NOVEMBER 9-11, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 89 • 14 Pages
Marcos to lay down economic agenda in APEC Summit by KRISTINA
MARALIT ManilaTimes.net
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is expected to lay down his administration's economic agenda when he meets with his foreign counterparts at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM) in Bangkok, Thailand on November 16 to 19. Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) Officer in Charge Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said that Marcos will discuss his plans on trade, President Marcos is also slated to take part in the APEC CEO Summit where he will have face- investment and post-pandemic to-face discussions with the region's top business leaders. Malacañang file photo PAGE 2
USA
DATELINE The pandemic’s collateral damage: Long COVID FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
AN estimated 4 million people in the U.S. have permanently dropped out of the workforce due to long COVID, which can include an array of symptoms that last well after the initial infection. Experts say the nation lacks the resources to handle the predicted swell of such cases. Long COVID is characterized as people experiencing a multitude of symptoms for three months or longer after first being infected. Such symptoms include: tiredness, fatigue, malaise, fever, shortness of breath, brain fog, dizziness, headaches, and sleep disturbance. People also experience psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety. More than 21 million Americans have experienced long COVID. A paper released last month in the scientific journal Nature found that almost half of people who had PAGE 3
Election officials bracing for trouble at the polls DOUBTS about election integrity among Republicans continue even as experts say rigorous and transparent safeguards are in place to ensure a secure election. Three hundred candidates are running for office in 2022 who don’t believe Joe Biden won the 2020 Presidential Election. They won’t all win but imagining even half of them in office is an unsettling thought. According to election experts, there are so many safeguards in place to protect election integrity that finding no evidence of fraud is reassuring, but not surprising. “Despite the many challenges that election officials faced in 2020 with the pandemic and with record breaking turnout, federal officials and election security experts declared that election the most secure in history,” said Derek Tisler, an election specialist with the Brennan Center. “We are confident that 2022 will have a similar outcome.” Tisler spoke during an EMS media briefing alongside California Secretary of State Shirley Weber. PAGE 5
UNDER YOUR UMBRELLAS. Colorful umbrellas don the exit gate of the Jose P. Laurel Sr. High School in Project 4, Quezon City on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Ryan Noel Doña, head teacher of the school’s Science Department, said the initiative called “Sukob Laurelian” is part of their flagship program under the Brigada Eskwela school preparation for this year. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Filipino man sentenced to 20 years for deadly stabbing on LA-bound container ship by AJPRESS A FILIPINO man who fatally stabbed a fellow crewmember on a container ship heading to Los Angeles was sentenced on Monday, November 7 to 20 years in federal prison. Michael Dequito Monegro, 44, a resident of the Philippines, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer, who said in court at the court hearing that Monegro’s “conduct was unusually heinous, cruel and brutal.” Monegro pleaded guilty on May 2
to one count of committing an act of violence against a person onboard a ship that is likely to endanger the safe navigation of the ship. In September 2020, Monegro was working as a seaman aboard the MSC Ravenna, a 153,000-grosston Liberian-flagged container ship. The murder took place on September 20, 2020, when the Ravenna was approximately 80 nautical miles from Southern California and nearing the end of its two-week voyage from Shanghai to the Port of Los Angeles, according to a release from the U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. That morning, several crewmembers were in a dressing room on the ship’s upper deck, preparing for their shift and waiting for their direct supervisor to provide their work assignments for the day. Shortly after Monegro saw his direct supervisor – identified in court documents as “M.S.” – in the hallway outside the locker room, Monegro began stabbing him with a knife while they were both in the hallway in full view of several crewmembers.
The victim grappled with Monegro and the two fell to the floor. Monegro then got on top of the victim and continued stabbing him. Monegro then removed a second knife from the victim’s coveralls and stabbed him with both knives. Crewmembers attempted to intervene to stop Monegro, including throwing a trash can at him, but their actions were unsuccessful. Monegro stopped stabbing the victim only when he became too tired to continue. In total, Monegro stabbed PAGE 2
UN rights experts concerned over ‘pervasive’ corruption in Philippines MANILA — In its recent periodic review, the United Nations Human Rights Committee raised alarm over reports that graft and corruption in the Philippines worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an advanced version of the report, the committee, composed of independent experts, acknowledged some strides made in recent years, but it pointed to areas that are lacking. Philippine officials reported the establishment of the 8888 Citizens' Complaint Hotline in 2016 as well as the creation of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission in 2017. The UN body found the measures
insufficient, citing reports of allegations against public officials while the country dealt with the health crisis. "The Committee remains concerned by reports that corruption remains pervasive and has intensified in the context of the State response to the COVID-19 pandemic," it said in the 13-page report. In 2021, a series of testimonies bared the involvement of foreign-owned and undercapitalized Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. in questionable health supplies contracts with the government amounting to P42 billion. Two of the company's executives who Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Koko Pimentel allegedly benefited from the sizeable PAGE 3
PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Zubiri told: Journalists not meant Do the US midterms matter? How results to ‘beautify’ Philippines’ image may influence foreign policy in Asia by JELINE
MALASIG Philstar.com
by KAYCEE
VALMONTE Philstar.com
PHOENIX — What does a vote in Arizona have to do with life in Manila more than 12,000 kilometers away? Potentially a lot, since results of the ongoing midterm elections could have far-reaching effects in a region where the U.S. and China are competing for influence. Republicans taking control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2022 midterm elections could mean less engagement on international issues, analysts said, saying also that rivalry with China would likely still remain a hot-button topic for both
the Republican and Democrat parties. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 34 of 100 Senate seats are being contested in the ongoing polls. A win by the dominant Democratic party would see a likely continuation of U.S. President Joe Biden's foreign policy but a Republican win in either house of U.S. Congress could lead to a more isolationist stance, which would limit Washington's involvement outside U.S. borders. Joshua Kurlantzick, senior fellow for Southeast Asia at Washington-based think tank Council on Foreign Relations, said there is already a growing number of Republican PAGE 3
A SENATOR was reminded of the duties of media after calling on journalists to help beautify the country’s image when the United Nations Human Rights Committee called out the government over its drug war and media killings. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri made the appeal in a press briefing on Monday, where he claimed that other countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam have it worse in terms of critical reportage. “I appeal to the media,
tulungan niyo naman kami na pagandahin ang imahe ng Pilipinas. Katulad noong Percy Lapid na iyan, nahuli na nga iyong bumaril at mahuhuli na nga iyong mastermind,” he said. “Tumulong naman kayo i-announce ‘yan sa buong mundo. Buti sana kung hindi inaksyunan. If hindi inaksyunan, eh di sana I’ll stand with you here. Pero inaksyunan nila. Kaya iyan ang apila ko. We are a free media,” Zubiri added. Various media outlets reported Lapid’s killing. He was the second journalist to be killed under the Marcos administration, and the PAGE 3
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From the Front Page
Marcos to lay down economic... PAGE 1 economic recovery efforts. "The economic leaders from 21 APEC economies will discuss sustainable trade and investment, reconnecting the region and charting our paths toward post-pandemic recovery and inclusive and sustainable growth," Velicaria-Garafil said during a press briefing in Malacañang. The gathering of heads of state will likewise serve as an opportunity for the Philippines to push its economic agenda and priorities. These include empowerment of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and their inclusion in
global-value chains, recognition of the essential role of maritime crews and seafarers in ensuring stable and resilient supply chains, and ensuring food and energy security as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation, she said. The President is also slated to take part in the APEC CEO Summit where he will have faceto-face discussions with the region's top business leaders. "He will meet with top executives of Thai companies to discuss business opportunities, investments and expansion plans," Velicaria-Garafil said. Besides his high-level meetings, Marcos will also meet
with the Filipino community in Thailand. This will be the first in-person meeting of the 21-member regional economic bloc since the pandemic hit. The two previous AELMs were held virtually in 2021 and 2022, hosted by Malaysia and New Zealand, respectively. The 21 member economies of APEC are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam. g
Filipino man sentenced to 20 years for deadly... PAGE 1 the victim 31 times. The ship’s captain, chief mate and chief engineer all arrived on scene during the incident, and the captain convinced Monegro to get off the victim, who died on the ship from multiple stab wounds. Monegro was convinced by the captain to walk to a conference room. After continued discussions, Monegro placed the knives on the conference
room table and was escorted to his cabin. After the incident, Monegro was confined to a cabin and crewmembers were assigned to guard the door, so they were unable to perform their normal duties on the ship. Other crewmembers were traumatized by witnessing Monegro stab and kill the victim. Federal agents arrested Monegro after the ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles on
September 27, 2020. He has been in federal custody since his arrest. “The tragic impact of defendant’s conduct cannot be overstated,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “[Monegro’s] murder of M.S. left behind M.S.’s wife and daughter, who was 17 at the time of the murder. M.S. was the sole bread winner for the family, and his death caused significant financial strain on the family.” g
SANTAS IN PARACHUTES. A woman checks out the Santa Claus figurines on sale at the stall on Tabora Street, Binondo in Manila on Monday, Nov. 7. For many Filipinos, Christmas celebrations begin with the onset of the “ber” months when they begin to adorn their homes with Christmas decorations. PNA photo by Alfred Frias
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UN rights experts concerned over...
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pandemic deals were released from detention in June. While it did not refer to the Pharmally scandal specifically, the UN panel urged the Philippines to "ensure that all allegations of corruption, including those related to public procurement, are promptly, independently and thoroughly investigated." The government should also see that "those responsible are duly tried and adequately punished, and that victims receive full reparation," it said. Crippled anti-corruption bodies In March this year, the Philippine government reported to the UN body that the Office of the Ombudsman had disposed of 617 cases in 2019 out of its 3,947case docket, leading to convictions in more than half of the processed cases,
DATELINE USA
Officials failed, however, to detail the accomplishments of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission as the UN panel requested in 2020. Portion of the list of issues in the Philippines raised at the United Nations human rights review where the committee requests Manila to provide details of antigraft body which former President Rodrigo Duterte created. His predecessor, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, abolished the PACC through one of his early executive orders. UN Human Rights Committe document dated June 2020 Citing unspecified reports, the UN committee argued that the Office of the Ombudsman lacks "financial and technical resources to investigate" allegations of corruption. "The State party should intensify its efforts to prevent and eradicate
corruption and impunity at all levels," it said. "To this end, it should immediately provide sufficient human, technical and financial resources to its anticorruption bodies, including the Ombudsman's Office, with a view to enabling it to effectively and independently discharge its mandates." Besides its comments on the problem of corruption in the Philippines, the UN committee also laid down other recommendations on the human rights situation. It called for the repeal of some provisions of the AntiTerrorism Act, the release of Sen. Leila de Lima from detention, cooperation with the International Criminal Court investigation into extrajudicial killings and the passage of measures on abortion, anti-discrimination and divorce, among other proposals. (Camille Diola/Philstar.com)
are minded to step beyond the boundaries of what is proper.” “From the United States to Europe, they have [a] share of problems of immigration and illegal detention of immigrants. No one is pointing fingers at them for their human rights [violations]. I don’t think that’s right. Then they [bring up] the media killings [here],” Zubiri said, responding to the UN Human Rights Committee’s concern about the Philippines. “Nagagalit lang kapag sa tingin nila mali ang nailabas. Pero hindi naman forcibly pinipigilan kayo. When we were in the European Union, sabi namin ni Sen. Loren Legarda, kausap namin sila, sabi namin, it is not fair to paint the Philippines like that. The reason why you get news like that [is] because our media are free,” he added. The UN Human Rights Committee previously expressed concern that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 was being used to “legitimize the targeting of government critics, human rights defenders and journalists, including through ‘red-tagging,’ and consequent chilling effects on freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association.” Following Zubiri’s appeal to the media, some Filipinos reminded him that the press’ responsibility is to report facts and not to beautify anyone or anything’s images.
“That’s not how the media works [though]??? Also, hindi nila responsibilidad na i-sugar coat ang news about it? [It] should be the truth, may it be ugly or not,” a Twitter user said in response to the lawmaker. “Lol, [it’s] not the media’s job to beautify the Philippines situation. It’s YOUR responsibility and the government’s. Don’t be such an i*iot and pass your work to the media,” another Pinoy wrote. “The purpose of the media is to inform the public about what is truly going on in the country. We need to strengthen our government to maintain a respectable public profile,” a different Filipino said. “It’s not the media’s responsibility to improve the country’s image. Try to do something better first before you say that, lol,” tweeted another Pinoy. A journalist is expected “to provide citizens with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives, their communities, their societies, and their governments,” according to the American Press Institute. They are obliged to convey facts and the truth in the public’s interest and to serve as an independent monitor of power by holding them into account. Journalists are also obliged to be impartial and remain uninfluenced by outside entities.
Zubiri told: Journalists not meant to ‘beautify’... PAGE 1
first one based in Metro Manila. The incident prompted the embassies of Canada and the Netherlands to release a statement: “Journalist killings create a chilling effect that curtails the ability of journalists to report news freely and safely.” The two countries are cochairs of the Media Freedom Coalition. Latest reports on Lapid’s case said that suspended Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag colluded with gangs inside the New Bilibid Prison to carry out his kill order against the hard-hitting radio commentator. The lawyer of journalist Roy Mabasa, who is Lapid’s brother, said there might be “persons higher than Bantag” involved in the killing. Justice Secretary Boying Remulla, in response to speculations, said that they haven’t seen anyone else and are “not concerned with politics.” “We still haven’t seen anyone else. We just follow the money and we just follow the evidence. It’s hard to speculate,” he said. Meanwhile, Zubiri in his press briefing rejected the notion of the media facing a “chilling effect” in the country since journalists were not supposedly not stopped from doing their jobs. A “chilling effect” is defined by the Supreme Court as “the fear of possible prosecution that hangs of the heads of citizens who
5 TIPS FOR A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON Make COVID-19 an uninvited guest.
It's okay to set rules! Whether that's having everyone be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines or getting tested, everyone wants to celebrate safely.
Stay healthy to ensure you can fully enjoy all the celebrations.
Getting your vaccine and updated booster will help protect you and your loved ones so you can make the most of the festivities together. The holidays are a busy time of year and staying healthy ensures you can fully enjoy all the celebrations with family and friends.
Enjoy your festivities in the fresh air.
Consider hosting your guests outdoors, if weather permits. If gathering indoors, open a few windows to keep fresh air circulating.
Test before gathering.
At-home COVID-19 tests provide a sense of security before you gather. Testing positive for COVID-19 means staying home until symptoms have passed.
Consider wearing a mask based on local transmission rates.
COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations can change quickly. It’s a good idea to know what’s going on in your community and to recognize your own tolerance levels and those of your guests. If you’re hosting a large indoor event, consider placing a basket of masks at the door for your guests if they choose to wear one. Attending a large-scale event? Remember to bring a well-fitting mask to use when you arrive if it makes you feel more comfortable.
You can learn more about staying safe over the holidays by visiting covid19.ca.gov/holidays/
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The pandemic’s collateral damage...
PAGE 1 experienced COVID had not fully recovered two months later. People who have underlying health issues — such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and obesity — are at greater risk for developing long COVID. Vaccines and therapeutics taken early in the infection are significant tools in staving off the disease. The three W’s — washing hands, wearing a mask and watching one’s distance from others — are also helpful in preventing infections. However, lower-income people may lack the ability to access therapeutics in time for it to be effective. Paxlovid, for example, must be started within five days of an infection. And, because of work and living conditions, they may also lack the ability to maintain the distance required to prevent infections. Few people have availed of the updated booster, also known as the bivalent vaccine. Less than 10% of Californians have taken that shot, according to data from the California Department of Public Health. Nationally, only 20 million people have taken the updated booster, about 8.5% of
the total population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Four million people not working and not contributing to our economy is a significant burden to our society,” said Dr. Jose Luis Perez, during a news briefing organized by Ethnic Media Services, in partnership with the California Department of Public Health. Other speakers at the briefing included Dr. Nisha Viswanathan, Director of UCLA’s Long COVID Program; and Michelle Burroughs, Director of Community Engagement and Outreach at the UC Riverside School of Medicine’s Center for Healthy Communities. Perez is the Chief Medical Officer of the South Central Family Health Center in Los Angeles. His clinic takes in primarily Latino and African American patients that — through their employment — have a high degree of contact with the community, which puts them at higher risk of a COVID-19 infection. “Symptom control is the bedrock of management,” said Perez, noting that there is no cure for long COVID. The clinic
helps its patients access physical therapy, mental health services, and treatments for specific issues brought on by COVID. “So, no cure. Just let’s make your foggy brain less foggy. Let’s make your joint pain less painful. Let’s try to get you back in some kind of semblance of your normal life. The important thing here is to treat it holistically, treat the person as a whole person,” he said. Viswanathan, of UCLA’s Long COVID program, agreed with Perez’s approach to managing the illness. Her clinic also employs a symptoms-based strategy to manage fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, and the loss of taste and smell, among other issues. “When we have patients with shortness of breath, for example, we may talk about doing things like pulmonary rehabilitation or breath retraining, which is the idea that you can slowly retrain your diaphragm to take deeper breaths, which can help our patients with that sensation of shortness of breath.” She added that for many patients struggling with fatigue, PAGE 5
Do the US midterms matter? How results...
PAGE 1 political figures who are growing "more wary of U.S. involvement in many parts of the globe." What happens if Republicans win either house of Congress? "If the GOP wins the House, even a House speaker who was generally internationalist would have to cater to what would probably be an influx of isolationist members who broadly support the policies espoused by former President Donald Trump, who remains one of the most powerful figures in the party and is suspicious of U.S. relationships with many Asian partners, whom he believes do not contribute enough to their own defense," Kurlantzick wrote in a column at The Japan Times. Kurlantzick said a Republican House speaker may rethink Washington’s current involvement in Asia, including reconsidering its relationship with South Korea and other U.S. treaty allies like the Philippines in Asia. A Republican win could also affect U.S. defense spending and military agreements — including those with the Philippines, which has a Mutual Defense Treaty, a
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Visiting Forces Agreement and an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with its treaty ally and former colonizer. The U.S. earlier this year pledged $100 million in financing to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which has historically relied on U.S.sourced equipment. The Philippine military has been working to upgrade its capabilities in external defense in the face of a simmering dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea as well as in internal security as it ramps up operations against the New People's Army. But Greg Winger, professor at the University of Cincinnati’s School of International and Public affairs, said that foreign policy may not be lawmakers' top priority. He also points out that foreign policy decisions are "so tightly controlled" in the executive branch to be overly affected by changes in the legislature. Political over policy goals Political parties could also put foreign policy on the back burner immediately after elections as they focus on their own political agendas, he said. "It's not the specific policies
per se, it’s the overall issue of governance [that I’m worried about] and that's I think especially if the Republican Party takes control of one of the house of Congress, which looks likely," Winger told Philstar.com in an online interview. "There's still a lot of anger over the 2020 election, about the impeachments, and to what extent will either of both parties be pursuing political goals instead of policy goals." A recent poll conducted by CNN showed that a strong base coupled with concerns over the economy give the Republicans an advantage in winning a majority at the U.S. House. This would mean a comeback for former president Trump’s political party. He was impeached twice by the House but managed to finish his term in office as trial began in January last year. His second impeachment was brought about by his alleged involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. A congressional panel this year put the former chief executive and his claims of being cheated out of a second term at the center of an attack on PAGE 5
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Election officials bracing for...
PRICE ADJUSTMENT. An attendant fills up the fuel tank of a motorcycle rider at a gas station along Congressional Road in Barangay Salitran III, Dasmariñas City in Cavite on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Diesel and kerosene prices decreased by P0.50 and P0.35 per liter, respectively, while gasoline prices increased by P1.40 per liter, amid developments in the international market and the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict. PNA photo by Gil Calinga
Do the US midterms matter? How results... PAGE 3
the U.S. Capitol to overturn the result of the 2020 elections. Winger suspects a Republicancontrolled House could move to impeach Biden in retaliation. Worry over China remains Winger said however that the rivalry with China could become "a weird point of convenience" for both parties, who would want to assert U.S. strategic dominance in Asia and in the world. Kurlantzick pointed out Republicans lawmakers may push for a review of U.S. involvement with allies in Asia and put pressure on the Biden administration to "reaffirm its position on Taiwan." "However, some — but a growing number — in the [Grand
Old Party] might not want to intervene if Taiwan was attacked, and this could become a major bone of contention over the next two years," Kurlantzick said. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s and other officials' visits to the self-governing island this year triggered a show of force from China’s military. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and views any diplomatic engagements with the island a wrong signal to separatist forces. Both the U.S. and the Philippines maintain a "One China" policy that recognizes the People's Republic of China. But Winger thinks that Republicans may also be pressured into showing strength in the face of the tension in the
Taiwan strait after Pelosi, whom he described as a "Democratic leader who Republicans despise", visited despite warnings from China. He pointed out that both Democrat and Republican parties have ramped up their rhetoric against China and "the idea of [a] renewed strategic competition" in the Indo-Pacific. "Going back to the goal of trying to prove that you're tough and tough on China, that means investing a lot in the military, but also just the military," Winger said. "It's not like the other aspects of diplomacy or international relations that may suffer, including soft power, immigration, trade, all the other things that will be less of a priority." g
The pandemic’s collateral damage... PAGE 3 “creating a mindfulness practice that incorporates meditation, acupuncture… can be really successful in managing these symptoms.” An anti-inflammatory diet that’s primarily plant based — eschewing meat, sugar, and alcohol, but focusing on whole grains and nuts — can also help with long COVID symptoms. Both doctors and Burroughs of UC Riverside spoke about the disparities in access to care for long COVID. Perez’s patients may take one or two buses to get to his clinic. Viswanathan’s patients have, on occasion, flown in on private jets. She noted that many low-income patients may not have health insurance that is accepted by the clinic, or may lack
the resources to support a healthy diet and mindful practices. “Black people are not receiving the same quality of care as their white counterparts, and this contributes to a shortened lifespan. Researchers discovered that several severe racial and ethnic disparities have led to higher COVID mortality rates in Black Americans,” said Burroughs. She also noted that Black people participating in her center’s town halls have reported facing challenges getting their providers to even believe that they have long COVID symptoms. “They feel unheard and they often feel unseen and are sent away not receiving treatment for the symptoms that they presented with,” she said.
“If the Black community continues to not receive proper care, treatment and diagnosis for long haul COVID, it could result in other social injustices like the inability to work, triggering financial instability, which could cause them to lose health insurance and then render them potentially homeless. I know this sounds really extreme, but it’s possible. This has actually happened,” said Burroughs. She noted that providers have often failed to correctly diagnose long COVID for Black people, rendering them unable to qualify for disability insurance. All three speakers discussed the need to create a pipeline of diverse health care professionals. (Sunita Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Services)
PAGE 1 Still, despite evidence to the contrary, data from Pew Research says only one quarter of Republicans think votes cast in person in the midterm election will be counted accurately, while just four-in-ten are very or somewhat confident absentee and mail ballots will be counted accurately. On the other hand, Democrats are overwhelmingly confident in-person votes will be counted accurately (95%) and have become more confident in absentee and mail voting since 2020. Nearly nine-in-ten (88%) are very or somewhat confident, compared with 77% in 2020. Tisler said election workers across the country count ballots and then check and recheck them against other records until every eligible ballot has been counted and included in the vote total. “These processes generally take place in public. Representatives from campaigns, political parties, media and the general public can and do observe election workers as they count and recount ballots to make sure that workers follow every step correctly, as outlined by law,” Tisler says. The process takes time and doesn’t mean someone is in the back room stuffing ballot boxes after the polls close. Votes have a chain of custody. At every step along the way observers from both parties watch them. Nevertheless, alternative facts and violent mobs have spawned a new kind of resentment politics in the U.S. where Republican hopefuls accept the results if they win; if they lose, they make claims of fraud and malfeasance by the Democrats or election officials. That’s what former President Trump and his supporters claimed in 2020. Since then almost half of all states have passed tighter voting laws that make it harder to vote; many states, especially in the South, have gerrymandered election districts to reduce minority voting power; some have purged voting rolls, and others like Florida and Virginia have deputized election police to check for invalid voter registrations. Since the summer of 2021, a special FBI taskforce investigated 100 credible threats against election officials and charged eight people. Only one resulted in an 18-month prison sentence. Meanwhile, there has been an outflow of longtime election workers who have quit since the 2020 election.
The Brennan Center produced voter protection guides for ten states where aggressive poll watchers, false allegations, and voter intimidation have been especially high. They are available here: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. Tisler noted that federal officials are not involved in voting or the counting of ballots. “That is completely run by each state,” he says. Federal officials can enforce voter intimidation laws if violations are reported to them. “But other than that, the federal government is not involved in the ordinary administration of elections,” he says. In the aftermath of the 2020 election, the certification of the final results was illegally challenged in a number of states, Tisler says. The safeguards were there but ignored by hyperpartisan officials who didn’t do their job. “It is their legal obligation to certify final results. They cannot reject results simply because they disagree with the outcome,” Tisler says, adding that with tomorrow’s mid-terms “there are guardrails in place and officials and courts are ready to step in and make sure that everyone is following the law.” Weber, California’s first Black Secretary of State — putting her in charge of overseeing the state’s election procedures — offered similar reassurances. “Elections are complicated sometimes,” she acknowledged, adding that while process is simple there are safeguards in place that make the count more secure and make sure that every vote gets counted. “I am committed to ensuring that your vote will count. Every vote that you place in the envelope or place in a box or take part in at the local polling place, we are committed to making sure that every vote in California counts,” Weber says. She cautioned California voters to sign the envelope if they vote by mail. “We have lots of discussions about ballots that are rejected or take more time to count, or we have to go verify and find the voter and get them to come and sign that ballot. You ensure that your vote is going to count initially simply by signing the ballot,” she says. And while no election deniers are running for office in California,
Weber says she has been sued more than 50 times over the 2020 election. Those lawsuits have all failed. “And the reason why these cases continue to fail is because there’s nothing to them… There’s no information to substantiate the claims and allegations,” she says. A successful complaint requires both a specific allegation and proof. “We don’t have people marching in front of our boxes with guns, with fatigue outfits, those kinds of things that we saw this past weekend in Arizona and other places. We don’t have folks like that,” Weber added. If problems do arise during the voting, like someone trying to disrupt or cause confusion, Weber says that poll workers have been trained to de-escalate the situation. “If all else fails, we are prepared to basically call in law enforcement to make sure that they are safe.” (Peter White/Ethnic Media Services)
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL LACMTA will receive Proposals for PS92810-2 - State Advocacy Services 2023-2at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. A Pre-Proposal conference will not be held. All Proposals must be submitted to LACMTA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday, November 22, 2022. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each proposal must be sealed and marked Proposal No. PS928102. For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro. net or for further information email Victor Zepeda at zepedav@metro.net. 11/9/22 CNS-3640372# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
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The next challenges
FROM the moment the self-confessed triggerman had said the order to murder Percy Lapid came from the New Bilibid Prison, suspicion had focused on Gerald Bantag, at the time the director general of the Bureau of Corrections, which runs the NBP and other prison facilities. Despite his denials, Bantag was suspended “indefinitely” as BuCor chief by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, on orders of President Marcos. On Monday, November 7 Bantag along with BuCor official Ricardo Zulueta and 10 Bilibid prisoners were charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Lapid and another NBP inmate, Cristito “Jun” Villamor Palaña. Considering the circumstances and the personalities involved, the progress in this case is commendable. It would not have been possible if self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial had not turned himself in, but he was forced to because of his image caught on surveillance video and widely disseminated to the public. Authorities should expand the use of surveillance equipment in public spaces, while still being mindful of privacy laws. The next challenge is to make the charges stick. Ricardo Zulueta, who was in charge of security and operations at the BuCor, was also Bantag’s co-defendant in the deaths of 10 inmates at the Parañaque City Jail in an explosion in August 2016 when Bantag was its warden. Both of them
Editorial
were working at the time for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Parañaque Regional Trial Court Judge Betlee-Ian Barraquias acquitted them along with a third defendant ostensibly for lack of
evidence. At the same time, probers should continue to pursue the possibility – as expressed by Lapid’s relatives – that there could be a “co-mastermind” higher than Bantag behind the broadcaster’s murder. Resentment over Lapid’s commentaries in his radio show, “Lapid Fire,” led to his murder, according to authorities. His relatives, however, have noted that he had criticized many other officials in the past years, who might have encouraged Bantag to order the murder. Beyond the two murders, Remulla said probers are also looking into the causes of deaths of around 30 corpses sent recently by the NBP to its accredited funeral parlor, the Eastern Funeral Services in Muntinlupa. The funeral home management said on Monday that it has in its
ManilaTimes.net photo
safekeeping 176 corpses, unclaimed after being sent there by the NBP since last year. The murders of Lapid and Villamor, apparently arranged from behind prison walls, should lead to long-term reforms in the penal system. And while
justice appears to be at hand for Lapid, there are still many other journalist murders waiting to be solved. Their killers should be pursued as vigorously as those responsible for Lapid’s death. (Philstar.com)
Preventing hate and discrimination
Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ FOLLOWING the Washington, DC leg of the reporting tour program organized by the Philippine embassy in Washington for a group of journalists from print, online and broadcast news outfits, the next leg was in New York for a more in-depth perspective on the concerns and issues that Filipinos face in the city, among them anti-Asian hate, immigration and employment. Our consulate in New York informed me that the journalists were able to engage with various city government officials that include Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Hannah Yu, chief of the Hate Crimes Unit; Hassan Naveed, executive director of the New York City Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes; Jasper Diaz, legislative representative of the Mayor’s office; Peter Koo, Senior Adviser of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Mirna Velasquez, Special Assistant to
the Commissioner for Foreign Consular Affairs. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in hate incidents against Asians across the United States, with New York registering one of the biggest numbers of hate crimes directed at Asian Americans according to reports. During the briefing by Assistant DA Hannah Yu, she disclosed that the city recently increased its budget to include $1.7 million for the Hate Crimes Unit – underscoring the growing concern for the anti-Asian hate crime incidents that have increased in the last two years, with Manhattan seeing some of the highest number of cases. “Hate crimes are on everyone’s minds – whether they are taking their kids to school, riding the subway or on their way to work, and we understand, through the work that we do, that New Yorkers feel this threat every single day,” Yu acknowledged, adding that currently, they have the largest hate crimes docket ever in the history of the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, with anti-Asian hate crimes making
up the largest category of open hate crime cases at the moment. However, she reassured that making New Yorkers feel safe is a top priority of her office, and that they leave no stone unturned as far as investigating the motives go. What makes it difficult and challenging, however, is when the perpetrator is not identified – either there was no CCTV footage to document the incident or the victim cannot recall the face of the assailant. According to the FBI, a hate crime is a criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, or what Yu described as the “protected identity” of a victim. She was also careful to emphasize that the immigration status of a victim does not matter. One reason why crimes are underreported is that undocumented immigrants may hesitate to file a complaint due to fear of deportation. As Yu explained, if a victim is undocumented, her office cannot, and does not, report the
information to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or the Department of Homeland Security, as they are not also allowed to do that. For his part, Diaz assured that they are taking a multiagency approach to address discrimination. Aside from legal options, other initiatives include a pilot program that would teach students about hate crimes. Naveed echoed this, explaining that education is a major pillar to the “comprehensive approach” in preventing hate crimes through communitybased programs. For instance, townhalls in Tagalog and other languages are conducted to spread awareness on how community members can help each other, particularly the most vulnerable. For his part, Koo said that most of the crimes are committed by people who are homeless or are suffering from mental health problems. There is no question that antiAsian hate crimes continue to be a concern, but authorities are “exhausting every possible avenue” to address them. And while they are seeing results, Diaz admits that “there is still
more to be done,” assuring that they are “going to continue to work hard for our community.” As I have consistently explained to the media, we have been coordinating with New York authorities to address the issue, knowing that the safety of Filipinos is paramount. We’re also cooperating not only with Filipino-American groups but other Asian associations as well to get a more accurate picture of the reported incidents and see if these are really hate crimes or just random attacks by mentally unhinged individuals. The visiting journalists also spoke with Bergenfield, New Jersey mayor Arvin Amatorio, the second Filipino mayor in New Jersey. The borough of Bergenfield is known as the “Little Manila” of Bergen County due to the presence of many Filipino-owned businesses, a lot of them restaurants offering authentic Filipino cuisine. An estimated 7,000 Filipinos are living in Bergenfield, with many of them working as nurses and health care workers. Mayor Amatorio also shared that part of the curriculum developed by professors from
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology would include a subject on the heroism of Filipino veterans during World War II to underscore the alliance and shared history of the Philippines and the United States. This will be taught in a public high school in Bergenfield that has about 3,000 students. The initiative was started by retired US Army general Antonio Taguba, who actively lobbied for the awarding of the Congressional Medal of Honor to Filipino World War II veterans. The outcome of the reporting tour program has been very encouraging as far as providing journalists an on-the-ground perspective is concerned. We were informed that future programs are being considered by the DFA public information office for implementation. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** babeseyeview@gmail.com
Reversing Duterte’s follies
On The Move SEGUNDO ECLAR ROMERO IN the wake of Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng,” President Marcos Jr. flew over the areas in Maguindanao devastated by landslides with Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Bai Mariam SangkiMangudadatu. He reports on the sortie: “I was pointing out to the governor that in all those places where there are trees, the ground did not move. All the damage that you saw on the mountains, it’s because they were bald.” Mr. Marcos told her he could refer the Maguindanaons and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to plenty of nongovernmental organizations. The governor must have been bemused by the President’s display of cluelessness. Despite the profound speeches the President had given in the United Nations General Assembly and other forums about climate change, Mr. Marcos’ real understanding of the wicked environmental problems besetting the nation is questionable. Jon Bonifacio of the environmental group Kalikasan found it “strange that it seems like it’s only now he’s come to
appreciate the benefits provided by well-conserved watersheds.” Nations are supposed to find the resolve and resilience to squarely face their specific natural and humanmade challenges. Israel and Singapore, which are minority nations in ethnically dominant neighborhoods, have learned to steel and steer themselves with strategic purpose and national will to prevail. The Philippines has its share of challenges that could trigger a rugged and robust national response. The 20 typhoons that batter the nation every year could be the equivalent of the harsh winters that many nations have learned to anticipate, plan for, and adapt to. But after over half a millennium since a single unified administration has been established in the archipelago in 1565 by a succession of Spanish, American, and now Filipino control, we display a certain level of masochism by staying in the destructive pathways of typhoons, suffering widespread damage and despair with no visible and significant collective or individual mitigation and adaptation. It is certain that over the sixyear term of office of Mr. Marcos, there will be 120 typhoons, onefourth or 30 would be destructive.
This is as it has been over the terms of recent past presidents. One out of four typhoons occurs globally within the Philippine Area of Responsibility. Why then do we have continuing public and private institutional clumsiness in disaster risk reduction and management? One of the most inspiring initiatives in Philippine disaster risk reduction and management was the initiation of Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) in 2012 by the country’s leading scientists. It was promoted as the Philippines’ flagship disaster risk reduction and management program during the Aquino administration. The project was defunded in 2017 when the Duterte administration took over on the pretext that the innovations of Project NOAH could already be mainstreamed under the Department of Science and Technology. It was not only the scuttling of ABS-CBN and the erratic response to the COVID-19 pandemic that further debilitated Filipinos reeling from disasters. Project NOAH should be on the list of the Duterte administration’s epic follies. Project NOAH was an all too brief renaissance surge in technological and behavioral innovation applied to getting the
President Bonging Marcos meets with officials on Tuesday, November 1, to assess the damage caused by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng in the country. Malacañang file photo
nation and local communities ready and resilient against hazards. It was getting international and local acclaim. Among other achievements, Project NOAH’s specific and targeted advisories enabled the municipality of Daram in Samar to preemptively evacuate in the face of Typhoon “Ruby” on Dec. 6, 2014. There were no recorded casualties even though 1,664 houses were washed away by the storm surge of Ruby. Altogether, Project NOAH from
2012 to 2016, cost the Filipino taxpayer a measly P6.4 billion. Even in real terms, this pales in comparison with the P5 billion confidential funds of Mr. Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte of at least P30 billion over six years. Mr. Marcos’ post-Paeng clueless remarks could be easily forgotten if he will reconsider the revival of Project NOAH as a complementary, enriching, display of Filipino capacity to sustain national resiliencebuilding. That will be a good start
for the President as a leader able to break the prevailing wait-andsee attitude of the governing, economic, and social elite, and inspire and mobilize them to provide the leading edge to the nation. (Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
***
doyromero@gmail.com
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Dela Rosa says UN rights panel’s recommendations disrespect sovereignty MANILA — The United Nations should stop interfering in the country's domestic issues, Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa said on Tuesday, November 8 in response to recommendations made by the UN Human Rights Committee in a recent review of the situation in the Philippines. Dela Rosa, a former national police chief, claimed the panel's recommendations to help the Philippines comply with international obligations trampled on the country's sovereignty. "Our justice system is functioning. Mayroon tayong sariling gobyerno. Sana huwag na sila mangialam sa atin. Huwag na tayo nilang diktahan. Kasi naman, ano bang gusto nilang i-impose sa atin? Hindi naman tayo mga subjects nila,” Dela Rosa told reporters Tuesday. "Respetuhin nila iyong ating kasarinlan." (Our justice system is functioning. We have our own government. I wishe they would not meddle here. They should not dictate upon us. Why
do they want to impose on us? We are not their subjects … They should respect our sovereignty.) Asked if the Philippines should take the recommendations of the panel of human rights experts monitoring the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Dela Rosa said, "we should demand our freedom from these people." Dela Rosa stressed that the Philippines has its own ways of doing things. "Ang mga tao po namin ay happy sa nangyayari sa amin. Bakit ho kayo mag-insist na diktahan kami kung ano ang dapat namin gawin?" the senator said. (Our people are happy with what is happening here. Why are you insisting on dictating on us what we should do?) As Philippine National Police chief, Dela Rosa was among the architects of Oplan Tokhang, the previous administration’s flagship anti-illegal drug program that saw thousands of drug suspects killed in police
operations. Thousands more died in what police said were done by vigilantes or by warring drug syndicates. The Philippines, as a party to the ICCPR, is required to submit periodic reports on the policies being implemented to align the country with the international treaty. In its most recent review, the UN rights panel issued a flurry of observations and recommendations on the human rights situation in the country, which include concerns over reports that authorities continued to fail to promptly, effectively and independently investigate extrajudicial killings and to bring the perpetrators to justice. Other recommendations include cooperation with the International Criminal Court probe, amending the AntiTerrorism Act, the release of former Sen. Leila de Lima from detention, and the passage of measures on abortion, antidiscrimination and divorce, among other proposals. (Xave Gregorio/Philstar.com)
Remulla asks Lapid slay suspects to surrender, face raps by Franco Jose
c. Baroña
ManilaTimes.net
UNLESS there are other pieces of evidence that would surface, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Tuesday, November 8 they do not see anyone else involved in the murder of veteran radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid, and urges the suspects to surrender and face the charges. "This is where the investigation begins and ends," Remulla said referring to the the filing of charges against suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag and others in connection Lapid's killing. Nevertheless, the Justice chief said state prosecutors still have "people to talk to and certain things to obtain that are still in the custody of the courts." "We are also still finishing
reports from the AMLC (AntiMoney Laundering Council) that are being finalized to make it official because we only got a preliminary report," said Remulla. "Those details are important to really prove that there is a criminal enterprise within the NBP." Double murder charges were filed on Monday against Bantag, Senior Jail Officer 2 and former BuCor deputy security officer Ricardo Zulueta, and several persons deprived of liberty in connection with the killing of Lapid and Cristito Villamor Palaña, the alleged middleman who died inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). Remulla has urged Bantag and Zulueta to surrender "I'd like to ask Zulueta and Bantag to surrender and face the charges. If they are innocent, the law will uphold them. If they are guilty then they would have to face the consequences," he said.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla ManilaTimes.net file photo
Remulla added that he has ordered a lookout bulletin against the two former BuCor officials. He said no arrest warrants have been issued against Bantag and Zulueta. "We will ask them to respond to the charges, if they fail to do so this is an indication of guilt," said Remulla. g
LIGHT A CANDLE. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Arnell Ignacio, members of the Special Alliance of Welfare Officers, Advocates, Recruiters and Migrant Workers Inc., led by its founder and chair David Castillon, light a candle during a dialogue at the Diamond Hotel in Ermita, Manila on Sunday, Nov. 6. The candle lighting ceremony is a symbol of unity among private recruitment agencies, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the government in ensuring the welfare of migrant workers. Their discussion focused on the concerns and problems of OFWs. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
NDRRMC: ‘Paeng’ death toll rises to 158 MANILA — The number of people who died due to Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name: Nalgae) has risen to 158, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Tuesday, November 8. Of the fatalities, 123 have been confirmed and 23 have yet to be validated. Most of the deaths were recorded in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (63). It was followed by Western Visayas (36) and Calabarzon (33). These regions have been placed under a state of calamity, which allows local governments to use calamity funds and imposes price freezes on basic goods. The NDRRMC also reported 142 people injured and 34 reported missing. Paeng affected 4.66 million people, or 1.31 million families, across the archipelago. According to the NDRRMC, the storm left nearly P3 billion worth of damage to agriculture affecting 81,866 farmers and fishers. Paeng’s damage to infrastructure was pegged at P4.5 billion. The agency also reported that assistance amounting to P212.56 billion has been given to Paengaffected communities.
The destruction caused by Paeng reignited discussions on the need to enhance disaster risk
management and climate change adaptation measures. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)
SOUTHERN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY RAIL AUTHORITY IFB NO. PO900-23 RFQ NO. MTL2304961 AMF SHOP TOOLS & INSULATED GAGE EQUIPMENT PLATES The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking Bids for AMF Shop Tools & Equipment. Bid documents may be downloaded at SCRRA’s website at http:// www.metrolinktrains.com/ contracts. Bids are due on 12/5/22. The contract to be awarded will be funded in part by grants under the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transportation Administration and is subject to an DBE Participation Goal of 0%. For further information contact: Dorothea Cantero, Contract Administrator, at canterod@scrra.net. 11/9/22 CNS-3637844# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking Insulated Gage Plates. Bid documents may be downloaded at SCRRA’s website at http://www. metrolinktrains.com/contracts. Bids are due on 12/01/22. The Purchase Order to be awarded will be funded in part by grants under the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration. For further information contact: Brian Jacob, Senior Contract and Compliance Administrator, at JacobB@ scrra.net. 11/9/22 CNS-3641115# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
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Hontiveros wants to haul CHED, Marina to Senate over seafarer training issues
AFP JOINT EXERCISE FLAG. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro (left), and AFP Joint Exercise (AJEX) Director Brig. Gen. Marvin Licudine unfurl the AJEX flag at the opening rites of the AJEX “DAGIT-PA” at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday, Nov. 7. DAGIT-PA, which stands for “Dagat-Langit-Lupa”, is an AFP-wide/AFP-only exercise that integrates Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army, and AFP Special Operations Forces to level up capabilities to accomplish missions in the sea, air, and land. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
Senator seeks more benefits for nurses by Paolo
RomeRo Philstar.com
MANILA — Increasing the ranks of well-trained and better compensated nurses will play a vital role in achieving a more efficient access to universal healthcare for every Filipino, Sen. Francis Tolentino said in filing a measure proposing a comprehensive nursing law. Tolentino has filed Senate Bill 1447 or the proposed Philippine Nursing Practice Act of 2022. It introduces a new provision on the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), which he said would be the “prime mover” of the nursing profession in relation to the Universal HealthCare Law.
“This will give qualified nurses expanded and collaborative roles that will aid in the delivery of a comprehensive healthcare service to Filipinos,” the bill’s explanatory note read. Under the bill, an APN refers to a nurse “who has acquired substantial level of theoretical knowledge and decision-making skill in a specialty area of nursing practice and demonstrated proficiency in clinical utilization of such knowledge in providing expanded and collaborative expert care” from a recognized higher educational institution, aside from being a board passer. The measure authorizes the practice of the “Agreed Upon Based Care,” a mutually agreed
upon patient care made by an APN and approved by the primary physician in charge, through teleconsult or other means of communication, after evaluation of the case referred, but limited only to circumstances “during an emergency” such as the absence of a physician in the area to physically assess the patient, or lack of an available doctor due to inaccessibility of the area. The bill also seeks to provide improvements in the practice of the nursing profession by instituting measures to promote comprehensive and relevant nursing practice standards, ensure decent working conditions and support the professional growth of nurses. g
Filipinos’bravery, kindness prevail 9 years after Yolanda MANILA – Despite the ordeal that the typhoon victims suffered when Super Typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in 2013, Filipinos continue to demonstrate gallantry and benevolence, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday. "It is important to come to this commemoration because it is also a demonstration and manifestation of the strength and courage of Filipinos, to remind ourselves that Filipinos are brave, that Filipinos are kind, and that Filipinos will conquer all, especially if it is for their community, for their families, and for the land that they love," he said in a ceremony held at the Holy Cross Memorial Garden in Tacloban City, Leyte province. Marcos also emphasized the need to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the killer typhoon to pay homage to the thousands of people who perished, especially the "uncounted dead." "It is sometimes asked when we do have a commemoration of this kind, they say, “Why do we commemorate Yolanda still after nine years?” The people — those whose families had a loss from their families of a loved one, have learned to live with that grief. And although we continue to feel sad, life has gone on for them," Marcos said. "So why continue? Why bring it up? I come here because I must commemorate those uncounted dead that up to now, we do not know how many that number is. We must come to these commemorations so that we will remember those who were told not to remember," he added, apparently questioning the accuracy of the reported death toll during the onslaught of Yolanda.
EMPLOYMENT
Marcos said it is only befitting to honor those who were killed by the super typhoon, adding that their memory "dies," if the country fails to commemorate the Yolanda tragedy. "If you remember during the count of the casualties, the count was stopped, and we knew that there were still thousands out there. And for those thousands, those countless thousands, we come here, we commemorate," he said. In 2013, Yolanda unleashed its wrath in central Philippines, killing an estimated 6,300 people and leaving over 4.4 million people displaced and homeless. Tacloban City, the regional hub of the Eastern Visayas region, was considered as Yolanda's ground zero. Marcos expressed elation after Tacloban City has been "built back better," saying this gives Filipinos a renewed sense of hope. "It is a wondrous sight to see. It always gives us hope that even if there are tragedies and disasters in other places, we know that Filipino spirit will never be quelled. The Filipino spirit will always burn bright and bring back normal life to their communities. That is what we commemorate," he said. He also thanked the international community and non-government organizations for providing assistance to the Yolanda victims. "[You did] all of this out of the generosity of your own heart once again. Many people owe their lives to you. And for that, we cannot thank you enough," Marcos said. Marcos also offered a wreath and attended the blessing of the Yolanda Memorial Mass Grave at the Holy Cross Memorial Garden.
Government assistance Meantime, Marcos also led the ceremonial distribution of various government assistance to the qualified beneficiaries at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo town, also in Leyte. During the event, cash aid was granted to recipients of the Department of Agriculture's (DA) Rice Farmer Financial Assistance Program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), and the Department of Labor and Employment's TUPAD Emergency Employment Program. A unit of disinfection truck was handed over to the provincial government of Southern Leyte province, while an ambulance was also given to other local government units under the Department of Health's Health Facilities Enhancement Program. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) also distributed laptops to intended recipients of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Tech4ED Program. Marcos said his government's resolve is to give Filipinos a comfortable life despite the challenges they are facing. "So, that is what we are putting at the top of our priority list," he said. "Hindi mabilis ang pagbabago kahit na i-adjust natin ngayon, siguro ilang buwan pa makikita iyan one, two, three months pa bago makita ang effect, pero sa tingin ko (Change cannot be done overnight, even if we adjust it now. Perhaps, it can be felt one, two or three months from now. But I think) we are going in the right direction," Marcos added. (PNA)
EMPLOYMENT
MANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Tuesday, November 8 she wants to summon the Commission on Higher Education and the Maritime Industry Authority to a Senate hearing on reported "shortcomings" in the training of Filipino seafarers. Hontiveros is seeking a Senate investigation to improve the training of seafarers who risk getting banned in the European Union for failure by the Philippines to comply with international training standards for nearly two decades. "Labing-anim na taon na pala tayong binibigyan ng warning (It seems they have been warning us for 16 years). It’s high time we summon Marina and CHED to the Senate, para maaksyunan na itong mga reporma (so they can implement the necessary reforms). They need to show Congress that they are taking definite steps to resolve this issue," she said in a statement. Migrant Workers Assistant Secretary Jerom Pampolina told a House panel last October 27 that the Philippines has not been able to pass the European Maritime Safety Agency audit since 2006, putting at risk the jobs of some 50,000 seafarers. The Philippines has only this
Sen. Risa Hontiveros
year to implement corrective measures to align itself with international standards, Pampolina said. According to Hontiveros, the EMSA found that relevant Philippine authorities did not "ensure that the education and training is structured in accordance with written programs, and included the methods and media of delivery, procedures, and course material as necessary to fully achieve the prescribed standards of competence." "The reputation, jobs and welfare of 400,000 families of Filipino mariners in the whole
Philstar.com file photo
world are at stake here in this issue," Hontiveros said in Filipino. "It would badly hit our economy if ship owners and operators look elsewhere for seafarers to crew their vessels. It will be very hard for our country to recover." In 2021, the Philippines topped the UN Conference on Trade and Development’s list of the world’s largest source of seafarers. An estimated 700,000 Filipino seafarers are deployed on seagoing vessels and over a fourth of the global merchant shipping crew members are Filipinos. (Xave Gregorio/Philstar. com)
WHO says countries continue to learn from pandemic by Rhodina
VillanueVa Philstar.com
THE World Health Organization (WHO) said it is committed to supporting all countries in continuously learning from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the 7th World One Health Congress (WOHC) being held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus encouraged member-countries that included the Philippines to continue working toward a healthier, safer and fairer world while the battle against the pandemic is still ongoing. “The COVID-19 pandemic has taught all of us many painful lessons. There have been many reviews of the global response to the pandemic with more than 300 recommendations,” Tedros said in his opening remarks given virtually. He added, “Drawing on those reviews, the WHO has developed a proposal for an enhanced global health architecture with stronger governance, stronger systems and tools, stronger financing that strongly empowered and sustainably financed WHO.” Tedros said the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, UN Environment Program, WHO and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) have launched the “One Health Joint Plan of Action” to integrate and coordinate their work across humans, animals, agricultural and environmental sectors. “If you want to take action, it must be based on a One Health approach that addresses the intimate links between the health of humans, animals and our environments,” he added. At the same time, the WHO chief also noted that “about 70 percent of all emerging pathogens have zoonotic source.” “Irresponsible land use, deforestation and climate change all increase the risk of pathogens spilling over from wildlife, domestic animals to humans,” Tedros said. “We can only truly make the world safer if we address these
underlying drivers of epidemics and pandemics,” he said. The WOHC, which aims to advance the One Health agenda, commenced on Monday, November 7 with more than 1,400 in-person and 1,000 virtual attendees from academic institutions, civil society, government bodies and the private sector. Singapore President Halimah Yacob graced the opening ceremony as guest of honor. “We have journeyed long and hard, learning many lessons from COVID-19 together. Perhaps the greatest lesson on our interconnectivity is that we must leverage it well and early, to the best of our advantage,” Yacob said in her opening remarks as she highlighted collaboration as a key facet of the One Health approach, and an important factor in global health preparedness efforts. “We must work together not only when a crisis unfolds, but strive to be ahead of the curve through strong collaborations and preparations even during peace time,” she said. The five-day Congress hosted by Singapore’s SingHealth DukeNUS Global Health Institute under the auspices of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Center is themed “Integrating Science, Policy and Clinical Practice: A One Health Imperative Post-COVID-19.” It seeks to advance the global One Health movement to improve health and well-being by preventing and mitigating crises that originate at the animalhuman-environment interface. It was earlier reported that WHO member-states including the Philippines are crafting a “pandemic treaty” that will be used to guide and unite countries in times of health crisis. Department of Health officerin-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said, “Because of the current pandemic, all of the countries agreed that this treaty should be there. We all need to be prepared. We need to help each other when we find ourselves in this kind of situation.” The pandemic treaty was among the issues discussed in the 73rd session of the WHO
EMPLOYMENT
Regional Committee for the Western Pacific that was recently held in the Philippines. Focus on prevention At the same conference in Singapore, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) said that in addressing pandemics such as COVID-19, there is a need to focus on prevention as it has a much lower cost compared to response and recovery. WOAH Director-General Monique Eloit said prevention has the strongest case for investment. “While expenditures for prevention and preparedness are measured in billions of dollars, the cost of just a single pandemic is in trillions,“ said Eloit. She noted, “Recent work by the World Bank has highlighted that $10 billion, including about $7 billion for animal health, robust veterinary services and biosecurity at farm level, will be needed for prevention using a One Health approach.” “Despite lessons learned from past pandemics and as evidenced by our recent experience, we must refocus our attention to financing risk reduction and pandemic prevention, for which a One Health approach is critical,” Eloit added. She said prevention is the first crucial step to stop or at least limit spillovers of zoonotic diseases from animals to humans. “The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need to work together to tackle the risks at the human-animal-ecosystem interface while considering the multiple drivers, including land use and climate change, loss of biodiversity and degradation of our ecosystems, unsustainable agricultural practice and animal production and wildlife trade and the rapid pace of globalization and population mobility,” the WOAH official said. Unless we address these drivers we will continue to face increased frequency and severity of health emergencies and pandemics, she said, adding, “We need to transform our relationship with the environment and how we confront pathogens emergence and spread.” g
The Asian Journal
MDWK
Wednesday NOVEMBER 9, 2022
MAGAZINE
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Kris Aquino, now in Los Angeles for treatments, is still ‘as sharp as ever’ By
anne pasajol Inquirer.net
KRIS Aquino’s friend, writereditor Dindo Balares, gave an update on the Queen of All Media’s health, stating that she has left Texas and is now in Los Angeles for her medical treatments. Balares disclosed this while showing an old photo of himself with Aquino, through his Facebook page last Thursday, Nov. 3. While he is the Philippines, he is in constant communication with the Queen of All Media even while she was seeking treatment abroad. “Kumusta na si Kris? As Now 37 years old, Curtis continues to enjoy loyal following on- and off-line. sharp as ever at makulit pa Photo from Instagram/@annecurtissmith rin. Kumpirmado ang inilabas ni Ogie Diaz sa YouTube na umalis na sa Texas at lumipat sa Los Angeles si Krisy,” he said, referring to the comedian’s Indeed, there seems to be By Christina alpad statement about Aquino in his no stopping Curtis who is just ManilaTimes.net vlog last Oct. 20. as hands-on with motherhood (How’s Kris? She is as sharp as she is to her showbiz career. as ever, and still lively. The IN an industry that No wonder brands prioritizes youth, it’s not continue to partner with her. unusual for celebrities to see In fact, a list released work slow down once they by U.S.-based online lender reach a certain age or enter a Netcredit (“The Top Instagram new life phase. Anne Curtis, Earners Globally and From who debuted onscreen at the By iza iglesias Every Country”) showed age of 12, however, proves ManilaTimes.net that some artists can defy that. that Curtis is one of the top influencers on Instagram Now 37 years old, Curtis CARLA Abellana is known at an estimated earning of continues to enjoy a massive in the industry as one of the $2,936,119 (P172 million) from top actresses in the heavy following on and offline. And ad fees. while she has not prioritized drama genre. But one genre And just recently, Curtis acting in recent years, she she also excelled in the most is once more proved her remains visible on television horror. bankability as an endorser via “It’s Showtime” and on Abellana has done projects when online e-Commerce the concert stage through her such as “Third Eye” (2014) and platform Lazada tapped her “Luv-Anne” concert held just a number of “Shake, Rattle Continued on Page 12 & Roll” installments — all of this year.
Anne Curtis’ longevity
Kris Aquino
information shared by Ogie Diaz through his YouTube is confirmed: Kris has left Texas and transferred to Los Angeles.) “May ipinadala siyang video with Kuya Josh at Bimb, puwede sanang i-screen grab para pang-update sa kanilang followers, pero ‘di ko naipagpaalam kaya itong isa
together.) Balares then talked about how Aquino supports his interest in farming, recalling their recent conversation where she offered to provide his farming needs. “Gusto niyang suportahan ang ginagawa kong soil regeneration,” he stated. “For the first time, may tumawag sa akin ng environmentalist. Si Krissy.” (She wants to support my soil regeneration project. For the first time, someone called me an environmentalist — it’s Krissy.) “She’s as sharp, concerned, and loving as ever,” Balares concluded. Photo from Instagram/@ Aquino has been diagnosed with four autoimmune diseases sa mga dating photo namin muna ang ipo-post ko,” Balares but she revealed experiencing physical manifestations of a added. possible fifth illness. Despite (She sent a video of herself her health condition, Aquino with Josh and Bimb, I could earlier said that she’s still screengrab it to update their blessed to have received followers but I was not able to prayers and kindness from ask permission from them. For people she have never even the meantime, I am posting met. here one of our old photos
Carla returns to horror which are box office hits. This month, she is set to return to this genre albeit in a different format, one which involves zombies, through the award-winning children’s fantasy series “Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko.” “Noong nabasa ko pa lang po ang word na zombies, sobrang na-excite na po ako. Napakalaking fan ko po ng horror at marami po ang
nakakalaam niyan,” Abella shared in a virtual press conference. But while she enjoys watching and playing roles of horror genres, the 36-year-old actress admitted to being easy frightened in real life. Mahilig ako sa horror pero grabe ako sa pagiging matatakutin. Hindi ko kayang matulog ng walang lampshade Carla Abellana Photo from Instagram/@carlaangeline Continued on Page 10
entertainment Bella Poarch files for divorce after 3-year secret marriage
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 9, 2022
By KRistofeR
PuRnell Philstar.com
Bella Poarch
Photo from Instagram/@bellapoarch
FILIPINA American TikTok sensation Bella Poarch is getting a divorce, U.S. online tabloid TMZ reported. The American entertainment website reported that they obtained documents that Bella filed documents in Los Angeles to end her marriage to Tyler Poarch. Though it’s not reported that the social media personality is already married, Bella said that “irreconcilable differences” was the reason of the divorce. Documents obtained by TMZ said that Bella and Tyler tied the know back in January 2019. The couple has no children. Bella is one of TikTok’s most popular personalities with 92.3 million followers. Last August, Bella admitted that she has a huge crush on Kapamilya actor Joshua Garcia. Rumors, however, said that Joshua is now in a relationship with another Bella, a beauty vlogger named Racelis.
Kate levels up acting by playing dual role in new drama
allies in Jhong, her adoptive dad, played by Biboy Ramirez, Philstar.com and Ralph, portrayed by Kelvin POISED to deliver her most Miranda, whose onscreen challenging role thus far is Kate partnership with Kate will be further explored, unlike in their Valdez in the GMA Afternoon tandem in the episodes of Prime series, Unica Hija. The GMA 7’s Dear Uge and GTV’s Sparkle actress traverses the separate yet connected tales of Tols. “What I can say about my Bianca and Hope, set against character is, he is one of those the drama and sci-fi backdrop. people who will protect Hope This is a breath of fresh air for sa napaka-gulong mundo (in a Kate herself and her fans, who have seen the Kapuso talent in chaotic world),” shared Kelvin, who was paired with Bianca mostly a string of kontrabida Umali in Mano Po Legacy: Her (antagonist) and supporting roles. Her journey of portraying Big Boss. “I’m the son of the billionaire, who seems to have a dual role begins on Monday, November 7 after Abot-Kamay a hand in what’s happening in the story. (With that,) there will Na Pangarap. be conflict (between Hope and “When it comes to my character).” the characters, I’m able to With regard to the topic differentiate one from the other of human cloning, the creative because of their (social) status team did careful research by in life,” said Kate in a virtual reading pertinent studies and group interview for Unica watching documentaries. From Hija, which presents the idea the thoughts of the show’s of human cloning. “Bianca is creatives, one could gather sheltered and has the support of her entire family, while Hope that aside from the aspect of science to it, Unica Hija lacks (whatever Bianca has). tackles the idea of finding She needs (and longs) for love and looks for her real parents.” one’s identity and presents the Such disparity between the saying, “Ang daling maging tao pero ang hirap magpakatao,” characters’ fates and fortunes which speaks about the daygives Kate the ground and to-day challenge for human grip to approach each role beings to show compassion differently but Bianca and and love for others. All of this Hope share a commonality. can be linked to talks about the “They both want family love,” said Kate. “Bianca wants marginalization of a society’s certain sectors because of her family to remain intact because her parents are having gender or group affiliation. The thrust of Unica Hija, however, is (marital) problems in terms of the need to belong, aside from time (spent together). Hope the need to be accepted, that literally doesn’t have parents. Hope, the human clone will It’s difficult for her to find that struggle to find and fulfill. love in (the people whom she “For me, they will realize considers) family, maraming and learn a lot from it,” said naranasang paghihirap at pananakit (she has experienced Kate of what’s in store for audiences and what the latter suffering) from her stepmom can find in watching content and step sister.” like Unica Hija. “(The show) is Based on the show’s video not totally focused on science preview, Kate’s Hope will have By JeRRy
Donato
or cloning.” With its trailer being aired, the show, which touches on a controversial and polarizing topic, has been receiving good feedback. Kate and Kelvin are aware of the pressure that comes with it. “For me, may kasama po yung tuwa and at the same time pressure (there’s the feeling of joy and feeling pressured),” said he. “Of course, we cannot meet all the expectations of every televiewer, iba-ibang opinyon yung pwede nating matanggap, maaaring sa iba papasa, maaaring sa iba hindi (we may get varied opinions, others may agree or disagree)… Sana mamaintain namin mula sa simula hanggang sa dulo na mapasaya, mapaiyak, at talagang maantig ang puso ng viewers (I hope that we will be able to keep the viewers, from start to finish, entertained, and make them cry and touch their heart).” Asked about the experience of playing their roles and acting in scene after scene, Kelvin had this to say: “I can’t say that every scene is easy. Every scene is difficult for me. You need to justify the journey (and the connection) of the scene to its destination. Even if you have already read the script, you can’t help but be surprised (and awed) by the actions made by the characters for their loved ones. In every scene, you need to study it and be prepared for it.” For her part, Kate considered the experiment scene as the most challenging part so far, “which I found physically and emotionally draining. Isa (ito) sa mga pinaka-mabigat sa akin na nagawa ko,” said she.
Jaya, Pops Fernandez, and Kuh Ledesma headline special casino show in Coachella Valley on November 12 FOR the first time and for one night only, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino will stage an ALL Filipino artist concert featuring three top Divas of Philippine live entertainment. Queen of Soul Jaya, Concert Queen Pops Fernandez and Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma complete an ensemble of Divas that has never been done on live stage before. Showrunner Enteng Perez speaks, “This is produced by New Paradise Entertainment and is a production of Fantasy Springs Casino as this will reactivate again the Filipino concert scene in the Coachella Valley. It’s been a while since there were Filipino shows in this market so The Three Divas will definitely jumpstart more shows in the desert region of Southern California.”Coachella Valley is known to have big music festivals in the U.S. Time and Date: 7:30PM Saturday November 12, 2022 Venue: Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Address: 84-245 Indio Springs Pkwy, Indio, CA 92203 Ticket Prices: $128, $108, $88, $68 and $48 Tickets on sale at: • VP ENTERTAINMENT 702-8569723 • Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Box Office or online at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
• Entertainment Page Log on to bit.ly/ threedivas TURN AROUND BUSES: There will be buses picking up guests from OC, LA and San Diego areas. Buses are for ticketed guests attending the concert only. No exceptions. Guests will be charged an additional $10 for using the bus. All buses will leave exactly at 1PM on Saturday November 12, 2022 at the pick-up areas and return exactly at 10:30PM from the casino on the same day. 1. 1 bus at Tambuli Supermarket Parking Lot in Los Angeles 2. 1 bus at Tambuli Supermarket Parking Lot in Cypress 3. 1 bus at 1st Pickup: Panorama Post Office 14336 Chase St. Panorama 91402 at 2 pm 4. 1 bus at: Montessori Children’s World 4371 Eagle Rock Blvd. Los Angeles 900412 2:30 pm 5. 1 bus at Lucky Seafood Supermarket Parking Lot in San Diego Ticket Redemption: Guests can redeem their tickets at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Total Rewards Center for $10 per ticket. This special show is sponsored by ISkin Med Spa in Beverly Hills, Miskin Med DSpa in Rancho Cucamonga, Asian Journal and IwantTFC.
Cebuana stars in horror film ‘Nocebo’ stereotype, others argue that there’s nothing wrong with it seeing as that’s how most IN case you missed it, Filipinos speak English anyway another Filipino actress will and the accent isn’t mocked grace the international film or used as a joke in the film. scene. They also contend that the Dominating our TLs lately accent makes sense for Chai’s is the freshly released trailer of character. “Nocebo,” an upcoming thriller We are all aware of the film by Irish director Lorcan terrible stereotypes and Finnegan. In the eerie preview, discrimination Bisaya people we spot Cebuana singerface. “The Bisaya language is songwriter and “Patay na si often used when cracking a Hesus” star Chai Fonacier as a joke or when someone is trying newly hired caregiver inside the to make a person laugh by home of a fashion designer (Eva mimicking the native accent,” Green) and her husband (Mark says Iris April L. Ramirez in the Strong). study, “The Racial Slur against Nocebo per se is a harmful Bisaya in The Light of John impact on health brought by Rawls’ theory of Justice.” psychological factors such As the discussion continued as negative expectations of online, other concerns were prognosis or treatment. raised. Will the Filipino In this psychological movie, character be antagonized? Will Eva’s character suffers from a this put a bad impression on mysterious illness. The couple— folk healing? But others want to and even the doctors—are give the benefit of the doubt— Chai Fonacier baffled by her health condition, Photo from Instagram/@chaifonacier what if a plot twist actually but the Filipino caregiver reveals that the husband is the Behind this thrilling plot offers an effective treatment in villain all along? traditional folk medicine, which and the obvious stamp of Witnessing these divided global recognition for Filipinos, POVs leaves us more intrigued also uncovers a “horrifying truth” to the family. the film also prompted an about what lies behind the “internalized racism” discourse film’s plot. On top of these While the caregiver continues “curing” her on social media, particularly sentiments, it shows how employer with unusual Chai’s accent. Filipinos are taking the matter remedies, the husband grows While some believe the of representation in the global suspicious. He then accuses the “thick” Filipino accent Chai’s scene seriously, especially character uses in the film caregiver of “controlling” his through a non-Filipino director’s wife. might propagate a harmful lens. By Justine
Rey
Inquirer.net
Ruffa eyes Pinoy lover, gets closure from Yilmaz By MaRinel
CRuz
Inquirer.net
NOW that we’re older, we just tend to be with people we’re comfortable with,” said actress Ruffa Gutierrez, who added that she has already come to terms with the fact that the guy she’d end up with will most likely be a Filipino. Kate is taking up the challenge to essay the characters of Bianca and Hope, a human being and a human clone, respectively, in the Ruffa was once married to Turkish GMA Afternoon Prime series, Unica Hija. businessman Yilmaz Bektas. She also dated Jordan Mouyal, a French national. These days, she is rumored to be dating Filipino comedian and former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista. “Baka sa Pinoy na nga talaga ang bagsak From Page 9 ko. I just thought, ‘What would happen if I’d umiiyak. Hindi aso kasi, alam ko naman po ang or ilaw na naka-on or TV na naka-mute lang. sound ng aso na umiiyak. Natakot po ako noon date a foreigner again? Do I relocate myself so I could be with him? Or do I make him live Medyo contrasting, pero na-enjoy ko po iyon,” and at the same time, naawa. Maliit na boses here?’ There are obviously a lot of things that Abellana said. lang po siya, very high-pitched, tapos umiiyak. The Kapuso prime actress recalled scenarios Yun siguro ang pinaka-nakakatakot po kasi, ang I need to consider,” she told reporters during the recent launch of her hygiene product in her life when she experienced a frightening lapit ko lang sa kanya,” she continued. incident when she was a child. In the four-episode series of “Daig Kayo Ng brand Gutz and Glow by Ruffa Gutierrez. “Now, this is the mature me speaking. “Kung saan po ako lumaking bahay which Lola Ko” dubbed “Game Over,” Abellana will Do I really want to uproot myself and live in is sa bahay po ng lola ko, very old na po ang be working with GMA Network’s young stars a different country? What am I going to do bahay na iyon, yung property na iyon. Talagang including Althea Ablan, Cassy Legaspi, Matt there; go online selling?” she said. Ruffa also marami po kaming na-experience doon. Naging Lozano, Will Ashley and Luis Hontiveros. talked about the recent reunion between parte na po siya ng aking childhood. Paglaki ko “Most of them first time ko makatrabaho Yilmaz and their daughters Lorin, 19, and po, talagang iba-iba — may nakikita, sound or pero sobrang saya kasi yung energy nila Venice, 18, in Istanbul. “I thought it’s going nararamdaman,” she said. nakakaapekto, nakakahawa, saka ang huhusay to be the beginning of a lot of great things “Pinaka-nakakatakot yung madaling-araw, ng mga bata. Tina-try ko humabol sa energy nagising ako na may umiiyak sa tabi ko. Yung nila kasi itong mga ito physically fit so kailangan in terms of us being coparents, but, maybe, what happened was also a closure. It sort bed ko po at that time, katabi ng window. Doon ready tayo dito,” Abella, who will portray the of answered their questions like, ‘Who is po sa window, sa labas may umuungol, may role of Nurse Lorraine, finally said.
Carla returns to horror...
Ruffa Gutierrez
Photo from Instagram/@iloveruffag
my father really? What does he look like? How come I’ve not seen him for almost 15 years? How does he feel about me being his daughter?” Continued on Page 12
Why Nevada is a good choice to settle to, live in By RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman THE State of Nevada is one of the places many people tend to look at nowadays when they are trying to find a place to move to or start their life/career. The state, particularly places like Las Vegas, which is a gaming/entertainment capital in the U.S. and a budding sports center, is not a onetrick pony. Since gambling was legalized in 1931, people tend to think that the only jobs in Nevada tend to be associated with the gambling industry. Not so, as many industries and companies have found a happy home in Nevada. There are many advantages to living in the state, and that includes the presence of jobs, whether it’s in the construction, mining, education, and gambling/entertainment fields. For instance, employment is up an estimated 9.2% in Las Vegas. If you visit Las Vegas now, construction projects abound. There are many corporations, groups and companies that are betting on Las Vegas, as it comes out of the pandemic and resumes some type of normalcy. With tourists and visitors coming back, and McCarran International Airport reporting a huge number of travelers passing through its gates, it looks like the city is on its way to gaining back the status and revenues it raked in before COVID-19 reared its ugly head. Education is also being emphasized by state and local officials, with the school systems trying to attract the best teachers out there to make the student population competitive. In fact, several colleges offer hands-on training for their
Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948, or send email to fely@ precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com.
students. The biggest names in the casino industry are making their expansion plans. Red Rock Resorts are putting up projects in different parts of the state and pursuing projects in the downtown area and northern part of Las Vegas, while MGM Resorts International purchased The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and enhanced its meeting and convention spaces. Meanwhile, Hard Rock International plans to open its hotel along the strip in 2025, which will feature a guitar-shaped hotel similar to the one they have in Hollywood, Florida. Of course, gambling is not the only recreational activity in the state. When you tire of the slot machines and card tables, there are shopping avenues to get lost in, including highend and outlet types. For many of the casinoresort properties, there are brand-name and other stores to visit, and purchase your favorite goods from. Also, watching shows, concerts and musicals is another other great activity. Las Vegas is no longer the city where “old” performers make their way to when their popularity fades. Big musical and award-winning acts like BTS, Lady Gaga, Adele, Celine Dion, Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry and Carrie Underwood have had their series of shows or residencies to cater to their fans. Food is another great showcase in the state, with many popular chefs opening their places in the resort-casinos, especially along the Strip. Giada de Laurentiis, Bobby Flay, Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Guy Savoy, Buddy Valastro, Guy Fieri, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse and Masaharu Morimoto are just some of the world-renowned chefs whose restaurants have struck a chord with diners. Plus, many of the properties feature their own unique restaurants, with some featuring cuisine around the world (as with Pepita’s Kitchen in Resorts World, which showcases Lechon Diva Dedet De La Fuente’s unique take on a classic Filipino offering of suckling pig and is a part of the property’s Famous Foods Street Eats fast food section). What draws people, too, to Nevada is the fact that it has no state income tax, and there’s also no tax on food and medicine purchases. Also, with a lower tax rate for businesses, many companies have found it easy to build their businesses in Nevada than in other states. And if you do your research, you’ll also find that Nevada does not have corporate income tax, no franchise tax, no inheritance or gift tax, no estate tax, no unitary tax and has very competitive sales and property tax rates, among other things. Moving to a place, whether it’s for a job, a fresh start, or to retire to means looking for a place to live in. Or you may be looking at properties to plunk down your extra money in. While today’s real estate market is not as thriving as it was in the last year or two, it is a good time to look for a land or real estate properties as there is more inventory to choose from. Contrary to what took place in the last two years, where some developers and sellers put people on waiting lists or did a lottery to have prospective buyers have their turn at looking at a certain
community
The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 9, 2022
Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman takes a picture from her place at Turnberry Tower towards the west side of her building, which shows the changing landscape of Las Vegas Blvd., which now includes Resorts World Las Vegas on the left and the Wynn/Encore towers on the right.
Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman takes a photo of the east side from Turnberry Tower, showing how developed the Las Vegas area is. The city has many projects under construction, which will change the cityscape and landscape of Las Vegas further.
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The concrete building in the middle of the photo is a parking structure near the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and the Convention Center, which has been, in recent days, full to the top due to events in Sin City.
The Las Vegas Convention Center (in foreground) is currently the site of the SEMA Car Show 2022, where the latest product and custom vehicle trends, as well as innovations from new and iconic exhibitors can be seen by thousands of attendees. The city’s comeback from the pandemic has seen the convention center attracting major expos and events from around the U.S.
property, buyers now have more choices to look at and may be able to negotiate with sellers when it comes to prices and other things. Nevada, and its popular cities like Las Vegas or burgeoning towns like Pahrump, has not been immune to the real estate slowdown, which is being experienced in many parts of the United States. But in terms of affordability, land and real estate prices in Nevada are very competitive. In fact, the affordability factor may be one of the reasons why people and families from other parts of the U.S. are moving to Nevada. Plus, of course, the cost of living is lower, especially when you compare living in a major city like Las Vegas, as compared to, say, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Miami and Hawaii. An industry expert has put the cost of living in Las Vegas as 1.9% lower than that of the national average. Now may be one of the best times to take a look at what’s out there in the market, and negotiate your way to a great deal! The growth in Nevada, especially in Las Vegas
and neighboring cities and towns, have been tremendous. I can tell you that from experience – I have many decades under my belt, assisting clients who are looking for their first home, second/vacation homes, investment properties or land (for future use/development). I can assist you in looking for these opportunities, given your budget and things you are looking for. Many of my clients have begun to reap the benefits of their investments, including turning their properties to rentals or Airbnb, or getting a good return on investment for the properties they bought in previous years. My company, Precious Properties, is a fullservice company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@ precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail. com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.
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Filter it, pull the plug or community simply think outside the box Health-E-Charity gala to Immigrant I think, therefore I am. Living: 101 —Rene Descartes benefit the Philippines and Be-
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 9, 2022
Saturday, Nov. 12 2022 at 5pm
Monette AdevA MAglAyA
can be done by a few keystrokes on the internet) HEALTH-E-CHARITY (HEC), together and the low tech way of simply with the Manny Pacquiao foundation, is asking around those we trust. hosting a gala to benefit its work in the Nothing, however, can take THE one thing that Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 12 in Los the place of gruelling personal differentiates a life of Angeles. The event will be held at The experience that builds a deprivation from a rich one is New Mart (127 East 9th Street, Third personalized knowledge base the availability of choice. And Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015) from 5 that make you truly wise. Read making wise choices from the to 10 p.m. and will feature health care up on your own. Read books, array made available to us, is recognition awards, games, live auction both the paper kind and the not always obvious or easy. and entertainment. Awash with a steady stream electronic versions. But be HEC will conduct mobile medical of choices on radio, television, selective. mission clinics in various locations, Life is always an adventure cable, satellite and the growing from four locations in February ubiquitous internet, we have wherever you choose to 2023 to 8-10 in the first two years. While morphed into a society with live. But you ratchet up the in the Philippines, HEC will also treat color and excitement several choices served on a platter. human sex-trafficked victims housed by notches higher the moment And yet given the almost Cameleon Association and launch Bodhi infinite variety from which we you choose to immigrate to Connect, the first cloud-based global can cull out entertainment and another land. Like it or not, virtual medical specialty platform which you have signed yourself up some of the information we connects frontline physicians and nurses may need to figure out how to learn and adapt and evolve with medical specialists throughout the every single day you are alive. best to live our lives during world eager to donate their professional these challenging times we Go ahead, watch services to care for patients in need all television. Do it in small doses live in, paradoxically, all these over the world. though. American television sources are still strangely Purchase tickets at Eventbrite www. exhibits amazing cutting edge inadequate. eventbrite.com/e/gala-to-benefit-thetechnology and special effects The messages may not philippines-tickets-399771867417 and are particularly stunning. always be in our own best email info@health-e-charity.org for more interest. Mass media has Do not let your guard information. down thugh. Do not be evolved into a sophisticated deceived by the glitz and selling tool that has to glamour of the packaging and constantly balance that overlook the lack of substance delicate mix of serving the in many shows. The same public interest and serving holds true for shows that come the interests of business from other countries. A lot and industry that ensure its of these shows designed by continued existence. Lately marketers to appeal to the though, the balance has been lowest common denominator skewed in favor of business border on the inane. and self interest. There are much more To a significant extent, spectacular things to discover big businesses and the in the real world outside the government do have a big box and the internet in so say as to what, why and how frequently messages get aired. many other ways that can be much more educational and What can we do to avoid fun. becoming a mindless sponge Check the offerings in that soaks up what the boob public television. You might be tube has to offer? In a word, pleasantly surprised by what’s FILTER. We must develop a filtering available. But be on guard. Public television programming mechanism, much like an has been corrupted as well to industrial strength sieve in some extent. our thinking cap to be able to Weather and traffic reports discern only what is important may be all that you will need Robi Domingo proposes to his girlfriend of four years, Maiqui Pineda, during their trip to Japan to us and trash the major bulk last week. Photo from Instagram/@iamrobidomingo of messages that assail us 24/7. for the day. The daily dose of murder mayhem, and in The truths and the values, Robi and Maiqui were in Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Los Angeles, the staple of car as they apply to us, must be Japan last week with their Padilla, Joshua Garcia, Ria chases by idiots seeking their ferreted out the old fashioned celebrity friends that included Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo. “15 minutes of fame/infamy” way through spadework portrayed in graphic detail (which, thanks to the wonders of communications technology, can put a real drag on your
Robi is ‘officially off the market’ after engagement to girlfriend By Kathleen
a. llemit
Philstar.com
THE Japan vacation proved to be not just a barkada trip for Robi Domingo and his girlfriend Maiqui Pineda. The TV host actually popped the question for his girlfriend of four years on the busy streets of Shibuya. “Officially off the market,” Robi said on his social media posts on November 7, 2022. The “Pinoy Big Brother” host posted four photos of him and his now fiancee after he bent his knee and proposed to her. Entertainment reporter MJ Felipe first broke the news by posting the proposal clip on his Twitter account last Friday, November 4.
psyche. No one whose heart is in the right place and whose head is screwed on tight can be impervious or indifferent to some of the heinous crimes against humanity that are dumped daily in our homes. On those days that you feel you are particularly vulnerable to suggestion, pull the plug and take a leisurely walk around the block or put up your feet and read a good book. TV is one formidable force that has the undeniable capacity to shape the way we think, the way we live and what we believe in. It can give shape and color to our hopes and dream. We all need to be discriminating in what it is that we allow ourselves and our families to watch. If we let it, television has the potential to “own” us. Never relinquish your power to say NO and even, (insert your favorite strong word here)NO! NO! NO! With your finger on the remote control, you have the power to switch to high quality fare or simply pull the plug. Television is consumer driven. It responds to what sells. So play the game. As a consumer, you can choose to vote with your wallet, buying only those consumer products that support quality television programming that elevates rather than degrades people. Imagine the cumulative power of millions of buyers just like you who can influence television programming with what they choose to buy. You have the right to vote daily. You can begin to exercise and flex the power of choice by voting with your wallet. ***
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints ex p resse d by t h e a u t h o r d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya writes for Asian Journal. Email monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com for comments.
Motion for bifurcation, status only dissolution for spouses who want to move on while divorce pending
probate homestead or probate family allowance, 4) indemnify the other spouse for loss of benefits under employee benefit plans, 5) joinder of an employee benefit plan, and 6) any other condition that the Atty. Kenneth court determines is just and UrsUA reyes equitable. With a “status only” judgment, the Court reserves THE decision to terminate jurisdiction to adjudicate one’s marriage typically brings any other issues concerning to the forefront many issues the marriage, including all at once. Issues pertaining division of property, award of to property, support, and child support, and custody issues. custody need to be addressed Accordingly, if you would in a divorce proceeding. In a like to obtain a “status only” long term marriage especially, judgment, and resolve any these issues are often heavily other issues pertaining to the litigated between the spouses, marriage later, it is advised and can take a significant that you consult with an amount of time to experienced attorney. resolve. Frequently, a *** spouse would like to A judgment dissolving Please note that this article “move on,” and rethe marriage need not resolve is not legal advice and is not attain single status as as legal advice. The soon as possible, but all issues raised in the divorce intended article is intended to provide has a perception that only general, non-specific to become divorced, petition. If there are issues legal information. This article issues concerning set forth in the petition with is not intended to cover all property, support, and the issues related to the topic child custody first need regard to property, support, discussed. The specific facts to be resolved. Many and custody, the Court may that apply to your matter may erroneously believe the outcome different that getting a divorce nonetheless separate the issue of make than would be anticipated prior to resolution of property, support, and dissolution of marriage status by you. This article does create any attorney client custody issues is like and grant an early relationship between you and putting the “carriage the Law Offices of Kenneth U. before the horse”— an trial on that issue (a “status Reyes, P.C. This article is not a impossibility. Under the only” judgment). solicitation. Family Code, a spouse *** can “bifurcate” the issue Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes of marital status and is a Certified Family Law terminate the marriage Specialist. He was President of the without having to wait until the of marriage status were not granted. These conditions Philippine American Bar Association. issues pertaining to property, are contained in Family Code He is a member of both the Family support, and child custody are Section 2337. The Court may law section and Immigration law resolved. require a spouse seeking early section of the Los Angeles County A judgment dissolving the dissolution of marriage status Bar Association. He is a graduate of marriage need not resolve all to do any of the following, Southwestern University Law School issues raised in the divorce all designed to protect the in Los Angeles and California State petition. If there are issues interests of the spouse who is University, San Bernardino School set forth in the petition with not seeking early dissolution: of Business Administration. He has regard to property, support, 1) indemnify the other spouse extensive CPA experience prior to law and custody, the Court may for adverse tax consequences practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH nonetheless separate the issue resulting from the early REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire of dissolution of marriage termination of marital status, Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, status and grant an early 2) maintain the other spouse 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail trial on that issue (a “status on existing health insurance, kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com. Visit our only” judgment). Obtaining a website at kenreyeslaw.com. “status only” judgment is most 3) indemnifying the other spouse from loss of rights to a (Advertising Supplement) beneficial to those persons
Barrister’s Corner
who want his or her marriage terminated as soon as possible. Through a “status only” judgment, a person is restored to single status more quickly, enabling a person to remarry even if other issues concerning the marriage have yet to be resolved. It is important to note, however, that a judgment terminating the marriage itself also brings with it the consequence of terminating rights associated with marriage. To address the foregoing, the Court may impose conditions on a “status only” judgment, to preserve rights which normally would exist if an early dissolution
Anne Curtis’...
From Page 9 to headline headline 11.11 Lazada’s Biggest Sale campaign, happening from November 11 to 13. “We have chosen Anne Curtis as our new ambassador because we believe that she completely exemplifies our values and what we stand for. She’s someone who turns her passions into actions and who manages all the different roles — from being a businesswoman, mother, actress and an incredible person that inspires all of us,” Lazada Philippines CEO Carlos Barrera said at the brand’s grand launch for Curtis. “We had always wanted her as our ambassador. We always wanted three things — someone who is a businesswoman that have that drive to always succeed; a mom that is successful [at her career]; and someone who is beautiful, fashionable and trendy because that’s what we [Lazada] are all about, so there was only one option — Anne,” Barrera added. And because Curtis always said she stands for or only endorse brands she actually use, she shared that online shopping has always been integral to her and her career. “Pre-pandemic, I already love shopping online. Before I became a mom, I had a love for fashion, I love dressing up. People would see that on Instagram, on ‘It’s Showtime.’ I think having a daily show also, you always have to keep on coming out with new outfits so even before, I update my wardrobe frequently. So that would mean shopping online,” Curtis shared. The pandemic amplified the convenience of online shopping for Curtis who also welcomed her daughter in 2020. “I relied even more on online shopping during the pandemic. When I became a mom I got afraid to go outside, even going to the grocery, so I ended up ordering everything online, for everyone’s safety,” she noted.
Ruffa eyes Pinoy...
From Page 10 ‘Very emotional time’ She continued: “For a child, there’s always that curiousness, that need to get to know her dad. I understand that healing from the pain is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight, but goes through a lot of stages. When they met in Istanbul, they cried and hugged their dad. Yilmaz and I also got to talk a little. He said ‘thank you’ to me, too. It was a very emotional time, but now that it’s finished it’s time to move on. If this doesn’t continue, it’s OK, at least they got to see their dad finally.” Ruffa also reported that Yilmaz is now constantly communicating with their kids. She also told reporters that she was aware of people romantically linking her to Yilmaz again. “If that happens, of course, I will publicly talk about it. I don’t want to play any games. It’s funny because there are a lot of Ruffa-Yilmaz fan sites, and that they started to come out just when Yilmaz and I were no longer together. I feel that there’s no more reconciliation that will happen. I’m sorry to disappoint the fans,” Ruffa pointed out. ‘It’s wrong’ “The only ‘balikan’ that will ever happen is for us to resume being coparents to our children and to have a healthy relationship. In terms of romantic love, wala na. I will no longer remarry Yilmaz, contrary to what’s been written on fan sites. I also think he is dating someone,” she declared. “I understand where they are coming from. As Filipinos, they want us together as a family. But Lorin and Venice are already 19 and 18, respectively. They’re no longer 3 or 2 years old.
They’re already adults. It’s wrong for us to reunite just for the sake of our children, who are now adults. You should be with the one you really love and shouldn’t just be in a relationship for your kids.” Meanwhile, Ruffa said she will begin working on the sequel to the controversial Darryl Yap film “Maid in Malacanang” this November. She is also scheduled to shoot a film with Cesar Montano and his son, Diego, that will be shown in February. She is also very excited to be the CEO of the Gutz and Glow brand. “We see a lot of possibilities in this business, not only locally but abroad. We can tap the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers). I’ve always been interested in business, but most especially in the business of beauty and well-being. When you venture into something, it also has to be something that you enjoy,” she stressed. Ruffa added that she has inspired her daughters so much that Lorin will also be launching her own brand in 2023. “She will introduce a different product line. I guess I’ve inspired them a lot, also in terms of my education. I’ve finished college and is now taking up my masters. I told them that I’ve worked so hard as a single mom and my only wish is for them to finish their education, too.” In fact, Ruffa said Lorin already has so many offers to join show biz. The teenager is a talent of Viva Artist Agency, Inc. and was supposed to be launched this month. “She opted to finish her sophomore year because she understands that it’s important to have a fallback, especially now that talents in show biz stars come and go so quickly.”
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 9, 2022
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Leaders’ forum with the FILCOM leaders in Los Angeles 17 NOVEMBER 2022 PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES
National Anthems “Lupang Hinirang” “The Star-Spangled Banner” Opening Prayer Musical Prayer Opening Remarks MARIE ROSE C. ESCALADA Labor Attaché Special Messages Secretary SUSAN “TOOTS” V. OPLE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) (Video Message) Inspirational Message Consul General EDGAR B. BADAJOS Philippine Consulate General – Los Angeles Presentations: Overseas Employment Program MARIE ROSE ESCALADA Labor Attaché Employment Facilitation and Monitoring Services MACY MONIQUE MAGLANQUE Assistant Labor Attaché Welfare Assistance Services CARMELITA RAQUIZA Welfare Officer Open Forum HAMDAN BAINA SAYEDY Administrative Staff Closing Remarks Consul MARIA ALNEE A. GAMBLE HAMDAN BAINA SAYEDY Master of Ceremony
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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - November 9, 2022