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OCTOBER 21-27, 2021
T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M MU N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
Volume 32 - No. 42 • 12 Pages
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Comelec dismisses ‘false reports’ on 2022 elections by ZACARIAN
SARAO
Inquirer.net
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) dismissed a “false report” which claimed that Commissioner Rowena Guanzon is pushing for the scrapping of the May 2022 polls that went viral on social media. “Commissioner Guanzon is NOT, repeat NOT, recommending that the 2022 National and Local Elections be scrapped,” said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez. “This Adobo Chronicles report
stating otherwise is obviously #fakenews. #fightfake,” he added. The report came from The Adobo Chronicles, a satirical website founded in 2013, which describes itself as “the best source for unbelievable news.” Meanwhile, in a following tweet, Jimenez admitted that he is “leery” in accepting satirical news. “In an environment where a significant segment of the public are unable to separate fact from fiction, I am leery of accepting the ‘satire card’,” said Jimenez.
DATELINE USA
The Comelec spokesperson also earlier denounced another post that spread on social media claiming that the Comelec has disqualified Vice President Leni Robredo from the presidential race. “VP Leni Robredo has not been disqualified. Video and articles that imply or suggest otherwise are #fakenews. COMELEC’s reminders on prohibited sources of funding apply to all would-be candidates. #fightfake,” Jimenez tweeted on Sunday, October 17. These claims surfaced over DINE-IN. People enjoy having a dine-in lunch for a buffet at Cabalen Restaurant ‘Eat All U Can, Eat All U Want’ inside the mall in Quirino
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Highway, Fairview, Quezon City on Wednesday, October 20. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) allowed a maximum of 30-percent venue capacity except for those in areas under a granular lockdown. PNA photo by Ben Briones
Palace: Duterte not remiss in investigating drug war killings by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
California becomes only state with ‘moderate’ COVID-19 transmission level
THE Golden State is currently the only state in the country that has improved to a “moderate” rate of transmission for COVID19, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The findings come as the state continues to have strict mask and vaccination mandates in place, including wearing face coverings at outdoor venues and vaccine requirements for schoolchildren. The updated figures, released Monday, October 18, show that California is the only one of the 50 states to reach that level with a
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More women are targets of xenophobic hate Immigrant women account for most of the victims of hate crimes. Why is this phenomenon so pervasive?
MUSLIM, Asian and Latina women are the main victims of xenophobic attacks in the United States during an increase in hate crimes against immigrants. The phenomenon, said experts convened by Ethnic Media Services, reflects the fact that marginalized groups end up being the scapegoat for everything that goes wrong in the country. But why women? According to the new survey “Islamophobia in the eyes of Muslims,” women (76.7%) are more likely than men (58.6%) to be victims of Islamophobia, and 91% of women reported that Islamophobia affects their emotional and mental well-being compared to 84% in the case of men. “Women are viewed as a symbol of a visible (wearing the hijab), external and opposing culture,” said Basima Sisemore, researcher for the Global Justice Program at the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, who conducted the survey. “And
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President Rodrigo Duterte
Malacañang photo by Simeon Celi
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte is “not remiss” in his obligation to investigate human rights abuses in the country, according to Malacañang. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday, October 20, made the statement after the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) released a 21page information table on over 50 cases of deaths during police anti-drug operations. “I can only commend the DOJ for this conclusion because this
PAL urges ‘no facility quarantine protocol’ for fully vaccinated passengers from N. America by MIGUEL
R. CAMUS
Inquirer.net
MANILA — Philippine Airlines (PAL) is calling for the removal of quarantine stays in an accredited hotel or other designated facilities for fully vaccinated passengers arriving from North America. Dexter Lee, PAL chief strategy and planning officer, said the flag carrier was working with Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion and OCTA Research group on the proposal, adding this was now being evaluated by the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
“Our suggestions have received positive feedback and [these are] now with the IATF technical working group for further deliberation,” Lee said in a statement on Thursday, October 21. The proposed “no facility quarantine protocol” will cover returning Filipino tourists and those allowed to travel to the Philippines, such as current and former Filipino citizens and foreign spouses of Filipino nationals residing in North America, including Canada and the United States. Currently, passengers arriving from North America are subjected to a minimum
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proves that the President has not been remiss in his obligation to investigate perpetrators of these crimes,” he said in an interview at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum hosted by Marichu Villanueva. According to Roque, the matrix belies “all claims” that Duterte is responsible for the killings. “I think these findings of the DOJ will belie all claims that the President is responsible under the principle of command responsibility because on the contrary, it proves that the Philippine state has in fact investigated and prosecuted
MENDIOLA AJPress
TEN months after a Filipina American mother was reported missing, her husband was taken into custody on suspicion of murder. Larry Millete, 40, was arrested at his home in Chula Vista, California on Tuesday, October 19 in relation to the case of his wife, May “Maya” Millete who has been missing since the beginning of January this year. He was charged with murder and possession of a semiautomatic rifle prohibited under California’s assault weapons ban, according to San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan.
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John Riel Casimero begins US training for title defense by BONG LOZADA Inquirer.net
MANILA — John Riel Casimero has arrived in Los Angeles to start training ahead of his title defense against Paul Butler on December 11. The WBO bantamweight champion posted his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport on his Youtube channel Quadro Alas It’s My Boy that showed him and his brother Jayson going through the various stages inside
Husband of missing Fil-Am mom in California arrested by RITCHEL
individuals for these extralegal killings,” he said. Further, the matrix shows no evidence of the chief executive’s “culpability.” “I don’t think it says anything about the culpability of the President because in the 52 cases there’s not been an instance where there’s been a determination that the President ordered the killing or that the President did not do anything to punish those who committed criminal acts,” said Roque. On Tuesday, Oct. 19, the DOJ authorized the release of an
the terminal. “So guys here we are again, we’re back at work. Let’s go, December 11,” said Casimero in Filipino. Casimero will be making his fourth defense of the strap which he won from Zolani Tete via third round technical knockout in November 2019. It was a messy road to Casimero’s mandatory title defense over Butler with new outfit Probellum the only
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“As the evidence unfolded in this case, it pointed in one direction — that [Maya] was murdered,” she said during an afternoon news conference. Larry’s lawyer, Bonita Martinez, said that she was “very, very surprised” about the arrest since a body has not been recovered. “This is a surprise to me since they have no proof Maya is dead, and I believe she is still alive,” Martinez told KFMB-TV. However, Stephan pointed out that prosecutors can file a murder charge without having a body. “The law is so crystal clear that we cannot let someone murder someone and gain a benefit by hiding the body in a way that we
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John Riel Casimero
Philstar.com photo
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From The FronT Page
Comelec dismisses ‘false...
PAGE 1 the weekend after Robredo’s supporters launched an online fundraising page for her presidential campaign. However, Commissioner
Rowena Guanzon already clarified that foreigners cannot contribute to any Filipino candidate. Apart from this, the Comelec has not yet released the official list of candidates in the upcoming
elections, which means none can be disqualified yet, according to Jimenez. The final set of candidates is set to be released by December, according to Comelec. n
Palace: Duterte not remiss in investigating... PAGE 1
information table concerning certain details of the 52 cases. In its press statement, the agency said that the release of case details is for the purpose of informing the families and loved ones of the deceased suspects that the circumstances surrounding each incidence of death are undergoing a determination of possible criminal liabilities on the part of erring police officers. The matrix was also part of the DOJ’s recognition of the importance of transparency in its review process. 52 cases Of the cases that the DOJ reviewed, the majority were buy-bust operations that turned into shootouts after the subjects resisted arrest. However, the agency noted some glaring lapses in the police reports about the conditions surrounding the suspects’ deaths. In the case of suspect Ryan Robosa, who was killed in a shootout during a December 2016 buy-bust operation in Taguig, the DOJ said that the police records do not support that narrative. “There are no pre-operation
report, coordination form, chain of custody form, ballistics or paraffin test result, or autopsy result on record,” it said. Officers involved who were “found guilty of grave irregularity in the performance of duty” were only given a reprimand. In another case, police said they killed Anwar Sawadjaan, Noel Rey Bacalso, and Angelo Hofer at a checkpoint allegedly out of self-defense in July 2016, but the DOJ said that the medico legal report showed the victims appeared to have been shot at close range. The cops were dismissed from service as a result. The DOJ also highlighted one case that had a non-drug-related death. In December 2016, a victim who was allegedly of unsound mind was shot by the police in Laguna. “At the time he was shot, the suspect did not appear to have posed any direct imminent danger to the police operative. The victim was not in possession of any deadly weapon or firearm,” noted the DOJ. For this, the cops involved were only handed a 180-day suspension. According to the DOJ, around
150 policemen were involved in the 52 cases. However, names were not released because of “due process considerations.” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, for his part, said that the National Bureau of Investigation will conduct a case build-up and will file criminal charges against the cops involved. Meanwhile, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar welcomed the DOJ’s move to release the matrix, saying that it was “in the interest of truth, transparency and justice.” He also urged the families of the victims to come forward and hold erring police officers accountable. “Ito rin ang pagkakataon para sa mga pamilya ng nasawi sa police anti-illegal drug operation para sila’y makapagsumite ng complaint-affidavit o kaya’y magharap ng testigo upang maisampa ang kaukulang kasong kriminal sa korte (This is also the chance for the families of the individuals killed in the police anti-illegal drug operation to submit their complaintaffidavit or find a witness to file appropriate criminal cases in court),” said Eleazar. n
John Riel Casimero begins US training... PAGE 1
company to make purse bid for WBO’s orders. Richard Schaefer’s Probellum bid $105,000, $5,000 more than the minimum the WBO set for
a purse, for the fight that would take place in either Liverpool, England or Dubai, UAE. Casimero is set to receive 75 percent of the purse while Butler will take 25%.
There have been reports that there has been a falling out between Casimero and MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons resulting in the Philippine-based company to pass on the bidding process. n
PAL urges ‘no facility quarantine protocol’ for... PAGE 1 six-day facility-based quarantine, with RT-PCR testing conducted on the fifth day. Passengers that test negative for COVID-19 will be allowed to continue the remainder of their
10-day quarantine at home. According to local industry group, Air Carriers Association of the Philippines, restrictions such as facility-based quarantine remain a burden and deterrent to travel.
PAL, which was forced to file a Chapter 11 creditor protection plea in the U.S. amid the pandemic-induced downturn, is seeking the removal of facilitybased quarantines ahead of the busy Christmas travel season. n
YOUNG BENEFICIARIES. Children watch a BP2 video presentation on a TV screen during the dispatch procedure at Multi-Purpose Court 1, BP2 Depot, Quezon City on Thursday, October 21. The BP2 program aims to support informal settler families and workers severely affected by COVID-19 who wish to return to their respective provinces for permanent relocation and livelihood. Photo by PNA by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
More women are targets of xenophobic...
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that culture is Islam and the East, and Muslims who supposedly are at odds with western ideals and democratic values.” The survey is the first national study to ask Muslim Americans (about 3.5 million people) their perceptions and experiences regarding Islamophobia. It was conducted in 50 states and 1123 respondents participated. 62% of all respondents reported that they, relatives, friends or members of their community have been affected by federal and / or state policies that disproportionately discriminate against Muslims. Islamophobia, says Sisemore, already existed before the attacks of September 11, 2001 and dates back to the beginning of the nation as 20% of the African slave population was Muslim. It has been perpetrated by people in individual acts of violence, but also institutionalized by “structural racism” in the United States with policies such as “the travel ban for Muslims, Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) programs or even anti Sharia legislation.” “Liberal and imperialist feminism feeds into the false and dangerous narrative of Muslim women as oppressed,” continued Sisemore. “That feminism says that women have no equality under Islam, and are seen in need of being saved from violent and oppressive Muslim men, which is a very dangerous narrative that played out in the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan as a means to garner public support toward the narrative of white saviorism.” While in some Islamic countries women need to go out in public with their husbands or have severe restrictions on their rights, Sisemore says these are “extreme examples” and that the media could highlight other aspects of Muslim culture as “women play an intrinsic role in all parts of society.” According to Elsadig Elsheikh, Director of the Global Justice Program at the
Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, in some African countries women have led the struggle against dictatorships and invasions and there are exemplary cases of leadership in the East like that of Sheikh Hasina, current prime minister in Bangladesh, and Benazir Bhutto, the first woman to head a democratic government in a Muslim-majority country like Pakistan. “I’m not quite sure the representation of women in most liberal democracies in the West exceeds 20%,” Elsheikh said. Elsheikh said that another worrying finding from the survey is that almost a third or more of Muslims have hid or attempted to hide their religious identity, “because Islamophobia has made their place of worship linked to ‘terrorism’ which makes it hard for Muslims to engage with each other… if I see a guy with a turban on his head, I am also filled with rage against those who will come into bombing our country.” Many Muslims censor themselves by avoiding talking about their beliefs or place of origin and in the case of women “almost nine out of 10 women do that in their everyday life, they try to get away from speaking their mind.” For Elsheikh, Muslims and other marginalized groups, “seem to be the scapegoats for everything wrong in the United States.” This experience is similar for Asian-American communities that have been the subject of a wave of racist and xenophobic incidents related to the origin of COVID in Asia. According to the Stop AAPI Hate center, from March 2020 to June 2021, more than 9,000 incidents have been reported against this community and more than 66% of those attacks have been against AsianAmerican women, including school-age girls. “With that idea of ‘Make America White Again”, the rest of us are foreign invaders and whole groups of people are rendered as being second-class, less than human,” said Helen
Zia, AAPI activist, author, and journalist. “Add to that a layer of gender based attacks against women, which puts immigrant women to face multiple jeopardy for being just who they are.” Zia mentioned the massacre in Atlanta, Georgia, where six Asian-American women who worked in spas were killed, and said that the hate incidents, although not documented by gender, date back to 1980. “The sexualization of Asian women, and women of color in general, plays a role in these kinds of incidents,” Zia said. The most difficult thing for women is to report “because they know that in society overall they are diminished, they are shamed and blamed, and they may even face stigma within their own community.” Among the Latino community, labor and sexual exploitation occurs in silence due to the latent threat of deportation. Latina and indigenous agricultural workers, particularly immigrants from Mexico, Central and South America escape various forms of violence in their countries of origin and by seeking refuge in the United States, they continue to be victimized. “Latina women have faced a lot of sexual violence, especially in the fields, considering the dynamic that exists with their citizenship status,” said Irene de Barraicua, Director of Operations for Lideres Campesinas, a network of agricultural workers that supports women with their asylum cases. “They are afraid of retaliation and deportation and do not seek assistance for fear of being deemed a public charge,” added Barraicua. During the pandemic “they were the first to go when business and growers farmers had to stop or wanted to keep the fastest workers.” The leader says that all these forms of violence can only stop when “we see a fair immigration reform” and for that “we will continue lifting these voices.” (Jenny Manrique/Ethnic Media Services)
Husband of missing Fil-Am mom in... PAGE 1
cannot discover it,” she said. May was last seen by her family at her home on the evening of January 7 and was reported missing two days later. That Saturday, the family was planning a trip to Big Bear Mountain Resort for her daughter’s 11th birthday, but May was never heard from, as previously reported by the Asian Journal. Larry, who reported her as missing, has been considered as a “person of interest” in her disappearance. According to Stephan, May had called a divorce lawyer on the same day she disappeared. “When she called the attorney on Jan 7, we know that Larry was aware,” Stephan said. “He sent text messages to his boss that this was final, that it was coming.” Stephan also revealed that Larry was opposed to the divorce, hiring “spellcasters” to keep her from leaving. “These spellcasters were asked to make May want to stay in the relationship. He was asking for May to become incapacitated, to be in an accident, to have broken bones so she would have to stay at home,” she said. Larry also allegedly sent an ominous text the last night May was seen alive, saying: “I think she wants me to snap, and I’m shaking inside ready to snap.” Further, Stephan talked about a security video from Jan. 8 showing Larry backing his Lexus
May “Maya“ Millete
SUV into the garage at his home before 6 a.m. He drove roughly two-and-a-half hours away, disappearing for 11 hours and 21 minutes with his 4-year-old daughter. Stephan urged anyone who may have seen Larry’s black 2015 Lexus GX460 with personalized plates on the side of a road on Jan. 8 to come forward with any information. Since the start of the case, 67 search warrants had been served, 87 interviews conducted and 130 tips reviewed, with thousands of hours poured into the investigation. “These efforts ultimately generated a variety of pieces of evidence that have become clear and overwhelming,” said Chula Vista police chief Roxana Kennedy.
File photo
She added, “Larry Millete, May’s husband, is responsible for May’s murder and disappearance.” In response to the latest developments, May’s sister Maricris Drouaillet said it was “overwhelming.” “I’m still trying to take it [in],” she said. “It’s been really hard. He’s our family.” “It’s hard to go against family. He’s been with us for 20 years. My sister loved him. She gave him three kids,” she added. Drouaillet once again asked the public to help bring May home. “We’re still asking the public: Please, help us bring my sister home,” she said. “We did a promise to her 11-year-old daughter that we will bring her mom home,” she added. n
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One sample of the 300 banners flying high in San Francisco’s SOMA Pilipinas neighborhoods in time for Filipino American History Month. The collages feature residents, artists, small business owners and community leaders who contribute to the Filipino Cultural Heritage District. Photo courtesy of SOMA Pilipinas
300 banners installed in SOMA Pilipinas to honor San Francisco’s Fil-Am community by AJPress THREE hundred banners have been installed in San Francisco’s SOMA Pilipinas neighborhood as the country celebrates Filipino American History Month and continues to combat the spike of anti-Asian hate. The banners placed along street light posts are located throughout the city’s Filipino Cultural Heritage District from Market to Brannan and 2nd to 11st streets. “Our community was hit hard by the pandemic. A disproportionate number of Filipino nurses lost their lives and many of us lost loved ones. In SOMA, many residents lost their jobs and small businesses closed down. On top of all this, our elderly fear for their safety amidst the anti-Asian assaults in
our City,” said Raquel Redondiez, director of SOMA Pilipinas. “This Filipino American History Month, we wanted to recognize our community heroes — residents, artists, and small businesses who continued to shine with the bayanihan (mutual support) spirit despite so many challenges. The banners are a declaration that we’re still here, and we will continue to build our cultural district towards an equitable economic recovery for all City.” The banners feature a collage of residents, artists, and small businesses framed by the iconic sun of the SOMA Pilipinas logo and brand. “SOMA Pilipinas is not defined by bounding streets, but by a sense of place that radiates a resilient joy and shared determination. It is a district where the sun continues to rise, a living celebration of community, its people, and
their stories. SOMA Pilipinas shines in its own light,” said Julie Munsayac, graphic design lead for the banners who also designed the first set of SOMA Pilipinas banners back in 2018. Original photography on the banners and photos attached provided are by Nix Guirre, SOMA Pilipinas’ Program and Communications Coordinator. The banners are supported by cultural district grants generated from the City’s Hotel Tax through the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development. While the hotel tax suffered an unprecedented decline with the pandemic, one-time grants were made available to help address COVID-specific impacts and to support economic recovery especially within the hardesthit communities of color as represented by the City’s nine cultural districts. n
California becomes only state with...
PAGE 1 0.2 deaths rate per 100,000 over the past seven days. Meanwhile, the state has a 34.4 cases rate per 100,000 during the same period. Joining California in the “moderate” level are two territories, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands. Nationwide, eight states are categorized under the
“substantial” or orange level of community transmission and 44 states are considered “high” transmission, including Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and New York. The California Department of Public Health reports a 2% 7day positive rate. From Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18, the department reported 16,764 new
cases, with cases largely among unvaccinated populations, bringing the total confirmed cases to date to 4,588,231. Meanwhile, 3,669 are hospitalized and 1,006 are in the ICU with confirmed COVID-19. The state continues to lead in vaccination rates with 51,271,175 vaccines administered and 24,426,200 individuals considered fully vaccinated. (AJPress)
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Children with disabilities face special back-to-school challenges Climate change may wash out traces of earliest Filipino settlers in US by Heidi de
Marco Kaiser Health News
ST. MALO, a former village along the shore of Lake Borgne in Louisiana’s St. Bernard Parish, was the first Filipino settlement in the United States, long before the Civil War. Now, climate change is threatening to erase any and all signs of the historical site, according to a recent CNN report. St. Malo’s early Filipino community thrived for years, but hurricanes over the years destroyed the village and forced many settlers to other parts of Louisiana. Some set up their own Manila Village, in Jean Lafitte town, not far from St. Malo. They made a living from fishing and introduced a unique process of drying shrimps. Although there’s little historical documentation on the early Filipinos in Louisiana and stories about them were mainly handed down through generations, Filipino Americans say more people need to know about the villages of St. Malo and Manila Village in Jean Lafitte and how climate change could erase any trace of them. Some say that the Filipino community in St. Malo goes back to as early as 1763 when both the Philippines and Louisiana were under Spanish rule. Today, The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are around 8,000 Filipinos in Louisiana. Randy Gonzales, an English professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and co-vice president of the Philippine-Louisiana Historical Society, told CNN that in the late-1700s Filipinos likely escaped from globe-sailing Spanish ships and went deep in the bayous of Louisiana, building huts over the wetlands. The Philippine-Louisiana Historical Society successfully lobbied for a marker to commemorate St. Malo. Gonzales said it was a challenge to put up since no one ever goes to St. Malo, and they wanted it protected. As the climate crisis intensifies, Louisiana’s coast is being battered by sea level rise, more frequent hurricanes and erosion. Traces of St. Malo and even the Jean Lafitte settlement may disappear soon. Louisiana has lost about 25% of its coastal land the size of Delaware since in 1932, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, cited by the CNN report. (Inquirer.net)
A plaque marks an area nearest the early Filipino settlement in St. Malo, in a Louisiana bayou.
An early depiction of “Manila Village” in Jean Lafitte, Lousiana. Photos courtesy of FANHS
LOS ANGELES — Christopher Manzo, a boy with curly brown hair and bright-blue-and-yellow glasses, has lived a third of his five years at home because of the pandemic. And he is more than ready for kindergarten. Hand in hand with his mother, Martha Manzo, he walks into the Blind Children’s Center, a low-rise building nestled among apartment complexes in East Hollywood. In the brightly colored hallway, filled with paintings of animals, Manzo kneels to hug Christopher before he scurries unsteadily to his cubby. “God take care of you and be with you,” she says. “And have fun.” Born with congenital hydrocephalus that damaged his brain and left him with severely impaired vision, cognitive difficulties and a lack of coordination, Christopher hasn’t missed only school the past 18 months — he’s missed out on a host of vital occupational, physical and language therapies, as well as socialization with other kids. At home, Christopher couldn’t look at a computer screen long enough to attend therapies or classes on Zoom, said Manzano, in an interview conducted in Spanish. “He would strain his eyes, look away, and his attention would falter,” she said. “He couldn’t devote the same attention as a kid without disabilities.’’ Christopher “could have advanced much more” since the pandemic hit if he hadn’t missed so much school, said Manzano, who is 36 and has three other children, ages 12, 10 and 8, whom she also has had to guide through months of home-schooling. Yet the return to school raises particular health issues for Christopher and other children with disabilities who are at increased risk for serious bouts of covid-19, said his pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. Liza Mackintosh. Though he isn’t immunosuppressed, Christopher has trouble coughing up secretions, which leaves him vulnerable to lung and respiratory infections, she said. Compared with other adults in contact with children, his parents, teachers and therapists “have to be more vigilant about mask-wearing, hand hygiene
and social distancing,” she said. In short, Manzo was deeply worried about the threat of covid exposure Christopher faced at school. But it was a risk she felt he could no longer avoid, to get on with his life. Trying to learn from home was “really hard on him,” Manzo said. “He couldn’t understand why he couldn’t go to school or the park or to his therapies.” “I know covid is still among us, but I also can’t keep him at home like he’s a crystal bubble and protect him,” she said. “He needs contact with other kids and his teachers.” The challenges faced by Christopher during the pandemic have been shared by many of the roughly 7 million U.S. children and young adults, ages 3 to 21, with special needs. Online platforms usually don’t work for them. For example, Christopher needs to feel Braille letters to read — he can’t do that on a computer screen. Students with disabilities had “sort of this double hit where it was very hard to access school services and very challenging to continue to work on developing new skills,” said Dr. Irene Koolwijk, a specialist in developmental-behavioral pediatrics at UCLA Health. It took a lot of preparation to get Christopher and the 40 or so other children attending the Blind Children’s Center back into the building of the private, infant-to-kindergarten school. All the children are blind or visually impaired, and most also have disorders ranging from autism and albinism to cerebral palsy and epilepsy. The school practices reverse mainstreaming, in which a few children with typical development share the classroom with children with disabilities. Months before the school doors reopened, the center started teaching the students about wearing masks. “Little by little, we started training the kids to wear masks on Zoom. It started off with the duration of a song, then two songs,” said Rosalinda Mendiola, adaptive services specialist at the Blind Children’s Center. “Our goal was that by the time we opened back up, they would be used to them.” But it was difficult. Many children with special needs have a hard time wearing their masks and understanding the concept
Martha Manzo drops off son Christopher at his school, the Blind Children’s Center, in the East Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. The center is a free preschool for children who are blind or visually impaired. Photo by Heidi de Marco/Kaiser Health News
of distancing, said Mackintosh. Children with some forms of autism, in particular, have sensory issues that make it bothersome to have something on their faces. “Children learn the most from modeling. They watch their parents, their teachers, their friends,” said Bianca Ciebrant, the center’s director of early childhood education. “But children who are visually impaired and blind can’t see the maskwearing. That’s probably one of the harder barriers.” It took Christopher seven months to start wearing a mask. “At first, he didn’t even want it in front of his face,” said Manzo. “He started to slowly accept it when he saw his siblings wear it.” To reopen in September, the school also adopted new covid safety protocols. All 30 staff members are vaccinated, temperature checks are performed at drop-off, and parents aren’t allowed inside classrooms. All students wear masks except for three of them who have limited motor ability and couldn’t safely remove a mask or don’t understand the maskwearing process “and therefore it becomes sensory overload and behavior breakdown,” Ciebrant said. There are six kids in each class, overseen by a teacher and two assistants. Christopher needs someone near him to remind him where to walk and to hold on to the banister for balance. With so many staffers around, “creating a shield of vaccinated individuals around the child is important to making the transition back to school as safe as
possible,” said Dr. Christine Bottrell Mirzaian, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Martha and her husband, Fausto Manzo, were vaccinated last March, and their 12-year-old daughter, Samantha, also has been immunized against covid. “Our health is important to be able to continue taking care of him,” Martha Manzo said. On a recent Wednesday, Christopher wore a teddy bear mask and a Ryan’s World backpack to school. This is his last year at the center. When he started, he was only 2 and hadn’t learned to walk. “He has received a lot of help,” Manzo said. “His movements have improved, and his communication skills.” Christopher toddles around the playground during recess and greets his friends with a wave. “His balance is off, but he’s walking now,” his mother said. “I always wanted to see him run and explore.” School staff members were happy to have their students back. “We all felt this little warmth in our heart to hear their voices back in the hallway, whether it was crying or laughing or talking to their friends,” said Ciebrant. “This is what we’ve been waiting for, to hear those moments.” This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. n
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Duterte: No drug dealers among the rich in PH by Daphne
Galvez Inquirer.net
MANILA— President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, October 21, countered critics of his administration’s drug war, saying there are no drug dealers among the rich in the country. He was responding to criticisms that the government’s war on drugs failed to capture any “big fish.” “Sabi ninyo walang big fish. Walang mayaman ngayon na
OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS. Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson (3rd from left) hands over a box of oxygen concentrators to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (right) at Pair Cargo in Parañaque City on Thursday, October 21. The latest donation of 100 oxygen concentrators has brought the total concentrators to 200 donated by Australia to the Philippines. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
Pope appoints Tagle to preside over French beatification by RobeRtzon
RaMiRez
Philstar.com
MANILA — Former Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle was appointed by Pope Francis to preside over the beatification ceremony of Venerable Pauline-Marie Jaricot in Lyon, France in May next year, the Archdiocese of Manila reported on Thursday, October 21. The Manila Archdiocese said that Jaricot’s beatification was made public by Gaëtan Boucharlat de Chazotte, secretary general of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in France. Tagle is now prefect for the Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples. Jaricot was born in Lyons in 1799. She founded the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of Faith and the Association of Living Rosary. She was declared Venerable by Saint John XXIII on Feb. 25, 1963. Beatification is a process guided by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, with Pope Francis Photo courtesy of Vatican News
The process starts with an intensive investigation of a deceased person’s life, writings and virtues, except in the cases of martyrs, proof of one miracle worked by God through the intercession of the person, ac-
cording to the archdiocese. After the beatification, the pope will give the person the title “Blessed” if he/she meets all the requirements and declare that the person may be honored or venerated. n
IATF resolution basis for ‘no jab, no job’ – Bello by Mayen JayMalin
Pilipino na nasa droga. Kaya nga mayaman na eh,” Duterte said in his speech during the meeting of the joint national and regional task force to end local communist armed conflict. (You say there was no big fish. No rich Filipino person is now involved in the illegal drug trade. They are already rich.) “‘Wag kayo maghanap na big fish na mayayaman o anak ng mga mayayaman, hindi na kai-
langan mag-negosyo ng shabu yan, mayaman na nga eh,” he added. (Don’t look for big fish among the rich. They no longer need to enter into the illegal drug trade. They are already rich.) He also said the government was able to catch big-time personalities, citing the deaths of four Chinese nationals killed during a buy-bust operation in Pampanga. “‘Yan ang mga big fish dito,” he said. n
VP Leni Robredo to supporters: Be calm in political discussions by Janvic
Mateo Philstar.com
MANILA— Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday, October 21 enjoined her supporters to remain calm when engaging in political discussions, saying the color pink should reflect a movement that promotes love and openness to pursue a better future. In a recorded video message, Robredo said pink represents the sense of hope felt by many of those who expressed their support since she announced her presidential bid. “Let us show that pink is not just a color, but also a way of life. It is not just something that we wear or a ribbon, but a color of someone who is open, willing to listen, and loving,” she said in Filipino. “We have to show the true meaning of pink when we wear it. Do good, extend help to others, be calm in sharing our message,” she added. Amid hateful and divisive political discussions, she urged her supporters to focus on feelings and sentiments that bind every Filipino. “From there, shed light on the truth,” she said. “Remember: it is easy to argue, but it is more radical to love.” During a virtual meeting with her supporters, Robredo said she was overwhelmed with the commitment, passion
and energy of those who are helping her presidential bid. She reiterated her call not to stoop down to the level of those who use troll farms for propaganda. “We should just be truth warriors. If we see disinformation, we fight smart. Let us think of ways on how to refute their lies without going down to their level,” she said. Robredo’s supporters will hold a coordinated motorcade across the country tomorrow to show their support for her and her running mate, Sen. Francis Pangilinan. Leni offers support to EJK victims’ kin Last Wednesday, Robredo reiterated her support to families of victims killed in the government’s war against illegal drugs. She attended the blessing and turnover of the cremated remains of seven victims who were exhumed after the lapse of the five-year lease on their graves in various public cemeteries in Metro Manila. The Vice President expressed her sympathies to the families of the victims, including widows who were left to raise their children on their own after their husbands died because of the drug war. “We can no longer get back the lives of those we have lost, but by working on to improve our lives now, it is as if we offer
something to them: that even when they are no longer with us, you make sure that those they left behind are taken care of,” she said in Filipino. “I am here, my office is just here. If you need anything – even if just having someone to talk to, our door is always open for all of you,” she said. Robredo, a critic of the government’s war on drugs, has partnered with various civil society groups to provide various interventions and support for families who lost their loved ones to extrajudicial killings. The cremation of the remains of the seven drug war victims was facilitated by the Society of the Divine Word’s Project Paghilom, an initiative that aims to provide support to families of those killed in the drug war. Its founder Fr. Flaviano Villanueva said Robredo’s presence during blessing and turnover provided a comforting atmosphere to the families. “More than offering sympathy, she assured our dear widows that they are not alone in their journey of seeking healing and justice,” he said in a Facebook post. “VP Leni mirrored how it is to be father, who bravely stands with the weak; and a mother, who offers a soothing comfort during one’s most difficult moments,” he added. n
Philstar.com
MANILA — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said on Thursday, October 21, certain establishments are allowed to require their workers to get vaccinated, based on a resolution issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), despite the absence of an enabling law. “The legal basis of restaurants, spas and other similar establishments (to require vaccination among employees) is the resolution of the IATF,” said Bello, citing how these workers are engaged in dining or in-person services. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), however, stressed that vaccination is not a requirement to gain employment, and it is discriminatory and illegal for employers to demand vaccination cards before hiring job applicants. During the Laging Handa public briefing, Labor Undersecretary Ana Dione said, “The requirement that an employee must be vaccinated has no basis in law. That means, it cannot be imposed by companies.” Likewise, an employer cannot terminate an employee for simply refusing to get vaccinated, Dione said. “To cite unvaccinated as the basis of termination – it’s been said and repeated – that’s discrimination. If the termination is solely based on being unvaccinated, that’s illegal,” she said in Filipino. The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) questioned the legality of the IATF resolution, which it claimed is contrary to the voluntary vaccination policy. “The power of compulsory inoculation, especially if accompanied by penalties or sanctions like not giving work to enforce obedience or compliance, must have a legislative mandate,” said FFW president Sonny Matula. Matula argued that the IATF cannot bend the law by the mere issuance of a resolution. Law needed A law may be needed to bar businesses from hiring unvaccinated persons, Malacañang said yesterday, as it expressed confidence in a faster vaccine rollout amid an adequate supply of jabs. “Well, kinakailangan po siguro ng batas kung ipagbabawal iyong pagha-hire ng mga nonvaccinated individuals (Perhaps a law is needed to prohibit the hiring of non-vaccinated individuals),” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said at a press briefing.
SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Procurement Dept. 340 N. 11TH Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101
INVITATION FOR BID -IFB NO. B22014 ROOF REPLACEMENT @ SHERMAN GARDEN ANNEX 909 DOOLITTLE AVENUE, LAS VEGAS, NV SNRHA CONTACT PERSON(S) ONLY: Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello
“We have proven that we can fast-track that (vaccination) because in Metro Manila, more than 80 percent have been vaccinated. Before, our problem was the supply. Now, we have a lot of supplies,” he said. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. previously said there would be no discrimination if an employer refuses to hire a person who is not yet inoculated against COVID-19. He pointed out that companies have the responsibility to protect their personnel and customers against health risks. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, however, recently said companies cannot reject unvaccinated applicants, citing the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, which states that vaccine cards “shall not be considered as an additional mandatory requirement for educational, employment, and other similar government transaction purposes.” ‘It’s illegal’ Lawmakers disapprove In Congress, Deputy Speaker Eddie Villanueva stressed that the “no vaccine, no pay” policy reportedly practiced by some employers is not only unconstitutional but very “uncompassionate” and “ungodly.” “While it has been made clear by the Department of Labor and Employment that such is illegal, I would like to add that, more importantly, such policy is devoid of compassion,” said Villanueva, a pastor and representative of the Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption party-list. “Depriving laborers of salary they rightfully earned with sweat and blood is a spit on the face of human dignity and the dignity of work,” he said. “CIBAC condemns the unlawful and ungodly practice.” Another administration legislator, Rep. Eric Pineda of 1Pacman party-list who sits as chairman of the House committee on labor and employment, said “requiring a person to be vaccinated just so that they may be able to make a
Inquirer.net file photo
living is not right.” “I don’t agree with the ‘no jab, no job’ policy. I don’t believe that it should be forced upon our people. Restricting access to a livelihood on the basis of one’s choice not to be vaccinated is violative of their basic right to choose, their right to free will,” he said. Palace reacts to IMF warning Meanwhile, Malacañang allayed the concern raised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has warned that the low vaccination rate in the Philippines would affect the economy. “Well, that’s why we are fasttracking the vaccination. More than 30 percent of the entire Philippines and more than 80 percent of Metro Manila have been vaccinated. We have enough supply and we expect the vaccination to be faster,” Roque said. As of Oct. 20, about 24.88 million persons or 32.25 percent of the country’s eligible population have been fully vaccinated as 53.84 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered nationwide. In Metro Manila, the country’s economic center, the vaccination rate is at 81.40 percent of the eligible population or about 7.96 million individuals. Roque said the Duterte administration would deliver vaccines to Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and other provinces to raise the Philippines’ overall vaccination rate. Asked to react to the proposal to impose vaccination quotas per province, Roque said the government’s pandemic task force need not tackle the matter. “It is just an implementation of the vaccination program, only the NTF (National Task Force against COVID-19) can decide on that,” the Palace spokesman said. The Duterte administration has raised its daily vaccination target from 500,000 to 1.5 million to achieve a “happy Christmas” this year. n
Note: Contact with any other SNRHA staff other than the named within this document is prohibited and will result in your Proposal being rejected. This also includes contact with SNRHA’s Residents and Board of Commissioners.
Wanda Beckett, Contract Administrator Telephone: (702) 477-3145 TDD: (702) 387-1898 Email: Procurement@snvrha.org –orLinda Price Simpson, Contract Administrator Telephone: (702)477-3144 Procurement@snvrha.org
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6
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OCTOBER 21-27, 2021 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
OPINION
Questions on ayuda distribution
FeATUres
SINCE the multibillion-peso financial assistance or ayuda for the COVID pandemic was launched last year, anomalies have hounded the aid distribution. There were complaints of favoritism, and provision of aid even to the wealthy. There were problems with the list of beneficiaries. As early as May last year, 134 barangay officials, mostly captains, faced criminal charges before the Department of Justice for various types of irregularities in ayuda distribution. Among the offenses were the collection of “processing fees” ranging from P50 to P1,000 from each recipient, and inclusion of unqualified relatives of barangay officials among the beneficiaries. Despite the filing of criminal charges and suspension of those indicted, the aid anomalies have continued. Last August, for example, three barangay officials led by the captain together with a civilian were arrested in Manila on charges of stealing the P8,000 cash aid from two beneficiaries. In the latest ayuda-related controversy, senators are questioning a contract awarded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to what they described as a little known financial service provider to distribute about P50 billion worth of aid to over 1.89 million beneficiaries.
The DSWD has defended the award of the bulk of the contract to Starpay, saying it was one of just two FSPs accredited to do mixed manual and electronic payouts. Senators wondered why bigger entities such as GCash, PayMaya and RCBC have fewer beneficiaries than Starpay, which was allotted up to seven million beneficiaries, each of which would be charged P50. Only 800,000 have downloaded the Starpay app as of last week, the senators said. DSWD officials have said it was the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas that selected the FSPs for the distribution of the social amelioration program. The department had to “recalibrate” after it turned out that many beneficiaries did not have contact numbers. Only Starpay and RCBC “signified” readiness to distribute the SAP to such beneficiaries, the DSWD explained. Senators, on the other hand, urged the Bangko Sentral and investigative bodies to probe the deal with Starpay, a company that reportedly declared
Editorial
Commentary
SENATOR CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO This October marks 43 years since President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution designating a week in May 1979 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. Later on, extending to a month-long celebration, the United States has commemorated the vast contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community for decades. In Nevada and across the country, AAPI community members have been vital in building the America we know today, and they continue to shape the Silver State. Nevada is home to one of
CIELITO F. HABITO ONCE again, we are going into the exercise of choosing the person to lead our nation through the next six years. We must stop looking for the perfect president among the candidates because there is no such animal. But we certainly must shun the clearly bad ones and choose the one we feel could best lead us in shaping a better country for all Filipinos. There are seven Cs I am personally watching out for in making my choice: Character, for me, is topmost. Any president will receive all kinds of advice from all directions and widely differing perspectives, but in the end, it is his/her character, principles, and judgment that will determine which and whose advice will be adopted. We must therefore feel comfortable and confident that the leader will decide and act based not on self-interest, not on what is popular or convenient, but on what is right—that is, what promotes the greatest good for the greatest number. Competence is important, as it equips the leader to understand the alternatives that would yield the greatest good for the greatest number. While no one should expect our president to be a jack of all trades, an educational background that equips him/her with essential principles in key fields like economics; law; natural, physical, and social sciences;
the DSWD, the senators said. The country has struggled to deal with pandemic, and the government must ensure that aid distribution is efficient and aboveboard. (Philstar.com)
Commemorating the 43rd Anniversary of Signing Asian Pacific American Heritage Week into law America’s fastest growing AAPI populations, and throughout my life, I’ve had the pleasure of watching my hometown of Las Vegas grow and welcome a thriving AAPI community. Asian American and Pacific Islanders have a long history in Nevada, starting with the Chinese immigrant workers who braved discrimination and dangerous conditions to build the transcontinental railroad across Northern Nevada in the 1800s. Today’s AAPI community in the Silver State is beautifully diverse: they are entrepreneurs, medical workers, professionals in trades, activists, students and hardworking families. Throughout the
pandemic, AAPI Nevadans have served as doctors and frontline nurses in our hospitals and as home health workers for Nevada’s seniors. At the height of the pandemic, when economic recovery packages were being negotiated here in Washington, my top two priorities were keeping Nevadans healthy and helping small businesses stay afloat. I worked hard to pass the American Rescue Plan (ARP), which directed over $3.77 billion to help Nevada’s state and local governments respond to the public health crisis. I have consistently advocated for laws that would provide comprehensive
Seven Cs of a good leader Commentary
Philstar.com photo
bankruptcy in 2019. Apart from failing to fully distribute the aid, Starpay reportedly deposited the undisbursed amount in a private bank before it began returning the funds in installments to
and the liberal arts would best combine with the top requisite of good character, to make for sound decision-making. It’s not enough to rationalize that the leader could rely on the advice of well-chosen Cabinet members on matters s/he is not technically equipped for. His/her very choice of who to appoint to key positions in government will hinge on the same character, principles, and judgment described above. That is why it is paramount. Consistency means being guided by a clear set of principles and remaining faithful to them. We have seen enough leaders who were only too willing to contradict themselves later on policies, decisions, and even pronouncements earlier made, when political winds blow in another direction, or personal interest gets in the way. Courage is thus related to this. To me, it means that the leader will have an unshakeable political will to do what is right, even when political or populist pressures push him/her in a different direction. Cohesiveness (as against divisiveness) is something I wrote about last week, as I stressed that unifying leadership is vital to having our nation move and surge forward. Our leader must be able to effectively bridge the social, political, economic, and cultural differences that divide Filipinos, and effect national unity where justice and the rule of law prevail. It obviously does not imply unification with criminals and enemies of the state but implies cohesion among all principled Filipinos sharing the common dream of a nation whose citizens live in
comfort and prosperity, with no one left behind. For a national leader, magnanimity and statesmanship are a must, and again, these hinge crucially on the person’s character. Capability as a leader to me implies the ability to bring out the best in people and officials s/he leads, and inspire them to change. Such was the leadership I felt serving in the Cabinet of President Fidel V. Ramos, who articulated a clear vision for the country that people could identify with. And he led like a playing coach, harnessing teamwork to aim for the vision he clearly owned, and not simply mouthed. Our next leader must be such. Finally, Charisma is important, not only for “winnability,” but more so for effective leadership. It means a leader who inspires. It means a leader who is humble and has empathy with the people, especially the marginalized. It means a leader who does not claim to know everything but listens both with his/her ears and heart. Charisma will also help him/her push for the right reforms even when they are unpopular—and there are, unfortunately, many of these. By now, Filipinos should have all learned from experience with past presidents what kind of president we should not have. We should have also learned by now what kind of values and attitudes we as a people should not have as we choose our leaders—and this could well be the harder part. (Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
relief for Nevada’s struggling economy and communities, and I am glad that many AAPI owned small businesses were able to stay afloat as a result of these efforts. I am also focused on cutting taxes for the middle class, supporting our workers and their families, and extending the Child Tax and Earned Income Tax Credits. The reality is, AAPI community members have helped lead us through some of the darkest day in the pandemic, working in our classrooms, in the hospitality industry, and at small businesses that helped keep our economy afloat. But unfortunately, this community
faced disturbing violence and harassment during this time as well. I spoke with many AAPI community members about the hatred they faced and the discrimination they endured. It is wrong. Working together with my colleagues, I passed legislation to respond to this crisis: the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. Our bill was signed into law last spring and is strengthening federal efforts to address hate crimes directed at Asian-Americans, and making it easier to hold perpetrators accountable. I know there is more to do to help the communities most impacted by all aspects of this pandemic. I want you to know
that I will continue to work to ensure that AAPI Nevadans are protected from discrimination and bigotry and have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Hardworking AAPI Nevadans have strengthened our community for generations and continue to make our state better every day, and I look forward to continuing to celebrate and honor their invaluable contributions. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
Repeal the Rescission Act of 1946 to repay a debt of gratitude THERE is no statute of limitation in honoring America’s veterans – those who served in America’s armed forces, in peace and war, and the debt of gratitude for us to repay. The war on the Pacific ended on Sept 2, 1945, when the Japanese Imperial Government signed the unconditional surrender declaration. What preceded this epic event was the end of the war in the Philippines on Aug 1945. Sadly, this war did not end for the Filipino soldiers and guerrillas – men and women who fought side by side with American troops. This was reignited by the passage by the 79th Congress of the Rescission Act in Feb 1946. Instead of celebrating their victory over the brutal Japanese Imperial military forces, they were left demoralized and disenfranchised for over 75 years over what the U.S. Congress determined their lifelong fate. Simply, the Rescission Act revoked their wartime service as not having served in the active service under the US Army Forces in the Far East commanded by General Douglas MacArthur. The Act also revoked their path to U.S. citizenship. This amounted to being excluded from their benefits and compensation promised them in July 1941 by President Franklin Roosevelt. They were betrayed by the same country who called them to duty, to defend the United States in the Philippines, and without any semblance to recognize them for thousands of lives lost in war, hundreds of thousands missing in action, and thousands more wounded for life. We, the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education
Commentary
MAJ. GEN. ANTONIO TAGUBA (RET) Project, have decided to enact a call to action to repeal the Rescission Act of 1946. This is the third task in our overall mission that began with the Congressional Gold Medal on Oct 2017 that led to righteous recognition, followed by the creation of Duty to Country education program in November 2020. A successful repeal of the Rescission Act would be the final stage of our mission to enshrine, educate, and preserve the powerful legacy of the Filipino and American soldiers, men and women alike, who accomplished their daring and heroic mission to defend the United States in the Philippines from July 1941 to December 1946. We are requesting Congress to pass the repeal action. The principal objectives of this project is to acknowledge the grave injustice to our veterans, to repay the debt of gratitude that has eluded these braves heroes, and to provide for the following as conditions: • An official apology from the President of the United States on the injustice suffered by the Filipino Veterans, men and women alike. • Formally recognize ALL Filipino Soldiers who fought under the U.S Army Forces in the Far East. • Update the Reconstructed Recognized Guerrilla Roster
to include Women Guerrillas, nurses, and others who served under the U.S. Army Forces of the Far East. • Provide for a memorial fund to include an education program, exhibits, media campaign to inform and educate the public on the history of the Filipinos who served in the U.S. Army since 1898 specifically during World War II and their contributions in defending the United States and Philippines. Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen writes that “All wars are fought twice, the first time on the battlefield, the second time in memory.” Today, it is our responsibility to recall the past in a way that does justice to the 260,000 soldiers who would otherwise be forgotten. Repealing the Rescission Act, which had devastating impact on the lives and livelihoods of the Filipino Soldiers of World War II, will finally enshrine their history and preserve their legacy for eternity. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret.) is the chairman, of the Filipino Veterans Recognition & Education Project (FilVetREP). FilVetREP is a nonpartisan,501(c)(3) tax-exempt, communitybased, all-volunteer national initiative whose mission is to obtain national recognition of Filipino and American WW11 soldiers across the United States and the Philippines for their wartime service to the U.S. and the Philippines from July 26, 1941 to December 31, 1946. For more information about Filipino WWII veterans and how to get involved, visit our website at www.filvetrep.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 21-27, 2021
Filipino nurses leaving in droves – PHA by Red
Mendoza ManilaTimes.net
WITH more health care workers resigning to work abroad or avoiding contracting the coronavirus disease 2019, the Philippines may lose many of its nurses in the next six months, the head of the country’s private hospital group warned on Tuesday, October 19. Dr. Jose Rene de Grano of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHA) said that around 5 to10 percent of nurses in private hospitals resigned in the past two to three weeks, severely limiting the capacity of health institutions. “Gusto ho nilang mag-work sa ibang bansa; ‘yun ang kinakatakot natin (They want to work abroad; that is what scares us),” de Grano said during the Laging Handa briefing on Tuesday. He added that with a more relaxed deployment of nurses to foreign countries, coupled with few nursing board passers to replace them, the country may experience a shortage of nurses that would severely impact admissions in hospitals. “Kung wala po tayong mga tamang angkop na number na health care workers, medyo mapipilay po ang pagtanggap natin sa mga COVID cases (If we do not have enough workers,
our response to Covid cases will be severely affected),” de Grano said. In an earlier interview with The Manila Times, he disclosed that the State of New York aims to hire more Filipino nurses to replace resigning health care workers over vaccine mandates being enforced by the state. He said most international hospitals hire Filipino nurses from larger hospitals with ISO certification as they tend to be more experienced and more equipped with the skills needed in these facilities. De Grano added that once these health care workers resign, hospitals will be forced to downsize their operations and not serve COVID-19 patients. The Department of Health has reiterated that it has tapped the services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection to augment health care workers in public and private hospitals while continuing its hiring of health care workers. Moderate, severe cases up In the same briefing, de Grano said while hospitals are experiencing a decrease in the number of admissions and in the number of cases, the number of those with moderate, severe and critical cases has increased as well.
“Kung makikita natin, tumaas po ang porsyento ng mga nakuconfine, na ito po iyong moderate, severe and critical. Lalo po iyong moderate at saka severe, medyo tumaas po eh, almost mga 12 percent po sila (The number of those getting confined is increasing, including those under moderate, severe and critical symptoms. Those moderate and severe had the highest increase at around 12 percent),” he noted. De Grano reminded the public to continue observing minimum health protocols amid the National Capital Region (NCR or Metro Manila) deescalating to Alert Level 3, where more establishments are being reopened. Meanwhile, Dr. Guido David, OCTA Research senior fellow, said the reproduction number in the NCR has decreased to 0.55, its lowest since May 18, where it hovered at 0.56 In his tweet, David also said the seven-day average number of cases in the region is now at 1,411, close to the 1,367 daily average reported during that period where the reproduction number was low. On Tuesday, the country reported 4,496 COVID-19 cases, its lowest since July 28, when it reported 4,478 cases, for a total of 63,637 active cases and 2.73 million total cases. n
WALK-IN VACCINEE. Marcelina Calvo (on wheelchair), 80, is wheeled in by a health worker after receiving the Moderna vaccine first dose at the Ugnayang La Salle in De La Salle University-Dasmariñas on Thursday, October 21. Calvo was one of the walk-in recipients inoculated with their first dose of Moderna jabs. PNA photo by Gil Calinga
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SFIO’s The Global Academy in partnership with FPACC aims to guide businesses in their journey of digital transformation THE existence of the COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for almost two years, forcing the world to live in a “new normal.” Due to the constant lockdowns, businesses have been forced to close their doors under lockdown restrictions that have put most entrepreneurs in very difficult situations. To sustain the business, entrepreneurs have had to stay ahead of the curve, make necessary changes, and be creative during the pandemic – critical actions they have needed to do for their businesses to pull through. Undoubtedly, technology has been a great help for the business to stay afloat; some businesses have performed even better than before with the support of technology. Most of the businesses moved online to protect their cash flow, their businesses, their staff and themselves. SFIO’s “The Global Academy” (TGA) headed by its CEO, Jonathan Petalver, is proud to present a new partnership with the Federation of Philippine American Chamber of Commerce (FPACC) to build business leaders and digital entrepreneurs. The establishment of a new relationship with FPACC is to support its thrust to develop business owners’ mindset to stay ahead in this new digital economy. Transitioning into a new way of running a business has always been a challenge. The academy teaches business owners how to utilize their products with an improved process and digitalize it through a suitable platform, shortening the time of trials and lessening the failures as theyt embark on their digital business. We know the pain of going through the transition period. Hence, we would like to enable our kababayans to have a solid foundation in operating a digital business in the long term.
The course is sponsored by SFIO and SAM. The strategic learning provider, The Global Academy New Zealand, will provide coaching and training about digitalizing the product, process and platform. The coaching session will equip business owners with ways to thrive and stay ahead by transforming their business organizations digitally in this new economy. The course of digital business will guide them from product to process and eventually to operate their businesses on different digital platforms to stay competitive in this new business and economic environment. There are new strategies and practices required as most consumers move dramatically to online platforms nowadays. Digital transformation will be the core element to stabilize the business operation in the future. SFIO aims to create future-readiness and resilience for entrepreneurs, while TGA sets out to reset, reboot and reprogram the mindsets of FPACC members to be well-prepared entrepreneurs and welcome the ultimate “new normal” of reopening for future business. SFIO has gone through the same process of digital transformation which enabled it to become a global leader. Throughout the program designed by TGA, we are confident that our business owners will be trained with strong foundations to be able to operate a steady digital version of sustainable business. TGA equips them through business coaching to stay ahead and thrive amidst this COVID-19 pandemic. TGA is looking for Strategic Entrep Coaches to reach out to as many kababayans for 2022. This is to raise interest for those who already became successful in the U.S. and would like to be part of TGA globally. (Advertising Supplement)
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Diwata Komiks introduces ‘Carmina: A ‘more experimental’ Alden wants edgier roles A Filipino-American Urban Mythology’ and a number of upcoming titles by allan
PoliCarPio Inquirer.net
AS the world looks to discover new stories for media consumption, Diwata Komiks (simply the English word “comics,” adapted to fit native Filipino languages) launches with a premiere slate of titles spearheaded by its cross-cultural supernatural thriller, “Carmina: A Filipino-American Urban MythologyTM,” which tells the story of a troubled biracial young woman living in a New Mexico trailer park who discovers that she’s part Diwata (mythical beings in indigenous Philippine folk religions) and the daughter of a powerful goddess. Carmina’s story debuts this October on Filipino American History Month with “Carmina #1: Beginnings” now on pre-sale and officially launching physical and online sales on October 30. The comic series’ launch will be held at the Philippine Expressions Bookshop at 479 W 6th St UNIT 105, San Pedro, CA 90731 from 2-6 p.m. Diwata Komiks’ launch event will be held in partnership with cultural organizations FilAm Arts and The Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles and will feature a number of food vendors for different tastes. Additionally, in the spirit of Halloween, cosplayers will be coming to take pictures with the guests who are encouraged to also come in costume! Founded by Filmmaker/Writer and Emmy® Award-Winner Mark A.J. Nazal with Community Advocate/Producer Joe Arciaga, Actress/Writer/ Producer Erica Juliet, and Award-Winning Filipino Comics Artist Roland Amago, Diwata Komiks hopes to expand accessibility and bring more diversity to the comics landscape with the introduction of stories from, and inspired by, Philippine mythology. “I believe that just as we’ve traveled to this country, so have our stories that now have a foothold here in some of the most unexpected places” Writer/Creative Director Mark Nazal muses about his own immigration experience. The comics startup hopes to introduce a new world of gods and monsters to the mainstream with its own unique mythologies. While established comic book powerhouses continue to employ artists from the Philippines for their stories, Diwata
The cover image of “Carmina #1: Beginnings”
Komiks looks to introduce Filipino “Komiks” as its own cultural genre similar to the introduction of Japanese Manga and Anime. Director of Community Engagement Joe Arciaga closes with his statement saying that “we believe there is a space for these stories today with an ever-growing population of Filipino-Americans looking to see ourselves represented in our own narratives and a new generation of international readers looking for new sources of lore.” Follow Diwata Komiks on all social media platforms @diwatakomiks today and discover a slate of new titles only at diwatakomiks.com.
Vic a ‘hands-on dad for the first time as he works from home by allan
PoliCarPio Inquirer.net
IF there’s a love team that could instantly bring out the fanboy in Alden Richards, it would be that of Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz. And now that Bea is officially a GMA 7 star—with John Lloyd rumored to follow suit—Alden couldn’t be more excited about the idea of being together in one project. “To be given an opportunity to work with them… aba po, let’s go!” Alden said in a virtual conference, shortly after his contract renewal with the Kapuso network. “Mas game pa po sa game … even if we have to quarantine the very next day, I will go!” he quipped. The 29-year-old actor was already a big fan of the John LloydBea tandem before he even entered show biz. So meeting them in person some time back expectedly left him starstruck. “A few years ago, there was a Christmas party wherein we had the same styling team. We met each other there. And for the first time in my whole life as an actor, I became a fanboy because I really idolize those two,” he recalled. Although it remains to be seen whether John Lloyd’s alleged move to GMA 7 will actually push through, Alden’s movie with Bea, a local adaptation of the Korean film “A Moment to Remember,” is still a go. Right timing “The [work] schedules aren’t set yet and there are still details being finalized. But one thing is clear—tuloy siya,” he said of the project, which will be directed by Nuel Naval and produced by GMA Pictures and Viva Films. Aside from Bea and John Lloyd, Alden is also open to working with other new Kapuso artists. “Doing ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye’ really opened me to the possibility of working with different artists. There are a lot of potential leading ladies. There are many new good artists here, both veterans and newbies. I’m looking forward to that … I’m not choosy,” he said. “Those collaborations will help me discover new things about them and about myself. It’s just about the right timing.” Alden recently wrapped up taping for the upcoming second season of his primetime drama soap “The World Between Us,” and he hopes to continue taking on grey or more mature roles similar to Louie. “I’m becom-
SINCE the COVID-19 pandemic struck early last year, Vic Sotto has opted to do his ongoing shows “Eat Bulaga!” and “Daddy’s Gurl” in the comfort and safety of his own home. While he misses the daily grind in the studio, this new work setup, he said, has been invaluable to him as a father. For the first time in his life, Vic can say that—with his 3-year-old girl Tali—he has become a “100-percent” hands-on father. “I was there to see her first step. I heard the first word she learned to read. I listened to the by Dana Cruz first song she managed to intelliInquirer.net gibly sing. I have been a full-time CARLA Abellana and Tom daddy. One thing I have realized Rodriguez exuded the joys of recently is that OK naman ako,” Vic said of his daughter with his wife, actress Pauleen Luna. “They keep me busy and entertained.” He admitted that such wasn’t Photo from Instagram/@pauleenlunasotto the case with his other elder kids Vic Sotto, daughter Tali and wife Pauleen (Danica and Oyo with Dina Bonn- cause she’s growing up seeing that we can do this. We have evie; Vico with Coney Reyes; and all the lights and cameras. When seen a lot of restaurants, shops Paulina with Angela Luz). I’m hosting ‘Bulaga!,’ I can’t do and companies close down. Tali’s highlights anything if she wants to drop by People were losing their jobs. I “I will be honest: I wasn’t and make a camera appearance. don’t want that to happen to my 100-percent present because, And I’m OK with that,” he said. colleagues. Surviving was a big for more than half of my life, I “But like with my other kids, thing to me. And I’m glad we’re was working, which is also for it’s not something I actively en- still able to provide entertainthem and the family. With Tali, couraged. I just supported them ment and laughter,” he said. I got to see all her highlights as with what they want to do. You For now, Vic hosts “Eat Bua baby. When Danica and Oyo can’t stop that,” Vic added. laga!” virtually. His character in were growing up, I was often out On his son Pasig City Mayor “Daddy’s Gurl,” Barak, is also shooting, taping and working,” Vico, who is seeking a second shot at home and then incorhe shared. But all things consid- term in next year’s national elec- porated into the other scenes ered, Vic is happy with how his tions, he said: “I’m just very through CGI tricks. children turned out. New additions proud that he’s setting a very “Unlike my character in the good example of what good gov“Of course, I miss being in the show, I don’t tend to meddle in ernance is all about. He’s show- studio. It has been more than a my children’s decisions. I try not ing that you can run [a city] with- year. But I don’t miss the traffic! to give unsolicited advice be- out resorting to corruption.” I have grown to love working at cause I want them to grow up, home,” he said. “But things will New work setup learn to stand on their own feet, “When he first told us that he be like this for quite some time know what’s right and wrong, wanted to enter public service … We just have to take things as the ups and downs. I don’t want and asked for our permission they come, follow the protocols them to be dependent on their to run as councilor, we already and be thankful we still have our parents,” he said. knew it was something he want- jobs.” “So credit also goes to their ed to do from his heart. It wasn’t Besides, there’s a lot to look mommies, of course,” the veter- something he did for the sake of forward to in “Daddy’s Gurl’s” an television host and actor said being in power or having a posi- third year. Aside from the origiin a recent virtual conference for tion. And it was the same when nal cast members Maine Menthe weekly GMA 7 sitcom “Dad- he said he wanted to run as may- doza, Wally Bayola and Oyo, the dy’s Gurl,” which airs Saturday or,” he added. show also introduced new addinights. Despite all the challenges and tions, including Carlo San Juan, As he continues to work from restrictions of mounting a televi- Prince Clemente, Prince Carlos home, the more Tali gets ex- sion show during a pandemic, and Jem Manicad. posed to show biz and the envi- Vic said he saw to it that “Daddy’s “It’s always a challenge, givronment behind it. Would he be Gurl” survived, because people’s en all the new formats and new OK with his youngest child enter- livelihood depended on it. costars to work with. But I’m a ing show biz? “Kahit anong mangyari, tuloy team player … there always has Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez “I wouldn’t be surprised be- tayo. We wanted to show people to be give and take,” he said.
Alden Richards
ing more experimental when it comes to projects and learning toward acting pieces and new experiences. I want to go edgier and veer away from the usual good boy roles. I want to take risks so I don’t end up boring audiences or making them go, ‘Nakita ko na ’yan,’” he said. “Now is the time for that because I’m turning 30 next January; I’m not getting any younger.” He also hopes to do films worthy of being submitted to international festivals. “We all dream of going abroad. Being a Filipino is something to be proud of. I want to show how good and how proud we are of our craft,” he said. Going back to school On non-show biz matters, Alden is entertaining the prospect of going back to school and earning a college diploma. “I want to finish school. If I ever have free time, I would like to major in business economics. I have taken up interest in the stock market, cryptocurrency and other topics related to the economy,” he said. “There are a couple of universities I’m looking at. But it’s just about time management. I have just finished shooting a soap and I still have a lot of commitments I have to accomplish. I have to find a window,” he said, adding that he wants to do it, not only for himself, but for his father,
Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02
too. “My mother’s dream was for me to find success in show biz. My father’s dream, on the other hand, is for me to earn a diploma. He always tells me to finish my studies, no matter what,” he said. Staying true to self Renewing his ties with GMA 7, together with network executives at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, reminded Alden of how far he has come in life. But he’s still the same Alden. “Just with better clothes!” he joked. “People who genuinely care for me always remind me to stay true to myself. But it’s OK to change if it’s for your improvement as a person and actor. I want to be a better inspiration to others,” he said. Alden’s journey wasn’t easy: He started from the bottom, he said, and had to crawl his way up—all the while taking criticisms and negativity from naysayers. “Nothing comes easy … I went through lows, gapang kung gapang. But that only made my success more rewarding. Because you know you worked hard for it. Hurtful things will be thrown your and your family’s way, but you will have to deal with them,” Alden said. “You have to be really patient. Success may not happen in five years or eight, but your time will eventually come.”
Carla, Tom charm in Batangas prenup shoot a countryside romance in their prenup shoot in Batangas, as they prepare for their upcoming wedding. The celebrity couple’s pre-
Photo from Instagram/@patdy
nup portraits were shown by wedding photographer Pat Dy and other members of his team on their respective Instagram pages on Wednesday, Oct. 20. According to photographer Nelwin Uy, the photos were taken in San Juan, Batangas. Abellana donned a white, long-sleeved lace dress paired with gloves and a ribboned sun hat, while Rodriguez looked dashing in a beige suit. “It’s always about finding that sweet spot (photographywise) that’s appropriate for my couples,” Dy explained. “This time, a much lighter mood with Tom and Carla for their engagement shoot.” The couple’s prenup photos also featured them in laidback outfits as they walked around and lay on the grass in what appears to be a garden. Abellana wore a printed brown dress with white heeled boots and Rodriguez donned a gray button-down shirt paired with black pants. Rodriguez proposed to Abellana in October last year. They announced their engagement last March. The couple has been in a relationship since 2014, after meeting through the TV show “My Husband’s Lover.” Abellana and Rodriguez plan to get married at Madre de Dios Chapel in Talisay, Batangas, this month, as per wedding banns released by the local parish. While waiting for her wedding day, Abellena received a “wholesome” bachelorette treat from fellow celebrities earlier this month. The gathering was arranged with the help of her co-stars in the GMA series “To Have and to Hold.”
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Bea on her birthday: I had the time of my life Direk Paul gets ‘most personal’ in ‘Real Life Fiction’
KAPUSO actress Bea Alonzo on her 34th birthday said she had the time of her life—thanks to boyfriend Dominique Roque who went out of his way to surprise her. In an Instagram post, Alonzo shared how the romantic Roque made her day special. Roque surprised his girlfriend with a box of red roses and cake on the eve of her birthday last Sunday, October 17. He also gifted her with a puppy and treated her to a weekend getaway in Batangas, the actress said. Alonzo shared a barefaced phoBea Alonzo Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo to of her during the surprise.
“Thank you for all your love and well wishes on my birthday. You never cease to make me feel special on my birthday every year. But for me, this year is different. A lot has happened, and all I have in my heart right now is GRATITUDE. I am thankful for all the lessons and courage that this year has brought me. I am now seeing myself in a different light,” she said. “What more can I ask for? Thank you, Lord, for a life so beautiful; I wouldn’t want it any other way,” she added. Alonzo was also greeted by fellow celebrities and fans on her birthday. (Inquirer.net)
‘There was a lot of crying’: Alex recalls miscarriage By Deni
AfiniDAD-BernArDo Philstar.com
ACTRESS and vlogger Alex Gonzaga broke her silence over miscarriage rumors that circulated online after veteran showbiz columnist Lolit Solis wrote about it in an Instagram post last October 9. According to Alex, she and husband Mikee Morada waited for the pregnancy to naturally end before they can tell their story. “Hi. 2 months ago we found out that I was pregnant and 3 weeks ago, we got a heartbreaking news that we might be having an anembryonic pregnancy (blighted ovum),” Alex began. “Our doctor advised us to wait for the process to naturally take its course. So we had to wait for awhile for the pregnancy to finally end before we can tell our story.” The ordeal was so heartbreaking that it tested their faith. “The waiting and praying tested our faith and there (was) a lot of crying. (Every day,) we were clinging on to a miracle that an embryo would still appear but last Tuesday (Oct 12), the Lord’s will prevailed and we finally closed the book of our first pregnancy,” she explained. Although painful, Alex said she shared their story to give inspiration. “We share our story to give hope that in the midst of this pain and loss the Lord will always sustain you. To any couple who’s going through this or who might go through this pain, don’t ever lose hope. It’s not your fault this happened. At your own pace you can start to grieve and heal.” She remains hopeful that she
would bear a child again in the future. “Mikee and I held on to our Lord Jesus to prepare and help us accept our situation. He blessed us with a kind of LOVE that is ready to understand. We know that in His perfect time He will bless us with our ultimate desire.” She sent her thanks not only to people who stood by their side, but also to their little bundle of joy. “To our baby whom we almost had, thank you for giving mommy and daddy joy even for a short span. Lastly, thank you to everyone who gave us time to heal.” Celebrities poured love and prayers for the couple. “Praying for your healing Alex. Yours, Mikee’s and your family’s healing,” said singer, actress and vlogger Donnalyn Bartolome. “Stay strong Ate Cath,” added singer-actress Maris Racal. “Sending my prayers and love,” enthused actress-beauty queen Kylie Verzosa. “Sending prayers and love,” commented actress and vlogger Ivana Alawi. Last October 9, Lolit wrote on Instagram: “Naawa naman ako sa balita na nakunan daw si Alex Gonzaga. Kasi nga worried na worried ang mga followers niya at gusto malaman ang tutoong nangyari pero may nagsabi na sa vlog na lang daw ni Alex o Toni Gonzaga hintayin. Para bang ginawa ng business pati malungkot na balita. “Siyempre para sa sinuman babae very sad na mawala ang baby mo, lalo at first baby nilang mag-asawa. Hindi naman siguro tutoo na nagagalit ang mother
Alex Gonzaga with husband Mikee Morada Photo from Instagram/@cathygonzaga
Pinty nila Alex at Toni na lumabas ang balita dahil gusto nga daw nila na maging exclusive sa vlog nila. Very petty ‘di ba? Dahil lang sa vlog pati ganitong balita itatago? Eh married naman si Alex, at paano itatago iyon medical record? Basta for us, get well soon Alex, at be strong. Magkakaruon ka pa uli ng baby, we pray for that. Amen.” Mikee expressed dismay by commenting on the post: “(Ma’am,) masakit at nakakadismaya naman. Hindi lang patungkol kay Alex ang inyong sinulat, tungkol ito sa amin mag-asawa. Kaya hinihingi ko ang inyong pag-respeto. Huwag po kayong gumawa ng kwento sa ganitong klaseng sitwasyon lalo’t hindi niyo naman alam ang totoong pangyayari. Salamat.” Lolit has since apologized for the post, saying in a follow-up post: “If I have offended, o may nasaktan dahil dito, I am very sorry. Hindi iyon at never iyon ang naging intention ko nang isulat at i-post ko iyon.”
By nAthAlie
tomADA Philstar.com
FILMMAKER Paul Soriano has created his “most personal” work yet in Real Life Fiction. Starring Piolo Pascual and Jasmine Curtis-Smith, the psychological drama attempts to shed light on the psyche and limits to which actors push themselves and the people around them “to find brilliance in madness.” Being a director for 15 years now has given Paul a frontrow seat to the lives of actors who create fiction for real. The director, who is also married to one, Toni Gonzaga, and the grandson of one, Nestor de Villa, has had opportunities to explore and observe what he called as the thin, blurry line that actors cross day in and day out. His film is borne out of his observations on the methods and processes actors do when creating characters, and how these affect who they are and how they live their lives when cameras stop rolling. Real Life Fiction is produced under Paul’s production house TEN17P with Spring Films and Viva Films. Its first official trailer was released on Sunday, October 17, which is also the director’s 40th birthday. “I’ve been fortunate and blessed to work with many different actors — some of the most popular ones, some of the better-known character actors and some first-timers. I got to know them personally and professionally,” direk Paul told The STAR in a recent virtual interview. “I have the most respect for actors because technically their job is to be somebody else, to create a character that can convince strangers in a cinema and make them believe in their journey. It’s a very respectable thing to do because how do you separate yourself from real life and from fiction? There’s that blurred line that sometimes for some actors, there’s no more line and it becomes just them.” Casting Piolo In his film, Paul goes into the mind of an actor played by Piolo, whom he described as perfect for the role. “He’s also had, what, 30-plus years in the industry, so his journey as an actor, as a character was also kind of a release for him. We got along and he was able to really encapsulate the character of Paco for Real Life Fiction.” As the synopsis puts it, Paco is a seasoned actor surrounded by
Paul’s directorial comeback, Real Life Fiction, is borne out of his observations on the processes actors go through when creating characters — and how these affect who they are and how they live their lives when cameras stop rolling. Philstar.com photo
people who think they know who he truly is. In hopes of coming to terms with his own mortality and rediscovering who he really is and what he has become, Paco decides to write, direct and act in his own movie. In the course of doing so, he meets a new actress, Paula (Jasmine), who becomes his on and off-screen muse. She turns into all the characters he creates for her, from assassin, therapist to a woman he plans to marry. As he relentlessly pursues his film, his ways put a strain on his relationship with Paula and take a toll on his life. As lines between what’s real and not are blurred, Paco is haunted by memories that push him to make a choice between finally ending his misery, or getting out of his head and forgiving himself. Paul acknowledged that his film has a “very existential” nature, heavily influenced by the likes of Terrence Malick, François Truffaut, Federico Fellini — the masters he has studied or watched for inspiration. The director also confirmed that the movie has a meta-quality to it in that “it is kind of like a film within a film because you actually see the making of the film. You also see bits and pieces of the film they’re shooting. It’s kind of what the structure of Real Life Fiction is.” Most personal film According to Paul, Real Life Fiction is 15 years in the making “because that’s kind of what I needed to be able to write something like this.” “I think it’s definitely my most personal from a filmmaker’s perspective, just from my experiences. (It’s about) being a filmmaker for the past 15 years and what I got from it,” he further shared. “I am very thankful, obviously, that I had the opportunity to do a
film like this. It’s a little bit niche, it’s experimental...” He began writing it in 2019 while attending the Tokyo Film Festival for his last film Mañanita and enjoying different cinematic works there. On the day the country was put on a hard lockdown in March 2020, he was with Piolo in his office in Quezon City, pitching the concept. “He instantly gravitated towards the project, saying that’s kind of been his life and he signed on. He gave me this word that he’d do it. Then, the pandemic happened and I was able to write more.” In August 2020, when things improved, they locked themselves in a bubble and shot the film for a month. It is now done but no release date yet. He is, however, definite about having it screened in cinemas. Paul further said of his choice for a directorial comeback. “It just felt right. I never really know what my next film is. Like right now, if you ask me, I’m working on three or four films. There is one film that could be it. But I guess my next film is always whatever feels right, whatever organically happens well. Real Life Fiction all just came together. All the pieces were happening. Piolo said yes, Jasmine, yes, the team was okay, the location was okay, so game.” Biggest change as director From directing music videos and concerts, direk Paul ventured into full-length features starting in 2009 with A Journey Home. Citing his filmography, The STAR asked if it was his intention to take on varying genres. “It’s funny that you say that, like, one of the next films I’m doing, it really does not coincide with any of my past films. I know there’s a tendency to brand cerPAGE 10
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OctOber 21-27, 2021 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL
Tax Tips Victor Sy, MBA, cPA (retired) WHAT Is a Gift Tax? Gift tax is a federal tax applied to an individual giving anything of value to another person. The donor must report the gift on a tax return and pay the gift tax. Normally, the recipient doesn’t have to report the gift. In summary: • Gift tax is a federal tax levied on a taxpayer who gives items of value to someone else. • The gift tax ranges from 18% to 40%, depending on the size of the gift. • The lifetime exemption is $11.7 million for a single donor. • Excluded from the gift tax are gifts made to spouses who
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Booster shot?
Annual exclusion of gifts Biden tax plan series are U.S. citizens and gifts valued at less than the annual exclusion amount. • Use IRS tax form 709. Current Tax Law: • You can gift up to $15,000 per year per recipient have those gifts excluded from gift tax. • A couple can gift up to $30,000 per recipient per year. • You can gift to an unlimited number of recipients. • You can also receive an unlimited amounts of gifts from any number of donors. • Do all these with no gift tax ramifications. Bueno. Proposed Tax Changes: • Proposed law would reduce the maximum annual gift exclusion to $10,000 per recipient. • Donors would be limited
to total annual gifts of $20,000 that would be excluded from gift tax. • Worst, no recipient could receive more than $10,000 per year. Malo. *** 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. *** He retired after 50 years of defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He published a book on “How to Avoid or Survive IRS Audits” that’s available at Amazon. Readers may email tax questions to vicsy@live.com.
PhiliP S. chuA, Md, FAcS, FPcS
DO people need (is it safe) to be vaccinated against COVID-19? The almost 6.5 billion COVID-19 vaccines given have shown the vaccines are safe and effective. The massive global deaths are a compelling proof we all need the vaccines. The majority of COVID-19 deaths in the United States, the Philippines and other nations were from among those who refused the vaccines, which is the reason it has been referred to as “a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” When dealing with a disease like COVID-19 we must think like scientists and deal with evidencebased clinical data, and not listen to and be misled by ignorant civil rights agitators, spineless selfserving politicians, or purveyors of dangerous misinformation in social media. For our electrical problems at home, who would we believe, plumbers or electricians? Riskier than Mount Everest Before making a choice, we must first be adequately informed of the facts – not myths, not lies – and be able to do the analysis and the math ourselves. For example: Around 750,000 in the U.S. have died from COVID19 and about 7,900 died after receiving the vaccines (many of them were not directly caused by the vaccine itself). So, which one is the more likely to kill people, COVID-19 or the vaccines? More precisely, the risk of taking the vaccines is only a fraction of 1 percent (0.0105%), compared to the 10-20 percent risk of dying from COVID-19. Getting the vaccines is at least 90 times safer than getting COVID-19. The risk from COVID-19 is said to be greater than the risk of climbing Mount Everest. Getting the vaccines is obviously the wiser/safer choice! A no-brainer, even for a 5th grader. What we now know The scientific facts we know The music video for Jayda’s hit single ‘Paano Kung Naging Tayo?’ was released on Valentine’s Day this year. Photo from Instagram/@jayda today about COVID-19 (the deadliest pandemic in American hisReleased on Valentine’s Day emotional session editing this tory), which started in China in this year, “Paano Kung Naging one.” December 2019, are as follows: Jayda further thanked ABS- Tayo?” counts over a million 1. Masking (covering both CBN Star Music and Miguel for views on YouTube as of press nose and mouth) and social disbeing part of the music video’s time. tancing greatly reduce the transJayda is the only daughter of major success. “I say this time mission of the virus, which could and time again, but it’s really OPM stars Jessa Zaragoza and also be spread in aerosol mode true that this is your award just Dingdong Avanzado. (ManilaT(virus flying in the air) and not imes.net) as much as it is ours.” only by droplet infection (breathing, talking, sneezing, shouting, coughing, singing). The trajectory could be 20 feet or more, depending on the airflow. The spread is greatly minimized with 6 feet of social distancing. Cloth masks, even the expensive designer ones, are not as protective as the KN95 masks.
Jayda’s music video snags New York win SINGER-songwriter Jayda Avanzado’s first foray in directing her own music video has proven a success. Made for her single “Paano Kung Naging Tayo?” not only was it a hit among her fans, but it won the Best Music Video award on the International Film Festival Manhattan 2021 in New York. Avanzado was ecstatic when she announced the good news on social media, admitting she hardly expected to win as a newbie. “I’m over the moon to announce that ‘Paano Kung Naging Tayo?’ has won Best Music Video at the International Film Festival Manhattan 2021! Never would’ve seen it coming that my directorial debut into the world of music video directing would be recognized as my first win in a category like this,” she wrote on Instagram. Avanzado, who also sang the song, starred in the music video along with actor Rhys Miguel. She collaborated with Edrex Sanchez in directing the video. “My co-direk @edrexclyde, we did it rekdi!! Thank you for guiding me, collaborating, and being with me throughout this whole process! Not to mention for also helping and allowing me to grow as a creator whenever we work together! I appreciate you,” the singer added. “You and I both know how much this project means to the both of us. I won’t forget our very
2. Wearing a mask, even for hours does not cause harm. It is best to mask up, do social distancing, and avoid crowds, even after a booster shot, until this pandemic is over. 3. Governors, judges, and others who are against a vaccine mandate or who mandated against social distancing or masking are doing a great disservice to the public. Their arrogant un-medical harmful advocacies have caused preventable miseries and countless deaths, with some victims being children. Albeit not malicious, their reckless actions could lead to potential lawsuits. One person is enough to transmit a killer virus to millions. How do you think did the one person in Wuhan infected by SARS-CoV2 virus lead to the 242 million cases and have killed close to 5 million around the world (nearly 46 million cases and about 750,000 deaths in the U.S. alone)? Indeed, one person can cause a pandemic within days in our shrunken world today where one could have breakfast in Las Vegas and dinner in Paris on the same day. 4. The unvaccinated are at the greatest risk to get COVID-19. When infected, they have more severe symptoms and are six times more likely to die, compared to those who have been fully vaccinated, and especially to those with a booster shot. Trying to get infected in order to get natural immunity is insane. Remember the famous personalities who were against the vaccines and ended up getting infected and died? They regretted their previous dangerous advocacy, and before they died, they urged everyone to get vaccinated. They did not survive to benefit from natural immunity. 5. Natural immunity is not as good, not as stable, and longlasting when compared to immunity from the vaccines. Natural immunity (without vaccination) will NOT protect the unvaccinated from getting infected AGAIN by a newer variant! Those who have recovered should still get vaccinated to get 2-tiered immunity, greater protection than those who had the two shots but did not get infected. 6. Vaccine effectiveness wanes after 6 months. Those vaccinated need the booster shot, which will “boost” their antibody titer 8-10 times higher. The FDA says mixand-match boosters are safe. Without the booster, they could still get breathrough COVID-19 infection, like the one that killed former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, who had the 2 shots. 7. Vaccines for children 5-11 are here. The new anti-COVID19 pills will be a game changer. More are in the pipeline. Monoclonal antibodies have saved
countless lives. COVID-19 vaccines and the flu shot (for the winter’s twin-demic) may be given at the same time, just like children getting their multiple shots for school. A deadly delay The COVID-19 pandemic is being prolonged by the 20 percent of Americans who refuse the vaccines. Their bodies are acting as a huge reservoir where the virus continuously replicate and mutate to more severe (and deadlier) strains. They will spread the virus around exponentially, possibly making it necessary someday for people to need annual COVID-19 vaccination, like the annual flu shot. Medically speaking, only a federally-mandated COVID-19 vaccination (like children’s legal school vaccination requirements today) could fully eradicate this deadly virus. Vaccines ended Polio 65 years ago. Smallpox and various other infectious diseases are practically gone, thanks to vaccines. But abuse of freedom, political correctness, and cancel culture today are standing in the way. In a democracy, national societal interest and safety must always prevail over individual civil rights. Think about this: Would you allow people who have active tuberculosis or any deadly infectious disease and who refuse treatment (as their constitutional right) to spread the disease and kill thousands? Would a federal mandate to compel these patients to get treatment to protect the public not be justified? A single individual is enough to perpetuate this pandemic. Why then allow the 20 percent (about 60 million) who refuse the vaccines to hold the majority (260.8 million) of Americans hostage, forcing the 80 percent to face a lingering nightmare and potential death, not to mention a national economic disaster, simply because the unvaccinated are wrongfully invoking the freedom of (a bad) choice that kills? Is this just? Any choice that endangers the lives of others is not the kind of freedom guaranteed by the Constitution. How many thousands more deaths are we waiting for before we do the right thing? *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and antigraft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
Kylie: ‘Pass divorce bill’ by Ronnie
CaRRasCo ManilaTimes.net
HOURS after her ex-husband Aljur Abrenica’s Facebook post about their split went viral, Kylie Padilla took to her social media pages to respond. On Instagram, Padilla posted a quote from Rihanna: “Never underestimate a man’s ability to make you feel guilty for his mistakes.” She also took to Twitter (@kylienicolep) to state, “#passdivorcebill”. Abrenica’s post continues to make the rounds on social media on Wednesday, with 453,000 reactions, 335,000 comments and 202,000 shares as of this writing. Abrenica wrote: “Kylie, please tell them the truth. Don’t hide and disguise your comments, statements for your own gain. Tell them who cheated first. Tell them who wrecked our family. Tell them why I gave up on you, not on our family. The people deserve to know. I have no hate for them despite all the attacks and accusations they have towards me.” The ex-couple started dating in 2011. They broke up in 2014. They got back together in 2016 and got engaged in 2017. That same year, they had a son named Alas. Abrenica and Padilla got married in 2018 and had another son named Axl in 2019. The actress’ father, Robin Padilla, confirmed on Ogie Diaz’s vlog in July that the couple separated because Abrenica had an affair. The actress said that they had officially separated in April and that they both agreed to date other people. Kylie Padilla Actress AJ Raval confirmed that Abrenica is courting her but emPhoto from Instagram/@kylienicolepadilla phasized that she was not the third party behind the separation.
Direk Paul gets ‘most personal’ in ‘Real... PAGE 9
tain filmmakers. But I guess with me, I just want to be branded to the kind of story I want to tell,” he said. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that I always do a love story or drama or action or science fiction, but if there’s a story I can fall in love with and sacrifice possibly a year, or a year and a half of my life, then I think it’s worthtelling.” Noting he’s not “genre-picky,” he added, “I love all kinds of films, from local to world cinema. I think my taste in films can go from ‘very shallow’ movies to what people consider criticallyacclaimed. I keep an open mind, I think.” Asked if he’s the type of director who, after every film, clinically looks at it and assesses what he could have done better, he said, “I think what every film I’ve done shows where I was at that particular moment in time
of my life. Like when I did Thelma (2011), when I watch that film, I kind of know what I was thinking, what my inspirations were. Or when I did Kid Kulafu (2015), First Love (2018), Siargao (2017), (each film) brings me back to the Paul Soriano at that time. We’re all evolving, we’re all changing. We’re all hopefully getting better, learning from our mistakes. I would like to think every film that I do is kind of the best version of me at that particular moment.” He continued, “The best part about making films is that it’s so subjective, to the point where you have really good discussions. And from those discussions, you get better.” One thing’s certain, the biggest change in him as a filmmaker was brought about by the arrival of his son, Seve, five years ago. “That brought out a whole plethora of emotions I had never
felt before. I think for the first time, you literally can’t control anything. Toni said it best, that your heart is literally living outside your body. I never understood that until I had my own son. You can only do so much to give him the best and protect him as much as you can, but at the end of the day, you have to learn to slowly let them grow,” Paul reflected. “That kind of emotion I have now as a father maybe has changed me also as a storyteller. I guess, I’m more sensitive. I’m very choosy with my projects because it means I’m going to be away from Seve. Is it worth to be gone for a month and miss milestones maybe or miss something? When I became a father, I kind of organically became more emotional, which I think as a filmmaker is very positive because you should feel empathy, you should feel sympathy, you should feel happy, sad.”
(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com
EntErtainmEnt
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 21-27, 2021
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Why Aubrey enjoys the extra weight Are Sherwin, Bianca ready to tie the knot? By alex
Brosas Philstar.com
ACTRESS and health buff Aubrey Miles does enjoy gaining a little weight every now and then, but at the same time, she does not want to be complacent. Miles spoke about gaining and losing weight in her Instagram page last Friday, Oct. 15, as she shared a short video of herself examining her physique while facing a mirror. “In a weird way, I’m enjoying my heavier weight,” she said. “It’s on and off though. I can gain it in a week or [two] and lose it easily. It’s somehow a pleasure to see my body with a little meat here and there.” While she may be comfortable with the additional pounds, Miles Aubrey Miles Photo from Instagram/@milesaubrey said she can’t stay in such a form
for a long time. “I can’t stay in this weight coz I don’t want to shop for new clothes and new size LOL,” she explained. “Motivation is I don’t have to shop or more I don’t want to shop.” Miles admitted that she is the “best and worst critic” of her own body. “I can’t always have the best abs, only people with solid abs [know] how hard to maintain it unless that’s their job/profession,” she said. “For a normal body like [mine, you] see it comes and [goes]!” she added, while stressing that what’s important is one being “healthy inside and out.” Aside from being a health buff, Miles is also a known plantita, owning very pricey and beautiful plants.
Hidilyn & Julius want destination wedding in 2022 by Nathalie
tomada Philstar.com
HIDILYN Diaz initially thought it was a prank. But the country’s weightlifting golden girl got engaged on Friday, October 15 after long-time boyfriend and coach, Julius Naranjo, went down on bended knee and proposed with a golden ring. On Saturday, the sports couple, both 30 years old, shared the “magical” and “meaningful” moment, which took place at Resorts World Manila, on their respective social media accounts. “It’s YES!” Hidilyn captioned her post that showed her wearing her gold medal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the golden ring featuring a barbell design. “I’m grateful to God that He sent Julius into my life. He makes my life easy, alam ng iba kung ano mga sinasakripisyo niya para maabot namin ang pangarap na ginto sa Olympics together with #TeamHD,” wrote the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist. “Kinilig at masaya ako kasi siya mismo nagsabi God is the center of our relationship, kaya walang duda magye-YES ako dahil swerte ako may isang Julius nagmamahal, nagintindi at sumoporta sakin.” Julius, on the other hand, posted a photo of his fiancee proudly flaunting her engagement ring. “There’s a first for everything,” he wrote. The future husband and wife, who first met at an international weightlifting competition in 2017,
Hidilyn Diaz and coach Julius Naranjo are planning to wed in 2022. Photo from Instagram/@hidilyndiaz
have been together for three years now. In a video shared with The STAR by Hidilyn’s manager Noel Ferrer, Julius told the story behind the custom-made, barbell-inspired ring he designed with the help of Manila Diamond Studio. “I told them to make it gold because she won gold,” Julius said. “This is a barbell and the engraved ‘Tokyo 2020’ inside the ring.” According to Noel, Julius has long planned the proposal. “Actually, matagal na. Before the Olympics pa ang plano. It was just a matter of timing really.” The newly-engaged couple are looking at a destination wedding in Baguio City in 2022 with a reception party to be held in Metro Manila. “Si MVP (PLDT-Smart big boss Manny V. Pangilinan) nagsabi na, siya in charge ng honeymoon package,” disclosed Noel.
Fashion designer Francis Libiran with business manager Arsi Baltazar also attended the intimate engagement party to have preliminary talks on the wedding motif. “Gift nila daw yan ng major,” Noel said. Their respective parents in Zamboanga (Hidilyn’s) and Guam (Julius’) couldn’t make it to the special occasion due to the pandemic situation. “But they’re aware,” Noel told The STAR. “At nagpaalam si Julius sa mga magulang ni Haidie (Hidilyn’s nickname) sa Zamboanga bago nag-propose kaya may blessing na rin sya ng mga future in-laws.” The affair was witnessed by some of the couple’s celebrity friends, including Iza Calzado, Joross Gamboa, Precious Lara Quigaman and Marco Alcaraz, among others.
by Nathalie
tomada Philstar.com
PHILIPPINE Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian recently talked about marriage plans with girlfriend Bianca Manalo. “That is a very difficult question. I feel like I’m sweating on that question,” joked Gatchalian when asked about a possible wedding date during the recent virtual celebration of the 7th World Pandesal Day spearheaded by businessman, STAR columnist and Kamuning Bakery owner Wilson Lee Flores. “Wala akong maibibigay na definite date. Ang aking pananaw diyan, of course, it’s in God’s time. Pag-uusapan namin na mabuti kung ano yung pinakamagandang oras for both of us. (I can’t give a definite date. My view there, of course, it’s in God’s time. We will talk carefully about what is the best time for both of us). This is a mutual decision, so in God’s time,” he said. The 47-year-old senator and his 34-year-old actress-girlfriend will mark three years as a couple on Nov. 18. On Instagram, Manalo previously revealed Gatchalian won her heart by pursuing her for six years. Early 2020, the former beauty queen sparked engagement talk after sharing their sweet photos in Paris, which netizens mistook for a prenup shoot. Asked if a wedding will happen before the May 2022 elections, Gatchalian said, “I’m not very sure but knowing how stressful elections (are), baka mahirap makabuo.” Nevertheless, he admitted to envying friends who have families of their own. “In fact, yung mga ka-age kong friends, nag-graduate na sa college ang mga anak nila. Ako hindi pa nag-uumpisa. So, those are the things that I envy a lot of our friends.” Meanwhile, Gatchalian welcomed the reopening of cinemas, which coincided with the World Pandesal Day, after over a year of shutdown due to the pandemic. For him, it’s about time theaters and other business establishments open. He said the new alert system is good “because it’s granular” and “not sweeping,” allowing local governments to have the flexibility to “implement whatever alert levels they deem necessary.” “It’s a very difficult balancing act, I know, but we need to slowly open up our economy dahil hindi kakayanin ng gobyerno na bigay
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and girlfriend of almost three years, Bianca Manalo. Photo from Instagram/@biancamanalo
nang bigay ng ayuda. We’re not a rich country, we don’t have unlimited resources and we have other important things to finance also,” he said. Gatchalian was among the guests from both politics and showbiz at the World Pandesal Day, which this year did away with the tradition of distributing 70,000 breads whole day to urban poor communities in Quezon City. Instead, breads were delivered to children’s shelters, orphanages and other communities to continue to “honor the Filipino bread pandesal” and “highlight global hunger and poverty.” VIPs who gave special messages were President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo, senators Bong Go, Grace Poe, Sonny Angara, congresswoman Loren Legarda, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and GMA Network boss Felipe Gozon. During the event, Regal Entertainment matriarch Lily Monteverde also shared her thoughts on the reopening of cinemas, calling it a “new beginning.” She announced that Regal will soon co-produce movies with GMA Network. She expressed optimism that after “this difficult pandemic,” the filmmaking industry “will be more alive again.” Rights lawyer Neri Colmena-
res, who also attended the World Pandesal Day, was queried about his aunt, actress Angel Locsin, who was earlier rumored to join the 2022 elections following her philanthropic works. He said, “Well, si Angel, yung pagiging matulungin niya hindi dahil sa akin or sino pa man, she’s her own person. She developed that because of her life experiences. She wasn’t a famous star initially... until she became a big star. She knew people in all walks of life and she’s very active (in that aspect).” He confirmed repeatedly asking her if she was running because a lot of people wanted to know. “I really relayed them to her... ‘Maraming gusto at nagsasabi sana tumakbo ka.’” Colmenares recalled that a former colleague in congress said Angel could run under a partylist, while others raised the possibility of a spot in a senatorial slate. “(But) really, it’s not in her,” he explained. “She said, pwede naman akong tumulong na wala dyan at saka hindi yan yung politika (niya) ba. Several times, I asked her and told her, ‘I am just relaying, hindi kita pinipilit (not forcing you). But ayaw niya talaga, hindi talaga siya pwede. (She really doesn’t want to, she really can’t).”
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october 21-27, 2021 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JoUrNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678