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JANUARY 20-26, 2022
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FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Times Square vigil honors subway shove victim Asian American leaders call for concrete, proactive solutions
US residents can now order free at-home COVID-19 tests by AJPRESS
STARTING this week, residents in the United States can order free at-home rapid COVID-19 testing kits from the federal government. As part of the White House’s initiative to deliver
rapid tests to Americans amid the latest surge, the website (www.covidtests.gov) to place orders went live on Tuesday, January 18, a day earlier than previously announced. This is part of the Biden administration’s plan to purchase 1 billion at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests,
by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
VAX CARDS, PLEASE. An officer of the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) checks the vaccination cards of passengers of a public utility bus in compliance with the “no vaccination, no ride” policy along Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City on Thursday, January 20. Local government units have been urged to find creative ways to convince unvaccinated persons intercepted at checkpoints to get vaccinated against COVID-19. PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler
Survey: 1 in 3 Asians in San Gabriel Valley Comelec: 10 presidential candidates, including experienced hate during COVID pandemic Bongbong Marcos, in 2022 PH polls ballot NEARLY two years after the first coronavirus-related anti-Asian hate incident was reported in California, the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community continues to be targeted in hate incidents and hate crimes, especially in areas with highly concentrated AAPI communities. According to a new survey from the Asian Youth Center (AYC) and the legal and civil rights organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles released on Wednesday, Jan. 12, nearly one-third half of those said that they or their family members have been targeted in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to AYC Executive Director Michelle Freridge, this survey is the first of its kind to focus on the San Gabriel Valley specifically. As other, more regionally broad surveys found, a majority of the incidents that San Gabriel Valley residents faced were verbal attacks, but the fear of harassment and lack of safety elevated early last year when physical violence against Asians and Asian Americans escalated. The survey found that almost half (45%) of AAPIs in the San Gabriel Valley feel more “vigilant and defensive” when leaving their homes, and of the parents that were surveyed, half of them are worried about their children becoming victims of antiAsian bullying. Moreover, about 60% of respondents said that the way they feel and behave when they leave home has changed since news
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‘Caregivers should be a priority’: Advocates fight for recognition of caregivers as essential, frontline workers
HUNDREDS of New Yorkers gathered in Times Square on Tuesday, Jan. 18 for a candlelight vigil to honor Michelle Alyssa Go, a 40-year-old New York City resident who was killed after being pushed onto the subway tracks over the weekend. Leaders in the Asian-American community are denouncing this senseless act of violence and called on the city to come up with concrete solutions. In a tweet, Rep. Grace Meng said she was horrified and heartbroken when she heard about the attack. “We need to implement better policies to protect New Yorkers riding mass transit and to get people the proper help that they need - mental and social services,” she said. “It is imperative that New York City implements proactive, community-based solutions that prevent these crimes from ever happening in the first place,” said Jo-Ann Yoo, executive director of the Asian American Federation. In the statement, Yoo said that the horrific incident “is a reminder that the fear of antiAsian violence in our community is wellfunded,” citing an NYPD report last month
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with the first 500 million available for ordering this month. “Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days,” the
MANILA — The official ballot for the 2022 national elections will contain 10 names of presidential candidates, including Partido Federal ng Pilipinas bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. whose bid faces a slew of legal challenges at the Commission on Elections. On Tuesday, January 18, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told CNN Philippines’ The Source that they released the final ballot face on Monday, January 17. “We already have what the ballot will
WHEN the coronavirus pandemic went into full force in early 2020, health care workers were lauded for being the frontline warriors against the highly contagious and deadly virus. Nurses, doctors, EMTs, and other hospital staff were in the thick of the most concentrated centers of infection, prompting social media campaigns and PR efforts to show gratitude toward medical staff. But health care workers are more than those who work at hospitals and doctors’ offices. In many cases, those providing the most immediate care are family members and in-home caregivers who are not only trying to keep themselves healthy, but they’re also working tirelessly to keep family members safe. “Many times the care we have here in California the majority of care is done by us: family members
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look like with all of the names that will be included in the final ballot,” he said. “Bongbong Marcos’ name is there,” Jimenez added in Filipino. The Comelec spokesperson said the ballot will contain 10 presidential candidates, nine for vice presidential bets, 64 for senators and 178 party-list groups. On Tuesday, the Comelec held a virtual walkthrough of the ballot printers at the National Printing Office. Printing of the official ballots may start two days after the
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LONG LINE. People queue outside a vaccination site in Pasay City on Tuesday, Jan. 18. COVID19 cases have started to decline in Metro Manila, but infections are rising in other areas. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike Alquinto
Foreigners now required to show proof of Omicron now dominant vaccination before entry to PH by Feb. 16 COVID-19 variant in PH by CHRISTIA
MARIE Inquirer.net
RAMOS
MANILA — Foreign nationals will be required to present proof of full vaccinvation against COVID-19 before their entry to the Philippines starting Feb. 16, 2022, Malacañang said Friday, January 14. The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved this new protocol for the entry of foreign nationals in the country, Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a Palace briefing. “Beginning Feb. 16, 2022, proof of full vaccination shall be made a requirement for entry of all foreign nationals allowed to
enter the Philippines,” he said, citing IATF Resolution No. 157. But Nograles said the following are exempted from the requirement: • Children below the age of 18 • People medically unable to receive the vaccine, as certified by a competent public health authority in the country or port of origin • Foreign diplomats and their qualified dependents or 9(e) visa holders The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Civil Aeronautics Board, is tasked to mandate the airlines to require foreign nationals traveling to the Philippines to present proof of full vaccination prior to boarding flights to any points in the Philippines, according to the resolution. ■
by RED
MENDOZA ManilaTimes.net
THE Philippines on Wednesday, January 19 reported an additional 492 new cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 and the first two deaths due to the highly infectious strain. The Department of Health (DOH) said the two fatalities were both above 60 years old, unvaccinated and with pre-existing health conditions. The high detection rate of the variant, equivalent to nearly 69 percent of the 715 samples se-
quenced by the Philippine Genome Center from January 13 to 14 classified it the most dominant variant in the country. Results of the latest sequencing said that 332 were local infections and 160 were from returning overseas Filipinos. The total number of Omicron cases in the country is now 535. The National Capital Region (NCR) logged the highest number of local transmissions with 227, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) with 76 and Central Luzon with 11.
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January 20-26, 2022 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL
From The FronT Page
US residents can now order... PAGE 1 website reads. It adds, “Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.” The site redirects to an U.S. Postal Service form where individuals can fill in their contact and shipping information. There is a limit of one order per residential address and orders will ship free starting late January. The tests available for order are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR and can deliver results within 30 minutes. The website’s guidance advises individuals to take an
at-home test if they begin to exhibit COVID-19 symptoms; at least 5 days after they come into contact with someone with COVID-19; or if they are going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on COVID-19 vaccines. “To ensure equity and access for all Americans, the Administration will also launch a call line to help those unable to access the website to place orders, and work with national and local community-based organizations to support the nation’s hardest-hit and highest-
risk communities in requesting tests,” according to a White House announcement. In addition to the tests, the covidtests.gov website offers additional resources for those who need to get tested immediately or are looking for another type of test. These include at-home tests at retailers and pharmacies, insurance reimbursement and a list of over 20,000 free testing sites nationally. According to the CDC, over 65.1 million COVID cases have been tracked in the United States and 847,577 deaths, as of Tuesday, January 18. n
Comelec: 10 presidential candidates, including... PAGE 1
walkthrough or on January 20, Jimenez added. Cases vs Marcos Marcos, who leads the latest Pulse Asia pre-election survey, is still facing four petitions for disqualifications. Three of these, all consolidated, are pending before the Comelec’s First Division. Parties already submitted their respective
memoranda. Promulgation of the resolution, initially said to be on Monday, has been delayed as staff of the division had to be isolated due to exposure to COVID-19 cases, Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said. Marcos faces another disqualification suit filed by an Ilocano group, which is pending before the Comelec’s Second
Division. The poll body’s Second Division on Monday dismissed the lone petition to cancel Marcos’ Certificate of Candidacy, although petitioners vow to appeal the case to the Commission En Banc. All the suits seeking to block Marcos’ presidential bid are also expected to reach the Supreme Court for appeal. (Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)
Omicron now dominant COvid-19 variant... PAGE 1 Other regions were Omicron infections were detected include Central Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Davao, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos), Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), and the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao. Three remain as active cases, 467 were considered recovered, and 20 were under observation. The Health Department earlier confirmed community transmission of the Omicron variant in the NCR. Experts said Omicron’s characteristics that include a shortened case doubling time resulted in the sudden increase in the number of cases though mild in nature. “Sa ngayon, this time period, ang predominant na po ay Omicron, specifically dito sa NCR
kung saan na-detect most of these Omicron samples (Omicron was currently the predominant strain, specifically here in the NCR where samples were detected),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a media briefing. In a House committee hearing also on Tuesday, January 18, Department of Health (DoH) Epidemiology Bureau Director Dr. Alethea de Guzman said that besides Omicron, the increased mobility during the holiday season, reduced health protocol compliance, and delays in detection and isolation were the primary drivers of the Omicron surge. Meanwhile, 115 cases of Delta strain infections were recorded by the Health department, 88 of which were local transmissions while 27 were from returning overseas Filipinos. To date, there are two additional Delta strain fatalities and two active cases. The number of recoveries is 107 while four were
still being verified for outcomes. Delta remains the most sequenced Covid variant in the country, with 8,612 detections. Technical Advisory Group member, Dr. Anna Lisa OngLim reported a high incidence of COVID-19 among young unvaccinated people. “Marami ding ina-admit coming from the fact na halos bata na lang ang hindi bakunado lalo na dito sa NCR (There were many young children admitted owing to the fact that they are yet to be vaccinated, especially here in the NCR),” Ong-Lim added. Rising number of COVID-19 cases were also recorded in Lanao del Sur, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Zamboanga del Sur, Northern Samar, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Bohol, Ifugao, Western Samar, Davao del Sur, Cotabato City, Negros Occidental, Antique, Nueva Vizcaya, Agusan del Sur and Occidental Mindoro. n
BOOSTER JAB. A health worker administers the AstraZeneca COVID-19 booster shot to Watsons Philippines general manager Danilo Chiong at the launch of “Resbakuna sa Botika” at the Watsons SM Center in Pasig City on Thursday, January 20. Also in photo are National Task Force Against Covid-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (left)and National Task Force Against COVID-19 medical consultant Dr. Ma. Paz Corrales (right). PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
‘Caregivers should be a priority’: Advocates... PAGE 1 and elder caregivers. We are an essential part of the health care system,” said Dr. Donna Benton, research associate professor of gerontology at USC and director of the USC Family Caregiver Support Center and Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center. Benton, along with other community advocates, spoke at a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 13 about the massive community of caregivers in California, a vast majority of whom are women, immigrants, and/or people of color. According to Benton, there are 4.5 million family caregivers in California, meaning that there are millions of caregivers in the state who have been struggling accessing personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential needs and services to better care for their patients during the pandemic. As of Tuesday, Jan. 18 athome COVID-19 test kits are available for delivery through the United States Postal Service, which has started taking orders at www.covidtests.gov/. Cheryl Brown, chair of the Social Action Committee of St. Paul’s First AME Baptist Church-San Bernardino and former California State Assemblymember, noted that
caregivers should be among those who are prioritized in the rollouts for free testing kits. “Our caregivers should be a priority in terms of accessing these resources and supplies,” Brown said, noting that caregivers are often responsible for the care of those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other palliative diseases that warrant prime concern. Benton noted that many caregivers didn’t receive priority for vaccines and boosters since many didn’t fit the special qualifications for early eligibility: frontline medical professionals, senior citizens aged 65 or above, or suffering from an underlying health issue. “It’s difficult when you’re taking care of someone who is homebound and can’t leave the house,” Benton said, adding that as part of the California Caregiver Resource Centers, family caregivers were dropping out of the workforce in droves. According to a study released by Morning Consult in October 2021, 1 out of 5 health care workers in the United States have either resigned or retired. With the omicron surge, Benton said those changes can bring about even more
struggles for caregivers, many of whom are caring for individuals who are more susceptible to the harsher effects of the coronavirus. Even with vaccines and boosters, scientists have noted that the omicron variant is still highly contagious, and reports have shown that even the vaccinated are still catching the virus. (However, the unvaccinated continue to dominate hospitalization stats; those who are vaccinated are less likely to suffer the more severe effects of the virus.) For many communities, caregiving isn’t a job; it’s an essential, ubiquitous part of family. As Filipinos, taking care of elders — especially those who are family — is not only normal but expected. For Filipina American Marienne Dominguez, her path to eldercare was forged when a family member got seriously sick, and when she was asked to help care for this relative, she didn’t think twice. “I didn’t plan on being a caregiver, but it just happened because of family issues where I had to care for an auntie for a few years,” Dominguez told the Asian Journal in a phone interview. “I remember when my mom used to care for her PAGE 7
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Date lin e USa
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • January 20-26, 2022
Survey: 1 in 3 Asians in San Gabriel Valley...
MEDS DRIVE-THRU. A motorcycle-riding customer buys medicine at the drive-thru service of a drug store along Quirino Avenue in Manila on Wednesday, January 19. The drive-thru service allows customers to buy medicines and other items without the need to park their vehicles. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
Millions of families thrown back into poverty as child tax credit expires AS U.S. families stare down the twin barrels of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation, Congress has let expire the Child Tax Credit, a critical source of income which lifted 61 million children out of poverty since its implementation last July. The Child Tax Credit, which expired Dec. 31, 2020, gave direct payments of $300 per month to children below the age of 6 and $250 per month for children above the age of 6. The monthly payments meant families could immediately access the benefits without waiting a year to receive the credit. At an Ethnic Media Services b r i e f i n g J a n . 7, a d v o c a t e s discussed the importance of the benefit and the need for Congress to continue the lifeline. The credit has been projected to reduce annual child poverty by more than 40 percent, said Claire Zippel, Senior Research Analyst in the Income and Poverty Trends team at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. “We know that reducing child poverty helps children healthier and do better in school and really sets them up for success as adults,” she said. Previously, 27 million children didn’t receive the full credit
amount because their families earned too little. But under the rescue plan, children and families with low or no income in a year, got the same amount of the credit as children and families with higher incomes, said Zippel. The expansion is projected to cut the percent of black children in poverty from 22 percent to 13 percent and the percent of Latino children in poverty from 21 percent to 12 percent. 91 percent of the credit was used by families for basic necessities, such as food, housing, clothing, utility, bills and education, said Zippel. “Hunger rose from 10 million in 2019 to 12 million in 2020. Black and Latino children are twice as likely to face hunger because of systemic racism,” said Loree D. Jones, CEO of Philabundance, a hunger relief project in Philadelphia, one of the poorest large cities in the US. “We know a safety net is not a sustainable solution. Systematic change like the child tax credit are a more sustainable winning strategy,” said Jones. “I remain optimistic because for the first time in a long time, because things are so hard, we do have the will to get this done for our kids.”
Philabundance has provided 70 thousand culturally responsive meals to Afghan refugees, and provided food during Ramadan so Muslim families had food to break their fasts. Expansion of the credit is tied to the $1.7 trillion Build Back Better bill currently being debated by Congress: the child tax credit would add an estimated $105 billion per year to the budget, said Michelle Dallafior, Senior Vice President of Budget and Tax at First Focus on Children. “We are at an incredibly pivotal moment for our nation’s children,” she said. “We urgently need to pass the Build Back Better Act.” “Support for children is too often viewed as something that can be cut when negotiations are under way,” said Dallafior. She noted that there is standalone legislation for the child tax credit that exists in both the House and Senate, which would separate it from the Build Back Better bill, but the probability of getting a standalone bill passed was not high. “The moment is now, and our Congressional Champions feel the same way: we just can’t leave kids behind,” said Dallafior. (Ethnic Media Services)
PAGE 1 reports began detailing the rise in anti-Asian hate. “I pay attention to people around me and what they are saying and how their nonverbal communication [sic]. It is extremely stressful,” one respondent said. Another respondent said, “I’ve definitely experienced racism growing up Asian American, but not to the point where I’m concerned about physical attacks. Previously it was more about discrimination in daily life/interactions, but not physical attacks.” The San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County is home to nearly half a million Asians and Asian Americans, making it one of the highest concentrations of AAPIs in the entire country. Respondents noticed that since the pandemic began, they’ve noticed more hate speech graffitied on Asianowned businesses, more racial slurs being hurled by strangers, and more postings on community awareness platforms like Next Door or Citizen to warn others about any possible dangers to the AAPI community. “San Gabriel Valley is one of the most important Asian communities in California and we are here for individuals who don’t know where to turn for confidential, safe support. We can help in their languages. We will continue to fight for public programs and services that serve the diverse and complex needs of AAPIs in this community,” said Connie Chung Joe, CEO, Advancing Justice-LA. It’s important to note that the survey is based on the responses from 300 residents of LA County, of which Advancing Justice-LA said 284 respondents “met the eligibility criteria to be included in the final analysis.” Of the respondents, 64% were women, 35% were men, and 1% identify as non-binary. Responses were collected from July to September 2021 through online and phone surveys in English, Chinese, and Vietnamese. A vast majority of respondents were of Chinese descent (67%) with the next largest group being Taiwanese (11.4%). Chief among the root causes of the rise in anti-Asian attitudes is the rhetoric used to describe the virus and its origins in China. As reported in the Asian Journal, many AAPI
community leaders partially blame former President Donald Trump for emphasizing the connection between China and the coronavirus, leading some of his followers to blame Asians and Asian Americans for the pandemic. Hate incidents and hate crimes against the AAPI community increased across the nation over the past two years. But in the AAPI-rich LA County, antiAsian hate crimes increased 76% in 2020 according to
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community surveys. In San Gabriel Valley, more than half of the AAPIs feel that there is little support for the members of their community that have been victims of racial harassment, discrimination, and violence. Moreover, a majority of respondents felt that increased neighborhood watch, stronger ties with police, and more cross-cultural events could best curb harassment, discrimination and violence. (By Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
D ateline PhiliPPines ‘Petitioners, not Marcos, made misrepresentations’ 4
January 20-26, 2022 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL
by Edu
Punay Philstar.com
MANILA — The allegation of misrepresentation in the disqualification case against presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has boomeranged on its petitioners. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has called out the petitioners in the disqualification case for their misrepresentation in the dismissed petition. Citing portions of the 32-page ruling by the Second Division released last Monday, the camp of Marcos said petitioners represented by former Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te deliberately attempted to deceive the poll body. For instance, they cited how petitioners represented by Te were branded by the Comelec as “shameless” in misrepresenting a provision in the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC). “Petitioners shamelessly cited a certain provision denominated as Section 254 of the 1977 NIRC which they alleged such provision punishes those who fail to file an ITR fine of not less than P10,000 ‘AND’ imprisonment. However, a careful reading of the actual Section 254 of the 1977 NIRC shows that it refers to rentals and royalties and mineral lands under lease,” read the ruling penned by Presiding Commissioner Socorro Inting. The poll body said such misrepresentation on Section 254 of the NIRC to make it appear that imprisonment is mandatory punishment “reeks of deliberate intent to deceive or mislead the Commission.” “It somehow becomes ironic when we realize the thought that herein Petitioners accuse Respondent Marcos of misrepresentation while they themselves are guilty of supposed misrepresentations in this very same proceeding,” the decision further stated. In dismissing the petition, the Second Division branded the misrepresentation as an “obvious clutching at straws” or a desperate attempt by petitioners to convince the poll body to cancel the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) of Marcos. “Since the instant petition, which is one for cancellation or
denial of due course of a COC, invoked grounds for disqualification, the instant petition should be summarily dismissed. We shall nevertheless relax compliance with the technical rules of procedure and proceed to discuss the merits if only to fully and finally settle the matter in this case because of its paramount importance,” the Comelec added in the ruling also approved by Commissioners Antonio Kho Jr. and Rey Bulay. A consolidated disqualification case against Marcos is still pending before another Comelec division. NTF-ELCAC support Marcos has vowed to retain the controversial National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) created by the Duterte administration if he wins in the May elections. The former senator said he would increase the budget of the anti-insurgency body as he hailed its performance. “The NTF-ELCAC is good. Even if its budget was slashed, its performance did not change, it really helps communities. I think we should continue that. It is something that has a beneficial effect and it allows rebel returnees to rejoin the society,” he said in Filipino in a statement. Marcos said he specifically plans to give more funds to the task force’s Barangay Development Program (BDP), a flagship program that seeks to address insurgency by bringing sustainable solutions and basic services to concerned communities. “We have to invest in success. If the program was successful, let’s put more funds into it, let’s continue what they are doing,” he explained. In supporting NTF-ELCAC, Marcos slammed the “obsolete ideology peddled by local terrorist groups to lure in naive and gullible followers.” He said the communist group’s ideology has lost support and has become irrelevant. “If they continue in their wish to overthrow the government by violent means, how can I be on their side? Besides, the ideology that they are espousing no longer has much support,” Marcos said. In the P5.024-trillion budget
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for this year, the NTF-ELCAC was allotted more than P16 billion, which is lower than the P28 billion originally proposed by the executive branch and approved by the House. The amount, however, was bigger by at least P6 billion than the P10.8 billion approved by the Senate during budget deliberations. Some lawmakers had called for the defunding or abolition of the task force because of the reported red-tagging activities of some of its officials. No comment on ruling In an interview with reporters at city hall, Manila Mayor and presidential aspirant Isko Moreno refused to comment on the Comelec’s green light on the candidacy of the dictator’s son. The mayor said he would rather set aside politics and focus Mayor Eric Adams at the vigil for Michelle Alyssa Go in Times Square on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Photo by Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office on the city of Manila’s pandemic response. “I just want people alive. Leave the politics to them,” said Moreno, who had been criticized PAGE 1 I served as a police officer, and very difficult time,” the statement for his centrist stance on the that hate crimes targeting Asian spent many days in the early read in full. Marcoses’ attempts to return to Americans have risen by 361 ‘80s wearing a blue uniform The Philippine Consulate Malacañang. percent. as a police officer - a transit General in New York joined “The people are being threat“This latest attack causing police officer, watching where the rest of the Asian-American ened by the coronavirus infec- the death of an Asian American we were,” Adams said. “I’m re- Community in mourning the tion. What the people need is woman in the Times Square committed to make sure this will senseless death of Go, recalling a government, not politicians subway station is particularly not happen in our city. We have a kababayan, Maria Luningning and their politics,” he added in horrifying for our community,” to do this together.” Ambrocio who lost her life as Filipino. said Margaret Fung, executive Portraits of Asian American a result of the same senseless Moreno lagged behind Marcos director of the Asian American victims of hate and violence violence inflicted by a homeless in the latest Pulse Asia and OCTA Legal Defense and Education became the backdrop of the vigil individual with mental health Research Group nationwide Fund. “These attacks have left as their likenesses were shown concerns. presidential surveys. Moreno Asian Americans across the city on some of the giant screens in Consul General Elmer Cato ranked third with eight percent and across the country feeling Times Square. also implored city officials among 2,400 respondents in the vulnerable and they must stop.” Go’s family released a statement to focus more on the issues Pulse Asia presidential reference The attack happened at about on Twitter asking that people of homelessness and mental survey conducted from Dec. 1 to 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. remember Michelle for the way health. 6 and placed third with 12 per- 15 at the 42nd Street Times she lived, not the way she died, “We are counting on New cent among 1,200 respondents Square station, according to and that the press respect their York City Mayor Eric Adams in in the OCTA Research Survey New York City Police Department privacy as they deal with their making the streets safe again conducted from Dec 7 to 12. Commissioner Keechant Sewell shock and loss. by not only increasing police But Moreno led as the “alterna- in a news conference. “We are in a state of shock and visibility, especially in subway tive” candidate in both surveys A man had pushed Go onto grieving the loss of our daughter, stations but also by addressing among respondents when asked the southbound Q train tracks, sister, and friend. We hope the housing and behavioral for their next pick should their Sewell said. Police later identified Michelle will be remembered for health needs of the hundreds of first choice back out. Moreno got the man accused of shoving Go how she lived, and not just how homeless individuals in the city,” 23 percent in the Pulse Asia sur- as 61-year-old Simon Martial. she died. She was a beautiful, the consulate statement read. vey and 21 percent in the OCTA According to investigators, Go brilliant, kind, and intelligent Consul General Elmer Cato also Research survey. was standing on the train platform woman who loved her family and reiterated his call for Filipinos to Meanwhile, opposition coali- and was suddenly pushed onto friends, loved to travel the world, be vigilant. tion 1Sambayan on Tuesday the oncoming train. and to help others. Her life was “We also would like to remind expressed concern over the deNew York City Mayor Eric taken too soon in a senseless act our kababayan to be vigilant cision by the Comelec’s Second Adams joined the hundreds of of violence, and we pray that she of their surroundings and to Division. people who attended the vigil, gets the justice she deserves. always stay behind the yellow In a statement, the group which was organized by Asians Thank you for your condolences. line on the platform, when supporting the presidential bid Fighting Injustice. We ask the media to please taking the subway,” he said. “Right here in Times Square, respect our privacy during this (Momar G. Visaya/AJPress) PAGE 7
Times Square vigil honors subway shove...
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • January 20-26, 2022
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JANUARY 20-26, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
OPINION
No exemption from restrictions
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FEATURES
HOW can unvaccinated officials enforce restrictions on other unvaccinated people? Over the weekend, the undersecretary for barangay affairs said that if he could have his way, village officials who remain unvaccinated against COVID should go on leave during the pandemic or even resign. Some barangay officials, not necessarily unvaccinated, protested that the recommendation is unconstitutional and there is no law that allows it. Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño did not say his suggestion would be implemented. He simply said barangay officials tasked to implement vaccination restrictions “should be ashamed” if they themselves had not received the COVID shots. An improvement of the message would be an assurance to the public that barangay officials are not exempted from the mobility restrictions and would have to stay home except for essential errands. Obviously, being covered by the restrictions would prevent them from participating in the enforcement of the new rules. Restrictions on the unvaccinated have been tightened as new COVID infections believed fueled by the highly contagious Omicron variant surge in the National Capital Region and neighboring areas. Vaccines are seen as the main weapons to
contain the pandemic. The tighter restrictions are meant to get more people inoculated particularly in the NCR, which has the highest infection numbers and the largest supply of vaccines in the country. Barangay officials have been tasked to conduct an inventory of the unvaccinated in their areas as the government considers house-to-house inoculation. Officials who are unvaccinated themselves should either lead by example and get their shots, or else confine themselves to their homes as they are included in the inventory. The Department of the Interior and Local Government has warned that penalties will be imposed on those who fail to submit the inventory of unvaccinated. The DILG should add that heavier penalties await those who submit inventories that are deliberately inaccurate and leave out unvaccinated barangay officials. It can deter deliberate inaccuracies by picking a One problem is whether the DILG has the ca- few barangays at random for verification with local pability to verify the accuracy of the inventories. government and health officials. Pandemic restric-
Editorial
AS the whole world feels battle fatigue and desperation in fighting the nearly two-year war against COVID-19 and its variants, a little bit of victory in some battles gives some European countries a bit of impetus to change their strategies and tactics in order to keep the momentum of rebuilding their nations going. And Americans are watching closely. As the New York Times reported, “For Italy, France, and the UK, we see that the number of patients in hospital with COVID remains much lower than in previous waves. In the UK, 291 patients with coronavirus per million were in hospital on 10 January. Just under a year ago, the ratio stood at 576 per million. In France, the ratio stood at 347 per million on the same day, compared with a high of 490 in November.” “In Spain, for instance, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared last week that citizens would “have to learn to live with it, as we do with many other viruses,” and said that the country should adjust the national approach to more closely align with how it handles influenza outbreaks. Olivier Véran, the French health minister, said recently that France’s high level of infection and strong vaccination rate could “maybe” mean
this would be the final wave,” the Times report added. Those who push the U.S government to relax restrictions and be bold like these EU countries so businesses can rebuild faster pick up on this boldness, seemingly ignoring the fact about one very important difference in our trajectories in this war: the U.S.’ peak in the rate of infection and hospitalization is in an uptick, and the peak is yet to come. In the U.S., “411 US COVID19 patients per million people were in hospital as of 9 January - surpassing a previous peak of 400 per million set on 14 January 2021,” BBC News reported. This is a hard and bitter pill of a fact to swallow, considering the reality that the United States, the most powerful and richest country in the world that has led the nation in the fight against pandemics and epidemics in the past would lag behind other industrialized countries in this fight against COVID. We produce most of these life-saving vaccines, remember? We lead in the research and development of our arsenals in the fight against the invisible enemy, right? This is explained by Dr. Mark Cameron, an associate professor in the department of population and quantitative health sciences
LAST Thursday, January 13, at ANC’s Headstart with Karen Davila, I had the opportunity to give a rundown on the situation in the United States and how FilipinoAmericans are faring amid the COVID-19 pandemic. No doubt the Omicron variant is rampaging across the globe with the U.S. registering one of the highest rates of infection, averaging more than 750,000 cases a day in the past week alone. According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the medical adviser to President Biden, most Americans will likely get infected by Omicron, saying the variant will find “just about everybody.” Unfortunately for a first world country like the U.S., only 62 percent of Americans have been fully vaccinated, with only 23 percent having received boosters according to CDC data. About 65 million have yet to be vaccinated – a problem the U.S. faces as hospitals are completely overwhelmed with unvaccinated and
at Case Western University in Ohio, in the BBC News report. Dr. Cameron believes “the U.S. is suffering from ‘a perfect storm’ of COVID-19, co-morbidities, uneven access to health care and hostility to vaccines, masks, and other preventative measures.” “When all of that ‘perfect storm’ nature of vulnerabilities that are unique to the U.S. combine, you’ve got an outbreak of the virus that can quickly lead from increased cases to increased hospitalisations, which tax the local hospitals and health community.” Let us talk about numbers to substantiate this. “Just over 63% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated, much lower than in the UK (71%) as well as Italy and France (both 75%). In Canada, almost 79% of the population is fully protected,” BBC News report stated. Let’s talk about organized institutional resistance to the life-saving vaccine and mask mandates. There are still Americans who do not believe in vaccines and are sick and tired of wearing masks despite the glaring facts that these have been saving lives. They continue to spread misinformation and disinformation against these public safety measures, demonize our scientists, health officials, and the federal
and state governments who fight hard day and night to save lives. Then there are also those Americans who are so obsessed and fixated with their personal liberties instead of focusing on the safety and wellness of people during wartime like where we are right now. They filed cases before the Supreme Court, which, by the way, now has the majority of justices, thanks but no thanks to Donald Trump. Unfortunately, this same SC blocked the Biden Administration’s vaccine-or- mask mandates for big employers. The dissenting opinion as penned by Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan “expressed incredulity at the court’s willingness to frustrate “the federal government’s ability to counter the unparalleled threat that Covid-19 poses to our nation’s workers.” Talk about being pro-life, well this is definitely antithetical to what these dissenters in the Conservative party claim they are fighting for. Let us talk about a real-life experience. My husband and I were privileged to travel twice to Europe in 2021 — to Spain, France and Germany and the Netherlands. Despite the pandemic, we felt safe. We saw how most of the
people, and I mean a vast majority of them, sacrifice a little of their liberties for the greater good. They get vaccinated, they use their health passes to show proof of vaccination to eat out, attend concerts, join public events. They wear masks, urge people to wear masks indoors. They do not whine. They do not curse their government because they know and understand that saving lives is the obligation not only of the government, but of the citizens. Here in the U.S., We have so many “pasaway,” trying to game the system for their own personal selfish reasons. The Times report added that “the World Health Organization cautioned this week against treating the virus like the seasonal flu, saying it was too soon to make that call. Much about the disease remains unknown, the W.H.O. said. And a surge in cases driven by the Omicron variant is still battering the continent, while the population of much of the world remains vulnerable because of a lack of widespread vaccination, and more variants are still likely to arise.” And so to answer my own question in the title of this piece: NO. The United States is not yet in the position to be bold like most EU countries. Before we
can even claim that for ourselves, let us do our part in getting fully vaccinated and boosted. Let’s agree to use health passes. Let us get tested so we can self-isolate to avoid spreading the virus and killing the more vulnerable people like the chronically ill with co-morbidities, the old and the children. Let us start thinking less of ourselves and more of the what will be good for the community. Then, maybe, we can be bold because we have all collectively done our responsibility to be part of the solution instead of the problem. Then and only then, can we be bold when we finally work TOGETHER to save the lives of our people, and not side with the invisible enemy. *** 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.
Filipino health workers: The best worldwide
Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ
tions entail heavy sacrifices, and a sure way to promote non-compliance is the selective application of the rules. (Philstar.com)
Is the US really in the position to ‘learn to live with COVID’ like some EU countries?
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS
Philstar.com photo
immunocompromised individuals manifesting serious illness. It’s very clear that those who have been fully vaccinated and received booster shots have better protection, and even if they contract the Omicron, they will most likely dodge getting severely ill. We’re very glad that – judging from the reports that our consulates from Guam all the way to New York have received – most Filipinos in the U.S. have been vaccinated and have received booster shots. There is concern though regarding the risk that Filipino and Filipino-American nurses and health care workers are facing because the number of days for isolating people who tested positive for COVID-19 has been reduced to five, the same for those who have also been in contact with those who tested positive. At the same time, asymptomatic health care workers who are fully vaccinated or have received a booster can continue to work, according to the new guidelines which are still being debated by experts however. While there is continued discussion about the Omicron
variant, there are indications that the wave is peaking in some states. And although the Delta variant remains dominant globally, experts believe Omicron could become the most prevalent variant within the first quarter of 2022. Researchers believe that the transmissibility of Omicron could hasten the transition of COVID-19 from pandemic to endemic, with those who have survived emerging with a degree of “natural immunity” that would provide protection against the next variant of concern. The good news is that once the situation transitions into endemic, COVID-19 can be managed similar to the flu. Spain is the first country to declare that the COVID-19 pandemic should now be considered as endemic. Spain has a 90 percent vaccination rate, and its death rate has dropped to one percent. During the interview with Karen, I was asked to give my assessment on our current relationship with the United States. I told Karen – we are definitely in a very good place now as far as our relationship with the U.S.
is concerned. There is clear mutual trust and respect, which is extremely important for both countries. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also said it in no uncertain terms when he visited the Philippines last July that the U.S. will not take its friends and allies for granted. This is a message that bodes well for our relationship with the U.S. – we should not take them for granted, neither should they take us for granted. This is how things should be moving forward. One area that the U.S. is giving special attention to is climate change, with the Philippines among the most vulnerable when it comes to natural disasters, seen in the recent onslaught of Typhoon Odette whose damage to agriculture has risen to over P13 billion. The U.S. government through USAID has allocated over $20 million in humanitarian assistance to help communities rebuild. The U.S. is also prepared to help ensure our clean energy goals through small modular reactors that can help lessen our heavy dependence on fossil fu-
els, especially coal. On the upcoming May elections, the U.S. is obviously interested and is keenly watching. There are over 4.5 million Filipino-Americans living in the U.S., and American legislators are well aware of the special ties between our two countries. What is important to our friends and allies is for the elections to be clean and credible. U.S. government officials made it very clear to us that they have no problem dealing with any of the major presidential candidates, being well aware of their backgrounds. They are fully prepared to work with any leader who has been duly elected by the Filipino people. I have always believed that a great anchor in the special friendship between the Philippines and the United States is our personal, deep people-topeople ties. Many Americans have a strong affiliation towards the Philippines, and many of my friends would like to visit again. Our friend, Moderna’s vice president Patrick Bergstedt, visited Palawan with his family years ago. “I really loved the
Philippines and the people. I’m eager to go back,” he said. These are the same comments I hear from many of my American friends. During my discussions with U.S. officials and legislators, the talk would inevitably turn to Filipino nurses and health care workers who are very much appreciated because they are dedicated, hardworking and very competent – which is why they are most sought after and considered among the best in the world. If so many Americans and other nationalities have come to appreciate the Philippines and its people so much, certainly we should not wish our country ill and instead be grateful for our blessings. No matter what our political persuasion is, we should be proud of our country. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • January 20-26, 2022
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‘Number of pregnant women contracting COVID-19 increasing’ by Mayen JayMalin Philstar.com
MANILA — Doctors are seeing a remarkable rise in the number of pregnant women getting infected with the coronavirus disease in the last several weeks. This was confirmed by both the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) and the Philippine Society of Maternal and Fetal Medicine (PSMFM) in a virtual briefing on Wednesday, January 12. “Speaking from my personal experience in the last 10 weeks, all my patients are COVID positive,” MONDAY COMMUTE. Passengers queue at the EDsA Carousel Nepa Q-Mart station in Quezon City on Monday, January 17. Commuters have to said Dr. Carmela Madrigal-Dy, present vaccination cards before boarding public transport as the “no vaccination, no ride entry” in Metro Manila takes effect, in compliance PSMFM president. with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to restrict the movement of unvaccinated persons. PNA photo by Joey O. Razonn Dr. Maria Julieta Germar, POGS Clinical Consensus and Working Group chair, said there is no official data yet, but many of their admitted
Pacquiao ‘excited to join’ presidential debates by neil
arwin Mercado Inquirer.net
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao said on Thursday, January 20 he is “excited to join” any presidential debate leading to the May 9 national elections this year. Pacquiao said the debates will be a good avenue for the candidates to lay down their platform and programs for the country. “I’m ready and excited to join any presidential debate,” the presidential aspirant said in a statement. “Itong mga debate ng mga
gustong mamuno sa ating bansa ay isang magandang paraan upang aming mailahad ang aming saloobin, layunin at programa para sa bayan at para sa ating mga mamamayan,” he added. (The debate is a good way to lay down our opinions, goals, and programs for the country and our countrymen.) Moreover, Pacquiao said the debates will also be a good venue for candidates to talk about their experiences prior to entering politics and eventually seeking the top government position in the country. “Ito na po ang panahon at
pagkakataon para manalo ang mahihirap (This is the time and opportunity for the poor to win),” the world boxing champion-turnedpolitician said. Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez previously said the poll body will hold a hybrid primary debate for national candidates this January. The hybrid debate, he explained, will be conducted with candidates attending in person while the audience would be watching online in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be three presidential debates and three vice-presidential debates, according to Comelec. n
by Bernadette
taMayo ManilaTimes.net
SEN. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he will not allow extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under his administration if elected president in the May 2022 national polls. The senator and Partido Reporma standard bearer in a radio interview on Thursday said EJK is a form of theft, specifically “stealing lives.” Lacson is seeking the presidency in the upcoming 2022 national elections on the platform of good governance and the elimination of crime and corruption under the mantra “Aayusin ang Gobyerno, Uubusin ang Magnanakaw” (Fix the Government, Get Rid of the Thieves). He said the stories of civilians
getting their lives cut short because of EJK at the height of the bloody war on drugs and the pervading culture of impunity “are something that Filipinos would neither be forced to accept nor endure under a Lacson administration.” He reiterated his commitment to wipe out thieves and turn the wheels of justice in favor of the oppressed and the aggrieved when he receives the mandate to lead the country in the next six years. Lacson considered EJK as a form of theft as well since those who have committed such violent crimes robbed their victims of their precious lives—something that could never be recovered once stolen. “’The EJK is a form of theft in that you are deliberately taking the life [of your victim] outside of what
for their own and their babies’ protection. Except for the Russia-made Sputnik V, all available vaccines against COVID-19 are safe for pregnant and lactating women, doctors said. They disputed the misconception that COVID-19 vaccines can cause miscarriage and infertility. “As shown by many studies, COVID vaccines are proven safe during pregnancy and for breastfeeding mothers,” said Dr. Sybil Lizzane Bravo, Philippine Infectious Disease Society in Obstetrics and Gynecology president. She even pointed out that vaccines were proven to provide protection against COVID-19 infection for up to six months for infants born to vaccinated mothers. n
‘Caregivers should be a priority’: Advocates...
PAGE 2 grandmother, who was in a vegetative state. I just thought that was part of being Filipino, caring for our older relatives.” In 2014, her great aunt became physically dependent after suffering a stroke and since Dominguez had a job that allowed her to work from home, she took the responsibility of helping her great aunt take her medicine, go to the doctor, and prepare her meals. But after her great aunt passed away in 2017 — shortly after which she lost her other job — Dominguez decided to is called the rule of law,” Lacson apply to become a licensed said in Filipino and English. practical nurse (LPN). For the He said that acts of stealing last five years, Dominguez, 38, are not just limited to the intent has worked at a nursing home of taking material possessions or properties without the consent of their rightful owners, but also lives and opportunities for a better future, especially for the minors who PAGE 4 have fallen victims to EJK and other of Vice President Leni Robredo crimes, including corruption. The Partido Reporma chair- noted that the decision made it man cited the case of Kian de very clear that Marcos was conlos Santos, 17, who was killed by victed for the crime of non-filing Caloocan City policemen during of income tax return and senan alleged buy bust operation in tenced to pay deficiency income tax and fine. August 2017. “The Second Division also reThe former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) also ceived the Certification from the deplored that other young Filipinos Clerk of Court of the Quezon City were treated as “collateral damage Regional Trial Court that Marcos in the badly orchestrated Philip- has not paid the fine to the court. Not having paid the fine, Marcos pine drug war.” n
Lacson won’t allow EJKs if elected president
pregnant patients at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila tested positive for the infection since the start of the year. “More and more of them are positive, but many of them are what’s called ‘incidental positive’ – they felt no symptoms or had a mild symptom like a cold then tested positive,” Germar said.?She also clarified that most of the pregnant women who tested positive for COVID-19 were confined in the hospital due to other medical reasons. Dr. Marilyn Dee, POGS president, said hospitals are requiring pregnant women to get tested for COVID-19 and, surprisingly, many of them turned out positive. Because of this development, doctors are encouraging pregnant and lactating women to get themselves vaccinated and boosted
in Northern California; it’s a job she loves, but she admits the COVID-19 pandemic has made the job “a hundred times harder.” “Every day I’m worried I’ll catch COVID, and amazingly, I haven’t yet. But we’ve seen so many patients suffer and a few have died in our facility before we had vaccines,” Dominguez said, adding that access to PPE, ventilators and other necessities was difficult during the first year of the pandemic. She continued, “I wish these politicians did more to provide for [those of] us who work in elder care facilities. We are in health care so it would make sense to put us in the same category as hospital workers,
but I understand that it’s generally been difficult for all of us.” As the omicron variant continues to complicate daily life, Dominguez said she hasn’t had any plans to quit her caregiving job. Despite its difficulties and oftentimes feeling hopeless, she knows that quitting would make her feel worse. “I understand the desire to just quit. I’ve seen many LPNs and nurses quit. But knowing me, I would feel terrible about the patients I leave behind,” she said. “I don’t want to quit, but I wish that the health care industry would take us caregivers and elder care workers seriously.” n
‘Petitioners, not Marcos, made... has not served his sentence after all these years and remains a certified convict up to now,” the group said. “While we understand and respect the authority of the Comelec, 1Sambayan will continue to monitor the developments in this issue,” it added. According to 1Sambayan, dismissal of the petition is not final and is subject to appeal, noting that the issue of whether a crime involves “moral turpitude” is a
matter that the Supreme Court can decide upon. “Marcos remains a convicted criminal who has not served his sentence. Reasonable people can agree that such a person should not hold public office,” said 1Sambayan. “The question to the Filipino people is, do they want a person who has been convicted of a crime, and who has not served his sentence up to now, to be their President?” it added. n
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Albie describes what it’s like living with ADHD SB19 retains no. 1 spot on Billboard Hot Trending Songs for six weeks by Nathalie
tomada Philstar.com
ALBIE Casiño said he’s always been open about having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but it was through his recent Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) stint that his condition drew more public attention. “I’ve always been open about it ever since I found out. To me, it’s just telling someone, ‘Allergic ako sa alimango,’ parang ganun lang,” the PBB: Kumunity Season 10 celebrity housemate recently told The STAR in an exclusive Zoom interview. When Albie came out of the PBB house, he realized that being forthright about it was a big deal for other people. “Dun ko lang talaga na-realize that a lot of people are, I guess, nahihiya or ashamed to talk about it. So sobrang happy ako na napakita ko sa kanila na di kayo dapat mahiya na may ganyan, di ba? It’s really nothing,” he said. The ABS-CBN actor shared that he’s been fully aware of his condition since he was 10. “I’m 28 years old now, so 18 years ko ng alam eh. Kumbaga sanay na ako mabuhay na merong ganun. I don’t know what life is like without it,” he said. “It’s just something that’s there for me, na my whole life I had to deal with it. I don’t feel any different. In the States, it’s a disability but I don’t feel disabled. I think I’m able to do everything that everyone is able to do,” he added. Albie recalled that he was first diagnosed with ADHD while in grade school at Ateneo de Manila University. “They would notice that when it came to written exams, super bano ko, like super bagsak. But oral recitation, magaling daw ako sa oral recitation. They know alam ko ang sagot but pagdating sa paper, di ko na alam ang sagot.” The school made him undergo a series of tests and then informed his parents of the results. “Of course, our parents, ayaw nila marinig yan na may diperensya yung anak mo, ganun-ganun. So, they took me to a second opinion na nag-diagnose din sa akin. And they brought me to a place called WorldLab in New Manila and it really deals with helping kids with learning disabilities,” he said. He eventually moved to a smaller school, Victory Christian School, with only 14 students in his batch when they graduated. “To this day, I know those kids and
by aNNe
Pasajol Inquirer.net
SB19 continues their reign in Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart, occupying the no. 1 spot for six weeks with their song “Bazinga.” SB19’s “Bazinga” is now tied with the global K-pop sensation BTS’ “Butter,” which also topped the charts for six weeks in November to December, as per BillAlbie Casiño
CarrasCo ManilaTimes.net
iii
AS of writing, Jomari Yllana has yet to respond to his elder brother Anjo’s allegations that he and girlfriend Abby Viduya had something to do with his “missing” campaign funds. Anjo had withdrawn his congressional bid in the fourth district of Camarines Sur, citing his inca-
Jomari Yllana
streak at No. 1 on the [Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs!] Thank you for everything A’TIN!” Meanwhile, “BAZINGA KEEP THE BUZZ” also topped the Twitter trending list, with over 600, 000 tweets, as of writing. SB19 released the “Bazinga” music video last October, which showed their action-packed journey as video game characters. The music video has so far garnered 3.9 million views.
ABS-CBN photo
their parents kasi 14 lang kami, mas marami pa sa Bahay ni Kuya,” he quipped. After that, he went to La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) for high school because he wanted to prove a point. He said, “Ang ni-recommend ng mga doctors sa akin before, ‘wag ako ilalagay sa environment na sobrang daming tao kasi mabilis yung attention span, mabilis lumipat. “Dapat small environment, maximum of 20 students. (But I thought), ipapakita ko na kaya ko gawin, and I was able to graduate from LSGH and juggling acting (work) at the same time.” Given the nature and environment of showbiz, Albie remembered experiencing anxiety when he was younger but not due to ADHD. Without going into detail, he candidly said, “May konting anxiety especially nung bata ako and especially nung pinagdadaanan ko yung mga issues ko before.” “But, I think, that (anxiety) was more stemming from the issues than the ADHD. I was getting anxiety kasi, ‘Oh man, pinag-uusapan naman nila yung issue ko. Oh man, may press na naman dito, itatanong na naman nila yun.’ That’s where the anxiety comes from.” Looking back, he never felt discriminated against in showbiz because of his condition, though there were times when he had to explain to some co-artists. “Sasabihin ko, I have ADHD and dyslexia, and they’ll go, ‘Ah, kaya pala’ or ‘ah OK.’ Alam mo yun? Na-ge-gets nila. ‘Kaya pala ang daldal mo,’ siguro yan sinasabi nila (laughs).” When asked if his condition posed some challenges while inside the PBB house, where he stayed for 21 days, he said, “Na-
hirapan ako sa PBB but di ko alam if nahirapan ako dahil sa condition ko or dahil nahirapan lang talaga ako. Because I don’t really know what it’s like to live without it.” As to how it worked to his advantage during his reality show stint, he said, “Based kay Dr. Randy (Dellosa), the in-house psychiatrist of PBB, sabi niya sa akin, yung high-energy ko daw, dun ko nakukuha, so I guess that’s an advantage for me.” Albie further said, “Mas nahihirapan lang ako sa ibang bagay, pero may ibang bagay naman akong ginagawa na nahihirapan din yung ibang tao. (Like) I work out twice a day, three hours each time.” He also thinks that is why he’s into rap and he’s good with punchlines because “siguro yung bilis ng isip ko…” “And sa pag-ho-host ko, natutulungan niya ako dun,” the actor, who also runs his own podcast and YouTube show titled Stallion Talk. Albie could be a celebrity ambassador for efforts to raise awareness and help erase any stigma surrounding the condition, which has been described by the ADHD Society of the Philippines as a “common serious neuro-biological disorder in every country affecting some three to four percent of the country’s population.” He’s very open and willing to speak up more about living with ADHD on bigger platforms. “I don’t know how I can but if there are people who want to get me to talk about it, I’m very willing to talk about it. Kasi feeling ko, I don’t want people to look at it and say, ‘Di ko kaya dahil may ganyan.’ Kaya mo yan! Anybody else can do talaga,” he said. “Hopefully, they’ll (organizations) reach out after this,” he ended.
Jomari still mum on brother Anjo’s allegations by roNNie
board‘s report on Wednesday, Jan. 19. “Bazinga” debuted in the list in the first week of December. The P-pop group announced their record-tying reign on their Twitter page yesterday, Jan. 19. They also expressed their gratitude to their fans, A’TIN, while referring to lyrics from the song. “HATE NIYO’Y GASOLINAAA, YEAH,” they said. “‘Bazinga’ is officially tied at having the longest
the Camp Crame. Early on, Anjo wouldn’t identify who he claimed had duped him. He kept referring to the anonymous person/s as “katiwala” in whom he had put so much trust. Not long after, Anjo dropped the names of Jomari and Abby. To this day, Jomari hasn’t come forward to exonerate himself. It’s his girlfriend who took to Facebook her rant against Anjo the “blind item way.” Abby retaliated in the form of a poem. Part of her post reads: “Look inside yourself, Words you use that stab like a knife pieces more at your soul with each single strike, You plan and calculate your next vile attack, and when you do I won’t strike back, My life is like a book, I have nothing to hide, You boast of you endeavors, and gloat with pride, How strange someone like you can’t see the damage you do to yourself and not me.” In essence, all that Abby is saying — as far as she’s concerned — is only the truth. Also, that would be the last time she’d ever dignify the issue. She ends her ode with, “Go get a life and stop meddling with mine.” Why is Jomari letting his girlfriend speak on his behalf? If, I repeat, if there’s a tinge of truth to Anjo’s accusations mainly against Jomari, why is Abby (who’s just his girlfriend) putting herself on the line? It is unfortunate that this had to happen to the Yllana brothers, and money being the root of all this deplorable issue. So, shall we say: move aside, TV5 photo Barretto sisters?
pacity to fund his candidacy. He disclosed that he was no longer receiving the P500,000 monthly contribution from his sponsor, and is heaping the blame on the couple. What has made matters even worse, Anjo shared, is that Jomari had brainwashed his family by concocting lies. Anjo then challenged the couple to a lie detector test preferably at
SB19
Photo from Facebook/SB19
Julie Anne on possible relationship with Rayver by jaN
milo severo Philstar.com
KAPUSO star Julie Anne San Jose revealed that she’s open to the possibility of a romantic relationship with her best friend Rayver Cruz. At the virtual press conference for her new single “Everybody Hurts” with Christian Bautista yesterday, Julie Anne said that God will take care of it if it’s meant to be. “Masaya naman pong maging masaya. Happy lang. Si Lord naman po nakakaalam ng lahat. ‘Yon lang po masasabi ko. We’ll see,” Julie Anne said. The Universal Records hit maker also said that she and Rayver are really close to each other. “We’ve always been close. Sobrang close po talaga namin ni Rayver. We enjoy each other’s company. Sobrang okay talaga kaming dalawa,” she said. She also admitted that it is Rayver who she always turns to if she needed someone to talk to. “We’ve always been close and si Rayver best friends talaga kami niyan. We’ve been close for a very long time na. Actually, isa talaga siya sa mga taong nakakaintindi sa akin, isa siya sa mga taong napakukwentuhan ko ng ano na meron sa akin, kung ano ‘yung problema ko, pinagdadaanan ko like matters of heart, family,” she said. “So yes, I’m always been comfortable with him kasi mabuti siyang tao, very thoughtful,” she added. Meanwhile, Julie Anne and Christian continue to expand their repertoire with the release of their brand new collaboration track, “Everybody Hurts” under Universal Records. The song is a perfectly blended mix of pensive harmonies and cathartic vocals from the two multi-awarded OPM stars. The collab track was produced by a Swedish production company that also worked with acts like BTS, Icono Pop, Red Velvet, The Veronicas, TWICE, and many others. “Everybody Hurts” features the theme of perseverance and positivity – something that the world needs more than ever right now. The song lays bare the struggles of people who face harsh realities each and every day. While today’s society really needs heroes and some of us are given a great gift of persistence, resilience, and fortitude, we’re not totally invincible. Even the strongest and most capable person gets hurt and needs saving. The song provides listeners a dose of inspiration and reassurance that everybody may feel
Raver Cruz and Julie Anne San Jose
GMA photo
hurt and down sometimes, but a great tune to remind you of you’ll surely find better days if your worth and when you need you keep your head up high. It’s to pick yourself up.
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • January 20-26, 2022
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January 20-26, 2022 • LaS VEGaS aSIan JOurnaL
Federal Taxation of Nevada LLC
Tax Tips Victor Sy, MBA, cPA (retired) TaxaTion of nevada LLCs is administered on three levels: federal, state, and local. 1. Federal Taxation: Your LLC does not pay federal taxes as an LLC. instead, it elects to be taxed as disregarded (sole proprietorship), corporation or partnership. Sole proprietorships do not pay taxes; instead, income is reported on Schedule C of your personal tax returns. Corporations by default are C corporations that
Health @Heart PhiliP S. chuA, Md, FAcS, FPcS WHERE does oxygen come from? oxygen, which makes up about 20% of the air we breathe in, is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is essential for the production of energy and, therefore, to life. its main source is from living green plants. The ambient air we inhale is absorbed by the lungs which “extracts” and filters oxygen, which then combines with hemoglobin (red pigment in blood cells). The resultant oxyhemoglobin is circulated throughout the body by the pumping action of the heart to supply oxygen to the entire body. Some tissues in our body are more sensitive than others to oxygen deprivation. The brain is super-sensitive to lack of oxygen. it “dies” in about 34 minutes after oxygen delivery ceases (as in suffocation, drowning or cardiac arrest). What is dyslexia? “Word blindness” is a term commonly used to describe this condition where the person, starting from childhood, has extreme difficulty with reading and writing. about 10% of children are dyslexic, and it is more common among boys. Dyslexia, which may be inherited, is caused by a localized brain lesion, where there is a certain number of brain cells being “faulty,” or there is delayed or incomplete development of the brain. These children are noT brain-damaged. Usually, these youngsters are not recognized as dyslexic and may be thought of as lazy, disobedient, bored, problem kids and can be relegated to the background as dumb. Early detection is important for those affected to be able to benefit from special schooling and catch up in their learning skills. With early and proper training, many of them can grow up to be very successful individuals. What causes lead poisoning among children? ingestion of lead is the obvious cause, and the sources could be inhaling lead from the leaded paint used inside, say, a classroom, where children stay for hours. in the United States, it is a legal requirement to use only unleaded paint, especially in schools, etc. Toddlers can also get poisoned by the paint chips from cribs, toys, pencils and other objects with lead. Parents can prevent poisoning in general by being aware and being cautious of the environment and items their children are exposed to. We can never be too careful when it comes to our children’s health. Are tampons safe? if used properly, yes, the new tampons are fairly safe. in 1978, a worldwide phenomenon called
pay taxes at the entity level. You pay taxes again at the personal level when you receive earnings from the corporation. This is called double taxation. Bad. Solution is to elect S status. S corporations do not pay federal taxes; instead, net income is passed on to you personally. You pay when you file personal income tax on Form 1040. 2. State Taxation: nevada does not tax sole proprietorships, corporations or partnerships. 3. Local Taxation: City taxes depend on particular city where your LLC is domiciled. Taxation of LLCs by Default: • A Nevada LLC with one Member is taxed as a Disregarded Entity (sole proprietorship).
Fe atu re s
• A Nevada LLC with two or more Members is taxed as a Partnership (general or limited partnership). • If you don’t want these defaults, elect to be taxed as a corporation. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV – Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation. *** He retired after 50 years of defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He published a book on “How to Avoid or Survive IRS Audits” that’s available at Amazon. Readers may email tax questions to vicsy@live.com.
Wisdom vs COVID
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) was first described, with symptoms ranging from high fever, skin rash, fall in blood pressure, severe eye infection, headaches, disorientation, joint and muscle pains, diarrhea and kidney failure. The victims were females (average age 23) having their normal menstrual period. a number of deaths from TSS has been reported. implicated was the use of super-absorbency tampons, which acted as a culture medium for the staphylococcal infection in the vagina. The longer the tampon was left in the vagina, the greater the risk. The toxin or poison produced by the staphylococci caused the serious illnesses described above. Most patients recovered after appropriate treatment of intravenous fluids and antibiotics, but at a later stage lost the skin of their palms and soles, the face and even the tongue. Mortality rate for TSS is about 2 or 3 percent. Tampons should be changed 3 to 4 times a day, even if not fully stained to prevent TSS. This makes it a bit too expensive. a time-proven safer alternative is the use of sanitary pads. Does a pet help pre-m women? Yes, this is no fable. it has been shown that pre-menopausal women who owned a pet they could communicate with (like a dog or a cat), and who kept them company, went through this change in their life and physiology with much less pain and agony. The constant companionship and love the pets gave these suffering women provided the much-needed love, sense of loyalty and security during this formidable stage in their life. For one thing, these pets do not complain and do not answer back. They give their love totally, genuinely and unconditionally. Because of these attributes, pets are considered by some people as “better than some friends and family members.” COVID-19 updates As of 11:30 AM (CST) Tuesday, January 18, 2022, there were 332,280,117 cases of CoViD19 worldwide, with 5,566,715 deaths, and 269,571,029 who have recovered. at that same time in the United States, there were 67,633,1409 cases and 874,347 deaths, and in the Philippines, 3,270,758 cases and 28,471 deaths. Records show daily hospitalization at 156,515 (5,109 of them children). omicron (developed in human – mostly unvaccinated – bodies after 50 mutations), albeit apparently milder but highly transmissible, is causing havoc around the world. First reported in South africa on november 26, 2021, omicron could have actually started in Europe, according to an article from the netherlands. Those with the booster are better protected although not 100 percent, but the vaccines provide a significant degree of protection from omicron.
Vaccination remains to be the best preventive measure together with frequent handwashing, masking, social distancing, and avoiding crowds by limiting our travels to essential chores only. More than 95 percent of those infected recently were unvaccinated. almost 9 million children have been infected by CoViD-19 since the pandemic started. During the first week of January 2022 alone, there were 580,247 children infected. omicron is super contagious. if needed, drug firms are ready to develop (within 100 days) a tailored, custom-made, vaccine specifically for omicron. The newest variant, Deltacron, is being closely monitored. Eating in a restaurant, or group eating and conversation, appear to increase the risk of getting infected, as masks are removed to eat and conversation sends the virus flying in the air and inhaled by others in the room. Symptoms from omicron could rapidly manifest within 6 hours from exposure. CoViD-19 test kits are available for free which started on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, and could be ordered online and at your nearest pharmacy. Since the pandemic started on January 19, 2020 (CDC reported it two days later), handshaking, hugging, and most body contact were abandoned by people, and wisely so. and being social beings, we all miss such rapport and intimacy. While many are still arrogant, careless, even reckless, most have accepted they are mortal and could be killed by this stealth virus and treat this killer with humility and extreme caution. Vaccination and wisdom are two effective weapons against this deadly nemesis. May God bless all of us with an abundance of the second to help end this pandemic sooner than later.
*** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
Jessy reacts to comments about her body, ability to get pregnant by Anne
PAsAjol Inquirer.net
JESSY Mendiola still is not one to back off from unsolicited comments, especially those questioning her body, as she wittily responded to one about her physique and pregnancy plans. Mendiola gave fans a glimpse of her toned body in a video of her exercising and lifting dumbbells, as seen on her instagram page on Monday, Jan. 17. “Started the year right during our stay in Baguio. napakain ng madami kaya dapat mag-exercise (I ate a lot so I need to exercise),” she said. in the same post, one @modznaabdullah commented about the actress’ abs, while asking about her plans of getting pregnant. “[nagpapa-abs], [walang balak] mag buntis?” the netizen said. (Working on your abs, do you not have plans of getting pregnant?) “Porket may abs bawal mabuntis?” Mendiola then quipped.
Jessy Mendiola
(Just because I have abs, I can’t get pregnant?) Fans then expressed their agreement with Mendiola, stressing how exercising actually helps in trying to get pregnant.
Photo from Instagram/@senorita_jessy
Mendiola, who is married to actor-TV host Luis Manzano, recently revealed that getting pregnant is her current priority, adding that she hopes to have twins.
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Kate finds playing villain roles fun: It kind of suits me by AllAn
PolicArPio Inquirer.net
WHiLE her fans and the people around her have been persuading Kate Valdez to join beauty pageants, the young actress doesn’t see herself making a career move like that any time soon. “i have been getting a lot of words of encouragement. But i don’t think I’m ready for something like that. Just looking at the kind of training aspiring beauty queens go through makes me feel pressured. I think I’m OK with the pressure of show biz and acting,” she said in a virtual conference for her contract renewal with Sparkle (GMA Artist Center). in any case, Kate feels honored that even past beauty titleholders—including Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa— see potential in her. “i recently met MJ Lastimosa during a taping for ‘All-Out Sundays.’ Kinukulit nya ako. She said, ‘ano na, try mo mag-pageant … I also didn’t have plans of joining at first. But I said, ‘I don’t think I can!’” she related, laughing. Pageants The last time Kate did anything that resembled a pageant was for a school program during her elementary days. “Pageants are just very different—the gestures, how the contestants act and project. I don’t think I can do all those things onstage, because i find it nerve-racking,” she said. “oK na ako sa acting!” The 21-year-old GMA artist recently starred in the “Love on air” installment of the romance anthology “Stories from the Heart.” She played a bubbly radio disc jockey, which, she said, was a refreshing change from the contravida roles she often gets. “My character there was very jolly. And I’m glad I was given a role like that because it’s closer to my real-life personality,” said Kate who has also appeared in drama series like, “onanay,”
Kate Valdez
“Sherlock Jr.,” “anak ni Waray vs. anak ni Biday” and “Destiny Rose.” But should she continue playing villains or getting offbeat characters, she would be more than happy to do them. “When i first did a contravida role, i felt a mixture of fear, anxiety and nerves, because I didn’t have an idea how to do it. But after doing a couple of roles, i slowly came to appreciate it. I realized that it’s actually fun playing antagonists. and i think it kind of suits me.” Kate used to get paired with Migo Adecer. But with the “Starstruck” Season 6 winner taking a break from show biz to spend time with his family in australia, Kate is looking forward to working with different actors. “I’m open to love teams but i think it’s great to work with different people,” she said. Life amid the pandemic hasn’t been easy for Kate. not only did she find the new production setup difficult at first; she also had to cope with bouts of anxiety. “Taping is challenging because
GMA photo
you have to quarantine at a hotel and then go into a taping bubble. But I’m so thankful for all the blessings coming my way and the work opportunities GMA 7 are giving me,” she said. overwhelmed “at first, i was overwhelmed because i was used to working and getting tired. i get sad and feel negative emotions. anxiety was something I didn’t think I would experience. But luckily, i had my mother and sister to open up to,” she said. one good thing that happened, however, was that the extra time Kate has now allowed her to resume her school, which she had to put on hold for four years. “I’m currently in senior high school and was given the chance to continue my studies through online classes,” Kate said. needless to say, love life is something Kate doesn’t have time for at the moment. “I don’t have suitors. And I’m not complaining or seeking them. i need to focus and take care of myself first,” she said.
Alden’s food for the soul to prevent burnout by AllAn
PolicArPio Inquirer.net
ALDEN Richards isn’t one to publicize his charity work, so not a lot of people know that he has actually been sponsoring the education of underprivileged children and young adults for the past eight years. in fact, some of the scholars themselves didn’t know that it was the GMA 7 star helping them go to school. “It’s my food for the soul. Sometimes, in life, when you do the same things over and over again, burnout is always there. To get rid of that burnout, i find scholars or extend help to different foundations. But i don’t tell them it’s me—I ask others for help and do it for me,” he told the Inquirer in a virtual conference for his Jan. 30 documentary-style concert, “ForwARd: Meet Richard R. Faulkerson Jr.” “all i get are photos of them. They don’t know it’s me,” he added. “That’s how I have been doing it the past couple of years.” alden has sent 14 scholars to school: two of them recently graduated college with degrees in information technology and electrical energy, respectively; the others—whose grade levels range from elementary to college—are currently studying. “There was a time when i had no idea that i already had that many scholars. It’s usually after a payday that i look for new ones to help,” he related. Up until last year, his philanthropic efforts were mostly carried out by him and the people he closely worked with. But with the creation of Alden’s AR Foundation, Alden plans to expand the scope of his initiative. Formally registered last September, the charity organization aims “to raise and grant funds to scholars who aspire to achieve their full potential” and become “well-rounded, confident and responsible individuals.” Education is a matter alden feels strongly about, he said, because he knows what it was like having the desire — but not the resources — to study. ‘I know how it feels’ “Poverty is a hindrance to education. i know how it feels wanting to go to school, but not having means to do so. i experienced that when i was younger. And I don’t want that to happen to kids today. With this cause, i hope i can help break the cycle,” alden said. This project isn’t going to be a one-off thing. now, the 30-year-old actor has a team helping him map out his foundation’s future plans. “I have good people behind me.
Alden Richards
We have talked about how big our budget has to be by 2025 if we were to take this number of new scholars while sustaining the existing ones,” he related. “Granting scholarships is just the first stage… We have bigger plans in the coming years,” he added. “We want holistic development for the kids.” asked why he finally decided to make his efforts public, after years of working behind the scenes, alden said he wanted to let people know that, “in these trying times,” the aR Foundation’s doors are open. “i want to let them know that the foundation is there for deserving kids struggling with education,” he said. “in fact, we have already gotten a lot of inquiries.” Introducing the foundation inspired by documentaryinspired concert specials by foreign artists on streaming platforms, alden figured that the concept could be an effective way to introduce aR Foundation to the public. “i thought, ‘Why not do a concert, so the viewers can have a deeper understanding about how the foundation came about? Where is Alden coming from?’” he said. “i want to show [what] i stand for … fight for.” When some members of the show biz press pointed out that it was mature of him to pursue projects that some celebrities think of only toward the end of their careers, alden said losing his mother at an early
Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02
age compelled him to grow up faster. “i lost my mom at 17, so i matured early. i got motivated to help others,” he said. “it all started with my family. But now that I’m blessed with a good career, i have a bigger platform to spread influence,” he added. ‘A deeper calling’ Unlike his previous concerts that put the spotlight on him and his performing talent, the music setlist for “ForwaRd” is meant to accentuate its narrative: The life journey of Richard R. Faulkerson Jr.; how he became alden Richards we know now; the milestones; and the path that led him to creating his own foundation. (For tickets and more information, visit Ticket2me.net and aR Foundation’s official Facebook page.) Directed by Frank Lloyd Mamaril and produced by FLM Creatives and Productions, the fundraising digital show will have alden revisiting the place he grew up in Laguna, and doing production numbers with his foundation’s beneficiaries. “The way the songs and performances are laid out conforms to the narrative of the documentary… There are mellow and nostalgic songs and something happy and inspirational,” alden said. “What i had been showing about my life in my past shows was just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a deeper calling and I want to show that.”
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • January 20-26, 2022
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http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678