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FEBRUARY 17-23, 2022 Volume 33 - No. 7 • 12 Pages

T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER

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Presidential poll: Bongbong Marcos DATELINE USA Consulate General keeps lead, Robredo narrows gap encourages Filipinos, FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Fil-Ams to vote in 2022 PH elections

SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco informs Filipinos and Filipino Americans under its consular jurisdiction that the overseas voting period for the 2022 Philippine national elections will run from April 10, 2022 to May 9, 2022 (4:00 AM, Pacific Time).

“I wish to encourage everyone who is eligible to vote in the upcoming Philippine national elections to exercise your right and duty to vote,” said Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank Ferrer.

The Consulate General’s mode of voting is postal voting, which involves the Consulate sending to registered overseas voters election packets that contain the official ballots. The Consulate will facilitate the sending of the election packets upon receipt of the same from COMELEC in Manila. The accomplished ballot must be mailed back to the Consulate as soon as possible. Mailed ballots that are received after the close of the overseas voting

The Jan. 28 to 31 survey, commissioned by Stratbase ADR Institute, showed that Marcos obtained 50 Philstar.com percent of support among the respondents, down by a point from a similar survey conducted in December MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo slightly 2021. improved in the latest commissioned survey conductRobredo, meanwhile, placed second, improving ed by Social Weather Stations Inc. (SWS), with former from 14 percent to 19 percent in the latest poll.

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. still the Tied at third spot with 11 percent were Manila most preferred among presidential candidates.

Mayor Isko Moreno (up from six percent) and Sen.

by JANVIC

MATEO

 PAGE 2

More than 9,000 overseas visitors entered PH after eased restrictions - DOT

by JOHN

ERIC MENDOZA Inquirer.net

 PAGE 2

US turns over port facility to Philippines MANILA — The United States has turned over to the Philippines a newly constructed assault boat pier and maintenance bay facility located in Ternate, Cavite as part of its foreign military financing (FMF) grant.

The U.S. embassy said on Monday, February 14 the Ternate facility, which was turned over to the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) on Feb. 10, was one of three projects covered by FMF grants worth P256.9 million.

The two others are located in Zamboanga and Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

The turnover of the facility in Zamboanga was held in November, while the project in Palawan is yet to be completed in the coming weeks. The PMC inspected and accepted the Ternate facility on Jan. 26.

The facility included a boat ramp, jetty with landing pad, pier, access road and maintenance bay.

It will be used primarily by the Assault Boat Battalion as well as other commands located at the Marine Base Gregorio Lim. “The PMC is a driving force in our shared

Manny Pacquiao (down from 12 percent), followed

by Sen. Panfilo Lacson with six percent (up from five percent).

Less than one percent of the respondents said they would vote for Leody de Guzman (0.3 percent), Jose Montemayor Jr. (0.1 percent), Ernesto Abella (0.04) and Faisal Mangondato (0.04 percent).

Some three percent of the voters were still undecided.

PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE. Presidential candidates Leody de Guzman, Norberto Gonzales, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Ernesto Abella speak at the SMNI Presidential Debates 2022 held on Tuesday, February 15. SMNI is owned by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the spiritual adviser of President Rodrigo Duterte who has openly endorsed Marcos and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Photo screengrabbed from Facebook/SMNINews

MANILA — More than 9,000 visitors from foreign countries have entered the country on the first few days of eased restrictions, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported on Tuesday, February 15.

Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said that 9,283 tourists have visited the country as of Monday, February 14, pointing out that 4,209 of them are “balikbayans” or returning Filipinos while 5,074 are foreign tourists.

The tourism chief added that visitors from the United States of America make up the majority of visitors with 2,227 arrivals, followed by 661 from Canada, 404 from Australia, 344 from the United Kingdom, 189 from South Korea, 169 from Japan, and 168 from Germany.

Romulo Puyat, in a statement, said: “We at the DOT are excited to see a revival in our local tourism and will continue to support our partners in achieving this goal.”

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Pacquiao vows to strengthen VFA

by DELON

PORCALLA, NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines’ 61-yearold Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States, along with the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), would continue and be strengthened if Sen. Manny Pacquiao makes it to Malacañang, the presidential aspirant said on Wednesday, February 16.

“We will further strengthen the MDT and VFA,” Pacquiao told journalists who represent various foreign media entities that have been assigned to cover the Philippines, stressing that he would also seek the help of allied countries should the lives of Filipinos  PAGE 2 be endangered.

“We have to fight and do what we have to do. Let’s prepare the protection for our people from abuse and not let them be aggrieved,” he added, noting the country’s maritime row with China over the mineralrich West Philippine Sea. The world boxing champion, a presidential candidate representing Promdi political party, was a guest at a forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP).

The VFA took effect in 1999, duringthe Sen. Manny Pacquiao visits the Pacman Village in Saranggani Province after he was named term of former president Joseph Estrada. “ambassador for the homeless and vulnerable” by international organization Spring Rain

 PAGE 2

Global. He was joined by broadcaster Raffy Tulfo.

Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo

Filipinos pick health Court OKs Ressa US travel over love, money

by KAITHREEN

CRUZ ManilaTimes.net

MOST Filipinos will pick good health over love and money, a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed.

The poll held in December 2021 showed that 57 percent of the respondents chose health, 31 percent chose love and 11 percent chose money.

Preference for health fell by 13 percent from December 2019, while preference for love and money rose by 8 and DREAM COME TRUE. Couples walk down the aisle at a mass wedding in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija on Monday, February 14. Mayor 4 percent, respectively.

Emerson Pascual officiated the mass wedding for some 478 couples, with the city government providing free wedding gowns SWS said 60 percent of for the brides, barong for the grooms, wedding rings, and reception.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

female respondents prefer health over love and money, and 54 percent of male respondents had the same view.

Meanwhile, 29 percent of women and 34 percent of men prefer love, and 11 percent of women and 12 percent of men chose money.

The percentage of those who prefer health was highest among women with live-in partners at 68 percent, followed by single women (63 percent) and married women (56 percent).

Among male respondents, preference for health was

 PAGE 2

MANILA — The Court of Appeals (CA) on Thursday, February 17, allowed Rappler chief executive officer Maria Ressa to travel to the United States to personally receive her Woodrow Wilson Award.

In a five-page resolution, the appellate court’s Special Seventh Division granted Ressa’s urgent motion to travel to New Jersey from Feb. 17 until Feb. 22.

Associate Justice Geraldine Fiel-Macaraig signed the resolution, with the concurrence of Associate Justices Marlene Gonzales-Sison and Bonifacio Pascua.

Ressa will receive the 2022 Woodrow Wilson Award at Princeton University where she graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Arts in English in 1986.

She is currently on post-conviction bail and is seeking the reversal of the Manila court’s conviction before the CA. Ressa and her co-accused Reynaldo Santos Jr. were found guilty of cyber libel by a Manila court. They filed an appeal before the CA. (Evelyn Macarian/Philstar.com)

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

FEBRUARY 17-23, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

From The FronT Page

Presidential poll: Bongbong Marcos...

PAGE 1 On the vice presidential race, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is still at the top with 44 percent, followed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III with 33 percent.

Trailing them are Sen. Francis Pangilinan with 10 percent, Dr. Willie Ong with seven percent, Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza with two percent and Manny Lopez with one percent.

Obtaining less than one percent

of support were Rizalito David (0.4 percent), Walden Bello (0.3 percent) and Carlos Serapio (0.2 percent).

Three percent also said they were still undecided on who to vote for vice president. g

More than 9,000 overseas visitors entered PH...

PAGE 1

numbers,” she added.

Fully vaccinated tourists are required to present proof of vaccination as approved by the country’s pandemic task force or the World Health Organization, as well as a negative RT-PCR swab test result taken within 48

“International travel and tourism saw an unprecedented decline in visitor arrivals amid the pandemic; the reopening of Philippines’ borders to visitors from visa-free countries will surely help in improving our

hours before their departure in their country of origin.

Starting February 10, the Philippines has allowed the entry of fully vaccinated tourists from 157 countries that have visa-free arrangements with the country. g

Pacquiao vows to strengthen...

PAGE 1 This pact allows U.S. servicemen to train and advise their Filipino military counterparts in disaster response, including the global fight against terrorism.

The MDT, on the other hand, was forged between Washington and Manila in 1951, when the two countries vowed to help each other if and when an armed attack is launched against either of them in the Pacific area.

Like fellow candidates, Pacquiao said he would be defending the country’s sovereign rights over the West

Philippine Sea without waging war against China. “We want to avoid conflict or war. It’s not the best idea,” he added.

Pacquiao also promised to support any move that would reopen or renew the legislative franchise of TV broadcast giant ABS-CBN after the House of Representatives shut down the network in May 2020 due to supposed franchise violations.

“I will support the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise if I win in the elections,” the boxing icon assured FOCAP. “And press freedom also, because this is

very important to us Filipinos.”

The senator invoked Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution, which states that “no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

The National Telecommunications Commission shut down the Lopez-owned network in mid2020 after the House rejected the family’s application to extend by another 25 years its legislative franchise. g

Consulate General encourages Filipinos, Fil-Ams...

PAGE 1 period (9 May 2022, 4:00 AM, Pacific Time) will not be counted.

The Consulate has consular jurisdiction over Alaska, Northern California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Northern Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and Utah.

The public is advised to check their names in the Certified List of Overseas Voters for the 2022 National Elections at https:// pcgsanfrancisco.org/certified-listof-overseas-voters-clov-2022/.

The Consulate also reminds media practitioners, whether foreign or national media, who wish to report on the Philippine elections in May 2022, to apply for accreditation with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)’s Education and Information Department online through the following link: http://bit.ly/2022NLEForeignMedia on or before the deadline for filing of applications on 11 March 2022.

Those who wish to observe and monitor the conduct of the

May 2022 elections must also apply for accreditation with the COMELEC’s Education and Information Department online on or before the deadline for filing of applications on 11 March 2022 through the following links: • For foreign observers: https:// bit.ly/2022NLEForeignObserver • For domestic observers: http://bit.ly/DomesticMonitorObserver For further inquiries, please contact the Consulate by email at ovs@pcgsanfrancisco.org.g

US turns over port facility to...

PAGE 1 vision for enhanced maritime security in the region. This project displays the collective commitment of our nations to invest in long-term, shared

success,” U.S. embassy Chargé d’ Affaires Heather Variava said.

Marine deputy commandant Brig. Gen. Raul Jesus Caldez said the grant testifies the

trust and friendship between the Philippines and the U.S. as well as their shared interest in regional cooperation and mutual capability development.

(Pia Lee-Brago/Philstar.com)

ELDERLY VACCINEE. A wheelchair-bound Eligio Reyes, 69, of Barangay Salawag, is as-sisted by his son after receiving a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Ugnayang La Salle Gymnasium in Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Thursday, February 17. The national govern-ment has been encouraging local government units to consider house-to-house vaccination drives to inoculate senior citizens and persons with comorbidities who are unable to go to vac-cination sites.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

Filipinos pick health over love...

PAGE 1 highest among those who are single at 58 percent, followed by those with live-in partners (54 percent) and those who are married (52 percent).

SWS sees no clear pattern in preferring health in terms of age, although it rises with education among both sexes.

Women who picked health were highest among college graduates with 64 percent, followed by junior high school graduates (62 percent), elementary graduates (53 percent) and non-elementary graduates (48 percent).

A similar pattern runs among male respondents.

The survey also showed that 84 percent of the respondents said they are more attracted to a person’s brain than body, while 15 percent said the opposite.

SWS said 53 percent said they have a “very happy” love life, 28 percent said it “could be happier” and 18 percent said they “do not have a love life.”

Compared to 2019, those “very happy” with their love life hardly changed from 54 percent. Those who said “it could be happier” fell by 4 percent and those who said they “do not have a love life” rose by 4 percent.

Married men and women reported that they have a happier love life than their single and live-

Department of Business License

VINCENT V. QUEANO DIRECTOR 500 SOUTH GRAND CENTRAL PKY, 3RD FLOOR BOX 551810 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89155-1810 (702) 455-4252 (800) 328-4813 FAX (702) 386-2168 http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/business_license February 14, 2022 NOTIFICATION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CLARK COUNTY CODE TITLE 9, CHAPTER 9.04 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT Dear Licensee and Community Partners: Please be notified pursuant to NRS 237.080, of proposed amendments to Clark County Code, Title 9, Chapter 9.04, for Solid Waste Management. The amendments are available for your review online at www.clarkcountynv.gov/businesslicense.

Specifically, the proposed amendments will amend certain sections of Chapter 9.04 for Solid Waste Management. The proposed amendments address the following key areas: • Section 9.04.010 revises and adds certain definitions.

• Subsection 9.04.010.320 defines overflow of solid waste by non-residential customers and residential customers with a residential small container when the solid waste container cannot be closed by less than 12 inches.

• Subsection 9.04.117(a) allows residential small containers (1, 2 or 3 cubic yards) in certain circumstances.

• Subsection 9.04.117(c) allows a residential customer to request a second weekly collection day for a residential small container for an additional charge.

• Subsection 9.04.117(e) provides for an additional charge if residential small container consistently overflows.

• Section 9.04.119 allows the franchisee to replace recycling containers for solid waste containers in certain circumstances when contamination of recyclable materials exceeds a certain level.

• Section 9.04.145 provides for on call bulky item pickup at multifamily complexes.

• Section 9.04.165 establishes minimum container and service level requirements for certain customers.

• Section 9.04.170 requires the property owner of a single-family residence to be responsible for all charges for the collection of solid waste and recyclables and be the named party on the solid waste account.

• Several sections update the rates for collection services, late fees, lien fees and other charges to the current rates as of July 1, 2021.

• Table 9.04.170B establishes a solid waste collection fee for short term residential rentals once they become licensed with the County.

• Section 9.04.190 provides for an overflow charge for residential customers with a home occupation in certain circumstances.

• Section 9.04.225 allows the franchisee to set rates/prices on certain goods, services and other functions not covered by franchise agreement.

• Section 9.04.240 provides that it shall be mandatory for any person owning, occupying or managing any premises to subscribe to solid waste collection services in order to discourage the illegal handling and disposal of solid waste.

• Section 9.04.245 allows the franchisee to directly pass through to its customers certain fees and taxes imposed by governmental entities, excluding franchise fees.

• Section 9.04.255 allows the franchisee to charge certain fees for collection costs.

• Section 9.04.260 changes the annual rate increases based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the general CPI to an index that is based on water and sewer and trash collection services, which is more applicable to the services provided.

• Section 9.04.270 clarifies and enhances certain customer service and repair standards.

• Section 9.04.280 clarifies and enhances certain telephone answering standards.

• Section 9.04.370 allows for the franchisee to withhold solid waste collection services for nonpayment of charges by commercial or industrial customers under certain circumstances.

A motorist stops to buy balloons along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on Monday, February 14. Each piece with a message of love retails for P50.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

in partner counterparts.

The poll noted that 68 percent of married men said they have a “very happy” love life, followed by 65 percent of those with a live-in partner and 26 percent of those who were single.

SWS said 62 percent of married women said they have a “very happy” love life, followed by those with a live-in partner at 60 percent and those who are single at 27 percent.

The survey showed that 28 percent of married people wish their love life “could be happier,” the same sentiment as 18 percent of single men and 33 percent of men with a live-in partner.

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Procurement Dept.

TH 340 N. 11 Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP# P22024) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY -SCANNING, INDEXING& DOCUMENT CONVERSION SNRHA CONTACT PERSON(S) ONLY: Note: Contact with any other SNRHA staff other than the named within this document is prohibited and will result in your Proposal being rejected. This also includes contact with SNRHA’s Residents and Board of Commissioners.

Wanda Beckett, Contract Administrator Telephone: (702) 477-3145 TDD: (702) 387-1898 Email: Procurement@snvrha.org –orJohnny Shaw, Procurement Manager Telephone: (702) 477-3146

HOW TO OBTAIN THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS ON THE APPLICABLE INTERNET SITES:

All bidders must be registered on the Nevada Government E-Marketplace https://www.ngemnv.com/ to participate in the bidding process and to obtain the solicitation requirements and scope of work, etc.

This RFP is also available for download only from the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority website: SNVRHA.org website.

PRE-BID MEETING

February 24, 2022 @ 10:00 a.m.

Video Conference: MS Team Microsoft Teams Meeting Join on your computer or mobile app Call in (audio only) +1 323-406-1159 Phone Conference ID: 514 849 136#

QUESTION & ANSWER DEADLINE

March 14, 2022 @ 10:00 am All questions and points of clarification must be submitted through: Nevada Government E-Marketplace (NGEM) https://www.ngemnv.com/ -or- emailed directly to SNRHA Procurement procurement@snvrha.org by the deadline date noted above.

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL DEADLINE: BOTH SUBMITTALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE.

In accordance with NRS 237.080, business owners and interested parties may submit data and arguments to the Clark County Board of Commissioners, in care of the Department of Business License as to whether the proposed amendment will:

March 24, 2022 @ 10:00 a.m.

This is a Two (2) Step Bid Submission Process: • STEP I: Nevada Government E-Marketplace (NGEM) Enter Cost Proposal in NGEM https://www.ngemnv.com/ under the “Line Items” tab.

• STEP 2: Deliver three (3) Copies Hard Copy Proposal per RFP Instructions in a sealed box or package to

1. Impose a direct and significant economic burden upon a business; or 2. Directly restrict the formation, operation or expansion of a business.

Please direct your comments, data and arguments in writing to Jordan Sandecki at PublicCommentCCBL@ClarkCountyNV.gov by 5:00 p.m. on March 21, 2022.

Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority Procurement Department 340 N. 11th Street, Suite 180, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Sincerely, Michael Harwell Michael Harwell Franchise Manager BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS JAMES B. GIBSON, Chair • JUSTIN JONES, Vice Chair MARILYN KIRKPATRICK • WILLIAM McCURDY II • ROSS MILLER • MICHAEL NAFT • TICK SEGERBLOM YOLANDA KING, County Manager

Thirty-five percent of married women said their love life “could be happier.” The same opinion was shared by 38 percent of women with a live-in partner and 16 percent of single women.

Married men and those with live-in partners who admitted they have no love life make up 2 percent each and single men, 56 percent.

Three percent of married women said they have no love life. The same sentiment is shared by 2 percent of women with a live-in partner and 56 percent of those who are single.

SWS noted that happiness in their love life was higher among older men, with those below 35 years old saying they have a “very happy” love life ranging 59 to 60 percent of respondents, compared to 40 to 52 percent of male respondents ages 18 to 34 years old.

Among women, those 25 to 54 years old said they have a “very happy” love life, making up 51 to 65 percent of respondents, 47 percent of respondents in the 18 to 24 years old group and 41 percent of those 55 years old and above.

SWS did face-to-face interviews with 1,440 respondents from December 12 to 16. The survey has a ±2.6 percent sampling margin error. g

ANTICIPATED APPROVAL BY SNRHA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 12:00 (NOON)

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Dateline USa

Why millions on Medicaid are at risk of losing coverage in the months ahead

by Rachana

PRadhan Kaiser Health News

THE Biden administration and state officials are bracing for a great unwinding: millions of people losing their Medicaid benefits when the pandemic health emergency ends. Some might sign up for different insurance. Many others are bound to get lost in the transition.

State Medicaid agencies for months have been preparing for the end of a federal mandate that anyone enrolled in Medicaid cannot lose coverage during the pandemic.

Before the public health crisis, states regularly reviewed whether people still qualified for the safetynet program, based on their income or perhaps their age or disability status. While those routines have been suspended for the past two years, enrollment climbed to record highs. As of July, 76.7 million people, or nearly 1 in 4 Americans, were enrolled, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

When the public health emergency ends, state Medicaid officials face a huge job of reevaluating each person’s eligibility and connecting with people whose jobs, income, and housing might have been upended in the pandemic. People could lose their coverage if they earn too much or don’t provide the information their state needs to verify their income or residency.

Medicaid provides coverage to a vast population, including seniors, the disabled, pregnant women, children, and adults who are not disabled. However, income limits vary by state and eligibility group. For example, in 2021 a single adult without children in Virginia, a state that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, had to earn less than $1,482 a month to qualify. In Texas, which has not expanded its program, adults without children don’t qualify for Medicaid.

State Medicaid agencies often send renewal documents by mail, and in the best of times letters go unreturned or

end up at the wrong address.

As this tsunami of work approaches, many state and local offices are short-staffed.

The Biden administration is giving states a year to go through the process, but officials say financial pressures will push them to go faster. Congress gave states billions of dollars to support the coverage requirement. But the money will dry up soon after the end of the public emergency — and much faster than officials can review the eligibility of millions of people, state Medicaid officials say.

In Colorado, officials expect they’ll need to review the eligibility of more than 500,000 people, with 30% of them at risk of losing benefits because they haven’t responded to requests for information and 40% not qualifying based on income.

In Medicaid, “typically, there’s always been some amount of folks who lose coverage for administrative reasons for some period of time,” said Daniel Tsai, director of the CMS Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services.

“We want to do everything possible to minimize that.”

In January the eligibility of roughly 120,000 people in Utah, including 60,000 children, was in question, according to Jeff Nelson, who oversees eligibility at the Utah Department of Health. He said that 80% to 90% of those people were at risk because of incomplete renewals. “More often than not, it’s those that just simply have not returned information to us,” he said.

“Whether they didn’t receive a renewal or they’ve moved, we don’t know what those reasons are.”

Arizona Medicaid director Jami Snyder said 500,000 people are at risk of losing Medicaid for the same reasons.

She said that processing all the eligibility redeterminations takes at least nine months and that the end of the federal funding bump will add pressure to move faster.

However, she said, “we’re not going to compromise people’s access to care for that reason.”

Still, officials and groups who work with people living in

poverty worry that many lowincome adults and children — typically at higher risk for health problems — will fall through the cracks and become uninsured.

Most might qualify for insurance through government programs, the ACA insurance marketplaces, or their employers — but the transition into other coverage isn’t automatic.

“Even short-term disruptions can really upend a family,” said Jessie Mandle, deputy director of Voices for Utah Children, an advocacy group.

‘More Marginalized People’ Low-income people could still be in crisis when the public health emergency ends, said Stephanie Burdick, a Medicaid enrollee in Utah who advocates on behalf of patients with traumatic brain injuries.

In general, being uninsured can limit access to medical care. COVID vaccination rates among Medicaid enrollees are lower than those of the general population in multiplestates.

That puts them at higher risk for severe disease if they get infected and for exorbitant medical bills if they lose their insurance.

“They’re more marginalized people,” Burdick said. She said she worries “that they’re going to fall off and that they’re going to be more excluded from the health care system in general and just be less likely to get care.”

Burdick knows this firsthand as someone who experienced traumatic brain injury. Before COVID-19, she would periodically lose her Medicaid benefits because of byzantine rules requiring her to requalify every month.

The gaps in coverage kept her from seeing certain specialists and obtaining necessary medicines. “I really do remember being at the pharmacy not being able to afford my medication and just sobbing because I didn’t know what to do about it,” she said.

“It was horrible.”

The COVID Medicaid continuous coverage requirement was enacted under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act,

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 17-23, 2022

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FEBRUARY 17-23, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Why millions on Medicaid are at risk...

PAGE 3 which gave states an increase of 6.2 percentage points in federal funds if they agreed to maintain eligibility levels in place at the time.

The boost meant tens of billions of additional dollars would flow to states, estimates from KFF show. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can extend the public health emergency in 90-day increments; it is currently set to end April 16.

Groups that advocate for the needs of low-income Americans say the renewal tidal wave will require outreach rivaling that of almost a decade ago, when the ACA expanded Medicaid and created new private insurance options for millions of people.

Independent research published in September by the Urban Institute, a leftleaning think tank based in Washington, D.C., estimated that 15 million people younger than 65 could lose their Medicaid benefits once the public health emergency ends.

Nearly all of them would be eligible for other insurance options, including heavily subsidized plans on the ACA marketplaces.

Tsai said the 15 million estimate provides a “helpful grounding point to motivate everybody” but declined to say whether the Biden administration has its own estimates of how many people could lose benefits. “I don’t think anyone knows exactly what will happen,” he said.

Tsai and state officials said they have worked hand in hand for months to prevent unnecessary coverage loss.

They’ve tried to ensure enrollees’ contact information is up to date, monitored rates of unreturned mail, worked with insurers covering Medicaid enrollees, and conducted “shadow checks” to get a sense of who doesn’t qualify, even if they can’t disenroll people.

Some enrollees could be renewed automatically if states verify they qualify by using data from other sources, such as the Internal Revenue Service and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

For others, though, the first step entails finding those at risk of losing their coverage so they can enroll in other health

benefits.

“It’s a big question mark how many of those would actually be enrolled,” said Matthew Buettgens, a senior fellow in Urban’s Health Policy Center and author of the September report. One factor is cost; ACA or job-based insurance could bring higher out-of-pocket expenses for the former Medicaid enrollees.

“I am particularly worried about non-English speakers,” said Sara Cariano, a policy specialist with the Virginia Poverty Law Center. “Those vulnerable populations I think are at even higher risk of falling out improperly.” The law center is planning enrollment events once the unwinding begins, said Deepak Madala, its director of the Center for Healthy Communities and Enroll Virginia.

Missouri, already sluggish in enrolling eligible people into the state’s newly expanded Medicaid program, had 72,697 pending Medicaid applications as of Jan. 28. Enrollment groups worry the state won’t be able to efficiently handle renewals for nearly all its enrollees when the time comes.

By December, the Medicaid rolls in the state had swelled to almost 1.2 million people, the highest level since at least 2004. The state — one of several with histories of removing from the program people who were still eligible — did not say how many people could lose their benefits.

“I want to make sure that everybody that is entitled to and is eligible for MO HealthNet is getting the coverage that they need — all the way from babies to older individuals to individuals on disability,” said Iva EggertShepherd of the Missouri Primary Care Association, which represents community health centers.

‘No End in Sight’ Some people argue the current protections have been in place long enough.

“There’s no end in sight. For two years, it’s still a quoteunquote ‘emergency,’” said Stewart Whitson, a senior fellow with the Foundation for Government Accountability.

The conservative think tank has argued that states can legally begin trimming people

from Medicaid rolls without jeopardizing their funding.

“This is the kind of problem that just grows worse every day,” he said of not removing ineligible people. “At the beginning of the pandemic, people were in a different position than they are now.

And so responsible legislators and government officials in each state have to look at the facts as they are now.”

Tsai said “it’s quite clear to us” that for states to be eligible for the COVID relief bill’s enhanced Medicaid funding, they must keep people enrolled through the emergency. “Those two things are interlinked,” he said.

Meanwhile, states still have no idea when the renewal process will begin. HHS has said that it would give states 60 days’ notice before ending the emergency period. The additional Medicaid funds would last until the end of the quarter when the emergency expires — if it ended in April, for example, the money would last until June 30.

“It’s hard to do a communication plan when you say, ‘You’ve got 60 days, here you go,’” Nelson of Utah’s Department of Health said.

Colorado officials had debated sending letters to enrollees when the public health emergency was nearing its scheduled end on Jan. 16 but held off, expecting that it would be extended. HHS announced a 90-day extension only two days before it was set to expire.

“Those kinds of things are really confusing to members,” Medicaid Director Tracy Johnson said. “OK, your coverage is going to end. Oh, just kidding. No, it’s not.”

KHN senior Colorado correspondent Markian Hawryluk and Midwest correspondent Bram SableSmith contributed to this report.

This story was produced

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

SCHOOL MATERIALS. Elementary school teacher Susana R. Romen (left) distributes the third quarter of self-learning modules for the school year 2021-2022 at San Miguel Elementary School, Congressional Avenue, City of Dasmarinas, Cavite on Thursday, February 17.

Learning modules are among the options implemented by the Department of Education in its blended learning initiatives amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

Fil-Am family in Oakland wants police to re-open probe of gay son’s death A FILIPINO family in Oakland, California is demanding that San Francisco police re-open the investigation into the true cause of their adopted gay son’s death two years ago.

Jaxon Sales was found dead at the age of 20 in a San Francisco apartment on March 2, 2020. He reportedly had met a man on a dating app, and that there were drugs in his system. Jim Sales and Angie Aquino-Sales adopted Jaxon and his older brother from Korea when they were babies.

Now, their Change.Org petiJaxon Sales, 20, was found dead at the age of 20 in a San Francisco apartment on March 2, 2020. tion to re-open the investigation has amassed more than 40,000 signatures. State Senator Scott Wiener also wrote letter asking SFPD and the medical examiner “just to make sure this family knows exactly what happened.”

SFPD released a statement to ABC7 News reporter Dion Lim saying there were no signs of foul play. The Sales family, however, claims that SFPD and the medical examiner did not do enough to find the true cause of Jaxon’s death.

“We spent the first year trying Jim Sales and Angie Aquino-Sales adopted Jaxon (left) and his older brother from Korea when Photos courtesy of Sales family to get reports,” Angie Sales told they were babies. is Asian, he is gay.

When I Regardless of the outcome, the ABC7 News.

They also believe their son’s heard the medical examiner say Sales family hopes their effort will case was dismissed as an (the drug) GHB…and the gay inspire other families of children “accidental overdose” because community uses GHB… it was in the LGBTQ community to have a voice. (Inquirer.net) of his sexual orientation. “Jaxon very dismissive.”

D ateline PhiliPPines PH drops to 80th in economic freedom index

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 17-23, 2022

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

by JanivC

MatEo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippine economy remained “moderately free” even as the country dropped seven spots in the latest economic freedom index by Washington-based think tank The Heritage Foundation.

From 73rd last year, the country dropped to 80th out of 177 countries included in the 2022 index, which measures economic freedom based on 12 factors grouped into four broad categories.

These include rule of law (property rights, government integrity, judicial effectiveness); government size (government spending, tax burden, fiscal health); regulatory efficiency (business freedom, labor freedom, monetary

freedom) and open markets (trade freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom).

The Philippines was ranked 15th among 39 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and sixth among Southeast Asian nations after Singapore (1st globally), Malaysia (42nd), Brunei (62nd), Indonesia (63rd) and Thailand (70th).

The Philippines obtained an overall score of 61.1 out of 100, down three points from last year.

Its scores improved in all three factors under regulatory efficiency, while it dropped in all three under rule of law.

The country’s scores also dropped in government spending, fiscal health and trade freedom, while it remained the same in tax burden, investment freedom and

financial freedom.

“Economic growth in the Philippines slowed from 2017 through 2019, turned negative in 2020 and rebounded in 2021. Over the same five-year period, economic freedom has slipped,” read the report.

“Dragged down by decreased scores for fiscal health and monetary freedom, the Philippines has recorded a 4.5-point overall loss of economic freedom since 2017 and has fallen to the bottom ranks of the ‘Moderately Free’ countries. The tax burden is not heavy and trade freedom is a bright spot, but judicial effectiveness and government integrity exhibit weaknesses,” it added.

Most data used in the 2022 index covered the second half of 2020 through the first half of 2021, the index said. g

5

VAX FOR KIDS. A Department of Health staff guides the aviation cargo operator while han-dling the shipment of the newly delivered Pfizer vaccine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Wednesday, February 16. The reformulated coronavirus vaccine, procured by the national government through the World Bank, is intended for the vac-cination of children aged 5 to 11 years old. PNA photo by Robert Oswald Alfiler

Filipinos want strong, honest leaders - poll Orphan crisis: ‘A situation worth crying over’

by KaithrEEn

Cruz ManilaTimes.net

A PRE-ELECTION survey conducted by the group Boses, Opinyon, Siyasat at Siyensya para sa Pilipinas (Boses Pilipinas) revealed that Filipinos desire leaders that are strong, honest and intelligent.

Sixty-nine percent of the respondents said they prefer candidates who could provide strong leadership, 55 percent said it is important for candidates to be honest while 42 percent said intelligence is crucial to a candidate.

Meanwhile, 37 percent of the respondents said they prefer candidates who get things done, 33 percent said they want morally upright candidates while 19 percent said they want compassionate candidates.

Boses Pilipinas convenor Dr. Imelda Deinla said the results could help Filipinos evaluate their

candidates.

"With all the noise in media and social media platforms — as well as the highly curated portrayal of the candidates in their campaigns, it is really important to ask the Filipino voters the qualities they are looking for in the candidates.

Thus, we ask in the survey what are the character traits they would like to see in a candidate, rather than ask them first why they prefer this one candidate over the others," Deinla said.

Moreover, the same survey also showed that 60 percent of Filipinos see graft and corruption as the most urgent national concern, followed by the creation of more jobs (50 percent), controlling the spread of the coronavirus disease-19 (48 percent), social services to reduce poverty (45 percent), and the increase of pay for workers (44 percent).

"This survey challenges Fil-

ipinos to reflect, to evaluate their candidates with the kind of leader they want to address the most important issues the country is facing, and to seek credible information in assessing their candidates and not just based on popularity. Most of all, imagine your candidates as being capable — or not, in leading the Philippines out of the COVID-19 and economic crises," Deinla said.

Boses Pilipinas conducted the survey among 1,500 respondents from November 29 to December 14, 2021, in cooperation with Rakuten Insight, an independent research firm based in Singapore.

Boses Pilipinas is the first university-based opinion research and survey unit in the country that aspires to bridge societal divides through studies and polls that increase the Filipinos' understanding of opinions, perceptions, attitudes and behavior. g

a little over 30 percent winning the presidency," Stratbase ADR Institute President Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit said on Wednesday, February 16.

Stratbase shared research results, including the outcome of surveys conducted by Pulse Asia the Social Weather Stations.

Marcos dominated these sur-

Eloisa Inquirer.net

BaClig

MANILA — The Philippine population was expected to reach 109,991,095 at the end of 2021.

Among these were children, who were abandoned and still looking for their forever families.

According to data from the Philippines Orphanage Foundation, out of the over 109 million population in the country, there were at least 2 million orphaned children.

Moreover, there was an average of only 139 Filipino orphan children adopted per year from 2014 to 2018.

“That is only 0.0000695% of the orphan population that finds a forever-home each year,” the foundation said.

Data from the U.S. State Department showed that between 20092015, there were 1,350 Filipino children adopted by American Families.

To understand what the Philippines Orphanage Foundation called the “orphan crisis in the veys, enjoying a huge lead over Philippines,” it listed some factors his closest rival, Vice President that might be continuing to contribute to the still increasing numMaria Leonor "Leni" Robredo.

In the January survey released ber of orphans in the Philippines.

One of the four factors cited by

by Pulse Asia, Marcos got 60 percent voters' preference rating. the foundation was natural disasRobredo was a far second with 16 ters—such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, floods, percent.

He said that while Marcos led droughts, and landslides—which PAGE 7 occur in the country throughout

Think tank sees big win for Bongbong Marcos AN independent research group sees two scenarios in this year's elections: a landslide win for former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. or a tight race where one candidate will win by a little over 30 percent.

"It could be a landslide for Marcos on May 9 or a tight race where we will simply have somebody at

by Cristina

the year.

The Philippines, according to a study published on the Tropical Cyclone Research and Review journal by the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee (TC) and the Shanghai Typhoon Institute of the China Meteorology Administration (STI/CMA), is in fact “one of the world’s natural hazard hot spots” and faces “more natural hazards” than other countries.

Every year, an average of 20 tropical cyclones enter the Philippine area of responsibility.

Natural disasters have affected millions of individuals in the country during the past years. Among them are the children—some of whom lose parents or family members when disasters strike.

“Such drastic storms destroy homes, villages, and families. Often the survivors are the children, minus their parents,” the foundation said.

“Natural disasters routinely give birth to orphans,” it added Executive Order No. 141 signed last year by President Rodrigo Duterte cited figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority, which showed that there were 183,967 live births in 2018 and 180,916 in 2019 among teenagers.

The figures translate to an average of 504 live births per day for minors aged 10 to 19 years old in 2018 and 495 live births per day for

the same category in 2019.

During the pandemic, PopCom warned that more teenagers might get pregnant as lockdowns forced them to stay at home and spend more time with their partners.

When the data came out, authorities were more alarmed: PopCom said that pregnancy among girls aged below 15 increased by 7 percent in 2019.

“These young girls are almost completely unprepared for motherhood and often have no place to turn except to give up the baby they just nurtured for nine months,” said the foundation.

“This is a situation worth crying over,” it added.

The foundation likewise pointed out poverty as one of the reasons for the continuing increase in the number of Filipino orphans. “[T]here is a never-ending cycle of poverty that leads to parents having to give up their children in hopes they will have a better life somewhere else,” the foundation noted.

“There is little doubt that poverty creates a culture for the creation of orphans,” it added Some parents who are not able to care for their children and are unable to adequately provide for their children were left with no other choice but to “resort to placing their children in orphanages in the hopes that they will have better lives.” g

6

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

FEBRUARY 17-23, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Digital vote buying, laundering

FEATURES

DIGITAL technology has facilitated many aspects of life, unfortunately including illegal activities. In this election season, digital technology is being used for unfair campaigning including spreading fake news, revising history, trolling rivals and sowing scurrilous disinformation.

It may also be used for money laundering and vote-buying during the election period, the Anti-Money Laundering Council has warned. In an advisory, the AMLC reminded banks and financial institutions to conduct customer due diligence measures and file reports on suspicious transactions, as stipulated in the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001.

Also covered by the AMLC advisory are foreign exchange dealers, money changers, remittance companies, pawnshops, jewelry dealers, casinos, offshore gaming operators, and real estate brokers and developers.

The task isn’t as daunting as it seems. The covered institutions and transactions can watch out for red flags such as large transactions within a short period of time, and those that seem inconsistent with a customer’s financial profile or business. Also suspicious are “unjustified” large cash deposits and withdrawals, transactions that are unusual when compared with everyday dealings, and structured cash deposits and money transfers.

The use of multiple accounts by a single person

as well as the use of several money service businesses to send funds are also red flags. On Dec. 31 last year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas had issued a similar warning about vote buying through online banking and mobile wallet applications.The absence of a law regulating campaign finance has made election spending an ideal way of laundering dirty money. In certain cases, those directly engaged in jueteng, smuggling and drug trafficking have used their illegal earnings to propel themselves to elective office. Others have seen their personal wealth rise through hefty contributions from supporters who often become influence peddlers if the candidates win. Such assets are not declared and are beyond the reach of the tax police.While the Commission on Elections has been largely toothless in enforcing caps on campaign spending, banks and financial institutions can do their part in curbing illegal campaign activities and money laundering. financial transactions in the country more difficult, This would also help the country get out of the affecting business dealings and the remittance of money laundering gray list of the Financial Ac- overseas Filipino workers’ earnings. tion Task Force. Inclusion in the gray list makes Banks that exert effort to reinforce the electoral

Editorial

Babe’s Eye View BaBe romUaLDeZ FROM where I sit, it’s really looking good for our country in 2022. There are clear indications that the country is poised to have brighter prospects by the second quarter this year.

Last week, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the economy grew 7.7 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2021, bringing the annual growth to 5.6 percent, which was better than expected.

The latest report from IHS Markit also projected continued growth in the next decade, with the country’s GDP hitting $1 trillion by 2033. IHS Markit also predicted a 7 percent growth for the country this year as the economy moves toward normalization, driven by private consumption spending and strong growth in urban household incomes.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua articulated the optimism that people are beginning to feel, saying that – the door to our economic recovery is now fully open – and hopeful-

Postscript

FeDerICo PaSCUaL Jr. A LENI Robredo-Sara Duterte combination winning in the May elections may be unthinkable to rabid partisans and most poll analysts, but with politics being the art of the impossible, such an unlikely pair could just be the key to national unity and economic recovery.

We are talking of a scenario where voters ignore party tags, which have become meaningless anyway, and by some political alchemy pick from opposing camps – maybe Robredo (Independent) for president and Duterte (Lakas-CMD) for vice president.

Their working as partners could help bring together disparate partisan forces, tone down divisive diatribes and heal the wounds of political combat.

Pumping blood back into the anemic economy could then become easier.

Surveys show that the following of the two ladies is substantial enough to make them win without having to ride on the supposed drawing power of their partners. They could win

Philstar.com photo

process and promote good governance will reap the returns in the form of a grateful public’s trust – a critical element in banking strength. (Philstar. com)

It’s looking good for the Philippines in 2022 ly will return to pre-pandemic levels by third quarter 2022.

“We are on the correct path to economic recovery,” Secretary Chua added – a sentiment shared by analysts, especially with COVID-19 cases showing a steady decline. In fact, OCTA Research sees the number of COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region – which has been placed under a less strict Alert Level 2 – going down to 500 a day by the end of February. The vaccination of children aged 5 to 11, which will start tomorrow, is also another positive development in protecting a wider segment of the population that now includes children and other vulnerable groups.

With the COVID-19 situation becoming more manageable, the Department of Tourism is ready to welcome fully vaccinated tourists starting this Feb. 10, as this is something that they have long been preparing for since the pandemic hit in 2020, which compelled the government to close its borders. More than 288,000 tourism workers or close to 90 percent have been fully vaccinated with about 13,500 hav-

ing received booster shots, and they are all raring to get back to work.

The move will significantly contribute to job restoration primarily in tourism-dependent communities, and in the reopening of businesses that had to shut down, said Tourism Secretary Berna Puyat, who also assured that health and safety protocols in every destination will remain in place to prevent virus transmission.

There has also been a lot of interest in the Philippines as an investment destination, with many opportunities opening up for investors. During the virtual forum organized by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority with US investors, we highlighted that with our ecozones providing the necessary infrastructure and incentives, the Philippines can already engage in climate-ready investments and infrastructure, supply chain resilience, technology advancements, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

US embassy chargé d’affaires Heather Variava noted that investments in the health and manufacturing sectors are areas where US firms and in-

vestors may have expertise to offer. “We know that the Philippines is looking for additional investment across the board especially in 5G, internet, clean energy, health and security areas,” she said.

While the coronavirus may still be around for many years with new variants emerging over time, scientists are also working non-stop in developing vaccines, treatments and medicines to fight COVID-19.

A booster shot significantly increases protection against many variants, including Delta and Omicron. “Vaccination and booster doses substantially decrease the risk of death from COVID-19,” said CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.

According to CDC data, those who have received boosters are 97 times less likely to die of COVID-19 than those who have not been vaccinated.

Additionally, the risk of death for unvaccinated individuals is 14 times higher compared to those who have received the primary series of vaccines, Dr. Walensky disclosed. This clearly underscores the protection that vaccines provide and their significant contribution in pre-

venting poor outcomes such as hospitalization and even death.

Scientists from Bharat Biotech, maker of COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, are also developing intranasal booster doses. An intranasal vaccine is sprayed into the nostrils and inhaled, making it easier to administer, especially during mass vaccinations. It’s also cost effective because it will not require needles and syringes. According to Bharat Biotech, the nasal vaccine stimulates immune responses in the nose which is the site of infection, making it very effective in blocking infection and virus transmission.

Aside from vaccines, there are also medications such as Paxlovid and Molnupiravir that are used for treating those at serious risk of illness due to COVID-19. Paxlovid especially has been shown to be active against prevailing variants of concern including Delta and Omicron, reducing the risk of hospitalization or death by 88.9 percent when given within three days after the onset of symptoms.

The Philippines in fact is looking at the possibility of

producing its own vaccines and establishing a virology center, and a bill seeking to create the Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention – similar to the US CDC – will bring us closer to this aspiration.

Many are optimistic that we are on track to recovery despite the challenges that we have faced since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. We are certain of having clean and credible elections in May, which would usher in a fresh start with a new set of leaders taking over the reins of government.

We should all pray that the elections will not be marred by people who have their own personal agenda instead of thinking of the country. No matter what the outcome is, we should learn to accept it and be ready to move forward and unify our country. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

Is a Leni-Sara mix possible on May 9? on their own.

That they are both women should not detract from their individual winning potential, as they would be voted for separately, and not as a pair. Without block voting, they would not be mutually exclusive.

Even if President Duterte has an iron-clad deal with the Marcoses (he says he has none), his daughter Sara is known to have a mind of her own, meaning she is not bound by any agreement of the father.

As for ex-senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he said after his teaming up with Sara Duterte was announced last November that they have no deal or agreement about term-sharing, that they would not split the six-year term in case they both win.

It is curious that President Duterte said in his Jan. 25 report to the nation that one of the leading presidential aspirants is very corrupt and that all but one of the frontrunners in the race are hounded by negative issues.

He did not mention any candidate by name.

On Wednesday, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda announced he was backing Robredo for president.

That move surprised many since he was presumed to be

also supporting Marcos (just because he is paired with Sara).

After Salceda announced his support for Robredo and reiterated his backing Sara’s VP bid, she said that she and Marcos had agreed not to refuse endorsements “whether individually or collectively.” Their teamup is not that tight?

Before she consented to run with Marcos, Sara was being pushed by Salceda to run for president, but she agreed instead to be the VP nominee of the Lakas-CMD party of former president Gloria M. Arroyo.

Salceda announced that he had been talking with a group of financial managers and representatives of big foreign investors, who he said expressed confidence that if Robredo becomes president the local economy would be in good hands.

Economic challenges await new president The Philippines posted a 7.7 percent 4th quarter growth in gross domestic product in 2021, resulting in full-year growth of 5.6 percent. It was slightly better than expected, considering the mobility restrictions imposed to stem the COVID-19 surges traced to the Omicron variant.

Most economists believe, however, that recovery prospects remain dim. For certain, the winner in this year’s presidential race will inherit a challenging fiscal situation.

As of November 2021, the country’s debt reached P11.93 trillion as the administration borrowed more money to fund support measures it had to roll out during lockdowns while also dealing with falling revenue collection during the pandemic.

With the country’s debt projected to reach P13.4 trillion in 2022, the incoming administration will inherit a substantial debt bill that could curtail its fulfilling campaign promises and sustaining the modest economic momentum gained in the last quarter of 2021.

As we inch closer to May 9, we will need a leader who can walk the tightrope while putting the pandemic in check and getting more businesses to open safely and restore jobs and incomes.

We’ll need someone who has the head to understand the economics involved in running a country and the heart to put the needs of the country first. We’ll need someone strong, steadfast

and who can make the tough calls and sacrifices to shepherd us into a brighter future.

On Friday, Robredo was endorsed for the presidency by at least 163 Filipino economists, including five former chiefs of the National Economic and Development Authority who served in the previous and the present administrations.

Calling themselves “Economists for Leni,” they said in a statement: “At this time when our country is struggling to recover from its deepest economic crisis since the 1980s, we believe that government’s role has never been more indispensable. We are convinced that only a competent leadership can restore the people’s trust and confidence in government, enabling it to effectively preside over the collective effort of economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic.”

Among the signatories were former NEDA chiefs Ernesto Pernia (who served under Duterte), Winnie Monsod, Cielito Habito, Dante Canlas and Emmanuel Esguerra.

Other prominent economists supporting Robredo are Diwa Guinigundo, former deputy

governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo and two former presidents of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (the government’s official think tank), Gilberto Llanto and Mario Lamberte.

The economists cited Robredo’s “solid” background in economics and law, pointing out that this will be “necessary for crafting policies to accelerate economic recovery.”

Before entering politics in 2013, Robredo was an alternative lawyer and economist who obtained her economics degree from the University of the Philippines-Diliman in 1986.

They said Robredo has proven her track record for running “efficient and responsive” pandemic response programs despite the measly annual budget of the Office of the Vice President. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** NB: All Postscripts are also archived at ManilaMail.com. Author is on Twitter as @ FDPascual. Email: fdp333@yahoo.com

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

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7

51% of Filipinos believe COVID-19 crisis ending in 2022

ANTI-POLIO DRIVE. Barangay health workers put a baby on a weighing scale during the oral anti-polio vaccination in Barangay Hall, Brgy. Salitran 3, Dasmarinas City, Cavite on Wednes-day, February 16. The campaign aims to boost immunization coverage against polio by giving three doses of the oral polio vaccine to all children five years old and below, regardless of their immunization status.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

Demand for OFWs increasing, says POEA by daniza

Fernandez Inquirer.net

MANILA — The demand for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is increasing, an official of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said.

POEA Deputy Administrator Bong Ventura Plan said there is high demand for OFWs, particularly healthcare workers.

“Actually, dumadami na po ang mga (there is an increase in the number of) demands [or] request coming from the different countries of destination,” Plan said during the Laging Handa briefing.

“For example, iyong UK (Unit-

ed Kingdom), marami na rin po silang demand sa atin pagdating sa mga healthcare workers natin particularly iyong mga nurses and caregivers. This is the same with Germany and Japan,” he continued.

(For example, in the UK, there is a demand for us when it comes to our healthcare workers, particularly nurses and caregivers.)

Despite the high demand, Plan said that the government has to consider the country’s needs, citing that there is a deployment cap of 7,000 health workers yearly.

“Kaya iyon, marami pong demands kaso nga lang po (So, there is a high demand but), we

have to consider also our personal demands here in the Philippines also kaya medyo mayroon pa tayong kaunting (that is why there is a limited) deployment,” he explained.

“Up to 7,000 lang po ang puwede po nating i-deploy na healthcare workers kaya medyo limitado pa rin po pagdating sa mga nurses and healthcare workers,” added Plan.

(Up to 7,000 healthcare workers could only be deployed. So, there

by CeCille Suerte Felipe, is a limit in sending nurses and healthcare workers.)

JoSe rodel Clapano He, however, said that when it Philstar.com comes to jobs abroad in the logistics sector there are available MANILA — Broadcaster Raffy slots for application. g Tulfo, Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda have topped Pulse Asia’s latest pre-election senatorial survey. such that she will not come out as The poll, conducted from a second choice," Ana Tabunda, Jan. 19-24, showed Tulfo Pulse Asia research director, had garnering 66.1 percent voter said in an interview with ANC's preference, followed by Cayetano Headstart.

(58.2) and Legarda (58).

For Manhit, Robredo has to Completing the list of the look how she can broaden support top 12 preferred senatorial for her candidacy and break that candidates are Sorsogon "ceiling."

Gov. Chiz Escudero (55.7), For this year's elections, the former public works secretary most important issue is economic, Mark Villar (52.9), Sen. Manhit said.

Migz Zubiri (50.3), Sen. Win "And this is reflective of the Gatchalian (45.9), former vice general population...75 percent president Jojo Binay (44.5), are challenged by their low informer senator Jinggoy Estrada come," he said. (Ma. Reina Leanne (40.4), Sen. Joel Villanueva Tolentino/ManilaTimes.net)

Think tank sees big win for Bongbong...

PAGE 5 most pre-election surveys, his ranking could fall and this would result in a tight contest.

However, Manhit admitted that Marcos "can win big."

"Or Marcos slowly declines... but nobody's really gaining," he added.

Based on the presentation shown by Manhit, survey data revealed that support for Marcos peaked in December, but it later declined while Robredo's and Domagoso's numbers increased.

However, Manhit said Marcos'

numbers were not declining enough "to threaten Marcos at this time."

"So the other candidates need to work harder," he added.

He said that Robredo has to find ways to improve her ranking because in some surveys, she was not the second choice candidate.

In the Pulse Asia survey, Robredo placed fourth among second choice candidates.

The top second choice candidate was Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso.

"That means that the voter preference for Leni has a ceiling

MANILA — More than half of Filipinos believe that the COVID-19 crisis will come to an end this year, while 45 percent still think it would extend to 2023, the latest survey from Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

According to the SWS survey, 51 percent of Filipino adults interviewed from December 12 to 16 said the crisis would end in 2022 — including 29 percent of the respondents who said that the pandemic would be solved in the next six months, and 23 percent who said within the year.

Hopes of having the COVID-19 pandemic ending within 2022 is highest in Mindanao at 62 percent, followed by Balance Luzon at 51 percent, Metro Manila at 49 percent and Visayas at 41 percent.

“Conversely, those who expect the COVID-19 crisis to end after 2022 are highest in the Visayas (56%), followed by Metro Manila (48%), Balance Luzon (44%), and Mindanao (35%),” SWS said.

“About half in all educational levels expect the COVID-19 crisis to end within 2022: the percentage is 49 percent among non-elementary graduates, 53 percent among elementary graduates, 51 percent among junior high school graduates, and 50 percent among college

graduates,” it added.

With other questions posed

by SWS, 51 percent also agreed with the possible government policy of compelling Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19, with 31 percent disagreeing while 17 percent were undecided.

Another 51 percent also agreed to have unvaccinated employees submit RT-PCR tests every two weeks, with 35 percent disagreeing and 14 percent still undecided.

“To the test statement, ‘It is only right to enact into law the proposal of Pres. Duterte to compel all Filipinos to get vaccinated against COVID-19,’ 51% agreed (consisting of 29% strongly agree and 22% somewhat agree), 17% were undecided, and 31% disagreed (consisting of 13% somewhat disagree and 19% strongly disagree, correctly rounded),” SWS said.

“To the test statement, ‘It is only right that unvaccinated employees are not allowed to report for work until they give a negative RT-PCR test result every two weeks,’ 51% agreed (27% strongly agree, 24% somewhat agree), 14% were undecided, and 35% disagreed (15% somewhat disagree, 20% strongly disagree), for a moderate net agreement of +16,” it added.

In terms of no dine-in policies for unvaccinated customers, 49 percent agreed, 14 percent were undecided, and 36 percent disagreed.

The country encountered a surge in COVID-19 cases in early January, brought by the more infectious Omicron variant. At one point, active infections soared to over 291,000 — an all-time high for the country.

While the Omicron variant only led to mostly mild and asymptomatic symptoms for vaccinated individuals and lower mortality rates, health authorities are still wary about a possible increase in infections anew.

Recently, the Department of Health (DOH) expressed concern that the start of the campaign period last February 8 may lead to so-called super-spreader events, as health and safety protocols against the pandemic have been disregarded.

SWS said that they got the results through face-to-face interviews of 1,440 adults subdivided into 360 each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The polling firm maintains sampling error margins are ±2.6% for national percentages and ±5.2% for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao. (Gabriel Pabico Lalu/ Inquirer.net)

Tulfo, Cayetano, Legarda top Pulse Senate survey (40.4), Sen. Risa Hontiveros (37.1), actor Robin Padilla (35.9) and JV Ejercito (33.9).

Of the top 12 candidates in Pulse Asia’s latest survey, Estrada made the most significant leap – jumping to No. 9 from his previous number 13 ranking in a similar Pulse Asia survey conducted last December.

El Shaddai backs Villar Influential Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai has endorsed the senatorial bid of Villar who led the department in completing numerous Build Build Build projects of the administration.

Villar thanked El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde and his followers for the support, and vowed to push for unity in the country.

“Thank you so much for your support, I want to thank Bro. Mike Velarde and the millions

of members of El Shaddai. We, together with the BBM-Sara UniTeam, have the goal of unity,” Villar said.

Velarde made the announcement of support for Villar at the El Shaddai International House of Prayer in Parañaque City last Saturday.

Velarde also endorsed the candidacies of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for president and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for vice president, or the BBM-Sara tandem.

During the prayer rally for El Shaddai, which has about six to eight million members nationwide, Velarde raised the hands of Marcos and Carpio.

“We are always very grateful to Bro. Mike for all his support.

Many thanks also to those who believe in us. We will continue to serve God and help our countrymen,” Villar said. g

FEBRUARY 17-23, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL 8LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

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February 17, 2022

VEGAS&STYLE JOURNAL

INSIDE

LIFESTYLE • CONSUMER GUIDE • COMMUNITY • MARKETPLACE

Kiana V shares her latest Vice Ganda marries Ion in Las Vegas single, ‘Heartbeat on Me’

by Anne

PAsAjol Inquirer.net

MULTI-tracked vocal harmonies soar.” - NME “The combination of the snappy production and her dreamy vocals make for a seductive jam that’s both laid-back and hugely infectious.” - COMPLEX UK “Blends electronic, funk, and RnB into a mesmerizing mix.”

- Lyrical Lemonade “[Kiana] utilizes her enthralling vocal prowess to induce an almost celestial high.” - Ones To Watch “A soulful vibe along with subtle elements of electronic pop.”

- HYPEBAE “Kiana’s raw talent shines through.” - Office Magazine “An empowering heartbreak anthem not just for herself but also a new generation.” - MTV “A message of self-love threaded by delicate, ethereal melodies.”

- SPIN “[Dazed] is an open love letter.”

- Paper Magazine “Kiana is part of an exciting new wave of Filipino creators who are sharing their music and culture through a variety of innovative, genre-bending lenses.” - American Songwriter Kiana V recently released her latest single, “Heartbeat on Me.” “Heartbeat on Me” opens with infectious synths and gently tapping drums, allowing Kiana V’s featherlight yet instantly striking voice to enter with a gentle immediacy. It’s a sunkissed delight that calls back to her native Philippines. Possessing the immediacy of Tinashe and the knack for undeniable melody of Aaliyah, Kiana is a powerhouse, possessing a quiet intensity that strikes bone deep.

VICE Ganda surprised fans in time for Valentine’s as he revealed his Las Vegas wedding with boyfriend Ion Perez which happened in October last year.

Vice Ganda and Perez had their wedding in the Little Vegas Chapel, where they vowed to “commit themselves” to each other, as seen in a vlog on the comedian’s YouTube channel on Sunday, Feb. 13.

“Buong-buo ‘yung loob ko na makasama ka. Wala akong masabi basta mahal na mahal kita, Tuy. I love you,” Perez said.

(I am decided that I want to be with you. I have no words to say but I love you, Tuy. I love you.)

Vice Ganda, for his part, expressed his love to Perez and promised that he will always be one of his inspirations and

Kiana V

A delectable confection of R&B and pop, the track pulls forward with its flirtatious sound and deftly punchy vocals. It’s a display of both patience and a rush towards pleasure, never overdoing its pace,

reasons to live.

“Ang saya-saya ko na ikaw ‘yung kasama ko ngayon, ikaw ‘yung kasama ko kahapon at ikaw ‘yung alam kong makakasama ko pa rin bukas at sa mga susunod pang mga araw,” he said. “I promise na mag-iipon pa ako ng maraming-marami pang pagmamahal sa puso ko para makaya ko pang mahalin ‘yung sarili ko, makaya ko pang mahalin ka at ‘yung mga mahal natin sa buhay.”

(I’m so happy that you’re the one I’m with now, the one I’m with yesterday and the one I know I will still be with tomorrow and the coming days. I promise that I will save up more love in my heart so I can continue to love myself, love you and our loved ones.)

“Isa ka sa pag-aalayan ko ng mga magagandang bagay na mangyayari sa buhay ko. You’ll be one of the best reasons for

all of my achievements and I promise na isa ka sa magiging dahilan kung bakit gusto ko pang mabuhay ulit bukas at sa mga susunod na araw,” Vice Ganda added.

(You’re one of those who I’ll be offering the good things in my life to. You’ll be one of the best reasons for all of my achievements and I promise that you’ll always be one of the reasons why I’d want to live tomorrow and in the days to come.)

The couple can be seen overjoyed while signing their certificate of commitment after the ceremony.

Vica Ganda and Perez have been together for three years now after revealing in 2019 that they have already been in a relationship for a yeaar. The two also recently went on an Amanpulo trip where they welcomed the New Year with their friends and family.

Photo by Andrei Suleik

and sways seamlessly between emotive verses and an addictive call-and-response chorus.

Kiana says about the track: “‘Heartbeat On Me’ is a song u PAGE 9 Vice Ganda and Ion Perez

Photo from Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin

Features

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Health @Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS CHEWING gum An amazing clinical discovery: chewing gum with Xylitol decreases preterm birth by 24 percent! This simple and inexpensive intervention that prevents premature delivery is “linked to improvement in oral health, according to research presented at the meeting sponsored by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.” Oral health also impacts heart health, our gut microbiome, besides general well-being. COVID-19 vaccines also prevent preterm births.

Arthritis drugs The World Health Organization has strongly recommended an arthritis drug, Baricitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, for severe or critical COVID-19 cases. The clinical trials using this arthritis medication reveal improved survival, reduced the need for mechanical ventilation, and reduced hospitalization of these cases.

Antihistamines Two individuals with Long COVID-19 had significant improvements in symptoms after taking over-the-counter antihistamines. They were able “to perform activities of daily living.” This finding has led to larger studies to investigate the validity of this observation.

Second booster Sweden’s Health Agency recommends that people 80 and older receive a second booster dose (fourth shot) of COVID-19 vaccines, given at least four months after the first booster to strengthen the protection.

Airborne virus “A recent study investigated whether airborne SARS-CoV-2 particles were present outside of isolation rooms in homes containing one household member with a positive test result. The researchers found that aerosols of small respiratory droplets containing airborne SARSCoV-2 RNA were present both inside and outside of these rooms,” reports MNT. Unless each room has its own exclusive ventilation system, it shows that room self-isolation at home is not totally safe for other members of the same household. Opening all windows might help reduce the viral load in the air.

Lingering symptoms The latest data from the Unit-

New COVID data ed Kingdom reveal 2.1 percent of the population (one in 48 people) are experiencing Long COVID, a new emerging chronic condition.

More than half a million have been having symptoms that linger for at least a year. This “postCOVID syndrome” may include any combination of these symptoms: “brain fog” or cognitive dysfunction, troubled breathing or shortness of breath, fatigue, malaise, sense of “not feeling well,” and disturbance in the immune system. Vaccines have been helpful to these chronic patients, making them feel better.

New rapid test Chinese scientists at Fudan University in Shanghai have developed a new COVID-19 test that provides results in less than 4 minutes, instead of hours or days.

The test employs micro-electronic technology, using an “electromechanical biosensor that analyzes specimens from the back of the throat and nose and detects SARS-CoV2 RNA as accurate as a PCR.” Vaccines cover “Stealth” Although the Stealth Omicron subvariant (BA.2) is now the predominant virus (after 20 mutations in spike proteins) and is even more transmissible than Omicron (BA.1), which itself is a super-rapid spreader compared to Delta, the current vaccines have been found to be effective for all three. Stealth Omicron has also been found to be “less likely than Omicron to transmit from vaccinated people who did contract COVID-19 infection.” BA.1 and BA.2 are less likely to affect the lungs among otherwise healthy people.

Lifting mask mandate The governors of Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Oregon are lifting the mask mandate in their schools by the end of February or March, citing rapid decline in Omicron cases and the desire for “normalcy.” Cases in New Jersey have dropped by half and hospitalization by a third since last week, but deaths around the country are still high, around 2,400 in one day alone.

In view of the Stealth Omicron and potential future strains because of the number of unvaccinated people (20 percent) in the United States, lifting the mask mandate (social distancing will stop) may be too premature. Studies also show acceptable oxygen saturation among adults or children who wear masks for hours on end and did not negatively im-

pact their health.

Worldwide, an estimated 2.2 million children ages 5-19 died, 43 percent of them aged 10-19, and almost 1,000 in the United States alone in 2021. Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 are milder but NOT mild, and could still kill. Children getting used to wearing a mask when needed (like a security blanket or toy) may not be a bad exercise.

We can never be too careful in protecting our little gems!

Higher risk of death A new clinical study shows people hospitalized with COVID-19 have an increased risk of death and readmission afterward, especially highest among those with preexisting dementia/Alzheimer’s. Unvaccinated adults 18 and older have 13 times risk of testing positive and 68 times greater risk of dying from COVID-19.Bottom of Form Vaccines and fertility Earlier and new studies find the COVID-19 vaccines do not adversely affect fertility in males or females, but there appear to be short-term effects on fertility among males. The COVID-19 vaccines are not detrimental to pregnant mothers. As a matter of fact, the vaccines are strongly recommended for pregnant individuals to prevent premature delivery and stillbirths that COVID-19 causes.

A droplet is enough A landmark human challenge trial suggests that “being exposed to a single nasal droplet of SARSCoV2 particles is enough to cause a person to develop COVID-19 fast, within 42 hours.” The researchers also found that infected persons (with or without symptoms) were most likely to pass on the virus at 5 days into infection.

For recovering patients, it is best to self-quarantine for about 10 days before mingling with people.

Gut dysbiosis There is evidence of a possible connection between Long COVID-19 and gut dysbiosis (changes in the community microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract). Gut symbiosis and balance (of good and bad bacteria) are important in general health and our immune system. People with the Long COVID-19 have distinct changes in their gut microbiota, showing that the more severe the infection, the greater the dysbiosis, with fewer “friendly” bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract. This inspires the need “to investigate the use of dietary changes, probiotics, and fecal transplants as PAGE 10

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 17-23, 2022

9

Kiana V shares her latest single, ‘Heartbeat...

PAGE 8 about when you feel like you can really dive in and fall in love with someone, but you want to make sure the feeling is mutual first.

You want to know that they’ll be there for you the way you are for them.”

Exploring the delicacy of a relationship at its peak, she sings of waking up right next to the person you adore, taking in their breath, their pulse; two people so in sync as to become one organism. At the same time, she can’t help but wonder if her lover is equally devoted. It speaks to that nagging fear in the back of our

minds whenever we risk sharing every aspect of ourselves with someone else. “Will your actions meet the honey you speak?,” she ponders to herself.

In March, Kiana will perform at SXSW as a 2022 official showing artist, along with Maxo Kream, Priya Ragu, Poppy Ajudha, and more. “Heartbeat On Me” follows the release of Kiana’s 5-track EP “Dazed,” which earned praise from SPIN, NME, HYPEBAE, Office Magazine, Paper Magazine, and more. Music has always been a permeating force in Kiana’s life.

Her father, Gary Valenciano, is one of the Philippines’ most prolific

musicians with a four decade spanning career. She’s already a star in her home country of the Philippines and currently splits her time between LA and Manila. Kiana will continue to take fans behind the scenes of her musical journey and travels in the MYX original series documenting her musical journey, called The Crossover. The TV show will air globally on linear TV, MYX.GLOBAL digital and @ myxglobal social platforms. With over 20+ million Spotify streams to date and Grammy.com calling her a Filipino artist to watch, Kiana is poised to bring her R&B/Pop sound to the rest of the world.

SFIO receives letter of interest from US EXIM Bank for up to $28.75-M in debt financing STARFLEET Innotech, Inc. has received a letter of interest from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), in support of SFIO’s real estate development projects in the Philippines.

In their letter, EXIM, the official export credit agency of the United States, expressed interest in extending financing of up to $28.75 million, towards SFIO’s medical and retirement resort in Montemaria, Batangas, just south of Metro Manila in the Philippines. Potential debt financing from EXIM would be eligible for a maximum repayment term of seven years.

This follows a series of partnerships and exploratory talks SFIO has spearheaded

towards non-dilutive debt financing for its various projects.

SFIO is currently engaged with a number of local banks in the Philippines to secure similar financing arrangements for their real estate developments, including a bayside, eco-friendly tech village in Batangas.

These projects play a crucial role in the global asset

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

(Advertising Supplement)

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FEBRUARY 17-23, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

Features

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Piolo willing to work in Manny Villar’s AMBS

by Jan

milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actor Piolo Pascual is willing to work in Manny Villar’s Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS) if his schedule permits.

Villar’s AMBS recently acquired some of the frequencies of ABS-CBN. At the virtual press conference of his upcoming sitcom “My Papa Pi”, Piolo said he’s willing to have a show in the new channel if there’s no conflict with ABSCBN. “As long as there’s no conflict.

Kung hindi siya conflict sa shows mo with ABS, I don’t think it’s gonna matter. And as long as the concept is good,” he said.

Piolo, however, said that he is focused at the moment with his mother network.

“Pero for now I’m just gonna (be) for whatever right now with ABS. I have shows working on so I think I don’t have the time for that (other networks) in the near future,” he said.

The "Ultimate Heartthrob" will be joined by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and hit comedian and versatile actor Pepe Herrera in this series from Star Creatives, which will be helmed by award-winning director Cathy

Garcia-Molina.

Set in the fictional Mapag-Asa street, “My Papa Pi” revolves around the lives of Pipoy (Piolo), a single dad who wants a better future for his daughter, his twin brother Popoy (Pepe), a popular tumbong maker and owner of “One More Tumbong,” and Tere (Pia), a woman with a golden heart who happens to be Popoy’s one great love but has feelings for Pipoy.

Adding zest to their story are other characters in Brgy. Gintong Tupa to be played by the star-studded ensemble of Joross Gamboa, Alora Sasam, Hyubs Azarcon, Katya Santos, Daisy Lopez a/k.a. "Madam Inutz," and breakout stars Anthony Jennings and Daniela Stranner from the movie "Love at First Stream."

"My Papa Pi" is one of ABSCBN's much-awaited 2022 offerings as this is Piolo's first ABSCBN series since 2020. Dubbed as a "sweetcom," the show will bring smiles and romance to viewers who are looking for something fresh and new this 2022.

“It’s a nice breather. I even Piolo Pascual Photo from Instagram/@piolo_pascual surprise myself dito sa show. Ang sarap having a solid cast and a patawa ka o nakakapagbigay ng feeling pabalik sa ‘yo,” said Piolo director na fun. 'Pag nakakapag- ligaya sa paligid mo, it’s a nice about his new show.

Mikael and Megan still so in love, but forgot Valentine’s Day

by allan

PoliCarPio Inquirer.net

“I’M not sure—baka biglaan na lang ‘yun!” Mikael Daez quipped, when asked if having a baby and starting their own family is something he and his wife, Megan Young, are now considering.

In their past interviews and podcasts, Mikael and Megan said it was a conscious decision not to try for a baby immediately after their wedding in 2020, because they wanted to enjoy their relationship as a married couple first, and make the most out of their respective career opportunities.

But things seem to be starting to change. “Before, we used to say,

Megan Young and Mikael Daez

‘Not yet.’ But now, perhaps one of these days, baka magulat na lang tayong lahat,” Mikael said.

“And don’t worry, baka ako rin magulat!” the 34-year-old actor-host said, laughing.

But no rush, no pressure. Right now, Mikael and Megan are simply enjoying life in their new home in Subic, Zambales.

“I’m in love with Subic. Now that we have spent a couple of months there I can say that life is good there—maluwag, maaliwalas, there are so much to do,” he said.

And so far, shuttling between Subic and Manila for their work-related commitments hasn’t really

Photo from Instagram/@mikaeldaez

been a problem.

“We realized that we can go back and forth. We take turns driving, one hour each. We feel reassured,” he said.

The couple bought an old house in the province after tying the knot, but couldn’t move in right away because they had to do a lot of renovation work. And then the COVID-19 pandemic caused further delays. But it was all worth the wait.

“I feel like this will be permanent. Well, you know Megan and I, we travel often … we travel everywhere. But I would like to call Subic our main home,” he said.

Two years into their marriage and nothing has really changed.

“Sobrang chill kami … We do the same things together. And I love her just as much,” he said.

Well, so chill, in fact, that they forgot about Valentine’s Day. And that’s fine.

“We both woke up late. It was only until we went on Instagram that we realized it was Valentine’s Day! So we just greeted each other,” Mikael said. “I was planning on building a gaming PC for her that day anyway, so that was my gift for her.”

Spotlight As the host of “The Best Ka!,” Mikael will be featuring Guinness world record holders, intriguing anecdotes and trivia, and out-ofthis-world wonders. The show will also shine a spotlight on Filipinos with remarkable feats and achievements. Megan will be the special guest for the premiere episode.

“I will be injecting comedy, creativity and good vibes as we feature stories about the best of

the best. The awe factor, excitement will be there … The viewers will see my different quirks. While some of them may have already seen that side of me on TikTok or Instagram Reels, it’s my first time showing those on television. I’m coming in as myself,” he said.

Mikael has been hosting live events and television and online shows since 2013 (when he became a segment anchor for the late-night newscast “Saksi.” But this is the first time he was given his own.

“I didn’t even realize it until someone mentioned that to me,” he related. “But every project is a blessing. The network trusts me, so I just want to make the most out of this opportunity and enjoy myself.”

There’s pressure, he admitted.

But what’s important, he said, is to focus on the things he can control and let the rest unfold.

“I will have to prepare well, understand my objectives and just enjoy myself … Sometimes, you do your best, but you don’t end up meeting your expectations. But the only thing you can control is the ability to give your all. Then be thankful for the blessings that come after,” he said. “I’m also blessed with a very supportive team. It’s a team effort. So I don’t feel like it’s all on me.”

The last time Mikael did a soap opera was in 2020 with “Love of My Life.” There were talks about doing one with Megan, but that has yet to materialize. He misses acting; he loves it just as much as hosting. But he understands that there are a lot of external factors at play.

Kris Aquino

Photo from Instagram/@krisaquino

Kris leaves for US with sons for medical treatment

KRIS Aquino was reportedly set to fly out of the country to the United States on Thusday, Feb. 17, and is planning to stay abroad for at least three months.

The actress’ departure to the U.S. was revealed by columnist Cristy Fermin on her radio program “Cristy Ferminute,” on One PH’s YouTube channel last Tuesday, Feb. 15. Fermin cited an anonymous source who sent the information to her via text message.

“Ang pag-alis po ni Kris Aquino at ng kanyang mga anak na sina Joshua at Bimby ay sa Feb. 17 na po. Ibig sabihin sa Huwebes ito at ang kanilang destinasyon ay Amerika,” she said. (The departure of Kris Aquino and her children, Joshua and Bimby, will be on Feb. 17. That means it’s on Thursday and their destination is America.)

Fermin then noted that in the past, Aquino also went abroad with Josh and Bimby to get treat-

ments for her autoimmune disease. According to Fermin, Aquino will be doing the same once she arrives in the US. “Gano’n din po ngayon. Kasama niya ang magkapatid sa Amerika naman at baka daw tumagal siya do’n nang tatlo hanggang apat na buwan,” she added. (It will be the same this time. She will be with the siblings in America and she might stay there for three to four months.)

Fermin then wished Aquino good health and prayed the actress would return to the Philippines with more weight, given that Aquino has lost several pounds over the years. for herself and a certain someone whom she and her brother, the late President Benigno S. Aquino III, “love so dearly.”

She recently denied rumors that she is in critical condition, stressing that she will “fight to extend [her] time” because her sons still need her. (Dana Cruz/Inquirer.net)

Angelica takes own love advice

by Charmie Joy

Pagulong Philstar.com

ANGELICA Panganiban has taken on another hugot role that lets her explore the why’s of heartbreak in the iWantTFC’s original series, The Goodbye Girl, based on the book of the same title by best-selling author Noreen Capili.

According to the media release, the show is narrated by Yanna (Angelica), a financial advisor-turned-author whose world crumbles when she comes home to her husband, Y (RK Bagatsing), who announces he will leave her for his one great love.

Yanna immediately gets drunk and hops on social media to livestream her miserable situation. Her relatable story goes viral overnight, and she becomes known as “The Goodbye Girl.”

Yanna finds her new purpose in life, which is to give online advice to people, who have gone through the same thing. One day, she gets a book deal from a charming publisher named Jeff (JC de Vera) to write about the stories her followers have shared

with her and the pieces of advice she has given them.

Comparing her role in That Thing Called Tadhana to the one in The Goodbye Girl, Angelica said in a virtual call that her character has become more mature now. “When I did Tadhana, I was younger. At nung ginawa ko ‘to ngayon (The Goodbye Girl), ilang years after na rin siya, nasa mga 10 years na rin naman siguro. So within that 10 years, ilang ‘bagahe’ na rin yung napagdaanan ko.

At nabitbit ko at nalagpasan ko para maging mas mature siguro, mas calm and collected siya kapag nasasaktan na siya this time,” said she.

Tagged as the Hugot Queen, the Kapamilya actress shared she was hurt at first being labeled as such but, “That’s how people see you. Mahirap na ikaw yung magdikta sa kanila kung ano yung gusto mong itawag sayo. Hindi ko alam kung anong itawag sa akin pero siyempre may iba din namang dating, may ibang impact din na u PAGE 11

Barbie reflects on the pain of saying goodbye

by Charmie Joy

Pagulong Philstar.com

PRIOR to her confirmation of parting ways with beau of one year, Diego Loyzaga, Barbie Imperial mused over the pain of saying goodbye to someone during the digital media conference for iWantTFC’s original series, The Goodbye Girl, based on the book of the same title by best-selling author Noreen Capili.

“One of the hardest goodbyes is the one you don’t see coming,” she opined. “Hindi mo na-anticipate na yun na yung last time na makikita mo yung taong yun. Yun yung pinakamahirap na goodbye na bigla na lang, ‘Huh, paano nangyari yun?’ Yung hindi mo alam na mangyayari kasi hindi ka ready. But ganun talaga, life.”

She also agreed with what her co-star Turs Daza said about forgetting someone during the healing process after the breakup. “That’s what always happens, like, you enter a relationship, tapos ang saya-saya tapos malungkot, tapos masaya, tapos heartbreak maghihiwalay kayo tapos masakit ulit kasi mag-mo-move on ka. As you go on with life, makakalimutan mo yung feeling, eh.

Nawawala,” expressed Barbie.

She added, “I agree with Turs, hindi naman siguro nakakalimutan yung (person) pero nawawala (yung feeling). Life experience din talaga siya. Kailangan mo lang talaga matuto.”

Barbie knows when it is time to say goodbye. Citing her past relationships, she shared, “I’m the type of girlfriend that doesn’t easily give up. But (if) I feel like the other person is not growing with me, that’s the time that I say Barbie has confirmed breakup with boyfriend of one year, Diego Loyzaga in an ABS-CBN news na goodbye na talaga. Kasi para report.

Photo from Instagram/@msbarbieimperial saan pa ako mag-stay? Parang

wala na akong naambag sa growth mo. If wala na akong naitutulong sayo (why would I stay?)”

“Based on experience, ako yung nag-go-goodbye. Nung naggrow na talaga ako, maganda pala talaga yung nag-go-goodbye ka ng maayos kahit gaano pa kasakit.

Kasi pumasok ka sa relasyon, pinaalam mo, eh, so, alis ka, paalam mo rin,” she furthered.

The Kapamilya star’s personal advice to “The Goodbye Girl” is to take all the time you need to heal, “You don’t have to rush it. (It should be) at your own pace and if you feel that you are ready na bumangon, ituloy-tuloy mo lang.”

“Yung healing naman kasi hindi naman siya tuloy-tuloy, eh. May mga days na paakyat ka na tapos pababa, tapos pataas. For me, you just have to remember that this is life, eh, we got hurt but we learn from it. It’s OK to feel hurt, you are only human,” reminded Barbie.

Self-love is the love lesson she learned recently. “Before, ‘pag naririnig natin na mahalin mo muna sarili mo bago ka magmahal ng iba, parang gasgas. But the thing that I learned from my past relationships is you really need to love yourself. It’s really true.”

Barbie admitted she is the kind of person that even if she is drowning, she still gives love to other people. However, she realized now that the reason why the same thing happened to her in previous relationships was due to lack of self-love.

“Self-love is very important, you have to love yourself para alam mo kung kailan ka aalis, alam mo kung kailan mo ipaglalu PAGE 11

Angelica Panganiban

PAGE 9

Photo from Instagram/@iamangelicap

New COVID data

potential treatments for Long COVID-19.”

Life is precious The pandemic is far from over. While the politicians endanger the public with their political correctness and medical ignorance, let us listen to science and continue to protect ourselves and our loved ones with frequent handwashing, wearing NIOSH-N95 masks, and practicing social distancing until the number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths have flattened out. Plain common sense. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

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Features

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 17-23, 2022

RK learns lessons from a breakup: ‘Give yourself time to grieve’ by alex

Brosas Inquirer.net

BREAKING up with a girlfriend during a holiday season made RK Bagatsing realize that pushing back realities can take its toll on one’s body.

Bagatsing recalled how he broke up with the girl and how he consequently got emotional a month after the break-up.

“Nu’ng nag-break, parang ang daming distractions. A lot of things are happening – parties, may nag-birthday and my sister from the States umuwi, siyempre, may get-together.

Sobrang daming nangyari for like a GMAphoto month. I was trying to push back

Gabby Concepcion

11

everything, ‘yung thoughts. Ayaw mong i-dissect what happened,” he said during the online press conference for the miniseries “The Goodbye Girl” last Jan. 31.

(When we broke up, it seemed as if there were too many distractions… someone had a birthday and my sister from the States went back home, there were get-togethers. So many things happened for what seemed like a month… You wouldn’t want to dissect what happened.)

When the holidays were over, that’s when the actor suddenly felt the rush of emotions.

The journey, he said, makes you learn something.

Bagatsing plays husband

to Angelica Panganiban’s Ynna character in “The Goodbye Girl.”

He said he realized something when he initially read the script.

“Kapag iniwan ka kasi ay parang nawawalan ka ng identity kasi parang matagal nang nakakabit ang identity sa kasama mo. Kapag nawala ‘yung taong ‘yun, hindi mo alam kung sino ka, kung saan ka magsisimula uli,” he said.

(When you are broken up with, it’s like you lose your identity because your identity appears to be attached to your partner for the longest time. When you lose that person, you don’t know who you are and where you will start all over again.)

with being the lover to Franco (Turs), a married man. When she realizes that he may never fully commit to her, Kiera befriends his wife to get to know the “competition,” only to discover that she is just one of the many women being strung along by Franco.

“If may ibang tao kang nasasaktan and alam mo talaga na nasasaktan sila, tapos ginagawa mo pa rin, for me mali talaga yun,” she told The Star about her stand on infidelity.

Will she ever empathize with

“The Other Women?” It depends on the situation, she explained.

“There are ‘Other Women’ na hindi alam na ganun sila. I feel sorry for them. But if they know na ‘Other Woman’ sila, and they still continue to enter that kind of relationship, knowing that the guy has a legal girlfriend or wife, it’s a big no.”

“I believe in karma. Kung ano yung ipinaparamdam mo sa isang tao, babalik at babalik yan. Ipaparamdam yan sayo balang araw,” asserted Barbie.

Gabby on enduring leading man status Barbie reflects on the pain of saying...

By Jerry

Donato

Philstar.com

GABBY Concepcion reprises his vice-president-turned-president role in the First Yaya’s book two titled First Lady. The veteran actor banks on his commanding and charismatic presence t breathe life into Glenn Acosta, who has become a married man now, graduating from being a single parent. Gabby’s flair for acting in a romantic-comedy will be showcased again as the Kapuso TV series premieres tonight.

“You have to be, I believe, nice to everybody on the set,” answered Gabby when this paper inquired him about staying long in show business in a brief virtual one-on-one. “Like my father used to say, ‘Habang paakyat ka, kaibiganin mo lahat dahil pag-baba mo sila rin ang makikita mo…’ Of course, you have to be humble all the time. You can’t be perfect.

You can’t make everybody love you or like you. But at least try not to, you know, hurt anybody’s feelings, and get along with everybody.”

Complementary to that work attitude is an actor’s commitment to deliver the goods.

“Do your job, do what is expected of you to do,” added Gabby, who reflected that there are many other factors for one to have and enjoy an enduring career like luck, hard work, dedication and building relationships with people. This assessment was grounded in his experiences that he had on TV and movie sets, as well as stories that he read and heard.

Gabby’s career, which jumpstarted in the ‘80s, with a break in the latter part of ‘90s and a comeback in the latter part of 2000s, is a solid proof that the above secrets make up a formula that works. After all, the local tinseltown will also find a place for actors who have the passion to continue the tradition of storytelling through moving images.

If actors like Gabby are able to provide an inspired performance, it’s also because of the material being presented to them.

“Ang ending talaga, I believe, is the story,” shared Gabby, who also acknowledged the concerted and cumulative efforts of everybody behind the show.

Gabby and the rest are on the same page to give audiences a good piece of entertainment, which also reflects GMA’s commitment. All have to perform and collaborate, especially if there are aspects like lines that can be enhanced.

This environment makes the work thrive and conducive for actors and other creatives to better their craft. Gabby would like to continue working with GMA “and everybody that I’ve been working with right now. I’m really happy with the production,” said he. “I’m happy with the director, I’m happy with everybody in the team, the actors, the crew, the staff. They’re friendly, accommodating and very accepting.”

So, the First Lady team had the drive to continue working, shared he, “It’s fun to work, parang hindi ka nag-ta-trabaho.

That’s what’s nice about this First

Lady that started with First Yaya, maybe that’s the reason why we have season two. We radiate that energy to our audience.”

Gabby is always in his element to be the leading man of Sanya Lopez, who also deserves a pat on the back for playing Yaya Melody, now the wife of President Glenn.

He is thankful that fans and industry colleagues have welcomed and supported him.

For the recent successes he has reaped and the creative space he has been given, Gabby attributes them to the people he has worked with. Through them, his acting talent is being enjoyed and appreciated by viewers of different generations.

With the rate his career is going, viewers will see him more on TV, and as he put it, “Ang uso ngayon is teleserye.” But it’s also nice to see him acting in a film, just like what he and KC did, along with Jericho Rosales, in I’ll Be There, whom Gabby described as “a very good movie,” and if one may add, with a relatable narrative and heartfelt performances from the actors.

That work between Gabby and KC can also be done in a family drama TV series.

For now, Gabby will take on President Glenn character, who will be joined by new dramatis personae, played by Alice Dixson, Francine Prieto, Samantha Lopez, Isabel Rivas and Rocco Nacino in a special role.

Still at it, Gabby is an epitome of a Filipino leading man, whose acting can traverse genres and whose career continues to thrive.

PAGE 10

aban ang sarili mo and you know your worth as a person,” she stressed. “If you don’t love yourself, parang ang mangyayari, go with the flow ka lang even if hindi na para sa inyong dalawa. So love yourself para buo ka. Yung tapang mo nandiyan. Yung paninindigan mo nandiyan.”

On the other hand, it’s the first time that Barbie will take on the role of a mistress. In the episode The Other Girl, Kiera (portrayed

by Barbie) becomes dissatisfied

Angelica takes own love...

PAGE 10 may mga taong nilalapitan ka dahil hindi na nila alam kung sino ang dapat lapitan.”

She further recalled how her talk show Ask Angelica helped and inspired the “brokenhearted” to move on. She herself has personally gained insights about love and relationships as well. She said, “I also learned sa pains and struggles nila (fans and followers) in life. You want to help them, pati ikaw na-i-inspire (din) and hindi mo na-i-imagine, natutulungan mo rin pala yung sarili mo para maka-recover ka.”

“Because of what you said to them, parang mapapaisip ka. It’s like, ‘OK yung sinabi ko ah, ba’t di ko i-apply sa sarili ko?’ It’s not only giving advice to other people but in a way, you also help yourself.

Hindi siya nakakapagod gawin at all, kaya natutuwa ako. Natutuwa ako na kahit papano may nag-rereach out sa akin and feeling ko

nakakatulong ako and nagtutulungan lang kaming lahat,” added the 35-year-old star.

There was also one instance when someone approached her in person and asked for love advice out of nowhere. “It happened over dinner. Common friend ni ganyan.

Tapos feeling close, uupo sa tabi ko, tapos, (the person said) ‘Grabe ito yung nangyari sa akin recently lang.’ Tapos kukuwento niya sa akin yung love life niya. Hindi ko siya kilala, pero sige, game,” she shared.

Angelica, who is currently in a relationship with businessman boyfriend Gregg Homan, was asked if she had something to advise to “The Goodbye Girl” at present. She said, “Wala akong gustong sabihin kay ‘Goodbye Girl’ kasi magkaiba sila ng kinalalagyan ngayon.”

However, if there was one thing that she could consult her character in the series, it would be

about, “pwede kong kamustahin yung dating ako. Or kung pwede akong magbigay sa dating ako, dun sa dating tangang Angge, ang message ko lang ay, ‘Keep going, girl. Darating ka din sa finish line.

Matatauhan ka.’”

Meanwhile, since it’s the love month, The Goodbye Girl actors have these love messages for everybody.

“Ang pag-ibig naman hindi lang yan para sa may boyfriend, sa may asawa. It’s love, it’s universal,” declared RK. “Love is the most beautiful thing in the world. Hayaan mo yung sarili mo na maramdaman yun,” asserted JC. “Ipag-patuloy ang pag-ibig dahil kapag tinigil mo ang pagibig, dun ka titigil mabuhay. So kahit mahirap, masakit at nakaka-stress ang pag-ibig, kailangan nating lumaban, kahit man lang para sa sarili natin,” commented Angelica.

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FEBRUARY 17-23, 2022 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

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