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june 25-july 1, 2020
T h e F i l i p i n o –A m e r i c a n C o m m u n i t y N e w s pa p e r
Volume 31 - No. 25 • 12 Pages
2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 201 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879
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USA
DATELINE Trump, Biden campaigns to address AAPI community during virtual presidential town hall from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America
WITH the United States presidential election less than five months away, the campaigns of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden will court Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters — considered the fastest-growing segment of eligible voters in the United States — in a virtual town hall on Saturday, June 27. Biden will be present to directly make his pitch, while former Governor of Guam Eddie Baza Calvo will serve as a surrogate for Trump in the livestreamed event hosted by APIAVote in partnership with community organizations. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, will provide remarks. Journalists Amna Nawaz of PBS News Hour and Vicky Nguyen of NBC will moderate.
Trump signs order temporarily freezing worker visas, prefers ‘merit-based system’ by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
CERTAIN foreign workers will be barred from seeking employment in the United States as President Donald Trump on Monday, June 22 signed an executive order that places a temporary freeze on work visas through the end of the year.
economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason to preserve jobs for Americans. “American workers compete against foreign nationals for jobs in every sector of our economy,” the White House wrote, adding that the “economic shocks” reverberating across the country are “likely [to] require several months to return to” pre-pan-
Those affected include the H-1B visas for tech workers, H-2B visas for low-skill jobs, H-4 visas for spouses of certain visa holders, J visas for those in work and student exchange programs and L visas for “intracompany transfers.” According to a White House proclamation, the administration would be “moving to a merit-based immigration system” but the president also cited the
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As of Friday, June 26, residents and visitors in Nevada will be required to wear a face covering while in public or they can be denied service.
Face coverings now mandatory in Nevada
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by AJPress
NY man charged with sex crimes committed in PH A GARDEN City, New York man on Friday, June 19, was indicted by a federal court in the United States for traveling to the Philippines with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, sexual exploitation of a child, distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. The indictment was filed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York charges, after an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York. Thomas Blaha, 64, traveled from New York to the Philippines in September and October of 2019 to engage in sexual activity with a 13year-old female in exchange for money. He also enticed the victim to produce sexually explicit images of herself and send them to him in exchange for money. Government agents obtained search warrants in December 2019 for Blaha’s Facebook account as well as his residence in Garden
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FIESTA UNDER ‘NEW NORM’. Residents watch the motorcade of St. John the Baptist on the window of their houses along A. Luna Street in San Juan City on Wednesday, June 24. The feast is traditionally marked with the dousing of water along the streets, reminiscent of the baptism performed by St. John at the Jordan River. However, due to COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional “basaan” (water splash), was turned into “basbasan” or blessing by the priests. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
ALL Nevada residents and visitors are now required to wear face coverings while in public in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Governor Steve Sisolak announced this week. In his remarks on Wednesday, June 24, Sisolak said he signed a directive requiring everyone to wear face coverings while in public, including while using public transportation, at a public facing work environment, visiting businesses, and interacting with others outside of the household. The order takes effect on Friday, June 26. “For Nevada to stay open, we must make face cov-
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SC junks quo warranto petition vs ABS-CBN by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THE Supreme Court on Tuesday, June 23, dismissed Solicitor General Jose Calida’s quo warranto petition against broadcast giant ABS-CBN on the “ground of mootness.” “I was able to confirm with Chief Justice [Diosdado] Peralta that the Supreme Court dismissed today during their en banc meeting the quo warranto petition filed by the Solicitor General against ABS-CBN Corporation on the ground of mootness,” said SC Public Information
Chief Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka. He also confirmed that the court still hasn’t issued a resolution on the franchise case of ABS-CBN Convergence, which operates ABS-CBN Mobile. ABS-CBN Convergence expired on March 17, before the franchise of ABSCBN Corporation did. “The complaint against ABS-CBN Convergence remains pending,” Hosaka said. “Let us wait for the resolution of the court on this matter, as for the reason for their action,” he added.
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‘BUSINESS AS USUAL’. Unlike other fathers who won’t let this day pass without celebrating Father’s Day, this man has to earn a living first by selling guavas to motorists along Katigbak Parkway in Manila on Sunday, June 21. Father’s Day was first celebrated to honor fathers on the third Sunday of June in 1910. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Fil-Am DACA recipients breathe a sigh of relief Filipinos expect life to as US Supreme Court halts ending of program SWS: worsen in next 12 months by Christina
M. Oriel
AJPress
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Thursday, June 18 stopped President Donald Trump’s administration from rescinding a program that protected more than 800,000 young undocumented immigrants, or “Dreamers,” who came to the U.S. as children from deportation. In a narrow 5-4 vote, the court held that the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) effort to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was “arbitrary and capricious” in that it violated the Administrative Procedure Act. “I woke up to my Slack noti-
fications going off like wildfire,” Set Hernandez Rongkilyo, an undocumented Fil-Am filmmaker and community organizer, told the Asian Journal. Originally from Caloocan, Philippines, Rongkilyo came to the U.S. from Japan with his family when he was 12 years old. It wasn’t until he began school at the University of California, Los Angeles when he met other undocumented people. In the days leading up to the ruling announcement, Rongkilyo had been organizing with a group of undocumented people across the country. Like many, he was also protesting with the Black Lives Matter Movement taking place with a backdrop of
the still current COVID-19 pandemic. “I was shocked, but I was so tired. I didn’t even have time to process emotionally,” added Rongkilyo, admitting that he wasn’t expecting a decision to go in favor of undocumented immigrants. While the ruling does not provide permanent protections, the decision has been a sigh of relief for the hundreds of thousands who have grown up in the U.S. from a young age — many of whom are approaching their 30s. Of the current 650,000 DACA recipients in the U.S., roughly 200,000 recipients are in California with about 85,000 in Los
Angeles. The majority come from Mexico and other Central or South American countries, but many were also brought from Asia including the Philippines. 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). Raymond Portolan, an undoc-
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by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
A RECENT Social Weather Stations survey found that 43% of Filipinos expect their quality of life to worsen in the next 12 months. “The 43% proportion of ‘pessimists’ in May is the new peak in the 37-year history of 135 SWS surveys, breaking the previous record of 34% in March 2005,” the pollster said Tuesday, June 22. 24% of Filipinos, on the other hand, expect their quality of life to stay the same. Meanwhile, the remaining 24% expect their quality of life
to improve. “The May 2020 net optimism score of -18 (optimists minus pessimists) is the worst in survey history, breaking the previous record -13 in October 2000 and March 2005,” SWS noted. “The score plummeted from +44 in December 2019,” it added. “Pessimists” is the term SWS used for those who said they’re expecting life to get worse, while “optimists” is the term used for those who expect their life will get better. According to SWS, only 12 out of the 135 SWS surveys since 1984 have a net optimism
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June 25-july 1, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • June 25-july 1, 2020
(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com
From The Front Page
Fil-Am DACA recipients breathe a sigh of... PAGE 1 t umented Fil-Am living in Atlanta, Georgia echoed many in calling the decision a sigh of relief after years of uncertainty. “Yesterday was a momentous victory for the immigrant rights movement and a huge blow to the Trump administration’s efforts to dehumanize and undervalue DACA recipients like me. I am still reeling from the absolute surprise that I felt yesterday when the Court handed down its decision,” Portolan, who works as an immigration paralegal, told the Asian Journal. He added, “For weeks, our communities have prepared for the worst and yesterday’s decision rendered a collective sigh of relief. Our work, however, is not over.” Given that the ruling was based on procedural requirements, the Trump administration may try again by presenting stronger justifications. Trump did say on Friday, June 19 that his administration would be “submitting enhanced papers shortly.” However, many experts said after the ruling that it is unlikely that it would do so before the upcoming presidential elections in November. Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts — in joining the high court’s four liberal Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor — wrote in his opinion, “The appropriate recourse is therefore to remand to DHS so that it may reconsider the problem anew.” “We do not decide whether DACA or its rescission are sound policies. We address only whether the agency complied with the procedural requirement that it provide a reasoned explanation for its action,” he added. Justice Sotomayor was the only justice to take an added stance shared by many DACA advocates in arguing that the move to rescind protections may have been motivated by discrimination against immigrants. The dissent, which included Trump appointees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, dismissed the ruling as being politically charged. “Today’s decision must be recognized for what it is: an effort to avoid a politically controversial but legally correct decision.
Trump signs order temporarily...
PAGE 1 demic economic output. The suspension announced on Monday follows the abrupt halting of visas for certain family members of green card holders, which was placed on April 22 and was also a response to the pandemic. Those working in essential industries, like health care, medical research, food processing and university professors, however, were exempt from that measure. Though the suspension is temporary, the White House proclamation also noted that it would direct the departments of Homeland Security, State and Labor to draft offshoot regulations that will provide more permanent action that the administration hopes will lead to a “merit-based system.” These changes would affect a great number of workers including hospitality workers but will also end permits for many asylum seekers and those hoping tocontend in the lottery system for H-1B visas. Without providing clear projections, the White House says that 525,000 “American jobs” will be saved by these measures. But CEOs and workers at major tech companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Uber, Twitter and Box say that the new THE FACES OF DACA. Nearly 4,000 Filipinos are reported to have received DACA protections measures do more to harm the in the United States, including (L-R) Set Hernandez Rongkilyo, a documentary filmmaker in U.S. economy than save it, deSouthern California; Veronica Velasquez, a physical therapist at a Los Angeles community nouncing the president’s freeze hospital; and Raymond Portolan, an immigration paralegal in Atlanta, Georgia. as “unbelievably bad policy” that Contributed photos would undermine American comThe court could have made clear ‘The fight does not end here’ petitiveness. Silicon Valley reacts Veronica Velasquez, a Fil-Am that the solution respondents Tech companies routinely rely must seek came from the legis- physical therapist at a Los Angelative branch,” Justice Clarence les community hospital, was get- on H-1B visas to recruit computThomas wrote in his dissent. ting ready for work early Thurs- er engineering from other counOn Twitter, President Donald day morning when she found tries, a tactic that has hoisted Silicon Valley as the capital of tech Trump said, “These horrible & out about the news. politically charged decisions “I found out the great news, innovation. Each year, the U.S. coming out of the Supreme cried a little, then treated a full offers about 85,000 H-1B visas Court are shotgun blasts into the day of COVID patients,” Velas- each year, and according to Business Insider, Google and Amazon face of people that are proud to quez told the Asian Journal. call themselves Republican or “Today I was reminded of the each received roughly 9,000 HConservatives. We need more power of my mere presence. 1B visa applications. Microsoft President Brad Smith Justices or we will lose our 2nd. While many wanted me, a Brown Amendment & everything else. Filipina undocumented womxn, wrote in a statement, “Now is not out of the country… I AM STILL the time to cut our nation off from Vote Trump 2020!” In a following tweet, he asked, HERE. Despite the constant bar- the world’s talent or create uncer“Do you get the impression that riers/doubts, I am here to stay,” tainty and anxiety. Immigrants the Supreme Court doesn’t like Velasquez wrote in an Instagram play a vital role at our company me?” post on the day of the decision and support our country’s critical infrastructure. They are conTrump also said he’d soon re- under her handle @thisptlife. lease a “new list of Conservative “Not only that, but I am here tributing to this country at a time Supreme Court Justice nomi- to provide care as a healthcare when we need them most.” Mirroring Smith’s statement, nees” by September. PAGE 5
Apple CEO Tim Cook took to Twitter to express disappointment “by this proclamation,” saying that, “Like Apple, this nation of immigrants has always found strength in our diversity, and hope in the enduring promise of the American Dream. There is no new prosperity without both.” Jessica Herrera-Flanigan,
Twitter’s vice president of public policy and philanthropy for the Americas, said in a statement that the “proclamation undermines America’s greatest economic asset: its diversity. People from all over the world come here to join our labor force, pay taxes and contribute to our global competitiveness on the world stage.” n
Dateline USA
June 25-july 1, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678
Trump, Biden campaigns to address AAPI... PAGE 1 “This two-hour event will allow the candidates and campaigns to present their vision in how that addresses the concerns of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander folks,” APIAVote Executive Director Christine Chen said in her remarks on Monday, June 22, kicking off a week-long virtual leadership summit with sessions highlighting how to engage AAPI communities. Saturday’s event is the fourth time APIAVote has hosted the Presidential Town Hall as an opportunity for campaigns to address issues relevant to the AAPI community. During the 2016 election cycle, former President Bill Clinton served as a surrogate at the event for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid. “This is also a time for them to listen to this community and
understand our needs and interests as a growing electorate,” Chen added. In a 2018 Asian American Voter Survey released by APIAVote and AAPI Data, 46% of total Asian Americans surveyed said they were not contacted by the Democratic Party, while 56% said they received no communication from the Republican Party. The same survey found that 22% of Filipinos surveyed said they had a “very favorable” impression of Trump, while 38% said “very unfavorable.” Meanwhile, 32% of Filipinos said they had a “somewhat favorable” impression of the Democratic Party and 28% said “somewhat favorable” of the Republican Party. Though AAPI voters have been often overlooked by the major political parties, the bloc may continue to show influence in key races and districts.
The number of eligible Asian American voters will reach a new high this year as more than 11 million will be able to cast their ballots, according to Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data released last May. The data added that in the past 20 years, the electorate grew by 139%, in part due to naturalized immigrants. The Trump campaign in May launched “Asian Americans for Trump,” co-chaired by Fil-Am Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee. In addition to “AAPIs for Biden,” a group of Filipino Americans formed a nationwide “Fil-Ams for Biden” following the former vice president’s performance on Super Tuesday. Registration for the town hall can be done at https://www.apiavote.org/townhall. (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)
SC junks quo warranto petition... PAGE 1
Malacañang, for its part, said it respects the High Court’s decision. “We leave it to the Solicitor-General as the petitioner to decide on his next legal steps,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. “Meanwhile on the issue of renewal of ABS-CBN franchise, we consider this a prerogative of Congress, which is presently deliberating on the matter,” he added. Calida on February 10 filed a
petition before the SC for the cancellation of ABS-CBN’s 25year franchise, alleging that the TV network reportedly violated rules set by Congress. “We want to put an end to what we discovered to be highly abusive practices of ABS-CBN benefitting a greedy few at the expense of millions of its loyal subscribers. These practices have gone unnoticed or were disregarded for years,” he said in a statement. ABS-CBN went off-air after the broadcast of its primetime
news program “TV Patrol” on May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission issued the network a ceaseand-desist order. The order directed ABSCBN to shut down its various TV and radio broadcasting stations nationwide “absent a valid Congressional Franchise as required by law.” Republic Act No. 7966, which granted the network a 25-year franchise to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations expired on May 4, 2020. n
SIGNAGE. Workers of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) install a signboard at the footbridge of Muñoz, in Edsa, Quezon City on Thursday, June 25. The signboard guides commuters to the location of the new bus stop at the center island in the area. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Fil-Am leaders in California denounce racist COVID-19 moniker used by Trump by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
In response to President Donald Trump’s usage of a racist term related to the coronavirus, Filipino American Assemblymember Rob Bonta (DOakland) and California Medical Association President Dr. Peter N. Bretan, M.D. released a joint statement denouncing the pres-
ident’s choice of words. Trump recently used the racist term “kung flu” at his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday, June 20 as a reference to the COVID-19 virus’ origins in China. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Asian and Asian Americans in the United States — and even across the globe — have been the targets of harassment, violence and hate incidents because of the virus’ original association. “President Trump’s racist dog whistle remarks have no place in our politics or in the house of medicine. Comments like those made by the president last weekend at a political rally in Tulsa, OK fuel racist stereotypes about COVID-19 that have harmful impacts in our communities and in the practice of medicine,” Bonta and Bretan wrote in their statement. As Bonta and Bretan noted, community members and leaders of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have denounced the use of “Wuhan virus,” “Chinese virus,” and “kung flu” as a contributor to the string of anti-Asian hate since the beginning of the pandemic, as previously reported in the Asian Journal. When Trump used the term at his Saturday rally, it was met with raucous applause from the 6,200 supporters in attendance. “These remarks promote hatred toward the API community,” they continued. “Asian-Americans have been at the forefront of providing quality health care to all Californians. While Californians of Asian descent make up 14% of our state’s population, we comprise 28% of the state’s physicians. The president’s racist rhetoric that he casually uses as an applause line is a direct threat and attack on California physicians, our API population and all people who believe in inclusivity, fairness and common decency.” In recent times, racism directed toward those of Asian descent has been a secondary issue that the AAPI has grappled with in addition to the COVID-19 virus itself. After the recent killings of unarmed Black individuals by police, the Asian community has also been undergoing its own period of reflection: how the AAPI community stand as one against racism and also promote inclusivity and stand in solidarity with other communities, Bonta and Bretan said. “Millions of Americans have all spent time in recent weeks reflecting on our nation’s on-
Filipino American Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland)
going history of racial injustice and intolerance, and how these wounds have perpetuated institutional and systemic racism in subtle and overt ways,” they said. “Our nation has its own anti-API history, from the Chinese Exclusion Act in the late 1800s through the internment of Japanese-American families during World War II. We must all do better when it comes to acknowledging and reckoning with our history. Part of our civic duty requires that we clearly speak out against prejudice and hatred, whether it comes from the house next door or the White House.” Trump has yet to respond to the backlash, but White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway — who is married to Filipino American attorney George Conway — defended the president on Wednesday, June 24 after previously calling the term “highly offensive” in March. At a press gaggle at the White House on Wednesday, Conway was asked whether or not she would tell the president that his use of “kung flu” was offensive. Conway shot back saying, “I speak to the president daily on many topics. We don’t always agree on everything, and that’s why I work here.” But she justified the president’s word choice saying, “My reaction is that the president has made very clear he wants everybody to understand, and I think many Americans do understand, that the virus originated in China. And had China been more transparent and honest with the United States and the world, we wouldn’t have all the death and destruction that unfortunately we’ve suffered.” n
SWS: Filipinos expect life to...
PAGE 1
score of zero or lower. Of the 12, the score reached very low levels in only four instances: October 2000 (-13), March 2005 (-13), May 2005 (12) and May 2020 (-18). “Negative ratings in 1984, 2000 and 2005 were associated with political unrest in the late Marcos-era, the impeachment crisis of Joseph Estrada and the controversial 2004 election of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,” SWS said. “The last time the score was negative was in June 2008 at -6. Thereafter, the score has been positive in all 46 surveys between September 2008 and December 2019. Moreover, all scores have been high (+20 to +29) or better since September 2009,” it added. The pollster attributed the latest nationwide net personal optimism score of -18 to the low or very low scores in all areas, specifically the record-lows in the Visayas and Mindanao at -37
and -32, respectively. The score, meanwhile, reached -16 in Metro Manila and -5 in Balance Luzon. SWS also pointed out that the net personal optimism score is lower in General Community Quarantine (GCQ) areas at -25 than in Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) areas at -13. Malacañang, in response to the survey, said the recovery process would not be easy. “We all know that there was an economic shutdown and the entire country suffered, in fact the world, not just the Philippines. We all need to recover from this. The process of recovery is not easy. We understand the people’s sentiments,” said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. The SWS survey was conducted from May 4 to 10 among 4,010 working-age Filipinos, 15 years old and above, nationwide through mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone interviews. n
(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Face coverings now mandatory in...
Dateline USA
PAGE 1 t erings a part of our daily lives,� Sisolak said. Exceptions for the directive include children from 2 to 9 years old, those who have difficulty breathing when wearing mask, or individuals with a disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering. “However, they are still strongly encouraged to wear a face covering as much as possible,� the governor added. Businesses are encouraged to post signs requiring customers to wear a mask and “have the right to ask a patron to leave if
they are not following this directive.� Businesses that do not meet the requirements of the directive will face violations. On an individual level, the governor emphasized that the order is a mandate and required, but did not say what penalties would be associated with not wearing a mask in public. “The last thing I want is for monetary fines or criminal penalties to be imposed on Nevadans, which is why I strongly encourage everyone to follow this directive,� he said. The latest mandate comes as
the state began reopening, including giving the green light for casinos and gaming stations to open their doors for the first time in months. Phase 3 of the reopening will “be tabledâ€? indefinitely as cases continue to raise in the state, Sisolak said. “The pandemic is not over, as I said last week, we are not yet post-COVID, we are still in the middle of the first wave of COVID,â€? Sisolak said. As of Thursday, the state has 14,589 confirmed cases and 495 deaths, the majority of which occurred in Clark County. n Â
PAGE 1 t City, New York and electronic devices. The court filings said the searches revealed hundreds of images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. “It’s alleged Blaha made trips to the Philippines to sexually abuse a 13-year old female who was being exploited for money,� said Peter C. Fitzhugh, special agent in charge of HSI New York.
He stressed that crimes involving the sexual exploitation of unwitting children are the most heinous and will not be tolerated, regardless of where the sexual acts occur. Fitzhugh also vowed that the HSI will stop at nothing to put an end to child victimization worldwide. Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue said: “The defendant allegedly traveled halfway across the globe to sexually
exploit a minor that he had enticed through Facebook and create child pornography.� “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting children from online predators by identifying such offenders and prosecuting them to the full extent of the law,� he added. Blaha, if convicted, will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and up to a maximum 170 years imprisonment. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)
PAGE 3 t worker. I am here to help/heal the community as an essential worker. I am here to combat against a global pandemic,� she added. Despite the small victory, the Supreme Court ruling is not an ending point and Dreamer advocates are eager to continue pushing for more concrete changes. “While I am so happy, I must also remember that the fight does not end here. We gotta keep pushing for more,� Velasquez wrote. She added, “We must continue to fight to: abolish ICE and the police, close down ICE detention centers, create a path to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented people.� The DACA program was created in 2012 under then-President Barack Obama and provided renewable deportation protections of two years, though no pathway to citizenship. 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.
However because it was an executive order, the program was subject to opposition which ended up being the case under President Trump. In September 2017, Trump announced plans of rescinding the program on claims that its adoption was unlawful and that courts did not have the power to review its decision. Lower courts blocked the rescission and the Supreme Court took the case last fall. “From the get-go in 2012, we’ve been saying that this is an executive order and that the next president could take it away,� said Rongkilyo. “When we experience these ‘Bandaid’ solutions, it’s easy for us, including myself, as someone impacted, to sometimes feel complacent.� In moving forward from the ruling, he said it’s important that people recognize the vulnerability of the DACA program. Also important is continuing to engage in other present issues that impact minorities and people of color. “We need to be bold in what we are asking for,� said Rong-
kilyo. Like Velasquez, abolishing ICE and local law enforcement, and being an ally to Black Americans were issues he said still need to be addressed. When it comes to Filipinos speaking up, Rongkilyo emphasized that deportation is not an issue that is remote from the Filipino community and encouraged Filipinos to embrace the idea of solidarity. How the police impacts communities, for example, is also something Filipinos should be concerned about. “We need to be in solidarity with the movement for Black lives because we can’t act like this issue does not impact our community,� said Rongkilyo. For now, DACA recipients may continue to renew their permits which they are encouraged to do. In the meantime, the fight for permanent legislation continues. “We will continue to fight until DACA recipients like me have a permanent pathway to citizenship,� said Portolan. “We dodged a bullet, but DACA was and always will be a temporary solution to a greater issue.� n
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • June 25-july 1, 2020
NY man charged with sex crimes committed...
Fil-Am DACA recipients breathe a sigh of...
SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Procurement Dept. 340 N. 11TH Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101
PUBLIC NOTICE EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2020 AND UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2020
The cameras are designed to rapidly identify people with body temperatures of 100.4 degrees or more. Photos courtesy of Los Angeles World AirportsÂ
LAX introduces thermal screening to check passengers for coronavirus symptoms by AJPress TRAVELERS at Los Angeles International Airport will be asked to undergo another screening before getting to the security checkpoint to help slow the spread of coronavirus. Starting on Tuesday, June 23, thermal cameras will be deployed at two locations inside the Tom Bradley International Terminal –– at the main entrance on the departures level and inside the terminal near select international arrivals –– with both arriving and departing passengers screened. The cameras are designed to rapidly identify people with body temperatures of 100.4 degrees or more, which is the current guideline for detecting a fever set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “A world-class airport isn’t defined just by our historic investments in a reimagined LAX and an improved traveling experience –– it’s also about world-class safety,� said Mayor Garcetti on Monday. “This project reflects the best of this city’s innovative spirit, and it will help keep travelers healthy and set a new industry standard.� The voluntary program, which is being tested in the international terminal first, will have signage alerting passengers where this trial will take place. If a voluntary participant is
Thermal camera technology is being tested at LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal to help identify travelers with an elevated body temperature.Â
identified as having an elevated body temperature, a medical professional near the camera operator will approach the identified person and request a secondary screening using a handheld, noncontact thermometer, according to the airport. Departing guests who are identified as having an elevated body temperature will be advised that they should not travel. Passengers on arriving international flights identified as being potentially ill may be referred to CDC staff on site.  These thermal camera temperature checks will not replace other safety measures in place. To protect guest privacy, the cameras will not store, transmit, or share any data or images taken. Guests who decline to participate will have the opportunity to use a different pathway.
The airport will work closely with multiple partners to evaluate the technology including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), airlines, CDC, and LA County Department of Public Health, and results from this program will be shared with these partners and leading airports around the world in an effort to set new standards for the industry.  In addition to the cameras, the airport added signage directing guests to practice social distancing, wear a face covering at all times, and wash their hands frequently. LAX has increased deep cleaning throughout the airport focusing on “high touch� areas, and has installed more than 250 hand sanitizer stations. Shops and restaurants are also offering contactfree experiences. n
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June 25-july 1, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
Opinion
Mental health in a pandemic
Features
WITH no vaccine or cure in sight for the coronavirus disease 2019, people are focused on protecting public health and economic health. But there is another health aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic that isn’t getting enough attention: mental wellness. Around the world, health professionals are reporting a spike in mental problems since people were forced into lockdowns at home to contain the pandemic and millions lost their livelihoods. This is apart from the suffering of those who lost loved ones to COVID-19 or who were themselves infected with the coronavirus. In the Philippines, suicide prevention hotlines have reported a doubling of calls for help since March when Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon were placed under enhanced community quarantine. The calls for help cut across age groups, from youths to senior citizens, according to mental health advocates. Philippine society has traditionally paid little attention to mental wellness, even as suicides continue to rise especially among the youth. The focus on public health during the pandemic provides an opportunity to give special attention to mental wellness and the full implementation of Republic Act 11036 or the Mental Health Act, which was signed
into law on June 20, 2018. The implementing rules for RA 11036 were released last year. Under the rules, communitybased mental health care facilities must be set up apart from hospitals dedicated to mental health so that counseling and other services can be accessed at the grassroots. The community facilities can be set up in outpatient care centers, for example, or even in halfway houses. All regional, provincial and tertiary hospitals are mandated to provide psychiatric, psychosocial and neurologic services, including hotlines and other mechanisms for suicide prevention, with special attention on the youth. Over two years, mental health subjects will be included in the school curriculum and mental health programs must be integrated into the education system as well as workplaces. Under the law, those seeking mental health services are assured of privacy as well as protection from stigma and discrimination. Barangay personnel will be given training for community-
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective Gel Santos-Relos BEFORE Donald Trump was elected president of the United States in 2016, the nations and people of the free world looked up to America to lead the global community in matters of shared concerns like peace, human rights, hunger, the threat of nuclear arms, climate change, protection of the environment and pandemics. That was then. But now, a big majority of people living outside the United States do NOT trust Trump to do the right thing in world affairs, with fewer than one-third expressing confidence in him. Surveying 32 countries, “a median of 64% say they do not have confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs, while just 29% express confidence in the American leader,” according to Pew Research Center. The study finds that “antiTrump sentiments are especially common in Western Europe: Roughly three-in-four or more lack confidence in Trump in Germany, Sweden, France, Spain and the Netherlands. He also gets especially poor reviews in Mexico, where 89% do not have confidence in him.” Comparing the view and confidence of the world, in the United States and in Trump’s predecessor, Pew Research Survey revealed that “in nearly all nations where trends are avail-
PeaceMaker
based mental health promotion, and to act as first responders in emergency cases. The Philippine Council for Mental Health is tasked to develop a national multisectoral strategic plan for mental
health promotion. The mental health problems now emerging amid the COVID pandemic should give urgency to the full implementation of the Mental Health Act. (Philstar.com)
International confidence in US leadership plummets under Trump, especially during the war against the coronavirus pandemic able, Trump receives lower ratings than his predecessor, Barack Obama. As reported by the Center in 2017, international confidence in the U.S. president plummeted after Trump’s inauguration, while favorable ratings for the United States also declined.” The current medical emergency that has hit the global community just reinforced the mistrust and confidence in Trump, whose incompetence, ignorance about science, denial of facts, and selfish interests have pulled the country down with him in his quagmire. Imagine the United States is now in the same level as his Russian and Brazilian counterparts, Vladimir V. Putin and Jair Bolsonaro, both of whom, according to a report by the New York Times, have “followed what critics call a comparable path in their pandemic response that leaves all three countries in a similarly bad spot: they were dismissive at the outset of the crisis, slow to respond to scientific advice and saw a boom of domestic cases as other parts of the world, notably in Europe and Asia, were slowly managing to get their outbreaks under control.” Consequently, as the officials of the European Union are now “racing to agree on who can visit the bloc as of July 1 based on how countries of origin are faring with new coronavirus cases — Americans, so far, are exclud-
ed.” This news was based on the draft lists reviewed by The New York Times. The Times reported that the “EU is prepared to block Americans from entering because the United States has failed to control the scourge.” While the United States provides the EU nations with tourists that boost the bloc’s economy, the consideration leaned headily on what would keep the people of the bloc more protected from a resurgence of the COVID-19 infection, unless the future numbers change for the better in the future. “Countries on the E.U. draft lists have been selected as safe based on a combination of epidemiological criteria. The benchmark is the E.U. average number of new infections — over the past 14 days — per 100,000 people, which is currently 16 for the bloc. The comparable number for the United States is 107, while Brazil’s is 190 and Russia’s is 80, according to a Times database,” the report said. As the country’s highest leader, Trump is responsible for the American lives lost and for the continued upswing in the number of confirmed cases in the United States. Had he acted on warnings of the U.S.’ own intelligence agencies and the World Health Organization on the possible escalation to being a pandemic of the coronavirus instead
of calling it a “hoax” fabricated by the Democrats to kick him out of office; Had Trump not been consumed by his “economic numbers” that he needed to boast for his re-election bid and instead followed the country’s top epidemiologist Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S.’ own health officials and scientists on the need for protective gears, social distancing, and not rush to open the U.S. economy to help mitigate the spread and not overwhelm our health systems, then more lives could have been saved. But NO. Trump continues to defy science, facts, data by pushing through with his failed comeback campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he wanted a big crowd of adoring fans with no masks just to show off and energize his base. And he really thought not doing more testing will save lives because there would be no measure of confirmed cases? How stupid is this prescription! This is not like his sex scandals whereby when he pays people to be quiet, the scandal never happened! We are talking about the lives of the American people here, for God’s sake! Trump’s approval rating in the U.S. Here in the United States, President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has fallen to 39 percent, down among ALL party groups, and
especially so for his handling of issues that matter to the American people. According to the Gallup Poll conducted during the period May 28-June 4, this finding includes drops of seven percentage points among Republicans (to 85%) and independents (to 39%), and nine points among Democrats (to 5%). Moreover, Republicans’ approval of Trump is the lowest it has been since September 2018 (also 85%). On specific issues, Gallup Poll reports: Forty-seven percent of Americans approve of President Trump’s handling of the economy, a decline from 63% in January and 58% in February. Approval of Trump’s handling of the economy had not been under 50% since November 2017, when 45% approved. Americans are also increasingly critical of the president’s response to the coronavirus pandemic itself. Currently, 42% approve of the way Trump has handled the matter, down from 50% in the prior reading in late April, and 60% just after coronavirus infections spiked in many areas of the country in mid-March. Also, 41% of U.S. adults approve of the president’s handling of foreign affairs, seven points lower than the previous measure in February. The current approval rating on foreign
affairs nearly matches the 40% average approval on this issue throughout his presidency. Public anger over the Floyd killing and racial injustice more generally have proven to be a significant challenge for the president, in addition to the ongoing challenges for society and the economy arising from the coronavirus. His current level of approval would make another term as president unlikely, given the historical relationship between job approval ratings and incumbent reelection. With five months to go before Election Day, there is still time for those ratings to improve and get back near the 50% level associated with incumbent reelection in the past, but also time for them to get worse and give the president even longer odds of winning a second term. ENOUGH, AMERICA. We need to wake up. We cannot afford four more years of this madness, selfishness and disrespect to the lives of Americans in Trump’s own reality show. *** 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.
In memory of Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco:
Industrialist, political leader, sports patron, a great Filipino
Former Speaker Jose C. de Venecia, Jr. WE first met the late visionary industrialist Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco some 50 years ago in 1969, when we were both elected to the House of Representatives. We served until 1972 as our term was abruptly terminated when martial law was declared. Some of our colleagues in the pre-martial law House were Cornelio Villareal of Capiz, Jose B. Laurel Jr. of Batangas, Nicanor Yniguez of Leyte, and Ramon Mitra Jr. of Palawan, who all became speakers of the House; as well as Jose Zulueta of Iloilo and Neptali Gonzales of Rizal, who both became Senate president. Ambassador Cojuangco and we would sometimes find ourselves at different sides of the political fence but we have kept our friendship and respected each other’s political convictions.
Philstar.com photo
In 1992, when Danding ran for president, we were a close political colleague of his fellow presidential contender, then former Defense Secretary Fidel V. Ramos who is our provincemate in Pangasinan. We co-founded with Ramos, hero of the Edsa People Power Revolution, and the late Senator and Foreign Affairs Secretary Raul Manglapus the Lakas-NUCD-UMDP, now Lakas-CMD, which became Ramos’ campaign vehicle that catapulted him to Malacañang. Danding founded and served as chairman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), which is still running strong up to this day. In 1998, when we ran for president, Danding backed another presidential aspirant, the then incumbent Vice President Joseph Estrada, who won the presidency. We landed second in the field of ten candidates.
President Estrada and we have also remained friends up to this day. When we were privileged to have served five-times as speaker of the House, the Nationalist People’s Coalition under Danding was our ally in shepherding and passing socio-economic and political reform laws, including some of our humble landmark initiatives – the Bases Conversion Law, which converted the former U.S. military bases into Filipino industrial parks and satellite cities, and the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) Law, and which was later adopted by various countries around the world. In early June of 1992, following the intense electoral battle among seven presidential candidates and our own desire to reach out to those who slugged it out with Ramos in the presidential race, we sought a meet-
ing with Danding and he warmly received us in his New Manila residence. Ramos was then leading in the national canvassing being conducted jointly by the Senate and the House of Representatives. Danding, a true cavalier and statesman, fully understood that a post-election crisis would not be good for the country and made it clear that he would do his part in avoiding possible political chaos. On our invitation, he later met with Ramos in our then Dasmarinas Village residence. In that meeting, Danding chose the path of reconciliation, solidarity and cooperation without setting any conditions. He gave paramount importance to the country’s interests, more than any other consideration. Danding’s contributions to national development have carved a wide and unique niche
Eduardo“Danding”Cojuangco Jr.
in our country’s history. The San Miguel Corporation, which he and his incomparable associate, Ramon Ang, successfully established into the largest food, beverage and industrial conglomerate in the Philippines
Photo courtesy of San Miguel Corporation
and Southeast Asia is truly a pride and honor of the Filipino people for all generations and an inspiration for Asians. Certainly, Danding Cojuangco is one of the great Filipinos of our time. n
The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.
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D ateline Philippines Palace: No martial law in Cebu by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
Malacañang on Wednesday, June 24, said that seeking help from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to enforce the enhanced community quarantine in Cebu City should not be compared to being under martial law. “We’ve normally done this, resorted to asking the Armed Forces to perform civilian duties. So this is not martial law. This has been decided upon by the Supreme Court. And this is as far as enforcing the ECQ in Cebu is concerned,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart. “Normally, we have the police enforcing it but if the police is not enough, then the Armed Forces can also enforce the lockdown,” he added. Last week, the city of Cebu
reverted to ECQ after registering an alarming number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections and fatalities. President Rodrigo Duterte directed Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, a retired military general, to oversee the COVID19 situation in Cebu and exercise “all powers” to slow down the spread of the virus. “He will go there, he will find out what the situation on the ground is, he will make not just recommendations but will implement what he thinks should be done in a period of one week, and all he has to do is keep the Inter-Agency Task Force posted on the steps being taken,” Roque said. “He (Cimatu) has to do whatever that has to be done. There’s now a hierarchy of laws that we’re following here. And, of course, the mandate of General Cimatu comes from the president himself backed up by
an executive order. He can exercise all powers that the president can exercise, he has been the beneficiary of delegated authority from the president,” he added. Roque also said that the president can issue an executive order to give legal validity to any of Cimatu’s actions. “All the actions of Gen. Cimatu are tantamount to being acts of the President and if need be, the President will issue executive orders to give legal validity to any of the actions taken by Gen. Cimatu,” he said. As of Wednesday, Cebu City recorded 4,216 infections of COVID-19. 12 barangays, deemed “hotspots” in Cebu, were locked down to contain the spread of the virus: Sambag Dos, Kamputhaw, Sambag Uno, Basak San Nicolas, Mabolo, Guadalupe, Lahug, Duljo, Tinago, Tisa, Ermita, and Tejero. n
Lawmakers want to rename NAIA to ‘Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas’ MANILA — Three House lawmakers on Thursday filed a bill renaming the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to the “Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas.” On Thursday, Reps. Paolo Duterte (Davao 1st District) Lord Allan Velasco (Marinduque) and Eric Yap (ACT-CIS Party-list) filed House Bill No. 7031, renaming the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas. In a joint statement issued Thursday, the presidential son said: “We need a more representative branding for the international gateway of our country, thus our proposal renaming NAIA to the Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas.” “Aside from it bearing our country’s name, it is in our national language. We want it to reflect the legacy of the Filipino people, our everyday heroes. The name bears no color, no political agenda. It only signifies our warmth as Filipinos in welcoming our own kababayans and foreign visitors,” he added.
For his part, Yap said: “We want for the name of our country to be the first thing welcoming the return to our countrymen as well as tourists from abroad when their planes land. We want to make them feel like they are home. There are many personalities who also deserve their name, institution, and so on. But when it comes to our airport, it should reflect the country and the Filipino people.” As of this publishing, there have been 33,069 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country. The death toll of the virus stands at 1,212. Past attempt The airport, then called the Manila International Airport, was renamed to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in 1987 by virtue of Republic Act No. 6639. In 2018, lawyer Larry Gadon filed a petition addressed to the Office of the President and the House of Representatives call-
ing for NAIA to be renamed back to the “Manila International Airport.” He called the former president a traitor to the country and was slammed by Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr., who was the country’s representative to the United Nations at the time. “This proposal aims to reposition the Philippines as a choice tourist destination as we prepare to reopen the country to travelers once the pandemic is over. Renaming it to Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas will not only benefit and bolster our brand as a destination hub, but will also strengthen the country’s identity,” Velasco said. “I am confident that by doing so, it will provide us a competitive edge as our neighbors open their doors, too, to visitors. Changing the name of NAIA to Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas gives every Filipino a great sense of pride and ownership of the country’s biggest and largest international airport.” (Franco Luna/Philstar.com)
Weeks after speaking against cyber libel, Robredo to bring rumor peddlers to court by Kristine Joy
Philstar.com
Patag
MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo is determined to bring people spreading online rumors about her to court, for a charge that she previously said should be decriminalized. On Tuesday, June 23, Robredo asked social media users to take screenshots of posts claiming her office sent spoiled food to frontliners in a Quezon City hospital. The hospital that her office supposedly sent the spoiled food to has dismissed the rumor and said it received food from the Office of the Vice President three times and none were spoiled. In an interview with ANC’s Headstart on Thursday, the vice president said she has a team gathering evidence against these people. “Enough is enough. We will make sure that we will hold these people accountable. We will be seeking formal investigation,” she added. The vice president said it is “obvious” that there is a “conductor” seemingly orchestrating the spread of false information against her. She noted that the latest post on the spoiled food sent out by her office cropped up at the same time.
Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas
Robredo said the team they have assembled is “trying to unearth real identities” behind the rumor. Cyber libel Just two weeks ago, Robredo said the cyber libel conviction of veteran journalist Maria Ressa has a “chilling effect” and a poses a “threat” to our people’s freedoms. A lawyer herself, Robredo admitted that she called for the decriminalization of libel and, consequently, cyber libel in the country. She said when she fig-
ured in false information online in the past, they have not taken steps to sue them. “Honestly, I was always for decriminalization of libel and for that matter cyber libel. In the past, even if we already have prepared complaints, it was always me who backs down in the last minute,” she explained in English and Filipino. “I tell them it is against what I have been advocating for in the past,” Robredo added. But the vice president said when internet trolls spread false information online, it becomes not just a threat against her, but to society in general, especially during a pandemic. “Because they are making the online space a hostile environment, because they hide their identities,” she said. This has also made the cyberspace “divisive” and “very toxic,” she said. “It’s time to make them accountable already,” she added. In March 2019, Robredo urged Congress to pass a law to regulate social media. She later walked back the call, saying she meant regulations against “the deliberate, organized, and largescale dissemination of false information.” n
Government studying re-entry of foreign workers but OFWs are priority MANILA — The Department of Justice is studying the re-entry of foreign nationals to work on flagship projects in the country, but Secretary Menardo Guevarra stressed that returning migrant workers will be prioritized in these projects. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Monday that the government is studying allowing foreigners working in state flagship projects to come to the country after an embassy made a request. “We are studying these matters very carefully,” Guevarra told reporters in a text message. He explained that an official from the Department of Public Works and Highways raised this matter to the Inter-Agency Task Force, where Guevarra is a part of. “It came across to me as an
expression of the need for these foreign consultants and other technical workers due to their expertise,” he added. The DOJ chief however stressed that returning Overseas Filipino Workers will take priority. “We have to deal with the repatriation of thousands of OFWs and we do not want them to be crowded out by foreign nationals who will likewise have to be tested and quarantine upon arrival,” Guevarra added. President Rodrigo Duterte, in his 13th report to the Congress, said that the government is expecting the number of returning migrant workers to reach 100,000. If the foreign nationals involved in the flagship project comprise a “manageable number,” the task force may allow them to re-enter, Guevarra added. “Note that many of them are
already here; it’s only those who were abroad and caught by the lockdown who wish to re-enter the country,” he also said. Guevarra further explained that the government is also studying a request from a foreign embassy to allow the entry of its citizens with permanent or longterm visas issued by the Bureau of Immigration. This also involves holders of retirees and commercial visas, including foreign nationals who may have business in the Philippines. The IATF referred this matter to a technical working group, he said. The technical working group is also looking into allowing foreign technical workers to resume work on flagship projects. “The IATF may decide on the matter next week,” Guevarra also said. (Philstar.com)
NEW HOSPITAL. Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (left), and Vice Mayor Dra. Honey Lacuna (right), lead the groundbreaking ceremony of the P2.3-billion “Ang Bagong Ospital ng Maynila” on Wednesday, June 24. The groundbreaking of the 10-storey hospital coincides with the 449th founding anniversary of Manila. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
DOJ identifies man who threatened Sharon Cuneta’s daughter by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday, June 23, confirmed that it has identified and traced the location of the man who threatened Frankie Pangilinan, daughter of Senator Francis Pangilinan and actress Sharon Cuneta. “The DOJ-Office of Cybercrime has ascertained the identity and location of the person who allegedly threatened Frankie Pangilinan,” Justice Undersecretary and spokesperson Markk Perete said. Perete also said the department’s Office of the Cybercrime made a request to Facebook to preserve the content of the account pending the filing of the complaint by the offended party. “Should a complaint be filed, law enforcers may apply for a warrant to disclose computer data and a request for extradition, if warranted, may be made,” Perete added. The controversy started when a certain “Sonny Alcos” commented on a Facebook post threatening to rape 19-year-old Frankie. Frankie was the one who sparked the #HijaAko movement across social media sites. Justice Secretary Menardo
Frankie Pangilinan with mom Sharon Cuneta
Photo from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta
Guevarra, for his part, said the Pangilinan family may file the appropriate complaint before a prosecutor’s office if they wish to pursue the case. He also noted that if the family want it filed before the DOJ, they would have to wait for next week, after the lockdown in the compound is lifted. “It’s not required that the complainant personally go to the prosecutor’s office/DOJ. Her lawyer may do it for her, provided the complaint has been duly sworn to by the complainant. It is preferable, though, that the complainant personally appears
before the prosecutor,”Guevarra said. Over the weekend, Cuneta vowed she would do whatever it takes to go after Alcos. Meanwhile, Frankie called for the protection of sexually-harassed victims. “It just sucks so bad to think about how so many actual victims (not just of threats etc.) can’t even begin to fight for their own justice and here I am, receiving one vile tweet and some people are enraged on my behalf. Can we please unleash the same fire for everyone” she said in a tweet. n
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Journal
From Bukidnon to West Point: Filipino nuclear engineering graduate shares US Military Academy journey By Momar
G. Visaya
AJPress
CADET Lieutenant Jesson Peñaflor graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point on Saturday, June 13 with a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering. Peñaflor, who comes from the town of Kalilangan, Bukidnon spent a year at the Philippine Military Academy in 2015 before being accepted to West Point the following year, becom-
ing the lone Filipino member of the batch. An original member of the PMA Mabalasik Class of 2019, Peñaflor said he was looking forward to his homecoming to the Philippines. “We Filipinos are globally competitive. We’ve been sending Filipino cadets to the West Point since 1913,” he told the Asian Journal when asked about what getting in and graduating from the top military academy in the United States meant for him.
The 24-year-old Peñaflor is thankful to the Fil-Am families and organizations in the tri-state for helping him survive his four years at West Point.
Peñaflor with some of his fellow cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Photos courtesy of Jesson Peñaflor
PERSONAL
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the 1,107 Class of 2020 graduates, including Peñaflor, who gathered for the military academy’s annual commencement exercises. The graduation ceremony was a little bit surreal for him since there were no personal guests and the cadets were seated about a meter apart at the Plain Parade Field. They were also not allowed to bring cellphones and smartwatches for security reasons. Family and friends were not allowed to attend the event, which was broadcast online and monitored closely by his family in Bukidnon. When it was over and done with, it dawned on him how quickly it happened. “Yun na pala yun, parang rehearsal lang (That was already it, it felt like a rehearsal),” he said laughing. He expressed a tinge of sadness since he had always thought of bringing his parents in for his graduation so they could see the fruit of his hard work and sacrifices. The opportunity to study at West Point came through the Foreign Service Academy program between the PMA and USMA, which counts among its alumni two presidents of the United States, Ulysses Grant and Dwight Eisenhower; NASA astronauts; and a number of Fortune 500 CEOs. Peñaflor is grateful for the chance. “I did this for my family,” the eldest of three children said, adding that his father Jose Peñaflor was an enlisted Army sergeant in the Philippines. “Honor and glory. I want to really help my family, and for the Filipino people, especially the service members and uniformed personnel, our frontliners right now.” His first assignment upon his return to the homeland will be
SERVICES
a six-month stint at PMA. After that, he is unsure about the path he has to take yet and is planning to join either the First Scout Rangers Regiment or the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) unit of the Philippine Army. He also corrected the misconception among friends and family when they learn that he studied nuclear engineering, explaining to them that he did not study nuclear weapons or how to make bombs. “Pinag-aralan namin mostly is about the use of nuclear energy, sa mga power plants, how to shield from nuclear radiations. We talked about weapons, but not as in-depth as power usage and energy consumption,” he revealed. The 24-year-old graduate studied mechanical engineering at Mindanao State University for three years prior to his PMA stint. At West Point, he was influenced by an upper-class student about nuclear engineering because it might have a possible future in the Philippines. Asked what the biggest lesson learned from this experience, he replied, “The biggest obstacle here is yourself. Once you overcome yourself, not even the devil can stop you. Just push yourself hard. You can use your motivation, ako nga ang sinasabi ko sa sarili ko, nakakahiyang umuwi kung hindi ko matapos ito (I tell myself it’s going to be shameful if I don’t finish).” West Point journey Peñaflor was 20-years-old when he started as a plebe at West Point and he had to go through major adjustments and changes, from food to climate to his study environment. While he was already a stickler to punctuality, he still had to adjust. “Iba ang punctuality ng US Army, lalo nasanay ako sa Filipi-
The new West Point graduate will go back to the Philippine Military Academy for a six-month stint before joining the Special Rangers or the CBRN unit of the Philippine Army.
no time,” he told the Asian Journal, laughing. “Dito, pag sinabi nilang alas singko may formation, dapat five minutes before nandun ka na. If you are on time, you are late,” he shared. (U.S. Army punctuality is different, specially since I was accustomed to Filipino time. Here, if they say there is a formation at 5:00, you should be there five minutes before 5:00.) “I was one of the first plebes in my class na nag-walk ng punishing hours, kasi na late ako ng 30 seconds,” he revealed. Punishment tours, or “hours” as the cadets call them, are punishments given to cadets where they walk a specified number of hours as a penalty for their infractions, from being late to
SERVICES
class or having a dirty room. There was also a dearth of Filipino food in the area, which is why he is thankful to the “foster families” that brought them food. It was one of the first major adjustments he made. “Pagkain, walang kanin, walang Filipino food. Malaking adjustment yun (Food, no rice, no Filipino food. That was a big adjustment),” he admitted. He expressed gratitude for the foster families from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut that helped them, along with Fil-Am organizations such as FALCONN and PMA Alumni Association Northeast Group. The families would also bring him to gatherings, including picnics PAGE 11
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Health@Heart Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS THE massive poverty in the Philippines, compounded by frequent natural calamities, causes untold tragedy to the almost 110 million Filipinos, especially to the more than 3.5 million of them who are indigent members of society. As could be expected, medical care is absent, if not scarce, in many areas of the country. The Montero Medical Missions, founded by a renowned Fil-Am surgeon and medical leader, Dr. Juan M. Montero of Chesapeake, Virginia, is a humanitarian foundation, among others, which seeks to minister to the medically underserved Filipinos in various remote towns in the Philippines. His vision includes a floating medical clinic. The concept of floating hospital first started in the New York area in October 1866 with “a series of charitable excursions, initially conducted by steamboat tycoon John Starin for the benefit of newsboys, war veterans and the needy.” Impressed with the MMM and its vision of a floating medical clinic, I conducted an interview with Dr. Montero, which follows: What is Montero Medical Missions? Montero: The Montero Medical Missions is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt international faith-based (interfaith) humanitarian organization based in Chesapeake, Virginia. I initiated this long overdue project with hopes of a public-private partnership. We are dedicated to the promotion of world friendship through the universal language of the healing arts. How would you accomplish this? Montero: The plan is to create and work with a consortium of corporations, foundations, health institutions, service organizations such as Rotary, Lions clubs, churches, tourism industry, etc. MMM was created in July 2011 with a mission and vision to combine the work of medical missioners and those of Peace Corps volunteers. In spite of its limited funding, this concept has worked beautifully so far, in the service of the poor. What is MMM’s Floating Medical Clinic?
Community Journal
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • June 25-july 1, 2020
Floating Medical Clinic
Montero: The Floating Medical Clinic, a vision of MMM, is a novel healthcare delivery system best suited for archipelagic countries like the Philippines which has 7,106 islands. This project we are proposing is a 19-meter long Trimaran, fiberglass, shallow draft, with solar panels to be built at Evercat Asia boat building company in Mactan, Cebu. In November 2018, during our visit to this company arranged by my good friend Dr. Shawn Espina, a local general/trauma surgeon, we were quoted the price of 16 million pesos ($300,000). This FMC can accommodate 60 persons. Being shallow draft, it can land on beaches where mission work gets started, including performance of minor surgical procedures [bumps/lumps] under local anesthesia. Since it will cost more today, we plan to raise $500,000. Why a Floating Medical Clinic? Montero: We are embarking into this venture for two main reasons. Firstly, to serve the many far-flung coastal communities in their health care needs and create sustainable projects such as Eyesight 20/20, Prosthesis, Dental Care, Women’s Heath, Diabetes Screening, Feed and Educate the Children. Secondly, in times of calamities, i.e. typhoons, earthquakes, etc. these same communities can readily get assistance with needed medical care and supplies. Many of my contemporaries, expatriate health professionals whom I call a vanishing breed, are always wanting to help the homeland together with their counterpart fellow countrymen and colleagues, and this vehicle surely can be an answer because of its affordability and flexibility, let alone it would be fun. What would this FMC do for the people? Montero: The Floating Medical Clinic will give them hope for a more convenient and improved answer to their health care needs. The seamstress who has abandoned sewing for losing clear vision can now return to her job right after being examined by an optometrist and fitted with a correct prescription eyeglasses. The leg amputee with new prosthesis becomes productive again. This is bringing medical care to their doorstep. Most of these people do not have cars. Who would be the beneficiaries of the FMC?
Montero: The occurrence of an average 22 typhoons yearly in the Philippines is more than enough reason to have such a novel project and be a leader in this aspect of healthcare delivery wherever it is needed. Besides post-natural disasters, those less fortunate folks in far-flung coastal communities who seldom, if any, get medical attention would benefit from this program. The country’s dream of a universal healthcare will be enhanced by this unique FMC safety net. How will the FMC actually function? Montero: Dr. Espina is the head of a group of multi-specialist group of physicians in Cebu, many of whom are veteran medical missioners. He and his colleagues could use this clinic on water, and oversee the operation of the FMC through a calendar of medical service events year round. When not in use for medical or relief mission purposes, the FMC can accommodate tourists for whale-shark sightseeing, scuba diving adventures, etc., to add to the revenue. For strategic reason, the docking headquarter will be in Liloan, Cebu. Who would finance the operation of the FMC? Montero: The Montero Medical Missions is currently in the process of communication for potential partnership with the PH Merchant Marine Academy, PH Coast Guard Auxiliary and School for Seafarers. Once established, it will definitely lower down the cost of operation, which initially should come from our major fundraising efforts both in the U.S. and PH, then eventual creation of an Endowment Fund for its sustainability. When MMM sponsors an FMC medical mission, we get supplies/equipment from the World Medical Relief warehouse in Metro Manila thru the kindness of its Executive Director, Dr. David Zarate, who also sits on MMM Philippines Advisory Board. Any other partnership in the offing? Montero: I am communicating with my personal friends, like Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Rev. Pat Robertson and son Gordon of 700 Club, Investment banker Steve Cuunjieng, Mr. Andy Koval of Tacha Foundation and others for potential partnership, like the various medical associations in the Philippines and in the U.S. The naming rights of this novel PAGE 11
Tuscan Highlands becomes first multi-family residential development to open esports gaming venue Developer implements trend-setting action to meet growing esports demand LAS VEGAS—June 11, 2020– Las Vegas’ newest multi-family residential development, Tuscan Highlands, is defining a new trend in residential experiences by providing an on-site esports and gaming lounge, a move not seen before in Las Vegas or other markets. Tuscan Highlands’ social living community is providing a 4,500-sqaure-foot space for esports tournaments and casual gaming. A haven for career or leisure gamers, players can enjoy many aspects, including: 12 computer stations, 11’ x 7’ ultra HD LED displays; a virtual reality multi-sport simulator with 15’ x 9’ display for golf, hockey and soccer; individual gaming stations equipped with Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles; arcade games; a YouTube/podcast recording studio, and more. The lounge provides seating accommodations for 75-100 people. Taking on challenging battles with ease, players can level up their comfort in the “Karnox Gladiator” – the official chair of Tuscan Highlands’ esports and gaming lounge. An elite choice in gaming chairs, the multifunctional Gladiator offers players a 4D arm and height adjustability, up to 155 degrees in reclining options, and vegan-friendly
leather for easy uptake and prolonged durability. It is also the only chair to feature a built-in headrest pillow. Developed by nationally recognized consultants and industry experts, the venue’s collaboration is sparked from the minds who brought Hyper X at The Luxor, LVL UP Expo and UNLV’s own Robert Rippee, director of the Hospitality Lab at the International Gaming Institute. “We are immensely excited about this project and developing it in a residential Las Vegas venue,” said Milo Ocampo, founder of UNLV Esports and CEO of 8-bit Esports. “This is not your average gaming lounge. The developer took his time to really understand gamers and what it means to integrate es-
ports into a trend-setting living environment.” Tentatively scheduled to open in July, the lounge will be open to residents and also for tournaments. A place where creatives, curators, social-seekers, gamers and tech enthusiasts can succeed together, Tuscan Highlands’ unparalleled community takes a front seat on next-generation apartment living, putting the residents in control of their own social experiences. Tuscan Highlands is home to 304 units, including one- to twobedroom, studio and loft-style apartment homes, as well as carriage-style living quarters with an attached garage. Units range from 503 to 1,341 square feet. PAGE 10
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June 25-july 1, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
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Pia speaks up during Pride Month Lin-Manuel on Rachelle Ann’s ‘Hamilton’ audition: She had all the fire by Cha Lino Inquirer.net
by Ruben
V. Nepales
Inquirer.net
LOS ANGELES—“Rachelle just came in and she had all the fire necessary for ‘Burn’ and all of the incredible luminosity needed for ‘Helpless,’” Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator and star of “Hamilton,” recalled Rachelle Ann Go’s audition for the West End production of his acclaimed hit musical. “Those are the songs we make you sing at the audition,” added Lin-Manuel in our video call as he readies a filmed version of the original Broadway production to make its global streaming premiere on July 3 on Disney+. With a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, “Hamilton” is an eagerly anticipated event on Disney’s streaming service. I had asked Lin-Manuel if he was present when Rachelle, Christine Allado and Isa Briones, among several Filipino actors who got cast in various productions of “Hamilton,” auditioned. He replied, “Of all the ones you mentioned, the only one I was physically at was Rachelle’s audition. I remember how special she was. That was one of the easier casting decisions we ever made. “I was in London working in preproduction on ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ at the time, so it was total serendipity that I got to be in the room.” Rachelle played Elizabeth Hamilton in the London production of “Hamilton” from 2017 to 2019. “Everyone else, I remember seeing a taped audition,” shared the composer of the musical whose various productions around the world briskly sold tickets. The musical theater genius of Puerto Rican heritage is on a laudable mission to create more roles for actors of color. He said, “The joy of casting this show is in falling in love with new talent and providing a platform for artists of color to shine. Every time I write a show, that is my goal, to create the kind of musicals I didn’t see growing up.” With a smile, the composer, lyricist, singer, actor, producer and playwright stressed, “I’m making up for lost time and writing parts for us because I didn’t see a way into this world. ‘In the Heights’ came from a desire to be in the world of musical theater and not play Bernardo [in ‘West Side Story’].” Lin-Manuel is keeping his promise. He just announced that he’s working on an animated musical set in Colombia. The multihyphenate, who was calling from Washington Heights, New York, stood up to show the view of the George Washington bridge from his home office. He’s sitting out the pandemic with his family. “It’s funny,” he said. “In another timeline, in a noncovid timeline, you and I will be talking about ‘In the Heights’ right now and not ‘Hamilton.’” Indeed. Director Jon M. Chu’s movie adaptation of “In the Heights,” Lin-Manuel earlier Broadway musical, originally scheduled to open on June 26, will now debut
Rachelle Ann Go
in cineplexes in June next year. Producers hope that by then, people can fully enjoy “In the Heights” in movie theaters. In the meantime, Lin-Manuel is excited that “Hamilton,” which won 11 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, will finally be seen by more people around the world. Many people were driven away from watching the stage musical because tickets were often sold out and the prices were steep. In his own words, Lin-Manuel describes “Hamilton,” based on the life of Alexander Hamilton (which he plays), one of the Founding Fathers of America: “It’s about a young man who came from impossible odds, poverty and incredibly tough origins in the Caribbean to the mainland, just as the American Revolution is starting. “It’s really an immigrant narrative, about someone who comes here from somewhere else and on the strength of his writing, he writes his way out of poverty, into the formation of this country. “But he also writes his way to ruin. It’s a tragedy, narrated by everyone closest to Hamilton, and that includes Aaron Burr, the man who shot him, who was a friend, soldier and fellow lawyer, as well as Hamilton’s wife, sisterin-law and George Washington.” He said that “Hamilton” was relevant as ever. “If there’s any political insight, the biggest one is, the problems and paradoxes present in the origin are the fights that we’re still having.” To shoot a filmed version of “Hamilton” with its original cast while it was the hottest ticket on Broadway was a struggle, according to Lin-Manuel. “We had to film this moment while we were still in our first-year contract,” he explained. Director Thomas Kail, using several cameras, shot the original cast, aside from Lin-Manuel: Daveed Diggs (Marquis de Lafayette/ Thomas Jefferson); Renée Elise
Photo from Instagram/@gorachelleann
IN celebration of Pride Month this June, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach talked about learning more about the LGBTQIA+ community and how to affirm them. Wurtzbach stressed the importance of upholding LGBTQIA+ rights and being receptive to these, as seen on her Instagram post on Thursday, June 25. “Learning is always a two-way process,” she said. “[We] listen as we understand each other’s points of view.” The beauty queen and model defined being an ally as “someone who gives a sense of a safe and affirming space for our loving community.” Wurtzbach wants to provide “higher platforms” for discussion, where members of the LGBTQIA+ community could address their concerns. She explained that “we can discuss our differences and remind ourselves that we are together on this journey, and achieve our shared goals for equality.” “Let me just make a stand that our friends and family in the LGBTQIA+ community have the right to take up space in our society,” Wurtzbach said. “[That] their voices should be heard, that we don’t invalidate [transwomen] as women.” LGBT is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. It is an umbrella term used to refer to the whole community, according to the LG-
Pia Wurtzbach
BTQIA Resource Center of the University of California, Davis. Some use the term LGBTQIA to raise awareness on other sexual orientations included in the community, including queer, intersex and asexual. Sexual orientation is someone’s “enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attrac-
Photo from Instagram/@piawurtzbach
tion to members of the same and/or opposite sex,” as per the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). People do not necessarily need to have a specific sexual experience to know their sexual orientation. The organization said that some do not need to have any sexual experience at all.
Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler); Jonathan Groff (King George); Christopher Jackson (George Washington); Jasmine Cephas Jones (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds); Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr); Okieriete Onaodowan (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison); Anthony Ramos (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton); and PhilBy Ratziel San Juan lipa Soo (Eliza Hamilton). Philstar.com The composer, who just needs an Oscar to join the elite EGOT ACTRESS Angel Locsin is inadvertently sparking circle, said, “It was hard to plan conversations of body positivity among Filipino nea movie shoot while you’re doing tizens after pictures highlighting her curvaceous figeight shows a week, but we were ure surfaced online. able to pull it together, literally Online users argued that Angel’s proactive stance the week before I left the show. in helping out her countrymen through humanitarWe filmed this on June 25, 26 ian projects before and during the novel coronaviand 27 [in 2016]. I left the show rus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is proof that the next weekend, along with weight and body image should not matter. Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo and Angel’s healthy, curvy figure can also be seen and Ariana Debose, all original memadmired on her new public service program “Iba bers.” ‘Yan,” which she hosts and operates alongside a He cited that the filmed version dedicated team in order to feature inspiring stories will give the viewer a vantage of unrecognized heroes. point that even the best seat in a Here’s what netizens are saying about Angel Loctheater will not approximate. Angel Locsin as seen in “Iba ‘Yan” ABS-CBN photo sin and the power of body positivity. “I fell in love with ‘Great Performances’ [telecasts of] like ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Sunday in the Park with George.’ But I think this surpasses that in terms of the vantage point Tommy (Thomas, director) is giving the audience. “Tommy has done an amazing job making a cinematic, theatrical hybrid. I’m excited that this is the first film version that people will get to see because I spent six years writing this version.” Among the many celebrities who showed up to watch “Hamilton” were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. “It was surreal because his sixth great-grandfather (King George III) is a character in my show,” Lin-Manuel said of the Prince, who sang onstage a few bars of a “Hamilton” song after a performance. “Prince Harry’s charity does wonderful work and we were BB Gandanghari Photo from Instagram/@gandangharibb Carmina Villaroel Photo from Instagram/@mina_villaroel honored to be able to help in raising money for that. I was playing it so cool, but you can see how stressed out I was in every picture. I was like this [demonstrates being tense].” And the most unforgettable ticket request from a celebrity? tom really wanted. but hindi lang wrong time, but by Jan Milo Severo “It was an email from the late, “Ano ba ang pangarap ni Ruswrong body.” Philstar.com great Aretha Franklin,” Lin-Mantom? Magkaroon ng pamilya, BB also admitted that a part of uel said with a grin. “I was thrilled MODEL BB Gandanghari magkaroon ng mabuting asawa, Rustom died when they decided to get her the tickets (laughs). opened up on the relationship magkaroon ng mga anak, mag- to separate. But no one ever expects an email Rustom Padilla had with Carmina ing mabuting asawa, maging “Dumating sa punto na nagdefrom Aretha Franklin. That was Villaroel. mabuting provider,” BB said. sisyon si Carmina to move on. Isa probably the most amazing thing “Yun ang pangarap ni Rus- sa mga pinakamasakit na panaIn BB’s YouTube channel, BB to land in my inbox in that first said Rustom loved Carmina and tom. And Rustom thought na si hon, you can just imagine, isang year.” their breakup was the saddest Carmina din yung babae para sa tao na pinaka-importante sa iyo, On the influence of his dad, part of Rustom’s life. kanya to fulfill that dream, pero nagpapaalam. So Rustom was Luis Miranda Jr., who was a “Marami ang nagtatanong, sa paglipas ng panahon, nagka- really devastated, pero hindi na Democratic Party consultant (his minahal ko raw ba talaga si Car- karoon ng mga natutuklas mo siya nag-disagree. It was a very mom, Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda, mina? Honestly and true, oo. kung ano ba yung katotohanan amicable separation, walang is a clinical psychologist), on his Ang pinakamasakit na nangyari sa kaibuturan ng puso mo.” sigawan, walang sumbatan, pero work, Lin-Manuel said, “That kay Rustom, nung dumating sa BB also said that if Rustom is pinakamasakit,” BB said. gives me an awareness and ap- panahon na kailangan na silang here again, he will court Carmina “Did it kill Rustom? A part of titude for politics. But it also maghiwalay. It’s the fact na they again. him died. Definitely kung paggives me an aversion to politics thought they found the right love, “Rustom may be right, he may uusapan yung dreams, kung pagbecause, to quote Aaron Burr, ‘I para kay Rustom,” BB said. be happy with Carmina, but he uusapan ni Rustom, yun yung have seen how the sausage gets “Pero hindi na rin niya ipina- wasn’t happy with himself. That’s kabuuan, yun ang Carmina. Defimade.’ I was registering voters, glaban kasi, at that time, binibig- the problem. Doon nag-umpisa nitely after the separation, hindi instead of having a newspaper yan nila ng pagkakataon ang na bakit kasama na niya ‘yung ko alam kung ano nangyayari route as a child. I think I inher- sarili nila na mag-isip. Napak- babaeng… kasi ‘yung pagmama- noon. Hindi ko na alam how to ited my love of the arts from him abait ng Diyos, I hope si Carmi- hal, walang question,” BB said. move on, pero, at that time, wala and my mother.” “Kung ako magiging lalake naman choice, but to move on. na, ganito rin ang pakiramdam. The parallels of his dad’s life I don’t wanna be selfish about it, ulit, babalik, siya pa rin liligawan. Wala naman choice, but to overwith Hamilton’s permeate the pero itinuturing kong blessing si Hindi ko naman naiisip noon na come, so gaano man kasakit, nagroundbreaking musical. “The Carmina sa buhay ni Rustom.” bilang Rustom, magpapatawag overcome.” thing that made me feel like I Rustom and Carmina sepaBB said Rustom dreamt of a ako na BB after 21 years or 31 understood Hamilton as a char- happy family with Carmina but years? I really don’t know. Sabi rated in 1997 after three years of acter was the fact that this is a Carmina understands what Rus- ko nga, it may be the right love, marriage. kid who grew up in the Caribbean and wrote his way to a scholarship on the mainland. That’s exactly what my father did at the PAGE 9 www.tuscanhighlandslasvegas. lifestyle, health and well-being same age as Hamilton. “It was a tipping point in mak- The destination’s additional ame- com or call (833) 303-1745 to be programs, onsite concierge, ing me go, I know this guy. I nities include concierge services, connected with a leasing agent. e-sport/gaming lounges, an inAbout Tuscan Highlands door/outdoor restaurant, resortknow how to write him because a 21,000 + square-foot resort hall Nestled on the southwest style saltwater pool and spa, outif there is anything Hamilton and complete with a health club and my father share, it’s that they fitness studios; a spa and salon; corner of St. Rose Parkway door athletic courts and much resort-style saltwater pool with and Interstate 15 in Las Vegas’ more. The wellness-driven comwere f***ing relentless. “So when I’m playing Hamil- cabanas; outdoor athletics and Southern Highlands community, munity boasts extraordinary exTuscan Highlands is the new periences, pledging its residents ton, I am playing Luis Miranda. multi-use courts and more. Managed by Pinnacle Property standard of resort-style living. ‘don’t have to leave.’ For more I think that comes through very strongly in JJ’s (director John Management, Tuscan Highlands Dubbed the poshest playground information, visit www.tuscanJames) documentary (‘Siempre, is currently leasing apartment in town, the property offers resi- highlandslasvegas.com, or stay Luis’). I’m looking for ward to homes and scheduling virtual dents a variety of notable ame- connected on social media via Inquirer.net photo by Ruben V. Nepales tours. For more information, visit nities and services, including Facebook and Instagram. you seeing it.”
Angel inspires body positivity with latest physique
BB bares ‘untold story’ behind Rustom, Carmina split
Tuscan Highlands becomes first multi-family...
Lin-Manuel Miranda
(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com
From Bukidnon to West Point: Filipino...
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and gala events. “They were my home away from home. Wala kaming pamilya dito kaya sila yung naging family namin dito for four years (We had no family here so they became my family for four years),” he said. “Sila yung source ng Filipino food namin, malaki yung role nila that’s why I survived West Point (They became our source of Filipino food, they played a big role that’s why I survived West Point).” Long-term plans Studying at West Point gave Peñaflor a different perspective and he hopes to be able to use that in the future. He has set lofty goals for himself. “I want to have a star, I want to reach General position if possible. But if I can be president [some day], why not, di ba? It’s
not out of the table. Pero as of now, gusto ko lang mag-serve,” he said, mentioning the name of former President Fidel V. Ramos, one of the most famous West Point graduates from the Philippines. Peñaflor now joins the ranks of West Point alumni from the Philippines, including Vicente Podico Lim, the first Filipino graduate of West Point, Brigadier General Danilo Lim, and former Defense Secretary Gen. Rafael Ileto. He said he observed many things that if applied to the Philippine setting, the system in the Armed Forces would improve. Among those he cited is the empowerment of enlisted personnel. “Here, they are the backbone of the U.S. Army. Maybe giving more influence and responsibili-
Peñaflor with some of his West Point classmates.
Photo courtesy of Jesson Peñaflor
Features
ties to non-commissioned officers (NCOs) would strengthen the military. And if they want to study, they can enlist. Para maattract yung mga youth natin na hindi makapagaral (So they can attract the youth who can’t afford to go to school),” Peñaflor shared. The new graduate has promised himself to work hard and make his way up if he wants to implement these changes. For now, it’s one step at a time as he looks forward to his homecoming. “Hopefully, I can also be an inspiration to the youth, lalo na yung mga nag-a-aspire to serve the country through the military (Hopefully, I can also be an inspiration to the youth, specially those who are aspiring to serve the country through the military),” he quipped.
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • June 25-july 1, 2020
Jed braces for ‘new normal’ concert
WORLD Champion Jed Madela is once again breaking new grounds as he headlines “New Normal,” a first of its kind, exclusive online digital concert. The concert is produced by Jed’s MADD Creatives and GM Proponents. “The pandemic has really pushed everyone to be anxious, but we as Filipinos, we are fighters, and we always find a reason to stay inspired and to survive,” said Jed. “’New Normal’ is a celebration of that spirit, and the optimism that we will all overcome this.” Jed sees “New Normal” as an avenue to re-connect with his loyal and new fans by a night of unforgettable music and worldclass performance. “Working on this project is exciting and nerve-wracking,” admits Jed. “This is an unchartered territory, having an online concert like this, but I am assuring that, as always, what I offer is topnotch entertainment.” Tickets to this concert is available via the Kapamilya Tickets website, www.ktx.ph. It will also be streamed via KTX. In “New Normal,” Jed is not
Jed Madela
just a performer as he is also the show’s overall creative producer and director. “I love this challenge, so I guess in a way, this is the most personal project for me in recent years,” shares Jed. “You will get to know more about me as an artist in this ‘New Normal’ concert.” Asked about his repertoire,
social media to the maximum in its promotion, i.e. email, constant contact, website campaign, Facebook, Twitter, PowerPoint presentations, teleconferences, etc. This novel humanitarian project will provide doorstep delivery of medical care to the poorest of the poor. I am most optimistic in this venture because failure is not an option in serving our country and our suffering fellowmen. How do people contact MMM? Montero: Google Montero Medical Missions, view it on YouTube, and see it on Facebook and Twitter, for more informa-
by Allan
Policarpio Inquirer.net
GLADYS Reyes celebrated her birthday with her family in the safety of their home amid the
general community quarantine. The actress turned 43 years old last Tuesday, June 23. “My simple birthday celebration is complete as long as it’s with my family,” she said on her
tion. Email us at AceDocJmm@ aol.com. Let us all roll up our sleeves, support, and rally behind this wonderful humanitarian endeavor in the service of our helpless underserved fellowmen in pain and not wait for surgery to open our heart! * * * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Photo from Instagram/@jedmadelaofficial
Jed assures that he will perform his biggest hits and some new songs that will surely delight his followers. “’New Normal’ is an intimate celebration with all of my followers and fans, who have selflessly journeyed with me through the years,” relates Jed. “I hope to see all of you as we embrace the ‘New Normal.’”
Gladys marks 43rd birthday with simple celebration at home
Floating Medical Clinic
PAGE 9 healthcare delivery system would be in play if requested. The Filipino United Network-USA (www. fun8888.com), a United States humanitarian foundation, is endorsing the MMM and its Floating Medical Clinic. What is your timetable for the FMC? Montero: The major determinant for this is our success in our fundraising. It will take eight months to finish the construction of the Floating Medical Clinic. We are approaching potential major gift donors both in the U.S. and in the Philippines. We will utilize
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Gladys Reyes with husband Christopher Roxas and their kids. Photo from Instagram/@iamgladysreyes
Instagram page on the same day. She also included pictures of her with her loved ones. “My wish of course, is for this virus to be gone, may we all recover fast from this pandemic and to continue to pray for God’s mercy,” Reyes added. She then thanked all of her well-wishers while saying, “Let’s spread positive attitude towards life, kindness to one another, have empathy and have faith in God no matter what.” While Reyes and her family stayed in for the special occasion, there was still a delicious birthday spread prepared for the actress, which included cakes, pizza and chicken wings. Along with Reyes, other actors such as Michael de Mesa and Daniel Padilla have also celebrated their birthdays at home during the ongoing pandemic. Meanwhile, Reyes is also offering to share her decades of experience in the entertainment industry through an online workshop. The actress will be opening the class to those between 13 and 40 years old over video call platform Zoom.
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June 25-july 1, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678