MARCH 20-23, 2021 Volume 31 - No. 22 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages
‘WORDS HAVE CONSEQUENCES’:
DATELINE
USA Biden, Harris meet with Asian American leaders,
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
denounce violence following Atlanta attacks by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL
AJPress
UNITED States President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with Asian American leaders in Atlanta on Friday, March 19, three days after eight people, including six Asian women, were fatally shot at three spas in the area.
Danilo Yuchang, 59, was returning to work from his lunch break in San Francisco on Monday, March 15 when he was viciously assaulted, resulting in head and face injuries. Contributed photo
Filipino Chinese man attacked during lunch break in San Francisco
“Racism is real in America and it has always been. Xenophobia is real in America, and always has been. Sexism too,” said Harris, the first woman and the first Asian American in the country’s second-highest post. “A harm against any one of us is a harm against all of us. The president and I will not be silent. We will not stand by. We will always speak out against violence, hate crimes and discrimination wherever and when-
ever it occurs.” The Atlanta trip was previously scheduled to promote the passage of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package, but shifted to focus on listening and supporting the Asian American community amid the violent attacks. The president and vice president spoke with local u PAGE A2
PH Consulate in LA: Fil-Ams advised to ‘exercise vigilance’ amid anti-Asian violence by AJPRESS FILIPINOS and Filipino Americans should ‘exercise vigilance’ amid the reported attacks against Asian Americans, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles advised. The Consulate General issued an advisory on March 15 expressing its “concern over the upsurge of reported incidents of aggression towards Asian Americans in various parts of the United States.” The day after the statement was released, eight individuals, including 6 women of Asian descent, were killed during an attack on Atlanta-area spas. Nearly 3,800 anti-Asian incidents have been reported in all 50 states and the District of Columbia since last March, according to new data from Stop AAPI Hate, a reporting center that tracks such incidents. “In view of these incidents, Filipino and Filipino Americans are advised to exercise vigilance, take safety precautions, heed local government bulletins, and to carry emergency and medical contact details,” the
AFTER almost a year of working from home, Danilo Yuchang returned to his company’s office in downtown San Francisco for the first time on Monday, March 15. At around 1:45 p.m., the 59-year-old travel agent, who also goes by Danny, was walking along Market Street during his lunch break when a man approached him from behind and began punching his head multiple times. Yuchang said he does not recall the assailant saying anything before the attack. “I was shoved to the ground and lost consciousness. After a while, I woke up and saw there was a lot of blood on the sidewalk and on DISINFECTION. A Barangay Kaligayahan personnel disinfects the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) office where my clothes,” Yuchang, who is Filipino and Chiresidents get medical advice, medicines, among others at the Barangay Hall Novaliches Fairview in Quezon City on Friday, March 19. nese, told the Asian Journal. “I was hit a lot so u PAGE A3 The initiative is to disinfect all places including residential areas to curb the spread of COVID-19. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez my face is so swollen.” The attack happened near the Four Seasons Hotel and the doorman came to Yuchang’s aid and called 911, he recounted. The suspect reyear range from hate speech to physi- can Caucus, said in her testimony. 28, 2021, 3,795 firsthand incidents of portedly fled on a Muni bus, according to variby CHRISTINA M. ORIEL Four of the victims are Delaina Ash- hate and discrimination were reported cal attacks, which some speakers arAJPress ous reports. gued were fueled by the rhetoric used ley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie by AAPIs across the country with verbal Yuchang said his belongings were not stolen SEVERAL prominent Asian Ameri- by former President Donald Trump and Tan and Daoyou Feng, the Cherokee harassment and shunning constituting and that the police arrived within minutes to get can lawmakers and activists testified other Republican lawmakers. County Sheriff’s Office said. Two em- the top two types of occurrences, achis statement. The hearing was scheduled before ployees at Gold Spa, one of the busi- cording to Stop AAPI Hate, a reporting He was taken to a nearby hospital where he before a House Judiciary subcommittee was treated for head injuries and a cheekbone on Thursday, March 18, two days after the shooting on Tuesday night, March nesses targeted, were identified as center that has been tracking since last a horrific Atlanta-area shooting that left 16, occurred, taking the lives of eight Julie Park and Hyun-jeong Park Grant, year. u PAGE A3 eight individuals, including six Asian individuals, which many Asian Ameri- Korea Times Atlanta said, while the Of that number, 503 incidents took women, dead and as nearly 3,800 anti- can and Pacific Islander (AAPI) com- identities of two other women have not place in the first two months of 2021 Asian hate incidents have been reported munity members and leaders are call- been released. alone. Several high-profile attacks on since the beginning of the pandemic. As other speakers echoed after her, older Asians — such as 84-year-old ing a racially motivated crime, despite Thursday’s hearing, which was held the suspected gunman, 21-year-old Chu went on to blame the previous ad- Thai immigrant Vicha Ratanapakdee before the House Judiciary Subcommit- Robert Aaron Long, telling authorities ministration’s use of anti-Asian words being pushed to death in San Frantee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and otherwise. (e.g. “Wuhan Virus”) to describe the cisco and Noel Quintana, a 61-year-old Civil Liberties, marked the first time in “His targets were no accident, and virus to “shift blame and anger away Filipino man who was slashed in the 34 years that Congress held an inquiry what we know is that this day was com- from [Trump’s] own flawed response face and required almost 100 stitches into anti-Asian discrimination. ing,” Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), chair of to the coronavirus.” — were referenced in testimonies on ON her first shift in the field in her new job, The reported incidents from the past the Congressional Asian Pacific Ameriu PAGE A3 From March 19, 2020 to February Cal State LA nursing graduate Sarah Francisco found herself swept up in the COVID-19 crisis, helping vaccinate patients in South Los Angeles as the virus surged toward a catastrophic peak. “Having the opportunity to dive in and assist with vaccinating the most vulnerable populations in the community, and seeing their excitement and relief, was very memorable,” she recalled of her eventful welcome to Kedren Community Health Center in January. Francisco is one of eight family nurse pracby KLARIZE MEDENILLA bills passed on Thursday that was previFilipino citizens, whether a retitioners, or FNPs, working across Los Angeles AJPress by AJPRESS ously approved by the House in 2019. turning Overseas Filipino (OF) or under a new program co-administered by the The American Dream and Promise Act Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), university’s Chin Family Institute for Nursing in THE U.S. House of Representatives passed 228-197 with all Democrats and ALL Filipino citizens are al- are permitted to enter the counthe Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human on Thursday, March 18 overwhelmingly nine Republicans voting in favor of the lowed to return to the Philippines, try. Services. passed a pair of immigration bills designed bill. but foreign nationals are still temHowever, foreign nationals are The Family Nurse Practitioner Community to overhaul the American immigration The second bill that the House passed porarily barred starting March temporarily barred from entering Care Residency Program has placed the FNP system, including creating a pathway to — called the Farm Workforce Moderniza- 22. the Philippines starting on Monresidents at Kedren and three other clinics in citizenship for undocumented immigrants This update comes after the day, March 22, until April 21. tion Act — would allow farmworkers and underserved communities in East L.A., down- brought to the country as children. their immediate families to earn legal sta- National Task Force Against COExempted from the travel retown LA and Chinatown. The Chin Family InstiCommonly known as DREAMers, these tus through their employment; it would VID-19 (NTF COVID-19) issued a strictions are the following: tute for Nursing is partnering with the Commu- undocumented immigrants would earn also revamp the H-2A agricultural guest Memorandum Circular on Friday, • diplomats and members of nity Clinic Association of Los Angeles County on permanent resident status that would lead worker program and set a pathway for March 19 to further clarify the international organizations and the program, which launched on Jan. 11. to naturalization, according to the Ameri- eventual naturalization. temporary suspension of travel their dependents, provided they u PAGE A4 can Dream and Promise Act, one of the u PAGE A2 into the Philippines. u PAGE A4
House committee holds hearing on rise of anti-Asian crimes, discrimination
Fil-Am nurse practitioner part of Cal State LA’s community care program
House passes two immigration All Filipino citizens allowed bills, sets pathway to citizenship to enter PH, foreign nationals for undocumented youth barred starting March 22
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From the Front Page
House passes two immigration bills... PAGE A1 The Farm Workforce Modernization Act cleared the chamber with a significantly bipartisan 247-174 vote. “This is a very special day for us,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said ahead of the vote. “We are making a very big difference in how we respect the beautiful diversity of America, how we re-
spect the fact that immigration is the constant reinvigoration of America.” Like the American Dream and Promise Act, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act had been approved by the House in previous years but was voted upon again now that Democrats hold majorities in both chambers of Congress.
“Millions in this country live in fear, holding their breaths every day, that they could be deported to faraway lands that are not their homes,” House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Thursday after the vote. “Because America is their home. For Dreamers, it has been their home since their earliest days. And today, this House is going to take action – as we did last Congress – to help them breathe easier.” Both these bills are tangential to the larger immigration vision set forth by President Joe Biden on his first day in office when he and his administration promised to review and revamp the stringent immigration policies and practices of the previous administration. It is important to note that both these bills are separate pieces of legislation from the Biden White House’s more ambitious legislation, the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, a far more broad proposal designed to modernize the American immigration system top to bottom, as previously reported in the Asian Journal. (But the Biden administration expressed support for both these bills this week.) But the chances of the Senate approving both pieces of legislation are less likely. Democrats need at least 60 Republican senators to support the bills, but it gives an incentive to Democrats about ending the filibuster, which would allow legislation to pass with a lower vote threshold. But Republicans have recently criticized the Biden administration for the influx of migrants crossing the southern border, including a spike in unaccompanied minors. According to interviews with these migrants, many believe that the Biden administration will be more welcoming than the previous administration. “It’s more than a crisis. This is a human heartbreak,” House Minority leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said at a news briefing this week. “The sad part about all this, it didn’t have to happen. This crisis is created by the presidential policies of this new administration. There’s no other way to claim it than a Biden border crisis.” n
Biden, Harris meet with Asian...
PAGE A1 Asian American elected leaders and representatives of social justice and nonprofit organizations in a closed-door meeting for about 80 minutes before addressing the nation from Emory University. “Whatever the motivation is, we know this: Too many Asian Americans have been walking up and down the streets and worrying, waking up each morning for the past year feeling their safety and the safety of their loved ones are at stake,” Biden said. New data released on Tuesday from Stop AAPI Hate — a national coalition created during the beginning of the pandemic — revealed that from March 19, 2020 to February 28, 2021, the reporting center received 3,795 firsthand incidents of racism and discrimination from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Of that number, 503 incidents took place in the first two months of 2021 alone. Women are 2.3 times more likely to report the versus men, the group also found. Biden continued his remarks citing some examples of the fear and hatred, from grandparents afraid to leave their homes to small business owners being attacked. “Some of them are the most vulnerable people in our nation — the elderly, low-wage workers and women. In fact, Asian American women suffer twice as many incidents of harassment and violence as Asian American men,” Biden said. “We’re learning again what we’ve always known: words have consequences.” Biden, who has experienced his own share of grief in losing family members, ended the speech by offering condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the shooting. “I assure you, the one you lost will always be with you. The day will come when their memory brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye, as unbelievable as that is now. It will take a while. And I promise you it will come. When it does, that’s the day you know you’re going to make it,” he said. During the meeting, a letter, signed by over 180 national AAPI organizations, was delivered to Biden and Harris calling for emergency safety and relief by committing $300 million — $100 million
toward community-based solutions to address the most vulnerable members of hate and bias, including women and the elderly, and $200 million for long-term safety and recovery. The organizations said the commitment would go toward: • Providing funds for holistic wrap-around victim assistance services including in-language hate reporting, mental health, comprehensive support, system navigation and advocacy for victims and survivors • Creating alternatives to law enforcement including violence prevention, crisis intervention and transformative justice programs that are culturally and linguistically accessible and that focus on vulnerable members of our communities including but not limited to working-class people, undocumented and immigrant communities, women, LGBTQ communities, people of faith • Creating a federal interagency task force staffed at the White House that coordinates efforts of the federal government, and meets regularly with local and national AAPI organizations and advocates, coordinates governmental response, that protects the civil rights of AAPI communities, provides arts and cultural programming, and supports development and dissemination of in-language public outreach materials and resources • Supporting community-based organizations that are on the frontlines of crisis response and recovery to build community infrastructure over the long term • Supporting programming that encourages cross-racial dialogues and community building • Providing relief for AAPI essential workers and low-wage workers who are confronting the twin pandemics of COVID19 and systemic racism, including support and benefits for undocumented and immigrant AAPI community members • Resources should be disaggregated to ensure that they are appropriately directed to Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities and organizations on the ground • Including the voices of Pacific Islanders by meeting specifically with Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communi-
ties and adding NHPI representation on the COVID Equity Taskforce. “The Asian American and Pacific Islander community need help to recover — not only from the devastating violence brought down on us by racist scapegoating, but from the economic damage and loss of health and life brought on by the pandemic. We need support that recognizes and addresses the realities we’re living in and flows to the people who need it most. That requires actual, long-term investment,” National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum Executive Director Sung Yeon Choimorrow said in a statement. Earlier on Friday, Biden urged Congress to “swiftly” pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, legislation introduced by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) that addresses the rise of hate crimes and violence targeted against the AAPI community by assigning a point person at the Department of Justice to expedite the review of COVID19-related hate crimes. The bill would also provide support for state and local law enforcement agencies to respond to these hate crimes, and coordinating with local and federal partners to mitigate racially discriminatory language used to describe the pandemic. In his first week in office, the president signed an executive order on Jan. 26, which included directives to remove language in federal actions or documents that would contribute to xenophobia and racism against the Asian American and Pacific Islander population and for the Department of Justice to expand its collection of data and public reporting regarding hate incidents against community members. “Now, it’s time for Congress to codify and expand upon these actions — because every person in our nation deserves to live their lives with safety, dignity, and respect,” he said in a statement. Members of the AAPI community who have experienced hate during the pandemic are encouraged to report the incident at: https:// stopaapihate.org/reportincident/. In addition to English, individuals can report in one of 11 languages, including Tagalog. n
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PH Consulate in LA: Fil-Ams advised to ‘exercise... PAGE A1 Consulate General said. The Consulate said that most of the reports within the community have been anecdotal and emphasized the importance of reporting any acts of hate and violence to local law enforcement or other entities that can help investigate and track. “Otherwise, if everything goes unreported, it will just stay anecdotal and everything will fly under the radar,” acting Head of Post Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III told the Asian Journal. The Consulate along with the
Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. and other posts across the U.S., said it is calling on “federal, state and local authorities to further ensure the continued protection of persons of Asian descent, including Filipinos.” Enciso added that though the Consulate operates as an extension of the Philippine government and does not have authority over local enforcement, it is ready to share resources for any Filipinos in Southern California and surrounding areas who may experience a hate crime or incident. “We encourage members of
the community to contact us, and this is with the knowledge that we will pass on the information. We are a representative of the Philippine government so we do not have law enforcement powers or capabilities here in the host country, but what we can do is point them in the right direction or give them advice,” Enciso said. In addition to reporting to local agencies, Filipino nationals in distress can also contact the Consulate’s hotline at (213) 5870758 or send an email to lapcg. atn@gmail.com. n
House committee holds hearing on rise of... PAGE A1 Thursday. “Even though Donald Trump is no longer president, I believe the most recent round of anti-Asian attacks is the aftermath of one year of hateful attacks and four years of ugly comments about immigrants and people of color,” Chu said. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) noted the contributions the community has made to the “American story” from the Chinese workers who helped build the transcontinental railroad to now, the AAPIs on the frontlines of the pandemic. Newly elected members Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.) and Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), who are both Korean American, also denounced the attacks, with Steel saying “combating hate is not a partisan issue.” “No American of any race or ethnic group is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus does not discriminate. It affects everyone. We must come together as Americans not just to fight COVID-19, but also to stand against the rise of hate and discrimination against the AAPI community and any other group of Americans,” Kim said. Lawmakers underscored the need for Congress to pass bills that would go further than condemning hate by making sure the reports are investigated. Rep. Grace Meng (D-New York), who was present on Thursday, said she and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) have introduced the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act that would assign a point person at the Department of Justice to expedite the review of hate crimes amid the pandemic, provide support for state and local law enforcement agencies to respond to these hate crimes, and coordinate with local and federal partners to mitigate racially discriminatory language used to describe the pandemic. “My bill also builds on President Biden’s presidential memorandum by directing relevant federal agencies to work with community based organizations to find ways to talk about the virus in a way that is not racist,” Meng said. “I urge my colleagues on this committee for swift consideration of these bills. We cannot turn a blind eye to people living in fear.” She also responded to Republican Congressman Chip Roy who said he was concerned the hearing would “venture into the policing of rhetoric in a free society.” “Your president and your party
and your colleagues can talk about issues with any other country that you want, but you don’t have to do it by putting a bull’s eyes on the back of Asian Americans across this country, on our grandparents, on our kids,” Meng said. “This hearing was to address the hurt and pain of our community to find solutions and we will not let you take our voice away from us.” The second hour of the hearing featured witnesses, such as John Yang, executive director of Asian American Advancing Justice | AAJC and Manjusha Kulkarni, executive director of Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) and co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate. “We have long struggled for visibility and equity, and now our communities are faced with this additional physical and mental harm that is arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Yang said. Stop AAPI Hate — a project started by A3PCON, Chinese for Affirmative Action and San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies Department — found that 30 to 35% of recent attacks have occurred at businesses and in public spaces, and 60% of incidents come from women. “Sadly, the 3,800 reported to Stop AAPI Hate represent only a fraction of what has happened in this country,” Kulkarni said, adding, “We are also closely working with local, state, and federal policymakers to address the hate incidents that have occurred and seek to prevent additional incidents from taking place in the future.” Erika Lee, a professor of history and Asian American studies at the University of Minnesota, brought up the historical nature of the acts against AAPIs. “As shocking as these incidents are, it is so vital to understand that they are not random acts perpetrated by deranged individuals. They are an expression of our country’s long history of systemic racism targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” Lee said. She cited killings and attacks against Chinese, Filipino, Japanese and South Asians in the late 19th and 20th centuries; Vincent Chin, a Chinese American who was beaten to death by white men in Detroit because they thought he was Japanese and scapegoated him for the economic decline in the auto industry; and the hate crimes against Muslim, Middle Eastern and South Asian Americans following September 11.
“We’ve heard in the past 24 hours many describe anti-Asian discrimination and racial violence as un-American. Unfortunately, it is very American,” Lee said. Actor Daniel Dae Kim, who has been vocal about the recent attacks, added, “When we are erased from our history books, we are made invisible.” He joined previous speakers’ calls to pass legislation directed to address anti-Asian hate. “What happens right now and over the course of the coming months will send a message for generations to come as to whether we matter, whether the country we call home chooses to erase us or include us, dismiss us or respect us, invisibilize us or see us, because you may consider a statistically insignificant now, but one more fact that has no alternative is that we are the fastest-growing racial demographic in the country,” Kim said. n
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Filipino Chinese man attacked during lunch break... PAGE A1 fracture. His vision is coming back on his right eye, but he said he still cannot see out of the left one. A day after, he shared his story in an effort to raise awareness of the violence against Asian Americans as he believes his race played a factor in being attacked. He is left traumatized and afraid as he recovers from his bruises and injuries. “I have to let people know that these things are really happening and send the message that you have the right to speak up,” he said. The suspect, identified as Jorge Devis-Milton, has been arrested. Earlier on Monday, the 32year-old reportedly stabbed a 64year-old man at 16th and Mission Streets. The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to the San Francisco Police Department. Devis-Milton fled into the 16th and Mission BART Station. He later assaulted Yuchang near 3rd and Market Street, before fleeing the scene. “Using images caught on surveillance video and descriptions provided by witnesses, SFPD investigators determined that the same suspect was responsible for both unprovoked attacks,” the police said in a statement. The suspect faces assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of battery causing injury and aggravated mayhem. Yuchang, who migrated to Vallejo from Manila, Philippines 20 years ago, is now seeking to move out of the Bay Area, as he
Yuchang, a travel agent in San Francisco, is recovering from multiple head and face injuries after an attack on March 15. He said he has regained vision in his right eye. Contributed photos
and his wife no longer feel safe. “Before I felt at home here in San Francisco, but now not so much,” he said. “Emotionally, it’s been a traumatic experience. I’m having a hard time sleeping and resting, and I still haven’t gone out to get my medicine because I’m so afraid.” Yuchang set up a GoFundMe page, which has raised over $20,000 of its $50,000 goal. He said the funds will help with his recovery and move. His adult children still live in the Philippines and he said that eventually, he wants to retire there. Yuchang’s case is among a series of violent crimes against Asian Americans in light of the pandemic. Some of the attacks have resulted in deaths like the case of 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee, who died from injuries after he was knocked on the ground during a morning walk in San Francisco; and 74-year-old Juanito Falcon who sustained a skull fracture injury after he was punched in the face in an unprovoked attack, as
previously reported by the Asian Journal. Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition that tracks anti-Asian American discrimination, reported on Tuesday, March 16 that from March 19, 2020 to February 28, 2021, it has received 3,795 firsthand incidents of racism and discrimination from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Of that number, 503 incidents took place in the first two months of 2021 alone. Chinese are the largest ethnic group (42.2%) that say they’ve experienced hate, followed by Koreans (14.8%), Vietnamese (8.5%) and Filipinos (7.9%), Stop AAPI Hate found. Members of the AAPI community who have experienced hate during the pandemic are encouraged to report the incident at https://stopaapihate.org/reportincident. In addition to English, individuals can report in one of 11 languages, including Tagalog. (Christina M. Oriel and Ritchel Mendiola /AJPress)
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Fil-Am nurse practitioner part of Cal State... PAGE A1 Under the eight-month effort, Francisco and her classmates will gain valuable experience in the community clinics while receiving didactic education from Cal State LA’s nationally renowned nursing faculty. The program is part of a growing effort in California and across the nation to provide FNPs with field experience they need to work independently of physicians. The hope is to develop a pipeline of such practitioners to deliver primary care in urban and rural communities that do not have enough health care providers. Lorie H. Judson, executive director for the Chin Family Institute for Nursing, said the program will enable the residents to put the finishing touches on their training as community-focused FNPs. “The goal is to help the residents utilize their new skills, hone what they already know, and learn to apply their training quickly and accurately in the clinic setting,” she said. “They’ve all had clinical experience as students. We will be adapting the program to their needs and the focus of the clinics.” The instruction at Cal State LA, led by Donna Scemons, associate professor of nursing, covers subjects such as population-based health, quality improvement and telehealth, using case studies to prepare the residents for clinical scenarios. The partnership, Judson said, aligns with the founding principles of the Chin Family Institute for Nursing and its benefactors, Drs. Patricia A. and William Chin.
The institute, established in 2016, defines its mission as providing postgraduate nursing education, advocacy, leadership and action, emphasizing care for diverse, underserved urban populations. The Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County sought Cal State LA as a partner because of the caliber of the university’s nursing curriculum, the demographic makeup of its students and the surrounding community, and its experience with educating FNPs who speak Spanish, Judson said. With the passage last year of Assembly Bill 890 in California, Judson explained, FNPs will not require the supervision of a physician once they complete 4,600 hours of transition to practice. The word “family” in the FNP designation refers to their mission to provide primary care to patients across their life spans, from infancy onward. FNPs are educated to diagnose and treat not just the physical aspects of patients’ care, but their mental and psychosocial needs as well. Judson notes the diversity of the eight residents’ backgrounds and skills. Collectively they speak Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean and Vietnamese. In addition to their FNP licenses, they hold degrees in biological engineering, biological sciences, biology, psychology and sociology. “All in all,” Judson says, “an amazing inaugural cohort.” The residents come from across the United States. Francisco, the Cal State LA graduate,
is joined by classmates from Sonoma State, UC San Francisco and Azusa Pacific University in California, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and North Park University in Chicago, as well as two from Columbia University in New York. Francisco received her accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2017 and master of science in nursing from Cal State LA, with a specialty option in family practice, in May 2020. (Cal State LA) “To be a part of this program and contribute to its success will help highlight the need for more residency programs for future FNPs,” she said. “Learning from providers who have worked in the community will be an invaluable experience to have as a new graduate.” Francisco, who was born and raised in the South Bay and lives in the Torrance-Carson area, plans to stay and practice in Los Angeles, a region she values for its diversity and inclusivity. “The main long-term goals I have as an FNP would be to educate and empower patients who have low health literacy and who encounter barriers to care, as well as instill a sense of trust and support toward the health care provider profession,” she said. Clinics participating in the FNP Community Care Residency Program may extend offers of employment to the residents once they complete their training in August. The program is supported by grants from Kaiser Permanente and the California Area Health Education Center. (Cal State LA)
All Filipino citizens allowed to enter PH...
PAGE A1 hold valid 9(e) visas • medical repatriation and their escort/s duly endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) • foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens traveling with them • distressed returning overseas Filipinos duly endorsed by the DFA and the OWWA • emergency, humanitarian and other analogous cases approved by the NTF COVID-19 Earlier, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) also implemented a cap on inbound arrivals at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Incoming international flights would be allowed to carry
only 1,500 passengers per day from March 18 to April 18. The NTF COVID-19 on Tuesday, March 16, released a memorandum announcing that foreign nationals and Filipinos who are not overseas workers will be temporarily barred from entering the Philippines starting on Saturday, March 20, and end on April 19. For its part, flag carrier Philippine Airlines announced that it would be cancelling several flights to and from Manila following CAB’s directive. “To comply with the restriction, airlines will need to cancel a number of international flights to and from Manila during the stated March 18 to April 19 period. Philippine Airlines will operate our full international schedule
for March 18 but we will be announcing in due course any flight cancellations on other days for the rest of the period,” the airline said in a post on Facebook. “Airlines will likewise comply with any directives from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) and concerned authorities on the type of travelers that will be allowed entry into the Philippines within the same March 18 (8 AM) to April 19 (8 AM) period. Please note that certain passenger types will thus need to postpone their Manila-bound travels until after the stated period,” it added. To date, there are a total of 635,698 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 12,866 fatalities and 561,099 recoveries. n
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Covered CA, community leaders and health plans highlight key American Rescue Plan provisions and lay out a roadmap to lower premiums and help millions get covered SACRAMENTO — Covered California released new data and announced new partnerships to highlight how the American Rescue Plan can benefit 25 million Americans, including 3 million in California. “The new and expanded financial help provided by the American Rescue Plan is a very big deal for millions of Americans,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “These new subsidies will help more people get covered, lower premium costs and put money back into people’s pockets when they sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.” Who benefits from the American Rescue Plan? The American Rescue Plan lowers health care premium costs for people who get coverage through Covered California, or through other Affordable Care Act marketplaces across the nation, by providing new and expanded subsidies to make health insurance more affordable than ever before. A Covered California analysis finds that an estimated 25 million Americans could potentially benefit from the new law (see Table 1: Americans Eligible for Assistance From the American Rescue), including: • Covering the uninsured – An estimated 1.2 million Californians, and more than 13 million people nationwide, are uninsured and eligible for marketplace coverage under the Affordable Care Act with even lower costs because of the American Rescue Plan. Under the American Rescue Plan, these uninsured can get coverage that is more affordable than ever before. In California, for consumers who earn less than $32,000 a year for an individual, they will be able to either get a benchmark Silver plan for between $50 and $60 a month and virtually all would be able to get Bronze plan for a $1 a month. “The American Rescue Plan provides the first significant boost to the Affordable Care Act in more than 10 years,” Lee said. “The new money that is available means that many people who are currently going without coverage will be able to get a high-quality plan for about the price of a few
Table only shows those estimated to be eligible for subsidies based on maximum required contribution percentage of household income using available administrative data (on income, age, and benchmark premiums) from California’s marketplace: the actual eligibility may differ to the extent that there are differences in the age, income, and premium costs for other states and the off-exchange from what is observed in Covered California’s data. Not shown are the estimated 1.4 million consumers who may receive higher subsidies because they are receiving unemployment insurance income. Additionally, off-exchange estimates do not include consumers who may be enrolled in coverage that is not ACA compliant (e.g. “grandfathered” plans), who may also benefit from new subsidies.
bus rides.” • People who are insured directly through a health insurance company – An estimated 430,000 Californians, and 1.5 million people nationally, are insured directly through a health insurance company and not now getting subsidies. The new law ensures that everyone eligible will pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income on their health premiums. An individual with an income of more than $51,000 per year currently pays an average of $1,100 a month for their coverage. Under the new and expanded subsidies provided by the American Rescue Plan, their monthly premium drops to an average of $507 – a savings of nearly $600 per month and a total of nearly $12,000 between this May and the end of 2022. “For some Californians this means they will finally be able to afford health care coverage and get the protection and peace of mind they need in the middle of a health crisis,” Lee said. “For others it means hundreds or even thousands of dollars back in their
pockets to help them afford their housing, keep their business running, or put money away for retirement.” • Current Covered California enrollees – The law will also help about 10 million Americans, including 1.4 million in California, who are already enrolled through Covered California or other marketplaces and getting financial help. The analysis shows that for those in California they will see their net premiums decrease by an average of $119 per household per month. Existing consumers in California do not need to take any action since Covered California will automatically apply the savings to their accounts. They will see lower bills starting in May. Syd Winlock is a small-business owner in Elk Grove and a Covered California enrollee. The new financial help available through the American Rescue Plan will lower his family’s $1,100 premium by $450 a month. “One of the things I was looking at doing was expanding some services that we provide, and
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OPINION
Sidestepping the rules
FEATURES
THE country has a regulator for the procurement, distribution, administration and sale of vaccines. So if the Food and Drug Administration says the CoronaVac jabs developed by private Chinese company Sinovac Biotech can be used only on persons aged 18 to 59, the government must bow to the regulator. The FDA issued the statement after vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said up to nine million senior citizens – those aged 60 and older – would get CoronaVax beginning next month. FDA officials say Sinovac will have to submit data showing that its vaccine can be safely administered to those outside the age group specified in the emergency use authorization for CoronaVax. The EUA does not cover senior citizens. Galvez’s statement indicates that the country is buying the nine million doses of the vaccine that the Duterte administration appears to have favored from the start. This perceived preference for China-made vaccines has been blamed by some quarters for the failure to secure 10 million doses of the Pfizer jab for delivery last January, as worked out as early as July 2020 by the Department of Foreign Affairs with the US State Department. Russia’s Gamaleya Research Center also waited a long time
for the EUA for its Sputnik V jab, whose high efficacy against COVID has been peer-reviewed. Two months ago the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry also sought clearance from the government for the tax-free importation of Covaxin, the jab developed by India’s Bharat Biotech, for use by economic frontliners in micro, small and medium enterprises. The PCCI is still waiting for action on its request. The country has secured billions of pesos in loans for the procurement of vaccines, but the jabs are arriving in trickles even as COVID cases surge in Metro Manila and more infectious variants of the coronavirus spread. There is greater pressure on the government to begin mass vaccination. This, however, cannot be rushed by sidestepping vaccine safety rules and regulatory procedures, or to favor certain vaccine makers. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS BREAKING NEWS about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) being massacred and assaulted because of their racial identity have dominated the headlines in recent weeks. Many of them are of Filipino descent. Here are some cases as Asian Journal reported: In Georgia: Eight people, including six women of Asian descent, were mercilessly shot by a white man who police say went on a rampage at three spas in the Atlanta area where businesses are owned mostly by Asian Americans. At a San Jose, California Caltrain Station: A 26-year-old Filipina medical worker named “Tiffany” was reported to have been grabbed by her neck, pulled to the ground and threw by her hair the suspect, a 32-year-old white man named Johan Strydom. The district attorney’s office said that he told Tiffany, “F*ck you, Asian,” and that Strydom intended to rape her. In San Francisco, California: 84-year-old Thai immigrant Vicha Ratanapakdee was violently pushed to the ground in a daylight attack, hitting his head in the fall and died shortly after arrival in the hospital. In New York: Noel Quintana, a Filipino man who was slashed in the face on the New York subway while on his way to work and received nearly 100 stitches. In Phoenix, Arizona: 74-yearold Juanito Falcon, a Filipino grandfather was punched in the face and later died of his injuries. In White Plains, New York: an 83-year-old Korean American woman was spat on and punched,
Commentary
ENRIQUE
DE LA CRUZ
THE fatal shootings in Atlanta, Georgia of six women of Asian descent at businesses known to employ Asian workers are frightful and terrifying. It marks an escalation in the level of violence associated with the spike in antiAsian aggressions during this pandemic. How can a minority group that was touted as a “model minority” turn into the object of hatred and violence? American ambivalence toward Asian Americans is not new. But which side becomes salient is often the result of historical events. Filipinos and Japanese Americans were once the faces of the enemy during the Philippine American War and World War II,
Philstar.com photo
Dear Filipinos in America: It is time to have a serious talk with the family about racism and the spread of the virus of hate
causing her to hit her head on the ground and blackout, without provocation. These are just a few stories that have made a lot of Asians in America fearful for their own life and safety. These are not isolated cases. The hate and attack against Asian Americans have in fact escalated since the coronavirus pandemic started. “Nearly 3,800 hate incidents have been reported by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), including 8 % of reports coming from Filipinos across the country,” the Asian Journal reported based on new data from Stop AAPI Hate. From that data, 503 cases happened in the first two months of 2021 alone. Stop AAPI Hate is a national coalition that tracks anti-Asian American discrimination. President Joe Biden condemned the verbal and physical assault on Asian Americans “who have been attacked, harassed, blamed and scapegoated.” “At this very moment, so many of them, our fellow Americans, they’re on the front lines of this pandemic trying to save lives, and still, still they’re forced to live in fear for their lives just walking down streets in America. It’s wrong. It’s un-American. And it must stop,” Biden said on the first anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic on March 11. We could only think of our modern-day heroes — including the Filipino nurses — who paid the ultimate sacrifice more than any other group fighting on the front lines. As part of his administration’s action to address this problem, President Biden signed an executive order on January 26, “which included directives to re-
move language in federal actions or documents that would contribute to xenophobia and racism against the Asian American and Pacific Islander population and for the Department of Justice to expand its collection of data and public reporting regarding hate incidents against community members.” Unfortunately, the one factor that most fueled this hate was the former President of the United States Donald J. Trump, who used and abused the power of the Office of the President and the bully pulpit to blame and scapegoat China in order to deflect his own accountability and failure of leadership in handling the coronavirus pandemic. He used peoples’ frustration, pain and desperation to direct their anger to China by calling COVID-19 the “China virus,” even up to now when he would take credit for the expedited production of vaccines, contrary to facts. Trump carried on spreading the virus of hate without regard to the already growing number of violent hate crime against Asian Americans, where the hate for China has been channeled to all Asians. “Go home to where you belong!” was directed to Asians including us, Filipinos. This had been consistent with his tactic of making groups hate each other so he could divide and conquer. And Trump was not alone in this. Trump was just a catalyst who emboldened the racists in our midst to come out, demonize and be violent to Asians and other ethnic groups, while praising white supremacists as “patriots” and giving excuses to crimes they commit against the Constitution and the nation.
Unfortunately, this virus of hate, insults, discrimination against Asians and other immigrants and people of color did not just start during the pandemic. This has been the painful and ugly reality of many people, including Filipinos, and sadly, the racism comes from our own kababayans in the community. “Anti-Asian racism has been normalized for such a long time. If you complain about it, you’re gaslit. This isn’t just the result of the pandemic. This is the result of years of normalizing anti-Asian jokes and rhetoric, treating Asian women as sex objects, and Asian men as punchlines,” lamented by a good family friend “F”. “Kids made fun of me [calling me] an Asian prostitute from 4th grade onward. Blood relatives have told me, ‘Be grateful you weren’t born picking rice in a communist hell hole.’ These attitudes are nothing new, and these attacks are the natural result of years of normalizing these attitudes. This is f*cking awful and I’m just tired,” she intimated. “Internalized racism, misogyny... it’s like we’re playing terrible person bingo. The ‘picking rice’ comment? I was probably 15 or 16 at the time. How am I supposed to respond to that at that age without being a smartass kid who is ‘overreacting’?” “F” is bi-racial. Her Dad is a white American English Professor of Irish descent, while her Mom is a Filipina medical doctor. “The first priest my parents went to in the U.S. to ask to marry them basically accused my mom of being a prostitute,” F anguished. “He was Filipino but that doesn’t really make it any better.” I personally think the
Filipino priest made it worse. F was raised well by their parents despite this reality and is now a lawyer helping people fight for their rights, especially those who are marginalized and discriminated against by society. This is personal to me. Aside from my family being Asian immigrants here in America, I worry about my grandchildren. They are bi-racial and I worry about how they would be treated by other people if this racism against Asians and all minorities in America does not stop. How do we make this stop? Perhaps we can start with ourselves and our family. I remember my third child Katrina, a political science major in college, courageously started a conversation with me and my husband after we were sharing our experience in Hong Kong and impersonating the Chinese tour guide, with us talking “like” Chinese without Chinese words. Katrina respectfully called us out, saying she knows we are not racists, but talking and acting this way perpetuates stereotypes, which prevents us from really taking other groups of people seriously, and thereby failing to treat them with dignity and respect. My husband and I were taken aback but she brought out one important point — that we have to be honest in examining our thoughts and behavior and check if we are unknowingly spreading the virus of racism, discrimination, mistrust of other “people” and hate against them. If we hear words and see acts of racism from our family or friends, do we laugh or insult those being discriminated against, or do we call out the people doing these
racist acts? As President Joe Biden said after he and VP Kamala Harris talked with the Asian American community in Atlanta on Friday, March 19: We need to speak up and speak out. We cannot remain silent. Silence is complicity. If you are married to a white racist family, rub elbows with racist friends, work in a racist environment, do you feel compelled to think the way they do and demonize others for their racial identity, even our own kababayans, so you will be accepted as they would accept “white” people? Do you feel the need to pull down other people of color to lift you up and make you feel better about yourself in the company of racist people? If you applaud and support Trump for his racist rhetoric, blaming and scapegoating minority groups, passing broad generalizations and judgment about their worth as human beings because of stereotypes and prejudices, isn’t that spreading hate and division ourselves? What have we really done to stand against racism, discrimination and hate? *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos.
A challenge and an opportunity against hate, misogyny & gun violence respectively. At the turn of the last century, Filipinos resisted the United States’ efforts to impose colonial rule over the Philippines, since Filipinos had just declared independence from Spain in a revolutionary uprising. Their resistance led to the PhilippineAmerican War, which we lost. At the start of Philippine-U.S. relations, Filipinos were the enemy, and we were depicted as snakes, dogs and filthy savages in American media of the period. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese Americans, despite being native-born Americans, were imprisoned in concentration camps together with their immigrant parents, for looking like the enemy. Chinese were vilified too, soon after they completed work building the railroads that connected the West Coast with most of
America; they flocked into major cities where their presence felt threatening. This led to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. During the civil rights struggles of the 1960s and 1970s, Asian Americans were transformed from being the enemy into America’s darlings, its “model minority.” Asian American successes in education and business were held up as a convenient foil against African American demands for racial justice and equality. The idea homogenized differences and challenges among the different Asian American communities, while serving as a racial wedge between Asian Americans and African Americans. As late as 2017, this well-worn trope was invoked by New York Magazine’s Andrew Sullivan to minimize African American demands for racial justice and equality.
From America’s darlings half a century ago, we, Asian Americans, have wrongly become the face of the coronavirus, an ordinarily invisible microbe responsible for over half a million American deaths. This pandemic has brought a dramatic spike in hate crimes and racially motivated aggressions against Asian Americans. The latest report by Stop AAPI Hate, a group that collects reports on hate aggressions against Asian Americans nationwide, states that between March 2020 and February 2021, it received reports of 3,795 incidents, though the actual number could be higher since many more go unreported. Now we have this dramatic and unnerving escalation in the level of violence that targets women, indicating racialized misogyny where racism and sexism are intertwined with gun
violence. Women are common targets of gender discrimination and sexual harassment. The recent accusations against New York’s Governor Cuomo are only the latest examples, and speak to the persistence of this problem despite efforts to address it in recent years. In addition, women of color are doubly oppressed through their race and gender. This has proved to be a very lethal mix for the six murdered Asian American women who worked at health spas in Atlanta, where the spike in anti-Asian attitudes intersects with three seemingly intractable problems in American society: racism, misogyny, and gun violence. The intertwining of these three social problems creates a challenge and an opportunity in our fight against anti-Asian aggression.
Our struggle against antiAsian aggression is fundamentally a struggle against racism and white privilege in America. It is a fight where we have a common cause with Black Americans and other communities of color. We have common cause with women — and men — in the struggle against sexism, not just in our communities, but everywhere. The #MeToo movement has underscored its pervasiveness. We have common cause, too, with many, many communities in opposing gun violence. These are groups that have come together in response to the Columbine, Sandy Hook and Stoneman Douglas school massacres, to mention a few. Within our Filipino American community, we have a decades-long campaign by the Ileto family against gun violence in response to the
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Jollibee seeks global expansion in 2021 by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THE pandemic is not stopping Filipino fast food chain Jollibee from reaching its goal of opening 450 restaurants around the world in 2021. Jollibee CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong said he is looking toward global expansion while looking for acquisitions that could be funded with the company’s P57.5 billion ($1.2 billion) in cash and short-term investments. “There are opportunities coming out of the pandemic,” Tanmantiong told Bloomberg. “We are constantly assessing these opportunities.” Last year, Jollibee posted a loss of P11.5 billion, its first annual loss in at least three decades as dining out was hit hard by the
nationwide lockdown. Jollibee is seeking expansion abroad amid a pandemic-induced recession in the Philippines and its delayed recovery due to the new spike in cases and delayed national vaccination campaign. Tanmantiong told Bloomberg that around 80% of Jollibee’s new stores will be overseas and “equally split” among China, North America and Southeast Asia. “We are now in expansion mode in preparation for the full recovery from the pandemic and this will continue in the next few years,” he said. By 2025, half of the restaurant chain’s sales will come from abroad. “We are investing more in foreign markets especially in markets where they have recovered
fast from the pandemic,” added Tanmantiong. Jollibee had more than 5,800 outlets in 33 markets worldwide at the end of last year — the result of closing 486 stores due to the pandemic. To counter the impact of COVID-19, Jollibee has spent P7 billion on “business transformations” that included upgrades to its delivery and online sales platform. Jollibee is predicted to post a net income of P4.12 billion this year, and P6.16 billion in 2022, according to averages of analyst estimates by Bloomberg. Tanmantiong, in response, said the estimates are “attainable.” “The challenge is really the availability of the vaccine and how soon we can achieve herd immunity,” he added. n
PH grants EUA to Russia’s Sputnik V vax by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THE Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted an emergency use authorization (EAU) for Gamaleya Research Institute’s Sputnik V. “After a rigorous and thorough review, the FDA is granting EUA to the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine,” FDA Director General Eric Domingo said Friday, March 19. “It is decided that all conditions for an EUA are present and the benefits of using the vaccine outweigh the potential risk,” he added. Russia’s Sputnik V is the fourth COVID-19 vaccine to get a EUA in the Philippines, following Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac, respectively. Securing an authorization allows Sputnik V to be administered to individuals aged 18 years and older. Adverse effects from the vaccine were “mostly mild and transient, similar to common vaccine reactions,” according to Domingo. Based on the late-stage trial results published in The Lancet medical journal, Sputnik V has an efficacy rate of 91.6% against COVID-19. Earlier, the country’s vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the
Philippines may receive two million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine this April once it obtains EUA from the FDA. The Philippines is currently in talks to purchase five to 10 million doses of Sputnik V for its national vaccination campaign. 20M doses of Moderna To add to the country’s supply of COVID-19 vaccines, the Philippines has signed a supply agreement with U.S. vaccine maker Moderna for 20 million doses of its vaccine. “Yesterday, we signed a supply agreement with Moderna,” Galvez said Friday. He signed a tripartite agreement with the private sector-led by business tycoon Enrique Razon, chairman of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), and Moderna senior vice president. “With the signing of this tripartite agreement, we can say that our bayanihan spirit is truly alive. We would like to express our deepest appreciation to Mr. Enrique K Razon, Chairman of ICTSI and representing the private sector, for his incessant support to the national government in our fight against this pandemic,” said Galvez. “We would also like to thank Mr. Patrick Bergstedt and the whole Moderna Team for keep-
Sputnik V vaccine was granted emergency use authorization by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration on Friday, March 19. Photo courtesy of Sputnik Vaccine via Philippine News Agency
ing up with their commitment in providing 20 million ‘doses of hope’ for 10 million Filipinos. Our special thanks to the Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel ‘Babe’ Romualdez for his continued intercession and introduction of Moderna to the national government,” he added. Under the agreement, 13 million doses of the Moderna vaccine will go to the Philippine government sector, while seven million doses will go to the private sector. As of March 17, 269,583 medical frontliners and health workers have been vaccinated in the Philippines. n
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‘Pro-democracy’ coalition to vet slate of opposition candidates for 2022 MANILA — A coalition led by retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio is looking to unify democratic forces in the Philippines ahead of the 2022 polls. To avoid the splitting of votes in the upcoming elections, conveners of 1Sambayan will field and endorse a unified slate of opposition candidates, they said during the coalition’s media launch held Thursday. The slate will include a bet for president, for vice president, and candidates for the Senate. “The Filipino people deserve a better government,” Carpio said, as he criticized the Duterte administration as having been tried and tested and proven incompetent. “There are Filipino leaders who can do a much better job of running the government, reviving the economy, creating jobs for our people, and defending our territory and sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.” “We in the 1Sambayan will search for these Filipino leaders, unite them into one national slate and present the Filipino people with a clear choice in the May 2022 national elections.” A coalition of opposition bets, the Otso Diretso, was trounced in the 2019 midterm elections. A separate slate of five pro-labor candidates backed by workers’ unions was also defeated. Criteria for common slate In a video presented to reporters, the coalition said its criteria for choosing candidates to be endorsed are the following: a clean
track record, upright stances on important issues, platform, and competence. Carpio emphasized that members of 1Sambayan place themselves across the country’s political spectrum, from the progressive members of Bayan Muna on the left to retired members of the military from the Magdalo party on the right. The coalition is eyeing Vice President Leni Robredo, Sen. Grace Poe, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, and former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV as presidential and vice-presidential bets — all of whom have yet to announce their candidacy for 2022. These are the other conveners for 1Sambayan: • Retired Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales • Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario • Former Education Secretary Armin Luistro • Jesuit priest Albert Alejo • Retired Rear Admiral Rommel Ong • Lawyer Howard Calleja • Former Rep. Neri Colmenares (Bayan Muna) • Former Negros Occidental Governor Rafael Coscolluela • Former Commission on Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza • Partido Manggagawa chair Renato Magtubo • Rickie Xavier ‘Too early’ for politics, Palace says as Duterte teases longtime aide’s candidacy When asked about the coalition
later Thursday, Malacañang said it was too early to be discussing elections. “Let’s set aside politics while there’s a pandemic,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in Filipino during a virtual briefing. But Duterte, in recent speeches, has teased the presidential candidacy of his long-time aide Sen. Bong Go. Some members of his party, the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino—Lakas ng Bayan, are also calling on Duterte to run as Go’s vice president. Go, for his part, has released statements claiming disinterest in vying for a top post in 2022, reminiscent of when Duterte himself used to hold press conferences to deny that he was running for president — only to file his candidacy at the last hour. Duterte’s daughter, Sara, who currently sits as Davao City mayor, is also being urged to run for the presidential spot by administration supporters. Meanwhile, Robredo’s spokesman Barry Gutierrez said that while the vice president is focused on helping Filipinos whoa are struggling against the COVID-19 pandemic, she is “honored to be considered as a possible consensus candidate.” “We respect the independent process being conducted by 1Sambayan, and hope that it will truly result in a greater degree of unity among democratic constituencies moving forward to 2022.”(Bella Perez-Rubio /Philstar.com)
SAMPAGUITA VENDORS. Street vendors prepare sampaguita on the sidewalk to be sold along Mother Ignacia Avenue Quezon City on Thursday, March 18 Several vendors are allowed to sell their merchandise as long as they observe the health protocols such as wearing a face mask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease. PNA photo by Rico H. Borja
Covered CA, community leaders and health plans... PAGE A5 t I can direct the money that we were paying for health care to that,” Winlock said. “As you guys put money back into my pocket, I’m going to put money back into the economy.” Effectively implementing the American Rescue Plan In addition to its analysis, Covered California also laid out the steps it will be taking – including working with its contracted health insurance companies, agents and navigators, and community leaders – to effectively implement the American Rescue Plan. While the law will potentially benefit 25 million Americans, many of them will need to act, requiring the need for a coordinat-
ed and targeted outreach efforts. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that only 10 percent of those uninsured and eligible for new subsidies will enroll, and only 20 percent of those currently insured but unsubsidized will sign up for the new benefits. The main reasons cited for the projections are that many uninsured still believe they cannot afford coverage, off-exchange consumers are less likely to switch to a marketplace in mid-year, and that program is temporary. “The challenges are real, and this will not be easy, but we can do better – not only for Californians, but for Americans across the country,” Lee said. “Covered California and our partners are ready to lean-in, to spread the word that new money is available that can help lower premium costs for millions.” Covered California released a roadmap describing Covered California’s Approach to Promoting the American Rescue Plan: Target Groups and Strategic Approaches and detailed analysis of those eligible for American Rescue Plan benefits in each state, that includes an analysis of potential marketing investments for the federal marketplace and other states that would be on par with those California has historically made. Covered California’s approach describes three strategic approaches it will undertake to reach out to and enroll as many Californians as possible: • Launching a new special-enrollment period – Covered California will open a new specialenrollment period – which will start on Monday, April 12 and run through the end of the year – to give uninsured and unsubsidized Californians time to sign up for coverage that starts as soon as May 1 and continue the outreach and enrollment effort to have marketing pay-off over time. “Time is of the essence, because every month that goes by is a month that someone could be covered or be saving hundreds of dollars on health insurance,” Lee said. • Maintaining consumer commitment – Covered California will continue to focus on the consumer-centered tactics and strategies that it has used since launching in 2014. The focus will include new investments in marketing and outreach – totaling between $20 million and $30 million on television, radio, print and digital ads over the next few months. The statewide campaign will reach every community, with an emphasis on Hispanic, Asian and African American media outlets which represent the groups hit hardest by the pandemic and recession. In addition, Covered California will engage with key partners – insurance agents, navigators, state agencies and others at the state and local level – to reach every eligible consumer. “While virtually everyone in Covered California will get a significant reduction in their next premium bill, we need a major effort to ensure that hundreds of thousands more eligible Californians get this help of hundreds or even thousands of dollars,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, the statewide health care advocacy coalition. “The more Californians are covered and who can access quality care, the sooner we can end this pandemic, and get closer to a universal and affordable system that can better handle the next public health crisis.” “The Latino community has been hit hard over the last year. They disproportionately work in the roles we refer to as essential, and the rate at which COVID-19 has affected them has raised the importance of ensuring access to quality health care coverage – not only in Los Angeles, but across California and the nation,” said Cástulo de la Rocha, President and CEO of AltaMed Health Services. “The funds provided by this legislation will help close gaps in coverage by making it more affordable, enabling our communities to get covered and stay covered.” • Holding health carriers ac-
countable – Covered California is also encouraging its 11 health carriers to invest in marketing and outreach to identify “off-exchange” consumers, and those who have been recently pricedout of coverage, to let them know that they are now eligible for new financial help. Covered California was joined at its announcement of its approach by three of the CEOs of its contracted health plans who committed to lean-in to foster the broadest enrollment possible: “This is the right action at the right time. The American Rescue Plan will provide needed resources to those communities most impacted by COVID-19, including communities of color and low-income families,” said Greg Adams, Chair and CEO of Kaiser Permanente. “This is the biggest step to making health care coverage real for all Americans since the Affordable Care Act was passed. Kaiser Permanente will do our part to ensure cost is not a barrier to coverage that all Americans deserve.” “An effort like this requires coordination and teamwork, and Anthem is proud to be working with all of our states to make this successful,” said Gail Boudreaux, President and CEO of Anthem, Inc. “We’re committed to the successful implementation of this effort and we will be working with our partners to ensure all eligible Americans take full advantage of the new financial help available to them.” “Blue Shield of California is committed to this effort because it is core to our non-profit mission to achieve universal health care coverage and it is the right thing to do at a time when so many Californians need that protection,” said Blue Shield of California President and CEO Paul Markovich. “We’re excited to work with Covered California to reach out to people in every region of the state who need coverage and those who could save money by switching to a similar plan on the Covered California exchange.” “Covered California has deployed these tactics and strategies over the past seven years, and they are critical to making things work,” Lee said. “We stand ready to do everything we can to make the American Rescue Plan successful for as many Californians as possible, and we hope and expect the federal administration and other states will do the same.” Californians can easily find out their benefits Covered California will launch a new “Shop and Compare” tool on April 12 that will allow consumers to easily see exactly how they will benefit from the new law. People will be able to see how much new financial help they are eligible for in just a few minutes by entering their ZIP code, household income and the ages of the people in the household. Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can also: • Visit www.CoveredCA.com. • Get free and confidential assistance over the phone, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller. • Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free. • Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506. Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program. Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com. n
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Authentic Buddha Dharma that is Irrefutable and Scientifically Incontrovertible Originally reported by Jiang Qing in U.S. Headline News - “Lifting the Pestle onto the Platform,” a test for verifying Buddhist practitioners’ realization power, has overturned a thousand-year-old belief that those who had left footprints in rocks were Holy gurus. the fact is no one ever witnessed in person the foot impressions actually being made on the rocks by the feet of people who purported to be Holy gurus. they could very well have been manually chiseled. Recently, however, an awe-inspiring event actually occurred and was witnessed: Kaichu Rinpoche, a Buddhist elder approaching 90 years of age, demonstrated the fact that by practicing authentic Buddha Dharma, one can attain a holy constitution with holy tendons
and bones. He outperformed a Champion Strongman of Asia when “Lifting the Pestle onto the Platform.” Lv Xiao is a professionally trained strongman who represented China in a Strongman competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2014. He competed against participants from seven countries and won the Asian Strongman Championship. in December 2019, he performed “Lifting the Pestle onto the Platform” in Shenyang. Being the strongest man in over 3 billion people in all of Asia, he was unable to lift the Vajra Pestle at the same weight that Elder Kaichu did. More importantly, their ages and body weights were starkly different, and their performances were totally disproportional in comparison.
Wangzha Shangzun, also known as Nick Best, lifted a 2,791-pound human carousel in the State of Georgia.
Lv Xiao is 36 years old and weighed 350 pounds. Elder Kaichu is 89 years old and weighed 178 pounds. Lv Xiao is a strongman by profession and has undergone long-term training. Elder Kaichu, on the other hand, has never done any strength training. All he does on a daily basis is learn from Buddha to cultivate his own conduct. Just recently, the weight of the Pestle Elder Kaichu lifted was 26 levels above his base weight standard. no one nor any Buddhist of the same age and weight class in this world has ever been able to attain Elder Kaichu’s holy physical power. Jin Yanping and tsui Lei tat in Hong Kong made it publicly known through news media that they have set up an award of US$5 million for anyone who successfully matches the weight level that the Elder Kaichu achieves. Many strongmen have attempted to perform the lift. Yet up to now, no one is able to match the 26 levels that Elder Kaichu has achieved in surpassing his own base weight standard. Elder Kaichu said, “the reason i am able to accomplish both tummo and Vajra Dharma is that i have learned true Buddha Dharma transmitted by His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha iii. As a result, my physical body, bones, and tendons have transformed from ordinary to holy. i used to be very weak and sickly. i had stomach disease, diabetes, knee problems, gout, and was so weak that i couldn’t even lift 10 pounds. All my illnesses have now vanished.” nick Best, the world’s “grandfather of Strongmen,” has set a strength record that nobody of the same age and weight class has ever been able to reach throughout human history. He once lifted a human carousel of 2,791 pounds in the State of georgia. not one of the several
Kaichu Jiaozun lifted a Pestle at a weight 26 levels above his base weight standard.
“Strongest Men in History” present, who were younger in age and heavier in body weight than him, was able to lift the same. nick Best is known as the “grandfather of Strongmen.” in his reply to an attorney’s question, he said, “i have cultivated and studied the real Buddha Dharma under namo Dorje Chang Buddha iii. the Buddha Dharma greatly altered the composition of my body, as well as my mind and spiritual state. My strength utterly changed. namo Dorje Chang Buddha iii is my Buddha Master to whom i owe the utmost gratitude. i am able to teach the physical training involved in becoming a strongman. However, that alone will not enable you to reach my level. My strength also derives from the blessings of Buddha Dharma.” He also stated that Buddha Dharma cannot be transmitted lightly. Based on the two examples above, it is clear that fake Buddha Dharma cannot enable
anyone to attain a holy physical constitution or power. it is undebatable that only authentic Buddha Dharma can transform an ordinary body to a holy constitution. His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha iii possesses authentic Buddha Dharma. By learning Dharma from His Holiness Dorje Chang Buddha iii, a Buddhist practitioner can attain realization power that allows them to surpass the physical makeup and power of a strongman. this ironclad fact that an ordinary body can be transformed to a holy constitution is irrefutable and scientifically incontrovertible. this is an unequivocal and objective fact. Whereas, practicing fake Buddha Dharma cannot enable one to transform their physical or mental state, but rather, their physical state and power will remain that of an ordinary person. fake Buddha Dharma cannot enable a practitioner to generate beneficial effects. Without beneficial effects, naturally, there is no accom-
plishment to speak of. this is a factual conclusion that can be deduced by rational thinking. in history, Shakyamuni Buddha manifested miraculous power in Rajgir when holding a stone lion, outperforming all powerful strongmen. When guru Padmasambhava was challenging the Shenrab Miwoche lineage, he manifested the power of Vajra Zhaoji to perform “Lifting the Pestle onto the Platform” with a Vajra hook, thereby subjugating the Bon practitioners. if anyone claims that their Buddha Dharma is authentic and that they hold true Buddha Dharma, yet in reality, their physical constitution and strength are no different than that of an ordinary person, can they possibly be considered as having attained realization power? Could it be possible that one who derives realization power from practicing Buddha Dharma cannot even demonstrate a whit of extraordinary physical strength? n
PH rights situation report ‘malicious’ – Andanar Duterte urges protection of PH’s sovereignty
on 500th anniversary of Magellan’s arrival
by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
PHiLiPPinE Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar has rejected the findings of international watchdog investigate PH on the country’s human rights situation, calling them “malicious.” “We strongly disagree with the malicious report by investigate PH on the human rights situation, and the policies and programs of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his administration,” he said Wednesday, March 17. in a 198-page report submitted to the Office of the United nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on tuesday, March 16, investigate PH found that there is a “deepening human rights crisis in the Philippines.” “With the drug war, the creation of the national task force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ntf-ELCAC), the July 2020 passage of the Anti-terrorism Act (AtA), and the Philippine government’s militarized response to COViD-19, the perpetration of human rights violations by state forces has become more institutionalized, orchestrated, and entrenched,” said the initial report. it also pointed out that remedies for many cases of human rights violations in the country are “insufficient and illusory,” identifying 10 indicators for the failure such as obstruction of state authorities on investigations and investigations of violations not being impartial.
by MiRiaM
desacada Philstar.com
PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar
However, Andanar debunked the allegations, pointing out that “the country has functioning accountability mechanisms and rule of law and its authorities are competent to address allegations of impunity within national administrative and legal institutions and processes.” According to him, the report must be rejected. “investigate PH does not represent any credible global or regional institution, and its claims of any authority or credibility to report on the Philippines must be rejected,” said Andanar. He also accused the international watchdog of having a “selfserving political agenda.” “it is a group of parties that is weaponizing human rights against the Philippines, driven by a self-serving political agenda,” said Andanar. “We call on the public to guard
Inquirer.net photo
against giving credence to a ‘report’ by a group whose character and agenda is dubious,” he added. ‘Address report’ in response, investigate PH said Andanar should address its findings instead of attacking its credibility. “the malice seems to be all with Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar when his recent tweets perhaps deliberately denigrated the commissioners of #investigatePH as having no credibility,” investigate PH said in a statement on thursday, March 18. it added, “We urge Mr. Adanar to read the initial Report and engage with the corroborated facts assembled there. the only weapons we found in our investigation were those of the police and the army shooting at unarmed civilians.” n
gUiUAn — President Duterte called on filipinos to learn from the lessons of history in order to protect the country’s sovereignty and accomplish national development, 500 years after Western colonizers first set foot here. the President’s statement was made thursday during the quincentennial celebration of the arrival of the Magellan-Elcano expedition in the Philippines, a historic voyage that was also the first circumnavigation of the globe. Speaking before participants at the event held at Veterans Park of Calicoan island in guiuan, Eastern Samar, Duterte said he hoped that the celebration of that expedition would “reinvigorate the historical and socio-civic consciousness of the filipinos, especially among the new generations.” Duterte also urged filipinos to participate in the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations, which are aimed to bring the nation’s
history, culture and traditions closer to heart. “the history of the country should make filipinos reflect on the past and look beyond their future,” he said. “Everyone should therefore honor those who have toiled in order for the Philippines to become modern, progressive and ever thriving as what it is today.” While the Magellan-Elcano expedition led to the colonization of the Philippines by Spain, Duterte said “the filipino people can find relief in the knowledge that they have gone far in their efforts to correct the mistakes of the past. “As inheritors of this complicated yet glorious past, the duty now rests on our shoulders to continue the aspirations of our forebears,” the President said. “i therefore call on all our kababayans to appreciate our rich history and learn from the experiences of those that came before us so that we may never again allow any other tribe to compromise our sovereignty – invaders who would come and
who would stay here and contribute to the richness of our culture and of course in the way how we live,” he said. Duterte later unveiled in Barangay ngolos, guiuan the marker that records the Philippines’ role in the 500th anniversary of the historic feat. it was in Suluan island where the Magellan-Elcano expedition anchored on March 16, 1521 from guam. they landed in Homonhon the next day and on the following day, met local inhabitants who offered them food and nourishment. Members of the MagellanElcano expedition who arrived in Samar were starving, dehydrated, scurvy-stricken and undernourished after almost four months of voyage across the Pacific. Also present during the ceremony were Spain’s Ambassador Jorge Moragas Sanchez, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello iii, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, presidential assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino and Sen. Bong go. n
Pentagon report shows China is the biggest challenge to FONOPs in 2020 by PatRicia louRdes Philstar.com
ViRay
MAniLA — the United States challenged China’s excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea the most last year, as reported by the U.S. Department of Defense in its 2020 freedom of navigation Report. Earlier this month, the U.S. DoD or the Pentagon listed the range of excessive maritime claims that U.S. forces challenged from Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 30 2020. the Pentagon defined “excessive maritime claims” as those that are inconsistent with international law, particularly with provisions under the United nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Beijing appears to be the top violator of the UnCLOS with the most multiple operational challenges in the East and South China Seas: • Straight baseline claims • Restrictions on foreign aircraft flying through an Air Defense identification Zone without the intent to enter national airspace • Criminalization of surveying and mapping activities by foreign entities which do not obtain ap-
proval from or cooperate with China • Jurisdiction over all surveying and mapping activities “in territorial air, land and waters, as well as other sea areas under [Chinese] jurisdiction” without distinction between marine scientific research and military surveys • Security jurisdiction over the contiguous zone • Prior permission required for innocent passage of foreign military ships through the territorial sea • Territorial sea and airspace around features not so entitled, such as low-tide elevations Other South China Sea claimants were also included in the list: • Malaysia: Prior consent required for military exercises or maneuvers in the exclusive economic zone • Taiwan: Prior notification required for foreign military or government vessels to enter the territorial sea • Vietnam: Prior notification required for foreign warships to enter the territorial sea note that China’s navy has the largest number of ships deployed at sea between 2015 and 2020, exceeding the U.S., according to
a report titled “the Chinese naval Shipbuilding Bookshelf.” the U.S. navy, however, remains the strongest in the world in terms of overall capabilities. the Pentagon noted that if these claims remain unchallenged, it could limit the rights and freedoms President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his speech during the Joint National Task Force-Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict enjoyed by other nations. Malacañang photo by Alfred Frias “As long as restrictions on nav- (NTF-RTF ELCAC) Region 8 meeting at the Summit Hotel in Tacloban City, Leyte on Thursday, March 18. igation and overflight rights and freedoms that exceed the authority provided under international law persist, the United States will gun violence, and in favor of gun sexism and gun violence will not continue to challenge such un- PAGE A6 t go away if we only see ourselves lawful maritime claims,” the Pen- shooting death of their brother, control. Joseph ileto, a postal worker the tragedy in the wake of the as victims. We need to see ourtagon earlier said. Just last week, the U.S. along murdered by a white suprema- Atlanta murders of Asian Ameri- selves as warriors, actively encan women is an opportunity for gaged in eliminating these evils with allies Australia, india and Ja- cist, while delivering mail. the escalation of aggres- Asian Americans to meaning- towards a more peaceful, just, pan reaffirmed their commitment to “meet challenges” to the mari- sions against Asian Americans fully add our voices to the fight and equitable society where one time order in the East and China into the level of gun violence against sexism and misogyny, is judged — to borrow a phrase presents a triple opportunity for racism and white supremacy, from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Seas. the alliance of the four pow- Asian Americans. Our struggle and in the struggle to end gun — not by their skin color, geners, known as the “Quad”, was against anti-Asian aggression violence through gun control der or national origin, but by the content of their character. formed to counter Beijing’s ris- is an opportunity to strengthen legislation. i am quite aware as i write this *** ing influence in the indo-Pacific alliances and working relations with #BlackLivesMatter and sim- that many of our U.S. children The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints region. “We support the rule of law, ilar groups. We as a community — mine included — are actively expressed by the author do not necessarily freedom of navigation and over- must intentionally engage in the engaged in these three strug- reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of flight, peaceful resolution of dis- struggle against sexism since gles. But our communities, are the Asian Journal, its management, editorial putes, democratic values, and our communities carry baggage still predominantly foreign-born. board and staff. ••• territorial integrity. We commit to from the patriarchal societies we My call is to those among us who Enrique de la Cruz is Professor Emeritus work together and with a range of immigrated from. Likewise, we are foreign-born: Be much more partners,” Quad leaders said in a can join the ileto family to build actively supportive of those who of Asian American Studies at Cal State alliances with groups against are actively engaged. Racism, University, Northridge. joint statement. n
A challenge and an opportunity against hate...
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New hope for CSPA age out children Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ ON March 9, 2021, DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas announced that the U.S. government will no longer defend the Trump administration’s 2019 public charge rule, as doing so “is neither in the public interest nor an efficient use of limited government resources.” The Biden administration believes that the 2019 public charge rule was not in keeping with our nation’s values. “It penalizes those who access health benefits and other governmental services available to them.” As a result, DHS will go back to following the 1999 field guidance on public charge, which was the guidance in place before Trump’s stricter 2019 public charge rule. Under the 1999 public charge guidance, DHS will not consider a person’s receipt of Medicaid or Medi-Cal (except for long-term institutionalization), public housing, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as part of the public charge inadmissibility determination. Also, medical treatment or preventative services for COVID-19, including vaccines, will not be considered for public charge purposes. In addition, Form I-944 (Declaration of Self-Sufficiency)
should no longer be submitted with adjustment applications. If you already submitted it, USCIS will not consider the information on that form. By way of background, in 2019, the Trump administration attempted to implement new guidance in connection with evaluating whether a person was likely to become a “public charge,” or rely on public assistance. The focus was to have a person demonstrate that, if given a green card, they would be self-sufficient or rely on their family for support, and would not apply for or receive public assistance. There were several court challenges to these 2019 public charge proposals, and injunctions were issued. The Trump administration then appealed. But the Biden administration has announced it is dropping all of those appeals and will go back to relying on the 1999 public charge analysis. Under the 1999 field guidance, “public charge” means an alien who has become or who is likely to become “primarily dependent on the government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either (i) the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance or (ii) institutionalization for long-term care at government expense. (Institutionalization for short periods of rehabilitation would not constitute such primary dependence.) Under the 1999 field guidance, the benefits that may be considered for public charge
purposes include: 1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 2. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 3. State and local cash assistance programs that provide benefits for income maintenance 4. Programs (including Medicaid and Medi-Cal) supporting aliens who are institutionalized for long-term care. However, past or current receipt of such cash benefits does not necessarily lead to a determination that the person will be a public charge. Several benefits would not be considered for public charge purposes, such as: 1. Non-cash benefits 2. Medicaid or Medi-Cal, other than for long term institutional care 3. Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) 4. Nutrition programs, including food stamps 5. Housing benefits 6. Childcare services 7. Emergency disaster relief. It is great news the Biden administration is going back to the 1999 public charge standards, as it will help remove some of the fear and uncertainty we were all experiencing with Trump’s proposed 2019 guidance. We will continue to keep you informed on other immigration news and developments which we hope you, or someone you know, may find helpful to your case. If you have concerns over whether you may have public charge PAGE B2
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM KAPAMILYA IN THE U.S. AND IN THE PHILIPPINES ON A BRAND-NEW EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) answers several questions from Kapamilya in California and Pangasinan in the Philippines about their immigration situations. Rio from San Ramon, California (right) asks about her mother’s petition for her two sisters. The petitioner died just as their petition became current. What do they do now? Rachel from Pangasinan, Philippines (center) wants to know if her 10-year-old daughter, who got her U.S. citizenship through her U.S. citizen father, can help her get an immigrant visa? And a person who chose to remain anonymous asks if there is anything she can do to adjust her status. She came to the U.S in the 90’s with a fake name and a fake U.S. passport. She is now married to a U.S. citizen. Find out the answers to these questions on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, March 21 at 5:30 pm PT (8:30 pm ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
Is there hope when the petitioner dies? What if someone used a fake name and passport to come to the US? Answers to these questions this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy LEADING U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel provides the latest news on immigration developments, as featured on his YouTube channel, “US Immigration TV.” Atty. Gurfinkel also answers another round of immigration questions from Kapamilya in the U.S. and from the Philippines. Rio from San Ramon, California wants to know what happens
to the petition of her two sisters since their mother (the petitioner) passed away in 2019 – the same year the petition became current. Rachel from Pangasinan, Philippines asks if she can get an immigrant visa through her 10-year-old daughter who is a U.S. citizen by virtue of her U.S. citizen father. Someone who chose to remain anonymous shares that she used
a fake name and a fake passport when she entered the U.S. in 1998. She has since married a U.S. citizen. What can she do to adjust her status? Get answers to these questions and more on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, March 21 at 5:30 pm PT (8:30 pm ET thru select Cable/ Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
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Benjamin asks adults to be more considerate of children in online classes By aRMin
P. adina
Inquirer.net
KAPUSO actor Benjamin Alves expressed his appreciation for teachers who are grappling with the challenges of providing education to their students at a time when faceto-face classes are restricted because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the quarantine measures have limited learning to online platforms only. “Kudos to the teachers for finding creative ways to teach. They are entering a platform that they weren’t necessarily trained for. I can see their passion for education,” Alves told the Inquirer at a virtual conference held recently for his primetime romantic-comedy program “Owe My Love” opposite Lovi Poe. Alves also found it unfair for adults to demand so much from students, who are struggling with an unfamiliar method of learning. “We are demanding from young ones an amount of discipline and focus that not even adults can do,” he explained. For Alves, children should have access to education, and the government must provide enough resources to invest in the “future” of the country. “I could not accept the reason that there is not enough money for this. Our leaders have to move our country forward,” he said. “One person not getting education is one less person reaching his or her potential,” the actor added. The actor values education, earning Latin honors (summa cum laude) from the University of Guam where he studied
English Literature. He was also chosen as the ambassador for the GMA Excellence Awards launched before the pandemic hit the country. “It saddens me. We are not able to do with the initiative. We were supposed to travel around campuses, promoting ways to attain excellence,” he explained. But given the situation, Alves acknowledges that learning does not only take place inside classrooms. However, he also hopes that the situation chang-
es soon. “I don’t think it’s up to the kids to adapt. It’s really up to the people who are supposed to take care of this. It’s not the kids’ responsibility to find creative ways to learn. Education should be accessible,” Alves continued. The actor appears in “Owe My Love,” a romantic-comedy series produced by GMA Public Affairs that aims to teach financial literacy to its viewers. The program airs weeknights on the GMA “Telebabad” bloc.
Mendiola AJPress
Benjamin Alves
Photo from Instagram/@benxalves
issues with your case, I advise you to consult with an attorney for advice and guidance. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the
State Bar of California. Each case is different, and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or
shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, YouTube: US Immigration TV and Instagram.com/gurfinkellaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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Fil-Am celebrities call to #StopAsianHate in the US By Ritchel
New hope for CSPA age out children PAGE B1
(L-R) Ruby Ibarra, Darren Criss, and Lea Salonga
FILIPINO American celebrities have joined in calling for an end to the hate and violence being directed at various Asian communities in the United States. The hashtag #StopAsianHate has trended on Twitter following a series of attacks in Atlanta that killed eight people, including six of whom were Asians. Rapper Ruby Ibarra condemned the shootings, stressing that anti-Asian racism and xenophobia need to end. “I am at a loss for words about the hateful murders that happened in Atlanta. All of this Anti-Asian racism, xenophobia come from a place of pure ignorance and hate and it really needs to end,” she said in a tweet. “Let’s continue to protect those that are most vulnerable in our communities.” Meanwhile, singer Apl.de.ap extended his condolences to the families of the victims and reminded everyone that “we’re all in this together.” “Now seems as important a time as any to remind ourselves that we’re all in this together. I’m truly sorry for the families of those involved,” he said on Twitter. Actor Darren Criss, for his part, called the suspects “monsters,” saying they are a “byproduct of the absolute worst of our history.” “I just want to say to my friends out in Atlanta: y’all know as well as I do that the horrible people responsible for these acts do not speak for the city’s true beating heart. You’ve managed to do some inspiring things this past year. I know these monsters don’t represent you,” he said. “And moreover I truly believe to my core that
these monsters throughout our nation certainly do NOT represent America. They are a tragic byproduct of the absolute worst of our history, but small in comparison to the overwhelming majority of decent, compassionate, rational people,” he added. Criss also called for the majority to show their “defiance and resilience” against the people he called “monsters.” “And it is up to that very majority to show our strength, defiance, and resilience against these monsters. They are a dying breed of scarred, confused, and angry people. And we have to make them understand there is no place for hatred in any world that seeks peace,” he said. Filipina Canadian actress Shay Mitchell took to Instagram to express her anger, saying people who commit hate crimes should be called terrorists. “How many times do we need to have this conversation before it changes?” she wrote. “Hate is hate is hate is hate. And it is wrong.” She added, “Time to start calling this what it is - a hate crime. Time to start calling the people who commit these hate crimes what they are who the people are that do this - terrorists.” Actress Vanessa Hudgens, meanwhile, shared on her Instagram story a screenshot of a tweet that said: “Anti-Asian hate crimes are up 150% since January last year - the result of years of vitriolic racism. Eight people were killed last night. Humans with stories and aspirations. Our hearts go out to their loved ones. We need to put an end to this hate.” International singer Lea Salonga also joined in supporting the #StopAsianHate campaign. “Stop with the dehumanization. Stop with the violence. Stop with the hate. We are human beings. Enough!,” she wrote on Twitter.
Rabiya affirms stand vs remark on women leaders in Miss Universe video By eaRl
d.c. BRacaMonte Philstar.com
IN celebration of International Women’s Day, 35 of the 67 official candidates of the Miss Universe 2020 pageant took part in a virtual compilation regarding their views on various issues on womanhood. Miss Universe Puerto Rico Estefania Soto opined that “it is time we dismantle the culture of distrust in women as leaders...” To which, Miss Universe Phillippines’ Rabiya Mateo continued by saying that “in order for us to allow women to have access in taking up leadership positions in our country.” It can be recalled that Rabiya recently disagreed with President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks that the presidency is not for women. Duterte has since spoken about promoting women’s rights in an International Women’s Day statement. Besides Mateo, in the Miss Universe video, Eden Berandoive (Haiti) and Ana Marcelo (Nicaragua) chose German Chancellor Angela Merkel as the women they find most influential in their lives. Bernadette Belle Ong (Singapore) chose Chua Jim Neo, mother of her country’s founder, Lee Kwan Yew. For RR Ayu Maulida (Indonesia), it was her country’s former president Megawati Sukarnoputri, while Nadia Sayers (Ireland) picked New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern. Janicke Maceta del Castillo (Peru) named US congress-
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo as seen in Miss Universe’s International Women’s Day video. Photo from Facebook/Muss Universe
woman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as her woman of influence, while Paula Mehmetukaj (Albania) chose former US first lady Michelle Obama. Ivonne Cerdas (Costa Rica) chose Sandra Kaufmann of NASA, while Dhenia Covens (Belgium) proclaimed her teacher, who help refugees in Egypt, as the perfect role model. The other candidates who each gave their comments and/or observations were Hillary Ann Williams (Barbados), Maria Thattil (Australia), Anshika Sharma (Nepal), Elisabet Hulda Snorradottir (Iceland), Adline Castelino (India), Vanessa Velasquez (El Salvador), Jiaxin Sun (China), Leyla Espinosa Calavache (Ecuador), Angele Kossinda (Cameroon) and Lenka Named (Bolivia). “There’s nothing we cannot do as women,” declared Andrea
Meza of Mexico. Joining the other girls in the forum were Chelsea Tayui (Ghana), Vivi Altonen (Finland), Chantal Wiertz (Curacao), Iris Salguero (Belize), Shauntae Miller (Bahamas), Tanya de los Santos (Uruguay), Mariah Tibbets (Cayman Islands), Amanda Obdam (Thailand), Denise Speelman (Netherlands), Mariangel Villasmil (Venezuela), Miqueal-Simone Williams (Jamaica), Tehila Levi (Israel) and Asya Branch (USA). In a related announcement, it was learned that corporate sponsor Chi pulled out from the pageant this year due to health reasons. With Chi’s team of makeup and hairstylists out in the picture, candidates will be doing their own makeover and coiffure. This brings back the pageant to its early days when the contestants did their own face and hair styling.
Why Maricel doesn’t intimidate her co-stars By Boy
aBunda Philstar.com
IF you happen to see Maricel Soriano flaunting her slim figure and wearing her long hair down with only a clip that holds some strands at the back of her head, it’s because she has already finished taping for the Kapamilya drama series Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin which will have its concluding episode on March 19. Marya, as Maricel is fondly called, went through a significant physical transformation for her portrayal of Nanay Lucing. If you are an avid follower
of the drama series, then you’ll know how the Diamond Star has remained dedicated to do whatever is necessary to truthfully convey her character. “It’s my responsibility to the audience (to live up to my character),” she began. “It’s also because of them why I needed to lose weight. But even if I don’t lose weight, I know they still love me and I’m sure, mas marami pa ang magmamahal ‘pag pumayat ako (laughs).” The Diamond Star knows her responsibility as an actress. Whatever the role requires her to do, expect her to bring her
A-game to the screen without a bit of hesitation. Whenever an acting project comes, Marya often takes into consideration the kind of challenge the role could bring to her plate. “Sa akin kasi, hindi ‘yung kung ano pa ang gusto kong gawin kundi kung ano ‘yung offer na magugustuhan ko. That for me is more challenging because it will truly put my acting to the test. So, if there is an offer, na kunwari ito ang role, ganito, titingnan ko muna and then from there, I will decide.” Her past acting performances PAGE B6
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 20-23, 2021
Vice President Leni Robredo to be guest of honor at U.P. Alumni Awards Night PhiliPPine Vice President leni Robredo will be the guest of honor during the first U.P. Alumni Awards night of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater los Angeles (UPAAGlA) scheduled to be livestreamed on Saturday, March 27. The vice president will be joined by U.P. President Danilo Concepcion, former Ambassador edgardo espiritu, former Philippine Consul General of los Angeles Adelio Cruz, Philippine Airlines President Gilbert Santa Maria, national Artist Ryan Cayabyab, and Filipino American Symphony Orchestra Director and Maestro Robert Shroder, who are all proud U.P. alumni. The awards night will begin at 5 p.m. PDT/7 p.m. CDT/8 p.m. eDT. According to UPAAGlA President, ethel Rubio, nothing can be more fitting than to have a highcaliber, U.P. alumni guest line-up as they honor
four fellow U.P. alumni who have made a mark in their respective fields and in the community in the following award categories: Service Recognition, leadership Recognition, Most Distinguished Alumna/Alumnus, and lifetime Distinguished Achievement Awards. With the goal of increasing the profile of U.P. alumni, UPAAGlA hopes that in sharing and highlighting the contributions of Filipinos in the Greater los Angeles community, this awards night will be a source of inspiration to many. explore. empower. excel. The UPAAGlA 2021 Awards night will be livestreamed from the UPAAGlATV YouTube channel through the TFC USA Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/TFCUSOfficial with the support of its corporate sponsors - Paralon and Sonia Delen; and generous donors. For more information about the UPAAGlA Awards night, please visit www.upaagla.org.
Ate Vi on her nomination for National Artist By Dolly
Anne CArvAjAl Inquirer.net
iT is no surprise that the name of Vilma Santos cropped up on the list of nominees for national Artist. even without a formal recognition, Ate Vi has long been a national treasure in Pinoys’ hearts. Singer/ songwriter Joey Ayala and cartoonist nonoy Marcelo are also in the running for the prestigious award. The Order of national Artists is the highest national recognition given to Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of dance, theater, visual arts, literature, film, broadcast arts and architecture and allied arts. The order is administered by the national Commission for Culture and the Arts (nCCA) and the Cultural PAGE B6 VIlma Santos
Inquirer.net photo
Gerald Anderson and Julia Baretto gave out donations to 300 Aeta families.
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Photo courtesy PCG
Julia thanks Gerald for sharing his world with her
KAPAMilYA actress Julia Barretto thanked her boyfriend Gerald Anderson for sharing his world with her. in her instagram stories, Julia posted photos of her and Gerald distributing relief goods to an aeta community. “Thank you for sharing your world to me,” Julia wrote in the caption. Gerald shared Julia’s iG story in his own iG stories.
“Doing our little part,” Gerald told Julia. The photos were taken last March 6. The couple can be seen giving out donations to 300 Aeta families, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. Gerald is a lieutenant commander of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary. Julia and Gerald’s donation drive came after the actor confirmed his relationship with the actress in an interview with Boy Abunda last March 5. (Jan Milo Severo/Philstar.com)
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga
Honoring the Patroness of Cavite, Philippines inCARnATiOn Catholic Church, Glendale, California, will observe 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines with a procession, rosary, and Mass in Tagalog every third Sunday of the month, beginning March 21, 2021. These celebrations will also be on live stream from Facebook – incarnation Catholic Church. Pueblo Amante de Maria is a year-long event which will feature canonically-crowned Marian images from the Philippines. These celebrations will take back devotees in time, how Mary played an important role in the evangelization of the Filipinos. images of the Blessed Mother introduced by the early missionaries are venerated throughout the archipelago. From Aparri to Jolo, there are churches and chapels where our lady is
honored with local traditions and religious practices. Through the intercession of Mary, battles are won, rain brings a bountiful harvest, plague and famine are ended. There are thousands of answered prayers for the birth of child, healing, passing a board exam, safe travels, among others. A canonical crown is presented by the Pope to historically old, acclaimed and venerated images that serve as beacons of faith and hope, especially in times of need and difficulties. Through a papal bull or declaration, the holy Father recognizes the fervent devotion of the faithful, and a golden crown is bestowed on the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of heaven and earth. To date, there are 45 canonically-crowned Mar-
ian images in the Philippines. For the month of March, the Blessed Mother under the title of nuestra Señora de la Soledad de Porta Vaga, patroness of Cavite, leads the quincentennial celebration at incarnation Catholic Church. The 16th century painting, the oldest of one of Mary in the Philippines, was used to bless departing trade galleons plying the route between Cavite and Acapulco (Mexico) has earned the title Patroness of the Galleons. The image has survived fire, earthquakes, revolutions, and wars. The procession and recitation of the rosary will begin at 1:15 p.m. to be followed with Mass in Tagalog at 2 p.m. Caviteños in Southern California are especially invited to this celebration. For details, call 818-242-2579.
Fil-Am business owner wants to hire diverse group for LA county schools contract iT was at the tender age of seven when Angelio Varsobia waded first into one form of entrepreneurship, selling rice cakes in his native Philippines. During his college years, he had a poultry business out of the backyard of his home, while also working part-time. As his grandfather put it then, he was destined to become an entrepreneur one way or another. hard work, diligence and the perseverance to achieve greater heights has always been part of his nature and Angelo brought it with him even when he decided to set roots in a foreign land. Arriving in 2000 in the United States, Angelo, a lyceum of the Philippines graduate, sought to provide for a better future for his family. he worked three jobs while waiting for his family to immigrate to the U.S. – an accountant during the day, a janitor at nighttime, and as a bartender on weekends. “i was alone and had nothing else to do. Rather than roam around or watch television, i would rather keep working. After working and getting tired, i just went home and slept,” Angelo told the Asian Journal, adding that he toned down his workload soon after his family arrived. he continued to work on his career, becoming an accountant by profession, working as Comptroller, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of investment companies, and rising to the post of General Manager at a hilton hotel. The Tondo, Manila resident says growing up in a tough neighborhood prepared him for life’s struggles. “That had a profound impact on my life,” he said. “You see the struggle of the people on a daily basis.” Companies formed, hiring new workers Twenty-one years later, Varsobia is at the helm of four companies – Premier Property Preservation, Varsobia home Care Services, northern California Care Provider and Varsobia Property Management & Realty Services – that employs more than 100 staff and provides a variety of services to clientele from
northern and Southern California, and all the way to las Vegas, nevada. Premier Property Preservation, which was set up in 2017, recently landed a contract with the los Angeles Unified Schools District (lAUSD), wherein it would provide some 1,500 workers for the elementary and middle schools. it also has contracts with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), California highway Patrol (ChP), California Prisons (CDCR), and employment Development Department (eDD), among others. The company is looking to hire a diversified workforce. Angelo said that they would like to hire more Filipino-Americans for the school custodian jobs as he believes in his kababayans’ work ethic. Branched into three start dates, Premier Property Preservation is looking to hire 654 cleaners for a March 22 start date, employ another 600 cleaners for an April 19 start date and finally hire an additional 300 workers by the end of April. “Filipinos are very reliable, very dependable and are honest,” he said, while adding that his general concern when bidding for projects is to get the unemployed to work and that his particular concern is to be able to help people in the Filipino-American community land jobs. According to Angelo, applicants are required to be at least 18 years of age, pass a background check and pass a TB (tuberculosis) test. Training will be provided by the company, but applicants minimally must know how to clean as the workers will be not only be cleaning but will also focus on sanitizing hightouch areas. Workers need not be residents of los Angeles County, either. As long as they can get to work on time either by private or public transportation, they can work on this project, Angelo clarified. Angelo told the Asian Journal that his varied work experience has helped him greatly in running his companies, particularly when it comes to sizing up the work that needs to be done on a project. “Basically, my experience, my
background, i put them all in these companies,” he said. “[For Premier Property Preservation], my experience as a janitor helps… when i join a bid and see a building, i am able to estimate to myself how long it will take to clean that building because i have done it myself. i also go through the process of research, but my experience pays off.” Family joins in the fun Angelo is not alone in shouldering the responsibilities of the companies, though. his wife and children have their participation in the various firms. Wife Sandy, who took up Business Management at the national College of Business and Arts in Manila, is company executive vice president for all four firms. The couple’s three oldest children play different roles – eldest son Jon, 31, is president of Premier Property Preservation and also project manager for the lAUSD project; eldest daughter inna, 30, is president of Varsobia home Care Services; younger son Kevin, 27, is the Assistant Project Manager for the lAUSD project and is also involved in all four companies as operations manager. Meanwhile, daughter-inlaw Kristine (married to Jon) is also an executive in one of the companies. Jon and Kristine are proud parents of a 4-month-old daughter, Alaia Dominique. Angelo and Sandy’s youngest daughter Alexis, who is 12 and is a gifted child and consistent academic awardee, is not currently involved in their businesses, although, per Angelo, she has a passion for baking, painting, and is showing entrepreneurial skills at a young age. he feels lucky that he has been able to mentor his children into their businesses, especially his eldest son. Angelo says that he will not be as successful today if he did not have his family’s support. Training his son to lead a company, he feels, dealt away with the possibility of him training somebody else who may eventually leave the company and establish their own business. Angelo says he wants to retire when he reaches 60 years old and pass the baton to his children, which is in a few years.
At that point, he envisions that all his children, with eldest son Jon at the helm, will be overseeing all their businesses. he will probably travel with his wife and their children when he retires. A trip to the Philippines might even be in the offing as they had canceled travel plans to the homeland three years ago when the businesses began to experience a boom. Despite his busy schedule nowadays, Angelo still finds time to give back to his community by involving himself in various chambers – the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater los Angeles (former board member), the Fil-Am hollywood Chamber of Commerce (former board member), the South Bay Filipino American Chamber of Commerce (member) and Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (founding board member). For now, Angelo and his family will continue to strive to operate the companies at their highest levels. Their efforts have resulted in Angelo being awarded entrepreneur of the Year from different organizations – the United Chambers of Commerce (Small Business of the Year), the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater lA and Sinaglahi. For his fellow kababayans who want to establish their own companies, Angelo says this by way of advice: Don’t be scared to be an entrepreneur. Don’t be scared to fall down.”
Angelo Varsobia heads four firms – Premier Property Preservation, Varsobia Home Care Services, Northern California Care Provider and Varsobia Property Management & Realty Services – that employ more than a hundred people. The 56-year-old entrepreneur initially had three jobs (accountant, janitor and bartender) when he arrived in the U.S. in 2000.
The Varsobia Family: (from left) Kristine (holding Baby Alaia), Jon, Sandy, Kevin, Alexis, Angelo and Inna.
Collage of photos above show Premier Property Preservation custodians cleaning at a DMV job site. Photos provided by Angelo Varsobia
A female Premier Property Preservation custodian performs cleaning duties at a DMV location.
B4 march 20-23, 2021 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL
EMPLOYMENT
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Q&A for third round of stimulus payments Tax Tips Victor Sy, mBA, cPA (retired) HERE are simplified Questions & Answers about the freshly minted third round of stimulus payments under the new American Rescue Plan Act of March 2021. 1. How much is the third Economic Impact Payment? $1,400 for individuals, $2,800 for married couples plus $1,400 for each dependent. You will get a payment for all your dependents claimed on a tax return (not just their qualifying children under 17). 2. Who are eligible for the third Stimulus Payments? U.S. citizen and resident aliens who are not a dependent of another taxpayer and have a valid Social Security number with adjusted gross income (AGI) that does not exceed: • $150,000 if married and filing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower. • $112,500 if filing as head of household. • $75,000 if single or married people filing separate returns. 3. Payments will be phased out or reduced above those AGI amounts: • $160,000 if married and fil-
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS MANY people try to file and open their own divorce case without an attorney in an effort to save on legal fees. Often, the self-represented divorce litigant would seek the assistance of the court facilitator’s office in preparing the papers to open their own divorce case. However once the divorce case is opened, many self-represented petitioners are not able to finish their divorce case to judgment for various reasons. The most common reasons are the following: 1. Improper Proof of Service of Divorce Petition Self-represented litigants are not familiar with the code of civil procedures on how initial pleadings should be served on the opposing party and the notice requirements. As such the Court is unable to exercise jurisdiction on the other party until proper service on that party is done properly. 2. Failed to prepare and exchanged required financial disclosures California family code requires that both parties exchange complete and accurate financial disclosures. Proof that these financial disclosures have been exchanged needs to be filed in Court. The court will not enter judgment on a divorce case unless the financial disclosure requirements are satisfied. 3. Default Judgment does not conform with the Petition for dissolution If the respondent has been defaulted and the petitioner is moving for a default divorce judgment, the default judg-
Pastor’s Notes reVerend rodeL g. BALAgtAS IT’S hard to suffer—to face the unknown, to lose someone you love, or to think of the worst illness in one’s self or the people dear to us. It’s something that we have to deal with in the span of life. There is no escape from suffering in this world. No one is exempted from it. Steve Jobs, the renowned co-founder of Apple Inc. and pioneer of the personal computer revolution, suffered and died of rare pancreatic cancer. He had all the money in the world to treat his illness but to no avail. Cancer attacked his organs, debilitated and emaciated his body, leading him to die at 56. How can we make sense of suffering? How can we best deal with it? Do we suffer for the sake of suffering? Do we wallow in it and absorb its pain? Is there a way to suffer dignified? Jesus’ famous words at learning of his friend Lazarus’ death give us a hint: “This illness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son
ing a joint return or if filing as a qualifying widow or widower. • $120,000 if filing as head of household. • $80,000 if single filers and married people filing separate returns. 4. How will IRS determine who are eligible? The IRS will use information of people who: • Filed a 2020 tax return. • Filed a 2019 tax return if the 2020 return has not been processed yet. • Did not file a 2020 or 2019 tax return but registered for the first Economic Impact Payment. • Received Social Security and Railroad Retirement Board benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Veteran benefits in 2020. 5. How do I find out if the IRS is sending me a payment? Check the status of your third payment at “Get My Payment” tool on IRS.gov. 6. How will the IRS know where to send my payment or if I changed bank accounts? • Taxpayers with direct deposit information on file will receive the payment via direct deposit. • Those without current direct deposit will receive the payment as a check or debit card in the mail. 7. Active Military: If you or your spouse is an active member of the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the taxable year, you will receive up to
$2,800 (even if only one spouse has a valid SSN). 8. Is any action needed by those who don’t typically file tax returns? Most people who receive Social Security retirement, disability, railroad retirement, and veterans’ benefits in 2020 need not take any action to receive a payment. 9. Will I receive the 3rd stimulus if I didn’t file a 2019 or 2020 tax return and didn’t register with the IRS.gov nonfilers tool last year? Yes, if you meet the eligibility requirements. You won’t receive an automatic payment now but can get it when you file a 2020 return and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. 10. Will people who receive a payment get a notice from the IRS? Yes, you will receive an IRS notice. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.
I filed my own divorce but I can’t finish it
ment must conform to the divorce petition. If the two does not conform to each other, the court will often reject the judgment. 4. Child Support requested is not guideline Child support in California is based on guideline. Sometimes the self-represented litigant will try to ignore child support or seek a child support order that is not based on guideline. This will result on the judgment being rejected by the Court. 5. Pension and Retirement plans were not joined Some pension and retirement plans (such as local government retirement plans) need to be joined in the divorce action if there is a community property interest in these plans. Self-represented litigants are not aware of these rules and often ignore this requirement. 6. QDRO was not prepared to divide Pension and Retirement plans Certain pension and retirement plans that are covered by ERISA requires a qualified domestic relations order to be divided (QDRO). Self-represented litigants often ignore this requirement. As a result, the plan is not divided. 7. Unequal division of community property in default divorce cases If there is no settlement agreement, then the court has to divide the community property and debt equally between the parties. Often, self-represented parties will try to propose or prove up an unequal division of community property and debt usually in their favor.
Trying to save on legal fees by handling your own divorce case could turn into a nightmare if your case has issues that needs to be handles a certain way. It is like trying to fix your own plumbing problem if you have no plumbing experience, it could end up costing you more. If you opened up your divorce case but cannot seem to finish it due to some issues, it is best to seek the help of a highly qualified family law attorney. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
On dealing with suffering “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 20: 24) may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) These words give us some sense of comfort and consolation. We suffer in faith, knowing that one’s illness or pain is nothing compared to God’s love for us. One’s pain and struggle could teach us lessons, such as the preciousness of life or the need to take care of ourselves, which we may have long taken for granted. One’s endurance, courage, and patience in suffering through the Christian faith’s eyes could inspire others to live their lives to the fullest. We suffer in love, believing that we have given our best to care deeply for those we love most. One’s love does not end in death. It stays in the hearts and souls of one’s family and friends. We suffer in hope, knowing there are other horizons to go
and to conquer, to dwell, and to build. We hope for the promises of happiness, completeness, and fulfillment, whatever happens. Suffering would always be part of God’s mysterious plan. God showed it by sending His Son Jesus to suffer and die to save us and give us eternal life. Indeed, our hope rests on the words of the Gospel: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 20-23, 2021
B5
Do not guarantee business loans
FIRST of all, let’s have a moment of silence in prayer for those who were killed in the massage parlors in Georgia two days ago: Delaina Ashley Yaun, Xiajie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Soon C. Park, Hyun J. Grant, Sucha Kim, Yong A. Yue, and Paul Andre Michels. Six of the eight victims were Asian women. May they rest in peace and may their families find comfort and solace with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We grieve with their families in their time of sorrow. We ask for divine protection from God Almighty, Adonai, El Shaddai, El Elohim, Yahweh, Jehovah, the creator of the Universe and everything in it, through Jesus Christ, His beloved son who died for us, from all forms of attacks against our families and loved ones because of our race and ethnicity. He is our defender. He is our protector. He is our rock eternal. He is our God, in whom we trust. Please listen to our voices in your temple, and protect our families from those who would harm us in our own beloved country, the USA, our fellow Americans. There are really some very evil people among us who are full of hate. We pray that our God changes their hearts and replaces their hatred with love. Going back to business loans. As I have said, time and again, don’t personally guarantee business loans. If the business fails, let it fail but don’t let that business failure affect your personal assets. If you can’t get the business loan unless you personally guarantee it, then just walk away from the loan. Anyone who has been in business knows that a business will succeed or, it will fail. And the chances of it failing are much more than the business succeeding. It’s a gamble. So don’t gamble your personal assets with the fate of the business. But of course, this advice will fall on deaf ears. When a person wants to get into business, he or she imagines the ton of money the business will be raking in month after month, year after year. He or she does not imagine the flip side of that dream, the ton of money the business will be losing month
Tapat Sa Batas
Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence yAng after month, year after year. This pandemic has caused a lot of businesses to fail despite the PPP loans they can no longer recover. A lot of businesses have seen their booming businesses fall flat losing more than half their revenues during the pandemic. The client’s furniture business had $2 million of gross revenues before the pandemic, and a net profit of $2,000 a year, after paying all family members involved in the business good salaries. Their warehouse had $1 million of inventory. The first problem created by the slowdown of business was the reduction of gross revenue by a significant amount. Warehouse rent was $20,000 a month. What do you do when gross revenue is reduced by 70% overnight? You start laying-off people. But how do you pay the rent of the warehouse? You can’t just walk away from the warehouse because your entire inventories are in it and you’ll need 30 containers to haul off the inventory. And where are you going to put the 30 containers if not in another warehouse? So you get the PPP loan of $100,000 and use that to pay rent for five months. But the five months have gone by but your sales are still flat. Maybe you can make a deal with the guy next door whose business has not been affected by the pandemic, let him give you some space in his warehouse for the time being? Maybe you can give the inventory back to your suppliers. Just ask them to pick up the merchandise? Get another PPP loan under Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus plan. Maybe that’s the way to go. Get another $100,000 of PPP loan and stick around for another five months. The president just declared that by May, anyone who wants to get vaccinated could get it. So hopefully, by summer, we’re over the pandemic and business really starts picking up.
In the client’s case, he has decided to call it quits. The problem is that he personally guaranteed the warehouse lease, and the lease still has three years to go. That means that he’s personally liable for $720,000. This means that the landlord will collect the $720,000 from him. So the failure of the business now affects him to the tune of $720,000. Does he have $720,000 to pay the warehouse lease? Nope. The client will have to file his own Chapter 7 to get rid of the $720,000. He owns a house in LA with an equity of $300,000. The house has a current fair market value of $1 million. The first mortgage balance is $700,000. So the equity is $300,000. Fortunately for the client, the new homestead exemption is now $600,000 so he can actually keep his house while getting rid of the $720,000. A fresh start in life and become productive again. What if the client got an SBA loan for $720,000 using his house as collateral? If he did that then, he would lose his house to the SBA because the $720,000 is secured by a mortgage. Then sorry, he is going to lose his house. This is worse than a personal guarantee. Don’t ever use your house as collateral for a business loan. You are going to get hurt really bad if the business fails. There’s no sense in losing your house if your business fails. Please think and think again before you give your house as collateral for a business loan. This is like betting your house in a game of chance. If you need debt relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE FOREGOING IS CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE. EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South, Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
Social media and US visa applicants
DOS already previously requests and obtains certain contact information, travel history, SA panahon ngayon ng panfamily member information, and demic at dahil sa madaming previous addresses and work lockdown order sa buong munhistory from visa applicants. Per do, marami ang nagtatrabaho DOS, collecting social media mula sa bahay o WFH. Marami identifiers and information will rin ang bumabaling sa social mestrengthen their process for vetdia upang magbahagi ng importing the applicants and confirmmasyon, balita at kanilang mga ing their identity. damdamin. Dapat malaman ng Social media identifier is deU.S. visa applicants na sila ay fined by DOS as including any kailangang mag-submit ng imname used on social media platpormasyon tungkol sa form like Facebook, social media accounts Instagram, Twitna kanilang kasaluter, Flickr, LinkedIn, “Visa applicants to the U.S. should MySpace, Pinterest, kuyang ginagamit, pati na rin yung soTumblr at Youtube. be aware that they are required cial media accounts This would give DOS na ginamit nila noong access to personal to submit any information about nakaraang 5 taon. Ito data commonly shared social media accounts they are ay alinsunod sa U.S. in social media, inDepartment of State religious and using and those that they have used cluding (DOS) policy na nagpolitical affiliations, ing epektibo noong milestones, contacts, in the past 5 years under U.S. Mayo 31, 2019. habits, Department of State (DOS) policy.” associations, Ayon sa DOS, kaipreferences, and senlangan nila ang sotiments. Thus, what cial media identifiers one says online can be upang madetermina kung ang visa applicants, maaaring ang interpreted, analyzed and monivisa applicants para sa immi- makikitang social media posts tored by U.S. government. Howgrant at non-immigrant visas ay ay humantong sa denial ng visa ever, absent a review of the conpapasa sa mga pamantayan para kung may mga inconsistency sa text in which the posts are made, mabigyan ng visa. Ang social online posts at visa application. the online posts can be misunmedia identifiers din ay makakat- Halimbawa, ang isang B2 tour- derstood and misinterpreted. ulong upang makilatis ng DOS ist visa applicant na nagpost sa While it may be impossible for kung may fraud o panloloko, Facebook na kanyang “pangarap DOS to look into all social media panlilinlang at pagsisinungaling ang mag-aral at tumira sa U.S.” accounts of all visa applicants, ang visa applicant, at kung ang ay maaaring hindi maaprubahan a screening of said social media visa applicant ay may potensyal ng tourist visa. posts may lead to denial of U.S. na pagbabanta sa seguridad ng visa if there are inconsistencies *** U.S. Maliban dito, ayon sa DOS, During this pandemic and due between the visa applicant’s ang social media information ay to lockdown orders all over the posts and their application. For magpapabuti ng screening pro- world, a lot of people are work- example, a B2 tourist visa applicess upang maprotektahan ang ing from home and turning to cant’s posts on Facebook that it mga U.S. citizen, habang sinusu- social media to share informa- is his “dream to study and live in portahan ang legitimate travel sa tion, news and sentiments. Visa the U.S.” may be denied the tourU.S. applicants to the U.S. should be ist visa. Ang DOS ay dati nang humi- aware that they are required to *** hingi ng contact information, submit any information about ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of travel history, family member social media accounts they are SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a information, addresses at work using and those that they have member of the State Bar of California for history mula sa visa applicants. used in the past 5 years under over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Ayon sa DOS, ang pagkuha at U.S. Department of State (DOS) Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson pagkolekta ng social media iden- policy, which became effective received her Legal Management degree from tifiers at information ay magpa- on May 31, 2019. the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris palakas ng kanilang vetting proAccording to the DOS, it needs Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. cess ng U.S.visa applicants. social media identifiers to deter- She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Sinasakop ng social media mine whether immigrant visa ap- Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and identifier ang lahat ng pangalan plicants and non-immigrant visa Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty at account sa social media plat- applicants meet the standards for Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations forms tulad ng Facebook, Insta- getting a visa, to identify fraud and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor gram, Twitter, Flickr, LinkedIn, and misrepresentations that dis- Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with MySpace, Pinterest, Tumblr and guise potential threats. Further- Labor Laws (2005). Youtube. Ito ay magbibigay sa more, according to DOS, this will SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire DOS ng access sa personal data improve screening process to Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA na karaniwang ibinabahagi sa protect U.S. citizens, while sup- 90010; Phone: (213) 274-4561; Email: info@ social media. Kasama na dito porting legitimate travel to the samsonlawfirmpc.com. ang religious at political affilia- U.S. (Advertising Supplement)
Atty. rheA SAmSon
tions, milestones, contacts, associations, habits, preferences, at sentiments. Dahil dito, ang mga post sa social media ay maaaring bigyan ng interpretayson, suriin at i-monitor ng U.S. government. Subalit, kung hindi titignan ang kontexto ng online posting, maaari hindi ito maunawaan at mabigyan ng maling interpretasyon. Habang imposible na tignan at suriin ng DOS ang lahat ng social media accounts ng lahat ng
B6 march 20-23, 2021 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
Why Maricel doesn’t intimidate... The ‘Hero Pay’: LA enacts $5 hourly hazard pay for grocery & pharmacy employees PAGE B2 were truly admirable that young netizens are said to be imitating her acting on Tiktok complete with dialogues from her classic movies. It was a delight for Marya to hear such news. Thanks to the effort of the ABS-CBN film restoration team for putting movies from years ago back to their shape, so to speak, and in high-definition color. “Sobrang natutuwa ako kasi
parang kahapon ko lang ginawa ang mga pelikulang ‘yun,” she said. She, too, appreciates the people who continue to believe in her until this day as new projects keep landing on her lap. She is also open to the idea of doing theater “in the future. But not now, ayaw ng COVID,” she quipped. At present, Marya is happy to have been given the opportunity to work with a new generation
of actors like Jodi Sta. Maria, Iza Calzado, Sam Milby and Joseph Marco, as well as Grae Fernandez and Kira Balinger. “They are all brilliant at masaya silang katrabaho. We all get along fine on the set kasi lock-in taping kami so masaya kami na nagkwe-kwentuhan after work.” Marya added that there’s no one who ever felt intimidated by her presence. “Laki ako kay daddy (Comedy King Dolphy) na lahat ay nadadaan sa usapan. It’s not right to get mad just because of minor issues kasi lahat tayo may pinagdadaanan kung minsan at dapat intindihin natin kung may mga pagkakamali man.” Joseph Marco, in one interview, confirmed his smooth working relationship with the seasoned actress. He said, “Hindi n’ya ipapa-feel sa ‘yo na matakot ka o masindak ka. In fact, she would make you feel comfortable because she’s that kind of person. She’s so nice and she is just like the motherly type.” Does she give acting tips to her co-stars? “It feels good when they tell you, ‘Nay, how do you do this?’ Nandyan ako para ituro kung ano ang gagawin but I only give tips when they ask. When I am asked, I will answer and I will help at talagang tuturuan ko sila pero kung hindi, huwag kasi s’yempre baka may sarili silang idea how to attack a particular scene. Hindi ko sila pinapangunahan.” Asked about her heart’s desire for her career this 2021, Marya replied, “I just wish that I will continue to be busy with work dahil maganda ‘pag busy ako kasi pumapayat ako, hahaha.
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. IT has been over year since California declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, many employees have stopped coming to their workplaces and have worked from home instead. However, those who were considered “frontline” workers do not have the option of working at home. Considered “essential” to the functioning of society, these workers have to do their jobs where they customarily work. California defines “essential workers” as those who conduct a range of operations and services that are typically critical to protecting communities, ensuring continuity of functions in public health and safety, as well as economic and national security. Some of the lower paid essential workers include grocery and drug retail workers in Los Angeles. In an effort to recognize their sacrifice and alleviate their financial difficulties, the city of Los Angeles enacted an ordinance that mandates some employers to pay $5 per hour to these employees. The same hazard pay applies to those working in unincorporated areas of the county. The county lawmakers acknowledge that essential grocery and drug retail workers who report to work to do their jobs have substantial interac-
tion with the public and significant exposure to COVID-19. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the virus spreads more readily indoors, and because essential grocery and drug retail workers must perform their jobs inside, with large crowds, they’re exposed to more hazards. Lawmakers acknowledge that these workers likely live with the fear that as they go out every day to do their job, they will contract COVID-19 and bring the disease to their homes and families. Because of the sacrifice of these essential workers, families continue to have access to the food, medicines, and household supplies they need to carry on with their lives. Grocery and drug retail workers’ tasks have also multiplied and now include wearing masks during their shift, practicing social distancing, and constantly wiping down high touch areas to ensure public safety. Many grocery and drug retail workers are People of Color who were already facing social and financial inequities before the pandemic. The disproportionate impact of the pandemic on them makes this ordinance necessary in order to lessen their difficulties. Meanwhile, the Brookings Institution reported that from November 2020, top retail companies throughout the country have earned on average an extra $16.7 billion in profits in 2020. However, this increased wealth has not transferred to the low-wage frontline workers who risk their lives to support these business operations. This premium hazard pay seeks to help low-wage front-
Ate Vi on her...
Maricel Soriano
ABS-CBN photo
PAGE B3 Center of the Philippines (CCP) and conferred by the president of the Philippines upon recommendation by both institutions. The Manila City Council issued a resolution to support Ate Vi’s nomination. Even if you are not a
hardcore Vilmanian, the actress’ awesome body of work is something you can’t ignore. The Star for all Seasons has spent more than half her life dazzling us with her artistry. So, her being named National Artist is long overdue.
line workers, encourage them to keep working, and assist them in protecting their health and welfare and that of their families, and the wider community. This ordinance applies to employees who work for employers with 300 employees nationwide, and more than ten employees on-site in the City. Workers must work at least two hours at a grocery retail store (that sells primarily food or household goods, including the sale of produce, meats, poultry, fish, deli products, dairy products, canned foods, dry foods, beverages, baked foods, and/or prepared foods), or a drug retail store (that sells prescription and nonprescription medicines). This premium hazard pay is additional pay owed to an employee in addition to the employee’s salaries, wages, tips, overtime, commissions, piece rate, bonuses, rest breaks, paid leave, and reimbursement for expenses. The mandate took effect on February 26, 2021 and should last for 120 days. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.] (Advertising Supplement)
I asked Ate Vi for her sentiments about the nomination. Her reply goes: Friend, pass muna ako sa issue ng National Artist. I truly appreciate the support and trust of our friends for the nomination, but mahirap mag-comment at magassume. Salamat, Dolly. Sa next issue na lang tayo (laughs). Love you, friend.
B7 march 20-23, 2021 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
B8 march 20-23, 2021 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
SEAFOOD CITY FPFC