2 January 12-14, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
From the Front Page
Amid winter COVID surge...
PAGE 1
3,200. In a press release, LA County Public Health reported that 14% of coronavirus-positive hospitalized individuals are in the ICU, and between Dec. 1528, “the ICU admission rate for unvaccinated individuals was 21 times higher than the rate of fully vaccinated individuals.” The rise in LA County mirrors the surge occurring in other counties across the Golden State, where 1 in 5 CovID tests are coming back positive. With this ratio, California surpasses 6 million cumulative coronavirus cases with peak hospitalizations predicted in the coming weeks, according to state officials. Currently, more than 11,000 individuals are hospitalized across the state for CovID, but that number could peak at 23,000 by early February. Governor Gavin Newsom said that these trends give “a sense of where we are. It’s manageable, but it’s challenging.” Newsom said that the state forecasts that by Jan. 14 or
15, “we’ll be at a higher total hospital census than we were at the peak of this pandemic early last year.” To combat the disturbing forecasts, Newsom previewed a spending package for the next fiscal year that would dedicated $2.7 billion to coronavirus response efforts, including a portion for paid CovID sick leave, “given the current situation being driven by the omicron variant to better protect our frontline workers.” The state previously had a coronavirus supplemental paid sick leave law but it expired on Sept. 30, 2021. The governor’s office provided little details on the renewed sick leave law, but the previous law gave employees paid sick leave if they had to quarantine or isolate; it also applied to those experiencing coronavirus symptoms or who had to care for family members with the virus. The new package would also dedicate $1.2 billion to beef up testing capacity and $583
million to get more Californians to get vaccinated and boosted. Another $614 million would be allocated to support frontline workers and health care centers. “From day one, California has taken swift and direct action to battle CovID-19 with policies that have saved tens of thousands of lives, but there’s more work to be done,” Newsom said. As the surge continues to threaten counties across the state, more and more education institutions are combatting the risk. Thirteen schools in the California State University (CSU) system also announced a delay in in-person teaching and will begin the spring 2022 semester virtually: Cal States Northridge, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Channel Islands, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego, Fresno, San Marcos, East Bay and Dominguez Hills as well as Cal Poly Pomona. n
Pacquiao: Congress should look into... PAGE 1 on Monday, the Manila Bulletin reported that hackers were allegedly able to breach the servers of Comelec and purportedly stole files including usernames and personal identification numbers of vote-counting machines.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez, however, said those information do not exist yet in the poll body’s systems because these files have not been completed yet. Jimenez, nevertheless, said the Comelec is still validating the
alleged data breach. vice President Leni Robredo, who is seeking the presidency, and her vice presidential running mate Senator Francis Pangilinan have also expressed alarm over the alleged hacking of the Comelec servers. n
Typhoon Odette casualties 2nd-biggest... PAGE 1 super typhoon in the Philippines as a “humanitarian catastrophe.” “Many of the weather catastrophes fit in with the expected consequences of climate change, making greater loss preparedness and climate protection a matter of urgency,” Munich Re said. “Scientists anticipate that the proportion of severe storms and of storms with extreme rainfall will increase because of climate change. Even though events cannot automatically be attributed to climate change, analysis of the changes over
decades provides plausible indications of a connection with the warming of the atmosphere and the oceans. Adapting to increasing risks due to climate change will be a challenge,” said Ernst Rauch, Munich Re’s chief climate and geoscientist as well as head of its climate solutions unit. About 9,200 people died due to natural catastrophes worldwide in 2021, up from around 8,200 in the previous year. In terms of economic cost inflicted by natural disasters, the onslaught of hurricane Ida in the US and Canada from
August to September 2021 ranked No. 1 with $65 billion in overall losses. It also had the biggest insured losses among natural disasters that struck across the globe last year, with $36 billion. Globally, natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, storms, and wildfires destroyed a total of $280 billion worth of assets, of which only $120 billion or less than half in value had been insured, Munich Re said. Losses last year rose from $210 billion in 2020 and $166 billion in 2019, the German reinsurer’s estimates showed n
Mary Venus, a nurse from the Philippines, checks on a patient inside the in-patient surgical recovery unit at Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana. Photo by Nick Ehli for KHN
Hospitals recruit international nurses to fill... PAGE 1 to arrive in Montana by summer. More nurses from far-off places are likely. Billings Clinic is just one of the scores of hospitals across the U.S. looking abroad to ease a shortage of nurses worsened by the pandemic. The national demand is so great that it’s created a backlog of health care professionals awaiting clearance to work in the U.S. More than 5,000 international nurses are awaiting final visa approval, the American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment reported in September. “We are seeing an absolute boom in requests for international nurses,” said Lesley HamiltonPowers, a board member of AAIHR and a vice president for Avant Healthcare Professionals in Florida. Avant recruits nurses from other countries and then works to place them in U.S. hospitals, including Billings Clinic. Before the pandemic, Avant would typically have orders from hospitals for 800 nurses. It currently has more than 4,000 such requests, Hamilton-Powers said. “And that’s just us, a single organization,” added HamiltonPowers. “Hospitals all over the country are stretched and
looking for alternatives to fill nursing vacancies.” Foreign-born workers make up about a sixth of the U.S. nursing workforce, and the need is increasing, nursing associations and staffing agencies report, as nurses increasingly leave the profession. Nursing schools have seen an increase in enrollment since the pandemic, but that staffing pipeline has done little to offset today’s demand. In fact, the American Nurses Association in September urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to declare the shortage of nurses a national crisis. CGFNS International, which certifies the credentials of foreign-born health care workers to work in America, is the only such organization authorized by the federal government. Its president, Dr. Franklin Shaffer, said more hospitals are looking abroad to fill their staffing voids. “We have a huge demand, a huge shortage,” he said. Billings Clinic would hire 120 more nurses today if it could, hospital officials said. The staffing shortage was significant before the pandemic. The added demands and stress of covid have made it untenable. Greg Titensor, a registered nurse and the vice president of operations at Billings Clinic,
noted that three of the hospital’s most experienced nurses, all in the intensive care unit with at least 20 years of experience, recently announced their retirements. “They are getting tired, and they are leaving,” Titensor said. Last fall’s surge of covid cases resulted in Montana having the highest rate in the nation for a time, and Billings Clinics’ ICU was bursting with patients. Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte sent the National Guard to Billings Clinic and other Montana hospitals; the federal government sent pharmacists and a naval medical team. While the surge in Montana has subsided, active case numbers in Yellowstone County — home to the hospital — are among the state’s highest. The Billings Clinic ICU still overflows, mostly with covid patients, and signs still warn visitors that “aggressive behavior will not be tolerated,” a reminder of the threat of violence and abuse health care workers endure as the pandemic grinds on. Like most hospitals, Billings Clinic has sought to abate its staffing shortage with traveling nurses — contract workers who typically go where the pandemic demands. The clinic has paid up to $200 an hour for their PAGE 3
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Date lin e USa
SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 12-14, 2022 3
‘Long COVID’ from omicron coronavirus...
PAGE 1 pong isang aspect that we have not put into the equation, this is the possibility of long COVID. So, very, very important that as much as possible, if we can help it na hindi tayo ma-infect,” she said. (I want to emphasize that there is one aspect that we have not put into the equation, this is the possibility of long COVID. So, very, very important Boxer Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire held a press conference last December in Carson, California to announce his fundraiser for families that as much as possible, if we affected by Super Typhoon Odette (international name Rai). Photo by Nikki Arriola/courtesy of Fred Docdocil can help it that we do not get infected.) “Kasi hindi natin talaga
Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire raises... PAGE 1
Donaire, “I am truly grateful to see the unity from people all over the world, and I am happy that we can all work together in putting effort and energy into this to support our kababayans, especially those who have been affected by Odette.” Fred Docdocil, the Mabuhay Branch & Business Development Coordinator of Mabuhay Credit Union who is a Planning Commissioner and an active Community Leader in the City of Carson, CA, helped to spearhead and organize this event in only a few days time by invoking the famous Filipino Bayanihan Spirit – which refers to the spirit of community unity, work, and cooperation to achieve a particular goal. “We don’t need
to wait for anybody else to tell us what to do, we should have that initiative, and most importantly, we should be courageous enough to follow through on that initiative (of helping those in need),” said Docdocil. Miguel Ileto Carlos, who works with the Champ on his Finances, set up a GoFundMe (https:// gofund.me/acf872d5) to collect cash donations that will be going directly towards the purchase of food, water, and other necessities to benefit those who have been drastically affected by Odette. Furthermore, he has also pledged to donate an additional dollar for every new follower that he gets to his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube. com/channel/UCDyyX2m_ Wgmb6MxlAQa_vrg)
Commissioner Alex Cainglet got the fundraising started off strong by purchasing $400 worth of Team Pilipinas jackets that the Champ gamely signed and took photos with the community with. Among those who attended and showed their support were Benny Uy and Nikki Arriola of the Filipino American Press Club of California as well as former Miss Asia USA Didi Caneda, who participated despite already having their own fundraisers. Much appreciation to Councilwoman Arleen Bocatija Rojas for preparing a Certificate of Appreciation for Donaire, and to former MPT Jim Dear for presenting it to the Champ. Here’s the link to donate and support our kababayans: https:// gofund.me/acf872d5 n
LA County launches pick-up COVID tests...
PAGE 1
testing locations. “We look forward to reducing the waiting time to get tested for individuals unable to book an appointment,” said Paula Siler RN, MS Director of Community Mobile Testing Operations at the LA County Department of Health Services. “Once all 13 Pick-Up Testing locations are fully operating and once our Home Testing Kit by mail program is simultaneously relaunched later this week, we will have successfully added over 10,000 additional daily Covid tests available to the residents of LA County.” The new “Pick-Up Testing Kits” are available to all LA County residents who are experiencing symptoms or believe they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. To preserve limited resources, the “Pick-Up Testing Kits” are not intended for use by those testing as a
requirement to return to school, work or participate in other activities where routine testing is mandated. The “Pick-Up Testing Kits” offer only PCR testing not rapid testing. Individuals who need to get tested as part of a requirement for work, school, or other activities should seek testing via their employer, school district or the entity requiring the testing. LA County residents can find COVID-19 testing sites at covid19. lacounty.gov/testing/ All testing locations listed within the county testing website offer COVID-19 tests at no out-of-pocket cost, regardless of insurance coverage or immigration status. It is important that LA County residents understand that not all COVID-19 testing sites within the LA County region are affiliated or operated by LA County. COVID testing sites are also being
operated by private companies, private health care systems and local municipalities and some of these privately operated sites do charge for their testing services. Only the testing sites listed within the LA County COVID-19 testing website covid19.lacounty. gov/testing/ have been vetted by LA County. As of January 7, 2021 - there are approximately 260 COVID-19 testing locations listed in the LA County’s COVID-19 testing site, of those, the county operates about 66 community sites and 7 state sites. The remaining locations are operated by testing partners. Testing partner sites listed on LA County’s website are sites that have been pre-screened by LA County to ensure that they offer testing with no out-ofpocket cost, regardless of health insurance or immigration status and that they offer testing using a test approved by the FDA. n
maintindihan pa o malaman pa kung sino sa mga pasyenteng nag-positive, even with mild or asymptomatic kung magdidevelop ng long COVID; because that is also a possibility,” she added. (Because we still cannot understand or determine who among the COVID-19 patients, even with mild symptoms or asymptomatic, would develop long COVID; because that is also a possibility.) Saloma’s statement comes after microbiologist Fr. Nicanor Austriaco said that Omicron
could become the “nature’s vaccine” to protect the public against COVID-19 – which “remains to be seen” according to the PGC chief. For pediatric infectious disease expert Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, it is still best to avoid contracting the coronavirus since it may lead to other complications. “We can never predict sino sa mga tinamaan ang magkakaroon ng kumplikayson, including long COVID,” she said. (We can never predict who will have complications, including long COVID.) n
Hospitals recruit international nurses to fill... PAGE 2
services, and, at last fall’s peak, had as many as 200 traveling nurses as part of its workforce. The scarcity of nurses nationally has driven those steep payments, prompting members of Congress to ask the Biden administration to investigate reported gouging by unscrupulous staffing agencies. Whatever the cause, satisfying the hospital’s personnel shortage with traveling nurses is not sustainable, said Priscilla Needham, Billings Clinic’s chief financial officer. Medicare, she noted, doesn’t pay the hospital more if it needs to hire more expensive nurses, nor does it pay enough when a covid patient needs to stay in the hospital longer than a typical covid patient. From July to October, the hospital’s nursing costs increased by $6 million, Needham said. Money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the CARES Act has helped, but she anticipated November and December would further drive up costs. Dozens of agencies place international nurses in U.S. hospitals. The firm that Billings Clinic chose, Avant, first puts the nurses through instruction in Florida in hopes of easing their transition to the U.S., said Brian Hudson, a company senior vice president. Venus, with nine years of experience as a nurse, said her stateside training included clearing cultural hurdles like how to do her taxes and obtain car insurance. “Nursing is the same all over the world,” Venus said, “but the culture is very different.”
Shaffer, of CGFNS International, said foreign-born nurses are interested in the U.S. for a variety of reasons, including the opportunity to advance their education and careers, earn more money or perhaps get married. For some, said Avant’s Hudson, the idea of living “the American dream” predominates. The hitch so far has been getting the nurses into the country fast enough. After jobs are offered and accepted, foreign-born nurses require a final interview to obtain a visa from the State Department, and there is a backlog for those interviews. Powers explained that, because of the pandemic, many of the U.S. embassies where those interviews take place remain closed or are operating for fewer hours than usual. While the backlog has receded in recent weeks, Powers described the delays as challenging. The nurses waiting in their home countries, she stressed, have passed all their necessary exams to work in the U.S. “It’s been very frustrating to have nurses poised to arrive, and we just can’t bring them in,” Powers said. Once they arrive, the international nurses in Billings will remain employees of Avant, although after three years the clinic can offer them permanent positions. Clinic administrators stressed that the nurses are paid the same as its local nurses with equivalent experience. On top of that, the hospital pays a fee to Avant. More than 90% of Avant’s international nurses choose to
stay in their new communities, Hudson said, but Billings Clinic hopes to better that mark. Welcoming them to the city will be critical, said Sara Agostinelli, the clinic’s director of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. She has even offered winter driving lessons. The added diversity will benefit the city, Agostinelli said. Some nurses will bring their spouses; some will bring their children. “We will help encourage what Billings looks like and who Billings is,” she said. Pae Junthanam, a nurse from Thailand, said he was initially worried about coming to Billings after learning that Montana’s population is nearly 90% white and less than 1% Asian. The chance to advance his career, however, outweighed the concerns of moving. He also hopes his partner of 10 years will soon be able to join him. Since his arrival in November, Junthanam said, his neighbors have greeted him warmly, and one shop owner, after learning he was a nurse newly arrived from Thailand, thanked him for his service. “I am far from home, but I feel like this is like another home for me,” he said. (Nick Ehli/Kaiser Health News) This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. n
4 January 12-14, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 12-14, 2022
Dateline PhiliPPines
5
Philippine passport places 77th in international passport ‘power’ index by Zacarian
Sarao
Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Philippine passport placed 77th out of 111 in the 2022 Henley Passport Index (HPI), slightly higher than 2021’s 82nd spot. The country’s past ranking in 2021 at 82nd out of 116, was the lowest for the country’s main international travel document since 2006, while the current ranking now is tied with the country’s spot in 2019. According to Henley & Partners, the firm that oversees the global index of passport power, it assessed the strength of the passports of 199 countries — with each passport scored based on the total number of destinations a holder of the passport could access visa-free. This means a score of one is given in each travel destination where the passport would not be
required to come with a visa. On the other hand, a score of zero is given for each travel destination where the passport would be required to come with a visa — that is, a passport-holder must apply for a governmentapproved electronic visa before departure. In the 2022 HPI, Philippine passport holders tied with Cape Verde Islands with a total of only 66 visa-free destinations, which is still the same as last year’s. The Philippine passport’s rank last peaked at 62nd for three consecutive years in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Meanwhile, below are the Top 10 strongest passports – with the number of destinations their passport holders can go to visafree – according to the latest HPI: • Japan, Singapore – 192 countries • Germany, South Korea
– 190 • Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain – 189 • Austria, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Sweden – 188 • Ireland, Portugal – 187 • Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States – 186 • Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Greece, Malta – 185 • Hungary, Poland – 183 • Lithuania, Slovakia – 182 • Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia – 181 Meanwhile, Afghanistan is still ranked lowest on the list at 111th, with only 26 countries to which Afghan passport holders VIRUS CHECK. Sanitation personnel in protective suits disinfect a service vehicle of Barangay Salitran III in Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Tuesday, can travel visa-free. It is followed by Iraq with January 11. The village hall likewise underwent massive disinfection after some employees tested positive for COVID-19. PNA photo by Gil Calinga only 28 countries, Syria with 29, Pakistan with 31, Yemen with 33, and Somalia with 34. The latest and complete HPI ratings can be found here: The Henley Passport Index. n
Gov’t ready for Alert Level 4 by catherine
S. Valente ManilaTimes.net
THE government is ready for the possible implementation of stringent measures under Alert Level 4 if the coronavirus situation in the country worsens, Malacañang said on Tuesday, January 11. In a virtual press briefing, acting Palace spokesman Karlo Alexei Nograles said the government will not think twice about escalating the alert level status in the National Capital Region (NCR or Metro Manila) and neighboring areas should the health care utilization rate (HCUR) reach the threshold for Alert Level 4. He added that the government is monitoring the two-week growth rate, average daily attack rate and total bed utilization to assess if the alert level in Metro Manila should be heightened. As of Monday, Nograles said the capital region has a 52 percent ICU utilization rate, 54 percent isolation bed utilization rate and 67 percent ward bed utilization rate. “We have not breached the threshold for Alert Level 4,” the official said. Alert Level 4, the second highest in the country’s COVID19 alert level system, can be declared in areas where case counts are high and increasing and where the total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate are also high. Based on the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, as of Dec. 14, 2021, inter-zonal travel is allowed
under Alert Level 4 subject to regulations of local government units, except for those below 18 years old, those above 65 years old, those with comorbidity or other health risks, and pregnant women. Alert Level 4 in NCR not ruled out yet Some establishments, including venues for indoor and outdoor contact sports, cinemas, “perya (carnivals),” venues where children may play, karaoke bars, clubs, concert halls, theaters, casinos, horse racing venues, cockpits, lottery venues and betting shops will not be allowed to operate. Gathering in residences with individuals not belonging to the same household is also prohibited. Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 until January 15. On Monday, the Department of Health (DoH) reported 33,169 new COVID-19 infections, the highest since the pandemic started in March 2020. Of the 33,169 fresh cases, 32,972 or 99 percent occurred within the recent 14 days from Dec. 28 to Jan. 10, 2022. In the recent two weeks, Metro Manila had the highest number of new cases with 18,535 or 56 percent, followed by Calabarzon with 7,443 or 23 percent and Central Luzon with 3,403 or 10 percent. This is the third straight day that the Health department posted record-high fresh cases. Meanwhile, Nograles assured the public that the government’s coronavirus response, particularly its vaccination program,
will not be politicized. He asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government “to ensure that local government units deliver as far as vaccination efforts are concerned.” “What we in the national government will do is make sure na that our works won’t be hampered. We will continue to focus on the deliverables. May mga target tayo. Naka-set ang mga targets na ‘yan (We have our target. We’ve set our target) and we continue to deliver sa national government,” Nograles said. “We will make sure that vaccination and our COVID-19 response is not politicized and that everybody stays and remains neutral especially in the distribution of vaccines,” he added. The Palace official justified President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to barangay (village) captains nationwide to restrain the movement of those unvaccinated amid the surge in COVID19 cases. Citing health experts, Nograles said unvaccinated individuals are at higher risk of experiencing critical COVID-19 symptoms or death. Nograles then urged senior citizens who are yet to receive their COVID-19 shots to get inoculated. The DoH had bared that 3 million senior citizens remain unvaccinated. The country has over 9 million Filipinos 60 years old and above as of 2019. As of January 10, over 52.8 million individuals had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in the country. n
Awtoridad sa Transportasyon sa Kalunsuran ng County ng Los Angeles PAUNAWA SA PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG Ang Awtoridad sa Transportasyon sa Kalunsuran ng County ng Los Angeles ay magsasagawa ng mga pampublikong pagdinig upang tumanggap ng mga komento ng komunidad tungkol sa mga pagsusuri sa Title VI na isinagawa para sa Metro na Crenshaw Light Rail Project and Regional Connector Transit Project. Ang mga detalye ng mga petsa, oras, at paraan ng pagdinig upang lumahok ay nakalista sa ibaba. Ang paparating na pampublikong pagdinig ay gaganapin alinsunod sa mga kinakailangan ng pederal na pampublikong pagdinig na nakabalangkas sa Seksyon 5307 (b) ng Title 49 U.S.C., at mga alituntunin sa pampublikong pagdinig na nakabalangkas sa Seksyon 2-50-025 ng Administrative Code ng Metro, tulad ng pagkaka-amyenda. ISKEDYUL NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG TITLE VI PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG SA TITLE VI PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG SA CRENSHAW LIGHT RAIL LINE AND CRENSHAW LIGHT RAIL LINE AND REGIONAL CONNECTOR REGIONAL CONNECTOR TRANSIT PROJECT TRANSIT PROJECT Martes, Pebrero 15, 2022 Sabado, Pebrero 12, 2022 10:00 ng umaga 6:00 ng hapon Makinig sa Ingles: 3462108# Magkomento sa Ingles: 3756328# Makinig sa Espanyol: 4127050# Magkomento sa Espanyol: 4127057# Maaaring tumawag ang mga miyembro ng publiko sa (877) 422-8614 at ilagay ang kaukulang extension gaya ng nakalista sa itaas upang makinig sa oras ng pagdinig (Makinig) o magsumite ng mga komento sa pamamagitan ng telepono (Mga Komento) sa oras ng pagdinig sa kanilang gustong wika; ang mga linya sa pakikinig at pagkokomento ay makukuha mula sa simula ng bawat pagdinig hanggang sa pagtatapos nito. Alinsunod sa California AB 361 at sa Safer at Home na paghihigpit na ipinatupad sa oras na naka-iskedyul ang mga pagdinig, magaganap ang mga pagdinig na ito nang virtual. Lalabas ang link kung saan mapapanood ng online sa https://boardagendas.metro.net/ kapag nagsimula na ang bawat pagdinig; ang mga komento ay maaaring isumite online sa pamamagitan ng link ng komento sa agenda ng pampublikong pagdinig na ipo-post sa https://boardagendas.metro.net/ na hindi bababa sa 72 oras bago ang pagdinig. Ang bawat pampublikong pagdinig ay magsisimula sa nakalistang oras sa pagpapakita ng Title VI na pagsusuri ng Crenshaw Light Rail Project and Regional Connector Transit Project na susundan ng komento ng publiko. Ang pampublikong pagdinig ay magsasara kapag ang lahat ng mga komento na natanggap sa pamamagitan ng online na komento na tampok sa agenda ay mabasa na at ang mga komentong galing sa mga miyembro ng publiko na tumawag at nagsumite ng feedback sa pamamagitan ng telepono. Hinihikayat ang publiko na tingnan o pakinggan ang paparating na pagdinig at magbigay ng patotoo sa pagsusuri ng Title VI na pagtitibayin. Lahat ng pampublikong komento na natanggap sa pamamagitan ng telepono, email, at postal mail ay ibabahagi at isasaalang-alang ng Metro Board bago ang pagpapatibay ng Title VI na pagsusuri na tinalakay sa pagdinig. Maaaring magsumite ang publiko ng nakasulat na testimonya na naka-postmark (U.S. Mail) o naka-timestamped (email) hanggang hatinggabi ng Martes, Pebrero 15, 2022, kapag magsasara na ang pampublikong rekord, sa pamamagitan ng mga sumusunod na pamamaraan. Ang mga komentong ipinadala sa pamamagitan ng U.S Mail ay dapat naka-address sa: Metro Service Planning & Development Attn: Crenshaw Light Rail Project/Regional Connector Project Title VI Analysis/ 1 Gateway Plaza, 99-7-1 Los Angeles, CA 90012-2932 Ang mga komentong ipinadala sa pamamagitan ng e-mail ay dapat naka-address sa : servicechanges@metro.net, Attn: “Crenshaw Light Rail/ Regional Connector Project Title VI Analysis.” MGA KAILANGAN SA ADA: Kapag hiniling, ang interpretasyon ng sign language, mga materyal sa mga alternatibong format at iba pang akomodasyon ay maaaring makuha ng publiko para sa mga pagpupulong at kaganapang inisponsor ng Metro. LIMITADONG KAALAMAN SA INGLES: Kapag hiniling, magbibigay sa publiko na mga tagasalin sa wika para sa mga pagpupulong at kaganapang inisponsor ng Metro. Ang mga agenda at minuto ng pagpupulong ay maaari ring makuha sa ibang mga wika kapag hiniling. Ang lahat ng mga kahilingan para sa mga makatwirang akomodasyon, mga serbisyo ng interpretasyon at mga materyal sa ibang mga wika ay dapat gawin nang hindi bababa sa tatlong araw nang may trabaho (72 oras) bago ang nakatakdang petsa ng pagpupulong. Mangyaring isumite ang mga kahilingan sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag sa (213) 922-4600 sa pagitan ng 8 a.m. at 5 p.m., Lunes hanggang Biyernes. Ang aming TDD line ay (800) 252-9040. Ang mga indibidwal na may kapansanan sa pandinig o pagsasalita ay maaaring gumamit ng numero ng telepono ng California Relay Service na 711 + numero ng telepono ng Metro.
CNSB#3543066
Robredo still open to unification among presidential bets but not as hopeful by Ma.
reina tolentino ManilaTimes.net
VICE President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo remains open to a unification with several presidential aspirants but said it may be difficult now since certificates of candidacy (CoCs) have been filed. Robredo, who is running for president in the 2022 elections,
told reporters in a virtual interview on Tuesday that “lagi kaming bukas (we are always open)”. “Pero ngayon na nag-file na, tingin ko mas mahirap siya. Mas mahirap siya, kasi siyempre yung supporters namin invested na, meron na ding kanya-kanyang mga grupo na tumutulong sa amin (Now that CoCs have been filed, it would
be more difficulr because supporters have been invested and there are groups that are now helping us),” Robredo said. She said that “while open ako, hindi ako masyadong umaasa na mangyayari iyon in the soonest possible time (while I’m open to it, I am not much hopeful that it will happen at the soonest possible time).” n
Sara bucks Duterte’s order vs unvaxxed Pinoys by edith
regalado Philstar.com
DAVAO CITY — Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is against President Duterte’s order for barangay officials to ”restrain” unvaccinated people or arrest them if they insist on going out of their homes. ”I am pro-vaccination and boosters. But in this case, I will not agree with the exclusion or restriction of the unvaccinated. This is because they were given the freedom to choose,” Carpio said in a statement. She said people could not be restrained in their house because
the government did not make COVID vaccination mandatory. “They were given the freedom, so why make things hard for them?” Carpio asked. She said she is leaving it up to business establishments and heads of government offices to decide whether or not to bar unvaccinated persons. Carpio reiterated her call for her constituents to get vaccinated, saying there are enough vaccines in various inoculation sites. In a pre-recorded address to the people last week, the President said barangay officials should look for persons who re-
fuse to be vaccinated and prevent them from leaving their house. Acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles justified the President’s directive, adding that Malacañang respected the opinion of Carpio. ”The President is only trying to protect the unvaccinated from harm,” Nograles said. He cited data showing that the unvaccinated have a higher chance of contracting severe or critical COVID. ”As the father of the nation, the President is only trying to protect the unvaccinated and this is for the common good,” Nograles said. n
6 JANUARY 12-14, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL
OPINION
2022 feels like a second chance
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
FEATURES
IN considering how we would greet this new year, we took a look back to the impressions we shared in The Manila Times’ editorial on New Year’s Day 2021: “Last night’s turn of the year was more than the usual transition that we make with the passing of the old year and the advent of a new year,” we observed then. “We said goodbye to 2020, which will enter the world’s annals as a never-before milestone that we hope will never again be repeated.” Much of the rest of the editorial focused on the significance of 2021 being the quincentennial of Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in the islands that would thereafter be known as the Philippines, a historic event that was important not just for this country, but for the entire world. The arrival of Magellan’s expedition, though that did not have a good result for the explorer personally, completed the circumnavigation of the globe, the point at which familiar sea routes from West-to-East finally met one from East-to-West. It was our hope then that the historic occasion would inspire the country to make 2021 “a year of resurgence and rediscovery of our significance to the world.” Let us be the first to acknowledge that that is obviously not how things worked out. The Magellan quincentennial passed with hardly anyone notic-
ing, as this country struggled along with the rest of the world with a year that quickly seemed to be a continuation of the one before it and perhaps, even worse in some respects. There was some progress; the country’s battered economy began to recover some of the ground it lost in 2020, and the availability of vaccines against Covid-19 – a development that was, we should not forget, miraculous for its speed and scale despite lingering problems of unequal distribution – gave us a justifiable sense that we were, at least, beginning to get the upper hand on the pandemic. Yet, the year ends with the looming threat of another dangerous variant of the coronavirus, one which is already rampaging across other parts of the world; a third of the country in tatters from a powerful, late-season typhoon; and a variety of growing economic and geopolitical pressures that threaten to derail our progress. What happened in 2021 has been extensively reviewed elsewhere; but again, it seems, we are saying goodbye to a year “that we hope will never again be repeated.” (ManilaTimes.net)
Editorial
ManilaTimes.net photo
Filipino heroes during this pandemic
Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ THERE is absolutely no doubt that if there is anyone who has suffered from this pandemic and sacrificed a lot for this country in so many ways, it is the overseas Filipino worker, enduring the heartache of being separated from loved ones for very long periods of time. Prior to assuming my post as ambassador to the United States, the President’s marching orders was to see to it that the welfare and interest of our OFWs are attended to and, more importantly, that their rights are protected. I am very well aware of the sacrifices that an OFW has to make, mainly for the welfare and benefit of his family, but ultimately – for the country. During the first few months following the onset of the COVID19 pandemic, I saw firsthand the anguish, distress and depression that Filipino seafarers had to go through because of repatriation problems. Close to 85,000 Filipinos were working in cruise
ships based out of Florida and the Caribbean, but COVID19 caused unprecedented disruption on the cruise industry. The impact was so devastating: passengers were stranded, cruise ships were refused entry to ports, borders started to close. Filipino cruise industry workers – who comprise about one third of the global industry – were forced to go on leave and go home. We set in motion the immediate repatriation of our seafarers, finally convincing cruise liners to bring their ships to the Philippines for easier transport of our OFWs in large numbers. Arriving in Manila Bay after one month, the seafarers had to endure additional months on the ships for processing, testing and quarantine, with the procedure taking long because of the sheer number of returning OFWs. One can only imagine the frustration and depression that they were going through – so much so that one of them killed himself while two others died while waiting for a negative COVID-19 test result. When Afghanistan was
overtaken by the Taliban, we assisted in the repatriation of OFWs, coordinating with our friends at the US Pentagon to secure the necessary flight clearances for the Philippines’ repatriation effort. The whole world saw how chaotic the situation was in Kabul, with Afghans desperately trying to flee their country. One can only imagine how nerve-wracking it must have been for Filipinos and other foreign workers who also feared for their lives. There is absolutely no question that the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers is the right thing to do for our OFWs to address the issues and problems that hound them such as red tape, illegal recruiters and emergency assistance when they are in distressful situations in host countries. The DMW, which will have offices in every region in the country, will serve as a onestop-shop that would streamline processes as it will integrate different government agencies that deal with OFW concerns such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration, the International Labor Affairs Bureau of the Department of Labor and Employment, all Philippine Overseas Labor Offices and other similar agencies. I can say this, Filipino overseas workers are highly appreciated and preferred by foreign employers because they are hardworking, reliable and are really good at what they do. These “modern-day heroes” are our major asset, and even during this pandemic, they continue to step up and have been a strong pillar of the economy because of their remittances which, according to the latest report from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, grew by 5.4 percent from January-October 2021 to $28.82 billion – with remittances coming from the US accounting for 40.9 percent and emerging as the major source of remittances. On the other side of the coin, there are also other Filipino heroes – wealthy individuals who have done so much in assisting people and helping the country during this pandemic. They are businessmen and top executives of some of
the biggest companies in the country who came to the aid of victims of calamities and disasters, the most recent of which was Typhoon Odette that killed over 400 people and whose damage to agriculture is estimated at P11.5 billion. We have the SM group headed by Tessie Sy-Coson, SMC’s Ramon Ang as well as Manny Pangilinan and countless others who utilized their resources in providing assistance to families that were displaced. One individual who has done more than expected, quietly doing his part to help Filipinos without fanfare, is a tycoon who I know hates publicity but whose Manila Water Foundation sent truckloads of drinking water and hygiene products to communities battered by Typhoon Odette. Aside from linemen and engineers, his Group also deployed a boat to hasten power restoration efforts, with electricity restored in 18 hours. What stands out for many Filipinos, however, is the tycoon’s efforts in helping the government manage the pandemic situation through his Foundation, in particular the purchase of Moderna vaccines,
the construction of quarantine facilities and vaccination rollouts through the Nayong Pilipino Foundation Drive Through and another vaccination center in Parañaque City. With the Omicron variant now present in the Philippines and daily cases surging once again, fully vaccinated Filipinos are truly grateful for the help from the businessman’s Foundation. I know this tycoon hates publicity, even having PR people in his employ to make sure that his name is kept out of the limelight as much as possible. I must admit there are many more Filipinos helping their fellowmen out of the goodness of their hearts, not thinking of profit but simply following the Lord’s teachings. “Blessed are they who help those in need, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” *** 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
No one is above the law
As A Matter of Fact SARA SOLIVEN DE GUZMAN WHAT happened last week during the Comelec hearing of Bong Bong Marcos’ disqualification case showed the Filipinos that no one is above the law. The same goes for the ‘Poblacion girl’ and the accused Pharmally officers. Let’s begin with BBM’s absence during the Comelec hearing. Why didn’t he go? Why didn’t he show up? If his intentions were sincere, he would have raised hell or gone through high waters to show up. Was he sick with the COVID virus in the first place? Wasn’t he only exposed to two COVID-19 positive people? So, why couldn’t he show up virtually? His absence actually delayed the proceedings because his lawyers were not ready with a medical certificate which is a standard protocol. Even students in grade school know that when you are absent due to sickness or an urgent matter, you have to inform your teacher formally. I noticed how the lawyers were allegedly delaying the proceedings in many ways even if they said they didn’t want to delay it. I felt it was unbecoming of a professional group whose client
is running for the highest office in the country, the President of the Philippines. I expected a higher form of representation, not to mention from BBM himself. Shouldn’t he show the Filipinos how professional he is? How truthful, committed he is to the people? This is not only about the law but about the relationship BBM is establishing with the Filipinos. This brings to mind many recollections I have of BBM during the seventies and the eighties. He had a bad reputation of always acting as if he were above the law. There were many horror stories told about him during his heyday. Well, yes during the Marcos Era, the first family and their cronies were truly above the law, while many Filipinos going against their will were silenced. But later, the people who had enough of their corruption and antics started to cry foul, thus, the People Power Revolution. Now, does BBM think he can continue to act like a spoiled brat? If his conscience were clear, he should have shown the nation how sick he was via the television or the digital screen. And by so doing, he would have earned more respect. But no, he chose otherwise.
Anyway, I checked why there seems to be a feeling that BBM’s league of lawyers were trying to delay the hearing of the case(s). I found out that maybe they are trying to delay the proceedings because they know that Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon is scheduled to retire next month. I’m just guessing here because the Commissioner is a tough one. She will bring out the truth. She has always fought for justice all her life and will make sure it is served. I don’t know the rule on whether Guanzon will have to complete this case since she started it or if she will she have to turn it over to another commissioner when she retires. Abangan! * * * So, what happened to the Poblacion girl? Her name is Gwyneth Chua. Hell broke loose when she arrived on Dec. 23 from the United States, checked in at the Berjaya Hotel in Makati and attended a party that same day in Poblacion, Makati. How did she get away from being supposedly quarantined in the hotel? Why did her parents encourage her to break the rules? How was she able to join a party without being checked with a QR code as we always are when entering res-
taurants, malls, etc.? The worst part of this conundrum is that she was a “gate crasher” in the party she attended that night. How pathetic! How desperate can you be? Susmariosep! I mentioned in one of my columns a few weeks ago that this story is not new. There have been many travelers who have done this but were not caught. Of course, again under the patronage of the powerful and the well-connected bigwigs. But truly, if you were a decent person, would you really want to risk the lives of other people just because you can get away with flaunting the law? So, the saga continues when on Dec. 27, her RT-PCR test result came out and it was positive for COVID-19. Later, it was found out that her fellow party-goers, the restaurant staff and other patrons also tested positive. Now, you may ask, did she bring the virus to the party? It may be difficult to prove this but the bottom line is she breached all protocols, including attending a party uninvited. So, now, can the Chua family use their powerful connections to stop the cases filed against them? Are they still above the law? Last week, the Criminal Investigation and Detection
Group (CIDG) filed a complaint before the Makati Prosecutor’s Office against Gwyneth Chua, her parents, her boyfriend and hotel personnel. They were cited for violating Republic Act 11332 or Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Disease and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. The Department of Tourism, on the other hand, “suspended the accreditation of Berjaya Hotel in Makati and revoked its permit as a Multiple-Use Hotel for its failure to stop a guest from breaking quarantine rules. The hotel was also fined twice the rate of its most expensive room.” Now, thanks to our DOT Secretary who is also a tough cookie, she will make sure that justice is served. What is important now is that all agencies work together to toughen up restrictions and implementation of the law. If we want to get the number of our COVID19 cases down to the single digits, we must work hard to achieve it. * * * Let’s not forget about the Pharmally corruption case. This should stick with us because it is such a painful act to note how government officials may be part of this very bad scheme. I cannot even think of how people have the gall to
indulge in such corrupt practices. Imagine trying to get one over the people during a pandemic? Sanamagan! The mind-boggling part of this scandal is why the President seems to be bothered by the Senate hearings conducted by Senator Richard Gordon? I’m confused! Is the President trying to protect the scammers? This is the biggest corruption scandal during this COVID-19 crisis affecting all the Filipinos. We are talking of billions of pesos in unaccounted receipts and overpriced supplies of government procurement. I am still thankful that we have a ‘check and balance’ system in place. In reality, however, this is made possible only by people who create a stir and who are determined to work on a just society. We need to raise the type of leaders we choose to serve us and beware of those who hide in the dark. The moral of all three stories is founded in the power of KARMA. As the saying goes, what goes around comes around! (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.
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
CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President
CHRISTINA M. ORIEL Editor-in-Chief
MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor
US HEADQUARTERS: 1210 S. Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 Fax: (818) 502-0858 • (213) 481-0854 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com
IVY MANALANG Vice President - Marketing Los Angeles Asian Journal
MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA Senior Vice President Los Angeles Asian Journal
With offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York/New Jersey Las Vegas, San Diego, Philippines
DING CARREON Videographer
ANDY TECSON Photographer
Asian Journal Publications, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publication by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases. Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applicable law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation. Publication of a Client’s Material does not constitute an agreement to continue publication. Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material. AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publication of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being cancellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republication of the correct advertisement. Under no circumstances shall Asian Publications, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind. ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; the Orange County and Inland Empire Asian Journal, Northern California Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern California, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively. Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions. Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please call the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Date lin e Ph iliP P in e s
SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 12-14, 2022
7
Face shields, plastic barriers do little to stop COVID-19 spread — aerosol scientist by Gaea
Katreena Philstar.com
CabiCo
MANILA — A debate on Twitter has revived discussions on how the coronavirus spreads and on whether plastic barriers can help prevent the transmission of the virus as talk continues of requiring face shields again. The debate was prompted by an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel of Jose-Luis Jimenez, an aerosol expert and chemistry professor from the University of Colorado-Boulder, who said that plastic barriers and face shields do not reduce the spread of infectious diseases that undergo airborne transmission such as COVID-19. “Face shields are outdated. At the beginning of the pandemic, we saw that when two people talk, there were some projectiles, these droplets, were flying through the air and then a face shield could intercept them,” Jimenez said last week on ANC’s “The Rundown”. “Now we know that’s not the case. It’s like smoke, and the smoke can go under the face shield. So face shields, basically, are useless except in a hospital,” he added. The aerosol expert stressed the public must use their money to buy better masks and “things that actually work.” Plastic not that fantastic vs COVID-19 The Philippines is one of the few countries that advocate the use of face shields, with the Department of Health insisting that plastic coverings provide an additional layer of protection. Face shields are no longer required in areas under Alert Level 3 and lower. The use of face shields will be mandatory in areas under Alert Level 5. Jimenez also said that seethrough plastic barriers in schools holding in-person classes and motorcycle barriers — used to supposedly prevent COVID-19 spread — actually increase transmission. A study from John Hopkins published in June 2021 suggested that plastic barriers in classrooms were associated with an increased risk of COVID19 infection. A study looking at schools in Massachusetts found that plexiglass dividers with side
walls were impeding air flow. The Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers said in 2020 that there is no guarantee that motorcycle barriers will be effective in protecting riders from the spread of air particles to each other. It also warned the barrier can compromise the stability of the motorcycle, putting riders at risk. COVID-19 is airborne “Airborne transmission, breathing the virus in, is the only important for of transmission. We should put there a 100% of our efforts,” Jimenez stressed in the interview. Scientists have been pointing out that there is strong evidence that SARS-CoV-2—or the virus that causes COVID-19—spreads by airborne transmission. Early in the pandemic, the researchers called on the World Health Organization to revise its recommendations. The WHO had long held that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted primarily through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. It took until 2021 for the United Nations health agency and the US Centers for Disease Control and Preventions to acknowledge that airborne spread is a major route of COVID-19 infection. The WHO said that aside from droplet transmission, a person can contract the virus when infectious particles that pass through the air are inhaled at short range or if infectious particles come into direct contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth. The virus can also spread in poorly ventilated indoor settings and in crowded areas. People may also become infected when they touch their eyes, nose or mouth after touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by the virus. On Twitter over the weekend, Jimenez had an exchange with physician Ted Herbosa about airborne transmission after the National Task Force Against COVID-19 adviser questioned the professor’s expertise and warned that lab findings might not be applicable in the real world. Jimenez also told Herbosa that airborne and aerosol
transmission “are the same thing.” The WHO uses two terms interchangeably for both short-range and longrange transmission. The exchange between Jimenez and Herbosa prompted social media users to discuss airborne transmission on Spaces, Twitter’s audio chat feature. Reducing airborne transmission The virus that causes COVID19 is in the air. Now what? According to experts, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning providers should use air filters to clean the air. UV lamps need to be placed near vents and away from people. Improving ventilation is key to reducing airborne transmission. Building owners and individuals are advised to use exhaust fans to suck air out, and open windows but they need to ensure that air is coming in and out. To push air out, electric fans are preferred over ceiling fans. The public is also advised to wear well fit and high-quality masks such as N95. “The most effective measure we can do is do things outdoors,” Jimenez said, noting the chance of getting infected outdoors is 20 times less than indoors. Listen to the qualified scientists Scientists also called on policy makers to work with them to design better strategies to combat the pandemic. “I’ve talked to government ministers from many countries... But the problem is that they often don’t listen. That’s why I have to resort to Twitter,” Jimenez said. A wind dynamics expert who has been saying that face shields increase the use of transmission stressed that experts outside the medical field must be tapped for their insights. “They need to merit and allow expert opinion coming from other fields, especially us who know face shields intervene,” Joshua Agar, assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Institute of Civil Engineering, said in an interview with Philstar.com last year. n
SOUGHT AFTER. Medical oxygen tanks for delivery and refills are seen on an open truck traversing Edsa on Monday, January 10. Unlike last year when such medical equipment were always running out, hospitals have not yet reported a shortage in oxygen supplies. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
Majority of Filipinos hope worst of COVID is over by Kaithreen
Cruz ManilaTimes.net
MAJORITY of Filipinos hope the worst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis is over, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed. The 2021 Fourth Quarter Survey showed that 80% of the respondents believe “the worst was behind us,” surpassing the previous record of 69% in the Fourth Quarter Survey in November. It was also higher by 42% than the previous quarter. The%age of those saying the worst is over was highest in Mindanao at 83%, followed by Metro Manila (82%), the rest of Luzon (81%) and the Visayas (75%). The same sentiment was prevalent among elementary graduates (83%), followed by junior high school graduates
(81%), college graduates (80%) and nonelementary graduates (72%). Percentage of respondents who fear that “the worst is yet to come” sharply declined, from 31% in the fourth quarter of 2020 to 19%. It should be noted that the survey was done from December 12 to 16, when the daily average of new COVID-19 cases was around 300. During the same period, the government also conducted blitz vaccinations twice, on November 29 to December 1 and December 15 to 18. The survey also showed that 88% of respondents said they were “a great deal worried or somewhat worried” that a family member might catch COVID19, while the remaining 12% “a little worried or not worried.”
Compared to the same period last year, the number of those worried about the virus infecting family members was lower by 3%. The percentage of worrisome respondents was highest in the Visayas with 94%, followed by Mindanao (91%), Metro Manila (87%) and the rest of Luzon (84%). SWS said the concern was “much greater than worries about catching previous viruses” such as Ebola, swine flu, bird flu and severe acute respiratory syndrome. SWS polled 1,440 adults using face-to-face interviews. There was a sampling error margin of ±2.6% for national percentages and ±5.2% for subnational percentages in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. n
90-M Pinoys jabbed by June 2022 eyed
THE government aims to vaccinate 90 million Filipinos against COVID-19 by June 2022, National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said. So far, 52,393,229 Filipinos have been fully vaccinated while 61,902,516 have received at least one dose. Included in the target is the administering of the primary series, or first dose, of the vaccine to around 28 million to 30 million citizens. The government also plans
to administer around 72 million booster shots for the adult population and 12.74 million individuals aged 12 to 17. “’Yung 100 million doses na nasa stockpile po natin ay sapat sa remaining primary series ng unvaccinated at para sa 25 million na eligible ngayong quarter for boosters (The 100 million doses we have in our stockpile are enough for the remaining primary series for the unvaccinated and for the 25 million eligible this quarter for boosters),” Galvez said during President Rodrigo Duterte’s prerecorded “Talk to
the People” public briefing late Monday night. He said that the government needs to procure 17 million doses for boosters and 26 million doses for children. The pandemic task force aims to start inoculating children aged 0 to 4 also by the second quarter of the year. The vaccination of children 5 to 11 years old, meanwhile, may start by the end of this month. “We are now making some contingencies to acquire doses that we need to include ages 0 to 4,” Galvez noted. (ManilaTimes.net)
The Asian Journal
mdwk
Wednesday january 12, 2022
mAGAZINE
asianjournalpublications
@asianjournalcom
@asianjournal
www.asianjournal.com Los Angeles | Las Vegas | Orange County/Inland Empire | Northern California | New York/New Jersey
A year in review: Revisit the Asian Journal’s MDWK Magazine stories of 2021 H
by AJPress
APPY New Year! And just like that, we’re in 2022 and we’re still in the 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, they celebrated Hidilyn Diaz who won the first-ever Olympic gold for the Philippines and Lee Kiefer, a Filipina American fencer who likewise secured a gold medal for Team USA. Following tradition, the Asian Journal editorial team begins the year reflecting on the MDWK Magazine stories from 2021. Each week, the MDWK Magazine 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 in America and the various social issues the community faces. The 52 features published have covered ways families
28-year-old Saweetie has made her mark in the hip-hop game with several viral hits, including “My Type” and most recently, “Best Friend” with Doja Cat. Photo courtesy of Instagram/@saweetie Pop star Olivia Rodrigo, who has broken records with her first two singles, released her debut album “Sour” in May 2021 and has received several Grammy nods.
have celebrated major holidays while staying safely at home, the annual observance of FilAm History Month, 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://
ers License broke the Spotify record for most streams of a H.E.R. is an Oscar and Grammy-winning R&B song in a single week as it was artist. Photo from Instagram/@hermusicofficial streamed 65,873,080 times during the week ending on Jan. www.asianjournal.com/catego- 14, according to Spotify’s globry/magazines/mdwk-magazine/. al weekly Top 200 chart. She went on to release her debut Personalities album, SOUR, garnering several Last year, we featured a Grammy nominations, including host of personalities, ranging Album of the Year. from authors with current and Olivia wasn’t the only biraupcoming books and actors cial Pinay living her best life in who are on stage, television, 2021. or film. H.E.R. — an R&B singPerhaps the biggest splash er-songwriter whose real name was made by breakout star is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson — and teen sensation Olivia Rodrigo. Her debut single Driv- kicked of the year by performing “America the Beautiful” at the Super Bowl and continued to make headlines nearly every month. She won Song of the Year for “I Can’t Breathe” and took home the Oscar for Best Original Song for “Fight For You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah.” “Me just being up there is a message. It’s a message to all the young Black and Filipino girls…that you can be up here,” she said following her Oscar win. And she didn’t stop there — she dropped her debut album “Back of My Mind” and announced that she’ll make her feature film acting debut in a remake of “The Color Purple.” Saweetie’s viral hit “Best Friend” was played on the radio and on social media, as she secured key brand partnerships like her own McDonalds meal. In an interview with the Asian Journal, the 28-year-old rapper spoke about the importance to representing her culture, saying “I remember my mom telling me that it’s important for me to share my heritage, to share my culture. So anytime that it makes sense, I do let people know that I am half-Filipina.” On the big screen, “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” starring LeBron James, showed us the versatility of voice actor Eric Bauza, who lent his voice for Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn and Marvin the Martian. “We’re living in this time where representation and multiculturalism [are] so important. For me to bear that responsibility of bringing these characters back to a generation from my heritage is an honor,” Bauza told the Asian Journal. Meanwhile, 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
Filipino-Canadian voice actor Eric Bauza (center) with Looney Tunes characters Daffy Duck and Sylvester during a “Space Jam- A New Legacy” takeover at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA on June 29. Photo by Eric Charbonneau
Leyna Bloom was photographed by Yu Tsai in Tampa, FL wearing Dos Gardenias. Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated
Custodio portrays Carolyn “Mouse” Smith, a member of the high school basketball team in the new series “Big Shot” landing on Disney+ on April 16. Photo courtesy of Disney/Gilles Mingasson
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. And we can’t forget Leyna Bloom, a Black and Filipina American model and dancer, who made history as the first transgender woman of color to grace Sports Illustrated’s famed Swimsuit Issue. According to Bloom, her feature on the publication’s Swimsuit Issue is her way of “promoting something that has been missing in the world: trans beauty in all shapes and all sizes.” “I’m representing Filipina, I’m representing Black, I am representing people who have been immigrants. For them, I’m a vessel of change,” she said. Chefs and their cuisine We highlighted several FilAm chefs who spoke candidly
Isa Fabro voices Chef Jo on Netflix’s “City of Ghosts”
Contributed photos
Chef Vallerie Castillo Archer, Yamashiro’s first female executive chef Contributed photo
about running restaurants and cooking amid the pandemic, while still proudly embracing their heritage and making their mark on the food industry. Vallerie Castillo Archer became the first female executive chef of Yamashiro, an iconic Japanese restaurant in Hollywood, and has shaped the menu to give diners a unique dining experience with a stunning view of the LA skyline. It’s an inspiring feat for Archer who started at the restaurant as a pastry chef in 2019, and previously, she was a stay-athome mom before she received formal culinary training. “It’s an honor to be the first female executive chef and to be a Filipina and Asian executive chef. To be an immigrant coming here and leading is surreal,” she told the Asian Journal. Yamashiro has a bustling crowd of diners daily and has revived itself as a celebrity hotspot, but Chef Val makes it a point to come out and say hi to each table. “I want to be remembered as someone who is approachable. I’m not this famous chef that you can’t say ‘hi’ to. Like I said, every day is like my first day of work. I don’t think I’ll ever stop cooking,” she said. Last spring, Pinay chef Isa Fabro added voice actor to her growing résumé. Fabro, who creates Filipino-inspired desserts and conceptual pop-ups under IsaMADE, voiced Chef Jo in the first episode of “City of Ghosts,” Netflix’s new documentary-style animated series that follows a group of friends Continued on Page 9
A year in review: Revisit the... From Page 8 from different backgrounds as they interact with ghosts and learn about the rich history of LA’s neighborhoods. Two-time Top Chef finalist Sheldon Simeon released “Cook Real Hawai’i,” a collection of everyday dishes that celebrate the culture of his home state and his own family’s version of classic Filipino dishes like pancit and adobo. Call it his love letter to the home and the family that cared and nurtured him. “The recipes contained in this book are not just dishes I’ve served at my restaurants, they’re foods that represent my culture and family, foods of great celebration and bounty, of poverty and humility,” Simeon wrote. Chef Angela Dimayuga also released her debut cookbook, “Filipinx: Heritage Recipes From the Diaspora,” co-written with Ligaya Mishan of the New York Times. It offers offers 100 personal recipes culled from Dimayuga’s family and the years of learning the cuisine from her mom and lola. “I feel really lucky that I grew up around really delicious Filipino food because that’s, you know, that’s a privilege. That’s not an experience that everyone gets to have,” she shared. “But that was a way of expressing love if we didn’t always say it, we would always have the food. And so the process was also it came very intuitively.” Unsung heroes 2021 marked the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic
Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz, a physician in Las Vegas, is celebrated with a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll as part of Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes program. Photo courtesy of Instagram/@dr.audreyxsue
frontline fight, a Filipina American physician in Las Vegas was transformed into a Barbie doll. Dr. Audrey Sue Cruz, a frontline worker who joined forces with other Asian American physicians to fight racial bias and discrimination, was among the global lineup of women honored with a oneof-a-kind Barbie doll as part of Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes program. “With this honor, I hope to shine a light on the commitment and compassion all frontline workers exhibited over the past year and a half Sheldon Simeon in Hana, Hawaii. Photography and every single day. I hope to copyright: Kevin J. Miyazaki © 2021 represent minorities in America and encourage cultural advocacy,” Cruz said. and we continue to recognize In another scientific level, the Filipino/a American health care professionals and essential ordinary folks were amazed as NASA’s Perseverance rover workers who have been on the made its historic landing on frontlines providing care and Mars in mid-February, ushering support. in a new era of exploration and Today, nurses of Filipino study on the red planet. descent make up 4% of the Several Filipino Americans nursing population in the were among the thousands U.S. During the pandemic, of brilliant minds who played however, Filipino nurses have integral roles in the momentous comprised 26.4% of registered landing. They include Gregorio nurse fatalities (or 83 individVillar III, an entry, descent, and uals), according to the Nalanding (EDL) systems engitional Nurses United’s “Sins of Omissions” report, highlighting neer, and Marianne Gonzalez, a chemical engineer. Both work at at least 329 RNs of different backgrounds who have died up NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. until Feb. 2021. Villar, who has been with We asked health care proNASA for over a decade, was fessionals how the community also the head verification and could honor them and they validation engineer for the overwhelming said to continue EDL phase of Perseverance. following safety protocols like Villar credited his education in wearing a mask, social distancthe Philippines for his NASA ing and getting vaccinated to journey. protect against the virus. “I thank part of my educaAs a representative to this
feature
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 12, 2022
Mia P. Manansala’s debut novel “Arsenic and Adobo” will be released on May 4. Photos courtesy of Jamilla Yipp Photography and Berkley/ Penguin Random House
tion in the Philippines for that. I studied so much in the Philippines, my foundation in math and physics because of my teachers there in high school,” he said in an interview. Gonzalez was among the class of 2022’s Forbes 30 Under 30 for her work as a chemical engineer. For Perseverance, Gonzalez was part of the team that built Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE), a device about the size of a car battery housed inside the rover. “As a Filipina and a minority in this field, it is easy to feel like you might not belong. I would encourage any aspiring Filipina engineers to work on building their confidence. Being a woman of color in a dominantly male field can be scary at times. As long as you remind yourself about why you’re passionate about engineering, it makes it all worth it,” she told the Asian Journal. Published authors The Asian Journal highlighted several Fil-Am-authored books to watch out for in 2021 as folks were looking to diversify their reading lists. Among those who featured included “When Lola Visits,” a picture book by Michelle Sterling about a young Filipina girl being visited by her grandmother from the Philippines, and Newbery Medal-winning author Erin Entrada Kelly’s illustrated novel “Maybe, Maybe Marianne Gonzalez (left), a chemical engineer at NASA, was part of the team that built MOXIE, Marisol Rainey,” which is loosely an oxygen measuring device inside the Perseverance Rover. Gregorio Villar (right), an EDL based on her biracial identity as engineer, was involved in assisting the safe landing of the rover. a Filipina American growing up Contributed photo; photo courtesy of NASA
9
“Fierce Filipina” author Maxie Villavicencio Pulliam poses with a portrait of her greatgreat-grandmother Gliceria Marella de Villavicencio that was painted by Juan Luna during the Philippine revolution. Contributed photo
In her debut cookbook, acclaimed chef Angela Dimayuga shares her passion for Filipino food with home cooks. AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya
in a small Louisiana town. There was also “Arsenic and Adobo,” the debut novel from Chicago-based author Mia P. Manansala. It centers around a Filipina American protagonist named Lila Macapagal, who uses her amateur sleuthing skills to piece together — and clear her name — how her ex-boyfriend got poisoned the day he ate at her Tita Rosie’s restaurant. Along the way, we get pieces of Filipino culture and culinary influences. “For Lila, I wanted to show her style in that she loves traditional Filipino food, but she also wants to make a twist by using Filipino ingredients and use it in an American way,” she said. Manansala is set to release the second book in this series in 2022. LA-resident Maxie Villavicencio Pulliam uncovered her great-great-grandmother’s ties to the Philippine revolution and
made an illustrated book out of it. The result became “Fierce Filipina,” an illustrated biography independently published ahead of International Women’s Day 2021 that not only captures her ancestor Gliceria Villavicencio’s life but also depicts a timeless tale of a heroine’s pursuit for equality and social justice. Accompanying the words by Villavicencio Pulliam are vibrant and bold scenes by Manila-based illustrator Jill Arteche. “I am trying to live Gliceria’s legacy through this book by teaching people that we have to follow our hearts and if there’s a cause you’re passionate about and want to be a part of, go for it. If you already feel in your body that something’s not right, how do we approach it in a safe, but effective manner?” Villavicencio Pulliam said.
10
community
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 12, 2022
Filipinos well-represented in ‘Spider-man: No Way Home’, thanks to Lola By Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
WARNING: Spoilers ahead! The Filipino community was well-represented in the
EMPLOYMENT
Preparing your estate for the COVID-19 pandemic
the estate according to the will or the intestate line of succession if there is no will. The entire process could take up years specially if certain beneficiaries blockbuster film “Spider-man: the Filipino viewers of the and creditors file certain claims. movie when his “Lola” spoke No Way Home” with Jacob The probate court file would be Batalon playing Tom Holland’s Tagalog in one of the scenes. Atty. Kenneth public record. In one of the most exciting UrsUA reyes Spider-man best friend as Ned On the other hand if you scenes of the movie where Leeds. have a living trust, your estate Andrew Garfield and Tobey But Ned’s grandmother The COVID-19 Pandemic is a can avoid the entire court system Maguire’s Spider-man was caught the attention of and court supervision. In certain scary reality which affects everyshown in the movie, Ned’s situations, the process may also one globally and has shut down lola, played by Mary Rivera, save you estate taxes which the global economy. Individuals ordered Andrew to clean up the ceiling while he’s hanging over 65 are more at risk of having may be substantial if your assets exceed a certain threshold. Basiserious complications with this on there. virus. Although we cannot com- cally, you and/or your spouse can “Ned sabihin mo diyan be named as the initial trustee pletely control how we would sa mamang yan na alisin ang of the trust while you are alive. respond to such virus, we can agiw sa sulok,” the Filipino The trustee is the person who prepare our finances and estate grandmother said. manages the trust. This means incase the worst happens. Ned translated it to you retain control of all your Legally, there are several Andrew as he cleans the assets the same way as if you ways you can do this. ceiling. never had a trust. For revocable 1. Create a Living Trust But when Tobey’s SpiderIf you pass away with at least trusts, you can later on, at any man entered, the two Spider$166,250 in gross assets and you time during your lifetime, revoke men from different universe the entire trust if you change do not have a living trust (even shot each other leaving webs your mind. if you have a will), your benefion the house. The assets held in your living ciaries would have to open up a “Ikaw ha nagkalat ka trust will be managed by the probate case before title to the nanaman. Linisin mo lahat ng trustee and distributed accordassets can pass to them. When mga basura mo dito. At ikaw ing to your directions without I say gross asset, I mean regardnaman, alam mo naman na court supervision and involvegusto ko na itong bahay natin less of how much debt you owe ment when you pass away. This maayos pero tignan mo, dumi on them. For example if you own a house valued at $350,000 can save your heirs time and dito, dumi doon,” Mary said. at the time of your death, it does money. Since the trust would not “My lola was asking if you be under the direct management not matter that your mortgage could clean up the web you of the probate court, your assets balance is $300,000, a probate just shot,” Ned said. and their value and your beneficase has to be opened in order “Yes of course, Lola,” to pass title to that property. The ciaries’ identities would not beAndrew answered. come a public record. Your heirs Mary’s casting in the movie same is true with other types of assets such as owning a business, and beneficiaries would still have confirmed speculations last to be notified about the living a professional practice, bonds, year that Disney was looking trust and advised, among other equities, etc. This is a very low for a Filipino grandmother things, of their right to obtain a threshold to exceed specially who will play in the movie. copy of the trust. in California where real estate According to Project Having a trust is also benefiCasting’s website, the Filipino prices, even after the economic cial in case you become incapaccrisis, remains in the upper end should be 50 to 90 years old and fluent in speaking English. of the curve among the 50 states. itated. The person you name as Commencing a probate case successor trustee can step up “Katie Doyle Casting, and manage the assets in your is expensive and a very slow Hawaii is assisting Sarah Finn trust on your behalf. Casting (Avengers: Endgame, process. Someone qualified will 2. Power of Attorney have to file a Petition with the The Mandalorian, Guardians A power of attorney desprobate court to have someone of the Galaxy) in looking for appointed as executor or admin- ignates another individual the an actress to play a role in an upcoming Walt Disney Studios istrator. The Petitioner’s attorney power to manage your financial affairs on your behalf. You can gets paid a statutory rate for film,” the post read. attorney’s fees commencing with limit this power and define what “No professional acting 4% of the gross estate. The pro- the scope of the power you are experience is required, but bate referee will have to be paid giving your attorney in fact. A the applicant must speak power of attorney is also revofor appraising the assets of the English fluently and be cable if you decide to cancel the estate. If it is necessary to post comfortable traveling on a bond, the premium on the bond power you have given this indiplane to Atlanta. They also vidual. By giving another person should be currently authorized would have to be paid as well. There is also the cost of adminis- the power of attorney, you do to work in the United States not lose the power to manage tering the estate such as selling (either a US citizen, a green your financial affairs. You can some of the assets to satisfy the card holder, or an O-1 visa estate’s obligations and to divide continue to make financial deciholder.),” it added.
EMPLOYMENT
Barrister’s Corner
EMPLOYMENT
sions on your own affairs. 3. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare allows your to designate specific individual to have the power to make healthcare decisions on your behalf incase you no longer have the capacity to make decisions for yourself due to health conditions. You can define the scope of your agent’s authority. This is also revocable if you change your mind in the future. Your agent will have the authority to access and review your medical records and sign any authorization on your behalf. This is helpful incase you are unable to make healthcare decisions for yourself. 4. Last Will and Testament A Last Will and Testament allows your to designate how your assets will be distributed after you pass away. This allows you to customize how your estate will be divided and distributed. In the absence of a Will, you would pass away intestate and the probate court would simply follow the California intestate succession laws which are in the probate code. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)
On how NOT to become a pack rat Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA ONE man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Just for a little fun, go garage “sale-ing.” There aren’t as many in the summer season as there are in spring. Many old-timers have to deal with their stuff gathered over the years, a lot of which have long ago outlived their usefulness. For practical purposes, many just want to reclaim the spaces occupied by junk and clutter and re-use the space for some other purpose other than storage. Some simply want to make a few extra bucks. If you have too much stuff and would like to simply reclaim your breathing space or to get rid of what has become dust catchers, you can have fun clearing out your stuff and convert them to cash by becoming the seller. The pace could be faster than selling your stuff on ebay. Don’t just kibitz if you are a buyer. Enter the flow. Don’t forget to bring along a few kindred souls and some cash. A note of caution is in order. Garage “sale-ing” is one fun activity that can get out of hand if you let it. Particularly during tough times, a good number of people are becoming creative on how to stretch the dollar and are looking at garage sales, either to sell or to buy. Particularly for newly arrived immigrants or newly married couples starting a new life who are wary of getting into a whopping financial burden by going into debt at the outset, going to garage sales particularly in affluent areas might be an option. Cash remains king. With a little cash, you can go to garage sales, tag sales, estate sales, swap meets and thrift shops to find practically everything that you will need, and more besides, to set you up in your new place — practically for pennies on the dollar, at least during the beginning years, when you are conserving your resources to prep yourself for the big purchase decisions, e.g. like buying a car or a condo or house, when the time is right.You will be amazed at what you can find. Newer communities with yuppies as residents will have newer, modern, mass-produced plastic or vinyl stuff, the kind that you get at Ikea while older communities will have items from the past, perhaps still in working condition but in outdated styles. Unless those wily antique collectors and estate handlers beat you to estate liquidations as they most often will, if you’re lucky, you might stumble upon treasures or heirloom pieces that you only get to see on “Antiques Roadshow” ringing up unbelievable appraisals. Be warned. Appraisals are just benchmarks of value given as expert opinions, from which buyer and seller can begin negotiation and arrive at a purchase price, which can be higher or lower than appraisal value, depending on the motivation and time frame of both buyer and seller and the perceived intrinsic value of the item being sold. Simply because manufacturers are not making more of it, good handcrafted furniture pieces made from mahogany and other prized hardwood of over 100 years or porcelain ware, hold up their value comparatively well as sought-after prized antiques than disposable, ready-to-assemble furniture made from particle board and melamine mass produced in China. Still, there’s no accounting for taste and individual preferences. The younger ones prefer the sheen and gloss of lacquer or the spanking new, modern furniture of plastic, steel or formica over the patina of old, seasoned wood. Whatever your choice, dare to be different. Be creative. Immerse yourself in the books written about styles you would like to emulate. You can have your own style with very little money. Let your imagination and a little elbow grease help you create your own unique haven. The really creative ones do it on a shoestring budget and still have great fun along the way while earning themselves some bragging rights in creating treasures out of junk. Also, you’re doing your environmental bit by recycling. America is a consumer society and the amount of discarded things is simply staggering. Out with the old, in with the new. Every season brings new fashions and trends and since closet, basement and garage spaces are limited (most times, bursting at the seams) and public storage units cost money, there is an endless round of garage sales
Why do we do it? Why do we encumber ourselves with possessions? —Alice Thomas Ellis going on in America, more so these days when money is tight for many households. You will find that a lot of items, specially for babies and younger children who outgrow their things pretty fast, look almost new and highly usable. Plates, silverware, kitchen items, small and big appliances, decor, furniture, framed art, clothes, videos, audio and video tapes and tools are the usual fare. Many items are still new and in their original packaging. Sometimes, there are genuine antiques or priceless works of art hidden in dust and grime. That’s when you hit paydirt. But such instances are few and far-between, so keep yourself grounded. There is no sales tax. Check your local community newspapers or go online for these weekend events. The early bird gets the early worm. The earlier you come during the day, the better the selection but the prices will be marked a tad higher unless the seller wants to seriously dispose of his merchandise fast and pack up early. The later in the day you come — from noon to early afternoon — the prices are cut drastically, practically at giveaway rates, but the selection is much less, with junk a-plenty. Learn to negotiate. Read Donald Trump’s “The Art of the Deal.” In America, what you get is not what you deserve. Very often, it is what you negotiate. If you are uncomfortable with haggling and if you happen to be with someone who can dicker with the seller in a courteous, pleasant way, get him to do it for you. The key is to be respectful. Never disparage what is being sold in the transparent attempt to get a lower price. Many crafty buyers use this as a tactic and instead of getting a better price, all it does is irritate the seller. If you want a lower price on an item you like, ask politely, “Would you take less for this?” And then state the price you are willing to pay. Very often, the seller will counter with a lower price and then you can proceed from there with the price getting tossed back and forth until you agree on the final figure. Merchandise is sold on an “as is” basis and most of the time, is not returnable. Buyer, beware. Inspect closely. There are more trustworthy sellers than there are hucksters. They will tell you if the item is working or if there is a crack or a flaw on it. If you are uneasy about not being able to return things, buy the item new in a department store which will usually take it back, if it is defective. There are no guarantees when you buy stuff at garage sales. You decide on the spot and there is no turning back — most of the time. If you want to hone and practice your decision-making, buying and negotiating skills as an immigrant, this is one inexpensive (translate that to cheap) way to go. It is also a lighthearted learning experience of what people value and discard on the material level and a personal and up close method of interacting with people of various cultures no book or classroom can teach you. Above all, have fun garage “sale-ing”. The joy of discovering something that you need or want practically at a price of a song and a dance is part of the whole experience. But as in all things good and bad, do this with balance and moderation. If you become obssessive-compulsive with even as trifling a thing as going to garage sales as a matter of habit, you can become a pack rat. Curb the human tendency to be obsessive. With time and as you accumulate things, you will find yourself holding your own garage sales because you have encumbered yourself with too much stuff. Or you might find yourself renting storage spaces for stuff that won’t fit in your home. When this happens you’ve reached a dangerous tipping point. The time has come to trim your possessions down to size and take back some of that breathing space you used to have. Better yet, when you buy one thing, discipline yourself to get rid of 2 items at the same time. It is a feng shui principle to clear the pathways in your home. Avoid “plaque build-up” in the spaces of your home. Expedite the flow of “chi” or life force by becoming a minimalist. Toss things out. Less is more. From a practical standpoint, you get back the
breathing space you had when you first moved in to your empty abode. Having less stuff also means possibly having more in your piggy bank, that will allow you to have better, more meaningful, fulfilling life experiences at the right time. The ironic thing a recovering pack rat discovers about himself is that as he travels down life’s highways and byways, it is so much more liberating and more fun to travel light, refusing to be bogged down by mere possessions. The bonus is that one gets to journey farther without stressing and straining while loading up instead on life’s precious experiences. In our final journey, the only thing we might bring with us in that big blue yonder, if Alzheimer’s doesn’t wreck our brains first, are our MEMORIES. Stuff, after all, is just stuff. ***
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.
***
Nota Bene: To send comments, email monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
community 11 Feast of Santo Niño to be celebrated at LA Cathedral on January 16 The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - January 12, 2022
ON Sunday, January 16th, 2022, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (555 W.Temple Street, Los Angles) will celebrate 500 years of Philippine Christianity and 35th Anniversary of the Feast of Santo Niño. This year’s theme is” Gifted To Give.” Fr. Rodel Balagtas, Pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale and Advisor of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Filipino commented: “The theme itself means living and sharing love and compassion. It is evangelization -by how we relate kindly, living in peace and loving unconditionally.” A Eucharistic celebration will be held at 3:30 p.m. to be presided by His Excellency, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez. This year’s celebration is quite significant in the lives of Filipino Americans. The Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will collaborate with Santo Niño Cruzada USA to make this event special and memorable for the faithful. Many prayer groups from various parishes will participate in Preliturgy activities which include but not limited to a procession, Sinulog, a ritual dancing to call or hail Senyor Santo Niño, the Christ Jesus. In the 16th century, the first statue Santo Niño was presented
to Queen Juana, wife of King Humabon. She was overjoyed upon seeing the innocent and kind face of Baby Jesus. She was baptized and embraced Catholicism. The natives were also baptized. Ferdinand Magellan planted the Cross of Christianity on the day baptism occurred in Cebu. To this day, Filipinos from various walks of life bring prayers to the Santo Niño. He is the protector and has power to grant and answer their prayers. Devotions to him are part of every parish’s life. Every Filipino home has an image of Santo Niño. The image is particularly revered by people from Cebu where Spaniards established the first
colonial capital. The devotion to Christ Child Jesus has spread beyond that region. A dinner banquet will follow at Casa Italiana, 1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012, at 6:30 p.m. Archbishop Jose H. Gomez will address the Lay leaders in relationship with their commitment to the Filipino faith community specially in the 500 Years of Philippine Christianity commemoration. For more information, please call: Romy Esturas at (213) 393-9405; e-mail: romyesturas@ hotmail.com or Lem Amit (323) 793-5144; e-mail: Lemamit@aol. com. (Contributed by Jo Solomonson)