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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 20 - No. 7 • 14 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M MU N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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Mass vaccination site opens at Oakland Coliseum DATELINE USA Part of Biden administration’s vaccine goal in first 100 days FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
San Francisco launches COVID-19 vaccination site at the SF Market in the Bayview
by AJPRESS A COVID-19 mass vaccination site under the Biden administration’s partnership with the state of California is now open at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The site, which is home to the Oakland Athletics, opened for vaccination appointments on Tuesday, February 16 as one of two in the Golden State and
the first of 100 planned locations across the country. The vaccination site at California State University, Los Angeles was also launched simultaneously in an event attended by Gov. Gavin Newsom and other elected officials. The Oakland and LA sites will be run by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of the new administration’s
by AJPRESS
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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. 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
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Hundreds rally in SF, Oakland against anti-Asian violence
SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor London N. Breed, Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton, and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax on Tuesday, February 16 announced the launch of a third high-volume vaccination site in San Francisco. The site, which opened Monday, February 15 at the SF Market in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood at 901 Rankin Street, advances San Francisco’s efforts to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible. As with other vaccination sites in San Francisco, the SF Market location will initially offer vaccinations to people 65 and older and healthcare workers. Due to current supply constraints, the initial doses given per day will be limited, but the site is ready to expand rapidly once supply increases. This new location, which is operated by the City and staffed in partnership with Sutter Health, is the third high-volume vaccination site that San Francisco and health care partners have opened in the past month. Two additional high-volume vaccination sites are
Elderly Pinay attacked on San Diego trolley
pledge to vaccinate 100 million Americans during President Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office. “These new sites will help us get lifesaving vaccines to some of the California communities most in need,” Newsom said. Both sites were chosen to help “expand the rate of vaccinations in California in an efficient, effective, and equitable manner, with an explicit focus
Nearly 700 participants gathered at Madison Park during Oakland’s day of action on Saturday, February 13. A coalition of Asian American community groups in the Bay Area organized a weekend of events in response to the latest surge of violent incidents against Asian American residents, particularly senior citizens. Speakers at the Oakland and San Francisco rallies called for more community-based and prevention solutions to the violence as well as resources to help victims of hate crimes. Photo by David Shor
IN light of the recent uptick in violence against Asian American communities in the Bay Area, a coalition of organizations held rallies in Oakland and San Francisco during the first weekend of Lunar New Year. The two days of action, entitled “Love Our People, Heal Our Communities,” was held at Madison Park in Oakland’s Chinatown on Saturday, February 13 and on Valentine’s Day at San Francisco’s Civic Center. In the past two months, videos have gone viral showing violent attacks perpetrated against Asian Americans, particularly elderly individuals. Among the victims in San Francisco is Vicha Ratanapakdee, 84, who was fatally pushed to the ground by a 19-year-old suspect in late January as he went out for his daily walk. In Oakland’s Chinatown, a slew of incidents have been recorded, including one showing a 91-year-old being hospitalized with injuries after a man followed and shoved him. About 700 participants, including other communities outside of Asian Americans, gathered in Oakland on Saturday in a show of solidarity. “Our immigrant and refugee communities feel so alone, so isolated. That’s why we are here today. To
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PH Supreme Court junks Marcos poll protest vs Robredo by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
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, protestee), the 15 members of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal unanimously dismissed the entire electoral protest,” the high court, u PAGE A2 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
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Vice President Leni Robredo and former Senator Bongbong Marcos
Inquirer.net photos
Palace: PH should get close to Biden, Democrats’ immigration reform bill: A slow $16B compensation from US start toward pro-immigrant policy, experts say 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 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 Washingtonbased Stimson Center on coun-
terterrorism 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 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’
by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
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. Citiu PAGE A4
zenship 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 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 immi-
gration 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 Menendez (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
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february 19-25, 2021 • NOrCaL aSIaN JOurNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
From the Front Page
Mass vaccination site opens... PAGE A1
on making sure that communities with a high risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection are not left behind,” Cal OES said in a statement. To date, over 6.2 million doses have been administered in California. Statewide, about 13% of Asian Americans have been inoculated, according to the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard. “We recognize we have more work to do. The issue at the end of the day is supply. We need to manufacture more Moderna vaccine, more Pfizer vaccine,” Newsom said during the press conference on Tuesday in LA. Both Cal State LA and Oakland Coliseum are expected to administer 6,000 doses a day and will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to accommodate drive-thru and walk-up appointments. They will each have two mobile vaccination clinics that can go into the communities and serve
Gov. Gavin Newsom
eligible individuals directly. The opening of the two sites is additive to current vaccinations capacity in the state and does not affect existing allocation of vaccine supplies to other cities or counties. The AC Transit announced that it will be offering fare-free shuttles from Eastmont Transit Cen-
ter and Coliseum BART station to the Oakland Coliseum, but riders will need to show proof of an appointment before boarding. Currently, health care workers, long-term care residents and those over the age of 65 are eligible to be inoculated in California. Newsom previously announced that those working in education, child care, emergency services and food and agriculture would be next. The state on Friday, February 12 said that people 16 to 64 who are disabled or have underlying conditions — such as cancer or heart failure — putting them at high risk for COVID-19 could receive vaccines by March. Appointments for Oakland Coliseum (as well as Cal State LA) are available on the state’s MyTurn website (https://myturn.ca.gov) or by calling (833) 422-4255. Residents can also use the website to check their eligibility for vaccination and sign up for notifications when it’s their turn. n
Participants hanging ribbons on a wishing tree in Madison Park at the Oakland Day of Action.
Photo by David Shor
Hundreds rally in SF, Oakland against... PAGE A1 show them this love, this multiracial and intergenerational solidarity,” said Alvina Wong of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network. Elected officials in attendance included Councilmembers Carroll Fife, Dan Kalb, and Sheng Thao, as well as City Council President and District 2 Representative Nikki Fortunato Bas, who shared the stage with a multiracial slate of activists and organizers. Speakers also offered recommendations and alternatives to policing, such as funding the Chinatown Ambassador Program, which hires formerly incarcerated individuals to build relationships between merchants, residents, and community members and keep watch over the neighborhood; more resources for hate crime victims; and getting to the root causes that contribute to crime. “This is a time to acknowledge the pain and healing that needs to happen. This is also a moment in time that we must unite within and across communities, races, and cultures. It is clear that there needs to be an investment in long-term community centered solutions in language and culture as well as immediate public health and safety measures,” said Julia Liou of Asian Health Services. In San Francisco, the slate of speakers also emphasized long-term, community-based solutions that address structural racism and the inequalities in education, health care access, housing and employment. “We want real solutions that are not just blaming or targeting other communities of colors. We want our voices to be heard and we want long-term solutions that can provide a vibrant, safe and healthy community for the future generations. I don’t want my kids growing up in this community feeling unwelcome and unsafe,” said Chyanne Chen of Chinese Progressive Association.
Participants at the San Francisco Day of Action on Sunday, February 14 hold up signs. Photo courtesy of Chinese for Affirmative Action
Outside of the Asian American community, dozens of Black Americans came out in force in solidarity and shared the histories between the communities. “We have been struggling for decades because we have put our investments in the wrong places. We cannot incarcerate our way into safety. And we cannot have safety at the expense of one community over the others. We all deserve to be safe and we have to work together to achieve this,” said Tinisch Hollins, associate Director of Californians for Safety and Justice and a co-founder of SF Black Wallstreet. The weekend of action was organized by Coalition for Community Safety and Justice (CCSJ)
— comprised of Chinese for Affirmative Action, Chinese Progressive Organization, Community Youth Center, and the New Breath Foundation — and the Oakland Chinatown Coalition, which represents nearly a dozen groups. Both coalitions remind community members to report hate incidents on Stop AAPI Hate (stopaapihate.org), which has incident forms available in English and 11 languages like Tagalog. They also encourage donating to the Chinatown Ambassador Program and CCSJ Victims & Survivors Fund, support local businesses in Oakland and SF’s Chinatowns, and volunteer with the Oakland Chinatown Coalition foot patrol. n
Elderly Pinay attacked on San Diego... PAGE A1 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. (AJPress)
PH Supreme Court junks Marcos poll... PAGE A1
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 ABS-CBN 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 ABS-CBN 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 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
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Dateline USa
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • febRUARy 19-25, 2021
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Mayor Breed launches annual bridge to excellence scholarship program Bridge to Excellence Scholarship Program will provide scholarship awards to graduating high school seniors from low-income backgrounds to overcome financial barriers to attending college
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
San Francisco launches COVID19 vaccination site...
PAGE A1 located at the Moscone Center and the City College of San Francisco. These high-volume sites serve anyone who meets their eligibility requirements regardless of health coverage, by appointment only, and are part of San Francisco’s network of vaccination sites to facilitate the quick and efficient delivery of COVID-19 vaccines. The City’s network of vaccination sites includes targeted efforts to ensure communities most highly-impacted by COVID-19 receive equitable access to the vaccine. The Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood has had the highest rate of cases throughout this pandemic, and one of the highest number of deaths due to COVID-19. The City’s efforts include neighborhood vaccine access sites, San Francisco Department of Public Health’s (DPH) community clinics, mobile vaccination teams, and partnerships with pharmacies. “With this site at the SF Market, we’re bringing access to the vaccine closer to people who live in the Bayview Hunters Point area and the southeast of the city,” said Mayor London Breed. “Throughout this pandemic, we’ve made sure our City’s response to COVID-19 is equitable, and we’re continuing that work by locating vaccination sites in the communities that have been hit the hardest. Supply remains very limited right now, but we’re making sure that we have the infrastructure in place throughout our city, and we’re prepared to vaccinate at least 10,000 people per day once we start receiving more doses.” The SF Market vaccination site will initially operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by appointment only. Due to the limited vaccine supply at this time, appointments for the first week of operations will be by invitation only. Once vaccine supply becomes more available, appointments and hours at SF Market will expand. People 65 and older and healthcare workers can make an appointment regardless of their health coverage status or provider by going to SF. gov/getvaccinated and booking an appointment through Sutter’s My Health Online portal. Those who do not have access to a computer can schedule an appointment through Sutter’s call center at 844-987-6115. “We wanted to make sure that the COVID-19 vaccine is being distributed and administered equitably. We wanted to ensure the vaccine is available in neighborhoods where we have seen higher numbers of individuals contracting the virus,” said Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton. “Having a high-volume vaccination site in District 10, and partnering with the SF Market in Bayview, demonstrates we are committed to the health and safety of communities disproportionately affected by the virus. We will continue to fight for vaccine accessibility for everyone.” The opening of this site will allow the City and Sutter Health to effectively build the vaccination infrastructure needed so that when more vaccine supply is available it can be quickly, efficiently, and equitably distributed. The SF Market vaccination site will begin with an initial launch to test operations, establish successful processes, and ensure safety for patients and workers. While vaccine supply remains the limiting factor in the short-term, the site will have the capacity to vaccinate more than 1,000 people per day once fully operational. Appointments are required and will remain limited in the short-term due to the constrained and unpredictable vaccine supply coming to San Francisco. The SF Market location is designed to allow for multiple providers to provide vaccination concurrently. Starting on Thurs-
day, the City will also be providing additional vaccinations, administered by DPH and the San Francisco Fire Department, to vaccinate people 65 and older who live in the Bayview. “The opening of this high-volume vaccination site at the SF Market represents an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to build a robust and flexible vaccine distribution system,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of Public Health. “This is our third high-volume vaccination site and it will be a critical asset for achieving the twin goals of administering the vaccine at scale and making sure that the vaccine is accessible to neighborhoods like the Bayview that have been highly impacted by COVID and that are underserved by the existing healthcare system. Vaccine supply coming to San Francisco continues to be insufficient to vaccinate all eligible populations, but we are working tirelessly to establish a distribution infrastructure that will allow us to swiftly and equitably distribute every dose of the vaccine that we receive.” “As an integrated network, Sutter has moved swiftly to establish and expand several large-scale vaccinations sites across Northern California,” said Rob Nordgren, M.D., area CEO for Sutter Bay Medical Foundation in the Peninsula and San Francisco regions. “Communitybased clinics, like the one we’re opening in the Bayview neighborhood today, will increase access to residents of disproportionally affected neighborhoods and are an important part of our commitment to continue to deploy as much vaccine as possible to all eligible patients, as supply allows.” “This site was selected to support a community that has been leaving home to go to work every day since this pandemic began,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, Executive Director of the Department of Emergency Management. “We are pleased to offer vaccine here this week to those in Phase 1a and are excited to expand eligibility to essential service workers soon, especially at a location in the Southeast section of the city where so many live and work.” “The San Francisco Fire Department is proud to continue the effort to fight COVID-19 under the leadership of Mayor London Breed,” said San Francisco Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson. “Our members stand ready to vaccinate as many people as possible in the coming days, weeks and months. The opening of this Bayview site is another step towards getting our City fully opened.” The SF Market, formerly called the SF Wholesale Produce Market, is a wholesale marketplace that connects growers and their produce to food businesses throughout the Bay Area. The 23-acre campus is home to 28 merchant businesses and more than 1,000 employees. The vaccination site at 901 Rankin is an 82,000-square-foot LEED Gold Certified warehouse and was completed as part of the SF Market Reinvestment Project in 2014. “We are delighted to lend a hand to the City during this critical time,” said Eli Zigas, President, Board of Directors, The SF Market. “The SF Market’s infrastructure is an important resource for our city, region and state, and we are proud to support the economic and social recovery from the pandemic.” This new site complements existing vaccination sites located in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood and people who live in neighborhoods most impacted by COVID-19, including: • Southeast Health Center (2401 Keith Street) – Drop-in vaccinations available for people 65 and older living in the following zip codes: 94107, 94110, 94112, 94124, and
94134 – 7 days a week, 9:00am to 3:00pm; • Zuckerberg San Francisco General (1001 Potrero Avenue, Learning Center, Building 30 on the 2nd floor (off 23rd Street)) – Drop-in vaccinations available for people 65 and older living in the following zip codes: 94107, 94110, 94112, 94124, and 94134 – 7 days a week, 9:00am to 3:00pm. Additional sites are located PAGE A4
SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor London N. Breed on Wednesday, February 17 announced this year’s Bridge to Excellence Scholarship Program is now accepting applications. The Bridge to Excellence program will provide scholarships to highly-motivated graduating high school seniors from low-income and under-resourced communities in order to help overcome financial barriers they face to attend college. The Bridge to Excellence Scholarship Program will provide students from San Francisco public high schools with $2,500 each in scholarship awards. This is the third year of Mayor Breed’s Bridge to Excellence Scholarship. Last year, the Bridge to Excellence program provided 14 students with scholarships. Funding for the scholarship comes from the generous sponsorship of business and philanthropic partners. “I understand firsthand the challenges our students face when pursuing a higher education, especially when they are the first in their family to go to college,” said Mayor London Breed. “We know that if we give students the support and resources to succeed, they go on to do great things. Our Bridge to Excellence Program eases the financial burden that comes with going to college and helps students cover some of their expenses so they can focus on their education and realize their own potential.” To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be a San Francisco Unified School District high school senior graduating in spring 2021 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20. Applicants must demonstrate a significant financial need and be the first in their family to attend a four-year col-
Mayor London N. Breed
lege. The application window will be open until Wednesday, March 31, 2021. The Mayor’s Office will review all qualified candidates and notify recipients by the end of April. Interested students can apply at: sfmayor.org/bridgetoexcellence. (SF Mayor’s Office Release)
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february 19-25, 2021 • NOrCaL aSIaN JOurNaL
Dateline USa
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CA Labor & Workforce Development Agency launches 2020 Census processing updates new employer portal for COVID-19 industry guidance New portal serves as a central hub of workplace information for employers during the pandemic
SACRAMENTO – The California Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) recently launched a new Employer Portal, a one-stop hub for California employers to quickly find upto-date state and local county COVID-19 guidance by business industry. The portal can be accessed at SaferAtWork.covid19. ca.gov, a new site for employers and workers featuring information about how we can all work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. As businesses across the state continue to adapt through the pandemic, LWDA encourages employers to utilize the portal as a resource for how to operate safely and ensure compliance with state and local guidance. “We recognize that in a public health crisis, guidelines and best practices are evolving. That’s why we created a central navigation hub where employers can find the latest information,” said Labor Secretary Julie A. Su. “With this resource, we hope all employers will find it easier to access state and local information so that businesses can operate as safely as possible.” To use the portal, employers
answer a short set of questions on their business type, location, and current COVID-19 practices, and it generates a tailored “road map” of relevant information, links to helpful resources and more. The portal can generate more than 2,000 potential road maps depending on the business type and location, which identify the COVID-19 related guidance in effect for the business and county and can be printed or emailed for easy reference. The portal, available in English and Spanish, pulls all COVID19 guidance and requirements from trusted state, county and
city sources, including from the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. In addition, it provides information about employee benefits, paid sick leave and immediate steps to take in the event of a COVID-19 case at work. To ensure accurate information at all times, the portal will be updated with local and state guidance on an ongoing basis. Of note, the portal does not ask for business name or any other personal information. The information in the portal is for educational purposes and will not be used for state enforcement activities. The portal provides summarized information about California’s COVID-19 industry guidance and is not intended to provide legal advice. The Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) is an executive branch agency that provides leadership to protect and improve the well-being of California’s current and future workforce. LWDA oversees seven major departments, boards and panels that serve California businesses and workers. (LWDA Release)
San Francisco launches COVID19 vaccination site...
PAGE A3 at the City College of San Francisco, Moscone Center, San Francisco State University, and at DPH community clinics. The City has developed a webpage for people who live and work in San Francisco to find vaccination sites in San Francisco and book appointments. People who are eligible to be vaccinated can sign-up for an appointment at: SF.gov/getvaccinated. Last week, Mayor Breed announced that starting February 24, COVID-19 vaccines will be of-
fered to individuals identified as eligible for vaccination in Phase 1B, Tier 1 of California’s population prioritization plan. This includes people who work in the education and childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture sectors. This expansion into Phase 1B, Tier 1 is occurring as San Francisco, in partnership with healthcare providers, continues to expand its vaccine infrastructure but vaccine supply remains limited. Phase 1B, Tier 1 is comprised of more than 115,000
individuals who live or work in San Francisco, in addition to the approximately 210,000 healthcare workers and people 65 and older who are currently eligible. Anyone who works or lives in San Francisco can sign up for a notification when they are eligible for vaccination at SF. gov/vaccinenotify. The City will continue to provide regular updates to the public about the vaccine in San Francisco at: SF. gov/covidvaccine. (SF Mayor’s Office Release)
Palace: PH should get close to $16B...
PAGE A1 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 assis-
tance 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 responsibility 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
Biden, Democrats’ immigration reform...
PAGE A1 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 undocumented 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 nonlawyers 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.”n
THE U.S. Census Bureau expects to complete the first results from the 2020 Census on April 30, 2021, according to acting director Ron Jarmin in a blog post on February 2, 2021. The first results to be released will include population counts for the nation, states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The state population counts will determine how many seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. These results will not yet include breakdowns by race or ethnicity; those statistics will be included in a future data release. Jarmin explained that the Census Bureau had hoped to deliver these results by December 31, 2020. The schedule was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide adequate time to resolve issues found while processing the data. He added that many of the issues are “standard” for processing large amounts of data and other issues have been made worse by the pandemic. Some of the issues can have a
Acting Director Ron Jarmin
big impact on the count for the communities in which they’re located, so Jarmin said the Census Bureau is carefully researching and fixing all of the issues they find. He affirmed that the Census Bureau’s goal is to produce a complete and accurate census – a census that counts everyone living in the United States once, only once, and in the right place.
Jarmin also said that the Census Bureau would continue to provide updates on the quality of the 2020 Census, including analyses from outside experts. He said these efforts would give the public an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the 2020 Census and should provide additional confidence in using the 2020 Census results. Just a reminder that the 2020 Census data products will not include information on citizenship or immigration status. In keeping with the President’s Executive Order signed in January 2021, the Census Bureau will not include information about citizenship or immigration status in the data they produce for apportionment. The Census Bureau stopped all work on the immigration status of the U.S. population regarding the 2020 Census on January 12, 2021. See the recent statement (https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2021/executive-order-pl94-171-cvap.html) published on January 21, 2021. n
The ACA marketplace is open again for insurance sign-ups. Here’s what you need to know by Michelle
Andrews Kaiser Health News
FOR people who’ve been without health insurance during the pandemic, relief is in sight. In January, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to open up the federal health insurance marketplace for three months as of Monday so uninsured people can buy a plan and those who want to change their marketplace coverage can do so. Consumer advocates applauded the directive. Since 2016, the number of Americans without health insurance has been on the rise, reaching 30 million in 2019. The economic upheaval caused by the novel coronavirus has made a bad situation worse, throwing millions off their insurance plans. The move is in stark contrast to the Trump administration’s approach. As covid-19 took hold last spring and the economy imploded, health experts pleaded with the Trump administration to open up the federal marketplace so people could buy insurance to protect themselves during the worst public health emergency in a century. The administration declined, noting that people who suddenly found themselves without coverage because they lost their jobs were able to sign up on the marketplace under ordinary rules. They also cited concerns that sick people who had resisted buying insurance before would buy coverage and drive up premiums. The Biden administration is promising to spend $50 million on outreach and education to get the word out about the new special enrollment period. That’s critical, experts said. Although the number of people signing up for Affordable Care Act plans has generally remained robust, the number of new consumers enrolling in the federal marketplace has dropped every year since 2016, according to KFF, corresponding to funding cuts in marketing and outreach. (KHN is an editorially independent program of KFF.) “There are a lot of uninsured people who even before covid were eligible for either hefty marketplace subsidies or for Medicaid and not aware of it,” said Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms. A marketing blitz can reach a broad swath of people and hopefully draw them in, regardless of whether they’re uninsured because of covid or not, she said. Here are answers to questions about the new enrollment option. Q: When can consumers sign up, and in which states?
The sign-up window will be open for three months, from Monday through May 15. Uninsured residents of any of the 36 states that use the federal healthcare.gov platform can look for plans during that time and enroll. Most of the states and the District of Columbia that operate their own marketplaces are establishing special enrollment periods similar to the new federal one, though they may have somewhat different time frames or eligibility rules. In Massachusetts, for example, the sign-up window remains open until May 23, while in Connecticut, it closes March 15. Meanwhile, Colorado has reopened enrollment in its marketplace for residents who lack insurance, but anyone already enrolled in one of the state’s marketplace plans won’t be allowed to switch to a different plan based on this special enrollment period. At this point, only Idaho has not announced plans to open their marketplaces, said Corlette. It may still do so, however. Q: Can people who lost their jobs and health insurance many months ago sign up during the new enrollment period? Yes. The enrollment window is open to anyone who is uninsured and would normally be eligible to buy coverage on the exchange (people who are serving prison or jail terms and those who are in the country without legal permission aren’t allowed to enroll). People with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level (about $51,500 for one person or $106,000 for a family of four) are eligible for premium tax credits that may substantially reduce their costs. Typically, people can buy a marketplace plan only during the annual open enrollment period in the fall or if a major life event gives them another opportunity to sign up, called a special enrollment period. Losing job-based health coverage is one event that creates a special sign-up opportunity; so is getting married or having a baby. But usually people must sign up with the marketplace within 60 days of the event. With the new special enrollment period, how long someone has been uninsured isn’t relevant, nor do people have to provide documentation that they’ve lost job-based coverage. “The message is quite simple: Come and apply,” said Sarah Lueck, a senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Q: What about people who are already enrolled in a mar-
ketplace plan? Can they switch their coverage during this new enrollment period? Yes, as long as their coverage is through the federal marketplace. If, for example, someone is enrolled in a gold plan now but wants to switch to a cheaper bronze plan with a higher deductible, that’s allowed. As mentioned above, however, some state-operated marketplaces may not make that option available. Q: Many people have lost significant income during the pandemic. How do they decide whether a marketplace plan with premium subsidies is a better buy for them than Medicaid? They don’t have to decide. During the application process, the marketplace asks people for income information. If their annual income is below the Medicaid threshold (for many adults in most states, 138% of the federal poverty level, or about $18,000 for an individual), they will be directed to that program for coverage. If people are eligible for Medicaid, they can’t get subsidized coverage on the exchange. People can sign up for Medicaid anytime; there’s no need to wait for an annual or special enrollment period. Those already enrolled in a marketplace plan whose income changes should go back into the marketplace and update their income information as soon as possible. They may be eligible for larger premium subsidies for their marketplace plan or, if their income has dropped significantly, for Medicaid. (Likewise, if their income has increased and they don’t adjust their marketplace income estimates, they could be on the hook for overpayments of their subsidies when they file their taxes.) Q: What about people who signed up under the federal COBRA law to continue their employer coverage after losing their job? Can they drop it and sign up for a marketplace plan? Yes people in federal marketplace states can take that step, health experts say. Under COBRA, people can be required to pay the full amount of the premium plus a 2% administrative fee. Marketplace coverage is almost certainly cheaper. Normally, if people have COBRA coverage and they drop it midyear, they can’t sign up for a marketplace plan until the annual fall open enrollment period. But this special enrollment period will give people that option. This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n
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
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PH not a target of China’s coast guard law by riTchel
MendiOlA AJPress
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,” the ambassador 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 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 China, 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. ■
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, February 15 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 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
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte
“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. Robredo, in response, said: “Hindi naman siya ang magdedecision 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 taum-
Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez
bayan 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 setup 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. ■
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Your Actions Save Lives
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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 resolu-
tion 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 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)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
The Republican Party of true conservative values is gone after being hijacked and terrorized by Trump 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 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 desper-
ately 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 November 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 Republican, contended that Trump summoned this mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack. “There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution,” Cheney said. “We know that the President of the United States incited this insurrection, this armed rebellion against our common country,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on the House floor before the votes were cast. “He must go. He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love.” After the House impeached Trump, it was the Senate’s duty to either convict or acquit
Trump. McConnell could have called the Senate back to work before Biden’s inauguration, but he did not. This, even after saying that he was glad the House impeached the President as this would purge Trump out of the Republican Party. This, after he and the Republican leadership rebuked Trump’s role in the January 6 insurrection. The Senate’s acquittal of Trump a month after is glaring evidence that the Republican Party has ceased to be the party of Lincoln, the party that upholds the Constitution and the rule of law. It revealed their true color, their true reason for being in office, and that is their greed for power. During the 2016 presidential primaries, these Republicans had warned the American people against Trump, how much he did not embody the values of the Republican Party, how much of a pathological liar and crook he was, and why he should never be trusted. But Trump was right after all when he said that he could shoot somebody at 5th Avenue and still win the election. He was referring not only to the Republican base. He was also
talking about the supposedly honorable members of the Republican Party who were accorded public trust through the public posts they hold. These public officials, both elected and appointed, all swore to serve the people and to defend the Constitution. Unfortunately, these Republicans in Congress all betrayed their oath when they chose to be more loyal to Trump than to the Constitution. McConnell sharply criticized his former ally in a speech on the Senate floor shortly after Trump was cleared in a 57-43 vote, saying the rioters had been “fed wild falsehoods by the most powerful man on Earth. Because he was angry he’d lost an election,” CNN reported. “Former President Trump’s actions that preceded the riot were a disgraceful, disgraceful dereliction of duty,” added McConnell. “Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day.” But they acquitted him anyway. They failed to fulfill their duties of checks and balances and accountability as man-
dated by the Constitution because, like Trump, they wanted to hold on to power. Birds of the same feather flock together. They were complicit. They were all as guilty as Trump. These Republicans are not true public servants. They failed us. They failed to honor our will. We, the People have spoken. We voted out Trump. We voted out Republicans in the Senate and the House. Let us continue to guard our democracy — the government of the people, for the people, by the people. *** 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.
What does Duterte really want from the US? Postscript
FEDERICO PASCUAL JR. WHAT exactly does President Duterte want from Washington, aside from the “guided rockets” and 20 million doses of COVID19 vaccines, for him to withdraw his notice terminating the PH-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement? First off, who speaks for the Philippines on VFA matters? Is it only President Duterte – or is it a chorus that includes his spokesman Harry Roque, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Foreign Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. and the Mayor’s favorite senator? Secondly, do the two allies want to continue with the VFA that was signed in 1998 and came into force in 1999 when the Philippines ratified it? (The U.S. regards it as an executive agreement that does not require ratification by its Senate.)
Since the U.S. has not sent its own notice of termination, effective 180 days after notice as stipulated in the contract, Washington is presumed to still want to keep the VFA. It may just come in handy considering the turbulent security weather in the Indo-Pacific area. On the Philippine side, Duterte sent last year a termination notice whose deadline had been extended twice – first to force revalidation of the US visa of his protégé former PNP chief (now senator) Bato dela Rosa and, second, to demand delivery of 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. The U.S. embassy has reissued Dela Rosa’s visa, but on the demand for vaccines, then President Trump waved it off and said something about the U.S. being able to save money by not paying what looked like a ransom for the VFA. Now Duterte is insisting that the U.S. “pay up!” in a transactional tone that has embarrassed many Filipinos not used to seeing their President talk like an extortionist. On whether the Philippines wants to keep the VFA, before
Locsin could tweet a reaction, Lorenzana beat him to it, saying in a TV interview: “We at the defense department and the armed forces, the general feeling is for the VFA to continue.” It was not clear if Lorenzana was talking for the government, especially with Duterte having just said he wanted the U.S. to pay for being able to use the VFA. If Duterte wants the VFA terminated, there is no point negotiating. The Philippines could just drop all pretense, scrap the VFA 180 days after notice, then formalize its being de facto an open city to another power lusting to control it. But that is jumping to a premature conclusion. A new U.S. president sits in the Oval Office and early signals point to his being at least attentive to little brown Americans in the American continent and across the Pacific. As we said here last Sunday, the VFA cannot be reviewed or revised in isolation. The talks on how to adapt the 21-yearold contract to the realities of the present will impinge on
the gamut of bilateral relations – and even the very stay of Duterte in power. While current talks revolve around the VFA, “depending on Duterte’s frame of mind, the negotiations could dive deeper and wander wider” and open for review even the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement supplementing the VFA. The EDCA allows the U.S. to send troops to the Philippines for extended periods on rotation and to operate facilities on Philippine bases, one way of going around the constitutional ban on permanent foreign bases. The need for the VFA and the EDCA arose when the Bases Agreement, which was also written to help carry out MDT objectives, expired in 1991 and the constitutional ban on foreign bases, facilities and troops automatically took effect. For reference, Article XVIII (Transitory Provisions) says: “Section 25. After the expiration in 1991 of the Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America concerning
military bases, foreign military bases, troops or facilities shall not be allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and, when the Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum held for that purpose, and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting State.” Duterte has emerged as the fulcrum on which Fil-Am relations will move. As he has generated a political climate that is beginning to feel for many people like one-man rule, what he says generally goes. An effective political opposition is hardly felt. So we go back to the question asked in the head of this column: What does Duterte really want? He has to say what, so everybody knows what must or could be done. If he wants the U.S. armed forces out, he can go ahead with his VFA notice of termination. He can drop all pretense, stamp out U.S. military presence and open the country to another power that is already within the walls anyway.
That scenario leads us to another question raised earlier: Between Duterte and the AFP, who controls whom? Section 3 of Article II says “the Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State,” but does not answer the question. The saner assumption is that Duterte simply wants the VFA revised to suit his immediate requirements and not as prelude to kicking Uncle Sam out of the kulambo. Duterte’s negotiating team could find many ways to water down the VFA’s pro-U.S. bias and still be able to collect what the boss wants as payment. We hope they have learned the lesson of Ferdinand Marcos’ pushing too hard and finding himself being pushed out to fall, tubes and all, from his throne of bayonets. *** 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.
*** Author is on Twitter as @FDPascual. Email: fdp333@yahoo.com
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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-19 test to enter. 2. For minor children of U.S. citizens, the child’s biologPAGE B3
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)
Teen actress Laya DeLeon Hayes takes on her biggest project to date BY
Laya DeLeon Hayes was born in Charlotte, NC and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas. As a young girl, she participated in school plays and talent shows, which powered her passion to perform. Photo by Alex Kruk
MOMAr G. VisAYA / AJPRESS
IF you stayed on CBS after the Super Bowl to watch the premiere of “The Equalizer,” then you saw a possible breakout star named Laya DeLeon Hayes. Hayes plays the role of Delilah, the teenage daughter of Robyn McCall played by the Academy Award nominee and multi-hyphenate Queen Latifah. It has been almost a year to the date when the 16-year-old rising performer got the big news that she bagged the role of the enigmatic former CIA operative’s smart and observant daughter. “I was crying tears of joy,” Hayes told the Asian Journal, sharing that she had just gotten out of acting class when her
agents called and shared the exciting news. The audition process moved very quickly, according to the young star. She went in four times for the role, all in the span of a week. About two days after the call, she was on a plane to New York to film the pilot episode. The teen actress is perhaps best known for voicing the titular role in the BAFTA, Emmy and Peabody Award-nominated animated series, “Doc McStuffins,” which earned her a NAACP Image Award nomination. She was just 9 years old when she booked the landmark role as the first Black/Fil-Am animation charac-
ter on Disney Jr. Hayes considers this as her biggest project to date, and that she has been fortunate in her career so far to have worked with some amazing actors on big projects but nothing compared like this. “Considering how popular of a franchise The Equalizer is and how Queen Latifah is creating history by being the first female Equalizer really made me excited and honored to be a part of this amazing cast,” Hayes said, describing the eagerness she felt about the project. It is no wonder then that the role of Delilah means so much to her. She recalls reading the script last year and really relating to the character: a girl who is
in this weird time of growing up where she’s not a grown woman yet but also not a baby. “Realistic roles for teenage biracial girls don’t come up often so, I was so ecstatic to see a role like Delilah come up. Not to mention, this is also my first lead in a live-action TV drama series,” she said. “[It is] something I’ve been wanting for a while. I’m constantly learning every single day on set, whether that’s from the crew or our amazing cast. I am soaking everything up.” Tracing her roots “I grew up very close with my Filipino side and I still am. Up until I was nine years old, I spent every summer with my grandparents,” Laya shared. “I visit my Filipino side at least once or
twice a year and I’m constantly learning more about that side of my family every day.” Her grandparents immigrated from the Philippines. Her grandfather, who passed away recently, was a retired U.S. Navy veteran. Both lolo and lola come from Pangasinan, he from Mangaldan and she from Umingan. They immigrated to America in the 70s. They would cook lumpia, adobo, and pancit and Laya’s mom, Gina, still cooks some of those dishes for her. “I have never been to the Philippines, but I would love to visit one day,” she said. Growing up biracial Born in Charlotte, NC and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas, PAGE B4
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february 19-25, 2021 • NOrCaL aSIaN JOurNaL
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Ruffa does not want any more detours when it comes to love
celebrity world By Ferdie Villar THE ever-young looking Ruffa Gutierrez is single and happy these days. This, despite having split ways with her most recent beau, French-Israeli businessman Jordan Mouyal. In an interview with PEP.ph, the former Miss World 2nd Princess revealed that she feels unburdened right now. “It’s easy to fall in love but it takes work to stay in love. With me, I just came out of a relationship and I’m happily single right now,” Ruffa said. “So, as of now, I’m just happy. I don’t know. Para akong nabunutan ng tinik.” “I’m not sure if I’m ready for another relationship yet. I think at this point, I just want to concentrate on my career, my kids. And you can always be happy and be in love on your own,” she added. The “Stay-In Love” actress also said that she does not feel any animosity for her exes. “Lahat ng mga relationships ko in the past, wala akong sama ng loob sa kanila. I always learn something from each and every person I’ve fallen in love with,”
she explained. “And sometimes, minsan, wala naman talaga silang kasalanan, you know, but it’s time to just close the page. Move on to the next chapter and you just thank them for the reason that they have brought you happiness.” At this point in her life, Ruffa does not want any more detours when it comes to love and relationships. “I’m at the point in my life where ayoko na ng detours,” she said. “I’ll just stay happy and wait for my forever love.” *** Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo is disagreeing with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte when it comes to the capability of women in performing the duties as president. Duterte had earlier remarked that he told his daughter Sara not to run for the presidency as it is not a woman’s job. In an article in the Philippine Star, Mateo said she respects Duterte’s opinion, but does not subscribe to his view. “I do respect the President, but I completely disagree with
Handsome-debonair actor Derrick Monasterio is one of the performers in the GMA “All Out Sundays” musical comedy variety show telecast every Sunday at GMA Pinoy TV. Photo from Instagram/@derrickmonasterio
Despite having parted ways with recent beau Jordan Mouyal, actress and former Miss World 2nd Princess Ruffa Gutierrez says she is happy being single and will concentrate on her career and her kids for now. Photo from Instagram/@iloveruffag
this thought. In our country, we already have two female leaders and by doing that, women are as capable as men in handling a nation,” Rabiya was quoted as saying. Rabiya then gave New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as an example of a woman who is handling the COVID-19 pandemic in her country. “I just wanna give an example of what happened in New Zealand in conquering [the] COVID19 virus, in which their female leader was able to nurse a newborn, but at the same time, she was able to become a mother to her land,” she said. “I am a woman and I believe that my emotions do make a part in my leadership skills. And I have so much heart and I have so much calling in being a leader, actually,” she added, while also saying that it is not all about experience as there are times when emotions are also needed when making decisions. Mateo also stated that in this era, men and women must be treated equally. “We live in an era in which we need to treat men and women equally,” she stressed. “We need to give them the same opportunities. And I won’t agree with something like this because I know my capabilities and my strength as a woman and I know I can make a difference, so much
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way but still like... The thing that is factual is that whenever he did die, people were still saddened. That’s just me twisting how things were. And I’m sorry to anybody who was offended with the fact that me being putting inaccurate sources in our history as Filipinos,” he explained in a YouTube reaction video with Hbom Segovia uploaded last
February 1. An outraged Lapu-Lapu City Mahor Junard Chan has asked the city council to declare the rapper persona non grata due to the inaccurate and offending lyrics. The Philippines is set to celebrate the 500th commemoration of the Battle of Mactan and Lapu-Lapu’s victory over Ferdinand Magellan this year.
Claudia Conway gets golden ticket in ‘American Idol’ premiere 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
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Rapper EZ Mil is being called out on the inaccuracy of the lyrics in his hit song “Panalo (Trap Carinosa.” Photo from Instagram/@ezekielmiller
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*** U.S.-based rapper EZ Mil is being put on notice by The National Historical Commission of the Philippines. In an article in the Philippine Star, the Commission released a statement in reference to some of the lyrics in the rapper’s hit song “Panalo (Trap Carinosa) saying that “Lapu Lapu was definitely not killed in the Battle of Mactan. The battle was a victory of our ancestors led by him.” The statement also said that “The NHCP welcomes new songs that inspire our people to think great and be informed of their history. But let us not compromise history and be conscious of our accountability on what we are conveying to our people.” The rapper, who is the son of ‘90s Filipino rock band Rockstar guitarist and vocalist Paul Sapiera, performed the hit song on the Wish Bus USA and has garnered 32 million views and 167,000 comments as of February 11. EZ Mil had earlier apologized to all those who were offended by the controversial parts of his song that included Lapu-Lapu being beheaded in Mactan. “That’s me putting an exaggerated term in a ploy to drive traffic and talk. It’s inaccurate but he still died. He’s dead right now. It’s not overall factual in a
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo disagrees with President Rodrigo Duterte on the issue of women becoming leaders of a nation. Facebook Photo (@TheMissUniversePH)
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Conway, a 16-year-old high school student, shares how music is a passion. ABC screenshoot
“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 TikClaudia 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 Tok star. We want an American American conservative lawyer. ABC screenshot Idol,” continued Perry. 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.
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Features
Disney’s next theatrical short ‘Us Again’ 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 mid-60s.” For this short, Parrish collaborated with Filipino American dancers and married couple Ke-
one 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.
Coronavirus relief continues for housing and student loans AS the Coronavirus pandemic continues, so does its financial impact. For people who need help with rent or mortgage payments, or have student loans, there may be some good news about the federal relief response. Renters — The temporary stop on evictions for certain renters now runs through March 31, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information on who is eligible and the steps to take. Homeowners — If you’re struggling to make your federally backed mortgage payments because of the pandemic, payment forbearance may still be available, and the pause on foreclosures runs through at least March 31, 2021. The Federal Housing Finance Agency tells you how to
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS WISDOM, discipline, and lifestyle 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 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 be-
find out if your mortgage is federally backed. Contact your mortgage servicer to find out what other help is available to you. Student Loan Borrowers — For those federal student loans that are covered, the U.S. Department of Education has automatically paused payments through September 30, 2021. Remember that scammers are paying attention to this news and may try to take advantage of you. Here are some ways to protect yourself: • Don’t pay to get these benefits. Be wary of anyone who contacts you to offer financial services or rental assistance for a fee. If you need housing assistance, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has a list of approved housing counseling
agencies organized by state or territory. • Don’t give your personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you. Even if you reached out for assistance, make sure you know who you are talking to. And know that government officials will never contact you and ask for your Social Security, bank account, or credit card number. If you’ve given that information to someone you don’t know, visit IdentityTheft.gov to learn what to do. • Keep up with the latest scams by subscribing to Consumer Alerts from the FTC. If you spot a scam, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. (Atty. Emily Wu/Federal Trade Commission)
Lifestyle and longevity tween 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. 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 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 contacts, 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 checkup 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 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 gastroendoscopy. 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 opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and antigraft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • febRUARy 19-25, 2021
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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 considered 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)
Information on the Embassy... PAGE B1 ical 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 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 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 resched-
ule 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 shutdown, 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, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Fo l l o w u s o n Fa c e b o o k . c o m / 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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Features
february 19-25, 2021 • NOrCaL aSIaN JOurNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
Teen actress Laya DeLeon Hayes takes on her... PAGE B1
McDonald’s® drops early access to the new crispy chicken sandwich with limited-edition capsule Lucky fans can secure theirs at CHKNDrop.com
CHICAGO — The biggest launch of 2021, coming at you from McDonald’s, is just a click away. Starting Feb. 18 at noon ET, we’re giving fans access to an early taste of the new Crispy Chicken Sandwich with a limitededition capsule, available exclusively at CHKNDrop.com. So, what’s the hype behind this tasty release? Here’s what you’re going to get: • Early access to the new Crispy Chicken Sandwich starting on Feb. 23, one day before it’s available in restaurants nationwide. The hottest new chicken sandwich in the game features a brand-new crispy, juicy, tender fillet made with all-white meat chicken. We’re serving it up three ways – Crispy, Spicy and Deluxe – and featuring mouthwatering ingredients like a toasted, buttered potato roll, crinkle cut pickles and our Spicy Pepper Sauce. • An original, never-beforeheard audio track created by super music producer Tay Keith on 7” vinyl. Created for our new Crispy Chicken Sandwich, and debuting soon in our advertising, you can hear it here first and only get a copy with this drop. • A limited-edition hoodie that reps the deliciousness of our new Crispy Chicken Sandwich in one word “crispyjuicytender” (yeah, we made that up) and features a waveform design of Tay Keith’s original track running up one sleeve. Available in sizes S through XXL. “We know fans can’t wait for our new Crispy Chicken Sandwich to hit restaurants, so we’re celebrating them and this moment with a drop like no other,” said VP of U.S. Communications, David Tovar. “We’re excited to give
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fans early access to this sandwich and exclusive swag they can’t get anywhere else to memorialize this great addition to our menu.” Need details on how to be a part of this moment in chicken sandwich history? We got you! Mark your calendar and head to CHKNDrop.com at noon ET, on Feb. 18, to lock in your drop for $5.00 USD. Those lucky enough to secure one can get their early taste of the Crispy Chicken Sandwich at their local participating McDonald’s starting Feb. 23. Don’t wait, because once they’re gone, they’re gone. Didn’t get your hands on it? While this exclusive drop will go quick, you can grab the Crispy Chicken Sandwich that inspired it all starting Feb. 24 via carryout, Drive Thru, the McDonald’s app or McDelivery. And be sure to stay tuned for more ways we’re celebrating crave-worthy chicken options at McDonald’s all year long. For decades, customers have enjoyed fan-favorite chicken offerings at McDonald’s like our
iconic Chicken McNuggets and the McChicken sandwich. Today, demand for craveable chicken options is greater than ever before, and McDonald’s continues to introduce delicious new menu items and flavor profiles – from bringing Chicken McGriddles and the McChicken Biscuit sandwich to our breakfast menus nationally, to introducing popular limited-time offerings like our Spicy Chicken McNuggets with Mighty Hot Sauce. The new Crispy Chicken Sandwich lineup marks the latest step in our ongoing journey to deliver great-tasting chicken to our customers. McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to nearly 25 million customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. For more information, visit www. mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook. www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.
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Laya participated in school plays and talent shows, which powered her passion to perform. She trained at Hart and Soul studio in Dallas prior to moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. “Growing up in a biracial family is something I’m extremely proud of. Growing up I didn’t realize what that meant or how interracial couples were looked at back in the day, because it just felt normal to me and it still does,” she said. “When you’re mixed, I think it can be challenging at times just figuring out who you are or where you fit.” Being mixed has allowed her to become closer to her ancestry and embrace the two cultures that make up who she is; two cultures that she is constantly learning more about and extremely proud of. And now, with this new show, she has this opportunity to represent. Asked about how she feels that this role will be seen by young girls, particularly Asian/Filipino American and Black girls, she said, “It means the world to me. I really believe representation matters.” Like regular viewers, Laya used to constantly find characters who look like her or are going through the same things like her. She believes that having characters that relate to the audience member makes them feel less alone and when the character looks like them, it’s even more of a connection. “Art should depict real life and real stories. Knowing that young Asian/Filipino or biracial girls will look on their screen and see someone who looks like them is something I don’t take lightly,” she quipped. “I know when I was younger, I wanted to see a character like Delilah, one who’s not perfect and has a lot of growing to do but helps audiences know that that’s okay. You don’t get many roles for biracial girls that depict a realistic teenage girl just trying to come of age. That’s why this role means so much to me.” An equal rights and social justice advocate, Laya utilizes her social media platforms to spread awareness and to help propel conversation forward. Also, she is passionate about women’s rights, body positivity and equality for all. In her free time, Hayes enjoys rollerblading, baking with her friends and family, fashion, sing-
“They’re all so talented and very kind. It’s a dream really. Many of these actors I’ve watched and admired since I was younger,” Laya told the Asian Journal as she described her The Equalizer costars, led by Queen Latifah. Photo by Michael Greenberg/CBS
Laya, seen here in a scene with Queen Latifah has established a successful voiceover career, garnering roles in “Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny,” “Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie,” and most recently, she voiced the Iron Maiden in the popular video game series “League of Legends.” Photo by Barbara Nitke/CBS
ing, traveling and sketch drawing. She loves theater, watching movies and creating films and videos. In the future, she hopes to develop, write, direct and produce her own projects. Pandemic work The episodes of “The Equalizer” were shot during the pandemic. In fact, they’re still filming right now, something that Hayes is so grateful for. “It’s definitely taken some getting used to, especially because of how collaborative the process of making a show can be. There were challenges in the beginning, but production and CBS really make sure everyone is safe and taken care of on set,” she said. The cast and crew are tested regularly, they practice social distancing, and the production does a deep clean of the set every day. They also wear their masks everywhere and only take them off before they say action. “We’re all working hard to not only make sure this a good show, but also a safe environment for everyone,” Hayes quipped. Hayes describes working with Queen Latifah and every-
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one on this cast as amazing, specially since she has been watching them since she was a young girl. “Queen is the coolest. She plays music on set and really knows how to have the intensity needed for a scene while also creating a light environment on set. She’s got cool stories too,” she shared. “It’s been really nice to have bonded with them during the time we have been filming. They’re masters at their craft and I’m learning so much simply by watching them.” Laya’s additional television credits include “Just Add Magic,” “Liv & Maddie” and “Raven’s Home.” Also, she guest-starred in “Cougar Town,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Quantico” and “Code Black,” on the Network. Also, she appeared in the television film “Santa Hunters” and several national commercial campaigns. The goal now is to continue building her already impressive body of work as she looks forward to grow every day and expand her career with each role and project that she gets to be a part of.
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • febRUARy 19-25, 2021
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february 19-25, 2021 • NOrCaL aSIaN JOurNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
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