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Volume 19 - No. 21 • 14 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
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FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Human rights group to US: Don’t sell attack helicopters to PH AN international human rights watchdog is urging U.S. Congress to “block or delay sales� of attack helicopters worth almost $2 billion to the Philippines. In a post on Friday, May 22, Human Rights Watch gave its recommendation to Congress after the Trump administration last month announced two possible Foreign Military Sales by the U.S. military to the Philippines. The sales include six Boeing multi-role combat helicopters worth $1.5 billion and six Bell attack and reconnaissance helicopu PAGE 4
Also published in LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Newsom sets strict rules as California churches, places of worship reopen Hair salons, barbershops and some in-store shopping also reopen with strict guidelines by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
AS the collective anxiety over the inconveniences brought forth from shelter-in-place measures skyrockets across the Golden State, California is now moving forward in reopening churches, temples, mosques and other places of worship. Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday, May 25 gave
churches and other places of worship the green light to resume in-person services, providing strict physical distancing and screening measures to prevent disease transmission. Noting the milestone of 100,000 deaths in the United States related to the COVID-19 virus, Newsom stressed the priority of safeguarding the community and practicing caution when venturing out in the coming weeks.
Palace may lift deployment ban on health workers once pandemic crisis ends
UC system eliminates SAT, ACT for eligibility requirements until fall 2024 IN a historic move to accommodate changes due to the coronavirus pandemic, the University of California (UC) Board of Regents on Thursday, May 21 eliminated SAT and ACT scores from its admissions requirements until fall 2024. In its unanimous ruling, the board’s decision to eliminate the requirement for incoming freshmen until 2024. This decision was coupled with the announcement that the UC would be taking the next three years to design a new entrance test “that more closely aligns with
u PAGE 4
This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, reminding the global community that the crisis is far from over. “The reality is that this pandemic has just begun [and] hasn’t ended,� Newsom said in a press briefing on Tuesday, May 26. “And while we are moving forward because of stabilization, because of the u PAGE 2
by AJPRESS
LRTA and NCRPO personnel conduct simulation exercises to prepare for the “new normal� protocols in LRT-2 on Wednesday, May 27. Only 160 passengers, or 10% of its 1,600-rider capacity, would be allowed to board each train of the Light Rail Transit-2 (LRT-2) once its resumes operation, the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) said Wednesday. Based on the LRTA guidelines, the Passenger Distribution Control Protocol would be implemented in order to prevent mass gathering inside trains. LRTA manages LRT-2. Photo from NCRPO PIO
MALACAĂ‘ANG said this week that the deployment ban on healthcare workers abroad may be lifted once the threat of the coronavirus ends in countries where they would be employed. “Kapag humupa na siguro ‘yung banta ng Covid-19 sa mga lugar na nais nilang puntahan (Once the threat posed by COVID-19 is addressed in countries where they would be employed),â€? said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday, May 26, when asked what would make President Rodrigo Duterte lift the deployment ban. The deployment ban was issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration so frontliners could instead help the country in fighting the pandemic. u PAGE 3
Duterte calls for more OFWs to be returned home Anti-Asian racism and COVID-19: How to be an ally Community orgs offer bystander trainings to prepare individuals for encounters of anti-Asian harassment
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered government agencies to bring some 24,000 repatriated overseas Filipino workers back to their home provinces by the end of the week. According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte gave the order to officials from the Department of Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Department of Health after OFWs were reported to have been stuck in Metro Manila’s modified enhanced community quarantine for a month due to delayed COVID-19 test results. “Hindi katanggap-tanggap sa ating Presidente na matapos maglingkod sa ating bayan ang mga OFWs na napahiwalay sa kanilang mga pamilya, nalung-
The next day on May 16 in San Luis Obispo, California, a Zoom meeting among members of the ON May 14, a young Asian Cal Poly Chinese Student Assowoman in Wisconsin was mind- ciation was bombed by anonying her own business and walk- mous trolls who drew swastiing down the aisle of a grocery kas and spammed the chat box store. A white man stopped her with xenophobic language and and started hurling racial epi- blamed the COVID-19 pandemic thets at her; later, a police report on the entire Chinese commustated that multiple Asian “customers were called names and harassed for wearing masks because of their race.� The day after that, in a New York City subway an Asian womRETURNING HOME. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) heading to their hometowns after an was verbally harassed by a completing mandatory quarantine queue at the departure area of Ninoy Aquino International stranger for allegedly not wearAirport Terminal 2 during a send-off on Tuesday, May 26. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ing her mask “properly,� yellordered that the 24,000 OFWs stuck in quarantine centers in Metro Manila and already tested ing at the Asian woman, “You negative for Covid-19 be sent home within one week. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan f**king Chinese don’t speak kot at nahirapang magbayad eh results (It’s unacceptable to the English! Go back to China!� bengayon lalo pang mahihirapan president that our OFWs, after fore slapping the victim’s phone habang naghihintay ng kanilang u PAGE 3 from her hand. !.$2%7 " 3().
ABS-CBN franchise renewal receives overwhelming support by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA
sentative Alfredo Garbin, Jr. said Wednesday, May 27. “There are 181 position paTHE Philippine House of Representatives has received 181 pers which support the renewal position papers that support the of [the] ABS-CBN franchise and bills seeking a fresh 25-year fran- there are eight that oppose it,� chise to broadcast giant ABS- he said in an interview with CNN u PAGE 3 CBN, Ako Bicol Party-list Repre-
by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
nity. If you saw these incidents happen, what would you do? These incidents, which happened three days in a row last week, were reported to hate crime hotlines catering the Asian American community, like those established by the Asian Pacific u PAGE 2
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MAY 29-June 4, 2020 • nORCAL ASIAn JOuRnAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
From the Front Page
Newsom sets strict rules as...
PAGE 1 t good work that’s been done by health officials across this nation and all across the state of California specifically to suppress the spread of this virus, by no stretch of the imagination is this virus behind us.” The decision to reopen the churches comes after the governor faced weeks of pressure from more than 1,200 California pastors who threatened to resume services this coming Sunday, May 31 regardless of the state’s rules for reopening. One church in San Diego even went as far as filing a lawsuit against the state for its ban on church gatherings; on Friday, May 22, a federal appeals court upheld Newsom’s ban. But Newsom’s decision on Monday also came after President Donald Trump threatened to “override” states, including California, that continued to prohibit in-person worship services. The new guidelines for churches provide caution in regards to the closeness of congregants and staff members during service, especially around the choir and church singing, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) advised. “Together our actions have helped bend the curve and reduce infections in our state,”
State Public Health Officer Sonia Angell said in a statement. “As sectors continue to open with changes that aim to lower risk, remember that COVID-19 is still present in our communities.” Choir singing and group recitations are of particular concern as these spaces reopen, the CDPH said adding that these places of worship should “strongly consider discontinuing singing, group recitation, and other practices and performances where there is increased likelihood for transmission from contaminated exhaled droplets.” The guidelines are as follows: • Religious services and funerals may host a maximum of a hundred guests or 25% of the building’s capacity (whichever is lower) • All congregates and staff are “strongly recommended” to wear face coverings over their noses and mouths when around others • Congregants should be screened for temperature and other COVID-19 symptoms as should staff before they begin their shifts • Offering plates should not be passed around; congregants should not share items like prayer books, cushions and prayer rugs • Pews and lobbies as well as microphones and instruments on
the pulpit and podiums should be frequently disinfected • The possibility of shortened services to reduce the time people are congregated • Seating and podium areas should be rearranged and positioned to follow physical distancing rules and keep people 6 feet apart Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, whose COVID-19 response has been among the most stringent in the country due to the virus’ significant impact on the city, said that churches should not be reopened prematurely. “Churches are among the most dangerous,” Garcetti said, referring to the close quarters in which churchgoers congregate. “I was talking to my rabbi and a bishop I’m very close to and they said even if we opened up tomorrow we would not open up. It is not responsible.” Per the state’s roadmap for reopening, the slow reopening of the state is dependent on each county’s progress in mitigating the COVID-19 crisis. As previously reported in the Asian Journal, counties that have significantly lowered the rate of infection and decreased the number of cases and deaths are allowed to move forward in the reopening plan. In addition to churches, on Tuesday, Newsom announced that some in-store shopping as well as hair salons and barbershops are allowed to resume in 47 of the 58 counties, which have been approved to move to Stage 3 of the state’s roadmap. As with the public health and safety guidelines for religious spaces, these businesses must follow their own set of hygiene and sanitation rules: • Face coverings must be worn by all staff and customers • Remove high-touch services like magazines, coffee makers, etc • Frequently disinfect booths, stations and tools • Contact with customers before appointments to ensure they aren’t showing symptoms • Stagger out appointments to prevent crowding The 11 counties that are not moving forward to Stage 3 include the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Imperial, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, San u PAGE 3
Anti-Asian racism and COVID-19: How to... PAGE A1 t Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) or Asian Americans Advancing Justice’s (Advancing Justice) Stand Against Hatred tracker. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Journal has been extensively reporting on the disconcerting uptick of anti-Asian harassment, violence and overall sentiments, most of it spurred by the understanding that the virus is known to have originated in China. Accusations that any given Asian or Asian-passing person has the virus or blaming any and all Asians for the spread of the pandemic are common themes within the harassment, which ranges from microaggressions to outright violence. More than 1,500 incidents have been reported to A3PCON’s hate crime tracker since the middle of March, and the incidents continue to pile up as the pandemic rages on across the country. Bearing witness to these incidents could bring about discomfort and doubt for whether or not intervention would be helpful or harmful. In many cases, individuals may want to help the victim or stand up to the harasser, but they are unsure of what to do. As a way to coach individuals on what to do if they find themselves as bystanders of such incidents, two community organizations have teamed up to provide virtual training sessions to educate individuals about the types of disrespect and harassment Asian Americans are facing right now and to prepare them to become allies in any given situation. The anti-harassment and discrimination organization Hollaback!, along with Advancing Justice, has organized bystander intervention training sessions every week for May and June to help various communities become effective allies to the Asian Americans who are victims to what the organizers describe as the “spectrum of disrespect.” “These instances, however small they seem, build up over time,” Bessie Chan-Smitham, director of Community Engagement at Advancing Justice, explained during the training held on Thursday, May 21. “They’re u PAGE 4
Illustrations courtesy of Hollaback!
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Dateline USa
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 29-JUNe 4, 2020
Immigrant Neighbor Fund provides financial grant to those ineligible for government relief by Rae
ann VaRona AJPress
UNAUTHORIZED workers make up 10% of California’s workforce with many of them working in essential sectors like the healthcare, agriculture, food, and service industry. Yet, despite being at the forefront of the current COVID-19 pandemic, they — and those living with them — were left out of the recent federal coronavirus relief package. While some efforts have recently been made at the federal level like the HEROES Act that passed the House on Friday, May 15, some organizations have been looking at ways of providing relief for undocumented families in their own communities. One project, the Immigrant Neighbor Fund, has so far raised just over $1 million with a goal of raising $4 million to provide financial support for families and individuals in California and Texas. “We’re focusing on individuals and families who were left out of getting assistance from the CARES Act,” said Jose Quiñonez, founder and CEO of Mission Asset Fund (MAF), the non-profit financial technology organization behind the fund. The fund was launched by MAF, Voto Latino Foundation, and Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) Vote, with a $1 million seed investment by East West Bank. So far, over 12,000 people have signed up to start the application process. Those eligible would receive $500 from the fund. To be eligible, individuals must not be among those receiving a coronavirus stimulus check from the federal government’s CARES Act, must have earned less than $99,000 or a total household income below $198,000 in 2019, and have experienced some sort of income disruption like loss of income due to the pandemic. Applicants are also required to have
an email, a valid ID, and a checking account. The application process involves a pre-application and a full grant application. All applications are provided in 20 languages including Filipino. In the pre-application, applicants are asked to provide income information, to verify their eligibility for the grant, and to make sure they have a checking account under their name. Once invited to proceed to the full grant application, the process involves six different sections that cover personal information, individual income, household income, an opportunity to share a personal story or information on why the grant is important, and an important verification section that ensures the grant will be deposited to the applicant’s bank account. If approved, the $500 grant will be deposited directly into the approved applicant’s bank account within two to five days. Over 1,000 applicants have already been approved, with a team of 12 reviewing applications daily. MAF acknowledges that security may be a concern for potential applicants, but assures applicants that the personal information they provide is safe. “We manage at the highest standards in the fintech finance industry,” said Quiñonez, adding that as a financial tech organization, they are required by the credit bureau to maintain high standards and will never share information to any third party. In processing financial and other personal information, MAF uses a financial application programming interface by Plaid, the company behind many secure financial institutions and companies such as Venmo, Acorn, Fannie Mae, and American Express. “It is completely safe for them to complete the full grant application. [Their information] will not be shared with anyone outside of MAF and outside the purposes of
ABS-CBN franchise renewal...
PAGE 1 Philippines. Garbin, a member of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, also said that “impartial and comprehensive” discussions will be held in succeeding hearings. “It will be ABS-CBN who will present first, at pagkatapos susundan ito ng nagkokontra naman (and then it will be followed by the opposing side). We will receive all the evidence, there will be appreciation of evidence, expert witness, resource persons can be invited,” he added. Garbin stressed that it is important for ABS-CBN to defend the issues raised against it such as the citizenship of ABS-CBN chairman emeritus Gabby Lopez and the alleged issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) to foreign investors. “It is necessary to prove and defend these because these are valid issues that were raised against them before the Committee on Legislative Franchises,”
he said. “As to the issue on citizenship, the PDRs, and of course the alleged tax evasions of ABS-CBN, perhaps ang pinakamaganda niyan is imbitahan natin ‘yung mga (the best way to resolve this is to invite) regulatory agencies or different agencies of the government who has primary jurisdiction and who can answer those issues,” he added. Garbin listed the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the National Telecommunications Commission as the government agencies which may be invited to the hearings. “Mahalaga po kunin natin yung kanilang opinyon (It is important to get their opinions) based on the law and based on the Constitution because you know there is a presumption in the regularity of the performance of their duties,” he pointed out. The next hearing on the franchise bills is scheduled on Monday, June 1. n
Palace may lift deployment ban... PAGE 1 t It was later revised to allow nurses and other healthcare workers with existing contracts to return to their jobs abroad. Roque also said that the deployment ban only covers healthcare workers with new contracts. “Yung mga perfected contracts po dapat napaalis. Ang sakop lang nung ban ay yung mga bagong mga kontrata na ipinasok matapos po mag-issue ng ban ang POEA (Those who have perfected contracts are allowed to
leave. The ban only covers those who have new contracts after the POEA issued the ban),” he said. Earlier, Duterte said he would consult Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on the legality of stopping healthcare workers from leaving the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Justice, for its part, said it would consider the health care workers’ right to travel and find jobs abroad, as well as the health situation in the country. n
Newsom sets strict rules as... PAGE 2 t Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Tulare, either by choice or because they haven’t met the state’s criteria to advance. Newsom said in a press briefing on Tuesday that nail salons would not be allowed to reopen, referencing the first known case of community spread of the COVID-19 virus was traced back to a nail salon. Other businesses listed in the Stage 3 include gyms, cinemas, theme parks, bars and nightclubs, piers and professional sports, but those have not been allowed to reopen as of press time. Newsom said that these changes to the roadmap are “giving you a sense that we’re making progress, that we’re moving forward and we’re not looking back.” But Newsom cautioned those who are eager to return to these public spaces and services, adding, “But we are walking into the unknown and untested, lit-
erally and figuratively. And we have to be guided by the data that brought us to this place and that is guided by these principles of openness and transparency where all of us are required to do a little more and a little better to make sure we’re protecting the spread of this virus.” According to the latest reports from public health officials, San Francisco reported nine new cases on Wednesday, May 27, bringing the new total to 2,408. San Mateo and Alameda counties reported 59 and 63 new cases bringing their totals to 1,963 and 3,049 cases, respectively. (There was no change to the death tolls in those counties.) Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties have all filed their “county variance attestations” that allow them to re-open more quickly than other counties. But Napa County is so far the only Bay Area county to make changes to its stay-at-home order to allow hair salons to re-open with physical distancing rules. n
this fund,” added Quiñonez. As for individuals who may not have a personal checking account, MAF encourages potential applicants to see if anyone in their household has a personal checking account and can apply. “This is the only thing we can rely on,” said Quiñonez, referring to bank account and routing numbers that allows them to make sure that the grants are going to real people and not bots trying to take advantage of the funds. “We are not sending prepaid cards. We’re not sending checks.” When it comes to the identification card requirement, MAF is aware that there are individuals without a government issued ID. In Texas for example, undocumented individuals are unable to apply for an ID or driver’s license. Some consulates have been issuing temporary IDs, however that isn’t the case for all. “We are not a government agency that wants to make sure every T is crossed and every I is dotted. That’s not the intent. We just want to make sure that this is an actual human being, so we want to see a picture,” said Quiñonez. “We want to make sure that people get help.” While the grant is meant to support applicants from California and Texas, MAF also encourages people from other states to sign up with their email to get updates for when efforts expand to other states. The application can be found on www.missionsassetfund.org. n
DISTANCING IN PUV. This public utility vehicle (PUV) traveling along the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway in Imus, Cavite has adapted to the government’s physical distancing requirement. Buses, jeepneys, and other modes of transportation are required to halve their passengers so that physical distancing could be maintained to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among passengers. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
Duterte calls for more OFWs to be... PAGE 1 serving the country by being separated from their families, left alone and struggled to pay, are suffering more while waiting for their test results),” he said. In a separate interview with DZMM, Roque stressed: “Sabi niya [Duterte] enough is enough — one week — otherwise, marami pong mananagot (He said enough is enough — they have one week — otherwise, many will be held accountable).” The spokesman added that
Duterte is allowing all officials in these government agencies to use government funds and all modes of transportation to bring home the OFWs to their respective hometowns. “Sabi po ng Presidente kung hindi sapat ang mga pribadong bus, eroplano, at barko, pwede pong gamiting ang mga eroplano at barko ng hukbong sandatahan (The president said if private buses, airplanes, and ships are not enough, they could use the military’s airplanes and ships),” Roque said.
Duterte, in his public address late Monday night, said OFWs have the “constitutional right” to return home. “You know, I’m ordering you [local government units] to accept them, open the gates of your territories and allow the people — and allow the Filipinos to travel wherever they want,” he said. “Do not impede it. Do not obstruct the movement of people because you run the risk of getting sued criminally,” he added. n
MAY 29-June 4, 2020 • nORCAL ASIAn JOuRnAL
Dateline USa
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SF mayor announces Shared Spaces Program to support neighborhood activity, local businesses SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor London N. Breed on Tuesday, May 26 announced the creation of the Shared Spaces Program to support neighborhoods by providing additional public space to support local business activities. The COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force developed the Shared Spaces Program, which will allow neighborhood businesses to share a portion of the public right-of-way, such as sidewalks, full or partial streets, or other nearby public spaces like parks and plazas for restaurant pick-up and other neighborhood retail activity, as allowed by San Francisco’s Public Health Order. Once restaurant dining is allowed under the Health Order, the public right-of-way could be used for outdoor restaurant seating. “We know businesses in San Francisco have been hit hard, and since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been finding ways to support local retailers, restaurants, and other small businesses,” said Mayor Breed. “Thanks to the work of our Economic Recovery Task Force, this new program is a creative solution that will give our businesses more space to operate safely, and shift some of our street and sidewalk space to protect the economic and physical health of our entire community.” The City remains focused on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, while also actively planning for San Francisco’s recovery. Part of San Francisco’s recovery includes finding ways to safely reopen parts of the economy, including allowing curbside pickup at retail stores, and identifying other creative solutions to support businesses and their employees. Given that social distancing requirements will likely continue to apply until there is a vaccine for the virus, the Shared Spaces Program will support businesses by expanding their ability to operate into outdoor public spaces, providing additional space for required distancing among employees and customers. The program will allow individual businesses or local merchant associations to apply for a no-cost, expedited permit to share the sidewalk or parking lane for business purposes. Examples include restaurant pickup services, beverage sales, and general retail that are eligible to operate under the City’s Health Order. Once permitted by the Health Order, restaurants could set up tables and chairs outdoors for dine-in service. “It’s an incredibly difficult time for businesses and their employees in San Francisco, and the Economic Recovery Task Force has been hard at work identifying solutions to help businesses and people get back on their feet,” said Assessor Carmen Chu. “The Shared Spaces program is one way we’re helping to create flexibility for local businesses so that they can reopen and keep their employees and customers safe.” The Economic Recovery Task Force is charged with guiding the City’s efforts to sustain and recover local businesses and employment, and mitigating the economic hardships of COVID19 that are affecting the most vulnerable San Franciscans. The Task Force’s work is supporting San Francisco organizations and individuals and is laying the groundwork for economic recovery. The program also includes the potential for broader repurposing of travel lanes or entire streets to support our neighborhood merchants and residents.
BIKE LANE. Bicycle riders ply through the outermost portion of the EDSA Cubao southbound lane in Quezon City on Tuesday, May 26. The national government has urged local government units (LGUs) to establish bike lanes in their respective localities due to limited public transportation under community quarantine guidelines. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
UC system eliminates SAT, ACT for eligibility...
SF Mayor London Breed
Because these proposals would come with broader considerations such as impacts to Muni, these proposals will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Business owners who are interested in participating in the Shared Spaces Program will be asked to self-manage basic requirements around personal safety and accessibility. Examples include ensuring a safe path of travel and accessibility in compliance with the ADA. Final details of the initiative and permit process will be complete by mid-June and program updates will be available on SF.gov. “Outdoor dining and shopping should be a centerpiece of our economic recovery this summer,” said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who serves on the Task Force. “The past few months have been awful for most San Francisco small businesses, their employees and the neighborhoods that love them. The Shared Spaces program is a bright spot emerging out of a dark time. The City needs to move quickly to make these opportunities available to small businesses, and I will continue to work with merchants and the community to make this experiment a success in District 8 commercial corridors in Glen Park, on Church and 24th Streets, in the Mission and the Castro.” “Putting forward clear guidelines developed in tandem with health professionals and the small business and restaurant communities will be essential for this next phase of neighborhood recovery,” said Supervisor Aaron Peskin. “I also intend to use the Board’s legislative authority to waive additional fees that present unnecessary barriers to entry for small businesses on the brink.” “Our small business community was squeezed by layers of red tape even before the pandemic,” said Supervisor Catherine Stefani. “Now more than ever, we need creative ideas that will support our neighborhood businesses and allow them to reopen as safely as possible. By providing room to maintain physical distance, Shared Spaces will help San Francisco rebuild our local economy where help is needed most – our merchant corridors.” “We must do everything we can to support restauranteurs and small business owners whom have had to revamp their entire business operations due to the pandemic,” said Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer. “By increasing access to public spaces such as sidewalks and parklets, we can help businesses become more resilient. Based on my
AJPress File Photo/Joseph Peralta
office’s work with the Office of Small Business, merchants associations and other stakeholders, I am confident these measures will provide substantive relief to small businesses serving our neighborhoods at a time when it is most needed.” “Our COVID-19 response challenges us to reimagine and repurpose how we use our streets to either accommodate curbside pickup or room for social distancing” said SFMTA Director of Transportation, Jeffrey Tumlin. “We are thrilled to support Shared Spaces, a broader repurposing of travel lanes or entire streets to support our small business community.” “Making public space available to businesses is a key strategy that will help them reopen safely while mitigating some of the difficulty that is caused by diminished seating and capacity indoors,” said Rodney Fong, President and CEO San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. “This is a great use of our sidewalks, streets and public spaces that will help businesses recover, will save jobs, and will create a positive environment for San Franciscans to enjoy and support their favorite restaurants and shops.” “Shared Spaces will make our City more vibrant, and give small businesses a chance to rebuild, while helping everyone stay safe,” said Sharky Laguana, CEO and Founder of Bandago. “This is an exciting new chapter for San Francisco and I can’t wait to see it!” “We want to thank Mayor Breed and the City for making this happen,” said Laurie Thomas, Executive Director, Golden Gate Restaurant Association. “With social distancing and the reduced number of customers who will be able to dine in, the ability to expand seating to outside will help our eating and drinking establishments be able to survive financially. We are so excited to help bring life back to our city and especially to our neighborhoods.” “The San Francisco Council of District Merchants Associations welcomes collaboration between the City and the city’s restaurants and dining establishments in streamlining and expediting permit options to creatively expand opportunities to assist all businesses in their quest for recovery while maintaining safe social distancing,” said Maryo Mogannam, President of the San Francisco Council of District Merchants Associations. (From SF Mayor’s Press Office)
Human rights group to US: Don’t sell attack... PAGE A1 t
ters worth $450 million — both with accompanying guided missiles, rockets, and light cannon ammunition, as well as ongoing service contracts for training, parts, and maintenance, according to the HRW. “Approving contracts for attack helicopters would be sending a terrible message to the Philippine government that long-running military abuses without accountability have no consequences on the U.S.-Philippines relationship,” said John Sifton, Asia advocacy director for the group. The organization cited the Philippine military’s long track record of violating human rights and committing war crimes during counter-insurgency operations against the communist New People’s Army and Moro armed groups. HRW listed the reported disregard of civilian life, hundreds of extrajudicial executions, mistreatment of displaced people,
and indiscriminate attacks as the crimes committed by the Philippine military. It further pointed out that the military has a poor record of holding those responsible for human rights abuses accountable. “Congress should be impressing upon the Philippine government that real reforms are needed to end military abuses before deals like this can be approved,” Sifton added. It also alleged that the U.S. State Department has not “received any assurances” as to where and how the helicopters would be used. “If the sales goes forward, the U.S. government should put the Philippines on notice that ongoing and future servicing and supply of parts for the weapons systems will cease in the event the systems are used illegally,” the group wrote. “Under U.S. law illegal use of weapons constitute a violation of their End Use Certificates, which impose various restrictions on their use
after a sale.” “The U.S. should not be selling advanced military systems to an abusive, unaccountable Philippine military under cover of a global pandemic,” Sifton said. “Congress needs to act now.” The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. in response slammed the group for its opposition to the possible sale. “It is unfortunate that certain groups seek to take advantage of this issue to advance their own political agenda, even to the detriment of the long-standing alliance between the Philippines and the United States,” the embassy said in a statement on Friday. The embassy added that the Philippines’ defense modernization program has been pursued long before President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016. “The program is critical to national security and necessary to achieving a credible defense posture,” it said. n
PAGE A1 t what we expect incoming students to know to demonstrate their preparedness for UC,” UC President Janet Napolitano said in a statement. The board said that the new test will also serve as a more equitable alternative to the SATs and ACTs which are administered by not-for-profit organization The College Board. The SAT Reasoning Test (which includes a crucial essay portion) costs $64.50 to take while the SAT Subject Test costs between $22 to $26; these costs do not include the delivery fees to schools, which is $12 per school. “I think this is an incredible step in the right direction toward aligning our admissions policy with the broad-based values of the university. I see our role as fiduciaries and stewards of the public good and this proposal before us is an incredible step in the right direction,” UC Board of Regends Chair John Perez said before Thursday’s vote. As previously reported in the Asian Journal, the board voted in April to suspend the use of SAT scores and letter grade requirements for A-G courses for the fall of 2021, instead accepting the pass/fail grading system adopted by many high schools across the state. For the fall of 2021 and 2022, campuses will, however, have the option to consider test scores if prospective students wish to include them in their applications. But by 2023 and 2023, campuses will not consider scores for students’ entrance into the university. (However, scores could be used as deter-
The University of California system has led the charge to eliminate standard test requirements for incoming students.
minants for course placement, scholarships and the statewide admission guarantee.) Though the board’s decision was catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the omnipresence of distance learning, advocates for equity in higher education admissions have long been encouraging university systems to omit standardized test scores as a major determinant for college admission. “The University of California’s decision sends a clear message that biased, pay-to-play admissions tests will no longer be tolerated,” Michele Siqueiros, president of the Campaign for College Opportunity, said in a statement. Sisqueiros referenced the 2019 college admissions scandal in which wealthy parents, including actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, were found to have leveraged their affluence to cheat the admissions system for their children. One
part of the extensive scandal involved Huffman paying thousands of dollars to inflate her daughter’s SAT scores to reflect higher academic acumen. (Huffman was sentenced to 14 days in prison last September following her guilty plea.) The scandal placed focus on the systemic discrimination embedded within the college admissions process, a system that, unless students come from a wealthy family, comprises of abundant red tape based on income status, race/ethnicity and zip code. “After years of research pointing to the racial and income biases of these tests that fuel a billion-dollar industry more concerned with profits than fairness, coupled with the recent college admissions scandal, it is time for colleges and universities across the country to do more than simply talk their ‘commitments to diversity,’” Sisqueiros added. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
Anti-Asian racism and COVID-19: How to...
PAGE A2 t also part of a larger spectrum of disrespect and contribute to an environment that allows for more extreme incidents to occur.” The education portion of the training details the long and winding history of anti-Asian sentiments from the time of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to the internment of more than 100,000 Japanese Americans during World War II to the current coronavirus pandemic where every day, Asian Americans are being ostracized for being Asian. Notably, the use of the misnomers “Wuhan virus,” “Chinese virus,” and the “Kung-flu” — which have been used among everyday individuals as well as high ranking lawmakers, including the president himself — exacerbates the anti-Asian hate by establishing an fraudulent inherent association between the virus and an entire racial group. As implausible as it may seem to eliminate racism and discrimination from society, these are learned constructs that require community engagement to reverse, and that starts by understanding how to remedy these situations as a bystander. Hollaback! has devised a fivepronged methodology called the 5D’s of bystander intervention which those witnessing an act of anti-Asian hate can utilize in an effort to mitigate the situation and stand up for the victim(s). The 5D’s include: Distract, which involves creating a diversion to de-escalate the event; Delegate, find someone else like law enforcement or store management to help out; Document, record what’s happening on your phone to use as evidence that could be used to bring justice to the harasser; Delay, which is to wait until the incident has passed to check up on the victim; and Direct, which involves direct intervention between the assailant and the victim. The hour-long training sessions are designed to help distinguish these strategies and to find which method is best suited
to a variety of incidents that may happen in person or online. “This is about creating a tool that’s super easy for folks to use and refer back to whenever happens in the street or online and when it’s something [in which] they want to react or intervene but don’t know how to,” said Jorge Arteaga, director of operations at Hollaback!. “This is the methodology that will hopefully help us in a moment when we freeze and we just have that human reaction to want to show up for someone else.”
Illustrations courtesy of Hollaback!
Hollaback! and Advancing Justice is also organizing training sessions for conflict de-escalation for frontline workers of Asian descent. Asian Americans who are also health care workers, first responders or other essential workers face a uniquely serious predicament as a community fighting against racism as well as the virus itself. To learn more about the bystander intervention training sessions, please visit https:// www.ihollaback.org/bystanderintervention/. n
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Dateline PhiliPPines
‘Negligent in the extreme’: HRW says PH Metro Manila mayors favor GCQ starting June 1 fails to assist children affected by ‘drug war’ by Jan
arCilla Manilatimes.net
by Gaea
Katreena CabiCo
Philstar.com
MANILA — The Philippine government failed to assist the children whose parents or guardians have been killed in the administration’s brutal war on drugs, making their impoverished situations worse, the Human Rights Watch said. In a report released on Wednesday, May 27, the human rights organization detailed how the children orphaned in the drug war—which began in mid2016—have suffered psychological distress, experienced bullying and stigmatization, and face economic hardship. “The killing of drug suspects affects the families left behind not just in terms of death but also what happens afterwards: families driven deeply into poverty, some children forced to live in streets, children being forced to work and stop schooling, bullying in schools and their communities because of the stigma of drug use of family members,” Carlos Conde, HRW Philippines researcher, said. One of the children interviewed said she became distressed and bullied in school after police shot her father in her presence in 2016, while another has been living on the streets and working to support his family after he was orphaned. The HRW said that while the government sometimes pays for the burial expenses of family members killed in operations, it
has no specific programs addressing the needs of children whose families have been destroyed by the drug war. HRW said an unidentified former senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development told the rights watchdog in an interview that the impacts of the anti-drug campaign on children had not been raised in any Cabinet meeting as of May 2019. “This is negligent in the extreme,” Phil Robertson, HRW Asia deputy director, said. “Killings get the attention of the top people but repairing the damage and having accountability, these are the things not spoken of in Malacañang Palace,” he added. ‘Step up’ Aside from calling on the government to put an end to the ferocious war on drugs and investigate the killings, HRW also urged agencies, particularly the DSWD, to reach out to families who have lost loved ones in the brutal campaign. “They need to step up and try to reach out to these children,” Conde said. HRW said the DSWD must provide material assistance and targeted financial support programs to the parents and guardians of orphaned children and protect them from economic exploitation. It also called the department to ensure that its conditional cash transfer reach the families of the victims. The rights watchdog likewise
urged the Department Education to ensure that children adversely affected by the anti-drug campaign enjoy their right to free primary educations. Schools must also enforce anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policies. It also recommended that the Department of Health assist the DSWD in providing mental and psycho-social health services to children of families affected by the anti-drug campaign. “This drug war has created a generation of Filipino children who have been scarred probably forever by the violence… It’s difficult as it is to live in an extremely poor community and being targeted by state agents, by killers roaming on the streets at night. I can’t even begin to imagine how they must feel five, 10 years from now and how this madness will affect their lives,” Conde said. Latest government figures put the number of alleged drug personalities killed in the war on drugs at 5,601. But the figure is significantly lower than the estimates by human rights watchdog of as many as 27,000. The UN Human Rights Council is expected to present a report on the human rights situation in the Philippines pursuant to a resolution adopted last year. The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court earlier said it is seeking to finalize its preliminary examination into the alleged extrajudicial killings linked with Duterte’s anti-drug crackdown this year. n
Duterte names presidential adviser RJ Jacinto as DICT Usec by Darryl John
esGuerra
“We are confident that Usec. Jacinto will serve DICT with dedication and integrity and will MANILA — President Duterte contribute to achieving the Dehas appointed Presidential Ad- partment’s mandate under the viser on Information Communi- current administration,” Roque cations Technology Ramon “RJ” said. Jacinto as Department of InforJacinto, a musician, cammation and Communications paigned for Duterte and perTechnology (DICT) Undersec- formed in the then Davao City retary, replacing Eliseo Rio Jr. mayor’s rallies during the 2016 who earlier resigned. presidential elections. In a statement, presidential He was named Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said adviser in July 2016. Jacinto was appointed on FriRio offered his resignation on day, May 22. January 31, citing conflicting Inquirer.net
views with other officials in the agency. Among the points of contention raised were the millions of pesos in confidential funds lodged with the agency’s budget. Rio is a retired general who also served as DICT’s acting chief. He was reassigned as undersecretary in July 2019 after former senator Gringo Honasan was appointed as DICT chief. Last week, Roque announced that Duterte has accepted Rio’s resignation. n
METRO Manila mayors recommended placing the National Capital Region (NCR) under general community quarantine (GCQ) starting on June 1, an official from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Tuesday, May 26. The Metro Manila Council (MMC), composed of the mayors of 16 cities and one municipality, will submit its recommendation to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF), according to MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia. “I want to announce unanimously that NCR mayors [are in favor] of GCQ,” Garcia told reporters in a media briefing. He added that local chief executives may still implement localized lockdown in areas with high cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, Garcia said that mayors were concerned about mass
public transportation and wanted operations of buses and jeepneys to stay suspended. “Wag muna kasi mahirap icontrol (It is hard to control),” he said. He said that taxis, Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), shuttle buses, point-topoint buses, tricycles, and pedicabs would be allowed to operate under GCQ. With Metro Manila under GCQ, Garcia said that mayors also wanted to implement a “modified” number coding scheme where motorists affected by the coding may be allowed to travel provided they would not be alone to maximize the use of private vehicles on the road. Asked about the mood of the meeting, Garcia said mayors wanted to strike a balance between economy and health but stressed the need to jumpstart the economy of Metro Manila. “Based sa usapan kanina, kailangang magbukas ng ekonomiya, mas maraming mamatay sa gutom
(Based on our talks, we need to reopen the economy because many will die of hunger),” he said. Garcia said that the IATF will decide whether to adopt the recommendation of the local chief executives. Should the government place Metro Manila Under GCQ, Garcia reminded residents to observe health protocols set by the Department of Health (DoH). “As long as yung COVID19 nandyan, we need to limit the movements of the people (As long as COVID-19 is there, we should limit the movement of the people),” he said. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said that the government was eyeing the implementation of a barangay (village)-based lockdown after the end of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila on May 31. As of Wednesday, there are 15,049 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, of which 3,506 have recovered and 904 have died. n
8
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FEATURES
OPINION
Remember Marawi
MUSLIMS celebrated Eid’l Fitr, marking the end of the monthlong Ramadan fast, from Saturday night until Sunday, May 24. The event coincided with the third anniversary of the start of the five-month siege of Marawi, which was launched by extremist Maute militants. In September 2017, the military confirmed that Abdullah Maute had been killed in an airstrike in August. His brother Omar was shot dead together with Abu Sayyaf commander Isnilon Hapilon in the battle to liberate Marawi on Oct. 16. While the three leaders were neutralized, the siege that involved airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling as well as close-quarters combat flattened nearly the entire city. When the smoke finally cleared and the damage to the city assessed, there was general agreement that rebuilding would be a tough undertaking. Even with low expectations, however, those displaced by the conflict have expressed disappointment over the pace of rehabilitation of Marawi. Last March, less than two weeks before the government imposed a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic, Malacañang received complaints about the slow reconstruction effort. This prompted President Duterte to designate new
housing chief Eduardo del Rosario as pointman for Task Force Bangon Marawi. Del Rosario’s mission is not merely to provide decent housing for approximately 40,000 families displaced by the siege, but also to coordinate efforts to ensure the viability of the reconstructed areas. There are no more people housed in evacuation centers, but projects meant to help residents get back on their feet were delayed “by circuitous approval process in the bureaucracy,” according to a Malacañang statement. That was before the pandemic. Now that much of the activities across the country have been paralyzed by the coronavirus crisis, what will happen to the Marawi reconstruction effort? Extremism thrives in a crisis. If the reconstruction moves at snail’s pace, the biggest concern is that the militants inspired by the terrorist Islamic State will be able to rebuild their ranks faster than devastated Marawi. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
Commentary
SEN. KAMALA HARRIS & ASSEMBLYMEMBER ROB BONTA WE are in a crisis — one that requires unifying leadership. But that’s not what we are getting from the president of the United States. The staggering death toll and human suffering haven’t changed Donald Trump’s lack of empathy and tendency to strike out at those who speak truth. Rather than show moral leadership and take real action to help
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS WITHOUT the constitutional authority to do so, President Donald Trump on Friday, May 22 “ordered” state leaders to allow churches and places of worship to open immediately, starting last Sunday. This came after asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to hold off the publication of guidelines that will help them safely re-open. White House officials told the Washington Post that Trump did not want to displease the evangelical ministers who have been supporting him, and so the CDC was made to modify the guidelines without consultation with church leaders on the real health and safety concerns. “If they don’t do it, I will override the governors,” Trump threatened. After Trump’s bizarre announcement, church leaders have been sharing their perspectives on the issue as the world continues to fight the war against COVID-19, which, has infected more than 5.495 million people and killed 346,232 and counting, as of press time on Tuesday, May 26. Let me share with you some of these perspectives and may they help you in your discernment on what to do as true Christians. “Bishops from the Washington State Catholic Conference: “We will wait.” ”We want to let you know the public celebration of Mass was suspended, not out of fear, but out of our deepest respect for human life and health,” reads a Friday statement signed by several bishops in a “unified response.” “While we share the desire to bring people back to Mass as quickly as possible, we will wait to schedule our public worship when it is safe and we are pre-
Philstar.com photo
Standing up for the AAPI community amid America’s leadership crisis people, Trump has resorted to race baiting and spreading misinformation. This has helped perpetuate hate against the Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. After it became clear that President Trump ignored early warning signs and failed to prepare for this pandemic, he blamed other countries, groups of people, and entities like the World Health Organization. The racializing of the coronavirus as the “Chinese virus” and “Wuhan virus” by the president and by some members of Congress has recklessly put members of the AAPI community at risk.
The number of hate-fueled incidents – ranging from verbal harassment to physical assault – against the AAPI community remains dangerous. These incidents include cases like people being spit on, having bottles thrown at them, and being physically assaulted in the subway and other public places. The racist fearmongering has also hurt AAPI-owned small businesses. It was reported that Asian American businesses saw up to an 80% drop in business before isolation orders came into full effect. Not only has this scapegoating caused members of the AAPI community to fear for their safety, but also their
livelihoods. Sadly, we’ve seen this kind of prejudice before. Two decades after the Chinese Exclusion Act, the federal government blamed Chinese Americans for an outbreak of the bubonic plague in San Francisco. We must work to make sure history doesn’t continue repeating itself. The increase in instances of profiling, intolerance, intimidation, and hate is disturbing and inexcusable. Any witness to these acts has the responsibility to speak up, report, and condemn them. And the Commander in Chief must show real leadership that unifies our country instead of sowing hate,
especially during a national crisis. Given the lack of leadership in the White House, the two of us have worked hard to address these issues head on by demanding an end to discrimination against the AAPI community; calling for the administration to address bias; and requesting funding to combat discrimination. During this Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we must recognize that there is more that unites us than divides us. It’s natural to be fearful or anxious in these uncertain times, but we cannot allow that fear to erode our unity. While
there have been despicable acts of hatred, there are countless examples of communities supporting one another. People helping their elderly neighbors with groceries, impromptu balcony concerts for frontline workers, and wellness check-ins over video calls have become essential to our resilience. Stories like these serve as hopeful reminders that we are all better off when we reject hatred, look out for others, and embrace our shared humanity. *** Kamala Harris is a U.S. Senator representing California. Rob Bonta is a State Assemblymember representing Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro.
Christian leaders call out Trump for putting politics over public health: We don’t need to open churches to practice our faith. We will wait. pared to do so,” the statement read. The bishops’ statement added that the state conference follows guidance from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Thomistic Institute, along with public health experts, and that is working to develop a plan with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) for a safe reopening. “Parishes must create an environment that is not only safe, but is liturgically reverent,” the bishops said, adding that there is no current date established for Mass gatherings resuming in the state.” (As reported by The Hill) “Mr. President, we don’t need to open churches to practice our faith...” “Who says that religious organizations haven’t already been providing ‘essential’ services without this presidential ‘blessing?’ I am a Roman Catholic priest in the Passionist Community serving, at the moment, in New York. During this pandemic I have buried the dead at cemeteries — with limited family members present. I have prayed with people via FaceTime and Zoom. I even heard a confession in a supermarket parking lot. “Priests with whom I live have blessed the sick and dying in hospitals and nursing homes. We have also celebrated virtual Masses and prayer services for countless of the faithful. “The churches in my area have been open for individual prayer, Benediction services and Stations of the Cross, and social distancing is strongly encouraged. Priests have even paraded in processions in neighborhoods with the Blessed Sacrament in order to bring elements of the church service out to the faithful. Similarly, rabbis and imams whom I know have been doing the equivalent with their respective religious con-
gregations. That is all ‘religious service.’ “What most of us have not done is put ourselves and our parishioners in danger by gathering in large groups for Mass or other religious services ‘as usual.’ That would have been — and would continue to be, in this time of contagion — irresponsible and sinful. It would also violate the right to life of many. Yes, responsible action with regard to religious organizations during this pandemic is a rightto-life issue. This is a right that needs to apply to those who live after birth, too.” — Fr. Edward Beck, interviewed on CNN “Dear Trump, your call to allow all churches to reopen was dangerous. Sincerely, two evangelicals.” “Before any church opens its doors, leaders must spend time setting up policies and guidelines that protect those who will be in attendance using the best science and guidance available. “As leaders who have navigated pastors through natural disasters in the past, we provided a checklist for reopening churches. For instance, we recommend churches reach out to their insurance company to make sure they aren’t putting their congregation financially at risk. Churches also need to be able to secure proper sanitation supplies that would help prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus. “Leaders need to recruit and train volunteers to guide the reopening process, such as helping with social distance measures. Leaders especially need to communicate to attendees about possible policy or procedural changes, such as how Communion might look different. “We encourage faith leaders to look to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which
has new guidance, for how best to respond. We have also regularly encouraged church leaders to look to local officials and authorities, including public health agencies, for direction. “Unfortunately, public health guidance from the federal government has been confusing. Early draft guidelines for houses of worship that were direct and concrete ultimately were shelved after much debate in the White House and replaced with less concrete guidelines on Friday. For example, the new guidelines do not make recommendations about important questions pastors are navigating, such as whether singing is safe or logistics of how people should gather in the building. “Friday’s announcement makes it harder for leaders to look to federal agencies as trusted resources based on how Trump already has used his executive authority. He has minimized voices who hold differing views (such as suppressing earlier CDC guidelines for faith communities), he goes against current medical knowledge by saying he would take malaria medication that scientists have warned against using to treat the virus, and he refuses to wear face masks in public. “Trump’s pronouncement corrupts our country’s ability to respond justly to this pandemic by putting politics over public health. The purpose appeared to be aimed at reaching evangelicals and Catholics, who will be valuable voters in the coming election. “Several faith leaders we have spoken with say people in their congregations, who already are under emotional strain, express a range of opinions about wanting to come back to church buildings. Some will stay away until there is a vaccine, and some want to be (or have been)
back the minute it’s possible. “If we gather and cause community outbreaks, as happened in a large church in South Korea, and this week here in the United States in Georgia, Texas and Arkansas, it risks people’s lives. We must care for others in how we reopen. “In some places in the country, starting to gather in person can be done cautiously, wisely and with joy. Those of us who live in areas where caution remains high can continue to be creative in worship, in supporting each other, and in serving our community. If we choose to emphasize the impact on our rights over the public health impact of our gathering, we diminish our love for our neighbor. “As the Apostle Paul once wrote, ‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say — but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’ — but not everything is constructive.’ “During the states’ lockdowns, many Christians expressed frustration at seeing liquor stores remain open and categorized as “essential” while houses of worship had to close their doors. Of course houses of worship remain crucial to the lives of many people and provide key resources to their communities. Churches are absolutely essential, but gathering in person is not yet.” — Kent Annan and Jamie Aten in the Washington Post (Kent Annan is director of Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership at Wheaton College. Jamie Aten is founder and executive director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton.) “All these preventive actions are ways of caring for the other person--that is, ways of loving.” “Churches are indeed essential for Christians and the desire to worship together is a holy
desire. But holy though your desire may be, it’s not just about you and your desire. It’s about protecting the other person, especially if you are, like many people, asymptomatic. Wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and even not gathering in churches, protects the other person. “There have already been confirmed cases in Texas and Minnesota where Catholic churches have opened and the priests were found to have been unknowingly infected. Coming into contact with their parishioners, and exposing them to infection, may end up causing death......especially among the most vulnerable-the elderly, who are in many denominations the majority of churchgoers. “I’m not sure why this is so hard to understand. If you have the measles and a doctor tells you, “Don’t go to church because you might infect a woman who is pregnant,” you don’t rail at your doctor for “impinging on your freedom. What does the loving person do? You listen to the doctor, and stay home, even though it’s a sacrifice, as a way of protecting the other person. All these preventive actions are ways of caring for the other person — that is, ways of loving.” — James Martin, SJ on Twitter (James Martin, SJ is a Jesuit priest, editor at large @Americamag, author of ‘Jesus: A Pilgrimage’ and ‘Building a Bridge,’ consultor to the Dicastery for Communication @VaticanNews) *** 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.
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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Community Journal
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 29-JUNe 4, 2020
USCIS to start reopening around June 4, 2020
Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
AFTER 15 YEARS OF SEPARATION AND CHARGES OF FRAUD, A MAN’S NAME IS CLEARED AND A FAMILY IS REUNITED! Mike (left) was charged with fraud and alien/human smuggling while trying to return to the U.S., where his wife, Aye (center), and their daughter, were living. It appeared he had lost his first passport containing a U.S. visitor visa. He got a new passport and applied for a new B visa, which was granted. The consul later claimed the first passport was used by Mike’s brother to obtain a visa to Japan. Therefore, he was being charged with fraud for lying about having lost his first passport. The embassy was also considering charging him with human smuggling in connection with his brother. He claimed he was innocent, and after his two previous attorneys gave up – one who filed for his Asylum, and the other one filed for his waiver – Mike researched about leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) and his many successes with seemingly impossible cases. It was then that Mike decided to consult with and retain Atty. Gurfinkel’s services. See how a daughter’s dream of having her father in the U.S. comes true on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
Sam and Catriona are dating by Nika
Roque Manilatimes.net
ACTOR and singer Sam Milby revealed on Saturday, May 23 he and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray are dating. Posting a romantic photo with the beauty queen on his Instagram account, he wrote, “Worth every second of the wait. Most special birthday yet.” The Filipino American celebrated his 36th birthday the day before, May 22, via a livestream event where friends surprised him with greetings online. Dubbed “Lunch with the Stars: Sam Milby Birthday Special,” the program was mounted by his talent management group, Cornerstone Entertainment, of which Gray is also part. Co-artists John Prats and comedian Pooh hosted the birthday special and teased a visibly excited Milby when Gray’s video greeting came up. The beauty queen simply said, “Hey, Sam! Happy, happy birthday. I hope that you have
Sam Milby and Catriona Gray
an amazing year ahead. More birthdays. More happiness. You are loved by so, so many,” but Milby’s reaction was a giveaway. “I’m kilig sa message, super kilig sa message. Hindi ko inexpect talaga na mag-message. Thank you. Yes, you are very special. Very special,” he effused. (“I’m thrilled by her message. I didn’t expect she’d give one.”) Milby and Gray first sparked dating rumors in late 2019 when some photos of them together circulated on social media. Gray
ABS-CBN photos
denied them, however, in an interview on “Tonight with Boy Abunda” in January this year. She said they were spending a lot of time together only because they went to the same church and had the same management company. “Friend naman siya,” Gray said then. Milby’s post, however— though not an outright confirmation they are officially a couple— shows their friendship is indeed blossoming. n
USCIS recently announced that it is preparing to reopen some of its offices and resume naturalization ceremonies and adjustment interviews on or after June 4, 2020. Notices will be sent out to applicants whose interviews and ceremonies were previously canceled because of COVID- 19, so watch your mail for your new appointment dates. Adjustment Interviews As with most businesses, USCIS is adapting to COVID19, and there will be many changes in procedures. Offices will reduce the number of appointments and interviews to ensure social distancing, allow time for cleaning and reduce waiting room occupancy. Appointment notices will contain information on safety precautions that visitors to USCIS facilities must follow, such as if a person is feeling sick, they should reschedule their appointment for when they are healthy. There is no penalty for rescheduling an appointment if the person is sick. But make sure your request to reschedule your appointment is sent (and received by USCIS) before the date of the appointment date. Visitors may not enter the building more than 15 minutes before the appointment time, and are limited to the applicant, one representative, one family member, and one individual providing disability accommodations. The applicant should arrange to have their interpreter available by phone. Naturalization Ceremonies USCIS will send notices to applicants to reschedule postponed naturalization ceremonies. The ceremonies may be shorter to limit exposure to those in attendance. Instead of playing videos during naturalization ceremonies, attendees
will receive a flyer with information and links directing them to the videos on the USCIS website. Under the shortened format, all legally required portions of the ceremony will take place. The applicant may not enter the building more than 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony. Attendance is limited to the naturalization candidate and individuals assisting disabled persons. Therefore, it appears family and friends can no longer attend the naturalization ceremonies. Application Support Centers (Fingerprints and Photos) USCIS will automatically reschedule any necessary ASC appointments that were cancelled due to the temporary office closure. Individuals will receive a new appointment letter in the mail with specific safety requirements. Individuals who appear at a date or time other than what is listed on the ASC appointment notice may encounter significant processing delays, except for military members. Other Procedures Other procedures USCIS will put in place are now familiar to people who have endured the “shelter in place” lockdown during this pandemic: • Hand sanitizer will be provided for visitors at entry points. • Members of the public must wear facial coverings that cover both the mouth and nose when entering facilities. Visitors may be directed to briefly remove their face covering to confirm identity or take their photograph. There will be markings and physical barriers in the facility; visitors should pay close attention to these signs to ensure they follow social distancing guidelines. • Individuals are encouraged to bring their own black or blue ink pens. People should already expect and prepare themselves for delays and long waiting times. The fact that the number of people scheduled for interviews will be reduced will of course create a longer waiting
time. For example, if an officer had previously interviewed 20 people a day, but interviews are being reduced to seven people a day, there will be longer waits and delays. Moreover, under Pres. Trump, with new and stricter rules and regulations, it is almost as though USCIS is looking for ways to deny cases, unless every single requirement is met at the outset. There are new public charge regulations, memos to deny cases at the outset, without serving a request for evidence (if all the evidence is not included in the initial filing), etc. That is why it is so important that when it comes to your interview, you should consult with and have an attorney represent you at these interviews, to make sure you are eligible, go over the requirements, deal with any legal issues or changes in your circumstances that may come up, and make sure there is no miscommunication or misunderstanding at the interview, which could also result in a denial or deportation. * * * Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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MAY 29-June 4, 2020 • nORCAL ASIAn JOuRnAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
Friday, May 29, 2020
OMETHING
ILIPINO
CLASS OF 2020: Fil-Am students across the country share what it’s like to graduate during a pandemic by
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AJPress
raduation season is upon us but it’s not what students had anticipated. For graduates of the Class of 2020, this step in their academic journey is unprecedented as the pandemic forced them to shift their last semester online and leave campus abruptly without proper closure and spending the final weeks counting down with their peers. Walking across the commencement stage is symbolic of the years of hard work they put in to obtain their degrees. it’s also a moment of pride to be witnessed by and shared with their family and friends. However, instead of the senior week traditions, caps and gowns, and large-scale ceremonies, students across the country are marking their milestones during this extraordinary time at home or will have to wait longer for a physical celebration at a later date. From virtual commencements to car parades, the Asian Journal interviewed Filipino and Filipino american students about how they spent their big day and what’s next for them. Jared Ortaliza, 21 | University of California, Los Angeles Hometown: Glendale, CA Degree: B.S. in Human Biology and Society; Minor in Asian American Studies “Fortunately, UCLA was a bit more responsive to students’ critiques of transitioning to a solely digital ceremony and gave seniors a survey as to whether we would eventually want to hold an in real-life ceremony in the coming months after the COVID19 crisis is over. Not being able to walk in a real-life ceremony is underwhelming, given that it’s the culmination of four years worth of hard work and an opportunity to celebrate that with the people who have supported me along the way. However, I ultimately know that sense of accomplishment does not come from a piece of paper and that regardless of the events, I still find satisfaction that I was able to graduate from university. I feel like the experience I missed out on most was getting to say goodbye to my friends — there were many last meetings I didn’t know I had that when news of a virtual spring quarter broke out. I keep in touch with many of my friends, but having a proper in person send off for all of us would have prevented our last time seeing each other from feeling so abrupt. My graduation is the same week as my birthday…I may hold a family dinner at home with my mom and dad! We can’t do too much because of quarantine but it’s the best we can do for now.” Future plans: Apply for a Fulbright Scholarship to do research on the Southeast Asian governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and eventually a graduate degree in public policy to help support progressive policymaking
Monica Chernoff, 22 | Occidental College Hometown: Palos Verdes, CA Degree: B.A. in Psychology (Minor in Sociology and Gender, Women and Sexualities Studies) “Occidental College sent a survey to the current seniors on different options for the graduation ceremony. As a result, Occidental is having one virtual ceremony where they are sending graduation boxes in June and planning to have another in-person graduation ceremony sometime next year for those who want to attend. Even though we have these options, it does not make up the experience of graduating with your entire college class and receiving the diploma in front of your family. Graduating college is a significant milestone for all students and their families. In addition, not having the traditional celebration is heartbreaking and makes us feel not recognized for all of our hard work and efforts. What I feel like I missed out on the most is the last few weeks hanging out with your college friends. We were not able to have senior celebration banquets, go on senior trips, and say proper goodbyes to other peers and teachers. I am a college athlete and my water polo season was cut short. I was heartbroken to miss out on many exciting things as a senior captain: senior day, the opening of our new pool, and just playing more water polo. Despite missing out on so many things, my family and friends have been so supportive. For my graduation day, my family and I did a little ceremony at home and had different zoom calls. I learned to still be proud and grateful for my college education, family, and health.” Future plans: Start the marriage and family therapy graduate program at the University of Southern California this July
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US President Donald Trump turns 74 on June 14
By Ferdie Villar DONALD John Trump is the 45th and current president of the United States. Prior to entering politics, he was a businessman and television personality. He will be celebrating his 74th birthday on Sunday, June 14. President Trump was born and raised in Queens, New York, and earned an Economics degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He then took charge of The Trump Organization, the real estate and construction firm founded by his paternal grandmother, which he ran for four-and-a-half decades until 2017. During his real estate career, Trump built, renovated and managed numerous office towers, hotels casinos and golf courses. Besides real estate, he started several side ventures and licensed the use of his name for the branding of various products and properties. Trump owned the Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants from Estela McCovey, owner/president of New Haven In-Home Care, Inc. and former Mrs. United 1996 to 2015. He also hosted Nations International, celebrates her birthday on Thursday, June 11.
John Lloyd Cruz (right), a five-time Box Office King of Philippine Movies, celebrates his 37th birthday on Wednesday, June 24. He is shown in photo with close friend and beauty impresario Ferdie Villar during a visit to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Sylvia La Torre, known as the Queen of Kundiman Songs in the Philippine music world, celebrates her birthday on Thursday, June 4.
US President Donald J. Trump heads the list of June personalities celebrating their birthdays in the month of June. He will turn 74 on Sunday, June 14.
The Apprentice, a reality television series on NBC from 2004 to 2015. His estimated net worth as of March 2020 according to various sources (including Forbes) is at $3.1 billion, although many analysts have said that it is hard to really determine President Trump’s net worth as many of the businesses remain private. On a different note, another June celebrant is one of the most successful movie actors and now a movie producer in the Philippine entertainment industry: John Lloyd Cruz. The soap opera and movie star has been recognized as Box Office King five times (2008-2010, 2013-2014), and has been paired with popular actresses in successful movies at the tills, including Sarah Genomino, Bea Alonzo and Toni Gonzaga. John Lloyd is the first Filipino and first Southeast Asian actor to be honored with the Star Asia award at the 15th New York Asian Film Festival. He joined Hong Kong’s Miriam Yeung and South Korea’s Lee Byung-hun as the recipients of the award in 2016. Cruz celebrates his 37th birthday on June 24, which incidentally is the feast day of St. John the Baptist.
Others celebrating their birthdays in June include: June 2: Dr. Loi Ejercito Estrada; June 3: Christine (TinTin) Garcia; June 4: Kundiman Queen Sylvia La Torre, multi-awarded movie actress Pacita Arana; June 5: Former senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Wowowin TV show dance choreographer Anna Feliciano; June 8: Former Mr. United Nations World Scott Ancheta; June 9: Hotel executive Ben Carian; June 11: Dancer/actor/musician Gabriel “Gab” Valanciano, former Mrs. United Nations International Estela Bejar McCovey; June 13: Daly City businessman Lambert Paniza, veteran newspaper writer/book author Julie Yap Daza; June 14: The late senator Miriam Defensor Santiago; June 15: Philippine News Today owner/publisher Francis Espiritu; June 19: Fiesta Filipina Cuisine in Las. Vegas owner Ernie Guevarra; June 20: Ballroom dance king Louie Rubio;
Lambert Paniza, a successful Filipino American businessman in Daly City, celebrates his birthday on Saturday, June 13.
June 21: Former Ilocos Sur governor/representative Luis “Chavit” Singson, former Miss RP Tourism and Miss Philippines runner-up Krystal Ann Dizon Grant; June 22: Colma communityn leader Aida Viray; June 24: Burlingame business executive Mightor Garcia; June 25: Actress Andi Eigenmann of Channel 2; June 27: Former first gentleman of the Philippines Jose Miguel (Mike) Arroyo; June 30: Bank executive Bernie de Barrio. To all June birthday celebrants, Many Happy Returns of the Day! n
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Features
Class of 2020: Fil-Am students across... PAGE 10
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Nathaniel Padre, 28 | Columbia University Hometown: Seattle, WA/Pasadena, CA Degree: B.A. in Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species “I didn’t think much of it until I experienced it. I attended graduation at Columbia last year, and I remember the proud feeling I experienced of my friends walking across the stage. I really wanted my parents to feel that for me. While I don’t particularly feel robbed or upset, because I find it necessary, but I do feel like I’ve missed out. Hopefully this will be remedied soon with the possible in-person graduation ceremony. My family thought it was appropriate to have a kamayan feast, but in my absence. ‘Kamayan’ is ‘eating with the hands’ in the Philippines and also refers to a type of feast in which large portions of various Filipino foods are served on top of banana leaves that you eat with your hands. Unfortunately, I’ve been quarantining on my own on campus in NYC so that I don’t possibly bring the virus to my family. I watched them eat and celebrate my graduation on my behalf through Facetime.” Future plans: Take a gap year and search for medical-related positions for experience before applying to medical schools next year
Jose Alaras, 22 | University of Southern California Hometown: Topeka, Kansas Degree: B.S. in Biochemistry & B.A. in Spanish “Although the festivities were relocated to a livestream, it was quite difficult for me and my peers to gain any sense of closure during our virtual celebration. All of us worked years to succeed in our classes and all of that hard work culminated into a recorded livestream where the celebration felt distant and removed. The pandemic is obviously of higher priority, and the health risks simply would be too severe to warrant our in-person commencement in May. Nevertheless, I wish we had experienced the celebration as a USC community, surrounded by friends and family before receiving our diplomas. Instead, my parents threw a celebration at home for my graduation. Although this graduation season was far from what I envisioned, I am thankful to have been able to celebrate with my family — they truly are my motivation and I was honestly more excited to show my parents how thankful I was for all their sacrifices for sending me to USC.” Michelle Gutierrez, 21 | University of California, Santa BarFuture plans: Attend University of Kansas School of Medicine in bara the fall to begin journey toward becoming a doctor Hometown: Cerritos, California Degree: B.A. in Political Science Elvelyn Fernandez, 22 | Georgetown University “I think the most heartbreaking part of it is that my mother, who Hometown: Honolulu, HI helped me go to college, won’t be able to see me walk through that Degree: B.S. in Biology stage and get my degree. I’m sad I won’t be able to see all my friends “Since my freshman year, I performed at the annual lu’au and in our cap and gowns and cry during our commencement. It was a bayanihan showcase for my university’s Hawaii Club and Club moment of happiness that was abruptly taken away from us. I’m still Filipino, so I was looking forward to performing for the last time as trying to cope with the idea that we won’t have a graduation, but I a senior. My university is postponing our in-person graduation to a know that it’s a necessity and it’s out of everyone’s control. I also currently unknown date. During the day graduation was scheduled truly wished I could have experienced my Pilipino Graduation certo happen, they streamed a virtual graduation ceremony, which felt emony. Our loved ones present our Filipino flag stoles to us and evpretty anticlimactic especially because I am not physically on campus eryone gets a one minute speech dedicated to whoever they want. I with my friends. Fortunately, I was able to celebrate with my family was ready to dedicate the ceremony to my mom and to all my friends back home as they gave me leis and hosted a large Filipino lunch for who were with me through my journey in college. My housemates everyone in our house.” and I still plan to dress up in our cap and gowns to take pictures in Future plans: Perform research or work in a clinical setting before our house. We also plan to have our own little ceremony by handapplying to medical school; ultimate goal is to become an oncologist ing out fake diplomas and playing the graduation music while video chatting our families.” Marcelle Cruzado, 21 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas Future plans: Move back to hometown and continue job search Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada Degree: B.S. in Business Administration - International Business Roderick Perez, 22 | Fordham University “The Lee Business School handled the transition to virtual Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ learning very well, in my opinion. In this time of uncertainty, the Degree: B.S. in Marketing professors and faculty made sure to communicate with their stu“I think Fordham handled our graduation well. Instead of outdents and be direct about any potential next steps for the future. right canceling the ceremony, our achievements were celebrated While I did not have the senior year that I expected, the Lee Busivirtually through a livestream while our in-person graduation was ness School, the Honors College, and the student organizations I postponed. Knowing that some other colleges canceled formal am involved with all celebrated their students through a YouTube graduation ceremonies altogether, I’m grateful for how my univervideo, social media, or Zoom! In addition, the Lee Business School sity handled the situation with how meaningful in-person graduahas postponed their graduation, to be determined.” tion would be for many of us…I think the feeling of graduating Future plans: Pursue an MBA with a concentration in manageoccurs when we walk across the stage alongside our peers and ment information systems at UNLV receive our diplomas. Since my time at college ended abruptly, alongside not experiencing Senior Week events or an in-perJacqueline Rafael, 23 | St. John’s University son graduation, part of me still feels like I’ll return to my regular Hometown: New Hyde Park, NY college life after the pandemic. The lack of a transition made the Degree: Doctor of Pharmacy end of my college career feel incomplete.” “We will have an online virtual slideshow graduation on May Future plans: Seek employment at a marketing agency 30. But it was devastating since I was in school for six years! I wish I experienced pharmacy ‘formal’ with all my classmates. I will celebrate with a party with my family.” Eleanora Velez, 22 | Seton Hall University Future plans: Take the three New York state board exams to Hometown: Summit, NJ become a registered pharmacist and continue to work for CVS Degree: B.S. in Diplomacy and International Relations and a B.A. in Economics (Minor in French) Alicia Gabrielle Puzon, 21 | California State University, “Not being able to experience the big ceremony and receive Northridge my diploma on stage is upsetting and makes me feel like I lost out Hometown: Makati City, Philippines on an experience I longed for since starting college. I also wish Degree: B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations (Minor in Com- I experienced the Senior Toast Ceremony where the dean of our munication Studies); Dean Scholar for Mike Curb College of Arts, school and our president host an intimate event just for seniors to Media, and Communication toast and celebrate our accomplishments. While in quarantine, I “CSUN postponed the ceremony until further notice. Depend- celebrated my graduation with my mom, sister, and plenty of Faceing on the situation, they might move it to December of this year or Time calls with other family members and friends.” spring next year. Thankfully, CSUN and all the individual colleges Future plans: Pursue another internship while going back to within the university held their own ‘virtual’ celebration of sorts. school for a master’s degree in foreign security; goal is to become The university prepared a celebration video with messages from an international security advisor for the State Department or the school officials, while the journalism department sent out congratu- Defense Department latory email blasts. I admit, it’s a bit disheartening to have all the festivities cancelled. While I understand the reasons behind all the Tiffany Ashley De Guzman Viray, 23 | D’Youville College postponements, it’s still a bit disappointing. Originally, my family Hometown: Freehold, NJ was supposed to come here from the Philippines and we were all Degree: Dual B.S. and M.S. in Occupational Therapy (Cum supposed to celebrate together, but because of the travel risks, that Laude) had to be cancelled. I know that the ceremony is just a formality, but “Although graduating from my living room couch was not knowing that the class of 2020 ended their studies at home while the ideal situation, it does not change the fact that I’ve worked entering a scary economy makes the whole situation all the more the hardest I ever had these past five years to earn both my discouraging. Nevertheless, I was still able to celebrate in my own bachelor’s and master’s degrees in occupational therapy. Tralittle way — my sister, her boyfriend, and I ordered takeout and ate ditionally, the Occupational Therapy Department will throw a together during graduation day, and we Facetimed my relatives.” White Coat ceremony before graduation, so it’s unfortunate that Future plans: Look for a job in public relations or journalism I didn’t get to experience that with my classmates and profesbefore student visa expires sors. To make up for this, my entire program celebrated our Caroline Raquel, 21 | University of Pennsylvania Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Degree: B.S. in Economics with a concentration in finance and B.S.E. in Bioengineering “Penn rescheduled our in-person commencement to May 22 and 23, 2021, a week after the Class of 2021’s commencement. During graduation weekend, they posted pre-recorded graduation videos of the deans’ speeches and awards. It is a disappointing way to end such a momentous occasion. However, with the current state of the world, there are much worse things happening and I feel lucky to be home and safe with my family. Penn does Senior Week, the week between finals and graduation, with tons of fun activities and parties. I wish my friends and I got a proper goodbye since most of us left campus during spring break thinking we would be coming back in a few weeks. My family surprised me with a surprise parade outside my house. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate with family and friends even if through car windows and masks.” Future plans: Start first job as an associate at Innovation Lab at KPMG U.S. in New York this September; working remotely in LA until NYC reopens, most likely until 2021 Julio Sabangan, 26 | Rutgers University - Newark Hometown: Little Ferry, NJ Degree: B.A. in Video Production “Since I graduated at the end of the fall semester, I was fortunate enough to receive my diploma in the mail around April. I wished they had the ‘pre-graduation’ festival in the quad. I would have attended that. I sat at home with a plate of food, a cup of coffee, and had my family surrounding the television while we waited many, many hours for my name to appear on the screen. As you can see, my name starts with an ‘S.’” Future plans: Venture into voice acting and video editing for television/films and advertising agencies Stephanie Sison, 22 | New York University Hometown: Lancaster, Pennsylvania Degree: B.A. in Economics (Minor in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology) “I felt cheated to not graduate in Yankee Stadium alongside my fellow Class of 2020. I have looked forward to walking across the stage these past four years, and have dreamt of throwing my cap in the air with family, friends, and professors by my side. Aside from commencement in Yankee Stadium, I wish I could have experienced our Senior Cruise, NYU’s Grad Alley, and our annual Strawberries and Champagne. All of these events would have given me lasting memories to end my four years on campus. Instead of riding the subway to graduation, I walked downstairs and graduated on my couch. However, I felt grateful to be surrounded by family and felt thankful for my school and its efforts. We watched both graduation videos together followed by a brunch and dinner in our home. My family decorated our home for the festivities and surprised me with a Zoom celebration with all of my family back in Manila. Though I am looking forward to an in-person commencement, I had an unforgettable graduation day with family.” Future plans: Working in New York City for AlphaSights as an associate in their consulting segment
accomplishments through a virtual happy hour on Zoom, which was nice and special. For the most part, I think not being able to spend and celebrate my last semester of college with my friends and professors hurt the most. I met life long friends in Buffalo, NY and I had the most amazing college experience, so to be pulled away from that so abruptly was really hard to face.” Future plans: Take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam later this summer; eyeing a specialty in pediatric or traveling occupational therapy
Ferdinand Gerard Suba, Jr., 25 | Cornell Law School Hometown: New York, NY Degree: Juris Doctor (J.D.) “While an in-person convocation will take place in the future, the law school hosted a virtual convocation ceremony on May 9, in which graduates, family, and friends were able to watch the dean, the dean of students, and an alumnus offer words of celebration and encouragement. Although it was disappointing that I could not celebrate in person with my peers, family, and faculty on the original convocation date, I nonetheless felt proud of what I had accomplished in the past three years and thankful for the many lessons learned and friendships formed. I wish I had experienced many end-of-the-year traditions with my peers, namely Barristers’ Ball, the banquets of the law school journals, and the 3L class dinner in the Reading Room of the Cornell University Law Library. While quarantined, I celebrated my graduation day by video chatting with my family and friends.” Future plans: Litigation associate in the New York office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP Monica Zafra, 26 | University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law Hometown: Fullerton, CA Degree: J.D. (Concentration in International Law) “I wish I was able to experience our school’s graduate luncheon and commencement. In addition, serving as the Asian Pacific American Law Students’ Association co-president, I also wish I was able to have our end of the year spring celebration. My copresident and I put so much work into the event and it was unfortunate for us to have to cancel an event that would’ve had such esteemed members of the Asian American legal community in attendance. Right after my last day of finals (via my computer screen), my family surprised me with a mini celebration in our backyard and ordered my favorite meal from the location I had my debut at. As for June 6th, we will watch the virtual commencement and I hope to have family and friends on Zoom to celebrate as well. I’ll also be watching the Youtube Virtual Graduation Ceremony the Obamas are hosting that same day.” Future plans: Take the bar exam in September; long-term goal is to be an international human rights law attorney
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MAY 29-June 4, 2020 • nORCAL ASIAn JOuRnAL
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS COVID-19: China’s bio-weapon While there is ample evidence, even in the Chinese medical literature that the nCorona virus outbreak originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, most likely starting from a bat (not pangolin) infecting the first patient in early November 2019 who became symptomatic and diagnosed about 10 to 14 day later, there is no evidence the virus was developed, intentionally spread, or even accidentally escaped from a Chinese bio-lab a few kilometers from Wuhan. As I have said more than a month ago, if China had wanted to use any virus/bugs as a bioweapon, it could have simply infected airplanes (or persons) destined for the United States, without first causing and enduring a deadly outbreak that killed almost 5,000 (suspected to be multiple times higher) in China itself, and making obvious to the world that the infection originated in China. But China is culpable and accountable for its gross negligence and incompetence for not containing the Wuhan outbreak, for its deceit and lack of transparency, silencing all the Chinese whistleblowers wanting to warn the world about the nCorona infection, and allowing international flights out of Wuhan and China which then resulted in the COVID-19 pandemic (with about 5.5 million cases and 350,000 killed around the globe). Recovery confers total immunity Simply because COVID-19 patients have recovered does not guarantee they will not get reinfected. It depends on the immune-integrity of the patients; some may have developed sufficient antibodies to be immune from SARS-Cov2 virus, but others may not. This is why recovered patients should still follow COVID-19 guidelines of wearing mask, gloves, not touching the face and social distancing when going out for essential movement/travel to prevent re-infection. Young COVID patients do not die This is a myth, and a dangerous one, a misconception that could embolden young persons to be careless and not follow the
EMPLOYMENT
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COVID-19: Myth buster PG&E’s CARE Program helping customers who
guidelines, thus contributing to the spread of COVID-19. Yes, young people, even children 9 years old, have died during this pandemic. In New York alone, there were 9 (10-17 years old) who died (0.06%), none below 9; and 601 (ages 18-44) who died (3.9%), compared to 8% for ages 70-79, and 14.8% for those 80 and older. Alcohol/bleach rub destroys SARS-CoV2 While it is true that alcohol (75% and higher) and chlorine bleach (5 tablespoon in one gallon water) are good surface disinfectants that are effective in destroying SARS-CoV2 virus and other past coronaviruses, they are very toxic when applied to the skin, eyes, nose, mouth, any part of the body, humans or pets. If ingested, these could kill…and hot baths/sauna, contrary to social media claims, do not prevent or cure COVID-19 Vitamins, zinc can prevent COVID-19 No, they cannot. Vitamin C and D, zinc, local anesthetic agents and steroids have been touted on social media to be effective in preventing or treating COVID19, but they do not. Garlic, onion, pepper, and spices in general, nuts and fruits and vegetables have all been listed in the social media as anti-COVID-19. No, none of these can prevent COVID-19. A good diet with all those could boost the body’s immune system, but they cannot prevent getting COVID-19. If added as a regimen in addition to following the guidelines, yes, that will help, but not in themselves alone. Speech, breaths do not transmit SARA-Cov2 Wrong. The transmission of COVID-19 is by droplet. When an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes, thousands of invisible SARS-CoV2 virus molecules (size about 120 nm) is spread shot-gun style, with trajectory up to 13 feet, depending on the air movement (fan, aircon, wind) and these molecules could be in the air for 2 or more hours before landing on furniture surfaces, countertops, and on the floor. Shoes have been found to be contaminated with the virus, and so with clothing, and even mail and packages, if touched by a virus carrier or infected person. Leaving all these items in the garage overnight or washing them with soap and water (or using disinfectant or UVC light on them) destroy the virus. A virus survives
only in a host. Mosquitoes, tick, fleas, flies, and bed bugs do not transmit the SARS-CoV2 virus. We, humans, are now the spreader of this deadly virus. Hence, all of us, with no exception, must strictly follow the guidelines if we are to contain this pandemic. Weather affects SARS-CoV2 virus No, the weather temperature (superhot or winter chilly cold) and humidity do not affect COVID19 infection, one way or the other. A close relative of SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) virus, the SARS virus is inactivated at temperatures of 56 to 65 degrees Celsius (132.8 to 143 degrees Fahrenheit, so boiling (100 degrees Celsius or 212 Fahrenheit) will expectedly destroy the COVID-19 virus. There are items to prevent, cure COVID-19 False. To this day, there is no drug, herb, beverage, food, substance, lotion or potion that prevents or cures COVID-19 infection. Even vaccines being evaluated for safety and effectiveness are still being investigated and not available yet. Exposure to the warmest sunlight is not effective either, because the UVA, UVB do not destroy the SARS-Cov2 virus, and the UVC light from the sun that can disintegrate this virus is filtered (prevented) by the ozone layer above from reaching the earth at an effective dose. Electric UVC lamps are available today for sterilizing surgical suites, ICU, hospital wards and rooms, and portable units that could be used in homes. Warning: UVC light is dangerous to the eyes and skin. The areas being sterilized should have no people, pets, or plants. Far-UVC lights that would be harmless to people, pets and plants are being developed at Columbia University by Dr. David Brenner. The units for home use would be like the electric mosquito/fly zapper lanterns available today COVID-19: All negative results While this pandemic has wreaked havoc upon the world, with severe human and economic tragedies and miseries, there are also positive side-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among them are: with more than 90% of cars in the garage, accidents and injuries fell by more than 50% (62% in Washington); with 20-30% less (emission) pollution, it has saved more than 4,000 children under age 5 and 73,000 adults over 70 from pulmonary problems; assault and robbery significantly down; hos-
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have been financially impacted by COVID-19 Enrollment in monthly energy discount program tripled in April amid coronavirus pandemic
SAN FRANCISCO —Tens of thousands of income-eligible customers have applied to save 20 percent on their monthly energy bill by enrolling in Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. The CARE program provides income-qualified households with discounts on their energy bills. More than 60,000 customers enrolled in the program in the month of April, triple the typical monthly enrollment. Since the start of the year, more than 125,000 customers have en-
rolled in CARE. PG&E forecasts that more than 1.6 million PG&E customers will be enrolled in the program by the end of 2020, compared to the 1.46 million currently enrolled. “The COVID-19 pandemic has had an immediate and significant financial impact on many of our communities across the state. We want our customers to know that we are here to help, and we have programs as well as tools to assist them with their energy usage and bills. Making sure that those who are now eligible for the CARE discount are aware of the program is one way we are providing support,” said Laurie Giammona,
PG&E Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. Qualified customers can apply for CARE online. The process is easy and only takes about five minutes. Eligible customers will begin receiving the CARE program discount during their next billing cycle, and those who recently applied for unemployment benefits are likely now eligible. Every year, the California Public Utilities Commission adjusts the maximum qualifying income levels for CARE to reflect changes in the federal poverty guidelines. CARE is funded through a rate surcharge paid by all utility customers.
CARE Income Guidelines* Household Size
Income Eligibility Upper Limit
1-2
$34,480
3
$43,440
4
$52,400
5
$61,360
6
$70,320
7
$79,280
8
$88,240
9
$97,200
10
$106,160
Each additional person
$8,960
* Effective June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021 CARE has helped PG&E customers save more than $10 billion on their energy bills through the program since 1989. To learn more about the CARE Program, visit www.pge.com/care. Separate from CARE, income-qualified households with three or more persons can apply pitals, restaurants, casinos, other public places are cleaner with much less bacteria and viruses; people around the world are more health-conscious and have cleaner hands than ever before; infidelity is at an all-time low, a lot of happy wives even without going shopping, which makes for a lot of happy husbands; healthcare workers are wiser and more
for the Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program for an 18 percent discount on electric bills. For more information, please visit http://www. pge.com/covid19 to read more about PG&E’s response to the virus. n
prepared for future outbreaks; nations around the globe will be watching China with magnifying lenses; even the HIV and STDs diagnoses appear to be lower, obviously as casual sex has been restrained for fear of COVID-19. On the lighter side: The past few weeks, I get a kick out of wearing a cap, dark glasses, mask, and gloves, going to the
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bank teller “demanding” money. *** 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.
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