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APRIL 14-20, 2022

T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M MU N I T Y N E WS PA PE R

Volume 33 - No. 15 • 14 Pages

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DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Fil-Am supporters flock to HiFi for BBMSara Duterte rally LOS ANGELES — Some 300-strong Filipino American supporters of Uniteam “Sama-samang Babangon Muli” presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM) and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio are optimistic that this “most qualified tandem” would win in this coming May 2022 elections. Uniteam, in cooperation with BBM 2.0 (USA), held a grand rally last Saturday, April 9 at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) in Los Angeles’s Historic Filipinotown. BBM 2.0 (USA) is the U.S.-based counterpart of BBM 2.0, which is an application (app) created by BBM-Sara party national chairman Jonathan “Atan” Bocaling to effectively monitor the number of tandem’s supporters all over the world. This app also includes the list of all volunteer campaign managers who are tasked to administer and oversee the BBM 2.0 app in their respective jurisdictions. Tancredo Guray Jr., BBM 2.0 (USA)

Overseas voting underway after encountering some delays by AJPRESS ELIGIBLE Filipino voters can begin casting their ballots about a month ahead of the May 9 Philippine national elections.

The monthlong overseas voting period, from April 10 to May 9, will enable registered Filipino voters to vote for their preferred president, vice president, senators and party-list representatives. “In North America (U.S. and Canada) where overseas voting is going to be by mail, the ballots will

PH Consulate advises Filipinos in NYC to be extra vigilant AT LEAST 23 people were injured in a shooting on the New York City subway on Tuesday, April 12. NYPD patrol officers in Manhattan’s East Village neighborhood arrested Frank James, 62 on Wednesday afternoon, April 13, officials said. The gunman who was wearing a gas mask released two smoke canisters and then started shooting aboard a subway car on the N train as it approached the 36th Street Station in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood during the morning rush hour, authorities said. Five gunshot victims are in critical condition but are expected to survive. At least a dozen people who escaped gunshot wounds were treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries The shooting happened two days after Mayor Eric Adams celebrated his first 100 days in office.

by ZACARIAN

DEVOTION. Catholic devotees offer prayers in front of the 12th Station of the Cross in Calvary Hills at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Shrine in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan on Thursday, April 14. The Calvary Hill features 14 Stations of the Cross that portray the suffering of Jesus Christ and has 127 statues presented in dioramas that took three years to build. PNA photo by Ben Briones

by ZACARIAN

SARAO

Inquirer.net

the number of COVID-19 infections in the country — which he said makes filling out disembarkation cards to the BI no longer necessary for arriving Filipinos. “We required the submission of these disembarkation cards by arriving Filipinos to help the government in its contact tracing efforts at the height of the pandemic. Now that COVID cases are declining, these cards can now be dispensed with,” Capulong said. The adjustment, according to Capulong, will significantly lessen the requirements and processing time of arriving Filipinos. The policy had also been approved by BI Commissioner Jaime Morente. 

Eleven individuals in total have been charged for illegally circumventing immigration laws from 2016 to 2022

ELEVEN individuals attached to a California-based “marriage fraud ‘agency’” have been charged for allegedly arranging hundreds of fraudulent marriages to bypass legal immigration channels, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), confirmed in a statement released on Thursday,

MANILA — The United States has received “credible information” showing that significant human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, have been made “by and in behalf” of the Philippine government, and that the Philippine National Police was “largely ineffective” in cleansing its ranks. In its 2021 Country Report on Human Rights Practices, the U.S. Department of State said that it received “credible reports that members of the security forces committed numerous abuses.” The U.S. said that these significant rights issues included “unlawful or arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings, by and on behalf of the government and nonstate actors; reports of forced disappearance by and on behalf of the government and nonstate actors; torture by and on behalf of the government and nonstate actors; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; (and) arbitrary detention by and on behalf of the government and nonstate actors.” “The government investigated a limited number of

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Returning Filipinos no longer required This Holy Week, Filipinos to fill out arrival cards at PH airports urged to reflect on 2022 bets

Several Filipinos in California charged in sham marriage, fraudulent green card operation MEDENILLA AJPress

SARAO

Inquirer.net

MANILA — Returning Filipinos are no longer obligated to fill out and submit disembarkation cards upon arrival at airports in the country, said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday, April 12. “This move is part of BI’s efforts to ease its travel requirements for arriving Filipinos and facilitate their fast and hasslefree entry into their own country,” BI Port Divisions chief Carlos Capulong said in a statement. Capulong explained that the said policy was implemented following the decline in  PAGE 4

by KLARIZE

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‘Significant’ human rights abuses were committed by and for PH gov’t, says US State Dep’t

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New York City subway shooting injures 23, NYPD arrests suspect

be sent out upon the start of the voting period,” the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) spokesperson James Jimenez wrote on Twitter. “Expect to receive your ballots after April 10.” Overseas voting in the United States will be done

April 7. At least six of the 11 alleged fraudsters are Filipino nationals and based in Los Angeles: Marcialito “Mars” Benitez, 48; Engilbert “Angel” Ulan, 39; Nino Reyes Valmeo, 45; Harold Poquita, 30; Juanita Pacson, 45; and Felipe Capindo “Pilipi” David, 49. The other individuals attached to the “large-scale” conspiracy who were charged include Peterson

Souza, a 34-year-old Brazilian national living in Anaheim; 26-year-old Devon Hammer of Palmdale; 25-year-old Tamia Duckett of Lancaster, Palmdale, and Inglewood; 24-year-old Karina Santos of Lancaster; and 33-yearold Casey Loya of Lancaster and Palmdale. According to the release, Benitez was the alleged leader of the so-called agency, which

arranged sham marriages between U.S. citizens and foreign nationals for at least 400 clients between October 2016 and March 2022. According to the DOJ, eight of the alleged conspirators, including Benitez, were arrested on Thursday in California. “This case is a prime example of multiple agencies working as

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by JELINE

MALASIG Philstar.com

A humanitarian organization and its partner groups called on Filipinos to spend this year’s Holy Week by reflecting and discerning their electoral bets for the highstakes national polls this May. Oxfam Philippines, together with Caritas Philippines and CORA or Communities Organized for Resource Allocation, urged the public to choose aspirants who have “integrity and a proven track record in helping” those in need. The three organizations launched their three-point priority agenda to encourage Filipinos to vote in an informed and policybased manner. “With less than a month left before the elections, it’s important that we really take the time to scrutinize candidates and their track records,” Oxfam Pilipinas country director Lot Felizco said. “The Philippines has long been struggling with the problems of poverty, inequality, disasters and conflicts. With the added threats of the pandemic and climate change, there is so much at stake for this year’s elections,” she added. Kidapawan Diocese Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, national director of Caritas Philippines, also hoped that Filipinos “can find the time to really reflect and discern this

Holy Week.” “This will hopefully help them decide on the best leaders this country deserves,” he said. Bagaforo also hoped that Filipinos will look at the candidates’ positions on significant issues such as climate change, gender inequality and poverty. “It’s easy to be distracted by the popularity of some candidates but we really need to scrutinize their platforms and see if they have a comprehensive plan for the problems that will greatly affect Filipinos in the next years,” he said. As voters discern their choices, the groups also hope that future leaders will consider their electoral agenda which highlights three main calls: Fighting for climate justice, championing gender justice, and strengthening economic recovery. “This agenda calls for our future leaders to have clear and effective programs and policies to address the climate crisis,” said actress Antoinette Taus who is Oxfam Pilipinas ambassador for resilience, and founder of CORA. “We call on them to have a firm stand on its global commitment in stopping global temperature rise, to adapt climate-resilient efforts in disaster management and to shift to cleaner energy,” she added. Felizco said that Filipinos are

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APRIL 14-20, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

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From The FronT Page

Overseas voting underway... PAGE 1 by mail and registered overseas voters included in the certified list of voters released by COMELEC will receive ballot packets through their registered mailing addresses. All election paraphernalia, consisting of the Vote Counting Machines (VCM) and sealed ballots, that were shipped by Comelec from Manila have arrived in Los Angeles, the Philippine Consulate General in LA announced this week. After filling up their ballot, voters can either mail their ballot back to the Consulate using the envelope and stamp provided by the COMELEC, or drop it off at the Consulate during office hours.

All ballots must be received by the Consulate before 4:00 a.m. on May 9, 2022 (PDT). Ballots received after this time will be considered “invalid” and not be counted. Ballots received by the Consulate between April 10 and May 9 will be submitted into the VCMs by the Consulate General’s Special Boards of Election Inspectors every Monday and Thursday, beginning at 9:00 a.m. during the voting period until it closes at 4:00 a.m. on May 9, 2022 (PDT), upon which a final count of all the ballots shall commence. Accredited poll watchers and members of the media are also invited to observe the biweekly

ballot feedings, as well as the final count. Outside of the Philippines, over 1.5 million Filipinos overseas are registered to vote for the 2022 national elections, with nearly 200,000 registered in the United States, according to the COMELEC. The Philippine Consulate General in LA covers Southern California (the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern, and San Luis Obispo); Southern Nevada covering the counties of Clark, Lincoln and Nye; and the state of Arizona. g

Starfleet Innotech launches digital ads on Nasdaq building and across Times Square, New York City This Holy Week, Filipinos urged to reflect...

MAUNDY THURSDAY MASS. Rev. Fr. Bernard Odfina (at the altar) celebrates Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Barangay Graceville, Sta. Maria Road, San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan on Maundy Thursday, April 14. The Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Shrine has been continuing to attract thousands of Catholic devotees, especially during the Holy Week. PNA photo by Ben Briones

“WE’RE thrilled to be telling this story through our placements at Times Square, signaling to our team, our business ecosystem, and our community that Starfleet is blasting off.” Starfleet Innotech, Inc. (OTC Pink: SFIO) (“SFIO” or “The “Company”) this week launched a digital campaign promoting the company and its projects through electronic billboard placements on the Nasdaq Building and on select street-level screens across Times Square in New York City. These digital placements complement SFIO’s ongoing expansion plans, in collaboration with media partner FMW Media. The 15- and 30-second ads highlight the conglomerate’s core divisions, key businesses, and growth roadmap. Starfleet Innotech, Inc. is a global investment holding company focused on innovation through disruptive collaborations across its three key industries: Food and Beverage (F&B), Real Estate, and Technology. With a strong presence across New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the Philippines, SFIO makes strategic investments in high-growth businesses, building synergies across its diverse portfolio to provide maximum shareholder value. The ads communicate SFIO’s core strategy of cross-divisional collaborations. In broad strokes: • SFIO strategically enters new markets through its F&B businesses, led by their flagship brand, Epiphany Cafe. • They fund this growth through high-yield, wellness tourism real estate development projects, spearheaded by Moraya, the premier real estate brand for technology-driven and wellness-oriented communities. • They augment operations and unlock new opportunities through its technology division, LNS+. • And supporting this ecosystem are backbone businesses ranging from education to accounting, digital marketing, architecture and engineering,

website development, and hosting. SFIO’s digital ads will soon be running on rotation above the entrance to the Nasdaq building on 4 Times Square, New York City. Currently, pedestrians will already see SFIO’s ads on streetlevel digital signage, the LinkNYC hubs, along surrounding high-traffic areas. “Thanks to the fantastic team of leaders we’ve gathered to lead SFIO, our community has grown tremendously over the past year,” said SFIO CEO Jeths Lacson. “Today SFIO is truly a global company with teams innovating across markets and industries. While growth is our primary focus over the next few years, our main goal has always been to create pathways to the global stage—such that the truly world-class business leaders we have across our key markets find the global opportunities they deserve, and are equipped with the knowledge, resources, and community that they need to build the futures of their industries. That is our mission at SFIO. That is our journey.” “Here at the financial heart of the world, we’re waving our banner for all hypergrowth businesses. In terms of timing, this coincides perfectly with the work we’ve been doing to bolster our presence in the United States,” he added. “We’re thrilled to be telling this story through our placements at Times Square, signaling to our team, our business ecosystem, and our community that Starfleet is blasting off.” Chief Operating Officer Mark Epifanio recently shared that SFIO’s F&B division will soon be selling its Gorgeous Coffee-brand instant coffee and Epiphany Manuka honey products in the United States through partner platforms like Amazon. As the digital ads on Times Square roll, SFIO is laying the groundwork for a brick-and-mortar entry into the US market in the near future, beginning with its flagship F&B business, Epiphany Cafe. (Advertising Supplement)

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“at a very important point” in history and that their choices “will define what our future will look like in the next six years.” The Philippines elects its new president, vice president and

senators every six years. “We hope that as we reflect and discern our choices in the next few days, we remember why and for whom we are voting for,” Felizco added. “All of us deserve bold but

humane leaders who will address our people’s challenges. We deserve a just and equal Philippines, and voting for the right candidates this May can be the first step towards this vision,” she continued. g

undocumented spouses. These payments were to keep the U.S. citizen quiet and “cooperative” until their undocumented spouse gained lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, the DOJ said. The agency would then stage weddings in chapels, parks, and other locations and hired officiants. They would stage photoshoots in front of wedding paraphernalia to include in fraudulent immigration petitions that would allegedly be sent to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the federal agency in charge of grinding LPR status. If the U.S. citizen became uncooperative during the interim before LPR status was granted, Benitez and his co-conspirators would then allegedly assist their clients with obtaining green cards under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), falsely claiming that the undocumented individuals had been abused by their American spouses, the indictment read.

Among other things, the VAWA — which was enacted in 1994 — has a special provision that allows non-citizen victims of spousal abuse to apply for LPR status without involving the spouses. “These defendants’ alleged exploitation of this system for profit is an affront to our nation’s tradition of welcoming immigrants and prospective citizens,” U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. said. “Their alleged fraudulent behavior makes things harder for the vast majority of immigrants who follow the law and respect our immigration system. Beyond that, by allegedly submitting false applications that claimed domestic abuse, these charged defendants did further harm, this time to real victims and survivors of domestic violence.” Anyone who is charged with marriage fraud is typically fined $250,000 and sentenced to up to five years in prison and three years of supervision after release. g

Several Filipinos in California charged in...

PAGE 1 a team to uphold and protect our [country’s] lawful immigration system,” said Alanna Ow, Director of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, San Diego District. “Protecting America’s promise is at the core of what we do and I’m very proud of our Fraud Detection and National Security unit for the steadfast work they do to fulfill the agency’s mission on a daily basis.” The operations were allegedly carried out of physical offices in Los Angeles, where Benitez employed the reported coconspirators as agency staff. According to the DOJ, four of the Filipinos — Pacson, Poquita, Ulan, and Valmeo — falsified and submitted tax returns and other immigration documents for the agency’s clients. Meanwhile, Ducket, Hammer, and Santos, recruited U.S. citizens who were willing to marry the agency’s clients in exchange for money — an upfront fee and monthly fees — from their

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Dateline USa

A sea of red took over the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) building in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown as over 300 Fil-Am supporters of Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte convened for a rally on Saturday, April 9. AJPress photo by Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo

Fil-Am supporters flock to HiFi for BBM-Sara... PAGE 1 president for California, told the Asian Journal at the group’s last rally in the Southern California leg, that all of their members are rooting for Bongbong Marcos and DuterteCarpio to take the next top two posts of the Philippines. “We believe that he is the most qualified and more experienced (among all the other presidential candidates) being able to serve the government as governor, congressman, and senator. To us, he’s the right person to lead our country,” Guray, who has always been an avid supporter ever since BBM ran for the vice presidency in 2016, said. According to Guray, with Marcos and Duterte-Carpio’s leadership, there would also be a continuity of programs of the present administration. “I also believe that BBM will continue the programs of President (Rodrigo) Duterte. We need to continue carrying out all these good programs and reforms of President Duterte,” Guray said. Guray said they have participated in more than 10 rallies and caravans for the Uniteam. To date, the BBM 2.0 (USA) has members in California, Las Vegas, New York, Florida, and other U.S. states. BBM 2.0 (USA) vice president for California Philip Jaramilla, for his part, believed that Marcos’ commitment to enhancing measures that would ease up doing business in the Philippines and restore investors’ confidence, has made him and his family want to vote for Marcos. Jaramilla, who owns

a biotechnology and pharmaceutical components and fabrication manufacturing company, Fluid Line Technology, said there are a lot of investors who would want to do business in the Philippines but are wary about several business obstacles such as higher taxes, corruption, peace and order, and lack of efficient supply of electricity and water. “We need a leader who would address all of these concerns in the business sector,” Jamarilla said, noting that BBM reportedly has the potential to do great in implementing key reforms in the business industry. In an earlier statement issued in reaction to the latest World Bank’s Doing Business report in 2020 where the Philippines ranked 95th, an improvement from the previous rank of 124th in 2019, Marcos was quoted as saying that “jumpstarting our economy would be a top priority for us, should we be given the mandate by the people in this year’s elections.” “It only means that businesses will need to focus on being efficient. The government can help by instituting policies that will make it easier for them to do this,” Marcos earlier said. Husband and wife Ron and Jocelyn Fernando, in an interview during the rally, said they never doubted BBM’s capability to “bring greatness back to the Philippines.” Ron works at Sync Brokerage, a boutique real estate firm with offices in Los Angeles and Miami, specializing in luxury and commercial real estate markets. “Bongbong Marcos comes

from the Marcos legend, and the (Marcos) family when it comes to politics, they are really good. I think, moving forward the Philippines will be in good shape under his helm if he wins this election,” Ron Fernando said. “Sara Duterte, with her background in Davao, I’m sure she would be a good support for Bongbong,” Fernando opined. In a video message played during the rally, Marcos thanked all his supporters in Southern California. “I would like to congratulate you and thank you for the efforts that you have done to help our campaign and to continue to spread the message of unity that is the message of our campaign. Thank you for all that you have done and until we succeed in victory,” Marcos said. Actress Jobelle Salvador, who flew in from Las Vegas, attended the rally. The rally was also done in partnership with Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) under its Philippine coordinator and former congresswoman Maite Defensor. Other rally coordinators are Uniteam overall coordinator for USA/Canada Chona Verona Lopez Galvez; BBM 2.0 (USA) vice president for Media Affairs Larry Pelayo; and Barbie Sanchez and Luzviminda Marcos, Marcos’ close relatives who are based in California. Last March, Historic Filipinotown was the site of a pink caravan for Fil-Am supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan’s bid for the presidency and vice presidency of the Philippines. (Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo/AJPress)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 14-20, 2022

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APRIL 14-20, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

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Democrats celebrate the appointment of ‘Significant’ human rights abuses were... Judge Jackson to US Supreme Court, historic diversity of Biden-Harris administration PAGE 1

PRESIDENT Joseph Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Democrats are keeping their promise to the Filipino American community because they make the difference. The president helped get America back to work, provided funding to support Asian American families and small businesses, and got kids safely back to school. He’s creating a government that looks like America. Starting at the top with the nation’s first Black and South Asian vice president, the BidenHarris administration nominated 16 Asian American federal judicial nominees, which represents 18 percent of all federal judicial nominees. President Biden has also placed Asian Americans in senior roles in the White House and the Cabinet. As Republicans stand in the way of progress for the American people, Democrats continue to fight for a diverse America and deliver results that matter. DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, DNC AAPI Caucus Chair Bel LeongHong, and DNC Women’s Caucus Chair Lottie Shackleford, issued the following joint statement regarding the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson: “History has been made. The U.S. Senate voted in a bipartisan

President Biden takes a selfie with Kentanji Brown Jackson following the news of her confirmation to the Supreme Court in the Senate on April 7. Photo courtesy of Twitter/President Biden

“When I became mayor, I made a simple promise to New Yorkers to ‘Get Stuff Done,’ and we’ve done just that over the last 100 days,” said Mayor Adams. “Since January, my administration has lived up to our promise to New Yorkers, addressing the issues that matter the most to our city’s residents, from fighting the epidemic of gun violence to giving our kids and youth access to better jobs and educational opportunities.” Among the mayor’s points that he touted were his nine-point Subway Safety Plan and his his Blueprint to End Gun Violence. The Subway Safety Plan expands response teams and mental health services, adds trained clinicians to connect people with resources, and directs New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers to

This, despite the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) insistence that the police clearly violated human rights standards, and even the PNP mandate to “serve and protect.” While U.S. acknowledged the PNP’s efforts in the cleansing program after it reported that its internal cleansing program — which led to 166 persons facing disciplinary sanctions between March and August, 2021; 75 of the 166 were dismissed from service, 48 penalized with one rank demotion, and 43 suspended — it, however, cited another incident in October when the Quezon City Regional Trial Court acquitted 19 police officers charged with killing former Albuera, Leyte Mayor Roland Espinosa inside his cell after President Duterte tagged him as a drug criminal, led by Police Superintendent Marvin Marcos. Marcos was the former chief of the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 8, who was promoted to chief of the 12th PNP Regional Office just 15 months after Espinosa’s killing, and months of senate hearings. Meanwhile, while the Congressional Committee on Appointments determines whether senior officers selected for promotion have a history of human rights breaches, the U.S. Department of State noted that this merely implies the commission can defer a promotion indefinitely if it uncovers a history of abuse. PNP refutes report Objecting to the findings of the U.S. state department, the PNP in a statement on Thursday reiterated that it had already dismissed 5,999 “errant” personnels during its

internal cleansing program from July 2016 until March 30, 2022 after facing administrative charges due to grave offenses. The PNP said that 714 of these police officers were also involved in drug related cases. It also showed that 1,129 other officers were demoted, 10,490 were suspended, 848 faced forfeiture of salary, 2,475 were reprimanded, 208 were restricted and privileges were withheld for 286 more personnel. “These numbers of penalized personnel reflect the PNP’s commitment to cleanse its ranks in order to carry out their mandate in protecting the community,” said the PNP. Because of this, the PNP said that it opposes the recent report of the U.S. Department of State. “Although we are not completely disregarding this report, the PNP would like to respond to it with all the significant accomplishments of IAS, as mentioned above,” said PNP. “It will be unfair for the PNP to be regarded as an organization that tolerates impunity and human rights abuses,” it added. The U.S. State Department’s annual report is only the latest of several reports that pointed out the flaws in the country’s human rights system, and how impunity remains rampant in the country. Just recently, on March 29, Amnesty International said that lack of accountability among perpetrators had provided the breeding ground for extrajudicial killings and human rights violations to flourish in the Philippines under the President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s drug war. g

fashion to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. In doing so, they reaffirmed what millions across the country have seen: Judge Jackson is a brilliant, graceful, experienced, fair-minded jurist who will bring much-needed perspectives to our highest court. The court would greatly benefit from the insight of a woman of color, a public defender, a judge who has served at the district and appellate levels and clerked at the Supreme Court. It is staggering that Judge Jackson embodies all those perspectives and more. Judge Jackson has shown girls

— especially girls of color — how big they can dream and just how profound an impact they can have on our nation. Her story is uniquely American. She represents the best of us and our shared values. We are grateful to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the senators who confirmed Judge Jackson for taking another important step to build a government that looks like America. Today proves once again that diverse women can accomplish anything. They can be vice president. They can shape the future of our nation. And, they can serve on the Supreme Court.” (DNC Release)

enforce MTA rules. The blueprint on the other hand refocuses the NYPD on the individuals responsible for the majority of shootings in the city and the sources of guns in the five boroughs, empowers violence interrupters, provides jobs and enrichment programming for atrisk youth, expands mental health care, and improves collaboration between the city, state, and federal government. “We have not found any live explosive devices, but the suspect in today’s attack detonated smoke bombs to cause havoc. We will not allow New Yorkers to be terrorized even by a single individual,” Mayor Adams said. In an advisory posted on its Facebook page, the Philippine Consulate General said it is monitoring developments related to the reported shooting incident

at the 36th Street Subway Station in Brooklyn that left several people wounded. The consulate is asking on kababayan to exercise extreme caution in view of the city-wide manhunt for the suspect. “Kababayan are requested to be vigilant and to take the necessary precautions as the suspect has not yet been apprehended” and “avoid the 36th Street Station in Sunset Park due to ongoing law enforcement investigation there,” according to the advisory. In a tweet, Consul General Elmer G. Cato said, “The New York City Police Department has just informed @PHinNewYork that there are no Filipinos among the at least 29 people who were reported injured in the mass shooting on the N train in Brooklyn on Tuesday MRT OPS SUSPENSION. Operations of the Metro Rail Transit are suspended from April 13 to 17, to give way to its annual preventive maintenance morning.” (Momar G. Visaya/ activities. Normal operations will resume on April 18. PNA photo by Ben Briones AJPress)

New York City subway shooting injures... PAGE 1

reported human rights abuses, including abuses by its own forces, paramilitary forces, and insurgent and terrorist groups. Concerns about police impunity continued following the increase in killings by police in 2016. Significant concerns also persisted about impunity for other security forces, civilian national and local government officials, and powerful business and commercial figures,” the U.S. stated. “The national police’s institutional deficiencies and the public perception that corruption in the police was endemic continued,” the U.S. said. “The PNP’s Internal Affairs Service remained largely ineffective.” The U.S. further cited serious problems with the independence of the judiciary; arbitrary and unlawful interference with privacy; serious abuses in a conflict; serious restrictions on free expression and media, including violence, threats of violence, and unjustified arrests or prosecutions of journalists, censorship, and the use of criminal libel laws to punish journalists; high-level and widespread government corruption; serious government restrictions on or harassment of domestic human rights organizations; and threats and violence against labor activists. It cited several reports of impunity in the country, specifically in the PNP — one of which was when the Office of the Ombudsman cleared officers from the Manila Police District of its involvement in a 2017 incident in which 12 individuals were found detained in a secret jail hidden behind a wooden bookshelf.

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 14-20, 2022

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APRIL 14-20, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Bracing for disasters JUST when people thought it was safe to travel again for the Holy Week break after two years of COVID lockdowns, the first tropical cyclone of the year hammered parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. As of late Monday afternoon, April 11, at least 22 people were reported killed in landslides and floods spawned by Tropical Depression Agaton in Baybay, Leyte, with three more fatalities reported in Monkayo, Davao de Oro and in Cateel, Davao Oriental. Thousands of ship passengers were stranded in different ports. Another cyclone was spotted on Monday afternoon approaching Mindanao, prompting Signal No. 2 to be hoisted over Surigao del Sur. Tropical Storm Basyang was expected to make landfall in Caraga region on Tuesday, April 12. The two cyclones hitting in the peak of summer provide a timely reminder about the need to prepare for this year’s typhoon season. People living in areas at high risk for landslides and torrential flooding must be prepared for rapid evacuation. This is not as simple as it sounds especially in small-scale mining areas. Sufficient facilities particularly for evacuation

and relief efforts must be in place to prevent COVID infection and outbreaks of other diseases. But local governments, which are on the front lines of disaster response, are currently distracted by the election campaign. As Agaton prepared to exit and Basyang approached on Monday, over 13,000 people affected by heavy rainfall, landslides and torrential flooding were housed in 71 evacuation centers in the Visayas and Mindanao, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The evacuation centers are mostly in school compounds. With face-to-face classes expected to resume in the next school year, and with several school facilities still being used for COVID vaccination, there will be fewer areas available to house evacuees during typhoons this year. For evacuation centers without modular tents, there must be dividers between families. Water and sanitation facilities must be adequate. Masking, distancing and hand hygiene must be strictly enforced for all ages. Authorities must ensure that disaster preparedness and response will not be neglected even as the country is preoccupied with the elections and

FEATURES

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Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective

GEL SANTOS-RELOS LENI Robredo’s humble beginnings would not give us a clue that she would one day be running for president. The eldest daughter of a Regional Trial Court judge and a teacher in Naga did not come from a rich family nor a political dynasty, nor from showbiz as many people in politics do. She and her siblings were raised in a simple frugal family that valued faith, hard work, education, integrity and service as more important than earthly riches. These were the core values that guided Leni Robredo all her life, that made her dreamt of being a lawyer like her esteemed father. And if you believe in God’s divine plan, this serendipitous meeting and convergence of the paths of Leni and Jesse Robredo in a job she took just before going to law school materialized because they both, knowingly or unknowingly, saw themselves in each other — the better self they want to be in fulfillment of their sense of purpose. Leni learned much about good and honest governance from Jesse when he was elected Mayor of Naga, while Jesse said Leni was his conscience who kept him grounded and true to his calling. This was a synergy of forces of two people driven by service for others instead of the feeling of entitlement. It was through the difficulties and challenges of their journey

Philstar.com photo

upcoming change of leadership. COVID has made

disaster response riskier and more complicated.

‘Bakit si Leni?’ She is the best candidate for president in this defining moment in our nation’s history and identity together that helped made Leni who she is. Because Jesse was not corrupt, Leni had to work part-time while being a mayor’s wife and a mother to help pay for her tuition because Jesse’s meager salary wouldn’t be enough to pay for the needs of their growing family. With her determination and tenacity, she obtained her law degree and passed the bar exams after two attempts. It was through this challenging journey that made her realize how blessed she had been to fulfill her dream to be a lawyer and keep the promise she and Jesse gave to her parents before they received their blessing for their marriage. This realization and sense of gratitude sealed Leni’s decision to use her profession not to enrich herself but instead, use her being an attorney to serve the needy and the less privileged. She did this by representing them as their lawyer working for the Public Attorney’s Office and a non-government organization to inspire and lead other young attorneys to help the poor in remote areas of the Bicol Region have access to lawyers. She also founded an NGO that empowered women to be entrepreneurs by giving them access to training and funding to help fulfill their dreams for themselves, their families and community. Jesse Robredo entered the national stage when he was

appointed Secretary of Interior and Local Government under the Noynoy Aquino Administration in 2010. However, his life was cut short by a plane crash in 2012. Mourning this sudden loss while carrying the load of raising their three daughters as a single parent, Leni was also called to continue the legacy of good and honest governance Jesse left behind, amid the grip of corrupt political practices of a family dynasty in their province. Leni Robredo ran and won a seat in Congress to represent the Third District of Camarines Sur. Her committee leadership and membership were in congruence with her lifelong advocacies: she was Vice Chairman of two committees: Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability, and Committee on Revision of Laws. She was also part of the Committee of Appropriations; Bicol Recovery and Economic Development; Climate Change; Human Rights; Land Use; Local Government; People’s Participation; Rural Development; Suffrage and Electoral Reforms; Welfare of Children; and Women and Gender Equality. She also authored and passed bills that mandates transparency and accountability in government, empowered the youth and women, teachers, and voters, as well as improved access of her constituents to better infrastructure, health care, education and justice.

Yet in 2016, she was called to serve not only her constituents in Bicol but the Filipinos all over the nation during the time that Bongbong Marcos, the son of the dictator who we ousted via the 1986 People Power, wanted to go back to power as Vice President. Leni won the VP race and the Supreme Court affirmed the legitimacy of her victory three times when Bongbong Marcos accused her of cheating and demanded for recount three times, only to lose over and over again to Leni. Had Leni not won, it would have been a DuterteMarcos government. Early on in the Duterte Administration, Leni fulfilled her constitutional duty of checks and balances, calling out Duterte for extrajudicial killings in his war on drugs. This was easily deemed as “paninira” by Duterte that has stoked his vindictive nature. He did not appoint Leni to any cabinet position, and in spite, challenged her to take charge of the war on drugs which she accepted. As her bio stated, Leni “relentlessly sought to steer the anti-illegal drug campaign to a more holistic, data-driven, and humane approach, believing that the fight against illegal drugs is not only the fight of government, but of every community and every Filipino. Leni went on to release a report, which detailed the current state of the anti-illegal

drug campaign, and the various gaps that need to be filled and proposed solutions to these”. As Leni asked for access to information pertaining to the big fish she had to run after, Duterte fired her from that job after 18 days, saying he did not trust Leni. Leni did not wait for any more appointments from Duterte to serve the people for the position she was elected to. With a very limited budget, her bio said: “Leni led the crafting of its flagship anti-poverty program, Angat Buhay – an endeavor inspired by six key advocacy areas; namely, food security and nutrition, women empowerment, education, healthcare, rural development, and housing. It has reached out to poor communities around the country, through the generosity of partner-organizations and individuals, most of whom are from the private sector.” Yes, that was the start of the “Angat Buhay Lahat’ we have been hearing about these days. Leni was also the ever-present proactive leader who helped our kababayans navigate our way through the coronavirus pandemic. Her bio stated that “despite limited resources, the Office of the Vice President launched many initiatives, through the help of many partners and donors, aimed at filling in the gaps found in terms of supporting frontliners and communities in need during

this time—from providing PPE sets, locally produced protective suits, and medical supplies to frontliners across all regions of the Philippines; to providing free shuttle service and dormitories for frontliners in Metro Manila”. The Office of the Vice President, as stated in her bio, went on to “distribute relief packs, hot meals, and other assistance to communities; helping locally stranded individuals return to their respective provinces; giving market vendors and tricycle drivers a platform to boost their livelihood anew through community marts; giving livelihood opportunities and assistance to individuals, communities, and sectors who lost their jobs and sources of income; providing distance learning support for students, teachers, and their families; promoting mass testing and vaccination efforts; and providing free medical teleconsultation services to patients, among others”. Leni and her team were also ever-present and proactive during disasters and tragedies. She was among the “first in government to visit hard-hit areas, including those in the Bicol Region and the provinces of Isabela and Cagayan. Fostering her office’s culture of swift and strategic response, alongside the Filipino Bayanihan spirit, the OVP was able to bring relief assistance to many affected

 PAGE 8

Bataan and the 1946 Rescission Act

Third Eye

RAMON FAROLAN IN the journey of life, we have two eyes that allow us to see the path ahead. We need a third eye to serve as a rear view mirror, providing us with a wide-angle perspective of the road being traveled and as English writer Dean Cavanagh put it, “In the land of the blind, the third-eyed man is king.” * * * Saturday was the 80th anniversary of the fall of Bataan. On April 9, 1942, Major General Edward King Jr., commander of PhilippineAmerican forces on the Bataan peninsula, surrendered to Japan’s 14th Army led by Lt. General Masaharu Homma. King’s forces consisted of 66,304 Filipinos and 11,706 Americans for a total of 78,010 troops. It was the largest US-led military capitulation in American history. By coincidence, it was on another 9th day of April

in 1865 that General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Confederate armies to Union General Ulysses Grant, marking the end of the US Civil War. Of the more than 78,000 troops that surrendered, some 10,000 would die during a long 100-kilometer Death March from Mariveles to San Fernando. Another 20,000 would perish due to disease, starvation, neglect and brutality while at the O’Donnell concentration camp in Capas, Tarlac. But perhaps what is less known to our people is that 350-400 Filipino officers and men of the 91st Philippine Army Division were murdered in cold blood by their captors after surrender. Known as the Pantingan River massacre, it remains the worst single atrocity to come out of the Bataan conflict. One often wonders why we commemorate the fall of Bataan. It was a defeat, plain and simple, with the larger force yielding to a numerically smaller enemy army. We are probably the only nation on earth to highlight such a significant debacle. Uncle

Sam prefers to forget the whole event, seeing it realistically as a humiliation for American military power, although a veteran’s organization in New Mexico holds an annual marathon to mark the day. Most Americans have no idea what Bataan was all about. Some connect it as the source of exotic rattan furniture from the east. Perhaps to soften the blow, we have designated the day as “Araw ng Kagitingan” or Day of Valor. And we proclaim to the world that we are commemorating not a defeat but a victory of the spirit – the spirit of courage, of heroism and bravery by honoring the memory of the men and women who gave their lives in defense of our nation and the United States. In November 2015, Rep. Gary Alejano and Rep. Francisco Acedillo, both young PMA graduates, filed House Bill no. 6242 designating Sept. 3, as the new Araw ng Kagitingan, to replace April 9. They called for a change in our mindset, urging us to remember our finest moments rather than one of our darkest hours. They believed that

our nation’s military victories “carved by blood in the pages of history should be given respect and recognition.” According to the lawmakers, Sept. 3, 1896 was the day of the Battle of Imus, “the first big battle of the Philippine Revolution that the Filipinos won and Sept. 3, 1945 was the day General Tomoyuki Yamashita, commander of Japanese forces in the Philippines, surrendered at Camp John Hay in Baguio City.” It is time to listen to the voices of a new generation. But as we continue to mark Araw ng Kagitingan in April, let me refresh our memories on the postwar experience of Filipino veterans who fought alongside US soldiers in Bataan. In July 1941, just before the start of the Pacific war, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed a directive calling on all military forces of the Philippine Commonwealth and ordering them into the service of the United States. As a Commonwealth of the United States, Filipinos were legally American nationals entitled to all the benefits afforded those

serving in the armed forces of the United States. Paradoxically, shortly after Japan surrendered, ending the war, the US Congress passed the “Rescission Act of 1946.” The Act provided that “service before July 1, 1946 in the organized military forces of the government of the commonwealth of the Philippines, while such forces were in the service of the armed forces of the United States... shall not be deemed to have been service in the military or naval forces of the United States... for the purpose of any law... conferring rights, privileges or benefits.” In short, there would be no privileges, no benefits for the Filipino veteran. As American historian Christopher Capozzola noted in his book “Bound by War:” “This was not America’s finest hour.” These lines from Rudyard Kipling come to mind: In times of war and not before God and soldier we adore But in times of peace and all things righted God is forgotten and soldier slighted.

PS: In February 2009, 64 years after World War II ended, the US Congress passed the Recovery and Re-Investment Act of 2009. The legislation provided for a one-time, lump sum payment to Filipino veterans of World War II: $15,000 each for those who were US citizens, and $9,000 for non-US citizens. How many of our veterans passed away in those 64 years? Recently, Maj. General Antonio Taguba (US Army, ret.), chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education project, called on the US Congress to act and repeal the Rescission Act of 1946, that would “repudiate the injustice these veterans have suffered for 75 years and to heal the indignation, pain and sorrow they endured over a lifetime.” (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. ••• Email: rjfarolan56@gmail.com

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Karagdagang kaalaman sa Filipino (Tagalog) ay makikita rin sa website ng Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan sa: www.clarkcountynv.gov/vote

2022 VOTE CENTERS

STATE OF NEVADA - COUNTY OF CLARK

You may now vote on Election Day at any of the 125 “Vote Centers” that will be open throughout Clark County. You no longer have to go to one specific “assigned” Election Day polling place. Instead, you may choose the most convenient Vote Center for you.

I, JOSEPH P. GLORIA, the duly appointed Registrar of Voters for the County of Clark, State of Nevada, do hereby certify that the Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on said date. Pending candidate challenges may result in a candidate not appearing on the election ballot. A list of Election Day vote centers is also included in this notice.

ELECTION DAY VOTE CENTERS FOR THE 2022 PRIMARY ELECTION ON JUNE 14, 2022

WITNESS MY HAND and SEAL this 5th day of April 2022.

EVENT TENTS: Look for the VOTE CENTER EVENT TENT in the parking lot of sites with an asterisk (*).

JOSEPH P. GLORIA Registrar of Voters

ABBREVIATIONS: HEN = Henderson ELEM. = Elementary School CTR. = Center

LIST OF CANDIDATES TO BE VOTED UPON AT THE JUNE 14, 2022 PRIMARY ELECTION CANDIDATES FOR PARTISAN OFFICES UNITED STATES SENATE SIX YEAR TERM DEMOCRATIC Cortez Masto, Catherine Kasheta, Stephanie Reid, Corey Rheinhart, Allen REPUBLICAN Brown, Sam Conrad, William “Bill” Hockstedler,William “Bill” Laxalt, Adam Paul Mendenhall, Sharelle Perkins, Tyler T. Poliak, Carlo Rodriguez, Paul REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS TWO YEAR TERM DISTRICT 1 DEMOCRATIC Titus, Dina Vilela, Amy REPUBLICAN Adams, Jane Brog, David Hardy, Cresent Robertson, Mark Serrano, Carolina Andrea Sholty, Morgun Steel, Cynthia Dianne Turner, Jessie DISTRICT 3 DEMOCRATIC Hynes, Randell “Randy” Lee, Susie REPUBLICAN Becker, April Bossert, Clark Goldberg, Albert M. Kovacs, John Malgeri, Noah V. DISTRICT 4 REPUBLICAN Black, Ann “Annie” Bonaventura, Chance Peters, Sam GOVERNOR FOUR YEAR TERM DEMOCRATIC Collins, Tom Sisolak, Steve REPUBLICAN Evans, Seven Achilles Evertsen, Gary “Radar” Gilbert, Joey Hamilton, Eddie “Mr. Fix It Now” Heck, Tom Heller, Dean Lee, John J. Lombardo, Joe Lusak, Stanleigh Harold Nohra, Guy O’Brien, Edward E. Simon, Fred Walls, William “Dock” Whitley, Amber Zilberberg, Barak LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOUR YEAR TERM DEMOCRATIC Cano Burkhead, Elizabeth “Lisa” Chase, Eva Cole, Kimi March, Debra REPUBLICAN Anthony, Stavros Grady, Jr., Walter A. “Tony” Hawkins, M. Kameron Miller, John Miller, II, Mack Pavone, Peter Schwartz, Dan SECRETARY OF STATE FOUR YEAR TERM REPUBLICAN Dahir, Kristopher Gerhardt, John Cardiff Haw, Jesse Keenan, Socorro Marchant, Jim Ramalho, Gerard Scotti, Richard STATE TREASURER FOUR YEAR TERM REPUBLICAN Fiore, Michele Kess, Emanuel “Manny” STATE CONTROLLER FOUR YEAR TERM DEMOCRATIC Costa, Alex Spiegel, Ellen ATTORNEY GENERAL FOUR YEAR TERM DEMOCRATIC Ford, Aaron D. Mackie, Stuart REPUBLICAN Black, Tisha Chattah, Sigal STATE SENATE FOUR YEAR TERM DISTRICT 2 REPUBLICAN Gomez, David Henderson, Leo Pellegrino, Peter DISTRICT 8 REPUBLICAN Dowden, Joshua Fawzy, Jennifer Gordon, Jeff Mann, Kevin Mourey, Raja Paulos, Joey Schmitz, John “Johnny” Shaffer, Mark DISTRICT 9 REPUBLICAN Brown, Tina Peetris, Tina M. DISTRICT 10 DEMOCRATIC Absher, Jack “JT” Donate, Fabian DISTRICT 12 DEMOCRATIC Guzman, Lisa Pazina, Julie Ann REPUBLICAN Arndt, April Arrington, Cherlyn DISTRICT 21 DEMOCRATIC Alvidrez, Jacqueline Ohrenschall, James STATE ASSEMBLY TWO YEAR TERM DISTRICT 1 REPUBLICAN Brinkley, Garland Lee Clendenen, Matthew Dyer, Chris DISTRICT 2 REPUBLICAN Gomez, Erin Kasama, Heidi DISTRICT 3 DEMOCRATIC Clark, LaJuana D. Torres, Selena Elizabeth DISTRICT 5 REPUBLICAN Hedrick, Alan Quinn, Kelly DISTRICT 8 REPUBLICAN Kintigh, Claudia Maria Logan, Jenann Martinez, Patty DISTRICT 9 REPUBLICAN Fleming, Ryan Patrick Gonzalez, John DISTRICT 11 REPUBLICAN Fernandez, Bernadine “Lanihau” Krattiger, Eric Suval, Charles P. DISTRICT 12 DEMOCRATIC Camejo, Abraham Spencer Carter, II, Max E. Casino, Angelo REPUBLICAN Bolliger, David Clai, Rodolfo “Rudy”

Larsen, Flemming Rojas, Al Williams, Kevin DISTRICT 13 DEMOCRATIC Andrews, Daniel Olivas, Hanna Rucker, Will REPUBLICAN Delisle, Steven Hibbetts, Brian Miller, Vem Weiss, Nancy Lee DISTRICT 14 DEMOCRATIC Fennell, II, James M. Mosca, Erica DISTRICT 15 DEMOCRATIC Greenwood, Kyle Watts, Howard DISTRICT 16 DEMOCRATIC González, Cecelia Short, Chuck REPUBLICAN Donlon, Benjamin Holder, Jesse “Jake” Van Houten, Greg DISTRICT 19 REPUBLICAN De La Paz, Charlie Nicole Groves, Amy L. Swanson, Gerald Yurek, Thaddeus, “Toby” DISTRICT 20 DEMOCRATIC Marsh, Trish Orentlicher, David DISTRICT 21 REPUBLICAN Petrick, Jon S. Puaina, Rachel Agatep Quilang, Ron Q. DISTRICT 23 REPUBLICAN Ashurst, Denise E. Gallant, Danielle Lier, Dan DISTRICT 28 DEMOCRATIC Bautista, Aaron Bowen, Antonio D’Silva, Reuben Rivera, Cindi L. DISTRICT 29 DEMOCRATIC Cohen, Lesley Elizabeth Dalia, Joe REPUBLICAN Knightly, Rhonda Thomas, Natalie DISTRICT 34 REPUBLICAN Butler, Stacy Churchwell, Shannon Lim, Mary DISTRICT 35 REPUBLICAN Connors, Julie Jones, Tiffany DISTRICT 36 REPUBLICAN Hafen, II, Gregory T. Sadler, Matt DISTRICT 37 REPUBLICAN Deaville, Jacob Flippo, David Hansen, Al DISTRICT 41 REPUBLICAN Bodine, Paul Reyes, Guadalupe Rittenbaugh, Tawny C. Slater, James “Neil” DISTRICT 42 DEMOCRATIC Brown-May, Tracy Zaidi, Sayed REPUBLICAN Facey, Edward “Eddie” Ivanoff, Katrin “Mrs. Fix It” COUNTY COMMISSION FOUR YEAR TERM DISTRICT E DEMOCRATIC Macias, Jacob “Jake” Segerblom, “Tick” REPUBLICAN Ayala, Dennis Rider, Jon DISTRICT F REPUBLICAN Campion, Mike Johnson, Drew Ovnik, John Waltho, Jenna DISTRICT G REPUBLICAN Mitchell, Billy Ludwig, Joe DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOUR YEAR TERM DEMOCRATIC Fumo, Osvaldo “Ozzie” Wolfson, Steve COUNTY RECORDER FOUR YEAR TERM DEMOCRATIC Cain, Hunter Conway, Debbie REPUBLICAN Drake, Traci Evans, John COUNTY TREASURER FOUR YEAR TERM DEMOCRATIC Cain, Jaeden Diaz, J. “Ken” Hosea, Gary M. O’Sullivan, Kenneth “Sully” REPUBLICAN Child, Kevin L. De Castro, Reuel A. Marshall-Lang, Mary Tracy, Mitchell T. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR FOUR YEAR TERM DEMOCRATIC Escobar, Caroline Reid, Rita Page Telles, Rob REPUBLICAN Brown, Patsy Casale, Patrick CANDIDATES FOR NONPARTISAN OFFICES REGENT, STATE UNIVERSITY SIX YEAR TERM DISTRICT 6 Brown, Heather Catarata, Karl Dakduk, Jeanine Manwill, Brandin S. DISTRICT 7 Brager, Susan Crete, David “Coach” Ivy, M.J. Le, Hieu Nagy, Aury DISTRICT 8 Baltera, Jonathan Crawford, Michelee “Shelly” Manfredi, Aaron Porter, Elmer Rice, John Patrick Smith, Stacy DISTRICT 13 Bandiero, Jennifer M. Goodman, Stephanie Moran, John TRUSTEE, CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL FOUR YEAR TERM DISTRICT D Cepeda, Irene Conger, Steven Elliott,Tavorra Romero, Fernando Zamora, Brenda DISTRICT F Bey, Jamil Bustamante Adams, Irene Calhoun, Jay “Coach” Coram, David Ford, Danielle MacCaul, Liam Miller, Kali Fox

Musemici, Tammi Neely, Erica “Mama Neely” Vicario, Tim DISTRICT G Carlo, John “JC” Cavazos, Linda P. Freels, Kenneth “KC” Giovanni, Dominick Larosa, Adam A. Summers, Charles R. “Chuck” Wieman, Greg SHERIFF FOUR YEAR TERM Andersch, Justin Ayoob, Salem Hyt, Stan Javornicky, Michael “Doc” McMahill, Kevin Roberts, Tom Wilkinson, Thomas CITY OF BOULDER CITY MAYOR FOUR YEAR TERM Hardy, Joe McManus, Kiernan Vece, Tanya CITY OF BOULDER CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AT LARGE FOUR YEAR TERM VOTE FOR NOT MORE THAN TWO Adams, James Howard Booth, Cokie Hess, Rose Marie McNay, Valerie J. Walton, Steve CITY OF HENDERSON MAYOR FOUR YEAR TERM Dison, Drew A. Ficadenti, Frank Romero, Michelle CITY OF HENDERSON CITY COUNCIL WARD III FOUR YEAR TERM Cox, Carrie Nash, Trish Niland, John “Jack” Perns, Doug Rice, Steve Tyson, Jodi CITY OF HENDERSON MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE SIX YEAR TERM DEPARTMENT 2 Coates, Andrew Cooley, Jeremy Durham, Benjamin CITY OF LAS VEGAS COUNCILMAN WARD 2 FOUR YEAR TERM Bigelow, Alan Bradshaw, Jeff McWhorter, Ronald Seaman, Victoria Smith, Erika “Doc Smith” Tomko, Mike CITY OF LAS VEGAS COUNCILMAN WARD 4 FOUR YEAR TERM Allen-Palenske, Francis Beers, Bob Flank, Brenda Plummer, Robert J. CITY OF LAS VEGAS COUNCILMAN WARD 6 FOUR YEAR TERM Anderson, Luke R. Brune, Nancy Casey, Paul I. DeSalvio, Lou Dillie, David Passalacqua, Matt Spencer, Ray CITY OF LAS VEGAS MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE SIX YEAR TERM DEPARTMENT 6 Dows, Angela Giordani, Kelly CITY OF MESQUITE COUNCILMEMBER SEAT 4 FOUR YEAR TERM Dutkowski, Karen L. Schiring, Cathy Walters, Kim Wanlass, Paul CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS MAYOR FOUR YEAR TERM Addison, III, Jesse Atkins, Nathan Bouchard, Gary Goynes-Brown, Pamela A. Perkins, Laura E. Spearman, Pat Taylor, Robert “Twixx” CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS COUNCIL MEMBER WARD 1 FOUR YEAR TERM Barrón, Isaac E. Eliason, Lance Robert CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS COUNCIL MEMBER WARD 3 FOUR YEAR TERM Black, Scott Jackson, Jovan Mitchell, Mario CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE DEPARTMENT 1 TWO YEAR TERM Lee, Chris MacArthur, Jonathan CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE DEPARTMENT 2 SIX YEAR TERM Gunnell, Jason Ketter, Courtney CONSTABLE, BUNKERVILLE TOWNSHIP FOUR YEAR TERM Haviland, Jace Jensen, Chad K. Laub, Erik CONSTABLE, GOODSPRINGS TOWNSHIP FOUR YEAR TERM Darrel, Lyal S. Rogers, Gary P. Trybul, Kristina CONSTABLE, HENDERSON TOWNSHIP FOUR YEAR TERM Taylor, Kenny CONSTABLE, MESQUITE TOWNSHIP FOUR YEAR TERM Thurston, Duane L. CONSTABLE, MOAPA TOWNSHIP FOUR YEAR TERM Jensen, Joshua Reagan CONSTABLE, MOAPA VALLEY TOWNSHIP FOUR YEAR TERM Dimick, Vernon R. Empey, Bret Duane Harding, Mark G. Jensen, Jacob C. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE LAS VEGAS TOWNSHIP SIX YEAR TERM DEPARTMENT 3 Letizia, Harmony DEPARTMENT 4 Saragosa, Melissa A. DEPARTMENT 6 Gonzalez, Bill Goodey, Jessica Hibbetts, Tracy Massey, Augusta DEPARTMENT 7 Berkley, Max Rinetti, Dena Wilson, Amy DEPARTMENT 9 Bonaventure, Joe Brouwers, Shana Selene Chio, Danielle “Pieper” DEPARTMENT 14 Chelini, Amy “JoAnne” DEPARTMENT 16 Botelho, Agnes Montebon Romero, Vincent James John Wood, Nadia Zarcone, Justin JUSTICE OF THE PEACE LAS VEGAS TOWNSHIP TWO YEAR UNEXPIRED TERM DEPARTMENT 10 Demonte, Noreen Dotson, Cybill Ginn, Vincent “Vinny” Karris, Mark

LV = Las Vegas J.H.S. = Junior High School

NLV = North Las Vegas MID. SCH. = Middle School

NAME

ADDRESS

NAME

ADDRESS

ALIANTE LIBRARY

2400 W. Deer Springs Wy., NLV 89084

MANNION, JACK AND TERRY MID. SCH.

155 E. PARADISE HILLS DR., HEN 89002

ALLEN, DEAN ELEM.

8680 W. Hammer Ln., LV 89149

MARTIN, ROY MID. SCH.

200 N. 28th St., LV 89101

ARROYO MARKET SQUARE, NEAR THE MEN’S WAREHOUSE*

6930 Arroyo Crossing Pkwy., LV 89113

MCDONIEL, ESTES ELEM.

1831 Fox Ridge Dr., HEN 89014

BAILEY, SISTER ROBERT JOSEPH ELEM.

4525 Jimmy Durante Bl., LV 89122

MEADOWS MALL, NEAR ROUND1, 1ST FLOOR

4300 Meadows Ln., LV 89107

MENDOZA, JOHN ELEM.

2000 S. Sloan Ln., LV 89142

BAILEY, WILLIAM H. MID. SCH.

2500 N. Hollywood Bl., LV 89156

150 N. Yucca St., Mesquite 89027

BASS, JOHN ELEM.

10377 Rancho Destino Rd., LV 89183

MESQUITE JIMMY HUGHES CAMPUS, SUITE 1 MILLER, BOB MID. SCH.

2400 Cozy Hill Cir., HEN 89052

MIRABELLI COMMUNITY CTR.

6200 Hargrove Ave., LV 89107

MOAPA COMMUNITY CTR.

1340 E. State Hwy., 168 Moapa 89025

MOAPA TRIBAL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

1 Lincoln St., Moapa 89025

MOAPA VALLEY COMMUNITY CTR.

320 N. Moapa Valley Bl., Overton 89040

MOLASKY, IRWIN AND SUSAN MID. SCH.

7801 W. Gilmore Ave., LV 89129

MONACO, MARIO C. & JOANN MID. SCH.

1870 N. Lamont St., LV 89115

MOORE, WILLIAM ELEM.

491 N. Lamb Bl., LV 89110

MOUNTAIN SHADOWS COMMUNITY CTR.

9107 Del Webb Bl., LV 89134

MOUNTAIN EDGE REGIONAL PARK, PARKING LOT*

8101 W. Mountain Edge Pkwy., LV 89178

NELLIS CORSSING SHOPPING CENTER, NEAR TARGET*

1250 S. Nellis Blvd., LV 89104

OBER, D’VORRE & HAL ELEM.

3035 Desert Marigold Ln., LV 89135

O'CALLAGHAN, MIKE MID. SCH.

1450 Radwick Dr., LV 89110

O'ROARKE, THOMAS J. ELEM.

8455 O'Hare Rd., LV 89143

BLUE DIAMOND CROSSING SHOPPING CTR.*

4100 Blue Diamond Rd., LV 89139

BOULDER CITY RECREATION CTR.

900 Arizona St., Boulder City 89005

BOULEVARD MALL, NEAR GALAXY THEATERS

3528 S. Maryland Pkwy., LV 89169

BOZARTH, HENRY & EVELYN ELEM.

7431 Egan Crest Dr., LV 89166

BRIDGER, JIM MID. SCH.

2505 N. Bruce St., NLV 89030

BROWN, B. MAHLON J.H.S.

307 Cannes St., HEN 89015

BUNKERVILLE COMMUNITY CTR.

200 W. Virgin St., Bunkerville, 89007

BURKHOLDER, LYAL MID. SCH.

355 W. Van Wagenen St., HEN 89015

CADWALLADER, RALPH L. MID. SCH.

7775 Elkhorn Rd., LV 89131

CAMBRIDGE RECREATION CTR.

3930 Cambridge St., LV 89119

CANARELLI, LAWR. AND HEIDI MID. SCH.

7808 S. Torrey Pines Dr., LV 89139

CASHMAN, JAMES MID. SCH.

4622 W. Desert Inn Rd., LV 89102

CENTENNIAL CENTER, NEAR HOME DEPOT*

7881 W. Tropical Pkwy., LV 89149

CLARK COUNTY BUILDING DEPARTMENT

4701 W. Russell Rd., LV 89118

PARADISE COMMUNITY CTR.

4775 McLeod Dr., LV 89121

CLARK COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS-FINE ARTS

1301 Whipple Ave., Logandale 89021

PARKDALE RECREATION AND SENIOR CTR.

3200 Ferndale St., LV 89121

COLEMEN, CORA SENIOR CTR.

2100 Bonnie Ln., LV 89156

PEARSON, DR. WILLIAM U. COMMUNITY CTR.

1625 W. Carey Ave., NLV 89032

CONNERS, EILEEN ELEM

3810 Shadow Peak Dr., LV 89129

RAINBOW LIBRARY

3150 N. Buffalo Dr., LV 89128

CORONADO HIGH SCHOOL

1001 Coronado Center Dr., HEN 89052

RANCHO HIGH SCHOOL

1900 Searles Ave., LV 89101

REED, DORIS ELEM.

2501 Winwood St., LV 89108

CORTNEY, FRANCIS H. MID.SCH.

5301 E. Hacienda Ave., LV 89122

600 S. Grand Central Pkwy., LV 89106

COX, DAVID ELEM.

280 Clark Dr., HEN 89074

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (RTC)

CRAM, BRIAN AND TERI MID. SCH.

1900 W. Deer Springs Wy., NLV 89084

SAHARA WEST LIBRARY

9600 W. Sahara Ave., LV 89117

DEER SPRING TOWN CENTER, NEAR HOME DEPOT*

640 E. Deer Springs Wy., NLV 89084

SANDY VALLEY SCHOOL

1420 Pearl Ave., Sandy Valley 89019

DERFELT, HERBERT ELEM.

SAVILLE, ANTHONY MID. SCH.

8101 N. Torrey Pines Dr., LV 89131

1900 S. Lisa Ln., LV 89117 8275 Spring Mountain Rd., LV 89117

SAWYER, GRANT MID. SCH.

5450 Redwood St., LV 89118

DESERT BREEZE COMMUNITY CTR.

SCHOFIELD, JACK L. MID. SCH.

8625 Spencer St., LV 89123

DESERT OASIS HIGH SCHOOL

6600 W. Erie Ave., LV 89141

SCHORR, STEVE ELEM.

11420 Placid St., LV 89183

DESERT VISTA COMMUNITY CTR.

10360 Sun City Bl., LV 89134

SEARCHLIGHT COMMUNITY CTR.

200 M. Wendell Wy., Searchlight 89046

DETWILER, OLLIE ELEM.

1960 Ferrel St., LV 89106

SEDWAY, MARVIN MID. SCH.

3465 Englestad St., NLV 89032

DOOLEY, JOHN ELEM.

1940 Chickasaw Dr., HEN 89015

SHADOW RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

5050 Brent Ln., LV 89131

DOOLITTLE COMMUNITY CTR.

1950 J St., LV 89106

9869 S. Eastern Ave., LV 89183

ELIZONDO, RAUL ELEM.

4865 Goldfield St., NLV 89031

SILVERADO RANCH PLAZA, NEAR PETSMART*

FAISS, WILBUR AND THERESA MID. SCH.

9525 W. Maule Ave., LV 89148

SOLERA ANTHEM COMMUNITY CTR.

2401 Somersworth Dr., HEN 89044

FINE, MARK L. ELEM.

6635 Cougar Ave., LV 89139

STEVENS, JOSH ELEM.

550 Dave Wood Circle, HEN 89011

FORBUSS, ROBERT L. ELEM.

8601 S. Grand Canyon Dr., LV 89148

STUPAK COMMUNITY CTR.

251 W. Boston Ave., LV 89102

FRENCH, DORIS ELEM.

3235 E. Hacienda Ave., LV 89120

SUN CITY ANTHEM COMMUNITY CTR.

2450 Hampton Rd., HEN 89052

GALLERIA AT SUNSET, KOHL’S COURT, 1ST FL.

1300 W. Sunset Rd., HEN 89014

2020 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy., HEN 89012

GALLOWAY, FAY ELEM.

701 Skyline Rd., HEN 89015

SUN CITY MACDONALD RANCH COMMUNITY CTR.

GOOLSBY, JUDY AND JOHN ELEM.

11175 W. Desert Inn Rd., LV 89135

SUN CITY MESQUITE

1350 Flat Top Mesa Dr., Mesquite 89034

GRAY, R. GUILD ELEM.

2825 S. Torrey Pines Dr., LV 89146

SWAINSTON, THERON MID. SCH.

3500 W. Gilmore Ave., NLV 89032

GUINN, KENNY C. MID. SCH.

4150 S. Torrey Pines Dr., LV 89103

TARKANIAN, LOIS AND JERRY MID. SCH.

5800 W. Pyle Ave., LV 89141

HAYES, KEITH AND KAREN ELEM.

9620 W. Twain Ave., LV 89147

TARR, SHEILA ELEM.

9400 W. Gilmore Ave., LV 89129

HERITAGE PARK SENIOR FACILITY

TOBLER, R. E. ELEM.

6510 Buckskin Ave., LV 89108

300 Racetrack Rd., HEN 89015

HISTORIC FIFTH ST. SCHOOL

401 S. 4th St., LV 89101

TOWN SQUARE LAS VEGAS, NEAR AMC THEATERS*

6605 S. Las Vegas Blvd., LV 89119

HOLLYWOOD RECREATION CTR.

1650 S. Hollywood Bl., LV 89142

TROPICANA BELTWAY CENTER, NEAR MOLLY’S*

5120 S. Fort Apache Rd., LV 89148

INDIAN SPRINGS COMMUNITY CTR.

715 W. Gretta Ln., Indian Springs 89018

VASSILIADIS, BILLY & ROSEMARY ELEM.

215 Antelope Ridge Dr., LV 89138

JOHNSON, WALTER MID. SCH.

7701 Ducharme Ave., LV 89145

VEGAS VERDES ELEM.

4000 El Parque Ave., LV 89102

KELLER, DUANE MID. SCH.

301 N. Fogg St., LV 89110

VETERANS MEMORIAL LEISURE CTR.

101 N. Pavilion Center Dr., LV 89144

KESTERSON, LORNA ELEM.

231 Bailey Island Dr., HEN 89074

WALNUT COMMUNITY CTR.

3075 N. Walnut Rd., LV 89115

KING, MARTHA ELEM.

888 Adams Bl., Boulder City 89005

WARD, GENE ELEM.

1555 E. Hacienda Ave., LV 89119

KNUDSON, K. O. MID. SCH.

2400 Atlantic St., LV 89104

WHITNEY COMMUNITY CTR.

5712 Missouri Ave., LV 89122

LAKE, ROBERT ELEM.

2904 Meteoro St., LV 89109

WIENER, LOUIS JR. ELEM.

450 E. Eldorado Ln., LV 89123

LAUGHLIN LIBRARY

2840 S. Needles Hwy., Laughlin 89028

WILLIAMS, WENDELL ELEM.

1030 J St., LV 89106

LAWRENCE, CLIFFORD J.H.S.

4410 S. Juliano Rd., LV 89147

3130 McLeod Dr., LV 89121

LEAVITT, JUSTICE MYRON MID. SCH.

4701 Quadrel St., LV 89129

WINCHESTER DONDERO CULTURAL CTR.

LONG, WATER V. ELEM.

2000 S. Walnut Rd., LV 89104

WOLFE, EVA ELEM.

4027 W. Washburn Rd., NLV 89031

LOWE’S - CRAIG / LOSEE, PARKING LOT*

2570 E. Craig Rd., LV 89030

WOODBURY, C. W. MID. SCH.

3875 E. Harmon Ave., LV 89121

LVAC LAS VEGAS ATHLETIC CLUB-NORTH PARKING LOT*

6050 N. Decatur Bl., NLV 89030

WOODBURY, C. W. MID. SCH.

3875 E. Harmon Ave., LV 89121

LVAC LAS VEGAS ATHLETIC CLUBNORTHWEST PARKING LOT*

1725 N. Rainbow Bl., LV 89108

MACK, NATE ELEM.

3170 Laurel Ave., HEN 89014

MANCH, J. E. ELEM.

4351 N. Lamont St., LV 89115

DATED APRIL 5, 2022

JOSEPH P. GLORIA Registrar of Voters PUB: April 8 and 15, 2022 Las Vegas Asian Journal

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APRIL 14-20, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

Marcos widens lead – survey by Catherine

S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENTIAL frontrunner Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has kept his huge lead in the presidential race, favored by a majority of respondents in this month's Kalye Surveys. Based on the tabulation conducted nationwide from April 1 to 10 with 3,000 respondents, Marcos was the runaway winner with almost 62 percent preference shares. At a very distant second was his closest rival, Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo, who got 18.4 percent. Based on the tabulation conducted nationwide from April 1 to 10 with 3,000 respondents, Marcos was the runaway winner with almost 62 percent preference shares. At a very distant second was his closest rival, Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo, who got 18.4 percent. Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and Sen. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao were statistically tied in third to fifth place with 6.5 percent, 5 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively. SPLAT Communications, the information and statistical data provider that works jointly with consulting firm Simplified Strategic Solutions to produce the Kalye Survey summaries, said that with only 27 days to go before the elections, the game is practically over considering Marcos' 43.6 percent vote lead. "That is far more than an avalanche and a tsunami combined. Imagine leading by nearly 24 million votes with 28 days left before the elections. We are reiterating this — game over, game over, game over," SPLAT said in a statement. "The UniTeam of BBM and Inday Sara Duterte will be elected with majority preference shares. Their winning margins will go down in history as the most dominant victory in the history of Philippine

national elections," it added. Based on the same data, SPLAT warned that the remaining 27 days will be difficult for Robredo as her camp will have to race against time to entice more supporters. "Now it gets much worse for the second-ranked candidate in the remaining 28 days before the elections. Her campaigns need to convert approximately 855,494 voters per day," it said. Based on the survey, Robredo trailed Marcos even in the regional cluster that included her supposed bailiwick. In South Luzon, composed of the regions Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), and Bicol, Marcos got 46.8 percent preference shares while Robredo got 21.6 percent. Even if all the undecided in the said regional cluster chose her, the total will still be 13.2 percent less than Marcos' preference shares, it said. Marcos' spokesman Victor Rodriguez acknowledged the lead but cautioned against complacency. "We entreat our supporters, volunteers and campaigners to refrain from complacency and remain [focused] in achieving our common target of 70-percent presidential preference mark," Rodriguez said in a statement. "We shall not rest until the 70-percent preference survey polls position is attained, until every vote is counted and the aspirations of the Filipino people become a reality," he added. Marcos said that the endorsement of One Cebu Party brought him closer to securing the country's top post. One Cebu Party, the dominant local political party in the most vote-rich province of Cebu, on Tuesday announced its support for Marcos. The former senator, during the signing of the alliance agreement between the UniTeam and One Cebu Party, thanked Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and the rest of

the party for their support. This declaration completes One Cebu's endorsement for the UniTeam tandem of Marcos and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. "If you remember one event few months ago I teased you nandito kaming dalawa ni (I was here with) Inday Sara and I remember I said, 'Hindi kami aalis dito hanggang narinig na natin ang iyong matamis na oo (We're not leaving here until we hear you say yes)," Marcos said. "I whispered to the [House] Majority Floor Leader [Rep. Martin Romualdez], and I said 'Sumama sa atin 'yung One Cebu, sumama sa atin 'yung Cebu Island, may pag-asa na tayong manalo' (One Cebu has joined us, Cebu Island has joined us, we have a chance to win)," he added. Marcos announced that part of his priority program is environment protection and preservation. "Nature has its rights that should be protected. It should be allowed to flourish, reproduce and attain its abundance side by side with human civilization in perfect balance and harmony with our growing communities," he said. "We should do this if we want to safeguard the most vulnerable members of our society from the onslaught of natural calamities." Among his programs is to create the Department of Disaster Resilience. He added that promoting reforestation and pushing for stricter anti-illegal logging law will also be prioritized by his administration. In mining, Marcos said he will implement a collaborative relationship with all stakeholders to make sure that it will not be abused and it will bolster economic recovery. He also plans to create the Department of Water and Resources Management to make sure that clean and potable water is available to all. Marcos added he will also focus on solid waste management including "waste to energy programs." n

‘Bakit si Leni?’ She is the best candidate... PAGE 6 communities and, eventually, also start rehabilitation efforts through the BAHAYanihan housing initiative”. Leni has said in interviews before that she had no plans of running for the presidency. This had to change when Bongbong Marcos announced he was running for president. Leni had a long talk with her daughters who wished they would just all live a normal life. “Paano na ang sinimulan ni Papa,” was Leni’s response, thinking of the legacy of her husband, and the calling in her own life that was begging to be heeded. She knew she was able to beat Bongbong in 2016. She knew she had to step in faith and do what she can to save our democracy from the Marcos family’s culture of corruption and impunity. And so VP Leni Robredo ran for president and selected Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan to be her vice president. Both of them have lived their lives as true public servants with no history of corruption and moral turpitude. In fact, the Commission on Audit has given the OVP “an unqualified opinion — considered the highest rating from state auditors — for its financial reports in 2018, 2019, and 2020”. This is important because Leni and Kiko are running on

EMPLOYMENT

the promise of transforming the corruption-plagued government into “gobyernong tapat”, and leadership by example is of paramount importance to deliver on this promise -- Transparency, accountability and participative government of the people, by the people for the people. Leni and Kiko know they need to win back the trust of the people in the government to empower them and help bring out the best in them, reminding us citizens that we all are the answers to our prayers for as long as we all work together for the greater good, abiding by the rule of law, lifting each other up, especially the poor and the marginalized people of society. The Robredo-Pangilinan team offers a platform that will give opportunities to all Filipinos to uplift our families from poverty through health care, education, and equal opportunities for all, and not just for the rich and well connected. Leni would tell her supporters in campaign rallies that should she be given the privilege of serving them as President, to not be afraid to speak up and call her out if she has not been governing according to what she promised, according to the oath she would be taking as president, without fear of retaliation. In this campaign we have seen Leni and Kiko inspire hope in people, bring out volunteerism

and the mindset of how we all can contribute according to our gifts and talents to help each other and lift each other up for the good of the country. “Gobyernong tapat”. This elusive dream will be a reality. We have the best candidates, the best public servants that our country needs so badly to help transform not only the government but us, the Filipino people, to be the citizens who deserve the government we have been praying for. We will use the power of our vote to make Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan lead us toward a brighter, better, stronger Philippines. With the victory of Leni and Kiko in the polls on May 9, the Philippines wins. The Filipinos win. Indeed,” kulay rosas ang bukas”. ***

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989. She was a news anchor, TV host and radio commentator and public service host for ABS- CBN and DZMM. She is now working on her advocacies independently, serving the Filipino audience using different media platforms. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@ icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos. Also on Twitter, Instagram: Gel Santos Relos

EMPLOYMENT

FEWER TRAVELERS. Fewer passengers are seen at the check-in counter of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Wednesday, April 13. Transportation Secretary Art Tugade earlier checked the situation at the airport as passengers booked their flights to the provinces for the Holy Week. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

VP Leni Robredo gets backing of more celebs; influencers snubbed during house-to-house drive by Gabriel

Pabico lalu, ToneTTe orejas Inquirer.net

MANILA — While more celebrities have come out to endorse Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential candidacy in the run-up to the May 9 polls, some influencers volunteering for her house-to-house campaign have hit some snags as some residents gave them the cold shoulder. On Tuesday, April 12, at least three celebrities have openly announced support for Robredo’s bid — former child actress Camille Prats, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, and Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza — adding to the already long list of actors, actresses, and other well-known personalities backing the Vice President. Wurtzbach, who just finished casting her vote in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, said in an Instagram post that it felt good to vote, knowing that she is finally making her stand public. “As a first-time voter, I must say that it felt so good to vote today. Emotional actually. May halong excitement & relief that I finally took my stand. Shading that little black dot felt like I was finally making a choice towards our future. I know I’m only 1 person. Only 1 vote out of millions but

every vote counts,” she said. “Today, I am even prouder to have voted for Leni to be our next President. I’m sharing this with you dahil naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ng isang babae. Naniniwala ako at naninindigan ako para kay Leni,” she added. Prats, meanwhile, said she only made her political choices public now because she gave much thought to her decision since the election is “our chance to make things right for our country.” “Today, I am taking a stand. For my children’s future and for every Filipino child and family who dream of having a better chance at life. Na araw-araw nating inilalaban at araw-araw ding pinagkakait ng pagkakataon at ng panahon. This is our chance to make things right for our country,” she said. “Bakit ngayon lang? Matagal ko po itong pinag-isipan at pinagaralan. Hindi padalus-dalos lang ng sumabay sa uso. Ako po ay tumatayo para sa ating bansa bilang isang mamamayan na nagmamahal sa ating bayan at mga kababayan. Sa gobyernong tapat, lahat tayo ay aangat. Ma’am @bise_leni gabayan po kayo ng Diyos sa inyong mga hangarin para sa ating bayan,” she added. As for Versoza, she shared a post of her wearing a pink crop top, which she captioned by using a hashtag attributed to Robredo – #LetLeniLead.

Snubbed Amid these developments, influencers who tagged along with the Robredo team’s house-tohouse campaign were not warmly welcomed by some residents supporting a different candidate. In a video shared by celebrity wedding photographer and videographer Jason Magbanua, several influencers like Kerwin King, Mela Habijan, Inah Evans, Renz Saavedra, Arman Ferrer, Joy Barcoma, Krissy Achino, and Enzo Almario narrated their experiences in doing house-to-house visits in hopes of attracting more voters for Robredo and her running mate, vice presidential candidate Senator Francis Pangilinan. According to Habijan, who was crowned Miss Trans Global in 2020, a woman tore the RobredoPangilinan leaflet she gave her at the Balintawak Market. Evans, meanwhile, said that some supporters of a particular presidential bet slammed their doors when they tried to engage them in a conversation. “It’s okay. Masaya na rin ako dahil naipakilala ko si VP Leni sa mga tao,” she said. “Medyo struggling kapag BBM sila pero masaya pa rin kumatok,” Evans added. Still, the volunteers remain positive about Robredo’s chances given that a lot of people have listened intently to their messages about the Leni-Kiko tandem. n

Death toll from Philippines landslides, floods hits 115 ABUYOG — The death toll from landslides and flooding in the Philippines triggered by tropical storm Megi hit 115 on Thursday, official figures showed, as more bodies were found in mud-caked villages. Scores of people are still missing and feared dead after the strongest storm to strike the archipelago nation this year dumped heavy rain over several days, forcing tens of thousands into evacuation centres. In the central province of Leyte -- the worst affected by Megi -- devastating landslides smashed farming and fishing communities, wiping out houses and transforming the landscape. The disaster-prone region is regularly ravaged by storms -- including a direct hit from Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 -- with scientists warning they are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer because of human-driven climate change. Emergency personnel in Abuyog municipality have retrieved dozens of bodies from a coastal village

destroyed by a landslide on Tuesday. At least 26 people were killed and around 150 are missing, authorities said, with little hope of finding anyone else alive. Many of those who died had hiked up the mountain to avoid flash floods, villagers told AFP. "It sounded like a helicopter," said Pilar councillor Anacleta Canuto, 44, describing the noise made by the landslide. Canuto and her husband and their two children survived, but they lost at least nine relatives. Pilar fisherman Santiago Dahonog, 38, said he rushed into the sea with two siblings and a nephew as the landslide hurtled towards them. "We got out of the house, ran to the water and started swimming," he told AFP. "I was the only survivor." Another 86 people were killed and dozens injured in vegetable, rice and coconut-growing villages around Baybay City last weekend, local authorities said. At least 117

SERVICES

are still missing. The hardest hit was Kantagnos where 32 people died and 103 have not been found. In the nearby village of Bunga, 17 people perished when a wave of sodden soil swept down a hill and slammed into the riverside community. Only a few rooftops are visible in the mud. Three people also drowned on the main southern island of Mindanao, the national disaster agency said in its latest update. Another three deaths previously reported in the central province of Negros Oriental were dropped from the tally after they were found to be unrelated to the storm. Megi came four months after a super typhoon devastated swathes of the country, killing more than 400 and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. The Philippines -- ranked among the most vulnerable nations to the impacts of climate change -- is hit by an average of 20 storms every year. (Philstar.com with reports from AFP)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 14-20, 2022

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Ninety percent of the valley’s water comes from Lake Mead.

The numbers make it clear. Southern Nevada’s water is analyzed more than 300,000 times a year, treated and monitored 24/7 by a team of scientists, engineers, and technical experts. All to ensure your water meets or surpasses the highest quality standards. For objective water quality information and FREE tips and tools about in-home treatment systems, visit snwa.com.

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Water Quality vs Taste Although your tap water meets or surpasses all safe drinking water standards, we understand the taste may not appeal to you due to its hardness. Don’t confuse hardness with quality as it poses no health risk. Learn simple ways to enhance the taste at snwa.com.

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APRIL 14-20, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Features

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April 14, 2022

VEGAS&STYLE JOURNAL

LIFESTYLE • CONSUMER GUIDE • COMMUNITY • MARKETPLACE

INSIDE

Holy Week traditions leading up to Easter Sunday by

AjPress

THOSE of the Christian faith will mark the end of the 40-day Lenten season with Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While the day is widely symbolized by the Easter bunny, dyed eggs, and chocolate, there is more to the holiday and the traditions associated with it. For Filipinos, Holy Week (Mahal na Araw) — known as the days leading up to Easter — is a significant observance, given that the Philippines still holds a Catholic majority of 80% of the country’s population. For Filipinos around the world of this faith, they carry these religious practices with them as they remember Christ’s passion and resurrection. Holy Week kicks off with Palm Sunday and lasts until Easter Sunday. For 2022, the week runs from April 10 to April 17. Here are some observances and traditions during this solemn observance: Fasting and abstinence Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent) and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. On the Fridays during Lent, many refrain from eating meat. During Holy Week, Catholic faithfuls may observe fasting by reducing the number of meals eaten each day. “If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the

Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection,” according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Veiled images If you visit a church during Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday, some churches will cover religious artwork and statues with purple cloth as a somber ritual. “Crucifixes are unveiled after the Good Friday ceremonies and all other images just before the Easter vigil Mass on Holy Saturday,” according to the Catholic News Agency. Visiting seven churches Visita Iglesia is a Lenten practice to visit seven churches either on Maundy Thursday or Good Friday and recite the Stations of the Cross, which are the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. The tradition is said to have started in the 16th century. Good Friday In the Philippines, Good Friday, considered a public holiday, is marked with ritual crucifixions and public reenactments of Jesus’ suffering. Most Catholics will observe this day by refraining

by Anne

PAsAjol Inquirer.net

AJPress illustration by Jillian Peñalosa

from eating meat and focusing on fasting and prayer. Salubong on Easter Sunday While modern-day Easter celebrations are associated with gatherings, egg hunts and other family-friendly activities, in the religious sense, it is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and the end of the 40-day Lenten sacrifice. Easter Sunday begins with salubong before

dawn, when the Virgin Mary meets Jesus who comes back to life. Parishes will have a ritual procession with a statue of Mary in mourning, which is carried by women along a route, while men carry the statue of the Risen Christ. Both processions follow separate routes until the images meet. After the procession, churches will continue with Easter mass.

Jennylyn stuns fans in maternity shoot by jAn

Milo severo

Philstar.com

KAPUSO actress Jennylyn Mercado stunned her fans by sharing her Goddess-themed maternity shoot. In her Instagram account, Jennylyn posted photos from her shoot with photographer BJ Pascual. In his YouTube vlog, BJ said the theme was inspired by French painter Jean-AugusteDominique Ingres. "For this shoot, actually, drinawing ko na yung mga layout before today para maprepare yung outfits for the specific pose and everything. And today's shoot is kind of like a mishmash of different ideas because initially, I just wanted a Jennylyn Mercado is in her 34th week of lot of volume and romanticism, pregnancy. ganyan,” he said. Photo from Instagram/@mercadojenny "And parang gusto ko lang

Baron ‘relapsing’ into alcohol addiction, wife says

siyang magmukhang painting, para classic lang siya para yung puwede mo i-frame, di ba?" he added. Jennylyn shared in the vlog that she was not sure if that she could pull off the concept. "Yung concept, sabi ko, parang, 'Kaya ko ba 'to?' Kasi ang hirap, e. Di ba parang pag buntis ka 'tapos kailangan mong... Sabi ko, 'Masyadong glam yata ito para sa akin.' Pero kinaya ko kasi napaka-ano naman, napaka-bilis na katrabaho ni BJ," she said. The actress also shared updates on her pregnancy, saying this current one is more challenging than the first one. "Yung first pregnancy ko, parang alam mo yun, dahil 21 pa lang ako nun, parang dumaan lang siya. Hindi ako nahihirapan. Nagda-drive lang ako everyday. Pinupuntahan ko yung best friend ko sa Las Piñas, gabi

BARON Geisler has been having a hard time managing his drinking habits again, his wife Jamie Evangelista stated. Evangelista reached out to talent manager-comedian Ogie Diaz and gave her statement regarding a now-deleted video of herself and Geisler, as per Diaz’s YouTube channel today, April 11. In the said video, Evangelista appears to be confronting Geisler, then she threw at him a container with liquid on it, which spilled all over Geisler who was lying in bed. “Grabe pag-relapse niya lately. Last December medyo traumatic for the kids so I told him, ”Pag iinom ka, ‘wag dito sa bahay,'” Evangelista, a psychologist, said. (His relapse has been serious lately. Last December was a bit traumatic for the kids so I told him, “If you’re going to drink, do not drink here in our house.”) Evangelista recounted how she went to a hotel to pick up Geisler for their flight to Manila, only to know that he was still drinking when she came. Evangelista then apologized for how she reacted, explaining that she was not able to control her emotions at the time because she had enough of his actions. “I’ve been very patient and forgiving for how many years so napuno na siguro ako. Tumawag

na ako umuuwi. Ganun lang, parang wala lang. Pero bigger ako nun, mas malaki. Talagang pinabayaan ko yung diet ko. Nag-gain ako ng 55 pounds, ganung level. Talagang ano lang, ine-enjoy ko lang,” she said. “Ngayon, after almost 15 years, hay ang hirap! Ibang iba! Kasi ano siya, high-risk pregnancy ako. Simula pa lang nung first trimester ko, nagbleed ako, yung kelangan ko nakahiga lang, naka-upo, hindi masyado gumagalaw, di ba? Kilala niyo ako, napaka-active ko, kung anu-anong ginagawa ko. So ngayon, wala akong magawa, yung nakahiga. 'Tapos, yung ultimong iihi ako, iihi ako sa tabi ng kama Yung ganung movement lang, yung konti lang. 'Tapos, ang bilis kong hingalin. Kung alam ko lang, nung 20s pa lang, nag-anak na ako nang naganak!" she added.

ako ng taga-rehab para makadetox siya doon for a few days and ma-resched ang dubbing sa Manila but he got so paranoid,” she stated. “Nag-video siya I guess to seek sympathy.” (I’ve been very patient and forgiving for how many years so maybe I had enough. I called someone from the [rehabilitation center] so he can detoxify there for a few days and reschedule his dubbing in Manila. But he got so paranoid and he took a video [of what happened], I guess to seek sympathy.) “I’m still hoping and praying na ma-overcome niya talaga ang addiction niya sa alcohol in God’s perfect time,” she added. (I’m still hoping and praying that he really overcomes his addiction to alcohol in God’s perfect time.) When asked by Diaz if Geisler drinks everyday, Evangelista clarified that the actor only drinks for three days every two weeks. “So three days siya iinom then ‘pag huminto na, he gets depressed. Nasa kwarto lang siya for three to four days,” she said. (So he will drink for three days then when he stops, he gets depressed. He will stay in the room for three to four days.) “I told him to learn to be independent kasi magfo-forty na siya,” Evangelista added. “Intindihin na lang natin kasi may chemical imbalance na talaga siya pero he also has to help himself.”

Photo from Instagram/@baron.geisler

Bretman Rock pushes beyond style sterotypes with ‘airy and breezy’ skirt by MArAne

A. PlAzA

Philstar.com

MULTI-hyphenate social media star Bretman Rock is shaking up his fashion sense and probably breaking style stereotypes in his current trip in New York, as he rocked an "airy and breezy" skirt as seen on his latest Instagram post. While Bretman has been loved for his over-the-top, outlandish makeup and outfits and wicked humor, the beauty YouTuber is

not often seen wearing a skirt. That's why his new outift of the day (OOTD) sure looked like a sight for sore eyes for his followers and fashion fans in general. The Fil-Am influencer donned a mini-skirt in paisley prints, matched with a floral sleeved top. He capped off the look with cool sunnies and a pair of white skyhigh platform boots. "Wanted to wear something airy and breezy so my as$ can breathe," Rock wrote in the

caption in his usual humor. Bretman has been known for breaking common norms and stereotypes, even making history last year for being the first open gay man to grace the cover of Playboy magazine. His YouTube vlogs had been given a television program format through a reality show on MTV. As of this writing, he has over 18.2 million followers on Instagram, 8.89 subscribers on YouTube, and 5.7 million followers on Twitter.

Kris Aquino and her sons Josh and Bimby, with Darla Sauler (left, seated)

Photo from Instagram/@darla

Kris reunites with former ‘Kris TV’ sidekick Darla after almost three years by Anne

PAsAjol Inquirer.net

Social media star Bretman Rock wears a skirt.

KRIS Aquino was visited by her former “Kris TV” sidekick and head writer Darla Sauler after almost three years of not seeing each other in person. Sauler gave a glimpse of his reunion with Aquino and her two sons Josh and Bimby, via Sauler’s Instagram page on Wednesday, April 6. “Ang saya na finally nakabisita na sa ’yo. Love you guys so much! And tuloy-tuloy lang ako sa dasal for your health Krisy,” he said. (It brings me so much joy to have finally visited you. [I] love you guys so much and I continuously pray for your health, Kris.) Sauler told fans that his visit marks the first time he saw the Photo from Instagram/@bretman Queen of All Media personally

after a few years, though he pointed out that they talk with each other almost everyday. “[Gano’n] talaga pag yung ka-trabaho mo, nagtitiwala sa ’yo at tinatrato kang kaibigan… eventually magiging pamilya talaga kayo. Kaya nakaka-emo to see Kuya and lalo na si Bimb na literal kong nasubaybayan ang paglaki,” he stated. (That’s how it really goes when the people you work with trust you and treat you as a friend. They eventually turn into family. That’s why I’m getting emotional seeing Josh and Bimby, who I literally watched growing up.) Sauler also expressed his gratitude for the good relationship he has not only with Aquino but also with other hosts he had worked with in the past. “Thank you Lord kasi lahat

halos ng hosts na nakatrabaho ko before, hanggang ngayon bahagi pa rin ng buhay ko [kasi] may tiwala, pagmamahal at respeto lagi sa puso,” he added. (Thank you Lord because almost all hosts that I have worked with before are still a part of my life until now, because there’s trust, love and respect in our hearts.) Aquino was earlier visited by her friend and fellow actress Angel Locsin who accompanied her in undergoing medical tests and treatments. Aquino has recently been diagnosed with erosive gastritis and gastric ulcer on top of her autoimmune disease. She is set to fly abroad with her sons to seek treatment, but the date of their departure has not yet been disclosed.

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Features

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 14-20, 2022

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Gaming revenues up as industry officials see sustained momentum by RealtoR

Fely Quitevis-Bateman

IT is a sign that brighter things are yet to come for Las Vegas, which is considered as the gaming and entertainment capital of the world. A recent news report said that commercial casinos made some $8.92 billion in revenues in January and February of 2022, paced by Nevada’s $2.192 billion. The Silver State’s revenues almost kept pace with the combined earnings of the

next three states with the highest revenues on the list compiled by the American Gaming Association. Those three states are Pennsylvania ($808 million), New Jersey ($755 million) and New York ($631.6 million). According to officials quoted in the article, the record start for 2022 means that there is a strong demand from people to travel and enjoy themselves after having been

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman walked along Las Vegas Blvd. recently to check on what’s new on the Strip. Behind her is the blue Drew Hotel which is slated to open in 2023 with a reported number of 3,000 rooms.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (right) was finally able to get a photo at the world-famous welcome sign to Las Vegas with one of her investors from Manila, Dr. Jane Paragas.

cooped up in their homes since the pandemic started about two years ago. Although it remains to be seen if Nevada’s casinos will eclipse their performance last year, it shows that “Americans are continuing to make gaming a first-choice entertainment option.” While non-gaming areas of resort-casinos have not fully recovered to their pre-pandemic levels per the report, the gaming revenues indicate that people in general have “a strong desire to return to a sense of normalcy after two difficult years, and people feel more comfortable traveling given the tremendous strides in fighting the virus.” Las Vegas – and Nevada as a state, for that matter – has always been one of the more iconic and popular travel destinations for Americans and for tourists from around the world. Aside from varied gaming options within the resortcasinos, visitors have ample things to do – shop, dine, swim, do some sightseeing, watch shows/concerts, and/or pamper themselves with an array of spa services. Associations connected with the gaming and hospitality industries are happy with what they are seeing. For them, it feels as though there are many people who were fortunate enough to have saved some money during the pandemic and are ready to spend it on travel and experiences they missed out the last couple of years. Today’s existing resort-casinos and those under construction are well-equipped to keep Las Vegas visitors entertained as they all have key attractions and components that differentiate them from each other. It also helps that the executives from resort-casinos and local officials work in tandem to keep Las Vegas up front and center of people’s minds when it

Las Vegas ranked as the No. 1 tourist destination in 2021, and that will continue to be true in the future.

comes to vacation options or even for conventions, meetings and conferences. People may know Bellagio, Venetian, Palazzo, Wynn, Mandalay Bay, and MGM Resorts, but there are other new resort-casinos vying for people’s attention like Resorts World, Circa, The Fountainbleau (slated to open 2023), The LINQ, Cromwell, The Strat and a host of rebranded properties which have undergone major renovations and repairs. That is why prime real estate is hard to come by in Las Vegas these days. A recently completed deal that saw The Siegel Group acquire 10 acres just across the Strip from Resorts World Las Vegas has many people thinking what kind of development the Las Vegas-based company will come up with for a piece of real estate it dubs as “the last great piece of land available on

Californians are the top migrants to Clark County, which is where the cities of Las Vegas and Pahrump are located in as shown in the photo above.

The last commercial lot on the north side of the Strip was bought by the Siegel Group.

the north Strip.” It has taken years for The Siegel Group to find and snap up property on the Strip, and it did so with a price tag of $75 million. Since it did not work with a lender, it will have its own timeline as to how to develop the property. That said, its long-term options, according to a news report, include a casino-hotel, a condo tower, retail outlets and multi-family apartments. Of course, with construction and projects come jobs, and with that migration from other places in the U.S. Settling in and finding a place to establish roots, or finding an investment property, will be an important decision that may affect

your financial future. I can help you find that piece of real estate that will match your needs and your budget. Together, we can comb for the best opportunities available in Las Vegas and its neighboring cities/ towns. My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has successfully helped its clientele find the best deals since 1992. You can reach me at 775513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702538-4948 for more information. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days. (Advertising Supplement)

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Features Health @Heart Since its founding in 2004,

Filipino foresters meet in Las Vegas THE Society of Filipino Foresters in North America (SFFNA) will bring together Filipino foresters from all over the world to its 9th Biennial Convention and Reunion on May 20-22, 2022 to be held at the Gold Coast Hotel (4000 W. Flamingo Road) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The three-day gathering features a Meet-and-Greet Reception, a Gala Night, and a field trip/picnic at the Valley of Fire State Park. A symposium focusing on the theme “SFFNA’s

relevance to and involvement in local community development” is the main activity of the event. According to Rudy M. Leal, SFFNA President, experienced individuals in forestry projects that benefit the rural or upland communities are invited to speak in the symposium. He added that the event will afford participants the opportunity to renew acquaintances and friendships they held during their student years in several forestry educational institutions in the Philippines.

KC Concepcion has joined the cast of the romantic comedy film “Asian Persuasion,” set in New York, replacing previously announced actress Toni Gonzaga in the lead role. Concepcion will be appearing in the film opposite FilipinoAmerican Hollywood actor Dante Basco, as per an exclusive report by Variety on Tuesday, April 12. The lead cast also includes Kevin Kreider, Paolo Montalban, Scarlett Sher, Celia Au, Geneva Carr and Jax Bacani. Meanwhile, Yam Concepcion, Rachel Alejandro and Tony Labrusca are among the featured actors in the film, alongside Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.Ap, Janice Sonia Lee, Ami Sheth, Fe Delos Reyes, Joyce Keokham, Rex Navarrete, Imani Hanson and Devin Ilaw. Gonzaga was announced to be part of the film in July last

year, but she left the production due to “schedule conflicts.” Concepcion then stepped in as lead actress, as per report. Concepcion expressed excitement over the project, which she called a “new journey,” via her Instagram page on Wednesday, April 13. “Thank you for joining us on this new journey. Grateful to be part of this Asian-American project, with our amazing cast [and] crew,” she said. “Asian Persuasion” follows the story of a chef who cooks up a scheme to get his exwife remarried so he can avoid paying his alimony obligations, but he belatedly realizes that he wants to have a second chance with his ex. The movie is directed by Tony Award-winning producer Jhett Tolentino. It is written by Mike Ang, who also serves as

SFFNA has held conventions/ reunions in Seattle, Washington; Los Angeles, California; Auburn, Alabama; Las Vegas, Nevada; Honolulu, Hawaii; San Francisco, California; Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; and Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. For inquiries, contact Rudy Leal at rudymanatleal47@gmail. com; Abe Velasco at sr4str@ gmail.com; Mike Marave at enex88@yahoo.com; or Ann Boado at annboado@gmail. com.

KC replaces Toni as lead actress in New York film

KC Concepcion Photo from Instagram/@kristinaconcepcion

producer alongside Tolentino. Filming is already underway and started in New York. (Dana Cruz/Inquirer.net)

Hipon Girl plans to use Filipino language in Binibining Pilipinas Q&A segment by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

Herlene "Hipon Girl" Budol

Photo from Instagram/@herlene_budol

COMEDIENNE Harlene Budol, also known as Hipon Girl, revealed that she will use Filipino language in the upcoming Binibining Pilipinas. In her Instagram account, Harlene posted a screen of a report saying she’s not ashamed that she is not fluent in English in the question and answer portion of the pageant should she be considered to be a finalist. “Nabasa ko lang po eto sa isang pageant group. Opo, hindi ko po eto ikahihiya naiyak ako dahil PAGE 13

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS THE United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the second booster (Shot #4) for COVID-19 for those immunocompromised and people ages 50 and older. The second booster is highly recommended also for those who have comorbidities, like high blood pressure, diabetes, COPD, etc. regardless of age since they are more vulnerable to the infection, especially to the new strains. It is anticipated that the fourth shot would be recommended for all ages in the weeks to come since the immunity from the vaccines wanes after four to six months. Whether the COVID vaccine would be a required bi-annual or annual shot, like the Flu shot, is yet to be determined. In the U.S., since only about 67 percent of the population is vaccinated, the 33 percent who have refused the vaccines are unprotected unless they had been infected with COVID-19, which would provide some immunity, albeit not as stable and not as protective as the vaccines. With so many unvaccinated people, whose bodies are acting as a reservoir (factory) for the replication and mutation of the SARSCoV2 virus, new variants are expected to evolve. This situation would also most likely lead to the need for a bi-annual shot or an annual COVID shot since the unvaccinated will continue to churn out new strains in the future. When everyone is vaccinated, the virus might self-destruct and vanish. The second COVID-19 booster is now available for free for those eligible at various pharmacies in the U.S. Hopefully, they would also be available in the Philippines. New research done in the flu season 2010-2019 showed that the mortality rate from Influenza for those with EndStage Renal Disease (ESRD) is significantly much higher (28 percent) compared to all other persons with the flu. This report was presented at the National Kidney Foundation Spring

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Second booster Clinical Meetings. Obviously, those with kidney disease ought to be protected from the flu virus by vaccination, good personal hygiene, and the use of a mask, where needed, especially during the flu season. Good old ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used in eastern medicine since the 9th century or even earlier. Although not a substitute for conventional western medicine, ginger is claimed to have the following good benefits, besides its popular use in the kitchen: reduces arthritis inflammation, helps in weight loss, lowers cholesterol, eases nausea and vomiting, improves brain health, lowers blood pressure, prevents infection, relieves pain, reduces menstrual bleeding, decreases migraine headache, lowers blood sugar, induces faster muscle recovery, helps in weight loss, immune booster, antioxidant, and germ-buster. In the laboratory, ginger was also found to improve the quantity and quality of sperm, and it has some anti-cancer action in mice experiments. For details, consult your physician. Ginger is edible and comes in various forms: ale, tea, caramelized candy, pickled, dried thin wafer, powder, capsules, concoction, etc. Since this item is not evaluated by the FDA, here is some good advice: “It’s also a good idea to make sure whatever ginger supplement you take has third party oversight. Supplements are not highly regulated. The concentration of ginger can vary widely between fresh ginger root, pills, extracts, and powder – and it’s not standardized,” explains Heather Moday, MD, an immunologist, functional medicine specialist, and author of The Immunotype Breakthrough. “Therefore, outside of ingesting ginger root on its own and using fresh ginger tea, one should use supplements that carry a National Science Foundation (NSF) or U.S. Pharmacopeia stamp on the label.” New studies show that diets higher in two odd-chain fatty acids, called C17:0 and C15:0 are the secrets of a dolphin’s healthy aging and long life. “The ‘goldilocks’ of healthy aging is C15:0 – which this team of

researchers has since claimed may help prevent prediabetes, lower inflammation, lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, and more, in the poor aging dolphins.” These scientists were able “to identify that the healthy aging dolphins have significantly higher C15:0 and C17:0 compared to the poor aging dolphins.” “C15:0 or pentadecanoic acid is a molecule found in certain foods, including butter, whole-fat dairy, fish, beef and lamb. It’s also present in smaller amounts in some plants, including chia seeds and peanuts,” according to Venn-Watson, “but in roughly one-tenth the amount that’s found in a serving of butter.” More clinical studies are underway to find out if C15:0 will even be better than Omega 3 fatty acids in our diet. It is a fatty acid that shows the potential to slow the natural age-related breakdown in our cells. Since a strict lowfat diet has not significantly reduced the incidence of obesity, hypercholesterolemia, heart attack, and stroke over the past several decades, this diet is now being reevaluated. Perhaps butter has a place in our diet after all, while margarine is falling into disfavor as a healthy food item substitute for butter. Often misdiagnosed, endometriosis is a painful condition where the tissues that normally line the uterus grows in other parts of the pelvis, like the fallopian tubes or the ovaries. Countless women have suffered from this oftenelusive condition, where most tests come out as negative. A high index of suspicion among women and physicians could help in the early detection of endometriosis and end suffering among these patients. The following are myths – A woman is guaranteed 100% not to get pregnant IF: (1) penetration is done only a few times without completion of intercourse; (2) withdrawal is done before ejaculation; (3) coitus is done during the “safe” period; (4) sex is done during menses; (5) the woman did not have an orgasm during sex; (6) the lovers drink wine before sex; (7) aspirin is inserted into the vagina as a contraceptive; (8) the woman is on top during PAGE 13

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Features

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 14-20, 2022

13

Why Cebuana fashion designer Mayeth Codoy is making waves in Europe with her ‘Filipiniana’ creations MAYETH Codoy, a Filipina fashion designer living in Norway, is one of the designers whose works will be showcased at Asia Pacific Fashion Week 2022 (APFW) – a global platform for emerging designers – in Los Angeles and Las Vegas on August 6 and 13, respectively. Mayeth is the founder of MYET, a line of fashionable and luxurious clothing produced almost completely of abaca (Manila hemp) and pinya (pineapple), textiles that are unique to the Philippines. Mayeth, who was born and raised in Cebu in the Philippines, began her inspiring journey at the age of 23 when she left her family to work as an au pair in French model Mamì Chula in a Mayeth Codoy asymmetrical dress Oslo. International Pinay designer Mayeth Codoy utilizes the fibers sourced made of fabrics sourced from pineapples (and pineapple-inspired While in Oslo, Codoy pursued from banana and abaca plant in the Philippines. Designs worn by models mini bag, to boot) at the Paris Fashion Week 2021. Mayeth Codoy was invited to exhibit her ensembles made from Philippine fabrics at the her big dream by studying Abigail Gyamfi and Jannike Skien. Photo courtesy of Philippine Embassy in Norway Photo by Joe Urrutia Photo by Artur Rocha Philippine Embassy in Oslo, Norway.

Creating clothes with asymmetrical cuts is a fashion style that appeals heavily to Mayeth Codoy, a Filipina fashion designer based in Norway, and worn by model Antilda Coroma. Photo by Lluis Calm Vidal

fashion design at the Esmod International Fashion School in Oslo, which is a subsidiary of the prestigious Esmod Group in Paris. Mayeth's Filipiniana-inspired works were notably featured on Esmod International's official website last year. Her artistic pieces, such as the Maria Clara gown fashioned of pinya fiber, the same material used to produce the Philippine national costume 'barong Tagalog,' carry the cultural identity of traditional Filipino clothes. Mayeth graduated in 2020, and has since founded MYET, a small fashion company in Norway. “The reason for starting this brand is to create something unique made with natural fabrics, produced by farmers in my home country. This as I can identify with their daily struggles to provide for their family,” the designer said on her website www.myet.no. Mayeth sourced the materials for her garments from artisan villages in Aklan, a province in the Philippines famous for its stunning white beaches on the island of Boracay. “All products with this

Pinay designer Mayeth Codoy, who runs her own atelier in Oslo named MYET, also develops accessories including footwear, purses, hair accessories and hats as worn by models Abigail Gyamfi and Jannike Skien. Photo By Joe Urrutia

PAGE 12

Second booster

the act; (9) the man uses any plastic wrap in the absence of, and in lieu of, a condom; (10) the man already had sex with another woman, or had masturbated an hour or so earlier; (11) oral sex preceded normal intercourse; and (12) the woman douches immediately after sex. These are all myths and cannot be relied upon to prevent pregnancy. Only total abstinence or use of an intact condom, or use of prescribed birth control pills under medical supervision, can prevent pregnancy. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Hipon Girl plans to use Filipino... PAGE 12 sa english. but it doesnt mean hanggang dyan nalang si Hipon girl nyo. Hindi ko pipilitin ang mag-Ingles. Wikang Filipino po ang gagamitin ko,” she said. “This will inspire me to pursue my dreams. Hanggat may buhay may pag-asa! magkalat man ako o indi may Hipon mag tatak sa entablado!” she added. The viral comedienne also said that her heart is full with the support she’s getting in the upcoming pageant. “Sobra akong na touch sa mga magagandang comment nyo sa akin. Ngayon palang gusto ko mag pasalamat sa buong

Hiponatics, KaBudol, KaSquammy, KaFreshness, Kainutz sa supporta nyo sa akin. Taas noo ko isisigaw Herlene Nicole Budol, 22, from Angono Rizal, Felepens!!” she said. Earlier this month, Harlene confirmed that she's joining the Binibining Pilipinas 2022. ABS-CBN showbiz reporter Mario Dumaual saw Herlene training with the Kagandahang Flores beauty queen training camp. According to the former "Wowowin" co-host, she joined the pageant to boost her confidence because she's a victim of bullying.

garment will be produced in the Philippines, creating even more jobs,” she said. Mayeth's creations were featured in Paris Fashion Week in 2021, a testament to her brilliance, hard work, and unwavering resolve to achieve her goals. Mayeth's designs are able to highlight the distinct beauty of the Philippine fibers pinya and abaca in such beautiful, modern creations that are appropriate for both special events and everyday wear. Mayeth's trademark brand is slowly establishing itself in key European cities today. In 2022,

she will debut her designs at APFW in Los Angeles, which is regarded as the world's fifth fashion capital after Paris, London, Milan, and New York. Mayeth's artistic vision is very inspiring, and APFW believes she exemplifies Philippine creativity and artistry. Mayeth's aim and ambition to promote Philippine natural fibers to the European market is an expression of her love for her homeland. She makes Filipinos happy to call themselves Filipinos. The range of designs within the Filipino community is unlike any other. But what makes them

extra special is the subtle nod they make to their culture. Indeed, these designers are drawing well-deserved attention to Filipino glam – and Asia Pacific Fashion Week will be their newest global platform to showcase the diversity of Filipino-inspired fashions. This inaugural edition of APFW is presented by the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, DTI Los Angeles office, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The Los Angeles leg of APFW enjoys the support of

Asian Journal Publications, Inc. Trending Beverages Inc., Napa Valley Distribution Inc., Montemaria Cellars, House of Pacquiao Wine, Individual Health Care, Lombard by the Bay, MTS Law Firm, Premier Asia Pacific Real Estate & Development, and Tina Modeling. The Las Vegas edition is coproduced by InterEdx, a dba of Dynasty Exchange Ltd. LLC., headed by Dr. Lee Dedicatoria, in cooperation with Asia on Earth, Dynasty Ventures, Club Paradisia, World Edoption, Royal Blue Staffing and Lend with Love. (APFW Release)

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APRIL 14-20, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

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