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Volume 20 - No. 11 • 14 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M MU N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
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Nearly 3,800 anti-Asian hate incidents DATELINE USA More Californians reported across US since start of pandemic now eligible for FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
COVID-19 vaccine Expanded to residents with disabilities, certain health conditions
STARTING this week, approximately 4.4 million more Californians are eligible to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. As of Monday, March 15, individuals who are 16 to 64 years old with disabilities and certain high-risk health conditions can sign up to receive their vaccine. Conditions include: • Cancer, current with weakened immune system • Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above • Chronic pulmonary disease, oxygen dependent • Down syndrome • Solid organ transplant, leading to a
503 incidents in first 2 months of 2021 alone; 7.9% of total reports came from Fil-Ams, Stop AAPI Hate finds by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL
AJPress
NEARLY 3,800 hate incidents have been self-reported by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) — including approximately 8% coming from Filipinos
— across the country since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data from Stop AAPI Hate. Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition that tracks antiAsian American discrimination, reported on Tuesday, March 16 that from March 19, 2020 to February 28,
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PH to suspend entry of foreigners, non-OFW returnees starting March 20 by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
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AAPI Democrats endorse Fil-Am Nani Coloretti to lead U.S. Office of Management and Budget ASIAN American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Democratic leaders are urging President Joe Biden to nominate Filipina American Nani Coloretti to lead the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) amid concerns over the lack of AAPI representation in his Cabinet. This comes after controversial pick Neera Tanden, who is Indian American, withdrew her nomination as budget chief on March 2, saying “it now seems clear that there is no path forward to gain confirmation.” AAPI leaders have addressed a letter to Biden — first reported by POLITICO’s Anita Kumar on March 12 — endorsing Coloretti, who was deputy secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Obama administration. She was the highest ranking Fil-Am at the time. “Our country is facing unprecedented challenges — worldwide pandemic, economic crisis, racial injustice, xenophobia and increase in anti-AAPI violence across the na-
2021, it has received 3,795 firsthand incidents of racism and discrimination from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Of that number, 503 incidents took place in the first two months of 2021 alone.
TEMP CHECK. A member of the Manila Police District (MPD) checks the body temperature of a motorcycle rider entering Bgy. 374 Zone 38 Sta. Cruz, Manila, which is among the six villages in the city placed under granular lockdown starting Wednesday, March 17. The lockdown will be in effect until Saturday, March 20. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
IN an attempt to curb the rising cases of COVID-19 and its variants in the country, the Philippine government is temporarily barring the entry of foreign nationals and Filipinos. The National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF COVID-19) on Tuesday, March 16, released a memorandum announcing that the travel ban would start on Saturday, March 20, and end on April 19. Exempted from the travel restrictions are the following: • holders of 9(e) visas • medical repatriation and their escort/s duly endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) • distressed returning overseas Filipinos duly endorsed by the DFA and the OWWA • emergency, humanitarian and other analogous
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Filipino Chinese man attacked during lunch break in San Francisco by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL AND RITCHEL MENDIOLA AJPress
AFTER almost a year of working from home, Danilo Yuchang returned to his company’s office in downtown San Francisco for the first time on Monday, March 15. At around 1:45 p.m., the 59year-old travel agent, who also goes by Danny, was walking u PAGE 3 along Market Street during his
lunch break when a man approached him from behind and began punching his head multiple times. Yuchang said he does not recall the assailant saying anything before the attack. “I was shoved to the ground and lost consciousness. After a while, I woke up and saw there was a lot of blood on the sidewalk and on my clothes,” Yuchang, who is Filipino and Chinese, told the Asian Journal. “I was hit a lot
so my face is so swollen.” The attack happened near the Four Seasons Hotel and the doorman came to Yuchang’s aid and called 911, he recounted. The suspect reportedly fled on a Muni bus, according to various reports. Yuchang said his belongings were not stolen and that the police arrived within minutes to get his statement. Danilo Yuchang, 59, was returning to work from his lunch break in San He was taken to a nearby hos- Francisco on Monday, March 15 when he was viciously assaulted, resulting
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in head and face injuries.
Contributed photo
Angelo Quinto’s 31st birthday marked with Bay Area man charged with a vigil, heightened calls for police reform hate crime in sexual assault against Filipina medical worker by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL
AJPress
Family, friends and community members gathered at City Park in Antioch, California on Wednesday, March 10 on what would have been Angelo Quinto’s 31st birthday. Quinto, a Navy veteran who suffered a mental health crisis, died on December 26, 2020, three days after a police encounter, his family said. Photo courtesy of Filipino Advocates for Justice
ON March 10, Angelo Quinto would have celebrated his 31st birthday by playing games and singing karaoke with his parents and younger siblings. Instead, the Filipino American Navy veteran’s family held a candlelight vigil to honor his life on Wednesday night at City Park in Antioch, California. It marked another celebration Quinto would not be able to spend with his loved ones after an encounter with police resulted in his death last December. “I should have told him that he was getting
really old without a single doubt in my mind that he would live to see his face wrinkle and his hair turned gray,” Quinto’s younger sister Bella Collins told the crowd. “But that’s not the current scope of our reality.” The somber gathering — set in front of a mural of Quinto painted by Bay Area artist Franceska Gámez — featured his favorite songs, poetry readings, lighted candles, and speeches from elected officials, supporters, and family members of victims who experienced a similar fate in police custody. Hundreds more tuned in virtually as far as the Philippines, while relatives held another vigil down in Chino Hills. In addition
by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
A SAN FRANCISCO man was arrested and charged with a hate crime for attacking and sexually assaulting a Filipina American woman in a Caltrain station in San Jose last week, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office said. The victim, a 26-year-old Filipina medical worker named Tifu PAGE 3
fany who didn’t want her last name released, told KTVU that she was on her way to work in Palo Alto when she took the Caltrain at San Jose’s Diridon Station on Wednesday, March 10 at around 6:30 a.m. The suspect, a 32-year-old white man named Johan Strydom, allegedly grabbed the Filipina by her neck, pulled her to the ground and threw the wom-
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march 19-25, 2021 • NOrcaL aSIaN JOUrNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
From the Front Page
Nearly 3,800 anti-Asian hate...
PAGE 1 The reporting center previously announced that it received 2,808 incidents from March to December 2020, but that number has increased to 3,292 based on accounts submitted at a later date. Chinese are the largest ethnic group (42.2%) that say they’ve experienced hate, followed by Koreans (14.8%), Vietnamese (8.5%) and Filipinos (7.9%), Stop AAPI Hate found. Women are 2.3 times more likely to report the incidents versus men. Youths (those up to 17 years old) accounted for 12.6% of incidents, while 6.2% were experienced by individuals 60 years and older. Verbal harassment (68.1%) and shunning (20.5%), which entails the “deliberate avoidance of Asian Americans,” are the top two types of discrimination reported. Individuals hold up signs denouncing the rise in anti-Asian violence Stop AAPI Hate shared some examples of incidents, during a rally at the Japanese American National Museum in Los including one from Milpitas, California, in which the Angeles’ Little Tokyo on Saturday, March 13. AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel individual was shopping at a store when an older man started making faces. about her Asian ethnicity, according to KTVU. The report continued, “I asked him what was “The Asian American community needs more than wrong and he said, “What’s wrong? You are out here solidarity; we need solutions,” said Manjusha Kulkarshopping!” I was confused, and he followed up with, ni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and executive di- HANDICRAFT. Customers select different kinds of kapis products being sold at a stall in Dapitan Arcade in Quezon City on Tuesday, March “We delisted your companies, shipped back your in- rector of Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council. 16. The government has allowed selected businesses to operate in a limited capacity as long as they follow health protocols amid the PNA photo by Rico H. Borja ternational students...when do you ship out? When “We ask policymakers at the local, state and national coronavirus disease pandemic. do you ship out? We are going to take away your citi- level to partner with us on implementing communizenship!” ty-based solutions that will help ensure Asian AmeriMeanwhile, physical assault (11.1%) comprises cans have equal rights and access to opportunities.” the third-largest category of total incidents. Civil Stop AAPI Hate was started by Asian Pacific Policy rights violations — which include workplace dis- and Planning Council, Chinese for Affirmative Action PAGE 1 crimination, refusal of service, and being barred from and San Francisco State University’s Asian American pital where he was treated for transportation — comprise 8.5% of total incidents Studies department in March 2020, following a trou- head injuries and a cheekbone and online harassment makes up 6.8%. fracture. His vision is coming bling rise in hate at the beginning of the pandemic. Businesses were the “primary site” of discriminaIn his first primetime address marking the one-year back on his right eye, but he said tion (35.4%), followed by public streets (25.3%) and anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic on Thurs- he still cannot see out of the left public parks (9.8%). Online harassment accounted day, March 11, President Joe Biden condemned one. for 10.8% of total incidents. A day after, he shared his story the attacks on Asian Americans “who have been atThe reporting center said that the 3,795 incidents tacked, harassed, blamed and scapegoated.” in an effort to raise awareness of “likely represent only a fraction” of experiences by the “At this very moment, so many of them, our fel- the violence against Asian AmerAAPI community. A Pew Research Center study from low Americans, they’re on the front lines of this pan- icans as he believes his race July 2020 said that four in 10 Asian (39%) adults said: demic trying to save lives, and still, still they’re forced played a factor in being attacked. “someone has acted uncomfortable around them be- to live in fear for their lives just walking down streets He is left traumatized and afraid cause of their race or ethnicity since the coronavirus in America. It’s wrong. It’s un-American. And it must as he recovers from his bruises outbreak.” and injuries. stop,” Biden said. In recent weeks, high-profile cases have included “I have to let people know that The president signed an executive order on Jan. violent attacks and assaults against Asian Americans, 26, which included directives to remove language in these things are really happenas previously reported in the Asian Journal. federal actions or documents that would contribute to ing and send the message that The reports include 84-year-old Thai immigrant xenophobia and racism against the Asian American you have the right to speak up,” Yuchang, a travel agent in San Francisco, is recovering for multiple head and face injuries after an attack on March 15. He said he has regained vision on his right eye. Vicha Ratanapakdee being pushed to death in San and Pacific Islander population and for the Depart- he said. Francisco; Noel Quintana, a Filipino man who was ment of Justice to expand its collection of data and The suspect, identified as Jorge and his wife no longer feel safe. he was punched in the face in an slashed in the face on the New York subway while on public reporting regarding hate incidents against Devis-Milton, has been arrested. “Before I felt at home here in unprovoked attack, as previously his way to work and received nearly 100 stitches; and community members. Earlier on Monday, the 32- San Francisco, but now not so reported by the Asian Journal. 74-year-old Juanito Falcon, a Filipino grandfather Stop AAPI Hate, a national Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific year-old reportedly stabbed a 64- much,” he said. “Emotionally, it’s who was punched in the face in Phoenix, Arizona, American Caucus have been pushing for a meeting year-old man at 16th and Mission been a traumatic experience. I’m coalition that tracks anti-Asian and later died of his injuries. with the DOJ and the administration to carry out the Streets. The victim was taken to having a hard time sleeping and American discrimination, reportIn White Plains, NY, an 83-year-old Korean Ameri- order. the hospital with life-threaten- resting, and I still haven’t gone ed on Tuesday, March 16 that can woman was spat on and punched, causing her Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Grace Meng ing injuries, according to the San out to get my medicine because from March 19, 2020 to February to hit her head on the ground and blackout, without (D-NY) in the House of Representatives and Sen. Francisco Police Department. I’m so afraid.” 28, 2021, it has received 3,795 provocation on Tuesday, March 9. Police arrested the Mazie Hirono in the Senate, plan to introduce new Devis-Milton fled into the 16th Yuchang set up a GoFundMe firsthand incidents of racism and 40-year-old suspect two days later. legislation addressing the hate incidents against and Mission BART Station. He page, which has raised over discrimination from all 50 states A Filipina American medical worker was assaulted Asian Americans, according to USA Today. later assaulted Yuchang near 3rd $20,000 of its $50,000 goal. He and the District of Columbia. at a Caltrain station in San Jose as she was on her Of that number, 503 incidents Members of the AAPI community who have expe- and Market Street, before fleeing said the funds will help with his way to work onWednesday, March 10. The suspect rienced hate during the pandemic are encouraged the scene. recovery and move. took place in the first two months — identified as Johan Strydom, who was later arrest- to report the incident at https://stopaapihate.org/re“Using images caught on surHis adult children still live in of 2021 alone. ed and charged — reportedly grabbed her from be- portincident/. In addition to English, individuals can veillance video and descriptions the Philippines and he said that Chinese are the largest ethnic hind and pulled her hair back, as he hurled expletives report in one of 11 languages, including Tagalog. n provided by witnesses, SFPD in- eventually, he wants to retire group (42.2%) that say they’ve vestigators determined that the there. experienced hate, followed by same suspect was responsible Yuchang’s case is among a Koreans (14.8%), Vietnamese for both unprovoked attacks,” series of violent crimes against (8.5%) and Filipinos (7.9%), the police said in a statement. Asian Americans in light of the Stop AAPI Hate found. The suspect faces assault with pandemic. Some of the attacks Members of the AAPI coma deadly weapon, two counts of have resulted in deaths like munity who have experienced aggravated assault, two counts of the case of 84-year-old Vicha hate during the pandemic are battery causing injury and aggra- Ratanapakdee, who died from encouraged to report the incivated mayhem. injuries after he was knocked dent at https://stopaapihate. Yuchang, who migrated to on the ground during a morning org/reportincident. In addition to Vallejo from Manila, Philippines walk in San Francisco; and 74- English, individuals can report in 20 years ago, is now seeking to year-old Juanito Falcon who sus- one of 11 languages, including move out of the Bay Area, as he tained a skull fracture injury after Tagalog. n
Filipino Chinese man attacked during lunch...
PH to suspend entry of foreigners, non-OFW... PAGE 1
cases approved by the NTF COVID-19 Earlier, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) also implemented a cap on inbound arrivals at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Incoming international flights would be allowed to carry only 1,500 passengers per day from March 18 to April 18. “By and large wala naman po pagkakaiba, 2 araw lang po ‘yan pero ang motive po ng pareho circular na ito ay ‘yung paghihigpit ng pagpasok ng ating bansa para mapababa ang bilang ng may sakit na COVID-19 at mga bagong variant na nakukuha natin (By and large, there’s no difference, it’s just 2 days. The mo-
tive of both circulars is to tighten the entry to our country to lower the number of COVID-19 cases and those with new variants),” NTF spokesperson Ret. Gen. Restituto Padilla told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo. For its part, flag carrier Philippine Airlines announced that it would be cancelling several flights to and from Manila following CAB’s directive. “To comply with the restriction, airlines will need to cancel a number of international flights to and from Manila during the stated March 18 to April 19 period. Philippine Airlines will operate our full international schedule for March 18 but we will be announcing in due course any flight
cancellations on other days for the rest of the period,” the airline said in a post on Facebook. “Airlines will likewise comply with any directives from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) and concerned authorities on the type of travelers that will be allowed entry into the Philippines within the same March 18 (8 AM) to April 19 (8 AM) period. Please note that certain passenger types will thus need to postpone their Manila-bound travels until after the stated period,” it added. To date, there are a total of 635,698 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 12,866 fatalities and 561,099 recoveries. n
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Dateline USa
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • mARCh 19-25, 2021
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AAPI Democrats endorse Fil-Am Nani Coloretti...
PAGE 1
Bay Area artist Franceska Gámez created a portrait honoring Quinto’s life, which was displayed during his birthday vigil on Wednesday, March 10. Photo courtesy of Franceska Gámez
Angelo Quinto’s 31st birthday marked with... PAGE 1
to justice for Quinto’s death, they echoed calls for trained mental health response teams, officers to have body and dashboard cameras, and a ban on knee-to-neck restraints by police. “…[Angelo] was on his way to leading a good life. He hadn’t even really started, and for it to be taken away is hurtful to all of us, and that’s a tribute to all of you present here,” said John Burris, a seasoned civil rights attorney representing Quinto’s family. ‘Please don’t kill me’ Around 11:30 p.m. on December 23, 2020, two days before Christmas, Quinto was suffering from a mental health crisis, prompting Bella Collins to call 911 for help. When police arrived at the house, Quinto and his mother Cassandra Quinto-Collins were on the floor of her bedroom as she hugged him to comfort and restrain him. Officers pulled him away from her arms with him pleading, “Please don’t kill me. Please don’t kill me.” A cellphone video shot by Quinto-Collins shows an officer pinning her handcuffed son with a knee on the back of his neck for nearly five minutes, while another officer held him by the legs. She told the Asian Journal in a recent interview that she took out her phone as it was her impulse to “always record.” At that point, an unresponsive Quinto was turned onto his side and blood streamed out of his mouth. He never regained consciousness and was transported to a hospital where he died three days later. “He passed away on the 26th at the hospital officially. But when I saw him, I think that was his time of death for me,” Quinto-Collins told the Asian Journal. “It was so obvious. There was blood in his mouth, tapos nakatirik yung mata (and his eyes were rolled back).” Quinto’s stepfather Robert and younger brother Andrei were not allowed back into the house for several hours as officers searched inside. Meanwhile, his mother and sister were taken to the police station to be interrogated about what led to the 911 call. Looking back at the hours that followed, the Quinto-Collins family said they were left stunned as to how they were treated by police and how they could not receive straight answers on their son’s condition. Bella Collins said they received a phone call from a doctor, but an officer allegedly rushed them off the phone. “It was a mixture of denial, confusion, vulnerability and fear that made us too trusting and even more confused and unable to start making decisions related to our case immediately or spreading the story,” Collins told the Asian Journal. (Quinto’s death was not made public until a month later following inquiries from the Mercury News). At 6:30 a.m., the morning after the police encounter, Robert Collins spoke to a doctor who said he was “surprised that [Quinto] was alive at all” and that they were giving him medication to keep the heartbeat going. When the family was allowed to visit the hospital, they said staff would not show them a toxicology report or any other tests. An investigation into Dec. 23 is still ongoing and the Antioch Police Department has not released the cause of death. Results of an independent autopsy are pending, Burris said. Quinto’s death has sparked parallels to George Floyd, a 46-yearold Black man from Minneapolis who died after an officer knelt on his neck seven months before, igniting nationwide protests for racial justice. “To me, this was a shocking occurrence and something that should not have happened. We should have learned from George Floyd that that’s not the type of technique that should be used,” Burris told the Asian Journal.
‘Deeply impressed by this country’ Quinto was born in Tuguegarao City, the capital of the province of Cagayan, Philippines. He was raised in Manila until the age of 11 when he joined his mother in Northern California. Several media reports have not mentioned Quinto’s Filipino identity, but his stepfather — whom Quinto called “dad” — said “it’s an integral part of who he was.” “He was American, but he was also Filipino. He was deeply impressed by this country, but deeply in love with the Philippines and everything that it meant to be Filipino,” Robert Collins told the Asian Journal. “So to understand him is to understand where he came from and to understand everything about him.” Described as thoughtful, introspective and artistic, Quinto showed “endless patience” for children and had a soft spot for animals, even rescuing a cat 14 years ago that the family still has. He enjoyed fishing, drawing and cooking in his free time. He attended Berkeley City College and worked various jobs. But it was his dream to have a career in the U.S. Navy, which he joined at the age of 27. “He always wanted to serve. He really wanted to belong and be part of that team,” his stepfather told the Asian Journal. “There was something about it that was a method of self-improvement and the discipline that the Navy would bring to his own life.” Four days shy of graduating from boot camp, Quinto was honorably discharged from the Navy in 2019 due to a food allergy but he was still considered a veteran, his family said. “He was so proud of the idea that he can be called a veteran,” his mother told the Asian Journal. “But we had to reassure him that it was not his fault, and he was just very depressed.” In the year back home in Antioch, Quinto tapped into other interests and had a goal of developing his own video game. Then, one night before the pandemic hit, his family said he woke up in the hospital with stitches on his head, but did not have any recollection of what happened to him. After that incident, Quinto began experiencing bouts of paranoia and anxiety, but the instances were never violent. “We asked him to get more help, but I think there was a stigma to it or maybe he thought he could fix it himself,” Robert Collins told the Asian Journal. “To be honest, we ourselves were partly maybe in denial over what he needed for help and didn’t fully recognize it.” Before his death, he received an offer to consider rejoining the Navy, his sister said. After what happened on Dec. 23, the family is left remorseful for turning to the police for help. “We trusted the police because it was very calm. I still have a lot of questions because how did it go from hugging him to this?” Quinto-Collins told the Asian Journal. The family filed a wrongful death claim against the city of Antioch on February 18, and after 45 days, they plan to file a federal civil rights lawsuit, Burris said. “They’re saying his federal civil rights have been violated,” Burris told the Asian Journal. “It doesn’t matter that he wasn’t a citizen. The fact that he got injured and killed here in the United States, regardless of his status, he has rights attributed to that.” With the attention on Quinto’s death, the family set up social media accounts to keep the public updated on the case, and is tirelessly pushing for systemic changes. Over 150 Fil-Am organizations have signed onto a letter amplifying the family’s demands that include resources to de-escalate mental health crises, police accountability and the end of excessive force. The day before his birthday, the Antioch City Council unanimously approved a $1.4 million contract to purchase body and in-car cam-
eras for the police department. A formal proposal for a local mental health crisis response team will be presented at the council meeting on March 23. “I know my brother would not want to be remembered as that body in the video that’s been circulating widely,” Bella Collins told the Asian Journal. “We’re trying to make sure that something good comes out of this…It gives us a lot of hope that we can make changes so that more people don’t have to go through what we’re going through right now.” n
tion. To meet this moment in our nation’s history, we urge you to nominate Ms. Coloretti as the director of OMB,” the letter said. The Yappie reported that the effort, led by Democratic National Committee AAPI Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong, has the support of leaders, such as Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Rep. Grace Meng (D-New York). They commended Vice President Kamala Harris as the first AAPI and Black woman to hold the second-highest office, but “are troubled by the lack of AAPI representation in your Cabinet.” Aside from Tanden, Biden has nominated Katherine Tai as U.S. Trade Representative. However, there are concerns over the new administration being the first in 20 years to not have an AAPI in the Cabinet at the secretary level. “There is only one AAPI member of your Cabinet and no AAPI Cabinet Secretaries. This stands in stark contrast to the last three Administrations which had at least one AAPI Cabinet Secretary. Ms. Coloretti will be an asset to you and a source of pride for us,” the leaders added. The letter was set to be delivered by organizers to the White House on Friday, March 12, POLITICO said. Fil-Am advocacy groups and organizations like the AAPI Victory Fund and CAPA21 are also joining the effort, according to The Yappie’s report. If tapped by Biden, Coloretti, who is from Honolulu, Hawaii,
would be the first American of Filipino descent to be nominated to a Cabinet-level position. Previously, she served as deputy secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. She managed the department’s day-to-day operations and cross-cutting program initiatives, including a $45 billion annual budget and approximately 8,000 employees. During her Senate confirmation hearing in 2014, Coloretti shared how she comes “come from a family with a tradition of community service and one that represents the best of what our country has to offer.” Her maternal grandfather was a minister and a community organizer who advocated for Filipinos working in Hawaii’s sugar cane fields, while her grandmother was among the first wave of nurses working in the U.S. Her mother was also a nurse and later a preschool teacher. “There are two things I am most proud of: Helping create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) after the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act in 2011, and helping finish the regulation to guide communities in their efforts to affirmatively further fair housing,” Coloretti told the Asian Journal in a 2016 interview. “In both instances, I was able to help address the conditions for individuals and families that are working to achieve the American dream but who face the challenges of imperfect or unfair markets.” Before HUD, she spent five years at the Department of the
Nani Coloretti, a former Obama admin official
Treasury, most recently as the assistant secretary for management. Prior to the Obama administration, Coloretti spent four years as policy adviser and budget director for then-San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. She is currently the senior vice president for financial and business strategy at think tank Urban Institute. “I think the broader challenge for me as a Filipino American who is half Filipina is to make sure that my voice can be heard in an effective way. I think it helps that I come from a diverse state of people with different ways of communicating and interacting. I also think that any challenge can also be an opportunity. So, being someone who is different from others in a table can be helpful, particularly if I am operating with both ears open and with curiosity,” Coloretti told the Asian Journal in a 2016 interview. n
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march 19-25, 2021 • NOrcaL aSIaN JOUrNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Dateline USa
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • mARCh 19-25, 2021
5
CA launches rent relief Tax Day for individuals extended to May 17: program for tenants, landlords Treasury, IRS extend filing and payment deadline CALIFORNIA has announced the launch of a statewide COVID19 rent relief program, intended to help income-eligible households pay rent and utilities, both for arrears and future payment. Supported by the Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief provides financial assistance to income-qualified tenants experiencing housing instability and provides rent reimbursement to landlords for unpaid rent accrued between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Landlords who participate in the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program can get reimbursed for 80% of an eligible renter’s unpaid rent between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, if they agree to waive the remaining 20% of unpaid rent during that specific time period. Requirements include: 1) All payments must be used to satisfy the renter’s unpaid rent for the period between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021; 2) renters must take steps to verify that they meet eligibility requirements and sign the application; and 3) renter’s household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Eligible renters whose landlords choose not to participate in the program may apply on their own and receive 25% of unpaid rent between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. Paying this 25% by June 30, 2021 can help keep you in your home under the extended eviction protections in SB 91. Renters are eligible to apply if one or more individuals in the household meet all the following criteria: 1) Have qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due to COVID– 19; and 2) demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which may include: a past-due utility or rent notice or eviction notice; unsafe or unhealthy living conditions; or any other evidence of such risk, as determined by the program; and 3) Have a household income that is not more than 80% of the Area Median Income. They will not be asked about their citizenship or be required to show proof. Utility assistance Eligible renters may also receive assistance for unpaid utili-
ties and future payments. Unpaid utilities accumulated from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 will be compensated at 100% of cost, limited to a total of 12 months. Applications must include all required information, along with necessary verification items. Once an application has been successfully processed, both the landlord and renter will be notified about the application status. The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program is not on a first come, first served basis. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. For all applications received, the state will first review and commit funds to applicants who are eligible and meet the priority requirement having income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) to ensure those most in need receive assistance. Resources and application information are available at HousingIsKey.com. A CA COVID-19 Rent Relief call center is available to get help answering eligibility questions, for application assistance, and to provide information on local assistance. The call center may be reached by calling (833) 430-2122 between 7 am and 7 pm daily. (AJPress)
Bay Area man charged with hate crime in... PAGE 1 t an by her hair. The district attorney’s office said that he told Tiffany, “F*ck you, Asian,” and that Strydom intended to rape her. “I’ve never seen him in my life,” Tiffany later told officials. “I’ve never seen him at the station.” While Strydom was attacking Tiffany, bystanders at the train station were yelling at him to stop and let her go. The victim’s boyfriend had been on the phone with her at the time of the attack and reportedly showed up at the scene where he and other witnesses detained Strydom. In a video that Tiffany took of the suspect after the attack, witnesses followed the suspect to try to apprehend him and he laughed, uttered another racial slur and said, “You guys gonna come and save that h*e?” Shortly after, officers arrested Strydom near the SAP Center, San Jose police said. Strydom was arraigned on Friday, March 12 and charged with
“assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury” and “assault with an intent to commit rape and assault” with hate crime enhancements. If convicted, he will face prison time. “A hate crime against a Filipino woman is an attack against all of us,” Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a press release. “This is every woman’s nightmare, and this is our community’s nightmare. This is also a tale of heroism. Our community came to this woman’s aid and stopped the attack. Hate crimes are not someone else’s problem. They are mine. They are yours. It will take all of us to confront them.” At the arraignment, the read description of the attack made Strydom emotional and cry, according to reports. His attorney, a deputy public defender named Meghan Piano, noted that Strydom suffers from mental illness and that he was “sex deprived.” The attack on Wednesday fur-
ther highlights the disturbing uptick in crimes and violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in recent weeks. The Stop AAPI Hate tracker — which has been documenting the rise in anti-Asian racism and assaults for the last 12 months — reported on Tuesday, March 16 that there were at least 503 anti-Asian hate incidents between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28 alone. In 2020, there were a total of 3,292 reports. “I hope that we as a community help stop all the violent racial crimes against us,” Tiffany told NextShark. “That even shouting out at [an attacker] can make a huge difference in saving a life. No one deserves to go through what I’ve gone through or all those that were assaulted. To not be afraid to call law enforcement because they are there to help and protect us.” Strydom is currently being held without bail and will enter a plea in May. n
WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced on Wednesday, March 17 that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. The IRS will be providing formal guidance in the coming days. “This continues to be a tough time for many people, and the IRS wants to continue to do everything possible to help taxpayers navigate the unusual circumstances related to the pandemic, while also working on important tax administration responsibilities,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “Even with the new deadline, we urge taxpayers to consider filing as soon as possible, especially those who are owed refunds. Filing electronically with direct deposit is the quickest way to get refunds, and it can help some taxpayers more quickly receive any remaining stimulus payments they may be entitled to.” Individual taxpayers can also postpone federal income tax payments for the 2020 tax year due on April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This postponement ap-
plies to individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax. Penalties, interest and additions to tax will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of May 17, 2021. Individual taxpayers will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by May 17. Individual taxpayers do not need to file any forms or call the IRS to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief. Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the May 17 deadline can request a filing extension until Oct. 15 by filing Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Filing Form 4868 gives taxpayers until October 15 to file their 2020 tax return but does not grant an extension of time to pay taxes due. Taxpayers should pay their federal income tax due by May 17, 2021, to avoid interest and penalties. The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds associated with e-filed returns are issued within 21 days. This relief does not apply to estimated tax payments that are due on April 15, 2021. These
payments are still due on April 15. Taxes must be paid as taxpayers earn or receive income during the year, either through withholding or estimated tax payments. In general, estimated tax payments are made quarterly to the IRS by people whose income isn’t subject to income tax withholding, including self-employment income, interest, dividends, alimony or rental income. Most taxpayers automatically have their taxes withheld from their paychecks and submitted to the IRS by their employer. State tax returns The federal tax filing deadline postponement to May 17, 2021, only applies to individual federal income returns and tax (including tax on self-employment income) payments otherwise due April 15, 2021, not state tax payments or deposits or payments of any other type of federal tax. Taxpayers also will need to file income tax returns in 42 states plus the District of Columbia. State filing and payment deadlines vary and are not always the same as the federal filing deadline. The IRS urges taxpayers to check with their state tax agencies for those details. (Internal Revenue Service Release) n
More Californians now eligible for... PAGE 1 t weakened immune system • Pregnancy • Sickle cell disease • Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or • cardiomyopathies (but not hypertension) • Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2) • Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5% Or • If, as a result of a developmental or other significant, high-risk disability, one or more of the following criteria applies: • A COVID-19 infection is likely to result in severe lifethreatening illness or death; OR • Acquiring COVID-19 will limit the individual’s ability to
receive ongoing care or services vital to their well-being and survival; OR • Providing adequate and timely COVID care will be particularly challenging as a result of the individual’s disability Persons who are newly eligible and qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine due to a medical condition should note that during registration for a vaccine appointment, they will be asked to state that they have a high-risk medical condition or disability. To protect confidentially, they will not be asked to disclose the specific condition. People getting vaccinated must provide documentation at all appointments with either a letter from a healthcare provider, a personal physician or an agency providing services or, if not available, the eligible person or their caretaker will be
asked to sign an attestation. All eligible persons will also need to provide identification (government ID not required) and proof that they live within LA County at their appointment. Also eligible for vaccines starting this week are public transit workers, janitorial/custodial staff, and those who work and reside in congregate living spaces, including people experiencing homelessness and individuals in federal immigrant detention centers. Vaccine eligibility will continue for those already qualified: health care workers, food and agriculture workers, emergency service personnel, educators, child care providers, and those who are over 65. To check vaccine eligibility, or to make an appointment, visit myturn.ca.gov. (AJPress)
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MARCH 19-25, 2021 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
OPINION
FEATURES
End to impunity?
MALACAÑANG has declared an end to impunity in assaults on media workers in the country. The statement was issued by the Presidential Task Force on Media Security following the release of a global report on journalists’ safety by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Where the task force statement is based remains as murky as the Palace assessment that the government’s pandemic response has been “excellent” a year into the public health crisis. UNESCO estimates that on average, a journalist is killed every five days around the world. UNESCO also reports that nine out of 10 journalist killings are unsolved. In the Philippines, the conviction of the principal defendants in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, mostly members of the Ampatuan clan and their henchmen, brought the country out of the worst five in the 2020 Global Impunity Index drawn up by the Committee to Protect Journalists. The Philippines was also removed from the list of most dangerous countries for journalists in 2018. In highlighting the importance of the issue, UNESCO declares: “Impunity for crimes against the media fuels and perpetuates the cycle of violence and the resulting self-censorship deprives society of information and further affects press freedom. It directly impacts the United Nations’
human rights-based efforts to promote peace, security and sustainable development.” Among the critical players in ending impunity is the judiciary. This, unfortunately, is one of the weakest links in the campaign against impunity, whether the targets of assassination are journalists, drug personalities, left-leaning activists and even lawyers. Even in the Maguindanao massacre case, it took a decade before the masterminds were finally convicted. Apart from armed violence, journalists in the Philippines face other forms of threats. Last year the country slid by two notches to 136th place in the World Press Freedom Index. The slide was fueled by the shutdown of ABS-CBN, legal moves against news website Rappler, the deployment of troll armies against certain journalists, and cyber attacks against alternative news sites. Last December, Manila Today editor Lady Ann Salem weeks even after a local court had ordered her was arrested on International Human Rights Day, release. detained on charges of illegal possession of fireUNESCO is working with judiciaries in sevarms and explosives, and held for several more eral countries for capacity building particularly
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
in prosecuting crimes directed at media workers and threatening freedom of expression. In the Philippines, ending impunity is clearly a work in progress. (Philstar.com)
It’s COVID-19 vaccine season. What are the options?
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS YES! President Joe Biden has announced that by May 1, ALL adults in the United States will already be eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This is made possible by the government’s expedited procurement of vaccines to help save lives and protect us as we safely move toward “normalcy” and build our life and our nation back better and stronger. After Biden’s announcement, even more Americans feel empowered and hopeful that YES, WE CAN and YES, WE WILL defeat this virus as more people begin to understand how important it is to get vaccinated. In fact, individuals have been reaching out to their health care providers to know when we can be scheduled for our life-saving shots. I am one of them. My husband is a doctor working on the front lines and so he is done with his two doses of shots of the Pfizer vaccine. Our psychologist daughter, who is a clinician therapist in direct patient care, has also completed her two doses of Moderna, another vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration with a 95% efficacy rate. People who have already been vaccinated post their pictures on social media like a badge of honor because indeed, it is a humanitarian and patriotic act to
get our shots, along with wearing masks, observing physical distance, avoiding crowds, washing hands often and practicing hygiene even after vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines are important weapons in our war against the pandemic. They “teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. It typically takes a few weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus. That means it is possible a person could still get COVID-19 just after vaccination, because the vaccine has not had enough time to build immunity, covid19.ca.gov explains. I am sharing more information here. Many people ask me if this is safe, including my own mother who has also been bombarded by anti-vaccine propaganda in the Philippines. “COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the FDA have been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials. These vaccines were authorized only after it was found that they make it substantially less likely you’ll get COVID-19. The authorized vaccines are up to 95% effective against a person becoming ill with COVID-19. The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-
19 vaccines. These vaccines have undergone the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history, using both established and new safety monitoring systems. These vaccines cannot give you COVID-19.” Many kababayans in the United States who are working on the frontlines, especially those in nursing homes, are reportedly hesitant to take advantage of their priority position to get the shots because they wanted to be sure they would not have fatal side effects if people they know who are vaccinated are still well and alive. “After COVID-19 vaccination, you may have some side effects. These are normal signs that your body is building immunity. The most common side effects are pain and swelling in the arm where you received the shot. In addition, you may have fever, chills, tiredness, and headache. They may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.” Other than having a sore arm, my husband did not have any side effects after getting the two doses. My daughter, who is in the early 30s, had “flu-like symptoms,” like chills and a fever, after getting the second shot. She was aware of these side effects and just took Tylenol and a day or two after, she was back to normal. The younger ones are reporting more of these side effects after the second dose but then again, this only means they are building strong immunity
against the virus. My health care provider is Kaiser Permanente and before they schedule members for vaccination, they determine if it is right for you. According to Kaiser Permanente: “People who are allergic to most types of allergens (like animals, food, pollen, latex, or most medicines) are no more likely to have an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine than people who don’t have any allergies. Allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare and typically occur immediately after receiving the vaccine. All vaccination sites have the appropriate medications and equipment to treat an allergic reaction. You should NOT receive a vaccine that contains an ingredient to which you have had an allergic reaction. If you have had an allergic reaction to an ingredient of a particular vaccine, you may still be able to receive a different type of vaccine – if one is available – following a consult with a physician. If you’ve had swelling, hives, trouble breathing, or anaphylaxis within 4 hours of receiving any previous vaccine or injectable medication, the risk of developing another severe allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine is not fully known. Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, you can still receive the COVID-19 vaccine. You’ll be observed for
30 minutes afterward as a safeguard. If you’re concerned about a severe allergic reaction, you may consider waiting to get the vaccine until more information is available. If you’d like to discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination further, please contact your doctor.” Many of you also ask: “Can I choose which vaccine to have?” Vaccine types and supplies are limited at this time as the government is still working with vaccine manufacturers to expedite production to meet the demand as soon as possible. After Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, the FDA has given emergency authorization to COVID-19 vaccines developed by Janssen (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson). Johnson and Johnson vaccine is a singledose vaccine. Some people are hesitant to have the J&J shots and would rather wait for Pfizer and Moderna. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explains: “The J&J/Janssen vaccine was 66.3% effective in clinical trials (efficacy) at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness in people who had no evidence of prior infection 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine. People had the most protection 2 weeks after getting vaccinated. The vaccine had high efficacy at preventing hospitalization and death in people who did get sick. No one who got COVID-19 at least 4 weeks after receiving
the J&J/Janssen vaccine had to be hospitalized. Early evidence suggests that the J&J/Janssen vaccine might provide protection against asymptomatic infection, which is when a person is infected by the virus that causes COVID-19 but does not get sick.” BOTTOM LINE: The sooner we get vaccinated, the better are our chances to save our lives and the lives of others. Waiting for one brand to be available means time lost in helping you become immune from the virus which can be a life and death situation for you and those of others. These vaccines not only keep you safe from being infected. If in case you still get the virus even after the shots, they also mitigate the symptoms of the virus, which means you would not have to be hospitalized and would not have to be in the ICU. It’s still life-saving. (To be continued…) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.
So you’re vaccinated against COVID. Now what?
Asking Never Hurts BY BERNARD J. WOLFSON CALIFORNIA HEALTHLINE
AS you surely know, this country’s COVID vaccination effort has been plagued by major birth pangs: registration snafus, poor communication, faulty data and a scant supply of vaccine — all exacerbated by inequitable allocation, alleged political favoritism and unseemly jockeying for shots. Still, over 100 million shots have gone into arms, and more than 38 million people, 11.5% of the nation’s population, have been fully vaccinated. One in 5 U.S. residents have had at least one dose The vaccine rollout is finally ramping up — just as the deadly winter surge has ended, dramatically reducing infection rates, hospitalizations and deaths. President Joe Biden has promised enough vaccine for every adult in the country by the end of May and dangled the
hope of a return to semi-normalcy by July 4. We’ll see if that happens. Unfortunately, ill-advised behavior, or a mutant strain of the COVID virus — or both — could still ignite another surge. And we’re not entirely certain to what extent vaccination prevents you from infecting unvaccinated people, or for how long it protects against COVID. Bottom line: Optimism is warranted, but all of us — even the vaccinated — still need to be careful. In case you missed it, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new public health guidelines last week that offered a small glimpse of what the not-so-distant future might hold if enough people are vaccinated. The most striking point was that it’s OK for vaccinated individuals to meet indoors with unvaccinated members of another household, without masks, as long as nobody in that household is at risk for severe COVID. That’s big news if you’ve not
seen your children or grandchildren in person for a while. If you are fully vaccinated, it’s now likely safe to visit with them indoors without masks, regardless of their vaccination status. You can even hug them. As long as they don’t live too far away, that is: The CDC still frowns on long-distance travel. If everybody in your group is vaccinated, so much the better. In that case, hosting a maskless dinner party inside your home, for example, is “likely a low risk,” according to the new guidance. But Dr. George Rutherford, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California-San Francisco, warns not to interpret this new freedom too liberally: “People say, ‘Oh, we can have a wedding reception for 50 people at a hotel as long as they are all vaccinated.’ I say, ‘What about the people serving you — are they all vaccinated? And the band?’” Public health experts and the CDC agree that if you are vac-
cinated and in the company of people who aren’t — or if you don’t know their status — you should continue the safeguards of masking and maintaining your distance. “What I tell people who are vaccinated is, ‘You should assume you are one of the 5 or 6% for whom the vaccination will fail, and that everyone around you is a super spreader,” Rutherford says. That means you should probably tap your inner brakes before going to a movie, working out in a gym, boarding an airplane or dining indoors at a restaurant. Dr. Walter Orenstein, associate director of the Emory Vaccine Center and professor of infectious diseases at Emory University School of Medicine, points to a possible side benefit of the new CDC approach. “It may enhance vaccine uptake if it shows people that once you get vaccinated you have more freedom to do things,” he says. Orenstein, like most public health experts, acknowledges
that we still have an incomplete picture of COVID and how the vaccines will work in the real world. Officials must set guidelines based on the best data available at the time, he says. “If, in fact, there is a marked spike in cases as a result, they will have to revise them.” For now, Orenstein says, he is incorporating the new guidelines into his personal life. “We hadn’t had people over to our house in ages, and last night we had a couple over,” he says. They were all vaccinated, and they didn’t wear masks. Others are wary of easing up too soon, even if they’ve been vaccinated. “I feel a real sense of relief, but it hasn’t changed my behavior,” says Sam Sandmire, a 65-year-old retired gymnastics coach in Boise, Idaho, who’s had two doses of the Moderna vaccine. “I still mask up and will continue to mask up and social distance until the science shows that I can’t infect others.” Andy Mosley, 74, says he is
not entirely convinced by the new CDC statement. “The information that we could start hanging out with each other again was laced with a lot of qualifiers,” says Mosley, a resident of Temecula, California, who’s also had two shots of the Moderna vaccine. “That tells me they are not really sure about it.” But he may alter his behavior in one instance. He has not seen his daughter, a chef who lives in San Francisco, since October 2019. She is scheduled for surgery soon and may need his help. “Because she’s been immunized and I’ve been immunized and her roommate has been immunized, I would feel safe going up there,” Mosley says. “So that would be a change. But I would drive; I wouldn’t fly.” Many others, including state and local politicians, are less cautious. Texas recently did away with its mask mandate. Florida has remained largely open for business through u PAGE 7
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • mARCh 19-25, 2021
DATELINE PHILIPPINES
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PH human rights situation worsened amid pandemic – int’l watchdog by AJPRESS THE human rights situation in the Philippines has gotten worse since last year, according to international rights watchdog Investigate PH. In a 198-page report submitted to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Tuesday, March 16, Investigate PH found that there is a “deepening human rights crisis in the Philippines.” “With the drug war, the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the July 2020 passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), and the Philippine government’s militarized response to COVID-19, the perpetration of human rights violations by state forces has become more institutionalized, orchestrated, and entrenched,” said the initial report. It also pointed out that remedies for many cases of human right violations in the country are “insufficient and illusory.” Investigate PH identified 10 indicators for the country’s supposed failure of domestic remedies:
1. obstruction of state authorities on investigations; 2. investigations of violations are not impartial; 3. available mechanisms for civilians to hold police and military accountable are failing; 4. court protections are inaccessible, slow, and discriminatory; 5. government’s National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) constricts recourse to government agencies; 6. counter-insurgency activities are targeting lawyers, denying victims access to independent counsel; 7. efforts to challenge unjust laws through legal channels are being dismissed in court or repressed; 8. opposition political voices providing a check on the armed forces and executive power have been eliminated from the Supreme Court and Congress; 9. independent institutions and alternative platforms for accountability have been eviscerated or made practically inoperative; 10. even when remedies are secured, they are inadequate justice. The report also noted that the
political repression by state forces in the Philippines has become “more institutionalized, streamlined, and brazen.” “Extrajudicial killings of human rights defenders, lawyers and judges, and peace consultants, have continued to climb,” it added. Investigate PH urged the United Nations (UN) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to use “all available mechanisms to restrain these state abuses and hold the perpetrators accountable.” It also said that the UNHRC needs to “create commissions of inquiry, fact-finding missions, or investigations, to help improve the human rights situation in the Philippines, exert accountability, and deliver measurable as well as reliable justice to victims.” “There is a sense of urgency here. The killings and degradation of human dignity are escalating as seen in the Report,” said Investigate PH commissioner Susan Henry-Crowe. She added, “The UNHRC and the world has to rise to the challenge of putting an end to this. We have to act now and save innocent lives while we still can.” ■
So you’re vaccinated against COVID... PAGE 6 much of the pandemic. In California, 13 counties accounting for nearly half the state’s population have reopened gyms, movie theaters and indoor restaurant dining — albeit at reduced levels. That includes Los Angeles County, one of the hardest-hit regions in the U.S. during the winter surge. And Gov. Gavin Newsom has suggested that California’s fourlevel color-coded system for phased reopening could soon add a “green” tier — meaning pretty much back to normal. However, Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, says localities that open too soon “are going to be in big trouble shortly” because of a
new surge he expects to be triggered by a fast-spreading COVID strain first detected in the United Kingdom, which is projected to become the dominant strain in the U.S. sometime this month. For now, stick with masking and physical distancing in most social and commercial encounters. Get vaccinated as soon as it’s your turn and try to persuade the people in your lives to do the same. The more people vaccinated, the greater the protection for the community. In the near future, we may all have extra incentive to get vaccinated: Proof of vaccination could be required for air travel, sports events, concerts and other mass public gatherings. This is being considered in some
parts of the U.S. and is already happening in some countries. Israel, for example, has begun issuing six-month vaccination “passports” that would allow entry to sporting events, restaurants and other public venues. That has “created this kind of push for people who otherwise might not be that interested in getting vaccinated to get vaccinated,” Rutherford says. This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that provides in-depth coverage of health issues and that is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KHN is the publisher of California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. ■
CELEBRATION. Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle thanks Pope Francis and the Catholic Church for sharing the Christian faith with Filipinos during the Sunday Mass celebrated by the Pontiff marking 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines at St. Peter’s Basilica on March 14. Photo courtesy of CBCP
Pope Francis celebrates 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines by rItCheL
menDIoLa AJPress
POPE Francis on Sunday, March 14 led a Holy Mass commemorating the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. Held at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Mass was attended by several members of the Filipino Church including Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the pope’s vicar for Rome. “Dear brothers and sisters, 500 years have passed since the Christian message first arrived in the Philippines. You received the joy of the gospel, the good news that God so loved us that He gave His Son for us. And this joy is evident in your people. We see it in your eyes, in your songs and in your prayers,” Pope Francis said in his Homily. He also noted that Filipino women in Rome are “smugglers” of faith, saying that they “sow the faith” wherever they go. “It is part of your genes, a blessed ‘infectiousness’ that
I urge you to preserve. Keep bringing the faith, the good news you received five hundred years ago, to others,” the Pope said. “I want to thank you, then, for the joy you bring to the whole world and to our Christian communities,” he added. Pope Francis also urged Filipinos to continue spreading the word of God. “On this very important anniversary for God’s holy people in the Philippines, I also want to urge you to persevere in the work of evangelization – not proselytism, which is something else. The Christian proclamation that you have received needs constantly to be brought to others,” he said. According to the Pope, one should “never be afraid to proclaim the Gospel.” “With your joy, you will help people to say of the Church too: ‘she so loved the world!’ How beautiful and attractive is a Church that loves the world without judging, a Church that gives herself to the world. May it be so, dear brothers and sisters, in the Philippines and in every part of the earth,” he added.
Tagle, for his part, thanked Pope Francis for the Mass. “I want to express our gratitude to you for leading us in this Eucharistic celebration and thanksgiving for the arrival of the faith in the Philippines 500 years ago. We bring you here the filial love of the Filipinos in the 7,641 islands of our country,” he said in his message to the Pope. On March 16, 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew landed in Cebu, bringing Christianity to the Philippines. The first Mass in the country is believed to have been celebrated on March 31 on the island of Limasawa. The island of Mactan, Cebu did not welcome Christianity, according to various historical accounts, leading to a battle between Rajah Humabon under the command of Magellan and Lapu-Lapu and his warriors, who rejected Spanish colonization. Magellan was killed in the battle. A yearlong commemoration of Christianity’s 500th anniversary in the country will be launched on Easter Sunday, April 4. ■
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Vatican says Catholic Church can’t bless same-sex unions by ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THE Catholic Church does not have the power to bless same-sex unions despite their “positive elements,” the Vatican said Monday, March 15. The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith (CDF) issued a formal response to a question about whether the Church has the authority to bless gay unions, answering “negative.” Signed by Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the doctrinal office, the explanatory note said that blessings are not allowed because what is to be blessed needs to be “objectively and positively ordered to receive and express grace, according to the designs of God inscribed in creation, and fully revealed by Christ the Lord.” “For this reason, it is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships, or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage, as is the case of the unions between persons of
the same sex,” the CDF said. “Furthermore, since blessings on persons are in relationship with the sacraments, the blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered licit. This is because they would constitute a certain imitation or analogue of the nuptial blessing invoked on the man and woman united in the sacrament of Matrimony, while in fact ‘there are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s plan for marriage and family,’” it added. Pope Francis, lauded for taking an unprecedented welcoming tone towards the LGBT community, approved the note. However, the CDF maintained that the statement was “not intended to be a form of unjust discrimination,” but rather a “reminder of the truth of the liturgical rite and of the very nature of the sacramentals, as the Church understands them.” In a separate explanatory note,
the CDF said that the decision on same-sex unions “in no way detracts from the human and Christian consideration in which the Church holds each person.” It added that the Church could bestow blessings “to individual persons with homosexual inclinations who manifest the will to live in fidelity to the revealed plans of God as proposed by Church teaching.” Last year, Pope Francis shocked Catholic clergies when he called for civil unions for same-sex couples in the documentary “Francesco.” “They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it,” the pontiff said, referring to same-sex couples. “What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.” However, the Vatican clarified that the statement was taken out of context and did not indicate a change in Church doctrine on same-sex marriage. n
PH’s own vaccine plant in the works A FILIPINO-owned company is putting up a multibillion-peso facility that will manufacture the “next generation” coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Giovanni Alingog, chief executive officer of Glovax Biotech Corp., aims to build a production plant either in Subic in Zambales or Clark in Pampanga. Glovax was the first company to distribute the vaccine for the AH1N1 or the swine flu that swept the country in 2010. Alingog said his goal was to develop the country’s “next-generation Covid vaccine” that would be effective against new strains of the virus. He shared his plan with The Manila Times in a telephone interview. The vaccine Glovax will produce is the EuCorVac-19, developed by the United States-based Pop Biotechnologies and produced by its Korean partners Eubiologics and LG Chem. EuCorVac-19 would be effective against Covid-19’s new strains, Alingog said. He shared that his company wanted the Philippines to be selfsufficient when it came to vaccine
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supplies. That will eliminate the present concerns about delays in the delivery of the foreign-made vaccines. Vaccine makers tend to supply their host countries and the rich states first, “that is why it is very timely that we are suggesting to have a local vaccine plant,” Alingog said. A local vaccine plant would also boost the country’s economy, he noted. Once the plant is fully operational, Glovax can produce 40 million doses of EuCorVac-19. Alingog said Glovax plans to partner with the Philippine government in building the vaccine plant, and that the Department of Science and Technology was keen on the proposal. He also welcomed the idea of the government taking a minority stake in the project to ensure long-term viability. Alingog is confident the vaccine plant will become a legacy of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Cristina Guevara confirmed
that discussions with Glovax were ongoing. She said the pandemic highlighted the need for the country to ensure a steady source of vaccines, so building a local vaccine plant is a welcome development. She added that it would take a partnership of the government, academe and industry to develop and manufacture vaccines, and the government, through the Board of Investments, can help ventures like Glovax. The passage of the Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy (Arise) and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (Create) can push the country closer to its objective to develop its own vaccine manufacturing facility. “The Arise intends to provide grants on manufacturing, research and development, prototyping, certifications and other processes undertaken by manufacturers involving the production of Covid-19 goods, including vaccines, while the Create provides stimulus packages for enterprises engaging in similar activities,” Guevara said. (Red Mendoza/ManilaTimes.net)
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WAIT ONE’S TURN. Devotees observe physical distancing as they wait for their turn to enter inside Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Barangay Graceville, Sta Maria Road, San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan for the 4th Sunday of Lent mass on March 14. A maximum of 300 persons every mass is allowed inside to maintain health protocols amid threat of the COVID-19. PNA photo by Ben Briones
Robredo parries questions on political plans: It’s a ‘sin’ to think of 2022 amid crisis by Gabriel
Pabico Inquirer.net
lalu
MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo has again parried questions on her future political plans, insisting that talking and thinking about the 2022 National Elections at a time of a crisis is a “sin.” After being asked again if she would run for president during her visit to the Iloilo City Molecular Laboratory on Tuesday, March 16, Robredo told local reporters that she has no plans for 2022. According to Robredo, she and her office remain committed to assisting the country in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Metro Manila and other areas experiencing a surge in new cases. “Wala pa. Parang kasalanan isipin iyong eleksyon ngayon, dahil ang daming naghihirap, ang taas ng cases. Parang huwag muna. Marami pang puwedeng mangyari,” she said. (None as of now. It’s like a sin to think of the elections today, because a lot of people are struggling, then there is a surge in cases. I think it’s not right. A lot of things may happen too.) “Marami pang puwedeng mangyari. Parang kapag inisip natin iyong eleksyon ngayon, hindi natin magagawa iyong trabaho natin,” she added. (A lot of things may happen. If we think about the election as early as today, we cannot properly do our jobs.) Robredo also assured the pub-
lic that she is not thinking about 2020 because the areas she has been visiting recently — areas assisted by the Office of the Vice President — are remote and do not have a high voter turnout. “Kagaya ako, iyong mga pinuntahan kong mga lugar dito, iyong pinakamalalayo, iyong pinakamalalayo. Hindi naman tayo nagkaroon ng events. Talagang binisita lang natin iyong programs,” she explained. (Like in my case, the areas I visit like here in Iloilo, are the farflung areas. There are no events, we just visit the programs we have initiated.) “Siguro kung eleksyon na iyong iniisip ko, magpapatawag ako ng maraming tao para hindi sayang iyong baba. So iyon nga, trabaho muna saka itong COVID response iyong asikasuhin natin,” she added. (If I was thinking about the elections maybe I would have called for a lot of people so my trip would not be wasted. So that’s it, I would focus on working and on the COVID-19 response.) Several names have emerged in connection with the presidential elections in 2022, which are about seven months away from the filing of certificates of candidacy. President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, was the talk of the town in January and February after her supporters put up streamers and tarpaulins across the country urging her to run for
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president in 2022. The President said that he does not want the younger Duterte to succeed him, as he believes the job is not for a woman, and because politics in the country is too dirty. But it wasn’t just Duterte-Carpio who was rumored to run in 2022: President Duterte recently joked that his former aide Senator Bong Go approached him to express his intention to run for president. Go maintained that the president was kidding, but he left the door open for a potential candidacy, particularly if Duterte heeds his party’s call to run for vice president. Robredo has been rumored to run for president, especially after opposition groups and volunteers began campaigns urging her to take on the administration. The Vice President previously claimed that she would rather run for a local office. This is not the first time Robredo and Duterte-Carpio were thought to be battling for the top national leadership post: During the 2019 elections, each was seen as the strongest nominee for senator from their respective groups. Otso Diretso, a coalition of opposition parties and leaders, was handled by Robredo, while Hugpong ng Pagbabago was handled by Duterte-Carpio. Nine of Hugpong’s 13 Senate candidates were elected, although none from Otso Diretso were elected. n
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INSIDE >>> L I F E S T Y L E • C O N S U M E R G U I D E • C O M M U N I T Y • M A R K E T P L A C E Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ THE Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) is complex, confusing, and can be extremely frustrating. During my 40 years of practicing law, I always encounter cases where a child may have been petitioned many years before their 21st birthday, but by the time their visa is available (or priority date is current), they have aged out. They are told they are no longer included in a petition, and must be left behind. The family is left wondering, why did my child age out? How come the CSPA doesn’t apply? Is there anything that can be done? I have good news for some aged-out children – A recent Second Circuit Court of Appeal decision held that if a parent naturalized AFTER their child’s 21st birthday, the child may still possibly be eligible for CSPA benefits, based on the child’s STATUTORY age, instead of their BIOLOGICAL age. Before this case, the child was out of luck if the parent naturalized after the child’s biological 21st birthday. By way of background, the CSPA provides age out protection for certain children, if they turned 21. • For children of U.S. citizens, their age is locked in, if the parent filed a petition before the child’s 21st birthday, or naturalized before the child’s 21st birthday. • For other family and employment-based petitions, there is a mathematical computation to calculate the child’s age, by subtracting the processing time of the petition from the child’s age
New hope for CSPA age out children
when the priority date becomes current, and the child applies for a visa within one year. Under this scenario, a child could have two different 21st birthdays. – Their “biological” 21st birthday, which is 21 years after the date they were born; or – Their “statutory” 21st birthday under the CSPA, where the government excludes or subtracts from the child’s age the time United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) spent processing the visa petition. For example, an immigrant parent files an F2A petition for their daughter when she is under 21, but the daughter is 22 years old when her F2A visa becomes available (or priority date is current), and it took the USCIS two years to process her petition, her “statutory age” for F2A purposes would be 20 years old (22 years old, minus 2 years processing time), making her still eligible for an F2A visa. In this recent case, the parent petitioned her minor child in the F2A category (minor child of green card holder), but the parent later naturalized after the child’s biological 21st birthday. Even though the child may have been eligible for a visa under the CSPA mathematical computation, (based on her “statutory” age at the time the parent naturalized), the family was told that because the parent naturalized after the child’s biological 21st birthday, the child no longer qualified under the CSPA. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals sided with this child, noting that “The legislative history shows a clear desire by Congress to fix the aged-out problem for ALL minor beneficiaries, and there is nothing to suggest that Congress intended to exclude beneficiaries like [this child].” The court concluded, “the CSPA dictates that,
in determining whether an F2A beneficiary is a minor, we use a statutory formula rather than pure biological age. To hold otherwise, would put the family in a WORST position because the parent naturalized. The court further noted that “penalizing people for becoming citizens run counter to the entire family-based visa scheme.” In this case, because the child was still statutorily under 21 years of age on the date her parent naturalized, she was eligible for a visa as an immediate relative. If this situation applies to you, you should consult with an attorney, who can evaluate your case, do the mathematical computations under the CSPA, and determine eligibility. If your child has ever been refused a visa for aging out, you may also want to consult with an attorney. I had many situations of a CSPA denial and was able to convince the U.S. Embassy or USCIS the child was eligible. But no guarantee. Also, if a parent has already filed an F2A petition and their child has turned 21 years of age, don’t just rush out and naturalize, assuming your child will still be eligible. There is still a mathematical computation that has to be performed, to make sure the child’s age would still be under 21 on the date of any naturalization. But this case could help many families where the child had qualified under the CSPA, but the parent had mistakenly naturalized after their child’s biological 21st birthday. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different, and results may depend on the facts of the particular
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM KAPAMILYA IN THE U.S. AND IN THE PHILIPPINES ON A BRAND-NEW EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) answers several questions from Kapamilya in California and Pangasinan in the Philippines about their immigration situations. Rio from San Ramon, California (right) asks about her mother’s petition for her two sisters. The petitioner died just as their petition became current. What do they do now? Rachel from Pangasinan, Philippines (center) wants to know if her 10-year-old daughter, who got her U.S. citizenship through her U.S. citizen father, can help her get an immigrant visa? And a person who chose to remain anonymous asks if there is anything she can do to adjust her status. She came to the U.S in the 90’s with a fake name and a fake U.S. passport. She is now married to a U.S. citizen. Find out the answers to these questions on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, March 21 at 5:30 pm PT (8:30 pm ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
Is there hope when the petitioner dies? What if someone used a fake name and passport to come to the US? Answers to these questions this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy LEADING U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel provides the latest news on immigration developments, as featured on his YouTube channel, “US Immigration TV.” Atty. Gurfinkel also answers another round of immigration questions from Kapamilya in the U.S. and from the Philippines. Rio from San Ramon, California wants to know what happens case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
to the petition of her two sisters since their mother (the petitioner) passed away in 2019 – the same year the petition became current. Rachel from Pangasinan, Philippines asks if she can get an immigrant visa through her 10year-old daughter who is a U.S. citizen by virtue of her U.S. citizen father. Someone who chose to remain anonymous shares that she used
a fake name and a fake passport when she entered the U.S. in 1998. She has since married a U.S. citizen. What can she do to adjust her status? Get answers to these questions and more on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, March 21 at 5:30 pm PT (8:30 pm ET thru select Cable/ Satellite providers).
No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, YouTube: US Immigration TV and Instagram. com/gurfinkellaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for
anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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Maricel Soriano gives acting tips when asked by co-stars
celebrityworld By Ferdie Villar
H.E.R, a Black and Filipina American R&B artist, took home two Grammys on Sunday, March 14, including one for Song of the Year. Photo courtesy Instagram/@hermusicofficial
H.E.R. wins Song of the Year for ‘I Can’t Breathe’ at 2021 Grammys by
AJPress
R&B singer-songwriter H.E.R. took home “Song of the Year” at the 2021 Grammy Awards on Sunday night, March 14 for her single “I Can’t Breathe.” The 23-year-old artist released the song last summer in response to the killing of George Floyd and the protests for racial justice. “We wrote this song over FaceTime,” H.E.R. said in her acceptance speech, joined by co-writer Tiara Thomas. “I didn’t imagine that my fear and that my pain would turn into impact, and it would possibly turn into change. And I think that’s what
this is about. And that’s why I write music.” She added, “I want to thank my mom, I recorded this song myself in my bedroom at my mom’s house. And I want to thank my dad. He cried. He was in tears when I wrote this song and I played it for him. He was the first person I played it for.” H.E.R., whose real name is Gabriella Wilson, was born in Vallejo, California to a Filipina mother and an African American father. Robert Glasper’s “Better Than I Imagined” won Best R&B song on Sunday, which H.E.R. is featured in alongside Meshell Nde-
geocello. With two wins on Sunday, H.E.R. now has four Grammys under her belt. She won two Grammys in 2019, for R&B album and R&B performance. “I’m so speechless right now, I can’t believe this,” she said in her speech. “Remember, we are the change that we wish to see. That fight that we had in us in the summer of 2020, keep that same energy.” On Monday, March 15, H.E.R., along with collaborators Tiara Thomas and D’Mile, was nominated for best original song at the 2021 Academy Awards for “Fight for You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah.”
DIAMOND star Maricel Soriano, or Marya as she is fondly called in the Philippine entertainment industry, just finished her taping duties for the Kapamilya series, “Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin.” Recently, she has been sporting a slimmer figure and seems to be happy and contented, according to a recent article in the Philippine Star. In the series, Marya pits her renowned acting skills against young co-stars like Jodi Sta. maria, Iza Calzado, Sam Milby, Joseph Marco, Grae Fernandez and Kira Balinger. She is complementary of her co-stars and thinks they were not intimidated by her presence. “They are all brilliant at masaya silang katrabaho. We all get along fine on the set kasi lock-in taping kami so masaya kami na nagkwekwentuhan after work,” she related. “Laki ako kay daddy (Comedy King Dolphy) na lahat ay nadadaan sa usapan. It’s not right to get mad just because of minor issues kasi lahat tayo may pinagdadaanan kung minsan at dapat intindihin natin kung may mga pagkakamali man.” When asked if she ever gives acting tips to fellow stars, especially the younger ones, Marya responds: “It feels good when they tell you, ‘Nay, how do you do this?’ Nand’yan ako para ituro kung ano ang gagawin but I only give tips when they ask. When I am asked, I will answer and I will help at talagang tuturuan ko sila pero kung hindi, huwag kasi s’yempre baka may sarili silang idea how to attack a particular scene. Hindi ko sila pinapangunahan.” For her role in the teleserye, Maricel had to undergo a physical transformation to portray her role, which she had no problems with. “It’s my responsibility to the audience (to live up to my character),” she said in the same article. “It’s also because of them why I needed to lose weight. But even if I don’t lose weight, I know they still love me and I’m sure, mas marami pa ang magmamahal ‘pag pumayat ako (laughs).” Throughout her career, Maricel has always given her all in portray-
ing every character and every role that she has taken on, whether in movies or in television. At this point, she looks for the challenges she will take on whenever she is offered an acting project. “Sa akin kasi, hindi ‘yung kung ano pa ang gusto kong gawin kundi kung ano ‘yung offer na magugustuhan ko. That for me is more challenging because it will truly put my acting to the test. So, if there is an offer, na kunwari ito ang role, ganito, titingnan ko muna and then from there, I will decide,” she revealed. Maricel is really happy that projects still keep landing on her lap. She may even do theater one day, but not until the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Recently, some people have imitated her roles in TikTok, complete with dialogue from those movies. This is probably due to the movie restoration efforts by ABS-CBN, which have put films from yesteryears back into shape and in highdefinition color. “Sobrang natutuwa ako kasi parang kahapon ko lang ginawa ang mga pelikulang ‘yun,” she said, tickled pink by this development. As for her wishes and hopes for 2021, Maricel has this to say: “I just wish that I will continue to be busy with work dahil maganda ‘pag busy ako kasi pumapayat ako, hahaha.” *** Former Miss Universe winner (2015) Pia Wurtzbach has this advice for women when it comes to relationships: “We cannot be ‘yes’ girls all the time.” This was brought up in a recent podcast Wurtzbach participated in, which was written about in Inquirer.net. Pia described having been lost in a relationship before, where she followed the wishes of an unnamed boyfriend prior to joining the pageantry world. “I didn’t fight back even when I knew something was wrong. I didn’t really have a voice.” Wurtzbach said. It even came to a point where she chose him over family and career.
Diamond Star Maricel Soriano is happy to give acting advice to her co-stars, but only when they ask for it. Inquirer.net photo
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach advises women to leave some love for one’s self even in the throes of a relationship and not to be a “yes” girl all the time to a boyfriend/loved one. Instagram.com/@piawurtzbach
“I picked that over my job, over my career. I picked him over hanging out with my friends. I picked him over spending time with family, as if he became my world,” she related, while adding that she was left with no income as she quit her job to keep the relationship at that time. It was only through the advice of her sister that she realized that something was wrong – and at that point she felt that she had lost her own identity. “I gave it everything, all of my time, my efforts, my heart and then napagod ako (I got tired). One day, I just woke up and I left,” Pia said. She only had Php100 in her wallet when she decided to walk out of that relationship. For Pia, she considers this as a lesson on what to avoid when you get in a relationship. For her breakups don’t have to happen due to big fights, but can take place due to a “gradual decaying of your soul” so it is best to leave some love for yourself.
Fil-Am hoop star DJ Mitchell catches his elusive March Madness dream By MoMAr
G. VisAyA
AJPress
MARCH Madness is upon us and sports fans across the country are excited after missing out on the tournament last year due to the pandemic. A total of 68 men’s college basketball teams will be in Indianapolis to duke it out for the championship. For DeRohn “DJ” Mitchell, Jr., a Black and Filipino American guard on the University of Hartford’s men’s basketball team, playing in this 82-year-old American tradition has been a lifelong dream. “Getting into March Madness is an unbelievable feeling. It’s something I have dreamt about all my life since I was a kid,” Mitchell told the Asian Journal. “I spent countless hours thinking about when I would arrive here — if I would even ever make it. Not many people believed that this was possible for me. But luckily for me, with the support of my family and friends, my dream has become a reality.” Mitchell is excited and he is looking forward to their game this Friday, March 19 against their bracket’s top seed Baylor. This is the first time in his school’s history that their team
made it to its first NCAA tournament, March Madness no less, something that Mitchell and his Hartford Hawks teammates are mighty proud of. “A few of my teammates and I have been talking about this moment over the last few weeks — about the ‘what if this?’ and ‘what if that?’ We kept circling back to ‘let’s be legendary.’ Let’s do something that no one else has done before and pave the way. Right now, we have accomplished that and we’re in unchartered territory,” Mitchell, a junior majoring in business management and administration, said. “But we traveled this far to make it all the way to Indiana — why don’t we stay awhile?” The 21-year-old Mitchell knew he wanted to play college sports at the young age of 8; although initially, he thought it was going to be football. At 12, he found basketball and there was no looking back. Monica Alvarez-Mitchell and her husband DeRohn fully supported their second child’s dream. “I believe it was around 12 years old when he declared basketball to be his destiny. Like most parents, I was happy to see him enjoy a sport that I assumed he’d outgrow,” Alvarez-Mitchell
DJ Mitchell, guard on the University of Hartford’s men’s basketball team Photo courtesy of Hartford Athletics/Steve McLaughlin
said. They sent their son to summer basketball camps and programs to nurture his passion. After a summer camp basketball program at IMG Academy in Sarasota, Florida, DJ Mitchell came back and said he wanted to attend boarding school there. After a thorough discussion of the pros and cons, the couple sent him to IMG as they saw in their kid a drive that was too compelling to ignore. The entire family has been supportive of Mitchell’s quest ever since, something that he fully acknowledges. It has not been easy at all but they all knew that it was the price they had to pay. It is a full-time commitment all year long, with most basketball events in school were always held over holidays and weekends. When he wasn’t in school or with the team, he was working with speed coaches and trainers at the gym. “There isn’t a day from the moment I chose to pursue a career in basketball that I wasn’t doing something to train for it and I still continue to today. I continue to also dream of making it to pro one day,” Mitchell said. There have been epic highs and lows so far, and like every sports parent out there, DeRohn and Monica understand this all too well. “For me, the worst moments were the obstacles that seemed overwhelming at times and the injuries. Like any parent, injuries are scary, but for an athlete, they can be career-ending,” AlvarezMitchell shared. She recalled DJ’s first scary injury when he hurt his hand, chipped his tooth, and needed stitches one year in post-grad while at St. Thomas More in Connecticut. “When that happened though, it felt like the world was ending because during the fall, he fractured his hand, and his only thought was, ‘Can I still even play?’ It was one of the darkest moments we had,” she said. Last year, he fell and hit his head hard. “My heart dropped at the game watching my son hit the ground and lie still on the court. He had a massive goose egg con-
cussion so my hubby and I took him off the court and rushed him to ER,” Alvarez-Mitchell shared. “In another crushing blow, the injury had him benched for a few weeks. But again, he healed and jumped back onto the court.” With sheer hard work and a bit of luck, Mitchell’s perseverance is starting to pay off. He was never the tallest or biggest, but he found a way to help the teams he played on in any way he could. He trained himself to be aware of everything on the court and knew that he had to play smarter against bigger competition. According to his mother, Mitchell learned to speed up the game, catch a rebound, get that breakaway steal, and score a three. He was naturally athletic and he has a great vertical. He fast-tracked his basketball IQ to understand team dynamics and his competitors’ weaknesses to add more value than just a shot or two and help set up his team to win. “It was his way to shine differently than others on the court,” she added. “Today, his value is clear; even announcers say he’s one of the most undervalued players on the court. But we believe that’s his strength. Never underestimate his will to win and making sure he is doing all he can every second he’s playing.” Road to March Madness Hartford’s entry to the March Madness is what hoop dreams are made of. They were set to play Vermont for the America East Tournament title last season, but COVID-19 happened and the rest of the season got canceled. For the first time in its 81-year history, even March Madness itself was canceled. This year, the team won over Vermont in the semifinals on March 6, then UMass-Lowell last week in the America East Tournament championship game. The major win gave Hartford the America East Championship for the first time in the school’s history and along with it, their ticket for their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. “Eleven years ago, I got this and I said, ‘Let the dream begin,’” Hartford coach John Gal-
DJ Mitchell, a guard on University of Hartford’s men’s basketball team, is fulfilling his dream of playing in the NCAA tournament. Photo courtesy of DJ Mitchell/Instagram
lagher told AP. “There were a lot of nightmares to get to this point. So many people to thank but this program, this neighborhood that we built, is so special. To put it into words is really hard. But we’re dancing.” “This moment is a dream come true for us. After last year’s letdown, the team came together and played their hearts out,” Alvarez-Mitchell shared. “They finally got a ticket to the dance for the first time. This achievement has made all the lows we experienced worth it and even that more meaningful.” DJ is grateful to his family for the support and understanding they have given him. He says all of them have worked hard and made sacrifices. “I would be lying if I said I arrived here without my family. They have given me every opportunity in the world to make this happen,” he said, acknowledging that they haven’t had proper time off or a family vacation since his career started. Through his journey’s ups and downs, there is one thing consistent in DJ, his motivation. “Most people don’t know this about me, but my motivation through all of this — through everything I’ve endured, both the
good and the bad — has been my little brother, Bryan,” he shared. “I wanted to show him you can achieve anything you want to and pursue different dreams that you have for yourself — to break the mold and create your path. Not everything is perfect in life, but resiliency is key. Being resilient will take you anywhere you want to go.” Looking back now, DJ’s mom Monica couldn’t help but be proud of her young son’s achievements. As a mom, she said she always wanted her children to dream big. This echoes DJ’s motivation to show his younger brother to chase whatever dream he wanted. “You live through every emotion your child has and become invested on all levels. But you keep going because there is no option. This is your child’s dream, and you will go with them to explore all roads until the end to help them achieve their destiny,” she said. “But I’ll say this to others: support your kids’ dreams — foster it and grow it. If your kid dreams big, works hard, keeps his head down grinding, never gives up, and gets a little lucky too, dreams can come true.”
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Island Pacific condemns recent Pinay chef Isa Fabro voices restaurant owner in surge of hate crimes against Netflix’s new animated series ‘City of Ghosts’ Asian American community By Christina
M. Oriel
AJPress
Island Pacific is a supermarket chain that caters to all communities however considers the Filipino american and asian american as their biggest demographic of loyal shoppers. With the current anti-asian american hate crimes proliferating in this pandemic, Island Pacific stands united to protect and serve the asian american communities against bigotry and hate due to the horrific rise in bias occurring across the country. according to the United states department of Justice, unlawful acts directly targeting asian american community members
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS ITalY, “the first western country to be severely hit by the COVId-19 pandemic is also the first nation to face a third wave of COVId-19 and now re-imposing a strict nationwide lockdown a year and more than one hundred thousand deaths later.” There has been six weeks of increasing COVId-19 cases, attributed to people lowering their guard, especially young people who refused to wear mask and do social distancing. The preventive value of masks and social distancing has been proven beyond doubt around the world. There are about 3.3 million cases of COVId-19 in Italy, with around 103,000 deaths. let us all behave wisely and responsibly. Hopefully, we would have herd immunity by the end of summer. Worldwide, there are more than 120.5 million cases and almost 2.7 million deaths; more than 30 million cases in the U.s. with about 548,000 deaths; and, in the Philippines, around 627,000 cases and almost 13,000 deaths. AZ vaccine and blood clots some countries have temporarily ceased using the astraZeneca vaccine after some patients developed blood clots, post-vaccination. according to the Washington Post, “astraZeneca said that of the 17 million people so far inoculated with its vaccine, jointly produced with Oxford University, there have only been 15 cases of deep vein thrombosis and 22 pulmonary embolisms. This is much lower than would be expected to occur naturally in a general population of this size and is similar across other licensed COVId-19 vaccines.” Clinical analysis is ongoing. Zinc and COVID-19 Zinc is an important element needed by our body to maintain good health. It helps boost the immune system and aids in the production of protein and the dna. Zinc is also one of the ingredients used in the treatment of COVId-19. a recent study found that “participants with low zinc levels had a 21% mortality rate compared with 5% in those with healthy zinc levels; the time to clinical recovery was approximately three times less in those with healthy serum zinc levels; and the authors concluded that serum zinc levels could help predict the outcome of individuals with COVId-19.” Consult with your attending physician before taking Zinc or any other medications. Comparing the vaccines Everyone is interested to compare the three vaccines currently used in the U.s. Here is last week’s comprehensive report from Kristina Fiore of MedPage, a consumer medical publication circulated to the medical community. Company: Pfizer/BionTech Vaccine name: BnT162b2
has risen exponentially. On January 26, 2021, President Biden issued the “Presidential Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance against asian americans and Pacific Islanders in the United states,” which mandates that the “attorney General shall explore opportunities to support, consistent with applicable law, the efforts of state and local agencies, as well as aaPI communities and community-based organizations, to prevent discrimination, bullying, harassment, and hate crimes against aaPI individuals, and expand
collection of data and public reporting regarding hate incidents against such individuals. Island Pacific will never tolerate discrimination and violence towards our community and will make every effort to provide a safe place in all our locations and provide all resources necessary to combat growing violence against our employees and customers. The market encourages all customers and employees to raise awareness in the rising hate crime in our community by immediately reporting such crime to law enforcement. (Advertising Supplement)
COVID-19 updates Mechanism of action: mRna vaccine dosing schedule: Two doses, 21 days apart (30 μg/dose) Efficacy: 95% at least 7 days after dose 2. Illness was defined as having a confirmed positive COVId-19 test and at least one of the following symptoms: fever, new or increased cough, new or increased shortness of breath, chills, new or increased muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, diarrhea, or vomiting. Research trial participants: 43,548 people age 16 and up. side effects: Most common were fatigue and headache after both doses, with both being more prominent after the second dose. These were milder for participants over 55 compared with those age 16 to 55. In this latter group, the rates of fatigue and headache were 59% and 52%, respectively, after dose 2. storage: Ultra-cold freezer required, -112ºF to -76ºF (80ºC to -60ºC) for up to 6 months; Fda recently agreed to allow storage of frozen, undiluted vials at standard pharmacy freezer temperatures between -13ºF and 5ºF for up to 2 weeks. Variants: no clinical data; lab studies have shown that the south african (B.1.351) variant may reduce antibody titers by two-thirds. Pfizer is studying a third “booster” dose of the original vaccine against this variant, as well as evaluating a variant-specific vaccine with a modified mRna sequence. number of doses contracted by the U.s.: 300 million. Company: Moderna Vaccine name: mRna-1273 Mechanism of action: mRna vaccine dosing schedule: Two doses, 28 days apart (100 μg/dose) Efficacy: 94.1% at least 14 days after dose 2. Illness was defined as having a confirmed positive COVId-19 test and at least two of the following symptoms: fever, chills, myalgia, headache, sore throat, new olfactory or taste disorder; or at least one respiratory sign or symptom including cough, shortness of breath, or clinical or radiographic evidence of pneumonia. Research trial participants: 30,420 people age 18 and up. side effects: Overall systemic adverse events including fever, chills, headache, and myalgia were recorded in 60% of participants after the first dose and in 80% of participants after the second dose. storage: Frozen between 13ºF to 5ºF (-25ºC to -15ºC); can be stored refrigerated from 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC) for up to 30 days prior to first use. Variants: no clinical data; lab studies found no significant impact on neutralizing antibodies with the U.K. variant (B.1.1.7) but a six-fold reduction in neutralizing antibodies with the south african variant (B.1.351). Moderna plans to
test a variant-specific booster candidate, a multivalent booster candidate, and a third dose of the original vaccine at 50 μg. number of doses contracted by the U.s.: 300 million. Company: Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Vaccine name: ad26.COV2.s Mechanism of action: adenovirus vector vaccine dosing schedule: One dose (two-dose regimen under evaluation) Efficacy: 72% in the U.s. and 66% globally against moderate-to-severe disease; 85% effective against severe disease, 28 days after a single dose. Moderate illness was defined as a confirmed positive COVId19 test plus one more of the following: evidence of pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, shortness of breath or abnormal blood oxygen saturation above 93%, abnormal respiratory rate (≥20); or two or more systemic symptoms suggestive of COVId-19. severe illness was defined as a confirmed positive COVId-19 test plus one or more of the following: signs consistent with severe systemic illness, admission to an intensive care unit, respiratory failure, shock, organ failure, or death. Research trial participants: 43,783 people age 18 and up. side effects: Most common systemic reactions were headache (39%), fatigue (38%), myalgia (33%), nausea (14%), and fever (9%). storage: stable for 2 years at -4ºF (-20ºC) but can be stored for at least 3 months at typical refrigeration temperatures of 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC). number of doses contracted by the U.s.: 100 million. Hundreds of millions of the COVId-19 vaccines have been administered around the world and they have been found to be safe and effective. The medical reality is that those who refused to get the vaccine would have the greatest risk to get infected and potentially succumbed to the virus. life is precious! *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail. com.
FIlIPIna american chef Isa Fabro can now add voice actor to her growing résumé. Fabro — who creates Filipinoinspired desserts and conceptual pop-ups under IsaMadE — voices Chef Jo in the first episode of “City of Ghosts,” netflix’s new documentary-style animated series that follows a group of friends from different backgrounds as they interact with ghosts and learn about the rich history of la’s neighborhoods. “I’m opening an asian-inspired eatery here in Boyle Heights, East los angeles,” narrates Chef Jo, who dons purple hair in a top bun and round fuchsia glasses. “I’ve been working all over la, and this is the first time I’m gonna be able to cook my own food in my own place.” as Chef Jo prepares for the grand opening, strange occurrences start to happen, from the sink turning on by itself to appliances being tossed out. Her friend Mariko (voiced by chef Kuniko Yagi) suggests getting help from the Ghost Club, a group of adolescents led by Boyle Heights resident Zelda (august nuñez). The paranormal activity uncovers the neighborhood’s Japanese community and stories of the family who owned the restaurant before Chef Jo. along the way, the Ghost Club takes viewers inside their meeting place, the la Central library in downtown, and gets a lesson in making gyoza (dumplings). The first season of “City of Ghosts” features six 20-minute episodes featuring neighborhoods, such as leimert Park and Koreatown, and groups like the Tongva, the indigenous people of the los angeles basin. Ghosts are presented as traces of storytelling and history,
rather than a haunting presence. Though a children’s show, it’s a fun, informative binge watch for angelenos — and those who want to learn more about the city beyond Hollywood and the stereotypes — of all ages. “There’s a lot of history out there. There are stories that people don’t know about…in these neighborhoods that are very much a part of la, that you may just drive through or don’t know about. But they are there to be enjoyed, discovered and experienced,” Fabro told the Asian Journal. Fabro was first approached with the project in 2018 and sat down with the show’s creator, Elizabeth Ito, an Emmy awardwinning story board artist and writer who’s worked on “adventure Time” and “Phineas and Ferb.” during the hours-long conversation, Fabro shared her experiences as a small business owner and a woman of color working at fine-dining restaurants throughout the city. “From that first interview, they actually took a lot of that and modeled the character of Chef Jo after what I had said,” Fabro said. “They sent me artwork too. There were different character designs of what they thought maybe Chef Jo would look like and it’s definitely me.” nearly three years later, Fabro’s mannerisms, facial expressions and back story loosely come to life in Chef Jo. Fabro, born in Canada to Filipino parents, was raised in la where she went on to work in the music and film industries in her 20s before attending culinary school and charting a career in food, first on the savory side before pastry. after a life-changing trip to the Philippines, she ventured off on her own to start IsaMadE, which
Chef Isa Fabro of IsaMADE Contributed photo
Illustrations of Chef Jo
Contributed photo
puts Filipino flavors at the forefront. some of her popular pastries include: coconut malas, a hybrid of Hawaiian malasadasand Filipino sweet rice balls carioca; mango royale pie, an icebox cake inspired by crema de fruita; and Food for the Gods, chewy bars comprised of dates and nuts often associated with the Christmas season. “I really threw myself into [‘City of Ghosts’]. I’m kind of a cartoon character already,” Fabro said. “I love all kinds of creativity and storytelling…I would totally do it again.” “City of Ghosts,” which premiered on March 5, is now available to stream on netflix.
Isa Fabro voices Chef Jo (far right) in the first episode of Netflix’s “City of Ghosts.” Eva (Kirikoiu Muldrew) and Zelda (August Nunez) are part of the Ghost Club and uncover a ghost named Janet (Judy Hayashi) at the restaurant. Photo courtesy of Netflix
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Filipino Americans celebrate 500 years of Catholicism
In celebration of the “500 Years of Catholic Evangelization in the Philippines,” members of the Filipino-American community and the Filipino Clergy of the Diocese of Oakland celebrated novena Masses hosted by different parishes across the diocese. St. Albert the Great had the honor of hosting a Mass last March 12. Together with Fr. Joseph and Fr. Erick Villa of St. Raymond’s in Dublin, Fr. Joel led the celebration. It was wellattended by parishioners from the diocese’s different churches – St. Joseph Basilica, St. Barnabas, St. Philip neri, St. Albert the Great. The organizers would like to thank all who volunteered
and helped make it a successful event, and also thank the Catholic community in Alameda and across the diocese for celebrating with them in honor of the Filipinos’ great faith as a nation and as a people. In his address to the those present in the Basilica on March 14, the 110 million faithful living in the Philippines and the 10 million Filipino migrants scattered in many countries across the globe, Pope Francis recalled that when the Christian message first arrived in their homeland five centuries ago, “You received the joy of the Gospel: the good news that God so loved us that he gave his Son for us. And this joy is evident in your people. We see
it in your eyes, on your faces, in during the novena Mass at St. your songs and in your prayers.” Albert the Great parish. (Jenny Photos above and at left show Feliciano) participants and Filipino clergy Photos courtesy of Bernadette M. Roco
Free weekly credit reports during COVID extended until April 2022 IF you’re feeling anxious about your financial health during these uncertain times, you’re not alone. That’s why the three national credit reporting agencies, which last year gave people weekly access to monitor their credit report for free, are extending that benefit until April 20, 2022. This is some helpful news, because staying on top of your credit report is one important tool to help manage your financial data. Your credit report has information about your credit history and payment history — information that lenders, creditors, and other businesses use when giving you loans or credit. now it’s easier than ever to check your credit more often. That’s because everyone is eligible to get free weekly credit reports until April 20, 2022 from the three national credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. To get your free reports, go to AnnualCreditReport.com. If you’re one of the many Americans struggling to pay your bills right now because of
Sarah Geronimo with husband Matteo Guidicelli
the Coronavirus crisis, here’s what you can do: • Contact the companies you owe money to. Ask if they can postpone your payment, put you on a payment plan, or give you a temporary forbearance. • Check your credit report regularly to make sure it’s correct — especially any new payment arrangements or temporary forbearance. The CARES Act generally requires your creditors to report these accounts as current. • Fix any errors or mistakes that you spot on your credit report. notify the credit reporting agencies directly. You can find out more by reading Disputing Errors on Credit Reports (https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/ articles/0151-disputing-errorscredit-reports). Find more advice and tips on handling the financial impact of the Coronavirus at https://www. consumer.ftc.gov/coronavirus/financial-impact, and subscribe to the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer alerts at https://www. ftc.gov/stay-connected. (By Atty, Cathlin Tully/Division of Privacy and Identity Protection)
Photo from Instagram/@matteog
Sarah on Matteo: Loving, patient & responsible By Ricky Lo Philstar.com
OnE year (last 2-20-2021) into married life and Mrs. Matteo Guidicelli (nee Sarah Geronimo) claims that it’s “parang single life din, pero iba ang saya...” As a housewife (she and Matteo have just moved from a condo unit into a house with a big garden), Sarah has learned how to bake and to tend to her garden (she and Matteo are plantita/plantito). Don’t ask when they are having a baby. Except in her new endorsements, the public hasn’t seen much of Sarah (unlike Matteo who has been busy hosting Viva Entertainment shows like Masked Singer Philippines and Born To Be A Star, both on TV5). How is married life so far? “Parang single life din, pero iba ang saya dahil may katuwang ka na sa buhay at iba din ang kalakip na challenges nito.” You and Matteo are plantita
and plantito. Experts said that it’s good to talk to your plants... “Kinakausap? Sige, try ko po kantahan. Sana lumago! Hehehehe!!!” You are also into baking. Do you hum or sing while baking? “More than singing, it’s more of listening to my favorite kinds of music, depends kung ano po mood ko. Hehehehe!!!” Do you and Matteo rehearse (singing) together? “Yes po, lalo na kapag may performance kami na gagawin together. We are each other’s critic and supporter.” Aside from planting (being a plantita) and baking, what else did you learn during this pandemic? “Cooking healthy food and running my own household! Hahahaha, challenging!” In three words, describe Matteo as a husband. “Loving, patient and responsible.”
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