022322 - Southern California Midweek Edition

FEBRUARY 23-25, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 15 • 14 Pages

USA

DATELINE Filipino Veterans Education Program now accessible online FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

WITH the completion of a full online interactive educational program, educators are now able to access, free of charge, resources that bring to life the story of U.S. colonization and war from the perspective of Filipinos who fought under the American flag and who continued to fight for nearly 70 years after they were denied recognition and stripped of the benefits promised them by America.

Called “Duty to Country,” FilVetREP’s education program, www.dutytocountry. org, was first launched in November 2021.

It features an online exhibition, “Under One Flag,” which explores the untold story of the United States and the Philippines, along with first-hand accounts of living veterans and their families, historians, and community advocates. Hundreds of archival photographs, artifacts, films, and historical documents are showcased in this exhibit.

Last month, FilVetREP rolled out the second phase of its interactive education

LA County’s indoor mask mandate may relax as COVID-related hospitalizations decline

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

AS the winter coronavirus surge calms down, hospitalizations in Los Angeles County — which were previously rising at exponential levels just weeks ago — have declined significantly, leading to what officials hope is the tail end of the omicron surge.

In the middle of January, COVID-related hospitalizations across LA County stood at just over 4,800, but as of Tuesday, Feb. 22, the number of COVID-positive hospital patients is 1,276, the county reported.

In addition to the lowered number of coronavirus hospitalizations, the county also reported 1,188 new

by ZACARIAN

Casimero facing US deportation?

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COVID is third leading cause of death in PH from Jan to Nov 2021

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WORLD Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero is in a serious fix with his U.S. visa subject to revocation on a notice by Los Angeles promoter Tom Brown, purportedly because the fighter faces a case filed in Taguig by a 17-year-old woman for acts of lasciviousness last Feb. 11. Brown, who’s connected with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions, filed a petition for Casimero’s non-immigrant working visa with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services on Oct. 2, 2019 and it was approved on Jan. 13, 2020.

Brown has now sought the automatic revocation of the approval of the unexpired portion of the visa term. He asked that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services notify the U.S. Department of State of this petition. If the revocation is approved, Casimero – who is in the U.S. – will be deported and forced to return home. He is currently training with his brother Jayson and friend Stephen Lunas in San Diego preparing for his title defense against Paul Butler in Liverpool on April 22.

The case against Casimero was filed at

Covid cases, which is less than half of the positive case number reported a week ago on Wednesday, Feb. 16, which had 3,348 positive cases.

The county also reported 36 new coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, down from 102 reported on Feb. 16. The daily positivity rate now sits at 1.9%.

The sharp decrease in hospitalizations influenced

BBM IN TONDO. UniTeam presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. greets residents in Tondo, Manila during a motorcade on Sunday, February 20. Marcos and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte vow to unite all Filipinos as the first step in fostering nation-building and development.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

SARAO

MANILA — COVID-19 is the third leading cause of death in the Philippines from January to November 2021, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), trailing ischemic heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases.

Based on the latest PSA data released Tuesday, 67,494 or 9.6 percent of all the recorded deaths during the mentioned period died of the severe respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

“Deaths due to COVID-19 virus identified were now the third leading cause which accounted for 67,494 deaths (9.6% share), rising from rank 14 with 8,390 deaths (1.5% share) in the same period of 2020,” the PSA explained in its report.

Calabarzon registered the highest number of deaths due to COVID-19 from among the country’s 17 regions with

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PH eases entry rules for 8 more countries

by KRISTINA

MARALIT ManilaTimes.net

THE government will recognize the national vaccination certificates of eight more countries, further relaxing restrictions on arriving passengers.

Vaccination cards issued by Egypt, Maldives, Palau, Albania, Estonia, Greece, Malta and Uruguay will exempt arrivals from those countries from mandatory COVID quarantine, according to Cabinet Secretary and acting Palace spokesman Karlo Alexie Nograles.

“This is in addition to other countries/ territories/jurisdictions whose proof of vaccination the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) has already approved for recognition in the Philippines and

without prejudice to such other proofs of vaccination approved by the IATF for all inbound travelers,” Nograles said.

The vaccination cards of 24 other countries had been accepted by the IATF: Argentina, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Indonesia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Azerbaijan, Macau SAR, Syria, Malaysia, Ireland, Brazil, Israel, South Korea, Timor-Leste, Slovenia, Bahrain, Qatar, Switzerland and Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the 17 mayors that make up the Metro Manila Council met on Monday, Februarty 21, to discuss the downgrading of the alert level in the National Capital Region following the

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Vice presidential candidate Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio

Inquirer.net photo

Marcos, Duterte campaigning California state lawmakers introduce two bills to combat anti-Asian hate crime separately a strategy, says Sara

by SUNITA

SOHRABJI

Ethnic Media Services

CALIFORNIA lawmakers introduced two bills in the state Legislature Feb. 17 aimed at combating the surge of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The web portal Stop AAPI Hate, which allows victims of hate crime to self report incidents in one of several Asian languages, has logged over 9,000 reports since March 2020. More than 12 percent of the incidents involved physical violence.

Forty percent of the reports came from California, which is home to the largest AAPI population in the US. Community advocates have blamed former President Donald Trump who targeted China for allegedly infecting the world with Covid-19. Trump repeatedly called coronavirus the “Chinese flu,” “Kung Flu,” and other racial epithets.

Women were the targets in more than two-thirds of reported incidents. In the past four weeks, two fatal attacks have occurred in New York city: Christina Yuna

Lee, who was stabbed to death by a stranger who followed her into her Chinatown apartment; and Michelle Alyssa Go, who was pushed in front of a Times Square subway train.

Manjusha Kulkarni, cofounder of Stop AAPI Hate, said 73 of Asian Americans who responded to a survey expressed more fear of being the target of a hate crime than being infected

by Covid.

At a news conference Feb. 8 — organized by Stop AAPI Hate and the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative —

Sen. Dave Min, who represents portions of Orange County in the California state Senate, said: “Violent acts against AAPIs have been skyrocketing since the pandemic. These attacks suggest we are not Americans, even if we have lived here all our lives.”

“We have to take a hard look at why these crimes are happening,” he said, lauding the portal Stop AAPI Hate for documenting such crimes, so that the issue could substantively be addressed with data.

by NEIL

ARWIN MERCADO

MANILA — Vice presidential candidate Inday Sara DuterteCarpio described as “strategy” the move of her tandem with Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to campaign separately most of the time this month.

In an interview with reporters in Batangas on Tuesday, February 22, Duterte-Carpio was asked why she and Marcos are mostly doing their campaign separately.

The vice presidential candidate attended an event in Batangas  PAGE 2 without Marcos.

“Ganun po talaga ang strategy ng UniTeam dahil hindi pwedeng magkasama kami palagi otherwise hindi namin maco-cover ang buong Pilipinas,” Duterte-Carpio said.

(That is really the strategy of the UniTeam–that we cannot be together all the time otherwise we will not be able to cover the entire Philippines.)

Duterte-Carpio explained that there are certain areas in the country identified by their campaign strategists as areas where their tandem should

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2 FEBRUARY 23-25, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

LA County’s indoor mask...

PAGE 1 the county’s decision last week to discontinue the mask-wearing requirement for outdoor megaevents and outdoor spaces in schools, as the Asian Journal reported last week.

The continuing uptick of residents getting vaccinated and booster shots are also contributing to the decrease in coronavirus metrics, LA County Public Health reported. Of the county’s 10.3 million residents, about 78% have had at least one vaccine dose, 70% are fully vaccinated, and 34% have received a booster shot.

According to LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn,

vaccinated people may soon be able to forgo mask-wearing, an update to the Health Officer Order that could take effect as early as this Friday, Feb. 25.

In a tweet, Hahn said on Tuesday that LA Public Health may start “allowing vaccinated people to take off their masks indoors at places that check for proof of vaccination. This puts us significantly closer to aligning with the state.” (LA County Public Health has not responded to Hahn’s tweet, as of press time.)

If things go according to Hahn’s statement, the change would be the county’s most significant easing of its mask mandate; even though the state lifted the indoor

mask mandate last week, LA County Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said that it would be upholding the mandate until Covid numbers remained low.

As previously reported in the Asian Journal, Ferrer said that the mask mandate would be dropped as soon as the county reached a seven-day cumulative infection rate of less than 50 positive cases per 100,000 residents; as of Monday, Feb. 21, the county’s rate was 133 per 100,000 residents.

The county continues the downward trend, the indoor mask mandate would be lifted

by March 30, Ferrer said last week. g

COVID is third leading cause of death...

PAGE 1 20,409 or 21 percent of the total COVID-19 deaths from January to November 2021, followed by Metro Manila with 20,154 and Central Luzon with 17,865.

“On the other hand, ARMM reported the least number of registered COVID-19 deaths with only 149 cases,” the PSA noted.

In Metro Manila, the PSA said Quezon City posted the highest number of COVID-19 deaths during the 11-month period with 3,955.

Meanwhile, the PSA places ischemic heart diseases as the top cause of mortality in the country from January to November 2021.

Its data shows that of all the fatalities recorded in that period, 125,913 or 17.9 percent were due to ischemic heart diseases.

The PSA said this figure is an increase of 31.9 percent from the recorded 95,439 deaths due to ischemic heart diseases from January to November 2020.

Cerebrovascular diseases, on the other hand, are the second leading cause of death in the country from January to November 2021 as they accounted for 68,180 fatalities during that time. The PSA said the latest sum increased by 16.6 percent from the 58,476 cases logged the year before.

The PSA data further indicated that neoplasms or “cancer” is the fourth while diabetes mellitus is the fifth leading causes of mortality in the country from January to November 2021, registering 54,853 and 44,491 deaths, respectively.

Also included in the top 10 causes of death in the Philippines from January to November 2021 are: • Hypertensive diseases • Pneumonia • COVID-19 virus not identified • Other heart diseases • Chronic lower respiratory diseases.

PH eases entry rules for 8 more...

PAGE 1

continued drop in COVID -19 cases in the area.

Romando Artes, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager, said that in deciding whether to slide down

the alert level from 2 to 1, the mayors will consider the risk classification of each of the local government units in the metropolis, the health care utilization rate, the decrease of COVID-19 cases and the

recommendations of the economic sector and Cabinet secretaries, particularly that of the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. g

Marcos, Duterte campaigning separately a...

PAGE 1

campaign together.

“Kung saan man siya pupunta, dala-dala niya ang Bongbong Marcos-Sara Duterte at ganun din ako. So that way, we cover so many areas sa Pilipinas and we only collaborate and converge sa

areas where our strategists say doon kami magsama,” she added.

(Wherever he goes, he brings with him the Marcos-Duterte tandem and the same goes for me. So that way, we cover so many areas in the Philippines and we only collaborate and

converge in areas where our strategists tell us we should be together.)

Duterte-Carpio is having her own campaign, dubbed the “Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride,” where she visits various provinces and cities in the country. g

VAX FROM ‘DOWN UNDER’. Airport personnel inspect the shipment of 293,670 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adults donated by the Australian government through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Monday, February 21. The government plans to change its strategies to strengthen its national vaccination program against COVID-19.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

California state lawmakers introduce two bills...

PAGE 1

Min has introduced SB 1161, which seeks to protect women riding public transit from facing harassment or violence on 10 of the state’s largest transit agencies, including the Los Angeles Metro, BART, Orange County Transportation Authority, and San Francisco MUNI. SB 1161 would require transit agencies to collect and study data about harassment commuters face while riding public transport and to develop policies which mitigate such harassment.

Cynthia Choi, Co-Executive Director of Chinese for Affirmative Action and co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate said at the Feb. 8 news briefing: “Harassment on public transportation has been normalized. As women walk to and from transit stops, they are often the targets of street harassment which includes whistling, derogatory language, and verbal harassment.”

“This limits our freedom of movement, and limits job opportunities to daylight hours,” she said, adding: “My own experience was that taking public transportation came with risks.”

Annie Lee, director of policy for CAA noted that many transit agencies in California do have

policies in place to address harassment, but fewer than 10 percent of such cases are reported. “Women are often embarrassed to report,” she said.

“From the first mile to the last, no Californian should feel unsafe traveling to work, to school, or anywhere,” Min said in a statement. “This bill will help restore confidence in the safety of public transportation so that everyone — especially women and minorities — can ride from one place to the next without fear.”

Assemblywomen Mia Bonta and Akilah Weber discussed their bill, AB 2549, which aims to prevent harassment on the street. Bonta, who represents portions of Northern California’s East Bay Area, said the bill was the first of its kind in the nation.

“Street harassment disproportionately affects women of color; AAPI women have been frequent targets of attack,” she said, adding: “This bill aims to help women feel more autonomous.”

Weber, who represents San Diego, said: “I am especially excited that we are looking at this very real and prevalent issue as a public health issue.

Everyone deserves to feel safe.”

AB 2549 would require the California Department of Public Health to conduct research and a 5-year, statewide, public campaign to raise awareness and understanding of street harassment as a public health problem in the state with the purpose of preventing its occurrence.

The bill would define “street harassment” as intimidating or threatening words, gestures, or actions directed at a specific person in a public place, without the consent of that person. CDPH would be required to present a report and new policy by Jan. 1, 2024.

Lisa Fu, executive director of the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, said: “Street harassment is deeply rooted in systems of patriarchy. It can quickly escalate to more violent forms of harassment.”

Fu personally experienced street harassment daily while walking to middle school and high school. “I was told to brush if off, but it has stayed with me to this day,” she said. “We need broad-based systemic changes.”

“We don’t want to criminalize people; we want to educate them,” said Fu. (Sunita Sohrabji/ Ethnic Media Services)

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Dateline USa

COVID still threatens millions of Americans.

Why are we so eager to move on?

by Victoria

Knight Kaiser Health News

IESHA White is so fed up with the U.S. response to COVID-19 that she’s seriously considering moving to Europe.

“I’m that disgusted. The lack of care for each other, to me, it’s too much,” said White, 30, of Los Angeles. She has multiple sclerosis and takes a medicine that suppresses her immune system. “As a Black disabled person, I feel like nobody gives a [expletive] about me or my safety.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a strict definition of who is considered moderately or severely immunocompromised, such as cancer patients undergoing active treatment and organ transplant recipients.

Still, millions of other people are living with chronic illnesses or disabilities that also make them especially susceptible to the disease. Though vulnerability differs based on each person and their health condition — and can depend on circumstances — catching COVID is a risk they cannot take.

As a result, these Americans who are at high risk — and the loved ones who fear passing along the virus to them — are speaking out about being left behind as the rest of society drops pandemic safeguards such as masking and physical distancing.

Their fears were amplified this month as several Democratic governors, including the leaders of California and New York — places that were out front in implementing mask mandates early on — moved to lift such safety requirements. To many people, the step signaled that “normal” life was returning.

But for people considered immunocompromised or who face high risks from covid because of other conditions, it upped the level of anxiety.

“I know my normal is never going to be normal,” said Chris Neblett, 44, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, a kidney transplant recipient who takes immunosuppressive drugs to prevent his body from rejecting his transplanted organ. “I’m still going to be wearing a mask in public. I’m still probably going

to go to the grocery store late at night or early in the morning to avoid other people.”

He is especially concerned because his wife and young daughter recently tested positive for COVID. Even though he’s fully vaccinated, he’s not sure he is protected from the virus’s worst outcomes.

Neblett participates in a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine study tracking transplant recipients’ immune response to the vaccine, so he knows his body produced only a low amount of antibodies after the third dose and is waiting on the results of the fourth. For now, he’s isolating himself from his wife and two kids for 10 days by staying in his second garage.

“I told my wife when covid first happened, ‘I have to make it to the vaccine,’” he said. But learning the vaccine hasn’t triggered an adequate immune-system response so far is crushing. “Your world really changes. You start wondering, ‘Am I going to be a statistic?

Am I going to be a number to people that don’t seem to care?’”

Scientists estimate that almost 3% of Americans meet the strict definition of having weakened immune systems, but researchers acknowledge that many more chronically ill and disabled Americans could be severely affected if they catch COVID. By summer 2021, scientific evidence indicated that immunocompromised people would likely benefit from a third shot, but it took federal agencies time to update their guidance.

Even then, only certain groups of immunocompromised people were eligible, leaving others out.

In October, the CDC again quietly revised its vaccine guidance to allow immunocompromised people to receive a fourth COVID vaccine dose, though a recent KHN story revealed that pharmacists unaware of this change were still turning away eligible people in January.

People with weakened immune systems or other highrisk conditions argue that now is the time, as the omicron surge subsides, to double down on

policies that protect vulnerable Americans like them.

“The pandemic isn’t over,” said Matthew Cortland, a senior fellow working on disability and health care for Data for Progress, who is chronically ill and immunocompromised.

“There is no reason to believe that another variant won’t emerge. … Now is the time, as this omicron wave begins to recede, to pursue policies and interventions that protect chronically ill, disabled, and immunocompromised people so that we aren’t left behind.”

Several people interviewed

by KHN who are part of this community said that, instead, the opposite is taking place, pointing to a January comment

by CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky that implied it was “encouraging news” that the majority of people dying of COVID were already sick.

“The overwhelming number of deaths, over 75%, occurred in people who had at least four comorbidities, so really these are people who were unwell to begin with,” said Walensky, when discussing a study during a television interview that showed the level of protection vaccinated people had against severe illness from COVID. “And yes, really encouraging news in the context of omicron.”

Although the CDC later said Walensky’s remarks were taken out of context, Kendall Ciesemier, a 29-year-old multimedia producer living in Brooklyn, New York, said she was disturbed by the comments.

Walensky’s statement “sent shock waves through the disability community and the chronic illness community,” said Ciesemier, who has had two liver transplants.

“It was saying the quiet part out loud,” she added, noting that though it was likely a gaffe, the strong reaction to it “stemmed from this holistic feeling that these communities have not been prioritized during the pandemic and it feels like our lives are acceptable losses.”

When asked by a KHN reporter at the Feb. 9 White House COVID press briefing what she wanted to convey to people who feel they are being left behind, Walensky didn’t PAGE 5

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4 FEBRUARY 23-25, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline USa

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COVID still threatens millions of Americans...

PAGE 3

Filipino Veterans Education Program now...

PAGE 1 project.

Designed for teachers in the classroom, the curriculum includes five lesson plans on key historical moments: the colonial period, World War II, the establishment of an independent Philippines and the passage of the Rescission Act, and the civil rights movement to restore veterans’ benefits and path to U.S. citizenship. It also features ten explainers built around primary sources, maps and infographics that help students make sense of this long history. There is also a resource guide, “Teaching with Duty to Country,” that highlights a dynamic mix of interviews, primary sources, animations and illustrations, videos, and profile cards.

Award-winning web design “Duty to Country” is developed

by Night Kitchen Interactive, an award-winning web-based development company in Philadelphia. It has won several awards in the last two years.

Working with Night Kitchen Interactive is a professional team of educators and academic experts. They include Prof. Chris Capozzola, author and Professor of History at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Seth Watkins, a prominent lawyer and professor at Duke University; Dr. Colleen Woods, Associate Professor of History at the University of Maryland, College Park; and Leah Nahmias, curriculum developer currently serving as Community Leadership Officer at Central Indiana Community Foundation.

The education project is fully funded by FilVetREP, with

support from corporate sponsors, community organizations and individual donors.

Bringing history to life “Students and teachers need to hear the voices and see the faces of American and Filipino soldiers who fought under the American flag and make their stories come to life in America’s classrooms,” said FilVetREP National Chairman Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret). “That’s our main goal in this education project: to ensure that the historic legacy of Filipino and American World War ll veterans will be preserved for posterity.”

Having accomplished its first mission in October 2017 of securing recognition for the more than 260,000 Filipino soldiers who served, FilVetREP undertook its second mission soon after Congress honored them with the Congressional Gold Medal.

“It’s not enough that we secured their recognition after they waited for more than 70 years,” Taguba noted. “The Congressional Gold Medal honoring their service and sacrifice was a great start. But we wanted more for them. By creating an educational venue, we will enshrine their story in American history, and continue telling their story for generations to come.”

Educational platform With an educational program now accessible for free, teachers and educators will have various resources to engage students in the story of Filipino and American veterans. Although it is designed primarily for students from K to twelve, the curriculum

is also adaptable for university classrooms. In the lesson plans and explainers, the story of Filipino veterans intersects with major themes in U.S. history including immigration, civil rights and social movements, politics, and US foreign policy.

“From the beginning, we knew we wanted a wide range of teachers and students to be able to engage with this history in a multifaceted way-through animated videos, oral histories, photographs, and documents,” said Woods. “This diversity of sources will provide historical context and prompts for reflection. Our educational materials cover over 100 years of history, but we’ve designed our site so that teachers do not have to teach the entire 100 years. Instead, they can choose different entry points —allowing them to adopt lesson plans to fit different parts of the curriculum.

For example, our lesson plan, titled You Decide: Filipino Veterans Long Fight for Justice, could be taught alongside other social movements of the long civil rights era.”

Capozzola adds that the rich content of the curriculum tackles some of the biggest questions in world and U.S. history – war, empire, colonization, military service, racism, immigration, civil rights, and fight for racial justice. “The graphic narratives give history a human face,” he points out. “And they are designed for students at all grade levels, different languages, backgrounds, reading abilities, and learning styles. Everyone can find a path into this history PAGE 5

offer a clear answer.

“We, of course, have to make recommendations that are, you know, relevant for New York City and rural Montana,” she said, adding that they have to be “relevant for the public, but also for the public who is immunocompromised and disabled. And so, that — all of those considerations are taken into account as we work on our guidance.”

Although the CDC currently recommends that vaccinated people continue to wear masks indoors if they are in a place with high or substantial COVID transmission — which includes most of the U.S. — federal officials have indicated this guidance may be updated soon.

“We want to give people a break from things like maskwearing, when these metrics are better, and then have the ability to reach for them again should things worsen,” said Walensky during a Feb. 16 White House COVID briefing,

when discussing whether CDC’s COVID prevention policies would be altered soon.

But there’s no mask break in sight for Dennis Boen, a 67-yearold retiree who has had three kidney transplants. Because his community of Wooster, Ohio, already lacks a mask mandate and few residents voluntarily wear masks, he hasn’t felt comfortable returning to many of the social events that he enjoys.

“I quit going to my Rotary Club that I’ve been a part of for decades,” Boen said. “I went once in the summer to a picnic outside and it was like the people who didn’t believe [in COVID] or didn’t care weren’t wearing masks and they weren’t giving me any space.

Therefore, it was just easier to not go.”

Charis Hill, a 35-year-old disability activist in Sacramento, California, has postponed two surgeries, a hysterectomy, and an umbilical hernia repair for over a year because Hill didn’t

feel safe. Delaying has meant Hill has had to take additional medications and eat only certain foods. The surgeries are scheduled for March 21, but now that California’s mask mandate has lifted, Hill is thinking about delaying the procedures again.

“I feel disposable. As if my life doesn’t have value,” said Hill, who is living with axial spondyloarthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease, and takes immune-suppressing medication. “I am tired of constantly being told that I should just stay home and let the rest of the world move on.”

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

Casimero facing US...

PAGE 1

the Southern Police District in Taguig City. The complainant alleged that the act happened at 11 p.m. on June 7 at the City Park Hotel in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. Casimero’s brother Jayson has vehemently denied the involvement and said the complaint was “fabricated” and their lawyer would soon issue a statement debunking the claim.

There was no mention of Brown’s request to revoke Casimero’s U.S. visa.

Casimero recently met with WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. and a picture of their get-together was released on social media. Casimero supposedly hopes to join Donaire in Richard Schaefer’s Probellum stable. There was also a video quoting Russian manager Egis Klimas, who handles Vasiliy Lomachenko, as saying a certain Jose de la Cruz approached him about promoting Casimero but he said he hasn’t spoken with the Filipino champion, not even shaken his hand.

If Casimero fails to appear in Liverpool to face Butler, the WBO will strip him of the belt.

The WBO previously declared that Casimero will be defrocked if for whatever reason, he

JohnRiel Casimero

isn’t able to fight Butler. If Casimero is stripped because he won’t be issued a UK visa due to a pending court case, WBO No. 4 and WBA No. 7 bantamweight contender Jonas Sultan is ready to step in as

Photo from Instagram/@johnrielcasimero

replacement. Sultan is now in Las Vegas training at the Javier Capetillo gym and said it breaks his heart if Casimero is stripped of the crown but he’s prepared to step in. (Joaquin Henson/Philstar.com)

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Dateline PhiliPPines

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 23-25, 2022 5

Moreno: Doc Willie still my VP, but I respect choices of other voters

by John

Eric MEndoza Inquirer.net

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate and Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Tuesday, March 22, said that he will stick with his running mate Dr. Willie Ong but also remarked that he respects the choice of his other supporters who paired him with vice presidential bet and Davao mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Despite this, Ong stressed that he has no hard feelings with the development, saying he is thankful for Moreno choosing him as his running mate and that he will stick with the mayor until the end.

“Same thing ako (for me). IskoDoc Willie. Period,” Moreno told reporters in an ambush interview in response to Ong’s statement that he will stand with him until the end.

“As a candidate hindi naman

natin mapipigilang ‘yung choices [of voters], kasi hindi naman tayo two party system,” Moreno added, noting that the country’s system differs to that of United States, where the president and vice president come from the same party.

(As a candidate we can’t control the choices of other people since we are not a two party system.)

Moreno called this the “sad truth” of the country’s electoral process.

“But then again, nirerespeto natin yung choices ng taumbayan dahil karapatan nila yun,” he added. (We respect the choices of the people because that’s their right.)

Ong was absent from Aksyon Demokratiko’s three-day sortie in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato, where local officials declared their support to the Isko-Sara tandem. Even the vehicle Moreno used for his motorcade bore the poster of

him together with Duterte, which received a mixed reaction online.

Moreno, who is the president and standard-bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko, said Ong was not included in the sortie lest he would be “humiliated,” since the local chief executives of the said areas have their preferred vicepresidential candidate.

“Ayaw namin siya mapahiya.

We don’t want to put my partner, if you are true to your partner, baka maalanganin ka lang.

Kasi may iba silang preferred candidate. Which is sila naman ang nag-host, sila naman ang gumastos, sila naman ang tumulong,” Moreno explained.

(We don’t want to humiliate him. We don’t want to put my partner, if you are true to your partner, you don’t want to put him in a difficult situation. Because they have a different preferred candidate, and since they are the host, they organized and spent money for the event.)

Filipino Veterans Education Program now...

PAGE 4 in a really productive way, allowing you to think and reflect and holding us accountable as teachers and as learners about the history we learn.” Capozzola recently published “Bound for War,” a book which tells the epic story of America’s long and fateful military relationship with the Philippines amid a century of Pacific warfare.

Rich inheritance “For all students of all ages, you have been bequeathed with a rich inheritance,” says Capozzola.

“This culturally responsive curriculum complements what’s already being taught on the civil rights movement and connects students to topics often overlooked in social studies, which are written from an American perspective.”

To that end, he encourages educators, students, parents, and community members “to reach out to school boards in their districts. Everybody can chime in. No need to be an educational ‘expert’ to have a voice!”

Nahmias also identified other points of entry for the program: social studies specialists in charge of curriculum, state level teachers’ associations, and superintendents or principals in smaller communities. She notes that states are passing new Asian American Studies requirements.

“There are not many materials out there, so folks are really hungry for resources to teach Asian American history,” she says. “This is high quality curriculum developed by historians and scholars.

Professional associations, state history museums and historical societies are all eager to discover these kinds of resources.”

In their own voice At the January 27, 2022 launching of Part Two of FilVetREP’s education project, Taguba explained the critical importance of various resources so that educators and learners can engage students in the dynamic story of Filipino and American veterans. “Because their story was largely written

by American military historians, they conveniently left out the contributions of these brave men and women,” Taguba said. “This is tantamount to being nonexistent because when the story of Filipino World War II veterans is not told in their own voices, their service will never be known.

Moreover, the American people will never understand why the U.S. not only broke its promise to these soldiers but also refused to recognize them for more than 70 years, robbing them of their honor and dignity. It’s a story that can never be told unless we enshrine it in American history.”

Next steps for FilVetREP are to actively promote the program by reaching out to several national organizations, school districts, Asian American Studies groups and advocates. “This is still a work in progress and we hope to further improve the program,” Taguba said. “For now, our main objective is to make it accessible and utilized and bring this story to life in classrooms across the country. g

Tropang Angat does the ‘finger heart’ gesture at the end of their grand rally in Plaza Quezon, Naga City, Bicol, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2022, Naga City, Bicol. The gesture has been related to their campaign, ‘Mas radikal ang magmahal.’

Philstar.com file photo by Jazmin Tabuena

More former government officials, business executives back Robredo by hElEn

FlorEs Philstar.com

MANILA — More former government officials and business executives have expressed their support for presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo.

In a joint statement entitled, “An Earnest Appeal to Our Fellow Filipinos,” 16 signatories, including former senators Rodolfo Biazon, Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Sergio Osmeña III and Wigberto Tañada, said Robredo “is the most qualified and trustworthy presidential candidate who has the political will to rebuild our sordid past, engender hope and inspiration among our people regardless of social standing, and bring about change that has long eluded us.”

“We deserve a president who is fearless, action-oriented, inclusive and decisive – leadership qualities that VP Leni has successfully demonstrated in the last six years despite the limited resources of her public office and undeserved open hostility from the present administration,” they said.

“We need a leader who puts great premium on transparency, accountability and collaboration.

VP Leni champions only truths and facts while others hide behind lies, excuses and denials,” they said.

“We want a president who respects our democratic processes and will uphold

our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity at all times,” they said.

The former officials and business leaders also cited her outstanding leadership and u PAGE 7

LUNGSOD NG CERRITOS PAUNAWA NG MGA NOMINADO PARA SA PAMPUBLIKONG KATUNGKULAN Ang PAUNAWA AY IBINIBIGAY SA PAMAMAGITAN NITO na ang mga sumusunod ay nanomina para sa katungkulang itinalagang mapunan sa Pangkalahatang Munisipal na Halalan na gaganapin sa Lungsod ng Cerritos sa Martes, Abril 12, 2022: Para sa Dalawang Miyembrong Konseho ng Lungsod Bumoto ng hindi hihigit sa DALAWA

Sam Desai Lynda Johnson Ernie Nishii Rocky Pavone Patricia Murray Jennifer Hong Frank Aurelio Yokoyama /s/ Vida Barone, Klerk ng Lungsod/Opisyal ng Halalan

6 FEBRUARY 23-25, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

O PiniOn Vanguard against corruption

FeatURes

ANY genuine campaign to stamp out corruption calls for a strong, independent auditing agency. The Commission on Audit is one of the vanguards against graft. The COA rank and file should never lose sight of their constitutional mandate as the agency gets a new chairperson.

Rizalina Justol is taking over the top COA post from Michael Aguinaldo, whose seven-year term ended on Feb. 2. Justol served as COA auditor when President Duterte was mayor of Davao City. Prior to her new posting, she was the deputy executive secretary for finance and administration in the Office of the President.

As the President himself has acknowledged, corruption has become deeply entrenched in government, and there are certain agencies that are “rotten to the core.” Even during the COVID pandemic, graft cases have been filed against public officials including barangay captains for the misuse of emergency assistance funds.

Probes by the two chambers of Congress uncovered alleged corruption even in the purchase of COVID protective equipment from Pharmally Pharmaceuticals by the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management.

The President had constantly railed against the probes particularly by the Senate, and had demanded that the COA audit the Philippine Red Cross, whose chairman Richard Gordon is leading the Senate’s Pharmally probe.

Even before the pandemic, however, the President had been a critic of the COA, saying at one point – in what Malacañang later stressed was a joke – that its auditors should be kidnapped and tortured for hampering the implementation of government projects.

The complaint might be valid, but the extent of corruption in government makes it even more important to strengthen the COA rather than denigrate the work of state auditors. Justol should know this well enough, along with the importance of the commission’s independence, even from the appointing power. She and the COA must remain true to their constitutional mandate. (Philstar. com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

36 years ago: How the Filipino people reclaimed their power from the claws of dictator Ferdinand Marcos

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS FEBRUARY 25, 1986: this date will forever be etched in the history of our nation as the fulfillment of the collective goal and aspiration of the people of the Philippines in the fight to reclaim the power of the people enshrined in the Constitution from Ferdinand E. Marcos, the dictator who had been clinging on to power for almost 21 years.

Let us look back to this shining moment of our people when we courageously fought shoulder to shoulder forming a human barricade in the streets of EDSA and in different metropolis around the Philippines in protest, armed with our love for our country, the mission to protect our democracy, prayers, rosaries, songs, flowers, food…reaching out even to the soldiers in tanks that could have fired at and killed the protestors in those four days.

ENOUGH! “Sobra na! Tama na!” was the battlecry of people of all ages from all walks of life, fighting on the front lines, fighting for the freedom and democracy we now enjoy — the democracy that is again under threat with the desperate attempt of the Marcos Family and their cohorts to return to power with the candidacy of the son of the dictator, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos (BBM).

BBM attempted to move closer to Malacañang in 2016 Elections by running for vice president. He

was, however, defeated by Leni Robredo despite his electoral protests, recounts and three rulings of the Supreme Court that Robredo won the election, that there was no proof that she cheated as alleged.

Hence the Marcos family hired the services of Cambridge Analytica to “rebrand” Bongbong Marcos and the Marcos family. Six years after, armed with troll farms and fake news online brigade that are trying to revise history to make the Marcoses the heroes, and the valiant truth and freedom warriors the villains, the son of the dictator is now running for President against Leni Robredo, among four other candidates.

The battlefield has been more complex than it was a generation ago because of the toxic deep division among our people, brought about by the indoctrination and brainwashing of many people who now say Ferdinand Marcos was the best President the Philippines had ever had, that Martial Law was the best thing that ever happened to the Philippines, that the Aquinos caused the downfall of the Philippine economy, that the free adn independent mainstream news media are the enemies, the ‘salot’ of the country, that those who are against Marcos are communists and commun ist supporters, that Ferdinand and Imelda Marcis did not abuse their power and did not amass illgotten wealth, that no one among

the marcises are convicted, that Bongbong Marcos should win the presidency, and is ordained by God to be the next president to “make the Philippines great again”. ALL LIES AND DISINFORMATION. The “rebranding” of the Marcos also took from the playbook of dictators to “divide and conquer, even boasting the unholy alliance of Marcos with past and present presidents like Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senators Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, the political butterfly Juan Poince Enrile, and many more who were either convicted of graft, plunder, and corruption.

The integrity of the May 9, 2022 is now at stake, with the outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter Sara Duterte, who is running as Vice President of Bongbong Marcos, as part of what they call the “Unity Team.

Duterte has been appointing people in the Supreme Court and the Commission on Elections, and have likewise allegedly been orchestrating a massive disinformation campaign and using the same arsenal as Marcis has been using.

How can we again be united to protect our democracy and the Constitution, to collectively fight for what is true and what is just?

Lest we forget, let us look back to the time when the world looked up to us for our victorious fight to topple the dictator, and remind ourselves that we have within us

the same power right here, right now, as we soldier on in the battle of this generation.

Here is how the Official Gazette of the Philippines chronicled the People Power Revolution of 1986 in the year 2016: On February 20, 1986, Marcos proclaimed himself victor of the snap elections, and was set to retain the presidency; on the same day, Corazon C. Aquino led a people’s victory rally at Luneta and called for civil disobedience, which included the boycotting of known Marcos-crony institutions.

Two million people took up the cause with her at that rally; stocks of singled-out companies fell the very next day. Marcos responded with the threat of reinstating Martial Law, should Cory Aquino lead a nationwide strike; he, too, orchestrated a mass demonstration of support—reports emerged that twelve million pesos had been earmarked to pay supporters to attend a proclamation rally in his honor at Luneta.

On February 22, Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, who was once at the center of the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, discovered a plot to implicate him and officers involved in the Reform the Armed Forces Movement in a coup.

Faced with only two options— dispersing or regrouping— Enrile chose the latter as the “more honorable” option. He

announced his defection from Marcos, alongside Chief of Staff Fabian Ver’s deemed successor, Lieutenant General Fidel V. Ramos, from within Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame.

The Catholic Church announced their support of the two, and enjoined people via radio broadcast to provide aid and, for all purposes, a human cordon to guard them against anticipated counter-offensives. Soon enough, the base and its surroundings were teeming with citizens.

Marcos denounced Enrile and Ramos, but speedily changed the venue of his inauguration to Malacañang Palace; there he would be sworn in as president yet again, but this time surrounded by nothing more than courtiers tied to his pursestrings. Back in EDSA, that first night: Close to a hundred thousand held vigil—a number that would only swell.

On February 23, Enrile and Ramos met along EDSA, surrounded and protected by a growing number of supporters eager for what already seemed then as a fomenting revolution.

But Marcos and his remaining officials had mobilized forces still under his command: Columns of armored tanks formed barricades along EDSA, with heavily armed battalions as escort.

Thus began the banded Filipinos’ show of force — through song and slogans; through earnest extensions of friendship to hard-

faced soldiers; through the flashing of the Laban sign — symbol of Cory Aquino’s campaign and of the movement that carried her; through prayers and linked arms and rosaries, human barricades and flowers.

On February 25, Corazon C. Aquino was sworn in as the elected President, effectively reinstating democracy following decades of the totalitarian rule of the Marcoses. Democracy was swept in through the swell of a unified crowd—and it was this tide of the populace that would fully drive out the dictator from his Palace, stealing out of the country that wanted it no longer and that which could finally act on it.

Revolutions often do not erupt and resolve in a matter of days— but the events of February 1986 forever altered the course of our nation’s history; it showcased to the world the singular strength of the Filipino people. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community.

You may contact her through email at gelrelos@ icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.

Understanding the SWS survey and the early Marcos lead

The Corner Oracle ANDREW J. MASIGAN PRESIDENTIAL surveys from reputable pollsters tell more than just the poll leaders. If one examines the full report, you will find a wealth of data, not the least of which are the reasons why certain candidates trend upwards or downwards.

The most recent national poll was conducted last Jan. 28 to 31 by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

SWS, under the baton of Dr. Mahar Mangahas, is arguably the most credible pollster in the country.

Its methodologies conform to internationally accepted standards, eliminating any shadow of bias. Its reputation is impeccable, here and abroad, as its polls carry a margin of error of only three percent.

Comparing the SWS surveys concluded on Dec. 16 and Jan. 31, you will find that Marcos and Pacquiao trended downwards, each losing voter traction over the period. Pacquiao ended January with an 11 percent voter share while Marcos ended with 50

percent, a drop from his all-time high.

The gainers were Robredo who surged five points to end at 19 percent and Domagoso who also gained 5 points to end at 11 percent. Lacson gained one point to secure a 6 percent voter share.

Marcos enjoys a wide lead in the polls despite the baggage he carries and the controversies that face him. To what can we attribute his popularity?

First, we must understand that Bongbong Marcos is not the superstar here. Another reputable survey (not SWS) shows that Bongbong’s authentic base of voters is at 20 percent, plus or minus. Thirty percent of his votes are attributed to President Duterte. The President still enjoys a 75 percent approval rating. Data show that 55.83 percent of the voting public view Bongbong as “Duterte Lite” or the continuity of the regime. Whether this is true or not is another story. Marcos has become the sole beneficiary of Sara Duterte’s decision to slide down to vice and Bong Go’s decision to bow out of the race.

Let us now look at the profile

of the voting public. Forty nine percent are between 18 to 44 years old. Those in their 40s today were born in the late 70s, too young to be aware of the atrocities and economic devastation caused

by Ferdinand and Imelda. The younger voters were not even born yet.

Seventy-five percent of the voting public belong to the economic class whose household income is between P10,481 to P20,962 a month while 14 percent live below the poverty line. Put together, 89 percent of voters live from hand to mouth and represent the sector betrayed by the system.

In terms of educational attainment, 21 percent of the voting public have had either no formal education or finished only elementary level. The bulk, or 57 percent, finished high school or some vocational course.

As for internet access, 92.1 million Filipinos are now active on social media. Internet connectivity was at 67 million back in 2018 but the pandemic accelerated digital adoption. Filipinos spend an average of 10.27 hours on social media daily, the second longest in

the world. Facebook dominates all platforms, followed by YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok. Other than free TV, social media is the primary source of information for the greater majority.

So here we have the perfect conditions for disinformation – a voting public too young to know the truth about the Marcos era; a population whose vast majority is educationally-challenged, thus easily swayed by parallel truths and disinformation; a population fraught with discontent due to the hardships of life and who blame the oligarchs for it; and a population armed with a mobile phone that enables them to be force-fed disinformation.

Social media is where narratives are formed and where votes are won or lost. Thus, candidates with the strongest social media engagements have the greatest advantage.

We were informed by insider intelligence that the Marcoses engaged a Swiss campaign consultant to scientifically conduct surveys, provide analysis and formulate strategies. This is why the Marcos campaign

is executed with seeming precision. At the heart of the Marcos campaign are four messages: That Marcos Junior is the most qualified candidate; that the Martial Law years were the country’s golden era; that the UniTeam is unstoppable (for bandwagon effect); and that mainstream media is biased and not to be believed.

Marcos had an early start in his social media campaign. The retelling of alternative history started even before the 2016 campaign. The campaign has since gone on overdrive following Bongbong’s filing of candidacy last October. The Marcos camp registered a 60 percent engagement share last November, which explains why he was lording it over the surveys. In the last week of January, however, his share of engagements dropped to 50.9 percent while that of VP Leni Robredo surged to 39.9 percent from nil three months ago. This partly explains Robredo’s five point surge.

There is still 75 days left before we cast our vote and anything can happen. It will be recalled that

in 2016, Mr. Duterte was still in fourth position as of end January with a voter share equivalent of Robredo’s share today. Adding to unpredictability is that 28 percent of the voting public are likely to change their presidential choice, according to the SWS survey. It will be interesting to see how all these pan out.

Two things are for sure. First, as we face the height of the campaign, the candidate who gets the highest engagements on social media will likely win. Second, the candidate who effectively and genuinely addresses the pain points of the voting public – poverty, unemployment, rising prices and corruption – will resonate the most. May the best man, or woman, win. (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.

*** Email: andrew_rs6@yahoo.com. Follow him on Facebook @Andrew J. Masigan and Twitter @aj_masigan

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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NCR ripe for Alert Level 1 – OCTA

by Red

Mendoza ManilaTimes.net

WITH continued decreasing Covid-19 cases, the National Capital Region (NCR or Metro Manila) is now ripe to de-escalate to Alert Level 1 by next month, according to OCTA Research.

OCTA senior fellow Dr. Guido David said the NCR’s positivity rate continued to go down and is now at 4.5 percent, slightly lower than the World Health Organization’s recommended 5 percent positivity as a benchmark of controlled transmissions.

David added that despite a slowdown in the growth rate, it still remains in the negative territory, while hospital care utilization rate remained low despite some cities in Metro Manila experiencing high hospital utilization rates.

“May mga ibang cities sa Metro Manila na hindi ganun kababa ang health care utilization pero hindi ito kasalanan ng lungsod

dahil may ibang hospitals na preferred talaga and ‘yung mga kababayan natin na gustong magpa-hospital, namimili na lang ng (There are other cities in NCR that have a higher health care utilization, but this is not the problem of the city itself because many people have been confined at their preferred) hospital,” he said during the Laging Handa briefing on Tuesday.

David added that with the continued decrease in growth rate and its average daily attack rate now at 2.85 cases per 100,000, he believes that it is now high time for the NCR to move to Alert Level 1 by next month.

Despite his recommendation, he said he and OCTA will support the government’s decision on deescalation, which is expected to be made before February 28.

David also believes that the election campaign may possibly cause a “minor” spike in the number of cases, but he sees no

possible resurgence of cases like what happened during the start of the Omicron surge from late December to early January.

He said for the National Capital Region to have a “controlled” trajectory of cases, it should report at least 400 to 200 cases per day, which was reached both in December 2020 and 2021, respectively, unless a new highly infectious variant would emerge again David also believes that employees may only return to work in areas under Alert Level 1 such as the NCR or the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) Region where cases are decreasing.

On Tuesday, the country reported 1,019 new cases, the lowest daily Covid-19 tally this year, pushing the active case tally to 56,668.

Total recoveries were at 3.54 million, with 2,988 recovered from the virus, while 13 hav died. g

More former government officials...

PAGE 5

unifying qualities, exemplified “in the timely, efficient and innovative ways with which she implemented her own pandemic response plan.”

Aside from the four exsenators, the 12 others who signed the statement include former congressmen Tomas Apacible, Raul Daza and Felicito Payumo; former Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca; former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, former Agriculture Secretary Senen Bacani, Interior and Local Government Secretary Cesar Sarino and Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta; former Higher Education Commissioner Ester Garcia, former Philippine Retirement Authority chairman Luis Sison; former PTV4 chair Virgilio Yuzon; and former Poro Point Management Corp. director Jose Osias.

One hundred and forty-four former officials and employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also backed Robredo and her running mate, Sen. Francis Pangilinan.

“We believe that VP Leni and Sen. Kiko have the most extensive experience in social welfare and development. As Vice President, VP Leni, with the help of the private sector, pushed for the Angat Buhay

program that helped thousands of families and communities and became a bridge to relief operations during disasters and provided assistance to people and health workers during the pandemic,” they said.

“We support their platform and slogan ‘Gobyernong Tapat, Angat Buhay Lahat (Honest Government, A Better Life for All), which emphasizes rights and concern for the people,” they said.

Among those who declared their support for the RobredoPangilinan tandem were former DSWD secretaries Judy Taguiwalo and Lina Laigo.

Double seniors’ stipend Meanwhile, Robredo vowed on Monday, February 21 to double the monthly stipend being received by indigent senior citizens from the national government and expand the program to include all elderly Filipinos if she wins the presidency.

From the present stipend of P500, Robredo said her administration will increase it to P1,000, which is a more realistic amount to cover the daily expenses of senior citizens that include their basic medicines.

This amount, she said, will progressively increase.

Robredo said of the

P202.5-billion budget for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for 2022, a total of P25 billion is earmarked for the P500 monthly stipend for indigent senior citizens.

She said she intends to increase the funding to at least P50 billion in the first year of her presidency without resorting to the imposition of new taxes.

“We can achieve this by implementing a more rational way of spending the people’s money. We must rethink the non-essential expenses such as travel, seminars, vehicle acquisition and the representation allowance given to government officials,” Robredo said in a statement.

“We will encourage sacrifice on the part of everyone in the bureaucracy, starting with the Office of the President, to raise funds for important programs,” she added.

Among the expense items in the government’s annual spending program on which savings could be mandated are travel, for which P19.6 billion is allocated, trainings (P39.5 billion), supplies and materials (P167.7 billion) and professional services or the hiring of consultants (P48.5 billion), Robredo said. g

VACCINATE

KIDS 5+ TO PROTECT

THEM FROM

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

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 23-25, 2022 7

PAUNAWA SA ELEKSYON MGA PANUKALA SA BALOTA SA PAGSUSSOG SA CHARTER SA PAMAMAGITAN NITO AY NAGBIBIGAY NG PAUNAWA na magdaraos ng Pangkalahatang Munisipal na Eleksyon sa Lungsod ng Cerritos sa Martes, Abril 12, 2022, para sa mga sumusunod na Opisyal: Panukala D Administratibong titulo: Comprehensibong Charter “paglilinis,” update at modernisasyon Maaamyendahan ba ang Cerritos City Charter para tanggalin o baguhin ang mga probisyon batay sa papalit at preemptive na batas ng Estado, isulong ang inclusivity sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng mga generic na personal pronoun reference, pataasin ang Citywide operasyonal efficiency sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalis ng mga reference sa hindi napapanahong mga kasanayan sa negosyo, at tamang gramatikal, bantas , at mga pagkakamali sa pagbabaybay?

OO

HINDI

Panukala E Administratibong titulo: Polisya laban sa Nepotism (iminungkahing bagong Charter Seksyon 609) Maaamyendahan ba ang Cerritos City Charter upang idagdag ang Seksyon 609, na magbabawal sa pagtatrabaho o paghirang ng Alkalde, Mga Miyembro ng Konseho ng Lungsod, o Tagapamahala ng Lungsod ng kanilang mga kamag-anak sa pamamagitan ng dugo o kasal sa loob ng ikatlong antas, gaya ng tinukoy?

OO HINDI

Panukala F Administratibong titulo: Mga Limitasyon sa Termino ng Konseho ng Lungsod - Alisin ang lahat ng umiiral na probisyon sa limitasyon sa termino Ang SEKSYON 400 ba ng Cerritos City Charter ay susugan upang alisin ang mga kasalukuyang limitasyon tungkol sa mga termino ng opisina para sa mga Miyembro ng Konseho ng Lungsod?

OO HINDI

Panukala G Administratibong titulo: Mga Limitasyon sa Termino ng Konseho ng Lungsod – Walang pagbabago sa kasalukuyang mga probisyon sa limitasyon sa termino Ang SEKSYON 400 ba ng Charter ng Lungsod ng Cerritos ay hindi masususog nang malaki, na magpapapanatili sa mga kasalukuyang limitasyon tungkol sa mga tuntunin ng panunungkulan para sa mga Miyembro ng Konseho ng Lunsod, kung ang isa pang nakikipagkumpitensyang panukala sa balota, na nauugnay sa MGA LIMITASYON SA TERM, ay apirmatibong inaprubahan ng isang simpleng mayorya ng mga boto na inihagis. ng botante para sa nakikipagkumpitensyang panukala sa balota?

OO

HINDI

Panukala H Administratibong titulo: Mga Limitasyon sa Termino ng Konseho ng Lungsod – Dalawang Habambuhay na Limitasyon Ang SEKSYON 400 ba ng Cerritos City Charter ay susugan upang baguhin ang mga kasalukuyang limitasyon hinggil sa mga termino ng panunungkulan para sa mga Miyembro ng Konseho ng Lunsod, upang pagkatapos ng Abril 12, 2022, ang isang Miyembro ng Konseho na nagsilbi ng dalawang (2) kumpletong apat na taong termino, magkasunod man o hindi. , ay hindi karapat-dapat pagkatapos makumpleto ang ikalawang apat na taong termino upang mahalal o italaga sa Konseho ng Lungsod?

OO

HINDI

Panukala I Adinistratibong titulo: Mga Limitasyon sa Termino ng Konseho ng Lungsod – Tatlong Habambuhay na Limitasyon Ang SEKSYON 400 ba ng Charter ng Lungsod ng Cerritos ay susugan upang baguhin ang mga kasalukuyang limitasyon hinggil sa mga termino ng panunungkulan para sa mga Miyembro ng Konseho ng Lunsod, upang pagkatapos ng Abril 12, 2022, isang Miyembro ng Konseho na nagsilbi ng tatlong (3) kumpletong apat na taong termino, magkasunod man o hindi. , ay hindi karapatdapat pagkatapos makumpleto ang ikatlong apat na taong termino upang mahalal o italaga sa Konseho ng Lungsod?

Ang botohan ay magbubukas sa pagitan ng oras na 7:00 a.m. at 8:00 p.m. /s/ Vida Barone, Klerk ng Lungsod/Opisyal ng Halalan

OO

HINDI

8 FEBRUARY 23-25, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

UP statistics professors: Do not accept survey results as they are MANILA — Members of the faculty of the UP School of Statistics in Diliman reminded the public to be critical of surveys, especially those with questionable methodologies and those that “disregard ... the principles of data gathering.”

In a statement on their Facebook page Monday, February 21, the professors also raised the alarm on institutions, social media influencers and media organizations who are “abusing survey methodologies” by using social media and man on the street interviews to project voting preferences for the country.

“Surveys reveal facts, beliefs, sentiments, and opinions based on a representation of the population. However, the quality of any inference cannot rise above the quality of the methodology it is based upon...

Biased methodologies will only give biased results,” the UP Stat faculty members said.

“Thus, we call on the public to be critical of surveys in this

EMPLOYMENT

respect. Do not immediately accept survey results as they are,” they added.

Alhough they did not mention whether the surveys they meant are related to the national and local elections taking place on May 9, the election season has historically seen a rise in survey and data analysis firms publishing their findings.

What to consider when looking at surveys A survey is considered biased when its sample selection or choice of respondents tends to favor a certain segment of the population, according to the group. Data collection methods can also generate bias, such as when an interviewer purposefully affects the answers of the respondents.

The statistics professors said there are some indicators that a survey was conducted properly, adding that the public should ask these questions when reading survey results: • How were the respondents selected?

• Which sectors of the population are being represented in the survey?

• Is the sample size appropriate based on the target margin of error, level of confidence, and nature of the target population?

• What events surround the period of data gathering?

• Were the respondents interviewed in a neutral yet professional tone?

• What are the control mechanisms were implemented to ensure accuracy of the protocols in data collection?

‘Be wary of entities doing their own brand of research’ On Monday, the professors also cautioned the public against entities who are doing their own brand of research and publicizing the results.

“We have been observing these practices, including surveys not based on random sampling, such as videos of ‘kalye surveys’ being done by some vloggers and suspicious online surveys, especially on Twitter and Facebook. We are dismayed

EMPLOYMENT

COMMUTE QUEUE. Passengers queue up to get a ride along Commonwealth Avenue in Philcoa, Quezon City on Monday, February 21. Some transport groups have called for a provisional increase in fares to help cushion the impact of soaring oil prices on their livelihood.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

by their cavalier disregard for the principles of data gathering,” the group said.

They also noted that public relations companies, private individuals and media organizations have been releasing surveys with unclear methodologies.

The statistics professors said it appreciates reputable organizations who maintain and uphold the highest standards in

conducting surveys.

The group vowed to be vigilant in fighting for the ethical practice of statistics especially when the principals of data gathering are “haphazardly handled.”

Candidates and their campaigns commonly look at the findings of established pollsters like Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia to get a snapshot of public sentiment during a certain period. These pollsters, as well as

EMPLOYMENT

PUBLIC NOTICE

think tanks like OCTA Research have been operating since before the election season started and their research is not limited to poll issues.

Last week, Pulse Asia released its latest election survey results showing that Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the son of the late dictator, remained the top choice of respondents who would elect him as the next Philippine president if the elections took place during

The Asian Journal

MDWK

Wednesday FEBRUARY 23, 2022

MAGAZINE

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Manny Jacinto hops from comedy to serious, and now rom-com

by MoMar

G. Visaya / AJPress

HERE is no shortage of Manny Jacinto these days.

T After his breakthrough performance in NBC’s Peabody Award-winning and Emmynominated comedy series The Good Place, the Filipino-Canadian actor has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most exciting, versatile, and in-demand talents, in a burgeoning career marked by a series of charismatic breakthrough performances.

He recently starred in the miniseries Nine Perfect Strangers, as part of a starstudded cast, including Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon, Bobby Cannavale, Regina Hall, and Luke Evans. In it, he plays Yao, a bright-eyed hipster who, after a life-and-death encounter with the resort’s director, Masha (Kidman), finds himself as her devoted right-hand man.

The series, based on the popular novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, premiered domestically on Hulu on August 18, 2020, and internationally on Amazon two days later.

He also appears in the Netflix horror-thriller series Brand New Cherry Flavor, alongside Rosa Salazar, Catherine Keener, and Eric Lang from creator Nick Antosca.

Over the weekend in time for Valentine’s Day, he appeared in the romantic comedy I Want You Back via Prime Video.

The film is centered around a premise that director Jason Orley says is both relatable and

with Logan (Manny Jacinto) and Noah with Ginny (Clark Backo).

The new man in Anne’s life, Logan Santos, shares her interest in the arts and theatre and, in fact, is directing a revival of the musical Little Shop of Horrors…at the local middle school where they both teach.

Cast as Logan, Jacinto said, “Anne and Logan met at the school and I think we bonded very quickly because we’re both very passionate about the craft.

He ends up in an interesting and very unexpected love triangle between Anne and Emma, and it becomes kind of a roller coaster between those three.”

“Manny is the perfect Jacinto plays the role of Logan Santos in the new Prime Video rom-com I Want You Back. embodiment of what we were would be forced to accept timeless: “The idea of getting looking for in Logan,” said John the situation and reluctantly broken up with and wanting Rickard, one of the producers. move on. But fueled by your ex back is something “He obviously has a great body their mutual heartbreak and people have been dealing with of work in comedy, but he desperation, Peter and Emma forever—this is not unique to grounded this role in a way that devise an outrageous quid our generation.”

I didn’t see coming.” pro quo to win back their The movie opens as Peter “Logan was one of my (Charlie Day) and Emma (Jenny respective partners, Anne (Gina favorite characters from the Rodriguez) and Noah (Scott Slate) are both blindsided by get-go because he is so Eastwood). The problem is that earnest and sincere that he their respective significant their exes have happily moved really doesn’t realize how others, who, without warning, on to new romances: Anne dump them. Most people unbelievably funny he is being.

After his breakout performance in The Good Place, Jacinto joined the ensemble cast of Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers. He is also a part of the much-awaited Top Gun: Maverick, where he plays the role of a fighter pilot.

Photos courtesy of Amazon Studios

That he is a middle school drama teacher and speaks as if he is a professor at Juilliard is absolutely fantastic,” said Peter Safran, one of the film’s producers as well.

Steady rise Bigger things are in store for Jacinto this year.

Among them is the hugely anticipated Top Gun: Maverick, starring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Val Kilmer, and Jon Hamm and directed by Joseph Kosinski, where he plays the role of a fighter pilot.

Not bad for an actor whose

take on a bumbling not-sosmart Asian (an anti-thesis to the nerd Asian trope) opened a lot of doors. For his inspired work as Jason Mendoza, in The Good Place, Jacinto earned critical acclaim and landed him on “best of” lists from Variety, ET, Buzzfeed, Vulture, Indiewire, and Uproxx to name a few. The Hollywood Reporter highlighted him as one of the top Supporting Actors in its 2019 Emmys Class Photo.

He was also named to People Magazine’s “Sexiest Continued on Page 10

10

entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 23, 2022

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ATTENTION FLORENCE FIRESTONE RESIDENTS – Free Oil Filter & Motor Oil Recycling Event!

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Immigrant Living: 101 and BeMonette AdevA MAglAyA (CONTINUED from last week…)

Trust your own instincts.

Your own personal experience will color the lens with which you view and relate with your personal guardian angel. God so loved the world, He sent His only son to redeem us from sin and death so we may gain eternal life. Angels are sent to help us during our time here on earth towards this arduous journey to eternal life.

The Holy Spirit came to guide us and enlighten us.

But on the micro, day-byday level, God sent us our personal guardian angels from conception, birth, throughout our life and our passage from death to eternal life as a constant presence.

Come to think of it, every time an unborn life is cut down, the murder deprives an angel of his purpose. There must be some cosmic angst and turmoil in the heavens.

There must be anguish and pain, a disturbance, not only on earth but also in the celestial realm. Some say God

helps our environment and keeps our water clean.

Saturday, February 26, 2022 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

AutoZone 5858 S. Central Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90001

Alex defends Toni from bashers

By Marane

a. Plaza

Philstar.com

ACTRESS Alex Gonzaga gave her reaction and insight on the recent bashing her sister, Toni Gonzaga, received online relating to political leanings.

Alex was featured in the February 19 episode of newswoman Karen Davila’s YouTube Channel, as the two toured the newly rehabilitated Manila Zoo. The actress spoke up about the bond she has with Toni, noting that her sister has always been “stronger and more independent,” and “equipped” to handle bashing.

“Sa family, iba-iba ng political stand but my daddy would always say na you know, ‘Your political stand is your right but mas importante is family than anything, any issue’,” she said. “So we support each other, we know our stand.”

“Knowing my sister, I know she’s a strong person and I know na hindi siya dadalhin ni Lord doon nang hindi siya ready. My sister was bashed even before nu’ng bata pa. She was bullied preschool pa lang hanggang sa pag-aartista niya,” she stated. “During that time, I think she was so equipped and

Alex and Toni Gonzaga

Photo from Instagram/@cathygonzaga

so ready for that.”

“Matapang ang ate ko, she’s born for this,” she added.

She also noted that whenever she asks her sister through text messages if she’s okay, Toni redirects the topic to her son Seve Soriano.

“Ang bond namin (strong) kasi my dad would always tell us, ‘Kayo magkakampi,

ang kasiraan ng kapatid mo, kasiraan mo rin’,” she added.

“I don’t consider my sister as my best friend but I think she considers me as her best friend, pero ako hindi, kasi minsan siya nagiging ate siya e. Minsan may secrets ako, sasabihin ko kapag tapos na,” she said. “She’s a mentor and a mother to me.”

Angels among us How music kept JM company at rehab (Third of 4 Parts)

By Marinel

“I think we all do have a guardian angel.

I believe they work through us all the time, when we are thoughtful and good and kind to each other.”

—Roma Downey created so many angels, one cannot count the number of angels that can stand on the head of a pin.

But there is a caveat to this gift from the Almighty.

One must accept the gift and use the gift of the presence of angels in one’s life for good and only good. One must be humble of heart to know that by ourselves we can do nothing of real value to ourselves or our loved ones and ultimately find God in our lives without asking in earnest for help from the spiritual, unseen realm of angels.

Yes, the key is to ask for help for one to receive it.

Also, one must never take the gift of a personal guardian angel for granted.

An angel is an invisible presence that must be

JM de Guzman, who has always been very vocal about having entered rehab twice in the past for substance abuse, also recalled how he was able to write over 30 songs while inside the facility.

The singer-actor released a single, aptly titled “Convalescence,” in 2021 under Star Music.

“It’s actually a combination of two songs that I wrote while inside the rehab. This was in 2016,” he told Inquirer Entertainment.

“We’re not allowed to carry pens inside acknowledged to become ever because these can be used as weapons. We’re stronger. God sends angels also not allowed to write because we’re all busy to keep watch over human with chores in there. I got hold of a pencil, which beings and help them in every I used to write with while inside the bathroom. I human challenge. There is, would sneak in some writing whenever it was my however, the element of free turn to clean the toilet bowls.” will in humans.

JM said that it was in these small sheets of You can acknowledge the paper that he poured his heart out. presence of angels or deny “I wrote everything I could think of. I just it. It is your choice ultimately. kept them hidden until I became an officer, The more angels are because officers are allowed to use ballpens and acknowledged and become read books. I simply transferred everything to a a conduit to heaven, they notebook when I was finally allowed to own one. become a hovering, guiding Sadly, the melody that was in my head while I was reality in one’s life growing writing the lyrics were all gone by the time I got ever stronger in their influence out. That was the annoying part… I had no way to to shape every thought, word record them,” the actor said. and deed in one’s life.

JM added that Red Bull Studios invited him to (To be continued…) record in August 2021, “because they heard that *** I wrote some stuff while inside the facility. They The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints asked me what beat I wanted as ‘peg,’ so I made expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

Arjo recounts bad acting in first ever scene: ‘Director wanted to send me home’ By

anne Pasajol Inquirer.net

ARJO Atayde marked his 10th anniversary in showbiz with reminiscences of his first acting experience, such as that of how a director reacted for disliking his performance.

“I remember day (one) as if it was just yesterday… 18 takes on my first ever scene and the director wanted to send me home, [laughing out loud],” the actor said on his Instagram page on Friday, Feb. 18. “But here we are, 10 years later, surprisingly still here and still standing.”

Atayde then expressed his gratitude to those who have been part of his “overwhelming journey,” adding that it has been full of “love, friendship and inspiration.”

“More than the work I have been blessed with, I am grateful that the past 10 years have also blessed me with some of the best friendships and truest relationships I’ve had,” he added. “I am so Arjo Atayde Photo from Instagram/@arjoatayde blessed to get to do what I

love and I’m still here for the same reason since day (one)… I just want to act.”

Meanwhile, Ria, his sister, greeted him on his milestone while showing a childhood photo of them pinching each other’s cheeks, via her Instagram page, also on Friday.

Ria then thanked him for inspiring and guiding her while referring to herself as Arjo’s “number one fan and OG (original gangster) baby sister.”

“I am so proud of you and of everything you have achieved,” she stated. “But among all the roles you’ve portrayed, my favorite would still have to be my brother because even with the craziness of everything else, that’s one thing you’ve never forgotten to do — to stay humble and to be the same Arjo you have always been.”

Atayde also marked in December last year his third anniversary with his girlfriend, actress-TV host Maine Mendoza. The couple went on a boat picnic date to celebrate the occasion.

Manny Jacinto hops from...

From Page 9 Man Alive” list in 2020 and was honored at the 2018 Unforgettable Gala, alongside Sandra Oh and John Cho, for his work on the series.

Jacinto got his start as a dramatic actor and was nominated for a Leo Award for his role in the drama The Romeo Section from creator Chris Haddock. His early film and television credits also include Bad Times at the El Royale; ABC’s popular fantasy series Once Upon A Time; and memorable guest appearances on AMC’s Bates Motel and ABC’s hit medical drama The Good Doctor.

A Filipino-Canadian native of Vancouver, Jacinto is also a trained dancer and studied

Cruz

Inquirer.net

Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia.

In an interview with Collider, Jacinto shared that if time and money were no object, he’d love to see a good Filipino story, whether it’s TV, film, or limited series.

“I’d love to share something like that with the world, show that aspect of different cultures and communities,” Jacinto said. “Something that revolves around a good Filipino story.”

With his star and influence rising by the day, fans and followers are hopeful that this wish could turn into a reality someday.

“I Want You Back” is now available to stream on Prime Video.

JM de Guzman

Photo from Instagram/@1migueldeguzman

them hear a rap song that I liked. They made their own beat for me, on the spot. What you hear in the single is actually what came out on the first take. The other takes were for the second voice and that whisper you will hear at the back,” he explained.

Rabiya hopes women of any weight can join Miss Universe Philippines pageant By

Marane a. Plaza Philstar.com

MISS Universe Philippines 2020 titleholder Rabiya Mateo hopes women of any weight can also join the pageant, following its historic removal of height requirement that started last year.

The beauty queen said it should also be time for pageants to open up more for each and everyone. “‘Yon yung tinatawag nilang real beauty. Next time, different molds naman yung makikita natin kasi beauty has no form, it has no size. Sana dito sa Philippines, onti-onti, makita natin,” she said.

“It’s a beautiful message especially sa young ones na anybody can be Miss Universe,” she continued.

In 2018, Miss Universe Spain Angela Ponce broke barriers as the first trans woman to compete in the Miss

Rabiya Mateo

Universe pageant for its 67th edition. Last year, the Miss Universe Philippines organization lifted its height requirement for Filipina

Photo from Instagram/@rabiyamateo

aspirants.

Screenings for this year’s Miss Universe Philippines have started. A new titleholder will be crowned in April.

Jake: ‘This is me’

SINGER Jake Zyrus shared a shirtless photo of him and became trending on social media.

In his Facebook account, Jake said he thought about posting the photo because he knows it will receive criticism.

“Pinag-isipan kong maigi kung ipo-post ko ba ‘to. Kasi lagi kong iniisip kung anong sasabihin ng ibang tao. Sa ilang taon na nag-transition ako, masaya ako sa naging takbo ng buhay ko, pero lagi pa rin akong nai-insecure sa katawan ko. Siguro dahil na rin sa standard ng karamihan,” he said.

“Pero ngayon, palalayain ko na lahat yun. Pagtawanan mo o hindi, hindi mo alam ang sakit, iyak at mga dugo na Singer Jake Zyrus Photo from Facebook/Jake Zyrus pinagdaanan ko bago ako

nagkaroon ng confidence na buong buo ko i-post ito,” he added.

He also said that his photo aims to give strength to his co-transgenders to reveal who they really are.

“Masaya ako at gusto ko lang ipakita sa inyo na eto ako. Sa wakas, komportable sa nakikita ko. Hindi ako humihingi ng opinyon. Para ito sa mga kapwa ko transgender.

Kung naghahanap kayo ng sign o confidence para ipakita at maging proud sa kung sino ka, tara sasabayan kita. Para sayo ‘to,” he said.

“Kung hindi ka man handa pa, okay lang din ‘yun. Lahat yan may tamang panahon. Well. This is me guys. Mahal ko kayong lahat,” he added. (by Dana Cruz/Inquirer.net)

Pahrump, NV real estate is a great investment “LAND will always be a great investment because there will never be any more made, which is why it is ‘precious’,” thus says Precious Properties owner and Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman.

With a career spanning more nearly five decades, Quitevis-Bateman knows what she is talking about. From her start in 1974, the Pangasinanborn businesswoman has helped hundreds of clients invest wisely in real estate, and since 1992 has been actively selling real estate in Pahrump, Nevada (NV) which sits at an elevation of 2,695 feet above sea level.

The Harvard Business School graduate sees the potential for growth and continued development in Pahrump. It has come a long way from the time it was inhabited by the Southern Paiute, a Native American tribe, and later when other settlers came to the area in the late 19th century. Its name is derived from the Southern Paiute name for “Water Rock” which is Pahrimpi. Even though the area does not see a lot of rainfall, Pahrump sits on the third largest aquifer in the United States, which means there is plenty of water underground.

According to the latest data available, real estate in Pahrump has appreciated about 155% over the last ten years alone, which puts the unincorporated town in the top 10% nationally for areas whose real estate values have appreciated

community

11

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 23, 2022

(not on food items), and no taxes associated with estate/ inheritance, franchise, gift, inventory/interstate commerce, corporate income and personal income.

Pahrump is only located about 63 miles northwest of Las Vegas and eight miles from the California border. Located in the southwest corner of Nye County, it is approximately 364 square miles in size. The latest census data available places the population at 48,000; the area has experienced an annual growth rate of about 15-17% in the past few years, prepandemic. Currently, Pahrump Fely Quitevis-Bateman with Nye County Chief Planner Brett Waggoner. has 11 zip codes, and the main area code for the town is 775.

While it is accessible by road, Pahrump also has an airport, Calvada Meadows, which is open 24 hours.

Pahrump’s most notable residents have included the Fely Quitevis-Bateman with Dan Harris, whose family donated the land where Desert View late Art Bell (who was married to a Filipina, Airyn Bell), Apple Hospital is located. co-founder Ronald Wayne, filmmaker J. Niel Schulman and exponentially. Due to this, many investors in many fronts – real members of the Escape the Fate observers see Pahrump as estate, business, entertainment, being one of the best long-term dining – and that about hundreds band. The late Michael Jackson investments that people can of millions worth of projects are in was said to have purchased a make in the United States over the pipeline, some of which have home in Pahrump in 2008, where he had a music studio. the past decade and into the begun construction. America Quitevis-Bateman, who has future. Despite a downturn in the West will be building thousands housing market, Pahrump’s real of new homes, Quitevis-Bateman been a Nye County commissioner and who has helped countless estate portfolio has continued to added. of her kababayans invest in appreciate.

The Precious Properties Pahrump real estate, find According to Quitevisowner also shared additional Quitevis-Bateman (extreme right) with Nye County Commissioners at a meeting in Mountain meaningful opportunities in Bateman, Pahrump, which is advantages for the companies Falls Country Club during a glove factory presentation.

Nevada, or connect people to located in Nye County, the and residents of Pahrump, each other, can help those who largest county in Nevada and and Nevada for that matter: are looking to invest in real estate the third largest in the U.S., a competitive business state find a good opportunity to do so has continued to attract many tax, a county sales tax of 6.75% in Pahrump.

Having seen the growth of the community since 1992 has provided Quitevis-Bateman a wealth of knowledge and insight into what areas in Pahrump are the best places to plunk down your hard-earned money in.

Whether your desire is to invest in real estate, buy a place in preparation for retirement, or just to own property or a second home, Quitevis-Bateman can find that special niche for you.

Schedule a call with Fely Quitevis-Bateman of Precious Properties today at (702) 5384948, (775) 513-8447 or (805) 559-2476 and find out why buying real estate in Pahrump is a solid investment and a great plan for your future.

Anything grows in Pahrump due to the abundance of water. The unincorporated town sits on the third largest aquifer in the U.S.

(Advertising Supplement)

Photo above shows two of Fely’s clients – A Japanese and a Chinese investor.

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community Matteo marks 2nd anniversary with Sarah The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 23, 2022

By Anne

PAsAjol Inquirer.net

MATTEO Guidicelli greeted his wife, actress-singer Sarah Geronimo, on their second

wedding anniversary with a promise that they will be “partners for life.”

Guidicelli penned a short message for his wife while

showing photos of them hugging and making funny faces on his Instagram page on Sunday, Feb. 20.

“Through thick and thin and all the ups and downs, we will be partners for life. I love you my beautiful wife! You’re the best,” he said.

Guidicelli also showed fans the meal they shared for their anniversary which was cooked

by Geronimo, via his Instagram Story.

Fellow celebrities Iza Calzado, Angel Locsin and broadcaster Karen Davila greeted the couple.

The couple also recently enjoyed nature as they went horseback riding on their trip to Rizal with their pet dogs.

Guidicelli and Geronimo tied the knot in a private Christian wedding in February of 2020. The ceremony had some unexpected events after Geronimo’s mom, Divine, reportedly confronted the couple during the wedding reception. Claims that Guidicelli punched the pop star’s bodyguard during the event also arose but was later on denied by the actor in a statement. The bodyguard agreed to settle with Guidicelli.

Despite all this, Guidicelli opened up about his hopes of reconciling with Geronimo’s family, adding that he often

When is my prenuptial agreement not enforceable? in writing or on the record all of the following: (1) The party against whom enforcement is sought was represented by independent legal counsel at the time of signing the agreement or, after being Atty. Kenneth advised to seek independent UrsUA reyes legal counsel, expressly waived, in a separate writing, representation by independent MANY people are of legal counsel. The advisement the perception that simply to seek independent legal downloading a prenuptial counsel shall be made at least agreement from the internet seven calendar days before and signing it with their fiance the final agreement is signed. offers them a bullet proof (2) One of the following:(A) protection from a divorce.

For an agreement executed What many people do not between January 1, 2002, and know is that certain statutory January 1, 2020, the party requirements must be met against whom enforcement is in order for the prenuptial sought had not less than seven agreement to be valid and to withstand attack in court by your calendar days between the time that party was first presented future spouse’s lawyer. with the final agreement and Family Code Section 1615 advised to seek independent provides that a prenuptial legal counsel and the time the agreement is not enforceable agreement was signed. (B) For if the party against whom an agreement executed on or enforcement is sought proves after January 1, 2020, the party either of the following (1) against whom enforcement is that party did not execute sought had not less than seven the agreement voluntarily calendar days between the time or (2) The agreement was that party was first presented unconscionable when it was executed and, before execution with the final agreement and the time the agreement was of the agreement, all of the signed, regardless of whether following applied to that the party is represented by party:(A) That party was not provided a fair, reasonable, and legal counsel. (3) The party full disclosure of the property or against whom enforcement is financial obligations of the other sought, if unrepresented by legal counsel, was fully informed party. (B) That party did not of the terms and basic effect of voluntarily and expressly waive, in writing, any right to disclosure the agreement as well as the rights and obligations the party of the property or financial was giving up by signing the obligations of the other party beyond the disclosure provided. agreement, and was proficient in the language in which the (C) That party did not have, or explanation of the party’s rights reasonably could not have had, was conducted and in which an adequate knowledge of the property or financial obligations the agreement was written. The explanation of the rights and of the other party. The issue obligations relinquished shall of unconscionability shall be decided by the court as a matter be memorialized in writing and delivered to the party prior to of law. signing the agreement. The A prenuptial agreement unrepresented party shall, on shall be deemed not executed voluntarily unless the court finds or before the signing of the

Barrister’s Corner

premarital agreement, execute a document declaring that the party received the information required by this paragraph and indicating who provided that information. (4) The prenuptial agreement was not executed under duress, fraud, or undue influence, and the parties did not lack capacity to enter into the agreement.

Having both you and your fiance represented by separate counsel during the drafting and execution of your prenuptial agreement can help avoid any of the problems noted above which will can result to your prenuptial agreement being found to be invalid by the court during your divorce proceeding and your assets divided according to California community property law. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

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

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

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

Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Bankruptcy or debt settlement?

MOST people are unaware that credit card companies will negotiate with you if they believe that it is in their Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo best interest to do so. Many Photo from Instagram/@matteog times, you can negotiate a reduction of your interest rate, elimination of late charges and annual membership fees. If you are delinquent in payments, they may even agree to settle for less than the full amount of your debt. The fact that the account is already in collections, a lawsuit has been filed or even if a judgment has been obtained doesn’t even matter. If a debt collector tells you that it is “their policy not to settle debts”, don’t believe it.

For example, a recent study revealed that over half of credit cardholders who called and complained about their interest rates got an interest rate cut, resulting in as much as a 33% reduction. Now, why would the credit card companies do this?

Well, you have to understand that the credit card companies are in a very competitive market. These companies know that it always costs more to obtain a new client than to keep a current one. Thus, if you have been paying on time, you are in a good bargaining position to re-negotiate the terms of your contract.

But what if you are behind in payments and can no longer pay the amount owed? This is where debt settlement may be a good idea especially if you are trying to avoid filing for bankruptcy. This doesn’t work in all situations but there are certainly a lot of scenarios where bankruptcy may be avoided, and debts can be settled using the least amount of money possible. It is a

Minding Your Finances Atty. rAymond

known fact in the collection business that as time goes on, the ability to collect on a debt diminishes. Thus, the longer your accounts have been in collections, the better your chance of settling your debts for a significantly reduced amount. For example, it is my experience that creditors will settle for about 30-60 cents on the dollar.

What debts can be negotiated? Actually, debt settlement is possible not only for credit cards, but for almost all types of debts. The list includes medical bills, bounced checks, personal loans, department store cards, auto repossession deficiencies, etc.

Debt settlement works best in situations where the debtor has the ability to produce enough cash to settle for 30-60% of the amount owed.

The reason is that creditors are often only willing to settle for less than full amount only if you pay them in a lump sum as opposed to paying in installments. If you are a homeowner, you may be able to refinance and use your home equity for debt settlement.

If you do not own a home, perhaps you can sell personal property that you don’t need, borrow cash from a relative or maybe take money out of your 401K plan. If, on the other hand, you don’t have a

lot of cash available, do not lose hope. So long as you are employed or have some source of income, creditors may still agree to monthly payments over a period of time.

Filing bankruptcy may make more sense than debt settlement in certain situations especially where property is exempt and beyond the reach of the bankruptcy trustee and creditors. If you are eligible, Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows you to wipe out debts you can no longer afford to pay so that you can start fresh immediately.

Chapter 13 allows you to consolidate debts into one affordable monthly payment, so you are not stressing out every month with not having enough income to pay living expenses and debts at the same time.

Debt settlement, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13- These are your usual options in dealing with debt problems. If you are currently in financial hot water and don’t know what to do, seek legal help and find out what is appropriate for your situation. For more information and to schedule a free consultation, please call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. ***

NOTE: Due to pandemic safety concerns, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation.

Atty. Ray J. Bulaon has successfully helped over 6,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772.

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James leaves PH to pursue career in US ACTOR James Reid has left the Philippines to pursue his career in the U.S. James’ sister Chantal Calicdan shared photos and videos of James at the airport on Instagram.

“Go rockstar! @james,” Chantal captioned the post.

James’ mother Emma MacDonald and his sister were seen hugging in the photo. The uploaded video showed James waving goodbye at his family.

Recently, his friends in the Careless Music organized a “despedida” for him.

James is an artist managed

by U.S.-based Transparent Arts, an agency that aims to promote Asian-American talents.

Among their artists are Dumbfounded, Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany Young, Kim Han-bin, and Far East Movement. (Jan Milo Severo/Philstar.com) James Reid

Photo from Instagram/@james

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 23, 2022

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - February 23, 2022