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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 21 - No. 24 • 14 Pages
T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER
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USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
California officials call for more funding for Asian-language teachers DESPITE the growing Asian community in California and nationwide, the Golden State does not have enough accredited Asianlanguage teachers and instructors, statewide officials say. For the 2020-2021 school year, almost 1,200 accreditations for bilingual instructors were confirmed by the California Dept. of Education (CDOE), but only 93 of those accreditations were for Asian-language instructors. California lawmakers and community leaders are calling for a one-time $5 million funding package to address what they described as a shortage in accredited Asianlanguage teachers. Advocates for the Asian American community say that this shortage of dualimmersion language instructors puts immigrant children — who could learn English simultaneously with their native language — at a disadvantage. “We must address the shortage of accredited Asian-language teachers,” said Connie Chung Joe, CEO of Asian Americans
JUNE 17-23, 2022
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Biden signs off on first steps toward national AAPI museum by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
UNITED States President Joe Biden on Monday, June 13 signed a bill that will kickstart the creation of a national museum dedicated to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)
history and culture. HR 3525, also called the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act, will establish a select group of AAPI leaders who will issue recommendations for a “plan of action
A FILIPINO family was a victim of another hate crime when they were mocked and physically attacked at a fastfood restaurant in North Hollywood, California. An ABS-CBN report said the incident happened on May 13 that began at the fastfood drive-thru around 10 p.m. when a jeep bumped the family car of Patricia Roque. “As we were about to get to the drive-thru, someone bumped the back of our car and we immediately went ahead and called 911 and our dad to help us,” Roque said. “What started out as a minor traffic collision escalated into something more dangerous, and something we never would have expected,” she said. She said her family was verbally attacked and threatened by the other driver after telling them they were “so Asian.” “He said ‘I’ll kill you,’” she said. Nerissa, Patricia’s mother, narrated that her husband Gabriel arrived in the area, but the driver of the other car rushed to him and punched him as he fell to the ground. “The attacker then tried to open our car to get my daughter. My husband stopped
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California mortgage relief program expands eligibility for homeowners amid COVID hardships by AJPRESS
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Pinoy family mocked, attacked in California
for the museum.” In other words, this commission will be responsible for what is included in the museum as well as possible locations, likely within the Washington D.C. area.
PH COLORS AT SF CITY HALL. The iconic San Francisco City Hall, known as a set for Hollywood films such as “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “A View To A Kill” and “Milk,” and as a sought-after wedding venue in the city, was illuminated with the Philippines’s national colors of blue, yellow and red on Sunday, June 12, in celebration of Philippine Independence Day, and Filipino-American Heritage and Friendship Day in the city. San Francisco Mayor London Breed signed a proclamation – presented to Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer following the Philippine flagraising ceremony at the San Francisco City Hall on Tuesday, June 7 – where she declared June 12 as Filipino-American Heritage and Friendship Day, and congratulated the Filipino people on the 124th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. “San Francisco has a longstanding history of openness and respect for people of all backgrounds, and today, on the occasion of the Philippine Independence Day we particularly recognize the important contributions made to our city by Filipino-Americans,” Mayor Breed’s proclamation stated. Photo courtesy of San Francisco PCG
THE California Mortgage Relief Program announced that it is significantly expanding eligibility requirements to offer funding to a greater number of California homeowners who have fallen behind on housing payments due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has modified the past-due requirement to include homeowners who missed payments in the first half of 2022, expanded the income eligibility and will now cover past-due property taxes for more homeowners. “Many California homeowners, like many renters, felt the impact of COVID-19 on their household finances, putting them at risk of losing the homes they’ve worked so hard for,” said Secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Lourdes Castro Ramírez. “I’m proud of the partnership with the U.S. Treasury providing $1 billion for the California Mortgage Relief Program and I applaud the California
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Gov’t urged to open up the PH to more foreign investments by RAMON
ROYANDOYAN Philstar.com
MANILA — The Philippines should open further to foreigners if it wants to corner more job-generating investments, Asia-based Hinrich Foundation said on Tuesday, June 14. There’s a “window of opportunity that might be the right moment to open the country," Riccardo Crescenzi, professor of economic geography at the London School of Economics, said in an online forum organized by Hinrich. Crescenzi did not explain when this opportunity would come, nor what’s with this
window that would allow the economy to open up more to foreign investors. For years, the Philippines has lagged behind its regional peers in attracting FDI, no thanks to its decrepit infrastructure. After reaching a record-high $10.1 billion net inflows in 2017, data showed FDI to the Philippines started declining from that peak, with the pandemic worsening the downtrend. As virus curbs ease around the globe, FDI net inflows hit an all-time high of $10.5 billion last year. Meanwhile, the outgoing Duterte administration managed to make a last-minute Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte with daughter Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio Malacañang photo
Duterte to Sara on Bongbong Marcos can enter US due to diplomatic immunity - envoy drug war: ‘Take over’ by CHRISTIA
MARIE RAMOS
Inquirer.net
PRESIDENT-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would be “welcome” to the United States given his diplomatic immunity as a head of state, a top Washington diplomat pointed out on Thursday, June 9. “The fact is, when you’re a head of state, you have immunity in all circumstances and are welcome to the United States in your official role,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Sherman told reporters in a Marcos Jr. Photo from Twitter @DeputySecState roundtable discussion in Pasay
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City when asked on the matter. Before this, she capped off a day of meetings with Philippine officials, including Marcos Jr. and outgoing Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. “When someone is the head of state, they have [diplomatic] immunity and would be welcome to the United States,” Sherman added. In 2012, a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit handed down a contempt judgment against Marcos Jr., his mother Imelda, and the estate of
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by KRISTINA
MARALIT ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, stressing the importance of shielding the youth from the harmful effects of illegal drugs, wants his daughter and Vice President-elect Sara DuterteCarpio to continue his advocacy. "Take over," the outgoing leader said at an event in Valenzuela City last Sunday, June 12. "Ikaw na... Kunin mo 'yang trabaho (You do it. Get the job)," he said. Duterte pointed out that
the Department of Education (DepEd), which Duterte-Carpio will soon lead, will play a vital role in ensuring school-aged children will not be influenced to be drug users. "'Yang Department of Education, maraming bata diyan (there are a lot ot children involved). Do not ever allow contamination diyan sa kanila (among them)," he urged. The President likewise encouraged his daughter to not hesitate in ruling with an iron fist and just "do it" if it would mean having a drug-free school system.
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JUNE 17-23, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
Gov’t urged to open up the PH to more... PAGE 1
push to enact laws that relax restrictions on foreign investments. Crescenzi and Oliver Harman, cities economist for the International Growth Centre at the University of Oxford, wrote a research commissioned by the Hinrich Foundation that looked into different ways FDIs and global value chains could be leveraged by countries. For Harman, the Philippines has experienced "outward and inward" FDI, wherein a country would invest overseas and bring home lessons it picked up from that investment experience. The research noted that the
Philippines, alongside Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, depend on its regional peers for “inward” investments. At the same time, this same cluster of countries also directed their investments to countries in East and Southeast Asia — a type of “outward” FDI that, the researchers said, could bring in new knowledge that facilitates economic development. "There is pressure to sort of engage in economic resiliency policies by looking inward. In the long run, it’s important for economies to remain open," Harman said. Harman believes opening the Philippines further to the rest of
the world could prove easier in the coming years, citing the local call center industry which has thrived in regions outside the capital. He said cities like Baguio and Bacolod managed to win investments from BPO firms when they understood the needs of the industry and identified the regional assets with whom the two cities should couple. “Attracting FDI requires a consideration for actions at lower geographical scales. It also reminds policymakers that, while regional assets can take a long time to change, local institutions can match existing links to global networks in the short term,” the researchers said. g
She was able to avoid the attacker who tried to hit her. “But he hit my chest. So the pain until now is with me. I remember the pain until now. The attack left my husband with a broken rib,” she said. “I was traumatized. It hurts. It’s different when your very
family is the one being attacked. That’s what we see on TV. I thought it would not happen, but it happened to my family. It’s traumatizing. Up to now, it’s painful,” Nerissa said. Police would not identify the attacker yet pending investigation, the family said. g
Pinoy family mocked, attacked in... PAGE 1
him and the man punched him. My husband fell on the ground, and as I was helping him to get up, the suspect strangled me,” Nerissa said in Filipino. Bystanders tried to intervene and police arrived in the area.
United States President Joe Biden on Monday, June 13 signed Rep. Grace Meng’s bill to establish a commission to study the creation of a Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture into law. Photo courtesy of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
Biden signs off on first steps... PAGE 1 At the signing in the East Room of the White House, Biden spoke on the generations of AAPIs who “have literally shaped the history and the contours of this country.” “It’s about time for a national museum to capture the courage, the character, the imagination and – maybe from my perspective, looking at it from a little bit from a distance – the dreams and the heart and the soul of the generations of our fellow Americans that came before you,” Biden added. The commission will also study the costs of such a museum and whether or not it should be an off-shoot to the Smithsonian Institute. Biden was also joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, who as a South Asian American is the first Asian American vice president. “Growing up, my mother made sure that my sister Maya and I learned of the important, glorious history of Asian
Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in America,” Harris said. “Because that, of course, is part of the history of America. She continued, “To teach this history is to help all of us as Americans understand where we come from, and to teach this history is to help us understand who we are,” Harris added. In addition to celebrating the American triumphs for which Asian Americans are responsible, the museum is expected to provide a sobering look into the history of antiAsian discrimination in the U.S. “This is also a story about some of our country’s darkest moments,” Harris said on Monday before the signing. “The Chinese Exclusion Act, the internment of Japanese Americans, the murder of Vincent Chin, discrimination against South Asian Americans after 9/11, and today’s epidemic of [anti-Asian] hate.”
As previously reported in the Asian Journal, AAPI advocacy groups all agree that education and more exposure to the nuances of Asian cultures is a necessary step to curbing antiAsian hate. Biden and Harris have been vocal about their commitment to addressing the rise in antiAsian hate crimes since their election. Among his first acts as president, Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, a broad piece of legislation that promised to strengthen law enforcement to better address hate crimes. The legislation comes as Washington is also in the process of planning two other cultural museums: the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian Women’s History Museum. In 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened, which kickstarted talks to establish other museums dedicated to other minority identities. g
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 17-23, 2022
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JUNE 17-23, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
Dateline USa NOTICE OF FINAL PUBLIC HEARINGS OF FY 2022-2023 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN THIS NOTICE PROVIDES THE PUBLIC HEARING DATES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT ON THE CITY OF SAN JOSE’S FINAL FY 2022-2023 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN San Jose’s FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan (Plan) governs the use of four types of funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City’s funds received by formula from HUD include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). The City’s formula funds average approximately $14 million annually, depending on the federal budget. The development of the Plan is significantly informed by public feedback. If you would like to provide comments on the Final FY 20222023 Annual Action Plan, the City welcomes your comments. Additionally, comments may be provided by phone, regular mail (to the City of San José Housing Department, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, 12th Floor, San José, California 95113), or by email via the contact information listed below for both English speakers and those with limited English proficiency. The City’s FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan will be made available for public comment on the Housing Department’s website from April 1, 2022, through June 21, 2022. Schedule of Public Hearings What Amended Draft Annual Action Plan FY 2022-23 with contingency plans on final funding levels Final Public Hearing and Adoption of the Final FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan Who The City’s Draft Annual Action Plan with contingency plan per final funding levels was heard by the City Council at its April 26, 2022, meeting (Item 8.2, File 22568) San José City Council See the Housing Department’s website, http://www.sanjoseca. gov/housingconplan to find electronic copies, or call (408) 7935542 or (408) 294-9337 (TTY) for paper copies Where City of San José - Housing 200 E. Santa Clara St. 12th Floor (Tower) San José City Hall 200 E. Santa Clara Street Hybrid meeting – Council Chambers or Online: https://www.sanjoseca. gov/news-stories/watch-a-meeting When Revised Public Comment Period: April 1 through June 21, 2022 June 21, 2022, not before 1:30pm Item 8.5 File 22-982 Meeting dates may be subject to change. Please check http://www. sanjoseca.gov/housingconplanfor updates. CONTACT INFORMATION: For questions or comments regarding the Final FY 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan, please contact Stephanie Gutowski at (408) 535-3500 or stephanie.gutowski@sanjoseca. gov. PARA RESIDENTES QUE HABLAN ESPAÑOL : Este anuncio es respecto a el Enmienda sustancial de El Plan de Acción Anual para 2022-2023. El Plan de Acción Anual identifica las necesidades de viviendas y del desarrollo comunitario de la ciudad. También, es un plan de accion de un año para demostrar cómo la cuidad va a invertir sus fondos federales para hacer frente a esas necesidades identificadas. Para mas información, favor de llamar a Luisa Galdamez (408) 535-8357. Thông báo này dành cho nguoi nói tieng Viet: Thông báo này liên quan den Ban Sua Đoi Đáng ke cho Ke Hoach Hoat dong Hàng Nam cho niên khóa 2022-2023. Ke hooach hoat dong này xác dinh các nhu cau ve su phát trien gia cu và phát trien cong dong cua Thành pho, dong thoi de ra mot chuong trình hoat dong cho ca nam ve cách Thành Pho se su dung quy liên bang cua mình de giai quyet nhung nhu cau dó. Quý vi nào muon biet thêm chi-tiet, xin vui lòng liên lac voi cô Janie Le, qua so dien-thoai Janie Le (408) 9754414. 使用華語的聖荷西居民：此通 知是關於 2022-2023 年計劃的重要 改變。年度計劃是列出社區發展需 求，並提供市府應用基金以舒解需 求的方䅁。詳細資料，請電，華語 Ann Tu (408) 975-4450. 6/17/22 CNS-3596105# ASIAN JOURNAL (NORTHERN CALIF.)
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Bongbong Marcos can enter... PAGE 1 Ferdinand Marcos Sr. for violating an injunction that barred them from dissipating assets of the estate. The contempt order came after the Marcoses entered into a settlement with the Ramos administration in 1992 and agreed to share their wealth with the government. It was considered a violation of the 1991 decision of the U.S. District Court of Hawaii prohibiting the Marcos family from touching their U.S. assets because these were the source of potential payment of damages to the human rights victims of martial law. Thousands of martial law victims won a class action lawsuit for human rights violations against the estate of Marcos Sr. in Hawaii in 1986, where they were awarded close to $2 billion. The contempt award also meant that the Marcoses would not be allowed to set foot on any U.S. territory. This issue was earlier raised during the first press conference of Marcos Jr.’s then campaign spokesperson Victor Rodriguez. A reporter had asked how the then presumptive president, as the country’s top diplomat, could travel to the United States given the contempt order, but Rodriguez ignored this and subsequent questions about the issue. Sherman stressed the “robust” relations between Manila and Washington, which spans 75 years. She met with Marcos Jr. earlier in the day and had a “positive” and “productive” meeting where they discussed a wide range of topics, including ensuring freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and human rights. So far, Sherman is the highest U.S. official that Marcos Jr. has met since his proclamation as the country’s next president. “The friendship between the United States and the Philippines runs deep. And so, too, does our shared commitment to upholding and strengthening the rules-based international order,” Sherman told reporters. “The Philippines has been a leader and a champion for upholding freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in the face of increasing encroachments,” she said. “The United States remains committed to standing with the government of the Philippines to uphold the rules and laws underpinning the international maritime order, and we have spoken up against infringements of the Philippines’ sovereign rights,” she added. Sherman said she was pleased to meet Marcos as part of her 10day Asian swing that includes South Korea, Vietnam and Laos. VFA extension “We discussed strengthening our longstanding alliance, expanding people-to-people ties, deepening our economic relationship, advancing human rights, and preserving a free and open IndoPacific,” Sherman said in a Twitter post. In a statement, Rodriguez, the incoming executive secretary, said Marcos and Sherman also “discussed the importance of partnering together in order to strengthen the economy (of) the two countries” in such areas as “public-private partnerships, clean energy and the digital economy.” Invitation Last May, Marcos said he was looking at extending the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States as he raised the issue during his meeting with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava at his campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City. Marcos also invited U.S. President Biden to his inauguration on June 30, which he said “could further fortify the relationship of the two countries.” The Department of State earlier said Sherman’s visit to Asia reflected Washington’s “continued commitment to the Indo-Pacific.” “The deputy secretary and the President-elect highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Philippine alliance to security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the world and the importance of fostering respect for human rights and rule of law in the Philippines,” U.S. Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. Also present at the meeting between Marcos and Sherman were Rodriguez, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez and Foreign Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro. (With reports from Nestor Corrales and Tina G. Santos/Inquirer.net)
California mortgage relief program expands... PAGE 1 Housing Finance Agency for removing barriers to participating and providing greater program flexibility to assist more California homeowners struggling to stay in their homes.” The California Mortgage Relief Program has expanded eligibility to homeowners who missed mortgage payments in 2022. With this change, homeowners who missed at least two payments before June 30, 2022, and are currently delinquent, may now be eligible for full reimbursement for missed housing payments up to $80,000. Previously, program criteria required homeowners to miss at least two payments prior to program launch on December 27, 2021. The program has also adjusted the income threshold for program qualification. Homeowners are now eligible for assistance from the program if their household income is at or below 150% of their county’s Area Median Income (based on federal limits established by HUD for the program). The adjustment will make it so more California homeowners who experienced financial hardships during COVID-19 can get help. Applicants can find their county’s income limit at CaMortgageRelief. org. In addition, assistance with past-due property taxes will now extend to mortgage-free homeowners and those whose mortgage payments are current. Previously, property taxes were covered for reverse mortgage holders or as part of a complete reinstatement for homeowners who were also behind on their mortgage. These newly eligible homeowners can now receive up to $20,000 to cover pastdue property tax payments if they missed at least one payment prior to May 31, 2022. “When launching the California Mortgage Relief Program, our first priority was to ensure access to those who were most at risk and in need,” said Tiena Johnson Hall, Executive Director of the California Housing Finance Agency. “After six months and over $68 million distributed, we can confidently expand to include additional delinquent housing payments, raise income limits and extend the delinquency
timeline to include people who missed payments in the first half of 2022.” Applicants who were previously deemed ineligible have been notified of the program expansions and anyone who believes they meet the new criteria is encouraged to apply. “I think the pandemic has had an exponentially negative impact on non-English speaking families across LA County. When there is a lack of language access, often these families are left out of conversations related to financial assistance,” said James An, President, Korean American Federation of Los Angeles. “We are grateful for the federal funding and for all the government entities that have made The California Mortgage Relief Program available to our community, in their language. It’s great to see the program evolve with the announcement of expansions effective today, and we look forward to working alongside other communitybased organizations who have relationships in these underserved communities to continue helping our LA homeowners in need.” “In the 58 counties in the State, there are so many homeowners who have fallen behind on their property taxes,” said Shari L. Freidenrich, CPA, Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector and President of the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors. “By offering them assistance in paying delinquent property taxes, this program should help keep them in their homes and offset some of the financial hardships they experienced during the pandemic.” Since its launch, over $68 million has been distributed to more than 1,900 California homeowners to help them get caught up on their mortgage. The assistance provided through the California Mortgage Relief Program is in the form of a one-time grant only for eligible households and does not need to be paid back. While there is no strict deadline for applications, homeowners in need should apply as soon as possible. Homeowners can apply at CaMortgageRelief. org or call the program Contact Center at 1-888-840-2594. g
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Dateline USa
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 17-23, 2022
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Mayor Breed announces $6M grant City in California unveils Fil-Am’s public art work for gun violence prevention program SFPD will use state grant to support and expand the Violence Reduction Initiative that works to intervene with those who are most at risk of engaging in or being the victim of gun violence SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor London Breed and San Francisco Police Chief William Scott on Monday, June 13 announced a $6 million grant awarded to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). The money will continue funding the San Francisco Violence Reduction Initiative (VRI), which initially was awarded a $1.5 million grant in 2020 when VRI was created. This year’s new grant will fund continued operations that support the city’s efforts to prevent violent crime over the next three years. “While we have made significant strides reforming our criminal justice system here in San Francisco, there is still work that needs to be done,” said Mayor Breed. “This grant allows us to continue supporting residents most at risk of committing violent offenses by meeting them where they are to prevent crime from happening in the first place. I want to thank our partners at the state and SFPD for their continued efforts to bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement while keeping the residents of San Francisco safe.” VRI is a collaborative project developed by SFPD, in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, the California Partnership for Safe Communities (CPSC), the Street Violence Intervention Program (SVIP) and Operation Genesis Inc. (OG). The goals of the VRI are to; reduce shootings and homicides, break the cycle of recidivism, and build trust between law enforcement and communities impacted by violence. VRI identifies individuals who are at the greatest risk of either engaging in gun violence or falling victim to gun violence. The program has been implemented in San Francisco’s District 10, which includes the neighborhoods of Bayview – Hunter’s Point, Visitacion Valley, and Potrero Hill, and will eventually expand to other districts. SFPD and community partners reach out directly to
Mayor London Breed
these individuals about their risk and potential consequences of being involved in violence, the community’s desire for a different future for them, and to connect them immediately to special help and support resources. “The goal of this program is to address violent crime and to reach those who are at the greatest risk of being impacted by gun violence, while reducing the need for police response. This program will strengthen the bridge between the SFPD and the community, which underscores the need for collaboration, and embodies our vision of 21st Century policing,” said Chief Bill Scott. Under the VRI, all shootings and homicides in San Francisco are reviewed internally on a weekly basis with the purpose of preventing future and retaliatory shootings and victimization. VRI works closely with San Francisco’s SVIP and to date, have successfully engaged with over 100 individuals who have been involved or impacted by non-fatal shootings and homicides. Initial examples of interventions taken include SVIP hiring a life coach who currently works with 12 individuals to provide intensive case management through a cognitive behavioral therapy model. SVIP with the addition of Operation Genesis are in the process of expanding this service to increase the number of individuals served. SVIP also partnered with SFPD, Macy’s, Operation Genesis Inc.,
and Union Square Bid Alliance for the first “Suit Up Initiative”, gifting 10 young men from the Alice Griffith community with new suits valued up to $600 as part of Operation Genesis’ selfempowering program. This strategy draws explicitly from the focus deterrence strategy which has been rigorously evaluated and found to be successful at significantly reducing severe violence and reducing the re-arrest rate among participants. Over the next few years, the University of Pennsylvania will conduct a rigorous evaluation of the San Francisco Violence Reduction Initiative, with funding from the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program (CalVIP) grant. Recent findings of an in-depth analysis of gun violence in San Francisco from 2017 through 2020 by the California Partnership for Safe Communities found that: • 85% of those impacted by gun violence are Black and Latino men, even though they comprise less than 10% of the San Francisco’s total population. • 29% of all violent gun crimes in 2019 took place in San Francisco’s Bayview, Potrero Hill, and Visitacion Valley neighborhoods, with a quarter of all the city’s homicides for the past five years occurring there. • Those at the highest risk of gun violence in San Francisco are primarily Black and Latino men, ages 18-35, with extensive justice-system involvement and social connections to each other. • This is the population that the Violence Reduction Initiative seeks to engage and support. SFPD recently restructured the Investigation Bureau to include the newly created Strategic Investigation Division that includes the Homicide Unit, the Community Violence Response Team (CVRT) and the Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC). The centralization of key units is critical for cross-unit planning and sharing of data analytics that target gun violence reduction in neighborhoods with higher rates of gun violence. (SF Mayor’s Office Release)
A new, immersive public art piece by award-winning contemporary Filipino American artist Camille Hoffman was unveiled by the City of San Luis Obispo, California and the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art on Saturday, June 11. The installation, titled “Storied Waters: Dreams of Bayanihan,” features the silhouettes of historic photos of Filipinos in California and honors “laborers, past, present, and future.” “Bayanihan” is the spirit of community and cooperation). Artist Camille Hoffman says the sculpture references the historic date of October 18, 1587, when the first Filipinos stepped foot on Chumash land and the present-day Continental United States at Morro Bay. They arrived as crew members aboard a ship which was a part of the Manila galleon trade under Spanish rule. Hoffman’s family ancestry is
Camille Hoffman’s installation, titled “Storied Waters: Dreams of Bayanihan,” features the silhouettes of historic photos of Filipinos in California and honors “laborers, past, present, and future.”
rooted in the Philippines, and her art practice has involved an “unraveling and re-threading of misplaced personal and collective narratives in the wake of colonialism.” San Luis Obispo’s Public Art Program is designed to strengthen the city’s commitment to sustaining a vibrant and
historically-aware community. The resulting artwork represents diversity of thought that can take a wide range of forms, sizes, and scales, and can range from temporary to permanent. Hoffman’s installation is the third project of the program in partnership with the SLO Museum of Art. (Inquirer.net)
California officials call for more funding for... PAGE 1
Advancing Justice - Los Angeles said in a press conference on Monday, June 6. “Access to dual-immersion language programs [isn’t] keeping up with demand. It’s unacceptable when Vietnamese and Mandarin were the second and third most spoken languages in K-12 public schools. Yet only 4 teachers were accredited to teach Vietnamese and 58 to teach Mandarin.” Other than Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese are the most commonly spoken non-English languages across the state. And with the growing Asian population in California and nationwide, the pool of immigrant students enrolling in California public schools is also increasing, which signals a demand for a multilingual teaching force. California State Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), who chairs the state’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, is introducing the program to the Legislature. During the press conference, Pan acknowledged the API Equity Budget, the comprehensive $166.5 million spending package passed last year that funds stronger tracking and prevention of anti-Asian hate crimes. However, anti-Asian bias and harassment should go beyond that.
Recalling his own experience as an elementary school student who could only speak Mandarin, Pan said that, like so many ESL students, he would have developed more confidence and progress with a bilingual teacher. He added that the linguistic barrier that puts immigrant children at a great disadvantage also negatively affects their mental health. “We need to be sure that every child, no matter what language they speak at home, and how they got here, has the opportunity to get an outstanding education — and that not only benefits that child; it benefits the whole state,” Pan said. In addition to helping immigrant children thrive in the classroom, the program could also help native English speakers learn a second language and, more importantly, help them understand other cultures — which, given the rise in anti-Asian attacks in recent years, could be critical, advocates say. Victoria Dominguez, policy director at Advancing Justice Los Angeles, said that there is a psychological component to introducing multilingual studies at a young age, saying that “when we are exposed to other communities, other cultures, and other languages, literally, our brain rewires in a different way that allows us to be more
empathetic. The spending package, if passed, would be invested into the California State Universities’ Asian Bilingual Education Program Consortium, a group representing 10 campuses in the CSU system, to increase the number of bilingual teachers in six East and Southeast Asian languages: Cantonese, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Vietnamese. (Tagalog and other Filipino dialects, as well as Central and South Asian languages were not mentioned during the briefing.) Fernando Rodríguez-Valls, a professor of secondary education who works at the consortium at Cal State Fullerton, noted that classes being offered to bilingual teachers to better support their diverse classrooms do not come with financial aid as of yet. The fee for the two classes required are around $2,500 on average, classes that are designed specifically to prepare teachers on how to help students understand class materials in another language. “It’s not just learning the languages; it’s learning mathematics in Khmer. It’s learning science in Korean, learning history in Vietnamese. And in order to accomplish that, we need teachers who are qualified,” Rodríguez-Valls said. (By Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
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JUNE 17-23, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
OPINION
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No gas, no transport
THOSE who have been stuck in traffic regularly since COVID restrictions were eased will not believe it. But take it from the Metropolitan Development Authority: there have been fewer vehicles recorded at least on EDSA in recent weeks. And a likely reason, according to the MMDA, is the continuing surge in fuel prices. To save on fuel costs, motorists are reducing vehicle use, whether private cars or public utility vehicles. PUV drivers and operators have lamented that even the higher minimum fare is not enough to offset the ever-increasing prices of fuel. Free rides offered by the government, while naturally welcomed by commuters, have also cut into PUV earnings. Operators have grounded their jeepneys or reduced their trips, while some PUV drivers have said they will just return to their home provinces to try their luck at farming, because in Metro Manila, their earnings are no longer enough to feed the family. The grounding of jeepneys and reduction of bus deployment are happening at the same time that private car owners are being forced to leave their vehicles at home and take mass transportation to save on fuel costs. The result Philstar.com photo can be seen in those long, slow-moving lines
of people waiting for rides at bus stops, transport hubs and light railway stations. The lack of mass transport facilities will inevitably impact efforts to revive businesses. Commuters account for the majority of the workforce, and mass transport services were already inadequate even before the pandemic. The inadequacy of mass transport facilities is the biggest reason why people who can afford it prefer to use private vehicles. Even the full resumption of face-to-face classes, meant to promote economic recovery, may have to be reviewed as the fuel price surge leads to a reduction in mass transport services. PUV operators have said even cash assistance doled out by the government is not enough, and doesn’t cover all mass transport drivers. What they want is for the government to deal with the high fuel prices. (Philstar.com)
Editorial
The irony of Independence Day: When Filipinos embrace and hail their oppressors as their heroes
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THIS year’s celebration of Independence Day felt like there was a dark cloud hovering above the 7,100 beautiful islands of our beloved Philippines. Where there should be pride and joy and a jubilant spirit in celebrating the day when we won our freedom from foreign intrusion and occupation of our Motherland, gloom and helplessness were the overriding emotions for many Filipinos, exacerbated by the meanness and hatred of other kababayans who live in a parallel universe. ”Alab ng puso, sa dibdib mo’y buhay” goes a line in the Philippine’s national anthem “Lupang Hinirang,” but I do not feel that burning, pulsating enthusiasm that I felt from our kababayans just before the May 9, 2022 election — the fire of hope for a better brighter Philippines seemed to have lost its flame to become a dying ember. “Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil” is another popular line in “Lupang Hinirang,” which means the Filipino people will never allow ourselves and our nation to be oppressed again by its conquerors. Our victorious bloodless revolution to fight for freedom from the Marcos dictatorship in 1986 had
earned the admiration and respect of people from all over the world. Imperfect as our journey back to a true democracy — government of the people, by the people, for the people — might have been, we have gone a long way, only to transgress to where we were during Martial Law, sinking to a new low when Rodrigo Duterte was elected President, and even to a seemingly bottomless pit when Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the son of the dictator we deposed 36 years ago, was elected to the Presidency. Our national hero Jose Rizal once said, “Kailanman hindi ako natatakot sa mag mananakop, mas natatakot ako sa kamangmangan ng aking mga kababayan (I have never been scared of the conquerors, as I am afraid of the ignorance of my fellow Filipinos)”. Indeed, we Filipinos have become our worst enemy toward our collective quest toward realizing and owning the clean and honest government we all have been yearning and praying for. We may have been freed from foreign oppressors, but many of us have not realized that the chains of oppression from within us, from among us, has been the most difficult to break free from. We have allowed our
minds to be manipulated and conquered by the conquistadores of our generation, and they were not tyrants from foreign soil. They are Filipinos. They used the toxic arsenal of lies, disinformation, fake news, revision of history, spread by social media platforms more deadly than COVID-19. And many of us took them all in, without question, without critical thinking. The conquistadores used our frustrations to fan the flames of hate and division, and many of us allowed our minds to be conquered by the very people who have been abusing them, violating the Constitution to rule as if they are above the law. What is there to celebrate on Independence Day after we drank their poison wine, that made many of us believe they were the heroes, and those who fought for our freedom are the enemies of the people. And we hailed and exalted the very people that oppressed us, the very people that abused us. We betrayed ourselves. When will we ever be truly free? Do we even deserve to be free? ***
FLYBY. Philippine Air Force aircraft make a flyby above Rizal Park in Manila as the country commemorates it’s 124th Independence Day on Sunday, June 12. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the flag -raising and wreath-laying at the Rizal Park, reiterating his call for Filipinos to join hands and work together for the benefit of the country and people. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
management, editorial board and staff. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints e x p r e s s e d b y t h e a u t h o r d o n o t Gel Santos Relos has been in news, necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs talk, public service and educational and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its broadcasting since 1989. She was a news
anchor, TV host and radio commentator and public service host for ABS- CBN and DZMM. She is now working on her advocacies independently, serving the Filipino audience using different media
platforms. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos. Also on Twitter, Instagram: Gel Santos Relos
With rising inflation, just say no to California’s costly Plastics Tax Initiative Commentary
FAITH BAUTISTA LIVING in California, in good economic times, is an expensive endeavor. But, with rapid inflation and runaway home prices, the state is quickly becoming unaffordable for all but those at the top of the income pyramid. The nation’s highest gas prices, shortages of essential consumer items and rising grocery bills make it increasingly harder for working families in the Golden State to make ends meet. Despite this reality, special interests have plans that, unless stopped, will make our current economic situation even worse. One such example is a statewide tax initiative on
this November’s ballot. Unless defeated, it will raise the cost of living by nearly $9 billion – costs borne by families and small businesses. Thankfully, voters will decide the fate of the Plastics Tax Initiative, a new tax on plastic products, and a series of complex regulations that targets businesses and consumers. While the initiative allegedly reduces plastic waste, it’s doubtful that its lofty goals will be achieved. For years the state has mismanaged its recycling programs despite spending billions of dollars while recycling has decreased. This initiative neither substantially improves the recycling rate nor benefits consumers. Instead, it will raise costs for businesses and consumers when we can least afford it. The scope of what’s covered under the proposed tax is immense. It targets virtually all consumer
products, from the food containers in the grocery store to diaper packaging. One estimate highlights that the average family of four will pay $900 per year in higher costs. Given how expensive everything is now (even more expensive than last month because of inflation), most families simply cannot handle the additional burden of increased costs. That’s why the National Asian American Coalition opposes this measure. We’ve enthusiastically joined a diverse coalition that is strongly opposed to the Plastics Tax Initiative. Ballot box lawmaking is a risky endeavor. By circumventing the traditional legislative process, major flaws in special interestdrafted initiatives can’t be changed. Consumers typically bear the brunt of such drafting “errors.” The Plastics Tax is no exception.
One of our biggest concerns with the measure is its overreliance on a state bureaucracy that has failed to do its job: CalRecycle. For years, this agency has mismanaged the state’s beverage container recycling program. CalRecycle has been unable to detect fraud and has held onto huge recycling deposit surpluses that are supposed to be refunded to consumers. Ignoring this checkered past, the Plastics Tax Initiative vests even greater authority to CalRecycle to create new programs and charge unlimited administrative expenses for implementing these new taxes. Without radically reforming CalRecycle, all Californians will pay billions in higher taxes with little to show for it and little assurance that our tax dollars will be used as promised. Worse still, the tax will expand inequality.
Underserved communities are already hurt by rising prices. The initiative will not only raise the cost of food, but it will also cost Californians good-paying jobs. More than 40,000 California workers employed in the plastic manufacturing industry would likely see their jobs vanish. These are middle-class jobs that do not require a college degree. The initiative’s maze of mandates will squeeze instate employers and displace these jobs to factories outside California – a lose-lose on all fronts. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. The Plastics Tax proponents hope we ignore the massive tax increase with the promise of a better tomorrow – if only we agree to their “solution” that will increase the cost of our food, ship jobs to other states and radically grow a government agency that’s not succeeding today with a
smaller mandate. California voters need to get the facts about this tax measure and its harmful provisions. We have time before the November 2022 election. It’s time to get informed and educated. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Fa i t h Ba u t i sta i s t h e p res i d e n t and CEO of National Asian American Coalition, a HUD-approved, programoriented nonprofit that provides housing counseling, small business lending, and technical assistance services to minority and low-income populations. She also serves as the founder and president of National Diversity Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy organization comprised of community organizers, faith-based leaders, and business owners working collectively for greater financial equality and empowerment for underserved communities.
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DATELINE PHILIPPINES
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 17-23, 2022
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Manilla? Philippine capital is most mispronounced city in the country, study says by KRISTOFER
PURNELL Philstar.com
MANILA — A study by Wordtips found that the Philippine capital of Manila is the most mispronounced city in the Philippines, often pronounced as if it were spelt "Manilla." Thankfully, it did make the Top 10 list, which saw the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro hit the number one spot with a listen count of seven million on the language website Forvo, the largest pronounciation dictionary in the world. Rio was followed by the Japanese capital of Tokyo with a 4.1 million listen count, while Chicago, USA and the Irish capital of Dublin tied with a 1.3 million
listen count. Wordtips says cities have some of the hardest names to master, most likely because the correct pronunciation is sometimes translated or simplified — for example, London (the fifth most mispronounced city) is Londres in French. Another reason is that some city names are just difficult to decipher. The Scottish capital of Edinburgh (the sixth most mispronounced city) has the same last four letters as Pittsburgh in the United States, but the two are pronounced very differently. Celebrities are also not immune to their names being mispronounced, most prominent among them Irish actress Saoirse Ronan with a listening count of
95,000. Also with high numbers are "Joker" actor Joaquin Phoenix and "Obi-Wan Kenobi" actor Ewan McGregor. Even singers such as Ed Sheeran, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and Billie Eilish find their names mispronounced a lot, as do athletes like NBA stars Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyrie Irving; and footballers Sergio Aguero, Kylian Mbappe, and Wojciech Szczesny. Surprisingly, among brands, it is the search engine Google that is most mispronounced with a listening count of 1.3 million in a list that was dominated by German car brands like Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. GET VACCINATED. Medical front-liner administers a COVID-19 vaccine to elderly man during the “Resbakuna sa Barangay” vaccination drive of the GenTri City Health Office at the Ph-8 covered court Parklane, Barangay Santiago, General Trias, Cavite on Tuesday, June 14. The program also gave vaccines to children ages 5-11 and 12-17 years old, and adults 18 years old and above. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Pangilinan has no problem supporting Marcos gov’t ‘if programs are good’ COVID-19 cases up by 53% in NCR by NEIL
ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net
MANILA — Outgoing Senator Francis Pangilinan said Tuesday, June 14 he is ready to support the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “if the programs are good.” However, if the programs are insufficient, Pangilinan urged the public to call for better programs from the government. “If the programs are good, of course we should be able to support. But if the programs, to our minds, are insufficient, then let us push for better programs and say we should be able to do or approach it differently,” Pangilinan said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel when asked if he would support the incoming administration. “That has always been our position ever since — under the administration of President [Gloria] Arroyo, under the administration of Noynoy [Aquino], and [Rodrigo] Duterte. If we think it should be supported, we would,” he added. According to Pangilinan, who lost to Marcos’ running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-
Carpio in the vice presidential race, he has been supporting good programs regardless of who was the president. “That has always been our position ever since — under the administration of President Arroyo, under the administration of Noynoy, and Duterte. If we think it should be supported, we would,” Pangilinan said. “We’ve endorsed, passed, voted in favor of several — many — of these measures that were being pushed by the administration because we felt it was good for the country,” he added, stressing that there has been disinformation that the opposition has not done anything except criticize the administration. Asked if he is willing to work with the administration if he is specifically asked, Pangilinan said: “We are willing to help in whatever way if it is good for the country.” Eyes wide open When asked if he was surprised by the numbers and the turnout of the elections, Pangilinan said their camp “pretty much had a sense of what was happening on the ground,” while admitting that they did not have enough
time. “The decision to run, medyo kulang ang oras. In fact, nung nag-desisyon kaming tumakbo, alam namin na hindi madali dahil nga ang plano naman talaga natin noon ay reelection lang but the challenge — we faced that challenge,” Pangilinan said. (The decision to run, we did not have enough time. In fact, when we decided to run, we knew that it wouldn’t be easy because my plan then was to seek re-election but we faced that challenge.) “We were asked to help and therefore we set aside our own plans and decided, hindi madali ito, mahirap ito, kulang ang oras, pero sige ilaban natin. I entered into the arena with my eyes wide open,” he added. (We were asked to help and therefore we set aside our own plans and decided, this wouldn’t be easy, we don’t have enough time, but let’s fight. I entered the arena with my eyes wide open.) Pangilinan placed second in the vice presidential elections, behind Duterte-Carpio. Duterte-Carpio received over 32 million votes compared to Pangilinan’s 9.3 million votes.
by RED
MENDOZA ManilaTimes.net
CORONAVIRUS disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases had been increasing by as much as 53 percent in the National Capital Region (NCR or Metro Manila) over the past week, but independent tracker OCTA Research said there is no need to reimpose stronger restrictions like lockdowns. According to OCTA Research senior fellow Dr. Guido David, the seven-day average cases also jumped from 86 cases per day to 131. The reproduction number in the region has increased, too, to 1.5, while the positivity rate rose to 2.7 percent. David said if the current case trends continued, the NCR may experience around 200 to 300 cases in the coming days and 400500 cases by the end of the month, and below a thousand cases across the country. Despite the increasing numbers, hospital and intensive care unit utilization rates in the NCR remained stable at 23 and 18 percent, respectively. Dr. Jose Rene de Grano of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines echoed
David's sentiments in a separate interview, saying while they are experiencing slight increases, non-COVID cases still dominate their facilities. "Bumabalik na kasi ang mga pasyente sa mga ospital at nagkokonsulta na (The patients are now returning to the hospitals, and they are now consulting)," de Grano said, noting that most of COVID-19 cases in their hospitals are mostly unvaccinated or partly vaccinated. David said there is a possibility that the Department of Health may escalate NCR to Alert Level 2 if cases and hospitalizations continue to rise and the risk level in the region worsens from low risk to moderate risk based on their own metrics. "At the minimum, the government needs to decrease the capacities in public transport and indoor establishments so that it would allow more space and prevent crowding in establishments," he added. David urged private companies to delay their return to work and implement flexible working arrangements, which would also help workers deal with increased oil prices and fares. In a separate forum organized
by the Integrated Studies and Development Institute, OCTA founder Ranjit Rye said while it is yet premature to remove the current state of a public health emergency, he believes that this possible surge will not lead to a crippling lockdown that could affect the economy. "We have seen that this [COVID-19] variant, if it becomes dominant, will provide us more leeway to make decisions veering away from lockdowns. I don't think we would have that kind of lockdowns like we had last year," Rye added. He urged the incoming administration of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to strengthen the public health system, improve the collection of taxes, and keep corruption at bay to allow the country to "restart" the economy that has been battered by the pandemic. "You really have to start confronting the real problem, which is weak institutions, and that would require not just geniuses in the government, [but] it requires confronting the problem head-on and that would require a whole-of-nation approach, whether it is on COVID or on finance," Rye said.
DOJ to continue prosecution of De Lima by WILLIAM
B. DEPASUPIL ManilaTimes.net
FOLLOWING a review of Sen. Leila De Lima's drug cases, a panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DoJ) is convinced that "there is good reason" to continue the prosecution of the outgoing lawmaker for alleged drug trading. "The panel of prosecutors in the De Lima case has advised the justice secretary that after a thorough review of the evidence already presented as well as evidence still to be presented, there is good reason to continue the active prosecution of the senator," Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Tuesday, June 14 in a Viber message to reporters. Guevarra has ordered the review of De Lima's two remaining cases pending before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court amid calls for her release from detention after several of the witnesses recanted their allegations that De Lima was involved in the drug trade inside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP)
in Muntinlupa City. The DOJ pointed out though that as far as the retraction of certain personalities was concerned, "the prosecution takes the position that until these persons are actually presented in court for examination to ascertain their truthfulness, their alleged recantation has no probative value whatsoever." "In any event, the final say on the disposition of the cases rests on the judge alone and no other," Guevarra added. De Lima has been detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame after three cases of illegal drug trading were filed against her in February 2017 before the Muntinlupa courts. One of the cases was dismissed in February 2021. Those who recanted their testimonies were former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos, Kerwin Espinosa, Marcelo Adorco and De Lima's co-accused, Ronnie Dayan. Ragos executed an affidavit recanting his earlier claim that he delivered P10 million to De Lima. The said amount supposedly came from the proceeds of the
COVID-19 boosters are now available for
children ages 5+ Sen. Leila de Lima. ManilaTimes.net file photo
illegal drug trade at the NBP. Espinosa also submitted a four-page counter-affidavit before the justice department clearing De Lima of any involvement in the drug trade. He claimed that he was just coerced and intimidated to testify against De Lima. On the other hand, Dayan, De Lima's former driver and security aide, has denied getting P10 million from Ragos. Adorco, likewise, recanted a previous statement linking De Lima to the illegal drug trade.
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JUNE 17-23, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
Dateline PhiliPPines
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Duterte wants to visit West Philippine Sea as civilian
GAS UP NOW. An attendant fills a tricycle’s tank with fuel at a gasoline station along Arnaldo Highway in Barangay Santiago, General Trias, Cavite on Monday, June 13. Motorists have to pay more as another hefty oil price hike took effect on Tuesday, June 14 – P2.15 per liter for gasoline, P4.30 per liter for diesel, and P4.85 per liter for kerosene. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Balancing act with China to continue by Bernadette
e. tamayo
ManilaTimes.net
THE incoming administration of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos seems set in maintaining the present balancing act in its relations with China — treating it as a partner but not ruling out diplomatic protests when warranted. Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) echoed the statements made earlier by incoming National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos, who said the Philippines will continue a critical and constructive engagement with China. Last Friday, June 10 Marcos referred to China as this country's "strongest partner" in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and overcoming the economic crisis it triggered. "The relationship between the Philippines and China is a very important relationship that we should continue to evolve as the years go by and as the changes that we have seen around the world are affecting our own status within the region," Marcos said during the ceremonies for the Award for Promoting PhilippinesChina Understanding. On the same day, however, Carlos said, "We will continue to file diplomatic protests, never mind that we are filing 10,000 of them." Meñez told The Manila Times on Sunday, June 12 that "filing DPs [diplomatic protests] when warranted is the current policy — so it appears that will not change when the new administration takes over." Pressed on whether it is always necessary that any
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planned filing of protests should come first from the National Security Agency (NSA), vetted or approved by the NSA chief, Meñez said, "It depends on the cause cited." "If it has something to do with activities in the WPS [West Philippine Sea], it has to be verified by other agencies, then discussed in NTF-WPS (National Task Force on the WPS) before action is taken by DFA," he said. "If other causes can be quickly verified by DFA alone, then we can act with more speed," Meñez added. According to a recent commentary published by the Independent News Service (INS), the last elections created an opportunity for China to strengthen its position in Southeast Asia. "The Xi Jinping regime in Beijing will continue to take advantage of the region's economic needs to force regional states to see China as their only viable economic and security partner," the INS said. "If the Philippines new president is not wary of Beijing's efforts to subvert Philippine interests in favor of its own economic and security preferences, Philippine economic self-determination will become subordinate to China's," it warned. At least for now, the Philippines seems to be standing its ground. The DFA recently protested the return of over 100 Chinese vessels "illegally operating" in the waters in and around the Julian Felipe Reef on April 4, barely a year after the same swarming incident was protested by the Philippine government. Julian Felipe Reef
is a low-tide elevation within the territorial sea of relevant hightide features in the Kalayaan Island Group, including Chigua Reef, over which the Philippines "has sovereignty," the DFA said. "The lingering unauthorized presence of Chinese fishing and maritime vessels is not only illegal, but is also a source of instability in the region," the DFA said in a statement on June 9. It explained that the "persistent swarming" of Chinese vessels violates international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the final and binding 2016 ruling of an arbitral court. "It is also a violation of China's commitments under the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, in particular, the exercise of selfrestraint pursuant to Paragraph 5 thereof," the DFA said. "The Philippines regrets this Chinese violation of international law days before the successful April 8, 2022 telesummit between President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to solve issues of mutual concern through peaceful dialogue, and exercise restraint in any and all endeavors relating to the South China Sea," the DFA said. The Philippines has called on China "to comply with its obligations under international law, cease and desist from displaying illegal and irresponsible behavior, avoid further escalating tensions at sea and immediately withdraw all of its vessels from Philippine maritime zones," it added. g
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MANILA — President Duterte on Sunday, June 12 expressed hope that he can go to the West Philippine Sea after stepping down from office, citing the need to assert “what is ours,” even as he reiterated that the Philippines cannot afford to fight with China over the maritime row. Speaking during the commissioning of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship BRP Melchora Aquino in Manila, Duterte said his desire to go to West Philippine Sea would not have any ramifications if he does so as a civilian. “Someday, I could maybe ride with the Coast Guard to see. Even if I am already a civilian ... that you can invite me to ride with you... And I could maybe ride with you there in West Philippine Sea. It is a gamble,” he said. “But you know, you have at one time in our national life that we have to assert … what is ours,” he added. The President disclosed that he had clarified with Chinese President Xi Jinping that the Philippines “cannot give up sovereignty” over the waters in West Philippine Sea, including the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which he described as “vital for our national life.” Experts, however, have noted that under international law, the Philippines has sovereignty over its 12-nautical mile territorial sea, not in the 200-nautical mile EEZ. But the Philippines has sovereign rights in its EEZ, which permits the country to exclusively enjoy the marine resources in the area. The constitution also requires the state to protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea and EEZ, and “reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.” Food security, conflict After citing the importance of the resource-rich EEZ, Duterte said the population is growing and the country needs to keep pace. He also warned that the Philippines may face problems on food security because of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. “You know, even in food security in the coming years, we will have difficulties. And the longer that this ruckus in Europe between Russia and Ukraine continues, (prices) will really spiral. That’s what I’ve been warning the Filipinos about two
months ago,” Duterte said. “I said there is fighting over there. But the flow of oil will be disrupted,” he added. Rich nations would be prioritized in terms of oil supply, according to the President. “We’ll have to be very careful to navigate and maybe there are countries (that) will look kindly upon us to give us the fuel of the economy,” he said. “Well, aside from the fact that there is really danger to the world if Russia decides to use nuclear arms, if they are pressed against the wall. And I hope Ukrainians will have the common sense to remain in the boundary because they are using the arms of the United States and of the West,” he added. The outgoing Chief Executive underscored that an intrusion into another territory “would really put the entire population (of) this planet in jeopardy.” “I am praying that this can be sorted out by just talking. There’s really no need to kill a human being,” he said. Duterte explained that the consequence of a conflict was the reason that the Philippines prefers to address its dispute with China through negotiations. He noted that the Philippines only sends civilian ships like coast guard vessels, not war ships, to West Philippine Sea. “I’m glad that they have also adopted the same behavior. We continue to talk,” Duterte said. “But we cannot afford (to fight) with China. We cannot win and we will lose and the population will suffer. The Filipino nation would be in a very tight situation, a quandary of how to go about, I said, navigating the geopolitical issues in Europe and here, Taiwan,” he added. Duterte ended his speech by commissioning PCG ship BRP Melchora Aquino. The vessel is the second of the two 97-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRV) made in Japan for the PCG. The ship is named after Melchora Aquino, the Filipino heroine known as “Tandang Sora” and the “Mother of Katipunan.” The vessel has a maximum speed of not less than 24 nautical miles per hour and endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles and can conduct sustained maritime patrols in the Philippines maritime jurisdictions.
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PCG says yes The PCG on Sunday said it would allow Duterte to board one of their ships and bring him to West Philippine Sea, even after he retires on June 30. PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said he does not see any problem if Duterte, even after he has ended his term as president, will join one of their ships going to the WPS, where there had been reported recent sightings of Chinese vessels. “Of course, we would bring President Duterte to the WPS. I do not see any problem with that. That is allowed since he is a former statesman, a former president after June 30,” Balilo said, using the acronym of West Philippine Sea. “We will accord him the proper honor as a former head of state, once he has retired. We would allow him to ride one of the ships heading to the WPS anytime he wants. We owe him so much,” he added. In his speech, Duterte praised the PCG for its “excellent record” and that he was “very much impressed” with its performance. “You have helped the government a lot in maintaining its independence and integrity as a republic. So bilib ako sa inyo,” he said. BRP Melchora Aquino, skippered by Commander Patrick Babag, and its already commissioned sister ship BRP Teresa Magbanua are currently the biggest vessels of the PCG. The two MRRVs were built under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) Phase II, a Japanese-assisted project funded by the Official Development Assistance loan from the government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. They are modeled after the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Kunigami-class vessel, which has a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots and an endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles. While the BRP Melchora Aquino’s first mission assignment has yet to be discussed, it could be deployed to conduct maritime patrols in West Philippine Sea, Philippine Rise and even at southern part of Mindanao. (Philstar.com)
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GMA Network’s ‘The World Between Us’ becomes the first Filipino language title on Amazon Freevee ASIA’S Multimedia Star Alden Richards’ hit Kapuso program “The World Between Us” will now be available for streaming on Amazon Freevee starting June 22, 2022 in the United States. Amazon Freevee, formerly IMDb TV, is a streaming video service with thousands of premium movies and TV shows, including Originals and FAST channels, available anytime, for free. For its premiere offering, GMA International will launch “The World Between Us,” a romance drama series that proves that no matter how deep our divide is, true love can bridge it all. The series follows the story of Luisito "Louie" Asuncion (Alden Richards) and Emilia "Lia" Libradilla (Jasmine Curtis Smith). Louie and Lia grew up together at the home of the Libdradillas – they will both feel that they are destined for each other but there
are people keen on keeping them apart. Joining Louie and Lia in proving the power of true love is Kapuso versatile actor Tom Rodriguez in an off-beat role, portraying the character of Lia's older brother, Bryan. The series also stars awardwinning actors, including Dina Bonnevie, Sid Lucero, and 2016 Cannes Best Actress Jaclyn Jose under the direction of critically acclaimed director, Dominic Zapata. “We appreciate this growing partnership, and are thrilled to have one of our hit programs on their AVOD service Amazon Freevee. It is a testament that GMA Pinoy TV in providing world-class entertainment that Filipinos all over the world truly deserve,” says GMA International’s First VP and Head of Operations, Joseph T. Francia.
Freevee is available as an app on Fire TV, Fire Tablets, and as a free Channel within Prime Video, across hundreds of devices. Freevee is also available as an app on third party devices including Roku, Samsung smart TVs (2017-2021 models), Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, Comcast’s Xfinity Flex, Xfinity X1, Chromecast with Google TV, NVIDIA SHIELD and other Android TV devices, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles, as well as LG Smart TVs (20182021 models). The app is also available on iPhone, iPad, and Android mobile devices. For more details about Amazon Freevee, visit www.amazon.com/ freevee. For more information on how to watch Kapuso programs overseas, visit www.gmapinoytv. com/subscribe or follow GMA Pinoy TV on social media.
YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT IN CHICAGO, PART 3. Leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel (center) answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in Chicago, in Part 3 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot.” Some of the questions Atty. Gurfinkel answers are – From Albert (2nd from left): I entered the U.S. under an assumed name. How can I get myself legalized?; From Ludi (2nd from right): I petitioned my son in 2016. He is now residing in the U.S. Can he apply for a green card without having to return to the Philippines? Watch this third installment of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” in Chicago on a brandnew episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, June 19 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
Fraud and entering the US under an assumed name – San Francisco kicks off Juneteenth celebrations at city hall just some of the immigration issues that Atty. Gurfinkel Elected leaders and community members kicked off a series of community (Advertising Supplement)
events to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor London Breed on Friday, June 10 joined elected and city officials and community members to kick off a series of community-led events to honor the upcoming Juneteenth holiday in San Francisco. Following President Joe Biden’s 2021 resolution declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday, Mayor Breed signed an order declaring June 19 an official holiday in San Francisco. This year marks the first time that Juneteenth celebrations will take place around and on the official holiday. The Friday event included a flag-raising ceremony outside City Hall, performances from the San Francisco Bay Area Theater Company
(SFBATCO), the Curtis Family, and much more. “Juneteenth is a recognition of our culture and accomplishments, but it’s also a solemn reminder of the bonds of slavery and the struggle for equality that continues today,” said Mayor Breed. “For years, San Francisco’s Black community has commemorated this day through celebrations across our city, but this year is special as it is the first time we are coming together to celebrate Juneteenth as an official holiday. I want to thank the community and our city leaders who continue to put in the work to ensure that Black San Franciscans have an opportunity to thrive.” PAGE 13
answers on part 3 of a series of Q&A on Citizen Pinoy
CITIZEN Pinoy’s “Your Tanong, My Sagot” in Chicago is now on its third installment, and leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers more immigration questions from Kapamilya in the “Windy City” and its neighboring areas. Josephine’s niece was petitioned by a nursing home, but the business closed and the lawyer helping her was disbarred. She wants to know what they can do since the
USCIS denied the petition and accused her niece of fraud. Ludi petitioned his son in 2016, and the son is now residing in the U.S. Ludi asks if his son can apply for his green card without having to return to the Philippines. Albert entered the U.S. under an assumed name and wants to know how he can legalize his status. Peter asks how difficult it is to sponsor his girlfriend in Manila
so she can get a tourist visa. Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions and more in Part 3 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” with Kapamilya from Chicago. Watch this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, June 19 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
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Beauty impresario Ferdie Syquia Villar’s 85th birthday celebration a great success
celebrityworld By Ferdie Villar PHILANTHROPIST and international beauty impresario Ferdie Syquia Villar’s 85th birthday celebration added another memorable chapter to his glorious life which took place on Monday, May 30 at his residence along Escanyo Drive in South San Francisco. The celebration started with a Holy Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Abraham Alonzo, spiritual counselor of ANX Hospice in Daly City. After the mass, a salo-salo luncheon with food from Lech Go restaurant in Daly city was served which included lechon, lumpiang sariwa, beef kaldereta, lumpiang Shanghai, maja blanca, halabos na hipon, binagoongan, ginataang langka and empanada. The birthday affair was attended by Ferdie’s family and friends in the Filipino-American community, including well-known photographer in Asian Journal VP/General Manager Joseph Peralta, Northern California Rey Guarin; Edward, Myrna and Michael Cabrera; Manny and Joseph Cabrera; Anthony and Vangie Perez; Joselito and Margie Cabrera with their son Roxie; San Francisco community leaders Violet Orence, Shirley Ordoveza, Lelith Adriano, and Alex & Elvie Santos; community leaders Tess Labitoria and Joana Santos;
Fil-Am beauty queens Marilen Bernardo and Leilani Atis; and Ronald Villar. *** The Philippines’ one and only Superstar has finally been recognized as a National Artist, much to the delight of her fans and supporters. In a recent announcement by Malacañang, Nora Aunor (Nora Cabaltera Villamayor in real life), along with seven other individuals, were declared as National Artists for 2022. The other artists named were screenwriter Ricky Lee, the late film director Marilou DiazAbaya, the late stage director Tony Mabesa, the late fashion designer Salvador Lim-Higgins, dance choreographer Agnes Locsin, poet Gimeno Abad and musician Fides CuyuganAsensio. The Palace declaration (Presidential Proclamation No. 1390) was made upon the joint recommendation of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). The National Artist award is the highest recognition bestowed on Filipinos who have made distinct contributions to the development of Philippine arts and culture. As a newly-conferred living National Artist, recipients gets a medallion, a cash award of
Ferdie Villar (seated) is about to blow the candles on his cake at his 85th birthday celebration, while his family and friends watch More family and friends of Ferdie Villar (seated) pose behind the celebration as he is about to blow the candles on his birthday cake. Photos by Reynaldo Guarin/Rey Photomo from behind.
P100,000 (net of taxes), a monthly life pension, life insurance coverage, a place of honor at any state function, national commemorative ceremony or cultural event they attend, and they will be allotted arrangements and expenses for a state funeral, and buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Posthumous recipients get the citation and medallion, and P75,000 in cash will be given to the awardees’ nearest kin or representative designated by the family. Nora was born in Iriga, Camarines Sur. She was the grand champion of the Darigold Jamboree Singing Contest and represented her province in the Tawag ng Tanghalan Grand National Finals in 1967. Also known as Ate Guy to her fans and showbiz friends, Nora
started her movie/singing career under Tower Productions and Tower Records owned by movie producer and director Artemio Marquez. In 1971, she was crowned as the first ever Box Office Queen, an award given to the female actor with the highest box office record for the year given out by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation. Nora has won the award five times, including in 1973 when she starred in the film “Erap is My Guy” with another movie icon Joseph Estrada, who would later on become Philippine president and mayor of Manila. Aunor is a multi-awarded actress having won Best Actress trophies in movies and television from many of the industry’s award-giving bodies – the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts
Fil-Am beauty queens Marilen Bernardo (left) and Leilani Venegas Atis (right) are shown in photo above with business executive Edwin Gomez during Ferdie Villar’s birthday celebration at his South San Francisco residence.
& Sciences (FAMAS) Awards (5), Gawad Urian (7), PMPC Star Awards (8), Metro Manila Film Festival (8), Luna (known before as FAP) Awards (4), and Young Critics Circle (5). Internationally, she has picked up wins in the Cairo International Film Festival, Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Asian Film Awards, Sakhalin International Film Festival and St. Tropez International Film Festival, among others. In 2015, Nora was conferred the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Gawad Para sa Sining for her work in film and broadcast arts. This is the highest award that the CCP gives out in different categories. While her work in film and television is well-known, Nora’s contributions to the music industry are also indelible. At the pinnacle of her stardom as a Philippine entertainment legend and acknowledged Superstar recording artist, it is estimated Nora Aunor was recently named as one of eight National that local records soared up Beauty impresario Ferdie Villar (8th from left, seated) is shown in photo above with relatives and friends who attended his Artists for 2022. Nora Aunor is shown in photo above with to 60% of national sales, and 85th birthday celebration last May 30. beauty impresario Ferdie Villar. La Aunor is the only artist in
Vangie Perez (right), niece of the birthday celebrant, is shown with her uncle Ferdie Villar.
Philippine recording history with more than 260 singles, having recorded more than 500 songs in her career. Thirty of those singles have been awarded gold status. One of her recordings, a cover of “Pearly Shells” in 1971, is one of the biggest-selling singles in the Philippines, with an estimated sales of 1 million units.
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Another strip of land along Las Vegas Blvd sells for millions by RealtoR
Fely Quitevis-Bateman
BIG land deals seem to be in vogue this season in Nevada. According to a report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, a strip of land on the southern part of the Strip has been acquired by a mystery buyer recently. The plot of land is a 2.2acre property along Las Vegas Boulevard and Russell Road, and was reportedly bought at a price of $12.8 million. Lily Funds founder Tom McManus is the seller, per the news reports. The land is between the Diamond Inn motel and the Little Church of the West wedding chapel, and is said to have been bought by a limited liability company called Object Dash, which is managed by Object Dash Trust according to state records. Over the past year, there have been several big land purchases in communities in Nevada that has
created excitement and continued the great momentum for both buyers and sellers in the state. With the return conventions and tourists to cities like Las Vegas, dubbed as the gambling and entertainment capital of the world, many are eyeing continued development in the state and looking at audience-generating projects for communities. Aside from the recent big land purchase, there have been other big transactions which are expected to bring a wealth of projects to different communities in Nevada. Formula One’s parent company, for one, completed a $240 million purchase of nearly 40 acres just east of the Strip. Formula One is gearing up for its high-speed race in 2023 which will have drivers navigate a course that provides many of the iconic landmarks in Las Vegas
A breakfast meeting with Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s Pahrump investors, notably Alka Products CEO Andrew Hoang, who is close to getting approval from Nye County to build a glove factory in Pahrump. Photo above shows (from left) Jenny Truong, Kelly Tiam, Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman, Harold Tiam and Andrew Hoang.
This Google Maps photo shows the property bought by a mystery owner in Las Vegas along South Las Vegas Blvd., between the Diamond Inn Hotel and the Little Church of the West.
Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s new investors, Clark and Angelica Games of Palm Springs, CA who are both nurses, are looking at business opportunities in Pahrump. Photo above shows (from left) Clark Games, Angelica Games, Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman and Russ Bateman.
as backdrop and brings Formula One racing as close as ever to fans and observers. The 14-turn, 3.8 mile-race course will see drivers navigating the course at speeds of up to 212 miles per hour. The Siegel Group, on the other hand, purchased about 10 acres near the north part of the Strip for $75 million in April, just across from Resorts World Las Vegas. While the firm has not made any comments as to what it plans to put up on the piece of real estate dubbed as “the last great piece of land available on the north Strip,” many industry observers are speculating that long-term options for the group may include a casino-hotel, a condominium tower, retail outlets and multi-family apartments. The Oak View Group, meanwhile, acquired 25 acres of land in an area just minutes away from Harry Reid International Airport, and plans to build a major arena, entertainment hub and casino which will cater to people who can afford it. The 20,000-seat arena, reports say, will have the ability to host major music acts and can become a home to a professional sports team. And since the National Basketball Association (NBA) has indicated that Las Vegas is among the cities it is considering expansion to, the arena being built within this entertainment/sports complex will be NBA-ready, just Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for in case. small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948 or send email to fely@preciousAside from these huge land deals, properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com. news reports have touted other big
transactions in Las Vegas including Hard Rock International’s plans to buy The Mirage’s operations for more than $1 billion along with a goal to build a guitar-shaped hotel tower on the Strip, and casino landlord Vici Properties buyout of MGM Resorts International’s real estate spinoff for $17.2 million. In Pahrump, which is only 62 miles west of Las Vegas, a project that has gained momentum will see 400 acres of open farmland in the northern part of the town become a gaming and entertainment hub that will include a 40,000-squarefoot resort casino centered around a 7/8-mile track, with stables for 280 racing horses, and amenities like restaurants, shopping facilities, campgrounds, a water park, batting cages, a movie theater and parking for recreational vehicles. That project will also bring the first pari-mutuel harness racing track to the state. Another big project that is on the horizon for the town is the planned development for what is dubbed as “Mountain Falls South,” which will see Adaven Management and its associated parties build more than 5,000 residential units in a planned community on approximately 1,177 acres of land southwest of the intersection of Manse Road and Hafen Ranch Road. Requirements set forth in the development agreement for this project have been carried out over the years, with the most recent
Soon-to-be neighbors of Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman at Turnberry Place, Tower 1 are Dr. Phil Paleracio and Mr. Bing Longakit. Escrow is scheduled to close soon assuming that everything is in place. Photo above shows (from left) Realtor Quitevis-Bateman, Dr. Paleracio and Mr. Longakit.
item being the construction of a roundabout on Highway 160 at Manse Road which the company is working on with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). The roundabout is expected to cost about $1.5 million. Millions of dollars are being pumped into projects in the state, and in big cities like Las Vegas and towns like Pahrump. Real estate opportunities abound for those who want to take advantage of land and/or properties available in the market. Some of my buyers both in Las Vegas and Pahrump are enjoying the benefits of having invested in the market – whether it is in terms of the continued rise in real estate prices and valuation of their properties, or by investing in properties which
continue to make money for them (Airbnb or other types of rental properties). I bring a few decades worth of experience in real estate that will help you, my kababayans, in your search for real estate – whether it is for a new home, a second/vacation home, an investment property, or a piece of land where you want to construct your dream home. My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-5592476 and 702-538-4948 for more information. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days. (Advertising Supplement)
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Fil-Am collaborates with Vans to design shoes inspired by father’s immigration story by Donnabelle
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aravelo
LOS ANGELES – When Filipino American artist and graphic designer DJ Javier was designing the shoes for his biggest collaboration with shoe manufacturing giant, Vans, all he could think about was to pay tribute to his father, Liberato. On this Father’s Day 2022, Javier wants to remember all his dad’s sacrifices and hard work being one of the first generation immigrants in America who opted to leave the Philippines and seek greener pastures to be able to give a better life for his family. Javier’s father, along with his mom and two older siblings, migrated in United States in the early 80’s on a work visa as an accountant. Javier and another sister were born here. “I’m inspired most by my dad and what he has put in to build a better life for our family,” he said. The 29-year-old is recalling his father’s sacrifices uprooting his family to a new country. “He really sacrificed everything and I feel like this collaboration is like a fruit of him coming here in the U.S. If he hadn’t come here, who
DJ Javier and father Liberato
knows, I wouldn’t have been born and pursued art and so just seeing him worked so hard to give me and my siblings and my mom a better life I think that is a direct result of where I am in my career right now,” said Javier. Javier also simply admires his father’s work ethics which he tries to replicate in all his works and projects. “Even though we have different career path, I think a lot of my work ethics comes from my dad. He always does his best. He never does just an okay job. If he’s gonna do something, he does it well. So in whatever I do, whether it’s a big project, a mural, a painting, I am always inspired by how my dad works. If I’m gonna do something, I’m gonna do it right the first time,” he said, when asked who is his greatest inspiration. Liberato, who came from San Pablo City in Laguna, Philippines, now owns and runs a telecommunication business. Over a year and a half ago, Javier sealed a deal with Vans, an American manufacturer of skateboarding shoes and apparel, to design three kinds of shoes: a slip-on, a high top and a slides. Two of these, the slipon and high top shoes, have al-
DJ Javier shows off collaboration with shoe brand Vans, as a tribute to his father and Filipino heritage. Photos courtesy of DJ Javier
A pair of Vans slides designed by Javier
ready been released to the market earlier this June. The slides will be out by next month. A graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design in 2015 at Azusa Pacific University, Javier is known for his bold artwork that blur lines between fine arts and graphic design. In designing this big project with Vans, Javier drew up his design idea by combining traditional and diverse Filipino culture with his influences in Southern California where he grew up in. Growing up, Javier used to go skateboarding, drawing graffiti with his friends, and playing rap music. Now, he is in to surfing. Javier lives in Santa Barbara, California most of his life and now with his wife Courtney and son, Duke. “Every design element in this collection is rooted in my Filipino culture, from the Filipino flag checkerboard, Carabao (Water Buffalo), and Sampaguita (Philippine National Flower) on the Sk8-Hi, to the warrior and rice field worker on the slip-on, to the bamboo “Nipa Hut” scene on the slides,” Javier said in a Facebook post. His dad’s life experiences were also incorporated in his shoe designs. “This project represents Filipino culture, identity and Filipino people. It represents the immigrant story,” he said. “This only goes to show that Filipinos
are tough and resilient.” Javier is thankful that his dad is appreciating all his works and arts. “My dad is now my biggest fan and supporter, and I am honored to tell our story and hopefully encourage the many Filipinos, Asian Americans and first generation immigrants who share this same story.” He is also overjoyed by the overwhelming response that his shoe collection has been receiving from all over the world. “I was checking out the Vans website and I’ve seen that about 2/3 of the slip-on designs have been sold out and the high tops are halfway sold out,” he said. He said he had been receiving warm messages from Filipinos all over the world who would want to purchase his Vans’ shoe collection. “I got a lot of messages from complete strangers telling me how excited they are. I feel truly honored to be able to work on this and put it out in the world and see a sense of pride. These Filipino people that I have never met, they can see the story and they see it as this is my moment as well and that’s one thing that I am really excited about. As much as I wanna say that this is my project, it’s really not. It’s a project for all, it’s our project, it’s the Filipino people’s collaboration with Vans,” he said. He also wants to encourage all young Filipino artists like him to try to stay authentic to their sto-
Vans slip ons and high tops sharing Javier’s designs
ry and not waver and continue to find richness in Filipino culture and heritage. “I think the best inspiration comes from just staying true and authentic to yourself. It’s a big thing because for me that’s why this collaboration even just in a few days have done so well because people can see that the story is true and is real to me,” he said. Javier said he hopes to seal a more long-term collaboration with Vans. His shoe collection is available in select Vans stores and retailers across the U.S. Customers can also visit Vans. com for orders. For interested buyers in the Philippines, they could visit select Vans stores or go to Vans
Philippines’ Instagram account for more information. At present, Javier said his company is working out another huge collaboration project. “I have a similar project with a big company that would be coming out later this summer,” he said. Javier currently owns Bayan Surf Club Inc., a multi-disciplinary creative studio which does art direction, branding and identity, graphic design, illustration, artist collaborations, apparel design, murals, and fine art. His list of clients include: L.A. Rams, L.A.FC, Adidas, Amazon, SeaVees, Paragonia, Hucberry, Coors Banquet, Surfrider Foundation, Parks Project, Teva, Vissla, Undefeated, Roark, Farm League, General Admission,
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Features
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 17-23, 2022
Milan-based Filipino designer invited to Asia Pacific Fashion Week 2022 in Los Angeles, Las Vegas MILAN-BASED Filipino young designer Lionell Christian Lanuzo comes across as a humble man with a strong desire to accomplish his job with excellence and passion. Christian, as he is known among his friends, is one of the designers to be showcased at Asia Pacific Fashion Week 2022, a global platform for emerging designers to be held in Los Angeles and Las Vegas in August 2022. He is the chief designer of his own fashion house, LCL, a brand that specializes in luxe wear with a neo-ethnic flair. Christian was born in the Pampanga province in the Philippines, and migrated to Italy when he was thirteen years old. He graduated from Milan's Instituto Tecnico Industriale Ettore Molinare with a diploma in Industrial Chemistry. It was no easy task to study in Italy, let alone chemistry! But having finished his academic goal with flying colors, it was now time to focus on his love of art and fashion. It's no coincidence that the Italian city Christian chose to reside in is Milan, one of the world's fashion capitals. Christian is only 34 years old today, yet his ambition to make art dates back to his childhood years. He began his fashion career by creating designs for beauty pageants in Italy. But, since then, he's wanted to test his ability to think beyond the box and accomplish things that would stretch his creativity. He started by creating gowns made from unconventional materials such as paper, plastic spoons or shells. His aesthetics are decidedly wild but detailed, and he has an eye for intricacy and construction that make his work stand out. Since graduating, he’s been
PEARL OF THE ORIENT. This modern rendition of the Philippine terno is festooned with over 7,000 pieces of pearls, representing the 7000-plus islands that comprise the Philippines, worn by model Celine Z. Photo by Theresa Sujata Senti
NEO-ETHNIC FASHION. Lionell Christian Lanuzo celebrates Filipino culture in his designs by using neo-ethnic Philippine textiles made of natural or indigenous materials. Shot on location in Bern, Switzerland featuring model Magali Alcantara. Photo by Roger Schnorf
M A J E S T I C G O L D. A n u l t ra - m o d e r n interpretation of the Philippine Terno, with its iconic butterfly sleeves rendered not in fabric, but in gold wire worn by model Suki Ai. Photo by Theresa Sujata Senti
making waves in the fashion world and making the Philippines proud. The Bayanihan (communal unity) spirit of Filipinos shines within Christian as he wowed the European audience at the “Lange Nacht der Konsulate” (Long Night of the Consulates) in Stuttgart, Germany with creations made of capiz (natural seashells), sigay (another type of shell), paper foils, and barong (type of dress) with beads and pearls. Christian has also participated in other fashion events in Europe, such as the “Multi-Ethnic Fashion 2018” event in Rome, with other stylists from all over the world. As a patriotic Filipino, Christian wants to show that Filipino designers are talented and worthy of their own space in the global fashion industry, particularly in Italy. Christian has now evolved as a designer, despite being new in the fashion business. His ball gowns,
evening gowns, and “modern Barong Tagalog” now show his evolution towards creating fashion-forward garments made of traditional textiles, as opposed to his customary nonconventional materials. Like the works of Christian, the range of designs within the Filipino community is unlike any other. But what makes them extra special is their subtle nod they make to their culture. Indeed, Christian and many patriotic Filipino designers like him are drawing well-deserved attention to Filipino glam. Asia Pacific Fashion Week (APFW) will
be their newest global platform to showcase the diversity of their designs. Asia Pacific Fashion Week: A global platform To showcase Christian’s most recent work, One Global Management Company Inc. – in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, Philippine Department of Trade and Industry-Los Angeles office, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel – proudly presents Asia Pacific Fashion Week (APFW) in two
PINTADOS. An interpretation of pre-colonial aesthetics inspired by “pintados,” the term Spanish colonizers used to describe the heavily-tattooed natives of pre-colonial Philippines, as worn by model Erica Paula Castillo. Photo couresy of LCL
San Francisco kicks off Juneteenth...
PAGE 9 Community members are encouraged to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday and the history of San Francisco’s Black/ African American community through a series of citywide events. To find out more information about events, please visit https://juneteenth-sf.org. “Last year, June 17, 2021, our President signed this historic day into law as a national holiday. For years, we have been fighting to get to this point. I’m so excited and looking forward to participating in all the events through the end of the month,” said Supervisor Shamann Walton. “Although President Biden signed into law Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021, San Francisco’s Black community has celebrated Juneteenth National Independence Day, also known as, Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Black Independence Day for years now,” said Phelicia Jones, Founder and Leader of Wealth and Disparities in the Black Community. “This year, as we commemorate June 19, 1865 when all enslaved people in America were freed, I look forward to being with community.” The City of San Francisco celebrates Juneteenth by recognizing the strength and resilience of its Black/African American leaders and by making real investments in the community. Last week, Mayor Breed announced her proposed citywide budget that includes several critical investments to serve San Francisco’s Black/ African American community, including a continued investment of $60 million annually for
the Dream Keeper Initiative, a citywide effort launched by Mayor Breed to reinvest into San Francisco’s diverse Black communities. “Despite the steady decline of the San Francisco’s Black population over the years, Juneteenth recognizes that Black people are rooted here, that our culture is alive in this city and worthy of celebration,” said Dr. Saidah LeatutufuBurch, Director, Dream Keeper Initiative. “Juneteenth is not only limited to one day or one month; Juneteenth represents Black people’s freedom to live, laugh, and love in San Francisco year-round. As Black people continue to fight for liberation, the Dream Keeper Initiative is proud to support events such as Juneteenth that highlights our community’s beauty, brilliance, and influence.” “Juneteenth is an epic success in bringing together the Black communities in San Francisco and truly displayed the potential of how Black SF can come together and celebrate historical milestones. It is a refreshing feeling in light of COVID and hardship. It is a success in solidarity in a time that is most needed,” said Rachel Madison, San Francisco and Bayview native. “Juneteenth represents Black freedom, something we’re still fighting for in America. Juneteenth is a celebration of Black culture, our food, our music, our dance. We cannot continue to celebrate our country’s independence until we are all truly free with equal rights, equity, and inclusion,” said Tiffany Carter, Co-Founder, SF Black Wall Street. (SF Mayor’s Office Release)
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UNCONVENTIONAL FASHION. Lionell Christian Lanuzo (left) started by creating gowns made from unconventional materials such as paper, shells or feathers. Photo courtesy of LCL
iconic American cities. The first show is on August 6 (Saturday), at 4 p.m., at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, a historic landmark on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the heart of Los Angeles. The second show is on August 13 (Saturday), at 4 p.m., at the Decades Event Center, located in Vegas Pointe Plaza, Unit 168, 9175 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. The Los Angeles leg of APFW enjoys the support of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. Trending Beverages Inc.,
Napa Valley Distribution Inc., Montemaria Cellars, House of Pacquiao Wine, Individual Health Care, Lombard by the Bay, MTS Law Firm, Premier Asia Pacific Real Estate & Development, and Tina Modeling. The Las Vegas edition is coproduced by InterEdx, a dba of Dynasty Exchange Ltd. LLC., headed by Dr. Lee Dedicatoria, in cooperation with Asia on Earth, Dynasty Ventures, Club Paradisia, World Edoption, Royal Blue Staffing, Lend with Love and Decades Event Center. (Advertising Supplement)
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JUNE 17-23, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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