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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 19 - No. 43 • 14 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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DATELINE AARP survey: Health care motivating Asian American voters in 50-plus segment, 41% identify as Democrats FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
WHAT issues are top of mind for Asian American registered voters over the age of 50 going into Election Day? Health care (93%), jobs and the economy (89%), education (87%) and national security (87%) are among the concerns Asian American voters rated as “extremely” or “very” important, according to findings released by AARP, the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for Americans 50 and older, on Wednesday, October 21. The findings come some eight months in the pandemic, as the Asian American community has experienced the effects of COVID19, whether through hate crimes, business downturn, or being disproportionately high rates of infection.
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Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Fil-Am candidates in Northern California make pitch to voters by AJPRESS THOUGH a lot of attention is being placed on the top of the ticket race in the 2020 general election, over a dozen Filipino Americans are on the ballot this November 3rd for local races from the Bay Area to Sacramento. Rob Bonta — CA State Assembly, 18th District
In 2012, Assemblymember Rob Bonta became the first Filipino American elected to the California Legislature. Bonta, a Democrat, represents the state’s 18th District, which covers Alameda, Oakland and San Leandro. He is running for re-election this November after advancing from the primary this past March. “I have the honor and privilege for running ev-
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Several Fil-Am candidates seek public office across the country by KLARIZE
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Fil-Am millennial Jason Tengco shares his role building coalitions with the Biden campaign, importance of voting AS protests over police brutality and the killings of Black Americans by police officers grew in cities across the United States, President Donald Trump drew criticism for having U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops clear a path using tear gas, so he could take a photo in front of the St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. Jason Tengco, coalitions chief of staff for the Biden campaign, had just finished his graduate degree in May from the University of California, Berkeley, and was on a road trip with his fiancé when he learned of the photo-op incident. “I already knew that we couldn’t afford another four years under the current president, but that was the day that I told myself that I wanted to jump back in and get involved in the campaign myself,” Tengco u PAGE A4
ery two years for office and having my job review be conducted by the half million constituents that I have the honor to represent,” Bonta said during a recent candidates forum hosted by the Philippine American Press Club (PAPC). “It’s never easy to be on the ballot but it’s important that we step up and enter the public sphere, put ourselves out there, and
OFFERING. A woman lights up candles for her departed loved ones at the North Cemetery in Manila City on Wednesday, October 28. People have heeded the call of the government to visit the tombs of their loved ones ahead of the temporary closure of public and private cemeteries from October 29 to November 4. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
ALTHOUGH Filipinos have been in this country since before the United States’ conception, the first election of a Filipino American didn’t happen until the 1950s. In 1954, the late Peter Aduja became the first Filipino American elected into public office when he served as a representative for the Hawaii State Legislature. The Republican official hailed from Ilocos Sur and, like many Filipinos, served in the United States Army for World War II. For nearly 20 years, Aduja was the only Filipino elected official in the U.S. until 1973 when Filipino American engineer and “energy czar” Larry Asera of Vallejo, California served in a variety of elected positions, including deputy secretary of state and chief legislative consultant to the California State Legislature. Until very recently, elected officials in the U.S. were overwhelmingly white, straight, elderly and male. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, it was a novelty to see a woman or person of color in any elected u PAGE A4
Report: Duterte among world leaders Metro Manila retains with a big stake in American election GCQ status for November by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA
AJPress
AS the world will be closely watching the United States election, some countries will be watching more closely than others, according to the Associated Press. “A number of world leaders have a personal stake in the outcome, with their fortunes depending heavily on the success
— or failure — of President Donald Trump,” read an article by AP reporter Josef Federman released on Thursday, October 22. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was among the world leaders seen to benefit from a Trump victory. “Regarded by some as Asia’s Trump for his unorthodox political style and brash language, Duterte has nurtured friendly ties
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First-time Fil-Am voters share why they’re motivated to vote by AJPRESS ELECTION Day is a few days away and some new voters exercised their voting power by casting their mail-in ballots or heading to the polls in person. Whether they’re Gen Z voters, new citizens or those who want to finally express their civic duty, the Asian Journal spoke to several Filipino American voters about what issues motivated them to participate for the first time. Charisse Arboleda, 41 Employee | New York Voting method: Mail-in ballot and dropped off at Brooklyn (L-R) GET OUT THE VOTE. Fil-Ams Charisse Arboleda, Jon Jon “JJ” Augustavo, Julienne Board of Elections Buenaventura, and Orly Medrano share their experience voting for the first time.
On speaking out: “Trump’s incompetence, racism and treatment of women and people of color are the main reasons for my determination to speak out through my vote. This government’s COVID-19 response (or lack thereof) and Trump’s attacks on scientists and Dr. Fauci are some of the most disturbing issues that came up when the pandemic started. I believe Biden/Harris align most with my values.” On motivating others: “I convinced a friend to register to vote a few months ago and sent her a link that was easy to follow so she can do so. I also donated to a few campaigns
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by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, October 27, announced that Metro Manila will remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) until November 30. According to the chief executive, the mayors of Metro Manila wanted to keep the GCQ status in the region. “Ang gusto ng mga mayor, karamihan, gusto nila (The majority of mayors want to), make it permanent because they have seen the goodness of the result. It has considerably lowered the number of people infected with the microbe,” Duterte said in a taped public address. “So gusto nila ito. Palagay ko naman sa inyo rin itong kapakanan (I think this is for your own good).
Look, we are not here to make your life miserable or sad. We are here to make your life comfortable and to make you happy,” he added. Aside from the capital region, the provinces of Batangas and Lanao del Sur, and the cities of Iloilo, Bacolod, Tacloban, and Iligan will be under GCQ for the whole month of November. Last week, Metro Manila mayors sought to extend the GCQ status in their areas. They also decided to impose shorter curfew hours in the capital region, going from the current 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew to 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. The mayors likewise decided to allow people aged 18 to 65 to leave their homes. Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force allowed non-essential travel between areas placed under u PAGE A3
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OctOber 30-nOvember 5, 2020 • nOrcAL ASIAn JOUrnAL
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From the Front Page
Report: Duterte among world...
PAGE A1 t with the U.S. leader and even called on American Filipinos to vote for Trump,” Federman wrote. “Trump, in contrast to Obama, has not publicly raised alarm over the Philippines’ deadly antidrug crackdown. The tough-talking Duterte once said in a speech that Obama could ‘go to hell,’” the article added. The AP also noted that a Joe Biden victory “could potentially bring a more adversarial relationship” between the Philippines and the U.S. The Philippine government has reiterated several times that Duterte and Trump are “good friends.” In April, Duterte received a phone call from Trump to discuss how the two countries could collaborate on efforts to contain COVID-19. “Both leaders agreed to continue working together as longtime allies to defeat the pandemic, save lives, and restore global economic strength,” the U.S. Embassy in Manila said on
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante
April 21. “The two leaders also discussed how the United States and the Philippines can continue building upon the string and enduring economic, cultural and security ties binding the two nations,” it added. In February, Duterte said he believed that Trump “deserves to
be re-elected” for understanding and respecting the Philippines’ decision to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). “It is President Trump’s circumspect and judicious reaction to the termination of the VFA that made PRRD give the following remarks: ‘President Trump is a good President and he deserves to be re-elected,” said then-presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo. Duterte ordered his government to send the U.S. a notice terminating the VFA on Feb. 7. The VFA, which came into force in 1999, covers the conduct of U.S. soldiers in the Philippines. Among the provisions of the deal include lax visa and passport policies for U.S. troops, and the rights of the U.S. government to retain its jurisdiction over its military personnel when they commit crimes in the Philippines. In June, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced that the Philippines has suspended the VFA termination “in light of political and other developments in the region.” n
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Fil-Am candidates in Northern California...
PAGE A1 t say, ‘We’re ready, willing and able to serve.’” Christopher Cabaldon — West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon first served as mayor of West Sacramento — a city on the west bank of the Sacramento River — in 1998 after being selected by members of the city council, which he was elected to in 1994. Cabaldon was elected again 2004 during the city’s first direct mayoral election and has been in office since with two-year terms. He became the fourth openly gay U.S. mayor in 2006, when he came out to the community at the age of 40. He faces West Sacramento Councilwoman Martha Guerrero in this general election. Evelyn Chua — Milpitas City Council A 32-year resident of Milpitas, Evelyn Chua is running for another shot at the city council, after losing by 300 votes in 2016. Chua boasts experience as a member of the planning commission as well as other organizations in the city. Estela DePaz — West Contra Costa Unified School District Board, District 1 A resident of Hercules, Estela DePaz is seeking to serve as the District 1 trustee for the West Contra Costa Unified School District board. DePaz boasts over 20 years of experience in information technology and financial services and has held various community roles, such as the current chair of Hercules High School’s site council. A non-partisan seat, DePaz has received bipartisan support and endorsements, from various elected officials, school groups and media like the East Bay Times. “Our district needs a lot of experienced leadership to make sure that we’re continuing to educate our 32,000 students,” De Paz said. “For this election, what I’m focusing on are four things: fiscal accountability, supporting our students’ social and emotional learning, partnering with teachers to make sure that we actually have an effective curriculum within the distance learning framework, and creating community spaces.” Julian Jose Nool Hilario Jr. — Milpitas City Council
Assemblymaker Rob Bonta
West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon
Julian Hilario Jr., a registered nurse, is another Fil-Am running to serve Milpitas on the platform of diverse representation, affordable houses, public safety and wellness. “As a registered nurse, I will utilize my expertise in the health care field to bring forward the wellness of our citizens…I would like to put forward programs and gather stakeholders, residents, nonprofits, governmental programs and agencies to improve the spiritual, mental and physical well being [of residents],” he said. Chris Lozano — Hayward City Council Chris Lozano, an immigrant from the Philippines, is a practicing attorney with over 21 years of experience representing clients in immigration, bankruptcy and personal injury. He is running for Hayward City Council to help bring back jobs, affordable housing, equality, and safety. Carley-Ann Manalo — Daly City Clerk Raised in Daly City, CarleyAnn Manalo, sister of Vice Mayor Juslyn Manalo, is a community-based educator and literacy specialist who has worked with low-income preschool-age children, and has experience as an administrative manager for a local production agency. The City Clerk’s position assists and supports the public and departments by making available the records necessary for the city to advance its administrative and legislative functions. “It’s also an office that more importantly, serves people. That’s what I think is missing: service to the people should be
paramount and a priority…My platform focuses on providing better services to the people…by updating the website, making it more user friendly and demanding that it fits the needs of our community by making it bilingual,” Manalo said. Juslyn Manalo — Daly City Council A Daly City native, Juslyn Manalo has served the city since 2016 as councilwoman, mayor (2017-2018), and currently vice mayor. She is running for re-election this November for another term. In a speech during the PAPC candidates forum, Manalo shared some accomplishments in service, from pushing for affordable housing to advocating against the closure of Seton Medical Center to raising the minimum wage to $15. “That very same passion to serve I had four years serves brightly for the community ever more so in these very unprecedented times,” she said. “I’m working diligently with my colleagues, staff, and community leaders to work on a comprehensive recovery plan for our city.” Voltaire Montemayor — Mayor of Milpitas A retired geologist, Voltaire Montemayor is seeking another shot at the Milpitas mayorship. He is running against Rich Tran, the incumbent mayor and a medical social worker for Santa Clara County. Marjan Philhour — San Francisco Supervisor, District 1 Marjan Philhour, formerly a senior advisor to San Francisco Mayor London Breed, is running PAGE A3
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Fil-Am candidates in Northern California... Metro Manila retains GCQ status for... PAGE A2 t
for San Francisco Supervisor (District 1), which she previously ran for in 2016 and lost by 1,500 votes. The district covers areas like the Richmond District, Golden Gate Park, Lincoln Park and University of SF. A daughter of Filipino and Iranian immigrants, Philhour has worked for members of Congress, a senior advisor to the California Governor’s chief of staff before her role with Mayor Breed. During her time in the latter position, she helped the Fil-Am community in adding a corrective plaque to the Dewey Monument in Union Square. “There are thousands of Filipino Americans and Filipino American families that have really made our city what it is today and I think it’s now time for us to have a real seat at the table and also bring up so many community leaders who have done so much in the areas of business and civic engagement,” Philhour said. Bobby Roy — Elk Grove School Board A 20-year civil servant with the California Department of Education and treasurer for the Filipino American National Historical Society, Bobby Roy is running for Elk Grove Unified School District’s Board of Trustees (Area 3) in Sacramento County. Area 3 covers nine elementary, middle and high schools in the district. “But if I can get on the board and create conditions so that those great educators can better support students and better support the families that those students are coming from, then I want to be a part of that. Like I said, every child needs a champion,” Roy told the Elk Grove Tribune. Glenn Sylvester — Daly City Council Glenn Sylvester, the son of a Filipina from San Nicolas and an African American father, is the current mayor of Daly City and is seeking another term in the city council. “Daly City’s council consists of 80% Filipinos and I am so proud. My top priorities have been public safety, affordable housing and budget maintenance,” he said. “Together, we have been instrumental in saving Seton Hospital, we champion the raising of minimum wage in our city, and we also champion gun buyback.” Celsa Taraya — Hercules City Council Celsa Taraya, a financial consultant originally from Davao City, is running for a City Council seat in Hercules, where Fil-Ams make up 25% of the population. Taraya is running on a platform of fiscal stability and bringing in investments. “My dream is for Hercules to be a prime destination in the Bay Area,” she said. Malia Vella — Alameda City Council Malia Vella is running for reelection to the Alameda City Council, which she was first elected to in 2016 and became the first Filipina to serve the city. She served as vice mayor for two years. She has a background in policy and constituent services as a former staffers of the California Senate and Assembly, and has worked as a policy director and attorney focusing on labor and employment law. She has worked to protect the displacement of Fil-Am tenants in Alameda and is currently focused on support for families
Alexander Walker-Griffin, a Black-Filipino millennial, is running for Hercules City Council
Daly City Vice Mayor Juslyn Manalo
Glenn Sylvester, Daly City Mayor
and small businesses during the pandemic. Rozzana Verder-Aliga — Vallejo City Council (District 1) Rozzana Verder-Aliga, the first Pinay to serve as councilmember for the City of Vallejo, is seeking another term to represent District 1, which covers Hiddenbrooke and Northgate. She touts accomplishments, such as restructuring the police department, balancing the budget, and improving infrastructure like local roads. “As we deal with unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19, the economic crisis and our racial and social justice issues, it will take all of us working together in Vallejo and my leadership to move our city post COVID during the recovery period,” she said. Alexander Walker-Griffin — Hercules City Council Alexander Walker-Griffin, who is African American and Filipino, is looking to give back to his hometown of Hercules. His leadership experience includes serving on the California Community College Board of Governors; being a founding member of Calbright College, the nation’s first 100 percent online community college; advocating for anti-gun violence legislation; and being a small business owner. “I get that some of the challenges, especially with COVID, [have] brought a whole bunch of insecurities that we are facing to this very day,” Walker-Griffin, a member of the California Guard said. “My background in serving as a student body president and working with kids that are autistic has really shown me some insecurities in our society and in our city that I think can be patched up. And I’m a person that believes in collaboration, I don’t believe in working with silos.” Errol Zshornack — Milbrae City Council Errol Zshornack, a long-time resident of Millbrae and first-time candidate, is seeking a chance to serve the city council for four years. Originally from Quezon City, Zshornack built a career as
a bankruptcy attorney. “I’m running for the opportunity to serve because the people serving Millbrae are basically the same people every year…That’s why my slogan is ‘new leadership, new hope,’” he said. n
AARP survey: Health care motivating...
PAGE A1 t Going into specific health-related topics, 58% of voters said addressing the coronavirus is a top priority, while 54% said securing the future of Social Security is “extremely” important” and 53% want to see lower health care costs. “To win, candidates must really talk about the issues that matter to the 50-plus voters — voting safely from home, preventing cuts to Social Security and Medicare and lowering drug prices,” said Joseph Liu, director of campaign strategy and management at AARP on Wednesday, adding, “If the polls are to be believed, they may be the biggest swing vote casting their ballots for candidates, taking COVID as seriously as they are, regardless of party or political labels.” The data are based on results from the 2020 Asian American Voter Survey — released in September by APIAVote, AAPI Data and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC — and AARP’s “National Survey of Older Voters During COVID-19: Asian Americans” conducted in March. With Asian Americans comprising the fastest-growing racial and ethnic voter bloc in the United States, individuals in the 50-plus segment, particularly those who are foreign born, are the ones leading in voter registration and turnout. The results found that voter registration among eligible Asian American voters increases with
PAGE A1 t GCQ and modified GCQ subject to the regulations imposed by the local government unit (LGU). Hotels in areas under GCQ were
also allowed to operate at full capacity. As of writing, there are 373,144 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the country, with 7,053
fatalities and 328,602 recoveries. The Philippines has the second highest number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia after Indonesia. n
PAGE A1 t in swing states like SC, AZ, KY. I called a close friend in AZ to ask if she’s voting. She said yes and voting for Biden.” Jon Jon “JJ” Augustavo, 35 Filmmaker | Los Angeles Despite being eligible to vote in previous election cycles, this is Augustavo’s first time voting in a presidential election after seeing the current administration. The filmmaker is using his platform to help get out the vote and has directed a video for MoveOn adapted from Carlos Bulosan’s poem, “If You Want To Know What We Are.” Voting method: Mail-in ballot Participating for the firsttime: “A feeling that the current person in power does not represent what I stand for as an American. The person in charge goes against everything I believe I was promised and taught this country was supposed to be. A common decency and care for your fellow American, white, brown, immigrant, legal/illegal — I always believed as Americans we fought for one another no matter what, but this president is only creating division. Honestly Yang and Bernie were my first choices but at this point I’m [with] anyone that ain’t Donald.” Maisha Mason-Belden, 50 Stylist | Los Angeles
Voting method: Mail-in ballot On the issues: “Issues like [the] national economy, especially post COVID, freedom to practice my religion, response to civil disobedience, and public health insurance / issues are all [at the] top of my priority list. And it seems that the candidate that aligned most with my values is the Republican candidate…[But] I am very confused [by] both parties. It seems like they both just want power and position and [are] not at all concern about what the people really need. My decisions are based on my personal life experiences.” Mason-Belden has since voted, but did not reveal her final choice. Julienne Buenaventura, 18 Student majoring in dance | Queens, NY Voting method: Drop off absentee ballot at early voting site Motivation to vote: “The climate crisis, COVID response, justice for the BIPOC community, women’s rights (abortion, funding of Planned Parenthood), LGBTQ+ rights. Joe Biden aligned most with my values. I converse with my friends/family or in school about current events, I watched clips of the debates on YouTube, and recently I’ve been getting a lot of information from reputable sources on Instagram.”
Orly Medrano, 52 Hospitality employee, Uber driver | Washington, DC After 16 years of living in the United States, Medrano became a citizen this past July during a naturalization ceremony attended by Vice President Mike Pence. One of his sons is an Army medic at Fort Carson in Colorado, while the other is a cargo specialist in the Army Reserve. Voting method: In-person on the first day of early voting Making a choice: “I just observed what’s been going on and listened to news on TV and social media. I was excited to vote for the first time and I voted [on] the first day of early voting in Washington DC. I encouraged friends to do the the same by posting on social media. I voted for the re-election of President Donald J. Trump because I believe in the issues of law and order, upholding the Constitution, and the economy.” Elijah Paschal, 18 Freshman at Cal State University, Long Beach On exercising voting right: “There is nothing more beautiful and inspiring than seeing a group of people band together in hopes of achieving a common goal for the betterment of our future. Taking part in the most important election in the history of this country has shown that every vote will and does matter.” n
First-time Fil-Am voters share why they’re...
Marjan Philhour, a former senior advisor for SF Mayor London Breed, seeks the SF Board of Supervisors seat for District 1
age, with the 45-64 segment at 58%, 65-74 at 60% and 56% for those over 75. In contrast, the 1824 segment is at 45% and 24-44 at 52%. “Among Hispanics and among Asians, the foreign born are the more reliable segments of voters. They are the ones turning out at higher rates on Election Day,” said Angela Houghton, senior research advisor of multicultural research at AARP. “They are predominately an immigrant electorate.” Going into the party identification, 41% of older voters identified as Democrats, while 33% said they are Republicans and 26% independent. But the majority identify as “moderate” (58%), while 26% say they’re “conservative” and 16% identify as “liberal.” “Looking back over the midterm elections as well as the 2016 presidential election year, we didn’t see a lot of change in terms of party identification in this group of voters,” Houghton said. “There’s more cohesion around an ideology with this group of voters than there is in a party identification.” Despite the enthusiasm and party identification, a majority of voters are not being engaged or contacted by the Democratic or Republican parties or community organizations. The findings did not show the breakdown of support for the presidential candidates or any u PAGE A5
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Fil-Am millennial Jason Tengco shares...
PAGE A1 t told the Asian Journal. Having lived in the capital for almost eight years, Tengco recalled the countless times he walked by Lafayette Park where the protestors had been gathering, and realized that he wanted to be fully invested in making sure former Vice President Joe Biden would be elected as the next president. Despite already having a job offer lined up in California’s Bay Area, Tengco emailed out his resume to people he knew on Biden’s campaign, and from that, came his role as chief of staff of the coalitions team. “Joe Biden really understands that we cannot take any community for granted, that we all need a seat at the table, that our issues matter, that our concerns matter, and that we need this coalition of voters not only to win in November, but also when we do win, this will be the governing body to help Joe Biden when he’s in the White House to really push his agenda,” said Tengco. The coalitions department was announced in May and signaled the Biden campaign’s efforts to ensure that the diversity of the campaign mirrored that of the country. “We’re really proud of the team that we’ve assembled,” said Tengco, adding that it’s one of the most diverse coalition of leaders working on issues ranging from building the country back up after the coronavirus pandemic to climate change and immigration. Involved are nearly 30 people in its national staff representing nearly 20 coalitions focused on different sectors and minority groups like AAPIs, African Americans, Latinos, the LGBTQ community, seniors, veteran and military families, young Americans, and students among many others. “I almost feel like I’m sort of a connector in a lot of ways, just making sure the trains are running on time,” Tengco said of his role. With campaigning largely going online due to the pandemic, Tengco said the campaign has built a robust digital organizing program that includes efforts like phone banking in different native languages, especially in key states. “You might not always have someone on the other end of the line who understands or speaks English very well, so in order to
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Several Fil-Am candidates seek public...
PAGE A1 t position. Before that, it was nonexistent. But the influx of Asian immigration to the U.S. in the 1980s and 1990s ushered in a new generation of Filipino Americans that came from families looking to assimilate their U.S.-born children in the American mainstream. Fast forward to 2020 in a postdiversity American culture and society when the push for people of color — particularly women of color — in leadership positions is at its utmost urgency. Filipino Americans are the second largest Asian American group but are still widely underrepresented in all elected posiJason Tengco (center) with former Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden tions across the board. But there reach voters and to talk about the four million Filipinos throughout is a strong contingent of Filipinos issues that Joe Biden is trying to the U.S, after serving as its ex- from all walks of life looking to really advocate for, we have to ecutive director. rectify the diversity gap. Tengco’s interest in political make sure that we speak in their Marvin Lim, Georgia State activism sparked while studying House of Representatives language,” said Tengco. “We are so lucky to be able to at the University of California, Marvin Lim, who immigrated have really strong leaders with Los Angeles, where he obtained to Atlanta from the Philippines at Filipino Americans for Biden who his B.A. in political science. the age of 7, is gunning for DisGrowing up, discussions on trict 99 of the Georgia House of have been helping us organize digitally and reaching voters, identity and culture wasn’t some- Representatives. Representatives knowing that we’re not doing as thing his parents engaged in serve two-year terms in the legis— an experience not uncommon lature and are not subject to term much in person,” he added. Another big part of the cam- among second generation Fil- limits. paign has been making use of Ams whose parents encouraged In June, Lim, a civil rights and surrogates who are typically ce- them to focus more on studies. violence prevention attorney It was through meeting fellow who has worked with the ACLU, lebrities passionate about Biden’s candidacy and who speak on be- second generation Fil-Am stu- won the Democratic primary dents who were going through with 61% of the vote and is unhalf of the campaign. Asian American Olympic fig- the same struggle of learning opposed going into the general ure skater Michelle Kwan, for about their identity and roots election. example, joined the Biden cam- that later fueled his passion for Gina Ortiz Jones — Texas’ paign as a surrogate after also civic engagement, especially in 23rd Congressional District being a part of Hillary Clinton’s the Fil-Am community. Filipina American U.S. Air “I’ll always remember this Force veteran Gina Ortiz Jones campaign in 2016. Before that, she served as public diplomacy quote that I learned in college: is currently running to represent ambassador under former Sec- No history, No self. Know his- Texas’ 23rd District in the House retary of State Condoleezza Rice, tory, know self,” said Tengco. of Representatives after narrowly On supporting Biden and continued as an envoy under losing the same ticket in 2018 to When it comes to supporting the Republican incumbent Will the Obama administration where she worked with Biden and Clin- Biden, Tengco said Biden’s track Hurd. record is telling of his committon. But with Hurd opting out of “It’s been such a pleasure. I ment to the Fil-Am community. re-election this year, Ortiz Jones, Biden has publicly courted the 39, has a viable chance at being absolutely love the team that the campaign has built,” said Teng- Fil-Am community during his the first openly gay woman of co. “We have great teamwork campaign, most recently send- color to represent the Lone Star and really that passion to get ing out a tweet for Filipino Amer- state. She is currently in a tight ican History Month in which he race against Republican candithings done.” Prior to becoming the coali- praised the community for its date Tony Gonzales, a former tions chief of staff, Tengco served “immense contributions” to the Navy cryptologist, for the district as the National Asian American U.S. and for their service in the that spans from San Antonio to and Pacific Islander Outreach military or as frontline workers. the Texas-Mexico border. One major accomplishment Director during Clinton’s 2016 In a recent debate with Gonzacampaign, and as deputy direc- attributed to the Obama-Biden lez, Ortiz Jones — whose mother tor of the White House Initiative administration, Tengco said, is from Pangasinan, Philippines on AAPIs during the Obama ad- has been the Deferred Action for — argued that healthcare is the Childhood Arrivals (DACA) pro- most pressing issue in the “medministration. He also recently served as gram which protects immigrants ically underserved” district and Senior Advisor to the National brought to the U.S. illegally as vows to fight for a “public option Federation of Filipino American children from deportation, and so that people will have access Associations (NaFFAA), the larg- gives them work authorization. to quality affordable health care, Tengco added that Fil-Am even if they’ve lost their job.” est national affiliation to promote the welfare of the approximately u PAGE A5 “We need leaders that are go-
Marvin Lim, a civil rights attorney, runs unopposed for District 99 of the Georgia House of Representatives Rep. Gina Ortiz Jones (Texas-23)
Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Virginia)
ing to make sure that we’re doing everything possible to protect people’s lives and livelihoods and holding them accountable when they don’t do that. And I look forward to making sure that we get this pandemic under control but also make sure our economic recovery is inclusive as possible,” she said. The race for Texas’ 23rd District is monumental this year because the currently Democrat-heavy House can potentially swing right with all seats up for grabs this election cycle. TJ Cox, California’s 21st District Elsewhere in Congress, Filipino American Rep. T J Cox (D-Calif.) is seeking re-election two years after he narrowly beat Republican incumbent David Valadao for the district centered in Fresno, California. The 2020 race for the 21st District has been racked with mudslinging from both sides. Cox’s
u PAGE A7
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes
Godfrey Plata, a public education advocate, seeks the CA Assembly District 53 seat
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObeR 30-NOvembeR 5, 2020
Dateline PhiliPPines
A
PH now allows entry of Senate panel approves bill declaring ‘Marcos Day’ a special non-working holiday foreigners with investors’ visa by Ritchel
Mendiola
AJPress
THE bill seeking to declare September 11 as a special nonworking holiday in Ilocos Norte to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has been approved by a Senate committee. The Senate Committee on Local Government on Monday, October 26, approved HB 7137, authored by Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ria Fariùas, Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, and Probinsyano Ako Rep. Rudys Caesar Fariùas. The virtual hearing was attended by eight members of the committee — Senators Francis Tolentino, Sherwin Gatchalian, Cynthia Villar, Christopher Lawrence Go, Ronald de la Rosa, Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay and Marcos daughter Imee Marcos. However, Binay clarified that
she did not vote on the measure’s approval. “I did not vote for the approval of House Bill No. 7137,� Binay said on Wednesday, October 28. “I had to leave the hybrid hearing of the Senate committee on local government after the discussion on the re-districting of the province of Bulacan due to a prior commitment. Thus, I was no longer a part of the hearing when House Bill No. 7137 was tackled and discussed,� she added. Binay also stressed that she would not support “any bill that would cause historical revisionism.� Meanwhile, Senator Francis “Kiko� Pangilinan questioned the Senate committee’s endorsement of the bill. “Congress, in enacting the Human Rights Compensation Measure in 2013, recognized the widespread abuses and atrocities committed by the Marcos regime and apportioned 10 billion pesos as compensation to thousands of its victims taken from proceeds
of recovered ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses,� he noted. “The amount of 10 billion pesos was declared as ill-gotten by no less than our Supreme Court. It would be inappropriate to honor a tyrant and a thief,� he added. Pangilinan also asked why the bill was being pushed while the country is in the middle of a pandemic. Marcos, the 10th President of the Republic of the Philippines, was born on September 11, 1917 in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. In 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation 310 which declared Sept. 11 as a special non-working day in Ilocos Norte to mark Marcos’ birth anniversary. The proclamation stated that the Ilocano community would be given the opportunity to commemorate “his life and contributions to national development as a World War II veteran, distinguished legislator, and former president.� n
Fil-Am millennial Jason Tengco shares...
PAGE A1 t
representation in political leadership was another area Biden helped amplify in his career. Some Fil-Am leaders under the Obama-Biden administration include Nani Coloretti, who as deputy secretary of Housing and Urban Development, was the highest-ranking Fil-Am in the administration; and Judge Lorna Schofield who became the first Fil-Am federal judge. “Vice President Biden wants to continue to build off of that significant progress and make sure that we have diverse, talented individuals in his administration,� said Tengco. There was also the fact that the Obama-Biden administration made an effort to recognize the contributions of Filipino World War II Veterans, something that Tengco was personally invested in. “That issue for me as a college student actually was the reason why I got into student organiz-
ing. It was the reason why I got into politics — that issue opened by eyes to social justice,� said Tengco. On getting out to vote Tengco has long been an active advocate for voter empowerment, especially in the Fil-Am community. In an op-ed he wrote for the Asian Journal in July 2019, he highlighted that only 50% of eligible Fil-Am voters exercised their right to vote in the 2016 election. “The AAPI community is extremely diverse,� said Tengco. “We represent over 50 ethnicities. We speak over a hundred different languages and we are not monolithic. We are different across communities, and this campaign gets that.� In his op-ed, he urged Fil-Ams to pay close attention to what the candidates were saying on issues like immigration, which affects Fil-Ams. He wrote that more than 300,000 Filipinos in the Philip-
pines were hoping to be reunited with relatives in the U.S. Another estimated 310,000 Filipinos in the U.S. are undocumented, including 5,000 who benefited from the DACA program. With Election Day coming soon on Tuesday, November 3, Tengco joins others in encouraging people to exercise their right to vote. “It’s so important to be able to elect a president who not only knows what he’s doing, but also knows how to make sure that we can leverage the resources of the federal government to really protect our communities,� said Tengco. In support of Biden, Tengco added: “He has this real commitment to making sure that workers have the resources, the essential services, and the protective equipment that they need. That is something that impacts Filipino Americans — Filipino nurses and health care workers and our own Kababayan.� (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)
PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG NG LUNGSOD NG ALAMEDA TUNGKOL SA MGA IMINUMUNGKAHING PAGBABAGO SA MGA PLANO NG PAGKILOS NG CDBG PARA SA FY 2019-20 AT FY 2020-21 Ang Lungsod ng Alameda (Lungsod) ay nakikilahok sa Programang Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) ng Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) ng U.S. bilang Entitlement City. Alinsunod sa 24 CFR 91.05(c)(2) at subpart B ng mga pederal na regulasyong nauugnay sa pakikilahok ng mamamayan para sa Mga Programa ng Pagpaplano at Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad at mga naaangkop na waiver na ginawang available sa mga kinakailangang iyon sa pamamagitan ng Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), gagawing available ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa publiko ang mga pagbabago sa Mga Plano ng Pagkilos ng CDBG para sa FY 2019-20 at FY 2020-21 sa pamamagitan ng abisong ito. Sa Nobyembre 17, 2020, may dalawang iminumungkahing pagbabagong isasaalang-alang ang Konseho ng Lungsod sa Mga Plano ng Pagkilos ng CDBG para sa FY 2019-20 at FY 2020-21 para bigyang-daan ang Lungsod ng Alameda na tugunan ang mga hamong dulot ng pandemya ng COVID-19. $597,112 ang matatanggap at pangangasiwaan ng Lungsod na pagpopondo sa Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response (CDBG-CV3) mula sa HUD at ginawa itong available sa pamamagitan ng CARES Act. Isasaalang-alang din ng Konseho ng Lungsod ang iminumungkahing pagbabago sa Plano ng Pagkilos ng CDBG para sa FY 2020-21 para pangasiwaan ang $200,000 sa available na pondo. Iniimbitahan ang publiko na makilahok at magkomento. Nasa ibaba ang mga inirerekomendang programa at halaga ng pagpopondo para sa mga iminumungkahing pagbabago: Kategorya
Programa
Rekomendasyon sa Pagpopondo
Mga Pampublikong Serbisyo
Mga Serbisyo sa Ligtas na Paradahan
$165,592
Mga Pampublikong Serbisyo
Mga Pagpapatakbo ng Day Center
$246,520
Mga Pampublikong Serbisyo
Pang-emergency na Tulong sa Pagrenta
$130,000
Mga Pampublikong Serbisyo
Pang-emergency na Pamamahagi ng Pagkain
$ 30,000
Mga Pampublikong Serbisyo
Pang-emergency na Pamamahala ng Sitwasyon
$25,000
Subtotal ng Mga Pampublikong Serbisyong Hindi para sa Pabahay: Mga Pampublikong Serbisyo
Mga Pangkomunidad na Cabin
$597,112 $ 200,000
Subtotal ng Mga Pampublikong Pagpapahusay na Hindi para sa Pabahay:
$200,000
Kabuuang Halaga ng Pag-reprogram ng Plano ng Pagkilos
$797,112
AVAILABLE PARA SA PAGSUSURI NG PUBLIKO Simula sa Oktubre 30, 2020, puwedeng i-access ang Mga Pagbabago sa Plano ng Pagkilos sa website ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa www.alamedaca.gov PAGKAKATAON MO NANG MAPAKINGGAN Iniimbitahan ang publiko na makilahok sa proseso ng CDBG-CV at magsabi o magsulat ng komento sa Mga Pagbabago sa Plano ng Pagkilos batay sa iskedyul sa ibaba: 11/17/20
Pagpupulong ng Konseho ng Lungsod, 7:00 p.m. Pampublikong pagdinig tungkol sa iminumungkahing Mga Pagbabago sa Plano ng Pagkilos ng CDBG para sa FY 2019-20 at FY 2020-21. Para mapanood ang pampublikong pagdinig, bisitahin ang website ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa: https://alameda.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Puwedeng isumite ang mga komento tungkol sa iminumungkahing Mga Pagbabago sa Plano ng Pagkilos ND\ /LVD )LWWV VD 7<< R OÂż WWV#DODPHGDFD JRY HPDLO 3DNLELJD\ DQJ mga komento bago ang 4:00 p.m. sa Nobyembre 16, 2020. Pakikinggan ng Konseho ng Lungsod ang mga komento at isasaalang-alang nito ang pagpapatibay sa Mga Pagbabago sa Plano ng Pagkilos sa regular na pagpupulong nito nang 7:00 p.m. sa Nobyembre 17, 2020, sa City Hall, 2263 Santa Clara Avenue. Hinihikayat ang publiko na dumalo at makilahok. MGA TULONG PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY KAPANSANAN Kung ang sinumang taong interesado sa paglahok sa nabanggit na pederal na programa ay isang taong may kapansanan tulad ng tinutukoy sa Seksyon 504 ng Rehabilitation Act of 1974, at nangangailangan siya ng tulong para makalahok o makialam, puwedeng humiling para sa tulong kay Lisa Fitts sa (510) 747-6884, 7<< R VD SDPDPDJLWDQ QJ HPDLO VD OÂż WWV#DODPHGDFD JRY .DVDPD GDSDW VD QDVDELQJ kahilingan ang paglalarawan ng hinihinging tulong, kasama ang paghahayag ng kapansanang dahilan ng pangangailangan ng tulong. Susuriin ang anumang kahilingan para sa tulong at may sagot na ibibigay sa loob ng limang araw ng negosyo mula sa pagtanggap ng nasabing kahilingan. Agad na ibibigay sa humiling ang abiso ng anumang ibibigay na tulong. MGA TULONG PARA SA MGA RESIDENTENG HINDI NAGSASALITA NG ENGLISH Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay may network ng mga empleyadong nagsasalita ng 45 wika na puwedeng magsilbing tagapagsalin para sa mga residenteng nanghihingi ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga programa ng CDBG/HOME. Kung maaabisuhan nang maaga nang dalawang araw ng negosyo, maghahanda ang Lungsod ng tagapagsalin. Makipag-ugnayan kay Lisa Fitts sa (510) 747-6884, (510) 522-7538 (TYY), o sa SDPDPDJLWDQ QJ HPDLO VD OÂż WWV#DODPHGDFD JRY PATAKARAN SA HINDI PANGDIDISKRIMINA Hindi nandidiskrimina ang Lungsod ng Alameda ng sinumang tao batay sa lahi, kulay, relihiyon, pinagmulang bansa, ancestry, biyolohikal na kasarian, kinikilalang kasarian, katauhang pangkasarian (gender identity), ikinikilos na kasarian (gender expression), sekswal na oryentasyon (sexual orientation), marital status, familial status, pinagmumulan ng kita, genetic na impormasyon, medikal na kundisyon, kapansanan sa pangangatawan o pag-iisip, o anupamang kategoryang pinoprotektahan ng batas.
By aJPRess
STARTING November 1, foreigners with investors’ visas will be permitted entry into the Philippines. The country has eased up the travel restrictions on foreign nationals entering the country following a resolution from the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). “The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) on Thursday, October 22, allowed the entry of foreign nationals starting November 1, 2020,â€? said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. Under IATF Resolution No. 80, foreigners allowed to enter the country include: • Those with visas issued by the Bureau of Immigration pursuant to EO No. 226 or the Omnibus
Investments Code, as amended, and Republic Act No. 8756; • Those with 47(a)(2) visas issued by the Department of Justice; and • Those with visas issued by Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. “The entry of these foreign nationals to the country, however, is subject to conditions, such as they must have [a] valid and existing visa at the time of the entry and must likewise have a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility,â€? Roque said. “In addition, they must be subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry and must follow applicable immigration laws, rules and regulations,â€? he added. The IATF’s latest resolution also stated that Filipinos traveling abroad are no longer required to present a negative result for an
antigen test taken 24 hours before departing. “The IATF has approved the removal of the pre-boarding test and requirement for outbound Filipino travelers that was first ratified in IATF Resolution No. 79 that requires a negative antigen test result 24 hours before departure,� Roque said in Filipino. “I will repeat, antigen requirement is not needed anymore for everyone flying out of the country,� he added. The IATF on Oct. 16 lifted the ban on non-essential outbound travel which took effect on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Filipino travelers are required to have confirmed plane tickets, as well as health and travel insurance. They are also required to follow the existing rules for returning overseas Filipinos as they return home such as undergoing a swab test and the mandatory 14-day quarantine. n
AARP survey: Health care motivating...
PAGE A1 t other races, but Asian American voters largely said they are looking for an elected official that “exhibits integrity, honesty, and moral characterâ€? (56%), “understands deeply the day to day issues of ordinary Americansâ€? (52%), and “prioritizes getting things done above the political party ideologyâ€? (52%). “One of the things that have been continuing to plague the AAPI community is that we’re invisible and that also comes true when it comes to elections and political parties as well. We constantly have to make the case through data,â€? said Daphne Kwok, vice president of multicultural leadership for AAPI audience strategy at AARP. “They need to hear what are our issues, what are our concerns‌and that we all need to be taken seriously and that our needs need to be addressed and spoken to.â€? Meanwhile, the 2020 Asian American Voter Survey, which tapped Asian American registered voters 18 and older, further disaggregated findings by the subgroups. Sixty-two percent of Fil-Am voters said they are “more
enthusiastic� than they were in previous cycles, the highest level of support compared to the Chinese, Indian, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese groups surveyed. When asked who they are “inclined to vote for� in the presidential race, 54% of Asian Americans are leaning toward former Vice President Joe Biden, while 30% would back a second term for President Donald Trump. Among Fil-Ams, 52% back Biden, while 34% support Trump — the second highest support among the groups after 48% of Vietnamese voters who said they would reelect the current president. Safe voting plan The data sets found that more older voters plan to vote in person (51%) compared to 46% who will opt for the mail or absentee ballot option. Given the COVID-19 pandemic and influx of disinformation on social media and other sources, AARP is advising older voters to make a plan to safely vote — either by mail-in ballot or in-person by following measures like wearing a mask to the polls — and to be cognizant about news consumption. Seventy-six percent
of voters prefer traditional news sources, while 50% look at candidate debates and town halls to make voting decisions and 42% seek conversations with friends and family. When asked about voter safety, 46% said they “worry often� about any interference this November, while 40% relayed concerns about health and safety at the polls. “We’re living in the middle of a pandemic and there’s been a lot of misinformation and disinformation campaigns out there about voting absentee, and is it going to be safe to go to the polls? We’re seeing these competing concerns,� Houghton explained. Liu added that the most effective ways to combat misinformation in the older segment are trusted messengers, like ethnic media, and repetition. “The more you call out the falsehoods, cover the stories and correct the record, the more informed our community will be,� he said. “So covering these issues is so important and don’t stop telling the truth between now and the election.� (Christina M. Oriel/ AJPress)
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OCTOBER 30-NOVEMBER 5, 2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
FeatURes
OPiniOn
Losing the battle
IN the battle for hearts and minds, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict lost this one. The inter-agency task force continues to receive flak for advising celebrities about the perils of fraternizing with the Gabriela party-list. The group has been tagged by the NTF-ELCAC as a front of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army. The advice was given by one of the two NTF-ELCAC spokespersons, Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, chief of the military’s Southern Luzon Command. He gave the advice to movie star Liza Soberano, best known for her role in the latest remake of “Darna,” and former Miss Universe Catriona Gray, with a reference to actress Angel Locsin and her activist sister Ella Colmenares, whom Parlade implied had joined the New People’s Army in Quezon. His advice might have been shrugged off, but it included a warning that Soberano could suffer the same fate as Josephine Anne Lapira, a 22year-old biochemistry student of the University of the Philippines-Manila, who was killed in an encounter in November 2017 between government forces and the NPA in Batangas. Soberano had spoken at a webinar sponsored by Gabriela Youth, to mark the International Day of the Girl Child on Oct. 11. She was introduced as a young woman influencer. She and her defenders have invoked her right to free expression, especially since the topic of her talk at the
webinar was women and children’s welfare. The NTF-ELCAC, created in December 2018 as President Duterte gave up on formal peace negotiations with the CPP and National Democratic Front, has a multi-pronged approach to achieve its goal. A number of the approaches, including the provision of “responsive” basic services to make communities “conflict-resilient” as well as the improvement of infrastructure, livelihood and poverty alleviation are intrinsic elements in addressing the root causes of insurgency. Other aspects, however, need finessing, particularly in the area of countering rebel messaging. The NTF-ELCAC has received the heaviest flak in its strategic communication aspect, wherein it has been accused of “red-tagging” or linking certain groups to the CPP-NPA. The latest imbroglio of the task force is the and Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla. takedown of its anti-CPP-NPA streamers from Both Malacañang and Defense Secretary Delfin strategic spots in the city of Manila and the prov- Lorenzana, meanwhile, have advised Parlade to ince of Cavite on orders of Mayor Isko Moreno keep his mouth shut unless he has evidence to
Editorial
Philstar.com photo Philstar.com photo
link individuals or groups to the rebel movement. In this controversy, if the NTF-ELCAC fails to see who’s losing in the battle for hearts and minds, the task force is in trouble. (Philstar.com)
Decisions 2020: Trump vs Biden on plans to heal and rebuild America from the pandemic The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS HOW do we start rebuilding our lives and our nation amid the continued threat of the coronavirus pandemic, more than nine months after it has become a health emergency around the world? Here is what the two candidates for commander-in-chief have to say. Donald Trump’s plan is “Let’s Go Back,” while Joe Biden wants to “Build Back Better.” On his website, the former vice president details a plan called, “Build Back Better.” Biden believes this is no time to just build back to the way things were before, with the old economy’s structural weaknesses and inequalities still in place. This is the moment to imagine and build a new American economy for our families and the next generation. An economy where every American enjoys a fair return for their work and an equal chance to get ahead. An economy more vibrant and more powerful precisely because everybody will be cut in on the deal. In this time of crisis, Joe Biden has a plan to create millions of good-paying jobs and to give America’s working families the tools, choices, and freedom they need to build back better.
That starts with a real strategy to deal with the pandemic. We can’t solve the jobs crisis until we solve the public health crisis. Trump may have forgotten about COVID, but COVID hasn’t forgotten about us. On March 12, April 27, and June 11, Biden laid out a comprehensive strategy to get the pandemic under control and effectively reopen the economy — an approach that will both protect the health and safety of our people and boost economic activity. He will start implementing that plan on Day One. Biden will also provide further immediate relief to working families, small businesses, and communities. He will also: Provide state, local, and tribal governments with the aid they need so educators, firefighters and other essential workers aren’t being laid off. Extend COVID crisis unemployment insurance to help those who are out of work. Provide a comeback package for Main Street businesses and entrepreneurs. And, Biden will immediately put people to work by enlisting them to help fight the pandemic, including through a Public Health Jobs Corps. But that’s just the start. The Biden economic recovery plan for working families will build our economy back better. Whenever America has had its back against the wall, we have acted together to lay the foundation — through public investment and a strong social contract — for the American people to pull together and push forward.
Commentary
GLORIA T. CAOILE MY mother is a proud American citizen. Even now, in her 90s, she recites the Pledge of Allegiance and sings “The StarSpangled Banner” enthusiastically. She came to this country with the belief that with hard work and determination, she can better her life. And she did. I grew up the daughter of immigrants, and learned through her about our American ideals. She taught me about our American history and our Filipino history, and to be proud of who we are. But, more importantly, she showed me that what makes America so great is that it’s made up of millions of people like me who see America as a place where our
The Biden plan will mobilize the American people in service of four bold, national efforts to address four great national challenges. As President, Biden will: Mobilize American manufacturing and innovation to ensure that the future is made in America, and in all of America. Mobilize American ingenuity to build a modern infrastructure and an equitable, clean energy future. Mobilize American talent and heart to build a 21st century caregiving and education workforce which will help ease the burden of care for working parents, especially women. Biden will soon announce a plan to make it far easier to afford child care and to ensure aging relatives and people with disabilities have better access to home and communitybased care; to elevate the pay, benefits, and professional opportunities for caregivers and educators; to create millions of good-paying new jobs in these areas with a choice to join a union; and to free up millions of people to join the labor force and grow a stronger economy in return. Mobilize across the board to advance racial equity in America. We’ve seen again this year the tragic costs of systemic racism. Biden believes that addressing those costs has to be core to every part of the economic agenda, and also a distinct priority in its own right. As president, he will pursue a dedicated agenda to close the racial wealth gap, to expand
affordable housing, to invest in Black, Latino, and Native American entrepreneurs and communities, to advance policing and criminal justice reform, and to make real the promise of educational opportunity regardless of race or zip code. Building back better means an updated social contract that treats American workers and working families as essential at all times, not just times of crisis –– with higher wages, stronger benefits, and fair and safe workplaces. We’ve seen millions of American workers put their lives and health on the line to keep our country going. As Biden has said, let’s not just praise them, let’s pay them — a decent wage, at least $15 per hour, and ending the tipped minimum wage and sub-minimum wage for people with disabilities, and strong benefits so they can live a middle-class life and provide opportunity for their kids. This starts with passing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, providing public service and federal government workers with bargaining rights, and taking other steps to make it easier for workers to organize unions and collectively bargain. Biden will also address discrimination and harassment in the workplace, and pass the Paycheck Fairness Act as the next step in efforts to ensure women are paid equally for equal work. He will pass universal paid sick days and 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. And he has a plan to ensure that every
American has access to quality, affordable health care, by providing a public option and lowering costs for care and for prescription drugs. Building back better means helping small businesses and entrepreneurs come out the other side of this crisis strong, while demanding more from corporate America. We’ve seen the second bailout in 12 years for big corporations and Wall Street. And we’ve seen the Trump administration provide all the tools necessary to help big businesses and well-connected cronies, while small businesses had to jump through hoops and many couldn’t access the relief they needed. Biden will ensure that corporate America finally pays their fair share in taxes, puts their workers and communities first rather than their shareholders, and respects their workers’ power and voice in the workplace. And Biden will help small businesses manage through the pandemic and recover, so that millions of entrepreneurs can get back on their feet and carry this economy forward. To see this agenda through, Joe Biden will make new, bold investments and speed up the timetable for many of the 10year investments he has already announced. He will pay for the ongoing costs of the plan by reversing some of Trump’s tax cuts for corporations and imposing common-sense tax reforms that finally make sure the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share. Today’s elevated unemploy-
ment will mean lower demand, which will mean lower growth for our economy (which relies on consumption). A robust jobs agenda will increase demand. That is why many economists agree that if we fail to make far-reaching, productive investments, it will undermine not only our long-term growth potential, but also our long-term fiscal situation. Additionally, for communities of color that are experiencing disproportionate rates of unemployment, and for young people entering the workforce, getting to full employment as fast as possible is critical to their futures and all of America’s future. Those who argue we can’t afford these investments are the same people who doled out trillions in giveaways to the wealthy and corporations the past three years. Now they’re saying there’s no money left for working families? Joe Biden fundamentally rejects that notion. *** 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.
*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.
The future of Filipino Americans rests on the ballot
diversity unites and strengthens us, not divides us. Where everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from, cares about their neighbors and is part of a community. Yet, despite these ideals, there are two different Americas. Depending on your race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status the life you live is likely leagues different from someone who is white, wealthy, or native-born. Over the last four years, these divisions have only widened. The injustices we face have become more intense, and the fear between us and our neighbors grows more too. We have lost our way by being outraged every day by a president who stokes our worst inhibitions. But, now we face a choice that can get us back on the right track, a choice that can end the constant outrage, and begin the
long path back towards progress and unity. This election is that choice. Joe Biden is a man who believes in those same ideals my mom taught me. He believes that Americans are good people, who want to work hard and better the lives of their families, our neighbors and our communities. Kamala Harris believes that too. At the core of their platform is the simple belief that no one should be left behind, and a rising tide lifts all boats. They have laid out plans to create a stronger, resilient, and inclusive economy where every American enjoys a fair return for their work and an equal chance to get ahead. They will strengthen unions and help all workers bargain successfully for what they deserve. Simply, they will reward those who, like my mother, just want honest pay for a hard day’s work. As Filipino Americans, we
know we have contributed to this country in many ways. Right now, many of us are on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis while we go back to work. Hundreds and thousands of Filipino Americans are essential union workers who are facing rising income inequality, stagnant real wages, the loss of pensions, and pay cuts with greater workloads. Many of those are nurses of Filipino descent, in particular, have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Even though Filipino American nurses make up a small percentage of the workforce (4%), nearly a third of the registered nurses who have died due to COVID-19 have been nurses of Filipino descent. The effects of the pandemic have not been felt evenly. While this disease does not see color, our country’s systems hurt those of color. And minorities are paying the price.
The Trump administration has failed to take the pandemic seriously and people that look like me are bearing more than our fair share of suffering. We are risking our lives for our neighbors, and what are we getting in return? The Trump administration does not care about us, our fight, and our struggle to keep everyone safe. Vice President Biden does. He will lead us forward, keep us safe, and lead us out of the pandemic. This is the crossroads we find ourselves at. This is the choice we face. Our lives and our futures are on the ballot because we live in the “other America.” But it doesn’t always have to be that way. We take care of our families, we take care of our communities, and now it’s time to take care of our country. By electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, we can choose leaders that know our struggle
and can fight for us from positions of power to make our lives better. We can begin to bring about the change needed to help save lives and support our families. Joe Biden knows us, and our struggle, and it is time we are heard in the White House. *** 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.
*** Gloria T. Caoile is a multi-awarded civic leader in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. She is a founding member of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), where she currently serves as the Director of Civic Engagement in Nevada. She previously was the Special Assistant to the President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and was a member of the President’s Advisory Commission of AAPIs during the Clinton administration.
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Several Fil-Am candidates seek public... PAGE A4 t campaign has been playing up Valadao as a “yes-man who who voted with [President Donald] Trump 99% [of the time],” and Valadao’s campaign has been painting Cox as an out-of-touch millionaire whose financial controversies make Cox “the single most corrupt member of Congress.” Cox’s win was monumental, not just for visibility of Filipino American leadership, but for the nation’s congressional landscape in general. Cox’s victory helped Democrats take one of the seven House seats in California that Republicans lost in the historic 2018 midterm elections. It was also a particular surprise for the district which hasn’t seen a Democratic representative since 1981. In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Cox called out his opponent as “[House Minority Leader] Kevin McCarthy’s pet project,” noting that McCarthy has been trying to win back the seats his party lost two years ago. But Cox stressed that policies that McCarthy and his cohorts endorse — including “limiting healthcare access and a woman’s right to choose, tax cuts for the very wealthy” — aren’t the causes that benefit the rural, overwhelmingly Latino constituency. On the East Coast, longtime Rep. Robert Scott (D-Vir.) is seeking re-election after nearly 30 years of legislating for the district in southern Virginia. Scott, who is African American and Filipino (from his maternal grandmother), also chairs the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Scott is generally seen as a safe vote for Democrats; the district has almost consistently voted for Democrats in the primary and general elections. Todd Gloria, San Diego mayor Another Filipino American looking to shake things up is Democratic California State Assemblymember Todd Gloria who, as previously reported in the Asian Journal, is currently running to become mayor of San Diego (part of which he currently represents as an assemblymember). Gloria, 42, was the second person of Filipino descent ever elected to the California Legislature after the first, Assem-
TJ Cox (D-Calif.)
Todd Gloria for San Diego mayor
blymember Rob Bonta, who is currently running for re-election for California’s 18th Assembly District (Alameda). “He deeply cares about people, their safety and their welfare. He is a true leader and a professional and he gets things done,” Bonta recently said of Gloria. If he elected, Gloria would be the first person of color and the first openly gay person to be elected as mayor of San Diego, an ethnically diverse city of more than 1.4 million. Both Todd and Bonta (who has served his post since 2012) made strides for the Filipino American community in California, and there’s another Filipino American in the Los Angeles-area looking to increase visibility of the community in the legislature. Godfrey Plata, CA State Assembly (District 53) Organizer and former teacher Godfrey Plata won the primary election in March and is currently running a progressive campaign for California’s Assembly District 53 (Koreatown). If elected, the tenants’ rights activist would be the only renter in the State Legislature which has tried and failed to address the state’s mounting housing problem. In the vein of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Plata’s grassroots campaign envisions massive bureaucratic changes to the government that prioritizes at-risk, underserved communities. “There’s so much money at the table that is controlling the way in which we elect people and the way we make decisions,” Plata told the Asian Journal in
February. “Lots of people want to know, “What do you want to change?’ But people aren’t thinking enough about what is the process of making change. I really want to shine a light on that and explore how we can expand our leadership and make our leadership work for us, not the other way around.” Sean Reyes, Utah Attorney General On the other side of the political spectrum, Sean Reyes, attorney general of the historically conservative state of Utah, is also running for re-election for his post that he’s held since 2013. A Trump ally, Reyes recently spoke at the Republican National Convention on Aug. 27 where he said in a 4-minute speech that he interacts “with some of the most marginalized victims on earth and they love America. They love President Trump because he’s fighting for their freedom and America’s freedom.” “I’m a proud American and proud descendant of warrior ancestors, women and men alike, from my Hawaiian, Filipino, Japanese and Spanish heritage,” Reyes said. “My father demonstrated his warrior spirit over 50 years fighting a dictator in his homeland, the Philippines. Barely escaping with his life, he started anew in America.” Back in April, Trump endorsed Reyes’ re-election, saying in a tweet that Reyes is “a fighter and hard worker for the Great State of Utah. He is a big supporter of our [Make America Great Again] Agenda — Strong on Crime, the Second Amendment and Loves our Law Enforcement….” n
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObeR 30-NOvembeR 5, 2020
Friday, October 30, 2020
OMETHING
ILIPINO
LIfESTyLE • cONSUMER GUIdE • cOMMUNITy • MARkETPLAcE Immigration Corner
Signing an untrue confession Philippine-based social enterprise Rags2Riches, will not help your case! which turns overstock fabrics into fashion accessories, launches North America online shop
relying on the officer’s assurance that by signing it, it would be helpful. But helpful to whom? Signing Many people consulted with me after their case was denied a confession would certainly be by a USCIS officer or consul at helpful to the government, as that the Embassy. In some cases, would help support and justify a the person signed a confession, denial or refusal. But I cannot but now claims it was not true. I see how confessing to something asked them that if it was not true, a person did not do would ever why did they sign it? They reply be helpful to their case. Sometimes, a loving couple the USCIS officer or consul told them, “It will be good for your is in a good faith marriage, yet case if you sign this.” Trusting sign a confession that it’s a fixed the officer or consul, the person marriage. There have been other dutifully signed the confession, cases where a person, under pe-
Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ
tition by an employer, “confesses” they will repay the employer for all immigration costs, even though the employer is shouldering all costs, because the consul told them “it will be helpful for your case if you sign.” If a person is not entitled to an immigration benefit, they should not be applying in the first place. If they are caught, a denial would be justified. But a person should not claim to be tricked or entrapped into signing something that is not true because of assurPAGE B3
A Special Episode of Citizen Pinoy dedicated to nurses, frontliners, and other working women. In this special episode of Citizen Pinoy, Atty. Gurfinkel does a safe, physically distanced, face-to-face interview with two of the many dedicated Filipino nurses in the community out there. Rochele (center) is a case manager for a large hospital and has her own small business. Can she bring in a family member from the Philippines as a housekeeper to help with the housework and to care for her aging mother in the U.S.? Frances (right) tries to balance 14-hour workdays being a nurse-practitioner, an owner of a med-spa business, and a mother of a four-year old boy. Can she petition a relative as a company driver, even if the relative has a college degree? This week’s episode of Citizen Pinoy is dedicated to all working women (and men), particularly nurses, who are faced with daunting responsibilities at work and at home. Atty. Gurfinkel offers solutions on a brand-new episode of --- CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot – this Sunday at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers)
by
Christina M. Oriel/AJPress
PRODUCTS from social enterprise Rags2Riches are now available to the North American market with its first self-branded store outside of the Philippines. R2R is a 13-year-old fashion and design house that creates eco-ethical fashion and home accessories out of upcycled and overstock fabrics. Behind every accessory is a Filipina/o artisan with a story that is shared with each purchase. And instead of customers, those who purchase from R2R are called “advocates,” as by wearing one of their clothing pieces or bags helps tell that story and promote the company’s mission. The brand’s new e-commerce site, in partnership with Canadian ethical retailer Cambio & Co., makes owning a part of Filipino artisanship accessible, whether
R2R’s accessories are made by Filipina artisans in the Metro Manila area. Photo courtesy of Rags2Riches
it’s a breathable mask using textiles sourced from weaving communities in the Philippines to a throw pillow made with back-toback scrap materials. R2R has previously entered the U.S. market through part-
R2R president and founding member Reese Fernandez-Ruiz with Gelaine Santiago and Jerome Gagnon-Voyer of Cambio & Co. during a visit to the R2R workshop in Manila.
ners like Anthropologie, but r2rshop.com allows for more control over prices and a variety of products with shipping costs already factored in. “We’re very happy to partner with Cambio & Co. because we need a compassionate and consistent partner and we know that there are going to be so many learnings along the way,” Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, president and founding partner of R2R, told the Asian Journal. “This is a way for us to share our story with the bigger Filipino community — Filipino Americans, Filipino Canadians or wherever they are.” This also comes at a time when Filipinos in the diaspora are seeking a connection back to the Philippines, and when style and sustainability don’t have to be mutually exclusive. “We always envisioned CamPAGE B4
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celebrity world By Ferdie Villar
Features
Congresswoman and Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos heads list of November birthday celebrants
politics by winning the mayoralty of Lipa, Batangas and was reelected twice. She then ran for Governor of Batangas Province in 2007, winning against the incumbent (Arman Sanchez). Rep. Santos-Recto was successful in her reelection bids for governor in 2010 and 2013. In both cases, she became the first female to serve as Lipa mayor and Batangas governor. After being termed out for the governorship of Batangas, Rep. Santos-Recto decided to run for Congress for Batangas’ 6th District which she won handily. Aside from working on different committees within the Philippine House of Representatives, she has co-authored bills tackling anti-discrimination, maternity leave, post-graduate education for teachers, senior citizen’s rights and cancer awareness. Others celebrating their birthdays in November are: November 1: Filipino parish priest Abraham Alonzo, former Mrs. Philippines-USA winner Arlene Lindalop November 2: The late fashion designer Ernarnito (Ito) Curata; November 3: Star for All SeaAngelica Panganiban, a beautiful actress of The Filipino Channel, celebrates her birthday Eunice Bejar Lee, New Haven Health and sons and current Congresswomon Wednesday, November 4. Hospice owner, celebrates her birthday on an Vilma Santos, New Haven Photo from Instagram/@iamangelicap Tuesday, November 3. Health and Hospice (in Vallejo VILMA Santos-Recto, known to the Philippine entertainment world as the Star for All Seasons and now a congresswoman representing the province of Batangas, heads the list of prominent celebrities who are celebrating their birthdays in the month of November. Congresswoman Santos-Recto turns 67 on Tuesday, November 3. The multi-awarded actress started her film career at a very young age when she was cast in
the film “Trudis Liit” for which she garnered a Best Child Performer award in the 1963 FAMAS Awards. Rep. Santos has garnered multiple Best Actress trophies from the major award-giving bodies honoring annual film performances in Philippine Cinema (FAMAS, FAP/Luna, Urian, PMPC) and has won recognition as producer and actress in local and international awards circuit/film festivals. Rep. Santos-Recto first entered
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Handsome-debonair Kapuso TV network artist Rafael Rosell IV celebrates his birthday on Tuesdsay, November 10. Photo from Instagram/@rafrafrosell
Vilma Santos, known as the Star for All Seasons and now a congresswoman representing the province of Batangas’ 6th Pauleen Luna-Sotto, wife of Eat Bulaga host Vic Sotto, celebrates her District, heads the list or prominent personalities celebrating their birthday on Tuesday, November 10. birthdays in November. She turns 67 on Tuesday, November 3. Photo from Instagram/@pauleenlunasotto Philstar.com photo
and Daly City) owner Eunice Bejar Lee, Kadok’s Restaurant owner Ricky Tejada; November 4: Film/TV actress Angelica Panganiban;
November 5: Handsome actor Gabby Concepcion, ABS-CBN teleserye actor and model-swimmer Enchong Dee, former Miss Earth Philippines USA winner Melissa Sokukawa, Fil-Am basketball ace J Taylor; November 6: Star Cinema actress Shaina Magdayao, singeractress Jolina Magdangal; November 8: Versatile recording artist Basil Valdez; November 9: Actress/TV host Janice de Belen, singer-actress Tuesday Vargas, brilliant Filipino lawyer Ted Laguatan; November 10: Actress and Eat Bulaga co-host Pauleen LunaSotto, actor-model Rafael Rosell IV; November 11: Former Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay (who will turn 78), Comedy Queen Ai-Ai de las Alas; November 12: Singer for All Occasions Tess Gregorio, Knights of Columbus leader Pat Ancheta; November 13: International wine dealer Ronald Villar, San Bruno Filipina community leader Alma de Leon Scott; November 14: Former Mrs. Republic of the Philippines-USA winner Leilani Vinegas of Fairfield; November 18: Filipina caregiver/carehome owner Remy Acedillo; November 19: Antioch community leaders Joselito and Margarita Cabrera; November 24: ABS-CBN Channel 2 News Bureau Chief Ging Reyes; November 26: Singer/director and TV host Randy Santiago; November 28: Former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Ambassador Leoncio (Jun) Cardenas; November 29: Actor/impersonator/Eat Bulaga co-host Paolo Ballesteros, TV executive Jeff
Ai-Ai de las Alas, known as the Comedy Queen in the Philippine entertainment world, celebrates her birthday on Wednesday, November 11. GMA photo
Joselito Cabrera, Antioch community leader, celebrates his birthday on Thursday, November 19.
Tess Gregorio, Filipina Singer for All Occasions, celebrates her birthday on Thursday, November 12.
Remigio; November 30: San Francisco veteran photographer Bonifacio Valera, the late entertainment producer/promoter Sunny Tila. To all celebrants, Happy Birthday! And to all my readers, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beloved family!
GMA Pinoy TV teleserye actor and former matinee idol Gabby Concepcion celebrates his birthday on Thursday, November 5. GMA photo
Eat Bulaga co-host and impersonator Paolo Ballesteros celebrates his birthday on Sunday, November 29. Photo from Instagram/@pochoy_29
Features
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Trick or...treat yourself to a week of free Apple Citizen Pinoy offers solutions to Filipino Fritters, Blueberry Muffins and Cinnamon Rolls nurses, front-liners, and other working McDonald’s keeps the sweets coming post-Halloween, offering new women on this Sunday’s episode McCafé Bakery items for free with coffee purchase from Nov. 3 - Nov. 9 (CHICAGO, IL — Halloween has always been a day to treat yourself... but let’s be honest. The way 2020’s been going, one day isn’t enough. In fact, at the very least, we think this year calls for a full week of treats after the holiday. That’s why we’re giving away our new Apple Fritters, Blueberry Muffins and Cinnamon Rolls for free* with purchase at participating McDonald‘s nationwide from Nov. 3 through Nov. 9. To get in on this spellbinding deal, simply purchase a McCafé Premium Roast Coffee or Iced Coffee – any size, at any time of day on the McDonald’s App. No tricks here… just sweets to pair with our beloved coffee, which always includes milk and creamer options made with real dairy from dairy farmers in the U.S. Since you deserve more than one moment to revel in the free bakery goodness, you can redeem the offer once per day, every day of the week! That’s right – whether you’re declaring it an Apple Fritter Friday, a Cinnamon Roll Saturday or a Blueberry Muffin Monday – we’ve got you covered. The new trio is available all day nationwide starting today, marking the first new baked goods to join our core U.S. menu in over
Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS You can actually perform CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) on yourself, when your heart falters (giving you a most uncomfortable panicky feeling, irregular rhythm, with or without chest pains, and a sensation of impending doom), anywhere you are, especially when you are driving, and save a life (your own) and prevent a crash that might kill other people too. The physiologic mechanics: The heart is in between the left and right lungs, the vertebrae (spine) behind and the sternum (breastbone) in front. When the lungs expand, like when you take a real deep breath, the distended lungs will not only provide oxygen to your blood but also squeeze on your heart. This helps in the faster flow of blood out of the heart, easing the workload of your ticker. In standard CPR performed by any trained person, mouth to mouth resuscitation is done, precisely to fill the lungs with air (oxygen), which also squeezes the heart. At the same time, cardiac massage (pumping down on the sternum aimed at squeezing the heart) is performed. Self-CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (SCPR) is a vital option when one is alone, as an instant first-aid measure, when faced with a situation that calls for it. The Technique: The first thing to do immediately, when the symptoms start, is to take repeated deep breaths, and coughing real hard between each breath. If the heart irregularity and uncomfortable feeling continues after ten series of deep breaths and hard coughing, hitting the chest moderately hard with a clenched fist might help. The coughing and deep breaths must continue as the person drives to the nearest hospital emergency room or physician’s office. The disappearance of the symptoms as a response to the SCPR does not negate the need for immediate medical consultation. Our entire school system, starting from the elementary school, would do humanity a great service if a course in CPR and SCPR is made mandatory in every level of its curricula. *** If the ambient air is too dry, whether you are in desert, in a room with a heater during winter, or on board an airplane (where the air is very dry), you can device your personal “humidifier” by soaking a face towel and putting it against your nose. This will provide moisture to the air you breathe in. The same improvisation and/or wet towels in strategic areas will help humidify any dry
eight years. These additions give customers more ways to experience the breakfast they love at McDonald’s, building upon our 50-year legacy of innovation with iconic fan-favorites such as the Egg McMuffin®, Breakfast Burritos and McGriddles®. So, upgrade from Halloween leftovers and satisfy those sweet cravings by opening your McDonald’s App, selecting your favorite McCafé coffee and letting us treat you. Offer is redeemable in restaurants or at the Drive Thru, exclusively with the deal in the App. *Offer valid 1x/day 11/03/20 through 11/09/20 at participating McDonald’s. McD App download and registration required. McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to nearly 25 million customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook. www.facebook.com/ mcdonalds. McCafé coffees, including lattes, cappuccinos and mochas, were added to the U.S. national
THIS week’s episode of Citizen Pinoy is dedicated to working women (and men), particularly nurses and frontliners who work long, exhausting shifts, and then must come home and manage a household and take care of their families. The responsibilities are daunting and exhausting, and leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel offers a solution to that predicament - petitioning housekeepers and caregivers from the Philippines, even if a relative! In this episode, Atty. Gurfinkel answers questions from two nurses, Rochele and Frances. (Both nurses advised and supervised the physical-distancing require-
who owns a successful med-spa. Aside from working 14-hour days, she is also a mother to a four-year old boy. She has been wanting to petition a nanny but worries over the length of time it takes for the petition to be processed. Also, her husband’s cousin in the Philippines, could he be potentially hired as a company driver if he is over-qualified for the position since he is a college graduate? Atty. Gurfinkel provides solutions to these questions on an allnew episode of CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot – this Sunday, at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
Signing an untrue confession will not... PAGE B1
menu in 2009 and quickly expanded to include blended-ice frappés and smoothies as well as limited-time seasonal offerings. Since 2017, we’ve evolved the McCafé menu to offer delicious options more than ever before, including espresso beverages, like Americanos and bakery items, such as our pies, cookies and limitedtime Donut Sticks. We’ve also made McCafé more convenient and accessible, introducing McDelivery, Mobile Order & Pay, and McCafé in grocery stores. In 2019, a renewed commitment to McCafé features refreshed branding to celebrate ten years of giving customers the cup of goodness they deserve. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www.facebook.com/McDonaldsUS/.
Tips and hacks room. Running the shower will also do it but terribly wasteful, expensive, and not eco-friendly. *** Large paper clips will serve well as collar stays when one forgets to bring them on a trip. Or, making collar stays with a piece of hard plastic or cardboard. *** Sticking a bright colored emblem of any kind (mine is a red heart) on your credit card is a way of identifying your card at a distance, when you hand it over to a sales clerk of any store, and makes it a lot easier for you to “detect” when you are given back another card, by mistake or intentionally, which has happened. *** One of the best ways to prevent viruses from attacking your computer (on top of your anti-virus software) is by not opening any email you receive from someone you do not know, and thrashing them immediately. If needed, you could retrieve them from the Trash Bin, which holds them for 30 days prior to final deletion. Even if the email comes from a person you know, its attachment, if any, must be tagged or designated “virus free.” Spam mail eliminator is not enough. Common sense and vigilance do a lot more in protecting your computer and all valuable data in it. Disciplining yourself to adhere to this practice religiously will severely minimize, if not avoid, virus infestation and computer crashes, loss of priceless data, inconvenience, and avoidable expenses. *** Handling money, touching stair or escalator hand rails, door knobs, in public places, or handshakes expose one to a lot of viruses and or bacteria, and potential illnesses, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. Imagine the thousands of people of various personal habits have touching those paper bills, coins, handrails, and door knobs, conceivably many of them with poor hygiene. Washing hands at least 8 times a day is more of a rule than an exception, if one has to prevent bug contamination and upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infections. The use of alcohol “wipes” or gel also helps. Anti-bacterial (antibiotic) hand wash preparations are discouraged for fear of inducing bacterial resistance to the antibiotic. *** Interested in anti-oxidants for better health? Vegetables and fresh fruits, in general are the best natural sources, compared to the very expensive pills, potion and lotion in the market, advertised as antioxidants. Antioxidant Score: ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) measures the antioxidant units available to reduce harmful oxygen free radicals.
ments of the in-studio taping to keep the cast and crew safe.) Rochele is a registered nurse who is a case manager for a big hospital, and has her own business as well. She raised four children who are now all grown-up. Rochele and her husband would like to be able to slow down a bit and take better care of themselves. But she has to come home each night and then do housework. She asks if it is possible if she can petition a housekeeper from the Philippines. She is also thinking of bringing in a caregiver to take care of her aging mom. Rochele wants to know if it is possible to hire a relative to help her family out. Frances is a nurse practitioner
As far as fruits are concerned, according to the United States Department of Agriculture and Brunswick Laboratories, the following are the ORAC score (per 100 Grams) of the following fruits: Bananas - 879; Plums – 7291; Oranges – 1814; Blueberries – 9019; Apples – 3253; Cranberries – 9456; and, Cherries – 3361. Sunsweet, a company popular for its preserved fruits in the United States, came out with what it calls Antioxidant Blend, a dried fruit variety combo, which includes blueberries, cherries, cranberries and plums. One fourth cup serving (40 Grams) contain 90 calories. In Asia, the popular “licorice” flavor fruit preserve “Dikyam” is made from plum. *** To those who love water sports, carrying an intact plastic garbage bag, might be life-saving, even for a good swimmer. Experts have reported cases of leg cramps among some who did not bother to wear a life vest, who were saved by a plastic bag they inflated and hang on to, aiding in their buoyancy and ability to stay afloat longer, giving them the critical time for recovery from the debilitating cramps. Obviously, wearing an appropriate life vest is better, a must for the “seafarers” amongst us. *** When severe chest pains develop, a tablet of regular aspirin (325 mg) or 4 baby aspirin (81 mg each or total of 324 mg), might ward off a big heart attack by preventing a deadly blood clot in the coronary artery and providing an opportunity to get to the emergency room. Some people carry baby aspirin tablets in their pocket or purse. It is best to discuss this strategy with your physician. The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** 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, Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
ances that by signing an untrue confession it would be “helpful” to their case. That is why if you believe you were being pressured into signing confessions or statements that are not true, you should not do so. Once they are signed, it is very hard to retract or take back that signed confession and it is likely to be accepted as true. Instead, if you are asked to sign a statement, you should first have your attorney review the contents for accuracy and truthfulness. The bottom line is a person should of course be truthful and
apply for immigration benefits only if they are entitled. They should not be signing confessions, admitting to things that are untrue because they felt they were pressured or persuaded that it would help their case. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”,
endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE:www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and Youtube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES
City of Santa Clara invites residents to apply for task force positions by Nov 13 THE City of Santa Clara encourages residents to serve on the Task Force on Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (Task Force). The focus of the Task Force is to engage the local community in an open dialogue to help the City take future actions to achieve social equity by working to ensure that all Santa Clarans have access to an equal quality of life and equal access to opportunity. The Task Force will consist of seven (7) member seats, of which there are three (3) vacant seats. The committee members are
volunteers and are appointed by the Santa Clara City Council. The frequency and timing of committee meetings will be determined once all vacant committee seats have been filled. Application and supplemental questions are available in person and at the Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website. The application packet includes: • Boards/Commissions and Committee Application • Supplemental Questions
• Two (2) proofs of residency (i.e. drivers license/identification card, utility bill, cable bill, etc.). The application packet must be delivered by email or in-person to the City Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m. on November 13, 2020, during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Interviews will take place at 5:00 p.m. during the week of November 30, 2020. For more information, visit www.santaclaraca.gov/equitytaskforce. (City of Santa Clara Release)
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october 30-November 5, 2020 • NorcAL ASIAN JoUrNAL
99 Ranch Market expands grocery delivery with Instacart
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The new service kicked off on October 29 in stores nationwide BUENA PARK, CA - To serve customers more seamlessly and to further scale up its ecommerce channels, 99 Ranch Market is now teaming up with Instacart, the North American leader in online grocery, to grow its delivery capabilities. With the new e-commerce collaboration, customers can now have their groceries delivered directly from their nearest 99 Ranch Market to their door in as fast as one hour. “As one of the biggest Asian American/International grocers, 99 Ranch Market has been focusing on making grocery shopping easier for our shoppers. We are thrilled to partner up with Instacart to fulfill shoppers’ needs on getting groceries delivered to their doorsteps. This effort will diversify our existing offerings and elevate shopping experiences.” says Marketing & Public Relations Director, Juliet Chen. 99 Ranch Market takes great pride in its roots in Asian/International groceries. The company vision is to help connect global consumers to 99 Ranch Market’s heritage and fantastic food culture. By utilizing innovative technology, 99 Ranch Market saves customers time and money to ensure that they are getting the best quality products they need. Customers can count on 99 Ranch Market for convenience and quality and now have the ability to explore what the grocer has to offer - both in-store and online. With the new partnership, Instacart delivery is now available from all of 99 Ranch Market’s 53 store locations across nine states. “We’re excited to partner with 99 Ranch Market across their entire footprint to give customers access to the International groceries they love from the comfort of their home,” said Andrew Nodes, Vice President of Retail at Instacart. “Same-day delivery has become essential and we know how important it is for customers to be able to reach their favorite retailer online. People are looking for convenience and reliability, and we’re proud to launch with 99 Ranch Market to help this beloved retailer expand its offering and further serve the communities it operates in.” 99 Ranch Market customers can begin shopping via Instacart by going to https://www.instacart.com/store/99-ranch-market or opening the Instacart app on their mobile device. From there, customers select their zip code or city and 99 Ranch Market storefront and can begin adding items to their Instacart grocery cart. Once the customer has checked
out, an Instacart personal shopper will pick and deliver the grocery order within the customers’ designated time frame – sameday, or for convenient scheduling, days in advance. All Instacart orders default to “Leave at My Door Delivery” to maintain social distancing guidelines and ensure customers receive their orders safely. More than 600 products from 99 Ranch Market are available for Instacart delivery, including farm-fresh produce, a wide selection of Asian dry groceries, meat, seafood, bulk foods, and frozen items. 99 Ranch Market was established in 1984, with its first store in Westminster (Little Saigon), California. 99 Ranch Market maintains its cultural heritage by offering the best quality Asian/ International products and personalized service. With the support of our loyal customers and hardworking employees, we have grown to become the largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States, with over 50 store locations nationwide in California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and Washington
State. Instacart is the North American leader in online groceries and one of the fastest-growing companies in e-commerce. Instacart shoppers offer same-day delivery and pickup services to bring fresh groceries and everyday essentials to busy people and families across the U.S. and Canada. Instacart has partnered with more than 500 beloved national, regional, and local retailers to deliver from over 35,000 stores across more than 5,500 cities in North America. Instacart’s delivery service is available to more than 85% of U.S. households and 70% of Canadian households. The company’s cutting-edge enterprise technology also powers the e-commerce platforms of some of the world’s biggest retail players, supporting their white-label websites, applications, and delivery solutions. Instacart offers an Instacart Express membership for unlimited free delivery on orders over $35. For more information or to start shopping, visit www.instacart. com. For anyone interested in becoming an Instacart shopper, visit https://shoppers.instacart. com/. (Advertising Supplement)
CA counties encouraged to apply for mental health wellness grants for children and youth SACRAMENTO – California State Treasurer Fiona Ma announced on Tuesday, October 27 the availability of approximately $36.7 million in mental health wellness grants for children and youth. This competitive grant program funds facility acquisition, construction and/or renovation, equipment acquisition, and applicable program startup or expansion costs for crisis residential treatment facilities, crisis stabilization facilities, mobile crisis support teams, and family respite care. “Cases of children and youth in crisis have increased drastically in the past generation, and the current home schooling situation during the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation,” Treasurer Ma said. “We need to increase mental health
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crisis services, so these children and youth can get the help they need and reach their full potential.” The deadline for counties to apply for grants is Friday, January 29, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Nonprofit corporations are also encouraged to contact their counties to apply jointly. The California Health Facilities Financing Authority (“CHFFA”), chaired by Treasurer Ma, will distribute the funds through the Investment in Mental Health Wellness Grant Program for Children and Youth. Chapter 30, Statutes of 2016 (SB 833), Section 20, expanded the Investment in Mental Health Wellness Act of 2013 to specifically address a continuum of crisis services for children and youth, 21 years of age and un-
der. “There is a shortage of mental health crisis services for children and youth throughout the state of California,” said Treasurer Ma. “To this end, it is my goal that this program increases the number of crisis beds, mobile crisis support teams, and the availability of family respite care. In achieving this goal, we can ensure that more children and youth receive much needed mental health crisis services. I encourage California counties to submit applications for the Investment in Mental Health Wellness Grant Program for Children and Youth funding.” For more information or to submit an application, please visit CHFFA’s website. (CA State Treasurer’s Office Release)
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Philippine-based social enterprise Rags2Riches... PAGE B1 bio & Co. as a bridge connecting the diaspora to the homeland, but R2Rshop.com goes one step further. You don’t even need a bridge. You’re right at the doorstep. There’s something truly powerful about being able to shop directly with a brand where the leadership is all based in the Philippines and live in the same city as the artisans,” Gelaine Santiago, Cambio & Co. co-founder, told the Asian Journal in an email. Fernandez-Ruiz met Santiago — who along with her nowhusband Jérôme Gagnon-Voyer founded Cambio & Co. in 2015 as an ethical retailer specializing in contemporary, conscious fashion made by talented Filipino artisans — during the latter’s trip to the Philippines and the two companies have worked together for around three years. The idea for a separate online shop was in the pipeline, but the pandemic sped up the process as R2R sought to diversify its market. “For us, international expansion is very simple because it means impact expansion as well,” Fernandez-Ruiz said, adding that while advocates get to share the R2R story in North America, at the same time, the impact extends back to the Philippines for artisans to continue to have steady livelihoods. Sustaining a social enterprise The business concept for R2R came about based visits that Fernandez-Ruiz and the other founders would make to Payatas, a barangay in Quezon City considered one of the poorest urban communities in the Philippines with a large dumpsite. An estimated 1,000 trucks per day arrive at the site, each carrying two to three tons of waste. In the midst of the squalor and waste, however, stay-at-home mothers discovered scraps of cloth and wove them into foot rugs to be sold at local markets — essentially, creating something out of nothing. However, middlemen interfered by sourcing the scraps from the garment factories and raised the prices when selling them to the women in Payatas, or would purchase the rugs for a few pesos and re-sell them at a higher price for a profit. Instead of shelling out money and training as a form of charity, Fernandez-Ruiz and her cofounders saw that the obstacle could be overcome by taking the artisans on as business partners, and thus chip away from the cycle of poverty in the country. R2R took out the middlemen by introducing the mothers directly to the garment factories and the market. The company, which began in 2007, helped them sell the finished, functional rugs at bazaars and fairs, while sharing the story behind them, which became an added selling point and gave a human touch. “Our model is not about donating anything. It’s about the supply chain itself, being fair and sustainable for everyone,” Fernandez-Ruiz said. “For R2R, the reason we have lasted this long is of course, the grit, determination, team effort and the partners who supported us… But I also couldn’t discount luck — in our case, the lucky breaks happened and we were ready to take them on.” Thirteen years later, R2R’s offerings range from clothing like made-to-order jumpsuits to versatile totes, and has collaborated with other Filipino designers for capsule collections. Some 200 artisans from Metro Manila and other areas of the Philippines craft the products by hand, and many have reported milestones through the training, such as be-
Filipina women model R2R’s Puso Hardin Pyramid Clutch
Photo by Gerald Gloton
Two weavers who are part of R2R’s network of artisans.
Photo by Gerald Gloton
ing able to open a bank account, affording to send children to college, or starting their own businesses. Despite the ongoing pandemic, lessons throughout the company’s history have taught them how to be agile and pivot to weather any circumstances. One benefit is that R2R is not stockpile inventory to lessen waste, and clothes are made to order, even if they require a longer wait. “At the beginning of the lockdown in March, we immediately pivoted our production to create face masks and other essentials rather than the usual bags that we’ve been making,” Fernandez-Ruiz said. “We also created some systems to make sure that we could still do physical distancing, while being able to keep livelihood going.” The R2R shop now sells embroidered reusable face masks ($21) in four different colors and handwoven masks ($15) using textile from ethnically sourced from weavers, such as the Mangyan weaves from Mindoro and the Mang Abel Ti-Abria community in the Abra province. Both types pockets for filters and are made by artisans from the safety of their homes. The company was also able to deliver to customers during the strict quarantine in Metro Manila. However, as the pandemic continues, Fernandez-Ruiz said that it places an added burden on artisans who may be the sole breadwinners of their households right now so the company is exploring other ways to continue the stream of income for these families. “We’re going through it one step at a time. We’re looking for more opportunities for people. It hasn’t been easy, but I think we’re one of the lucky few who are able to go through it with relatively okay,” she said, adding that for artisans still working at the R2R workshop, while socially distancing, are receiving health insurance for extra protection. She added, “During times like this, it is when your culture is
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tested the most. This is the time when you will really see if your culture and your values shine through or if those are just writings on the wall. For us, it’s very encouraging to see our team members are lifting each other up.” By expanding R2R’s reach and making products, which use indigenous textiles, for consumers of the Philippines, whether they are Filipino or not, FernandezRuiz has been aware of the bigger cultural appropriation and cancel culture conversation. It starts with communication and transparency, she said. “Most people who are accused of cultural misappropriation are those who don’t really talk to their partners or their suppliers — they just buy and then they just say, ‘This is my design.’ They don’t know the heritage, the history of a certain textile because they don’t talk. It’s a strange thing to say, but talk to your partner and ask them about the history of the fabric and how to best represent it to the world,” Fernandez-Ruiz said. As for the future of R2R, the brand has a partnership with IKEA Philippines, which is slated to be its largest location in the world when it opens at the Mall of Asia by 2021 and will continue its goal to train hundreds more artisans. The North America shop plans to carry R2R on Repeat, its lounge-to-leisure clothing line, down the line. Fernandez-Ruiz also hopes that in a post-COVID world, consumers will continue being conscious about how they’re making purchases, especially when it comes to fashion. “You could really see that fashion as it is now has never been sustainable and the pandemic just put a spotlight on that. On a consumer point of view, people are looking for more meaningful products because now their buying power is probably not as big as before or is threatened because they don’t know the future so they want to be more selective…or that it goes to something they believe in,” she said.
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