1 March 18-24, 2021
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION
www.pnewstoday.com
THE PREMIER FILIPINO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S. SINCE 1961
Vol. 60 No. 32 March 18-24, 2021
NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST
PHL UNCOVERS OWN COVID-19 VARIANT, OTHER DEADLY STRAINS Cases may multiply 28 times, blamed for surge of infections By ALFRED GABOT, Editor in Chief
MANILA — The Philippines is now dealing with two other COVID-19 variants, including one that is first discovered in the country even as more cases of the deadlier strains called United Kingdom and South Africa variants have been detected in the country even as vaccination of frontliners continued. Some analysts said the variants partly caused the SAN JOSE Mayor Sam Liccardo joins rallyists calling for a stop to hate crimes against Asian Americans. recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the country. Dr. Alethea de Guzman, medical specialist at the Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau, warned the country’s’ COVID-19 cases may “increase by 28 times” after a By ANGELO LOPEZ SAN JOSE - San Jose Mayor land community who have been month if “variants of concern” become dominant in Sam Liccardo and various lead- officials, voiced their support for subject to harassment, threats the country. She warned such a grim milestone “would ers, including law enforcement the Asian American Pacific Is- and hate crimes. Page 8 Page 9 truly overwhelm our health system.”
San Jose mayor, leaders, lawmen rally, air support to Asian Americans
FilAm scientist has advice for picky people By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor MANILA - A molecular microbiologist at the Mayo Clinic who is a Covid-19 specialist sought to clarify a number of misconceptions regarding the vaccines In an online interview with Philippine News Today, FilAm Ayssa Lopez-Butalid said the best vaccine “is the vaccine that you can get into your arm the fastest.” She warned against being too picky with the brand to use, as
the vaccines available in the US – made by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson – “are safe, effective, and greatly reduce the risk of severe complications due to infection.” Lopez-Butalid works as close to the dreaded virus as any scientist or doctor in the country, conducting tests and genetic research as a specialist in molecular epidemiology. She said that delaying getting the vaccine because Page 8
Entry of foreigners, returning Filipinos in PHL suspended anew over virus
2 Fil Ams in Walt Disney’s ‘Raya and the Lost Dragon’
MANILA - The Philippine government has suspended anew the entry of foreign nationals and returning overseas Filipinos who are non-overseas Filipino workers into the country starting March 20 until Monday, April 19 amid a spike in Covid-19 cases and the entry of new variants in the country. This was announced by the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) which also di- Page 9
HOLLYWOOD - Two Filipino Americans worked in the production of Walt Disney’s film “Raya and the Lost Dragon. Two of them, both Manilaborn John Aquino and Mikee Sevilla, were introduced to this reporter and Philippine News Today. It was with feeling of joy, satisfaction and pride that this reporter and Philippine News Today were introduced to the two
By Jun Nucum
John Aquino and Mikee Sevilla Filipinos who actively worked in the production of multi-themed film Raya and the Page 16
Pope Francis rallies Filipinos in Vatican
Unified curfew back in Metro Manila VIEWS & COMMENTS
SHOWBIZ
SPORTS
Recovering the Philippines’ lost greatness
Vilma Santos endorsed for Nat’l Artist Award
Jaworski, Muros lead Hall of Famers, Diaz to get citation
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