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MAY 21-27, 2020
T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R
Volume 31 - No. 20 • 12 Pages
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Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
PH still on first wave of COVID-19 pandemic - DOH by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
Amid concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic, a man checks personal protective suits for sale at a retail store in Manila on Monday, May 18. Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos
THE Philippines is still on its first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s Department of Health clarified on Thursday, May 21. This comes after Health Secretary Francisco Duque previously issued a statement that the country was already on its second surge of the virus. “Earlier presidential spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that we are still in the first wave of the epidemic. The DOH confirms that yes we are on the first wave driven by a local community
International body tells Duterte, NTC: PH a signatory of UN covenant on press freedom
USA
DATELINE FTC warns of COVID-19 scams, provides tips to avoid fraudsters FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
AS the country continues to be rocked by the coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is making sure that vulnerable Americans avoid the numerous COVID-19-related scams that are making their way through various communities. It’s not that there is an uptick in scams but that many of the most prevalent scams that are preying on a public fearful of the COVID-19 virus, said Monica Vaca, associate director for the FTC’s division of consumer response and operations. “What we’re seeing at the FTC is what’s true, always: scammers follow headlines, and what’s in the headline right now is COVID-19 all the time and scammers are following that,” Vaca said during a Zoom press conference with ethnic media outlets on Friday, May 15. In relation to the $1,200 stimulus check that most American taxpayers should have either received or will be receiving, Vaca warns of fraudsters masquerading as government officials who may try to reach out to recipients and ask for personal information.
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SEND-OFF. Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (front row, wearing a vest), Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (front row, 2nd from right), Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (right), Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista (left, in light blue), Communication Secretary Martin Andanar (in maroon), Agriculture Secretary William Dar (wearing a black jacket behind Go), and other government officials send off the beneficiaries of the “Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa Program” at the Manila Seedlings NHA lot, Agham Street, Quezon City on Wednesday, May 20. A total of 121 beneficiaries make up the first batch who will return to Leyte province under the program. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
by GABRIEL
PABICO Inquirer.net
LALU
MANILA – As ABS-CBN’s broadcasts remain shut, an international rights body has reminded President Rodrigo Duterte and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) that the Philippines is a signatory of the United Nations’ covenant on press freedom. The International Coalition for ABS-CBN employees light candles in solidarity as the network’s darkest hour came last May 5. Inquirer.net photo by Edwin Bacasmas Human Rights in the Philippines
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Murphy said in a statement. “This basic right to freedom of the media in the case of ABSCBN has been erased by pressure from the President, who only last November stated ‘If you are expecting [a renewal], I’m sorry. You’re out. I will see to it that you’re out,’” he added. ABS-CBN stopped its free television and radio programs on May 5, as NTC issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO)
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Over 2,450 Filipinos globally Senators Marcos, Lacson test positive for COVID-19 urge PH to lure US businesses by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
TWENTY-FOUR more overseas Filipinos have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections to 2,455 worldwide. The latest report from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, May 20 also announced four new deaths: two in Europe and two in the Middle East/ Africa coverage area. This raised the death toll to 284. Nine Filipinos abroad recovered from
the disease, raising the total number of recoveries to 858. “Despite the decrease in the daily rate of recoveries reported by the DFA through its Foreign Service Posts today, the total number of overseas Filipinos who recovered from COVID-19 at 858 cases is now 3 times more than the total fatalities at 284 and comprises almost 35% of the total confirmed cases,” the agency noted. Europe, which is 16 countries with PH Foreign Service coverage, has recorded 748 Filipino cases, including 434 undergoing treatment, 227 recoveries and 87
PAL schedules 2 flights to LA, SF for Illegal hospital treating coronavirus stranded US citizens patients in Clark ordered to shut down FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines recently announced that it will be assisting stranded American citizens in the country by mounting two separate flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco this week. The “user-pay” flight leaving for LA is scheduled on May 21 with two domestic sweeper flights — one from Cebu and one from Davao, according to the United States Embassy in Manila. Meanwhile, the one leaving for San Francisco is scheduled on May 26 with eight domestic sweeper flights from Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Siargao, and Tagbilaran. The Manila to LAX/SFO economy tickets
(ICHRP) on Thursday explained that the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights says that people “shall have the right to freedom of expression” — which includes rights to receive information from a preferred medium. “The NTC and the Duterte [administration] should uphold the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Philippines is a signatory,” ICHRP chairperson Peter
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
The Clark Development Corporation has ordered the closure and full lockdown of the Fontana Resorts and Leisure Park inside the Clark Freeport Zone after the discovery of an illegal makeshift hospital treating Chinese nationals infected with COVID-19. The two orders were signed after the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 3, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the CDC conducted a joint raid inside a villa at the Fontana Leisure Park on Tuesday, May 19. During the raid on Wednesday, May 20, the team found the makeshift medical facil-
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ity, which had seven beds and a kitchentype laboratory where COVID-19 testing could have been conducted, as evidenced by more than 200 suspected coronavirus rapid test kits and syringes recovered in the trash bin. “As a result, Clark officials have ordered the closure and full lockdown of Fontana Leisure Park inside the Clark Freeport following the raid. This illegal activity not only violates the law, but also poses danger to individuals who potentially need medical treatment for the deadly disease. CDC does not and will never tolerate this inside the Clark Freeport,” the Clark Development Corporation said. The team also arrested Chinese nation-
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by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
TWO Philippine senators recently suggested that economic managers should direct American businesses leaving China to consider the country for their relocation plans. According to Senator Imee Marcos, recent news that the United States businesses was transferring a number of its China-based factories to Indonesia confirms a growing economic trend favoring Southeast Asian countries as alternative Senator Imee Marcos sites for manufacturing. The relocations are “the silver lining to the dark cloud of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) from which the Philippines should not blink,” Marcos said. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, she urged the government’s economic managers to apply a “full-court press to score more points toward greater foreign investment and economic recovery.” The senator is currently pushing for a deeper and swifter cut on corporate income Senator Ping Lacson Inquirer.net file photos tax from the present 30% rate “If the government decides for the Philippines to be more competitive with the 20% rate on a slower rate of reducing in Vietnam, Thailand and Indo- corporate income tax, incennesia by next year. u PAGE 2
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678
May 21-27, 2020 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOURNaL
PH still on first wave of...
PAGE 1 transmission,” said Assistant to the Health Secretary Beverly Ho during the DOH’s online press conference on Thursday. “We apologize for the confusion that this has caused but we hope that this does not in any way distract us from what we really need to do to change the course of this pandemic,” she added. Duque on Wednesday, May 20, stated that the country is now experiencing the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, citing the findings of epidemiologist Dr. John Wong and other experts. “There was a very small wave
last few days of January, and then there was a lull, and then we had our second wave, which is the first major wave, which is more than 10,000 cases. We are now in the trough of the lower part of the second wave,” he said. A day later, he recanted his statement, saying that it was a “casual expression of an epidemiological fact.” “Because the first wave was in January, but only three cases. In that epidemiological sense, cases that show a rise or a crest and then a decrease constitute a wave, although a small wave,” Duque explained.
From The FronT Page
“Then we have nothing for February. Then this was followed by a bigger wave which is now what we consider as the first major wave of sustained transmission. Either way, it can be easily construed that where we are today is really the first major wave,” he added. Malacañang, for its part, refuted Duque’s earlier proclamation, but also defended him by saying the health chief only had a different interpretation of the data. As of writing, there are a total of 13,434 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 846 fatalities and 3,000 recoveries. n
Senators Marcos, Lacson urge PH to lure... PAGE 1
tives to foreign investors can include tax deferrals and exemptions,” Marcos said. Western countries affected by the pandemic are now compelled to outsource as much of their production as they can to cheaper suppliers, she added. “As a result, I think our BPO (business process outsourcing) sector will recover sooner than predicted. If we gear up
for outsourcing, we may finally derive investments in manufacturing and other essential sectors,” Marcos said. Sen. Panfilo Lacson Sr. also noted that many European and American businesses were leaving China, saying it is expected that an Asian country will be their next location. “Ang nakaagap agad doon ang Indonesia eh (Indonesia was the first one who benefit-
ted [from the relocation]),” he said. The senator estimated that 27 U.S. factories based in China would transfer to Indonesia. “Ito ang opportunity na dapat gina-grab natin kasi ang laki ng kumpanyang ito. Sayang (This should be the opportunity that we must be grabbing because this is a big company. What a missed opportunity),” Lacson lamented. n
PAL schedules 2 flights to LA, SF for stranded... PAGE 1 are priced at USD $1,200 (plus taxes and fees), while the Domestic sweeper flight costs are priced at USD $200 (plus taxes and fees). “All flight arrangements will be made by PAL, not the Embassy. You must submit a working phone number and include all local or international area codes. PAL will contact you directly to arrange payment and ticketing after you have registered for the flights, so check your contact details carefully before submitting the survey and keep your phone on and handy,” the embassy said in its announcement. “PAL had difficulty reaching some U.S. citizens who submitted a form indicating their interest for the previous flights – their telephone numbers were either incomplete or unattended. This caused some to miss this opportunity. PAL requests that passengers not call them for a status update as this will clog up their
ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION. A teenager uses an electric scooter at the sidewalk of Rizal Park in Manila on Wednesday, May 20. The Department of Transportation is promoting the use of two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles, to enable commuters to follow physical distancing measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Illegal hospital treating coronavirus patients... PAGE 1 als Hu Ling, the alleged owner of the facility, and Lee Seung Hyun, an alleged pharmacist. Both individuals could face charges for the violation of the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 9711), and the violation of the Medical Act of 1959 (RA 2382) for illegally operating without clearance and permit with the Department of Health and Inter-
Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. They are currently detained at Camp Olivas, the regional police headquarters. “Aside from the operators who are now facing criminal charges, the CDC will also hold into account the management of Fontana for allowing this to happen within their property. We assure Clark stakeholders, the
locators, local communities and residents especially, that we will not stop until all those involved are prosecuted and punished,” the developmental organization added. CIDG Region 3 Chief Col. Amante Daro revealed there was also a Chinese middle-aged man admitted as a patient in the makeshift hospital. He was reportedly moved to a local hospital. n
International body tells Duterte, NTC... PAGE 1
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines
lines and increase wait time. Once you have registered, please make sure you are available,” it added. The U.S. Embassy in Manila also advised stranded American citizens to take actions such as monitoring the news, consulting
Inquirer.net file photo
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website for the most up-to-date information, and visiting the U.S. Embassy’s page as well as the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)
against the network a day after its franchise expired. NTC insisted that they cannot allow the beleaguered network to continue operating while franchise talks in Congress are ongoing because unlike other broadcasting firms, there are questions on the validity of ABSCBN’s franchise. But even if questions are present, ICHRP says that NTC should lift the CDO because even some of President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies have supported the resumption of the broadcast operation. “It is clear from the very broad protests at the closure of ABS-CBN that this decision
has no support outside President Duterte’s inner circle. The NTC can fix this now by acting on its statement to Congress to provide a temporary extension of the network’s franchise while Congress debated the Bills to renew the 25-year franchise,” Murphy noted. While several personalities aligned with the administration have pushed for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, Solicitor General Jose Calida — a ranking official close to the President — was revealed to be the person who advised NTC, as a client, to refrain from giving a provisional authority. Prior to this issue, Calida also filed a quo warranto petition
against ABS-CBN for supposedly hiding foreign ownership behind a corporate veil. ICHRP says that these actions from the government would give an appearance that a dictatorship is ongoing. “This is arbitrary government, smacking of dictatorship, and underlines the extreme situation of lawlessness and impunity which the Filipino people suffer today,” Murphy explained. Recently, the House of Representatives junked a bill that would have given ABS-CBN the authority to operate until October 2020. Instead, the House said it would deliberate on the probable provision of a 25-year franchise. n
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Dateline USa
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 21-27, 2020
White supremacists hack Fil-Am community FTC warns of COVID-19 scams, provides tips... virtual town hall meeting, use Nazi salute by Rae
ann VaRona AJPress
On Monday, May 11, the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) in Los Angeles was conducting its fourth virtual town hall meeting on the video-conferencing software Zoom — something they’ve been doing since safer-at-home measures were put in place in LA County. The meeting covered COVID-19 resources and community updates with community members and staffers in their 20s to their 60s listening in. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) even joined the call to give federal updates to the community. But as the group began its question and answer session, they were interrupted by blatant racial remarks. One young white man wearing sunglasses spoke into a microphone using profanity and said things like, “All immigrants should be deported. That’s why you have a home. That’s why you have a computer. Because the white man built it, you [expletive].” Another individual, without showing his face began saying, “I am a racist. I am a misogynist. I [expletive] hate immigrants. I only support the whites.” Off the camera and microphone, the “Zoom bombers” taunted the virtual town hall attendees by typing the nazi salute, “Seig Heil” in the Zoom chatbox. Pro-Trump messages were also made with one of the Zoom bombers asking the others to “click hand to support Trump.” The racial attack went on for about three minutes, but felt longer to those who witnessed it. “It made it a not very safe space, and that’s why it was also very alarming,” PWC Executive Director Aquilina Soriano-Versoza told the Asian Journal. She added that she’s heard of other communities of color experiencing similar attacks, including
The Pilipino Workers Center in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown is a non-profit organization addressing the needs of workers and their families. AJPress file photo
the Chinese Progressive Association in the Bay Area. Hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been on the rise across the United States with the STOP AAPI Hate Center, a project by Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCOn), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies Department, receiving over 1,700 of COVID-19 related hate reports since mid-March. In LA, where over 1.5 million AAPIs live, concerns over antiAsian hate crimes and discrimination have also been on the rise with county officials saying they know of over 100 incidents between February and April. Those are just of reported incidents. Alex De Ocampo of the Filipino Voter Empowerment Project, an organization that works closely with PWC to promote civic en-
gagement in the Filipino American community, said he’s seen discrimination hit those close to him. “In my family, a lot of them are nurses and they’ve mentioned that even after their shifts, that people have said some very harsh rhetoric to them that have been borderline racist,” De Ocampo told the Asian Journal. He added that it hasn’t been uncommon for people to see borderline or outright racist comments or posts on social media platforms like Facebook. “It’s not the algorithm that is bringing up these instances onto your feed,” said De Ocampo. “Asian Americans — Filipino, Indonesian, Chinese, among others — have seen or heard some type of remark from backhanded comments to extreme violence, and it’s an epidemic that is spreading like a virus.” PAGE 5
Over 2,450 Filipinos globally test positive... PAGE 1
deaths. The Middle East and Africa, covering 12 countries, has reported 712 cases; of which, 566 are undergoing treatment, 46 deaths and 100 recoveries. The Asia Pacific region, which spans across 12 countries, has
451 cases, with 125 under treatment, 324 recoveries, and two deaths. The Americas — covering six countries — remain as the region with the highest number of COVID-19 fatalities at 149. The region has also reported 544 cases, with 188 undergo-
ing treatment and 207 recoveries. The total number of Filipinos currently undergoing treatment is at 1,313. Meanwhile, the Philippines now has 13,221 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 842 fatalities and 2,932 recoveries. n
PAGE 1 They may reach out via email and texts which may include links to malware sites, often with domains that include “coronavirus” as a way to disguise itself as a credible source. Reported emails and texts have also featured doctored letters using logos from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Dept. of Health and Human Services or other public health agencies, but Vaca stressed that “the federal government will not reach out to you by email or phone or social media to give you your economic relief payments.” “If you come across someone who tells you to pay for a service — whatever it is with a gift card, money transfer, cash or Bitcoin — and tell you that they’re going to help you with some coronavirusrelated problem, that’s a scam,” Vaca said. Additionally, clicking on any links provided in these fraudulent emails or texts may install malware onto your device. “Do not click on links from sources that you don’t know [because] it could download a virus onto your computer or onto your devices so please be careful with that,” Vaca shared, adding that “[s]cammers are going to go to pretty much any length to make their message look real, but there are little signals you can look out for” like misspellings in the text or poorly imposed graphics. The scams also involve snake oil salesmen marketing supposed miracle cures, vaccines and home test kits that are targeting those most vulnerable to the pathogen as well as those on Medicare, Vaca shared. Currently, there is no known cure or vaccine for the COVID-19 virus and tests are only administered at mandated testing sites, so the FTC is warning consumers about any wellness or nutrition brand that is marketing any socalled cures, which the FTC said have “no solid scientific backing.” The FTC has been combatting these scammers through law enforcement and filing complaints to companies, like the dietary supplement company Whole Leaf Organics, which made fake claims that their Vitamin C and herbal extract products were “scientifically proven” to treat the COVID-19 virus. “We are warning companies that are pitching cures and treatments with no scientific backing,” Vaca said. “Right now there is nothing on the market that’s prov-
en to cure COVID-19 so that’s an important thing to know.” She added that the FTC is also reaching out to multi-level marketing companies that have purported unproven cures and misleading claims “about the earnings that you might get by joining that company.” The FTC also recently sued a company for claiming to be affiliated with the Small Business Administration that lured businesses into applying for the paycheck protection program, but “in fact,
there was no tie to the Small Business Administration.” Vaca emphasized that these scammers were able to be found and dealt with because of public reporting of these scammers and encouraged the public to question the credibility of outlandish claims like miracle cures or unexpected messages claiming to reward relief checks. To report potential scams and for more information, please visit the FTC website. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
May 21-27, 2020 • LaS VEGaS aSIaN JOURNaL
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D ateline PhiliPPines House committee to tackle
DOJ: 117 inmates granted parole, to ABS-CBN franchise on May 26 go home after mandatory quarantine by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THe Philippines House Committee on Legislative Franchises has set a hearing on ABS-CBN’s franchise bills for next week. The announcement for the Tuesday, May 26 deliberations comes after House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said that the House of Representatives would forego the provisional franchise for the network giant to prioritize the bills for a 25-year franchise. The hearing will be chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano
and conditions of its previous broadcast privilege, and foreign equity issues. Some witnesses and resource persons would also be required to physically appear before the committee, provided that social distancing and other health protocols are observed, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide,â€? Cayetano said. He also reiterated that the hearing should be impartial and comprehensive. “As I’ve said time and again, the hearings must be fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough. All voices must be heard and all issues for and against will be discussed‌this will require a lot of time - time we do not have. And so, there will be sacrifices on our part if we hope to finish this without delay,â€? he said. “For those who are calling for an outright approval or denial, I ask that you suspend your extreme views until all the facts have been presented, and all the testimonies have been heard,â€? Philstar.com photo Cayetano added. n
through videoconferencing at 9:30 a.m. Cayetano said that the deliberations by the House franchises committee will continue even during the congressional recess in June. “They will not stop until they are finished so that no one can say we’re stopping the process or dragging our feet,� he said. He added that the committee would most likely hold two to three hearings a week to tackle “no more than 10 issues� related to the franchise, including: ABSCBN’s alleged violations of tax and labor laws, breaches of the terms
by Pia lee-BRago Philstar.com
MANILA — More than a hundred convicts may soon walk free under simplified guidelines for parole — crafted in response to the COVID-19 crisis — the Department of Justice said. Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) reported that 117 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) have been confirmed eligible for parole as of Wednesday, May 20. They are set for release, “subject to completion of mandatory quarantine,� Perete, who is also DOJ’s spokesperson, explained. There are 424 other PDLs “deemed possibly eligible for parole� but are awaiting clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation, he added. These PDLs confirmed eligible for parole under the Interim Guidelines for Parole and executive Clemency which took effect on May 15. These guidelines, effective while the state of national emergency is in place, were crafted as part of the department’s study “for release of prisoners on humanitarian considerations.� Under the new guidelines, the minimum age of executive clemency application is reduced to
Elderly inmates are seen holding their certificates of commutation of sentence during a ceremonial turnover at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City in this photo taken on March 7, 2017. Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban
65 years old from 70, and documentary requirements for parole review have also been trimmed down. Convicts of heinous crimes and illegal drugs-related crimes are excluded from the relaxed rules. Perete said that the BPP is set to receive a new batch of applications for evaluation this week. Penal and detention facilities across the country are known to
be overcrowded, where social distancing and proper hygiene— practices meant to deter spread of the novel coronavirus—are practically impossible for inmates. The Supreme Court has likewise issued guidelines that may help decongestion detention facilities in the country as the country implements measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. n
Tourist arrivals, receipts fall by 50% as of April The massive declines dem- tion, tourism became a considMANILA — Foreign tourist arrivals fell by more than half in onstrate the full impact of CO- erable dollar earner for the Philthe first four months of the year VID-19 on the tourism sector, ippines. Last year’s record-high as the coronavirus outbreak and which felt the bite of the pan- of 8.2 million visitors translated state-initiated lockdowns con- demic from flight and hotel to revenues of P482.15 billion tinue to crimp travel and tour- booking cancellations to dis- from tourist activities, also a remal tourist spending as early cord-high. ism at home and abroad. At Wednesday’s Senate hear- as January. Travel agencies, airlines and The devastation became more hotels suffering from cancelled ing tackling the government’s response to the pandemic, pronounced in March and April, trips have separately asked the This July 2018 file photo shows a tarpaulin with â€? Welcome to the Philippines, Province of Chinaâ€? that appeared in some of the footbridges Tourism Secretary Bernadette when the government complete- government to rescue them, but in Quezon City. Inquirer.net photo by Joan Bondoc Romulo-Puyat said internation- ly sealed off the island of Luzon the finance department has so al visitor arrivals from January from travel. far been lukewarm to throw a “With both international and financial lifeline to them. to April stood at 1.3 million, plummeting 54% year-on- domestic travel restrictions in But even as tourism receipts effect for the entirety of April, fall while confidence in interyear. That brought revenues from there have been no visiting tour- national travel remains tepid, foreign tourist arrivals to P79.8 ists and therefore no revenue Puyat last month said the govbillion as of April, down 55.79% for the industry for this month,â€? ernment’s record-high targets from P182.52 billion booked in Puyat told senators. will remain for now. (Ian Nicolas own expense,â€? he tweeted. tag and insisted that it should be by Ritchel Mendiola Under the Duterte administrathe same period last year. Cigaral/Philstar.com) MalacaĂąang, for its part, urged taken seriously even if some users AJPress Vera Files and Rappler to flag the treated it as a joke. Karagdagang kaalaman sa Filipino (Tagalog) ay makikita rin sa website ng FILIPINOS are urged to mass “Kahit biro pa itong ‘Philippines geotag. Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan sa: www.clarkcountynv.gov/vote. report a geotag that identifies the Province of China’ na geotag, wag “Tinatawagan ko ng pansin po NOTICE OF EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY MAIL BALLOT DROP-OFF SITES FOR Philippines as “Province of Chinaâ€? nating hayaang ma-normalize ito ng Vera Files at Rappler, sila po THE 2020 PRIMARY ALL-MAIL BALLOT ELECTION and “North Philippines, Province (Even if this Philippines Province yung mga fact verifiers ng FaceIS HEREBY GIVEN that early voting for the June 9, 2020 Primary Election Mail Ballot will begin on May 23, Saturday, and continues through of Chinaâ€? on social media plat- of China geotag is just a joke, let’s book. Bakit naman po nakalusot NOTICE June 5, Friday. Any voter registered in Clark County is encouraged to mail in their voted mail ballot or drop-off their mail ballot at any drop-off location. NO forms Facebook and Instagram. not allow this to be normalized). ito (I am calling the attention of VOTING MACHINES WILL BE USED ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME IN CLARK COUNTY, NV. The geotag, which appeared Let’s mass report,â€? she said in a Vera Files and Rappler because Any voter registered in Clark County will receive a mail ballot for voting in the June 9, 2020 Primary Election. The packet will contain: (a) Your ballot; (b) over the weekend, has since tweet. they are the fact verifiers of Instructions for voting a mail ballot; (c) A pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope that you must use for returning your voted mail ballot; and (d) A list of mail drawn flak from Filipino netizens Foreign Affairs Secretary Te- Facebook. How did this slip past ballot drop-off sites for personally dropping off your own mail ballot. Please note that voters are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO MAIL THEIR BALLOT rather than drop it off in person. For additional information, call the mail ballot hotline at (702) 455-6552. and public officials alike. odoro Locsin Jr. said he does not them)?â€? said Presidential SpokesThe early voting drop-off locations, dates, and times are listed below. All drop-off sites are ADA compliant. For additional information, call the Clark County “Our heroes did not sacrifice think Chinese nationals would person Harry Roque. their lives only for our country to take the geotag seriously but He also dismissed the geotag Election Department at (702) 455-VOTE (8683). The TTY/TDD number is 711. Also check online at www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/vote. 2020 PRIMARY ELECTION EARLY VOTING DROP-OFF SCHEDULE MAY 23 (SATURDAY) TO JUNE 5 (FRIDAY) be called ‘Province of China.’ This warned that there will be conse- as “fake news.â€? is an insult. A blatant disregard quences against them if they do. “Sana po yung fake news ay DROP-OFF LOCATIONS DATES AND HOURS for our sovereignty. If you are still “You’re giving it importance. talagang i-flag nila dahil ito po For coronavirus prevention reasons, some sites may be subject to temporary closure or revised times, until further notice. not enraged by this, you have no Chinese are too smart to believe clearly fake news. Hindi na po For updates, check our website (www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/vote) or call (702) 455-VOTE (8683). right to call yourself a Filipino,â€? a that crap; any of them tries com- dapat komentan (I hope they flag 83 72 0$< ‡ 021 )5, DP SP ‡ 6$7 $1' 681 &/26(' CLARK COUNTY ELECTION DEPARTMENT Facebook user posted. ing over without a visa from me this fake news because it’s clearly 965 Trade Dr., North Las Vegas Philippine Senator Risa Hon- and he’ll be detained and sent fake news. I shouldn’t comment Only the Clark County Election Dept. will be available MAY 23-JUNE 3, EVERY DAY (including Sat.,Sun., and Memorial Day): 8am-6pm on May 25, 2020, Memorial Day. tiveros also condemned the geo- back where he came from at his on it),â€? Roque said. n JUNE 4-5, THURS.-FRI.: 8am-8pm
Filipinos urged to report ‘Philippines, province of China’ geotag on Facebook
‘Restrictions on religious services impractical’
“IMPRACTICAL and without sense.� This was how Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, who is also the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, described the government’s guidelines for the resumption of religious services. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of emerging Infection Diseases (IATF-eID) had said under a modified enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine, religious gatherings would be limited to five and 10 persons, respectively. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Brod-
erick Pabillo of Manila, the administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, said limiting Mass attendees to five or 10 people was unreasonable and “laughable.� In a Facebook post, he questioned the IATF’s basis for limiting Mass-goers to five or 10, pointing out that there were no such limits for offices and business establishments. “Where did they get these numbers? Why is it that they do not give the absolute numbers of persons who can enter a store or work in the office or in the factory? Do they say that only 10 persons should be in an office or that 20
persons work in a factory or that only five persons can enter a store at a time? This would be preposterous!� “It is just another way of saying that you do not have religious activities,� he added. Pabillo pointed out that a “onesize-fits-all� directive was laughable if applied to big churches like the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Baclaran Church) or Manila Cathedral. “Why not give instead the instruction that there be one meter or two-meter distance between persons in a church?� he said. (ManilaTimes.net)
White supremacists hack Fil-Am community... PAGE 3 While attacks on Asian Americans aren’t new with incidents tracing back to the 19th century, many have found the lack of federal concern on the issue alarming given the increase in attacks during the current pandemic. As one NBC article reported, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Justice have before worked together to prevent bias incidents and hate crimes during the SARS outbreak and 9/11 terrorist attacks. However, no such efforts have been made during the current pandemic despite the growing reports. In March, the FBI even warned about a possible increase in hate crimes against AAPI during coronavirus and predicted that a “portion of the U.S. public will associate COVID-19 with China and Asian American populations.� “This is a virus and for anyone to tie it to any Asian American or
any specific group and start pushing conspiracy theories is definitely wrong,� said De Ocampo. “This is not some political game we’re playing. These are people’s lives and livelihoods.� President Donald Trump received criticism for referring to the virus as the “China virus,� despite it being named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization, which put rules in place in 2015 to avoid using names of people, places, and animals when naming diseases to avoid problematic stigmas. “It really matters who is in leadership and what framework has been coming from the top and from the president’s own words,� said Soriano-Versoza. The DOJ’s lack of concern, she added, is reflective of the current administration. The attack was reported to authorities as well as to Zoom, but PWC is asking people to help fight hate crimes by signing a petition addressed to the Attorney General
Bill Barr to hold perpetrators of hate crimes against the AAPI community accountable. The petition can be found onwww.change.org/ no-API-hate. They’re also asking that people share the YouTube video that shows portions of the attack along with the hashtag #RacismIsAVirus to help raise awareness of what’s happening and to join in solidarity. The video can be found on PWC’s Facebook page atwww.facebook. com/PWCSC. “People are being exposed right now — front line workers, caregivers, [and] delivery people. And there are many other vulnerable people in our community like those with underlying chronic illnesses and seniors,� said SorianoVersoza. “We don’t want [the attackers] to win by scaring us, so it’s important we get together and be able to address all these different tissues and make sure that no one in our community is falling through the cracks and suffering needlessly.� n
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OPINION
Democratic space
FEATURES
FOR sure, Filipinos have gotten the message: Big Brother is watching, and he can trace the authors of anti-administration statements posted in cyberspace. Now that the message has been sent, with mixed results, the government should focus on the difficult task of containing a pandemic, and let people cooped up in their homes enjoy democratic space. Police have arrested three persons so far for posting messages offering rewards for the assassination of President Duterte. Just looking at the bounties offered should indicate whether the statements were made with serious intent: P50 million, P75 million, P100 million. Surely even tycoons with that kind of money to spare amid the economic apocalypse unleashed by the coronavirus disease pandemic have better uses for their money. Yet police and the National Bureau of Investigation have earnestly pursued the suspected authors of the statements, and promptly indicted them for violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Arrested so far are construction worker Ronald Quiboyen of Boracay; college graduate Maria Catherine Ceron of Cordova, Cebu, and Zambales public school teacher Ronnel Mas, who tearfully admitted after his war-
rantless arrest, in a video taken by the NBI, that he offered the original P50-million bounty so his social media account would attract attention. Clearly, none of those arrested could even imagine earning that kind of money on their current means of livelihood. Already suffering from the pandemic, they now have the additional burden of litigation. The cases come on the heels of an attempt by Philippine labor attaché in Taiwan Fidel Macauyag to have Filipina caregiver Elanel Egot Ordidor deported for “nasty” comments she posted against the Duterte administration. Fortunately for Ordidor and the cause of free expression, Taipei thumbed down Philstar.com photo the call. Authorities claimed they were simply applying the cybercrime law in pursuing charges against will be applied in going after those who also use Mas, Quiboyen and Ceron. Let’s hope the same zeal cyberspace to threaten administration critics with
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS WHAT should America do when Donald Trump, the president of the United States, undermines and violates the guidelines of the very health agencies and regulators of the American government especially during a time of medical emergency? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory last month saying that hydroxychloroquine, the anti-malaria/antilupus drug, has NOT yet been approved for the treatment of COVID-19 and that this drug would have to undergo scientific clinical trials to be proven to be safe and effective. The FDA warned against the use of the medication outside hospitals, where the agency has granted temporary authorization for its use in some cases. The agency cited reports that the drug can cause serious heart rhythm problems in COVID-19 patients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said there are no approved drugs or therapeutics to prevent or treat COVID19, “which is confirmed to have infected more than 1.5 million people in the U.S. and killed more than 90,000 patients.” And yet, Trump admitted that he is taking hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19, despite warnings against its safety, as reported by independent U.S. mainstream
Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA MY wife and I have been attending Holy Mass on our laptop for more than two months now because of the coronavirus pandemic. Both of us being in our 80s, our children have advised us to avoid unnecessarily going out of the house. The fantastic advantage is that we have had the rare opportunity to hear Mass celebrated by Pope Francis himself at the Vatican, as well as by bishops in cathedrals around the U.S. Of course, we have not had the privilege of receiving Holy Communion, and we miss the dynamic homilies of our young pastor at St. Joseph Church in Pinole, Fr. Geoffrey Baraan. We also miss fellow parishioners who have become close friends. The social distancing and other pandemic-related mandates given by the U.S. government have not really been as strict as they are in the Philippines. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we are allowed to go out, provided we wear face masks
death, kidnapping and rape. The law is supposed to apply to all. (Philstar.com)
Donald Trump may be the most dangerous president ever of our time. Don’t follow his lead for your safety. media, the BBC, the Guardian and other international outlets. “I’m taking it for about a week and a half now and I’m still here, I’m still here,” touted Trump in his surprise announcement before the reporters at the White House. He added, “You’d be surprised at how many people are taking it, especially the frontline workers before you catch it, the frontline workers, many, many are taking it. I happen to be taking it.” As the BBC reported, when Trump was asked what was his evidence of hydroxychloroquine’s positive benefits, the president’s response: “Here’s my evidence: I get a lot of positive calls about it.” This was his same response when he first touted the drug after being fact-checked by the country’s top epidemiologist Dr. Anthony Fauci over the need for clinical trials that follow scientific protocols and regimen over anecdotal reports in March. The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The CDC is responsible for controlling the introduction and spread of infectious diseases, and provides consultation and assistance to other nations and international agencies to assist in
improving their disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion activities. “Dr. Marcos Espinal, director of the Pan American Health Organization — part of the World Health Organization (WHO) — has also since stressed that no clinical trials have recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine for coronavirus,” the BBC reported. This echoes the same advisories and regulations of the United States’ health regulators, the FDA and the CDC. When asked whether the White House physician had recommended he start taking the disputed remedy, Trump said he had requested it himself, according to the BBC report. Quoting Dr. Sean Conley, physician to the president, who issued a statement through the White House later on Monday after the surprise revelation, Conley said Trump was in “very good health” and “symptom-free.” The U.S. Navy officer added: “After numerous discussions he and I had regarding the evidence for and against the use of hydroxychloroquine, we concluded the potential benefit from treatment outweighed the relative risks,” the BBC reported. Many countries around the world are doing their share of finding the cure and vaccine to combat and defeat COVID-19. Who would not want that as the
whole world is suffering right now? The BBC reported that even the “UK government has been stockpiling some medicines that might be useful against coronavirus. That includes 16m hydroxychloroquine tablets. Clinical trials are under way in the UK and the US to assess the drug’s worth. The human guinea pigs taking part include frontline healthcare workers at high risk of exposure to the virus, as well as patients.” However, the report stressed that health “experts are concerned about advocating more general use of these experimental treatments before the proof is in.” “People that follow the president’s example might not only endanger themselves but could also deprive patients with chronic autoimmune conditions of their much-needed medication,” Dr. Stephen Griffin, associate professor at the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds told BBC health editor Michelle Roberts, in reaction to Trump’s touting of his use of the drug. The BBC report showed a graph of data from U.S. insurance claims, hospital prescriptions excluded, which showed that the number of prescriptions for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine soared between March and April, after Trump promoted it and lied about it being approved for the treatment of COVID-19 in his daily coronavirus briefing.
Flashback to a report by the New York Times: Trump’s family stands to benefit from the widespread use of the drug. Per that report as quoted by MSN News: “If hydroxychloroquine becomes an accepted treatment, several pharmaceutical companies stand to profit, including shareholders and senior executives with connections to the president. Mr. Trump himself has a small personal financial interest in Sanofi, the French drugmaker that makes Plaquenil, the brandname version of hydroxychloroquine. According to Trump’s 2019 Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Reports filed with the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, the 45th president’s three family trusts each have two line item entries describing investments between $1,001 and $15,000 apiece in the Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund. The Times notes that Sanofi, the drug manufacturer, is the mutual fund’s largest individual holding. According to MarketWatch, the exact size of the fund’s stake in Sanofi “at last check was 3.3%.” Marketwatch also notes–and shrugs off–additional Sanofi stakes: “It turns out he does look to have more than [a] modest sum invested in Sanofi, because, unmentioned in the Times report, his trusts also hold broader Euro-
pean stock-market index funds.” Many of Trump’s critics question whether he is indeed taking the drug knowing his bad relationship with the truth. Some accuse him of saying these lies to tout and push the drug further, while others say this is yet another of his diversionary tactics to shift conversation away from his failure to lead the country effectively and faithfully during this crisis. Most worry about how this blind will lead the other blind of our country without causing more harm to peoples’ safety and survival. Trump’s defiance of science and facts, coupled with his personal, financial and political objectives, makes him the most dangerous president of the United States in our time, when we are being attacked by our common invisible enemy, COVID-19. My fellow Americans, what are we going to do about this betrayal to his oath of the public official accorded with the most powerful position in the nation and the public trust that goes with it? *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.
Imagine a pandemic lockdown with no TV, smartphone or Facebook and avoid crowds. In fact, we do more than that. We also wear gloves, in addition to the face masks. These are all discarded as soon as we get back into the safety of our homes. We have shopped for groceries a couple of times (against the advice of our children) and have noted the strict rules imposed by the supermarkets. All the shopping carts are regularly disinfected and shoppers have to fall in line outside the store, while staffers allow batches to enter, as soon as an equivalent number clears the checkout counters. The rule is: no mask, no entry. Shoppers have to keep six feet apart at the meat and fish counters and move away and around others as they make the rounds of the store. That reminded me of my early trips to the U.S. where we discreetly crossed the street to avoid walking past tough-looking groups on one side of the road. We were particularly wary in downtown Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. If you think Tondo is scary, try these cities. In truth, for those who have the means, the COVID-19 lockdown isn’t all that inconvenient - that is, compared to the restrictions during the Spanish flu
pandemic in 1918. It was much, much worse then. Imagine a pandemic with no TV, no smartphone, no Facebook, no Facetime, no Zoom, and no Netflix. Well, that was how it was during the period, January 1918 to December 1920, from the earliest occurrence of the deadly flu to the time the pandemic subsided. Almost three years! TV was only introduced in the U.S. in 1928. And while the telephone was already in common use in the early 1900s, it was not until 1992 that the closest thing to a smartphone — IBM’s Simon Personal Communicator —was introduced. And it wouldn’t be until 2007 that Apple would launch the i-phone. Thus, no smartphone for emails, texting, Viber messaging or for social media interaction. While personal one-on-one teaching by parents is probably unmatched (assuming parents are educated and knowledgeable), today’s Zoom application has made home-learning for kids possible while schools are closed, and Facetime has allowed families to bond at any time. We all know what Facebook has enabled people to do, whether or not there is a pandemic
— except that now, we are seeing more dishes and old photographs being displayed on social media, along with commentaries on Presidents Trump and Duterte and every subject under the sun. Some folks will probably point out that not having to listen to Trump or Duterte was one of the advantages of being home-bound at the height of the Spanish flu, but then today’s COVID-19 refugees can always shut down the TV and cherry-pick things to view or read online. Indeed, one had few options at the time of the Spanish flu, nor was there a running report on infections and mortality. In fact, because World War I was being fought at the time, censorship had been imposed in Europe, except in Spain which had declared neutrality. Because Spanish media freely reported on the pandemic, the world press began to refer to it as the Spanish flu, even though it had first been detected in a military camp in Kansas in the U.S. It was not until 1940 that a vaccine was developed and marketed. Meanwhile, the same nonpharmaceutical interventions mandated in the COVID-19 crisis were decreed by authorities to
limit the spread of the Spanish flu. One U.S. newspaper reported: “Schools, theaters, churches and dance halls in cities across the country were closed. Kansas City banned weddings and funerals if more than 20 people were to be in attendance. New York mandated staggered shifts at factories to reduce rush-hour commuter traffic. Seattle’s mayor ordered his constituents to wear face masks…” Some of my friends in Manila have become stir-crazy from being cooped up in their homes. They complain that the travel restrictions are a “Duterte-style martial law.” Others describe their “confinement” at home as “martial law” — with their wives as prison wardens. Serves them right. The lifestyle in Manila is not conducive to domestication. Husbands use every little excuse — client meetings, brainstorming sessions, etc. — to justify going to their favorite watering holes after office hours. Not surprisingly, some wives and children decide that they also deserve to have their own “good time.” No wonder, drug abuse and marital problems are common in
Manila. Years ago, the problem with drug use among the young became so bad that parents of exclusive schools set up a group called, Parents Organization of the Philippines. Because the chairman of our ad agency, Tony de Joya, was designated to head the group, he asked me to create an anti-drug abuse ad campaign for the organization. My first ad created quite a stir among the parents. It showed a teenager with a drug pusher giving him a stick of grass. The headline read: “Is a pusher paying more attention to your child than you are?” Today’s COVID-19 lockdown appears to have resulted in an unintended benefit: parents being kept at home and, inevitably, paying more attention to their children. While the number of infections and the mortality rate worldwide have been alarming — at 4.7 million and 310,000, respectively (so far) — these numbers are really modest compared to the death toll of the Spanish flu. That pandemic is said to have claimed some 50 million lives (due to lack of sophisticated monitoring and reporting systems at the time, PAGE 7
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US soldiers donate P10-M PPE, medical NBI files more complaints vs internet supplies to hospitals in 10 provinces personality ‘Francis Leo Marcos’ by BerNadette
tamayo ManilaTimes.net
AMERICAN soldiers in the Philippines donated over P10 million or about $203,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies to hospitals in 10 provinces nationwide. The United States Embassy in Manila said servicemen from the U.S. Army, Marines, and Air Force delivered the PPE sets and medical supplies to the hospitals in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Army, Philippine Marines, and Philippine Air Force. This new donation brings to over P780 million or nearly $15.5 million the U.S. government’s assistance to the Philippines’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement. Medical clinics from Luzon to Mindanao will be provided with the much-needed PPE and other
essential equipment to support frontline workers battling COVID-19. The supplies include disposable gloves, masks, medical clothing, various types of face protection, and tools such as infrared thermometers. “With this effort, we are trying to do our part to provide the heroes of this fight, the medical professionals, with the necessary tools that they need to protect their fellow workers and citizens,” said Capt. Tim Johnson, Civil Military Support Element – Philippine team leader. “Times like these show the strength of our friendship, partnership, and alliance as we work together to combat this virus,” said Johnson. Lt. General Ramiro Manuel Rey, AFP Northern Luzon Commander, thanked U.S. soldiers for their donation. “Indeed, there is strength in unity. We would like to express our gratitude for the aid given by the U.S. Embassy.”
“These items will greatly benefit the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center in Bataan and Talon General Hospital in Tarlac City for a better COVID-19 response. With the world in unison, we truly will heal as one,” Rey said. The medical equipment will be distributed in June to 14 medical clinics, hospitals, and local Department of Health (DoH) offices in Palawan, Isabela, Tarlac, Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Sulu, Zamboanga del Sur, Maguindanao, and Basilan. The U.S. has provided more than P228 billion ($4.5 billion) in development assistance to the Philippines over the past 20 years, including over P29 billion ($582 million) in health assistance This joint U.S.-Philippine operation builds on decades of bilateral military cooperation in counterterrorism, humanitarian relief, maritime security, and many other fields. n
MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation filed more criminal complaints against online personality “Francis Leo Marcos.” The Star reported that Marcos, whose real name is Norman Mangusin, is facing additional complaints on violation of the passport law and anti-alias law, and inciting to sedition. NBI Cybercrime Division chief Vic Lorenzo confirmed this in a text message to reporters. Lorenzo said that they are filing violation of the passport law and the anti-alias law because he was using two names, “Norman Mangusin” and “Francis Leo Marcos.” He is also accused of possessing a passport using his alias. “What is the truth? At the same time, in [violation of] the passport law, because if you falsified documents in procuring passport under a different name, that is not allowed,” Lorenzo explained in Filipino. The CCD chief said that Mangusin is also facing a complaint of Article 142 or inciting to sedition, in relation to paragraph 4 of Article 39 that reads “to commit, for any political or social end, any act of hate or revenge quarantine measures to the COagainst private persons or any VID-19 pandemic stalled all resocial class.” habilitation works on the island Central to the inciting to sediand affected the target dates set tion complaint is one of the viral by the task force.” videos on his “Mayaman ChalBut several Boracay resilenge” where he urged wealthy dents have pointed out that the people to help the poor during rehabilitation targets were not the period of enhanced commureached even before the pannity quarantine. demic. Article 142 of the Revised PeResidents, who asked not nal Code states that inciting to to be identified for fear of besedition can be done through ing singled out by government speeches, proclamations, writagencies, have complained that ings, emblems, cartoons, banthe rehabilitation has grounded ners or other representations to almost a halt since last year and this year before the quarantine measures. “There was a sudden flurry of activities when President Duterte was scheduled to visit PAGE 6 Boracay. But only during that the estimates have ranged widetime,” a business operator told ly from 20 million to 100 million the INQUIRER. deaths). The President, along with Note that the world population Tourism Secretary Bernadette was 1.6 billion in 1900 and 2 bilRomulo-Puyat, were supposed lion in 1920. We could, thus, asto visit Boracay on March 12 sume around 1.8 billion in 1918. as part of efforts to boost tour- Even if we use the low mortality ism activities after the COVID- estimate of 20 million, that is still 19 outbreak. But the visit was a much higher percentage of the called off because of the pan- population compared to the curdemic. n rent COVID-19 worldwide death
Citing unfinished business, task force for Boracay rehab welcomes term extension by Nestor
P. Burgos Inquirer.net
Jr.
ILOILO CITY—The term of the inter-agency task force in charge of rehabilitating Boracay Island has been extended by one more year, the task force announced in a statement on Thursday, May 21. President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 115 on May 11 extending the term of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) to a third year on May 8, 2021, according to the BIATF statement. The task force was created on May 8, 2018 for a two-year term to supervise and manage the rehabilitation of the island. The President ordered the closure of the island-resort to tourists for six months from April 26 to Oct. 25, 2018 after he called the island a “cesspool.” The President in his directive extended the BIATF’s term “so it may ensure the implementation of carrying capacity regulations, and continue to carry out its mandate
under EO 53 (which created the BIATF).” Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who chairs the task force, welcomed the President’s directive saying this would ensure the continuity of rehabilitation efforts. “We very much welcome this decision of the President knowing fully well that there is still much work to be done to complete the rehabilitation of Boracay,” Cimatu said in the BIATF statement. Cimatu said that as of March 31, ”33 percent of Boracay establishments remained noncompliant with the 25+5-meter beach easement rule and another 27 percent have not complied with the 6-meter road easement as required by law.” He said the 1,100 illegal structures built on forestlands and on beach and road easements have yet to be removed aside from the 1,234 structures that have been demolished. Cimatu was quoted in the BIATF statement as saying that “the enhanced community
SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Procurement Dept. TH 340 N. 11 Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101
INVITATION FOR BID - IFB NO. B20021
ROOF REPAIRS AT JAMES DOWN TOWERS 5000 ALTA DR. LV 89107 SNRHA CONTACT PERSON(S) ONLY: Note: Contact with any other SNRHA staff other than the named within this document is prohibited and will result in your Proposal being rejected. This also includes contact with SNRHA’s Residents and Board of Commissioners. HOW TO OBTAIN THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS ON THE APPLICABLE INTERNET SITES:
PRE-BID MEETING & SITE VISITS SITE VISITS: Site Visit will on be conducted on May 28, 2020 at 10:00 after the pre-bid meeting. Bidders may view the site only on this day & time. SNRHA will not provide a ladder.
Wanda Beckett, Contract Administrator Telephone: (702) 477-3145 TDD: (702) 387-1898 Email: Procurement@snvrha.org –orLinda Price Simpson, Contract Administrator Telephone: (702)477-3144 Procurement@snvrha.org
dents of an affluent subdivision are not helping others, where “his manner of speaking incite to inflict hatred to the rich.” The bureau arrested Mangusin on Tuesday over a charge of violation of the optometry law, filed by the Optometrist Association of the Philippines. A Baguio City court issued the warrant against the online personality. Lorenzo also said that there is also a standing warrant of arrest over a violation of the Violence against Women and their Children law from a Nueva Ecija court against the internet personality. Mangusin remains detained at the NBI, Lorenzo confirmed. (Kristine Joy Patag with report from Rey Galupo/Philstar.com)
Imagine a pandemic lockdown with... rate of 298,000 (out of a 7.8 billion world population). And here’s something that I hope Donald Trump does not brag about: the COVID-19 death rate in the U.S., estimated at 86,000 as of this writing, is relatively small, based on the U.S. population of 328 million. The U.S. death toll claimed by the 1918 pandemic was 675,000 out of a U.S. population at the
time of 103 million. I also hope that Duterte does not brag that the current Philippine mortality rate of less than 100 is a very small percentage of a population of more than 100 million. Of course, for people of compassion, one man’s death is one death too many — especially if the victim is a loved one or a friend. (gregmacabenta@hotmail. com)
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Download Only: Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority www.snvrha.org click on “Procurement” then “Current Bid Invitations” and proceed to the appropriate solicitation number. Problems downloading the document, notify our IT Department at (702) 477-3160).
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Pre-Bid Meeting: MAY 28, 2020 @ 8:00 a.m. (PST) The Pre-Bid Meeting will be conduct on Cisco Webex Meeting. Join the meeting by phone. Call 1-408-418-9388 Meeting number (access code): 620 534 508 Meeting password: 47727224 from phones and video systems June 12 , 2020 @ 5:00 p.m. Questions shall be submit thru NGEM and or emailed to SNRHA at Procurement@snvrha.org; All questions will be answered in the form of an Addendum and issued in NGEM and posted on SNVRHA.org website for download only.
BID PROPOSAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
All Proposed Cost must be submitted in the Nevada Government eMarketplace (NGEM) https://www.ngemnv.com/ & Hard Copy Proposal must be received at this location by the date and time noted below:
Approval by SNRHA Board of Commissioners, if required
“that tend to disturb or obstruct any lawful officer in executing the functions of his office, or instigate others to cabal and meet together for unlawful purposes, or which suggest or incite rebellious conspiracies or riots, or which lead or tend to stir up the people against the lawful authorities or to disturb the peace of the community, the safety and order of the government, or who shall knowingly conceal such evil practices.”’ It is not immediately clear which video the NBI was pertaining to, but Lorenzo said the bureau saw “elements” of the crime of inciting to sedition in one of his uploaded videos. Lorenzo said that in one of the videos, Mangusin said that resi-
Bidders must register or log into: Nevada Government eMarketplace (NGEM) https://www.ngemnv.com/ type in Bid Number IFB# B20021 to access this solicitation and to submit their proposed cost.
QUESTION SUBMISSION DEADLINE Questions received after this date and time will not receive a response.
No Public Bid Opening Bid results will be posted on SNVRHA. org website and emailed to all bidders participating in this process.
Francis Leo Marcos talks to members of media at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila after his arrest on Tuesday, May 19. Philstar.com photo by Krizjohn Rosales
Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority Procurement Department 340 N. 11th Street, Suite 180 Las Vegas, NV 89101 June 22, 2020 @ 10:00am; Late submission will not be accepted. Thursday, July 16, 2020, 12:00 NOON SNRHA Commissioners Chambers
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Journal Fil-Am books to read during summer 2020 by AJPress NOW entering two months into stay-at-home orders, individuals across the country have found ways to fill their “free time,” whether through baking, sewing masks or completing puzzles. Another method has been diving into a good book as a means to escape the outside world. Book purchases grew 777% in the first half of April, compared to the same period in March, according to Rakuten data. At the beginning of this year, the Asian Journal published a list of titles by Filipino and Filipino American authors to watch out for in 2020. Already, the following books we mentioned have been released: “The Vanished Birds” by Simon Jimenez (January 14); “Wicked as You Wish” by Rin Chupeco (March 3) ; “How to Make Friends with the Sea” by Tanya Guerrero (March 31); and “Any Day with You” by Mae Respicio (May 5). Additionally, we’ve seen the releases of “Once Upon a Sunset” (March 3) by Army nurse turned romance novelist, Tif Marcelo; “The Easy Filipino Cookbook: 100 Classics Made Simple” (March 24) by chef Roline Casper; “Raising Multiracial Children: Tools for Nurturing Identity in a Racialized World” (April 28) by Filipina-Pakistani author and diversity and inclusion specialist Farzana Nayani; and “We Dream of Space” by Newbery Award-winning children’s author Erin Entrada Kelly. As there’s no end in sight (yet) for when quarantine measures will be lifted, here are several books — from fiction to memoirs — by Fil-Am authors set to hit shelves and e-readers this summer. “Fairest” by Meredith Talusan (May 26) This coming-of-age memoir by award-winning author and journalist Meredith Talusan chronicles the journey of a precocious boy with albinism in the Philip-
EMPLOYMENT
Fil-Am Francisco Martin finishes on ‘American Idol’ Top 5 By Ritchel Mendiola AJPress
Fairest by Meredith Talusan
Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles
Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim
Amboy: Recipes from the Filipino-American Dream by Alvin Cailan with Alexandra Cuerdo
pines who would migrate to the United States, study at Harvard and transition to become a woman. Navigating through race, class, colorism and belonging within the gay community, “Talusan shares poignant and powerful episodes of desirability and love,” according to publisher Viking. “Her evocative reflections will shift our own perceptions of love, identity, gender, and the fairness of life.” “Where Dreams Descend” by Janella Angeles (June 2) In “Where Dreams Descend” — the first book in Fil-Am writer Janella Angeles’ Kingdom of Cards fantasy duology — read-
ers will be transported to a city covered in ice and ruin where a group of magicians embarks on a series of games in search of the next headliner of the Conquering Circus. There’s romance, secrecy and unseen danger along the way as we meet Kallia, a powerful showgirl out to prove she’s the best no matter the cost; Jack, the enigmatic keeper of the club and more than one lie told; and Demarco, the brooding judge with a past he can no longer hide. “The Groom Will Keep His Name” by Matt Ortile (June 2) The debut collection of essays covering topics, such as dating, PAGE 10
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FILIPINO American singer Francisco Martin on Monday, May 18, ended his “American Idol” journey as part of the 18th season’s top five. Just Sam, the only girl left in the competition, was crowned the winner, while Nepali immigrant Arthur Gunn finished as the runner-up. In the last episode, each contestant were tasked to perform two songs: a celebration tune for The Groom will Keep His Name by Matt Ortile being part of the top five, and a previously performed track. Martin performed “dore You” by Harry Styles and “Alaska”by Maggie Rogers. “Idol” judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan expressed how proud they are at Martin for coming so far in the competition. “That performance was an elevated version of what you gave to us in the beginning. You’re so smooth when you delivered that. It sounded like it was professionally recorded in the studio somewhere. That’s how good it was,” said Perry about his rendition of “Alaska.” You Can’t Do it Alone by Maria Quiban Meanwhile, Bryan said:”I’m Whitesel so proud to see you here. I’m so heartbroken that this is the last time we’ll get to hear you perform like this on ‘American Idol.’ And I know that sky is the limit for your career.” Richie, for his part, praised Martin for being a “model student.” “You have taken all of our notes and every time I see you, I smile while you’re performing because you have delivered the goods on graduation day,” he said. Martin, after the show, took to Instagram to reflect over his journey in “American Idol.” “I’ve grown so much as a human and as an artist throughout these few past months and I’ll never forget that. I’ve met a great Vampires of Portlandia by Jason Tanamor
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The 19-year-old singer, who hails from San Francisco, California, started his ‘AI’ journey as a nervous singersongwriter. He eventually gained his confidence throughout the competition and wowed the judges with his performance each week. Photo from Instagram/@americanidol
deal of lifelong friends, unforgettable memories and have gained the support of all you beautiful souls,” he wrote. “As a person dealing with anxiety, you’ve all accepted me for who I truly am and have supported me throughout all of it. Jeez I’m just so in love with all of you. To be able to have inspired many of you to follow their dreams is something I never thought would’ve happen in a million years. From the bottom of my heart, wherever you are, thank you so much,” he added. Martin assured that this is not the end, and expressed hope that everyone will continue to support him in the future. “This is not the end but only a chapter that has come to a beautiful close. Thank you for riding alongside me on this journey. Hope you’re ready to travel with me onto the next chapter in life. There’s a ton of room, don’t be shy. Grab a seat (if you’d like to). See you soon loves,” he said.
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Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS IN our column last week, we briefly mentioned a new hyperinflammatory toxic shock syndrome discovered among children after getting COVID-19 infection, first reported in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2020. The clinical presentation could be confused with Kawasaki Disease. This new distinct entity, which luckily is rare, has been termed MIS-C Syndrome. It seems only children exposed to COVID-19 are at risk for this novel syndrome. In general, children are believed to be at a lower risk to get infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, especially the seniors. Latest COVID-19 statistics: Global total – 4,967,800 cases, deaths – 329,002 (23 countries, no COVID-19 in Antarctica); United States – 1,563,408 cases, deaths – 94,000; Philippines – 12,988 cases, deaths – 848; Russia – 300,000 cases, deaths – 2,888; Spain – 278,908 cases, deaths – 27,789; China – 82,969 cases, deaths – 4,638. What is MIS-C? MIS-C refers to the newly-observed rare and unique Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (median age: 9 to 11, but could be up to 20) associated with nCorona virus pandemic, seen 4-6 weeks after COVID-19 infection, affecting various organs. This was contained in the CDC Advisory on May 14, 2020. All of the children had fever (100.4 or higher), 90 percent had stomachache, 75 percent had pink eyes (conjunctivitis) and cracked lips (blisters), and 50 percent had skin rash. Some had nausea and vomiting. There were no respiratory symptoms. The medical community is still learning more about this distinct disease linked to COVID-19. There are about 220 cases of MIS-C found in the USA, 145 of them in New York; three children (ages 5, 7 and 18) have died from it. Other nations have also reported MIS-C cases. Luckily, this syndrome is rare, and deaths are even rarer but, nonetheless, parents have to be on guard and continue to follow established guidelines to avoid getting CVOID-19 infection in the first place. Rare as it is, MIS-C could be very severe and fatal in some instances. It is still a question if this multisystem in-
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 21-27, 2020
Scary MIS-C in kids flammatory syndrome is specific to children or if it also occurs among adults with COVID-19. What is Kawasaki Disease? This is an acute febrile episode (also known as Kawasaki Syndrome) that primarily affects children under age 5. Its cause is unknown. It is not related or associated with COVID-19. First described by Tomisaku Kawasaki in Japan in 1967, the initial case outside Japan was in Hawaii in 1976. Signs include fever, skin rash, redness of the white of the eyes, swollen lymph glands in the neck, swollen hands and feet, inflammation of the mouth, lips, and throat, with “strawberry� tongue. Highest incidence (9 to 19 per 100,000) is in Japan but it is found worldwide. Since 1982, there were several outbreaks in the U.S. Kawasaki is the leading cause of acquired heart disease (coronary dilatation and aneurysms from vasculitis) in children. The standard use of IV immunoglobulin and aspirin significantly lowers coronary artery pathology. Mortality rate is about 1.25% and 2.35% among those with cardiac complications. Could both affect kids? Yes, but very rarely. The first such case reported was a baby girl in the San Francisco Bay Area, who developed both the MIS-C, post COVID-19, and also Kawasaki Disease late in March 2020, and has fully recovered. In general, children with COVID-19 have milder symptoms or none at all compared to adults. Death rate in COVID-19 for those 80+ years old is between 14.8 % to 21.9%, and among children 10-19 years of age is 0.2%. There are no deaths reported among 9 years old and younger. The signs and symptoms of Strep throat could also be similar to those of MIS-C and Kawasaki, with subtle medical differences which physicians, especially pediatricians, could discern and differentiate after complete examination and laboratory tests. Obviously, accurate and early diagnosis is vital for proper treatment. Parents with concerns should call their physician promptly. What causes COVID-19 deaths in children? Children are known to be at a lower risk to acquire COVID-19 and when infected, they have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic, with faster recovery and lower death rate. With the discovery of this new Multisys-
tem Inflammatory Syndrome in children, deaths among them are now deemed to be due to MIS-C, unless proven otherwise or unless they were immune-compromised to begin with, or with other co-morbidities. Is there a resurgence of COVID-19? There are countries and cities with a second wave of COVID-19 breakout after re-opening following a lockdown. Among them are South Korea, Singapore, Wuhan, Lebanon, Iran, Italy. More countries, including the U.S. might (hopefully not) experience a resurgence after re-opening if the guidelines are abandoned and people become careless. This, obviously from a breakdown in continuing the COVID-19 guidelines to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV2 virus, which we advocated with an acronym, Fight COVID-19 with C-O-V-I-D: Cover face to scratch, sneeze, or cough; Omit non-essential travels; Voluntary quarantine; Intensive hand washing; Distancing is social. Like other past viral infections, a second or more waves might follow, and graver, depending on people’s behavior and discipline (or lack of it). Does UVC light destroy SARS-CoV2? UVC radiation from the sun was discovered in 1801 and in 1892 it was shown that it was primarily the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum that had bactericidal power. UtraViolet-C (UVC) light (wavelength 254 nm) has been known to be germicidal and virucidal, and lately found to deactivate and eradicate SARS-CoV2 virus that causes COVID-19. However, the rays are harmful to the eyes and skin when exposed to the UVC light. This light has been used to sterilize empty ICU rooms, operating rooms, ERs, surgical and dental equipment, etc. and very useful at home, especially for those who use CPAP equipment for sleep apnea, and for sterilizing toothbrush, toys, cellphones, tablets, jewelries, and any other items, including food. A small room, like the laundry room, or big box with cover, could be used for sterilizing. UVC lamps can also sterilize an entire room (empty) for less than 30 minutes. The food industry uses UVC light to sterilize food products (meat, fruits, vegetables) before shipping them out. UVC light has been used for decades to sterilize water, as a part of the PAGE 10
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, of Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, a columnist of Asian Journal and past president and Chairman Emeritus of the FEUDNR School of Medicine Alumni Foundation (at the podium) was bestowed the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award by his medical peers at the Caesar’s Resort and Casino in Las Vegas last year. With Dr. Chua in photo are (from left) Daisy Ramos, MD, (Michigan) and Manuel Malicay, MD (Illinois), Awards Committee Co-Chair. The Annual Medical Convention and Grand Ball was attended by more than 300 physicians and their spouses from various states across the U.S., from Canada, and from the Philippines. Photo by Reggie Tobias
ACDC ‘GraduAsian’ event honors Nevada’s Asian American Pacific Islander college graduates Actor Simu Liu serves as special keynote speaker for the online event along with Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairwoman Sandra Douglass Morgan LAS VEGAS — The Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) hosted its Spring 2020 GraduAsian event on Saturday, May 16, to celebrate the achievements of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) college graduates in Nevada. Coinciding with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the online event featured special guests and keynote speakers including actor Simu Liu and Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairwoman Sandra Douglass Morgan. Since its inception in 2015, ACDC has worked to educate, connect, and empower the AAPI community in Nevada. On top of the community programs and services it provides, ACDC holds a GraduAsian event each semester to highlight AAPI college graduates. This was the first virtual ceremony put on by ACDC in an effort to recognize graduates as commencement events were cancelled across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sponsored by NV Energy, COX,
and US Census 2020 and presented in partnership with UNLV Roaring Our Asian Rights (ROAR), GraduAsian recognized students from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, College of Southern Nevada, Nevada State College, University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College. All graduates who registered for GraduAsian received personalized congressional certificates signed by the Nevada federal delegation. The guest speakers representing the Nevada delegation were U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, Congresswoman Dina Titus and Congresswoman Susie Lee. Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine, Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones, and Nevada State College President Bart Patterson also delivered live remarks during the virtual ceremony. ACDC also asked a number of special guests to record surprise messages for the stand-out graduates. These guests are Jan-ie
Low, Commissioner for the White House Initiative for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, Lisa Song Sutton, U.S. Congressional Candidate & Former Miss Nevada, Comedian/Youtube Star Ryan Higa, Steve Aoki, International artists/Musician, Gregory Lee, Chairman/CEO Eureka Casino Resorts, and Rochelle Nguyen, Nevada Assemblywoman District 10. Celebrity keynote speaker actor, Simu Liu joined the event live from Australia where he is currently working. Liu will star as Marvel’s first Chinese superhero and titular character in Marvel’s highly anticipated SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. The film will be released in May 2021 coinciding with the release of Liu’s memoir published by HarperCollins. Liu currently stars in the hit comedy series, Kim’s Convenience. “The universe is giving you the time and the means to own your dreams and take those first steps PAGE 10
60 COUNTRIES. OVER 100 CITIES WORLDWIDE. THAT’S INTERNATIONAL.
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Angel Locsin, Anne Curtis raise After-School All-Stars board of funds for COVID-19 mass testing directors adds Tamar Hoapili By Ritchel
Mendiola
AJPress
ABS-CBN actresses Angel Locsin and Anne Curtis on Monday, May 18, revived an old fundraising project to purchase test kits for COVID-19. “Shop and Share” was launched in 2009 to help those who were affected by Typhoon Ondoy. Actors, singers, and even basketball players donated personal items ranging from designer bags, clothes, jerseys, and jewelry, which were then auctioned off on Ebay, with all the proceeds going to the Philippine Red Cross. “Now, we humbly reach out again. These are hard times, truly frightening times for the Filipino people, especially with coronavirus cases still on the rise. Many have been doing their part in trying to give hope or just to make each day easier for those who are in need. And the hard truth is they will remain in need as COVID-19 remains the invisible enemy amongst us changing our lives and sadly disrupting liveli-
Angel Locsin, Bea Alonzo, Angelica Panganiban and Anne Curtis
hoods,” Locsin posted on Instagram. “This time, with the funds we raise, we would like to purchase test kits and allow testing opportunities for the poorer sectors in the hopes of helping out in the efforts to provide mass testing in the country. Yes, in sup-
Photos from Instagram/@therealangellocsin
port of mass testing. Because in this way we can make a higher impact, by pushing the TESTTRACE-ISOLATE/TREAT formula that is the only proven way to defeat the virus,” she added. Locsin invited those who are keen to participate so they can help flatten the curve in the country. “We do hope you can join us as we all work together to help flatten the curve in the Philippines in our own little way,” she said. Curtis also posted the announcement on her Instagram, urging fellow actors to join their initiative. “To our fellow artists and colleagues, if you would like to be part of this, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We do hope you can join us as we all work together to help flatten the curve in the Philippines in our own little way,” she wrote. Actresses Dimples Romana and Bea Alonzo have since shown support for the initiative by reposting Locsin’s announcement on their own Instagram pages.
NASA picks Filipina’s song as new space campaign theme By Ratziel
San Juan Philstar.com
FILIPINO singer-songwriter Reese Lansangan wrote her “open letter to the universe” and NASA could read. The 29-year-old musician’s “A Song About Space” — released back in 2013 when she was only 22 — has been featured by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to draw hype for its new space campaign. “When a song you wrote about space & exploration 7 years ago makes it to NASA... I am OVER the moon (pun intended) and I don’t think I’ll ever get over it,” she posted, sharing the #LaunchAmerica promotional video where her song ran for nearly a minute. Reese said that she “almost choked” on her water upon finding the 57 million follower-strong NASA in her direct messages. “They said they loved my super old and embarrassing ‘A Song About Space’ video from my channel and asked if they could possibly use it for a promo vid. Nothing was set in stone so after I got over the immediate shock of the NASA DM, I just silently hoped for the best. Then I got an email back with the video link, and in my pride I took all the screencaps!” The singer then revealed that her cosmic moment almost nev-
er happened, narrowly avoiding several close calls where she contemplated deleting the video. “I always get teased for that old Space video of mine because 1) I still had braces & 2) I lisped (lithped) - but each time I thought about taking it down, I couldn’t bring myself to. I figured it’s part of my history & it’s fun to make fun of yourself every now and then! Little did I know, it would be the video that NASA would notice and end up watching... it just blows my mind!” she celebrated. “I guess there’s a lesson in there somewhere - to honor yourself always - your lovable, bewildering, sometimes even embarrassing self! So from the bottom of NENE REESE’s heart - a sincere thank you to the universe for this tiny, tiny victory.” The NASA project will see the first astronauts launched to the International Space Station from the United States since 2011. “This new era of human spaceflight will kick off when NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley fly on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, lifting off on a Falcon 9 rocket at 4:32 p.m. EDT May 27, from Launch Complex 39A in Florida, for an extended stay at the space station for the Demo-2 mission,” NASA said on its website. The four and a half minutelong track is included in Reese’s
Inquirer.net
ACTRESS and former politician Marjorie Barretto marked her recent birthday with the simple joy of spending it with her family. Barretto turned 46 last Tuesday, May 19. Despite the quarantine, the mom said her kids did what they could to make her day special, as per her Instagram post on Wednesday, May 20. “[My] kids went all out to make me feel EXTRA special in every way,” she said, “[From] treating me to all the food that [I’ve] been craving for, and gathering video greetings from my family and close friends that made me laugh and cry so much.” Barretto declared that this year’s birthday celebration was “different, quiet and intimate,” which made it “priceless” for her. She also expressed her gratitude towards those who went out of their way to greet her and send her gifts and messages. The actress said she “felt so loved.” “It is during these times that one realizes who and what really matters in our lives. I will remember each one of you, [I] will keep you in my heart,” she added. The actress also showed some
Marjorie Barretto marked her 46th birthday on Wednesday, May 20 in a simple celebration with her family. Photo from Instagram/@marjbarretto
snippets of her birthday celebration through a series of photos. Barretto posed between two giant white balloons while donning a white dress and carrying a bouquet of white roses. She also bonded with her five children Dani, Julia, Claudia, Leon and Erich. Dani’s husband, Xavi Panlilio, was also present. Majorie’s kids expressed their love for their mom through their
Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Foundation. After-School All-Stars Las Vegas provides opportunities for underprivileged youth to participate in free after-school programs that focus on academics, athletics and cultural enrichment. Local programs include tutoring, homework help, language and literacy skills, arts and crafts, dance, music, coding, chess, robotics, creative writing, soccer, swimming, cheer, cooking and media – just to name a few. Since its inception, After-School All-Stars has positively affected the lives of more than 120,000 Southern Nevada youth. For more information, visit www.asaslv.org or call (702) 259-1850. Tamar Hoapili
Yassi defends Coco, appeals for empathy on ABS-CBN shutdown issue
“ANG Probinsyano” star Coco Martin has been in hot water for the past few days for voicing out his opposition of TV network ABS-CBN’s shutdown. His co-star Yassi Pressman finally broke her silence to join those who defend him. Pressman addressed the public and stressed that Martin is a good man. She also apologized to those who might have been offended by Martin’s words, she stated on an Instagram post on Wednesday, May 20. “Pasensya na po kayo, kung sa pagkarinig po ninyo ay nadadala po siya sa kanyang emosyon, at yun po ay dahil mahal na mahal niya po ang mga ‘kapamilya’ niya,” Pressman said. (Apologies if what you heard is he got carried away by emotions, it is only because he really loves his colleagues in the network.) Martin took part in an online protest against ABS-CBN’s shutdown on May 8. It was participated in by the TV network’s biggest stars, such as Kim Chiu, Judy Ann Santos and more. Martin and Chiu were some of the stars who were subjected to harsh criticism for their statements. During the protest, Martin ad-
dressed those who were in favor of ABS-CBN’s shutdown, stating that the issue has gone beyond diplomatic discourse. He stressed that the shutdown affected him and the rest of the 11,000 employees of the TV network. “Katulad po ng pagtatanggol po ninyo sa mga kaibigan, kapatid, mga magulang, at anak…. ganun rin po ang tingin niya [sa amin],” Pressman said. “Sana po maintindihan po ninyo.” (Like how you would defend your friends, family, parents and child, that is how Martin sees us. I hope you would understand.) Pressman thanked Martin for everything that he has done for the rest of their Kapamilya in the TV network. Pressman is among the celebrities who have stood up to defend Martin, namely Angel Locsin and Korina Sanchez. Incidentally, she has also been romantically linked with Martin on several occasions for the past few years. Pressman has consistently denied her alleged involvement in a “love triangle” with Martin and actress Julia Montes. While ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise renewal is pending in Congress, the TV network’s chief
Yassi Pressman with Coco Martin Photo from Instagram/@yassipressman
executive officer Carlo Katigbak revealed that the company might have to start retrenching its employees by August due to financial constraints, if it fails to get a new or provisional franchise soon. The media company was forced to stop operating on May 5 in compliance with National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) cease and desist order after the network’s franchise expired on May 4. (Inquirer.net)
Fil-Am books to read during...
Filipino singer-songwriter Reese Lansangan Photo from Instagram/@reeseypeasy
2016 debut album “Arigato, Internet!” “’A Song About Space’ is my open letter to the universe,” the artist said in a video from her 12part YouTube mini-series “Dissecting the Song,” where she explained the songwriting process behind her album. “I feel like a lot of us have that innate fascination for space and what’s beyond us, what’s beyond Earth, and I just wanted to translate my curiosity into a simple but catchy song.”
Marjorie enjoys ‘quiet, priceless’ 46th birthday with children by cha lino
TAMAR Hoapili, manager of community relations at Cox Las Vegas, has been named to the board of directors for After-School All-Stars Las Vegas. The nonprofit provides free, comprehensive after-school programs that keep children safe and helps them achieve in school and in life. After-School All-Stars serves more than 6,000 at-risk students at 14 different elementary and middle schools throughout the Clark County School District. At Cox, Tamar manages the company’s community, charitable and education outreach initiatives and programs, including Connect2Compete, Cox Charities and Cox Volunteers. She is also a director for the
separate birthday greetings on Instagram. “Happy Birthday to my mom, my confidant, my voice of reason, my hero,” Dani wrote on May 19. “I love you endlessly.” “You are strongest when you have to pretend you are strong for the people who could not imagine themselves enduring what you’ve endured,” Claudia said on her own page. She also appreciated her mom’s vulnerable side and commended her for always putting the people she cares about at the forefront of her life. “Happiest birthday, mom. I know we don’t always see eye to eye… But amongst all our differences are the smallest of similarities that have a much more profound impact on who I am as a person,” Claudia added. “I love you.” Last year, the Barretto clan was involved in some public feuds. This came after the death of Miguel, the father of the Barretto sisters Claudine, Marjorie and Gretchen, in October. During this time, Marjorie admitted that former Caloocan City mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri is the father of her youngest child. Marjorie was previously married to fellow actor Dennis Padilla.
PAGE 8 identity and sexuality, comes from Matt Ortile, managing editor of Catapult magazine. Releasing this June by Bold Type Books, an imprint of Hachette, “The Groom Will Keep His Name” charts Ortile’s journey moving from Manila to Las Vegas and the experience of being bullied for his skin tone, Filipino accent and femininity. The essays explore the idea of social media personas and ultimately, lead to a realization of “radical self-love.” “You Can’t Do It Alone: A Widow’s Journey Through Loss, Grief, and Life After” by Maria Quiban Whitesell (June 9) When faced with her husband Sean Whitesell’s terminal brain cancer diagnosis, FOXLA’s morning meteorologist Maria Quiban Whitesell found herself having to explain the loss to their young son, figure out how to respond to inappropriate questions, and learn how to deal with the dayto-day throughout her husband’s harrowing treatments, death, and life after. In “You Can’t Do It Alone: A Widow’s Journey Through Loss, Grief, and Life After,” Quiban Whitesell teams up with licensed clinical social worker Lauren Schneider to provide readers with the roadmap for dealing with illness, death, and grief she wished she’d had.
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“Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop” by Roselle Lim (August 4) Inspired by her Filipina-Chinese culture and cooking alongside her father, novelist Roselle Lim’s forthcoming title “Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop” is a dreamy and magical trip centered on heritage and food. The story centers on protagonist Vanessa Yu, who has an ability to predict scenarios, though she thinks it’s a curse. Unhappily single and after delivering the worst misfortune to someone she loves, Vanessa finally decides she’s had enough—it’s time to get this “gift” under control. She enlists the help of the family fortune telling expert, her aunt Evelyn. The only catch? Aunt Evelyn is moving to Paris to open a teashop. Vanessa has no choice but to journey to the city of love to change her destiny. “Amboy: Recipes from the Filipino-American Dream” by Alvin Cailan and Alexandra Cuerdo (August 25) Famed Fil-Am chef Alvin Cailan — founder of popular breakfast sandwich purveyor Eggslut and host of online series “The Burger Show” — has teamed up with “Ulam” documentary director Alexandra Cuerdo for a cookbook illustrating the dual identity as an “amboy,” a Filipino growing up in America.
Set to be released by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in late summer, this cookbook narrates Cailan overcoming “cultural traditions and family expectations to find his own path to success.” Expect Filipino comfort classics from the lens of a Fil-Am upbringing and anecdotes about Cailan’s rise as a chef. “Vampires of Portlandia” by Jason Tanamor (September 29) Based on Filipino folklore (aswang), “Vampires of Portlandia” by Jason Tanamor is a fantastical tale of different monsters coexisting in the weirdest city in America. When Marcella Leones relocates her family of aswang vampires from the Philippines to Portland, Oregon, she raises her grandchildren under strict rules so humans will not expose them. Her only wish is to give them a peaceful life, far away from the hunters and the Filipino government that attempted to exterminate them. Before she dies, she passes on the power to her eldest grandchild, Percival. He vows to uphold the rules set forth by Leones, allowing his family to roam freely without notice. However, when the aswang covenant is broken, the murder rate in Portland rises drastically. Who is behind the murders? And who is behind the broken covenant? Along with sensie Penelope Jane, Percival must find the truth.
Scary MIS-C in kids
reversed osmosis multi-stage water filtration system in city water plants and under-the-sink system at home around the world. Columbia University’s David Brenner, professor of biophysics, is coming out with a lowcost Far-UVC light, a new version with very short wavelength (205-230 nm) which will destroy viruses like SARS-CoV2, and is also safe to humans, pets, and plants in the room. The Far-UVC
lamp will be a unit like the electric mosquito/fly zapper available today. The Far-UVC lamp will be up on the ceiling or walls, with automatic on and off timers, to constantly destroy viruses and kill bacteria in the air and on surfaces, including clothing and our body in any room, like in buildings, offices, theaters, restaurant, public places, and our homes. It will condition the air to be free of bacteria and viruses, before they get on us and into our body.
Google Far-UVC light for more details. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.
ACDC ‘GraduAsian’ event honors Nevada’s... PAGE 9 towards fulfilling them,” Liu told graduates during the ceremony. “So taste, try, fail, learn, fail again, and fail some more. Failing is actually fun when you are doing something you actually feel incredibly passionate about. The road ahead is anything but easy, but overcoming adversity as you pursue that what you most desire, now that’s the definition of an American dream.” Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairwoman, Sandra Douglass
Morgan, also gave an inspirational keynote message, telling the graduate the importance of staying agile and resilient in the world we live in today. “I encourage all of you to celebrate and support each other as we navigate through these unprecedented times,” said Chairwoman Morgan. “Although all of our wish this ceremony was in person, no doubt that we will emerge from this shared experience stronger and united in purpose more than ever.”
Immediately after the GraduAsian ceremony, ACDC hosted a live panel called “Career 101: Navigating the New Normal”. The guest panelists were Maggie Hsu with Amazon Web Services & Co-Founder of the Gold House Collective along with Joon Kim, Partner at New Paradigm Strategy Group. The conversation focused on advice to new grads as they enter one of the most volatile job markets in history, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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