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FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021 Serving San Diego Since 1987 • 12 Pages
T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c a n C o m m u n i t y N e w s pa p e r
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DATELINE
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Indian Fil-Am millennial joins VP Harris’ team as policy advisor
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US, PH reaffirm defense alliance by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THE Philippines and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to the defense alliance through the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). In an introductory phone call made on Wednesday, February 10, Philippine Defense
Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and his counterpart U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III discussed a number of priority bilateral defense issues for both countries. “Secretary Austin affirmed the U.S. commitment to the U.S.-Philippines alliance and our bilateral Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), highlighting the value the VFA brings to both countries,” said a Pentagon readout.
AS the Biden-Harris administration pledges diverse staffing to reflect the country, several individuals of Filipino descent have been named to key roles to help shape policies across the federal government. The latest Filipino American to join the new leadership is Michael George, who has dedicated his career examining how policy can improve social mobility and reduce inequalities.
‘Safety should be the priority’: Fil-Am teachers respond to calls to reopen schools without vaccinations
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KUNG HEI FAT CHOI. Red Chinese lanterns adorn bazaar stalls at the Gateway Mall in Quezon City on Wednesday, February 10. Araneta City in Cubao has started to showcase its theme for the Chinese New Year on Friday, February 12 as well as for Valentine’s Day this month. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Suspect arrested in Fil-Am man slashed in the face while riding NYC subway recent Bay Area attacks A FILIPINO American man received almost 100 stitches after he was slashed across the face by another passenger on the New York City subway last week. Noel Quintana, 61, was riding the L train to get to work in Harlem on Wednesday, February 3, when a man walked by and kicked the tote bag that Quintana had set on the train floor, according to a New York Daily News report. When Quintana confronted the man after he noticed his bag being kicked again, the man took out a box cutter, slashed Quintana across the face from cheek to cheek and took off. None of the passengers came to Quintana’s aid, according to him. When he realized that the train was continuing the trip despite what happened, he stepped out and had to walk all
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on elderly AAPI residents White House responds to the attacks as AAPI communities share outrage over ‘hate crimes’
Filipino American community leaders led by Fr. Julian Jagudilla of the Migrant Center of New York held a Zoom prayer rally on Wednesday, Feb. 10, calling for justice for Noel Quintana and for an end to anti Asian violence. Quintana was a victim of a violent subway attack last week on his way to work.
FOLLOWING a disturbing slew of violent assaults on elderly Asian residents in the Bay Area, Oakland police announced on Monday, Feb. 8 that it had arrested and charged a suspect for a savage assault on a 91-year-old Asian man in Chinatown. Police said they believe that Yahya Muslim (unclear whether the suspect is of Muslim faith) is also behind the attacks of a 60-year-old Asian man and a 55-year-old Asian woman on the same day — Sunday, Jan. 31 — and neigh-
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IATF expands list of Comelec urges Filipinos abroad foreign nationals to join internet voting test run allowed to enter PH by AJPress
by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
STARTING February 16, foreigners with certain visas can enter the Philippines, according to new guidelines released by the country’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). Foreign nationals who have visas issued as of March 20, 2020, as well as those who have valid and existing visas at the time of entry, are permitted to enter the country. “The Inter-Agency Task Force on Thurs-
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Support grows for Rob Bonta as California’s next attorney general
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AS COVID-19 vaccinations continue to be distributed across the country, the debate over whether schools should reopen came to a head when the top official of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it would be possible to reopen schools without requiring vaccines. “There is increasing data to suggest that schools can safely reopen and that safe reopening does not suggest that teachers need to be vaccinated,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said at a White House press briefing on Wednesday, Feb. 3.
The defense chiefs discussed the importance of enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ capabilities and increasing interoperability between the two militaries through a variety of bilateral security cooperation activities. Lorenzana and Austin also discussed regional security challenges, including the South China Sea, counterterrorism, and maritime security.
AHEAD of the 2022 Philippine general election, overseas Filipino voters are urged to participate in a test run of four internet voting solutions by different election systems providers. The country’s Commission on Elections (Comelec) Office for Overseas Voting (OFOV) is calling on overseas voters who have active and complete voter registration records to take part in the trial. “Their registration status must be active, which means that it must not have been deactivated for failure to vote in the two previous elections in 2016 and 2019,”
the poll body said on Monday, February 8. The test participants must also have complete biometrics data, including photograph, fingerprints and signature. A smartphone capable of running Android or iOS apps, a laptop or personal computer, or any mobile device with internet/data access is required in order to participate in the test run. “In compliance with our data privacy policy, interested participants will be required to email us their signed consent form, together with a copy of their passport or seafarer’s book. We advise that they only send these documents to our official email address at overseasvoting@comelec.gov.ph.” said
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DOZENS of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) elected officials, community leaders and advocacy groups are coming together anew to urge Governor Gavin Newsom “to make history” by appointing Assemblymember Rob Bonta as attorney general. Another letter was sent to Newsom’s office on Feb. 3 reminding the governor that he has “the unique opportunity in this critical moment to send a strong message and make history” given that AAPIs are the fastest-growing and third-largest ethnic group in the Golden State. Bonta — the state’s first Filipino American legislator — was reelected for a fifth term last November to represent the 18th Assembly district, which covers the East Bay areas of Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro. He currently serves as the assistant majority leader, and sits on several committees, including appropriations and health. Since December, he has become a contender to fill the seat once Attorney General Xavier Becerra is confirmed as the Health and Human Services secretary for the Biden administration. “Regardless of race, Assemblymember Bonta is the
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Fil-Am LAPD security officer remembered after battle with COVID-19 by AJPress A THIRD Filipino American working at the Los Angeles Police Department has succumbed to COVID-19, becoming the department’s eighth employee taken by the virus. Dexter De Los Santos, a fulltime security guard with the Security Services Division, died on January 29, the department announced. He was 41 years old.
De Los Santos graduated from Daniel Murphy High School in Los Angeles and worked various jobs before fulfilling his dream of joining the LAPD in 2012. “He was well known for his wittiness, generosity, big heart and the person this colleagues could depend on for covering holiday and late shifts. This was mostly because Dexter’s main goal was to make the world a safer place for all,” his family wrote in an email to the Asian Journal. He embodied the role of a “kuya” (older brother) as the eldest of three siblings, and extended that to his cousins and later when he became an uncle and grand uncle. “When times were tough, he was the person to bring spirits up, mostly through his witty jokes and infectious smile,” his family said. The department has lost eight officers and civilian employees since the beginning of the pandemic.
Dexter De Los Santos (August 28, 1979 - January 29, 2021)
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FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588
From The Front Page
City of San Diego offers low-interest rate loans to help businesses adapt during pandemic
Loans ranging from $25,000 to $95,000 for businesses that meet criteria as part of CARES Act revolving loan fund
HEARTS AND SIGNS. Mallgoers take a look at Chinese zodiac readings based on animal signs that are placed on huge heart-shaped panels for the Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day at Gateway Mall activity area in Quezon City on Wednesday, February 10. According to Chinese zodiac, 2021 is the Year of the Metal Ox. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
SAN DIEGO – In order to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of San Diego is providing access to financial assistance to cover expenses such as furniture, safety equipment, website development and digital marketing. The financial assistance, in the form of low-interest rate loans, is aimed at helping businesses adapt by moving their operations outdoors or expanding services online. “With the pandemic, it’s our goal as a City to do everything we can to help small businesses survive,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “We hope by lending financial assistance, we can help these businesses with a much-needed lifeline during this time of uncertainty.” The City’s Economic Development Department (EDD) will be issuing business loans ranging from $25,000 to $95,000 to qualified businesses as part of the CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. The non-forgivable, term loans are intended to help entrepreneurs adapt their business models to operating under pandemic restrictions while retaining or creating jobs. The City may only make RLF loans that are reasonably expected to be repaid in full. “We hope many of the business that qualify will take advantage of this unique opportunity,” said Christina Bibler, director of the Economic Development Department. “We recognize many businesses are struggling with payrolls, overhead and other expenses as they try to adapt to
SD mayor Todd Gloria
changes in this new environment. As a City we want to stand by them to help them modify their businesses as they weather this economic storm in the hopes that brighter days are ahead.” The RLF loans come with a 3% fixed annual interest rate and a general term of 54 to 78 months, depending on the size and use of the loan. No payments or interest are accrued for the first six months and the range of loans available is between $25,000 to $95,000. Financial assistance will be given to qualified small businesses based on the availability of funds, program guidelines and the submission of all required information and supporting documentation for the preliminary
online application and underwriting phases. Priority will be given to smaller businesses within underserved communities or those operating within these four economic base sectors and key industries: • Manufacturing & Innovation including biotech and medical devices, cleantech, electronics and telecommunications, food and beverage. • International Trade & Logistics. • Military including defense, maritime and aerospace. • Tourism including conventions and visitors. Businesses can check to see if they are eligible for the loans by visiting sandiego.gov/CARESActRLF.
Comelec urges Filipinos abroad... PAGE 1 OFOV Director Sonia Bea L. Wee-Lozada. Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez told Rappler that the test run is not specifically for the 2022 elections. “The dry run is being undertaken under the Comelec’s mandate to study new forms of voting, to facilitate the exercise of
the right of suffrage by overseas voters. The results of the dry run will be eventually presented to Congress, for Congress to decide if it should be adopted for overseas voting,” he said. “As you can imagine, that is a long process and so, 2022 is an unrealistic target,” he added. The four internet voting solutions are from Dominion Voting
Systems, Indra, Smartmatic, and Voatz. Overseas Filipinos who are interested in joining may get the sign-up form posted on the OFOV’s official Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/overseasvotingph). Test voters have until 8 a.m. (Manila time) on Friday, February 12, to sign up.
Noel Quintana received nearly 100 stitches on his face after an attack on the New York subway.
ABC7 New York/Screenshot
Fil-Am man slashed in the face... PAGE 1 t the way to the end of the station to ask for help from the booth attendant who called 911. “I thought he was just going to punch me, I didn’t realize what happened until I saw the reaction of the passengers. They were shocked, but no one helped. When I put my hand on my face, I felt blood oozing out,” Quintana said in a Zoom prayer rally on Wednesday, Feb. 10, recalling the incident in detail. Quintana was taken to Bellevue Hospital where he stayed overnight for treatment. Fr. Julian Jagudilla of the Migrant Center of New York led the Zoom prayer rally in support of Quintana who does volunteer work for the organization. “I’m upset because he is a good person, not violent, meant no harm for others. I’m upset because it’s being portrayed not as an anti Asian attack but just like any other attacks,” Fr. Jagudilla told theAsian Journal. Quintana’s attack is the fifth known subway slashing attack in the past week, according to police reports. The latest assault happened last Sunday, Feb. 7 at Sutphin Blvd. and Archer Ave. in Queens. Later that evening, there was another incident at the West 4th/Washington Square Park station in Manhattan. On Saturday, Feb. 6, a 30-year-old man as stabbed in
the face on a J train at the Kosciuszko Street station in Brooklyn. Quintana was one of two victims on Wednesday, Feb. 3. The other one was a 22-year-old man who was also slashed in the face at Grand Central Terminal. “I feel surprisingly OK. I can tolerate it,” Quintana told the NY Daily News about his injury. He added, “Once in a while I take some pain relievers just to ease my pain. What bothers me is my face is still swollen, (and) that’s why I feel strange.” The assailant was able to flee when the train stopped at First Avenue and 14th Street. The New York Police have released images of the man and are asking the public’s help to find him. The assailant was described as between 20 and 30 years old, wearing a brown mask with a Louis Vuitton logo, a black North Face jacket, red bandana, and light-colored sneakers. Quintana said this isn’t the first time he experienced a violent encounter on the subway. Two years ago, he was mugged and socked in the face when he alighted from the subway’s Manhattan station. “I fell on the ground, but it was nothing like this,” he told the news outlet. Quintana’s experience is among the latest reported sub-
way attacks in the city, and in a series of troubling violence against older Asian American individuals across the country. A day after the attack, Quintana saw Mayor Bill de Blasio on television saying that subway crime is lower this year. “I realized I should come forward and do something. I don’t want to just be a statistic,” he said. In Oakland’s Chinatown, a viral video shows a suspect forcefully pushing a 91-year-old man to the ground. Actors Daniel Dae Kim and Daniel Wu are offering a $25,000 rewardfor any information leading to an arrest in the attack. In late January, 84-yearold Vicha Ratanapakdee, who was originally from Thailand, died from injuries after Antoine Watson, 19, knocked him to the ground while on his morning walk in the Anza Vista neighborhood of San Francisco. A fundraiser for Ratanapakdee’s family has raised over $52,000. From March to December 2020, Stop AAPI Hate, an online reporting tracking anti-Asian hate incidents, received 2,808 reported incidents of racism and discrimination targeting community members, as previously reported by the Asian Journal. (Ritchel Mendiola and Momar G. Visaya / AJPress)
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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021
Suspect arrested in recent... PAGE 1 borhood in which the 91-year-old was attacked. The names of the victims have not been released. Surveillance video footage of the 91-year-old victim’s assault, which went viral on social media last week, showed the victim walking along the sidewalk in broad daylight when the suspect — who police allege is 28-yearold Muslim — follows him and shoves him to the ground. “We have charged him with three counts of assault that involve three separate victims,” Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley said at a press briefing alongside Oakland’s new police chief LeRonne Armstrong. The suspect has also been charged with multiple counts of elder abuse that police say are related to the Chinatown attacks. He is currently in police custody at Santa Rida Jail in Dublin, California on $85,000 bail. “We recognize some in our community come to Chinatown to target people. We know they target our elderly. They come because they believe our community won’t report it to the police,” Armstrong said. He added, “We’re sending a message to those that commit crime in this city, that we will pursue you and we will arrest you and it’s not acceptable for things like this to happen in our community.” It’s still unclear whether the suspect’s crimes were race-related, but the attacks strike a familiar chord: the disturbing trend of targeting the AAPI community — especially the elderly. “It’s not unique to Chinatown or to the Asian community, the increase in crime we’ve seen across the city and across the country, but we have seen in the last several weeks and month a very specific increase in crimes committed against Asians,” O’Malley said on Monday. The Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, which first released the footage of the 91-year-old’s assault, told a local station that it has accumulated more than 20
With Lunar New Year beginning later this week, the coalition advised the public to be vigilant reports and videos of Chinatown and protect the safety of the AAPI businesses getting robbed and community’s most “vulnerable” owners and customers assaulted. members. It also called upon local and In San Francisco, Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old state leadership to invest in “culfrom Thailand, died after being turally-relevant and trauma-inattacked on a morning walk on formed” initiatives and programs Jan. 28, the San Francisco District to mitigate the violence against AAPI elders. Attorney’s office said. At a press conference on TuesAs the Asian Journal has covered throughout the coronavirus day, coalition members outlined pandemic, harassment against a number of broad goals like the AAPI community has dramat- expanding counseling and legal ically increased over the last year. services for AAPIs of all language The dangerous conflation abilities, creating more intervenbetween the vast Asian and Pa- tion-based programs to end viocific Islander community and lence and “cross-community edCOVID-19, which was first made ucation and healing” in AAPI and known in China, has resulted in Black communities, two commuincreased reports of verbal and nities that have historically been physical assault, cyberbullying pitted against each other. Before Oakland police anand other forms of discriminanounced that it had arrested and tion. In the wake of the Jan. 31 at- charged the suspect in the Jan. 31 tacks, dozens of AAPI advocacy Chinatown assaults, actors Daniel groups are calling for cross-cul- Wu and Daniel Dae Kim teamed tural alliances to end violence up to offer a $25,000 reward for against all targeted communities, information that would lead to especially in the Bay Area and the arrest of the assailant. “We’re being smashed in as a other ethnically diverse regions one-two punch. There’s low-levof the country. The Stop AAPI Hate initiative el petty crime that’s happening — started by the Asian Pacif- to our community. We’re being ic Policy and Planning Council targeted as easy targets,” Wu (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirma- said on CNN last week. “But at a tive Action and the Asian Amer- bigger scale, racist rhetoric from ican Studies Department of SF the pandemic has targeted us State University — logged 2,808 as being ‘the reason for coronareported hate incidents against virus,’ and so Asians across the the AAPI community in 2020, and board have been targeted by ramore than 700 of those reports cial slurs, being attacked, being pushed around, being spat on.” came from the Bay Area. President Joe Biden, who Although it is unclear whether or not some of these attacks were signed an executive order taking racially motivated, “they have action on anti-Asian racism and profound impacts on our Asian discrimination amid the pandemcommunities across the country ic, has yet to comment on the reand internationally,” a coalition cent attacks, according to White of more than 40 AAPI groups said House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. “I’m not aware that he’s seen in a joint statement on Tuesday, the videos, but he is concerned Feb. 9. “Our elderly community mem- about the discrimination against bers, along with their families, are the Asian American community, fearful of being in public alone, which is why he signed the exsimply going for a walk, and liv- ecutive order and why he’s been ing their daily lives. And survi- outspoken in making clear that vors of interpersonal violence and attacks, verbal attacks, any attheir families have historically not tacks of any form are unacceptreceived enough culturally-com- able and we need to work togethpetent and language-accessible er to address them,” Psaki said support across government sys- on Monday. (Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress) tems,” the statement read.
Support grows for Rob Bonta as California’s...
PAGE 1 best candidate, most uniquely qualified, and most capable of leading as California Attorney General. He was one of your earliest supporters for Governor, is a team player, and is a respected legislator who could help implement your agenda. He is trustworthy, dedicated, honest, and places the public interest first; he will be an asset to you and your Administration. Assemblymember Bonta is someone we can all be proud of,” reads the letter. Signatories include state Treasurer Fiona Ma, elected officials in the California Asian Pacific Islander (API) Legislative Caucus and in various capacities across the state, and groups like the Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats and the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce. Several Fil-Am leaders, such as Sierra Madre Mayor Rachelle Arizmendi, Daly City Councilmember Ray Buenaventura, El Cerrito Mayor Pro Tem Gabe Quinto and Los Gatos Mayor Marico Sayoc, also threw their support. The state’s API Legislative Caucus, which is comprised of lawmakers in the state Assembly and Senate, separately sent an endorsement letter endorsement this week. It previously called on Newsom to appoint an AAPI — and offered four candidates for consideration — to be the state’s next chief law enforcement officer. But the caucus now says that while it “recognizes there are many highly qualified API candidates,” it is backing Bonta based on his track record before and during his service in the Assembly.
“During his tenure, he has distinguished himself as a leader among leaders, successfully authoring groundbreaking legislation to protect Californians in the areas of criminal justice reform, consumer protection, environmental policy, and many others,” said the Feb. 3 letter, signed by state Senator Richard Pan, who serves as the caucus chair. Newsom this week said he would wait until Becerra’s confirmation before naming a successor. “I’m very close to making that decision,” Newsom said during a press briefing in Oakland on Wednesday. He added, “Our current attorney general is still the current attorney general, [and] has not been formally confirmed by the United States Senate, and so the timing of a public announcement will be determined on the basis of that confirmation.” Other candidates vying for the seat include Rep. Adam Schiff and state Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu, according to various reports. Bonta, who was born in Quezon City, Philippines, immigrated with his family to California’s Central Valley, where his parents worked for the United Farm Workers of America, organizing Filipino and Mexican American workers. Prior to his election to the state Assembly in 2012, Bonta was San Francisco’s deputy city attorney for nearly a decade, and served as director of the Alameda Health Care District and then vice mayor of Alameda. The growing support
Fil-Am LAPD security officer...
PAGE 1 “Fred, Terry, Raymond, Valentin, Erica, Philip, Dexter, Patricia—you will never be forgotten,” the department tweeted. “We thank you for your dedicat-
ed service. May you all Rest In Peace.” Two other Fil-Ams who died from the virus include: Officer Philip Sudario, a 25-year veteran officer assigned to the Southeast
Community Police Station in South Los Angeles, who died on Jan. 25; and Police Service Representative Raymond Guerrero, a 24-year veteran of the departAssemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) is among the contenders for California attorney ment, who passed on Jan. 7.
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general.
Photo courtesy of CA API Legislative Caucus
for Bonta also comes from high-profile personalities and celebrities, and unions like the California Faculty Association and the United Teachers Los Angeles. “Pleased to support @RobBonta for CA AG. Rob is a trailblazer & progressive champion for justice, opportunity, equity & inclusion. He is the 1st Filipino American state legislator in the history of CA & would be the 1st Filipino American AG,” actor Lou Diamond Philipps wrote in a tweet.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of San Diego (City) is seeking to receive Electronic Bids for the below named Public Works project. The solicitation, including plans and specifications, may be obtained from the City’s website at: https:// www.sandiego.gov/cip/bidopps Contractors intending to submit a Bid must be prequalified. Please refer to the solicitation for instructions. Project Name: Pure Water Program: Metro Biosolids Center Improvements Project Number: K-21-1867-DBB-3 Estimated Value: $35,500,000.00 Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting 1: 2/23/21 at 10:00 A.M. GoToMeetings Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting 2: 2/25/21 at 10:00 A.M. GoToMeetings Bid Open Date: 4/06/2021, at 2:00 P.M. License Requirement: A It is the policy of the City of San Diego to encourage equal opportunity in its Construction and Consultant contracts. Bids or proposals from local firms, small, minority-owned, disabled, veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged. Contractors are encouraged to subcontract with and/or participate in joint ventures with these firms. The City is committed to equal opportunity and will not discriminate with regard to race, religion, color, ancestry, age, gender, disability, medical condition or place of birth; and will not do business with any firm that discriminates on any basis. Bids shall be received no later than the date and time noted above at: City of San Diego’s Electronic Biding Site PlanetBids at: https://www.planetbids.com/portal/ portal.cfm?CompanyID=17950 James Nagelvoort, Director Engineering & Captial Projects Department February 09, 2021 2/12/21 CNS-3439282# ASIAN JOURNAL
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FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588
Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana talks to American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the phone on Wednesday, February 10, to discuss Philippines-U.S. bilateral relations. DND photo
US, PH reaffirm defense alliance... PAGE 1 t “[They] affirmed the importance of upholding international rules and norms, to include the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling,” the Pentagon readout said. In a separate statement, the Philippine Department of National Defense said that Lorenzana and Austin’s phone call covered the security situation in the South China Sea, particularly on the capability upgrades of the AFP. “Both sides committed to
sustain dialogues amidst the pandemic and strengthen cooperation between the two defense establishments,” the department said. “They agreed to meet faceto-face in the future,” it added. On Monday, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said that the Philippines and the U.S. will meet later this month to iron out differences over the VFA. “I am narrowing down the issues and soon we will meet... and iron out whatever differ-
ences we have,” he told ANC news channel. The meeting is likely to happen in the last week of February. The VFA, which came into force in 1999, covers the conduct of U.S. soldiers in the Philippines. Among the provisions of the deal include lax visa and passport policies for U.S. troops, and the rights of the U.S. government to retain its jurisdiction over its military personnel when they commit crimes in
the Philippines. In February 2020, the Philippines sent the U.S. a notice terminating the VFA reportedly after the U.S. canceled Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s visa. The termination was later suspended in June “in light of political and other developments in the region,” and the suspension was extended in November for another six months to enable the Philippines and the U.S. to find a more enhanced, mutually beneficial, mutually agreeable, and more effective and lasting arrangement on how to move forward in their mutual defense.
Indian Fil-Am millennial joins VP Harris’ team... PAGE 1 George, whose parents are originally from the Philippines and India, announced that he will be joining Vice President Kamala Harris’ team as a policy advisor. “As the son of Indian and Filipino immigrants, I’m honored and humbled to share some personal news: I’ve started a new job as a Policy Advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris, our first Asian American VP,” George, who served on the Biden-Harris transition for economic policy, wrote on Twitter. Before joining the administration, George was a program officer on economic mobility and opportunity for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “Our economy has been broken for too many people for too long — long before COVID-19 and even before the Great Reces-
sion. I would know: my own family lost our nest egg in the Enron scandal in 2001,” he added in another tweet. He continued, “That experience taught me that big problems need policy solutions that meet the moment. I’ve devoted my career to combating inequality and to ensuring that all of us, not just the powerful, can succeed in our economy. Time to get to work!” George previously worked at the White House National Economic Council during the Obama administration. He studied government and economics at Harvard University, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He received his master’s degrees from the London School of Economics and University of Oxford as a Marshall Scholar. Michael George will advise Vice President Kamala Harris on policy issues.
Twitter photo
WATER BONSAI. Filipino inventor Edwin dela Torre shows his invention called ‘water bonsai’ during a press conference at the Aberdeen Great Eastern Hotel, Quezon City on Thursday, February 11. He says his invention is just in a vase filled with water and does not need sunlight. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
IATF expands list of foreign... PAGE 1 day, February 4, 2021, allowed the entry to the Philippines of foreign nationals with visas issued as of March 20, 2020, and still valid and existing at the time of entry, and who were not permitted to enter the country under previous IATF resolutions,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press statement on Friday, February 5. Likewise, foreign travelers with “valid and existing” Special Resident and Retirees Visa (SRRV) and Section 9 (a) or temporary visa can also enter the country, provided that they present an entry exemption document to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) upon arrival. “This shall take effect on February 16, 2021 and shall be subject to [certain] conditions,” said Roque. Foreigners who want to enter the Philippines must have prebooked accommodations for at least six nights in an accredit-
ed quarantine hotel or facility. They must also undergo a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test six days after their arrival. Foreigners are also subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry. Meanwhile, tourists are still prohibited to enter the country “unless with exemption.” According to Roque, the exemptions should have “endorsement from individual departments” of the government. “Case-to-case but [with] endorsement from individual departments i.e. DOE (Department of Energy) for energy-related concerns, etc.,” he told reporters through Viber. Roque stressed that the Commissioner of Immigration still has the “exclusive” prerogative to decide on waiver or recall of exclusion orders for all foreign nationals allowed to enter the country under relevant IATF resolutions.
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Dateline Philippines
Carpio: Wait for China to use coast guard law before going to UN tribunal by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com
Viray
MANILA — Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Wednesday, February 10 suggested waiting for China to commit a violation as Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. refuses to raise its new coast guard law before a United Nations-backed tribunal. Locsin earlier declared that he will not raise the China coast guard issue before the international tribunal as it would “reopen” the Philippines’ arbitral award. Carpio, however, clarified that doing so will not reopen that arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims over the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. “If China fires on a Philippine vessel in the West Philippine Sea that’s the time we go to a [UN Convention on the Law of the Sea] tribunal,” Carpio told CNN Philippines’ “The Source.”
The retired magistrate added that Locsin effectively agreed to this when he vowed that he will do more in case of another incident with the Chinese coast guard. While there is no new incident yet between the Chinese coast guard and Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea, Carpio said the Philippines should prepare. According to Carpio, China is more likely to apply the new aw against Vietnam and Malaysia before the Philippines. “We should wait for a violation... This will make our case stronger. We will not only be speculating, we will actually be basing our action on an actual case, actual controversy,” he said in the same interview. Carpio stressed that the China Coast Guard Law, which threatens use of force, violates the UNCLOS and the UN Charter. In case that Beijing refuses to participate in another complaint before the UN-backed tribunal,
it would be the world that will tell China to comply with international rules and norms. China also refused to take part in the Philippines’ arbitration before the arbitral tribunal, which later on declared that Manila has sovereign rights over resources in its exclusive economic zone. “We are putting pressure on China using international law that China should comply and in fact we are getting support of the rest of the world,” Carpio said. In an interview with ANC’s “Headstart” earlier this week, Locsin noted that the China Coast Guard Law has no exact delineation of its jurisdiction. This means that the new law could also cover the West Philippine Sea as Beijing also claims the area as its territorial waters, which Locsin said was a “threat of war,” pushing him to fire a diplomatic protest. “If there is an incident, I can assure you it will be more than
u PAGE 7
Duterte’s amnesty body draws cheers in Mindanao by Ryan
D. Rosauro Inquirer.net
ILIGAN CITY—Peace advocates in Mindanao welcomed the creation by President Rodrigo Duterte of the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) saying it augured well for combatants of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to live normal lives. Duterte formed the seven-member commission with the secretaries of defense, justice, and interior and local government and the presidential peace adviser as ex-officio members. The body will be responsible for accepting, processing and approving applications for amnesty. “The creation of the NAC will greatly improve the implementation of the normalization track of the transition period,” said lawyer Mary Ann Arnado, secretary general of nongovernment Mind-
anao People’s Caucus (MPC). “The grant of amnesty to the MILF combatants and members will help them return back to civilian lives without fear that they could be facing prosecution and arrests,” Arnado added. Granting amnesty is part of the normalization program agreed between the government and the MILF in a peace pact signed in 2014. “The granting of amnesty sends a clear and strong message that the government understands the root causes of the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao, and is giving these former combatants the chance for a fresh start,” said presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez in a statement. According to Galvez, amnesty applications can come from members of the MILF, MNLF, Communist Party of the Phil-
ippines–New People’s Army– National Democratic Front, Cordillera Bodong Administration–Cordillera People’s Liberation Army and Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade- Tabara Paduano Group. “With the establishment of the National Amnesty Commission, these former rebels will be able to make the complete transition to peaceful, law-abiding and productive citizens,” Galvez said. Arnado said the amnesty could “build confidence and convince combatants to decommission and put their firearms beyond use.” Moro women leader Baileng Mantawil said the amnesty reflects the commitment of the government to institute the remaining measures in the peace process.
SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021
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ULAT UKOL SA BAKUNA PARA SA COVID:
Hatid ng Clever Care PEBRERO 03, 2021 (Unang Ulat) — Ito ang unang bahagi sa serye ng Medicare Tips na tinaguyod ng Clever Care Health Care, isang nangungunang tagapagbigay ng East meets West Medicare services na sensitibo sa kultura ng kanilang mga miyembro. Sa kamakailang rollout at availability ng bakuna para sa COVID-19, maraming Amerikano ang may mga tanong. Ang artikulong ito ay magbibigay ng mga sagot sa “who, what, when, where at why” pagdating sa mga bakuna para sa COVID-19. 1) Libre ba ang mga bakuna para sa COVID-19? Oo. Ang mga bakuna ay bayad ng gobyerno. Depende sa kung saan ka magpapa-bakuna, maaari kang singilin ng fee para sa iyong bakuna. Kung eligible ka para sa Medicare, bayad na ito at wala ka nang gagastusin para sa bakuna. 2) Totoo bang kailangan kong mabigyan ng dalawang dose ng bakuna mula sa Pfizer at Moderna? Oo. Dalawang dose ang required ng bakuna mula sa Pfizer at Moderna. Para sa Pfizer, dalawang dose ang rekomendado sa loob ng 21 araw. Para sa Moderna, isang buwan ang rekomendadong pagitan. 3) Puwede ba akong mamili ng bakuna? May ilang lokasyon na nagsasabi kung anong bakuna ang mayroon sila, at puwede kang magpa-bakuna sa lokasyon ayon sa iyong kagustuhan. 4) Mabilis na naaprubahan ang mga bakuna. Kailangan ko bang mag-alala na hindi ligtas ang mga ito? Nagbigay ang U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ng Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) para sa dalawang bakuna para sa COVID-19. Nasubukan ang dalawang bakuna na ito para sa kaligtasan at pagiging epektibo batay sa mga clinical trial na isinagawa sa malawak na grupo ng mga tao. Nakita sa mga resulta ng trials na ito na mas maraming benepisyo ang bakuna kaysa sa potensyal na pinsala na puwedeng maranasan kung tayo ay mahawaan ng virus. May ilang report ng side effects mula sa dalawang bakuna pero katamtaman lang ang mga ito at bihira. Magtanong sa inyong doctor kung may mga pag-aalala ka tungkol sa iyong kalusugan o sa mga posibleng side effects ng bakuna. 5) Gaano ka-epektibo ang bakuna kung makuha ko ang dalawang dose sa
rekomendadong timeframe? Ayon sa Center for Disease Control, ang bakuna mula sa Moderna ay umaabot sa 94% effectiveness dalawang linggo pagkatapos ng pangalawang dose, at ang bakuna mula sa Pfizer ay umaabot sa 95% effectiveness isang linggo pagkatapos ng pangalawang dose. 6) Kung nagka-COVID na ako, kailangan ko pa bang magpa-bakuna? Oo, dapat magpa-bakuna ang lahat, kahit na ang mga nagka-virus na. Dahil pinag-aaralan pa natin ang mga long-term effects ng COVID, hindi pa alam ng health experts kung gaano katagal ka magiging protektado pagkatapos mo makuha ang virus, kaya mahalagang magpa-bakuna para mapalakas ang immunity mo. 7) May mga health care provider ba na may mga special programs/benefits para sa COVID-19? Oo! Isang opsyon ang Clever Care Health Plan. Hatid namin ang $0 Copay Covid Peace of Mind benefit. Ibig sabihin nito ay ang kahit na anong serbisyo ukol sa Covid ay may $0 copay, kasama na ang testing. Dagdag pa rito, qualified ang lahat ng plan members ng Clever Care Medicare Advantage para sa $10 reward upang makakuha ng Covid-19 vaccine. May mga reward din ang aming Health Incentive program para sa iba pang healthy activities katulad ng bakuna para sa trangkaso, at pagpapa-schedule ng iyong annual wellness doctor visit. 8) Ano ang ginagawa ng Clever Care para magbigay ng impormasyon, at panatiliin ang kalusugan ng kanilang mga miyembro sa panahong ito? Nangolekta kami ng list ng resources, pati na rin ng links ng county websites at mga phone numbers na puwedeng tawagan sa clevercarehealthplan.com. Ito ay para matulungan ang aming mga miyembro at ang komunidad na mahanap kaagad ang kailangan na impormasyon. Ang lahat ng impormasyon ay puwedeng mabasa sa Tagalog. Kung nahihirapang mag-online, tumawag lamang sa aming member service line na 833-365-1888 (TTY:711). Handa ang aming mga Tagalog representatives na ibigay ang impormasyon na kailangan mo.
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FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588
Opinion
Second conviction
Features
DISPELLING criticisms that it is a clearing station for crooks, the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court has convicted Janet Lim Napoles for the second time in connection with the diversion of the Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF, the formal name for the congressional pork barrel. Napoles, the accused mastermind, was convicted of three counts of graft and malversation of public funds, together with her co-accused, former Cagayan de Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula, former Technology Resource Center employees Ma. Rosalinda Masongsong Lacsamana and Belina Concepcion, and Cared president Mylene Encarnacion. Cared was the NGO through which Jaraula’s PDAF funds were funneled. For the graft case, they were sentenced to six to 10 years in prison for each count. For malversation, they received 12 to 18 years per count. They were ordered to pay P28 million for graft and another P28 million for malversation. Jaraula also received a prison term of nine years for each of the three counts of direct bribery for receiving P2 million in grease money from Napoles. It was the second conviction for Napoles over
the PDAF scandal. She is serving a life term over her conviction for plunder in 2018. In a bizarre ruling, her co-accused Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was acquitted but ordered to return P124.5 million – nearly half of the P224.5 million that he allegedly received in PDAF kickbacks from Napoles through his aide Richard Cambe, who was convicted and faces up to 40 years in prison. The Sandiganbayan has yet to clarify once and for all if Revilla must return the P124.5 million. With the clarity must come an order to return the money stolen from the people. Senators are not above the law; anyone who defies a court order must face appropriate punishment. Philstar.com photo Meanwhile, people expect Napoles and her cohorts in Congress to face more charges in connection with the scam. The Commission on Audit Congress, many of them still in office; about 100 also saddled with perceptions that it is a clearing had presented documents that reportedly impli- have been indicted or are under investigation for station for the corrupt, should pursue these cascated about 200 members of both chambers of the PDAF scam. The Office of the Ombudsman, es without letup. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
My Valentine story
The Fil-Am Perspective Gel Santos-Relos HAPPY season of love! Wherever we may be, we Filipinos are hopeless romantics, and therefore, Valentine’s Day is a month-long celebration for us talking about love and romance. “Humans of Pinas” (HoP), a Facebook page inspired by Humans of New York, has been showcasing Filipinos’ stories deemed to be empowering and/ or inspiring. This Valentine’s month, HoP asked me to share my own story, and I am honored to join other well-known and respected couples of ‘Pinas in sharing their own stories seldom told in public. Here is my story. May 2, 1979 was the fateful day I met the man who would turn out to be the person I would be sharing the rest of my life with. I joined the summer theater workshop of “Dulaang Abot-Kaya,” the community theater group of Sacred Heart Parish in Kamuning. I just graduated from high school and was excited to pursue my dreams to be working in the field of mass communications — radio, television, and yes, even in films having the “artists” genes of my aunts Tessie Quintana of LVN Films in the 50s-60s and Rebecca of Premiere Productions in the 60s to the 70s, and my handsome
cousin Gabby Concepcion. I joined the summer theater workshop, which was run by graduates of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), hoping to fulfill my longtime dream to meet and get my big break from no less than the late famed director Lino Brocka, one of the most influential and significant filmmakers in the history of the Philippines, who was once an executive director of PETA. But, God had a different plan in my life. Rene Relos became my boyfriend a year after we top-billed several theatrical presentations for “Dulaang About-Kaya.” He just turned 18 and I was 17 when we became a couple. We went to the University of the Philippines together, where I graduated cum laude from the College of Mass Communications while he finished magna cum laude in his pre-med course. Yes, we were both driven and have been planning to get married and share our lives together, but all of these were fulfilled expeditiously with the coming of our first-born son. And so, we got married at age 21 and became parents at age 22. I was then an instructor in Broadcast Communication at the UP and later joined the broadcasting industry as a news anchor and TV host for ABS-CBN. Rene went on to pursue his medical education and residency at the UP College of Medicine, where he graduated
valedictorian and placed fourth in the Medical Board Exam with a rating of 90%, despite us having two children. We had no money when we started our life together as husband and wife, grateful for the support of our parents as we worked hard to fulfill our dreams, build our family. We had two more children during his surgical residency years. Eventually, we became financially independent and began living a comfortable life. However, somewhere along the way, we drifted apart. The emotional immaturity of early adulthood, the demands and stresses of his medical education and training, my building a career in the limelight of broadcasting, raising four children, our weaknesses as human beings — the interplay of these factors eroded our once happy relationship and our marriage. The song of Neil Sedaka comes to mind: “I miss the hungry years The once upon a time The lovely long ago We didn’t have a dime Those days of me and you We lost along the way…” We had a complicated relationship for more than three years, asking ourselves if we should stay or go on our separate ways. But amid the inner turmoil, we knew deep inside how our vow and commitment to give our children the best life in spite of ourselves had been our guiding light and reason to remain friends.
And perhaps, more than how we wanted to admit during these times of uncertainties, the shadows of the simple joys of our hungry years nurtured by our love for each other had somehow kept on pulling us back and made it impossible to really let go. And so, by the grace of God in the most miraculous circumstances, only He could have made possible, Rene and I found each other again. We went to court together just before the decision to annul our marriage was handed out to tell the judge we were dismissing the annulment case and are keeping our marriage. “Beautiful!” gushed Judge Rosalina Pison of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. Indeed, it was the greatest blessing of our lives — God’s promise of giving us “beauty for ashes” that healed our hearts and gave us the grace to start again. As all of these events happened during Rene’s short month-long visit in between his interviews and the start of medical fellowship training in the United States in the summer of 2000, we made the most of this time to renew our marriage vows in the same church where we met, fell in love, got married, and had our four children baptized. Rene went back to the U.S. and I went to visit with him during fall, winter and spring. It was during this time when we decided to immigrate to the United States to start a new chapter in our life. Everything just fell into place,
after we said YES to God’s still small voice inside our hearts. In May of 2001, I gave up my career at ABS-CBN. My children and I joined my husband in the United States. Rene was offered a rare chance to have a surgical residency after he finished his fellowship, and this opened the path for him to practice surgery. We started anew with hungry years again as he was just getting a humble stipend as he completed his re-training in the U.S. to get his medical license. I did real estate on the side. But our hearts were full of love and of renewed dreams in our adoptive country for us and our children. And just after Rene started his medical practice here in the U.S. in 2005, ABS-CBN asked me to work for the company again as talk show host and news anchor for The Filipino Channel, which has started producing programs in California. I was given the chance to continue the career I gave up for my family. We are now celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary this July. The kids have grown up and are building their own lives. We have also been blessed with two grandchildren! Rene and I are now (almost) empty nesters and are living our lives as honeymooners — something we missed when we were navigating the struggles and crises of our younger years all at the same time. We are now able to live our passion, pursue our own dreams, travel around the world, celebrating each moment we are together.
We did not get here on our own. We grew up together from our teen years through adulthood, through middle age through the golden years. Every season of our life presented new challenges, which have been our opportunities to grow together. But what had sustained us is our renewed faith in God who has been giving us the grace to carry on and nurture our love and our life together. All the pains of the past He used so we may find this new life in Him as one. God has blessed us with each other to help us become better human beings, growing in love and faith together, making our crooked paths straight, smoothening our rough edges. And this all began when we said “YES,” and started the new chapters of our new life rooted in our faith, and He helped us do things we can never do on our own. And we continue to say “YES.” Every day. *** 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.
Wanted: Ideal candidate for 2022
Commentary
Antonio P. Contreras IN just over 15 months, our country will once again be subjected to the rituals of democracy. The 2022 national and local elections are looming, and the Filipino people will have a choice of, once again, voting for a nightmare masquerading as a messiah or voting for a real alternative. We are already witnessing the surfacing of familiar names on both sides of the political divide. More prominent of these are Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on the side of the administration and Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo on the side of the political opposition. Some may consider this an interesting battle between two women, but it would be too shallow for one to read into this a feminist accolade, considering what recent events have pointed out to us. It may be unpalatable to hear and may appear misogynist, but gender has nothing
to do with bringing feminism into the mainstream of politics. One just has to look at the likes of United States Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Lauren Boebert of Colorado to realize that being a woman does not assure deliverance from lunacy, violence and conspiracy theories, which abound in the political world, dominated by men. Both Sara Duterte-Carpio and Leni Robredo endear themselves to their political base, but it is not certain whether what they bring to the table is something of which blue-blooded feminists can be proud. And then you have other names, mainly a coterie of politicians who are either allied with President Rodrigo —Duterte and their camp is simply teeming with familiar names such as Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao or even former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — or from the shallow bench that the political opposition has become. For people who aspire for some fundamental change in our politics, the picture becomes depressing indeed. The popularity of the
Duterte dynasty attached to the fame, or infamy, of its patriarch Rodrigo has been proven time and again as unassailable despite ineptitude, allegations of corruption and human rights abuses, and his failure to deliver practically all the 15 points in his campaign platform which he promised in 2016. While the approval ratings of other leaders floundered during the pandemic, Duterte’s ratings continued to soar, defying the law of political gravity. This despite the negative growth rate of our economy, a lethargic pandemic response and being a laggard in the vaccine rollout, where Bangladesh and Myanmar even outpaced us. There is no way a Robredo, or anyone from the political opposition, can win against a brand that has become a political cult. If anyone would like to challenge the Duterte brand in 2022, and has a chance of winning, then one has to come to grips with the reality that Robredo, or anyone who can easily be framed as a “dilawan,” has practically a zero chance. Anti-Duterte people should come out of their echo chambers, trapped in
their own social media groups, or in their ivory towers in academe, or in civil society circles, and realize that what they have is a losing proposition. They should abandon any wishful thinking that Robredo, or anyone like her from the current political opposition, can be molded in the like of a Joseph Biden Jr. After all, Biden won because more than half of the United States detested Donald Trump. So, anyone who would liken Robredo to a Biden should give it a rest and venture into reality. The reality that we face is the fact that in the Philippines, politics is about narratives. And under present conditions, and in order to beat the Duterte narrative, one has to find another candidate with an equally compelling narrative that would have the ability to peel away the Duterte political base. Most vulnerable, and therefore easy for conversion, among this base will be those who simply support Duterte because they hate the Liberal Party and the current political opposition. While the goal of transforming
Philippine politics is a lofty one, relying on slogans, and even well-crafted alternatives, will simply not make the cut. What we need is a candidate who would have the ability to match, and even punch holes, into the Duterte brand, but also one with an aura that can tickle the political imaginations of those who do not vote because of platforms, but simply because of image and optics. This candidate should be a lightning rod that would be able to steal thunder away from the jaded, provincial and parochial modalities of the Duterte dynasty and offer a contrapuntal that is new, inclusive and modern. This person must be a darling of social media but is also familiar with the underbelly of transactional politics. He or she should be both internet savvy, with a cosmopolitan worldview but would be willing to engage and is familiar with the ways of traditional local politics. And of course, this candidate must have the ability not only to raise campaign funds from wealthy donors, but also able to whip up a mass base that can outmatch the grassroots idolatry
of the diehard Duterte supporters. He or she should be able to inspire people to contribute their own time and money for his or her campaign. But most fundamental of all is that this candidate should be an independent political figure, outside the ambit of the Duterte dynasty and his allies, unaligned even with the current political opposition. He or she must be progressive, a unifier, and with a clear track record. He or she should have the ability to embody a new kind of politics that is both transactional and transformative, traditional and technologically savvy, amiable and inspiring but not cult-like, and one who would embody a compelling platform that speaks to the roots of our sufferings as a people. The question that we need to ask ourselves, however, is this. Does this candidate even exist at all? (ManilaTimes.net) *** 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.
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‘Safety should be the priority’: Fil-Am.. PAGE 1 t She added, “Vaccinations of teachers is not a prerequisite for safely reopening schools.” Walensky’s comments caused a stir nationwide as the pressure to reopen schools and the ongoing threat of coronavirus remain crucial issues among teachers, students and parents. Later on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki appeared to walk back on Walensky’s comments, clarifying that they weren’t the “official guidance” from the CDC, adding that it as “not released their official guidance” regarding “vaccination of teachers and what would be needed to ensure the safe reopening of schools.” The Biden administration has maintained that it is committed to working with states and local jurisdictions to safely reopen schools, with the goal of reopening a majority of K-8 schools in 100 days. Last month, Biden proposed an allocation of $170 billion to K-12 and higher education institutions, largely to increase COVID-19 testing. In California, where the coronavirus continues to ravage counties and offer no end in sight, Governor Gavin Newsom said that the reopening of schools can run congruent to the vaccinations of educators, saying that “We can safely reopen schools as we process a prioritization to our teachers of vaccinations.” During a briefing on Wednesday where he announced the future site of a new vaccination center at Oakland Coliseum, Newsom said, “I’d love to have everybody in the state vaccinated that chooses to be vaccinated. Not only would I like to prioritize teachers, we are prioritizing teachers.” As of press time, teachers are not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in California, which is still working to vaccinate front-line workers and residents 65 years of age and older. Certain counties and school districts are working on their own plans to vaccinate educators, but many teachers and parents would rather the state
play it safe and not rush to reopen schools without a vigorous vaccination plan in place. “It shouldn’t even really be a conversation: we need vaccines before we can resume teaching indoors and in-person,” Hillary Valdez, a Filipina American third grade teacher in San Diego, told the Asian Journal in a phone interview. “Nobody prefers distance learning, but it’s just the safest option right now. Safety should be the priority.” Valdez, who asked not to disclose the school where she works, said that she has noticed the adverse effects of distance learning in her students, particularly in the last couple of months. She wants a swift return back into the classroom, but she affirmed that the state should come up with a more robust plan to make the prospect of returning “100% safe,” and that includes rigid rules to mitigate viral transmission and have “all teachers and staff vaccinated first.” Valdez is a part of the California Teachers Association, which in January, sent a letter to Newsom saying that it wants schools in counties with high COVID-19 transmission rates to remain in distance learning for the next 100 days to give the state more time to develop such a plan. Erin Murray, a Filipina middle school teacher in LA County, told the Asian Journal that she thinks it’s “absurd” to “even consider opening schools before getting everybody — students, teachers, staff — vaccinated first.” “It’s the only way we will feel comfortable returning to the classroom, and for good. We don’t want to have re-close campuses again if the infection rates increase again,” Murray said. The situation in Los Angeles County — which has a cumulative total of 1.2 million positive coronavirus cases and more than 17,500 deaths — continues to be among the worst in the country, remaining in the state’s most restrictive “purple” tier of the economic reopening roadmap. But on Thursday, Feb. 4, LA
City Councilmember Joe Buscaino announced that he’s introducing a motion next week asking the city attorney to explore “legal options” to force the LA Unified School District to reopen for in-person learning. In a statement, Buscaino said, “I stand with the 1,500 pediatricians in Southern California as well as the CDC who are calling for the safe reopening of our schools,” without elaborating on what he considers a “safe reopening” would entail. “[The statement] is absolutely ridiculous, and I know the union won’t stand for it,” Murray said, adding that she is a member of the UTLA, which has strongly advocated for remaining in distance learning until all school staff and students are vaccinated. “It makes no sense, especially here in LA County. The numbers are still so bad, so why would we risk our children and our teachers by returning to campuses too early?” Shortly after the statement was released, both the United Teachers of LA and the LAUSD denounced Buscaino’s statement, with the latter affirming that it will continue to follow the state’s roadmap, which states that counties in the purple tier cannot reopen its schools. “Grandstanding political stunts like this are precisely why schools in Los Angeles remain closed,” LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner said in a statement. “Elected leaders from Sacramento to Los Angeles City Hall need to put deeds behind their words and take the steps necessary to actually put schools and the children they serve first.” Beutner referenced the longstanding urgent state of the county, saying, “San Francisco authorities worked together and brought the rate of infection under control and the area has for some time met the state standard for reopening, but Los Angeles is a national example of how governmental dysfunction has allowed the virus to rampage out of control.”
Carpio: Wait for China to use coast... PAGE 5 t just a protest,” Locsin told ANC on Monday. The Chinese Embassy, meanwhile, insisted that the new law, which authorizes the coast guard to fire at foreign vessels,
was formulated as a “normal domestic legislative activity.” “The enact of the law doesn’t indicate any change of China’s maritime policy. China has always been committed to managing differences with coun-
tries including the Philippines through dialogue and consultations and upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the Chinese Embassy said in a statement released February 1.
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BUS SNACK. An ambulant vendor scoops fried peanuts into a small brown paper using a spoon inside a provincial bus along Emilio Aguinaldo Highway in Bacoor, Cavite on Thursday, February 11. Ambulant vending has been a fixture inside public utility vehicles even before the coronavirus pandemic. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
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FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL
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Palace calls for food security summit to help agri-fishery sector
by Catherine
S. Valente
ManilaTimes.net
MALACAÑANG is calling for a food security summit with the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector’s industry players and stakeholders amid the current challenges faced by the agriculture sector. Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the summit was aimed at addressing current challenges affecting food security, presenting plans and programs that were geared toward solving the problem, and bringing together support to pave the way for a profitable agriculture and fishery sector. “The Executive branch is calling for a Food Security Summit, with the Department of Agriculture (DA) as lead agency, to continue to boost and develop the agri-fishery
sector through the cooperation, coordination and collaboration of the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector’s industry players and stakeholders,” Roque said in a statement. “The Food Security Summit likewise aims to discuss mitigation measures on current issues affecting the agriculture sector such as the upsurge in the prices of pork, drop in farmgate prices of palay, the onslaught of the African Swine Flu (ASF), among others,” he added. The Palace official said the summit “further seeks to present some models for agribusiness value-chain approach, LGU-led agri-fishery extension system, and strengthening the role and capacities of local price coordinating councils and regional development councils.” “As part of the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s whole-of-government ap-
LEGAL NOTICE
by Dempsey
Reyes ManilaTimes.net
proach, the summit aims to develop a National Food Security Plan to achieve our vision of a food-secure and resilient Philippines with prosperous farmers and fisherfolks, and where consumers have continuous flow of food and producers have continuous productivity, unhampered movement of agricultural commodities, accessibility and price stability,” he said. This came as pork prices soared as the local hog industry battled the spread of African swine fever. The disease has disrupted the operations of hog farms in Batangas, Bulacan and nearby provinces, prompting hog raisers in the Visayas and Mindanao to supply Metro Manila. President Duterte has issued Executive Order 124, which imposed a 60-day freeze in the prices of pork and chicken in Metro Manila.
DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana defended the Philippines’ decision not to join the naval drills in the South China (West Pilippine) Sea with allied countries in 2020 because it might put China in a bad light, but clarified that this did not mean that Manila was trying to “appease” Beijing. He also said in an interview with the ABSCBN News Channel that the Philippine military lacked the assets to “match” China’s activities in the disputed territories. “[It] is not to antagonize China, because China is watching us here and a lot of things could be done to us by the Chinese government if they are antagonized and the US keeps coming to the South China Sea without our knowledge,” he said. Lorenzana noted that the Philippines’ relationship with China had been “cordial and friendly” since President Rodrigo Duterte came into power in 2016. The United States Navy’s Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, has recently conducted dual carrier operations in the South China Sea amid the “challenging environment” in the hotly contested area. A French nuclear submarine was also report-
LEGAL NOTICE
CASE NUMBER: 37-2021-00003812-CU-PT-CTL
CASE NUMBER: 37-2021-00005554-CU-PT-CTL
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner DIANA SOOAH YOUNG filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: DIANA SOOAH YOUNG to DIANA SOOAH COHEN. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 03/11/2021 Time: 8:30 AM, Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. C-61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: JAN 27, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 688 01/29, 02/05, 02/12, AND 02/19/2021 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE – Name Change (NC120) Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, which poses a substantial risk to the health and welfare of court personnel and the public, rendering presence in, or access to, the court’s facilities unsafe, and pursuant to the emergency orders of the Chief Justice of the State of California and General Orders of the Presiding Department of the San Diego Superior Court, the following Order is made: NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).. If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Damiana Starr Young filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Damiana Starr Young to Damiana Starr Rojas. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 03/23/2021 Tine: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. C-61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: FEB. 05, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 691 02/12, 02/19, 02/26, and 03/05/2021 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE – Name Change (NC120) Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, which poses a substantial risk to the health and welfare of court personnel and the public, rendering presence in, or access to, the court’s facilities unsafe, and pursuant to the emergency orders of the Chief Justice of the State of California and General Orders of the Presiding Department of the San Diego Superior Court, the following Order is made: NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.
AJSD 688
PH pullout from navy drills in South China Sea defended
AJSD 691
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9000660 Dollars Smog And Repair located at 231 Beyer Way, Chula Vista, CA, 91911. Registrant: Kristopher Charles Holcomb, 3993 Coleman Ave., San Diego, CA 92154. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 07/06/2015. Signature Kristopher Holcomb. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/22/2021. AJ 689 02/05, 02/12, 02/19, and 02/26/2021.
AJSD 689
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9001534
SWINE MERCHANT located at 10207 CAMINO RUIZ APT. #160, SAN DIEGO, CA 92126. Registrant: BRANDON EUGENE AKIATEN, 10207 CAMINO RUIZ APT. #160, SAN DIEGO, CA 92126. This business is conducted by INDIVIDUAL. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 01/04/2021. Signature: BRANDON E. AKIATEN. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/21/2021. AJ 694 02/12, 02/19, 02/26, 03/05/2021.
AJSD 694
EMPLOYMENT
ed to have carried out patrol operations in the South China Sea, with France sending a message to underscore the freedom of navigation in the area and possibly angering China. The Philippine Navy had been participating in passage exercises with their US counterpart within the 12-nautical-mile limit or within the territorial waters of the Philippines. According to Lorenzana, the only area the Philippines was trying to avoid were those that were being disputed, citing that “it raises the tension on both sides”, referring to the US and China. “As the defense secretary, I would not like to be involved there because if a shooting war erupts and I told [US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin 3rd] yesterday that we don’t want anything, miscalculations or accidents happening in the South China Sea,” he said, referring to his introductory phone conversation with Austin on Wednesday. He also pointed out that the Philippines would be “right smack there in the center of the conflict” should tensions arise between the two superpowers. Lorenzana denied that the Philippines has been appeasing Beijing, even as the President himself had refused to take a hardline stance on the maritime dispute with the communist state.
LEGAL NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9001134
California Distribution located at 7062 Convoy Court, San Diego, CA 92111. Registrant: California Distribution, 7062 Convoy Court, San Diego, CA 92111. This business is conducted by Corporation. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 11/01/2020. Signature Alan P. Ang. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/28/2021. AJ 690 02/05, 02/12, 02/19, and 02/26/2021. AJSD 690
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9000305
XIN CHAO A VIETNAMESE EATERY located at 3545 DEL MAR HEIGHTS RD C5, SAN DIEGO, CA 92130. Registrant: XIN CHAO DEL MAR, 3545 DEL MAR HEIGHTS RD C5, SAN DIEGO, CA 92130. This business is conducted by CORPORATION. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 11/19/2020. Signature: ANH HUYNH. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/21/2021. AJ 693 02/12, 02/19, 02/26, 03/05/2021. AJSD 693
EMPLOYMENT
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9001722
SKYLINE DENTAL CENTER located at 1411 SKYLINE DRIVE, LEMON GROVE, CA 91945. Registrant: JEAN EMILE F. PIANSAY, DDS, INC., 1411 SKYLINE DRIVE, LEMON GROVE, CA 91945. This business is conducted by CORPORATION. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 09/28/2000. Signature JEAN EMILE PIANSAY. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/03/2021. AJ 692 02/12, 02/19, 02/26, 03/05/2021. AJSD 692
SAN DIEGO
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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021
JOURNAL
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F E B R UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 2 1
THE YEAR OF THE OX: OX: How Filipinos celebrate Lunar New Year by Momar
F
G. Visaya / AJPress
EBRUARY 12 will mark the biggest event on the Chinese calendar, ushering in the beginning of the Year of the Ox. Unlike the fixed new year of the Gregorian calendar commonly celebrated on January 1st, the date of the Lunar New Year varies, determined by the appearance of the new moon — which is why it’s called the Lunar New Year, as it’s based on the lunisolar Chinese calendar.
The Lunar New Year usually falls sometime between January 21 and February 20. It will be on the 12th of February, a Friday, this year. The Ox is the second animal in the Chinese zodiac. One myth said that the animals were decided in the order in which they arrived at a party thrown by the Jade Emperor. The Ox was set to be the first to arrive, but the Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. As they arrived at the party, the Rat jumped down and landed in front of the Ox. The 12 zodiac animals are, in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. According to ChineseNewYear.net, the Ox in the zodiac is seen as hardworking, honest, and earnest. It is also patient, and thinks logically. The Ox never looks for praise or to be the center of attention. However, the Ox can be stubborn, and might not have the best communication skills. Those who are born in the year of the Ox — 2021 as well as 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, and 2009 — share the aforementioned traits with the animal. Traditions and superstitions Similar to the Jan. 1 New Year, Lunar New Year is observed with traditions and rituals to attract good luck and fortune for the coming year. Filipinos who celebrate the holiday typically flock to Binondo in Manila, which is considered the oldest Chinatown in the world. They crowd the streets of Chinatown to watch the Parades of Dragons and Lions, a colorful and dynamic performance accompanied by the loud banging of drums and cymbals. The dragon, in China, is believed to represent great power, auspiciousness, and strength. Meanwhile, the lion represents safety and luck. The color red is prevalent during the festivities as it is a special color in Chinese culture, signifying energy, happiness, and good luck. Most people wear red clothing a s it represents vitality as well as strength. Elders also hand out red envelopes (Ang Pao) to children. These envelopes contain money, and giving them is believed to bring good luck and long life to both the giver and receiver. T h e Lunar N e w Ye a r won’t be complete without AJPress illustration by Kendrick Tan setting off fireworks
AJPress illustration by Godwin Gasacao
and firecrackers or generally just making noise as it is supposed to drive away bad spirits, bad luck, and the mythical beast called Nian. Filipinos commonly use horns and cooking pots to create noise. Families also gather to have their New Year’s Eve dinner where they usually serve tikoy (year cake), which is made from sticky rice and symbolizes unity among family members; pancit/noodles, for long life and represent the eater’s life; and fish and dumplings, which are believed to signify good fortune. Families also prepare 12 different round fruits as they are believed to bring luck and fortune to them. The New Year’s Eve dinner is perhaps the most important dinner for families — that’s why it’s necessary for all the members of the family to be present for it. During the Lunar New Year, people across the globe greet with either Gong Xi Fa Cai, which means “you attain greater wealth,” or Kung Hei Fat Choi, which means “congratulations and be prosperous.”
SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL
Recipe Corner
Filipino-Canadian Martin Edralin’s “Islands” will make its world premiere at SXSW’s Narrative Feature Competition
Two Filipino-centric films to premiere at 2021 SXSW Online By AJPress
“THE Fabulous Filipino Brothers” directed by Filipino American actor Dante Basco and “Islands” by Filipino Canadian Martin Edralin are set to premiere in the 2021 South by Southwest Film Festival. SXSW on Wednesday, February 10, revealed its lineup for the 28th edition of the SXSW Film Festival, which will take place online from March 16 to 20, 2021. Films in the lineup will screen in the following categories: Headliners; Narrative Feature Competition; Documentary Feature Competition; Narrative Spotlight; Documentary Spotlight; Visions; Midnighters; Global; 24 Beats Per Second; Festival Favorites; and, new this year, 2020 Spotlight. “It’s been a year unlike any we’ve experienced, first marked by the cancellation of SXSW 2020,” said Janet Pierson, Director of Film. “We feel privileged to have been able to pivot to SXSW Online and present a fantastic treasure trove of programming, including a pared down and wonderful selection of films that we know will delight, entertain, and move our attendees,” she added. Edralin’s “Islands” is under Narrative Feature Competition, along with seven other world premieres. “Islands” tell the story of a shy Filipino immigrant on the cusp of 50 who pleads with God for a companion, terrified of the prospect of being alone.
Binagoongan na Baboy (Becugan Babi)
“The Fabulous Filipino Brothers,” directed by Dante Basco and starring him and his brothers, will make its SXSW debut. Photo from Instagram/@ fabfilipinobros
“We’re thrilled to announce that ISLANDS the first feature by award-winning director Martin Edralin, will make its world premiere at SXSW 2021 in the Narrative Feature Competition, marking one of the first-ever Filipino-language narrative feature to premiere at the festival!
Starring Rogelio Balagtas, Sheila Lotuaco and Steve Comilang, produced by Circus Zero Films and Silent Tower,” according to the film’s Facebook page. Meanwhile, “The Fabulous Filipino Brothers” — starring Dante, Derek, Dion and Darion
u PAGE 11
1 kilo Pork (from head, ears, and snout or pork liempo) ½ cup pork lard ¼ cup Pamana atsuete (annatto seeds) 1 teaspoon minced garlic ½ cup chopped onions 2 pieces tomatoes (seeded and diced) 1 cup bagoong alamang ½ cup Pamana Vinegar ½ cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon Pamana whole black pepper 5 pieces sili (green, used for sinigang) Garnishing: grilled eggplants and okra 1. Boil whole pork pieces with
tender or until broth has almost evaporated. Set aside and let cool. 2. When cool enough to handle, debone pork and cut to small pieces. 3. In a frying pan, heat pork lard and add atsuete, stirring constantly for one minute or until oil has adsorbed coloring of atsuete. 4. Remove atsuete seeds and keep the oil in frying pan. 5. Sauté garlic, onions, tomatoes and bagoong. 6. Add pork, vinegar, sugar, pepper and sili pieces. 7. Let simmer for 5 – 10 minutes. 8. To serve, garnish with whole grilled eggplants and okra.
This recipe is provided courtesy of Seafood City. Visit their Facebook Page or http://www.seafoodcity.com for more recipes. If you have any recipes that you would like to share with Asian Journal readers, please send email to editor@asianjournalinc. com or info@asianjournalinc.com, and include a photo of your dish.
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FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL
Entertainment
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James reclaims the spotlight By Christina
Alpad ManilaTimes.net
THE recent years have seen James Reid grow from a top and young TV and movie actor to serious music label executive and lately an innovative entrepreneur across various industries. This year, however, more settled in these aspects of his life, he is ready and raring to work in front of the camera anew to reclaim the spotlight in music. The 27-year-old officially opened 2021 with a brand new single, “Soda,” which likewise carries a brand-new sound he hopes his fans will enjoy. “I just really wanted to start the year with something fresh. Soda is a new sound for me, and I’ve been working on it since 2020,” Reid shared at track’s virtual media launch. Combining deep soul with the playful rhythms of electro funk, Soda is poised to become an anthemic song that brings hope to people after the infamous year that was 2020. “Last year was very heavy. I wrote this song during quarantine. Basically, it was a time that I was very introspective and the song reflects those insights and learnings.” Collab with Nadine, Careless team To be clear, Reid did not technically take a hiatus from music since he spent his energy these recent years working behind the scenes. Ever since his Palm
James Reid
Photo from Instagram/@carelessph
Dreams album was released in 2017, he devoted all his time between building his label Careless by closely working with his contract artists. With his vision and leadership, the Careless team’s effort paid off what with the success of Nadine Lustre’s visual album, “Wildest Dreams,” released in October 2020. Now armed with more experience from certified hits, Reid finally allowed himself to focus on his own music still with the help of Careless’ talents. For Soda, the artist initially produced the single by himself, starting with the beat and writing the lyrics. From there, the song eventually took flight with Isagani Palabyab, who in turn brought in instrumentalists to give Soda that “live feel;” as well as Lustre and Filipino-Ghanaian rapper Massiah who helped him tighten the lyrics.
“They helped me with a couple of lines, like Nadine wrote the line ‘Don’t miss the stars in your eyes,’ which basically means, don’t give up, don’t lose hope.” With a hint of pride over this latest collaboration with his perennial screen partner, Reid added, “I guess we know each other very well so she kinda knows what’s in my head too. She was able to pick up the idea very quickly and Nadine has been improving a lot as a songwriter these past two years.” Home is where the heart is Known to carry a global sound that can be likened to that of international artists, Reid’s loyal fans are excited to see if Soda will be the very single to lead the rest of Careless’ original Filipino music in going global. The excitement, of course, is amped by Reid’s revelation in 2020 that he is now co-managed by Transparent Arts (TA), which is Los Angeles-based talent agency. The Manila Times Entertainment therefore had to ask him if TA was involved in producing Soda. “This one I produced with my team before TA came along,” Reid clarified. “But Transparent Arts and the guys, we’ve now been working on other tracks with some LA producers. I’m really not sure if I should say anything more than that but definitely, they are heavily involved in the following singles and we’ll be working together on an album as well,” the singer revealed just a bit more. More admirably, though, Reid displayed his commitment when he reiterated the reason why he agreed to be co-managed by TA when he had previously expressed the desire to navigate his own career. “The goal for Careless is to eventually be able to build a bridge for local acts to also [help them] have a shot at the international stage.” Asked if he sees that happening to himself, Reid smiled and wore his heart on sleeve. “My personal goal is [to do well] here in the Philippines. This is what I love. But [if my music] takes me there [globally] that’s cool too,” Reid ended. “Soda” is now streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon and other streaming platforms.
Q&A: COVID-19 vaccines Dali Fan, M.D., PH.D. Health Science Clinical Professor Cardiovascular Medicine UC Davis Health
Q: Doesn’t the vaccines have side effects? Is it dangerous? A: COVID-19 vaccines are safe, about as safe as any other vaccine and much safer than almost all common medicine. There can be some minor side effects after vaccination, such as a mild fever or sore arm. Mild symptoms are normal and a sign that the body is building immunity. About 10% of the people received the vaccine may experience side effects. The COVID-19 vaccines are up to 95% effective. Q: Have some people gone into anaphylaxis with allergic reactions? A: Allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines are rare and very few people have had severe adverse reactions (about 5 in 1 million people), it is 100 times less than penicillin. If someone normally has allergic reactions to the flu vaccine or other severe allergies, they should report that to their health providers in advance of receiving the COVID 19 vaccine. Q: I have allergies and am allergic to many drugs, such as antibiotics. Is it still safe for me to get vaccinated? A: You can still get the COVID-19 vaccine if you have allergies to drugs, such as antibiotics, but you need to talk to your healthcare provider first about what types of allergies you have had and if any precautions are needed for you to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Q: Can I still take the vaccine if I have underlying health conditions, take routine medication/ treatment and nontraditional or homeopathic remedies? A: Yes, you can still receive the COVID-19 vaccine even if you have underlying health conditions. Q: Is the vaccine safe for pregnant women? What about for mothers who are breastfeeding? A: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that COVID-19 vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who meet criteria for vaccination. However, all women who are pregnant and mothers who are breastfeeding should talk with their healthcare provider before getting the vaccine.
Q: There’s a new variant of the virus already In California? Will this vaccine protect against it or will there be another vaccine? A: Vaccine scientists believe the present COVID-19 vaccine is effective against the new variant. Scientists are continuing to study this new variant and the vaccines’ effectiveness against it. Both Pfizer and Moderna have already made progress with new vaccines against the new variant. Q: How long does immunity from the vaccine last? A: How long the vaccine will provide immunity from the virus is still unknown, but scientists believe it is at least 6 months and they are studying this. People should continue to take safety precautions including mask wearing, hand-washing and physical distancing, even after receiving the vaccine. Q: How were these vaccines developed so quickly? A: COVID-19 vaccine was developed to be safe and effective while moving very quickly to get doses manufactured en masse. Manufacturing started while the clinical trials were still underway. The U.S. government and vaccine manufacturers invested millions of dollars in producing millions of doses of vaccine while clinical trials were in progress, greatly reducing the amount of time between vaccine authorization and vaccine implementation. The investment in manufacturing normally doesn’t happen for other vaccines until later in the development process but the urgency of this virus required expediency. Still, these more quickly developed vaccines, called mRNA, continue to be held to strict safety standards. Q: How do mRNA vaccines work? Are they safe and do they alter your DNA? A: This mRNA, or messenger RNA, form of vaccine helps our cells make a “spike protein” that acts to trigger an immune response in the system and does not change our DNA. The technology utilized to make these vaccines has been developed over the last 20 years. Messenger RNA has been studied for over a decade for effectiveness in influenza, Zika, rabies, and new cancer treatments. This type of vaccine is what Pfizer and Moderna are manufacturing to help us get this public health crisis under control safely and effectively. Q: When and how will people know it’s their turn to get a vaccine? A: California has a new tool – the MyTurn website, MyTurn. ca.gov, which allows people to sign up to be notified when it is
their turn. The state’s priority is to continue vaccinating health care workers and residents in long-term care settings, then move to other priority groups and ultimately everyone once the vaccine supply is available. California simplified eligibility guidelines under which health care workers, individuals 65+ and education and childcare, emergency services and food and agriculture workers are eligible to make appointments to receive the vaccine, depending on supply. Future groups will become eligible based on age. This eligibility standard will move in unison across all 58 counties and allow the state to scale capacity up while ensuring the vaccine goes to disproportionately impacted communities. Q: I don’t have a primary physician, where should I go to get the vaccine? A: People without a primary care physician should contact their local community health clinic, known as Federally Qualified Health Care Center. Or local public health department to know when and where to go for their vaccine. Q: How much does the vaccine cost? A: The vaccine cost nothing – it is free for all Californians. If someone charges for it, it would be a scam. If you’re undocumented or don’t have insurance, you can still get the vaccine at no cost, and COVID-19 vaccine does not count under the public charge rule. Q: When will the majority of Californians get the vaccine? A: The state’s weekly supplies of vaccine are extremely limited at this time. Once the vaccines are produced at scale by the manufacturers and made available to the state, we will know when everyone can have the vaccine according to the prioritized groups. Go to VaccinateAll58. com for information about the prioritization of groups for receiving the vaccine. Q: Do people who already had COVID 19 have to be vaccinated? A: Yes. Everyone should get vaccinated even if they had COVID-19. Health officials don’t know how long the immune response lasts after contracting COVID-19, so it is important that everyone receive this safe and effective vaccine. Q: Do you need to get the same vaccine for your first and second dose? A: Yes. Mixing different doses of different COVID-19 is not recommended. (Advertising Supplement)
Bretman Rock prepares Filipino-style spaghetti and Ilocano dish igado for family dinner.
Screenshot/MTV
Fil-Am influencer Bretman Rock cooks igado, Pinoy spaghetti in premiere episode of MTV reality show By Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
FILIPINO American internet star Bretman Rock is giving fans a closer look at his life with a new MTV reality show. The first episode of “Following Bretman Rock,” which premiered on Monday, February 8, shows Bretman — along with his cousin-assistant Miss Kay, childhood friend Larry, and sister Princess — temporarily moving into a beach house while his dream mansion undergoes renovations. On how Miss Kay became Bretman’s assistant, she shared: “[It was] me traveling around the world for him and I noticed my bank account was going negative and I’m just like: Bret, next time you want me to come, you gotta pay me.” Meanwhile, Larry shared that he has been friends with Bretman since their grade school years. “Don’t tell him I said this, but I’m so proud of him as a best friend,” he said. “I’m not friends with Bret because of his money. I was friends with him when he was still broke, but moving into this beach house got me so excited,” he added. The episode also featured all of them going on a horse-riding excursion as well as Bretman
With over 8 million YouTube subscribers, Bretman Rock is entering the TV world with a reality show on MTV. Photo from Instagram/@bretmanrock
preparing Filipino-style spaghetti and the Ilocano dish igado, which is a type of pork and liver stew. “My mom is the best cook in the world. I cannot eat other Filipino food that is not my mom’s,” he said, adding, “If I have to cook my mom’s food, I have to do it my mom’s way.” He was able to impress his Mama Mercy with his version of Pinoy spaghetti, but she noted that the igado was “not good.” Later, his mother opened up about her struggles as a single mother of three.
“I progressed. That’s why God gave me a good life. Because I suffered and endured for my kids,” Mama Mercy said in Ilocano. Bretman, 22, was born in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan in the Philippines. His family moved to Hawaii when he was 8 years old. He cultivated his online persona by doing makeup tutorials and vlogs on YouTube. Currently, his channel has amassed over 8 million subscribers, while his Instagram has around 15 million followers.
‘Fight for You’ by H.E.R. makes it to Oscars 2021 shortlist By Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
“FIGHT For You” by R&B artist H.E.R. has made it in this year’s Oscar Original Song shortlist. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Tuesday, February 9, released its shortlists for the 2021 Oscars in nine categories — documentary feature, documentary short subject, international feature, makeup and hairstyling, original score, original song, animated short film, live-action short film, and visual effects. H.E.R.’s “Fight For You,” from the film “Judas and the Black Messiah,” was one of the 15 songs to advance in the original song category out of 105 eligible songs. The shortlisted songs were selected by the Academy’s 376-member music branch. Voting for the final five in each category will take place between March 5 and 10, with nominees to be announced on March 15. The winners will then be announced during the Oscar ceremony scheduled on April 25.
briella Wilson, was born in Vallejo, California to a Filipina mother and an African American father. She rose to fame in 2009 after participating in Radio Disney’s “Next Big Thing.” At the age of 14, she signed to RCA Records and released the single “Something to Prove” under her real name in 2014. In 2016, she debuted under the H.E.R. persona with her debut EP “H.E.R. Volume 1.” She then released other EPs “H.E.R. Volume 2” and “The B Sides” in 2017 before releasing her first compilation album “H.E.R.” which consisted of tracks from the singer’s first two EPs plus six additional songs. In 2018, she released “I Used to Know Her: The Prelude” and “I Used to Know Her: Part 2.” H.E.R. received five nominations at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019, winning Best H.E.R. Photo from Instagram/@hermusicofficial R&B Performance and Best R&B Album. The year after, she reLast week, “Fight For You” re- ceived three nominations: Song ceived a Golden Globes nomina- of the Year (“I Can’t Breathe”), tion for Best Original Song – Mo- and two for Best R&B Song tion Picture. (“Better Than I Imagine” and H.E.R., whose real name is Ga- “Slow Down”).
Fil-Am Chanelle Molina joins WNBA training camp By AJPress
FILIPINA American Chanelle Molina is one step closer to making it to the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The WNBA’s Indiana Fever this week announced that Molina has been signed to a training camp contract. The terms of the contract were not disclosed as per the policy of the team. Molina, for her part, took to Instagram to acknowledge the importance of her achievement. “It has taken a lot of hard work, dedication and patience to get here. The WNBA has always been the goal, therefore I accepted and fell in love with the process to get here! There are not many Filipino women in the WNBA, so this is for the progress of women’s basketball all over the world,” she wrote. “I will celebrate this success and accomplishment, but it’s back to helping my team overseas win in the morning,” she
Former Washington State women’s basketball standout Chanelle Molina has signed a WNBA training camp contract with the Indiana Fever. Photo courtesy of Washington State University
added. “Thank you Indiana Fever for this opportunity. See you all soon!” Molina, who was born in Hawaii to Filipino parents, played college ball for Washington State for four years, averaging 12.7 points and 4.2 rebounds. In 2016, she was rated as a five-star recruit by ESPN. After going undrafted in the 2020 WNBA Draft, Molina played professionally for the Norrköping Dolphins in Sweden. The 5-foot-9 guard is currently averaging 18.1 points,
6.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in the 15 games with the Dolphins this season. “Chanelle recorded an excellent career at Washington State in the very challenging Pac-12 Conference. She is a skilled and versatile guard who will bring high energy and competitiveness to our training camp,” said Fever head coach Marianne Stanley. “She is having a great year overseas in Sweden this season because of how she has continued to improve,” Stanley added.
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Essential health tips Achy fakey heart
Health@Heart Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS DISCIPLINE and patience With COVID-19 (and variants) cases reaching almost 108 million and close to 2.4 million deaths in 219 countries (nearly half a million deaths in the U.S. and almost 12,000 fatalities in the Philippines), it behooves all of us to continue to be very careful and wear mask(s) in public, avoid crowds, and do social distancing almost to the point of paranoia, even AFTER we get the vaccines. Full protection from the shots may take more than a couple of months to achieve. Antibodies take time to develop to its maximal level. Let us not put our guard down till herd immunity is reached. Wisdom means life. A dozen reasons to have sex The revelation of infidelity among several popular public personalities in the past “have given sex a bad rap,” says a psychologist and sex therapist. The following have been cited as the health benefits from sex: (1) It relieves stress; (2) Sex improves the skin complexion; (3) Sex burns calories; (4) It heightens immunity; (5) It boosts self-esteem; (6) It maximizes cardiovascular health; (7) It improves intimacy and love; (8) Sex is an analgesic that reduces aches and pains; (9) Sex reduces the risk of prostate cancer; (10) Sex improves sleep and provides good rest; (11) Sex strengthens the pelvic floor muscles; and (12) Sex adds “fire, fuel, and mileage” to a marriage and relationship. Not to mention the gratifying joy and pleasure it provides. Electromagnetic risks At what dose of repeated radiation exposure from medical imaging diagnostic devices, natural or artificial sunbathing, microwave oven, cell phone signals, radiofrequency (radio-TV) signals, extremely low frequency power lines (said to be associated with childhood leukemia) can cause various forms of illnesses, including cancer, is still controversial. But we cannot simply ignore the warnings. In this current situation, the wise and prudent strategy is to minimize exposure to any of these electromagnetic forces as much as we can as we take advantage of the benefits provided by these advances in science and technology. Let’s just be more conscious and careful. Cellphone warnings Electrical Hypersensitivity Syndrome is truly a medical condition, characterized by fatigue, dizziness, tinnitus, facial rash, digestive symptoms, following “exposure to visual display units, mobile phones, Wi-Fi equipment, and commonplace appliances, affecting about 3% of all people and about 33% of us to a lesser extent.” Cordless phones and mobile phones emit the same amount of radiation… landline phones don’t. Use of speaker phone for cordless and mobile phones, or a hollow (preferred) wired (handsfree) earpiece is safer. Never use Bluetooth wireless headset which is a worse emitter. Texting is safer than calling with the handset against your ear. If possible, the cellphone should not be carried close to the body; if not, then the battery should be facing away from the body since this acts as the antenna, the dial pad facing the body. If not using a hands-free device, switching from one ear to the other every 15 seconds or so is a good practice. As much as possible do not use cellphone in elevators or close spaces, since the weak signal will make the phone maximize its signal strength (and radiation!). Children should NOT use cellphones except for emergencies,
since they are more vulnerable to the effects of radiation. Exercise wonders The amazing wonders of physical exercise are scientifically proven to keep the body and mind healthy, strengthen the immune system, improve cardiovascular fitness and reduces heart attacks by 33%, lessen the risk of the development of type 2 diabetes by 91%, prevent, if not minimize high blood pressure by more than a third, lowers the risk for depression and cancer – all these for doing 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week. Tai Chi, Tai Bo, dancing at any speed, walking (moderate to brisk), swimming, bicycling, or any aerobic exercise. There is no age limit to doing exercises. My mother, who died at the age of 101, did daily exercise till she was 93 (at a moderated pace) following the Leslie Sansone’s DVD aerobic exercise program. Besides a proper diet, abstinence from smoking and moderation in alcohol intake (red wine preferred), exercise is a major key to health and longevity. Shaving calories A good strategy is reducing calories is by substitution or swapping: drinking an 8-oz bottle of water instead of a can or bottle of unhealthy soft drinks (which are actually toxic to our body) saves you 100 calories; chicken sandwich instead of hamburger, 290 calories; one teaspoon mustard instead of mayo, 100 calories; apples slices instead of French fries, 270 calories; swap chocolate ice cream with strawberry slices, 115 calories; mixed salad with low-fat dressing instead of 2 slices of pizza saves you about 300 calories; and one bagel replaced by 2 slices light whole grain bread, 269 calories; high fiber cereal instead of granola, 110 calories. And brown rice is certainly healthier than white rice. Pistachio lowers cholesterol Studies at the Pennsylvania State University shows that pistachio nuts with its monounsaturated fatty acids and high antioxidant content have beneficial effects on cholesterol, body mass index (for weight reduction) and for hypertension control. As little as 1.5 ounces of pistachios a day for one month reduced the cholesterol by 8.4% and the low density (bad) lipoprotein by 11.6%. Monounsaturated fats, as in pistachio nuts and green leafy vegetables, are cardio-protective and lessen the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke. The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
YOU’VE heard of romance scams. But do you know how they happen? They start when scammers create fake profiles on dating apps or social media. Then, those scammers strike up a relationship with their targets and work to build trust. Sometime later, they make up a story and ask for money. So how do you spot a romance scammer? Here are some things to watch for: • Any love interest who asks you to give them money on a gift card, by money transfer, or cryptocurrency is a scammer. Period. • Romance scammers profess love quickly. They might say they can’t meet you because they’re overseas for business or military service — but, during the pandemic, they might just say they’re locked down. • Romance scammers might try to lure you off the dating site.
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• Scammers will find a reason to ask you for money — maybe to buy a phone card to keep chatting, maybe to help with a “medical emergency,” or maybe something else. • Romance scammers sometimes build interesting dating profiles. But try a reverse-image search of the profile pictures. Are any photos associated with another name, or with details that don’t match up? That’s just more proof that it’s a scam. If you’ve spotted any of these signs of a scam, tell the online dating app or social media plat- Ewan Heussaff and Anne Curtis with their daughter Dahlia Photo from Instagram/@annecurtissmith form right away. And then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Share this information with your family, friends, and social networks. You probably know someone who could use the reminder. (Jim Kreidler/Consumer Educahaving fun with the couple in her By Ian Biong tion Specialist, FTC) first time in the Philippines. Inquirer.net “Good Morning Philippines,” ANNE Curtis and Erwann Heu- Curtis posted on Instagram earlissaff have finally returned to the er on Thursday, Feb. 11, sharing Philippines with Baby Dahlia af- with fans a photo of her carrying her firstborn as she looks out the across several platforms like ter over a year in Australia. The couple announced their window. web, mobile, and premium viewSince December 2019, Curtis ing from your TV. Seven films homecoming to the public via will launch every two hours from their Instagram pages, much to and Heussaff had been in Austrathe delight of fans and fellow ce- lia, where they welcomed their 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT. SXSW audiences will be able lebrities alike as they welcomed first baby in March last year. Curtis, who hosted “It’s Showto watch 75 features includ- them home. “Melbourne to Manila and time” back then, previously dising 57 world premieres, three international premieres, four [six] days hotel quarantine done closed that she went to Australia North American premieres, one [check emoji] [eight] days of to give birth as she wanted to U.S. premiere, eight Texas pre- Home Isolation to go,” Heussaff take a break from work while also mieres, and 53 films from first- shared on Wednesday, Feb. 10, being with her mother, Carmen. As Dahlia nears turning a year time filmmakers. There will also accompanied by short video clips old on March 2, the couple set up be 84 short films which includes of their trip to the country. In one of the clips, Curtis can a fundraiser with UNICEF Philipmusic videos, episodic premieres and pilots, virtual cinema be seen undergoing a swab test, pines to help disadvantaged and while others showed Baby Dahlia vulnerable children. projects, and special events.
Two Filipino-centric...
PAGE 9 t Basco — will be screened in Narrative Spotlight, along with seven other high profile narrative features receiving their World, International, North American, U.S. or Texas premieres at SXSW. “The Fabulous Filipino Brothers,” set between Northern California and the Philippines, tells the story of four brothers and “a highly controversial Filipino wedding.” The film also features cockfights, adultery, romance, food, and family. SXSW Online will take place
SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021
Anne, Erwann return to PH with Baby Dahlia
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FEBRUARY 12-18, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL
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