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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 19 - No. 46 • 14 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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Newsom orders mass county USCIS revises naturalization test shutdowns across California DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
THE U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised the civics portion of the naturalization test. In its news release on Friday, November 13, the USCIS said it has updated the civics test as part of a decennial update to ensure that the exam remains as an instrument that comprehensively assesses applicants’ knowledge of American history, government and civic values. The naturalization test has two components: an English test, which has not changed, and a civics test. The English test allows the applicant to demonstrate an understanding of the language including the ability to read, write, and speak basic English. Meanwhile, the revised civic test is an oral test wherein a USCIS officer will ask the applicant 20 questions from a list of 128 civics test questions. The applicant needs to answer at least 12 of the 20 questions correctly to pass the revised version of the civics test. Previously, the civics test only asked the applicant up to 10 questions from the list of
Governor considers curfew as the state experiences ‘the fastest increase’ of virus cases by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
AFTER months of economic reopenings that allowed residents to partake in public life again, California is approaching yet another shutdown period
as Sacramento has downgraded three-quarters of the state’s counties to the strictest pandemic restrictions, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week. Newsom announced on Monday, Nov. 16 that 41 of the state’s 58 counties have seen significant
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
Judge rules DACA suspension invalid
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Duterte places Luzon under state of calamity
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THE Trump administration’s rules limiting applications and renewals for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program are invalid, a federal judge ruled over the weekend. Judge Nicholas Garaufis of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York ruled on Saturday, November 14 that the suspension of DACA, which protects some 650,000 young immigrants, was unlawful because Chad Wolf was not legally appointed acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. “DHS failed to follow the order of succession as it was lawfully designated,” wrote Garaufis. “Therefore, the actions taken by purported Acting Secretaries, who were not properly in their roles according to the lawful order of succession, were taken without legal authority.” On July 28, Wolf suspended the DACA program pending DHS review, despite the
increases in COVID-19 transmission, effectively ordering those counties’ indoor dining, gyms, movie theaters and other businesses to either remain closed or shut down.
CLOTHING FOR EVACUEES. A volunteer sorts out the piles of used clothing for the evacuees at the Marikina Sports Center in Marikina City on Wednesday, November 18. Most of the city residents’ homes were submerged in floodwater at the height of Typhoon Ulysses. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte declared the entire Luzon under a state of calamity after three successive typhoons battered the country’s largest island. In a taped speech aired on Tuesday night, November 17, the Chief Executive revealed that he signed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)’s proposal to place Luzon under a state of calamity. “Mukhang napirmahan ko na ata last night (I think I already signed it last night)... Last night, I think I signed the proclamation,” he said. The NDRRMC Council approved the recommendation to place the entire Luzon under a state of calamity on Monday, Nov. 16, during an emergency meeting where they discussed the impact of typhoons Quinta, Rolly and Ulysses. As of this writing, the death toll for Ulysses is at 73, while the total numbers of injured and missing persons are at 24 and 19, respectively. A total of 3,452,360 persons or 827,260 families in eight regions have been affected by Ulysses. Of the fig-
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PH Bureau of Immigration clarifies Ambassador Romualdez: The alliance guidelines for foreign investors between PH and US is very strong by RITCHEL
by AJPRESS FOREIGN investors planning to enter the Philippines must first secure an investor’s visa before they can be allowed entry to the country, the country’s Bureau of Immigration (BI) clarified on Monday, November 16. Foreign nationals holding visas under Ex-
ecutive Order No. 226 or the Omnibus Investments Code, and those with a Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) issued pursuant to EO 226 can enter the country, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said. “Those who will be entering the country under visa types not yet allowed by the In-
PHILIPPINE Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez on Tuesday, November 17, affirmed the strong ties between the Philippines and the United States. u PAGE A4 During a virtual event hosted by the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, Romualdez noted that the Philippines and the U.S. have one of the oldest military alliances in the Asia Pacific region. The We Love Cities Campaign, “The PH and the U.S. enjoy which has empowered the gen- one of the oldest military allianceral public globally with the op- es in the Asia Pacific, stretching portunity to celebrate, vote and back since 1951. We have the upgrade their city through sug- mutual defense treaty, the segestions made and addressed to cure and defense cooperation decision-makers, is interwoven which remains the cornerstone with the One Planet City Chal- of our bilateral relations, also our lenge (OPCC). friendship with the U.S. spans OPCC is a biennial global decades of cooperation, encourchallenge organized by WWF aging strong historical, cultural, to guide cities toward the most effective climate action, while publicly recognizing the most ambitious cities as leaders in the field of sustainable urban development. Citizens from participating countries expressed their love and support for their cities with the campaign garnering over 1,170,000 votes through all channels, 4,600,000 social media engagements and a social media reach of 80 million. u PAGE A3
Batangas City bags WWF’s Most Lovable City award by RHODINA
VILLANUEVA Philstar.com
An April 9 file photo shows the Mother of All Asia-Tower of Peace, which serves as the highlight of the Montemaria pilgrimage site in Barangay Pagkilatan, Batangas City. The statue is expected to be completed in 2021, marking the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines. Once completed, the 96-meter statue would be the world’s tallest Virgin Mary statue. Philstar.com photo by Russell Palma
MANILA — Batangas City has been hailed as the “World’s Most Lovable City” and overall winner in this year’s edition of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)’s “We Love Cities” campaign. The announcement was made online via Zoom recently and attended by representatives of WWF national offices around the world and We Love Cities campaign finalists, said Oliver Gonzales, environment and natural resources officer of Batangas City. “We’re overwhelmed and happy. This challenge brought us together and made us proud as citizens of our city. We want to thank WWF-Philippines for their great support and guidance throughout this challenge,” Gonzales said.
MENDIOLA AJPress
and economic ties,” he said. “Our shared history in culture connects our two governments, the economies, and of course our people-to-people ties,” he added. Romualdez also said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is looking forward to working with President-elect Joe Biden and fortifying the “many comprehensive ties” that the Philippines and the U.S. have between them. “President Duterte conveyed his warmest congratulations and we assured (Biden) of the Philippines’ commitment to continue building on a strong, open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” the envoy said. Romualdez stressed that the relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. will remain strong no matter the president. u PAGE A3
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Judge rules DACA suspension... PAGE A1 U.S. Supreme Court blocking the Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the program a month before. The memo further stated that the administration would suspend new applications, while having renewals only for one year instead of two. The Obama-era program granted renewable deportation protections of two years to certain young undocumented im-
migrants, known as “Dreamers,” who were brought to the United States illegally as children. Aside from being able to stay in the U.S., recipients were able to work legally which allowed many to pursue higher education and pursue other career goals. The program, however, does not offer a pathway to citizenship for the grantees. Saturday’s ruling restores DACA to nearly its original purpose as new applications will be accepted for the first time since
USCIS revises naturalization...
PAGE A1 100 civics test questions. The applicant needed to answer six questions correctly to pass the test. The revised civics test did not change the passing score, which remains at 60%. “USCIS has diligently worked on revising the naturalization test since 2018, relying on input from experts in the field of adult education to ensure that this process is fair and transparent,” said
USCIS Deputy Director for Policy Joseph Edlow. “Naturalization allows immigrants to become fully vested members of American society, with the same rights and responsibilities as citizens by birth, and offering a fair test, which prepares naturalization applicants for these responsibilities, is of upmost importance to our agency,” he added. Applicants have two opportunities to pass the naturalization
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From the Front Page 2017, according to the Wall Street Journal. According to Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice), an affiliation of five independent civil rights organizations, at least 16,000 DACA recipients are of Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent. Between 2012 and 2017, at least 3,880 Filipinos were granted DACA protection, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). (AJPress)
civics test. “If you fail any part of the civics test at your first interview, you will be retested, only on the portion of the test that you failed, between 60 and 90 days from the date of your initial interview,” the USCIS said in its website. Applicants who apply for naturalization on or after Dec. 1, 2020, will take the updated version of the test. Those who apply before Dec. 1, 2020, will take the current version of the test. (AJPress)
Newsom orders mass county...
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Newsom hinted at more restrictions to come by Friday, Nov. 20. “We are sounding the alarm,” Newsom said in a statement. “The spread of COVID-19, if left unchecked, could quickly overwhelm our health care system and lead to catastrophic outcomes.” In the last 10 days, the daily coronavirus tallies have doubled across the state; as previously reported in the Asian Journal, California last week became the second state to exceed 1 million coronavirus cases total. State officials have attributed the rise in cases to the public’s frustration over pandemic safety protocols: large groups of people gathering in close quarters with no masks, socializing in public spaces where the recommended 6 feet distancing is ignored and regularly visiting family and friends’ homes. California is operating on a color-coded tier-based reopening blueprint — counties that achieve lower transmission rates are able to move out of the more restrictive tiers of the plan. Newsom’s announcement on Monday puts 94.1% of Californians in the strictest purple tier. Among the counties that moved back to the purple tier include Orange County, which has seen a dramatic increase in hospitalizations over the last month. According to the state, schools that have already reopened won’t be affected by Orange County’s return to the purple tier. “I’m hoping that people understand when we let our guard down and have these gatherings, we transmit the virus to each other,” Orange County Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau told Orange County Supervisors at their meeting on Tuesday. As of Tuesday, Nov. 17, 270 Orange County residents were hospitalized for the virus with 79 in ICUs, the county’s Health Care Agency reported. It’s the highest amount of hospitalizations the county has seen since the summer. The current totals for Orange County as of press time include 1,526 COVID-related deaths and 65,957 confirmed positive cases.
Los Angeles County continues to lead the state in confirmed cases and deaths with a huge surge of positive cases over the weekend: 3,780 on Saturday and 3,061 on Sunday. There are currently 1,049 patients currently hospitalized with more than a quarter in the ICU; this is the highest number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients since the summer. “The county has not experienced daily numbers like this since late July, durin the last surge that resulted in many people becoming very seriously ill and losing their lives to COVID19,” the county’s public health office said in a press release. With the surge of numbers, officials are doubling down on their pleas to the public to stay at home as much as possible and avoid socializing with people outside the home. Masks have been scientifically proven time and time again to curb viral transmission, but even with masks, spending the holidays with outof-household people still poses a significant risk. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a briefing on Monday that “the risk of this disease has never been higher and the accelerating rate of infections has never been swifter,” calling on residents to take heed of the following: “Stay at home as much as possible for the next two to three weeks, assume that everyone outside your household is infectious and stop gathering.” Newsom’s announcement of stricter state protocols follows a controversial decision to attend a birthday celebration in Napa Valley on Nov. 6 for his friend and lobbyist Jason Kinney. The governor’s attendance was first reported in the San Francisco Chronicle, and while Newsom assured that the 12-person party adhered to social distancing protocol, Californians criticized the governor. “I want to apologize to you because I need to preach and practice, not just preach and not practice, and I’ve done my best to do that. We’re all human. We all fall short sometimes,” the governor said in a briefing on Monday, acknowledging the dinner at the posh French Laundry did not ap-
pear as pandemic-friendly as he thought. “As soon as I sat down at the larger table, I realized it was a larger group than I had anticipated and I made a bad mistake. Instead of sitting down, I should have stood up and walked back, got in my car and drove back to my house,” the governor admitted. Newsom wasn’t the only lawmaker accused of breaking social distancing recommendations. Nearly 100 lawmakers and lobbyists from four states — including California, Hawaii, Texas and Washington state — gathered at the luxury Fairmont Kea Lani resort in Maui, Hawaii for a legislative conference organized by the Independent Voter Project. Organizers of this event assured that the annual event was one-third of its regular size and that attendees must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of arrival. But as scientists from the CDC have stressed, tests don’t guarantee a negative diagnosis or mitigate risks; tests could fail to catch the virus during the incubation period and travelers could still expose themselves to the virus on the island and bring it home. In Washington, after receiving intense backlash from the public, two separate dinners for freshman Republican and Democratic House members became a carryout meal instead of the planned formal dinner. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) had told the media on Friday, Nov. 13 that the venue was “very spaced” and safety protocols were to be imposed, but due to the backlash, the dinner was modified. Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) followed Pelosi’s decision to downgrade the dinner. “Fair to say that the timing isn’t great,” Jack Pitney, a politics professor at Claremont McKenna College, told Politico “Anybody organizing an in-person event should think carefully about the optics, particularly in California, where the governor has just sent most of the state into purple. There’s a chance this will not be received well by the general public.” n
Dateline USa
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 20-26, 2020
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Will communities hardest hit get COVID-19 vaccines?
EVACUATION CENTER IN MARIKINA. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian talks to the evacuees at the temporary shelter during his visit to the evacuation centers at the Hermogenes Bautista Elementary School and Malanday Elementary School in Concepcion, Marikina City on Tuesday, November 17. He also distributed food packs to the 7,465 evacuees at the evacuation centers. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Batangas City bags WWF’s Most Lovable... PAGE A1 Through the OPCC, the country’s declared national winner for 2020, Batangas City and national finalists Muntinlupa City and Santa Rosa City, were the representatives of the Philippines in this year’s We Love Cities campaign. “This We Love Cities award for Batangas City is particularly special,” said lawyer Angela Ibay, WWF-Philippines’ Climate and Energy Program head. “It also highlights the active engagement that Filipinos have with their cities as they promote their solutions and aim to make their
cities more livable, sustainable and resilient. It is truly aligned with WWF’s call: Together Possible.” All the three Philippine cities ranked in the Top 10, out of 54 cities in 26 countries around the globe for the 2020 edition. “Our three Philippine cities that participated in the We Love Cities initiative really stepped up to the plate and did quite well, even as they were addressing the current challenges brought by the pandemic. We are truly honored by their participation,” said Ibay. “This means a lot to us, es-
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez
pecially since we’ve been hit by the pandemic. The city is doing its best in implementing various initiatives and efforts. We have something new to hold on to, and this is great news to all of us. This win will inspire us to keep on going and to work hand-in-hand for this city,” said Gonzales. In addition to recognizing the importance of public engagement in achieving sustainability goals, Batangas City aims to be the first carbon-neutral city in the country by 2030 and has developed a comprehensive climate mitigation and adaptation plan to realize this vision. n
THE U.S. is weeks away from rolling out COVID-19 vaccines, but pandemic experts say the challenges of vaccinating people will be acute, especially in communities of color. “Vaccines don’t save lives: vaccinations do,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, speaking at a Friday, Nov. 13 briefing organized by Ethnic Media Services and moderated by Dr. Tung Nguyen, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. “There’s a huge challenge from a supply chain perspective to getting the vaccines out,” said Jha, noting that the vaccines will have to be stored and delivered frozen. More challenging is “vaccine hesitancy,” especially in communities of color who have been hit hardest by the pandemic, he said. Jha predicted 100,000 more deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. before the new Biden-Harris administration is inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2021. “We are in the worst moment of the pandemic right now.” Dr. Nirav Shah, adjunct professor of medicine in the Division of Primary Care and Population Health at Stanford University stated: “We need to do this in a more structured and standardized way as opposed to the thousand points of light approach where every state, every city is doing something on their own. Simple coordination, using evidence-based approaches, will make a big difference here.” Dr. William Schaffner, profes-
Philstar.com file photo
Ambassador Romualdez: The...
PAGE A1 “The alliance between our two countries remains very strong and it doesn’t matter who the president of either country is,” he said. “We feel that this relationship is so strong that it has withstood many wars and many conflicts in the past worldwide, and perhaps even some issues we may not agree on, but at the end of the day, because of our special relationship, it has endured,” he added. Romualdez also expressed optimism that the Philippines will not have any problems with the Biden administration. VFA termination According to Romualdez, the dynamics between the Philippines and the U.S. shifted after the U.S. rejected most of China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea. Early in July, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. stands with its Southeast Asian allies, stressing that Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are “completely unlawful.” “We all know Secretary Pompeo announced that the U.S. recognized the arbitral award and we were extremely pleased with that. And that has changed the dynamics, as far as our relationship is concerned with the U.S.,” Romualdez said. “I think there is now a stronger commitment in our mutual defense treaty. There seems to be some teeth to it now,” he added. However, Romualdez maintained that the Philippines is a sovereign nation, and that the country wants to strengthen its own armed forces. “You have to have a mutual defense treaty but we also want to strengthen our own armed forces. We want to be able to contribute to that defense treaty,” he said. “We want to be able to defend ourselves but when the time comes — and we certainly hope it will never come — is that we need to be together and repel any kind of aggression from countries that would take advantage of the instability of the area,” he added, referring to the South China Sea. On the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Romualdez expressed hope that the Philippines and the U.S. could craft
another one that is more “mutually beneficial.” “So the VFA, we know it’s an important part of our relationship, but we also would like to reserve the right that when the time comes, we would like to be able to do things on our own,” he said. “But at the same time, perhaps we could have a different kind of VFA, which would be more mutually beneficial,” he added. The envoy also said that it’s possible that the VFA abrogation will see another extension next year. “We are open to extending it,” Romualdez said. “Everything’s been suspended because of this pandemic. We were supposed to have a bilateral strategic dialogue between the U.S. and the Philippines that happens every year. We also have the mutual defense treaty board with both the U.S. and the Philippines, that also has been suspended. But we are hoping that before the August deadline comes into play, we’d be ready to talk about how we can strengthen that alliance we have with the U.S.,” he added. On Nov. 11, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announced that Duterte has extended the suspension of the VFA “to enable us to find a more enhanced, mutually beneficial, mutually agreeable, and more effective and lasting arrangement on how to move forward in our mutual defense.” “The past four years have changed the South China Sea from one of uncertainty about great powers’ intentions to one of predictability and resulting stability with regard to what can and cannot be done, what will and will not be acceptable with regard to the conduct of any protagonist in the South China Sea. Clarity and strength have never posed a risk. It is confusion and indecision that aggravate risk,” Locsin said. He also attributed the renewal of stability and security in the region to the efforts by the governments of the Philippines and the U.S. “A great deal of credit for the renewal of stability and security goes to deft diplomacy, unequivocal expressions of policy, sturdy postures of strength combined with unfailing tact, and pragmatic national security advice exhibited by both our governments in the same period,” he said. n
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sor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University, agreed that vaccine delivery would pose enormous challenges. “This is not a vaccine that will be available at the local pharmacy or in a physician’s office,” he said. Schaffner also noted that the vaccine is reactive: people taking it may experience a sore arm, fever, or headaches. Nguyen warned that such side effects could increase people’s distrust of the vaccine, and deter them from getting the shot. Skepticism of the vaccine is strong in the African American community and other ethnic communities, said Schaffner. “So we’re going to have to do everything we can to reach out and provide information and also provide reassurance,” he said, noting that much of the work will have to be done through churches or by prominent leaders in ethnic communities. Pfizer and Germany-based BioNTech announced Nov. 9 that they had jointly developed a vaccine with an efficacy rate of 90%. The study enrolled 43,538 participants, with 42% coming from diverse backgrounds. The companies have submitted an application for emergency use authorization to the Food and Drug Administration. The application is expected to be approved by the end of November. Concurrently, Moderna announced the results of its trial Nov. 16 which had an efficacy rate of 94%. Approximately 37% of the participants in the Moderna trial were people of color.
Jha noted that a 90% efficacy rate for the Pfizer vaccine was astounding. “I was speaking at a conference and saying that we will be lucky if the vaccine is 60 to 70% effective. A 90% efficacy was not what I was expecting and am I happy to be wrong on that,” he said. “We’re not just testing it in 18 to 30 year old white men and women, but in fact we’re testing it in a broad swath of America,” said Jha, noting that the Moderna trial was delayed as the company tried to diversify its testing recruits. Shah said the news from Pfizer, which indicated efficacy of the vaccine with just two doses, was an enormous step in the right direction. But once the vaccine is approved with by the FDA with emergency use authorization, it is unlikely that most people will be able to get vaccinated right away. A maximum of 10 to 20 million doses will be available by the end of the year, he said. “There will be a ramp up after that, but it is going to be some time before we get the kind of widespread availability of multiple vaccines with secure supply chains that get everyone the two doses,” said Shah. Schaffner said treatment for people infected with COVID is getting better. “We’re doing a better job of getting people out of the Intensive Care Unit and out of the hospital; we are lowering the fatality rate.” He also spoke about the use of the antiviral medication Remdesivir, which was approved last
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Duterte places Luzon under state... PAGE A1 ures, 55,921 families or 223,378 persons are being served in 1,570 evacuation centers while 66,499 families or 232,513 families are being served outside. Damage to agriculture is estimated at P2.89 billion in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, CAR, and National Capital Region (NCR), while infrastructure damage was placed at P5.77 billion. The NDRRMC on Wednesday also recorded 63,885 damaged houses, of which 6,009 were classified as “totally damaged” and 57,876 as “partially damaged.” Pope Francis prays for PH typhoon victims Pope Francis offered his prayers to Filipinos affected by Typhoon Ulysses. In a tweet on Sunday, November 15, the Pontiff also expressed his solidarity to the poorest families who were hit the hardest by the typhoon. “I am near in prayer to the dear people of the #Philippines who are suffering because of the destruction, and especially be-
Dateline USa
MEALS FOR EVACUEES. Volunteers prepare meals for the typhoon victims that will be brought to the evacuation center on Wednesday, November 18 at Marikina Sports Center. Marikina City is one of the areas badly hit by Typhoon Ulysses. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
cause of the flooding caused by a strong #typhoon,” he wrote. “I express my solidarity to the poorest families and those who are doing all they can to help them,” he added. According to CBCP News, the Pope’s statement came after he had a private audience with Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle at the Vatican. Tagle is the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization
of Peoples as well as the president of Caritas Internationalis. Earlier, Caritas Philippines launched a global appeal to aid typhoon victims. It also urged the government to seek international aid. “The nation is in quandary,” said Fr. Antonio Labiao, executive director of Caritas Philippines. “It is clear that we cannot do this alone,” he added. n
expressed by several business groups. Visas under EO 226 are given to executives of regional or area headquarters of multinational companies, as well as their spouses and unmarried children below 21 years of age. These visas are also valid for three years. The SIRV program was launched by the government to attract foreign investments to the country. It also requires investors to invest capital in “viable” eco-
nomic activities. Under the program, the spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age of the SIRV holder are allowed to secure an SIRV as dependents. However, Morente said that SIRVs issued under Executive Order No. 63 for tourist-related projects and tourist establishments are still restricted. “Only those issued under EO 226 may be allowed for now, following the IATF ruling,” he added. n
Will communities hardest hit get... PAGE A3 t month by the FDA, and dexamethasone, a steroid that helps control the inflammatory response during the second half of the infection. Monoclonal antibodies also received emergency use authorization Nov. 9, but Schaffner said the intravenous treatment poses a challenge as to who should get those and at what stage of the infection. All four physicians agreed that a coordinated effort by the incom-
Mayor Breed celebrates groundbreaking of new permanent supportive housing in Mission Bay The development will provide wraparound supportive services and stable housing for 140 adults exiting homelessness
PH Bureau of Immigration clarifies...
PAGE A1 t ter-Agency Task Force (IATF) will still be restricted,” he stressed. The IATF on October 22 allowed the entry of foreign nationals with visas issued under EO 226 starting Nov. 1. Their entry, however, is subject to conditions, such as having a valid visa and a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility. Morente said the BI sought clarification from the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) on whether SIRV holders can enter the country, following questions
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ing administration — as opposed to the current patchwork quilt of efforts — would help the U.S. get the pandemic under control. Jha said he was astounded that some states have closed their schools but opened their casinos. He noted that the Presidentelect has no formal powers yet, but can use his soft powers to go out to red states and let people know why wearing a mask is effective. Nguyen said the Biden Administration must impose a national mandatory mask mandate. “If
we all had worn masks in the last seven months, we would have 100,000 less deaths,” he stated. “We do not have a silver bullet,” said Shah. “Testing alone won’t work. Contact tracing alone won’t work. Physical distancing alone won’t work. Wearing masks alone won’t work.” “But all of these together will collectively bring us to where we need to be, so that we actually see cases go down,” he said. (By Sunita Sohrabji / EMS Contributing Editor)
SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor London N. Breed on Tuesday, November 17 announced the groundbreaking of a new housing complex at Mission Bay Block 9 (Block 9), a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) development in the heart of Mission Bay. Once complete in late 2021, the building will add 140 homes to San Francisco’s PSH portfolio, as well as a community garden open to residents and members of the larger Mission Bay community. “As San Francisco recovers from COVID-19, it is critical that we create and acquire new Permanent Supportive Housing so we have stable, secure homes for people in need,” said Mayor Breed. “That’s why we created our Homelessness Recovery Plan and why we funded projects like Block 9, which not only create new homes for formerly homeless residents, but also creates new construction jobs to help get our economy back on track.” The development advances the City’s strategy for economic recovery, which is centered in stimulating new job creation and investing in infrastructure that ensures San Francisco’s post-COVID-19 economy emerges more equitable and resilient than before. Pursuing the development of 140 units of new affordable housing for San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents makes progress on several recommendations made by the Economic Recovery Task Force and illustrates the City’s efforts to retain and support its residents. Block 9 is part of Mayor Breed’s Homelessness Recovery Plan, which will expand capacity in the City’s Homelessness Response System and make 6,000 placements available for people experiencing homelessness over the next two years. Block 9 is located within the Mission Bay South Redevelopment Project Area under the jurisdiction of the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII), the former
San Francisco Redevelopment Agency. The site has been designated as an “Agency Affordable Housing Parcel” and is part of the OCII’s efforts to revitalize underutilized land. “This housing project is not only going to give 140 people formerly experiencing homelessness a safe and stable place to call home, it’s also going to enrich our Mission Bay community,” said Supervisor Matt Haney. “Mission Bay is a wonderful place to build a community that is for everyone in our city.” The Mission Bay Project Area has seen many uses in its past, from warehouses and industrial facilities to the former Southern Pacific Railyard. Today it is one of San Francisco’s newest mixed-use, transit-oriented developments, and upon completion will have approximately 6,500 housing units, of which 1,900 are affordable. The Mission Bay project is anticipated to wrap up over the next five to ten years and result in the construction of more than $700 million of new infrastructure, over $8 billion in private vertical development, and the creation of more than 30,000 permanent jobs. “We know that housing is the solution to homelessness,” said Abigail Stewart-Kahn, Interim Director, San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. “Permanent Supportive Housing is a critical component of the Mayor’s Homelessness Recovery Plan and the key to eradicating chronic homelessness in our community.” “OCII strives to create inclusive neighborhoods that provide opportunities for individuals and families of all backgrounds and income levels,” said Nadia Sesay, Executive Director, OCII. “Block 9 is an important addition to the diverse and growing Mission Bay community. In addition to providing urgently-needed homes and supportive services, the project has been beautifully designed to facilitate connections among residents
and neighbors. OCII looks forward to welcoming residents to Block 9 next year.” Block 9 is a collaborative partnership between OCII, the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH), BRIDGE Housing, Community Housing Partnership (CHP), and HealthRight 360. The development is employing factory-built housing unit construction in an effort to expedite the delivery of housing for formerly homeless individuals, and one of several City sponsored projects that is part of a factory-built housing pilot program. “Community Housing Partnership is proud to be a partner with the City and BRIDGE Housing to create 140 permanent homes for people who have been experiencing homelessness,” said Rick Aubry, CEO of Community Housing Partnership. “By providing a stable place to live coupled with high quality supportive services, we can help people rebuild their lives, become self-sufficient and break the cycle of homelessness.” “Right now, it’s more important than ever for our most vulnerable neighbors to have a stable, affordable place to live,” said Cynthia Parker, President and CEO of BRIDGE Housing. “We’re excited to see the building rise quickly with modular construction, and we’re proud to partner on these new apartments that will end homelessness for many San Franciscans.” Major financing for Block 9 was provided by a $37.2 million investment from OCII that enabled the $86.7 million project to move forward, as well as a state and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity and a loan from the Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing program. The units will be supported through a City-funded Local Operating Subsidy Program contract and homeless applicants will be referred to the development through the HSH Coordinated Entry System. n (SF Mayor’s Office Release)
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Duterte labels Robredo a ‘liar’ for With two detained for anti-terror charge, questioning typhoon absence petitioners press SC to stop implementation of law by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, November 17, lambasted Vice President Leni Robredo for supposedly questioning his absence during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, calling her “dishonest.” “I would like to just give a caution to the vice president. She made a blunder, a big one, and she practically lied, making her incapable of truth,” he said in a prerecorded speech. “Alam mo, yung pakana niya na wala ako sa bagyo, I was here. I was attending a summit, ASEAN Summit ‘yun, so virtual lang, palit palit kami. We were talking electronic. Nandito ako noon. Kasagsagan ng bagyo, dumaan diyan sa labas, nag-uusap kami dito (You know, her scheme that I was missing during the typhoon, I was here. I was attending a summit, the ASEAN Summit, so it’s virtual only, we were switching. We were talking electronic. I was here. While the typhoon was raging, I was attending the summit),” he added. Last week, the hashtag #NasaanAngPangulo trended online after netizens questioned Duterte’s lack of presence while Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) ravaged the country. Duterte appeared to claim Robredo started the hashtag, accusing her of pretending not to know he was attending the ASEAN Summit. “There was no need for you to make a very masamang biro na (a bad joke about) where were you?… ‘Wag ka masyadong porma, porma, hindi mo pa panahon (Don’t show off, it’s not your time). Not the time to be making grandstanding,” he said. “I would tell the Filipino people right now that you are a dishonest person. You knew there was a summit conference. You knew we were working,” he continued. Duterte said Robredo merely made phone calls during the typhoon, and accused her of acting like the Armed Forces of the Philippines took action after her call. He also criticized Robredo’s decision-making skills, saying she
by KRistine Joy
Philstar.com
Vice President Leni Robredo visits the province of Catanduanes as her office continues its relief efforts for areas affected by typhoon in the Bicol Region. Photo from the Office of the Vice President
cannot become president because she is weak. “Do not compete with me and do not start a quarrel with me kasi ikaw wala ka talagang nagawa except ‘yang mga tawag-tawag. Tatawag ka kunwari o nasaan na ‘yung mga helicopter, nalipad na ba? (because you didn’t do anything except make calls. You would call and ask, ‘Did the helicopters take off yet?’). Of course, they would say yes. Your question would suggest the answer,” he said. “Hindi na kailangan akong mag-order at mag-order ka pa on the day (There was no need for me to make orders or for you to make an order on the day), God… You were presuming that I should be giving orders on the day of the storm. That is stupid. That is why you cannot become a president really. Mahina ka eh. Wala ka nang ibigay order kasi ang order naibigay na two or three days (You’re weak. You didn’t have to give any order because I gave it two or three days before). You do not give orders on the day of the war,” he added. Robredo debunks Duterte’s claims Robredo, for her part, took to Twitter to refute Duterte’s claims against her, uploading a video of the Office of the Vice President staff repacking relief goods for typhoon victims. “When a President is a misogynist, the conversation goes down to this level. Eto po ‘yung ginagawa namin gabi gabi, nagpupuyat ilang linggo na para, araw-araw,
may madala lang na tulong sa mga nangangailangan (This is what we do every night. We’ve been losing sleep every night so that every day we can bring help to those in need),” she said. She also said she never started nor participated in the #NasaanAngPangulo hashtag online. She likewise never questioned Duterte’s whereabouts during the typhoon in her media interviews. “I just called out Sec. [Salvador] Panelo for peddling fake news. I am also calling out whoever peddled the fake news to the President. I never said, ‘Where is the President?’. You can review all my tweets,” Robredo said. Earlier, Panelo accused Robredo of using a government plane when she visited typhoon-hit Catanduanes over the weekend to make it look like the relief goods were provided by her. Later, he and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana apologized to Robredo’s camp after verifying that only relief goods from Robredo’s office were brought to Catanduanes at the time. Robredo also clarified that she was not ordering the military like Duterte was accusing. “Iyong sinasabing ino-orderan ko iyong mga military, mali din iyon. Tayo, lahat ng distress calls na natatanggap natin ay pinapasa natin to whoever was on the ground and iyong AFP was part of that. At hindi lang AFP, pati PNP (Philippine National Police), pati officials (It was wrong to claim I was ordering the military. When u PAGE A7
Patag
MANILA — With two people now detained over the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, activist group Bayan and more than 40 others on Wednesday, November 18 urged the Supreme Court to nullify the law and stop the government from implementing it. In a Compliance and Manifestation electronically filed on Wednesday, BAYAN, through the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, informed the SC of the first publicly known case that involves a direct injury on the assailed law. They again reiterated their plea to the SC to issue a temporary halt order against the implementation of the law as it has “all become even more urgent and imperative.” The NUPL’s manifestation cited the case against Jasper Gurung and Junior Ramos who are facing violation of Section 4 of the Republic Act 11479 or the AntiTerrorism Act of 2020 before the Olongapo court. The said section defines terrorism and is being assailed before the SC for being vague and overbroad. The case against Gurung and Ramos stemmed from an incident that happened on August 21, weeks before the Department of Justice issued its Implementing Rules and Regulation, in San Marcelino, Zambales. Five people, including two minors, were evacuating due to “intense military operations and continued bombings in their ancestral land” when they were accosted by Philippine Army members, the NUPL said. The petitioners claimed the army planted on them firearms
and explosives and falsely accused them of being members of the New Peoples’ Army. The SC has only so far set preliminary conference on the 37 pending legal challenges against the law on November 26, which would be almost five months since the first petition was filed. The court has also yet to resolve the petitioners’ prayer for immediate relief such as the issuance of a status quo ante or temporary restraining order to prohibit the government from implementing the law. Two arrested, arraigned on non-bailable charge Two of those arrested, Gurung and Ramos, are now facing charges before the Olongapo court. NUPL president Edre Olalia said they are currently detained as they are facing non-bailable charge. The Information or charge sheet penned by Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Ritchi John Distor Bolañi said that the two accused were “conspiring, confederating and cooperating with each other” and engaged in acts “intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person or endangers a [person’s] life, by firing and shooting at members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.” It added that the two accused fatally wounded and caused the death of Sgt. Rudil Dilao, “thereby causing intimidation to the general public , spreading a message of fear and seriously undermining public safety, to damahe and prejudice the heirs of [Dilao].” Olalia said the Gurung and Ramos, represented by NUPL-Central Luzon, are set to attend a pretrial hearing on Thursday. “The available facts and circumstances
This undated photo shows protesters assailing the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. Philstar.com photo by Boy Santos
we received so far from our colleagues in NUPL-CL indicate that the charges were a way of reprisal against unarmed civilians (indigenous people) for a death of a soldier in an alleged encounter with the NPAs in the area,” he said. “So it proves that almost anything can be contorted to fit the broad and vague definition of terrorism under the ATA,” Olalia added. Continuous red-tagging Bayan, through NUPL, also said threats of impending prosecution, proscription and surveillance heightened since they last filed their manifestation urging the SC to issue a preliminary injunction to stop the government from enforcing the law. They cited media interviews of Lt. Gen Antonio Parlade, spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), who said former lawmaker Neri Colmenares, also a petitioner, and members of the Makabayan bloc at the House are under surveillance. “Asked again what evidence they have against Atty. Colmenares, Parlade failed to cite any proof and just continued to engage in unsubstantiated and groundless red-tagging,” they said. The red-tagging also continued during a Senate hearing held on November 3 with NTF-ELCAC officers and members serving as resource speakers. Personalities and groups initiating relief operations for those affected by the typhoon were also accused of being members of the Communist Party of the Philippines. “These baseless, blatant, and damaging villfication and redtagging by those who are key components of the Anti-Terrorism Council have escalated the petitioners’ well-founded fear that RA 11479 and its unbridled power of designation will be used arbitrarily, without recognition of the principles of due process, presumption of innocence and basic rules of evidence,” the petitioners said. “In view of these incidents, petitioners reiterate their prayers for injunctive reliefs and the nullification of the Anti-Terrorism Act as well as its Implementing Rules and Regulations,” they added. n
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NOVEMBER 20-26, 2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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FeatURes
OPiniOn
No MCC grant
BECAUSE of the immense funding needed for the coronavirus pandemic response, with revenue sources massively reduced amid the economic contraction, the government has had to obtain funds from foreign sources. Officials said that as of Nov. 4, the government had secured a total of $10.1 billion in loans and grants for the COVID response. Obviously, grants that need no repayment should be preferred over loans, no matter how soft the repayment terms. A grant of over $400 million would go a long way in the pandemic response, especially in the procurement of COVID vaccines that several foreign pharmaceutical companies are expected to roll out within a few months. Senators have lamented what they consider to be a small allocation for vaccine procurement in the proposed national budget for 2021. A decade ago, the country qualified for a fiveyear grant of $433.91 million from the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corp. The MCC was established by the U.S. government in 2004 to provide grants to developing countries that demonstrate a commitment to good governance, which places them on the path of solid and sustainable economic growth. Countries need to pass at least 10 of 20 indicators, plus two “hard hurdles” – either the “political rights” or “civil liberties” indicator, and the “control of cor-
ruption.” A Sept. 8 report of the MCC said the Philippines, whose first MCC grant expired in May 2016, was one of 68 countries being considered for the new package. A report this week, however, showed that while the Philippines passed 12 of the 20 indicators, it failed one of the “hard hurdles” – control of corruption – and cannot qualify for the MCC grant. The country also failed in rule of law and freedom of information. Philippine officials said the country would opt instead for funding assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development. USAID has extended P780 million so far for the Philippines’ pandemic response. Still, the MCC aid would have been a significant addition to the pandemic resources. President Duterte has given priority to the cam- cians and magistrates, and an ombudsman who paign against corruption. But there are major has become a champion of opaqueness in governobstacles in his path, among them corrupt politi- ment. The country’s failure to qualify for the MCC
Editorial
More deaths, chaos, economic hardship in America as Trump blocks Biden transition efforts
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS JUST when we thought we experienced the worst, President Donald Trump has outdone himself again in attacking America’s democracy, democratic institutions and processes, and the American people. After losing his desperate bid to be re-elected to a second term, Trump has dug deeper in his bottomless pit of transgressions against America that can lead to even more deaths, chaos, economic and social hardships for the country’s people. Facts and figures: Election results As of November 17, Biden leads in the national popular vote by a 51% to 47% margin, or by 4 percentage points. So far, Biden has earned 78,729,579 votes, compared to Trump’s 73,126,938 votes, with outstanding ballots still being counted in several states, including California and New York. Translate that to electoral votes: 306 Biden, 232 Trump. The metrics that called Trump presidentelect in 2016 are the same ones that declared Joe Biden’s victory this time around, as well as their predecessors. Trump’s ‘alternate facts’ Even before the November 3,
2020 presidential election, Trump has been planting the seed of doubt in the minds of his diehard followers that the only way he would lose his re-election bid is if he was cheated. In fact, this was the same defense he would resort to using in all battles and contests he’d been in as a private citizen, and as a politician. Trump himself said in an interview on Fox and Friends: “I’m not thinking about concession speech or acceptance speech yet,” he told reporters. “Hopefully we’ll be only doing one of those two. And, you know, winning is easy. Losing is never easy. Not for me it’s not.” Despite Trump’s efforts to disenfranchise voters during the pandemic, the American people turned out in historic numbers to cast their votes, both Democrats and Republicans, as well as Independents and those with no party affiliations. Most Democrats chose to mail in their ballots in compliance with public health safety measures to protect themselves from COVID-19 versus most Republicans who followed Trump’s command NOT to mail in their votes but to go to polling stations on election day. The verdict: a rebuke of Trump’s failure of leadership as the 45th president of the United States. He
governed to be re-elected more than to fulfill the oath he took to defend and protect the Constitution and the American people. After four chaotic years, with the coronavirus pandemic testing and revealing his true color, a majority of the American people fired him. Instead of respecting the will of the American people, Trump refuses to concede and has doubled down on pushing the conspiracy theory that he was cheated. He is still demanding a recount and is even trashing the sacred votes of people, calling them “illegal votes” except those ballots that voted for him and the Republicans. Trump and his minions filed at least 16 lawsuits only for the judges to rule that there is no sufficient evidence to prove his allegations of widespread election fraud. Even his own lawyers pulled out of the case to admit there was no fraud. The President vowed to take this battle all the way to the Supreme Court where he rushed to confirm his nominee less than a month before the election to tilt the balance of power to his favor. I believe the judges, the Republican and Democratic election officials, state secretaries, governors and lieutenant governors, Republican, Democrat and international poll watchers and observers who
One country, two presidents Commentary
ENRIQUE
Philstar.com photo
grant in this public health crisis should add to the government’s resolve to fight corruption. (Philstar. com)
DE LA CRUZ
THE Philippines once had two presidents but only for a few days. On Tuesday, February 25, 1986, Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino held dueling presidential inauguration ceremonies, each being sworn in as President of the Philippines. Each claiming to be duly elected by the people in “snap elections” held a few weeks before. With Trump’s refusal to concede, could the 2020 presidential election lead to a similar scenario? When major media organizations called the U.S. presidential elections for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, jubilation over their victory led to celebrations in the streets, complete with someone spraying the crowd with champagne, and others crying with joy. Trump is still to concede as of this writing, claiming that he had prevailed by a large margin of votes. It is over a week now since media organizations predicted the Biden/Harris victory. Official results, have yet to be certified (as expected) as every
ballot cast has to be duly counted, with election workers in every state and county working feverishly to meet deadlines. During the February 1986 Philippine elections, the counting became fraught with allegations and counter allegations of fraud, with the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC), a government but Marcos controlled entity, and a non-partisan, election poll watcher, NAMFREL coming up with different tallies. COMELEC had Marcos ahead in the count, while NAMFREL’s favored Aquino. The conflicting tallies came to a head when 35 COMELEC computer technicians staged a walkout alleging that the figures they were posting did not correspond to the tallies that were getting posted. This protest pretty much sealed the faith of Marcos as the election loser. NAMFREL’s numbers became the accepted figures for election results. And the specter of widespread social unrest became a reality. The dueling inaugurations were only a front, as the U.S. worked behind the scenes to diffuse the situation. Folks will recall that this was during the Cold War era; the Philippines was a client state of the U.S. Marcos was dependent on assistance, especially military assistance, to maintain himself
in power. All he had to do, really, in order to maintain himself in power, was to demonstrate, as a fig leaf, some adherence to democratic processes, such as holding periodic “demonstration elections”to insure continued U.S. Support. (Demonstration elections was the term that the progressive community applied to elections held by dictators in U.S. Client states.) In the fall of 1985, during an interview with Nightline’s host, Ted Koppel, Koppel observed that Marcos appeared to be losing public support. Marcos denied this, and with much bravado, asserted, “If you want, I will hold elections to prove this.” This set in motion an unscheduled presidential election in the Philippines, thus the term “snap elections.” No other offices were at stake, only the presidency (and vice presidency). As the cliche goes, the rest is history. U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, a Republican from Indiana, went to the Philippines to observe the elections. Upon his return he convinced President Ronald Reagan, a fellow Republican, that Marcos claims about winning were without merit, but Marcos’ intransigence in the face of election results might well plunge the Philippines, into chaos, and open the way for an ascendant communist insurgency to take over.
publicly say there is no evidence of massive election fraud. I believe the Republican, Democrat independent, no-party affiliation American people who overwhelmingly cast their sacred vote, whether in person or by mail during this pandemic, to make our voices heard and our will be known. Enough! We move forward, build back better But it is beyond Trump to even accept nor respect this. Instead, he claimed he won on Election Day and after Biden was called President-Elect on November 7. Trump asked his die-hard supporters to protest in the streets despite the threat of COVID-19 to “stop counting the votes” (mail in ballots) on November 3, and when Biden was pulling ahead to count all the votes their votes he claimed were being “stolen”. Then, Trump demanded monetary contributions toward his election defense. As the fine print says, the money will go to any of his campaign debts. The WORST part of it all is his order to his administration NOT to acknowledge Biden as the president-elect, and to block efforts toward a peaceful and orderly transfer of power pursuant to the rule of law. The President Transition Act of 1963
The “President Transition Act of 1963” was enacted “to promote the orderly transfer of the executive power in connection with the expiration of the term of office of a President and the inauguration of a new President. The national interest requires that such transitions in the office of President be accomplished so as to assure continuity in the faithful execution of the laws and in the conduct of the affairs of the Federal Government, both domestic and foreign. Any disruption occasioned by the transfer of the executive power could produce results detrimental to the safety and well-being of the United States and its people. Accordingly, it is the intent of the Congress that appropriate actions be authorized and taken to avoid or minimize any disruption. This law was violated by Trump because he could not accept that he lost. Therefore, he has been denying the Biden transition team with information, intelligence briefing and the resources that had been accorded by all other outgoing presidents to their successors. Country before party. The American people before selfish political interests. This is something Trump cannot comprehend nor commit to. President-Elect Joe Biden
spoke to the American people on Monday, saying there will be “dire consequences if President Donald Trump and his administration continue to refuse to coordinate with his transition team on the coronavirus pandemic and block briefings on national security, policy issues and vaccine plans.” “More people may die if we don’t coordinate,” Biden told reporters during a news conference in Wilmington, Delaware, as reported by the Associated Press. “Biden and his aides — and a small but growing group of Republicans — have emphasized the importance of being briefed on White House efforts to control the pandemic and distribute prospective vaccines. The Trump administration is working on its own distribution plan, while Biden’s chief of staff indicated his transition team will proceed with their own planning separately because of the obstruction,” the AP said. “We’re going into a very dark winter,” Biden said. “Things are going to get much tougher before they get easier.” As the United States struggles with the record-breaking number of coronavirus cases, hospitalization rate and death toll, Presidentelect Biden has already been hard
The alternative, to abide by the election results and transfer power to Corazon Aquino, would be much more desirable. This led President Reagan to offer Marcos safe passage out of the Philippines and safe haven in Hawaii. Lore has it that Senator Lugar, after delivering the details of President Ronald Reagan’s offer said with finality, “it’s time to leave, Mr. President.” A couple of days later, under cover of darkness, Marcos abandoned Malacañang, the official residence of Philippine presidents. When news spread that Marcos had left, jubilation spilled out into the streets of the capitol region with Filipinos shouting, “We are free! We are free!” I would be remiss if I failed to recognize the role that Filipinos played in this “relatively” peaceful and “bloodless” (there were injuries but no lives lost) transition into a Corazon Aquino-led government. The threat of a bloodbath was very real as parts of the military headed by General Fidel Ramos, and Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile staged a military revolt, taking control of Camp Crame, and called upon other members of the armed forces to join them. A bloody confrontation between forces led by Ramos/Enrile and Marcos loyalists was averted by civilians literally flooding access points to Camp Crame, especially EDSA, the beltway boulevard that bordered Manila. Barricades and ci-
vilian bodies were literally thrown into the paths of tanks and troop carriers to prevent Marcos loyalist forces from reaching the military rebels. It is really this outpouring of civilian support for the military revolt led by Ramos and Enrile and that morally undermined any Marcos claims of legitimacy and hastened defections. This revolt is known today as the EDSA/People Power revolution. Marcos might have suffered a more ignominious faith, had the U.S. not intervened to pluck him out of the Philippines. Republicans (Lugar and Reagan) then affirmed the people’s vote in the Philippines for Aquino. In the current U.S. election, they have become conspicuously silent, despite uncontroverted vote counts heavily favoring Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, raising probabilities of a post-election scenario of one country, two presidents for the U.S.A. American democracy, depends as much on law, as on tradition. The law decrees that every president must stand for election every four years, and can serve no more than eight years, or two terms. Tradition dictates to insure a smooth transfer of power that the losing candidate concede the elections, as soon as it becomes fairly clear, that he cannot win the majority of electoral college votes. This same tradition also dictates that the outgoing president provide as much assistance
and resources to the incoming president to insure a minimum of disruption on the affairs of the state and the federal government. Policy and security briefs must be prepared. Security codes must be transferred, and security clearances must be obtained in preparation for these transfers. Clearly, an outgoing president’s concession of the election is pivotal to all these. Though not legally required, it eases and smoothens the transfer of power, and tells his supporters to abide by the election results, as he is. There is an unwritten social contract to elections, by the way, which is that by participating in the election process, we all agree to abide by the results, everything else being equal. Compliance with this unwritten contract to abide by the election results is the basis for smooth transfers of power in any democracy. Losing candidates and their supporters who renege from this contract endanger the democratic transfer of power and the processes that presuppose it. The result could very well be violence, civil unrest, a military coup, or civil war. While I am normally be skeptical about predictions of civil unrest and violence from this election, I cannot make light of them in light of Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. He has stoked fear, and repeatedly made baseless claims about election irregulari-
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Duterte labels Robredo a ‘liar’ for...
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we receive distress calls, we pass them on to whoever was on the ground and the AFP was part of that. And it’s not just the AFP, but the PNP and other officials as well),” she said. According to Robredo, she has no intentions of competing with Duterte. She said she was only doing her job when she responded to the calls of typhoon victims in need of assistance. “Sa panahon ng matinding sakuna, dapat lahat na tulong, welcome. Hindi ito contest. Hindi tayo nag-uunahan. Lahat tayo dapat nagtutulong tulong para sa
ating mga kababayan (In a time of worse calamity, everyone who offers help should be welcome. This is not a contest. We are not racing against each other. Everyone should help each other for our countrymen),” she said. “There is no space for our ego when lives are at stake,” she added. Robredo’s legal counsel and spokesperson, Atty. Barry Gutierrez, for his part, pointed out that some officials are using the calamity for politicking. “VP Leni has been working non-stop for over a week to bring aid and support to our fellow Fili-
Dateline PhiliPPines
pinos who have been hardest hit by the typhoons and the flooding. She has done so without fanfare, and with no concern for politics,” he said in a separate statement. “It is unfortunate that a number of administration officials, and now even the president himself, are seemingly determined to make this national calamity yet another excuse to engage in another nasty round of politics as usual. The VP will not be dragged down to their level – there is just too much work that still needs to be done, and too many people that can still be helped,” he added. n
One country, two presidents
PAGE A6 ties. His othering of women, LGBTQ+ folks, and persons of color has encouraged a siege mentality among his followers. During the RNC, he has warned that “Joe Biden and the radical left are also now coming for our freedom of speech, and want to bully us into submission.” Other convention speakers declared that “They (Democrats and Sanders) want to destroy this country.” Trump has stoked violence and insurrection;
his irresponsible tweet, “Liberate Michigan,” may have encouraged a self-styled militia group to plot the kidnapping of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Fortunately, the plot was foiled. American democracy is at an inflection point. President Trump can choose to abide by tradition and graciously concede in light of uncontroverted election results, or he can be intransigent. I call on him to do the noble thing, as President Reagan did when it
came to the Philippine election results: Comply with the choice of the people. It’s time to leave, Mr. Trump. *** 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. ••• Enrique de la Cruz is Professor Emeritus of Asian American Studies at Cal State University, Northridge.
More deaths, chaos, economic hardship... PAGE A6 at work “in the days after he was projected to be the winner of the presidential election.” All the while, Trump has been busy golfing, tweeting against his political opponents, spreading conspiracy theories that denigrate and invalidate the integrity of the election and the will of the American people to rile up his base and attempt to delegitimize Biden’s win. Biden has already announced his transition teams, including the “COVID-19 advisory board comprised of doctors and scientists, which will create a blueprint for tackling the pandemic once his administration is in office,” CBS News reported. “But Mr. Biden said his team needs access to the Trump administration’s plans for distributing a coronavirus vaccine, which he called a ‘huge undertaking,’ in order to be fully prepared to address the pandemic once in office,” CBS News added. “If we have to wait until January 20 to start that planning, it puts us behind over a month, month and
a half,” Biden said. “So it’s important there be coordination now, now or as rapidly as we can get that done.” Biden emphasized that economic recovery “starts with a real strategy to deal with the pandemic. We can’t solve the jobs crisis until we solve the public health crisis.” True patriotism and love for the country In an interview on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” former President Barack Obama said, “When your time is up, it is your job to put the country first and think beyond your own ego, and your own interests.” This was how Trump’s predecessors showed their true love and patriotism and loyalty to the country. “My advice to President Trump is, if you want at this late stage in the game to be remembered as somebody who put country first, it’s time for you to do the same thing,” the 44th president said. But Obama also directed the call for accountability to the Republican Party that enables Trump and is complicit to his assault against our democracy.
“There has been this sense over the last several years that literally anything goes and is justified in order to get power…There are strong men and dictators around the world who think that, ‘I can do anything to stay in power. I can kill people. I can throw them in jail. I can run phony elections. I can suppress journalists.’ But that’s not who we’re supposed to be,” Obama said. And who are we supposed to be? What are we doing, “We the People”, to protect and fight for our democracy? *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@ icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.
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How to celebrate Thanksgiving under the new normal by
THANKSGIVING is on Thursday, November 26 this year, and families are gearing up for their grocery runs and are planning their menus. While the holiday is known for traveling to see loved ones, gathering with relatives and friends around the table, and passing large plates of food, the traditional ways of celebrating are not advised as coronavirus cases continue to spike across the country. For nearly the past year, holidays and special occasions — from Easter to birthdays — have had to adapt under this socially distanced time by going virtual or moving outdoors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its holiday guidelines, which include avoiding potluck-style gatherings; not convening in crowded, indoor spaces with individuals not part of your household; and avoiding singing or shouting, especially indoors. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued travel advisories urging residents to stay local and to limit mingling with others outside of their immediate household. Those who come from out of state or another country are advised to self-quarantine for 14 days. In the Golden State, large gatherings are still prohibited and must follow requirements such as: no more than three households and should be limited to two hours or less; outdoor gatherings in counties in the restrictive purple tier; higher-risk individuals (e.g. older adults and those with chronic medical conditions) are strongly urged not to attend; and limiting removal of face coverings to only when eating and drinking and maintaining 6 feet apart from others. Despite the restrictions, there are creative ways to still mark this season of gratitude. Keep the Thanksgiving meal attendees limited Though Filipinos generally enjoy any reason to gather in numbers, the pandemic is forcing families to make the tough decision of who can attend their respective feasts on Thanksgiving Day. For Jennifer Estacio, who runs
AJPress
Leche Flan Recipe courtesy of “The Easy Filipino Cookbook: 100 Classics Made Simple” by Roline Casper (Rockridge Press, 2020)
As large gatherings and travel are not advised for this year’s Thanksgiving, many families will be connecting with relatives and friends through technology. AJPress Illustration by Jillian Penalosa
the online Flip Family community, the Thanksgiving feast will begin earlier this year with intimate gatherings with both sides of the family. “Since some of our families want to travel safely we will celebrate with one side a little earlier than Thanksgiving and have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner,” she said. “Then the other side of the family we will celebrate on Thanksgiving. We get to have all our favorite Thanksgiving dishes twice and not overeat on Thanksgiving Day!” Roline Casper, a chef and restaurant owner in Vacaville, California, starts Thanksgiving morning fulfilling orders for customers, but closes early so she and her staff can spend time with their families. “As Filipino Americans, we have a few friends and family over for Thanksgiving because we enjoy sharing food with others and enjoy their company. We always make sure to pray and give
thanks before we eat. However, this year will be just my immediate family due to the current pandemic,” Casper said. Divide cooking tasks among family members Pacing out the cooking process and having family members contribute side dishes can help mitigate any stress on a day that is meant to be joyous. For Val Fishbain, co-founder and president of Spread The Love, this year’s Thanksgiving dinner will be intimate with her family along with her sister’s family and their mother. Their feast will have a duck at the center instead of turkey, while her husband contributes a cauliflower mash, mom makes pancit and lumpia, and sister and brother-in-law bring over a potato salad and roasted beets. At Casper’s house, the Thanksgiving feast will feature traditional dishes with Filipino ingredients and flavors: an oven roasted turkey with tamarind leaves, calamansi and other herbs/spices;
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apple-persimmon stuffing; pochero, baked ube with cinnamon, cloves, and walnuts; and roasted whole kalabasa with coconut ginger cream. For dessert, they’ll have leche flan and baked spiced apples with homemade maple ice cream. Host a virtual party Though social distancing is the norm, that doesn’t mean connecting with one another is lost. For the holiday, Zoom announced that it will lift its 40-minute time limit on meetings so “your family gatherings don’t get cut short.” Families that can’t be together in person can use technology to swap recipes and cook together, enjoy the feast together virtually, or play interactive games. Estacio’s Flipp Family has introduced various Filipino food and culturerelated crafts and activity books that can be enjoyed by all ages. Order from a local Fil-Am business Though preparing a feast complete with the turkey as the star of the table is a traditional part of the holiday, families who don’t want to spend the day in the kitchen can choose to support a local Fil-Am restaurant offering meal packages. In Northern California, several chefs and businesses have special family-style entrees and desserts to-go: Seafood City Market’s Grill City has several party kits complete with a meat option like cebuchon and a tray of pancit and leche flan; Fob Kitchen has lumpia trays that feed between 10-25; pop-up Pinoy Heritage has a kamayan dinner kit ($50/person) featuring lechon turkey leg roulade, sisig stuffing, seafood ginataan and cassava cake; and Oaklandbased Sweet Condesa Pastries is selling turon, halo halo, ube and calamansi pies. Share what you’re grateful for At the heart of the holiday is going around the table to share what you’re grateful for. Despite the ongoing pandemic and a host of challenges that 2020 has presented, families take this moment to express gratitude. For Fishbain, this year has been about living simply and shifting focus on important things like family time. ”So very grateful for the pandemic forcing us to stay in, live within our simple means and pay attention to really important things in life such as love and family. The pandemic also forced us to look out-of-the-box when it comes to learning options for our kids. We took them out of their elementary school to be in a homeschool learning pod (six neighborhood kids) that we created ourselves. Now they are thriving and learning so much from a credentialed teacher without having to do distance learning on the computer. I trust that we’ll figure things out again when it’s time for them to go back to school,” she said. Casper’s restaurant, Roline’s Uniquely Filipino, has weathered COVID-19 restrictions and the Vacaville fires in recent months. “I am grateful for my family and team members for being safe and healthy, customers are supporting us and keeping our restaurant open, and at the same time, we were able to donate and give back to our community. My cookbook came out in March at the height of COVID-19 and was a #1 new release on Amazon. No matter how challenging the circumstances present themselves to be, I am thankful each day to have the strength to move forward and be resilient,” she said.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour Serves: 6 Did you know that delicious, creamy caramel is a snap to make? It’s simply just water and sugar. In addition to being a great topping for a wide variety of desserts, it also serves as the primary flavor profile of this family-favorite dessert. Flan originated in Spain but once it made its way to the Philippines, it became an instant crowd-pleaser and a staple at celebrations. Eggs, milk, and sugar make up the creamy custard, and it’s topped with a caramel coating that comes together in minutes — you only need five ingredients! For the caramel 1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water For the leche flan 12 large egg yolks, 1 (14ounce) can condensed milk, 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk, 1 cup sugar To make the caramel 1. Take out 6 (6-ounce) ramekins. 2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium heat and let it melt. You can swirl the pan to move it around, but do not stir. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
3. While hot, pour the caramel into ramekin molds, making sure the bottoms are covered. Set aside. To make the leche flan 1. Preheat the oven to 450F. 2. In a bowl, combine the egg yolks, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and sugar. 3. Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the batter into a bowl. 4. Scoop 1/2 cup of batter into each caramel-lined ramekin and cover each with a square of aluminum foil. 5. Place the ramekins into a baking pan with a high rim and fill water to reach halfway up the side of the ramekins. 6. Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the flan comes out clean. Take the pan out of the oven. Remove ramekins from the water and let them cool for 5 minutes. 7. With a knife, cut around the edge of each ramekin. Then invert the ramekin onto a dessert plate to release flan. Serve cold or warm. Variation tip: Try adding 1 tablespoon of calamansi or lime zest to the batter after you strain it in Step 3 for a citrus twist.
Pochero Beef (Pocherong Baka)
Recipe courtesy of “The Easy Filipino Cookbook: 100 Classics Made Simple” by Roline Casper (Rockridge Press, 2020) Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes Serves: 4 to 6 Pochero Beef was one of my favorite foods growing up, and I have since cooked it many times for my family. The recipe can also be made using beef, chicken, pork, or a combination of meats like in this chorizo-and-beef version. Serve this dish with rice for a complete meal. Ingredients 5 tablespoons canola oil 1 chorizo sausage, cut into 1/4-inch rounds 2 tomatoes, finely chopped 1 cup finely chopped onion 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes 1 bay leaf 1 sweet potato, cut into 2-inch cubes 1 carrot, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces 4 saba bananas or 2 plantains, peeled and halved 1 small cabbage, cut into 8 wedges 2 cups tomato sauce 1/2 cup cooked chickpeas 1 tablespoon sugar (option) Salt and freshly ground black pepper Directions 1. In a wok or large sauté pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat and sauté the
chorizo, tomatoes, onion, and garlic for about 1 minute. 2. Add the beef and stir until well coated. Cover with cold water by several inches. Add the bay leaf and bring the stew to a boil over high heat. 3. Once the liquid reaches a boil, turn the heat to a medium-low and simmer for 1 hour. Skim the foam off the surface as it cooks. 4. When the beef is tender, add the sweet potato and carrot and simmer for 5 minutes, until tender. 5. Add the bananas and cook for about 5 minutes, until the fruit is soft. 6. Add the cabbage, tomato sauce, and chickpeas, and let it simmer until the liquid has reduced to the consistency of a thin stew, about 10 minutes. 7. Add the sugar, if using, and season with salt and pepper before serving. Substitution tip: Use 1 (12ounce) can of pork and beans instead of the tomato sauce. Cooking tip: In an electric pressure cooker, use the sauté function to complete step 1. Cover the beef in water as instructed, seal, and cook at high pressure for 25 minutes. Quick release the pressure and continue with the recipe using the sauté function to simmer the sweet potatoes, carrots, banana, cabbage, tomato sauce, and chickpeas.
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Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ IN a previous article, I wrote on how Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election, and has proposed sweeping changes and reforms to our immigration laws and policies, including possible amnesty for Dreamers and/or the approximate 11 million other undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Although these changes and reforms are not yet in effect, people could already start preparing for these immigration changes by gathering vital documents and clarifying their immigration status, situation, and options. If there is an amnesty, there will likely be a surge or rush to apply. That is why I’m suggesting that you already start preparing. The following are some documents I believe would be necessary to gather. I based this on past amnesties, executive actions, and documents required for several other immigration benefits. I want to clarify that
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Preparing for Biden’s proposed immigration reforms this is not an “official” list of required documents, as no immigration reform has yet been implemented. It is simply a guide to give you a head start once such reforms hopefully are implemented: 1. Your current, unexpired passport, and the passport you originally entered the U.S. on. 2. Entry documents, such as your entry visa and I-94. If you entered the U.S. under a different/assumed name, that would still be considered an “entry.” 3. Identity documents, including your birth certificate, state I.D. or driver’s license. If you have U.S. citizen children, their U.S. birth certificates or proof of immigration status. 4. Docs showing your continuous presence in the U.S. from the date you arrived until the present. Previous amnesties required people to demonstrate they were in the U.S. before a certain date, and remained in the U.S. continuously since then. There are lists of the types of documents USCIS would accept to document your continuous presence in the U.S. 5. Documents on your U.S. immigration history, including all petitions filed for you, appli-
cations, other filings, denials, records of any deportation/removal proceedings, etc. It is important to obtain these documents, to determine and evaluate a person’s current immigration status and to determine if any of the reforms or proposals could apply to them. If the person no longer has their records (they threw them out, moved and lost track of them, etc.), there are ways to obtain their complete immigration file from DHS. 6. Documents relating to any criminal matters. Were you ever charged, arrested, tried, or pled guilty to any crime? It’s important to determine what those crimes were and the effect they would have on a person’s immigration status and eligibility. Sometimes, a conviction for a particular crime would make a person ineligible for immigration benefits, even if there are reforms or amnesties. Sometimes it’s possible to go back to state court and have the criminal matter or sentence modified to lessen the immigration consequences. These documents are useful not only in connection with possible future immigration
MORE ANSWERS TO YOUR IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY! Heidi of Waipahu, HI (center) asks if she can take over the petition of her husband, who died last year, so her child can immigrate faster. From Pangasinan in the Philippines, Kai (right) asks about her grandfather’s 2015 petition for her father, even though NVC is only processing cases with 2011 priority dates. They already received a welcome letter in August, and the grandfather has paid for the affidavit of support fee. Should they be paying all other fees as soon as they can? Or should they wait for the priority date to be current? Answers to these questions and more, on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot” this Sunday, November 22 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
Answers to questions about family-based petitions take the spotlight on this Sunday’s ‘Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style’ THIS Sunday, a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy’s “Your Tanong, My Sagot” has leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel answering questions related to family petitions. Heidi of Waipahu, HI sent a letter to Immigration before her husband died last year, so that she can be the one to petition their child. Upon receiving instructions from Immigration, she complied with all of it, but still got denied. Heidi is asking for help so that she can petition their daughter.
reforms and changes, but are important when applying for current immigration benefits as well. At my office, we treat clients as though they were patients about to go into surgery: The surgeon would want to see the patient’s medical history, take x-rays, and run other tests before giving treatment. In the same way, a person should not just blindly file for immigration benefits without first considering their immigration status, history, and eligibility. That’s why a person should already consult with an attorney in preparation for possible reforms (just like a person might go to a doctor for a “checkup” in connection with a possible future surgery). It doesn’t mean you’re going to be “operated on” right now, just like you would not be filing right now. But it is best to already gather appropriate documents and determine eligibility and possible issues/problems in your case in preparation for these reforms. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different, and results may depend on the facts of the particular case.
Kai from Pangasinan, Philippines is inquiring about her grandfather’s F-2B petition for her father with an August 2015 priority date, although NVC is only processing cases with 2011 priority dates. They would like to know if they should start paying all relevant fees since they already got a Welcome Letter last August 2020. Or should they wait for their priority date to become current? Other questions include a student visa holder whose petition for her by her parents just became current in September
The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com
2020, but she also just got engaged to a U.S. citizen. She is now asking which is the better route to take for a green card? A gentleman is asking if his fiancée, who is still married to a Filipino citizen, can get an annulment or divorce in the U.S. so he can legally marry her. These questions and more will be answered on an all-new edition of “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot” this Sunday, November 22 at 6:15 pm PST/ EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and Youtube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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November 20-26, 2020 • NorCAL ASIAN JoUrNAL
Seafood City Supermarket launches ‘My Online Suki’ rewards program, holiday meal packages
celebrity world By Ferdie Villar with someone, according to PEP. ph. This was touched on later by showbiz gossip writer/talent manager Lolit Solis who hinted in an Instagram post that the two developed feelings for each other, especially since they were both locked-in while taping for their teleserye, Walang Hanggang Paalam. And it seems both Angelica and Zanjoe are just laughing off the gossip that there is something special going on between them. Recently, the 34-year-old actress, who considers Zanjoe as one of her closest friends, snapped her co-star who was in his vehicle wearing a cap and a face mask. She posted it on her Instagram with the caption, Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo are laughing off rumors “Sinalubong ako about a budding romance between them. ABS-CBN file photo ng rumored boyACTORS Zanjoe Marudo and Angelica Panganiban recently poked fun at rumors circulating that they are an item. The two are currently shooting a teleserye for ABS-CBN, and has starred together in other projects like Playhouse and One More Try. The rumors started when friends of the actress started teasing her during her online show, Ask Angelica, that she is currently romantically involved
President-elect Joe Biden is shown in photo above with wife, Jill Biden. Joe Biden turns 78 on Friday, November 20.
friend ko [laughing with tears emoji].” Zanjoe, for his part, posted a shot on his Instagram of Angelica and himself in their own respective cars with the caption, “Pa like naman, para may heart sa gitna #rumoredboyfriend.” Angelica has been steadfast in her silence over who may be keeping her heart fluttering these days despite her friends’ constant teasing. She has not even admitted to being involved in a relationship up to now. Zanjoe has been linked to Filipino-Australian model Josie Prendergast, whom he was reported to be in a relationship with in 2018.
ANA resumes Tokyo to Manila service, launches new flight from SFO to Haneda
ALL Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest 5-Star airline for eight consecutive years, resumed its service from Tokyo Narita International Airport to Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in October. This provides a same-day connection for our passengers flying between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Manila via Tokyo Narita. The flights depart from SFO on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11:00 AM and arrive in Manila the next day at 9:55 PM. The return flights from Manila, also on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, leave at 9:30 AM and arrive in SFO at 9:15 am, the same day. Both routes have a same-day two-hour connection at Tokyo Narita, so no PCR test is required. For customers planning their travel, please always check the latest information from embassies,
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consulates, and health institutions in your destination. ANA will also launch a new flight from SFO to Tokyo Haneda Airport, close to downtown Tokyo, from December 1st to January 31st. For those who may have essential travel to Tokyo, departure from SFO to Haneda will operate every Wednesday and Sunday, leaving SFO at 00:20 midnight and arriving Haneda at 4:40 am. There is currently no same-day connection from Tokyo Haneda to Manila but there will be an additional flight option from Manila to SFO
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via Tokyo Haneda. The service will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays, departing Manila from 2:50 pm and arriving SFO at 3:00 pm, the same day. ANA will promote the “ANA Care Promise,” its initiative to provide a clean and hygienic environment at airports and aboard aircraft so that all customers can travel safely and comfortably. For more information, please visit our website: www.fly-ana. com or contact your travel agency.
SEAFOOD City Supermarket and Grill City introduce “My Online Suki,” which offers customers exclusive online frequency rewards and specials through the supermarket’s mobile app. Customers who register online can now enjoy exclusive introductory rewards from Seafood City and Grill City after shopping a number of times. These include a free case of 24 pack SFC bottled water from Seafood City, or free 2 item combo meal from Grill City on a customer’s third time to shop; free 10lbs of Long Life calrose rice from Seafood City, or free 4pcs of BBQ value from Grill City on the sixth time; free 12 pack of Pamana champorado from Seafood City or 1pc crispy pata from Grill City on the ninth time; and free 25lbs of Pamana jasmine rice from Seafood City or 1pc Cebuchon from Grill City on the 12th time. Seafood City has a $60 minimum purchase to count as a frequency transaction, while Grill City has a $20 minimum purchase. Through their online apps, customers can now also pre-order products online to avoid the rush brought by the holiday season. For Seafood City, customers need to select the shop or store they prefer on the app, reserve the date and time of the delivery, and choose whether they want pickup or delivery. With Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, Grill City is encouraging customers to place their orders for party packages and trays in advance to avoid the holiday rush. Through the app or Grill City’s hotline (1-877-446-4969), customers can reserve the date and time of the delivery, and choose whether they want pickup or delivery. The pre-orders have a lead time of 15 days before pick-up or delivery, giving enough time for the stores to meticulously prepare the orders and successfully serve their customers. Grill City has also announced a Holiday Party Package for $109.99 (plus tax) that can feed between six to eight individuals. The options include: the Cebuchon Party Package with a full Cebuchon slab, 2 pieces of Hardinera, half tray of pancit bihon and 2 leche flans; the Crispy Pata Party Package with 3 Crispy Patas, 2 pieces Hardinera, half tray of pancit bihon and 2 leche flans; the Crispy Bagnet Party Package featuring a 4.5 lb bagnet, 2 pieces Hardinera, half tray of pancit bihon and 2
HOUSING
leche flans; or the Barbecue Party Package with 18 pieces of pork or chicken BBQ, 2 pieces Hardinera, half tray of pancit bihon and 2 leche flans. The promo is available at any Grill City U.S. location and should be ordered at least three days before pick-up. Famous for its Filipino-style pork and chicken barbecue, Grill City serves authentic Filipino grilled favorites. It offers delicious grilled choices like inihaw na liempo (grilled pork belly), stuffed squid and fish (tilapia, pompano and bangus). As side dishes, classic Pinoy viands are available like adobo, karekare, sinigang, nilaga, bopiz, kaldereta and menudo. With Grill City, families can enjoy delicious grilled and classic favorites with authentic Pinoy ingredients, without the hassle of cooking and grilling at home. Seafood City Supermarket offers quality and authentic Filipino specialties at the most affordable prices. Launched in 1989, it was the first-ever grocery store that Filipino-Americans could go to, which had led to more stores opening all over California, followed by stores in Nevada, Washington State, Hawaii and Chicago. Seafood City’s locations included iconic Filipino brands like Jollibee, Red Ribbon, Chowking, Philippine National Bank, Atlas Remittance and other brands popular to Filipinos anywhere in the world. (Advertising Supplement)
EMPLOYMENT
^ĞĐƟ ŽŶ ϴ tĂŝƟ ŶŐ >ŝƐƚ KƉĞŶŝŶŐ ^ŚŽƌĞǀŝĞǁ ƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĂĐĐĞƉƟ ŶŐ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ĨŽƌ ŽƵƌ ŽŶĞ͕ ƚǁŽ͕ ƚŚƌĞĞ ĂŶĚ ĨŽƵƌ ďĞĚƌŽŽŵ ^ĞĐƟ ŽŶ ϴ ƌĞŶƚĂů ƵŶŝƚƐ͘ ^ŽŵĞ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞ ŽĐĐƵƉĂŶĐLJ͘ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĂĐĐĞƉƚĞĚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ŽƵƌ online portal ^ŚŽƌĞǀŝĞǁ^&͘ĐŽŵ ĨƌŽŵ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϭϲ͕ ϮϬϮϬ Ăƚ ϯ͗ϬϬ Ɖŵ ƚŽ ĞĐĞŵďĞƌ ϭϱ͕ ϮϬϮϬ Ăƚ ϱ͗ϬϬ Ɖŵ ;ƉƐƚͿ͘ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƉƌŽĐĞƐƐĞĚ ŽŶ Ă Į ƌƐƚ ĐŽŵĞ͕ Į ƌƐƚ ƐĞƌǀĞĚ ďĂƐŝƐ͘ /ŶĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ Žƌ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ƐƵďŵŝƩ ĞĚ ĂŌ Ğƌ ƚŚĞ ĚĞĂĚůŝŶĞ ǁŝůů not ďĞ ĂĐĐĞƉƚĞĚ͘ WůĞĂƐĞ ďĞ ĂǁĂƌĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĞĂĐŚ ŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ ŵĞŵďĞƌ ĐĂŶ ŽŶůLJ ĂƉƉĞĂƌ ŽŶ ŽŶĞ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ͘ /Ĩ LJŽƵƌ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ ĐŽŶƚĂŝŶƐ ŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĂƌĞ ŽŶ ŽƚŚĞƌ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚŝƐ ůŝƐƟ ŶŐ͕ Ăůů ŽĨ ƚŚĞŵ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĚŝƐƋƵĂůŝĮ ĞĚ͘ ŶLJ ĨƌĂƵĚƵůĞŶƚ ƐƚĂƚĞŵĞŶƚƐ ǁŝůů ĐĂƵƐĞ LJŽƵƌ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ ƚŽ ďĞ ƌĞŵŽǀĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ǁĂŝƟ ŶŐ ůŝƐƚ͘ ZĞŶƚƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚŝƐ Ăī ŽƌĚĂďůĞ ŚŽƵƐŝŶŐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ĂƌĞ ďĂƐĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŽƚĂů ŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ͘ ůů ĂƉƉůŝĐĂŶƚƐ ŵƵƐƚ ďĞ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ĞůŝŐŝďůĞ ĂŶĚ ŵĞĞƚ ŽĐĐƵƉĂŶĐLJ ŐƵŝĚĞůŝŶĞƐ͘ ,ŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚƐ ŵƵƐƚ ĞĂƌŶ ŶŽ ŵŽƌĞ ƚŚĂŶ ƚŚĞ ŵĂdžŝŵƵŵ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ůĞǀĞůƐ ŶŽƚĞĚ ďĞůŽǁ͗ ϱϬй ,h DĞĚŝĂŶ /ŶĐŽŵĞ >ŝŵŝƚƐ ,ŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ Size
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DĂdž ŶŶƵĂů Income
Ψϵϰ͕ϬϬϬ
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ΨϭϬϳ͕ϵϬϬ
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SF#2940
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 20-26, 2020
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November 20-26, 2020 • NorCAL ASIAN JoUrNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
SEAFOOD CITY