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JANUARY 14-20, 2021
T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
Volume 32 - No. 2 • 12 Pages
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Trump impeached for second time, charged with ‘incitement of insurrection’ Fil-Ams across the aisle weigh in on historic impeachment by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL
AJPress
Hours after being impeached by the House, the White House Twitter account posted a video of President Donald Trump calling for “no violence” in Washington and across the country ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. White House photo
WITH the end of his term approaching, President Donald Trump on Wednesday, January 13 became the first president in U.S. history to be impeached
twice by the House of Representatives. The House voted 232-197 on a single article of impeachment, charging the president with “incitement of insurrection,” exactly a week after a violent mob stormed the Capitol as lawmakers were in session, and left five individuals, including a police of-
Groups criticize Biden admin as new Cabinet lacks AAPI secretary for first time in 2 decades
USA
DATELINE Fil-Am Catholic priest in Utah dies of COVID-19 FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
A FILIPINO American priest in Utah has died after a short battle with the coronavirus. Father Reynato “Rene” Rodillas succumbed to COVID-19 at the age of 58, a few days after testing positive, Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general of the Diocese of Salt Lake City announced on Friday, January 8. “Date of death has yet to be determined by the medical examiner, but was probably on Friday, January 8, 2021,” read the announcement on the Intermountain Catholic website. Rodillas tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, January 5, and was sent home from the emergency room with oxygen to quarantine and to recover at home. The Fil-Am was the pastor of Saint James the Just in Ogden, Utah at the time of his
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ficer, dead. Deviating from the rest of their party, 10 Republicans — including Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the party’s third-ranking House leader — voted in favor alongside Democrats, becoming the most bipartisan u PAGE A2
by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
VIVA STO. NINO DE TONDO. Several devotees put the image of the Sto. Niño de Tondo inside a glass casing surrounded by bouquets of flowers at the Manila City Hall on Thursday, January 14. The visit to the city hall was done ahead of the Sto. Nino fiesta in Tondo and Pandacan. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
AS the administration of President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take over the White House, fellow liberal lawmakers, activists and operatives excitedly await the new administration that has promised policies and public servants that represent the growingly diverse American public. Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), who comprise the fastest-growing ethnic group in the U.S., have become more visible and vocal over the last decade in American politics, with activists and lawmakers propelling the community’s issues to the forefront. Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, has already made history as the first female, Black and AAPI to serve in the position.
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Air travelers now Some OFWs from countries under PH reports first case of required to show proof PH travel ban ready to go home new COVID-19 variant of negative coronavirus AJP test before entering US by
New measure applies to all foreign nationals and U.S. citizens
THE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Tuesday, Jan. 12 that anybody flying to the United States will be required to show proof of a recent negative coronavirus test. Travelers arriving from international airports will be required to take a test for the virus within three days before their departing flight to the U.S. The mandate applies to foreign nationals and U.S. citizens. The CDC’s new rule is an extension of a similar requirement announced last week concerning travelers coming from the United Kingdom, where the new strain of SARSCoV-2 had been recorded. CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield signed the order on Tuesday and will be in effect starting Jan. 26, which the agency said should give enough time for travelers to comply and re-arrange plans. Redfield said in a statement, “Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to emerge in countries around the world and there is evidence of increased transmissibility of some of these variants. With the U.S. already in surge status, the testing requirement for passengers will help slow the spread of the virus as we work to vaccinate the American
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RESS
OVERSEAS Filipino workers (OFWs) returning from countries included in the Philippines’ travel ban are ready to go home after finishing their mandatory 14-day quarantine, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said on Thursday, January 14. “We now have a total of 5,900 OFWs undergoing 14-day quarantine. They are from the 28 nations with the UK (United Kingdom) variant. Starting today, some are heading home. They’ve finished the 14 days,” OWWA chief Hans Leo Cacdac said during a radio interview.
According to him, some 1,500 to 2,500 OFWs arrive in the Philippines every day. “We are seeing that many are here for vacation. It is a good sign. It means that their jobs are starting to normalize. Our estimate is 50% are on vacation,” noted Cacdac. He added, “There are some, who are here for good, either they lost their jobs or it is their own decision to stay here.” Filipino nationals coming from countries included in the Philippines’ travel ban are allowed to enter the country, provided that they undergo an “absolute” facility-based 14-day quarantine, even if they obtain a negative reverse transcription-polymerase
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE new and more infectious variant of COVID-19 first reported in the United Kingdom has reached the Philippines. The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) on Wednesday, January 13, confirmed the detection of the B.1.1.7. SARS-CoV-2 variant (UK variant) in the country after samples from a Filipino who arrived from the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) on Jan. 7 “yielded positive genome sequencing results.” The patient is a 29-year-old male resident of Quezon City who left for Dubai on Dec. 27, 2020 for business purposes and returned to the Philippines last Jan. 7 via Emirates Flight No. EK 332. He was swabbed and quarantined at a hotel upon arrival, the agencies reported. The positive test result was released the following day and the
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PH eligible again to participate in US H-2B visa program in 2021 by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippines can now participate in the United States’ H-2B visa program again after two years of ineligibility. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), announced the list of countries on Tuesday, January 12. For 2021, the acting secretary of homeland security and the secretary of state have agreed to add the Philippines to the list of countries eligible to participate in the H-2B program. However, it is still not
eligible to participate in the H-2A program. The H-2A visa program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to fill temporary and seasonal agricultural jobs, while the H-2B visa program lets U.S. employers bring foreign nationals to the U.S. to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs. The Philippines was removed by the DHS from the list in 2019 because the country no longer met “the regulatory Residents of Barangay San Antonio sit in front of a plastic divider booth while being tested by standards for the H-2A and H-2B visa the personnel of the Quezon City Health Department and City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit programs.” Last year, the ineligibility re- during the free rapid and swab testing at a covered court on Monday, January 11. In a statement
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posted on the Barangay San Antonio Facebook page, the free antibody test is to ensure the immunity and health of its residents. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfile
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January 14-20, 2021 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL
From The FronT Page
Groups criticize Biden admin as new...
PAGE A1 In addition to Harris, Biden appointed Chinese American Katherine Tai to serve as United States Trade Representative, the head of the government agency that is responsible for the development and recommendations of trade policy to the president of the United States. Tai, 46, is an attorney who currently serves as the chief trade counsel for the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means. But AAPI groups are calling out Biden for neglecting to include enough Asian Americans or any Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in his cabinet appointments that became known in late 2020. The incoming administration will be the first in 20 years to not have an AAPI at the secretary level. Since Norman Mineta served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce in the Clinton administration, becoming the first AAPI to hold a Cabinet position, the past three administrations have had at least one AAPI Cabinet secretary. President George W. Bush had two AAPIs in his Cabinet; President Barack Obama had three; and Trump had one, Elaine Chao, who has since resigned as Secretary of Transportation. “Our elected officials owe a great debt of gratitude to the AAPI community. Many of their elections were made possible by the significant contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander votes,” Christine Chen, executive director for Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), said in a statement. “Approximately two-thirds of
AAPI’s supported the new Administration, and AAPI’s turned out in record numbers during the general election. According to one analysis, AAPI voters increased their turnout relative to 2016 more than any other demographic group across the swing states.” As previously covered by the Asian Journal, organizations like APIAVote as well as the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) have been calling for more AAPI representation in Washington. Biden’s cabinet (which hasn’t been fully confirmed by the U.S. Senate) includes the most women in any presidential cabinet in American history (an equal number of men and women), and a majority of its members are not white. But with the growing number of AAPIs in government and law, NCAPA believes that there are “numerous qualified AAPIs who should be appointed to senior positions throughout the government.” “The Biden Administration, by nearly every standard, has set a new benchmark for what a diverse and inclusive government should look like,” NCAPA said in a statement, adding that the omission of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders and “lack of AAPI representation among Cabinet Secretaries is an egregious step backwards.” For years, the fight for AAPI visibility in Washington has been akin to having the community’s specific needs addressed by top officials in all three branches of the federal government. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, AAPI
senators and House representatives have put forth proposals, policies and memoranda fighting against anti-Asian racism that re-emerged last year. With more AAPI representation in the federal government, it is the hope that those issues — including linguistic availability, data disaggregation, health care, immigration and other issues that pertain directly to the AAPI community — will be made a priority. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) also weighed in on the lack of an AAPI Cabinet secretary. “NAPABA stands dismayed that AAPIs will not be represented at the Secretary level position in the inaugural Biden Cabinet,” A.B. Cruz III, president of NAPABA, said. “While there have been many historic positive firsts for the incoming Administration, the AAPI community cannot help but feel dismissed.” The lack of AAPI figures in the president-elect’s announced cabinet, however, may not represent the future of his cabinet over the next four years. Customarily, secretaries step down from positions, opening up the potential for future AAPIs to take over. Despite the oversight in Biden’s first cabinet announcements, Cruz hopes that Biden will keep the AAPI community in mind for future appointments. “We trust the new administration will specifically address this apparent disconnect by nominating and placing AAPIs into key leadership roles going forward,” he said. n
PH eligible again to participate in US H-2B visa... PAGE A1 mained in place. A Federal Register document said the Philippines had a high H-2B overstay rate. In FY 2017, the DHS estimated that nearly 40% of H-2B visa holders from the Philippines overstayed their period of authorized stay. The DHS and DOS, in their list, also announced that they are no longer designating the Independent State of Samoa and Tonga as eligible countries because they no longer
meet the regulatory standards for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs. Meanwhile, Mongolia has been removed as an eligible country for the H-2A visa program as it no longer meets the regulatory standards for that program. “DHS maintains its authority to add countries to the eligible countries list at any time, and to remove any country at the time it publishes a new list, should DHS and DOS determine that
a country fails to meet the requirements for continued designation,” the DHS said. Examples of factors that could result in the exclusion of a country or the removal of a country from the list include, but are not limited to, fraud, abuse, denial rates, overstay rates, human trafficking concerns, and other forms of noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the H-2 visa programs by nationals of that country. n
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The United States House of Representatives voted 232 to 197 in favor of impeaching President Donald Trump for a second time on Wednesday, January 13. CSPAN screengrab
Trump impeached for second...
PAGE A1 impeachment to date. “Today, in a bipartisan way, the House demonstrated that no one is above the law, not even the president of the United States and that Donald Trump is a clear and present danger to our country,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after formally signing the article of impeachment. The Senate trial is slated to take place right after Presidentelect Joe Biden is sworn into office next week on January 20, while the legislative branch also juggles confirmation hearings of the new Cabinet appointments. If convicted by the Senate, Trump — who will be a former president by then — will be disqualified from holding office in the future and will lose benefits under the Former Presidents Act, including a $200,000 pension and an annual travel budget. Trump’s first impeachment by the House came in 2019 with his dealings with Ukraine in question, but he was acquitted by the Republican-led Senate last year. Hours later, the White House’s official accounts posted a video of the president in which he condemned the riots, but made no mention of the impeachment vote or his successor. The president — who has since been banned from social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook — said he “unequivocally condemn[ed]” last week’s “troubling events” carried out by supporters, changing course from his previous video from Jan. 6 in which he called them “special.” “As I have said, the incursion of the U.S. Capitol struck at the heart of our very republic. It angered and appalled millions of Americans across the political spectrum,” Trump said. Ahead of Biden’s inauguration, protests would reportedly take place in Washington, D.C. and in all 50 state capitals. “Every American deserves to have their voice heard in a respectful and peaceful way. That is your First Amendment right, but I cannot emphasize that there must be no violence, no law-breaking and no vandalism of any kind,” the president said, adding, “I unequivocally condemn the violence that we saw last week. Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country and no place in our
movement.” Community reactions Following Wednesday’s impeachment, Filipino Americans from both sides of the aisle weighed in on what the moment means for the country. “Today’s bipartisan vote reaffirms the fundamental truth that the security of our democracy is our first priority. It is my hope that the Senate will convict and remove Donald Trump and we can all move forward from this dark chapter in our nation’s history. I look forward to working with the incoming Biden Administration to begin healing our country,” Democratic Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia’s 3rd District said following his vote to impeach. TJ Cox, a former Democratic congressman from California, took to Twitter to address the Republicans who voted against holding Trump accountable. “The vast majority of Republican House members voted to protect the man who unleashed a mob to terrorize Congress in order to overturn the fair and free election of Joe Biden,” Cox said, adding, “There’s only one way to hold these bootlickers accountable – organize, mobilize and vote them out of office in 2022. That starts today.” Rep. David Valadao, who defeated Cox last November, was the only California Republican lawmaker who voted to impeach, choosing “to go with my gut and vote my conscience.” Gloria Caoile, a Las Vegasbased community leader and senior advisor for Fil-Ams for Biden-Harris, said impeachment was “the best avenue to hold President Trump accountable.” “We need accountability first and foremost. I do not buy into the argument that we should just ignore the events of last week so we can move forward with healing and unity. Holding all those who broke the law accountable is a necessity. Reconciliation will then come after we fulfill our moral and civic responsibility,” Caoile told the Asian Journal. Cristina Osmeña, a writer and former Republican candidate for California’s congressional district who previously vocalized her criticisms of the Trump administration, said “most legacy Republicans are mortified by the events of the prior week.” “I think, at this point, history
will hold Trump accountable as his administration is about to pass into that realm,” Osmeña told the Asian Journal. Though concerned about the actions of Big Tech companies and the Democratic Party’s majority in Congress, what gives her hope is Biden and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s long-standing working relationship. “But if Trump maintains an active presence in the party, it will be difficult to move forward. It is still too early to tell what will happen. I would guess that last week has left a permanent impression on mainstream Republicans. Any future leaders will have to have a strong message against violence. I hope the left does the same,” she said. For Marc Ang, founder and president of Asian Industry Business-to-Business, however, impeachment was not warranted, and he instead is calling for more investigations into what caused the security breach at the Capitol. As a staunch Republican, he is not deterred by the incoming Biden administration and Democratic-controlled Congress. “The Democrats have the slimmest of House and Senate majorities so there is no big mandate. I encourage people from both sides to understand it’s ok to have been emotional, but moments too shall pass and focus back on the big picture,” Ang told the Asian Journal, calling on fellow Republicans to push for causes they care about like immigration and election reform. Though the GOP may have lost the White House and Senate seats in Georgia, there are other wins from the 2020 election cycle to “be very proud of” and that the party should continue to represent “the everyday man and working class.” “In addition, we control a huge majority of all state legislatures on the local level, allowing us control over redistricting for the next decade. 2022 and 2024 will be good years for the GOP. But the GOP will also do some muchneeded soul searching on how they handle a larger life character like President Trump who brought so many new people to the party. It will have to assess what they can do when they have the three branches of government,” Ang said. n
Some OFWs from countries under... PAGE A1 chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result. The Philippines on Tuesday further expanded its travel ban list to include China, Pakistan, Jamaica, Luxembourg, and Oman. The five countries joined the list of countries under the Phil-
ippines’ travel ban, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, Spain, Austria, Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan,
and Brazil. The ban on the entry of all foreigners coming from the aforementioned countries took effect on January 13 and will last until January 15 subject to the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID). n
Fil-Am Catholic priest in Utah dies of... PAGE A1
Father Reynato “Rene” Rodillas Photo courtesy of The Diocese of Salt Lake City
death. He also served as the spiritual advisor for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Born on January 25, 1962, in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, Rodillas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering (BSCE) from the University of Northern Philippines before entering the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City, Philippines. He was ordained as a Divine Word Missionary in 1997. In 2007, Rodillas came to the Diocese of Salt Lake City and served as a parochial vicar at Saints Peter and Paul Parish, West Valley City; Saint George Parish, St. George; and Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, Midvale. He also served as administrator of Saint Olaf Parish, Bountiful. In a 2019 interview by Intermountain Catholic, Rodillas said his greatest treasure is “being a priest.” “Celebrating the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, for me is the most satisfying experience, because in spite of my unworthiness I am privileged to celebrate it. Celebrating the Eucharist is a reward in itself,” he continued. “I am looking forward to knowing my new parishioners personally and journeying with them toward spiritual growth, and deepening my relationship with each of them and with God,” he added. Rodillas is survived by his mother, Capistrana Rodillas; and siblings, Condrado Rodillas, Rosemary Rubia and Imelda Rodillas. (AJPress)
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Dateline USa
PH reports first case of new case... PAGE A1 t patient was referred to a quarantine facility in Quezon City while his samples were sent to PGC for whole genome sequencing. The patient also travelled with his female partner, who tested negative but remains under strict quarantine and monitoring. Both Filipinos had no exposure to a confirmed case prior to their departure to Dubai nor had any travel activities outside Quezon City, according to the DOH. “Immediate contact tracing was done in close coordination with the QC government, and the initially identified contacts are asymptomatic and current under strict home quarantine,” the agency added. The DOH assured that it is working closely with the QC government to ensure timely and effective measures are in place to mitigate transmission. It also said that it has secured the flight manifest of the flight in question and contact tracing of other passengers is now underway. Passengers aboard Emirates Flight No. EK 332 were advised to get in touch with their Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs). The DOH vowed to intensify its weekly genomic biosurveillance among incoming passengers, local cases, re-infected patients, and those with reported clustering of cases. The agency also coordinated with the country’s Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the expansion of contact tracing to include third-generation close contacts for known B.1.1.7 cases, who will all have to undergo 14-day facility-based quarantine. PH grants Pfizer EUA A day after the country confirmed its first case of the new COVID-19 variant, the Philippine Food and Drug Administra-
tion granted an emergency use authorization (EAU) for Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine. “After a thorough review of the currently available data by medical and regulatory experts, the FDA today is granting an emergency use authorization to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine,” FDA director-general Eric Domingo said Thursday. “It is decided that all conditions for an EUA are present and that the benefit of using the vaccine outweighs the known and potential risks,” he added. The decision came 22 days after the American pharmaceutical firm submitted its application in the country. According to Domingo, Pfizer’s application satisfied the requirements for acquiring an EUA in the Philippines. “Based on the totality of evidence available to date, including data from adequate and well-known controlled trials, it is reasonable to believe that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may be effective to prevent, diagnose, or treat COVID-19,” he said. Pfizer’s vaccine requires a storage with a temperature of 80 to -60 degree Celsius prior to dilution. The EUA stated that Pfizer Inc. Philippines would provide the appropriate cold chain requirements for storage, transport, and handling until the vaccines are delivered to inoculation sites, unless it has an agreement with the DOH or the National Task Force against COVID-19 providing otherwise. Earlier, Philippine vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine rollout may start as early as February through the COVAX facility, a global platform that aims to ensure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries. The Philippines is the lat-
est country to issue an EUA for Pfizer’s vaccine, following the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Germany, Australia, and Israel, among others. Sinovac submits EUA application Meanwhile, China’s Sinovac has sent in its application for an EUA of its COVID-19 vaccine. “Yesterday afternoon, nag submit ng application ang Sinovac. Ang EUA nito is from China and they are undergoing pre-assessment now (Yesterday afternoon, Sinovac submitted its application. The EUA it currently has is from China and they are undergoing pre-assessment now),” Domingo said Thursday. However, he noted that the documents submitted by the company were incomplete. “At quick glance, the clinical trial data that they sent is still lacking. We will have to ask them for the clinical trial phase 3 report, which I believe they are collating now,” he said. On Monday, the Philippines secured 25 million doses of Sinovac vaccines, of which the first 50,000 doses are set to arrive in the country next month. Amid concerns and fears over Sinovac’s low efficacy rate, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte assured that the vaccine is “as good as” those produced in the U.S. and Europe. “The bakuna (vaccine) that Secretary Galvez is buying is as good as any other bakuna na naimbento ng mga Amerikano o yung mga Europeans (vaccine invented by Americans and Europeans),” he said Wednesday night. “Hindi nagkulang ang Chinese. Hindi sila nagkulang sa utak. Bright itong mga Instik. (They don’t lack intellect. They’re bright) and they would not venture kung hindi sapat (if it is not enough), it is not safe, sure, and secure,” Duterte added. n
Air travelers now required to show proof... PAGE A1 t public.” Redfield acknowledged that a negative test doesn’t provide total protection, but noted it’s a safeguard. Passengers who test positive, don’t provide official documentation of a negative test or recovery, or refuse to take a test, airlines will not allow them to board. “Testing does not eliminate
all risk, but when combined with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer, healthier and more responsible by reducing spread on planes, in airports and at destinations,” he said. COVID-19 has swept the U.S. in significant waves that have brought more than 22 mil-
lion positive cases to date and 375,000 deaths, as of Tuesday. Since the beginning of the pandemic, international travel to the U.S. has suffered a huge economic loss due to pandemic restrictions. In December, foreign travel in and out of the U.S. was down 76% compared to 2019, according to the trade group Airlines for America. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 14-20, 2021
Dateline PhiliPPines
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Manny Villar only Filipino on Bloomberg’s 500 richest list by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
BUSINESS tycoon Manuel Villar is the only Filipino listed on Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the world’s top 500 richest people. As of January 13, the selfmade billionaire ranked 381st richest in the world based on the market value of his publiclylisted businesses. Villar’s businesses in real estate, retail, and utilities are estimated to be worth $6.75 billion. Tesla’s Elon Musk, meanwhile, emerged as the world’s richest person with a total net worth of $202 billion. He is followed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos with $183 billion, and Bill Gates with $133 billion. Villar, 71, is the founder and chairman of Vista Land and Lifescapes, the largest home builder in the Philippines. The firm has built about 300,000 homes in more than 140 cities. He also owns stakes in Golden Bria Holdings, a property
and death care company, as well as Vistamalls, a shopping mall operator. According to Manila Bulletin, Villar owns 89 percent of Golden Bria through Fine Properties, Cambridge Group, and directly. He also controls about 75 percent of Vista Land through Fine Properties, Althorp Holdings, Manuela Corporation, and directly. The Filipino billionaire is also calculated to own 68 percent of AllHome Corp. Villar was born in Manila on December 13, 1949. He was a former seafood vendor in Tondo who made an empire on property development. He was one of the candidates for Philippine president in 2010, garnering more than 5.5 million votes and placing third behind Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. He was also the former speaker of the House and Senate president. Bloomberg Billionaires Index is a dynamic measure of personal wealth based on changes in markets, the economy and
Manny Villar Photo courtesy of Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc.
Bloomberg reporting. Each net worth figure is updated every business day after the close of trading in New York. Stakes in publicly traded companies are valued using the share’s most recent closing price. Valuations are converted to U.S. dollars at current exchange rates. n
DOT to suspend accreditation of Makati hotel where Dacera died by Rosette
adel
Philstar.com
MANILA — The Department of Tourism on Thursday announced that it will revoke the Certificate of Authority to Operate of the Makati City Hotel where flight attendant Christine Dacera was found lifeless on New Year’s Day. In its resolution dated January 14, the DOT said it found City Garden Grand Hotel (CGGH) in Makati City “liable for the offense of gross and evident bad faith in dealing with clients/fraudulent solicitation of business or making any false, deceptive, or misleading claims or statements for the purpose of soliciting business from clients under Section 13.2 (c) of DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2018-03.”
The tourism agency conducted a physical investigation Friday last week, days after it issued a show cause order against CGGH. It earlier asked CGGH to explain why its accreditation should not be revoked. DOT’s findings Based on the agency’s probe, however, “the CGGH was found to have misrepresented itself to the public as being allowed to accommodate guests for leisure or staycation purposes despite being a quarantine facility.” In its four-page reply last Friday, the CGGH vehemently denied this and said that it serves as a quarantine facility that services returning overseas Filipino workers and other persons under quarantine. In the case of Dacera and her friends, CGGH Hotel Officer-in-
Charge General Manager Richard Reazon said only three guests were accepted as corporate account guests of the hotel.” Corporate accounts pertain to “businesses that were within the immediate local vicinity of hotel or businesses otherwise permitted to book accommodations.” CGGH said it is also not aware that there are multiple guests in Dacera’s room and the two other rooms booked. It also mentioned that only its restaurant Firefly Roofdeck is operating for the public. The DOT’s probe, however, countered this. “In the course of the investigation, the DOT National Capital Region (DOT-NCR) considered other evidence which were not limited to the circumstances surPAGE A5
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JANUARY 14-20, 2021 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
OPiniOn
Worst traffic in the region
FeatURes
THE COVID-19 quarantines emptied the streets of Metro Manila and several other crowded urban centers across the country. Vehicular traffic, however, began picking up as the economy was gradually reopened, more people were allowed outside their homes and mass transportation resumed, although still on a limited basis. The pandemic-related mobility restrictions did not stop the Philippines from being ranked last year as the worst in terms of traffic situation among six Southeast Asian countries with high traffic densities, and the ninth worst among 81 worldwide. People who have been stuck in traffic especially along EDSA and surrounding areas in the past months will agree with the assessment. The ranking was reported by Numbeo in its 2020 Traffic Index, which assessed the traffic situation based on time spent to reach one’s destination, carbon dioxide emissions and overall inefficiency. The Philippines was ranked the worst among the four other founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore – as well as a later addition to ASEAN, Vietnam. Reacting to the Numbeo report, the govern-
ment vowed improvements in the traffic situation with the completion of more roads particularly within Mega Manila. Most of the new roads, however, are toll roads operated by the private sector. It remains to be seen whether enough motorists will use these roads to make a significant dent in the traffic jams that have returned. With the financial difficulties arising from the pandemic, a daily toll will be another burden many people can’t afford. Why can’t the government provide free basic road infrastructure at least in crowded urban centers? Where do our taxes go? Numbeo is a crowd-sourced global database of information on cost of living and quality of life indicators including housing, perceived crime checking for accuracy of Numbeo data. But perrates and quality of health care. Like other free ceptions serve as a guide for policy making as crowd-sourced databases, there is no third-party well as project planning and implementation.
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
The 2020 Traffic Index should drive improvements in the traffic jams in Metro Manila and other crowded urban centers. (Philstar.com)
Follow the Constitution: Impeach and convict Trump to save American democracy The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS BE HONEST. Let us all be honest in answering this very important question: What would and should true patriotic law-abiding citizens and supposed truth, fairness and justice-seeking Christians in America do when United States President Donald Trump is now the leader and inciter of an insurrection to overturn election results and assault the democracy of the nation and the people he swore to serve? Nearly four years ago, the businessman-turned-leader of the free world was inaugurated and took the solemn oath as stated in Article II, Section I, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” But, in his time in office, Trump has been the biggest threat to our national security, and has failed in fulfilling his solemn duties and obligations as president. Five people have died because of mob riot, with the U.S. Capitol security breached and offices and hallways of this historic august chambers vandalized and destroyed by Trump’s blind followers — carrying out his marching order to FIGHT based on lies of his votes and victory stolen, dismissed to be without merit by no less than the Supreme Court and other officials and watchdogs of the election. And what should we do as citizens of the United States when the other public servants — the vice president, representatives, senators, judges, political appointees, and federal employees — the people who work for us, the people of the United States, fail to fulfill the oath they took before they assume the public
Commentary
LISA NOETH FREEDOM of speech is the cornerstone of our Republic. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution enacted in 1789 by our Founding Fathers explicitly states to protect freedom of speech: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
post entrusted to them as federal employees? Yes, they too took an oath of office, pursuant to Article VI of the Constitution which states that other officials, including members of Congress, “shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this constitution.” Our Founding Fathers had the foresight that someday, there would be an elected leader who would abuse the power and public trust accorded to the Office of the President and other powerful posts in government that is why the Constitution had been written to demand accountability from each and every public servant. One important point that writer Jeff Neal wrote for the Federal News Network on the oath of office and what it means is very much a reminder not only for our federal employees. This is also a wake-up call for us citizens on what to expect and demand from our public servants: “One thing that federal workers often hear is a career supervisor or political appointee talking about loyalty to the agency or the boss. One purpose of the Oath of Office is to remind federal workers that they do not swear allegiance to a supervisor, an agency, a political appointee, or even to the President. The oath is to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and faithfully execute your duties. The intent is to protect the public from a government that might fall victim to political whims and to provide a North Star – the Constitution – as a source of direction.” This is where we are now — facing a crossroads, about to embrace a defining moment that will determine the fate of our democracy in a government intended by the Constitution to be of the people, for the people, by the people. The power is ours to use to demand accountability from our public officials, lest we become complicit to enabling, condoning and nurturing a dictator who abuses the power and public trust for his/her own personal and political agenda. The power is ours to choose
whom to give our loyalty: to the Constitution or to Donald J. Trump. The power is ours to demand the same from the public officials in the executive, legislative and judiciary co-equal branches of government -- obligated to fulfill its oversight function and checks and balances responsibilities so that no person, no office, no branch of government will abuse the power and destroy our democratic institutions and processes. On Wednesday, January 13, barely a week before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris — who both won decisively in the November elections, certified by our electors pursuant to the rule of law and the Constitution — we, the people, would have to be fully engaged in the impeachment process initiated by the House of Representatives. “The sole article of impeachment that the House is expected to pass Wednesday charging Trump with high crimes and misdemeanors is damning. Its simple clarity explains why this impeachment is no mere futile partisan ritual in the waning days of the most aberrant presidency in history,” CNN reports. “Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law,” the article reads. Congress passed a resolution on Tuesday, January 12, urging Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. As the New York Times reported: “Lawmakers, escorted by armed guards into a heavily fortified Capitol, adopted the nonbinding measure just before midnight largely along party lines. The final vote was 223 to 205 to implore Mr. Pence to declare Mr. Trump “incapable of executing the duties of his office and to immediately exercise powers as acting president.” Pence, however, wrote a let-
Fighting for free speech freedom of speech, or of the press.” Our Republic emphasizes freedom of speech by being able to express our opinions regardless of your political affiliation without the intervention of the government, the mainstream media, or big tech. We are facing very dangerous 1984 Orwellian territory in 2021 during unprecedented times by allowing private companies, such as big tech, to control free speech in the wake of the Capitol riots on Jan. 6.
On January 13, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey released a statement describing why he suspended President Trump’s account. He tweeted: “After a clear warning we’d take this action, we made a decision with the best information we had based on threats to physical safety both on and off Twitter.” World leaders expressed their discontent towards censoring the sitting President of the United States. For example, Mexican President Andres
ter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying he would not invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, saying “I will not now yield to efforts in the House of Representatives to play political games at a time so serious in the life of our nation.” Pence also wrote to urge members of Congress to “avoid actions that would further divide and inflame passions of the moment.” Let the truth be told — Vice President Pence has been complicit in Trump’s efforts to divide and conquer the nation in the past four years. He did nothing, said nothing, and even defended and emboldened Trump. Now, Pence chooses inaction despite what happened on January 6 when he, himself, could have been killed by the insurrectionists who set up a noose on a makeshift gallow, chanting “Hang Mike Pence!” After he defied Trump’s order to overturn the election results, as reported by radio.com. Pence chooses inaction despite Trump not showing any remorse for what he did and continues on with his toxic and dangerous lies and rhetoric that inflames anger among his fascist base and blind followers. Pence chooses inaction despite the “FBI warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after last week’s deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol,” according to the Associated Press. This is the second time that Trump will be impeached, the first time this is happening in the history of presidents in the United States — a testament to the corruption of this man and unfitness to be President. This time, however, we hear more Republicans in Congress coming out to express support for the impeachment of Trump following the January 6 siege of the capitol where their own lives had been threatened. “Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, the party’s third-rank-
ing House leader, announced on Tuesday that she will vote to impeach President Donald Trump, becoming the highest-ranking official from her party to support charging and removing him from office following the Trump-incited riot at the Capitol last week, ”CNN reported. “The President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his doing. None of this would have happened without the President,” said Cheney. “The President could have immediately and forcefully intervened to stop the violence. He did not.” “There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution,” she added. “I will vote to impeach the President.” Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell “is moving abruptly away from President Donald Trump, telling people that he thinks Trump perpetrated impeachable offenses,” the Associated Press reported. “The Kentucky Republican also sees House Democrats’ drive to impeach Trump as an opportune moment to distance the GOP from the tumultuous, divisive outgoing president.” BREAKING: The House on Wednesday, January 13 impeached President Donald Trump, adopting a single article of impeachment, voting 232 to 197 to charge him with “inciting violence against the government of the United States” and requesting his immediate removal from office and disqualification from ever holding one again, the New York Times reported. Ten members of the president’s party joined Democrats to charge him with high crimes and misdemeanors for an unprecedented second time. More Republicans should do the right thing and protect and defend the Constitution instead of protecting Trump and their political ambitions. After all, during the 2016 Presidential Election campaign season, the high-ranking Republican leader-
Manuel Lopez Obrador disagrees with Twitter’s actions of banning President Trump. He explains, “I don’t like anybody being censored or taking away from the right to post a message on Twitter or Face(book). I don’t agree with that, I don’t accept that.” The outrage from conservatives about Twitter’s ban isn’t about President Trump, you can be next. The underlying issue reckons from suppressing and canceling unpopular opinions. Allowing censorship gives big tech the full disclosure to not only cancel the current President of the United States but also your
voice as an average American. We can’t allow the cancel culture from big tech to pick and choose specific individual voices. Social media platforms reach out to millions of people as an opportunity towards listening to the different opinions of others. There’s always going to be mild and offensive opinions even if those opinions expressed are unpopular. Expressing our opinions and ideas remains one of the pathways for our Republic to thrive as a society, not censorship. We need to have meaningful discussions and cross-party lines to find the common
ship had been warning us about Trump. Why do some Republicans still choose to defend him? One is because of their political survival, and the other reason is because Trump continues to harass Republicans in Congress, threatening them, their safety and the safety of their families. All the more they should vote to remove Trump from office! The Times reported that vote set the stage for the second Senate trial of Trump in a year, though senators were not expected to convene to sit in judgment before Jan. 20, when Biden will take the oath of office. But who knows what McConnell might do to surprise us before then to fulfill their obligation to follow the Constitution. Words have consequences. Actions have consequences. If we just let Trump go after his term is over, then we failed to hold him accountable. Then he would run for office again and continue destroying our democracy. Then another candidate who may be worse than Trump could be emboldened to run for office. There can only be true unity when there is healing. There can only be true healing when justice and accountability are present. It is about time justice is served for all the transgressions Trump has committed against the Constitution and the American people. The House has impeached Trump. The Senate has to convict Trump. NOW. Let us ALL save the democracy of the United States of America. ***
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.
*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos.
ground to forgive each other from the wounds of political polarization that our country currently faces. Censorship of free speech is not the answer. I urge Fil-Am conservatives to continue to express your opinions by protecting your right to free speech as Americans. *** 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.
*** Lisa Noeth is a Fil-Am conservative commentator and Nevada Young Republicans co-director.
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Duterte: No term extension, no Sara in 2022 by Christina
A
Mendez
Philstar.com
MANILA — Even if handed to him on a silver platter, President Duterte reiterated lack of interest in extending his six-year term that will end in June next year and said he would also discourage his daughter from pursuing the presidency. He slammed critics who claimed he is working to stay in power as congressmen and senators try to amend some provisions of the Constitution. “They thought that is what I am asking (from) Congress, they thought it is term extension. My God, even if you give it in a silver platter… even if you give it to me free for another 10 years, I will tell you, ‘P*****i*** sa inyo na yan (You can have it). I’m done’,” he said in Filipino and English during the launching of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 project on Thursday, January 14. Duterte explained that he only wanted Congress to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution to speed up progress and development of the country. He said he needed to do things pronto because he has little time left. The 75-year-old leader has also discouraged his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio, from joining the presidential derby next year because the top government post is not fit for women like her. The presidency, he claimed, is not fit for a woman and would just demean her person. “And my daughter, they are prodding her to run. I told them: ‘My daughter is not running’. I have told Inday not to run (because I have walked down that road). It’s not for a woman. The emotional setup of a woman and a man is totally different. Maging gago ka dito (It will make you crazy). That is the sad story. But there are people who are insisting,” Duterte said partly in Filipino. After talking about his distaste of corrupt government officials and judges who reportedly derail government projects by issuing temporary restraining orders, Duterte expressed expectations about his successor. “I hope the next president would be as forceful and resolute to confront this almost evil practice of people going around the country, looking for bidding, and they will divide the (kickbacks),” he said. Duterte, who graced the opening of the Skyway Stage 3 project that would lessen travel time around Metro Manila, thanked businessmen Ramon Ang and Manuel Pangilinan for spearheading such development projects in the country. “Then, I would like to especially greet Mr. Ramon Ang and, of course… Mr. Pangilinan, for all of these grand infrastructures without compare… and they gave us a very magnificent Skyway,” he said. He also thanked “the Cabinet members, (Finance Secretary) Sonny Dominguez and the rest, who looked for the money,” as well as the private contractors. He lamented that the country’s developments were delayed because funds were squandered by corrupt individuals in the past as he recalled that his marching order when he assumed office was to make the Filipinos’ lives comfortable. He warned that he will dedicate his remaining months in office to eradicating corruption in government as he recognized the efforts of Public Works Secretary Mark Villar for initiating a revamp in his department to rid the agency of corrupt individuals. Gaining ground Meanwhile, the bid to amend the restrictive provisions of the 1987 Constitution has gained ground after economists expressed support to the proposal that was also approved by at least 500,000 citizens.
The 75-year-old leader has also discouraged his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio, from joining the presidential derby next year because the top government post is not fit for women like her. Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo
In a hearing of the House committee on constitutional amendments, two former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chiefs and another University of the Philippines economics professor supported the passage of the measure that they said will help accelerate the nation’s economic recovery from the pandemic. Former NEDA chiefs Ernesto Pernia and Gerardo Sicat and UP economics professor Raul Fabella agreed that the proposed amendment of the Constitution’s economic provisions will be beneficial and timely given the need to speed up the recovery of the country’s pandemic-hit economy. “As you can see, although the economy has really been clobbered by the pandemic, the economy is recovering slowly – it is getting out of the hole little by little – and we need to accelerate that getting out of the hole. We really need to push that, including allowing FDI (foreign direct investments) in the country, so this recovery will accelerate,” Pernia told the panel. He lamented how the Philippine economy has slowly been overtaken by other ASEAN economies, saying opening up the economy to more FDIs will address this. “We really cannot be competitive with our ASEAN neighbors, much less in the global economy, if we do not open the economy; that is why easing or lifting the provisions on foreign participation in the Constitution is critical,” Pernia stressed. Sicat, also a former NEDA chief and founder of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), branded the current economic provisions of the Constitution as “the original sin” responsible for making it “really difficult for our country to progress in the attraction of (FDI).” Fabella, a Yale University graduate and the only Filipino economist recognized as a National Scientist, explained “that the lifting of the constitutional limit on foreign ownership will make the Philippines more foreign investment-friendly.” He supported the lifting of restrictions on the foreign ownership of land and argued that land should be owned by whoever can make it more productive, regardless of citizenship. “My belief is that who can make the land flower best should own it; the land should be able to produce as much as it can… and citizenship is not a condition for who makes flower the best,” Fabella explained. In the same hearing, the panel also received over 500,000 signatures gathered by the Department of the Interior and Local Government in support of the “surgical amendments” to the Charter, including relaxing economic provisions. DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya explained that a total of 555,610 signatures were gathered during roadshows conducted prior to the lockdowns imposed in March 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19. Latest data from the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) estimate the country’s population at 109.947 million as of 2020. “If not for the pandemic, I think we would have reached more than a million signatures because the pandemic started in March. Our last roadshow was in February,” Malaya told the panel. The proposed amendments cover changes to several articles of the Philippine Constitution – Article II on the Declaration of Principles and State Policies; Article XIV on Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports; and Article XVI on General Provisions. Malaya said the proposed changes are backed by 23 local government units and 1,489 members of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines who support “surgical amendments to the Constitution including the lifting of the restrictive economic provisions.” House panel chairman Alfredo Garbin Jr. again gave assurance that the amendments would strictly be confined to economic provisions. “Proposals to amend political provisions may be raised in the plenary. But we hold the word of the Speaker that this will not be supported. Since he has support of supermajority, those proposals will be taken down immediately,” he stressed in the episode of The Chiefs on One News last Wednesday night. Garbin appealed to the public to trust Congress, saying doubts have prevented attempts to correct the economic provisions in the Charter since 18 years ago. Leaders of political parties and power blocs in the House have already expressed support to the proposed amendments in the Charter being pushed by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. In caucus last Tuesday afternoon, leaders and representatives of PDP-Laban, Nacionalist People’s Coalition, Nacionalista Party, National Unity Party, Lakas-NUCD, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Liberal Party, and Party-list Coalition Foundation crossed party lines and came up with a “consensus” for the Resolution of Both Houses 2 by signing a manifesto of support for the proposed amendments. “We believe that now is the most opportune time to resume the deliberation on the amendments to the economic provisions specified under RBH No. 2 for the primary purpose of mitigating and providing lasting solutions to the devastating economic effects brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” read the manifesto released. The leaders said they “remain firm in our resolve to utilize all means possible within the period left for the 18th Congress to adopt measures and introduce reforms that will provide the maximum benefit to the Filipino people and lead the country towards a robust and sustainable recovery.” However, the opposition bloc and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan vowed to oppose the move. (With reports from Edu Punay, Cecille SuerteFelipe, Elizabeth Marcelo/Philstar.com)
DOT to suspend accreditation of Makati... PAGE A3 rounding the incident on 31 December 2020,” the DOT said. “The pieces of evidence showed that even prior to the incident and until now, the CGGH is marketing packages to accept leisure guests and never indicated that it is a quarantine hotel,” it added. In view of this, CGGH was meted the following penalties: • Six months suspension of DOT accreditation • P10,000 fine • Revocation of the Certificate of Authority to Operate The DOT said the hotel still has the right to appeal within the period prescribed by the DOT rules and regulations. “The DOT adheres to the FOI Executive Order mandating access to information, subject to compliance with prescribed procedures to ensure observance of the provisions of the Data Privacy Act,” it concluded.
Warning vs accommodation establishments The tourism department once again cautioned all accredited accommodation establishments (AEs) to confine their operations to the authority given them, limited to just one per given time. “This is to reiterate that AEs repurposed as quarantine facilities cannot offer their rooms and facilities for leisure purposes. At the same time, staycation hotels shall not be used for quarantine,” the agency said. As of January 14, there are only 15 AEs in Metro Manila that was granted a Certificate of Authority to Operate as Staycation. These are the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Okada Manila Hotel, ShangriLa at the Fort, Nobu Hotel, Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila, EDSA Shangri-La Manila, Solaire Resort, Hyatt Regency City of Dreams, Nuwa Hotel City of Dreams, The Peninsula Manila,
Aruga by Rockwell, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Hilton Manila and Hotel Okura Manila. The DOT said other four-andfive-star rated AEs can still apply as staycation hotels. It also encouraged the public to report establishments that violate its rules and regulations. “With health and safety of guests and workers as primary concern, it is encouraged that similar incidents in violation of DOT rules and regulations be reported to the DOT’s Office of Tourism Standards and Regulations (OTSR) via feedback@tourism.gov.ph or otsr.dotdirector@ gmail.com,” the DOT said. The IATF-EID’s Resolution No. 43, Series of 2020 of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine states that “Accommodation Establishments (AEs) may operate only upon the issuance of a Certificate of Authority to operate by the DOT. n
THIRST QUENCHER. A vendor chops open a fresh coconut on his wooden cart to serve its juice to thirsty customers on Biak na Bato St., Santo Domingo, Quezon City on Wednesday, January 13. Buko juice is one of the favorite drinks of Filipinos, especially during summer. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Treaty vs nukes to bolster PH claim in West PH Sea, says Tolentino by Christia
Marie Inquirer.net
raMos
MANILA — Becoming a state party to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) will aid in strengthening the Philippines’ claim in the West Philippine Sea, Senator Francis Tolentino said. During Thursday’s Senate foreign relations committee hearing, Tolentino called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to devise a “mode” to diplomatically assert the country’s position in the West Philippine Sea once the Senate concurs on the ratification of the TPNW and the Philippines becomes a state party. Under the treaty, a state party “has an obligation to, among others, make a declaration whether there are any nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices in its territory or in any place under its jurisdiction or control that are owned, possessed, or controlled by another State,” the senator noted.
“Because of that arbitral ruling, we still have jurisdiction over [those] areas in the West Philippine Sea being claimed by China. Having said that, it is now apparent that if we approve this treaty, ratify [it], we can send a note to the United Nations informing the UN Secretary-General that we have reasonable grounds to believe that there might be some nuclear armaments there present in the man-made islands made by China,” he said. “It would strengthen the position of the Philippines because we will now have an oversight on the part of the UN to really look into—whether they can do that or not—to look into the possibility of weapons in an area which is supposedly under our control and our jurisdiction and I’m referring to the West Philippine Sea,” he added. In July 2016, the Philippines sealed a historic win against China before the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, which invalidated
Beijing’s nine-dash line that covers almost the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. Tolentino believes the Philippines has much to gain from becoming a state party to TPNW as it would “ensure a regime of peace and a nuclear-free region of amity and cooperation.” Later in the hearing, the committee endorsed to the plenary the concurrence of the Senate to the President’s ratification of the treaty. The instrument of ratification was sent by Malacañang to the Senate on Nov. 18, 2020. Under the 1987 Constitution, “no treaty of international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate.” In 2017, 122 UN memberstates, including the Philippines, adopted the said treaty. Some 45 countries have reportedly ratified the treaty so far, five short of the 50 required for the pact to enter into force. n
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Comedian Rob Schneider’s Filipina mother passes away Fil-Am Disney star Olivia Rodrigo by
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COMEDIAN Rob Schneider on Tuesday, January 12, announced that his Filipina mother died over the weekend. In an Instagram post, the FilAm actor said that his mother, Pilar Monroe Schneider, “passed away peacefully after spending a perfect Sunday evening family dinner surrounded with loved ones at her side.” Schneider paid tribute to his mother by sharing her life story as a World War II survivor from the Philippines who “had smallpox.” He also said Pilar was “raised for the first three years by her aunt.” “Then one day this well dressed family showed up and told her they were her family and introduced her to her mother, Victoria,” wrote Schneider. He further said that Pilar grew up without a father as the American soldier “abandoned her fam-
ily before Pilar was born.” They only met by accident 22 years later in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Pilar’s brothers, John and Bill, were “both killed by the Japanese as teenagers.” According to Schneider, food was scarce during the war, and Pilar’s family survived because of her ingenuity. “Her mother and sisters sewed pajamas from bed sheets and traded them with the farmers for sweet potatoes (kamotes), the ones that the Japanese didn’t steal from her,” he wrote. “After the war Pilar was able to ‘pay for school’ because she and her sister Rose found money the Japanese buried in a cave (along with what they thought were metal pineapples which turned out to be hand grenades),” he added. Pilar graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and moved to the United States in the 1950s. There, she earned
tops charts with debut single
by ritchel
MendiolA AJPress
FILIPINA American Disney star and singer Olivia Rodrigo’s official debut single “Drivers License” is shaping up to be a chart-topping hit. After its release on January 8, the song has been dominating the charts of major streaming platforms. It climbed to no. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Top 100 chart, Apple Music’s Top 100: Global chart, Rob Schneider and his mother Pilar and Spotify’s Global Top 100. her master’s degree as a reading On Monday, the track — surspecialist and was later elected to passing Ariana Grande’s “thank the school board in Pacifica, Cali- u, next” — set Spotify’s record for fornia. most streams in a day for a non“Pilar b[e]came a beloved holiday song with over 15.17 milteacher for [three] decades and lion global streams; the day after, three generations of children who it hit 17.01 million streams. would be grateful that years later The 17-year-old star of “Bishe remembered every one of zaardvark” and “The High School their names,” said Schneider. Musical: The Musical: The Series” “After retiring from teaching on Tuesday took to Instagram to Pilar made sure that the [s]chools express her excitement over the in her town where she raised all success of her single. her children, Pacifica, all had mu“Uhhhhhh so drivers license is sic teachers and music classes, a the number one song in the world program she ran for 15 years,” he rn. Never in my wildest dreams added. did I expect this. Thank u guys so Schneider concluded his post much for listening. I can’t believe by saying he is “proud to say [he this is real life,” wrote Rodrigo. is] the son of Pilar Monroe SchIn an earlier post, Rodrigo neider.” shared a screenshot of the U.S. Schneider is an actor and come- iTunes chart showing her single dian popularly known for starring behind the songs of Grammy-winin films such as “50 First Dates,” ner Taylor Swift, one of the teen “Click,” and “Grown Ups.” singer’s biggest inspirations. His most recent film, “Hubie “Next to Taylor on the U.S. Halloween,” hit Netflix in Octo- iTunes chart I’m in a puddle of ber, also starring Adam Sandler tears,” she wrote. and Julie Bowen. “Asian Momma, Days later, Swift replied to the Mexican Kids,” his first Netflix post, saying: “I say that’s my baby After his mother’s passing, Schneider shared a photo of Pilar with his two daughters with a comedy special, premiered last and I’m really proud.” “Drivers License” has amassed tribute to her life. Photo from Instagram/@iamrobschneider August.
Olivia Rodrigo’s official debut single “Drivers License” has been dominating the charts of major streaming platforms. Photo from Instagram/@olivia.rodrigo
over 24 million views on YouTube since its release. Rodrigo was born to an American mother of Irish and German descent, and a Fil-Am father. In an interview with Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), she talked about the Fil-Am side of her family. “My great-grandfather immigrated here from the Philippines when he was just a teenager. He’s my grandma’s dad, and my grandpa is also Filipino as well,” she said. “My dad grew up in a house
where they were always making Filipino food, his grandpa always spoke Tagalog. All of those traditions have trickled down to our generation. Every Thanksgiving we have lumpia, and things like that,” she added. Rodrigo also revealed that she wants to go to the Philippines one day. “I have never been to the Philippines, but I really, really want to. We still have extended family there, but I’ve never met them. That’s on my bucket list, definitely,” she said.
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B January 14-20, 2021 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL
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‘GMA offer was a surprise’ - Richard Sarah proud of housekeeping skills by ChriStina
alpad ManilaTimes.net
IN the middle of 2020’s holiday rush, The Manila Times reported that GMA Network welcomed actor-businessman Richard Yap as one of its exclusive talents under GMA Artist Center. Yap, as expected, was grateful to have a new home base following ABS-CBN’s loss of franchise but revealed that he was all the more surprised the network offered him to join them. “Actually, there was an offer to also do a show late December last year [2019] pero hindi lang ako pwede kasi I was doing another show at that time,” he finally related the events that led to this development. “That time [also] I heard they weren’t looking to manage me or doing anything similar but parang project-project lang so it was very surprising na umabot sa point na ito na I am now under GMA Artist Center,” Yap furthered to The Manila Times during a virtual interview. It can be recalled that Yap, a former commercial model for a Chinese fast-food chain, joined showbiz well into his 40s and hit the ground running as “Papa Chen” in Kim Chiu’s teleserye “My Binondo Girl”(2011). He quickly became household in his following role when as “Ser Chief” in the two-year morning drama, “Be Careful with my Heart.” Both plum parts easily earned him a string of blockbuster hits all with ABS-CBN projects. Fast forward to 2020, his contract expired in the middle of the pandemic and ABS-CBN’s doomed franchise renewal, and while all was quiet from his end,
offers nonetheless came his way from two to three other networks besides GMA. “During the course of the lockdown, nung nagbalik na sa GCQ, and [networks] were starting to do shows already, merong ibang nag offer na to do shows.” GMA’s offer differed in terms of timing in that it came much later in 2020. “Bagong-bago lang [the negotiation with GMA], siguro a month or two ago. Dati kinukuha lang nila ako for guesting that’s why I guested sa ‘Eat Bulaga’ and did a movie with Rita Daniela and Ken Chan. So parang mabilis ang pangyayari, nag usap kami tapos ito na.” Asked why he seemed to bade his time when he could have snapped up earlier offers, Yap replied, “I think going to GMA-7 was the easiest choice because the others are just starting out; the other offers were for block timing and GMA was doing everything by themselves. So, I think, on the practical side, we’d rather go with the established one na.” With news of his transfer all over social media over the holidays, Yap expressed he was overwhelmed his fans’ support and the welcome from loyal Kapuso viewers. “I was really very surprised over their reaction and it was all very heartwarming. Coming from another network, you wouldn’t expect na ganun ka-welcoming yung mga fans or supporters with the Kapuso Network. And I thought na baka hindi nila ako kilala pero it turns out, at least kilala nila ako,” he humbly added. With a more defined path for him now, Yap is excited for the
By Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
Richard Yap steps in to 2021 with a new home network. GMA photo
many new possibilities GMA has in mind for him. “I’m sure there will be a time that I’ll be doing rom-com but we’re thinking of doing a lot of other things also and changing genres to comedy and maybe even action.” He is also looking forward to working with Kapuso leading ladies Heart Evangelista, Marian Rivera, Jennylyn Mercado, Lovi Poe and Rhian Ramos, among many others. “To be honest though, one of my dream co-stars is Michael V since I’ve been a fan of ‘Bubble Gang’ for a very long time,” he confessed. Since the new year, viewers have seen Yap as a guest on “Dear Uge” last January 10 and will appear on Eugene Domingo’s weekend show anew on January 17. He is next scheduled to guest on “The Boobay and Tekla Show” on January 24 all while plans for his primetime series are being finalized.
Rami Malek: Filipino actor should play Manny Pacquiao in film By Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
HOLLYWOOD actor Rami Malek denied that he will be playing Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in a biography film. The Oscar winner said it was the first time for him to know about the rumors. “I can absolutely deny that. That’s fascinating. No, I will definitely not be playing Manny Pacquiao,” Rami told Rappler. “No, this is the first time I’ve heard it,” he added. The “Bohemian Rhapsody” star said that a Filipino actor should play the boxer-turned-senator. “I think that would be the right choice. If we’ve learned anything, by certain stretches, an actor can do it. But for someone of Filipino Rami Malek and Denzel Washington in ‘The Little origin, it would be nice to see that person being played by somebody Things’ Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. from that country,” he said.
KAPAMILYA singer Sarah Geronimo revealed how she adjusted from being a pop star to being a do-it-all housewife. In the latest vlog of celebrity doctor Vicki Belo, Sarah proudly shared that she is so good at doing household chores that she can qualify as a household keeper. “Puwedeng-puwede po ako mamasukan dito. Maglaba, magplantsa, magluto, tagalinis, pampaligo ng aso,” Sarah said. Sarah also shared in the vlog that she enjoys her time in the kitchen, especially when she bakes. She and husband Matteo
Guidicelli already moved in their new home last October. “Mas mentally healthy for us na may outdoor talaga, may garden,” she said, adding that they are just renting the house. Sarah also opened up about their relationship — about Matteo being clingy while she wanted validation. “I think ang mga babae, mayroon tayong subconsciously, we always look for validation. You’re making sure na mahal ka nu’ng lalaki,” she said. “‘Mahal mo ba ako?’ Mga ganoon, mga pa-cute, parang timang!” she quipped. Sarah and Matteo tied the knot in Sarah Geronimo Photo from Instagram/@justsarahgph a private ceremony last year.
Ai-Ai is the new ‘unbothered queen’ by MJ
Marfori ManilaTimes.net
MOVE over Gen Z! Comedy Queen Ai-Ai de las Alas may not be getting any younger, but she was red hot and oozing with bombshell appeal when we caught up with her virtually. Arranged for her Hobe endorsement renewal, Ai-Ai proudly showed off her strong and healthy physique. She credits her organic diet and lifestyle to such feat and admitted she wants to keep up with her husband Gerald Sibayan who is 30 years her junior. “Syempre kailangan ko rin sumabay sa kanya,” the 56-yearold comedienne said. Ai-Ai says that even though she was not as busy as she hoped to be in 2020, she still had fun especially when given the opportunity to top Twitter’s trending list after that much-talked about Blackpink performance for a GMA holiday special. She finally gave the lowdown on why she keeps on choosing the girl group for her performances on television, “Basta happy naman ako sa ginagawa ko, and kasi talagang paborito ko kasi ang BLACKPINK. At saka ayoko rin namang umarte. Huwag na rin tayong magpaka-plastic. Pag kumakanta naman ako ng Korean, talagang nagte-trending. So, di ba, yun naman ang essence ng buhay? Gusto mong mag-trend ka.” She did not shy away from revealing it made her happy to see her hard work trend, be it because of good comments or unfavorable one, “Di naman ako plastic, ha, talagang gusto kong mag-trend
The country’s ‘Comedy Queen’ with her husband, Gerald Sibayan Photo from Instagram/@msaiaidelasalas
ako. So, yun ang ginagawa ko, nagti-trend ako pag kumakanta ako ng Korean. So, gagawin at gagawin ko yun.” She never flinches when it comes to detractor, as per Ai-Ai, she is an expert in handling them. “Na-embrace ko na rin. Aspect ng buhay natin na nandiyan yung mga bashers, di ba? “As long as hindi naman ako nakakasakit ng tao o nang-aapi ng tao, mas natutuwa pa nga yung iba, sa pagiging ‘Unbothered Queen’ ko.’” And being a certified Blink since the hit “How You Like That,” Ai-Ai asked fans to appreciate her hard work since it is not easy to memorize Korean song. “So kahit papa’no, bigyan niyo naman ako ng merit, pwede na yun.” Leaning towards the issue of
public judgement and being the center of scrutiny at times, Ai Ai was asked for her two cents on the Christine Dacera case. As a mother of three, she did not shy away from her opinion specially towards netizens who weighed in early without reviewing the facts of the case. “Iba na talaga ang social media. ‘Yung trial by publicity ganun ganun na lang… Hindi ako sumasawsaw sa issue, I was only asked about my opinion… Sana huwag tayo judgmental. “Bilang nanay, masakit talagang mawalan ng anak. Ilalaban ko rin anak ko sa sinapit n’ya. [Pero] ‘yung mga LGBT (na) persons of interest, kawawa rin naman. Paano na sila makakabalik sa buhay pagkatapos laitin [sa social media] ang kanilang pagkatao, pati na pamilya nila?”
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Filmmaker’s 1st historical-fantasy comic book ‘Anitu’ inspired by Filipino folklore by allan
PolicarPio Inquirer.net
WHILE he’s known mainly for his work as a filmmaker, Jason Paul Laxamana’s creative interests extend to other media, like comics. His drawing skills weren’t enough, however, he said, and this held him back. But now that he has his own entertainment company, Ninuno Media, and has access to talented artists, Laxamana was finally able to realize his longtime goal. “As a ’90s kid, I grew up watching a lot of Tagalized anime. And at some point, I dreamed of creating a manga or anime. But I didn’t pursue it because I couldn’t draw well. I did try collaborating with artists, but it has always been a challenge to make them commit to the job,” he told the Inquirer in an interview. “Now that I head my own company and have the required resources to come up with a comic book, I went on and fulfilled one of my childhood dreams,” added Laxamana, who’s behind the films “100 Tula Para Kay Stella” and “The Day After Valentine’s.” And true to Ninuno Media’s vision of producing distinctly Filipino content, Laxamana’s first comic book offering, “Anitu” (Viva Books) is a historical-fantasy series inspired by local folklore. The story is set in “the land of Kapampangans,” where men, spirit and nature coexist in harmony. Disarray ensues, however, when the power-hungry conquistadores arrive in an attempt to take control of the land and force its people to adopt a different religion. Meanwhile, those who resist power—the remontados and tulisan—retreat to the mountains. The young warrior Uri, a principled swordsman, knows that the people have to fight back and reclaim what’s rightfully theirs. So, he trains three other men to help his cause: Sampaga, an aspiring shaman; Miguel Batibot, a trainee in native martial arts; and Tuyag, a half-human/halfAswang healer.
John Paul Laxamana
Each one exhibits skills and possesses weapons and magical items that will educate the readers about bits and pieces of precolonial and early colonial Philippine culture and folklore. “The creation of ‘Anitu’ involved months of research. While it’s fictional and fantastic, many elements of the comics allude to real historical events, such as the conquistadores’ pacification campaigns, the uprising by natives and the eradication of shamanism,” Laxamana said of the series, which was illustrated by Ruel Enoya. For Laxamana, Filipino mythology has always been a fascinating source of material, because it allows us to connect to our cultural heritage. “Growing up, we have always been taught about other countries’ mythologies, but rarely about our own. So in a way, we were led to believe that our ancestors, or we, didn’t have colorful folklores. And thus, we subconsciously develop a cultural inferiority complex,” he related. “I find our own stories to be interesting materials, because
Inquirer.net photo
they have the power to reverse that said inferiority complex,” he added. And he believes that one way to shine the light on local mythology and reinforce cultural identity is through pop culture. “It’s important to feature these in pop culture, because the Philippines needs all the help it can get when it comes to establishing a cultural identity. I believe one reason the Filipino youth are easily drawn to Korean, Japanese, European and American cultures is because they lack knowledge about their own,” he observed. “Worse, our education [system] seems to be hellbent on wiping out anything Filipino from its curricula,” Laxamana added. “The presence of heritage in pop culture then is important if we want to prevent the youth from fully disintegrating from their Filipino identity and cultural pride.” Meanwhile, asked if people can expect a live-action adaptation of “Anitu” in the future, Laxamana said the goal is to turn it into a multimedia. “[We hope to produce] games, movies, series, etc. But I want to popularize it as a comic book first,” he said.
Rita gears up for face-slapping matches with Maricel By marinel
cruz
Inquirer.net
ACTRESS Rita Avila, who joined the popular Kapamilya drama series “Ang Sa Iyo ay Akin” in December, said she came prepared for her face-slapping matches with one of the show’s lead cast, Maricel Soriano. “Yes, there will be a lot of catfights with Maricel. I guess it’s because we’re of the same height and we can easily reach for each other’s cheeks and hair,” she recently told reporters during a virtual chat. “It’s an honor to be working with Maricel. She may be known as the ‘Taray Queen,’ but she has shown me nothing but kindness since we first worked together in this business.” Rita recalled the first time they met. “I was a newcomer then. I appeared in her show ‘Maricel Drama Special’ as a guest. When she learned that we would be working together on that day, she told everyone on the set, ‘You should have told me it was Rita. I would have brought clothes and accessories that she could use for the shoot;’ and then she turned to me to say, ‘It’s OK. You can use this ring as a costume,’” the actress reminisced. The actress said her eyes bulged at the size of Maricel’s diamond ring. “Maricel’s gesture actually made me feel more
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nervous. I told my yaya, ‘Never mind if my face is oily or my hair is a mess. I just want you to keep staring at this ring to make sure I don’t lose it.’” She added: “Fast forward to the present; when I learned that Maricel would be my character’s archnemesis in the show, I was happy. I consider her a good friend. She’s always been kind to me. She’s a professional. I know we will be able to correctly read each other’s minds as coactors.” Rita plays Belen, mother of lead star Iza Calzado’s character, Ellice. People are secretly questioning Belen’s motives when she suddenly returns to Ellice’s life after decades of absence. She also admitted that there had been offers for her to join another teleserye in a rival TV network, “but I said ‘yes’ to this program without blinking an eye because it’s the No. 1 teleserye today.” Although she didn’t say it, another factor could also be that her husband, FM Reyes, is codirecting the series. During the virtual media conference, FM clarified that most of Rita’s scenes would be handled by his codirector, Avel Sungpoco. “Rita knows that I’m a strict director. She also knows that I don’t give her special treatment just because she’s my wife,” FM pointed out. “In fact, I require more from her. She is aware of how difficult work is for people
Rita Avila with Maricel Soriano ABS CBN photo
like us in the production team. She understands the demands of working behind the camera. That’s why, when something is needed on the set, it’s not usual for her to come rushing to help.” As an actor, one thing that FM appreciated about Rita was that, “she is quiet, intelligent and a deep thinker. When given instructions, she’s not the type who gives you affirmation; sometimes, she won’t even give you a nod. You’d wonder if she really got it. You’d just be surprised during the take because you’d see that she was able to do it.” Rita is also respectful, declared FM. “She isn’t the type who would throw her weight around the set because I’m the director. At work, we’re not a couple. We make that known to everybody,” he added.
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 14-20, 2021
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Donny happy on solo flight By ricKy lo Philstar.com
BECAUSE Donny Pangilinan has been absent from the TV5 show Sunday Noontime Live (SNL), there’s a rumor that he quit and Ricci Rivero was promoted to take his place. The truth is that Donny is in a lock-in shoot for a project (presumably for ABS-CBN/Star Cinema since he has remained Kapamilya forever) to be followed by another one. Busy bee. “I love doing SNL,” Donny told Funfare in a recent interview. “It has been very, very fun. I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with an amazing group of people like Papa P (Piolo Pascual), Catriona (Gray), Maja (Salvador) and my bro Jake (Ejercito). I enjoy it because I missed going to the studio physically and seeing people because we’ve been staying home for so long. “I would say that SNL really pushes me to my limits, making me work harder than I have ever worked in terms of rehearsing. I’ve never rehearsed this much in my whole life. Instead of just one production number, we have to rehearse for seven.” At first, admitted Donny, he was reluctant to do it. “But then, I thought, it’s a good chance to learn and to showcase more of my talent, to better im-
Donny Pangilinan Photo from Instagram/@donny
prove my craft and have fun as well. It’s cool that our guests... most of them my friends are familiar faces, as well as the crew. Nice to see everybody.” Now happily going solo after the breakup of DonKiss, his much-lamented team-up with Kisses Delavin (now with her family in her native Masbate due to the pandemic), Donny said he doesn’t regret over the incident while expressing gratitude to the DonKiss supporters. “I will cherish the good memories of DonKiss deeply in my heart. I am grateful for the support that the DonKiss family has given not just me but also Kisses. I sincerely hope that she is okay
right now and safe during this pandemic.” Is he done with love-teaming? “Hindi naman siguro,” said Donny. “I’ve always been very open. I’m still very young and have so much to work on, so much I have to learn from different people. I am open to collaborating with different people.” The pandemic forced him to put many things on hold. “My friends and I were supposed to go abroad just before the lockdown. Sayang but it was such a small thing. As they say, everything happens for a reason. May kapalit naman. I was able to work again. I will be busy until the second quarter of this year. Fingers crossed, I hope that things will go back to normal.” Another plus factor of the pandemic is that it has given Donny time to bulk up. “I have made taking care of my health a priority... physically, mentally and spiritually. I have learned discipline. My mantra is ‘Don’t be lazy.’ Get up and move!” The minus factor? Because of the social-distancing protocol, Donny is unable to see his girlfriend. “I don’t have a girlfriend!” he exclaimed. “If I had, I would surely find time to keep in touch with her. Maybe Zoom na lang muna kami, hahaha!!!”
Healthier 2021: Enchong shares New Year’s resolutions by Kathleen
a. llemit
Philstar.com
ACTOR Enchong Dee shared some of his New Year’s resolution on his YouTube channel last Sunday, January 10. You’d be surprised at some of this resolutions that you’d never thought would make sense to your overall health and wellbeing. Take care of your gut At the top of his list is taking care of his gut — that often overlooked part of the digestive system. “Noong 2020 na-realize natin how important it is to take care of our health. For that to happen, I also found out that it is important to take care of our gut. Dapat nagsisimula mula dito because from immune to respiratory system, lahat ng kinakain natin, it all goes through our gut,” Enchong relayed. The gut has microbiomes, which are microorganisms living in the intestines. According to the the article “What’s an unhealthy gut? How gut health affects you?” in healthline.com, a person has “about 300 to 500 different species of bacteria in his digestive tract.” It added that while some of these are harmful, many are “incredibly beneficial and even necessary to a healthy body.” According to Dr. Eammon Quigley, in his study titled “Gut Bacteria in Health and Disease,” published in the “Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,” the presence of a wide variety of these “good bacteria” in the gut can “enhance your immune system function, improve symptoms of depression, help combat obesity, and provide numerous other benefits.” There’s a reason why probiotics have suddenly become quite popular these days, with many brands readily available in many convenience stores. Start your day right with prayer, meditation Enchong said that he felt less stressed whenever he does this first thing in the morning. “Mas naging kalmado ako, mas naging less stressful sa akin ‘yung mga nangyayari sa buong buhay ko, which alam naman natin last year, sobrang daming unexpected
things na nangyari. Isa talaga sa dapat nating ina-alagaan is our mental health.” He shared that prayers and meditation exercises are easily accessible through YouTube. Keep your posture because it makes a good impression Everyone’s guilty of slouching. Not does it only not look good with a bent back, it is also bad for one’s posture. Enchong is also guilty of it. “Since I started swimming, may problem na ako with my posture, my back. Parang feeling ko, because my shoulders gotten so wide, so heavy, my tendency is to slouch and it is not nice because yung first impression sa’yo ng tao when you’re slouching, parang pakiramdam nila mababa ‘yung self-esteem mo. And it also helps with the way you carry yourself,” said the former De La Salle University varsity swimmer. Cut your screen time Enchong is guilty as charged. He used to be one of those who is perpetually glued to his gadgets. We all know how harmful blue light from devices is to our overall health. His most used app is the mobile game “Call of Duty.” But he is about to change it. “If you can, if we can, kahit papano reduce our screen time, at least we can focus more in the important stuff that we need to accomplish every day. Just be mindful, be responsible.” Get your voice from the diaphragm Enchong said that not only singers have to do that but most people should, too. “I keep telling myself to get my voice from the diaphragm because mas maganda ‘yung delivery of words, delivery of script. You can do more range kapag umaarte ka when you’re in front of the camera because you can go on and on, and keep on talking and share about all the good information when you have the right voice to use. ‘Yan ‘yung magiging instrument mo,” said the actor who, has also started co-hosting the latest season of the hit reality show “Pinoy Big Brother.” Feed your mind with the correct ‘fuel’ Listening to podcasts like his
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Enchong Dee Photo from Instagram/@mrenchongdee
“The Budgetarian” and Ted Talks helped him a lot, especially when dealing with stress. “I told myself for 2021, I will update myself, I will encourage myself to continuously listen to podcasts because it really helped me especially in handling stress, handling the pressure of being just locked in your house. If we can educate ourselves with the things that are available online. Just get something from that. You don’t have to force yourself to do this and that. Small steps. ‘Yung self-growth na sinasabi ko kanina, this is a start.” Maintain healthy relationships With a healthy mind and body comes an emotionally sound being. Enchong admitted that just like everybody, he’s had his “MMK” (“Maalaala Mo Kaya”) moments with his family, but it’s all in the past now. The important thing is he has learned his lesson. “I always believe na walang argument na hindi nare-resolve through a proper conversation. So ‘yun, kausapin natin ‘yung mga tao na feeling natin nagkaroon tayo ng misunderstanding, ng falling apart. This is the perfect time for you to do that because it is the start of the year. Sabi nga natin, 2021 is the good restart, ‘di ba? Let’s start the year right, let’s start the year light.”
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B January 14-20, 2021 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL
Bong and Lani on what steels their marriage amid trials
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by Tessa
Mauricio-arriola Manilatimes.net
WHETHER a fan, voter, friend of theirs or not, no one can deny that among the most famous celebrity marriages in this country, that of actors-turned-public servants Bong and Lani Revilla (nee Mercado) has gone through hell and high water over and over again only to come out stronger than before. Set aside Sen. Bong’s ladies’ man days or even his time detained at Camp Crame. The year that was alone savagely brought them to their knees in more ways than the public apparently knew. As chief executive of Bacoor City, Mayor Lani hit the ground running when 2020 literally exploded via nearby Taal Volcano in January. In an interview a couple of weeks after the major eruption, Sen. Bong shared in a roundtable with Entertainment editors and columnists how his wife was among the first at the scene to help displaced families and allow them refuge in her city. Proud of her bravery and selflessness, the senator admitted she had him worried nonetheless returning home one day with high fever and a brutal cough from doing relief work amid the thick smoke and ash, which even had Metro Manilans scrambling for masks themselves. Not long after, the pandemic broke which had both husband and wife going out all the more to ensure the welfare of their constituents despite the threat of infection on everyone. Midway through the strict lockdowns, Sen. Bong’s hero, Ramon Revilla Sr., whose name he proudly carries, had his health turn for the worse, forcing the clan to have him hospitalized even as they feared exposing him to the virus. Albeit 93 years old by then, the Revilla patriarch meant everything to their close-knit clan and most especially to Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and his wife who rely on him as their life’s compass. It goes without saying then how their hearts and spirits broke when the former senator and legendary Hari ng Agimat of Philippine movies finally breathed his last on June 26, 2020 — a son and a family’s deep pain, raw as can be in every unabashed tear and every jolting quiver that came with the final goodbyes of Sen. Bong, the macho man, the action star to his beloved father. Down and dejected, neither
PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS
Actors-turned-public servants Bong and Lani Revilla
Bong nor Lani had much time to grieve, however, given their responsibility to serve especially in times of crisis. But even if it was expected how the pace of their work and tragic loss would catch up to them, it still came as a shock to the nation when the strapping 53-year-old senator announced he was the latest victim of COVID19. Suffering not just the worst of the plague’s symptoms and presentation, which had him hospitalized, Sen. Bong and his family also endured some of the worst ridicule, bashing and share of fake news while he was fighting for his life. “And ang hindi po alam ng marami, hindi lang po si Bong ang nagka-Covid pero pati po yung yung anak namin na si Inah who is based in Davao,” Mayor Lani told a small and socially-distanced huddle with The T-Zone a week ago today. “Actually her entire family and household, including our three-year-old apo, lahat sila nagka-Covid din and wala kaming magawa kungdi mag-dasal lang at mag-alala tulad nung nasa ospital si Bong mag-isa.” “Grabe talaga ang naging dagok sa amin ng 2020, hindi lang yung mga napaalam namin sa inyo,” her husband agreed. “Napaka-suwerte ko pa rin at nangyari itong lahat ng ito na kasama ko na ulit ang pamilya ko. Napakahirap ‘nun kung nasa loob pa ako. Kaya sobra sobra ang pasasalamat namin na nandito kami ngayon, 2021, in good health — kami ni Lani at ang buong pamilya namin — kaya kahit na ano pa man yung pinagdaanan namin — hindi lang ang pagkakasakit, ang pagkamatay ni Daddy pero pati na yung mga masasakit na atake sa akin na nag-tuloy pa rin ‘nun — set aside na natin yon. Kasi ang importante ngayon ay kung paano tayo magtutulungan pa rin para mabubuhay sa
ManilaTimes.net photo
mga darating na araw at mag-ingat. Kung paano natin aalagaan ang mga mahal natin sa buhay at mga kaibigan natin.” Asked what their secret is in surviving the trials that seem to keep hounding them together and solid as ever, Lani was first to share, “Yung attitude na ang mga bagay na hindi mo kaya, ipa-sa Diyos mo na dahil may mga bagay talaga na Siya lang ang makakagawa.” Ever open how steeling their Christian faith got them through Bong’s four-year detention in Crame in eventual acquittal, prayers — no matter how common and redundant it sounds — still remain to be the couple’s refuge to this day. Eager to leave all the bane of 2020 behind, Sen. Bong on the other hand playfully said, “Basta isipin mo pogi ka, malalampasan mo ang lahat!” setting off his wife into fits of laughter. Conscious in choosing lighter and more positive outlook in life despite unceasing detractors [“Tanggap ko na, hindi naman sila titigil kahit ano pa ang mangyari”], Sen. Bong — who, through his public service program on Facebook Live, has amassed an impressive social media following while fulfilling his promise to help the poorest of the poor — does make a good argument when he revealed another mindset he has taken on as a result of all his experiences in 2020. Often hit for carrying out his online public service via fun game show fashion, the naturally happy personality has this to say, “I don’t care. Kahit na magsasayaw pa ako diyan, kung napapasaya ko at natutulungan ang mga tao, masaya na ako noon. Hindi naman natin maiibigay lahat ng pangangailangan nila pero sa maliit na paraan ay makakatulong tayo para mapasaya sila — yun ang importante sa amin ni Lani ”
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Junk food
Health@Heart
THE $150 billion-plus fastfood industry greatly impacts the health of the people in the United States and around the world. The concept of speed, convenience, practically hustlefree dining, reasonable pricing, and the “good” taste of the food items have all been most attractive to consumers globally. Not addicting in the strict sense, but comfort “gastronomic delight” to some people, especially the French fries. The problem is these food items are considered “junk food” by nutritionists and the medical community as a whole, who recommend consuming them only occasionally, especially by children. And the soft drinks (with the phosphoric acid and some other ingredients in them) that come with the “meal” are, without any question, toxic to the human body, contributing to the development of Metabolic Syndrome, especially among youngsters. Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome or its resultant illnesses (Obesity, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes Mellitus, Heart Disease, Stroke, Alzheimer’s, and Cancer), are also high risk for COVID-19, young or old, more so among seniors. Class action suits A trial lawyer in the U.S., Sam Hirsch, in 2002, sued McDonald’s, Burger King and KFC on behalf of his obese clients. Of the tobacco companies that had been sued, he says “you can’t stop tobacco from being unhealthy, but you can make food less unhealthy.” Obviously, he was referring to the health dangers of what many people consider junk food, with high cholesterol, fats, and other unhealthy ingredients causing obesity and major illnesses. Nobody thought the suits (the first one in 1983, and dozens thereafter) filed in the U.S. by families against the giant tobacco firms on behalf of their cancer-stricken or dead loved ones would succeed. But they did, with one individual getting as much as $50-plus million award, and billions in settlements thereafter, and the industry finally admitting they knew for decades tobacco was addicting and could cause cancers. Social responsibility As a cardiac surgeon, I do agree with one essence of this suit: that these food chains and other purveyors of food have the social obligation to make their products less unhealthy, or, better yet, as healthy as possible for the consumers, especially for the children. These youngsters are still developing habits and lifestyle that are essential for their future. Apparently pre-empting the loss of its health-conscious consumers, and future legal aftermaths for food companies, the
largest food giant in the U.S., Kraft, decided to “set the pace, launching a sweeping global overhaul of the way it creates, packages, and promotes its foods.” Kraft announced then its plan to reduce the portion size, fat content and calories of its food products. This move was expected to have a worldwide impact on other food companies and consumers around the globe. McDonald’s, for instance, introduced its Happy Meal in the summer of 2003, replacing the popular but fat-filled and deadly French fries, with a bag of fresh, sliced fruits. More and more restaurants started having a salad bar. Fish was added to the menu and became a popular option. There is today a greater awareness of the health benefit of staying away from high cholesterol foods, like red meats (beef, pork, etc) and eggs, and concentrating on fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and other high-fiber foods as the mainstay of our diet. Obesity and cancer A chart from the American Obesity Association of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention published in USA Today showed the following prevalence of obese children ages 6 to 11: From 1976 to 1980, 7%; from 1988 to 1994, 11%; from 1999 to 2000, 15.3%. The incidence of obesity among 12-19: From 1976 to 1980, 5%; 1988-1994, 11%; and fast-forward to 2020: 18.5% average, highest in West Virginia (20.3%), Louisiana (19.1%), Oklahoma (18.7%), Ohio (218.6%) and Texas (18.5%). Obesity is a major risk factor in the development of major illnesses and cancer. Lifestyle is vital There is no question in my mind that a healthy lifestyle (for maximal health and longevity) must start from the crib because prevention is the key to great health. Children, as young as five or six years of age, who died of accident or disease, have shown on autopsies to have a thin lining of cholesterol plaques in their arteries (brain, heart, abdomen, etc). We, parents, must be doing something wrong for these youngsters, at those tender ages, to have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) already. This is the essential message in the book I wrote entitled “Let’s Stop Killing Our Children,” an anthology of cardiovascular and other diseases, with emphasis on prevention starting from the crib, written in layman’s term and as a coffee-table health reference. The book is listed in the Library of Congress (www.philipSchua. com). There is no better antidote to diseases and premature death than living a healthy disciplined lifestyle. This includes the combination of diet, exercise, abstinence from tobacco, disciplined moderation in drinking, rest and relaxation as part of stress management. Genetics Genetics does play a role in ar-
teriosclerosis, but it is noteworthy that only one in 500 people has the genetic defect that leads to familial hyperlipidemia. It is, therefore, obvious that only one in 500 has the “excuse” to have this abnormally high level of cholesterol. The 499 of us, who have no excuse at all, simply abuse ourselves to early death. Children of parents who had heart attack and/or stroke do not necessarily have to “inherit” these diseases. We now have enough scientific data to show that if these children live a healthier lifestyle unlike (compared to) their parents by doing daily exercises, watching their diet and weight, abstaining from tobacco and excessive alcohol intake, taking time out for rest and relaxation, and managing their stress effectively they do not have to have the same fate as their infirm parents. In short, the environmental factors and personal discipline (a healthy lifestyle) can greatly outweigh the negative effects of bad genes. While genetics play a role, our fate is not sealed at birth, and what becomes of us is basically within our control and depends to a large degree on what we do and fail to do. When it comes to our health, science has shown that “the ball is almost always in our court.” What direction it will take for ourselves and for our children rests on our own choices and decisions. In fairness to the tobacco and food industries, we, the consumers, should share a great part of the blame. Nobody is holding a gun against our head, forcing us to smoke cigarettes or to eat high-cholesterol or junk food. The choice is entirely ours. Discipline is the key. We ought to know better. Our health and future are really in our hands. And let’s not forget we have only one life, with no spare in the trunk. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/ author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and antigraft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
Heart opens up about superficial friendships in showbiz
by KaThleen
a. lleMiT
Philstar.com
HEART Evangelista spilled more tea as her 38-minute, fourth episode of her “Adulting” series continued. Uploaded last Sunday evening, January 10, on her YouTube channel Love Marie Escudero, the actress shared how she feels about being “ghosted” or left without notice or closure by a lover or a friend. It all started when she threw the question of outgrowing friends to her husband, Sorsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero. Chiz shared that the best way to test that one had not outgrown one’s friends is whenever they each see other, it’s as if they had met each other yesterday instead of years of being apart or having no communication at all. He also revealed that his most trusted friends are those who he kept since his elementary and high school days and who will be by his side “come hell or high water.” After her husband spoke, Heart revealed that she has what she calls “taping friends.” “Ako naman, what I call them is taping friends. Parang we’re only friends during taping. But, like that was before,” she shared. When Chiz asked if some developed into real friendships, she pondered for a moment and revealed more without naming names. “Yeah, some develop into real friendships but I must admit it does make me sad whenever I think about friendships that all of a sudden aren’t there anymore. You don’t know what you did wrong, you know like gi-nosting ka. I don’t understand that. Hon-
Heart Evangelista
estly, me, kasi I don’t have a lot of friends so when I have a friend, I really invest my emotions and my time. You know me. I don’t why all of a sudden they are different,” Heart shared. Chiz reassured her that as long as she did not do anything wrong, she should not be concerned about it. But Heart continued, “Well, what was it? Honestly, ako, because sometimes I feel really dumb. I have a friend, I don’t know what happened. She just disappeared and I remember I’d see her in parties and I’d feel really stupid that I would always really run after ‘Hey, hey’ and she’s like, ‘I gotta go.’ I didnt say anything until my friend started to say, ‘Alam mo
Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte
masyado kang naghahabol.’” Chiz again said that there’s nothing wrong with her coming after that kind of friend, at least she’s still being friendly. Heart agreed and muttered that perhaps “they will come around.” They went on to discuss about their friends’ circumstances in their lives that may have something to do with their behavior. Chiz then said, “Wala ka pa rin namang ginagawang mali. Just put it at the back of your mind na hindi mo siya maasahan kung saka-sakali.” Heart shared that it was just “sad” but then Chiz joked that she’ll “probably fall flat on her face,” Heart quipped that it has “happened to me many times.”
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