031122 - Northern California Edition

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Volume 21 - No. 10 • 14 Pages

T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER

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MARCH 11-17, 2022

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

PH gov’t: 199 Filipinos from US delivers 4 million Pfizer jabs, largest Ukraine now ‘out of harm’s way’ DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

in single day to PH

MANILA — The United States delivered on Monday, March 7 its largest single-day shipment of 3,999,060 doses of PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines as part of its continuing worldwide effort to combat COVID-19. The U.S. embassy in Manila said the U.S. government’s latest donation is part of the 1.2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses that the U.S. distributed through the COVAX Facility. “We are immensely proud that our friends, partners and allies in the Philippines are receiving this historic shipment. This significant donation underscores the United States’ commitment to continue working with our Philippine partners to combat COVID-19 even as we face serious challenges around the world,” said U.S. embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava. U.S. Agency for International Development Philippines Health Office director Michelle Lang-Alli joined Philippine government

by CATHRINE

GONZALES Inquirer.net

MANILA — A total of 199 Filipinos who were evacuated from Ukraine are now “out of harm’s way,” an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday, March 9.

DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola said 63 Filipinos have so far been repatriated to the Philippines, while 136 have been transported to other European countries. “As of now, 199 Filipinos na po ang out of harm’s way, kasi may nakauwi na pong 63 tapos ‘yung iba po, ‘yung 136 nandoon na po sa ibang countries,

MARTINEZ — A policeman was sentenced to six years in prison on Friday, March 4 for the on-duty shooting death of a mentally ill Filipino American man in a slowspeed chase two years ago. Ex-sheriff’s Dep. Andrew Hall was convicted last year of assault with a firearm and a gun enhancement in 33-year-old Laudemer Arboleda’s shooting death. The jury could not reach a verdict on a more serious manslaughter count. A sheriff’s internal probe cleared Hall of wrongdoing, and he returned to duty. In March 2021, Hall shot and killed another man, 32-year-old Tyrell Wilson, who pulled a knife and took a step toward Hall during a jaywalking stop. Hall was cleared by an internal sheriff’s probe; the

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‘We need greater investment in our community’: Asian American women reflect on anti-Asian racism one year after Atlanta massacre by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

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California cop who killed mentally ill Fil-Am sentenced to 6 years in prison

naghihintay na lang ng eroplanong pabalik sa Pilipinas,” she said in an interview with ABS-CBN News’ Teleradyo. (As of now, 199 Filipinos are already out of harm’s way, because 63 have already been sent home, and 136 have been evacuated to other countries and are

FERRY RIDE. Partido Reporma presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson (left) and running mate Tito Sotto (right) show a thumbs-up sign as they cruise on a Pasig ferry from Kalawaan to Maybunga station in Pasig City on Wednesday, March 9 after the courtesy call on Mayor Vico Sotto. Former Information and Communications Technology secretary Gregorio Honasan II joined the two on the ferry ride. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

LAST year, when anti-Asian violence and hate spiked exponentially due to the coronavirus pandemic, the heartbroken Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community continued demanding justice for these senseless attacks, which primarily targeted women and the elderly. The frustrations and tragedy among the AAPI community crested on March 16, 2021 when a gunman drove to three separate Asian-owned massage parlors and shot and killed eight people, including six Asian women. Since March 2020, the community has faced more than 10,905 attacks, 16% of which were physically violent, according to Stop AAPI Hate, the national coalition of AAPI organizations that began gathering

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‘Hide-and-seek’ from debates? Marcos Jr. Peso breaches 52 vs dollar, can’t be in two places at once, says spokesman first time in 2.5 years by CHRISTIA

MARIE Inquirer.net

RAMOS

MANILA — The camp of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. countered criticisms made by former congressman Erin Tañada, who called out the former senator’s nonappearance in most of the presidential debates. “Mr. Tañada is perfectly right in saying that leadership is about honoring commitments — the very same reason why presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos cannot be in two

different places at one given time,” Marcos Jr.’s spokesperson, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, said in a statement on Tuesday, March 8. This is in response to a statement issued by Tañada reminding Marcos Jr. that the “presidency is not a game of hide-andseek.” Tañada is the campaign manager for the senatorial slate of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan. According to Rodriguez, Marcos Jr. had to “politely beg off media interviews, sometimes skip debates and fora in order to honor his

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‘Not just a woman’: Filipinas carve their niches, defy stereotypes by CRISTINA

ELOISA Inquirer.net

BACLIG

MANILA — During the celebration of International Women’s Year in 1975, the United Nations (UN) formally began celebrating March 8 as International Women’s Day. In 1977, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by member states, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. At least 10 years after, the Philippine government—through Proclamation No. 224 signed by Inquirer.net file photos then-president Corazon Aquino

in 1988—declared the first week of March of every year as Women’s Week and March 8 of every year as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day. “Filipino women have been active in the struggle for national independence, for civil liberties, for equality of the sexes, and for human rights,” the proclamation stated. “[I]t is but just and proper to declare a week and a particular day of the year as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day, in solidarity with the United Nations, and in commemoration of the struggle of Filipino women for national freedom, civil liberty, equality, and human rights,” it added.

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by DAPHNE

GALVEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippine peso breached the 52-per-dollar mark on Monday, March 7 for the first time in almost two and a half years, with expectations that it will get even weaker over the next few months due to the worsening Russia-Ukraine conflict. The local currency closed trading at P52.001 to the dollar on March 7, the weakest position since the P52.042 recorded on Sept. 30, 2019. As of this writing, the peso was trading at between 52.01 and 52.30 against the greenback as the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine has sent shock waves across the global economy. In a research note on the Asian markets, ING Bank said the peso was also facing headwinds from rising oil prices and the policy stance of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which remained accommodative even as influential central banks like the US Federal Reserve are tipped to start tightening in the next few months. Trade deficit “Surging oil prices will bloat the country’s trade deficit as the Philippines is a net energy importer, resulting in an

increased demand for dollars,” the bank said. “Dovish comments from the central bank may have also hurt the currency with BSP Governor (Benjamin) Diokno reiterating his preference to keep rates untouched for now,” it added. In a separate commentary, ING’s senior economist in the Philippines Nicholas Mapa noted that Diokno had penciled in a 4.7-percent inflation under a worst-case scenario when the price of crude oil would go as high as $140 per barrel. The BSP chief has also said inflation would stay within the government’s target band of 2 percent to 4 percent if crude oil averaged at less than $95 per barrel. “Diokno has touted his hefty supply of GIR (gross international reserves) as his reason for comfort,” Mapa said. “He has also cited the peso’s general tracking of regional peers even if the local unit has largely underperformed and is now headed to a 2-percent depreciation for the year,” he added. Spot market The economist said the BSP might be expected to step up presence in the spot market to

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MARCH 11-17, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page ‘Hide-and-seek’ from debates? Marcos Jr. can’t... PAGE 1 promise to meet with grassroots leaders, join caravans, and attend campaign rallies that have been scheduled way ahead of the requests for media appearances.” “He can take the consequences for not attending the debates and media fora, but not the loss of trust of his leaders and supporters with whom he had confirmed appointments,” he said. “Because his words are his bond,” he added. Rodriguez also said Marcos Jr. had accepted media interviews and joined presidential fora

“whenever his tight campaign schedules.” “His participation in the Boy Abunda, Korina Sanchez, DZRH, DZBB, and TV5 presidential interviews and the SMNI debate will disprove Mr. Tañada’s assertion,” the spokesperson added. In his statement, Tañada also said the camp of Marcos Jr. is embracing a different kind of “cancel culture” amid the former senator’s no-show at some events. Tañada particularly mentioned the called-off political rally scheduled in Antique.

“On Mr. Tanada’s claim of cancel culture, the local folks in Panay island knew that those scheduled rallies were canceled for the sake of peace and unity among the residents in the community because of the growing tension during those scheduled dates caused by political partisans,” Rodriguez said. “The UniTeam cannot afford More Filipinos from Ukraine arrive in the Philippines together with their dependents on Sunday, March 6. the disunity among local folks because its advocacy is for unified citizens to face the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic,” he added. g

California cop who killed mentally ill Fil-Am...

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DA’s office is reportedly still investigating that shooting. Hall’s conviction is the first successful prosecution of a law enforcement officer in Contra Costa County for an on-duty killing. Superior Court Judge Terri Mockler said Hall acted contrary to his training in dealing with

chases, and put colleagues and civilians in danger. Police body and dash cameras show Hall running around the front of his patrol car, gun drawn, and coming face to face with Arboleda’s sedan and shooting into the car while backing away, inflicting nine gunshot wounds on Arboleda. Arboleda’s mother, Jeannie

Atienza, told the court that her son was suffering a mental health crisis. Police found him loitering in a neighborhood where he used to reside. She had asked for the maximum sentence of 17 years. Arboleda’s family settled a federal lawsuit with the sheriff’s office for $4.9 million. (Inquirer. net)

Photo courtesy of DFA

PH gov’t: 199 Filipinos from... PAGE 1 waiting for a flight bound to the Philippines.) However, Arriola said some Filipino seafarers are still stranded while household service workers and Filipino women who are married to Ukranian men are still staying in Ukraine. According to the DFA official, six Filipinos have been evacuated to Poland, 33 to Moldova, 73 to Romania, nine to Austria, and 15 to Hungary. Arriola urges Filipino evacuees to avail of repatriation to the Philippines so that they will not

add to the many evacuees in European countries. “Mas mabuti na nandito sila kaysa makipagsiksikan sila sa more than two million refugees, kasi sabi ng United Nations, over two million na na refugees ang lumabas sa Ukraine. Hindi naman po tayo refugee na maiko-consider dahil ‘yung bansa po natin ay maluwag na maluwag silang tinatanggap,” she noted. (It is better if they will be repatriated to the Philippines instead of crowding with more

than two million refugees. The United Nations said two million refugees have left Ukraine. Filipinos can’t be considered refugees because our country is freely accepting them.) “Tsaka parang tulong na rin po iyon sa mga Ukrainian. Umuwi muna po sila kasi wala rin naman silang trabaho doon dahil nakikita nga po natin sa television, grabe ang bombahan,” she added. (This is also to help the Ukranians. They should go home because they do not have work there. We have seen the bomb attacks in television.) g

US delivers 4 million Pfizer jabs, largest in... PAGE 1

officials and other stakeholders at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to receive the latest vaccine shipment. Meanwhile, another shipment of 1,167,660 Pfizer doses procured by the government through the World Bank was set to arrive on Monday at NAIA Terminal 3 on Air Hong Kong flight LD456. Only for seniors, vulnerable A second booster shot is only recommended for senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said. “For the more vulnerable population, the 60 years old and above and immunocompromised, these are the ones we are pushing to be given a second booster for better protection against the severe form of COVID,” Solante explained in English and Filipino. He added that the younger and healthy population don’t need additional shots as they are “immune competent” and are already protected by vaccines against severe infection. Based on Department of Health data, 74.22 percent of A2 or the senior citizen population have been vaccinated, as well as 70.76 percent of the target population nationwide. The government is looking to provide booster or additional doses to over 55 million fully vaccinated individuals, particularly seniors.

The boxes of U.S.-donated Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine get disinfected at the NAIA Terminal 1 in Parañaque City on Monday, March 7. As of March 7, the Philippines has received a total of 231,505,650 vaccine doses, according to the National Task Force Against COVID-19. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Virology Institute The passage of Senate Bill 2241 that will create the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) is key to enabling the local development and manufacture of vaccines for humans, animals and plants, Science and Technology Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said. “Having our own Virology Institute is one of the first steps to make the country self-reliant in developing and producing vaccines,” Guevara said. Currently, there is no government institution that focuses on vaccine development, she noted. g

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‘Not just a woman’: Filipinas carve their niches... ‘We need greater investment in our community’... PAGE 1

The following year, through Republic Act No. 6949, the country finally declared the eighth day of March of every as National Women’s Day. As the country observes the holiday this year and celebrates women who are making strides, defying stereotypes and making history every day in the Philippines and across the globe, INQUIRER.net will detail “HERstory” and highlight the achievements of every “Juana” throughout the years. ‘Babae, hindi babae lang’ According to the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), this year’s National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) aims to highlight the “gains achieved for women and girls, assess actions toward gender equality and look forward to steps that must be taken to ensure progress in empowering women.” “With the country still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, studies and data show that the health crisis stalled movements toward gender equality, worsening inequalities, further exposing gender gaps, and exacerbating vulnerabilities in social and political, and economic aspects,” the PCW added. Since 2017, the PCW has followed the same theme for the celebration of National Women’s Month—“WE Make CHANGE Work for Women.” This year, however, the PCW raised the following questions: Did WE Make CHANGE Work for Women? How and to what extent? Moreover, the 2022 NWMC will also follow a sub theme: “Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran.” “It will be a celebration of women exercising their choices, taking chances to make their voices heard, and benefitting from and trailblazing changes,” said PCW. “It is a celebration of Filipino women’s power to take the narrative, raise priority issues that matter to them, and call for concrete actions,” the commission continued. “It will be a celebration of women exercising their choices, taking chances to make their voices heard, and benefitting from and trailblazing changes. It is a celebration of Filipino women’s power to take the narrative, raise priority issues that matter to them, and call for concrete actions,” it added. The theme this year likewise highlights the sentiment of many Filipino women—and men— which could be summarized in a few words: “Babae [ka/ako], hindi babae lang.” (You are/I am a woman, not just a woman). Women in science For the longest time, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has been male-dominated not only in the Philippines but across the globe. However, a recent analysis by consumer company Statista of data on female inventors, who had applied for international patents in several countries, showed that the number of women inventors has been increasing each year. The analysis also showed that the Philippines had the second-

highest share of female inventors who applied for international patents last year. Around 38 percent of patent applicants in the Philippines last year are female inventors. Last month, at the celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) paid tribute to five Filipina scientists who have made significant contributions to Nuclear Science. Among those who were recognized by the DOST-PNRI for their outstanding work in the male-dominated STEM field were: • Former PNRI Director Dr. Alumanda Dela Rosa • PNRI career scientist and Atomic Research Division Chief Dr. Lucille Abad • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Division for Asia and the Pacific Director Dr. Jane Gerardo-Abaya • PNRI Nuclear Reactor Operations Section Head Dr. Alvie Astronomo • PNRI research specialist Dr. Jasmine Albelda The Philippine Science Heritage Center looked back and celebrated the wisdom and contribution of 11 Filipinas, who changed the game in the field of sciences in the country. Among these remarkable Filipino women include: • Fe del Mundo • Luz Oliveros-Belardo • Carmen Velasquez • Encarnacion Alzona • Cara Lim-Sylanco • Dolores Ramirez • Gelia Castillo • Clare Balatazar • Lourdes Cruz • Perla Santos Ocampo • Mercendes Conception “Our people should rejoice that the WOMEN of this country are capable of such amazing patience and endurance which are without parallel in other countries in the world,” Alzona once said. Let women lead In the coming national and local elections, at least 14 women will try to secure a spot in the nation’s top positions— president, vice president, senator. Although they are still outnumbered by male candidates (83 male candidates) aiming for the same government positions, the figures this year were a bit higher than that in 2016 with 11 female candidates running for top government seats. Of the 11 female candidates for president, vice president, and senator in 2016, only three were elected—Leni Robredo, Risa Hontiveros, and Leila de Lima. In 2010, the numbers were higher, with 16 total female candidates for the top three government positions. Out of those, only two were successful. This year, among the list of women running for president, vice president, and senator are: • Vice President Leni Robredo • Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte • Agnes Bailen • Sen. Leila de Lima • Samira Gutoc • Sen. Risa Hontiveros

• Nur-Mahal Kiram • Loren Legarda • Emily Mallillin • Marieta Mindalano-Adam • Dra. Minguita Padilla • Astra Pimentel • Lady Anne Sahidulla • Carmen Zubiaga Their decision to run for the country’s top seats came at a time when even the current President—Rodrigo Duterte— questioned the leadership skills of a woman and whether or not women can run the country. Last year, Duterte said that the presidency was no job for a woman. “This is not for women. You know, the emotional setup of a woman and a man is totally different. You will become a fool here. So… that is the sad story,” said Duterte—who is known for his comments often deemed offensive, sexist and misogynistic. The Philippines has had two women presidents, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 2001 to 2010 and Corazon Aquino from 1986 to 1992. “I long for a time when we no longer need to remind the world that women are gifted,” said Robredo in a speech last March 7 during the Gobyernong Tapat, Kababaihan Angat event in Quezon City. “We have a month to remind them of our greatness as women, but I hope that someday we no longer need to prove ourselves, to show evidence, that we are [as strong as our male counterparts],” Robredo said.

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self-reports of anti-AAPI hate since the pandemic’s beginning. Disturbingly, AAPI women comprised 70% of all reported harassment, according to the Stop AAPI Hate tracker. A separate poll from the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum found that 70% of AAPI women experienced racially motivated harassment or discrimination between June 2019 and January 2021. The increased attacks, as well as the increase in awareness toward the oft-overlooked social issues plaguing the AAPI community, brought forth a fervent string of AAPIs demanding betterment for the community through policy that protects the diverse AAPI community and education. “In terms of education and awareness, we now have more voices speaking out to help people understand the harm that racist rhetoric has on our communities,” Filipina American Maritza Etcubañez, senior director of strategic initiatives at Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ), said at an Ethnic Media Services press conference on Friday, Feb. 25. She added: “We need greater investment in our community, including in social services, improving education, so that we can better create the conditions where people not only feel safe but are [also] able to thrive.” In May 2021, President Joe Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law, which requires the U.S. Justice

Department to establish nuanced guidance for police departments and agencies that caters to the AAPI community.v Despite the wide attention that last year’s surge in antiAAPI hate received — a surge that has certainly not quieted — ostracization and discrimination against AAPIs is historic and layered with misogyny and “othering.” “As Asian American women, many of us felt this living in the United States long before COVID; we are constantly targeted both for our race and our gender,” Sung Yeon Choimorrow, executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, said at Friday’s press conference. She detailed the harmful stereotypes that are thrust upon Asian women — stereotypes of submissiveness and hypersexuality that make AAPI women the targets of harassment and assault. Choimorrow shared that in the 19th century, “The first Chinese immigrant woman in the United States was brought over by a New York businessman who put her on display so that Americans could watch her eat, look at her small feet, look at her skin color or hair, and the way she talked. From the get-go of the Asian immigrant women’s experience, we were seen as entertainment or an experience to be consumed.” These demeaning stereotypes and perceptions of the “china doll” Asian woman persist today, with many arguing that the Atlanta murders last year

were a residual result of these dangerous stereotypes. The Stop AAPI Hate movement gained significant traction last year, but because of the quickness of social media and news trends, it’s somewhat faded. #StopAAPIHate hasn’t trended in the United States in months and progress toward a safer environment for AAPIs remains slow, but steady. And, anti-Asian harassment hasn’t stopped. Between October and December of 2021, the hate crime tracker reported 535 incidents. But the founders of Stop AAPI Hate continue to encourage deeper investment through community-based efforts, like bystander intervention training, encouraging states to adopt public school curricula that Asian American studies, and electing officials who pledge to stand for the AAPI community. “In Georgia, the first generation of Korean Americans formed the Atlanta Korean American Committee Against Asian hate on March 17,” said Michelle Kang, general secretary of the Atlanta Korean Committee Against Asian Hate. “During the 2021 elections, AAPIs made a tremendous effort to elect representatives who pushed the country in solidarity to stop hate crimes and to achieve inclusion and racial equity,” Kang added. “Georgia AAPI is making a historical record having 12 progressive Asian American candidates, including young candidates in their 20s to represent all Americans.” g

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MARCH 11-17, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Peso breaches 52 vs dollar, first time... PAGE 1

smooth out volatility. “(B)ut we cannot rule out a scenario akin to 2018 where BSP burns through its reserves initially before relenting and turning hawkish,” Mapa said, referring to the year when the peso depreciated against the US dollar by more than 9 percent. For his part, Diokno said the BSP was seeing a muted impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the peso, noting that

the local currency continued to trade “sideways, with slight depreciation pressure.” “The BSP views such development as a result of the impact of the geopolitical tensions on oil prices, which likewise affected the peso,” Diokno said. “But this is in line with the behavior of other currencies in the region, which also depreciated against the US dollar.” The BSP chief reiterated

that the Philippines has a more than adequate level of foreign exchange reserves to temper any volatility in the currency exchange rate market. The Philippines’ “external sector is supported by structural inflows from overseas Filipino remittances, receipts from business process outsourcing, and foreign direct investments which have shown resilience even amidst the pandemic,” Diokno said. g

‘Not just a woman’: Filipinas carve their niches... PAGE 3

ESSENTIAL. A farmer is hauling dried palay (unhusked rice) along a highway in Gapan, Nueva Ecija on Tuesday, March 8. The government is keeping a close watch on soaring oil prices, which may also result in an increase in food prices due to higher production and transportation costs. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

Board of Supervisors approves free resident admission to Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden Ordinance, proposed by Mayor Breed, makes all three of Golden Gate Park’s specialty gardens free to San Francisco residents

SAN FRANCISCO — The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 8 passed legislation introduced by Mayor London N. Breed to make admission to the Conservatory of Flowers and Japanese Tea Garden free for San Francisco residents and all veterans. The ordinance removes resident admission fees at both attractions, opening all three of Golden Gate Park’s specialty gardens to San Franciscans at no cost. The San Francisco Botanical Garden is already free to residents. Supervisor Gordon Mar co-sponsored the legislation. “Access to our city’s vibrant public spaces and cultural institutions is more important now than ever before,” said Mayor Breed. “As our city continues to reopen, providing equitable admission to historic attractions where residents can gather safely and engage in enriching activities is critical to the development of our city. Now, income won’t be a barrier in preventing San Franciscans from experiencing the Gardens of Golden Gate Park.” In addition to the free resident admission proposal, the Board of Supervisors recently voted to approve the “Gardens of Golden Gate Park” agreement, which merges admissions, education, and outreach programs at the

three specialty gardens under the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society. Combining these functions under one nonprofit will improve visitor experience and eliminate redundancies. Together, the gardens will now be recognized as a regional organization while maintaining their legacy names. “During this challenging time, providing all San Francisco residents equal access to the Gardens of Golden Gate Park will enhance the health and wellbeing for all San Franciscans,” said Supervisor Gordon Mar. “I’m proud to champion free access for veterans to the Japanese Tea Garden, Conservatory of Flowers, and Botanical Garden to support the mental and physical health of our veterans.” “The Gardens of Golden Gate Park, with their rich history, educational programs and collections, are treasures belonging to all San Franciscans,” said San Francisco Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “We are thrilled that these wonderful attractions are becoming even better and more welcoming.” “We’re excited to expand the partnership to connect people to plants, the planet, and each other, and bring additional resources to all three sites.” said San Francisco

Botanical Garden Executive Director Stephanie Linder. The ordinance also allows for the continuation of non-resident admission demand-responsive pricing, which has been in place since 2019, allowing changes in fees at any time with at least a 30-day notice. Discounts will be allowed based on conditions or the purchase of a multi-garden ticket. Additionally, Supervisor Gordon Mar amended the legislation last month to include free admission to non-resident veterans. The ordinance will take effect in late April, 30 days after it is signed by Mayor Breed. The San Francisco Botanical Garden Society (SFBGS), a community-based and membersupported nonprofit organization formed in 1955, partners with the Recreation and Park Department to manage and operate the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Through their partnership, SFBGS funds garden improvements, provides curatorial and plant collections management services and educational and community programming, maintains an extensive horticultural library, and manages an extensive volunteer program and community outreach efforts on behalf of the Botanical Garden. (SF Mayor’s Office Release)

“I hope that no voter will choose not to vote for a candidate just because she is a woman,” she added. Award-winning Filipinas Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, notable Filipino women have made headlines for their achievements and awardwinning successes in different fields. In July, weightlifting star Hidilyn Diaz delivered the country’s first Olympic gold ever, after lifting a record 127 kg in the clean and jerk during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Neshty Petecio, despite not being able to bring home a gold medal, likewise made history during the Tokyo Olympics as the first Filipino female boxer to medal in the Olympics. Petecio ended up with the silver medal in the women’s featherweight final after Japan’s Sena Irie denied Petecio of gold as she beat the Filipino for the third time in four meetings since 2019–albeit a controversial victory. Another Filipina athlete who competed in the Tokyo Olympics, Margielyn Didal, made headlines due to her infectious energy which charmed the public. In October last year, journalist Maria Ressa became the first Filipino to win the Nobel Peace Prize for defending freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Ressa, who is also the chief executive officer of online news site Rappler, shared the award with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov. In 2020, the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), the country’s 98-year-old professional nurses’ organization, awarded the Bayaning Nars award to 15 nurses—14 of whom have

sacrificed their lives at the frontline of the fight against COVID-19. The Bayaning Nars award recognizes “unsung hero nurses… who have done valiant, and extraordinary deeds that exemplify love of God and country, caring, and integrity beyond her call of duty,” the PNA said. Among the awardees was Mary Lorraine Pingol, who shot to fame for helping a homeless woman give birth on a sidewalk that same year. She was the sole living recipient of the said award. Three of the 14 nurses who were granted posthumous awards were women. They were: • Shella Malto, from Bacoor, Cavite; died on April 6 • Faye Marie Palafox, head nurse at Philippine General Hospital handling the COVID-19 ward; died on April 17 • Ma. Theresa Cruz of Cainta Medical Hospital; died on July 22 In June 2021, Duterte conferred the Order of LapuLapu on Philippine General Hospital (PGH) health workers who led the evacuation of patients and newborn babies as fire hit the facility in May. Among the health workers who received the Order of LapuLapu were Kathrina Bianca C. Macababbad, Esmeralda E. Ninto, Phoebe Rose C. Malabanan—all of whom were nurses of PGH’s neonatal intensive care unit. Overseas, several Filipinas have made their names in their respective fields or careers. One of them was Rodelia Pedro Villar, a Filipina domestic helper from Western Visayas, who became the first-ever Filipina to clinch the Lion Rock People’s Choice award during the 8th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in November 2020.

Villar was recognized for the support she provided to the domestic worker community through Domestic Workers Corner, a group she founded in 2017. Villar has been staying in Hong Kong for more than 17 years. Through her group, she was able to assist fellow domestic helpers who were victims of romance scams, sexual harassment, and termination of contracts. Last year, a Filipina nurse in the United Kingdom has been awarded a British Empire Medal in recognition of her outstanding work amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Charito Romano, a staff nurse at the Arbrook House Care Home in the UK, was among those included in Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s honors list. Filipina nurse Minnie Klepacz, who works as a matron for ophthalmology and leads the hospital’s Black Asian Minority Ethnic Network at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, likewise received a British Empire Medal for her “tireless work to support her colleagues and community” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Evelyn Tumalad, a Filipina English and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher at Clackamas High School, was named Oregon’s teacher of the year in Oct. 2021. Most recently, Filipina filmmaker Martika Ramirez Escobar was given the Special Jury Prize for Innovative Spirit at the World Cinema Dramatic section for her film-within-a-film “Leonor Will Never Die.” Escobar, through her directorial debut, became the first Filipino feature film director to win at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, which was held online for the second year in a row. g

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Pacquiao wants P1 million for 101-year-old Pinoys by Delon

Porcalla Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Manny Pacquiao wants to amend the Centenarians Act of 2016 (Republic Act 10868) to “grant Filipinos who reach 101 years old a cash incentive of P1 million.” The law currently provides centenarians P100,000 on their birthday. The Promdi presidential candidate made the vow after he met and discovered the “miserable plight” of 101-year-old Jungle Serrano – an Aeta grandfather at the Katutubo Village in Porac town in Pampanga, where he campaigned. He called on his fellow senators to pass their version of the proposed amendments to the Centenarian Law, where its counterpart bill in the House

of Representatives has been approved on third and final reading. The House bill also provided for the release by government of P25,000 to a senior citizen when he reaches the age of 80, 85, 90 and 95. “I hope the Senate will have time to either fast-track final reading approval of the bill or simply adopt the House version when session resumes in May,” the global Filipino boxing icon and billionaire said. At the same time, Pacquiao called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development to swiftly review centenarians’ applications for the P100,000 cash benefit as provided under the law. “I hope we can give relief to people like Lolo Jungle. It will definitely be a big help for them if they receive a cash incentive

which they can use for their medical needs and maintenance medicines,” he said. Lolo Jungle, who has six children and 20 grandchildren and great grandchildren, told Pacquiao that he has yet to receive RA 10868 benefits because his case is still under verification. Like many members of cultural minorities, Lolo Jungle’s birth records could not be confirmed from civil registry records. Pacquiao said he wanted to give Serrano his own money but he must abide by election laws that prohibit candidates from distributing money to voters. Following a press briefing where Serrano approached the senator, Pacquiao immediately directed a senior staff member to follow up the centenarian’s case with the DSWD, saying that this should be given utmost priority. g

Duterte signs law increasing age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 by angelica

Y. Yang

Philstar.com

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed a bill increasing the age of sexual consent to under 16 years of age, from 12 years old, which means that those who engage in sexual activities with children below the newly-prescribed age are liable for statutory rape. A copy of the legislation, Republic Act (RA) 116481, was uploaded on the Official Gazette's website on Monday, March 7, although Duterte signed the law on March 4. The law amends several portions of the Revised Penal Code, the Anti-Rape Law and the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. RA 116481 says that someone with carnal knowledge of an individual who is "under 16 years of age or is demented", is now liable for committing rape. It said, however, that there will be no criminal liability for people who engage in sexual activities with those under 16 years of age when the age difference between parties is not

more than three years, and if the act is consensual, non-abusive and non-exploitative. "If the victim is under 13 years of age, this exception shall not apply," RA 11681 said. The penalty for lascivious conduct with a minor under 16 years is a medium-term reclusion temporal. The law also requires the Department of Education to teach age-appropriate subjects to children on their rights and protections based on the Act. 'New law will protect kids' On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, the author and co-sponsor of the law, said this legislation will protect kids from malicious people from taking advantage of them. "At thirteen or fourteen, our kids cannot make informed decisions about sex yet, especially sex with adults... With this law, we will be definitively drawing a line that adults cannot cross. They cannot say a kid below sixteen gave them consent. That is statutory rape, plain and simple," he said in a statement released Monday. Zubiri said he hopes the law

will also lessen the instances of teenage pregnancy in the country. According to him, the law broadens the definition of rape. Before, rape was defined as an act committed between a man and woman. With RA 11681, rape is defined as an act committed by a person against another person. Meanwhile, Sen. Richard Gordon, who chairs his chamber's justice and human rights committee, welcomed the passage of the law increasing the age of sexual consent in the Philippines and called it a "big step in children's rights." "We are thankful for the passage of this bill, which ends the stigma of the Philippines having the lowest age of sexual consent in Asia. It fortifies protection of children's rights, and criminalizes perverted minds," he said in a separate statement. Citing data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Gordon said that in 2015, many victims of rape and child incest were aged 14 to below 18. g

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DOH wary but economic advisers eager for shift to loose Alert Level 1 MANILA — Officials of the Duterte administration have yet to reach a consensus on whether the country is ready for a nationwide shift to the "new normal" of Alert Level 1 — the loosest risk classification status in the government's alert level system — although the health department is wary of the proposal. "Not yet at this point. We don’t want to waste our successes. We need to be careful. I’m sorry. It’s because my principle in life is that it’s better to be prudent and conservative," Health Secretary Francisco Duque said in Filipino in an interview aired over DZBB Super Radyo earlier on Tuesday, March 8. Duque is chairperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases. For his part, vaccine czar and National Task Force against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez was much more open to the idea. "We are looking into it. Based on the data presented by Secretary Duque, all areas are now at minimal risk. Based on cases, we are qualified for Alert Level 1. It is also important to meet the matrix to vaccinate 80% of senior citizens and 70% of the rest of the adult population," he

said in Filipino at a media briefing Tuesday morning. At President Rodrigo Duterte's "Talk to the People" Monday night, March 7, National Economic and Development Authority chief Karl Kendrick Chua urged the nationwide implementation of Alert Level 1 "at the soonest possible time" to offset the economic effects of the RussiaUkraine conflict. "While we cannot prevent the risk from coming from the global perspective, we can strengthen our domestic economy to provide the people with more jobs and opportunities," he said. Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion shared Chua's sentiment, saying that increased mobility and open economic activity will help keep businesses afloat amid the fuel crisis brought on by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. "We can’t stop the war in Europe, but we can help the country brace for a crisis...We are a consumer-led economy. We depend on mobility," he said in a statement. "It’s now become more urgent for the Philippines to maintain its Alert Level 1 status until the end of the year. Schools and offices have a massive multiplier

effect in spurring economic activity, especially with MSMEs like cafeterias, retail shops, and transport." Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, who is running for president, said he was supportive of the idea but urged the government to be judicious in its decision-making. "Our economy has taken a bad beating from the lockdowns and imposed alert levels over the past two years and needs to recover especially at this time. That said, our government authorities must also be prepared for the next pandemic or any variant that might again endanger the health situation in the country," he said. "As I always say, there is no trade-off between health and economy. We must always be prepared to confront the problems affecting both. We cannot afford a repeat of 2020 when the government was caught unprepared." To date, the Department of Health has recorded 3,668,268 cases of coronavirus in the Philippines, 48,437 of whom are still classified as active cases. The department's new weekly cases bulletin, however, no longer indicates the percentage of tests that came out positive. (Franco Luna with a report from Angelica Y. Yang/Philstar.com)

Comelec suspends MOA with Rappler MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, March 8 suspended its memorandum of agreement (MOA) with online news website Rappler a day after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking to nullify the deal. In a one-page memorandum signed by Comelec acting chair Socorro Inting, all activities in connection with the fact-checking MOA are ordered on hold. "Given the allegations against Rappler and the subsequent filing of the Petition with the Supreme Court, it is judicious for the Commission to hold in abeyance the implementation of the provisions of the MOA until the issues are settled and/or decision of the court is rendered," Inting said. "All actions in connection with the MOA shall be deferred, including coordination between

the Commission and Rappler on matters of the MOA," she added. Last month, the OSG sent a letter to Comelec, asking it to unilaterally rescind the MOA with Rappler because of undue delegation to Rappler of the Commission's authority; its alleged violation of the Constitution and the laws; its alleged record of reporting false and grossly biased information; and its supposed violation of the State policy to be fully independent from foreign interference and secure integrity of elections. In its petition, the OSG asked the high court to issue a temporary restraining order and to declare the MOA as void. On February 24, the Comelec and Rappler signed the agreement on voter engagement and fighting disinformation in connection with the upcoming May 9 national and local elections. The National Press Club, one of

the country’s oldest and biggest media organizations, has also opposed the partnership between the Comelec and Rappler. In a letter to Comelec, the NPC president Paul Gutierrez said “your choice of Rappler, certainly, is a step in the wrong direction.” “Nevertheless, we call your attention to the fact that most of Rappler's current legal woes arise first, from its being a foreignfunded media outfit, contrary to what is provided for in our Constitution. Its chief executive, Maria Ressa, has been convicted of criminal libel by a Manila court for biased reporting, a fact that cannot be obscured by the many 'awards' given to her by foreignbased media organizations. We can go on and on citing reasons why we object to your MOA with Rappler. But our central message is, the credibility of the coming election that we all aspire for is not enhanced by your choice,” Gutierrez said. (PNA)

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Gender equality for sustainability ON the eve of International Women’s Day, President Duterte signed a law raising the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16. This should improve the country’s efforts against statutory rape, child prostitution and online sexual exploitation of children, with girls still the biggest victims. Beyond protecting women and girls from sexual abuse, this year’s Women’s Day continues to focus on achieving gender equality, with the United Nations emphasizing its importance in sustainability efforts. The world has come a long way in terms of gender equality. Even during the pandemic, women have been in the front lines of providing health care. Women are also actively participating in research for COVID vaccines and treatments. In the past year, Danish toy giant Lego ended its gender-targeted packaging of its products. Women accounted for a record 49 percent of athletes who participated in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. And U.S. electronic stock exchange NASDAQ required 3,000 publicly traded companies to include in their boards at least one woman and one self-identified LGBTQ+ as well as promote racial diversity. Also last year, Kamala Harris was sworn in

as America’s first woman vice president, and the first of Black and Asian descent. For the first time, the World Trade Organization also picked a woman and African as its head: Nigerian Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. In 2021, several countries elected or swore in women heads of state or government: Barbados, Estonia, Moldova, Tanzania, Samoa, Uganda, Tunisia, Sweden and Honduras. Gender equality is one area where the Philippines has ranked high in international surveys. The country has had two women presidents, and the incumbent vice president is running for the highest office in May. Filipino women have distinguished themselves in many sectors and have broken the glass ceiling in areas long dominated by men. The country has passed landmark laws against gender discrimination, domestic violence and sexual harassment including catcalls and wolf whistles. Enforcement, however, has been spotty, and many women are unaware of their rights guaranteed by law. It also took time before legal impediments against the full implementation of the reproductive health law were removed. Apart from the political sphere, the UN is

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

pushing for greater participation of women in climate change adaptation and response. The theme for today’s observance is “gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” Climate

change will be around long after the COVID-19 pandemic has reached endemic state, and women play a critical role in confronting climate change. (Philstar.com)

The silent majority is silent no more, and the trapos are desperately trying to stop the Leni momentum The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS SURVEYS had been touted by the campaign of Bongbong Marcos as proof that the Filipino people are now solid in supporting the son of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos who was ousted by the 1986 People Power Revolution. This surely emboldened the Marcos family who hired Cambridge Analytica to “rebrand” the Marcos family, that they are, indeed, on their way back to Malacañang through Bongbong’s candidacy for president. After all, they invested a lot of money on those YouTube videos, TikTok contents and troll farms to spread disinformation to achieve two goals: Make Marcos be the hero and the underdog, by historical revisionism, and paint Bongbong as smart, hardworking, intelligent, patriotic, high achiever. They claim that Bongbong will continue his father’s legacy but at the same time counterargue with “The sin of the father is not the sin of the son”, when the atrocities, human rights violations, and abuse of the Marcos dictatorship are brought up.

The second goal is to destroy Vice President Leni Robredo by creating memes, maliciously edited/spliced videos to attack Robredo, the Aquino legacy, the Liberal Party and Marcos’ critics — painting them as the “lutang,” “bobo,” salot ng lipunan,” komunista,puppet, bayaran, etc. Trolls are paid to create a toxic discourse online by using expletives, name-calling, intimidation and even threats aimed at Marcos critics and Leni supporters. They immediately respond to pro-Leni and antiMarcos posts and dominate the discussion threads with the aim of silencing the critics. The Marcos campaign dominated the conversation and the surveys, for a while until the official start of election campaign season in February, when people had the chance to watch Leni, hear her talk and discuss about her vision and platform toward “Gobyernong Tapat” — beyond the online propaganda of the Marcos campaign against her. And with caravans and political rallies moving from province to province, with fora and debates, EPIPHANY happened… Let me quote Ding C. Velasco’s post on Facebook: “The Team Leni - Kiko Grand Rallies have now become an upmanship on cultural exposition extravaganzas, with provinces outdoing other provinces in good fun and cheer. It started in the Proclamation Rally in Naga City on February

8; the Quezon Circle Mass on February 13, then the February 18 rallies in Cagayan de Oro. Loren tried to sabotage the February 20 rally in Antique (while theirs was postponed) then Cebu happened with the biggest crowd there in the Visayas but outgunned by Iloilo City a night later, then Little Balic-balic in Sampaloc stole the show, then another miracle followed in small Calapan on March 3 (where Marcos cancelled their March 7 Grand Rally). Two nights later at General Trias, Cavite the Team Leni rally was sabotaged in many levels of obstacles but VPLR capped the night riding a motorcycle just to join the massive 47,000 crowds of Caviteños gathered. The next night, Bulaceños timidly opined that Cavite was a hard act to follow but as things proceeded later in the bday 45,000 Bulaceños graced the Malolos rally where gorgeous fireworks and the singing RobreDocs stole the show with their rendition of “Les Miserables” in Tagalog. In every way, the nation aside from Leni were the winners. Clearly, the unique cultural traditions of each province get displayed, night after night in a friendly upmanship game awakening rich cultural displays each time. This is a good thing. Not only are hundreds of thousands more people are engaged, but the

The Philippines, Ukraine, and the Year of the Tiger Commentary

enRique

de la CRuz

THIRTY SIX years ago, early in the new year of the tiger, the Filipino people deposed a hated dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, who had to flee for his life, like a coward, under cover of darkness. Aided by the U.S. Government, Marcos and his family fled to Hawaii, where he would spend the rest of his life. This new year — of The Tiger — seems to be opening with a different story from that of 36 years ago, when a relatively bloodless revolt deposed a dictator. This month an authoritarian power, Russia, is invading a fledgling democratic country with a land area no larger that the State of Texas, but with a much, much smaller economy. Russia’s economy is ranked 11th in the world, while Ukraine is 50th. Russia’s invasion is unprovoked yet Putin claims that Ukraine is a threat to Russian national security. Russia’s invasion is unprecedented since the 2nd World War when Hitler began invading neighboring countries in Europe. We know the outcome of the People Power Revolution against Marcos. The People

Power Revolution of 1986 set an example globally of how people, when they come together and coalesce in the thousands can overcome obstacles that appear insurmountable, and force a democratic transition often ignored by those who wish to remain in power. It demonstrated quite literally how people power, or the power of ordinary people — not armies — can bring about revolutionary change. During his 1995 visit to the Philippines, Václav Havel, revolutionary idol of the Czechoslovakian uprising and later president of the Czech Republic, took note that People Power had been an inspiration to him and his fellow Eastern European dissidents. People Power has come to symbolize a peaceful, spontaneous popular uprising that topples authoritarian rulers without resorting to violent revolution. What we are seeing in this year of the tiger is the use of war for political gain and territory. Putin claims that NATO, a military alliance of Western European countries, having added a few Eastern European countries to its ranks after the break-up of the Soviet Union, notably Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and etc., is now a threat to Russian national security. This may well be, if NATO Countries

were hostile to Russia. This is a big if, since NATO countries are interconnected with Russia via economic and cultural ties. E.g., much of Europe, especially Germany are heavily dependent on Russian natural gas exports. And in some cases, such as the operation of the International Space Station (ISS) joint projects require sharing of information and technology. Cooperation and the settlement of conflict through diplomacy and negotiation are really the norms thru which war is avoided and the peace is kept. Russia and Putin have violated this norm thru the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Putin’s Ukraine invasion is at best a high risk gambit that NATO countries will not be able to craft a unified pushback against the invasion. After days of fighting, all indications are that the invasion has unwittingly pushed NATO member countries whose relations have been somewhat contentious lately, to adopt uniform economic sanctions against Russia. Even worse vis-à-vis Russia is that some member countries have been pushed to re-armor themselves. Germany and Norway have broken with long standing tradition to not give arms to parties in conflict; they are now going to send arms to Ukraine. Germany is also significantly increasing its military budget. With Putin’s

political momentum has been clearly manifested that it has started in Cavite when the people there defied their governor not only in numbers showing up but the variation of personal placards and tarps ridiculing the promise to deliver Caviteños to Marcos Jr without asking the electorate. Who will follow Bulacan? Albay says they want another stab at another grand rally in their province, but Northern Luzon beckons where Leni Robredo would be most interested to test her Robredo People’s Councils against the established sway of the dynastic politicians of the Solid North. Leni Robredo has the momentum. It had been a miracle that in all these massive rallies — the People’s Councils shouldered the expenses in order to make her their Guest of Honor each time. It’s a beautiful thing too, to watch that our national culture is being dragged by Leni’s momentum to full display, every night. We are witnessing a miracle a unique chapter in socio-politics never witnessed before.” The political network of Bongbong Marcos campaign was caught flatfooted because of their own lies and disinformation that they did not anticipate the growing open support for Leni Robredo by the Filipjno people. They scrambled to try to turn the momentum back to their favor by doubling down on their dirty tactics that would appear to

violate election laws. “Res Ipsa Loquitur” — Latin word for the thing speaks for itself: videos of the Marcos campaign in violation of election laws as stated in the Omnibus Election Code Article XX11 Section 261 on vote buying, hakot, public officials intimidating and accusing Leni’s supporters of receiving money to attend her rallies without evidence, etc. And then there are questions on the integrity of the May 9, 2022 elections because of questions and doubts on the impartiality, objectivity and independence of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) because of recent developments. The COMELEC junked the Disqualification Case against Marcos despite strong black and white evidence that he did not pay taxes for years as evidenced by a guilty verdict by the Regional Trial Court that should have imposed sentenced jail time and ban from running for any political post, had it not been for the Court of Appeals that overturned the sentence. The COMELEC’S apparent favoring the Marcos campaign in setting up election materials while violating the rights of citizens in the privacy of their own homes by destroying the tarps, posters, billboards they put up in support of Robredo. President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent appointment of veteran election lawyer Greg Garcia as

new COMELEC Commissioner. Garcia’s clients include Bongbong Marcos, who he represented in the electoral protest vs Robredo in 2016. Isn’t this conflict of interest, especially because of the unholy alliance between Duterte and Marcos, with the President’s sonSara Duterte-Carpio being Marcos’ running mate? Are there no other qualified candidates to fill this position without raising even more doubts about COMELEC’s impartiality? And the DEBATES issue! Marcos and Duterte declared they would not participate in any debates. Would COMELEC enforce its new rule that candidates who skip the COMELEC debates will be denied streaming time on the poll body’s e-rally channel on Facebook. (To be continued…) ***

threat to use its nuclear arsenal, and Ukraine expressing some regret over giving up its nuclear arsenal upon the break-up of the Soviet Union, some countries may now seek nuclear capability as a deterrent to aggression. Ukraine most likely doubly regrets letting go of this arsenal since it gave it up over Russia’s assurances that it will respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Putin’s war on Ukraine harkens back to medieval times when warlords grabbed territory from their weaker neighbors without risking negative repercussions for their aggression. Putin started doing this with Ukraine in 2014 by invading and annexing Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula. Now he wants to do it to the entire country. But this is not the Middle Ages. We are so much more interconnected today. We are tied together by a globalized economy and its network of supply chains. Information, knowledge, and our social bonds are globally nurtured via the internet and various social media platforms. And not the least is global migration: most likely there is someone in your circle that has a connection with Ukraine (we have a colleague who adopted Ukrainian children). The invasion of Ukraine affects everyone (have you been to the pump lately?), every country, and most especially those who have direct economic ties with Russia. The flip side to this interconnectedness is empowerment. We can do something.

The ultimate outcome of Putin’s war against Ukraine and the fate of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his government still lies beyond the horizon, but it has re-unified the NATO alliance, and more importantly, it has unified Ukraine. Even Russian speaking Ukrainians are speaking out against the Russian invasion, dispelling Putin’s claim that he is doing this for Russian Ukrainians (who, he claims are oppressed in Ukraine). Russian soldiers are allowing civilian protesters to stop their tanks, reminiscent of when unarmed Filipinos stood in harms way to prevent the advance of Marcos loyalist tanks. Aside from NATO member countries who are crafting economic sanctions, corporate giants like Shell and British Petroleum (BP)who hold investments with Russia are disinvesting. Exxon-Mobile is ending operations in Russia while Boeing is withdrawing from Russian aircraft projects. Elon Musk has assured Ukraine’s continued internet access via its starlink system of communications satellites. Smaller countries are adding their voices to the protests by pointing out that Russia’s aggression violates the “sovereign equality of states,” a guiding principle of the United Nations. The invasion of Ukraine is pushing the world towards a new geopolitical and economic order whose major outlines are still

developing. A major aspect of this order is the moral condemnation of war mongers. Another aspect is the growing realization that our interconnectedness means that we can do something. And if we do it in concert, we might effect change. When the year of the tiger dawned upon the Philippines 36 years ago, it unified Filipinos against a hated autocrat. An army general, and Marcos’ Defense Secretary declared open rebellion against Marcos. Filipinos unified with them; their creative and spontaneous actions, such as bringing food to the rebel soldiers in Camp Aguinaldo; priests talking soldiers into joining the rebels; unarmed civilians putting themselves in harms way against a convoy of tanks and other acts of unarmed resistance brought down the Marcos dictatorship. Putin’s war is a violent conflict, where lives are being lost along with horrific human suffering and untold damage to places of human habitation. But I am hopeful that this new year of the tiger will reaffirm a lesson from 36 years ago, that a unified people (of global proportions this time) can prevail over the actions of a war mongering autocrat.

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. ••• Enrique de la Cruz is Professor Emeritus of Asian American Studies at Cal State University, Northridge.

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Marcelito Pomoy excited to barnstorm 14 states for his US concert tour By MoMar

g. ViSaYa

AJPress

MARCELITO Pomoy’s happy demeanor and positive outlook in life belie the pain and hardship he had to go through to be where he is today. Barnstorming across the United States until April for a series of shows, Pomoy sat down in a chat with the Asian Journal to promote his concerts and share his inspiring tale. As of press time, Pomoy and his team are midway through their 18-city, 14-state tour. “I’m so happy to be back. Mahaba-haba rin na walang events kaya ako ay nagpapasalamat at nakabalik ako dito sa U.S. and yung mga OFW dito, yung mag Pilipino, gusto ko siiang mapasaya,” the singer said. He said he is looking forward to performing for kababayans even in states and cities where Filipino shows are rare as his concert tour will bring them to Biloxi, Wichita, Memphis, and Northern Arkansas. Pomoy won Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) in 2011 and nine years later, made it to America’s Got Talent: The Champions as one of the 40 acts from Got Talent franchises around the world who were invited to participate. His uncanny talent of seamlessly shifting between soprano and tenor voices made him a household name in the United States and he felt the momentum building up as there were offers for concerts left and right. “After ng AGT, biglang nagkaroon ng COVID, ng pandemic kaya nawala yung excitement,” he said, noting that it was just another hiccup that they had to recover from. Pomoy acknowledged and paid

Marcelito Pomoy Photo from Instagram/@marcelitopomoy8

tribute to his wife Joan, the wind beneath his wings, for being able to rise above life’s challenges. He shared that there was a point when he wanted to give up because his career was getting nowhere after he won the title in the Philippines. When he was at his lowest, his wife was there guiding him and telling him not to give up because as long as he has his voice, the possibilities are endless. It was also Joan who was responsible for Marcelito’s appearance in The Ellen Show. She was also the one who egged him to perform on the Wish Bus, which has become a platform for viral performances that made it around the world. “Nag-away pa kami kasi ayoko talaga. Sabi ko ako na lang maghandle ng negosyo. Pinasampa niya talaga ako sa WishBus kaya napilitan ako,” he recalled. That performance became the epitome of viral as hundreds of non-Filipino reactors made their respective reaction videos. That was how they were able to get into Ellen’s radar, catching the attention of the show’s producers

who invited him to appear on the show. Pomoy, who had picked to sing Celine Dion songs for the episode, mentioned to Ellen that she was his favorite singer. The host arranged for Pomoy and his wife to go to Las Vegas to watch Celine’s concert and have a meetand-greet, a memory that he says he’ll treasure for life. Pomoy told the Asian Journal that he credits whatever he does now to the upbringing he had, hardships and all. His story may have been heartbreaking - his mother left the family when he was only two years old and his father was in jail for arson - but his spirit was never broken. He became - in his own words, a “palaboy” at the age of eight years old because he left the home of his adoptive parents who got him from his father in prison. Little did he know that the cousins he grew up with in that household were actually his siblings. He only found out when he sold balut to someone who turned out to be a best friend of his father’s when they got to talk about their lives. Marcelito was 16 years old then when he met his father for the first time and the truth about his past was revealed. He took on odd jobs: he became a pin boy, sold ice drop during the day, and balut during the evening. He earned fifty pesos a day as a pin boy, which was not enough to buy three square meals a day so sometimes, he ended up eating only one meal per day. Then he became a construction worker and after a hard day’s work, his co-workers would ask him for a PAGE 12

CITIZEN PINOY FEATURES ATTY. GURFINKEL REACHING OUT TO THE FIL-AM COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (center) meets with the officers and members of the Fil-Am South Bay Community (from left): Rhea Salazar, Jen Young, Joyce Lynn Layos, and Ana Rita Reyes) in this special episode where Citizen Pinoy reaches out to the Filipino community and organizations. Atty. Gurfinkel discussed the mission and purpose of the FASBC, and highlights the group’s service to the community. He also addresses some of the immigration questions and concerns from some members of the community. Watch this special episode on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, March 13 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

Immigration questions of the Fil-Am South Bay Community take centerstage in this Sunday’s special episode of Citizen Pinoy “CITIZEN Pinoy” features a new episode, where the show’s host, leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, reaches out to various Filipino American community organizations across the U.S. and gets to know more about them. On the premiere of Citizen Pinoy’s community outreach, Atty. Gurfinkel meets the Fil-Am South Bay Community of San Jose, California, and neighboring areas. He sits with their officers and finds out that the FASBC was created to uplift the members and support one another during

the bleak times of the pandemic, when many people lost their livelihood and source of income. Atty. Gurfinkel also answers immigration questions from the local community, like “What are the requirements for petitioning siblings of a U.S. citizen? Can a 3-time divorcee petition and marry her soulmate in the Philippines even if she was deported 26-years ago? Will a green card holder, who overstayed in the Philippines due to COVID restrictions, be allowed to return to the U.S.?” Other Fil-Am community

organizations in the U.S. may also get the chance to be featured on Citizen Pinoy. Visit the Facebook page of the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel and signify your interest by sending a private message via messenger. Watch this special community encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, March 13 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

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MARCH 11-17, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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It’s a family affair as pop duo Dingdong, Jessa embark on ‘Revelation: The US Tour’ by Donnabelle

AJPress

arevalo

AFTER two years of waiting, TFC Events is staging its first live in-person concert, “Revelation: The U.S. Tour,” featuring the Original Prince of Pop Dingdong Avanzado and the Phenomenal Diva Jessa Zaragoza with their daughter Jayda, the newest music wonder. The concert tour promises to be an unforgettable experience for all music lovers who will be in for a great treat of “revelations” from this musicallyinclined and multi-awarded family of performers. Conceptualized by Anvanzado, the Revelation Concert Tour will showcase a repertoire that combines the couple’s nostalgic songs and the latest hits from Jayda’s debut album. Asked about the title of the concert, Avanzado said, “The Revelation concept came to me late last year. We were here in the U.S. that time and I remember attending bible studies. We encountered and learned a lot from the Book of Revelation.” “I realized that during this pandemic, there are so many things that are revealed to us in so many aspects of our lives. We discovered some things about ourselves that probably we don’t realize we had or we lack. At the same time, it’s like a perfect way for a great reveal for Jayda, her new undertakings and accomplishments as a singer, a composer and an artist,” Avanzado said. More layer of that “revelation,” he said, is that they will also be celebrating more than two decades of their marriage. “We will be celebrating our 21 years of being married. We are going to reveal a lot about our marriage,” he said. “ And we will also want to reveal more things like the stories behind the songs like why and how we made them,” he added. Zaragoza, for her part, said they are grateful that they are given the opportunity to be the first to hold a live concert in the US. “We feel so blessed. We will give our best for this concert. There’s a lot of pressure on us. But we will make sure that our audience will love the show,” she said. The Avanzados, who used to live in Northern California, said they also are excited the perform with their “kababayans.” “It’s really an amazing experience for me to be able to be part of this event and not just as a milestone in terms of my career in the sense that this is one of the first live shows that I will be playing with my first debut album out now into the world. The first live show that I did was back in early 2020 before the pandemic hits so this is really a big thing. But I am also excited for our kababayans since this is a milestone for the Filipino community since this is one of the first official comebacks into the live concert scene,” Jayda said. “There’s nothing like performing with live audience. The timing is perfect and it all came together as planned,” Avanzado said, noting that especially now that the COVID restrictions seem to be easing up. Avanzado said these are also concerts for a cause. Some of the proceeds from the LA show will go to the JIR (Jesus Is Risen) Foundation while portion of the San Francisco’s ticket sales will help the victims of typhoon Odette, through an ongoing campaign of ABS-CBN Foundation. “It’s nice to know that we will be having fun and at the same time, help people in need. It’s all encompassing. We really want it to be more

Olivia Rodrigo received Woman of the Year at Billboard’s Women in The Oscar and Grammy Award-winning R&B artist H.E.R. added another Music event on Wednesday, March 2. accolade to her name as she received the Impact Award at Billboard’s Photo from Instagram/@oliviarodrigo Women in Music event. Photo from Instagram/@hermusicofficial

Photos from Instagram/@dingdongavanzado

meaningful and the fact that this is one of the first or the first Filipino show being done here in America now (after the pandemic) makes it special for us and we want to live up to the expectation,” Avanzado said. Avanzado started his illustrious career in 1987, with his hit songs Ikaw Lamang, Tatlong Beinte Singko, Maghihintay Sa Iyo, Makapiling ka Sana, Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal, To Love Again, Paalam na and Walang Kapalit. Over the years, he has honed his craft to become a highly-respected multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter, concert director and total entertainer. In the early 90s, Zaragoza already catching everyone’s attention being a star with a very distinct musical voice on the hit program that time, “That’s Entertainment”. In 1997, she released her first album, “Just Can’t Help Feeling” which contains the single, “Bakit Pa”, which rose to the top of the chart and became the national anthem for many Filipinos worldwide. It turned Platinum eight times and one of the biggest selling debut albums in the Philippines music history. She continues belting out unforgettable songs such as “Diba’t Ikaw,” “Paano Kaya,” “Baliw na Puso,” “Siya ba ang Dahilan,” “Ibigay Mo Na” and “Hindi na Bale” which permanently etched in the heart of Pinoy music lovers around the world. The hitmaker is also an award winning artist. Born in June 1, 2003, Jayda, Janelle Amanda Loyola Avanzado, is being touted as the next artist to watch out for. She has shown an extraordinary musicality even with the very early age, writing her first song at the age of 12. Her single “Paano Kung Naging Tayo?” became a hit and won the Best Music Video Award on International Film Festival Manhattan 2021 in New York. She also bagged the Best Performance by a New Female Performing Artist in Awit Awards in 2019. The Revelation: U.S. Tour will be held on March 12, 6:30PM at Alex Theater in Glendale, CA, ticket prices start at $50, call 818-2548426; and on March 26, 6PM at Fox Theater, ticket prices start at $35, Redwood City, CA, call 650-443782.

Olivia Rodrigo, Saweetie, H.E.R. shine at Billboard’s Women in Music event By MoMar

G. visaya

AJPress

IT was a night for the Pinays at Billboard’s Women in Music event on Wednesday, March 2 when pop music’s It Girl, Olivia Rodrigo, along with rapper Saweetie and multi-talented musician H.E.R. were honored with accolades. All three are among the biggest names in music right now — and all happen to be Filipina Americans — and stole the show on Wednesday night at an empty SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The yearly event, appropriately taking place at the start of Women’s History Month, honors artists who also perform their top hits. Rodrigo was honored with the event’s top accolade, Woman of the Year, while Saweetie received the Game Changer Award and H.E.R. received the Impact Award. Rodrigo — who was awarded the Woman of the Year award after a stellar year — shared touching tributes to the women in music who paved the way for them and noted the strong female camaraderie within the industry today. “It’s not always easy being a young woman in the music industry, but I’ve found so much strength from the female songwriters who have come before me and paved the way and open doors for so many young women like me,” Rodrigo, 19,

said after receiving the Woman of the Year award from country icon Sheryl Crow. Rodrigo said, “I wanna say to all the young girls out there who are writing songs every day, in their journals, on their bedroom floors — I am constantly moved by your vulnerability and your creativity and bravery. And I promise everyone here today is working to make this world and this industry a better place, for you. The event aired a prerecorded performance by Rodrigo, who performed “Deja Vu,” the hit second single off the young artist’s immensely popular debut album, “SOUR.” In addition to Rodrigo’s performance, Saweetie (born Diamonté Valentin Harper) performed her new single, “Closer,” in an electric retro 70s-inspired performance that didn’t include the song’s collaborator, H.E.R. However, H.E.R. (born Gabriella Wilson) took to the stage by herself later on with an acoustic performance of her song “Fate.” The 24-year-old last year won an Oscar for the social justice anthem “I Can’t Breathe” and in her speech on Wednesday, she paid tribute to her Filipina mother, saying, “I want to thank my mom for teaching me to stay humble, be grounded and be hardworking.” Saweetie’s mother, Trinidad Valentin, is also Filipina and introduced her daughter before

Saweetie takes a mirror selfie with her Pinay mom Trinidad Valentin. The “ICY GRL” rapper received the Game Changer Award at Billboard’s Women in Music event. Photo from Instagram/@saweetie

her “Closer” performance, saying she is a “force to be reckoned with.” Valentin recalled asking her daughter what she plans to do if the music career doesn’t take off, to which Saweetie told her, “Mom, there is no Plan B.” Valentin then affirmed this, saying before her daughter took the stage, “Here’s to not having a Plan B, baby girl!” After receiving the Game Changer award, Saweetie said in her speech that with her music, she “would rather be changing the weather than to report on it. My frequency of gratitude is vibrating at an all-time high!” She then thanked her family, friends, and fans for “supporting me throughout my roller coaster journey because this sh*t ain’t easy.”

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 11-17, 2022

Why do sophisticated investors prefer Pahrump, Nevada? Vegas Chamber of Commerce, each tourist spent an average of $300 which meant $9 billion in gross revenues for the city. Additionally, the estimated population of Nevada in 2021 was approximately 3.14 million, with Clark County estimated to be at 2,388,515, for a growth rate of 1.73%. What is the effect of this population boom in Las Vegas? It creates a large demand for Pahrump land. In fact, many residents of Las Vegas are now moving out and relocating to

Pahrump, many of whom are my clients. Not all of them are retirees. Many still work in Las Vegas but preferr to live and raise their families in Pahrump where they believe it is peaceful, tranquil and a great place to raise their kids. The major reasons cited for their preference in Pahrump over Las Vegas are heavy traffic, crowded classrooms and the growing crime rate. Pahrump is about 60 miles from Las Vegas and is an estimated 45- to 55-minute drive. Pahrump is dubbed as the “bedroom community of Las Vegas” not only to seniors but also for the young as well. Pahrump is a perfect example of an “EXURB”. Many are aware of the words suburban and urban communities. An “EXURB,” according to Harry Dent, a well sought economist and advisor to major 500 Fortune companies, is an area that is between 60 to 80 miles away from a center of development that has hit a million in population or more. The County of Clark where Las Vegas is located just hit 3.14 million in 2021, and it is still growing. Among the many factors that contribute to the tremendous Celebrating with my clients, Jorge and Reggie Bondoc of Houston, Texas, after getting their growth of the valley include the Sun Belt climate, improvements in Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on a commercial lot. Highway 160 between Las Vegas and Pahrump, better medical facilities and the rapid influx of retail businesses. For instance, Walmart and Home Depot employ a large number of Pahrumpians. According to reliable source Silverton Hotel may break ground in May and the Spring Mountain Motor Sports is building many of its presold million-dollar homes, including those already built featuring a 26,000-square-foot house with 17 bathrooms. Another job on the pipeline is the glove factory to be built on a 10-acre parcel by my investor, Andrew Hoang from Orange County, CA, which will create hundreds of jobs in Phase 1. Also, notable is the Front Sight that attracts hundreds of members and tourists each month that create room shortage in Pahrump. With several banks, casinos, wineries, drugstore outlets and all burger chains (except In and Out Burger), Pahrump almost has everything. Many huge projects Realtor Fely Quitevis (2nd from left) with Philippine Realtor Bing Palma Gil Roldan and repeat in neighboring Las Vegas under investors Jorge and Reggie Bondoc, the King and Queen of Ritello USA 2021. construction such as The Sphere,

THERE are many reasons why people go to Pahrump, Nevada. Time Magazine did a poll on projected population growth or loss by percent for the period 1980 to 2000, entitled “America in The Year 2000,” which said that the State of Nevada, one of the most rapidly of all is growing states then, was expected to increase its population from about 800,000 to almost 2 million by the start of the 21st century. In 1996, there were 30 million tourists that came to Las Vegas. According to the Las

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The Time Magazine report in 1983 showed that Nevada was one of the few states with a projected population growth of more than 100%.

Realtor Fely Quitevis with Alka Products CEO/President Andrew Hoang, who is building a glove factory in Pahrump.

A young investor, IT specialist Chris Dela Cruz of San Antonio, Texas, with Fely Quitevis.

and the Drew Hotel with proposed grand opening next year with 3,000 rooms and about 6,000 jobs, will definitely attract thousands of new residents and heavier foot traffic for Las Vegas, which is one another huge reason why old-time residents are moving out to Pahrump. Precious Properties is a fullservice company serving its clientele since 1992 and can be reached at 775-513-8447, 805559-2476 and 702-538-4948. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as Fely Quitevis (extreme right) with Hung (SBA Loans) and Annie Yeh who bought commercial 7 days. (Advertising Supplement)

lots near Highway 160.

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MARCH 11-17, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Health @Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS FROM the Associated Press on Wednesday, March 2: “TAMPA, FL – A visibly annoyed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis admonished a group of high school students for wearing face masks at an indoor news conference Wednesday, saying it was time to stop what he called ‘this COVID theater.’ The Republican governor approached the students and asked them to remove their masks as they waited for him at the press event at the University of South Florida in Tampa. The college is located in an area where the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends indoor masking due to high COVID-19 risk.” Obviously wanting to tell the world that “he was” the greatest state governor who was ahead in the country in “defeating” COVID-19, Governor DeSantis acted like a dictator, berating the students with him on the stage to remove their masks while some towns in Florida still had a high level of COVID-19 cases and the “CDC still recommended indoor masking due to high COVID-19 risk.” He had no right to do that, especially in an angry manner devoid of respect, more so because of the risk, which the CDC recognized. Those students had the right to wear a cap, a gown, a mask as they so desired. This is a free country. If DeSantis had a mask mandate to reduce COVID-19 transmission at that time and the students refused to do so, he would have that right to demand them to wear masks, but not the opposite situation since that area and the nation as a whole still had a significant number of cases and number of deaths, albeit lesser than a week ago. This is an example of a medically ignorant, misinformed leader just like many other politicians trying to be politically correct. They are one of the reasons why we have almost a million COVID-19 deaths in the United States. “The Florida Health Department plans to recommend against COVID-19 vaccination in healthy children, directly contradicting CDC guidelines,” according to the Tampa Bay Times. This is one of the many confusing opposing views among our leaders that risk people’s lives, the very reason a timely national mandate on PPE and vaccination for all without medical contraindication is so essential during a pandemic, and not leaving the management to the various states, whose 50 governors have 51 different ideas, resulting in almost a million deaths in the United States, the worst compared to all other countries. Kennedy against vaccines

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filtration, and good humidity levels of an indoor room can reduce how easily a virus spreads. Dryness enables the virus (much like dust) to float and fly around easier with airflow and cause infection. Outdoors, the wind dissipates the virus, the reason why outdoor dining, for example, is safer than eating inside restaurants. One thing this pandemic also taught us is that “most public buildings have poor air quality inside them, which is conducive to increasing risk of pollution, respiratory illnesses, and during a pandemic like COVID-19, to increased risk of transmission. The recommendation is to regularly monitor the air quality inside these buildings and be publicly graded. Large apartment buildings, children’s facilities, schools, commercial buildings, and stores are advised to have MERV 13 filtration, and every classroom and childcare facility in the United States should either MERV 13 or HEPA filters.” Current data reveal COVID-19 case, hospitalization, and death rates are much lower for vaccinated Americans than they are for the unvaccinated, who are nearly 25 times more likely to be hospitalized than vaccinated individuals. COVID-19 stat update As of Monday, March 7, 2022, there were 69,459 cases and 1,686 deaths in one day in the United States. Globally, on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 ( 5:35 PM (EST), total cases number 449,368,894, deaths are at 6,033,022, with new deaths at 5,764; U.S.: 80,998,258 cases, deaths: 986,958, new deaths: 851; the Philippines: 3,668,710 cases, deaths: 57,072, new deaths: 6. While the numbers are going down, the pandemic is far from over. Let us continue to be wise, vigilant, and careful. We are almost there. And let us continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and all those who are suffering around the world. [Erratum: In my column last week, the correct statement in the second paragraph under Health News Capsules should be: “Ivermectin, like hydroxychloroquine, has NOT been found to be effective against COVID-19.”]

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Ruffa Gutierrez set to graduate in July 2022

The other reason is Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who is insanely against the COVID-19 vaccines, besides all other vaccines in the past. He must be ignorant how the world has practically eradicated killer Smallpox with Jenner’s (1796) “inoculation vaccine,” and how Polio has been severely reduced with the Salk (1955) and Sabin (1960) vaccines. Not to mention all the pre-school vaccine requirements the whole world is using to protect all our children and the seasonal flu vaccines saving millions in the U.S. alone every year. And the most current are the COVID-19 vaccines which have so far saved billions of people around the world. (The WHO recommends the booster shot for more vulnerable adults with health issues for added protection.) Sadly, even doctors… Unfortunately, even some people of science, a few physicians and nurses are antivaxx, like “Simone Gold, founder of America’s Frontline Doctors, an activist group known for spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about the pandemic and Covid vaccines, who has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of $100,000.” COVID-19: Brain fog? People who have been infected and developed post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, termed Long COVID-19 (40 percent incidence), could have lingering neurological effects like brain fog, fatigue, breathing difficulties, visual disturbances, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and a problem with memory. These could last for up to 6 months for 37 percent of people. Mild-tomoderate COVID-19 usually gets better within 1-2 weeks. Studies have so far explained that the reduced oxygen supply to the cells of the nervous system can “silence” the cells. These “silent neurons” may be responsible for some Long COVID symptoms and increasing their blood flow to increase their oxygen and micronutrients supply using neuromodulation techniques can reactivate silenced cells of the nervous system,” said the Journal on Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience. “Researchers at the SAVIRCenter in Magdeburg, Germany, found that noninvasive neuromodulation using NIBS improved visual field loss in under 4 days and noted improved blood vessel dilatation in peripheral arteries and veins (113 to 300 percent) after NIBS treatment. Both vision and cognitive problems have improved after treatment,” the research also stated. Indoor air quality A research team at the University of Oregon found that air

*** 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 anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua. com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

kindness like distributing food, milk, diapers, and supplies, and supporting local schools, in the town of Calauag, Quezon where he now lives with Joan and their growing family. Marcelito and Joan are expecting baby number two, their first kid Marcella Janiah is now six years old. He wanted a boy but according to the gender reveal, it’s going to be another girl. “Gusto ko sana lalaki pero ok naman ako sa kahit anong kasarian, kasi bigay ng Panginoon,” he said. For his followers who may be downtrodden or are going through tough times, Pomoy said they shouldn’t give up. “Hindi ako bumitaw dahil alam ko, may Diyos,” he said. “Huwag kayong bumitaw sa inyong mga pangarap, always pray and magtiwala kayo sa sarili ninyo.” This is also the reason why he

always sings The Prayer, which has become his signature song, the one that propelled his name to reach greater heights. The Prayer was his winning song for Pilipinas Got Talent and became his audition song for America’s Got Talent: The Champions. It was also the song that gave Wish Bus millions of views. Today, the song’s message resonates more than ever, which is not lost on the singer. “Hindi pa tapos ang COVID-19, ngayon may giyera naman sa Ukraine. Hindi na natin maintindihan ang mga nangyayari sa mundo kaya mag-pray na lang po tayo,” he told his Las Vegas audience last week before singing the Celine Dion and Andrea Bocceli duet. (Catch Marcelito Pomoy in his U.S. and Canada tour. For tickets and details, pleasetext or call Sherly Cheng (503) 746-3900 or “Virgin Forest” castmember Markki Stroem with a reticulated python named Zoe while on a shoot in Lipa, Batangas. Photo from Instagram/@markkistroem Elvie Ferell (971) 344-866))

Marcelito Pomoy excited to...

PAGE 9 round of drinks. He would beg off because he didn’t want to spend money so the co-workers would cover his portion and would just ask him to sing a few songs. Singing became his ambag, his contribution. Pomoy is a firm believer in the adage “We Rise by Lifting Others” and during the height of the lockdown during the pandemic, he stepped up. “Nasa puso ko talaga ang pagtulong siguro dahil naging pulubi ako at naranasan ko kumain ng tira-tira sa mga restaurant sa sobrang gutom,” he recalled. “Ibinabalik ko lang yung mga biyayang natanggap ko sa mga taong walang-wala.” The singer said he is happy to share his blessings and this is evidenced by the numerous charity work and various acts of

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celebrityworld By Ferdie Villar THEY say it’s never too late to pursue your dreams, especially when it comes to your education. And this is exactly what former Miss World 2nd Princess Ruffa Gutierrez is doing these days. In an article in PEP.ph, the actress/TV host shared that she will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts under the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program. The story also shared part of an original article that appeared online in ABS-CBN News where the 47-year-old shared her story on pursuing her college degree. It was during a segment in the show “It’s Showtime” where Gutierrez is a judge in a pageant segment where Ruffa revealed that she has been busy with school work. Asked why she had been absent from the noontime show recently, Ruffa replied, “I was studying. I had academic deadlines! It’s my practicum already. Tomorrow is my last day.” “I’m graduating college in July,” she added, which was cheered by the hosts. “At least I’m not just a high

school graduate. But, excuse me, I’ve been working since I was 13 years old, right? [It’s] never too late!” she further stated. Daughter Lorin Gabriella, who is currently studying at Pepperdine University in Malibu, celebrated her mom’s impending accomplishment by posting on her social media. She said, “my mom is getting her college degree!!! she beat me to it and is gonna graduate before me [emoji] its never too late, so proud of you @iloveruffaq [emojis]… she started working at 13 and never got the chance to finish her studies... until now & you are so inspiring @iloveruffag.” It was in 2021 that Ruffa, the only daughter of Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama, initially revealed her plans via Instagram. “You're never too old to chase your dreams," she began. "I am both humbled and excited to share with you that I am currently enrolled in the Philippine Women's University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Communication Arts under the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).” “After 34 years of working in the entertainment industry,

Ruffa’s daughter, Lorin Gabriella, congratulated her mom on the impending accomplishment via a post in her social media. Lorin is currently studying at Pepperdine University in Malibu in California. Photo from Instagram/@loringabriella

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Pageant winner/actress/TV host Ruffa Gutierrez is set to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts this July. Photo from Instagram/@iloveruffag

I have chosen to further my education. Not only do I want to fulfill a long-held dream and take control of the next chapter of my life, I want to set a good example for my children,” she continued. She ended with: “I hope you can support me in my new journey.” Congratulations to Ruffa!!! *** Director Brillante Mendoza recently clarified that his new film with the same title is not a remake of the 1985 movie “Virgin Forest” directed by Peque Gallaga under Regal Films that starred Sarsi Emmanuelle, Miguel Rodriguez and Abel Jurado. The new film, according to the director has a different theme and delves into illegal logging, which is the reason for the title. Principal photography for Mendoza’s new film, which was started shooting in late February, is being done in the provinces of Batangas and Quezon, according to a story on PEP.ph. The new “Virgin Forest” movie stars Ivan Padilla, Angeli Khang, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Sid Lucero, Vince Rillon, Markki Stroem and Alma Moreno. “Virgin Forest” is just one of the films that Mendoza has helmed that features the same title as past movies. The other one is “Sisid,” another movie that also has pro-environment themes that features Kylie Verzosa, Paolo Gumabao and Vince Rillon in the cast that is being released by Vivamax. This is not to be confused with the same-titled 2001 movie helmed by Joey Romerio that featured Assunta de Rossi, Raymond Bagatsing and Rodel Velayo under Seiko Films. Speaking of Markki Stroem, he was full of praises for his director, Brillante Mendoza, in an Instagram post. Stroem said, “An absolute pleasure working with the icon that is direk @brillante_mendoza. Such a surreal experience learning about the complexities of deforestation and its effect on mother nature. This is a social commentary on the injustices towards people in lower socioeconomic classes. A wake up call per se.” He continued: “Watch out for #VirginForest starring one of my favorite actors in the industry @sidluceroalongside the likes of veteran actress @ iamalmamoreno @vince_ rillon my foreigner loggers @ realgreghawkins and @ ivangermainepadilla and some amazing female award worthy performances from @katrinadovey@ angelikhang_ and @rblyngnt.” “Of course, who can forget Zoe, my favorite reticulated python,” he added in the post. Stroem also gave further props to his pet co-star in another post as he said, “Such a well trained reticulated python! Even if she was hungry and a little stressed, she acted her part so well.”

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

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 11-17, 2022

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MARCH 11-17, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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