and 5,468,191 deaths worldwide, and 57,131,187 cases with 848,885 deaths in the U.S. Last week, there were almost half a million cases, mostly Omicron, in one day. *** With another day of record-breaking infections in France, Paris is implementing mandatory masking, according to the Associated Press. India is bracing for its third coronavirus wave, as many people have stopped wearing masks and are back to large gatherings, according to CNN. *** With Omicron, the greatest concentration of the viral load is found in the mouth and throat. Gargling 3 times a day with a mouthwash that contains stabilized chlorine dioxide (like TheraBreath, OraCare, CloSys, and DioxRinse) might help reduce this load and minimize symptoms even.

*** There are two new (home) pills for COVID-19. One is from Pfizer (Paxlovid), for ages 12 and older, that can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 90 percent (the other, molnupiravir, is from Merck) if taken in the early stage of the infection, and for those family members exposed to the patient. Merck’s pills reduce the risk by only 30-50 percent. *** New randomized trial: Fluvoxamine (100 mg, 3 times a day) given to non-hospitalized patients within 7 days after COVID-19 infection was shown to reduce clinical deterioration (shortness of breath and oxygen use) at 15 days, according to the Wall Street Journal. *** Studies are being conducted to find out if the preliminary finding that sildenafil citrate (Viagra) is beneficial to Alzheimer’s patients is universally valid. Viagra, besides being very effective for erectile dysfunction in men, has been a therapy for pulmonary hypertension, even among infants. *** The FDA expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) of the monoclonal antibody cocktail bamlanivimab-etesevimab to include even younger pediatric patients, as well as newborns at high risk of progression to severe COVID. The FDA also says booster 5 months after the second shots may now be given to 12 and older. *** Patients on low-salt diet and replacing salt with potassium chloride (salt substitute) show these two regimens to be synergistic in reducing blood pressure more effectively, compared to those only on low-salt diet. The potassium chloride salt substitute appears to be beneficial. The combined regimen reduces the risk for stroke, cardiovascular events, and deaths, as shown by a new landmark (5-year) study on 21,000 people in rural China. *** Studies have shown that the risk of death from people’s reaction to the vaccines is 0.0018 percent (a tiny fraction of 1 percent), compared to the 20-30 percent risk of death from COVID-19. Majority of those deaths, according to an intensive review, were not caused by the vaccines themselves but the

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30 years in the biz, Jay shares secret of his staying power By AllAn

PolicArPio Inquirer.net

WHILE his days of going full-on sexy in movies are well past him, Jay Manalo said he’s thankful to the supporters who still think he’s desirable at the age of 48. But now that he’s back with Viva Entertainment, which launched his career in 1994, Jay jested he may have to start taking extra care of his looks again, so he can keep up with the company’s new breed of sexy actors and actresses. “Since I’m with Viva again, baka magpabata ulit, so we don’t get left behind by the new ones!” he said in a recent virtual conference for the sexy action flick “Hugas,” which will be available for streaming on the online content platform Vivamax on Jan. 14. The movie had Jay working with Sean de Guzman, who recently starred in a couple of Viva’s sexy online

films. He couldn’t help but see a little bit of himself in the young actor. “When I was starting out in Viva, they couldn’t quite decide where to put me at first. I was put in action films, and then in sexy ones, much like what’s happening to Sean now. I was given daring roles and I was asked if I thought I could do it. I recall telling them, ‘Wala namang problema dun. Pinanganak naman tayong lahat na nakahubad.’” Guiding newbies When working with newbies, Jay tries his best to guide them—the same way his seniors guided them when he was just starting out. “It’s as if I’m looking at myself in the mirror when I work with them. Back in the day, there were veterans, or those who started ahead of me, who gave me advice on what to do in our scenes, what approach was needed,” he related. “That’s why I look after

Jay Manalo

predisposition of the people to blood clots and others with health issues. *** In nearly every instance, COVID vaccine mandates are holding up in court, according to the Wall Street Journal. Indeed, national safety and welfare should take precedence and prevail over individual rights and freedom, the misuse and abuse of which, like the freedom to refuse the COVID-19 vaccines, has led to massive viral spread by the unvaccinated, more than three-fourths of a million preventable deaths and economic disaster in the

the younger ones and see if there’s anything I can help them with,” he added. And when his less experienced coactors make mistakes, Jay makes them feel that it’s nothing to be ashamed of. “Umaalalay ako. We shouldn’t judge them, because that’s how we were at some point in our careers,” Jay pointed out. “We have to help them to make the film better.” In “Hugas,” Jay plays Boss Dencio, a syndicate leader who hires Al (Sean) for his skills as a hitman. Also part of the gang is Liezl (AJ Raval), a young girl who serves as an accessory to Boss Dencio’s operation. Liezl and Al fall in love and marry each other. Hoping to start their lives anew, the couple plans to break free from the syndicate. But Boss Dencio wouldn’t just let them get away. ‘No place like home’ Jay added that he didn’t PAGE 15

Inquirer.net photo

United States. May 2022 be the beginning of a brighter future for all nations and all peoples of the world! *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general

medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

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Heart on Chiz Escudero fighting for her: ‘Mawala na lahat, wag lang ako’ By Anne

PAsAjol

Inquirer.net

Heart Evangelista and Chiz Escudero

Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte

ANNOUNCEMENT

EMPLOYMENT

HEART Evangelista could not seem to contain her “kilig” as she looked back on how her husband fought for their relationship amid her parents’ disapproval of them in the past. Evangelista recounted her and her husband’s love story, as she responded to a fan asking about her age preference on a partner, as seen on her Tiktok page on Sunday, Jan. 2. “It’s not because I chose specifically that he was older

EMPLOYMENT

— first and foremost, crush ko na talaga si Chiz ever since, 2007 pa (I already had a crush on him since 2007),” she said. The actress recalled being advised by the late senator Miriam Defensor to date Escudero, something she has shared in previous interviews. She then reminisced on how stunned she was by Escudero’s presence the first time they met, also noting how the latter exceeded her expectations on him. “He is more than what I imagined him to be. How you see him on our adulting

videos, that is exactly how he was in real life. So, I really liked that,” she said. Evangelista then expressed her admiration for her husband, as she spoke about how Escudero fought for their relationship, which according to her, no one has done before. “I met a lot of wonderful people, but I just met somebody greater than all of them and I felt that I think this time around I should fight for him,” the actress shared. “He fought for me. It was the first time anyone did that for me and he wanted me to

SERVICES

be in his life no matter what — kahit mahirap, okay lang (even if it’s hard, it’s okay),” she added. “Grabe, mawala na lahat, ‘wag lang ako.” (Let everything else disappear but me.) Evangelista and Escudero tied the knot in an exclusive ceremony in Balesin in 2015, after being in a relationship for two years. The couple recently revealed that they are still planning to have children in the future, and have been trying just before the actress started her taping commitments for GMA in 2021. n

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people events arts culture entertainment

Year in Review: Looking back at the Asian Journal’s LifEASTyle stories of 2021 by MOMaR

G. VisaYa / AJPress

APPY New Year! And just like that, we’re in 2022 and we’re still in the H middle of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For the past couple of years, we saw a surge in small businesses that began during the lockdown. We also saw a rise in the cases of hate and violence against Asian Americans across the country and how the community banded together to denounce these crimes. Filipino Americans welcomed Joseph Biden as the new president of the United States. and across the diaspora, celebrated Hidilyn Diaz who won the first-ever Olympic gold for the Philippines. Following tradition, the Asian Journal editorial team dedicates the first issue of the year reflecting on the LifEASTyle stories from 2021. Each week, the LifEASTyle features long-form stories of Filipino American personalities, organizations, and businesses that continue to break barriers in their respective industries, as well as highlighting the Fil-Am experience living

Laya DeLeon Hayes was born in Charlotte, NC and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas. As a young girl, she participated in school plays and talent shows, which powered her passion to perform. Photo by Alex Kruk

in America and the various social issues the community faces. The 52 features published have covered ways families have celebrated major holidays while staying safely at home, how business owners in the tri-

Rose Cuison-Villazor broke the proverbial glass ceiling when she took her post as Co-Dean of Rutgers Law School. AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

Chef Denevin Miranda

Daniel had only one choice of school and it was the Culinary Institute of America. “It gave me that foundation to make what I make now, but it has also given me a platform and network since so many people in the food industry come from CIA. So like even if I don’t know them or haven’t met them, if I just say CIA, most people already have an idea of what you can produce, who you are and what your work ethic is.,” he told the Asian Journal.

Chefs Tom Cunanan and Paolo Dungca, both former chefs at Bad Saint, are reunited at Pogiboy, the new Filipino fast-casual spot in Washington, DC. Contributed photo

state have coped with the ever-changing restrictions related to the pandemic, and the summer of protests for racial justice, new books by Fil-Am authors, and more. It’s always difficult to narrow down the best features — as each one is compelling — we remember several stories that have been widely shared and discussed. To read these selected features & other stories in their entirety, visit: https://www. asianjournal.com/category/ magazines/life-eastylemagazine/ Fil-Am Personalities Last year, we featured a host of personalities, ranging from authors with current and upcoming books and actors who are on stage, television, or film.

Perhaps the biggest splash was made by breakout star and teen sensation Olivia Rodrigo. Her debut single Drivers License broke the Spotify record for most streams of a song in a single week as it was streamed 65,873,080 times during the week ending on Jan. 14, according to Spotify’s global weekly Top 200 chart. On the TV front, Laya De Leon Hayes plays the role of Queen Latifah’s daughter in CBS’ The Equalizer, which the young star considers as her biggest project to date. “Considering how popular of a franchise The Equalizer is and how Queen Latifah is creating history by being the first female Equalizer really made me excited and honored to be a part of this PAGE 15

Chef and owner Kathy Mirano said it is all about hard work as she recalled the days when she worked as a house cleaner, dishwasher and caregiver. Two decades later and she is the woman behind Tambayan, which she hopes becomes a place for friends and family to hangout and eat good food.

Kevin Nadal is the first Asian American faculty member at John Jay College to be named Distinguished Professor.

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Year in Review: Looking back at... PAGE 14 amazing cast,” Laya told the Asian Journal, describing the eagerness she felt about the project. The Disney+ series “Big Shot” starring Hollywood veteran John Stamos introduced us to Tisha Custodio who immigrated to the United States at three years old, settling in California with her family. She discovered acting at a young age and enrolled in the Orange County School of the Performing Arts followed by multiple summers at Shakespeare Orange County School where she studied alongside seasoned actors and also joined the CalArts intensive acting program. Then there’s Daniel Corpuz, from the Netflix show School of Chocolate. Like many others in the food and hospitality industry, Corpuz lost his job as the global pandemic began to wreak havoc last year. “Inisip ko kung ano ang puwede kong gawin, I can’t do nothing here at home,” the chocolatier and pastry chef told the Asian Journal. Corpuz played a lot with chocolate to further hone and practice his knowledge and he posted his stuff on social media. Because of his business and chocolate background, he toyed with the idea of selling his chocolate creations, and thus began his chocolate brand. Then Netflix found him. They liked his story and they decided to have him on the show called ‘School of Chocolate’. Corpuz described this experience as amazing, one that truly made him realize what he wanted to do in life. Corpuz was not the only Pinoy chef on reality TV last year. Denevin Miranda was declared the champion of the Food Network show Chopped with its new season focused on “Meat Fight,” a glorious, carnivorous throwdown for gastronomy lovers. Chef Denevin is Chef de Cuisine at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in New York City and classically French-trained with a lot of his flavors rooted in Filipino-style cuisine. In the show, he served sisig using the crisped-up pork butt and spare ribs along with Brussels sprouts and apple salad on the side to complement the unctuousness of the sisig. The dish ended up winning the judges’ praises and called it the best dish in the competition. Denevin was confident from the get-go, as he went into the competition to win it and if he could, promote Filipino cuisine as well. He also said he wanted to make his parents proud, especially his father who has passed

Tambayan is located inside the Reading Terminal Market, right smack in the city center of Philadelphia where more than a hundred thousand locals and tourists pass through every week. AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

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Jollibee opened a second Jersey City store last week. It is located on the plaza level of Journal Square, a major transit hub in New Jersey. AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya

Being the only Filipino American on the show gave Corpuz a chance to represent his culture, something that he did on the first episode. On his social media account, he shows his creations including these bonbons that showcased the colors of the Philippine flag. Photo courtesy of @danielcorpuzchocolatier

away. “I knew going in there that I wanted to do something Filipino and show something to the judges. And sisig is one of my favorite dishes,” he told the Asian Journal. “Actually, my grandma never cooked it. I was introduced to that when I went to the Philippines. And you know, it’s a dramatic dish, because it comes out sizzling. Yeah, and it’s like, you know, it’s like you can’t stop eating.” Filipino Cuisine PogiBoy, the newest Filipino hotspot in the nation’s capital and the reunion project of two trailblazing Filipino American chefs, was born as an homage to the fastfood chains they enjoyed as kids. The men behind the concept are James Beard awardee Tom Cunanan, who made waves in the DC hospitality industry as one of the founders of Bad Saint, and former Kaliwa chef Paolo Dungca. It’s a reunion of sorts since Dungca worked as a sous chef at Bad Saint back in 2015. “We’ve always wanted to open a Filipino fast-casual and we finally made it happen,” Cunanan told the Asian Journal. “We’re just so proud of ourselves for representing our flag and we’re just so happy to cook Filipino food again.” The pandemic upended many businesses across the board and among the most affected was the food and beverage industry. For some chefs like Tom and Paolo, it was the perfect time to pivot. Several courageous entrepreneurs in Jersey City stepped up and opened their business in the middle of the pandemic, like the husband and wife team of Alex and Ethel Quintos who opened Fi’Co along Mallory Avenue; Jordan Andino with an outpost of his Flip Sigi near Journal Square; Baonanas in a couple of locations and So Sarap NYC joining the Smorgasburg family in downtown. Jollibee opened its second store in Jersey City, located near the Hudson Mall on Route 440. This branch is Jollibee’s 69th store in the United States and there are plans to open a few more in the area, including the

American Dream, Jamaica in Queens, and the flagship in Times Square. Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market is one of America’s largest and oldest public markets. It began operation in a National Historic Landmark building back in 1893 and has become one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations along with the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Last July, after 128 years in existence, the market opened its doors and welcomed Tambayan, its first Filipino concept restaurant. Kathy Mirano, the founder and chef of Tambayan and Runner’s Sweets and Treats, felt that it was about time that a Filipino establishment opened in the market, where more than a hundred thousand Philadelphians and tourists pass through every week enjoying its exceptional products, history, and people. “Dumaan po tayo sa butas ng karayom, pagod at hirap. Pinaglaban ko po talaga,” Mirano told the Asian Journal about her journey in getting a spot to showcase Filipino food and culture in the city of brotherly love. Fil-Ams in Academe We featured a couple of Filipino Americans in the academe who both made history and broke barriers. When Rose Cuison-Villazor was announced as the Co-Dean of Rutgers Law School in Newark early this summer, she became the first Asian-American woman Dean at Rutgers Law School and the first Filipina-American Dean of a U.S. law school. An expert in immigration and citizenship law, Villazor has served as the Vice Dean of Rutgers Law School in Newark since July 2019. She also is the founding Director of the Center for Immigration Law, Policy and Justice. “I’m proud, and I’m grateful for this, for the chance to lead, and I would not be where I am today without the help of many

other mentors and friends who supported me along the way,” Villazor told the Asian Journal. “I’m extremely grateful to be in this position and excited to continue leading despite the challenges of the pandemic. This is a position that I hold dear to my heart, and I look forward to continuing to do.” A nationally-regarded legal scholar with an active record in social justice issues and the areas of immigration, citizenship, property law, and race and the law, Villazor has published in top legal journals including the California Law Review, Columbia Law Review, Michigan Law Review, and NYU Law Review, among others. John Jay College of Criminal Justice Professor Kevin Nadal is known in the Filipino American community as an educator, psychology expert, community organizer, historian, and supporter of the arts, among many other things. The City University of New York recently named Dr. Nadal to the title of Distinguished Professor in recognition of his exceptional contributions to scholarship and the public discourse, becoming the first Asian American faculty member at John Jay College to hold the title. “It means so much to me and it feels really overwhelming just because I felt the response. It feels way bigger than me. It feels way bigger than anything I have accomplished,” Dr. Nadal told the Asian Journal. Nadal started at CUNY in 2004 at LaGuardia Community College where he was an instructor teaching education classes. Two years later, he started as an adjunct at John Jay College, and then he became a full-time faculty member in 2008 in the psychology department. He is now the tenth current Distinguished Professor at John Jay, the second person of color and the youngest to be afforded the distinction. n

30 years in the biz, Jay shares...

PAGE 12 hesitate when Viva offered him a contract to return to its stable of stars. “I have worked with various production outfits, but as they say there’s no place like home.” After almost 30 years in

show biz, Jay remains in-demand in movies and television, where he’s able to hop from one network to another. His secret? Just do your job and don’t ever think you’re better than anyone, Jay said. “We’re all equal on the

set. Magtulungan at makisama, not just with your costars and director, but with everyone,” he said. “We give our all in whatever project is given to us, so they end up getting us again.” n

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