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FEBRUARY 13-19, 2020

T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R

Volume 31 - No. 7 • 16 Pages

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Termination of VFA a move in ‘wrong direction’ — US Defense Secretary

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

In this Nov. 19, 2019 photo, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper host a press conference during the latter’s visit to Manila.

Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Nicole Mejia U.S. Department of Defense

TERMINATING the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States is a “move in the wrong direction,” according to U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

The Philippines’ move is “unfortunate,” Esper said, as the termination comes at a time when the U.S. and its allies are pushing China to abide by international norms.

“As we try to bolster our presence and compete with (China) in this era of great-power competition, I think it’s a move in the wrong direction, again for the long-

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House Speaker vows impartial hearing on ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills

USA

DATELINE Pacquiao changes boxing promoters, eyes McGregor as next foe FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

REIGNING World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has signed up with Paradigm Sports Management (PSM) as his new promotion firm.

Pacquiao’s special assistant Jayke Joson and legal adviser Brando Viernesto confirmed this to The Manila Times on Wednesday, February 12, saying that the eight-division world titleholder wanted to have better opportunities at this stage of his career.

PSM is the official promoter of Ultimate Fighting Championship superstar Conor McGregor, who is being considered to fight the boxing legend.

Pacquiao is still tied to a promotional contract with the Premier Boxing Champions

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Not just a smoker’s disease: Stigma of lung cancer still persists in Asian American community WITH lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, there is still a stigma around the disease that prevents patients, especially in the Asian American community, from receiving proper support.

A report from the American Cancer Society in January said that the cancer death rate in the U.S. dropped 29% between 1991 and 2017.

However, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women at nearly one-quarter of all cancer deaths.

The same report found that 34.4% of Asian American and Pacific Islanders — the fastestgrowing minority group in the country — had incidences of lung cancer from 2012-2017.

A recent panel of doctors in Los Angeles highlighted that more education and outreach need to be done to reduce the misconceptions around the disease and barriers to care within the Asian American community.

“Lung cancer stigma is why research funding at the national level is not what it should be,” said Maureen Rigney, director of support

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LOVE IS IN THE TRAIN. Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) president and CEO Juan Alfonso leads the launching of “Love is in the Train,” with three coaches made up to display the different stages of love. The first train car has a sweet first date theme coated in pastel colors displaying images of ice cream and donut dessert that budding couples often share together. The second car is themed shabby chic, with floral designs. The third car has a rustic wedding theme, which represents the intimate magic of the most important day of a couple’s life through wood, brick, and floral designs. Inset photo shows the Love Train being driven by couple Ansherina Coloma and John Louie Ablanida, from Baclaran station to Doroteo Jose station on Wednesday, February 12.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

even as some of his colleagues called for urgent hearings on the bill.

PHILIPPINE House Speaker “Consistent with the Duterte Alan Peter Cayetano vowed that Administration’s stand on the there will be fair hearings into protection of the freedom of exthe bills seeking to renew the pression, Congress is committed franchise of media giant ABS- to conduct an impartial hearing CBN. where those who are against or According to him, the fran- in favor of the renewal may make chise renewal of ABS-CBN is their case,” Cayetano said on among the issues that the House Tuesday, February 11, adding has been carefully studying from that the move would be in line day one of the 18th Congress, with the current administration’s

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

Philippine House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano

Inquirer.net photo

stand on the “protection of the freedom of expression.”

A total of 11 bills seeking ABSCBN’s franchise renewal remain pending in the House with less than a month left before the lower chamber’s sessions adjourn on March 11.

ABS-CBN’s franchise is set to expire on March 30.

However, Cayetano said that the legislative process cannot be rushed, and that the House is

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Divorce in PH won’t be ‘quickie’ — House panel

by DIVINA

NOVA JOY DELA ManilaTimes.net

CRUZ

DIVORCE in the Philippines will not be a “quickie” process to dismantle marriages, the chairman of the House of Representatives’ Technical Working Group (TWG) said on Wednesday, February 12.

“This is not a quick process because there is a judicial proceeding wherein the judge will be the one to grant or deny a petition for approved divorce,” said Rep. Edcel Lagman after the TWG meeting of the House Committee on Population and Family Relations.

He added that there would be a cooling off period for 6 months for the Court to try

to reconcile the parties.

The Albay 1st District Representative stressed that even if divorce was enacted into law, the State still has a mandate to protect the sanctity of the marriage and the family as social institutions.

He said that while divorce would provide relief for spouses from an abusive marriage, it is only for cases where the marriage has become irremediably damaged.

The TWG is currently consolidating House Bills (HB), 100 authored by Lagman, HB 838 by Gabriela Women’s Party-list and the Makabayan bloc and HB 2263 by Davao del Norte First District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez. ■

DOJ indicts Trillanes, 10 others for conspiracy to commit sedition Taiwan says it is ‘wrongly included’ in Philippines’ expanded travel ban

Passengers wearing face masks fall in line at the entrance of the Clark International Airport in Pampanga. Authorities have advised the public to practice proper hygiene and sanitation measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

by AJPRESS

FORMER Philippine Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and 10 others have been indicted for “conspiracy to commit sedition” for their involvement in videos that linked President Rodrigo Duterte and his family to the illegal drug trade, the Department of Justice said on Monday, February 10.

Aside from Trillanes, whistleblower Peter Joemel Advincula alias “Bikoy,” former Police Sr. Supt. Eduardo Acierto, Joel Saracho, Boom Enriquez, Yolanda V. Ong, Vicente Romano III, Fr. Albert E. Alejo, Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, Jonnel P. Sangalang, and a certain “Monique” were charged before the Metropolitan Trial Court in Quezon City for their participation in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos.

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by GAEA

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV

KATREENA Philstar.com

CABICO

MANILA — Taiwan’s representative office in the Philippines slammed the island’s inclusion in the travel restrictions aimed at China over the deadly novel coronavirus or nCoV outbreak.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines said Taiwan was “wrongly included” in the government’s expanded travel ban.

“We urge the Philippine government to immediately corPhilstar.com photo rect its decision on Taiwan and

remove Taiwan from the travel ban,” TECO said.

Early in February, President Rodrigo Duterte first issued a travel ban on foreign nationals coming from China and its special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau.

Taiwan was later on added since the World Health Organization recognizes the self-ruled democracy as part of China.

TECO stressed that Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China, is a “sovereign and independent state.”

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february 13-19, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIaN JOurNaL

From The FronT Page

House Speaker vows impartial hearing...

PAGE 1 working alongside the chamber’s panel on legislative franchises “on how to prioritize urgent and important legislation.”

“While we understand that there are certain interests who want to rush this process, we stand by the leadership of the 18th Congress and the Committee on Legislative Franchises on how to prioritize urgent and im-

portant legislation. We also commit that the 18th Congress shall study this issue from all aspects in order to protect the interest of the public,” he said.

Solicitor General Jose Calida on Monday, February 10 filed a petition before the Supreme Court for the cancellation of ABSCBN’s 25-year franchise, alleging that the TV network reportedly violated rules set by Congress.

“We want to put an end to what we discovered to be highly abusive practices of ABS-CBN benefitting a greedy few at the expense of millions of its loyal subscribers. These practices have gone unnoticed or were disregarded for years,” he said in a statement.

ABS-CBN, for its part, maintained that it has complied with all the laws governing its franchise and secured all government and regulatory approvals for its operations. n

Taiwan says it is ‘wrongly...

PAGE 1 “Taiwan issues its own passport and visas and has exclusive jurisdiction over its people and territory. In fact, Taiwan is not, nor has it ever been, part of the People’s Republic of China,” the agency said.

China views Taiwan as its own territory—part of “one China”— and has vowed to eventually take the island, by force if necessary.

“It is a factual error for the World Health Organization to regard Taiwan as a part of the PRC. The Philippines should not be misled by WHO’s wrong information on Taiwan,” TECO said.

The Philippines has so far not restricted travel to countries such as Singapore, Thailand, South Korea and Japan even though they have more confirmed infections than Taiwan, which currently has 18 confirmed cases of the new virus.

‘Chinese factor’ Joanne Ou, Taiwan’s foreign ministry spokesperson, described Tuesday Manila’s decision as “wrong and unilateral.”

“To confuse Taiwan with China has caused troubles for our side and in the international community,” Ou said.

When asked if Taipei suspected Beijing was pressuring Manila to expand the travel ban, Ou replied: “China’s shadow is lurking… I think the Chinese factor is obvious.”

President Rodrigo Duterte has worked in recent years to improve ties with China in search of investment and trade. (With reports from Agence FrancePresse)

MIGRATION. Migratory birds settle along the coastal areas of Paranaque City. The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) is closely monitoring 65 areas across the country that could be possible entry points for the H5N1 avian influenza or bird flu.

The monitoring was launched after the avian flu was reported in China’s Hunan province.

ManilaTimes.net photo

Termination of VFA a move in...

PAGE 1

standing relationship we’ve had with the Philippines, for their strategic location, for the ties between our peoples and our countries,” the defense chief told reporters on Wednesday, February 12.

Malacañang announced on Tuesday, February 11 that the Philippines has formally sent a notice terminating the VFA with the U.S. “We just got the notification last night. We’ve got to read it.

We’ve got to digest it. One hundred and eighty days. We’ve got to work through it, and — and we’ll just take a deep breath and take it one day at a time,” Esper said.

The VFA, which came into force in 1999, covers the conduct of U.S. soldiers in the Philippines.

It can be terminated through a written notice from either of the countries, taking effect 180 days after the notification.

Among the provisions of the deal include lax visa and passport policies for U.S. troops, and the rights of the U.S. government to retain its jurisdiction over its military personnel when they commit crimes in the Philippines.

Following Esper’s remarks, Malacañang on Wednesday argued that the move is a step in the “right direction.”

“From our point of view, however, the decision to terminate the VFA is a move in the right direction that should have been done a long time ago,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

‘Trump tried to save VFA’ On January 23, Duterte threatened to scrap the VFA following the U.S.’ cancellation of Dela Rosa’s visa. The president gave the U.S. a month to “correct” the visa dispute, however, he ordered the start of the termination process the following day.

Duterte on Monday, February 10 revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump was “trying to save” the VFA from being terminated.

But, the Philippine president said that he refused to change his mind about the termination due to the allegedly “disrespectful” acts displayed by Americans, such as threatening to withhold aid from the country if opposition Senator Leila de Lima is not released.

De Lima is currently detained at the Philippine National Police

Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City due to her reported involvement in the illegal drug trade.

“Now, I’ll make it public, public official ako (I am a public official). Si Trump, pati yung others (Trump and the others) are trying to save the Visiting Forces Agreement. Sabi ko, ayoko (I said, ‘I don’t want to’). One is that napaka bastos ng Amerikano. Talagang sobrang bastos (Americans are so rude. They’re really rude),” Duterte said during a gathering of local executives in Pasay.

“Imagine demanding the release of De Lima under threat that we will not receive the aid, that all persons who had a hand in the imprisonment of De Lima will not be allowed to go to the U.S.? What is there in America?” he added.

Duterte also denied that he killed thousands of innocent people, slamming U.S. senators who criticized his war against illegal drugs.

“Tapos EJK. Wala man. Nagsabi pinatay ko daw. Sino man pinatay ko (And then extrajudicial killings. There’s none. They say I killed them. Who did I kill)?” he said.

“Sinabi ko (I said) ‘do not destroy my country because if you destroy my country I will kill you,’” he added.

Duterte noted that U.S. senators went too far in insulting the Philippine government.

“Sobra sila kung uminsulto kasi (They have insulted us too much), bordering on the trashing of our sovereignty, wiping the s*** of the dog if you step on one. Americans went too far.

Somebody has to remind them,” he said.

Military engagements to be affected Albert del Rosario, a former foreign affairs secretary and envoy to the U.S., called the move a “national tragedy.”

“What is unfolding before us must be considered a national tragedy which should be resisted. It is our earnest hope that this most unfortunate decision to abrogate can be revisited,” he said.

He added that it would also put an end to other U.S.-PH treaties: the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Clarke Cooper said that the VFA

termination would affect about 300 “engagements and exercises” between the Philippine and American militaries.

One of the annual exercises is the “Balikatan,” which is to maintain the security relationship between the two countries, conduct counterterrorism operations and provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

“What’s at risk without a VFA? Well, without a VFA, it puts at risk things like these engagements, like these exercises,” Cooper said, pointing out that there is “a recognized, broad value of not only maintaining our Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement that will beget further procurements and interoperability between the U.S.-Philippine alliance, but the very practical application of a Visiting Forces Agreement that enables these activities like port calls, like engagements, like exercises.”

Senate resolution The Philippine Senate, meanwhile, adopted a resolution asking Duterte to reconsider his plan to terminate the VFA while the upper chamber conducts a “thorough” review of the military accord.

Senate Resolution No. 312 — introduced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Sen. Panfilo Lacson — was adopted during its session on Monday.

While the resolution recognizes the president’s authority, it called for the Senate to “be given the opportunity to conduct a review and assessment of the impact of the withdrawal on the country’s security and economy, specifically with regard to intelligence information sharing, military aid and financing and technical assistance extended by the U.S. relative to the continuing threats posed by domestic and foreign terrorist groups, and ultimately to the stability and security in the Asia Pacific region.”

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, quoted Locsin, saying that the country’s withdrawal from the agreement would “negatively impact” the overall relations between the Philippines and the U.S. “Therefore, a careful deliberation of these matters must be taken into account before finally arriving at a decision which will ultimately affect not PAGE 5

DOJ indicts Trillanes, 10 others for conspiracy...

PAGE 1 The Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group filed a complaint against those allegedly involved in “Project Sodoma,” an alleged plot to unseat Duterte and install Vice President Leni Robredo in his place.

Advincula alleged that the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos released in April 2019 were part of the Project Sodoma. He also claimed to be the hooded figure “Bikoy” who narrated the videos.

The PNP-CIDG accused Robredo and 35 others in its complaint of having committed sedition, inciting to sedition, cyber libel, libel, estafa, and obstruction of justice.

However, the panel of prosecutors chaired by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas cleared Robredo as well as Senators Risa Hontiveros and Leila de Lima and former Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino from their involvement in the video series.

Grand conspiracy According to the DOJ, the prosecution panel found “interlocking pieces of proof” that provide a “complete picture of the grand conspiracy between and among some respondents to create hatred or revenge against

the president and his family with the end in view of toppling and destabilizing the current administration.”

“These videos, the Panel found, were made by respondents Advincula; Saracho (who acted as their narrator); Enriquez (videographer) and his assistant, @Monique; Ong and Romano (scriptwriters). The Panel likewise found that Fr. Alejo prepared the JesCom (Jesuit Communication Foundation) where the videos were taken,” the DOJ said.

“Advincula submitted as evidence, among others, USB drives, photographs of the respondents, keys and access cards of the places where he and his companions stayed, as well as utility bills and receipts, copies of the purchase receipts of the gadgets and electronic devices used in the making of the videos.

These pieces of evidence, along with certain admissions made by some respondents, were used by the Panel in arriving at their conclusion to indict the 11 respondents for conspiracy to commit sedition,” it added.

Other raps junked The DOJ said the prosecution panel dropped the CIDG’s sedition, cyber libel, libel estafa and obstruction of justice complaints against all respondents.

“In finding no probable cause for sedition or inciting to sedition, the Panel found the element of public and tumultuous uprising wanting,” the DOJ stated.

“It further explained that while the video series ‘contains libelous imputations against President Duterte and his family which tend to create hatred or revenge against them,’ nonetheless no words were uttered which tended to incite the people to take up arms or rise against the government,” it added.

In response, Trillanes on Monday called the case “absurd” and another example of the current administration weaponizing “the law against the political opposition, critics, and the media.”

“But let me assure Mr. Duterte that we will not be cowed by such political persecution. On the contrary, we are more determined and motivated to continue our fight for democracy and the rights of our people,” he added.

Trillanes, who had been previously charged with inciting to sedition, is currently facing a revived rebellion case over the 2007 Manila Peninsula Siege after Duterte ordered an amnesty granted during the Aquino administration void. His trial will resume in April. n

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Dateline USa

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 13-19, 2020

Health agencies, Big Tech seek to dispel mass misinformation on coronavirus Groups condemn anti-API ‘racism and hate’

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

Maureen Rigney of GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer, Dr. David Park of St. Jude Heritage Medical Group, Dr. Bing Xia of USC Keck School of Medicine, Dr. Alex Makalinao of California Hematology Oncology Medical Group and Dr. Ron Natale of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center participate in a recent panel challenging the stigma and changing expectations of lung cancer among Asian Americans.

Contributed photo

Not just a smoker’s disease: Stigma of lung cancer...

PAGE 1 initiatives at GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer. “That’s why we haven’t seen a lot of increase in lung cancer survival rates over many, many decades.”

Rigney cited data that 56% of the general public said that people who were diagnosed with lung cancer were “at least partially to blame for their disease.”

“Even perhaps more heartbreakingly, there was a significant increase in patients who said that they felt that their family and friends would have been more supportive if they’ve been diagnosed with a different type of cancer,” she added. “For all us, it’s just really important for us to know about the lung cancer stigma and help to work to eliminate it so that people who are diagnosed are confident that they’re going to receive the same level of care and the same compassion as people diagnosed with other types of cancer.”

Reducing barriers to care One of the common beliefs around lung cancer is that it is a “smoker’s disease.” Evidence has shown that it is the first health risk conclusively linked to smoking, but it has largely resulted in patients with the disease being personally blamed, even if they do not have a history of smoking.

There is a growing incidence of lung cancer among Asian American non-smokers, panelists noted.

Based on data from patients in Southern California, about 25% Filipino Americans who have never smoked were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of the disease, in the early 2000s.

Certain social and cultural factors prevent early detection as well as receiving appropriate care once diagnosed.

In the Asian American community, across the various groups, many are quick to hide their lung cancer diagnosis from family and friends for fear of shame and to not be a burden. Some adult children even hide the diagnosis from their elderly parents or family members in anticipation of the emotional difficulties.

Filipino American oncologist Alex Makalinao said that before talking about the diagnosis and treatment, it’s important to approach care in a culturally sensitive manner and to build trust with patients.

Many Asian American patients have said that language barriers have prevented them from raising concerns or asking questions about lung cancer.

“It’s our culture to protect our parents and our family members…when I come and see them, the families outside are talking to me and telling me not to say anything and it’s very hard for me to convey what the diagnosis is,” Makalinao told the Asian Journal. Speaking to families in Tagalog has been helpful in breaking down the resistance and earn their trust, he found.

“I just have to gain the confidence of the parent or the loved one and when I get that, it’s a lot easier,” he said. “But still, before you could say the ‘C word,’ it could take several visits before you even say it.”

Makalinao added that one of the best ways to raise awareness among patients in the Fil-Am community is through media,

Filipino American oncologist Alex Makalinao talks about the barriers to proper care for lung cancer within the Asian American community.

AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

whether through TV programs or newspapers.

“When they come to us…patients show us what they read or what they saw in the newspaper and so making them aware that there [are] other ways of treating this cancer is very important,” he said.

Testing and treatment options Like other types of cancer, lung cancer has several causes, presents itself in different forms, and affects various racial and ethnic groups in distinct ways.

Though symptoms do not typically appear until the lung cancer is at an advanced stage, they include persistent cough, sputum streaked with blood, chest pain, a hoarse voice, worsening shortness of breath and recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis, accordPAGE 5

programmers will “limit its spread on Facebook and Instagram” and send notifications to users who AS the global medical commu- “already shared or are trying to nity continues to try to mitigate share this content to alert them the threat of the severe coronavi- that it’s been fact-checked.”

“As the global public health comrus, the World Health Organization (WHO) and leading social me- munity works to keep people safe, dia giants are working to combat Facebook is supporting their work another epidemic of a different in several ways, most especially by nature: the dissemination of mis- working to limit the spread of misinformation and harmful content information.

Since the news of the corona- about the virus and connecting virus — a novel respiratory infec- people to helpful information,” Jin tion that first broke out in Wuhan, wrote.

In an age where the growing facChina — first broke out last month, and since the WHO has declared tion of people who distrust science it a public health emergency of and proven medical procedures international concern, it has been like vaccines, false conspiracy theone of the most talked-about top- ories and wellness practices have also percolated timelines. Some ics on social media.

But the severity of the infection, of the most outrageous falsities coupled with the fact that medical include a theory that purports that professionals are still trying to fully the coronavirus was a bioweapon understand the virus itself, has led of mass destruction funded by Bill to unsubstantiated and blatant Gates to boost vaccine sales and falsehoods associated with its cre- natural remedies such as eating garlic or drinking a concoction ation, spread and remedies.

Countless dubiously-sourced made of bleach.

“There are self-appointed exinfographics about the virus and false claims of coronavirus cases in perts, people working from anecAmerican cities have been shared dote or making up wild claims to in great numbers, causing a mass get traffic or notoriety,” said Anhysteria comparable to other ma- drew Pattinson, manager of digital jor world epidemics like the 2013 solutions at the WHO. Another side effect of the masEbola virus outbreak.

In an effort to stop the spread- sively shared misinformation about ing of medical misinformation, coronavirus has led to reported the WHO has begun collaborating cases of racism and hatred.

Since the coronavirus outbreak with tech companies like Google, began in China and has slowly Twitter and Facebook.

Facebook, which has been spread to a dozen other countries, linked to other major cases of mis- the global Asian community has leading information and fake news, been targeted, with misinformed has also independently pledged people wrongly associating indithat it will remove posts, photos vidual Asians with the coronaviand videos peddling lies about the rus.

“People with a different nationcoronavirus.

Kang-Xing Jin, the head of al, ethnic or religious background health at Facebook, wrote in a blog have historically been accused post, “Our global network of third- of spreading germs regardless of party fact-checkers are continuing what the science may say,” Monica their work reviewing content and Schock-Spana, medical anthropoldebunking false claims that are ogist and senior scholar at Johns spreading related to the corona- Hopkins, told Time Magazine.

As of press time, the coronavivirus.”

Jin said that these fact-check- rus has infected more than 17,000 ers will rate pieces of information, people and 719 deaths, accordand if something is rated as false, ing to the latest updates from the

WHO — all but two have occurred in mainland China, with the other two occurring in the Philippines and Hong Kong.

In the United States, there have been 12 confirmed cases as of Friday, February 7, which, aided with misinformation about the virus itself, has resulted in rumors against the Asian American community.

John Pomfret, a reporter at the Washington Post, wrote that “At a middle school a few blocks from my house, a rumor circulated among the children that all Asian kids have the coronavirus and should be quarantined.”

Los Angeles County officials have warned against a fake letter that had been circulating Facebook and email chains that falsely claimed that five people in Carson, California have contracted the virus and linked the names of five Asian-owned businesses to the dissemination of the virus.

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans sent out a statement reminding Americans that the coronavirus outbreak should not be used against the Asian and Pacific Islander community.

“While the coronavirus represents a legitimate public health concern, it is not a green light to target Asian Americans and Asian immigrants with racism and hate,” the organization said in a statement. “We are concerned with the growing xenophobic rhetoric that harkens back to the dehumanizing, anti-Asian trope of the “yellow peril,” that was used during the 19th century. We have consistently stood against efforts to cast our community as “perpetual foreigners,” and sadly, we find ourselves having to do so again.”

“Many Asian Americans are just as concerned as everyone else about the coronavirus — even more so considering how in some cases, our extended families could be impacted,” NCAPA National Director Gregg Orton said. “Mass hysteria will not help, and neither will bigotry. Be better than that.” n

Pacquiao changes boxing promoters, eyes...

PAGE 1 (PBC) of Al Haymon, Joson and Viernesto alhough the incumbent senator has no more fight left at the PBC.

“The Senator will be fighting probably by June or July this year.

We will still discuss the details,” said Viernesto.

MP Promotions President and

international matchmaker Sean Gibbons refused to comment about the developments from the Pacquiao camp. (Josef T. Ramos/ ManilaTimes.net)

february 13-19, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIaN JOurNaL

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Dateline USa

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 13-19, 2020

US Embassy: No change in visa policy in PH THE United States Embassy in Manila clarified that its visa policy in the Philippines remains the same.

The embassy issued this statement following fraudulent advisories claiming the cancellation or revocation of tourist visas and the suspension of visa applications.

“These claims are not true,”

the U.S. Embassy said in a statement Monday, February 10.

Misinformation on the U.S. Embassy’s visa policies supposedly come from impostors claiming to be an official U.S. source.

The embassy stressed that its only official channels are its website and social media accounts.

“The official U.S. Embassy website at https://ph.usembassy. gov and our official social media platforms are the best sources for accurate and current information,” the U.S. Embassy said.

Visa and passport fraud may be reported by emailing FPMManila@state.gov.

(Patricia Lourdes Viray/Philstar.com)

Tagle assumes post at Vatican

Tagle is also the president of Caritas Internationalis, a conManilaTimes.net federation of Catholic charities around the world. He is also the CARDINAL Luis Antonio Tagle first Caritas Internationalis presihas assumed his post as Predent who hails from Asia. fect of the Congregation for the He was also the chairman of Evangelization of Peoples at the the Episcopal Commission for Vatican. the Pontificio Collegio Filippino Tagle left Manila on Sunday, of the Catholic Bishops’ ConferFebruary 9, bringing with him the ence of the Philippines. prayers and support of the FiliBorn in Manila in 1957, Tagle pino faithful. At the Holy See, he took his Philosophy and Theology will be responsible for the spread at the Ateneo De Manila Univerof Catholic faith through missionsity’s San Jose Major Seminary. ary work and related activities.

He was ordained priest for the Tagle replaced Cardinal FerImus diocese in 1982. nando Filoni, who assumed his From 1985 to 1992, he was post as the new grand master of sent to further studies at the the Order of the Holy Sepulcher.

Catholic University of America in He is the second Asian car- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle ManilaTimes.net photo Washington D.C., where he got dinal to head the Prefect of the his Doctorate in Sacred TheolCongregation for the Evangeliza- ends his term. tion of Peoples after Indian CarFr. Regie Malicdem, the cat ogy.

He also spent seven years in dinal Ivan Dias, who served the hedral’s rector, said the coat of post from 2006 to 2011. arms is their “source of pride Rome to deepen his studies and in 1997 joined the International Pope Francis named Manila and joy.”

Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pa“This coat of arms signifies that Theological Commission.

While serving as rector of the billo as caretaker of the Archdio- you will be remembered in all the cese of Manila until the appoint- prayers and masses offered in Imus cathedral in 2001, he was named bishop of the diocese at ment of Tagle’s successor. this cathedral,” he added.

Before leaving the At age 62, Tagle is eligible to the age of 44 by St. John Paul country, Tagle officiated his last vote for the successor of Pope 2nd in October 2001.

In October 2011, Pope BeneMass as archbishop of Manila. Francis in the event that a conDuring the liturgical service, his clave is convened. He is also dict 16th appointed him as Archcoat of arms, placed on the mar- automatically considered a can- bishop of Manila and 13 months ble at the nave of the Manila Ca- didate for the papacy. Only car- later, during the last consistory of thedral was unveiled, a tradition dinals below the age of 80 may the pontificate of Pope Ratzinger, he received the cardinal’s hat. n practiced when an archbishop participate in the conclave.

by William

depasupil

Measures vs piracy, counterfeit trade raise PH intellectual property index

by GabRiel

pabico Inquirer.net

lalu

THE Philippines’ intellectual property index has risen by almost four percentage points in 2020, thanks to the creation of measures against online counterfeiting and piracy.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPO) relayed on Wednesday the latest United States Chamber of Commerce’s (USCC) 2020 International Intellectual Property (IP) Index, where the country’s overall index is now at 39.94 percent from 36 percent in 2019.

This increase was attributed to obtaining positive ratings in 19.97 out of 50 indicators from USCC’s Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC).

“The index cited as a contributing factor the country’s 0.25point climb in the ‘Availability of frameworks that promote cooperative private action against online sale of counterfeit goods’ indicator,” IPO said in a statement.

“The index also noted the country’s ‘strong performance’

in indicators it added this year, namely: ‘Plant variety protection, term of protection’ in which the Philippines scored 1 point; ‘IP-intensive industries, national economic impact analysis’ with 0.50 point; and ‘Membership of the Convention on Cybercrime, 2001’ with 1 point,” IPO added.

According to IPO, the USCCGIPC highlighted efforts to talk with e-commerce players in promoting IP rights to avoid people from accessing counterfeit and fake items through online shops. The agency also noted the frameworks in place and are being created, that would ensure creative workers protection from infringement.

“It noted the anti-infringement efforts which some of the country’s biggest online retailers, specifically Zalora and Lazada, voluntarily put in place also in 2019,” IPO said. “USCC-GIPC also highlighted significant efforts to make the local environment more conducive to creative industry players.”

As of now, there are two pending bills aimed to strengthen intellectual property rights protec-

tion: House Bill 9148 or the New IP Act filed at the 17th Congress, and Senate Bill No. 497 or the Philippine Online Infringing Act filed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III last July 15.

IPO officer-in-charge Teodoro Pascua, this is a welcome development as his office has worked to protect the creative ideas of people. He also assured the public that the IP Rights Enforcement Office (IEO) would continue working with authorities to stop the trade of counterfeit items.

“We welcome the findings of USCC-GIPC’s report. We are most glad for its careful and positive observation on the progress of the country’s intellectual property rights environment, especially on enforcement which is entrenched in IPOPHL’s endeavor to protect creativity and innovation,” Pascua explained.

“IEO will soon be ironing out its enforcement guidelines to keep in step with modern business models. It has also identified critical players in the supply chain of counterfeit trade with whom we believe we should engage,” he added. n

Termination of VFA a move in...

PAGE 2 only the security and economy of the Philippines but also that of our neighboring countries in the Asia Pacific region,” Pimentel said.

Sotto, meanwhile, pointed out that international relations are essential for the cooperation between countries, promotion of

trade policies, the advancement of human culture as well as the maintenance of the peace and stability in the country.

“In a developing country like ours, it is more beneficial and prudent to maintain if not gain allies than to challenge our status quo. Our country is currently benefiting from our partner states

which include the United States of America,” he said, adding that he prefers that the agreement be reviewed instead of scrapping it entirely.

While Dela Rosa abstained from voting, all senators agreed when Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri moved to adopt the resolution. n

Not just a smoker’s disease: Stigma of lung cancer...

PAGE 3 ing to the American Cancer Society.

“Lung cancer is a disease of mutations, where carcinogens and cigarette smoke are responsible for smoking-related lung cancer, or carcinogens in the environment, which is responsible for non-smoking related lung cancer, damage the DNA of a normal bronco endothelial cell, producing a mutation that then drives the growth of that moment in the cell clone,” said Dr. Ron Natale, director of the Lung Cancer Clinical Research Program at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

He added that studies show Asian Americans appearing to be more sensitive to environmental carcinogens that produce such mutations.

One biomarker associated with NSCLC is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation, which is prevalent among Asians more than any other racial and ethnic group. (A 2017 multinational study found that 52% of lung cancer incidences in the Philippines were due to EGFR mutations.)

When individuals are diag-

nosed with NSCLC, it’s crucial that they get biomarker testing — either through a blood test or a biopsy that removes tissue from a tumor — to identify the specific disease type, and receive a targeted treatment plan, such a once or twice a day oral pill. Other mutations include ALK, BRAF, NTRK, PD-L1, and ROS1.

“Part of this program is really educating the public that there are good and better therapies out there for lung cancer now. It’s okay to ask your doctors about treatment options and getting tested for molecular alterations,” said Dr. Bing Xia, an assistant professor at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.

In recent years, the development of targeted therapies has helped directly attack cancer cells by attaching to or blocking targets that appear on the surfaces of those cells.

Xia added that in her practice, she has found that patients who take targeted pills are more receptive than when on chemotherapy drugs, which cannot tell the difference between normal cells and cancer cells.

“Patients who take these targeted pills generally do very well.

They have, generally speaking, higher efficacy than chemotherapy and generally lower side effects. So patients are very happy with these pills and they feel well when taking them,” she said.

Rigney also noted that taking oral medications has a more positive impact on the quality of life for patients.

“All medications have side effects…but oftentimes, these oral therapies can have fewer effects.

So people aren’t tied to their treatment, they can continue to travel, they can continue to live their lives and oftentimes in the way that they would like to as opposed to when they’re going through chemotherapy,” she said.

Though the discussion was supported by biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, the panelists did not specifically endorse or mention targeted therapy drugs by name.

However, the company has been running an “It’s Okay to Ask” campaign that is “designed to encourage and empower patients and their caregivers to take a proactive approach in treating lung cancer and to ask their physicians specific questions about their cancer,” Natale said. (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)

TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP. A trader from Luzon arranges his native products while plying his horse-drawn “karitela” or carriage along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. Ambulant vending using carriages in the metropolis has been a long tradition by Filipinos to augment their livelihood.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

NAIA gets passing mark from Homeland Security

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

THE Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has received a passing mark from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after previously flagging security deficiencies in the Philippines’ premier gateway.

In a statement, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said inspectors from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), an agency of the DHS, were “satisfied” with the improved security measures and technology being implemented at the NAIA following the latest round of security audit.

The TSA commended security improvements made by the government to guarantee the safety of air travelers from the Philippines to the U.S. and vice versa, according to the DOTr. The agency said TSA inspectors were impressed with the hightechnology security and screening equipment being used at the airport terminals, which include dual view X-ray machines with an automatic tray return system.

The dual view X-ray machines have been deemed effective in reducing lines at security screening checkpoints.

“We appreciate the new technologies and equipment pro-

vided. We are grateful with the improvements made by the government, specifically in collaboration with the OTS,” TSA lead inspector Jose Liriano said, referring to the Office for Transportation Security.

The TSA has authority over the security of the traveling public in the U.S. TSA auditors, along with national aviation security auditors from the OTS, wrapped up security audit of terminals and U.S.bound airlines operating at the NAIA last week.

The assessment covered areas such as airport and aircraft security, aviation management, landside security, passenger and baggage screening, hold baggage checks, access control, perimeter security, training of security personnel as well as quality control measures.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade attributed the security improvements at the NAIA to the coordination between DOTrattached agencies such as the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and OTS. Tugade assured the public that the improvement of security measures at the country’s main gateway would be sustained.

“Security is a commitment, it is a continuous process,” he said.

“While we are happy with this news, we must remember that

the more important thing is that we sustain and improve our efforts to ensure the safety of air passengers,” he added.

In August last year, the DHS ordered the rescission of the public notice on security conditions at the NAIA, which was issued on Dec. 27, 2018 after the airport was found to have made significant improvements in security operations.

The 2018 advisory directed airlines flying to the Philippines to alert their passengers on the deficiency of security measures at the NAIA after finding that the airport “did not maintain and carry out security consistent with the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization.”

MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said they would boost security measures at the airport.

OTS administrator Raul del Rosario assured the TSA that the DOTr would make use of the recommendations and technical assistance it has extended to increase security measures at the NAIA not only for flights going to and from the U.S. but also for global aviation.

“We at the DOTr are working as fast and efficient as we can in providing safe, secured and comfortable travel for all, as we want the best for our countrymen,” Del Rosario said. n

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Emerging Small Business (ESB): Women, and/or minority-owned businesses are encouraged to participate in our Solicitation Processes. For full details of the ESB Program and for possible increased business opportunities, contact Nathan Jackson, (702) 486-4654, njackson@diversifynevada.com or esbprogram@diversifynevada.com

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http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

FEBRUARY 13-19, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

O PINION On the frontlines

REPORTs from China say workers in hospital intensive care units are bearing the brunt of the novel coronavirus contagion. Those on the frontlines of the public health battle naturally take the greatest risks. The 34-year-old ophthalmologist from Wuhan who blew the whistle on the nCoV but was shushed by his government, Li Wenliang, died of the disease after contracting the virus from an infected patient he had treated for glaucoma.

The higher risk makes it even more laudable to see health professionals — in China and in all the other countries where nCoV has been reported — forging ahead with their mission of saving lives even at the risk of losing their own.

It behooves governments and the civilian populace to ensure that the frontline workers in this challenging battle get sufficient protection from contagion and possible death. Developments in China indicate that nCoV is more virulent than the pathogen that causes SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

FEATURES

As the novel coronavirus continues to spread, frontline health workers lack not only hazmat or hazardous materials suits but also — as pointed out by health officials — basic protective equipment starting with N95 masks. Civilians should heed appeals from health officials to stop hoarding N95 masks so that the limited supply can be used by those who need the items most — not only health workers, but also those whose work puts them in contact with people and goods arriving from nCoV-affected countries.

The Bureau of Immigration reported on Monday, February 10 that 19 of its personnel are now on home quarantine. The 19 were the ones who had boarded the cruise ships from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, which were allowed to dock in the Port of Manila shortly before the government imposed a travel ban.

Ordinary tasks have become risky in the time of nCoV. Those on the frontlines are sticking their necks out for the public, and must get all the protection they need from a killer virus. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

As CPV celebrates 90th founding anniversary, let us remember the Philcag troops and contributions in the 70s PeaceMaker FORMER SPEAKER JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. WE convey our congratulations to the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) as it celebrates its 90th Founding Anniversary.

The Communist Party of Vietnam sits in the Standing Committee of our International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), which now represents some 350 ruling, opposition and independent political parties from 52 countries in Asia, including the political parties from the Philippines led by the ruling PDP-Laban of President Rodrigo Duterte.

In the congratulatory letter we sent last week to the leadership of Vietnam’s Communist Party, in our humble capacity as Founding Chairman of ICAPP and Chairman of the ICAPP Standing Committee, we said that Vietnam has a special place in our heart as it was where we spent our initial foray in international relations, as a 30-year-old Presidential Assistant, concurrently assigned as Minister, Economic and Press Counselor at the Philippine Embassy in Saigon, the South Vietnam capital then (now Ho Chi Minh, capital of the united Vietnam) from 1966 to 1969during the then raging Vietnam War. As we earlier mentioned in this column, it was also in Vietnam, in 1967, where we conceived of, designed and began the implementation of the historic dollar Remittance Program for the Filipino overseas workers, which rapidly enlarged each year and which now raises more than $30-billion a year for the Philippines, a continuing yearly bonanza for our Central

Bank.

We went to Vietnam for the second time in 1959, as a 22-year-old journalist, when we were invited by then-President Carlos P. Garcia to join him on a visit to Saigon.

We remember sailing the Saigon River with President Garcia and the then South Vietnam President Ngo Dinh Diem aboard the Vietnamese leader’s presidential yacht. President Garcia also offered us the position of Press Attache at the Philippine Embassy in Vietnam or somewhere in Europe but we politely declined, with deep humility and gratitude, as we were then enamored with the adventure and honor of being a journalist at home and overseas.

We first visited the south’s capital Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh city (with the north keeping its capital, Hanoi) in 1956, for the Proclamation of the Vietnamese Constitution and the first anniversary of the Vietnam Republic following Vietnam’s partition at the waist in the 17th Parallel after the French forces’ classic defeat in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. We were then a 19-year-old journalist and fledgling foreign correspondent but rapidly promoted to Manila bureau chief of the first Asian news agency, the Pan Asia Newspaper Alliance, founded by the late Norman Soong, then Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s “favorite war correspondent” in World War II. The largest international news agencies at the time up to today are Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), Reuters, and Agence France Presse (AFP).

We also had a Pan Asia weekly column then, printed once a week in the old Philippines Herald, which in the old days was edited by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Carlos P. Romulo, who later became President of the UN General Assembly and then our Secretary of

Foreign Affairs. Herald’s editor in the mid-1950s was Carlos F. Nivera, then our journalism professor at the Ateneo, who gave us our first journalistic job. He was married to Pat Nivera, the late President Ramon Magsaysay’s social secretary. Professor Nivera coestablished the Pan-Asia bureau in Manila with historian Carlos Quirino and we served as the first Philippine correspondent, then 19 with a meager but livable salary and our assistants were photographer Leoncio Alejandro.

As fate would have it, seven years after our Vietnam visit with President Garcia, we were back in Saigon, in 1966, as Presidential Assistant and Minister and Economic Press Counselor at the Philippine Embassy there. Vietnam was then a hotbed amid an escalating war with the United States under then-President Lyndon B. Johnson.

That year, our Philippine Government sent a contingent of the Philippine Civic Action Group (Philcag) and we welcomed the Philcag troops at the Saigon Airport with our veteran Ambassador Luis Salcedo, our Co-Minister Anastacio Bartolome, Press Attache Joe Aligno and our Military Attache, the Vietnam specialist Col. Joe Banzon, who was a friend of the legendary Cold War specialist Ed Landsdale. The Philcag had no combat duties, only civic action and engineering work, building roads, bridges, markets and hospitals but shielded by a Security Battalion. The Philcag mission was based in Tay Ninh province, near the border with Cambodia, was successful and much appreciated by the Vietnamese masses and not bothered by the militant Vietcong guerillas and by the Viet Minh.

It was in Vietnam where we became friends with the then young

military officials who would later rise to national prominence, among them, Major Fidel V. Ramos, who became a hero of the Edsa People Power Revolution, Armed Forces chief, Defense Secretary and then President of the Philippines; Captains Jose Almonte, who became National Security Adviser under Ramos; Renato de Villa, later Defense chief; psywar and civic action leader Jose Magno, Thelmo Cunanan, one of the rare Filipino West Pointers, who became a General, and later, a highly-regarded Ambassador to Cambodia, married to noted Inquirer columnist Belinda Olivares-Cunanan; and capable Lieutenants Lisandro Abadia and Arturo Enrile, who later became heads of the Armed Forces, and many distinguished others.

In Vietnam, where we lived for four years, we also had the privilege of meeting and making friends with Admiral John McCain Sr., U.S. commander in the Pacific, whom we invited to Manila and father of the late Sen. John McCain, also a war hero shot down over North Vietnam skies, prisoner of war in Hanoi and who later ran but missed the presidency of the U.S. Admiral McCain helped our Armed Forces with the organization of our first Engineering Construction Battalion, and equipped with construction machinery. (In peacetime, we invited him and served briefly as an honorary board member of our long-retired Landoil Resources Corporation).

Later, we invited and accompanied to Manila the most bemedalled World War II hero in Europe, Gen. Creighton Abrams, later U.S. Commander in Vietnam after whom the U.S. Abrams Tank was named, for he was the celebrated combat officer of the equally famed U.S. General

George Patton, the feared and foremost Allied military commander then against the German forces. Abrams later also helped the Philippines with its first Armalite Battalion and engineering equipment for our Philcag troops in Vietnam, a precursor of our Engineering Construction battalions today.

Today, we truly admire Vietnam, led by President Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, for rising from the tragedies and sufferings of war — the World War II conflict with Japan, the guerilla war for independence against the French Foreign Legion and Army, and then against the U.S. and Allied Forces after Vietnam’s earlier victory in the classic battle at Dien Bien Phu in the north against the French Army, all of which the North Vietnamese forces won — to become an economic and peaceful power today, lifting the living standards of the Vietnamese people and advancing agriculture, education and industries, and promoting today a culture of peace in Asia and the international community. We also commend the genuine reconciliation between the U.S. and the united Vietnam.

We also note Vietnam’s role today with ASEAN partners to build a Code of Conduct in the East Sea/West Philippines Sea in accordance with international law and its now enviable role as Chair of ASEAN 2020 and its non-permanent strategic membership in the coveted U.N. Security Council in 2020-2021. ** Nobody knows how long the Coronavirus will rage and estimate its effects in the Philippines and in the various countries of the world.

All the newspapers in the Philippines and elsewhere are preoccu-

pied and have written extensively on the epidemic. No major health authority in Asia, Europe and the Americas has spoken nor dared say how long the crisis will run.

But generally, all the plagues in the various regions in history are dangerous and often claim many lives but are not long-lasting and peter out sooner than later.

In the meantime, the government and our citizenry, families, friends, townmates and neighbors must and should help each other in every possible way.

Today, the crisis rages but we know from past histories that in a few months, God willing, the spreading virus will sputter out and the plague will come to an end. ** In our column last Sunday, January 19 and in much earlier interviews, we said, “It is almost certain that U.S. President Donald Trump will win very shortly the impeachment case filed by U.S. Congressional Democrats, which indeed they overwhelmingly won in the House of Representatives but which they will most likely lose in the U.S. Senate, controlled

by Republicans, in the next few days or weeks.” [Editor’s note: Trump was acquitted of impeachment charges on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.]

We also said that the impeachment charge will “diminish” Trump but the “Senate clearance will uplift him en route to the electoral battle in November.”

The Democrats are still struggling, beginning with almost 20 presidential contenders for the Democratic nomination. They have about three outstanding candidates but they must settle for only one to face Trump.

It will be a rough-and-tumble contest for almost nine months until D-Day November 3, 2020. ■

Support federalism and ‘I’ll make amends with you’: Is Duterte’s proposal to ABS-CBN a vendetta and abuse of power?

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THE NEW YORK TIMES reported that “the Philippine government moved Monday to end the franchise of the country’s leading broadcast network, the latest push by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte against media outlets that have been critical of his leadership”.

Representing the Philippine government, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a complaint before the Supreme Court of the Philippines with the country’s highest court, contending that ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, violated the terms and conditions of operating franchise granted by Congress to the network, even before the expiry date of said license on March 30, 2020.

This complaint was filed by Calida without following due process and despite the fact that

the House of Representatives has yet to start hearings and deliberations over at least 11 bills supporting the renewal of the franchise.

The Times quoted Calida in his accusation that ABS-CBN has been “benefiting a greedy few at the expense of millions of its loyal subscribers.” Calida added, “These practices have gone unnoticed or were disregarded for years.”

As ABS-CBN News reported, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano — whose father the late Senator Rene Cayetano was catapulted to the Senate via our programs “Compañero y Coimpanera” on radio DZMM and Channel 2 — said that while “certain interests” want to speed up the process, the House is working alongside the chamber’s panel on legislative franchises “on how to prioritize urgent and important legislation.”

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly threatened to block the franchise renewal bid of ABSCBN Corp, which operates free TV Channel 2 and radio DZMM. ABS-CBN issued an official statement in response to Calida’s

move: WE DID NOT VIOLATE THE LAW The Office of the Solicitor General’s filing of a quo warranto case against ABS-CBN on alleged violations of its franchise appears to be an effort to shut down ABSCBN to the serious prejudice of millions of Filipinos who rely on the network for news, entertainment and public service.

These allegations cited by the Office of the Solicitor General in his press statement are without merit. ABS-CBN complies with all pertinent laws governing its franchise and has secured all necessary government and regulatory approvals for its business operations.

(1) All our broadcast offerings, including KBO, have received the necessary government and regulatory approvals and are not prohibited by our franchise.

(2) ABS-CBN Holdings’ Philippine Deposit Receipts or PDRs were evaluated and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange prior to its public offering. These are the same instruments used by other broad-

cast companies to raise capital for the improvement of services.

(3) The ownership of ABSCBN in ABS-CBN Convergence was undertaken under the same law and structures that have been utilized by other telecommunications companies. These are transfers that are approved under the Public Telecommunications Policy Act and are fully compliant with law.

We reiterate that everything we do is in accordance with the law. We did not violate the law.

This case appears to be an attempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN. KBO remains one of the cheapest forms of entertainment that we can provide to the public. The capital we have raised from the PDRs has enabled us to provide services to nearly 90 percent of the Philippines and to our OFW’s all over the world. Our work with ABS-CBN Convergence supports the government policy of finding ways to bring down the cost of internet access.

The Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Executive Branch have assured the public that our franchise will be allowed

to go through the proper renewal process in a fair manner. To that end, the filing of the quo warranto case is ill-timed given that Congress has already resumed its session.

We remain committed to our mission to serve the Filipino people especially at this time when millions of Filipinos rely on our services in delivering information such as the 2019 NCoV ARD, the developments in the Middle East, and updates on Taal Volcano situation as they relate to our countrymen.”

Duterte claims Malacañang has nothing to do with this move of Calida, but as Rappler reported, the president himself made public “a proposal for ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio ‘Gabby’ Lopez III that if his television network promotes federalism, Duterte is willing to call it quits.”

“Kung magtulong kayo diyan sa federal system campaign at gawain ninyong slogan also for the unity and to preserve the republic, makipag-areglo ako,” (If you can help with the federal system campaign and you make a slogan also for unity and to preserve the republic,

I’ll make amends with you) said Duterte during the PDP-Laban Christmas Benefit Dinner on Wednesday night, December 13, 2019.

He said this right after repeating his usual rant against Lopez and the “debt” that the ABS-CBN chairman’s family owes the government. - an accusation refuted and denied by the network.

IS THIS PERSONAL VENDETTA by Duterte for the critical and unflattering reporting by ABS-CBN news as the network faithfully fulfills its sacred obligation to make the government accountable to the people?

IS THIS ABUSE OF POWER on the part of the president to use his position to silence the free press, and dictate support for his own political agenda?? *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos.

The 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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D ateline PhiliPPines DoH: Number of PUIs for nCoV rises to 382

by Jan arcilla ManilaTmes.net

THE number of persons under investigation (PUIs) for the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) in the country jumped to 382 on Tuesday, February 11, from 314 a day earlier.

According to a Department of Health (DOH) situation report posted on its website, the confirmed cases remained at three.

The report said two PUIs have died.

The DOH earlier said the second PUI fatality died of pneumonia, not nCoV. The first PUI death was that of a Chinese man who died of severe pneumonia and human immunodeficiency virus on January 29.

The situation report said 266 PUIs had been admitted to hospitals and 111 had been discharged.

Of the 266, Metro Manila has the highest number of PUIs, with 86 still confined at hospitals.

Central Visayas comes second with 49 suspected cases admitted at medical facilities, and Central Luzon follows with 31.

According to the Health department, most of the PUIs in the country are Filipinos.

“These are Filipinos who have come in contact with the known cases. Either [in] planes, hotels or [in] hospitals where they were admitted and who have shown signs and symptoms of fever, cough and respiratory illness,”

His Excellency Broderick Pabillo, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, presides a Eucharistic celebration.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III

DoH Undersecretary Eric Domingo told reporters on Monday, February 10.

A Chinese couple was the first and second confirmed cases in the Philippines.

The 38-year-old Chinese woman has already been discharged from the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila while her partner, a 44year-old Chinese man, died of severe pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus.

“The first case has already tested negative twice and has in fact been discharged,” Domingo said.

The third case involved a 60year-old Chinese woman who returned to China after her second set of samples tested negative for nCoV. Her first sample was found positive for the deadly virus after

ManilaTimes.net photo

she traveled to China.

Meanhwile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said there was “no evidence” that the new coronavirus can spread through the air, citing information from the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Ang sabi ng WHO, walang ebidensiya na nagpapakita na airborne ito. Tulad ng SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), ang mode of transmission is [through] respiratory droplets (According to the WHO, there’s no evidence that shows the virus is airborne. Like SARS, its mode of transmission is through respiratory droplets),” he told radio dzMM. Reports over the weekend cited a Chinese official who said the virus is airborne. n

Duterte: Ninja cops down to four, will all die

by Krissy

aguilar Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, February 12, promised to get rid of the socalled “ninja cops,” saying they would all die because they have a “sin to the nation.”

“Yung mga generals pati yung mga (The generals including the) ninja cops, and they are still around but they are reduced to about four…, and they will die because may kasalanan sila sa bayan (they committed a sin to the nation),” Duterte said in a speech during the oath-taking of newly elected Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Board of Trustees.

The president said he would kill them even if he is no longer in office.

“Ngayon, kung hindi ko sila

maabutan, pag hindi na ako mayor, babarilin ko pa rin sila pag nakita ko. Same, whether I’m president or ordinary [citizen], pag nagkita tayo at alam ko galit ka sa akin dahil sa droga ay magbabarilan talaga tayo,” Duterte said. (now if I could not pursue them during my term, I’ll still shoot them once I see them.

Whether I’m president or just an ordinary citizen if we see each other and I know you’re mad at me because of my drug campaign we would really shoot at each other).

It can be recalled that the president has relieved former police chief Oscar Albayalde from his post after the latter was linked to a drug recycling scheme after an anti-drug operation in Pampanga in 2013.

Drug-related deaths Duterte, meanwhile, admitted

there had been deaths related to his war against illegal drugs, but said the number would not reach to 70,000. He did not specify where he got the figure.

“I will admit [that the police data on drugs has] a semblance of truth. I go by government records.

Kung sinabi ng pulis (If the police say so), ‘Duterte ang patayin natin eh (let’s kill) 5,000,’ so be it,” Duterte said.

“We admit it, 5,000 pero huwag yung (but not) 70,000, san ko ilibing yan (where would I bury them)? Hindi lang patay ang libing ang problema kung san ko ilagay… yung sumosobra (where to bury them would be a big problem),” he added.

As of December 2019, drugrelated deaths have reached 5,500 as per data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). n

Archaeologists unearth grave of WWII hero and banana ketchup inventor Maria Orosa MANILA — A group of archaeologists on Sunday unearthed the grave of Filipino World War II guerilla and scientist Maria Orosa in Manila, nearly 75 years since her martyrdom.

The grave was discovered at the Malate Catholic School compound.

Orosa who was born in Taal, Batangas, passed away on Feb. 13, 1945, after a bombing during the Battle for Manila.

The unearthed epitaph said Orosa “died in line of duty.”

National Quincentennial Committee, tasked to prepare the country’s commemoration of the 500 years of the victory at Mactan or the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines, said that Orosa was among the unsung heroes of the war.

It said that Orosa “used science to save thousands of Filipinos and Americans in Manila from malnutrition and hunger by smuggling food beyond Japanese lines.”

Last November 29, search engine giant Google gave tribute to Orosa with a doodle to commemorate her 126th birthday.

“Born in the municipality of Taal within the Batangas province, Orosa went on to become an outstanding student, winning a partial government scholarship in 1916 to attend the University of Seattle. While living in a YMCA and working odd jobs, Orosa completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in pharmaceutical chemistry, as well as an addi-

aguilar Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, February 12, hinted that a big law firm could be behind the “onerous” contracts between the government and water concessionaires.

“Lahat violation ng (All the violtions on the) contract but I have to include all the government lawyers who did that. Now, sino yung nagturo sa mga abugado sa gobyerno kasi ngayon yung mga maliliit na lang nagsabi na re-

Pope Francis names Bishop Pabillo caretaker of Manila archdiocese by gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

cabico

MANILA — Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Broderick Pabillo as the caretaker of the Archdiocese of Manila.

The pope announced Pabillo’s appointment as the apostolic administrator of the archdiocese Monday following the departure of Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle as Manila’s top prelate.

Tagle left Manila for Vatican to assume his new post as the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples—a department responsible for promoting Catholic faith around the world.

Pabillo, who has been critical of the government’s “war on drugs”, will be the caretaker of the Archdiocese of Manila until a new archbishop is appointed.

“Let us thank the Lord for Car-

dinal Chito (Tagle) who served as the archbishop of Manila for eight years. Let us pray for him as he embarks on his new mission,” Fr. Reginald Malicdem, chancellor of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, said.

He added: “Let us also thank the Lord for Bishop Broderick who will guide us during this period in our life as a local Church.

And let us beg the Lord to give us a new shepherd molded after His own heart.”

Outspoken prelate Pabillo has criticized President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign and his attacks on Catholic Church and its leaders several times in the past.

In 2017, the bishop called on Church leaders and the faithful to speak out against the killings in the government’s war on drugs.

He also said the thousands killed

in the conduct of the campaign are “deeply traumatized and even now made more poor.”

In 2018, Pabillo wrote a blog post in response to the question “Why did God give us Duterte?”

He pointed out it was the 16 million voters who chose him to be presidents, not God. “Many very bad leaders had been elected by their people.

Let us just name (Adolf) Hitler, (Benito) Mussolini and even our (Ferdinand) Marcos. They came to power by election. Duterte was elected by 16 million voters, not even the majority of our 50 million voters in 2016. He is not even a majority president,” the bishop said, adding he hopes Filipinos will become better voters next time.

Pabillo has been serving as Manila’s auxiliary bishop since 2006. n

CA confirms appointment of new Armed Forces chief THE bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) has unanimously confirmed the appointment of Felimon Santos Jr. as four-star general and chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Santos, the seventh AFP chief under the Duterte administration, was confirmed during the plenary session of the bicameral body presided by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, concurrent CA chairman.

Senator Joel Villanueva moved for Santos’ confirmation during a public hearing to determine his

fitness and competence to head the country’s armed forces.

Rep. Luis Ferrer 4th, chairman of the CA national defense committee, conducted the public hearing.

Also confirmed was Luzviminda Almazan Camacho, the first woman commodore in the Philippine Navy.

Questioned by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to abrogate the 21-year-old Philippine-U.S. Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), Santos told the CA committee

that the AFP gave the pros and cons of the issue of abrogating the VFA to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Lorenzana had told the Senate foreign relations committee that the country’s military establishment received $1.2 billion worth of aid and other benefits from the U.S. because of the VFA since 1998.

Santos told the CA committee that the country received $127 million in various forms from the U.S. through the VFA in 2018 and $91 million last year. (Javier Joe Ismael/ManilaTimes.net)

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Photo courtesy of National Quincentennial Committee

tional degree in food chemistry,” Google Doodle said.

Aside from being a war hero, Orosa was credited for her more than 700 recipes and preservation techniques which became iconic. This includes the country’s favorite condiment, banana ketchup, and food like powdered calamansi juice.

“Orosa’s knowledge of chemistry led to numerous culinary innovations. For instance, by fitting a traditional earthenware pot with two sheets of metal, she invented the Palayok Oven, providing remote villages lacking access to electricity with a more

effective means of cooking over an open fire,” Google also said.

“Although adobo and lumpia are synonymous with Filipino cuisine, Orosa’s banana ketchup is not far behind. Using mashed bananas as a base instead of tomatoes, she made the sauce a long-lasting hit. Two other inventions made her a war hero: Soyalac (a nutrient-rich drink derived from soya beans) and Darak (rice cookies packed with vitamin B-1, which could also prevent beriberi disease) saved countless lives during World War II,” it added. (Rosette Adel/Philstar.com)

Duterte hints big law firm behind onerous water deals

by Krissy

Contributed photo

tired naman kami ganun ganun.

But sino nagplano niyan? (who taught the government lawyers because those small ones who who said ‘we’re retired anyway’.

Who planned that)?” Duterte said in a speech during the oath-taking of newly elected Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Board of Trustees.

“Ang nagplano nyan malaking opisina na law firm. They are the only ones who could do that. Government lawyers would never attempt even (Those who planned that is a big law firm),” Duterte said.

The president declared this as he renewed his threats to jail the people behind water firms Maynilad and Manila Water which supposedly milked billions from the people and the government through the water deals.

Duterte earlier offered the water firms new contracts without the “onerous” provisions, but said he could not guarantee they would not be prosecuted over the original deals.

Should the water firms reject the new contracts, Duterte said he would nationalize the distribution of water services. n

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Sea code high on ASEAN summit agenda

by Catherine

Valente ManilaTimes.net

MEMBER-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China expect the completion of the second reading of the code of conduct (COC) covering the disputed South China Sea this year, Vietnamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Vietnam Foreign Affairs spokesman Le Thi Thu Hang said the South China Sea would be high on the agenda of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Asean summit, which will be chaired by Vietnam. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think South China Sea is not only an issue of Vietnam but also of the other members of the Asean. I think as the chairman of the Asean, this is one of the issues that will be part of the agenda for the Asean meeting,â&#x20AC;? Le said in an interview. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think at the moment, Vietnam, together with other Asean members, are very actively working on the COC. I think this year one of the targets is the conclu-

sion of second reading of the COC. That is the target for this year,â&#x20AC;? she added.

The second reading of the text of the COC will lay a solid foundation for the completion of negotiations before the end of 2021.

In 2018, the first reading of the single draft negotiating text of the COC was completed ahead of schedule.

The COC will be an upgrade to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, signed between China and Asean member states in November 2002.

The sea code is a legally binding document that would manage how countries act within the South China Sea despite disputing territorial claims.

The Philippines, the country coordinator for the AseanChina Dialogue Relations until 2021, wants to complete the sea code within President Rodrigo Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s term, will end in 2022.

The sea code was among the

maritime issues raised by Duterte when he flew to China in August last year after he expressed dismay over the delay in the negotiations.

The president, when he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, cited the need to finish the COC, saying it would help resolve numerous conflicts.

Xi expressed hope that it would be crafted within the remaining years of Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s term.

Aside from the Philippines, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam and Taiwan have overlapping claims in the resource-rich area.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including parts of the West Philippine Sea, but the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated this in July 2016, recognizing the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sovereignty in the area.

Duterte had temporarily shelved the ruling to maintain peace and cordial relations among claimant countries in the region. n

Duterte says he ordered PNP reshuffle by alexis

romero Philstar.com

MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; President Rodrigo Duterte revealed that he was the one who ordered a reshuffle in the police force as part of his effort to cleanse law enforcement agencies of the so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;ninja copsâ&#x20AC;? or those involved in the reselling of seized illegal drugs.

Despite the administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brutal crackdown on narcotics, Duterte admitted that the drug problem â&#x20AC;&#x153;is still with us and by the millions.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is the next generation who will suffer if we fail. We would really be affected because our children, they are facing a problem that they do not know and they have been dragged into this...son of a b****, you have to do something about this,â&#x20AC;? the president told local executives in Pasay last Monday, February 10. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So I told the new (police) chief, (Gen.) Archie (Gamboa), reshuffle all police officials tainted with... even those with little involvement in illegal drugs, relieve them. All of them. Otherwise, we would have a problem,â&#x20AC;? he added.

At least 26 police officials were affected by the latest reshuffle in the Philippine National Police but it was not clear whether

the personnel movement was the one being referred to by Duterte.

Last Friday, February 7, Gamboa called on 357 police officers who are being probed for alleged involvement in narcotics to apply for early retirement. He, however, clarified that those who would bow out of the service could still face charges.

Duterte reiterated that his controversial campaign against illegal drugs, which has so far left more than 5,000 drug suspects dead, is necessary to protect the next generation of Filipinos. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not saying that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m the only one who can solve it. Maybe my successor will do better.

Who knows? I cannot claim the only one to be the savior of the nation. But if I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t combat this, the next generation will be affected and will still be bogged with the problem of health,â&#x20AC;? the president said. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Torture them until they dieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Duterte also lamented that some policemen are still involved in the illegal drug trade even if he already raised their salaries. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Illegal drugs is about money... and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very dangerous.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why policemen are really entering (the narcotics trade)... the good and the large part of the police force, they are OK.

But those who remain (in the narcotics trade), we will get rid of them,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To the ninja cops...there is a time for you to be famous. You kill people and play with drugs...

You were not contented even if your salary has been doubled.

You need millions... But in the end, if I catch you, I will really kill you. Either you kill me or I kill you,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Duterte also called on local governments to act on the problems caused by the â&#x20AC;&#x153;ninja cops.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;To the local executives if you really love your country, do something about it. Hindi mo naman kailangan patayin eh. I-torture mo lang hanggang mamatay. (You do not need to kill them. Just torture them until they die),â&#x20AC;? he said.

Duterte admitted that the drug problem seems to be endless, noting that its transactions â&#x20AC;&#x153;come to the amount of billions.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kaya ang totoo diyan human rights, kayo ang dapat tapusin (Human rights advocates are the ones who should be finished).

You love your country whatever country you come from... You have a country thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a s***. Me, I love my country and I love my children,â&#x20AC;? he added. n

LOVE IN THE TIME OF CORONAVIRUS. A couple with face masks poses near a heart-shaped arch at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City as Filipinos fret on the threat of the 2019 coronavirus.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Enrique Agcaoili

Vaccine against nCoV in the works

by Bernadette

tamayo ManilaTimes.net

RUSSIAN Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev on Tuesday, February 11, said Russian scientists have developed a vaccine against the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now being tested. We are on the right track. I believe quite soon [there will be cure for nCoV],â&#x20AC;? Khovaev said during The Manila Times roundtable discussion.

He said Russian scientists were working with other foreign colleagues to come up with a vaccine for the deadly virus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe that an effective vaccine against the coronavirus will be created soon. So it (virus) will be defeated. Mankind will survive,â&#x20AC;? the envoy said.

Khovaev said all nations must help in defeating the nCoV, and it was not right to â&#x20AC;&#x153;isolate China.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ridiculous [to blame China for the epidemic],â&#x20AC;? Khovaev said.

The World Health Organization warned on Tuesday that the novel coronavirus was a â&#x20AC;&#x153;very grave threatâ&#x20AC;? for the planet as it hosted the first major conference on fighting the epidemic.

About 400 scientists were taking part in the two-day international meeting in Geneva, which will review how the virus is transmitted and possible vac-

cines against it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With 99 percent of cases in China, this remains very much an emergency for that country, but one that holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world,â&#x20AC;?

WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What matters most is stopping the outbreak and saving lives. With your support, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we can do.â&#x20AC;?

The virus, first identified in the city of Wuhan in central China on December 31, has killed more than 1,000 people, infected over 42,000 and reached some 25 countries.

WHO has declared it a global health emergency.

Participants at the scientific conference will discuss the source of the virus, which is thought to have originated in bats and reached humans via another â&#x20AC;&#x153;intermediaryâ&#x20AC;? species such as snakes or pangolins.

WHO sent an advance team to China this week for an international mission to examine the epidemic.

It was unclear, however, whether the team would be able to visit Wuhan, which has been under lockdown after the outbreak was registered in a food and live animal market in the city. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Roadmap for researchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; There is no specific treatment or vaccine against the virus and WHO has repeatedly urged countries to share data

in order to further research into the disease. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To defeat this outbreak, we need open and equitable sharing, according to the principles of fairness and equity,â&#x20AC;? Tedros said.

The WHO said it was applying a so-called R&D Blueprint, which allows the rapid rollout of research and development activities during epidemics.

Several teams of experts in Australia, Britain, China, France, Germany and the United States are racing to develop a vaccine â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a process that normally takes years.

This week, a team of scientists at Imperial College London said they believed they had become the first to start animal testing of a possible vaccine in mice.

Efforts to come up with a vaccine are being led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, a body established in 2017 to finance costly biotechnology research in the wake of an Ebola outbreak in West Africa that killed more than 11,000 people.

Ultimately, however, scientists may end up in the same situation they were during the 2002-2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it died out before a vaccine could be fully developed.

A close cousin of the new coronavirus, SARS spread around the world and killed nearly 800. n

60 COUNTRIES. OVER 100 CITIES WORLDWIDE. THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTERNATIONAL.

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VEGAS&STYLE Journal

Ella Jay Basco and her star-making turn in ‘Birds of Prey’

By MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

IN 1991, Hollywood introduced to the world a young Filipino American by the name of Dante Basco through the Steven Spielberg film Hook, starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman.

The then 16-year-old Basco played the role of Rufio, the leader of the Lost Boys.

Fast forward to almost three decades later and we have another Basco playing a breakout role in her debut film feature, as Cassandra Cain in Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).

Meet Ella Jay Basco, the precocious 13-year-old out to steal your hearts in the film that’s going to focus on Harley Quinn, the character played by Margot Robbie in the 2018 film “Suicide Squad.” Ella Jay’s dad is the eldest among the Basco Brothers.

“I feel amazing. This is definitely one of my biggest accomplishments in my acting career so I am super proud,” an excited Basco told us in an interview.

Ella Jay went through an arduous month–long audition proc-

ess to get the role. To prepare, she watched a bunch of movies, practiced her martial arts skills and read some comic books about Cassandra Cain.

Finding out that she got the role was “very emotional moment and super exciting” for her.

“I mean I totally cried. I knew from that moment on, my life would change forever,” she exclaimed. “I just couldn’t wait to start.”

Her next step after finding out that she has been cast was to go out and buy a bunch of comic books, from “Birds of Prey” to “Harley Quinn” and “Oracle.” “It definitely helped me figure out Cassandra Cain’s origin story, about how she felt and how tough she has to be in such a crazy world like Gotham.”

In fact, it was a particular storyline in a comic that initially inspired Margot Robbie (who also wears a producer hat for the film) to include the Harley/Cass relationship that ultimately plays out on screen. “In my research, I read Harley Quinn: Behind Blue Eyes, and I knew I wanted to explore that mentor-mentee relationship,” she said. “It told me a lot about who Harley was and what she was

Ella Jay Basco with the rest of the girl gang at the world premiere of Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) in London. From left: Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Harley Quinn herself, Margot Robbie.

Photo by Craig Gibson

read, where the cast would read out the script, was unforgettable for her. She was amazed at how friendly and welcoming these big Hollywood stars were.

“They are all so sweet, such great role models for me in the industry,” she remarked.

Starting Young Ella Jay thinks that she was about maybe 8 or 9 years when she committed to the job.

“I definitely remember seeing kid actors in the business and I remember telling my mom that I wanted to be in the industry and I wanted to be seen on the screen,” she recalled.

Coming from a family of performers most likely influenced her choice of career, specially seeing her uncles, including Dante and Dion, in TV shows and movies.

The Bascos are originally from the Santa Barbara area in California. Her grandparents are originally from the Philippines. Her dad Derek, the oldest of the Basco brothers, married Emily, a Korean American.

Despite being a newcomer, Warner Bros. Pictures presents the Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) fan experience and screenings in New York. Basco is quickly making a name Ella Jay as Cassandra Cain in a scene with Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.

From left: Director Cathy Yan, Rosie Perez, Margot Robbie, Ella Jay Basco, Jurnee Smolette-Bell and Ewan McGregor Photo by Dave Alloca PAGE 13 capable of. We didn’t use the exact storyline from the series, but just understanding her and her connection to Cass in that way was enlightening.”

Basco then met Robbie and the rest of the cast. The first table

Trending blind Filipino singer gets Hollywood nod, invited to appear on ‘Ellen’ by ratziel

san Juan Philstar.com

Carl Malone Montecido

ELLEN Degeneres is the latest celebrity to recognize Internet sensation Carl Malone Montecido, inviting him to guest on her talk show.

Carl’s appearance, however, has not yet been finalized, according to a report by ABS-CBN morning show “Umagang Kay Ganda.”

The “Blind Balladeer ng (of) Bacolod” recently drew international attention over a video ABS-CBN photo where he is seen singing to Sam

Smith’s “Too Good at Goodbyes,” using videoke demo equipment in a local mall.

The video, uploaded by Facebook user Trixie Madison featuring Carl, has since been shared over 385,000 times.

The young singer’s vocal prowess has been described by Sam Smith himself as “out of this universe.”

Carl also drew attention from Kelly Clarkson and her team.

The rising star first graced screens on ABS-CBN’s Showtime’s “Tawag ng Tanghalan” in 2016.

Marcelito’s ‘leaked’ ‘America’s Got Talent’ finals video draws 9M netizens on Facebook by arlo

Custodio

ManilaTimes.net

SINCE Monday morning, February 9, in Manila, Marcelito Pomoy’s performance in “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” finals had been viewed 10 million times, 9.1 million views in the first six minutes of the show on its Facebook page.

Singing “Beauty And The Beast” in his signature dual voices, the YouTube video has garnered 6.56 million as of posting time, while his semi-finals performance of “Time To Say Goodbye” on February 4 has reached 12 million views. His audition performance of “The Prayer” now stands at 24 million views.

The leaked video of his finals performance on YouTube had been drawing reactions from netizens around the world. Some had been saying that if indeed he placed only fifth in the results, that would be an injustice and Judge Simon Cowell should be blamed for it, as the choice for the song was his.

In his post on Facebook on Tuesday, February 10, Pomoy expressed amazement at the overwhelming support he had been getting from fans around the world.

“I love you all… I really don’t need to win this contest because for me I am already a winner..

For in your hearts I can feel how you all feel.. I can feel that I win your hearts… so I am already a

Jennylyn Mercado with Dennis Trillo

Jennylyn on Dennis: He is my greatest love by dolly

anne CarVaJal

Inquirer.net

Marcelito Pomoy

winner.. But if I won this contest it’s gonna be a big opportunity for me to share the prize money to all the needy.. So still hoping and praying for being the champion of this contest… 6 minutes with 9.1M views.. Love you all!” he wrote.

The champion of “Pilipinas Got Talent 2011” said that he

Photo from Instagram/@marcelitopomoy8

wanted people to still watch the show even if his performance had been released on YouTube.

“Please watch this, guys. I really don’t know what happened.

But I think a leak has been revealed so AGT needs to post the whole video to solidify the views.

Hope you like it. God bless us all!” he enjoined.

Photo from Instagram/@dennistrillo

EVERYTHING is coming up roses for Jennylyn Mercado this month of hearts. She and her beau, Dennis Trillo, join forces in a post-Valentine concert, aptly called “Co Love Live.”

Jen also top-bills GMA 7’s adaptation of the well-loved Korean series, “Descendants of the Sun” (DOTS), which premieres tonight (after “Anak ni Waray vs Anak ni Biday”). She plays Dr. Maxine and is paired off with Dingdong Dantes, who portrays Captain Lucas.

Their characters’ romance is off to a rocky start, however. She tries to distance herself from him and his dangerous job but gets drawn to him, instead. What she resists will persist.

Even if Jen is a Kapuso, she has been tapped several times to be the leading lady of Kapamilya actors—that’s how bankable she is. After Jen’s Metro Manila Film Fest (MMFF) hit movie with Coco Martin, which capped off her 2019, she’s all set to keep soaring this 2020. No descent, all “sunny” for Jen. Here’s my chat with Jen: How’s the Filipino adaptation of “DOTS” different from the original Korean version?

The main difference is that, in the Filipino version, our culture is infused into the story line.

What touched you about its story?

I liked how it was able to show the passion and sacrifices of medical personnel and the military to serve and protect us.

Do you check out the rival show of any series that you’re in, or do you just focus on doing your thing?

I never check out a rival show.

I don’t let competition get in the way. I would rather focus on my own performance and how I can make it better. Also, audience feedback is what I tend to put more effort in knowing, so I will know how to cater to their expectations from me as an artist.

In your “Co Love Live” repertoire, which production number is the hardest one, and which one is your fave?

Definitely, it’s the “Breakup Medley.” I won’t reveal what songs are included, so you have to watch the concert to find out.

But it’s my favorite number, and hardest one to do because aside from the difficult nature of the songs, it’s also the most honest number I have to do in the show.

At this point of your relationship, what’s your song for Dennis (Trillo)?

“I Will Always Love You,” by Whitney Houston.

When your son, Jazz, is old enough, what love advice will you give him?

To love himself first. He has to feel that he is complete as a person, so he won’t have to rely on others for his happiness. It has to start from within.

What’s something you want to improve on this 2020?

I want to be less impulsive when it comes to decision-making. When I want something, I do it right away without giving it much thought. Hopefully, this year I will be more cautious.

What made love lovelier the second time around for Dennis and you?

We have evolved from the first time we were together as a couple. Iba na kami bilang tao.

There’s more maturity on both sides.

What was your silliest fight with Dennis. How do you resolve misunderstandings?

We used to argue about petty stuff, like each other’s outfits. If ever there are misunderstandings, we talk things over to understand each other’s perspective and how we can resolve them.

Do you see yourself being married to Dennis someday?

If so, what makes Dennis husband material?I can’t really say. Let nature take its course.

But what I can definitely say is that he is my greatest love. He’s a man who is passionate, understanding and loves his family.

Those traits are what I look for in a husband.

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA YOUR personal bucket list should be doable. Select a handful of those things that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame and personal circumstances. In tech speak, it means before your life span and energy goes into ‘ low batt mode’ and life is running out of sockets to plug into.

How about waving your magic wand in the kitchen to create just one signature dish?

Ever wonder how the Peach Melba dessert got its name?

It was said that the celebrated French chef Auguste Escoffier named the confection after his friend, the soprano Nellie Melba of Melbourne, Australia.

Nellie would dine in the restaurant where he was chef and would give him tickets to the opera where she was the main draw.

Nellie Melba was the late 19th century equivalent of a celebrity these days that could pack opera houses for the elite in London, Paris and New York. On a historical note, Escoffier partnered with Cesar Ritz (from whose name the term “ritzy” is derived, to mean elegant and first class, and pricey as well) to establish the Ritz-Carlton Hotels chain.

Signature dishes are not just for the rich and famous. They are for you and me, as well. Choose just one dish. Just one from many possibilities… Choose a scrumptiously delicious one. Work on it many times until you can do it from scratch without looking at your cheat sheet and it becomes a masterpiece.

Cook it for family gatherings or potluck events. Cook it until they clamor for you to bring it because your dish is memorable. You notice that people come for seconds until it’s all gone. Clean plate and happy faces —the marks of a culinary success…

Congratulations! You’ve created your signature dish. You have placed your name on it. Best of all, you’ve created gastronomic memories, quite hard to forget because, believe you me, the gut remembers.

I have met many who have done this and it is a source of joy specially when shared with many.

My friend Angel cooked Spanish

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS In the face of nine individuals in Manila who were under investigation for possible Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection who refused to be isolated, Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque III announced last Saturday, February 8 that “Philippine authorities will invoke state police power if people who have flu-like symptoms will refuse to undergo a mandatory quarantine to protect the public from this treacherous rapidly transmissible and potentially deadly illness.”

In Hong Kong, violators are subject to a prison term of up to six months. Other cities and countries may already have such laws or will follow suit.

In a press conference in Quezon City, Duque said the 44-yearold Chinese male companion of the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in the country, a 38-year-old Chinese woman, also tested positive for the virus and died February 2, 2020. Both came from Wuhan, Hubei province, China, and were isolated at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. This was the first death outside China, the other one in Hong Kong.

The first American death, a 60-year-old, succumbed to the COVID-19 at a hospital in Wuhan on February 6, 2020. There are now at least 13 confirmed cases in the United States. This era of rapid transportation (air, sea, and land) enables infectious diseases to spread with impunity, unless contained properly in a timely (emergent) fashion. Apparently, the socialist authorities in Wuhan miserably failed in this regard.

The UN and WHO fear COVID19 is a grave threat to the entire world, with more than 100 deaths in China almost every day.

Hopefully, not again!

“The Black Death, also known as the Pestilence (Pest for short), the Great (Bubonic) Plague or the Plague, or less commonly the Black Plague, was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 75 to 200 million people in Eurasia, peaking in Europe from year 1347 to 1351,” wiping out about one-third of the population of Europe.

The SARS pandemic of 2002 involved 30 countries with 8,437 cases and 813 deaths. The MERS

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Bucket list No.5 Whip up your signature dish

“Food is a way of making a connection with others and making memories.”

Paella with original ingredients from Spain and with great flourish wearing a chef’s hat and risqué apron of washboard abs, in a class reunion held in their mountain view home. It was delicious and memorable.

Two of my sisters, Olga and Evelyn, bake Sans Rival and indeed, nothing rivals their concoction. Fresh lumpiang sariwa, with many hours of chopping, slicing and dicing of the ingredients is my mother’s and eldest sister, Olga’s signature dish.

Another sister, Rhodora, tweaked a Kare-kare recipe and that was divine. There is Agnes Jovellana’s delightful original espasol which she prepares for her parties.

My sister Mitch of San Antonio, Texas prepared Buttered Mochi and her baked dish was a hit. I do a simple potato soup with bacon that is popular in the winter time. The millenials in our family love it. My daughter-in-law Elia, prepares her special recipe for Turkey with bacon on Thanksgiving and draws rave reviews from the family. My son, Rene, prepares delightful chocolate ice cream, from scratch and there is never enough. A former colleague, Malou Halili-Case who hails from Pampanga (famous for women who cook heavenly dishes) prepares Dinuguan, on slow cooker and it was special and memorable. Team it up with puto and, voila, you have a wonderful meal! There’s Tommy’s mom, Cindy Nguyen, who prepares fresh crabs, Vietnamese style. Of course, there’s Tony’s dad, David Ta, who cooks delicious beef stew, Cambodian style, like no other.

If you don’t have any signature dish, get cracking and work on one, just one dish you can enjoy preparing and putting your mark on. With time and practice, you will get better at it. Choose one that is popular with most taste buds.

Don’t let your ego rule trying to reinvent the wheel and try an exotic dish, like alligator soup, for instance. Stay away from using bats and snakes as ingredients.

There is serious concern that

the deadly Coronavirus currently raging in Wuhan, China and spreading to other parts of the world may have originated from that city’s wet market that sells exotic animals as food fare.

Nix the labels low calorie, low fat, gluten free, low carb. It is a bit of a downer when you have to work within limiting parameters.

It doesn’t have to be original but it must be pleasing to most taste buds within your orbit of friends and family. Oftentimes, it could be just a tweak on an existing, tested recipe with a secret ingredient or a different technique of doing and presenting. Make it simple, easy and fun.

Food is a way of making a connection with others and making memories. Remember that Jesus Christ in his time ate bread, fish and drank wine with his disciples on many occasions. Those were the staples of his time and salt was the flavoring. He multiplied the bread and fish as He fed thousands who followed him to hear his teachings. Jesus knew how important it was to make a connection. Christ connects with us two thousand years later in the Holy Eucharist at Mass when bread and wine are consecrated and become His body and blood. It is a daily reminder of how God loves us — so much He sent His only son to redeem us from sin and death so we may live forever.

We use food to feed our bodies and make a connection with others. Partaking of the Eucharist to feed our souls in order to make a connection with the divine is the other aspect worth pursuing as part of our bucket list.

Food is a blessing, a visual and visceral aid that makes our life here on earth so wonderfully engaging.

Make your signature dish and the joys they bring to yourself and others part of the wonderful memories etched in your soul forever. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Police power to quarantine of 2012 was in 27 countries, with 2,494 cases and 858 deaths.

These two viruses belong to the same family as COVID-19. Common influenza affects 9 million to 45 million and kills between 12,000 to 61,000 a year in the USA. As of February 10th, the total number of COVID-19 cases in more than 25 provinces in China, a majority (32,000) being in Wuhan, Hubei, jumped to more than 43,000 (worldwide) and the death toll to greater than 1000, surpassing the SARS pandemic.

With an incubation period of 14 days, where infected people are not even aware they have the virus in them and are carriers of this disease, which is easily transmitted to other people. This virus could spread like a wildfire and kill massively, if not contained.

Quarantine is an effective weapon to minimize spread. And it is the duty and obligation of governments to implement quarantine to protect the general public.

Utilizing the police power, if needed, is most justified for the interest and security of the people. Doing anything less would be negligent and criminal.

It is obvious that people exposed to the virus, who refuse to be quarantined, are simply not smart. Going home will expose their family and the people around them and spread the killer virus to the entire community. Just like what is happening in China.

While reading my column today, rapid escalation of cases and deaths in China and in other 28 countries continue. So far, the only two deaths outside of China are one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines.

Chinese doctor whistleblower punished Chinese ophthalmologist Li Wenliang, who tried to sound an alarm about the coronavirus outbreak in China last December, was punished by the Communist Party in China for being a whistleblower. Sadly, Dr. Wenliang himself died from the virus infection late last Thursday, at age 34.

According to Google News: “Anger was swelling online in China over the death of a whistleblower doctor who tried to sound the alarm about the deadly outbreak but was silenced by Communist Party authorities. On social media, users hailed Li Wenliang as a hero, after the ophthalmologist was reported to have died of the virus late Thursday. Social media users also began voicing rare fury toward the Chinese gov-

ernment and demanding freedom of speech, echoing the sentiments of the 1989 Tiananmen uprising, as censors moved to squelch the dissent.”

This glaringly shows how freedom and democracy are superior to socialism, even in health and medicine, a gold standard for the world, for humankind and for kindness to humans and all living souls.

Fecal transmission Knowing the nCorona virus to be airborne (virus in the air, spread by sneezing or coughing), fecal (contamination) transmission is now being considered another mode of transmission. Some cases of documented nCorona virus infection had abdominal discomfort, pain, and diarrhea before shortness of breath started and death from a form of pneumonia occurred.

Is China being transparent?

China has isolated itself, quarantined sectors of provinces and cities. Major airlines have stopped services to and from China. Countless passengers returning to their home countries via China are stranded. Countries around the globe have advised their citizens against traveling to China.

It now seems plausible that China was (is) not transparent, nor proactive and preemptive in dealing with the virus infection from the very beginning way before December of 2019. Punishing a person, like Dr. Wenliang, especially a medical professional — who had taken the Hippocratic Oath to serve and protect the people, for warning and protecting the people, the country, and the world, from a deadly virus — is like allowing a massacre of countless human beings to go unchecked for a prolonged period, a catastrophic deadly happening intentionally hidden from the world, resulting in the devastation the whole world is now facing.

The United Nations must hold culpable parties accountable.

Prevention strategy As in any disease, prevention is the key, better than any cure. It is prudent (1) to wash hands for at least half a minute with soap and water and at least eight times a day, after waking up routine, before meals, after meals, after visit to toilet, etc.; (2) Do not touch or scratch the face with fingers, use a clean tissue paper or the back of your hand; (3) Stay away from crowded places or people who may have respiratory infection, or people who could have been PAGE 12

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 13-19, 2020

Calendar of Events across

America

ADVERTISE YOUR EVENTS! PRE-EVENT AND POST EVENT GO DEEPER. GO WIDER. LET THE WORLD KNOW. CALL ASIAN JOURNAL: (818) 502-0651 DISPLAY AD SIZES AT SPECIAL RATES FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS F E B R UA RY 1 4

Live jazz and dance event in Los Angeles Amintuh Productions invites everyone to the show, “A Valentine’s Night of Hearts Fusion with Debbie Torres” on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at Embassy Suites Los Angeles (800 N. Central Ave., Glendale, CA 91203). Tickets start at $45(Show only), an optional Dinner Ticket is also available for those who want a complete Valentine’s date package or simply enjoy having a delicious dinner with their family and friends! A cash bar and dance floor will also be available for your enjoyment. Dinner guests will be served at 7:30 p.m. with the main event beginning at 9:00 p.m., followed by dancing into the end of the evening. Feel the love in the air on Valentine’s Day through the energy of jazz composition and improvisation from an eclectic ensemble of instruments, from Piano to Saxophone. Tickets are available at www.amintuh.com, select “Shows” and you’ll be directed to an Eventbrite ticketing page.

Sponsorships available, if interested, please contact us at amintuhpro@yahoo.com.

F E B R UA RY 1 5

Live Filipino Music at Hard Rock Cafe in Boston, MA An evening of live music at the Hard Rock Cafe - Boston with talented Filipino American bands and performers, including Arianne Aldecoa, Balut Proof, Highland Ave Band, Jireh Calo and John dela Cruise. Bring your special someone, your besties or your family on this Valentine’s Day weekend. For tickets/info, call Rowena (617) 407-0232 or Ning (508) 8430346.

F E B R UA RY 23

SIPA and #Hashtag Lunchbag host food drive in Historic Filipinotown Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) and #Hashtag Lunchbag are joining forces to create positive changes in Historic Filipinotown. On Sundays, February 23, May 17, September 13, November 22, and December 27, SIPA will be hosting a Food Drive with #HashtagLunchbag to create letters of encouragement, decorate lunch bags, and assemble sandwiches for those in need in Historic Filipinotown and Greater LA. When finished, we will be giving out lunch bags to homeless youth, women, and families. The event will be happening from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at 3200 W Temple Street, LA, CA 90026. Parking is available on Dillon/ Temple and Robinson/Temple. Donations of $10+ are not required, but are highly suggested so that we can continue to have community service events like these. You can donate in person, through our Venmo: @SIPA-LA, and our Square Store: squareup.com/store/sipacares. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Maria Carmel Valendez at maria@sipacares.org or (213) 382-1819 ext. 107.

F E B R UA RY 29

23rd annual Susan G. Komen ‘More than Pink Walk’ in Los Angeles Susan G. Komen Los Angeles County will hold its 23rd annual event at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, February 29, the ‘MORE THAN PINK Walk™.’ Known for raising significant monies to help those with breast health issues in Los Angeles County, the affiliate does so with many activities, the Expo, Hope Village, for survivors and those living with breast cancer, Reflection Tent, and Team Zone in addition to the fun MORE THAN PINK Walk™ itself. There’s something everyone will enjoy. Sponsored by AutoNation, Spiritual Gangster, The Citadel and CBS-2/KCAL-9, 2020’s event is expected to significantly surpass 2019’s attendance of 6,000, nearly 400 survivors in attendance, and over 900 members on the largest corporate team.Through events like the Los Angeles County MORE THAN PINK Walk™, Komen Los Angeles County invests 75% of the funds raised to support vital local breast health services and dedicates the remaining 25% to national research to find the cures. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. To participate, call 310.575.3011 or visit komenlacounty.org/walk.

Free oil filter & motor oil recycling event in South LA ATTENTION ALL FLORENCE-FIRESTONE RESIDENTS: Free Oil Filter & Motor Oil Recycling Event on Saturday, February 29! It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at AutoZone (5858 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90001). Everyone is invited to bring in their used motor oil and used oil filters. All those who recycle their used oil filter will receive one FREE new Oil Filter. Recycling motor oil and filters helps save our environment and keeps our water clean. So don’t miss out – it’ll be easier for you to keep your car running smoothly and efficiently.

MARCH 7

‘The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook’ family cooking demo and book signing in Long Beach, CA Flipp Family and Romeo Chocolates Present “The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook” demo and book signing on Saturday, March 7 from 1-4 p.m. This is a two-part event: 1-2 p.m. (Paid ticket required): Cooking demo will be an interactive experience where everyone, including the kids will be able to learn one of the recipes from the cookbook. Romeo, owner of Romeo Chocolates, will also do a special champorado recipe that can easily be made in the Instant Pot as well! This portion requires a paid ticket. Kids are free with adult ticket purchase. 2-4 p.m. is free, but RSVP ticket required: After the cooking demo, you will be able to purchase the cookbook or bring your copy to get signed. Hangout with the authors in an intimate casual setting. “The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook” features over 75 traditional Filipino recipes, including desserts adapted for the Instant Pot. It is the brainchild of six Filipino American home cooks “who set out to explore their Filipino heritage and intimate family histories, one dish at a time.” The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook has been so well received that it is now a bestseller on Amazon. Flipp Family is building community by cultivating the Filipino culture through various events that are highlighted through food, music, dance etc. Flipp Family is about bringing families together and learn more about their culture as a whole family. The event will be held at Romeo Chocolates at 460 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802.

MARCH 10

Glenn Miller Orchestra to perform in Stevenson Ranch, CA The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will swing into the Santa Clarita Valley for a special one-night-only event to be held at West Ranch High School on Tuesday, March 10 at 7 p.m. The most sought-after big band in the world will take the stage with Bandleader Nick Hilscher at the helm, performing beloved hits from their extensive library which includes In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade and Pennsylvania 6-5000. Hosted by West Ranch High School’s music program, the concert will be an event for all ages and offers the chance to experience history, enjoy the magical melodies and walk away knowing you’re supporting a new generation of talented musicians in the process. The most popular and sought after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time. The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world. The performance will be held at West Ranch High School Theater (26255 Valencia Blvd. Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381). Ticket prices are $25 – Seniors/Students/Military; $30 – General; or $40 – Premium Seating. Prices increase by $5 at the door the day of the event. Tickets available online at westranchmusic.com or by calling (661) 222-1220 ext. 645.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

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EntErtainmEnt

february 13-19, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIaN JOurNaL

Jodi: Time to celebrate

by Boy

ABundA Philstar.com

JODI Sta. Maria has lots of reasons to celebrate. Just recently, the actress received a piece of good news that her horror film starrer Clarita is part of the Main Competition under Cinema Fantastico/ Fantasy Films and Orient Express Category at the 40th Fantasporto International Film Festival. It was the same film that bagged the Best Director award for Roderick Cabrido at the 10th Mirabile Dictu International Catholic Film Festival held in Vatican City.

Apart from having a rosy acting career, Jodi is also maintaining a good academic standing as a consistent Dean’s Lister without neglecting her mommy duties to son Thirdy. According to her, she is four months away to tucking a degree in BS Psychology. Isn’t it amazing how the 37-year-old actress could actually do all these with flying colors?

“It’s not really easy but with God’s grace, all things are possible,” said Jodi whose amusing vlogs on YouTube have so far earned for her over 100,000 subscribers. And she revealed about not being good at giving a detailed explanation on food. “Basta ’pag nagustuhan ko ang lagi ko lang sinasabi, ‘It’s very, very good (laughs).’”

What makes Jodi equally feel good is her being single. On the hot seat of “Tonight with Boy Abunda (TWBA),” she expressed her contentment and happiness despite being loveless. She also pointed out that being alone does not mean being lonely.

Asked about the best and worst parts of being single, she declared, “Ako, na-e-enjoy ko s’ya. Parang ito ‘yung time to really grow as an individual. You discover a lot of things about yourself. Alone does not mean lonely.”

EMPLOYMENT

472 boys soccer teams from around the world to participate in Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup International Soccer Showcase on Feb. 15-17 Public welcome to attend games with free spectator admission on international “friendly” games on Thursday

THE Las Vegas Mayor’s Cup International Showcase is back for the 13th year as the largest international youth soccer tournament in the country during Presidents’ Day weekend, Feb. 15-17 (boys), and Feb. 21-23 (girls). The annual showcase expects 472 male youth soccer teams and 269 female teams, ages 11-19, from 18 foreign countries and 26 U.S. states, to compete on valley fields at five different parks. The event Photo from Instagram/@jodistamaria is co-hosted by the city of Las

Jodi Sta. Maria

“I just feel content kung nasaan man akong season ng life ko. I have nothing to complain because I am happy.” And even admitted that she once said in her past interview that she would not mind being single forever.

The star of the original digital series “My Single Lady,” now streaming on iWant, has visibly become more mature with her choices after going through rough patches in life.

“Kahit paano, merong epekto at nakakaapekto din talaga yung journey pero kasi this is probably the longest that I’ve been single and I’ve never realized that it can be a wonderful and beautiful season pala; that you can still enjoy life and be in love with life more than ever being a single person.”

And what can change her mind?

“I think, actually right now, I have no intention (of finding a new love). Siguro, a clear direction from the Lord,” she replied.

Meanwhile, Jodi had fun revealing who among the single male celebrities she’s willing to do kissing scene with in acting projects through the show’s Yes, No, Maybe game. Read on.

Marco Gumabao — “May abs pero bagets. So, (my answer is) maybe, hahaha.”

Joem Bascon — “Yes because, if ever, di namin first time to be together. He’s my husband in one TV soap before.”

Gerald Anderson — “No because my bestfriend has a crush on him. I don’t want her to get hurt kaya my answer is no na lang.”

Sam Milby — “Yes, why not, hahaha.”

Piolo Pascual — “Yes na yes.

Hindi na pinag-iisipan.”

Coco Martin — “Si Coco, naku kapatid ko ito (both are under B617 Management & Enterprises). No or maybe, parang ganun because we’re not closing our doors.”

John Lloyd Cruz — “Why not, nakaka-miss.”

Police power to quarantine PAGE 11 exposed (as those coming from China or a U.S. city with reported nCorona virus; (4) Help educate family members and friends re: viral spread; (5) If you have symptoms, quarantine yourself and protect your family and friends; (6) Eat healthy and get enough sleep and rest.

Vaccines against nCorona virus are in the pipeline. The U.S.-CDC does not recommend wearing a

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surgical mask in public, which is not effective for an airborne disease like the nCorona anyway, useful only in upper respiratory infection. Where unavoidable exposure is possible, wearing a mask and doing the standard flu protocol won’t hurt. Vigilance and common sense are most beneficial in dealing with any illness, and, again, prevention is the key. ***

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

EMPLOYMENT

Team

Vegas and the Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club (DLVSC), and is expected to bring about $29 million into the local economy, according to Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club President Roger Tabor. The showcase is expecting college soccer coaches and recruiters from across the country to scout the young athletes.

Spectator admission and parking are free at all games. Parking is limited; carpooling and public transportation are recommended.

Spectators are encouraged to Field

bring their own seating to attend games at the following fields: • Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex, 7353 Eugene Ave. • Kellogg Zaher Sports Complex, 7901 W. Washington Ave. • Ed Fountain Park, 1400 N. Decatur Road • Heritage Park, 350 S. Racetrack Road • James Regional Sports Park, 8400 W. Robindale Road.

International “friendly” games are scheduled Thursday, Feb. 13, as follows:

Country

Age

Time

Team

Country

Moderation

Japan

Boys 2007

6:00 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 1

DLVSC 07 Gold

Hispano Soccer

Canada/ Colombia

Boys 2001/ 2002

7:30 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 1

Rand Central LFA

South Africa

Hollandia

Netherlands

Boys 2004

6:00 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 3

Cook Inlet S.C

Alaska USA

Markham College

Peru

Boys 2004

7:30 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 3

Anchorage Arsenal Timbers 05

USA

Next Academy

Brazil

Boys 2001/ 2002

6:00 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 4

Berea Albion

South Africa

CVV Willemstad

Curacao

Boys 2001/ 2002

7:30 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 4

Sporting Almere

Netherlands

Scottish United SC Bent

Canada

Boys 2006

6:00 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 5

DLVSC 06 Gold

USA

Sporting Almere

Netherlands

Boys 2005

7:30 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 5

DLVSC 04 Navy

USA

FKS STAL KRASNIK

Poland

Boys 2004

4:30 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 7 WAIKATO FA

Minami

Japan

Boys 2007

6:00 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 7

DLVSC 2007 Navy

USA

Eclipse 05

Alaska (USA)

Boys 2005

7:30 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 7

DLVSC 05 Gold

USA

Sporting Almere 03

Netherlands

Boys 2003

6:00 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 8

Team LA 59-62

France

Anchorage Arsenal Timbers 04

Alaska (USA)

Boys 2004

7:30 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 8

SELECTIVO PUMAS

Argentina

Football Experience

South Africa

Boys 2001/ 2002

6:00 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 9

DLVSC 02 Navy

USA

USA

New Zealand

PAGE 13

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Ella Jay Basco and her star...

13

Eula fulfills dream of working with Christopher

PAGE 10

for herself with her dramatic acting chops and ability to perform.

She has appeared in television shows like “Veep,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Teachers,” “Superior Donuts,” “Happyland” and the short film “Glimpse of Heaven.”

Basco started her career at six months old in an Old Navy print campaign. Outside of acting, Basco is a singer/songwriter and accomplished musician, playing the guitar, piano and ukulele. She is also a trained dancer.

Shooting Birds of Prey With “Birds of Prey”, Ella Jay gets to join the DC Extended Universe.

The film’s cast is led by Robbie (“Bombshell,” “Once Upon a Time in...Hollywood,” “I, Tonya”) who returns as Harley Quinn, alongside Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“10 Cloverfield Lane,” TV’s “Fargo”) as Huntress; Jurnee Smollett-Bell (HBO’s “True Blood”) as Black Canary; Rosie Perez (“Fearless,” “Pitch Perfect 2”) as Renee Montoya; Chris Messina (“Argo,” TV’s “Sharp Objects”) as Victor Zsasz; and Ewan McGregor (“Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep,” the “Trainspotting” films) as Roman Sionis.

Ella Jay’s favorite scene was the first scene she ever shot, which was the apartment scene with Margot.

“That was probably the best one, my favorite, because we got to know each other,” she said of her costar. “We talked a lot not just about acting, but about what we like, and our hobbies. We really opened up to each other and I really liked that.”

Due to the circumstances of the story, the young actress spent the bulk of her scenes alongside Robbie. “Margot was like a big sister to me, we had the best time with each other. She taught me so much about working with people on- and off-camera. It was amazing.”

Cassandra, at age 12, has learned to tough it out on the streets of Gotham. Cass, as she’s known, is a street urchin, a smartmouthed kid surviving on her own—thanks in part to her uncanny knack for pickpocketing.

Cass also has a colorful vocabulary and it was a little weird watching a kid spewing those curses like a pro.

“That’s definitely something that I am never allowed to do in real life,” she said laughing. “It was interesting because as an actor you pretend and play different characters that you may or may not relate to, but definitely I am not allowed to say those words.”

Shooting the film was quite a process and it made her realize the smaller components needed to come up with a beautiful final product.

“I learned that it takes a village to produce a film of such a large scale. Everybody has a super important job while shooting and everybody is super important and we should all work as a team and be supportive of each other,” she said. “I learned that on the set of ‘Birds of Prey,’ everyone was just supportive, welcome and loving.”

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • fEbRUARy 13-19, 2020

EULA Valdez considers it a dream come true to work with Christopher de Leon. The iconic actor plays her husband in “Love Thy Woman,” the newest afternoon drama coming soon on the Kapamilya Network.

Even as a young girl, Eula was already fond of watching old movies. One that really struck her was the Lino Brocka classic, “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang,” starring Bro Bo (Christopher’s moniker among movie denizens from his nickname, Boyet).

“As a young girl, I would always imagine that one day I will be able to work with a good actor like Bro. Bo. I’d always think what would it be like doing a scene with him,” said Eula at the recent mediacon of “Love Thy Woman.”

A big fan of local movies, she

mentioned that she even got to watch the old movies of Bro Bo’s parents.

“I was always thrilled with the idea of working in a scene with an award-winning actor like him since I know it’s going to be a learning experience,” she said.

In the afternoon series produced by Dreamscape, Eula plays the first wife of Boyet, a Chinese tycoon. But she is aware her husband has another wife (played by Sunshine Cruz).

Playing Eula’s daughter is Yam Concepcion as Dana while Kim Chiu plays the daughter of Sunshine.

Conflict ensues when Kim falls for David (Xian Lim) when Dana goes into a coma after A big fan of local movies, Eula Valdez mentions a car accident. (ManilaTimes. she got to watch the old movies of Christopher de Leon’s parents.

ABS-CBN photo net)

472 Boys soccer teams from around the...

PAGE 12

Team Ella Jay with director Cathy Yan

It is interesting to watch how the lives of the four women become interwoven with each other, something that was smoothly and effectively told through the storytelling process.

Kudos to the women behind the scenes: director Cathy Yan (“Dead Pigs”) and screenwriter Christina Hodson (“Bumblebee”).

Yan, the first Asian woman to direct a superhero genre film, wrote and directed Dead Pigs, which won the Special Jury Prize for ensemble acting at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. In her previous life, Yan was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal in New York, Hong Kong and China.

It’s all about girl power in the film, with the girl gang coming together in order to restore order in Gotham and protect Cass at all cost.

“I feel super proud and it is so cool to be a part of this girl gang, it is exciting that this is happening even,” Basco said.

Also earning nods is the film’s diverse cast.

“Representation is super super important. We’re kind of the minority and I think it is important for our stories to be heard,” she said.

“In being with Birds of Prey, I was able to honor my culture and I was able to represent my Filipino side in that way and that is super important because we all have a story, we all have an opinion and we all deserve to be heard and represented,” Basco added.

Basco found shooting the film as a beautiful and enriching experience. Working with Robbie and the entire cast, along with Yan, made her realize how it was to work with great mentors.

“It was honestly so exciting to work with all of them, they’re so inspiring,” she said. “Every day was a full-on learning experience, and so much fun. Everybody was super nice; it was like one long dream.”

The director had nothing but

Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain in Warner Bros. Pictures’ Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures/ & © DC Comics

Ella Jay Basco at the world premiere of Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) in London.

Photo by Tim P. Whitby

Photo by Eric Charbonneau

good words for the young actor as Yan admired the hard work that her youngest actress put in.

“Ella was so impressive,” she said. “This is her feature debut, so I can’t imagine how she must have felt to show up to set and work with Margot Robbie every day, but she was a total champ, incredibly mature for her age. And she really understood Cass and brought a certain authenticity to her—a real kid, not a shiny, perfect version of a little girl.”

Country

Age

Time

Field

Team

Country

Ligi Ndogo Planets

Kenya

Boys 2001/ 2002

7:30 p.m.

Bettye Wilson 9

DLVSC 02 Gold

USA

Moderation

Japan

Boys 2008

5:00 p.m.

Lorenzi Park

DLVSC 08 Gold

USA

Departivo Parque

Japan

Boys 2008

6:30 p.m.

Lorenzi Park

Futness

Columbia

The first weekend, tournament matches will be played from 8:40 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (depending on weather).

Teams are guaranteed four games.

Championship games will be

played on Monday at Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Medals and trophies will be presented to winning teams following each championship game, expected to be 11:30 a.m. to 2:30

p.m. Ward 4 Councilman Stavros S. Anthony will present trophies and awards Feb. 17 from 12:50 to 1:20 p.m. Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman will present trophies and awards Feb. 17 starting at 3:30 p.m.

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february 13-19, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIaN JOurNaL

Why Alessandra nixes int’l acting career

by MARinel CRuz Inquirer.net

GIVEN the chance to live abroad, actress Alessandra de Rossi said she would take on the offer in order to have a quiet and more private life, but not to pursue an international acting career.

The award-winning actress said there were a lot of incidents in the past when she would be contacted by international producers “because they wanted to collaborate with me on a project, or because they wanted me to audition for a role. I’m not really sure if I want that. I didn’t imagine being an international actress. What I wanted when I was younger was to be an international ramp model, but many people said I’m not that tall. I’m only 5’6.”

“Besides,” Alessandra continued, “making it in Hollywood as a Filipino actress would mean I’d have to undergo workshops there, apply for accreditation, and I have to have the correct American accent. I can’t always play a Filipino character in all the projects I’d audition for … That sounded so complicated, and all I ever wanted was a simple life.”

Reporters present during a recent press conference had asked Alessandra about her plans of making it in Hollywood because she was promoting the action drama movie, “Watch List.” It was written and directed by IndianAmerican filmmaker Ben Rekhi, whose previous works include collaborations with George Clooney and the Coen Brothers.

It was said that the Hollywood-based director only had Alessandra in mind for the title

role. She plays Maria, whose husband is killed under mysterious circumstances. To protect her family from people responsible for her husband’s death, she joins a vigilante group, a decision that puts Maria and her three children in great danger.

“Ben explained to me that he was inspired to write the story by an article about a widow with a similar experience. The script was in English that we all helped translate in Filipino,” said Alessandra of the movie, which will hit cinemas on Feb. 19.Working on the film had been physically demanding for Alessandra, she recalled. “I’m not the type of actor who would complain. After working with Direk Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, who took four days to shoot one scene, nothing will shock me anymore.

Here, we did one scene for six hours. We did it again and again and again. That’s Ben’s style, and I respect that. It just meant that if I was wet in that particular scene, then my clothes will be wet until he finally says he’s done with me,” she said.

“The only difference is that in Hollywood, you work for only eight hours in a day. That’s it! Here, we were called on the set at 6 a.m. and would be sent home at 2 a.m. the following day,” Alessandra recalled. “At the time I was doing this, I was also working on a soap series, ‘Since I Found You.’ That’s also why my character Maria looked like a zombie.”

She added: “Ben looks at everything, even how you breathe while doing action scenes. I counted it, he would average 10 takes per scene. Through it all, I would tell myself, ‘This is Hollywood-style.

On National Arts Month, Catriona urges Filipinos to learn arts and culture with her

by Rosette

Adel

Philstar.com

Alessandra de Rossi

Inquirer.net photo

Welcome to Hollywood! You made it, girl!’”

Alessandra admitted that she had second thoughts about accepting the project because of its political inclination. “I don’t want to be branded as someone who is anti- or progovernment. I don’t meddle with political issues. I chose to be quiet on social media,” she explained.

“But I couldn’t turn it down because the story is so beautiful, and it’s based on true events. He didn’t just make things up,” she added.

“It’s a case of mistaken identity.

This can happen to any of us at this point in time. But let’s not focus on the political side of the film. I’d rather the audience look at how a mother was willing to risk it all to protect her children.”

“Watch List” is distributed

by Reality Entertainment. With Alessandra in the cast are a talented ensemble composed of Art Acuña, Jake Macapagal, Lou Veloso, Micko Laurente, Timothy Mabalot, Jess Mendoza and Angeli Bayani.

Kapuso actor Dingdong shows support for rival network KAPUSO actor Dingdong Dantes has expressed his support to rival network ABS-CBN after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) asked the Supreme Court to revoke the TV network’s franchise.

In his Twitter account, the “Descendants of the Sun” star said artists are one in the media industry.

“Magkaiba man ng bakod, we are one in the media industry. We have one love for the many talents and crafts under this network, the products and output of which, directly or indirectly, benefit the lives of millions of Filipinos,” Dingdong wrote.

Dingdong also quoted Buhay

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party-list Rep. Jose Atienza Jr. In his speech in the Congress, saying: “Inaction will only spell the weakening of the foundations of our democratic system.”

Dingdong said he is praying for the true interest of the people to prevail.

“In the end, I pray that the true interests of the people, under the rule of law, will prevail over any other political agenda conveniently veiled as a countermeasure against alleged abuses,” he said.

“I pray too that the government, thru Congress, will hear out its GMA photo constituents. After all, Congress is Dingdong Dantes supposed to represent our ‘voice.’ added in a now deleted post. #NoToABSCBNShutDown,” he (Philstar.com)

MISS Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, recently named this year’s Art Ambassador for the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), is calling on the Filipinos to learn the country’s arts and culture with her.

“As ambassador for 2020, I really hope to be able to learn a lot about the different regions coming together sharing their arts and culture to be able to spread joy and awareness and really captivate the newer generations in developing their love for the Filipino arts,” Gray said.

Gray said it is a great honor for her to be named the country’s arts ambassador.

“I always wanted to showcase the beauty and the intricate uniqueness of the Philippines to the universe platform,” she said in a speech.

“My love for our arts and culture was not something I was born to due to my mixed heritage. It was something that was grown, learned and embodied,” she added.

The beauty queen said her new role means so much to her because she is an artist and is very fascinated by the country’s textile history, music, bands, among others.

“It has so many different facets and we all are united through art,” Gray said as she called on Filipinos to “celebrate, preserve and connect one another” through art.

Aside from Gray, local singers Julie Anne San Jose and KZ Tandingan were also chosen as ambassadors by the NCCA. This is Philippines Luzon Part 2 On Monday, Gray released a video on her social media account

This Jan. 28, 2020 photo shows Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray during the launch of National Arts Month celebration in Intramuros, Manila. Photo from Facebook/Catriona Gray

showcasing Manila’s arts and the launch of her role as an NCCA ambassador. She called the it “This is Philippines Luzon, Part 2,” a sequel to her “This is Philippines Luzon” video released in 2018 as part of her national costume series for the Miss Universe 2018 competition.

Like her 2018 video, Gray once again showcased the beauty of the walled city Intramuros. She visited revisited Fort Santiago and

mingled with local tourists.

February has been declared “National Arts Month” by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 683 issued in 1991.

The proclamation states that “the disciplines of theatre, dance, music, visual arts, architecture, literature, media arts, and film need to be preserved, enriched, and evolved in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression.”

Does Nadine know how to play her cards well?

by Ronnie

CARRAsCo ManilaTimes.net

iii

THE past weeks saw a seemingly never-ending exchange of legal positions between the respective counsels of Viva Artists Agency and Nadine Lustre.

Vignettes won’t go as far as delving into the nitty-gritty of it as either camp raises serious yet important points better left to the proper courts of law.

Rather, this piece can only make conjectures as to what future, if any, holds for Nadine who appears to have plunged herself in a no-win situation regardless of the effectivity of her contract (until 2029) with Viva.

As far as Mr. Vic del Rosario’s company is concerned, Nadine cannot possibly take on outside commitments unless granted permission to do so.

This contractual stipulation would translate to unrealized income for Nadine who’ll be forced to accept whatever is left of her existing contract (about seven more films), but will she be willing enough to fulfill it?

Which brings us to the 60s case of Amalia Fuentes (RIP) who was ordered by the court to wait until her contract with Sampaguita Pictures expired before an already finished movie produced by an

Nadine Lustre

independent film company could be shown (thanks for the info, Butch Francisco).

Corollary to this, pray tell, where does Nadine stand to benefit from her appeal?

Too bad that Nadine doesn’t know how to play her cards well.

She started it by ditching Viva’s MMFF entry “Miracle in Cell No. 7” last year that gave her replacement (Bela Padilla) a wide margin

Photo from Instagram/@nadine

at the box office, and is now the “heiress” to her supposed follow-up project Spellbound and perhaps many upcoming ones.

Could it be because Bela’s advantage is that she has no “influential” boyfriend who gets in the way of her career decisions? And that because Bela remains unattached are there no well-hatched gimmicks about breakups only to see affectionate reconciliations?

Robi more open about his love life

by ChRistinA

AlpAd ManilaTimes.net

HE may be a riotous host onscreen who’s always a hit with his audience, but beyond the spotlight, Robi Domingo has always been mum especially with matters of the heart.

Since his 2017 breakup with five-year girlfriend and ABS-CBN host Gretchen Ho, Domingo kept a low profile in his private life and dodged any personal questions at media interviews. The most he was willing to say back in 2018 was the fact that he was dating a non-showbiz girl but without giving even a hint of her identity.

That is until the latter part of 2019 when the 30-year-old finally introduced one Maiqui Pineda to the public as his date to the Star Magic Black Magic Halloween Party.

Since then, Domingo was more generous in sharing bits of their relationship on his Instagram posts.

“I have someone,” Domingo proudly declared. “It’s high time naman para ipakilala siya. Her name is Maiqui and I’ve been very vocal about her on Instagram.”

Asked why he finally feels more comfortable to talk about his girlfriend now, he replied, “Wala naman ako tinatago kasi she’s a very pleasant girl who has a side that’s very different from me.”

He playfully added that while he likes talking about “nonsense,” his girlfriend “lives and talks with purpose.”

“I learn a lot from her kasi I

The 30-year-old is now more open and vocal about his non-showbiz girlfriend, Maiqui Pineda.

Photo from Instagram/@iamrobidomingo

come from a medical background — my parents are both doctors.

Siya naman, she’s into finance and she gives me perspective from the business side.”

As such, Domingo proudly shared how her girlfriend’s expertise allows him to make wiser financial decisions nowadays in preparation for the future.

“It’s nice kasi may katuwang ka na umaalalay sa iyo.”

Pressed on why he had kept Maiqui a secret for quite some time when they had been together since 2018, Domingo said, “Her family is a very private family and I respect kung ano sila, that’s why it took some time.”

He also shared how he appreciates a more private relationship but clarifies he doesn’t mean to say showbiz couples can’t last.

“It depends with each indi-

vidual, I guess. Pero sa akin it helps [to date someone outside showbiz] perhaps because it’s quiet.”

With the huddle satisfied with Domingo’s answers to their very probing questions, he shifted the conversation to his plan for his special girl this coming Valentine’s Day. “I will cook for her. I always try to cook for my special someone, whenever there’s a chance. Hindi ko lang alam kung masarap,” he said laughingly.

Rounding up the interview, Domingo, who definitely looks so much in love, declared he really hopes Pineda is “The One.” And jumping the obvious follow-up to his statement, he quipped, “Yes, a lot of my contemporaries, dun na papunta sa kasal, but as for me, definitely no proposals yet!”

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