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JANUARY 15-21, 2021 Serving San Diego Since 1987 • 12 Pages

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USA

DATELINE

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

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

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.

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

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Trump impeached for second time, charged with ‘incitement of insurrection’ Fil-Ams across the aisle weigh in on historic impeachment

by Christina M. Oriel AJPress

WITH the end of his term approaching, President Donald Trump on Wednesday, January 13 became the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives.

The House voted 232-197 on a single article of impeachment, charging the president with “incitement of insurrection,” exactly a week after

a violent mob stormed the Capitol as lawmakers were in session, and left five individuals, including a police officer, dead.

Deviating from the rest of their party, 10 Republicans — including Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, the party’s third-ranking House leader — voted in favor alongside Democrats, becoming the most bipartisan impeachment to date.

“Today, in a bipartisan way, the House demonstrated that no one is above the law, not even the president of the United States and that Donald

Newsom proposes $600 COVID-19 relief, extends eviction moratorium

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US sets COVID-19 death record for second week

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CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday, Jan. 8 submitted the 2021-2022 state Budget proposal to the Legislature which includes a $600 stimulus check for low-income residents financially struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The $227.2 billion fiscal plan prioritizes “immediate COVID-19” aid to families, individuals and small businesses that have borne the brunt of the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic that has left millions unemployed and on the verge of eviction.

“In these darkest moments of the COVID-19 pandemic, this Budget will help Californians with urgent

Trump is a clear and present danger to our country,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after formally signing the article of impeachment.

The Senate trial is slated to take place right after President-elect Joe Biden is sworn into office next week on January 20, while the legislative branch also juggles confirmation hearings of the new Cabinet appointments.

If convicted by the Senate, Trump — who will be a former president by then — will be disqualified

PUBLIC EYE. Quezon City government workers program the CCTV camera installed at the Quezon Avenue-Edsa footbridge area on Thursday, January 14. CCTV cameras play an important role in road management to support traffic management, such as the risk of accidents and traffic incidents, and to also ensure public safety.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

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 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 residents. 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 article.

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

Last week, the U.S. reported more than 1.7 million new

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Air travelers now required to show proof of Manny Villar only negative COVID-19 test before entering US Filipino on Bloomberg’s New measure applies to all foreign nationals and U.S. citizens 500 richest list Medenilla AJPress

by KlArize

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

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BUSINESS tycoon Manuel Villar is the only Filipino listed on Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a daily ranking of the world’s top 500 richest people.

As of January 13, the self-made billionaire ranked 381st richest in the world based on the market value of his publicly-listed businesses.

Villar’s businesses in real estate, retail, and utilities are estimated to be worth $6.75 billion.

A nurse prepares a COVID-19 vaccine to be administered at Petco Park.

Tesla’s Elon Musk, meanwhile, emerged as the world’s richest person with a total net worth of $202 billion. He is followed by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos with $183 billion, and Bill Gates with $133 billion.

Villar, 71, is the founder and chairman of Vis-

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PH eligible again to Coalition launches effort to get Rob participate in US H-2B Bonta appointed as CA’s attorney general visa program in 2021 C M. O THE Philippines can now participate in the United States’ H-2B visa program again after two years of ineligibility.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), announced the list of countries on Tuesday, January 12.

For 2021, the acting secretary of homeland security and the secretary of state have agreed to add the Philippines to the list of

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by hristina

riel

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,

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County plans to offer COVID-19 vaccine to people 65 years and older

by José

A. ÁlvArez

SAN DIEGO – Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that people 65 years of age and older are the next priority group for COVID-19 vaccination, and the County is planning to make the vaccine available to them as soon as possible.

The region is currently vaccinating the 620,000 health care professionals and other priority groups in Phase 1A. Vaccinations to the more than 600,000 people in Phase 1B will begin to be available later this month, provided there are

COVID-19 vaccination doses available.

However, some San Diegans in this age group might be able to get vaccinated if their health care providers have doses available. The County has asked local providers to give priority to people 65 and older with underlying medical conditions.

“It would be ideal if we could vaccinate everyone who wants to be immunized at the moment, but unfortunately we don’t have enough COVID-19 vaccine to do so,” said

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JANUARY 15-21, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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From The FronT Page

Coalition launches effort to get Rob Bonta...

CLEAN, GREEN PROGRAM. A woman walks past a trash bin filled with plastic bottles at the Guadalupe MRT-3 Station Busway in Makati City on Thursday, January 14. The steel bin is put up by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority as part of its clean and green program.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

Trump impeached for second time, charged...

PAGE 1 from holding office in the future and will lose benefits under the Former Presidents Act, including a $200,000 pension and an annual travel budget.

Trump’s first impeachment by the House came in 2019 with his dealings with Ukraine in question, but he was acquitted by the Republican-led Senate last year.

Hours later, the White House’s official accounts post-

ed a video of the president in which he condemned the riots, but made no mention of the impeachment vote or his successor.

The president — who has since been banned from social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook — said he “unequivocally condemn[ed]” last week’s “troubling events” carried out by supporters, changing course from his previous video from Jan. 6 in which he

called them “special.”

“As I have said, the incursion of the U.S. Capitol struck at the heart of our very republic. It angered and appalled millions of Americans across the political spectrum,” Trump said.

Ahead of Biden’s inauguration, protests would reportedly take place in Washington, D.C. and in all 50 state capitals.

“Every American deserves to have their voice heard in a re-

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Manny Villar only Filipino on Bloomberg’s...

Manny Villar

PAGE 1 ta Land and Lifescapes, the largest home builder in the Philippines.

The firm has built about 300,000 homes in more than 140 cities.

He also owns stakes in Golden Bria Holdings, a property and death care company, as well as Vistamalls, a shopping mall operator.

According to Manila Bulletin,

PAGE 1 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 addition 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

December 13, 1949. He was a former seafood vendor in Tondo who made an empire on property development. He was one of the candidates for Philippine president in 2010, garnering more than 5.5 million votes and placing third behind Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. He was also the former speaker of the House and Senate president.

Bloomberg Billionaires Index Photo courtesy of Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. is a dynamic measure of personal Villar owns 89 percent of Gold- wealth based on changes in maren Bria through Fine Properties, kets, the economy and Bloomberg Cambridge Group, and directly. reporting. Each net worth figure is He also controls about 75 percent updated every business day after of Vista Land through Fine Prop- the close of trading in New York. erties, Althorp Holdings, Manuela Stakes in publicly traded compaCorporation, and directly. nies are valued using the share’s The Filipino billionaire is also most recent closing price. Valuacalculated to own 68 percent of tions are converted to U.S. dollars PAGE 1 AllHome Corp. at current exchange rates. (Ritchel countries eligible to participate in the H-2B program. However, Villar was born in Manila on Mendiola) it is still not eligible to participate in the H-2A program.

The H-2A visa program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to fill temporary and seasonal agricultural jobs, while the H-2B visa program lets U.S. employers bring foreign nationals to the U.S. to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs.

The Philippines was removed by the DHS from the list in 2019 because the country no longer met “the regulatory standards for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs.” Last year, the ineligibility remained in place.

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-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.

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.

PH among eligible countries to participate...

“DHS maintains its authority to add countries to the eligible countries list at any time, and to remove any country at the time it publishes a new list, should DHS and DOS determine that a country fails to meet the requirements for continued designation,” the DHS said.

Examples of factors that could result in the exclusion of a country or the removal of a country from the list include, but are not limited to, fraud, abuse, denial rates, overstay rates, human trafficking concerns, and other forms of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the H-2 visa programs by nationals of that country. (Ritchel Mendiola)

A Federal Register document said the Philippines had a high H-2B overstay rate. In FY 2017, the DHS estimated that nearly 40% of H-2B visa holders from the Philippines overstayed their period of authorized stay.

The DHS and DOS, in their list, also announced that they are no longer designating the Independent State of Samoa and Tonga as eligible countries because they no longer meet the regulatory standards for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs.

Meanwhile, Mongolia has been removed as an eligible country for the H-2A visa program as it no longer meets the regulatory standards for that program.

Air travelers required to show negative...

PAGE 1 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 mil-

lion 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.

Fil-Am Catholic priest in Utah dies...

PAGE 1 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.

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 Eu-

Father Reynato “Rene” Rodillas

Photo courtesy of The Diocese of Salt Lake City

charist 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.

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 15-21, 2021

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JANUARY 15-21, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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Trump impeached for second time, charged...

PAGE 2 t spectful and peaceful way. That is your First Amendment right, but I cannot emphasize that there must be no violence, no law-breaking and no vandalism of any kind,” the president said, adding, “I unequivocally condemn the violence that we saw last week. Violence and vandalism have absolutely no place in our country and no place in our movement.”

Community reactions Following Wednesday’s impeachment, Filipino Americans from both sides of the aisle weighed in on what the moment means for the country.

“Today’s bipartisan vote reaffirms the fundamental truth that the security of our democracy is our first priority. It is my hope that the Senate will convict and remove Donald Trump and we can all move forward from this dark chapter in our nation’s history. I look forward to working with the incoming Biden Administration to begin healing our country,” Democratic Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia’s 3rd District said following his vote to impeach.

TJ Cox, a former Democratic congressman from California, took to Twitter to address the Republicans who voted against holding Trump accountable.

“The vast majority of Republican House members voted to protect the man who unleashed a mob to terrorize Congress in order to overturn the fair and free election of Joe Biden,” Cox

said, adding, “There’s only one way to hold these bootlickers accountable – organize, mobilize and vote them out of office in 2022. That starts today.”

Rep. David Valadao, who defeated Cox last November, was the only California Republican lawmaker who voted to impeach, choosing “to go with my gut and vote my conscience.”

Gloria Caoile, a Las Vegas-based community leader and senior advisor for Fil-Ams for Biden-Harris, said impeachment was “the best avenue to hold President Trump accountable.”

“We need accountability first and foremost. I do not buy into the argument that we should just ignore the events of last week so we can move forward with healing and unity. Holding all those who broke the law accountable is a necessity. Reconciliation will then come after we fulfill our moral and civic responsibility,” Caoile told the Asian Journal.

Cristina Osmeña, a writer and former Republican candidate for California’s congressional district who previously vocalized her criticisms of the Trump administration, said “most legacy Republicans are mortified by the events of the prior week.”

“I think, at this point, history will hold Trump accountable as his administration is about to pass into that realm,” Osmeña told the Asian Journal.

Though concerned about the actions of Big Tech companies

and the Democratic Party’s majority in Congress, what gives her hope is Biden and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s long-standing working relationship.

“But if Trump maintains an active presence in the party, it will be difficult to move forward. It is still too early to tell what will happen. I would guess that last week has left a permanent impression on mainstream Republicans. Any future leaders will have to have a strong message against violence. I hope the left does the same,” she said.

For Marc Ang, founder and president of Asian Industry Business-to-Business, however, impeachment was not warranted, and he instead is calling for more investigations into what caused the security breach at the Capitol.

As a staunch Republican, he is not deterred by the incoming Biden administration and Democratic-controlled Congress.

“The Democrats have the slimmest of House and Senate majorities so there is no big mandate. I encourage people from both sides to understand it’s ok to have been emotional, but moments too shall pass and focus back on the big picture,” Ang told the Asian Journal, calling on fellow Republicans to push for causes they care about like immigration and election reform.

Though the GOP may have

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Newsom proposes $600 COVID-19 relief...

PAGE 1 t action to address our immediate challenges and build towards our recovery,” Newsom said in a statement released on Friday.

According to the proposal, the plan would set aside $2.4 billion for the Golden State Stimulus, which would direct $600 payments to low-income workers who had been eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit in 2019 and those who filed the 2020 Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

About $575 million would be set aside to increase funding for grants to small businesses and small non-profit cultural institutions that were heavily impacted by the pandemic.

In other words, the proposed check would apply to those whose annual income is less than $30,000.

The $600 payment was first announced on Wednesday, Jan 7 when

Newsom hopped on a Zoom call with members of the legislature.

“This plan will provide relief for Californians in need by distributing $600 rapid cash support for some — at least $1,200 when coupled with federal relief — and extend the eviction moratorium,” Newsom said on Wednesday, asking lawmakers to immediately approve the proposal so that people would receive checks as soon as possible.

The governor also said that 4 million checks should be sent out to eligible residents within the next four weeks, meaning that low-income Californians may receive an additional $600 by February.

Though the statewide unemployment rate has decreased by half compared to the early pandemic period — 16.4% during April and May — the employment rate in November is at

8.2%, nearly twice a high as it was in November 2019 (3.9%).

The eviction moratorium was extended to aid the more than 2 million Californians who are at risk of eviction, which could expose more renters to COVID-19. The current moratorium is scheduled to expire on Jan. 31 if the legislature doesn’t approve the extension.

“Yes, we will get a deal done to extend these renter and eviction protections,” Newsom said on Wednesday.

“It’s foundational, it’s fundamental.

We all recognize the need to do that.”

(Newsom did not indicate how long the proposed extension would last.)

Newsom’s budget proposal also allocates $327 million for COVID-19 vaccination availability and also includes the state’s “highest-ever funding level for K-14 schools.” (Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)

New report: Green investments don’t always reach where they’re needed The Greenlining Institute urges financial firms to consciously address communities of color

OAKLAND – Investment in green technologies, clean energy and climate adaptation continues to grow, and financial institutions are taking an increasing interest in this field.

But many of these investments never reach communities of color and low- and moderate-income communities that are most in need of both the environmental and economic benefits of such investments, a new report from The Greenlining Institute finds.

“Lots of money is going into clean energy and other green technologies and programs, but far too few of those dollars reach the communities that need them most,” said report

co-author Rawan Elhalaby, Greenlining’s Senior Economic Equity Program Manager.

The report, “Investing in Climate Equity,” looks at how banks and financial institutions presently support green investments in low and moderate income communities and communities of color, and what might be gained by incorporating green investments into the Community Reinvestment Act. It also considers how local and state governments have incentivized investments by financial institutions in green technologies in underserved communities and how such investments can translate into wealth and asset building op-

portunities for these communities.

Finally, it makes recommendations for banks and community development financial institutions, urging them to be bolder and more specific about using green investments to help communities of color become healthier, more sustainable and more prosperous, and proposes regulatory changes to help make this happen.

The report can be downloaded by going to https://greenlining.org/publications/2021/ investing-climate-equity/.

To learn more about The Greenlining Institute, visit www.greenlining.org.

(From Greenlining Institute)

County Plans to Offer COVID-19...

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Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “We understand people are anxious to get vaccinated and they will get to do it when more vaccine arrives in the region.”

When County sites begin vaccinating San Diegans 65 years and older, the public will be informed in a number of ways, including on coronavirus-sd.com.

The region is expecting the arrival of more COVID-19 vaccine doses, but a figure and a date have not been released by the California Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Starting in February, the County will begin to open three more vaccination super stations in other parts of the region.

As of Wednesday, January 13, about 242,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been shipped to the region – an amount that does not include doses shipped to vaccinate people in long-term care facilities, multi-county entities and military and veterans’ hospitals.

Through Tuesday, January 12, a total of 92,305 COVID-19 doses have been administered to San Diegans; 79,607 to people who have received their first dose and 12,698 to people who have received both doses of the vaccine. The totals

only include vaccine doses that have been recorded in the San Diego Immunization Registry and it is likely the number of those vaccinated is higher. The California Department of Public Health has asked vaccine providers to enter vaccinations administered into the registry within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the County opened its first-of-its-kind COVID-19 Vaccination Super Station on Monday, January 11 at Petco Park, where about 3,500 health care professionals were scheduled to get their first dose of the vaccine in their vehicles.

The operation is the result of a partnership between the County, UC San Diego Health, San Diego Padres and the City of San Diego to help vaccinate thousands of the 500,000 people in Phase 1A of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

The Vaccination Super Station is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week for health care workers who have made an appointment online at www.VaccinationSuperStationSD.com.

County, UC San Diego Health Seeking Volunteer Vaccinators The County is looking for doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical professional staff to be COVID-19 vaccinators when more doses of the vaccine arrive in the region.

The volunteers will be part of the

County Health and Human Services Agency’s Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), established in 2002 to assist during disasters and public health emergencies. Those interested can learn more or sign up here.

“We need to have as many vaccinators as possible to help us immunize people when the COVID-19 vaccine is more readily available,” said Wooten. “The volunteers will help us get the vaccine into people’s arms, which will greatly help slow the pandemic.”

UC San Diego Health is also looking for volunteer vaccinators to work at the Vaccination Super Station for health care professionals in Phase 1A that opened at Petco Park. More volunteers are needed to vaccinate health care workers as the pilot program ramps up its efforts to vaccinate 5,000 people daily. UC San Diego Health anticipates opening the volunteer registration site soon and encourages those interested to check back for additional details in the coming days.

Volunteers will provide unpaid support as needed, and at the volunteer’s availability, primarily in the local jurisdiction.

There is currently a high volume of spontaneous volunteers, so the County is asking volunteers to be patient as their MRC application is being processed.

(Jose Alvarez/County of San Diego Communications Office)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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DOT to suspend accreditation of US-made rockets recovered off Cagayan Makati hotel where Dacera died

by Raymund Catindig, Emmanuel Tupas Philstar

by Rosette Adel Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Tourism on Thursday announced that it will revoke the Certificate of Authority to Operate of the Makati City Hotel where flight attendant Christine Dacera was found lifeless on New Year’s Day. In its resolution dated January 14, the DOT said it found City Garden Grand Hotel (CGGH) in Makati City “liable for the offense of gross and evident bad faith in dealing with clients/fraudulent solicitation of business or making any false, deceptive, or misleading claims or statements for the purpose of soliciting business from clients under Section 13.2 (c) of DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2018-03.”

The tourism agency conducted a physical investigation Friday last week, days after it issued a show cause order against CGGH. It earlier asked CGGH to explain why its accreditation should not be revoked.

DOT’s findings Based on the agency’s probe, however, “the CGGH was found to have misrepresented itself to the public as being allowed to accommodate guests for leisure or staycation purposes despite being a quarantine facility.”

In its four-page reply last Friday, the CGGH vehemently denied this and said that it serves as a quarantine facility that services returning overseas Filipino workers and other persons under quarantine.

In the case of Dacera and her friends, CGGH Hotel Officer-in-Charge General Manager Richard Reazon said only three guests were accepted as corporate account guests of the hotel.”

Corporate accounts pertain to “businesses that were within the immediate local vicinity of hotel or businesses otherwise permitted to book accommodations.”

CGGH said it is also not aware that there are multiple guests in Dacera’s room and the two other rooms booked.

It also mentioned that only its restaurant Firefly Roofdeck is operating for the public.

The DOT’s probe, however, countered this.

“In the course of the investiga-

tion, the DOT National Capital Region (DOT-NCR) considered other evidence which were not limited to the circumstances surrounding the incident on 31 December 2020,” the DOT said.

“The pieces of evidence showed that even prior to the incident and until now, the CGGH is marketing packages to accept leisure guests and never indicated that it is a quarantine hotel,” it added.

In view of this, CGGH was meted the following penalties: • Six months suspension of DOT accreditation • P10,000 fine • Revocation of the Certificate of Authority to Operate The DOT said the hotel still has the right to appeal within the period prescribed by the DOT rules and regulations.

“The DOT adheres to the FOI Executive Order mandating access to information, subject to compliance with prescribed procedures to ensure observance of the provisions of the Data Privacy Act,” it concluded.

Warning vs accommodation establishments The tourism department once again cautioned all accredited accommodation establishments (AEs) to confine their operations to the authority given them, limited to just one per given time.

“This is to reiterate that AEs repurposed as quarantine facilities cannot offer their rooms and facilities for leisure purposes. At the

AROUND 90 rocket canisters were recovered in the waters off same time, staycation hotels shall Barangay Taggat Norte in Clavenot be used for quarantine,” the ria, Cagayan on Wednesday.

Fishermen found 24 wooden agency said.

As of January 14, there are only crates containing the warheads, 15 AEs in Metro Manila that was Philippine National Police (PNP) granted a Certificate of Authority to chief Gen. Debold Sinas said on Thursday, January 14.

Operate as Staycation.

The canisters has U.S. warhead These are the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Okada Manila Hotel, Shangri-La at the Fort, Nobu Hotel, Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila, EDSA Shangri-La Manila, Solaire Resort, Hyatt Regency City of Dreams, Nuwa Ho- PAGE 1 t tel City of Dreams, The Peninsula cases of COVID-19.

However, Former U.S. Food and Manila, Aruga by Rockwell, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Hilton Manila Drug Administration chief Scott Gottleib said the country may start and Hotel Okura Manila.

The DOT said other four-and- seeing a decline in cases by Februfive-star rated AEs can still apply as ary.

“By the end of this month, we’ll staycation hotels.

It also encouraged the public to have infected probably about 30% report establishments that violate of the American public and maybe vaccinated another 10%, not withits rules and regulations.

“With health and safety of guests and workers as primary concern, it is encouraged that similar incidents in violation of DOT rules and regulations be reported to the DOT’s Office of Tourism Standards and Regulations (OTSR) via feedback@ tourism.gov.ph or otsr.dotdirector@gmail.com,” the DOT said.

The IATF-EID’s Resolution No. 43, Series of 2020 of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine states that “Accommodation Establishments (AEs) may operate only upon the issuance of a Certificate of Authority to operate by the DOT.

markings and could have been brought to the country for the annual Balikatan exercises.

An inspection by personnel of the Explosives Ordnance Division/K9 Group showed that the canisters were negative for any explosive or hazardous materials.

Sinas said unknown foreign vessels could have dropped the crates.

It appears the crates had been

at sea for a long time. The locks and hinges were rusty and the wood is in a state of decay. ”We assure local leaders and the people of Claveria, Cagayan that there is no cause for alarm over the discovery of these items,” Sinas said.

The PNP said it would coordinate with the U.S. government to determine whether military exercises were conducted in Claveria.

US sets COVID-19 death record for second...

Photo from City Garden Hotel facebook page

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 first-ever death from a new virus that originated in Wuhan.

In its report dated January 11, 2020, China confirmed a 61-yearold 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

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JANUARY 15-21, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

OpiniOn

Worst traffic in the region

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Features

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 govern-

ment 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 housing, perceived crime rates and quality of health care. Like beo data. But perceptions serve as a guide for other free crowd-sourced databases, there is policy making as well as project planning and no third-party checking for accuracy of Num- implementation. The 2020 Traffic Index should

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

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-ReBE 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 President Donald 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 de-

stroyed 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 Congress, “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 President-elect 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

Both resulted in much bloodshed, including the death of 11 Colombian Supreme Court Justices.

More familiar to Pinoys are People Power One, which ejected President Ferdinand Marcos from Malacañang, and People Power Two that cut short the tenure of President Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

But neither one was bloody.

America heaved a sigh of relief that no member of the Senate and the House of Representatives was harmed. But the crisis “ain’t over” — and it looks like it won’t be over even after Biden and Harris have taken their oath of office.

The January 6 attack has been described as a Day of Infamy, like the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington DC, as well as the December 7, 1941 Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.

In the wake of the attack on the Capitol Building which has been characterized as an insurrection, for which Trump is being held as mainly accountable, there is a determined move by Congress to impeach Trump. He will go down in history as the only American President to have been impeached twice (although he was acquitted by a Republican-controlled Senate the first time).

But even after Trump is impeached, the “fat duck may not yet quack - or sing. In fact, the cri-

sis could escalate. And there are fears that it could escalate into a civil war!

In an earlier piece, I wrote about such an apprehension expressed by New York Times journalist Tom Friedman in an interview with CNN. Friedman, who covered the first civil war in Lebanon, said that he was terrified over the prospect of a second civil war in America, fanned by Trump.

U.S. media interviews with Trump supporters, who refer to themselves as “patriots,” have echoed Friedman’s fears. One publication quoted the following tweet by Pastor Robert Jeffress, a radio and TV talk show host, Fox News contributor and Senior Pastor of the 14,000- member First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas: “....If the Democrats are successful in removing the President from office (which they will never be), it will cause a Civil War like fracture in this Nation from which our Country will never heal.”

Noting that Trump was echoing Jeffress’ warning, the news item added: “It might seem tempting to dismiss this language as of a piece with President Trump’s typical Twitter rhetoric. But it is worth paying particular attention to this tweet—because among the people who read it were militia groups enthusiastic about exactly what Trump portended. And while no violence has yet resulted from the president’s tweet, it would be foolish to underestimate

the power of Trump’s comments to call rogue militias to action, particularly if there is an impeachment and he continues to use this rhetoric to fan the flames.”

Will shots be fired by Americans against fellow Americans?

We fervently hope not - but from all indications, that is what Trump’s supporters are preparing for - and arming for.

Americans have a history of uprisings, some of them bloody, particularly the revolution against the British and the Civil War. The former may ring a bell because of the references to “patriots” and “militiamen” both terms being liberally used by Trump’s supporters. On the other hand, the Civil War may seem eerily similar to the current crisis because this one has heavy racial overtones and also pits people from America’s Southern States against proponents of Black Lives Matter.

The Oath Keepers group, said to be a “far-right armed militia,” sent this post to its 24,000 Twitter followers: “This is where we are. We ARE on the verge of a HOT civil war.

Like in 1859. That’s where we are. And the Right has ZERO trust or respect for anything the left is doing. We see THEM as illegitimate too.” -@StewartRhodesOK What makes the threat very serious is the fact that up to 70% of the 74 million who voted for Trump appear to have been completely brainwashed by Trump’s lies that the election was stolen

from him.

None of his claims has been supported with verifiable proof.

Election authorities have recounted the votes in the battleground states that Trump has challenged (as many as three times in Georgia), but Biden’s victory has held.

Over 60 lawsuits filed by Trump’s legal teams have been dismissed by the courts — twice by the U.S. Supreme Court — for lack of evidence.

Still, Trump persists. And so do millions of his supporters. That is where the danger is. Biden won the popular vote by over 8 million and the electoral votes by 306 to Trump’s 232. But he and his enablers in the Senate and the House of Representatives continue to repeat the lie — in the manner of Hitler and Goebbels who immortalized the axiom, “A lie repeated often enough will be taken for the truth.”

Trump has often described himself as the greatest American president, next only to Abraham Lincoln.

We fervently hope that the comparison does not include a civil war.

We also pray that the fat duck quacks and quits.

It ain’t over till the fat duck quacks Street Talk GReG B. MacaPARDON the mixed metaphor but I think that the situation we now face in the U.S. calls for it.

“It ain’t over till it’s over!” is attributed to Yogi Berra, a legend not only in baseball but also for mangling the English language.

“It ain’t over till the fat lady sings!” is credited to Dick Motta, coach of the basketball team, Washington Bullets. Motta paraphrased Yogi Berra’s malapropism by referring to the buxom singer who usually sang the finale of an opera.

In other words, if the “fat lady sings,” then the drama is all over.

That applies not only to the turbulent presidency of Donald Trump, but also to the aftermath of the attack on the US capitol building by pro-Trump supporters last January 6.

The last part of the mixed metaphor is my contribution to mangling American colloquialism.

Because Donald Trump is now a lame-duck president, the temptation for a pun with Donald Duck was hard to resist.

In truth, the light-hearted title of this piece masks the very serious situation confronting America in the days leading up to the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States, as well as Trump’s departure from the White House. This will be on January 20.

Last January 6, America witnessed the Capitol Building in Washington DC stormed and taken over by thousands of fanatical Trump supporters, incited by him in a desperate effort to block the final congressional certification of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice-President of the United States.

Mercifully, the protestors were turned back by the police and the National Guards, with only five fatalities, two of them police officers. It could have been worse.

Much, much worse. Some of those who stormed the halls of Congress wore military garb and equipment that could have been used to hold high officials hostage. Subsequent reports reveal plans to harm Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice-President Mike Pence, against whom Trump held a grudge.

One can recall the storming of the Bastille, that kicked off the French Revolution, as well as the raid by anti-government rebels on the Palace of Justice of Bogota, Colombia in November 1985.

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*** 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. *** (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)

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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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 15-21, 2021

SEWAGE COVER. A Department of Public Works and Highways worker welds the steel bars of a sewage cover on Agham Road, Quezon City on Wednesday, January 13. The activity is part of the government’s beautification and road safety program. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Trump impeached for second time, charged...

PAGE 4 t lost the White House and Senate seats in Georgia, there are other wins from the 2020 election cycle to “be very proud of” and that the party should continue to represent “the everyday man and working class.”

“In addition, we control a huge majority of all state legislatures on the local level, allowing us control over redistricting for the next decade. 2022 and 2024 will be good years for the GOP. But the GOP will also do some much-needed soul

searching on how they handle a larger life character like President Trump who brought so many new people to the party. It will have to assess what they can do when they have the three branches of government,” Ang said.

Follow the Constitution: Impeach and...

PAGE 6 t 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.”

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 to fulfill their obligation to follow the Constitution.

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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SBA reopening paycheck protection program to small lenders on Jan 15. and all lenders on Jan. 19 Lenders with $1 billion or less in assets will be able to submit first and second draw PPP applications on Jan. 15, continuing dedicated access for community-based lenders

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, will reopen the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 9 a.m. EST. The portal will fully open on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 to all participating PPP lenders to submit First and Second Draw loan applications to SBA. Earlier in the week, SBA granted dedicated PPP access to Community Financial Institutions (CFIs) which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs), and Microloan Intermediaries as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to reach underserved and minority small

businesses.

On Friday, SBA will continue its emphasis on reaching smaller lenders and businesses by opening to approximately 5,000 more lenders, including community banks, credit unions, and farm credit institutions. Moreover, the agency also plans to have dedicated service hours for these smaller lenders after the portal fully re-opens next week.

“A second round of PPP could not have come at a better time, and the SBA is making every effort to ensure small businesses have the emergency financial support they need to continuing weathering this time of uncertainty,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “SBA has worked expeditiously to ensure our policies and systems are relaunched so that this vital small business aid helps communities hardest hit by the pandemic. I strongly encourage America’s entrepreneurs needing financial

ANNOUNCEMENT

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE Solicitation of Applications for Membership on the TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee

The TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee (ITOC) is seeking qualified members of the public to fill a vacancy on its sevenmember committee in the following category.

• A professional with demonstrated experience of ten years or more in the management of large-scale construction projects.

The ITOC aids in the implementation of the TransNet program, the San Diego region’s half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. The TransNet program is administered by SANDAG.

As outlined in the TransNet Ordinance and Expenditure Plan, the ITOC provides an increased level of accountability for expenditures of TransNet funds. ITOC members are unpaid, but certain expenses are reimbursed. Due to their public service status, ITOC members must meet strict conflict of interest standards. The ITOC functions in an independent, open, and transparent manner to ensure that all voter mandates are carried out, and develops positive, constructive recommendations for improvements and enhancements to the financial integrity and performance of the TransNet program.

ITOC membership is open to individuals from throughout the region, who possess a set of appropriate professional skills and experience. More detailed information regarding the ITOC and its responsibilities can be found at sandag.org/itoc. Individuals interested in applying for this ITOC position should contact SANDAG for an application at ariana.zurnieden@sandag.org or (619) 699-6961, or go to sandag.org/notices.

Applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, February 26, 2021. SANDAG seeks to fill openings on the ITOC with a diverse group of persons who are representative of the community. SANDAG highly encourages applications from persons of all races and economic backgrounds. The newly selected member is anticipated to begin serving at the regularly scheduled ITOC meeting in June 2021.from persons of all races and economic backgrounds. The newly selected member is anticipated to begin serving at the regularly scheduled ITOC meeting in June 2021.

EMPLOYMENT

assistance to apply for a First or Second Draw PPP loan.”

“We are pleased to have opened PPP loans to CDFIs, MDIs, CDCs, and Microloan Intermediaries. The PPP is already providing America’s small businesses hardest hit by the pandemic with vital economic relief,” said Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin.

“As the Program re-opens for all First and Second Draw borrowers next week, the PPP will allow small businesses to keep workers on payroll and connected to their health insurance.”

First Draw PPP Loans are for those borrowers who have not received a PPP loan before August 8, 2020. The first round of the PPP, which ran from March to August 2020, was a historic success helping 5.2 million small businesses keep 51 million American workers employed.

Second Draw PPP Loans are for eligible small businesses

with 300 employees or less, that previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will use or have used the full amount only for authorized uses, and that can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. The maximum amount of a Second Draw PPP loan is $2 million.

Updated PPP Lender forms, guidance, and resources are available at www.sba.gov/pppand www.treasury.gov/cares.

Meanwhile, the SBA has already forgiven more than 1.1 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for over $100 billion, providing an extraordinary amount of critical relief to America’s small businesses just 3 months since the earliest PPP borrowers’ covered periods ended.

“Today’s news is a key indicator that the PPP is working for all small businesses across our Nation,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza on Tuesday, January 12. “For any eligible small business continuing to struggle due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Program has re-opened for new and certain existing PPP borrowers, and we encourage you to take advantage of the

SD#0000

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2020-9020263

A. ACE OF FADES BARBERSHOP B. ACE OF TATTOO PARLOR located at 1610 PALM AVENUE #C, SAN DIEGO, CA 92154.

Registrant: LEOPOLDO BARAJAS III, 1660 PLANICIE WAY, SAN DIEGO, CA 92154.

This business is conducted by INDIVIDUAL. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature LEOPOLDO BARAJAS III. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/09/2020.

AJ 687 01/08, 01/15, 01/22/, & 01/29/2021.

AJSD 687

EMPLOYMENT

PPP to keep your workers on payroll, regardless of any local economic restrictions on your operations. SBA is continuing to work around the clock to forgive existing PPP loans and implement the next phase of this vital Program.”

The SBA has so far received 1,346,125 forgiveness applications for approximately $170.5 billion. SBA has made payment on nearly 85% of the applications, forgiving over $100 billion.

For the smallest borrowers with loans up to $50,000, 88% have been approved for forgiveness.

The new data comes as the Paycheck Protection Program has recently re-opened as a result of the Economic Aid to Hard Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, signed into law

by President Trump on Dec. 27, 2020. The Act added operational expenditures, certain property damage costs, supplier costs and worker protection expenditures, such as drive-through areas, ventilation and sneeze guards, as eligible expenses as well.

The SBA provides PPP Forgiveness Submission & Payment Metrics, as well as Paycheck Protection Program reports, online at www.sba.gov/ppp.

The U.S. Small Business Ad-

ministration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. (SBA Release)

US sets COVID-19 death record for second...

PAGE 5 t 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. (AJPress)

LEGAL NOTICE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2020-9020070 SAN DIEGO GUNS located at 5995 MISSION GORGE ROAD, SUITE C SAN DIEGO, CA 92120.

Registrant: SAN DIEGO GUNS LLC, 5995 MISSION GORGE ROAD, SUITE C SAN DIEGO, CA 92120.

This business is conducted

by LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 01/09/2016.

Signature DALLAS MARTENSEN. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/05/2020.

AJ 685 01/01, 01/08, 01/15, 01/22/2021.

AJSD 685

CASE NUMBER: 37-2020-00041939-CU-PT-CTL TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner BEN NGUYEN AND THUY KIM DIEP ON BEHALF OF A MINOR filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: NGOC BAO DIEP NGUYEN to MIALIE NGUYEN. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 02/25/2021 Tine: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. C-61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: DEC. 31, 2020 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 686 JAN. 08, 15, 22, & 29, 2021 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE – Name Change (NC120) Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, which poses a substantial risk to the health and welfare of court personnel and the public, rendering presence in, or access to, the court’s facilities unsafe, and pursuant to the emergency orders of the Chief Justice of the State of California and General Orders of the Presiding Department of the San Diego Superior Court, the following Order is made: NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120)..

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date.

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

AJSD 686

CASE NUMBER: 37-2020-00045668-CU-PT-CTL TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner SEYHAN STEVE ARAL filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: SEYHAN STEVE ARAL to SEYHAN SELCUK ARAL. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted.

If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 01/28/2021 Time: 8:30 AM, Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. C-61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: DEC. 14, 2020 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 684 12/25/20, 01/01/21, 01/08/21, AND 01/15/21 AJSD 684

SAN DIEGO

(818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588 • http://www.asianjournal.com

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 15-21, 2021

JOURNAL

9

9

JA N UA RY 1 5, 2 0 2 1

Part II: Looking back at the Asian Journal’s Magazine stories of 2020

by AJPress

I

From registered nurse to first Fil-Am co-owner of a US hospital: How Vicki Rollins transformed a struggling medical center into a five-star rated hospital

Only two hospitals in the city of Los Angeles received the highest five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in January 2020 — and one of them is in the heart of Historic Filipinotown and is run by a Filipina American. Formerly known as the Silver Lake Medical Center, the Los Angeles Downtown Medical Center (LADMC) along West Temple Street has undergone a complete transformation in the last 12 months under the leadership of Vicki Palana Rollins, the first Fil-Am to co-own a hospital system in the United States.

We continue this week with the second part of this reflection with more features that were widely shared Rollins, along with business partner William Nelson, purchased the and talked about. To read these selected features & other stories in their entirety, visit: https://www. struggling medical center after it went into bankruptcy in February 2019. asianjournal.com/category/magazines/mdwk-magazine.

“When you lead an organization, whether it’s health care or any other type of business, you want to be on top of your game and just be fair to everybody and do the right thing. Then nothing is really complex at the Parol-making with Lola: Disney launches Filipino-themed Christmas video end of the day. It’s the people who make things complex,” Rollins said.

N last week’s issue (Jan. 8, 2021), the Asian Journal editorial team shared some of the popular Magazine stories from the past year — such as commemorating the history of social justice during Filipino American History Month to influencer and entrepreneur Patrick Starrr’s mission to defy beauty standards.

Vicki Rollins | Photo courtesy of LADMC

How Fil-Am Businesses In LA County Are Navigating Impact Of Virus Outbreak

In a three-minute Christmas advertisement, Disney depicts a lola and granddaughter bonding over Mickey Mouse and mak-

Fall/winter 2020 was a moment for lola (grandmother) representation with “Blue’s Clues & You!” introducing Josh’s grandma and making bibingka.

In November, Disney launched its first-ever Christmas advertisement, a three-minute animated short featuring the Filipino tradition of parol-making as part of its 2020 festive campaign “From Our Family To Yours.” The heartwarming and tear-jerking animated short is inspired by the themes of traditions, family togetherness, and nostalgia. It introduces two new characters: Lola (grandmother) and her granddaughter, alongside Mickey Mouse, a beloved toy that was

gifted to Lola as a young child by her father in 1940.

The advert was created by Disney EMEA’s inhouse creative team, led by Angela Affinita, director of brand marketing and creative, in partnership with Flux Animation Studios.

“The ad for me is such a great reflection of the bonds between families. We all have unique traditions, especially at Christmas, so being able to draw on my own experience with my Filipina grandmother and the making of star lanterns to bring a level of authentic creativity is pretty special,” Affinita said in an interview with The Drum.

AC Boral of Bebot Filipino Soul Food in Long Beach gets ready to deliver meals to healthcare workers across the county.

Photo by Janice Dig Cabaysa

Christian Esteban of Chaaste Family Market in Pasadena, California prepares turo turo dishes ahead of the grocery opening for the day.

Contributed photo

In a year marked by reopenings and shutdowns, it all began in Los Angeles on March 15, 2020 when Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered the temporary closure of bars and nightclubs that don’t offer food, movie theaters and entertainment venues, and gyms and fitness centers.

Restaurants and retail food facilities had to shutter indoor and outdoor dining and only

Books released by Fil-Am authors

Artisanal ice cream shop Wanderlust Creamery announced it will only have pints for takeout and no-contact delivery.

Photo by of Wanderlust Creamery

provide delivery, takeout or drive-thru options (which still continues of this writing). Filipino American business owners shared how they had to change the way they operate or even, close temporarily. Despite the closures, the community rallied together to raise awareness of and patron businesses in the community that need the most help.

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL “You Can’t Do it Alone” by Maria Quiban Whitesell, “We Dream of Space” by Erin Entrada Kelly, “Once Upon a Sunset” by Tif Marcelo, and “Weird But Normal” by Mia Mercado

Throughout the year, we featured books and their authors, among them: “You Can’t Do It Alone: A Widow’s Journey Through Loss, Grief, and Life After” by Maria Quiban Whitesell; “We Dream of Space” by Erin Entrada Kelly; “Once Upon a Sunset” by Tif Marcelo; “Weird But Normal” by Mia Mercado.

“I know the landscape for not just Filipino authors, but people from all kinds of marginalized groups, has opened up and will continue to do so because literature needs to reflect our entire society. That’s what our world and bookshelves should look like,” Kelly said in an interview with the Asian Journal.

Recipe Corner

‘Blue’s Clues and You!’ host Josh Dela Cruz on figuring out clues and sharing Filipino culture with a new generation

Josh with his predecessors, Joe (Donovan Patton) and Steve (Steve Burns).

Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon

When stage actor Josh Dela Cruz was announced as the new host for the “Blue’s Clues” reboot, a wave of nostalgia kicked in for kids who grew up watching Nickelodeon in the ‘90s. On top of that, the new generation of Fil-Am would see someone who resembles them on screen. A moment of pride came at the start of season two, in particular, when Josh got to introduce viewers to Filipino culture and another family member, a lola (a grandmother played by veteran Filipina-Canadian actress and singer Carolyn Fe).

“Growing up, I never saw anyone on screen that I connected with,” Dela Cruz said. “I never saw myself reflected in a positive way — it was either the foreigner, the villain, or the joke. I get to be myself.

I’m just Josh and I also am Filipino.”

Despite the pandemic, Fil-Am chef Ria Barbosa’s Petite Peso opens for service in Downtown LA Opening a restaurant would seemingly be among the last things to do in during a pandemic, but Petite Peso — with Ria Barbosa as its executive chef and vice president of culinary and business partners Robert Villanueva and Tiffany Tanaka — launched in Spring 2020 in the humble 275-square-foot space in downtown LA’s Jewelry District that once was home to Charles Olalia’s Rice Bar. Conceptualized as “Filipino food with thoughtful ingredients,” Petite Peso features rice bowls, morning pastries and comfort food dishes based on available seasonal ingredients.

“Developing the menu was the fun part. We talked about what we like to eat and our favorites growing up — that identity of being born there [in the Philippines] and moving here to the U.S. with your whole family. We have to have the Filipino hits while keeping guests in mind. We’re not going to have dinuguan right off the bat, but the starting lineup is full of dishes we feel really strongly about and tie back to family memories,” Barbosa said.

Chef Ria Dolly Barbosa | Photo by Alfonzo Bell ‘Superstore’ actor Nico Santos on queer Filipino roles: ‘I don’t feel like I’m being pigeonholed at all’

Since 2015, Santos has played Mateo, a gay, undocumented Filipino store associate who is sassy and overly competitive.

Photo by Evans Vestal Ward/NBC

Since 2015, 41-year-old actor Nico Santos has portrayed Mateo Liwanag, a gay, undocumented Filipino sales associate on NBC’s “Superstore.” Though it’s a comedy, “Superstore,” now entering its sixth and final season, tackles the serious issues of the moment, whether it’s Mateo’s immigration status, the rights of workers at the big-box store, equal pay or the environmental impact of shopping.

Whatever future projects come Santos’ way, he is not afraid of being typecast as a queer Asian man and getting those parts.

“It’s so hard to work in this industry period and it’s so hard to reach this level of work. For me, I don’t feel like I’m being pigeonholed at all. I’m actually only interested in playing parts that look like me, that speak like me, and that speak to my experience. I don’t feel like I’m being stifled as an actor by not exploring ‘other types of characters,’” he said.

Pancit Molo

Broth Ingredients: • 1 whole chicken • Pork bones • Shrimp heads from ½ kilo shrimps, pounded, add water then strain • 3 liters water Procedure: Boil chicken, pork bones and strained shrimp head mixture. Remove scum. When chicken is cooked, remove from broth, let cool then shred meat and reserve for soup.

Molo balls Ingredients: • 2.5lbs ground pork • 2 tbsp fermented beans (mashed) • 4 stalks chopped onion leaves • 2 tsps Pamana soy sauce • 1 tsp sugar • 3 pcs eggs (beaten lightly) • 1 pc egg (beaten lightly, mix with 1 tbsp flour) • Molo wrappers Procedure: Mix pork, mashed fermented beans, green onions or garlic chive “kutchay”, soy sauce, pepper, sugar and 3 eggs.

Place about ½ teaspoon of the mixture into the center of the molo wrapper.

Gather the corners together and twist.

Seal with the egg and flour mixture.

Soup assembly Ingredients: • 1 tbsp crushed garlic • 2 tbsp butter or margarine (with 2 tbsp cooking oil) • 1 lb shrimps (peeled and boiled then cut into small pieces) • Shredded chicken • Salt to taste • Strained broth • Cooking oil • Kutsay leaves (chopped then fried until oil becomes green) • 1 tbsp garlic (chopped then fried) • Pamana ground pepper Procedure: Sauté garlic in oil and butter mixture until golden brown.

Add in the boiled shrimps and shredded chicken.

Add mixture to broth.

Salt to taste.

Boil.

When soup is ready to be eaten, drop in molo balls to boiling broth mixture and then turn the heat off.

Place in bowls and top with fried kutsay leaves and fried garlic.

Sprinkle with ground pepper.

This recipe is provided courtesy of Seafood City. Visit their Facebook Page or http://www.seafoodcity.com for more recipes. If you have any recipes that you would like to share with Asian Journal readers, please send email to editor@asianjournalinc. com or info@asianjournalinc.com, and include a photo of your dish.

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EntErtainmEnt

JANUARY 15-21, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

‘GMA offer was a surprise’ - Richard Filmmaker’s 1st historical-fan-

tasy comic book ‘Anitu’ inspired

by Filipino folklore

By: Christina alpad ManilaTimes

IN the middle of 2020’s holiday rush, The Manila Times reported that GMA Network welcomed actor-businessman R i c h a rd Ya p a s o n e o f i t s exclusive talents under GMA Artist Center. Yap, as expected, was grateful to have a new home base following ABSCBN’s loss of franchise but revealed that he was all the more surprised the network offered him to join them.

“Actually, there was an offer to also do a show late December last year [2019] pero hindi lang ako pwede kasi I was doing another show at that time,” he finally related the events that led to this development.

“That time [also] I heard they weren’t looking to manage me or doing anything similar but parang project-project lang so it was very surprising na umabot sa point na ito na I am now under GMA Artist Center,” Yap furthered to The Manila Times during a virtual interview.

It can be recalled that Yap, a former commercial model for a Chinese fast-food chain, joined showbiz well into his 40s and hit the ground running as “Papa Chen” in Kim Chiu’s teleserye “My Binondo Girl”(2011). He quickly became household in his following role when as “Ser Chief” in the two-year morning drama, “Be Careful with my Heart.” Both plum parts easily earned him a string

By: allan poliCarpio Inquirer

Richard Yap steps in to 2021 with a new home network.

of blockbuster hits all with ABS-CBN projects.

Fast forward to 2020, his contract expired in the middle of the pandemic and ABS-CBN’s doomed franchise renewal, and while all was quiet from his end, offers nonetheless came his way from two to three other networks besides GMA. “During the course of the lockdown, nung nagbalik na sa GCQ, and [networks] were starting to do shows already, merong ibang nag-offer na to do shows.”

GMA photo

GMA’s offer differed in terms of timing in that it came much later in 2020.

“Bago n g-bago lan g [the negotiation with GMA], siguro a month or two ago. Dati kinukuha lang nila ako for guesting that’s why I guested sa ‘Eat Bulaga’ and did a movie with Rita Daniela and Ken Chan. So parang mabilis ang pangyayari, nag usap kami tapos ito na.”

Asked why he seemed to bade his time when he could have snapped up earlier offers, Yap replied, “I think going to GMA-7 was the easiest choice because the others are just starting out; the other offers were for block timing and GMA was doing everything by themselves. So, I think, on the practical side, we’d rather go with the established one na.”

With news of his transfer all over social media over the holidays, Yap expressed he was overwhelmed his fans’ support and the welcome from loyal Kapuso viewers.

“I was really very surprised over their reaction and it was all very heartwarming. Coming from another network, you wouldn’t expect na ganun kawelcoming yung mga fans or supporters with the Kapuso Network. And I thought na baka hindi nila ako kilala pero it turns out, at least kilala nila ako,” he humbly added.

With a more defined path for

WHILE he’s known mainly for his work as a filmmaker, Jason Paul Laxamana’s creative interests extend to other media, like comics. His drawing skills weren’t enough, however, he said, and this held him back.

But now that he has his own entertainment company, Ninuno Media, and has access to talented artists, Laxamana was finally able to realize his longtime goal.

“As a ’90s kid, I grew up watching a lot of Tagalized anime. And at some point, I dreamed of creating a manga or anime. But I didn’t pursue it because I couldn’t draw well. I did try collaborating with artists, but it has always been a challenge to make them commit to the job,” he told the Inquirer in an interview.

“Now that I head my own company and have the required resources to come up with a comic book, I went on and fulfilled one of my child-

u PAGE 11

Jason Paul Laxamana

Inquirer.net photo

Rami Malek: Filipino actor should play Manny Pacquiao in film By: Jan Milo severo Philstar

u PAGE 11 Rami Malek and Denzel Washington in ‘The Little Things’

HOLLYWOOD actor Rami Malek denied that he will be playing Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao in a biography film.

The Oscar winner said it was the first time for him to know about the rumors.

“I can absolutely deny that.

That’s fascinating. No, I will definitely not be playing Manny Pacquiao,” Rami told Rappler.

“No, this is the first time I’ve heard it,” he added.

The “Bohemian Rhapsody” star said that a Filipino actor should play the boxer-turned-senator.

“I think that would be the right choice. If we’ve learned anything, by certain stretches, an actor can do it. But for someone of Filipino origin, it would be nice to see that person being played by somebody from that Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. country,” he said.

Fil-Am Disney star Olivia Rodrigo tops charts with debut single By: ritChel Mendiola AJPress

FILIPINA American Disney star and singer Olivia Rodrigo’s official debut single “Drivers License” is shaping up to be a chart-topping hit.

After its release on January 8, the song has been dominating the charts of major streaming platforms.

It climbed to no. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Top 100 chart, Apple Music’s Top 100: Global chart, and Spotify’s Global Top 100.

On Monday, January 11 the track set Spotify’s record for most streams in a day for a non-holiday song with over 15.17 million global streams; the day after, it hit 17.01 million streams.

The 17-year-old star of “Bizaardvark” and “The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” on Tuesday took to Instagram to express her excitement over the success of her single.

“Uhhhhhh so drivers license is the number one song in the world rn. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this. Thank u guys so much for listening. I can’t believe this is real life,” wrote Rodrigo.

In an earlier post, Rodrigo shared a screenshot of the U.S. iTunes chart showing her single behind the songs of Grammy-winner Taylor Swift, one of the teen

singer’s biggest inspirations.

“Next to Taylor on the U.S. iTunes chart I’m in a puddle of tears,” she wrote.

Days later, Swift replied to the post, saying: “I say that’s my baby and I’m really proud.”

“Drivers License” has amassed over 24 million views on YouTube since its release.

Rodrigo was born to an American mother of Irish and German descent, and a Fil-Am father.

In an interview with Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), she talked about the Fil-Am side of her family.

“My great-grandfather immigrated here from the Philippines when he was just a teenager. He’s my grandma’s dad, and my grandpa is also Filipino as well,” she said.

My dad grew up in a house where they were always making Filipino food, his grandpa always spoke Tagalog. All of those traditions have trickled down to our generation. Every Thanksgiving we have lumpia, and things like that,” she added.

Rodrigo also revealed that she wants to go to the Philippines one day.

“I have never been to the Philippines, but I really, really want to. We still have extended family there, but I’ve never met them. That’s on my bucket list, definitely,” she said.

Olivia Rodrigo’s official debut single “Drivers License” has been dominating the charts of major streaming platforms.

Instagram photo (@olivia.rodrigo)

Sarah Geronimo Photo from Instagram_@justsarahgph

Sarah proud of housekeeping, baking skills By: Jan Milo severo Philstar

KAPAMILYA singer Sarah Geronimo revealed how she adjusted from being a pop star to being a do-it-all housewife.

In the latest vlog of celebrity doctor Vicki Belo, Sarah proudly shared that she is so good at doing household chores that she can qualify as a household keeper.

“Puwedeng-puwede po ako mamasukan dito. Maglaba, magplantsa, magluto, tagalinis, pampaligo ng aso,” Sarah said.

Sarah also shared in the vlog that she enjoys her time in the kitchen, especially when she bakes. She and husband Matteo Guidicelli already moved in their new home last October.

“Mas mentally healthy for us na may outdoor talaga, may garden,” she said, adding that they are just renting the house.

Sarah also opened up about their relationship — about Matteo being clingy while she wanted validation.

“I think ang mga babae, mayroon tayong subconsciously, we always look for validation.

You’re making sure na mahal ka nu’ng lalaki,” she said. “‘Mahal mo ba ako?’ Mga ganoon, mga pa-cute, parang timang!” she quipped.

Sarah and Matteo tied the knot in a private ceremony last year.

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Community

Does your health app protect your sensitive info?

NEW health apps are popping up every day, promising to help you track your health conditions, count your calories, manage your medications, or predict your ovulation. These apps often ask for some of your most sensitive personal information, like your health history, medication list, or whether you have ever suffered a miscarriage.

Some apps use that sensitive information only to give you services. But others may use it for their own research, to target you with ads, or disclose — or even sell — your data to other companies. And, unlike your doctor, these apps may not be covered by health privacy laws like HIPAA. For example, Flo is a health app that functions as an ovulation calendar, period tracker, and pregnancy guide. In a settlement announced recently, the FTC said that the makers of the Flo app shared users’ personal health information with marketing and analytics companies like Facebook and Google — even though it had

promised users to keep this sensitive information private. As part of the settlement, Flo Health, Inc. has agreed to get users’ consent before it can share their information in the future. The settlement also requires Flo to get an outside review of the honesty of its privacy promises.

How can you avoid the risks associated with these types of health apps? Here are some things to consider: • Compare privacy protections.

Many competing health apps offer similar services. When choosing between apps, compare their privacy protections. Look for a privacy notice that explains in simple terms what health information the app collects from you, as well as how it uses and shares your information with other companies and users. If the app shares your information, does it tell you why, and does it limit what others can do with it?

• Take control of your sensitive information. Take a look at the app’s settings to see if it gives

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants consumers to check whether their health apps protect sensitive information.

Image capture from consumer.ftc.gov

‘GMA offer was a...

PAGE 10 t him now, Yap is excited for the many new possibilities GMA has in mind for him.

“I’m sure there will be a time that I’ll be doing rom-com but we’re thinking of doing a lot of other things also and changing genres to comedy and maybe even action.”

He is also looking forward to working with Kapuso leading ladies Heart Evangelista, Marian Rivera, Jennylyn Mercado, Lovi Poe and Rhian Ramos, among many others.

“To be honest though, one of my dream co-stars is Michael V since I’ve been a fan of ‘Bubble Gang’ for a very long time,” he confessed.

Since the new year, viewers have seen Yap as a guest on “Dear Uge” last January 10 and will appear on Eugene Domingo’s weekend show anew on January 17. He is next scheduled to guest on “The Boobay and Tekla Show” on January 24 all while plans for his primetime series are being finalized.

Filmmaker’s 1st...

PAGE 10 t hood dreams,” added Laxamana, who’s behind the films “100 Tula Para Kay Stella” and “The Day After Valentine’s.”

And true to Ninuno Media’s vision of producing distinctly Filipino content, Laxamana’s first comic book offering, “Anitu” (Viva Books) is a historical-fantasy series inspired by local folklore.

The story is set in “the land of Kapampangans,” where men, spirit and nature coexist in harmony. Disarray ensues, however, when the power-hungry conquistadores arrive in an attempt to take control of the land and force its people to adopt a different religion.

Meanwhile, those who resist power—the remontados and tulisan—retreat to the mountains.

The young warrior Uri, a principled swordsman, knows that the people have to fight back and reclaim what’s rightfully theirs. So, he trains three other men to help his cause: Sampaga, an aspiring shaman; Miguel Batibot, a trainee in native martial arts; and Tuyag, a half-human/half-Aswang healer.

Each one exhibits skills and possesses weapons and magical items that will educate the readers about bits and pieces of precolonial and early colonial Philippine culture and folklore.

“The creation of ‘Anitu’ involved months of research.

While it’s fictional and fantastic, many elements of the comics allude to real historical events, such as the conquistadores’ pacification campaigns, the uprising by natives and the eradication of shamanism,” Laxamana said of the series, which was illustrated by Ruel Enoya.

For Laxamana, Filipino mythology has always been a fascinating source of material, because it allows us to connect to our cultural heritage.

“Growing up, we have always been taught about other countries’ mythologies, but rarely about our own. So in a way, we were led to believe that our ancestors, or we, didn’t have colorful folklores. And thus, we subconsciously develop a cultural inferiority complex,” he related.

“I find our own stories to be interesting materials, because they have the power to reverse that said inferiority complex,” he added. And he believes that one way to shine the light on local mythology and reinforce cultural identity is through pop culture.

“It’s important to feature these in pop culture, because the Philippines needs all the help it can get when it comes to establishing a cultural identity. I believe one reason the Filipino youth are easily drawn to Korean, Japanese, European and American cultures is because they lack knowledge about their own,” he observed.

“Worse, our education [system] seems to be hellbent on wiping out anything Filipino from its curricula,” Laxamana added. “The presence of heritage in pop culture then is important if we want to prevent the youth from fully disintegrating from their Filipino identity and cultural pride.”

Meanwhile, asked if people can expect a live-action adaptation of “Anitu” in the future, Laxamana said the goal is to turn it into a multimedia. “[We hope to produce] games, movies, series, etc. But I want to popularize it as a comic book first,” he said.

you control over what health information it collects and shares.

An app’s default settings often encourage sharing, so it can be useful to select more protective options.

• Keep your app up to date.

App updates sometimes include important fixes for privacy or security glitches. One of the best ways to protect your information is to keep your app (and your phone’s operating system) up to date.

• Recognize the risks. What sensitive information will the app have access to? Are the app’s services worth the risk of someone else getting hold of that?

Some companies don’t uphold their privacy promises. In this case, we said that even if you

reviewed Flo’s privacy promises and looked at the settings, your information could still have been disclosed to other companies.

Sharing sensitive information always carries risks, so be sure you’re comfortable with what you’ve shared, in case privacy promises aren’t kept.

• Report your concerns. If you think a health app isn’t keeping up its end of the bargain, let the FTC know at https://reportfraud. ftc.gov/#/. The FTC regularly brings enforcement actions against companies that misrepresent how they use or disclose people’s sensitive health information.

(Miles Plant/Attorney, Division of Advertising Practices, Federal Trade Commission)

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 15-21, 2021

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JANUARY 15-21, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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