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Volume 20 - No. 5 • 14 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M MU N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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Biden signs executive order eliminating DATELINE USA Super Bowl, Lunar Trump-era barriers to legal immigration New Year could spark FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
COVID surge, warns CA health official
THE upcoming Lunar New Year and Super Bowl Sunday are both potential COVID super-spreader events, warned Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of California’s Health and Human Services department. The state experienced a COVID surge after Thanksgiving last year, pushing hospitals and intensive care units to the brink after people gathered in groups to celebrate the occasion.
by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
UNITED States President Joe Biden signed a trio of executive orders on Tuesday, Feb. 2 that aim to undo former President Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration policies, including addressing family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border, reforming the asylum pro-
gram and reviewing the “barriers” that the Trump administration placed around legal immigration. “We are going to work to undo the moral and national shame of the previous administration that literally, not figuratively, ripped children from the arms of families,” Biden said on Tuesday as he signed the orders in the Oval Office. Historically, legal immigration in the U.S. has been
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Report: Filipinos remain the most active internet, social media users globally
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by AJPRESS
‘She wouldn’t leave her kids’: Search continues for Fil-Am mom of 3 missing in Chula Vista, CA A FILIPINA American mother of three in Chula Vista, California has been missing for almost a month, but her family is not giving up hope that she will be found. May “Maya” Millete, 39, was last seen by family at her home in the San Miguel Ranch area on January 7 and was reported missing two days later. That Saturday, the family was planning a trip to Big Bear Mountain Resort for her daughter’s 11th birthday, but Millete was never heard from. u PAGE A3
characterized by extreme backlogs of cases in immigration courts, painstaking and rigorous qualification tests (like the controversial “public charge” rule enforced by the Trump administration) and a general tediousness and slowness. For many naturalized immigrants, it takes decades from the time of application to becoming citizens.
GOOD NEWS. National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (right), shares developments on the country’s vaccination program during the visit of the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team, headed by the task force and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), in Caloocan City on Tuesday, February 2. Galvez said at least 5.6 million doses of vaccines produced by pharmaceutical firms Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca, Inc. are set to arrive in the country within the first quarter of this year. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
FOR the sixth consecutive year, the Philippines is hailed as the global leader in time spent using social media according to a new report. Filipinos spend an average of 4 hours and 15 minutes each day on social media, according to the latest Digital 2021 report released on Tuesday, January 27 by Hootsuite and We Are Social. This is 22 minutes higher than the country’s Digital 2020 average of 3 hours and 53 minutes. The global average for social media usage this year is 2 hours and 25 minutes. The Philippines was followed by Colombia with an average of 3 hours and 45 minutes spent on social media. Japan, meanwhile, took the last spot in the list with an average of only 51 minutes spent on social media. The Philippines also emerged at the top in daily time spent using the internet with 10 hours and 56 minutes, longer than last year’s 9 hours and 45 minutes. This is followed by Brazil with an average of 10 hours and
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Maria Ressa, press groups nominated for Nobel Peace Prize by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA
AJPress
RAPPLER co-founder and chief executive officer Maria Ressa has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 by Norwegian labor leader and parliamentary representative Jonas Gahr Støre. “Filipino Maria Ressa heads Rappler, a website for investigative and investigative journalism. Prior to founding Rappler in 2012, she worked for CNN in Asia, where she specifically reports on terrorist networks,” said Støre on the Norwegian news May “Maya” Millete (2nd from left) with her husband Larry site Journalisten.no. (2nd from right) and their three children ages 11, 9 and 4. | He noted that Ressa has been harassed, Photo courtesy of Millete family persecuted, and arrested numerous times
due to her critical coverage of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. “Ressa has for years lived with death threats and harassment on social media. She is thus both a symbol and a representative of thousands of journalists around the world,” Støre said. “The nomination fulfills key aspects of what is emphasized as peace-promoting in Alfred Nobel’s will. A free and independent press can inform about and help to limit and stop a development that leads to armed conflict and war,” he added. Støre also nominated Reporters Without Borders and Committee to Protect Journalists for the Nobel Peace Prize.
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Rappler co-founder and CEO Maria Ressa is known for being a critic of the current Duterte administration. PNA photo
PH congressman files resolution congratulating Stakeholders begin rebuilding Fil-Am’s appointment to US Dept. of Interior PH tourism industry in 2021 by MOMAR
G. VISAYA
AJPress
PHILIPPINE Rep. Christopher de Venecia (4th District, Pangasinan) has filed a resolution congratulating Camille Calimlim Touton for her appointment as Deputy Commissioner of the United States Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation. Touton’s appointment is historic as she became the first Filipino American to serve in the agency’s leadership role. According to the resolution, Touton’s parents, Carl and Marlene Bangsal Calimlim, are from
Foreign visitors drop to 84% in 2020 due to travel restrictions
Barangay Tebeng in Dagupan City, Pangasinan. “I congratulate President Joe Biden and Interior Secretary-designate Deb Haaland on their excellent choice, their appointment of Camille Touton as the Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation,” announced Rep. Grace Napolitano in a statement. The Bureau of Reclamation is a water management agency under the United States Department of the Interior, which oversees dams, canals, and hydroelectric plants across the Western United States. It is the largest wholesaler
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by MOMAR
G. VISAYA
AJPress
Camille Calimlim Touton
PHILIPPINE tourism stakeholders believe that this year is crucial in rebuilding the country’s tourism industry battered by the global pandemic that hit in 2020. “I believe 2021 is a major transition year for all of us,” Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Anthonette Velasco Allones said at the Kapihan sa New York
online dialogue with the Fil Am Press Club of New York on Thursday, Jan. 27. Revenue lost from international tourism in 2020 was P400 billion, Department of Tourism and TPB officials estimate, with the number of foreign visitors that visited the Philippines falling to almost 84% due to travel restrictions. DOT Undersecretary Roberto Alabado III said that 8.2 million foreign tourists visited
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Guyam Island, Siargao Photo from Instagram/@madamjoycing
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february 5-11, 2021 • NOrCaL aSIaN JOurNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
From the Front Page
Biden signs executive order...
PAGE A1 Biden’s executive order directs government agencies to undergo a “top-to-bottom review of recent regulations, policies and guidance that have set up barriers to our legal immigration system,” including reviewing the public charge rule, which imposed a series of economic litmus tests that prevented many low-income immigrants from obtaining a green card or permanent residency. Regarding the famously lengthy naturalization process, the executive order details that within the 60 days of the order’s signing, the administration will “substantially reduce current naturalization processing times” and “make the naturalization process more accessible to all eligible individuals.” The other two orders that Biden signed on Tuesday included creating a task force that will reunite families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border and laying out a framework to reform the U.S.’s asylum policy, two issues that most explicitly manifested Trump’s immigration philosophy. Regarding the issue of family separation, Biden’s order sets up a task force to reunite parents and children who were separated by border officials at the southern border, a key election promise. But currently, more than 600 children remain separated from their parents (according to a recent court filing related to family separation), a challenge as immigration officials struggle to navigate these dramatic shifts in policy during a global pandemic. (Reuters reported that children are either living with relatives or are in the foster care system.) Tuesday’s orders are a follow up to the first batch of executive actions on immigration that Biden signed on his first day in office, as previously reported in the Asian Journal. Those directives included the so-called Muslim ban, construction on the southern
border all and providing further protections for undocumented immigrants enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Though the White House has marketed Biden’s early executive directives as a win after four years of stringent immigration policies, immigration advocates have urged the new administration to act quickly to ensure that the most vulnerable communities of undocumented immigrants are protected. A large portion of the orders signed on Tuesday (and during the first batch of executive orders last week) were promises to review existing immigration policy and didn’t involve immediate action. The public charge rule is still in place and Biden has not addressed the controversial order known as “Title 42” — a measure issued under Trump that allows immigration officials to expel almost all individuals caught illegally crossing the border during the coronavirus pandemic. But the White House has stated that it will take the new administration time to examine the extensive immigration restriction introduced by Trump. “It’s not going to happen overnight,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday. Biden’s early efforts to scrutinize, reverse and largely overhaul Trump’s immigration policies follow the majority shift in Congress that Democrats now lead, signaling a clearer landing for progressive, pro-immigrant policy. “We’ve just gotten through four years of chaos and cruelty brought to you by the Trump administration. They weaponized an already miserable and dysfunctional immigration system, and [now] we have a president and a slim majority in Congress of Democrats who have become more pro-immigrant,” Frank Sharry, founder
and executive director of the immigration reform organization America’s Voice, said in a press briefing on Friday, Jan. 29. Sharry briefly outlined three broad goals of the Biden administration regarding immigration: remove the “cruelty” that colored the Trump administration’s immigration approach, “build” a “fair, humane, functional immigration system,” and enact “transformative” laws that will kickstart a pathway to citizenship for “millions of undocumented” individuals. Although discussion and debate over immigration are usually centered around immigrants from Central and Latin America, about 40% of immigrants coming to the U.S. hail from the Asian continent, according to current patterns of migration, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Executive Director John C. Yang said at Friday’s briefing. Yang praised the president’s first batch of immigration-related executive orders which he believes are the first steps in the right direction for the approximately 1.7 million undocumented Asian immigrants living in the U.S. currently. Specifically, Yang applauded the addition of green cards to clear the backlog of employment-based visas (like H-1B visas). Most crucially, however, Yang celebrated what he described as a new beginning of immigration policy in America, but noted that it will take time for some Americans to adjust to the changing national narrative concerning immigrants. “The starting point for all of us is that America is still an inclusive America and this fear of the ‘browning’ of America does exist, but it is in a small segment of the American population, and with that small segment, we must find a way to talk to them,” Yang said. n
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people of Dagupan City but also the entire Philippines.” The City of Dagupan also hailed the appointment and called Touton “Dagupan’s Pride.” Her grandmother served as a Barangay Captain of Tebeng, one of the city’s barangays.
The city’s Public Information Page posted the appointment on their Facebook page and it has been shared almost 400 times as of press time, generating hundreds of congratulatory messages and words of encouragement. n
PH congressman files resolution congratulating...
of water in the United States and the second-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the Western United States. According to the resolution, Touton’s appointment “brings honor and pride not only to the
MEASLES VACCINE. A health worker inoculates a child with anti-measles vaccine as part of the government’s free vaccination program at SB Park on E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, Barangay Immaculate Conception in Cubao, Quezon City on Monday, February 1. The Department of Health and Metro Manila Center for Health Development jointly implement the vaccination program against measles for children aged nine to 59 months. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Stakeholders begin rebuilding PH tourism...
PAGE A1 the Philippines in 2019 and because of the restrictions imposed around April, the department noted that there were only about 1.3 million foreign tourists for 2020. “The drop in arrivals means billions of pesos in tourism revenues brought devastation on the economy,” Alabado said, noting that January 2020 was off to a good start and had an 11% increase in the number of visitors from the same period in 2019. As restrictions were imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19, the number of tourists dropped. In a statement, Tourism Secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat said the impact of COVID-19 that started to be felt in the first quarter of 2020 “was unprecedented and spared no one.” “With the closure of borders to international tourist traffic and the imposition of quarantine measures, tourism activities ground to a halt affecting various enterprises and displacing workers,” Puyat said. The tourism sector employed an estimated 5.7 million. Nearly five million workers either lost their jobs or their salaries
slashed. Jojo Clemente, president of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, said that they have been working with DOT, TPB and the various stakeholders to jumpstart the tourism industry and start rebuilding. Clemente said they were looking at the balikbayan market across the diaspora to help in this undertaking. “Kababayans have always wanted to come back home even before the Christmas season last year. We are hoping that with the ongoing vaccination rollout, the situation as far as travel restrictions will get better,” he said. “We have done our best in the private sector for tours to be more flexible owing to the circumstances we’re facing.” The government slowly eased domestic travel and some destinations have reopened for domestic tourists, including El Nido, Boracay, Bohol, parts of the Ilocos region, Baguio City, parts of Bataan, Batangas and Legazpi City. According to Alabado, the DOT continues to assess whether the destinations are ready to open and meetings with the various local government units have been ongoing.
“We are trying to safely and gradually reopen but in the end, it is still the LGUs’ call whether they are ready to reopen or not,” he said. Allones agrees, saying that the industry is willing to adapt to the evolving needs and requirements essential to reopening. “Safety is the new luxury,” said Allones, who took over TPB’s reins in February 2020. “All our partners like hotels, the transport sector, parks and amusement, they have all endeavored to make sure that our tourists are safe.” Allones also said that they have pivoted to digital technology and created a Travel Philippines app to ensure that the right and updated information is properly disseminated. This travel app includes information, basic updates and general protocols, among others and is meant for tourists and stakeholders. As the government continues to slowly ease domestic travel with the reopening of destinations with health and safety protocols in place, the stakeholders are hopeful that visitor arrivals to the country will make its steady climb to reach pre-pandemic figures. n
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Dateline USa
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • febRUARy 5-11, 2021
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Fil-Am journalist Jose Antonio Vargas unveils new book exploring racial identity The book will follow his best-selling 2018 memoir ‘Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen’ by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
DRIVE-THRU SALIVA COLLECTION. Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chairman and CEO, Senator Richard Gordon (middle), SM Supermalls president Steven Tan (2nd from right), and other PRC and SM officials show the signed memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the drive-thru “Saliva Collection for RT-PCR (Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) testing held at PRC logistics and multipurpose center in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, February 2. The putting up of drive-thru Saliva RT-PCR collection sites at SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia will make it more accessible to people. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
Super Bowl, Lunar New Year could spark COVID... PAGE A1 ICU capacity was at 0% throughout much of the state in late December and through most of January. On Jan. 25, California Governor Gavin Newsom lifted the state’s stay-at-home orders, based on projections that ICU capacity will jump to about 33% across the state by March 4. While 54 out of 58 counties in the state remain in the most-restrictive purple tier, restaurants and bars are allowed to open outdoors. Hair and nail salons are also open, and youth sports are allowed to take place outdoors. “We want to make sure that Super Bowl Sunday is not the next big super spreader,” said Ghaly during a press briefing on Tuesday, Feb. 2. He advised people to stay at home for the Super Bowl and Lunar New Year, celebrating with household family members or connecting with people online on platforms such as Zoom. San Francisco, which annually hosts one of the most elaborate Lunar New Year parades, has canceled the beloved event this year. Los Angeles is also limiting
its Lunar New Year celebrations. “Let’s not fumble this,” said Ghaly. The state is making a greater push for health equity in terms of vaccine distribution, announced Ghaly. “Advancing equity is one of our most important goals,” he said, adding that equity versus speed is “a false choice.” California is implementing a “pay for performance” plan, rewarding vaccinators who are serving in the state’s hardest to reach communities, and with communities of color. The state is also rolling out a public education plan to help ethnic communities understand the vaccine. A recent survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation noted that twothirds of Black and Latinx people surveyed said they did not have adequate information about the potential side effects of the vaccine or its effectiveness. Ghaly said the state is using trusted messengers, including the ethnic media and in-language content to promote the vaccines safety and effectiveness. California has experienced a 38% decrease in positivity
‘She wouldn’t leave her kids... PAGE A1 Millete, a civilian Navy employee, is described as 5-foot-2 and about 105 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes, freckles and a wrist tattoo. In addition to her 11year-old, she has children ages 9 and 4, and lives with her husband Larry. Her husband reportedly thought Millete was asleep in a bedroom, but then he found the room empty, according to various reports. Her sister Maricris Drouaillet told the Asian Journal that the last time she and her siblings heard from Millete was on Jan. 7 when they were all on a group chat talking about the birthday trip. “It’s just a shock and it’s been a nightmare since we reported her missing,” Drouaillet told the Asian Journal. Drouaillet said Millete loved the outdoors and hiking so it is possible she had gone out by foot that day. Her car has remained at the home’s driveway and her phone has been turned off and has not been located, a GoFundMe page organized by her family said. She appeared to have taken her ID and credit card as well, but no transactions have been recorded. Over the weekend, police served a search warrant at Millete’s home with the goal of locating any evidence into her whereabouts. “I can’t give any details as to the investigation but I will say we’ve been actively investigating this case and we’re at the point now where we’re trying to get as much evidence and any clues that we have that it’s possible to find where May is,” said Lt. Miriam Foxx with the Criminal Investigations Division. Millete’s family has held com-
May “Maya” Millete
munity searches and vigils, and has posted flyers in the neighborhood and in the greater San Diego area. However, the recent weather conditions have hindered some search activities. The GoFundMe page, with a $30,000 goal, will be used for the investigation, search efforts and printing fliers. A Facebook page called “Find find May/Maya Millete” has also been created to spread awareness. The family encourages others to say a prayer at 5:01 p.m. — her birthday is May 1 — until Millete is found. Those who know her say she has a bold personality and is full of life, and that she was a doting mother. “She’s an amazing mom. She has three wonderful kids and it’s her life…she wouldn’t leave her kids this way,” Drouaillet said. Anyone with information on Millete’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Chula Vista Police Department at 619-691-5139 or San Diego Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. (AJPress)
rates over the past 14 days, announced Ghaly. Hospitalizations have also decreased by 29%: 14,221 people currently hospitalized with COVID. ICU rates have also decreased by 18%; currently, 3,797 people are in ICUs with COVID-related illnesses. The state projects that both numbers will slide down by half by March 4, said Ghaly. Mutant variants, which may cause higher levels of illness or contagion, are now showing up around the state. Approximately 767 cases of the West Coast variant — B.1.429 — have been identified; the state has also seen 290 cases of the B.1.427 variant and 133 cases of the U.K. variant have been reported. (By Sunita Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Services contributing editor)
AT a time when the world is working to undo traditionally destructive and exclusionary perspectives on racial identity, celebrated journalist and immigration activist Jose Antonio Vargas is currently writing about an issue that many people of color in America face: what it’s like to live on the outside of the white and Black binary. In a new book titled “White is Not a Country,” Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, plans to explore the nuances of race through research, interviews with immigrants and the hard-hitting analysis that is signature to Vargas’ activism and written work. Vargas, 39, made international headlines a decade ago when he wrote an essay where he revealed that he was undocumented, sowing the seeds for the destigmatization of being a non-citizen. He founded the nonprofit Define American with the mission to help humanize immigrant portrayals and conversations about immigrants in media and entertainment. As previously reviewed in the Asian Journal, his 2018 memoir “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen” explored his early life as a young boy sent to California from the Philippines and the identity crisis that many undocumented people feel today: being American in every single way but without documentation to prove it. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times for his forthcoming sophomore book, Vargas said, “All of us are trying to understand where we fit in this urgent, unprecedented time in American history. I think all Americans, documented or not, are struggling to figure out where we fit in conversations around race and identity.” “White is Not a Country” is set to be published in 2023 by Pantheon Books. In the LA Times inter-
Jose Antonio Vargas
view, Vargas revealed that the title of his book was inspired by a conversation he had with a University of Georgia student in 2012. Vargas had asked the student where he was from — a question and microaggression that people of color often receive. The student had replied, “I’m white,” to which Vargas replied, “White is not a country, where are you from?” which gave the student pause. “My hope is that by writing this book, I will be having this conversation with the reader,” he told the LA Times. “What’s our role? Because everyone has a role. There’s no opting out.” n
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february 5-11, 2021 • NOrCaL aSIaN JOurNaL
Dateline USa
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CA partners with Biden admin for mass vaccination sites in LA, Oakland CALIFORNIA will open COVID-19 community vaccination sites in Oakland and Los Angeles later this February as part of a pilot project with the Biden-Harris administration. The pilot sites will be located at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum and California State University, Los Angeles as part of the new administration’s pledge to establish 100 vaccination sites nationwide as part of the first 100 days in office. The sites will be co-run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of California through the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). “In the fight against COVID19, partnership is key, especially when it comes to reaching Californians in underserved areas,” said Newsom. “These new sites will help us get available supply to some of the California communities most in need. I thank the Biden Administration for standing with us as we continue our efforts to safely, swiftly and equitably vaccinate all Califor-
nians.” “Both of these sites are perfect examples of how FEMA is working around the clock to support state led, federally supported vaccine delivery,” said Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton. “Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to ensure every American who wants a vaccine will receive a vaccine.” FEMA will provide resources and federal staffing support to establish these new community vaccination centers as well as operational support. The two locations chosen for these efforts are in some of the most diverse and socioeconomically challenged communities in the country. They are also communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and are home to essential workers who have borne the brunt of keeping the economy open over the past year. The goal of establishing these joint federal pilot sites is to continue to expand the rate of vaccinations in California in an ef-
ficient, effective and equitable manner, with an explicit focus on making sure that communities with a high risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection are not left behind. In order to expand the reach of these state-federal sites further into the communities, each of these new sites will be paired with two mobile vaccination clinics which can be deployed to multiple locations to amplify and provide distribution to areas that otherwise lack sufficient support. Preparations and buildout of these two locations are now underway and the sites are expected to be open to eligible members of the public beginning February 16. Registration for vaccine appointments at these two sites Philippine and U.S. troops take part in training for maritime operations in Palawan province, which is closest to Philippine claims in the Spratly will be available through the Islands in the West Philippine Sea. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila state’s MyTurn scheduling system in the coming days. The State of California is coordinating closely with FEMA to ensure the vaccine doses used at these sites will not decrease the available supply for other sites in based operations. vessels in the province. by Frances Mangosing the hosting counties. (AJPress) Commander Erwin TolenIt was part of the PCG’s SurInquirer.net face Support Force Boarding Of- tino, commanding officer of PHILIPPINE and U.S. troops ficer Course, the embassy said in PCG vessel BRP Cabra, said took part in training for maritime its statement released on Tues- the training was valuable “in operations in Palawan province, day (Feb. 2).The training was responding to emergency situwhich is closest to Philippine held from Jan 28 to 31. ations” that troops may enPart of the training simulated counter in “performing our claims in the Spratly Islands in emergency cases during mari- functions at sea.” the West Philippine Sea. The U.S. Embassy in Manila, time law enforcement, maritime The training simulated “chalin a statement, said the U.S. Ci- security and maritime search lenging and realistic” scenarios vilian Military Support Element and rescue operations. that the participants will encounThe U.S. Embassy said the ter in emergencies and which (CSME)—Philippines conducted training for combat casualties for training strengthened the capa- would be useful in “any situamen and officers of the Philip- bility of participants to respond tion where life-saving skills are pine Coast Guard (PCG) district to medical needs during combat needed,” said Zachary Shimley, in Palawan and crewmen of PCG and other maritime and land- CMSE Philippines medic. n
US, PH troops simulate combat casualty handling in Palawan training
WHO: No need to double mask WEARING two face masks to prevent the spread of COVID19 is not necessary, according to a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO). In response to a question about the necessity of wearing two kinds of masks at the same time, Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, the health body’s representative to the Philippines, said: “It depends on what kind of mask you are wearing.” “If you are wearing medical or surgical masks, we don’t think there is a necessity for two masks. I have seen some reports that say if you wear two masks, it is more protective. The question is where do you draw the line?
You could say five masks could be more protective than two,” he told ANC’s Headstart on Monday, February 1. Last week, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser on COVID-19 under the Biden administration, endorsed double masking. “So, if you have a physical covering with one layer, you put another layer on — it just makes common sense that it likely would be more effective, and that’s the reason why you see people either double-masking or doing a version of an N95,” Fauci told NBC News’ Today.
Abeyasinghe, on the other hand, reminded everyone about the importance of proper hygiene, wearing face masks properly, and social distancing. “We need to continue to follow hand hygiene, mask-wearing, cough etiquette, and physical distancing,” he said. “These are the measures that will help us protect ourselves and our loved ones as we wait for the potential arrival of vaccines and an end to this pandemic but that is still a long road,” he added. To date, there are a total of 527,272 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, with 10,807 fatalities and 487,574 recoveries. (AJPress)
SMC Supervisor Canepa issues warning before Super Bowl
DALY CITY – San Mateo County Board President David J. Canepa made the following statement on Monday, February 1 following warnings by health officials across California that the Sunday, February 7 Super Bowl could be a COVID-19 super spreader event. History will be made as San Mateo native Tom Brady will appear in his 10th NFL Championship game. “The whole world will be watching this historic matchup between Tom Brady’s Bucs and the Chiefs, but we cannot afford to fumble away the progress we have made in ending COVID by attending Super Bowl super spreader gatherings,” Canepa, who represents District 5 encompassing Daly City, Colma, Brisbane, portions of South San Francisco and San Bruno and the unincorporated Broadmoor Village, said. “Ditch the big parties and for the love of Tom Brady – wear your damn masks.” Brady’s parents, Tom Sr. and Gaylynn, both contracted COVID-19 at the start of the NFL season, the six-time Super Bowl champion revealed last week. Bay Area health officials cautioned over the weekend that any gatherings with other households during the Super Bowl should be socially distanced, out of doors and involve wearing masks. “Whether you love Tom Brady or hate him, I suspect there will be record numbers of people around the world who will be glued to their TV sets on Sunday,” Canepa said. “That being said, the temptation to attend large Super Bowl parties may be irresistible to many but know that if you do, you penalize the rest of us by not playing by the rules. People are still
San Mateo County Board President David J. Canepa
dying, and we don’t want this spectacular event to cause more COVID-related suffering.” The Super Bowl has many ties to the Bay Area as Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid started his football coaching career at San Francisco State University in the 1980s. (Supervisor David Canepa’s Office Release)
Report: Filipinos remain the most active...
PAGE A1 8 minutes, and Colombia with an average of 10 hours and 7 minutes. Digital 2021’s global average for internet usage is 6 hours and 54 minutes. The annual report also noted the improvement in the Philippines’ e-commerce adoption, growing 76% in Digital 2020 to
80.2% in Digital 2021 — above the global average of 76.8%. A separate report released in December said that the Philippines spent the most time on social media platforms than any other country in the world. According to marketplace OnBuy.com, Filipinos spend an average of 102,054 hours or 4,252 days on social media during their
lifetime, which puts the Philippines at the top of the list for the most social media-obsessed country. Columbia ranked second with an average of 101,288 hours or 4,220 days on social media, while Japan ranked as the country least obsessed with social media, spending 20,928 hours or 1,289 days on social media during their lifetime. n
Maria Ressa, press groups nominated for...
PAGE A1 According to him, media freedom is being put under pressure in more and more places in the world, with journalists being threatened, persecuted and imprisoned. “It is crucial to recognize the work of a free and independent press and to help ensure the working conditions of journalists in conflict areas, both inside and outside armed conflicts,” said Støre. “In today’s world, Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists are
the two foremost organizations for promoting media freedom and protecting journalists,” he added. Reporters Without Borders has a global network of correspondents and offices to protect thousands of journalists who are threatened, attacked or imprisoned every year. The Committee to Protect Journalists has a global network to protect journalists and places particular emphasis on documenting attacks on press freedom by publishing statistics and reports on the persecution of
journalists. “A Nobel Peace Prize for these organizations will be a recognition of the work they do, and it will recognize the thousands of journalists who report on conflicts,” said Støre. The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Swedish industrialist, inventor, and armaments manufacturer Alfred Nobel. The Peace Prize is awarded by a committee elected by the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget). The 2021 laureate will be announced in October. n
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Dateline PhiliPPines
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PAL to gut over 2,000 jobs by ritChel
Mendiola AJPress
FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is expected to lay off 2,300 jobs in mid-March as the airline weathers the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on travel demand. The cuts represent about 30% of its workforce, including both voluntary separations and invol-
work and dedicated service, and we will always cherish the ties you have established with the PAL family,” he added. PAL first announced its retrenchment program in October 2020 amid the pandemic. “Prior to the retrenchment, PAL chose to implement temporary furloughs and flexible working arrangements to hold off job cuts as long as possible…,” the airline said. It added that it also ensured that its employees continued to receive salaries and benefits, particularly medical benefits, during the height of the pandemic. From January to September last year, PAL booked financial losses worth P29.03 billion. PAL owner Lucio Tan provided around P6 billion in capital to the airline to keep it afloat. The airline said it will continue to gradually increase international and domestic flights as demand recovers. Budget carriers Cebu Pacific and AirAsia also retrenched emPhilstar.com file photo ployees due to the pandemic. n
untary retrenchment, the company announced on Tuesday, February 2. “This has been an extremely difficult and painful decision. For our colleagues who are leaving, rest assured that we are committed to support you through this transition,” PAL President Gilbert Santa Maria said in a statement. “We extend to you our deepest gratitude for your years of hard
Adult joblessness hit record high in 2020 ADULT unemployment rose to its highest level in eight years in 2020, according to the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS). Based on the poll conducted from November 21 to 25 among 1,500 respondents nationwide, SWS recorded the highest average unemployment rate — 37.4% — since it started analyzing these figures. The average joblessness rate for 2020 was higher by 19.8% than the figure recorded in 2019. In the latest SWS survey, joblessness was at 27.3% of the adult labor force, down by 12 points from the 39.5% in September 2020. “The estimated numbers of jobless adults are 12.7 million in November 2020 and 23.7 million in September 2020,” SWS said. “Joblessness was 17.5% in December 2019, the last measurement before the Covid-19 crisis began,” the polling firm added. SWS defines labor force as those 18 years and above and presently with a job, including those looking for a job. Jobless adults are those who voluntarily left their old jobs, are
seeking jobs for the first time, or lost their jobs due to economic circumstances beyond their control. SWS estimated 12.7 million jobless adult Filipinos in November 2020, lower than the 23.7 million in September 2020. “The 12-point decline in the national joblessness rate was due to decreases of 33 points in the Visayas, 23 points in Mindanao, 2 points in Metro Manila and 1 point in Balance Luzon,” the pollster said. Adult joblessness fell sharply in the Visayas, from a high of 52.0% in September 2020 to 19.1% in November 2020. It also declined in Mindanao, from 40.0% in September 2020 to 17.0% in November 2020. Adult joblessness fell slightly in Balance Luzon, from 33.5% in September 2020 to 32.7% in November 2020. In Metro Manila, it fell from 39.9% in September 2020 to 37.8% in November 2020. In the same survey, the SWS said the%age of adults in the labor force whose families experienced moderate hunger — involuntary hunger experienced “only once” or “a few times” — fell significantly
among the jobless, from 30.2% to 15.3%, while only slightly among those with a job/livelihood, from 16.3% to 13.3%. SWS said severe hunger eased among both the jobless, from 12.3% to 6.1%, and those with a job/livelihood from 6.9% to 2.8%. The survey found that 16.0% or an estimated 4.0 million families experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months. Meanwhile, adult joblessness fell among women, from 51.1% in September 2020 to 34.1% in November 2020. It also fell among men, from 29.0% in September 2020 to 22.2% in November 2020. “Adult joblessness has been consistently higher among women than among men, with the women-men joblessness gap ranging from 10 to as high as 26 points since December 2011,” SWS said. The survey, conducted using face-to-face interviews, had sampling error margins of ±2.5% for national%ages, ±4% for Balance Luzon, and ±6% for Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao. (ManilaTimes.net)
VACCINATION PLAN. City health officer Dr. Roberto Romero (left standing) presents a situation report on a slideshow during the visit of the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team, led by the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Malabon City Hall on Tuesday, February 2. Among the topics discussed includes the Local Situation Report on COVID-19, National Action Plan (NAP) Against COVID-19 Phase III, and the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Duterte to Filipinos: Keep the faith by Catherine
S. Valente ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte called on the public to keep their faith in his administration amid allegations of corruption, particularly in the procurement of vaccines against COVID-19. In his weekly public address on Monday, February 1, Duterte gave assurances that there were enough funds to pay for Covid-19 vaccines. He noted that the country’s “greatest disadvantage” was that it was not as rich as Western countries that have pre-ordered 80% of the global vaccine supply. “Kung sino ‘yung makabayad ng una, mag-deposito na, tapos lalo na kung ‘yung bansa na ‘yon ang humihingi ng suplay ng vaccine is the country where the factory is located — tawagin natin factory — nandiyan, nauuna talaga sa kanila (Whoever gets to pay or make a deposit first, especially if that country seeking for a supply of vaccines is where the factory is located, then they will really get the vaccines first),” Duterte said.
“We have funds to pay for vaccines. Ang Asian Development Bank pati ang World Bank magpahiram sa atin para ibayad natin sa vaccine na bilhin natin (The Asian Development Bank, as well as the World Bank will lend us money to pay for the vaccines),” he added. The government’s efforts to procure Covid-19 vaccines were once questioned because of the non-disclosure of prices. Duterte slammed critics claiming corruption in the government’s vaccine procurement, urging Filipinos not to believe in their false accusations. “Ang hingiin ko lang sana, patapusin ninyo lang kami (All I ask of you is for you to let us do our job first). If there is a liability in one, there will be a liability in all,” the President said. “Do not be so gullible na basta maniwala kayo (that you’ll easily believe and) talk about corruption left and right. It starts with a big bang and ends with a whimper. Wala naman napakulong ‘yang mga ‘yan (They have not sent
anybody to prison),” he added. The President promised that vaccine procurement and rollout would be done “in accordance with the rule of law.” “Kung may maiwan na maniwala sa amin, just keep faith with us. At the end of the day, you will see that everything has been done in accordance with the rule of law,” he added. The President likewise asked the public to trust that the country’s vaccine czar, Carlito Galvez Jr., would get vaccines for the Philippines. “Just stick with General Galvez. Huwag na kayong lumipas sa kanya (Don’t overlook him) or ignore him and believe the others,” he said. Duterte also said vaccine deals would all be reviewed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd. “Ire-review nila ‘yan (They will first review it) before submitting it to the ADB and World Bank. He might opt to have it passed in a full vote in the] Cabinet meeting,” he added. On Monday, Galvez said the country had secured 106 to 108 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines after he signed five term sheets with manufacturers. n
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OpiniOn & Features
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A weapon vs money laundering BEATING the deadline, President Duterte signed into law on Jan. 29 Republic Act 11521, broadening the scope of RA 9160 – the original AntiMoney Laundering Act of 2001. Failure to enact the amendments to RA 9160 by Feb. 1 would have landed the Philippines on the so-called gray list of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force or FATF, which could have made it more difficult to do business in the country and remit earnings of Filipinos working overseas. Persons or entities covered by the two laws now include Philippine offshore gaming operators and POGO service providers as well as real estate developers and brokers. The covered offenses now include financing of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, tax evasion involving deficiencies above P25 million and casino cash transactions above P5 million. Terrorist offenses are defined under RA 11479, the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act that was signed into law in July last year. As allowed under this law, the Anti-Terrorism Council has started identifying groups classified as terrorist organiza-
tions, whose assets can be frozen and scrutinized by the Anti-Money Laundering Council or AMLC, and seized by the state. The groups include Islamist extremists operating mostly in Mindanao as well as the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the New People’s Army. The broader powers given to the AMLC, particularly in running after large-scale tax evasion, should give more teeth to the campaign against plunderers in government, jueteng lords, smugglers, drug traffickers and tax-evading POGOs. At the same time, care is required in applying the law against groups identified by the government as communist rebel front organizations, especially in the light of the recent “unpardonable gaffe” committed by the military in red-tagging certain alumni of the University of the Philippines. In complying with the FATF requirement, the AMLC has been handed a powerful weapon to curb money laundering. The weapon must be wielded to the fullest while exercising utmost prudence. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Biden-Harris national strategy to beat COVID-19: What we need to know
The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-reloS THE United States of America is back, reclaiming leadership in combatting and beating threats to the lives of the people and the planet. The coronavirus pandemic is the most urgent and fatal health emergency that has been the leading cause of death and disrupting the lives of people and the economy of nations for more than a year now. To defeat this invisible enemy that has taken the lives of more than 442,000 Americans and counting is top priority for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Barely two weeks since he was sworn into office, Biden and his administration have been acting swiftly and aggressively “to help protect and support our families, small businesses, first responders, and caregivers essential to help us face this challenge, those who are most vulnerable to health and economic impacts, and our broader communities — not to blame others or bail out corporations.” For the first time in this war against the pandemic, the United States has a national strategy to defeat COVID-19, guided by the following principles and commitment that had been absent from the previous federal leadership during the most critical time when the spread of the virus could have been mitigated. It did not have to be this bad in America. But it is never too late. The Biden-Harris administra-
tion commits to always: “Listen to science; Ensure public health decisions are informed by public health professionals; and Promote trust, transparency, common purpose, and accountability in our government.” The national strategy to beat COVID-19 is guided by the principle and goal of EQUALITY, which means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Recognizing that each person has different circumstances demands that there be equity, the Milken Institute of Public Health says, “and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there is health equity “when everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.” Theefore, “equity is a process and equality is an outcome of that process.” Therefore to achieve this and save more lives, President Biden and Vice President Harris are working on a seven-point plan to beat COVID-19: (whitehouse. gov) Ensure all Americans have access to regular, reliable, and free testing. • Double the number of drivethrough testing sites. • Invest in next-generation testing, including at home tests and instant tests, so we can scale up our testing capacity by orders of magnitude. • Stand up a Pandemic Testing Board like Roosevelt’s War Production Board. It’s how we produced tanks, planes, uniforms, and supplies in record time, and it’s how we will produce and distribute tens of millions of tests. • Establish a U.S. Public Health
Jobs Corps to mobilize at least 100,000 Americans across the country with support from trusted local organizations in communities most at risk to perform culturally competent approaches to contact tracing and protecting at-risk populations. Fix personal protective equipment (PPE) problems for good. President Biden is taking responsibility and giving states, cities, tribes, and territories the critical supplies they need. • Fully use the Defense Production Act to ramp up production of masks, face shields, and other PPE so that the national supply of personal protective equipment exceeds demand and our stores and stockpiles — especially in hard-hit areas that serve disproportionately vulnerable populations — are fully replenished. • Build immediately toward a future, flexible American-sourced and manufactured capability to ensure we are not dependent on other countries in a crisis. Provide clear, consistent, evidence-based guidance for how communities should navigate the pandemic – and the resources for schools, small businesses, and families to make it through. • Social distancing is not a light switch. It is a dial. President Biden will direct the CDC to provide specific evidence-based guidance for how to turn the dial up or down relative to the level of risk and degree of viral spread in a community, including when to open or close certain businesses, bars, restaurants, and other spaces; when to open or close schools, and what steps they need to take to make classrooms and facilities safe; appropriate restrictions on size of gatherings; when to issue
McCarthyism and Murphy’s Law
Street Talk GreG B. MacaBenta SEN. Joseph McCarthy conducted the infamous U.S. Senate antiCommunist inquiries in the 1950s that besmirched the reputation of many prominent Americans, particularly those in show business and the labor sector, among them, Hollywood legends Charlie Chaplin and Orson Welles and composer Leonard Bernstein. It took an official censure by the Senate, following a stinging rebuke by lawyer, Joseph Welch (“Have you no sense of decency?”) to put McCarthy in his place. “McCarthyism” has since become a synonym for “Red-baiting” and “Communist witch hunt.” Fears of McCarthyism appears to have swept across the major academic institutions in the Philippines in the wake of a social media posting containing a list of former University of the Philippines students who had allegedly joined the Communist New People’s Army. The list was posted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Office of Civil-Military Relations. Following howls of protests from the academic community, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana quickly announced that the AFP would
issue an apology. A guarded apology has since been issued, as follows: “We sincerely apologize for those who were inadvertently affected by inconsistencies regarding the List of Students who joined the NPA (Died or Captured) that was posted in the AFP Information Exchange Facebook account.” Does that settle the issue and should those who were “inadvertently” included in the list now breathe a sigh of relief? To the extent that Secretary Lorenzana is apparently not a McCarthyist, they can feel reassured. However, there is such a thing as Murphy’s Law which states, “If anything can go wrong, it will.” Plus another saying: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” The AFP maintains a list of persons who could pose a security risk to the country. It would be remiss if it did not do so. The government considers the Communist New People’s Army a serious threat. Thus compiling and maintaining a list of members — or suspected members — of the NPA is not at all surprising. In sum, such a list exists because of “good intentions.” The trouble is that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” The AFP list, in spite of the “inconsistencies” and inaccuracies, could
become a “shit list — or worse, a “hit list” — and those in it could become casualties of Murphy’s Law. It is a fact that authoritarian regimes throughout the world have been known to include in their “shit lists-cum-hit lists” the names of persons considered “disagreeable” or just plain pains-in-theneck. Many of these are students or media practitioners, as well as political rivals. During the regime of President Ferdinand Marcos, there were similar lists. Many of them joined the ranks of the disaparecido or “the missing.” It is also a fact that sinister antigovernment groups consider university campuses a rich source for recruiting disgruntled or adventurous youth for their cadres. This is not to say that every young person with activist leanings will end up on the wrong side of the law. Yet, that was how Jose Rizal, the Luna brothers, and the Los Indios Bravos were perceived — they who now occupy our pantheon heroes. Indeed, it takes an enlightened perspective and a great amount of wisdom and understanding to properly deal with the youth. They are, after all, the hope of the Motherland. Wouldn’t we rather have them become active and involved rather than passive and uncaring?
stay-at-home restrictions. • Establish a renewable fund for state and local governments to help prevent budget shortfalls, which may cause states to face steep cuts to teachers and first responders. • Call on Congress to pass an emergency package to ensure schools have the additional resources they need to adapt effectively to COVID-19. • Provide a “restart package” that helps small businesses cover the costs of operating safely, including things like plexiglass and PPE. Plan for the effective, equitable distribution of treatments and vaccines — because development isn’t enough if they aren’t effectively distributed. • Invest $25 billion in a vaccine manufacturing and distribution plan that will guarantee it gets to every American, cost-free. • Ensure that politics plays no role in determining the safety and efficacy of any vaccine. The following 3 principles will guide the Biden-Harris administration: Put scientists in charge of all decisions on safety and efficacy; publicly release clinical data for any vaccine the FDA approves; and authorize career staff to write a written report for public review and permit them to appear before Congress and speak publicly uncensored. • Ensure everyone — not just the wealthy and well-connected — in America receives the protection and care they deserve, and consumers are not price gouged as new drugs and therapies come to market. Protect older Americans and others at high risk. President Biden understands that older Americans and others
at high-risk are most vulnerable to COVID-19. • Establish a COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force, as proposed by Vice President Harris, to provide recommendations and oversight on disparities in the public health and economic response. At the end of this health crisis, it will transition to a permanent Infectious Disease Racial Disparities Task Force. • Create the Nationwide Pandemic Dashboard that Americans can check in real-time to help them gauge whether local transmission is actively occurring in their zip codes. This information is critical to helping all individuals, but especially older Americans and others at high risk, understand what level of precaution to take. Rebuild and expand defenses to predict, prevent, and mitigate pandemic threats, including those coming from China. • Immediately restore the White House National Security Council Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense, originally established by the Obama-Biden administration. • Immediately restore our relationship with the World Health Organization, which — while not perfect — is essential to coordinating a global response during a pandemic. • Re-launch and strengthen U.S. Agency for International Development’s pathogen-tracking program called PREDICT. • Expand the number of CDC’s deployed disease detectives so we have eyes and ears on the ground, including rebuilding the office in Beijing. Implement mask mandates nationwide by working with
governors and mayors and by asking the American people to do what they do best: step up in a time of crisis. Experts agree that tens of thousands of lives can be saved if Americans wear masks. President Biden will continue to call on: • Every American to wear a mask when they are around people outside their household. • Every Governor to make that mandatory in their state. • Local authorities to also make it mandatory to buttress their state orders. Once we succeed in getting beyond this pandemic, we must ensure that the millions of Americans who suffer long-term side effects from COVID don’t face higher premiums or denial of health insurance because of this new pre-existing condition. The Biden-Harris Administration will work to ensure that the protections for those with pre-existing conditions that were won with Obamacare are protected. And, they will work to lower health care costs and expand access to quality, affordable health care through a Medicare-like public option. ***
Of course, exposure to campus activism can also lead to radicalism. People with noble intentions can be led astray. Recruiters can be very persuasive, especially for restless and idealistic youth. I am reminded of an article that I wrote way back in 1957, as a teenage journalist, entitled, “11 Years Behind the Talahib Curtain.” It was a first-person account of Fely Cruz of Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, and how he was recruited by the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap), the forerunner of the NPA. Allow me to share an excerpt from that article: ”Although I had been a courier of the Kapulungan ng mga Magsasaka (a farmer’s union with evident communist leanings in Bantug Licab, Nueva Ecija, way back in 1931, under my brother Major Paredes), I joined the active movement only in early 1942, when the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon was organized. “On December 8, 1941, the Japanese forces stormed Nueva Ecija and spread terror in the countryside. At this, the outraged residents, particularly adventurous young men, went to the hills in small bands and stung the invading army from all points – raiding, looting and ambushing whenever they had a chance. “The resistance did not bother the Japanese much however. For every Nippon infantryman killed, several civilian heads rolled. It was then that a group of dynamic
leaders (which I found out later was the nucleus of the Red movement in Central Luzon), headed in Nueva Ecija by a man known only as Ka Piro from Quezon, Col. Dimasalang de Leon from Aliaga, Tandang Tisiong del Rosario from Talavera, and Col. Briones, a leader of Squadron 4 who later joined the USAFFE, called a meeting of all the scattered rebel forces on the 29th of March 1942, in a barrio in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija at the foot of Mt Arayat. “Being a farmer in Mamburao, Quezon, I went along with Ka Piro to the meet, together with two others, Mangilit and Vibora. All the while I thought that Ka Piro and the three Nuevo Ecijano leaders would run the confab. I was surprised, however, when throughout the three-day meet, a lean, khaki-clad man, surrounded by some husky orderlies, arranged the agenda and made final decisions on such problems as ammunition, civilian protection, organization and strategy. His confident gait and slow wellmodulated manner of speaking interested me. “I asked one of my companions who he was. ‘That is Supremo Luis Taruc,’ I was told. ‘He is the overall head of the movement.’ “The decisions made by the officers were not bared to us, except one, which was to be the aim of the movement: the v was strictly an anti-Japanese organization aimed at the upliftment of Free-
dom and Democracy. “There was not the slightest indication that, in the following years, our aims would undergo a radical twist: the destruction of Freedom and Democracy.” Cruz, a ranking officer of the Huk movement, was already living the quiet and peaceful life of a former insurgent when I interviewed him. He said he felt fortunate to be alive. Many of his comrades were not as lucky. I think our youth are also fortunate to have a DND chief who does not subscribe to McCarthyism, as well as military officers who are willing to apologize for their “inadvertence.” However, while there should be no reason to doubt the sincerity of their apology, I can’t help recalling a newspaper headline that read: “Half of the people in Congress are crooks!” Like the AFP’s social media posting, this headline raised a howl of protests and demands for a retraction and an apology. The next day, the newspaper ran the headline: “Half of the people in Congress are not crooks!” That didn’t seem like much of an apology. ***
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.
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.
*** gregmacabenta@hotmail.com
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THE ASIAN JOURNAL
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Friday, February 5, 2021
INSIDE >>> L I F E S T Y L E • C O N S U M E R G U I D E • C O M M U N I T Y • M A R K E T P L A C E Immigration Corner attY. MIcHael GUrFInKel, eSQ ON February 2, 2021, Pres. Biden issued several additional Executive Orders (EO) on immigration. They include: (a) establishing a task force to reunify families separated at the border; (b) developing a strategy to address the irregular migration across the southern border, including a plan for safe, lawful, and orderly migration to the U.S.; and (c) setting up a task force to “restore faith in our legal immigration system and promote integration of new Americans,” as well as re-
Biden’s newest executive Golden State Warriors virtually orders on immigration celebrate Filipino Heritage Night
scinding some of Trump’s public charge policies. The White House’s Fact Sheet on these EO’s notes that during Pres. Biden’s first day in office, he took steps to “fortify protections for Dreamers, end the Muslim and African ban, halt border wall construction,” as well as sending a proposed immigration reform to Congress, the “United States Citizenship Act of 2021”, which seeks to “modernize our immigration system and smartly manage our borders, while addressing the root causes of migration.”
Pres. Biden’s strategy is based on the premise that our country is “safer, stronger, and more prosperous with a fair, safe and orderly immigration system that welcomes immigrants, keep families together, and allows people – both newly arrived immigrants and people who have lived here for generations – to more fully contribute to our country.” As part of his EO to restore faith in our legal immigration system, Pres. Biden will establish a “task force on new Americans,” to ensure our legal immigration PAGE B3
BIDEN’S PROPOSED AMNESTY COULD POTENTIALLY HELP 11 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN THE U.S. FEATURED THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) presents the latest in immigration news and information, including details of President Biden’s proposed amnesty and pathway to U.S. citizenship in eight (8) years, as featured on his YouTube channel, “US Immigration TV.” Atty. Gurfinkel also answers questions from Linda of New Jersey (right) and Lea of Cavite, Philippines (center). They ask if health issues could affect one’s eligibility for an immigrant visa, and if admitting drug use to doctors at St. Luke’s could result in a lifetime ban. Be sure to watch a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot” this Sunday, February 7 at 5:30 pm PST/EST (8:30 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
BY
JoSePh l. Peralta / AJPRESS
THE COVID-19 pandemic has altered people’s lifestyles in the past year. With the shifting pandemic guidelines, many have had to follow the most basic ones, which include wearing face masks, doing social distancing and avoiding crowds or not mingling with people other than those in their households. In the world of sports, that has meant the cancellation of events or shortening of league seasons, in addition to quarantine measures. That also has meant empty arenas, devoid of fans screaming and shouting for their home teams. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has not been spared from that, with teams playing an additional eight games before the playoffs after the regular season was suspended (at that time, teams had played between 63 to 67 games) during the 2019-2020 season. The pre-playoff and playoff games leading to the NBA championship won by the Los Angeles Lakers was played in a so-called “bubble” in Florida to protect players and staff. The 2020-2021 is no different, with 72 games scheduled (instead of the normal 82-game schedule), as well as changes in opponent play and the establishment of a play-in tournament for teams in the 7th to 10th position for each conference. The Golden State Warriors, ever mindful of the fact that both fans and players relish their connection with each other especially during home games, unveiled what it deems as “a multidimensional plan for a connected and interactive fan, player, and partner ex-
The 12th annual Filipino Heritage Night Golden State Warriors game took place on January 30. Photos courtesy of Golden State Warriors
California state assemblymember Rob Bonta, the first Fil-Am elected to state legislature, shared with viewers a “Happy Filipino Heriage Night and Go Warriors” message.
perience at Warriors games this season.” The resulting in-game element enhancements include “Dub Hub,” which presents “an interactive opportunity for fans to appear live on virtual LED boards surrounding the court and in the player tunnel, offering a new perspective on Warriors basketball games.” Currently, the Golden State Warriors is the only team in the NBA to deploy a live, two-way interactive experience for fans in both the bowl arena and player tunnel. Filipino American Warriors fans were able to experience this during the 12th annual Filipino Heri-
Warriors legend Raymond Townsend (top and bottom photos), the first Filipino American to pay basketball in the NBA, talked about his pride as a Filipino and how happy he was to be among the first players to sit in on the plannng of the Filipino Heritage Night 15 years ago in a video message to viewers
tage Night Warriors game versus the Detroit Pistons last Saturday, January 30. PAGE B4
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‘Our stories are worth telling’: Kelly Marie Actor Darren Criss joins ‘The Voice’ Tran shares what ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ means for Southeast Asian representation by
By Christina
M. Oriel
AJPress
Arnis fighting sticks, Moro swords, wearing salakot (coneshaped hats) — these are some of the touches of Filipino culture in “Raya and the Last Dragon,” Disney’s forthcoming animated film that will be its first with a Southeast Asian warrior princess. Southeast Asian nations from the Philippines to Vietnam come together to embody the fantasy world of Kumandra, where Raya (voiced by Kelly Marie Tran) is on a quest to find the mythical last dragon and save humanity from evil forces. Whether it’s the environment or details on clothing, the elements were based on trips the production team, led by directors Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, took to several countries in the region.
Getting into the role of Raya felt natural for Tran, a Vietnamese American actress who becomes the first Southeast Asian to lead a Disney animated film. Along with Adele Lim (“Crazy Rich Asians”), Qui Nguyen served as a co-writer who was “specific about having Southeast Asian culture be represented in a way that was authentic,” Tran said. “I think you can see inspiration from that part of the world in the terrain and in the shapes in the movie and in the fabrics that people are wearing and the colors are used,” Tran, who is known for her work on “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” said during a recent press roundtable via Zoom. “I really do believe that Disney is very meticulous about wanting to accurately represent the parts of the world that their movies are about.” Apart from the cultural similar-
“Raya and the Last Drago” will hit theaters and Disney+ on March 5.
ities, Tran resonated with Raya being a lone warrior and strong in her convictions. “I think something that really help[ed] me was really honing in on like what is happening specifically in the scene for this character,” she said. “That’s what I do with all my work — really try to find the ways in which I have a commonality with my character and find that way in and then from there, piecing things together.” Early in the film (no spoilers!), Raya, like many protagonists before her, faces hardship that characterizes why she is guarded from others, but along the way, she learns to open up and see that the world can be changed for the better. “[Raya] is so unafraid to stand up for herself and what she believes in and to sort of give up everything in order fight for this beautiful vision of what she believes the world can be,” Tran said. In the barrier-breaking piece of “Raya” introducing Southeast Asian culture and taking a step in terms of representation, Tran said there shouldn’t be so much pressure on having to carry this moment of firsts. “I think that there should be a wealth of representation for every type of person from every part of world, every socioeconomic class, every ability, every sexual orientation and you know, every religion,” she said. “I would love if representation was further than where we are because then we wouldn’t have to feel this pressure every time something like this is being made because… it’s not fair to have to feel that.” With the trailer’s release, reactions from internet viewers have been mixed — from one side reeling in pieces of representation to another calling out the lack of more Southeast Asian voice actors. Key roles are played by actors of East Asian descent: Sisu, the blue dragon accompanying Raya on her mission, is voiced by Awkwafina; Daniel Dae Kim plays Raya’s father Benja; Gemma Chan lends her voice to Raya’s nemesis Namaari; and Sandra Oh voices Virana, Namaari’s mother. PAGE B4
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FILIPINO American actor Darren Criss has been revealed to join the upcoming 20th season of “The Voice,” premiering on March 1. NBC on Monday, February 1, announced that Criss will be one of this season’s Battle Advisors, picked by Coach Nick Jonas. Criss took to Instagram to express his thanks for being Jonas’ choice. “I know I joke a lot about being a bonus Jonas. But I guess if you joke enough about something, dreams… come… true? That’s the saying, right?” he said Monday. “Fo REAL tho, thank you @ nickjonas for inviting me as your battle advisor this season on @nbcthevoice !!! #TeamNick #SorryKevin #SorryJoe,” he added. Along with Criss, the Battle Advisors for the latest season are Luis Fonsi for Team Kelly, Brandy for Team Legend, and Dan + Shay for Team Blake. Criss was born to a Cebuana
Darren Criss and Nick Jonas
mother and American father. His notable roles include Blaine Anderson in the American musical comedy-drama television series “Glee” and Andrew Cunanan
Photo from Instagram/@darrencriss
in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” for which he received Emmy, Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and Golden Globe awards.
Chef Jordan Andino makes adobo, turon with pop star Selena Gomez By aJPress
FILIPINO American chef Jordan Andino shows viewers how to make two beloved Filipino dishes in the latest episode of “Selena + Chef,” the cooking show of actress and singer Selena Gomez on HBO Max. “Selena + Chef” is a show where Gomez attempts to cook different recipes alongside various guest celebrity chefs. In the episode, Andino virtually taught Gomez how to prepare one of the most beloved Filipino dishes, “adobo,” (chicken braised in vinegar, soy sauce and garlic) and popular snack “turon” (fried banana rolls). In an Instagram post, Andino expressed his excitement for the newest “Selena + Chef” episode, which aired on Thursday, January 28. “So stoked to announce that my episode of Selena + Chef with the one and only @SelenaGomez is out today! We spent a bunch of time chatting, digitally meeting each other’s friends and family, helping out those in need, and of course making some classic Fili-
Chef Jordan Andino is featured in an episode of Selena Gomez’s “Selena + Chef” on HBO Max.
pino dishes,” he wrote. “I guess you all have to watch and see what the true judge of my food says when my Lola comes in and critiques both mine and Selena’s final dishes,” he added. The Fil-Am chef was born in Toronto, Canada. He began his foray into the culinary world at the age of 9 learning under his father and later honed his training & experience working at acclaimed restaurants including The French Laundry, Spago, and Jean Georges. According to his website, Andino’s cooking is an inspired
combination of his grandmother and father — a blend of classic Filipino cuisine and French technique. Andino owns a Filipino taqueria called Flip Sigi in New York’s West Village. “I want people to understand that Filipino food isn’t scary and that it actually is, probably on [the] top three cuisines in the world. But no one knows about it so I’m just here to give people a taste…What I envision is refining Filipino food to the point of Michelin star cuisine,” Andino told the Asian Journal in a 2016 interview.
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World’s first all-civilian mission to space will This Sunday on Citizen Pinoy: President usher in new era of commercial space exploration Biden’s amnesty to potentially benefit Inspiration4 mission will be commanded by tech 11M undocumented immigrants entrepreneur and pilot Jared Isaacman who donates all crew seats and invites the public to participate
LOS ANGELES – Plans for the world’s first all-civilian mission to space were announced on Monday, February 1 from SpaceX’s headquarters in Hawthorne, CA. The mission is being targeted for the fourth quarter of this year and will be commanded by Jared Isaacman, the 37-year-old founder and chief executive officer of Shift4 Payments [NYSE:FOUR] and an accomplished pilot. Named Inspiration4 in recognition of the four-person crew’s mission to inspire support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and send a humanitarian message of possibility, the journey represents a new era for human spaceflight and exploration. Isaacman is donating the three mission seats alongside him to crew members who will be selected to represent the mission pillars of leadership, hope, generosity and prosperity. Said Isaacman, “Inspiration4 is the realization of a lifelong dream and a step towards a future in which anyone can venture out and explore the stars. I appreciate the tremendous responsibility that comes with commanding this mission and I want to use this historic moment to inspire humanity while helping to tackle childhood cancer here on Earth.” Isaacman and the Inspiration4 crew will undergo commercial astronaut training by SpaceX on the Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft, including a specific focus on orbital mechanics, operating in microgravity, zero gravity, and other forms of stress testing. They will receive emergency preparedness training, spacesuit and spacecraft ingress and egress exercises, as well as partial- and full-mission simulations. The mission will launch from historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and will be carefully monitored at every step by SpaceX mission control as the spacecraft orbits the planet every 90 minutes along a customized flight path. Upon conclusion of the multi-day journey, Dragon will reenter Earth’s atmosphere for a soft water landing off the coast of Florida. Isaacman has given St. Jude two seats on the Inspiration4 mission. The first seat is reserved for a St. Jude ambassador with direct ties to the mission who exemplifies the pillar of Hope as well as the courageous vision upon which St. Jude was founded – compassion, unity, equality and inclusion. The second seat will represent the mission pillar of Generosity. During the month of
LEADING U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel presents the latest in immigration news and analysis, and explains details of President Biden’s proposed immigration reforms, from his YouTube channel, “US Immigration TV.” He also answers questions from Kapamilya from the East
Coast and the Philippines. Linda from Dumont, New Jersey asks if her sister’s health condition could affect her petition. Lea from Cavite in the Philippines would like to know if admitting drug use to doctors at St. Luke’s could result in a lifetime ban.
These questions and more will be answered on the show. Get the latest immigration updates on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot this Sunday, February 7 at 5:30 pm PST/EST (8:30 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
Biden’s newest executive orders on immigration PAGE B1 system “operates fairly and efficiently.” He instructs various governmental agencies to “conduct a top to bottom review” of Trump’s recent immigration regulations, policies, and guidance that have set up barriers to our legal immigration system. More importantly, this particular EO rescinds or cancels Trump’s policy/memorandum “requiring family sponsors to repay the government if relatives receive public benefits.” It also instructs governmental agencies to review the public charge rule and related policies, as well as streamline the naturalization process. While this EO holds promise and is encouraging in terms of its pro-immigration tone, most
of it appears to be setting up task forces to study the problems and make recommendations for future changes. However, at least it shows that Biden is focusing on taking a radical departure from Trump’s harsh enforcement policies, and is taking a very liberal, pro-immigration stance. I will continue to keep you updated on further developments and changes to immigration laws and enforcement policies, and how those changes may affect you, your family, and your case. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.
Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
Breakout star Ella Jay Basco releases song with rapper Ruby Ibarra By Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
St. Jude patient Zahaan, age 7, in 2017 Photo Courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
February, members of the public can enter for a chance to join the flight to space and support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude. Isaacman has committed to give $100 million to St. Jude and is inviting everyone to join him in attempting to raise upwards of $200 million or more in support of St. Jude’s multi-billion dollar expansion aimed to accelerate research advancements and save more children worldwide. He will also offer additional support to the St. Jude fundraising effort in the form of other prizes, including flights in a military jet and flight gear. An accomplished pilot rated to fly commercial and military aircraft, Isaacman holds several world records including a Speed-Around-The-World flight to raise money and awareness for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. He has flown in over 100 airshows as part of the Black Diamond Jet Team, dedicating every performance to charitable causes. In 2011, Isaacman co-founded what
would become the world’s largest private air force, Draken International, to train pilots for the United States Armed Forces. “The same year St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital broke boundaries by opening its doors, the first American orbited the Earth in 1962,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. “From the beginning, St. Jude has been at the forefront of innovation and inclusion, leading in cancer research, care and treatment for some of the world’s sickest children regardless of race, ethnicity, beliefs or a family’s ability to pay. This partnership brings two missions together to create one incredible moment in time that will make an impact for years to come on the global effort to cure childhood cancer.” Isaacman will collaborate with Shift4 Payments to offer the PAGE B4
“BIRDS of Prey” actress Ella Jay Basco has teamed up with Filipina American rapper Ruby Ibarra to release a song about brown skin despite society upholding colorism. Their latest collaboration titled “Gold” talks about accepting the color of your skin and being proud of it. “GOLD ft. @rubyibarra is out now!!! Mainly streaming on Spotify, Apple, and BandCamp so go check it out!!! We wanted to make a song that speaks out to brown pride and the color of our beautiful golden skin,” Basco wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday, January 27. Basco, 14, was born to a Filipino father and Korean American mother, and comes from a lineage of actors. She is best known for her role as Cassandra Cain in “Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn),” which stars Margot Robbie and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. “I definitely remember seeing kid actors in the business and I remember telling my mom that I wanted to be in the industry and I wanted to be seen on the screen,” she told the Asian Journal in a Feb. 2020 interview. She has also appeared in television shows like “Veep,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Teachers,” “Superior Donuts,” “Happyland” and the short film “Glimpse of Heaven.” Outside of acting, Basco is a singer/songwriter and accomplished musician, playing the guitar, piano and ukulele. She is also a trained dancer. Ibarra, 29, was born in Tacloban, Philippines. She moved to San Lorenzo, California at four years old.
“Birds of Prey” star Ella Jay Basco and rapper Ruby Ibarra collaborated on a new song about celebrating their skin.
In a previous interview with Asian Journal, Ibarra shared that Filipino rapper Francis Magalona was one of her musical inspirations along with American artists Tupac, Lauryn Hill and the Wu-Tang Clan. She released her debut album, “Circa91,” in October 2017 where the rapper shared her story and struggles as a Filipina American millennial raised in the Bay Area. “When it comes down to it, my music will always be a reflection of my experiences and who I am as a person, so I don’t want to ever escape from my music being Filipino,” she told the Asian Journal. Ibarra studied biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of California, Davis and juggles being a scientist and a musician.
Disney Legend awardee Lea Salonga heads Celebrity World February celebrities-birthday celebrants By Ferdie Villar INTERNATIONALLY known Filipino Broadway star and singer Lea Salonga will celebrate her 50th birthday on Friday, February 22 and heads a bevy of prominent personalities celebrating their birthday in February, the month of love. Lea Salonga, born on February 22, 1971, is best known for starring in the lead role of Kim in the musical “Miss Saigon,” for which she won an Olivier, a Tony, a Drama Desk, an Outer Critic and a Theatre World award. In 1993, she was the first Filipino artist signed to an international record label (Atlantic Records), and is also cited as the first Philippine-based artist to have received a major album release and distribution deal in the United States (the second being Charice Pempengco with her 2010 album Charice). Salonga is one of the best-selling
Filipino artists of all time, having sold over 5 million copies of her albums worldwide. She is the first Asian actress to play the roles of Eponine and Fantine in the musical “Les Miserables” on Broadway, roles which she portrayed in the musical’s 10th and 25th anniversary shows in London, respectively. She has also provided the singing voice of two official Disney princesses: Jasmine (Aladdin, 1992) and Fa Mulan (Mulan, 1998; Mulan II, 2004). Salonga was named a Disney Legend in 2011 for her work with The Walt Disney Company. Lea is the daughter of Feliciano Genuino Salonga and Ligaya Alcantara Imutan. She spent the first six years of her childhood in Angeles City (Pampanga) before moving to Manila. She has a brother, Gerard Salonga, who is an orchestra conductor and mu-
Anthony Perez, successful Antioch care home manager, celebrates his birthday on Wednesday, February 10.
Glenda Kennedy, Hollywood stage actress and commercial model, celebrates her birthday on Thursday, February 18.
Internationally known artist Lea Salonga heads the prominent list of entertainment personalities celebrating their birthdays in February. She celebrates her lucky 50th birthday on Monday, February 22.
Martin Nievera, Concert King in the Philippine entertainment world, celebrates his birthday on Friday, February 5. He is shown in photo with beauty impresario Ferdie Villar during one of his concerts in the Bay Area.
Johnny Manahan, Brightlight Productions production consultant and TV/film director, actor and writer, celebrates his birthday on Thursday, February 11.
so-Channel 7 actress Lovi Poe, actress/TV host/singer Jackie Lou Blanco; February 13: Daly City real estate broker Lita Celimen; the late Mr. Total Entertainer Rico J. Puno; February 14: Queen of All Media and TV host Kris Aquino, Kapuso-Channel 7 actress Heart Evangelista, Star Cinema actordancer John Prats, actress Roxanne Guinoo-Yap; February 15: PBA basketball star James Yap; February 17: Movie actress/ TV host/model/recording artist Anne Curtis; February 18: Hollywood stage actress and commercial model Glenda Kennedy, ABS-CBN newscaster/TV host/reporter Bernadette Sembrano-Aguinaldo; February 19: Actress Assunta De Rossi, Daly City Filipina community leader Joy Cabrera; February 20: Kapamilya Channel 2 actress and dancer Cristine
Reyes; February 21: Filipino American business executive Sean Rennock; February 23: Real estate agent Ramon (Monching) Bunag; February 24: Former TV5 entertainment head Wilma Galvante; February 25: The late fashion czar Jose (Pitoy) Moreno; February 26: Equestrienne champion/TV host/model/actress Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski; February 27: World renowned recording artist Josh Groban, well-liked dentist and singing tenor the late Dr. Narciso (Tito) Yusi, Alameda religious/civic leader and Roco Medical Clinic administrator Bernadette Munoz Roco, Navy pilot Michael Back; February 29: San Francisco community leader Antonio Villegas. To all celebrants, Happy Birthday! And to all my readers, advanced Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 1: Famous Filipino hairstylist Fanny Ferrano; February 2: Kaiser Permanente Hospital South San Francisco nurse Alma Bernabe Roxas; February 3: ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer of Star Creatives Malou Santos; February 5: Concert King Martin Nievera; February 6: LuzViMin of the Bay Area president Ora Seyler, entertainment producer-actress Daisy Romualdez; February 7: Kapuso Channel 7 actor Luis Alandy; former Miss R.P.-USA Willard Torres of Hayward; February 8: Filipino doctor John Gabordo of Gilroy; February 10: Successful Antioch care home mananger Anthony Perez, ballroom dancer Jose (Joe) de Guzman, former medical assistant Ricky Umali; February 11: Brightlight ProJoy de Mesa Cabrera, Daly City Filipina community leader, celebrates her birthday ductions production consultant and film/TV director, actor and on Friday, February 19. writer Johnny Manahan; Kapusical arranger. Other prominent personalities celebrating their birthdays in February are:
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Golden State Warriors virtually celebrate... PAGE B1 A wide variety of groups were invited to join that night’s Dub Hub experience, including those from The Sarap Shop (Filipino American eatery inside the Chase Center), Bayanihan Equity Center, Filipino Community Center, SOMA Pilipinas, Manilatown Heritage Foundation, Filipino American Arts Exposition, West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center and Filipino Advocates for Justice. Additionally, the Warriors organization presented messages from State Assemblyman Rob Bonta, the first Filipino American elected to the California State Assembly, and Raymond Townsend, the first Filipino American to play in the NBA and who is considered a Warriors legend, aside from posting Filipino heritage-inspired recipes on Chase Center social media (including a Cable Car cocktail and ceviche dish sponsored by Tanduay). Prior to the game, fans had the opportunity to listen to Warriors coach Steve Kerr as he answered a variety of questions from media and chimed in on the current season’s performance by the team, lineup changes, injured player Klay Thompson’s broadcast booth performance, former Warrior’s player Festus Ezili’s planned comeback, Draymond Green’s play and Michael Jordan’s on-court leadership. A pre-recorded performance of the U.S. national anthem was before tip-off, sung by San Josebased Fil-Am choir Bytes and Notes Chorale. At half-time, a pre-recorded performance by Filipino rapper and Bay Area native, P-Lo, was shown to Dub Hub viewers. To enhance the experience for Filipino Heritage Night, the Warriors organization customized a Warriors Filipino Star logo as one of the motion fan prompts for Dub Hub participants, along with prompts for defense, 3-point basket, plastic sticks and a bell ring. Arena emcee Fil-Am Franco
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Fil-Am Warriors fans were able to buoy their favorite players in the player tunnel as part of the Dub Hub experience during Filipino Heritage Night. Photos courtesy of Golden State Warriors
Finn acted as Dub Hub host during the broadcast, encouraging fans to make noise and use the prompts when Warriors players entered the player tunnel, when 3-point shots swished in for Warriors shooters, when the team was defending the basket, or when Pistons players were shooting free throws. DJ Umami, another Fil-Am, was shown on the broadcast providing the music inside the arena. Dance numbers presented by the Warriors senior and junior dance teams also showcased Filipino Americans who are part of the Warriors entertainment family. A game item was offered during Filipino Heritage Night – A Warriors Filipino Heritage Night t-shirt. The t-shirt design included a Warriors Filipino star logo and a “joy ball,” nodding to the Warriors theme of “Joy in Buckets.” Dub Hub access According to the Warriors organization, 120 fans will have the opportunity to partake in Dub Hub each game, with 32 fans being granted VIP access which allows them pre-game access to interact with the players as they run through the player tunnel. Also, the organization is inviting select Season Ticket members and various community groups to each game. Attendees are able to access views from four broadcast camera
Fil-Am rapper and Bay Area native P-Lo’s pre-recorded performance was shown at halftime.
angles that can be interchanged at a touch of a button, or can all be viewed simultaneously as one grid. Select Dub Hub viewers can also interact with fans in their own VIP rooms, or interact with other fans. Warriors fans who wish to partake in Dub Hub can get more information at warriors.com, including the chance to enter to win access. “I’m proud of how we’ve turned a difficult challenge into a unique opportunity during this unusual time,” said Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts in a release given to media. “This innovative and reimagined entertainment strategy will enable us to stay connected with our fans and partners via, among other elements, virtual fan engagement opportunities, additional partner signage spaces and an enhanced audio plan. It’s exciting.” Game recap The Warriors team, to the delight of their Filipino American fans, drubbed the Detroit Pistons, 118-91, putting their win-loss record at that point to 11-9. Led by Stephen Curry’s 28 points, the Warriors executed on both ends of the floor and were engaged defensively throughout the contest, battling for loose balls, blocking shots, getting into passing lanes, and chasing after and challenging shots by Detroit’s shooters. In all, ten of the 12 players fielded by coach Kerr scored, including starters Andrew Wiggins (20) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (18). Jordan Poole and James Wiseman led off-thebench contributors with 16 and 11 points, respectively. There was one moment of concern in the game as rookie Wiseman fell on his left wrist while making an alley-oop play in the first half. He was later diagnosed with a sprained left wrist which will see him out seven to 10 days.
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‘Our stories are worth telling’: Kelly Marie Tran... PAGE B3 Cassie Steele, a Filipina-Canadian actress, was initially announced to voice the titular role at the 2019 D23 Expo but was replaced by Tran, who brings Raya to life and relatability. Though Steele’s participation could have been a stride for the global Filipino community, various internet users nonetheless clung to the instances of their culture teased in the trailer. “As a Filipina-American, I am heavily emotional over this trailer for Raya and The Last Dragon. I am so proud of this representation. Using Arnis, wearing the salakot, holding the Moro sword... the different colors on their people. I’m crying. I am so proud,” one Fil-Am viewer wrote on Twitter. “It’s SO cool to see Filipino cultural references in Raya and the Last Dragon, I love seeing something represented from my own culture with a brand I love like Disney. Also the diver-
sity in the cast?? They LOOK like my own family, its beautiful SE asian representation so far,” a user wrote on Twitter. “*scream noises because i see Raya using the filipino martial art arnis and wearing a sakalot and holding the moro sword* IM SO HYPED BECAUSE THE REP- the v/as are east asian though for some reason despite this movie being inspired by SEA but anyways still EXCITED,” another individual said. But whether you are of Asian descent or want to learn more about the Southeast Asian region and its cultures, Tran said, there is “something for everyone.” “I want audiences to take away the idea that we are human beings who exist who have important stories to tell and our stories are worth telling. It feels like that to me is common sense…I feel really grateful that we’re part of a movie that is honoring this part of the world,” Tran said. “What’s going to be
World’s first all-civilian mission to space will... PAGE B3 fourth and final crew seat representing the prosperity mission pillar to a deserving entrepreneur who utilizes the new Shift4Shop eCommerce platform, which empowers entrepreneurs to build and grow successful eCommerce businesses online. Current and new Shift4Shop customers will have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to enter an online competition showcasing them and their business. The competition will be conducted from February 1-28, 2021 and the winner will be selected by a panel of independent judges. Shift4 Payments is providing marketing support for the mission and will leverage one of the biggest popular culture events of the year, Super Bowl LV this Sunday, to dramatically introduce the mission and its purpose to the public. A 30-second spot will air during the first quarter of the Big Game and invite all viewers to support and be part of this historic journey through the St. Jude and Shift4Shop programs. Isaacman concluded: “Today’s announcement is the first step of a very exciting journey. In the lead-up to launch, we’ll share new ways to support and follow our mission preparation and execution with a focus on inspiring and helping others.”
To learn more about Inspiration4, how to support and potentially join this historic journey to space and the specific conditions of the promotions, visit www.Inspiration4.com and follow the mission on social media on Twitter (@inspiration4x), Facebook (@inspiration4mission), Instagram (@inspiration4) and YouTube (@Inspiration4) to receive the latest news on mission training and preparation. Individuals who are interested in learning how to enter for an opportunity to win one of the two seats being offered should visit inspiration4.com and review the Official Rules for the applicable promotion. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child
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really cool about it is when people recognize that the messages and characters, and the ability to relate to these characters, is a universal thing.” In addition to the strides of representation, “Raya and the Last Dragon” is Disney’s first entirely made from home when production, which began when the pandemic hit, was forced to move remotely. Behind the scenes, voice actors set up recording booths at their homes, while animators and other crew members set up computer stations in their living rooms. “One thing that was sad about it was that we couldn’t be together…[But] I really feel like we all were just feeling pretty lucky to be part of something bigger than us during this time,” Tran said. “Raya and the Last Dragon” is set to release on March 5 in theaters and on Disney+ with Premiere Access for an additional $29.99 fee.
saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude. org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter, Instagram and subscribing to its YouTube channel. Shift4 Payments (NYSE: FOUR) is a leading provider of integrated payment processing and technology solutions, delivering a complete omnichannel ecosystem that extends beyond payments to include a wide range of commerce-enabling services. The company’s technologies help power over 350 software providers in numerous industries, including hospitality, retail, F&B, ecommerce, lodging, gaming, and many more. The newly launched Shift4Shop platform offers a turnkey ecommerce experience includes a robust website builder, product and order management, customer marketing tools and more. With over 7,000 sales partners, the company securely processed more than $200 billion in payments volume for over 200,000 businesses in 2019. For more information, visit shift4. com.
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • febRUARy 5-11, 2021
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february 5-11, 2021 • NOrCaL aSIaN JOurNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
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