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JANUARY 21-27, 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. 3 • 12 Pages
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‘DEMOCRACY HAS PREVAILED’
Biden becomes president of the United States, Harris breaks barriers as VP “triumph” for democracy amid the backdrop of an ongoing coronavirus pandemic and a SHORTLY before noon on fractured nation. Wednesday, January 20, Joe After two failed campaigns, Biden became the 46th presi- the third time’s the charm for the dent of the United States in a 78-year-old former vice presiby CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL
AJPress
Kamala Harris takes the oath of office on Wednesday, January 20 to become the U.S.’ first woman, Black and Asian American vice president. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Vice President
USA
DATELINE High hopes or another false hope? Green cards for undocumented ‘essential workers’ on Biden’s agenda FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
ON a recent Monday, Maribel Lapuz got up at 4:30 a.m. The 46-year-old immigrant from the Philippines braved the sub-zero weather and took the train from Jersey City, NJ to a nursing home in Brooklyn, NY, where she has worked six days a week as a caregiver since last February.
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Filipina traveler from SoCal details ‘frustrating’ two days in NAIA custody following PH travel ban LIKE countries across the world desperate to mitigate the coronavirus, the Philippines instituted a new ban on international travel from certain countries where the new strain of the virus has been detected. The latest ban includes and applies to foreign travelers coming from Pakistan, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Oman, mainland China, United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, Switzer-
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dent and senator from Delaware who is the oldest president inaugurated. Moments before, Kamala Harris — four years after she was elected a senator from California — made history as the first female, Black and South Asian American vice president as she was sworn in by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina on the nation’s highest court. She is also the highest-ranking woman to ever serve in the U.S. government. “This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve,” Biden declared as he began his inaugural remarks, standing at the steps of the U.S. Capitol exactly two weeks after a violent mob stormed the grounds in a last-ditch attempt to contest the election results. He continued, “The will of the people has been heard, and
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Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, January 20 after being sworn into office by Chief Justice John Roberts (left) as First Lady Dr. Jill Biden (right) holds the Bible. Photo courtesy of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies
Duterte sends best wishes to Biden, Harris by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has extended his greetings to United States President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris following their inauguration, Malacañang said Thursday, January 21. “Our President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte sends his warmest greetings and the best wishes to the 46th President of the United States Joseph ‘Joe’ Biden and his Vice President Kamala Harris,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a briefing. Biden on Wednesday, January 20 became the 46th U.S. president, while Harris was sworn in as the country’s first female, Black and South Asian
American vice president. The inauguration of Biden and Harris showed the world that the U.S. has “deep” roots in democracy, Roque affirmed. “It has always been an exemplar to the world. And today, it has reassured the world that its people remain committed to peaceful electoral transitions and the noble principles of representative democracy,” he added. Roque said he does not know if Duterte will be calling Biden directly to congratulate him for winning the presidency. In 2016, Duterte congratulated former U.S. President Donald Trump through a phone conver-
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PH to receive COVID-19 jabs from COVAX by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippines is set to receive COVID19 vaccines from the global COVAX facility within the first quarter of 2021, the country’s officials confirmed Wednesday, January 20. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr and Health Secretary Francisco Duque II made the announcement that the Philippines will be among the countries included in the COVAX distribution of vaccines for an early rollout. “The Philippines today received the country’s confirmation of participation in the COVID-19 vaccine financing instrument, COVAX Facility - Advance Market Commitment (AMC),” they said in a joint statement. “With the country’s participation in the COVAX Facility, the country is set to receive vaccines in the first quarter of this year,” the
officials added. Backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the vaccine alliance Gavi and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, the COVAX facility is a global platform that aims to ensure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries. With the new development, the Philippines could receive between 30 and 40 milDr. Joyce Javier, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Emmanuel Bando, lion “free” COVID-19 vaccines. Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 jabs — a nurse manager of ambulatory care at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in New Contributed photos which were granted an emergency use au- York, have completed both rounds of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine thorization in the Philippines on January 14 — are eyed to be the first vaccine batch to arrive in the country. Preparations As part of the preparations for the COVID-
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PH 2nd ‘most instagrammable’ place in the world for 2021 Global travel website Big 7 Travel on Thursday, January 14, released its 50 Most Instagrammable Places in the World-2021 WITH 7,017 islands, the Philippines has list, placing the Philippines in second place been hailed as the world’s second most “In- just behind Tokyo, Japan. stagrammable” destination in 2021. Some of the country’s attractions that the ranking referenced include the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and the rice terraces. “Home to incredible natural wonders like an underground river and tranquil rice terraces in addition to a vibrant culture and history spanning several millennia; and over 7,500 islands – the Philippines as a whole are extremely Instagrammable,” the article read. “From the bustling capital of Manila complete with colorful colonial streets to the absolute oasis of Boracay, the gram opportuniThe Batad rice terraces in the Philippine Cordilleras, which ties here are endless,” it added.
by AJPRESS
was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
DFA photo
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Relieved, but still cautious: Fil-Am health care workers get 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL
AJPress
LAST month, Eva Teniola kicked off Sacramento, California’s vaccination campaign as she became the city’s first health care worker to receive a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Three weeks later, Teniola, a 47-year-old emergency room nurse at UC Davis Medical Center, received her second jab on January 5 and completed the process to be fully inoculated. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 95% effective against COVID19, and must be administered in two doses 21 days apart, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The path to hope and protection after a grim year outweighed the “tolerable soreness” the nurse felt on her left arm into the next day.
“I feel thankful, proud, honored, and hopeful for the safety of myself, my patients and my loved ones,” Teniola told the Asian Journal. Her experience mirrors that of hundreds of other health care workers across the country who have been on the frontlines of the devastating virus since last March. And while both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines’ record development and arrival in the U.S. offered some reprieve, the daily infection and fatality numbers remind of the sobering reality and the infectious nature of the virus. In Teniola’s case, she continues to witness numerous deaths working in the emergency room, especially in individuals over the age of 45. “These ages supposedly are
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January 21-27, 2021 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL
From The FronT Page
Biden becomes president of the... PAGE A1
the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious and democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.” This week, the United States hit over 400,000 deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and continues to undergo the impacts from business closures to unemployment. The new administration will also be pressed to address ongoing calls for racial justice following a summer of protests and reckoning. “Few people in our nation’s history have been more challenged or found a time more challenging or difficult than the time we’re in now. Once-in-acentury virus that silently stalks the country. It’s taken as many lives in one year as America lost in all of World War II. Millions of jobs have been lost. Hundreds of thousands of businesses closed. A cry for racial justice, some four hundred years in the making moves us. The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer,” Biden said. Wednesday’s inauguration was attended by former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, while former President Donald Trump broke away from tradition and left for Florida earlier in the
Duterte sends best wishes to Biden... PAGE A1
sation even before his inauguration. Nevertheless, the Palace expressed hope that the bilateral relations between the Philippines and the U.S. will remain strong under Biden’s administration. “We in the Philippines look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with the United States, in working to-
gether for a freer, more peaceful world,” said Roque. The Philippines and the U.S. have one of the oldest military alliances in the Asia-Pacific region. He added, “We’re confident that President Biden will wear his new mantle of leadership with pride, and with due regard for the hopes and aspirations of the rest of the world.”
Roque also stressed that the Philippines will focus on Duterte’s independent foreign policy, noting that the U.S. will do the same. “The president is pursuing an independent foreign policy to protect the interests of the country and its citizenry,” he said. “Same with Americans. They will also protect their national interests,” he added. n
Relieved, but still cautious: Fil-Am health care... President Joe Biden signs a series of executive orders on Wednesday, January 20 just hours after taking office.
morning. He told a small crowd prior to his departure that “we will be back in some form.” Though Trump has vacated the high office, his shadow looms as he will face a second impeachment trial in the Senate in the coming weeks. Biden did not mention his predecessor, but he mentioned the divisiveness and falsities that were perpetuated, and instead called for Americans to “listen to one another again.” “We must reject the culture where facts themselves are manipulated, even manufactured,” he said, later adding that the “answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions.” He echoed themes from the
campaign to restore the soul of the nation and decency: “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts.” Again, he pledged to “be a president for all Americans, all Americans. And I promise you I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.” Former Vice President Mike Pence was present on Wednesday, and was sent off after the ceremony by Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, who will be the nation’s first “second gentleman.” After the Inauguration Day events, such as a shortened parade and wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Biden hit the ground running with a series of executive actions regarding issues from the pandemic to racial equity, in an effort to undo actions from the previous administration. He is slated to send an immigration bill to Congress to give a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants. Last week, Biden unveiled a $1.9 trillion virus relief package that would send $1,400 direct payments to families and funding for mass vaccinations and contact tracing, among other provisions. Throughout this week, virtual celebrations welcomed the new administration, including one gala organized by Fil-Am BidenHarris supporters on Thursday night, January 21. n
PAGE A1 the prime years and best time to travel or spend quality time with family and friends, but instead, because of the deadly COVID, we have to isolate ourselves from our loved ones,” she said. For Emmanuel Bando, a nurse manager of ambulatory care at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in New York, his turn to get vaccinated came as a blessing because he initially wasn’t prioritized since he does not work in an emergency room or intensive care unit. But, he made his case for being vaccinated as overflow COVID patients have been sent to his unit. During the first round of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, he reported muscle weakness and a spike in blood pressure, but did not experience other side effects other than soreness at the injection site the second time. He completed his vaccine on January 12, which made him “feel more confident and effective” in stopping the spread of the virus. “Right now, in our hospital, we have 60 cases and I found out that the other Health and Hospital [locations] are sending their COVID patient to us,” Bando told the Asian Journal. “The really sad part is that they removed my three ambulatory care nurses to work in the inpatient units and left me with [a] skeletal crew.” As of this writing, the United States passed the 24 million mark of total cases and over 400,000 deaths. In California, three areas — the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California — continue to be under the state’s regional stay-at-home order as their ICU capacities are well below the 15% threshold. The state confirmed over 2.97 million cases to date with a seven-day positivity
Eva Teniola, an emergency room nurse, celebrates after receiving the first dose of the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California, on December 15, 2020. She received her second dose on Jan. 5. Photo by Wayne Tilcock/ UC Davis Health
rate of 10.6%. Los Angeles County over the weekend became the first county in the country to hit 1 million cases, and estimates show that 1 in 3 residents have been infected at some point, according to the Los Angeles Times. “The public needs to be reminded that the vaccination does not provide full protection from COVID-19 right away as it takes some time for the body to develop immunity to it,” Anna Medrano, a nurse practitioner at City of Hope in Duarte, California, told the Asian Journal. “Collectively, we can help control the staggering number of new cases by continuing to practice social distancing, wearing a mask and practicing other infection control measures. Continue to stay informed and stay healthy for the sake of our loved ones, our communities and our country.” Medrano, who was the first at her hospital to receive the PfizerBioNTech vaccine last month, got her second dose on January
4.
Similar to the first round, she experienced a slight fever, generalized body aches fatigue, and tenderness on her left arm afterward. She seeks to dispel any misinformation about the side effects of the vaccine. “For those planning to receive the vaccine, please plan ahead of time. If you can, take Tylenol or ibuprofen before getting your vaccination and plan to take the vaccine when you can stay home and take care of yourself for one to two days, depending on your symptoms,” she said. Setting an example For every individual who gets vaccinated, there is the other side of those who are still skeptical, despite studies showing the safety and efficacy of the PfizerBioNTech and Moderna vaccines. Still, health care workers are pleading with colleagues and those eligible in the next tier to complete their injections and PAGE A3
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PH to receive COVID-19 jabs from... PAGE A1
19 vaccine deployment, Duque and Galvez visited three cold storage facilities that can potentially be used in the first wave of the government’s vaccine rollout. The inspection was carried out to ensure that the cold chain facilities will meet the storage requirement of vaccines prior to its distribution to identified vaccination sites. The cold chain facilities visited were the First Pioneer Distribution Center of UNILAB located in Biñan City, Laguna, the Research
Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City, and the Zuellig Pharma Corporation in Parañaque City. “All of these preparations that we are undertaking are aimed at ensuring that the country is ready to receive, store and mobilize the COVID-19 vaccines that will come from the COVAX Facility,” Duque said. He added, “We extend our thanks to our partners for their continued support to improve our cold storage capacity. We cannot make this endeavor a success if
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the government and the private sector work in silos. Our response has always been a wholeof-government, whole-of-society, whole-of-system approach.” The Philippines is aiming to vaccinate 50 to 70 million Filipinos in 2021, with up to 200,000 individuals receiving jabs every day. So far, the country has secured vaccine deals with British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca, China-based Sinovac, Indianbased Covovax, and U.S.-based Novavax. n
PH 2nd ‘most instagrammable’ place in... PAGE A2 Aside from Tokyo, the Philippines was joined by international destinations Paris in France, New York City, and Istanbul in VAX STORAGE. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, Vice Mayor Jose Warren Villa (far left in red collared shirt), and health workers show a thumbs-up sign during the COVID-19 vaccination simulation exercise at the San Juan gym on Thursday, January 21. The city government Turkey in the top five of Big 7’s also presented the storage facility for the conventional vaccines which need only 2-8C holding temperature. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon list. Completing the top 10 were Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Havana, Cuba; Sydney, Australia; London; and Chicago, Illinois. The Philippine Department of said on Jan. 14, “Nanindigan na she said). PAGE A1 land, France, Germany, Iceland, It- po ang Presidente walang Filipino Ahead of her flight on Jan. 3, Al- Tourism (DOT), for its part, welaly, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, na pupwedeng mapigilang umiwi mares prepared all the documents comed the country’s inclusion in South Korea, South Africa, Cana- (The President has stood form that needed to prove that her travel was da, Spain, United States, Portugal, no Filipinos will be barred from considered essential. Since the India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, coming home).” beginning of the pandemic, govBrazil, and Austria. But the ban reflected dissimilar ernments across the world have PAGE A1 Specifically, the mandate ap- sentiments for the dozens of trav- imposed travel bans on foreign A thousand miles away, Mario plied to the U.S. starting on Jan. 3. elers who arrived at Ninoy Aquino travelers with varying degrees of Ramirez drove from one house to The Philippines’ new ban comes International Airport (NAIA) on severity and rigidity. as more of the world is becoming Jan. 3 with unsettling news. The Philippines had previously another starting at 5:00 a.m. doing more exposed to a new variant “They took our passports and imposed travel bans that allowed construction and plumbing work of SARS-CoV-2 and earlier this gave us no information.” those who were mid-flight amid in Marietta, Georgia. Ramirez, a month, the new variant (which was Ms. Almares, who declined to the ban’s implementation to quar- 52-year-old Mexican immigrant, first found in the United Kingdom) give her first name for privacy, antine for 14 days in a safe location has never missed a working day was found in the Philippines. was en route to the Philippines on and either allow them to stay in the since the start of the pandemic. “When the Trump adminisTo date, the Philippines has the the same day that the travel ban in- Philippines or travel back home. second-highest number of COVID- cluded the U.S. The Filipina expaTravel advisories posted at that tration sent the $1,200 stimulus 19 cases in Southeast Asia behind triate — who was born in Batangas time by the Philippine Embassy checks to workers,” Lapuz said, “I Indonesia, according to the World and moved to Los Angeles with and U.S. and Philippine immigra- didn’t get it; I was ignored.” “Someone like me in this counHealth Organization. her family to escape martial law in tion noted that Filipinos were able “Huwag na kayong bumili ng the 80s — had been adhering to to travel back to the Philippines if try is not eligible for unemployticket kung galing kayo sa mga pandemic public safety rules. they provided documentation of ment,” Ramirez said. “That means lugar na iyan at hindi kayo PiliBut when she found out her essential travel (in Almares’ case, I can’t stop working in order to pino at darating kayo on or about grandmother in Manila had been proof that her grandmother was support my family, despite the risk the 15th of January (Don’t buy sick with nobody to look after her, hospitalized). Through the Philip- of COVID-19.” Their situations may soon plane tickets if you are from areas Almares took the initiative to go pines’ Balikbayan Program, travelincluded in the travel ban and if back home and care for her lola. ers were also allowed to travel if change. Deemed “essential workers” you are not Filipinos; also, if you “I actually didn’t buy a return they provided their old Philippine wish to come here on or around ticket because I planned to stay for passport or a copy of their birth by the federal government, Lapuz and Ramirez are among the 5 milthe 15th of January),” Presidential as long as possible to care for her certificate. Spokesperson Harry Roque said to and provide any kind of financial “All of us were solely on that lion undocumented immigrants foreign travelers from the tempo- aid and be her primary caregiver,” flight because of the Balikbayan who may be rewarded a path to rarily banned countries in a press Almares told the Asian Journal in a Act, so you know we were pre- citizenship—and it could happen during the first days of the Bidenbriefing last week. pared,” she said. recent phone interview. For many travelers, the ban simBut in the case of Almares and Harris administration. “She’s my only living lola and Indispensable to American life ply halts immediate plans to travel, I call her my last ancestor on my the dozens of travelers on her forcing people to reschedule and mother’s side so I definitely want- flight, airport staff and security and economy, undocumented request refunds for any purchased ed to take care of her, and unfor- were ill-equipped in the face of the essential workers are now at the plane tickets: another inconve- tunately there are no other family new travel ban. According to Al- core of an immigration plan curnience in a time colored by incon- members so I made the choice and mares, once she landed, travelers rently being drafted by congresveniences. set out on this journey,” Almares were notified of the new ban. She sional Democrats and immigrant
Filipina traveler from SoCal details ‘frustrating’ two...
the travel website’s list. “The Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrates the inclusion of the Philippines in the Most Instagrammable Places in the World list of the renowned travel website Big 7 Travel for the year 2021,” it said on Friday, January 15. “Coming at 2nd place, the Philippines bested other places including Paris, France; New York City, USA; Istanbul, Turkey; and Dubai, UAE in the list,” it added.
Big 7 Travel used a scoring system that analyzed the number of hashtags per destination, survey results from their social audience, and input from their editorial team to create its top 50 list. In October 2020, the website included the country’s Palawan and Boracay Island in its list of 50 Most Beautiful Places in the World, ranking the two tourist attractions at eighth and 18th place, respectively. n
High hopes or another false hope? Green cards for....
And the Philippine government has said that it wasn’t planning on barring Philippine-born kababayan from entering the country: Roque
added, saying that she was able still had to pay the $80 USD for a to make the trip financially since swab test through Philippine Red airline tickets are at an all-time low Cross, but once they reached im(about $400 for a one-way journey, PAGE A5
Relieved, but still cautious: Fil-Am health care.. PAGE A2 trust the science. “Let’s be encouraged. If not for yourself, think of your loved ones and the future of humanity. COVID is like the lottery: if you get it, you may have mild side effects, or you get it big time, that you get sick and die. We don’t know what effect COVID will bring until you get it. So, get vaccinated before COVID gets you,” Teniola said. Jesse Caloza, an operating room orderly, said getting the vaccine was the “most important decision” he’s made in his 25 years working at an LA Countyarea hospital. “Taking the COVID-19 vaccine was the most important decision I’ve had to make in my 25-year career at the hospital. It was also one of the easiest. I hope all health care workers, especially my kababayans, take it,” Caloza told the Asian Journal. “The fight against COVID-19 isn’t over, but taking the vaccine means we are one step closer. We must do everything we can to protect ourselves, our patients, our families, and our community.” For Dr. Antonio Moya, a neurologist and public health advocate, getting both rounds of the vaccine goes further than protecting himself and his patients — but to provide an example for the greater Fil-Am community as LA County is set to roll out vaccinations for individuals 65 years and older. “I recommend all Filipinos to be proactive and ask their primary care providers about when they can be considered for the vaccine. It would be great for younger Filipinos to also help advocate for their elderly parents or grandparents to get the vaccine as soon as possible,” Moya, who completed his second dose on January 8 as part of LA County’s effort to vaccinate health care workers, told the Asian Journal. However, Moya cautioned that being inoculated is not “a free ticket” to engage in nonessential travel and to forget the public health precautions that have become part of the new normal. “Regardless of vaccination or not, our community needs to stop the spread through public health…These actions are the easiest ways to prevent overwhelming our hospitals nation-
(Top) Dr. Antonio Moya, a neurologist in Los Angeles County and (bottom) Anna Medrano, a nurse practitioner at City of Hope in Duarte, California, have completed both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Contributed photo; Photo courtesy of City of Hope
wide,” he said. Dr. Joyce Javier, a pediatrician and researcher at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, echoed the importance of the community to be protected, given the numerous factors that have contributed to Fil-Ams being at higher risk — being employed in frontline, essential services like the medical field as well as living in multigenerational households. “It’s important for our health care workers to model to our community that the vaccine is safe and that can help alleviate fears about the vaccine,” Javier told the Asian Journal, citing National Nurses United’s findings that Filipino nurses make up 31% of COVID deaths, despite only being close to 4% of the nursing population in the U.S. She added, “I hope my story can encourage others to get the
vaccine when it’s available to them. My hope is that having the vaccines available will help address not only the health impacts of the pandemic, but also the mental health impacts of COVID19 on all our communities.” Javier and Moya shared culturally relevant resources, including the Filipino Family Health Initiative, a program that is offering parenting workshops; and Tayo Help, an online platform with expert-backed articles to dispel any COVID misinformation, as Fil-Ams continue to navigate the pandemic and wait for the opportunity to get vaccinated. “There’s obviously a lot of anxiety among all communities and also with our teens, children and health care workers. I think it’s just important to keep the communication lines open in the family,” Javier said. n
rights advocates, and aggressively promoted by the incoming administration. The new immigration legislation—folded into the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill that Biden unveiled last week—will include granting undocumented essential workers a green card and decreasing the wait time to obtain U.S. citizenship. “Essential workers, many of whom are undocumented immigrants, are unsung American heroes—risking their lives during this deadly pandemic to care for our communities and ensure food is on the table,” Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) said in a recent virtual press conference. “I’m working on legislation to immediately protect essential workers and their families from deportation and provide them with a fasttrack path to citizenship.” Vice President-elect Kamala Harris weighed in publicly on the issue. Speaking last week with Spanish-language Univision, she said the incoming administration would automatically grant green cards not only to undocumented essential workers but also to DACA (Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals) recipients as well
as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and shorten by 5 years the time it takes to get U.S. citizenship. “The incoming administration has a golden opportunity to set things right and offer immigrant essential workers and their families relief from this pandemic, relief from persecution because of their immigration status, and relief from invisibility,” said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights, on a press call organized by America’s Voice. Pushback from Republicans has already started. Lora Ries, former acting deputy chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, told The Los Angeles Times that the legislation will create more problems. “Such rewards will attract more people to illegally enter the U.S. to await their eventual green card, undermining border security,” Ries said. This week, more than 6,000 Honduran migrants and asylum seekers have reportedly been making their way north through neighboring Guatemala and Mexico. This caravan could represent PAGE A5
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JANUARY 21-27, 2021 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
FEATURES
OPINION
Crime pays
IF the government wants to intensify its campaign against criminality, it must ramp up efforts to go after financial crimes. Based on reports, if regulators could go after dirty money in the Philippine financial ecosystem, the amount would be more than enough to buy all the reputable COVID vaccines needed by the country, with many more in reserve. A recent report from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas estimated that proceeds from money laundering, proliferation financing and terrorist financing across the financial ecosystem have breached the P1-trillion mark. Proliferation financing, as defined by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force, relates to dirty money used in the trafficking of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. In March last year, calls for tighter regulation of money laundering in the Philippines were aired after Australia’s Westpac Banking Corp. was blamed for that country’s worst-ever money laundering breach in 2019, with millions in cash remittances, some allegedly sent to child pornographers, going to Southeast Asia. Westpac’s Philippine banking partner warned at the time that weak laws against money laundering combined with tough bank secrecy laws were attracting dirty money and eroding confidence in the country’s financial system. The BSP reported that criminals continue to use cash-based transactions to move dirty money
in and out of the country’s banking system. Criminal proceeds in the country were estimated to have reached from P938 billion to a whopping P1.02 trillion. Topping the list of sources of dirty money was corruption, with proceeds estimated at P670 billion to P752 billion. Other sources were smuggling with an estimated P100 billion; tax evasion, P75 billion; environmental crimes, P50 billion; intellectual property violations, P31.9 billion, and drug trafficking with P11 billion in just the first half of 2020. Among the suspicious transactions monitored by the BSP in 2020, swindling accounted for 41% or P12.83 billion in terms of value as of end-June. Trafficking in persons followed, with 20% of P6.19 billion. Drug trafficking placed third with 15% or P4.6 billion. Those amounts are so hefty criminals would be willing to risk capture or even tokhang. As long as a criminal activity pays, it will proliferate. Shutting off the pipeline for dirty money is critical for the success of any campaign against criminality. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
January 20, 2021: The dawning of a new day as we reclaim the soul of America The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THE “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. never sounded more real, more poignant and meaningful for us, citizens of our beloved adoptive country the United States of America. The past four years had been like a nightmare that has made many people almost lose faith in America. But on January 20, 2021, we wake up to the dawning of a new day. From out of the rubbles and ashes of the Trump presidency, the soul of America has seen its rebirth, because we chose to rise with faith over fear, love over hate, light over darkness, empathy over apathy, and decisive action over learned helplessness. We dared choose to use the power of our vote and our trust
in every American to make the right choice and take the right path toward healing, unity, and a better, brighter, stronger Union and that day in America sees its renaissance at noontime of January 20, when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn into office as our duly elected President and Vice President of the United States, respectively. We did so because somehow, somewhere in our heart and soul, we still dare to dream on and believe... I HAVE A DREAM that one day, we all will see the goodness in the hearts of our fellow Americans, regardless of their political party affiliations, holding on to the faith that we all love our beloved country and only want the best for our people in this generation and in the next generations to come… I HAVE A DREAM that one day, we shall all again live in one universe, embracing the same truth and facts no matter how painful and inconvenient, but it will be a good start toward our collective effort in
making our wrongs right, and in rebuilding our nation together standing on a strong solid foundation… I HAVE A DREAM that one day, we shall again see the sacred value of each and every American, appreciating our uniqueness intrinsic in our differences in skin color, ethnicity, culture, life story, faith, gender, age, talents, expertise — yet unified by that one collective goal — to give all we’ve got to enrich and strengthen the United States of America, the nation that immigrants like all of us build... I HAVE A DREAM that one day, this goal will make us realize that what we share in common is far stronger and more powerful than what divides us, and therefore, we shall again treat each other with respect and decency as we let our voices heard, exchange of differing perspectives, debate on policies and programs without having to doubt in the integrity of our leaders who we trust and know share the same faith in the strength of our unity and
common purpose… I HAVE A DREAM that one day, we will again share the value of the life of every human being from womb to tomb, and use the God-given intelligence of our people, scientific knowledge and procedure to save lives especially in our war against the coronavirus pandemic, against the abuse of Mother Nature and our environment so we can pass on a healthy thriving planet to our children and grandchildren… I HAVE A DREAM that one day, we will all honor our solemn oath as citizens of the United States — to support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that we will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that we take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and expect our leaders to fulfill their oath of office as a public servant as well, exercising our constitutional duty to make them accountable, in
affirmation that in our democracy, nobody is above the law, not even the President of the United States of America… I HAVE A DREAM that one day, our electorate and our government will be a reflection of who we are, honoring our diversity in appointing and electing officials and public servants in the executive, legislative and judiciary that will be responsive to the needs and concerns of our people — especially those that are most vulnerable and marginalized throughout our nation’s history… I HAVE A DREAM that one day, we will again be investing in the American people, by allocating resources toward education, health care, science and technology, environmental protection, peace and order, a more vibrant and honest watchdog in our fourth estate — the news and information media — so that we can help foster and bring out the best in each one of us despite our differences, helping us all to be more informed and engaged citizens,
inspiring and empowering us to give back and do our share to help create a more perfect Union… I HAVE A DREAM that one day, the United States of America will again be a government of the people, for the people, by the people, and on January 20, 2021, when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took their oaths, we have proven we still have the vision, the resolve and the commitment to make this come true… So help us, God! *** 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.
Asian American communities are key to Where do Fil-Am conservatives go from here? economic recovery. Let’s get vaccinated! Commentary Commentary
SONNY VINUYA THE tragedy of COVID-19 continues, and Las Vegas hospitals are doing an admirable job dealing with a sadly predictable outbreak that has sent large numbers of local residents to our emergency rooms and intensive care units in January. Nonetheless, it is heartening to look forward to the end of the pandemic, which is, thankfully, on the way at last. Armed with two vaccines, and with more likely to be approved soon, we can finally start to imagine what will come next for our city. Hopefully, such positivity will help inspire us to keep up our mask wearing and social distancing a little longer. One thing for sure, the Asian American community will be critical to Las Vegas’s return. We comprise the most rapidly expanding group in Southern Nevada, and our 22,000 businesses and counting are vital to the economy statewide.
We look forward to contributing to economic rebound and job creation, even though many of our companies have further to go. Misunderstandings about the novel coronavirus caused an unfair backlash and skyrocketing unemployment in AsianAmerican communities, but business owners and employees fought hard to make it through and are eager to take advantage of better times. One way to supercharge our long-awaited recovery is for everyone to get vaccinated. Vaccination can put us in the fast lane to herd immunity, but only if we all take it upon ourselves to get vaccinated as soon as we are eligible. This is especially important in communities of color. Sadly, COVID-19 has opened a window on the inequalities we face, including a higher prevalence of preexisting conditions and lower access to health care. Early on, Asian-American communities in particular were hard hit by severe COVID-19 cases. And today, we face higher hospitalization rates and a higher mortality rate than our share of the Clark County population. We’re also, however, a big part of the response to this
deadly virus. In fact, about one in five frontline medical workers in Nevada is Asian-American. I’m proud to report this statistic and to thank all the health care professionals and hospital leaders who have made great personal sacrifice to save so many lives. Las Vegas, and the surrounding area, isn’t out of the woods yet with COVID-19, and our community hospitals have a great deal of work left to do. But there is a glimmer of hope with more and more people receiving the vaccine. Maybe, just maybe, it’s the beginning of the end, when pressure on hospitals will ease, health care employees get much deserved rest, and local businesses once again thrive. Or at least it can be if we all do our part by continuing to wear a mask, socially distance, avoiding large gatherings, and when it’s our turn, taking the vaccine. ***
LISA NOETH
ON January 20, 2021, 45 left the footsteps of the White House. In the last four years, he lead the America First movement. Many of us became proud to be an American again. President Trump’s legacy of ‘America First’ policies brought back manufacturing jobs, signed economic relief for the middle class and families through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, protected the sanctity of unborn, secured our borders, reformed the Department of the Veteran Affairs, and lowered the prices of prescription drugs. The lasting impact of President Trump’s legacy is he increased the support of minority groups in the GOP, especially the Asian American Pacific Islander community, from 21% in 2016 to 25% in 2020 for Asian Pacific men then 15% The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints in 2016 to 39% in 2020 for Asian expressed by the author do not necessarily Pacific women according to GOP reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Chairwoman, Ronna McDaniel. the Asian Journal, its management, editorial As the nation witnessed the board and staff. peaceful transition of power dur*** ing the Inauguration on WednesSonny Vinuya is the president of the Las day, where do Fil-Am conservaVegas Asian Chamber of Commerce. tives go from here?
Former U.S. President Donald Trump
There is an obvious split between the Republican Party itself between the actions of a handful of Republicans In Name Only (RINOs) and conservative patriots. Now is the time for Fil-Am conservatives to focus our efforts towards supporting our state and local elected officials, who will be our voice in government for the upcoming legislative session. Be involved in the legislative session. Contact your local representative to let them know they need to prioritize the needs of their own constituents, especially securing the integrity of future elections to restore confidence in our electoral process. This is our opportunity as FilAm conservatives to listen to the call to run for office and to support candidates who will uphold our values of freedom, faith, 2A rights,
White House photo
and free speech. Lastly, Fil-Am conservatives need to get involved in the local GOP and the community to make a positive impact from volunteering in various organizations or joining county boards committees, and commissions to serve the community. Seventy-five million of us aren’t going away as the new GOP. Let’s continue to strive as Fil-Am conservatives to find a common ground by engaging in discussions with those with different views. *** 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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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 21-27, 2021
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Scrapping of UP deal raises furor by Bernadette
tamayo ManilaTimes.net
FREE SWAB TEST. Quezon City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance (QCESU) personnel conduct a swab test on an Araneta City employee at the entrance lobby of Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City on Wednesday, January 20. This is an expanded free swab test project by the QCESU for Araneta City employees and for people working in the area. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Lawyer to amplify long unheard Moro, IP voices at anti-terrorism law debate by Kristine Joy
Philstar.com
Patag
MANILA — In the highly anticipated face off between legal luminaries and Solicitor General Jose Calida on the contentious Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, Moro lawyer and peace advocate Algamar Latiph bears the honor and responsibility of speaking for fellow Muslim Filipinos and for indigenous peoples. Latiph and three other Moro lawyers filed the 16th petition against the anti-terrorism law. His co-petitioner, lawyer Bantuas Lucman, who victims of human rights violations, is designated as his alternate. Latiph served as a chair of the Regional Human Rights Commission for the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, now Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. He later served in the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the panel that
worked on the draft of the charter for the new region. In a piece published on MindaNews last August, Latiph said he and the other lawyers filed their petition challenging the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 that, they said, “would be used, as a tool, to legitimize curtailment of our liberty and freedom. And love.” He continued: “Prejudice did not come into existence in haste, as the seeds of prejudice, against the Moro, were consciously planted as far back as 300 years ago.” The Moro experience: Terrorist-tagging, mistaken identity and Islamophobia Latiph will specifically argue whether Section 56 repealing RA 9372 — the Human Security Act of 2007 — violates the constitutional mandate to compensate victims of torture or similar practices as well as the right to due process. Section 56 repeals the Human
Security Act, which contains a provision of compensation of P500,000 a day to people wrongfully accused and arrested under that law. Under this provision of the HSA, farmer Edgar Candule sued the government for P480.5 million in damages for his detention from 2008 to his release in 2010. No similar provision is found in the ATA, with its supporters saying the provision on damages hampered security operations. The Latiph petition detailed how the Bangsamoro has been suffering from prejudice since the 16th century, when Spain depicted them as “pirates and savages,” and how this persists to this day. Muslims have also been branded as “mananakop,” at least once — by then Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas — and as “a member of an uncivilized tribe” in a 1917 Supreme Court ruling, they added. n
Filipina traveler from SoCal details ‘frustrating’ two... PAGE A3 migration, they were notified that the new ban included the United States. But Almares’ flight was in a gray area because they had a layover in Guam, meaning that in Guam, United Airlines could have notified them of the ban and that they were unable to enter the Philippines, but because “it said Philippines on our passports,” the airline let them continue on to Manila. According to the Almares, an airline official told them that the airline could not “prevent you from going to your birth country,” and that they had certain birthrights as Philippine-born Filipinos. “But that day [at NAIA], I guess we didn’t,” Almares said. At the immigration kiosk at NAIA, Almares said that airport security told travelers that they could not travel any further, reportedly confiscated their passports with no explanation, and stuck the travelers in a holding room at the airport. “Mind you, I’m coming off an almost 14-hour flight. It’s 10 p.m. when we landed, nothing is open to eat because airport restaurants were closed, and we’re put into this holding room that had no beds, no showers, no TV and it was just completely uncomfortable and we had no idea what was happening because nobody gave us any information, even when we asked,” Almares recounted. The next day, they were shown the government mandate that banned visas from countries that appeared on the list of barred nations. The mandate had been implemented while Almares’ plane was in the air, but airline security did not announce plans to quarantine the travelers in a legitimate way or provide any accommodations beyond the holding room. The passport confiscation, in particular, made Almares uncomfortable: “They had them in backpacks, not secured whatsoever. There were already incidents of stealing throughout those two days so I was worried something might happen to my passport.” Almares said that throughout their detainment, she befriended fellow travelers and offered to help those who didn’t have any internet connection by giving what information she can find. One of the travelers she got to know was an 85-year-old Filipina and her grandson (who is autistic) who were worried that they would not be able to go home. The situation was frustrating, stressful and scary for many of the travelers, Almares said. At one point, she began to reckon with the fact that she wouldn’t be able to see her grandmother and the plans she had to care for her would never come to fruition. Unlike previous instances where travelers were in mid-air when a ban was imposed, there were no moves to quarantine the travelers once they touched down.
They ended up spending “48 hours going into 72 hours” in the holding room, Almares said, adding that they all had to keep their face masks and shields on. All the while, Almares and others tried to call embassies and consulates in an effort to have a government body advocate on their behalf, but those communication attempts didn’t amount to much. Almares decided to confront airline staff and security about the situation, asking for any answers to the questions that she and others had: Are we able to get a flight back home? If so, when will we be going home? Do we have to pay for a new boarding pass? Are we going to be quarantined? How long are we to stay in the holding room? But she received the same, unsatisfying answers every time: “We’re working on it, and we’ll give you information once we receive it.” At the peak of her frustration, Almares pulled out her phone and began recording her interactions with airline security, demanding answers and letting staff know about the “unfair” treatment the travelers are receiving. On Filipino Facebook groups, she began detailing in real time her experience, providing updates to the nearly three-day saga. At one point, according to Almares, an airline staff member told her that she was being “maarte (dramatic),” and tried to get her to calm down. The Philippines is a country that for the last few decades has poised itself to be a tourist destination to the Western world that rivals Bali, Indonesia; Phuket, Thailand and other tropical locales in South East Asia. The tourism effort has kickstarted many a campaign to attract Western travelers (i.e. wealthy white folks with a hunger for wanderlust) to places like Boracay, Surigao and Palawan — Philippine locales that represent the natural beauty of the land that conveniently hides the less savory characteristics of a country that is still considered Third World. It’s not lost on Almares that the hospitality that the Philippines touts in its tourism campaign seemed to be absent the day she and the dozens of other members of the Filipino diaspora and expats were forced into the purgatory of an NAIA holding room with no help from airport and airline staff and the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Of course, she’s understanding of the usual circumstance of the pandemic and the new viral strains that have put the entire world on high alert. But the “inhumane” treatment that she received from the staff and security and the unusual protocols were far from the realm of acceptable conduct, even in a pandemic. More than two days after she had first landed at NAIA, Almares said
that the frustration and confusion had pent up and she decided to make a stand. After retrieving her passport from the backpack where all the passports were stuffed into, she decided to book a flight over the phone through United Airlines and try to get back home, but airline security at NAIA told her she couldn’t do that. Originally she wanted the 2 p.m. flight through Nippon Airways (United Airlines’ sister airline), but they were given the 11 p.m. flight. “I had to release some pent-up anger and the only way I could do that was just to voice myself and I told them, ‘What happened to kababayan? What happened to bayanihan, the welcoming of countrymen?’” Almares recalled. “The Philippines has a history of treating its own citizens poorly and if they were to anger a large number of people who are trying to travel to the Philippines, they could get a lot of backlash for this.” She understands that many of the staff she interacted with at NAIA weren’t ultimately the ones to blame and that they were just as much in the dark as she was, but it doesn’t excuse what she went through. “I told them, you know, that I know that they’re just doing their jobs but they’re getting so little pay and I said, ‘You’re doing this and it puts so much burden on you,’ because if I had lost my passport when they confiscated it, they would be in a lot of trouble,” Almares said. “I was trying to reach their hearts and let them know that this situation doesn’t help anybody involved.” Eventually, Almares and her fellow travelers were given free flights to go back home, more than two days of sitting in the NAIA waiting room. She was able to get a refund for the ticket she purchased, but the frustrating ordeal offered no relief. The 85-year-old lola she befriended had stayed behind because she couldn’t physically travel again on such short notice, so Almares offered to help the grandson get home safely. The current ban on travelers in the Philippines was extended two weeks and is now in effect until Jan. 31, according to Malacañang. “I came out of that experience feeling very disconnected,” Almares said, who was able to arrive back in Los Angeles safely. She described feeling a strange betrayal from her birth country, noting its sensitivity to criticism. “You cannot criticize the Philippine government at all. You could be blacklisted, but honestly, I’m fine if they blacklist me for speaking about what happened. They are vulnerable and the [Philippine] government can change the law on a whim, we know this. I just wanted people to know that people who want to come to the Philippines, that your health and physical being could be put in a very compromising situation,” she added. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
LAWMAKERS and various groups on Tuesday, January 19 raised a big howl over the termination by the Department of National Defense of its agreement with the University of the Philippines that banned uniformed personnel from entering UP campuses. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon asked Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to review the termination of the pact because it does not solve any problem with regard to communist insurgency. “We are not saying that UP should be beyond the law. If there are issues of violations of the law, a search warrant is a remedy available to the authorities not only in other places but also in UP,” said Drilon, a graduate of UP Law. Sen. Francis Pangilinan filed Resolution 616 expressing the sense of the Senate to oppose the unilateral termination of the 1989 UP-DND accord and to urge the UP and DND to start a dialog and find a common ground that promotes peace and security and protects academic freedom. Sen. Panfilo Lacson said with the termination of the 1989 pact, the security sector should come up with an agreement with the UP on boundaries to be observed. The chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense
said this is to prevent the move from negatively affecting academic freedom in UP. “Once the pact is terminated, what will the security sector do? We don’t know that yet. Probably they could come to an agreement that there are boundaries to be observed,” Lacson said in a television interview. Sen. Ana Theresia Hontiveros said, “If the administration is determined to look for communists, they must turn their attention to the communists who openly encroach in the West Philippine Sea.” “The University of the Philippines is a bastion of student activism and its grounds must continue to be a safe space for dissent and peaceful assembly,” Hontiveros said. Lacson warned that the security sector would overstep its bounds if the move was designed to muzzle the academic and other freedoms enjoyed by the UP community. He noted that during the Senate hearings on red-tagging, it was established that students were being recruited by the New People’s Army not only in UP but in other universities. “To join the militant organizations, that’s fine. You can protest all you want. But when you bear arms against government and you are very young, you are vulnerable, you are easily radicalized, and the hotbed of recruitment would be UP, PUP (Polytechnic
University of the Philippines) and other universities, then I think the security sector has studied all the factors involved before they acted on the matter,” he said. But he added the termination of the pact will affect the culture of academic freedom in UP, whose community is known to be independent. “They enjoy so much freedom. And then all of a sudden you take it away from them, that really hurts. Definitely there will be outcry, protests and disagreements. Let’s see how it shapes up in the future,” he said. Members of the UP community held a rally on Tuesday as university president Danilo Concepcion urged Lorenzana to reconsider his decision. Concepcion said the termination of the agreement was “totally unnecessary and unwarranted.” “Instead of instilling confidence in our police and military, your decision can only sow more confusion and mistrust, given that you have not specified what it is that you exactly aim to do or put in place in lieu of the protections and courtesies afforded by the agreement,” he said in a letter to Lorenzana. President Rodrigo Duterte stood by the decision of the Defense department. The 1989 agreement, according to Lorenzana, had been a hindrance to operations against communist rebels, especially the recruitment of cadres in UP. n
High hopes or another false hope? Green cards for.... PAGE A3 a resurgence of such efforts as Biden has vowed to reform President Trump’s hard-line immigration policies. Some immigration advocates and scholars also question whether the upcoming immigration plan is the right approach. If the Biden-Harris administration proposes to extend legalization opportunities to 5 million undocumented essential workers, what about the other 8 million undocumented immigrants? “Millions of immigrant workers are on the frontlines, risking their lives to keep our country running. The depth of this crisis requires urgency,” said Mary Kay Henry, president of SEIU, on the press call with America’s Voice. “We can’t beat the virus when millions of undocumented essential workers are left out. Providing [a fast-track to citizenship] is the
only way we’ll be able to tackle the pandemic.’ Alex Padilla, California’s Secretary of State who is set to replace Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in the U.S. Senate, defended the immigration plan for undocumented essential workers. “It’s not that we are not going to deal with other undocumented immigrants,” Padilla said on the call with reporters. “Because of the urgency of COVID relief, it’s better to act sooner rather than later.” Padilla invoked the immigration experience of his own parents, who came to California from Mexico in the 60s. They never had a formal education, he said, and never had a day off—his dad worked as a cook and his mom cleaned houses. “But they told us that if we work hard and do well in school, we can do what we want to be.
That’s the American Dream,” he added. “After four years of [Trump’s] constant attack on immigrant communities, the BidenHarris administration will help us turn the tides. I hope the Congress and our nation will recognize that these [undocumented essential] immigrants stepped up when the U.S. needed the most and put themselves in danger during this deadly pandemic.” “I’m very excited when I heard about this great news,” Lapuz said in Jersey City, NJ. “But I can’t help worrying that they are sending another false hope. I have been through this before.” “My family has been waiting for this moment. We risk our lives and help this country to survive the pandemic,” Ramirez said. “We should not be left in the dark anymore. My children were all born here—this is our home.” (Anthony Advincula/Ethnic Media Services)
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to perform ‘America the Looking onward to 2021 after a H.E.R. Beautiful’ at 2021 Super Bowl year of challenges, social distancing by
by Ritchel
Mendiola
AJPress
2020 not only brought the world to a standstill, but also changed our way of living. COVID-19’s global sweep prompted countries to close borders, and with it, came the safety measures that we have taken into the new year — face masks, hand sanitizers, and social distancing. Concerts, festivals, and even traveling took a backseat in favor of home quarantines, while digital technologies rose to the occasion in battling pandemic fatigue. Still, the impact of COVID- 19 has been egregious. By the end of 2020, over 82 million people have contracted the virus, and a staggering 1.8 million have died because of it. To make matters worse, natural disasters, systemic racism, and political tensions between countries ran rampant alongside the pandemic, bringing horror after horror, grief upon grief, throughout the entire year. 2020 was, no doubt, a year of profound loss. We mourned for human lives, the ‘normalcy’ we were once used to, and the opportunities that would have catapulted us to a better future. But in the midst of all the dark tragedies and adversities we had to deal with, we also found little pockets of light that guided us in navigating a rocky year plagued by the pandemic. An opportunity for self-reflection Being in isolation gave people the time to grapple with the lull that the pandemic presented, and the effect on their careers
aJPRess
BLACK Filipina American R&B artist H.E.R. will be performing at the 2021 Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida. The Grammy Award-winning artist will perform “America the Beautiful” before kickoff, the NFL announced on Tuesday, January 19. She follows in the footsteps of Yolanda Adams, who performed the song in 2020. This year’s game will be on February 7 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Eric Church and Jazmine Sullivan will sing the national anthem, PAGE B3
Photo from Instagram/@hermusicofficial
Fil-Am actress Ginger Gonzaga to star in Marvel’s ‘She-Hulk’ series by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
FILIPINA American actress Ginger Gonzaga has been casted in the upcoming “She-Hulk” Marvel series for Disney+. “She-Hulk” is a series that cenYana Gilbuena Ginger Lim-Dimapasok Nikki Guevara Perez de Tagle Photo by Mogli Photo by Noel Ty Instagram photo by/@miss_guevara ters on Jennifer Walters, an attorney who has similar powers to her Having your family’s support cousin, Bruce Banner/The Hulk. and long-term life goals. For Yana as much as my identity has been Gilbuena, chef of Salo Series, it tied to Salo Series for the past certainly softened the blow that She will be played by actress Tameant looking at her life’s work seven years, it was not all that came with the pandemic upending tiana Maslany (“Orphan Black”). I am. I knew that food was just your plans. In 2020’s trying time, in a new light. Meanwhile, Gonzaga will play “[2020] was a retreat that had a vehicle for the main driver of family members lent strength, and the role of Walters’ best friend. me reflecting on what’s important what I do, which is to have an gave us the reassurance that, even Actor Mark Ruffalo will reprise in the face of uncertainty and impact in people’s lives, and that in a seemingly endless period of his role as The Hulk, while Tim Roth calamity. A big realization I had I can still do that in other ways,” isolation, we weren’t alone. will reprise his Hulk character of Lally Reyes from Dublin, Cali- The Abomination. was I was not an essential busi- added Gilbuena. “This pandemic ness, and my model is not pivot- provided me with an opportunity fornia underscored the imporThe series will be directed by able because the main thing I’m to reconnect with the other facets tance of her family while working Kat Coiro and Anu Valia, with Jesproviding is community, culture of Yana and discern what ways I from home. sica Gao leading the writing for “I am so grateful for a great the series. and connection over food,” she can still create and impact even if and loving family life at home. To it’s not through food.” told the Asian Journal. Gonzaga on Wednesday, JanuFamilial comfort “I had to remind myself that PAGE B4 PAGE B3
Ginger Gonzaga Photo from Instagram/@gingerthejester
EntErtainmEnt
B January 21-27, 2021 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL
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Fil-Am actress Tess Paras to direct, produce ViacomCBS’ virtual ‘Showcase’ by
In 2012, Nepales became the first Filipino to be elected as chairman of the board of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the association of international journalists which votes on and presents the Golden Globe Awards. “Through a Writer’s Lens” is the photojournalist’s second book. Photo by Janet Nepales
“THrougH A WriTer’S LenS”
Hollywood journalist recalls how his ‘pandemic baby’ was conceived By MoMAr
G. VisAyA
AJPress
IT’S a pandemic baby like no other. Coming out at a hefty 6 pounds, 7.6 ounces, “Through a Writer’s Lens” is a beautiful 12-by-14-inch 260-page hardbound compilation of photographs taken by awardwinning Hollywood photojournalist Ruben V. Nepales. A true collector’s item, the coffee table book offers more than 1,000 photos of stars that Nepales himself took in almost two decades. The photos themselves offer a different, more casual side of the stars. Through the years, Nepales has developed a knack for capturing the right moments of his subjects when they show their range of moods, from pensive to playful. The book is a compendium of some of Hollywood’s best and brightest stars taken during their interviews with Nepales, an active officer of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). “I literally trembled with emotion that I had in my hands a concrete realization of many months of long days and nights of intense work and countless emails between Bessie and me,” Nepales told the Asian Journal. “I was surprised by my own reaction. I hugged Janet tightly while I brushed away what appeared to be water droplets com-
ing from my eyes. No, I was not crying,” Nepales jokingly said. Bessie, of course, is the multihyphenate Bessie Badilla, erstwhile model-actress and the book’s publisher. The concept of a book was born around 2016, over a dinner at the Conrad New York Downtown Hotel, when Bessie broached the idea to him. “When Bessie first suggested and encouraged me to come up with a book of my photos, I was very surprised and flattered that she thought my photos were worthy of a coffee table book compilation,” Nepales recalled. “I was thrilled but in the back of my mind, I was going, how am I going to find the time to search among my thousands of photos of stars, given my hectic pre-pandemic schedule?” Multiple dinners and meetings followed and every time, Bessie would remind him about their coffee table book project and he always replied, “Yes, let’s do it.” But much as he wanted to make the book happen, Nepales just did not have the time. Until the coronavirus pandemic struck in March. “So it took four years before I finally sat down to work on the book,” he shared. What followed was a series of virtual meetings, phone calls, and text messages, along with a healthy dose of time travel he
didn’t know he needed. The pandemic slowdown gave them a chance to collate the materials, with great help coming from Ruben’s wife Janet, who helped in searching among many photo files they have amassed through the years. Weeks into the pandemic lockdown turned to months and the team found themselves having plenty of time to concentrate on finishing the book, gathering thoughts and ideas that would also accompany the photographs. Bessie, who also took on a couple of more challenges on top of her role as a publisher, realized a book had to be made to collect the snapshots Nepales has taken when she saw a Sarah Jessica Parker photo he took. “His photos made me curious. They have the ability to make you want to ‘get to know’ more the celebrities that he features,” Badilla said. “When I saw Ruben’s photos for his column on the Philippine Daily Inquirer, they made me want to read his latest column right away.” “It was Ruben’s photo of Sarah Jessica Parker that got me thinking he has a special talent! It was the best photograph of Ms. Parker I’ve ever seen,” Badilla added. “Ruben has the eye for capturing his subject’s best angle and he also has perfect timing.” Her comment about his Sarah PAGE B4
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AJPress
FILIPINA American actress Tess Paras is set to direct and executive produce ViacomCBS’ 2021 virtual “Showcase,” making her both the first Asian American and Filipina director to do so. “Showcase” is a hybrid comedy show with Broadway-worthy live performances and original, creative writing attended by senior-level executives, showrunners and casting directors from ViacomCBS properties, as well as other networks and talent agents/managers from across the entertainment industry. Paras expressed her excitement over the production in a tweet posted on Wednesday, January 13: “Excited to share: I’m the first female #Director & EP of CBS Showcase (also the 1st Asian-American Dir. & the 1st #Filipina Dir.!)” “Been directing socially-distant sketches here in LA & over Zoom & Facetime in CHI, NYC, PA, Boston & D.C. w/ a cast of 16 comedians!” added Paras. Along with Paras, comedian Tien Tran will serve as executive producer and head writer, while actor Frank Garcia-Hejl will be producer and associate director. Filmmaker and musician Tyler Davis will be producer and associate head writer. “This year has certainly brought its challenges and we’re so proud of what Tess, Tien, Frank and Tyler have been able to accomplish with the show going virtual,” said Tiffany SmithAnoa’i, executive vice president, entertainment diversity and inclusion, global inclusion. Claudia Lyon, CBS Entertainment’s executive vice president for talent and casting, praised this year’s “Showcase” production team for its “ingenuity.” “Not only are Tess, Tien, Frank and Tyler gifted multi-hyphenates in their own right, but they’ve excelled in motivating
Tess Paras is an actress, writer, and director popularly known for her recurring role on the critically acclaimed musical comedy “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.”
(L-R) Tess Paras, Tien Tran, Tyler Davis and Frank Garcia-Hejl
and inspiring our talented cast to realize their limitless potential,” she added. Paras, the youngest daughter of Filipino immigrant doctors, is an actress, writer, and director popularly known for her recurring role on the critically acclaimed musical comedy “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” She also starred in “The Good Wife,” “Grimm,” “Girl Meets World,” and “Reno 911.” Currently, she stars as Erin Chua on Amazon’s new spinoff “Just Add Magic: Mystery City”
Courtesy of John Keatley/ViacomCBS
after heavily recurring on the Daytime Emmy-nominated season of “Just Add Magic.” Paras also participated in the 2014 “Showcase” as a performer and writer while she served as the associate director for the 2019 and 2020 “Showcase.” Alumni of the “Showcase” include Fil-Am actor Nico Santos (“Superstore” and “Crazy Rich Asians”), Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live”), Tiffany Haddish (“Girls Trip”), Nicole Byer (“Nailed It!”) and Ego Nwodim (“Saturday Night Live”).
Princess evolves from villain to victim in new international film by rAtziel
sAn JuAn Philstar.com
ACTRESS Princess Punzalan is exploring new acting territory abroad. The primetime kontrabida icon, forever cemented in Pinoys’ minds as the villain Selina in Kapamilya teleserye “Mula sa Puso,” stars as an undocumented Filipino mother living in the United States in the musical film “Yellow Rose.” “‘Yellow Rose’ is the timely story of a Filipina teen from a small Texas town who fights to pursue her dreams as a country music performer while having to decide between staying with her family or leaving the only home she has known,” reads the film’s official synopsis. Princess looks forward to the film’s Philippine premiere as it has been viewed primarily by an international audience so far. “Proud na proud ako na mapapanood na finally ng ating mga kababayan ang pelikulang ito dahil napansin siya dito sa America at sa iba’t ibang mga film festivals internationally. And gusto kong makita rin ng ating mga kababayan kung ano ba itong pelikula na ginawa namin. So excited talaga ako na mapanood ng mga pamilya ko din diyan,” she said. The actress said that the film’s premise will prove relatable for many Filipino immigrants.
“It is familiar dahil marami akong kilalang Pilipino na natatakot dahil hindi nga sila documented at kung anu-anong ginagawa para lang manatili sa America at hindi nagiging madali para sa kanila ang mabuhay... madalas nakikitira sa mga kamag-anak, kaibigan, at palipat-lipat ng bahay. Minsan para silang sardinas. Ang dami dami nila sa isang kwarto. So hindi madali, hindi madali ang maging undocumented dito.” Playing against type didn’t prove too difficult for her since she had her personal experience to channel. “Hindi po naging mahirap sa akin ang paghahanda para sa role na ito dahil ang role ko po ay nanay ni Eva (Nobledaza) dito, ni Rose. At meron na po akong anak ngayon, six years old na siya. At sa lahat ng mga eksena na ginawa ko with Eva, inisip ko lang na papaano kung 10 years from now, itong anak ko na ang ka-eksena ko at sinasabi niya sa akin kung anong sinasabi sa’kin ni Rose,” she said. “So hindi naging mahirap po sa akin ang motivation para maging motherly at maging really involved sa mga eksena. I really felt ‘yung fear, ‘yung concern, ‘yung anxiety. Papaano na ‘yung mangyayari sa anak ko ‘pag nawala na ako.” The secret to acting, according to Princess, is drawing inspiration
Princess Punzalan Photo from Instagram/@realprincesspunzalan
from real life. “In everything I do, I try to really pull out some real memories, like real people, real characters who were involved in my life. Like if I was supposed to be mean, I try to pull memory from the abusive people who have hurt me in the past. And I just try to mirror and try to be like them,” she said. “And now as a mother, I have so much love and desire to protect my own daughter. And that’s where I pulled the feelings of how to become Priscilla. So in all of the things that I do, I always try to pull a real person, a real character who was involved in my life. So I just try to be real in as much as I can.” For the time being, Princess PAGE B4
Overexposed? Raffy Tulfo reacts by MAridol
rAnoA-bisMArk Philstar.com
BROADCAST journalist Raffy Tulfo a.k.a. “Hari ng Public Service” is a certified multimedia celebrity. His public affairs show, “Wanted sa Radyo,” airs Monday to Friday, 2 to 4 p.m. on Radyo5 92.4 News FM. His YouTube channel, “Raffy Tulfo in Action,” has a community of over three million followers in his official Facebook group. The number is growing. He hosts the talk show and public service program “Idol in Action,” Monday to Friday at 10:30 a.m. on TV5. In the evening, he coanchors the primetime newscast “Frontline Piipinas” on weekdays. His newest TV5 show, “Wanted: Ang Serye,” which dramatizes “Wanted Sa Radyo’s” controversial stories, started airing January 16. Isn’t he afraid of overexposure? True to form, the feisty Tulfo showed no sign of being bothered. “It depends on the time and day my show is aired,” he told Philstar.com in a recent virtual
Raffy Tulfo
conference. Besides, Tulfo explained that his shows cater to different audiences. “Wanted sa Radyo” appeals to the masses. “Idol in Action” is more oriented toward housewives taking a break between their daily chores. He admitted, though, that he’s exposed to viewers daily on TV. But they see him at different times of the day — once in the morning, then once in the evening. All of Tulfo’s shows have a common denominator: public service. In a recent zoom media conference, the cast of “Wanted: Ang Serye’s” January 23 episode agreed they had major takeaways
Photo from Instagram/@raffytulgoinaction
from the true story of a transgender (played by Epi Quizon) and her lesbian partner (Ritz Azul). “You can’t force someone to love you. But you can command his or her respect. You have to be cordial. That’s the moral fiber of society,” said Epi. “Love has a broad definition. It has many aspects. Forgiveness, communication and honesty are important,” added Ritz in Filipino. “You can always change, especially if it’s for your family,” stated Adrian Alandy. Whatever their takeaway, Tulfo will give a resolution and his own learnings at the end of each episode.
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ENTERTAINMENT
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 21-27, 2021
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Meryll shares details of ‘risky, difficult’ pregnancy Pia breaks silence about being naturally ‘blessed’ CELEBRITY couple Meryll Soriano and Joem Bascon documented their journey together during Meryll’s pregnancy through photos and shared it to their followers. In her Instagram account, Meryll posted a series of her monthly photos showing her and Joem in matching clothes and poses until she finally gave birth. “Fom egg to hooman. Mum & Dud Pregnancy Journey,” she wrote in the caption. In another post, the couple shared a photo of their matching tattoos. “Thank you,” Meryll simply wrote in the caption, tagging Joem. According to her, the pregnancy was not easy and she “pushed” her “heart out” because of her age. She also had anxiety and Gestational Diabetes along the way. “Pushed my heart out. 7lbs. 20 in. 10hrs. of labour. Normal birth delivery. We welcomed our beautiful boy,” she narrated. “At 38, my doctor told me that it’s risky and difficult. I had anxiety over this on the latter part of my pregnancy. I also acquired Gestational Diabetes (GDM) on my 6-7 month of my pregnancy. Which meant 4 x a day of glucose
by JAN
MILO SEVERO Philstar.com
Joem Bascon and Meryll Soriano
tests, 4 x a day of insulin shots and nth goodbyes to donuts, chocolates and cakes until I give birth.” The actress solved her woes through proper diet and exercise. “So, I worked out 4-5 x a week, healthy food intake and baby yoga as much as I could. It was hard work and it was difficult and tiring most of the time. But, again, my age is a factor. I did what was needed to be done.” Most importantly, she made it through thanks to Joem.
Photo from Instagram/@planetumebosshi
“Voila! I made it. I did it! I am so proud to have a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. But, I couldn’t have done it without Dud. He helped me stay on track. He stopped buying Cloud 9 and HawHaw. He did pregnant workouts with me. And, there are no words to explain the taking-careof-me part. He’s the best. Thank you so much, Dud.” Meryll revealed that she and Joem welcomed their baby last New Year’s day. It confirmed rumors that the couple rekindled their romance. (Philstar.com)
Pia Wurstbach
MISS Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach revealed that she once considered breast reduction. At the “True or False” segment of her Instagram stories, Pia confessed that growing up, she used to be insecure about her body. “Bata pa ako nai-insecure talaga ako sa katawan ko, especially dito,” she said, pointing at her breasts. “Kasi siyempre inaasar ako sa school, ganyan. Nahihiya ako. Pero as I got older, I learned how to be more confident,” she added. When asked by an Instagram user if she thought of breast reduction before, Pia admitted that it came to her mind back then. “There was a time when I was much younger na I was thinking about it (breast reduction). But then hindi ko siya tinuloy kasi nalaman ko na malaki ‘yung mga scars na maiiwan niya. So buti na lang,” she said. The beauty queen noted that she learned to accept her body and asked her followers to be confident with their bodies as well. “I also realized na ‘di ako dapat magpaapekto sa mga sinasabi ng ibang tao. So I accepted myself na lang. Be confident with your bodies! I’m glad I didn’t let my insecurities get to me,” Pia wrote in the text that accompanied her Photo from Instagram/@piawurtzbach video response.
Alex explains why she had to keep wedding a secret
KAPAMILYA actress Alex Gonzaga revealed yesterday that she got married with boyfriend Mikee Morada last November. In her YouTube account, Alex said that the intimate wedding was only attended by their immediate family and was held in their family residence in Taytay, Rizal. “Isa na po akong may bahay at isa na po akong wife,” Alex said. She also apologized to her fans for not immediately talking about the wedding. “We want to celebrate together as a family muna and s’yempre alam din namin ‘yung timing din at tsaka alam din namin na may pandemic. So we just wanted to keep it to ourselves for a little while to celebrate,” she said. Celebrities such as Melai Cantiveros, Bianca Gonzalez, Loisa Andalio, Billy Crawford, Karla Estrada, Jessy Mendiola, to name a few, commented on Alex’s Instagram post, extending their congratulations for the couple. “Congratulations alsy balsy and mikee,” Melai wrote. “Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Morada,” Bianca commented. “Netizens, we are married!” Alex said in an Instagram post. Luis Manzano, who is also set to be married to Jessy Mendiola, jokingly commented: “Alam naman ni Mikee?” Alex and Mikee got engaged in 2019. They announced Photo from Instagram/@mikey_bustos their engagement last January 2020. (Jan Milo Severo/ Alex Gonzaga with husband Mikee Morada Philstar.com)
Mikey Bustos
Mikey Bustos on navigating the challenges of being an online celebrity
“I DON’T think anyone is prepared for the life that comes with going viral in the internet.” It’s been 14 years since Mikey Bustos first posted a video on YouTube. It was a video of him performing as a front act for a Pussycat Dolls concert in Manila. And while initially renowned for his career as a singer and performer, it was really the relatable content he has been masterfully crafting and posting online that has captured the hearts and laughs of many. “It’s been such a learning curve,” said Mikey about his career, despite years of creating countless viral videos such as “Adobo” – a parody of the song Let It Go from Frozen – and “Balikbayan Box” – a parody of the Miley Cyrus Hit “Wrecking Ball”. “You just have to navigate through,” he added. While having to constantly think of new ideas is already a challenge in itself, having an audience that can directly interact with you via a comments section is another. “Having to deal with bashers is something you never get used to,” he remarked. Other challenges Mikey mentioned that he has encountered in his career was having to fight through insecurities, second guessing himself, and managing
his schedule. There was even a time when Mikey was juggling multiple YouTube channels all while traveling, performing, and managing his ant business. And while it was a challenge for him to do all these simultaneously, all these “trades” brought about plenty of opportunities. With these opportunities, however, come crucial choices he needed to make. On taking risks “For me, to be successful, you need to take calculated risks,” said Bustos who mentioned that one of the biggest risks he made in his life was moving to the Philippines from Canada. But this was just one among many risks Mikey had to take in order for his career to flourish further. “Signing contracts, teaming up with brands, expanding a team, collaborating with other content creators—these are all risks and choices you have to calculate and think about. You can’t just throw all your chips in and wish for the best” he stressed. On the art of de-stressing With all these decisions and challenges, not to mention having to sustain his career and business, there is no doubt that stress and risk of burnout fre-
quent Mikey’s life. To combat these, he turns to exercise and meditation. “I always try to incorporate exercise into my routine. I go to the gym a few times a week, and now I’ve taken a love for running—making sure I go 10km every day. In terms of mentally staying in shape, I do a lot of meditation and prayer.” To lessen the risk of burnout, Mikey also makes sure to explore his hobbies, which is sometimes a blurred line for him as his work involves making the most of his interests and sharing it online. He solves this dilemma by exploring his hobbies without feeling the need to bring a camera with him. On the importance of trust Another way Mikey reduces the stress brought about by his career and ventures is working with people that he trusts, which for him, is crucial to success. In the time of the pandemic, Mikey also shared that bringing “trusty” items with him wherever he goes is key to having an extra “peace of mind”. “Lately, I always bring all sorts of protective gear—masks, alcohol, face shields, and the like. I also make sure to bring a lipbalm because ‘you never know when you’ll be on camera,’” he remarked. (Inquirer.net)
H.E.R. to perform ‘America the Beautiful’...
PAGE B1 “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the NFL also announced. “I’ll be in Tampa Bay for the @NFL#SBLV to sing America the Beautiful as part of the Super Bowl on @CBS Kick-Off Show at 6 PM ET,” said H.E.R. in a tweet. “Make sure to tune in!” she added. H.E.R., whose real name is Gabriella Wilson, was born in Vallejo, California to a Filipina mother and an African American father.
She rose to fame in 2009 after participating in Radio Disney’s “Next Big Thing.” At the age of 14, she signed to RCA Records and released the single “Something to Prove” under her real name in 2014. In 2016, she debuted under the H.E.R. persona with her debut EP “H.E.R. Volume 1.” She then released other EPs “H.E.R. Volume 2” and “The B Sides” in 2017 before releasing her first compilation album “H.E.R.” which consisted of
tracks from the singer’s first two EPs plus six additional songs. In 2018, she released “I Used to Know Her: The Prelude” and “I Used to Know Her: Part 2.” H.E.R. received five nominations at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019, winning Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Album. The year after, she received three nominations: Song of the Year (“I Can’t Breathe”), and two for Best R&B Song (“Better Than I Imagine” and “Slow Down”).
Fil-Am actress Ginger Gonzaga to star in...
PAGE B1 ary 20, took to social media to express her excitement in joining the cast of “She-Hulk.” “I’m beyond excited to join #Shehulk! We will be directed by #KatCairo! @ChairmanGao is gifting us her hilarious writing & I get to run amok w/ the insanely talented #tatianamaslaney. Thanks
@Marvel & @disneyplus 4 your support & having me in the fam! Get ready! It’s AWESOME!” the Fil-Am actress said in a tweet. Gonzaga, born to a Dutch mother and Filipino father, previously starred in Showtime’s “Kidding,” alongside Jim Carrey as well as the stand-up comedy-drama series “I’m Dying Up Here,” of which
Carrey served as the executive producer. Gonzaga was a series regular on ABC’s “Mixology” and TBS’ “Wrecked,” and was the host and writer of Hulu’s comedic daily pop culture recap show “The Morning After.” She had also been on HBO’s “Togetherness” and Hulu’s “Chance.”
Photo from Instagram/@cathygonzaga
Features
B January 21-27, 2021 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS KNOWING the correct information could save your life. Now that the two vaccines against the SARS-CoV2 virus of COVID-19 and its variants are here, and a third to be available soon, all of us must know the facts and details about them. Otherwise, we will be wasting the vaccines, getting infected after receiving the shots, and spreading the disease anyway. Currently there are more than 96 million cases of COVID-19 and greater than 2 million deaths in 219 countries, killing 409,000 in the U.S. and almost 10,000 in the Philippines. The chance of dying from COVID-19 greatly outweighs the risk of dying from the side-effects or complications of the vaccine. It’s a no brainer: the vaccine is a life saver. Talk to your physicians for any queries or if you have severe allergies. COVID-19 vaccines being sold online are fake and dangerous. Get yours from official sites. Warning: If one becomes careless or reckless after getting the first or the second shot, and stops using facemask, social distancing and crowd avoidance, the residual risk could still lead to infection and death. Only when herd immunity in the country and in the world is fully established will it be safe for the then vaccinated 95.5 percent of people. The 4.5 percent (people who are skeptics, misinformed, Muslims, Christian Scientists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc.) who object to getting the vaccine, could be the only segment of the society who could be infected and keep the SARS-CoV2 virus around. They could cause future outbreaks of COVID-19 every now and then, even beyond the next five years. An example of this is measles, which was no longer endemic in the United States since 1997 because of the high vaccination rate. Sadly, came the outbreak in 2005 when a member of a religious group in the U.S. who refused the vaccine got infected while in Romania, and came back to the U.S. and caused the outbreak. This has led to many pockets of measles infection thereafter. Indeed, a single irresponsible person can cause an outbreak, which could lead to an epidemic, and result in a devastating pandemic. An analogy Vaccines are for protection, much like the bullet-proof vests which also do not offer 100 percent coverage. But as proven by Edward Jenner, who invented the first vaccine (for Smallpox and Cowpox) in 1796 and others that followed, and by Casimir Zeglen, who invented the bullet-proof vests in 1893, vaccines and bullet-proof vests, although not 100 percent guaranteed to prevent infection (injuries) and deaths, have
Life-saving info saved billions of lives around the globe. When bullets are flying in the air (much like the SARS-CoV2 virus and its variants today), I would rather have a bullet-proof vest (and the vaccine during this pandemic), albeit neither is guaranteed 100 percent. It’s just plain common sense! Talking of protection, the CDC states pregnant women, who are at a higher risk for COVID-19, may safely get the vaccine without undue side-effects on the fetus. As a matter of fact, it has been shown that the vaccines have prevented premature births and miscarriages. Still at risk A frequent question I get: “After getting vaccinated, am I immediately immune from getting COVID-19?” The answer is NO. Following the first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, it will take at least 21 days to get 52 percent (partial) immunity, so there remains 48 percent risk of getting infected if one stops avoiding crowds, wearing facemask, social distancing, washing hands often, etc. After the second shot (21 days after the first for the P-BNT and 28 days for Moderna vaccine), one does not get the full 95 percent immunity until after several weeks or months. It is obvious there is still a 5 percent risk after the second shot (a must to have to complete the vaccination). We must not allow the vaccination to give us a false sense of complete security. About 5 percent of those vaccinated have been infected with COVID days/weeks after the vaccination. There are a lot we still do not know about the virus, its variants, and the duration of protection the vaccines confer. Historical firsts The first person in the world to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) outside the clinical trials was a 90-year-old grandmother in the UK, Margaret Keenan, on December 8, 2020. Sandra Lindsay, a nurse in Queens, New York, (originally from Jamaica) was the first person in the U.S. to get the shot (also P-BNT) on December 14, 2020. My wife, Farida, and I received ours (P-BNT) on January 13, 2020 as a part of the largest vaccination campaign in modern history, with 32.5 million doses of the vaccines administered in 45 countries (almost 41.5 million as of today); 10.8 million (now about 13 million) in the United States alone, with almost 800,000 given their second dose. There are 77 candidate vaccines on trial in 47 countries, 19 of which are in stage 3 clinical trials, and 8 have been authorized. The Philippines is starting its vaccination in February, with 65,000 doses of SinoVac from China, a part of a 25 million dose-deal. Other potential suppliers include Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Jannsen, Novavax, all from the U.S. Variants spread faster
The variant (with 17+ mutations) of SARS-CoV2 virus first discovered in the UK in September 2020, now plaguing the United States as well since December 20, 2020, is predicted to become the primary (predominating) strain by March, crowding out other strains. While the variant strains are multiple times more rapidly transmissible, they are not more deadly and the vaccines we have are effective against them, including the oneshot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. A bonus from following the COVID19 guidelines: the seasonal flu has dramatically decreased. Wisdom and discipline It is now obvious that we are fighting two pandemics, COVID19 and the pandemic of STUPIDITY. Those who abused democracy, demanding civil rights, protesting, and did whatever they wanted (not following the CDC guidelines) amidst this pandemic – refusing to wear facemask in public, do social distancing and avoid crowds – are the main reasons why this pandemic has reached this massive proportion, killing two persons in the U.S. every minute. Vaccines alone are not enough to prevent infection and deaths. We must have the wisdom and discipline as a people to still follow the guidelines and behave properly. After receiving the vaccine, we must continue to limit our trips to essential travels, wear facemask in public, avoid crowds, and do social distancing, because, as explained above, there is still a significant risk, albeit small, until after herd immunity is established. And this could be a year or two ahead. After receiving the shots, let us behave as if we did not get them yet and continue to follow the CDC guidelines religiously. So, let us all endeavor to help end this pandemic soonest. If we cannot help, let’s us stay out of the way to avoid killing people. Every life is precious.. *** 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 Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
Lani: Life is precious
By Marinel
Cruz
Inquirer.net
FOUR months after she and her husband Noli were afflicted with what the doctors described as a “rare disease,” Lani Misalucha is slowly recovering but she and Noli are not completely healed. She has gotten back her sense of hearing and balance, and, most importantly, her voice...losing it could be the worst that could happen to a singer famous for her perfect pitch. But we’re getting ahead of the story... “It was bacterial meningitis,” Lani, Asia’s Nightingale (also jokingly dubbed Reclining Diva because she can hit the highest note while flat on her back), told Funfare Thursday night in a phone interview. “The doctors said that it was a rare case that infected us. It was weird. The doctors were puzzled why both Noli and me got infected.” Actually, it was a double whammy. As Lani related, Noli underwent a triple bypass on Aug. 17 last year. In September, one month and one week later, they ate at a restaurant. “It was a Tuesday. Two days later, Noli and I got a fever at dawn, 38 to 39 degrees. Noli was shivering. A few hours later, I started shivering, too. At first, we were scared since we thought that it was COVID-19. Noli was delirious, disoriented, at hindi na maka-usap. Iba na ang hitsura. When he tried to get up, he was groggy, bumabangga-bangga sa walls. Sabi ko, ano ‘to?” Early Friday morning, they summoned an ambulance that brought them to the St. Luke’s Medical Center. When the doctors talked to her, Lani replied, “Ano po ‘yon, ano po ‘yon?” By Sunday, she couldn’t hear anymore, except garbled sounds. She had to talk louder and louder. That was when she realized she was losing her sense of hearing. Noli was confined at the ICU for
Lani Misalucha
GMA photo
six days and Lani four days. “We suspected that we must have eaten pork,” said Lani. “We seldom, if ever, eat pork and I don’t remember ordering pork. There were other people in the restaurant but they were okay naman.” Naturally, she was depressed. “I was in denial. Feeling ko, hindi na ako marunong kumanta. I was having a hard time singing. I kept trying to hum. Feeling ko, nag-shutdown ang lalamunan ko.” Before that fateful September day, Lani was able to co-host (with Ai-Ai delas Alas and Christian Bautista) three episodes of the GMA talent search The Clash, and was later replaced by Pops Fernandez. In December, she joined the shoot of the network’s
Christmas special and kept apologizing because she couldn’t do it right. She was worried that she was causing the delay but her co-stars (Ai-Ai included) assured her that everything was all right. After several takes, she managed to render a heart-tugging version of O Holy Night. “I felt that I lost my confidence,” sighed Lani. Her co-stars told her that she was as good as new. Lani and Noli had to return several times to the hospital for therapy. Back home, they are taking so many medications that Lani exclaimed, “OMG, grabe ang dami, especially Noli who has to take nine different medicines.” Aided by a nephew, Lani and Noli exercise daily by walking around BGC. “I can walk without holding on to my nephew, diretso kung flat ang surface. I have started vocalizing at home. I have regained my balance and sense of hearing. My voice is back. Pero si Noli, dapat inaakay pa when he walks.” Results of the doctors’ findings were submitted to the Department of Health (DOH). “Para may record that there is such a rare case of bacterial meningitis,” noted Lani. The couple were caught home by the lockdown and unable to fly to Las Vegas where they are based. They do plan to go when they are well enough. “In the meantime, we cannot because it’s risky. The air pressure inside the plane might be bad for our ears, at nandyan din ang altitude. At baka tatabi-tabingi ang lakad namin.” Asked what the incident has taught her, Lani said, “That life is precious,” adding, “that you are not sure what could happen. Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, may mangyayari pa rin sa’yo. I think we should just be grateful every single day that we can still walk, we can still talk, we can still move.”
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Hollywood journalist recalls how... PAGE B2 Jessica Parker photo made him realize that Bessie, having worked with top photographers as a model, has a really good eye for photos and a keen sense of visual aesthetics. This is why doing the art direction and layout almost became like a second skin to her. “Credit for the sequence and combination of stars in spreads goes to Bessie who is also the book’s art director and layout artist. I gave several photos of each talent for Bessie to choose from. She decided on which photos to use, the order and pairing,” he said. “I was impressed with her pairing ideas. I just gave a few suggestions here and there. Bessie, who taught herself how to layout, etc. on her Mac, did a very professional job in her first crack at art direction and layout!” Nepales added. Variety editor Tim Gray praised “Through a Writer’s Lens”: “Ruben Nepales is smart, has great taste, and observes things that most people overlook. These qualities make him a good photojournalist and they make this book so great.” Each of the 200-plus top and beloved talents, from Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, Sandra Oh, Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Stewart, Darren Criss to Robert Pattinson, included in the tome has an interesting, memorable quote culled from the photojournalist’s columns of these stars. Some of the quotes were also culled from Nepales’ monthly Hollywood feature on Smile Magazine, Cebu Pacific Air’s inflight magazine. “Through a Writer’s Lens” is Nepales’ second book, following his 2012 book, “My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood,” which won in the print journalism – book category of the Migration Advocacy and Media Awards presented by the Office of the President of the Philippines’ Commission on Filipinos Overseas. Special, limited edition hardbound copies of “Through a Writer’s Lens” are available at $125 plus $10 for shipping and handling; in the Philippines, 6,000 plus 200 for shipping and handling. To order, send a message to: https://www.facebook. com/throughawriterslens/.
Nepales with his second book, “Through a Writer’s Lens.”
Photos by Janet Nepales
Bessie Badilla, the book’s publisher says: “‘Through a Writer’s Lens’ will give readers an intimate date with each of the more than 200 talents and celebrities featured in the book. Readers will enjoy many never-before-seen candid shots of their favorite stars while reading these stars’ quotes that give you personal insights on their lives, struggles, pain, fame, triumphs and loves.”
Princess evolves from villain to victim in new...
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said it’s hard to tell when she will return to the Philippines and take on local projects due to the pandemic. She admitted missing television series and working. The actress is now a registered nurse in the United States. “Although since nag-start po ‘yung pandemic, I couldn’t really work because wala pong
yaya dito sa America. Kaya since my daughter can’t go to school, I have to stay with her and homeschool her. So nakatali ako sa kanya ngayon. So nandito lang ako sa bahay,” she said. Life is very different in the U.S., she said, especially since she’s known in the Philippines. But there are no regrets: “I’m very
happy with my husband and my daughter. And I’m having the best of both worlds.” Thanks to “Yellow Rose,” Princess realized she need not return home to return to acting. “Bakit nga ba hindi ako magartista dito sa America? So doon na nagsimula. Kaya ako ngayon, ito na, nag-aartista na rin ako dito sa America.”
PAGE B1 be together 24/7 for nine months now would have been difficult if we didn’t have a loving and understanding relationship at home,” she said. Meanwhile, Ginger Lim-Dimapasok, chef and co-founder of Cafe 86, shared that the pandemic gave her the opportunity to spend more time with her family. “The news of the pandemic hit us like a pile of bricks. On a personal level, it meant being separated from family, especially the ones living in the Philippines. On a business level, it meant closing up shop. It was a truly scary and uncertain time, but we tried our best to focus on the health and well-being of not just our family, but our staff,” she said. “Amidst all the uncertainties of the situation, I found joy in being given time to be at home with my family. As a business owner, time at home is something we rarely get, and all of a sudden, I was able to cook three meals, I was able to have conversations with the kids, and I got to take care of things I rarely had time for while working,” she added. Nikki Guevara Perez de Tagle, on the other hand, reflected on the “bittersweet” year — from giving birth after years of trying to struggling with business downturn. “2020 was bittersweet for me. It was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. It was sweet because, after four years of trying to get pregnant, my husband and I finally conceived through IVF (In vitro fertilization) and delivered our sweet baby girl in November,” she said. “It was bitter because my businesses suffered due to the pandemic. My salons had to close for a few months leaving my employees jobless for a while. Thankfully my husband still had his job. It would’ve been hard not having income while I was pregnant.” “Another reason why 2020 is bitter is because I get no help taking care of my little one. So I’m very hands-on with my baby. My whole family was supposed to fly here in November and December to be with me for the birth of Shi-
loh and for the holidays. But yet again, it was cancelled because of COVID,” De Tagle added. She continued, “The worst part of it all is that my husband caught the virus. Thankfully, his symptoms were mild but he still had to be isolated...However, I wouldn’t change a thing about everything that happened. Not only did my family overcome this obstacle, we became stronger. I became stronger because I had to take care of my family all by myself. I learned how to suck it up and be strong for my family. Through all of this, I became resilient.” Appreciating the little things As the pandemic continued to hang over 2020 like a dark cloud, we learned to tone down our profligacy. Being deprived of the most basic things also led to us appreciating the mundane. “Living during these times taught me how to live with just the bare necessities; buying what’s needed and seeing a limited amount of people. It teaches you that it’s okay to just have enough and not live in excess,” said LimDimapasok. Deo Jaravata, a teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District, likewise told the Asian Journal that 2020 taught him to be content with the simple things. “My beginning of the year was excellent. I went on some trips and finished five marathons. I even celebrated my birthday with family and friends on the first Saturday of March. After that, my year went downhill. All races were canceled. My annual summer trip to the Philippines was canceled, too. My trip to Tokyo to watch the Summer Olympics was canceled as well,” he said, adding that he resorted to hiking local LA trails and mountains. As a teacher, he taught summer school for the first time with the LAUSD but virtually. “From these cancellations, I realized that I can easily be contented and I can accept what life gives me. I’m very fortunate that I have my teaching job and am still physically fit,” he added. Vivian Cruz had the same sen-
timent. She said, “In 2020...we realized that we could live with less; that a simple life is actually good for us. We did more as a family confined in our homes and together we prayed, and played, cooked, and did a lot of things with joy. Family relationships, friendships flourished thanks also to the technology of Messenger, Viber, and Zoom.” Truly, the pandemic has taught us it doesn’t take much to make a day feel special. Even the act of coming home is considered a moment to celebrate. “My wife works as a nurse responsible for taking care of COVID patients and helping manage resources. Every time she comes home from a long day of work is a nervous time for me so they are big moments,” Norbert Piega from Chino Hills, California told the Asian Journal. “She brought heart-breaking news of suffering and death and her efforts to keep things afloat amidst challenges are nothing less than heroic to me,” he added. What’s next? The end of the year generally has people feeling hopeful that the next one would be better. A new year means a new chapter, a new page unblemished by mistakes or regrets. Looking back at 2020 may have unearthed various feelings, but looking ahead at 2021 only elicited one: hope. “What I am looking forward to this coming year, 2021 is a new beginning. I am hopeful that the COVID-19 vaccine will help eradicate this pandemic,” said Christienne Silverio from Las Vegas, Nevada. Jaravata expressed hope for the promise of the vaccines. “Hopefully, the vaccine will help us with this virus. I know it won’t be 100% back to normal but hopefully I can still run marathons, travel, mingle with family and friends, and be back to see my students face-to-face.” “I am most hopeful that we will get through this; that more lives will be saved, and that we will take the lessons of 2020 and slay 2021,” Gilbuena added.
Looking onward to 2021 after a year...
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