030422 - Northern California Edition

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Volume 21 - No. 9 • 14 Pages

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DATELINE Long-awaited gateway in LA’s Historic Filipinotown to be unveiled in May FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

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

MARCH 4-10, 2022

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS,

California drops indoor mask mandate for unvaxxed, schools by AJPRESS

CALIFORNIA this week announced that it is dropping indoor mask mandate requirements, including for unvaccinated residents and in schools. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that on March

1, masks will no longer be required for unvaccinated individuals, but will be strongly recommended for all individuals in most indoor settings. “California continues to adjust our policies based on the latest data and science, applying what we’ve learned over the past two years to guide our response to the pandemic,” Newsom said.

Masks will still be required for everyone in high transmission settings like public transit, emergency shelters, health care settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and long-term care facilities. The Golden State is also joining western states in ending school mask mandates next week.

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Sara Dutete: No talks with her father on VP bid by NEIL

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New Filipina co-founded software aims to stymie human trafficking at the source

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.

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

141 Filipinos still remain in Ukraine Duterte hopes his successor despite escalating violence will continue war on drugs

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ASH WEDNESDAY. A Catholic priest puts on the forehead of an elderly woman ash during the observance of Ash Wednesday, March 2 at the St. Peter Parish: Shrine of Leaders along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

by NEIL

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

Pacquiao: PH President must be God-fearing 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

we really need for our country. 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,

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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.

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by DAPHNE

GALVEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — 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  PAGE 2 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 man lang ‘yung a little lower than my standard,” he said in a taped public address aired on Tuesday morning, March 1.

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MARCH 4-10, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

California drops indoor mask... PAGE 1 By March 12, California along with Oregon and Washington, will drop the requirement for students to wear masks while at school, leaving the decision up to districts and local jurisdictions. The announcement came on Monday, Feb. 28 that schools and child care facilities will not have to wear masks, even if they will continue to be strongly recommended. “Masks are an effective tool to minimize spread of the virus and future variants, especially when transmission rates are high. We cannot predict the future of the virus, but we are better prepared for it and will continue to take measures rooted in science to keep California moving forward,” the governor added. Local jurisdictions, like Los Angeles County, may have additional requirements beyond

the state guidance. LA County is following the state in dropping school masking measures, but will continue to recommend indoor masking at child care sites and K-12 schools, according to the county Department of Public Health. “School districts may continue to require masking at schools and during school activities and are encouraged to consult with teachers, staff, parents and students as they consider the appropriate safety protections for their school community, recognizing that many individuals may want to continue additional protections,” the department said in a statement. While the LA Unified School District has not put out a statement on whether it will drop the mask mandate, the United Teachers Los Angeles, the teachers’ union, said it is premature to discuss

ending the mask mandate for schools. “LAUSD schools have been the safest and most well equipped in the country because educators and families united to demand critical health and safety protocols,” union President Cecily Myart-Cruz said. “These protocols, like indoor masking, have protected tens of thousands of educators and more than half a million students, along with their families. It is premature to discuss removing these health and safety measures while there are still many unvaccinated youth in our early education programs and schools.” As of Tuesday, March 1, Public Health reported 1,093 new positive cases in LA County, bringing the total to 2,797,628 cases. Further, 58 new deaths were reported, with 30,773 deaths to date. g

141 Filipinos still remain in Ukraine despite... PAGE 1

“Gusto muna nila doon. Nandun yung wait-and-see attitude (Some want to stay there for now. There is this wait-andsee attitude),” Arriola said in an interview with Teleradyo. “The rest of them, kalat-kalat na po… Medyo kalat-kalat sila ngayon pero marami na rin ang Duterte earlier said he nakatawid,” she added. He said the continuation of the campaign against illegal will never apologize for the (The rest are scattered… They drugs would protect the next fatalities that resulted from his are scattered right now but many generation because “they will administration’s bloody war on have already crossed borders.) have a serious problem in their drugs. In Tuesday’s televised public hands” if the drug problem is not address, he reiterated that mitigated. “Kung ganito katindi ang he instructed policemen to pamamalakad nila, kung hindi avoid getting killed in police PAGE 1 sabayan ng katindi ng resolve, operations. particularly OCTA Research’s “Sabi ko sa police, ‘wag kayo recent poll where he was in matatalo ka,” he added. (If the drug problem is so serious magpauna,” he said. fourth spot, trailing the late (I told the police that they should dictator’s now, if you don’t meet it with as son Ferdinand not let themselves be killed.) g much intensity, you will lose.) 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, President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpo. Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez firmly believes that he has been

Duterte hopes his successor will continue... PAGE 1 (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.)

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

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. g

Pacquiao: PH President must be...

Sara Dutete: No talks with her father... PAGE 1

President Duterte’s faction in the PDP-Laban has adopted Duterte-Carpio as its vice presidential candidate. The faction, however, has not endorsed any presidential candidate 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.” g

Sen. Manny Pacquiao at the first nationally televised presidential debates at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and aired on CNN Philippines on Sunday, Feb. 27. Philstar.com photo by Marvin John Uy

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. g

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 4-10, 2022

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The demise of single-payer in California trips up efforts in other states by AngelA

HArt

Kaiser Health News

PASSENGERS’ QUEUE. Public commuters line up to get a ride on Commonwealth Avenue in Philcoa, Quezon City on Monday, February 28. The volume of passengers is expected to balloon after the government approved on Sunday, February 27 to place the National Capital Region and 38 other areas under Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

New Filipina co-founded software aims to...

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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-totown’ 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 anti-trafficking 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 wouldbe 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, 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 networking sites and other digital platforms, recruit unsuspecting Filipinos through illegal recruitment practices such as deception, hidden fees, and production of fraudulent passports, overseas employment 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)

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 business-friendly 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 singlepayer so she will sign it when it gets to her desk,” Rozum said. “And just like there, our

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.

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 u PAGE 7

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Dateline USa

MARCH 4-10, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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The demise of single-payer in California trips... PAGE 3

The Eastern Gateway in Historic Filipinotown is expected to be completed in May 2022 in time for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The long-awaited project, which features elements of Filipino culture, will be placed on the stretch of Beverly Boulevard along the eastern entrance of the neighborhood. Illustration courtesy of the Office of Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell

Long-awaited gateway in LA’s Historic...

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rightfully celebrate this vibrant neighborhood and the incredible contributions Filipino Americans make to the City of Los Angeles.” As previously reported in the Asian Journal, the City of LA commissioned the gateway, named “Talang Gabay: Our Guiding Star,” to be placed along the stretch of Beverly Boulevard that designates the eastern entrance into the neighborhood. Designed by Filipino artists Eliseo Art Silva — whose work includes the “Gintong Kasaysayan” mural in HiFi’s Unidad Park — and Celestino Geronimo, Jr., the gateway has design elements giving a nod to Filipino culture and its roots in Historic Filipinotown. Among the symbols include the parol (star-shaped lantern associated with Christmastime), the Gumamela flower also known as hibiscus, which pays tribute to frontline workers; and the Sarimanok (a legendary bird in Maranao art that symbolizes good fortune). The construction has a price tag of $587,000 and will rise 30 feet high and span 82 feet across Beverly Boulevard at the entrance. LA Board of Public Works Commissioner Jessica Caloza, the first Filipina American on the commission who was integral in the planning of the gateway, said it is a part of LA’s investments in “projects that uplift underrepresented communities.” “The key to building and enhancing the beautiful neighborhood we all know as Historic Filipinotown has always been community. The community has long advocated for more visibility and was

committed to bringing the Eastern Gateway to life, and thanks to Councilmember O’Farrell’s leadership and all our community partners, we are almost at the finish line,” said Caloza said in a statement. The effort to install a landmark at the eastern entrance to Historic Filipinotown has been in the works for nearly two decades, beginning with a community study of Historic Filipinotown improvements commissioned in March 2003 by thenCouncilmember Eric Garcetti, according to the release. “Our community finally had a ‘win’ in 2002, when the City Council, under the leadership of then-Councilmember Eric Garcetti, officially designated a 2.5 square mile area just west of downtown Los Angeles as Historic Filipinotown,” said Joselyn Geaga-Rosenthal, local community leader and Building and Safety Commissioner with the City of Los Angeles. “20 years later, we have another win: a majestic Eastern Gateway to Historic Filipinotown will rise on Beverly Boulevard! This was hard won — the result of 40 years of community advocacy getting key champions along the way, including this chapter today, from the City of Los Angeles and Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell.” In 2018, through a Council motion, O’Farrell committed an initial $152,000 for the Eastern Gateway Project and then identified additional funding for the completion of the landmark. With full funding finally secured, the community helped guide the process which led to design renderings that were released in June 2020. Construction began in March 2021.

Community leaders and community-based organizations, including longtime legacy non-profits in Historic Filipinotown such as the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), and Filipino American Service Group, Inc (FASGI), also took part in the planning process. “Pilipino Workers Center is excited and proud of being a part of the collective process to make this HiFi gateway project a reality!” said Aquilina Soriano Versoza, Executive Director of Pilipino Workers Center (PWC). “It really took a robust collaboration of community and city officials to accomplish the completion of the eastern HiFi gateway project. The gateway is a great project for creating visibility for the Filipino American community in HiFi and Los Angeles. That visibility gives organizations like PWC more power to lift up the issues our community is facing.” Currently, a 3D model of the installation is displayed at O’Farrell’s District Office along Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park. An estimated 10,000 Filipino Americans continue to reside in Historic Filipinotown, while over 600,000 Fil-Ams are said to live in the greater Los Angeles area, as previously reported by the Asian Journal. “Our community has been waiting for this for so long, and we are so excited,” said Cecile Ramos, longtime community leader. “Dreams do come true! As someone who has lived and worked in this neighborhood for many years, I am grateful that our beautiful community is being celebrated for its contributions to our great city.” (AJPress)

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. Shumlin said Democrats must be prepared to take on deeppocketed 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 administration for permission to collect federal money that flows to the state via the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and Medicare, which California could use to help finance a single-payer system. But Biden can’t simply approve the request — California would need complicated federal waivers and approval from Congress. Newsom has shifted to a platform of “universal health care,” which includes Medicaid coverage for all income-eligible unauthorized immigrants and state-funded subsidies for Californians who buy health insurance from Covered California, the state’s Obamacare insurance exchange. Newsom said in January that he has long believed single-payer is “inevitable” but signaled that the federal government should take the lead. Kalra decided not to bring his bill up for a vote in the state Assembly, saying on Jan. 31 that he couldn’t muster enough support. “It makes it harder to get the votes you need when I’m trying to convince my colleagues that there’s an absolute path to success,” Kalra said. “We have a governor who campaigned on single-payer, and if we’re going to successfully have singlepayer health care in California, at some point we need his engagement and it needs to be genuine.” Kalra said he’s considering introducing another bill next year but conceded that he must 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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Marcos still not sure about joining Comelec-initiated presidential debate by Neil

ArwiN MercAdo Inquirer.net

MANILA — Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is still unsure whether or not he will join the debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). “I don’t know, I’m still looking at the format,” Marcos Jr. said in an ambush interview on Tuesday, March 1 when asked if he will attend the Comelecinitiated event. The Comelec presidential debate will be on March 19. Marcos Jr.’s spokesperson, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, previously said that his presidential bet’s attendance at the activity will only be confirmed “if his hectic campaign schedules permit.” The camp of Marcos Jr. earlier wrote Comelec and other presidential candidates, requesting to tackle the format of the debate prior to March 19.

In the letter, Marcos Jr.’s campaign manager Benhur Abalos Jr. said it would be “more proper and prudent if all presidential candidates will be given an opportunity to discuss before the Commission among themselves the format, which will include the issues to be discussed, the time allotment for each, the right to respond and rebut his/her arguments, who will be the moderator, among others.” Earlier on Tuesday, the Comelec announced that it would inform presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the general topics that would be tackled in the debates. Asked if he will attend now that the topics are to be released prior to the event, Marcos Jr. said: “That’s basically the same as the others.” Marcos Jr. has been drawing flak for always declining major presidential interviews, debates, and forums that his rivals generally attend.

The first one Marcos Jr. turned down was an interview with veteran journalist Jessica Soho, who he called “biased.” He also skipped the presidential forum organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), citing supposed conflict in his schedule. Most recently, he did not participate in the presidential debate organized by CNN Philippines. But he attended the debate arranged by media network SMNI, which is owned by televangelist Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who earlier endorsed Marcos Jr. for president. However, presidential candidates like Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, and Vice President Leni Robredo did not attend the SMNI debate. Marcos Jr. has also so far accommodated interviews by broadcaster Korina Sanchez and TV personality Boy Abunda. n

Level 1 is not enough. Face-toface learning should resume," the socioeconomic planning secretary said at a press briefing. Chua said face-to-face learning would also increase economic activity by P12 billion per week with the resumption of services around schools like transport, dormitories, food stalls and school materials. Resuming in-person learning would also avert about P11 trillion in productivity losses for every year of school closure. He said the Philippines is losing about P22 trillion already since face-to-face classes have been suspended for two years. Holding in-person classes would also improve learning outcomes by about 50%, Chua added. The NEDA chief said the benefits of resuming in-person classes are on top of the economic gains to be achieved from the placing of 39 areas, including Metro Manila, under Alert Level 1.

Under the alert status, businesses can serve more customers or clients because they will be allowed to operate at full venue capacity. The capital region and 38 other areas will be under the most relaxed classification from March 1 to 15. The placing of some areas under Alert Level 1 would result in an additional P9.4 billion of economic activity and P3 billion in salaries per week, according to NEDA estimates. The relaxing of restrictions is also projected to reduce the number of unemployed persons by 170,000 over the next three months. Chua said the amount of additional economic activity would have been P16.5 billion per week while the additional salaries would have been P5.2 billion if the entire country were placed under Alert Level 1. He added that an Alert Level 1 status for the entire Philippines would have reduced u PAGE 7

Alert Level 1 not enough to achieve full economic recovery - NEDA by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — Full economic recovery would only be possible if face-to-face classes resume as in-person learning is expected to increase business activity and allow parents to go to work, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said Tuesday, March 1. NEDA Director-General Karl Chua said while the placing of Metro Manila and 38 other areas under the most lenient Alert Level 1 would generate more economic activity and reduce unemployment, it won't be fully implemented if parents need to stay home to help their children study. Resuming in-person classes, Chua said, would free up the time of one-fourth of parents who skip work or reduce work time to accompany their children who are having online classes. "If we want a full recovery, Alert

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 4-10, 2022

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SFIO announces new F&B expansions in Malaysia, regional headquarters in Dubai 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 4-10, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Duterte meets AFP, PNP, business Solicitor General tells Comelec to scrap polls groups over Ukraine crisis partnership with Rappler or risk court case

MANILA — President Duterte met on Tuesday, March 1 with ranking military and police officials as well as with some Cabinet members and businessmen to discuss the Russia-Ukraine crisis. The President announced Monday night, February 28 his intention to call for a “special meeting” with military and police officials, citing the urgency of the situation spawned by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “I will be calling for a special meeting. We will discuss what is evolving or what’s happening in Europe. I want you to listen to how important it is that we know all this is happening right now,” Duterte said during his taped public address aired Monday night. “I’ll be meeting the police, the military and the businessmen for you to understand… it will be a combination of the military, the police and the civilian plus the Cabinet,” he said. “The invitation is for all so that we can have an exchange of ideas between the military and police on one hand, and the businessmen so that we can come up with a sensible front of how to handle this thing,” the President said. Details of the meeting were not immediately known. Duterte has designated Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles as the “sole spokesman” to discuss the outcome of the meeting. “My friends, this is important so watch out for its outcome… sort of you have not yet had a good grasp on the situation,” he said. At his regular press briefing earlier Tuesday, Nograles said ranking officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and select Cabinet officials were invited to the meeting. Asked whether the meeting would be aired live, Nograles cited the “sensitivity of the topics” to be discussed and their implications on national security. “But in any case, at the end of the meeting we will issue a statement to apprise the people. What’s important here is, the instructions really of the President is to make sure that the Filipino people, our nation, our countrymen are fully and well aware of the situation, what is going on in Europe, primarily on the situation in Ukraine; what is its implication on our country, our fellow citizens and our economy,” he said. “And we have to keep the Filipinos abreast of any and all developments pertaining to the situation in Ukraine and in Europe in general. And let us pray that the world leaders will all find avenues for peace,” he said. The Philippines on Monday voted “yes” to a United Nations General Assembly resolution explicitly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Sen. Panfilo Lacson welcomed President Duterte’s calling for a special meeting with officials and private sector representatives to discuss the Russia-Ukraine situation. “Let’s not think that it is far from us and has no effect on us,” Lacson told reporters in Candelaria, Quezon province, citing the steady rise in the prices of fuel and basic goods.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate committee on national defense, is running for president. Last resort In the light of the response of some countries to Russia’s aggression, the Philippines’ permanent representative to the UN said any sanction should be imposed only as a “last resort” or when there exists a threat to international peace or actual aggression. Ambassador Enrique Manalo also highlighted the continuing relevance of the Manila Declaration to Peaceful Settlement of Disputes at the annual session of the Special Committee of the Charter of the United Nations until March 2. “One of the Special Committee’s most important achievements is the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes,” Manalo said. Rep. Ruffy Biazon said the Philippines made a move in the right direction when it voted in the UN General Assembly for the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine to prevent further loss of lives and infrastructure. “They are, after all, not just for the Ukrainians but for humanity as well. The Philippines should stand by its commitment to the UN in upholding the sovereignty of States as well as their political independence and territorial integrity,” Biazon said. “We must remember that the Philippines may someday avail of the support or assistance of the community of nations if we fall victim to territorial aggression by other countries,” the lone Muntinlupa congressman added. Party-list group You Against Corruption and Poverty (Yacap) called on the general public to prepare for the worst impact on the country of Russia’s invasion of its former satellite state Ukraine. “This war can make the poor poorer and the government needs to immediately conduct an IEC – information, education and communication – campaign to prepare Filipinos so we won’t be caught by surprise,” Yacap first nominee and Taguig councilor Noel Dizon said. “There is no better protection than to be aware of an imminent problem no matter how confusing it is to most because it’s a war,” he added. “We should not be caught by surprise, especially for those already struggling with poverty due to the pandemic.” Yacap also warned that any disruption in the financial system of a country as big as Russia would definitely impact heavily on the day-to-day lives of people across the globe. “World leaders are propping for the uncertainties this war will bring, but many agree the worst is yet to come and the individual Filipino should be made aware so that everybody will be prepared,” Dizon said. Bring them home Senators, for their part, are calling on the government to work harder in bringing home Filipinos still in Ukraine. Sen. Imee Marcos said it was “imperative” for all Filipinos in Ukraine to leave at once after the European Union (EU) decided to arm the beleaguered nation’s army. “Evacuation plans must

immediately be put in place for our OFWs, not just in Ukraine and Russia, but also in nearby Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. The travel of Filipinos to these areas must also be stopped,” Marcos said. “If the war escalates on the ground, the Philippines will not be the only country arranging for the safe passage of its citizens. So, let’s not procrastinate,” the senator added. Marcos said events unfolding in the next few days will determine if fears of a Third World War will ease, as the United Nations Security Council convenes, the delivery of EU-funded weaponry is arranged and Russia-Ukraine peace talks begin. Sen. Joel Villanueva urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to prepare to make the evacuation of OFWs from Ukraine mandatory. “From the first day of Russia’s entry into Ukraine, we must have prepared and ordered the mandatory evacuation of our OFWs in areas of conflict. We can still recover their livelihood, so their lives are our first rescue, ” Villanueva said. Villanueva added that the priority is to evacuate OFWs to safe neighboring countries such as Poland, where Philippine embassy personnel are waiting to receive them and send them home. He also thanked the DFA and DOLE for their immediate action. “We need a clearer protocol on when the evacuation of OFWs in an area of conflict should be made mandatory. Isn’t the country being bombed enough to make the evacuation of OFWs mandatory?” Villanueva, the sponsor and author of the law establishing the Department of Migrant Workers, also said he understands the reluctance of OFWs to return home due to the lack of jobs in the Philippines. “This is what we are fighting for today for our OFWs: to look after their welfare, while also giving them a better opportunity to work in their homeland,” Villanueva said. He said the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration should provide immediate help to returning Filipinos including psychosocial assistance to address their trauma. They should also be subjected to the agency’s reintegration programs even while they are still in the evacuation center so that they can easily find work when repatriated to the Philippines. “We still believe that one day, with the help of the Department of Migrant Workers, Filipinos will no longer be forced to venture abroad just to feed their families. For now, let us give all the help we can for our OFWs in Ukraine,” Villanueva added. Meanwhile, 13 Filipino evacuees from Ukraine were scheduled to arrive in Manila Tuesday night, the DFA said. They were part of the 40 evacuees who traveled to Lviv, a Ukrainian city near the Polish border, to cross to Poland. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. welcomed them at the Polish border. The Philippine embassy in Warsaw facilitated their travel and flight documents. (Philstar.com)

Alert Level 1 not enough to achieve full...

PAGE 6 the number of unemployed persons by 297,000. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez expressed confidence that the Philippines is heading towards economic recovery. He noted that the Philippine economy grew by

5.6% but it is still below the 2019 level. "That is the benefit of Alert Level 1. It will now allow us this year not only to hit back the 2019 level prepandemic, we can exceed it with the 6% to 7%. But Sec. Karl said it can be even higher than seven

percent. Of course, barring outside forces like the Ukraine issue," Lopez said during a meeting of the government's pandemic task force last Monday, February 28. "We are now on the road to full economic recovery towards building back better," he added.

by KRisTiNe JoY

Philstar.com

PATAG

MANILA — Warning of potential court action, the Office of the Solicitor General is urging the Commission on Elections to rescind its Memorandum of Agreement with online news site Rappler for the May polls, claiming it "violates the Constitution and relevant laws." Solicitor General Jose Calida said the Comelec has until March 4 to withdraw from the arrangement with Rappler. "Otherwise, the OSG as the People’s lawyer, may have to file the necessary case in court to declare the nullity of the MOA by 7 March 2022," the OSG added in a statement late Monday afternoon, February 28. The Comelec last week announced that it entered into a partnership with Rappler on "voter engagement and fighting disinformation in relation to the 2022 National and Local Elections." In its press statement dated February 23, the poll body said the online media company committed its resources to help them disseminate information and engage the public. "An online show, podcast, workshops and seminars are also in the pipeline," it added. SEC case, data sharing But Calida questioned the partnership and claimed it "will unwittingly grant Rappler, a foreign-funded entity, the monopoly of truths arising from its claimed fact-checking accreditation from international entities." The solicitor general was referring to the revocation of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Rappler’s Certificate of Incorporation in 2018 The SEC ruling has since been elevated to the Court of Appeals, and the court later ordered the regulatory body to look into the effects of Philippine Depositary Receipts of Omidyar Network to the company. The SEC however upheld that the donation has "no effect," according to Rappler’s lawyer in November 2021. They have since appealed the finding. But Calida insisted that Rappler is subject to the foreign equity restriction under the

Constitution. "Thus, the MOA contravenes this Constitutional limitation and the proscription against foreign participation in the conduct of the elections," he added. The solicitor general also questioned the authority given to Rappler to produce show for election-related information, to "alert" the poll body on election-related clams on social media, and to establish “PHVote Microsite,” which will contain information related to the polls. Calida went as far as accusing Rappler of disseminating "unverified and, sometimes, false claims" and noting the Distributed-Denial-of-Service attacks on its website in insisting on their being "unfit" for the purpose of the MOA. DDoS attacks on news website have become more frequent in recent months and have targeted news sites other than Rappler. On Sunday, a DDoS attack took down the website of CNN Philippines as the network was hosting presidential debates. Newsrooms and press freedom organizations have called for government action to look into the attacks. Quoting Calida, the OSG said that if "Rappler goes on to implement the MOA, the credibility and integrity of the 2022 elections will be in shatters." But Rappler, in a statement, said Calida's statement is "fraught with falsehoods, innuendos and hallucinations", saying also that the memorandum of agreement with the Comelec is to "[help] the poll body disseminate truthful information to voters and ensure transparent elections." Rappler said it has been partnering with the Comelec since 2013 and that the poll body has similar arrangements with other media companies. "This claim reads like the column and social posts of the lobbyists of a presidential bet," it also said. Marcos camp also questions MOA Earlier on Monday, the campaign team of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. questioned the same agreement between the Comelec and Rappler. Benhur Abalos, Marcos’

Solicitor General Jose Calida Philstar.com

campaign manager, asked why Comelec allowed Rappler to be a "fact checker" as he raised the SEC and CA rulings on Rappler. He also said they have "issues" on the Comelec's precinct finder, which will also be made available to Rappler’s website. This is not the first time the Marcos team and the OSG have been on the same side as they both earlier moved to have Associate Justice Marvic Leonen inhibit in the poll protest that the former senator filed over the results of the 2016 vice-presidential elections. Responding to issues raised by the Marcos campaign, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez pointed out that the issue on supposed foreign ownership of Rappler is still pending before the CA. "If it’s pending before CA it seems to me like a final determination hasn’t been reached yet. The Comelec is not the proper venue to make that proper determination," he said. Jimenez also explained that its MOA with Rappler is the same that they enter into with other media organizations. "Rappler is not getting any special information it’s not getting any special treatment. It’s not getting any information that would not be available to any other media network," he also said. To note, Jimenez was asked to react on Abalos’ statements. At the time of the briefing, the OSG had yet to release its statement questioning the MOA. 

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MARCH 4-10, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Preparing for the new normal

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

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

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

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

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

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’s Eye View

Ukraine: Another global crisis

BABE ROMUALDEZ 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.

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

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal. ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

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CO M M U n itY JO U Rn a l

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THE ASIAN JOURNAL

MAGAZINE

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C A L I F O R N I A

Friday, March 4, 2022

INSIDE >>>

LIFESTYLE • CONSUMER GUIDE • COMMUNITY • MARKETPLACE

Charo shares the many risks she took as an artist and her road to wellness by MArInel

CrUZ

Inquirer.net

“THERE were too many risks to mention, but that’s the general picture for you.” This was the reply of actress Charo Santos-Concio when asked what she thought was a risk she took as an artist that she considered was all worth it. Charo, who is also a media executive and a TVfilm producer, explained: “In my career, I took so many risks especially when I was still going up the ranks, trying my hand in a lot of programs I expected would be followed by the audience.” “I’ve encountered a lot of problems, experienced a lot of failures, but I just kept going. Why? I was driven by my passion for content, for engaging the audience and my love for the arts in general. I’m a movie fan, I will forever be one. I will forever see myself in the characters I watch in movies and I will be forever happy for the success of the talents that join the business. This is where my heart is.” Charo further shared that since the pandemic, she has engaged in self-care activities for her mental health. “While I do a lot of walking and dancing—I dance with my granddaughters—I also make sure to stay mindful of my thoughts because, with the pandemic, I went through some anxiety,” she began. ‘Self discipline’ “You have to know what your triggers are, at the same time, know how to ‘inhale’ and ‘exhale.’ Spend time being still and being calm. This is difficult to do. You need a lot of self discipline,” she said. “I also take care of my heart by honoring my feelings. Often, we try to repress our emotions. We try to please the people around us and be dismissive of what we’re truly feeling. Over the years, I’ve learned to honor these feelings—when I’m angry, I acknowledge it—but I don’t stay in those negative feelings for long.” “Don’t be afraid, stay calm, listen to the experts and follow the rules,” advised Charo, whose family went through a health crisis after her husband, Cesar Rafael Concio Jr., got infected by the COVID-19 virus recently. “Thank God he is OK now. He is now in his best condition. I was there with him every step of the way in his journey to wellness,” declared Charo. “If there’s one thing that I appreciate and am proud

Charo Santos-Concio

Inquirer.net photo

of myself, it is that inner strength and sense of resilience that I have.” To those who might be experiencing something similar, she said: “Let’s just be guided by what our gut and intuition say. Let’s do what is right all the time. The one thing I realized about myself because of the experience was that I am capable of doing everything for the sake of my loved ones.” Looking back, Charo said marrying her husband was a “major decision” in her life that she considered “all worth it.” “When our engagement was announced, a lot of not-so-kind comments came out, but I’ve never looked back. I became the person that I am because of my husband. I learned to appreciate myself and to be kinder to myself because he accepted me, warts and all,” she recalled. Together, they have two sons — Francis and Martin — and three grandkids. “I learned the meaning of unconditional love because of my husband. Yes, I’ve lived a full life — an imperfect one, but a full life, nevertheless. I can say it’s such a blessing,” Charo told Inquirer Entertainment during a virtual chat to launch SunLife Financials’ new ad campaign, “Partners in Health,” of which she is one of the brand ambassadors.

SINGLE PARENT LEAVES CHILDREN BEHIND BECAUSE OF DATE OF MARRIAGE ON THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES, THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Mike (2nd from left) was petitioned as “single” by his mother and wanted to bring his children with him to the U.S., but his mother said, “leave the kids behind,” since their birth certificates had a date of marriage. Unfortunately, that decision resulted in many years of separation for Mike and his children. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) was able to bring Mike’s son, Migs (left), and daughter, Myki (3rd from left), to the U.S. under Lola’s petition, despite a date of marriage on their birth certificates. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, March 6 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

Lola’s wrong advice resulted in many years of family separation, this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy MIKE missed the chance to bring his kids to the U.S. due to wrong advice from his wellmeaning mother. Mike was petitioned as single by his mother, but she told him not to bring his children along, since their birth certificates had a date of marriage listed. Many erroneously assume that a date of marriage on

the birth certificate of a child born out of wedlock can be fatal to their case if they are being petitioned as single. This episode proves that is not true. Watch how leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to bring Migs and Myki to the U.S. under their grandmother’s petition, despite a date of marriage on

their birth certificates. Don’t miss this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, March 6 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/ Satellite providers). Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free. (Advertising Supplement)

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FeatUReS

MARCH 4-10, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN 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 the nomination of #jbfa for best chef NY thank you to the team @ 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,” 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 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 Photo from Republique LA them--the constant hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance--this recognition is for you. I have learned to be a better leader because of them. I am proud of my #AbacáPamilya.” Esquire Magazine named Abaca one of the best new restaurants in the United States in 2021, along with Kasama Chicago, helmed by the husband-and-wife team of Timothy Flores and Genie Kwon. The New York Times also named two Filipino restaurants Kasama and Archipelago - in the publication’s The Restaurant List 2021, which honored the 50 most vibrant and delicious restaurants

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). Sheldon Simeon “Honored and humbled by Photo from Instagram/@chefwonder

Margarita & Walter Manzke

Jojo Vasquez Photo from Instagram/@jojovasquez

Aaron Verzosa Photo from Archipelago Seattle

Dale Talde

Photo from daletalde.com

Mia Orino and Carlo Gan of Kamayan AT

Photo from Instagram/@engineeredcapture

Genever owners Trisha Perez, Tinette Sumiller and Roselma Samala Photo courtesy of Instagram/@Genever

Carlo Lamagna Photo from Instagram/@twistedfilipino

Francis Ang Timothy Flores Photo from Instagram/@timothyryanchi Photo from Instagram/@cheffrancisang

Melissa Miranda Photo from Instagram/@meltronica

“We know when it comes to our culture it takes a family to move these visions forward,” he said. This year’s winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on June 13 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The James Beard Awards, considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors, recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive. Founded more than 30 years

ago, the James Beard Foundation “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

they were “most excited about right now”. “Congrats to our team! Though we are thankful to be on this years @beardfoundation chef list, if it were not for your passion, dedication, hard work… your puns… we would not be where we are today. Y’all make Archipelago, our community, and culture great. We are beyond thankful for each and every one of you,” Verzosa posted on Archipelago’s Instagram page. He also acknowledged “our pamilya, Kuya @twistedfilipino, ate @meltronica, kuya @ chefwonder” and their teams for the honor.

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Features

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 4-10, 2022

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Duggan’s Serra Mortuary president Dan celebrityworld Duggan heads list of March birthday celebrants By Ferdie Villar

DAN Duggan, the president of Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, heads the list of prominent personalities celebrating their birthdays in the month of March. Dan will celebrate his birthday on Sunday, March 27. Duggan’s Serra Mortuary is where many Filipino Americans honor and pay their last respects to their loved ones when they leave this world. It is located conveniently in Daly City, where there is a heavy concentration of kababayans. Other prominent celebrities who will be celebrating their birthdays in March include: March 1: Royal Dynasty Foundation founder Nelly Cojuangco Tuazon, Premiere Appliances in Daly City owner Tony Premiere; March 3: Dr. Tita Martinez Picache of Danville, United Airlines employee Edward Teofilo Cabrera; March 4: Beauteous actress Dawn Zulueta, Pedro (Jonjing)

Ejercito de Castro [nephew of former Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada]; March 6: Kapamilya actress Gretchen Barretto, Isabelle Diaz Daza-Semblat who is the daughter of the Philippines’ first Miss Universe Gloria Diaz; March 7: Star Cinema actor Gerald Anderson; March 8: The late former Senator Ramon Revilla, Actor/ host/dancer Archie Alemania of GMA Network; March 9: Veteran actress Rosemarie Gil, Atty. K.J. Petsas; March 10: Philippines Today co-publisher Marilyn King Camilosa, Kapamilya actor J.C. de Vera, former Miss Universe winner Gloria Diaz; March 11: Internationally known singer/songwriter Jose Mari Chan; March 14: Kapuso actor Paolo Contis, Homeland Security officer Ermin Apolinario, Pittsburg community leader Mathie Roldan Velasco;

Filipino-Australian actress, model and recording artist Anne Curtis has announced her comeback on her Instagram via a concert documentary entitled “Luv-Anne.” Instagram photo/@annecurtissmith

March 16: Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma; March 17: Former Mr. United Nations-USA winner Roberto (Bobby) Tuason, retired Navy captain Jimmy Velasco; March 18: Kapuso rising star Klea Pineda, Kapuso actress Bianca King; March 19: Kapamilya Channel 2 actress of primetime teleserye Asintado, Julia Montes; March 20: Batangueños of Northern California bestdressed matron Liza Manalo; March 21: GMA Network artist Rocco Nacino, Statewide Realty proprietress Alice Gabriana Atienza; March 23: TV and movie actor Geoff Eigenmann; March 24: Actor/model/ singer/dancer Aljur Abrenica; March 25: Asian Journal Publications president Cora Macabagdal-Oriel, photoman Ray Guarin; March 26: Kapamilya actor/ singer Matteo Guidicelli, U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi; March 28: Carousel Productions Inc. founder/ president Ramon Monzon (the organization that owns and runs the Miss Earth beauty pageants); March 30: The late Thomasians USA founder Alice Pena Bulos, Samtrans employee Eugene Cabugao; March 31: Entertainment producer Lerma de la Cruz, GMA Network actor Benjamin Alves. To all March birthday celebrants, many happy returns of the day! *** Kapamilya star Anne Curtis is making a comeback to via a concert documentary, “LuvAnne,” the actress announced via Instagram, according to the Philippine Star. The show takes place on April 30, 8 p.m. (Philippine time). Curtis had taken a leave of absence from “It’s Showtime” due to her pregnancy more than two years back. “A very special docu-c%#^*rt for everyone I LUV! Join me as I share bits and pieces of my life in the past two years. Plus! I just might have some surprise fierce, fun and fab performances! G? LuvANNE na LuvANNE na! I’m vack mga vaaaacks!!! Luv-Anne! (heart emoji),” Curtis posted in Instagram, along with details of

Dan Duggan, president and owner of Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, heads the list of prominent personalities who are March birthday celebrants. Glenda Kennedy celebrated her birthday with close relatives at her He will celebrate his birthday on Sunday, March 27. Elk Grove home recently.

Jaime Velasco, a former military officer, will celebrate his birthday Nelly Cojuangco, a former socialite in Manila, celebrated her birthday on Thursday, March 17. last Tuesday, March 1.

the show. Prior to taking a temporary break from showbiz, Curtis was one of the most recognized celebrities and top endorsers/ influencers in the Philippines, having millions of followers on Instagram (17 million) and Facebook (18 million). Her most memorable films include “No Other Woman,” “A Secret Affair,” “Baler,” “The Gifted,” “Sid & Aya: Not a Love Story,”

“BuyBust” and “The Mall, The Merrier.” The Filipina-Australian actor/ model/recording artist is a multiawarded actress, including getting nods from FAMAS, Luna Awards, Metro Manila Film Festival and Macao International Film Festival Awards, and a bevy of awards as TV host, concert performer, showbiz personality and fashionista. Curtis, who in 2019 became

a UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador, collaborated with UNICEF Philippines to launch a children’s book entitled “Anita, The Duckling Diva.” Anne is married restaurateur/ food blogger Erwan Heussaff in 2017 in New Zealand. The couple are parents to Dahlia Amelie who was born in March 2020. She is the older sister of actress/dancer/writer/model Jasmine Curtis-Smith.

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MARCH 4-10, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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 heartwarming, need our compassion

COVID-19, Putin-22 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.

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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

Regine reacts to replacing Karla in ‘Magandang Buhay’ KAPAMILYA singer Regine Velasquez clarified that she is only a guest host for ABS-CBN morning talk show "Magandang Buhay" and didn't permanently replace Karla Estrada, who is now running for a partylist seat. During her contract renewal signing with ABS-CBN, Regine said she's having a good time hosting the program. “Guest host pa lang ako ngayon sa ‘Magandang Buhay’ kasi nga wala si Momshie Karla so I am the one doing her part now. But I am having such a wonderful time working with Jolina and Melai,” she said. "’Yung mga nanonood sa Regine Velasquez Photo from Instagram/@reginevalcasid amin tuwing umaga, napapansin

siguro na tawa lang kami nang tawa. Para lang akong naglalaro. I do hosting in ‘ASAP’ pero iba 'yung format ng ‘Magandang Buhay.’ I remember doing the same before. I kinda missed it,” she added. She thanked ABS-CBN for giving her the morning show. "I am so happy that I was given the opportunity to do a morning show with two other girls who I love very much. They are all so game, sobrang nag-e-enjoy lang talaga ako,” she said. “Hindi pa naman po ako totoong host. Nagpapanggap pa lang ako right now. But like I said, I am so happy to be given the opportunity to be a special host of ‘Magandang Buhay’.”

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Milo Severo Philstar.com

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This family makes beautiful music together for a reason

An impressive array of huge hits and nostalgic songs make for pure fun when TFC presents the Revelation Concert Tour in the US this March REDWOOD CITY – “Many things were revealed to us during this pandemic.” Dingdong Avanzado waxes nostalgic during an interview. “The Original Prince of Pinoy Pop” shares that they will be revealing several announcements with their viewers during their “Revelation: The Concert Tour in the U.S.” concert this March 12 at the Alex Theater in Glendale and on March 26 at the Fox Theater in Redwood City, both in California. Dingdong will be joined by his wife, “Phenomenal Diva of the Philippines” Jessa Zaragoza, and their daughter, Jayda, touted as the next artist to watch out for, in their U.S. shows. Between them, Dingdong and Jessa have an impressive collection of songs that span three decades, including multiple gold and platinum hits and award-winning titles. During the span of their careers, they have also been honored by various industry award-giving bodies like the Aliw Awards, Awit Awards, Himig Handog, and the PMPC Star Awards for Music. Family on tour The family has done performances together, but Dingdong recalls these were mostly when Jayda was still young. “Jayda was around 13 or 14 years old, and she did not have her music out back then,” recounts Dingdong. “People would refer to her as the daughter of Dingdong, or the daughter of Jessa who likes to sing.” Jayda has shown impressive musicality from a very early age, writing her first song when she was 12. Since then, Jayda has written more songs, done collaborations, held her own concert, and has won several awards. Jessa beams with pride when she states that their daughter now has her own music, making her the singer-songwriter that she is at present. Technically, this is the first time that they will be performing as a family now that Jayda is a full-

Dingdong Avanzado and his wife, Jessa Zaragoza (left photo), are celebrating their 21st wedding anniversary this March. For the past two decades they have been making beautiful music on their own and have also recorded songs and gone on tours together. Their daughter, Jayda (right), joins them for their U.S. tour. ABS-CBN file photos

fledged artist. Fulfilling a mission through music “We will be revealing a lot during the show,” Jessa shares. This declaration strikes a chord of curiosity, and we egg the couple to give us a sneak peek into these things. Dingdong explains how the pandemic has created the lonely feeling of being isolated from what people were once familiar with: friends, family, the work environment, and social activities. “There is a void, an emptiness, and for me that longing is filled by your relationship with the Lord, connecting with the people that you love, and of course, music,” he expounds. Dingdong believes that music is a gift and that it should be used to uplift people’s lives. This is what he hopes to continue to do with his wife, Jessa, and their daughter, Jayda. He says, “This is what I realized being in this business for more than three decades now – the power of music and what it can do to the soul.” He emphasizes that they want to share their purpose of inspiring people through their music. Fans and viewers will find out more about the other important discoveries that the Avanzados

will reveal during the concert. “Revelation: The Concert Tour in the U.S.” will be celebrating so many aspects of the life of Dingdong, Jessa, and Jayda. The first leg will be on March 12 in Southern California at the Alex Theater, 216 N Brand Boulevard, Glendale, CA 91203. Ticket prices start at $50. Sponsors for the Alex Theater show are: JIR Foundation, BayaniPay, Ding, Yaamava Resort & Casino at San Manuel, iSkin, Edzen, Averti, Escrow Matters, Fiesta Food, Get Assured, Inspire, Leo Bato, NAAC, Rodrigo Suerte Felipe, and Varsobia. Revelation goes to Northern California on March 26 at the Fox Theater, 2215 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063. Ticket prices for this venue start at $35. Part of the proceeds for the Fox Theater show will go to the ABSCBN Foundation International for the continuing rehabilitation efforts for the victims of Super Typhoon Odette. The Fox Theater leg is also brought to you by Ding, and Sendwave, together with Media Partners – Philippines News Today, Inquirer.net, FilAm Star, and Asian Journal. Go to myTFC.com/ revelation for tickets and for more information. (Advertising Supplement)

Why Zoren rushed wedding with Carmina by anne

PaSaJol Inquirer.net

ZOREN Legaspi recounted how he planned his surprise wedding to Carmina Villaroel and how her father’s health was one of the factors why Legaspi decided to push through with it. Legaspi got emotional as he talked about their wedding and his concerns at the time regarding Villaroel’s father, as seen in a vlog on the couple’s YouTube channel on Sunday, Feb. 27, where they were answering fan questions. “Ang isang triggering point kasi no’n kaya siya naging surprise at mabilisan, nagkasakit kasi si daddy Reggie, bibigyan ng hip replacement,” he said. “Sabi nung doctor ‘pag ginawa ‘yun, 50-50 si daddy Reggie then sabi ko ‘Yun lang ba talaga ‘yung option?’ then it hit me. Sabi ko ‘Kung magpapakasal kami ni Mina na hindi mawi-witness ni daddy Reggie, useless.’ Kasi wala na mama mo tapos pag naglakad ka doon wala pa daddy Reggie mo, so for me, useless siya.” (One of the triggering points why the wedding was a surprise and the preparation was rushed was daddy Reggie’s health condition at the time. He needed hip replacement. According to the

doctor, his chance to live through the operation was 50-50. Then I asked, “Was that the only option?” Then it hit me. I told myself, “If I’m going to marry Mina and daddy Reggie won’t witness it, it’s useless.” Because your mom is already gone, then you’ll walk down the aisle without your dad too, so for me it’s useless.) Legaspi then described Villaroel’s walk down the aisle as his favorite part of their wedding, stressing that Villaroel’s emotions were evident then as she was with her father. Aside from their wedding, Legaspi also talked about how he’s not ready for his twins, Cassy and Mavy, to be in a relationship, stressing that they’re still young to be in one. He also added how the “culture” of getting into young relationships should be dismissed. “‘Yung sa akin kasi, why push them into these things at a very, very young age kung marami namang pwedeng ma-push sila in a different angle,” he stated. “The later you have a relationship, the better. Kung nag-25 ka or 26 and you’re still single, doesn’t mean you have a lonely heart. It’s better kasi hindi ‘yan ang priority sa buhay.” (For me, why push them

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Cramina Villaroel and Zoren Legaspi Photo from Instagram/@mina_villaroel

into these things at a very, very young age when there are a lot of different angles to push them to? The later you have a relationship, the better. If you’re already 25 or 26 and you’re still single, it doesn’t mean you have a lonely heart. It’s better because it’s not a priority in life.) Legaspi and Villaroel tied the knot in 2012 after being a couple for 12 years. Their surprise wedding was attended by fellow celebrities that included Boy Abunda, Susan Roces and Maricel Soriano.

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MARCH 4-10, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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