OCTOBER 17-20, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 82 • 2 Sections – 20 Pages
USA
DATELINE Beyond an election: Civil rights experts break down the prevailing presence of hate, racism in the AAPI community FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs celebrates Filipino American History Month by MOMAR
G. VISAYA
AJPress
THE President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), during its third open meeting virtually on Thursday, October 15, and in cooperation with the White House Office of Public Liaison and the White House Initiative on
ON Aug. 10, 1999, a 39-year-old Filipino postal worker was murdered, purely because he was an ethnic minority. Joseph Ileto, the victim, was gunned down by a white assailant who had just perpetrated a shooting at the North Valley Jewish American Community Center in Granada Hills, California. According to the shooter, he fatally shot Ileto nine times because he thought Ileto was either Latino or Asian. Ileto’s tragic killing is among the countless Asian lives taken by the evil of racism. More than a decade before Ileto’s killing, a Chinese American man named Vincent Chin who was murdered by two white men angered at the rise of Japanese car companies in the automobile industry. Both Ileto and Chin were killed based on false assumptions of their ethnic backgrounds, but that’s hardly the point to make, as any civil rights advocate would say.
President Rodrigo Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on Wednesday, October 14. Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal
Every Filipino to receive COVID-19 vaccine – Duterte
u PAGE A8
Fil-Am doctor raises awareness of prostate cancer risk
AN estimated 191,930 cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 2020, according to Filipino American Dr. Edwin Posadas of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. This type of cancer occurs in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. It is the most common cancer that affects men, and the second leading cause of cancer death, following lung cancer. In the “2020 WHO Report on Cancer” of the World Health Organization (WHO), it stated that there were 1.3 million cases of prostate cancer in 2018, of which 7,290 were diagnosed in the Philippines. According to Posadas, prostate cancer is becoming a more serious problem in the country. Filipino men are developing prostate cancer at rates disproportionate to other Asian men. “As the lifestyle of the Filipinos become more and more western, the rates of prostate u PAGE A4
Filipino Americans on the frontlines. Chao talked about the “hundreds of thousands of Filipino health care workers on the frontlines” and that America is grateful for the many contributions of the community. “I am pleased that we are here today to celebrate Filipino American History Month. I am esu PAGE A2
Asian American and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI), honored and celebrated Filipino American History Month (FAHM). U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao, and other Senior Administration officials from the White House, U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Commerce, thanked the numerous
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
SECURED. Anti-narcotics agents guard the seized illegal drugs worth PHP6.25 billion to be disposed of at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. in Barangay Aguado, Trece Martirez, Cavite on Thursday, October 15. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director-General Wilkins Villanueva said the destruction of the illegal drugs is in compliance with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to immediately destroy seized contraband to avoid recycling by unscrupulous individuals. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, October 14, said he wants all Filipinos to have the vaccine against the novel coronavirus. In a televised public address, he said he is looking for more funds to ensure that everyone will be given the vaccine, no exceptions. u PAGE A4
Survey: Facebook greatest source Rules approved for of coronavirus disinformation PH’s anti-terror law by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
OUT of all the social media platforms available, Facebook is the “most prolific enabler” of disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, according to a recent international survey among journalists. The “Journalism and the Pandemic” study, which surveyed more than 1,400 English-speaking journalists in 125 countries, said that 66% of the respondents identified Facebook as the primary online platform used to spread fake and misleading information. Meanwhile, 42% identified Twitter, while 35% answered WhatsApp, a messaging
platform owned by Facebook. Some 22% chose YouTube, while 11% said Instagram. “When it came to reporting dis/misinformation to the platforms, 82% of respondents said they had reported such content to at least one of the identified companies during the first wave of the pandemic,” the study said. “A quarter (25%) of respondents said that they had reported dis/misinformation to Facebook – by far the highest for any single platform,” it added. The study also tagged political leaders and elected officials as second top sources of disinformation, following ordinary u PAGE A4
Jollibee among best fast-food fried chicken in US By AJPRESS
Jollibee’s famous Chickenjoy (center) with other menu favorites, such as Filipino spaghetti and peach mango pie. AJPress file photo by Momar G. Visaya
PHILIPPINE fast-food giant Jollibee’s best-selling Chickenjoy is one of the best fast-food fried chicken options in the United States, according to online magazine, Redbook. In its “The Best Fast-Food Fried Chicken” article, released on October 13 to celebrate National Fried Chicken Day, Redbook ranked Jollibee as the fourth best fried chicken in the country. “Jollibee is the Filipino fried chicken chain that’s about to take over the United States,” the magazine said. “If you’re skeptical, check out this recent New York Times
story heralding the chain’s first Manhattan location earlier this year. ‘The pleasures of Chickenjoy, as it’s called, are immediate: The sheath of skin is as craggy as a thunderhead, crannies and crunch multiplying.’ Uhm, I’ll have some of that, please!” it added. Jollibee bested other popular fast-food chain restaurants, including McDonald’s, which placed 12th; Kentucky Fried Chicken, ranked 11th; and Shake Shack, ranked sixth. “Chickenjoy is served in bonein pieces buckets, or you can opt for Chicken Dippers, which are the boneless tenders. Every oru PAGE A2
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA) have been completed and approved by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday, October 14. “The ATC has approved today (Oct. 14) the IRR of the ATL crafted by a technical group led by the DOJ. We will disseminate copies to Congress and to law enforcement agencies as required under the law, and will publish the IRR online and in a newspaper of general circulation in the next few days,” said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. The IRR will be effective once it has been published and registered with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. Justice Undersecretary Adrian Sugay said the DOJ clarified the anti-terror law’s provision on warrantless arrests in the IRR. “Yes we clarified what it means and what other laws should be followed. We clarified all of it and it abides by the Constitution,” he said in Filipino. “The IRR clarifies what our law enforcement agencies should
do. What is more important is it should guide the people to follow the law. It’s for all of us, not just the police or authorities that will enforce it,” he added. The Armed Forces of the Philippines, for its part, welcomed the approval of the IRR. “This will surely capacitate and empower the AFP to run after, assist in the arrest and prosecution, and secure our country and people against terrorist organizations, associations, groups, individuals, proponents, and supporters,” AFP spokesperson, Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, said Thursday, Oct. 15. The anti-terror law, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 3, took effect on July 18. Under the new law — which expands on the Human Security Act of 2007 — incitement of terrorism can be done “by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners or other representations…without taking any direct part in the commission of terrorism.” Those arrested and detained may be held for 14 to 24 days. The new law enables the suspected “terrorist” to also be placed under surveillance for 60 days, extendable by up to 30 more days, by the police or the military. Acts punishable under the law u PAGE A2
A OctOber 17-20, 2020 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL
Jollibee among best...
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From the Front Page
America President Rowel Vijandre. PAGE A1 Mango Pie or Halo-Halo for des“This is also why Jollibee der of chicken is accompanied by sert. Yes, all of this is available, North America continues to do a side of their signature gravy for and actually good, at a fast food well and is outperforming the chain.” QSR industry with positive sysdipping,” Redbook said. Jollibee Foods Corporation temwide sales growth despite It added, “They also boast a sethe pandemic. We are grateful lection of Filipino side dishes un- (JFC) welcomed the ranking. “We couldn’t be happier of to our customers and will always rivaled by any competitor on this list. Chickenjoy with a side of the this recognition, as it goes to be happy to serve them the best famed Jolly Spaghetti? Or, how show that our Chickenjoy is truly Chickenjoy that they deserve,” about Fiesta Noodles (Jollibee’s world-class. We see customers he added. Jollibee has 45 stores in the take on pancit palabok, a clas- continuing to come in droves to sic Filipino shrimp and noodle our stores because of their love U.S. and will open more branchdish). Still hungry? Grab a Peach for Chickenjoy,” said JFC North es in Florida, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Texas, Nevada, California, and Hawaii. It also has 10 stores in Canada with plans to open more branches in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec this year. n
Rules approved for PH ‘s anti... PAGE A1 include: • Engaging in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person, or endangers a person’s life; • Engaging in acts intended to cause extensive damage or destruction to a government or public facility, public place, or private property; • Engaging in acts intended to cause extensive interference with, damage, or destruction to critical infrastructure; • Developing, manufacturing, possessing, acquiring, transporting, supplying or using weapons; and • Releasing of dangerous substances, or causing fire, floods or explosions. • Any person who proposes, incites, conspires, participates in the planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of a terrorist act, as well as those who will provide material support to terrorists and recruit members in a terrorist organization, will also be penalized by life imprisonment without the benefit of parole. Meanwhile, anyone who threatens to commit terrorism, and those who propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism, will suffer imprisonment of 12 years. This goes the same for anyone who voluntarily and knowingly joins any organization, association or group of persons knowing that such is a terrorist organization. n
President’s Advisory Commission on...
PAGE A1 pecially thankful to the frontliners, many of them Filipinos, are taking personal risks to save so many lives and keep our country safe, healthy, and whole,” Ross, WHIAAPI co-chair, echoed. Ross also acknowledged FilAms for being “famously entrepreneurial” and cited Pedro Flores, who invented the yoyo and began an enterprise in California. “Many of the nation’s 1.9 million AAPI-owned companies have suffered a dramatic loss of business due to the pandemic,” he said, adding that with the right policies in place, the country’s businesses will soon enter the recovery phase. Filipinos in the Trump administration Three Filipino Americans who are a part of the Trump administration as senior officers also joined the virtual celebration. Vic Mercado, among the highlevel Filipinos in the Trump cabinet, works at the Department of Defense as Assistant Secretary for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities. Prior to his current position, Mercado served in the U.S. Navy for 35 years where he held various acquisition and engineering leadership roles. until his retirement in November 2018. He is responsible for advising the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy on national security and defense strategy; the forces, contingency plans, and associated posture necessary to implement the defense strategy; nuclear deterrence and missile defense policy; and security cooperation plans and policies. Mercado joined the virtual meeting from his office at the Pentagon. He said he was looking forward to the month of October when Filipino American History Month is celebrated. “We have such a rich and diverse culture and our history in this country goes way back, centuries back,” he said. He shared a few stories about his trip to the Philippines a few years ago and called it “extraordinary,” particularly his experience when he visited the American cemetery, which at 152 acres, is the largest in terms of the number of graves with about
The President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs held a virtual Filipino American History Month celebration on Thursday, October 15.
Victor Mercado
17,000 military members who died in World War II. “I have an uncle I never met, his name was Serapio Guerrero and he was a Filipino Scout who died at the Bataan Death March on July 4, 1942 and was one of 75,000 Filipinos and Americans who fought in the war. The cemetery in Manila symbolizes the beautiful relationship between the United States and the Philippines,” Mercado said. Kelly Ilagan is a senior advisor at the Department of Commerce for International Trade Administration. Born and raised in Michigan, Ilagan shared that both her parents are nurses and instilled in her Filipino values. “They taught me to just work hard to achieve that American dream that our ancestors dreamt for us,” she shared. She acknowledged the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of Filipinos, especially those who opened small stores and restaurants across America. As a small kid growing up in Detroit, she said she looked for-
Kelly Ilagan
Ninio Fetalvo
ward to their trips to the Filipino and Asian markets and restaurants. Ninio Fetalvo, White House communications advisor, shared Ilagan’s sentiments and paid tribute to his parents who taught u PAGE A3
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President’s Advisory Commission on...
Los Angeles Attorney Eric Early (first row, left), who is running for California’s 28th congressional district, attends a rally organized by Fil-Am supporters on Sunday, October 11. Photos courtesy of Henry Chen
Fil-Am Republican supporters for Eric Early’s Congress bid organize caravan FILIPINO Americans who are supporting Eric Early for Congress came out in full force on Sunday, October 11, less than a month until Election Day. The Filipino Coalition for Eric Early staged a caravan that passed through the cities of Burbank and Glendale and ended at Crystal Springs in Griffith Park. Early, an attorney running for California’s 28th congressional
district, addressed the rally attendees, urging them to get out the vote on or before November 3. The candidate, who previously ran for attorney general in 2018 and received almost 1 million votes, is attempting another shot at public office this race against incumbent Congressman Adam Schiff (D), who has held the office since 2013.
Dozens of Fil-Am Republican supporters for Eric Early’s bid for Congress staged a caravan on the streets of Burbank and Glendale.
CA Dept. of Public Health releases guidelines for a safer Halloween AS COVID-19 continues to be a threat for Californians, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising communities to find alternative and safer ways to celebrate Halloween. The safest way to celebrate Halloween is to spend time with people in the same household or to celebrate virtually. Some specific alternatives that are low risk but still capture the holiday fun include: • Creating a haunted house or candy scavenger hunt in your home • Having a scary movie night and Halloween-themed activities (pumpkin carving, face painting) at home • Participating in online parties/contests (e.g. costume or pumpkin carvings) • Attending car-based outings where people do not leave their car including drive-in events or contests or movies; driving through an area with Halloween displays • Eating a Halloween-themed meal with your household (alone or with up to 2 other households, not including your own, for a meal outside following all other gathering guidelines) • Enjoying a Halloweenthemed art installation at an outdoor museum with your household
• Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween-themed decorations • Giving treats at home only to those in your household. • Send a curated playlist and/ or themed treats (or tricks) to your friends ahead of time. • Designing face masks that reflect your child/ren’s Halloween costumes • Prepare a Halloween basket for your children or Halloween hunt in your backyard Trick-or-treating In general, the more people from different households with whom a person interacts, the closer the physical interaction is, and the longer the interaction lasts, the higher the risk that a person with COVID-19 infection –symptomatic or asymptomatic — may spread it to others. Trick-or-treating without necessary modifications promotes congregating and mixing of many households, particularly on crowded doorsteps, which can increase the spread of COVID-19. That type of mixing is not currently permitted in California. Additionally, if there is a positive case discovered, it is very challenging to do appropriate contact tracing to identify all those who have been potentially exposed. To protect yourself and your u PAGE A8
The 28th congressional district, which includes areas such as Burbank, Glendale, Sunland, Tujunga, Hollywood and West Hollywood, has a large Fil-Am community. Many supporters on Sunday showed their support for Early, arguing that he aligns with their values as conservatives and will help alleviate local issues, such as homelessness. (Contributed by Michelle Martinez)
PAGE A2 and instilled in him Filipino values. “Who would have thought that a son of immigrants who grew up in Port Charlotte, Florida would be serving the President of the United States? I am so proud of the great strides we have made to make this a better country,” he shared. Fetalvo added that his mother and sister both work as nurses, and just like the rest of the frontliners, have been working round the clock to beat the coronavirus pandemic. “We grieve alongside every family who has lost a loved one due to COVID-19. The administration has been doing unprecedented efforts in making sure that a safe and effective vaccine will be available to all Americans,” Fetalvo said. “We are not cutting corners, we are on track and we hope to distribute 100 million doses before the end of the year.” Herman Martir, a commissioner on President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs, led the program, which was also attended by Brendan Flores, National Chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Tina Wei Smith, Executive Director of WHIAAPI and Alex Flemister, Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. Celebrating Filipino The White House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders’ Facebook page high-
lighted the achievements of several Filipino Americans in honor of FAHM. Among those they have featured are Shirlene D. Ostrov, President & CEO of Ares Mobility Solutions Inc. and Co-owner of Adaptive Cargo Solutions; Richard Felicelda, who is a teacher by profession and a businessman at heart, and founder of StarLab; Marie Cunning, owner and operator of Arizona Discount Flooring, LLC, Altair Realty, LLC, and the President and CEO of Arista Development, Inc. and Michele and Andy Rivera, who are cofounders of My E Three. The Rivera couple’s wedding and events photography business was badly affected by COVID-19, so they had to pivot their business and innovate. When there was a need and demand for face masks, the Riveras refocused My E Three, a Chicago-based lifestyle and wellness brand selling activewear products, to designing and selling quality face coverings. To date, they have donated 1,000 masks to the underprivileged populations and health workers in the Philippines. In honor of Filipino American History Month, for every mask they sell, the Riveras will donate a mask to a Filipino charity or non-profit in the U.S. Cunning, on theater hand, is the National President of Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce (FPACC) and on the Board of
Trustees for National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). She is also the Founder and President of the Filipino American Business Chamber of Commerce of Arizona. Felicelda immigrated to the U.S. in 2008 and made the jump to the healthcare industry. He started his own business, StarLab in 2011, offering phlebotomy services and diagnostic specimen testing. Last April, it was one of the first labs in Illinois to respond to the pandemic by providing COVID-19 PCR testing and continues to be at the forefront of meeting the needs of the community through this pandemic. He is a recipient of the Emerging Leaders U.S. SBA initiative, and believes in setting higher standards for laboratory services. Ostrov served 23 years of active duty service in the United States Air Force as a Colonel. A politically active community leader, she takes pride in her extensive combat experience commanding military logistics operations around the world. Filipino American History Month is a chance for Fil-Am communities to commemorate the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the U.S. when Filipinos arrived in present-day Morro Bay, California aboard the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza on October 18, 1587. U.S. Congress officially recognized October as Filipino American History Month in 2009. n
A OctOber 17-20, 2020 • LA WeeKeND ASIAN JOUrNAL
Every Filipino to receive COVID-19 vaccine...
PAGE A1 t “I have the money already for the vaccine but hahanap pa ako ng maraming pera (but I will look for more money) because you know there are now 130 million Filipinos and to me, ideally, all should have a vaccine, without exception,” Duterte said. He maintained that the poorest Filipino households will be prioritized, along with members of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “They are vital to the security of the state. They should be the first also. Tayo, kaming mga civilian, pwede tayong last (We, civilians, can be last),” Duterte explained. The World Health Organization (WHO), on the other hand, stated in its recommendation that frontliners in health and social care facilities, the elderly who are over 65 years old, and those with underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk of death should be the priorities. Duterte also showed support in China’s and Russia’s vaccines. “Para sa akin (For me), it’s either China or Russia, okay na ako (I’m okay with that),” he said. “Wala akong — sinasabi nila Pfizer, Moderna, ‘yung western,
U.S. Okay rin ‘yan kasi may proseso nga eh (I have nothing — they say Pfizer, Moderna, the western, US. They’re also okay because there’s a process),” he added. Not enough budget Marikina City 2nd Dist. Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo pointed out that the country has insufficient fund allocation for its COVID-19 response, explaining that only P2.5 billion was earmarked for the vaccines. “Nakakapagtaka. Alam naman natin na ang 2021 budget ay isang COVID budget at alam naman natin na para maka-recover ang ekonomiya, ang number 1 na kailangan gawin ay i-handle ang pagkalat ng COVID (It’s confounding. We know that the 2021 budget is a COVID budget and we know that to revive the economy, the number 1 needed to do is handle the spread of COVID),” she said during the House plenary deliberations on the Department of Health’s (DOH) proposed budget. “Paano nangyari na nakaligtaan natin na magbudget ng sapat na amount para sa COVID (How did we miss allocating the sufficient amount of budget for COVID),” she added. Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel
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“Mannix” Dalipe, meanwhile, said the budget was crafted before Duterte declared to vaccinate 20 million Filipinos. “Noong ginagawa po ‘yung budget ng Department of Health, hindi pa po lumalabas ‘yung pronouncement ng Presidente. Kaya po ‘yung sinubmit ng DOH, ang proposal nila ay P2.5 billion. Pero noong nilabas po ni President Duterte ‘yung kanyang desire to have 20 million Filipinos, doon po nagkaroon ng deperensya. S’yempre tataas din po ‘yung cost (When the budget of the DOH was being crafted, the pronouncement of the President hadn’t come out yet. That’s why the DOH submitted its proposal of P2.5 billion. But when President Duterte declared his desire to have 20 million Filipinos, the problem arose. Of course the cost will increase),” he said. “Hindi po sapat. May kulang pa po tayong P10.42 billion at kung pwede sana madagdag ito (It’s not enough. We need an additional P10.42 billion). This is for the full requirements for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines to cover the 20 million population, in accordance with the directives of his Excellency President Duterte,” he added. n
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Fil-Am doctor raises awareness of prostate... PAGE A1 t cancer increase. This has a lot to do with lifestyle, exercise, and so on and so forth,” Posadas, medical director of the Urologic Oncology Program of the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at the medical center, said during a virtual forum on Thursday, October 8. “The problem is not being recognized back at home. It’s not a problem that Filipino doctors know how to deal with effectively,” he added. Posadas noted that the United States, on the other hand, is making progress in the area of prostate cancer. Based on American Cancer Society’s statistics, the prostate cancer death rate has declined by 52 percent, from a peak of 39.3 (per 100,000) in 1993 to a low of 18.8 in 2017. The rapid reduction in prostate cancer mortality is attributed to earlier detection and advances in treatment. Symptoms and treatment Prostate cancer is an important problem for all men. One in nine men will usually be diagnosed with it in their lifetime. Increasing age, African ancestry, family history of prostate cancer, and certain inherited genetic conditions like lynch syndrome, BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are the primary factors of the disease. Smoking also increases the risk of fatal prostate cancer, while having excess body weight increases risk of aggressive and fatal prostate cancer. “The scary thing about prostate cancer is that most prostate cancers have no symptoms,” Posadas said. Symptoms that may be related to prostate cancer include difficulties with urinating, blood in the urine or semen, erectile dysfunction (ED), pain in areas in the body from cancer that has spread to the bones, weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord.
“You can have these symptoms but that happens on a very rare number of occasions,” Posadas pointed out. “Majority are found on what we call ‘cancer screening,’” he added. There are two kinds of cancer screening for prostate cancer: a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by both cancerous and noncancerous tissue in the prostate, and rectal examination. Posadas revealed that men with prostate cancer don’t always need to be treated immediately. “Just because you have cancer doesn’t mean you need to go and have something done about it. But you should know so you can make a decision about what to do,” he said. If the cancer is not aggressive, a patient may be suitable for active surveillance, which is a series of close monitoring of prostate cancer in partnership with a doctor, regular examinations and PSA assessments, and periodic biopsies. The two other treatment options for prostate cancer is robotic prostatectomy, which is the surgical removal of the prostate using a robotic system, and radiation therapy. While there is still no cure for prostate cancer, there are ways to prevent from getting the disease. Among these are: getting to and staying at a healthy weight; keeping physically active; and following a healthy eating pattern which includes a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Men should also avoid or limit consuming red and processed meats, sugarsweetened beverages, and highly processed food. Taboo topic “When found early, prostate cancer can be very effectively managed,” Posadas noted. However, most men would rather avoid talking about prostate cancer. In the Philippines,
the rate of men who have undergone a screening test for the disease is only at 6.5 percent. Posadas attributed this low percentage to the feelings of shame and fear. “(There is) the fear of having to get treated for prostate cancer. There are many perceptions from folks of all cultures that if you have prostate cancer and you need treatment, that it’s going to ruin your sexual health and urinary health,” he said. While not every prostate cancer results in death, Posadas stressed that undetected prostate cancer can lead to many problems in the future. “If you do nothing about prostate cancer, a man would still probably live more than a decade with the cancer growing and spreading,” he said. “The problem with that is, as the time progresses and the cancer gets to different organs like the bones, the liver, the lungs, and it starts to impact organ function, that would mean things like lower blood count, fractures, weight loss, liver dysfunction, and pain. And eventually weakness to the point where the body shuts down, either because all the nutritions have been zapped out, or the bone marrow no longer works enough to supply enough oxygen to the body,” he added. Posadas insisted that awareness is key to preventing prostate cancer. “There is a concerning lack of awareness of this problem in our community. I’m hoping that the folks here...will at least help us to create some awareness,” he said. He added, “Together we can make more people aware of this problem, and do something about it, and change those statistics because by educating each other and supporting one another, we can impact great changes in our community and those around us. (Ritchel Mendiola / AJPress)
Survey: Facebook greatest source of... PAGE A1 t citizens. “While regular citizens remain the No. 1 purveyor of disinformation, political leaders and elected officials come in at a close second. This is particularly disheartening at a time when information can literally mean the difference between life and death,” it noted.
Government agencies or their spokespersons and state-sponsored troll networks were likewise tagged as enablers of disinformation. The study was a collaborative effort between the International Center for Journalists and the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University.
“Our report demonstrates that journalists are working in a severely pressured financial, physical and psychological environment during the pandemic,” the researchers said. “This will be the most enduringly difficult professional period many have experienced during their careers,” they added. n
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Dateline PIMF: hiliPPines PH to the suffer biggest
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blow from COVID-19 in region by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
RAIN OR SHINE. A man sells face shields and alcohol displayed at the trunk of his car amid heavy rains along Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, October 14. Tropical Depression Ofel is expected to bring light to moderate rains over Metro Manila and parts of Luzon throughout the day. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
COVID-19 infects more than 11,000 Filipinos abroad by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THE Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday, October 15, logged 24 new additional cases of the novel coronavirus among overseas Filipinos, bringing the official tally of infections to 11,141. The agency also recorded three new recoveries, which pushes the total number of recovered and discharged patients to 7,175. Meanwhile, the death toll remains at 811 as the DFA reported no new fatalities. “Today, the DFA reports no new fatality due to COVID-19 among Filipinos abroad. Meanwhile, there are 24 new confirmed cases and 3 new recover-
ies among our nationals in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa,” it said. Overall by region, Europe – which comprises 19 countries – has recorded 1,211 Filipino cases, including 173 undergoing treatment, 943 recoveries and 95 deaths. The Middle East and Africa, covering 32 countries, has reported 7,364 cases; of which, 2,295 are undergoing treatment, 529 deaths and 4,450 recoveries. The Asia Pacific region, which spans across 20 countries, has 1,755 cases, with 520 undergoing treatment, 1,226 recoveries, and nine deaths. The Americas – covering 10 countries like the United States
– have 811 reported cases, with 167 undergoing treatment, 466 recoveries, and 178 deaths. “To date, the total number of countries and regions with confirmed cases among Filipinos is now 81, following a confirmed case reported in one country in Africa,” the DFA said. “The DFA shall continue to keep track of the status of overseas Filipinos and stands ready to assist and facilitate repatriations, whenever possible,” it added. Meanwhile, the Philippines has recorded 348,698 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 6,497 fatalities and 294,161 recoveries. It is currently the 19th country with most infections globally, according to John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. n
THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday, October 13, downgraded its gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for the Philippines this year following the slowdown in private investment and consumption due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In its October 2020 World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, the multilateral lender said the country’s GDP is expected to contract by -8.3%, which is a decline from its -3.6% projection in June. The contraction is deeper compared to Thailand’s -7.1%, Singapore’s -6%, and Indonesia’s -1.5%. China and Vietnam are seen booking GDP growths of 1.9% and 1.6%, respectively. Taiwan’s GDP, meanwhile, is expected to stay flat. “The downward revision of 2020 growth forecasts for the Philippines from -3.6% in the June WEO to -8.3% in the October WEO mostly reflects a largerthan-expected downturn in Q2 and a more gradual resolution of the pandemic as witnessed over the past months, with prolonged social distancing,” IMF country representative Yongzheng Yang said via email. The country’s economy experienced a record contraction of 16.5 percent in the second quarter after a national lockdown was imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19. “Despite a somewhat softer global contraction expected in the October WEO, weak public confidence and low remittances in the Philippines as a result of the pan-
PH now allows travel ‘for any purpose’ between GCQ, MGCQ areas MANILA — The Philippines further loosened movement restrictions in the country after the government’s inter-agency task force on coronavirus response has allowed travel between general community quarantine and modified GCQ areas. This means travel “for any purpose” between GCQ and MGCQ areas is now permitted subject to “reasonable” regulations by local government units.
“Our IATF allowed interzonal travel even for persons not authorized outside of residences (APORs) between GCQ and MGCQ areas,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Friday, October 15. “Travel between MGCQ areas and places that will be declared under ‘new normal’ is also allowed,” he added. Previously, only APORs could cross provincial borders.
The IATF also approved the adjustment of age-based stayat-home restrictions. Individuals who are 15 to 65 years old are now allowed to leave their homes. However, LGUs may enforce a higher age limit for minors depending on the situation in their localities. The government’s coronavirus task force likewise lifted its ban on non-essential outbound trav-
el. Starting October 21, Filipinos may be allowed to leave the country subject to the submission of confirmed roundtrip tickets, and travel and health insurance for those traveling in tourist visas. They are also required to execute an immigration declaration acknowledging the risks involved in traveling and to have a negative Antigen result taken within 24 hours before departure.(Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)
demic are expected to continue weighing on private investment and consumption,” Yang said. “The negative impacts of COVID-19 are expected to be only partially offset by policy support,” he added. For next year, the IMF expects
the country’s economy to rebound and grow by 7.4%, which is better than the 6.8% it projected earlier. “We have seen some signs of recovery in high frequency data with the gradual reopening of the
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A6 OCTOBER 17-20, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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FeatURes
Avoiding a second wave
LAST month when the government reduced distancing rules on mass transportation from one meter to 0.75 for three days, researchers tracking coronavirus transmission nationwide saw a subsequent spike in COVID cases over five days. This time, the Cabinet has approved what could be an even greater reduction in distancing on public transport: passengers need only be one seat apart. Video footage of several buses and jeepneys showed that “one seat” is highly relative, with only a plastic sheet separating passengers in traditional jeepneys, while only a few inches of space were left between bus passengers. The easing of distancing rules on mass transport is in line with efforts to reopen the economy, with the public expected to adhere to basic COVID health protocols. Metro Manila mayors, who had earlier rejected proposals to shorten curfew hours, are now being asked by the national government to limit the curfew to only four hours to allow more businesses to operate. The Department of Health explained that healthcare capacity rather than the number of COVID infections now governs the pandemic response. With no vaccine or cure in sight seen in the coming months, governments worldwide are taking calculated risks to restart crippled economies while expecting their citizens to protect
themselves from infection. Countries that reopened more sectors ahead of the Philippines, however, provide a cautionary tale. Several affluent Western European countries are seeing a resurgence of COVID and have been forced to reimpose lockdowns to contain the virus transmission. The Philippines is now conducting more swab tests and has more laboratories to speed up the processing of the results. More quarantine facilities have been set up and QR codes and a mobile app are being used for contact tracing. Few people are using the app, however, and contact tracing still leaves much to be desired. Low-income sectors such as vendors and tricycle drivers are getting free swab tests from local governments, but the tests remain expensive even for the middle class. Proponents of a wider reopening argue that the economy can no longer sustain a deeper contraction. People have to resume their livelihoods. The biggest risk lies in people themselves, if they fail to observe the minimum health protocols, notably wearing of masks, regular hand wash-
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PRESIDENT Donald Trump gets more unhinged as Election Day draws closer. He has intensified his spreading not only of the virus, but of lies, misinformation, conspiracy theories just to get re-elected. Trump continues to use and abuse the power, resources, and public trust accorded to the Office of the President of the United States, to divide the American people, weaken our democratic institutions and processes including our election, alienate our allies and destroy our leadership position in the global community while cozying up with dictators. On the day when the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States has topped 8.04 million and the death toll has surpassed 218,000, and continues with an upward trajectory
Rhizomes
PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “The human heart is the first home of democracy.” -Terry Tempest Williams, as quoted by Parker J. Palmer, “The Politics of the Broken Hearted” (2005) “THIS ‘one nation, indivisible’ is deeply divided along political, economic, racial, and religious lines. And despite our historic dream of being “a light unto the nations,” the gaps between our global neighbors and us continue to grow more deadly. The conflicts and contradictions of twenty-first century life are breaking the American heart and threatening to compromise our democratic values,” Parker Palmer wrote. Writers are the guardians of democracy. When a country has good writers, public policies are uplifted, and so is democracy. But a writer needs a pure heart or they write about the politics of the broken-hearted, recycling fears, negativities and they threaten the foundations of democracy in America. It quickly disintegrates into a hateful nation full of imaginary illusions that the end is near because the immigrants are coming. America used to feel as if the safest country for immigrants, the so-called, city up in the hill serving as a beacon of hope. The early pioneer/citizens of
Philstar.com photo
ing and disinfection, and physical distancing. But with distancing protocols greatly reduced in public transportation, will the minimum one-meter distance still be observed in other settings? With other countries seeing a second wave of
COVID infections, proponents of the easing of restrictions should proceed with great caution. The transmission curve is flattening nationwide; the last thing we need is a second wave. (Philstar.com)
Vote and seal the victory for America: Fox News owner predicts a landslide win for Biden, whose lead over Trump widens in infection rate, Trump, without shame, claimed the United States is on way to tremendous victory over COVID-19, and congratulated himself for doing a great job in handling the pandemic. And despite being infected by the virus himself, along with his wife Melania and son Barron and many prominent members of his administration and the Republican Party, Trump never learned his lesson. On the other hand, he has dailed up his rhetoric against public health measures that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, public health officials and scientists have been advocating for to mitigate the spread of the virus — wear mask, social distancing, washing of hands, avoid crowds, confusing the public with malicious lies he spews against all of these measures. Without straightforward an-
swers as to when he last tested negative, he dismissed isolation to protect other people from being infected, fought against a virtual debate and canceled when he could not get his way, and pushed to hold public rallies for his adoring fans. Trump did not care if these crowded events would again be super-spreaders, with most people not wearing masks, elbow to elbow with each other. The president of the United States has no regard nor word of concern for his supporters, deemed by this showman as his props to feed is fragile and insatiable ego. For this very reason, Trump’s influential supporter Rupert Murdoch, the man behind the conservative media empire that includes Fox News Cable and the New York Post, is “telling close associates he believes Joe Biden will win the election in a landslide,” the Daily Beast re-
America are the indigenous Native Americans. Later, slave workers imported from Africa, the Irish, Italians, Greeks, Germans, British, Jews, Polish who fled Europe became immigrants to the U.S., and decades after, the immigrants from South America, Asia, and Africa. America is a nation of immigrants, built by our immigrant ancestors as well. One might logically expect that our policies would be more embracing of immigrants, but not under 45th U.S. President Donald Trump. The hostility towards migrants has increased under his tenure. He even who would not denounce white supremacy groups, instead, told the Proud Boys, a domestic white supremacist group classified by the FBI, to “stand back and stand by,” further validating them. We, the voters, need not stand back and stand by to evil and hatred A quick rundown of offensive happenings in 2018 to 2020 under this 45th U.S. President: • 34 White House staffers and other contacts tested positive for the coronavirus after a White House event where over 200 folks attended with no masks and seated close to each other. The president and First Lady tested positive, as did Hope Hicks, Chris Christie, Kel-
lyanne Conway, Stephen Miller, and heads of the military. Fourteen were first identified as positive, then, which then grew to 34 individuals. • Forced sterilizations of women under incarceration in 2020, who desire better futures for their children or risk starving to death, as crops no longer grow in their drought-stricken countries, a consequence of global warming. • Medical negligence of ICE agents in not providing care to sick children under detention. • Separating children from their families, some as young as infants and toddlers only to be given away to foster families, after the parents have been locked up. Trump was forced to sign an executive order in 2018 to stop the administration’s family separation policy. Citizens resorted to fundraising and RAICES; a migrant support group in Texas got a deluge of donations of over $20 million. • Sexual abuse of women under incarceration and with no provisions for their personal hygiene. • Undocumented workers in the US paid $27 billion in federal taxes while in 2016, Pres. Trump paid $750 in federal taxes in 2016, the year he was elected, and paid zero in 10 out of 15 years.
ported. “The Australian-born billionaire is disgusted by Trump’s handling of COVID-19, remarking that the president is his own worst enemy, that he is not listening to advice about how best to handle the pandemic, and that he’s creating a never-ending crisis for his administration, according to three people who have spoken with Murdoch,” the outlet added. Despite this projection, Murdoch’s media empire continues to help Trump. “His New York tabloid has been doing everything in its power to help Trump’s reelection chances, publishing a screaming page 1 story on Wednesday under the headline, ‘Biden Secret E-Mails.’ The supposed ‘smoking gun’ emails purported to show that Hunter Biden had introduced his father to a Ukrainian businessman when he was vice president,
though the Post relied on unverified documents given to them by Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani,” the article continued. The report stated that “he [Murdoch] is now firmly of the mindset that the next president will be Biden, telling one associate, “after all that has gone on, people are ready for Sleepy Joe.” Murdoch’s assessment is in congruence with the recent polls revealing a Biden victory. Facts as reported by Forbes: Biden’s national lead has increased to 9.2 points on average in RealClearPolitics’ tracker, up from 6.1 points on September 29. • On Thursday, another national survey found the former vice president ahead by double digits: Biden leads Trump nationally by 11 points (53%42%), according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. • Battleground state polls
have been on a slower trend towards the Democratic nominee: Biden’s average polling lead across 6 battleground states (Florida, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona, and North Carolina) has increased from 3.6 points on September 29 to nearly 5 points on October 15. • Polls released Thursday reflect Biden’s widening lead at the state level: a Monmouth University survey found Biden ahead 6 points in Arizona (50%-44) among registered voters, and a Civiqs/Daily Kos poll showed Biden up 5 in North Carolina (51%-46%). Donald Trump lied and so Americans died because of the pandemic. Trump lied and so the economy of the United States that the Obama-Biden Administration saved from the worst recession under the Republican Party’s
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Don’t let evil idly pass by. Stand Points-based visas threaten to up and vote on or before Nov. 3 undermine family immigration progress
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Commentary
JOHANNA PUNO HESTER It is sick to me that our current president and administration continue to target and threaten immigrants in this country when I know that it is us immigrant workers who are caring and fighting for the most vulnerable Americans. It was my father who taught me the values of taking care of family and standing in solidarity with all workers. My father left the Philippines for the United States when I was barely two years old. I was so young but that was the norm. Because of imperialism by other countries like the U.S., overseas remittances account for 12% of the Philippines’ GDP. Many families like mine are only able to get ahead if we send a family member to work overseas. While it is the norm, it is never an easy decision. My father always looked for ways to reunite our family. Luckily for us, the U.S. offers family-based visas that allowed him to sponsor me to join him. This was great news, but because of the long visa backlogs, I was not successfully sponsored until I was 15 years old. I then had to
The author, Johanna Puno Hester
wait until I turned 21 before I could sponsor my mother to join us. These were tough years for us, but we tried our hardest to remain in touch with each other. I grew up listening to stories of my father organizing with his coworkers at the hotel he worked at. He was active in his union and knew that whether immigrant or not, workers must stand in solidarity for collective power. It was always clear to me that I needed to stand side by side with immigrants and workers like me. I am so grateful for these teachings because some of the most power I have felt has been through the union organizing that I do now with care providers like home care and childcare workers in California. These workers are primarily women and people of color, caring for low-income children, seniors
and people with disabilities. They care for the most vulnerable in our communities, a job that has become even more difficult and important under a pandemic, and yet they are still left out of federal labor protections. Chillingly, for the many who are immigrants and looking to reunite with their family especially in difficult times like these, they face opposition from the president and the administration. Instead of a family-based immigration system, they are calling for a points-based visa system, which would prioritize applicants with “desirable” and “deserving” characteristics. We know that the moment we get into the business of classifying people as desirable and undesirable, deserving and undeserving - we are putting poor people, queer and trans people, disabled
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The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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OpiniOn & Features
Points-based visas threaten to undermine...
PAGE A6 t people, Black and Indigenous people, people of color and women at war with white supremacy and the patriarchy. A points-based visa system would discriminate against poor and working-class families and decimate opportunities for immigrants in the U.S. to reunite with their families. These are the same poor and working immigrants who are America’s essential workers. We need to not only defend, but strengthen the family-based immigration system. I am by far not the only immigrant who
spent formative years separated from my family. According to an annual report on family-sponsored visa applicants released by the U.S. Department of State in 2018, 1,519,719 immigrants from Asia are waiting in the backlog to obtain a family-visa. Immigrant visa applicants born in the Philippines must wait up to 23 years depending on their visa category. As Asian Americans, we see through the efforts to divide us. The majority of immigrants arrive through family visas; for Asian immigrants, family-based immigration is the most common
pathway to the United States. This is not a game, and our lives must not be subjected to metrics and “points” whose only effort is to divide and exclude us. We are already experiencing so much trauma under the pandemic. We cannot support family separation. *** Johanna Puno Hester is Assistant Executive Director of UDW/AFSCME Local 3930, a union of more than 118,000 in-home care providers and 15,000 family child care providers throughout California. She is a former president and current National Executive Board Member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO.
Don’t let evil idly pass by. Stand up and vote...
PAGE A6 t • 218,097 Americans have died from Coronavirus and U.S. has 8,008,402 new confirmed cases as of October 16, 2020, per the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center. Some might contend that Obama’s two terms between 2008-2016 were relatively organized and not chaotic. Yet, in 2008-2010, he too was attacked by immigrant advocacy groups. Newspapers then reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported 800,000 undocumented immigrants in those two years. In the first half of 2011, ICE‘s goal under Pres. Barack Obama was 411,000 deportations, exceeding prior years’ deportation metrics. It was as if America has lost its direction, its moral compass, and its soul. It took Jose Antonio Vargas, Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, to re-ignite the dialogue on immigration issues, when he shared his riveting personal story that he is undocumented. Vargas recently shared in his Instagram post that “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen,” the book he wrote is now used as required reading in America’s high schools, changing the conversations about who is American and dispelling fear towards the undocumented. “A Better Life” was a movie about a story of love between a gardener father who cuts trees in upscale LA neighborhoods and his teenage son who goes to an urban school in LA, challenged and terrorized by gangs in his school. Their lives were
torn apart when the father was deported to Mexico. During the film premiere, an octogenarian Hungarian dancer, M.W., stood up to compliment the producers. She said she identified with the characters and felt their fears, although she had nothing in common with them. Nonetheless, their fears felt like hers, during the Holocaust. The same fears were depicted when I watched a documentary at the “Road to Freedom” exhibit in the Skirball Cultural Center. Rabbi Rachel Cowen described the civil rights movement as “a religion, a secular creed, a community, with values, its liturgy, its rituals, part of a larger narrative, with its high ideals that the world can improve, love would conquer, it would triumph.” Dorothy Zellner spoke of her conviction, that when you see such inhumanity, there is a moral imperative to go: “thou shalt not stand idly by.” Half of the white attorneys working in the South were Jews who felt a kinship with the injustice happening to the Black community. Rabbi Prinz shared “a sense of complete identification and solidarity born of their painful experience.” This mattered to him to take a stand: “will he allow these state troopers to kill in his name?” Those were the dilemmas that they faced then, dilemmas that are ours now, confronted with the issue of immigration reform for 11 million undocumented individuals. In 2011, I had a conversation with Fr. Alberto Carreon, 88, formerly the resident priest
at Assumption Church, now residing at San Antonio de Padua Church. His special ministry then was to teach sobriety through faith. He was advocating for immigration reform, leading a 2,000 person strong rally in Nevada, and after, Senator Harry Reid’s staffers dialogued with him. His position was to revive the bracero program to give a legal path for permanent residency to those who want to work in the U.S. He believes that after three years of a consistent, law-abiding track record of employment, these workers have earned the right to apply for a green card. Fr. Carreon cites the history of immigrants from Europe who fled to survive the holocaust unleashed by Nazi Germany. They were given their own paths to progress, facilitated by a change in their immigration status, legitimized by a humanitarian public policy. This public policy, he claimed, should also extend to those who fled their countries at the height of the civil war in El Salvador, and had some resettling in parts of Honduras and Mexico. Note that the U.S. government propped up some of the dictators in these countries, causing citizens to leave, much like the exodus of Filipinos out of the Philippines, during the Marcos dictatorship. By allowing those working in the harvest fields a path to legalization, backbreaking work that Americans shun, these immigrants can be legalized and fully contribute to this nation’s productivity and nation-building responsibilities. u PAGE A8
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CA Dept. of Public Health releases guidelines for... PH House OKs on 2nd reading bill granting president powers vs red tape The bill seeks to authorize the President to expedite the processing and issuance of national THE House of Representa- and local permits, licenses and tives on Friday, October 16 certifications in times of nationapproved on second read- al emergency. It was approved by the House ing House Bill 7884, granting President Rodrigo Duterte Committee of the Whole at special powers against red- about 2 a.m. on Friday, before the session was suspended. tape. by Divina
nova Joy Dela ManilaTimes.net
Cruz
PAGE A3 t community, you should not go trick-or-treating or mix with others outside allowed private gathSpeaker Lord Allan Velasco erings this Halloween season, and Majority Leader Martin Ro- the CDPH said. mualdez led the filing of the bill Personal protection meaon Wednesday evening, after sures: President Rodrigo Duterte cerRegardless of how you choose tified it as urgent. to celebrate Halloween, it is imRomualdez vowed to pass the portant to keep the following in bill on final reading before the mind: special session adjourns on Fri1. Face Coverings: Face coverday. n ings must be worn in accordance with the CDPH Guidance on the Use of Face Coverings, unless an exemption is applicable. Please note plastic, rubber, vinyl and other Halloween costume masks daughter struggling to remain are not an acceptable substitute in the U.S. ‘Miss Saigon’ Tony for cloth face-coverings for the Award winner Lea Salonga’s prevention of COVID-19 spread. name may be the most promi2. Practice Social Distancing: nent in the cast, but rising star Avoid confined spaces, especialEva Noblezada also earned a ly indoors. Stay least 6 feet away Tony nomination for her performance in the Broadway revival of the period musical, in the role originated by Salonga. Here Noblezada plays 17-year-old PAGE A1 t Rose Garcia, who lives at a tatty Activists and civil rights leaders roadside motel on the outskirts have called for unity among the of Austin, where her mother, Asian American and Pacific IsPriscilla (Princess Punzalan), lander (AAPI) community throughhas worked cleaning rooms out the COVID-19 pandemic with since the two arrived from the the party line that discrimination Philippines years earlier.” against any individual of Asian deCome November 3, 2020 scent is discrimination against the — and even as early as October entire community, as previously 5, 2020, when mail-in ballots reported in the Asian Journal. started being sent out to CaliBecause of the virus’ origins in fornia voters — please vote and China, harassment and ostracizamail them early. Or drop your tion against anybody who appears completed ballots in secured Asian has been on the rise, and ballot boxes. many attribute that to the lanIt is time to set aside our guage being used among public fears and renew America to be: leaders. a nation indivisible, a true light Social media trends and the upupon the nations! We need to rising of fringe, right-wing ways of recapture the soul of America, thinking were amplified by Presionce a beacon of hope for the dent Donald Trump, whose often entire world. coarse rhetoric and stringent poli*** cies provided a credible platform Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a for like-minded voices to come to weekly column for Asian Journal, called the fore. “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Famously, Trump has used the Press for 12 years. She also contributes racist misnomers “kung-flu,” “the to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and China plague,” and “Chinese viexperiences are in science, food technology, rus” that members of the AAPI law and community volunteerism for 4 community have condemned for decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the perpetuating stereotypes and University of the Philippines, a law degree myths about the virus. from Whittier College School of Law in The presidential campaign to California and a certificate on 21st Century elect former Vice President Joe Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School Biden is running on the premise of Government. She has been a participant that a Biden presidency would in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. work to eliminate the hateful rhetPeter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell oric and cultivate a more inclusive Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, nation. Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Costa It’s a sentiment widely emRica, Mexico and over 22 national parks braced by the AAPI community, in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature which historically and presently and the arts. favors Democratic presidential candidates, but relying on a new national leader who promises to do away with discrimination on all fronts may not provide the reassurance folks are looking for. Ileto was gunned down when former President Bill Clinton was in office. The tragic killings of unarmed Black minors Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Tamir Rice all occurred during the Obama presidency, starkly validating the fact that racism and hate crimes occur no matter who’s in office. “Even if Joe Biden wins the presidency, these issues will not go away,” John Yang, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, told the Asian Journal in an Oct. 9 briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services. “If you think about the history of Asian Americans...this is something that we’ve always faced,” Yang said, harkening back to yellow peril and policies like the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, incarcera-
Don’t let evil idly pass by. Stand up and vote...
PAGE A7 t Foreigners in innovation/ manufacturing industries A recent immigration panel organized by Coro Leadership estimated the U.S. economy could grow by a trillion, if immigration reform is enacted for the 11 million undocumented. In Silicon Valley, immigrants did most of the startups in technology. Slate cited that Andy Grove, Intel’s former chairman, and CEO, was born in Hungary in 1936 and immigrated to the United States in his 20s. Jerry Yang, the co-founder of Yahoo, was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and moved to San Jose, CA, with his family as a child. Sergey Brin, who co-founded Google, came to the United States from his native Russia when he was 6 years old. These aren’t special cases: foreigners founded about one-quarter of American tech companies in part or entirely. The proportion in Silicon Valley is even higher—a recent survey by Vivek Wadhwa distinguished fellow at Carnegie Mellon’s School of Engineering at Silicon Valley and Fellow at Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School showed that more than 52% of Silicon Valley startups were founded or co-founded by people born outside of the United States. According to Wadhwa’s research, immigrant-founded firms produced $52 billion in sales and employed 450,000 workers in 2005. Since the mid-1980s, Silicon Hills has been set up in Western Austin, Texas led by Dell, followed by Hewlett Packard, Intel, Cisco, IBM, Apple, eBay, Oracle, and Facebook with established headquarters or offices in the area. An updated report on the rate
of immigrant entrepreneurship from 2006 to 2012 shows a decline of immigrant start-ups from 52.4% to 43.9%. While these innovation/manufacturing firms generated $63 billion in sales from 2006 to 2012, the immigration policies have resulted in an exodus of talents, and America’s loss has now become the world’s gains. It became even more hostile, as foreign students are not allowed back into the United States if their classes are held online, a necessary learning pathway, given the highly contagious Coronavirus. America is at a crossroads. Should we consider opening our hearts to know the undocumented stories, and perhaps extend a hand to them? Or do we define who is American narrowly? Or do we keep feeding the unconscious hatred in our hearts, nurtured by false news stories, enough to scare others to arm themselves with assault rifles, previously used in foreign wars by the military? How did these war weapons end up in the hands of right-wing groups and even some police agencies? When we contemplate and reflect, we might find our hearts breaking open, purging the hatred and indifference to “others,” to allow “those different from us,” to come in. Consider watching “Yellow Rose,” a film about an aspiring country singer and her undocumented family in Texas. Hollywood Reporter’s October issue described it as: “Fifteen years in development, writerdirector Diane Paragas’ ‘Yellow Rose’ arrives at a fraught point in the national immigration debate with its Texas-set story of an undocumented Filipina single mother and her teenage
(3 or more adult steps) from all other people who are not part of your own household, especially while talking, eating, drinking, and singing. 3. Good Hygiene: Wash or sanitize your hands often. Clean frequently touched items regularly. 4. Minimize Mixing: Plan activities to limit mixing between different households. Currently gatherings of more than three households are prohibited in California. Californians are permitted to gather with a maximum of two other households. This means that on Halloween, if you are spending time with others, you must stick with a maximum of three households (including your own), and not mingle with others. 5. Stay Home if You are Sick or You are in a High Risk
Group: If you are sick, or you have been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19 stay home, and away from others. People at higher risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 (such as older adults, people with chronic medical conditions) are strongly urged to stay home. If you are sick or in a high risk group, you should discourage trick-or-treaters from coming to your door by turning off your porch light and other Halloween decoration lights on Halloween night. Please respect your neighbors and your community: Everyone is navigating the COVID19 pandemic to the best of their abilities and has different comfort levels about what is safe to do. n
Beyond an election: Civil rights experts break down... tion of Japanese Americans in World War II and the ostracization of Arab and South Asian Americans after 9/11. But Yang pointed out the complexity of the issue and that seemingly positive misconceptions like the model minority myth are just as harmful. “On one level, our community has always been called the socalled model minority, that our community excels and are overrepresented in STEM fields,” Yang explained. “But that is then used as a wedge against other races like the Black and Latino communities.” In the era of corona, Asian Americans are facing more antiAsian hate now than in the past several years, disproving the postracial myth. “This is going to extend beyond Election Day, so we should not let our guard down,” Yang said, pointing out the ongoing tension between the U.S. and China and the re-emergence of white nationalism in mainstream American consciousness. “Even if the election brings changes to the federal policymakers, or even some state policies, this issue is going to continue, [and] we need to be vigilant and talk about this,” he added. The anti-Asian hate, as comprehensively reported in the Asian Journal, is fueled by misconceptions of COVID-19 and the Chinese community and, by stereotype-driven extension, the greater AAPI community. Manjusha Kulkarni, executive director of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON), mirrored Yang’s stances, noting that the public should not expect drastic changes if Biden is elected next month. From March 19 to Aug. 5, A3PCON reported 2,583 antiAsian-related incidents that were also related to the COVID19 pandemic. Most of the attacks targeted Chinese and Korean Americans and involved verbal attacks and other non-physical forms of harassment. (About 9% of these attacks involved physical assault.) Some of the more commonly known incidents involved people yelling racist epithets at Asian Americans and a middle schooler in the Valley who was brutally attacked by a bully who told him to “go back to China.” Anti-Asian hate crimes — incidents that can be criminally
charged — are usually low on yearly hate crime reporters, but that doesn’t mean those crimes don’t happen. Only about 12% of such hate frimes are ever reported, according to former FBI special agent Michael German, who spent more than a decade investigating white supremacist groups and race-related crimes. German said that there is no robust system in American law enforcement that reports bias-related incidents. Moreover, local police departments and county sheriffs only voluntarily report data since this methodology isn’t mandated at the federal level. And, usually, that’s to save face, German said. “No mayor wants to be the state leader in hate crimes,” said German, who is currently a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty and National Security program. “So if you’re trying to get some multinational company to build a factory [in your city] and your police commissioner comes to you and says, ‘Look at these hate crimes we’re going to report,’ you don’t want to be known as the hate crime capital of the world. So there’s a lot of good reasons why the police don’t report.” Some legislators, however, are putting in legislative solutions to combat anti-Asian discrimination. California Senate Bill 2043 — also known as the Jabera-Heyer No Hate Act — is a statewide initiative to provide local governments incentives for reporting hate crimes and would provide grants to maintain state-run hate crime reporting hotlines. This bill was introduced last year, but no action has since been taken on the bill. On the federal level, the Democrat-leaning House of Representatives passed a resolution decrying anti-Asian hate crimes. (That resolution was passed along party lines.) Kulkarni posited that the trend of anti-Asian racism due to the coronavirus will likely continue for years as the pandemic rages on with no end in sight. She pointed out that Muslim, Arab, South Asian and Sikh American communities “experienced backlash for more than 10 years, some of which continues [today].” “We are at the 210,000 [COVID-19] fatality mark and so we believe, unfortunately, this violence is going to be with us for at least a decade,” Kulkarni said. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
CHR looking into Nasino case, ‘deeply concerned’ on how gov’t is handling it by Katrina
Hallare Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday said it is looking into the case of detained human rights worker Reina Mae Nasino as it also expressed concern on how the government is handling her case. “The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is deeply concerned with how government authorities are handling the case of human rights worker Reinna Mae Nasino,” CHR spokeswoman Atty. Jacqueline De Guia said in a statement. De Guia added that the commission, through its investigation office, is looking into the case and “also considering that there are allegations that her detention is a form of harassment due to her human rights work.” Nasino, 23, and two other activists were arrested at the Tondo, Manila office of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in November 2019 and were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives, which is a non-bailable offense. The detainee’s lawyers, however, claimed that the firearms and ammunition, plus a hand grenade, seized during the police operation were planted. But Nasino’s case caught media attention as she was separat-
Detained activist and urban poor advocate Reina Mae Nasino visits the wake of her 3-month-old daughter River at La Funeraria Rey in Pandacan, Manila, on Wednesday, October 14. Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes
ed from her newborn daughter, River, who was born on July 1. River was later diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis. River died on Oct. 9, while her mother was asking the court to let her see her. The Manila Regional Trial Court earlier shortened the furlough it gave to Nasino to visit her daughter from three straight days to only three hours in a day for two days: from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to attend the wake on Oct. 14, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for her daughter’s burial on Oct. 16 Tension marred Nasino’s visit to the wake of Baby River on Wednesday when her police escorts prevented her from being interviewed by members of the media. With this, De Guia reminded the government that Nasino
“remains to be an accused and thus, still presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.” “Even in detention, persons deprived of liberty should not be subjected to any cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment and that it remains to be a State obligation to respect their inherent dignity and value as human beings, in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners or the Nelson Mandela Rules,” she added. The CHR spokeswoman also extended its sympathies to Nasino and her family for Baby River’s death. “As duty-bearers, we would have expected officers of the government to have put in mind the best interest of the child,” she said. n
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House ousts Cayetano again, this time as caretaker of CamSur district elected Rep. Michael John Duavit (Rizal) as the legislative caretaker of the district past 2 a.m. MANILA — The House of Rep- on Friday, a few moments before resentatives, now led by Speaker the session was suspended. Cayetano had been elected Lord Allan Velasco (Marinduque), has ousted former Speaker Alan to serve as the district’s carePeter Cayetano (Taguig-Pateros) taker in September following the yet again — this time as the care- death of the late Rep. Marissa taker of the first district of Cama- Andaya, wife of former majority leader Rolando Andaya. rines Sur. Cayetano was ousted in an In place of Cayetano, the House by Xave
GreGorio Philstar.com
unprecedented session outside of Batasang Pambansa by a majority of lawmakers who, just two weeks before, backed his continued stay as speaker by rejecting his offer of resignation. A day after his ouster and while lawmakers were ratifying the election of Velasco as speaker, Cayetano said through a Facebook Live video that he is tending his irrevocable resignation. n
In tracing ‘Pacquiao run’ up Griffith Park, Marcial realizes path he needs to take by BonG Lozada Inquirer.net
MASTERPIECE. Ivan Dale Pantig, 18, a Grade 12 Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) student of Nazareth School of National University in Manila, shows his landscapes oil and acrylic painting at their home in Barangay Sauyo, Quezon City on Thursday, October 15. Pantig said due to the community quarantine caused by the coronavirus, he spent his time discovering his skills in painting. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
IMF: PH to the suffer biggest blow...
PAGE A5 t economy,” Yang said. “Real GDP is projected to expand by 7.4% in 2021, helped by — in addition to the base effect — an expected rebound in pentup demand from the relaxation of quarantine measures and continued effects of the policy easing in
2020,” he added. However, Yang noted that the Philippines will be left significantly scarred by the pandemic. “Significant scarring effects (e.g., hysteresis, bankruptcies) are expected and it will take a couple of years before real GDP to return to the pre-pandemic
(2019) level,” he said. “Over the medium term, the COVID-19 crisis is expected to result in lower levels of potential output and higher structural unemployment, but real GDP growth is expected to converge back to potential, of 6.5% by 2025,” he added. n
Vote and seal the victory for America... PAGE A6 leadership has suffered despite all the bragging Trump desperately claims, with more than 10 million Americans unemployed. The U.S. economy has now been hit by the biggest economic contraction ever recorded and the highest unemployment rate in more than 80 years, the BBC reported. It did not have to be this bad had Trump confronted the pandemic early on, instituted national safety measures to flatten the curve instead of rushing to open the economy. This only exacerbated the effect of the pandemic and made the recovery of our health and economy longer
and harder He lied because he was more obsessed about defeating his political opponents than COVID-19. He lied because he desperately needed to be re-elected, not to save America, but for the Office of the President of the United States to save him from all his legal and financial woes. Trump is beneath the dignity of the Office of the President of the United States. He has proven in the past four years that he has failed us, did not live up to the job and responsibilities of being a true leader for ALL Americans. He failed to live up to the oath he took as President.
He brings out the worst even among the good people of this country. Fire Donald Trump. Vote for Joe Biden for President, and save the life, dignity, democracy, and the soul of America and the American people. *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.
THE run up the Griffith Park trail in Los Angeles has been a signature component of Manny Pacquiao’s training for big fights. In his first morning in the U.S., Eumir Marcial decided to give it a go. The moment he approached the road leading to the Griffith Observatory, signalling that he was at the end of his run, Marcial, dressed in a dark blue Philippine team track suit, looked winded. And he didn’t even cover Pacquiao’s full route. The stark difference—plus the fact that a fresh-looking Pacquiao normally performs punishing crunches after runs—didn’t deflate Marcial’s morale. It motivated and energized him even more. “I now know how far I still have to go and how much more I have to do to become a great champion,” Marcial said. That initial run provided him a glimpse of the path he needs to take as he pursues two bold goals. And as if to further hammed down the point, Marcial met Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach on Thursday at the famed Wild Card gym on Vine St., Hollywood, to begin plotting his professional career and, more importantly, his journey toward potentially ending the Philippines’ gold drought in the Olympics. “Just being here is a big help to my confidence,” Marcial said. The meeting naturally threw Roach back to 2001, when he first met Pacquiao, then a scrawny 122-pounder looking for his first US fight. “When Eumir walked through the door into the upstairs gym, I flashed back to 2001 when Manny first walked through the same door looking for someone to do
Eumir Marcial and Hall oif Fame trainer Freddie Roach at Wild Card.
mitts with him,” said Roach. “Eumir and I had a great time. I told him the story of how Manny and I met and showed him the original ring where we trained for so many fights, the dressing room Manny used in the original portion of the gym, and had a nice talk about what we expected from each other.” Under Roach, Pacquiao crushed opponents and blurred boxing’s weight lines with his rare mix of speed and power to become the sport’s only eight-division champion and one of its all-time greats. Marcial is hoping to trek the same path, and Roach likes what he has seen so far. “Eumir has a lot of power and talent but we have a lot of work to do. It’s a very unusual situation working on a fighter’s professional debut knowing that we will be preparing for the Olympics after he turns professional,” said Roach. “I really hope we can be the first to bring a world title and an Olympic gold to the Philippines. That would be very special.” A three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, Marcial was
Inquirer.net photo
a silver medalist in the Aiba World Championships and booked his ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when he ruled the Asia and Oceania Olympic Qualification. Roach put Marcial through four rounds of mitts and sent him to work on the heavy bag and speed bag. Marcial was ecstatic after the short workout. “Freddie Roach is a boxing legend in the Philippines and to think I am now training with him,” Marcial said “It’s a dream come true.” “[W]orking out with Freddie was a great learning experience. I cannot wait to return for our next session.” And morale-wise, the workout was a great first step for Marcial. “I felt like I was walking in Manny’s footsteps when Freddie was giving me the tour of the original part of Wild Card and telling me stories about training with Manny. To see the Philippines flag so prominently displayed made me very proud.” Pretty soon, Marcial hopes to be running in Pacquiao’s footsteps up Griffith Park too. n
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Could have been in the US years ago Gary V. still has high hopes for tomorrow
migrant visa interview. Whether your children who aged out can Immigration be included depends on their Corner eligibility under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), based on a mathematical formula. However, what I find sad in Atty. MichAel your case is that you could have Gurfinkel, eSQ immigrated to the U.S. over 7 years ago, well before your children had aged out. Also, your DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I was petitioned by my mother domestic partner would already as a married child (F-3) in April have a green card, and you would 2001. However, I discovered that already be a citizen by now! my wife had cheated on me, so Instead, you are only now being I had our marriage annulled in processed for a green card, which 2012. I now have a live-in partner. could still take many additional I want to remove my first wife months. Let me explain: although you from the petition and include my domestic partner along with our were petitioned as “married,” as 7 children, 3 of whom have aged soon as your annulment to your first wife was final, you became out. Is that possible? single or “unmarried.” You would Very truly yours, automatically be reclassified from CD married to single and would be Dear CD: The short answer to your ques- processed in the F-1 category tion is yes, you can include your (single unmarried child of U.S. domestic partner, but only if you citizen). The April 2001 priority legally marry her before your im- dates became current (or your
visa became available) in the F1 category in 2013. That means you and your children under 21 could have immigrated to the U.S. in 2013. You then could have returned to the Philippines a few months later and married your domestic partner and petitioned her in the F-2 A category, as the spouse of an immigrant. The processing time for an F-2A petition would have been approximately one year, so that by 2014 you and your new wife and children would have all been in the U.S. as green card holders. Unfortunately, you let that marvelous opportunity slip by, perhaps because you were not aware of the various laws that affect a person’s case or petition, such as the reclassification of a dubbed Mr. Pure Energy, this pandemic proved petition and changing of the prior- to be an anxious time for gary valenciano. Photo from Instagram/@garyvalenciano ity dates or waiting times based on certain events. That is why I strongly recommend that people seek the advice and assistance of an attorney, PAGE B2
By NikA
roque
ManilaTimes.net
IN the past seven months, it seems more difficult to stay motivated as industries struggle, particularly the events and entertainment fields. OPM icon Gary Valenciano can attest to this as he is among the many artists whose work the Covid-19 pandemic has upended. Both his local and international shows were postponed indefinitely, and his job has taken a confusing turn following the shutdown of his home network ABS-CBN. Despite these issues, he believes that they will all bounce back. Valenciano spoke about his experiences and thoughts during the lockdown in a webinar organized
by the SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation or SMHCC. Entitled “Playlist of Hope,” the webinar also had SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy Angeles and sustainability and culture advocate, and founder of Great Women and Echostore, Jeanie Javelosa. “This whole pandemic hit me in a different way. I wake up at night and [think of] what’s going to happen tomorrow. But it’s also wakened me to realize that fear is always going to be knocking at our doors.” In several industries’ effort to continue working and generate income, most have moved to online, something that Valenciano is grateful for as it brings his creativity to a different level. He learned how to set up cameras and other equipment at PAGE B3
Why Kathryn is staying with ABS-CBN By Alex
BrosAs Inquirer.net
CITIZEN PINOY: MOrE ANswErs TO IMMIgrATION quEsTIONs frOM KAPAMIlYA, vIA ZOOM, ThIs suNdAY. luchie of Azusa, CA (center) asks if it is OK for a green card holder to apply for naturalization if she already has a pending petition for her husband. from redlands, CA, ricky (right) would like to know if his two single daughters (whom he petitioned in 2011 in the f-2B category), can immigrate sooner now that he has naturalized. These are just a few of the immigration questions that will be answered on an encore episode of --- CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My sagot – this sunday at 6:15 pm PsT/EsT (9:15 pm EsT thru select Cable/satellite providers). (Advertising supplement)
DESPITE offers from other networks, and even in the absence of a franchise for her home network, Kathryn Bernardo is choosing to stay with ABS-CBN out of gratitude. “Aside from ABS-CBN being a mother network, sobrang malaking bagay sa akin ang loyalty. Ito ‘yung way ko para pasalamatan ‘yung network sa kung ano ang meron ako ngayon. Lahat ng blessing namin ay dahil sa kompanya,” Kathryn said in an online conference for her new digital series with Daniel Padilla, “The House Arrest of Us,” yesterday, Oct. 14. (Aside from ABS-CBN being [my] mother network, loyalty is something huge for me. This is my way to thank the network for giving me what I have today. All
Kathryn Bernardo
our blessings came because of the network.) Bernardo feels it is a wise decision to stay put with the network which built her up. She said these hard times are actually the times
Photo from Instagram/@bernardokath
when the network needs her more, which is why she will stay for as long as she can and stand up for the network until it gets up again. For now, she is just excited PAGE B3
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From saint boy to gay Boyette: Zaijian on love life, growing up By Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
KAPAMILYA actor Zaijian Jaranilla admitted that he is now in a relationship. During a recent episode of “Magandang Buhay,” the “May Bukas Pa” star said he and his girlfriend are already one year and one month together. “One year and one month na po kami,” he said. “Sobra po (siyang inspirasyon). Nakakatulong po siya sa akin. Parang mas inspired ako sa pang-araw-araw... kapag gumigising ako tapos alam ko na may nagmamahal sa akin, tapos may naghihintay sa akin.” Zaijian, who stars in the upcoming Star Cinema movie “Boyette,” said his gay role in the movie is challenging for him. “Ngayon po, binigyan ako ng sarili kong movie. Sa una hindi madali kasi lalaki po ako, tapos gaganap akong bading. Kaya medyo ang lalim po nang pinaghugutan ko. Pero tinutulungan ako ng mga direktor ko. At ‘yung set po namin halos puro gays po. So, sinasabi nila na, ‘Uy medyo lalaki ka sa ganitong galaw, gawin mo ito.’ Parang binibigyan nila ako ng tips,” he said. “Mas gusto ko po ‘yung parang nacha-challenge po ako.” “Boyette” also stars Maris Racal and Inigo Pascual. Powered by Cinexpress, the movie will be released on KTX.ph, iWantTFC, SkyCable and Cignal soon. Jaranilla, who was just launched in his first titular role in Star Cinema’s upcoming movie “Boyette,” will be Ces Drilon’s
Jodi Sta. Maria with son Thirdy
Zaijian Jaranilla in the 2009 drama ‘May Bukas Pa’; at the ABS-CBN 2019 red carpet ABS-CBN photos
guest in “Bawal Ma-Stress Drilon” this Monday (October 19), 9:30 p.m. on the FYE Channel on the live-streaming app Kumu. Zaijian is best remembered as Santino, an orphan boy who talks to Jesus and calls him “Bro” in the 2009 teleserye “May Bukas Pa.” He is 19 years old now and would like to showcase his versatility as an actor, this time in a coming-of-age movie, “Boyette,” with the intriguing blurb “not a girl, yet.” “Sobrang laki po ng pinagkaiba ni Santino kay Boyette. Iba ‘yung image ko noong si Santino ako noon, kumpara mo kay Boyette na teenager na,” he said. Prior to Zaijan’s guesting on “Bawal Ma-Stress Drilon,” Kumuzens compete for the chance to co-host with Ces and meet the young actor. The streamers who collect the
most Stress Drilon virtual gifts will join the show “Bawal Ma Stress Drilon” and win exciting prizes. The five streamers that collect the Stress Drilon Virtual Gift diamonds will receive Ces. Style x Peculiar eyewear, the leading eyewear brand online, and Holo Teeth Whitening Kit, which gives one a whiter and brighter smile at home in just a week. The top three streamers will be given the opportunity to hang out with Ces and Zaijian. To join, start your public livestreams and ask your viewers and fans to gift you the “Stress Drilon” Virtual Gift. A leaderboard is updated hourly to show the running tally. Currently leading is beauty queen Ali Forbes, a “Pinoy Big Brother” alumna, followed by Jason De Guzman, a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles.
Could have been in the US years... PAGE B1 even if they think their case is simple and straightforward. I know people think, “Why do I need an attorney for something as simple as a family petition?” In your case, you can see that because you were not aware of the various immigration laws, requirements, and benefits, you and your family lost out on years of being in the U.S. I’m not guaranteeing that every person has the same situation as you, or that a person can benefit, because there are many complex immigration laws that could apply to a person’s case, and they may
not be aware of them unless they consult with an attorney. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different, and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular
case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
Photo from Instagram/@jodistamaria
Why lockdown is ‘an answered prayer’ for Jodi By Marinel
Cruz
Inquirer.net
FOR actress Jodi Sta. Maria, the ongoing lockdown that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic was actually an answered prayer. “Most of us have prayed for more time with the family, for a moment of rest, or maybe a vacation. I believe that this is somehow God’s way of answering our prayers,” Jodi pointed out. “Probably just not in the way that we wanted Him to answer it.” The star of the hit drama series “Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin” shared with reporters recently that while on quarantine, “I started getting into aromatherapy; my exercise has become more intensive. I was happy to have spent more time with my son, Thirdy, and with my family.” Jodi further said: “Everything that happened to us, especially during the first part of 2020, came as a shock. We didn’t see what was coming. We also didn’t expect that ABS-CBN’s franchise won’t be renewed at all. It’s normal to feel anxious. I also became a bit fearful back then, because everything seemed so uncertain. But when I started to sit down and ponder, I realized that you can turn tragedies into opportunities.” She observed that “a lot of ideas have been birthed during quarantine.” In fact, it was during this period that she inked
a deal with two of her friends, Nino Bautista and Red Gatus, and formed a company called Healthy Fix, a manufacturer of health supplements and cosmetics. Hands-on businesswoman Asked what she learned from collaborating with them, Jodi replied: “When it comes to business, I’m a neophyte, but I’m a sucker for learning new things.” Jodi, the businesswoman is actually very hands-on. “Even while the teleserye is in a lock-in set, we would hold Zoom meetings. We were in constant communication,” she explained. “I felt that I needed to be hands-on because we are new in the market. We really want this to work, not only for ourselves, but also for the people who will benefit from this later on.” Jodi, who is assigned to PR and marketing, said she would really make time to visit their office and coordinate with her team. “For our media launch today, for example, we each have our designations. Since this is part of my responsibility, I took charge, but with the approval of everyone.” ‘Me’ time When it comes to her emotional and psychological wellbeing, what’s Jodi’s healthy fix? The actress replied: “I take some time off when I feel overwhelmed with everything that’s going on. I make sure to have ‘me’ time. I read a good book. I do prayer
and meditation. I exercise. I drink my favorite tea. “For me, I’ve learned that saying ‘no’ is OK; that you don’t have to explain to anyone if ever ‘no’ is your answer. It’s also good to spend time with people who make you feel loved and appreciated; with people who nourish your soul with love. Body, soul and spirit: all three have to be well taken care of. You can’t just focus on one thing. Balance is important.” With everything that she has accomplished as an actor, Jodi said her focus now is no longer on herself, but on how she could make a difference in the lives of people around her. “I would always ask, ‘What can I do to spread change? What can I do to make people’s lives better? It’s no longer about my achievements, money, or goals.” Time with Thirdy When it comes to being a mom to Thirdy, her son with ex-husband Pampi Lacson, Jodi said, “I always include him in everything I do. We exercise together. When it comes to the things he needs for school, I make sure I’m here to help and guide him.” Jodi added: “I’m a mother first before I am an actor or a businesswoman. I can’t just neglect that part of me. When you start to have children, you have to be aware that what you’re entering into is a full-time responsibility. Your being a mom never stops, no matter how busy your life is with your other endeavors.”
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 17-20, 2020
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Mortgage rates hit new low ‘Guadalupe’ to be streamed Oct 30-31
Real Estate Knowledge Martin Santiago, Broker-aSSociate
THE average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 2.81% from 2.87% last week, Freddie Mac said in a Thursday release. The reading is the lowest in data going back nearly 50 years. The last record low was 2.86% seen in early September.The streak of new mortgage-rate lows is unlikely to stop anytime soon. The Federal Reserve indicated in September that its benchmark interest rate will likely remain near zero through 2024, in turn limiting a climb in home loan rates. Sales of new homes have rallied, so much so that just 3.3 months of supply is left should the pace hold steady. That’s the shortest period in data going back to 1963, according to the Census Bureau. Existing home sales have trended similarly. Though the housing market presents a bright spot in the struggling US economy, the supply shortage has lifted prices and may soon force some to delay homeownership. Cheap loans have been fueling a housing rally that has bolstered the pandemic economy, even amid persistent job losses. Purchases have soared and millions of current homeowners have been able to save money by refinancing. But surging demand for the scarce supply of properties on the market is pushing up prices, putting homeownership out of reach for many Americans. And lenders have tightened credit standards,
presenting another potential obstacle for would-be buyers. The factors behind today’s mortgage rates: strength of the economy, Inflation rates, employment, consumer spending, housing construction and other market conditions, stock and bond markets, 10-year treasury yields, federal reserve policies. Personal economic factors: credit score, credit history, down payment size, loan-to-value ratio, loan size, type, and term, debt-to-income ratio, location of the property. Where mortgage rates are headed? In the week ahead (Oct. 15-21), 53 percent of the experts on Bankrate’s panel predict rates will remain the same, while 7 percent expect rates to rise and 40 percent think rates will fall. In the coming weeks there could be new developments which create some volatility in the market. For now, my feeling is that for the most part rates will remain the same, although we may see some slight movement both up and down. Ideal time to get a new mortgage or refinance? Rates are near a record low and are expected to stay this way for many months to come. That means more and more homeowners can refinance to cut their monthly mortgage payments. However, refinancing comes with costs that you must make up if you are to profit from a refi. Jumbo borrowers — those taking large loans that fall outside the purview of lending giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — will find they must cast a wide net to find a mortgage, and they will pay a higher interest rate. Some lenders, fearful of risk during the coronavirus recession, have left this market. Refinancing with cash out is shrinking, too, as lenders PAGE B6
Baron enlists as Navy reservist
BARON Geisler will be joining the naval reserve force and is set to undergo training “very soon.” In an Instagram post on Oct. 11, the actor shared his photos at the Naval Reserve Center- Eastern Visayas in Cebu City. “My day was such a blessing. Thank you, Abba Father for leading and guiding me to the right path. My Life is purposed to serve YOU and the people I meet on this journey,” he captioned.
“Thank you for protecting me and my family. I love You!” he said. In the comment section of his post, he confirmed that he would go through training as a reservist. Geisler is the latest celebrity to join the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a reserve. He follows the lead of Dingdong Dantes, Gerald Anderson, Rocco Nacino and Matteo Guidicelli, among others. (Inquirer.net)
Gary V. still has high... PAGE B1 home, whereas rare trips to the studios involve enhanced safety protocols. He also learned new techniques on how to mix and arrange music at home for online concerts. He saw how more artists and employees have become more open-minded with adjusted talent fees as well, and he has worked to raise funds for struggling musicians, such as those who can no longer perform at hotels, weddings, or parties. Together with his wife, he held meetings with different people who are in need of income even from online events, and they do what they can to help out. Seeing good outcomes of today’s world, Valenciano said, “We are just thankful that history will prove that if there’s one thing that when catastrophes would hit, people would always look for entertainment no matter what. And music is thankfully one that can be really streamed online. In that aspect, that’s okay.” Valenciano shared that he feels optimistic with new plans in the entertainment industry that are meant for the last few months of this year — be it for online or
actual live events. “Looking ahead, the music industry is slowly making its way [into the future.] This is all we have now, we have our creative juices flowing. People have become more self-sufficient, selfreliant. Let’s roll up our sleeves and let’s see what we can do. Production has transcended into the new normal.” Valenciano considered how viewers and listeners now have a new view of artists which goes beyond the hype and performing just for the sake of earning. He said that musicians would most likely create music with more depth and more messages from hereon. “Music is really one of the powerful [media] that can really change a life; it can make [the listeners] decide on what is right. They can take the right direction because music can guide them. “I’m hoping that people will be looking at artists differently especially those that really have stood in the area of wanting to give not just their best talents, but really give something that can encourage people at this point in time when people need it the most,” he ended.
Why Kathryn is... PAGE B1 for the upcoming series. “Ngayon na meron uli kaming chance na mapasaya ang mga tao, mabigyan ng trabaho ang mga crew, bakit ka magno-no sa ganitong opportunity, ‘di ba?” she said. (Now that we have a chance to make people happy, to help our crew have jobs again, why would you say “no” to this opportunity, right?) Her last TV project was the soap opera “La Luna Sangre” also with Daniel Padilla. Since there is a new working environment for everyone due to the pandemic, Bernardo admits she’s still adjusting. “Honestly, nangapa kasi nga ang tagal namang hindi nag-work ni DJ. Ang hirap po gumawa ulit and we’re very lucky kasi nagtulungan ang buong team. Naka-adjust naman pero nakakapanibago lang with the new normal. Excited kaming magshoot everyday,” she said. (Honestly, I was still finding my way because Daniel and I did not work for a long time. It’s so
hard to do this again and we’re lucky because the whole team helped each other. I’ve adjusted but I feel it’s strange with the new normal. We’re excited to shoot everyday.) Bernardo recently supported Padilla on his online concert “Apollo: A Daniel Padilla Digital Experience,” also a new experience for Padilla. “Alam ko rin ang adjustment niya. Lalo siya, gusto niya nakikita ang crowd, alam mo ‘yun, ‘yung may interaction. Gusto ko lang ma-feel ‘yung success ng concert niya na kasama kami. It‘s a celebration of his concert and parang pagbabalik ni DJ. Lahat kami nag-enjoy sa concert niya,” said Bernardo. (I know about his adjustments too. More so for him, he wants to see his audience, you know, he wants interaction. I want to feel the success of his concert, with us being present. [Our after-show party is] a celebration of his concert and it was like a comeback in the concert scene for him. We all enjoyed his concert.)
AFTER a long wait due to the COVID19 pandemic, “Guadalupe: The Musical” returns as a streamable video, taped live at the Meralco Theater in 2018, brought to the comfort of your living rooms and favorite devices starting at 9 a.m. October 30 for the premier showing until 11:30 AM on October 31, 2020 (Philippine standard time). The success of the musical has encouraged the producers to bring the story of the Our Lady of Guadalupe and Mexico via the Ticket2Me.net video streaming platform. Through technology, the Julie Borromeo Performing Arts Foundation Inc. and the producers of the online edition of this musical viewing hope to reach all the art aficionados and devotees alike in the Philippines and all over the world. This original Filipino musical is directed by theater legend Baby Barredo and was created by award-winning artists Joel Trinidad and Ejay Yatco. “Guadalupe: The Musical” is once again led by the inimitable Victor “Cocoy” Laurel (“Miss Saigon”), who reprises his role as Juan Diego, the Aztec matweaver at the center of the tale. Joining him once again are award-winning performers Shiela Valderrama-Martinez (“Binondo”), Lorenz Martinez (“Spamalot”), and a host of other theater stalwarts. “Guadalupe: The Musical,” set in 1531 New Spain, shows the quest of Juan Diego: a man claiming to have seen a vision
of a half-Aztec, half-Spanish Virgin Mary who has given him the impossible task of building a church in her name. He relays this to Archbishop Juan de Zumarraga (who has lost his faith due to the countless atrocities he has seen but nevertheless sees the symbol as a way to unite the land) and his sickly old uncle Juan Bernardino (who thinks his nephew has gone insane). A ruthless governor Nuño Beltran De Guzman opposes the Archbishop’s idea and throws Juan Diego out, threatening to imprison him if he ever shows his face again. Meanwhile, the Archbishop’s young niece Clara and his Aztec assistant Luis have fallen in love. Because of the current political
a simple piece of cloth. And a doubter finds his faith once again. What is significant in this online event is that proceeds from the sale of the e-tickets from Ticket2Me.net and sponsorships involved will benefit the following organizations: Joshua Evangelical Group Inc., Philippine Independence Day Council Inc., San Antonio De Padua Parish, St. Josemaria Escriva Mission Church, Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish, Nativity of Our Lady Parish, Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary of Sorsogon City, Southeastern Virginia Filipino American Lions Club, Montero Medical Mission, Regnum Christi Young Women’s Section, UP High Prep Elem Integrated School Foundation, Sigma Delta Phi Alumni Assocation, JCI Makati Senate, One Global Management Company Inc., SFO Cursillo Movement, UPIS Alumni Foundation, Punlaan School and Julie Borromeo’s Performing Arts Foundation Inc. E-tickets are still on sale at Ticket2Me.net or at the links at “Guadalupe The Musical Online” FB page, or contact via email at guadalupethemusicallive@gmail.com, or call the following numbers: 650-5509851, +63 2 8634 5063, +639 939 910 2629, +63 918 921 8182. A 10% surcharge will be applied by Ticket2Me.net on all tickets prices as payment for its services.
climate, they are forced to keep their love secret; little do they know that, all this time, someone has been silently watching them from the shadows. One night in early December, a comet sets the sky ablaze. To the people of New Spain, it is an omen. For Zumarraga, it is a symbol of hope for his dying faith; for Guzman it is the spark of a revolution that must be extinguished; for Clara and Luis, it is passion, burning bright; for Juan Diego, it is no less than a sign from the Virgin herself. Soon afterwards, miracles begin to occur: A dying man returns from the brink of death. Flowers flourish where they cannot bloom. Unexplained images appear on
(Advertising Supplement)
B OCTOBER 17-20, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
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Automatic revocation of wills and trust Robots at the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show upon entry of divorce or nullity judgment Tax Tips Victor sy, cPA, MBA & roger L. orieL SoME of us feel anxiety over robots taking over our jobs. Yes, they can take over repetitive chores, but let’s view them as helpers to release us from boring repetitive tasks so we can devote more time to creative, administrative, and managerial tasks. Robots don’t do well in unruly environment (like yours, so you are safe). Whatever it is, robots are here to stay with us. Let’s meet some of the lovable robots at the 2020 CES in Las Vegas: Robots fall into education, emotional support and service groups. • Emy teaches English to children aged 3-9 years and speaks
EMPLOYMENT
like a child. • Tombot assists children with autism and people with PTSD. • Loro attaches to a patient bedside and wheelchair. • Jennie comforts seniors with dementia. • Bomy helps people with dementia by providing daily home care with alarms and brain exercise. • Guardian loads cargo; so does Aitheon with a robotic arm for warehouse jobs. • Cruzr teaches you how to dance; Reachy can play tic-tactoe. The food industry: The food industry has chores that are physical and repetitive – a natural fit for robots. At the latest Consumer Electronics Show in las Vegas, robot baristas made and served coffee. Another robot named “Flippy” can flip 2,000 burgers a day without overtime pay, pension, or labor union conflicts. Healthcare industry: Have you noticed your doctor
busy keypunching and updating your computerized health records? This task takes away patient interaction with you, the patient. Robots can take over these tasks to allow your doctor practice medicine. Johns Hopkins Medicine uses robots to perform surgeries for kidney ailments and pancreatic cancer. Surgical robots can make smaller precise incisions and perform laser eye surgery with better accuracy than humans. Financial impact on Medicare: Smart robots can take notes, deliver patient information to cut down wasted spending in health care. We are all concerned about the survival of Medicare when we retire. Well, robots can come to the rescue by eliminating waste, cutting spending and reducing budget deficits to help Medicare survive. From factory to business and social environment: Robots are no longer limited to PAGE B6
EMPLOYMENT
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes You just finalized your divorce. You are free and single again. Ever wonder what happens to the will or revocable trust you executed during your marriage with your ex spouse naming your ex spouse or her family as beneficiary in case you pass away? Well, those documents are revoked by operation of law. A judgment of dissolution or nullity automatically cancels, by operation of law, non probate transfers between the former spouses or domestic partners. It also terminates the right of survivorship interest in joint tenancies between the former spouses/domestic partners and in community property with right of survi-
vorship. Prob.C. §§ 5601, 5602, 5604. unless the respective wills otherwise provide, the judgment also revokes all testamentary transfers between the former spouses or domestic partners and any provision in the will of either nominating the former spouse or domestic partner as executor, trustee, conservator or guardian. Probate Code § 6122; Estate of Coleman (2005) 129 CA4th 380, 389, 28 CR3d 282, 288; Estate of Jones (2004) 122 CA4th 326, 332–333, 18 CR3d 637, 641. Probate Code Section 6122 provides: (a) unless the will expressly provides otherwise, if after executing a will the testator’s marriage is dissolved or annulled, the dissolution or annulment revokes all of the following: (1) Any disposition or appointment of property made by the will to the former spouse. (2) Any provision of the will conferring a general or special power of appointment on the former spouse.
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(3) Any provision of the will nominating the former spouse as executor, trustee, conservator, or guardian. (b) If any disposition or other provision of a will is revoked solely by this section, it is revived by the testator’s remarriage to the former spouse. (c) In case of revocation by dissolution or annulment: (1) Property prevented from passing to a former spouse because of the revocation passes as if the former spouse failed to survive the testator. (2) other provisions of the will conferring some power or office on the former spouse shall be interpreted as if the former spouse failed to survive the testator. A divorce judgment and nullity judgment also affects non probate transfers such as trusts. A broad range of surviving spouse/ domestic partner rights are canceled upon finality of a judgment of dissolution or nullity including beneficiary rights under retirePAGE B6
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Job changes after approved I-140 immigrant petition Upang makakuha ng employment-based green card, karaniwan ay may tatlong hakbang para dito. Ang unang hakbang ay ang PERM Labor Certification, kung saan ang U.S. employer ay magpapakita sa U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) na walang kwalipikadong U.S. worker para sa posisyong inaalok sa dayuhang empleyado. Pagkatapos maaprubahan ang the PERM Labor Certification, ang pangalawang hakbang ay ang filing ng I-140 Immigrant Petition, kung saan ang U.S. employer ay magpapakita sa USCIS na ito may may kakayahang magbayad ng offered wage sa dayuhang empleyado. Dito, kailangan ding ipakita ng dayuhang empleyado na siya ay nagtataglay ng edukasyon, kara-
Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAmSon nasan at pagsasanay para sa inaalok na posisyon sa kanya. Ang pangatlo at huling hakbang ay ang pag-file ng I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Ito ang tinatawag na Green Card Application. Ang paglipat sa ibang employer pagkatapos maaprubahan ang I-140 Immigrant Petition ngunit bago makuha ang green card ay karaniwang nangangailangan ng
bagong I-140 Petition mula sa bagong US employer. Subalit ang bagong I-140 Immigrant Petition ay hindi kailangan kung ang I-485 alien-beneficiary ay nakatugon sa job portability requirements ayon sa American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (AC 21). Sa ilalim ng AC 21, ang I485 alien-beneficiary ay maaaring lumipat o mag-port sa ibang US employer para sa posiyong may “same or similar occupational classification” sa posisyong nasa PERM Labor Certification. Kailangan ding ang I-485 Application ay nakasalang na ng mahigit na 180 araw sa USCIS ayon sa AC21. Upang magkaroon ng determinasyon kung ang dalawang posisyon ay nasa “same or simiPAGE B6
Chapter 7, 13 or debt settlement? Client with $40K in credit card debt examines the differences Debt Relief
Atty. LAwrence yAng THE client is 42 and is going through a divorce after a short two-year marriage. He has moved out of the marital home and now lives by himself. He has a toddler who is with his wife, so he expects to pay child support. There is not alimony because the marriage has not lasted 10 years. So, if you are the higher income spouse and wondering why your spouse has not filed for divorce despite all of your philandering, it’s because, in California, you need to be married at least for a decade to claim alimony or spousal support from the higher income spouse. In fact, I do have a client who was hit with divorce papers right after the 10-year-period was reached, and being the higher income spouse, he has to pay $1,500 of alimony to his wife. We had to reorganize his financial affairs under Chapter 13 to handle $60,000 of credit cards, and to strip off $100,000 of a second trust deed. It is unusual nowadays to be able to strip junior liens because of the soaring prices of houses in Southern California. But in his case, a current appraisal report showed that his house was at least $10,000 underwater after considering the balance of the first trust deed. His house had a fair market value of $220,000, while the balance owed on the first trust deed is $230,000, leaving the second trust deed, a HELOC line, of $100,000 completely unsecured. Let’s go back to the client with the short-lived marriage. He left his wife a year ago and has not paid $40,000 of credit cards since then. He asks me what he can do
to handle the $40,000 debt because his creditors have started to threaten lawsuits. After interviewing him, I determined that this was a classic Chapter 7 case. So I advised him to file for Chapter 7 to get a fresh start in life without the $40,000 of credit card debt. In Chapter 7, the court will discharge the entire $40,000, i.e., he doesn’t have to pay them at all. Here, the law gives him a chance to start all over again, without the burden of accumulated debt so he can become productive again. The $40,000 requires a minimum payment of $1,200 a month. But obviously, he hasn’t paid the cards anymore for the last 12 months since he left the marital home. So now that he is getting demand letters to pay, he is looking at the possibility of wage garnishments on the horizon. His income is a gross of $3,500 a month. Even for a single person, his gross income is below the median for California. In California, a single person without any dependent living with him or her earning a gross of less than $4,000 a month is eligible for Chapter 7 under the means test. Of course, a single person making a gross of more than $4,000 a month, can still qualify for Chapter 7 under different circumstances. But for this client, we do not have to bother with other circumstances because $3,500 is less than $4,000, which is the applicable threshold. Since it’s below the threshold, the means test will conclude that there is no presumption of abuse for this client to file for Chapter 7. The presumption of abuse, if it arises, presents a major obstacle to a successful Chapter 7, although this is not to say that the obstacle cannot be overcome. We don’t want that kind of situation as much as possible. There is no problem regarding house-ownership as the client never owned one. If there was an issue
regarding house-ownership with non-exempt equity, the preferred filing for debt relief would be Chapter 13, not 7. The client said that he was worried that he could not get new credit after filing but admitted that his current credit score was below 500. I informed him that with Chapter 7, he would be getting new preapproved credit PAGE B6
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With improved gains, Abacore optimistic about long-term prospects InvESTMEnT holding firm Abacore Capital Holdings is optimistic that Batangas, one of the country’s fastest-growing provinces, will continue its economic growth in the years to come as they have seen the value of its real estate in the province surged in the past two years due to the rezoning of land driving up values. Abacore President and CEO Regina O. Reyes told stockholders that the company remains hopeful and confident about its long-term growth given its substantial land holdings, which are next to commercial, residential and industrial areas in Batangas. “It is hard to look beyond the current pandemic due to uncertainties and many variables that may affect our business, but we are still confident that Abacore will continue its 10 percent annual dividend policy,” Reyes said at the recent board meeting of officers and stockholders. “Unlike Metro Manila, values in Batangas remain stable and provide great value for those looking for capital gain,” Reyes added. According to her, the company’s commercial properties in West Batangas have increased in zonal value by more than 1,000% from two
years ago. As a holding company, ABA generates revenues through dividends from its subsidiaries and other companies where it has interests. The company’s flagship Montemaria Mother of All Asia Tower of Peace property in Batangas commands good value for investment due to its potential for tourism and industrial growth, according to Reyes. The landmark real estate project Montemaria International Pilgrimage & Conference Center is a faith-based tourism destination dedicated to Mary, Mother of All Asia. The development was conceived as a destination to attract devotees and pilgrims and through the years, it has become both a tourism and a retirement village. There is also a world-class township development located in Montemaria called Lombard by the Bay, The residential development overlooks the verde Island Passage which, according to the United nations, is the “center of the center of marine biodiversity in the world.” It is located 30 minutes away from the central district of Batangas City, and is accessible by concrete road and by sea. Despite the surge in land
values in the province, Reyes noted that prices are “still a bargain” compared to the cheapest commercial properties in Metro Manila. “We have seen the trend of logistics and international port container yards being built next to our properties. This has made our properties near or fronting the beach dramatically increase in value and we believe this growth to sustain in the coming years as the province and national government start building their major infrastructure,” Reyes said. Batangas, due to its strategic location, makes it a natural gateway to the rest of the Philippines as well as the Asia Pacific Region, enhancing the province’s potential in industrial, residential and tourism development. Abacore will reportedly continue to sell its land assets and reinvest a portion of the cash from the sale of land in joint ventures with recurring revenue. The company also remains on the lookout for properties in Batangas, which it sees as the next Metro Manila due to the presence of high end residences, commercial businesses, educational institutions and industrial growth.
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Returning to work after the employee’s Is the fear of bankruptcy stopping you from getting the help that you badly need? or family member’s COVID-19 illness
Q: I WAS off work for 2 months as a result of my COVID-19 infection. I was hospitalized and received treatments while under quarantine, Thank God I was eventually relieved of my symptoms and a couple of tests later showed negative findings. My doctors informed me that I can return to work without risk to me and my co-employees. When I called my employer I was told that I needed to submit two negative COVID-19 tests before returning to work. The next day, I received a call from HR that I was being terminated because “they just could not take the chance.” What are my rights? A: The continuing uncertainty brought by the COVID19 pandemic has undoubtedly created fear among us. Nowhere is this fear more evident than in the workplace, as employees return to work after the nearing completion of the stay at home order. It has become another challenge, especially for those employees who recovered from a positive or “presumptive positive” diagnosis of COVID-19, or who had cared for a family member who had a COVID-19 illness. These returning employees may be subjected to discrimination or harassment based on their actual or (simply) perceived disability, or based on a record or history of disability. This medical crisis has brought emergency legislation aimed to protect employees’ rights in light of the new conditions. Existing laws that protect those who had been sick, however, remain in place. Disability laws under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) continue to be in effect. These laws prohibit discrimination against a person with a disability. Disability is defined as a physical or men-
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. tal impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. The anti-discrimination laws protect persons who have a record of such a disability, even if they do not currently have a disability. Individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability are also protected. The ADA also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person based on that person’s association with a person with a disability. The FEHA defines disability to include actual or perceived physical or mental disability or medical condition that is disabling, potentially disabling or perceived to be disabling (“perceived disability”) or potentially disabling (“perceived potential disability”). The ADA applies to workplaces with 15 or more employees, while FEHA provides a threshold of 5 or more employees. A “record or history of disability” includes previously having, or being misclassified as having, a record or history of a mental or physical disability of which the employer is aware. For example, an employee may have had a history of virus transmission. If, however, they are now healthy and able to work, that employee is protected from discrimination. A “perceived disability” means being “regarded” or “treated” as having a disability. Perceived disability includes being treated by the employer as having, or having had, any mental or physical condition or adverse genetic information that makes achievement of a major life activity difficult; or being
subjected to an adverse employment action (such as being fired or demoted) whether or not the perceived condition limits, or is perceived to limit, a major life activity. A “perceived potential disability” includes being regarded, or treated by the employer as having, or having had, a physical or mental disease, disorder, or condition that has no present disabling effect, but may become a mental or physical disability. An employer may harbor serious concerns about an asymptomatic employee previously diagnosed with COVID-19. But if the employee is now healthy and able to work without being a threat to their health or those of others, they are equally entitled to disability protection. Therefore, if the employee has been given a clean bill of health by their doctor, is able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation, and has provided the appropriate documentation, the employee should be allowed to return to work. An employer’s refusal in this instance may constitute disability discrimination, and the termination becomes unlawful. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit HYPERLINK “http://www.joesayaslaw.com” www.joesayaslaw.com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.] (Advertising Supplement)
Mortgage rates hit new low...
PAGE B3 are worried people will lose their jobs and be unable to pay. In one unexpected trend, this recession has sparked a surprisingly strong housing market. Home prices have risen sharply in most parts of the country, and bidding wars have broken out in many places. As for rates, they’re widely expected to stay low in the coming months. Market watchers are wait-
ing for the spread between Treasury yields and mortgage rates to narrow, a development that would create additional downward pressure on rates. But with the Federal Reserve’s commitment to nearly unlimited buying in the mortgagebacked securities market, anyone with good to excellent credit who wants a mortgage should be able to snag a historically low rate, and even borrowers with poor to bad credit will benefit as well with a
lower rate than before the Fed intervention. *** Martin Santiago is a broker associate at Compass Beverly Hills, a full service residential brokerage firm. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be a formal legal advice nor the formation of a broker-client relationship. Call or email Martin at (213)788-8300 & brokermartinsantiago@gmail.com. (Advertising Supplement)
Robots at the Las Vegas... PAGE B4 factory jobs in warehouses. They have grown out auto assembly plants into business and social settings. Robots are here now and will take a more prominent place in our society. It’s a scene to behold when we watched robots perform tasks, play ping-pong and
even interact with us at the recent CES in Las Vegas. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation
in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.
WHEN the virus makes your income disappear overnight, it can be very frightening to realize that you can’t go very long without it because your bills don’t stop just because your income did. No one ever wants to file bankruptcy. But if you are one of the millions laid off and don’t even know whether you have a job to go back to or not, it might make sense, especially if you are overwhelmed with debt. If bankruptcy is appropriate for your situation, it can give you a sense of control during these uncertain times and help you get back on your feet quickly when things go back to normal. While the government is doing its best to provide safety nets during this crisis, you are still left to figure out on your own how to survive financially. Your stimulus check may be enough to keep you afloat for a month or two, but once that’s gone, you’re back in the same situation. For small businesses hoping to get a loan from the SBA, the money quickly ran out in a couple of weeks, and there has been no word if they’ll even get any money if Congress decides to provide additional funding. If you have stopped paying your mortgage due to your lender agreeing to a temporary forbearance, you should realize that this relief is temporary, and that the money will still need to be paid back whether in payments or a lump sum. No such thing as a free lunch. Same thing applies to suspended rent payments due to the government issuing a moratorium on evictions for the time being. Once the stay at home order
Minding Your Finances Atty. rAymond BulAon
is lifted, you should assume that the missed rent will be due and unless you can work something out with your landlord, you can be evicted. The best thing you can do right now is to develop a financial strategy instead of doing nothing. Some people who call my office tell me that they are not even calling their mortgage company or the lender on their vehicle because they don’t know what to say. This is the wrong approach. It is always best to maintain communication with creditors who have quicker legal remedies than others. Your mortgage company can foreclose on your home. The lender on your car can repossess. It is important to let them know how the virus has affected your finances and see what type of assistance they can provide even if temporary. Remember that food and health should be at the top of your priority list. If you are fortunate enough to have a bit of savings, make sure that you only spend this on essentials for daily survival. It would not make sense to waste this money paying a bill that you could wipe out in bankruptcy if you have to file later. Don’t assume that just because you’re now unemployed or that the fact that your hours have been
cut that you will automatically qualify for bankruptcy. The court still looks at your income for the last 6 months and if you’re likely to go back to work soon making the same amount of money, it will be tough trying to convince the court that you have no ability to pay. But if you are uncertain as to when and if you’d even be able to go back to work, you may have a good argument to file bankruptcy now while the timing is right. Every situation is different and must be analyzed by an experienced bankruptcy attorney. Obviously, if now is the right time to file bankruptcy, the sooner you do it, the sooner you can rebuild your credit and get back on your feet. If you’ve hit the bottom or about to, you may be feeling a lot of stress right now like everyone. My suggestion is to take things day by day, remember that there is only so much that you can do and to be pro-active in developing a financial strategy instead of just waiting for things to happen. Call my office and together, we can figure out what the best strategy is for your situation. *** NOTE: Due to the current lockdown order caused by COVID-19, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772 (Advertising Supplement)
Job changes after approved... PAGE B5 lar occupational qualification”, sisiyasatin ng USCIS ang mga sumusunod: (1) ang DOL Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, na nagbibigay ng mga grupo at klasipiskasyon sa mga trabaho bilang distinct occupational categories; (2) ang mga tungkulin sa dalawang posisyon; (3) ang karanasan, edukasyon, pagsasanay, at lisensya na kailangan para sa bawat posisyon; (4) ang sahod para sa dalawang posisyon; at (5) iba pang may katuturang ebidensya na ibibigay ng I-485 alien-beneficiary. Ang alien-beneficiary ay kailangan ding magpasa ng Form I-485J Supplement, Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability under INA Section 204(j), kasama ang mga dokumentong magpapatunay na ang bagong posisyon ay nakakatugon sa portability requirements ng AC 21. There are usually 3 steps in order to obtain an employmentbased green card. The 1st step is the PERM Labor Certification where the U.S. employer must establish with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that no U.S. worker is qualified for the position being offered to the alien employee. After the PERM Labor Certification approval, the 2nd step is the filing of the I-140 Immigrant Petition with the USCIS, where the US
employer has to show that it has the ability to pay the offered wage to the alien employee. Here, the alien employee has to show that he meets all the education and work experience requirements for the position offered. The 3rd and final step is the filing of the I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This is also called the Green Card Application. Changing employers after an approved I-140 Immigrant Petition but before receiving the green card usually requires the alien to obtain a new I-140 Petition under the new employer. However, a new I-140 Immigrant Petition is not required if the I-485 alienbeneficiary meets the job portability requirements pursuant to the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (AC 21). AC 21 allows an I-485 alien- beneficiary to transfer or port to another employer for a position that is in the “same or similar occupational classification” as the one in the underlying PERM Labor Certification if the I-485 Application has been pending for more than 180 days. AC 21 permits lateral moves, career progression, and self-employment. USCIS considers several factors when deciding whether the two jobs are “in the same or similar occupational qualification” such as: (1) the DOL Standard Occu-
PAGE B5 cards within months of discharge from banks and lenders that specialize in issuing cards to debtors who have just filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 7. These would have annual fees and higher interest than normal cards. And buying a car can be done immediately after discharge but the interest rate would also be higher than for one with good credit. With Chapter 7 discharge, his credit score would increase pretty fast. It would go to 500 on filing and increase to 580 in one year. On year two, his credit score would be 620. On year five to seven, his credit score, if he handled new debt timely, would reach and surpass 700, which is very good. And on year 10, the fact of Chapter 7 filing would disappear from the credit report. On year three, he can qualify to buy a house at higher interest assuming he handled new credit well. So, getting new credit after bankruptcy is no problem. I suggested to him, that the new credit card use should be paid in full at the end of the month, so it doesn’t become bigger and bigger and go out of control. Further, he can get credit cards at Walmart, Visa or Mastercard, where the credit limit is set by the cash deposit on the account if he wants credit cards immediately for whatever reason. An alternative to Chapter 7 is Chapter 13, which I suggested he could use if he for some reason wanted to pay a portion of the $40,000. I don’t suggest a Chapter 13, if you qualify for 7 because it makes absolutely no sense to do so. He felt guilty I think, about discharging the entire $40K in Chap-
ter 7. Credit card companies factor in their cost of bad debt between 7-10%. In other words, they expect that between 7% to 10% of their card users will not be able to pay them back anything so that cost is already added to the interest everyone pays. They don’t really lose money on unpaid credit card debt. They just write them off as bad debt and sell the account to third parties at a fraction of the outstanding debt. I informed him that he may pay between $150 to $300 in Chapter 13 for 36 to 60 months. So Chapter 13 costs $18,000 at $300 a month for 60 months. Then, if he completes 60 payments, the court will discharge $22,000. On this point alone, Chapter 13 will cost $18,000 more than Chapter 7, which costs zero. Another alternative is debt settlement. This does not have a bankruptcy filing. Attempts to settle the $40,000 are made. Let’s just say the rule of thumb is that creditors will agree to cut the $40K by half for a lump sum payment to be made within 48 hours. In this situation, the debtor has to have ready at least $20,000 for the settlement. This is $20,000 more than Chapter 7, and inferior to Chapter 13 because Chapter 13 allows a fiveyear repayment plan supervised by the court. The last alternative is just to do nothing and change your phone number. The problem with this is that creditors are apt to file lawsuits and will get a judgment that will result in wage garnishments in due time. In this situation, your credit score has no chance of improvement within your lifetime, and you live in the constant fear
pational Classification (SOC) system, which groups and classifies jobs and occupations into distinct occupational categories; (2) the job duties of both positions; (3) the skills, experience, education, training, licenses or certifications specifically required to perform each job; (4) the wages associated with each position; and (5) other relevant and credible evidence submitted by the alien-beneficiary. The alien-beneficiary must submit Form I-485J Supplement, Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer or Request for Job Portability under INA Section 204(j) along with supporting evidence to prove that the new job meets the portability requirements under AC21. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005). SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 274-4561; Email: info@ samsonlawfirmpc.com.
(Advertising Supplement)
Automatic revocation of wills and trust... Chapter 7, 13 or debt settlement...
PAGE B4 ment plans, pay on death accounts, transfer on death vehicle registrations, trusts and a marital property agreement. Probate Code § 5600(e) . Now since Wills and Trusts executed during the marriage is revoked upon entry of divorce or nullity judgment, you should think about setting up a new estate plan after the divorce or nullity to have a new plan in place in case you pass away. If you pass away with at least $166,250 in gross assets and you do not have a living trust (even if you have a will), your beneficiaries would have to open up a probate case before title to the assets can pass to them. When I say gross asset, I mean regardless of how much debt you owe on them. For example if you own a house valued at $850,000 at the time of your death, it does not matter that your mortgage balance is 800,000, a probate case has to be opened in order to pass title to that property. The same is true with other types of assets such as owning a business, a professional practice, bonds, equities, etc. This is a very low threshold to exceed specially in California where real estate prices, even after the economic crisis, remains in the upper end of the curve among the 50 states. Commencing a probate case is expensive and a very slow process. Someone qualified will have to file a Petition with the probate court to have someone appointed as executor or administrator. The Petitioner’s attorney gets paid a statutory rate for attorney’s fees commencing with
4% of the gross estate. The probate referee will have to be paid for appraising the assets of the estate. If it is necessary to post bond, the premium on the bond would have to be paid as well. There is also the cost of administering the estate such as selling some of the assets to satisfy the estate’s obligations and to divide the estate according to the will or the intestate line of succession if there is no will. The entire process could take up years specially if certain beneficiaries and creditors file certain claims. The probate court file would be public record. On the other hand if you have a revocable trust, your estate can avoid the entire court system and court supervision. In certain situations, the process may also save you estate taxes which may be substantial if your assets exceed a certain threshold. Basically, you and/or your spouse can be named as the initial trustee of the trust while you are alive. The trustee is the person who manages the trust. This means you retain control of all your assets the same way as if you never had a trust. For revocable trusts, you can later on, at any time during your lifetime, revoke the entire trust if you change your mind. The assets held in your living trust will be managed by the trustee and distributed according to your directions without court supervision and involvement when you pass away. This can save your heirs time and money. Since the trust would not be under the direct management of the probate court, your assets and their value and your beneficia-
ries’ identities would not become a public record. Your heirs and beneficiaries would still have to be notified about the living trust and advised, among other things, of their right to obtain a copy of the trust. If you recently got divorced or had a marriage annulled, you should have a new estate plan (wills and trust) set up to save on estate taxes, save on probate and administration cost, and make it more convenient for your beneficiaries to inherit from your estate. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 3881611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com Visit our website at kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
that your payroll department will receive a wage garnishment notice, or your bank will receive a notice of levy on your bank account. Can you imagine even if half of the $40,000 got wage garnishments and bank levies? The client would have nothing left to pay rent and food! Why live like a rat under the sewer when you can start fresh without accumulated debt and benefit from the rapid increase in your credit score if you handle your new credit right? Walt Disney filed for Chapter 7 twice, yet Disney is now a billiondollar business worldwide. So, this is something good, not bad. You have to change the way you think about debt and opt for the most expeditious and simple way of getting a fresh start in life without accumulated debt. Maybe you’re smarter than Mr. Disney and Chapter 7 may pave your way to being the next American below 50. Who knows? But certainly, if you have accumulated debt that is not discharged, life will be very difficult for you and your family, and you will not get a fresh start in life. If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally.! *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
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