ARIL 27-29, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 33 • 14 Pages
DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
California Joint AAPI Legislative Caucus to celebrate APIA Heritage Month, honor leaders THE California Joint Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Legislative Caucus will celebrate May as Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Heritage Month and recognize distinguished AAPI leaders through this year’s “Excellence Awards.” The honorees range come from advocacy, health, civil rights, business, arts and entertainment, and more fields. “It has been two years since the start of the pandemic and the AAPI community continues to face anti-Asian hate, while dealing with the inequities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Despite these challenges, each honoree continues to uplift the voices of the AAPI communities and enriches our history and culture through their achievements. They give us hope, solace, and courage in times when we need it most,” the caucus said in a release. The Joint AAPI Legislative Caucus is
Philippine Consulate in LA: Ballots for May 9 election have been mailed by AJPRESS
Filipinos registered to vote in the upcoming May 9 elections. On its Facebook page, the Consulate issued an THE Philippine Consulate General in LA announced that all absentee ballots have been mailed for overseas election update, saying: “All ballots have been mailed out as of 22 April 2022. Per USPS, delivery is
by AJPRESS
CA still testing uninsured residents for COVID-19
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UNITEAM GRAND RALLY IN TAGUIG. Presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his wife lawyer Liza Araneta Marcos, together with Rep. Martin Romualdez wave to the crowd during the grand rally at Arca South, Taguig City on Sunday, April 24. Liza’s appearance in Taguig marked her second participation in a UniTeam rally. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
PLANS to create a national Asian Pacific American museum in Washington, D.C. have moved to the next step as the U.S. House of Representatives this week passed a bill to form a commission to study the issue. The bill approved unanimously by the House on Tuesday, April 26 would create a new commission to consider the development a new National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. The measure will head to the Senate for voting. The group would be responsible for studying the costs of building a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture and if it will be part of the Smithsonian Institution. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) called it a “joy” to see the legislation advance in Congress, noting the contributions Asians and Pacific Islanders have made to U.S. history. “Those contributions are often unheard of and simply forgotten,” she said. “It is time to change that.” AAPI Victory Alliance Executive Director Varun
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International arrivals in Final president, VP debates PH surpass 300,000-mark canceled ahead of May 9 polls by DANIZA
FERNANDEZ Inquirer.net
MANILA — International arrivals in the Philippines have surpassed the 300,000mark since the country reopened its borders to fully-vaccinated tourists last February 10, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat reported on Tuesday, April 26. “From February 10 to April 25, nasurpass na natin ‘yung (we surpassed the) 300,000-mark. We received about 313,050 international arrivals,” Romulo-Puyat said in a Laging Handa public briefing. Romulo-Puyat, however, said that the figure is far from the eight million prepandemic international tourist arrivals
registered in 2019. “Sa pre-pandemic levels naman with regard to international tourist arrivals, medyo malayo pa kasi nung 2019, we received about 8.26 million tourists. Pero masaya tayo kasi (But we are happy because) at least, we already received 313,050 international arrivals,” she added. According to the tourism chief, most of the international travelers are from the United States, Canada, and Korea. Romulo-Puyat reminded travelers to observe health protocols while on their trips. “’Yun na nga syempre paalala pa rin, masaya tayo na we are slowly getting back to normal pero paalala rin that we still
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Jimuel Pacquiao to return to the ring in California bout on May 12 by MARK
GIONGCO Inquirer.net
Jimuel Pacquiao wins his first amateur bout.
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US House passes bill to study new Asian Pacific Heritage museum
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California is still offering free covid testing to uninsured residents even though the federal government ran out of money to pay for it. While Congress debates whether to put more money into free testing, California is leaning on programs it already had in place: special state-based coverage for uninsured Californians, school testing, and free tests offered by clinics, counties, and other groups. Absent free options, people without health insurance could pay as much as several hundred dollars out-of-pocket depending on where they get tested. At the same time, demand for community testing — from residents with and without insurance — has dropped precipitously. On a recent Thursday, only three people could be found getting tested at seven testing sites in Sacramento County. Staffers at these locations — from the formerly bustling masstesting site at the state fairgrounds to a tiny kiosk in a church parking lot — said hardly anyone shows up anymore even though testing is still important for monitoring and reducing the spread of covid-19. They mostly see regulars who come in for routine testing required by their employer or school. Dr. Olivia Kasirye, the public health officer for Sacramento County, said the county sends specimens to a state lab at no cost to
between 1-5 business days.” The Consulate previously announced that ballot pickup at its office is available only for registered overseas voters whose ballots were returned due to
MANILA — Jimuel Pacquiao is set for his ring return in the United States on May 12, this time he will be parading his wares before a bigger audience at Quiet Cannon Montebello Country Club in California. The eldest son of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will figure in a three-round featherweight fight against a soon-to-be-named opponent. Pacquiao second amateur bout is part of the Hollywood Fight Nights series under Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions. The event will be shown live globally on UFC Fight Pass. Pacquiao, 21, had his first amateur fight in the U.S. in March, beating Mexican-American Andres Rosales at House of Boxing Gym in San Diego, California. He has been training at Wild Card Gym under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and Photo from Instagram/@mannypacquiao Marvin Somodio. n
by DONA
Z. PAZZIBUGAN, JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE, MELVIN GASCON Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has canceled the last round of presidential and vice presidential debates this weekend due to the unavailability of the candidates just days before the May 9 polls. The supposed town hall debates rescheduled on April 30 and May 1 will instead be replaced with pretaped, hourlong interviews of the candidates to be aired from May 2 to 6, the Comelec announced on Monday, April 25. The poll body was forced to cancel the final presidential and vice presidential debates originally set on April 23 and 24 after its partner organizer, Impact Hub Manila, was unable to pay P14 million of its P20.5-million obligation to Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, the venue of the Comelec-sponsored PiliPinas Debates. The fiasco has prompted an internal investigation within Comelec of its top officials for possible criminal liability for committing the poll body to an allegedly onerous deal with Impact Hub. On Monday, 14 senior Comelec officials submitted their formal explanation to Commissioner Rey Bulay, who is undertaking the probe, though several among them said they took “no part” in the decision on
the debates. The Comelec tried to salvage the final round of televised debates by rescheduling them a week later, with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) as the organizer. However, several candidates have begged off due to previous campaign commitments. “In consideration of the inevitable scheduling conflicts as the candidates approach the homestretch of the campaign period, and as advised by the KBP, the Comelec will now adopt a single candidate/team-panel interview format,” the Comelec said in an advisory on Monday. Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said the planned hourlong interviews with each candidate, or together with their running mate, would air next week, with the panelists provided by the KBP. The camp of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has skipped previous Comelec-sponsored debates, on Monday welcomed the poll body’s decision to hold taped panel interviews in lieu of town hall debates. Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ chief of staff and spokesperson, said: “The panel interview of candidates is exactly the format
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Starfleet Innotech inks new partnership with health data analytics firm Project Fort STARFLEET Innotech, Inc. (OTC Pink: SFIO) (“SFIO” or “The "Company”) this week formalized a partnership with Project Fort to bring the health data analytics firm's unique approach to proactive, datadriven community care to the wellness townships under SFIO's Moraya brand. Founded in 2020, Project Fort is a Philippinebased tech startup that uses data gathering tools to synthesize and analyze community health information, based on global best practices in public health. In doing so, the company unlocks insights that are impossible to glean on an individual level, so they can be turned into strategies for sustainable, meaningful changes on a community level. “Our approach to community health, which is founded on public health practice and the healthy settings frameworks of the World Health Organization, recognizes wellbeing as a manyfaceted equation that requires collaborations across the care continuum to champion,” said Erika Modina, Project Fort co-founder and CEO. “The traditional view of health stakeholders spanning patients, providers, and insurers fails to factor in the massively influential role that employers, school administrators, and local government units play in the daily health of our communities.” With an initial focus on the workplace health setting, Project Fort caters to a largely underserved market in the Philippines. According to an ILO study published in 2021, roughly 745,000 people die annually due to poor working conditions. The study found this especially true in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asian regions. Long working hours, psychological stress, health-harming behavior to deal with that stress, and resulting strokes and heart disease were all listed as contributing factors. In the Philippines, businesses lose at least $2 billion pesos due to poor employee health. This is in spite of companies already spending roughly $3 billion trying to take care of employees. “The takeaway here is that companies are spending their money on the wrong things because of a lack of proper insight into employee health,” Modina said. “Insights that can only be gleaned, given the right tools and expertise. We believe there’s a better, proactive way to care for our people.” Early in the pandemic, Project Fort played a critical role for businesses looking to build more resilient health systems for their workforces. For Ever Gotesco, a Metro Manila-based mall operator, Project Fort’s daily surveillance tools flagged a possible outbreak early in July 2020. Utilizing data it had been gathering on the mall's workforce since May that year, Project Fort’s health officer was able to deploy a targeted testing protocol, cutting the need to test all 3,000 tenants and direct employees down to about 30 specific individuals. In addition to cutting costs down by about 89%, this meant a speedy response that neutralized the outbreak before it even began. “Our main challenge as a startup is establishing touch points across different healthy settings to ensure we can deliver a truly whole-of-society approach to community care,” Modina said. “We began by focusing on the workplace setting, where we leveraged our data analytics to help businesses both save money and improve overall employee health. Our ultimate goal is to bring this same approach of proactive, data-driven care to the spaces
communities work, live, and play in. This partnership with Moraya enables us to do exactly that.” As the flagship brand for SFIO's real estate division, Moraya aims to establish itself as a global leader in wellness tourism. With an initial focus on the Philippines, Moraya actively explores new technologies in data and integrative medicine, marrying them with Filipinos’ world-class hospitality, and integrating them into the beautiful natural locales of the Philippines. Over the past few months, the company has announced a number of real estate development projects, largely waterfront townships in the Philippines. By 2024, SFIO aims to complete $300 million worth of these real estate projects. To lead Moraya, SFIO CEO Jeths Lacson says the group has brought in decades of experience across wellness tourism, integrative medicine, master planning, business development, and sales. Among these industry leaders is AG Architects, an SFIO subsidiary, which has led award-winning green projects like Crowne Plaza in Changi Airport. The company also recently struck a partnership with Australia-based construction startup Luyten to bring their 3D concrete printing technologies to the Philippines. This latest partnership with Project Fort expands on the company's investments in technology as a driving force for wellness. “Project Fort and Moraya will be co-developing a community health dashboard for townships, a major step forward towards our ultimate goal of building data-driven, tech-enabled public health systems for cities,” said Modina. “We will be developing and operating a new version of Project Fort, catering to the wellness tourism townships being developed in Batangas and Palawan.” Within Moraya’s townships, Project Fort’s health dashboard will allow wellness teams to monitor the overall health of their communities, while also enabling residents and visitors to access community health services like fitness, mindfulness, and nutrition classes. As with all SFIO’s strategic partnerships, collaborative innovation plays a big role in Project Fort and Moraya’s shared roadmap. In building communities of the future, Project Fort is now in talks with NeuroSky, a health wearable developer based in Silicon Valley and fellow SFIO ecosystem player. The two tech companies are currently exploring plans to build proprietary wearables under the Project Fort brand to augment its data gathering efforts. “Each of the platforms we build and partner with must first and foremost be integral to our businesses,” said Richard Prodigalidad, SFIO's chief technology officer. “But we have longer term plans for these platforms as well – investing in subscription-based software services for other businesses, thereby turning our technology services into highly-lucrative revenue generators as well. As we plan to scale SFIO exponentially, we see technology products like Project Fort as precisely the vehicle to get us there.” Through SFIO’s global network, Project Fort expects to build pathways to new markets, such as New Zealand and the United States, where demand for these types of community care platforms is expected to bring in exponential growth. By utilizing its data analytics and public health expertise, Project Fort can help communities achieve greater savings and better health outcomes, all towards building healthier workplaces, townships, and cities for generations to come. (Advertising Supplement)
From the Front Page
FREE RIDE. A man gets on a public utility jeepney for a free ride at a transport terminal in Cubao, Quezon City on Tuesday, April 26. Among the public utility vehicles that offer free rides include modern jeepneys, UV Express, and buses under the national government program. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Philippine Consulate in LA... PAGE 1
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. 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
advised. really have to follow minimum (Just a reminder, we are happy health and safety protocols,” she that we are slowly getting back to
normal but I remind you that we still really have to follow minimum health and safety protocols.) g
USPS failure or “for voters whose registered mailing address is ‘c/o the Consulate General.’” To pick up a ballot, voters are reminded to bring a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a state ID or driver’s license, U.S. green card, Philippine passport or Philippine dual citizenship documentation for proper identification. Eligible Filipino voters have until May 9 to cast their ballots for preferred president, vice president, senatorial and party-list representatives. After filling up their ballot, voters can either mail their ballot back to the Consulate using the
International arrivals in PH surpass...
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US House passes bill to study new Asian... PAGE 1 Nikore said the Asian American and Pacific Islander community is “more than the tragic headlines” during the pandemic, referring to the uptick in anti-Asian hate. “This bill would be monumental
for the Asian American Pacific Islander community as well as the rest of America: it will allow future generations and our neighbors to understand and appreciate our long-standing history in this country and show
that there is no America without the AAPI community,” said Nikore. The commission will have 18 months to report its findings back to Congress and the president. g
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HACKERS NABBED. One of the suspects (middle) caught by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) and the PNP-Anti Cybercrime Group personnel is escorted by authorities and presented to the media at CICC building on Tuesday, April 26. On April 23, authorities arrested in Imus, Cavite, and Sta Rosa, Laguna two members of the “XSOX Group”, who were claiming to have illegally accessed the Smartmatic system and can influence the results of the upcoming local and national elections on May 9. PNA photo by Rico H. Borja
Better ventilation can prevent COVID spread. But are companies paying attention? by Liz Szabo Kaiser Health News
AMERICANS are abandoning their masks. They’re done with physical distancing. And, let’s face it, some people are just never going to get vaccinated. Yet a lot can still be done to prevent covid infections and curb the pandemic. A growing coalition of epidemiologists and aerosol scientists say that improved ventilation could be a powerful tool against the coronavirus — if businesses are willing to invest the money. “The science is airtight,” said Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “The evidence is overwhelming.” Although scientists have known for years that good ventilation can reduce the spread of respiratory diseases such as influenza and measles, the notion of improved ventilation as a front-line weapon in stemming the spread of covid-19 received little attention until March. That’s when the White House launched a voluntary initiative encouraging schools and work sites to assess and improve their ventilation. The federal American Rescue Plan Act provides $122 billion for ventilation inspections and upgrades in schools, as well
as $350 billion to state and local governments for a range of community-level pandemic recovery efforts, including ventilation and filtration. The White House is also encouraging private employers to voluntarily improve their indoor air quality and has provided guidelines on best practices. The White House initiative comes as many employees are returning to the office after two years of remote work and while the highly contagious BA.2 omicron subvariant gains ground. If broadly embraced, experts say, the attention to indoor air quality will provide gains against covid and beyond, quelling the spread of other diseases and cutting incidents of asthma and allergy attacks. The pandemic has revealed the dangerous consequences of poor ventilation, as well as the potential for improvement. Dutch researchers, for example, linked a 2020 covid outbreak at a nursing home to inadequate ventilation. A choir rehearsal in Skagit Valley, Washington, early in the pandemic became a superspreader event after a sick person infected 52 of the 60 other singers. Ventilation upgrades have been associated with lower infection rates in Georgia elementary schools, among other sites. A simulation by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention found that combining maskwearing and the use of portable air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air filters, or HEPA filters, could reduce coronavirus transmission by 90%. Scientists stress that ventilation should be viewed as one strategy in a three-pronged assault on covid, along with vaccination, which provides the best protection against infection, and high-quality, well-fitted masks, which can reduce a person’s exposure to viral particles by 95%. Improved airflow provides an additional layer of protection — and can be a vital tool for people who have not been fully vaccinated, people with weakened immune systems, and children too young to be immunized. One of the most effective ways to curb disease transmission indoors is to swap out most of the air in a room — replacing the stale, potentially germy air with fresh air from outside or running it through highefficiency filters — as often as possible. Without that exchange, “if you have someone in the room who’s sick, the viral particles are going to build up,” said Linsey Marr, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech. Exchanging the air five PAGE 4
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CA still testing uninsured residents... PAGE 1
the county, which has helped keep free testing services up and running. California is quietly ending its contract with a central lab, but the state says it will shift testing to a network of commercial labs. State officials told KHN there will be no changes for patients. “I think we can maintain services” for now, but the future is uncertain, Kasirye said. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the federal government had reimbursed providers for testing, treating, and vaccinating uninsured people for covid-19. But the Health Resources and Services Administration stopped accepting reimbursement claims for tests and treatments March 22, and for vaccinations April 5, saying the money had run out. The government had been reimbursing providers $36 to $143 per test. Since then, states and counties have been watching their case rates and coffers to see whether they can keep testing uninsured residents. In Alabama, Dr. Scott Harris, the state health officer, said offering free testing to people five days a week through county health departments is “probably not something we’re going to be able to sustain much longer,” especially in pockets of the state with large uninsured populations. “We’re going to have zero services for those people,” Harris said. “And no ability to incentivize providers to see them.” Congress returns from recess in late April but may not renew the program. Lawmakers previously considered extending it but chose not to include money for it in a $10 billion covid funding deal that’s been pending since early April. The Covid-19 Uninsured Group Health care advocates say California has been able to continue free testing for the uninsured, including for residents without legal documentation, because of how it used a separate pot of federal funding. Although 15 other states also leveraged pandemic support, advocates believe California expanded benefits the most. In August 2020, California created an insurance program with pandemic relief money to cover covid-related treatments, testing, and vaccines for uninsured people or those whose insurance plans don’t cover those services. The Covid-19 Uninsured Group essentially acts as Medicaid for covid, but with no income
requirements. That’s different from traditional Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, which is for low-income people. Coverage will end when the federal public health emergency does. On April 13, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services renewed the emergency declaration for 90 days, extending it to mid-July. The state program is a clever way to use federal dollars, said David Kane, a senior attorney at the Western Center on Law & Poverty. But he noted there are drawbacks. People must be enrolled before they can obtain services, and they can’t enroll themselves. Only certain health care providers, mostly hospitals and clinics, can sign people up. “The program was never designed to exist in isolation,” Kane said, “but now it does.” About 291,000 people were enrolled in the program as of April 4, according to Anthony Cava, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health Care Services, which administers MediCal. An estimated 3.2 million Californians, or around 9.5% of people younger than 65, are uninsured. Kane suggested that people find a qualified provider from a database maintained by the Department of Health Care Services or by calling the MediNurse line and get enrolled as soon as possible, especially if they are used to walking up to a testing site and paying nothing. The challenge is getting people to sign up before they get sick or need a test, Kane said, and keeping the program going with the added patient load. Screening Students Another major source of free testing in California is public schools. California distributed more than 14.3 million at-home tests to schools before students left for spring break. The schools in turn handed out the rapid tests to families so they can screen students before sending them back to campus. The state had a similar program for the winter holidays. The winter testing was “incredibly effective,” according to Primary Health, the company running the program for the state. About 77% of K-12 families voluntarily reported their results back to a sampling of schools, according to the company. In addition, the state is paying
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Primary Health to operate more than 7,000 free testing sites — most of which are in schools — by using leftover federal covid relief money disbursed to states at the beginning of the pandemic. How long that funding will last isn’t clear. “It seems like the federal government is stepping back and saying this portion of health care is going back to health care as we know it,” said Abigail Stoddard, Primary Health’s general manager of government and public programs. Stoddard’s conversations with schools outside California are changing. Instead of conducting surveillance testing to determine whether the virus is circulating on campus, as California is doing, many are moving toward testing only kids with symptoms, she said. For example, Primary Health operates in Minnesota, where schools are applying for grants to fund testing and will decide whether tests will be for sick students, healthy ones, or just staffers. Local Free Testing Free testing is still available in California through some hospitals, community clinics, local health departments, and private companies working with the state, although how long those options will remain is unclear. In Sacramento County, the loss of federal funding for testing uninsured people has gone mostly unnoticed so far. “Our hope is that we have enough services and resources in the community that the additional coverage going away will not have a huge impact,” Kasirye said. The county health department still offers free community testing to uninsured people every day at churches or community centers. But they may get harder to find. The testing company Curative used to offer free lab-run PCR and rapid antigen tests around the state, but now that the federal funding has run out, it offers only PCR tests to the uninsured for free. The company has also reduced the number of its sites, from 283 on April 14 to 135 on April 19. In some states, Curative has either stopped testing uninsured people — or is charging them $99 to $135 per test. (Rachel Bluth/ Kaiser Health News) This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
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Better ventilation can prevent COVID...
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times an hour cuts the risk of coronavirus transmission in half, according to research cited by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Yet most buildings today exchange the air only once or twice an hour. That’s partly because industry ventilation standards, written by a professional group called the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, or ASHRAE, are voluntary. Ventilation standards have generally been written to limit odors and dust, not control viruses, though the society in 2020 released new ventilation guidelines for reducing exposure to the coronavirus. But that doesn’t mean building managers will adopt them. ASHRAE has no power to enforce its standards. And although many cities and states incorporate them into local building codes for new construction, older structures are usually not held to the same standards. Federal agencies have little authority over indoor ventilation. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates standards for outdoor air quality, while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforces indoorair-quality requirements only in health care facilities. David Michaels, an epidemiologist and a professor at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, said that he’d like to see a strong federal standard for indoor air quality but that such calls inevitably raise objections from the business community. Two years into the pandemic, it’s unclear how many office buildings, warehouses, and other places of work have been retooled to meet ASHRAE’s recommended upgrades. No official body has conducted a national survey. But as facilities managers grapple with ways to bring employees back safely, advocates say ventilation is increasingly part of the conversation. “In the first year of the pandemic, it felt like we were the only ones talking about ventilation, and it was falling on deaf ears,” said Allen, with Harvard’s Healthy Buildings program. “But there are definitely, without a doubt, many companies that have taken airborne spread seriously. It’s no longer just a handful of people.” A group of Head Start centers in
Vancouver, Washington, offers an example of the kinds of upgrades that can have impact. Ventilation systems now pump only outdoor air into buildings, rather than mixing fresh and recirculated air together, said R. Brent Ward, the facilities and maintenance operations manager for 33 of the federally funded early childhood education programs. Ward said the upgrades cost $30,000, which he funded using the centers’ regular federal Head Start operating grant. Circulating fresh air helps flush viruses out of vents so they don’t build up indoors. But there’s a downside: higher cost and energy use, which increases the greenhouse gases fueling climate change. “You spend more because your heat is coming on more often in order to warm up the outdoor air,” Ward said. Ward said his program can afford the higher heating bills, at least for now, because of past savings from reduced energy use. Still, cost is an impediment to a more extensive revamp: Ward would like to install more efficient air filters, but the buildings — some of which are 30 years old — would have to be retrofitted to accommodate them. Simply hiring a consultant to assess a building’s ventilation needs can cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars. And highefficiency air filters can cost twice as much as standard ones. Businesses also must be wary of companies that market pricey but unproven cleaning systems. A 2021 KHN investigation found that more than 2,000 schools across the country had used pandemic relief funds to purchase air-purifying devices that use technology that’s been shown to be ineffective or a potential source of dangerous byproducts. Meghan McNulty, an Atlanta mechanical engineer focused on indoor air quality, said building managers often can provide cleaner air without expensive renovations. For example, they should ensure they are piping in as much outdoor air as required by local codes and should program their daytime ventilation systems to run continuously, rather than only when heating or cooling the air. She also recommends that building managers leave ventilation systems running into the evening if people are using the building, rather than routinely turning them down. Some local governments have
given businesses and residents a boost. Agencies in Montana and the San Francisco Bay area last year gave away free portable air cleaners to vulnerable residents, including people living in homeless shelters. All the devices use HEPA filters, which have been shown to remove coronavirus particles from the air. In Washington state, the public health department for Seattle and King County has drawn on $3.9 million in federal pandemic funding to create an indoor air program. The agency hired staff members to provide free ventilation assessments to businesses and community organizations and has distributed nearly 7,800 portable air cleaners. Recipients included homeless shelters, child care centers, churches, restaurants, and other businesses. Although the department has run out of filters, staff members still provide free technical assistance, and the agency’s website offers extensive guidance on improving indoor air quality, including instructions for turning box fans into low-cost air cleaners. “We did not have an indoor air program before covid began,” said Shirlee Tan, a toxicologist for Public Health-Seattle & King County. “It’s been a huge gap, but we didn’t have any funding or capacity.” Allen, who has long championed “healthy buildings,” said he welcomes the new emphasis on indoor air, even as he and others are frustrated it took a pandemic to jolt the conversation. Well before covid brought the issue to the fore, he said, research was clear that improved ventilation correlated with myriad benefits, including higher test scores for kids, fewer missed school days, and better productivity among office workers. “This is a massive shift that is, quite honestly, 30 years overdue,” Allen said. “It is an incredible moment to hear the White House say that the indoor environment matters for your health.” KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.
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California Joint AAPI Legislative Caucus to... PAGE 1
honoring the following individuals: • Excellence in Advocacy: Tammy Cho, Co-founder and CEO of Hate Is A Virus • Excellence in Arts & Entertainment: Dr. Ken Jeong, Actor, Producer, and Writer • Excellence in Business: Dr. Charles Huang, Entrepreneur, Founder and Chairman of Pasaca Capital Inc. • Excellence in Civil Rights: Manufou Liaiga-Anoa’I, Board Trustee of Jefferson Elementary School District Governing Board and Community Leader • Excellence in Health: Dr. Peter Bretan, Transplant and Urologic Surgeon, and First FilipinoAmerican Physician to serve as CMA’s 152nd President • Excellence in Labor: Bryan Ha, Director of Government Relations for the California Faculty Association • Excellence in Science: Samaira Mehta, Entrepreneur, STEM Promoter, and Creator of
CoderBunnyz • Excellence in Sports: Shohei Ohtani, Pitcher and Designated Hitter for the Los Angeles Angels “It is an honor to be a part of the Asian and Pacific Islander community,” said Dr. Richard Pan, Senator (D-Sacramento) and Chair of the Joint AAPI Legislative Caucus. “We celebrate the diversity of our varied communities recognized during APIA Heritage Month. This year, the AAPI Legislative Caucus is honoring eight amazing AAPI Leaders who not only led but uplifted our community during a time when we needed it most. These honorees elevated AAPI voices and insisted that our community be visible and heard in our country.” “I’m incredibly proud to join my colleagues in recognizing APIA Heritage month as we honor the accomplishments of our awardees and other heroes. Their respective excellence in a wide range of fields stands in sharp contrast to the anti-Asian hate
our community has been facing,” said Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), Vice-Chair of the AAPI Legislative Caucus. “We will continue to stand up and rally in solidarity with our allies to root out all forms of racism and xenophobia.” “It is an absolute joy to see so many outstanding individuals nominated and honores this year, including Los Angeles Angel’s superstar Shohei Ohtani! I look forward to celebrating the achievements of this year’s nominees,” said Assemblywoman Janet Nguyen (R-Huntington Beach), Vice Chair of the Joint AAPI Legislative Caucus. On May 9th, Senate Resolution (SR) 80 and House Resolution (HR) 102, which were authored by Senator Min and Assemblymember Low, respectively, will be presented during floor sessions to establish May 2022 as Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. (AJPress)
PAGE 1 that we have been advocating.” It is the format that “can measure the depth of a candidate, who is presenting himself to be the next president of our country, distanced from the usual political noise, personal bickering and worse, gutter politics,” Rodriguez said. Marcos has appeared only in the presidential debate organized by Sonshine Media Network International, owned by Kingdom of Jesus Christ head and selfproclaimed “appointed son of God” Apollo Quiboloy, who previously endorsed the presidential and vice presidential candidacies of Marcos and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Monday also said he was fine with a oneon-one interview “if the schedule will allow it.” “As long as there’s free time, why not?” the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer told reporters in Carles town, Iloilo province. “The thing there is we have commitments and as I mentioned earlier, we still have many provinces and towns to return to or visit. But if the schedule will allow, yes, of course. I’ll be happy to join,” he said. Domagoso said he also did not mind the new format. “Whatever it is, I’m applying for a job. And job applicants
don’t get to choose how they will be interviewed by their future employer, which in this case are the people,” he said in Filipino. No editing Presidential aspirant Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Monday welcomed the move to convert the botched debate series into a panel interview with candidates on one condition: It should not allow edits of the pre-taped question-andanswer session. Lacson said he was wary that post-process editing might take out portions that the candidates feel are vital to their intended message, or muddle the responses. “Editing will complicate matters because (the candidate) has no control (over the final content). My worry is that if something good I said was omitted, and that which is unpleasant is aired, that would be so unfair,” he said. Lacson said he and his running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, would rather have the interviews either aired live, or recorded but aired on the same hour. “So it will be pre-taped. But even if it’s taped (but aired) as live and no edits, we’re game,” he told reporters on the sidelines of their campaign sortie in Tarlac City. The presidential candidate said the modifications in the setup would allow for flexibility in the candidates’ tight schedule, with
just 13 days left in their campaign. Platform discussion “That’s flexibility and that makes it viable; that’s a very feasible suggestion because it will allow us to adjust our schedules depending on when we can have that one-hour panel question-andanswer interview squeezed in,” he said. Asked for confirmation if he will participate, Lacson said: “Yes, we will find time.” Sen. Manny Pacquiao, meanwhile, wants the Comelec to ensure that all presidential candidates will have ample time to air their platforms of governance in the run-up to the May 9 elections. Pacquiao’s media team said the retired boxing champ turned lawmaker was amenable with the poll body’s decision not to push through with the debates. However, the senator is open to a forum where all candidates can explain their platforms one last time for the electorate’s scrutiny. “Debates have been conducted several times, during which major issues hounding the country and even personal issues were addressed,” Pacquiao said in a statement on Monday. “I appeal to the Comelec to ensure for the last time that the candidates will be given enough time to discuss our platforms so that the public can hear us,” he added. g
Final president, VP debates canceled ahead...
Dateline PhiliPPines
2nd booster shot rolled out for immunocompromised by Franco Jose
c. Baroña
ManilaTimes.net
THE government started administering the second COVID-19 booster shot for the immunocompromised, or people with comorbidities, in the National Capital Region. The Department of Health (DOH) said it plans to administer jabs for an estimated 690,000 immunocompromised individuals across all priority groups. "Operations will initially aim to reach approximately 1 [to] 2 percent of this target, which corresponds to about 7,000 to 13,000 individuals. LGUs (local government units) will take the lead in gradually expanding the rollout," the DOH said in a statement. The Philippine Children's Medical Center, Tala Hospital (Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital), Valenzuela Medical Center and the local government of Makati were the first sites that administered the fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccinations. "More vaccination sites will start administering second boosters as the days progress," the department said. The vaccine brands that will be used as a second booster are
AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm and Sinovac. Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, head of the National Vaccination Operations Center, said the country's supply of COVID-19 vaccines was enough for the rollout of the second booster shots. "We have enough vaccines for primary doses, first and second booster shots," she said in a radio interview. Cabotaje said the government would put up special vaccination sites in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao after Ramadan because of the low vaccination rates. The DOH, she said, was also monitoring Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, Quirino, Catanduanes, Olongapo City, Tarlac City, Angeles City and Eastern Samar for possible increases in COVID-19 cases. The Food and Drug Administration has authorized a second booster shot for senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals and health workers. For immunocompromised individuals, the second booster should be administered at least three months after the first booster dose. Health Secretary Francisco
Duque 3rd said that health workers and senior citizens are not included in the initial rollout of the second booster pending review by the Health Technology Assessment Council. Duque defined immunocompromised individuals as those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients, transplant patients and individuals taking immunosuppressive medicines. The DOH said only 12.6 million Filipinos have received booster shots out of the 67.2 million fully vaccinated individuals. The Philippines now joins South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore as countries administering a fourth COVID-19 jab. g
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
LACMTA will receive Proposals for PS77693-2 Agency Security Architecture Review at the 9m Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/ Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. All Proposals must be submitted to LACMTA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, May 6, 2022. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each proposal must be sealed and marked Proposal No. PS77693-2. For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business. metro.net or for further information email Annie Duong 2ND BOOSTER SHOT. An elderly woman on wheel chair receives her second Moderna booster at duonga2@metro.net. shot for immunocompromised individuals at the Virra Mall Greenhills in San Juan City on Tuesday, April 26. Individuals who belong to the immunocompromised category are those in immunodeficiency state, with HIV, active cancer or malignancy, transplant recipients, undergoing steroid treatment, patients with poor prognosis or bed-ridden, and other conditions. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
4/27/22 CNS-3578786# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
6 APRIL 27-29, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
OPiniOn
FeatURes
Onion-skinned
EXPOUNDING on his threat to have the Armed Forces of the Philippines arrest critics of the Commission on Elections, Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay lamented at a press conference yesterday that he had been subjected to flak particularly on social media. Welcome to the digital age, commissioner. For peace of mind, there are public officials who simply disengage from social media or ignore critical posts, with the thought that one can’t please everybody. Instead Bulay, a law classmate of President Duterte who was appointed as commissioner last November, said last Friday that the poll body could order the AFP to arrest critics who accuse the Comelec of bias or express concern about cheating. And Filipinos thought martial law ended in 1986. Fellow lawyers had to remind the former Manila city prosecutor that the Comelec’s deputization of the AFP to ensure orderly elections does not include the power to muzzle free speech and criticism. With just two weeks to election day, the Comelec currently has enough problems in ensuring honest, orderly and peaceful elections or HOPE on May 9. While HOPE has always been the ideal in electoral exercises in this country, it has never been fully attained. Even before the official start of the campaign period, certain politicians have been implicated in the assassination of potential rivals. Aside from armed violence, the Comelec is grappling with the new challenges posed by COVID
pandemic restrictions as well as widespread disinformation on social media and a data breach controversy involving its vote counting machine provider Smartmatic. Complaints about disenfranchisement have surfaced following the opening of the Comelec’s online precinct finder service. It must decide which political parties will have dominant party privileges, amid the prevailing chaotic party situation. The poll body’s effort to help voters make informed choices has been undermined by its inability to compel all candidates to attend the Comelecorganized debates, and now by controversy that has forced a shift from the planned final debate to one-on-one interviews with the aspirants. These are all matters crying for urgent attention and efficient response by the Comelec. There will be opportunities for more criticisms ahead, both for the Comelec and its officials, in all media platforms. Public officials who can’t take the heat should get out of the kitchen and enjoy peaceful retirement. The AFP also has more pressing problems on its plate than to be sicced on critics of onion-skinned public servants. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
If we want Leni and Kiko to succeed as ‘Gobyernong Tapat,’ vote for these trusted candidates for senator The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THE enlightenment, zeal. commitment, and sense of volunteerism of the Filipino people have turned the tide in favor of candidates Vice President Leni Robredo for President and and Senator Kiko Pangilinan for Vice President. This growing and burning momentum has been manifested in successful jam-packed record breaking political rallies in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao powered by volunteers around the nation — a testament to the grassroots movement clamoring for change toward good and honest governance. Kababayans have found renewed hope in the leadership by example of Leni and Kiko with their proven integrity, tried and tested honesty, transparency, accountability, faithfulness to the rule of law and the heart of true public
servants even before they entered politics. The rise of this grassroots support move in the same direction of the endorsements for Leni and Kiko by private citizens’ groups like doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, farmers, colleges and university leadership, scientists, etc. along with former government officials, retired military officers, priests of the Catholic Church and many nongovernment organizations. Even the results of Google Trends, a website by Google that analyzes the popularity of top search queries across various regions and languages, has shown the momentum is on Leni and Kiko now, surpassing the supposed frontrunners Bongbong Marcos Sara Duterte Carpio if (questionable) surveys are to be the sources. Google Trends correctly predicted, based on the scores on search queries, that French President Emmanuel Macron would be re-elected. The power of this movement has proven to be stronger than questionable surveys, fake news and disinformation peddled by their political
opponents who only have their own political and personal interests driving them instead of true and genuine public service. May 9, though, is the ONLY survey that will matter. But the success of the cause transforming our corruptionplagued government into a “gobyernong tapat” headed by Leni and Kiko does not end with a Leni and Kiko victory on election day. We need to elect Senators who also share the same integrity, commitment and faithfulness to the cause as the President and Vice President. Senators do not only write and pass laws, they have other roles and responsibilities that are intended by the Constitution to help protect, defend and strengthen our democracy as one of the three co-equal branches of government, especially in its fulfillment of its obligation to provide checks and balances so that not one official nor institution will abuse its power — something that we are already seeing and have been witnessing in the systemic corruption in government.
Powers and responsibilities Create bills, resolutions, concurrent resolutions, and simple resolutions Debate measures in respective committees and during plenary sessions Conduct inquiries in aid of legislation Propose or concur with amendments in the appropriation of funds by the House of Representatives Try and decide cases of impeachment Declare the existence of a state of war (two-thirds vote along with the House, voting separately) Authorize the president to exercise powers to carry out a declared national policy “for a limited period and subject to restrictions” in times of war or other national emergency Revoke or extend the president’s proclamation of martial law Concur with or reject amnesty by the president Concur with or reject treaties or international agreements (two-thirds vote) Propose amendments to the Constitution through a constituent assembly or constitutional convention
Make full disclosure of financial and business interests, and notify the chamber of possible conflicts of interest when filing legislation of which they are authors (Rappler) WITH these tremendous powers given to the Senate, we need Senators who will be part of the SOLUTION and NOT the problem. We need to FIRE senators who have betrayed public and been convicted and implicated in crimes and transgressions against the country for corruption, plunder, violation of the rule of law, loyalty not to the people but to their party and selfish personal interests, etc. We NEED to vote out candidates who have proven to violate the rule of transparency, accountability, delicadeza. We need to VOTE out candidates who have been lying to us, deceiving us with disinformation and robbing us with the truth that we need to have to make informed and conscientious decisions. We need to VOTE for candidates who have been faithfully and dutifully fighting for us and the greater good all their life, and not just during
campaign season. Therefore, I submit to you the following names to vote for on May 9 as our Honorable Senators: Chel Diokno Antonio Trillanes IV Risa Hontiveros Leila de Lima Neri Colmenares Teddy Baguilat Jr. Alex Lacson Sonny Matula Luke Espiritu Richard Gordon Elmer Labog Dr. Minguita Padilla *** 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
Confronting disinformation in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities Commentary
CHRISTINE CHEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF
APIAVOTE
MISINFORMATION and disinformation are one of the great challenges facing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities today. They are making our communities less safe, weakening our trust in the election systems, and tearing some families apart. We saw how mis- and disinformation have impacted both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, and it continues to have an impact on issues that are important to our communities, including vaccinations, immigration, and public safety. For example, we have seen disinformation campaigns telling voters the wrong election day, lying
that immigration officials are appearing at the polls, claiming voting-by-mail is ripe for fraud, contending schools are indoctrinating students with critical race theory, and more. Additionally, disinformation is also being used to direct hate towards Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, and to pit communities against each other and against other communities of color – such as claims Chinese Americans are spreading COVID-19 and that Black and brown Americans are the main initiators of anti-Asian Hate. All of these narratives have the real potential to threaten our democratic process, mis-inform voters with non-factual information on which they may base their vote on, and most importantly – cause harm. These narratives are able to spread easily through AAPI communities because frankly, social media companies are not doing enough to combat the
problem. On top of this is the fact that AAPI communities speak over 50 languages, come from various cultural backgrounds, are found across many social media platforms that often utilize closed groups, and nonEnglish content is less likely to be flagged. These all make it hard to monitor, track, and report problematic narratives. As a result, it is also hard to push back with quality information. Confronting disinformation will require major change; however, it is also important we arm ourselves with the tools to detect disinformation in our own social media feeds so we are able to push back one step at a time. Here are some tips: Does something you are reading or hearing seem too good to be true? Is it inconsistent with what other sources are saying? Does it invoke an emotional response? Are there other sources discussing this story? Does it appear to be overblown, exaggerated, or lacking in
specific evidence? If the answer is yes, these are tell-tale signs that disinformation or another type of problematic narrative might be at play. When asking ourselves these important questions, one of the most important things one can do if something seems suspicious is to check to see if other reputable sources are covering the narrative or assertion. This may include well-known national news outlets, trusted local news media, government websites, encyclopedias, and non-partisan fact-checking websites. If you cannot find other reputable sources about what you are researching, check the source of the information! If it appears to be a news outlet or blog, use MediaBiasFactcheck. com or AllSides.com to determine if it is a trustworthy source. It is important to note that identifying disinformation can be difficult if something
appears believable, especially if it already fits into our existing belief system. When consuming any information from a source you are unfamiliar with, or if it does not have any sourcing, ask yourself if this fits too comfortably into your belief system. This allows us to challenge our assumptions and catch us from making the mistake of believing something untrue or misleading. When coming across disinformation, it is important to not only know how to detect it – but do something about it. If something is false, report it! If you know the person posting it, and they are open to feedback, try kindly and privately speaking with them about your concern and leading them towards factual resources. Doing this prevents public embarrassment and can help them understand the problem with the post. Lastly, never engage with a problematic post; bad actors rely on any type of reaction to
spread their message. Unfortunately, most of us will come across disinformation in our everyday lives. It is an issue that needs to be addressed by social media companies and our elected officials, but with these insights in mind, we hope to confront disinformation head on, one person at a time – and move towards a world where our communities are empowered with good information. *** 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.
***
Christine Chen is the co-Founder and Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote). APIAVote is the nation’s leading nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities to strengthen their voices and create impact. For decades, our action-driven organization has led national initiatives to ensure AAPIs are represented and heard.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 27-29, 2022 7
Supreme Court upholds decision leaving Anti-Terror Act mostly intact by Kristine Joy
Philstar.com
PataG
BAGUIO CITY — The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeals filed by petitioners to reverse its ruling on their pleas against the AntiTerrorism Act of 2020, which they warned would have longlasting effects on civil liberties in the Philippines. The SC, in its final en banc Supporters of presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo fill the stretch of Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City for a rally summer session, denied on the occasion of her 57th birthday on Saturday, April 23. Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas with finality the motions for reconsideration on its Dec. 7, 2021 ruling that left most of the feared ant-terrorism law as intact.
The SC PIO said the Court dismissed the appeals due to "lack of substantial issues and arguments raised by the petitioners.” “An entry of judgment was immediately ordered by the Court,” it added. In December 2021, the SC voted 12-3 to declare as null the “killer caveat” of Section 4 that defines terrorism, particularly the proviso qualifying "advocacy, protest, dissent, stoppage of work, industrial or mass action, and other similar exercises of civil and political rights" that cannot be considered terrorism.
The court also voted 9-6 that allowing the AntiTerrorism Council to adopt requests for designation by other jurisdictions or supranational jurisdictions is unconstitutional, the second method of designation under the law. Petitioners however felt that the ruling was merely a consolation as the feared law was left mostly intact, including the broad powers of the Anti-Terrorism Council and the prolonged detention of suspected terrorists of up to 24 days u PAGE 8
Police may have underestimated crowd size at Robredo’s Pasay rally, online tool suggests Arrested hackers can’t manipulate by Xave
GreGorio Philstar.com
MANILA — The crowd at Vice President Leni Robredo’s rally in Pasay City on the occasion of the presidential candidate’s 57th birthday must have been quite sparsein the eyes of National Capital Region Police Office, which estimate that only 70,000 to 80,000 people attended the event. According to online crowd estimation tool MapChecking, the NCRPO's lower-end estimate would mean 1.3 people for every square meter of the venue and 1.5 people per square meter for the higher-end estimate. Even the NCRPO’s initial estimate of around 90,000 to 100,000 people might be an undercount, considering that these numbers would have meant that only 1.7 people per square meter to 1.9 people per square meter were present. At these rates, the crowd along
the stretch of Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard should not have been as dense as what Philstar.com witnessed when we covered the rally last Saturday. From our vantage point on a platform situated close to the main stage near Jose W. Diokno Boulevard, the crowd fluctuated from around three people per square meter to four people per square meter. According to MapChecking, this would have yielded a crowd that ranged from 159,987 to 213,316 people. If bumped up to five people per square meter, which is the maximum number of people allowed by the online tool, the crowd would have been at 266,645 people. These estimates are far lower than the numbers released by organizers, who said that around 412,000 people were present at the Pasay rally. But it bears noting that MapChecking cannot account for spillovers into nearby roads.
Former DILG chief Alunan gives own estimate A now-viral Facebook post by former Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan III also attempted to provide an estimate for Robredo’s rally in Pasay City, which was graced by A-list celebrities and entertainers including Vice Ganda, John Arcilla and Maricel Soriano. Alunan said that given that Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard has an area of 175,000 square meters and assuming that there were around three people per square meter, there would have been at most 525,000 people along the street. "How many more people would you say spilled over to the peripheries and tributaries - 50,000?, 100,000?, 150,000?” he said. “One thing for sure, the crowd was mammoth, thanks to the organizers, volunteer groups and supporters. Take a bow everyone!" g
BACOLOD CITY — At least 27 lay organizations of the Diocese of Bacolod have declared their support for the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Monday, April 25. Bobby Magalona, lay leader of the Community of Families for Christ-Gawad Kalinga, said this is the first time that the lay organizations have united to come up with a declaration of support for candidates. “This is very significant and very historic,” he said during a press
conference at the John Paul II Hall of the Redemptorist Shrine in Bacolod City. The lay organizations, in their joint statement, said the results of the May 9 elections will determine what will happen to the country and the future of children. “The choice of leaders in these elections will be crucial in deciding our fate as a sovereign and democratic country,” they said. They called on each community to go through a discernment process and to be guided by
the truth and not be deceived by propaganda, disinformation, revision of facts and all forms of lies. The group said Robredo and Pangilinan met their criteria of leaders who are God-fearing, show godly values, and value the Filipino family, Magalona said. “We ask our lay faithful to learn, listen and support our Catholic Church social teachings and guidelines regarding our national and local issues, including our Church leaders’ stand on our elections,” they said. (Inquirer.net)
Around 27 Catholic lay organizations back Robredo, Pangilinan
polls, only out to scam politicians by Gabriel
Pabico Inquirer.net
lalu
MANILA — The hackers who were arrested for offering services to politicians who want to alter election results in the 2022 general polls apparently do not have the capability to do such things, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) claimed on Tuesday, April 26. Instead, CICC executive director and Undersecretary Cezar Mancao II said that the three hackers were really only out to scam politicians. Mancao clarified that while it is true that they got inside the system of automated election provider Smartmatic — with the help of an ex-employee who gave them access — the group never got close to altering election results. “Sabi nila, actually naghanap sila ng mga kandidato na sumasang-ayon sa kanilang mga plano na magha-hack at papanalunin. Ayaw naming banggitin ang mga pangalan dahil sa probinsya, subalit meron na. At alam namin sa ngayon masasabi namin together with the PNP na ito ay napakalaking scam,” Mancao said during the briefing. “‘Yong kanilang na-hack, totoo nga, meron silang access sa Smartmatic system no’ng una, subalit dun sa nakuha kay Argana, ay ganoon din, hanggang do’n lang sa preparation,” he added.
Mancao said that it is nearly impossible to hack into Comelec’s system and change the results of the elections, as hackers would have to face highlevel security covered in multiple layers of protection. “Pero sa actual election, hindi na ho (kaya) i-access ‘tong ating Comelec system na nakuha from Smartmatic. Ang dami hong mga klase-klaseng firewalls, multilevel checking,” the former intel cop noted. Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza of the Philippine National Police, who has been assigned to coordinate with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), said that he tried to ask the Comelec representative to explain things . However, Comelec’s information technology expert declined because of a tight schedule. Still, Nobleza assured the public that the Comelec’s system is “foolproof.” “We invited the presence of the Comelec IT expert regarding this concern, but they are too busy to attend this because of previous commitment today. But sir the Comelec assures the public that the systems, these are foolproof. It is next to impossible that this elections will be rigged, so napakahirap daw po talagang i-rig ito, it is next to impossible,” Nobleza said. “So the Comelec assures the public that the system that they have in place — they have placed high-level security on
their system, so napakahirap po talagang pasukin,” he added. Information relayed by CICC earlier said that Joel Adajar Ilagan alias ‘Borger’, Adrian de Jesus Martinez alias ‘Admin X’, and Jeffrey Cruz Limpiado alias Brake/ Vanguard/ Universal/ LLR’ were arrested in an operation in Laguna and Cavite last Saturday. The three, who belong to the ‘XSOS Group’, are facing cases for violating Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 for the following reasons: • hacking the Smartmatic system • disrupting the Comelec website • hacking the Napocor website • hacking the credit cards and other online transactions • ransomware committed against local commercial website Mancao said that even the hackers led by Limpiado — despite having access from exSmartmatic employee Ricardo Argana — conceded that it was hard to pull off such a stunt. Some of the victims of the trio appear to be local candidates seeking elective posts, but the CICC chief declined to give out names as the list has not been validated. “Sa initial statement ng ating mastermind-suspect, sinabi niya despite of the many u PAGE 8
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7 municipalities, 1 city in Mindanao placed under Comelec control Supreme Court upholds decision leaving... by William
Depasupil ManilaTimes.net
COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan onTuesday, April 26 placed seven municipalities and one city in Mindanao under Comelec control. Placed under Comelec control were the towns of Buluan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Piang, Mangudadatu, Pandag and Sultan Kudarat in the province of Maguindanao. Also under Comelec control are Marawi City and the town of Maguing both in Lanao del Sur, in addition to Tubaran and Malabang towns. Pangarungan said that his latest directive was based on the recommendation of the
Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines and Regional Election Director Ray Sumalipao, the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC). Under Comelec Resolution 10757 an area can be put under Comelec control if there is a history of/or current intense rivalry among contending parties. Such rivalries could motivate people to engage in violent acts; incidents of politically-motivated violence involving aspirants/candidates and other supporters. Violence may be facilitated by the employment of Private Armed Groups (PAGs); and serious armed threats posed by the Communist Terrorist
Groups (CTGs), and other threat groups including the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFFs), the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the Maute Group, and other analogous threat groups as may be declared by the competent authority, or other paramilitary forces, private armies or identifiable armed bands widely perceived to have committed terrorism, fraud or other election irregularities and threaten or disrupt the holding of free, peaceful, honest, orderly, and credible elections in any political divisions, subdivisions, unit or area. "As regards to other areas, we are continuously upgrading and updating our assessment status," Pangarungan said. g
Arrested hackers can’t manipulate polls, only... PAGE 7 access given by the contact sa Smartmatic, napakahirap daw talaga mang-hack sa transmission at saka sa results. More on mangi-iscam lang talaga sila,” Mancao noted. Earlier, Mancao confirmed
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that the three hackers were connected to Argana who is currently missing after first surrendering to the National Bureau of Investigation. Just this January, there were fears that the election results may be rigged in favor
of a candidate due to rumors of Comelec being hacked. However, Comelec officials back then clarified that they are confident enough that their system cannot be hacked, as they did not see any evidence of a data breach. g
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PAGE 7 Now-retired Associate Justice Rosmari Carandang wrote the December ruling, while Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda penned the resolution that junked the appeals. Appeals SC spokesperson Brian Hosaka said a total of six appeals were filed. At least two groups of petitioners focused their motions on the following: • Section 4: Terrorism • Section 9: Inciting to Commit Terrorism • Section 10: Recruitment to and Membership in a Terrorist Organization • Section 12: Providing Material Support to Terrorists • Section 25: Third mode of designation • Section 29: Prolonged detention The SC has yet to upload a copy of the resolution, but it said that justices maintained their voting, with newest Associate Justice Antonio Kho Jr. siding with the majority. Since the December 2021 ruling, the ATC has designated 16 new groups as terrorists
during the period to appeal. Petitioner Chad Booc, a teacher for Lumads who had been red-tagged, was killed in what the military claim was an operation, but Booc’s group fiercely denied. Lawyer Tony La Viña said in March: “It is very important that the SC reconsiders because the ATA has deadly consequences. Election issue The SC ruling comes weeks before the Philippines elects a new president — where dictator’s son Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. leads in latest polls — who will appoint cabinet members who will sit as members of the feared ATC. The new president will also inherit a Philippines reeling from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the trail of blood from the “war on drugs” of President Rodrigo Duterte. Counsels to petitioners said 2022 polls candidates should be asked on their stand on the law, because “human lives are at stake here,” lawyer Virginia
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Suarez said. La Viña also said they hope “candidates will talk about their stand, whether they will repeal it or what is their interpretation” of the law, “because this is potentially a big disaster for the next government.” With the decision of the SC to uphold its earlier ruling, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers president Edre Olalia said they are still hoping that the law, “in good time,” will be struck down, amended, if not appealed. But while the feared ATA is enforced in the country, they vowed that they will guard and defend against its abuse and misuse against the very people it is supposed to protect. It is even more imperative that we stand our ground for our rights.” Survey frontrunner Marcos, in a January 17 release, vowed full support to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, which groups have long been accusing of red-tagging activists and dissenters. g
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Fil-Am mother-daughter duo joins CBS’ new dance competition series F
by Donnabelle
GatDula-arevalo / AJPress
ILIPINO American mother and daughter duo Nicole and Emelyn Yniguez want to tell their story through dance as they join the newest CBS’ family dance competition series, “Come Dance with Me,” which premiered earlier this April. Nicole, 41, who works as a social media consultant, said showing their true selves in their dance routines would somewhat give them an edge over other teams in the competition. “The most valuable thing that I told Emelyn and myself was to be just ourselves and have fun,” Nicole, the mother of 4 children, told the Asian Journal when asked what people can expect from their performances in the 11-week dance contest series. “Yes, it’s a competition and we want to do our best but we just need to be ourselves and that’s what’s gonna come across the people watching on television that as long as we can stay true to who we are and not try to be anything other than Emelyn and Nicole, I feel that people can relate to us because we are just being our authentic selves,” Nicole added. “Come Dance with Me” features exceptionally talented young dancers from across the country who invite one untrained family member who has supported their dance dreams to be their partner, for a chance to strut their stuff for a grand prize.
that was sacrificing her work so her kids can dance,” she added. Nicole left her day job to film the dance show’s two-hour premiere episode in Australia mid-last year. While she never had a chance to shake a leg when she was younger, Nicole wished to learn but her hardworking parents did not have the luxury of time to bring her to dance schools. “I always wanted to dance when I was younger but my parents, both working then, did not allow me because of time commitment issues. I never had the opportunities so when this presented itself and when Emelyn asked me to do it with her, then the rest is history,” said Nicole, who also used to hold an administrative office job at a dance studio in New Fil-Am daughter Emelyn and mother Nicole Yniguez from Las Vegas compete in CBS’ new Jersey before the family moved dance competition series “Come Dance with Me.” to Las Vegas. With a supportive Never in her wildest dreams school. Everything was remote family, 14-year-old Emelyn, on so we just did it on a whim, did Nicole imagine she would not really expecting to go far,” the other hand, has been lacing be joining a dance competition up her dance shoes since she Nicole said. as big as this one. “When we had an interview, was three years old. She is now “I honestly didn’t expect I was actually trying to suggest a preprofessional dancer and to be in the show with her. has been dancing competitively my husband to do the show We just applied and it was in for over seven years. with her but they inquired 2020 and she was just 12 and Emelyn got her inspiration about me and I guess they it was mid-pandemic, we were liked the idea that I was a mom and love for dancing from home and the kids were not in
Duo Emelyn and Nicole Yniguez show off behind the scenes photos while filming CBS’ “Come Dance with Me” in Australia. Photo courtesy of Nicole Yniguez/
watching students in the dance studio where her Mom used to work. She began dancing at the age of 3. “When I was 7 years old, my mom started working at a dance school. One day, my mom took us to watch a dance contest. The dancers were on stage and I go watched them and I was just in awe and so inspired and I told my mom, ‘I wanna do this and I wanna dance on stage, too. I want to dress up and get a trophy and get an award for dancing,’” Emelyn said. Through years of
experience and immense training, Emelyn could muster any dance style and genre, such as hip hop, tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, ballroom and tumbling/gymnastics. Preparing for the intricate and complicated dance routines, Nicole admitted, was a major challenge for her. “Before we went to Australia to film the show, I’ve never trained. I’ve never danced before. It was very physically demanding experience because you know at that time I was 40, Continued on Page 10
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - April 27, 2022
The 17th Archdiocesan Santacruzan in Los Angeles LOS ANGELES, CA – The Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will celebrate its 17th Marian Santacruzan May Crowning on Saturday May 14, 2022 at 2:00 PM at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels, located at 555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Rev. Fr. Rodel G Balagtas will be the celebrant, Liaison of the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale. The Santacruzan was first held in the 1800’s at Malolos, Bulacan in the Philippines. It is a religious procession commemorating
the quest of Queen Helena of Constantinople and her son, Constantine the Great’s, in finding the True Cross: the cross that’s said to be the one upon which Jesus was crucified. It has since become part of Filipino tradition focused on the youth and their devotion to emulate the Blessed Virgin Mary. The celebration will consist of the presentation of the “Sagalas”, young girls and women that comprise the Court of Honor for the procession of the Blessed Mary. This is followed by a celebration of the Eucharistic Mass and thereafter the coronation of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace. The Flower Offering of youth participants in the Archdiocese concludes this Catholic celebration. Led by the Filipino Ministry, various religious and devotional groups, numerous community, cultural, civic and non-profit organizations are expected to join with their banners together with their Virgin Mary icons. Recommended attire is Filipiniana. A 6:30 PM dinner-dance reception will follow at Casa Italiana located at 1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012. For inquiries about tickets and souvenir program
Ria more daring at 30 By Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
“I’M 30. I feel like it’s a great way to welcome my adulthood,” declared actress Ria Atayde, whose sexy photos created online buzz recently. “How did I get to that decision? A big part of it is my ‘mama-ger’ Kathryn (Bernardo), who mounted the shoot. It’s so funny because for each layout the photographer, Cha (Charis Malico), would send some photos to Kath, who would keep saying, ‘More skin! More skin!’” recalled Ria, whose actual birthday is March 23. “As for me, I was so game. I’m not saying that I’m at my fittest, but at this point, I feel that I’m at my happiest. Right now is a time that I really want to remember. When we were shooting, I was like, ‘More skin pa ba? OK!’ To me, it’s like a role. For that day, my role was a daring model,” she told Inquirer Entertainment in a recent virtual chat. “It’s not like I would get into more daring roles from now on. If it’s worth being
Ria Atayde
daring, yes I’d do it, but it would need convincing. It’s just that, when else would I be photographed like that?” she argued. “I actually did two [shoots]—one mounted by Kathryn and another one by my glam team as a gift to me.” Family reactions Asked what the reaction of her family was to the daring photos, Ria said, laughing: “My mom (Sylvia Sanchez) liked the photos. (Brother) Arjo, according to my younger sister Gela, asked, ‘Who’s that?’ My dad (Art Atayde), when I showed him some of
Hadestown North American Tour
Photo by T Charles Erickson
Tony Award-winning ‘Hadestown’ comes to Los Angeles
THE Los Angeles engagement of “Hadestown” opens Wednesday, April 27 at 8 p.m. at Center Theatre Group / Ahmanson Theatre. The acclaimed new musical is by celebrated singer-songwriter and Tony Award® winner Anaïs Mitchell and developed with innovative director and Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin. Originally set to play in Los Angeles in 2020, the most honored show of the 2018-2019 Broadway season will finally make its West Coast debut. This haunting and hopeful epic production will play through May 29. The winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards including Best New Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, “Hadestown” is hailed by the Los Angeles Times’ Charles McNulty as, “Quite simply one of the most exquisite works of musical storytelling I’ve seen in my more than Photo from Instagram/@ria 25 years as a theatre critic.” In addition to the show’s eight Tony Awards, it has been honored the photos, said, ‘Why do you with six Outer Critics Circle Awards, including want to show everybody your Outstanding New Broadway Musical, four panty?’” Drama Desk Awards and the Drama League Interestingly enough, Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical. Ria said she started getting Following two intertwining love stories — one serious about losing weight of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, after her spine surgery in April and the other of King Hades and his wife 2021. Persephone — “Hadestown” invites audiences “I wasn’t allowed to work on a hell-raising journey to the underworld out. For the longest time, I and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and hated myself for eating a lot. Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry I now maintain a healthier against nature, doubt against faith and fear relationship with food,” she against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble explained. “I’d say that my of actors, dancers and singers, “Hadestown” unintentional weight loss had delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly something to do with my back hopeful theatrical experience. surgery. The heavier I am, the The North American touring production Continued on Page 12 of “Hadestown” stars Drama Desk Award nominee Nicholas Barasch as Orpheus, Morgan Siobhan Green as Eurydice, Tony Award winner Levi Kreis as Hermes, Kimberly Marable as Persephone and Olivier Award® nominee Kevyn Morrow as Hades. The Fates are played by Belén Moyano, Bex Odorisio and Shea Renne. The Workers Chorus features Lindsey Hailes, Chibueze Ihuoma, Will Mann, Sydney Parra, Eddie Noel Rodríguez and Jamari Johnson Williams. The swings for the touring production include Tyla Collier, Ian Coulter-Buford, Alex Lugo and J. Antonio Rodriguez. The creative team features Tony Award winner Rachel Hauck (set design); fourtime Tony Award nominee Michael Krass (costume design); two-time Tony Award winner Bradley King (lighting design); Tony Award winners Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz (sound design); Chita Rivera Award® winner and three-time Bessie Award® winner David Neumann (choreography); Liam Robinson (music supervision and vocal arrangements); Tony Award winners Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose (arrangements and orchestrations); Ken Cerniglia (dramaturgy); and Stewart/ Whitley (casting). “Hadestown” marks the first time in over a decade that a woman has been the sole author of a musical: writing the music, lyrics and book, and is the fourth time in Broadway history a woman has accomplished this creative feat. The show originated as Mitchell’s indie theatre project that toured Vermont which she then turned into an acclaimed album. With Chavkin, her artistic collaborator, “Hadestown” has been transformed into a genre-defying
new musical that blends modern American folk music with New Orleans-inspired jazz to reimagine a sweeping ancient tale. Producers Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold and Tom Kirdahy said jointly, “Throughout its development, ‘Hadestown’ has been deeply influenced by audiences around the world. We are thrilled and humbled to now share this beautiful story of hope, faith, and rebirth – written and directed by two amazingly talented women and brought to life by a diverse company of performers – with audiences across North America.” The show opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway (219 West 48th Street, New York) on April 17, 2019, where it played sold-out houses nightly before performances were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Hadestown” resumed performances September 2, 2021 as one of the first musicals to reopen on Broadway. “Hadestown” electrified audiences with its 2016 world premiere at New York Theatre Workshop, which is the longest-running show in that celebrated theater’s 40-year history. The production then received its Canadian premiere at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre in 2017 and then a 2018 sold-out engagement at the London’s National Theatre. “Hadestown” was developed with funding from the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center and was further developed by The Ground Floor at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. “Hadestown” was co-conceived by Ben t. Matchstick. The Grammy winning “Hadestown” Original Broadway Cast Recording is now available at Hadestown.com/music. The album is produced by David Lai, Sickafoose and Mitchell on Sing It Again Records. Tickets for “Hadestown” are currently on sale at Center Theatre Group / Ahmanson Theatre and start at $35. They are available through CenterTheatreGroup.org, Audience Services at (213) 972-4400 or in person at the Center Theatre Group Box Office (at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012). Performances run Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Call for exceptions. For the time being, Center Theatre Group will continue to require masks, along with proof of full vaccination, and a governmentor education-issued ID at all of our venues. Booster shots are strongly recommended. Unvaccinated guests, including children or those with a medical or religious reason, must provide proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours prior to attendance, or a negative rapid antigen test taken no more than 24 hours prior. All tests must be administered by a professional. At-home tests will not be accepted. Center Theatre Group will continue working closely with The Music Center and L.A. County officials to ensure they are following all applicable health and safety protocols. Please note that these health and safety measures are subject to change, at Center Theatre Group’s sole discretion and based on evolving health and safety guidance and conditions. More information regarding safety updates as well as audience vaccination, testing and mask requirements is available at CenterTheatreGroup.org/Safety.
Fil-Am mother-daughter...
From Page 9 my body doesn’t move the way my daughter’s does. So learning these intricate steps was very hard and it took a lot of practice and a lot of corrections from my daughter so that I could at least try my best to match her energy and all the stuff that she does,” Nicole said. Emelyn, for her part, has been continuously honing her dancing prowess through intense and vigorous training. “I am actually competing with my current studio Dance Connection. I am also training at Dance Connection about five to six days a week, four to five hours per day and I train in all styles,” the teen said. With all these sacrifices and challenges, Nicole and Emelyn are just proud to be representing the Fil-Am community in the U.S. “We are so proud to be a Fil-Am mother-daughter duo representing the Filipino community. We hope that our story and our dances can inspire other young Fil-Am dancers out there,” Nicole said.
“We know that Filipinos are known to be great at everything, entertainmentwise. It’s so amazing that we have this opportunity to not only represent the Filipino community but the Asian community and the most beautiful thing that I would say about the cast is that we are very diverse. There are actually three families that are of Asian descent. We are so proud to be one of them representing all the Asian and Filipino families out there and we just really hope that we make all the Pinoys out there proud,” she said. This mother-daughter dance tandem from Las Vegas is one of the 12 teams from across the country who will vie for the competition’s grand prize of $100,000. Emelyn, Nicole’s oldest child, said if they win, they would want to use the prize money to buy a house. “Right now, we live in a condominium. A family of six in a three-bedroom condo, it’s very small compared to what we want to live in. We would really like to buy a house,”
the teen dance enthusiast said. According to the 8th grader, they would also save some of the prize money for a college fund and other family expenses. “Come Dance with Me” is from creators and executive producers Chris O’Donnell, LL COOL J (stars of CBS’ “NCIS: Los Angeles”) and 3 Ball Productions. The show, which premiered in April 15, will air every Friday thereafter for 11 weeks, at 8 p.m. Eastern/ Pacific and 7 p.m. Central. GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter Philip Lawrence hosts the series which features music from popular artists across all genres. Judges of the competition include one of Hollywood’s most prolific dancers and actresses, Jenna Dewan; professional celebrity dancer Dexter Mayfield; and renowned hip hop choreographer Tricia Miranda. Throughout the season, each duo will learn and perform different styles of dance, from hip hop and ballroom to contemporary and theatrical, among others.
Trends continue upward for Boulder-Las Vegas-Henderson areas
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - April 27, 2022
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By RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman THE market continues to move up for many areas in Nevada, including the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Boulder and Henderson. In the most recent monthly report by First American Title Insurance Company, the aforementioned areas are still in a strong seller’s market segment, with market action indexes for each of the cities improving by a few points over last month’s numbers. In Las Vegas, the overall median list price is at $600,000, with the median price for new listings pegged at $535,000. The per square foot price is at $270. Inventory remains at around 1,529. The median rent, meanwhile, is set at $2,200. Analysis for the Las Vegas area says that “home sales continue to outstrip supply and the Market Action Index has been moving higher for several weeks” and it has issued a “watch for upward pricing pressure in the near future if the trend continues.” The City of North Las Vegas, for its part, has an overall median list price of $451,500, with the median price of new listings priced at $445,495. Price per square foot is at $237, while median rent is at $2,141. There are currently 264 homes counted in the inventory. Analysis for North Las Vegas is similar to that of Las Vegas – “home Realtor Quitevis-Bateman and Russ Bateman attended the recent NAR Brokers’ sales continue to outstrip supply and the Market Action Index has Summit so they can be well-informed on real estate trends nationwide and globally. been moving higher for several weeks” and “watch for upward pricing pressure in the near future if the trend continues.” Boulder City, meanwhile, has an overall median list price of $774,499, with the median price of new listings set at $712,000. The city has a per square foot price at $339, and an inventory of 34. Median rent in Boulder City is pegged at $2,240. The analysis for Boulder City says “the market continues to get hotter” with having fewer homes listed and more demand contributing to a relatively long run of increasing prices. The report says that “current supply and demand levels show no sign of prices changing from their current trend.” Finally, Henderson has an overall median list price of $650,000, with the median price of new listings set at $558,000. The per square foot price is at $299, and there are 441 homes in inventory. The median rent in Henderson is pegged at $2,330. The analysis for Henderson says that “home sales continue to outstrip supply” and Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948 or send email to fely@precious-properties.com. Realtor Quitevis-Bateman (left) with CA Realtor Lauren Honey Marcus, who also attended the Broker’s Summit. Both have talked about the possibility of doing business with each other.
that it is a seller’s market so “watch for upward pricing pressure in the near future if the trend continues.” This is great news for areas in Nevada and only confirms that real estate prices in the state continue to rise. This greatly benefits the many individuals who have invested their money in real estate and properties in Las Vegas and its surrounding areas as they have gotten a great return on investment on their initial ventures. With construction projects aplenty and developers looking at neighboring areas for development opportunities, per square foot prices and real estate/property will continue to be on an uptrend. That bodes well for those who are looking to put their hard-earned money into land and/or property, which almost always continues to appreciate as time goes by. In other news in Las Vegas, the Palms Casino Resort is slated to open this April. It is now under the ownership of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and had a $690 million renovation in 2019. It has been closed since March of 2020. According to a release, the 31.5-acre property will have an Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (right) with National Association of Realtors president Leslie Rouda Smith at the Brokers’ Summit in Phoenix, AZ held on April updated casino floor with a new layout for slot machines and table games. The 14 movie theaters have been updated with new 5-6, 2022.
reclining seats, an American gastro-pub named Serrano Vista Cafe has been added, and a new rewards program, Club Serrano, is ready. Club Serrano is shared with players at the Yaamava’ resort and casino located three and a half hours away in Highland, California. A recent news report said that the Palms aims to bring something fresh and exciting to the Strip while also honoring the San Manuel tradition. The property’s management and team will be focused on both quality of service and offering fabulous amenities to its clients and visitors. Whether you are looking to settle down in the area, purchase a second home, or just invest your money in real estate, now is a good time to scout for opportunities as prices are more affordable. 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 real estate/properties 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 775-513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702-5384948 for more information. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - April 27, 2022
4 ways filing for divorce can benefit your immigration case Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes COUPLES get divorced for various reasons. California is a no fault state. The reasons why a couple is getting divorced are often irrelevant to the issues of the family law case. Divorce is often a difficult and negative experience for most families. However, getting divorce may have some unintended benefits in the immigration law arena. Four situations in which filing for divorce can be beneficial to your immigration case are as follows: 1. Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens If you were petitioned for legal permanent residence by your U.S. Citizen parent as a married son or daughter 21 years old or over, you are classified in immigration law under family sponsored third preference (F3) which usually carries a long wait time. The wait time for Filipinos for example is currently 22 years. The priority date is normally the
date the petition was initially filed by your U.S. Citizen parents. If you get divorced, you revert back to single status and your category automatically becomes reclassified to first preference (F1) where the waiting time is substantially shorter. For example, for Filipinos the wait time under F1 category is 10 years shorter than F3 category. This means if your parents filed your immigration petition 12 years ago, then you can adjust to a green card now instead of waiting another 10 years. 2. Married sons and daughters of legal permanent residents If your parents are legal permanent residents, getting divorced will convert you back single status making you eligible to be petitioned by your legal permanent resident parents under the family based second preference (F2b) category if you are 21 years old or older or under the family based second preference A (F2a) if you are under 21 years of age. For those who married after they were petitioned by their LPR parents (F2A and F2B), the petition is automatically revoked under operation of law the moment you get married
Immigrant Living: 101 and BeMonette AdevA MAglAyA
STORIES have the power and influence to touch the heart and cannot be reclaimed by that a cut and dried essay or a a divorce. In theory, it can be report does not have. Somehow argued that filing a subsequent the lessons and insights we petition after your divorce learn from stories have a longer under the same category shelf life. They stick. inherits the previous petition’s Along the way, I have met priority date under 9 FAM 42.43 many whose stories seem like N10 and 8 CFR 204.2(h), Part the stuff of fiction. Other stories 205. However, success of such are cautionary and some are argument is not clear since the horrific. A lot of what I write are old petition was automatically stories told to me. I view them revoked the moment you from my personal lens and filter. married. The best thing that I listen quietly, file them can be done in this situation away and sort things out. I is to have your LPR parent fictionalize story elements to repetition you as an F2A or protect their privacy and some F2b even if you are unable to elements, for purposes of reclaim the previous petition’s conciseness and flow. Like the priority date. deft fingers of a tapestry maker, 3. Conditional legal I hope to weave the colorful permanent residents in failed threads together, conjure a marriages composite character from For those who obtained their legal permanent residence different, engaging people I have met. Hopefully these series status through marriage based warm and lift the heart just a petition by their U.S. Citizen tad. For as long as we live, we spouse of less than 2 years all need a boost daily. marriage, the legal permanent (Continued from last week’s residence status conferred is issue…) usually a “conditional legal Charisse’s natural curiosity permanent residence” valid as a researcher would normally only for 2 years. The couple drive her to check out her would need to sign and file a story on the internet. But she joint petition to remove this condition prior to the expiration felt Dolly’s story was told to of the 2 years or the conditional her in confidence like a secret and so it will stay that way. She legal permanent resident Continued on Page 13 purposely didn’t ask for her full name because she enjoyed the
Once upon a time series
Charisse’s confection (Conclusion of 2 parts)
“ … If poetry can be set in motion, it was Alex and Charisse twirling the verses on the dance floor. …” mystery and the company of the older woman. She thought that too much information overload has killed all the mystery and wonder in this world. And so she just let it be. Charisse dressed up carefully for Dolly’s birthday party. She had put on light make-up but applied a bit more layer of mascara for effect. She let her hair down and wore her antique chandelier earrings. She wore her emerald green sheath silk dress that outlined her slim figure, put on her single strand pearl necklace and her black Spanish mantilla shawl. She slipped on her one and only black pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes that revealed her nice gams. It isn’t often she gets to play dress-up but when she does, she can be quite a sight. She placed her Crema de Fruta with the candlewax numerals 8 and 0 in the middle on a pedestal rectangular crystal tray. A friend dropped her off at the Senior Center. It was festooned in bright lights and was a buzzing hub of activity when she arrived. It seemed pleasantly odd that it was decorated more festively than usual, with vases of fresh orchids, liveried waiters, an ice sculpture of the numerals 8 and zero, a gorgeous food spread of many courses, a roast beef carving item and an open bar that smacks of first class catering. There was even an orchestra. “What is going on?” she thought. Charisse wondered if she may have gotten the venue wrong. She looked at her Crema de Fruta and thought it might be out of place if she is indeed in the right place. And then she heard Dolly call her name from across the room. Dolly looked the epitome of glamor. Her hair was in a French chignon and with a tiara no less and her mauve silk gown looked like haute couture paired with what seemed like Bulgari emerald jewelry one only sees in Vogue magazine ads. Dolly was standing with a tall man in a tuxedo. He looked like he just stepped out of a GQ magazine photo shoot. Charisse was sure she has never seen him before in the center. “Must be a director of the center or something,” she thought as she made her way to them. He certainly didn’t qualify as a senior. Dolly saw the cake she held and her smile reached her eyes. “You baked this for me?” she asked. Charisse nodded and told her, “But of course. You are special, Dolly. Happy Birthday!” One of the waiters came and took the cake from her. Dolly instructed him to place the cake at the center of the fancy food spread. Dolly and Charisse kissed and hugged like old friends do. “Charisse, this is my grandson, Alex. Alex, this is Charisse, the woman I have been telling you about.” Alex shook her hand, eying her closely. Charisse thought he held her hand a bit longer than usual. “It must be my imagination,” she quickly checked herself. “Nana’s been telling me about you. You are her favorite topic on Facetime.” Alex told her with a slight smile. Then looking at Dolly, he said cryptically, “You’re right, Nana.” Just then, the strains of the Sinatra song of “The Way You Look Tonight” played and the couples took to the dance floor. Alex held out his hand to ask
Charisse to dance. They glided surprisingly seamlessly on the dance floor. Dolly went around the room to greet and talk to her guests. She relished being the silver-haired belle of the ball. Alex was attentive to his grandmother through the night but he kept an eye on Charisse who went around the room to chat and exchange pleasantries with her senior friends and their families. Many guests came and had a blast with the cuisine and the special program prepared for Dolly. Laughter rang through the night. It turns out that Dolly is a lady from a prominent family that likes to stay quiet and incognito even if her family is a big donor for many charities. She preferred to be at the Senior Center because she liked company, particularly Charisse’s company. The older woman seems to see herself in Charisse. Dance had a language all its own that magical night. Alex took her for a spin many times on the dance floor as they tried to hold their own against those tireless senior couples. If poetry can be set in motion, it was Alex and Charisse twirling the verses on the dance floor. It was as though they had cut the rug many times in a previous life. They talked easily. They would burst out laughing at the instances they could finish each other’s sentences. To their surprise, they found out they were both baptized Catholic by the same priest in the same small Spanish style church about 7 years apart — Alex first, since he was older. It was an ‘Oh My God!’ moment for Charisse — pure cosmic serendipity. Alex told her he is moving back in town after managing companies overseas to be closer to Dolly. They only have each other after all. Charisse felt her heart singing. She couldn’t remember a time to equal this one night. She felt so light she could float as though gravity has nothing on her. She beamed with delight when she noticed her cake was a sellout after Dolly blew the candles while everyone sang “Happy Birthday!” Alex held out his hand to his grandmother to dance the waltz. Just then, her phone’s alarm buzzed the midnight hour. Her heart sank and just like that, gravity pulled Charisse back to terra firma. She heard herself sigh. “Time to call for my uber ride home,” she thought feeling a little deflated. She retrieved and wiped clean her crystal tray and walked over to Dolly and Alex to bid them goodbye and thank them for a wonderful time. Dolly kissed her on the cheek and hugged her tight telling her she is looking forward to seeing her at the Senior Center Night next week. Smiling broadly, she assured her she will be there come hell or high water. Then out of the blue, Alex asked her, “May I take you home?” It’s funny how four small words can make one’s heart do a somersault and thump away like kettle drums. “Yes, I’d like that,” she said. ***
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.
***
To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com
Ria more daring... From Page 10 harder it is for my back to support itself.” She said she still does “light workouts” with her physical therapist. “I do a lot of stretching, too. That’s the thing! I still eat rice every day. I used to be able to finish six to eight slices of pizza. Now, I’m OK with one or two. Pizza is my happy food,” she shared with Inquirer Entertainment. “The mind-set that you’re trying to lose weight because you hate your body is so different from the one that you need to be healthy so you lose weight. Just that shift in mind-set changes the way you see things. Instead of doing it for the negative, do it for the positive. That’s what helped me,” she stressed. When asked for her thoughts on being single at 30, Ria gave an interesting reply: “In our culture, a measure of success is whether or not you have a stable family. I love my life right now, that’s keeping me less pressured. It also helps that the people around me make me feel that being single is OK.” Ria then said she is “super open” to dating men. “Of course, who doesn’t want to be in a romantic relationship? It’s just that, right now, it’s not a priority,” she declared.
Debt problems: How can bankruptcy protect you? Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon FACING difficult financial times can be a frightening thing for a lot of people. When bill collectors are hounding you, at some point, you realize that something must be done but you just don’t know where to begin or where to go for help. Often, options can also be confusing unless you get the right information that you need to make the right decision. Should I consider filing bankruptcy or is that the worst mistake I can make under the circumstances? What can creditors do to me if I continue to ignore my debt problems? If a lawsuit, wage garnishment, repossession or foreclosure is imminent, you need to take action immediately so you can protect yourself and your property. If filing bankruptcy is your best option, consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney who can explain to you how this process works so you can get immediate debt relief. Unfortunately, most people feel a certain shame or stigma about petitioning for bankruptcy when in reality it may be the best thing that they can do to protect themselves from creditor actions. Listen to me: If your home, wages, assets and your financial future are at stake, you don’t need to feel embarrassed about anything.
If you have done your best to do everything you can with no success, you need to at least find out what your legal options are. Forget about what you friends and family may think if they find out that you are considering bankruptcy. That should be the least of your concerns. What you need to know is to find out the advantages and disadvantages of bankruptcy so you can determine if it is right for your situation. If you have been sued by a creditor and you don’t file an answer to the complaint, the creditor can get a default judgment against you. The judgment obtained will then allow the creditor to further collect the debt by seizing your bank accounts or garnishing your wages. In certain cases where the creditor obtains a court order to force you to appear in court to be examined regarding your assets (debtor’s examination), your failure to appear may result in a bench warrant issued by the court for your arrest. Keep in mind that in the above scenario, you do not go to jail for owing money, but you can get arrested for failure to appear at the judgment debtor’s examination. If you file bankruptcy, of course, at any point during the collection process, the legal proceedings against you are immediately stopped. For those of you who are in foreclosure and are currently trying to work out a solution with your lender with a forbearance agreement, a repayment plan or a loan modification, don’t make
Kris leaves PH in few days, to stay abroad for over a year for treatments By Anne
PAsAjol Inquirer.net
KRIS Aquino will be leaving the country anytime now and is set to stay abroad for more than a year for her medical treatments. Aquino gave an update on her departure through a birthday greeting she sent to Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, as seen on the singer’s Instagram page last Saturday, April 23. “Mare sorry if my greeting is late — we leave in a few days and we’ll be gone for more than a year for my medical treatments. Medyo overwhelming,” Aquino said. The Queen of All Media also expressed her gratitude to Velasquez and her husband, fellow singer Ogie Alcasid, for consistently checking up on Aquino through Darla Sauler, her former “Kris TV” sidekick
Kris Aquino Photo from Instagram/@krisaquino
and friend. Sauler earlier visited Aquino which marked their reunion after almost three years of not seeing each other. Aquino has recently been diagnosed with erosive gastritis and gastric ulcer on top of her autoimmune disease. Despite her condition, Aquino attended a campaign rally held in Tarlac last March 23 where she endorsed presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo
the mistake of not having an alternative plan just in case your lender says “no”. I see a lot of people these days who have waited for months to get a response from their lender after submitting their loan modification application, only to be told the last minute that their lender has declined their request and that foreclosure proceedings will immediately resume. If you have been approved for a “trial loan modification”, also remember that this doesn’t guarantee approval unless you abide by the terms of the conditional approval. My point is this: Find out NOW what other options may be available to you in case you are denied. If you wait to do this AFTER you have been denied, you may find that you either have very limited options or no options at all. For a free consultation, call my office at Toll-Free 1-866477-7772 so we can carefully evaluate your case. *** NOTE: Due to pandemic safety concerns, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 6,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772. (Advertising Supplement)
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4 ways filing for divorce can... From Page 12 spouse would fall out of status. The problem arises when the marriage is in trouble. Often it becomes difficult to obtain the cooperation of the U.S. Citizen spouse specially when the couple has separated. U.S. Citizen spouse often refuse to sign the I-751 for or appear at the I-751 interview if one is set by the USCIS. Filing for divorce would terminate the marriage and allow you to file a “waiver” of the joint petition to remove the conditional LPR status based on entering into the marriage in good faith. Terminating the marriage by filing a divorce is a requirement in order to file the “waiver.” It is important to time this correctly as soon as the marriage starts falling apart because by terminating the marriage early on, you might be able to file the waiver before the expiration of your 2 year conditional LPR thus allowing you to extend your LPR status in 1 year increments until a final decision is made in your case. 4. Married aliens in non-immigrant visas and those without status For those who enter the U.S. as a nonimmigrant and are separated from their spouse but still married, filing a divorce would open up opportunities in case they meet a new significant other who is a U.S. Citizen and who can petition them as an immediate relative. This is usually the fastest of process in obtaining legal permanent residence. In countries such as the Philippines where there is no divorce, many people come to the U.S. to start a new life after they have been separated from their old spouse (often still married to them). Even if the alien over stays their status as a visitor, the alien can still adjust to that of a legal permanent residence if petitioned by a U.S. Citizen spouse. If the alien was never inspected, the alien can still adjust to legal permanent residence if they are grandfathered under INA 245(i) and there are no special
restrictions on their status. To be grandfathered under INA 245(i), the alien must have been a beneficiary of a legal permanent residence petition filed no later than April 30, 2001. Finally, a common concern of divorcing immigrants is “What happens if my spouse refuses to sign the divorce papers?” The truth is you do not need your spouse’s signature to obtain a divorce in California. You only need to provide your spouse notice that you filed a divorce by personally serving your spouse the divorce petition and summons. In countries that are members of the Hague Convention, special procedures need to be followed to effect service. So yes it is possible to divorce your spouse even if your spouse is in a country that does not recognize divorce among its citizens such as the Philippines. For some immigrants, filing for divorce opens up opportunities in this land of milk and honey. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Reyes is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Immigration and Family Law Sections. You may contact Atty. Reyes at (213) 388-1611 or via e-mail at kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA. Visit us at Kenreyeslaw.com to learn about our firm. (Advertising Supplement)
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - April 27, 2022