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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 20 - No. 42 • 14 Pages
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 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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California becomes only state with DATELINE USA Husband of missing ‘moderate’ COVID-19 transmission level Fil-Am mom in FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
California arrested
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. “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.
by AJPRESS
THE Golden State is currently the only state in the country that has improved to a “moderate” rate of transmission for COVID-19, 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 0.2 deaths rate per 100,000 over the past seven days.
by AJPRESS
More women are targets of xenophobic hate
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
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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
MENDIOLA AJPress
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 proves that the President has not
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
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Comelec dismisses ‘false reports’on 2022 elections Fil-Am labor leader Larry Itliong inducted into California Hall of Fame 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. 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
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Palace: Duterte not remiss in investigating drug war killings by RITCHEL
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300 banners installed in SOMA Pilipinas to honor SF’s Fil-Am community
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Immigrant women account for most of the victims of hate crimes. Why is this phenomenon so pervasive?
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
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 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 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 buybust operations that turned into shootouts after the subjects resisted arrest. However, the agency noted u PAGE 3
by AJPRESS FILIPINO American labor activist Larry Itliong is among the six notable individuals posthumously inducted into the California Hall of Fame. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom on Tuesday, October 12, announced the honorees for the California Hall of Fame 14th class through a webcast streamed by the California Museum. “Sometimes the Hall of Fame gives us the opportunity to bring outstanding Californians out of the shadows when their contributions to society have been largely overlooked in history books,” said Siebel. “And there is no better example of that than Larry Itliong.” Newsom added, “We all benefit from Larry’s leadership and unapologetic advocacy.” Itliong, according to his description on California Museum’s website, was one of the most important civil rights leaders of the 20th century and a father of the West Coast labor movement. He was born in the Philip-
Larry Itliong as photographed by Jon Lewis Courtesy of Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University
pines and migrated to the United States in 1929, working in the Alaskan fish canneries and along the West Coast as a farm laborer. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Itliong became a U.S. citizen in 1954 and settled in Stockton, where he organized for the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC). u PAGE 2
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OctOber 22-28, 2021 • NOrcAL ASIAN JOUrNAL
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From the Front Page
California becomes only state...
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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% 7-
day 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. n
Fil-Am labor leader Larry Itliong inducted...
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“He was so good at recruiting new members that union leaders asked him to move to Delano to organize Filipino grape workers,” noted the California Museum. “It was there that he helped change the history of farm labor.” Among Itliong’s achievements include uniting with the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) and starting the Delano Grape Strike and Boycott, which is one of the most important social justice and labor movements in American history. Itliong also formed the United Farm Workers (UFW) with César Chávez, with the latter as director and the former as assistant director. In addition, Itliong successfully secured funding for the con-
struction of the Paulo Agbayani Retirement Village in Delano, which has provided housing and support for retired Filipino farmworkers since 1974. Aside from Itliong, LGBTQ advocates Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, artist Ruth Asawa, singer-songwriter and guitarist Jerry Garcia, and rock music icon Ritchie Valens were inducted into the California Hall of Fame. “Jennifer and I are pleased to induct this group of extraordinary Californians into the Hall of Fame,” said Newsom. “There is no doubt their lives and legacies have helped make California synonymous around the world with innovation, imagination and progress,” he added. The new inductees joined 134
other Californians recognized for embodying the state’s “innovative spirit.” “These luminaries represent the best of California,” said Siebel. “Each one has left their own indelible mark on history and reminds us of the creativity, ingenuity and courage that lives inside all of us.” The California Hall of Fame was established in 2006 at the California Museum by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver. Inductees are selected from all walks of life and have made distinguished achievements across a variety of fields, including the arts, education, business and labor, science, sports, philanthropy and public service. (AJPress)
EARLY VISITORS. A man and two teenaged boys clean and repaint the apartment-type tombs of their loved ones at the Paranaque Public Cemetery in Palanyag Tramo 2, Brgy. San Dionisio on Wednesday, October 20. The government ordered the closure of cemeteries in Metro Manila from October 29 to November 2 due to the COVID-19 threat. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObeR 22-28, 2021
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Children with disabilities face special back-to-school challenges by Heidi de
Marco Kaiser Health News
SECURED. Courier company workers tighten the plastic strap around the boxes of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine that arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Saturday, October 16. A total of 207,090 doses of the U.S.-made jabs were delivered. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Palace: Duterte not remiss in investigating... PAGE 1 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 buildup 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.
300 banners installed in...
PAGE 1 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
Husband of missing Fil-Am... PAGE 1 “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 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 SUV into the garage at his home before 6 a.m. He drove roughly two-and-ahalf 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
May “Maya“ Millete
File photo
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. 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 11year-old daughter that we will bring her mom home,” she added. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)
“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 complaint-affidavit or find a witness to file appropriate criminal cases in court),” said Eleazar. n
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 atten-
tion 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 maskwearing, 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 du-
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OctOber 22-28, 2021 • NOrcAL ASIAN JOUrNAL
Comelec dismisses ‘false reports’ on... PAGE 1 candidates. #fightfake,” Jimenez tweeted on Sunday, October 17. These claims surfaced over 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
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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
More women are targets of xenophobic... PAGE 1
conducted the survey. “And 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 Asian-American 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)
DOLOMITE BEACH. A worker from the Manila Department of Public Services picks pieces of trash mixed with the dolomite sand at the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach along Roxas Boulevard, Manila on Monday, October 18. The beach saw an influx of visitors over the weekend after Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 3. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Children with disabilities face special... PAGE 3 ration 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 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 mask-wearing. 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 mask-wearing 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
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
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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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObeR 22-28, 2021
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Displaced Marawi residents return home by Jerry
aDlaw ManilaTimes.net
FOUR years after the Marawi siege in 2017, some 100,000 residents affected by the war between government forces and the extreme Maute group were hoping to return to their homes, said chairman Drieza Lininding of the Moro Consensus Group in an interview. Lininding said most of the displaced residents used to live in Ground Zero, where the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) have been developing infrastructure projects. Muslim families were seen cleaning housing units in Barangay Gadongan, the site of the 150 permanent shelters that the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) and the National Housing Authority (NHA) built with additional funding from the Japanese government. The NHA already developed 100 units and also procured and developed the land. “The new 90-square-meter house is small compared to the old model unit being constructed by residents of Marawi. These would at least give them a comfortable zone, which will now become their permanent home,” said Lininding. The residents affected by the siege wanted to begin a new life with their new home with the help of the P73,000-cash assistance from the government. “With regards to housing, there is none yet for sharers but they were provided with financial assistance (worth) P35,000 per family including those vendors who rented their stalls inside MAA but lost their businesses during the siege,” added Lininding. The government, however,
declared as “no-dwell zone” the areas within the 3- to 6-meter easement of the Lake Lanao, at the riverbanks and within the reclamation area where the government is doing infrastructure projects. The UN-Habitat had previously awarded permanent shelters to displaced families in Hadiya Village Phase 1 in Barangay Dulay West (109 units), at Phase 2 in the same location (120 units) and at the Pamayandeg Ranao Residences (50 units) in Barangay Mipantao-Gadongan. The UN agency said 910 permanent houses are set to be completed by December 2021 in five resettlement sites. Lininding said in September, a legislation for the compensation of residents of the war-torn city inched closer to approval in the Senate with the Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation chaired by Sen. Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa. Dela Rosa has given the assurance to expedite the approval of the bill as both legislative houses will work double time to pass this measure for the people of Marawi. The lower house passed its version, House Bill 9925, on September 6 which, under the bill, private property owners shall be compensated for loss or destruction based on the current market value. Some families affected by the five-month siege received permanent shelters from the partnership between private organizations and TFBM. Most of these were distributed prior to President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit on Saturday and later presented in a symbolic ceremony at the Rizal Park. According to the Rebuilding Marawi Project of the UN-Habi-
Give Rappler a chance - Marcos by BernaDette
e. tamayo
ManilaTimes.net
FORMER senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. appealed to his supporters to give Rappler “a chance” after they raised a howl against the online news outfit for allegedly manipulating an online presidential survey. “Let us give Rappler another chance,” Marcos, the standardbearer of the Partido Federal, told his supporters on Monday, October 18. “Those behind the manipulation of a simple exercise to get the voters’ pulse on the 2022 presidential race might have been overwhelmed by their desire to accomplish whatever mission assigned to them,” he said. “So, let’s give them another chance to find honesty in their heart.” Marcos thanked his supporters for checking the survey facts of Rappler, the Facebook factchecker in the Philippines, which conducted an online survey on presidential preference in the 2022 elections. He asked them to remain vigilant amid reports that some poll trendings for the presidential race were being doctored to favor certain candidates, particularly those with low survey numbers. A group of vloggers and Marcos supporters last week called out Rappler over its questionable
Guyam Island, Siargao
online survey. The survey on Facebook assigned different emoticons to presidential candidates. The “wow” emoticon was assigned to Marcos; the “heart” emoticon to Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo; the “laugh” emoticon to Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson; the “like” emoticon to Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso; and the “care” emoticon to Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. Marcos’ office said Rappler’s manipulation was discovered after a netizen uploaded on TikTok, another social media platform, a video of him checking out the emoticons hit for each of the candidates. In the video, the total number of votes cast for Robredo was already 161,000 and Marcos had 87,000 votes. The video showed that on counterchecking the pages, the actual “wow” emoticons outnumbered the “heart” emoticons. Rappler deleted the survey, apologized to netizens and explained that the survey had to be taken down since it was not aligned with its objectives. Vloggers Kasangga Jay and Princess Maui chided Rappler for its “attempt to deceive the public” into believing that Robredo was now getting the support of netizens. n
AJPress photo Joyce Dianne Balansag
PH among best beach and diving destinations MANILA — The Philippines was once again recognized as Asia’s leading beach and diving destination by a travel awards body, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Tuesday, October 19. The DOT said this is the fifth time that the country won Asia’s Leading Beach Award, and the third time in a row to bag the Leading Dive Destination Award. “We are elated that the country’s pristine beaches and mesmerizing dive spots have once again been cited as the best in Asia,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said. “We share this recognition with our tourism stakeholders, local government units, partner agencies and all Filipinos who have been helping us promote our attractions, products and culture.” The Philippines is still in the running for the World’s Leading Beach Destination and the World’s Leading Dive Destination catego-
ries in this year’s World Travel Awards, Puyat said. Also nominated are Siargao for World’s Leading Island Destination, Intramuros for World Leading Tourist Attraction and the DOT for World Leading Tourist Board. “This will boost our effort to keep the Philippines as a top-ofmind destination for foreign tourists as we await the resumption of international leisure travel to the country, consistent with our ‘More Fun Awaits’ global campaign,” Puyat said. Voting will run until Oct. 25 on the World Travel Awards website. The DOT said about 65.53 percent of tourism workers in the country have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration said foreign tourists, including from “green countries,” are still not allowed to visit the Philippines. (Robertzon Ramirez/ Philstar.com)
tat, in partnership with the NHA, 250 families were awarded permanent house and lot units. Marawi residents represented by Norjannah Amerol, 46, said it is an opportunity to rebuild part of what they lost in the war. “The new house that we now have is a blessing, a symbol that if a person patiently waits, Allah will provide his blessings,” Amerol said crying as she recalled how she feared for the lives of her two sons who chose to stay behind to take care of the family’s belongings, thinking that the gunfight will last for just three days at the most. One of Amerol’s sons was hit by a stray bullet as other members of the family made their way to the boat by the lake that brought them to safety. “Four years! Whatever hard- UNDAS PREPARATION. A cemetery caretaker cleans the tombs at the Golden Haven Cemetery in Las Piñas City on Monday, October 18. The public is advised to visit their departed loved ones early as cemeteries in Metro Manila are closed from October 29 to November 2 in a bid ships my family went through, to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan those were assuaged by this house. I will not let my children be separated from me again. That kind of fear as a mother is something that I do not want to experience again. This is where we will rebuild our lives, together,” Amerol said. country in the next six months. three weeks, we saw that around by Daniza FernanDez Last Saturday’s (October 16) “For the past siguro mga two five percent or more of our nursInquirer.net visit of President Duterte in or three weeks, nakita natin na es — especially our nurses — file Marawi led to the unveiling of the MANILA — Around five to 10 medyo mga around five percent resignations to work in other marker of the recently finished percent of health workers have or more ng ating mga nurses countries.) Jameo Mindanao Al-Islamic Mas- filed their resignation to work — lalo na po ang ating mga “Siguro mga at least five to 10 jid, otherwise known as the Grand overseas, Private Hospitals As- nurses — ay nag-fa-file ng mga percent po ‘yan na mga nag-aMosque, as he went to the Rizal sociation of the Philippines Inc. kanilang resignations dahil gusto abroad lang,” he added. Park to commemorate the fourth President Dr. Jose Rene De po nilang mag-work sa ibang (Maybe at least five to 10 peranniversary of Marawi’s libera- Grano said on Tuesday, October bansa,” De Grano said during the cent want to work overseas.) tion from the siege perpetrated 19 as he cautioned that continu- Laging Handa briefing. De Grano said that while health by the Maute terrorists. n ous resignation may strain the (For the past maybe two or u PAGE 7
5-10% of private health workers in PH resign to work overseas — hospitals group
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Face-to-face classes to start in 30 schools on November 15
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by CHriStian
DeiParin Philstar.com
APOR’S RIDE. An authorized person outside residence (APOR) signs on the contact tracing form inside the modern public utility vehicle (PUB) on Zabarte Road, Quezon City on Tuesday, October 19. The modern PUV is one of the service contracting free rides by the Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board that traverses Caloocan City to Fairview and vice versa. PNA photo by Ben Briones
PH vaccination drive enters new phase - children, minors by CriStina
eloiSa Inquirer.net
BaCliG
MANILA — The Philippine vaccination program has entered a new phase—the inoculation of children and young adults. On Oct. 15, the national government started the pilot run of vaccination for minors with comorbidity against SARS Cov2, the virus that causes COVID-19. At least eight hospitals took part in the pilot vaccination run. These are Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, Philippine Heart Center, Pasig City Children’s Hospital, Fe Del Mundo Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital-Global City, and Makati Medical Center. According to the Department of Health (DOH), as of Oct. 16, a total of 1,509 children with comorbidity, or pre-existing health conditions, have received their first vaccine dose. The Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (PSSAI) in a recent statement told the public that the benefits of COVID vaccines and vaccination outweigh the risks. “Based on current data the benefits of vaccination to the individual person and community outweigh the risks of adverse reaction to these vaccines,” said PSAAI. Citing data from DOH, out of the 2,659,758 reported cases of COVID-19 in the country as of Oct. 13, at least 11 percent or 301,163 cases were pediatric cases with patients aged 0-19 years old. Deaths, according to the organization, were highest among pediatric patients aged 4 and below. It is followed by those in the 15-19 year old age group. The pilot vaccination runs also come amid the threats brought by the Delta variant, the highly transmissible SARS Cov2 strain which has become predominant worldwide. Health experts believe that the increase in COVID-19 cases among Filipino children in September could be attributed to Delta. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday (Oct. 18) said that there had been only four reports of adverse reactions among inoculated children, most of which were minor cases. Vergeire said one child experienced high blood pressure which eventually subsided, while two others had stress-related reactions to the vaccine. A minor allergic reaction has also been reported, though it was managed immediately. Vergeire clarified, however, that these reports of adverse events are not yet official.
“Let me caution all of you. It’s not official yet,” said Vergeire. An updated statement issued by PSAAI listed some of the adverse reactions among adolescents aged 12-17 years old who received doses of mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna. Based on post-authorization monitoring of reactions in adolescents who received jabs of mRNA vaccines in the United States (US), reactogenic reactions—both local and systemic—were commonly reported. Scientist Caroline Hervé and her colleagues explained in their paper that reactogenicity pertains to “a subset of reactions that occur soon after vaccination, and are a physical manifestation of the inflammatory response to vaccination.” “These symptoms may include pain, redness, swelling or induration for injected vaccines, and systemic symptoms, such as fever, myalgia, headache, or rash,” they added. Most of the cases cited by PSSAI were mild and usually disappear after a few days. Local reactogenic reactions usually occurred within two days following the first and second dose. Systemic reactogenic reactions, like fever, were mostly experienced by vaccinated adolescents after their second dose. Aside from reactogenic reactions, post-authorization monitoring also noted cases of a more specific reaction to mRNA vaccines. Few cases of syncope — fainting, loss of consciousness, or passing out — have been reported as well as myocarditis or inflammation of the heart muscle. “Syncope, which is separate from anaphylaxis, is a reaction to vaccines almost unique to adolescents and with a female preponderance,” said PSAAI. “Providers must be able to anticipate and provide support in such a scenario during and postvaccination,” PSAAI added. Data from Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) — a US vaccine safety monitoring system — showed that as of July 16, 13.3 percent of 9,246 (about one in 1,000 vaccines) adverse events, which had been reported to VAERS, involved syncope. The most common reaction was dizziness at 20.1 percent followed by syncope and headache at 11.1 percent. On the other hand, myocarditis occurred in some adolescents after receiving a second dose. “Myocarditis associated with the mRNA vaccines became evident during post-approval safety surveillance of vaccinations and was seen to peak in males aged 12-17 years,” the statement read. PSAAI emphasized that most
reported cases were mild with resolution in 95 percent of cases. The organization also added that chances of getting myocarditis are higher after contracting COVID-19 than post-vaccination. “As monitoring of these patients continues, no mortality has so far been directly attributed to the vaccine,” said PSAAI. It said while cases of mortality are rare, children or minors and their guardians “must be familiarized with this risk to aid in timely detection.” “At the same time, a seven-fold higher risk of acquiring myocarditis after COVID-19 compared to vaccination must be emphasized,” the organization added. “Health care organization records have revealed that males aged 12 to 17 are most likely to develop myocarditis within three months of a COVID-19 infection at a rate of about 450 million,” said PSAAI. Several health professionals in the US, meanwhile, have been criticizing a preprint study citing data from VAERS on the risk of 12-15 year old healthy boys experiencing cardiac adverse events, like myocarditis, following doses of Pfizer vaccine. Oxford University Prof. Trish Greenhalgh said the VAERS database “is a passive monitoring system that invites the public to report any perceived or suspected side effects following vaccination so that potential signals of harm may be investigated further.” “Crucially, all such reports must be validated by other active monitoring systems, as VAERS entries are very prone to reporting and recall bias,” Greenhalgh said in an article published in the BMJ — a weekly peer-reviewed medical journal published by the British Medical Association. “Indeed, the CDC explicitly states that VAERS cannot be used in isolation to infer the existence, frequency, or rates of vaccine complications,” she added. The article also said critics called out the preprint study for allegedly using data from an inappropriate source — which could deliver an anti-vaccine message. “VAERS data dredging, as it is known, has been used by anti-vaccine groups in the past to produce alarmist estimates of harms from vaccines,” Greenhalgh said. PSAAI, in its statement, also said that there have been no cases of anaphylaxis, immune thrombocytopenia, or other significant reactions reported in clinical trials. Still, the organization warned of the possibility that such reactions may occur. “Therefore, careful historytaking and risk assessment are a must prior to and after each vaccination.” ■
MANILA — The Department of Education on Tuesday, October 19, said only 30 public schools are so far seen to proceed with the limited face-to-face classes that will start in the Philippines next month. Some 59 public schools were identified last month for the pilot run on resuming in-person learning on November 15 but Education Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma said some of the proposed sites did not get approval from local governments, communities, or parents to hold the classes. Some areas are also seeing a sudden increase in coronavirus cases, he added. “The 30 schools are definitely those that will start on November 15,” Garma said in Filipino, adding that a second round of validation in the regions is underway for 70 more institutions. Most of the public schools reopening next month are in the Central Visayas and the Zamboanga Peninsula. Face-to-face classes will also be held in a handful of schools in Northern Mindanao, Bicol Re-
Staff of Dagat Dagatan Elementary School in Navotas City prepare the classroom and other materials needed on Saturday, October 16 once the government allows the resumption of face-to-face classes. Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo
gion, Western Visayas, and Soccsksargen. To proceed with face-to-face classes, short-listed schools must get concurrence from local government units. Parents would also need to give their signed consent to allow their children to participate. Per the approved guidelines, 100 public schools would be permitted to hold the limited faceto-face classes, along with 20 private schools. DepEd regional offices nominated schools for the classes but those that make it to the initial list would still have to pass two
safety checks: the Department of Health’s granular risk assessment and DepEd’s safety school criteria. “Our objective in compliance with the joint memorandum circular is to complete the 100 public schools,” Garma said English and Filipino. “[The 30] will still be increased.” On COVID-19 vaccination for participants, the education official said 317 personnel in total have received at least a single dose. The figure is out of the 444 teaching and non-teaching staff joining the pilot run. ■
5-10% of private health workers in PH... PAGE 5
be in another six months, we will facilities, and the healthcare sysworkers who resign do not hastily lose our nurses and our health tem will be paralyzed.) ■ leave their duties and notify their employers of working abroad, he said that without immediate replacement, the country’s health system will be strained. “‘Yun po ang kinakatakot natin kasi ‘pag masyado tayo lumuwag sa pagpapalabas ng ating mga healthcare workers at wala naman tayong maipalit kaagad sa kanila ay baka tayo po maubusan ng mga healthcare workers,” De Grano lamented. (We fear that if more healthcare workers will be allowed to leave and we cannot find a replacement immediately, we may run out of healthcare workers.) “So, ‘yun po ang ating nakikita na siguro kung hindi po natin medyo mapipigilan itong pagalis na ‘to, baka po in another six months, baka po maubusan na tayo ng mga nurses at mapipilay po talaga ang ating mga health facilities at healthcare system,” he said. (We observe that if they cannot be prevented from leaving, may-
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Questions on ayuda distribution 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
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
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)
Climate change: the next global challenge
Babe’s Eye View BaBe Romualdez AS the current chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Washington (ACW) an organization composed of ambassadors of ASEAN member-nations in Washington – we have organized a list of activities aimed at elevating the concerns of Southeast Asian nations and further strengthening the political and economic ties with the United States. Last Wednesday, October 13, we chaired the ASEAN committee meeting at our embassy where we invited former State Secretary, now Special Presidential Envoy on Climate John Kerry, to discuss climate change and its inherent consequences affecting the world which could be equated with COVID-19. Secretary Kerry gave us a rundown on what the U.S. wants to accomplish together with other countries – the reduction of carbon emissions and a commitment to phase out fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas. President Biden has pledged to
Commentary
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; and the liberal arts would best combine with the top requisite of good character, to make
cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent (based on 2005 levels) by 2030, create a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and a net zero emissions economy by no later than 2050. According to Secretary Kerry, we have less than 10 years – by 2030 in fact – to get the world on the right path and avoid a potential climate catastrophe. He believes we can reverse the dangerous warming of the planet by limiting the rise in our temperature to that level of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Secretary Kerry spoke about the upcoming 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland this November where leaders are expected to step up on their commitment to reduce carbon emissions. Each country that signed up on the 2015 Paris Agreement committed to a target known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, the chairpersondesignate of the Climate Change Commission, will be our representative to COP26, but perhaps
Secretary Teddy Locsin may be joining him at that important two-week summit with an estimated 30,000 delegates that include world leaders as well as scientists and environment advocates. All eyes will be on the COP26 (which was postponed from last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic), acknowledged as the biggest and most important climate conference and dubbed by many as “the world’s best last chance” to keep the worst consequences of the climate crisis at bay. A major factor in helping countries move forward in the goal to reduce their carbon footprint is new technology, such as “green hydrogen” using a chemical process that extracts hydrogen from water using electricity from renewable sources, which can be a replacement for fossil fuels. Secretary Kerry discussed opportunities for alternative sources of energy – green energy – which can be a driver in reversing the impact of global warming and climate change. He mentioned the technology that develops small, modular nuclear reactors as sources
Seven Cs of a good leader 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.
of renewable energy that require smaller investment capital plus greater scalability. In fact, Bill Gates – who authored “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” – founded TerraPower, an advanced nuclear innovation company that aims to develop carbon-free small modular reactors, the first of which will be built in an abandoned coal station in Wyoming. Scientists have long been saying that nuclear energy can combat climate change because it is low carbon, and power plants do not emit greenhouse gases during operation. In the Philippines, one of the most passionate advocates of nuclear energy is former Pangasinan Congressman Mark Cojuangco, who has been calling for the revival of the Bataan nuclear power plant to boost the supply in Luzon and avert a power shortage as it could add 600 megawatts of reliable power. Mark believes reviving the BNPP will help provide consumers with a stable source of electricity at a lower cost. He also cites NEDA estimates that the Philippines will need 13,000 megawatts of electricity to cope
with the rising demand, and small modular reactors with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts could address this rising need in the electricity grid. This is something that we should continue to study and, hopefully, the next administration will seriously look at alternative sources of energy as the only way to go. During our meeting with Secretary Kerry, I precisely asked him about his thoughts on nuclear energy. The secretary was very clear: he was a firm believer in nuclear energy. As I said, the United States is already developing a safe modular type of nuclear energy power plant that will be ultra-safe and can be easily installed in many countries. The U.S. plans to share this technology as soon as it is fully developed. To this day, the impact of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) can still be felt, with people in low-lying coastal areas getting distressed every time strong rains start pouring. A few days ago, Severe Tropical Storm Maring (Kompasu) battered several provinces in northern Luzon, dumping more than a month’s worth of rain that submerged
many towns, with damage to agriculture estimated at P1 billion. While the COVID-19 pandemic is a global concern, climate change is an “existentialist threat” that also poses the “greatest threat” to global public health, increasing the number of heat-related deaths and illnesses, causing a rise in infectious diseases and impacting the mental health of people, with lives and livelihoods lost due to droughts, floods, fires and other disasters. As Secretary Dominguez noted, the pandemic is a problem – but climate change issues that we have faced and will continue to face will impact the next generation. Hopefully, leaders – especially those from the G20 economies – will deliver on their climate change commitments because the time to act is now, not tomorrow. (Philstar.com) *** 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.
*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
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 re-ignited 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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COMMUnitY JOURnal
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCTOBER 22-28, 2021
9
THE ASIAN JOURNAL
MAGAZINE
I N
N O R T H E R N
C A L I F O R N I A
Friday, October 22, 2021
INSIDE >>> L I F E S T Y L E • C O N S U M E R G U I D E • C O M M U N I T Y • M A R K E T P L A C E
The November 2021 Priority Dates: No change from September
Immigration Corner attY. miCHael GuRFinKel, eSQ
dates did not move at all. They are the same as September 2021. Fortunately, employment-based THE November priority dates visas remain “current.” are typically the start of the new Each month, the Visa Office of “fiscal year” for visas, where the State Department publishes, a new annual supply of visas is in the Visa Bulletin, the priority made available. Usually, with a dates for that particular month, new supply of visas, the priority for the various family and emdates move forward in the vari- ployment-based categories. A ous family categories. However, priority date is a person’s “place for November 2021, the priority in line” for a visa, meaning im-
migrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.
The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
First Preference
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
April 22, 2015
March 01, 2012
Second Preference
(2A) Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holders
June 01, 2021
Current
(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holders
October 01, 2013
October 22, 2011
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens
October 01, 2003
June 08, 2002
Fourth Preference
Brothers and sisters of US Citizens
February 01, 2004
August 22, 2002
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
Second Preference
Advanced Degree (Masters)
Current
Current
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
Current
Current
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
Current
Current
Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success
Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw,
YouTube: US Immigration TV and Instagram. com/gurfinkellaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
NIECE PETITIONS HER AUNT AS HOUSEKEEPER THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Many people believe the only way to bring relatives to the U.S. is through a family petition. This is not true. Family can petition other family members through an employment-based visa, which can be much faster and is perfectly legal. This is exactly what Ana (center) did when she petitioned her aunt Susan (left) as her housekeeper, through the help of Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right). Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, October 24 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
Family petitions family for employment this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy MOST people think they can only file family petitions for relatives. Actually, they can also petition their family member for a green card through employment. In this brand-new episode, viewers can learn how Ana petitioned her aunt, Susan, as a housekeeper. Since the minimum requirement for the job was three months experience in
housekeeping, Aunt Susan was qualified since she worked as a housekeeper in the Middle East and Canada for years. Ana consulted with, and retained, leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, who prepared and submitted all necessary documents, including police clearances from Canada and other countries where Aunt Susan
has worked before. Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, October 24 on its new time at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/ Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free. (Advertising Supplement)
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Features
OctOber 22-28, 2021 • NOrcAL ASIAN JOUrNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
Diwata Komiks introduces ‘Carmina: Direk Paul gets ‘most personal’ in ‘Real Life Fiction’ A Filipino-American Urban Mythology’ and a number of upcoming titles By Nathalie
tomada Philstar.com
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.
Bea on her birthday: I had the time of my life
Bea Alonzo Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo
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 photo 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)
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 certain filmmakers. But I guess with me, I just want to be branded to the kind of story I want to tell,” he said. PAGE 12
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Features
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 cou-
Alex Gonzaga with husband Mikee Morada
ple 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 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.”
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObeR 22-28, 2021
11
SFIO commences US roadshow led by newly-appointed advisory board members
SFIO has started to embark on its six-month roadshow program across the United States through SFIO’s ‘The Global Academy.’ SFIO’s ‘The Global Academy’ (Training Hub for Entrepreneurship) is a strategic learning provider of masterclasses and workshops for business partners, shareholders and potential investors. It is led by newly appointed Advisory Board member Jonathan Petalver, who has over 25 years of designing and conducting learning and development programs under his belt. Coach Petalver, the CEO and cofounder of ‘The Global Academy.’ is headquartered in New Zealand, and with offices in New York, Melbourne, Dubai and Manila, it has extensive experience in conducting and facilitating masterclass programs in entrepreneurship and business leadership across Asia, Middle East, North America and Europe. Petalver will also be conducting conferences with existing investors during the roadshows. He is to be joined by Roger Oriel, another newly appointed Advisory Board member of SFIO, and the CEO of Asian Journal Publication, Inc. headquartered in Los Angeles. SFIO has recently established a new headquarters in New York City to accommodate U.S. investors and business partners. Messrs. Petalver and Oriel will travel to Los
Angeles to meet potential business partners for SFIO’s property development projects in the U.S. and to expand the business opportunity in the U.S. Moving toward the expansion in the U.S., Petalver scheduled to meet with the potential business partner who will operate the pilot store of Epiphany Cafe. He will be in Silicon Valley, where SFIO plans to establish its technology and development division. Then he will proceed with meeting a partner in San Francisco, who has been shortlisted to operate the commissary of Ardent Bakers in the U.S. The six-month roadshow program is planned to complete in April 2022. The Chairman of SFIO,
Jeths Lacson and the New Zealand team will follow in the first quarter of 2022. To achieve the SFIO’s target of a $100M business roadmap, SFIO officially appointed the CEO of Australia-based MLV group, Michael Venezuela, as the new Chief Financial officer with over 30 years of tax, accounting and audit international experience. His vision is to offer affordable charges of professional tax, accounting and business advisory services to a well-diversified customer base. The commencement of the U.S. roadshow with the new appointment is all part of SFIO’s $100M business roadmap to be achieved by 2022. (Advertising Supplement)
Direk Paul gets ‘most personal’ in ‘Real...
PAGE 10 “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 worth-telling.” 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 Photo from Instagram/@cathygonzaga 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.”
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OctOber 22-28, 2021 • NOrcAL ASIAN JOUrNAL
Health @Heart 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 today about COVID-19 (the deadliest pandemic in American history), which started in China in December 2019, are as follows: 1. Masking (covering both nose and mouth) and social distancing greatly reduce the transmission of the virus, which could also be spread in aerosol mode (virus flying in the air) and not 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.
Booster shot? 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
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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
Why Aubrey enjoys the extra weight 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.
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Golden girl Hidilyn Diaz gets engaged
celebrityworld By Ferdie Villar THE Philippines’ first-ever Olympics gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz is now engaged to her longtime boyfriend and coach, Julius Naranjo. On Friday, October 15, Naranjo proposed to the weightlifting Olympic champion on bended knee at Resorts World Manila, according to an article in the Philippine Star. A day later, they shared the moment in their respective social media accounts. In the same article, Naranjo shared the story behind the custom-made, barbell-inspired ring he designed with the assistance of Manila Diamond Studio. “I told them to make it gold because she won gold. This is a barbell and the engraved ‘Tokyo 2020’ inside the ring,” Naranjo was quoted as saying. According to Diaz’s manager, Noel Ferrer, Naranjo had planned the proposal even before the recent Tokyo Olympics, where Diaz fulfilled the country’s long-awaited dream of having an Olympics champion. He added that the couple are looking at a destination wedding in Baguio, and with a reception party held in Metro Manila. Already, some of the couple’s supporters have reportedly planned to lavish the couple with gifts – PLDT/Smart boss Manny Pangilinan was said to have volunteered to be in charge of the honeymoon package, while fashion designer Francis Libiran with business manager Arsi Baltazar attended the engagement party to have preliminary talks on the wedding motif. Other celebrity friends of the couple who attended the intimate party included Iza Calzado, Joross Gamboa, Precious Lara Quigaman and Marco Alcaraz. (Initially, Diaz was told that there was a birthday dinner coupled with a despedida party for them before they leave for Malaysia.) Although both Diaz’s and Naranjo’s parents were unable to attend the engagement party due to the pandemic, Ferrer disclosed that Julius had already secured Hidilyn’s parent’s for her hand in marriage. “They’re aware. Julius asked permission from the parents of Haidie in Zamboanga before he proposed, so he has the blessing of his future in-laws,” Ferrer said. In her Instagram account, Diaz showed off her medal and the engagement ring, sharing her happiness with her social media followers.
Miss Universe 2015 winner Pia Wurtzbach recently attended the ceremonies for the 63rd Miss Universe South Africa where she was one of judges. Wurtzbach was joined in the event by three other Miss Universe winners – Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza (judge), Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi (presenter) and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray (presenter). Photo from Instagram/@piawurtzbach
“It’s YES! It was a magical moment with @imjulius. I’m grateful to God that He sent Julius into my life, he make my life easy [smiling face emoji], alam ng iba kung ano mga sinasakripisyo niya para maabot namin ang pangarap na Ginto sa Olympics together with #TeamHD, nun laro kinilig at masaya ako kasi siya mismo nagsabi God is the center of our relationship, kaya walang duda magYeYES ako dahil swerte ako may isang Julius nagmamahal, nagintindi , at sumoporta sakin,” Diaz shared. “Thank you sa lahat ng kasabwat ni Julius, magaling po kayo naging meaningful ang gabi dahil sa inyo,” she added. *** Alden Richards disclosed that he is raring to do a project with Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz. After all, he is a fan of the BeaJohn Lloyd tandem. In an article in Inquirer.net, Richards could not contain his excitement at the prospect of being cast together with Alonzo and Cruz, if that happens. “To be given an opportunity to work with them… aba po, let’s go!” Richards was quoted as saying. “Mas game pa po sa game … even if we have to quarantine the very next day, I will go!” he added. Richards recalled when he met the two stars a few years ago that 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 related. And he will get the chance to fulfill his dream of working with Bea Alonzo via the local adaptation of the Korean film “A Moment to Remember.” According to Richards, the project to be directed by Nuel Naval and produced by GMA Pictures and Via Films is pushing through. “The [work] schedules aren’t set yet and there are still details being finalized. But one thing is clear — tuloy siya,” the actor stated. Aside from his dream project with Bea and John Lloyd, Richards would like to expand his horizon by working with new Kapuso artists. “Doing ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye’ really opened me to the possibility of working with different artists. There are a lot of potential
Tokyo 2020 Olympics weightlighting champion and gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz shows off her medal and the engagement ring given to her by longtime boyfriend/coach Julius Naranjo. Photo from Instagram/@hidilyndiaz
leading ladies. There are many new good artists here, both veterans and newbies. I’m looking forward to that… I’m not choosy. Those collaborations will help me discover new things about them and about myself. It’s just about the right timing,” he said. Having wrapped up shooting for the second season “The World Between Us,” Richards said he wants to take on more mature roles (or grey roles), similar to the character he portrays (Louie) in the series. “I’m becoming 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 disclosed that he hopes to do films worthy of submission to international film festivals, saying, “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.” One thing that Richards really wants to accomplish is to earn his college diploma. He revealed that he would like to major in business economics and his interests lie in the stock market, cryptocurrency and other topics related to the economy. However, he has to find the time to do this. “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,” the Kapuso actor noted, while adding that it is his father’s dream for him to earn a diploma. Having renewed his contract with GMA7, Richards said that although things have changed for him, he is still the same Alden. “Just with better clothes!” he stated jokingly, but added, “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.” And though success has found him, Richards started from the bottom and scraped his way to the top. He also endured a lot of criticism and experienced negativity from other people. “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. You have to be really patient. Alden Richards recently revealed that one of Success may not happen in five his dream projects would be to work with Bea years or eight, but your time will Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz in a project. Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02 eventually come,” he said.
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObeR 22-28, 2021
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OctOber 22-28, 2021 • NOrcAL ASIAN JOUrNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160