021122 - Northern California Edition by Asian Journal Community Newspapers

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Volume 21 - No. 6 • 14 Pages

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California to end indoor mask mandate on Feb. 15 by AJPRESS THE state of California will end the statewide indoor mask mandate on Feb. 15 and ease more coronavirus related restrictions. Officials on Monday, Feb. 7 announced that next week, the order to require Californians to cover their faces in indoor public settings will be lifted. The mandate took effect in December amid the omicron variant and was slated to expire until Jan. 15 before being extended for another month. “Omicron has loosened its hold on California, vaccines for children under 5 are around the corner, and access to COVID-19

NORTH MEETS SOUTH. Wearing their trademark red and green colors, presidential aspirant and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte, dubbed as UniTeam, bump fists during their proclamation rally at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on Tuesday, February 8. In his speech, Marcos said their tandem is a good example of unity between the north and the south, the team’s campaign battle cry. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

US: Evidence proves Quiboloy’s offenses THE United States Department of Justice pursued prosecution of the case against Apollo Quiboloy as evidence and facts supported violations of U.S. criminal law, the agency said. Nicole Navas Oxman, senior communications advisor for International Law Enforcement spokesperson, noted that the “Federal Bureau of Investigation’s release of a wanted poster for fugitive Apollo Quiboloy follows a multi-year law enforcement effort.” “The U.S. Department of Justice pursues prosecutions when the evidence and the facts support violations of U.S. criminal law and cause us to seek an indictment from the

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VP Harris swears in members of President’s Commission on AANHPIs UNITED States President Kamala Harris and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra on Thursday, Feb. 3 swore in 23 members, including 3 Filipina American community leaders, of President Joe Biden’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs). They were joined by U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai, who serves as Commission Co-Chair alongside Secretary Becerra and delivered congratulatory remarks. In December, Biden appointed the members to advise him on AANHPIs issues. Among them are Amy Agbayani, Teresita Batayola and Luisa Blue representing the FilAm community. “We know there’s still a lot of work to do in an affirmative way, in a purposeful way, in an intentional way about ensuring that people are engaged, that they are involved, and that we are relevant to the way that they are experiencing and living life, and that we

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FEBRUARY 11-17, 2022

treatments is improving,” State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás J. Aragón said in a statement. “With things moving in the right direction, we are making responsible modifications to COVID-19 prevention measures, while also continuing to develop a longer-term action plan for the state.” Masks will still be required for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses, such as retail stores, restaurants and theaters. Despite the mandate’s lifting, fully vaccinated individuals are recommended to continue indoor masking when the risk may be high. Surgical masks or higher-level respirators (e.g.,

N95s, KN95s, KF94s) with good fit are highly recommended. Masks for all individuals will still be required in certain settings, regardless of vaccination status. The areas include: public transit (e.g. airplanes, trains, subways, buses, ride-shares); K-12 schools and childcare; emergency shelters; health care settings; state and local correctional facilities and detention centers; homeless shelters; and longterm care settings and adult and senior care facilities. The following individuals are exempt from wearing masks at all times: • Persons younger than two

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Bongbong-Inday Sara tandem begins 2022 campaign at Philippine Arena by NEIL

ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net

MANILA — Red and green flooded the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on Tuesday, February 8 as the tandem of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte-Carpio kicked off their presidential and vice-presidential campaign for the May 9 elections. According to the camp of Marcos Jr., at least 25,000 supporters flocked to the Philippine Arena, dubbed as the world’s largest indoor stadium. Atty. Vic Rodriguez, spokesperson of Marcos Jr., assured that minimum public health protocols were observed during the launch. The tandem also formally introduced their

senatorial slate during their proclamation activity. All of the tandem’s 11 senatorial bets were present for the event. The tandem’s senatorial slate currently includes Juan Miguel Zubiri, Sherwin Gatchalian, Rodante Marcoleta, Larry Gadon, Loren Legarda, Jinggoy Estrada, Mark Villar, Harry Roque, Gilbert Teodoro, Herbert Bautista, and Gringo Honasan. Rodriguez said Marcos Jr. and Duterte-Carpio are planning to complete their senatorial list and may announce the candidate for the 12th spot in the coming days. The choice of venue, the Philippine Arena, had raised speculations that Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) would endorse Marcos Jr. and Duterte-Carpio. INC owns the Philippine Arena.

Rodriguez, however, denied this. “You’re reading too much between the lines. We have not said anything close to that. Ito ay venue lamang,” Rodriguez told reporters. “Kaya namin ito napili sapagkat ito ang pinakamalaki at maaaring mag-accommodate sa libu-libo naming mga supporters and followers,” he added. INC backed the 2016 vice presidential bid of Marcos Jr., who eventually lost to incumbent Vice President Leni Robredo. It also backed President Rodrigo Duterte, the father of Duterte-Carpio. Based on the most recent Pulse Asia survey released in December 2021, Marcos Jr. and DuterteCarpio lead the presidential and vice presidential race, respectively. 

Duterte not endorsing any bet ‘at this time’ by HELEN

FLORES Philstar.com

MANILA — President Duterte considers all those gunning for the presidency in the May 9 elections “qualified,” but he is supporting none of them “at this time.” In his taped Talk to the People aired Monday, February 7 the President revealed that “almost all of the candidates” sought his endorsement. “Almost all of the candidates, in one way or the other, communicated to me to talk, to… ask for support. I may, in the end, if I see that it would be… my advice and maybe endorsement would help if needed. But at this time, I am saying that

I am not supporting anybody,” Duterte said in Filipino and English. “Unless there is a compelling reason really for me to change my mind and decide to support a candidate.” Duterte said all presidential aspirants are qualified, but he has reservations on the “danger” of falling into what he considered a trap of communists. “All of them are… I would say at this time, they are all qualified, whoever they are, those running now are qualified to be president,” he said. “I find them OK except for a few misgivings about the danger of falling into With an emphasis on his rags-to-riches story, senator Manny Pacquiao officially starts his the hands of… well, getting into a trap with opening salvo for the 2022 presidential elections in home town General Santos City.

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Philstar.com photo by Efigenio Toledo

PH ready for int’l travel since 2020 - DOT chief Pacquiao gets in his biggest fight yet, the one for president by ROSETTE

ADEL

Philstar.com

MANILA — Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the country is ready to welcome vaccinated tourists from visa-free countries, adding that the Philippines has been ready since 2020. During the Kapihan Sa Manila Bay virtual forum on Wednesday, February 9, Puyat expressed excitement over the reopening of international travel saying February 10 could mark the beginning of the “next chapter” in the tourism travel sector’s road to recovery. Before the pandemic, the country recorded 8.26 million tourist arrivals in 2019. The number of visitors declined to 1.48 million in 2020. “These are exciting times for Philippine

tourism. We have been ready since 2020; with the significant dwindling of new COVID cases, the Department of Tourism (DOT) can now push forward with our plans and programs for the full recovery of the Philippine tourism industry,” Puyat said. Late last month, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the DOT’s proposal to allow the entry of fully vaccinated tourists coming from the 157 countries that have visa-free arrangements with the Philippines. The task force also dropped the colorcoded classification system of countries based on their COVID-19 status. The tourism chief said the opening of the borders to eligible foreign visitors could

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by GAEA

KATREENA Philstar.com

CABICO

GENERAL SANTOS — Manny Pacquiao, a world champion boxer-turned-politician, launched his 2022 presidential campaign—a bid centered on fighting corruption and poverty— in his hometown General Santos City on Tuesday, February 8. Pacquiao, whose rag-to-riches rise has inspired many people, believes he should succeed President Rodrigo Duterte as the country’s leader because he knows what it’s like to be poor.

“By the grace of God, sisiguraduhin ko ang bawat isa sa inyo, ang bawat Pilipino, panalo sa laban ni Manny Pacquiao,” he told thousands of people gathered at the city’s Oval Plaza. “Sisiguraduhin ko ang bawat Pilipino may trabaho at hinahanap ng trabaho at sisiguraduhin ko sa inyo na walang mahirap na innagrabyado at inaapi.” He is running under the Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives (PROMDI) alongside Rep. Lito

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FEBRUARY 11-17, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

California to end indoor mask...

VACCINATE

KIDS 5+ TO PROTECT

THEM FROM

PAGE 1 years old. Very young children must not wear a mask because of the risk of suffocation. • Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a mask. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a mask could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a mask without assistance. • Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication. • Persons for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to

the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines. California is also amending its regulations for “mega” events starting Feb. 16. The guidance will return to thresholds of 1,000 attendees for indoor mega events and 10,000 attendees for outdoor mega events. For indoor mega events, verification of fully vaccinated status or pre-entry negative testresult is required of all attendees. LA County won’t lift mask mandate Despite the state’s plan to end the mask mandate, Los Angeles County officials said it will remain in place as cases remain high in

the region. “This is not the right time to stop wearing our masks when around others indoors, and in outdoor crowded settings,” said LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. As of Monday, Feb. 7, Public Health confirmed 29 additional deaths and 4,360 new cases of COVID-19. The number of cases and deaths reflect the weekend reporting delays. Of the 29 new deaths reported, four people were between the ages of 50-64, seven were between the ages of 65-79, and 18 were over the age of 80 years old. Of the 29 newly reported deaths, 23 had underlying health conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in LA County is 29,457. g

Oxman declined to comment on the extradition or a possible U.S. request for the provisional arrest of Quiboloy, President Duterte’s close friend and spiritual adviser. “As a matter of policy, the U.S. Department of Justice generally does not comment on extraditionrelated matters until a defendant is

in the United States,” she added. The televangelist was indicted for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling. (Pia Lee-Brago/Philstar.com)

US: Evidence proves Quiboloy’s... PAGE 1

grand jury and the grand jury returns an indictment,” Oxman said in an email to The Star. The wanted poster for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder, she said, is unrelated to the Philippines’ ongoing presidential election campaign.

COVID-19 Talk to a doctor or learn more by visiting MyTurn.ca.gov or calling 833-422-4255 DAILY LIVING. An elderly man sits on a concrete wall outside a shop, repairing old rubber shoes and sandals for PHP200 along MarikinaInfanta Highway in Antipolo City on Tuesday, February 8. The man, who has been doing this for a living for many years, said he also repairs bags. PNA photo by Rico H. Borja

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

Duterte not endorsing any bet...

Dateline USa

PH ready for int’l travel since 2020...

PAGE 1

“We are fighting a war that has been going on for the past 53 years and we do not want to exacerbate the situation by electing a president who would – not really – but to compromise the interest of the government,” he said. Asked whether the PDP-Laban faction, chaired by Duterte, is also not endorsing a presidential bet following Duterte’s remark, Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said the party has yet to reach a consensus on the matter. “The PDP-Laban is still talking about this, the national executive committee as well as the leaders of the PDP Laban,” Nograles said at a press briefing on Monday. “The consensus building and decision-making of the PDPLaban is still going,” he said. “What the President said last night was at this time he does not support any candidate but he also said that ‘unless there is a compelling reason for me to change my mind,’” Nograles said. Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, is running in tandem with presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In his public address in January, the President said he would expose the characters of those seeking the presidency “in due time.” He described one political hopeful as “too corrupt” and another as not ripe for the presidency. His daughter and her running mate Marcos officially kicked off their campaign on Tuesday, February 8, promising national unity should they win in the May 9 elections. The event was held at Philippine Arena in Bulacan, considered the world’s largest arena. “We here in the Philippines, all of us overcame past crises because we were united. Now we need to again unite as we face this pandemic, because even the most competent and hardworking could only do so much if they are alone,” he said in Filipino. The former senator said his tandem with Duterte-Carpio represents the collective desire of the people to really unite for the betterment of everyone and the country. “That’s why the DuterteMarcos tandem is a very significant symbol because if the one coming from the North and the other from the South join forces, I think the two of us can unite the entire Philippines,” Marcos pointed out. The Philippine Arena has seating capacity for 55,000 people, but organizers said only 25,000 would be allowed to witness the event in compliance with government’s health protocols. Bulacan Vice Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, who is seeking the gubernatorial post under PDP-Laban Cusi wing, vowed to support the tandem of Marcos and Duterte-Carpio. This developed as the senatorial candidates of the UniTeam also began their campaign on Tuesday, with House Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda firing the first salvo at the Liberman Gymnasium in Pandan, Antique, her home province. The three-term senator vowed to launch a campaign focused on employment generation and green pandemic recovery for every Filipino family. “The crisis of unemployment is one of the major problems that needs to be addressed urgently. My goal is to strengthen government interventions to give our people hope, especially the poorest of our poor, belonging to the most vulnerable and marginalized sectors of our country, an assurance that they are given priority and adequate assistance as we tread on the path towards sustainable and green pandemic recovery,” Legarda said. People’s crusade Clad in pink, supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo across the country and abroad joined on Tuesday, February 8 the official start of her three-month presidential campaign with minirallies and motorcades, which her supporters call people’s crusade. Robredo herself and her running mate Sen. Francis Pangilinan, together with members of their Senate slate, motored to Camarines Sur – her home province – where they were warmly welcomed by their supporters. Pink is Robredo’s campaign color. Members of Robredo’s Senate slate who joined her campaign kickoff in Camarines Sur were Sen. Risa Hontiveros, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, lawyers Chel Diokno, Alex Lacson and Sonny Matula. Detained Sen. Leila de Lima sent a representative. “It is only timely and proper to start the hardest fight of my life

help the millions of Filipinos working in tourism-related establishments and businesses get back on their feet. “Allowing the entry of these international travelers is a welcome development that will lead to growth in the travel and tourism sector, the restoration of lost jobs, the generation of much needed revenue for tourism-related enterprises, tourism communities and the government, plus many other benefits that will be felt by the entire tourism value chain,” Puyat said. Health and safety protocols in place She said that the DOT has implemented health and safety protocols for arriving travelers. “I am excited about the prospects of a healthy rebound in tourism for a good number of reasons: the high vaccination rate among our tourism workers, the public health safeguards and guidelines that have been put in place and the number of new tourism circuits that have been developed,” Puyat said. According to DOT, 92.51% or 317,892 of 349,534 tourism workers already received their COVID-19 shots as of February 4. Puyat also said a number of tourism destinations have 100% vaccination rate among its workers. These are Baguio City; Aurora; Palawan towns Coron, El Nido and San Vicente ; Puerto Princesa City, and Camiguin island. “The DOT offices are also

Vice President Leni Robredo launches her presidential campaign in her hometown of Naga City on Tuesday, February 8. Philstar.com photo by Jazmin Tabuena

here. Thank you for joining me. Thank you for your sacrifices,” the 56-year-old Robredo said in remarks before supporters in Libmanan in Camarines Sur. Her late husband, former interior secretary Jesse Robredo. served as Naga City mayor for six terms. “Unless we change the old and rotten kind of politics, unless we give our countrymen hope and inspiration, nothing will really change,” she said. Also with Robredo in her first day of campaigning were her three daughters – Aika, Tricia and Jillian – during her motorcade from the town of Lupi to the municipality of Libmanan earlier in the day. Abroad, Robredo’s supporters gathered in front of the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, Australia, to express their support for Robredo and Pangilinan. A video posted on Facebook showed Robredo’s supporters, donned in pink clothes, chanting “Gobyernong Tapat, Angat Buhay Lahat!” “We offer to you this campaign, this journey toward the fulfillment of our promise of prosperous and bright future. A future where this is no hunger for food, justice, love and care,” Pangilinan said in Filipino. Raucous welcome Manila Mayor Isko Moreno also kicked off his campaign on Tuesday for the presidency with a caravan around the city. He engaged his supporters by signing framed photos and dancing with them on top of his caravan vehicle with his running mate Dr. Willie Ong and three senatorial candidates – Samira Gutoc, Jopet Sison and Carl Balita. But social distancing proved difficult to implement in Manila, the country’s most densely populated city, his campaign organizers admittted. Moreno himself took off his mask and some of his supporters had their masks down to their chins as they cheered their candidate on. At a press briefing, Moreno’s campaign manager Lito Banayo said it was difficult to implement the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s guidelines for social distancing in a “noisy” Philippine election campaign. Moreno’s proclamation rally Tuesday night was at the Kartilya ng Katipunan beside the Manila City Hall. Partido Reporma standardbearer Sen. Panfilo Lacson and his running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, officially launched their campaign in Imus, Cavite. They promised to hold their campaign in a “disciplined” manner. The city was chosen as the jump-off point of their campaign being the birthplace of Lacson, a former national police chief and now on his third and final term in the Senate. Cavite is the country’s second vote-rich province with over 2.1 million voters in 2016. Lacson was No. 1 in the province in the 2007 and 2016 senatorial elections. This is his second attempt at the presidency, the first being in 2004. “We will wage a very disciplined campaign, especially that it is Alert Level 2 here and there are alert levels in other parts of the country,” Lacson told a press conference three hours before the proclamation rally at the Imus Track and Field Oval and Grandstand. “I was born here so I always kick-off my campaign here,” he said. Sotto said the traditional campaign trail was for candidates to do a motorcade with few public meetings and stops and a major rally at night, most of the time causing disruption in traffic flow. But this campaign would obviously be different, he said. Lacson and Sotto were unfazed by their standings in the latest surveys, saying much can change during the campaign. “Surveys are a good guide but when Election Day approaches, you will see voters using both their heads and hearts in deciding who to vote,” Sotto said in Filipino. The tandem is backed by three political parties in the country, namely Partido Reporma, which Lacson chairs; the Nationalist People’s Coalition chaired by Sotto; and the National Unity

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 11-17, 2022

Party headed by their campaign manager, former Interior chief Ronaldo Puno. Sen. Manny Pacquiao launched his campaign in his hometown General Santos City, with his running mate Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza. Pacquiao launched his campaign with a promise of an honest and prosperous government that can provide jobs for millions of Filipinos and one that can jail the corrupt. While he has fallen out of favor with President Duterte, with whom he locked horns over the leadership of their political party PDP-Laban, Pacquiao said he would be continuing the legacy of the President. “I will continue the legacy of what’s good for the country, like maintaining … Build, Build, Build. That’s included in economic growth and development– – the infrastructure development. They can expect an honest

u PAGE 4

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat

Philstar.com file photo

facilitating the roll-out of booster shots for eligible tourism workers,” Puyat said. Meanwhile, Puyat stressed that fully vaccinated Filipino nationals and foreign tourists are exempt from the 5,000-passenger arrivals cap set by the Department of Transportation and its One-StopShop. Based on the IATF-EID Resolution 160-B, unvaccinated foreign children below 12 who are traveling with their Filipino parent/s, will be allowed entry and must follow the entry, testing and quarantine protocols that apply to their parent/s. On the other hand, minors aged 12 to 17 are required to follow the protocols based on their vacation status. They must

also be accompanied by their parents during their facilitybased-quarantine. An individual is considered fully vaccinated if he or she received the second dose of COVID-19 jab or a single dose vaccine more than 14 days before the date and time of the departure from the country of origin, according to IATF-EID’s resolution. Last week, Puyat reminded tourists that while the international visitors are not required to undergo facilitybased quarantine, they must still continue self-monitoring and report to the local government unit of their destination should they exhibit any symptoms of the virus. g

FEBRUARY 11-17, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

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

Internship program deadline extended to Feb. 18, says PCGSF THE Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco is pleased to inform members of the Filipino American communities in the United States’ Pacific Northwest that the deadline for the submission of applications for IMPACT! Filipino-American Internship Program for Summer 2022 has been extended until midnight of 18 February 2022. The IMPACT! Program is a nine-week professional development program by the U.S.-Asian Institute (USAI), which allows young Filipino American adults to experience a first-hand look at the U.S. government in Washington, D.C., engage civically with government and political leaders, and reflect on the role they, as future leaders, might play in strengthening Philippine-U.S.

relations. The internship will run from 6 June 2022 to 5 August 2022. The program includes: • eight-week internship at a prominent Washington, D.C. organization; • one-on-one mentorship from a member of the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FLYPRO); • participation in workshops, networking opportunities, and social/cultural activities; and • stipend of $1,000 or $2,000, depending on whether the participant will be joining in person or virtually. The internship program, which has the support of the Philippine Embassy and Consulates in the U.S., was launched by the USAI to empower future Filipino American leaders. It aims

Duterte not endorsing any bet...

PAGE 3 Pacquiao started off the government and a prosperous campaign with a caravan of over government that can provide 500 vehicles in the afternoon. The event was attended jobs,” Pacquiao said in Filipino at by only two members of the a press conference.

to inspire, motivate, and prepare the youth to contribute to civic transformation. The program is designed to uplift and equip future leaders with the knowledge they will need in furthering their careers. Young members of Filipino American Communities in the U.S. Pacific Northwest are highly encouraged to send their applications and take advantage of this rare opportunity to serve and lead. Interested candidates may apply via this link – http://bit. ly/3zWnIUr. Additional information about the internship program is available on the USAI website (https://www.usasiainstitute.org/impactprogram). For further inquiries, you may directly reach out to the USAI through email at usai@usasiainstitute.

HEAVY TRAFFIC. Motorists experience heavy morning traffic along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue - P. Tuazon Underpass on Tuesday, February 8. amid the easing of movement restrictions under Alert Level 2. The Philippines has recorded a steady decline in the number of new coronavirus infections, prompting authorities to ease pandemic restrictions in the National Capital Region and most parts of the country. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Pacquiao gets in his biggest fight yet... PAGE 1

Pacquiao-Atienza senatorial slate – Lutgardo Barbo, vice chairman of Pacquiao’s faction within PDPLaban; and broadcaster Raffy Tulfo. g

Atienza (Buhay party-list). A rift within the administration PDPLaban party has left it without an official standard-bearer, with Pacquiao running under an allied party and the candidate from the rival wing eventually withdrawing. Pacquiao, one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers of all time, is now facing his biggest and toughest battle yet: a bid for presidency. Despite his popularity, Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso tied at the third spot in a survey conducted by Pulse Asia last December, with just eight percent of voter support. The son and namesake of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos topped the poll. Philanthropic politician Marites Limas, a fish vendor in the country’s tuna capital, said Filipinos should give Pacquiao a chance because he is kind and helpful, citing his housing project in neighboring Sarangani province. “Hindi naman siguro gaya ng sinasabi ng iba na basehan ‘yung kaaalaman sa pag-upo sa pagka-presidente. I-try lang nila si Manny baka makita nila kung ano ‘yung kakayahan niya o anong magagawa niya sa ating bansa,” Limas said. (I don’t think you can base the ability to be president on education. They should give Manny a try, they might see what he can do for the country) She hopes the politician

will address the problem of joblessness and raise the minimum wage of workers. Michael Yusingco, senior research fellow at the Ateneo School of Government said Pacquiao being a nice person may not be enough. “It is quite obvious that Senator Pacman does not exude ‘statesman’ even though he appears very decent and appealing all the time,” he said. “ And the fact that he has no track record in public office to boast about, makes it very hard to convince undecided voters that he can be our president. “ 22-round agenda Pacquiao has a “22-round agenda” for the Philippines, with key themes focused on eradicating corruption, providing employment and houses for Filipinos, improving the country’s healthcare system, and boosting economic development. Sociologist Athena “Ash” Presto said that since Pacquiao does not have a “favorable” political career, he needs to provide Filipinos concrete plans on how he would lead a country of 10 million people. “Aside from his brand as a good philantropist, aside from his identity as coming from the people and having a heart for the people... his political run has been marred by absenteeism and very anti-human rights stances,” she told Philstar.com. She added that Pacquiao is not the only presidential candidate

with a rags-to-riches story. Moreno is a former garbage collector from the slums of Tondo and movie actor before leading the nation’s capital city. Vice President Leni Robredo and labor leader Leody de Guzman can also adopt the self-made narrative, Presto also said. Mindanao vote? In his campaign kickoff in General Santos, Pacquiao was joined by broadcaster Raffy Tulfo and former Senate secretary Lutz Barbo—both running for seats in the upper chamber. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian was represented by his girlfriend Bianca Manalo. Recorded messages of bets who were not in the city were played in the venue. Pacquiao’s running mate Atienza was unable to join the opening rally because he was nursing a sprain. He said that Pacquiao will elevate the lives of Filipinos and urged supporters of Marcos to back a different “BBM”—“Buong Bansa, Manny.” If he wins in the May elections, Pacquiao will be the second president from Mindanao. For that to happen, he needs to campaign hard and spend money on ads and campaign machinery, said Tony La Viña, former dean of the Manila-based Ateneo School of Government. “I am not sure if he can win the presidency just on that. But this candidacy could viable if he captures that vote (from Visayas and Mindanao),” he said. g

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 11-17, 2022

VP Harris swears in members of President’s...

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are connected with their goals and their dreams for themselves, for their families, and for their community. And that’s why it’s so important to have you all as the leaders that you are together in this advisory group, because the work that you will do is to give us candid feedback,” said Harris to the commissioners on Thursday. “On behalf of the president and myself, thank you yet again for the life that you have chosen to live, which has been a life of leadership and service.” Agbayani is an Emeritus Assistant Vice Chancellor for student diversity and equity, University of Hawai’i at Manoa. Agbayani was born in the Philippines and received her education from the University of the Philippines, East West Center and the University of Hawai’i. She is a former chair of the Hawai’i Civil Rights Commission, conducts research on AANHPI in higher education, member of the Patsy T.Mink PAC and The Legal Clinic for immigrant justice Hawai’i. Batayola is the President and Chief Executive Officer of International Community Health Services, Washington state’s largest Asian and Pacific Islander non-profit health center providing comprehensive health care to all those who need affordable care, especially immigrants and refugees. Batayola is an advocate for health care access, equity, and

addressing social determinants of health. ICHS has received awards for its high quality of care and Batayola has been recognized in the Puget Sound Business Journal’s Award for Outstanding Business & Philanthropic Contributions, Woman of Courage Undaunted from the University of Washington Women’s Center, and the Filipino Women’s Network’s Most Influential Filipino Woman in the World. Blue retired from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in August 2020 after serving as an Executive Vice President for four years, one of the highest ranking AAPI officials in the labor movement. During her term was responsible for the SEIU Asian Pacific Islanders Civic Engagement and Leadership program, a member of the Racial Justice Task Force, chair of the Environmental and Climate Justice Committee, and chair of the Ethical Culture Committee. She served on the SEIU Executive Board prior to her election as Executive Vice President. Luisa continues to be active in the community and serves on the Asian Health Services Community Board, a Trustee on Alameda County Health Systems Board of Trustees, and Vice President of the AAPI Victory Alliance Board. Luisa is the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren. The Commission will advise the president on ways the public, private, and non-profit sectors

can work together to advance equity and opportunity for every Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community. The Commission is also charged with advising the president on policies to address anti-Asian xenophobia and violence, ways to build capacity in AANHPI communities through federal grantmaking and policies to address the intersectional barriers that AANHPI women, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities face. The Commission will include civic leaders from across the country and will reflect the rich diversity of AANHPI communities across the United States. Other commissioners include Ajay Bhutoria, Kimberly Chang, Emily Chen, Daniel Dae Kim, Kerry Doi, Grace Huang, Victoria Huynh, Mia Ives-Rublee, Kamal Kalsi, Michelle Kauhane, Kevin Kim, Sarah Min, Simon Pang, Aijen Poo, Naheed Qureshi, Raynald Samoa, Sonal Shah, Smita Shah, Robert Underwood, and KaYing Yang. Biden on May 28, 2021 signed Executive Order 14031, “Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders” to establish the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and deliver on his commitment to reinstate and reinvigorate this historic Initiative. (AJPress)

Pangalagaan ang iyong DMV to-do list sa online!

Nakumpleto ang pagpaparehistro ng sasakyan.

SFIO receives letter of interest from US EXIM Bank for up to $28.75-M in debt financing STARFLEET Innotech, Inc. has received a letter of interest from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), in support of SFIO’s real estate development projects in the Philippines. In their letter, EXIM, the official export credit agency of the United States, expressed interest in extending financing of up to $28.75 million, towards SFIO’s medical and retirement resort in Montemaria, Batangas, just south of Metro Manila in the Philippines. Potential debt financing from EXIM would be eligible for a maximum repayment term of seven years. This follows a series of partnerships and exploratory talks SFIO has spearheaded

towards non-dilutive debt financing for its various projects. SFIO is currently engaged with a number of local banks in the Philippines to secure similar financing arrangements for their real estate developments, including a bayside, eco-friendly tech village in Batangas. These projects play a crucial role in the global asset

management company’s strategy of collaborative innovation towards building better communities. Profits from these high-yield projects are intended to be reinvested into future growth, helping carry the group towards their plans to uplist from the US OTC Markets to the NASDAQ by 2024. (Advertising Supplement)

Ang pagpunta online ay ang pinakamabilis at pinakamadaling paraan upang mapangalagaan ang iyong mga pangangailangan sa DMV, at lahat para tanggalin ang pangangailangan na bisitahin ang field office sa maraming mga kaso! Makatipid ng oras sa iyong abalang araw sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalaga ng mga karaniwang gawain sa DMV, tulad ng pag-renew ng pagpaparehistro ng sasakyan o pag-release ng liability, mabilis at madali sa bahay o on-the-go. Alisin ang pagbisita sa DMV mula sa iyong to-do list Gawin ito online ngayon sa dmv.ca.gov!

Kapag ikaw ay handa na.

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D ateline PhiliPPines Robredo’s campaign kicks off in hometown

Naga with promise of new politics by Xave

GreGorio Philstar.com

NAGA CITY — Vice President Leni Robredo returned to her roots in Naga City to launch her campaign for the presidency, promising to bring to the country the brand of leadership she is known for in her bailiwick of Bicol. A crowd gathered for Robredo’s grand rally on Friday, February 4 at Plaza Quezon, where she was joined by her running mate Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and eight of her 12 senatorial candidates. Prior to the rally, the Robredo-Pangilinan ticket had

barnstormed the towns of Lupi, Libmanan and Tigaon, and the city of Iriga in Camarines Sur, where they received a warm welcome from residents. It comes as no surprise that Robredo started campaigning in her bailiwick, the Bicol region, as she won by landslide here in the 2016 vice presidential race despite other Bicolanos running against her. For 2022, Robredo said she is also counting on the “solid” Bicolano vote, which amounts to around 3.6 million voters as of 2019. But Robredo said Bicolanos should vote for her not solely because she is one of them,

but because of the kind of governance she has to offer. “That’s the kind of governance that is honest, sensible and competent, without corruption, without strife, without deception,” Robredo said in Filipino at her campaign stop in Libmanan. While Robredo’s voter base is strong in Bicol, she still has a lot of catching up to do to displace survey frontrunner former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, who enjoys a double-digit lead over the vice president. But should she pull off this Hail Mary, it would be her third time defeating the deposed dictator’s son. g

‘RESBAKUNA KIDS’. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (center) and other healthcare workers administer COVID-19 jabs to children aged 5 to 11 years old accompanied by their parents at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, February 8. The age group will be vaccinated with Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine that has a lower dosage and concentration than those given to minors aged 12 to 17, who started receiving their jabs in October 2021. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Moreno presents himself as alternative 51% find it ‘difficult’ to spot fake news between two ‘feuding parties’ by Janvic

Mateo Philstar.com

by John

eric Mendoza Inquirer.net

MANILA — An alternative to two “feuding parties” that have ruled for decades was how Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, a presidential candidate, presented himself on Tuesday, February 8 at his proclamation rally at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila. Domagoso was referring to the camps of former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., son of the late dictator, and Vice President Leni Robredo, chair of the Liberal Party — the party of the late president Benigno S. Aquino III, son of Corazon Aquino, the country’s first female president. However, Robredo is officially running as an independent candidate, using pink instead of yellow as her new campaign color. Domagoso pointed out that the late President Ferdinand Marcos ruled for 21 years and the three Liberal Party officials for 18 years — a total of 39 years. “Maybe there were good things they gave us. Maybe there were also things that made us sad, things that hurt our feelings. Whether good or bad, you be the judge — the Marcoses ruled

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno

for 21 years, ” Domagoso said, speaking in a mix of English and Filipino. “Let’s move on to the other side,” he continued. “These are clashing families [referring to the Marcoses and the Aquinos]. The group they [the Aquinos] led also had good intentions. But I summed it up, my countrymen. The time of the red [the Marcoses] lasted for 21 years. The time of the yellows and now the pinks — we’re just being straightforward — 18 years.” ‘Enough is enough’ Domagoso said the country

MANILA — One in every two Filipinos find it difficult to spot false information on traditional and social media, a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed. The December 2021 poll showed that 38 percent of the respondents found it “somewhat difficult” to spot fake news, while another 13 percent said it was “very difficult.” Thirty-seven percent of the respondents said it was “somewhat easy” to spot fake news, while another 11 percent said it was “very easy.” SWS president Linda Luz Guerrero announced the results Photo from the Manil PIO during the 2022 SWS Survey Rewould need new governance. “So how’s the Philippines after 39 years? I ask because that’s one reason why I joined the elections. We have experienced by eMManuel tupas Philstar.com the 39 years. We have given them a chance. That’s enough,” MANILA — Gwyneth Chua, Domagoso said. Domagoso also addressed better known as “Poblacion detractors who said that Girl,” did not attend the prehis presidential bid was liminary investigation hearing on Tuesday, February 8 of the premature. “So they said I’m rushing. We charges against her for allegedly have been waiting for 39 years. breaching quarantine at the BerYou took our chance for 39 years. jaya Makati Hotel in December. A source said Chua was not So why not try your luck [with present during the proceedings me] for six years,” he said. g

view virtual forum on Monday, February 7. According to Guerrero, 20 percent of the respondents said they “often” spot fake news on traditional and social media. Some 40 percent said “sometimes,” 35 percent “seldom” and four percent “never.” The survey also found that a majority of the respondents believe the problem of fake news is as serious in traditional media as in the internet. Seventy-percent said the spread of fake news on television, radio and newspapers is a serious problem (32 percent very serious, 38 percent somewhat serious), up from 60 percent obtained in a similar survey in December 2017 (29 percent very serious, 31 percent serious).

Some 21 percent were undecided (down from 27 percent), while only nine percent said it was somewhat not serious or not serious at all (down from 13 percent). Those who believe that the spread of fake news online is serious also increased from 58 percent in December 2017 (32 percent very serious, 26 percent somewhat serious) to 67 percent in December 2021 (32 percent very serious, 35 percent somewhat serious). Twenty-four percent of the latest survey’s respondents were undecided (down from 33 percent), while eight percent said the spread of fake news online was somewhat not serious or not serious at all (same as in 2017). g

‘Poblacion Girl’ a no-show at fiscal’s hearing at the Makati prosecutor’s office on Tuesday. She and her parents were represented by their lawyer. Also present were the lawyers of the hotel and Chua’s boyfriend, Rico Atienza. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which filed the case against Chua and the other respondents, were represented by two police officers.

Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Maria Corazon Molina presided over the preliminary investigation, which lasted nearly an hour. The prosecutor set the next hearing on Feb. 14. Chua and eight others were charged with violating Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. g

FEBRUARY 11-17, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPiniOn

FeatURes

Human capital development EVEN before the pandemic, development experts had emphasized the need for better education and upskilling of the Philippine workforce. While the country has been one of the biggest global sources of migrant workers, most of them have been in blue collar jobs or household services. Filipino teachers took jobs overseas as maids or caregivers. Even in business process outsourcing, the country has led mainly in voice services, thanks to Filipinos’ English proficiency. In skills BPO, however, other countries such as India are the world leaders. And even in English proficiency, the Philippines has been losing its edge, with several BPO companies reporting difficulties in recruiting workers with the required language skills. With the global economic crisis spawned by the COVID pandemic, hundreds of thousands of overseas Filipino workers have lost their jobs and have been forced to return home. In a working paper, the Manila-based Asian Development Bank said the Philippines must intensify efforts to develop human capital, particularly for repatriated OFWs who will be reintegrated into the economy. ADB economists said resources must be boosted for quality education and training. They said skills diversification is needed as workers must adapt and respond better to changes in the labor market.

Aside from re-skilling and upskilling, the ADB paper said reintegration can include tapping the skills of returning OFWs so they can help their communities transition to selfreliant microeconomies. Considered modern-day heroes, OFWs and their remittances have powered the country’s consumption-driven economic growth and helped keep the economy afloat even during global downturns. The OFW phenomenon, however, has steep social costs, as even Pope Francis had pointed out when he visited the Philippines. And the country must pursue the long-term goal of creating enough decent job opportunities so Filipinos will see no need to seek greener pastures abroad. Getting meaningful employment starts with proper education. Although education is now free all the way to college, there are still too many progress, with education officials attributing this Filipinos who cannot afford the miscellaneous costs to decades of neglect and smug complacency. and other demands of formal education. Improving The country is just starting to recover from its the quality of free education also remains a work in worst crisis since World War II. The success of

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

recovery will hinge in large part on the quality of a nation’s most precious resource, its people. The pandemic should spur greater investments in human capital development. (Philstar.com)

Election season heats up in the Philippines: Who will succeed Rodrigo Duterte?

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantOS-RelOS FEBRUARY 8, 2022 marked the official campaign season in the Philippines leading up to the May 9 Election Day. As the candidates held kickoff rallies in different places of the country, all eyes are on the most important position that will potentially change the trajectory of the country, for the better or for the worse, depending on who will win among the presidential candidates vying to succeed President Rodrigo Duterte. This is how international news agency Reuters described the five leading contenders for the presidency: Panﬁlo “Ping” Lacson The 73-year-old senator and former Philippine National Police Chief has been in government for more than 50 years. Lacson rose through the ranks in law enforcement starting off with a post at the PC Metropolitan Command (Metrocom) from the early 70s to Philippine National Police Chief from 1999-2001. He was a retired police officer when he ran for office and became Senator from 2001 to 2013, and again from 2016 to the present.

He was born in Imus Cavite and was educated in Philippine public school in elementary and high school. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Philosophy at the Lyceum before going to the Philippine Military Academy. If elected President, he wants to get rid of corruption and invest in health care and small businesses. He chose former actor/ comedian and now Senator Vicente Tito Sotto III as his running mate. Manny Pacquiao The 43-year-old boxing icon has earned the respect and admiration of people around for being the only man to hold world titles in eight different divisions. This achievement also made him win the hearts of the Filipino people for the “Pinoy pride” he brought to the country. It is a rags to riches story for the Pacman who amassed wealth from the sport. After he became a born-again Christian, he said he wanted to give back to the people by literally giving away money and aid to the needy. This calling also compelled him to join politics and served two terms as a congressman

and is now a senator. He retired from boxing in September and is now running for president with the campaign promise “to improve the healthcare system, eradicate corruption, spur economic growth and provide housing for the poor.” Reuters reported that “Pacquiao was until recently one of Duterte’s staunchest supporters, backing his war on drugs and efforts to restore the death penalty, but their relationship has soured.” He also criticized Duterte for his close relationship with China. He chose Jose “Lito” Atienza, a congressman and former Manila mayor and environment secretary. Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso His claim to fame before entering the political arena was his being the celebrity matinee idol they call “Isko Moreno.” Reuters described him as “The mayor of Manila and former movie heartthrob grew up in the slums, scrapping for leftover food in restaurants and collecting junk to help his parents.” Isko reinvented himself, went to school to pursue higher

studies that would prepare him for a career in politics. Reuters chronicled that: “He became a city council member in 1998 and Manila’s vicemayor for three terms before an unsuccessful run as senator. He was elected Manila mayor in 2019, beating incumbent and deposed former president Joseph Estrada.” Isko won the respect of the people of Manila and of the nation for cleaning up Manila and restoring many of its historic sites. Domagoso’s campaign promise: “Zero tolerance of Chinese maritime aggression in the South China Sea and his economic agenda centres on housing, labour, health and infrastructure”. Isko chose Willie Ong, a doctor who has 16 million followers on Facebook looking for free medical advice. Leni Robredo Let me quote what Reuters stated: “Vice President Robredo, 56, is the leader of the opposition and the only female candidate. A former human rights lawyer, she served as Duterte’s housing minister but quit after being excluded from cabinet

meetings and has become one his staunchest critics. “After condemning what she called ‘senseless killings’ in his war on drugs, she was appointed Duterte’s ‘drugs tsar,’ but he sacked her after just 18 days.” Robredo is pressing for public sector transparency and has vowed to lead a government that cares for the people and to bolster the medical system. Should Robredo win, she would be the third woman to lead the Philippines after democracy champion Corazon Aquino in 1986 and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001. She is running with Francis Pangilinan, a lawyer and senator, and is currently in second place in the polls. Bongbong Marcos According to Reuters: “The namesake of the late dictator, Marcos, 64, is a former governor, congressman and senator who has emerged as a clear frontrunner in opinion polls. “Since returning to the Philippines in 1991 from exile after his father’s overthrow, the Marcos family has sought to rebuild an image tainted by the elder Marcos’ often brutal rule

and the plunder of billions of dollars of wealth. “Known as ‘Bongbong,’ Marcos Jr. has named Sara Duterte-Carpio, Duterte’s daughter, as his candidate for vice president. However, the vice president is elected separately. Popular with many younger people who were born after his father’s dictatorship, Marcos claims to offer a ‘unifying’ brand of leadership. “Observers have attributed his lead in polls to a strong presence on social media, one that critics say is attempting to rewrite the family’s controversial history.” *** 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.

What will happen to the billions of the ‘Son of God?’

Sentinel

RaMOn tUlFO ECCENTRIC religious leader Apollo Quiboloy, who styles himself as the “appointed son of God,” may soon be extradited to the United States after being indicted in a federal court for sex trafficking and money smuggling. Quiboloy has been placed on the Wanted List of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The pastor of the Davaobased Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name may spend the rest of his life in a federal prison, sex trafficking being a very serious offense. What will happen to his billions of pesos in the banks and investments in big corporations and real estate? Quiboloy, one of the country’s richest and most powerful individuals in terms of assets and political connections, is not married and has no children. Candidates for national office go to him for his “blessing,”

in order to win the vote of his followers, who number by the millions. In the 2016 election, Quiboloy lent his jet and helicopter to then cash-strapped presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte so he could campaign throughout the country. Quiboloy has two television channels and a radio network, the Sonshine Media Network International. The network also has an online presence. The broadcast network has been handed to the pastor by the government on a silver platter. If the charges against him are true, it’s unthinkable for Quiboloy, who tells his flock that sinners would suffer the fires of hell, to violate his very preaching. Quiboloy claims to have stopped an earthquake in Mindanao on Oct. 29, 2019. The preacher once made a veiled threat to a television host, a weirdo like him, by saying that celebrities should not be boastful. Quiboloy said celebrities shouldn’t be boastful, or else bad things might happen to

them, like what happened to the sacrilegious Beatle, John Lennon, who was shot dead by a fan. The grade-A eccentric pastor claims to have 4 million followers in the country, and 2 million in other parts of the world. Many of his followers abroad are in the U.S., the reason he came to visit regularly. On Quiboloy’s last trip to the U.S. on his private jet, federal agents seized gun parts and a big amount of cash on board. * * * Quiboloy is not the only eccentric leader in the country; there are others who scare the wits out of their followers with their fire and brimstone sermons. The reason Filipinos are scared to offend religious leaders is that they believe these individuals represent God on earth. That belief dates back to the Spanish era, when priests impregnated women followers, because “they served God’s purpose.” Until Filipinos get rid of the notion that they can’t enter

heaven unless they blindly follow the teachings of their church, this country will continue to produce the likes of Quiboloy. Pinoys need to have more education so they can have the power of discernment. * * * Reports that Quiboloy is President Digong Duterte’s spiritual adviser are downright inaccurate. The two are good friends, and their friendship dates back many years. I remember the time Davao City Mayor Duterte and I went on a three-day vacation to Macau years ago, and we were fetched at the Hong Kong airport by Quiboloy’s limousine. The relationship between Digong and Quiboloy doesn’t go beyond friendship. Digong is not guided by any religious dogma as he is spiritual. There is a big difference between religiosity and spirituality. If the President doesn’t believe in priests being Christ’s representatives on earth, why would he believe that Quiboloy

is the anointed son of God? * * * Ferdinand Topacio, one of Quiboloy’s lawyers, says the candidacies of Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte are in jeopardy because the FBI would undermine “whichever candidate the U.S. does not want to win in this country.” Duh! Why would Marcos and Duterte-Carpio’s candidacies be in peril because of Quiboloy being placed on the FBI’s wanted list? Following Topacio’s logic, since Quiboloy endorsed Marcos and Duterte-Carpio during a recent visit with the controversial religious leader, the FBI might work for their defeat. Quiboloy chose his lawyer well; they’re both eccentric. * * * Eccentricity is the name of the game in Philippine politics. The more “unique” a candidate is, the more likely he’ll win. Voters will likely remember them at the polling booth. Voters want to see their candidates sing, dance or

perform wacky acts on stage. But Filipinos don’t have the monopoly of voting for peculiar candidates. A porn star, Ilona Staller, won a seat in the Italian parliament in the 1987 election. She was known to show her breasts in public. When Gen. Douglas MacArthur was a military commissioner in Japan in the post-war period, some prostitutes won in the first ever democratic election. This made MacArthur comment to his subordinates: “They must have had many clients.” * * * Joke! Joke! Joke! An applicant for unemployment benefits in Australia filled out the needed form. Here are his answers to the following questionnaire: Occupation: Burglar. Reason for unemployment: Everyone is home. *** 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.

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Angelica finds joy in sharing lessons in love by iza iGlesias Manilatimes.net

K1 – THE “LOVE” VISA: THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Wendel (left) met Allen (center) on Friendster, after he went through a period of loneliness and depression, looking for true love. They soon knew they had found “the one.” Before they officially became a couple, they wanted to see each other in person to make sure that how they felt online was the same in real life. So, Wendel flew to the Dominican Republic to meet Allen, where she was working. Seeing each other just strengthened the feelings they had for one another. Shortly after Wendel left the Dominican Republic, he consulted right away with leading Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) in order to bring Allen to the U.S. on a K-1 (fiancée) visa. The couple wanted to make sure they did everything correctly. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, February 13 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

Love found on Friendster ends up fulfilling a dream this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy THIS week’s episode of Citizen Pinoy has love at the center of it all, as we introduce viewers to Wendel, a lonely and depressed person until he met Allen on Friendster, a social networking site, and they became boyfriend and girlfriend. What started as simple chats and jokes, ended up in something serious. Both Wendel and Allen started having strong feelings for each other and they were ready to take their relationship to a more serious level. Wendel decided to visit Allen in the Dominican Republic where she was working, so they could meet in person. As soon as they met, sparks flew, hearts pounded, and they both knew that each was THE one for the

other. Shortly after his return from the Dominican Republic, Wendel consulted with the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, in order to bring her to the U.S. on the K-1 “love” visa. He wanted to make sure that all the documents were properly handled, as he was excited to start a life together with his one true love, Allen. Watch this success story featuring the K-1 or fiancée/ fiancé visa on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, February 13 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers). Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free. (Advertising Supplement)

IT can be argued that Angelica Panganiban has a deep well of wisdom when it comes to love. From suffering highly-publicized breakups in the past to finding bliss in her current love, Panganiban is the poster girl for women — and men — to not give up on love. Interestingly, her personal experiences — magnified by her celebrity status — seem to be in sync with her professional life. Around the time Panganiban became honest with her heartbreaks, she likewise became the favorite actress to play brokenhearted characters onscreen. From Mace in the now pop culture classic “That Thing Called Tadhana” to Pia in “Exes Baggage,” just to name a few, Panganiban gave performances relatable to anyone undergoing the same phase. So relatable that she was given the moniker, “Hugot Queen.” Hugot, which means “to pull out” in English, found a new meaning in the age of social media — that pertaining to deeply emotional undertones. “Noong una nga na-hurt pa ako eh [with the Hugot Queen moniker]. Pero wala eh ganun ka nakikita ng tao mahirap na ikaw magdikta sa kanila kung ano yung gusto mong itawag sa iyo,” Panganiban casually revealed in a recent virtual conference. Now that she is happy and at peace with her non-showbiz partner Gregg Homan, the 35-yearold’s latest outing in streaming platforms promote her as the love guru. See for example iWantTFC’s newest original series “The Goodbye Girl.” Streaming worldwide beginning February 14, the series will illustrate the five types of

heartbroken women while sharing valuable lessons on how to conquer heartbreak and coming out of it stronger, wiser, and better. Panganiban will narrate the show through her character Yanna. A financial advisor-turned-author, Yanna’s world crumbles when she comes home to her husband, Y (RK Bagatsing), who announces he will be leaving her for his one great love. Yanna immediately gets drunk and hops on social media to livestream her miserable situation. Her relatable story goes viral overnight, and she becomes known as “The Goodbye Girl.” But instead of wishing earth would swallow her whole because of her unintentional livestream, Yanna finds her new purpose in life — to give online advice to people who have gone through the same thing. One day, she gets a book deal from a charming publisher named Jeff (JC De Vera) to write about the stories her followers have shared with her and the advice she’s given them. That’s when the audience will meet the characters of Loisa Andalio, Barbie Imperial, Maris Racal, and Elisse Joson, who all have their different, but relatable, love problems. In real life, Panganiban is more than happy to share the lessons in love she learned through the years for those who want to hear them. “May ibang impact din na may mga taong nilalapitan ka kapag hindi na nila alam kung sino pa ang dapat nilang lapitan. “Noong ginawa ko yung ‘AskAngelica’ [an online show in 2020], ang sarap sa pakiramdam na sa pains or struggles nila in life, gusto nilang tulungan mo sila.” It came to a point that not only were her fans asking for her advice, real-life acquaintances also

Angelica Panganiban has gone through enough happy relationships and painful heartbreaks to help others deal with love gained and lost. Photo from Instaram/@iamangelicap

started to demand her opinion in the love department. “I wouldn’t say people would randomly ask for my advice on the streets but halimbawa, dinner ganyan — yung common friend ni ganyan, tapos talagang feeling close, uupo sa tabi ko and sasabihin, ‘Grabe ito yung nangyari sa akin recently lang.’ Tapos ikukwento niya sa akin yung love life niya. All the while, iniisip ko, ‘Okay hindi ko siya kilala pero game!’” But at the end of the day, Panganiban admitted that giving these advices benefited her as much as it benefited those who sought her “expertise.” “Parang nakaka-recover ka, dahil sa mga sinasabi mo, parang mapapaisip ka na, ‘Parang okay yung mga sinabi ko ah, bakit hindi ko i-apply sa sarili ko?’ In a way, natutulungan ko rin yung sarili ko kaya hindi siya nakakapagod gawin at all.” And so Panganiban’s time as the love expert — no longer the “Hugot Queen” — continues onand off-screen.

FEBRUARY 11-17, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

YEAR OF THE TIGER CASH DRAWING IS WAITING FOR YOU AT GRATON!

William So concert rescheduled to September, Vietnamese Night New Year celebration concert canceled

“Leonor Will Never Die,” winner of the Special Jury Award for Innovative Spirit at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, follows the story of a retired Filipina filmmaker who became an action hero of her own unfinished screenplay. Film still from Arkeofilms and Anima

Historic wins for two Filipino films at 2022 Sundance film festival

globe under the Sundance Film Festival’s World Cinema Dramatic Category. According to the FDCP, the country’s last participation in the World Cinema Dramatic section was in 2006, with Auraeus Solito’s “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” (The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros). Meanwhile, “The Headhunter’s Daughter” became the first Filipino film to bag the Sundance Short Film Grand Jury Prize. In the movie, an aspiring country singer traverses the harrowing roads of the Cordilleran highlands with her trusty brown horse to try her luck in the city. Jury member Blackhorse Lowe said, “We were entranced by this poetic and dream-like film, which follows its character’s intimate journey with gorgeous cinematography and direction and acting, capturing a unique sense of place.” “The Headhunter’s Daughter” is the second participating Filipino short film entry in Sundance history, following Sonny Calvento’s “Excuse Me, Miss, Miss, Miss” in 2021. For this year, “The Headhunter’s Daughter” joined 98 other movies in the Sundance Short Films Program. The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, Philippine foreign service posts in the United States, and Filipino communities in the U.S. Pacific Northwest lent their support to In “The Headhunter’s Daughter,” winner of the Short Film Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 “Leonor Will Never Die” and “The Sundance Film Festival, an aspiring country singer traverses the harrowing roads of the Headhunter’s Daughter” through the promotion of the two films. Cordilleran highlands with her trusty brown horse to try her luck in the city. Prima Materia film still (PCGSF Release)

SAN FRANCISCO – In a historic first for the Philippine film industry, two Filipino film entries received praise and won awards at the recently concluded 2022 Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the United States. Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank Ferrer congratulated the filmmakers behind Filipino movies “Leonor Will Never Die” and “The Headhunter’s Daughter”, as well as the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), “for representing the best of the Philippines at the largest independent film festival in America.” Feature film “Leonor Will Never Die” became the first

Filipino recipient of the Sundance Special Jury Award for Innovative Spirit. This comedy-drama movie follows the story of a retired Filipina filmmaker who became an action hero of her own unfinished screenplay. Jury member La Frances Hui said, “Switching in-between genres, this film within a film follows an ailing screenwriter who enters her unfinished screenplay of a gangster film to experience and edit her own creation. Constantly shifting in tone, the film is a playful display of the love of cinema. Its innovative and risk-taking spirit is especially commendable.” “Leonor Will Never Die” competed against nine other film entries from around the

ROHNERT PARK – New Year is here, and Good Fortune is here! The $100,000 Year of the Tiger Cash Giveaway will be held on Friday, February 25 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. There will be twenty-five (25) winners of $1,000 in cash at each drawing. One additional winner at 9 p.m. wins $50,000 cash. Wishing you luck and make good fortune in the Year of the Tiger! And, starting now to February 24, Lucky Lotus Slot Tournaments will be held every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Graton Resort & Casino, where members also get a chance to win double or triple the prize amount. The total prize is up to $180,000! Don’t miss the chance to win! Please read this important announcement! In order to comply with the COVID restrictions of Sonoma County, and to protect the health of our audiences, after careful evaluation Graton Resort & Casino is announcing the following: • The “Vietnamese Night New Year Celebration Concert” originally scheduled on Friday, 2/11

at 8:30 p.m. is canceled. Graton will have a new show/date to announce soon. Graton sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience caused by the cancellation of the event. • The “William So Concert” originally scheduled on Friday, 2/18 at 9 p.m. will rescheduled to Friday, 9/2, 9 p.m. People who bought tickets can keep their tickets and use it for the 9/2 show. Although the concert gets postponed, we believe the “Prince of Love Songs” William So will bring an unforgettable performance by then. Fans, please stay tune and see! Please visit GratonResortCasino.com for more concert tickets information. Refunds will be automatically processed if tickets were purchased from GratonResortCasino.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Refunds may be available from the same source where the tickets were purchased. Here are the details once again: “Vietnamese Night New Year Celebration Concert” (Canceled) Please visit GratonResortCa-

sino.com for ticket refund information. Refunds will be automatically processed if tickets were purchased from GratonResortCasino.com or www.ticketmaster. com. Refunds may be available from the same source where the tickets were purchased. “William So Concert” (Rescheduled) Updated Concert Date & Time: Friday, September 2, 2022, 9 p.m. Venue: The Ballroom at Graton Resort & Casino (288 Golf Course Drive West, Rohnert Park, CA 94928) Ticket Prices: $68, $88, $108 Located in Sonoma County, Graton Resort & Casino has a commanding presence among the rolling hills of Northern California’s wine country. Owned and operated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Graton Resort & Casino features table games, the latest slot machines, upscale and casual dining, plus entertainment options for visitors and locals alike. For more information, please visit www.gratonresortcasino.com. (Advertising Supplement)

Janelle Lewis’ star is shining brightly

celebrity world By Ferdie Villar IF recent events are to be taken as a sign, then 2022 might be Janelle Lewis’ time to shine brightly in showbiz. The former Starstruck 7 reality show competitor and former Miss World Philippines 2021 2nd Princess takes on her first major role in the suspense thriller “Takas,” which is topbilled by Teejay Marquez and David Chua. According to PEP.ph, the film’s movie trailer has so far garnered a million views since it was released. “I feel blessed that I was given the role,” Janelle, who had appeared previously in GMA-7’s “Pepito Manaloto,” was quoted as saying. Aside from co-starring in “Takas,” Janelle is reportedly in a relationship with actor Kiko Estrada. Janelle says they have been dating for a few months, but won’t reveal the exact number. “We’ve only been together

for a few months. I won’t say how long so that there won’t be any speculations coming out that I may have been a third party or something,” the budding actress said, as she seemingly referred to Kiko’s most recent relationship with Heaven Peralejo. “They were finished a few months before I came into the picture,” she added. Janelle is active on Tiktok and Instagram, and people can see what the actress/vlogger/beauty queen is up to if they check her social media accounts. Although she may look snobbish, Janelle quickly corrects that notion as she revealed that she is approachable. “…If you guys see me at the mall or something like that, you can approach me naman,” she said. The half-Filipino, half-British beauty said that she only gets

Angel Locsin’s advice to voters – vote rightly and evaluate thoroughly who to support in this year’s May 2022 elections. Photo from Instagram/@therealangellocsin

Half-Filipino, half-British beauty Janelle Lewis has her first major film role in the movie “Takas,” whose trailer has garnered more than a million views since its release. Photo from Instagram/@lewisxjanelle

irritable when she gets hungry wrong side of the bed. or when she wakes up on the Good luck to Janelle as she wades her way deeper into showbiz! *** Speculations are rife that Willie Revillame will join Manny Villar’s new network, the Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc (AMBS). Villar was granted recently a provisional license by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to operate TV broadcast in Metro Manila and Mega Manila using the frequencies previously assigned to ABS-CBN Corporation. This was after it was revealed recently that the Wowowin host is leaving GMA Network as his contract is set to end on February 15, according to a story in the Philippine Star. The article included a snapshot of the official statement from the network through its Facebook page which confirmed that Willie’s contract is not going to be renewed. The short statement read, “Willie Revillame’s contract Kim Chiu watched the recent presidential with GMA Network is set to end candidates forum and was left impressed by on the 15th of this month. His the bravery of the candidates as they answered show Wowowin will air until tough questions. Her appeal to voters – vote Friday, February 11. We wish wisely. Photo from Instagram/@chinitaprincess him good luck in his future

Willie Revillame’s contract with GMA-7 was not renewed. There are rumors that he will be joining Manny Villar’s network, AMBS. Photo from Instagram/@willrevillame

endeavors.” Meanwhile, a photo reportedly snapped by a friend of Revillame showed the veteran TV host/comedian/actor with billionaire Manny Villar as the two shared a handshake. The February 5 Facebook photo from Efren Syyap’s page had a caption of “Goodluck WBR and to your new network.” Both Revillame and Villar have built a good relationship through the years. Willie’s Wil Tower in Quezon City was built in partnership with the real estate mogul. Villar’s daughter, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar had appeared as Revillame’s co-host in Wowowin for some time. *** With the May 2022 elections nearing, many celebrities are enjoining voters in the Philippines to choose wisely. Among them are Kim Chiu and Angel Locsin. Locsin, in a recent Instagram post, said “Ngayong simula na ang kampanya, At ang mga pulitiko are putting their best foot forward, PLEASE LANG – Kilatising Mabuti ang bawat pulitiko. Huwag bumoto ng may bahid ng kurapsyon, Sinungaling, Nagmamanipula ng batas, Tamad, Malabo at hindi

makatotohanang plano sa bansa. Kaya kung napasaya ko man kayo kahit paano, o kahit para sa sarili nyo na lang, please lang, VOTE RIGHTLY! Pag isipan rin kung sino ang susuportahan! (praying emojis).” Angel’s post has, as of this writing, over 92,000 likes. Meanwhile, Kim Chiu expressed herself on Twitter as she watched the recent presidential candidates forum organized by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), “Panata sa Bayan.” In one post, Chiu said, “Let’s vote wisely. This is our only chance to be heard. VOTING this election is the most powerful choice that we all have as tax payers and as Filipino Citizen. We need leaders not in love with money but inlove with justice. Not in love with publicity but in love with humanity.” In another post, the actress stated, “These brave candidates applying for the highest position in our country. Bravely faced and answered the toughest questions. Applying for the Highest and most powerful position is not a joke, one must know their duties and responsibilities at stake. 6 years can change for the good.”

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

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 11-17, 2022

Fely Quitevis-Bateman: Seizing opportunities and making sound investments

FELY Quitevis-Bateman has been in the real estate industry for almost five decades now, starting her career in Manila back in 1974. Through sheer handwork and determination, she was able to create a name for herself after moving to the United States. The Nevada-based businesswoman established Precious Properties and has been calling Pahrump home for the past 30 years. Pahrump is located in Nye County, about 60 miles west of Las Vegas and an hour east of Death Valley National Park, a place known for extremes. Through the years, Quitevis-Bateman has held positions in Nye County and she takes pride in these roles, which she navigated with ease. “I have been very proud of all the positions I held especially being a Nye County Commissioner where together with the other 4 commissioners we carefully determined how to spend the county’s budget and the approval of different projects that came to our table for approval,” she relayed. Quitevis-Bateman invested not just her money but her time as well. She knew she had so much to learn in the industry and believed that for her to succeed, she had to invest in improving her mental fortitude to grow a successful business venture. She went to Harvard Business School in Cambridge from 2005 to 2007 after she was accepted

Fely Quitevis-Bateman and her husband Russ Bateman

from over 2,000 applicants to study Owner/President Management Program. “I was lucky to be in the 6% who were accepted. My class was 21 days a year at $1,000/day and I had the honor to be in a group of multi-millionaire business owners and a couple of them are billionaires today,” she shared. She makes it a point to learn from every position she gets herself into, whether it is in Harvard or her hometown of Pahrump.

Fely Quitevis-Bateman in front of the Harvard Business School entrance.

“I learned very important lessons as one of the commissioners of the Division of Aging too. As a member of the jury selection, I was honored to have met and sat down with all the NV Supreme Court justices and selected a candidate that replaced an elected Nye County Judge that passed away a few months after being elected,” Quitevis-Bateman recalled. The hardworking achiever bought her first house in Pahrump in 1999 although she has been selling Pahrump land since 1992 as a California broker. Indeed, she has amassed great memories in Pahrump, witnessing it rise and grow into what it is today. One of her favorite memories is when former President Fidel Ramos stayed with them in 2007 for a few days. “He was very happy to have played golf at Mountain Falls Country Club,” she quipped. Despite her successful and colorful career, Quitevis-Bateman takes pride and treasures her humble beginnings and low-key profile. She was born in Bugallon, Pangasinan and her father used to be a carpenter turned contractor while her mother was a plain housewife who took care of them extremely well. She is proud to share her father’s success story in helping build some high-rise

buildings along Buendia Ave, Ayala Ave, and Paseo De Roxas in Makati with her siblings who are engineers, CPA, and architect. Pahrump Rising Quitevis-Bateman chose Nevada because demographics showed Nevada to be the No. 1 growing state, and it still is up to now, she said. She saw the great opportunity available in Pahrump and the surrounding region, especially since Pahrump is the heart of the desert and the perfect place to enjoy the best of southern Nevada. She became a realtor in Manila in 1974 and came to Los Angeles in 1984 at the age of 41. She had several clients who wanted to retire in Nevada or Arizona so she would do her due diligence and look for properties the retirees could invest in. The first property that she herself bought gave her the idea that real estate is the best investment a person can have. That is why when she saw that opportunities were aplenty in Pahrump, she decided to call it home. Decades later came a flourishing housing market coupled with a considerable population increase that necessitated multiple new businesses opening their doors to the public. Over the past few years, several positive economic indicators have helped transform Pahrump to become a sleepy desert town on the rise as it slowly emerged from the Sin City’s shadow. According to Kiplinger Letter, a trusted leader in personal finance, investments, and economic forecasts, Nevada and Arizona are the only two states to have a population growth of up to or more than 50 percent till the year 2040. Nevada will continue to grow as predicted with Las Vegas being the entertainment capital of the world. Today, Quitevis-Bateman shared that approximately $12 billion-plus budget is on the pipeline, and some of them are now under construction. “Investors should look at demographics in their investment process. There are approximately eight taxes that we don’t pay in NV including state income tax. We have entertainment, sports, fine dining, shopping, health care, and many more. Our international airport is one of the best nationwide,” she explained. (Advertising Supplement)

Fely with Harvard classmate Rajan Mittal

Fely with her mentor, financial advisor, real estate consultant and loving husband Russ Bateman.

Fely and her family with former Philippine President Fidel Ramos at Mountain Falls Country Club.

Fely (3rd from left) with (from left) husband Russ and her Harvard classmates Rajan Mittal, who is Walmart’s partner in India, and Samir Modi, CEO of Modi Enterprises in India.

FEBRUARY 11-17, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

KD gets honest about mental health By Charmie Joy

Pagulong Philstar.com

KD Estrada’s last name may be associated with the prominent showbiz and political clan but he is not in any way related to them. In fact, he is the “first artist” in his family. “I get that a lot or any Estradas in general. Kasi when they hear Estrada, there are a lot of Estradas talaga in showbiz. In my family, I’m the only artist,” the actor-singer clarified in an exclusive interview with The STAR. The 18-year-old’s parents are both entrepreneurs as well as his grandparents. However, he somewhat inherited his music inclination from his great-great-grandfather who was a violinist and dad’s brother who is a musician in the United States. He, nonetheless, thanked his parents for supporting his decision to join showbiz, which has been his dream since he was a kid. He recalled going to auditions for commercials as early as nine years old but “I wouldn’t get the roles because uso kasi dati yung mestizo, as in yung

EMPLOYMENT

(foreign)-looking talaga na kid. During auditions, I was the only Filipino-looking kid talaga. Lahat sila may lahi, ako lang hindi. And I would get discouraged for a bit.” So he took a break for a few years until he reached 16 when he was scouted to be a Star Magic artist. “Maybe I just needed to wait for a few years talaga ‘til I could get into showbiz. For me din, I don’t want to start like super young age ‘coz I think that would be overwhelming.” Despite his “slow-growing career,” as he put it, he kept going for his passion. “Even if I wasn’t getting the recognition, I still love what I was doing. I still love making music and doing projects. I really want to do this talaga. I just have to be patient if I want to get the recognition.” Then came the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) opportunity, which has given him the much-needed boost for his career, he said. “At first, I didn’t expect that people will like who I am. I don’t have much of a backstory in the first place prior to PBB. I was a slow-growing Star Magic and Star Music artist. I didn’t get the most views, the

most attention din. The spotlight is mostly on the other artists.” He continued, “I was slowly growing while others were like, boom! Their careers are boosting. But then I got PBB and that’s the biggest boost for a person here in the Philippines. You could either make it or break it in PBB.” KD admitted he was “nervous, anxious and super scared” and it showed especially during his first week in the reality game show. When he got out, the first thing that he did was to check his mobile phone and “ordered two boxes of pizza and ate everything in one sitting.” His biggest takeaways from his PBB stint are “self-confidence, self-esteem and self-love.” During his stay in the house, the former celebrity housemate was diagnosed with depression by PBB resident psychologist-psychiatrist, Dr. Randy Dellosa. “I couldn’t open up my depression inside the house because I think that people can use that against me to nominate me to go outside the house. I kind of know what the strategies of PBB din… But the thing is, I’m fine naman. I

just have certain moments na talaga na mada-down ako but that doesn’t mean that I’m gonna give up,” said the rising talent. When asked more about how he’s coping with it right now, he said, “There are days talaga na minsan mada-down ka even if you are on medicines. You still have thoughts.” But compared to before, it’s more manageable now, he further told The STAR. “If you have a mental condition, it would take time talaga, (be) patient because it will get better in time. You have to give time to yourself to help yourself. And, of course, reach out to others din na todo (ang) support sa ’yo.” “Find your core group or support group like your family or friends,” he advised. One of the ways KD learned to deal with it inside the PBB house was working out with Albie Casiño. “Kuya Albie is such a big help kahit his stay was short kasi two weeks lang siya. But, in a span of two weeks, Kuya Albie did really help me. He made me feel less alone. I would say open up kasi baka yung tao na kinakausap mo is going through the same thing, you can (also) relate to that person and you can help each other,” he shared.

HOUSING

“You are not alone,” he reminded fellow young people who have the same struggle as him. “It’s so hard when you have so much in your head na hindi mo ma-explain and hindi mo ma-open (up) but I want to say that you are not alone.” “Just take it day by day. Take baby steps because you don’t want to overwhelm yourself agad,” he said about dealing with anxiety. “You just have to give yourself just the smallest push. The smallest push can go such a long way.” Meanwhile, KD is open to having fellow housemate Alexa Ilacad as his love team partner. “She’s a great friend of mine. She’s my best friend. I would love to work with Alexa din talaga,” he said of the actress. “To be honest, inside the house, I’ve seen clips of me and Alexa, ang sweet pala namin. Me and Alexa are very sweet inside the house. We always tell each other na, ‘Hey, you’re beautiful. Hey, you’re handsome,’” shared KD and he, too, noticed the “kilig factor” when they were together. “But I’m not using the kilig in any way. Me and Alexa are genuine talaga with each other. I’m not using Alexa for any agenda. Alexa

KD is grateful his PBB stint has given his ‘slow-growing’ career a boost. Photo from Instagram/@kdestrada_

knows that din. I really want to grow as an artist and if it’s with Alexa, that’s great,” he explained. Would their status be “upgrading” to the next (romantic) level? “Career muna. But I would say na me and Alexa have a genuine love for each other and that’s not going away any time soon,” declared KD.

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

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 11-17, 2022

FEBRUARY 11-17, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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

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ISLAND PACIFIC (TOCINO MIX 75G/CALDERETA MIX 50G/ADOBO MIX 50G/PALABOK MIX 57G/ MENUDO MIX 30G

ISLAND DOUBLE PACIFIC FROZEN REWARDS WHOLE SOURSOP 35.27OZ

UN CO T

DIS

$2.49

AV I

/EA

SAN MIGUEL COFFEE 3-IN-1 SUGAR FREE (MILD/ ORIGINAL/ STRONG) 40PACK

DIS

LE SSA N

AVAILABLE

BEFORE

$3.99

47% OFF

ONLY

BEFORE

WAS $5.99

GREEN PAPAYA

POINTS

WAS $1.39

UN CO T

HANY CHOCNUT 240G

$ 99

/LB

POINTS EARN

ONLY

BEFORE

/BAG $2.39

DIS

AV I

1399 2/$4 2/$7 2/$4

$17.99

C GROWERS ISLAND DOUBLE FF PACIFIC GARLIC %O 0 2 80G PURIFIED REWARDS S AV I N WATER 24PK 500ML

POINTS

BEFORE

ONLY

OUNT

UN CO T

LE SSA N

EARN

OUNT

C COLUSA HOBE BIHON C WHITE KING F FF 16OZ CALROSE OF UBE HOTCAKE %O 2 16% 2 RICE WHITE/ MIX 400G S AV I N S AV I N BROWN 15LBS

DOUBLE

MO PRONDED EXTE

SULIT GROCERIES DIS

BEST SELLER! ISLAND PACIFIC CHORIZO DE CEBU 12OZ

/LB

WAS $6.99

PTS.

DIS

50% OFF

EARN

$ 99

/LB

WAS $34.99

FILIPINO EGGPLANT (TALONG)

MO PRONDED EXTE

29% OFF

ONLY

2499

/LB

PRODUCE

MO PRONDED EXTE

/LB

DIS

MO PRONDED EXTE

/LB

ONLY

$ 99

BEEF SHOULDER CLOD

29% OFF

FRESH

$ 99 /EA

SALE

DIS

FRESH

BEEF SULIT

SALE

FRESH HALIBUT/ FLOUNDER STEAK

ONLY

SNOW CRAB LEGS

WILD | MEXICO

17% OFF

FRESH ATLANTIC PREMIUM SALMON STEAK

FARM | CANADA

ONLY

LARGE WHITE SHRIMP HEAD-ON

DIS

FARM | ECUADOR

BARRIO FIESTA SLICE DESCALED 20% OFF 400 GM

DIS

SULIT OF THE WEEK

DIS

99¢ 2/$3 5/$2 BEFORE

/EA $2.59

BEFORE

89¢