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JANUARY 21-27, 2022

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

New York City’s COVID-19 cases continue to decline MAYOR Eric Adams touted the city’s numbers at a briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 18 saying that 16 million doses have been administered, including 2.5 million booster shots, and that the number of COVID cases is beginning to drop.

“We have not won yet,” Mayor Adams said, “but we are winning.”

“The level of cases in New York City, they are declining, we know that there’s work to do and that still remained at very high level, but we’re seeing a leveling off, and we’re seeing a decline because of what you did,” Adams added. “We’re nowhere near where we ought to be and we want to move even further, to make sure that

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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, 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

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes universal health care, including for undocumented

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by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

Mayor Eric Adams at the vigil for Michelle Alyssa Go in Times Square on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. “This is New York City, the most diverse place on the globe,” Mayor Adams said. “It’s time for us to come together as a city and not allow these issues to take place. My heart goes out to this family.”

Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

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

Asian American leaders call for concrete, proactive solutions G. Visaya

AJPress

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

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

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Foreigners now required to show proof of vaccination before entry to PH by Feb. 16

Times Square vigil honors subway shove victim

by MoMar

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‘Caregivers should be a priority’: Advocates fight for recognition of caregivers as essential, frontline workers

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CALIFORNIA Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced his plan for universal healthcare, which would extend coverage to the state’s 1.1 million undocumented residents.

If approved, California would be the first state in the nation to provide universal health care.

Speaking at the Clinica Sierra Vista’s Lamont Center in Kern County, an agricultural region which serves as home to roughly 70,000 undocumented people, Newsom laid out his plan for universal access throughout the state, regardless of pre-existing conditions, ability to pay, or immigration status. Long-time labor activist Dolores Huerta and California state Assemblyman Rudy Salas took the mic to commend the governor on his proposal.

“This is a historic moment,” said Huerta.

“Thank you, Governor Newsom for including all undocumented people in your budget.

California is the first state in the nation to finally recognize our immigrants and their contributions,” she said, expressing her confidence that the state Legislature would pass the budget.

The $614 million proposal is part of

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.

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 JoAnn Yoo, executive director of the Asian American Federation.

In the statement, Yoo said that the horrific incident “is a reminder that the fear of anti-Asian violence in our community is well-funded,” citing an NYPD report last month that hate crimes targeting Asian Americans have risen by 361 percent.

“This latest attack causing the death of an Asian American woman in the Times Square subway station is particularly

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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:

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A health worker attends to patients at the Manila Manila COVID-19 field hospital at Quirino Grandstand on Thursday, January 13.

Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas

Duterte: Restrictions Isko offers free quarantine on unvaccinated are for the public good for returning Pinoys, OFWs MANILA — Individual rights must give way to the “the greatest good for the greatest number,” President Rodrigo Duterte said as he argued for restrictions on the unvaccinated that some sectors have said may be unconstitutional.

In pre-recorded comments, Duterte said that government is obligated to keep its people safe from the pandemic and that measures like having barangay officials list names of people in their villages who have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus are justified and do not violate the Constitution. “[E]ven if it is really a violation, at this time when there is a public — public ano, protection of the public, of the many, eh masasakripisyo talaga ‘yung the right will be — not really sacrificed — but must be below

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MANILA — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday, January 16 called on returning Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who test positive for COVID-19 to have themselves quarantined at the Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital (MCFH), where they will be accommodated free of charge.

“Access is available to them any time. Just tell the BOQ (Bureau of Quarantine) not to bring you to a hotel. You can request. Hanggang kaya, tutulong kami (While we can, we will help),” Moreno said.

According to Moreno, countless immigrants and

OFWs sent cash donations at the height of the pandemic in 2020, and giving free accommodation to OFWs and Filipino returnees is the city government’s little way of returning the favor or paying it forward.

Moreno assured the public that he and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna have been making sure that every single centavo that goes into the coffers of the city government is spent wisely and for the benefit of the greater majority.

He said all they ask in return is for the public to get vaccinated and continue observing basic health protocols to curb the

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JANUARY 21-27, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From The FronT Page

Officials struggle to regulate pop-up COVID testing sites — and warn patients to beware NEW YORK — In recent months, mobile COVID-19 testing tents and vans have sprouted on urban sidewalks and street curbs as demand has skyrocketed in response to the rapid spread of the omicron variant.

Some of the sites run by private companies offer legitimate, timely and reliable results, but others are more like weeds.

High demand and scarce supply opened the door to bad actors, and officials in some states are having a hard time keeping up their oversight amid the proliferation. And they are sounding the alarm that by visiting the pop-up industry’s sometimes makeshift tents, desperate patients could be putting their health, wallets and personal data at risk.

“These conditions change so rapidly,” said Gigi Gronvall, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security who leads the COVID-19 Testing Toolkit, which provides guidance to employers and others. “It’s not a surprise that these conditions were totally ripe for consumers to be gouged and to get fraudulent tests.”

Consumers seeking testing — either a rapid antigen test that provides results in under an hour or a polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test that generally takes longer but is more accurate — may think all testing sites are created equal, but they’re not. Unfortunately, telling the good from the bad is not always easy.

Consumers at testing sites in the Chicago area have encountered employees who aren’t wearing masks or gloves or have been asked to provide a Social Security or credit card number before a test is provided, said Dr. Eve Bloomgarden, who co-founded Illinois Medical Professionals Action Collaborative Team, an advocacy group.

Fake testing sites put consumers at risk for identity theft, inaccurate or missing test results, and financial losses if they’re charged for the tests, which are typically free to consumers.

“I don’t think we can put this on the public to know” which sites are legitimate, Bloomgarden said. “Guidance needs to be coming from the state and regulated at the public health level.”

Melaney Arnold, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Public Health, said state officials “are aware of complaints for various testing locations across the state” and are investigating. She said consumers should contact Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office if they are concerned about fraud or criminal activity at testing sites.

In Philadelphia, workers at a sidewalk COVID testing tent falsely claimed to be working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said James Garrow, communications director for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, in an emailed response to questions. But FEMA told the department it wasn’t funding any testing centers in the city at the time.

“Currently, there are no quick markers to help folks know if a site is legitimate or not,” Garrow said. “That’s why we’re investigating if it is possible to provide a placard to demonstrate that a site is legitimate.”

It’s hard to walk down a street in some parts of Manhattan without running into at least one or two of the pop-up sites. Leading up to the holidays, people stood in long lines in the cold waiting to be swabbed. Some vans and tents are clearly marked with company names, while others are operating out of what appear to be rental vans.

The sites were also ubiquitous in Los Angeles.

In some places, testing sites run by the same company were clustered within easy walking distance of one another. In the pre-holiday rush, the operator at a Crestview Clinical Laboratory site on Wilshire Boulevard, who wouldn’t give her name to a reporter, said she also provided a VIP service from another testing company for people willing to pay extra for rapid PCR tests.

Public health experts say they hope that concerns about a mobile test site’s legitimacy won’t deter people from getting tested.

Testing outdoors has advantages, too.

“If I had the choice between two options while there was a surge happening, one being completely outdoors and one indoors, I would choose the outdoor testing site,” said Denis Nash, a professor of epidemiology at the City University of New York. “And I would choose affordable home testing over both of those.”

In general, more testing is better than less.

“I tend not to care why people are testing,” Nash said. “If they are doing it to be safer at a party, great. But I do care if access is inequitable.”

Some testing operators are more prominent in neighborhoods where large shares of residents likely have health insurance rather than those where people are more likely to be without. For example, a map of testing locations for LabQ, a company that offers mobile COVID testing in the New York City area, shows dozens of spots in Manhattan but only a handful in the Bronx.

One weak spot in the system is that although city and state health departments keep close regulatory tabs on the labs that process COVID tests, they typically don’t regulate the site operators that administer the tests.

In Philadelphia, Garrow said, the only licensing requirement for COVID testing sites is that the lab they use have a license from the state health department showing that it meets federal standards under the law known as Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.

CLIA sets lab testing standards for accuracy, reliability and timeliness.

In Maryland, COVID testing sites must have a CLIA “waiver” from the federal government

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

US residents can now order free at-home...

PAGE 1 The tests available for order are rapid antigen athome 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

Isko offers free quarantine for returning...

PAGE 1 spread of COVID-19.

Moreno said those who will avail themselves of free accommodation at the MCFH, headed by Dr. Arlene Domingez, will find that the facilities are comfortable and patients do not have to spend a single centavo until they are fully cured.

“Welcome kayo sa Maynila.

We are offering the services for free. Komportable, walang u PAGE 4 tosgas. May aircon, maayos na

hospital beds, doctors, nurses, food, oxygen, gamot, WiFi at may libre chicha pa three times a day. Para nang sa ganun, ‘yung naipon ninyong pera di na masusugatan pa at maiuuwi ninyo nang buong-buo sa inyong tahanan,” Moreno said.

He said the city government had been receiving requests from OFWs and Filipino returnees for free accommodation, saying they do not want a good portion of their

savings going to hotel expenses alone.

Citing records provided by Dominguez, Moreno said that since Dec. 31, 2021, more than 100 OFWs and Filipino returnees were accommodated at a given time at the MCFH. Dominguez reported that only 105 out of the total of 344 beds in the hospital are occupied, unlike a week ago when the occupancy rate was at 93%. (Philstar.com) n

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 21-27, 2022

‘Caregivers should be a priority’...

PAGE 1 the majority of care is done by us: family members 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 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 apply to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). For the last five years, Dominguez, 38, has worked at a nursing home 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

Foreigners now required to show proof...

PAGE 1 • 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

3

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

Duterte: Restrictions on unvaccinated...

PAGE 1 always, it cannot go higher than the public good,” he said. “[T]hat’s a dictum that must be remembered when constitutional provisions are being put into issue,” the president also said.

Over the weekend, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government said barangay officials should list down the names of unvaccinated residents and told unvaccinated barangay captains — without legal basis — to resign or take a leave of absence.

“Obligado — obligasyon ng gobyerno kasi ‘yung may namatay, tapos ‘yung iba ayaw naman ‘yung sa bakuna,” Duterte said in his pre-recorded message.

(It is government’s obligation... people are dying and some

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. n President Rodrigo Duterte

don’t want to be vaccinated.)

Although Duterte has repeatedly hinted at making vaccines manadatory, there have been no moves in Congress to pass a law that would make it so. The Palace said last October that “the level of individuals who want to be vaccinated is already very high so maybe we don’t need it for now.”

Recent decisions by government agencies, though, have made it a requirement. On-site workers must be vaccinated while unvaccinated employees must get regular COVID-19 tests at their own expense. In areas under Alert Level 3, unvaccinated people are barred from malls, restaurants and other public places as well as on public transportation.

Vaccination in the Philippines was hampered in 2021 by a lack of supply, slow rollout and vaccination hesitancy among some sectors. Around 67.8% of Metro Manila residents are fully vaccinated.

The Commission on Human rights has warned that the “no vaccine, no ride” policy “effectively restricts the exercise and enjoyment of fundamental rights” while transportation workers’ group Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Transportasyon called it too cumbersome to implement.

“If unvaccinated workers are not allowed on public transport to get to work then it is tantamount to being a requirement for work,” the group also said.

Manila police last week arrested and charged six people who attended a small protest against mandatory vaccination for not wearing masks and refusing to present vaccination cards.

Without naming the group directly, Duterte said they were “doused by the bumbero (hosed down by firefighters) because you are violating the prohibition of being, you know, social distancing, and even a crowd tha — A crowd is a crowd.”

The Duterte administration has often played down rights and liberties because of emergency situations like the pandemic, the communist insurgency, terrorism and the “war on drugs.”

(Jonathan de Santos/Philstar.

Malacañang file photo com) n

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JANUARY 21-27, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

From The FronT Page

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

Times Square vigil honors subway shove...

PAGE 1 horrifying for our community,” said Margaret Fung, executive director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. “These attacks have left Asian Americans across the city and across the country feeling vulnerable and they must stop.”

The attack happened at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15 at the 42nd Street Times Square station, according to New York City Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell in a news conference.

A man had pushed Go onto the southbound Q train tracks, Sewell said. Police later identified the man accused Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial (left) is reunited with MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons in the boxer’s Los Angeles apartment Monday night, Jan. 17. Contributed photo of shoving Go as 61-year-old Simon Martial. According to investigators, Go was standing on the train platform and was suddenly pushed onto the oncoming train.

New York City Mayor Eric

Adams joined the hundreds of people who attended the vigil, which was organized by Asians Fighting Injustice.

“Right here in Times Square, I served as a police officer, and spent many days in the early ‘80s wearing a blue uniform as a police officer - a transit police officer, watching where we were,” Adams said. “I’m recommitted to make sure this will not happen in our city. We have to do this together.”

Portraits of Asian American victims of hate and violence became the backdrop of the vigil as their likenesses were shown on some of the giant screens in Times Square.

Go’s family released a statement on Twitter asking that people remember Michelle for the way she lived, not the way she died, and that the press respect their privacy as they deal with their shock and loss.

“We are in a state of shock and grieving the loss of our daughter, sister, and friend.

We hope Michelle will be remembered for how she lived, and not just how she died. She was a beautiful, brilliant, kind, and intelligent woman who loved her family and friends, loved to travel the world, and to help others. Her life was taken too soon in a senseless act of violence, and we pray that she gets the justice she deserves. Thank you for your condolences. We ask the media to please respect our privacy during this very difficult time,” the statement read in full.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York joined the rest of the Asian-American Community in mourning the senseless death of Go, recalling a kababayan, Maria Luningning Ambrocio who lost her life as a result of the same senseless violence inflicted

by a homeless individual with mental health concerns.

Consul General Elmer Cato also implored city officials to focus more on the issues of homelessness and mental health.

“We are counting on New York City Mayor Eric Adams in making the streets safe again by not only increasing police visibility, especially in subway stations but also by addressing the housing and behavioral health needs of the hundreds of homeless individuals in the city,” the consulate statement read.

Consul General Elmer Cato also reiterated his call for Filipinos to be vigilant.

“We also would like to remind our kababayan to be vigilant of their surroundings and to always stay behind the yellow line on the platform, when taking the subway,” he said. n

has won the gold in the past three editions of the biennial meet.

But before making it to Hanoi, Marcial will be working double time in the U.S. where he a trip to Las Vegas is also lined up as part of his buildup.

Marcial will train with famed conditioning coach Angel Memo Heredia in Las Vegas which is something that excites the Zamboanga City native.

“I thank sir Sean (Gibbons, MP Promotions President) and Senator Manny (Pacquiao) for making sure I get the best possible team here in the U.S. I know a lot of great things that coach Memo has done that’s why it excites me a lot that I will also be under Memo’s program,” he said.

Marcial, who signed a multiyear deal with MP Promotions two years ago, had a rousing pro debut in December 2020, outclassing American Andrew Whitfield in a four-rounder in Los Angeles. n

half the peak of nearly 43,000 average new cases a day earlier in January.

“We are on the downslope from the omicron summit,” said Chokshi.

“We are starting to see a decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations, from a total of about 6,500 patients hospitalized citywide on Jan. 11 to about 5,800 as of Sunday,” he added. “Now, let me be clear: these numbers are still

high, meaning community transmission remains widespread.”

According to data from the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, a single-day peak of 50,803 COVID-19 cases was reported on Jan. 3, and just 9,202 cases were reported on Jan. 14.

Last week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a briefing that the state may be “turning the corner” with omicron cases.

In a statement on Monday, Jan. 17, Hochul said. “While we are continuing to see promising trends, we are not through the winter surge yet and it is critical that we continue to use the tools that will help stop the spread.”

“Our best weapon is the vaccine, so if you haven’t, get your shot today and make sure you get your second dose and booster as well,” she added.

(AJPress) n

Eumir Marcial back in US to prepare for potential April bout, SEA Games bid New York City’s COVID-19 cases continue to decline...

by Mark

GionGco Inquirer.net

MANILA — Eumir Marcial is bound for a busy next several months with a second professional bout and a Southeast Asian Games stint in the offing.

The Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist arrived in the United States Tuesday, Jan. 18 (Manila time) and will hold camp in Los Angeles with a potential April fight ahead.

“Finally, I can now fully focus on my training. I was told to prepare for a scheduled outing.

I need to be in excellent shape because I want to get back in the ring soon and also make myself available for the national team by May,” said Marcial.

The SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam will be held from May 12 to 25 and Marcial is keen on adding another gold medal to his collection.

The 26-year-old middleweight

PAGE 1 we get everyone boosted and vaccinated in the city.”

While cases are declining, Mayor Adams said that residents still need to be vigilant as ever.

Dr. Dave Chokshi of the Health and Mental Hygiene Commission echoed the mayor’s pronouncements, citing that the city’s seven-day average of daily new cases is under 20,000 or less than

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes universal health care...

PAGE 1 the 2022-23 state budget known as the California Blueprint, which the governor unveiled a day earlier. The budget must be approved by the state Legislature; Newsom said he expects to see the finished package on his desk by May. If approved, expanded coverage would be rolled out by the end of 2022.

Currently, Medi-Cal covers all lowincome children and young adults under the age of 26, regardless of immigration status. Last year, the state expanded MediCal eligibility to low-income undocumented adults over the age of 50. The new proposal would expand Medi-Cal coverage to lowincome people between the ages of 26-49, regardless of immigration status, Newsom addressed the concerns of critics who fear an increase in state taxes.

“We already have universal health care,

but it is at the back end and called the emergency room. It’s costing you a bundle, with all of us paying higher premiums.”

“Why not have access to preventive care at a much lower cost?” he queried, expressing his hope that other states would follow his lead to extend coverage to the nation’s 10.5 million undocumented residents.

The California Taxpayers Association raised its objections to the proposal Jan. 7, before the plan was formally announced, noting that taxes would be increased on businesses and individuals earning more than $149,000 annually. California state Assembly members Ash Kalra and Alex Lee, both Democrats who represent portions of the Silicon Valley, have introduced ACA 11, which would raise an estimated $200 million annually to support universal health care in the state.

“This measure would add to the cost of living in California and lead to job losses, without any guarantee that the billions in new taxes would benefit anyone,” said CalTax President Robert Gutierrez in a press statement. “Taxpayers want and deserve quality healthcare services, but there is no guarantee that a governmentrun healthcare system will deliver better care for Californians at an affordable price.”

Kalra defended his bill in a press statement: “Those that profit off the immoral status quo may not like it, but I am confident that the vast majority of working and retired Californians will see the benefit of significant cost-savings as we remove debilitating insurance costs, out-of-reach prescription drugs and arbitrarily high hospital fees.” (Sunita Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Services) n

Officials struggle to regulate pop-up...

LONG LINE. People queue outside a vaccination site in Pasay City on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

COVID-19 cases have started to decline in Metro Manila, but infections are rising in other areas.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike Alquinto

PAGE 2 allowing them to perform the tests, said Andy Owen, deputy media relations director for the Maryland Department of Health.

In general, labs in the U.S. must have CLIA licenses, and requiring waivers for point-of-care testing is also standard.

In December 2020, Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh issued a news release warning consumers about unauthorized COVID testing operations that could collect people’s personal identifying information and use it to steal their identity.

Since then, the department hasn’t received any complaints about pop-up testing sites, according to Aleithea Warmack, deputy director of communications in the consumer protection division of the attorney general’s office.

In general, a test site operator seeking payment from a health plan for administering a COVID test must have a national provider identifier, which comes from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said Kristine Grow, a spokesperson for AHIP, a trade group for health plans.

Although test operators routinely ask consumers for health insurance information, asking for credit card numbers is not routine. Individual consumers typically don’t have to pay out-of-pocket

for a COVID test because it is covered by insurance or by the federal government for people who are uninsured. However, some people are charged if the test isn’t ordered by their doctor, is a rush service or is performed by an out-of-network provider, where “we do continue to see price gouging through the course of the public health emergency,” Grow said.

One way to identify a legitimate testing operator is to check lists maintained by states and cities of the testing operators they work with or fund. But many legitimate testing operators are not in the official databases, Bloomgarden said.

Some independent test site operators are “highly qualified,” said Scott Becker, CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories. Becker went to a drivethrough testing site in his neighborhood in Montgomery County, Maryland. The test operator told him which lab they used, and he received results with the name of the lab on them.

“They’re not all bad,” Becker said. “It’s just hard for Joe Consumer to figure it out.”

As demand for COVID testing grows, even legitimate test operators may not meet their commitments.

Theo Servedio stood in line with a handful of other people at the sliding door of a LabQ mobile testing van near Columbia University in New York in December. The

19-year-old sophomore planned to attend a fraternity party, but with the uptick in COVID cases, he wanted to get tested first.

A sign at the registration table promised a 24-hour turnaround on its PCR tests.

“They’re both free, but turnaround for testing at the school has been 48 to 72 hours in the past,” Servedio said.

He got his results in 24 hours. But others weren’t so lucky. According to a warning letter sent to LabQ in December

by New York Attorney General Letitia James, some consumers had waited more than 96 hours for their COVID test results despite the company’s promise of a 48hour turnaround. LabQ was one of several COVID test companies that received the warnings in late December and early January.

LabQ didn’t respond to a request for comment.

(Michelle Andrews/Kaiser Health News) KHN’s Chaseedaw Giles contributed to this report.

This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. n

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Dateline PhiliPPines

5

‘Imelda’ trends as Internet users condemn 80-year-old man’s arrest for allegedly stealing mangoes

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

Former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

Inquirer.net file photos

Bongbong-Sara tandem bares senatorial lineup

MANILA — Four incumbent lawmakers lead the senatorial lineup of the tandem of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and running mate Sara Duterte.

The initial list of 10 candidates the tandem released yesterday included Senators Win Gatchalian and Migz Zubiri and House Deputy Speakers Loren Legarda and Rodante Marcoleta.

Also in their so-called “BBM-Sara UniTeam ticket” are former public works secretary Mark Villar, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, former senator Jinggoy Estrada, former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista and lawyer Larry Gadon.

The candidates belong to political parties that formed an alliance to support the MarcosDuterte tandem, particularly the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, Hugpong ng Pagbabago and the Nacionalista Party.

Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, chief of staff and spokesman of Marcos, said the tandem wanted to come up with a Senate ticket that is “a mixture of seasoned and proven political personalities who have excelled in their respective endeavors.”

Other candidates who will complete the list could be named in the next few days, he added.

Some of the senatorial candidates joined Marcos and Duterte during the tandem’s virtual caravan last Wednesday.

Gatchalian, who currently chairs the Senate basic education committee, underscored the need to help the education sector which was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. He urged local officials to help students and teachers in their respective areas.

Meanwhile, Roque is pushing for a “Free from COVID, free from hunger” initiative should he be elected to the Senate. He said he would promote the public’s right to food and clean water and a compensation fund for human rights victims.

Bautista said he would advocate strengthening local governance, adding the Local Government

Code and other laws that need to be updated to operate in a “21st Century Philippines.” The former mayor said that there are also areas in the country with poor internet connection, which affects many students.

Estrada said he would prioritize the provision of jobs for Filipinos since many lost their source of income due to the pandemic. He also pointed out that during his stint in the Senate from 2004 to 2016, he avoided being absent or late in sessions and hearings.

Teodoro, who ran for president in 2010, stressed that local autonomy—from the barangay level to provincial—should be strengthened so that the government can respond faster to the needs of the public. The fiscal and digital infrastructure, as well as the military and police capability in the country, should also be strengthened, he added.

Villar underscored the importance of job generation, pointing out that the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program was able to create thousands of jobs.

The UniTeam said the addition of Zubiri has bolstered the unity ticket’s already sturdy position in Mindanao.

Legarda, a three-term senator and currently representative of Antique, is known for her advocacies and legislative contributions in the fields of environmental protection and rights of women and children.

On the other hand, Marcoleta has been in Congress since 2013. He was widely known for slashing the budget of the Commission on Human Rights to P1,000 in 2017.?Gadon, a law practitioner, had been helping the Marcos team for years and has slowly climbed the senatorial survey to just a few notches from the top 12.

Meanwhile, League of Municipalities of the Philippines president Luis “Chavit” Singson claimed that 11 Camarines Sur mayors are supporting Marcos. The mayors reportedly wanted the age-old insurgency problem in their areas resolved. (Philstar.com) n

VACCINATE

KIDS 5+ TO PROTECT

THEM FROM

COVID-19 Talk to a doctor or learn more by visiting MyTurn.ca.gov or calling 833-422-4255

MANILA — Former First Lady Imelda Marcos became a top Twitter topic following reports that an 80-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing mangoes in Pangasinan.

“Lolo Narding” Floro went viral on social media Thursday,

Jan. 20 after being arrested and detained for a week for allegedly stealing around 10 kilograms of mangoes from a neighbor in Asingan, Pangasinan.

According to the Public Information Office of Asingan, Lolo Narding’s arrest was based on a warrant issued by the 7th Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Asingan-San Manuel

last December 20.

The neighbor apparently refused to accept Lolo Narding’s payment, and insisted on having him jailed instead and have him pay the bail worth P6,000.

Internet users cannot help but compare Lolo Narding’s case to that of 92-year-old Marcos, who is still not yet behind bars despite being convicted of graft. n

Lacson won’t allow EJKs if elected president

by Bernadette

e. 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, January 20 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 is called the rule of law,” Lacson said in Filipino and English.

He said that acts of stealing are not just limited to the intent 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 have fallen victims to EJK and other crimes, including corruption.

The Partido Reporma chairman cited the case of Kian de los Santos, 17, who was killed by Caloocan City policemen during an alleged buy bust operation in August 2017.

The former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) also deplored that other young Filipinos were treated as “collateral damage in the badly orchestrated Philippine drug war.” n

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in PH continues to drop - SWS

by GaBriel

PaBico Inquirer.net

lalu

MANILA — Skepticism regarding COVID-19 vaccines has continued to wane down according to a latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey,

as only eight percent of adult Filipinos expressed hesitancy over immunization compared to 18 percent in September 2021.

According to SWS, the survey which was done from December 12 to 16, 2021, showed that from the eight percent who were

unwilling to take COVID-19 vaccines, one percent said that they “probably” would not get the shots while seven percent said “surely not.”

In terms of uncertainty, the latest survey showed that only

u PAGE 7

6

JANUARY 21-27, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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OpiniOn

No exemption from restrictions

Features Philstar.com photo

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 One problem is whether the DILG has the that heavier penalties await those who submit capability to verify the accuracy of the inventories. inventories that are deliberately inaccurate and It can deter deliberate inaccuracies by picking a leave out unvaccinated barangay officials. few barangays at random for verification with

Editorial

local government and health officials. Pandemic restrictions 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 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 COVID-19 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

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 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 Filipino-Americans 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 over-

whelmed with unvaccinated and 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 dis-

cussion 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 fuels, es-

pecially 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

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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Printing of ballots starts

by William

Depasupil ManilaTimes.net

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) expressed confidence that it will be able to finish the printing of more than 67 million ballots for the May 9 elections in time despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The poll body on Tuesday, January 18 disclosed that it will start the printing of 67,442,714 ballots Wednesday, January 19, until April 21.

First to be printed will be the 1.6 million ballots for overseas manual voting and for absentee voting.

Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas, who also heads the ballot printing committee, said during Tuesday’s virtual media walkthrough of the National Printing Office (NPO) that they have four available high-quality printing machines that could churn out more than 1 million ballots a day.

“We have a new printer.

We acquired it for the 2022 elections. The other two were already used in 2019. Rest assured that we will do the printing on time,” he added.

Director Helen Aguila Flores, vice chairman of the Comelec

printing committee, explained that of the four printing machines, only three will be used during the process while the other one has been reserved for contingencies.

Flores explained that the January 19 to April 21 printing of ballots includes a two-week buffer for any fortuitous events.

The poll body moved the printing of ballots a day earlier in anticipation of contingencies, including COVID-19 surge and infection of workers.

“In our updated timeline, we will print the last set April 12 [to April 21] for the NCR (National Capital Region or Metro Manila).

This is a very modest timeline already that includes a buffer for contingencies [that the COVID pandemic may bring],” she said.

“We are foreseeing that.

There is a contingency plan to come up with a reserved pool of workers [who will take over] if people get infected,” Flores added.

The Comelec deputized the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to augment existing security personnel of the NPO and the Comelec in securing the entire printing office facility 24 hours a day.

Earlier, Comelec spokesman

James Jimenez said the poll body would upload on its website the ballot face for overseas absentee voting that will contain the final list of national candidates for the May polls.

Both overseas and local absentee voting can only be for president, vice president, 12 senators and one party-list organization.

For one month, from April 10, 2022 to May 9, 2022, overseas voters may cast their votes in Philippine embassies, consulates and other posts pursuant to the overseas absentee voting system.

Campaigning abroad, however, is prohibited during this period.

Local absentee voters have three days to vote — April 27, 28 and 29, 2022.

The last day to file an application to be a local absentee voter is on March 7, 2022.

At stake in this year’s elections are 18,100 positions — president and vice president, senators, 12; party-list groups, 63; members of the House of Representatives, 253; governor, 81; vice governor, 81; Sangguniang Panlalawigan, 782; mayor, 1,634; vice mayor, 1,634; and Sangguniang Panlungsod/Bayan, 13,558. n

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

Senator Manny Pacquiao

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 championturned-politician said.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez previously said the poll body will hold a hybrid primary

Contributed photo

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 vicepresidential debates, according to Comelec. n

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 21-27, 2022

RENOVATED. The newly refurbished Manila Zoo opened to the public on Wednesday, January 19. It will also serve as the city’s newest vaccination site to allow the unvaccinated visitors to get their vaccines against COVID-19 before or after strolling around the five-hectare zoo.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy...

PAGE 5 six percent have admitted being uncertain about getting vaccinated, compared to the 19 percent in September 21; 24 percent in June 2021; and 35 percent in May 2021.

Also, the number of people who got vaccinated increased from SWS’ past surveys.

“On the other hand, the December survey found 50% of adults reporting they got at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This total consists of 38% reporting they received two doses of the vaccine and 13% reporting they received one dose, correctly rounded,” SWS noted.

“The percentage of those reporting they got at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has steadily increased from 10% (3% two doses, 7% one dose) in June 2021 and 35% (25% two doses, 10% one dose) in September 2021,” it added.

Among those not yet vaccinated, 35 percent said that they are willing to get vaccinated — or 33 percent saying that “they will surely get vaccinated” while the remaining three percent saying that “they will probably get vaccinated”.

As of January 11, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that 52.4 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or 68 percent of the target population in the country.

There are also 61,902,516 who have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines, or 80.25 percent of the target population; 3,327,417 individuals on the other hand have received their booster shots.

In terms of locale, SWS found out that vaccine hesitancy fell in all areas, with the largest drop coming from Mindanao, as 25 percent of the respondents last September 2021 said they were unwilling to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Now, only eight percent of the respondents

said they were unwilling — a 17 percentage point decrease.

Vaccine hesitancy dropped by nine percentage points in Visayas, from 24 percent in September 2021 to 15 percent in December; and seven percentage points in Luzon, from 15 percent in September 2021 to eight percent in December.

Metro Manila registered the lowest vaccine hesitancy drop, from seven percent in September 2021 to four percent in December.

“On the other hand, the percentage of those reporting they received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine rose in all areas. It rose in Metro Manila, up from 71% (61% two doses, 10% one dose) to 81% (75% two doses, 6% one dose),” SWS said.

“It rose in Balance Luzon, up from 36% (22% two doses, 13% one dose, correctly rounded) to 52% (39% two doses, 13% one dose). It rose in the Visayas, up from 21% (15% two doses, 6% one dose) to 37% (27% two doses, 10% one dose). It also rose in Mindanao, up from 25% (16% two doses, 8% one dose, correctly rounded) to 40% (22% two doses, 18% one dose),” it added.

SWS said it conducted the survey through faceto-face interviews of 1,440 adults, subdivided into 360 each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.

According to the firm, it is maintaining sampling error margins of ±2.6% for national percentages, and ±5.2% for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

Vaccination is seen as an important tool in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with the Omicron variant spurring a quick transmission of the disease. Recently, the country saw a sharp uptick in cases, from just 56,561 active cases last January 6 to 275,634 on Wednesday, Jan. 19. n

‘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 Thursday, January 20.

“Speaking from my personal experience in the last 10 weeks, all my patients are COVID positive,” said Dr. Carmela Madrigal-Dy, PSMFM president.

Dr. Maria Julieta Germar, POGS Clinical Consensus and Working Group chair, said there is no official data yet, but many of their admitted 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

EMPLOYMENT

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 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

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JANUARY 21-27, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

LEGAL SERVICES CASE NUMBER: 37-2021-00053993-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Maria Zeniada De Guzman Thomas on behalf of minor child filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Carla Juan Panlilio De Guzman to Carla Juan De Guzman Thomas.

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: 02/10/2022 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 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. 29, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna A. Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 845 01/07, 01/14, 01/21, AND 01/28/2022.

ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) 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 845

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9028235

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: JAMES WILLIAM FOSTER CASE NO. 37-2021-00032479-PR-LA-CTL

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: JAMES WILLIAM FOSTER A Petition for Probate has been filed by HERTA KATHARINA SHOCKLEY in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN DIEGO. The Petition for Probate requests that HERTA KATHARINA SHOCKLEY be appointed as personal representative to administer with will annexed the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date:02/16/2022 Time: 1:30 P.M. Dept.: 502 Address of court: 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101 Branch Name: Central, Probate If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing.

Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor.

You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

ATTORNEY: EDWING FRANK KELLER FIRM NAME: KELLER LAW GROUP ADDRESS: 22760 HAWTHORNE BLVD., SUITE 103 CITY: TORRANCE STATE: CA ZIP CODE: 90505 TELEPPHONE: 310-548-7240 ATTORNEY FOR PETITIONER: HERTA KATHARINA SHOCKLEY 01/14, 01/21, 01/28/2022 AJ 850 AJSD 850

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9027333

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

LEGAL SERVICES CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00001282-CU-PT-CTL

LEGAL SERVICES

CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00001679-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Javeed Wafa; Soraya Javeed on behalf of minor children filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. FNU Hela to Hela Javeed b. FNU Yalda to Yalda Javeed 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: 02/24/2022 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 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: JAN 12, 2022 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna A. Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 852 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, and 02/11/2022 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) 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.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Bibianna Alexa Saldivar filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Bibianna Alexa Saldivar to Bibianna Alexa Saldivar-Mongé 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: 03/01/2022 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 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: JAN 14, 2022 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Michael T. Smyth Judge of the Superior Court AJ 854 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, and 02/11/2022 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) 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.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9028757

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9000075

AJSD 852

AJSD #854

CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00001895-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Omar Alexandro Eli Torres Lombrozo filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Omar Alexandro Torres Lombrozo to Alex Lombrozo.

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: 03/02/2022 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 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: JAN. 22, 2022 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Michael T. Smyth Judge of the Superior Court AJ 858 01/21. 01/28, 02/04, 02/11/2022 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) 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 #858

Super 8 located at 2435 Sweetwater Road, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: Ishverkrupa Hospitality LLC, 2435 Sweetwater Road, National City, CA 91950.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 06/20/2016.

Signature Hetal Patel.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/22/2021.

AJ 843 12/31/2021, 01/07/2022, 01/14/2022, and 01/21/2022.

AJSD 843

DIGNIFIED STAFFING REGISTRY, INC. located at 1945 CAMINITO DE LA CRUZ, CHULA VISTA, CA 91913.

Registrant: DIGNIFIED STAFFING REGISTRY, INC., 1945 CAMINITO DE LA CRUZ, CHULA VISTA, CA 91913.

This business is conducted

by CORPORATION. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature MARI ROSE FERRER. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/11/2021.

AJ 846 01/07, 01/14, 01/21, AND 01/28/2022. AJSD 846

HAPPY LOVE DESSERTS, ATBP located at 1925 VIA LAS PALMAS #47, NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950.

Registrant: ANAHAW GROUP OF COMPANIES LLC, 1925 VIA LAS PALMAS #47, NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Corporation.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 11/15/2021.

Signature GRACE TREVILLA. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/30/2021.

AJ 848 01//07, 01/14, 01/21, AND 01/28/2022. AJSD 848

A Dignified In Home Care, Inc. located at 1945 Caminito De La Cruz, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: A Dignified In Home Care, Inc., 1945 Caminito De La Cruz, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Mari Rose Ferrer.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/03/2022.

AJ 851 01/14, 01/21, 01/28, and 02/04/2022.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9001322 Rath’s Corner located at 2417 E. Plaza Blvd., National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: Rath Sy, 2929 Alta Drive, National City, CA 91950.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 11/10/2020.

Signature Rath Sy. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/18/2022.

AJ 855 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, and 02/11/2022.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9028241

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9028340

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9000119

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9000854

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9000074

Penas Painting located at 227 Coolwater Drive, San Diego, CA 92114.

Registrant: Froylan Pena Ventura, 227 Coolwater Drive, San Diego, CA 92114.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 01/01/2021.

Signature Froylan Pena Ventura.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/22/2021.

AJ 844 12/31/2021, 01/07/2022, 01/14/2022, and 01/21/2022.

AJSD 844

Ron V Consulting And Marketing located at 127 50th Street #303, San Diego, CA 92102.

Registrant: Ronald Vinluan, 127 50th Street #303, San Diego, CA 92102.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 12/01/2021.

Signature Ron Vinluan.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/27/2021.

AJ 847 01/07/2022, 01/14/2022, 01/21/2022, and 01/28/2022.

AJSD 847

JV Scooters LLC located at 1512 La Playa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109.

Registrant: JV Scooters LLC, 1512 La Playa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 01/04/2022.

Signature Joao Vitor Lagoa Bovino.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/04/2022.

AJ 849 01/14, 01/21, 01/28, and 02/04/2022.

AJSD 849

AJSD 851

KT CAB located at 4105 Georgia St., #204, San Diego, CA 92103.

Registrant: Teshome Gudeta Senbete, 4105 Georgia St., #204, San Diego, CA 92103.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 01/12/2022.

Signature Teshome Gudeta Senbete.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/12/2022.

AJ 853 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, 02/11/2022.

AJSD 853

AJSD 855

El Dorado Apartments located at 309 Richmar Ave., Ste#100, San Marcos, CA 92069.

Registrant: Barry Cottle, 14211 Yorba St., Ste 200, Tustin, CA 92780.

This business is conducted

by Limited Partnership.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 06/01/2021.

Signature Barry Cottle.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/03/2022.

AJ 856 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, and 02/11/2022. AJSD 856

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9000575

a. Rebeldemigods located at 665 12th St., Unit 1, Imperial Beach, CA 91932. b. Shado Radio located at 665 12th St., Unit 1, Imperial Beach, CA 91932.

Registrant: Rebeldemigods, 665 12th St., Unit 1, Imperial Beach, CA 91932.

This business is conducted

by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 12/16/2021.

Signature Erick Garcia.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/10/2022.

AJ 857 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, and 02/11/2022.

AJSD 857

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9028413

Bad & Boujee Beauty located at 333 Highland Ave., #C, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: Bernardo Macias, 1436 S. 40th St., #225, San Diego, CA 92113.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Bernardo Macias.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/28/2021.

AJ 859 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, and 02/11/2022. AJSD 859

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9028709

Sunshine’s Cleaning located at 777 Ada St., Unit S, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: Mirna Salcido, 777 Ada St., Unit S, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 01/22/2020.

Signature Mirna Salcido.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/30/2021.

AJ 860 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, and 02/11/2022.

AJSD 860

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9028584

Mystic Grill Of San Diego located at 857 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101.

Registrant: Best Of San Diego Inc., 857 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Ammar Farah.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/29/2021.

AJ 861 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, and 02/11/2022.

AJSD 861

SAN DIEGO

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

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 21-27, 2022

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OF SINIGANG PACKETS, ADOBO AND MANG TOMAS

Fil-Am cast members of Broadway’s Aladdin on why representation, sense of community matter

by MoMar

G. Visaya / AJPress

MONG all the musicals running on Broadway today, Aladdin holds the record when it comes to the sheer number of A Filipinos in the ensemble. It’s nine, for those who are wondering.

We had a chance to chat with three of them: Don Darryl Rivera, who originated the role of Iago, Jafar’s sidekick; Heather Makalani who is a Princess Jasmine understudy, and Angelo Soriano, one of the swings.

Among the three, it’s DDR who has been on the show the longest.

His Aladdin journey started in 2011 when Disney did a pilot production of the show at the Fifth Avenue Theater in Seattle. He was a local hire and he originated the role of Iago when the show opened at the New Amsterdam Theater on Broadway in 2014.

Soriano’s Aladdin story started in 2015. As a swing, he covers 12 male ensemble roles while understudying two principal roles, Omar and Iago.

New York Times featured him in 2019 where he shared a day in the life of a swing on a Broadway musical.

Makalani made her Broadway debut in 2019, which she calls “a full-circle moment.” Back in Australia, she understudied for fellow Filipino-American Arielle Jacobs, who was also Princess Jasmine when Makalani joined the Broadway cast.

Aladdin’s Filipino Club Soriano said there are nine members of what can be called unofficially as Aladdin’s Filipino Club. There have also been past cast members who have left including the siblings Adam and Arielle Jacobs and Joshua Dela Cruz who is now on Blue’s Clues.

Born and raised in Manila, Soriano was nine years old when his family immigrated to the United States. He was in the Philippines in January 2020 for his honeymoon in Boracay and Palawan.

“We were happy when Heather came in from the Australian company, we can always use more Pinoys to tag along on our post-show escapades to our favorite Filipino restaurant down the street for example,” Soriano said, echoing what they told us in an interview three years ago

Angelo Soriano was born and raised in Manila and moved to the United States when he was nine years old. He is a swing in Aladdin and an understudy for Omar and Iago.

the lyrics and shot the video in Soriano’s home office/ recording studio.

“We self-produced this cover video because it was it was too beautiful not to perform together. And Heather contributed her amazing voice to it and we had a we had a fun process,” he said.

“I feel so excited and enthralled and just happy that somebody else understands the food and the jokes and the humor and the community of the Philippines. It’s just nice to not feel so alone,” she added.

Beyond the inside jokes, they have also been exchanging Filipino products.

Rivera shared that Heather gave them champorado packs while he, on the other hand, is the source of sinigang packets and Mama Sita’s barbecue marinade, among others.

“I have three Filipino stores within a five-mile radius of my house. I’m always happy to go.

I’m always happy to do a run and pick up banana ketchup, soy sauce, whatever anyone needs,” explained Rivera, who lives in New Jersey. “Yeah, you know, we like to share food with each other. I think that’s obviously a huge part of the Filipino culture.”

They have also brought the troop – including some nonFilipinos – to Tradisyon, a Filipino restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen and one of Makalani’s favorites.

Soriano is partial to Flip Sigi, mentioning the Filipino taqueria’s version of the Inand-Out burger. DDR’s favorite on the other hand is about a hundred steps away from the stage door.

“There is a Jollibee literally right around the corner of the theater. So I do visit that quite frequently but I like to hit up the lunch counters here in Jersey. I mean there’s nothing like a home-cooked meal that you can pick up at the store,” he shared.

The Swing Life Last month, Broadway League President Charlotte St. Martin faced a backlash from Aladdin is Heather Makalani’s Broadway debut. She is part of the ensemble and understudies industry leaders when she Princess Jasmine. Makalani’s family comes from Guam, her mom is originally from Laoag City talked about Broadway’s recent cancellations in the Philippines.

Photos by Disney on Broadway COVID-related about how they would go to the East Village to have dinner at Jeepney or Maharlika.

Having lived away from her family for so many years and not getting Filipino home cooking, it was almost easy for Makalani to forget about her Filipino-ness.

“Sometimes you forget that that’s such a huge part of your identity. And then coming into a company where there are Filipinos and they’re making Filipino jokes with you or someone says, ‘Hey, I’ve got a sinigang packet, do you want one’?” she said laughing.

Recently, Soriano and Makalani collaborated on a duet for the Tagalog version of A Whole New World.

As they were joking around backstage and speaking Tagalog, talking about the quirks and Filipino humor and culture, they came across the idea of maybe singing a duet together.

They didn’t want to sing what they hear on the show eight times a week so they researched and found a translated version of A Whole New World which came from the original broadcast of the Tagalog version of the 1992 film Aladdin, according to Soriano.

They studied and learned

Don Darryl Rivera originated the role of Iago when the musical opened on Broadway in 2014.

Don Darryl Rivera (Iago) and Jonathan Freeman (Jafar) Photo by Deen van Meer

Aladdin’s official Instagram account posted this group photo of the Filipino-American members of the cast to celebrate Filipino American History Month last October.

Photo from Disney on Broadway/@aladdin

in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter where she talked about the lack of “experienced” understudies and swings. St. Martin has since apologized.

Through social media, Disney on Broadway posted, “When the stories are written about the return of Broadway they must reflect the extraordinary talent, courage, and spirit of our Swings, Understudies, Standbys, Alumni, Dance Captains, Stage & Company Management, Musicians, Crew, Subs and all the unsung heroes

who make the impossible possible every day. To each of you who has jumped on an airplane, learned a track at half hour and filled the critical space that allows our shows to continue on Broadway, on Tour and around the world we are deeply grateful to you for your contribution. We stand in awe and deep appreciation.”

“We’ve definitely felt the support right away from those who did understand how important our roles were and I stand here, you know, to tell you that I am a proud swing

understudy. And I love my job because it’s where I find my joy and I find my purpose, especially for a magical show like this,” Soriano said.

During the pandemic, Soriano said he focused on preparing himself mentally and physically to redo the show again when it was time to reopen.

It took all of 18 months but it was all worth it. He is happy to be back into the routine, back on track.

Soriano had to recollect the muscle memories, he revisited

u PAGE 10

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JANUARY 21-27, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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 3-4 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

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Wisdom vs COVID Fil-Am cast members of...

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 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 COVID-19 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

PAGE 9 the script and made sure that the choreography is still back in his body.

“The pressure has become a little bit heavier on swings and understudies and standbys, which is really cool because we’re getting recognized for it,” he said.

For him, it is about challenging himself and being able to perform any of the 12 tracks at any moment’s notice gives him satisfaction.

“I quite like swinging, I enjoy it, and you know, it’s not usually for everyone. If you’re a perfectionist, you have to remember that maybe not all shows will be perfect. But you definitely do your best and go out there and give everyone who’s seen the show for the first time the best show possible,” Soriano explained.

“My daughter just turned six at the beginning of this month, and I was able to be home and have birthday cake with her and have a family dinner. Because Angelo supports me that way as an understudy,” Rivera shared. “So kind of outside of the industry, understudies, swings, and standbys, they allow us to live our lives. So really, it’s just more far-reaching than the show must go on. But like, we’re able to do things like that because we have that kind of support and it’s really lovely.”

Makalani echoed those sentiments, saying that as understudies and swings, they do not have the luxury of having rehearsed the roles regularly like the principal cast. That they need to be ready at a moment’s notice makes it extra challenging.

“I feel like sometimes people underestimate the swings and understudies, sometimes they get a bad rap for being less talented. I don’t know where this comes from but sometimes some of the most talented people I have ever met are the people who are offstage.”

From Oz to Broadway Makalani’s Broadway journey began in Australia. She was in her final year for her theater arts degree in 2015 when she auditioned for the original Australian company of Aladdin.

She got in two months later and became a Princess Jasmine understudy for two and a half years touring around the country.

She wanted to reach greater heights so on a limb, she emailed the assistant director to ask if there was a chance for her to audition for Broadway or the North American tour. She got a response a couple of months later saying that there was a temporary opening on Broadway so 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 abun-

she took the chance, sent in her self-tape, and waited.

As an understudy, Makalani distinctly remembers the first time she took on the Princess Jasmine role.

“It just felt like all the hard work that I had and all the doubts that I ever had for myself kind of just melted away and it felt like I was just so proud of myself,” she shared.

She cherishes that memory with all her heart specially since her parents were in the audience.

They flew from Guam to watch their daughter do her thing on Broadway.

“It was just a very nice gratifying moment for all of us because my parents have always been so supportive of me and my career and then being able to see me take a bow on Broadway like one of the highest standards of performing,” Makalani said.

Performing on that stage at the New Amsterdam Theater has given the actors tons of special memories.

“It’s nice to be able to be on that stage and watch the kids in the audience who look more like me are lit up and their eyes are googly on the idea that maybe someday that they can do that, too,” Soriano said. “And I think that’s quite an honor to be able to carry as far people like me who was born in Manila and made it all the way to New York City and making a living here and really living that dream.”

For the safety of the cast members, theater workers, and the audience, waiting outside the stage door for photos and autographs has been discontinued for the time being.

Soriano, a dead ringer of presidential candidate Manny Pacquiao, laughingly recalled that he has posed in a lot of photos with his arms flexed like the famous former boxing champion’s.

Back then, Rivera said he would get a lot of Filipinos who would come up to him and ask if he is Filipino.

“So we would connect right away from that, but there’s something really awesome about Filipino people. Complete strangers will come up to you and say how proud of you they are, how proud they are, that you’re representing the culture, that you’re making it big in American mainstream entertainment,” he shared. “There’s something really heartwarming about that, like, the only blood we share is the Filipino blood and they’re so proud. Filipinos are proud people.

So representation does matter, a hundred percent.”n

dance 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 Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

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Community

County’s new district boundaries take effect

MORE than 1 million San Diego County residents three out of every 10 woke up Saturday in a new supervisorial district.

The boundaries of their County districts were revised by an independent redistricting commission that worked for a year with public input.

People can see the new map at https:// gis-portal.sandiegocounty.gov/arcgis/home/ webmap/viewer.html?webmap=e75d5c7a59ff4d6a90e862a481c3ba96 and use a built-in search bar to find out what district they live in.

Type in your address in the “find address or place” bar and the map will pin your location.

Clicking the zoom out sign on the map will expand the map until you see the district boundaries and the County district your address is located in.

The general differences between the old boundaries set in 2011 and the new ones can be seen in the map. The old boundaries are outlined in blue; the new boundaries are depicted by different colors for each district.

Redistricting, the redrawing of political voting boundaries, is done every 10 years using U.S. Census data to ensure that voting districts have roughly equal numbers of people, while reflecting “shifting populations and demographics.”

This redistricting was the first for the County to be done by an independent commission rather than by the County Board of Supervisors. The 14-member Independent Redistricting Commission worked for more than a year, held 49 regular and special meetings, including 10 public hearings, throughout the County and in each of the County’s five supervisorial districts, to create and approve the new maps.

The new maps of the districts the commission submitted to the County Dec. 15 became final

Jan. 15 after a 30-day referendum period, setting the new voting and jurisdictional boundaries for the next 10 years.

In consultation with the County Registrar of Voters, on Jan. 12, the commission approved in principle minor technical changes to the final map that shifted 23 unpopulated census blocks from one district to another to facilitate the implementation of the plan for elections. The adjustments had no impact to population of the districts or the intent of the plan.

The commission’s report states that the new redistricting maps meet all legal requirements.

Those include maintaining substantially equal population in each district, complying with the federal Voting Rights Act that prohibits racial discrimination in voting and respecting the geographic integrity of city, local neighborhood or communities of interest, to the extent practicable.

The new map divides only one of the county’s 18 cities the City of San Diego, which, with more than 1.38 million people, is too populous for a single County district. The new district populations range in size from 636,285 people in District 2 to 689,991 in District 5.

The new map includes one supervisorial district that is a majority Latino district, District 1, currently represented by Supervisor Nora Vargas, with 61.4% of the total population identified as Hispanic/Latino. In general, District 1 includes the cities of Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and National City, portions of the City of San Diego, and unincorporated areas including the communities of Bonita and La Presa, Spring Valley, Sweetwater and Otay.

District 2, currently represented by Supervisor Joel Anderson, generally includes the cities

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 21-27, 2022

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New San Diego Public Library program offers library cards for youngest patrons ‘My First Library Card’ features Odi the Coyote and comes with other special surprises

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Public Library (SDPL) is launching a new program to support early literacy development and foster a lifelong love of reading. Starting Tuesday, January 18, children under the age of five can sign up for My First Library Card, a special library card designed just for them.

“We know that reading to children at a young age improves their future literacy,” said Library Director Misty Jones. ”The My First Library Card program builds on that knowledge by introducing children to the library at an early age and setting them up to be readers for life.”

My First Library Card features SDPL’s mascot Odi the Coyote

reading in front of a stack of books. To get a card, children and their parents or guardians can visit any SDPL location offering services. When they enroll in the program, kids will receive the library card, an opportunity to take their picture in front of an Odi frame and, while supplies last, a copy of the Odi’s Library Day book and an Odi stuffed animal.

While at the library, children can also sign up for SDPL’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. The program encourages parents and caregivers to read 1,000 books before children start school. Reading can be tracked online or on paper reading logs and children earn prizes along the way.

of Poway, Santee and El Cajon, portions of the City of San Diego, and 20 unincorporated communities including Alpine, Boulevard, Campo, Jacumba, Jamul, Julian, Lakeside, Pine Valley and Ramona.

District 3, currently represented by Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, generally includes the cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Carlsbad, parts of the City of San Diego and unincorporated communities including Elfin Forest, Fairbanks Ranch, Harmony Grove and Rancho Santa Fe. District 4, currently represented by Supervisor and Board of Supervisors Chair Nathan Fletcher, generally includes the cities of Lemon Grove and La Mesa, parts of the City of San Diego, and unincorporated communities including Casa De

For more information on My First Library Card and available library services, visit the SDPL webpage at https://www. sandiego.gov/public-library/.

With a vision of being the place for opportunity, discovery and inspiration, the San Diego Public Library is a hub for knowledge and lifelong learning. As the largest library system in the region, it serves a population of more than 1.4 million people. Learn about events at the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Irwin Jacobs Common and 35 community branch libraries, find links to programs and resources or search for materials in the online catalog at www. sandiegolibrary.org.

(SDPL Release) n

Oro-Mount Helix, Rancho San Diego and Spring Valley.

District 5, currently represented by Supervisor Jim Desmond, generally includes the cities of Escondido, San Marcos, Oceanside and Vista, and 10 unincorporated communities including Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Fallbrook, Rainbow and Valley Center.

At their next meeting on Jan. 26, the commission will finalize the resolutions incorporating the technical adjustments to redistricting map and final report approved on Jan. 12.

To see the Independent Redistricting Commission’s final report and maps, go to the commission’s website at www.drawyourcommunity.com.

(Gig Conaughton/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

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JANUARY 21-27, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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