012222 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

JANUARY 22-25, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 6 • 2 Sections – 20 Pages

Biden, Harris enter second year with mixed DATELINE USA Los Angeles County public opinion, lukewarm social progress reports highest daily FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

number of deaths since March 2021

LOS Angeles County on Thursday, January 20 reported 102 additional COVID-19-related deaths, the highest number of fatalities reported in a single day since March 2021.

The number of new deaths doubled in the past week, according to the LA Department of Public Health.

Of the deaths, 90% were among residents who became ill with COVID after December 24, indicating the high likelihood of infection with the Omicron variant.

“As deaths often lag behind surges in cases and hospitalizations, we may see an even higher number of deaths in the coming weeks,” the department said in a release.

On Friday, January 21, the department reported an additional 65 deaths and 43,091 cases of COVID-19. Of the 65 new deaths

White House AANHPI representatives celebrate diversity despite low approval ratings for current admin

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

ONE year ago, on Jan. 20, 2021, when President Joseph R. Biden and Vice President Kamala D.

Harris were sworn into office, they inherited a host of national problems.

The Biden administration effectively took over the largely lackluster coronavirus response from

Vaccine expert warns against deliberate COVID-19 infection

by CATHRINE

GONZALES Inquirer.net

u PAGE A5

5 things you should know about ‘free’ at-home COVID tests AMERICANS keep hearing that it is important to test frequently for COVID-19 at home. But just try to find an “at-home” rapid COVID test in a store and at a price that makes frequent tests affordable.

Testing, as well as mask-wearing, is an important measure if the country ever hopes to beat COVID, restore normal routines and get the economy running efficiently. To get Americans cheaper tests, the federal government now plans to have insurance companies pay for them.

The Biden administration announced Jan. 10 that every person with private insurance can get full coverage for eight rapid tests a month. You can either get one without any out-of-pocket expense from retail pharmacies that are part of an insurance company’s network or buy it at any store and get reimbursed by the insurer.

Congress said private insurers must cover all COVID testing and any associated medical services when it passed the Families First

u PAGE A5

the Trump administration, stressing the rollout of vaccines, tests, funding for the health care sector, and economic relief for a country struggling to make u PAGE A2

VAX CARDS OUT. Personnel of the Taguig Safe City Task Force check the vaccination cards of motorists passing through Barangay North Daang Hari on Friday, January 21. Unvaccinated individuals who are willing to be inoculated will be taken to a vaccination site while those who refuse will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing at the city’s Hagonoy Mega Swabbing Facility.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

MANILA — The public should not deliberately get themselves infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in order to get natural immunity against COVID-19, the chairperson of the Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) said on Friday, January 21.

VEP chair Dr. Nina Gloriani said those who will contract COVID-19 may indeed get natural immunity but stressed that the infection should not be voluntary or deliberate. She added that a “hybrid immunity” may happen after a vaccinated individual contracts COVID19 and survives.

“Pero ano ang sasabihin ko dyan? Mabuti kung ang breakthrough infection ninyo ay mild hanggang moderate siguro, magkakaroon kayo ng boosting ng immunity, pero kung magiging severe ‘yun, hindi ‘yun maganda, so hindi natin titingnan na magpapa-infect

u PAGE A2

PDP-Laban faction backs Sara for VP, leaves out running mate Bongbong

by XAVE

GREGORIO Philstar.com

MANILA — A faction of administration party PDP-Laban announced on Friday, January 21 that it has adopted Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as its vice presidential candidate for the upcoming elections, but opted not to back any presidential bet as it said it is still evaluating contenders for Malacañang.

In a statement, the PDP-Laban faction led

by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said that

the party’s national executive committee picked Duterte-Carpio “based on her credentials, advocacies and vision for our nation.”

“The PDP-Laban believes that the quality of her leadership and her track record in the performance of her duties in her current office make her most qualified for the position she is now aspiring for and therefore deserves the party’s support,” the party said.

It added that Duterte-Carpio’s election as u PAGE A5 Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

PNA file photo

US report vs China’s ‘unlawful’ PH OKs entry of COVID recovered Filipinos who test positive pre-departure maritime claims affirms ‘legally binding’ 2016 arbitral ruling – DFA

by CATHRINE

GONZALES Inquirer.net

MANILA — Filipinos arriving from abroad who have recently recovered from COVID-19 but still test positive in their required pre-departure RT-PCR tests may be allowed to enter the Philippines subject to certain requirements, Malacañang announced on Friday, January 21.

Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said that under InterAgency Task Force Resolution No. 158, the said arriving Filipinos may be allowed entry to

the country if they present the following in lieu of a negative pre-departure RT-PCR test: • Positive RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to the date or time of departure from country or port of origin • Medical certificate issued by a licensed physician stating that the traveler has completed the mandatory isolation period, is no longer infectious, and has been allowed free movement or travel • Positive RT-PCR test taken not earlier than 10 days but not later than 30 days prior to date or time of departure from country or port of origin

“Upon arrival, they shall be required to observe the facility-based quarantine applicable to them based on the classification of the country/territory/ jurisdiction of origin and the passenger’s vaccination status,” Nograles said in a press briefing.

“However, if fully vaccinated and coming from Green List countries/territories/jurisdictions, they shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine periods prescribed for Yellow List countries/territories/jurisdictions for fully vaccinated arriving passengers,” he added. ■

by CHRISTIA

MARIE Inquirer.net

RAMOS

MANILA — The Philippines welcomed the U.S. State Department’s 47-page report on China’s “unlawful” maritime claims, saying this affirms Manila’s 2016 victory before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

“We welcome the affirmation of the 2016 Arbitral Award by the U.S. State Department’s Limits in the Seas No. 150: People’s Republic of China: Maritime

Claims in the South China Sea,” the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement on Friday, January 21.

According to the DFA, the U.S. report is also “consistent” with the Philippines-US Joint Vision Statement issued last Nov. 16.

This joint statement maintained that China’s “expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea are inconsistent with the international law of the sea as reflected in theUnited Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and with the unanimous July 12,

2016 Award in the South China Sea Arbitration…, a decision that, pursuant to the Convention, is legally binding on the Philippines and the PRC.” Last week, the U.S. State Department released a 47-page research paper debunking China’s expansive claims over the South China Sea. “The overall effect of these maritime claims is that the PRC (People’s Republic of China) unlawfully claims sovereignty or some form of exclusive jurisdiction

u PAGE A2

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Biden, Harris enter second year...

PAGE 1 ends meet.

A side effect of the coronavirus response came the response to the sharp uptick in anti-Asian harassment, discrimination, and violence that percolated across the country, a trend that prompted the White House to increase efforts to stand by the Asian American community.

On Thursday, Jan. 20, the White House Initaitve for Asian Americans Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) hosted a closed press briefing that featured Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander leaders in the Biden administration — including Harris herself — to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the inauguration and discuss the administration’s commitment to “diversity and inclusion.”

“One year ago today, the president and I were sworn in and I will speak for both of us in saying that when we took that stage and took that oath, all of you as leaders were there with us,” Harris said, addressing WHIAANHPI. “It was an oath that in many ways, we took together which is to continue with the work that has to be done to make sure that we are a government that represents all the people and that we fight for the equality of all people and the dignity of all people.”

Areas that are heavily concentrated with Asian communities, like Los Angeles County and New York City, saw steep increases in anti-Asian hate crimes and hate incidents. To address these disturbing trends, the Biden administration passed a bill to improve the nation’s response to hate crime reports, increased funding toward research to better tackle bias and xenophobia against Asian Americans, and signed several memoranda related to improving civil rights practices and accessibility to resources for the multilingual Asian community.

The massive $1.9 trillion COVID relief package and the $1.2 trillion infrastructure law each helped families across the country navigate the coronavirus crisis. Biden also presided over an economic uptick: 6.4 million jobs created, rising wages and

low unemployment.

“There’s still a lot of work to do, in that regard,” Harris said, regarding anti-Asian hate. “I think one of the most important things that we can all do together is to continue to speak truth, but not only to the strength of community but also to the particular needs of communities, and to do that is to understand and embrace that the diversity of our country is part of our strength.”

The Biden administration’s response to the Covid crisis emphasized the increased accessibility to vaccines, a triumph that WHIAANHPI emphasized on Thursday.

“When President Biden took office, only 2 million Americans were fully vaccinated, but today, 210 million Americans are highly protected from the most severe outcomes of COVID,” said Krystal Ka’ai, executive director of W’HIAANHPI. “There have been historic investments made to ensure that we are tackling this crisis.

However, it’s difficult to ignore the overwhelming public disapproval of the progress (or, lack thereof) undergone by Biden and, by extension, Harris.

A new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, only 43% of Americans approve of how the administration is handling its job. The poll, released this week, also found that just 28% of Americans said they want Biden to run for re-election.

A Gallup poll in December found that 44% American approve of Harris’ job so far, a similar outcome to Biden’s rating in that same survey.

In November, an approval rating by USA Today shared that Harris’ public approval rating sat at 28%, making her one of the least vice presidents in contemporary American history — a significantly lower approval rating than that of former Vice President and driver of the Iraq War Dick Cheney in his first year in office.

The glaring disapproval rating is only punctuated by the seemingly absent Harris, who was once a driving force toward the administration’s emphasis on better racial and gender representation but had become

a lukewarm answer to the social clarion call.

According to WHIAANHPI, in addition to Harris being the first Black, South Asian, and female vice president, 15% of all agency appointees within the White House are Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander which exceeds the 7% population share that the same group has across the nation. Additionally 26% of the president’s appointed officers within the Biden administration identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander, making the Biden administration one of the most diverse administrations in American history.

The speakers on Thursday stressed vague goals of “diversity and inclusion” with Harris — who is South Asian, Black, and female — as the standard bearer after a predominantly white and male Trump administration, which, for the most part, had a dubious relationship with racial, ethnic, and gender equality and equity.

But diversity and inclusion should go beyond presenting a variety of skin colors and genders; it should mean constantly taking action on the broad and specific issues and struggles of a nation that is becoming more diverse and inclusive. The Biden administration has so far failed to forgive the mounting national student loan problem, It’s also worth noting that in her first year, Harris’ task list included tackling two hot national issues: improving the precarious situation at the U.S.Mexico border and enacting national voting reform — two uphill challenges decades in the making.

In early 2021, Harris’ negative public perception kickstarted with the border crisis, notoriously telling Guatamalan migrants, “Do not come. Do not come.

The United States will continue to enforce our laws and secure our borders. If you come to our border, you will be turned back.”

Harris, and the Biden administration at large, suffered a blow, with many Latino American leaders, like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,

LONG LINE. People queue outside a vaccination site in Pasay City on Tuesday, Jan. 18. COVID-19 cases have started to decline in Metro Manila, but infections are rising in other areas.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike Alquinto

US report vs China’s ‘unlawful’ maritime...

PAGE 1 over most of the South China Sea,” the paper read.

“These claims gravely undermine the rule of law in the oceans and numerous universally recognized provisions of international law reflected in the Convention,” it added, referring to the 1982 UNCLOS, a treaty signed

by China, but not by the U.S. Earlier, former DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario viewed the U.S. report as part of an “ongoing consolidation” of international support for the 2016 arbitral ruling that Manila won over Beijing.

In 2013, the Philippines filed a case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague

in the Netherlands challenging China’s sweeping claim of nearly the entire South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea. The PCA ruled in favor of the Philippines in July 2016 invalidating China’s nine-dash line claim. Beijing has repeatedly refused to recognize the ruling. ■

Vaccine expert warns against deliberate...

PAGE 1 na lang tayo. Hindi po ganun ang nangyayari dapat,” she said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

(But what will I say about that? It could be fine if your breakthrough infection is mild to maybe moderate because you will have a boosted immunity, but if that will be a severe disease, that is not good. So we should not voluntarily get ourselves infected. That should not happen.)

“I don’t think the doctors will say na yes, magpa-expose kayo para magkaroon kayo ng natural immunity. Kung ma-e-expose kayo ay dahil nangyari lamang pero hindi dahil nagexpose kayo talaga, hindi ‘yung sasadyain.

Hindi natin gustong mangyari ‘yan kasi hindi natin alam kung ano ang magiging resulta sa u PAGE A5 inyo,” said Gloriani.

(I don’t think the doctors will say that you should get yourselves exposed to the virus so you can get natural immunity.

If you will get exposed, it should happen naturally and not deliberately. We don’t want a deliberate infection because you don’t know what may happen to you.)

Gloriani warned that COVID19 infection may lead to a severe form of the disease or even death.

“Pwedeng sa isang bata na maganda ang kanyang immunity, general health status, magrerecover siya, mild [lang], pero kapag ‘yung tamaan ay medyo elderly or may immunocompromised condition or comorbidity, baka hindi ‘yan mild but ma-ospital, critical care or mas masahol pa, baka mamatay,” she noted.

(Someone young with good immunity and general health status may recover, but the elderly or immunocompromised individual may be hospitalized for critical care or even die.)

Gloriani’s warning against deliberate infection comes after a new study showed that during the last surge of COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant in the United States, people who were unvaccinated but survived COVID-19 were better protected than those who were vaccinated and not previously infected.

The authors of the study, however, warned against depending on infection for protection, considering the higher risks to unvaccinated persons who were not previously infected of hospitalization, longterm impact, and death. ■

VACCINATE

KIDS 5+ TO PROTECT

THEM FROM

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

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DATELINE USA

Biden, Harris enter second year...

PAGE 2 expressing disappointment in the once-progressive former senator.

Most notably, the Biden administration has been criticized for the too-often confusing and shifting guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and

Preventing (CDC) and a shortage in testing and personal protective equipment. (This week, after weeks of criticism, the White House announced it would make 400 million N95 masks and free at-home tests available.)

“We certainly have a lot more work to do and we will do it

together,” Harris said in her final remarks on Thursday. “But we must be committed to ensuring that the ideals that we hold dear are fought for because we can sometimes think they’ll just happen, but I think we all know that also, we have stand up and be vigilant.” ■

5 things you should know about ‘free’...

PAGE 1 Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act. The have-insurancepay-for-it solution has been used frequently through the pandemic. Insurance companies have been told to pay for PCR tests, COVID treatments and the administration of vaccines.

(Taxpayers are paying for the cost of the vaccines themselves.)

It appears to be an elegant solution for a politician because it looks free and isn’t using taxpayer money.

1. Are the tests really free?

Well, no. As many an economist will tell you, there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch. Someone has to pick up the tab. Initially, the insurance companies bear the cost. Cynthia Cox, a vice president at KFF who studies the Affordable Care Act and private insurers, said the total bill could amount to billions of dollars.

Exactly how much depends on “how easy it is to get them, and how many will be reimbursed,” she said.

2.

Will the insurance company just swallow those imposed costs?

If companies draw from the time-tested insurance giants’ playbook, they’ll pass along those costs to customers. “This will put upward pressure on premiums,” said Emily Gee, vice president and coordinator for health policy at the Center for American Progress.

Major insurance companies like Cigna, Anthem, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna did not respond to requests to discuss this issue.

3. If that’s the case, why haven’t I been hit with higher premiums already?

Insurance companies had the chance last year to raise premiums but, mostly, they did not.

Why? Perhaps because

insurers have so far made so much money during the pandemic they didn’t need to.

For example, the industry’s profits in 2020 increased 41% to $31 billion from $22 billion, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The NAIC said the industry has continued its “tremendous growth trend” that started before COVID emerged.

Companies will be reporting 2021 results soon.

The reason behind these profits is clear. You were paying premiums based on projections your insurance company made about how much health care consumers would use that year.

Because people stayed home, had fewer accidents, postponed surgeries and, often, avoided going to visit the doctor or the hospital, insurers paid out less.

They rebated some of their earnings back to customers, but they pocketed a lot more.

As the companies’ actuaries work on predicting 2023 expenditures, premiums could go up if they foresee more claims and expenses. Paying for millions of rapid tests is something they would include in their calculations.

4.

Regardless of my premiums, will the tests cost me money directly?

It’s quite possible. If your insurance company doesn’t have an arrangement with a retailer where you can simply pick up your allotted tests, you’ll have to pay for them — at whatever price the store sets.

If that’s the case, you’ll need to fill out a form to request a reimbursement from the insurance company. How many times have you lost receipts or just plain neglected to mail in for rebates on something you bought? A lot, right?

Here’s another thing: The reimbursement is set at $12 per test. If you pay $30 for a test

— and that is not unheard of — your insurer is only on the hook for $12. You eat the $18.

And by the way, people on Medicare will have to pay for their tests themselves. People who get their health care covered by Medicaid can obtain free test kits at community centers.

A few free tests are supposed to arrive at every American home via the U.S. Postal Service.

And the Biden administration has activated a website where Americans can order free tests from a cache of a billion the federal government ordered.

5. Will this help bring down the costs of at-home tests and make them easier to find?

The free COVID tests are unlikely to have much immediate impact on general cost and availability. You will still need to search for them. The federal measures likely will stimulate the demand for tests, which in the short term may make them harder to find.

But the demand, and some government guarantees to manufacturers, may induce test makers to make more of them faster. The increased competition and supply theoretically could bring down the price. There is certainly room for prices to decline since the wholesale cost of the test is between $5 and $7, analysts estimate. “It’s a big step in the right direction,” Gee said.

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

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A5

Los Angeles County reports highest daily number...

PAGE 1 reported, 10 were between the ages of 30 and 49, 16 were between the ages of 50 and 64, 15 were between the ages of 65-79, and 18 were over the age of 80 years old. Of the 65 newly reported deaths, 44 had underlying conditions.

Public Health has identified a total 2,428,744 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County since the start of the pandemic. The positivity rate stands at 17.8%.

There are 4,792 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized.

Testing results are available for more than 10,804,700 individuals, with 20% of people testing positive.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have recognized that while many experience mild

illness from COVID, there are others that will not do well if they become infected,” Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health said.

The department also released disaggregated data by race and ethnicity, finding that Asian residents have seen the steepest percent increase of 2,400%, or 2,300 cases per 100,000. For hospitalizations among Asian residents, it is 8 per 100,000.

Latino and Black residents have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic in terms of positivity rates and hospitalizations — with Latino residents have the highest case rate with 3,600 cases per 100,000 people. Black residents have the second highest current case rate with nearly 2,700 cases per 100,000, with a 1,400% increase

PDP-Laban faction backs Sara...

PAGE 1 vice president will help ensure the continuity of the programs of the administration of her father, President Rodrigo Duterte.

It also said that it is finalizing an alliance agreement with DuterteCarpio’s party, Lakas-CMD. Cusi said among the details being ironed out is dealing with local candidates from PDP-Laban and Lakas-CMD vying for the same posts.

Lakas-CMD thanked PDPLaban for endorsing DuterteCarpio, calling it an opportunity to renew its partnership with the administration party.

“Lakas-CMD is always open to alliances and partnerships with other parties and political groups which share our ideals and vision for the common good of the country,” the party said in a statement.

Bongbong left out While it adopted DuterteCarpio, the PDP-Laban Cusi wing did not adopt her running mate, former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as Cusi said they “still have to be convinced.”

Cusi said they are still looking at all presidential candidates to see who among them would best continue the programs of the Duterte administration.

He added that Duterte’s personal pick for president will also be considered in their deciding who to back for the presidency.

He said, however, that it is also possible for PDP-Laban to end up not endorsing or adopting any

presidential bet.

Marcos’ spokesperson, Vic Rodriguez, called PDP-Laban’s adoption of Duterte-Carpio as a “unilateral” move as the Davao City mayor supposedly told them that her parties have not forged an agreement with the administration party.

The other faction of PDP-Laban led by Sen. Manny Pacquiao, meanwhile, dismissed the Cusi wing’s move as a “desperation to hold to power.”

“Mayor Duterte has rejected them many times and has even made pronouncements throwing insults to the party which used to be chaired by her father President Duterte,” said Lutgardo Barbo, vice chairman of the Pacquiao wing of PDP-Laban.

Duterte-Carpio said in November that she sought an alliance with PDP-Laban for it to back her and Marcos, but the party allegedly rejected this.

This was when PDP-Laban was fielding Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go for president through an allied party. Go eventually dropped out from the race, leaving the PDP-Laban Cusi wing without a standard bearer.

President Duterte, who chairs PDP-Laban, has previously called Marcos a “weak leader” and nixed an alliance with the parties backing him.

PDP-Laban was formed as a merger of parties Partido Demokratiko Pilipino and Lakas ng Bayan to oppose the dictatorial rule of Marcos’ father, Ferdinand. ■

in just one month.

To keep workplaces and schools open, residents and workers are asked to: • Adhere to masking requirements when indoors or at crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

• Remain home when sick, isolate if positive and quarantine when in close contact.

• Residents are legally required to be isolated if they have a positive COVID test result and vaccinated.

Close contacts with symptoms and unvaccinated close contacts need to be quarantined.

• Residents are also encourage to get vaccinated and boosted if they haven’t already.

Vaccination sites can be found at www.VaccinateLACounty. com or by calling 1-833-5400473. (AJPress)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL LACMTA will receive Proposals for AE82658 - Program Management/PDA Oversight Services for Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

All Proposals must be submitted to LACMTA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday, March 14, 2022.

Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened.

Each proposal must be sealed and marked Proposal No. AE82658.

For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Manchi Yi at yim@ metro.net.

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OPINION

Making jabs accessible

FEATURES

IN other countries such as the United States, pharmacies have been used for COVID vaccination almost as soon as the jabs were rolled out a year ago. The availability of the jabs in pharmacies that are ubiquitous all over the U.S. prevented crowding at vaccination sites, which could raise the risk of virus infection.

A similar move finally kicked off in the Philippines on Thursday, January 20, with six pharmacies and a health clinic in Metro Manila selected for the pilot run and the jabs limited to boosters.

Health officials have explained that the limited supply of vaccines, the temperature and dosage requirements especially for the cutting-edge mRNA jabs, the fact that COVID vaccines were authorized only for emergency use, as well as the special training needed to safely handle the jabs prompted the government to limit the task of inoculation to persons supervised by health and local government officials.

Still, the organization of drug store owners said private pharmacists have been training for some time now for the possibility of being tasked to assist in the COVID vaccination campaign. When the govermment finally decided to tap them, the pharmacies were ready.

On Thursday, the main glitch in the pilot was

the failure to inform the public that walk-ins were not allowed at the seven sites. Online registration with the local government unit is still needed; the LGU, which provides the jabs to the pharmacy within its jurisdiction, will text the schedule to the prospective vaccinee.

This glitch is easy to remedy, and it looks like the country is set to expand the program to other pharmacies and health laboratories or clinics in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. Officials said the goal is to vaccinate 90 million Filipinos by the end of June.

What should be remedied are the problems that have bedeviled the vaccination program. One is the need for a uniform vaccination card, or at least a system of quickly verifying the authenticity of the different cards available. There should also be an efficient system of manual scheduling for jabs.

This is for those who don’t know how to register long line for hours for walk-in vaccination. online and who, for various reasons including the Even as these problems are addressed, the loss of a day’s earnings, don’t want to wait in a government should speed up the selection of

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS MANY of us made the thoughtful decision to immigrate to the United States so that we could give our family better access to health care especially during a medical emergency.

Well, we are in a medical emergency, and it is of a pandemic proportion that has killed more than 5.57 million people worldwide, infected 343 million and counting, and disrupted our lives more than any disease in the past century.

What we are getting now from the United States health care system is something kababayans in the Philippines can only dream and pray for.

Yet, many of us have not full tapped into this blessing despite the grace that awaits us — the chance to save our lives and the lives of the more vulnerable people of society.

In fulfillment of the promise of the Biden Administration to lead us toward our collective effort to defeat the virus, we have already been supplied the arsenal we need to fight this war but not everyone of us has soldiered on.

We are in the worst and biggest health crisis of this century and we owe it to ourselves, to our family, to our community and to God to take care of the vessel of our souls and save lives. What are we waiting for? These vaccines,

Philstar.com photo

more pharmacies, clinics and other sites to make COVID vaccines more accessible nationwide.

(Philstar.com)

Soldier on in the war vs COVID: Get the life-saving free vaccine doses, booster shots, testing kits & N-95 masks boosters, testing kits, free N-95 masks are FREE! Choose LIFE now!

FREE vaccine According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, getting hospitalized, and even dying. As with vaccines for other diseases, people who are up to date are optimally protected. CDC recommends that everyone 5 years and older get their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, and receive a booster dose when eligible.”

Pfizer-BioNtech Ages Recommended: 5+ years old Primary Series: 2 doses given 3 weeks (21 days) apart Fully Vaccinated: 2 weeks after final dose in primary series Booster Dose: Everyone ages 12+ should get a booster dose at least 5 months after the last dose in their primary series. Teens 12–17 should only get a PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster. Everyone 18+ should get a booster dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) Moderna Ages Recommended: 18+ years old Primary Series: 2 doses,

given 4 weeks (28 days) apart Fully Vaccinated: 2 weeks after final dose in primary series Booster Dose: Everyone ages 18+ should get a booster dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) at least 5 months after the last dose in their primary series.

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Ages Recommended: 18+ years old Primary Series: 1 dose Fully Vaccinated: 2 weeks after 1st dose Booster Dose: Everyone ages 18+ should get a booster dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) at least 2 months after the first dose of J&J/Janssen COVID19 Vaccine. You may get J&J/ Janssen in some situations.

FREE COVID test kits The Biden administration has also amped up testing for all in order to determine if you are infected, whether or not you have symptoms, and whether or not you are full vaccinated and boosted. This is important so if tested positive, you should selfisolate to prevent spreading the virus to the unvaccinated, the old, and the chronically ill people.

Remember that the Omicron variant is highly contagious and even if you are fully vaccinated, you may still have a positive

result when exposed to those who are infected. However, the difference is that those who are fully vaccinated and boosted without underlying health conditions will just have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, while those who are unvaccinated are the ones who may have severe and even fatal symptoms.

The Biden administration launched on Tuesday, January 18, its website for Americans to request free at-home COVID19 tests, a day before the site was scheduled to officially go online.

As PBS News reported: “The website, COVIDTests.gov, now includes a link for Americans to access an order form run by the U.S. Postal Service.

People can order four at-home tests per residential address, to be delivered by the Postal Service.”

But according to the report: “Americans shouldn’t expect a rapid turnaround on the orders and they will have to plan ahead and request the tests well before they meet federal guidelines for when to use a test.

The White House said “tests will typically ship within 712 days of ordering” through USPS, which reports shipping times of 1-3 days for its firstclass package service in the continental United States.

Officials emphasized that the

federal website is just one way for people to procure COVID-19 tests, and shortages of at-home test kits have shown signs of easing as more supply has hit the market.

Since Saturday [January 15] private insurance companies have been required to cover the cost of at-home rapid tests, allowing Americans to be reimbursed for tests they purchase at pharmacies and online retailers. That covers up to eight tests per month.”

FREE N95 masks The CDC updated its face mask guidance on January 14, Friday, to emphasize the better protection offered by respirators like N95s and KN95s from COVID-19.

On Wednesday, January 19, the Associated Press (AP) reported that the Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to U.S. residents starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings.

The AP added: “The White House announced Wednesday that the masks will come from the government’s Strategic National Stockpile, which has more than 750 million of the highly protective masks on hand.

The masks will be available

for pickup at pharmacies and community health centers across the country. They will begin shipping this week for distribution starting late next week, the White House said.

This will be the largest distribution of free masks by the federal government to the public since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In early 2020, then-President Donald Trump’s administration considered and then shelved plans to send masks to people at their homes. President Joe Biden embraced the initiative after facing mounting criticism this month over the inaccessibility — both in supply and cost — of N95 masks as the highly transmissible omicron variant swept across the country.”

SOLDIER ON! Save lives.

It is the moral, patriotic and Christian thing to do. *** 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.

Who’s got solid plans for PH?

Get Real SOLITA COLLAS-MONSOD YOU would think, Reader, that anyone who had the confidence/ temerity to run for the presidency of a country of 110 million people (and counting) would have, at the ready, his/her plan to get the country out of the education and health crises we are experiencing, let alone how to get our per capita GDP back on track after losing four-five years of growth with this pandemic and the lousy way it has been managed. Especially if they had expressed their intentions so early on.

But if you thought that, Reader, you thought wrong. I visited the official websites of the serious presidential candidates—Vice President Leni Robredo, Sen. Ping Lacson, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko More-

no, and Bongbong Marcos—the names are listed in the order of their current official status.

I did the rounds of them because I wanted to have an idea of what their socioeconomic (development) plans were for the country. It is not only what they plan to do that is important, of course. Equally important is their ability to implement these plans, and see them through.

But let’s talk about their plans.

Senator Pacquiao’s official website turned to be all about boxing, about “MP8” items—apparently the website takes orders for the stuff. Not a single word about what he would do if he were president. Maybe there’s another website that contains this material, but my admittedly below-standard computer skills did not find it.

Bongbong Marcos’ website did not include his program of government. It did though have

his “timeline” (CV); his accomplishments (as an executive and as legislator), including his speech defending his nay vote on the impeachment of former chief justice Renato Corona; a “media center” which faithfully chronicles all his speeches, interviews, and videos; and his “VP Election Protest” quite a large portion of his website. Not a single word about what he would do for the country as president.

Next, we have Senator Lacson’s website, and it did have like half-a-page worth on what his program of government would be. Senator Lacson says it can be characterized in three words: It is concrete, implementable, and future-proof. Good sound bites. He described it as being “anchored” on bureaucratic and fiscal discipline, as well as leadership by example. Even better.

And he said it will lead to good governance.

But what “it” is, is nowhere to be found. Although I was much struck by his “leadership by example” and I could not help the thought creeping into my mind: What examples of leadership has the senator given?

He was all but accused by Sen. Raul Roco and his committee of murder in the Kuratong Baleleng massacre. There was the civilian agent Mary Ong, aka “Rosebud,” who linked him to illegal drugs and kidnap-forransom activities, plus the EJKs (Bubby Dacer). He also evaded a warrant of arrest issued by government authorities. Further, he was mentioned by Amnesty International as being a torturer, when he was a sidekick to the infamous Col. Rolando Abadilla of the Marcos dictatorship. That’s the minus side.

On the plus side, he refused any of the pork barrel allocated to him, and he has blown the

whistle on a lot of budget shenanigans during his senatorial stints. So you decide, Reader, on whether he can lead by example.

Fourth, we have Mayor Isko.

And yes, he has a program of government called “Bilis Kilos: 10-Point Agenda” which includes Housing, Education, Labor and Employment, Health, Tourism and Creatives, Infrastructures (sic), Digital Transformation and Industry 4.0, Agriculture, Good Governance and Smart Governance.

But other than listing these “points,” together with one-sentence explanations (example: under Housing, it says “Bahay na matibay, inaalagaan ang buhay”), there is only a “before and after” picture to clarify what these points are, some of which are not too enlightening.

Finally, we go to lenirobredo. com, and the difference is almost

palpable. No self-aggrandizement or defense, or self-serving press releases. The website so far has only two items: Her program of government, “Hanapbuhay Para Sa Lahat,” and her “Kalayaan sa COVID-19” health plan. The immediate answer to the questions how do we get out of the economic mess and the health mess. Both well explained, with rationales and data where necessary, and specific measures that she intends to undertake.

She certainly did her homework. Like always. She has plans. Can she implement them?

(Inquirer.net) *** 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.

*** solita_monsod@yahoo.com

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Phaseout of travel quarantine urged

by Catherine

Valente ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENTIAL Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Maria “Joey” Concepcion III is proposing the gradual lifting of COVID-19 quarantine restrictions for arriving international travelers once the Omicron-driven surge subsides.

In his remarks during the Go Negosyo’s Booster to the Max town hall meeting on Friday, January 22, Concepcion said phasing out facility-based quarantine for international arrivals and shifting to homebased quarantine would help the country’s the tourism and airline sectors recover faster.

He said countries like Thailand and Switzerland have done away with mandatory quarantine on arrival in a move to attract more travelers.

“We are not also suggesting that we implement the ‘no quarantine’ immediately. What I am proposing to our IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease) members is a gradual move toward the removal of quarantine in the Philippines, and moving towards home quarantine rather than facility-based quarantine,” Concepcion said.

He said quarantining did not help the country keep out COVID-19 variants such as Delta and Omicron.

“My own view is that it has not actually helped us in preventing Delta or Omicron from entering the country. You can see in two weeks time, Omicron has swamped the NCR (National Capital Region) and basically, if we look at the positivity rate in the Philippines and America, it’s about the same,” he said.

The country requires arriving travelers to present a negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result and undergo facilitybased quarantine.

“The entry requirements are so extensive and complicated that they put the country out of the reach of international visitors, and even our returning kababayans,” Concepcion said.

“I think it’s about time to really move on. I think we will definitely be left behind if we

remain stagnant, you know, in what we’re doing,” he added.

Concepcion said he also recommended to the IATF allowing negative antigen test results as a travel requirement for arrivals.

“I thought the idea of antigen test prior to departure within 24 hours is good enough to provide comfort,” he said.

Although antigen tests are less sensitive than the gold standard RT-PCR, they can still accurately reveal if a person infected with the virus is contagious.

An antigen test “may not be as perfect as an RT-PCR” test, but an RT-PCR test taken too early or too late “may also not be effective,” Concepcion said, adding that a negative antigen result is now accepted in the United States.

“In our case when we leave America, we need to take an RT-PCR test 48 hours prior to departure. That is a bit of concern because the RT-PCR testing capacity here is at the maximum capacity, so some Filipinos going home may have a problem trying to get an appointment for this RT-PCR test,” he said.

Concepcion said the country could not continue isolating itself from the rest of world and restricting the movement of the public.

“We can’t continue to lock ourselves out from the world,” he said. “Other countries seem to have already accepted the fact that COVID is here to stay.

Maybe it’s time we practice living with COVID or else the Philippine economy will suffer and along with it, its MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises).”

During the same event, testing czar Vivencio Dizon agreed with Concepcion, saying “we also need to have a dramatic change in mindset.”

Protecting the community from the virus is a responsibility of an individual and not just the government’s or the private sector’s, Dizon said.

Another town hall participant, OCTA Research fellow Fr. Nicanor Austriaco said it was highly unlikely that a more vicious variant of the virus would appear.

“Omicron has significantly constrained the mutational landscape of future variants,” Austriaco said. He cited a paper by the University of Michigan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published last December likening Omicron to a key that has been changed too much and as a result has become less effective at opening a lock.

Austriaco said a study published in the scientific journal Nature sees COVID eventually becoming like the common flu, with only the vulnerable requiring vaccinations and mitigation measures.

“It is time to move from crisis to control, from fear to responsibility,” he said.

The experts from OCTA, who have been tracking the progress of the pandemic, agreed that recent numbers follow the trend in South Africa, where a rapid surge was followed by a dramatic drop in infections.

OCTA Research Fellow Dr. Guido David also reported that the NCR had 9,445 new COVID19 cases last January 20.

He pointed out that the last time the region had less than 10,000 cases in one day was January 5, when the surge was still accelerating.

On January 20, a negative weekly growth rate was recorded for the first time since December 24, 2021.

“The NCR is still averaging over 13,000 new cases per day, which puts it at critical risk. We cannot let our guard down and must continue to follow health protocols to sustain the downward trajectory of new cases in NCR,” David said.

He forecast around 2,000 cases a day in the NCR by the end of January, slipping to around 1,000 before Valentine’s Day, and to less than 500 by endFebruary.

David advised against lowering alert levels until the region achieves moderate-risk classification.

Austriaco, however, believes that if the downtrend is sustained, Metro Manila could revert to the less strict Alert Level 2 by February.

He said that the metric that must be closely monitored is

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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Robredo: China must recognize arbitral rule first before any joint exploration deal

by Moises

cruz ManilaTimes.net

MEDS DRIVE-THRU. A motorcycle-riding customer buys medicine at the drive-thru service of a drug store along Quirino Avenue in Manila on Wednesday, January 19. The drive-thru service allows customers to buy medicines and other items without the need to park their vehicles.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

Pacquiao ‘excited to join’ presidential debates

by Neil

ArwiN MercAdo Inquirer.net

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao said on Thursday, January 20 he is “excited to join” any presidential debate leading to the May 9 national elections this year.

Pacquiao said the debates will be a good avenue for the candidates to lay down their platform and programs for the country.

“I’m ready and excited to join any presidential debate,” the presidential aspirant said in a statement.

“Itong mga debate ng mga gustong mamuno sa ating ban-

sa ay isang magandang paraan upang aming mailahad ang aming saloobin, layunin at programa para sa bayan at para sa ating mga mamamayan,” he added.

(The debate is a good way to lay down our opinions, goals, and programs for the country and our countrymen.)

Moreover, Pacquiao said the debates will also be a good venue for candidates to talk about their experiences prior to entering politics and eventually seeking the top government position in the country.

“Ito na po ang panahon at pagkakataon para manalo ang

mahihirap (This is the time and opportunity for the poor to win),” the world boxing champion-turned-politician said.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez previously said the poll body will hold a hybrid primary debate for national candidates this January. The hybrid debate, he explained, will be conducted with candidates attending in person while the audience would be watching online in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There will be three presidential debates and three vice-presidential debates, according to Comelec. n

cause of EJK at the height of the bloody war on drugs and the pervading culture of impunity “are something that Filipinos would neither be forced to accept nor endure under a Lacson administration.”

He reiterated his commitment to wipe out thieves and turn the wheels of justice in favor of the oppressed and the aggrieved when he receives the mandate to lead the country in the next six years.

Lacson considered EJK as a form of theft as well since those who have committed such violent crimes robbed their victims of their precious lives—something that could never be recovered once stolen. “’The EJK is a form of theft in that you are deliberately taking the life [of your victim] outside

of what is called the rule of law,” Lacson said in Filipino and English.

He said that acts of stealing are not just limited to the intent of taking material possessions or properties without the consent of their rightful owners, but also lives and opportunities for a better future, especially for the minors who have fallen victims to EJK and other crimes, including corruption.

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

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

VICE President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo said on Friday, January 21 that before the Philippines could engage in any joint venture or forge an agreement with China, it must first acknowledge the arbitral ruling that recognizes the country’s sovereign rights in the disputed territories in the South China Sea. Robredo was responding to a question during a forum entitled “Meet the Presidentiables: Economic Reforms in the New Frontier” on whether she was open to negotiating for a joint exploration arrangement with Beijing.

“We will make sure that our relationship with China and other countries is always based on mutual trust, respect, and recognition of international laws. So any agreement with China, especially so far as the West Philippine Sea is concerned, must first be premised on China’s recognition of arbitral rule,” Robredo said at the event co-presented by Finex, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce, Inc., Cignal and The Manila Times as media partner.

The five-member arbitral tri-

Vice President Leni Robredo

ManilaTimes.net file photo

bunal in the South China Sea dispute handed down a decision that favored the Philippines on July 12, 2016. In its 479-page ruling, the court invalidated Beijing’s broad claims to almost the entire South China Sea and recognized Manila’s sovereign rights inside its 200-nauticalmile exclusive economic zone.

But China does not recognize the arbitral ruling as shown in incidents involving its Coast Guard and Filipino fishermen in territories within the Philippines EEZ. The West Philippine Sea, which is in the eastern part of the South China Sea, is rich in marine resources such as fish

and other aquatic products.

The West Philippine Sea’s coral reefs account for a considerable amount of the country’s overall reef area.

“A good neighbor and a real friend is fair and follows the law.

They would not bully or take advantage. In addition, a good leader should have the courage to stand up for the dignity of our nation, “ the Vice President said.

Robredo’s position contrasts with that of President Rodrigo Duterte who has maintained a more diplomatic stance in dealing with China, preferring a joint exploration to enforcing the arbitral ruling. n

‘Number of pregnant women Lacson won’t allow EJKs if elected president contracting COVID-19 increasing’

by BerNAdette

tAMAyo

ManilaTimes.net

SEN. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he will not allow extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under his administration if elected president in the May 2022 national polls.

The senator and Partido Reporma standard bearer in a radio interview on Thursday said EJK is a form of theft, specifically “stealing lives.”

Lacson is seeking the presidency in the upcoming 2022 national elections on the platform of good governance and the elimination of crime and corruption under the mantra “Aayusin ang Gobyerno, Uubusin ang Magnanakaw” (Fix the Government, Get Rid of the Thieves).

He said the stories of civilians getting their lives cut short be-

by MAyeN JAyMAliN Philstar.com

MANILA — Doctors are seeing a remarkable rise in the number of pregnant women getting infected with the coronavirus disease in the last several weeks.

This was confirmed by both the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) and the Philippine Society of Maternal and Fetal Medicine (PSMFM) in a virtual briefing on Wednesday, January 12.

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

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

at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila tested positive for the infection since the start of the year.

“More and more of them are positive, but many of them are what’s called ‘incidental positive’ – they felt no symptoms or had a mild symptom like a cold then tested positive,” Germar said.

She also clarified that most of the pregnant women who tested positive for COVID-19 were confined in the hospital due to other medical reasons.

Dr. Marilyn Dee, POGS president, said hospitals are requiring pregnant women to get tested for COVID-19 and, surprisingly, many of them turned out positive.

Because of this development, doctors are encouraging pregnant and lactating women to

get themselves vaccinated and boosted for their own and their babies’ protection.

Except for the Russia-made Sputnik V, all available vaccines against COVID-19 are safe for pregnant and lactating women, doctors said.

They disputed the misconception that COVID-19 vaccines can cause miscarriage and infertility.

“As shown by many studies, COVID vaccines are proven safe during pregnancy and for breastfeeding mothers,” said Dr. Sybil Lizzane Bravo, Philippine Infectious Disease Society in Obstetrics and Gynecology president.

She even pointed out that vaccines were proven to provide protection against COVID-19 infection for up to six months for infants born to vaccinated mothers. n

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Asian Journal

WKND

Saturday, january 22, 2022

LifestyLe Consumer Guide Community marketpLaCe

Visas issued, despite petitioner’s death, this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy ALMITA’S father petitioned her in 2001.

However, before her visa was issued, her father died on Christmas Eve of 2014. This resulted in the petition being “revoked.”

Her previous lawyer suggested that the family lie about the petitioner’s death, pretending he was alive, and continue pursuing the case.

However, Almita’s mother did not want to lie.

They discussed Humanitarian Revalidation but were informed by the lawyer that he did not handle such cases.

However, the lawyer sent a single-page letter to the National Visa Center (NVC) seeking Humanitarian Revalidation. Due to delays and missing documents from the previous lawyer, the USCIS eventually officially revoked the

petition.

Mom refused to give up and insisted on getting the “Attorney-of-Last-Hope,” Michael J. Gurfinkel, who was able to submit a new humanitarian revalidation request that was approved. Almita and her five children were able to get their immigrant visas and arrived in the U.S. in November 2021.

Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, January 23 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.

(Advertising Supplement)

How motherhood has changed Empress Schuck’s view of life

By Alex

BrosAs Inquirer.net

Empress Schuck

Photo from Instagram/@itsempressita

AS wife to Vino Guingona and mom to Athalia, actress Empress Schuck admits she now sees life in a different light.

“I think mas nag-mature in a way kasi we also have a daughter na. Hindi na lang sarili ko ang iniisip ko kasi hindi na ako single. Dalawa na ‘yung iisipin ko,’yung daughter ko tapos ‘yung asawa ko pa,” Schuck said during the online press conference for “The Broken Marriage Vow” on Jan. 17.

PAGE B2

THIS FAMILY NOW NEEDS A “BIGGER RICE COOKER” AFTER DAUGHTER AND HER FIVE CHILDREN GOT THEIR IMMIGRANT VISAS, THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Almita (left) was petitioned as single by her father in 1997, but because she married her boyfriend, she had to be re-petitioned in 2001. Unfortunately, Almita’s father died before she could get her visa. Her previous lawyer sent a one-page letter seeking Humanitarian Revalidation, but USCIS revoked the petition. It seemed her dreams of immigrating to the U.S. were “dead.” Almita’s sisters, Evelyn (2nd from left), Mimi (3rd from left) and their mother consulted with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) who filed a new humanitarian revalidation request and was able to get it approved. Almita and her five children had their visas issued and immigrated to the U.S. in November 2021. Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY on Sunday, January 23 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

(Advertising Supplement)

Cathy Ang on how Filipino parents reacted to her joining ‘Sex and the City’ reboot

By NAthAlie

tomAdA Philstar.com

CATHY Ang revealed the proud and funny reaction of her “conservative” Filipino immigrant parents to her joining the Sex and the City universe via And Just Like That…, the HBO revival of the original show.

In the series, the 26-year-

old Fil-Am actress portrays Lily Goldenblatt, adopted teen daughter of Charlotte (Kristen Davis).

Cathy recently told The STAR and other Southeast press that she never got to see Sex and the City or SATC until she auditioned for And Just Like That. Growing up, she was prohibited to watch the ‘90s cult series that follows

the lives and loves of four, single women — Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha — past their mid-30s.

When Cathy finally landed her SATC role, her mother’s first reaction was about the title of the reboot. “First of all, when she found out I was in the show, she texted me, ‘So thankful PAGE B5

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Grammy and Oscar-winning musician Sinolog dance ritual to be featured H.E.R. guest stars in ‘Blue’s Clues & You!’ at Santo Niño celebration on Jan. 29

By Klarize

medeNilla AJPress

AHEAD of her exciting acting turn in the upcoming movie musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,” the Grammy and Oscarwinning R&B sensation H.E.R. made her animated debut last week on Nickelodeon’s “Blue’s Clues & You!” The Filipina American multiaward-winning artist gueststarred on an episode of the beloved children’s series on Friday, Jan. 14 in an episode called “Blue’s Dino Clues” teaching young viewers about dinosaurs. H.E.R. (born Gabriella Wilson) voices a purple Tyrannosaurus Rex who dances alongside other dinosaurs, Blue, and the show’s host, Josh de la Cruz, who is also Filipino American.

In the episode, Josh and Blue investigate a mysterious dinosaur egg that starts to hatch.

The pair then transport into Dino World to learn more the different kinds of dinosaurs to reunite the soon-to-be-hatched dinosaur with its family.

H.E.R. shared the clip on her Instagram with the caption, “GUYYYSSSSS I’M ON BLUES CLUES. MY CHILDHOOD DREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank

H.E.R. plays T-Rex in a recent episode of ‘Blue’s Clues & You!’

you @nickjr @nickelodeon I had so much fun!”

De La Cruz, who has been the host of “Blue’s Clues & You!” since 2019, commented on H.E.R.’s post, saying, “Thank you for representing and sharing your gifts with us @ hermusicofficial !!!”

In 2021, H.E.R. won a a Grammy Award for Song of the Year for the anti-police brutality anthem “I Can’t Breathe” and an Oscar for Best Original Song

Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon

for “Fight For You” from the film “Judas and the Black Messiah.”

Weeks after these two historic wins, the singer released her debut album, “Back of My Mind.”

H.E.R. is preparing to co-star in a movie musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,” based on the classic novel by Alice Walker.

According to VIBE, H.E.R. will play the character of Squeak, a waitress who aspires to be a singer; the remake is set to be released on Dec. 20, 2021. n

Morissette clears up pregnancy rumor, starts next decade via 1st digital show By leah

Salteri Philstar.com

“JUST to make it clear, I’m not pregnant.”

That was the clarification Asia’s Phoenix, Morissette, made recently after she was hospitalized for a week.

“I had diverticulitis, something that (doesn’t) normally happen to younger people,” Morissette shared. “I must have an old intestine. But I’m back to being productive again. I have a stronger immune system now.”

Morissette apparently surprised everyone with a different announcement. “Ibang klaseng pasabog,” she pointed out.

Excitedly, she announced her first digital concert, Phoenix, to mark her 10th year in the industry.

The show will stream on Jan. 23 and 24 on KTX. “This concert is different,” Morissette granted.

“This is not the usual concert that we always get to see. We really curated the concert to be fit for the medium and something that the public will enjoy.”

Phoenix is not your typical concert that’s live. Morissette tries her hand at being the concert producer, too.

“There were the spiels that I have to memorize,” Morissette allowed.

“Ang daming preparations. I have to be healthy and flexible. It happened with a lot of meditation and prayers. It can really get overwhelming.

“You think about so many things. Of course, there are a lot of songs in this concert. I think of choreography. Just how we shot the concert. It kind of feels like a movie with blockings or a musical theater production.”

Morissette proudly acknowledges her fiancé, Dave Lamar, who assisted her in every step of the way to mount Phoenix.

“My fiancé is the one that has been helping me a lot in my career lately,” Morissette admitted.

“Especially with content. I’m just really grateful that he has been around and helping us out. I’m so happy that we have been able to work on everything the past year.”

Morissette and Dave got officially engaged in December 2020 after being together for

Morissette Amon Photo from Instagram/@itsmorisette

more than a year. They’ve known each other since 2010, when they first met on TV5.

“We are really friends before we became officially a couple,” Morissette said about her and Dave. “I met him before anybody else. We met again in The Voice.

He pushes forward and never loses that faith.”

Music has been there as a constant companion for Morissette. “The first time Dave and I broke up, music lang ang karamay ko,” she admitted. “I’m so happy that in a sense, nag-level up na rin ang relationship ko with my music.”

Phoenix symbolizes rising from the ashes, from struggles.

“I never won any of the singing competitions I joined in,” Morissette disclosed. “That didn’t stop me. It’s a constant reminder to everyone.

“Even if there were obstacles that happened. Let God handle the rest. That’s what I learned in this pandemic. We cannot control everything. We should allow God to comfort us along the way,” she added.

Her struggles were never away from her life. “A lot of them personal, others professional or related to my work,” Morissette said. “It can really get stressful and tiring at times. Kahit ako,

sobrang love ko ang ginagawa ko, pero napapagod din ako.

“The past year, I’ve learned to manage myself well,” she continued. “Yes, there’s a lot of work, but there should be a time for myself. It’s a process. I get burned out without me knowing it. So much has happened.

Highs and lows. But I got over it successfully.”

She assured Phoenix will have surprises. “My new originals will be in the show,” Morissette granted. “It’s kind of intimate in a way. The cinematography is grand, song numbers, treatment We were able to drop sneak peaks from the concert.

“We just allowed everybody to be creative, from my musical director, choreographer. Everyone has no border. Everyone worked so well. Everything just fell into place. That’s why I’m really super excited. This is something that you can watch on Netflix also.

Very artistic.”

Looking back on her first decade, Morissette realized all her successes really don’t happen overnight. “It takes so much work, a lot of falling down, a lot of getting up,” she acknowledged.

“There’s also the pressure. I like to embody someone who doesn’t give up.”

Morissette was very handson in picking the songs for her repertoire. “Their favorites are sure to be in this concert,” she offered “Every song, there is a connection to me and has a special meaning to my heart. My favorite covers will be in the lineup.”

With her recent Signature EP (extended play) which she co-wrote, Morissette releases a “very personal” song coming from her musical influences and collaborating with some very good friends.

“I also feel there is a bigger market that’s why I try to expand my sound,” she maintained.

“I’m just so happy with just how everything turned out in my EP. How people were able to appreciate it, not just Filipinos.

“Phoenix is my starting point for the next decade. I want to put out more originals and raise the Filipino flag all the more whenever I’m in another country.” n

Do I have to disclose my Bitcoin to my spouse in my divorce case?

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes BITCOIN and other cryptocurrency has become popular lately as a new store of value. It is decentralized and not subject to regulation in any jurisdiction. It can be stored in a digital wallet or hard drive. Due to its lack of regulation, it is easy for one to assume that it is not necessary to disclose this in one’s divorce case specially if the other spouse has no clue of its existence.

Well, this assumption is clearly

misplaced in the context of California Family Code.

Fam. Code, § 721, recognizes the confidential relationship held by spouses. That relationship is a fiduciary relationship imposing a duty of the highest good faith and fair dealing on each spouse.

Also within that division, Fam. Code, § 1100, addresses management and control of community property.

The fiduciary duty spouses owe one another continues after separation, including the accurate and complete disclosure of all assets and liabilities in which the party has or may have an interest or obligation and all current earnings, accumulations, and expenses, including an immediate, full, and accurate update or augmentation to the

extent there have been material changes (Fam. Code, § 2012, subd. (a)(1)). Taken together, Fam. Code, §§ 721, 1100, and 2102, impose on a managing spouse affirmative, wide-ranging duties to disclose and account for the existence, valuation, and disposition of all community assets from the date of separation through final property division.

These statutes obligate a managing spouse to disclose soon after separation all the property that belongs or might belong to the community, and its value, and then to account for the management of that property, revealing any material changes in the community estate, such as the transfer or loss of assets. This strict transparency both discourages PAGE B6

STRONG drum beats will signal entrance of Sinulog dancers from Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade / Holy Family in Glendale and Vessel of Mary Liturgical Dance Group/ Holy Name of Mary/ San Dimas at a Eucharistic Celebration of Feast of Santo Nino at St. Anthony Church (2110 N. San Antonio Avenue, Upland, CA) on Saturday, January 29, 2022.

The Mass will be held at 6:30 p.m. to be presided

by Rev. Gerry Vidad.

The parish community has been celebrating annual mass for Santo Nino but this is the very first time that Sinulog Dancers will be in Prelude. Sinulog is a praise worship ritual dance that signify thanksgiving to Santo Nino. Dance movements speak of gratitude to Child Jesus whose love, purity and innocence give hope to a devotee.

This year, the Feast of Santo Nino will also coincide with commemoration of 500 Years of Philippine Christianity in the Philippines. Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade /Walnut Chapter will provide Statue of Santo Nino.

Vangie Sia, a parishioner from St. Lorenzo Ruiz shares, “I am a devotee of Santo Nino.

I believe that He performs miracles every day. He comforts us when we are in sorrow and gives us joy when we need it most.”

In the 16th century, the first statue of Santo Nino was presented to Hara Amihan, wife of King Humabon by Ferdinand Magellan. She was overjoyed upon seeing the innocent and kind face of Baby Jesus. She was baptized and embraced

Catholicism. The natives were also baptized.

Ferdinand Magellan planted the Cross of Christianity on the day baptism occurred in Cebu. To this day, Filipinos from various walks of life bring prayers to the Santo Nino. He is the protector and has power to grant and answer their prayers. Devotions to Him are part of every parish’s life. Every Filipino home has an image of Santo Nino. The image is particularly revered by people from Cebu where

Spaniards established the first colonial capital. The devotion to Christ Child Jesus has spread beyond that region. The Filipinos’ love for our Blessed Virgin Mary and her Son, Jesus is quite evident in their prayer life. Long live Christ Jesus! Viva Pit Senyor!

For more information, please call: Vangie Sia at (626) 523-8880 or St. Anthony Parish Office at (909) 9852803. (Contributed by Jo Solomonson) n

Albie describes what it’s like living with ADHD

By Nathalie

tomada Philstar.com

ALBIE Casiño said he’s always been open about having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but it was through his recent Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) stint that his condition drew more public attention.

“I’ve always been open about it ever since I found out. To me, it’s just telling someone, ‘Allergic ako sa alimango,’ parang ganun lang,” the PBB: Kumunity Season 10 celebrity housemate recently told The STAR in an exclusive Zoom interview.

When Albie came out of the PBB house, he realized that being forthright about it was a big deal for other people.

“Dun ko lang talaga na-realize that a lot of people are, I guess, nahihiya or ashamed to talk about it. So sobrang happy ako na napakita ko sa kanila na di kayo dapat mahiya na may ganyan, di ba? It’s really nothing,” he said.

The ABS-CBN actor shared that he’s been fully aware of his condition since he was 10. “I’m 28 years old now, so 18 years ko ng alam eh. Kumbaga sanay na ako mabuhay na merong ganun.

I don’t know what life is like without it,” he said.

“It’s just something that’s there for me, na my whole life I had to deal with it. I don’t feel any different. In the States, it’s a disability but I don’t feel disabled. I think I’m able to do everything that everyone is able to do,” he added.

Albie recalled that he was first diagnosed with ADHD while in grade school at Ateneo de Manila University. “They would notice that when it came to written exams, super bano ko, like super bagsak. But oral recitation, magaling daw ako sa oral recitation. They know alam ko ang sagot but pagdating sa paper, di ko na alam ang sagot.”

The school made him undergo a series of tests and then informed his parents of the results.

“Of course, our parents, ayaw nila marinig yan na may diperensya yung anak mo, ganun-ganun.

So, they took me to a second opinion na nag-diagnose din sa akin. And they brought me to a place called WorldLab in New Manila and it really deals with helping kids with learning disabilities,” he said.

He eventually moved to a smaller school, Victory Christian School, with only 14 students in his batch when they graduated. “To this day, I know those kids and their parents kasi 14 lang kami, mas marami pa sa Bahay ni Kuya,” he quipped.

After that, he went to La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) for high school because he wanted to prove a point.

He said, “Ang ni-recommend ng mga doctors

Albie Casiño

ABS-CBN photo

sa akin before, ‘wag ako ilalagay sa environment na sobrang daming tao kasi mabilis yung attention span, mabilis lumipat.

“Dapat small environment, maximum of 20 students. (But I thought), ipapakita ko na kaya ko gawin, and I was able to graduate from LSGH and juggling acting (work) at the same time.”

Given the nature and environment of showbiz, Albie remembered experiencing anxiety when he was younger but not due to ADHD. Without going into detail, he candidly said, “May konting anxiety especially nung bata ako and especially nung pinagdadaanan ko yung mga issues ko before.”

“But, I think, that (anxiety) was more stemming from the issues than the ADHD. I was getting anxiety kasi, ‘Oh man, pinag-uusapan naman nila yung issue ko. Oh man, may press na naman dito, itatanong na naman nila yun.’

That’s where the anxiety comes from.”

Looking back, he never felt discriminated against in showbiz because of his condition, though there were times when he had to explain to some co-artists.

“Sasabihin ko, I have ADHD and dyslexia, and they’ll go, ‘Ah, kaya pala’ or ‘ah OK.’ Alam mo yun? Na-ge-gets nila. ‘Kaya pala ang daldal mo,’ siguro yan sinasabi nila (laughs).”

When asked if his condition posed some challenges while inside the PBB house, where he stayed for 21 days, he said, “Nahirapan ako sa PBB but di ko alam if nahirapan ako dahil sa condition ko or dahil nahirapan lang talaga ako.

Because I don’t really know what it’s like to live PAGE B5

How motherhood has changed...

PAGE B1 (I think I matured more in a way, because we also already have a daughter. I don’t just think of myself anymore because I’m no longer single. I think of two people now, my daughter and husband.)

As she and her husband have just been married for less than a year, Schuck feels she still has a lot to learn about married life. Schuck also learned that she needs to be more caring.

“Siyempre, noong single ako, noong artista ako, ako ‘yung inaalagaan. Laging nandiyan ang nanay ko. Siya ‘yung nagda-drive sa akin.

Siya ‘yung nagpi-PA sa akin. Parang hindi ko na-experience na ako naman ang mag-aalaga sa ibang tao,” she said, while referring to her mother, beauty queen and former actress Lorraine Schuck.

(Of course, when I was single, when I was an actress then, I am the one being taken care of.

My mom was always there. She’s the one driving

for me. She was my production assistant. It’s like I haven’t experienced being the one taking care of other people.)

“Ngayon, dalawa silang inaalagaan ko.

Kailangan ko pa talagang paghusayan ‘yon,” she said. (Now, there are two people I take care of. I need to really do well on that.)

Meanwhile, “The Broken Marriage Vow” marks Schuck’s comeback into acting after taking a hiatus.

“Bago pa ako ikasal ay na-inquire na ‘yan sa akin. Naisip ko, ‘oh, my gosh, after ko ikasal may work na agad ko.’ Napakaganda at napakalaking project pa so I am truly grateful to be given this opportunity sa ABS-CBN,” she said.

(Even before I got married, I was already asked about that. I thought, “Oh my gosh, I got work right away after the wedding.” And it’s a very beautiful and big project so I am truly grateful to be given this opportunity in ABSCBN.) n

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Pastor’s Notes reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAS “THE Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

These were Jesus’ words in this Sunday’s (January 23) Gospel as he opened the Scriptures at the beginning of his ministry on earth.

Jesus’ words were not merely pious pronouncements like that of a political candidate.

They were words of genuine commitment to privileging the poor and the downtrodden, the lonely and the oppressed in his ministry. And that meant not just preaching to them but living with them and entering into their pain and struggles.

It meant suffering with them while giving them hope. Indeed, it meant ministering with compassion.

For Jesus, ministering with compassion does not only mean giving people their material needs. It also means entering their lives and accompanying them in their fears and anxieties.

This ministry of compassion

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARy 22-25, 2022

On Van Gogh and the Unequal pay + sexually-hostile workplace = sex discrimination: The sequel ministry of compassion

is what I recalled and reflected on these past few days deeply as I went on retreat and read the book, Learning from Henri Nouwen & Vincent Van Gogh: A Portrait of the Compassionate Life by Carol A. Berry.

The book, a Christmas gift from a parishioner, came at the right time when I planned to see the Immersive Exhibit of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings here in Los Angeles. It gave me a newer and deeper appreciation for the life and works of Gogh in light of Henri Nouwen’s teachings and writings.

Carol A. Berry, the author, contends that while the experts in the art world portrayed Vincent van Gogh as a psychologically disturbed, mentally imbalanced, and crazy artist, Henri Nouwen found him above all to be a compassionate man who was an artist with a mission. That mission would be “to make marginalized in society the subject and the focus of his work to give them respect and recognition.”

Berry further explains that Gogh’s art “would be an art that first of all was inspired by his personal experiences and his faith, his relationships with the poor in spirit, with those who mourned, with the meek, with those who hungered and

thirsted for justice, with the pure in heart, with the peacemakers, and with the persecuted.”

For those of us who know little about Vincent van Gogh’s life, Berry’s book presents Gogh’s early life and works as a missionary and preacher who lived with the utterly poor miners of Borinage in northern Belgium. It also shows how his paintings portrayed the impoverished men and women of the almshouses and soup kitchen in The Hague on the North Sea coast of the western Netherlands, where Gogh honed and enriched his talent.

I hope you also get to see Gogh’s paintings exhibit and be moved by them, knowing more about the artist’s intentions and mission. Like Gogh, may we not forget to bring comfort, healing, and dignity to the poor, lonely, and weak members of our society, using the gifts and talents God gave each of us! *** 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. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

Cathy Ang on how Filipino parents...

PAGE B1 to God that they changed the name to And Just Like That,’” she laughed in recollection.

“Because, you know, my parents are a little bit more conservative.

They grew up in the Philippines and they had an idea about what I should be doing with my life.”

Nevertheless, she could feel their pride and excitement even as the show’s themes would lead to some “heated” discussions.

She said: “I think, they’re really excited. They watch the show altogether sometimes, which can be a little uncomfortable with my family. But I think, what’s really exciting is that they’re trying to understand these characters and the way that different people in the world can operate. It’s because they hired an Asian actor and so now, I’m their vessel for getting into the show.

“It’s really exciting, again, the representation, bringing more people into the story and challenging their views, to challenging my family’s views sometimes. It just feels like a huge honor to be able to share this with them, even if sometimes it could be a little dicey. Oh, it sparked some conversation. I’ll have to say, it sparked some heated conversations (laughs).”

Fans of the SATC franchise are having a field day “blaming” the role of Lily as bad luck to the relationship of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) with Mr. Big. It was little Lily who foiled Carrie’s wedding plans with Big in the first SATC movie. In And Just Like That, the prodigious Lily’s piano recital inadvertently played a role in Carrie’s heartbreak involving Big. Cathy weighed in on that “controversial” scene in the pilot episode, which And Just Like That creator and SATC writer Michael Patrick King himself penned and directed.

“I think we saw the world was watching because there were so many reactions all over the place.

When I found out that the recital would be paired with that scene, I was really nervous that people would hate me,” she shared.

“There were a lot of memes about how I have ruined Carrie’s life multiple times now… but I think that’s actually indicative of maybe, for some reason, Lily doesn’t think that Carrie was meant to be with him. You know, just on some subconscious level, she thinks that she could do better. So, I’m okay with it. I’m owning it now! (Laughs).”

She was also a scene-stealer in the first episode for her very realistic portrayal of a gifted pianist. For this part, her musical background and education — she studied musical theater at New York University — came into play.

“Our family was always singing because we’re Filipino.

I actually went to music school, but mostly I played piano just to accompany myself if I’m singing.

This was actually a really wonderful challenge for me as an actor.

“And we picked a really hard, dramatic piece because I think Lily is exceptional. She works really hard and challenges herself. You can see through that piano piece that any goals that she said she meets. I tried to live up to that standard.

“I really was practicing like hours a day at home, my parents would have been so proud. I

B5

Filipina American actress Cathy Ang

basically gave myself a carpal tunnel because I just wanted to do the piece justice,” Cathy said, jokingly adding that she might release an actual recording of her playing as proof she did the scene.

Cathy was working on a different project when she auditioned for the part, sending a self-tape from a random closet.

Before she knew it, “Michael Patrick King and Kristen were like, ‘This is Lily.’ And when I got that phone call, my mind was blown.”

She recalled her family opening a confetti cannon and screaming. “Literally, one of my parents blew out my ears. It was such a joyous moment,” she said.

After all, having received “so many no’s” in her acting life, “you have to celebrate really hard when you get it.”

Below are more excerpts from the intimate roundtable interview with Cathy.

On her Filipino-Chinese roots: “I have been to the Philippines a few times. We used to go like every Christmas before. But, you know, during COVID, we have not as much. My mom is from Nueva Vizcaya and my dad is from Ongpin (her parents are UST-educated doctors). I miss visiting my family there so much.

Luckily, a lot of them have been able to come visit a couple times.

But it’s just so special to be in your home country, to have your culture surrounding you… Even though I’m very American, I’m very westernized, it’s a special experience.

“Really understanding what it means to be Asian in America took me going back there and then noticing when I came back to the US what life is like here. So, I think, being an Asian actress is really special. It has its challenges because a lot of the time the characters that we see are so one-dimensional or I also look very young, so maybe sometimes I get pigeonholed into things. But now, people really care about telling true, authentic stories, writing these characters to be complex. It’s an exciting time. I’m very lucky to be an actress right now. Because people are fighting for us to be seen on screen and for our stories about being Asian being told. I can’t actually represent a whole generation but I’ll always put that pressure on myself.”

On what it means to be part of and just like that: “It’s very, very exciting to be a part of a piece of art that is so

Photo from Instagram/@thecathyang

huge, worldwide. It’s a famous show and it has such a reach.

I think it’s very important that on the show, we see people of all colors represented. We’ve had this conversation so many times about how representation matters and how it can really encourage people, No. 1, to go into the arts and also just to explore their identity, to feel seen. And so, I think, it’s a huge honor for me.

“But also, I’m glad that the show is really purposefully making sure that they’re diversifying in And Just Like That version, the chapter two of Sex and the City. I think this is a wonderful moment for all of us because we get to celebrate so many different faces and people.

My family’s really proud, too.”

On advice for actors who mare Asians or Asian-Americans: “I would say find a mentor.

What you need to do is find someone who is going to surely, no matter what, tell you that you’re doing amazing and who’s always going to support you. A lot of our job is dealing with rejection because we’re auditioning, then getting no’s, not hearing anything. So you need someone who’s going to lift you up… coach you, push you, tell you how you have to improve, how you have to work and challenge yourself further.

The industry changes constantly.

There’s so many things to learn.

“Because my parents were immigrants and they really weren’t involved in the arts themselves, I didn’t have many role models to look up to necessarily as I was growing up. Once I decided to do this, I was lost and just wanted to find someone that I could talk to but once you find that person makes it so much easier because you’re not alone.

“And find a mentor who’s an Asian artist because everyone in our community is so excited about young Asian artists popping up all over the place.

Don’t be afraid to just ask someone to help you, like I texted Sandra Oh, and she’ll text me back. These things happen because everyone supports each other actually.

“And one more thing. If you have any inclination to be creative, find a couple different venues for it because you’ll want to have multiple skills because for me, it came in handy to have music. So find a mentor and many different ways to express yourself.” n

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. WE previously wrote in this column about the case against Riot Games, Inc., a multi-billion dollar video game developer, with headquarters in Los Angeles, operating in 24 offices around the world and employing about 2,500 workers, 80% of them male. The facts of the case are as follows: Riot Games’ employees, Jessica Negron, Gina Cruz Rivera, Irina Crudu, Mayanna Berrin, and Jessica Seifert, sued their employer in a class action, alleging that female employees in the company were denied equal pay and denied promotion because they are women.

They alleged being subjected to ongoing sexual harassment which was widespread in the sexually-hostile working environment.

The lawsuit alleged that Riot Games is notorious for fostering “bro culture” – a culture of sexism and mistreatment towards women. The lawsuit detailed several examples of “bro culture” at Riot Games, some of which included: • Requiring female employees to fulfill roles above their title and pay grade, while falsely promising them a promotion but ultimately hiring a man to fill the position, despite the female employee’s competence.

• Male supervisors belittling female employees at staff meetings by comments such as “her kids and husband must really miss her while she was at work;” “she talks louder than she should;” “she’s shrill;” or “she should speak less.”

• Women are made fun of and sexually objectified. There is an ongoing e-mail chain of “Riot Games Hottest Women Employees” which rates the “hotness” of each female on the list.

• Women are required to

participate and tolerate crude male humor which include offensive jokes about sex, defecation, masturbation, rape, and torture.

• Riot Games states it will only hire “core gamers” defined as “hardcore video game fans.”

Men are assumed to be core gamers, but women are assumed to not be core gamers or even gamers at all. Because this hiring practice unfairly favors men, many qualified women are not hired.

• Female applicants and employees who are outspoken are considered “aggressive,” “too ambitious,” and “annoying.”

Senior management emphasized the importance of hiring only “core gamers,” i.e., men, and if women are hired, they must be ‘quiet and will - literally and figuratively - “shut up and play the game.”’

Aside from being denied equal pay and promotions, female employees were allegedly exposed to ongoing sexual harassment and were retaliated against for speaking out. The hostile work environment consisted of: • Unsolicited and unwelcome pictures of male genitalia shown to employees from their bosses or colleagues.

• A female employee was informed that she was on a list getting passed around by senior leaders detailing who they would sleep with.

• Men telling jokes demeaning to women’s intellect or are sexually explicit.

• Intentionally explaining ideas to women in a condescending or patronizing way (commonly known as “mansplaining”) • Punching, grabbing, and touching each other’s genitals as a form of a gag.

• Mimicking women blatantly in front of them.

• Telling stories on a daily basis about sexual conquests • Using their bodies to simulate “humping” another person.

• A former male employee was allowed to remain in a position of leadership despite regularly making sexual comments in

the workplace and drugging and raping another Riot Games’ employee.

In August 2019, the parties reached a settlement, where Riot Games agreed to pay $10 million in damages. However, California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing asked the court to reject the settlement, stating that it grossly undercompensates class members by paying them $6 million to resolve claims that may be worth as much as $400 million. The settlement would also release Riot Games from liability for certain state labor code violations. Because of the objections, the proposed $10 million settlement was withdrawn and the original attorneys were replaced with new lawyers.

The parties continued to litigate the case and recently came to a settlement agreement where the employer agreed to pay $100 million to resolve the case. Of this, $80 million go to class members and $20 million go to legal fees. The company also agreed to change certain policies and practices, make full-time positions available to qualified class members, and, for three years, retain thirdparties to conduct genderequality analysis and monitor the company’s compliance with workplace protections. *** 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 Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost.

You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw. com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers.

He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.]

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Albie describes what it’s...

PAGE B2 without it.”

As to how it worked to his advantage during his reality show stint, he said, “Based kay Dr. Randy (Dellosa), the in-house psychiatrist of PBB, sabi niya sa akin, yung high-energy ko daw, dun ko nakukuha, so I guess that’s an advantage for me.”

Albie further said, “Mas nahihirapan lang ako sa ibang bagay, pero may ibang bagay naman akong ginagawa na nahihirapan din yung ibang tao.

(Like) I work out twice a day, three hours each time.”

He also thinks that is why he’s into rap and he’s good with punchlines because “siguro yung bilis ng isip ko…”

“And sa pag-ho-host ko, natutulungan niya ako dun,” the actor, who also runs his own podcast and YouTube show titled Stallion Talk.

Albie could be a celebrity ambassador for efforts to raise awareness and help erase any stigma surrounding the condition, which has been described by the ADHD Society of the Philippines as a “common serious neuro-biological disorder in every country affecting some three to four percent of the

country’s population.”

He’s very open and willing to speak up more about living with ADHD on bigger platforms.

“I don’t know how I can but if there are people who want to get me to talk about it, I’m very willing to talk about it. Kasi

feeling ko, I don’t want people to look at it and say, ‘Di ko kaya dahil may ganyan.’ Kaya mo yan! Anybody else can do talaga,” he said.

“Hopefully, they’ll (organizations) reach out after this,” he ended. n

B6 January 22-25, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Do I have to disclose my Bitcoin to...

PAGE B2 unfair dealing and empowers the nonmanaging spouse to remedy any breach of fiduciary duty by giving that spouse the information concerning the community’s business needed for the exercise of his or her rights, including the right to pursue a claim for impairment to his or her interest in the community estate.

What are the remedies available if a spouse breached his or her fiduciary duty? If a spouse

breaches his or her fiduciary duty, Fam. Code, § 1101, subd. (a), affords each spouse a claim against the other for any breach of fiduciary duty that results in an impairment to his or her interest in the community estate, including, but not limited to, a single transaction or a pattern or series of transactions, which transaction or transactions have caused or will cause a detrimental impact to the claimant spouse’s interest in the community estate. Reme-

dies for a breach of this duty that impairs another spouse’s interest in the community estate include an award to the other spouse of 50 percent, or an amount equal to 50 percent, of any asset undisclosed or transferred in breach of the fiduciary duty plus attorney fees and court costs (§ 1101, subds. (a), (g)) In re Marriage of DeSouza, 54 Cal. App. 5th 25, a trial court properly found that a husband breached his fiduciary duty to his former wife and ordered him to transfer bitcoins and other cryptocurrency to her pursuant to the parties’ judgment of dissolution and to pay her attorney fees and costs because information he withheld about his cryptocurrency investments was material, and there was substantial evidence that his breach impaired the wife’s interest in their community estate. In re Marriage of DeSouza, 54 Cal. App. 5th 25.

To avoid the costly outcome of getting sanctioned and awarded attorney’s fees against you, it is important to provide full and complete disclosure of all your financial affairs during your divorce case including any Bitcoin and cryptocurrency which you own during and after the marriage. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.

This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.

The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw. com. Visit our website at Kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com.

What is a ‘hardship’ discharge in Chapter 13?

CHAPTER 13 is a reorganization of your financial affairs where you pay a portion of your debts over 36 months or 60 months depending on where your household income is.

If it’s over the state median for the same size family as yours following current government statistics, then it’s 60 months. If not, it’s 36 months. But in reality, as bankruptcy law is practiced, even if your household is below the median, the Chapter 13 trustee normally wants all of your available disposable income and can and will object to a proposed 36-month plan on the basis of good faith or lack thereof.

Simply put, if you have $500 of disposable income are below the median and propose a 36-month plan, it’s not a slam-dunk case to have your plan confirmed by the court. The trustee will object to the 36-month plan saying that good faith requires you to propose a 60-month plan because creditors can get paid 24 months more at $500 a month, or another $12,000 so your 36-month plan should be denied on the ground of lack of good faith.

What happens if you are now on a 60-month plan paying $800 a month and currently you’re on the 38th month, and tragedy has just struck. By tragedy I mean, you just got COVID-19 despite having your two shots, have been intubated and are on a respirator for a month.

So you pray like you’ve never prayed before as if your very life depended on it because it does.

And the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in its infinite mercy answers your prayers and gives you back your life! A week from now, you’re out of the ICU and sent back home to recuperate. Two weeks from now, your test is negative. You’re COVID free.

But even though your COVID free, you’ve lost 30 pounds, can barely walk straight and it looks like you went on a hunger strike for a month. Skin and bones are what you look like now and you need a walker. Hey, but you’re alive and happy to be alive. The problem is you can’t go back to work just yet, and you don’t know if you can continue making the $800 a month Chapter 13 plan payment.

The ‘hardship’ discharge At this time, there are two kinds of “Hardship” discharge (Advertising Supplement) that you might be able to access.

In both kinds, you may be able to get a discharge without actually finishing all plan payments.

The first kind is a normal part of bankruptcy law which provides that if you have been permanently disabled that drastically changes your ability to pay, and have already paid a substantial portion of your Chapter 13 plan, you might qualify for a ‘Hardship” discharge.

What is a substantial portion of your Chapter 13 plan? Most courts consider at least a 70 percent payment of your plan substantial.

The other kind sunsets at the end of this year unless it is extended. It is pandemic-related relief for those debtors in Chapter 13 that have been negatively impacted by COVID, provided for in the CARES Act, and the

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng CAA. If certain conditions apply, debtors can request the court for a discharge without complying with the substantial portion requirement. Specifically, if you are at least two months behind on your mortgage after a certain date during the pandemic era and are negatively impacted by the pandemic, you can file a motion to request for discharge.

If you qualify for instance and you still owe $50,000 on your plan payments, you can now, before the law expires at the end of the year ask for a discharge of the $50K without any further payments.

Apparently, courts are given temporary discretion to disregard the best interest of creditors, and disregard the fact that the current market has increased home equities to the moon, beyond the exemptions applicable, and still give the eligible debtor a discharge.

From something bad comes something good. God is in control.

Don’t worry God has a good plan for you, even if something very bad has happened to you.

God can and does use something done by the evil one to you to bring about something very good for you and other people. What does this mean?

Joseph is sold into slavery In Genesis 50:20, the brothers of Joseph throw him into a well and sell him into slavery because they are jealous of him, being their father’s favorite. Their father is Jacob who is the grandson of Abraham, the father of the Israelites. Joseph is 17 years old when he is sold into slavery. He is brought to Egypt as a slave, but in Egypt, he is falsely accused of rape and is imprisoned for 13 years.

Clearly, the evil one has done a number on Joseph. But God gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams. The big boss in Egypt, the pharaoh keeps dreaming about 7 fat cows, which are eaten by 7 thin cows. He’s going nuts trying to understand what this means. So he puts up a show, Egypt’s got talent, to see if anyone can interpret his dream. No one is able to give him the right answer. Finally, the chief butler of the pharaoh tells him that there’s this guy in prison who can interpret dreams, Joseph. The pharaoh summons Joseph to his palace.

7 fat cows are eaten by 7 thin cows Joseph tells the pharaoh that there will be 7 years of extreme abundance followed by 7 years of extreme famine. Then Joseph proposes to the pharaoh that during the years of abundance the extra produce must all be stored in huge barns so that the stored produce will be used to feed the people during the 7 years of famine.

Joseph appointed CEO of Egypt

Pharaoh appoints Joseph as CEO of Egypt and is in charge of the storing and distribution of produce. During the years of famine, the brothers of Joseph go to Egypt to get their ration of food because there’s no food anywhere.

Joseph forgives his brothers and takes care of them.

S o t h e re y o u a re , f ro m something evil done to him, Joseph is elevated to become the CEO of Egypt and he is able to save the lives of many people including his brothers who sold him into slavery!

This is why Genesis talks about God’s plan for us, that He can turn something evil meant to harm us instigated by the evil one, into something good for us that helps not only us by many people. “As for you, you meant evil against me, God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.” Genesis 50:20 God is truly awesome and allpowerful!

God’s plans are to prosper you not to harm you Despite all your problems, you can rest assured that our God’s plans are to prosper you and not to harm you. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” Jeremiah 29:11. What can be clearer than this that God loved as so that He sent His only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who also loved us so, to die for us, to give us a chance to spend eternity with them in heaven. What an awesome and glorious plan for us underserving humans!”

Our God can and does wonders beyond our imagination. When you think all is lost, divine intervention springs out of nowhere to resolve your problems. “Do not call to mind the former things, or consider things of the past. Behold, I am going to do something new, now it will spring up; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert,” Isaiah 43:18-19.

Believe it or not, Walt Disney, filed for Chapter 7 not once, but twice before his Disney global empire became successful. He went on to become a billionaire after getting rid of all his debt twice. Milton Hershey, of Hershey chocolates, the biggest chocolate business in the world, also filed for Chapter 7 once before he became successful and a billionaire.

If you need debt relief, set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. *** Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice for anyone.

There is absolutely no attorney-client relationship established by reading this article. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

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Achieve freedom by taking down your mountain of debt TOUGH financial times caused by the pandemic are pushing strapped consumers over the edge. Delinquencies and balances on delinquent credit cards are on the rise again. Faced with layoffs and difficult economic times, a lot of people are resorting to use of their credit cards to pay for basic living expenses such as food and housing. A lot of people tap into their credit cards hoping it’s nothing more than a temporary solution “until things get better”. The bad news is that credit cards come with a steep price tag attached- the sky-high interest rates, not to mention late fees and over-the-limit fees.

Once credit cards are maxed out, some people resort to even more desperate measures just to make ends meet. Lately, I’ve seen a lot of people going as far as getting some of these socalled “payday” or “emergency” loans, which are ten to thirty times worse than credit cards!

In most cases, the interest rates on these loans can be anywhere from 390% to 900% APR if you continue to “roll over” the loan (i.e., ask for an extension of time to pay)!!! Can you believe that?

I’ve seen clients have 2, 3 or sometimes more payday loans at the same time. No wonder that these people are broke before pay day even comes!

The “loan sharks” often prey on people who have bad credit and are already overextended on debt.

If you are struggling with debt, perhaps you are finding it

Minding Your Finances Atty. rAymond BuLAon more and more difficult to catch up every month. If some of your accounts have been turned over to collections, this is even worse because this means that you can get sued by your creditors at any time. Once they obtain a judgment, creditors can then garnish your wages or levy your bank accounts. Some people get paralyzed with fear and do nothing, hoping that somehow by ignoring their debt problems, creditors will simply give up. Get real. You can’t ignore your debt problems. If you do nothing, one of these days you will realize that your inaction has simply made your debt problems worse.

If you’ve done everything you can but nothing has worked up to this point, should you file for bankruptcy as a last resort? Bankruptcy can often be an option for a lot of people who can no longer afford to pay their debts. In Chapter 7, credit card debts, personal loans, medical bills and most types of unsecured debts can be wiped out. That means you can start over and rebuild your credit instead of having all your delinquent debts reported to the credit bureaus every month.

Your fresh start begins the day your bankruptcy case is filed and creditors can no longer collect from you. For the first time perhaps in a very long time, you can finally breathe and feel like a human being again.

If you are able to pay a certain amount every month, you may also qualify for Chapter 13 debt consolidation in order to significantly reduce your monthly debt payments. In most cases, credit card payments can be reduced to half (or even less) of what you are currently paying.

You also pay 0% interest on your credit cards and can get out of debt anywhere from 3-5 years, depending on how long your Chapter 13 plan is. If you are in foreclosure, Chapter 13 can also help you save your home and help you bring your payments current.

If you are in debt and need to find the best solution for your situation, call toll-free 1-866477-7772 to schedule a free consultation. *** NOTE: Due to COVID-19 pandemic, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772.

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JANUARY 22-25, 2022

B7

SFIO announces 2022 roadmap following successful year of acquisitions, restructuring SMOKEFREE Innotech, Inc. (SFIO), a leading asset management company and innovation group, is pleased to share details around its pending name change to Starfleet Innotech, Inc., its ongoing transformation initiatives, and its progress towards uplisting to the Nasdaq within the next three years.

In the weeks to come, SFIO hopes to receive final confirmation on their proposed name change to Starfleet Innotech, Inc. – a company name that truly captures the team’s mission of innovating across new frontiers. It’s a step of SFIO’s team and they’re really excited about it.

When SFIO began developing their plans for a network of innovative companies working in conjunction to explore new frontiers of innovation, SFIO couldn’t help but draw inspiration from the sci-fi classics they grew up with. As Starfleet, the team is leading this new alliance, sharing knowledge and resources to help their businesses boldly go where none of their industries have gone before.

The name change will be a fitting start to 2022, following a big year of restructuring for SFIO. As SFIO continued to grow the global portfolio of companies throughout 2021 and embarked on a series of vertical and horizontal integrations to best consolidate their resources, resulting in a more efficient, more productive, and ultimately more profitable family of businesses operating across a shared, streamlined supply chain. Today, SFIO’s three core divisions – Food & Beverage, Real Estate, and Technology – represent a clear, coherent strategy for growth over the next three years.

The Food and Beverage (F&B) division was a consolidation of the businesses that comprised their international supply chain powering brands like the flagship enterprise, Epiphany Cafe. These consisted of firms across food, franchising, coffee, and beverage solutions. To date, they’ve established partnerships with wholesale bakeries and food commissaries; developed better supply chain management, logistics, and administrative systems; localized the franchising and license procurement strategies; and forged new distribution channels for their coffee and beverage solution products.

In consolidating these businesses under one division, SFIO’s team was able to more effectively organize their complementary resources, and focus efforts towards turning their F&B businesses into SFIO’s vehicles for entering new global markets.

This year, SFIO is exploring expansions for Epiphany Cafe across Australia, the Philippines, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Market research, feasibility studies, and financial modeling are already underway, with pilot sites across these regions currently being selected. SFIO is also in the process of shortlisting the master franchise partners and developing brand conversion strategies nuanced to these new markets.

In the Philippines, SFIO partnered with FJ Prime Management, Inc. to spearhead the growth of Epiphany Cafe in the country. Similarly, SFIO has established a partnership with Epiphany Ventures Corporation to grow their footprint across Malaysia.

As part of these plans, the team of SFIO is currently in talks with key convenience store brands in Malaysia and Australia to carry Epiphany’s signature pillow-soft donuts. As for the 5-in-1 instant coffee offering under SFIO’s Gorgeous Coffee brand, they

already received initial orders from the partner distributors across the United States and Australia, with the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines soon to follow.

To fuel this expansion, SFIO team built the Real Estate division around a series of highyield projects, the proceeds of which will be reinvested in their future growth. SFIO ended 2021 announcing that local permits have been obtained and land development initiatives are already underway for many of their exciting and innovative township projects. In addition, they are actively exploring non-dilutive funding options for these initiatives, the details of which they will be sharing in the months to come.

As SFIO begin pre-selling and staging marketing roadshows for these projects, they will be launching a new brand around SFIO’s Real Estate division to communicate the type of future-ready communities SFIO aim to create – communities that embrace the best of smart city technologies, health and wellness systems, and opportunities around medical tourism.

Finally, SFIO established a Technology division as SFIO’s key enabler, underpinning all their efforts as a conglomerate. In terms of strategy, this division will not only augment business operations, unlock innovative new revenue streams, and grow the intellectual property assets, but will also serve as SFIO’s backbone as they grow as an agile organization.

For example, as SFIO concurrently enters new markets with Epiphany Cafe, part of ensuring the sustainability of the growth is embracing new technologies to better manage the operations at scale – starting with a unified, streamlined logistics platform. With this platform, SFIO’s goal would not only be to standardize the operations of different businesses across the supply chain, but to also bring value to the franchisees, and, ultimately, their customers who will now benefit from a truly seamless, tech-powered system.

Similarly, their Technology division is hard at work on a proprietary platform to manage all the global Real Estate projects, specifically when it comes to supporting their agents’ customer engagement and sales workflows. Through the use of artificial intelligence tools, this platform will serve as the scaffolding for future tech services, housing their pipeline of real estate innovations. SFIO’s goal with this suite of tools is to eventually offer it to other developers as well, to help them showcase their real estate portfolios and augment their operations.

SFIO’s technology efforts around real estate aren’t limited to showcasing them, however, but will be fundamentally integrated into each of the developments, beginning with the big investments they’re making in pioneering community health systems. SFIO recently partnered with Fort Health Data Systems, a startup that develops health and wellness dashboards for communities-as-a-whole.

With Fort Health, they’re able to pull in individual health data points, as well as environmental data

from Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled sensors to build predictive models for proactive community care. And to really take those data gathering systems to the next level, SFIO has NeuroSky, a Silicon Valley-based biosensor solution firm that develops bleeding edge hardware like brainwave monitoring headbands and smartwatches for tracking wellbeing. The company believes that integrating NeuroSky’s hardware with Fort Health’s community health platforms, then deploying those systems across the township projects will be a real game-changer for tech-driven public health systems.

Just as SFIO intends to do with the real estate platform, this community approach to care will then be expanded and deployed to other settings, taking a blend of proprietary software and innovative hardware to health institutions, universities and workplaces around the globe. By providing the means to meaningfully gather and analyze health data, SFIO will be enabling communities to build measurable, proactive health strategies, leading to greater savings by ensuring people don’t become ill in the first place.

Finally, the most fascinating is the work the Technology division is doing with digital tokens – specifically NFTs (nonfungible tokens) – to allow the shareholders, partners, and other community stakeholders to participate more meaningfully in SFIO’s growth and operations. They’ve been studying a lot of the interesting ways grassroots communities are using decentralized technologies to structure their organizations. In designing this new system, SFIO will be taking cues from the firms experimenting with blockchain and digital tokens to build what they hope will be the new gold standard for asset management platforms.

While these technologies will serve SFIO well as they grow exponentially in the years to come, the real test of the conglomerate’s mettle will not be in its ability to innovate, but in its ability to do so collaboratively. This past year SFIO’s team has built SFIO into a truly global community, adding to their presence in New Zealand and Australia with the launch of new offices and teams across the UAE, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the U.S. – where they’ve engaged with experienced firms to help lead the marketing efforts. With such an expansive footprint, the only way to accomplish their shared mission is to establish a united front. And so, following 2021’s restructuring, SFIO has embarked on a new commitment – investing heavily in building SFIO into a truly agile ecosystem.

As an asset management company, SFIO decided to adopt the same lean-agile framework prevalent among hyper-scale tech developments firms for three reasons. First, it is the best way to ensure that as SFIO grows exponentially in the years to come, they do so flexibly and sustainably. It is essential that they decentralize decision-making wherever possible, so as to allow each of SFIO’s global units and business divisions to champion their own

growth and efficiently respond to their own needs.

Second, this framework provides the means to rapidly stage new innovations within the divisions and iterate on them independently, before scaling their successes across the SFIO ecosystem-at-large.

Third, this framework recognizes the vital role that talent plays in fueling growth.

To accomplish all this, SFIO has gathered a world-class team of professionals tasked with spearheading SFIO’s various initiatives. Transforming their corporate framework is no small task and will require a strong community, united by a culture of collaborative innovation. Just this month, SFIO established a new communication team, whose role will be to both shape a clear and consistent external messaging strategy as SFIO operates in concert with their many stakeholders, and to organize many corporate teams around their shared goals, supporting each and every one of SFIO’s units, and establishing the channels they need to collaborate freely.

That collaborative, transparent culture extends beyond their business units, encompassing the entire corporate community. Beginning this month, they will be facilitating regular video conferencing calls with their key investors and partners to keep the stakeholders abreast on their activities. In each of these monthly sessions, they will be introducing new initiatives, sharing important updates, and calling for they shareholders and investors’ feedback – all of which reflect the stance that each member of the SFIO community plays a vital role in SFIO’s growth.

Further, SFIO has been curating the growth of the top-level leadership to guide their expansion, led by the appointment of additional non-voting advisory board members. A series of appointments to leadership: Jonathan Petalver, Roger Oriel, and Michael Venezuela. These leaders have been crucial to helping SFIO achieve corporate excellence in these early stages, and they will continue to play even more vital roles as SFIO expands. Joining now on board, Jeths Lacson, the chairman of SFIO, is excited to announce Jose Gerardo Noble, Stanley Yang, and Vince Caruso, as its global leaders in real estate development, technology, and marketing.

In the coming weeks, SFIO will be sharing more information on their progress towards developing the audited financials of each of their subsidiaries; introducing a new class of preferred shares to be used in securing strategic partners, hiring key officers, and closing new acquisitions; and placing SFIO on the OTCQB Venture Market, as a stepping stone towards their larger goal of uplisting to the Nasdaq.

The CEO and chairman of SFIO, Jeths Lacson ,would like to outline the strategies they will be employing as SFIO embarks on an ambitious mission of growth and transformation. They have a world-class team assembled to make this happen.

But to achieve their goal of uplisting in the next three years, they will need a united front – not only among their global teams and divisions, but across all stakeholders in the community. With the shareholders and valued business partners’ continued support, they will accomplish SFIO’s mission to boldly go where no conglomerate has gone before.

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