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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2021 Volume 14 - No. 16 • 16 Pages
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Palace: PH should get close to $16 billion compensation from US by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
AFTER President Rodrigo Duterte demanded that the United States pay for the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Malacañang said that the Philippines should get “something like $16 billion or close to that amount” from the U.S. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Biden, Democrats’ immigration reform bill: A slow start toward pro-immigrant policy, experts say
pointed out how little the U.S. has provided in terms of military assistance to the Philippines from 2002 to 2017. Citing a study by Washington-based Stimson Center on counterterrorism spending, Roque said the Philippines only received $3.9 billion for counterterrorism efforts compared to Pakistan’s $16.4 billion. “When did Pakistan become an ally of
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INTRAMUROS REOPENING. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (3rd from left) and other officials of the Department of Tourism’s Office of Public Affairs and Advocacy (OPAA) pose for a photo while on bicycles at Plaza Moriones, Fort Santiago, Intramuros in Manila during the reopening of Intramuros on Wednesday, February 17. Intramuros will now welcome guests and tourists on a limited capacity. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
PH Supreme Court junks Marcos poll protest vs Robredo Duterte receives flak for VFA threat by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte is under fire after he demanded the United States to “pay” if it wants to keep the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) from being terminated. Addressing the troops at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Friday, February 12, Duterte said: “I’d like to put on notice if there’s an American agent here. From now on, you want the Visiting Forces Agreement done? You have to pay.” “It’s a shared responsibility but your
THE Philippine Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), has dismissed the entire election protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. against Vice President Leni Robredo. “With regard to PET Case No. 005 (Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr., protestant vs Maria Leonor “Leni Daang Matuwid” G. Robredo,
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Vice President Leni Robredo and former Senator Bongbong Marcos Inquirer.net photos
IMMIGRATION reform, a term that has become synonymous with political gridlock and ideological barriers to entry, may finally be on the horizon after decades of unsuccessful attempts from both Democrats and Republicans. White House officials confirmed that President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats are expected to release a sweeping immigration reform bill this week. The bill — called the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 — was first announced on Jan. 20 shortly after Biden’s inauguration. It had been marketed as the start of a more “fair, orderly [and] humane” immigration system, as previously reported in the
AMID a surge of violence against older Asian Americans across the country, an elderly Filipina was the victim of a random attack in San Diego, California on Monday, February 15. The Pinay senior citizen, who has not been identified, was riding a trolley when a man, unprovoked, started punching her, sources told ABC 10News.
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Elderly Pinay attacked Asian American leaders condemn anti-Asian on San Diego trolley attacks, say ‘more action is necessary’ by AJPRESS
by MOMAR
G. VISAYA
AJPress
A NUMBER of Asian American organizations have called for an immediate action to end violence against Asian American communities following the recent string of attacks on several Asian elders around the country.
The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) issued a statement regarding this continued violence targeting the most vulnerable members of the Asian American community. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have witnessed a rise in violence, harassment and racism targeting the Asian
American community. We applaud the leadership of local community leaders who have responded to these incidents, and join Asian Americans around the country in saying once again: this must end,” the statement read. The string of violent attacks have escalated in the recent
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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
PH Supreme Court junks Marcos poll protest...
PAGE 1 protestee), the 15 members of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal unanimously dismissed the entire electoral protest,” the high court, through its Public Information Office, said on Tuesday, February 15. It also shared the dispositive portion of the ruling that read: “WHEREFORE, the Presidential Electoral Tribunal DISMISSES the Election Protest filed by protestant Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. for lack of merit. The Counter-Protest filed by protestee Maria Leonor “Leni Daang Matuwid” G. Robredo is likewise DISMISSED.” SC Spokesperson Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka revealed that seven of the 15 justices present during Tuesday’s session “fully concurred” in the dismissal while the remaining eight “concurred” in the result. However, he declined to comment on whether the decision can be appealed. “I cannot answer the question because I only have the information which I read,” Hosaka said at a news conference.
A court insider told ABSCBN News that the PET dismissed the case because Marcos failed to present specific details to support his poll protest. “Allegations were bare, laden with generic & repetitious allegations, no critical information as to time, place and manner of irregularities,” the source told ABSCBN News. After Robredo defeated Marcos in the 2016 vice presidential race by 263,473 votes, the former senator filed a poll protest on June 29, 2016. In October 2019, the PET found that Robredo widened her lead over Marcos in the recount of votes in the three pilot provinces, showing Robredo with 1,510,178 votes now compared to her 1,493,517 votes in the areas chosen by Marcos previously. With the additional 15,093 votes from the recount, Robredo maintained her lead over Marcos with 278,566 votes. Marcos in January 2020 asked the PET to re-examine the initial vote recount results and conduct a technical
examination of the voters’ signatures in three provinces in Mindanao namely Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao, and Basilan due to alleged fraud and terrorism. Meanwhile, Robredo filed her own memorandum asking the PET to dismiss the election protest filed by Marcos after failing to present any substantial recovery in the three pilot provinces. Palace respects PET ruling Malacañang on Tuesday said it respects the PET’s decision to dismiss the election protest. “Yan ay desisyon ng kataas-taasang hukuman (That is the decision of the Supreme Court). We respect that and we respect also that the camp of Senator Bongbong Marcos has a further remedy of moving for reconsideration,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. Meanwhile, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said the PET’s unanimous decision on the poll protest “appears to validate Robredo’s win on the basis of law and of the evidence presented before it by
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ASH WEDNESDAY. A nun sprinkles ashes on a devotee during the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Baclaran Church in Parañaque City on February 17. Ash Wednesday marks the start of the 40-day Lenten season for Roman Catholics. PNA photo by Avito C. Dala
Palace: PH should get close to... PAGE 1 America? They do not have a basis to say that they have a longstanding relationship with America unlike the Filipinos who died in the Death March during World War II,” he said on Monday, February 15. Roque also cited the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, a 2014 deal that gave American soldiers access to the Philippines’ military establishments. “But how much are we getting for this? According to the study, we got $3.9 billion. Is this a big amount? It is loose change when compared to what other countries got,” he said. The spokesman continued: “Pakistan got $16 billion, we think we should get something similar or close to that amount. But definitely, not the amount we are currently getting.” According to Roque, the amount is based on the “historically very strong ties” between the Philippines and the
U.S. “We are basing it on the fact that we have had historically very strong ties and if you have very strong ties with a very strong ally, then I think it also comes with a higher amount of financial assistance to be given,” he explained. If the U.S. refuses to pay, then the VFA termination will proceed as scheduled, Roque said. “I think the president has been clear, he wants compensation. If the Americans don’t agree, then there is also the previous declaration of the Filipino president that he will terminate the VFA,” he stressed. Duterte, on February 12, said before the troops at Clark Air Base in Pampanga: “I’d like to put on notice if there’s an American agent here. From now on, you want the Visiting Forces Agreement done? You have to pay.” “It’s a shared responsibility but your share of respon-
sibility does not come free because, after all, when the war breaks out, we all pay,” he added. The VFA, which came into force in 1999, has provisions including 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. Last February, 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. n
Duterte receives flak for VFA... PAGE 1
share of responsibility does not come free because, after all, when the war breaks out, we all pay,” he added. Duterte’s statement was criticized by Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo, who noted that the demand sounded like extortion. “Parang extortion lang. Parang kriminal eh, ‘kung gusto mo nito magbayad ka muna’ (It’s like extortion. It sounded like a criminal saying, ‘If you want this, you have to pay up
first’),” she said in her Sunday radio show Biserbisyong Leni. Robredo also called Duterte’s statement “embarrassing,” adding that the administration should list its reasons for not renewing the VFA without involving money. “Para sa akin, nakakahiya. Parang nang-eextort tayo. Sa akin, kapag sinabi nating ayaw nating i-renew ‘yung VFA, ilatag natin kung bakit. Ipakita natin bakit ba hindi siya nakakabuti sa atin. Hindi
‘yung pera ang consideration (To me, it’s embarrassing. It’s like we’re extorting money. When we say we don’t want to renew the VFA, let’s lay down the reasons why. Let’s show how it’s disadvantageous to us. Money should not be the consideration),” she said. “Ang nakabase ito, mutual benefit ng parehong parties to contract. Hindi naman dahil kaibigan kita dahil binigyan mo ako ng pera (This is based on mutual benefits of
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Remembering Katherine Creag: Fil-Am NBC reporter passes away by AJPress FILIPINA American Katherine Creag, a reporter for NBC New York, died suddenly this week at the age of 47. Creag’s passing on Wednesday evening, February 10, “was unexpected,” according to the network on Thursday. A cause has not been determined, as of this writing. “She had not been ill and was working as recently as Wednesday morning,” the statement said. Creag joined WNBC in 2011 and was considered a beloved member of the News 4 family and was a fixture on “Today in New York” for years. She covered breaking news, extreme weather conditions, and everything in between like cultural moments. “For ten years Kat was one of our cornerstones, always willing to help in any situation, whether it was a colleague in need or a shift that needed to be covered,” WNBC’s vice president of news, Amy Morris, said in an email to the staff.
“She was thoughtful, funny and relentless. And even on the toughest days she was a bright light, quick with a kind word and a smile,” she added. NBC New York noted that Creag was instantly recognizable for her distinctive voice and hearty laugh. “Creag was the first face many New Yorkers woke up to every day,” the station added. Meanwhile, Creag’s colleagues described her as someone who had “boundless energy.” They also knew all about her passion for good Filipino food and would recommend new restaurants to try. Creag’s Fil-Am counterparts from competing networks in New York also expressed their shock. CBS2 reporter Hazel Sanchez Rapciewicz recalled Creag’s “infectious smile and bellowing laugh” and that she always looked forward to running into Creag while covering stories and events. “Despite working at competing stations… as Filipinas we instantly connected. It’s just
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PH Supreme Court junks... PAGE 2 both parties.” “Perforce, rule of law has prevailed. Due process was evidently observed with both parties having been given the opportunity to present their respective cases. As a general rule, the electorate’s decision is to be accorded the stamp of correctness,” he said. Panelo also said that the Marcos camp has to accept the PET’s decision and acknowledge democracy at work. “There is always another election to vindicate one’s loss or validate forever one’s rejection by the voting population. The Presidential Electoral Tribunal has spoken. It behooves everyone to abide by it. And so we must,” he added. n
Biden, Democrats’ immigration reform bill: A slow start... PAGE 1 Asian Journal. “There’s a lot of talk, with good reason, about the number of executive orders that I’ve signed. I’m not making new law — I’m eliminating bad policy,” Biden said at the Oval Office on Tuesday, Feb. 2 when he signed three executive orders that promise to review Trump-era immigration policy. The bill, which Democrats in both chambers of Congress support, includes proposals for: an “earned pathway to citizenship” for 11 million undocumented immigrants, a majority of whom are beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program; expands the refugee resettlement program; streamlining the backlog of immigration court cases and improving technology at the Southern border. Asylum processing for minors and reviewing the controversial public charge rule are also major components of the Biden immigration vision. “The plan is not only about fixing our broken immigration system, but building a better one that reunites families, brings the undocumented community out of the shadows and on a path to citizenship, stands up for human rights, addresses root causes of migration and includes a smart border security strategy,” said Sen. Bob Menen-
dez (D-N.J.), who is leading the legislative force in the Senate. On the other side of the Hill, Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-C.A.) is leading the effort in the House. She noted the multiple communities that are relying on the Biden administration to create a more functional immigration system. “From our DREAMers, to the service workers and farmers pulling us through this pandemic, there are too many relying on this reform for us to fail,” Sanchez said in a statement. With Democrats in control of both chambers in Congress and the White House, Biden’s bill may be on a faster track to passing than those of previous presidential administrations. That being said, however, immigration experts stress that while the executive orders may be the beginning of a new era in policy, the Biden administration has taken no significant action yet. According to the legislation’s text, much of the proposal involves “reviewing” and vetting current policies without offering any legislative alternatives to those policies. “Some executive actions call for the review of current policies so as of today, it is not clear what further changes will happen or when,” Maria E. Penaloza, program manager at the Los Angeles County Office
of Immigrant Affairs (OIA), said at a press briefing with ethnic media outlets on Thursday, Feb. 11. “Right now, it has not been introduced [and] it is not law yet,” Penaloza stressed, noting that the proposal has not been published yet aside from summary fact sheets that the White House released weeks ago. In the LA area alone, there are 80,000 DACA beneficiaries and 30,000 holders of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), both of whom receive temporary protection from deportation. For the LA immigrant community — a vast web of families and individuals, a majority of whom hail from Latin America and Asia — local resources and county commitment to providing those resources should be the priority, according to LA County OIA Executive Director Rigoberto Reyes. Reyes said that the county is dedicated to providing necessary services like legal representation and consultation, health care, education support, cash assistance and other “basic things that the county wants to provide.” (Reyes advised undocumented immigrants who are seeking advice to call 800-593-8222.) Amid the federal effort to scale back former President Trump’s immigration policy, other local immigration officials are urging undoc-
umented individuals and families to avoid immigration scams. Adriana Garcia, associate director for LA City OIA, warned that immigration scams tend to prop up any time new immigration laws are under consideration. “Notario fraud” — when non-lawyers or unethical attorneys offer legal advice or promise “guaranteed positive results” — is particularly common. Garcia warned against working with firms or individual attorneys who make clients pay for government forms (which are free on the government websites). Additionally, clients should only give copies of original documents and always ask for copies of documents that are being prepared for them. And, always get or request agreements in writing, including information about fees. “After the Trump administration, undocumented folks are less willing to reach out to government agencies for help,” said Daniel Sharp, chief of LA County OIA, who said that the public charge rule largely contributed to immigrants’ distrust in government services and agencies. He added, “But you don’t want to be in a situation where a shady attorney makes you pay for things that are free or takes your documents.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
Duterte receives flak for... PAGE 2 parties to a contract. We’re not friends just because you gave me money),” she added. Philippine Senator Panfilo Lacson expressed a similar sentiment, saying that asking Washington to pay may give an impression that the Philippines is a “nation of extortionists.” “Just to clarify, please be informed that we are not a nation of extortionists; at lalong hindi kami ‘mukhang pera’. Err... hindi lahat (And we are definitely not money-hungry. Err… not all of us),” he said in a now-deleted tweet. The senator explained that he took down the tweet after thinking that Duterte’s intention was “to get a fair shake of the agreement.” “I decided to take it down after giving it a thought that the president’s intention was to get a fair shake of the agreement, only he could have said it in a more diplomatic way. On crucial issues such as this, there should be no room for misinterpretation or misunderstanding moving forward,” he said in a statement. Lacson, who heads the Senate Committee on National Defense, also urged Duterte to take a diplomatic and statesmanlike approach in dealing with VFA negotiations. “The president may have used strong words to send his message across to the U.S. But certainly, there is a more civil and statesmanlike manner to ask for compensation from a longtime ally using the usual diplomatic channels and still get the same desired results,” he noted. In a separate tweet, he reiterated: “The diplomatic channels should be a better route to accomplish the same desired results. At least give the other party an elbow room to save face instead of looking bullied and stripped of dignity.” For national interest Malacañang, for its part, came to Duterte’s defense, saying his demand is in line with the Philippines’ national interest and not to extort money from the U.S. “Sa mga nagsasabing extortion, hindi po ‘yan extortion. ‘Yan po ay isang pagtaguyod ng pang-nasyonal na interes ng mga Pilipino at dahil marami po tayong gastusin lalung-lalo na sa COVID-19 (To those calling it extortion, it’s not extortion. That’s in line with the national interest of Filipinos because we are spending a lot especially
for COVID-19),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Monday, February 15. According to him, the payment from the U.S. could be used as additional funding for the country’s Universal Health Care (UHC) program. “Bakit hindi tayo sumingil ng sa ganun yung perang makukuha natin magagamit natin para sa COVID response natin, para sa libreng pakain ng ating mga estudyante, para po sa Universal Health Care, para sa libreng patubig. Lahat po ‘yan kinakailangan ng pondo (Why don’t we seek compensation so that the money can be used for our pandemic response, free meals for our students, for the Universal Health Care, for free water services. All those need funding),” said Roque. “Huwag naman natin ipagkait sa ating mga kababayan ang karagdagang pondo ngayong pwede naman talaga pagbayarin ang mga Amerikano para sa paggamit ng ating teritoryo (Let’s not deny our citizens additional funds since it’s actually possible to ask America to pay for using our territory),” he added. Roque stressed that the VFA termination will proceed if the U.S. refuses to pay the Philippines. “I think the President has been clear, he wants compensation. If the Americans don’t agree, then there is also the previous declaration of the Filipino President that he will terminate the VFA,” he said. 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 relaxed 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. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)
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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 19-25, 2021
OPINION
Endangerment through forgery WITH COVID cases still rising in several areas outside Metro Manila, and the vaccine rollout hitting a snag, coronavirus transmission can be curbed only through strict adherence to health protocols. The so-called three T’s – tracing, testing and treatment – need to be stringently maintained. Obviously, this goal is seriously undermined when people fake the results of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction swab tests. The forgery of RT-PCR test results used to be done mainly by people seeking employment or a return to their jobs. With the gradual reopening of various economic sectors, however, faking RT-PCR test results has also been resorted to even by those who want to enjoy tourism. This was the case with six visitors to Boracay, three of whom tested positive for COVID following their arrest in a hotel on the resort island. This week the Department of Tourism filed criminal charges against the six, who are from Metro Manila, for falsification of public documents. Last December, the Aklan police also filed criminal charges against five Boracay visitors,
for falsification of public documents as well as violation of Republic Act No. 11332, the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. Since Boracay began accepting visitors from areas outside Western Visayas on Oct. 1 last year, about 100 tourists have been apprehended for faking swab test results. Malay town, which has jurisdiction over Boracay, is preparing a resolution declaring the 100 as persona non grata. Such reports have apparently not provided sufficient deterrence. Last week eight more people with fake swab test results were arrested in three separate resorts in Boracay. Unless people see violators suffering the consequences of faking swab test results, there will be many more people who will recklessly endanger others with possible infection. Boracay could soon suffer a surge in COVID cases. While acting more decisively on this problem, the government must address the root cause of the forgery: the steep cost of RT-PCR tests and limited access to testing facilities. The Philippine Red Cross has started rolling out its less invasive RT-PCR saliva testing, which provides
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FeATUres
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS NO, the Senate acquitting Donald J. Trump in his second impeachment trial did NOT mean the 45th president was not guilty of inciting the deadly January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. It only meant it did not have 10 more Republicans voting to convict, as seven others courageously did. The final vote revealed
Philstar.com photo
faster results at half the price of the swab test. The government can augment this effort by procuring its own saliva tests. Even better, it should look at the much cheaper saliva tests being used in countries such as Israel, which do
not require laboratory processing and produce results instantly, with high accuracy. As long as COVID swab tests remain expensive and difficult to access, forgery of results will continue. (Philstar.com)
The Republican Party of true conservative values is gone after being hijacked and terrorized by Trump that a majority gave a guilty verdict — 57, including seven Republicans joining Democrats, while 43 voted to acquit him, all of them Republicans. Sixty-seven votes were needed to convict. Trump has been terrorizing the Republican Party, warning them against voting against him,
threatening them and their families. Using his power over his die-hard followers, he stoked fear among the members of Congress who desperately wanted to cling on to power even if it meant selling their souls to the devil. One month ago, the House voted 232 to 197 to impeach Trump for incitement
of insurrection, with ten Republicans joining Democrats. This happened one week after the January 6 riot when an armed pro-Trump mob breached the Capitol to stop the members of Congress from fulfilling their Constitutional duty to officially declare that Joe Biden won, based on the results of the No-
vember 3rd election. We all have seen videos of the riot that killed five people, injured 140, put the lives of the members of Congress at risk, threatened to hang Vice President Mike Pence after he did not follow Trump’s will that he should reject the Electoral College vote, vandalized and looted the Capitol.
All of these were a product of Trump’s hateful rhetoric, lies and disinformation even before the election, that the only way he would lose was if the election was stolen from him. After the November 3rd election, his rhetoric became even viler, continuing to claim he won by a landslide and that there was
massive voter fraud — a claim that had been rejected in courts and by election officials across the country for lack of evidence. And on January 6, Trump did nothing to stop the carnage, even praised the mob for being patriots. Those arrested and convicted said they were just following the orders of Trump. Rep. Liz Cheney, the third highest-ranking RePAGE 10
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FEBRUARY 19-25, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL
Dateline PhiliPPines
‘PH not a target of China’s coast guard law,’ says envoy CHINA was not targeting the Philippines when it passed a new law allowing its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels entering disputed territories, according to Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana. “The Chinese have reassured us through their spokesman, the Foreign Ministry Spokesman as well as the Chinese Embassy...that they are not targeting the Philippines or any specific country and that they will not resort to force in the first instance,” he said on Tuesday, February 16. “I want to explain that through the objection, through the diplomatic note and through the diplomatic discussion, the Chinese have tried to reassure that they will still exercise restraint. This is what we are calling for, that all claimant countries resort to diplomacy and avoid the use of
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force,” added Sta. Romana. Last month, China passed the Coast Guard Law, permitting its coast guard to use “all necessary means, including the use of weapons” to stop or prevent threats from foreign vessels. A diplomatic protest against the new law was filed by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on January 27. “While enacting law is a sovereign prerogative, this one – given the area involved or for that matter the open South China Sea – is a verbal threat of war to any country that defies the law; which, if unchallenged, is submission to it,” said Locsin. The Chinese Embassy in Manila, in response, assured that the Coast Guard Law is not a threat of war. “Enacting such a coast guard law is not unique to Chi-
na, but a sovereign right to all. Many countries have enacted similar legislation. It is the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009 that established the PCG as an armed and uniformed service. None of these laws have been seen as a threat of war,” it said on February 1. The embassy also maintained that the Coast Guard Law doesn’t target any country. “China Coast Guard Law doesn't specifically target any certain country. The enact of the law doesn’t indicate any change of China’s maritime policy,” it said. “China has always been committed to managing differences with countries including the Philippines through dialogue and consultations and upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea,” it added. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)
Palace: Duterte ‘knows what it takes’ to be president by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
BEING the chief executive of the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte knows which qualities his successor should have to lead the country, Malacañang said Wednesday, February 17. ]“Dahil siya ay naging president, alam niya ‘yung mga kakayahan na kinakailangan para maging president (Since he’s the president, he knows what it takes to be the president),” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. This comes in defense of Duterte’s latest statement saying that Vice President Leni Robredo is not qualified to be the next president since she doesn’t know her role in the government. On Monday, Duterte lashed out at Robredo for criticizing his demand for the United States to “pay” for the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and likening it to “extortion.” “Every time she opens her
President Rodrigo Duterte witnesses the conferment of the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kamagi to 24 soldiers led by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana at the Haribon Hangar in Clark Air Base, Pampanga on Friday, February 12. Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo
mouth, she forgets that she is a lawyer. Being a lawyer, she should know that the Constitution says that that is my function. It is not their function. Whatever I want to say for the sake of the country, there’s a purpose for it,”
he said “You, ma’am, I’m sorry to say, you are not really qualified to run for president. You do not know your role,” Duterte added, addressing Robredo. PAGE 7
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Palace: Duterte ‘knows what it takes’ to be... PAGE 6 Robredo, in response, said: “Hindi naman siya ang magde-decision kung qualified ako o hindi, pero 'yong taumbayan (It is not him who will decide if I am qualified or not, but the public).” Roque agreed that the decision depends on the public, but pointed out that Duterte is included in the public she’s referring to. “‘Yan ay desisyon ng taumbayan pero kabahagi po ng taumbayan ay ang Presidente na siya ay boboto rin. (The decision will come
from the people, but the president is among them since he will vote, too),” he noted. Last month, Duterte claimed that women are not fit for the top government post. “Alam mo, the emotional set-up of a woman and a man is totally different. Maging gago ka dito. That is the sad story (You know, the emotional set-up of a woman and a man is totally different. You will become a fool here. That is the sad story),” he said. Robredo has yet to announce her political plans for 2022. n
Asian American leaders condemn anti...
PAGE 1 weeks, and the community has suffered the loss of Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year old Thai-American, after he was killed by being shoved to the ground while walking in San Francisco. Noel Quintana, a 61-year old Filipino-American was on his way to work when another subway rider slashed his face from ear to ear, simply for asking the attacker to stop kicking his tote bag. “Not only have our communities suffered disproportionately, but our suffering has also been made so much worse by the racism and violent attacks we have been facing for the past year,” a statement from the Asian American Federation (AAF) read. Since early 2020, AAF has been collecting reports of bias incidents and working with leaders to address the anti-Asian rhetoric and anti-immigrant policies driven by the former president and other national leaders. To date, there have been approximately 500 reports of bias incidents and hate crimes directed at the community in New York City alone. “We ask our neighbors and friends of all communities to stand with us to eradicate hate
in our communities. We ask our fellow New Yorkers to look out for each other,” the AAF statement read further. “Mr. Quintana was in a crowded train when he was attacked, yet only a few people stepped up to help him even though he was bleeding profusely. We are all in this together.” The statement was signed by 37 Asian American organizations in the tristate area. On the other hand, NCAPA’s statement believes that the incidents “are the result of the hostile, xenophobic climate created by scapegoating Asian communities for the pandemic and the product of decades of systematic neglect and structural racism.” “We call upon our country’s leaders to make good on their past commitments to fight anti-Asian racism. Both President Biden’s Administration and Congress have condemned this racism in the past, but it has become clear that more action is necessary,” NCAPA said. “To governors and locally-elected officials: listen to Asian American leaders in your communities who have been doing this work every day. We need to see tangible solutions that prioritize investing in our communities to
prevent violence, both systemic and interpersonal, rather than turning towards punitive methods that rely on systems that have continued to fail us.” Based in Washington, D.C., NCAPA is a coalition of 37 national Asian Pacific American organizations that serves to represent the interests of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and to provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns. Among the coalition members is the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). “NaFFAA condemns all acts of hate-based violence, especially the recent attacks on our fellow Asian Americans in the Bay Area and New York City. Historically, anti-Asian rhetoric has existed in many forms all over the country, but the rapid increase in violence against our community during the pandemic is repugnant and unacceptable,” Brendan Flores, national chair and president said. “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims in these attacks and we call upon our elected officials and community leaders to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions and to put an end to the violence.” n
Elderly Pinay attacked on San Diego... PAGE 1 The station said witnesses helped the victim report the attack to the police. She was later treated at a local hospital. Police arrested a suspect, whose details were not released, for “assault with a deadly weapon with an elder abuse enhancement,” according to the news station, but the incident was not considered a hate crime. Violent attacks against elderly Asian Americans have gone viral in the past month. In late January, 84-year-old 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 nearly $70,000. In early February, a Filipino American man had to receive almost 100 stitches after he was slashed across the face by another passenger
on the New York City subway. Noel Quintana, 61, was riding the L train to get to work in Harlem on February 3 when a man walked by and kicked the tote bag that Quintana had set on the train floor. When Quintana confronted the man after he noticed his bag being kicked again, the man took out a box cutter and slashed Quintana across the face from cheek to cheek. Quintana was taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment. From March to December 2020, Stop AAPI Hate, an online reporting tracking anti-Asian hate incidents, received 2,808 reports of racism and discrimination targeting community members, as previously reported by the Asian Journal. The tracking center (stopaapihate.org) allows individuals to report in English as well as several Asian languages like Tagalog. The website also features safety tips for those who experience or witness hate. n
VACCINE SIMULATION IN PGH. An employee of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) is “vaccinated” on Monday, February 15 during the simulation exercises for the coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine rollout. Some 50 health workers participated in the dry run in preparation for the actual vaccination process. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
NEDA wants MGCQ for entire country in March by Alexis
RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA — Citing the need to address hunger and income losses caused by prolonged lockdowns amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has recommended placing the entire Philippines under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), the most lenient quarantine status, next month. Quarantine restrictions that have been in place since March last year have caused a total income loss of P1.04 trillion or P2.8 billion per day, which translates to an average annual income loss of P23,000 per worker, according to acting NEDA director general Karl Chua. “However, we know that other sectors were not allowed to operate under the community quarantine and other people lost their jobs. That’s why the impact on the income and livelihood of other workers is worse,” Chua said during a meeting of the government’s pandemic task force last Monday. The acting socioeconomic planning secretary cited the need to balance the containment of COVID-19 and efforts to revive the economy. “We need to shift as soon as possible to MGCQ for the entire Philippines. We hope starting March 1, 2021, so we can address the high percentage of Filipinos who are experiencing hunger,” he said. “We are not saying that we should reopen the economy without minding the number of COVID cases. We have to
do both,” he added. Chua explained that there was no significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases despite the reopening of the economy in October and the Christmas vacation. He also cited a recent survey that found 73 percent of Filipinos saying the government has to balance the opening of the economy and jobs and controlling the spread of the virus. “So given progress on the health side and no spike in COVID-19 cases from the reopening of the economy last October and the yearend holiday, our recommendation is … we further open the economy to MGCQ for the entire Philippines, especially the NCR (National Capital Region),” he said. “The main reason is we want to mitigate or reduce sickness, hunger, poverty, job and income loss that are arising from non-COVID cases,” he added. Localized lockdowns that are limited to specific barangays and municipalities can be imposed to prevent the spread of the virus, according to Chua. Majority of the provinces and cities in the Philippines are now under the most relaxed MGCQ, where about 75 percent of industries are allowed to operate. Only Metro Manila, Batangas, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Baguio City, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Tacloban City, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Iligan City are under the stricter GCQ, where about half of the industries can operate. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said President
Duterte is still studying the NEDA’s recommendation. Roque, however, agreed with Chua that the government should now help Filipinos who are experiencing hardships because of COVID-19-related restrictions. Citing a study by the NEDA, the Palace spokesman said that while the number of COVID-19 infections has reached more than 550,000, the number of Filipinos who are experiencing hunger has risen by 23.7 million. The number of poor people has increased by 4.5 million while that of jobless individuals has risen by more than two million, he added. “Since more people are suffering because of non-COVID-related activities... it’s about time that we save our countrymen from hunger and poverty,” he said at a press briefing yesterday. Roque added that Filipinos have also been following health and safety protocols, citing an OCTA research suggesting that 93 percent of them wear face masks. Other recommendations The NEDA also proposed the expansion of public transport from 50 percent to 75 percent so that more people can return to work. Chua said public transportation should be complemented with “active transport support” like designating bike lanes. He cited the need to expand inter-province bus operations, noting that many Filipinos who went to the provinces during the lockdown could not report for work. He also recommended the easing of age-based movePAGE 8
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Remembering Katherine Creag... PAGE 4 something Filipinos do…you meet another Filipino and instantly you’re family,” Rapciewicz posted on Facebook. Another colleague, Nina Pineda of ABC7, remembered Creag, responding that they are “two Filipinas from another mother” when asked if they were sisters. She said she would remember Creag as someone who always supported her friends and colleagues. “I never got to work with Kat, because she was the one who replaced me on Good Day New York when I left local news back in 2005. But I saw her smiling face at all the retirement and going away parties. We even laughed that FOX-5 hired a Filipina hoping the viewers didn’t notice,” posted Ernabel Demillo, who teaches journalism at Saint Peter’s University. “Being a morning reporter in New York meant you were part of a special club and when you are a Filipina reporter in NY, you are automatically part of a sisterhood. So her loss feels like we lost a part of ourselves. Kat was a dedicated journalist and I hope she will be remembered for the commitment she gave to TV journalism, while also balancing being a mother of three,” Demillo added. The “Today Show” on Friday, February 12 paid tribute to Creag, with colleague Darlene Rodriguez noting how she “was an extraordinary human being.”
Katherine Creag
Contributed photo
“Kat was a light,” Rodriguez said. “She had this very special spirit and energy about her. She came into your space, you were just immediately uplifted because no matter what, she was always in a good mood.” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio shared in a tweet: “Katherine Creag was dedicated to connecting with New Yorkers and sharing their stories. She worked tirelessly for our city. @NYCFirstLady and I send our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the @NBCNewYork community.” Born in Manila, Philippines, Creag graduated from New York University and spent five years at Fox before joining NBC. Cher Calvin, a news anchor for KTLA, remembered how she and Creag were “the only Filipino Americans” in their
journalism class at NYU. “My mom always advised me to find the smartest woman in the room. And make her your friend. That was Katherine Creag. I gravitated towards her on the first day of class at NYU School of Journalism,” Calvin wrote in an Instagram post, sharing a photo of the two outside their TV newscast class. “Our friendship was instant. We took every class together…She was a natural. A go getter reporter, an excellent writer. Thorough. Versatile. Intelligent. Funny.” During her career, Craeg won or shared in winning multiple Emmys, AP and Murrow awards that also took her to Dallas, Charlotte and Syracuse, the station said. Creag is survived by her husband of 14 years, Bill Gafner, a son and two daughters. n
NEDA wants MGCQ for entire country in March PAGE 7 ment restrictions, which was deferred because of the emergence of a new and more infectious COVID-19 variant. “At present, people aged 15 to 65 are the only ones who are allowed to go out. Our proposal is to gradually expand it to (people) aged five to 70. We can do it gradually, in increments of five years, also with appropriate safeguards,” the acting NEDA chief said. “With regard to safeguards, young people can go out with their parents only, or initially, they can go out to more open areas and it does not mean they will go to the malls. Young people can go out with safeguards, it will allow also their parents to work and get a job,” he added. The NEDA also called for holding pilot faceto-face classes in low-risk areas, saying the government was able to control the spread of the new COVID-19 variant. Pilot in-person classes were supposed to start last month, but they were canceled as a precautionary measure against the new virus strain. DTI backs NEDA The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is in favor of the NEDA’s proposal, but emphasized that health protocols must be strictly complied with by everyone.
“I agree and support. I have mentioned before that it will depend on COVID statistics, but as we see, the cases (are) generally going down. Even with gradual and calibrated reopening of economy, we should continue gradual safe reopening of sectors and further relaxation to MGCQ, with very localized lockdown where needed, so we can open other parts of the economy and bring back more jobs for our kababayans,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a Viber message to reporters yesterday. While the economy is on its way to recovery, Lopez said the country still had the biggest decline in gross domestic product and employment among its Southeast Asian neighbors. He added that based on data from NEDA, Metro Manila has a very weak recovery and many are still out of jobs. “The damage to malnutrition and other health and social issues will be irreversible,” he said. Given this situation, Lopez said it is about time the country moves to MGCQ after being under stricter quarantine classifications for close to a year, but with full compliance to health protocols – wearing of face mask and face shield, physical distancing, frequent sanitation and good ventilation. n
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Anti-terror law petitioner arrested by EvElyn
Macairan Philstar.com
MANILA — For the first time, a petitioner against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA) was arrested at a lumad school in Cebu last Monday, raising fears among petitioners that they are “seriously threatened” and that this has created a “chilling effect.” Just before ending the third oral arguments on the ATA at past 5:30 p.m. yesterday, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, one of the 37 petitioners and at the same
time one of the seven lawyers representing the petitioners, asked the Supreme Court (SC) to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the law. “For the first time in history, the petitioners and their counsel are seriously threatened prosecution under the challenged statute by no less than a military general who is part of the State enforcing the controverted ATA,” Lagman said. He said volunteer teacher Chad Booc is accused of
allegedly training 19 lumad children to be “child warriors” of a communist group. Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta recommended to Lagman and the other petitioners to put the request for TRO in writing. The SC would give give the Office of the Solicitor General 10 days upon receipt of the motion to file its comment. Solicitor General Jose Calida said they may need more time to gather information since Booc was arrested in Cebu, not in Metro Manila. n
Roach: Ryan Garcia not an easy fight, not even for Manny Pacquiao by Mark
GionGco
Inquirer.net
HALL of Fame trainer Freddie Roach thinks Manny Pacquiao can’t let any hint of complacency creep up on him in a potential showdown with phenom Ryan Garcia. Pacquiao and Garcia are reportedly in talks for a bout this year. “The Garcia fight, I really like that fight. I think he’s a good fighter, he’s got a very good left hook, he can punch a little bit, you’ve got to be really careful with him, and that’s the key,” Roach told Fight Hub TV. “Manny has to be careful with him a little bit and be smart. To beat this guy, you have to do not just ordinary things. [Garcia] is a good fighter. We definitely have to be in the best of shape to beat him, and that’s something we will do.”
Pacquiao is tipped as a heavy favorite against Garcia, but the Filipino legend hasn’t fought since he beat Keith Thurman to win the WBA (Super) welterweight title in July 2019. The 42-year-old Pacquiao, however, has started training again and on Monday provided fight fans a glimpse of his blinding hand speed in a video on his social media accounts. Garcia, meanwhile, scored the biggest win of his young career when he stopped former contender Luke Campbell in the seventh round to win the vacant WBC interim lightweight crown last January. “He’s got a terrific left hook, and he puts people right on their ass with it. He’s not an easy fight for anybody, not even Manny,” Roach said. Roach, though, has no doubt his prized ward has
kept himself busy despite the inactivity. “[W[here is Manny right now? Is he so into politics in his country? Can he still fight like he used to? And I will say this, with the tapes he’s sent me, yes he does. He works his ass off still, every day,” he said. Pacquiao has also been rumored for potential clashes with fellow welterweight champions in Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford. But before anything else, Roach believes the best option is to fight Garcia first. “I would like to go with Ryan first. There are certain guys that when you get older, you get a little slower and so forth, and Manny can’t show signs of that coming into the bigger fight against [Spence] and [Crawford], and he needs to do a tune-up fight like this. I think it would be a great fight for him to get ready for.” n
Go pushes bill on dept of overseas Filipinos
SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday, February 15 thanked his fellow senators for heeding the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to enact a measure that will create a department for Filipinos overseas. Go, author of Senate Bill (SB) 1949, or the “Department of Overseas Filipinos Bill,” said the President believes that the country needs a department to properly address the concerns of Filipinos overseas. “This is so important to him that he has called for the creation of this department in the last two State of the Nation Addresses,” he stressed. The executive department had conducted several meetings and consultations with concerned government agencies to consolidate their concerns about the bill. “This is not an expansion of the bureaucracy. This is a measure to streamline the bureaucracy. Instead of having separate agencies serving overseas Filipinos, it is better to have them in one roof. One team, one mandate. We need a
one-country-team approach,” Go said in English and Filipino. “We are here not to file useless laws. We are her to provide solutions. I am appealing to our colleagues here in the Senate. Help us craft this law and help us craft this in a way that would truly work and achieve its intended objectives.” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri agreed that it was time for Congress to create a dedicated agency to look after the well-being of overseas Filipino workers. The senator earlier filed SB 1323 that seeks to create the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFil). The measure aims to streamline the functions of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. The Senate Committee on Labor headed by Sen. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva on Monday conducted hybrid hearing on SB 1323 and other measures creating DOFil. (ManilaTimes.net)
VACCINE SIMULATION IN PGH. An employee of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) is “vaccinated” on Monday, February 15 during the simulation exercises for the coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine rollout. Some 50 health workers participated in the dry run in preparation for the actual vaccination process. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Locsin wants ‘visa-less’ travel in ASEAN stopped by BErnadEttE
E. taMayo
ManilaTimes.net
FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. wants “visa less” travel within ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) stopped since syndicates use this scheme to traffic Filipinas abroad as sex slaves. “A lot of girls from Cotabato are trafficked to war zones to be sex slaves through visa less ASEAN. Stop visa less travel,” Locsin tweeted on Wednesday, February 17. Citizens of ASEAN-member countries travel visa free within the region. The grouping is composed of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Locsin was reacting to the tweet of Susan Ople, president of Blas F. Ople Policy Center, who said, “Ending modern slavery is a top priority of Barmm officials and its parliament.” Barmm stands for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Ople lauded the IOM (International Organization for Migration) Philippines “for extending full support to the fight against human trafficking.” “The practice of minors being deployed with fake passports abroad must end,” she said. Sen. Ana Theresia Hontiveros wants an inquiry on the possible involvement of some Bureau of Immigration
(BI) personnel in the trafficking of Filipina workers. The senator on February 2 sought an inquiry on the reported trafficking of Filipino women to Syria to work as domestic workers without their consent. “We need to better understand the human trafficking ‘supply chain’ in order to craft more effective legislation to prosecute offenders and protect our women and children,” Hontiveros said. She filed Senate Resolution 631 calling for the inquiry amid a recent report that 12 Filipinas were recruited to work in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) but were trafficked to Syria. “When we investigated the ‘pastillas scam’ in the Bureau of Immigration, we learned that aside from allowing the entry of Chinese nationals without inspection, outbound trafficking of Filipinos was also a ‘racket’ in the BI,” she said in Filipino. Hontiveros dubbed the unlawful act as “pastillas” scheme because the money would be hidden in rolled bond paper like the wrapper for the milk candy. “Are there institutions in the Philippines which lead or protect this racket?” the senator asked. She added, “Are the masterminds of the pastillas scam the same people behind this massive business of human trafficking?” While the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has al-
ready committed to repatriate the remaining trafficked Filipino women in Syria, Hontiveros said it is imperative to conduct an inquiry on the issue “to better understand what she calls a ‘supply chain’ of abuse.” Hontiveros noted that upon arriving in Dubai, the women were locked up inside a dark and dirty dormitory and were made to sleep on the floor. The abuse carried on until their 30-day tourist visas expired and they could no longer seek legal employment in UAE, she continued. “These women were physically abused and threatened the moment they expressed objection to being taken to Syria,” Hontiveros said in a statement. SR 631 also aims to investigate the gendered dimensions of human trafficking in the Philippines, where an overwhelming majority of victims are women and girls because of their vulnerability, economic disadvantage, and the increased global demand for sexual services and domestic servitude. “The pandemic will only drive many families further into poverty, making many members, especially women, more at risk of exploitation and abuse,” the senator said. “The issue of human trafficking of our women is not new, and putting an end to this practice is long overdue,” Hontiveros said. n
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Information on the Embassy reopening Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ AS almost everyone is aware, the U.S. Embassy in Manila has not been issuing most immigrant visas since approximately March 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions and the presidential proclamation, suspending visa issuance until April 2021. Here are some of the latest updates in connection with the Embassy reopening for immigrant visa processing: 1. The Embassy continues issuing immigrant visas for spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens, notwithstanding
the presidential proclamation. Just last week, one of my clients, the spouse of a U.S. citizen, had her immigrant visa issued. She stated she was not required to undergo COVID-19 testing or vaccination for her visa to be issued. However, there is a requirement that all travelers to the U.S., even U.S. citizens, must provide a negative COVID-19test to enter. 2. For minor children of U.S. citizens, the child’s biological age must be under 21. If their eligibility is based on the CSPA, they would still be subject to the presidential proclamation. 3. In terms of scheduling a visa interview, the U.S. Embassy will resume visa services as soon as possible, but cannot provide a specific date at this time. It is likely that after the
FIND OUT WHY THE U.S. CANNOT DEPORT 11 MILLION PEOPLE ON A BRAND-NEW EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) discusses the latest immigration news from the highlights of his YouTube channel, US Immigration TV. Atty. Gurfinkel also answers questions from three Kapamilyas. Rose from Seattle, Washington (2nd from left) petitioned her son in 2004. The petition was approved in 2007, but Rose did not know because she never got the notice despite informing the USCIS of her change in address. Rose is asking if she should have informed the National Visa Center, too. Winnie from Apple Valley, California (3rd from left) wants to know if her mother, who came to the U.S. as a tourist in December 2019, will be considered out-of-status because she extended her stay due to COVID. JayAr from Malate in the Philippines (right) is asking if he is qualified for U.S. citizenship because he is the son of an American citizen, even if his father died six years ago. Be sure to watch this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot” this Sunday, February 21 at 5:30 pm PST (8:30 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
presidential proclamation expires, there will still be social distancing restrictions and they will not be able to operate at full capacity. My client who
was just issued a visa advised there are relatively few visa applicants at the Embassy, and she went in about 7 a.m. and was finished by 9:30 a.m. with
her interview, which is fast, as sometimes a person is not finished until the afternoon. 4. The U.S. Embassy is still not processing K-1 fiancé(e)
visa applications and cannot provide a specific date when K-1 visa processing will resume. If the validity period of
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Disney’s next theatrical short ‘Us Again’ Rabiya: ‘Women are as capable as men’ features choreography by Fil-Am couple By Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
WALT Disney Animation is set to debut the animated short “Us Again” in theatres before “Raya and the Last Dragon” on March 5, and will be available on Disney+ in June. “Us Again” is written and directed by Zach Parrish, the head of animation of “Big Hero 6.” It will be Disney’s first theatrical short in five years, following 2016’s “Inner Workings,” which premiered in front of “Moana.” “Us Again” tells the story of an elderly man named Art and his young-at-heart wife Dot rekindling their youthful passion for life and each other on one magical night. It will be told entirely through dance, with composer Pinar Toprak delivering an “original funk and soul musical score reminiscent of the mid60s.” For this short, Parrish collaborated with Filipino American dancers and mar-
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS WISDOM, discipline, and lif estyle play a great role in people’s longevity. The COVID-19 pandemic is a good example. While seniors, especially those with health issues, are more prone to get infected, a great majority of them have been so careful and vigilant, they have eluded the virus, compared to careless, arrogant younger ones who were not so disciplined, got infected, many of them dying anyway, in spite of what their genetic code for lifespan was. According to the University of Minnesota, deaths among young people, ages 25 to 44 in New York, was around 38% as of December 17, 2020. That’s almost half of the death rate for seniors. Indeed, a healthy lifestyle impacts longevity. COVID-19 cases worldwide is almost at 10 million, with about 2.5 million deaths; U.S. – nearly 28.5 million cases and almost half a million deaths; and the Philippines – about 553,000 cases and around 12,000 deaths. Almost 180 million doses
ried couple Keone and Mari Madrid, who have previously worked with musical acts such as Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, and K-pop group BTS. “Working with Keone and Mari was the key to making this film work,” said Parrish in a statement. “From the very beginning, I knew that I wanted this film to be music driven. And I felt that dance is a universal language that can translate into any culture. I loved that their dance style felt like it was made for animation, and that there was this genuine, honest and organic connection between them because they were actually a married couple in real life,” he added. In an Instagram post, Keone Madrid expressed his excitement for “Us Again.” “Dream project announcement. Since 2019 we’ve been working on an animated short film with Disney, told entirely through dance/music (can’t believe I get to type that). And on March 5th, “Us Again” will
play in theaters before Raya and the Last Dragon (wherever theaters are open). It will later go to Disney+ in June,” Madrid wrote on Monday, February 15. He continued, “There are so many levels to which my heart explodes with joy when thinking about this coming to life, particularly that we can watch our daughter watch this - and that watching the shorts before Disney films have always been something I’ve deeply cherished - but this film and the village of people who helped bring it to life, are so special. Thank you Zach, Brad and the team for believing in us. The Disney dork in us is floating on animated clouds above space mountain.” “Us Again” is produced by Brad Simonsen (“Big Hero 6,” “Zootopia,” “Ralph Breaks the Internet”) and executive produced by Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer for Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Lifestyle and longevity of the anti-COVID-19 vaccines have been administered worldwide. In the U.S., about 55 million, or about 11.6 percent of the US population, have received the vaccines. Around 12.6 million doses a day are being administered. Only about a century ago, the average lifespan of American men was 46, and today it is 78.93, an added bonus of 32.93 years, according to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Biologists have estimated that the human body has the potential to last 120 years, if not abused, and properly cared for. The “fountain of youth” appears to be a healthy lifestyle. How we live will forecast 75% of how far we can get. There are a few “strategies” proven by scientific research which can maximize longevity. The studies also “calculated” how many “added years” each regimen will confer upon the person who uses any of them. While the benefits are not cumulative, the more strategies one uses, the greater the chance of enjoying a longer life. For instance, cutting down on the use of cell phone
while driving adds 45 seconds to your life for each call you do not make. According to Dr. Donald A. Redelmeier of the University of Toronto, everyday, 99 years of life are lost because of driving accidents while one driver is on the phone. Have sex often, if possible, and live longer. Studies revealed that there is an inversely proportional “dose-response” relationship between orgasms and heart problems. The more sex, the lesser the risk of suffering a heart malady. One study of 918 men showed that those who had sex the most often had 50% less risk of death from heart ailment. Cutting down on calorie intake (amount of food you eat) by one third of what you now eat, can lower cholesterol and increase your life by 2 to 3 years. Leaving the dining table less than full is a healthy practice. A UCLA School of Public Health study shows that men who took 300 mg of vitamin C or more a day lived 5.5 year longer than those whose intake was less than 50 mg. Getting enough vitamin C from vegetables and fruits is the best way of doing it.
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MISS Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo said she firmly believes that women “are as capable as men” amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that women are unfit for the presidency. Mateo, a 24-year-old physical therapist, voiced her thoughts on leadership and the President’s sexist statement in an interview with pageant website Missosology last Saturday, Feb. 13. She was fielded questions from followers and was first asked about what Filipinos should look for in leaders with the coming 2022 elections. In response, Mateo quipped that Filipinos have higher standards for Miss Universe over their own leaders. “That shouldn’t be the case, right? We need to have stricter qualifications to vote someone,” she noted. “And if there’s gonna be one aspect of being a leader that I would like to highlight, that is being honest,” she said. “Because all the good things will go after that. An honest leader is somebody who is just, who is humane but most importantly he or she is accountable [for] what is happening in his or her country.” “We need to look at the background of these leaders,” she stressed, “And we really need to use our mind and our heart in doing so because this is gonna give the opportunities to our children to build a better society for the future.” “So I hope this 2022, Filipinos will be smarter and we will choose the best possible leaders for our country.” She was also asked about her reaction to Duterte’s statement last January, when there
were speculations that his daughter Sara would run for president. “This is not for women. You know, the emotional setup of a woman and a man is totally different. You will become a fool here. So… that is the sad story,” he said then. “Well I do respect the President but I completely disagree with this thought,” said Mateo, noting that the country has had two female presidents. “By doing that women are as capable as men in handling a nation.” She also cited New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, whose swift and effective Covid-19 response has been hailed.
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo Photo from Instagram/@rabiyamateo
“Their female leader was able to nurse a newborn but at the same time she was able to become a mother to her land,” Mateo said, in reference to Ardern having a newborn baby while still running the country in 2018. The beauty queen also argued that emotions can make for good leadership. “I am a woman and I believe that my [emotions] do [take] part in my leadership skills,” she said. “I have so much heart, I have so much calling in being a leader actually and I do disagree with this thought. I can lead my country because I have the power to do so.” “We live in an era in which we need to treat men and women equally. We need to give them the same opportunities,” Mateo stressed. “I won’t agree with something like this (Duterte’s statement) because I know my capabilities and strengths as a woman and I know I can make a difference, so much difference.” “We need female leaders who will put their emotions in making decisions. Because it’s not all about experience. Sometimes you need to [use] your [emotions] to be the mother of the country,” she added. The Iloilo City beauty is also Miss Universe Philippines’ ambassador for education. (Niña V. Guno/Inquirer.net)
Did Heart audition for ‘Crazy Rich Asians’? By Ratziel
San Juan Philstar.com
Heart Evangelista Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte
KAPUSO actress Heart Evangelista finally revealed that she indeed auditioned for a role in the 2018 Hollywood blockbuster with an all-Asian cast, “Crazy Rich Asians.” Heart had tried out for the role of heiress Araminta Lee, which ultimately went to actress Sonoya Mizuno (“La La Land” and “Beauty and the Beast”). In the vlog of Dr. Aivee Teo, the dermatologist and the actress reacted to their old photos, including one with Heart next to actress Gemma Chan, who played the iconic Astrid Leong-Teo. “I actually did audition talaga,” Heart confessed to Aivee. “I auditioned and it was parang
they were already in the last leg of their auditions. And I got a call.” Heart recalled that the audition took place in the Philippines. “And I remember I got a crew and I did the scene as like a real scene from a telenovela. And I did, I got a call. I remember, I woke up to 10 missed calls from the agent from LA.” After a few steps, they asked Heart if she was available to shoot. The ending? “And then they never came back.” Heart was a sport about it, saying that everything happens for a reason. She revealed that she even became friends with “Crazy Rich Asians” author Kevin Kwan.
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Brand new episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday talks about why the US cannot deport 11 million people
LEADING U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel presents the latest in immigration news and analysis from the highlights of his YouTube channel, US Immigration TV. Atty. Gurfinkel answers questions from Kapamilya in the U.S. and in Manila. Rose from Seattle, Washington wants to know if she should inform the National Visa Center, aside from the USCIS, of her change in address every time she moves. Winnie from Apple Valley, California wants to know if her mother, who came to the U.S. as a tourist in December 2019, will be con-
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Lifestyle and...
Helping your spouse take care of your children has been found to increase longevity. Lowering the cholesterol from 239 to 200 adds 6 months to one’s lifespan, and dropping a high level of 300 down to 200 gives an additional 4 years to life. This can be achieved by diet, exercise, and if needed, by cholesterol-lowering drugs. Go to church twice a week
SERVICES
sidered out-of-status because they have not yet received the approval for her extension of stay due to COVID. JayAr from Malate in the Philippines is asking if he is qualified for U.S. citizenship since his American father’s name is on his birth certificate and he has proof that his father supported him when he was young. Get the latest immigration updates on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot” this Sunday, February 21 at 5:30 pm PST (8:30 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
and extend your life seven to 4 years longer, as reported in Demography. Besides learning abstinence from tobacco and alcohol, religion in this case also provides strong social and psychological ties and other good practices conducive to a healthier lifestyle. Research has shown that an active social life can add nearly 10 years to one’s life. Those with practically no friends, minimal social con-
tacts, live 4.5 years shorter. Among 10,000 men studied, those who have the highest level of aerobic fitness lived 8.7 years longer than those least-fit individuals. Having regular medical check-up increases longevity by two to three years, by preventing diseases and detecting diseases in their early, curable, stages. Eating less red meat extends life up to nine years. A
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Information on the Embassy....
PAGE 11 the K-1 petition has expired, the consul will decide whether to revalidate it at the time of the interview. There is no need to contact the Embassy now about rescheduling interviews, expiration of petitions, or medical exam. Instead, we have to wait for further notices/information. 5. If a person’s medical exam has expired, the person must complete another medical exam at St. Luke’s. However, people should not reschedule their medical exam until they can reschedule their immigrant visa interview. Otherwise, the medical exam may expire before the resumption of visa services. 6. If a person was issued a 221(g) refusal, requiring them to submit additional documentation, but they were unable to do so within one year, they need to contact the U.S. Embassy to advise the Embassy of the difficulty in meeting the one-year deadline to avoid their case being terminated. Otherwise, send the documents to the Embassy via the 2GO courier, once they resume services and you can obtain the required documents.
7. The Embassy cannot extend the validity of anyone’s visa that is expiring. However, in some cases, the Embassy may be able to “replace” an expired visa, if the person can demonstrate that their inability to use the visa was due to circumstances beyond his/her control. It would appear that COVID-19 was beyond a person’s control. 8. If you are not contacted by the Embassy within 30 days after it resumes regular operations, you can contact the U.S. Embassy but only after routine services have resumed. While the presidential proclamation will be expiring at the end of March 2021, it is obvious that the Embassy will need to provide further guidance and instructions on how people will be able to reschedule interviews, what the requirements may be, and other guidance. Also, even after the presidential proclamation has expired, there may still be restrictions based on COVID-19. We will continue to keep you updated on any new developments because I know that there have been thousands of people affected by this shut-
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down, and are all eager to have their visas issued and be able to travel to the U.S. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different, and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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The Year of the Ox: How Filipinos celebrate Lunar New Year by Ritchel
FEBRUARY 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 usu-
Mendiola / AJPress
ally 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,
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Ang Pao
happiness, and good luck. Most people wear red clothing as 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. The Lunar New Year won’t be complete without setting off fireworks and firecrackers or generally just making noise as it is supposed to drive away bad spirits, bad luck, and the mythical beast called Nian. Fili-
AJPress photo by Kendrick Tan
pinos 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 m e a n s “congratulations and be prosperous.” PAGE 15
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Dingdong on experience as delivery rider: ‘I realize how difficult this job is’ By Niña
V. GuNo
Inquirer.net
FOR Valentine’s Day, Dingdong Dantes moonlit as a delivery rider for his own service DingDong. After completing six deliveries, he reflected on the average rider’s day of work. “I started at 9:30 [a.m.] and ended before 3 [p.m.], and as [I] sit here at home waiting for early dinner, I realize how difficult this job is,” he wrote on Instagram on Sunday, February 14. “There are so many factors to consider: heat, dehydration, heavy traffic, wrong addresses — which can cause panic and delays, customer’s temperament, plus the danger of getting into accidents especially if you have not been properly trained,” he noted. He lauded all delivery riders for the service they provide each day. “And today, mas lalo pang tumindi ang paghanga at respeto ko sa inyong lahat,” he said. (And today, my admiration and respect for you all has grown even more.) “That’s why [I] will never get tired of my mission of professionalizing this industry, especially for those who want to be successful in this field.” The actor put up his own delivery app to
Claudia Conway shows off her golden ticket during the “American Idol” season premiere on Sunday night, February 14. She was accompanied by her father George Conway, a Filipino American conservative lawyer. ABC screenshot Dingdong Dantes
Photo from Instagram/@dongdantes
help create job opportunities in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic last year. Among those employed were employees retrenched from ABS-CBN, after Congress refused to renew the network’s franchise.
Lifestyle and... PAGE 13 diet of fish, soy, legumes and beans and other vegetables increases life expectancy by 13%. Limiting red meat to 3 ounces twice a week, if not eliminating it totally in exchange for chicken meat, will do the trick. Getting a dog and walking it every day will add five years to your life. The studies at the Cooper Institute reported that men who walked briskly for 30 minutes a day, five times a week, prolong their lifespan by five years. Those who abstained from tobacco live five years longer, compared to smokers. Alcoholics die at least 8 years sooner than disciplined imbibers or non-drinkers. A normal or medically-controlled blood pressure increases your longevity by five to 5.3 years. The standard normal blood pressure level, which used to be 120/80, has been lowered to about 115/70. You can cut your risk of dying by 13% in the next two decades by ignoring fast food fries/ hamburger chains, as borne out by a study on 3,000 men. Also, controlling body weight to normal confers between 8 to 20 added months to longevity. Believe it or not, a study on 7,841 men showed that those who ate three candy bars (dark chocolates, especially) per month regularly
lived one year longer than those who did not. But those who ate three or more sweets a week had 30% increased risk of premature death. While curiosity kills the proverbial cat, inquisitiveness among seniors has been found to increase their lifespan by five years. “Higher curiosity levels may mean better adaptation to changes, stress or challenges,” said Dr. David Larson of the National Institute of Healthcare Research. People who have stomach aches and who availed themselves of prompt medical care to cure their ulcer add 2.3 years to their life, some saving their life from early cancer with gastro-endoscopy. A study conducted by a Scottish neuropsychologist on 1,000 eccentrics found that those “unencumbered by the usual stupid worries that so-called normal people obsess over, live 5 to 10 years longer.” Professional men live 2.6 years longer than average, and unskilled workers live about 4.6 shorter life than average. Cheers! Studies from Harvard found that disciplined “men who had two to six drinks per week had a 21 to 28 percent lower risk of death from all causes than did abstainers.” I’ll drink to that. Mr. Bartender, a glass of Oregon Pinot Noir, please.
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.
Claudia Conway gets golden ticket in ‘American Idol’ premiere By Ritchel
MeNdiola AJPress
CLAUDIA Conway, the teenage daughter of former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway and Filipino American conservative lawyer George Conway, is advancing to the next round of “American Idol.” The 16-year-old — who made headlines last year for her viral TikToks criticizing her mother’s job and former President Donald Trump — received a golden ticket during the show’s season 19 premiere on Sunday night, February 14. For her audition, Claudia sang Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain,” but was cut off by AI judge Katy Perry, who asked her to sing a different song. She went on to perform Adele’s “When We Were Young,” which received mixed reviews from the panel. AI judge Luke Bryan noted that her range was “limited,” while Lionel Richie gave her props for choosing music. Claudia received a ‘no’ from Bryan and a ‘yes’ from Perry and Richie, earning her a golden ticket to Hollywood. “Claudia, you’re not going to D.C., honey, you’re going straight to Hollywood,” Perry announced. The high school student’s TikTok account, which has over 1.7 million followers, features videos criticizing the Trump administration, weighing in on
social issues like the Black Lives Matter movement, and showing an inside look into her tumultuous relationship with her parents. “The internet can be a very, very dark place, but when life is all going downhill, I have my music,” said Claudia. “Now I kind of want to get out of the controversy, get out of the drama, get out of the political whatever, and let people know that I am a singer and that this is what I want to do,” she added. Perry suggested that Claudia unplug from social media. “There’s a lot of noise in your life. Before you sing, you need to get off your phone. You need to stop reading your comments. Push it aside. Because if not, you may not ever rise above your dad or your mom. It’s your choice,” the pop star said. Claudia was accompanied by her father George to the audition, while Kellyanne encouraged her remotely on a large screen when she admitted being nervous for the audition. “She loves music and I’m really thrilled that she’s here because maybe it gives her an opportunity to pursue it at another level,” George said in an interview outside of the audition room as he wiped away tears. “It makes me happy seeing her here, doing this one way or the other.” “You should be nervous, honey. It’s a very humbling experience,” said Kellyanne,
adding, “But remember, honey, winners are people who are willing to lose.” In a home video played before the audition, Claudia opened up about her relationship with her high-profile mother. “When your mom is working for the president of the United States, who you very much disagree with, it’s hard,” she said. When asked by Perry if her mom still hugs her, Claudia answered: “I mean, yeah, she loves me. I love her. I feel like our relationship’s a little iffy. Most of my life, my feelings had been suppressed, so then I got social media, and I was like ‘Well, damn. Now my voice is being heard.’” Perry also gave Claudia a pep talk, advising her to “calm the storm that is around you.” “When you sing this next song, think about when you were young, and go back to that time. There’s a sadness there. It’s like, you lost your youth, because you weren’t able to experience it on your own, without all of this noise,” the AI judge said. “Your dad’s your dad. Your mom’s your mom. Who is Claudia? You have to calm the storm that is around you, ‘cause if you sing like you want to read the social media comments afterwards, you’re only ever gonna be a TikTok star. We want an American Idol,” continued Perry. “American Idol” airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
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