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MARCH 3-9, 2022
T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER
Volume 33 - No. 9 • 12 Pages
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DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
New Filipina co-founded software aims to stymie human trafficking at the source IN a digital world where scamming has essentially become institutionalized, the risk of falling prey to con artists, thieves, and swindlers has become unfortunately easier as the internet evolves. But the insidiousness of the deep underbelly of the internet largely centers around human trafficking, which has only increased in scope with the advent of the internet and social media. Human trafficking — the illegal trade and exploitation of individuals to benefit from their work, service, and bodies — is also referred to as modern slavery, a highly sophisticated web of criminals that seek to profit from the torment, trauma, and torture of unsuspecting victims. But as the global human trafficking network has grown, so have the efforts by anti-human trafficking advocates. In conjunction with other anti-human trafficking advocates, community organizations, and coders, Annalisa Enrile, Ph.D. — a Filipina American professor of
PH joins 140 nations in deploring Russia’s ‘aggression against Ukraine’ by CHRISTIA
MARIE Inquirer.net
RAMOS
MANILA — The Philippines has joined 140 other nations in deploring Russia’s “aggression against Ukraine.” During an emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN Enrique Manalo cast a “yes” vote on the resolution on Thursday,
March 3. The Philippines was among the 141 member states that voted in favor of the resolution. Five others voted “no” while 35 nations abstained from voting on the resolution. “We strongly urge the cessation of hostilities; but while an offense can be stopped at will ,the defense cannot rest until the offense stops,” read the Philippine statement, which was issued on Monday by the
141 Filipinos remain in Ukraine despite escalating violence by NEIL
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Long-awaited gateway in LA’s Historic Filipinotown to be unveiled in May THE highly-anticipated gateway marking the entrance of Historic Filipinotown is slated to be unveiled in May, according to an update from Los Angeles Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell’s office. In a release sent on February 25, O’Farrell, whose district covers Historic Filipinotown, said the Eastern Gateway will be installed and publicly unveiled in time for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May. “After many years, countless meetings, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, I’m proud to share that the Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway will be installed and unveiled this spring,” O’Farrell in a statement. “This project has been a labor of love by so many people in Historic Filipinotown. This beautiful, historic landmark will be a source of pride for the Filipino community, and will rightfully celebrate this vibrant neighborhood and the incredible contributions Filipino Americans
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Department of Foreign Affairs and earlier delivered before the UNGA session. “We call for massive assistance commensurate with the growing humanitarian crisis and echo the UN Secretary General’s appeal for respect of humanitarian principles to protect civilians and civilian infrastructures in Ukraine. Safe access to humanitarian assistance must be assured by the most effective means,” it added. n
ELDERLY DEVOTEES. Three elderly women walk out of the St. Peter Parish: Shrine of Leaders along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City after getting ash on their foreheads during a mass in observance of Ash Wednesday on March 2. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season which covers a period of approximately six weeks before Easter Sunday. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net
MANILA — Some 141 Filipinos — some of whom are hesitant or refuse to be repatriated — are still in Ukraine amid the conflict with Russia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Wednesday, March 2. DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said 45 Filipinos are in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv who do not want to evacuate yet despite the threat of the invasion. Meanwhile, 15 are in Lviv which is close to the border of neighboring country Poland. Moreover, 55 Filipinos are located close to the border of Hungary who evacuated but are not yet ready to cross the border to another country. “Gusto muna nila doon. Nandun yung wait-and-see attitude (Some want to stay there for now. There is this wait-and-see attitude),” Arriola said in an interview with Teleradyo.
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Sara Dutete: No talks with her father on VP bid by NEIL
ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net
DAVAO CITY — Davao City mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio has not been talking about her vice presidential bid with her father, President Rodrigo Duterte. “President Duterte and I have no conversations about my running for vice president,” Duterte-Carpio said, speaking in a mix of Filipino and English, in a press conference on Monday, February 28, where she was asked about it. Last week, in an interview with Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, President Duterte said he had talked to his daughter only once about politics “months
ago.” Based on the president’s answer, it appeared that the said conversation did not end well. “We do not talk about politics — except for once. But I don’t want to discuss it because it was not good. It was between father and daughter. But it was also a conversation about politics,” President Duterte said when asked about her daughter’s tandem with former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. President Duterte’s faction in the PDPLaban has adopted Duterte-Carpio as its vice presidential candidate. The faction, however, has not endorsed any presidential candidate President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpo.
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Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez
Pacquiao: PH president must be God-fearing Duterte hopes his successor will continue war on drugs by DELON
PORCALLA Philstar.com
MANILA — Undaunted by his fourth ranking in surveys, Sen. Manny Pacquiao will finish his campaign and may accept loss, as long as the candidate who wins will be God-fearing and pro-poor. “Even if Manny Pacquiao doesn’t make it, I’m still hoping that God puts a godly person, one who is a godly leader who has a genuine love for our country. Somebody who is not a thief, not materialistic and who is not lured by money but an authentic motive to serve,” he said. “I believe that is a leader that Sen. Manny Pacquiao at the first nationally televised presidential debates at the University we really need for our country. of Santo Tomas in Manila and aired on CNN Philippines on Sunday, Feb. 27. Philstar.com photo by Marvin John Uy Let’s open our eyes,” the Promdi
presidential candidate said, expressing belief he will still make it in the end because he is the only candidate who is genuinely committed to uplifting the lives of the poor. Speaking at a press briefing at the Santa Lucia East Penthouse in Marikina after going around Pasig City in a caravan, Pacquiao insisted the surveys are not reaching the country’s poorest of the poor who represent the majority of Filipinos. The senator cast doubts on the accuracy of preferential surveys for the 2022 Elections, particularly OCTA Research’s recent poll where he was in fourth spot, trailing the late dictator’s
by DAPHNE
GALVEZ Inquirer.net
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, March 1 expressed hope that his successor would continue his controversial war against illegal drugs, saying he is worried that the drug problem would make a resurgence. “Itong drugs, I hope that whoever would sit as President, would continue this — if not the ferocity that I did, and I accept it, maski PAGE 2 man lang ‘yung a little lower
than my standard,” he said in a taped public address aired on Tuesday morning. (I hope that whoever sits as President would continue the initiative — if not the ferocity that I did, maybe just a little lower than my standard.) “Kasi talagang sisirain ang bayan natin. I am very worried of the resurgence of the drug problem,” he added. (Because it will destroy our country. I am very worried about the resurgence of the drug problem.) He said the continuation of
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MARCH 3-9, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678
From The FronT Page
Sara Dutete: No talks with her father... PAGE 1
yet. Initially, the Duterte faction was endorsing the presidential bid of
Sen. Bong Go, but the senator later withdrew his candidacy. President Duterte himself has not endorsed any presidential
candidate yet — including his daughter’s running mate Marcos, whom he once tagged as “a weak leader.” n
New Filipina co-founded software aims to...
Officials from the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw, Poland welcome 40 Filipino evacuees as they arrive in Lviv from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Photo courtesy of the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw
141 Filipinos remain in Ukraine despite... PAGE 1
“The rest of them, kalat-kalat na po… Medyo kalat-kalat sila ngayon pero marami na rin ang nakatawid,” she added. (The rest are scattered… They are scattered right now but many have already crossed borders.) According to Arriola, 40 Filipinos have already been evacuated out of Ukraine. However, she noted that some
Filipinos refuse or are hesitant to be repatriated. Some Filipinos in Lviv who refuse to be evacuated were instead given financial assistance, said Arriola. “We’re giving more kasi maraming may hesitance kasi yung iba married talaga sa Ukranian… Nagiging mahirap sa ating mga kababayan na iwan yung kanilang pamilya. Because
of the family separation, there is really a lot of hesitance,” she added. (We’re giving more because there’s really hesitancy since some are married to Ukraine nationals… It’s hard for our countrymen to leave their families.) Some household workers, Arriola said, also prefer to stay with their employers. n
Pacquiao: PH president must be...
PAGE 1 son Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Leni Robredo and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. “I am not worried at all. My supporters very well know what I represent, and what I am fighting for. The real battle lies in the D and E class, or the impoverished sector. Obviously, there are more poor than the rich, that is why we should win in the elections,” he said. As far as he is concerned, this year’s election presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for poverty-stricken Filipinos to
finally redeem themselves from long years of neglect by electing a candidate who really feels their struggles and understands their needs. The global boxing icon, now a Born-again Christian, firmly believes that he has been destined to step in to stop the systemic corruption that is the root cause of country’s poverty for the longest time now. He said his victory will be also a victory for the millions of Filipinos who remain homeless, jobless and hopeless. Pacquiao has been giving
away free houses through his five “Pacman Villages” in General Santos City and Sarangani province, and has helped thousands of Filipinos seeking capital for their small businesses and financial support for their education. “My free housing program is not an empty promise. Even when I was still a private citizen, I have been doing it already. Others will never understand it because they never did it in the first place. I did it before I entered politics, giving people livelihood and education,” he said. n
matatalo ka,” he added. (If the drug problem is so serious now, if you don’t meet it with as much intensity, you will lose.) Duterte earlier said he will never apologize for the fatalities that resulted from his administration’s bloody war
on drugs. In Tuesday’s televised public address, he reiterated that he instructed policemen to avoid getting killed in police operations. “Sabi ko sa police, ‘wag kayo magpauna,” he said. (I told the police that they
Duterte hopes his successor will continue... PAGE 1
the campaign against illegal drugs would protect the next generation because “they will have a serious problem in their hands” if the drug problem is not mitigated. “Kung ganito katindi ang pamamalakad nila, kung hindi sabayan ng katindi ng resolve,
PAGE 1 social work at the University of Southern California with almost 30 years of experience working on anti-human trafficking efforts — has developed and tested a new software that aims to thwart traffickers before they traffick. The software, named Project Gridlock, currently zeroes in on sex trafficking — the coercion and transportation of individuals for the purpose of sex exploitation — by targeting advertisements on escort websites and other virtual avenues where pimps seek to recruit unsuspecting victims. According to Enrile, the software’s algorithm goes through escort ads, picks up the phone numbers, and spams the pimps using language and messaging that makes it sound like a potential buyer trying to make a connection. And because the team utilizes a bunch of different phone numbers to communicate with these traffickers, they won’t know which calls are legitimate or ones coming from Project Gridlock. Enrile said that Project Gridlock worked with the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, law enforcement representatives, child welfare experts, trafficking survivors, and other experts on the subject matter to identify the websites and online avenues most frequented by traffickers, pimps, sellers and buyers. Project Gridlock was launched in Los Angeles over Super Bowl weekend, and Enrile told the Asian Journal that from that Friday, Feb. 11 to Sunday, Feb. 13 the software was able to target 5,000 pimps and traffickers. “We believe it causes disruption, and at the very least it pushes people out and at the very most, it requires perpetrators to address how they’re exploiting in a different way,” Enrile told the Asian Journal in a Zoom interview on
Friday, Feb. 18. “If this is where we are seeing the most growth, especially around large events like the Super Bowl and you see this explosion of ‘new-to-town’ ads, can you rough this system enough so that you can push these traffickers, who have these quotas to meet, out in the open?” Enrile posed. Enrile explained that it was difficult to get the project kickstarted because of the lack of visible achievements that come with prevention efforts, i.e. there’s not much to see before a trafficker trafficks. When a trafficker who has already trafficked is arrested by law enforcement, for example, they can measure the severity of that person’s crimes. “It’s not really a win for them. And that’s a problem, like with any prevention program, it’s like, how do you measure something that doesn’t exist because you’ve stopped it?” Enrile said, adding that a large chunk of anti-trafficking efforts that are victim-centric focus on recovery after the fact. “Let’s give [victims rehabilitation] services, but nobody ever wants to say, ‘Let’s teach buyers not to buy. Let’s teach perpetrators not to sell,’” she noted. But Enrile noted that much of the support for the program came from support from antitrafficking advocacy community. Two weeks before the Super Bowl, Enrile’s Filipina American friend — Charisma De Los Reyes, who also happens to be commercial sexual exploitation of children program coordinator for Child Welfare Services in San Diego County — helped raise funds to pilot the project. Within five days of fundraising, the group garnered $10,000 to start the project, which Enrile said is constantly being refined to better serve the community in the name of protecting would-be victims and inhibiting traffickers. “I think that you have to be
willing to take a chance on these out-of-the-box ideas,” Enrile said. And for Enrile, it is worth it to take on these large, disruptive changes to a massive global exploitation ring that operates in plain sight. “Sex trafficking is a small percentage of the numbers when we talk about human trafficking, but it is responsible for almost the majority of the profit that is derived from human trafficking as a whole. Human trafficking, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO), is a $150 billion industry, and sex trafficking specifically accounts for a whopping $99 billion. Generally, traffickers tend to target migrants, disabled people, and other vulnerable individuals. But victims tend to be disproportionately women, specifically, women of color and children. According to the ILO, 71% of trafficking victims are women and girls, and 1 in 4 victims are children. As a Filipina American expert on the issue, for Enrile, there is inextricable emotional proximity to the fact that Filipinos are among the mosttargeted groups by traffickers. Enrile explained that the fact that labor is the Philippines’ largest export coupled with the fact that migration from the country is notably high, the risk of trafficking increases. “We tend to take jobs that are also very invisible, jobs that are service-oriented and dirty, dangerous, and demeaning that makes us more vulnerable to trafficking,” Enrile explained. According to the United States State Department’s report on trafficking from the Philippines, “A significant number of Filipino migrant workers become victims of sex trafficking or labor trafficking in numerous industries, including industrial fishing, shipping, construction, manufacturing, education, home health care, PAGE 4
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Dateline USa
The demise of single-payer in California trips up efforts in other states by AngelA
HArt
Kaiser Health News
SACRAMENTO — Singlepayer health care didn’t stand a chance in California this year. Even in this deep-blue bastion, Democratic lawmakers shied away from legislation that would have put state government in charge of health care and taxed Californians heavily to do so — a massive transformation that would have forced them to take on the powerful health care industry. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had promised to spearhead single-payer when he ran for governor four years ago, dashed its chances this year when he declined to publicly support it. Instead, the first-term Democrat, who is running for reelection this November, is pushing for “universal health care,” which aims to provide all Californians with coverage but, unlike single-payer, would keep private health insurance intact. Newsom’s retreat devastated progressive activists and the powerful California Nurses Association union, which championed the cause. The death of single-payer in the nation’s most populous state also deals a major blow to similar campaigns elsewhere in the nation — which had looked to California for inspiration and leadership — casting doubt on their ability to succeed. “We’re also fighting in New York, but just like in California, there’s not 100% Democratic consensus among legislators,” said Ursula Rozum, co-director of the Campaign for New York Health, which is working to pass single-payer legislation. “It feels like a constant question of ‘Can we win this?’” Health policy experts agree that California’s failure to adopt single-payer dampens momentum across the country. “California, given its size and politics, has always been a bellwether for progressive policy, so this certainly sends a signal to other states about how hard this is,” said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at KFF. But Rozum and singlepayer activists in Colorado, Washington state, and elsewhere say that rather than giving up, they are taking key lessons from
California’s failure: It is essential to win — and keep — support from the governor. Groups pushing single-payer must unite Democrats, bringing in businessfriendly moderates and broader support from organized labor. And they say they must learn how to counter intense lobbying by doctors, hospitals, and health insurance companies fighting to preserve the status quo. “We’ve seen what happened in California, so we are working hard to get our governor on the record in support of single-payer so she will sign it when it gets to her desk,” Rozum said. “And just like there, our union movement is divided. We know we need them to have any chance of moving forward with our bill.” So far, single-payer proponents haven’t been able to broaden their movement beyond liberal activists or convince people that they should pay higher taxes in exchange for scrapping health care premiums, deductibles, and copays. The only state that has passed single-payer, Vermont, didn’t implement it. Vermont adopted a singlepayer plan in 2011 with unequivocal support from its then-governor, Democrat Peter Shumlin. But he abandoned the effort in 2014 amid growing concerns about tax increases and runaway health care costs. “There isn’t a political party in the world that’s going to raise their hands every year to increase taxes on hard-working citizens,” Shumlin told KHN. “That’s the big mistake I made in Vermont.” But progressive dreams for single-payer didn’t die when Vermont retreated. “Medicare for All” became a liberal rallying cry for Democrats nationally when Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders stumped for it during his presidential campaigns. After President Joe Biden was elected, the movement shifted to the states, in part because Biden has opposed Medicare for All. Activists in Colorado are mobilizing for another singlepayer campaign after the overwhelming defeat of a 2016 ballot initiative that failed partly because of intense health care industry opposition. Organizers in Washington state are pushing legislation and trying to get a single-payer initiative on the ballot next year.
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 3-9, 2022
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Karagdagang impormasyon sa Filipino (Tagalog) ay makikita rin sa website ng Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan sa: www.clarkcountynv.gov
STATE OF NEVADA ) ) ss: COUNTY OF CLARK ) I, JOSEPH P. GLORIA, the duly appointed Registrar of Voters of Clark County, Nevada, do hereby certify that the following State, District, County, Town Advisory Board, and Township offices are the offices for which candidates are to be nominated at the Primary Election to be held on the 14th day of June, 2022, in Clark County, Nevada. Judicial and Non-Judicial candidate filing will be conducted March 7th through March 18th, 2022. Candidates filing for district offices and candidates filing for municipal offices will file within their own jurisdiction at the following locations: • Candidate Filing (Judicial and non-judicial): Clark County Government Center, 500 South Grand Central Parkway, 1st floor, Pueblo Room, Monday – Friday 8:00am-5:00pm • City of Boulder City, City Clerk’s Office 401 California Avenue, Monday – Thursday 7:00am – 6:00pm; Closed on Fridays; except Thursday, March 17, 2022 open from 7:00am – 5:00pm • City of Henderson, City Clerk’s Office, 240 Water Street, Monday – Thursday 7:30am – 5:30pm; except Friday, March 18, 2022 open from 8:00am – 5:00pm
Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had promised to spearhead single-payer when he ran for governor four years ago, dashed its chances this year when he declined to publicly support it.
Shumlin said Democrats must be prepared to take on deep-pocketed industry groups and rein in soaring health care spending — or they’ll be confronted with the political difficulty of constantly raising taxes. “California is the best state to lead this because it has the fifthbiggest economy in the world. It’s all about scale,” Shumlin said. “And if California gets it right, other states and the federal government will follow. But this is hard stuff, so get ready to get bloodied.” Some Democratic lawmakers and the California Nurses Association had hoped California would lead the way this year and that Newsom would be their champion. State Assembly member Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) introduced legislation sponsored by the union that would have created government-run health insurance for all state residents while significantly raising taxes on employers, employees, and businesses to pay for it. State estimates pegged the cost at roughly $360 billion a year, with a little less than half coming from tax increases and the rest from the federal government. On Newsom’s first day in office in 2019, he said, “I committed to this and I want folks to know I was serious.” But since then, he has distanced himself from single-payer. Instead, he has created a commission to study the concept and asked the Biden PAGE 4
• City of Las Vegas, City Clerk’s Office, 495 S. Main Street, Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm • City of North Las Vegas, City Clerk’s Office, 2250 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Monday – Thursday 8:00am – 5:45pm; except Friday, March 18, 2022 open form 8:00am – 5:00pm • City of Mesquite, City Clerk’s Office, 10 East Mesquite Boulevard, Monday – Thursday 7:30am – 5:00pm Offices identified with asterisks (*) represent districts that are shared with other counties. Candidates for those offices will file with the Secretary of State at the Las Vegas or Carson City offices.
FEDERAL PARTISAN OFFICES
CONSTABLE, LAUGHLIN TOWNSHIP, 4-year term
UNITED STATES SENATE, 6-year term
CONSTABLE, MESQUITE TOWNSHIP, 4-year term
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, 2-year term Districts 1, 3, and 4*
CONSTABLE, MOAPA TOWNSHIP, 4-year term
CITY OFFICE (ALL NONPARTISAN) HENDERSON
CONSTABLE, MOAPA VALLEY TOWNSHIP, 4-year term
MAYOR, CITY OF HENDERSON, 4-year term
STATE PARTISAN OFFICES
CONSTABLE, NORTH LAS VEGAS TOWNSHIP, 4-year term
COUNCIL WARD III, CITY OF HENDERSON, 4-year term
GOVERNOR, 4-year term
COUNCIL MEMBER, BOULDER CITY, 4-year term
CONSTABLE, SEARCHLIGHT TOWNSHIP, 4-year term
MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, DEPT. 2, CITY OF HENDERSON, 6-year term
SECRETARY OF STATE, 4-year term
TRUSTEE, CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL, 4-year term Districts D, F and G
CITY OFFICE (ALL NONPARTISAN) LAS VEGAS
STATE TREASURER, 4-year term
MOAPA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, LOGANDALE, 4-year term
COUNCILMAN WARD 2, CITY OF LAS VEGAS, 4-year term
ATTORNEY GENERAL, 4-year term
MOAPA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, OVERTON, 4-year term
COUNCILMAN WARD 4, CITY OF LAS VEGAS, 4-year term
STATE SENATE, 4-year term Districts 2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 20, and 21
VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, MESQUITE, 4-year term Vote for up to 2
COUNCILMAN WARD 6, CITY OF LAS VEGAS, 4-year term
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, 4-year term
STATE CONTROLLER, 4-year term
STATE ASSEMBLY, 2-year term Districts 1 through 23, 28, 29, 34, 35, 36*, 37, 41, and 42 COUNTY PARTISAN OFFICES COUNTY COMMISSION, 4-year term Districts E, F, and G DISTRICT ATTORNEY, 4-year term COUNTY ASSESSOR, 4-year term
VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, MESQUITE, 4-year term Vote for up to 2 VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, BUNKERVILLE, 4-year term VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, BUNKERVILLE, 2-year unexpired term
COUNTY CLERK, 4-year term
MOAPA VALLEY TELEVISION MAINTENANCE DISTRICT 2 Seats, 4-year term 3 Seats, 2-year unexpired term
COUNTY RECORDER, 4-year term
OVERTON POWER DISTRICT 1, OVERTON, 4-year term
COUNTY TREASURER, 4-year term
OVERTON POWER DISTRICT 2, LOGANDALE, 4-year term
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR, 4-year term STATE AND DISTRICT NONPARTISAN OFFICES JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, 6-year term Seats A and E COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE, 6-year term Departments 1, 2, and 3 DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, 4-year unexpired term (Clark County Eighth Judicial District) Department 11
OVERTON POWER DISTRICT 4, BUNKERVILLE, 4-year term OVERTON POWER DISTRICT 6, MESQUITE, 4-year term TOWN ADVISORY BOARD, BUNKERVILLE, 2-year term Vote for up to 5 TOWN ADVISORY BOARD, LAUGHLIN, 2-year term Vote for up to 5 TOWN ADVISORY BOARD, MOAPA, 2-year term Vote for up to 5
REGENT, STATE UNIVERSITY, 6-year term Districts 6, 7, 8* and 13
TOWN ADVISORY BOARD, MOAPA VALLEY, 2-year term Vote for up to 5
COUNTY NONPARTISAN OFFICE
TOWN ADVISORY BOARD, SEARCHLIGHT, 2-year term Vote for up to 5
CONSTABLE, BOULDER TOWNSHIP, 4-year term
SHERIFF, 4-year term
CONSTABLE, BUNKERVILLE TOWNSHIP, 4-year term CONSTABLE, GOODSPRINGS TOWNSHIP, 4-year term CONSTABLE, HENDERSON TOWNSHIP, 4-year term
CITY OFFICE (ALL NONPARTISAN) BOULDER CITY MAYOR, BOULDER CITY, 4-year term COUNCIL MEMBER, BOULDER CITY, 4-year term
MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, DEPT. 1, CITY OF LAS VEGAS, 6-year term MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, DEPT. 4, CITY OF LAS VEGAS, 6-year term MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, DEPT. 6, CITY OF LAS VEGAS, 6-year term CITY OFFICE (ALL NONPARTISAN) MESQUITE COUNCIL MEMBER, SEAT 1, CITY OF MESQUITE, 4-year term COUNCIL MEMBER, SEAT 3, CITY OF MESQUITE, 4-year term COUNCIL MEMBER, SEAT 4, CITY OF MESQUITE, 4-year term CITY OFFICE (ALL NONPARTISAN) NORTH LAS VEGAS MAYOR, CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS, 4-year term COUNCIL MEMBER, WARD 1, CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS, 4-year term COUNCIL MEMBER, WARD 3, CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS, 4-year term MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, DEPT. 2, CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS, 6-year term MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, DEPT. 1, CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS, 2-year term TOWNSHIP NONPARTISAN OFFICES JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, LAS VEGAS TOWNSHIP, 6-year term Departments 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, and 16 JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, LAS VEGAS TOWNSHIP, 2-year unexpired term Department 10
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the County Seal at my office in North Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada this 28 day of February 2022
JOSEPH P. GLORIA Registrar of Voters (Seal)
AMENDED PUB: March 3, 2022, Las Vegas Asian Journal
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MARCH 3-9, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
Dateline USa
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678
New Filipina co-founded software aims to... PAGE 2
and agriculture, as well as in domestic work, janitorial service, and other hospitalityrelated jobs.” Of the estimated 10 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in 170 different countries, 3% are working without contracts, making them more susceptible to trafficking. Additionally, traffickers work with facilitators around the world through “social The Eastern Gateway in Historic Filipinotown is expected to be completed in May 2022 in time for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. networking sites and other The long-awaited project, which features elements of Filipino culture, will be placed on the stretch of Beverly Boulevard along the eastern digital platforms, recruit entrance of the neighborhood. Illustration courtesy of the Office of Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell unsuspecting Filipinos through illegal recruitment practices such as deception, hidden fees, and production of fraudulent passports, overseas employment PAGE 1 organizathanks to Councilmember community-based make to the City of Los Angeles.” O’Farrell’s leadership and all tions, including longtime legAs previously reported in the our community partners, we are acy non-profits in Historic FilAsian Journal, the City of LA almost at the finish line,” said ipinotown such as the Pilipino commissioned the gateway, Caloza said in a statement. Workers Center (PWC), Search PAGE 3 named “Talang Gabay: Our The effort to install a landmark to Involve Pilipino Americans Guiding Star,” to be placed along at the eastern entrance to (SIPA), and Filipino American administration for permission to the stretch of Beverly Boulevard Historic Filipinotown has been in Service Group, Inc (FASGI), also collect federal money that flows that designates the eastern the works for nearly two decades, took part in the planning pro- to the state via the Affordable entrance into the neighborhood. beginning with a community cess. Care Act, Medicaid, and Designed by Filipino artists study of Historic Filipinotown “Pilipino Workers Center is Medicare, which California could Eliseo Art Silva — whose improvements commissioned excited and proud of being a use to help finance a single-payer work includes the “Gintong in March 2003 by then- part of the collective process to system. But Biden can’t simply Kasaysayan” mural in HiFi’s Councilmember Eric Garcetti, make this HiFi gateway project approve the request — California Unidad Park — and Celestino according to the release. a reality!” said Aquilina Soriano would need complicated federal Geronimo, Jr., the gateway has “Our community finally had Versoza, Executive Director waivers and approval from design elements giving a nod to a ‘win’ in 2002, when the City of Pilipino Workers Center Congress. Filipino culture and its roots in Council, under the leadership (PWC). “It really took a robust Newsom has shifted to a Historic Filipinotown. of then-Councilmember Eric collaboration of community platform of “universal health Among the symbols include Garcetti, officially designated a and city officials to accomplish care,” which includes Medicaid the parol (star-shaped lantern 2.5 square mile area just west the completion of the eastern coverage for all income-eligible associated with Christmastime), of downtown Los Angeles as HiFi gateway project. The unauthorized immigrants and the Gumamela flower also Historic Filipinotown,” said gateway is a great project for state-funded subsidies for known as hibiscus, which pays Joselyn Geaga-Rosenthal, local creating visibility for the Filipino Californians who buy health tribute to frontline workers; and community leader and Building American community in HiFi insurance from Covered the Sarimanok (a legendary bird and Safety Commissioner with and Los Angeles. That visibility California, the state’s Obamacare in Maranao art that symbolizes the City of Los Angeles. “20 gives organizations like PWC insurance exchange. good fortune). Newsom said in January that years later, we have another win: more power to lift up the issues The construction has a price a majestic Eastern Gateway to our community is facing.” he has long believed single-payer tag of $587,000 and will rise Historic Filipinotown will rise Currently, a 3D model of is “inevitable” but signaled that 30 feet high and span 82 feet on Beverly Boulevard! This was the installation is displayed at the federal government should across Beverly Boulevard at the hard won — the result of 40 O’Farrell’s District Office along take the lead. entrance. Kalra decided not to bring years of community advocacy Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park. LA Board of Public Works getting key champions along An estimated 10,000 Filipino his bill up for a vote in the state Commissioner Jessica Caloza, the way, including this chapter Americans continue to reside in Assembly, saying on Jan. 31 the first Filipina American today, from the City of Los Historic Filipinotown, while over that he couldn’t muster enough on the commission who was Angeles and Councilmember 600,000 Fil-Ams are said to live support. integral in the planning of the Mitch O’Farrell.” “It makes it harder to get the in the greater Los Angeles area, gateway, said it is a part of In 2018, through a Council as previously reported by the votes you need when I’m trying LA’s investments in “projects motion, O’Farrell committed an Asian Journal. to convince my colleagues that that uplift underrepresented initial $152,000 for the Eastern “Our community has been there’s an absolute path to communities.” Gateway Project and then waiting for this for so long, and success,” Kalra said. “We have “The key to building and identified additional funding for we are so excited,” said Cecile a governor who campaigned on enhancing the beautiful the completion of the landmark. Ramos, longtime community single-payer, and if we’re going neighborhood we all know With full funding finally secured, leader. “Dreams do come true! to successfully have single-payer as Historic Filipinotown has the community helped guide As someone who has lived and health care in California, at some always been community. The the process which led to design worked in this neighborhood for point we need his engagement community has long advocated renderings that were released in many years, I am grateful that and it needs to be genuine.” for more visibility and was June 2020. Construction began our beautiful community is being Kalra said he’s considering committed to bringing the in March 2021. celebrated for its contributions introducing another bill next Eastern Gateway to life, and year but conceded that he must Community leaders and to our great city.” (AJPress)
Long-awaited gateway in LA’s Historic...
certificates, and contracts to exploit migrant workers in sex and labor trafficking,” the State Department wrote. The history of exploitation of Filipinos is deeply rooted in United States militarism when it comes to sexual exploitation. Enrile said the painful stereotype of Filipinas among American soldiers as “little, brown, f*cking machines” also influenced her work to stop sex trafficking, with Project Gridlock in particular, which sought out Filipina- and Asiancentric ads. As of press time, Project Gridlock is in the process of possibly collaborating with law enforcement agencies and
institutions that may benefit from the software to aid in stopping trafficking at the source. Enrile said that the team is constantly looking to refine the software and better target these traffickers to stop exploitation before it actually happens. “It’s like a tennis game,” Enrile explained. “The traffickers get ahead, we get ahead, the traffickers get ahead and we get ahead. We’re constantly pivoting around each other to address these incremental shifts, but lately, I’ve been wanting to see what are the huge, disruptive shifts we can do to stop this problem.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
The demise of single-payer in California trips... shift his strategy to bring more Democrats and unions into the campaign. These are lessons other states are heeding. “There’s no question that had California passed a singlepayer health care plan, we’d be in a position in the state of Washington to say, ‘Look what California is doing,’” said Andre Stackhouse, campaign director for Whole Washington, an advocacy group trying to get a single-payer initiative on the ballot next year. Stackhouse worked on behalf of California’s single-payer campaign this year, helping with a phone-banking campaign to pressure lawmakers. He’s part of a new national coalition called Medicare for All Everywhere, a group of organizers and volunteers working to identify why single-payer efforts fail and how to overcome political and lobbying obstacles. California was a key test, he said. “We’ve learned all the ways Democrats can kill a bill, but we can’t spend all of our time grieving this loss and the huge setback that it is,” Stackhouse said. For instance, a major goal for the movement is to persuade more unions to join the fight. Although the nurses union is leading the battle in California, other unions are against singlepayer. “As trade unionists, we believe everybody should have health care, but there’s a big fear that we’re going to lose the benefits
that we have,” said Chris Snyder, political director for the local International Union of Operating Engineers in Northern California. “We have our own health care trust fund, and we don’t want benefits that we’ve fought for for decades to be taken away or watered down.” Lack of union support is a major problem in New York, where Democratic Assembly member Richard Gottfried has introduced a single-payer bill in every legislative session for the past 30 years. “What is keeping the bill from moving in the legislature is opposition from public employee unions,” Gottfried said. “They feel they have negotiated excellent coverage, so we need to convince them that the New York Health Act is as good or better than what they have now.” Gottfried said he has been negotiating with teachers, sanitation workers, and other trade unions on legislative language that would provide “more explicit guarantees” that union members would receive better coverage without paying more out-of-pocket than they already do. It’s not clear if the measure will get a vote this year. “Whichever state goes first will help build momentum for other states,” he said. This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. g
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 3-9, 2022
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SFIO announces new F&B expansions in ADB, World Bank see strong PH growth Malaysia, regional headquarters in Dubai by AnnA LeAh
GonzALes ManilaTimes.net
THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank are optimistic that the Philippine economy will perform better this year but noted that risks to growth include the emergence of new COVID-19 variants and supply chain disruptions that may cause inflation to pick up. ADB Country Director for the Philippines Kelly Bird during The Manila Times' "Economic Outlook for 2022: Looking Beyond the Pandemic Endgame" virtual forum on Tuesday said the economy is expected to grow by 6 percent this year from a 5.6-percent expansion in 2021. Bird also said growth this year will be driven by the ramped-up vaccination program and spending on infrastructure. The Philippines has so far inoculated 63.18 million Filipinos as of February 28. Of the total, 10.13 million already received their booster shot. He said that the successful vaccination program allowed the Philippines to relax mobility restrictions and reconnect with the rest of the world. "Now these alone will boost the economic recovery for the first half of this year and should continue to help improve consumer and business confidence and restore jobs," he said. The more than 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) public spending on infrastructure this year, Bird also said, is expected to boost economic growth.
"This will lift economic growth, especially some of the big infrastructure projects that start civil works this year," he added. Bird, however, noted that the emergence of new and more dangerous variants of the COVID-19 virus continues to be a risk to growth. "This would lead to renewed mobility restrictions. Although I think this risk now it's much lower than what it was six months ago due to widespread vaccinations, it does highlight the importance of the vaccine booster program, providing added community protection for 2022," he said. Other risks to growth include the supply chain disruptions that could cause inflation to pick up. Inflation last year hit 4.5 percent, above the government's 2 to 4 percent target. In January, it slowed down to 3.0 percent. "We saw a pickup in inflation in the Philippines last year, but it's gone back down to within 2 to 4 percent range, but there's always going to be pressure on inflation," Bird said. World Bank Group Country Director for the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei Ndiame Diop, meanwhile, said the Philippines is one of the countries that "have been rebounding quite significantly." For this year, the World Bank expects economic growth to hit 5.9 percent supported by public investment and household consumption. Diop, however, warned that the tensions between Russia and
Ukraine are expected to have an impact on the Philippines and East Asian countries. "The conflicts and the sanctions are likely to increase international prices of food and fuel because Russia and Ukraine are very large suppliers of these goods. So the spillover effects or ramification of the war can be very bad," he said. Data showed that as of March 1, the price of Brent crude is already at $99.84 per barrel. In the Philippines, oil companies have already raised pump prices for eight consecutive weeks. The price increase amounted to P8.75 per liter for gasoline and P10.85 per liter for diesel. "The increase in fuel prices feeds through the increase in fertilizer prices and hence, the price of all agricultural products," Diop said. Since Russia and Ukraine are also large producers of wheat, he further warned that rice prices may also go up as most consumers shift the demand from wheat to rice. "Rice, for instance, represents 8 percent of the average consumer's basket in the Philippines and 16.4 percent of the bottom 30 percent of households and an increase in rice price would therefore increase poverty unless mitigated by the targeted social assistance," Diop said. Moving forward, he also said the further reopening of the economy, continued investing in infrastructure and providing targeted cash support or assistance to struggling groups in case of an increase in prices of food and fuel are needed to support growth. n
Immigration: International arrivals up 40% since reopening of borders MANILA — Weeks since the Philippines reopened its borders to international travelers, the Bureau of Immigration reported on Thursday, March 3 that it recorded a 40-percent increase in arrivals in February from January. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the total number of arriving passengers logged in February is 211,899 from only 150,740 in January. "This is also more than 130% higher than the 91,000 passenger arrivals in February 2021," the BI chief added.
The government on February 10 allowed foreigners from visa-free countries to enter the country for business and leisure purposes, after nearly two years of borders closure due to the pandemic. BI Ports Operations chief Carlos Capulong said that among the arrivals in February, 154,661 or 72% are returning Filipinos. Americans are the next top arrivals at 21,383, followed by Canadians with 4,026 and British nationals with 3,250 arrivals. Capulong assured the public that the bureau is ready for the influx
of foot traffic at the airports. “We have deployed enough officers and improved our e-gate services at our international ports to guarantee efficiency at the BI stations,” he added. Since February 1, the Philippines eased protocols for arriving travelers as the government suspended its COVID-19 risk classifications for countries and territories. Metro Manila and 38 other areas in the country also transitioned to Alert Level 1 status, the category with the loosest restrictions, on March 15. (Philstar.com)
GLOBAL investment holding company Starfleet Innotech, Inc. (SFIO) (OTC: SFIO) announced a series of expansions across new markets for their food and beverage businesses. Through their Malaysia-based team, SFIO has launched Hungry Dudes, a mall kiosk concept for cafe fare in Kuala Lumpur, with additional sites reserved for later this year. SFIO will soon be converting these Hungry Dudes kiosks into locations for their flagship F&B business, Epiphany Cafe. Over the next two years, the company is targeting to launch at least 100 licensed outlets, establish centralized commissaries to service them, and strike strategic partnerships with convenience stores to boost brand awareness. By the end of 2023, SFIO plans to have flagship sites for Epiphany Cafe in 10 major regions. To that end, SFIO also just opened their regional headquarters in the United Arab Emirates, following the successful completion of their registration in Dubai. This office will oversee the conglomerate’s growth in the region, beginning with negotiations with key distributors for the company’s Gorgeous Coffee products. SFIO’s Dubai team is now conducting market research and feasibility studies, paving the way for Epiphany Cafe’s entrance into the Middle East. This regional office will also serve as the remote hub for SFIO’s technology division, managing the conglomerate’s subscription-based software and hardware offerings, such as the Neurosky health monitoring wearables that the company recently secured exclusive distribution rights over within the United Arab Emirates. “We kicked off this quarter with the announcement that 2022 will be the year we begin expanding aggressively,” said CEO Jeths Lacson. “Not even halfway through the quarter, we’ve already made significant progress entering two new markets with our F&B offerings.” “That said, it’s important to note that we are taking a ‘measure-twice, cut-once’ approach to this growth –
entering markets only after we’ve done the requisite studies and properly localized our playbooks,” Lacson said. “We’re excited about all the immediate growth we’re seeing, both in terms of global footprint and shareholder value. But we want to ensure this growth is sustainable in the long-term. So, we’re investing heavily in understanding the markets we’re entering.” To further facilitate that growth, SFIO is also building out the capacities of its Philippines-based technology division. Richard Prodigalidad, who leads SFIO’s technology efforts, describes this division as the “scaffolding supporting this period of hyper-growth”. “Right now, we’re expanding in multiple important directions,” Prodigalidad said. “We’re entering new markets, while also striking partnerships to fund and accelerate those expansions. Behind all that is a global team, operating across time zones and various markets. The only way to ensure this is all scalable is through technology.” Prodigalidad leads a stable of developers, designers, project managers, and communications specialists working across blockchain, artificial intelligence, wellness technologies, e-commerce, and learning management systems. Currently in the technology division’s pipeline is one such learning management system, designed to consolidate and streamline the training resources for businesses like Epiphany Cafe. Catering to the brands’ franchisees and employees across different
markets, this digital learning platform replaces traditional training methods, allowing for more affordable, scalable, and localized onboarding processes. In addition to being a knowledge hub for Epiphany Cafe’s franchise operations, these platforms will also see use across SFIO’s other units – offering on-demand access to the entrepreneurship master classes of The Global Academy and training courses for the real estate division’s agents. According to Statista, the global online e-learning market is forecasted to grow exponentially to reach over $370 billion by 2026. This growth is led in large part by the use of learning management systems, which in 2019 generated roughly $18 billion in the U.S. alone. “Having a platform like this allows us to grow rapidly while ensuring the quality of our operations and our workforce, keeping us aligned around latest developments and shared values,” Prodigalidad said. “Eventually, we’ll be developing this proprietary learning management system into a subscription service for other organizations like SMEs that want to scale their knowledge sharing, continuous learning, and training processes. We’re planning to roll out this subscription service by the third quarter of this year.” In the meantime, SFIO’s learning management system will be servicing new and existing Epiphany Cafe locations across New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, and the United States as early as Q2 2022. (Advertising Supplement)
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MARCH 3-9, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
OPiniOn
Preparing for the new normal
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AFTER two years of mobility restrictions, people are eager to shift to a postpandemic “new normal” particularly in the National Capital Region, which accounts for about a third of the country’s economic output. There is high anticipation that by next week, the NCR will be de-escalated to Alert Level 1 and the economy can fully reopen. After two years of battling COVID-19, however, the country is also fully aware of the continuing risks posed by the coronavirus. With the average daily COVID death toll nationwide steady at around 100, and considering the pandemic situation in other parts of the world, the country cannot rush the lifting of restrictions even as economic reopening continues. The government’s pandemic response team has added metrics for de-escalation to Alert Level 1: 80 percent of seniors and persons with comorbidities as well as 70 percent of the general population must be fully vaccinated. Several epidemiologists say the additional parameters are not enough, and that the vaccination target for seniors with comorbidities should be 100 percent. At 80 percent, it would still leave about 1.8 million elderly and immune compromised at risk. The consequences are being seen in the ongoing COVID surge in Hong Kong, where hospitals have become overwhelmed. This has led to people who test positive for COVID including Filipina domestic
helpers being forced out of their employers’ homes. Hong Kong had enjoyed near-zero COVID cases for most of the pandemic, but the highly infectious Omicron variant managed to penetrate its defenses. And the cases have not been mild, which is why hospitals are overflowing with the infected. By most accounts, the cases needing hospitalization are mostly unvaccinated seniors and those with comorbidities. Similar problems have been reported in Singapore and Indonesia, although their healthcare situation is not as dire as in Hong Kong. From below 200 cases per day in mid-December last year, Indonesia recorded 57,049 new Omicron-driven infections last Feb. 15 – breaking its pandemic record of 56,757 cases driven by the deadly Delta variant on July 15 last year. In the Philippines, people’s preference for cheaper antigen testing, whose results are not recorded by the government, is blurring the pandemic picture and skewing projections that are critical for determining COVID alert levels.
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS
own channel. The gatekeeping of information that used to be shared by a few news organizations who adhere to the social responsibility of delivering accurate and factual news and information have been taken away from them. This opened the gates to the use of YouTube, Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc. as channels of content that are NOT vetted or filtered for their truth, accuracy and precision. As long as you can produce something, you have the platform to air and promote it to reach a wider audience. This is why in our engagement with other people in today’s world, made us ask ourselves “Where is that coming from? Saang planeta ka ba nakatira (What planet do you live in?)?” especially when such platforms are being used and abused to purposely effect disinformation for some people’s dirty political tactics to deceive people, win their “trust” and mobilize them to action according their political agenda. This, unfortunately has caused people to mistrust each other’s sanity, intention, honesty, when in the past, we all believed we were working together for the same goal. This brings us back to the importance of having DEBATES during campaign period. It is during the campaign season that
WE are less than 11 weeks away from the consequential May 9, 2022 presidential elections. Campaign season is now in full gear with political rallies in different parts of the country, online discourse and the controversial debates — all intended by the electoral system to give voters the opportunity to make better informed and conscientious decision in choosing the true leader who will steer the country in the right direction. Unfortunately, the very new platforms that help voters be better engaged and participative in this civic exercise has proven to be a double-edged sword. The painful fact we now realize is that people may be reaching out to other voters in different parts of the world, thanks to social media and the internet, but are more deeply divided than ever, so much so that we feel we are living in two parallel universe. Let us do a throwback to a notso-distant past together. In the olden days before social media and the internet, we all watched and listened to the same choices of newscasts and interviews in a handful of channels, read the news from the same options of publications. In a healthy democracy, news
Babe’s Eye View
Ukraine: Another global crisis
IT is so distressing to know that just as there is good news regarding our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic with several studies indicating that booster shots will continue to offer protection against serious illness and even death for months and perhaps even years – once again we are entering another worldwide crisis with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In my column last week, I wrote that the last thing the world needs is another war considering that the global economy continues to be fragile. A lot of people could definitely relate with the sentiment of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres when he said that “this is the saddest moment of my tenure…” as he issued an appeal to Russian president Vladimir Putin. “In the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia.
continued adherence to safety protocols of utmost importance amid economic reopening, particularly masking in public places, physical distancing and regular disinfection. The new normal does not mean pre-pandemic normal. (Philstar.com)
Presidential debates: Finding your true north amid the deep toxic division fueled by fake news and disinformation organizations aimed at protecting their integrity and credibility to keep their viewership high, and so they exercised due diligence in confirming news from sources and do true honest to goodness investigative research before delivering the news. This was changed by the 24/7 news cycles of cable news in the 90s and the individualized on-demand news consumption beginning the turn of the millennium. With more competition among sources of information, “Breaking News” became the race, the sense of urgency to report ahead of the others became more important than diligence and precision in reporting. And with a wider gamut of programming formats, the difference between entertainment and news has increasing became blurred, with more news organizations now utilizing the shock factor and sensationalism the audience find in reality shows. Traditional news media organization had again had to deal with new reality brought about by new technology that allowed newscasts, news reports, breaking news, documentary, commentary etc. by anybody through the internet via YouTube, podcasts, etc. Every person now technically can have his or her
BABE ROMUALDEZ
Philstar.com photo
Hospital bed utilization, however, indicates that there is truly a downtrend at least in serious infections in the NCR. Still, the unpredictability of Omicron and the possibility of more variants emerging make
In the name of humanity, do not allow to start in Europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century, with consequences not only devastating for Ukraine, not only tragic for the Russian Federation, but with an impact we cannot even foresee in relation to the consequences for the global economy,” Guterres said. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, February 24 immediately caused oil prices to soar to over $105 per barrel for the first time since 2014, while the global financial markets went tumbling down. Eastern European leaders as well as U.S. President Joe Biden condemned Putin’s actions, using words such as “horrific,” “reckless,” “atrocious” and “barbaric” – and announced a wave of new sanctions that plunged the Moscow index to more than 30 percent and caused the Russian ruble to hit record lows. Aside from the U.S., the UK, France and other European Union nations, Japan, Australia, New Zealand as well as Taiwan have also weighed in,
with the sanctions aimed at Russian oligarchs and targeting financial institutions as well as the technology, energy and transport sectors, among many others. Many however feel that the sanctions are not strong enough and that the impact will be felt probably after several months. Besides which, the sanctions will not hurt Putin personally as he is reportedly sitting on a pile of cash and has prepared a war chest. Nevertheless, several people admitted that the statement from European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen could send shivers down one’s spine as she outlined the “massive and targeted sanctions” European leaders plan to impose: “These sanctions will suppress Russia’s economic growth; increase the borrowing costs, raise inflation, intensify capital outflows and gradually erode its industrial base.” One of the main pillars of the sanctions would be to limit Russia’s access to crucial technology. “We want to cut off Russia’s industry from
each and every candidate will have the opportunity to introduce herself/himself to the voters, share her/his vision and platform to the people on how to make their life better in the next six years through her/his leadership and governance. Convincing the electorate why they are the better candidate is done by each campaign through political ads, media interviews, online features, campaign sorties/ events/rallies, door-to-door reaching out to people through grassroots campaigning, mailers, etc. However, there are campaigns that may have dished out information about the candidates’ life narrative, educational and professional background, achievements, etc. that have not been vetted or tested to be true and accurate. Then there is the sin of omission, where candidates may have wittingly or unwittingly covered up any material information, documents, records, etc. that may reveal much about their character — something that is of paramount importance in choosing whom to vote for and be accorded with so much power and public trust that go with the Office of the President. DEBATES, therefore , while not legal requirement, have been used every election cycle,
and especially now, so that the fragmented electorate will have the chance to see the candidates vying for the presidency in one setting, subjected to the same questions covering varied issues important to the people. This is a rare opportunity for voters to assess the candidates’ knowledge about issues, compare and contrast the substance and sincerity of their answers to the questions, observe their demeanor in the way they respond to questions, their demeanor toward the other candidates and the debate moderators, see how they think fast under pressure, because as President, this is an important qualification for the job. Debates are also important tools to fact check candidates’ claims, and bring out material information some candidates may be hiding so that they are given the opportunity to explain head on. DEBATES provide one singular opportunities for the candidates and the Filipino people to share one moment together, digest the same information at the same time, watch the candidates together in real time without filter or editing. And so if the candidates truly want to help the Filipino people make one of the most important decisions they will make for
their family and the nation, then they should take participating in debates seriously and sincerely. At the end of the day, the candidates need to show their respect for their soon to be boss — the Filipino people — and the electoral process. They need to convince the Filipino people that their interest and welfare matter most to them as their elected leader, more than anything else; that in good faith they are allowing themselves to be vetted, cross-examined for their honesty, transparency, and accountability. Only those who are hiding something, only those who feel entitled to the presidency, will not consent to this process and will continue to push for their own self-serving agenda. ***
the technologies desperately needed today to build a future… and this ranges from high-tech components to cutting-edge software. This will also seriously degrade the Russian economy in all areas in the future,” von der Leyen warned, stressing: “It is president Putin who will have to explain this to his citizens. I know that the Russian people do not want this war.” In fact, protests have erupted to show disapproval of the attack on Ukraine, with thousands of Russians taking to the streets in many cities that include Moscow and St. Petersburg, chanting “No to war!” Journalists have also issued an open letter denouncing the invasion, while activists utilized social media, urging people to engage in mass protest actions. Several celebrities and artists working in state-funded institutions have also reportedly quit their jobs in disgust. According to reports, more than 1,700 have been arrested amid warnings by Russian authorities about the legal consequences of staging protests. What is also making the situation very poignant for people in Russia who have expressed
disapproval of the attack is that they have relatives and friends in Ukraine – a nation that was once part of the Soviet Union until the people overwhelmingly voted in a referendum to become independent in 1991. And while becoming the world’s pariah may not really matter much to Vladimir Putin, Russians like Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov are dismayed at the thought. “Our peace-loving Russian people will now feel the hatred of the world because we are starting a third world war in the center of Europe,” he lamented. Security experts and analysts say that the invasion does not only threaten Ukraine’s sovereignty but also the geopolitical order, warning that the attack on Ukraine could lead to aggression against other countries. As NATO SecretaryGeneral Jens Stoltenberg said, “Peace in our continent has been shattered… We now have a war in Europe, on a scale and of a type that we thought belonged to history.” Even as the attack against Ukraine continues and its president says they have been left all alone to defend their country
as powerful forces watch from afar, he called on Ukrainians to remain steadfast in their resolve to fight back against invaders. And although thousands have fled to neighboring European countries such as Poland and Hungary, Ukrainians said they will fight to the very end. In fact, weeks before the attack, women have been getting defense training, including how to handle firearms to help their army in any way they can. Social media posts are also circulating about a Ukrainian pilot nicknamed the “Ghost of Kyiv” who reportedly shot down six Russian fighters. In the midst of all the uncertainty caused by the situation in Ukraine, one thing is certain: It is the people – both Russians and Ukrainians – who will suffer most in the end. As a quote attributed to Winston Churchill put it, “War does not determine who is right – only who is left.” (Philstar.com) ***
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. She was a news anchor, TV host and radio commentator and public service host for ABS- CBN and DZMM. She is now working on her advocacies independently, serving the Filipino audience using different media platforms. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@ icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos. Also on Twitter, Instagram: Gel Santos Relos
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
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Dateline PhiliPPines
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 3-9, 2022
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No ‘tokhang’ without warrants but Duterte order commits PH to developing nuclear energy program Moreno says ‘drug war’ will continue by AngelicA
Y. YAng
Philstar.com
MANILA — The Philippines will work towards including nuclear energy in its power mix and will develop a nuclear power program for it, according to an executive order laying out the country's "national position" on the issue. President Rodrigo Duterte signed the EO more than a year after an inter-agency body submitted its recommendations. The nuclear power program will be based on the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to the Philippine Energy Plan 2018 to 2040. "The national government hereby adopts the national position for a nuclear energy program...The national government commits to the introduction of nuclear power energy into the state's energy mix for power generation," a portion of the EO read. It added that the state is in charge of ensuring the peaceful use of nuclear technology. The EO said that the government, through the DOE, has already completed a prefeasibility study on the viability
of introducing nuclear into the energy mix, where coal accounts for a significant share. "The DOE is hereby mandated to develop and implement the nuclear energy program as part of the Philippine Energy Plan," the document read. In making his decision, Duterte said that he looked at the economic, political, social and environmental aspects in rolling out a nuclear power program in the Philippines. He said he believes that nuclear power can help bridge the gap between rising energy demand and supply, describing it as a "viable alternative source" of baseload power which will address the projected decline of coal-fired power plants. "Nuclear technology (can also) help minimize the possible trade-offs between emissions and the environment. Life cycle emissions from nuclear power chains are comparable with the best renewable energy chains and several orders of magnitude lower than fossil fuel chains," he said in the EO. Possible revival of Bataan Nuclear Power Plant The EO assigned the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency
Committee to conduct further studies on the possible use of the $2.2-billion Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), which was completed in 1985 but mothballed a year later. It also said the NEP-IAC is tasked to look at the establishment of other facilities in generating power from nuclear. The funding for the EO's implementation will initially come from the DOE and agencies of the 17-member NEP-IAC. The EO, which was signed by the President on Feb. 28, was made available to reporters on Thursday. Environment groups like Greenpeace Philippines have criticized the government's pursuit of nuclear energy as it will "burden Filipino consumers economically and expose the country to health hazards, contamination and disaster risks." In a statement on May 2020, the group raised concerns on the unsolved issues surrounding nuclear waste disposal. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has openly expressed his support in nuclear power, saying that it is "really safe" and that it will help the Philippines achieve energy security. n
ON-SITE CLASSES. OIC Principal Sancha M. Padilla (standing) supervises the expanded phase of the limited face-to-face classes of Kinder students at the New Era Elementary School in Barangay New Era, Sampaloc 5, City of Dasmarinas, Cavite on Thursday, March 3. More schools will undergo rigid preparations gearing up for the limited face-to-face opening of classes in the coming months. PNA photo by Gil Calinga
Among the things Moreno MANILA — If elected, Aksyon intends to do to address the Demokratiko standard-bearer Isko issue once elected is to appoint Moreno said that law enforcers a retired Navy flag officer who under his regime would not be has the expertise in guarding the allowed to knock on doors of country’s borders and preventing drug suspects unless armed with the entry of illegal drugs as a search or arrest warrant. Defense secretary. "As long as there is a search The Manila city mayor warrant and warrant of arrest. also wants to strengthen the Under the law you can do that any capabilities of the Navy and the time of the day. As I have said. Coast Guard in terms of ships, The 'war on drugs' will continue, personnel, and firepower to serve then we will recognize the laws both objectives. that exist and that is what we Public health approach will implement," Moreno said in At the same time, the Moreno mixed Filipino and English in a administration will also adopt a chance interview with reporters public health approach in the drug in Pilar, Bataan. war to rehabilitate chronic drug The 47-year-old presidential dependents and prevent relapses. candidate made the “We will take care of drug pronouncement when asked if he victims. I mean, health-wise. will continue "Oplan Tokhang" as Demokratiko standard-bearer Isko Moreno Doc Willie said it already,” said part of his war against illegal drugs Philstar.com photo Moreno. if he becomes president. Moreno In an earlier interview, Moreno has vowed to wage a national anti- time distributors of the illegal said he will "not lift a finger" to drug campaign based on the rule substance. "But for me, the 'war on drugs' protect Duterte if he wins the of law and due process. Under Oplan Tokhang, which will continue. And this is the war electoral race next year and translates to knock and plead, on drugs where we do not tolerate the International Criminal Court authorities visit suspected drug the sale of drugs. But the thing is probe into the "drug war" happens users’ homes and ask them to stop we must go to the source. We’ll during his term. He had also said go after the source," stressed the he will not prevent international using illegal drugs. "'Tokhang', however, drew Aksyon Demokratiko presidential probers from coming to the country to look into Duterte’s criticisms because of thousands bet. Duterte's drug war a success? "drug war." of killings, mostly of small-time However, he also later said that Moreno claimed that "while users in impoverished areas," Moreno's campaign team wrote President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug if Duterte was guilty, he would in a statement sent to reporters. war has stopped syndicates from not allow him to be charged by But Moreno has been careful to manufacturing illegal drugs in foreign courts, saying Duterte deny that any extrajudicial killings the country...the Philippines would face justice at home. Aksyon Demokratiko vice occurred in the city of Manila remain to be flooded with illegal presidential candidate Dr. Willie under his watch. On Thursday, substances." This is false. Citing data from Ong has always maintained that he also claimed that in Manila’s anti-drug campaign, 97% of the Philippine government, drug dependency is a public drug suspects arrested were the United Nations Office on health issue and should be thus captured alive because he "does Drugs and Crime found that addressed in a science-based not tolerate extrajudicial killings." crystal meth or shabu "remains approach. “Our focus should be science"There are no EJKs in Manila. the main drug of concern in the Unless the suspects threatened Philippines, representing the based. We need to lessen the the lives of our policemen, reason for the largest proportion stigma on users, increase the the suspects were properly of drug-related arrests and free medicines because there are medicines to cure or solve apprehended and that their treatment admissions in 2020." “If it is true that there is no addiction,” he said Saturday human rights were respected in the process of the entire manufacturing here, it means during CNN Philippines’ Vice drug operations," Moreno said. it enters our borders. That is Presidential Debate. "They can't be imprisoned, This is similar to the argument probably part of the smuggling already being used by the police of products into our country. And then come back, they will be in operations where "drug they enter us, if they used to be addicted again. "The number of able to produce one kilo, only two psychologists, psychiatrists will personalities" are killed. O f f i c i a l p o l i c e d a t a kilos in a plant, now if they can be increased and the drugs will acknowledges some 6,100 killings enter, tons,” Moreno pointed out. be released here," the 58-year-old “So, there must be something cardiologist and internist said. that resulted from anti-drug “Eliminating drugs is a priority, operations. Rights groups both wrong with our port of entry, here and abroad say that the whether it is air or water. And but it has to be done in recognition actual death toll may be as high remember we are an archipelagic still of every individual’s human country, and we don’t have rights. I believe that human rights as 30,000. More than going after users enough resources to watch 7,000 are fundamental and that every and street-level pushers, Moreno islands. So most likely it comes person has the right to defend said he will focus government in, and we need to be stricter and themselves before the courts." (Philstar.com) resources to go after the big- more watchful,” said Moreno.
MARCH 3-9, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL 8LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
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March 3, 2022
VEGAS&STYLE JOURNAL
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James Beard Awards name 12 Fil-Am semifinalists BY
SIX chefs, two restaurateurs, one pastry chef, a bar that offers an outstanding bar program, and a couple of emerging chefs. That is how Filipino Americans in the food and hospitality industry fared on Wednesday, Feb. 23 as the James Beard Foundation announced its 2022 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists in advance of the returning James Beard Awards. In the category of Emerging Chef, Mia Orino and Carlo Gan of Kamayan ATL (Atlanta) are in the running. This is open to chefs who display exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who are likely to make a significant impact in years to
MOMAr g. VISAYA / AJPRESS
goosefeather and my beautiful wife @agneschung for the support thank you being on this journey,” said Top Chef alum Talde. His fellow Top Chef buddy Sheldon Simeon also expressed his thanks in an Instagram post. In 2019, his new restaurant then called Lineage was up for Best New Restaurant. “Humbled to be in such great company. Overjoyed to see so much Hawaii talent getting their well deserved recognition,” Dale Talde Photo from daletalde.com Mia Orino and Carlo Gan of Kamayan AT Simeon said. Jojo Vasquez of Fond posted, “Woke up to some congrats messages. So honored to be amongst some Uber talented chefs across the nation. Being noticed with our humble little neighborhood eatery for a semifinalist for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific.” A first-time nominee, Genever, a Filipina-run cocktail gem in LA’s Historic Filipinotown games for its gin-based drinks, said “To say we’re honored, humbled, straight-up blown away is an understatement.” “We’re so fortunate to still be here after an incredibly Genever owners Trisha Perez, Tinette Sumiller and Roselma Samala Photo courtesy of Instagram/@Genever challenging two years that many of our fellow hospitality partners did not survive. We feel truly blessed for the support we’ve had from our suppliers, friends, families, and our amazing Genever team,” the IG post read. “It really does take a village.” Francis Ang, chef and owner of Abaca expressed his gratitude to their supporters. “I am blown away. From a small mom and pop pop-up to a @ beardfoundation semifinalist,” he said. “How our family has grown. This was possible because of them--the constant hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance--this Francis Ang Timothy Flores recognition is for you. I have Photo from Instagram/@cheffrancisang Photo from Instagram/@timothyryanchi Photo from Republique LA learned to be a better leader because of them. I am proud of years @beardfoundation chef said. my #AbacáPamilya.” This year’s winners will be list, if it were not for your Esquire Magazine named passion, dedication, hard work… celebrated at the James Beard Abaca one of the best new your puns… we would not be Restaurant and Chef Awards restaurants in the United States where we are today. Y’all make ceremony on June 13 at the Lyric in 2021, along with Kasama Archipelago, our community, Opera of Chicago. Chicago, helmed by the husband- and culture great. We are beyond The James Beard Awards, and-wife team of Timothy Flores thankful for each and every considered to be among the and Genie Kwon. The New York one of you,” Verzosa posted on nation’s most prestigious Times also named two Filipino Archipelago’s Instagram page. honors, recognize exceptional restaurants - Kasama and He also acknowledged “our talent in the culinary and food Archipelago - in the publication’s pamilya, Kuya @twistedfilipino, media industries, as well as The Restaurant List 2021, which ate @meltronica, kuya @ a demonstrated commitment honored the 50 most vibrant and chefwonder” and their teams for to racial and gender equity, delicious restaurants they were the honor. community, sustainability, and a “most excited about right now”. “We know when it comes to culture where all can thrive. “Congrats to our team! Though our culture it takes a family to Founded more than 30 years Aaron Verzosa Photo from Archipelago Seattle we are thankful to be on this move these visions forward,” he ago, the James Beard Foundation
come. A couple of Filipino restaurants - ABACÁ, San Francisco; Kasama, Chicago - are in the running for Best New Restaurant, which honors a restaurant that opened in 2020 or 2021 that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine and hospitality and seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come. Margarita Manzke of République in Los Angeles got another nod under the Outstanding Pastry Chef category. Genever, also in Los Angeles is a semifinalist for the Outstanding Bar Program category. This award is given to a restaurant or bar that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the selection, preparation, and serving of cocktails, spirits, and/ or beer. Dale Talde of Goosefeather in Tarrytown, NY is up for the Best Chef: New York State award while five Fil-Am chefs are duking it out for the Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA) award - Carlo Lamagna, Magna Kusina (Portland, OR); Melissa Miranda, Musang (Seattle); Sheldon Simeon, Tin Roof (Kahului, HI); Jojo Vasquez, Fond (Lahaina, HI); and Aaron Verzosa, Archipelago (Seattle). “Honored and humbled by Sheldon Simeon the nomination of #jbfa for best Photo from Instagram/@chefwonder chef NY thank you to the team @
Margarita & Walter Manzke
Jojo Vasquez Photo from Instagram/@jojovasquez
Photo from Instagram/@engineeredcapture
Carlo Lamagna Photo from Instagram/@twistedfilipino
Melissa Miranda Photo from Instagram/@meltronica
“celebrates and supports the people behind America’s food culture, while pushing for new standards in the restaurant industry to create a future where all have the opportunity to thrive,” according to its announcement. The 2022 James Beard Awards will be the first in two years, after a hiatus during which the Awards underwent a full audit of its policies and procedures, continuing the work to remove bias, increase transparency and accessibility, and making the program more aligned with the Foundation’s mission and values.
ABS-CBN sets sights on global audiences via international productions, co-prods by nAtHAlIe
tOMADA Philstar.com
ABS-CBN continues to eye global audiences with recently announced international production Cattleya Killer and co-productions Concepcion and Sellblock. In an exclusive interview, Ruel S. Bayani, ABS-CBN head for international production and co-production, discussed more about these projects they’ve been working on during the last two to three years. They’ve started with dramas in light of what happened to the film business. “We’re still waiting for it to, at least, normalize a little. Maybe next year is a better time. But for now, lahat ng projects na ina-announce namin ay TV series,” Bayani said. Thriller series Cattleya Killer is topbilled by 2020 Asian Academy Creative Awards Best Actor Arjo Atayde and joined by a stellar ensemble that includes Christopher de Leon, Jake Cuenca, Ricky Davao, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Nonie Buencamino, among others. Sharon Cuneta plays a ‘very big role’ in Concepcion, a FilipinoAmerican crime drama from Reggie Lee, Yellow Rose co-producer Jeremiah Abraham and ABS-CBN. “One of our strategies is to use an existing intellectual property (IP) and it so happened that Sa Aking Mga Kamay, the 1996 movie that starred Aga Muhlach, Christopher, Chin-Chin Gutierrez, and directed by Rory Quintos, was one of those movies that probably hindi mas na-appreciate that time,
pero mas ma-appreciate sa time ngayon. So, we decided to turn it into a limited series. We’re hoping we could do a season or two or more,” Bayani said. The choice for the main character wasn’t obvious at first, Bayani recalled, as they were looking for a “darker and edgier Aga.” But Arjo’s big win at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for his title role in Bagman became a “lightbulb moment.” “Sabi ko, who else should that be? Si Arjo na yun. We pitched it to Arjo and now we’ve started shooting, and I can’t just wait to see him transform.” The series is set for an international release within the year with the help of a foreign distribution outfit. ABS-CBN is also collaborating with Filipino-American actor Reggie Lee and Filipino-American film producer Jeremiah Abraham for the series Concepcion. US entertainment media Deadline described it as a crime drama that “follows the lives of an Asian-American kingpin and his extended crime family that lords over Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles.” Concepcion will be partly shot in the country as it’s an epic story that spans eras and scenes from Tondo, Makati to L.A., according to Bayani. Sharon Cuneta herself revealed on social media that she’s part of the cast. Bayani told The STAR that Reggie grew up idolizing Sharon. He further teased about the megastar’s “very big role”: “I was telling
Sharon, you’re born to play this part. This is the kind of role that will define her at this point in her life, to really showcase her gifts.” Meanwhile, at the European Film Market of Berlinale last month, it was announced that ABS-CBN has come onboard the prison drama Sellblock. As per Variety, it’s part of an Asian genre slate developed and produced by Pedring Lopez’s BlackOps Studios Asia (Philippines), Story Arch Pictures (US) and Agog Film Productions (Hong Kong), for streaming all over the world. The partnership for Sellblock has been three years in the making and has overcome such delays as the network franchise denial and pandemic. “It’s a prison drama about how drugs are smuggled in and out, and manufactured inside prisons, and this has been happening simula nung araw, and the story, tumatawid siya from the ‘70s to the ‘80s, ang ganda! I hate to use this as a reference, exciting siya na-imagine mo na Narcos, na Breaking Bad, na Prison Break. But it’s really Filipino. It’s a Filipino story about yung mga excesses ng mga personalities inside the jail,” Bayani shared. “It’s really exciting and also because it will be headlined by a Kapamilya actor. We’re very happy with the choice and we will be able to cast a lot of talented Filipino actors.” Full cast is expected to be unveiled at the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market this
month. Also in the offing is a Philippine-Malaysian co-production to be released this 2022. “We also have projects with Taiwan and some others,” Bayani added. With these projects, he said they intend to champion artists from ABS-CBN’s talent management arm Star Magic, creatives and catalog of OPM music via Star Music, as well as “our character actors, our theater actors. Ang daming mahuhusay, we have proven that in Almost Paradise. Lead status sila Nonie Buencamino, Art Acuña.” L e a r n i n g s f ro m A l m o s t Paradise These international projects came on the heels of Almost Paradise, the first US TV series shot entirely in the Philippines, which the network co-produced with Hollywood’s Electric Entertainment. While they’re drawing experience and confidence from Almost Paradise for their next big productions, Bayani described the series as a “baptism of fire.” They underwent the birth pains of embracing a different system of doing things. On what the Almost Paradise experience taught him as producer, he noted: “Talent is just not enough. There’s so many talented people. But one thing we learned dun sa experience sa Almost Paradise, these people succeed in what they do because they’re very professional, very strict with their time. “For me, we should have a
Ruel with Cattleya Killer director Dan Villegas and lead star Arjo Atayde
paradigm shift, na-oo magaling ka but if you’re not working as fast, as efficiently and as professionally as your counterparts — actors from the region or from the US — talent will only get you so far. “Learning yun because with Almost Paradise, it appeared na parang hindi kami nahirapan, but no. We have to learn and unlearn so many things, to be able to work side by side with our Hollywood counterparts.” Working with Hollywood’s Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Producers Guild of America (PGA) members also presented unique challenges that were “overwhelming at the start, but lahat naman natutunan.” Looking back, the TV executive is “most grateful” for all the learnings from collaborating with Electric Entertainment and its Fil-Am founder-producer Dean Devlin. “We appreciate their patience. We appreciate them sharing their system, knowledge and skill sets to everybody,” he added. Almost Paradise’s Filipino team is now the same people behind
ABS-CBN photo
Cattleya Killer, such as director Dan Villegas and director of photography Pao Orendain. People who have worked on the Cebu set are also part of the upcoming show. “Obviously, the continuity, the transfer of knowledge, and the way we will also share with other people we will work with, that’s the goal. To eventually and consistently cascade this to every single team in all the productions we will do,” Bayani said. More interest in Asian storytelling One of Bayani’s realizations from leading ABS-CBN’s foray into international productions and partnerships is that there’s a growing interest in Asian narratives. “All over the world, merong interest sa Asian storytelling. There’s an interest to know more of stories na hindi pa nila nakikita, and honestly, the Filipino narrative, hindi pa yan, we’re just scratching the surface. (For example,) you have Jo Koy’s movie Easter Sunday, which will come PAGE 10
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Features
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 3-9, 2022
Why do sophisticated investors prefer Pahrump, Nevada? Vegas Chamber of Commerce, each tourist spent an average of $300 which meant $9 billion in gross revenues for the city. Additionally, the estimated population of Nevada in 2021 was approximately 3.14 million, with Clark County estimated to be at 2,388,515, for a growth rate of 1.73%. What is the effect of this population boom in Las Vegas? It creates a large demand for Pahrump land. In fact, many residents of Las Vegas are now moving out and relocating to
Pahrump, many of whom are my clients. Not all of them are retirees. Many still work in Las Vegas but preferr to live and raise their families in Pahrump where they believe it is peaceful, tranquil and a great place to raise their kids. The major reasons cited for their preference in Pahrump over Las Vegas are heavy traffic, crowded classrooms and the growing crime rate. Pahrump is about 60 miles from Las Vegas and is an estimated 45- to 55-minute drive. Pahrump is dubbed as the “bedroom community of Las Vegas” not only to seniors but also for the young as well. Pahrump is a perfect example of an “EXURB”. Many are aware of the words suburban and urban communities. An “EXURB,” according to Harry Dent, a well sought economist and advisor to major 500 Fortune companies, is an area that is between 60 to 80 miles away from a center of development that has hit a million in population or more. The County of Clark where Las Vegas is located just hit 3.14 million in 2021, and it is still growing. Among the many factors that contribute to the tremendous Celebrating with my clients, Jorge and Reggie Bondoc of Houston, Texas, after getting their growth of the valley include the Sun Belt climate, improvements in Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on a commercial lot. Highway 160 between Las Vegas and Pahrump, better medical facilities and the rapid influx of retail businesses. For instance, Walmart and Home Depot employ a large number of Pahrumpians. According to reliable source Silverton Hotel may break ground in May and the Spring Mountain Motor Sports is building many of its presold million-dollar homes, including those already built featuring a 26,000-square-foot house with 17 bathrooms. Another job on the pipeline is the glove factory to be built on a 10-acre parcel by my investor, Andrew Hoang from Orange County, CA, which will create hundreds of jobs in Phase 1. Also, notable is the Front Sight that attracts hundreds of members and tourists each month that create room shortage in Pahrump. With several banks, casinos, wineries, drugstore outlets and all burger chains (except In and Out Burger), Pahrump almost has everything. Many huge projects Realtor Fely Quitevis (2nd from left) with Philippine Realtor Bing Palma Gil Roldan and repeat in neighboring Las Vegas under investors Jorge and Reggie Bondoc, the King and Queen of Ritello USA 2021. construction such as The Sphere,
THERE are many reasons why people go to Pahrump, Nevada. Time Magazine did a poll on projected population growth or loss by percent for the period 1980 to 2000, entitled “America in The Year 2000,” which said that the State of Nevada, one of the most rapidly of all is growing states then, was expected to increase its population from about 800,000 to almost 2 million by the start of the 21st century. In 1996, there were 30 million tourists that came to Las Vegas. According to the Las
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The Time Magazine report in 1983 showed that Nevada was one of the few states with a projected population growth of more than 100%.
Realtor Fely Quitevis with Alka Products CEO/President Andrew Hoang, who is building a glove factory in Pahrump.
A young investor, IT specialist Chris Dela Cruz of San Antonio, Texas, with Fely Quitevis.
and the Drew Hotel with proposed grand opening next year with 3,000 rooms and about 6,000 jobs, will definitely attract thousands of new residents and heavier foot traffic for Las Vegas, which is one another huge reason why old-time residents are moving out to Pahrump. Precious Properties is a fullservice company serving its clientele since 1992 and can be reached at 775-513-8447, 805559-2476 and 702-538-4948. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as Fely Quitevis (extreme right) with Hung (SBA Loans) and Annie Yeh who bought commercial 7 days. (Advertising Supplement)
lots near Highway 160.
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Features
MARCH 3-9, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
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COVID-19, Putin-22 Fact or fiction: COVID-19 vaccine and booster myths debunked
Health @Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS AS the pandemic continues to infect and kill people in the United States and around the world, Ukraine is ravaged not only by COVID-19 but by Russia’s Putin-22, a modern-day Hitler, a ruthless power-hungry land-grabber and murderer. The unprovoked attack has killed civilians, including children, in this Eastern European country with a population of 44.62 million, south of Belarus, and bordered by Russia on the east and northwest. The bold, steadfast leadership and supreme courage of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have heartened and emboldened his people, including old men and women and teenagers (as families) to fight the superior, wellarmed, Russian invaders, many Ukrainians with Molotov cocktails only (a brilliant strategy), some with kitchen knives, as their weapons to protect their country. Zelensky had inspired the whole world with his love of country and resolute bravery, insisting on staying in his office, risking his life, ready to personally join the battle, arm-to-arm with his people and other Ukrainian officials, against the Russian tanks and soldiers marching towards the capital city, Kyiv, as the world watches with anxiety, admiration, pride, solemn joy, compassion, and prayers for Zelensky and his people. All nations of goodwill must support this bitter struggle of the Ukrainian people, and get rid of Putin, who is now threatening “any country meddling in his invasion of Ukraine” with his “nuclear option,” which could endanger the entire planet. Indeed, Vladimir Putin must be stopped now and charged with a crime against humanity and be brought to justice before the Hague Tribunal, to serve as a warning to all other brutal tyrants and potential invaders around the globe. Still undefeated and undeterred, Zelensky, the David, deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, while despot Putin, the crazy Goliath, owns the condemnation of the world. Nuclear Putin is potentially much worse than all the COVID-19 variants in this pandemic combined. The mental health and emotional toll of Putin’s savage aggression, besides the dislocation and displacement of 600,000 Ukrainians so far (possibly 4 million more), and the mounting deaths caused by Putin’s army on these loyal, brave, and proud people, whose love for their country and democracy is truly heart-
warming, need our compassion and prayers. In the meantime, these are the COVID-19 statistics as of Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at 4:14 PM (EST): Globally: 438,100,391 cases, deaths - 5,980582; U.S.: 80,665,325 cases, deaths - 976,171; the Philippines: 3,663,059 cases, deaths - 56,451; Ukraine: 4,809,624 cases, deaths – 105,505; Russia: 16,495,369 cases, deaths - 352,446. Omicron deaths Omicron (BA.1), and its subvariant, Stealth Omicron (BA.2), are milder but not mild and should not be confused as non-killers. Almost 4,000 COVID-19 deaths were reported in the United States on Wednesday, February 23, 99.8 percent of them suspected as caused by Omicron by the U.S. CDC, and around 69-74% a month before. Stealth Omicron, after more than 50 mutations in the bodies of the unvaccinated, and which has been found in all 50 U.S. states, is considered to be 30 percent more contagious, perhaps more lethal too, than Omicron, which is still dominant in many countries. In Denmark and South Africa, the BA.2 is the dominant variant, between 80-90 percent. The UK Health Security Agency (HSA) reported on February 25 that BA.2 accounted for 30.5 percent of its cases the previous week, which was only 4.1 percent in January. UK found no evidence of increased risk of hospitalization with BA.2 compared with Omicron, and that the vaccines are effective for both and for other past variants. Studies revealed that there was 67 percent effectiveness against symptomatic BA.2 infection two weeks after a booster shot. Florida reported 131,699 cases and 1,324 deaths from Stealth Omicron in the first week of February. This subvariant also has the ability to reinfect those who already had the Omicron infection in the past, as shown in dozens of cases in Denmark. In the United States, COVID-19 infections continue to flatten out. The U.S. CDC revealed the 7-day moving average of new cases was 68,815 on February 15, plunging from 105, 794 the week before. There are almost a million deaths in the United States so far. For seniors, especially with health issues (COPD, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney illness, etc.), people who are immunocompromised, and those with severe allergies, are still at high risk to get sick with breakthrough infections. We cannot let our guard down yet. It’s too premature. The virus is still replicating and mutating in the bodies of those millions of unvaccinated people in the United States, and churning out new, possibly more serious strains.
New subvariant H78Y The Stealth subvariant of Omicron had “spawned a potentially deadlier subvariant” of its own, H78Y, found in Denmark, making up about 30 percent of its cases a few weeks ago, now diving to around 1 percent of the cases, perhaps because more than 81.6 of the people are fully vaccinated. Those who are fully vaccinated, or those who had COVID-19 infection before, could still be infected or re-infected (breakthrough infections and reinfection by new variants and subvariants that are still not identified). After an infection, one is immune only to the infecting variant, but not to other variants. Health news capsules SARS-CoV-2 was likely present in live mammals sold at a Wuhan wet market in late 2019, where it then spread to humans shopping and working there, scientists concluded in a pair of reports totaling 150 pages, according to the New York Times. This seems to clear the mystery around the origin of SARS-CoV2 virus of COVID-19. A New Hampshire hospital received hundreds of harassing phone calls and a bomb threat from a group called "The Truth Seekers," whose members demanded that a COVID-19 patient there receive ivermectin, per the Washington Post. Ivermectin, like hydroxychloroquine, has been found to be effective against COVID-19. Scientists around the world believe “that many countries lifting protective measures against SARS-CoV2 have increased the spread and contributed to more mutations.” Many states in the U.S. are beginning to unmask and do away with social distancing, which is premature. Together with more than 3,700 other scientists, leading experts in the United Kingdom posted an open letter “criticizing Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to end all protective measures against COVID-19, warning that increased and uncontrolled SARS-CoV-2 transmission would bring new risks.” Indeed, we still need to be careful, vigilant, and patient. We are almost at the finish line.
*** 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. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and antigraft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
Jericho takes acting workshop in New York: ‘My happy place’ by anne
Pasajol Inquirer.net
JERICHO Rosales is not forgetting about his craft even in New York as he continuously hones his skills by attending acting workshops in the city. Rosales talked about how such activity makes him happy while showing himself in what appears to be a workshop room, on his Instagram page on Wednesday, March 2. “Acting workshops — one of my happy places. This stoke is for everyone!” he said. “Acting should be taught in schools.” The actor posed with a friend and also showed a snap from his walk in the city. Rosales earlier gave a glimpse of his new home in New York where he resides with his wife, model-stylist Kim Jones. As new residents of the city, Rosales joked that he had been waiting for a taho vendor to pass by, while his wife had been searching for a market. Rosales and Jones got married in Boracay in 2014, after first meeting Jericho Rosales in 2011. Photo from Instagram/@jerichorosalesofficial
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Can Do This CoViD-19 PubliC eDuCaTion CamPaign
TWO years into the COVID-19 pandemic, myths and misperceptions about COVID and vaccines continue to arise and evolve on social media, online, and in daily conversations. Getting facts from a reliable source can keep myths from complicating decisions about getting vaccinated and boosted or following other prevention measures. As of March 2, CDC reports that nearly 59 percent of eligible Asian Americans and over 45 percent of eligible Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have received their boosters—so our community has a long way to go before we are all fully up to date with our vaccines. As a reminder, everyone 12 and older should get a booster at least 5 months after their second dose of the PfizerBioNTech or Moderna vaccine and 2 months after their Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. Below are the facts behind COVID vaccine and booster myths: Myth: The need for booster shots is a sign that the vaccines aren’t working. Fact: Science shows that COVID vaccines are working well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. However, studies show that protection against mild and moderate disease can decrease gradually over time, and boosters can make your protection last longer. They can also help protect you against new variants. Myth: Vaccinated and boosted people no longer need to wear masks or social distance. Fact: Even though vaccines reduce the risk of spreading and getting COVID, the virus can still be passed through the air as people breathe and talk, especially in crowded and poorly ventilated spaces. To help prevent the spread of COVID and reduce risk of infection, everyone ages 2 years and older should wear the best-fitting mask available to them while in public indoor areas regardless of their vaccination status. In general, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors.
Myth: Since there are more ways to treat COVID, getting vaccinated is no longer necessary. Fact: Many advances have been made in the fight against COVID, but treatments have limitations, and it is always better to prevent disease in the first place. Some treatments, including antivirals like “the COVID pill,” must be taken within days of getting COVID and are only for people at highest risk. Other treatments are taken by injection or intravenously in multiple sessions in a healthcare facility. Treatments are in limited supply and do not prevent you from getting COVID. They can also be expensive. Getting vaccinated teaches our bodies to recognize and fight the virus. No-cost vaccines and boosters offer the best form of protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Myth: Natural immunity from getting sick with COVID is better than the immunity you get from vaccination. Fact: The risks of getting seriously ill from COVID, or of
developing long COVID after infection, far outweigh any potential side effects of COVID vaccines. Getting vaccinated gives most people a high level of protection against severe illness. Current data shows show that unvaccinated adults 18 and older are five times more likely to get COVID than vaccinated adults and 16 times more likely to be hospitalized from it than vaccinated adults. Vaccination also protects the people around you since you can spread COVID to others when you are ill. Vaccination even provides more robust protection for people who have already had COVID to reduce the risk of getting infected again. Myths and misperceptions about COVID, vaccines, and boosters are everywhere, and misinformation can interfere with making informed decisions about getting vaccinated or following other prevention measures — putting people at risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and death. For accurate, science-based information about vaccines and boosters, visit www.vaccines.
City of Las Vegas recruiting for summer camp & recreation jobs Apply and be interviewed March 12 or March 26 at 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North
THE city of Las Vegas is recruiting now for 2022 summer camp and recreation positions. Available positions include Front Desk/Cashier, Site Leader, Site Leader 1, Assistant, Monitor and Laborer. Applicants must be able to commit to work from May 26 through Aug. 5, 2022. Starting at 9 a.m. March 12 and March 26, qualified applicants will be afforded on-the-spot interviews and offers in the Human Resources office at 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Hourly camp and recreation positions pay between $10 and $15 per hour. Most positions require applicants be at least 16 years of age; site leaders must be at least 18 years
old. Other requirements and information for summer camp positions are listed here; requirements and information for summer recreation positions are listed here. All these positions require working with and around children. Those who apply online in advance will be contacted by email to self-schedule an interview on either event date. Summer aquatics positions also are available. Although walk-ins are accepted, pre-registration for this event by applying online is encouraged to avoid delays. Job seekers can submit their applications online at www.lasvegasnevada.gov/ jobs.
ABS-CBN sets sights on global audiences... PAGE 8
out in August. That’s the first studio-produced film featuring a Filipino lead, a Filipino story. That’s a big deal,” he said. Bayani further cited that “we have a lot of Asian — Fil-Am filmmakers — championing that, and we have a lot of wonderful Fil-Am writers and directors that we also hope to work with in the future. “We’re working with several right now, but I cannot reveal them yet. But (it’s) very interesting to listen to their pitches and how they plan to tell their unique
stories.” Bayani is looking forward to seeing where this will all lead them to. “This 2022, sobrang exciting because all of these projects are going to happen. Maybe not as soon because iba-iba ang pacing nila, but we’re excited kung saan kami dadalhin ng journey na ito because I can imagine after two or three more projects, ang dami namin ulit matutunan and ma-sheshare sa ibang tao. I think that’s the most important part.” Being at the forefront of ABS-
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CBN’s current “global” efforts, Bayani — who first joined the Kapamilya network in 1991 as a writer and then became a box-office director — reflected: “This is not a competition. It’s not about who has more or bigger projects, we are all contributing to a collective effort. It’s for the industry, for the country, for the people, we’re all doing our share. And everytime somebody succeeds, whether small or big effort, sobra akong happy, I’m rooting for everybody. I’m excited that there are many possibilities now for Filipino talent
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