0300521 - New York & New Jersey Edition

We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway... and Online!

MARCH 5-11, 2021 Volume 14 - No. 18 • 16 Pages

133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • Tel. (212) 655-5426

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Hundreds rally in NYC against rising Asian hate incidents

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA

AJPress

HUNDREDS of New Yorkers trooped to Foley Square in downtown Manhattan on Saturday, Feb. 27 for the ”Rise Up Against

Anti-Asian Hate” rally led by the Asian American Federation (AAF) to protest a rising wave of brutal attacks on Asian Americans, including a large number of elderly people.

The venue was a couple of blocks away

from the site of yet another attack two days earlier when a 36-year-old Asian American man was stabbed unprovoked.

In the past few weeks alone, there has been a spate of assaults on Asian elders in

u PAGE 7

Duterte to end VFA if US nukes found in PH Miguel (center) is survived by her husband Dodjie and sons Ken and Kyle.

Photo courtesy of Ken Miguel

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

‘Dedicated to her work’: Pinay nurse dies of COVID-19 in SoCal

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte is threatening to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) anew if he finds “hard information” that the United States has stored nuclear weapons in the country.

“I am warning you that if I get hold of a hard information that nuclear armaments are

A FILIPINA mother of two sons from Whittier, California has died from COVID19 after working on the frontlines as a licensed vocational nurse.

Rowena “Wendy” Miguel, 53, died on January 10, three weeks after testing positive for COVID-19.

u PAGE 10

u PAGE 4

After House approval, US Senate prepares to take up $1.9 trillion bill later this week

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

AMERICANS may be closer to receiving the long-awaited first COVID-19 stimulus checks of the new administration as the U.S. Senate moves forward on making a decision on President Joe Biden’s sweeping COVID-19 bill, which includes $1,400 direct

u PAGE 2

Sen Chuck Schumer and Noel Quintana onstage at the Rise Against Asian Hate Rally at Foley Square in downtown Manhattan on Saturday, Feb. 27.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

PH starts COVID-19 vaccine rollout

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

AFTER being delayed for weeks, the Philippines has finally kicked-off its vaccination drive against COVID-19 this week.

The first dose of Sinovac Biotech’s “CoronaVac” vaccine from China was administered to University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Director Gerardo Legaspi on Monday, March 1, making him the first person in the country to officially receive the COVID-19 jab.

“Hindi ko ma-describe ang (I can’t de-

scribe the) feeling. It’s probably release from all the fears... The honor is there,” said Legaspi.

Dr. Edsel Salvaña, director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at UP-National Institutes of Health, was the second person to get the vaccine.

A total of 756 individuals were vaccinated, including Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo, testing czar Vince Dizon, and Metro Manila Development Authority chair Benjamin Abalos Jr. Following his inoculation, Domingo urged

u PAGE 4

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

Duterte: Sara won’t run for presidency in 2022 DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will not be running for the presidency in the 2022 national elections, according to her father, President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a press conference in Pasay City on Sunday, February 28, the chief executive revealed that Sara wants to focus on raising her three children.

u PAGE 4

2

MARCH 5-11, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

From the Front Page

What Biden’s US Citizenship Act of 2021 will do for family immigration

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

WHEN Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Rep. Linda Sanchez of California first introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 in Congress on Feb. 18, the general consensus among immigration activists was mixed.

Some criticized the bill — which largely calls for reviews and not immediate repeals of the immigration policies of former President Donald Trump — for not being proactive enough.

But many saw the bill as a win, the first step into what Democrats are calling a more “humane” immigration plan.

“What the immigrant community was just put through these last four years was beyond cruel,” Menendez said in a virtual press conference unveiling the bill. “Trump assailed DREAMERS and

[Temporary Protected Status] holders to strip their legal status. He slashed legal channels of immigration into our country. He stole from our military to pour billions into an ineffective border wall. And instead of addressing the root causes of migration, he cut off aid to Central America.”

As previously reported in the Asian Journal, the sweeping immigration bill seeks to address the many facets of immigration policy from improving border security technology and expanding the asylum program to protecting employee-based immigration and creating an eight-year fast-track to citizenship for about 11 million undocumented people.

The bill also includes the Reuniting Families Act, which addresses the exorbitant backlog in granting visas through family-based and employment-based programs.

Chinese American U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-C.A.) first introduced the measure in 2019 and seeks to strengthen and modernize familybased petitioning, the most common way that Asian immigrants reunite with their families in the U.S. According to John Yang, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, about 70% of Asians who migrate to the United States opt for familybased immigration and have done so since the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which established family-based immigration.

However, since family-based visa caps have not risen since 1990, leading to an extreme backlog in processing these visas for the exponentially growing Asian community in the U.S. Currently, there are 1.7 undocumented Asian immigrants living in the U.S.,

u PAGE 7

Ryan Garcia and Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao

Photo from Instagram/@mannypacquiao

Garcia: ‘Dream fight’ vs Pacquiao not happening by niel

Victor Masoy ManilaTimes.net

RYAN Garcia said his “dream fight” against Filipino boxing Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao will not be realized anymore or, at least, in the near future.

“To all my fans and supporters, my fight with Manny Pacquiao is not happening right now,” captioned Garcia on an Instagram post on Tuesday, March 2.

“I tried my best after getting the call to fight him, but it didn’t happen due to some issues,” added the American.

Garcia, the current World Boxing Council interim

lightweight champion, said he’s already preparing for his next fight.

“I didn’t expect [it] to come up, but I’m already working on the next fight.

Thank you for all the support,” he continued.

In January, the 22-yearold teased fans by posting on Instagram a mock-up poster of him and eightdivision world champion Pacquiao, dubbing it as a “dream fight.”

Garcia continued posting about the “dream fight,” saying that it would be a real fight with all the records on the line and that he eyed knocking Pacquiao out.

Last February, however, Golden Boy Promotions President Eric Gomez announced that the GarciaPacquiao fight wouldn’t happen anymore, saying that he didn’t see any possibilities of the fight pushing through.

Meanwhile, the 42-yearold fighting senator announced three weeks ago that he had already begun training for his next fight.

“Training camp has begun. I’m ready to get back in the ring and to further add to my legacy in the sport of boxing. Big news [is] coming soon. Paradigm Sports. Audie Attar,” posted Pacquiao on Twitter. n

After House approval, US Senate...

PAGE 1 payments to most American taxpayers.

The House of Representatives passed the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package — dubbed the American Rescue Plan — in the small hours of Saturday, Feb. 27, passing the bill onto the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that Senate Democrats are hoping to pass the $1.9 trillion package before March 14 when the pandemic-driven expanded unemployment benefits expire.

Schumer told fellow senators on the floor this week that the chamber should prepare for “a hardy debate and some late nights. But the American people sent us here

with a job to do, to help the country through this moment of extraordinary challenge.”

Previously, the bill included a measure that would increase the federal minimum wage up to $15 an hour, but Democrats scrapped the proposal to solicit more Republican support. (The current federal minimum wage is at $7.25 an hour.)

As such, the Senate is expected to make major changes to the bill and undergo a marathon voting session where any senator who wishes to force an amendment vote will be allowed to do so.

Because the Senate is likely going to impose major changes to the bill, it will need another pass for approval in the House before

it is sent to Biden’s desk for final approval.

The president’s sweeping coronavirus relief plan includes the $1,400 stimulus checks that will be sent to taxpayers who make up to $75,000 a year and married couples who make up to $150,000 in their combined yearly income.

It also extends COVID-19 unemployment benefits and imposes bigger tax breaks for households with kids. It also creates a federal task force to oversee and streamline vaccine distribution, provides additional funding for schools to prepare for a return back to the classroom and expands aid to small businesses that have been financially affected. n

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 5-11, 2021

3

4

MARCH 5-11, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

PH starts COVID-19...

PAGE 1 the public to get vaccinated.

“Huwag lang sana natin maging choice yung hindi magpapabakuna. Kasi ‘yung pagpapabakuna para sa COVID-19 para ‘yan sa sarili natin, para sa pamilya natin, tsaka para sa bansa natin (Let’s not choose not to get vaccinated. Because getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is for ourselves, for our family, and our country),” he said in a press briefing before the ceremonial vaccination.

On Sunday, February 28, 600,000 doses of CoronaVac donated by China arrived in the country; 100,000 of the donated doses will go to the country’s military while the remaining 500,000 doses will be for health care workers.

“With this very important shipment, I am confident that

more batches of vaccines will be available with great dispatch until every Filipino will be given the chance to be vaccinated at the earliest possible opportunity,” said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who was present at the ceremony.

“I convey my sincere gratitude to the Chinese people and the government of China for this gesture of friendship and solidarity — the hallmark of Philippines-China partnership,” he added.

The Sinovac-made vaccine was the third vaccine brand to secure an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA, following Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

However, the agency advised against using Sinovac on healthcare workers after data from Phase 3 trials in Brazil showed lower efficacy

results (50.4%).

In a Palace briefing on Tuesday, March 2, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said health care workers “celebrated” during the ceremonial vaccination.

“Naging napakatagumpay po ng day one ng ating national COVID-19 vaccination program kung saan lahat po ay nagdiwang (Day one of the national COVID-19 vaccination program was very successful. Everyone celebrated),” he said.

The Sinovac-made vaccine was the third vaccine brand to secure an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Philippines’ FDA, following Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

Meanwhile, Philippine vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. announced that the delivery of the AstraZeneca vaccines has been delayed.

“The AstraZeneca was delayed because of global acute shortages and logistical chal-

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426 lenges,” he said Monday.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 jabs from Pfizer would arrive by the second quarter of the year.

“What we are seeing is maybe by second quarter for Pfizer from COVAX,” said Galvez.

“But not on the procurement as they are saying initially by third or fourth quarter as they no longer have supplies,” he added.

On January 20, the Philippines received confirmation of the country’s participation in the COVAX distribution of vaccines for an early rollout.

The World Health Organization-led COVAX facility is a global platform that aims to ensure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries.

The Philippines is aiming to vaccinate 50 to 70 million Filipinos in 2021, with up to 200,000 individuals receiving jabs every day. n

VACCINE FOR HEALTH WORKERS. Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano (3rd from left) looks on as the city’s health workers receive vaccine shots against Covid-19 at the Lakeshore vaccination hub in Taguig City on Tuesday, March 2. The country’s vaccination campaign kicked off on Monday, March 1, a day after 600,000 doses of Sinovac-developed CoronaVac vaccine arrived from China.

PNA Photo By Avito C. Dalan

‘Dedicated to her work’: Pinay nurse dies of...

Duterte: Sara won’t...

PAGE 1 She was employed at Kindred Hospital in La Mirada, California for nearly five years, and worked a second job, also as an LVN, at nearby Imperial Convalescent Hospital.

“She was dedicated to her work and really took care of her patients. During a ceremony for her, her co-workers remembered how she was a hard worker and how she was precise about everything,” her 22-year-old son, Ken Miguel, told the Asian Journal.

Miguel, who was from Candelaria, Philippines, began her nursing career in her home country.

“This was my mom’s way to pay my grandma back for the hard work she’s done. That’s why she became a nurse because it was a gateway to a good life,” Ken said.

She and her family moved to Southern California in 2006 and she landed her first job as an LVN two years later at La Habra Convalescent Hospital, where she worked before joining Kindred Hospital.

Two weeks before Christmas, Miguel experienced symptoms, such as chills and a high fever, before she was taken to Kaiser Permanente in Downey, where she was hooked up to an oxygen machine to help with breathing. She later tested positive for COVID-19.

Miguel was discharged from the hospital and recuperated from home for the next week, while her family kept their distance, until the evening of December 23 when she had an accident in the bathroom and couldn’t stand up.

Her husband Dodjie and son Ken carried her into the car and brought her back to the hospital, where she was admitted to the intensive care unit and was hooked up to a ventilator.

She was later transferred to Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills and showed signs of improvement.

Despite their mother not being home for Christmas, the family still opened presents and kept in touch with her through FaceTime each day she was in the hospital.

“It was kind of weird, but it was the best thing that we could do. She was there in spirit even though she was at the hospital,” Ken said.

After the holiday, Ken and his father, Dodjie, started experiencing symptoms like the loss of taste and smell and fatigue.

They tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered in about 10 days.

On the morning of January 8, they were notified that Miguel had gone into cardiac arrest. Her family rushed to the hospital, which is over an hour drive from their house in Whittier, to be by her side.

“We basically had two choices. It was try to revive her at risk of hurting her even more or let her pass away,” Ken recounted, pushing for his mom to be revived. “But [the doctor]

PAGE 1 “Si Sara ayaw because may anak kasi yan tatlo. Maliliit pa. Gusto niya na magfocus muna siya sa family ano ng — mga affairs. Sabi niya sa akin, marami pa namang panahon (Sara doesn’t want to run because she has three kids. They are still young.

She wants to focus on her family affairs. She told me that there’s still much time),” explained Duterte.

He added that Sara told him she will be the president if it’s meant to be.

“She used my favorite statement. Sabi niya, kung gusto rin ng Diyos maging presidente ako kagaya ng sa iyo, magiging presidente ako. Hindi kailangan ngayon (She said, if God wants me to be president like you, I’ll be president. It doesn’t need to happen now),” Duterte recounted.

Duterte also said that Sara would have limited options after her term ends if she runs for president and wins in 2022.

“Ayaw niya ngayon. Sabi niya, kung magpresidente siya, just assuming, assuming after six years, bata pa siya, anong gawin niya? (She doesn’t want it now. She said, if she becomes president, just assuming, assuming after six years, she’d still be young, what would she do?)” he said.

“As an ex-president, hindi siya makatrabaho, hindi siya makaappear ng korte.

Eh presidente ka na eh (As an ex-president, she won’t

Rowena “Wendy” Miguel is remembered for her dedication to the nursing field.

Photo courtesy of Ken Miguel

told us that even if my mom were to recover from this, and the chances would be super low, she would be in a vegetative state.”

Two days later, in the early morning of January 10, the family received a call that Miguel had died.

Forty days after her passing, her family had a private viewing ceremony before she was cremated. Ken set up a GoFundMe page to help the family with expenses.

“It would really help me support my family and it would really help to pay off my mom’s debts,” he said.

Miguel worked two jobs and rarely had days off, but whenever she had free time, she would study to be a registered nurse. She is also remembered for her love of shopping and sewing clothes.

“During our last conversation before she passed away, she said, ‘Study hard and become a nurse.’ I’ve latched onto how caring she is and I’m going to hold onto that forever,” Ken said.

In addition to her husband and eldest son, Miguel leaves behind a 14-year-old son named Kyle.

Though vaccinations against COVID-19 are a step toward curbing the pandemic, the grim toll of over 500,000 deaths in the United States serves as a reminder that it is not over.

“When the pandemic first started, I didn’t think it was going to personally affect me the way that it did,” Ken said. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is always cherish your loved ones because you don’t what’s going to happen.” (Christina M. Oriel / AJPress) n

get to have another job, she can’t appear before court.

She already became president),” he added.

According to him, the salary of the president isn’t even big.

“At sabi ko mabuti sana kung maganda yung suweldo, makapag-ipon siya. Pero wala ka namang ambisyon.

Diyan ka lang, trabaho (And I said, it’s good if it pays well, she’d be able to save.

But since you don’t have any ambitions. Just stay there, just work),” said Duterte.

In January, Duterte said he advised his daughter against running for the presidency in 2022, claiming that women are not fit for the top government post.

“My daughter, inuudyok man nila. Sabi ko, ‘My daughter is not running.’ I have told Inday not to run kasi naaawa ako sa dadaanan niya na dinaanan ko.

Hindi ito pambabae (My daughter, they are urging her [to run for president in 2022]. I said my daughter is not running. I have told Inday not to run because I take pity if she goes through what I went through. It’s not for women),” he said.

“Alam mo, the emotional set-up of a woman and a man is totally different. Maging gago ka dito. That is the sad story (You know, the emotional set-up of a woman and a man is totally different.

You will become a fool here.

That is the sad story),” the chief executive added. (AJPress) n

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 5-11, 2021

OPINION

5

FEATURES

Body cameras

Philstar.com photo

LONG before the COVID pandemic, agencies involved in the campaign against illegal drugs had been talking about the procurement of body cameras for use by their operatives. The devices are meant to promote transparency amid criticism of the brutal way the war on drugs has been carried out.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency procured 100 body cameras together with 20 aerial surveillance drones back in 2018. PDEA agents underwent training in May of that year on the use of the equipment. Media workers accompanying PDEA teams during operations were also required to use body cameras.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police procured 2,696 body cameras, to be used for all its operations and not just against illegal drugs. Training on the use of the cameras began only last Friday, involving members of the National Capital Region Police Office. The waterproof camera can record video for up to eight hours.

Its configuration cannot be altered and it

cannot be switched off by the police officer until his or her duty ends.

It’s unfortunate that neither the PDEA nor the PNP considered using the body cameras for the anti-drug operation that resulted in a shootout between members of the two agencies in a fast-food outlet last week in Quezon City. Two policemen, a PDEA operative and a civilian allegedly serving as an informant were killed in the shootout that is now the subject of a probe by the National Bureau of Investigation.

Instead of body camera footage, what investigators have are video or photos of the shootout and its aftermath, taken by bystanders, by civilians caught in the crossfire, and by the Quezon City police officers

Editorial

who staged the drug sting. The use of body cameras would have made the search for the truth over what happened easier. Thousands of the cameras are now available for

use. Both the police and PDEA should be reminded that the cameras are supposed to be used for law enforcement rather than for taking selfies. (Philstar.com)

Spring forward: Vaccine supply for every adult in the US by end of May The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS SPRING comes early with great news that brings us closer to our collective aspiration to defeat COVID-19, so we can go back toward “normalcy” and rebuild our lives and our nation.

President Joe Biden an-

nounced on Tuesday, March 2 that the United States will have the vaccine supply we need to cover ALL adults in the country by the end of May, which brings us two months ahead of his previously announced target to vaccinate almost all Americans by the end of July.

In a televised message, Biden broke the news that two competing companies in the fields of health care and pharmaceuticals — Johnson and Johnson and Merck — have joined together to help produce

more of the Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccine that was authorized for emergency use over the weekend.

As CBS News reported, “Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine has been shown to provide 85% protection against severe COVID-19 by 28 days after vaccination.

Among people who got the vaccine in clinical trials, there were no COVID-related deaths.” This vaccine will augment the vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna that were approved earlier.

This has been made possible by having a true leader who uses the power of the Office of the President of the United States and the National Defense Production Act to truly help the lives of people to defeat COVID-19. Biden announced in his televised message that he will use the act to accelerate the production of equipment, machinery and supplies.

This will also help fulfill the aspiration “to get the country’s public school system back up and run-

ning for in-person learning nearly 10 months after the coronavirus pandemic shuttered classrooms for 50 million children,” one of Biden’s initiatives on Day One of his presidency, U.S. News reported.

On Biden’s first full day in office, the administration rolled out a plan which stated: ”The United States is committed to ensuring that students and educators are able to resume safe, inperson learning as quickly as possible, with the goal of getting a majority of K-8

schools safely open in 100 days.

Biden’s executive order gave the Education Department and Department of Health and Humans Services with the mandate “to provide guidance on how to reopen safely for in-person learning and operate in a way that allows schools to stay open”. This collaboration would “produce a Safer Schools and Campuses Best Practices Clearinghouse to share lessons learned from across the country,” U.S. PAGE 10

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.

ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

Main Office: 1210 S. Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 Fax: (818) 502-0858 • (213) 481-0854 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com

New York and New Jersey: 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 Tel.: (212) 655-5426 • Fax (818) 502-0858

With offices in Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Las Vegas, San Diego, Philippines

CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President

MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor and Editor-in-Chief New York/New Jersey Asian Journal

Asian Journal Publications, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publication by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases.

Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applicable law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation.

Publication of a Client’s Material does not constitute an a greement to continue publication.

Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material.

AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publication of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being cancellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republication of the correct advertisement.

Under no circumstances shall Asian Publications, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind.

ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; Northern California Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern California, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively.

Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions.

Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please call the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or the Las Vegas Sales Office at (702) 792-6678 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com

6

MARCH 5-11, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Dateline PhiliPPines

Four of 10 Filipino students lack distance learning tech

by Helen

Flores Philstar.com

MANILA — About four in 10 Filipino students do not have any devices needed for distance learning, according to a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The poll, taken from Nov. 21 to 25 last year, found only 58% of enrolled school-age – five- to 20-year-old – Filipinos who are using devices for distance learning.

These devices were already owned (27%), bought (12%), borrowed (10%), given (nine%) or rented (0.3%), the SWS said.

The remaining 42% said they do not use devices for distance learning.

Among the 13% who bought or rented devices for distance learning, 79% got a smartphone, 13% got

The poll, taken from Nov. 21 to 25 last year, found only 58 percent of enrolled school-age – five- to 20-year-old – Filipinos who are using devices for distance learning.

Philstar.com photo

a desktop or laptop, five% got a TV and three% got a tablet.

The use of devices for distance learning was highest in Metro Manila at 96%.

It was followed by bal-

ance Luzon at 64%, the Visayas at 43% and Mindanao at 41%.

The%age of those who use already owned devices was higher in Metro Manila and balance Luzon (36%

and 30%) than in the Visayas and Mindanao (20% and 23%).

Only four% of students in Metro Manila said they do not use devices for distance learning, much lower compared to more than half in the Visayas (56%) and Mindanao (58%) and more than a third in balance Luzon (36%).

SWS noted that the use of devices is more common among students in urban areas (67%) than among students in rural areas (49%).

SWS said the question on the means of acquiring devices for distance learning was directed to the household head.

The use of devices for distance learning is positively correlated with the household head’s educational attainment, it added.

The%age of those who use devices is highest among students whose household head is a college graduate at 74%.

It was 67% among stu-

dents whose household head has only some college education, 52% among students whose household head only has some junior high school and 35% among household whose household has some elementary education.

The survey also showed that families that bought devices spent an average of P8,687 per student.

The median amount is P6,800.

The survey used faceto-face interviews of 1,500 adults, 18 years old and above, nationwide.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has implemented blended learning for the school year 20202021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, senators are seeking the immediate launch of pilot tests of localized and limited faceto-face classes in low-risk areas to avert further learning losses and other adverse social, developmental and health costs linked to

prolonged school closures.

Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian, Nancy Binay, Francis Pangilinan, Grace Poe, Pia Cayetano, Joel Villanueva and Sonny Angara filed Senate Resolution No. 668, recommending that the pilot tests start in 1,065 public schools nationwide identified by DepEd in its risk assessment.

The senators said the pilot tests, which should follow the most stringent mitigation measures and health protocols, will help the DepEd gather on-theground evidence and design its framework for the safe reopening of schools.

While studies abroad show that schools are not the source of COVID-19 outbreaks, Gatchalian cited the need to gather local evidence that will give reassurance to learners, parents and other stakeholders in the education sector.

A global study of 191 countries, for instance, showed that there is no asPAGE 10

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 5-11, 2021

7

What Biden’s US Citizenship Act...

Among the speakers at the rally was a recent victim, 61-year-old Filipino-American Noel Quintana, whose face was slashed on the subway earlier this month. “I called for help, but nobody came to help,” he said. “If they took a video of this, the perpetrator would be identified easily.” He urged people to be safe and aware, and to record and report incidents.

Hundreds rally in NYC against rising...

PAGE 1 New York City and across the county. These are just the latest in a string of violent attacks numbering close to 500 that have targeted Asian New Yorkers in the past year.

Among the speakers were elected officials led

by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Grace Meng, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Mayor Bill de Blasio, along with community allies and leaders across the city.

Noel Quintana, a 61year-old Filipino American, spoke about the ordeal he had to go through on Feb. 3 when his face was slashed on the subway as he was on his way to work.

While the most frightening part of the entire ordeal was the slashing, what followed next was just as awful.

“Nobody helped. We’re all New Yorkers and no one helped me. There should be an awareness campaign on how to deal with this kind of problem, not only on the subway but also on the streets, so people know who to respond to victims such as myself,” Quintana told the Asian Journal before the start of the program.

Schumer called Quintana to join him by the podium as he echoed what Meng said about former President Donald Trump and his administration leading anti-Asian rhetoric last year with his usage of the phrases “kung flu” and “Chinese virus” at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Last year, at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, there were warnings of a potential surge in hate crimes against Asian Americans. Tragically, those

Congresswoman Grace Meng, who represents New York’s 6th District and authored a resolution in the House last September calling an end to the hate incidents against Asian-Americans said, “We need to make sure that we are not fighting racism with more racism. That we are fighting racism with solidarity. That we are not ever, ever pitting one group against the other. It is everyone against racism. We are American, too.”

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

warnings came to fruition and the Asian American community, across New York and the country, have been the target of racebased discrimination and harassment,” Schumer said.

“Bigotry against any of us is bigotry against all of us.”

James told the crowd, “When I think of Noel, I think of the words of Dr. King. It is the good people who fail to stand up. It is the silence of good people who fail to stand up, who allow racism and hate to persist and so all of us are here today, all of us who believe in the goodness of one another. All of us who recognize that all of us bleed red. ”All of us who recognize that his scars will heal but the scars of hate, and the taint of hate, and the pain of hate that we have got to cure, so all of us must stand

together,” she added.

Based on reports collected by AAF, Stop AAPI Hate, NYPD, and the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Asian New Yorkers suffered nearly 500 bias incidents or hate crimes in 2020, ranging from verbal to physical assaults, to being coughed at or spat upon, to shunning, among other forms of discrimination.

However, these are a fraction of the actual number of incidents that have occurred, as the majority of incidents go unreported, according to the AAF. For example, over 90% of the reports collected by AAF were not reported to either the NYPD or NYC Commission on Human Rights.

James encouraged individuals at the rally to report hate crimes to her office PAGE 8

PAGE 2 many of whom are frontline workers in the health, food and emergency industries, Yang pointed out.

“The importance of immigration policy for Asian Americans — and for Americans as a whole — cannot be understated,” Yang said at a press briefing on Feb. 24, referencing census data that projects that Asian Americans will make up the largest community of immigrants in the U.S. by 2055.

Currently, there are about 4 million immigrants stuck in these backlogs; additionally, more than 1 million with H1-B visas are “stuck in temporary status,” Yang said.

Based on current patterns of immigration, about 40% of immigrants hail from Asia and about two-thirds of Asians and Asian Americans are immigrants. About 90% are either immigrants or children of immigrants.

Yet, immigrants from the Philippines are among the groups that have the longest wait times for processing, along with those from Mexico, China, India and Vietnam, Yang said.

The Trump administration — among its many restric-

tive immigration policies and practices — included gutting family-based petitioning in favor of more merit-based employment visas, the beneficiaries of which the administration saw as more of a priority.

A majority of immigrants from Asia who are able to come to the U.S. on employment-based visas come from the tech and telecommunications space, but according to Chu, prioritizing one immigration program over another puts families at risk because it narrowly favors individuals who possess certain education and employment credentials over others.

“Prioritizing merit-based or employment-based visas at the expense of familybased visas is counterproductive,” Chu said at the press conference. “In reality, family and employment visas are linked; people with high skills also have families and they are motivated to come to the U.S. if they can also bring their families. Immigrants on family-based visas contribute greatly to the economy, they go on to start businesses and create jobs and only allowing certain

people with higher education would put other industries at a disadvantage.”

Though in the past certain immigration reform bills have garnered bipartisan support, the likelihood of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 passing nervously hangs in the balance as Democrats hold thin majorities in both chambers of Congress.

The bill would require at least 10 Republican votes to bypass a Senate filibuster and advance the bill to a final vote. But Republicans have criticized the bill for being too lax on border security and argue that the broad pathway to citizenship will encourage illegal immigration.

Upon the first introduction of the bill, both Sanchez and Menendez said that there will be a possibility of alternative approaches to ensure the bill has bipartisan support.

“We are pursuing an ‘all of the above strategy,” Sanchez told reporters in February.

“All options are on the table, and we hope to pass robust immigration reform, but there are other great immigration bills that we also will be taking up and hopefully passing as well.” n

8

MARCH 5-11, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Hundreds rally in NYC against rising...

PAGE 7 because hate will not be tolerated in a country of immigrants.

“Come to my office so we can go after these individuals who hate us, so we can shut them down,” James said. “We need a patrol which is staffed by police officers. A full-time, dedicated bureau... that patrol the streets, patrol the subways and keep the Asian community safe from harm.”

De Blasio told the crowd: “Stop Asian hate! This is the message we have to get out, not just in New York City, but all over this country: Stop Asian hate, stop it now!”

Meng thanked the members of other communities in NYC who attended the rally for showing up and lending support.

“We need to make sure that we are not fighting racism with more racism, that we are fighting racism with solidarity, that we are not ever, ever pitting one group against another,” she said.

“Many of our elderly are

“When I was attacked on the subway, there were so many New Yorkers around me, but nobody came to my help, nobody made a video,” Noel Quintana said. “I was scared I wasn’t going to make it. We are all New Yorkers, and we should be looking out for each other.”

scared to leave their homes not just because of the virus but because of bigotry. The United States has a long history of discriminating and excluding Asian Americans that stems from ignorant fear,” Meng said, adding that the Trump administra-

tion fostered bigotry.

“We’ve been taught our entire lives to just fit in, just be quiet, don’t speak up, be invisible. If you are invisible enough, you will be seen as American,” Meng said tearfully, her voice breaking.

“But we are to say that we

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said that “anyone who commits an act of hate against the Asian-American community will be found, will be arrested, will be prosecuted.” The Rise Up Against Asian Hate rally was organized by the Asian American Federation (AAF).

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

won’t be invisible no more, we will speak up. We are saying that we are American, too.”

Jo-Ann Yoo, the executive director of the Asian American Federation, said, “It is heartbreaking that we are being forced to live in fear

of our lives. It’s time for our leaders and all New Yorkers to come together and stand against this virus of hate.

Our communities deserve to live in safety. They also deserve recovery programs, language services, mental health services, and solu-

tions that center the community. We believe in the safety of all our communities and look forward to working with our leaders, our community, and victims to ensure that the solutions we implement support and uplift all New Yorkers.” n

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 5-11, 2021

9

10

MARCH 5-11, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Spring forward: Vaccine supply...

PAGE 5 News further reported.

Tuesday’s announcement by the president is a step toward this direction. Biden is asking states to prioritize vaccinating not only essential workers, but also “teachers, childcare workers and school staff through the administration’s partnership with pharmacies, although the president cannot make states prioritize educators. Mr. Biden said he wants all such educators and support staff to have at least one vaccine shot by the end of March,” CBS News reported.

The president has warned in January that in this war against the pandemic, the situation” could go worse before it gets better.” However, the “war time effort” of the Biden administration gives us much to be hopeful about. We have been seeing positive developments that indicate we can go back to “normalcy” if we ALL work together and do our share of responsibility, especially in light of the new variants we have yet to know more about.

Given the generally downward trend in new cases, hospitalization and deaths, many states, including California, have downgraded their restrictions based on science and data. However, Biden urges Americans in his speech to continue abiding by safety measures of wearing masks, physical distancing, avoiding crowds and practicing hygiene like washing our hands, using sanitizers to mitigate the spread of the virus.

While getting vaccinated protects us at best or at least prevents us from having deadly symptoms, we still need to practice these safety measures, especially wearing masks.

Gregory Poland, M.D., a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, explains three important reasons to wear masks and practice all safety measures: “Number one, while the vaccine reduces your risk, it does not eliminate the risk of being exposed to having the disease and asymptomatically transmitting the virus to others,” says Dr. Poland. “Remember that even the best of these vaccines is about 90%–95% effective, meaning, you might still have a 1 in 10 or 1 in 20 chance of being exposed and getting the disease. So the mask is protecting you.”

The third reason is related to these new mutant variants and other variants still to come.

“The vaccine might protect you against death, but maybe your protection against disease ends up being about 50%–60%,” says Dr. Poland. “If that’s true, then we still want to wear masks to prevent disease and prevent the spread of those variants which could then mutate further causing even more infections.”

If you have family and friends in Texas and Mississippi, or have family members who, because of financial priorities and because of defiance of science and facts, hastily go back to pre-COVID days, urge them to continue wearing masks, practice physical distancing, avoid crowds, wash their hands and get vaccinated. This is all for their own safety and for the greater good so we can all go back to “normalcy” faster.

Finally, call your senators to vote for the passage of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that the

House of Representatives just passed. Biden said in his message: “Now’s not the time to let our guard down, people’s lives are at stake. We have already, and I carry this in my pocket, lost more… As of today, we’ve lost more than 511,839 Americans, as of today. It’s got to stop.

We need the United States Senate to follow the House and pass the American Rescue Plan, because despite the optimism, without new resources, our entire effort will be set back. We need the resources, the American Rescue Plan, and we need it urgently.

We need them expanding testing, ramp up vaccine distribution, fund FEMA and other federal vaccine efforts, and continue reimbursing states for their efforts. We need the resources to expand genomic sequencing, to stay ahead of emerging variants, find the protective gear, transportation, staffing, and other costs required for school and businesses to open safely. We need to fund it.

The bottom line is, we need the American Rescue Plan now, now.” *** 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 ABSCBN 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.

Four of 10 Filipino students...

PAGE 6 sociation between school status and COVID-19 infection rates in the community.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also emphasized that the return to in-person classes is possible as long as mitigation measures such as the wearing of face masks, physical distancing and increased room ventilation, among others, are

observed.

Despite DepEd’s efforts to foster learning continuity while face-to-face classes are still not allowed, the quality of distance learning is still hounded by challenges such as limited preparations for educators, parents and learners.

Unreliable and expensive information and communications technology services are other gaps exposed in the rollout of blended

learning.

To prevent adult-to-adult transmission in schools, the senators also recommended the prioritization of teachers in the COVID19 vaccination rollout.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Philippines is the only country in the East and Asia Pacific Region where schools have remained closed since March 2020. n

FROM JUNK TO CASH. A group of men brings recyclable items to a junkshop along Congressional Road in Dasmarinas City, Cavite. Aside from contributing to environmental protection, people can earn by selling recyclable materials to junk shops. P NA photo by Gil Calinga

Duterte to end VFA if US nukes...

PAGE 1 here brought by you, I will immediately ask you to go out and I will terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement ora mismo (right now),” the president said during a press conference at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Sunday, February 28.

According to Duterte, the Philippine Constitution prohibits the presence of nuclear armaments in the country.

“We are making a big gamble there because if there are no armaments in the Philippines, if we only have what we need for counterinsurgency, we’re OK. We do not need weapons that would fight other countries because we do not have it, the arms, and we do not want it,” he added.

Duterte noted that the Philippines will be the first country to get hit should a war break out between the U.S. and its enemy.

“Kung magka-giyera (if a war breaks out) and it will surely start maybe in the theater of war would be the Spratly and China Sea. Katabi lang tayo. Pangasinan, it’s just — nakaharap. Maraming probinsiya nandiyan. Alam mo kung may armaments sila dito ang unang tatamaan ‘yon. Saan? Sa Pilipinas (We’re just beside it. Pangasinan, it’s just — in front.

There are so many provinces there. You know if they have armaments here we’ll be first to get hit. Where? The

Philippines),” he said.

He also claimed that the U.S. has “depots” for their weapons in the Philippines.

“The arms are stored everywhere in the Philippines, baka hindi niyo alam (in case you don’t know). May mga depots (They have depots) all around the Philippines,” said Duterte.

“Sinabi ko sa kanila (I told them) I cannot stop you because we have yet to renegotiate the Visiting Forces Agreement but I am warning you that if I get hold of hard information that the nuclear armaments are here brought by you, I will immediately ask you to go out and I will terminate the VFA immediately,” he added.

Last week, Duterte admitted that he doesn’t know whether to renew or abrogate the agreement with the United States, adding that he wants to hear Filipino public’s sentiment.

“I must be frank, I do not keep secrets to the people. I have not yet decided on what to do. Meaning to say, to abrogate or renew because I want to hear the people,” he said in a public address aired on February 24.

“I want the narratives to come up, not necessarily from the [lawmakers]. Well, of course, they count very much pero hindi limitado dito sa (but it is not limited to) Congress,” he added.

Previously, he said the U.S. would have to “pay” to keep the VFA from being

terminated.

“I would like to put on notice if there’s an American agent here that from now on, you want the Visiting Forces Agreement done? Well, you have to pay,” Duterte said in his speech on February 12 at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

The VFA, which came into force in 1999, covers the conduct of U.S. soldiers in the Philippines. Among the provisions of the deal include relaxed visa and passport policies for U.S. troops, and the rights of the U.S. government to retain its jurisdiction over its military personnel when they commit crimes in the Philippines.

In February 2020, the Philippines sent the U.S. a notice terminating the VFA reportedly after the U.S. canceled Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s visa.

The termination was later suspended in June “in light of political and other developments in the region,” and the suspension was extended in November for another six months to enable the Philippines and the U.S. to find a more enhanced, mutually beneficial, mutually agreeable, and more effective and lasting arrangement on how to move forward in their mutual defense.

In December, the president threatened to continue with the VFA’s termination if the U.S. did not extend at least 20 million vaccines to the Philippines. n

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 5-11, 2021

COMMUNITY Journal

March 2021 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows:

Immigration Corner

FAMILY CATEGORY: First Preference

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ THE March 2021 priority dates, continue to provide great news for workers in the EB-3 (skilled/professional) and “other worker” (unskilled workers like caregivers). The priority dates for all countries (except India and China) are CURRENT! This includes the Philippines! This means visas are available, regardless of the person’s priority date. If a person is being petitioned by an employer, and their Form I-140 employment-based petition has been approved or is pending, they could possibly be eligible to file for adjustment of status and work authorization, assuming they are otherwise eligible for adjustment of status (i.e. no isPAGE 12

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

October 22, 2012

January 08, 2012

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below February 01, 21 years old) of green 2021 card holders

Current

(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holders

April 15, 2012

August 15, 2011

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens

January 08, 2003

March 08, 2002

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens

October 01, 2002

March 01, 2002

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Second Preference

Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

Current

Current

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

Current

Current

11

FAMILY-BASED PETITIONS TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON AN ALL-NEW EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (top left) answers questions regarding familybased petitions from Kapamilya in various parts of California.

Lo retta of Te m e c u l a (to p right) asks if she can revive her petition for her son. Delia of San Diego (bottom left) petitioned her son as a “single adult child” after his son’s short-lived marriage ended in annulment. She received a letter from the National Visa Center with a heading: “Intent to Deny.” Should she be worried? Cora from Los Angeles (bottom right) petitioned her daughter when she was still a green card holder. Cora is now a U.S. citizen. Will this change in status affect her daughter’s petition? Be sure to watch this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, March 7 at 5:30 pm PST (8:30 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

Filipino avant-garde designer Rocky Gathercole, known for dressing Hollywood stars, passes away unexpectedly

by AJPress ROCKY Gathercole, a celebrated Filipino avant-garde designer who dressed Hollywood celebrities from Lady Gaga to Jennifer Lopez, died unexpectedly at the age of 54.

Gathercole was found unconscious at his Quezon City home on Wednesday, March 3, ABS-CBN News reported.

A cause of death has not been revealed as of this writing.

In a 2016 interview with the Asian Journal, the designer recounted his humble beginnings when he left home at 14, resorting to taking refuge at the foot of the Quezon Bridge in Quiapo and supporting himself by working PAGE 12

Rocky Gathercole was an avant-garde designer who dressed celebrities from Lady Gaga to Jennifer Lopez.

Photos courtesy of Rocky Gathercole/Facebook

NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY

EVERYDAY

9:00am - 11:00am

Gathercole’s designs have been worn by Britney Spears, Cardi B, and Katy Perry.

12

MARCH 5-11, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS “THERE is no COVID-19; the virus was never proven to exist,” was the ridiculous, irresponsible, and crazy assertion blogger Jon Rappoport made, claiming the statements were made

by Dr. Andrew Kaufman, Dr. Tom Cowan, and Sally Fallon Morell.

While the falsehood is self-evident, what bothers me more is that those 12 words, which are technically criminal because they could kill people who are gullible enough to believe them, have been disseminated in the social media, even by unthinking physicians themselves who should know better.

Spreading lies is a disservice to humanity.

About 219 countries around the globe have been devastated by the COVID19 pandemic, with almost 115 million cases and more than 2.5 million killed. It has been proven by the World Health Organization and independently by countless laboratories in each nation that the single culprit is the deadly SARS-CoV2 virus, and now its variants.

Fake news: Criminalizing?

“People who deliberately spread falsehoods about vaccines on social media may deter large numbers of people from getting vaccinated, which could cost lives,” reported Medical News Today. The British Medical Journal posted an article where two scientists “argued for and against criminalizing vaccine disinformation.” Since malicious dissemination of false information during a pandemic could actually kill people, it makes sense to make intentional public assertion of falsehood a crime.

Why mask is effective Studies have shown that face masks reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV2 virus and may even lessen the severity of COVID-19.

New clinical findings explain how wearing a mask or two accomplishes these two benefits. Published in the Biophysical Journal, the research showed that masks “increase the humidity of the air that a person breathes in.” The added humidity protects the respiratory tract and lungs from

‘No COVID-19’

the virus. N95 mask is adequate, or double mask.

Neck gaiter not enough Neck gaiters worn around the neck over the face mask are added protection against the virus, but not when they are used alone, without a mask.

Worn over a mask, it covers the entire nape and the face except the eyes as an added layer of protection.

The neck gaiter also helps hold the mask in place and even makes the wearer feel more secure.

Vaccination progress A review of the worldwide vaccination rates revealed a drop in new cases in some countries, including the U.S. The vaccines are really making a big difference, with reduced cases and reduced hospitalization and deaths. Israel, for one, appears to be achieving herd immunity within a month because of the discipline of the people and the country’s aggressive vaccination program, which is considered the top with regard to vaccination rate per capita. Vaccination can prevent at least 9 out of 10 people (90 percent) from getting infected. The highest rate of vaccinations in the list following Israel include (2) United Arab Emirates, (3) the UK, and (4) the United States.

Anti-COVID nose spray Researchers at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons have discovered a nasal antiviral spray (a lipopeptide) that blocks the transmission of SARSCoV2 virus in ferrets, for potential use in humans “to prevent infection in people exposed to the coronavirus, including recent variants,” according to Science and the New England Journal of Medicine. The study continues.

Six vital reminders 1)After getting the vaccine, people can still get COVID-19. A retired physician friend of mine had his first shot, got infected 5 days later, and died from SARS-CoV2. Facemask and social distancing must still be observed after receiving the shots until the country has developed herd immunity; 2) Those who had been infected with COVID-19 still need to get the vaccines for full protection. For the twodose vaccines, one dose is not enough. A second dose is necessary to get full pro-

tection; 3) The virus, which could land on any part of our body and clothing, could be transmitted by our unwashed hands and enters through our eyes, nose and mouth. After people get the vaccine, they could still transmit the virus; 4) Having no symptoms, after being exposed to people in public, does not mean no virus on the skin or in our system. The incubation period of SARS-CoV2 virus could be as long as two weeks, or longer in others, before symptoms appear; 5) While seniors, especially those with health issues, are more likely to die from COVID-19, there are countless people, younger than 50 who have been killed by this virus. Let’s not be cavalier, cocky, or arrogant about this invisible deadly enemy; and 6) When 70 to 80 percent of people in the U.S. have been vaccinated and the people continue to be disciplined, careful, and vigilant, herd immunity in the United States will follow. Let’s all do our share to achieve this sooner.

COVID-19: ‘Positives’ This killer pandemic also has its silver linings.

The British Journal of Psychiatry reported, “A recent study of people who care for children concludes that COVID-19 lockdowns have provided some unexpected benefits. Some people reported positive changes in their family relationships, spiritual well-being, and more.”

The courage and compassion of our healthcare and first-responder heroes, the love and concern of children about their parents’ health and safety, the indomitable strength of the human race and its inspiring valiant struggle for survival, the unity among nations and peoples around the globe arm-in-arm in their resolve to defeat a stealthy killer, the ingenuity of people of all races, the flexible and adaptive nature of humans to their environment, the increased appreciation of the value of health and life, the magnified love and fear of losing loved ones, the untold and unseen sacrifices of people for their family members and friends, the heightened awareness today that what happens to other people thousands of miles across the oceans must also conPAGE 15

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Mothers and their immigration concerns for their children on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday LEADING U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel discusses the latest developments in U.S. immigration reform, as featured on his YouTube channel, US Immigration TV. Atty. Gurfinkel will also be answering questions from Kapamilya regarding familybased petitions.

Loretta (Temecula, CA) petitioned her son, Eli, but he missed his interview when his petition became current.

Now, Eli wants to come to

the U.S. Can Loretta revive her son’s petition?

Delia (San Diego, CA) has a son who had a very brief marriage that was annulled. She petitioned her son after his annulment as a “single adult child.” In 2013, Delia got a letter from the National Visa Center (NVC) with the heading “Intent To Deny,” asking for documents, including a copy of the annulment. Delia submitted the documents but never heard back from the NVC. What happens to her

March 2021...

PAGE 11 sues re maintaining status, no fraud/crimes, etc.) People with approved or pending I140 petitions should see an attorney about their eligibility to file for adjustment, now that the priority dates for these employment-based categories are current.

Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment-based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose

priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below.

If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. * * * Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York.

All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the

son’s petition?

Cora (Los Angeles) petitioned her daughter when she was a green card holder.

Cora is now a U.S. citizen.

Should she inform the NVC about her change in status?

Will this affect her daughter’s petition?

Answers to these questions and more on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, March 7 at 5:30 pm PST (8:30 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES

(Advertising Supplement)

Filipino avant-garde designer...

PAGE 11 various jobs. He sold tapsilog on a kariton (push cart) along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

His “dream” at the time was to be a janitor at an SM mall but the job required a high school diploma. He instead waited tables at a Makati restaurant and would sketch designs during his free time.

Gathercole received a job opportunity in Saudi Arabia, where his employer encouraged him to become a designer.

“There were other Filipino designers who taught me things like how to bead and cut [fabric]. That was for two months and the rest is history. I went to Dubai and that’s where the idea enhanced that I wanted to really be a designer,” he told the Asian Journal.

Gathercole spent over two

decades in the Middle East, opening up a shop in Dubai, where he primarily designed wedding dresses and formal couture gowns for women.

It was his artful, over-thetop designs — which include edgy bodysuits and gaudy headpieces — that caught the attention of Hollywood A-listers.

“I could do the weird things and at the same time, I could do the very simple and elegant wedding dresses. In the Middle East, my line was wedding dresses. I can do anything. Here in the U.S. is where I got noticed so I’ve been associated with kabaliwan (madness). That’s okay as long as I am enjoying what I’m doing. Personally it’s important masaya ako (that I am happy). I can make a lot of money but if hindi ako masaya, wala rin, (if I wasn’t happy, there’s nothing also) I

wouldn’t enjoy,” he said.

In 2010, Gathercole showcased designs at Miami Fashion Week, his first fashion show in the United States.

Since then, he held shows in New York, Los Angeles and Australia. For The Stars Fashion House along Melrose Avenue in LA served as his home base in the U.S. Gathercole’s creations have also been worn by Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Carrie Underwood, and Paris Hilton.

Among his famous designs include Katy Perry’s gold corset in her “Dark Horse” music video and a black-andwhite flare dress Hilton wore at Cannes Film Festival in 2014.

In the past year, he designed a black gown with a blue, jeweled crusted hood for Cardi B, while J.Lo PAGE 15

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 5-11, 2021

13

KZ Tandingan sings Disney’s ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ first Filipino-language song for finds inspiration in the cultures, ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ people of Southeast Asia

By Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

FILIPINA singer KZ Tandingan will sing Disney’s first Filipino song for its upcoming animated film “Raya and the Last Dragon.”

Tandingan — dubbed “Asia’s Soul Supreme” — will be “lending her voice” for “Gabay,” which was described as a song about trust, strength, and unity, Disney Philippines revealed on Tuesday, March 2.

“Asia’s Soul Supreme KZ Tandingan will be lending her remarkable voice to an all-new song titled ‘Gabay’ from Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon. This firstever Filipino-language track from Disney will be coming your way very soon. Abangan!” it said in a tweet.

Disney Philippines on Monday announced that “Raya and the Last Dragon” will feature its first Filipino-

PSYCHIC

“Asia’s Soul Supreme” KZ Tandingan sings “Gabay,” Disney’s first song in Filipino.

Photo from Instagram/@kztandingan

language song, attaching a teaser photo of the mysterious Filipina singer.

“The first Filipino-language song from Disney,

sung by one of the Philippines’ most powerful voices.

Find out who she is tomorrow,” Disney Philippines PAGE 15

SERVICES

WALT Disney Animation Studios’ new animated film “Raya and the Last Dragon” is an exciting, epic journey about the fantasy world of Kumandra, where humans and dragons lived together long ago in harmony.

But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity.

Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people. However, along her journey, she’ll learn that it’ll take more than a dragon to save the world—it’s going to take trust and teamwork as well.

Inspired by the various cultures and people of Southeast Asia, the imaginary lands of Kumandra in “Raya and the Last Dragon” each has its own customs and geography. Although the film is a fantasy, Disney sought to ensure that the portrayals of the cultures that inspire the film are accurate and respectful. The creative team visited multiple countries in the region, including Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, to conduct research.

Disney also enlisted experts to its Raya “Raya and the Last Drago” will hit theaters and Disney+ on March PAGE 15 5.

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios

SERVICES

14

MARCH 5-11, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

14

• (212) N E W http://www.asianjournal.com YO R K / N E W J E R S EY 655-5426 M A R C H 5, 2 0 2 1

people events arts culture entertainment

Mission to Mars: Fil-Am NASA engineers play key roles in Perseverance rover landing A

planet.

by chRiStina

M. oRiel and Ritchel Mendiola / AJPress

FTER a seven-month-long journey, NASA’s Perseverance rover made its historic landing on Mars in mid-February, ushering in a new era of exploration and study on the red

Perseverance is touted as the “most advanced astrobiology laboratory ever sent to another world.” The mission was launched on July 30, 2020 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, and touched down in Jezero Crater on Mars on February 18, 2021 at 12:55 p.m. PST. The 2,263-pound robotic geologist and astrobiologist, which is roughly the size of a car, will undergo several weeks of testing before it begins its two-year science investigation of the Jezero Crater. Its primary aim is to study the rock and sediment of Jezero’s ancient lakebed and river delta to characterize the region’s geology and past climate.

“This landing is one of those pivotal moments for NASA, the United States, and space exploration globally — when we know we are on the cusp of discovery and

sharpening our pencils, so to speak, to rewrite the textbooks,” acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk said.

Several Filipino Americans were among the thousands of brilliant minds who played integral roles in the momentous landing. They include Gregorio Villar III, an entry, descent, and landing (EDL) systems engineer, and Marianne Gonzalez, a chemical engineer. Both work at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

Gregorio Villar III The 33-year-old engineer has been with the space agency for over 12 years, working as an EDL systems engineer at JPL. His career highlights include directing a Mars parachute test campaign at the world’s largest wind tunnel, as well as leading a council of atmospheric scientists from institutions around the

Members of NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover team watch in Mission Control at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California as the first images arrive moments after the spacecraft successfully touched down on Mars on Thursday, Feb. 18.

Photo by NASA/Bill Ingalls

world to characterize the Martian atmosphere.

He also spent seven-anda-half years building and testing a system that would land a car-sized rover on Mars.

To add more to his list of achievements, Villar is also the head verification and validation engineer for the EDL phase of Perseverance.

Villar credited his education in the Philippines for his NASA journey.

“I thank part of my education in the Philippines for that. I studied so much in the Philippines, my foundation in math and physics because of my teachers there in high school,” he said in an exclusive interview with Teleradyo.

Villar was born in the United States to Filipino parents, but he went to the Philippines when he was 13 years old to spend time with his father.

He studied high school at Saint Louis University-Laboratory High School in Baguio City, Philippines before moving back to the U.S. where he earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona and a master’s degree in astronautical engineering from the University of Southern California.

A career-related to space has been a life-long dream for Villar, who grew up fascinated by science fiction films like “Apollo 13” and “Independence Day.” PAGE 15

Photo shows the first 360-degree panorama taken by Mastcam-Z, a zoomable pair of cameras aboard NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover. The panorama was stitched together on Earth from 142 individual images taken on Sol 3, the third Martian day of the mission on Feb. 21, 2021.

Photo courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS

Gregorio Villar, an EDL engineer, was involved in assisting the safe landing of the rover.

Photo courtesy of NASA

Marianne Gonzalez, a chemical engineer at NASA, was part of the team that built MOXIE, an oxygen measuring device inside the Perseverance Rover.

Contributed photo

Villar previously led the space agency’s Mars parachute tests in the world’s largest wind tunnel.

Photo courtesy of Instagram/@gregoryvillar

Gonzalez hopes to inspire more women to enter STEMrelated fields.

Contributed photo

(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Raya and the Last...

PAGE 13 Southeast Asia Story Trust, who had a strong influence on all elements of the film. Dr. S. Steve Arounsack, professor of anthropology at California State University, Stanislaus, guided the creative team through the cultural inspiration behind the story. Husband and wife team Emiko Saraswati Susilo and I Dewa Putu Berata of Çudamani collaborated closely with the animators to create character movement inspired by the philosophies of Balinese dance and gamelan. Dr. Rebecca S. Hall, a curator at the University of Southern California’s Pacific Asia Museum, used her expertise in textiles to inform the design and colors of the characters’ clothing, like the sabai top and sampot pant, found in Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Dr. Juliana Wijaya, a linguist at UCLA’s Indonesian Studies Program, helped craft the characters’ names to have special meaning inspired by different Southeast Asian languages. Laos Ange-

les, an organization serving the Laotian community in Southern California, hosted a Baci ceremony to bless the production.

The attention to detail pays off in the rich portrayal of Kumandra. “You can see the inspiration in the terrain, the shapes in the movie, the fabrics people are wearing, and the colors used,” said Vietnamese American actress Kelly Marie Tran who voices Raya. “Disney is very meticulous about wanting to accurately represent the parts of the world their movies are about.”

In the film, characters sharing food together symbolizes trust and harmony.

The scenes of Raya and her friends sitting around a table to enjoy meals together commemorates the way food is shared family-style in much of the region. In many Asian cuisines, there are five disparate flavors– spicy, sour, sweet, salty, and bitter– that come together to create delicious meals. Communal meals also

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 5-11, 2021 advance the characters’ journey towards becoming a team and the sense that if they trust each other and work together, they can achieve anything.

Southeast Asian martial arts are front and center in “Raya and the Last Dragon.”

As a warrior princess and daughter of the chief of Heart, Raya’s fighting styles are inspired by Pencak Silat of Malaysia and Indonesia and Kali and Arnis of the Philippines.

Other fighting techniques featured in the film are inspired by Muay Thai and Krabi Krabong of Thailand, multi-limbed attack styles from Muay Thai of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, and the flying scissor-leg takedowns of Vietnam. Co-screenwriter Qui Nguyen acted as one of the film’s fight reference choreography consultants. “It was really important to me that the fighting styles were grounded in physics that are real,” he said.

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be released simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ with Premier Access on March 5, 2021.

Filipino avant-garde designer...

PAGE 12 donned his bright red gown on Christmas Eve 2020.

Despite his international and star-studded clientele, he remained grounded and was reminded of his early years.

“It’s important that the client trusts the designer. I don’t

get starstruck anymore. I think living on the streets [helped] with that because I never expected a life where everything was given to me,” he said.

When asked about his advice for future designers, he shared, “I don’t believe de-

signers are made; I believe they’re born. From [my experience], I didn’t study to be a designer. Somehow, designer talaga ako (I really am a designer). The best advice I can give is to be yourself and find it in your heart, and the art will come out.”

Mission to Mars: Fil-Am NASA...

PAGE 14 He wanted to be an astronaut, and the thought of going to Mars himself one day is what excites him about the Red Planet and space exploration.

“The dream is to go to space someday, maybe even Mars... It’s just cool right?

Like another planet, like outer space. Things that we grow up watching in movies like ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Star Wars.’ Just the idea of going to another planet is really really awesome,” Villar said.

As the EDL engineer of the Mars 2020 mission, the FilAm engineer was involved in assisting the safe landing of the rover.

It was a complicated process to land since it can be affected by a lot of factors, he said.

“It’s known as the ‘seven minutes of terror.’ That’s what entry, descent, and

landing is. We enter the atmosphere of Mars, we descend the atmosphere and we land,” he told Teleradyo.

The landing on the atmosphere of Mars causes friction to slow the rover down, prompting the team to release a large parachute called the supersonic parachute which is ejected faster than the speed of sound.

“After that, we separate the heat shield that covers the spacecraft. The Rover comes down on rockets; it has its own jet pack. The jet pack lowers the Rover, it separates the Rover on its cables. It safely touches the ground, then the jet pack flies away,” explained Villar.

“All of that is extremely complicated with thousands of things happening left and right.

There’s so many things that can go wrong in those seven minutes. It’s extreme-

ly frightening, extremely nerve-racking,” he added.

Villar also revealed that he was not the only Filipino American who worked on the Mars 2020 mission.

“There are other Filipinos who worked on Perseverance as well. Not just me,” the engineer said.

Marianne Gonzalez Gonzalez, a 28-year-old second-generation Filipina American, has spent nearly six years at JPL as a chemical engineer.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from California State University, Long Beach and went on to pursue a master’s degree in the same field at the University of Southern California. After undergrad, she interned at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida before moving back to Southern California to join JPL.

‘No COVID-19’...

PAGE 12 cern us enough to protect them, each other, and that we, the people of the world, are all, without exception, on this planet earth as ONE. Unity with magnanimity is our only hope for the survival of our species.

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and

not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate

15

for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail. com.

KZ Tandingan sings Disney’s...

PAGE 13 said Monday across social media platforms.

Tandingan, for her part, said she was “very grateful” to sing the first-ever Disney track in Filipino for an international animated film.

“I am very grateful and I feel very proud to be singing in my language, and show off its beauty to the rest of the world. I am proud to be part of history,” she said in a statement sent to Philstar. com.

“I grew up watching Disney movies. Finally, there is a Disney Princess who I can feel a very strong connection to, and that is Raya as the first one inspired by Southeast Asia,” she added.

Set in the fantasy world of Kumandra, where long ago humans and dragons lived together in harmony, “Raya and the Last Dragon” — directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada — tells the story of Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), who embarks on an adventure to track down the legendary last dragon, Sisu (Awkwafina), to restore the fractured land and unite its divided people.

Other cast members include Daniel Dae Kim as Raya’s father Benja; Gemma Chan who plays Raya’s nemesis Namaari; and Sandra Oh as Virana, Namaari’s mother. “‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ is inspired by various

Southeast Asian cultures and, as such, we found it fitting to launch ‘Gabay’ as a way for us to celebrate the film and connect with our Filipino fans,” said Allie Benedicto, studio marketing head of Disney Philippines. “‘Gabay,’ the first-ever Disney track sung in Filipino, demonstrates our commitment to work with local creative talents to tell our stories in a locally relevant manner,” she added.

“Gabay” is set to drop on Spotify on Friday, March 5.

“Raya and the Last Dragon” will be released in theaters and on Disney+ with Premiere Access for an additional $29.99 fee on March 5 as well.

She has made her mark on several agency projects, including: Mini Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (miniTOCA), a miniature water quality monitoring instrument that will be used to replace the current water analyzer on the International Space Station; the Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitor (SAM), which is analyzing cabin air for astronauts on the ISS; and the Ventilator Intervention Technology Accessible Locally (VITAL), a ventilator for COVID-19 patients, which received approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

For Perseverance, Gonzalez was part of the team that built Mars Oxygen InSitu Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE), a device about the size of a car battery housed inside the rover.

She specifically helped deliver sensors to measure the gases in the device and created a model simulator of

MOXIE to “understand how it would operate on Mars and to help decide what commands we should send it,” Gonzalez said in an email to the Asian Journal.

“It is going to demonstrate the autonomous production of oxygen on Mars from the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We can potentially use the technology for future crewed missions to Mars to make rocket fuel,” she added.

Witnessing the successful landing on Feb. 18 was surreal and dreamlike, the Pinay engineer recounted.

“It is amazing to see something that I worked on for so long finally arrive at its destination. I felt so appreciative of the thousands of people who worked on this rover.

We all did our part and are excited to see the rover finally start its mission on the surface of Mars; this is only the beginning. It felt great to see the world celebrate with us and to see the

public excited about science and space exploration,” she said.

After MOXIE, Gonzalez has several tasks on her plate, a spacecraft called Europa Clipper, which will visit a moon orbiting Jupiter to search for signs of life, and projects for the International Space Station to monitor life support systems for the astronauts.

She hopes that her career as a Filipina American and woman of color at NASA will inspire others to pursue a male-dominated field like STEM. “As a Filipina and a minority in this field, it is easy to feel like you might not belong. I would encourage any aspiring Filipina engineers to work on building their confidence. Being a woman of color in a dominantly male field can be scary at times. As long as you remind yourself about why you’re passionate about engineering, it makes it all worth it,” she said.

16

MARCH 5-11, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426