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JANUARY 15-21, 2021 Volume 14 - No. 10 • 16 Pages

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US sets COVID-19 death record for second week

by AJPRESS MORE than 22,000 Americans have lost their lives to COVID-19 last week, setting a record for the second week in a row.

According to a Reuters analysis of state

DATELINE

and county reports on Tuesday, January 12, California is the country’s hot spot with a death toll of 3,315 in the week ended Jan. 10, or about eight out of every 100,000 people, up 44% from the prior week.

Meanwhile, Arizona had the highest death rate per capita at 15 per 100,000 res-

idents. It is followed by Rhode Island at 13 and West Virginia at 12 deaths per 100,000 people.

“On average, COVID-19 killed 3,239 people per day in the United States last week, more than the number killed by the Sept.

11 attacks in 2001,” said Reuters in an ar-

USA

Governor reaffirms commitment to leading New Jersey through the COVID-19 pandemic

Fil-Am Catholic priest in Utah dies of COVID-19

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STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

A FILIPINO American priest in Utah has died after a short battle with the coronavirus.

Father Reynato “Rene” Rodillas succumbed to COVID-19 at the age of 58, a few days after testing positive, Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general of the Diocese of Salt Lake City announced on Friday, January 8.

“Date of death has yet to be determined by the medical examiner, but was probably on Friday, January 8, 2021,” read the announcement on the Intermountain Catholic website.

ticle.

“Cumulatively, nearly 375,000 people in the country have died from the novel coronavirus, or one in every 873 residents.

The total could rise to more than 567,000

by April 1, according to a forecast from the

by AJPRESS

TRAIN SECURITY. A Metro Railway Transit-3 security personnel reminds passengers to observe health safety protocols such as safe physical distancing as they arrive at the Quezon Avenue MRT-3 Station in Quezon City on Wednesday, January 13. The railway has resumed operations as long as the minimum safety standards are followed.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

NEW Jersey Governor Phil Murphy aired his third State of the State Address from Trenton on Tuesday, Jan. 12, highlighting accomplishments from his first three years in office to reaffirm his commitment to leading New Jersey through the COVID-19 public health crisis and improving the lives of New Jersey’s families.

“Although wounded deeply, we enter 2021 tougher than ever, wiser than before,

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PH has worst PH gov’t targets vaccinations Groups criticize Biden traffic in ASEAN, for up to 70-M Filipinos in 2021 admin as new Cabinet Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine rollout 9th in the world lacks AAPI secretary for to start in February first time in 2 decades THE Philippines has the worst traffic among six members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and is ranked the ninth-worst in the world, according to a new report.

The 2020 traffic index by Numbeo — a global cost of living database — assessed 81 different countries using key metrics, such as average time consumed in traffic, estimation of time consumption dissatisfaction, amount of carbon dioxide consumed in traf-

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by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Philippine government is aiming to vaccinate 50 to 70 million Filipinos in 2021, with up to 200,000 individuals receiving jabs every day.

“We are trying to vaccinate at least 100 to 200,000 people every day. Yun po ang gagawin natin para at least

magkaroon tayo ng record-breaking daily vaccination rollout (We are trying to vaccinate at least 100 to 200,000 people every day. That’s what we’re trying to do so that we can have a record-breaking daily vaccination rollout),” the country’s vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Tuesday, January 12.

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by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

AS the administration of President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take over the White House, fellow liberal lawmakers, activists and operatives excitedly await

the new administration that has promised policies and public servants that represent the growingly diverse American public.

Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), who comprise the fastest-grow-

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From the Front Page

Coalition launches effort to Air travelers now required to show get Rob Bonta appointed as negative COVID-19 test before entering US New measure applies to all foreign CA’s attorney general nationals and U.S. citizens

by Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

SEVERAL Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) elected leaders and organizations are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to appoint Assemblymember Rob Bonta as the state’s next attorney general.

Current Attorney General Xavier Becerra has been tapped to join the Biden administration as the Health and Human Services secretary, creating a vacancy in his seat if he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate later this year.

Since Becerra’s nomination last month, Bonta — who was elected to the Assembly in 2012 and became the state’s first Filipino American legislator — has been floated as a top candidate to be the state’s chief law enforcement officer.

The 48-year-old lawmaker in November 2020 was reelected for a fifth term to represent the state’s 18th Assembly district, which covers the East Bay areas of Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro. He currently serves as the assistant majority leader, and sits on several committees, including appropriations and health.

Bonta was reportedly among the contenders for attorney general in 2017 when Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Becerra, then a congressman representing the 34th congressional district in Southern California, was ultimately selected by former Gov. Jerry Brown.

Now, a grassroots effort has been brewing to double down on why Bonta is the best choice given his track record as the state grapples with a multitude of issues from the ongoing pandemic to a racial reckoning.

“Not only is he eminently qualified — probably the most qualified — he comes from communities that demand justice, that need this justice,” outgoing Rep. TJ Cox, the first Fil-Am to represent California in Congress, said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday, January 6.

Cox added that in addi-

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

A group of elected leaders and organizations is calling on California Governor Gavin Newsom (left) to appoint Assemblymember Rob Bonta (right) as state’s attorney general amid Xavier Becerra’s appointment to the Biden administration. File photo from October 2019 shows Newsom after signing AB32, authored by Bonta, which moved for California to be the first in the nation to ban for-profit, private prisons and civil detention facilities.

tion to the litigation side, Bonta in the top seat would provide “the example to be what you can see.”

Bonta’s appointment would be a win for representation, advocates argued, as California is home to the largest AAPI population in the U.S. with over 5 million. Fil-Ams are among the top two largest Asian ethnic groups in the state with a population of over 1.6 million.

“Rob Bonta’s march from his early days in the labor movement, with his activist parents living across from Cesar Chavez, to now being a potential appointee for attorney general of our great state,” said Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats founding president and community leader Joselyn Gaega-Rosenthal. “What a special moment for our Filipino and AAPI communities who have eagerly and patiently awaited this kind of moment.”

Bonta, who was born in Quezon City, Philippines, immigrated with his family to California’s Central Valley, where his parents worked for the United Farm

Workers of America, organizing Filipino and Mexican American workers. In previous interviews, this upbringing shaped his decision to pursue a career in law and public service.

He obtained a law degree from Yale Law School and clerked for Judge Alvin W. Thompson of theUnited States District Court for the District of Connecticut before moving to San Francisco law firmKeker & Van Nest. Prior to his election to the state Assembly in 2012, Bonta was San Francisco’s deputy city attorney for nearly a decade, and served as director of the Alameda Health Care District and then vice mayor of Alameda.

“He’s fought for working families addressed inequalities in our criminal justice system, championed tenants and immigrant rights, all while also addressing health care and consumer protection issues. He’s authored significant legislation that promotes and defends our California values of justice, inclusion, equity and opportunity,” Alameda Vice Mayor Malia Vella, who is also Fil-

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Tuesday, Jan. 12 that anybody flying to the United States will be required to show proof of a recent negative coronavirus test.

Travelers arriving from international airports will be required to take a test for the virus within three days before their departing flight to the U.S. The mandate applies to foreign nationals and U.S. citizens.

The CDC’s new rule is an extension of a similar requirement announced last week concerning travelers coming from the United Kingdom, where the new strain of SARS-CoV-2 had been recorded.

CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield signed the order

on Tuesday and will be in effect starting Jan. 26, which the agency said should give enough time for travelers to comply and re-arrange plans.

Redfield said in a statement, “Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to emerge in countries around the world and there is evidence of increased transmissibility of some of these variants. With the U.S. already in surge status, the testing requirement for passengers will help slow the spread of the virus as we work to vaccinate the American public.”

Redfield acknowledged that a negative test doesn’t provide total protection, but noted it’s a safeguard. Passengers who test positive, don’t provide official documentation of a negative test or recovery, or refuse to take a test, airlines will not

allow them to board.

“Testing does not eliminate all risk, but when combined with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer, healthier and more responsible by reducing spread on planes, in airports and at destinations,” he said.

COVID-19 has swept the U.S. in significant waves that have brought more than 22 million positive cases to date and 375,000 deaths, as of Tuesday.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, international travel to the U.S. has suffered a huge economic loss due to pandemic restrictions. In December, foreign travel in and out of the U.S. was down 76% compared to 2019, according to the trade group Airlines for America. n

US sets COVID-19 death record...

PAGE 1 Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME),” it added.

Last week, the U.S. reported more than 1.7 million new cases of COVID-19.

However, Former U.S. Food and Drug Administration chief Scott Gottleib said the country may start seeing a decline in cases by February.

“By the end of this month, we’ll have infected probably about 30% of the American public and maybe vaccinated another 10%, notwith-

standing the very difficult rollout of the vaccine,” he told CNBC on Friday.

Over 1.9 million people from all over the world have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

On Monday, the world marked the first year of China announcing the firstever death from a new virus that originated in Wuhan.

In its report dated January 11, 2020, China confirmed a 61-year-old man died from an unknown virus. Little is known about the man aside from him being a regular at

a Wuhan wet market linked to many of the early cases.

Wuhan and the surrounding province were put under lockdown two weeks after confirming the first death.

A year later, the city of Wuhan has extinguished the virus and residents are reveling in the freedoms they enjoy, as reported by Agence France-Presse.

“Wuhan is the safest city in China now, even the whole world,” 66-year-old resident Xiong Liansheng told AFP. n

Am, said on Wednesday.

Amid the protests over the summer, Bonta introduced a bill to classify racially motivated 911 calls as hate crimes. His legislation record includes a 2019 bill, which was signed into law by Newsom, to phase out the use of all private, for-profit prisons, including both prisons and immigration detention facilities in the state.

Wednesday’s virtual event also featured remarks from California State Treasurer

Fiona Ma; National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA) President Kristy Gonowon; California Asian Pacific American Bar Association President Zathrina Perez; CalAsian Chamber CEO Pat Fong; and KAYA: Filipino Americans for Progress boardmember Christian Edlagan.

In December, current and former Fil-Am elected officials, as well as legal organizations like the NFALA, sent letters to Newsom in support of Bonta.

Support for Bonta has also come from high-profile personalities— from CNN’s Van Jones calling the assemblymember “a leader in the fight to restore justice in CA” to actress Maggie Q who worked with him “in the fight for more inclusive representation in media.”

As Newsom has yet to announce a pick, the grassroots coalition has launched social media accounts to amplify its endorsement in an effort to influence the governor’s decision. n

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Fil-Am Catholic priest in Utah dies...

PAGE 1 Rodillas tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, January 5, and was sent home from the emergency room with oxygen to quarantine and to recover at home.

The Fil-Am was the pastor of Saint James the Just in Ogden, Utah at the time of his death. He also served as the spiritual advisor for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women.

Born on January 25, 1962, in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, Rodillas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering (BSCE) from the University of Northern Philippines before entering the Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City, Philippines. He was ordained as a Divine Word Missionary in 1997.

In 2007, Rodillas came to the Diocese of Salt Lake City and served as a parochial vicar at Saints Peter and Paul Parish, West Valley City; Saint George Parish, St. George; and Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, Midvale. He also served as administrator of Saint Olaf Parish, Bountiful.

ALLOWED IN GCQ. A man is about to hit a golf ball with his club as the caddy takes his photo on the greens at the Veterans Golf Club, Quezon City on Tuesday, January 12. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) allows sports such as golf, running, biking, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, equestrian, and skateboarding in areas under general community quarantine.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

PH gov’t targets vaccinations for up...

Father Reynato “Rene” Rodillas

Photo courtesy of The Diocese of Salt Lake City

In a 2019 interview by Intermountain Catholic, Rodillas said his greatest treasure is “being a priest.”

“Celebrating the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, for me is the most satisfying experience, because in spite of my unworthiness I am privileged to celebrate it. Celebrating the Eucharist is a reward in itself,” he continued.

“I am looking forward to knowing my new parishioners personally and journeying with them toward spiritual growth, and deepening my relationship with each of them and with God,” he added.

Rodillas is survived by his mother, Capistrana Rodillas; and siblings, Condrado Rodillas, Rosemary Rubia and Imelda Rodillas. (AJPress)n

Governor reaffirms commitment to...

PAGE 1 and ready to move forward together,” Murphy said. “Despite the ongoing pandemic, our mission of making New Jersey a stronger and fairer state for every family has not changed.”

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the address was pre-recorded without an audience at the Patriots Theater at the Trenton War Memorial and streamed on the Governor’s official social media channels.

“We’re proving that the best way to beat COVID-19 is by leaning in to smart investments with a forwardlooking, principled vision for the future. Our priorities for the year ahead focus on the public health challenges at hand, while charting a path forward to build a stronger, fairer, and more resilient economy that works for every New Jersey family,” he said.

In his address, the Governor also acknowledged that New Jersey was one of the first and hardest-hit states, that its communities of color have been disproportionately impacted and that it is currently battling a second

wave which is just as brutal as the first.

A statewide vaccination program is in place and the governor is looking forward to the arrival of approved, safe, and effective COVID19 vaccines.

“Despite many obstacles, we have in place a plan to vaccinate every willing New Jersey adult resident -- and hundreds of thousands have already rolled up their sleeves,” Murphy said as he urged residents to learn about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines available and pre-register for their own vaccination.

Six vaccine mega-sites have opened across the state, and vaccinations will be available in hundreds more places statewide. The state has already streamlined the vaccination process to enhance efficiency.

Cuomo expands eligibility of vaccine in NewYork In New York, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced five state-run vaccination sites have begun accepting appointments and were scheduled to open this week.

The sites - the Jacob

K. Javits Center, Westchester County Center and New York State Fair Expo Center - all opened on January 13 and sites at Jones Beach and SUNY Albany opened the following day, with more vaccination sites to be announced in the coming days.

Since federal supply severely limits the ability to distribute vaccine, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.

New York’s vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals far exceed the vaccine supply coming from the federal government, which is arriving at a rate of approximately 300,000 doses per week. As such, eligible New Yorkers should be prepared to receive an appointment date as far as 14 weeks or further in the future.

“New York State is rapidly expanding our networks and capabilities to get as many New Yorkers vaccinated as fast as our supply allows,” Cuomo said. “The

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PAGE 1 The vaccine czar also said that 25,000 vaccinators are currently being trained and that local government units are consolidating the list of individuals that will participate in the vaccinations.

“Marami na po tayo nabigyan ng training. Ongoing ang training natin, we are training more or less 25,000 vaccinators (Many have already been given training. This is ongoing and we are training more or less 25,000 vaccinators),” he said.

Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID19 vaccine rollout in the Philippines may happen earlier than China’s Sinovac, according to Galvez.

“Baka mauna ang Pfizer because the COVAX facility will be deploying the early rollout of Pfizer so iintayin din namin ‘yun sa February (Pfizer may come earlier because the COVAX facility will be deploying the early rollout of Pfizer, so we will wait for that in February as well),” he told ANC’s Headstart.

The country is a candidate for the early rollout of the vaccine from the COVAX facility, a global platform that aims to ensure fair and equitable ac-

cess to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries.

Earlier, Galvez said the country’s vaccination campaign may start as early as February through the COVAX facility, receiving “more or less 40 million doses” of COVID-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, World Health Organization representative to the Philippines, said only Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is confirmed to be part of the COVAX early roll-out.

Pfizer on December 23, 2020 submitted its application for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of its COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration, for its part, said it will release its decision on the American drugmaker’s application by Tuesday or Wednesday, ahead of the target date of January 14.

Vaccine deals On Monday, January 11, the country reportedly secured 25 million doses of China’s Sinovac.

“According to the Department of Health, we will have the first 25 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from

Sinovac. The vaccines will arrive in the Philippines next month,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in Filipino.

Of the 25 million doses, 50,000 will arrive in the country in February. In March, 950,000 doses will arrive, one million doses in April, another million doses in May, and two million doses in June, until all 25 million doses are delivered by December.

Despite Sinovac’s efficacy being called into question, Roque insisted that the vaccine has been “proven safe and efficient.”

The Philippines also signed an agreement to secure 30 million doses of Covovax vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer; and Novavax, a U.S.-based biotechnology company.

The delivery of the vaccine will begin in the third quarter of the year. It will be used to vaccinate 15 million Filipinos belonging to the vulnerable and poor sectors.

Currently, Covovax is in third-stage trials and expected to be approved for use by international regulators. n

PH has worst traffic in ASEAN...

PAGE 1 fic, and overall inefficiencies in the traffic system.

A high score in the traffic index meant lower traffic quality for a country.

The Philippines garnered a score of 198.84 points in the traffic index, the highest score among six countries in Southeast Asia. It was followed by Indonesia (194.61), Thailand (170.60), Malaysia (169.14), Singapore (148.61), and Vietnam (111.12).

Nigeria topped the overall ranking with a score of 308.03, followed by Sri Lanka, Kenya, Bangladesh, and Egypt to complete the top five.

Meanwhile, Iran, Peru, India, the Philippines, and Colombia filled up the rest of the spots in the top 10.

In terms of the factors used in the traffic index, the Philippines ranked 12th globally in the time index and dissatisfaction index, with a score

of 44.63 points and 3,314.83, respectively.

In the carbon dioxide index, the country placed 19th with a score of 6,538.48.

The Philippines, meanwhile, found itself in the ninth spot in the inefficiencies index with a score of 248.96. However, Numbeo stressed that this is caused

by Filipinos choosing to drive cars instead of using public transport. (Ritchel Mendiola/ AJPress) n

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OPINION

5

FEATURES

Worst traffic in the region

THE COVID-19 quarantines emptied the streets of Metro Manila and several other crowded urban centers across the country. Vehicular traffic, however, began picking up as the economy was gradually reopened, more people were allowed outside their homes and mass transportation resumed, although still on a limited basis.

The pandemic-related mobility restrictions did not stop the Philippines from being ranked last year as the worst in terms of traffic situation among six Southeast Asian countries with high traffic densities, and the ninth worst among 81 worldwide. People who have been stuck in traffic especially along EDSA and surrounding areas in the past months will agree with the assessment.

The ranking was reported by Numbeo in its 2020 Traffic Index, which assessed the traffic situation based on time spent to reach one’s destination, carbon dioxide emissions and overall inefficiency. The Philippines was ranked the worst among the four other founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore – as well as a later addition to ASEAN,

Vietnam.

Reacting to the Numbeo report, the government vowed improvements in the traffic situation with the completion of more roads particularly within Mega Manila. Most of the new roads, however, are toll roads operated by the private sector.

It remains to be seen whether enough motorists will use these roads to make a significant dent in the traffic jams that have returned. With the financial difficulties arising from the pandemic, a daily toll will be another burden many people can’t afford.

Why can’t the government provide free basic road infrastructure at least in crowded urban centers? Where do our taxes go?

Numbeo is a crowd-sourced global database of information on cost of living and quality of life indicators including hous-

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

ing, perceived crime rates and quality of health care. Like other free crowd-sourced databases, there is no third-party checking for accuracy of Numbeo data. But perceptions serve as a guide for policy making as

well as project planning and implementation. The 2020 Traffic Index should drive improvements in the traffic jams in Metro Manila and other crowded urban centers.

(Philstar.com)

Follow the Constitution: Impeach and convict Trump to save American democracy The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS BE HONEST. Let us all be honest in answering this very important question: What would and should true

patriotic law-abiding citizens and supposed truth, fairness and justice-seeking Christians in America do when United States PresidenDonald Trump is now the leader and inciter of an insurrection to overturn election results and assault the democracy of the nation and the people he swore to serve?

Nearly four years ago, the businessman-turned-leader

of the free world was inaugurated and took the solemn oath as stated in Article II, Section I, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution: “I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

But, in his time in office,

Trump has been the biggest threat to our national security, and has failed in fulfilling his solemn duties and obligations as president.

Five people have died because of mob riot, with the U.S. Capitol security breached and offices and hallways of this historic august chambers vandalized and destroyed by Trump’s blind followers — carrying

out his marching order to FIGHT based on lies of his votes and victory stolen, dismissed to be without merit by no less than the Supreme Court and other officials and watchdogs of the election.

And what should we do as citizens of the United States when the other public servants — the vice president, representatives, senators, judges, political appointees,

and federal employees — the people who work for us, the people of the United States, fail to fulfill the oath they took before they assume the public post entrusted to them as federal employees?

Yes, they too took an oath of office, pursuant to Article VI of the Constitution which states that other officials, including members of ConPAGE 10

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Ex-Solgen Cadiz, Chel PhilHealth, dialysis center officials ‘conspired’ in anomalous Diokno lead team of lawyers to argue vs anti-terrorism law fund release – NBI

by Marlon

raMos

Inquirer.net

MANILA — Former Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth) president and CEO Ricardo Morales and other senior executives of the state health insurer had “conspired” with officials of a private dialysis center that received P33.8 million in emergency funds specifically earmarked for hospitals treating COVID-19 patients, according to the National Bureau of Investigation.

The NBI said Morales and his subordinates also ignored policies that they themselves set for the use of the P30-billion interim reimbursement mechanism (IRM) in providing “unwar-

ranted benefits” to B. Braun Avitum Philippines Inc., a dialysis center.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson had identified B. Braun as a “favored” recipient of the special financial package from PhilHealth.

These findings prompted the NBI to bring an administrative and criminal complaint alleging corruption against Morales and more than 20 others in the Office of the Ombudsman.

‘Ghost, double claims’ The complaint was filed on Monday, a day before an interagency body headed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) endorsed also to the Ombudsman a report by the Presidential AntiCrime Commission (PACC)

by Xave

GreGorio Philstar.com

alleging graft against 25 PhilHealth officials in connection with a “ghost” and “double claims” scheme that had financially strained the state insurer.

The complaint prepared by the NBI’s National Capital Region (NCR) office said a “conspiracy between PhilHealth officials and B. Braun Avitum was sufficiently established.”

It said PhilHealth “disregarded rules in approving and releasing IRM funds.”

Worse, the NBI said PhilHealth “erroneously” computed the amounts given to B. Braun and other hospitals that requested financial aid, which PhilHealth had intended as the government’s PAGE 8

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno

Philstar.com photo

MANILA — Discussions on charter change would soon restart in the House of Representatives upon the directive of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco (Marinduque), who just three months ago said there was not enough time for such talks.

House constitutional amendments panel chair Alfredo Garbin (AKO BICOL party-list) told Philstar. com that Velasco directed him to tackle proposed amendments to “restrictive” economic provisions in the Constitution.

“It’s long overdue. Ours is a 33-year-old ConstituPAGE 8

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Groups criticize Biden admin as new...

PAGE 1 ing ethnic group in the U.S., have become more visible and vocal over the last decade in American politics, with activists and lawmakers propelling the community’s issues to the forefront.

Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, has already made history as the first female, Black and AAPI to serve in the position.

In addition to Harris, Biden appointed Chinese American Katherine Tai to serve as United States Trade Representative, the head of the government agency that is responsible for the development and recommendations of trade policy to the president of the United States.

Tai, 46, is an attorney who currently serves as the chief trade counsel for the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means.

But AAPI groups are calling out Biden for neglecting to include enough Asian Americans or any Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander in his cabinet appointments that became known in late 2020. The incoming administration will be the first in 20 years to not have an AAPI at the secretary level.

Since Norman Mineta served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce in the Clinton administration, becoming the first AAPI to hold a Cabinet position, the past three administrations have had at least one AAPI Cabinet secretary. President George W. Bush had two AAPIs in his Cabinet; President Barack Obama had three; and Trump had one, Elaine Chao, who has since resigned as Secretary of Transportation.

“Our elected officials owe a great debt of gratitude to the AAPI community. Many of their elections

were made possible by the significant contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander votes,” Christine Chen, executive director for Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), said in a statement. “Approximately two-thirds of AAPI’s supported the new Administration, and AAPI’s turned out in record numbers during the general election. According to one analysis, AAPI voters increased their turnout relative to 2016 more than any other demographic group across the swing states.”

As previously covered by the Asian Journal, organizations like APIAVote as well as the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) have been calling for more AAPI representation in Washington.

Biden’s cabinet (which hasn’t been fully confirmed by the U.S. Senate) includes the most women in any presidential cabinet in American history (an equal number of men and women), and a majority of its members are not white.

But with the growing number of AAPIs in government and law, NCAPA believes that there are “numerous qualified AAPIs who should be appointed to senior positions throughout the government.”

“The Biden Administration, by nearly every standard, has set a new benchmark for what a diverse and inclusive government should look like,” NCAPA said in a statement, adding that the omission of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders and “lack of AAPI representation among Cabinet Secretaries is an egregious step backwards.”

For years, the fight for AAPI visibility in Washington has been akin to having the community’s specific

needs addressed by top officials in all three branches of the federal government.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, AAPI senators and House representatives have put forth proposals, policies and memoranda fighting against anti-Asian racism that re-emerged last year.

With more AAPI representation in the federal government, it is the hope that those issues — including linguistic availability, data disaggregation, health care, immigration and other issues that pertain directly to the AAPI community — will be made a priority.

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) also weighed in on the lack of an AAPI Cabinet secretary.

“NAPABA stands dismayed that AAPIs will not be represented at the Secretary level position in the inaugural Biden Cabinet,” A.B. Cruz III, president of NAPABA, said. “While there have been many historic positive firsts for the incoming Administration, the AAPI community cannot help but feel dismissed.”

The lack of AAPI figures in the president-elect’s announced cabinet, however, may not represent the future of his cabinet over the next four years. Customarily, secretaries step down from positions, opening up the potential for future AAPIs to take over. Despite the oversight in Biden’s first cabinet announcements, Cruz hopes that Biden will keep the AAPI community in mind for future appointments.

“We trust the new administration will specifically address this apparent disconnect by nominating and placing AAPIs into key leadership roles going forward,” he said. n

Governor reaffirms commitment to...

PAGE 4 new vaccine sites across the State will expedite our distribution to get our most vulnerable New Yorkers vaccinated efficiently. Our greatest hindrance continues to be federal inaction.

We have come too far to be held back in our efforts by the inadequate vaccine supply from the federal government. I encourage New Yorkers to be patient throughout this process and

urge our federal government to increase the supply to states.”

This network, which includes the five state-run sites, as well as 15 more which will be announced in the coming days will also utilize doctors’ offices, Federally-Qualified Health Centers, county health departments, ambulatory centers and pharmacies to get doses in the arms of eligible New Yorkers.

More than 1,200 pharmacies have already committed to participating in this network, with nearly 400 scheduled to come on-line this week. Pharmacies will be provided vaccines for New Yorkers aged 65 and older, while hospitals will continue vaccinating 1a healthcare workers, and local health departments and union-organized efforts will serve essential workers in 1b. n

House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco presides over a caucus of leaders of political parties and blocs in the House of Representatives where they agreed to back his proposal to amend “restrictive” economic provisions in the Constitution.

Contributed photo

House leaders agree to dance to Velasco’s Cha-cha

by Xave

GreGorio Philstar.com

MANILA — Leaders of political parties and blocs in the House of Representatives have agreed to support Speaker Lord Allan Velasco’s (Marinduque) push to amend “restrictive” economic provisions in the Constitution.

The “consensus” among

political leaders in the House was reached during a caucus presided by Velasco on Tuesday, a day before the House constitutional amendments committee restarts discussions on charter change.

“There is a strong and united consensus among political leaders in the House to back Speaker Velasco’s initiative towards

liberalizing the economic provisions in the Constitution,” Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Bagong Henerasyon party-list) said.

The lawmakers present at the caucus represent major political parties and blocs in the House, particularly the ruling PDP-Laban, the NationalPAGE 9

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CLEAN CREEK. A creek along Airport Road looks clean with its still waters near the border of Pasay City and Baclaran, Paranaque City on Tuesday, January 12. The government has been cleaning up waterways ahead of the rainy season.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

PhilHealth, dialysis center...

PAGE 6 response to the pandemic.

The bureau cited PhilHealth Circular 2020-0007, which stated that the financial aid “must be based only on historical paid claims, which if properly computed, should only have been P23 billion,” not P30 billion.

It said B. Braun received benefit claims for dialysis procedures done even before the first coronavirus case was reported in the country and prior to the effectivity of the IRM on March 20, 2020.

Pending cases The company, the NBI noted, had pending administrative cases with PhilHealth Arbitration Office for the filing of multiple claims, breaching warranties of accreditation, claiming for

patients that were not admitted nor treated and unjustified admission beyond accredited bed capacity.

“Despite these red flags, PhilHealth approved the grant of IRM fund to B. Braun,” it said.

The NBI stressed that PhilHealth “failed to organize a validation team” which would have assessed the effects of the pandemic to properly determine the amounts to be taken from the IRM fund for health institutions.Besides Morales, the NBI recommended charges to be filed against PhilHealth executive vice president and COO Arnel de Jesus, senior vice presidents Renato Limsiaco and Israel Francis Pargas, Arturo Alcantara of PhilHeath Task Force Informatics and NCR

area vice president Gregorio Rulloda.

Also included in the complaint were PhilHealth NCR officials Lailani Padua, Dr. Cynthia Camacho, Recto Panti, Maricar Barangtay, Victoria Gatuz, Dr. Imelda Trinidad de Vera, Lolita Tuliao, Gemma Sibucao and several other unidentified personnel.

The NBI said they should be held liable for graft, misappropriation of public funds, grave misconduct, gross negligence and conduct prejudicial to public interest.

B. Braun managing director Eduardo Rodriguez, finance director Arsenia Ladores and sales and marketing director Ricky Paglicawan were named private respondents. n

Ex-Solgen Cadiz, Chel Diokno...

PAGE 6 tion of which its restrictive economic provisions no longer conforms to the needs of time,” Garbin said in a message on Wednesday.

Asked if they would also tackle political provisions, like term extensions, Garbin said that their focus is solely on economic provisions.

Garbin said his panel would resume deliberations on proposals to liberalize the Constitution’s economic provisions next Wednesday.

Among those proposals is by Velasco himself, who in 2019 filed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 2, which seeks to convene Congress into a constituent assembly to amend Articles XII, XIV and XVI of the Constitution.

Velasco’s proposed amendments seek to give Congress the power to lift several economic restrictions imposed by the Constitution, like limitations on foreign investments.

Velasco’s proposal does not include provisions for term extensions, but he

has said that he is in favor of extending the terms of elected officials, even remarking that the three years allotted for lawmakers to sit in the House is “very short.”

In October, Velasco told the Daily Tribune in an online interview that while he wanted to push for charter change, there is no more time for it, especially while the legislature is focused on how to address the pandemic that has brought the economy to its knees and unemployment to a record high. n

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CHR: ‘Drug war’ review report credibility may suffer if done ‘in the shadows’

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — Credibility of the Philippine government’s “drug war” review report would suffer if it will be done “in the shadows,” the Commission on Human Rights said.

The CHR was left out of the crafting of the initial report by the Department of Justice-led panel, despite a promise to the United Nations Human Rights Council that the commission would be involved as an independent monitoring body.

“If it’s done under the shadows, if it’s not transparent, then there is doubt as to the credibility of that report,” human rights commissioner Karen GomezDumpit told ANC’s Matters of Fact on Wednesday.

Gomez-Dumpit said they were “puzzled” and surprised when they learned

that the initial report has been released because they were expecting that the CHR “would be a part of it from the beginning.”

She added they have written to the DOJ four times, the latest was sent on January 7 after they learned that the initial report has been released.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said they intend to engage the CHR in the “drug war” review panel, as he pointed out that only an initial report was released.

“Our efforts have been severely hampered by current restrictions on mobility and physical access to records. Much collaborative work remains to be done,” the DOJ chief added.

The high-level panel is conducting “a judicious review of the 5,655 anti-illegal drug operations where deaths occurred.” Human rights groups have esti-

mated drug war deaths at four times the number acknowledged by the government.

The initial report covers initial findings in a couple of provinces with the highest incidence of police operations resulting in deaths, particularly in Bulacan and Pampanga.

‘Nanlaban’ cases need review Gomez-Dumpit said they could have provided fresh eyes in the report and share evidence that they have gathered in their own investigations. “We are an independent mechanism, so we can actually advise the government on what to do with all these cases,” she added.

She urged the government to publicize the initial report or give the commission a copy, so the families of victims would have access to it.

PAGE 10

House leaders agree to...

PAGE 7 ist People’s Coalition, the Nacionalista Party, the National Unity Party, LakasNUCD, Hugpong ng Pagbabago, the Liberal Party and the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. Aside from Velasco and Herrera-Dy, the following lawmakers were physically present at the meeting: • Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero (1-PACMAN partylist) • Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson Meehan (Ilocos Sur) • Deputy Speaker Wes Gatchalian (Valenzuela) • Rep. Mark Enverga (Quezon) • Rep. Kit Belmonte (Quezon City) • Rep. Francisco Benitez (Negros Occidental) • Rep. Alfredo Garbin (AKO BICOL party-list) Lawmakers present via teleconferencing were: • Deputy Speaker Doy Leachon (Oriental Mindoro) • Deputy Speaker Roberto Puno (Antipolo City) • Deputy Speaker Munir Arbison (Sulu)

• Deputy Speaker Eric Martinez (Valenzuela City) • Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Leyte) • Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod party-list) • Rep. Mikey Arroyo (Pampanga) • Rep. Isidro Ungab (Davao City) • Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte) • Rep. Michael John Duavit (Rizal) • Rep. Joet Garcia (Bataan) • Rep. Rommel Angara (Aurora) • Rep. Franz Alvarez (Palawan) • Rep. Eileen ErmitaBUhain (Batangas) • Rep. Sharon Garin (AAMBIS-OWA party-list) • Rep. Stella Quimbo (Marikina City) Limited to economic provisions?

Garbin, who chairs the House constitutional amendments committee, reiterated that proposed amendments to the Constitution would be limited to economic provisions.

However, political science professor Jean Franco and constitutional law professor Tony La Viña previously told Philstar.com that any changes can be made to the Constitution once it is opened up for amendments or revisions.

“Nobody can limit whatever changes people can propose,” La Viña said in an interview.

Velasco’s proposal, or Resolution of Both Houses No. 2, seeks to allow Congress to lift the constitutional restrictions on foreign investments in land, natural resources, public utilities, educational institutions, media and advertising.

He wants this done by inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” in the provisions, which would give Congress the leeway to pass laws to change the constitutional requirements.

Velasco hopes to finish debates on charter change before the end of 2021 and present it to Filipinos for ratification in the 2022 elections. n

10

January 15-21, 2021 • nEW yOrK anD nEW JErSEy aSIan JOurnaL

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Follow the Constitution...

PAGE 5 gress, “shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation to support this constitution.”

Our Founding Fathers had the foresight that someday, there would be an elected leader who would abuse the power and public trust accorded to the Office of the President and other powerful posts in government that is why the Constitution had been written to demand accountability from each and every public servant.

One important point that writer Jeff Neal wrote for the Federal News Network on the oath of office and what it means is very much a reminder not only for our federal employees. This is also a wake-up call for us citizens on what to expect and demand from our public servants: “One thing that federal workers often hear is a career supervisor or political appointee talking about loyalty to the agency or the boss. One purpose of the Oath of Office is to remind federal workers that they do not swear allegiance to a supervisor, an agency, a political appointee, or even to the President. The oath is to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and faithfully execute your duties. The intent is to protect the public from a government that might fall victim to political whims and to provide a North Star – the Constitution – as a source of direction.”

This is where we are now — facing a crossroads, about to embrace a defining moment that will determine the fate of our democracy in a government intended by the Constitution to be of the people, for the people, by the people.

The power is ours to use to demand accountability from our public officials, lest we become complicit to enabling, condoning and nurturing a dictator who abuses the power and public trust for his/her own personal and political agenda.

The power is ours to choose whom to give our loyalty: to the Constitution or to Donald J. Trump.

The power is ours to demand the same from the public officials in the executive, legislative and judiciary co-equal branches of government -- obligated to fulfill its oversight function and checks and balances responsibilities so that no person, no office, no branch of government will

abuse the power and destroy our democratic institutions and processes.

On Wednesday, January 13, barely a week before the inauguration of Presidentelect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris — who both won decisively in the November elections, certified by our electors pursuant to the rule of law and the Constitution — we, the people, would have to be fully engaged in the impeachment process initiated by the House of Representatives.

“The sole article of impeachment that the House is expected to pass Wednesday charging Trump with high crimes and misdemeanors is damning. Its simple clarity explains why this impeachment is no mere futile partisan ritual in the waning days of the most aberrant presidency in history,” CNN reports.

“Donald John Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy, and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law,” the article reads.

Congress passed a resolution on Tuesday, January 12, urging Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment to the Constitution. As the New York Times reported: “Lawmakers, escorted by armed guards into a heavily fortified Capitol, adopted the nonbinding measure just before midnight largely along party lines. The final vote was 223 to 205 to implore Mr. Pence to declare Mr. Trump “incapable of executing the duties of his office and to immediately exercise powers as acting president.”

Pence, however, wrote a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying he would not invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, saying “I will not now yield to efforts in the House of Representatives to play political games at a time so serious in the life of our nation.”

Pence also wrote to urge members of Congress to “avoid actions that would further divide and inflame passions of the moment.”

Let the truth be told -- Vice President Pence has been complicit in Trump’s efforts to divide and conquer the nation in the past four years.

He did nothing, said nothing,

and even defended and emboldened Trump.

Now, Pence chooses inaction despite what happened on January 6 when he, himself, could have been killed by the insurrectionists who set up a noose on a makeshift gallow, chanting “Hang Mike Pence!” After he defied Trump’s order to overturn the election results, as reported by radio.com.

Pence chooses inaction despite Trump not showing any remorse for what he did and continues on with his toxic and dangerous lies and rhetoric that inflames anger among his fascist base and blind followers.

Pence chooses inaction despite the “FBI warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after last week’s deadly siege at the U.S. Capitol,” according to the Associated Press.

This is the second time that Trump will be impeached, the first time this is happening in the history of presidents in the United States — a testament to the corruption of this man and unfitness to be President. This time, however, we hear more Republicans in Congress coming out to express support for the impeachment of Trump following the January 6 siege of the capitol where their own lives had been threatened.

“Wyoming Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, the party’s third-ranking House leader, announced on Tuesday that she will vote to impeach President Donald Trump, becoming the highest-ranking official from her party to support charging and removing him from office following the Trump-incited riot at the Capitol last week..., ”CNN reported.

“The President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack. Everything that followed was his doing. None of this would have happened without the President,” said Cheney. “The President could have immediately and forcefully intervened to stop the violence. He did not.”

“There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution,” she added.

“I will vote to impeach the President.”

FREE SWAB TEST. Residents of Barangay San Antonio sit in front of a plastic divider booth while being tested by the personnel of the Quezon City Health Department and City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit during the free rapid and swab testing at a covered court on Monday, January 11. In a statement posted on the Barangay San Antonio Facebook page, the free antibody test is to ensure the immunity and health of its residents.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfile

CHR: ‘Drug war’ review...

PAGE 9 “We have said this in the past, and we are reiterating it: When there is a defense of ‘nanlaban,’ it has to be credible,” the rights commissioner said.

“Even if it is within legitimate police operations, it does not mean that any death resulting from a police operation is actually

excusable,” the CHR official stressed, adding that circumstances in every case must be reviewed, especially in those where the victim is unarmed.

The UNHRC acknowledged the “drug war” review panel in its resolution in October 2020 that only pushed for capacity building to improve hu-

man rights situation in the country, short of launching an independent, on-theground investigation that rights groups have been calling for.

Rights groups have flagged the “drug war” panel review as an attempt at damage control to avoid international scrutiny and investigation. n

Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell “is moving abruptly away from President Donald Trump, telling people that he thinks Trump perpetrated impeachable offenses,” the Associated Press reported.

“The Kentucky Republican also sees House Democrats’ drive to impeach Trump as an opportune moment to distance the GOP from the tumultuous, divisive outgoing president.”

BREAKING: The House on Wednesday, January 13 impeached President Donald Trump, adopting a single article of impeachment, voting 232 to 197 to charge him with “inciting violence against the government of the United States” and requesting his immediate removal from office and disqualification from ever holding one again, the New York Times reported.

Ten members of the president’s party joined Democrats to charge him with high crimes and misdemeanors for an unprecedented second time.

More Republicans should do the right thing and protect and defend the Constitution

instead of protecting Trump and their political ambitions.

After all, during the 2016 Presidential Election campaign season, the high-ranking Republican leadership had been warning us about Trump.

Why do some Republicans still choose to defend him?

One is because of their political survival, and the other reason is because Trump continues to harass Republicans in Congress, threatening them, their safety and the safety of their families. All the more they should vote to remove Trump from office!

The Times reported that vote set the stage for the second Senate trial of Trump in a year, though senators were not expected to convene to sit in judgment before Jan. 20, when Biden will take the oath of office. But who knows what McConnell might do to surprise us before then.

Words have consequences.

Actions have consequences.

If we just let Trump go after his term is over, then we failed to hold him accountable. Then he would run for office again and continue destroying our democracy.

Then another candidate who

may be worse than Trump could be emboldened to run for office.

There can only be true unity when there is healing. There can only be true healing when justice and accountability are present.

It is about time justice is served for all the transgressions Trump has committed against the Constitution and the American people.

The House has impeached Trump. The Senate has to convict Trump. NOW. Let us ALL save the democracy of the United States of America. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.

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COMMUNITY Journal

11

Trump extends immigration ban to March 31, 2021

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

CITIZEN PINOY: MORE ANSWERS TO IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS FROM KAPAMILYA, VIA ZOOM, THIS SUNDAY. Luchie of Azusa, CA (center) asks if it is OK for a green card holder to apply for naturalization if she already has a pending petition for her husband.

From Redlands, CA, Ricky (right) would like to know if his two single daughters (whom he petitioned in 2011 in the F-2B category) can immigrate sooner now that he has naturalized. These are just a few of the immigration questions that will be answered on an encore episode of “CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot” this Sunday, January 17 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

Comedian Rob Schneider’s Filipina mother passes away

ON December 31, 2020, Pres. Trump extended his “immigration ban” through March 31, 2021, just hours before it was set to expire.

By way of background, and as I detailed in previous articles, in April 2020, Trump issued a proclamation (which he renewed and expanded in June 2020), banning the issuance of immigrant visas for people outside the U.S. who were under petition by family members or employers. The ban also applied to tempo-

rary non-immigrant working visas, such as H-1B. His justification for the ban were the effects of COVID19 on the U.S. labor market, and the health of American communities as a matter of “ongoing national concern,” which have not been eliminated. His concern was the high unemployment rate in the U.S., and it’s not fair to let people immigrate who will take away jobs from U.S. workers.

Is there anything that can be done in the meantime?

Here are some possibilities and the chances of success: 1. Biden could rescind or cancel this proclamation?

But we have seen from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) the difficulty of a president trying to

undo Executive Actions or proclamations of previous presidents. Obama instituted DACA by Executive Action, and Trump tried to rescind it

by Executive Action, but there was lengthy litigation, going all the way up to the Supreme Court, which held Trump did not properly rescind DACA. 2. Legal action? By the time the case gets through the courts, it will probably be past April 2021, so it seems litigation would be a waste of time. Also, courts have held a president may, by proclamation, “suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens” whenever he finds that the entry of such aliens or class of aliens would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.” Trump believes PAGE 12

By Ian

BIong Inquirer.net

COMEDIAN Rob Schneider on Tuesday, January 12, announced that his Filipina mother died over the weekend.

In an Instagram post, the Fil-Am actor said that his mother, Pilar Monroe Schneider, “passed away peacefully after spending a perfect Sunday evening family dinner surrounded with loved ones at her side.”

Schneider paid tribute to his mother by sharing her life story as a World War II survivor from the Philippines who “had smallpox.”

He also said Pilar was “raised for the first three years by her aunt.”

“Then one day this well dressed family showed up and told her they were her family and introduced her to her mother, Victoria,” wrote Schneider.

He further said that Pilar grew up without a father as the American soldier “abandoned her family before Pilar was born.” They only met by accident 22 years later in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Pilar’s brothers, John and Bill, were “both killed by the Japanese as teenagers.”

Rob Schneider and his mother Pilar

According to Schneider, food was scarce during the war, and Pilar’s family survived because of her ingenuity.

“Her mother and sisters sewed pajamas from bed sheets and traded them with the farmers for sweet potatoes (kamotes), the ones that the Japanese didn’t steal from her,” he wrote.

“After the war Pilar was able to ‘pay for school’ because she and her sister Rose found money the Japanese buried in a cave (along with what they thought were metal pineapples which turned out to be hand grenades),” he

Photo from Instagram/@iamrobschneider

added.

Pilar graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and moved to the United States in the 1950s.

There, she earned her master’s degree as a reading specialist and was later elected to the school board in Pacifica, California.

“Pilar b[e]came a beloved teacher for [three] decades and three generations of children who would be grateful that years later she remembered every one of their names,” said Schneider.

“After retiring from teaching Pilar made sure that the PAGE 15

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EVERYDAY

9:00am - 11:00am

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January 15-21, 2021 • nEW yOrK anD nEW JErSEy aSIan JOurnaL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS THE $150 billion-plus fastfood industry greatly impacts the health of the people in the United States and around the world. The concept of speed, convenience, practically hustlefree dining, reasonable pricing, and the “good” taste of the food items have all been most attractive to consumers globally. Not addicting in the strict sense, but comfort “gastronomic delight” to some people, especially the French fries.

The problem is these food items are considered “junk food” by nutritionists and the medical community as a whole, who recommend consuming them only occasionally, especially by children. And the soft drinks (with the phosphoric acid and some other ingredients in them) that come with the “meal” are, without any question, toxic to the human body, contributing to the development of Metabolic Syndrome, especially among youngsters. Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome or its resultant illnesses (Obesity, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes Mellitus, Heart Disease, Stroke, Alzheimer’s, and Cancer), are also high risk for COVID-19, young or old, more so among seniors.

Class action suits A trial lawyer in the U.S., Sam Hirsch, in 2002, sued McDonald’s, Burger King and KFC on behalf of his obese clients. Of the tobacco companies that had been sued, he says “you can’t stop tobacco from being unhealthy, but you can make food less unhealthy.” Obviously, he was referring to the health dangers of what many people consider junk food, with high cholesterol, fats, and other unhealthy ingredients causing obesity and major illnesses.

Nobody thought the suits (the first one in 1983, and dozens thereafter) filed in the U.S. by families against the giant tobacco firms on behalf of their cancer-stricken or dead loved ones would succeed. But they did, with one individual getting as much as $50-plus million award, and billions in settlements thereafter, and the industry finally admitting they knew for decades tobacco was addicting and could cause cancers.

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Junk food

Social responsibility As a cardiac surgeon, I do agree with one essence of this suit: that these food chains and other purveyors of food have the social obligation to make their products less unhealthy, or, better yet, as healthy as possible for the consumers, especially for the children.

These youngsters are still developing habits and lifestyle that are essential for their future.

Apparently pre-empting the loss of its health-conscious consumers, and future legal aftermaths for food companies, the largest food giant in the U.S., Kraft, decided to “set the pace, launching a sweeping global overhaul of the way it creates, packages, and promotes its foods.” Kraft announced then its plan to reduce the portion size, fat content and calories of its food products. This move was expected to have a worldwide impact on other food companies and consumers around the globe.

McDonald’s, for instance, introduced its Happy Meal in the summer of 2003, replacing the popular but fatfilled and deadly French fries, with a bag of fresh, sliced fruits. More and more restaurants started having a salad bar. Fish was added to the menu and became a popular option. There is today a greater awareness of the health benefit of staying away from high cholesterol foods, like red meats (beef, pork, etc) and eggs, and concentrating on fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and other high-fiber foods as the mainstay of our diet.

Obesity and cancer A chart from the American Obesity Association of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention published in USA Today showed the following prevalence of obese children ages 6 to 11: From 1976 to 1980, 7%; from 1988 to 1994, 11%; from 1999 to 2000, 15.3%. The incidence of obesity among 12-19: From 1976 to 1980, 5%; 1988-1994, 11%; and fast-forward to 2020: 18.5% average, highest in West Virginia (20.3%), Louisiana (19.1%), Oklahoma (18.7%), Ohio (218.6%) and Texas (18.5%). Obesity is a major risk factor in the development of major illnesses and cancer.

Lifestyle is vital There is no question in my mind that a healthy lifestyle

(for maximal health and longevity) must start from the crib because prevention is the key to great health. Children, as young as five or six years of age, who died of accident or disease, have shown on autopsies to have a thin lining of cholesterol plaques in their arteries (brain, heart, abdomen, etc).

We, parents, must be doing something wrong for these youngsters, at those tender ages, to have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) already. This is the essential message in the book I wrote entitled “Let’s Stop Killing Our Children,” an anthology of cardiovascular and other diseases, with emphasis on prevention starting from the crib, written in layman’s term and as a coffee-table health reference.

The book is listed in the Library of Congress (www. philipSchua.com).

There is no better antidote to diseases and premature death than living a healthy disciplined lifestyle. This includes the combination of diet, exercise, abstinence from tobacco, disciplined moderation in drinking, rest and relaxation as part of stress management.

Genetics Genetics does play a role in arteriosclerosis, but it is noteworthy that only one in 500 people has the genetic defect that leads to familial hyperlipidemia. It is, therefore, obvious that only one in 500 has the “excuse” to have this abnormally high level of cholesterol. The 499 of us, who have no excuse at all, simply abuse ourselves to early death.

Children of parents who had heart attack and/or stroke do not necessarily have to “inherit” these diseases. We now have enough scientific data to show that if these children live a healthier lifestyle unlike (compared to) their parents by doing daily exercises, watching their diet and weight, abstaining from tobacco and excessive alcohol intake, taking time out for rest and relaxation, and managing their stress effectively they do not have to have the same fate as their infirm parents.

In short, the environmental factors and personal discipline (a healthy lifestyle) can greatly outweigh the negative effects of bad genes.

While genetics play a role, our fate is not sealed at birth, and what becomes of us is PAGE 15

Heart opens up about superficial friendships in showbiz

By Kathleen

a. llemit

Philstar.com

HEART Evangelista spilled more tea as her 38minute, fourth episode of her “Adulting” series continued.

Uploaded last Sunday evening, January 10, on her YouTube channel Love Marie Escudero, the actress shared how she feels about being “ghosted” or left without notice or closure by a lover or a friend.

It all started when she threw the question of outgrowing friends to her husband, Sorsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero.

Chiz shared that the best way to test that one had not outgrown one’s friends is whenever they each see other, it’s as if they had met each other yesterday instead of years of being apart or having no communication at all. He also revealed that his most trusted friends are those who he kept since his elementary and high school days and who will be by his side “come hell or high water.”

After her husband spoke, Heart revealed that she has what she calls “taping friends.”

“Ako naman, what I call them is taping friends. Parang we’re only friends during taping. But, like that was before,” she shared.

Heart Evangelista Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte

When Chiz asked if some developed into real friendships, she pondered for a moment and revealed more without naming names.

“Yeah, some develop into real friendships but I must admit it does make me sad whenever I think about friendships that all of a sudden aren’t there anymore. You don’t know what you did wrong, you know like gi-nosting ka. I don’t understand that. Honestly, me, kasi I don’t have a lot of friends so when I have a friend, I really invest my emotions and my time. You know me. I don’t why all of a

sudden they are different,” Heart shared.

Chiz reassured her that as long as she did not do anything wrong, she should not be concerned about it.

But Heart continued, “Well, what was it? Honestly, ako, because sometimes I feel really dumb. I have a friend, I don’t know what happened. She just disappeared and I remember I’d see her in parties and I’d feel really stupid that I would always really run after ‘Hey, hey’ and she’s like, ‘I gotta go.’ I didnt say anything until my friend started to say, ‘Alam mo masyado kang naghahabol’.”

Chiz again said that there’s nothing wrong with her coming after that kind of friend, at least she’s still being friendly. Heart agreed and muttered that perhaps “they will come around.”

They went on to discuss about their friends’ circumstances in their lives that may have something to do with their behavior.

Chiz then said, “Wala ka pa rin namang ginagawang mali. Just put it at the back of your mind na hindi mo siya maasahan kung sakasakali.”

Heart shared that it was just “sad” but then Chiz joked that she’ll “probably fall flat on her face,” Heart quipped that it has “happened to me many times.

Trump extends immigration...

PAGE 11 letting in immigrants who will take away jobs would be “detrimental.” So, it could be Trump’s proclamation would be found to be lawful.

3. Department of State (DOS), National Visa Center (NVC), and the U.S. embassies would still likely take months before they reopen and can start scheduling interviews, even if there were no proclamations. While DOS says it will start reopening posts on a case-by-case basis, there are still Covid concerns, travel restrictions, etc. Also, people would need to update medicals, and likely the U.S. will require Covid testing and vaccination. We still don’t know when vaccines will be distributed worldwide.

The bottom line is that it is extremely disappointing Trump extended the im-

migration ban when he will already be out of office. But most likely, by the time anyone tries to challenge the proclamation, it will be April 2021 already.

But keep reading my articles, subscribe to my YouTube channel (US Immigration TV), check my Law Office’s Facebook page (GurfinkelLaw), and continue watching Citizen Pinoy, to be kept updated, as many new procedures and policies will take place. And Biden promises change and reversal of Trump’s harsh policies. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is

different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

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Kapuso celebs’ 2020 Bong and Lani on what steels learnings and 2021 goals their marriage amid trials

By Ricky Lo

By Tessa

MauRicio-aRRioLa ManilaTimes.net

WHETHER a fan, voter, friend of theirs or not, no one can deny that among the most famous celebrity marriages in this country, that of actors-turned-public servants Bong and Lani Revilla (nee Mercado) has gone through hell and high water over and over again only to come out stronger than before. Set aside Sen. Bong’s ladies’ man days or even his time detained at Camp Crame. The year that was alone savagely brought them to their knees in more ways than the public apparently knew.

As chief executive of Bacoor City, Mayor Lani hit the ground running when 2020 literally exploded via nearby Taal Volcano in January.

In an interview a couple of weeks after the major eruption, Sen. Bong shared in a roundtable with Entertainment editors and columnists how his wife was among the first at the scene to help displaced families and allow them refuge in her city.

Proud of her bravery and selflessness, the senator admitted she had him worried nonetheless returning home one day with high fever and a brutal cough from doing relief work amid the thick smoke and ash, which even had Metro Manilans scrambling for masks themselves.

Not long after, the pandemic broke which had both husband and wife going out all the more to ensure the welfare of their constituents despite the threat of infection on everyone.

Midway through the strict lockdowns, Sen. Bong’s hero, Ramon Revilla Sr., whose name he proudly carries, had his health turn for the worse, forcing the clan to have him hospitalized even as they feared exposing him to the virus. Albeit 93 years old by then, the Revilla patriarch meant everything to their close-knit clan and most especially to Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and his wife who rely on him as their life’s compass.

It goes without saying then how their hearts and spirits broke when the former senator and legendary Hari ng Agimat of Philippine movies finally breathed his last on June 26, 2020 — a son and a family’s deep pain, raw as

Philstar.com

Actors-turned-public servants Bong and Lani Revilla

can be in every unabashed tear and every jolting quiver that came with the final goodbyes of Sen. Bong, the macho man, the action star to his beloved father.

Down and dejected, neither Bong nor Lani had much time to grieve, however, given their responsibility to serve especially in times of crisis. But even if it was expected how the pace of their work and tragic loss would catch up to them, it still came as a shock to the nation when the strapping 53year-old senator announced he was the latest victim of COVID-19.

Suffering not just the worst of the plague’s symptoms and presentation, which had him hospitalized, Sen. Bong and his family also endured some of the worst ridicule, bashing and share of fake news while he was fighting for his life.

“And ang hindi po alam ng marami, hindi lang po si Bong ang nagka-COVID pero pati po yung yung anak namin na si Inah who is based in Davao,” Mayor Lani told a small and socially-distanced huddle with The T-Zone a week ago today. “Actually her entire family and household, including our three-year-old apo, lahat sila nagka-COVID din and wala kaming magawa kungdi mag-dasal lang at mag-alala tulad nung nasa ospital si Bong mag-isa.”

“Grabe talaga ang naging dagok sa amin ng 2020, hindi lang yung mga napaalam namin sa inyo,” her husband agreed. “Napaka-suwerte ko pa rin at nangyari itong lahat ng ito na kasama ko na ulit ang pamilya ko. Napakahi-

ManilaTimes.net photo

rap ‘nun kung nasa loob pa ako. Kaya sobra sobra ang pasasalamat namin na nandito kami ngayon, 2021, in good health — kami ni Lani at ang buong pamilya namin — kaya kahit na ano pa man yung pinagdaanan namin — hindi lang ang pagkakasakit, ang pagkamatay ni Daddy pero pati na yung mga masasakit na atake sa akin na nag-tuloy pa rin ‘nun — set aside na natin yon. Kasi ang importante ngayon ay kung paano tayo magtutulungan pa rin para mabubuhay sa mga darating na araw at mag-ingat. Kung paano natin aalagaan ang mga mahal natin sa buhay at mga kaibigan natin.

Asked what their secret is in surviving the trials that seem to keep hounding them together and solid as ever, Lani was first to share, “Yung attitude na ang mga bagay na hindi mo kaya, ipasa Diyos mo na dahil may mga bagay talaga na Siya lang ang makakagawa.”

Ever open how steeling their Christian faith got them through Bong’s four-year detention in Crame in eventual acquittal, prayers — no matter how common and redundant it sounds — still remain to be the couple’s refuge to this day.

Eager to leave all the bane of 2020 behind, Sen. Bong on the other hand playfully said, “Basta isipin mo pogi ka, malalampasan mo ang lahat!” setting off his wife into fits of laughter.

Conscious in choosing lighter and more positive outlook in life despite unceasing detractors [“Tanggap ko na, PAGE 15

IN this forum, Inquirer Entertainment asked some young stars what 2020 taught them and what are their hopes for the year ahead.

Jeric Gonzales I learned that we should really take care of ourselves always, and that we should give more time and love to our family, loved ones and friends. We must support each other. Most importantly, we must always pray and seek God’s help with what’s happening to the world.

My goal next year is to continue doing what I do. I look forward to doing more projects, shows (dreaming of action or drama series), and hopefully, a movie. I will continue to work on my music. I will continue to write songs so I can finally release an original single or eventually, an album.

Migo Adecer There are a lot of things PAGE 15

Migo Adecer

Klea Pineda

Jeric Gonzales

Mikee Quintos

GMA photos

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JANUARY 15-21, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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people events arts culture entertainment

“ THROU GH A W RIT E R ’S L EN S”

Hollywood journalist recalls how his ‘pandemic baby’ was conceived I

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA / AJPress

t’s a pandemic baby like no other.

Coming out at a hefty 6 pounds, 7.6 ounces, “Through a Writer’s Lens” is a beautiful 12-by-14-inch 260-page hardbound compilation of photographs taken by awardwinning Hollywood photojournalist Ruben V. Nepales.

A true collector’s item, the coffee table book offers more than 1,000 photos of stars that Nepales himself took in almost two decades.

The photos themselves offer a different, more casual side of the stars. Through the years, Nepales has developed a knack for capturing the right moments of his subjects when they show their range of moods, from pensive to playful.

The book is a compendium of some of Hollywood’s best and brightest stars taken during their interviews with Nepales, an active officer of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).

“I literally trembled with emotion that I had in my hands a concrete realization of many months of long days and nights of intense work and countless emails between Bessie and me,” Nepales told the Asian Journal.

“I was surprised by my own reaction. I hugged Janet tightly while I brushed away what appeared to be water droplets coming from my eyes. No, I was not crying,” Nepales jokingly said.

Bessie, of course, is the multi-hyphenate Bessie Badilla, erstwhile modelactress and the book’s publisher.

The concept of a book

Bessie Badilla, the book’s publisher says: “‘Through a Writer’s Lens’ will give readers an intimate date with each of the more than 200 talents and celebrities featured in the book. Readers will enjoy many never-before-seen candid shots of their favorite stars while reading these stars’ quotes that give you personal insights on their lives, struggles, pain, fame, triumphs and loves.”

was born around 2016, over a dinner at the Conrad New York Downtown Hotel, when Bessie broached the idea to him.

“When Bessie first suggested and encouraged me to come up with a book of my photos, I was very surprised and flattered that she thought my photos were worthy of a coffee table book compilation,” Nepales recalled. “I was thrilled but in the back of my mind, I was going, how am I going to find the time to search among my thousands of photos of stars, given my hectic pre-pandemic schedule?”

Multiple dinners and meetings followed and every time, Bessie would re-

mind him about their coffee table book project and he always replied, “Yes, let’s do it.”

But much as he wanted to make the book happen, Nepales just did not have the time. Until the coronavirus pandemic struck in March.

“So it took four years before I finally sat down to work on the book,” he shared.

What followed was a series of virtual meetings, phone calls, and text messages, along with a healthy dose of time travel he didn’t know he needed.

The pandemic slowdown gave them a chance to collate the materials, with great help coming from

Ruben’s wife Janet, who helped in searching among many photo files they have amassed through the years.

Weeks into the pandemic lockdown turned to months and the team found themselves having plenty of time to concentrate on finishing the book, gathering thoughts and ideas that would also accompany the photographs.

Bessie, who also took on a couple of more challenges on top of her role as a publisher, realized a book had to be made to collect the snapshots Nepales has taken when she saw a Sarah Jessica Parker photo he took.

“His photos made me curious. They have the ability to make you want to ‘get to know’ more the celebrities that he features,” Badilla said. “When I saw Ruben’s photos for his column on the Philippine Daily Inquirer, they made me want to read his latest column right away.”

“It was Ruben’s photo of Sarah Jessica Parker that got me thinking he has a special talent! It was the best photograph of Ms. Parker I’ve ever seen,” Badilla added. “Ruben has the eye for capturing his subject’s best angle and he also has perfect timing.”

Her comment about his Sarah Jessica Parker photo

In 2012, Nepales became the first Filipino to be elected as chairman of the board of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the association of international journalists which votes on and presents the Golden Globe Awards. “Through a Writer’s Lens” is the photojournalist’s second book.

Photos by Janet Nepales

made him realize that Bessie, having worked with top photographers as a model, has a really good eye for photos and a keen sense of visual aesthetics. This is why doing the art direction and layout almost became like a second skin to her.

“Credit for the sequence and combination of stars in spreads goes to Bessie who is also the book’s art director and layout artist. I gave several photos of each talent for Bessie to choose from. She decided on which photos to use, the order and pairing,” he said.

“I was impressed with her pairing ideas. I just gave a few suggestions here and there. Bessie, who taught herself how to layout, etc. on her Mac, did a very professional job in her first

crack at art direction and layout!” Nepales added.

Variety editor Tim Gray praised “Through a Writer’s Lens”: “Ruben Nepales is smart, has great taste, and observes things that most people overlook. These qualities make him a good photojournalist and they make this book so great.”

Each of the 200-plus top and beloved talents, from Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, Sandra Oh, Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Stewart, Darren Criss to Robert Pattinson, included in the tome has an interesting, memorable quote culled from the photojournalist’s columns of these stars. Some of the quotes were also culled from Nepales’ monthly Hollywood feature on Smile PAGE 15

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 15-21, 2021

Donny happy on solo flight Ricky lo Philstar.com

By

BECAUSE Donny Pangilinan has been absent from the TV5 show Sunday Noontime Live (SNL), there’s a rumor that he quit and Ricci Rivero was promoted to take his place. The truth is that Donny is in a lock-in shoot for a project (presumably for ABS-CBN/Star Cinema since he has remained Kapamilya forever) to be followed by another one. Busy bee.

“I love doing SNL,” Donny told Funfare in a recent interview. “It has been very, very fun. I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with an amazing group of people like Papa P (Piolo Pascual), Catriona (Gray), Maja (Salvador) and my bro Jake (Ejercito). I enjoy it because I missed going to the studio physically and seeing people because we’ve been staying home for so long.

“I would say that SNL really pushes me to my limits, making me work harder than I have ever worked in terms of rehearsing. I’ve never rehearsed this much in my whole life. Instead of just one production number, we have to rehearse for seven.”

At first, admitted Donny, he was reluctant to do it.

“But then, I thought, it’s a good chance to learn and to showcase more of my talent, to better improve my craft and have fun as well. It’s cool that our guests... most of them my friends are familiar faces, as well as the crew. Nice to see

By Ricky

caldeRon ManilaTimes.net

Donny Pangilinan

everybody.”

Now happily going solo after the breakup of DonKiss, his much-lamented team-up with Kisses Delavin (now with her family in her native Masbate due to the pandemic), Donny said he doesn’t regret over the incident while expressing gratitude to the DonKiss supporters.

“I will cherish the good memories of DonKiss deeply in my heart. I am grateful for the support that the DonKiss family has given not just me but also Kisses. I sincerely hope that she is okay right now and safe during this pandemic.”

Is he done with love-teaming?

“Hindi naman siguro,” said Donny. “I’ve always been very open. I’m still very young and have so much to work on, so much I have to learn from different people. I am open to collaborating with different people.”

The pandemic forced him

Photo from Instagram/@donny

to put many things on hold.

“My friends and I were supposed to go abroad just before the lockdown. Sayang but it was such a small thing. As they say, everything happens for a reason. May kapalit naman. I was able to work again.

I will be busy until the second quarter of this year. Fingers crossed, I hope that things will go back to normal.”

Another plus factor of the pandemic is that it has given Donny time to bulk up.

“I have made taking care of my health a priority... physically, mentally and spiritually.

I have learned discipline. My mantra is ‘Don’t be lazy.’ Get up and move!”

The minus factor? Because of the social-distancing protocol, Donny is unable to see his girlfriend.

“I don’t have a girlfriend!” he exclaimed. “If I had, I would surely find time to keep in touch with her. Maybe Zoom na lang muna kami, hahaha!!!”

Comedian Rob Schneider’s...

PAGE 11 [s]chools in her town where she raised all her children, Pacifica, all had music teachers and music classes, a program she ran for 15 years,” he added.

Schneider concluded his

post by saying he is “proud to say [he is] the son of Pilar Monroe Schneider.”

Schneider is an actor and comedian popularly known for starring in films such as “50 First Dates,” “Click,” and “Grown Ups.”

His most recent film, “Hubie Halloween,” hit Netflix in October, also starring Adam Sandler and Julie Bowen. “Asian Momma, Mexican Kids,” his first Netflix comedy special, premiered last August.

Kapuso celebs’ 2020...

PAGE 13 that we should be thankful for. After all that has happened this year, we’re still kicking and we’re still fighting. When you look back a few months from now, you will realize how blessed you are, that you’re healthy and your family is safe.

Klea Pineda I have learned a lot of things last year, and one of those is loving myself. You

Roderick to star in comeback movie ‘Mudrasta’

don’t need the approval of other people. You yourself should know whether or not what you’re doing is right or wrong. I became more focused on work and learned to love what I do even more.

I learned how to be strong and keep the spirit. I learned how to trust and love myself.

My goals for 2021 are the same: I would like to resume my studies and pursue my

dream of becoming a pilot.

And I will continue living my life, optimistic that everything will be OK. Gio Alvarez I learned that life is short and fragile. So though we put effort into planning for the future, the present should be as important.

What I plan for 2021 is to make sure that my health is at par—so diet, diet, diet! And I hope to do more shows!

Roderick Paulate

GMA photo

THE long wait is over for Roderick Paulate as he will soon start filming his comeback movie “Mudrasta” to be directed by Julius Alfonso.

Kuya Dick signed a contract with TREX Productions for “Mudrasta” last year. They were already preparing for a presscon to announce the project when pandemic struck, sending everything into a halt.

Even if the Inter Agency Task Force released guidelines to be followed for those who would want to resume movie shoots and tapings, Mr. Rex Tiri, the amiable owner of TREX Films, decided that filming

15

will commence if and when it is really safe for everyone.

And with safety protocols to be followed.

So we can be sure that health protocols will be followed once shooting for “Mudrasta” commences.

The production team, headed by Direk Julius, is still finalizing the casting so they can’t announce yet who will be the co-stars of Kuya Dick in his first project under TREX. Although he had received other film offers, it is Kuya Dick’s choice to prioritize “Mudrasta” first before doing another film.

“I am very excited to start work in “Mudrasta.”

I haven’t had a movie for quite some time,” said the award-winning actor.

Junk food...

PAGE 12 basically within our control and depends to a large degree on what we do and fail to do. When it comes to our health, science has shown that “the ball is almost always in our court.” What direction it will take for ourselves and for our children rests on our own choices and decisions.

In fairness to the tobacco and food industries, we, the consumers, should share a great part of the blame.

Nobody is holding a gun against our head, forcing us to smoke cigarettes or to

eat high-cholesterol or junk food. The choice is entirely ours. Discipline is the key.

We ought to know better.

Our health and future are really in our hands.

And let’s not forget we have only one life, with no spare in the trunk. *** 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 anti-graft foundation in the United States.

Visit our websites: philipSchua. com and FUN8888.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Bong and Lani on what steels...

PAGE 13 hindi naman sila titigil kahit ano pa ang mangyari”], Sen. Bong — who, through his public service program on Facebook Live, has amassed an impressive social media following while fulfilling his promise to help the poorest of the poor — does make a

good argument when he revealed another mindset he has taken on as a result of all his experiences in 2020.

Often hit for carrying out his online public service via fun game show fashion, the naturally happy personality has this to say, “I don’t care.

Kahit na magsasayaw pa ako

diyan, kung napapasaya ko at natutulungan ang mga tao, masaya na ako noon.

Hindi naman natin maiibigay lahat ng pangangailangan nila pero sa maliit na paraan ay makakatulong tayo para mapasaya sila — yun ang importante sa amin ni Lani at ng buong pamilya.”

Hollywood journalist...

PAGE 14 Magazine, Cebu Pacific Air’s inflight magazine.

“Through a Writer’s Lens” is Nepales’ second book, following his 2012 book, “My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood,” which won in the

print journalism – book category of the Migration Advocacy and Media Awards presented by the Office of the President of the Philippines’ Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

Special, limited edition hardbound copies of

“Through a Writer’s Lens” are available at $125 plus $10 for shipping and handling; in the Philippines, 6,000 plus 200 for shipping and handling. To order, send a message to: https://www.facebook.com/ throughawriterslens/.

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January 15-21, 2021 • nEW yOrK anD nEW JErSEy aSIan JOurnaL

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