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FEBRUARY 25-MARCH 3, 2021
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 32 - No. 7 • 12 Pages
2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 201 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Duterte undecided on VFA Filipina missing after abrogation, seeks public opinion hiking in Angeles DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
National Forest
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte is turning to the public as he remains undecided on what to do with the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). In a public address aired Wednesday night, Feb-
A 60-year-old Filipina has been missing for nearly two weeks after she was last seen hiking in the Angeles National Forest during Valentine’s Day weekend. Maria Loida Tice, a resident of Los Angeles County, was last seen on Saturday, February 13 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
ruary 24, he admitted that he doesn’t know whether to renew or abrogate the agreement with the United States, adding that he wants to hear the Filipino public’s sentiment. “I must be frank, I do not keep secrets to the people. I have not yet decided on what to do. Meaning to say, to abrogate or renew because I want to hear
the people,” said Duterte. “I want the narratives to come up, not necessarily from the [lawmakers]. Well, of course they count very much pero hindi limitado dito sa (but it is not limited to) Congress,” he added. Duterte said the public can submit their opinion
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DOLE clarifies plan to exchange PH nurses for COVID-19 vaccines
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by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
Photo shows Marc Quidit (far right) and his wife Nina (left) and their three young children. Quidit, who owns Dollar Plus and Party Supplies in Vallejo, California, is expected to walk again after he was shot in an attempted robbery on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Photo courtesy of Joanne Pomares
Vallejo Fil-Am store owner in recovery after being shot multiple times during attempted robbery
CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM. Confetti rains down during a ceremony to mark the 35th anniversary of the EDSA people power uprising, which ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on Thursday, February 25. Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas
Lawmakers denounce spike in anti-Asian hate, call for more government action
A FILIPINO American small business owner and father of three in Vallejo, California is expected to recover and walk again after being shot multiple times during an attempted robbery earlier this month. Marc Quidit, 49, was discharged from the hospital and greeted at home with flowers and balloons as family members led a prayer on Sunday, February 21. His homecoming comes five days after two armed suspects entered his store, Dollar Plus & Party Supplies along Sonoma Blvd., and shot him five times. His family had feared the worst and that he wouldn’t be able to walk again. But with physical therapy, a video taken at the hospital shows Quidit using his legs with the help of a
by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL
AJPress
DEMOCRATIC lawmakers on Friday, February 19 denounced the recent slew of attacks against Asian Americans and pushed for more action from the Department of Justice to prevent future incidents. The virtual press conference featured remarks from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and members of the Congressional Tri-Caucus, representing Asian, Black and Hispanic communities. “It breaks my heart that today’s press conference is even needed,” said Rep.
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Family takes legal action for death of Fil-Am Navy veteran who died in Antioch police custody by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL AND RITCHEL MENDIOLA AJPress
A FILIPINO American family in Antioch, California has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city arguing that their 30-year-old son died after a police officer knelt on his neck for almost five minutes. Angelo Quinto, a Navy veteran who was born in the Philippines, was suffering a mental health crisis on the night of December 23, 2020, prompting his sister to call 911 for help. But what transpired is renewing ques-
FILIPINO health care workers are not “commodities” that can be traded in exchange for COVID-19 vaccines, an official from the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) clarified. DOLE public information head Rolly Francia on Wednesday, February 24, said that the agency wanted to ensure that the Filipino health care workers who will be deployed to the United Kingdom and Germany would receive vaccines from the host country. “Ang gusto lamang na tiyakin ay ‘yung ipapadalang mga nurses ay nabakunahan na and the vaccine should come from the host country (We just want to make sure that the nurses who will be deployed have already been vaccinated and the vaccine should come from the host country),” he said. “What is clear is that we are not dangling our available nurses and healthcare workers for vaccines. Hindi intensyon ng department na ituring na materyal upang i-trade ang ating mga nurses para lang
tions about whether police are equipped to respond to such episodes. “I was just hoping they could deescalate the situation,” Isabella Collins, Quinto’s younger sister, said during a press conference on Thursday, February 19. His family reported that his behavior changed after sustaining a head injury earlier last year, which led to him experiencing bouts of paranoia and anxiety.
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Judy Chu (D-Calif.), who is the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “But the Asian American community has reached a crisis point that cannot be ignored.” Since the beginning of the pandemic, members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have recounted experiences of discrimination, xenophobia and assault. “What started as dirty looks and verbal assault has escalated to physical attacks and violence against innocent Asian Americans,” Chu added. In recent weeks, documented incidents
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HALF A MILLION. U.S. President Joe Biden marked the grim milestone of 500,000 Americans killed by COVID-19 with the somber ceremony on Monday evening, February 22 at the White House. He was joined by first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff during the candle-lighting ceremony and a moment of silence. White House photo
US tops 500K COVID deaths by AJPRESS HALF a million people in the United States have lost their lives to the novel coronavirus. According to a Reuters tally of public health data, the country logged more than 28 million COVID-19 cases and 500,264 fatalities on Monday, February 22. The grim number of deaths “matches the number of Americans killed in World War II, Korea Family members remember Angelo Quinto, a 30-year-old Navy and Vietnam combined,” the Asveteran, as someone who enjoyed fishing, scuba diving and video games. Quinto died on Dec. 26, 2020, three days after a sociated Press reported. The U.S. recorded an estimated police officer reportedly knelt on his neck during a mental health episode. Photo courtesy of Quinto family 405,000 deaths in World War II,
58,000 in the Vietnam War and 36,000 in the Korean War. “These numbers are stunning,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said in a “Good Morning America” interview. “If you look back historically, we’ve done worse than almost any other country and we’re a highly developed, rich country,” he added. To mark the grim milestone, U.S. President Joe Biden held a sunset moment of silence and a
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http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678
february 25-march 3, 2021 • LaS VeGaS aSIaN JOurNaL
From The FronT Page
Duterte undecided on VFA...
PAGE A1 on VFA through the government’s 8888 citizens’ complaint hotline. “Ordinary mamamayan (citizens) can have the say and I said there’s always the 888 and you can enter your objections or any comment that you think would help the country. Pati kami dito, matulungan ninyo (You can help us),” he said. Earlier this month, Duterte said the U.S. would have to “pay” to keep the VFA from being terminated. “I would like to put on notice if there’s an American agent here that from now on, you want the Visiting Forces Agreement done? Well, you have to pay,” Duterte said in his speech on February 12 at Clark Air Base in Pampanga. “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. Malacañang then said that the Philippines should get “something like $16 billion or close to that amount” from the U.S.
Citing a study by Washingtonbased Stimson Center on counterterrorism spending, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque noted that 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 February 15. Roque also cited the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, a 2014 deal that gave American soldiers access to the Philippines’ military establishments. “But how much are we getting for this? According to the study, we got $3.9 billion. Is this a big amount? It is loose change when compared to what other countries got,” he said. The spokesman continued: “Pakistan got $16 billion, we think we should get something similar or close to that amount. But definitely, not the amount we are currently getting.”
The VFA, which came into force in 1999, covers the conduct of U.S. soldiers in the Philippines. Among the provisions of the deal include relaxed visa and passport policies for U.S. troops, and the rights of the U.S. government to retain its jurisdiction over its military personnel when they commit crimes in the Philippines. In February 2020, the Philippines sent the U.S. a notice terminating the VFA reportedly after the U.S. canceled Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s visa. The termination was later suspended in June “in light of political and other developments in the region,” and the suspension was extended in November for another six months to enable the Philippines and the U.S. to find a more enhanced, mutually beneficial, mutually agreeable, and more effective and lasting arrangement on how to move forward in their mutual defense. In December, the president threatened to continue with the ISKO VISITS FIRE VICTIMS. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso greets one of the fire victims with an elbow bump during his VFA’s termination if the U.S. did visit to the evacuation center at Jose Abad Santos Elementary School in Binondo, Manila on Wednesday, February 24. Domagoso on the spot gave a job to Jennifer Arizala whose husband and their four sons died in a fire that gutted their houses in Parola, Tondo last Feb. 20, 2021. not extend at least 20 million PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan vaccines to the Philippines. n
Filipina missing after hiking in... PAGE A1 on the Heaton Flat trail toward the summit of Iron Mountain in the unincorporated Angels Crest area of the national forest, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) said. The mountain is considered one of the toughest hikes within the national forest. The LASD’s Missing Persons Unit investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating her as her family is “very concerned about her well-being.” Tice is described as a 5’4”, 130-pound Filipina with shoulder-length brown hair. She also wears glasses. Her last worn clothing is unknown. Search and rescue teams from across Southern California were deployed to the area last week but no further information has been released. Anyone with insight into Tice’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the LASD’s Missing Persons Unit at (323) 890-5500. (AJPress)
DOLE clarifies plan to exchange PH... PAGE A1
makakuha ng vaccine (It is not the department’s intention to treat our nurses as materials for trade just to get vaccines),” he added. Francia’s statement came after International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) director Alice Visperas said that Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III asked the United Kingdom and Germany to donate vaccines in exchange for the deployment of more Filipino health workers. “Secretary Bello’s request is for our (Overseas Filipino Workers), these are the OFWs that were repatriated, who are here in the country including those who will be deployed. It is important, especially those who are set to leave since many countries who are hiring migrant workers want workers that have been vaccinated,” she said Monday, February 22.
“Also, Secretary Bello requested for their government to give us vaccines especially for our OFWs,” she added. Francia said that the negotiations between Bello and British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce are still ongoing, adding that the DOLE might request additional vaccines that would cover repatriated overseas Filipino workers. “Considering napakagalante or generous ng pamahalaan ng UK, baka sakali, request lang naman ‘yun, kung magbibigay man sila, e ‘di dagdagan na (Considering that the UK government is very gallant or generous, if by any chance, and it’s only a request, if they do give, they might as well increase it),” he said. “Halimbawa kung 5,000 ‘yung request nilang nurses, alangan naman for 5,000 nurses ‘yung vaccine na ibibigay
nila, baka kaya magbigay na more than that to cover OFWs who have been repatriated to the Philippines (For example, if they’re requesting for 5,000 nurses, obviously they can’t donate vaccines only for 5,000 nurses, if it’s possible to give more than that to cover OFWs who have been repatriated to the Philippines),” added Francia. Meanwhile, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) noted that the focus of the discussion is the protection of Filipino nurses who will be deployed abroad amid the pandemic. “We should just focus on the intention of the talks – they wanted nurses, but before we deploy more nurses above the limitations, we need to ensure that they will be protected,” POLO-Milan Labor Attaché Corina Buñag said. n
Lawmakers denounce spike in anti-Asian hate...
SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY 340 N. 11TH Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101
PUBLIC NOTICE Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority(SNRHA) Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 Program 2021 Lottery Opening The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority is opening its 2021 Housing Choice Voucher/ Section 8 Lottery. On-line entries (ONLY) will be accepted beginning on Monday, March 8, 2021(beginning at 7:00 a.m.) through Monday, March 15, 2021 (ending at 5:00 p.m.). All Applications submitted successfully will be placed in a pool. TO PARTICIPATE YOU MUST BE: • 18 years of age or older or legally emancipated: and • A U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant and have legal capacity to enter into a lease under the state and local law Please Note: 1. You must have an email address to apply. 2. SNRHA will deny any applicants or any member of applicant household who is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program OR has been convicted of manufacturing or producing methamphetamine in a public housing development or in a Section 8 assisted property. 3. Criminal background checks will be conducted on all persons age 18 years and older. 4. Participants will be required to enter the Social Security Number of the Head of Household and Co-Head/Spouse. 5. ONLY ONE COMPUTER ENTRY can be submitted per household. Multiple entries will be voided. 6. Lottery entry is not transferable. 7. Lottery entries must be complete. Incomplete entries will be voided. 8. Please print the Lottery Number Confirmation Page for your records. 9. Report any changes online. Include name, social security number and correct address. 10. DO NOT PAY ANYONE to participate in the HCV/SECTION 8 Lottery. To apply for the lottery: Lottery Entries MUST be submitted on-line (through the internet) by using ANY computer or smart phone that has Internet access by going to SNRHA website https://onlineportal.snvrha.org. • SNRHA is not offering In Person Lottery entry service at this time. LOTTERY POOL: • ALL accepted lottery entries will be held in a pool. Date/Time of application submission will not determine Lottery selection. • Drawings for 2021 may be conducted at any time after lottery closing. For SNHRA Housing Choice Voucher Program. • Individuals that have their number drawn will be placed on the Housing Choice Voucher Waitlist and will be notified by email. • 2021 lottery entries that have not been drawn will be purged within 60 days and will be notified by email. The following is a list of possible preference points: • Applicants who work 20 or more hours per week • Full-time students (Age 18 and older in an accredited school or training program • Receiving SSI/SSD or proof of inability to work • 62 years of age or older • Families that live or work within Clark County • Veteran or Spouse of a Veteran • Disabled Veteran (disability must be service connected) • Spouse of a Deceased Veteran (death must be service connected) **Please note that you are applying for the waitlist, SNRHA does not have immediate or emergency housing**
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have shown elderly AAPIs as targets and have been more violent and even, fatal, as in the case of Vicha Ratanapakdee. Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old immigrant from Thailand, died of injuries after being shoved to the ground during his morning walk in the Anza Vista neighborhood of San Francisco on January 28. The 19-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder and elder abuse. In another instance in New York, 61-year-old Noel Quintana was riding the subway on his way to work when he was slashed in the face by another passenger, requiring almost 100 stitches. One of the images that stuck with Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) was of a 91-year-old man being pushed in Oakland’s Chinatown, which was part of a string of incidents against older Asian Americans before the Lunar New Year holiday. “I saw in that image someone that could have been my father or my grandfather…[so it] was very personal,” Kim said. Lawmakers acknowledged that scapegoating and discrimination against the community are not new problems, but highlighted that anti-Asian rhetoric (e.g. using “China virus” and “Kung Flu”) from the Trump administration has contributed to the assaults. “Hate and discrimination against the AAPI community has been a longstanding problem, but it has been made far worse by the pandemic and because powerful leaders like Trump, and Republicans who enable them, spread fear, misinformation, and racist rhetoric to advance their political agenda, and cover up their incompetency in response to this virus,” said Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.). With the surge in incidents, the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, Chinese for Affirmative Action and the Asian American Studies program at San Francisco State University started Stop AAPI Hate, an online reporting center that is now available in English and several Asian languages, including Tagalog. Between March 19, 2020 and December 31, 2020, Stop AAPI Hate received over 2,808 firsthand accounts of anti-Asian hate — ranging from shunning to physical attacks — from 47 states and the District of Columbia.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) along with members of the Congressional Tri-Caucus on Friday, February 19 hosted a virtual press conference condemning the recent rise in anti-Asian hate and discrimination across the country.
During that period, a majority of reports came from California and New York, and 126 incidents involved Asian Americans over the age of 60. Last year, the House of Representatives passed a resolution, authored by Rep. Grace Meng of New York, which called on public officials to condemn all forms of anti-Asian sentiment and “all manifestations of expression of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, anti-Asian sentiment, scapegoating, and ethnic or religious intolerance.” (The votes were 243 to 163, with the majority “yes” votes coming from 229 Democratic lawmakers and 14 Republican lawmakers.) President Joe Biden on January 26 signed an executive order to combat xenophobia and racism against AAPIs, which includes a directive for the Department of Justice to expand the collection of data and public reporting of hate incidents. While the order was welcomed, many AAPI organizations and advocates said the administration can take bolder action to stop the uptick in hate and address other pandemic-related issues the community is experiencing. Lawmakers went on to say that more action is needed to make it easier to report an in-
cident as factors like language and cultural barriers contribute to the underreporting. “We have to inform people about how to report a hate crime,” Pelosi said, acknowledging that the inconsistency in determining whether certain events are classified as hate crimes. “So we need to do is for people to be sensitive at the time to take down the words… because the difference between just bullying and harassment, and that would be horrible enough, and the hate crime.” They are also urging the Senate’s passage of the NO HATE Act, which has received bipartisan support in the House, and for a meeting with the Department of Justice to improve reporting and prosecution on the federal and local levels. “We want to see what kind of enforcement will be done as well as proactive measures to reach out to the AAPI community,” Chu said. She added that with the uptick in hate crimes and incidents, there is no “comparable increase in the amount of prosecutions,” and in many instances, the perpetrators have yet to be caught. “I’m afraid that we have had too many alarming incidents… where the criminal has not been prosecuted,” she said. n
(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Dateline USa
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 25-mARch 3, 2021
Search continues for missing Fil-Am mom in Chula Vista US tops 500K COVID... by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THE search for the missing Filipina American mother of three in Chula Vista, California continues, nearly two months after her sudden disappearance. A group of people looking for May “Maya” Millete on Tuesday, February 23, put up a billboard on Main Street between Hilltop Drive and 3rd Avenue in Chula Vista to raise more awareness on the case. “Maybe somebody will see it and will know where she is,” Amber Patterson, a member of a Facebook group dedicated to finding Millete, told Fox5 San Diego. “Having her face up there and having everybody see it brings light to the story and what’s happening,” she added. Millete, a 39-year-old civilian Navy employee, is described as 5-foot-2 and about 105 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes, freckles and a wrist tattoo. She was last seen by family at her home in the San Miguel Ranch area on January 7 and was reported missing two days later. That Saturday, the family was planning a trip to Big Bear Mountain Resort for her daughter’s 11th birthday, but Millete was never heard from, as previously reported by the Asian Journal. Her husband, Larry, reportedly thought Millete was asleep in a bedroom, but then he found the room empty, according to various reports. In addition to her 11-year-old,
May “Maya” Millete
she has children ages 9 and 4. “She’s an amazing mom. She has three wonderful kids and it’s her life…she wouldn’t leave her kids this way,” Milette’s sister Maricris Drouaillet previously told the Asian Journal. Members of the Facebook group called “Missing Maya Millete Discussion and Theories” are still relentless in their pursuit to help Millete’s family find her. “Printing fliers, getting banners donated, getting a billboard, whatever they need. We want to try to make it happen without them having to do anything,” said Patterson. She recently reached out to the advertising company Lamar, which operates billboards and signs across the U.S. “Everything was included from start to finish, all we had to do was just give the information we wanted on the billboard
PAGE A1 candle-lighting ceremony at the White House. He also ordered the American flags lowered to half-staff on public buildings and grounds until February 26. Bells also tolled at the National Cathedral in Washington to honor the lives lost. “As a nation, we can’t accept such a cruel fate. We’ve been fighting this pandemic for so long. We have to resist becoming numb to the sorrow,” said Biden. He added, “We have to resist viewing each life as a statistic or a blur or on the news. We must do so to honor the dead, but equally important care for the living, those they left behind.” Biden urged Americans to stay and include pictures,” Patterson vigilant and follow safety protosaid. She added, “Just having her face up there and having everybody see it, it brings light to the story and what’s happen- PAGE A1 ing.” walker and being able to walk up Millet’s family has previously to 100 feet. He is expected to fulheld community searches and ly walk again within two months. vigils, and has posted flyers in Quidit, who is known to work the neighborhood and in the seven days a week, remarked greater San Diego area. They how he was ready to return to have set up a Facebook page the store. “Find May/Maya Millete” and “Despite all the circumstances, encourage others to say a prayer my uncle has a positive attitude at 5:01 p.m. — her birthday about his recovery. He was sayis May 1 — until she is found. ing to his wife, ‘Honey, did you A GoFundMe page has raised see that? I can go back to work nearly $13,000 to help with the next week,’” Quidit’s niece, search. Joanne Pomares, told the Asian Anyone with information on Journal. “I think that’s what’s Millete’s whereabouts is asked helping him with his quick recovto contact the Chula Vista Police ery because he seems so positive Department at 619-691-5139 about everything, making sure or San Diego Crime Stoppers to have high spirits, and being anonymous tip line at (888) 580thankful he’s alive.” 8477. n Surveillance footage from 7:20 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16 shows Quidit vacuuming while his sister stood behind the register. Then, two hooded and masked men enter with guns in an attempt to rob the store. One of the suspects opened fire, hitting Quidit’s lower body five times, before they both took off. His sister, who was not harmed in the attack, screamed out for Quidit. Thinking she had also been injured, he found the strength to make it toward the counter, Pomares said. Quidit was airlifted to John Muir Medical Center’s trauma center in critical condition. He underwent surgery and had four bullets removed from his body. The morning after, his wife
cols amid the pandemic. “I ask all Americans to remember, remember those we lost and those they left behind. I also ask us to act, to remain vigilant, to say socially distant, to mask up, to get vaccinated,” he said. “We have to fight this together as one people, as the United States of America,” he added. The president was joined by first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff in marking a moment of silence in front of 500 candles representing the death toll. In a separate tweet, Biden said: “500,000 lives lost to COVID-19. It’s an unfathomable number, but each one represents a family that will never again be whole. To
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those who have lost loved ones: I know no words can numb the pain, but I hope you find some solace in knowing the nation grieves with you.” The U.S. has reported more COVID-19 cases and deaths than any other country in the world. However, average daily deaths and cases have plummeted in the past few weeks, as reported by AP. The fatalities have fallen from more than 4,000 reported on some days in January to an average of fewer than 1,900 per day. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also said that about 19.4 million Americans have been fully vaccinated as of Sunday, while more than 44.1 million Americans have received their first dose. n
Vallejo Fil-Am store owner in recovery... Nina took time off from her other job to reopen the store. “They had to open up the store the next day because that’s pretty much how my uncle and his family support [themselves] with three kids and they rely on it as a source of income,” Pomares said. “It’s a testament of how strong-willed they are.” Quidit was born in Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines and migrated to the United States in his teens, his niece said. He worked several jobs before he took over Dollar Plus & Party Supplies from his other sister, Pomares’ mother, about 14 years ago. The Feb. 16 incident is not the first time the store had been robbed. “It’s not fair that families have to be terrorized with these types of instances because they were so desperate for money or whatever it was that they were looking for,” Pomares said. Quidit’s eldest daughter, who is 14 years old, expressed worry about the medical bills the family would face. This prompted Pomares to start a GoFundMe page, which has reached over $84,000, as of this writing. All of the donations will go toward her uncle’s medical expenses and rehabilitation. Pomares said Quidit was emotional to see the financial support and that other community members have been bringing food and flowers to the family. The investigation into the rob-
A video shared by Quidit’s niece shows him being able to walk up to 100 feet with the help of a walker.
bery is still ongoing and suspects have not been identified. The Vallejo Police Department has not returned a request for comment, as of this writing. It is also unclear whether it will be classified as a hate crime as it comes during a surge in attacks against Asian American community members. “If anyone has any information regarding the incident that night, come forward and help bring justice to what happened. That’s only fair to the family and can bring peace to the incident,” Pomares said. (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)
Civil rights attorney John Burris, who is representing the Quinto family’s case against the city of Antioch, presents photos and a video from the incident on Dec. 23, 2020 during a press conference on Thursday, February 19. Photos courtesy of John Burris Law Offices
Family takes legal action for death of... PAGE A1 When police arrived at the house, Quinto was holding onto his mother, Cassandra QuintoCollins, and reportedly would not let go. A cellphone video shot by Quinto-Collins — presented by the family’s attorney on Thursday — shows him unresponsive on the floor after an officer pinned and subdued him with a knee to the back of his neck for nearly five minutes, while another officer held him by the legs. The former sailor repeated, “Please don’t kill me,” as he lost consciousness. The video then shows a handcuffed Quinto turned onto his back with blood streaming out of his mouth. “The most tragic part of this is the ‘George Floyd hold,’” said John Burris, a civil rights attorney representing the family. “On the way down he said, ‘Please don’t kill me’ and they muttered some words like ‘We’re not going to kill you,’ but in moments they had.” Quinto never regained consciousness and was taken by an ambulance. He died at Sutter Delta Medical Center three days later. The family has filed a wrongful death claim against the Antioch Police Department and is seeking answers after minimal information has been released. The police department has not given an official cause of death and has not revealed the officers’ names and whether they
were wearing body cameras at the scene. Supporters and family rallied on Thursday for more humane treatment of people in mental distress, as well as for a ban on the controversial chokehold. “This is wrongful death in the sense that their conduct caused the death of this person. This was a healthy person before, and now his life is gone,” said Burris. Family members remembered Quinto for his love of video games, fishing and scuba diving. He was medically discharged from duty in 2019 because of a food allergy, the family told the San Francisco Chronicle. Quinto’s sister said she has remorse about calling the police and that she hopes no one has to regret “doing what they think is the right thing.” With Quinto gone, they are seeking justice and changes to the police department, such as the end of the knee-to-neck restraint used on Quinto as well as in other high-profile cases, such as in the death of George Floyd last year. “I want to bring him back, but if we can’t do that, we want justice in any way we can get it,” Collins said. “We want a new number to call, someone who can help us with mental health crises and other related domestic incidents.” They also are calling for a mental health crisis response team that can respond to similar situations, and body cameras
and dash cameras for police officers in the department. The police department has not provided any new information regarding the case, as of press time. Meanwhile, the Contra Costa District Attorney is conducting an automatic and procedural investigation. n
Quidit returned home on Sunday, Feb. 21 after five days in the hospital. Family members say he will be able to walk on his own within two months. Photos courtesy of Joanne Pomares
PAUNAWA NG MUNISIPAL NA PANGUNAHING HALALAN LUNGSOD NG BOULDER CITY, ESTADO NG NEVADA SA MARTES, IKA-6 NG ABRIL, 2021 ANG PAUNAWA’NG ITO AY NAGBIBIGAY NANG KAALAMAN na ang Pangunahing Halalan ay gaganapin sa Martes, ika-6 ng Abril, 2021, kung saan ang halalan ay isusumite sa karapat-dapat na manghahalal, maayos na nakarehistro ng Boulder City, mga kandidato para sa tanggapan ng miyembro ng konseho. SA KARAGDAGAN, ang Munisipal na Pangunahing Halalan sa Martes, ika-6 ng Abril, 2021, ay isasagawa sa paraang itinakda ng batas ng halalan sa Estado ng Nevada at ang Lungsod ng Boulcer City. Bumoto sa alinman sa Sentro ng Pagboto sa Araw ng Halalan. Ang mga lugar ng botohan ay bukas mula 7:00 n.u. hanggang 7:00 n.g. sa parehong lugar. Ang mga lugar ng pagboto sa Boulder City ay sa sumusunod na mga lugar: Boulder City Recreation Center 900 Arizona Street Boulder City, Nevada Martha P. King Elementary 888 S. Adams Boulevard Boulder City, Nevada Ang mga makakatulong sa mga taong mayroo’ng kapansanan at mayroo’ng edad 65 taong gulang o mas higit pa ay matatagpuan sa bawat sentro ng pagboto. Para sa mga botante na mayroo’ng kapansanan sa paningin, ang pagboto sa pamamagitan ng awdyo ay maaari’ng magamit sa panahon ng maagang pagboto sa Boulder City Recreation Center at sa Araw ng Halalan sa kahit saan man Sentro ng Pagboto. Ang lahat ng mga aktibo rehistradong botante sa Boulder City ay makakatanggap ng isang koreong balota para sa ika-6 ng Abril, 2021 Munisipal na Pangunahing Halalan, kung humiling man o hindi. Mga pagpipilian na ihulog at ibigay ang iyong koreong balota upang bumoto nang personal ay ibibigay sa iyong halimbawang balota at koreong balota na pakete. Ang kahilingan para sa manliliban na balota ay maaari’ng makita sa Boulder City, Tanggapan ng Kawani ng Lungsod para sa nasabi’ng Pangunahing Halalan, at lahat ng kahilingan sa pamamagitan ng sulat para sa mga manililiban na balota at kinakailangan na matanggap sa Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan na hindi lalampas sa ika-23 ng Marso, 2021 ng 5:00 n.h. Ang Munisipal na Pangunahing Halalan para sa maagang pagboto ay sa ika-25 ng Marso (Huwebes) hanggang ika-2 ng Abril (Biyernes). Ang maagang pagboto ay isasagawa sa Boulder City Recreation Center. 900 Arizona Street tulad ng sumusunod : Huwebes Biyernes, Sabado, Linggo Lunes – Huwebes Biyernes
Ika-25 ng Marso, 2021 Ika-26-28 ng Marso, 2021 Ika-29 ng Marso – April 1, 2021 Ika-2 ng Abril, 2021
Pinetsahan nito’ng ika-9 na araw ng Pebrero 2021. /s/Lorene Krumm_____________ Lorene Krumm, Kawani ng Lungsod Lungsod ng Boulder City, Nevada
Isabella Collins, Angelo Quinto’s younger sister, speaks during a press conference outside their Antioch, California home on Thursday, February 19.
LVRJ ika-26 ng Pebrero at ika-5 ng Marso, 2021 El Tiempo, ika-24 ng Pebrero at ika-3 ng Marso, 2021 LV Asian Journal, ika-25 ng Pebrero at ika-4 ng Marso, 2021 BC Review, ika-25 ng Pebrero at ika-4 ng Marso, 2021
7 n.u. hanggang 6 n.g. 8 n.u. hanggang 6 n.g. 7 n.u. hanggang 6 n.g. 8 n.h. hanggang 6 n.g.
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FEBRUARY 25-MARCH 3, 2021 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
OPINION
Shuttered businesses
FEATURES
PASAY City expanded on Tuesday, February 23 from 34 to 55 the number of barangays under granular lockdown because of a surge in COVID cases. The Pasay government has also sent an SOS to the Department of Health amid fears that the city is facing a transmission of the coronavirus variant first detected in the United Kingdom, which is said to be highly infectious. One of the confirmed UK variant cases in the Philippines is a Pasay resident, a 46-year-old mother of a worker at the Metro Rail Transit-3 depot where a cluster of COVID-19 infections has been reported. The growing problem in Pasay illustrates the continuing unpredictability of COVID-19. It also shows that President Duterte’s decision to maintain the quarantine status in Metro Manila and several other areas is sensible. The President decided that without a vaccine rollout, areas under general community quarantine including Metro Manila could not be eased to the most lenient modified GCQ by March 1, as suggested by the National Economic and Development Authority. The President, apart from deferring the shift to MGCQ, also rejected proposals for limited face-to-face classes. While some business leaders acknowledged the issues that were considered in the President’s
decision, they also expressed concern over the possibility that full economic reopening might have to wait until 2022. Last year, at least 119,596 registered businesses were forced to shut down, costing the government P7.767 billion in “forgone revenues,” the Bureau of Internal Revenue told the House of Representatives. Apart from revenue losses from shuttered business enterprises, livelihoods in the informal economy have been decimated by the COVID pandemic. With the shift to MGCQ in Metro Manila, the country’s economic center, rejected by the President, NEDA is revisiting its 2021 target for gross domestic product growth, as analysts warn that recovery will be slow for the Philippines. Protecting lives and reviving livelihoods will depend heavily on the start of mass COVID vaccination. Even President Duterte, according to nomic prognosis and the risks posed by the more Malacañang, is becoming impatient. The eco- infectious COVID variants should provide more
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
impetus for speeding up the vaccination rollout. (Philstar.com)
Supreme Court ruling schools Trump: No president is above the law
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS DONALD TRUMP might have been “acquitted” by his powerhungry Republican minions in Congress twice after being impeached by the House of Representatives twice despite his abuse of power and obstruction of justice in 2020 and for inciting January 6 insurrection in the nation’s Capitol. But the Supreme Court handed down a ruling that reminded Donald Trump that no one, not even the president of the United States, is above the law. As the New York Times broke the news on Monday, February 22: “The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a last-ditch attempt by former President Donald J. Trump to shield his financial records, issuing a brief, unsigned order that ended Mr. Trump’s bitter 18-month battle to stop prosecutors in Manhattan from poring over his tax returns as they investigate possible financial crimes. The court’s order was a decisive defeat for Mr. Trump, who had gone to extraordinary lengths to keep his tax returns and related documents secret, taking his case to the Supreme Court twice. There were no dissents noted.” Yes, NO DISSENT. Not even from the justices he appointed to the highest court. These honorable justices did not betray their oath just to please Trump, who has demonstrated consistently his “quid pro quo” style of leadership.
The Washington Post reported that the Supreme Court also “turned away Republican challenges to the presidential election results in Pennsylvania, refusing to take up a monthslong dispute over extending the deadline in that state for receiving mail-in ballots.” The Post further reported: “It was part of a purge of sorts. The high court formally dismissed a range of suits filed by Donald Trump and his allies in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia and Arizona — all states won by Democrat Joe Biden. The court’s intent in most of those had been signaled when it refused to expedite consideration of them before Biden was inaugurated as president. The case about deadlines for receiving mail-in ballots was different, though. Three justices — Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch — said it deserved the court’s attention, even though the number of votes at issue would not call into question Biden’s victory.” These are great signs that justice is still alive in the United States, and that more democratic institutions are doing their role of checks and balances and demanding accountability from former President Donald Trump, after his efforts to trample on our democracy to feed his insatiable greed for power, money and ego. Now that Trump is no longer in power, he has lost the shield he had been desperately trying to hold onto in order to pro-
tect himself from all the legal battles that await him, on both personal and political fronts. Congress has also started hearings to investigate deeper into what led to the January 6 insurrection, make people accountable, and write legislation to prevent this tragedy from happening again. Another reason to be optimistic that the rule of law will be upheld again pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution is President Joe Biden’s nomination of Merrick Garland to be the United States’ attorney general. In his Senate confirmation hearing on Monday, February 22, Garland vowed “to keep politics out of the Justice Department and to fully prosecute the “heinous” crimes committed in the attack on the U.S. Capitol in the deadly riot on January 6,” CNN reported Garland was former President Barack Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court in 2016, but the Republican-led Senate never even got to have confirmation hearings for his nomination. As the National Public Radio (NPR) chronicled: “Widely regarded as a moderate, Garland had been praised in the past by many Republicans, including influential senators such as Orrin Hatch of Utah. But even before Obama had named Garland, and in fact only hours after Scalia’s death was announced, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared any appointment by the
sitting president to be null and void. He said the next Supreme Court justice should be chosen by the next president — to be elected later that year.” Lo and behold! We knew what happened: The Senate Republicans went against their rationale that denied Garland any confirmation hearing. Instead, on September 25, 2020 — an election year — Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett to succeed Ruth Bader Ginsburg as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. The Republicans in Congress rushed the confirmation hearings despite the urgency of COVID-19 issues and on October 26, 2020, Barrett was confirmed. The confirmation of Garland as attorney general means finally, after four years of having AGs whom Trump used as his own lawyer, we will have in Garland someone who will represent us, the American people. “If confirmed, I will supervise the prosecution of white supremacists and others who stormed the Capitol on January 6 — a heinous attack that sought to disrupt a cornerstone of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected government,” Garland says in his opening statement. Garland “plans to stress that the role is meant to “serve the Rule of Law and to ensure equal justice under the law,” noting that July 2020 marked the 150th anniversary of the Justice Department’s founding in the aftermath of the Civil
War and that its core mission was to secure the civil rights promised by the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments. “The mission remains urgent because we do not yet have equal justice,” CNN quoted Garland in a report. “Communities of color and other minorities still face discrimination in housing, education, employment, and the criminal justice system.” In his confirmation hearing, Merrick Garland assured Congress that he would remain independent of partisan influences if he is confirmed to the post. “I do not regard myself as anything other than the lawyer for the people of the United States. I am not the President’s lawyer. I am the United States’ lawyer,” Garland said. This is consistent with what Biden said he told Garland when announcing Garland’s nomination. “You won’t work for me. You are not the president’s or the vice president’s lawyer. Your loyalty is not to me. It’s to the law, the Constitution.” As TIME reported, “Garland would oversee a wide-reaching department that has a hand in everything from the prosecution of rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 to the nation’s broken immigration system. He’s set to take over the Department at a particularly fraught moment, with a crisis in confidence about the DOJ’s impartiality spurred by Donald Trump’s presidency and numerous hot-button political investigations underway, including one into the financial dealings
of Biden’s son Hunter and another into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe. How Garland navigates the tricky partisan environment could have huge consequences for public faith in the Department.” We have seen how Trump’s AGs politicized and weaponized the position to serve him, in betrayal of the law and of the public trust accorded to him. “I would like for the time that I’m in the Justice Department to turn down the volume on the way in which people view the department. That the Justice Department not be the center of partisan disagreement. That we return to the days when the department does its law enforcement and criminal justice policy, and that this is viewed in a bipartisan way,” Garland said in his closing remarks on Monday as reported by TIME. “I know these are divisive times. I’m not naive. But I would like to do everything I can to have people believe that that’s what we’re doing.” *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.
The lines between us
Commentary
How upcoming redistricting will shape Asian American communities for the next decade SONNI WAKNIN
AND ALEX
DE OCAMPO
IF there is one takeaway from the Presidential and Georgia Senate elections of 2020, it is the power of communities. Organizers all across the country, from the Navajo nation in Arizona to African American and Southeast Asian voters in Georgia, mobilized their communities to flex their political power and show that they will have their voices heard. While federal elections are two years away, those very communities — and your community — could be at stake this year because of redistricting. From your county school board to your state legislative and Congressional districts, every ten years election district lines are redrawn through the redistricting process.Redistrict-
ing is how we ensure that, as population densities change, we maintain roughly equal populations in each district. Using the decennial Census numbers, each state’s population is totalled and each state receives their Congressional district allotment. Additionally, the Census provides the population numbers to each state for their own state level district apportionment. From there the real challenge begins: drawing the districts. District lines can be drawn by politicians, advisory commissions, or non-partisan citizen commissions. No matter who draws them, district lines determine resources, funding, and even what constitutes a neighborhood. More importantly, when lines are drawn without community input, ex-
isting neighborhoods or communities can be split up. That means that during redistricting your community could be put into a district with a community that has nothing in common with yours. Take, for example, what happened in New York state in 2011. The Census had just been completed, and the state of New York had drawn new district lines. The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), however, filed a complaint in a Brooklyn, NY federal court on behalf of four Asian American voters stating that the redistricted map that the state was proposing to adopt would have disenfranchised that area’s AAPI community. The court sided with AALDEF, and an independent “Special Master” was designated to re-
draw the maps, using neighborhood maps, ethnic data, and a “unity map” from the plaintiffs, resulting in a district in the Queens neighborhood that was 40% Asian American. This district ultimately went on to elect Grace Meng to represent them in Congress, making her the first AAPI Congressmember from the state of New York. District lines matter because representation matters. So what can be done to keep communities together? In your area, local redistricting commissions will soon be hearing public testimony to inform how district lines are drawn. This is your chance to make sure that your community is represented and stays intact. Attend (or log on to) these meetings and give public comments about the importance of
your community and that you do not want it to be split up. Organize your neighborhood and make sure that you let the redistricting commissioners know about the social and historic importance of where you live, and that you intend to keep it unified. In 2021, we are all exhausted. From a pandemic that has kept us inside and isolated for a year, to a seemingly never ending Presidential and then Senatorial election, we all just want to relax. But the effects of redistricting are not like an election-- they will last for the next ten years and have far reaching consequences. So for the future of your community, take an active part in the redistricting process and make your voice heard. To learn more about redistricting in your community
and our work, go to https://latino.ucla.edu/votingrights, or visit FVEP at www.fvep.org. *** 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.
*** Sonni Waknin is the Managing Attorney and Voting Rights Counsel at the UCLA Voting Rights Project. Her legal scholarship has been published in The California Law Journal, UCLA Law Review Discourse, and the Northwestern University Law Review of Note.
*** Alex De Ocampo practices Philanthropic Advisement for a private family foundation. In 2017, he was one of three co-founders of the Filipino Voter Empowerment Project which boosted voter turnout through direct voter contact and online/terrestrial media strategies.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
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Algieri warns Garcia: If Pacquiao puts DOJ to UN: Drug ops protocol not followed you down, you’re not getting up by EvELyn
Macairan Philstar.com
by Bong Lozada Inquirer.net
MANILA — Chris Algieri gave Ryan Garcia a piece of advice about wanting to fight Manny Pacquiao, and it was one borne out of experience. In an interview with Fino Boxing, Algieri described how destructive Pacquiao is inside the ring and one shot is all it takes to turn the tide to the side of the eight-division World champion. Algieri said that Pacquiao, whom he faced and lost to in 2014, would be able to look for any advantage during a fight
and Garcia’s slip-up against Luke Campbell is something the sporting icon will easily use. “From the things I saw in the Luke Campbell fight, Manny would be able to capitalize very well and if Manny puts you down you’re not getting up,” said Algieri. Garcia, a 5-foot-10 lightweight, defeated Campbell via seventh round knockout in January to earn the WBC interim title in the 135-pound division. It wasn’t a one-sided fight, though, as Campbell put Garcia down with a left hook in the second round of their fight, and
that’s the area that Algieri fears Pacquiao would quickly use to open up the 22-year-old champion. “The thing about someone like Ryan Garcia is his progression from fight to fight is exceptional,” said Algieri. “So you don’t exactly know what level Ryan’s going to be at when he comes to the fight because he is getting better every fight.” Garcia publicly said that Pacquiao, who’s now a welterweight, is his idol growing up and he wants to take on the fighting legend in the future despite the clear weight difference. n
Short, simple rites mark EDSA Revolt anniversary by John
Eric MEndoza ManilaTimes.net
A SHORT and simple ceremony marked the 35th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Thursday, February 25. Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte led the flag raising and wreath laying at the People Power Monument on EDSA. The rites had the theme, “EDSA 2021: Kapayapaan, Paghilom, Pagbangon.” There was a minor commotion during the program at the monument when police apprehended a man to check his backpack. The man claimed to be a member of a militant group Migrante International and said he was waiting for his companion with whom he had planned to stage a rally. Migrante International was not immediately available for comment. The man said he ran because he panicked. The backpack was found to contain vegetables, which the man said he intended to sell. National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and EDSA People Power Commission (EPPC) Chairman Rene Escalante and Spirit of EDSA Foundation President (SEFP) and EPPC Commissioner Christopher Carrion attended the program, along with representatives from the August Twenty One Movement, Chino Roces Foundation, Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission and other national government and nongovernment agencies. President Rodrigo Duterte continued his tradition of not attending a People Power commemoration, skipping Thursday’s event. But in a message for the occasion, Duterte urged Filipinos to “set aside our differences and work together.” Duterte hailed the nonviolent revolution that served as a catalyst for the restoration of democracy in the country. “Our history has been shaped by the countless battles that the valiant heroes of our past have fought. Today, we mark the 35th Anniversary of the People Power Revolution inspired by the valor of those whose sacrifice made the liberties we enjoy today possible,” Duterte said. He expressed hope that the peaceful revolution would
serve “as a constant reminder for all of us to remain vigilant in safeguarding our democratic institutions, preserving our values and upholding our rights as Filipinos.” Last year, the President was a no-show at the EDSA anniversary rites and instead attended the Presidential Security Group’s change of command ceremony at the PSG Grandstand in Manila. Duterte had declared February 25 a special nonworking day. In her own message, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo urged Filipinos to unite against the challenges of the times: the pandemic and the “constant threat” to the country’s democracy. Robredo said the “promise” of EDSA has yet to be completely fulfilled amid efforts to revise history for the benefit of a “powerful few.” “Today, 35 years after, we renew our faith in this fundamental truth of EDSA: That our people, standing united, can never be defeated. We affirm this truth, even as we acknowledge that the promise of EDSA has not yet been completely fulfilled,” she said. Robredo asked the people to embrace the lessons of EDSA in facing the challenges of the time. “The challenge now is this: We must find within ourselves that strength, that faith, that fire to continue the work that remains to be done. And in doing so, we must find a way to walk forward together,” she said. ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro stressed the need for Filipinos to continue fighting for their rights, social justice, human rights, and the country’s democracy and sovereignty. “The EDSA People Power teaches us that our country is built upon such moments when the people fully use their right to dissent and protest. Through our collective action, we were able to do what was thought impossible: drive out of power one who wielded it to oppress the people economically and politically,” Castro said. The Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, reminded the Filipino people to continue its pursuit for social justice. Brown made the reminder during a homily at the EDSA
2 out of 10 Filipinos willing to get COVID jab — survey by rEd
MEndoza
ManilaTimes.net
ONLY two out of 10 Filipinos across the country, or 19%, are willing to get vaccinated for the coronavirus disease 2019 despite assurances that the inoculation is safe and effective, according to an independent survey. In its second Tugon ng Masa (Answer of the Masses) poll, Octa Research said that nearly half of those surveyed, or 46%, said that they will not have themselves vaccinated even if the drug becomes available. On the question of willingness to get vaccinated, only a quarter of respondents in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Mindanao answered in the affirmative while only 14% of those from Balance Luzon indicated that they were willing to get inoculated. Balance Luzon and Visayas had the highest percentage of respondents who are not willing to get vaccinated at 47%, followed by NCR and Mindanao at 43% each. Socioeconomic class D ex-
pressed the lowest intent among all scoio-economic classes at 18%, followed by Classes ABC and E at 23% each. It also had the highest percentage for those unwilling to get vaccinated at 46%, compared to Class ABC at 45 percent and Class E at 44%. A third of adult Filipinos, or 35%, said that they are undecided. Seventy-three percent of the respondents cited safety as the reason for rejecting the vaccine while 29% cited efficacy. The rest said the vaccine either wasn’t needed to combat COVID-19 or that it was not free and was expensive. Four out of 10 Filipinos trust the United States-made vaccines, while 13 % trust the Chinese-made vaccines, which also garnered the highest distrust rating among those surveyed. The face-to-face survey, conducted from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, 2021, had 1,200 respondents and used multi-stage probability sampling. It has a 95 % confidence level and a margin of error of plus-minus three percent. n
Shrine on the eve of the anniversary. A nuncio is the head of the Vatican’s diplomatic mission or Apostolic Nunciature, which is equivalent to an embassy. “Justice is the foundation of peace in the society. When there is no justice, when people can’t receive justice, they react in violent ways,” Brown said. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo called on Filipinos to “not let go of the promises of freedom of EDSA.” n
MANILA — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has informed the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that standard protocol was not followed in many anti-narcotics operations where there had been deaths. “Our initial and preliminary findings confirm that in many of these cases, law enforcement agents asserted that the subject of the anti-drug operations resisted arrest or attempted to draw a weapon and fight back. Yet no full examination of the weapon recovered was conducted, no verification of its ownership undertaken and no request for ballistic examination or paraffin test was pursued until its completion,” Guevarra said before the 46th Human Rights Council Session of the UNHRC late Wednesday afternoon (Manila time). “In more than half of the records reviewed, the law enforcement agents involved failed to follow standard protocols pertaining to coordination with other agencies and processing of the crime scene,” he added. So far, the review panel was only able to gather information from Bulacan, including San Jose del Monte City; Pam-
panga, including Angeles City; Cavite, including Bacoor City, and parts of the National Capital Region (NCR). The Department of Justice chief also said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been informed of the review panel’s initial findings. In turn, the PNP told them that their Internal Affairs Service (IAS) investigated thousands of these incidents and scores of police officers had been recommended for administrative and criminal action. Working legal system For his part, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that Guevarra’s admission before the UNHRC proves that the domestic legal system is still working. “That proves that our domestic legal system is working and there is no need for other institutions to intervene. Let us give our legal system a chance to function since we have transparency and open mindedness on the part of no less than our secretary of justice,” Roque said. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) also welcomed Guevarra’s statements and called for the release of the panel’s full report. “We appreciate that the Secretary of Justice declared that they will cooperate with us and committed to include us in the
case buildup and evidence gathering in order to bridge victims of human rights violations with government,” it added. Tokhang vs leftists Meanwhile, human rights advocates slammed a recent CAR Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) resolution adopting a “tokhang-type” operation against armed communists and other known left-leaning personalities. “Insurgency must be addressed, but it must be done with human rights at its core. We continue to condemn terrorism, as well as the use of armed struggle to topple the government. But we continue to stand that activism is not a crime. Our people should be free to express legitimate dissent and grievances for the government to act on,” CHR Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) director Romel Daguimol said in a statement. “We condemn these resolutions as they directly violate the people’s right to due process, to freedom of association, against illegal search and yes, the right to life. The heads of the government agencies in the region who signed them should be ashamed of themselves,” said Cristina Palabay, secretary general of human rights advocate group Karapatan. n
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9 books by Fil-Am authors to put on your 2021 reading list by
AJPress
Looking for your next quarantine read? Here is a roundup of several books — from fiction to food — by Filipino/a American authors that hit shelves in the new year or are slated to be released later in 2021. “The Revolution According to Raymundo Mata” by Gina Apostol (Jan. 2021, Soho Press) Award-winning writer gina Apostol’s novel “The Revolution According to Raymundo Mata” — for which she won her second Philippine national Book Award in 2010 — has been rereleased in the United States by Soho Press. it’s structured as a memoir by Raymundo Mata, a half-blind bookworm and revolutionary, who narrates
his childhood, his education in Manila, his love affairs, and his discovery of writer and fellow revolutionary, Jose Rizal. The 19th-century story features footnotes from three fiercely quarrelsome and comic voices: a nationalist editor, a neoFreudian psychoanalyst critic, and a translator, Mimi C. Magsalin. “Filipino American Psychology: A Handbook of Theory, Research, and Clinical Practice” by Dr. Kevin Nadal (Feb. 2021, Wiley) Dr. kevin nadal, a new Yorkbased psychology professor, queer activist and author, has published the second edition of “Filipino American Psychology,” a resource for understanding the mental health of the second largest Asian Amer-
ican group and fast-growing demographic. From exploring cultural values to historic traumas, nadal’s text is a mustread guide for working with the community and a conversation starter to help decrease mental health stigma across generations. “With You” by Michelle Lopez Clark (March 2021, Mascot Books) Michelle Lopez Clark, a psychotherapist from Southern California, makes her debut as an author with a children’s picture book about the loving relationship with dogs. “With You” is a relatable story of rhymes and representation that promotes the value of fostering an emotional connection with children. “Cook Real Hawai’i” by
Sheldon Simeon (March 2021, Clarkson Potter) Two-time “Top Chef” finalist and three-time James Beard Award nominee Sheldon Simeon takes at-home cooks at any skill level on a tasteful journey through Hawai’i and the influences that shape its culinary traditions in his forthcoming cookbook. Simeon, the chef
and owner of two restaurants in Maui, shares 100 uncomplicated recipes from wok-fried poke to charred huli-huli chicken while providing poignant stories and historical accounts. “In a Book Club Far Away” by Tif Marcelo (April 2021, gallery Books) Tif Marcelo, a former Army nurse turned best-selling au-
thor, offers a look into the dynamics of a military family with her latest novel, “in a Book Club Far Away.” The story follows three Army wives who bond during a book club, but must later overcome their differences when one of them is desperate for help. “Maybe, Maybe Marisol Rainey” by Erin Entrada Kelly (May 2021, greenwillow Books) newbery Medal-winning author Erin Entrada kelly is set to release an illustrated novel loosely based on her biracial identity as a Filipina American growing up in a small Louisiana town. “Maybe, Maybe Marisol Rainey” introduces readers to Marisol, an imaginative, yet cautious girl who learns how to overcome her fears. With witty humor and nuanced childhood friendships, it’s a must-read for early elementary grade students. “When Lola Visits” by Michelle Sterling (May 2021, katherine Tegen Books) inspired by childhood summers with her lola (grandmother) visiting from the PhilipPAGE B2
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World’s first all-civilian mission to space, How Hayden escaped rock bottom with Vicki’s love Inspiration4, names second crew member by Ratziel
San Juan Philstar.com
Two remaining seats on mission still available to the general public until February 28
MEMPHIS – Inspiration4, the world’s first all-civilian mission to space, has announced its second crew member, Hayley Arceneaux of Memphis, TN, a 29-year-old physician assistant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® who was treated as a child for bone cancer at St. Jude. Arceneaux joins Inspiration4 mission commander Jared Isaacman. She will occupy the mission seat representing Hope. “It’s an incredible honor to join the Inspiration4 crew. This seat represents the hope that St. Jude gave me—and continues to give families from around the world, who, like me, find hope when they walk through the doors of St. Jude,” said Arceneaux. “When I was just 10 years old, St. Jude gave me the opportunity to grow up. Now I am fulfilling my dreams of working at the research hospital and traveling around the world. It’s incredible to be a part of this mission that is not only raising crucial funds for the lifesaving work of St. Jude but also introducing new supporters to the mission.” Isaacman, the 38-year-old founder and chief executive officer of Shift4 Payments [NYSE: FOUR] and an accomplished pilot, donated two of the four seats on Inspiration4 to St. Jude, including the seat filled by Arceneaux. The mission name Inspiration4 recognizes the four-person crew’s purpose – to send a humanitarian message of possibility and inspire support for St. Jude – and represents the pillars of Leadership, Hope, Generosity and Prosperity. “Assembling a unique and diverse crew whose personal stories and values will inspire people everywhere is at the heart of the Inspiration4 mission,” said Isaacman. “As I’ve spent time with Hayley in the earliest days of mission prep, she’s everything we want our team to represent – she’s interested in the world around her, devoted to caring for others and hopeful for a better future for all of us. She already inspires me, and I’m certain she’ll inspire many others as they get to know her in the course of our mission.” Isaacman has committed to
Hayley Arceneaux of Memphis, TN, a 29-yearold physician assistant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® who was treated as a child for bone cancer at St. Jude, will be a crew member for Inspiration4, the world’s first all-civilian mission to space. Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
give $100 million to St. Jude and is inviting everyone to join him in support of St. Jude’s multi-billion-dollar expansion designed to accelerate research advancements and save more children worldwide. The fundraising effort will continue through the mission launch later this year. “It has been a personal honor to watch Hayley grow up and fulfill her dreams. As a patient, an intern at ALSAC, and then in the Pediatric Oncology Education program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she was always a rising star,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. “From the beginning, St. Jude has been at the forefront of innovation and inclusion, leading in cancer research, and treatment for some of the world’s sickest children regardless of race, ethnicity, or a family’s ability to pay, so that children like Hayley can live full, healthy and awe-inspiring lives. She will be an incredible ambassador through this mission and inspiration to children fighting cancer and survivors worldwide.” The mission is being targeted for the fourth quarter of this year.
Arceneaux, Isaacman and the Inspiration4 crew will undergo commercial astronaut training by SpaceX on the Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft, including a specific focus on orbital mechanics, operating in microgravity, zero gravity, and other forms of stress testing. They will receive emergency preparedness training, spacesuit and spacecraft ingress and egress exercises, as well as partial- and full-mission simulations. The mission will launch from historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and will be carefully monitored at every step by SpaceX mission control as the spacecraft orbits the planet every 90 minutes along a customized flight path. Upon conclusion of the multi-day journey, Dragon will reenter Earth’s atmosphere for a soft water landing off the coast of Florida. The remaining two seats representing Generosity and Prosperity are available to the general public through February 28, with details available at the mission website, Inspiration4.com. The Generosity crew seat can be secured by a member of the public who enters for an opportunity to join the flight to space. The Prosperity seat is available to any deserving entrepreneur who utilizes the new Shift4Shop eCommerce platform to submit their idea and be selected by a panel of distinguished judges. The Shift4Shop platform is designed to empower entrepreneurs to build and grow successful eCommerce businesses. To learn more about Inspiration4, how to support and potentially join this historic journey to space and the specific conditions of the promotions, visit Inspiration4.com and follow the mission on social media on Twitter (@inspiration4x), Facebook (@ inspiration4mission), Instagram (@inspiration4) and YouTube (@ Inspiration4) to receive the latest news on mission training and preparation. Individuals who are interested in learning how to enter for an opportunity to secure one of the two seats still available should visit Inspiration4.com and review the Official Rules for the applicable promotion.
HAYDEN Kho was stripped of everything after his 2009 sex scandal: his career, his reputation, his wellbeing. Then Vicki Belo helped him start over. The celebrity couple shared in a recent interview with actress Toni Gonzaga how they overcame this dark chapter in their lives. They even openly discussed sensitive topics like self-harm during the vlog. “There’s a lot of humiliation. There’s a lot of fear. And there’s a feeling of desperation na what I’m gonna do to fix this,” Kho confessed. Vicki, meanwhile, recalled how concerned she was about Hayden’s mental health. “Ayaw mong makita ‘yung mangyayari. When he talks, it’s okay lang to be dead,” she said. The doctor said they broke up months before the videos came out. Nonetheless, she just couldn’t leave Hayden’s side. “For three days he didn’t wake up. Who else is gonna take care of him? I was the one,” she decided. Hayden regained conscious-
Hayden Kho and Vicki Belo with their daughter Scarlet Snow Photo from Instagram/@dochayden
ness only after Vicki prayed and promised to stay by his side. His gradual recuperation followed. Seeing these events as divine intervention, Hayden found a renewed sense of purpose in life through God. “Looking back, I realized it’s very true that sometimes God allows you to go through shameful things because that’s actually grace and mercy. At ‘yun na lang ipapa-experience
niya sa’yo just to wake you up,” he said. All the pieces started to fall into place with Hayden’s disposition changing for the better. “Kung ako lang, on my own, I won’t really be able to survive. I thank my family, Vicki, interestingly siya ‘yung na-offend ko... siya pa ‘yung ka-help ko doon. Most importantly, it’s God. I experienced God’s love through my wife Vicki.”
9 books by Fil-Am authors to put on... PAGE B1
pines, author Michelle Sterling and illustrator Aaron Asis come together for a children’s picture book that captures this special lola-apo bond. Expect pages that bring the sights and senses as well as traditions that mark the Filipino American experience. “Manifest Technique: Hip Hop, Empire, and Visionary Filipino American Culture” by Mark R. Villegas (July 2021, University of Illinois Press) From DJs to successful artists like Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas, Filipino Americans have undoubtedly made their imprint on hip hop. But in “Manifest Technique,” Mark R. Villegas — an assistant professor of American studies at Franklin & Marshall College — takes the genre’s significance to the Fil-Am community within the context of decolonization and racial identity. “Filipinx Cookbook” by Angela Dimayuga (Oct. 2021,
Chef Angela Dimayuga is set to release her debut cookbook “Filipinx” in October 2021. Photo by Guang Xu
Abrams) Chef Angela Dimayuga — a James Beard Award nominee for Rising Star Chef who previously served as creative director of food and culture at the Standard hotels — will release her debut cookbook in time for Fil-Am History Month. “Fili-
pinx” is filled with more than 100 deeply personal dishes and stories that trace “how she learned to cook from her mother in Southern California and became a classically trained chef of French cooking before finally learning to love to cook food from the Philippines.”
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A ‘new life begins’ for John Lloyd Dionne retires from showbiz: ‘An amazing 18 years’ after 4-year break from showbiz by Niña
V. GuNo
Inquirer.net
By mariNel
DIONNE Monsanto announced her retirement from the showbiz industry on Thursday, Feb. 25. The former actress made the revelation while guesting on “Magandang Buhay” in an episode that aired on Thursday. “I want to say thank you so much. This is my last guesting ’cause I’m retiring. I am already retired,” she said. “’Hello, Stranger’ is actually my last project and this is my last guesting. So, thank you so much ‘Magandang Buhay.’” Monsanto is currently in Switzerland with her fiance, Ryan Stalder. She marked her first month in the country on Wednesday, Feb. 24. She announced that they got engaged in early February. The engagement took place in Kandersteg, Switzerland. She and Stalder, who is Filipino-Swiss, have been dating since 2018. Monsanto, who hails from
Cruz
Inquirer.net
CONTROVERSIAL actor John Lloyd Cruz described his almostfour-year sabbatical from mainstream show biz as a “necessary pause.” He also said that his absence did not mean he actually stopped working. The 37-year-old actor likewise said his being a father to actress Ellen Adarna’s son, Elias, felt like he was “given a new life.” The elusive actor recently agreed to an interview with Rachel Arenas, chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board for the agency’s weekly online talk show titled “Uncut,” which streams every Friday afternoon on the MTRCB Facebook and YouTube channels. While Arenas did not ask about Cruz and Adarna’s estranged relationship, which undoubtedly John Lloyd Cruz prompted his decision to take a “Apart from the privilege to leave of absence in 2017 from his being a contract artist of ABS- work with them, before I agree CBN, the MTRCB chair managed to a project, I would always ask to make Cruz talk about his aspi- for the script, or in the case of ‘Servando Magdamag,’ it was in rations for Elias. “My biggest dream for him? the form of a short story by Sir For me, this is already big, but I’m Ricky. It was a difficult read in sure his dreams will be so much the beginning, but later I realized bigger: I want him to be able to that I just couldn’t put it down. I fulfill what his heart desires. If he read the screenplay shortly after, wants to become an astronaut or and I must say that it’s the best simply a tambay (loiterer), I will one I’ve ever read in my life,” he support him. I guess that’s the declared. As an actor, Cruz said he has only thing you can wish for your son or for anyone—that he would nothing more to ask for. He has portrayed numerous roles that be able to do what he wants.” Cruz also stressed that even challenged him. However, he though he was “not physically claimed to still have a long list of present,” he still felt he was work- people he wanted to collaborate ing. The actor did not elaborate, with, “especially when I heard but this could mean the film he from a friend who has long been shot for multiawarded indie film- totally immersed in film and mumaker Lav Diaz titled “Servando sic about the potential of a lot of Magdamag,” from a short story by young artists we have today. This Ricky Lee; or this could also mean actually excites me. I don’t want the much-talked-about commer- to miss the chance [to be able to cial he did for a shawarma brand; collaborate with them].” Regrets? Cruz has none. or his cameo in Alvin Yapan’s period drama “Culion,” also from a “There isn’t any, only lessons learned,” he stressed. script by Lee. As to his plan of going back to These days, John Lloyd is part of the creative team working on the “usual grind” and giving his a sitcom under Brightlight Pro- time to show biz 100 percent, ductions for TV5 that was sup- Cruz replied: “What is ‘usual’? posed to air last December, but What is ‘100 percent’? The anproblems in casting delayed its swer to these varies, especially since we are in a pandemic. I production. “It had been a very necessary consider now as the perfect pepause. It all boils down to what riod to learn. The things that did I’ve learned while I was doing not work for me before, I want things I needed to do in order to to be able to correct now that I fulfill my responsibilities and ob- am given another chance,” he ligations in life. In the end, it still began. “I want to know what else I felt like work,” Cruz explained. “To be honest, how could you should improve on, especially in say ‘no’ to an opportunity to be terms of management. Whatever with people like Lav Diaz and the outcome would be, that’s Ricky Lee?,” said Cruz when my 100 percent,” he added. “Alasked what made him agree to though we have to admit that during these difficult times, we star in “Servando Magdamag.”
Photo from Instagram/@johnlloydcruztm
by iza iGlesias Manilatimes.net
THE public has always been aware of actress-host Toni Gonzaga’s successes throughout her career. Besides a lengthy and impressive string of box-office hits and top-rated TV shows to her name, she is also known for championing family values as supportive wife to husband and film director Paul Soriano and loving mom to son Seve. But just like any parent, the celebrity mom insists she has her fair share of challenging moments as the lady of the house, which she openly shared in her latest digital interview with media. It may not look it, but according to Gonzaga, she always finds it difficult to balance life as wife and mother with her career as a multi-media personality. She had no choice but to set her priorities at the onset and strive to keep them in their proper order to be her possible best on and off the camera. “When you know your priorities, somehow you [are guided by] a plan and your decisions [are made with] direction [whether] about work or family and of course with raising your child. I think it’s just a matter of setting your priorities straight, and I don’t there’s a mom who can perfectly balance everything because we always have so much on our plate,” related the 37year-old. “As long as you’re doing the best you can, as long as you see your child happy, healthy and having the best life that you can give him, I think that’s more than enough for us as mommies. There’s need to compare yourself to other moms,” she added. What matters most Relatable as ever, Gonzaga went on to talk about the challenges of raising a toddler at the height of last year’s coronavirus pandemic. “The biggest challenge was not being able to go outside. Because of the restrictions, Seve couldn’t go out and explore the world like other children. But
Just like any parents, Toni Gonzaga has also been through both cheerful and challenging moments in her familial journey. Photo from Instagram/@celestinegonzaga
looking back at the experience, I think it helped me change my perspective in a way and shift it toward a different light. I chose to look at it as a blessing rather than a difficulty,” she shared. “I truly treasure the memories we built here inside our home. No matter how chaotic it is outside, as long as your kid still feels everything is ‘normal’ in the house, I don’t think he’ll remember the gravity of the situation. What he’ll remember is that mommy and daddy were present 24/7 in the house and that’s what matters to me.” Next Paul Still with more family time in their hands as the pandemic continues to loom a year into the outbreak, Gonzaga is thrilled at how her four-year-old son keeps getting better in communicating with them and other members of the household. “The biggest revelation in this whole lockdown was how Seve was able to converse with us straight. He can really carry a conversation now because we’re always home talking to him,” she chimed. “His dad also came up with this thing they do every night called ‘Reflection Time.’ He
asks Seve, ‘What did you like the most about today?’ That really encourages him to talk more and converse, which really surprise and delight other members of our family.” The toddler also seems very interested in following his father’s footsteps, intently watching the noted director when he’s working on a story and even when trying out different angles. “I see so much potential in Seve! Even in the way he picks up the phone to take pictures or videos of me which he sees with his dad,” Gonzaga excitedly narrated. “When we’re doing interviews at home, he really looks and helps out when they’re putting up the lights and in other parts of production. Parang sumusunod siya sa yapak ni Paul, ganu’n.” Asked for the tried and tested advice she can give fellow toddler moms like her, Gonzaga finally said, “Raising a child really takes a village as the old proverb goes. Aside from me and Paul, be open to help and advice from your own moms and of course the experts in nutrition and son on. That’s how we can be our best for our kids.”
Photo from Facebook/@dionne.monsanto
hay aired,” she said. “I started acting professionally in 2002 for ABS-CBN RNG. It has been an amazing 18 years. Thank you for helping this small-town girl achieve her dreams. I am forever grateful.”
Julia opens up about wanting to have a baby
encounter a different set of challenges. For example, we are trying to put up a sitcom, but we by KathleeN a. llemit Philstar.com find it difficult to finish casting. That’s the same problem I’ve IN a few days’ time, Julia Barexperienced while trying to put up a film. We’ve long been in the retto is turning 24 on March 10, planning stage. It’s taking a while and for someone who is a young for us to begin actual work.” Cruz turned metaphorical when asked how he felt about his home network ABS-CBN’s failed bid to have its franchise renewed. “I was surprised with what happened. I questioned why it happened during such a difficult time. My surprise led me to more questions. As I tried to answer them, I finally saw the bigger picture,” Cruz said. “I realized that [the issue] is not merely onedimensional. We need to understand that this is how the world revolves these days.” As the interview drew to a close, Cruz was asked to share his aspirations for the local entertainment industry. To this, he said: “I felt that [in my absence] so much time has passed, like one generation has passed. Don’t get me wrong, I will not exchange what I’ve experienced ‘out of cinema’ for anything. Hindi siya matatawaran. I wish that what I went through would also be experienced by others.” Cruz explained further: “Having said that, I see that there’s still so much that we need to im- Julia Barretto prove on, especially in terms of how we protect the people, particularly the staff and crew, we work with in this industry. I wish we could find industry leaders who truly care for us; those who will collaborate with the government in order to come up with laws that would protect the TV and movie industries.”
Toni sees Seve as ‘next Direk Paul’
Dionne Monstanto
Cebu, expressed gratitude to those who helped make her acting career happen on Instagram. “This day 14 years ago, our batch (PBB Season 2) was launched. Today, my last TV guesting for @_magandangbu-
her older sister by their mother, Marjorie Barretto. “Yeah. That’s the only thing. I just want a kid. Really, it’s really as simple as that,” continued Julia. She and Dani are part of a huge family by her mother’s side. By her parents, actors Marjorie and Dennis Padilla, she has other siblings, including singer Claudia. She also has other half-siblings on both sides. “I feel like I have a purpose in this world, and that purpose is to be a mother. So, I don’t feel so fulfilled because...,” she shared, pertaining to her current status of not having her own baby. When prodded if it was the “missing puzzle” in her life, she answered, “Yeah, it is. It really is.” She had also expressed her desire to have a big family and more than one kid in past interviews. Julia recently went viral with her appearance in the much-talked about music video of Moira’s single “Paubaya” with ex-flame and reel screen partner Joshua Garcia. Though she has consistently said in various interviews that she is happy in her life, including her much-talked about love life, it remains a mystery on who is the man who makes her heart Photo from Instagram/@juliabarretto flutter.
adult, the actress is certain about one thing. “A baby, it’s true,” revealed the 23-year-old actress in the vlog of her sister, Dani Barretto. She appeared in the YouTube channel of
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B4 february 25-march 3, 2021 • LaS VeGaS aSIaN JOurNaL
People: Guinea pigs?
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS HUMOR is healthy, especially during a pandemic. We all need it, together with a positive attitude, in this world calamity that has afflicted almost 113 million people and claimed about 2.5 million lives around the globe. Perhaps I find some of the fake news on social media amusing because I am a physician – more scientific and objective in my thinking, totally relying on evidence-based data about diseases, and can separate medical facts from fiction more readily. A few examples of these ridiculous claims include the following: That there is actually no coronavirus, no pandemic; that billionaires like Bill Gates are financing a “project” to lessen the world population; that masks and distancing do not work; that getting the COVID-19 vaccines will change the person’s DNA; that the vaccines contain fetal tissues, microchip, and that it causes infertility; that the vaccines are causing brain and spinal cord injuries; that is it safer to get COVID-19 instead of receiving the “dangerous” vaccine; that after receiving the shots, people do not need masks and distancing any more. The misinformation goes on and on. Adding insult to injury, all these false data are e-blasted on the internet to countless viewers around the world. And many have disseminated the same falsehood to millions more, and so the cycle continues. Of course, wrong information is dangerous. During a pandemic, it could even be deadly. The other popular assertion is that we, the people, are being used as guinea pigs in this massive experiment, which further stokes fear among the innocent, ignorant, gullible people who think everything on social media is a gospel of truth. From the medical point of view, yes, to some extent the current therapy/vaccination administered to people is partly an “experiment,” an exploration to find out more facts, the truth about the long-term effects of the vaccines to protect the public, with no better clinical alternative than using us as “guinea pigs,” metaphorically speaking. But it is not in the evil sense. Before drugs or vaccines are released for public use, they have to undergo extensive sophisticated research and development, and at least three phases of clinical trials using thousands of human volunteers until the scientific results show the drugs or vaccines are effective and safe for human use. On top of this, they have to pass the rigid and stringent FDA requirements, even for emergency use, like the current COVID-19 vaccines. So, if we, the
people, are being used as “guinea pigs in this experiment,” it is for observation of the long term (future) behavior of the vaccines we received. This is the only way to get those facts. Since these vaccines are new, the only things we know about them are that they are safe for majority of people and 52 percent effective after the first dose, and 95 percent after the second dose, both for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines. We also know that those with a history of allergies could develop a sensitivity reaction (some serious) to the vaccine within 30 minutes. These patients are advised to seek a consultation with an allergist/immunologist prior to getting the vaccine. How long after receiving the first shot will it confer immunity to prevent the person from getting infected and could a vaccinated individual still be able to transmit the virus, science still does not know yet. How about after the second shot? These data would be available only with the passage of time, the reason why I said, to this extent, this is an “experiment,” using us people as “guinea pigs.” But this is only proper, necessary, and prudent. We need the vaccines soonest as an urgent measure for our survival. And there is no other scientific way. The unwise option below is unacceptable and criminal. The alternative is not to use the vaccines now among people; limit it to laboratory animals for another 2 years from now, and know all the answers first, allowing more people around the world to get infected and exponentially raise the number of deaths from 2.5 million to 50 million or more while waiting, like the death toll from the 1918 Spanish Flu. After two years of added “experimentation” and observation of the laboratory animals, the answers we do not know today, we would know then. But by then, we could most likely lose billions and not only millions of lives globally. This would be irresponsible and inhumane. So, it is obvious that after the extensive R&D and three phases of clinical trials and due diligence on the vaccines, we cannot afford to wait until they are perfect or 100 percent safe. That is a fantasy – an unwise and a misguided option. The reality is that there is no medication or vaccine today that is perfect or 100 percent without possible side-effects among some people. Even aspirin has potential side-effects which have killed some people. The remaining unknowns about the vaccines today will be obvious in a few months or a year or two. That is the reality. We simply have to be wise, understanding, and patient. Our imperfect vaccines against SARS-CoV2 virus of COVID-19 are not perfect or 100 percent without risk, but they are already doing wonders. They have been administered to around 70 mil-
lion people in the United States (about 21 percent of its more than 332 million population). Globally, over 300 million doses have been given in 110 countries, with the world population of 7.85 billion. Too slow, indeed. There is no doubt that getting the vaccines, in spite of their potential side-effects, is wise… a lot safer than getting infected with this killer virus. The country with the most efficient COVID-19 vaccination program is Israel (with almost 8.743 million in population). It has vaccinated more than 35 percent of its population, the world’s highest per capita rate of vaccination, which has lowered its cases and deaths by 93 percent because of the people’s discipline and the vaccination. Israel is expected to have herd immunity by next month, most probably the first in the world. The next three on the list of highest vaccination rate includes the United Arab Emirates, followed by UK, and then the U.S., in that order. Facts: The vaccines are effective and safe. The Benefit/Risk Ratio (Vaccine versus COVID-19) is crystal clear: The benefit from the vaccine is high, 95 percent or better; the risk very low, less than 1 percent. The benefit from getting COVID-19 is zero; it is all risks, at least 50 percent among seniors. Do your math. How many (of the more than 300 million around the world who got the shot) died from the vaccine? How many died from COIVID 19, globally? Your answers are correct! I rest my case. Let us all do due diligence and get the facts straight, and not help the apocalyptic scaremongers on social media spread false data (pouring gasoline on the fire) because forwarding the fraudulent disinformation could get people infected and killed. Let us help end this pandemic soonest. Together, we can do this. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888. com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
Why Gretchen prefers to stay single during pandemic By Marinel
Cruz
Inquirer.net
TV host Gretchen Ho
TV host and former star athlete Gretchen Ho said she preferred to remain single now that the world is battling a pandemic. “It’s difficult to be close to someone while we’re all in isolation, so it’s better to keep yourself busy with work,” declared Gretchen, who recently transferred from ABS-CBN to TV5. Gretchen and former beau, Robi Domingo, announced their breakup in March 2017. Interestingly, Gretchen can now be seen working closely with a guy named Roby in her new home network. This guy, Gretchen pointed out, is Roby Alampay, her coanchor in the newscast “The Big Story.” “Robi and I are good friends. We really don’t have any problem. I just find it funny that I’m now paired with a guy with the same name,” noted Gretchen. She added that she is “very open” to getting involved in a romantic relationship, but not at the moment. “There will be a time for that. As to when this will be, it’s all up to God. I have my TV5 photo family to keep me company, anyway. I also have my dog.”
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WGU launches initiative to remove barriers for students with high financial need and those without access to federal financial aid Initiative to include university’s Online Access Scholarship, supporting up to 2,500 students with free high-speed internet service for duration of degree programs
LAS VEGAS/RENO – With millions of American workers facing the urgent need to reskill or upskill for a post-pandemic economy, nonprofit online Western Governors University (WGU) announced today the launch of its Equitable Access Initiative. The initiative aims to help remove barriers that might otherwise keep people—especially those from historically underserved populations—from accessing higher education, such as job loss, changes in childcare and schooling, health concerns, and overall uncertainty from the pandemic. “This is an extraordinary effort to help individuals as they face challenging times,” said WGU Regional Vice President Rick Benbow, who oversees WGU Nevada. “We are striving for equal opportunity for Nevadans and know these grants and our affordable, online higher education model are ideal for those seeking to earn quality degrees in high-demand career fields.” As part of this effort, WGU’s Board of Trustees designated $6 million in funding, which will assist new and existing students through three key financial support mechanisms: • The WGU Resiliency Grant assists new students who are experiencing unforeseen financial struggles by offering them up to $4,000 that can be used for tu-
ition, fees, and instructional materials to allow them to pursue their academic goals. The scholarship is frontloaded to cover $2,500 in the first six-month term and $750 for two subsequent terms—incentivizing students who already have some college credits to accelerate their degree path through the university’s competency-based education model. • The WGU Opportunity Grant supports new students who lack access to federal or state financial aid by offering them up to $10,000 (applied over four six-month terms) that can be used for tuition, fees, and instructional materials. At $2,500 per term, the grant covers approximately 70 percent of the total cost of most degree programs for students who graduate in two years or less. • WGU’s Online Access Scholarship provides students who lack reliable broadband access with free high-speed internet service for the duration of their degree programs while also supplying them with refurbished laptops. The internet service is not restricted to a device, allowing students’ family members to use the Wi-Fi for essential functions, such as accessing healthcare and applying for jobs. “At WGU, we believe that while talent is universal, access to opportunity is not. That’s why we have made a commitment
to increase access to education, making it possible for individuals to improve their lives and the lives of their families by earning a college degree that fits their life,” said Scott Pulsipher, President of WGU. “The tools within WGU’s Equitable Access Initiative are key in helping students have access to education, and thus access to opportunity.” Tuition for most degree programs at WGU is $7,000 or less per year, and students are eligible to supplement tuition-based grants with the Online Access Scholarship, allowing them to earn degrees for little to no out-ofpocket costs in many cases. “We’ve seen an increase in requests for financial support from those who want to earn a degree to better position themselves for career success as the economy and job markets improve but lack the means to pursue their academic goals because of common barriers—many of which are more prominent due to the pandemic,” said Amanda Savage, Director of Scholarships for WGU. “We are working with partners and potential funders to increase the support we can offer and to sustain the initiative as the lingering effects of the pandemic are felt by many.” To learn more about WGU’s Equitable Access Initiative, please visit wgu.edu/access.
Lovi returns to her ‘first love’—singing by allan
PoliCarPio Inquirer.net
MUSIC has always been Lovi Poe’s first love. But somewhere along the way, she found herself getting drawn more and more into acting. Now, with a new single out, the actress feels it’s high time to revisit her roots and rediscover the joys of singing. Her latest song, “Under,” was recorded and released under the Los Angeles-based label VIM Entertainment, and will be part of her upcoming EP in May. “Honestly, this is so nervewracking. Singing was what I originally planned to do when I first entered show biz. However, I ended up being more of an actress. But now that I’m about to do it again, I’m starting to get butterflies in my stomach,” she told the Inquirer in a virtual conference. While she didn’t stop putting out singles entirely, they were few and far between, and were usually used for her movies or other acting projects. In fact, the last time she released a proper album or a compilation was way back in 2008. “It’s like going back to your first love, to someone you loved before and then rekindling the relationship,” she said of her return to music. “It’s the kind of feeling.” Because it has been quite a while since she took music seriously, Lovi admitted that she lost some of her confidence. “Acting did become my priority and I really devoted my time to it. Back then, I used to sing a lot in school, onstage. But now I get shy,” Lovi said. “Things are different. But slowly, I feel like I’m regaining my confidence and I’m excited again.” For “Under”—a synth-laden pop song about being under a
lover’s influence and spell—Lovi collaborated with American producers KrisKeyz, Bob Robinson and Grammy Award winner Omen during her recent stay in Los Angeles. It was then recorded at musician Austin Ward’s studio in West Hollywood. “The opportunity just came up when I was there,” she said. Lovi was especially proud of the material they came up with, because she was closely involved in the creative process. “I wrote a lot of songs and it was a nice and good experience. Typically, I would write poems and then we put music on it. But this time, the music came first and then I was asked to freestyle over it,” she recalled. “Austin, who’s so good, asked me to do it. I didn’t know what to say at first. Then I just started talking about how I was feeling, what was in my heart. Eventually, we were able to make a song out of that session,” added the Kapuso star, who also shot an accompanying music video with director Jessica Fee, also in Los Angeles. Aside from recording new music, Lovi also hopes to return onstage and do concerts—once the situation finally permits them, of course. “Why not? It’s something I have always loved doing,” she said. That doesn’t mean she will be lying low from acting, though. Lovi is set to star in two upcoming movies, one with Viva Films and the other with Regal Entertainment. “I can’t really talk about it much or reveal the genres. But they’re very different. And I’m hands-on, I’m having discussions with the director and writers,” she said. Lovi is also one of the leads of the new GMA 7 prime-time drama series “Owe My Love,” which pairs her with Benjamin Alves. She plays Sensen, a girl who
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Lovi Poe
Photo from Instagram/@lovipoe
quits nursing school and takes on various odd jobs to keep her family’s finances afloat. As she pays for her father’s debts and sibling’s mounting hospital bills, she finds herself indebted to Doc Migs (Benjamin), who makes her take care of his grandfather who has dementia. The show teaches, among other things, financial literacy— something that has become even more important now that there’s a pandemic. “Know your priorities. I’m going through this process myself, because my priorities have been changing this past year. You have to regroup and know what’s on the top of your list and make sure that you spend your money only on what’s important,” Lovi said. “I won’t think twice if I have to buy something for my friends for loved ones. But if it’s something for myself, I get second thoughts.” “Of course, you also want to enjoy what you earn, what you’re working hard for. After all we don’t live just to pay the bills. It’s about knowing the right balance,” Lovi added.
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 25-mARch 3, 2021
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