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MARCH 19-25, 2020 Volume 31 - No. 12 • 16 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R
2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 201 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Casinos, ‘nonessential’ businesses close across Nevada for 30 days salons, gyms and shopping malls. “Today, it is clear additional steps must be taken, immediately, in order to slow the spread of this deadly virus in our state,” Sisolak said in his remarks on Tuesday. The announcement comes as 84 cases have been confirmed in Nevada, including 69 cases and one confirmed death in the southern part of the state, according to the Southern Nevada Health District. Essential services, such as fire and police depart-
by AJPRESS
MULING PAGKIKITA. Fedelina Lugasan (2nd from right), who had been enslaved by a Filipino family in Southern California after 65 years, reunited with family members (L-R), her granddaughter Chrystine Abcede, older sister Eunila Cinco and niece Luz Alabado, at the Pilipino Workers Center after they secured visas to come to the United States. AJPress photo by Noel Ty
NEVADA Governor Steve Sisolak has announced the closure of ‘nonessential’ businesses, including casinos, throughout the state for at least 30 days to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID19), beginning on Wednesday, March 18. Businesses ordered for closure include all casinos and gaming machines, clubs and bars, hair and nail
ments and health care providers, will remain open, as will businesses like grocery and convenience stores, pharmacies, and banking institutions. Restaurants, including pubs and bars that serve food, across the state will move to drive-thru, takeout or delivery only. Sisolak reminded the public to maintain six feet of social distancing between people, that all gatherings should be postponed or canceled, and that faith
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Filipina human trafficking victim reunites with family after 65 years
LOS ANGELES — An 83-year-old Filipina human trafficking victim reunited with three family members after 65 years apart. In an emotional reunion, Fedelina Lugasan — fondly known as “Nanay Fedelina” — was surprised by her older sister Eunila Cinco on Monday, March 9 after securing a visa to come to the United States. Cinco was accompanied by her daughter Luz Alabado and granddaughter Chrystine Abcede. Originally from Leyte, Lugasan had worked since she was a teenager as a domestic helper for four generations of Benedicta Cox’s family, first in the Manila, before they brought
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The Diocese of Borongan has put yellow lines on the pews inside churches to ensure that the faithful would be at arms-length of each other. Inquirer.net photo by Alren Beronio
CONGESTED. North-bound vehicles clog near the toll plaza of the North Luzon Expressway on Wednesday, March 18, the third day of the community quarantine in Metro Manila. President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, March 16 declared an enhanced community quarantine to include the entire Luzon in a bid to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). PNA photo by Ben Briones
US Embassy in Manila suspends PH gov’t lifts 72-hour window for outbound flights visa appointments by RITCHEL
THE U.S. Embassy in Manila has postponed visa appointments until further notice following the Philippine government’s imposition of a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. “The Government of the Philippines has imposed a strict quarantine across Luzon and particularly Metro-Manila as a precautionary measure to limit the spread of COVID-19,” the embassy said in an advisory Wednesday, March 18.
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MENDIOLA AJPress
THE 72-hour deadline for international travelers to leave the Philippines has been lifted, the government announced on Wednesday, March 18. The updated announcement from the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will allow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), balikbayans, and foreigners to leave the country through any of the ports in Luzon at any time during the “enhanced community quarantine” period, provided they travel only to the airport within 24 hours of the date and time of their departure.
“OFWs, balikbayans, and foreigners leaving for abroad through any of the ports in Luzon shall be allowed to leave the Philippines at any time for the duration of the enhanced community quarantine, provided that proof of international travel itinerary scheduled within 24 hours must be presented,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles confirmed on Wednesday. The Philippine Department of Transportation on Tuesday had previously given international airports in the country a 72-hour window to accommodate foreigners seeking to leave the Philippines, after which all gateways from the mainland will be closed in compliance with the enhanced communi-
COVID-19 cases in PH could reach 75,000 in months if not contained - DOH by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippine Department of Health said novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country could rise to 75,000 in two to three months if the spread of the contagion is not contained. “Within two to three months, it can reach that peak in which 75,000 may possibly get infected,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday, March 18. However, she noted that it is possible to “flatten the curve” as long as strict measures are in place. “That means we can spread out the infections across many months if we only can implement stringent measures such as social distancing,” she said. As of writing, there are a total of 202 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 17 fatalities and seven recoveries. President Rodrigo Duterte Duterte on Tuesday,
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Ancajas, Casimero continue training as fights postponed How 3 Fil-Am families in New York are coping with coronavirus deaths, infection by JOSEF
T. RAMOS ManilaTimes.net
by MOMAR
DUE to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum decided to cancel all the boxing activities in March and April including the fights of world champions Jerwin Ancajas and John Riel Casimero. Arum announced on Tuesday, March 17 that all its scheduled fights would be postponed starting this month for the sake of everyone. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Top Rank has postponed all events scheduled for March and April. We are monitoring the situation closely and will reschedule the shows as soon as it’s safe and reasonable to do so,” Arum said in a statement. “The health and safety of our fighters, staff and ESPN’s incredible production team is the most important thing as we plan our next steps. We look forward to the day when we can bring our loyal fans world-class boxing once again, but exercising caution is the most prudent thing to do at this moment.” Team manager and trainer Joven Jimenez, mean-
G. VISAYA
AJPress
Filipino American lawyer and legal recruiter David Lat tested positive for COVID-19.
NEW YORK-based Filipino American lawyer and legal recruiter David Lat announced on social media this week that he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). “Hello everyone. You are looking at New York State’s 951st and New York City’s 464th confirmed case of Covid-19 aka coronavirus,” he posted on Monday, March 16. Lat said that he will write a more detailed post about his ordeal and called on anyone who had any contact with him “anytime after around Sunday, February 23, you can play the ‘David Lat card’ and can — and should — get tested automatically.” His husband Zach, a confirmed case as well, got the same symptoms two days after Lat did. “For now, I wanted to let you all know, apologize if I unknowingly infected you — I self-quarantined as soon as I had real symptoms, but people can transmit it be-
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John Riel Casimero
Inquirer.net photo
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march 19-25, 2020 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL
PH gov’t lifts 72-hour window... PAGE 1 ty quarantine enforced in Luzon. Under the new guidelines, Nograles said that departing passengers are allowed to be accompanied by only one person to any international port, who should depart immediately after dropping off the passenger. The accompanying person must also carry a copy of the eticket or itinerary. Nograles added that the Over-
seas Workers Welfare Administration “may provide transportation services to OFWs intending to leave for abroad.” “This provision shall not be interpreted to allow outbound travel by Filipinos to jurisdictions where travel restrictions are in place,” he stressed. Inbound international passengers, meanwhile, are allowed entry, subject to strict immigration and quarantine protocols.
From The FronT Page Filipino tourists, however, are barred from leaving the country. The previous travel restrictions for arriving passengers remain in place. “Our travel restrictions for foreign nationals arriving from China, Hong Kong, Macau, North Gyeongsang including Daegu and Cheongdo of South Korea, Iran, and Italy still stand,” announced Philippine Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente. President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, March 16, placed Luzon on an “enhanced community quarantine” to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Philippines. Airlines such as Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, and Cebu Pacific all announced the cancellation of their flights in support of government regulations addressing the COVID-19 outbreak. n
Ancajas, Casimero continue training... PAGE 1 while, said Anjacas, the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight champion, would remain training in a secluded area in Luzon to stay fit for the entire community quarantine. Ancajas (32-1-2 win-loss-draw record with 22 knockouts) is supposed to defend his title against Mexican challenger Jonathan Rodriguez on April 11 at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Our training will continue, but I can’t reveal the place because it’s going to be in a close door. We are okay to fight by May, even in June or July as long as this virus is gone. We are still very thankful to God for taking care of us in times like this,” Jimenez told The Manila Times in a phone interview. After spending a few months of training in Dipolog City, Ancajas and his team flew back to Manila last Saturday before the “community quarantine” ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte. Casimero’s supposed April 25 unification bout against Japanese IBF and World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue at the Mandalay Bay will also be rescheduled. Casimero, the reigning World Boxing Organization super bantamweight titleholder, is in Las Vegas to continue his training camp. n
STRANDED. Several passengers are waiting for public transport at a UV express terminal on Tuesday, March 17 in Cubao, Quezon City. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) suspended the operation of public transport in line with the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon Island to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease in the country. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Casinos, ‘nonessential’ businesses... PAGE 1
leaders should find alternatives to deliver services without physically congregating. “I know this directive will cause many of our friends and neighbors to distress. But I ask you – what are you willing to do to save your own life and the lives of those you love? We absolutely must take this step for every Nevadan’s health and safety. Please – take this seriously. Lives are at stake, and with each passing day, this pandemic is growing. Please – Stay Home for Nevada,” Sisolak said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously issued guidance that events and gatherings with more than 50 people in the U.S. should be canceled or postponed for the next eight weeks. Starting last Monday, the closure of all K-12 public, private and charter schools until at least April 6 took effect, following Sisolak’s announcement over the weekend. As students will be learning online, Charter Communications is offering free access to Spectrum Broadband and WiFi. At least 10 states, including California and New York, have enacted similar mandates, as the pandemic continues to spread across the U.S., with over 6,400 cases as of Tuesday. Before the Nevada governor’s
announcement, Cosmopolitan, Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International — which operates 13 properties in Las Vegas including the MGM Grand, Bellagio and Mandalay Bay — said on Monday that they would shutter their property doors beginning Tuesday. Full-time employees furloughed or laid off by MGM will receive two weeks of pay from their last day of work, while employees covered by the company’s health plan will continue to receive benefits until June 30, according to the Las Vegas-Review Journal. The Las Vegas Justice Court is suspending eviction proceedings for the next 30 days, while the Nevada Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation is encouraging those who have been laid out to file unemployment insurance claims online. The governor also asked essential businesses to consider hiring laid off individuals. There are 162,936 Filipinos in Nevada — the largest Asian American group — many of whom are employed by local hospitals and health care facilities, Clark County School District schools, hotels and casinos. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are considered one of the fastest-growing groups in the state, seeing a 167% population increase since 2000, according
Gov. Steve Sisolak
to APIA Vote. Sisolak on Wednesday released a statement, saying “it remains more important than ever to continue separating fact from fiction and showing support for all Nevadans, especially our significant Asian-American communities that have been unfairly stigmatized and harmed by misconceptions and misinformation about the virus.” Since the outbreak, Asian Americans communities across the country have reported acts of hate and discrimination. “COVID-19 originated in China, but it in no way targets Chinese American or other Asian American individuals at higher rates than other races or ethnicities. This is a virus that does not discriminate; it targets everyone,” the governor added. n
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Filipina human trafficking victim reunites... PAGE 1 her to the United States in 1980 where they settled in Northridge, a city north of Los Angeles. “[Nag]papasalamat [ako] sa inyong lahat ng tumulong sa [Pilipino Workers Center (PWC)] at sa Consul (I want to thank you all who helped at PWC and the Consulate),” Lugasan tearfully said on Tuesday, March 10 during a celebration at PWC’s office in Historic Filipinotown, the nonprofit organization instrumental in her journey to freedom. During her time with the family, Lugasan did not receive any days off and was not paid for her work, which included taking care of the children and then grandchildren and household chores. Her relatives had feared that she had died or started her own family because they lost contact about three years after she left the Philippines and no one had provided any updates on her welfare, Alabado told attendees on Tuesday. “Hindi ko alam bakit ginanon siya because before siya umalis maayos naman usapan namin (I don’t know why they did that to her because before they left, our conversation was smooth),” Alabado said, adding that she had visited her aunt and gave her things before her trip to the United States. But in reality, Lugasan’s passport, birth certificate, and other important documents were taken away from her, and she was subjected to physical and verbal abuse through the years. She also slept on the floor at the house, according to previous reports. When her elderly employer Benedicta Cox was hospitalized, Lugasan watched over her but was unable to rest or eat for days, leading to her vomiting and collapsing. A nurse at the hospital alerted law enforcement, which resulted in the FBI searching Cox’s residence and the eventual rescue of Lugasan in 2018. The FBI alerted the Philippine Consulate General in LA, the Asian Pacific Islander Human Trafficking Task Force, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and PWC about Lugasan’s case. “I’ve been in the service for almost 25 years and prior to [LA], I was assigned to the Middle East and…believe it or not, we handled over 20,000 cases of assistance to nationals, Filipinos who were abused, who were not given proper salaries…But one case in my career stood out and
Philippine Consul General Adelio Cruz spoke at a celebration for Nanay Fedelina at Pilipino Workers Center in Los Angeles on Tuesday, March 10. AJPress photos by Noel Ty
Nanay Fedelina (center) is joined by her family, caretakers and supporters, including Bill Nelson and Vicki Rollins, owners of a Long Beach skilled nursing facility where Nanay lives.
that is the case of Nanay Fedelina,” Philippine Consul General Adelio Cruz said on Tuesday. “We are now witnessing a miracle and through the collective efforts of people here, we were able to save Nanay Fedelina, give her justice and bring her family here to meet her.” The Philippines continues to be a large source of human trafficking and labor exploitation in the United States, PWC’s Executive Director Aquilina Soriano Versoza told the Asian Journal. The organization is currently working with close to 100 Filipino victims. “Filipinos are striving to improve their lives and here in the United States, the immigration laws make people more vulnerable,” Soriano Versoza said. “For many, their immigration status is so tied to their employer that it’s easy for them to abuse. When they get here, it’s not what they expect and they don’t have the resources and don’t know the system so they stay vulnerable.” PWC had estimated that throughout her decades of work, Lugasan’s back wages come to about $1.6 million, using Califor-
nia’s minimum wage at the time she began employment with the Cox family in 1980. But after months of investigation, Cox was put on house arrest in 2019, sentenced to probation for five years and ordered to pay $101,119.98 in restitution. Cox died about six months into the arrest. Reuniting Since her rescue, Lugasan has lived at a skilled nursing facility in Long Beach, where she now has her own room and has made friends with other residents. Lugasan celebrated her 83rd birthday with her newfound community last summer, saying it was the first time she had ever celebrated her special day. Meanwhile, as Lugasan’s story was being shared through various media platforms last year, Abcede told the Asian Journal that someone had sent an article to the family. She then reached out to a friend who lived in Los Angeles who helped her call the hospital Lugasan was admitted to and then PWC’s office and the FBI. “We didn’t get any information PAGE 4
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 19-25, 2020
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Filipina human trafficking victim reunites... PAGE 3 after, I think, about a week or two after sending them proof that we are the relatives. I understood because they were probably validating the information I gave them,” Abcede said, adding the only memory she had of Lugasan was talking to her on the phone and receiving a doll as a present. Lugasan had the opportunity
to meet Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez during his visit to LA last fall, when she expressed her desire to return to her hometown and see if her siblings or other relatives were still alive. Lugasan, who is under a T visa for victims of human trafficking, cannot go back to the Philippines yet, so the Consulate and embas-
Older sister Eunila Cinco (left) gives Nanay Fedelina an embrace, after being separated for AJPress photos by Noel Ty 65 years.
sy had helped expedite the process of securing a U.S. visa for her older sister, who is the only surviving sibling. With Lugasan’s freedom, she hopes to bring awareness to the plight of human trafficking victims and encourage the community to help report any incidences. “There’s not one thing to spot a human trafficking victim but there are a few red flags, like individuals who don’t seem to have as much freedom to go around by themselves for example, or don’t have access to their own passports,” Soriano Versoza told the Asian Journal. “It is hard to identify all the time but even if you have like a sliver of an inkling that maybe something right isn’t happening…being ready with resources is helpful in letting that person know that there is a place they could reach out to if they needed to.” While the family’s end goal is to bring Lugasan back to her native country, they said the next three weeks together here in LA will be about spending as much time together and enjoying some sightseeing. “We won’t be able to bring back the sixty years she has been gone, but we will spend the next three weeks to bond with lola just to make her happy,” Abcede said. If you are in a similar situation or you know someone who may be experiencing exploitation and abuse, please contact the Pilipino Workers Center at (213) 250-4353. (Christina M.Oriel/AJPress)
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US Embassy in Manila suspends... PAGE 1 “Due to these circumstances, all visa appointments have been postponed pending further notice; please do not attempt to travel to the Embassy,” it added. The embassy advised visa applicants to monitor their email—
specifically, the email address they provided at the time their respective appointment were made—for updates. “Although we are operating at an extremely reduced staffing level due to the current conditions, the American Citizen Ser-
vices Unit will address the needs of U.S. citizens as much as possible,” it noted. The embassy added that nonessential services have been postponed pending further notice. (Christia Marie Ramos/Inquirer.net)
How 3 Fil-Am families in New York... PAGE 1 fore they’re symptomatic — and assure you that I’m doing well,” Lat wrote. The lawyer also expressed his frustration about the availability of testing for COVID-19. “If you interacted with me in person after 2/23, you can cite that fact and get automatically tested,” Lat said on Twitter. “Otherwise you might have to go to the ridiculous efforts I had to in order to get a simple test that other countries have given to their citizens by the hundreds of thousands.” Lat thanked “the talented and hardworking (but very understaffed) team” at NYU Langone Medical Center and his family and friends for their “prayers, sympathies and good wishes.” Lat’s parents are watching after his two-year-old son Harlan in Saddle River, New Jersey while his dads are ill. “The city’s not a great place for kids these days. Kids don’t tend to get much in the way of coronavirus symptoms but they can carry it, something that my fellow parents should bear in mind,” Lat said. Lat is the founder of the legal blog Above the Law, a website
Liza Paqueo (left) with her mother Nida Cortes Paqueo, who died in Manila on Wednesday, March 11 from COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Liza Paqueo/Facebook
about law firms and the legal profession. Family tragedy Penn Baluyut, a local community leader, also took to social media to share the story of his brother who passed away after contracting the virus, in an effort to alert the community about how dangerous this virus is. “With sincere intentions, I am sad and obliged to inform everyone of my brother Arriba Ed Baluyut death as a victim of the virus,” Penn wrote in a message, now widely shared within the FilAm community in New York. Baluyut’s brother Ed was based in the Philippines. “I am making this public announcement to save anyone from this deadly virus. If Ed’s death story can save one family then his death will not go in vain,” he wrote. Their older sister from Chicago arrived from Singapore on February 22 after spending a week in Manila to take care of their youngest brother who lives in Singapore with lung cancer. She stayed in Singapore for five weeks. Their families in Manila gave her dinner and despedida parties and their brother Ed was her official driver. The sister then left for Chicago last February 28. Ed and his wife Ging got sick on March 8 with fever and coughing. “Ed became worse and rushed to the hospital where he died the following day and tested positive of the virus last March 12. His wife is still critical with the virus,” he added. Their sister in Chicago and her husband are also sick. Their brother-in-law in Manila who al-
ways hosts the dinners and parties is also sick with the symptoms of the virus. “For two weeks my families in Chicago had dinners and welcome parties with everybody. Five families in Chicago. Everybody is under 14 days of selfquarantine now,” Penn shared. He is calling on the community to be safe and called on people who travelled from other countries or states to practice selfquarantine for 14 days. “Do not let your families...see you or visit. From [the] airport, you must remove your clothes and shoes straight to laundry to wash or put in [a] big black bag. Inform your family to prepare your change of clothes and not bring your clothes inside the house,” he said. First Filipino COVID-19 casualty The daughter of ‘PH35’, the first Filipino to succumb to COVID-19 shared her grief on social media last Friday. Liza Paqueo broke her family’s silence with a Facebook post announcing the passing of her mother, Nida Cortes Paqueo, who died in Manila on Wednesday, March 11 shortly after her 67th birthday. “A few hours ago, my beautiful mother, Nida, was cremated. She died alone without her loving family and friends around her. She was cremated, alone, without ceremony or tribute,” Liza Paqueo posted. Paqueo grieved the fact that she and her brothers who are all in the United States, were not there for their parents. “She was healthy and fit. She went into the hospital on March u PAGE 5
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 19-25, 2020
Avoid taking ibuprofen for COVID-19 symptoms — WHO
THE World Health Organization recommended on Tuesday, March 17 that people suffering COVID-19 symptoms avoid taking ibuprofen, after French officials warned that anti-inflammatory drugs could worsen effects of the virus. The warning by French Health Minister Olivier Veran followed a recent study in The Lancet medical journal that hypothPhilstar.com photo esised that an enzyme boosted by anti-inflammatory drugs such should ask advice from their doc- use of steroids and non-steroias ibuprofen could facilitate and tor. dal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) worsen COVID-19 infections. Paracetamol must be taken products, including ibuprofen, Asked about the study, WHO strictly according to the recom- for the alleviation of COVID-19 spokesman Christian Lindmeier mended dose, because too much symptoms.â€? told reporters in Geneva the UN of it can damage the liver. “Consumer safety is our numhealth agency’s experts were The COVID-19 pandemic, ber one priority,â€? the spokesper“looking into this to give further which has infected around son said, stressing that “Ibuproguidance.â€? 190,000 people worldwide and fen is a well-established medicine “In the meantime, we recom- killed more than 7,800, causes that has been used safely as a FULL FOOD SUPPLY. A woman buys onions in a dry goods stall at the Kadiwa Wet and Dry Market in DasmariĂąas, Cavite on Tuesday, March 17. Authorities assured that delivery of cargo containing food and other basic supplies will not be hampered amid the enhanced community mend using rather paracetamol, mild symptoms in most people, self-care fever and pain reducer, quarantine implemented in the entire Luzon. PNA photo By Avito C. Dalan and do not use ibuprofen as a but can result in pneumonia and including in viral illnesses, for self-medication. That’s impor- in some cases severe illness that more than 30 years.â€? tant,â€? he said. can lead to multiple organ fail“We do not currently believe He added that if ibuprofen had ure. there is any proven scientific evibeen “prescribed by the healthEven before the pandemic, dence linking over-the-counter care professionals, then, of French authorities sounded the use of ibuprofen to the aggravaPAGE 1 course, that’s up to them.â€? alarm over serious “infectious tion of COVID-19,â€? the statement March 17, signed Proclamation His comments came after Ve- complicationsâ€? linked to the use said. 929, which declares a state of ran sent a tweet cautioning that of ibuprofen, which is sold under The spokesperson said Reckitt calamity for six months unless the use of ibuprofen and similar various brands like Nurofen and Benckiser was “engaging with lifted earlier extended “as ciranti-inflammatory drugs could Advil, and other anti-inflamma- the WHO, EMA (the European cumstances may warrant.â€? be “an aggravating factorâ€? in tory drugs. Medicines Agency) and other The declaration enjoins all COVID-19 infections. A spokesperson for British local health authoritiesâ€? on the government agencies and local “In the case of fever, take pharmaceutical company Reckitt issue and would provide “any adgovernment units (LGUs) to renparacetamol,â€? he wrote. Benckiser, which makes Nuro- ditional information or guidance der full assistance in combating The French minister stressed fen, said in an email statement necessary for the safe use of the spread of the disease. that patients already being treat- that the company was aware our products following any such “All government agencies and ed with anti-inflammatory drugs of concerns raised about “the evaluation.â€? (Philstar.com) LGUs are enjoined to render full assistance to and cooperation with each other and mobilize the necessary resources to underPAGE 4 take critical, urgent, and approcity of 13 million people. Specu- positive for COVID-19, Liza said priate disaster response aid and 5 with localized pneumonia,â€? lations as to where they got it he is now “in stable condition measures in a timely manner to Paqueo said. “A couple of days from [are] unknown, and we are and in quarantine.â€? curtail and eliminate the threat later, my father was admitted leaving that to the Department of “The Department of Health is of COVID-19,â€? stated Duterte’s into the hospital.â€? Health,â€? she said. now working with the hospitals proclamation. “My father is alone as well. These speculations have led and her father on epidemiologiHis declaration also directs law He is at a Manila hospital, he is to social media posts about her cal protocols around this infecenforcement agencies, with the in deep grief over the loss of his parents and Paqueo said she tion,â€? she said. support from the Armed Forces wife of 47 years, the love of his wanted to clarify the gossip that Like Lat, Paqueo is calling on of the Philippines, “to undertake life,â€? she lamented. “We are not has been going around, saying the people who may have met all necessary measures to ensure allowed to visit my dad. We are that her parents have not trav- with her parents in Manila to peace and order.â€? not allowed to manage and advo- eled anywhere domestically or come out and take precautions. A day before, the president cate for him.â€? internationally. “If you have been around my placed Luzon on an enhanced Paqueo said that they received “To compound the grief and parents between February 29 community quarantine to contain the news on Wednesday that her pain, rumors and malicious mis- (when my mother first reported the spread of virus in the counmom passed away and had CO- information have circulated on symptoms) and her death on try. VID-19. Her father also tested social media about my parents. March 11, then we encourage “I have come to the conclusion positive for COVID-19. All family This has all resulted in panic, you to self-isolate for 14 days. These dogs in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental seem to practice social distancing as they were that stricter measures are neces- caught sleeping a few distances away from each other. Photo by Patrick Pinili via Facebook and friends who have been ex- violence, threats and stigmati- And if you have a fever and a sary. For this reason, pursuant to posed to her parents are in isola- zation of our family and loved cough, please report to the Demy powers as President under bolster sweeping relief and emer- empt workers tion and quarantine. ones. Disclosure of private infor- partment of Health. It is the reThe Philippine Army on Tuesthe constitution and RA 11332, gency efforts to contain the out“No one knows how they con- mation has circulated as well,â€? sponsible thing to do. There is I am placing the entire mainland break and at the same time ease day started offering free trans- tracted COVID-19, but Manila is she said. no stigma with this disease,â€? she of Luzon under enhanced com- the burden of our front liners and portation to essential workers a crowded, internationally mix While her father also tested wrote. n munity quarantine until April ordinary citizens as we come to such as health professionals, 12, 2020,â€? he said in a nationally grips with this public health cri- food industry personnel and SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY quarantine-exempt workers. sis,â€? Poe said in a statement. televised address. 340 N. 11th St., #180 | LAS VEGAS, NV 89115 According to Army spokesSen. Panfilo Lacson noted that This comes after problems with the community quarantine proto- the action is “timely and ratio- person Col. Ramon Zagala, 18 military vehicles from the Army col cropped up on the first day nal.â€? He also called on Filipinos to Headquarters and Headquarters of the workweek, such as failed Support Group were deployed to social distancing due to cramped support the measure. SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY “The government, for all its operate within Metro Manila and public vehicles, road congestion, disaster preparedness and re- its neighboring areas. and checkpoint issues. PUBLIC NOTICE A total of 1,442 individuals According to a Palace memo sponse efforts, cannot overcome EFFECTIVE APRIL 7, 2020 AND UNTIL JUNE 8, 2020 issued over the weekend, an en- the threat by itself. We must all have already availed of the free hanced community quarantine do our part, whether as workers rides as of Wednesday aftersuspends mass public transport, rendering frontline services, sci- noon. “The Army is extending its ca- The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) provides subsidized housing for low-income and land, air, and sea travel. It entists developing ways to deal persons who meet both the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) and SNRHA’s also implements a strict home with the problem, or responsible pabilities in order to provide the admission criteria. $SSOLFDWLRQV PXVW EH UHFHLYHG LQ RXU RIÂżFH DQG GDWH VWDPSHG E\ WKH FORVH RI quarantine for every household, Filipinos giving support to them support it can give especially in business on June 8, 2020. regulates provisions for food while showing understanding transporting essential personand essential health services, and cooperation with measures nel to their place of destination. The wait list will be open and we will accept applications for the following programs: and heightens the presence of from the national government We still encourage non-essenuniformed personnel to enforce and local government units tial personnel to cooperate with (LGUs),â€? he said in a separate the government and just stay at WARDELLE STREET TOWNHOUSES (Future PUBLIC HOUSING/PBV/LIHTC) 1, 2 & 3 Bedrooms. quarantine procedures. home,â€? said PA chief Lt. Gen. GilPresidential Spokesperson statement. ESPINOZA TERRACE (PBV-RAD/Henderson) – 2 Bedrooms, Head, Spouse or Co-tenant must be 55 Sen. Francis Pangilinan said bert I. Gapay. Salvador Panelo earlier said that “We commend our medi- \HDUV RU ROGHU DW WKH WLPH RI DSSOLFDWLRQ food and essential needs will be Duterte’s decision is “necessaryâ€? delivered to houses by local gov- so that the PHP16-billion calam- cal professionals, food industry ity fund of the national govern- workers, and other essential per- ROSE GARDENS (PBV-RAD/North Las Vegas) – 2 Bedrooms, Head, Spouse or Co-tenant must be ernment units (LGUs). sonnel who provide the needs for \HDUV RU ROGHU DW WKH WLPH RI DSSOLFDWLRQ “The respective LGUs will ment can be released. He also pointed out that an- our people in this time of medical have to create a system where /8%(57+$ -2+1621 3%9 5$' Âą %HGURRPV +HDG 6SRXVH RU &R WHQDQW PXVW EH \HDUV RU food and essential needs will be other PHP13 billion of the con- crisis,â€? he added. Gov’t workers to receive full older at the time of application. delivered to the homes of the tingency fund can also be tapped pay during quarantine period communities. In other words, we because of this. The Department of Budget '(6,*1$7(' 6(1,25 -DPHV 'RZQ 6DUWLQL 3OD]D DQG /HY\ *DUGHQV %HGURRPV +HDG 6SRXVH Gov’t releases spending plan will not allow a rush to get food and Management (DBM), for its RU &R WHQDQW PXVW EH \HDUV RU ROGHU DW WKH WLPH RI DSSOLFDWLRQ and supplies because there will vs COVID-19 pandemic A P27.1-billion spending plan part, assured government workbe sufficient food and supply,â€? was rolled out by the govern- ers that will receive their salaries &2521$'2 '5,9( 3%9 +HQGHUVRQ Âą %HGURRPV +HDG 6SRXVH RU &R WHQDQW PXVW EH \HDUV he added. or older at the time of application. Duterte urged the public once ment’s economic team for ev- during the enhanced community again to stay inside their homes. eryone affected by the enhanced quarantine period. “All national government em- CONVENTIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING- 4 Bedrooms. “Everyone will stay at home, community quarantine enforced ployees are receiving their full leaving their houses only to buy in Luzon. “As directed by President salaries even if they are working LANDSMAN GARDENS (PBV-RAD/Henderson) – 5 Bedrooms. food, medicine, and other things Duterte, the government will from their homes,â€? said Budget necessary for survival,â€? he said. JUAN GARCIA (PBV-Las Vegas) – 4 Bedrooms. Private establishments provid- provide targeted and direct pro- Secretary Wendel Avisado. He also said that contractors ing basic necessities, such as grams to guarantee that benefits ARCHIE GRANT PARK (PBV-RAD/Las Vegas) –1 & 2 Bedrooms those related to food and medi- will go to our workers and other and casuals covered by job orcine production are allowed to affected sectors,â€? Finance Secre- ders will also get paid as schedApplicants meeting the following criteria will be assigned preference points. SNRHA must receive operate with a skeleton force. tary Carlos Dominguez said in a uled. Employers, meanwhile, are YHULÂżFDWLRQ RI DOO SUHIHUHQFHV 3UHIHUHQFH SRLQWV ZLOO LPSDFW \RXU SODFHPHQW RQ WKH ZDLWLQJ OLVW Among those businesses include statement. “We have enough but limited barred from sacking their workpublic markets, supermarkets, The following is a list of possible preference points: groceries, convenience stores, resources, so our job is to make ers who fail to report for work ‡ $SSOLFDQWV ZKR ZRUN RU PRUH KRXUV SHU ZHHN hospitals, medical clinics, phar- sure that we have sufficient funds during the quarantine period in ‡ )XOO WLPH VWXGHQWV $JH DQG ROGHU LQ DQ DFFUHGLWHG VFKRRO RU WUDLQLQJ SURJUDP macies and drugstores, food for programs mitigating the ad- Luzon. ‡ 5HFHLYLQJ 66, 66' RU SURRI RI LQDELOLW\ WR ZRUN “Employers should not termi- preparation and delivery servic- verse effects of COVID-19 on our ‡ \HDUV RI DJH RU ROGHU nate their employees by reason es, water-refilling stations, and economy,â€? he added. ‡ )DPLOLHV WKDW OLYH RU ZRUN ZLWKLQ &ODUN &RXQW\ Of the figure, P3.1 billion has only of not reporting for work be- banks. ‡ 9HWHUDQ RU 6SRXVH RI D 9HWHUDQ Malls, meanwhile, have already been set aside for buying more cause of the Covid-19 situation,â€? ‡ 'LVDEOHG 9HWHUDQ GLVDELOLW\ PXVW EH VHUYLFH FRQQHFWHG
announced their temporary clo- coronavirus test kits while P14 read the latest bulletin approved ‡ 6SRXVH RI D 'HFHDVHG 9HWHUDQ GHDWK PXVW EH VHUYLFH FRQQHFWHG
billion was allocated to the tour- by Duterte. sure until further notice. It added that employers should Different cities in Metro Manila ism sector. P3 billion was allocated for not require their employees to 3OHDVH QRWH WKDW \RX DUH DSSO\LQJ IRU WKH ZDLWOLVW 615+$ GRHV QRW KDYH LPPHGLDWH RU HPHUJHQF\ have also implemented a curfew housing** from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the scholarship programs of the report for work, unless their quarantine period — among Technical Education and Skills company is “engaged in basic $SSOLFDWLRQV DUH DFFHSWHG 0RQGD\ WKURXJK 7KXUVGD\ DP WR SP H[FHSW KROLGD\V DW 615+$ÂśV them are Caloocan, Las PiĂąas, Development Authority for dis- necessities or services.â€? Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello $GPLVVLRQV 'HSDUWPHQW ORFDWHG DW (DVW )ODPLQJR 5G /DV 9HJDV 1HYDGD 'LVDEOHG DQG Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, placed workers, P2 billion by the RXW RI VWDWH DSSOLFDQWV PD\ FDOO DQG UHTXHVW DQ DSSOLFDWLRQ EH PDLOHG $SSOLFDQWV PD\ DOVR Muntinlupa, Pasay, Pasig, Que- Department of Labor and Em- III, for his part, said that workers ployment will be allotted to dis- can file a complaint against their ORJ LQWR RXU ZHEVLWH DW ZZZ 6195+$ RUJ WR SULQW D SUHOLPLQDU\ DSSOLFDWLRQ DQG UHWXUQ LW E\ PDLO RU EULQJ zon City, San Juan, and Taguig. LW LQWR RXU RIÂżFH )RU DGGLWLRQDO LQIRUPDWLRQ SOHDVH FDOO RU RXU KHDULQJ LPSDLUHG QXPEHU Also on Wednesday, three sen- placed workers, P1.2 billion was employers before the Depart 7'' DW 3OHDVH HQVXUH DOO TXHVWLRQV DUH DQVZHUHG WR SUHYHQW \RXU DSSOLFDWLRQ IURP EHLQJ ators backed the president’s de- also set for Social Security Sys- ment of Labor and Employment UHWXUQHG ,I \RX UHTXLUH IXWXUH FRPPXQLFDWLRQ LQ D IRUPDW RWKHU WKDQ ZULWWHQ (QJOLVK SOHDVH DGYLVH VWDII DV cision to place the country under tem unemployment benefits, and (DOLE) if they are punished for soon as possible. P1 billion from the Department failing to go to work. a state of calamity. “Since they are under enSenator Grace Poe praised the of Trade and Industry to finance 7KH 6RXWKHUQ 1HYDGD 5HJLRQDO +RXVLQJ $XWKRULW\ LV DQ (TXDO +RXVLQJ 2SSRUWXQLW\ SURYLGHU move as “necessaryâ€? to fight and small and medium enterprises hanced community quarantine, then they can really not report. prevent the spread of the disease affected by COVID-19. P2.8 billion was also set aside And they will be excused. There The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) does not discriminate against any person and to provide assistance to Filiwill be no basis for them to be EHFDXVH RI UDFH FRORU UHOLJLRQ QDWLRQDO RULJLQ VH[ VH[XDO RULHQWDWLRQ JHQGHU LGHQWLW\ PDULWDO VWDWXV to aid farmers. pinos. disability, or familial status. Free rides to quarantine-ex- disciplined,â€? he said Tuesday. n “The decision is necessary to
COVID-19 cases in PH could reach 75,000...
How 3 Fil-Am families in New York...
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MARCH 19-25, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
OPINION
Opportunity in crisis
FEATURES
THE travel and tourism industry has been battered by the 2019 coronavirus disease contagion. Smaller businesses are shutting down and workers are losing their jobs, with the trend expected to continue in the coming weeks as the country joins the rest of the planet in efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the country, several top tourist destinations are shutting out visitors, especially from Metro Manila, now the epicenter of the contagion in the country. Sagada and other destinations in the Cordilleras can take advantage of the shutdown to rehabilitate heavily visited sites. Amid all the woes, people can make the best of a crisis situation by seeing it as an opportunity to clean up travel destinations, and if resources permit, to upgrade facilities and services. Boracay has shown the way in cleaning up and controlling the number of visitors. Before the novel coronavirus reached the Philippines, there were already ongoing cleanups and rehabilitation of travel destinations, among them El Nido in Palawan. The Baguio City government together with the Department of Tourism had unveiled a plan to revive popular spots such as Burnham Park and restore the pine forests of the country’s summer capital. With fewer visitors, the
task should be easier. In Metro Manila, the ongoing cleanup of Manila Bay, Pasig River and its tributaries is also meant to boost tourism apart from improving the environment. With the National Capital Region under community quarantine for a month, the cleanup should be easier and must be ramped up. Even Catholic churches, where attendance has fallen because of the virus scare, can use the break for restoration work – although they might need contributions from devotees because the COVID contagion has also meant a plunge in church collections during masses. Churches are among the top tourist draws in the country, so restoration projects should be part of overall efforts to revive the travel industry once the COVID-19 pandemic is contained. This contagion isn’t going to last forever. When the crisis is over, everyone should be ready for the revival of business – and stiff competition. (Philstar. com)
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS EXPERTS monitoring the coronavirus outbreak warn that if we, as a nation and as a people, do not implement and follow drastic measures and preparations for the inevitable surge in the number of those infected by the disease, then we may very well be on track to experience the chaos and tragedy that Italians are going through right now. Italy has the second oldest population among the nations on earth, and the younger generations are very sociable people who are very much present in the lives of their elderly loved ones. Very much like Filipinos, right? The number of people who died of the coronavirus pandemic in Italy has topped the 2,500 mark, as of press time. The first cases of COVID-19 in the country were confirmed on January 31, 2020, and started off with two Chinese tourists who visited Rome tested positive for the virus. Italy reported an increase of 16% in the death toll just in the last 24 hours — adding 345 new deaths to a total of 2,503 — according to an Al Jazeera report. When it comes to the number of COVID-19 infected cases, the total rose to 31,506 from the previously reported number of 27,980 — a spike of 12.6% — and this is the “slowest rate of increase” since February 21. Al Jazeera further reported that Italy is the country in Europe hardest hit by the coronavirus.
ManilaTimes.net photo
The US is now nearing the tipping point in the coronavirus outbreak: Social distancing, obedience and cooperation may save your life!
As a result, the Telegraph reported that “victims in Italy will be denied access to intensive care if they are aged 80 or more or in poor health should pressure on beds increase, a document prepared by a crisis management unit in Turin proposes.” In effect, some patients denied intensive care will be left to die, doctors fear. While this may sound so cruel and sad, this is just a fact of life and a protocol to follow when there is a scarcity of resources just like in a pandemic or a war where there may be mass casualties. Those who will have higher chances of survival and recovery are prioritized given the limited resources and insufficient bed spaces. Unfortunately, lolos and lolas 80 and above have lower chances of survival, not to mention that many of them have underlying conditions because of old age. This is the principle and protocol followed in almost all hospitals. On a global scale, the World Health Organization (WHO) is reporting that to date, as of press time, COVID-19 has infected more than 184,000 people and has taken the lives of at least 7,500. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that as of Tuesday, March 17, the total cases are 4,226 while the total deaths are 75. Time reported that right now, the number of new cases of con-
Demand and Supply
firmed infection in the U.S. is doubling every four days. This puts us on a trajectory towards becoming Italy. Is this the direction we want to take? The report further stated that a research team at Imperial College London published a new study on March 16 “suggesting that without taking control measures, there would be about 2.2 million deaths in the U.S.” Do we want this? Do we want to be part of the death toll statistics? As Time wrote: “We could still avoid this catastrophic scenario. We will need to act urgently, ruthlessly, and aggressively to adopt five key measures that helped to flatten the curve in places like Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea.” 1. Testing Why is it so critical for us to have a massive surge in testing? People who are sick need to get the right diagnosis and clinical care. We know, for example, that if you are hospitalized with COVID-19, there’s a high chance you’ll need transfer to the intensive care unit. People with mild symptoms who get tested can self-isolate and help stop the spread of the virus. If one person has the disease, we can then test those they have been in contact with (known as “contact tracing”). In other words, testing and contact tracing can help to break the chain of transmission. Countries that have flattened the curve made testing widely and freely available, using innova-
Adults in the room
ingly. The worse part is having key officials contradicting each other on how the Metro Manila community quarantine is to be managed. BOO CHANCO Someone said a curfew would be WITH the coronavirus disease part of it. Then Duterte’s com2019 or COVID-19 menace staring munications man said that’s fake us in the face, any reasonable per- news. son should be ready to cooperate Apparently, MMDA spoke too with government to survive this soon. DILG had to caution that crisis. I think any hesitation is only curfew is possible only after city because there is also fear that this councils pass an ordinance calling government is run by people who for it. All that is academic now bedo not think things through. cause we are effectively on a 24The President’s first two at- hour curfew for the next month. tempts to win public cooperation What this crisis needs is a relicould have been more successful able spokesman. if he projected himself with the The President didn’t provide same sense of purpose and disci- details the first time and also last pline that the Singapore PM did Monday. As a result, there was a when he addressed his people. deluge of questions from the pubDuterte tried doing that last Mon- lic about the scope of those direcday. At least he tried. tives. But it isn’t just Duterte. His resiThis was something acknowldent clown was talking about eat- edged by Executive Secretary ing banana and gargling with salt Salvador Medialdea who told to fight the coronavirus. officials in Malacanang that “I Ok… so maybe we should be have received a number of them used to Duterte and Panelo by myself, and I am sure each of you now… But we are in a serious also did. In fact, I will have to adsituation. They need to act accord- mit to all of you that, in my expe-
rience, no single pronouncement of the President has given rise to so many questions as the one last night… “Our people want to know if their specific situations are covered by those directives. They ask questions like ‘What is a community quarantine?’, ‘What counts as a mass gathering?’, ‘What if NCR residents have clients or work outside NCR, and vice versa, what if those outside have work here in NCR?’. “Another recurring question is, ‘If those with work outside NCR will be allowed, what do they have to show to prove they have work, what if they do not work in a company but have clients. “These are very important questions. Clearly, something has to be done. If we want to elicit the people’s cooperation, we have to clarify these matters. If they do not cooperate, the measures will not succeed. It is that simple. Our law enforcers can only do so much.” The administration carelessly communicated its moves to address this serious epidemic. The ES made a good point about the
tive approaches like mass drivethru test centers. South Korea has been conducting around 12,00015,000 tests every day, and has the capacity to do 20,000 daily. While it is hard to get accurate estimates, the CDC reports that only around 25,000 tests have been conducted in total nationwide by CDC or public health labs in the U.S.—compare this with the roughly 250,000 tests that South Korea has done to date. 2. Communicate and coordinate There’s one striking message from a new analysis of how Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan were able to contain COVID-19. In all three locations, there was excellent communication and coordination between different government departments and between the central and regional governments. In Singapore, for example, “there are almost daily meetings between Regional Health System managers, hospital leaders, and the Ministry of Health.” Clear COVID-19 plans and protocols are in place so that all key players at all levels of the health system know what they are supposed to do. There’s also explicit, detailed [FACTUAL SCIENCE-BASED] information given daily to the public on the state of the outbreak. 3. Use social distancing to protect the vulnerable Social distancing means staying away from places where people congregate (movie theaters, bars, restaurants, shopping centers), avoiding mass gather-
ings (like religious services and concerts), and maintaining a distance of at least six feet from other people. Countries that flattened the curve have taken a variety of approaches to breaking community transmission, from school and office closures to suspending public transportation. People can transmit the virus without knowing they are infected. When we decide to have a beer or cocktail at our favorite crowded bar, we could end up spreading the coronavirus to our friend, who then transmits it to their aging mother who has heart disease and who could end up getting sick or even dying. We are all potential links in the transmission chain, which is why social distancing is so important. 4. Protect our health workers We need to protect these heroes—our national shortage of protective equipment means doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and other front-line workers are getting infected and risk death. Rapidly scaling up and deploying the production of protective equipment for health workers is not just a public health necessity. It’s also a moral emergency. 5. Expect and plan for a rise in cases As Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has warned, “things will get worse than they are right now.” Every health care setting across the country, especially hospitals, should take steps now to prepare for a rise in cases, including scal-
ing up their supplies of equipment such as ventilators. WHAT DO WE DO? If we want to follow the success story of South Korea, then we should stop complaining about the inconveniences the drastic measures being done now — social distancing, washing your hands, staying at home, closure of schools and non-essential businesses like theaters, bars, gym, malls, restaurants, and casinos, work from home, shelter in place, self-quarantine or community lockdown, etc — but these sacrifices are important to our being safe and alive, especially the most vulnerable. We are all in this together. Just follow the directives of the local and federal government and show good examples of obedience and cooperation to your children. The sooner we all get our act together, the sooner will our healing and going back to our normal life will be. Are we overreacting as some of you have been arguing? Well, the clock is ticking. As Dr. Anthony Fauci warns: “If it looks like you’re overreacting, you’re probably doing the right thing.” ***
need to carefully address the concerns of all our people. “This virus is the biggest and most urgent problem the government is facing right now, but let us remember that we also have our people’s livelihoods to consider. Any measure that will impoverish them will be seen as a cure worse than the disease.” It is good to know there is someone within the circle of power who realizes and acknowledges their shortcomings and the importance of doing things right. Unfortunately, the Palace committed the same mistake last Monday when they announced a Luzon wide enhanced community quarantine. They made the announcement without details hours before the President’s broadcast. Of course, people panicked. They don’t know what this new directive means. They cannot be faulted for feeling vulnerable. As it turned out, those who cleaned out the grocery shelves were right. Ideally, such momentous announcements that impact greatly on how people live their lives should have enough details at the outset. The questions of the public should be anticipated and with ready answers. That’s basic crisis
communications. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles ably filled in the gap after the President’s announcement. His answers to questions provided the guidance people need to plan their lives. It is a pity Duterte doesn’t have a capable communications team. Forget Andanar. The job is much too complicated for him to handle. It need not be that way. They have a tested hot shot crisis communicator in Greg Garcia, Chairman of BCDA. I don’t think Greg would have allowed Duterte to announce the lockdown without details of how it will be implemented. Greg is a great comms strategist. He was a legendary communications guru for my generation of corporate communicators. He is, in the words of one of his memorably successful campaigns, subok na matibay, subok na matatag. Greg can alleviate the frustration we all have now about all the incompetence in Duterte’s comms team. Even if only a temporary special assignment, Greg should be asked to handle this very important and critical job of communicating government’s actions on
this coronavirus crisis. One big problem of the Duterte administration is the impression that aside from a handful of top officials, they have a competence problem. It is aggravated by Duterte’s childish rants now and then. There are many times when investors wonder if there are any adults running the affairs of this country. Of course, there are adults in the room, notably the economic managers led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia. Now, we know, we can count Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as one of the adults too. At a time of crisis like what we have now, we need competent adults, those who know what to do and have the gravitas to convince Duterte to do the right things. Maybe the fumbles happened because Dominguez, Pernia and Medialdea were on self-quarantine the past few days. They are back and not a minute too soon. The challenges will be great in the next weeks. It is good to have adults around when the President makes decisions affecting us all. (Philstar.com)
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.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Philippines secures $100-M World Robredo calls for assistance, alternatives Bank loan to fight coronavirus for vulnerable sectors amid quarantine by ian
nicolaS ciGaral Philstar.com
MANILA — The Philippines has secured a $100-million “fasttrack” loan from the World Bank to augment funding used to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in the country. In a statement on Wednesday, March 18, the Department of Finance (DOF) said the loan will finance the procurement of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers as well as testing and laboratory materials, quarantine areas, isolation rooms and other essential medical equipment. The new funding forms part of the Washington-based lender’s “Fast Track COVID-19 Facility” which on Wednesday was also increased to $14 billion from $12 billion as an “urgent support to business and their workers,” said David Malpass, the agency’s pres-
ident, in a separate statement. The facility is funded by various World Bank agencies namely the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) contributing $2.7 billion, International Development Association ($1.3 billion), and International Finance Corp. ($6 billion). Another $2 billion will come from the lender’s existing portfolio. For the Philippines, the loan can be made available to the Department of Health, which leads the government’s response to the coronavirus, “in a matter of weeks,” the finance department said. “We recognize that some goods and equipment are currently not available and stand ready to support you in sourcing them as quickly as possible,” World Bank acting Country Director for the Philippines Achim Fock said in a letter to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. Parts of the
letter was quoted on the DOF statement. Under the terms, the first year of loan commitment fees chargeable has been waived. “The Philippines is also eligible to receive further financing assistance from IBRD within its normal exposure limits,” DOF said. The World Bank loan augments the government’s warchest to fight the spread of the disease, which includes a P27.1 billion economic package to cushion the impact of the outbreak on tourism and jobs. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the government is ready to increase funding “as the effect of the contagion become more evident.” As of Wednesday afternoon, the government reported 15 new cases of coronavirus infection, bringing the country’s total count to 202. Of those cases, 17 died while seven recovered. n
Duterte declares ceasefire with communists amid COVID-19 fight by catherine
S. Valente ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has declared a unilateral ceasefire with armed communist rebels as the government struggles to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, March 18. In a statement, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the ceasefire was to take effect nationwide from 12 a.m. of March 19 until 11:59 p.m. of April 15. “In view of the imposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon amidst the threat of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the country, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has decided to declare a unilateral ceasefire against the Communist Party of the Philippines-the New People’s
Army-the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), effective 00:00H of March 19, 2020 to 24:00H of April 15, 2020,” Panelo said. Panelo said the President has directed the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), “to cease and desist from carrying out offensive military and police operations during the ceasefire period.” “Both of these departments shall issue the corresponding orders to implement the declaration of the unilateral ceasefire, including the Suspension of Offensive Military and Police Operations (SOMO),” Panelo said. “Through this ceasefire, the Philippine Government aspires
that the swift provision of public health assistance goes unimpeded with the movement of health workers and medical supplies to communities, as well as of people in need of immediate medical attention remains unhampered,” he added. The declaration came days after Duterte, in his second address to the nation amid the Covid-19 outbreak, asked the NPA to do their share by temporarily refraining from attacking government forces. “‘Wag ninyo munang galawin ang mga sundalo. Ano muna tayo, ceasefire lang. Ceasefire muna tayo. Ako na ang nanghihingi (Do not attack soldiers for now. Let’s have a ceasefire. I am the one asking),” Duterte said. “Kindly give me that… if you really want that we will be at all times on talking terms, in this time of crisis,” he added. n
Gatchalian, Binay, Briones negative for coronavirus by Jan
arcilla ManilaTimes.net
SENATORS Sherwin Gatchalian and Maria Lourdes “Nancy” Binay and Education Secretary Leonor Briones tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). “After submitting myself to a Covid-19 test last Friday [March 13], I’m happy to hear from the pronouncements made by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III over DZMM Teleradyo just this morning that I tested negative for the disease. Thus, I’m ending my self-quarantine,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
“We must pool our resources together to fight this dreaded virus,” he added. “Hinihikayat ko po ang lahat na sumunod sa mga panuntunan na inilatag ng ating gobyerno para hindi na lumobo ang bilang ng mga kaso ng COVID-19 (I am urging everyone to follow government protocols in order to stop the spread of COVID-19),” Gatchalian said. Meanwhile, Briones’ test results came back on Monday, March 16. She underwent COVID-19 testing to ensure that there will be no threat to her functions as Education chief. “Classes may be suspended,
but our work in DepEd (Department of Education) to protect our Filipino teachers, personnel and 27.2 million learners against this virus will never stop. I will continue to discharge my functions as the government enhances its measures in responding to this crisis,” she said in a statement. Though Briones had no direct exposure to Covid-19-affected persons, she voluntarily went on home quarantine as a precautionary measure because some DepEd officials were exposed to a person found positive for the virus. The patient was the same person who appeared before a Senate hearing on March 5. n
Pacquiao confident he can fight in July by JoSef
t. ramoS ManilaTimes.net
REIGNING World Boxing Association (WBA) Super welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao said he is confident he could fight in July when the COVID-19 pandemic shall have waned. Pacquiao wants to fight either welterweight Mikey Garcia (401-0 win-loss-draw record with 30 knockouts) or International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World
Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight titleholder Errol Spence Jr. (26-0 with 21 knockouts) next. “The fight is still a long way off. It’s still in July. So by July, COVID is already gone,” Pacquiao told The Manila Times in an interview last Thursday at the Makati Shangrila Hotel. Garcia said he wants to face Pacquiao after his unanimous decision win over Jessie Vargas last February 29 in their welterweight bout in Frisco, Texas.
In his last fight last July 20, Pacquiao defeated American Keith Thurman by a split decision at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao, 41, advised the people not to panic in critical times like the COVID contagion. “Huminahon lang basta palaging maging malinis, huwag magalala. God is good all the time. (Just calm down. Stay clean and don’t worry),” added the senator. n
COMMERCE AFFECTED. This photo shows EDSA, Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare, free of the usual heavy traffic on Sunday, March 15, as business activity in the metropolis has substantially slowed down. ManilaTimes.net photo by John Orven Verdote
by franco luna Philstar.com
MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo in a video released on Tuesday evening, March 17, called for more social safety nets for the poorest Filipinos affected by a month of quarantine. The vice president appealed to the private sector to provide meals and financial aid to affected barangays and communities. Robredo backed the strategy of social distancing to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) but called attention to those who would be left vulnerable by the tactic, including lowwage earners and senior citizens. “Protect the vulnerable. I’m one with President Duterte’s call to observe social distancing, but we cannot leave the poor behind,” she said in Filipino. She also called for a “whole of society” approach against the virus. “Social distancing measure require huge sacrifices, but it will only be effective if everyone abides by it,” Robredo added. The vice president also reiterated a number of recommendations she made in an earlier address, including: • Benefits, cash transfers and pension for those in need • Providing basic needs such as
Vice President Leni Robredo
Photo from the Office of the Vice President
sanitation items and supplies for food banks, especially for poorer communities • Providing financial assistance to indigent citizens losing income and affected by quarantine measures, among others • Clearer information on public hospitals that capable of accepting those with severe symptoms • Expediting the process of releasing testing kits developed by local scientists • Natonal government setting up temporary isolation facilities • Acquiring more protective equipment for over 2,400 health workers working the frontlines against the new pathogen Robredo called for a clearer flow of information from the ad-
ministration so as not to cause panic. She said her office will distribute over P11.4 million worth of funds to aid the government’s response and gather P17.3 million in donations. The Department of Labor and Employment has said that regular workers could be hired to disinfect school and government buildings, while others could use their leave credits for the quarantine. As of this writing, there are a total of 187 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country after the Department of Health confirmed 45 new patients. “We respond to the worst of times with the best of ourselves,” she said. “We Filipinos who can hurdle this trial.” n
Ampatuan town vice mayor who testified in Maguindanao massacre survives ambush by cathrine
GonzaleS Inquirer.net
A PROSECUTION witness of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre survived an ambush in Shariff Aguak town in the province on Tuesday afternoon, March 17. Police said Mohammad Sangki, 56, was with his four companions onboard a Nissan van in Barangay Mother Poblacion when they were fired upon by unidentified gunmen from a far distance at about 5:30 p.m. The group came from the Integrated Provincial Health Office when the incident happened,
according to police. A Toyota pick-up also traversing the road was hit by a bullet at its radiator. Personnel of the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company immediately responded to the crime scene but the gunmen had already fled from the area when they arrived. Police found 29 spent shells believed to be from caliber 5.56mm firearms from the site. No one was hit in the shooting incident. Investigators are eyeing two to three gunmen in the attack, Maj. Erwin Tabora, Shariff Aguak po-
lice chief, told the Inquirer. Sangki was refused to be admitted as a state witness to the gruesome massacre by the Court Appeals in July 2018, upholding its similar decision in May 2015. He was one of those acquitted of charges by the Quezon City Regional Branch Trial Court Branch 221 in its decision on the case on December 19, 2019. The Maguindanao massacre that left 58 individuals killed, including 32 members of the media, in November 2009 is tagged as the most violent election-related incident in Philippine history. n
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March 19-25, 2020 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL
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Bayanihan spirit shines through as Filipinos stay positive, proactive amid coronavirus crisis by Ves
GarCia Inquirer.net
A man prays at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Baclaran Church) in Baclaran, ParaĂąaque City on Sunday, March 15, Most churches in Metro Manila were almost empty following appeals to Catholics to hear Mass on television instead. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike Alquinto
Church to faithful: Treat online Mass with solemnity sued by the Archdiocese of Manila, Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo urged THE Catholic Church has the faithful to observe the sancstarted online Mass after regu- tity of the Mass in their homes. He advised that online Mass lar Sunday Masses and daily services in the wake of the should not be done while the household is having coffee or coronavirus outbreak. In a pastoral instruction is- eating. by Jomar
Canlas ManilaTimes.net
“Have a few moments too to think what you are, to thank the Lord for and what to offer to Him this Mass. Remember that you are praying this Eucharist with many other fellow Catholics not only in your parish, but all over the world,� Pabillo said. n
Oplan Tokhang suspended due to COVID-19 quarantine MANILA — Amid a nationwide state of calamity and an enhanced community quarantine hoisted over all of mainland Luzon, Oplan Tokhang is suspended for the time being. This was confirmed by Police Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, Metro Manila police chief, at a media briefing on Tuesday, March 17. Sinas said that the national police would shift their focus towards combating the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Department of Interior and Local Government has said that police and barangay officers will serve as “truant officers� to make sure that the learners are at home. President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the entire country under a state of calamity upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Proclamation 929, signed Monday and made public
on Tuesday, which declared the state of calamity in the Philippines, directs law enforcement agencies including the Armed Forces of the Philippines “to undertake all necessary measures to ensure peace and order.� “Wala na muna po yung Oplan Tokhang. We [are] momentarily silent on that. Kasi ang focus ay sa quarantine,� Sinas told reporters at a press conference. Alleged rights violations According to surveys by the Social Weather Stations, 76% of Filipinos believe the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs is laced with human rights violations. Government data acknowledges more than 5,500 “drug personalities� killed in law enforcement operations, but activists and rights groups both local and international say the death toll has skyrocketed to around 27,000.
Authorities also say all of those who died had shot it out with police, although witnesses say they were murdered and did not fight back. During his campaign to the presidency, Duterte promised to end the drug problem within six months of his election. Three years into his term, he has asked for numerous extensions for his self-imposed deadline, eventually giving up on the initial timeline altogether. “Pagbigyan muna natin sila. Kung nasa loob ka, wala ka namang makuhang supply,� Sinas said. “Kasi supposedly nasa bahay lang ang mga ‘yan. Ayaw namin dagdagan yung sama ng loob ng mga tao muna.� (We’ll let them be for now. If you’re inside, you won’t get any supply. Supposedly they’ll be in their houses. We don’t want to contribute to the outrage of the people first.) (Franco Luna/ Philstar.com)
THE number of those who have been infected worldwide by the novel coronavirus continuously grows, since the disease, which originated from Wuhan, China was first identified last December 2019. The World Health Organization already declared the alarming global crisis as a pandemic. In the Philippines, the national and local government units have been taking preemptive measures to ensure the public’s safety and security amid concerns. President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the imposition of a “community quarantine� in the entire Metro Manila on Thursday, March 12. It was expanded as a Luzon-wide “enhanced community quarantine� on Monday, March 17. The Department of Health has recorded 15 new cases of COVID-19 as of this writing, bringing the total to 202 cases in the Philippines. Looking at the brighter side The DOH also confirmed the fourth case of recovery in the country on Tuesday, after one of the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship repatriates, tagged as PH25, tested negative twice. The numbers may be too little compared with other recorded ones, but everyone’s cooperation to abide by the rules and to be proactive individuals could help make a difference. Two weeks after the virus’s genome sequence was released by China, Filipino scientists at the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) and the University of the Philippines National Institute of Health (UPNIH) developed FDAapproved local diagnostic kits called “GenAmplify� which are expected to be used to fast-track the testing of persons under investigation and the release of confirmatory results in just two hours. Simple protection measures have been advised to reduce the chances of infections, such as regularly cleaning hands using rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or soap and water for at least 20 seconds to kill viruses. People are also encouraged to trust public officials who are doing their jobs to combat the spread of the virus.
Practice ‘social distancing’ Public health officials called on citizens to practice social distancing and avoid gathering in public places to prevent contagious diseases from spreading. People are advised to try to stay at least 6 feet (about 2 meters) away from each other since the virus is presumed to be mainly spread through droplets that come out of one’s mouth and nose. The Diocese of Borongan in Eastern Samar on Sunday, Mar. 15, practiced social distancing by putting up yellow lines on the seats inside the church, to ensure that the Catholic faithful would be at arms-length of each other when they attend the eucharistic mass. At the San Felipe Neri Catholic School Chapel in Mandaluyong City, Rev. Fr. Hans Magdurulang celebrated the holy mass via live streaming as a precaution to curb the spread of coronavirus. In Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, dogs brought good vibes via social media, as they also seemed to practice social distancing while sleeping a few distances away from each other. Bayanihan spirit over COVID-19 The crisis may be getting worse, but Filipinos continue to find ways to help each other out to the best of their abilities. Good-hearted individuals concerned about health workers and frontliners started a donation drive to collect surgical/face masks, N95 masks, alcohol, gloves and raincoats for health care workers, to protect them as they take care of patients afflicted by the illness. After the Association of the Philippine Medical Colleges instructed to pull medical interns out of all hospitals in the National Capital Region last March 14, more than a hundred medical interns of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila have volunteered to stay on duty to help patients and their fellow health workers. Actress Bela Padilla on Monday, March 16, started a fundraiser, aiming to come up with at least P1 million worth of donations for the welfare of street vendors affected by the 30-day community quarantine
in Metro Manila. In a Twitter post, Padilla announced that her crowdfunding initiative had already reached and exceeded its goal in just three days, having raised P3.3 million as of this writing. Banana Sundae comedienne and actress Pokwang exerted extra effort to make homemade sandwiches paired with drinking water, and gave these out to uniformed personnel amid the “enhanced community quarantineâ€? in Luzon. Other local celebrities also suggested some alternative things people may do at home such as taking a break from social media, reading a book, binge-watching shows and exercising. On Heaven’s Touch Cuisine, Asturias’s Facebook page, a photo of certain “Ate Gayâ€? who seem to be the carinderia owner, was shared on Monday, Mar. 26. She was seen preparing breakfast meals for the frontliners of University of Santo Tomas Hospital. The post read, “Serving student meals for [Thomasian] students since 2006-2007. It’s about time for us to give back.â€? Serving student meals for thomasian students since 2006 – 2007. It’s about time for us to give back.Today’s Breakfast,‌ Posted by Heaven’s Touch Cuisine, Asturias on Monday, March 16, 2020 Other artists also help by voicing out appeals for rooms and temporary living spaces for health workers, such as the public calls made recently by musician Bullet Dumas and poetactor Juan Miguel Severo. Public officials push to grant cash assistance and recommend the early release of 13th-month pay for frontliners in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) particularly the health workers, government employees, and the military and police, among others. These actions by concerned citizens undoubtedly provide inspiration and comfort despite the chaos. While individuals are taking it upon themselves to do something, and as Filipinos are yet again expected to rise above the challenge, much is still asked from the government in terms of disseminating clear instructions for the public to follow, to allay fears and anxieties. n
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March 19-25, 2020 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOUrNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678
VEGAS&STYLE Journal
Meet Chef Louis Bayla, NYC’s Prince of Pork By MoMaR
G. Visaya
experimenting. So lucky that it worked out,” he said. For this victory, he is thankful It was a celebration of all to his team who supported him things pork at Cochon555 on Sunall the way, including the Filipino day, March 8 as five of New York’s sous chefs he works with: Ratop chefs went head to head in a mon Amaut and Criselda Chuan, friendly competition for the title Angela Pinto and Isak Buan and of “Prince of Pork” and a chance Kevin Woods, executive sous chef to represent the city in the grand at Locanda Verde. championship later this year. As the “Prince of Pork” of New Chef Louis Bayla, Chef de York City, Bayla will advance to Cuisine at Little Park in tribeca the national finale, Grand Cochon, emerged victorious after the dual a head-to-tail, winner-takes-all judge/guest vote was tallied. showdown for the crown and the “I’m surprised, honestly,” Baytitle “King or Queen of Pork” later la told the Asian Journal. “I’m very this year. competitive and I was cooking New York is the third stop in against my former mentor Bryan the 9-city tour, connecting qualityHunt who is extremely talented as driven diners with family farmers, well as the other chefs.” chefs, winemakers, restaurateurs, this one-of-a-kind culinary brewers, and distillers while tour features five chefs cooking contributing to a local charity. five heritage breed pigs with Chef Cochon555 celebrates and proLouis using a 220-pound Red motes heritage breed pigs and Wattle from Heritage Foods USA transparency through safe, honest to come up with his menu. the food ways. Most of these pigs are chefs honor the animal and its raised naturally on family farms history by utilizing each pig in its without the use of antibiotics or entirety from snout to tail. steroids. Bayla prepared five dishes: sin12 years and counting Bayla worked as executive sous chef at Locanda Verde for three years before moving to his current post at Little Park in 2017 as its Chef de Cuisine. Both restaurants are under the NoHo Filipina American author Tif Marcelo Hospitality Group of James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur Andrew Carmellini. Chef Louis also previously worked as sous chef under tom Colicchio at Riverpark, as tournant at Joel Robuchon, saucier at Gramercy tavern and lead cook at Le Cirque. He was seven years old when he moved to the United States along with his family. His parents, Romy and Vicky are both from Laguna. He remembers he always loved to cook, even as a 9-year-old. His favorite back then? Regular Italian-style spaghetti using fresh Chef Louis Bayla raises his trophy as Prince of Pork New York City at the Cochon555 dining event held on Sunday, March 8. Bayla bested four Sommelier Anna Christina Cabrales of Morell Wine Bar also won the “Somm Smackdown” tomatoes. AJPress
igang wrapped in cabbage (using loin and bones); pancit palabok (shoulder, butt and skin); sisig (head, belly and offals), adobo pork rib (ribs and liver) and halo halo (trotter, knuckle and skin). the five chefs were judged and scored on utilization, technique, and overall flavor and guests voted for their “best bite of the day.” Bayla’s sommelier partner Anna Christina Cabrales of Morell won Somm Smackdown, a face-off of five top sommeliers pairing the best wine with heritage pig. “I’ve cooked fine dining for a very long time. As Filipinos, we were born to do snout to tail cooking on pigs and I wanted to showcase that pride we have,” he shared. Bayla’s creativity and innovation was evident and well executed, particularly the infusion of pork into his dessert, the traditional halo halo. “Jello is made with gelatin, an animal product so I wanted to try and make gelatin myself. I also love sago so we just kept on
competition featuring some of the 50 city’s top sommeliers who were each challenged with pairing the best wines from around the globe to the dishes prepared by the competing chefs.
PAGE 14
other NYC chefs in a friendly competition where each chef created a menu using heritage breed pig to promote local family farming AJPress photos by Troi Santos
How Fil-Am businesses in LA County are navigating impact of virus outbreak By ChRistiNa
M. oRiel
AJPress
EVENt cancellations, work from home, no dining in restaurants, doors shuttering — these are a few ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic that businesses across the country are facing. Here in Southern California, new guidelines have caused Filipino American business owners to change the way they operate or even, close temporarily. Following California Governor Gavin Newsom’s directive, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Sunday night, March 15 ordered the temporary closure of bars and nightclubs that don’t offer food, movie theaters and entertainment venues, and gyms and fitness centers. Restaurants and retail food facilities, as well as bars that have food, face restrictions to only provide delivery, takeout or drive-thru. the restrictions will remain in place until noon on March 31, but are subject to extension. LA County officials followed suit with a similar announcement on Monday as new coronavirus cases continue to be reported; the county has 144 cases as of press time.
After testing positive for COVID-19, Christopher De Leon calls on friends to impose self-quarantine, get checked by Nika
Roque ManilaTimes.net
Christian Esteban of Chaaste Family Market in Pasadena, California prepares turo turo dishes ahead of the grocery opening for the day. Contributed photo
have been suspended. Its four locations, which include Atwater Village and tarzana, now only offer takeout pints and no-contact delivery through Postmates and UberEats. taking out the sampling “kills us the most because it’s essential to the Wanderlust experience,” chef and creative partner Adrienne Borlongan said in an email. the company also has electronic and physical gift cards available for future use, and plans to roll out an overnight shipping option across the state and to Nevada and Arizona in the coming week. AC Boral, who opened Bebot Filipino Soul Food last fall in Long Beach, said they have been experiencing more e-gift card sales and generous gestures — a customer offered to pay for gas for food deliveries, for example. “Our needs as a restaurant are definitely monetary, but boosting our morale helps too. We’re not a corporation, we have a big heart. Knowing that the restaurant will be okay once we’re all okay means a lot,” he said. Boral’s restaurant began free deliveries to healthcare workers across LA and Orange County to “boost morale for those with the Artisanal ice cream shop Wanderlust Creamery announced it will only have pints for takeout demanding, stressful responsibiliand no-contact delivery. Photo courtesy of Wanderlust Creamery At Wanderlust Creamery, a Fil-Am owned artisanal ice cream shop inspired by global travels, flavor sampling and cash payments
ties their jobs hold.” “I really do think my contribution is so little compared to theirs — being vulnerable to an uncertain virus and dealing with the panic and unknowns of the situation we’re in as a community. Healthcare workers are the front line. I just hope serving a good meal to them is a small gratitude they can feel and appreciate,” he said. But beyond serving food, it also means getting creative and keeping customers engaged, such as creating a “house account program” for regulars that includes rewards like free dessert, and taking Venmo as a form of payment to avoid the extra fees from credit card merchants, Boral said. Anna Marie Cruz, founder of Entrepinayship, said, “In these uncertain times, some of the best assistance will come from [the] community. Do not hesitate to reach out to friends, family, and your network for support, especially as we navigate an unprecedented crisis of this magnitude. You are not alone.” Joe Bernardo and Elaine Dolalas, who are among the hosts of this Filipino American Life podcast, started a Facebook group PAGE 15
AFtER multi-awarded actor Christopher De Leon announced on tuesday, March 17 that he was positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) despite having no travel history or exposure to anyone infected with the disease, he called on close friends and associates to get tested and go on self-quarantine. According to his long-time manager and showbiz veteran Lolit Solis, De Leon had in fact been checking on family and friends even before he was diagnosed, enjoining them to take all necessary precautions to stay safe and to follow government directives during the quarantine period. On her Instagram account, Solis shared, “I cannot imagine na (that) a day ago we were talking on the phone at panay pa ang remind niya (De Leon) sa akin na huwag lalabas ng bahay dahil nga (and he always reminded me not to go out of the house because) prone ang mga senior citizen na tulad ko sa pandemic na ito, at siya pala ang tinamaan (senior citizens like me were prone to this pandemic, and now he was infected).” Her post continued, “Halos lahat ng barkada nila Christopher na sila Lorna tolentino, tirso Cruz III, tinawagan niya para magpa-testing at magquarantine (Christopher called almost all of his friends to have themselves tested and quarantined).” Worried for Sandy Solis further shared that de Leon has been all the more worried for his wife, actress Sandy Andolong, since the health crisis began. Andolong is a kidney transplant patient and therefore under lifelong immunosuppression treatment. Nevertheless, Solis said she was certain de Leon would recover from the virus “with flying colors” given the way he has cared for his health and those around him following illnesses and accidents he and his loved ones endured and survived. the talent manager elabo-
Christopher De Leon with wife Sandy Andolong Photo from Instagram @sandy_andolong_deleon
rated, “Siguro nga dapat natin gayahin iyon ugali ni (Perhaps, we should emulate) Christopher. Dahil sa mga naranasan sa buhay niya (because of what he’s experienced in life), [he] always listened to his body. Isang anak ni (A child of) Boyet ang (is a) cancer survivor; si Sandy Andolong ay nag-undergo ng kidney transplant; muntik mamiligro ang buhay niya [de Leon] sa aksidente sa taping niya ng tamaan siya ng blank bullet sa singit at muntik mamatay sa sepsis (he nearly died during a taping where he was hit by a blank bullet and almost died of sepsis). “Kaya dahil sa mga pangyayaring ito, konti lang na feeling of pain or discomfort, takbo agad siya sa doktor (It is because of this incident that he has made it a point to run to the doctor everytime there’s a feeling of pain or discomfort). Iyon ang naging dahilan kung bakit maaga niya na (This is the reason they were able to) detect ang (the) corona virus,” Solis said. Finally citing her ward’s unwavering faith in the Lord—de Leon is in fact called “Bro. Bo” in his Christian community where he is a very active member—Solis said, “I salute you Christopher de Leon, kakayanin mo iyan, malalagpasan mo at gagaling ka, ikaw pa, ang lakas mo kay (you can do this, you can beat it and you will get well. You know how favored you are with) God.” Outpouring of support SinceDe Leon’s announcement on tuesday evening, he has received an outpouring of love PAGE 11
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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette aDeva Maglaya WHILE appearances may deceive, more often than not, what you are is reflected on the outside. Becoming your own style icon does not mean maxing out your credit cards just to follow the latest fashion trends. Don’t do it. It’s a fool’s errand. You can never get caught up with it anyway. Fashion, like technology, will push the latest trend just to keep and grow market share. It’s all about money and profits. Who says you have to buy every season’s new fashion? Don’t let those so-called fashion Nazis dictate how you dress. First, get comfortable in your own skin. Focus on the positive features and accept and mitigate what you consider as flaws. Then find the style that suits you — something well within your means and makes you comfortable and confident while you do the things you love to do, or in many cases, have to do, on a daily basis. Experiment with the clothes you already have in your closet. Chances are, with the exception of underwear, you probably have all you need. Test combinations of cut, color, texture and style. Take a photo of the combinations that work for you and make you feel good and confident. Browse through magazines and pick a few that appeal to your own sense of who you are. Stick to the time-tested classics and it is more than likely, you will hit the bullseye of being your own style icon. Dump the Hollywood look. Entertainment industry stylists push trends that
Community Journal
Bucket list No. 9 Become your own style icon
“… As within, so without...” — Hermes Trismegistus are flashy, show far too much skin and wobbly bits and mounds of flesh like jiggly jello. Notice how they almost have the same cookie cutter look and the same frozen faces botoxed to the max? No, you don’t want to go there. Keep mixing and matching. Discard the ones you know in your gut you will never, ever use. Reclaim valued space in the closet. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. There is no fashion police to issue you a ticket. Pretty soon, you will know in your gut the look that telegraphs who you are without saying a word. You’ve heard it before. “Dress for success! Dress to impresss!” Or that famous line: “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit!” (Okay, I am going off tangent here.) But the point is you must regard slogans with a bit of caution. Catchy rhyming slogans are not necessarily true. Discernment is key. When you dress to impress, you will simply get stressed trying to top each ensemble you put together with the next one. Your ego becomes the driver plus your wallet is lighter. Life is just too short to obsess on this matter. The focus becomes the dress not on how your style makes you comfortable allowing you to function without having to fuss preening all day in front of a mirror. The right style projects the person quite easily, making you your own unique style icon. There may be clones of you, but no one
is quite like you. God and your choices make If you work for an organization, it means you have to blend your style and comply with the company dress code. Looking professional and competent is key. Remember that as an employee, you are a reflection of the company you work for. If casual jeans and tees are the norm in the company or because the nature of your work requires you to be holed up all day in some obscure cubicle and does not have to face the public, then wear them. It doesn’t mean, however, that you are required to dress down at all times. Predictability is boring. From time to time, make an effort to look really good just to make yourself feel good. Why buy clothes and let them hang by their lonesome in the closet? Believe it or not, it does your psyche good to receive compliments from time to time, particularly on down days. Do you know what is the cherry on top of a unique style icon? It’s a killer smile. A smile that comes from your eyes is a light bulb that dispels darkness and negativity. It is essentially a sneak preview of the wellspring of goodness and love busting to get out from within you. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
Nevadans can complete the 2020 Census without having to leave home AS the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to have an impact on the country and local communities, Nevada leaders are reminding residents that the 2020 census can be done from the comfort of their own homes. The safety, health and welfare of all Nevadans is a top priority. Despite growing concerns about the public health situation, the census is easier than ever for Nevadans to complete through one of three safe, confidential and quick ways: online (www.census.nv.gov), via phone (844-330-2020), or mail in the hard copy questionnaire. This helps keep everyone safe – residents and census workers alike. “The federal funding Nevada gets based on a complete count – more than $67 billion over
ten years – affects all of us in our daily lives,” Kerry Durmick, Nevada Census 2020 Statewide Coordinator said. “Things like Medicaid, Medicare, nutrition and transportation services for seniors, the federal Pell Grant program, career and technical education grants, and highway construction funds benefit all Nevadans.” Reminder letters are currently being sent from the U.S. Census Bureau in the mail along with instructions of how to fill out the form. If residents have not received any information or the form in the mail by April 1, please call the U.S. Census Bureau’s hotline at 844-3302020 (for Spanish call 844-4682020). Additionally, if you are a resident who does not receive mail through the U.S. Postal Service, does not have access
to a computer or Wi-Fi at your home, or needs help filling out the questionnaire, you are encouraged to call the U.S. Census Bureau’s hotline to complete the questionnaire over the phone. There are also public computer stations at local libraries and community centers throughout the state. Locations can be found by visiting https:// census.nv.gov/computer-stations/. Volunteers and employees are taking every precaution to help keep visitors and themselves healthy, including frequent disinfecting computer equipment and surfaces, and frequent handwashing. In the meantime, residents can monitor www.census.nv.gov and www.nvhealthresponse.nv.gov for updated information about the 2020 census and guidance.
Vanessa slammed for ‘damaging’ COVID-19 remarks by Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
FILIPINA American Hollywood star Vanessa Hudgens found herself in the receiving end of criticism due to her remark on the potential quarantine timeline for the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In her Instagram account, the “Highschool Musical” star broadcasted a live video saying that death from the virus is inevitable. “Um, yeah, ’til July sounds like a bunch of bulls–t. I’m sorry, but like, it’s a virus, I get it, like, I respect it, but at the same time I’m like, even if everybody gets it, like yeah, people are going to die, which is terrible but like, inevitable?” Vanessa said. “ I d o n’ t k n o w. M a y b e I shouldn’t be doing this right now,” she added. Social media users lambasted Vanessa because of her statement. “#Vanessahudgens - People are losing their jobs. They are dying. They are sick. They have no money. No groceries. No contact with loved ones. And you’re moaning about coachella being postponed til July. If I were in charge of coachella I’d ban you out of spite,” a Twitter user commented. “#VanessaHudgens her speech is not just terrible but so damag-
Vanessa Hudgens
ing to all the young people that are listening her! STAY AT HOME. I’m from Italy and I’m been in quarantine for 2 weeks now. I’m not having fun but we all have to do it. We are in the same shit. Cannot stand ignorance!!” another user wrote. “#VanessaHudgens career will be dead after posting this. It’s like inevitable,” another user wrote. After receiving backlash, Vanessa took to Instagram to clear her name, saying that she was taken
Photo from Instagram_@vanessahudgens
out of context. “Hey guys, yesterday I did an Instagram Live and I realized today that some of my comments are being taken out of context. It’s a crazy time. It’s a crazy, crazy time, and I’m at home and in lockdown and that’s what I hope you guys are doing too. In full quarantine and staying safe and sane. I don’t take this situation lightly by any means. I am home, so stay inside y’all,” she said in her Instagram story.
Actor Christopher calls on friends to impose... PAGE 10
and support from the entertainment industry. Ali Sotto, Miles Ocampo, MJ Cayabyab, director Mae Cruz-Alviar, Pinky Amador and Jackie Lou Blanco, were among the first celebrities who expressed their concern for the acclaimed actor, as well as the confidence that he will bounce back from the virus. Castmates from de Leon’s star studded ABS-CBN afternoon
Health@Heart
soap, “Love Thy Woman,” where he plays a Filipino-Chinese tycoon and father of strained sisters Kim Chiu and Yam Concepcion, also took to social media to ask the public for prayers for the actor’s quick recovery. Chiu posted on Instagram, “Get well soon, Tito Bo! Praying for your recovery! Let’s all include Tito Bo sa prayers natin!” Co-star Sunshine Cruz also
took to the social media site and said, “Get well soon Kuya Boyet!!! Let’s all pray for his quick recovery!” None of De Leon’s castmates, however, announced if they had opted to go on self-quarantine even if the actor expressly said he revealed his test results so that those who had recent contact with him will take the necessary steps to ensure their safety and those of others.
PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS HERE are some medical facts and practical Do-It-Yourself (DIY) measures to ward off the COVID-19 infection that is now a serious pandemic. CAVEAT: A clean well-ventilated home is our safest sanctuary. Self-quarantine by everyone around the world will help end this pandemic much sooner. Wisdom and a healthy dose of rational fear and paranoia (medical vigilance) will also be beneficial for safety. Is COVID-19 worse than the Flu? As far as the number of cases and mortality rate are concerned, COVID-19, as of March 18, 2020, 3:22 PM, GMT, there were 208,172 cases worldwide, with 8,272 deaths in 170 countries, including the following: China – 80,894, deaths - 3,237; Italy – 31,506, deaths - 2503; Iran – 17,361, deaths - 1135; Spain – 13,910, deaths - 623; USA (all 50 States) – 7,387, deaths - 116; Philippines – 202, deaths - 17. The numbers are expected to go higher as hours go by, because the crisis has not yet peaked. Two physicians, as of March 17, died from COVID-19. Evidently this is a more virulent and more easily transmissible virus than we thought. Self-quarantine at home and “crowd-control, city and country lockdowns” are vital to end this pandemic sooner. According to the US-CDC report, “during the 2019-2020 Flu season in the USA, more than 26 million have fallen ill with the regular flu, 250,000 hospitalized, and 4,000 died.” These medical data will keep the situation in its proper perspective and prevent panic and chaos, but we must, nonetheless, be ever vigilant and not let down our guard, and adjust/modify our behavior and habits accordingly. As we now know, COVID-19 could be deadly, with a 2 to 3 percent average mortality, and almost 15 percent for those 80 and above with health issues and people with the highest risk (like those immune-compromised). Why are people very scared about this pandemic? It is normal for people to be scared of the unknown. SARSCoV2 is a new virus we do not know and for which we do not have immunity, nor a vaccine nor a cure. Vaccine for the flu does not work for COVID-19. Officially the infection has been designated as COVID-19, the “19” referring to the year it was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei, China. Since the virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets from sneezes and coughs of infected persons, it is easily transmitted to another person (within 4 to 6 feet), and spreads very fast. Again, a clean well-ventilated home is our safest sanctuary. Self-quarantine by everyone around the world will help end this pandemic much sooner. A healthy dose of rational fear and paranoia (medical vigilance) will also be beneficial for safety. Do masks work? A bit of good news: A study in Singapore among healthcare providers showed that regular surgical masks and the superior N95 model both appear to prevent getting COVID-19. But, obviously, for those not providing medical care, is it is best to stay home. The less exposure to the outside, the safer. Why even risk it? Can I catch the virus from touching objects, surfaces? The SARS-CoV2 virus has been found in respiratory secretions and saliva and is suspected
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DIY strategy vs COVID-19 to survive on surfaces between a few hours and up to 9 days. According to CDC, touching packages, letters, other objects from China is safe; “transmissibility of coronaviruses from contaminated surfaces to hands were not found. However, it could be shown with influenza A virus that a contact of 5 [seconds] can transfer 31.6% of the viral load to the hands.” More precise data would be forthcoming as scientists learn more about this virus. Again, washing hands after touching any object with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and drying them well, is essential. If water is not available, hand sanitizers would be a good temporary option. I have no symptoms, could I get tested? The test is recommended for those with symptoms and those who have or may have been exposed to infected persons. COVID-19 testing kits are in great demand and the needs for those who are exposed or with symptoms are still hardly met, just like the masks, so we must all exercise medical wisdom and compassion for those who need the test more urgently. Testing the entire population of any city or country is not medically sound nor practical, nor wise, and only a massive waste of resources with minimal returns. On the other hand, testing ALL suspects and symptomatic individuals, as many as possible, would certainly prevent the further spread of COVID-19 and help end this tragedy sooner. Who should be quarantined? Those who have tested positive and those who have been exposed, whether in doubt or not, should be quarantined. In fighting infectious diseases, isolation is effective in preventing spread as history has proven, which is why testing is most crucial. Among the non-exposed individuals, we could all practice DIY voluntary preventive measures like disciplined selfisolation (staying home, avoiding non-essential travels even in our own town), washing our hands and face often (even after touching money), not touching our face, greeting with a “Hi” instead of a handshake, not touching door knobs, handrails, counters, surfaces, with our bare hands, avoiding crowds, and distancing ourselves from people, especially those who cough or look sickly. Repeat: A clean well-ventilated home is our safest sanctuary. Self-quarantine by everyone around the world will help end this pandemic much sooner. A healthy dose of rational fear and paranoia (medical vigilance) will also be beneficial for safety. Do sesame oil, coconut oil, olive oil kill the virus? No, there is no evidence that any of these oils or any salve, liniment, cream, or ointment kill the SARS-CoV2 virus. Vinegar (Acetic Acid, 5%) and alcohol (at least 60%) are good disinfectants for countertops and other surfaces, but not for skin application. Lysol and chlorine (bleach) solutions are also effective but toxic to humans for long term use. Eating garlic, herbs, alcohol body rub (dangerously toxic), gurgling solutions of any kind do not prevent COVID-19. Self-quarantine at home is a most effective DIY preventive strategy whether one has been exposed, with or without symptoms, or not exposed at all and healthy. Does handwashing really protect us? A 20-second handwash with soap and water, done several times a day, will greatly protect people from getting infected. Handwashing frequently after
waking up, going to the bathroom, before and after eating, is an essential habit to develop, even in the absence of any epidemic or pandemic. It is most important to DRY your hands after washing, because viruses, bacteria, fungus, and mold all love moisture. Does UV light kill viruses? The UV-C light is used routinely in hospitals for sterilizing empty rooms (operating room, ICU, etc.) and in medical/dental offices to sterilize instruments. UV lights are harmful to the skin and the eyes, but safe in a bag. Info on UV-C SterileTote is available at steriletote@hotmail. com. This bag is used to sterilize CPAP mask, tubing, children’s bib, toys, cellphones, tablets, toothbrush, combs, and any item that would fit in the bag. It automatically shuts off in 5 minutes. Columbia University lab is developing a “far-UVC” lamp that is not harmful to humans and pets, which could be used anywhere, like a mosquito zapper lamp, to sterilize rooms daily even with people in them. D o e s b l o o d t ra n s f u s i o n help? Injecting the processed blood serum of survivors of COVID-19 (loaded with antibodies against SARS-CoV2 virus) into newlyinfected persons and those highrisk individuals to boost their immunity and ability to fight COVID-19 is being investigated now. The rapidly developed new U.S. vaccine against COVID-19 that is being tested now in Seattle is wonderful news. Should China be held accountable for this pandemic? The Black Death (Bubonic plague) in Europe (1347 to 1351), which killed 25 million people, originated from China. The SARS pandemic (November 2002) which infected 26 countries and killed 815, came from Guangdong, China. And now the COVID-19 from Wuhan. There are stories circulating on the internet that the SARS-CoV2 virus probably came from the communist-controlled bio-lab near Wuhan and that a young healthy Chinese physician who worked with the whistleblower in Wuhan and who wanted to warn the world about the nCorona virus infection was silenced and punished by powers in that sector of China, and later suspiciously “died” of COVID-19. The weeks of delay in the official announcement of the massive epidemic in China made on December 31, 2019 (lately discovered the first case was on November 17, 2019) and China’s obvious intentional lack of transparency and cover-up has enabled the virus to spread worldwide into a ruinous pandemic. Whether those claims are true or not, and notwithstanding their veracity, it behooves the World Health Organization and the United Nations to conduct a thorough study on China’s health system and all the issues surrounding this COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far infected almost 210,000 and killed almost 8,300 people, devastated businesses and national economies in 170 countries, and painfully disrupted billions of lives around the globe. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
The Julia Montes we know little about “MAKULIT pala siya in person.” This was how Arjo Atayde described Julia Montes, his costar in the weekly action-drama series, “24/7.” “It’s like people are so used to watching me as a kontrabida that when they see me in person, they would say I’m so different from the guy they imagined me to be. It’s the same with Julia. That’s her impact on me, since I always see her crying on TV.” Arjo said he was glad he got to “really talk” with Julia while working on the series. “I realized that she has no issues whatsoever,” Arjo said. What he meant was that “Julia is very professional. When she gets to the scene, she’s really ‘in’ the scene. You can really feel her. With only her eyes, she’s able to convey emotions.” The actor further said: “I appreciate how she is as a human being. She keeps the team together. Being part of the series with her is a dream come true for me. She’s real, very kind and respectful. She is a fun person, too.” (Marinel Cruz/Inquirer.net) Julia Montes and Arjo Atayde
Inquirer.net photo
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How Richard and Sarah’s wedding came together ‘against all odds’ in coronavirus quarantine by Niña
GuNo Inquirer.net
CONTROLLING the spread of COVID-19 has put many plans on hold, including events like weddings that can take months of preparations. Among those affected by the Metro Manila community quarantine were actors Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati, whose nuptials have been a long time in the making. The couple got engaged in 2017 and postponed wedding plans after finding out they were pregnant with their second child. Finally, this year, everything was The newlyweds Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez. Photos from Instagram/@sarahlahbati coming into place; they released announced on March 12 that they support for the couple on whatprenup photos over the past would postpone the ceremony ever decision was made. weeks in anticipation of their “as we do not want to put anyone With the wedding postponed, big day. at risk.” the decor in the hotel was taken Pictures of their invitation cirBy that time, however, prepa- down and flowers were given culated online, which showed that rations were underway, event away — some to Ruffa Gutierguests included a slew of VIPs stylist Gideon Hermosa revealed rez, others to hospitals, Hermosa such as government officials and on Instagram Stories yesterday, said. network executives. The date was March 15. Decorations such as But the next day, it turned set for Saturday, March 14 at the chandeliers and drapings were out that the wedding would still Shangri-La Fort—then the com- already installed and fresh flowers take place, albeit one that was munity quarantine was imposed from abroad had just arrived. “simple.” days before the wedding. He recounted that the wedding “Against all odds, @richardIn light of the public health planner called for an emergency gutz & @sarahlahbati decided emergency, Gutierrez and Lahbati meeting and the suppliers showed to have a simple civil wedding. Despite all the virus threat and the community quarantine their love stayed on top of it all,” Hermosa said on Instagram on Saturday. Photographer Pat Dy said Lahbati’s family was already present, which is what motivated them to go through with the civil ceremony. Hermosa put together floral arrangements with the remaining flowers he had and made a lily of the valley bridal bouquet. The stylist’s videos from the small ceremony, which involved about 20 people, showed both sides of the family giving speeches and the couple expressing their love for their parents — both their own and their new in-laws. The reception was held at Shangri-La at the Fort’s Peruvian restaurant Samba, with event styling by Teddy Manuel. As for their grand wedding, the couple said on Instagram last Saturday: “The big gathering to celebrate with all our loved ones, friends and colleagues will have to wait because we care more about everyone’s safety and health.”
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Bb. Pilipinas queens (fromleft) Emma Mary Tiglao, Bea Patricia Magtanong, Gazini Ganados, Resham Saeed, Aya Abesamis and Leren Mae Bautista show the “equality” hand sign at the #EachForEqual women’s empowerment program. Inquirer.net photo by Armin Adina
Beauty queens mull significance of #MeToo, female empowerment on Women’s Month by armiN
P. adiNa
Inquirer.net
IN what is arguably the biggest victory for the women’s movement this year, Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein was meted a 23-year jail sentence for sexual assault and rape, showing the world how mighty the #MeToo campaign has become. With the verdict handed down during International Women’s Month, it is but a fitting tribute to the struggle for women’s protection against sexual abuses and misogyny. For the reigning Binibining Pilipinas queens, the #MeToo movement that sprung from the entertainment industry in the United States is a testament to how far the women’s struggle has come since the staging of the first Working Women’s Month in 1911. “I also support the #MeToo movement because it gives women a certain voice and the power to protect ourselves,” Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Aya Abesamis told the Inquirer at the sidelines of the “#EachForEqual” women’s empowerment program at the activity center of Gateway Mall at Araneta City in Quezon City on March 8, Women’s Day. All six reigning Bb. Pilipinas winners spoke at the event, and shared stories of empowerment they themselves experienced, and the women around them who have inspired them to become strong. The event was attended by mallgoers, composed mostly of women.
Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados said: “The #MeToo movement has made a strong impact on women’s struggles. Women have become more vocal, just like [Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Resham Saeed].” Resham, who broke barriers in the Islamic community by being the first Muslim woman to represent the Philippines in the Miss Supranational pageant, acknowledged how far the women’s movement has come. But she said, “I still think we have a long way to go, especially here in the Philippines.” She added: “We need to work together as women to really make our mark. I think there’s still so much more to accomplish. I can’t wait for all of us to do that together.” Lawyer Bea Patricia Magtanong, who passed the bar exams weeks before she took home the Bb. Pilipinas International title in June last year, noted how her generation has become “a lot more conscious, a lot more tolerant, a lot more supportive of women’s rights.” Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Mary Tiglao echoed her queen sisters’ sentiments, saying, “This generation is made up of very empowered women, who inspire people for their beliefs.” Still, there are sectors in the women’s movement who look at pageants as a venue for female commodification. But the Bb. Pilipinas queens said pageants play a significant role in advancing the causes that the movement wants to push forward.
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“Women can empower women. And I think pageants, having participants who come from different cultures, show us that we can do anything. We have the potential to be who we are, and we can stand up for ourselves,” Aya said. Emma echoed American civil rights activist Maya Angelou’s famous quote, “Every time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for every woman.” She said her experience in the Miss Intercontinental stage with 79 other international delegates proved this to be true. But Resham wants people to look beyond the queens’ crowns. “The crown is nothing but the woman behind it. And we are the spine that holds the inspiration, pushes the agenda forward. If you don’t have a strong heart, and the drive to bring home your advocacy that represents something greater than yourself, then even the biggest stage could fail you,” she explained. For Patricia, pageantry’s most important role is giving young girls role models to look up to. “We serve as an inspiration for young girls. They see us looking confident and empowered, and that empowers them, as well. They dare to dream, they feel better about themselves, they see us succeeding. And it drives them to believe that they can do it, too,” she shared. The reigning queens, except Gazini, will relinquish their titles at the 2020 Bb. Pilipinas coronation ceremonies at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on May 31.
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MARch 19-25, 2020
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Silver State Health Insurance Exchange Brillante Mendoza walks his talk announces ‘exceptional circumstance’ special with a hundred-plus awards enrollment period on Nevada Health Link by GeorGe
Carson City, nev. – In response to Governor sisolak’s March 12th Emergency Declaration, the silver state Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange), the state agency that connects nevadans to qualified health plans through the online state Based Exchange (sBE), known as nevada Health Link, announces a limited-time Exceptional Circumstance special Enrollment Period (sEP) for qualified nevadans who missed the open Enrollment Period (oEP). The sEP runs from March 17, 2020 through april 15, 2020, and will allow eligible individuals to enroll in a qualified health plan through the sBE platform, nevada Health Link. Individuals seeking a special enrollment are encouraged to contact the Customer assistance Call Center between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday at 1800-547-2927; TTY: 711. The Call Center will extend its hours on saturday’s and sunday’s (except for Easter sunday) from March 21 through april 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. PsT. The Exchange recommends working with a certified broker or navigator to enroll in the sEP. nevada Health Link offers language assistance and if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a disability, accommodations are provided at no cost. “I am calling on all uninsured nevadans, even if you are healthy, to take advantage of this special opportunity to gain access to health insurance coverage through the Exchange,” said nevada Governor steve sisolak.” The CoVID-19 virus is an unfortunate but important reminder that our health and wellbeing should be top priority and gaining access to insurance is a critical step in that process.” “The comprehensive insurance plans on nevada Health Link are designed to protect you and your family from financial ruin if a medical issue or accident occurs, and they cover the ten essential health benefits mandated by the affordable Care act, including but not limited to pre-existing conditions. This is an incredibly important time to ensure you and your family are covered,” said Exchange Executive Director, Heather Korbulic. “nevadans deserve to have peace of mind to take care of all their health needs, and given today’s exceptional circumstances, we are enabling those
Vail Kabristante ManilaTimes.net
sInCE winning the unprecedented and much-coveted Best Director award at the 62nd Cannes International Film Festival in 2009 for “Kinatay,” which more than validated his metier and competence not only in the realm of film direction but also in designing his own films and producing some of them himself, Brillante Mendoza has collected close to hundred honors within a span of 10 years. His most recent oeuvre “Mindanao,” which won for Judy ann santos the Best actress award including Best artistic Contribution for him at the a-list 41st Cairo International Film Festival was also designed and produced by himself. The same film which almost swept all awards at the last Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) also won for him Best Director and Best Picture as producer, including a nomination in the design department. The film “Verdict” sent this year to the oscars Best International Feature category was executive produced by Mendoza’s film outfit Center stage Produc-
who are qualified to enroll and gain access to the vital services they may need.” nevada Health Link wants to clarify that insurance is noT required to be tested for CoVID-19; and the emergency regulation signed by the Governor provides that there is no cost to consumers for medical services related to testing for CoVID-19. nevada Health Link reminds nevada residents who experience other qualifying events, such as marriage, birth of a child, moving, loss of health insurance, or Medicaid denial are also eligible to shop for a qualified health plan. Learn more on our website: https://www. nevadahealthlink.com/sep or in spanish: https://www.nevadahealthlink.com/sepes. Nevada Health Link nevada Health Link is the online insurance marketplace operated by the silver state Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange), which was established per nevada revised statutes (nrs) in 2011 by the
state of nevada and began operations in 2013 on the belief that all nevadans deserve access to health insurance. In 2019, the Exchange transitioned away from the federal marketplace, HealthCare.gov and became a fully operational state Based Exchange (sBE), in time for its seventh open Enrollment Period (oEP). nevada Health Link connects eligible nevada residents to budget-appropriate health and dental coverage and is the only place where qualifying consumers can receive federal tax credits to help cover premium costs. open Enrollment has concluded; for more information or to see if you’re eligible for a special Enrollment Period, visit our website. subscribe to nevada Health Link’s Blog and YouTube channel, like them on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram. nevada Health Link always encourages consumers to use the free assistance of a licensed enrollment professional by calling 1-800-547-2927 or by visiting neBrillante Mendoza vadaHealthLink.com.
tions. Early on, said film won the special orizzonti Jury Prize at the 76th Venice Film Festival held in Lido, Italy. as helmer and responsible for making his actors move onscreen with some premium of reality, director Mendoza’s directing style has enthroned for the first time local actress Jaclyn Jose in the marquee of Cannes’ Best actors. This was via the film “Ma’ rosa” approached in the style of neorealism much like “cinema verite,” his trademark according to Mendoza himself. “Mindanao” was approached in the same touted style and thus put on record Judy ann santos to win Best actress next to nora aunor in “The Flor Contemplacion story” at the said Cairo filmfest. How does Director Brillante translate his neorealistic filmmaking style on the set with his actors who are more exposed to the Method of Hollywood? This refers to the either “in-out” or “out-in” way of preparing actors emotionally for a role adapted from the revolutionary acting philosophy of the russian guru Konstantin stanislavski. In contrast, the neorealistic tradition pioneered by the early Italian directors like roberto
rosellenni, Federico Fellini, Vittorio De sica et al. has obviously influenced Mendoza’s style. In terms of character development, the neorealist in director Mendoza discloses he makes it a point to tell his actors not to resort to attention-calling guts-out kind of acting and not to act at all. This calls to mind the mantra of “no acting Please” philosphy of one acting guru from Hollywood, Eric Morris. But this “non-acting “ mantra is however better said than done. In Brillante’s way, he rarely provides a script and neither does he ask his actors to memorize their lines. He gives them the situation and the actors are free to improvize and create characters from their point of view. They become part of the filmmaking process. They are co-creators. so they don’t perform, but create. none of those big-acting onscreen please. What Director Mendoza truly needs is a good damn realistic acting onscreen from his actors and nothing else. He has walked his talk with Jaclyn Jose and Judy ann santos winning international acting awards from a-list film festivals abroad.
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Ellen undergoes mental training Lea to those asking her to do in Bali after being ‘stuck in this ‘privilege check’ after comparing black hole for almost 3 years’ quarantine to war: ‘I hear you’ by niña Guno Inquirer.net
ELLEN Adarna’s recent trip to Bali, Indonesia was far from a relaxing stay at the beach, though she did find inner peace. The actress took part in a one-on-one mental training for 14 days on the island, which she explained was for her mental health. “I was isolated for one week no phone no contact with world,” she said, and noted that the documentation she shared on Instagram Stories Sunday, March
Ellen Adarna
Photo from Instagram_@maria.ellen.adarna
15 were taken by her mentor so she could see “how [I] dealt with my demons.” One exercise she was made to do was standing for five hours. She shared pictures of her standing in a chalk-drawn circle until nighttime. “It’s all in the mind. True story,” she said. Another exercise saw her trapped in plastic wrap and she had to figure out how to get out on her own. She admitted that she was “full force [panicking]” and unable to breathe. She was also made to jump for 5 kilometers for her “sanity” and did blindfold exercises while standing on a block, which she described as “f*cked up” in jest. A challenge she faced was to cut Bermuda grass and arrange them “harmoniously” for four hours by lining them up on pieces of paper. Adarna shared an online conversation where she was asked if it drove her crazy. She explained, “The point was to go crazy and to know you’re going crazy and [it’s] useless to go crazy so [you] meditate.” At the end of the 14 days, she received a certificate for the “meditative gymnastic program of the Kokoro Team Bali.” She recommended her mentor with the Instagram handle @pondoktaksu. Adarna also explained why she was willing to endure the tough program: “[I] did mental training coz [I] was stuck in this black hole for almost 3 years. My [anti-depressants didn’t] do me any good, it made me immobile and numb. [I] was getting weaker mentally and emotionally — something had to be done.” “I can now finally say, after years of [struggling]… I am no longer a prisoner in my own mind. Ahhhh!!! Freedom we meet again.” The actress has been away from the spotlight and kept a low profile in social media in 2017, back when she was in a relationship with actor John Lloyd Cruz. She resurfaced on Instagram this January and has continued to maintain privacy about her personal life, such as avoiding posting pictures of her son with Cruz.
Meet Chef Louis Bayla, NYC’s Prince... PAGE 10 “My fondest food memory is eating kamayan in the Philippines when I was a kid and my family cooked lechon. We used banana leaves as plates,” he shared. In college, he tried nursing and economics in his freshman year and hated it, so he signed up for culinary school the following semester and started in the food industry as a dishwasher. “Sipag, yun ang importante. Basta dapat masipag,” he quipped. I first heard of his name back in 2013 when Typhoon Haiyan ravaged some provinces in the eastern side of the Philippines. Chef Tom Colicchio’s group sent us a press release announcing that Riverpark, one of their restaurants was offering Filipino dishes in addition to their regular lunch and dinner menus to support victims of Typhoon Haiyan. They did this because a handful of their employees then, including two of their sous chefs, have family in the Philippines. Chef Louis, along with his fellow sous chef Carlos Benedicto created Filipino dishes inspired by the food they grew up eating including a seafood sinigang, palabok and longanisa dog. Then last year, Bayla shared his talent and supported another Filipino-led charity called Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK) for their annual fundraiser. Learning from his mentors Bayla is now on his third year as the chef de cuisine of Little Park, a Tribeca staple and a seasonal restaurant highlighting the best ingredients from longtime partnerships with local farmers, anglers, vintners, ranchers and foragers. Peak ingredients like organic vegetables, free-range poultry, grass-fed meats, line-caught fish and heirloom grains are sourced for their level of quality, sustainability and nutrition. “I like to use heritage pork, they have a specific diet and graze in open pastures,” he shared at the sidelines of the culinary foodfest. For Cochon555, he was given a Red Wattle, a breed originating from New Caledonia, which gets its name from its red color and the fleshy skin that hangs under its jowls. Most of these heritage
by Cha Lino Inquirer.net
LEA Salonga drew flak recently after she called out those who are “complaining about the [COVID19] quarantine period” by reminding them that much more was endured by those who went through the previous World Wars. The Broadway star said “I hear you” to those who called her out and asked her to check her privileges. She resolved that she will just “post things that are factual” to avoid making “any unnecessary noise.” Salonga first posted a quote addressing citizens “who are complaining about the quarantine period and curfews” on her Instagram page last Sunday, March 15. The quote, which has been making the rounds in the internet, was also reportedly earlier posted by motoring expert James Deakin. Incidentally, Mocha Uson, who is deputy administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, also posted the same quote on her Twitter page on the same day. “To those who are complaining about the quarantine period and curfews, just remember that your grandparents were called to war; you are being called to sit on the couch and watch Netflix,” the quote posted by Salonga, Deakins and Uson stated. “You can do this.” Salonga, tagging a certain @ chefgodfreylaforteza in the post, clarified that “Netflix” in the quote could be replaced with any other activity such as playing board games, reading books, writing, dancing or drawing. “As much as I do enjoy Netflix, that isn’t the only way I’m occupying my time in quarantine,” she added. The singer also responded to comments urging her to do a privilege check, clarifying that the term “watch Netflix” on her post was merely a figure of speech. “To those of you asking me to check my privilege, I hear you. I didn’t mean Netflix in a literal sense because I’m fully aware that not everyone has access to it,” she explained. “So replace it with something else you like to do. I only meant it as a figure of speech. Thanks for your time.” Salonga further mulled over the enhanced community quarantine
Lea Salonga
on her Facebook page yesterday, March 17. The international singer narrated how she and her family have been making themselves occupied during the quarantine. “At my house, it’s been homework and TV shows for Nic, [‘Castlevania’] for me, video games, workouts, writing, and finding yarn for possible needlework projects,” she said. Salonga also mentioned how one of her cousins in the United States, who she described as “one of the most robust people” she knows, tested positive for COVID-19. Her cousin has recovered from the virus but this apparently prompted her to think about others. “There will be a segment of our population that will fare just fine. But majority of our countrymen? I honestly don’t know,” she stated. “It’s easy for many of us to flippantly recommend staying at home, but how do we recommend that to a daily wage earner? To someone that can’t see their families because of the lockdown?” The singer also asked if the public should be “[pointing] fin-
Photo from Instagram_@msleasalonga
gers” during this time: “What do we do… Blame the government for its delay in taking action? Blame the folks for insisting on going out when they’ve already been told to stay at home? How do we recommend social distancing to people whose homes are inches away from each other?” Salonga said she is trying to be positive during this time, to keep herself from getting “sad and angry.” She is also “trying to post things that are factual, and avoiding unnecessary noise” as the pandemic keeps her “up at night.” Lastly, she commended those who have been helping out through funding, food and other efforts, including those who are creating funny material, music, workouts and prayers to lift people’s spirits. “Now, whatever we gotta do to beat this thing, let’s beat this thing,” she encouraged. “Let’s keep our wits about us [and] our heads screwed on straight.” Salonga added that she is “looking forward to the day that this virus becomes insignificant and inconsequential.”
Gerald goes to Congress ACTOR Gerald Anderson was officially recognized as the Ambassador of Goodwill and Spokesman of Philippine Youth Kasama at the Plenary Hall of the House of Congress in Batasan on March 10. Aside from House Speaker Alan Cayetano and Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez and representatives Elenita Ermita and Aleta Suarez, Anderson was also welcomed by showbiz icon and congresswoman Vilma SantosRecto. The Star for All Seasons expressed interest in doing future projects with the actor and the Philippine Youth. (ManilaTimes. net) Gerald Anderon with House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano
Photo from Instagram_@nhilanhils
Kris shares quarantine experience in Willie’s resort by Jan
MiLo Severo Philstar.com
“QUEEN of All Media” Kris Aquino and her kids Joshua and Bimby were ready to stay in Boracay after a community quarantine was imposed on Metro Manila due to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but instead, they chose to spend the quarantine in Willie Revillame’s resort. In her Instagram account, Kris posted a video, saying: “Pinahiram sa ‘min ang resort ni Willie. O ‘di ba ang swerte namin?” “I’ll try to make this short, TRY— for the community quarantine we were ready to stay in Boracay but realistically marami Chef Bayla served halo halo, with jello made out of the heritage pig’s trotters and knuckles, kaming 3 na kailangang prescripserved with crispy chicharron bits. Photos by Max Flatow Photography/COCHON 555 tion meds, medyo aware na kayo breed pigs are raised on family basics: pancit and adobo. Back sa autoimmune ko, kuya has farms without the use of steroids in the Philippines, some of his and antibiotics. relatives from his mother’s side After culinary school, Bayla run a panciteria in Laguna while thought about his career path, an uncle on his father’s side starting as a dishwasher. runs Asiong’s in Cavite. He tried to map his journey Chef Louis tries to include and chose his work and mentors some Filipino ingredients in the wisely. So far, he has worked with dishes he creates, like calamansi, New York’s best from Gramercy which for him brings subtle Tavern to Locanda Verde and nuances to certain dishes. For from Colicchio to Carmellini and example, he used preserved in the kitchens of Le Cirque and calamansi for their razor clams Joel Robuchon. ceviche, providing the dish a little “Yung mga ginagamit ko kilawin flavor profile. In the pipeline is a restaurant ngayon na techniques, natutunan ko sa kanila. Yung iba, from my of his own, a dream that he wants own experiments. Tikim lang to fulfill once he is ready. din ako ng tikim, kung ano yung “Marami akong mga kaibigan natatandaan ko sa nanay ko,” he na nagluluto sa mga malalaking shared. restaurants, lahat nasa back His mom, Vicky confirmed ground lang ngayon,” he said, Chef Louis’ inclination in cook- hopeful and wistful that someday, ing as a young boy and added they will all get to achieve their that among his favorites are the dreams. Kris Aquino
reflux & bimb has asthma,” she started her post. Kris also said that they chose to spent the quarantine period in the resort instead in their homes because their 2nd floor in under renovation. “A kindhearted, generous, and SPECIAL friend of ours pinasundo (thank you Capt Elmer) & ngayon kinukupkop kami. bakit di po kami dumirechong umuwi? wrong timing kasi ako, nagpa renovate ng 2nd floor, clean & ready early next week,” she wrote. “If you want a tour of willie’s new beach property (para gumaan ang stress) kayo na mag request here, i’ll show him— na SHY na ko,” she added. Kris included photos of how beautiful the Philippines is for
the people to be reminded to help each other in these trying times. “I included shots of how beautiful our country is, para maalala nating mag TULUNGAN sa gitna ng pagsubok, magsuportahan, magpakatatag, sumunod sa mga pagpapahalaga sa KALUSUGAN ng LAHAT, magdasal para sa isa’t isa, at magmahalan,” she wrote. In another post, she shared how happy Josh was in the resort that he and Willie had breakfast, strolled and swam in the beach together. It can be recalled that in a video she posted on social media last year, the “Queen of All Media” reportedly said that she was just waiting for Willie to court her because her kids love the “Wowowin” host.
Photo from Instagram_@krisaquino
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How Fil-Am businesses in LA County are navigating...
PAGE 10 called “Support LA’s Filipino Small Businesses” last Saturday to centralize updates and raise awareness of businesses in the community that need the most help. The idea was inspired by Bernardo’s friends in Seattle who were posting recommendations of businesses to patron in the city’s Chinatown-International District, an area that has been hit hard by xenophobia and racism associated with the coronavirus. The new FilAm business group has hit close to 1,000 members four days later with posts predominantly about restaurants that are still offering delivery and takeout services. “We would like to have more people post them actually going to those places and ordering from them,” Bernardo said. “But we try to moderate posts because there are some people who just promote their businesses that aren’t necessarily affected by social distancing, like they might be an internet company or selling stuff online.” Similarly, Fil-Am digital platform Filuency created a Google map of Filipino businesses across counties in Southern California. “It’s important to know that small businesses such as those on
our map are what technically keep the economy moving, and losing these businesses would gravely affect our overall community, ” said Filuency co-founder Lauren Delgado. Over the weekend, it was busy at Titas of Manila, a turo turo restaurant in West Covina customers still placed large catering or takeout orders. But on Monday night, the city followed LA county’s orders on public spaces and also declared a local emergency. The restaurant has since cut hours and is operating on a skeletal force, reducing the number of counter and kitchen staff from 12-18 depending on peak days to now five. “As a business owner, I have to play it by ear. Our schedule is not fixed so if there is nobody coming in, I let the staff go [home],” Titas of Manila owner Charina Vergara said, adding that she’s monitoring the health of employees and continuing to provide them with free meals. Though the restaurant has partnered with UberEats — which is waiving delivery fees from all orders from every independent restaurant — Vergara said it will be too labor intensive and she is unsure whether customers will use that service. In LA’s Chinatown, restaurants LASA and Ord & Broadway announced they would cease operations for now but may consider takeout or delivery options in the weeks ahead. Cafe
86, a bakery
that specializes in all things ube, announced it would close down its Pasadena store indefinitely and was weighing whether to do the same with its other locations in Chino Hills, Artesia and San Diego, which are still opened for limited hours. However, grocery stores, pharmacies and food banks are not covered by the LA city and county orders. Garcetti advised city residents to not “panic buy” and only buy food appropriate for a week. At Chaaste Family Market, a family-run grocery store and turo turo restaurant in Pasadena, business hasn’t slowed down financially as people have been stocking up on canned goods, frozen meat, noodles and of course, rice. But the personal interaction with customers is withering away. “Financially, the store is doing well but I say this not with happiness,” said Christian Esteban, who together with his brothers, operates the store founded by their mother in the late ‘80s. “Our store is about service and talking to customers because that’s how our mom raised us. We can’t even do that now because we have to maintain this distance and people understandably don’t want to stay and talk. So how are we really doing? It hurts and it’s confusing because emotions are sensitive right now.” This week, the store took away its indoor seating, but Esteban said they have to plan for other possible scenarios, from people being desperate and resorting to stealing or rationed deliveries from suppliers. Meanwhile Island Pacific Seafood Market, which has 16 stores across California and Las Vegas, has pledged not to gouge prices and began limiting the quantity of products that can be bought from certain categories — that includes one 50-pound bag of rice per customer. The market has also PhilHouse, which serves prepared Filipino dishes and grilled items, in each AJPress illustration by Jillian Peñalosa
location and has cordoned off the dining areas. “Staff has been extra diligent by providing customers disinfectant spray and wipes to wipe down all handlebars of carts and surfaces in the store. Staff has been asked to wear gloves at the cashier stations. Our payment systems have been upgraded for touchless transactions,” Giselle Tongi-Walters, a marketing consultant for the market, said in an email, adding that senior citizens — considered the most vulnerable to the virus — are given priority in the checkout lines. She added, “We…are restocking shelves as soon as products come in. We have anticipated the influx of ordering and have upped our supply chain to meet the communities’ needs at this time.” Limiting interactions Aside from the food industry, social distancing is testing the operations of business owners who provide services that require direct human interaction. For Fiona Hilario who owns Lay Bare Salon, a waxing studio in Studio City, the main crux of her business involves employees getting close to customers’ spaces — which goes against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s recommendations that people maintain a six-foot distance from one another. Currently, the salon takes at most three clients at a time and is on “top of disinfecting everything round the clock but we doubled or even tripled that effort. We also set-up alcohol spray stations all over the branch so clients may easily access aside from having sinks in each cubicle,” Hilario said. While the salon continues to operate, Hilario is weighing whether they should close for the remainder of March. “I hope we are allowed to stay open until things get better as our team members are paid hourly and all depend on us being able to operate,” she added. Annie Nepomuceno, who provides piano and vocal lessons as well as event production through her company Music Arts Events, has reported cancellations and postponements of several community events she was working on. “That means there’s no income that’s going to come in until we can actually execute the events in the future,” she said. But the bright side, she said, is that her music lessons can
AC Boral of Bebot Filipino Soul Food in Long Beach gets ready to deliver meals to healthcare workers across the county. Photo by Janice Dig Cabaysa
move online using video tools like FaceTime or Skype. “I’m offering free consultations to see if digital lessons are going to work for your family because I think now is the time for adults to handle the anxiety and the stress by doing some musical activity and it’s the same for the kids so that they will have something to help their brain development,” she added. Patrick Mandap said his photobooth and event coordination company lost an estimated $1,400 in revenue on Tuesday alone, as five events had to be canceled, some of which would have taken place at assisted living facilities. He also received about 10 cancelations for weddings and other parties for the rest of the month and early April. “I honestly don’t know what the solution is right now because no one will be booking events anytime soon,” Mandap said. But in the meantime, he’s hoping his other business that designs labor law compliance posters will bring in some clients. Clement Tagle III, who offers online SAT tutoring through Wyzant, said that he’s experienced about a 10% increase in inquiries and sign-ups. “It’s been a boom for me, despite the horrific circumstances, as students are out of school but still want to accomplish something and get a head start on their college applications,” he said. Following guidance to cancel or postpone gatherings, commu-
nity organizations like Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) in Historic Filipinotown have also heeded the call by suspending forthcoming events and moving some services online or by phone, like small business counseling or tax preparation. “We are also creating a list of resources to utilize to address all the businesses’ concerns on financials to operations. We will be sending this out in a few days,” said John Swing, business development specialist at SIPA. Federal and state agencies have begun to roll out assistance for small businesses, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration pledging up to $2 million in Disaster Assistance Loans for those affected. The California Franchise Tax Board announced a relief program that allows affected taxpayers to request an extension in filing 2019 tax returns and make certain payments until June 15. The city of LA is also expected to unveil a loan program within the week to help struggling small businesses. “Everyone can be calm, patient, understanding and also a bit more compassionate towards us in the service industry because we’re trying our best so everybody can have what they need,” Esteban advised. “But I would rather make our regular daily income and people walk out happy than people now walking out sad and confused.”
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