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Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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‘Democracy has prevailed’: Biden becomes president PH eligible again to participate USA USA of the United States, Harris breaks barriers as VP UC system plans to Jollibee opens in US H-2B visa program in 2021 return for in-person in Delano, DATELINE DATELINE

FROMTHE THEAJPRESS AJPRESSNEWS NEWSTEAM TEAMACROSS ACROSS AMERICA AMERICA FROM

Harris is the first woman, Black and Asian American in nation’s second-highest office

classes in fall 2021 Bakersfield next

AFTER over a year of virtual classes, the POPULAR fast-food chain Jollibee University of Filipino California announced that it recently opened its first location in Delano, is planning to return to mainly in-person California asstarting part of its expansion plans instruction in 2021 the fall semester. inIn North America. an announcement on Monday, Janualong Woollomes aryThe 11, Delano studentslocation will be is welcomed back to Ave., complete with a drive-thru option for the 10 UC campuses this fall as COVID-19 customers to to getbecome their Chickenjoy vaccines start available tofix. stu-It opened last Dec. 20. dents, staff and faculty.

Thisthe year, the fast-food giant is to add “As University continues toset monitor 28 stories to North America, 19 in the United the evolution of the pandemic, we are also States and nine in Canada, working towards carefully planning a safe return to in-perits goal of amassing 300 stores by 2024. son classes,” President Michael V. Drake Thein next Kern County location is set said a statement.

“Current forecasts for Bakersfield along Stockdale Highway. give us hope that in the fall our students Though a date has normal yet to beon-campus announced,exrecan enjoy a more ports say this spring is the target. perience.”

Other cbeloved favorites of include Specifi plans Jollibee for resumption fall Jolly Spaghetti and peach mango pie, bringclasses, including additional safety meaing customers a taste of the Philippines. sures and starting dates, will be anThough the pandemic has delivered nounced by individual UC campuses as challenges across the restaurant industry, uPAGE PAGE A2 A3 u

‘There’ s a lack of national Greater Sacramento guidance’: Medical exits regional professionals lament stay-at-home the ‘slow’ vaccineorder rollout

THE Greater Sacramento area has exitthe Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were edWHEN the regional stay-at-home order based confirmed to effectively the coronavion four-week intensivecombat care projections. rus,The people acrosswhich the world werethe overjoyed. region, exited order on Lawmakers in the12, United promised Tuesday, January has aStates current intenasive swift, widespread distribution vaccine care unit (ICU) capacity of of the 9.4%, but with a projected 20 million doses administered in coming weeks is seen to be at 19.1% by the end of 2020. capacity.

But so far,starting as of theto second week ofstabilizaJanuary, “We’re see some only 4.5 million people have received a single tion both in ICUs as well as stabilization in dose of either vaccine, prompting outcry our positivity rate. We’re alsopublic starting to and over who isfor allowed to be vaccisee confusion the rate of growth hospitalizations nated first according to the accepted beginning to decline,” Governortimeline, Gavin how to get said an appointment and “Today, when it will acNewsom on Tuesday. effectually available to the general public.the Sactivelybe immediately, we’re pulling The search and out discovery a COVID-19 ramento Region of theforstay-at-home vaccine order.” have been priorities since the entire world into crisis mode the masThewent determination wasfollowing made based on sive and quick spread of the disease has incurrent estimated regional ICUthat capacity fected and killed millions.

Late last community year, Pfizer available, measure of current and Moderna were the two leadingcase names in transmission, current regional rates pharma working on trials throughout 2020, and and the proportion of ICU cases being adlate last year, began distributing vaccines. mitted.

ItState wasguidelines a triumphant milestone of must the say that a region COVID-19 but the vaccine rollout in be above pandemic, 15% to move back to the tiered the U.S. has been clumsy, confusing and conreopening system. troversial. uPAGE PAGE A4 A3 u

by Oriel

by C Rhristina ITCHEL MM. ENDIOLA AJPress AJPress

SHORTLY before noon Wednesday, January 20, THE Philippines can on now participate in the Joe Biden became thevisa 46th president of the United United States’ H-2B program again after two States of in aineligibility. “triumph” for democracy amid the backdrop years ofThe an ongoing coronavirus pandemicSecurity and a fractured Department of Homeland (DHS),

nation. in consultation with the Department of State After announced two failed campaigns, the third time’s the (DOS), the list of countries on Tuescharm for the 12.

78-year-old former vice president and day, January senator from the Delaware is the oldest presidentseinFor 2021, actingwho secretary of homeland augurated. curity and the secretary of state have agreed to Moments before, Kamala four yearseligiafter add the Philippines to theHarris list of—countries she to was elected a senator made hisble participate in the from H-2BCalifornia program.—However,

thenot firsteligible female, Black and Southin Asian ittory is as still to participate the AmeriH-2A can vice president as she was sworn in by U.S. Supreme program.

Court Soniaprogram Sotomayor, the first on the The Justice H-2A visa allows U.S.Latina employers nation’s court.

She is also highest-ranking to bringhighest foreign nationals to fithe ll temporary and woman to agricultural ever serve in the U.S.while government. seasonal jobs, the H-2B visa “This is lets America’s day. This is bring democracy’s day. program U.S. employers foreign na-A

uPAGE PAGE A2 A3 u

launches vaccine PHSFgovernment targets vaccinations forsystem up to notification 70-M Filipinos in 2021

by AJPress

STARTING this week, those who live and work

SanCOVID-19 Francisco can bevaccine notified once they are Pfiineligible zer rollout to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

On Tuesday, January 19, the city launched a to start in February

notification system (sf.gov/vaccinenotify) that will

by RITCHEL MENDIOLA let individuals knowAJPress by email or text if it’s their turn to be vaccinated. websitegovernment will ask individuals fortotheir email THEThe Philippine is aiming vaccinate or phone number, age,with which sector they 50 toaddress 70 million Filipinos in 2021, up to 200,000 work in and if they have certain health conditions. individuals receiving jabs every day. not get a notification for “WeIndividuals are trying tomay vaccinate at least 100 to 200,000 months, because vaccines are in limited supply. people every day. Yun po ang gagawin natin para at After you get notification, you still need to least magkaroon tayoa ng record-breaking daily vacmake an appointment with your healthcare procination rollout (We are trying to vaccinate at least Vaccine supply may still be limited with 100 vider. to 200,000 people every day.

That’s what we’re your healthcare provider.

You may not be able to trying to do so that we can have a record-breaking an appointment rightthe away. dailymake vaccination rollout),” country’s vaccine PeopleGalvez 65 andJr.over now eligible to 12. get the Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday, January 20 after being sworn into office by Chief Justice John czar Carlito saidare Tuesday, January Roberts (left) as First Lady Dr. Jill Biden (right) holds the Bible. Photo courtesy of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies vaccine.

The vaccine czar also said that 25,000 vaccinators

Relieved, but still cautious: Fil-Am health careeffworkers Coalition launches ort to getget Rob second dose ofasCOVID-19 vaccine Bonta appointed CA’s attorney general

PEDDLING FAITH. Vendor Marife wipes the large statue of Sto. Niño which she sells in front of the church of the Diocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño, Bukidnon Street, Bago Bantay, Quezon City on Wednesday, January 13. She has been a vendor of religious items in the area for 20 years but only now have they experienced low sales due to the pandemic.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

by hristina M. Oriel byCC HRISTINA M. ORIEL AJPress AJPress

LAST month, Eva Teniola kicked off SEVERAL Asian American and Pacific Sacramento, California’s vaccination camIslander (AAPI) elected leaders and orgapaign as she became the city’s first health nizations are calling on Governor Gavin care worker to receive a dose of the PfizNewsom to appoint Assemblymember Rob er-BioNTech vaccine.

Bonta as the state’s next attorney general.

Three weeks later, Teniola, a 47-year-old Current Attorney General Xavier Becerra emergency room nurse at UC Davis Medhas been tapped to join the Biden adminisical Center, received her second jab on tration as the Health and Human Services January 5 and completed the process to be secretary, creating a vacancy in his seat fully inoculated. if he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate later The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 95% this year. effective against COVID-19, and must be Since Becerra’s nomination last month, administered in two doses 21 days apart, Bonta — who was elected to the Assembly according to the Food and Drug Adminisin 2012 and became the state’s first Filipino

are currently being trained and that local government units are consolidating the list of individuals that will participate in the vaccinations.

u PAGE A3

tration.

American legislator — protection has been flafter oated The path to hope and a as a top candidate to bethe the state’s chief grim year outweighed “tolerable sore-law enforcement ness” the nurseoffi feltcer. on her left arm into the nextThe day. 48-year-old lawmaker in November 2020thankful, was reelected a fifth term “I feel proud, for honored, and to represent the state’s 18th Assembly hopeful for the safety of myself, my patientsdistrict, coversTeniola the East areas of and my which loved ones,” toldBay the Asian Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro. He Journal. currently servesmirrors as thethat assistant majority Her experience of hundreds sitscare on several ofleader, other and health workerscommittees, across the including appropriations country who have been onand the health. frontlines of Bonta was virus reportedly among the devastating since last March.the contenders for attorney general in 2017and when A group of elected leaders and organizations is calling on California Governor Gavin Newsom And while both the Pfizer-BioNTech Kamala Harris was record elected to the U.S. Sen- (left) to appoint Assemblymember Rob Bonta (right) as state’s attorney general amid Xavier Moderna vaccines’ development Eva Teniola, an emergency roomtonurse, celebrates after receiving first from dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech ate. Becerra, then a congressman repreBecerra’s appointment the Biden administration.

Filethe photo October 2019 shows COVID-19 vaccine at UC DavisAB32, Medical Centerby in Bonta, Sacramento, December 15,the 2020.

Newsom after signing authored which California, moved for on California to be firstShe in senting the 34th congressional district u PAGE A2 in received second dose on Jan.

by Wayne Tilcock/ UC Davis Health the her nation to ban for-profi t, 5. private prisons and civilPhoto detention facilities. u PAGE A2

PH 2ndVillar ‘mostonly instagrammable’ place in thes 500 world for 2021 Manny Filipino on Bloomberg’ richest list Groups Bidenproposal admin as new Cabinet Palacecriticize hails Biden to prioritize lacks secretary for firstof time in 2 decades legalAAPI status for millions immigrants

by AJP

by RITCHEL Mress ENDIOLA AJPress

WITH 7,017 islands, the PhilipBUSINESS tycoon Manuel Vilpines has been hailed as the world’s lar is the only Filipino listed on second most “Instagrammable” desBloomberg Billionaires Index, a tination in 2021. daily ranking of the world’s top Global travel website Big 7 Travel 500 richest people. on Thursday, January 14, released its As of January 13, the self-made 50 Most Instagrammable Places in billionaire ranked 381st richest the World-2021 list, placing the Philin the world based on the market ippines in second place just behind value of his publicly-listed busiTokyo, Japan. nesses.

Some of the country’s attractions Villar’s businesses in real estate, that the ranking referenced include retail, and utilities are estimated to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean worth $6.75 billion.

The Batad rice terraces in the Philippine Cordilleras, which be River National Park and the rice Tesla’s Elon Musk, meanwas named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. DFA photo Manny Villar Photo courtesy of Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. terraces.

“Home to incredible natural wonwhile, emerged as the world’s richders like an underground river and est person with a total net worth of tranquil rice terraces in addition to a $202 billion. He is followed by Amvibrant culture and history spanning azon’s Jeff Bezos with $183 billion, several millennia; and over 7,500 and Bill Gates with $133 billion. islands – the Philippines as a whole Villar, 71, is the founder and are extremely Instagrammable,” the chairman of Vista Land and Lifesarticle read. capes, the largest home builder in “From the bustling capital of Mathe Philippines. The firm has built nila complete with colorful colonial about 300,000 homes in more than streets to the absolute oasis of Bora140 cities. cay, the gram opportunities here are He also owns stakes in Golden endless,” it added.

Bria Holdings, a property and Aside from Tokyo, the Philippines death care company, as well as was joined by international destinaVistamalls, a shopping mall operations Paris in France, New York City, tor.

by K rLARIZE itChel M MEDENILLA endiOla

cade in American politics, with activists mga Pilipino na magbebenepisyo sa batas and lawmakers propelling the communina ‘yan (and of course there are Filipinos will ty’s issues to the forefront. benefit from that law),” Presidential SpokesVice President-Elect Kamala Harris, man Harry Roque said at a press briefing on the daughter of Jamaican and Indian imMonday, January 18. migrants, has already made history as the Biden plans to send a groundbreaking first female, Black and AAPI to serve in the legislative package to Congress addressing position. the goal of immigration reform, accordIn addition to Harris, Biden appointed ing to various reports. It would include a Chinese American Katherine Tai to serve pathway to citizenship for an estimated 11 as United States Trade Representative, million immigrants who are in the country the head of the government agency that is without legal status. responsible for the development and rec-

AJPress

MALACAÑANG has welcomed United AS the administration of President-elect States President Joe Biden’s plan to offer Joe Biden prepares to take over the White legal status to millions of immigrants living House, fellow liberal lawmakers, activists in the U.S. illegally. and operatives excitedly await the new “Ang mabuti sigurong mangyayari, ngayadministration that has promised policies on pa lang inanunsyo na ni President-elect and public servants that represent the Biden na magpo-propose siya ng batas (One growingly diverse American public. good thing we can expect, is that as early as Asian American and Pacific Islanders now President-elect Biden proposed a law) to (AAPIs), who comprise the fastest-growlegalize the stay of 11 million illegal aliens ing ethnic group in the U.S., have become in the United States at siyempre po may uPAGE PAGE A2 A4 more visible and vocal over the last deu

u PAGE A3 u PAGE A2

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Dateline USa

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 22-28, 2021

A2

High hopes or another false hope?

Green cards for undocumented ‘essential workers’ on Biden’s agenda

ON a recent Monday, Maribel Lapuz got up at 4:30 a.m. The 46-year-old immigrant from the Philippines braved the sub-zero weather and took the train from Jersey City, NJ to a nursing home in Brooklyn, NY, where she has worked six days a week as a caregiver since last February.

A thousand miles away, Mario Ramirez drove from one house to another starting at 5:00 a.m. doing construction and plumbing work in Marietta, Georgia. Ramirez, a 52-year-old Mexican immigrant, has never missed a working day since the start of the pandemic.

“When the Trump administration sent the $1,200 stimulus checks to workers,” Lapuz said, “I didn’t get it; I was ignored.”

“Someone like me in this country is not eligible for unemployment,” Ramirez said. “That means VACCINATED. Personnel of City Health Office of City of Dasmarinas, Cavite, administer an oral anti-polio vaccine to a baby at the barangay I can’t stop working in order to hall in Brgy. Salitran 3, on Wednesday, January 20. Under the program, oral anti-polio vaccines are given to all children five years old and support my family, despite the risk below.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga of COVID-19.”

Their situations may soon change.

Deemed “essential workers” by the federal government, Lapuz and PAGE A1 travel or spend quality time with or intensive care unit. But, he Ramirez are among the 5 million and arrival in the U.S. offered family and friends, but instead, made his case for being vaccinat- undocumented immigrants who some reprieve, the daily infection because of the deadly COVID, we ed as overflow COVID patients may be rewarded a path to citizenand fatality numbers remind of have to isolate ourselves from our have been sent to his unit. ship—and it could happen during the sobering reality and the infec- loved ones,” she said.

During the first round of the the first days of the Biden-Harris tious nature of the virus.

For Emmanuel Bando, a nurse Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, he re- administration.

In Teniola’s case, she contin- manager of ambulatory care ported muscle weakness and a Indispensable to American life ues to witness numerous deaths at Lincoln Medical and Mental spike in blood pressure, but did and economy, undocumented esworking in the emergency room, Health Center in New York, his not experience other side effects sential workers are now at the core especially in individuals over the turn to get vaccinated came as other than soreness at the injec- of an immigration plan currently age of 45. a blessing because he initially tion site the second time. being drafted by congressional “These ages supposedly are wasn’t prioritized since he does He completed his vaccine on Democrats and immigrant rights the prime years and best time to not work in an emergency room u PAGE A3

Relieved, but still cautious: Fil-Am health care...

‘There’s a lack of national guidance’: Medical...

PAGE A2 covery of the vaccine, so we’ve got the science part right, but we’ve also got to get the logistics, the politics and the sociological components right, too,” lamented Dr. Robert Wachter — chairman of the Department of Medicine at University of California, San Francisco — who reflected on the clumsy vaccine rollout nationally.

Wachter reflected on the previous rollouts of personal protective wear and testing and noted that it isn’t a surprise that the vaccine distribution is experiencing similar hurdles. The lack of a robust national plan has left states to figure out for themselves a streamlined

process to get the vaccines out as quickly as possible, he added.

Without mentioning the Trump administration by name, Wachter touched on one of the most glaring criticisms of President Donald Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that there wasn’t a national plan available until the recent COVID-19 relief plan from Congress allocated $1 billion to vaccine distribution.

“I think they didn’t quite appreciate the complexity of the process and they then handed out the majority of the responsibility to local institutions,” Wachter said. “It is one of the things that happens when

there’s a lack of national guidance.

There’s just too much wiggle room.

I don’t think we treated this like the emergency that it is.”

Vaccinations for the over 65 population Navigating the kafkaesque process of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is no more frustrating than in California, where the confusion is rife.

This week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that individuals aged 65 or older would be eligible to get vaccinated, a change from the previous plan that prioritized those with underlying health issues only.

But the state website provides no

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links or instructions on how to go about receiving the vaccine.

The official FAQ answers the question “How can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?” with “Most Californians will be vaccinated at community vaccination sites, doctor’s offices, clinics, or pharmacies.”

The statewide plan originally strived for an organized, tiered approach that separated groups like health care workers, grocery store workers, people with pre-existing conditions, and others that were in the first tiers of vaccine distribution.

But following a tiered system — calling residents who are part of the tiers, monitoring their vaccination status and following up with a second dose — is on a scale for which the state wasn’t prepared.

advocates, and aggressively promoted by the incoming administration.

The new immigration legislation—folded into the $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill that Biden unveiled last week—will include granting undocumented essential workers a green card and decreasing the wait time to obtain U.S. citizenship.

“Essential workers, many of whom are undocumented immigrants, are unsung American heroes—risking their lives during this deadly pandemic to care for our communities and ensure food is on the table,” Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) said in a recent virtual press conference. “I’m working on legislation to immediately protect essential workers and their families from deportation and provide them with a fast-track path to citizenship.”

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris weighed in publicly on the issue. Speaking last week with Spanish-language Univision, she said the incoming administration would automatically grant green cards not only to undocumented essential workers but also to DACA (Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals) recipients as well as Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and shorten by 5 years the time it takes to get U.S. citizenship.

“The incoming administration has a golden opportunity to set things right and offer immigrant essential workers and their fam-

ilies relief from this pandemic, relief from persecution because of their immigration status, and relief from invisibility,” said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights, on a press call organized

by America’s Voice.

Pushback from Republicans has already started. Lora Ries, former acting deputy chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, told The Los Angeles Times that the legislation will create more problems.

“Such rewards will attract more people to illegally enter the U.S. to await their eventual green card, undermining border security,” Ries said.

This week, more than 6,000 Honduran migrants and asylum seekers have reportedly been making their way north through neighboring Guatemala and Mexico. This caravan could represent a resurgence of such efforts as Biden has vowed to reform President Trump’s hard-line immigration policies.

Some immigration advocates and scholars also question whether the upcoming immigration plan is the right approach. If the Biden-Harris administration proposes to extend legalization opportunities to 5 million undocumented essential workers, what about the other 8 million undocumented immigrants?

“Millions of immigrant workers are on the frontlines, risking their

u PAGE A4

A COVID-19 vaccination clinic was held at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center on Dec. 21, 2020.

File photo by Michael Owen Baker/Los Angeles County

Counties across the state have kickstarted their own plans, like Orange County, which was the first county to allow anybody 65 years old or older (regardless of health) to book an appointment at the vaccination supersite at Disneyland. But

scheduling an actual appointment turned out to be a disaster after the website became overwhelmed.

LA County, on the other hand, where the virus has surged exponentially for months, is continuing

u PAGE A3

PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG NG LUNGSOD NG ALAMEDA TUNGKOL SA MGA PANGANGAILANGAN SA PABAHAY AT PAGPAPAUNLAD NG KOMUNIDAD Magsasagawa ng Pampublikong Pagdinig ang Konseho ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa Pebrero 16, 2021. Iniimbitahan at hinihikayat ang publiko na magbigay ng mga komento sa mga pangangailangan sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad ng Lungsod para sa Bultuhang Pagbibigay para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad sa Taong Pananalapi 2021-22 (CDBG) Taunang Plano sa Pagkilos sa Taong Pananalapi 2021-22. Batay sa nakaraang pagpopondo, inaasahang makakatanggap ang Lungsod ng nasa tinatayang $1,100,000 sa CDBG Mga pondo para sa entitlement at $100,000 sa Kita ng Programa para sa TP 2021-22. Hindi bababa sa 70% ng mga pondo ng CDBG ang dapat makuhang benepisyo ng mga residente o kapitbahayan na may mababa at hindi gaanong malaking kita; may limitadong halaga ng mga pondo ang maaaring maipamahagi upang maiwasan ang kahirapan sa mga piling lugar.

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Iniatas ng Departmento ng Pabahay at Pagpapaunlad ng Lungsod ang pagbuo ng taunang Plano sa Pagkilos (HUD), at isusumite ito sa Alameda County HOME Consortium. Tutukuyin ng taunang Plano sa Pagkilos ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng komunidad sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad. Kabilang sa mga pangangailangang tinukoy ng nagdaang Mga Binuong Plano ang: pagpapanatili at pagpaparami ng aboy-kayang pabahay at suporta; pag-iwas sa pagpili ng bibigyan ng pabahay; pagpigil sa kawalan ng tirahan at pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan sa pagpapaunlad ng komunidad na walang kaugnayan sa pabahay gaya ng pagpapahusay ng kapitbahayan, mga serbisyo sa publiko, mga pagpapahusay sa accessibility at pagpapaunlad ng ekonomiya. Ang Kabuuang Plano sa Limang Taon na sumasaklaw sa TP 2020-2025 ay makikita bilang sanggunian sa website ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa https://www.alamedaca.gov/Departments/CommunityDevelopment/Community-Housing-Resources.

Nagsawa ang Lupon ng Serbisyong Panlipunan para sa Ugnayan sa Publiko ng Lungsod (SSHRB) ng pampublikong pagpupulong sa Enero 28, 2021.

HINIHIKAYAT AT INIIMBITAHAN ANG PAGBIBIGAY NG KOMENTO NG PUBLIKO 2/16/21

Pagpupulong ng Konseho ng Lungsod, 7:00 p.m. Pampublikong pagdinig tungkol sa iminumungkahing sa Plano ng Pagkilos ng CDBG para sa FY 2021-22. Para mapanood ang pampublikong pagdinig, bisitahin ang website ng Lungsod ng Alameda sa: https://alameda.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Puwedeng isumite ang mga komento tungkol sa iminumungkahing sa Plano ng Pagkilos kay Lisa Fitts sa (510) 747-6884, (510) 522-7538 (TYY), o lfitts@alamedaca.gov (email). Pakibigay ang mga komento bago ang 4:00 p.m. sa Pebrero 16, 2021. Pakikinggan ng Konseho ng Lungsod ang mga komento at isasaalang-alang nito ang pagpapatibay sa sa Plano ng Pagkilos sa regular na pagpupulong nito nang 7:00 p.m. sa Pebrero 16, 2021. Hinihikayat ang publiko na dumalo at makilahok.

MGA TULONG PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY KAPANSANAN Kung ang sinumang taong interesado sa paglahok sa nabanggit na pederal na programa ay isang taong may kapansanan tulad ng tinutukoy sa Seksyon 504 ng Rehabilitation Act of 1974, at nangangailangan siya ng tulong para makalahok o makialam, puwedeng humiling para sa tulong kay Lisa Fitts sa (510) 747-6884, (510) 522-7538 (TYY), o sa pamamagitan ng email sa lfitts@ alamedaca.gov. Kasama dapat sa nasabing kahilingan ang paglalarawan ng hinihinging tulong, kasama ang paghahayag ng kapansanang dahilan ng pangangailangan ng tulong. Susuriin ang anumang kahilingan para sa tulong at may sagot na ibibigay sa loob ng limang araw ng negosyo mula sa pagtanggap ng nasabing kahilingan. Agad na ibibigay sa humiling ang abiso ng anumang ibibigay na tulong.

MGA TULONG PARA SA MGA RESIDENTENG HINDI NAGSASALITA NG ENGLISH

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Ang Lungsod ng Alameda ay may network ng mga empleyadong nagsasalita ng 45 wika na puwedeng magsilbing tagapagsalin para sa mga residenteng nanghihingi ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga programa ng CDBG/HOME. Kung maaabisuhan nang maaga nang dalawang araw ng negosyo, maghahanda ang Lungsod ng tagapagsalin. Makipag-ugnayan kay Lisa Fitts sa (510) 747-6884, (510) 522-7538 (TYY), o sa pamamagitan ng email sa lfitts@alamedaca.gov.

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PATAKARAN SA HINDI PANGDIDISKRIMINA Hindi nandidiskrimina ang Lungsod ng Alameda ng sinumang tao batay sa lahi, kulay, relihiyon, pinagmulang bansa, ancestry, biyolohikal na kasarian, kinikilalang kasarian, katauhang pangkasarian (gender identity), ikinikilos na kasarian (gender expression), sekswal na oryentasyon (sexual orientation), marital status, familial status, pinagmumulan ng kita, genetic na impormasyon, medikal na kundisyon, kapansanan sa pangangatawan o pag-iisip, o anupamang kategoryang pinoprotektahan ng batas.

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JANUARY 22-28, 2021 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

From the Front Page

‘Democracy has prevailed’...

PAGE A1 day in history and hope, of renewal and resolve,” Biden declared as he began his inaugural remarks, standing at the steps of the U.S. Capitol exactly two weeks after a violent mob stormed the grounds in a last-ditch attempt to contest the election results.

He continued, “The will of the people has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded.

We’ve learned again that democracy is precious and democracy is fragile. At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”

This week, the United States hit over 400,000 deaths related to the

COVID-19 pandemic, and continues to undergo the impacts from business closures to unemployment. The new administration will also be pressed to address ongoing calls for racial justice following a summer of protests and reckoning.

“Few people in our nation’s history have been more challenged or found a time more challenging or difficult than the time we’re in now. Once-in-a-century virus that silently stalks the country. It’s taken as many lives in one year as America lost in all of World War II. Millions of jobs have been lost.

Hundreds of thousands of businesses closed. A cry for racial jus-

tice, some four hundred years in the making moves us. The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer,” Biden said.

Wednesday’s inauguration was attended by former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, while former President Donald Trump broke away from tradition and left for Florida earlier in the morning. He told a small crowd prior to his departure that “we will be back in some form.”

Though Trump has vacated the high office, his shadow looms as he will face a second impeachment

u PAGE A4

‘There’s a lack of national guidance’: Medical...

PAGE A1 “There have been a number of bottlenecks, both at the national and local level,” Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Tennessee, told reporters in a press briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

Schaffner detailed a few recorded hiccups of the vaccine being delayed to some areas due to shipping mistakes, but across the country many state and local governments, medical facilities and health care professionals were unprepared to effectively begin rolling out the

doses.

“I think, quite frankly, that some of the locations thought that this was going to be just another flu vaccine campaign. They didn’t prepare sufficiently. This is more elaborate to administer in a variety of different ways and it’s really gummed up the works,” Schaffner added.

But much of the confusion and lack of structure that has so far colored this phase of the pandemic is in large part due to disregard from the country’s top office, which has provided little to no guidance over how states and local jurisdictions should go about distributing the

Relieved, but still cautious: Fil-Am health care...

PAGE A2 January 12, which made him “feel more confident and effective” in stopping the spread of the virus.

“Right now, in our hospital, we have 60 cases and I found out that the other Health and Hospital [locations] are sending their COVID patient to us,” Bando told the Asian Journal. “The really sad part is that they removed my three ambulatory care nurses to work in the inpatient units and left me with [a] skeletal crew.”

As of this writing, the United States passed the 24 million mark of total cases and over 400,000 deaths.

In California, three areas — the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California — continue to be under the state’s regional stay-at-home order as their ICU capacities are well below the 15% threshold. The state confirmed over 2.97 million cases to date with a seven-day positivity rate of 10.6%.

Los Angeles County over the weekend became the first county in the country to hit 1 million cases, and estimates show that 1 in 3 residents have been infected at some point, according to the Los Angeles Times.

“The public needs to be reminded that the vaccination does not provide full protection from COVID-19 right away as it takes some time for the body to develop immunity to it,” Anna Medrano, a nurse practitioner at City of Hope in Duarte, California, told the Asian Journal. “Collectively, we can help control the staggering number of new cases by continuing to practice social distancing, wearing a mask and practicing other infection control measures. Continue to stay informed and stay healthy for the sake of our loved ones, our communities and our country.”

Medrano, who was the first at her hospital to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine last month, got her second dose on January 4.

Similar to the first round, she experienced a slight fever, generalized body aches fatigue, and tenderness on her left arm afterward. She seeks to dispel any misinformation about the side effects of the vaccine.

“For those planning to receive the vaccine, please plan ahead of time. If you can, take Tylenol or ibuprofen before getting your vaccination and plan to take the vaccine when you can stay home and take care of yourself for one to two days, depending on your symptoms,” she said.

Setting an example For every individual who gets vaccinated, there is the other side of those who are still skeptical, despite studies showing the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

Still, health care workers are pleading with colleagues and those eligible in the next tier to complete their injections and trust the science.

“Let’s be encouraged. If not for yourself, think of your loved ones and the future of humanity.

COVID is like the lottery: if you get it, you may have mild side effects, or you get it big time, that you get sick and die. We don’t know what effect COVID will bring until you get it. So, get vaccinated before COVID gets you,” Teniola said.

Jesse Caloza, an operating room orderly, said getting the vaccine was the “most important decision” he’s made in his 25 years working at an LA County-area hospital.

“Taking the COVID-19 vaccine was the most important decision I’ve had to make in my 25-year career at the hospital. It was also one of the easiest. I hope all health care workers, especially my kababayans, take it,” Caloza told the Asian Journal. “The fight against COVID-19 isn’t over, but taking the vaccine means we are one step closer. We must do everything we can to protect ourselves, our patients, our families, and our community.”

For Dr. Antonio Moya, a neurologist and public health advocate, getting both rounds of the vaccine goes further than protecting himself and his patients — but to provide an example for the greater Fil-Am community as LA County is set to roll out vaccinations for individuals 65 years and older.

“I recommend all Filipinos to be proactive and ask their primary care providers about when they can be considered for the vaccine.

It would be great for younger Filipinos to also help advocate for their elderly parents or grandparents to get the vaccine as soon as possible,” Moya, who completed his second dose on January 8 as part of LA County’s effort to vaccinate health care workers, told the Asian Journal.

However, Moya cautioned that being inoculated is not “a free ticket” to engage in nonessential travel and to forget the public health precautions that have become part of the new normal.

“Regardless of vaccination or not, our community needs to stop the spread through public

u PAGE A4

Jollibee opens in Delano...

PAGE A1 Jollibee has been able to persevere by focusing on off-premise channels apart from dine-in. At the onset of the pandemic, the brand encouraged its customers to experience the joy of Jollibee from the comfort and safety of their own homes via call ahead pick-up, take-out and drive-thru.

By April, Jollibee announced the launch of its nationwide delivery service via DoorDash.

“We have remained nimble and optimistic which has led Jollibee to defy expectations amidst

an extremely difficult year and experience double-digit sales growth across North America,” Maribeth Dela Cruz, president of Jollibee Group North America, Philippine Brands, previously said in a statement. “Make no mistake though, we would not be weathering these hard times without the support of our customers.”

Last December, locations were also opened in San Antonio, Texas, Mira Mesa, California, and downtown Toronto.

(AJPress)

vaccine.

From the beginning, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a battle of American ideologies, an issue that is by its nature apolitical but has become a contentious political talking point. Misinformation and fake news, largely stemming from growing extreme-right groups, have contributed immensely to the lack of progress being made in the U.S. in regard to curbing infection surges.

“I guess I’m not surprised that we’re not doing very well. The only thing we’ve gotten right is the dis-

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ELECTRIC TRICYCLES. Drivers of electric tricycles wait for passengers along Sillas St., Barangay Anabu 1-C, Imus, Cavite on Wednesday, January 20. The Land Transportation Office earlier said it would soon require registration of all kinds of electric vehicles including e-scooters and twowheeled e-bikes.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

Palace hails Biden proposal to prioritize...

PAGE A1 In November 2020, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said some 350,000 Filipinos are facing deportation in the country.

Roque expressed hope that the bilateral relations between the Philippines and the U.S. will have “continuity.”

“Pagdating po sa panlabas na relasyon, may continuity naman po ang Estados Unidos (When it comes to foreign relations, the U.S. has continuity),” he said.

The spokesman also dismissed claims that outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump losing the presidential election meant Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte “lost an ally.”

“Wala po kaming comment diyan, walang basehan iyan. Ang mayroon po tayo ay mainit at malapit na relasyon sa bansang Estados Unidos (We do not have a comment on that. It has no basis. What we have is a warm and close relationship with the U.S.),” said Roque.

According to Ateneo de Manila political science professor Melay Abao, Biden would not support Duterte’s controversial war against illegal drugs.

“Duterte has lost an ally. The Biden camp is not likely to compromise on the human rights issue so for sure, it will frown upon the extrajudicial killings and the drug war,” she told Rappler in November.

Biden was inaugurated as the 46th U.S. President on Jan. 20.

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Dateline USa

JANUARY 22-28, 2021 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

‘Democracy has prevailed’: Biden becomes...

PAGE A3 trial in the Senate in the coming weeks.

Biden did not mention his predecessor, but he mentioned the divisiveness and falsities that were perpetuated, and instead called for Americans to “listen to one another again.”

“We must reject the culture where facts themselves are manipulated, even manufactured,” he said, later adding that the “answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions.”

He echoed themes from the campaign to restore the soul of the nation and decency: “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts.”

Again, he pledged to “be a president for all Americans, all Americans. And I promise you I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did.”

Former Vice President Mike Pence was present on Wednesday, and was sent off after the ceremony by Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, who will be the na-

Kamala Harris takes the oath of office on Wednesday, January 20 to become the U.S.’ first woman, Black and Asian American vice president.

Photo courtesy of CSPAN

tion’s first “second gentleman.”

After the Inauguration Day events, such as a shortened parade and wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Biden hit the ground running with a series of executive actions regarding issues from the pandemic to racial equity, in an effort to undo actions from the previous administration. He is slated to send an immigration bill to Congress to give a pathway to

citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.

Last week, Biden unveiled a $1.9 trillion virus relief package that would send $1,400 direct payments to families and funding for mass vaccinations and contact tracing, among other provisions.

Throughout this week, virtual celebrations welcomed the new administration, including one gala organized by Fil-Am Biden-Harris supporters on Thursday night, January 21.

FREE SWAB TEST. Quezon City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance (QCESU) personnel conduct a swab test on an Araneta City employee at the entrance lobby of Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City on Wednesday, January 20. This is an expanded free swab test project by the QCESU for Araneta City employees and for people working in the area.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

PH envoy to US gets first shot of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine

by Christia

Marie Inquirer.net

raMos

PHILIPPINE Ambassador to the United States Jose Romualdez has received his first dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine as part of Washington’s inoculation program.

“I received the first dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine as part of the continuous rollout of Washington, D.C.’s phase-based vaccination program days before the inaugu-

ration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris,” Romualdez said in a statement posted of the Philippine embassy’s Facebook page on Tuesday, January 19.

The Philippines is currently in final talks with Moderna for the procurement of up to 20 million doses of its vaccine.

“The creation and deployment of safe and effective vaccines take us a step closer to

defeating this pandemic and restoring our economies,” Romualdez also said.

He then underscored the importance of close collaboration within the international community and between governments and private entities in ensuring the procurement of vaccines.

In the Philippines, the government is eyeing the rollout of the national inoculation program by February.

‘There’s a lack of national guidance’: Medical...

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PAGE A3 t to prioritize only health care workers, regardless of Newsom’s announcement this week.

In regard to recent media stories that reported vaccine doses going to waste, Wachter confirmed that there have been “some” instances of that happening but not at the level that some outlets have been reporting.

“That’s not the dominant problem. The dominant problem is that doses are still at the manufacturers sitting in refrigerators and freezers, and it’s taking a long time to get those into the people that need them,” Wachter said.

He added that his facility at UCSF has distributed about 15,000 of the 18,000 doses they were given, but Wachter worries that the distribution of doses will be a lot harder in rural areas and underserved communities where access to social resources is already limited.

As reported in the Asian Journal, the COVID-19 stimulus plan unveiled by President-elect Joe Biden

this week calls for widespread investments into public health, allocating hundreds of billions of dollars for a national vaccination program, which promises to speed the glacial pace of vaccinations.

The chaotic and tense atmosphere surrounding vaccine distribution asks more questions than it answers, but both Wachter and Schaffner recommended that people should consult their primary care physician about when and how

to receive the vaccine.

“We know there is some capacity, potentially, for transmission. So until the full data come in we say, whether you are unvaccinated, first dose, or second dose please, continue to wear the mask, do the social distancing. Once we have the final data in, we can refine what it is that we say: the more we learn, the more we’ll tell you and the changes to the recommendations we make,” Schaffner said.

LA County Department of Health Services Pharmacist Technician Myca De Los Santos fills vaccination syringes at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at LAC+USC Medical Center, on Dec. 18, 2020.

File photo by Michael Owen Baker/Los Angeles County

High hopes or another false hope? Green cards...

PAGE A3 t lives to keep our country running.

The depth of this crisis requires urgency,” said Mary Kay Henry, president of SEIU, on the press call with America’s Voice. “We can’t beat the virus when millions of undocumented essential workers are left out. Providing [a fast-track to citizenship] is the only way we’ll be able to tackle the pandemic.’

Alex Padilla, California’s Secretary of State who is set to replace Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in the U.S. Senate, defended the immigration plan for undocumented essential workers.

“It’s not that we are not going to deal with other undocumented immigrants,” Padilla said on the call

with reporters. “Because of the urgency of COVID relief, it’s better to act sooner rather than later.”

Padilla invoked the immigration experience of his own parents, who came to California from Mexico in the 60s. They never had a formal education, he said, and never had a day off—his dad worked as a cook and his mom cleaned houses.

“But they told us that if we work hard and do well in school, we can do what we want to be. That’s the American Dream,” he added. “After four years of [Trump’s] constant attack on immigrant communities, the Biden-Harris administration will help us turn the tides. I hope the Congress and our nation will

recognize that these [undocumented essential] immigrants stepped up when the U.S. needed the most and put themselves in danger during this deadly pandemic.”

“I’m very excited when I heard about this great news,” Lapuz said in Jersey City, NJ. “But I can’t help worrying that they are sending another false hope. I have been through this before.”

“My family has been waiting for this moment. We risk our lives and help this country to survive the pandemic,” Ramirez said.

“We should not be left in the dark anymore. My children were all born here—this is our home.”

(Anthony Advincula/Ethnic Media Services)

Relieved, but still cautious: Fil-Am health care...

PAGE A3 health…These actions are the easiest ways to prevent overwhelming our hospitals nationwide,” he said.

Dr. Joyce Javier, a pediatrician and researcher at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, echoed the importance of the community to be protected, given the numerous factors that have contributed to Fil-Ams being at higher risk — being employed in frontline, essential services like the medical field as well as living in multigenerational households.

“It’s important for our health care workers to model to our

community that the vaccine is safe and that can help alleviate fears about the vaccine,” Javier told the Asian Journal, citing National Nurses United’s findings that Filipino nurses make up 31% of COVID deaths, despite only being close to 4% of the nursing population in the U.S. She added, “I hope my story can encourage others to get the vaccine when it’s available to them. My hope is that having the vaccines available will help address not only the health impacts of the pandemic, but also the mental health impacts of COVID-19 on all our communities.”

Javier and Moya shared culturally relevant resources, including the Filipino Family Health Initiative, a program that is offering parenting workshops; and Tayo Help, an online platform with expert-backed articles to dispel any COVID misinformation, as Fil-Ams continue to navigate the pandemic and wait for the opportunity to get vaccinated.

“There’s obviously a lot of anxiety among all communities and also with our teens, children and health care workers. I think it’s just important to keep the communication lines open in the family,” Javier said.

PH 2nd ‘most instagrammable’ place in...

PAGE A1 and Istanbul in Turkey in the top five of Big 7’s list.

Completing the top 10 were Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Havana, Cuba; Sydney, Australia; London; and Chicago, Illinois.

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), for its part, welcomed the country’s inclusion in the travel website’s list.

“The Department of Tourism

(DOT) celebrates the inclusion of the Philippines in the Most Instagrammable Places in the World list of the renowned travel website Big 7 Travel for the year 2021,” it said on Friday, January 15.

“Coming at 2nd place, the Philippines bested other places including Paris, France; New York City, USA; Istanbul, Turkey; and Dubai, UAE in the list,” it added.

Big 7 Travel used a scoring sys-

tem that analyzed the number of hashtags per destination, survey results from their social audience, and input from their editorial team to create its top 50 list.

In October 2020, the website included the country’s Palawan and Boracay Island in its list of 50 Most Beautiful Places in the World, ranking the two tourist attractions at eighth and 18th place, respectively.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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Report: Black market for illegal COVID vaccines emerges in PH by ritchel

mendiola AJPress

A BLACK market for unauthorized COVID-19 vaccines is ‘thriving’ in the Philippines, according to a recent report by the Washington Post.

Only Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine has been granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) in the country, but the national government is still in talks with the American pharmaceutical firm to secure a deal.

The country may only start its rollout of Pfizer vaccine in February through the COVAX facility, a global platform that aims to ensure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries.

The Philippines also only recently secured 25 millions of China’s Sinovac, of which the first 50,000 doses are set to arrive in the country — officially — next month.

However, a number of Chinese workers employed by the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) have reportedly been inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine already.

“It is illegal to import unauthorized pharmaceuticals. But soaring demand among Chinese workers, many of them employed in the Philippines’ lucrative online casinos ca-

tering to gamblers in China, is driving a black market in which vaccine doses are sold for many times the standard $30 price in China,” said the Post’s article by journalist Regine Cabato.

The article also noted how the black market “exposes pandemic inequalities and problems with immunization drives in places plagued by corruption and patronage.”

The unauthorized distribution of the vaccines isn’t limited to Chinese POGO workers. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in late December, revealed that some members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) have received Sinovac jabs — angering ordinary Filipinos as well as healthcare workers.

Philippines Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, for his part, confirmed that the vaccines administered to the country’s military personnel were smuggled, since they have not been authorized by the government.

“Time and again, health workers are being neglected,” Reigner Antiquera, president of the Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders and Advocates, told the Post.

He added, “Nurses, doctors, and other health workers should be prioritized in receiving these vaccines because they are the most at risk and

exposed to the virus.”

Decentralized operation Teresita Ang See, a Filipino-Chinese civic leader, told the Post that an estimated 100,000 Chinese nationals in the Philippines have already been vaccinated, citing advertisements on Chinese media and information from gambling industry worker chat groups.

“The vaccine could fetch between $200 and $300 on the black market, presumably for both doses,” the newspaper quoted.

Meanwhile, Jesse, a Filipino POGO worker who chose to go by her nickname for fear of reprisal, divulged that she accidentally read the conversation of her Chinese colleagues in a group chat where they discussed getting administered the Pfizer vaccine, shipped in from China.

“In an emailed statement Tuesday, Pfizer did not address questions about whether it had shipped doses to the Philippines. The company said it was committed to engaging with the Philippine government to make its coronavirus vaccine available in the country,” wrote the Post.

The article also noted that Beijing’s efforts to distribute vaccines for its nationals working overseas have raised suspicions that it could

B. Salaverria Inquirer.net

The President knows he has to be inoculated against COVID-19, Roque MANILA — President Rodrigo said.

“But he said it does not have to be Duterte will be given the COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available in shown to the public. He is taking the the Philippines, but he will be vac- route of the British sovereign because cinated behind closed doors, Mala- the decision of Queen Elizabeth and cañang said on Tuesday, January 19. her husband was to make their vacciPresidential spokesperson Harry nation private,” he added.

Duterte has expressed his preferRoque said the public would be informed if the vaccine had been ad- ence for CoronaVac or Sputnik V, the vaccine developed the2009 Gamaleya ministered to Duterte.

ISO 12647-7 Digital Controlby Strip 100 60 a question 30 100 70 Research 30 100 60 A Institute of100Russia.70 Roque was answering The Philippines is expected to about the President’s willingness to take the first shot of CoronaVac, the receive next month the first 50,000 COVID-19 vaccine made by the Chi- doses of the 25 million doses of CoronaVac it is planning to buy. nese company Sinovac Biotech.

100 100 60 100 100 70 70 30 30 expected 100 100 60 100 100 month 70 70 is 30the 30 Also next ‘No problem’ He said he had talked to Duterte first batch of the vaccine made by the about the question and the President US pharmaceutical company Pfizer. had responded, “No problem, I will The Pfizer vaccine is the first to be take the vaccine as soon as it is avail- granted emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration able.”

B

Scrapping of UP deal raises furor

by Bernadette

e. tamayo

ManilaTimes.net

LAWMAKERS and various groups on Tuesday, January 19 raised a big howl over the termination by the Department of National Defense of its agreement with the University of the u PAGE A7 Philippines that banned uniformed personnel from entering UP campuses.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon asked Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to review the ter(FDA). mination of the pact because it does China is also donating 500,000 dos- not solve any problem with regard to es of CoronaVac to the Philippines, communist insurgency. with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xil“We are not saying that UP should ian vouching on Tuesday for its safety be beyond the law. If there are issues and promoting it as “very suitable” for of violations of the law, a search wartropical countries. rant is a remedy available to the auEmergency use permit thorities not only in other places but The Department of Health (DOH), also in UP,” said Drilon, a graduate however, said any donated vaccine of UP Law. could not be used in the country withSen. Francis Pangilinan filed Resout being granted emergency use au- olution 616 expressing the sense of 100 60 40 100 70 40 70 40 40the 40 70 100 by the 70FDA. 30 100 40 100 40to 40 40 70 40 thorization the 40 Senate oppose unilateral Sinovac has applied for emergency termination of the 1989 UP-DND acpermit for CoronaVac with the FDA, cord and to urge the UP and DND but the regulator has found the com- to start a dialog and find a common pany’s papers incomplete. ground that promotes peace and 100 100 60 100 100 70 70 30 30 to100 40 100 40 40 100 and 10 40 40 20 70 70 70 70 40 free70 40 40 The government aims begin security protects academic immunization next month, hoping dom. to inoculate 70 million people, or Sen. Panfilo Lacson said with the two-thirds of the country’s popula- termination of the 1989 pact, the setion, this year. curity sector should come up with an T:11.5" u PAGE A7 agreement with the UP on boundar-

Duterte will get COVID-19 vaccine shot in private by leila

MAKATI SKYLINE. A bicycle rider pedals across the Guadalupe Bridge on Edsa, Makati City with a glimpse of the Makati skyline and the Pasig River on the background on Wednesday, January 20. The bridge connects Makati and Mandaluyong cities.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

3%

against government and you are very ies to be observed.

The chairman of the Senate Com- young, you are vulnerable, you are mittee on National Defense said this easily radicalized, and the hotbed is to prevent the move from nega- of recruitment would be UP, PUP tively affecting academic freedom (Polytechnic University of the Philipin UP. pines) and other universities, then I “Once the pact is terminated, what think the security sector has studied will the security sector do? We don’t all the factors involved before they know that yet. Probably they could acted on the matter,” he said. come to an agreement that there are But he added the termination of boundaries to be observed,” Lacson the pact will affect the culture of acsaid in a television interview. ademic freedom in UP, whose comSen. Ana Theresia Hontiveros munity is known to be independent. said, “If the administration is deter“They enjoy so much freedom. mined to look for communists, they And then all of a sudden you take it must turn their attention to the com- away from them, that really hurts. munists who openly encroach in the Definitely there will be outcry, proWest Philippine Sea.” tests and disagreements. Let’s see “The University of the Philippines how it shapes up in the future,” he is a bastion of student activism and said. its grounds must continue to be a Members of the UP community safe space for dissent and peaceful held a rally on Tuesday as university assembly,” Hontiveros said. president Danilo Concepcion urged Lacson warned that the security Lorenzana to reconsider his decision. sector would overstep its bounds if Concepcion said the termination of the move was designed to muzzle the agreement was “totally unneces70 40 40 3 10 25 50 75 90 100 the academic and other freedoms sary and unwarranted.” enjoyed by the UP community.

“Instead of instilling confidence He noted that during the Senate in our police and military, your dehearings on red-tagging, it was es- cision can only sow more confusion tablished that students were being and mistrust, given that you have not 3.1 2.2 2.2 10.2 7.4 7.4 25 19 19 50 40 40 75 66 66 100 100 100 80 70 70 100 0000 recruited by the New People’s Army specified what it is that you exactly not only in UP but in other univer- aim to do or put in place in lieu of the sities. protections and courtesies afforded “To join the militant organiza- by the agreement,” he said in a letter tions, that’s fine. You can protest all to Lorenzana. you want. But when you bear arms u PAGE A7

We have the power to harness California’s abundant solar and wind energy. But during peak hours, energy gets dirtier and more expensive too. Use less energy from 4-9PM, for a cleaner California.

LE A R N M O R E AT E N E RGY U P G R A D EC A .O RG/N E WS PA PE R

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JANUARY 22-28, 2021 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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OpiniOn

Features

Crime pays

IF the government wants to intensify its campaign against criminality, it must ramp up efforts to go after financial crimes. Based on reports, if regulators could go after dirty money in the Philippine financial ecosystem, the amount would be more than enough to buy all the reputable COVID vaccines needed by the country, with many more in reserve.

A recent report from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas estimated that proceeds from money laundering, proliferation financing and terrorist financing across the financial ecosystem have breached the P1-trillion mark. Proliferation financing, as defined by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force, relates to dirty money used in the trafficking of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.

In March last year, calls for tighter regulation of money laundering in the Philippines were aired after Australia’s Westpac Banking Corp. was blamed for that country’s worst-ever money laundering breach in 2019, with millions in cash remittances, some allegedly sent to child pornographers, going to Southeast Asia. Westpac’s Philippine banking partner warned at the time that weak laws against money laundering combined with tough bank secrecy laws were attracting dirty money and eroding confidence

in the country’s financial system.

The BSP reported that criminals continue to use cash-based transactions to move dirty money in and out of the country’s banking system.

Criminal proceeds in the country were estimated to have reached from P938 billion to a whopping P1.02 trillion. Topping the list of sources of dirty money was corruption, with proceeds estimated at P670 billion to P752 billion. Other sources were smuggling with an estimated P100 billion; tax evasion, P75 billion; environmental crimes, P50 billion; intellectual property violations, P31.9 billion, and drug trafficking with P11 billion in just the first half of 2020.

Among the suspicious transactions monitored by the BSP in 2020, swindling accounted for 41% or P12.83 billion in terms of value as of end-June. Traf- billion.

Those amounts are so hefty criminals would be ficking in persons followed, with 20% of P6.19 billion. Drug trafficking placed third with 15% or P4.6 willing to risk capture or even tokhang. As long as a

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

criminal activity pays, it will proliferate. Shutting off the pipeline for dirty money is critical for the success of any campaign against criminality. (Philstar.com)

January 20, 2021: The dawning of a new day as we reclaim the soul of America The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS THE “I Have a Dream” speech

by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. never sounded more real, more poignant and meaningful for us, citizens of our beloved adoptive country the United States of America.

The past four years had been like a nightmare that has made many people almost lose faith in America.

But on January 20, 2021, we wake up to the dawning of a new day. From out of the rubbles and ashes of the Trump presidency, the soul of America has seen its rebirth, because we chose to rise with faith over fear, love over hate, light over darkness, empathy over apathy, and decisive action over learned helplessness.

We dared choose to use the power of our vote and our trust in every

American to make the right choice and take the right path toward healing, unity, and a better, brighter, stronger Union and that day in America sees its renaissance at noontime of January 20, when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn into office as our duly elected President and Vice President of the United States, respectively. We did so because somehow, somewhere in our heart and soul, we still dare to dream on and believe...

I HAVE A DREAM that one day, we all will see the goodness in the hearts of our fellow Americans, regardless of their political party affiliations, holding on to the faith that we all love our beloved country and only want the best for our people in this generation and in the next generations to come…

I HAVE A DREAM that one day, we shall all again live in one universe, embracing the same truth and facts no matter how painful and inconvenient, but it will be a good start toward our collective effort in making our wrongs right, and in rebuilding our nation to-

Commentary

enRique

de la CRuz

THE phrase describes an ancient Chinese torture method to kill a person slowly and painfully by ‘a thousand cuts.’ Maria Ressa, founder and CEO of online news site Rappler, alluded to it in reference to the state of Philippine democracy, saying that it is being slowly undermined through violations and curtailments of civil liberties. The phrase is also the title of a Taylor Swift song about heartbreak, and the title of a documentary about Ressa.

Last Wednesday, January 6, American democracy came under assault by a mob of several thousand, intent in disrupting congressional affirmation of Electoral College votes that would certify Joe Biden’s election as the 46th president of the United States. While the disruption was temporary, the rioting inside the halls of Congress caused extensive damage and five deaths, including that of a Capitol Police Officer who died from injuries received on duty. The event has shaken representatives and senators, along with past and present political leaders nationwide. They placed responsibility on Trump who at a rally just before the mob assault on the capitol egged his followers to march on the Capitol and “fight like hell” to “stop the steal.” Giuliani, his personal lawyer, stoked the crowd even more by exhorting, “lets have a trial by combat.” As I write this, the U.S. House of Representatives, has impeached Trump for a second time.

The story of this assault, egged on by a sitting president, against a

gether standing on a strong solid foundation…

I HAVE A DREAM that one day, we shall again see the sacred value of each and every American, appreciating our uniqueness intrinsic in our differences in skin color, ethnicity, culture, life story, faith, gender, age, talents, expertise — yet unified by that one collective goal — to give all we’ve got to enrich and strengthen the United States of America, the nation that immigrants like all of us build...

I HAVE A DREAM that one day, this goal will make us realize that what we share in common is far stronger and more powerful than what divides us, and therefore, we shall again treat each other with respect and decency as we let our voices heard, exchange of differing perspectives, debate on policies and programs without having to doubt in the integrity of our leaders who we trust and know share the same faith in the strength of our unity and common purpose…

I HAVE A DREAM that one

day, we will again share the value of the life of every human being from womb to tomb, and use the God-given intelligence of our people, scientific knowledge and procedure to save lives especially in our war against the coronavirus pandemic, against the abuse of Mother Nature and our environment so we can pass on a healthy thriving planet to our children and grandchildren…

I HAVE A DREAM that one day, we will all honor our solemn oath as citizens of the United States — to support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that we will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that we take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and expect our leaders to fulfill their oath of office as a public servant as well, exercising our constitutional duty to make them accountable, in affirmation that in our democracy, nobody is above the law, not even the Presi-

dent of the United States of America…

I HAVE A DREAM that one day, our electorate and our government will be a reflection of who we are, honoring our diversity in appointing and electing officials and public servants in the executive, legislative and judiciary that will be responsive to the needs and concerns of our people — especially those that are most vulnerable and marginalized throughout our nation’s history…

I HAVE A DREAM that one day, we will again be investing in the American people, by allocating resources toward education, health care, science and technology, environmental protection, peace and order, a more vibrant and honest watchdog in our fourth estate — the news and information media — so that we can help foster and bring out the best in each one of us despite our differences, helping us all to be more informed and engaged citizens, inspiring and empowering us to give back and do our share to help create a more

perfect Union…

I HAVE A DREAM that one day, the United States of America will again be a government of the people, for the people, by the people, and on January 20, 2021, when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took their oaths, we have proven we still have the vision, the resolve and the commitment to make this come true…

So help us, God! *** 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.

The death of democracy by a thousand cuts

co-equal branch of government, has yet to fully play out. Yet historians, scholars, and journalists, with few exceptions, appear to be of one mind: The horrific events of 1/6, is the result of years of complacency over a president’s divisiveness, half truths, falsehoods and lies, to bend reality into a fantasy world where he wins re-election, but is deprived of it by widespread fraud.

Efforts by Trump’s lawyers to contest election results in over 60 court filings have been summarily dismissed by judges who considered their complaints frivolous or without merit. Despite all these Trump has continued his fantasy claims of re-election by a landslide of votes, setting the stage for the rally near the White House on 1/6, and the subsequent mob assault on the U.S. Capitol.

The assault on the Capitol, may be the most horrific of the thousand cuts, but there are other equally serious cuts that Trump inflicted on American democracy: obstruction of justice, violation of prohibitions against foreign and domestic emoluments, soliciting foreign interference in elections (for which he was impeached), violating immigrant rights to due process, separating children from their parents at the border, violating campaign finance laws, and attacks on a free press, to name just the most egregious ones.

The authoritarian strain that Trump awakened, come from a cross section of American society: politicians willing to pander to his lies and falsehoods, members of the police and the military, whites and minorities, and many folks who felt threatened by the erosion of white privilege from the increasing diversity in their communities. Although the 1/6

mob appears to be white, Trump increased his voter base among Asian and Latinx Americans based on exit polls and analysis of voting patterns. The mob may not reflect pro-Trump voter sentiments among Filipinos that guided their choice in the last elections, but it is important to ask, were they attracted to him because of his authoritarian tendencies? E.g., his disdain for the critical press, his brash unapologetic personality and populist pronouncements, his disrespect of the judiciary and the legislative co-equal branches of government if they were not in his service?

His disdain for critical media has a cascading effect on one’s ability to think critically. Who is one to believe if the press cannot be trusted to be objective: the giant echo chamber of those who pander to Trump? Those who trusted Trump and what they heard within his giant echo chamber believed him when he egged them to march to the Capitol to fight hard to “stop the steal”; they believed him when he assured them that he will be there with them — a boldfaced lie, for he soon retreated to the fortress of the White House. This may well be the reason why some protesters did not hesitate to carry and wave the confederate flag (the flag of treason) into the Capitol.

American democracy will survive these cuts, but it has been shocked and considerably weakened. There will be no shortage of advise on how the wounds and divisions that 1/6 has laid bare might be healed or bridged. I will just reiterate what I wrote when I warned about the dangers of Trump’s authoritarian tendencies in early December (Asian Journal Southern California Midweek Edi-

tion, December 2, 2020). Americans must confront and make peace with the historic legacies of its slave-owning past: exorcise white supremacy, and the culture of white privilege.

Which leads me to the question of Filipino Americans and their role in getting beyond 1/6. A majority of us are foreign born — immigrant — although more and more have become naturalized, and voted in the last elections. Our native born children clearly have a stake in the political future of this country. So do we, foreign born Filipino Americans since we have thrived under the umbrella of opportunities and liberties in American society. But the strong ties we have with Filipinas, our country of birth, requires that we cannot have one standard for Trump, condemning his transgressions against truth, civil liberties, and democracy, while we turn a blind eye to similar transgressions in the political affairs of the Philippines.

President Duterte’s war on drugs, is estimated to have resulted in over 30,000 extrajudicial killings. He has attacked the press, actually moving to curtail the activities of those critical of him through license cancellations, and lawsuits. The most egregious so far is prosecution of Rappler’s founder and executive editor, Maria Ressa, on alleged violations of a libel law that was retroactively applied — the law did not exist when the alleged acts were committed.

As extrajudicial executions were mounting under the war on drugs, Duterte warned the critical media, “just because you are a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination.”

The United Nations High Com-

missioner on Human Rights has warned that there appears to be “a pattern of intimidation” of media in the Philippines. Ressa and fellow journalist, Reynaldo Santos Jr. were found guilty of a law retroactively applied to them. At a press conference afterwards Ressa has vowed to continue fighting, to hold power to account: “Are we going to lose freedom of the press? Will it be death by a thousand cuts, or are we going to hold the line so that we protect the rights that are enshrined in our constitution?”

We also know now that ABSCBN, a major radio and TV broadcast organization has had to stop its broadcast activities in the Philippines pending a renewal of its broadcast license, these despite assurances by members of the Philippine congress that it can continue its operations pending congressional review of its renewal application.

These attacks on the freedom of the press are but one area of concern regarding civil liberties in the Philippines. Since 2019, international human rights advocate organizations have began to focus attention on the Philippines. In June, 2019, the UN Human Rights Council, adopted a resolution, requesting the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to report on the human rights situation in the Philippines. The adoption of this resolution is unprecedented; it marks the first time that the Philippines is the subject of scrutiny by the Human Rights Council.

Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC), launched an inquiry on the Philippines war on drugs. In reaction, President Duterte withdrew Philippine membership with the ICC on March 2020. The ICC prosecutor however

continues its inquiry, contending that the ICC has jurisdiction over crimes committed during a period while the Philippines was still an ICC member, i.e., July 2016 to March 2020.

These are disturbing signs about the curtailment of liberties and rights in the Philippines. Yet, judging by Duterte’s continued popularity, Filipinos appear to be more sympathetic towards leaders with strong authoritarian tendencies.

Government actions against Ressa, Rappler, and ABS-CBN hardly created a ripple of protest among Filipinos even as those who dared to voice criticism have been threatened or prosecuted on trumped-up (pun intended) charges. Outrage was more pronounced internationally.

This is a dangerous bargain that we are making with the devil, so to speak. Democracy and civil liberties in the Philippines lack the robust rails that they have in the United States. Corruption and political patronage have made us more willing to ignore transgressions. And when the bargain comes due, it might well be death by a thousand cuts.

At the very least, I urge my kababayans to start engaging on the issues of press freedom and civil liberties in the Philippines. Let us educate ourselves on the issues. A good place to start are the reports of international human rights advocacy groups. *** 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. *** Enrique de la Cruz, Ph.D. is professor Emeritus of Asian American Studies at California State University, Northridge.

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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A7

Dengvaxia raps vs Manila court orders ‘Bikoy’ arrest for perjury PAO chief junked

by John

eriC mendoza Manilatimes.net

The Dengvaxia vaccine

Photo: AFP

MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the criminal and administrative charges filed against Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta and PAO forensic laboratory head Erwin Erfe over the controversial dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia.

In a 23-page resolution obtained by media yesterday, the ombudsman said there was insufficient evidence to sustain the complaints against Acosta and Erfe.

The ombudsman said Acosta and Erfe’s act of helping the families of the children who were inoculated with Dengvaxia, in terms of evidence gathering and filing of cases, falls within the mandate of the PAO. Under Republic Act 9406, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said Acosta is authorized to represent indigent relatives of Dengvaxia vaccine recipients.

Acosta and Erfe lauded the ombudsman’s office for dismissing the

cases they described as “harassment.”

In October 2018, lawyer Wilfredo Garrido Jr. filed a complaint against Acosta and Erfe for supposedly “fanning the flames of public hysteria” by attributing at least 80 deaths to Dengvaxia, using questionable and inconclusive autopsy reports by the PAO forensic laboratory.

The criminal charges include violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, falsification of public documents, malversation of public funds and illegal use of public funds or property also referred as technical malversation under the Revised Penal Code.

Garrido also charged Acosta and Erfe with administrative offenses of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, grave abuse of authority and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.

The complainant said Acosta’s creation of the forensic laboratory was illegal as it has no mandate from Congress nor from the Administrative Code of the Philippines.

Garrido alleged that Acosta used the forensic laboratory as a tool to manufacture bogus evidence directly linking Dengvaxia to the death of at least 80 people, mostly children inoculated with the dengue vaccine.

The ombudsman, however, ruled that the creation of the PAO forensic laboratory and the hiring of Erfe were both approved by the Department of Budget and Management.

(Rhodina Villanueva, Ghio Ong and Elizabeth Marcelo/Philstar.com)

Report: Black market for illegal...

PAGE A5 “use vaccines for political leverage in areas where it is trying to expand its influence.”

A Philippines-based businessman revealed to the Post that he had been approached by Chinese businessmen from the online gambling industry about supplying the Sinopharm vaccine to their employees.

“The process, he said, entailed the buyer declaring the smuggled vaccines as supplements, before customs officials would relabel the shipment accordingly and approve the importation,” the article said.

“Would-be local distributors would have to agree to assume legal responsibility and sign a waiver committing not to resell the vaccine. The

businessman said that many groups were interested and that it was a ‘decentralized operation,’” it added.

Neither the Philippine Bureau of Customs nor the Chinese Embassy in Manila commented on the matter.

Meanwhile, Malacañang assured that the investigations of health and law enforcement authorities are already underway.

“Both FDA [Food and Drug Administration] and the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] have been investigating this issue,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Monday.

“Abangan nalang po natin ang resulta ng kanilang imbestigasyon (Let’s just wait for the results of their investigation),” he added.

THE Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) issued a warrant of arrest for Peter Joemel Advincula alias “Bikoy” for falsely linking Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) lawyers to an ouster plot against President Rodrigo Duterte.

Manila RTC Branch 17 said Advincula’s bail for perjury was set at P18,000.

FLAG lawyers Chel Diokno, Lorenzo Tanada 3rd and Theodore Te filed the complaint against Advincula for lying in his sworn affidavit when he linked the three lawyers to “Project Sodoma,” an apparent plot to install Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo as President, and former senator Antonio Trillanes 4th as vice president.

In a resolution signed by Assistant

State Prosecutor Ferdinand Fernandez, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said that evidence showed that Diokno and Tanada were present at the Ateneo De Manila University to attend a senatorial candidates’ forum on March 4, 2019.

“Clearly, such allegation in planning ‘Project Sodoma’ … is an outright lie and perjurious considering they were there for the purpose of attending a debate,” the resolution read.

Also, Theodore Te met Advincula only after he requested assistance from FLAG. Furthermore, prosecutors said that there was no evidence that the three actively participated in the preparation of ‘Project Sodoma’ since “they were only mentioned by respondent Advincula as part of the shadow group and nothing more.”

Peter Joemel Advincula, who claims to be “Bikoy.” ManilaTimes.net photo by John Orven Verdote

“Respondent Advincula’s statement against the complainants cannot be believed considering that there was no clear-cut of their involvement in ‘Project Sodoma,’” the prosecution panel said.

Prosecution said false testimony complaints filed by both Advincula and Police Col. Arnold Thomas Ibay

were also dismissed since not all of their statements were false.

The perjury complaint against Thomas Ibay was also dismissed since he only endorsed Advincula’s affidavit.

Advincula is now facing charges of perjury and conspiracy to commit sedition.

Registrants for 2022 polls reach 1 million

by Shiela

CriSoStomo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has recorded over one million registrants for the 2022 presidential polls.

Comelec data showed that 1,050,793 people have signed up since the voter registration resumed on Sept. 1 last year.

Comelec data showed that 1,050,793 people have signed up since the voter registration resumed The poll body said it expects on Sept. 1 last year.

Philstar.com photo by Edd Gumban the number of registrants to

Scrapping of UP deals raises...

PAGE A5

Alter ego President Rodrigo Duterte stood by the decision of the Defense department.

“Si Secretary Lorenzana po is an alter ego of the President.

Of course, the President supports the decision of Secretary Lorenzana,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a televised Palace press briefing.

Roque, a UP alumnus and former professor, also defended the DND decision, saying academic freedom would not be affected.

He also pointed out that cam-

puses in the United States and United Kingdom have police presence, but academic freedom has never been violated.

The 1989 agreement, according to Lorenzana, had been a hindrance to operations against communist rebels, especially the recruitment of cadres in UP. No crackdown Amid fears that the scrapping of the deal would lead to militarization in the university, the Philippine National Police gave assurances that there will be no crackdown inside UP campuses.

BGen. Ildebrandi Usana, the PNP spokesman, said academic

PAGE A5 The Philippines has one of the highest numbers of coronavirus cases in Asia.

On Tuesday, the DOH reported 1,357 additional coronavirus infections, raising the overall number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country to 504,804.

The DOH said 324 more patients had recovered, bringing the total number of COVID-19 survivors to 466,249. But the death toll rose to 9,978 with the deaths of 69 more patients.

The deaths and recoveries left the country with 27,857 active cases, of which 86.1% were mild, 6.1% asymptomatic, 0.42% moderate, 2.7% severe, and 4.7% critical.

%

NG MGA PAGKAMATAY DAHIL SA PAGKABUNDOL NG SASAKYAN AY KINASANGKUTAN NG MGA NAGMAMANEHO NA LUMILIKO NG PAKALIWA

Wear a mask

Stay home

Duterte will...

freedom will be respected.

“No crackdown. No arrests without warrant. No militarization. The police will just normally do their daily work in communities,” Usana said.

In a statement, the PNP said the agreement “did not serve the best interest of public order and security.”

“The PNP wishes to state that the termination of the agreement does not diminish our mandate to uphold the law at all times. Any abuse or criminal behavior committed by men in uniform shall be dealt with accordingly,” it said in a statement.

STOP THE SURGE

reach four million.

The Comelec is expecting one million old voters to apply for re-activation of registration.

Under Comelec regulation, voters who failed to vote for two consecutive elections are automatically removed from the list.

The poll body said the low voter registration turnout was expected amid quarantine restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The voter registration will run until Sept. 30.

BAGUHIN NATIN ITO.

Washing hands frequently

Stay 6 feet apart

covid19.ca.gov

1

2

3

MAGBAGAL

LUMIKO NG PAKUWADRADO

MANATILING MALAY

ANG ANGGULONG 90-DEGREE ANG PINAKAMAINAM

ANTABAYANAN ANG MGA KOTSE, MGA NAGBIBISIKLETA, AT MGA TAONG NASA TAWIRAN

5MPH AY PINAKALIGTAS

VisionZeroSF.org/LeftTurns

VISIONZEROSF

VZ SF

VISION ZERO SF

A8

JANUARY 22-28, 2021 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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B1

THE ASIAN JOURNAL

MAGAZINE

I N

N O R T H E R N

C A L I F O R N I A

Friday, January 22, 2021

INSIDE >>> L I F E S T Y L E • C O N S U M E R G U I D E • C O M M U N I T Y • M A R K E T P L A C E

President Biden’s proposed immigration bill/amnesty: Who benefits? of immigrants is now over. We look forward to positive changes in immigration laws, and President Biden has now submitted his proposed immigration reforms to Congress, entitled “the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.”

ATTY. MICHAEL But first a word of caution: this GURFINKEL, ESQ is only a proposal. It must pass It’s official: Joe Biden and Ka- both the House and Senate, and mala Harris were sworn in as be signed by the President. This president and vice president, and Bill could be subject to change, the Trump era of strict immigra- such as amendments, deletions, tion enforcement and demonizing etc. Therefore, there is nothing to

Immigration Corner

apply for or file until it becomes law.

It is a lengthy bill, with numerous provisions, but here are some of the highlights of the bill in its present form: • Replaces the word “alien” with “noncitizen” in U.S. immigration laws.

• Immediate green cards for DACA and TPS. They could be eligible for U.S. citizenship three years later.

PAGE B3

Yana Gilbuena

Photo by Mogli

Ginger Lim-Dimapasok

Photo by Noel Ty

Nikki Guevara Perez de Tagle Instagram photo by/@miss_guevara

Looking onward to 2021 after a year of challenges, social distancing

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

LEADING U.S. IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL (TOP AND LEFT) CONTINUES TO PROVIDE RELEVANT IMMIGRATION INFORMATION AND ANSWERS TO KAPAMILYA, VIA ZOOM, THIS SUNDAY. Liza of Concord, CA (center) asks if there is a faster way to expedite her son’s petition. It was filed in August 2018 and has been pending since then. From San Antonio, TX, Gio (right) would like to know if his nephew still qualifies for a visa under the CSPA because the nephew’s mother was petitioned when the boy was only two years old. The parents were approved and arrived in the U.S. when his nephew was already 26. Many other questions regarding family petitions will be discussed and answered by Atty. Gurfinkel. Be sure to watch an encore episode of “CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style” this Sunday, January 24 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

2020 not only brought the world to a standstill, but also changed our way of living.

COVID-19’s global sweep prompted countries to close borders, and with it, came the safety measures that we have taken into the new year — face masks, hand sanitizers, and social distancing.

Concerts, festivals, and even traveling took a backseat in favor of home quarantines, while digital technologies rose to the occasion

in battling pandemic fatigue.

Still, the impact of COVID- 19 has been egregious. By the end of 2020, over 82 million people have contracted the virus, and a staggering 1.8 million have died because of it. To make matters worse, natural disasters, systemic racism, and political tensions between countries ran rampant alongside the pandemic, bringing horror after horror, grief upon grief, throughout the entire year.

2020 was, no doubt, a year of profound loss. We mourned for hu-

man lives, the ‘normalcy’ we were once used to, and the opportunities that would have catapulted us to a better future. But in the midst of all the dark tragedies and adversities we had to deal with, we also found little pockets of light that guided us in navigating a rocky year plagued by the pandemic.

An opportunity for self-reflection Being in isolation gave people the time to grapple with the lull that the pandemic presented, and PAGE B2

B

January 22-28, 2021 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

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Sheryl Cruz, co-star agree that age celebrity world doesn’t matter when it comes to love

By Ferdie Villar THE ever-young looking Sheryl Cruz and her teleserye co-star Jeric Gonzales both believe that when it comes to love and relationships, age should not be an important factor.

Incidentally, both are starring in the GMA network series “Magkaagaw,” playing main characters who are having an illicit May-December affair.

Both stars gave an opinion in a recent interview with PEP. ph concerning age and relationships.

“Well, actually that is very… it’s a very challenging question to answer,” the 46-year-old singer-actress said. “…But from my point of view, since I already experienced being married and being out of a marriage, and being single, so it depends. It depends on hour perspective as a person.”

“If you respect the other person and what will make them happy, let’s not dwell on what people might say if they talk about you.

If your emotions are the most important thing, that you share with that person you connect with, I don’t see anything wrong with it,” Cruz added.

“For as long as you respect each other and you love each other, ‘yun ‘yon. For me, as long as both of you are of age, and you are not harming anyone… if you

are willing to go into a relationship, I don’t see anything wrong with that. And for as long as both of you nga are free, and without any other relationship, o walang ibang involved na relationship sa inyo, and I guess you can freely express your love for each other, I don’t see anything wrong with that,” Sheryl further stated.

Gonzales, for his part, echoed his co-star’s point of view.

“I think, age shouldn’t matter,” the 28-year-old actor said.

“Like what Miss She said, it depends on a person’s perspective.

I don’t believe that it revolves on age. When you fall in love with a person, it doesn’t matter. The important part is that you’re happy, that you see each other’s world and happiness, and that you agree with each other.”

“Whatever other people say, it really doesn’t matter,” Jeric added.

Both Cruz and Gonzales have denied rumors linking them to each other, steadfastly maintaining that they their relationship is only in a professional sense.

While Cruz said that they are friends, she thinks it is probably the show’s (and their) fans who want them to be an item.

“Jeric and I are okay naman.

And if I do date or have a steady boyfriend, I won’t deny it to the entire world,” Sheryl stated.

Lovie Poe, a beauteous actress at GMA Pinoy TV, will be the lead actress in the upcoming series “Owe My Love.”

Instagram photo (@lovipoe)

*** It looks as if the COVID-19 lockdown has done wonders for Ai Ai de las Alas and her husband Gerald Sibayan.

They both reached their weight goals, with Ai Ai reporting on her Instagram account that she was happy and thin at 110 pounds, while her husband is down to 170 pounds, according to an article in Inquirer.net.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and strong physique is important to Ai Ai, seeing as how she is 29 years senior to Gerald. At 56, she feels compelled to keep up with her husband.

“Hinahabol ko ’yung edad niya, eh. I have to be strong and fit. The age gap is already wide as it is, so I can’t be not fit,” the Comedy Queen was quoted as saying.

“I’m not really on a diet, but I believe my metabolism has really improved from [all the exercises I do in our home gym,” she added. “Gerald now has a neck! And I think he’s planning to compete in a fitness competition.”

Ai Ai also has one motivation to keep herself in tip-top shape: she wants to have a baby again.

“I have to train and strengthen my back, build muscles, so I can carry a baby,” she revealed, but added that it will be up to her doctor — and to the Lord — Ai Ai de las Alas and husband Gerald Sibayan have gotten to their weight goals even as the eventually if she is able to realize pandemic has raged on. She wishes in 2021 that everyone can get access to the vaccines so that plan. that things can go back to normal.

File photo Inquirer.net

Benjamin Alves, a husky debonair actor, will be the lead actor in the upcoming GMA network series “Owe My Love.”

Instagram photo (@benxalves)

Luis Gragera of Angono, Rizal appeared recently in the Tawag ng Tanghalan portion of “It’s Showtime” as one of the eliminated “Resbakers” who forgot the lyrics to the song “Lately” and then cried unabashedly afterwards. In addition, Luis has also appeared in the BL series on YouTube (Boyband Love) with Arkin del Rosario and in the Viva Films Sarah Geronimo starrer “Miss Granny” (2018).

Instagram photo (@luisgragera04)

Actors Sheryl Cruz and Jeric Gonzales, who play characters having a May-December romance in “Magkaagaw” both agree that age should not matter when it comes to relationships.

File photo mb.com.ph

Married for three years now, Ai Ai said that the pandemic strengthened their marriage.

“There are humps along the way, but we survived,” she stated. “I’m the jealous type, so I’m happy that Gerald isn’t going out often! I’m happy because he’s

always there. I’m not stressed.

Kaya siguro gumanda ang skin ko!”

“I wasn’t sure what would happen to us if I didn’t have projects.

Most of us have that fear. But the important thing is that you realize that… look, we have food to

eat and water to drink. We’re alive,” she answered when asked about moments of doubt during the past year which was rife with uncertainty. “I believe in the power of prayers … In situations like these, God is the only one we can turn to.”

Looking onward to 2021 after a year... Fil-Am actress Tess Paras to PAGE B1 the effect on their careers and long-term life goals. For Yana Gilbuena, chef of Salo Series, it meant looking at her life’s work in a new light. “[2020] was a retreat that had me reflecting on what’s important in the face of uncertainty and calamity. A big realization I had was I was not an essential business, and my model is not pivotable because the main thing I’m providing is community, culture and connection over food,” she told the Asian Journal.

“I had to remind myself that as much as my identity has been tied to Salo Series for the past seven years, it was not all that I am. I knew that food was just a vehicle for the main driver of what I do, which is to have an impact in people’s lives, and that I can still do that in other ways,” added Gilbuena. “This pandemic provided me with an opportunity to reconnect with the other facets of Yana and discern what ways I can still create and impact even if it’s not through food.”

Familial comfort Having your family’s support certainly softened the blow that came with the pandemic upending your plans. In 2020’s trying time, family members lent strength, and gave us the reassurance that, even in a seemingly endless period of isolation, we weren’t alone.

Lally Reyes from Dublin, California underscored the importance of her family while working from home.

“I am so grateful for a great and loving family life at home. To be together 24/7 for nine months now would have been difficult if we didn’t have a loving and understanding relationship at home,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ginger Lim-Dimapasok, chef and co-founder of Cafe 86, shared that the pandemic gave her the opportunity to spend more time with her family.

“The news of the pandemic hit us like a pile of bricks. On a personal level, it meant being separated from family, especially the ones living in the Philippines. On a business level, it meant closing up shop. It was a truly scary and uncertain time, but we tried our best to focus on the health and well-being of not just our family, but our staff,” she said.

“Amidst all the uncertainties of the situation, I found joy in being given time to be at home with my family. As a business owner, time at home is something we rarely get, and all of a sudden, I was able to cook three meals, I was able to have conversations with the kids,

and I got to take care of things I rarely had time for while working,” she added.

Nikki Guevara Perez de Tagle, on the other hand, reflected on the “bittersweet” year — from giving birth after years of trying to struggling with business downturn.

“2020 was bittersweet for me.

It was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. It was sweet because, after four years of trying to get pregnant, my husband and I finally conceived through IVF (In vitro fertilization) and delivered our sweet baby girl in November,” she said. “It was bitter because my businesses suffered due to the pandemic. My salons had to close for a few months leaving my employees jobless for a while. Thankfully my husband still had his job.

It would’ve been hard not having income while I was pregnant.”

“Another reason why 2020 is bitter is because I get no help taking care of my little one. So I’m very hands-on with my baby. My whole family was supposed to fly here in November and December to be with me for the birth of Shiloh and for the holidays. But yet again, it was cancelled because of COVID,” De Tagle added.

She continued, “The worst part of it all is that my husband caught the virus. Thankfully, his symptoms were mild but he still had to be isolated...However, I wouldn’t change a thing about everything that happened. Not only did my family overcome this obstacle, we became stronger. I became stronger because I had to take care of my family all by myself. I learned how to suck it up and be strong for my family. Through all of this, I became resilient.”

Appreciating the little things As the pandemic continued to hang over 2020 like a dark cloud, we learned to tone down our profligacy. Being deprived of the most basic things also led to us appreciating the mundane.

“Living during these times taught me how to live with just the bare necessities; buying what’s needed and seeing a limited amount of people. It teaches you that it’s okay to just have enough and not live in excess,” said LimDimapasok.

Deo Jaravata, a teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District, likewise told the Asian Journal that 2020 taught him to be content with the simple things.

“My beginning of the year was excellent. I went on some trips and finished five marathons. I even celebrated my birthday with family and friends on the first Saturday of March. After that, my year went downhill. All races were canceled.

My annual summer trip to the Phil-

ippines was canceled, too. My trip to Tokyo to watch the Summer Olympics was canceled as well,” he said, adding that he resorted to hiking local LA trails and mountains.

As a teacher, he taught summer school for the first time with the LAUSD but virtually.

“From these cancellations, I realized that I can easily be contented and I can accept what life gives me. I’m very fortunate that I have my teaching job and am still physically fit,” he added.

Vivian Cruz had the same sentiment. She said, “In 2020...we realized that we could live with less; that a simple life is actually good for us. We did more as a family confined in our homes and together we prayed, and played, cooked, and did a lot of things with joy.

Family relationships, friendships flourished thanks also to the technology of Messenger, Viber, and Zoom.”

Truly, the pandemic has taught us it doesn’t take much to make a day feel special. Even the act of coming home is considered a moment to celebrate.

“My wife works as a nurse responsible for taking care of COVID patients and helping manage resources. Every time she comes home from a long day of work is a nervous time for me so they are big moments,” Norbert Piega from Chino Hills, California told the Asian Journal.

“She brought heart-breaking news of suffering and death and her efforts to keep things afloat amidst challenges are nothing less than heroic to me,” he added.

What’s next?

The end of the year generally has people feeling hopeful that the next one would be better. A new year means a new chapter, a new page unblemished by mistakes or regrets. Looking back at 2020 may have unearthed various feelings, but looking ahead at 2021 only elicited one: hope.

“What I am looking forward to this coming year, 2021 is a new beginning. I am hopeful that the COVID-19 vaccine will help eradicate this pandemic,” said Christienne Silverio from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jaravata expressed hope for the promise of the vaccines. “Hopefully, the vaccine will help us with this virus. I know it won’t be 100% back to normal but hopefully I can still run marathons, travel, mingle with family and friends, and be back to see my students face-toface.”

“I am most hopeful that we will get through this; that more lives will be saved, and that we will take the lessons of 2020 and slay 2021,” Gilbuena added.

direct, produce ViacomCBS’ virtual ‘Showcase’ by

AJPress

FILIPINA American actress Tess Paras is set to direct and executive produce ViacomCBS’ 2021 virtual “Showcase,” making her both the first Asian American and Filipina director to do so.

“Showcase” is a hybrid comedy show with Broadway-worthy live performances and original, creative writing attended by senior-level executives, showrunners and casting directors from ViacomCBS properties, as well as other networks and talent agents/managers from across the entertainment industry.

Paras expressed her excitement over the production in a tweet posted on Wednesday, January 13: “Excited to share: I’m the first female #Director & EP of CBS Showcase (also the (L-R) Tess Paras, Tien Tran, Tyler Davis and Frank Garcia-Hejl Courtesy of John Keatley/ViacomCBS 1st Asian-American Dir. & the 1st #Filipina Dir.!)” clusion, global inclusion.

“Grimm,” “Girl Meets World,” “Been directing socially-disClaudia Lyon, CBS Enter- and “Reno 911.” tant sketches here in LA & over tainment’s executive vice presiCurrently, she stars as Erin Zoom & Facetime in CHI, NYC, dent for talent and casting, Chua on Amazon’s new spinoff PA, Boston & D.C. w/ a cast of praised this year’s “Showcase” “Just Add Magic: Mystery City” 16 comedians!” added Paras. production team for its “inge- after heavily recurring on the Along with Paras, comedian nuity.”

Daytime Emmy-nominated seaTien Tran will serve as executive “Not only are Tess, Tien, son of “Just Add Magic.” producer and head writer, while Frank and Tyler gifted multi-hyParas also participated actor Frank Garcia-Hejl will be phenates in their own right, but in the 2014 “Showcase” as a producer and associate director. they’ve excelled in motivating performer and writer while Filmmaker and musician Tyler and inspiring our talented cast she served as the associate diDavis will be producer and as- to realize their limitless poten- rector for the 2019 and 2020 sociate head writer. tial,” she added.

“Showcase.” Alumni of the “This year has certainly Paras, the youngest daugh- “Showcase” include Fil-Am acbrought its challenges and we’re ter of Filipino immigrant doc- tor Nico Santos (“Superstore” so proud of what Tess, Tien, tors, is an actress, writer, and and “Crazy Rich Asians”), Kate Frank and Tyler have been able director popularly known for McKinnon (“Saturday Night to accomplish with the show go- her recurring role on the criti- Live”), Tiffany Haddish (“Girls ing virtual,” said Tiffany Smith- cally acclaimed musical comedy Trip”), Nicole Byer (“Nailed Anoa’i, executive vice president, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” She also It!”) and Ego Nwodim (“Saturentertainment diversity and in- starred in “The Good Wife,” day Night Live”).

Tess Paras is an actress, writer, and director popularly known for her recurring role on the critically acclaimed musical comedy “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.”

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS KNOWING the correct information could save your life. Now that the two vaccines against the SARS-CoV2 virus of COVID-19 and its variants are here, and a third to be available soon, all of us must know the facts and details about them. Otherwise, we will be wasting the vaccines, getting infected after receiving the shots, and spreading the disease anyway. Currently there are more than 96 million cases of COVID-19 and greater than 2 million deaths in 219 countries, killing 409,000 in the U.S. and almost 10,000 in the Philippines.

The chance of dying from COVID-19 greatly outweighs the risk of dying from the side-effects or complications of the vaccine. It’s a no brainer: the vaccine is a life saver. Talk to your physicians for any queries or if you have severe allergies. COVID-19 vaccines being sold online are fake and dangerous. Get yours from official sites.

Warning: If one becomes careless or reckless after getting the first or the second shot, and stops using facemask, social distancing and crowd avoidance, the residual risk could still lead to infection and death. Only when herd immunity in the country and in the world is fully established will it be safe for the then vaccinated 95.5 percent of people. The 4.5 percent (people who are skeptics, misinformed, Muslims, Christian Scientists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc.) who object to getting the vaccine, could be the only segment of the society who could be infected and keep the SARS-CoV2 virus around.

They could cause future outbreaks of COVID-19 every now and then, even beyond the next five years.

An example of this is measles, which was no longer endemic in the United States since 1997 because of the high vaccination rate.

Sadly, came the outbreak in 2005 when a member of a religious group in the U.S. who refused the vaccine got infected while in Romania, and came back to the U.S. and caused the outbreak. This has led to many pockets of measles infection thereafter. Indeed, a single irresponsible person can cause an outbreak, which could lead to an epidemic, and result in a devastating pandemic.

An analogy Vaccines are for protection, much like the bullet-proof vests which also do not offer 100 percent coverage. But as proven by Edward Jenner, who invented the first vaccine (for Smallpox and Cowpox) in 1796 and others that followed, and by Casimir Zeglen, who invented the bullet-proof vests in 1893, vaccines and bullet-proof vests, although not 100 percent guaranteed to prevent in-

Life-saving info fection (injuries) and deaths, have saved billions of lives around the globe. When bullets are flying in the air (much like the SARS-CoV2 virus and its variants today), I would rather have a bullet-proof vest (and the vaccine during this pandemic), albeit neither is guaranteed 100 percent. It’s just plain common sense!

Talking of protection, the CDC states pregnant women, who are at a higher risk for COVID-19, may safely get the vaccine without undue side-effects on the fetus. As a matter of fact, it has been shown that the vaccines have prevented premature births and miscarriages.

Still at risk A frequent question I get: “After getting vaccinated, am I immediately immune from getting COVID-19?”

The answer is NO. Following the first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, it will take at least 21 days to get 52 percent (partial) immunity, so there remains 48 percent risk of getting infected if one stops avoiding crowds, wearing facemask, social distancing, washing hands often, etc.

After the second shot (21 days after the first for the P-BNT and 28 days for Moderna vaccine), one does not get the full 95 percent immunity until after several weeks or months. It is obvious there is still a 5 percent risk after the second shot (a must to have to complete the vaccination).

We must not allow the vaccination to give us a false sense of complete security. About 5 percent of those vaccinated have been infected with COVID days/weeks after the vaccination. There are a lot we still do not know about the virus, its variants, and the duration of protection the vaccines confer.

Historical firsts The first person in the world to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) outside the clinical trials was a 90-year-old grandmother in the UK, Margaret Keenan, on December 8, 2020. Sandra Lindsay, a nurse in Queens, New York, (originally from Jamaica) was the first person in the U.S. to get the shot (also P-BNT) on December 14, 2020.

My wife, Farida, and I received ours (P-BNT) on January 13, 2020 as a part of the largest vaccination campaign in modern history, with 32.5 million doses of the vaccines administered in 45 countries (almost 41.5 million as of today); 10.8 million (now about 13 million) in the United States alone, with almost 800,000 given their second dose. There are 77 candidate vaccines on trial in 47 countries, 19 of which are in stage 3 clinical trials, and 8 have been authorized. The Philippines is starting its vaccination in February, with 65,000 doses of SinoVac from China, a part of a 25 million dose-deal. Other potential suppliers include Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Jannsen, No-

Features

vavax, all from the U.S. Variants spread faster The variant (with 17+ mutations) of SARS-CoV2 virus first discovered in the UK in September 2020, now plaguing the United States as well since December 20, 2020, is predicted to become the primary (predominating) strain by March, crowding out other strains. While the variant strains are multiple times more rapidly transmissible, they are not more deadly and the vaccines we have are effective against them, including the oneshot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. A bonus from following the COVID19 guidelines: the seasonal flu has dramatically decreased.

Wisdom and discipline It is now obvious that we are fighting two pandemics, COVID19 and the pandemic of STUPIDITY. Those who abused democracy, demanding civil rights, protesting, and did whatever they wanted (not following the CDC guidelines) amidst this pandemic – refusing to wear facemask in public, do social distancing and avoid crowds – are the main reasons why this pandemic has reached this massive proportion, killing two persons in the U.S. every minute.

Vaccines alone are not enough to prevent infection and deaths.

We must have the wisdom and discipline as a people to still follow the guidelines and behave properly. After receiving the vaccine, we must continue to limit our trips to essential travels, wear facemask in public, avoid crowds, and do social distancing, because, as explained above, there is still a significant risk, albeit small, until after herd immunity is established. And this could be a year or two ahead. After receiving the shots, let us behave as if we did not get them yet and continue to follow the CDC guidelines religiously.

So, let us all endeavor to help end this pandemic soonest. If we cannot help, let’s us stay out of the way to avoid killing people. Every life is precious.. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua. com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

The death cap (left) and Western destroying angel (right), two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, can be found in the East Bay Regional Parks during the rainy season. Both are toxic to humans and pets.

Images provided by East Bay Regional Park District

Annual wild mushroom warning

OAKLAND – Mushrooms are an ecologically important part of our parklands and can look beautiful, but some of them contain dangerous toxins. Each year, mushrooms proliferate after the first sustained rains of the season. The death cap (Amanita phalloides) and Western destroying angel (Amanita ocreata) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms, and both can be found in East Bay Regional Parks during the rainy season.

The death cap and Western destroying angel mushrooms contain amatoxins, molecules that are deadly to many animals. Symptoms may not appear until up to 12 hours after consumption, beginning as severe gastrointestinal distress and progressing to liver and kidney failure if treatment is not sought immediately.

East Bay Regional Park District Naturalist Trent Pearce documents and teaches about fungi in the Bay Area. “Both of these mushrooms can be lethal to humans and pets if consumed” Pearce warns. “They are mainly associated with oak trees and can be found growing anywhere oak roots are present.”

The death cap is a medium to large mushroom that typically has a greenish-gray cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem, and a large white sac at the base of the

stem. Although the death cap is mainly associated with oak trees, it has been found growing with other hardwoods. It was accidentally introduced to North America on the roots of European cork oaks and is now slowly colonizing the West Coast. The death cap is not native to California.

The Western destroying angel is a medium to large mushroom that usually has a creamy white cap, white gills, a white ring around the stem that can disappear with age, and a thin white sac at the base. It fruits from late winter into spring. It is associated exclusively with oaks. Unlike the death cap, it is a native California mushroom.

“The Park District urges the public to be safe and knowledgeable about toxic mushrooms when encountering them in the parks,” said East Bay Regional Park District Public Information Supervisor Dave Mason. “Collecting any mushrooms in East Bay Regional Parks is not allowed.”

The death cap and Western destroying angel can also be dangerous for pets.

“Dog owners should keep a close watch on their dogs during the winter months,” said Mason.

“Pet owners should contact a veterinarian immediately if they suspect their pet may have eaten a toxic mushroom.”

While the death cap and western destroying angel mushrooms are responsible for most cases of mushroom poisonings in California, deadly toxins can also be found in Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species, which also occur in the Bay Area.

Meanwhile, the annual Tilden Fungus Fair was held virtually last January 16 and can be seen on YouTube. The event included presentations from mushroom experts, a live mushroom cooking demonstration, reviews of mushroom field guides and trivia.

Also, explore fungi with Black Diamond Mines Naturalist Virginia Delgado Martinez. Watch her January 9 Mushroom Exploration & Dissection video by clicking on https://www.facebook.com/BlackDiamondMines/ videos/424965845316705, or test your knowledge on January 23’s Fungi Facts Kahoot Live (https://www.facebook.com/ events/156956669202039).

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful public parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco Bay, established in 1934. The system comprises 121,000 acres in 73 parks including over1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and nature learning.

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 22-28, 2021

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President Biden’s proposed immigration...

PAGE B1 • 8-year pathway to citizenship for the approximate 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. It requires registering with the U.S. government, background checks, payment of back taxes, proof the person was in the U.S. as of January 1, 2021. Thereafter, they apply for a green card after five years, and U.S. citizenship three years later. You should already gather documents now to show you were in the U.S. and keep them safe, such as bank accounts, rental agreements, phone bills, etc.

• Allows certain immigrants who were deported but had been living in the U.S. for at least three years to return to the U.S. to be reunited with their families. It would depend on the reasons they were deported. If they had committed felonies, they may not be eligible.

• “Recaptures” unused visas from prior years. Before, if the allotment of annual visas weren’t issued, they were lost. Like a phone plan with no roll-over minutes.

• Increases the number of visas available for family petitions so that more family members can immigrate.

• Eliminates per-country allotment of visas for employmentbased petitions, and instead allocates visas on a first come first served basis, based on the person’s priority date. This could benefit people from India and China where there was a long line or backlog but may cause people

from other countries, such as the Philippines to wait longer.

• Won’t count derivative spouses and children of persons being petitioned through employment against the annual allotment or quota of employment-based visas.

This could increase the number of visas available for employmentbased petitions. Before, if a worker had a spouse and three children, that would count as five visas being used up. Now, only the worker is counted and the family members will not reduce the number of employment-based visas.

• Provides for work permits for the spouses and children of temporary work visa holders, like H-4 spouses of H-1B visa holders.

• Will end the 3/10 year bar for people who have overstayed.

Therefore, they may no longer need the provisional waiver.

• Will clear the visa backlogs for family and employment-based cases. This could mean that the government will infuse thousands and thousands of additional visas so that the current lines or waiting times are eliminated.

• Increases the number of immigration judges to reduce backlogs in immigration courts.

Many people in the U.S. are unable to apply for green cards under existing programs, such as family petitions or employment sponsorship because they are out of status. Instead, they are required to return to their home countries.

Therefore, even if you are under petition by a family member or

employer, you should consider this as an option, if it becomes law.

Under immigration law, a person can be petitioned in as many different ways as are available, all at the same time.

Amnesty and immigration reform is a developing story, and there will be much more to report as the bill winds its way through congress. I will provide updates on the details on who is included, what are requirements, etc. So stay tuned. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

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

Alex explains why she had to keep wedding a secret KAPAMILYA actress Alex Gonzaga revealed yesterday that she got married with boyfriend Mikee Morada last November.

In her YouTube account, Alex said that the intimate wedding was only attended by their immediate family and was held in their family residence in Taytay, Rizal.

“Isa na po akong may bahay at isa na po akong wife,” Alex said.

She also apologized to her fans for not immediately talking about the wedding.

“We want to celebrate together as a family muna and s’yempre alam din namin ‘yung timing din at tsaka alam din namin na may pandemic.

So we just wanted to keep it to ourselves for a little while to celebrate,” she said.

Celebrities such as Melai Cantiveros, Bianca Gonzalez, Loisa Andalio, Billy Crawford, Karla Estrada, Jessy Mendiola, to name a few, commented on Alex’s Instagram post, extending their congratulations for the couple.

“Congratulations alsy balsy and mikee,” Melai wrote.

“Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Morada,” Bianca commented.

“Netizens, we are married!” Alex said in an Instagram post.

Luis Manzano, who is also set to be married to Jessy Mendiola, jokingly commented: “Alam naman ni Mikee?”

Alex and Mikee got engaged in 2019. They announced their engagement last January 2020. (Jan Milo Alex Gonzaga with husband Mikee Morada Severo/Philstar.com) Photo from Instagram/@cathygonzaga

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January 22-28, 2021 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

Features

Shaina on most challenging part of working in the ‘new normal’

By MarInel

Cruz

Inquirer.net

FOR actress Shaina Magdayao, who is among the cast members of the long-running action-adventure series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” the most challenging part about working in the “new normal” was going through the mandatory twoweek quarantine before entering the lock-in set. “Just think of all the things you could still do during those two weeks if we weren’t in a pandemic. We’re all used to having rackets. Prepandemic, I would often juggle two or three projects at the same time,” Shaina recalled. “Back then, while doing ‘Ang Probinsyano,’ I was able to do a movie on the side and then go abroad for a vacation.”

The actress added: “The sad part is that, no, you can’t do that anymore. I remember how some crew members would tell me that they haven’t slept because they had ‘segue.’ They won’t be able to say that anymore these

days since everyone is forced to stay in a bubble. That’s the reality these days,” she told Inquirer Entertainment. Shaina said Ystilo, a chain of salons she operates with her sisters, had also been gravely affected by the pandemic.

“We were among those that needed to close for a while because of quarantine protocols.

Now, most of our branches are already open. Members of our staff are required to wear PPE,” she said. “In order for us to be allowed to operate again, we had to follow regulations. I honestly don’t mind. Ours wasn’t the only business that got affected, but everyone else’s around the world.”

She said her other business, Living Oils, had actually been “strengthened” by the pandemic, “since we don’t have an actual store and simply sell our products online. If you look at the trend, online stores really prospered.”

The 31-year-old added: “At the end of the day, you just

Shaine Magdayao Photo from Instagram/@shaina_magdayao

have to look at the brighter side of life; find something good in every situation you are in and recognize that things happen for a reason. The situation may be bad, but try to keep the good in everything.”

Janine receives warm welcome as she officially transfers to ABS-CBN

By Ian

BIong Inquirer.net

ABS-CBN stars have been giving award-winning actress Janine Gutierrez a warm welcome as she officially transfers to the Kapamilya network.

“Hello Kapamilya!” Gutierrez simply posted on Instagram, sharing a photo of herself during the contract signing on Friday, Jan. 15.

“Welcome Elise [heart emoji],” Dee wrote in the comments section.

“Can’t wait to work with you [heart emoji],” Panganiban said, while Ruffa Gutierrez reacted with a bunch of heart-eyes emoji.

“Wooooooohooooo!!!!

So happy for you!!!! [heart emoji],” Iza Calzado also said. Singer Kiana V, meanwhile, told Gutierrez that it was “so nice bumping into [her] yesterday!!!”

BJ Pascual, Carla Abellana and Dianne Medina likewise congratulated Gutierrez for the transfer.

EMPLOYMENT

Janine Gutierrez

During the contract signing, Gutierrez was joined by top ABS-CBN officials including president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, chairman Mark Lopez, COO of broadcast Cory Vidanes, CFO Ric Tan and Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal.

Her manager, Leo Dominguez,

ABS-CBN photo

was present as well.

Even before switching networks, the “Babae at Baril” star had expressed her support for ABS-CBN by being among the Kapuso stars who spoke out against the franchise denial of the said network in May last year.

EMPLOYMENT

REAL ESTATE

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Lani: Life is precious

By MarInel

Cruz

Inquirer.net

FOUR months after she and her husband Noli were afflicted with what the doctors described as a “rare disease,” Lani Misalucha is slowly recovering but she and Noli are not completely healed. She has gotten back her sense of hearing and balance, and, most importantly, her voice...losing it could be the worst that could happen to a singer famous for her perfect pitch.

But we’re getting ahead of the story...

“It was bacterial meningitis,” Lani, Asia’s Nightingale (also jokingly dubbed Reclining Diva because she can hit the highest note while flat on her back), told Funfare Thursday night in a phone interview. “The doctors said that it was a rare case that infected us. It was weird. The doctors were puzzled why both Noli and me got infected.”

Actually, it was a double whammy.

As Lani related, Noli underwent a triple bypass on Aug. 17 last year. In September, one month and one week later, they ate at a restaurant.

“It was a Tuesday. Two days later, Noli and I got a fever at dawn, 38 to 39 degrees.

Noli was shivering. A few hours later, I started shivering, too. At first, we were scared since we thought that it was COVID-19.

Noli was delirious, disoriented, at hindi na maka-usap. Iba na ang hitsura. When he tried to get up, he was groggy, bumabangga-bangga sa walls. Sabi ko, ano ‘to?”

Early Friday morning, they summoned an ambulance that brought them to the St. Luke’s Medical Center. When the doctors talked to her, Lani replied, “Ano po ‘yon, ano po ‘yon?” By Sunday, she couldn’t hear anymore, except garbled sounds.

She had to talk louder and louder. That was when she realized she was losing her sense of hearing. Noli was confined at the ICU for six days and Lani four days.

“We suspected that we must have eaten pork,” said Lani. “We seldom, if ever, eat pork and I don’t remember ordering pork.

There were other people in the restaurant but they were okay naman.”

Naturally, she was depressed.

Lani Misalucha

“I was in denial. Feeling ko, hindi na ako marunong kumanta. I was having a hard time singing. I kept trying to hum.

Feeling ko, nag-shutdown ang lalamunan ko.”

Before that fateful September day, Lani was able to co-host (with Ai-Ai delas Alas and Christian Bautista) three episodes of the GMA talent search The Clash, and was later replaced

by Pops Fernandez. In December, she joined the shoot of the network’s Christmas special and kept apologizing because she couldn’t do it right. She was worried that she was causing the delay but her co-stars (AiAi included) assured her that everything was all right. After several takes, she managed to render a heart-tugging version of O Holy Night.

“I felt that I lost my confidence,” sighed Lani. Her costars told her that she was as good as new.

Lani and Noli had to return several times to the hospital for therapy. Back home, they are taking so many medications that Lani exclaimed, “OMG, grabe ang dami, especially Noli who has to take nine different medicines.”

Aided by a nephew, Lani

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GMA photo

and Noli exercise daily by walking around BGC. “I can walk without holding on to my nephew, diretso kung flat ang surface. I have started vocalizing at home. I have regained my balance and sense of hearing. My voice is back. Pero si Noli, dapat inaakay pa when he walks.”

Results of the doctors’ findings were submitted to the Department of Health (DOH).

“Para may record that there is such a rare case of bacterial meningitis,” noted Lani.

The couple were caught home by the lockdown and unable to fly to Las Vegas where they are based. They do plan to go when they are well enough.

“In the meantime, we cannot because it’s risky. The air pressure inside the plane might be bad for our ears, at nandyan din ang altitude. At baka tatabitabingi ang lakad namin.”

Asked what the incident has taught her, Lani said, “That life is precious,” adding, “that you are not sure what could happen.

Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, may mangyayari pa rin sa’yo. I think we should just be grateful every single day that we can still walk, we can still talk, we can still move.”

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 22-28, 2021

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January 22-28, 2021 • nOrCaL aSIan JOurnaL

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