011322 - Las Vegas Edition

LAS VEGAS

We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway... and Online!

JANUARY 13-19, 2022 Volume 33 - No.1 • 12 Pages

T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M MU N I T Y N E WS PA P E R

2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 201 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

US expected to have new ambassador to PH before May polls MANILA — The United States is expected to have a new ambassador to the Philippines before the May polls, Manila’s top diplomat in Washington said on Thursday, January 13.

“I know that there will be an ambassador coming to the Philippines, hopefully, before the elections,” Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Romualdez said in an ANC interview.

He said he has already met with potential nominees for the post.

“There are quite a number of them who have wanted to go to the Philippines. I’ve met them,” Romualdez said.

“It’s supposed to be a super-secret thing until we agree to it. And secondly, the White House is the one that makes the announcement for the new ambassador,” he added.

Nevada orders more COVID-19 tests amid latest case surge

by AJPRESS NEVADA is ordering over half a million additional at-home COVID-19 tests in response to the current surge in cases, according to Governor Steve Sisolak.

The Silver State is expected to receive over The first shipment of at-home tests, which 588,000 at-home test kits, the governor announced is covered by federal COVID relief funding, is on Thursday, January 13 during a virtual press expected to arrive by the end of January. conference to provide updates on the increase in “We know that Nevadans want easy and cases since mid-December and the latest surge convenient access to COVID-19 testing from the compared to the previous year. u PAGE 2

100,000 Filipino health care workers with pending US work visa as demand soars

by CHRISTIA

MARIE Inquirer.net

u PAGE 3

Hospitals recruit international nurses to fill pandemic shortages BILLINGS, Mont. — Before Mary Venus was offered a nursing job at a hospital here, she’d never heard of Billings or visited the United States. A native of the Philippines, she researched her prospective move via the internet, set aside her angst about the cold Montana winters and took the job, sight unseen.

Venus has been in Billings since midNovember, working in a surgical recovery unit at Billings Clinic, Montana’s largest hospital in its most populous city. She and her husband moved into an apartment, bought a car and are settling in. They recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary.

Maybe, she mused, this could be a “forever home.”

“I am hoping to stay here,” Venus said.

“So far, so good. It’s not easy, though. For me, it’s like living on another planet.”

Administrators at Billings Clinic hope she stays, too. The hospital has contracts with two dozen nurses from the Philippines, Thailand, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria, all set to arrive in Montana by summer. More nurses from faroff places are likely.

Billings Clinic is just one of the scores of hospitals across the U.S. looking abroad to ease a shortage of nurses worsened by

u PAGE 2

VAX CARD CHECK. Personnel from the Quezon City Task Force for Transport and Traffic Management (QCTFTTM) check a passenger’s company ID and vaccination card before boarding a bus offering free rides along General Romulo Avenue on Thursday, January 13. The city strictly enforces the ‘no vaccine card, no ride policy’ in public transport as Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 due to a surge in Covid-19 infections.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

RAMOS

MANILA, Philippines — There are at least 100,000 Filipino health care workers who have pending visas to work in the United States amid a “very high demand” for nurses and doctors in the said country, which is currently facing a high COVID-19 infection rate, Manila’s envoy there said.

“There are quite a number of pending visas for nurses from the Philippines that I think are being considered now very seriously that they’d like to bring them over. These are nurses that have already been approved [of] moving to the United States as health workers,” Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Romualdez said in an ANC interview on Thursday, January 13 “I would think that [there is] probably at least 100,000 visas…that are pending right now to come to the United States,” he added.

u PAGE 2

Experts warn: ‘Long COVID’ from omicron coronavirus variant possible

by DAPHNE

GALVEZ Inquirer.net

WHILE the Omicron COVID-19 variant appears to cause less severe illness compared to the Delta variant, it may be capable of causing long-term after-infection effects otherwise known as “long COVID,” experts warned on on Tuesday, January 11.

Thus, Filipinos should not be complacent about catching the coronavirus, said Philippine Genome Center (PGC) chief Cynthia Saloma, considering it is unclear

who among carriers of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 – whether they experienced mild or no symptoms – may develop long COVID. SARS-CoV-2 is the latest strain of coronavirus that causes severe respiratory illness COVID-19. It has undergone mutations that resulted in numerous variants including Delta and Omicron – said to be the most contagious of all.

“Gusto ko lang talaga i-emphasize din na mayroon pong isang aspect that we have

u PAGE 3

Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire raises funds to assist victims of Typhoon Odette Sara Duterte won’t

Davao City mayor and vice presidential aspirant Sara Duterte-Carpio ManilaTimes.net photo

Nonito Donaire

IN response to the extensive damages brought about by Category 5 Super Typhoon Rai (Local Name Bagyong Odette) in Central and Southern Philippines, Mabuhay Credit Union hosted a Press Conference / Meet and Greet / Fundraiser with WBC Bantamweight Champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. onTuesday, December 28, 2021.

Odette has claimed over 400 lives, with almost 100 still missing; has affected over 13 million people in some way, shape, or form (140,000 of whom were severely affected); and has caused over P40 billion or about $800 million in damages when it touched down in Mindanao and tore through Visayas on December 16–17, 2021.

Photo from Instagram/@nonitodonaire

Nonito Donaire is a 9-time World Boxing Champion across 4 different Weight Categories who had most recently defended his WBC Championship Belt against fellow Filipino pugilist Reymart Gaballo in Carson’s Dignity Health Center last December 11th. Born and raised in Talibon, Bohol, Donaire is taking time away from his ultimate goal of unifying the Bantamweight Belts to respond to a higher calling - which is to help his fellow Filipinos who have been devastated by the strongest Super Typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2021. According to Donaire, “I am truly grateful to see the unity from people all over the world, and I am happy that we can all work together in putting effort and energy into this

u PAGE 3

leave Marcos for Isko

by CATHERINE

S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

VICE presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio maintained her support for her running mate, presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., amid calls for her to pair up with Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.

In a video message posted on her Facebook page, DuterteCarpio cited her commitment to her tandem with Marcos and to their alliance with the Lakas-

Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).

“Nangako rin ako ng katapatan sa alyansang aking pinasok kasama ang Lakas-CMD party at Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). Mahalaga po sa akin ang paninindigan at isang salita (I pledged loyalty to my alliance with Lakas-CMD party and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. It is important for me to have integrity and to keep my word),” DuterteCarpio said.

“I truly appreciate the love

u PAGE 2

2

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

January 13-19, 2022 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL

From The FronT Page

Nevada orders more COVID-19...

PAGE 1 comfort of their own home, and this project will help us accomplish that goal and help relieve some of the strain on our other testing systems,” said Sisolak.

The “bulk” of the tests will be distributed to Southern Nevada and will be available at health centers, fire departments, libraries, community organizations and

other locations.

The governor reminded residents to get vaccinated and boosted if they haven’t already.

“I want to remind Nevadans that this moment in time is very different from where we found ourselves in March 2020,” Sisolak said. “We have incredibly powerful tools to help fight the virus — the most powerful of which are the COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics.”

Information on how receive the at-home rapid test kits will be updated on the Nevada Health Response’s website (https:// nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/).

A s o f T h u r s d a y, N e v a d a reported 3,661 new cases, for a cumulative total of 543,102 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the state reported 1,623 confirmed and suspected hospitalizations and six deaths, for a total of 8,606 fatalities. n

Sara Duterte won’t leave Marcos...

PAGE 1

of so many for me and while I continue to respect your decision to support another presidential candidate, it is with a heavy heart that I cannot be one with you on this,” she added.

Duterte-Carpio is seeking the vice presidency under the LakasCMD banner, while Marcos is

running under PFP. The two decided to team up and call themselves the “UniTeam.”

Duterte-Carpio, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, reiterated her appeal to her supporters to continue backing the UniTeam “so we can succeed in our mission for the country.”

“Patuloy akong umaasa ng

suporta ninyo sa UniTeam.

Mahalaga ang pagpili ng isang team na maglilingkod sa ating bayan (I am still hoping for your Mary Venus, a nurse from the Philippines, checks on a patient inside the in-patient surgical recovery unit at Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana.

Photo by Nick Ehli for KHN support for the UniTeam. It is important to choose a team that will serve the country,” she said.

She added that the UniTeam is ready to face the challenges of PAGE 1 profession. Nursing schools have resulted in Montana having the governance. n the pandemic. The national seen an increase in enrollment highest rate in the nation for a demand is so great that it’s since the pandemic, but that time, and Billings Clinics’ ICU created a backlog of health care staffing pipeline has done little was bursting with patients.

Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte professionals awaiting clearance to offset today’s demand.

In fact, the American Nurses sent the National Guard to to work in the U.S. More than Clinic and other 5,000 international nurses are Association in September urged Billings awaiting final visa approval, the U.S. Department of Health Montana hospitals; the federal the American Association and Human Services to declare government sent pharmacists of International Healthcare the shortage of nurses a national and a naval medical team.

While the surge in Montana Recruitment reported in crisis.

CGFNS International, which has subsided, active case September.

“We are seeing an absolute certifies the credentials of numbers in Yellowstone County boom in requests for international foreign-born health care workers — home to the hospital — are nurses,” said Lesley Hamilton- to work in America, is the only among the state’s highest. The Powers, a board member of such organization authorized Billings Clinic ICU still overflows, AAIHR and a vice president for by the federal government. Its mostly with covid patients, and Avant Healthcare Professionals president, Dr. Franklin Shaffer, signs still warn visitors that said more hospitals are looking “aggressive behavior will not in Florida.

Avant recruits nurses from abroad to fill their staffing voids. be tolerated,” a reminder of the “We have a huge demand, a threat of violence and abuse other countries and then works health care workers endure as to place them in U.S. hospitals, huge shortage,” he said.

Billings Clinic would hire 120 the pandemic grinds on. including Billings Clinic. Before Like most hospitals, Billings the pandemic, Avant would more nurses today if it could, typically have orders from hospital officials said. The Clinic has sought to abate its hospitals for 800 nurses. It staffing shortage was significant staffing shortage with traveling currently has more than 4,000 before the pandemic. The added nurses — contract workers who such requests, Hamilton-Powers demands and stress of covid typically go where the pandemic have made it untenable. demands. The clinic has paid said.

Greg Titensor, a registered up to $200 an hour for their “And that’s just us, a single Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes organization,” added Hamilton- nurse and the vice president services, and, at last fall’s peak, the U.S. reported 1.35 million Powers. “Hospitals all over of operations at Billings Clinic, had as many as 200 traveling new COVID-19 cases last Jan. 10, the country are stretched and noted that three of the hospital’s nurses as part of its workforce. which is the highest daily total looking for alternatives to fill most experienced nurses, all The scarcity of nurses for any country in the world. in the intensive care unit with nationally has driven those nursing vacancies.”

In the Philippines, the Foreign-born workers make up at least 20 years of experience, steep payments, prompting D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h o n about a sixth of the U.S. nursing recently announced their members of Congress to ask We d n e s d a y l o g g e d 3 2 , 2 4 6 workforce, and the need is retirements. the Biden administration to more COVID-19 cases, pushing increasing, nursing associations “They are getting tired, and investigate reported gouging by the country’s active tally to and staffing agencies report, as they are leaving,” Titensor said. unscrupulous staffing agencies.

208,164. n Last fall’s surge of covid cases nurses increasingly leave the PAGE 3

100,000 Filipino healthcare workers with...

PAGE 1

Asked if there is a preference for Filipino health care workers in the United States, Romualdez said: “Definitely, there’s no doubt about that.”

“In all my discussions with the U.S. government people, we inevitably always talk about the nurses, most especially, the kind of people that we have here working in the hospitals.

There’s so much appreciation, the demand is very high for Filipinos nurses and doctors actually,” he added.

At present, there are around 150,000 to 200,000 Filipino healthcare workers in the U.S., Romualdez noted.

U.S. infection rate According to Romualdez, the infection rate in the U.S. is “quite high.”

“They only have about a 62 percent rate of those who are vaccinated, that’s why their hospitals are a bit overwhelmed,” he added.

In terms of the vaccination status among Filipinos in the U.S., Romualdez said “most” have already been inoculated and have received their booster shot.

“Most Filipinos follow the rules very closely, most Filipinos we know, at least from the reports we get from our consulates from Guam all the way to New York, most are vaccinated and they’ve all had their booster shots.

So, we’re happy with that,” he said.

According to a Reuters tally,

Hospitals recruit international nurses to fill...

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Date lin e USa

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • January 13-19, 2022

US expected to have new ambassador to...

PAGE 1 Washington’s last ambassaAt present, the U.S. Embassy in dor to the Philippines was Sung Manila is being headed by Chargé Kim. d’Affaires, ad interim Heather Kim served as U.S. ambasVariava. sador to the Philippines from

3

2016 to 2020. He is currently Washington’s top diplomat in Indonesia and a special envoy for North Korea. (Christia Marie Ramos/Inquirer.net)

Hospitals recruit international nurses to fill...

Boxer Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire held a press conference last December in Carson, California to announce his fundraiser for families affected by Super Typhoon Odette (international name Rai).

Photos by Nikki Arriola/courtesy of Fred Docdocil

Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire raises funds...

PAGE 1 to support our kababayans, especially those who have been affected by Odette.”

Fred Docdocil, the Mabuhay Branch & Business Development Coordinator of Mabuhay Credit Union who is a Planning Commissioner and an active Community Leader in the City of Carson, CA, helped to spearhead and organize this event in only a few days time by invoking the famous Filipino Bayanihan Spirit – which refers to the spirit of community unity, work, and cooperation to achieve a particular goal. “We don’t need to wait for anybody else to tell us what to do, we should have that initiative, and most importantly, we should be courageous enough to follow through on that initiative (of helping those in need),” said Docdocil.

Miguel Ileto Carlos, who works with the Champ on his Finances, set up a GoFundMe (https:// gofund.me/acf872d5) to collect cash donations that will be going directly towards the purchase of food, water, and other necessities to benefit those who have been

drastically affected by Odette.

Furthermore, he has also pledged to donate an additional dollar for every new follower that he gets to his YouTube channel (https:// www.youtube.com/channel/ UCDyyX2m_Wgmb6MxlAQa_ vrg) Commissioner Alex Cainglet got the fundraising started off strong by purchasing $400 worth of Team Pilipinas jackets that the Champ gamely signed and took photos with the community with.

Among those who attended and

showed their support were Benny Uy and Nikki Arriola of the Filipino American Press Club of California as well as former Miss Asia USA Didi Caneda, who participated despite already having their own fundraisers. Much appreciation to Councilwoman Arleen Bocatija Rojas for preparing a Certificate of Appreciation for Donaire, and to former MPT Jim Dear for presenting it to the Champ.

Here’s the link to donate and support our kababayans: https:// gofund.me/acf872d5 n

Experts warn: ‘Long COVID’ from omicron...

PAGE 1 not put into the equation, this is the possibility of long COVID. So, very, very important that as much as possible, if we can help it na hindi tayo ma-infect,” she said.

(I want to emphasize that there is one aspect that we have not put into the equation, this is the possibility of long COVID. So, very, very important that as much as possible, if we can help it that we do not get infected.)

“Kasi hindi natin talaga maintindihan pa o malaman pa

kung sino sa mga pasyenteng nag-positive, even with mild or asymptomatic kung magdidevelop ng long COVID; because that is also a possibility,” she added.

(Because we still cannot understand or determine who among the COVID-19 patients, even with mild symptoms or asymptomatic, would develop long COVID; because that is also a possibility.)

Saloma’s statement comes after microbiologist Fr. Nicanor Austriaco said that Omicron could

become the “nature’s vaccine” to protect the public against COVID19 – which “remains to be seen” according to the PGC chief.

For pediatric infectious disease expert Dr. Anna Ong-Lim, it is still best to avoid contracting the coronavirus since it may lead to other complications.

“We can never predict sino sa mga tinamaan ang magkakaroon ng kumplikayson, including long COVID,” she said.

(We can never predict who will have complications, including long COVID.) n

PAGE 2 Whatever the cause, satisfying the hospital’s personnel shortage with traveling nurses is not sustainable, said Priscilla Needham, Billings Clinic’s chief financial officer. Medicare, she noted, doesn’t pay the hospital more if it needs to hire more expensive nurses, nor does it pay enough when a covid patient needs to stay in the hospital longer than a typical covid patient.

From July to October, the hospital’s nursing costs increased by $6 million, Needham said. Money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the CARES Act has helped, but she anticipated November and December would further drive up costs.

Dozens of agencies place international nurses in U.S. hospitals. The firm that Billings Clinic chose, Avant, first puts the nurses through instruction in Florida in hopes of easing their transition to the U.S., said Brian Hudson, a company senior vice president.

Venus, with nine years of experience as a nurse, said her stateside training included clearing cultural hurdles like how to do her taxes and obtain car insurance.

“Nursing is the same all over the world,” Venus said, “but the culture is very different.”

Shaffer, of CGFNS International, said foreign-born nurses are interested in the U.S. for a variety of reasons, including the opportunity to advance their education and careers, earn more money or perhaps get married. For some, said Avant’s Hudson, the idea of living “the American dream” predominates.

The hitch so far has been getting the nurses into the country fast enough. After jobs are offered and accepted, foreign-born nurses require a final interview to obtain a visa from the State Department, and there is a backlog for those interviews. Powers explained that, because of the pandemic, many of the U.S. embassies

Mary Venus, a nurse from the Philippines, on duty at Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana.

Photo by Nick Ehli for KHN

where those interviews take place remain closed or are operating for fewer hours than usual.

While the backlog has receded in recent weeks, Powers described the delays as challenging. The nurses waiting in their home countries, she stressed, have passed all their necessary exams to work in the U.S. “It’s been very frustrating to have nurses poised to arrive, and we just can’t bring them in,” Powers said.

Once they arrive, the international nurses in Billings will remain employees of Avant, although after three years the clinic can offer them permanent positions. Clinic administrators stressed that the nurses are paid the same as its local nurses with equivalent experience. On top of that, the hospital pays a fee to Avant.

More than 90% of Avant’s international nurses choose to stay in their new communities, Hudson said, but Billings Clinic hopes to better that mark.

Welcoming them to the city will be critical, said Sara Agostinelli, the clinic’s director of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

She has even offered winter driving lessons.

The added diversity will benefit the city, Agostinelli said.

Some nurses will bring their spouses; some will bring their children.

“We will help encourage what Billings looks like and who Billings is,” she said.

Pae Junthanam, a nurse from Thailand, said he was initially worried about coming to Billings after learning that Montana’s population is nearly 90% white and less than 1% Asian. The chance to advance his career, however, outweighed the concerns of moving. He also hopes his partner of 10 years will soon be able to join him.

Since his arrival in November, Junthanam said, his neighbors have greeted him warmly, and one shop owner, after learning he was a nurse newly arrived from Thailand, thanked him for his service.

“I am far from home, but I feel like this is like another home for me,” he said. (Nick Ehli/Kaiser Health News) This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. n

D ateline PhiliPPines Seventh-day Adventists support 4

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

January 13-19, 2022 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL

AnaKalusugan health policies H E A LT H C A R E a d v o c a t e AnaKalusugan party-list nominee former Rep. Gina Reyes-Mandanas recently paid a courtesy call to the Luzon Assembly of the Seventh-day Adventists on Thursday, January 13 as it laid out its plans for accessible and equitable healthcare in the country.

One of the largest Protestant Christian denominations in the Philippines, the Seventh-day Adventists believe in the holistic development of a person’s health, mind, spirit and the body – an advocacy which AnaKalusugan shares by giving a high level of importance to public health care.

“As the only party list in Congress whose focus is on public healthcare, we thank the Seventhday Adventists for supporting our call for accessible and equitable healthcare for all, which is made more urgent by our country’s very poor COVID-19 response,” AnaKalusugan nominee Reyes-

Mandanas said.

Elder Ted N. C. Wilson, current president of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, visited the province of Batangas last Nov. 15, wherein he gave a blessing to Reyes-Mandanas and Batangas Governor Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas in front of church leaders.

The AnaKalusugan nominee added: “We thank Elder Wilson and Pastor Arnel Gabin for allowing us to share our advocacy of improving public health care in the country to the church.”

Jose Pastor Jr., who represented Reyes-Mandanas during the church’s assembly in Lipa, stressed how AnaKalusugan in the past three years principally authored 15 measures increasing the capacity and upgrading hospitals across the country, 10 measures to improve the welfare of medical and health workers, 16 measures to boost health ser-

vices across the country, and 16 measures to beef up the country’s pandemic response.

The party-list also has been at the forefront of the fight to increase the health spending of local government units under the national tax allocation (NTA), a legislative push even made important with the Supreme Court’s recent decision under the Mandanas-Garcia ruling to increase NTA allocation for LGUs. AnaKalusugan likewise vowed to extend the Batangas Kalusugan Health Kard to Seventhday Adventist members in the province, wherein they can avail of free medical services in any government hospital within the FAITH IN ACTION. Devotees light candles and pray at the National Shrine of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help commonly known as Baclaran province of Batangas and other Church in Parañaque City on Wednesday, January 12. Religious gatherings are allowed at 30 percent seating capacity in the National Capital accredited health facilities. The Region, which is under Alert Level 3.

PNA photo by Ben Briones medical services shall include the professional fees of doctors, laboratory fees and use of hospital rooms and other medical facilities, among others. n

by Ben GInes Jr.

‘No vax, no ride’ policy enforced in NCR

2 Pinays enter Forbes’ 50 over 50 Asia list

by IrIs

Gonzales Philstar.com

MANILA — Two Filipinas made it to Forbes’ 50 over 50: Asia 2022, a list of women “who are shattering age and gender norms all over the globe.”

Joining the list of age-defying list of 50 women are Converge president and co-founder Maria Grace Uy and Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa.

Forbes cited Uy’s key role in growing Converge into one of the biggest fixed broadband operators in the Philippines today. Uy founded Converge together with her husband Dennis Anthony Uy in 2007 to provide world-class internet connectivity to Filipinos.

Converge, which went public in 2020, is valued at around P230 billion or approximately $4.6 billion.

“This recognition from Forbes Asia is an honor and proves to women worldwide the value they bring to their field, at any age. I would also like to give credit to the other hardworking women at Converge who are making their

mark in the ICT field,” Uy said.

The list, according to Forbes, is composed of “founders, business and political leaders, scientists and vanguards leading the way throughout the Asia-Pacific region.”

Uy and Ressa join other distinguished women in the roster which includes Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, World Bank managing director Anshula Kant, Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Mata’afa, World Health Organization chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan, Macquarie Group CEO and managing director Shemara Wikramanaya, OCBC Group CEO Helen Wong, and Indian author Arundhati Roy. Uy said women in business today should not be afraid to voice out their opinions. “Many women realize too late the ability to stand up for themselves, whether it’s because of nurture or the culture. Thus, we need to encourage women to speak out and make sure their voices are heard,” she said.

A certified public accountant, Uy served as Finance and Accounting Manager at tech giant IBM before becoming CFO at various

family-held companies.

She earned her BS Accountancy degree from De La Salle University and notched 16th place in the CPA Licensure Board Examination in 1989.

Under the leadership of the Uy couple, Converge has steadily expanded, reaching 9.6 million homes. It has more than doubled its net income to P5.2 billion as of end-September 2021.

This year, nationwide expansion is still atop the fiber broadband provider’s agenda, intending to gain traction and make headway in the markets of Visayas and Mindanao as it pursues its goal to reach 55 percent of Philippine households by 2023.

On Ressa, Forbes cited her for her “sharp coverage of Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war” which has been met with consistent threats from the Philippine government, including the filing of 10 arrest warrants for cyber libel among other complaints.

Last December, Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. Ressa is the first Filipina to win the Nobel. n

ManilaTimes.net

TRANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade on Tuesday ordered the wide enforcement of a “no vaccination, no ride/no entry” policy in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Tugade said that the scheme will be in effect until the COVID -19 Alert Level 3 is lowered.

“All concerned attached agencies and sectoral offices of DoTr are directed to ensure that operators of public transportation shall allow access or issue tickets only to fully vaccinated persons as evidenced by physical or digital copies of an LGU (local government unit)-issued vaccine card, or any IATF-prescribed document, with a valid government-issued ID with picture and address,” the department said.

A person is considered fully vaccinated against Covid-19 two weeks after receiving his second dose in a two-dose vaccination series, or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine. The Metro Manila Council, the policymaking body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, also passed a resolution urging the various local government units in Metro Manila to pass their respective ordinances on the enhanced

VAX CHECK. An officer of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) inspects vaccination cards of passengers of a public utility bus along Marcos Highway in Antipolo City, Rizal en route to Metro Manila on Wednesday, January 12. The Transportation department ordered the enforcement of a “no vaccination, no ride/no entry” policy in public transport in the National Capital Region, in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to restrict the movement of unvaccinated persons.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

restrictions on the movement of unvaccinated persons.

Tugade said the order takes effect immediately after publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Exempted from the “no vaccination, no ride” policy are persons with medical conditions that prevent their full COVID-19 vaccination as shown by a duly

signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of their doctor.

Also exempted are persons who will buy essential goods and services, such as but not limited to food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work, and medical and dental necessities, as shown by a duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify the travel. n

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • January 13-19, 2022

5

6

JANUARY 13-19, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

2022 feels like a second chance

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

FEATURES

IN considering how we would greet this new year, we took a look back to the impressions we shared in The Manila Times’ editorial on New Year’s Day 2021: “Last night’s turn of the year was more than the usual transition that we make with the passing of the old year and the advent of a new year,” we observed then. “We said goodbye to 2020, which will enter the world’s annals as a never-before milestone that we hope will never again be repeated.”

Much of the rest of the editorial focused on the significance of 2021 being the quincentennial of Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in the islands that would thereafter be known as the Philippines, a historic event that was important not just for this country, but for the entire world. The arrival of Magellan’s expedition, though that did not have a good result for the explorer personally, completed the circumnavigation of the globe, the point at which familiar sea routes from West-to-East finally met one from East-to-West. It was our hope then that the historic occasion would inspire the country to make 2021 “a year of resurgence and rediscovery of our significance to the world.”

Let us be the first to acknowledge that that is obviously not how things worked out. The Magellan quincentennial passed with hardly anyone notic-

ing, as this country struggled along with the rest of the world with a year that quickly seemed to be a continuation of the one before it and perhaps, even worse in some respects. There was some progress; the country’s battered economy began to recover some of the ground it lost in 2020, and the availability of vaccines against Covid-19 – a development that was, we should not forget, miraculous for its speed and scale despite lingering problems of unequal distribution – gave us a justifiable sense that we were, at least, beginning to get the upper hand on the pandemic.

Yet, the year ends with the looming threat of another dangerous variant of the coronavirus, one which is already rampaging across other parts of the world; a third of the country in tatters from a powerful, late-season typhoon; and a variety of growing economic and geopolitical pressures that threaten to derail our progress. What happened in 2021 has been extensively reviewed elsewhere; but again, it seems, we are saying goodbye to a year “that we hope will never again be repeated.”

(ManilaTimes.net)

Editorial

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ THERE is absolutely no doubt that if there is anyone who has suffered from this pandemic and sacrificed a lot for this country in so many ways, it is the overseas Filipino worker, enduring the heartache of being separated from loved ones for very long periods of time.

Prior to assuming my post as ambassador to the United States, the President’s marching orders was to see to it that the welfare and interest of our OFWs are attended to and, more importantly, that their rights are protected. I am very well aware of the sacrifices that an OFW has to make, mainly for the welfare and benefit of his family, but ultimately – for the country.

During the first few months following the onset of the COVID19 pandemic, I saw firsthand the anguish, distress and depression that Filipino seafarers had to go through because of repatriation problems. Close to 85,000 Filipinos were working in cruise

As A Matter of Fact SARA SOLIVEN DE GUZMAN WHAT happened last week during the Comelec hearing of Bong Bong Marcos’ disqualification case showed the Filipinos that no one is above the law. The same goes for the ‘Poblacion girl’ and the accused Pharmally officers.

Let’s begin with BBM’s absence during the Comelec hearing. Why didn’t he go?

Why didn’t he show up? If his intentions were sincere, he would have raised hell or gone through high waters to show up. Was he sick with the COVID virus in the first place?

Wasn’t he only exposed to two COVID-19 positive people? So, why couldn’t he show up virtually? His absence actually delayed the proceedings because his lawyers were not ready with a medical certificate which is a standard protocol. Even students in grade school know that when you are absent due to sickness or an urgent matter, you have to inform your teacher formally.

I noticed how the lawyers were allegedly delaying the proceedings in many ways even if they said they didn’t want to delay it. I felt it was unbecoming of a professional

ManilaTimes.net photo

Filipino heroes during this pandemic

ships based out of Florida and the Caribbean, but COVID19 caused unprecedented disruption on the cruise industry. The impact was so devastating: passengers were stranded, cruise ships were refused entry to ports, borders started to close. Filipino cruise industry workers – who comprise about one third of the global industry – were forced to go on leave and go home.

We set in motion the immediate repatriation of our seafarers, finally convincing cruise liners to bring their ships to the Philippines for easier transport of our OFWs in large numbers. Arriving in Manila Bay after one month, the seafarers had to endure additional months on the ships for processing, testing and quarantine, with the procedure taking long because of the sheer number of returning OFWs. One can only imagine the frustration and depression that they were going through – so much so that one of them killed himself while two others died while waiting for a negative COVID-19 test result.

When Afghanistan was

overtaken by the Taliban, we assisted in the repatriation of OFWs, coordinating with our friends at the U.S. Pentagon to secure the necessary flight clearances for the Philippines’ repatriation effort. The whole world saw how chaotic the situation was in Kabul, with Afghans desperately trying to flee their country. One can only imagine how nerve-wracking it must have been for Filipinos and other foreign workers who also feared for their lives.

There is absolutely no question that the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers is the right thing to do for our OFWs to address the issues and problems that hound them such as red tape, illegal recruiters and emergency assistance when they are in distressful situations in host countries. The DMW, which will have offices in every region in the country, will serve as a onestop-shop that would streamline processes as it will integrate different government agencies that deal with OFW concerns such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the Overseas Workers Welfare

Administration, the International Labor Affairs Bureau of the Department of Labor and Employment, all Philippine Overseas Labor Offices and other similar agencies.

I can say this, Filipino overseas workers are highly appreciated and preferred by foreign employers because they are hardworking, reliable and are really good at what they do.

These “modern-day heroes” are our major asset, and even during this pandemic, they continue to step up and have been a strong pillar of the economy because of their remittances which, according to the latest report from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, grew by 5.4 percent from January-October 2021 to $28.82 billion – with remittances coming from the US accounting for 40.9 percent and emerging as the major source of remittances.

On the other side of the coin, there are also other Filipino heroes – wealthy individuals who have done so much in assisting people and helping the country during this pandemic.

They are businessmen and top executives of some of

the biggest companies in the country who came to the aid of victims of calamities and disasters, the most recent of which was Typhoon Odette that killed over 400 people and whose damage to agriculture is estimated at P11.5 billion.

We have the SM group headed

by Tessie Sy-Coson, SMC’s Ramon Ang as well as Manny Pangilinan and countless others who utilized their resources in providing assistance to families that were displaced.

One individual who has done more than expected, quietly doing his part to help Filipinos without fanfare, is a tycoon who I know hates publicity but whose Manila Water Foundation sent truckloads of drinking water and hygiene products to communities battered by Typhoon Odette.

Aside from linemen and engineers, his Group also deployed a boat to hasten power restoration efforts, with electricity restored in 18 hours. What stands out for many Filipinos, however, is the tycoon’s efforts in helping the government manage the pandemic situation through his Foundation, in particular the purchase of Moderna vaccines,

the construction of quarantine facilities and vaccination rollouts through the Nayong Pilipino Foundation Drive Through and another vaccination center in Parañaque City.

With the Omicron variant now present in the Philippines and daily cases surging once again, fully vaccinated Filipinos are truly grateful for the help from the businessman’s Foundation. I know this tycoon hates publicity, even having PR people in his employ to make sure that his name is kept out of the limelight as much as possible.

I must admit there are many more Filipinos helping their fellowmen out of the goodness of their hearts, not thinking of profit but simply following the Lord’s teachings.

“Blessed are they who help those in need, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

No one is above the law group whose client is running for the highest office in the country, the President of the Philippines. I expected a higher form of representation, not to mention from BBM himself.

Shouldn’t he show the Filipinos how professional he is?

How truthful, committed he is to the people? This is not only about the law but about the relationship BBM is establishing with the Filipinos.

This brings to mind many recollections I have of BBM during the seventies and the eighties. He had a bad reputation of always acting as if he were above the law. There were many horror stories told about him during his heyday.

Well, yes during the Marcos Era, the first family and their cronies were truly above the law, while many Filipinos going against their will were silenced. But later, the people who had enough of their corruption and antics started to cry foul, thus, the People Power Revolution.

Now, does BBM think he can continue to act like a spoiled brat? If his conscience were clear, he should have shown the nation how sick he was via the television or the digital screen. And by so doing, he would have earned more respect. But no, he chose otherwise.

Anyway, I checked why there seems to be a feeling that BBM’s league of lawyers were trying to delay the hearing of the case(s). I found out that maybe they are trying to delay the proceedings because they know that Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon is scheduled to retire next month. I’m just guessing here because the Commissioner is a tough one. She will bring out the truth. She has always fought for justice all her life and will make sure it is served. I don’t know the rule on whether Guanzon will have to complete this case since she started it or if she will she have to turn it over to another commissioner when she retires. Abangan! * * * So, what happened to the Poblacion girl? Her name is Gwyneth Chua. Hell broke loose when she arrived on Dec. 23 from the United States, checked in at the Berjaya Hotel in Makati and attended a party that same day in Poblacion, Makati.

How did she get away from being supposedly quarantined in the hotel? Why did her parents encourage her to break the rules? How was she able to join a party without being checked with a QR code as we always are when entering res-

taurants, malls, etc.?

The worst part of this conundrum is that she was a “gate crasher” in the party she attended that night. How pathetic! How desperate can you be? Susmariosep!

I mentioned in one of my columns a few weeks ago that this story is not new. There have been many travelers who have done this but were not caught. Of course, again under the patronage of the powerful and the well-connected bigwigs. But truly, if you were a decent person, would you really want to risk the lives of other people just because you can get away with flaunting the law?

So, the saga continues when on Dec. 27, her RT-PCR test result came out and it was positive for COVID-19. Later, it was found out that her fellow party-goers, the restaurant staff and other patrons also tested positive. Now, you may ask, did she bring the virus to the party? It may be difficult to prove this but the bottom line is she breached all protocols, including attending a party uninvited.

So, now, can the Chua family use their powerful connections to stop the cases filed against them? Are they still above the law? Last week, the Criminal Investigation and

Detection Group (CIDG) filed a complaint before the Makati Prosecutor’s Office against Gwyneth Chua, her parents, her boyfriend and hotel personnel. They were cited for violating Republic Act 11332 or Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Disease and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. The Department of Tourism, on the other hand, “suspended the accreditation of Berjaya Hotel in Makati and revoked its permit as a Multiple-Use Hotel for its failure to stop a guest from breaking quarantine rules. The hotel was also fined twice the rate of its most expensive room.”

Now, thanks to our DOT Secretary who is also a tough cookie, she will make sure that justice is served. What is important now is that all agencies work together to toughen up restrictions and implementation of the law. If we want to get the number of our COVID19 cases down to the single digits, we must work hard to achieve it. * * * Let’s not forget about the Pharmally corruption case.

This should stick with us because it is such a painful act to note how government officials may be part of this very bad scheme. I cannot even think of how people have the gall to

indulge in such corrupt practices. Imagine trying to get one over the people during a pandemic? Sanamagan!

The mind-boggling part of this scandal is why the President seems to be bothered by the Senate hearings conducted by Senator Richard Gordon? I’m confused! Is the President trying to protect the scammers? This is the biggest corruption scandal during this COVID-19 crisis affecting all the Filipinos. We are talking of billions of pesos in unaccounted receipts and overpriced supplies of government procurement.

I am still thankful that we have a ‘check and balance’ system in place. In reality, however, this is made possible only by people who create a stir and who are determined to work on a just society. We need to raise the type of leaders we choose to serve us and beware of those who hide in the dark.

The moral of all three stories is founded in the power of KARMA. As the saying goes, what goes around comes around! (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

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.

ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President Main Office: 1210 S. Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 Fax: (818) 502-0858 • (213) 481-0854 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com

Las Vegas Sales Office: 2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 201 Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 Tel.: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879

ROBERT MACABAGDAL Vice President & General Manager Las Vegas Asian Journal

With offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York/New Jersey, Las Vegas, San Diego. Philippines MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor

Asian Journal Publitions, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publition by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases.

Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applible law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation.

Publition of a Client’s Material does not constitute an agreement to continue publition.

Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, uses of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material.

AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publition of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being ncellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republition of the correct advertisement.

Under no circumstances shall Asian Publitions, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind.

ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLITIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; Northern California Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern California, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively.

Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions.

Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please ll the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or the Las Vegas Sales Office at (702) 792-6678 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com

Date lin e Ph iliP P in e s

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • January 13-19, 2022

7

In ‘critical’ 2022 polls, FVR-term Cabinet NPC to Comelec: Probe data breach members back Robredo’s presidential bid

by Ben

Gines Jr. and Bernadette e. tamayo ManilaTimes.net

by Christia

marie Inquirer.net

ramos

MANILA — Twenty-three Cabinet secretaries and senior officials under the administration of former President Fidel Ramos backed the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo in 2022 as they expressed grave concern over the “proliferation of misinformation, dubious promises and outright falsehoods” emerging ahead of the polls.

In a statement of support for Robredo’s candidacy dated January 12, the former officials said the incumbent vice president “can credibly lead us closer” to the “unified, humane, just, progressive, economically vibrant, sustainable and equitable society that is the dream of every Filipino.”

“We therefore enjoin our fellow Filipinos to support her candidacy, as we ourselves pledge our wholehearted commitment to do our share to help her become the next President of the Republic of the Philippines,” they said.

In expressing support for Robredo, they said they are “gravely concerned that the emerging campaign for the coming elections is being compromised by the proliferation of misinformation, dubious promises and outright falsehoods; deliberate thought manipulation especially via social media through the use of large numbers of fictitious accounts and mercenary troll armies; misuse of certain polls and surveys that may not necessarily reflect and represent true voter preferences.”

The ex-officials also raised alarm over the “continued patronage and money politics that have traditionally perpetuated undesirable dynasties and diverted people’s choices away from electing principled leaders.”

“We believe that the country sorely needs a leader who will inspire unity, solidarity and teamwork in government and among all Filipinos; empower our people, especially the disadvantaged and marginalized in society; and bring out the best of servant leadership in government officials and public servants by being the foremost example of integrity, dedication, professionalism, level-headedness, statesmanship, pursuit of excellence, hard work, and true caring and sharing for our fellow Filipinos,” they said.

“These are the leadership quali-

Vice President Leni Robredo

Inquirer.net file photo

ties that we directly witnessed President Ramos espouse and exemplify, and which we seek in the next President of our country,” they added.

‘Critical crossroads’ The 23 former officials said they see the upcoming polls as “a critical crossroads” for the Philippines, especially amid the “deep scars” inflicted by the pandemic on the country’s economy and society.

“The country needs to elect a leader who will lead us into the positive path to the unified, humane, just, progressive, economically vibrant, sustainable and equitable society that is the dream of every Filipino,” they said.

“We believe that Vice-President Leni Robredo is the only presidential candidate who possesses the above-described qualities, and who can credibly lead us Filipinos closer towards that dream,” they added.

Former National Economic and Development Authority chief Cielito Habito, one of the signatories of the statement, told INQUIRER. net that they had a “pleasant” onehour Zoom meeting with Robredo last Monday, Jan. 10.

A nother signatory, Milwida Guevara, a finance undersecretary during the Ramos administration, also confirmed the statement to INQUIRER.net.

‘Humbled’ Robredo said she was “humbled” by the support that the former Cabinet members and officials have expressed for her presidential bid.

“I look up to the leadership that FVR espoused, which I believe was affirmed by the brilliant people who served alongside him—matitino at mahuhusay,” she said in a tweet.

STATE OF NEVADA ) ) ss: COUNTY OF CLARK ) I, JOSEPH P. GLORIA, the duly appointed Registrar of Voters of Clark County, Nevada, do hereby certify that the following State, District, County, Town Advisory Board, and Township offices are the offices for which candidates are to be nominated at the Primary Election to be held on the 14th day of June, 2022, in Clark County, Nevada.

Judicial and Non-Judicial candidate filing will be conducted March 7th through March 18th, 2022.

Candidates filing for district offices and candidates filing for municipal offices will file within their own jurisdiction at the following locations:

• City of Boulder City, City Clerk’s Office 401 California Avenue, Monday – Thursday 7:00am – 6:00pm; Closed on Fridays; except Thursday, March 17, 2022 open from 7:00am – 5:00pm • City of Henderson, City Clerk’s Office, 240 Water Street, Monday – Thursday 7:30am – 5:30pm; except Friday, March 18, 2022 open from 8:00am – 5:00pm

FEDERAL PARTISAN OFFICES UNITED STATES SENATE, 6-year term REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, 2-year term Districts 1, 3, and 4* STATE PARTISAN OFFICES

• City of Las Vegas, City Clerk’s Office, 495 S. Main Street, Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm • City of North Las Vegas, City Clerk’s Office, 2250 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Monday – Thursday 8:00am – 5:45pm; except Friday, March 18, 2022 open from 8:00am – 5:00pm • City of Mesquite, City Clerk’s Office, 10 East Mesquite Boulevard, Monday – Thursday 7:30am – 5:00pm Offices identified with asterisks (*) represent districts that are shared with other counties. Candidates for those offices will file with the Secretary of State at the Las Vegas or Carson City offices.

CONSTABLE, LAUGHLIN TOWNSHIP, 4-year term

COUNCIL MEMBER, BOULDER CITY, 4-year term

CONSTABLE, MESQUITE TOWNSHIP, 4-year term

COUNCIL MEMBER, BOULDER CITY, 4-year term

CONSTABLE, MOAPA TOWNSHIP, 4-year term CONSTABLE, MOAPA VALLEY TOWNSHIP, 4-year term

GOVERNOR, 4-year term

CONSTABLE, NORTH LAS VEGAS TOWNSHIP, 4-year term

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, 4-year term

CONSTABLE, SEARCHLIGHT TOWNSHIP, 4-year term

SECRETARY OF STATE, 4-year term

TRUSTEE, CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL, 4-year term Districts D, F and G

STATE TREASURER, 4-year term STATE CONTROLLER, 4-year term

MOAPA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, LOGANDALE, 4-year term

ATTORNEY GENERAL, 4-year term

MOAPA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, OVERTON, 4-year term

STATE SENATE, 4-year term Districts 2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 20, and 21 STATE ASSEMBLY, 2-year term Districts 1 through 23, 28, 29, 34, 35, 36*, 37, 41, and 42

VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, MESQUITE, 4-year term Vote for up to 2

COUNTY PARTISAN OFFICES

VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, MESQUITE, 4-year term Vote for up to 2

COUNTY COMMISSION, 4-year term Districts E, F, and G

VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, BUNKERVILLE, 4-year term

DISTRICT ATTORNEY, 4-year term

VIRGIN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, BUNKERVILLE, 2-year unexpired term

COUNTY ASSESSOR, 4-year term COUNTY CLERK, 4-year term COUNTY RECORDER, 4-year term COUNTY TREASURER, 4-year term

MOAPA VALLEY TELEVISION MAINTENANCE DISTRICT 2 Seats, 4-year term 3 Seats, 2-year unexpired term OVERTON POWER DISTRICT 1, OVERTON, 4-year term

MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, DEPT. 1, CITY OF LAS VEGAS, 6-year term MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, DEPT. 4, CITY OF LAS VEGAS, 6-year term MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, DEPT. 6, CITY OF LAS VEGAS, 6-year term CITY OFFICE (ALL NONPARTISAN) MESQUITE COUNCIL MEMBER, SEAT 1, CITY OF MESQUITE, 4-year term

CONSTABLE, BUNKERVILLE TOWNSHIP, 4-year term

SHERIFF, 4-year term

CONSTABLE, GOODSPRINGS TOWNSHIP, 4-year term

CITY OFFICE (ALL NONPARTISAN) BOULDER CITY

CONSTABLE, HENDERSON TOWNSHIP, 4-year term

MAYOR, BOULDER CITY, 4-year term

COUNCIL MEMBER, SEAT 4, CITY OF MESQUITE, 4-year term

COUNCIL MEMBER, WARD 1, CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS, 4-year term COUNCIL MEMBER, WARD 3, CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS, 4-year term MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, DEPT. 2, CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS, 6-year term TOWNSHIP NONPARTISAN OFFICES JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, LAS VEGAS TOWNSHIP, 6-year term Departments 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, and 16 JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, LAS VEGAS TOWNSHIP, 2-year unexpired term Department 10

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the County Seal at my office in North Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada this 14th day of January 2022

JOSEPH P. GLORIA Registrar of Voters (Seal)

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE:

See Questions & Answers (Q&A) Information below in lieu of Pre-Proposal Conference

Q & A PERIOD IN LIEU OF PREPROPOSAL CONFERENCE:

Thurs., Jan 14, 2022 – Thurs, Jan 27, 2022, 10:00 AM (PST) All questions and answers must be submitted in writing via ha.economicengine.com

SOLICITATION SUBMITTAL RETURN AND DEADLINE:

Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority Attn: Linda P. Simpson Procurement & Contracts 340 North 11TH Street, Suite 180 Las Vegas, NV 89101 RFP P22020 Legal Services Mixed Finances Services

COUNCIL MEMBER, SEAT 3, CITY OF MESQUITE, 4-year term

MAYOR, CITY OF NORTH LAS VEGAS, 4-year term

CONSTABLE, BOULDER TOWNSHIP, 4-year term

DOWNLOADS ONLY: SNRHA website: www.snvrha.org, click on Procurement and “Current Bid Invitations” and proceed to the appropriate solicitation number. Problems downloading the Solicitation, call (702) 477-3160, M-F, 8AM-4PM (PST)

COUNCILMAN WARD 6, CITY OF LAS VEGAS, 4-year term

CITY OFFICE (ALL NONPARTISAN) NORTH LAS VEGAS

TOWN ADVISORY BOARD, SEARCHLIGHT, 2-year term Vote for up to 5

Registered Users: “Log in and insert Solicitation No. RFP P22020 Non Registered Users: You must first register your company before downloading the Solicitation. Click on “New Vendor” to register. Problems accessing the system or registering, call 866-526-9266 or 866526-0160, M-F, 9 AM (EST) – 4 PM (PST)

COUNCILMAN WARD 4, CITY OF LAS VEGAS, 4-year term

TOWN ADVISORY BOARD, BUNKERVILLE, 2-year term Vote for up to 5

COUNTY NONPARTISAN OFFICE

DOWNLOAD AND RESPOND TO THIS SOLICITATION: Housing Agency Marketplace website: ha.economicengine.com

COUNCILMAN WARD 2, CITY OF LAS VEGAS, 4-year term

OVERTON POWER DISTRICT 6, MESQUITE, 4-year term

TOWN ADVISORY BOARD, MOAPA VALLEY, 2-year term Vote for up to 5

HOW TO OBTAIN THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS AND RESPOND TO THIS RFP:

CITY OFFICE (ALL NONPARTISAN) LAS VEGAS

JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, 6-year term Seats A and E

REGENT, STATE UNIVERSITY, 6-year term Districts 6, 7, 8* and 13

Linda P. Simpson, Contracts Administrator Procurement & Contracts Ph: (702) 477-3144; TDD (702) 387-1898 lpsimpson@snvrha.org , or if not available Wanda Beckett, Contracts Administrator procurement@snvrha.org Ph: (702) 477-3145

MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, DEPT. 2, CITY OF HENDERSON, 6-year term

OVERTON POWER DISTRICT 4, BUNKERVILLE, 4-year term

TOWN ADVISORY BOARD, MOAPA, 2-year term Vote for up to 5

PRIMARY CONTACT PERSON(S): Note: Contact with any other SNRHA staff other than the named here, including SNRHA’s Residents and Board of Commissioners will result in your Proposal being rejected.

COUNCIL WARD III, CITY OF HENDERSON, 4-year term

STATE AND DISTRICT NONPARTISAN OFFICES

TOWN ADVISORY BOARD, LAUGHLIN, 2-year term Vote for up to 5

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR LEGAL SERVICES MIXED FINANCE SERVICES RFP NO. P22020

MAYOR, CITY OF HENDERSON, 4-year term

OVERTON POWER DISTRICT 2, LOGANDALE, 4-year term

DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, 4-year unexpired term (Clark County Eighth Judicial District) Departments 9 and 11

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Procurement Dept.

TH 340 N. 11 Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101

CITY OFFICE (ALL NONPARTISAN) HENDERSON

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR, 4-year term

COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE, 6-year term Departments 1, 2, and 3

Lacson said.

He added that the Senate and the House of Representatives can exercise their joint oversight powers to look into the incident if needed.

He added that all stakeholders must ensure the integrity of the May 9 elections.

“Elections are the strongest representation of democracy in the Philippines because for one day, the people are clearly the rulers,” the Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer said. n

Aside from Habito and Guevara, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who served as justice secretary under the Ramos presidency, also signed the statement.

Other signatories include Angel Alcala and Victor Ramos, who headed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and former Presidential Assistant Benjamin de Leon.

The rest were: • Former Health Secretaries Jaime Galvez Tan and Carmencita Reodica • Former Labor Secretaries Nieves Confesor and Jose Brillantes • Former Tourism Secretaries Narzalina Lim and Vicente Carlos • Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Roberto Romulo • Former Finance Secretary Ramon del Rosario Jr. • Former Agrarian Reform Secretary Ernesto Garilao • Former Social Welfare and Development Secretary Lina Laigo • Former Energy Secretary Delfin Lazaro • Former Public Works and Highways Secretary Edmundo Mir • Former Commission on Higher Education chairperson Ester Garcia Robredo also gained support from Patricia Licuanan, who chaired the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (now the Philippine Commission on Women); Former National Statistic Office (now the Philippine Statistics Authority) Administrator Tomas Africa; former DENR Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the Comelec Undersecretary Ben Malayang III; should look into all angles — including inside and former NEDA Deputy Direc- job — in its investigation. tor-General Dante Canlas. n ManilaTimes.net file photo

Karagdagang impormasyon sa Filipino (Tagalog) ay makikita rin sa website ng Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan sa: www.clarkcountynv.gov

• Candidate Filing (Judicial and non-judicial): Clark County Government Center, 500 South Grand Central Parkway, 1st floor, Pueblo Room, Monday – Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

THE National Privacy Commission (NPC) asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to address the alleged hacking incident and data breach of its servers.

The NPC on Jan. 8, 2022, received information from the Technology editor and IT head of the Manila Bulletin regarding a suspected breach on Comelec servers wherein an estimated 60 gigabytes of data, which possibly contain personal information and sensitive personal information, were allegedly accessed and downloaded by a group of hackers.

Privacy Commissioner John Henry Naga directed the NPC’s Complaints and Investigation Division to start its own investigation.

“The Comelec must address the serious allegations made in the Manila Bulletin news report and determine whether personal data were indeed compromised, particularly personal information, sensitive personal information, or data affecting the same, which were processed in connection with the upcoming 2022 national and local elections,” Naga said.

The poll body was also directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation and submit to the NPC the results not later than Jan. 21, 2022.

“Rest assured that the NPC does not tolerate any act in violation of the Data Privacy Act including negligence in implementing organizational, physical, and technical security measures on personal data processing systems, whether in government or private institutions,” Naga said.

Inside job?

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the Comelec should look into all angles — including inside job — in its investigation.

The senator said that all possibilities — no matter how unlikely — must be considered, including an inside job, a “no elections” scenario, or a profit motive on the part of the alleged hackers.

“As much as we don’t want to believe them, they are still in the realm of possibilities, so we should still look into them,”

AMENDED PUB: JANUARY 14, 2022, Las Vegas Asian Journal

3 Sealed, Hard Copy Proposals Due: Mon., Feb., 7, 2022, 10AM (PST) at the above-stated address, and Entry of Proposed Fees Due: Mon., Feb., 7, 2022, 10AM (PST) at ha.economicengine.com Providing your hard copy proposals and not entering your cost in the website will deem your submittal non-responsive.

EMERGING SMALL BUSINESSES (ESB), WOMEN AND/OR MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE. ESB PROGRAM ADDT’L INFORMATION: Jeanette Holguin, jholguin@difersifynevada.com

January 13-19, 2022 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL Las vegas ASIAN JOURNAL

8

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

VEGAS&STYLE

January 13, 2022

Journal

inside

LifestyLe • Consumer Guide • Community • MARketpLAce

Dennis, Julia hit restart button on their relationship by allaN

PolicarPio Inquirer.net

WhILE he’s best known as a comedian, nothing makes Dennis Padilla turn serious quicker than matters concerning his children. “once you’re done going through the pain, you’re able to accept it and can talk about it lightly. My past … the people who were romantically linked to me … I can just laugh at them now. But it’s serious when it’s about the children,” he said in a recent video conference for the movie “Sanggano, Sanggago’t Sanggwapo 2: Aussie! Aussie! o Sige!”

Speaking of which, Dennis related that he and his daughter Julia Barretto have hit the restart button on their relationship, after a falling out over the John is seen with Coco Martin on the set of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano where he’s not only an actor but also a director.

Photos from Instagram/@johnprats latter’s intent to drop her father’s actual surname, Baldivia in 2014. Last year, Dennis made an appearance on Julia’s vlog, where they acknowledged their difficult past and discussed how best to move forward.

Misunderstanding “We’re oK. Because we came

by Nathalie tomada from a misunderstanding, it Philstar.com feels like we’re starting over.

John Prats is part of the enone day at a time, we’re buildtertainment industry’s list of ing it (our relationship) again,” “double threats” — actors who he said, when asked how things also direct. are at the moment between him After doing concerts and muand Julia. sic videos, noontime show It’s Though he wasn’t able to Showtime and ABS-CBn Christspend the holiday season with mas specials, he now wears the Julia and his other kids with director’s hat for ABS-CBn’s longest-running series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

The former child actor said it was an immediate yes when Ang Probinsyano lead star and creative by leah Salterio director Coco Martin asked him Philstar.com late last year to help direct the AFTER nearly two decades of action-drama, which is entering not doing any project for Viva its seventh year.

Films, Joko Diaz, who started his “Everyone knows that me and John is seen with Sharon Cuneta.

Coco, we’re more than friends, he filmed the Megastar. just became a puppet? So eto, I acting career with the company, not lovers (laughs), but we’re like “Di ko makalimutan yung ex- let them explore kung ano yung cannot be thankful enough now brothers. First time ko naka-ex- perience because I was shooting gusto nilang gawin sa character that he has been given a second wind in his acting career. With perience ng kaibigan na grabeng one scene pa before hers. When I nila.” magmahal and grabe sumuporta. saw her van in our location, I told John counted as his mentors his recent career path, Joko is And I admit, when I was about to our staff na parang I’m just gonna direk Arnel natividad for non- happy with the new projects leave Probinsyano to do Show- finish this scene, and i-guide mo narrative shows like Gandang given to him by producer, Vic time, alam niyang malulungkot muna si Ms. Sharon sa tent niya Gabi Vice and Tonight With Boy del Rosario.

Joko’s film assignments have siya. nung nagkaroon ng pag- kasi siempre ayoko maghintay Abunda where he started, and recently been one after the other. kakataon na di niya mapigilan siya. Malayo yung tent niya, Coco for teleseryes.

— basta nagkaroon ng manage- bumaba siya sa tent niya and then he’s open to taking formal he started 2022 with director ment decision — he offered me to pumunta siya sa set. lessons or venturing into film Roman Perez Jr.’s sexy drama, direct him in Ang Probinsyano,” “Tapos sabi ko, teka lang hindi because he’s all about learning Siklo, with Vince Rillon and John told The STAR in a recent pa siya. Sabi ko, Tita Shawie after more and honing his skills as a Christine Bermas. Joko recently starred in GB Sampedro’s sexy virtual interview. nito ikaw na po. But she said, no, director.

“Sobra na rin yung load niya. no, no, I really came here because “I thought before that I would psycho-thriller, Kinsenas, Katahe’s the lead actor, he’s the cre- I want to say hi to my director. be a concert, musical or non- pusan. he will be seen next in ative (head), tapos kung magdi“of course, mga dating artista, narrative director, but dahil nga direk Roman’s hubad, with AJ direct pa siya, isip pa siya ng lines. yung discipline naabutan ko yun ganun ako, I’m really open to Raval and Sean de Guzman.

“I think Boss Vic has a plan for Actually, napapabayaan na niya eh. Kahit sino pa man, kahit anong opportunities na parang ‘pag may sarili niya. As an actor, nakita ko oras ka umalis, yung pagdating na dumating, just grab. I’ll never say Vivamax and the other artists,” yung hirap and I didn’t think twice pagdating mo sa set, you have to no kahit alam kong di ko kaya, but asserted Joko. “I’m here to help everybody as an employee of of saying yes. say hi to your director. Yun ang I’ll try first,” John shared.

“And of course, I’ve been with discipline nung bata pa ako, yun “So, now I feel mas lumawak Viva. Kung ano sabihin ng boss Probinsyano for five and a half ang discipline namin na naka- yung experience ko when it natin, susundin natin.”

Joko assured his family that years. Sobrang mahal ko yung kalungkot kasi marami ng artista comes to directing because I’m buong pamilyang yun. That’s why na baguhan ngayon, di na nila not just directing concerts, music he is merely doing his job in his I’m grateful for the support of Sir alam yun. That’s why I appreci- videos, Christmas specials or a role in Kinsenas, Katapusan, to Deo and Tita Cory as they let me ate Tita Shawie because even if noontime show. It’s a different give them a better life. “hinanda direct and experience Probin- she’s the Megastar and I’m just league — it’s a teleserye. I feel like ko ang buong pamilya ko para syano,” he added, referring to a new director, she really listens: — well, I haven’t done a film yet sa mga darating na trabaho na Dreamscape Entertainment boss ‘Direk, I will follow whatever you — that this is tougher. I’m enjoy- tatanggapin ko,” granted Joko.

“Alam ng misis ko na trabaho Deo Endrinal and ABS-CBn Coo want.’” ing it and I’m happy.”

Cory Vidanes.

John never dreamt of becom- ito. Binigay ni Boss Vic ang mga John tapped into his wellspring John admitted that the experi- of acting experience for direct- ing a director. however, he felt projects. Pinagkatiwala niya ence of helming the show has ing motivation. he also offered that his leap from in front of the sa akin. Alam ko hindi naman been “overwhelming” because a glimpse of what would usually camera to behind it was meant konting pera lang ang sinusugal niya sa akin. Malaking pera “it’s not just an ordinary show, happen on set. to be. it’s Probinsyano. And as an ac“Ang buong pakiramdam ko ang sinusugal sa amin ng boss “Dahil siguro malaking advantor, I know the standards of the tage na kami ni Coco artista kasi talaga, ‘pag may plinano talaga namin, kaya kailangan, tapatan show and I know how we value kaming dalawa, we both know or meron kang destiny na pupunour work.” how it feels to be an actor and to tahan, dun ka talaga dadalhin,” he he further shared one of the be in their shoes. So, with Coco as reflected on the transition. hardest challenges for them in our creative head and headwriter “I never planned nor dreamt to terms of storytelling. also, he’s the one who makes the be a director before. It just hap“Every day, you have to capture scenes and the lines, then he gives pened. one day, I woke up and the audience. Dapat ‘di magsawa them to me and then I present wanted to direct a concert.” sayo, especially with a show like them to the actors,” he said.

It first happened with CornerAng Probinsyano, which is six “I will explain to them, this is stone via Moira dela Torre’s 2018 years already. halos lahat napakita the scene, you’re coming from Tagpuan concert. he also directed na namin and now we’re digging this scene and you’re proceed- the singer’s music video, even deep to show new content, new ing next to these sequences. I though he had zero experience. conflicts, new kinds of actions. always tell them, saan galing itong “Wala akong pinag-aralan sa That’s the challenge for us.” eksena and saan pupunta. And I journey na ‘to. Siguro yung baonone of his biggest assignments let them be because I believe that baon ko lang, my experience for was directing veteran actress nobody knows the character best 29 years here in this industry.

Sharon Cuneta in her ABS-CBn but them. I’m just there to guide Perhaps, I’ve learned from the teleserye debut. She plays a them and their blockings and their directors I’ve worked with. That’s mysterious new character in the movements. But other than that, how it happened and it was really series.

I just let them be, I let them work smooth. Parang sinerve ni God sa “Before we went with our bub- and I let them project yung gusto akin, ito yung purpose mo, you ble with Ms. Sharon, sobra ng i-project nila,” he added. have a bigger purpose, and I just overwhelming. Kami nga ni Coco, John stressed that he’s been followed his lead,” he said. when we were talking about it very collaborative and always dis“Sabi ko nga, whenever I write after the storycon, looking at our cussing things with his actors. a caption, God is directing me to cast members, sobrang laki. You he explained: “I want that direct. Yung lang yun kasi yung have Rossana Roces, Lorna Tolen- because you’re involving them. purpose ko — to fulfill the dreams tino, Tirso Cruz III, John Arcilla, I’ve experienced and worked with ng mga actors ko, and when it John Estrada, Tommy Abuel and directors na parang this, this, this, comes to concerts, I want them to so many other big actors, and or sa ganito, ganito. So, parang shine. That’s my main objective. you’re gonna add Ms. Sharon na-feel ko sa mga times na yun na And of course, I always want the Cuneta pa,” he said.

— I appreciate that it’s their style audience to be inspired and be John recalled the first instance — parang di na ako nag-work, I able to touch their lives.”

Joko Diaz

John expands directing career with ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’

Dennis Padilla (right) and daughter Julia Barretto

Marjorie Barretto (Claudia and Leon), he said he plans to meet and have dinner with them soon. “I have learned that there should always be open communication so you can express your feelings to each other, para ‘di napupuno,” he said.

“Communication should be continuous so you always have good things to share and talk about,” he said.

Life lessons All the challenges he has faced, the 59-year-old actor added, serve as valuable life lessons. “As you go along your mindset toward life changes …

You set new goals,” said Dennis, who has two other children, Dianne and Luis, with his first wife, Monina Gatus; and three more—Rizzi, Gavin and Maddie—with his current partner,

Photo from Instagram/@dennisastig

Linda Gorton.

“Sanggano 2,” which is now available for streaming on Viva Entertainment’s content platform, Vivamax, has Dennis reuniting with his good friends Andrew E. and Janno Gibbs.

Because the three have known each other since the 1990s, onscreen chemistry comes naturally for them. “We understand each other’s nuances … tinginan pa lang alam, na namin. After one of us throws a punchline, we get a sense of whose turn goes next,” he said, adding that they never compete with each other.

“When we feel like a certain joke suits another person better, we tell the director. That’s how we are. We share the moments; we don’t fight for them,” he said.

Joko gets a second wind in his acting career lihin si Ben Tumbling (1997).

With director Deo Fajardo Jr., Joko and Kier co-starred in Angelito San Miguel: Ang Batang City Jail (1991), Utol Kong hoodlum 2 (1992), Jesus de la Cruz at ang mga Batang Riles (1992) and Blue Jeans Gang (1992).

Earlier, they also starred in Mike Relon Makiling’s Estudyante Blues (1989), Ben Feleo’s Teacher’s Enemy no. 1 (1990), and Ike Jarlego, Jr.’s Andres Manambit: Angkan ng Matatapang (1992).

In Kinsenas, Katapusan, Joko is also joined by young and sexy female stars of Viva. Miss Earth Philippines 2019 Janelle Tee plays the gorgeous Karen, who’s a very aggressive and strong woman.

Angela Morena, who was recently seen in Sanggano, Sanggago’t, Sanggwapo: Aussie, Aussie (o Sige), essays the role of Carla. Rising sexy star Ayanna Misola, who captured everyone in Darryl Yap’s Pornstar 2: Pangalawang Putok and also in Siklo, plays the 15-yearold student, Beth in Kinsenas, Katapusan.

Former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Jamilla obispo, who was earlier seen in Lawrence Fajardo’s X Deal (2011) and Mahjong nights (2021), plays Melba.

Joko’s co-star, Ayanna, only has good words working with him even if they did sexy, intense and daring scenes together. “Sobrang professional siya,” Ayanna said about Joko. “he guided me in every scene we did together.

Ayaw niya ng kinakabahan ka.

Ginagawa niya ang lahat para maging comfortable ako.”

Admittedly, Joko did a more daring character, although he also had to set some boundaries in essaying his role as the wealthy and powerful Conrado. “nag-usap kami ni Boss Vic at nag-usap din kami ni direk GB,” said Joko. “nagtiwala lang ako sa director ko at kay Boss Vic, because I know Boss Vic will not give me a project na hindi ko kakayanin,” added he. “After that, nakasakay na agad ako sa project. We’re just moving on sa creativity ng pag-arte. Kinsenas, Katapusan was definitely a good project. I haven’t played this role yet.”

Joko is pleased to work with today’s young stars. “hindi sila hambog,” he commented. “They give respect to the senior stars and they come early to the set.

That’s good. Siyempre, wala tayong gustong paghintayin sa set. Kung dumadating kami ng alas otso, dumadating din sila ng alas otso. It’s not a problem with me. They bring their craft to Philstar.com photo work. That’s perfect.”

ko ‘yung binibigay niya sa aking tiwala.”

“Sinasabi ko sa pamilya ko, ‘Trabaho lang ‘to,” added he.

“Pagkatapos nito, uuwi ako sa inyo at maayos ang magiging buhay natin.’”

As most everyone probably knows, Joko was born into a prominent showbiz family. The late veteran actor, Paquito Diaz, was his dad. The latter’s actorbrother, Romy, was Joko’s uncle. he has an older sister, Cheska, who also ventured into showbiz in the ‘90s, but later opted to shy away from the limelight.

Joko proudly carries with him the esteemed legacy of his dad, who passed on in 2011. his daughter, Ashley, with his nonshowbiz wife, also embarked on an acting career last year and starred in the Vivamax drama series, director Andoy Ranay’s Di na Muli, which topbilled Julia Barretto, Marco Gumabao and Marco Gallo.

Even if he has been pre-occupied with film and TV work — he is even in the cast of ABSCBn’s ongoing teleserye, Marry Me, Marry You — Joko knows how to balance his career and personal life.

For Kinsenas, Katapusan, he was delighted that he got to star anew with Kier Legaspi, who plays his business partner. They previously worked together in nearly a dozen films, like in the ones, where Joko played the lead — Toto natividad’s Grepor Butch Belgica Story (1995) and Anak ni Boy negro (1997), and Jose “Kaka” Balagtas’ Boy Chico: hu-

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Here comes Deltacron!

Health @Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS THIS new variant of the SARSCoV2 virus of COVID-19 (Deltacron) is not totally a surprise. We have predicted for the past two years that new variants would keep on developing so long as there are unvaccinated people.

Those 20 percent (about 60 million) who refused the vaccines have been “percolating,” replicating, mutating into new viruses in their bodies, which were (are) acting like a giant reservoir (a factory). They are developing new strains of the virus, and acting as carriers, spreading the virus around, albeit unintentionally, but nonetheless, making the situation worse by increasing hospitalizations and deaths, and enabling the pandemic to linger longer, indefinitely.

From the original virus of December 2019, to Delta, to Omicron, and now the Deltacron (Delta-Omicron, first detected in Cyprus.), these are the variants “manufactured” in the bodies of mostly the unvaccinated. Without a warm body, a host, the virus will self-destruct and end the pandemic rapidly. That’s why everybody should be vaccinated.

The unvaccinated are at the gravest risk. More than 95 percent of those infected and hospitalized (on ventilators) are unvaccinated.

The massive surges in COVID-19 infection led to about 5 million cases in one week alone, 488,000 two Wednesdays ago, and 1.5 million cases last Monday (January 10), including children, and filling up hospital beds around the country. Omicron is severely contagious. Hopefully, the Deltacron would be as mild as the Omicron, but we do not know yet, Scientists are still observing its clinical behavior, transmission/hospitalization/kill rate, compared to the original Wuhan virus, the Delta and the Omicron.

In the meantime, as a general health caveat, prevention is the best “cure” for a serious killer like the COVID-19 virus. Limiting our travels to essential ones even near our home, avoiding crowds, face (mouth and nose) covering with KN95 mask, social distanc-

ing, and frequent handwashing are good preventive measures to do religiously, almost to a paranoid degree (medical vigilance with wisdom and compassion for others).

Personally, as a teenAGED cardiac surgeon with common medical issues, I even use a gaiter over my KN95 mask whenever I go out to the pharmacy, grocery, or UPS store, and do social distancing religiously. Just like a SWAT team wearing two bulletproof vests in grave instances.

I am doing this because even with the CDC best-recommended KN95 mask, I know I could still get the virus mostly from unvaccinated carriers. When it is inevitable that some people pass by me, I even try to hold my breath till no one is near me.

Overdoing it? Crazy? Perhaps, but health is wealth and fabulous, and life, wonderful and priceless, irreplaceable, as far as I am concerned. I want to avoid any possible danger within my power and control. I have but one life, without spare, and I want to preserve it as healthily as possible and enjoy life as long as I can.

My family and I treat this killer virus with humility, reasonable fear, and not with arrogance, carelessness, or recklessness. All of us had our two shots and the booster (with eagerness), and as soon as the 4th vaccine is available, we are ready to take it.

Let us all do what is needed (doing mitigating preventive measures and getting the vaccines plus booster soonest, and the fourth vaccine, if advised) to protect each other, our community, our nation, and other countries by minimizing the transmissions and deaths, and end this pandemic soonest.

As I have frustratingly complained as early as January 2021, I could not understand why the government, which has at its disposal a long proven rapidly effective epidemiologic standard of care protocol accepted worldwide to treat any severe infectious disease and end this pandemic within 2021, did not federally mandate PPEs and vaccination.

Legal mandates for vaccination requirements for daycare and school entry in the past several decades have saved millions of children’s lives. And the mandates about smoking, seatbelt, parking, smoke detectors, traffic and driving, littering, etc., and mandates that all persons with active tuberculosis or other inPAGE 10

Fe atu re s

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • January 13-19, 2022

9

SFIO announces $50-M eco-luxury community project in world-renowned Puerto Princesa, Palawan With stunning views of Ulugan Bay, the eight-hectare seaside community will feature world-class resort amenities and pioneer health and wellness offerings in one of the world’s most iconic islands LAST month, global asset management company Starfleet Innotech, Inc. (OTC: SFIO) closed off 2021 by signing a joint venture with Filipino partners to build a world-class eco-luxury, health and wellness communi ty on their bayside property in globally-renowned Philippine destination Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The project will be owned and developed by SFIO Leisure and Development, Inc., a joint venture stock corporation, and will see eight hectares of beachfront land transformed into an exclusive, holistic lifestyle community hidden amongst Palawan’s iconic mangrove glades and situated less than half an hour from the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, one of the official New Seven Wonders of Nature.

The seaside community will feature a beachfront resort, as well as condominiums and a residential subdivision for longer-term residents looking to embrace Palawan’s luxurious lifestyle and relocate to its idyllic isles.

With stunning views of Ulugan Bay and resting upon some of the nation’s most fertile soils, the resort will offer a lush, nourishing environment for both short and long-term visitors and long-term residents to reconnect with nature. The resort’s tropical design evokes the nostalgic warmth of Filipino hospitality, featuring the nation’s iconic pitched roofs, woven textures, and natural shade elements. These initial design and feasibility studies are already underway, with development scheduled to kick off within the year.

Visitors and residents alike will enjoy resort amenities across the development’s condotels, private villas, natural springs, chapel and meditation garden, spa and wellness centers, glamping sites, forest trails, and of course, walking access to Palawan’s iconic white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. With a focus on nurturing wellbeing, the resort will also offer productivity features for remote workers

looking for the perfect blend of modern accessibility and natural living.

SFIO’s announcement comes on the heels of a series of joint ventures with Philippine-based partners to develop world-class resorts and townships across the country. With their latest venture, SFIO brings its global expertise in real estate development to a global destination in island leisure.

Palawan consistently places among the world’s top islands, coming in first on Travel+Leisure’s definitive global ranking multiple years in a row. Based on Collier’s 2021 Residential Survey, Palawan was the top destination for Filipinos once travel restrictions are lifted. The global research firm expects domestic tourism to drive the leisure sector’s looming rebound, citing the Philippine Department of Tourism’s projection that domestic trips will reach 84.8 million in 2022, or 90 percent of total trips in 2019.

Not long after, the Philippines’ hotel industry – led by island beach destinations like Palawan – is forecasted to surpass even pre-pandemic revenues as early as 2023. According to latest data from Statista, the industry is expected to reach an all-time revenue high of $2.1 billion by 2025.

Timed to debut amidst this renewed renaissance for Palawan, SFIO’s latest development in Puerto Princesa is expected to be completed by 2024.

SFIO’s joint ventures in real estate play a crucial role in the global asset management company’s strategy of collaborative innovation towards building better communities.

Work is already underway at SFIO’s recently established Technology Division on a suite of state-of-the-art, smart-building technologies designed to ensure the long-term, holistic wellbeing of communities. The team has also designed a pro-

prietary project management platform tailored for their real estate projects. With this system, SFIO’s partners and global network of licensed realtors are able to easily access information and seamlessly collaborate with project proponents, expediting the selling process across SFIO’s real estate portfolio.

These technologies are expected to set new gold-standards for real estate management and community health systems across resorts and townships.

According to SFIO, the company is in talks with a number of investment banks to enter debt financing deals that would fund these projects while preserving shareholder value. Profits from these high-yield projects are intended to be reinvested into future growth, helping carry the group towards their plans to uplist from the US OTC Markets to the NASDAQ by 2024.

(Advertising Supplement)

10

Fe atu re s

January 13-19, 2022 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

Tax filing choices for your Nevada LLC Tax Tips Victor Sy, MBA, cPA (retired) When you set up your own business, you have a choice of operating as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or LLC. how do you select which entity is most beneficial for you?

Choosing the wrong form could cause unnecessary taxes, increased liability, and unnecessary exposure to lawsuits. What you should not do is listen to your neighbor or friend because each one has a different set of circumstances calling for a different set of strategies, a different form of entity. What you should do is seek professional advice to help you understand the attributes of each form and evaluate a whole multitude of confusing tax, legal and personal issues. The objective here is to set you up with a form that is tailored to your

particular needs, your particular industry, and your particular business.

Limited Liability Company (LLC): LLC is a hybrid that combines the pass-through attributes of a partnership with the limited liability of a corporation. The owners are called “members” who hold “interests” and are governed by an “operating agreement.”

There are no IRS forms for filing LLC taxes, so you have to elect to be taxed as sole proprietorship, corporation or partnership. If you chose corporation, you also have select between C and S status.

Nevada LLC taxed as a C Corporation: Your LLC is treated like a regular C Corporation for federal tax purposes. There is a huge disadvantage in forming a C Corporation: double taxation. Your entity pays taxes at the corporate level.

You pay taxes as an individual again when you receive earnings from the entity. The solution: S corporation discussed below.

Nevada LLC taxed as an S Corporation: Make an election to be taxed an S Corporation. S corps pay zero federal tax. Most states also impose zero or low state taxes for S Corps. The net income of your company is passed on to you via K-1 and you pay taxes on your personal tax returns. In other words, you pay tax only once.

Seek advice from a lawyer, enrolled agent, financial adviser, or certified public accountant before you proceed. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV – Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation. *** He retired after 50 years of defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He published a book on “How to Avoid or LAS VeGAS - Chinese new Survive IRS Audits” that’s available Year in the Desert/Spring Festival at Amazon. Readers may email tax proudly returns to Las Vegas for questions to vicsy@live.com. the 11th consecutive year on Feb. 3 – Feb. 6, 2022.

Chinese new Year in the Desert™has experienced explosive growth over the past ten years. From humble beginnings at the Fremont Street experience in 2012, the celebrations have expanded city-wide and now have claimed The Grand Canal Shoppes, the X Pot Venetian, Downtown Las Vegas, Taverna Costera, and Rainbow Kitchen as the new venues of choice. Major supporters for the 2022 celebration include the JAMBA inside McCarran International Airport, national ACe, Vegas Golden Knights, the City of Las Vegas, and Golden Catalyst, LLC. named by Forbes Magazine as one of the “8 Great Places to Celebrate Chinese new Year” in the United States and Canada, Chinese new Year in the Desert™ continues to set the bar on celebrating one of the most important social and economic Photo from Instagram/@inaraymundo95 Asian holidays.

Celebrities who expressed their concern and offered their well-wishes to the actress were Ogie Alcasid, Iza Calzado, Giselle Sanchez and Miriam Quiambao.

Las Vegas Lunar New Year: Celebrate the Year of the Tiger

Ina ‘getting better’ after testing positive for Omicron by anne

PaSaJol Inquirer.net

InA Raymundo revealed that she has tested positive for COVID-19 Omicron variant, but is now “getting better,” three days after contracting the virus.

Raymundo shared the news while showing a video of herself, bare-faced, on her Instagram page today, Jan. 10. She also expressed her gratitude to those who offered their prayers and wished her well. “[Because] I got the Omicron but getting better. just take it easy [people] and thanks to those who prayed [and] wished me well. [I] truly appreciate it,” she said.

The actress previously stated that her husband and five kids caught the virus, but most of them have recovered already, through her page too last Friday, Jan. 7. Raymundo, meanwhile, tested positive after their recovery.

“Ang bait pa rin ni God (God is still good) that I’m the last to get it so I was able to take good

Ina Raymundo

care of all of them. Most of my kids were sick for [two] days not more than [three] days,” she shared, as she reminded her fans to keep calm and that “God is still in control.”

Here comes Deltacron!

PAGE 10 fectious diseases be treated, are all saving lives and people have accepted them.

So, why not a federal mandate for vaccinations for all the 330 million people in the United States (except those with medical contraindication to the vaccines), when almost 860,000 have already died so far among the 61.4 million COVID-19 infections?

As I have asked in this column before, is this not negligence and dereliction of duty of the executive and legislative branches of our government? Technically, could the inaction (a malpractice) be legally considered negligent “genocide”?

If a medical practitioner had failed to practice the accepted standard of care epidemiologic protocol when he/she treated a patient and the refusal to follow that proven standard of care has resulted in the death of even one person (never mind 860,000), the physician could have been sued for malpractice, de-licensed, fined, and/or jailed.

So, why can’t We, The People, hold our government culpable, accountable, and liable for these massive infections and about 688,000 plus preventable deaths for not rapidly implementing the proven accepted standard of care

EMPLOYMENT

epidemiologic protocol, including a federal mandate for vaccination starting Day One when the vaccines first became available?

The fact that the Biden administration wants to mandate vaccination among federal employees and businesses with 100 or more employees proves its acknowledgment that vaccination is vital in our war against COVID-19.

Why then limit the benefit and protection to only this small segment of our society? This is a scientifically flawed plan because so long as there are even a dozen, or thousand or a million people unvaccinated (never mind the 20 percent or 60 million who refuse the vaccines), they are enough to enable rapid replication and mutation of the virus in their bodies and churn out more strains of viruses.

Remember the single person, the first victim of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China? he has spread this killer virus that resulted in this global catastrophe, the pandemic of 2019, with almost a third of a billion (with a “B”) cases and almost 5.6 million deaths worldwide. had our government federally mandated the use of PPes in January 2020, and vaccination on August 23, 2021 when the first vaccine came out, the Unit-

ed States could have developed herd immunity and cut hospitalizations and deaths by at least 80 percent (saving 688,000) of the 860,000 who died by now.

Once again, how many thousands more deaths do the Biden administration and the Congress need before doing the right thing? *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** 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 Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and antigraft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

SERVICES

The schedule is as follows: Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022: National ACE presents CNY Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony & KickOff Feast Grand Canal Shoppes Las Vegas & The X Pot Venetian 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Join us for the official kick-off and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Grand Canal Shoppes. entertainment consists of the “Dotting of the lions’ eyes” ritual and traditional dance performances.

After the ceremony, there will be an elaborate feast at the X Pot Venetian. Tickets can be purchased at: https://cny2022thexpot.eventbrite.com.

Friday, Feb. 4, 2022: Gala Dinner & Karaoke Taverna Costera 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

A ticketed VIP dinner includes a family-style dinner and cocktails sponsored by Remy Cointreau. enjoy the night market, lions blessing, and traditional folk dances. Tickets can be purchased at: https://cny2022TavernaCostera. eventbrite.com. Join us for Karaoke on the roof-top after dinner!

Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022: Spring

Festival Parade Downtown Las Vegas 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The parade, featuring gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, and traditional lions, is quickly becoming a Las Vegas tradition that entertains thousands who come to watch. Announcers’ stage and limited bleacher seating will be provided by the City of Las Vegas.

Applications for parade entries and complete details can be found at: https://cny2022Paradeentry. eventbrite.com.

Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022: JAMBA inside Harry Reid International Airport presents Closing Ceremony and Gala Dinner Rainbow Kitchen 6 p.m. - 9p.m. enjoy a traditional 9-course family-style Chinese dinner. Drunk Fruit will be providing Lychee, Yuzu, and Melon hard Seltzer to compliment the delicious meal.

Tickets can be purchased at: https://cny2022RainbowKitchen. eventbrite.com.

Additional information and an updated schedule can be found at https://cnyinthedesert.com.

Filipinos well-represented in ‘Spider-man: No Way Home’, thanks to Lola

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

WARnInG: Spoilers ahead!

The Filipino community was well-represented in the blockbuster film “Spider-man: no Way home” with Jacob Batalon playing Tom holland’s Spider-man best friend as ned Leeds.

But ned’s grandmother caught the attention of the Filipino viewers of the movie when his “Lola” spoke Tagalog in one of the scenes.

In one of the most exciting scenes of the movie where Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-man was shown in the movie, ned’s lola, played by Mary Rivera, ordered Andrew to clean up the ceiling while he’s hanging on there. “ned sabihin mo diyan sa ma- Filipino American actor Jacob Batalon mang yan na alisin ang agiw sa sulok,” the Filipino grandmother “My lola was asking if you could said. clean up the web you just shot,” ned translated it to Andrew as ned said. he cleans the ceiling.

“Yes of course, Lola,” Andrew But when Tobey’s Spider-man answered. entered, the two Spider-men from Mary’s casting in the movie different universe shot each other confirmed speculations last year leaving webs on the house. that Disney was looking for a “Ikaw ha nagkalat ka nanaman. Filipino grandmother who will Linisin mo lahat ng mga basura play in the movie. mo dito. At ikaw naman, alam According to Project Casting’s mo naman na gusto ko na itong website, the Filipino should be bahay natin maayos pero tignan 50 to 90 years old and fluent in mo, dumi dito, dumi doon,” Mary speaking english. said.

“Katie Doyle Casting, hawaii

SERVICES

Photo from Instagram/@lifeisaloha

is assisting Sarah Finn Casting (Avengers: endgame, The Mandalorian, Guardians of the Galaxy) in looking for an actress to play a role in an upcoming Walt Disney Studios film,” the post read. “no professional acting experience is required, but the applicant must speak english fluently and be comfortable traveling on a plane to Atlanta. They also should be currently authorized to work in the United States (either a US citizen, a green card holder, or an O-1 visa holder.),” it added.

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • January 13-19, 2022

11

12

January 13-19, 2022 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678