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MARCH 6-12, 2020 Volume 13 - No. 18 • 16 Pages 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • 2500 Plaza S. Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, NJ 07311 • Tel. (212) 655-5426 • Fax: (818) 502-0858

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US wants newer, stronger defense ties with PH — Duterte

“It came to the fore na yung alitan ko sa kanila, tinanggal ko ‘yung VFA, sila naman ngayon PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte ang lapit ng lapit (that after my said the United States has been rift with them and the terminareaching out to the Philippine tion of VFA, they are now trygovernment for newer and ing to make amends),” Duterte stronger defense ties since said in a speech delivered at the termination of the Visiting Malacañang’s Rizal Hall on Forces Agreement (VFA) be- Tuesday, March 3. tween the two countries.

Duterte also revealed that

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

DATELINE

he had a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim as well as Ambassador of the Philippines to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez, but dismissed the possibility of the U.S. holding him accountable over the reported deaths of drug personalities in the country due to his war against

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As PH seeks independent foreign policy, Senate questions Duterte’s power to end treaties

USA

SEVERAL Filipino Americans vying for seats on the federal, state and local levels will advance to the general election in November following the March 3rd primary.

For Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, Filipina American Gina Ortiz Jones secured the Democratic nomination with 66% of the votes on Tuesday night, March 3. In November, she will face either Tony Gonzales or Raul Reyes, both Republicans who will advance to a run-off in May. A former Air Force intelligence officer, Ortiz Jones first ran for the seat that covers the southwest portion of the state during the 2018 midterm election but was narrowly defeated by incumbent Republican Rep. Will Hurd with less than 1,000 votes.

“I’m honored to be the Democratic nominee in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. I’ve dedicated my life to public service, and I’m running for Congress to expand the opportunities that

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asking the Supreme Court to determine the Senate’s role in treaty abrogations.

In a 12-0-8 vote, the SenPHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision ate on Monday, March 2 adto scrap the Visiting Forces opted a resolution that would Agreement with the United seek the high court’s ruling States may face some legal on whether there needs to be challenges as several senators Senate concurrence in treaty this week voted on a resolution termination.

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Several Fil-Ams advance to general election for Congress, state, local seats

ESTABLISHING PHILIPPINE STUDIES AT NYU. Consul General Claro S. Cristobal signs the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with New York University (NYU) represented by Dean Carolyn Dinshaw (left) on Monday, March 2 to create the Philippine Studies program. See story on Page 2.

Photo courtesy of NYPCG

President Rodrigo Duterte presides over the 46th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañang Palace on Monday, March 2.

Malacañang photo by Rey Baniquet

2 confirmed COVID-19 cases Trump to nominate retired abroad have had previous Fil-Am Navy Rear Admiral for travel to the Philippines assistant defense secretary

MANILA — Two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in foreign countries have had previous travel to the Philippines, which has so far successfully contained the deadly disease.

According to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, one patient, identified only as Case No. 44, is a male fron northern Taiwan who had

“I respectfully adhere to the rule that, yes, the President of the Philippines is the sole representative of the country in foreign affairs. I do not intend to go against the tide. I just want clarity. We want clarity.

And I hope that once and for all, the honorable Supreme

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by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

“traveled to the Philippines with his friends from February 28 to March 3.”

The patient, identified as a male over 30 years old, had diarrhea in the Philippines on March 2 and went to a hospital in Taiwan on March 3, Taiwan health authorities said.

“Infection with COVID-19

PRESIDENT Donald Trump plans to nominate a retired Filipino American Navy veteran to be the assistant secretary for strategy, plans and capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the White House announced on Wednesday, February 26.

Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Victorino G. Mercado — who was born in the U.S. and whose

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Filipino American Victor Mercado will be nominated by President Donald Trump to be an assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans and capabilities.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Dept. of Defense

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From the Front Page

PH Consul General signs MOU establishing US wants newer, stronger...

Philippine Studies program at NYU NEW YoRK — Consul General Claro S. Cristobal signed on Monday, March 2 the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New York University represented

by Carolyn Dinshaw, Dean for the Humanities, Faculty of Arts and Science, for the establishment of a Philippine Studies program at the prestigious university.

Following the signing of the MoU, Consul General Cristobal turned over to NYU the amount of PhP 5 million from the Philippine Government to fund the program.

The program is an initiative of Deputy House Speaker Loren Legarda who believes that the Philippine Government should begin to further study and address the needs of the increasing number of Filipino immigrants in the US. The Philippine Studies program will be available to undergraduate and graduate students of NYU interested in the Humanities and the

Consul General Cristobal presents the check for the funding of the Philippine Studies program at NYU to Dean Dinshaw following the signing of the MOU. Photo courtesy of NYPCG

Philippines. It will focus on the global and cosmopolitan considerations and aspects of Philippine culture and history. The program will be housed within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at NYU. Dr. Ana Maria Theresa P. Labrador, Deputy Director General of the National Museum of the Philippines, oversees the implementation of the program for the Philippines.

Consul General Cristobal said that the establishment of the program at a top-notch university like NYU is a leap in the right direction in the promotion of Philippine culture and Filipino identity, including the diaspora, in the US. He added that the program will bring better understanding of our culture and history and put context on its linkages to Latin America, Europe, and the United States. n

PAGE 1 illegal drugs.

He also reiterated to Kim that he needed to get things done with the VFA to prove a point that he is saving the country from illegal drugs.

“Sinabi ko sa kanya (I told him), ‘I don’t... Iyang extrajudicial killing, wala akong pakialam diyan (I don’t care about extrajudicial killing). You can bring on the charges you want, but I will stick to my guns. I will kill anybody (who) will tend to destroy my country,’” Duterte said.

“How could it be wrong, when can it be wrong pag magsabi ako (when I say), ‘Do not destroy my country because I will kill you? Who can debate with that? That is the preservation of my people,” he added.

Following Duterte’s order, Foreign Affairs Secretary Tedoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin, Jr. sent the U.S. a notice to terminate the two-decade old VFA on February 11. The treaty is said to be terminated 180-days after the notice.

Romualdez, for his part, said there are ongoing negotiations between Manila and Washington to craft “something similar” to VFA.

However, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo stressed that the discussions are only “exploratory talks” since Romualdez was not given the authority by Duterte to negotiate with Kim to craft a new military agreement between the two countries.

The annual Balikatan, Filipino for shoulder-to-shoulder, considered the largest exercise between Filipino and American soldiers, is still scheduled to proceed this May. “It will push through as scheduled. That is within the 180-day period so it will continue as scheduled,” Brig.

Gen. Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, said at a press briefing on Wednesday (March 3).

The joint drill is set to include 6,529 Americans, 4,302 Filipinos and 44 Australians military personnel.

With the termination of the VFA, large-scale exercises like this would no longer be covered.

‘No potential president among new politicians’ Duterte said that he has not seen a potential president among the new crop of politicians.

“Wala pa ako nakita na new crop politicians dito sa ating bayan, frankly wala ako nakita, wala akong nakita na pwede talaga maging presidente (I have not seen anyone among the new crop of politicians in our country, frankly none, I have not seen anyone who can become president),” he said Tuesday.

“Alam mo, sa totoo lang, presidente ka, di ka marunong pumatay at takot ka mamatay, huwag ka na magpresidente.

Wala mangyayari sa iyo. Wala mangyayari sa bayan (If you are president and you don’t know how to kill or die, do not run for president. Nothing will happen to you or the country),” he added.

The president also admitted that he is scared for the next generation.

“I am just protecting our grandchildren...I’m trying to protect the generation of Filipinos especially the next batch, our children,” he said.

He added, “The problem is I cannot gamble the next generation. It would be difficult. I have a lot of grandchildren. I have 11. I am nervous about what will happen to them tomorrow so let us help each other.” n

As PH seeks independent foreign policy...

PAGE 1

Court shed light on this purely question of law,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III said in an interview with Rappler.

This vote comes after the Senate last month previously debated whether the president had the power to unilaterally revoke international agreements.

Sotto is slated to file of a petition before the Supreme Court within the week.

Senators who sided with the Senate President include Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and Senators Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Joel Villanueva, Juan Edgardo Angara, Nancy Binay, Richard Gordon and Manuel “Lito” Lapid.

Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald dela Rosa, Aquilino Pimentel III, Imee Marcos, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr, Francis Tolentino and Cynthia Villar abstained, while Senators Manny Pacquiao and Pia Cayetano were unable to vote.

“They did not want to offend the president... That is the reason why they abstained because if you feel that a resolution is wrong, then you vote against,” Sotto said.

‘Independent policy’ Malacañang reiterated Duterte’s desire to have an independent foreign policy on Monday, stressing that the Philippines is prepared to face the consequences that may arise out of the termination of any executive agreement or international treaty.

“The position of the president is to have an independent foreign policy. And that means if any treaty or agreement is abrogated, then necessarily certain consequences will follow,” said presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a press briefing.

“The president has already said that he has studied that.

So we are prepared for whatever consequences that may arise out of the abrogation or termination of any executive agreement or treaty,” he added.

This comes after six United

States senators reportedly want the U.S. Trade Representative office to consider revoking Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) on the Philippines’ exports to the U.S., according to Business Mirror.

Currently, the U.S. is the Philippines’ biggest export market, third-largest trading partner, and fourth-largest import source.

According to the American senators, the U.S should refrain from entering into future trade negotiations with Manila until the country’s “human rights records has vastly improved.”

Panelo also said that Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez is free to hold discussion with his U.S. counterparts about another possible military deal between the two countries.

“I don’t think you can stop the Ambassador [Romualdez] from entertaining initiatives coming from his counterpart,” he said, adding that it is part of “diplomacy.”

However, he stressed that

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Dateline USa

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Pacquiao-Garcia fight looms

by EddiE

AlinEA ManilaTimes.net

Gina Ortiz Jones

TJ Cox

Rob Bonta

Several Fil-Ams advance to general election for...

PAGE 1

allowed me to grow up healthy, get a quality education, and serve our country,” she said in a statement. “Folks in South and West Texas are ready to send a leader to Washington who will fight for quality, lower cost health care, responsible and compassionate immigration reform, and an economy that works for everyone.”

In California’s 21st Congressional District, Rep. TJ Cox — the first Fil-Am from the state to serve in Congress — will face Republican David Valadao anew in November.

Cox received 36.1% of the votes, while Valadao clinched 53.1%.

An engineer and small business owner, Cox won the seat in 2018 and became the first Democrat to represent the Central Valley district since 1981.

Under the state’s top-two primary system, the two candidates with the most votes for any office advance to the general election, regardless of party.

For the state Assembly, incumbent Rob Bonta received 85% of the votes for the 18th Assembly District. Bonta, who made history as the first FilAm to serve the state legislature, has been in the seat since 2012, covering Alameda, Oakland and San Leandro.

“Thank you voters of the 18th Assembly District for your support! It’s an honor to serve you and I’m proud to represent the most engaged, progressive, and ‘woke’ constituents in the state!” Bonta wrote on Twitter following his victory.

For the Assembly District 53 race, 35-year-old Godfrey Santos Plata will head to the general election in November against incumbent Miguel San-

Godfrey Plata

tiago, who is also a Democrat.

Plata, who received 33.8% of the votes, wrote on Twitter that “We advanced to Nov’s general election! In CA, the top-2 vote-getters move forward, regardless of party or majority vote. You can still #GoWithGodfrey!”

An advocate for public educators, Plata seeks to be the first openly gay immigrant and first Filipino from the LA area in the state Legislature.

The district covers southern regions of Huntington Park and Vernon to parts of the east side of Boyle Heights and Downtown LA to Koreatown and Pico-Union.

“More than 1/3 of voters in the district said NO to the status quo. In a Dem-Dem race, this is feedback for the incumbent, for the Democratic Party, and for Sacramento: there is thirst in our district for a different direction in leadership and a different type of representation,” Plata continued, adding “The work our campaign has done and will continue to do is building something much longer-term for all those who have volunteered, engaged, and voted.”

Down in San Diego, Assemblymember Todd Gloria topped the race for San Di-

Todd Gloria

ego mayor and will compete against city Councilmember Scott Sherman in a November runoff. Gloria secured 40.2% of the votes, as of Wednesday morning.

Gloria — who is of Filipino, Dutch, Puerto Rican, and Native American descent — was elected to represent the 78th Assembly district in 2016. A native of San Diego, he previously served two terms on the city council, including as council president and interim mayor following Bob Filner’s resignation. He would also become the city’s first openly LGBTQ mayor if elected in November.

Other Fil-Ams who ran in primary elections included Gina Alexander for Gardena City Council and Courtney “CJ” Berina for the state’s 30th Congressional District.

Alexander, a handbag designer and philanthropist, nabbed 9% of the vote among the crowded eight-candidate field. Berina, a millennial who ran on a progressive platform, was one of the Democratic challengers against incumbent Rep. Brad Sherman for the 30th Congressional District, which covers parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

(Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)

As PH seeks independent foreign policy...

PAGE 2 the discussions are only “exploratory talks” since Romualdez was not given the authority by Duterte to negotiate with U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, to craft a new

military agreement between the two countries.

“Whatever. Baka (Perhaps) they want to talk. Hayaan mo na silang mag-usap (just let them talk),” Panelo said.

Following Duterte’s order,

Foreign Affairs Secretary Tedoro “Teddy Boy” Locsin, Jr. sent the U.S. a notice to terminate the two-decade old VFA. The treaty is said to be terminated 180-days after the notice. n

SIX months after ending previously unbeaten Keith Thurman’s victory streak, Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao could have, likewise, ended shopping for an opponent that started since then.

This looked to have developed when after scoring his first career victory as a welterweight Saturday night, February 29, Mikey Garcia Manny Pacquiao during a training session. announced to continue cam- at 147,” the 32-year-old, who paigning in the 147-pound started his career as featherclass and even pointed his fin- weight and moved to lightger to Pacquiao as his choice weight until 2018, told media men. for his next opponent.

Although he looked to have Garcia, a four-division world champ beat Jessie Vargas by been at home facing oppounanimous decision at Ford nents at the 135-140 range, Center at The Star, and, at Saturday’s win at welterweight the traditional meeting with must’ve emboldened him to the press after the bout, men- think of swapping punches tioned his interest in fighting with the Filipino great.

Pacquiao, who’s celebrating Pacquiao, who had just turned his 25th year as a prizefighter 41 last December.

That is, he clarified, if a re- this year, has bigger plans in match with Errol Spence Jr., mind, though, like a rematch who dealt him his first career with archrival and former torloss in March of last year, mentor, the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. that could wouldn’t be possible.

“I think I have great options. serve as obstacle to Garcia’s I would love to fight Pacquiao wish.

Or battle MMA artist Conor a rematch with Spence. I’d like to continue campaigning nor McGregor, which is a

ManilaTimes.net photo

more lucrative option, similar to the Pacquiao-Mayweather II encounter.

“I would love to get in the ring with Manny,” Garcia declared following that triumph over Vargas. “It’s a fight that’s been mentioned and talked about for several years.“ Garcia was referring to the Philippine senator’s previous announcement made a few years back of fighting him.

“I would love to fight Manny Pacquiao. He’s a living legend.

I would love to share that ring with him.”

Pacquiao hasn’t fought since dealing Thurman his first knockdown en route to that split decision win to crown himself the WBA welterweight “super” champion. n

2 confirmed COVID-19 cases abroad have...

PAGE 1 was laboratory-confirmed in the case on March 5. Related investigation suggested it is an imported case linked to the Philippines,” the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control said.

The federal government of New South Wales in Australia, meanwhile, said that “a female who is believed to have returned from the Philippines” is among six new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

“A confirmed case, woman

in her 60s who arrived back in Australia on March 3, is believed to have returned from the Philippines. Her travel details are being obtained and will be disclosed if she posed a risk to any other passengers on her flight,” the New South Wales government said.

The Philippines has had three confirmed COVID-19—including one fatality.

According to the Department of Health on Thursday, March 5, there are 37 patients under in-

vestigation in the Philippines.

Broken down, the PUIs are in the following regions: Cordillera Administrative Region (1) Ilocos (1) Cagayan Valley (1) Cantral Luzon (5) National Capital Region (23) Calabarzon (1) Bicol (2) Western Visayas (1) Central Visayas (1) Soccsksargen (1) (Philstar. com)

Trump to nominate retired Fil-Am Navy Rear Admiral...

PAGE 1 family comes from Batangas, Philippines, according to the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu — currently serves as deputy assistant secretary of defense for plans and posture, the “principle civilian advisor” to the deputy under secretary of defense who provides counsel on campaign and contingency plans.

As assistant secretary for strategy, plans and capabilities, Mercado’s responsibilities will increase as he will act as the primary adviser on national security issues and defense strategies to the defense secretary, deputy defense sec-

retary, under secretary for policy and principal deputy under secretary of defense.

After a 35-year career with the U.S. Navy, Mercado retired in the summer of 2018 before transitioning to his previous post with the DOD. Throughout his career, he has completed tours and assignments across the world, asea and ashore. His final assignment as an active duty service member was as the director of maritime operations for the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Mercado graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, earning his master of sci-

ence in systems technology in joint command control and communications. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, earning a bachelor of science in mathematics and computer science in 1983.

Following his retirement, Mercado has been celebrated as one of the highest-ranking Filipino Americans who has served the U.S. Navy.

In a retirement ceremony on August 7, 2018, Philippine Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno of Hawaii recognized Mercado’s efforts in “fostering the good relationship between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.” n

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OPINION

FEATURES

COVID’s economic costs ABOUT one percentage point may be shaven from this year’s gross domestic product growth in the Philippines as a result of a slowdown in economic activities due to the 2019 coronavirus disease contagion, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said on Monday, March 2.

In a growing number of countries, the COVID-19 threat has shut down factories and top tourist destinations and cancelled international gatherings. Japan’s temporary closure of schools further stoked speculation that the Tokyo Olympics from July to August this year might also have to be postponed. In Rome, the biggest draw for travelers — Pope Francis — has taken an unprecedented weeklong leave while nursing a cold and cough.

The international travel and tourism industry is reeling from COVID-19. Also affected are the numerous travel-related downstream enterprises. With three of the world’s manufacturing powerhouses badly hit – China, Japan and South Korea — global supply chains have been seriously disrupted, with the Philippines

5

also feeling the impact. Stock markets have been battered and the oil-producing countries, which host millions of overseas Filipino workers, are seeing drastic reductions in demand.

A vaccine is still about a year away, while the virus continues to spread. No one knows how long the global uncertainty will last. Governments must be on emergency mode to deal not just with the public health threat but also with the economic impact of the contagion. Unemployment and underemployment could spike, not only within the country but also abroad, affecting workers’ remittances and the Philippines’ consumption-driven economy.

The country is fortunate that it doesn’t have to resort to lockdowns of entire cities to contain the COVID-19 threat. So local production can continue and consumption can be stimulated. The government together with the private sector can work to create jobs and livelihood opportunities for those who may be affected. In this contagion, economic displacement is as much a concern as public health. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Don’t fear and panic: Coronavirus Q&A and the facts according to the World Health Organization

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS KABABAYANS all over the world are among so many people now in a state of fear over the threats of coronavirus.

We’ve seen madness over face masks, panic buying of canned goods, bottled water and other food supplies, scare over traveling either domestically or internationally, and paranoia over being with a person sneezing or coughing, especially if they “look Chinese.”

This is understandable because we just need to protect ourselves and our families from this pandemic, especially when

we are hearing confusing and nonsensical statements from government officials who either downplay this health emergency and even use this for political warfare and expedience, especially during this presidential campaign season.

We need to be empowered during these challenging times, and so let me share with you important information from the World Health Organization (WHO). Please read and share with your family and friends.

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, which may

cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease PAGE 7

Philstar.com photo

Travel ban

Demand and Supply BOO CHANCO IT can’t be avoided. Indeed, if only China did it before half of Wuhan’s 11 million population left for the Chinese New Year celebration, we probably wouldn’t see as wide an infection as we are seeing now, geographically.

In Rome, the coronavirus has brought its tourism sector to its knees. Tourist cancellations have reached 90 percent in Rome for March due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that the cost of lost revenue to

Rome restaurants is €3 million a day, with “thousands of jobs” at risk.

Cancelled hotel reservations, coupled with numerous cancelled events, has so far led to the loss of €1.5 billion to the tourism sector in Rome. That’s according to Stefano Fiori, president of the tourism section of Unindustria, quoted in Corriere della Sera.

In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has already ordered all elementary, junior high and high schools to close until the end of March. Hokkaido has declared a state of emergency.

Summer Olympics is at risk.

In Singapore, some hotels are closing some floors to save on electricity and manpower, and have told their staff to use

their annual leave by the end of May due to the lack of guests.

Other cost-cutting measures include reducing restaurant opening hours and shortening times for services such as inroom dining.

Some 20 countries have confirmed their first cases in the past week. New outbreak clusters have formed across Europe and the Middle East.

The Lonely Planet website noted that while many countries have not yet reported COVID-19, that could change quickly and high-traffic areas such as airports and train stations pose higher risks.

Gloria Guevara, president of the World Travel and Tourism Council and former tourism 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.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

House approves OFW bill on 2nd reading Senate passes resolution for ABS-CBN

THE House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 4 approved on 2nd reading a bill creating the Department of Overseas Filipinos and Foreign Employment.

The bill is one of the priority bills, along with the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience and the Department of Water.

HB 5832 aims to create a primary agency that will ensure protection and welfare of overseas Filipinos. It is a consolidation of 39 bills, which was passed jointly by the House Committees on Government Reorganization and on Overseas Workers Affairs jointly on Nov. 26, 2019

and is currently pending deliberations at the plenary.

Agusan del Norte 1st District Rep. Lawrence Fortun, one of the authors of House Bill (HB) 5832, had stressed the need to create the department in response to recent “tragic” incidents that led to recent deaths of workers in Kuwait and Singapore.

“The purpose of the establishment of this department is to institute bureaucratic efficiency by combining and streamlining the different functions of the different agencies involved in overseas employment to ensure the effective protection of the rights and welfare of OFWs (over-

seas Filipino workers) and to ensure that their employment abroad would only be for decent jobs para sa kanila (for them),” Fortun said.

Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chairman Raymond Democrito Mendoza also said that the creation of the department recognized the need to address concerns of millions of Filipinos that were deployed abroad. He also said that it should not institutionalize the exportation of Filipinos abroad but instead prioritize job creation and decent wages within the country. (Divina Joy Dela Cruz/ManilaTimes. net)

Robredo satisfaction ratings remains ‘good’— SWS

by Ritchel

mendiola AJPress

PHILIPPINE Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo maintained her “good” satisfaction rating in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

According to the survey released Tuesday, March 3, 59% of respondents were satisfied with Robredo’s performance while 23% were dissatisfied, translating to a net satisfaction rating of +36, which classifies as “good.”

Robredo’s latest net score was three points above the +33 she received in September 2019.

SWS noted that her ratings rose due to the increases in satisfaction points in Metro Manila (+25), Mindanao (+38), and the Visayas (+48), combined with a steady score in Balance Luzon (+33).

Robredo’s satisfaction rating remained at “moderate” level in Metro Manila, while her rating in Visayas, Mindanao and Bal-

Vice President Leni Robredo Inquirer.net photo

ance Luzon stayed “good.”

Her spokesman, Barry Gutierrez, said the latest rating is proof that people were satisfied with the vice president’s work with the Interagency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs (ICAD).

Robredo served as ICAD cochair for 18 days before she was fired due to alleged “missteps,” such as meeting with foreign personalities and groups that reportedly have prejudged the drug war, and failing to present

mendiola AJPress

FILIPINA actress Kim Chiu confirmed she is safe after her van was shot at by two unidentified gunmen aboard a motorcycle in Quezon City on Wednesday morning, March 4.

“Yes I am safe po. I’m ok and my P.A. And my driver as well.

Papa Jesus protected us,” Chiu posted on her Instagram page.

According to Chiu’s driver Wilfred Taperla, Chiu was on her way to the taping of her television series “Love Thy

Woman” when two suspects riding a motorcycle fired six gunshots at their van along Katipunan Avenue corner C.P. Garcia Avenue at around 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

Chiu recalled the incident, saying she was asleep when she heard the gunshots.

“I saw this bullet on the windshield where my head is laying.

I was thinking that it’s a good thing I was lying down. What if I was awake and continued reading my script? I was so scared, I don’t know what to feel right

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Senate adopted on Wednesday, March 4, a resolution expressing the opinion of the chamber to allow ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries to continue operating with the issuance of a provisional permit by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) until Congress decides on the network’s application for the renewal of its 25-year franchise.

The resolution was a consolidation of four similar measures filed over the last several days after House leaders indicated that it was unlikely to pass the network’s application before Congress goes on a break next week.

What was initially put on the floor was Senate Concurrent Resolution 8 authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sens.

Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Sonny Angara, Sherwin Gatchalian, Lito Lapid and Joel Villanueva.

However, a discussion ensued on the type of resolution that the chamber should pass.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon last month filed a joint resolution seeking to extend the franchise until 2022 and later, a concurrent resolution seeking the same.

A joint resolution, if passed by both the Senate and the House and signed by the President, has the effect of law. A concurrent resolution passed by both chambers expresses the sentiment of Congress.

Sen. Pia Cayetano filed Sen-

new measures to stop the drug proliferation in the country.

“The people can expect Vice President Leni to continue her duty to serve every Filipino and to continue to stand for the rights and interest of the country,” Gutierrez said.

Aside from Robredo, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano also increased their net satisfaction ratings.

Sotto received a “very good” net satisfaction rating of +62, with 73% saying they were satisfied with the Senate president’s performance while only 10% were dissatisfied.

Cayetano obtained a “very good” net satisfaction rating of +53, rising from the +49 “good” he received in September.

The poll, which was conducted from December 13 to 16, 2019 among 1,200 adults nationwide, used face-to-face interviews and had sampling error margins of ±3% for national PAGE 5 percentages, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, Visayas, and Mindanao. n in December 2019.

How does COVID-19 spread?

People can catch COVID19 from others who have the now,” she said. virus. The disease can spread The actress also said that she from person to person through doesn’t know the possible mosmall droplets from the nose tive behind the attack. or mouth, which are spread “I don’t understand what when a person with COVID-19 happened. Maybe it was a case coughs or exhales. These dropof mistaken identity? Maybe lets land on objects and sursomeone did it as a joke? I don’t faces around the person. Other have enemies,” Chiu noted. people then catch COVID-19 by “Whoever did this, God will touching these objects or surtake care of the two of you. I faces, then touching their eyes, wish you looked at my plate nose or mouth. People can also number first before you fired at catch COVID-19 if they breathe my vehicle. But at the end of the in droplets from a person with day, I just think that none of us COVID-19 who coughs out or was hurt,” she added. n exhales droplets. This is why it

ABS-CBN actress Kim Chiu safe after van shooting

by Ritchel

by Paolo

ate Resolution 344 expressing the sense of the Senate to authorize the NTC to grant ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries a temporary permit. The resolution was signed by Sens.

Ronald dela Rosa, Christopher Go, Imee Marcos, Bong Revilla, Francis Tolentino, Cynthia Villar, Zubiri, Pacquiao, Angara, Villanueva, Gatchalian and Binay.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III expressed exasperation as to why the NTC was asking some form of authority or prodding from Congress before it would issue a temporary permit when the agency has been doing so in the past several years, even to controversial franchise applications.

“This has never happened before… Are they afraid to displease somebody?” Sotto said.

He described President Duterte – who has repeatedly vowed to shut down ABS-CBN – as “a wonderful man.”

Sotto said the NTC in 2015 issued 338 provisional permits to franchises which lapsed before Congress could approve them; 471 in 2016; 259 in 2017; 155 in 2018 and 300 in 2019.

“Why are we making our lives difficult by trying to pass a concurrent resolution? Why not simply pass a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate? But I’ll tell you this. If we are adopting a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate, as simple as that, I will sign the resolution. I did not sign the proposed resolution simply because it is a concurrent resolution which does not

have the effect of a law… it’s useless. There’s no counterpart in the House,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson said.

During the previous hearing of the committee on public services chaired by Poe, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the NTC can issue a provisional permit under the principle of equity.

Guevarra, however, added it would be better if Congress issues a resolution on the matter.

Drilon said the resolution, though just an expression of the sense of the Senate, “would give some degree of legal stability” if Congress could issue authority to the NTC. House tackles franchise next week The House of Representatives is set to start hearing the franchise renewal application of broadcast giant ABS-CBN next week.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano announced that the House committee on legislative franchises has set a preliminary hearing on March 10 on 11 bills seeking renewal of the network’s 25-year franchise.

Cayetano explained that the panel would formally open the process for deliberations on the measure by setting the ground rules and accepting position papers both supporting and opposing the franchise renewal.

“We don’t want the hearings to be a circus or a bull session,” he stressed.

He said the panel would also PAGE 10

Don’t fear and panic: Coronavirus Q&A and the... is important to stay more than one meter (three feet) away from a person who is sick.

Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air. The WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share updated findings.

What can I do to protect myself and prevent the spread of disease?

Protection measures for everyone Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. COVID-19 is still af-

fecting mostly people in China with some outbreaks in other countries. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others.

Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following: • Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

• Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

• Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

• Why? When someone PAGE 10

march 6-12, 2020 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSIaN JOUrNaL

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10 march 6-12, 2020 • NEW YOrK aND NEW JErSEY aSIaN JOUrNaL

Don’t fear and panic: Coronavirus Q&A and the...

PAGE 7 coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

• Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

• Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

• Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

• Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility.

This will also protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.

• Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

• Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to

advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading: • Follow the guidance outlined above. (Protection measures for everyone) • Stay at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose, until you recover.

• Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.

• If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers.

• Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also help to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

Who is at risk of developing severe illness?

While we are still learning about how COVID-2019 affects people, older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes) appear to develop serious illness more often than others.

Should I wear a mask to protect myself?

People with no respiratory symptoms, such as cough, do not need to wear a medical mask. WHO recommends the use of masks for people who have symptoms of COVID-19 and for those caring for individuals who have symptoms, such as cough and fever. The use of masks is crucial for

health workers and people who are taking care of someone (at home or in a health care facility).

WHO advises the rational use of medical masks to avoid unnecessary wastage of precious resources and misuse of masks (see Advice on the use of masks). Use a mask only if you have respiratory symptoms (coughing or sneezing), have suspected COVID-19 infection with mild symptoms, or are caring for someone with suspected COVID-19 infection.

A suspected COVID-19 infection is linked to travel in areas where cases have been reported, or close contact with someone who has travelled in these areas and has become ill.

The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing.

Is there anything I should not do?

The following measures ARE NOT effective against COVID2019 and can be harmful: • Smoking • Taking traditional herbal remedies • Wearing multiple masks • Taking self-medication such as antibiotics In any case, if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early to reduce the risk of developing a more severe infection and be sure to share your recent travel history with your health care provider. *** 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.

Senate passes resolution for...

PAGE 7 clarify its instruction to the NTC to allow ABS-CBN to continue operating despite expiration of its franchise on May 4.

“We want to clarify with NTC that while the committee is taking up the franchise bills, they should not shut down the network’s operations,” he said.

Cayetano pointed out, however, that the ABS-CBN management will not be invited to the hearing as they do not want to invite all parties to a face-off in just one hearing.

He said they would like to

avoid a situation where parties would resort to a “word war” during the congressional recess.

“Our appeal to the parties is to submit all position papers before we reconvene in May so the chairman of the committee would be able to set the agenda properly,” he suggested, citing issues on labor and partisan reporting in political coverage as examples.

Panel chair and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, for his part, revealed that they have no plans of holding hearings

on the franchise bills during the seven-week recess of the House.

“Most of the congressmen will be in their respective cities and provinces performing their district duties during the break, so we will just set the next hearing after resumption of session in May,” he said.

He added that the proposal to issue a joint resolution with the Senate to extend the franchise of ABS-CBN until a new one is approved is no longer an option for the panel. – With Edu Punay n

Dateline PhiliPPines

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FREE WI-FI FOR ALL. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Eliseo Rio Jr. says a total of 12,000 free Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) access points will be distributed to remote and poverty-stricken areas in the country within this year, during the ceremonial activation of the Free Wi-Fi For All held at the DICT office in Quezon City on Thursday, March 5. Rio said the Wi-Fi terminals, which use very small aperture terminal (VSAT) technology, will not rely on the mobile service availability of commercial telecommunications (telco) companies such as Smart and Globe.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

PAGE 5 minister of Mexico, said travel bans will not stop the spread of the coronavirus.

But who can blame government officials from taking drastic measures? We are dealing with a new and unknown virus.

We don’t have a cure nor a vaccine.

The only way to slow down the spread of the virus is by isolating sick people. Problem is, as many as 80 percent of those who carry the virus show no symptoms, but can pass the virus on to other people.

To avoid infection, the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) currently recommends forgoing all non-essential travel to China, the epicenter of the outbreak, and South Korea.

The tourism industry is, of course, badly affected. Tourism stakeholders are running to their governments for help.

In Indonesia, the government has set aside $21.5 million to help lift tourism businesses, according to its minister of finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

Airlines and tour operators will be given incentives to encourage special discounts for foreign tourists. Some budget has been allotted for promotional activities and improving tourist areas.

Indonesia Transportation minister Budi Karya Sumadi also said the government would inject additional incentives of up to 50 percent for flight tickets to 10 tourist destinations.

Total support for airlines, including aviation fuel discounts and reduced aircraft passenger services fees, will be funded by the Ministry of Transportation, Angkasa Pura Airport Authorities and AirNav.

Travel ban The Indonesian central government will provide grants to 33 district and city governments in the 10 tourist destinations in return for waiving hotel and restaurant taxes for the next six months, said Sri Mulyani.

Here, the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Congress of the Philippines has launched a domestic tourism campaign. They promise to come up with packages that cuts airfare and room rates to entice locals to go and fill the gap left by foreign tourists.

It is a good idea, but I remain skeptical of its success. That’s because I haven’t seen those packages being marketed and the Holy Week is just around the corner.

I have messaged Jojo Clemente, who heads TCP, for details and his response was sketchy.

Our hotel owners are reluctant to bring down their rates to match those in hotels in Bali, Indonesia or Phuket, Thailand or Halong Bay in Vietnam.

So far, only 37 hotels and resorts are joining the marketing campaign directed at local travelers. Of this number, only 12 out of the 300-plus resorts on Boracay are offering discounted room rates.

Even in the best of times, our hotel rates are uncompetitive, which is why my family has often chosen to go abroad instead. I hope they are not just waiting for government handouts.

Forget the shopping spree as a domestic tourism ploy.

The DOT folks who thought up the shopping spree idea used a survey done in normal times when there were foreign tourists. I think it is silly and

dangerous at this time of the coronavirus. Health Secretary Francisco Duque doesn’t think it is a good idea.

As for travel bans, we can’t blame Health Secretary Duque for his hawkish approach. He erred badly when he allowed politics to cloud his refusal to impose a travel ban on China at a time when even China had travel bans on domestic and international travelers.

But our officials must make sure they have a proper balance. Travel bans on whole countries are probably uncalled for. A total travel ban on Japan mentioned by Sec Duque is probably too drastic.

Countries like Singapore, Taiwan and Japan are able to manage the coronavirus spread and a total country travel ban serves little good.

Then again, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned that travel restrictions would become “irrelevant” if the coronavirus became a pandemic because “you can’t keep out the entire world.”

For now, the DOT and DOH should have a strict protocol that hotels and restaurants must follow. Are hotels properly disinfecting rooms and utensils? Are restaurants, specially those offering buffets, protecting customers from potential infection when people crowd buffet tables? The DOT and DOH should do surprise spot checks.

We must help the tourism industry at this time of emergency. But they must also help themselves and not just depend on government. (Philstar. com)

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 6-12, 2020

COMMUNITY Journal

11

Naturalization denied because didn’t work for employer Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ IF A person did not work for their sponsoring employer after they obtained a green card (through PERM/ labor certification), it could create risks and problems for them when they file for naturalization. It could result in the revocation of their green card and deportation/ removal.

Every year, thousands of people obtain green cards for themselves and their spouse and minor children through employer-sponsored visas

(PERM or labor certification).

In many cases, an employersponsored green card is faster than some family-based petitions. For example, an employer-sponsored green card could take 2-½ to 3 years, whereas certain family petitions could take up to 30 years! (Married children of U.S. citizen or brother and sister of U.S. citizen.)

One of the requirements for an employer-sponsored green card is that once the person receives the green card, they must actually work for the employer. (Just like if a person gets a green card through a U.S. citizen spouse, it’s expected that they actually live with that spouse. If they don’t, USCIS may suspect it is a fixed marriage. Similarly, if a person

does not work for the employer, it could look like a “fixed job.”)

Some people who obtained a green card through employment sponsorship offer various reasons or excuses, such as once they received their work permit (EAD), they found a better and higherpaying job and began working there, and the petitioning employer didn’t mind. The employer went out of business and they found a different employer without notifying USCIS. They opened up their own business before their green card was approved, and couldn’t go back to working for another person, etc.

This could come back to haunt them. In one particuPAGE 12

CSPA VICTORY FOR AGED OUT CHILD: PAOLO NEVER GAVE UP HOPE, DESPITE BEING REFUSED A VISA AT THE US EMBASSY BECAUSE HE HAD AGED OUT. Paolo (left) was only a small child when his U.S. citizen aunt petitioned his father. But when the priority date became current and Paolo went to the U.S. Embassy in 2015, his immigrant visa was refused because he had “aged out.” He then consulted with the law offices of MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL, Inc. Atty. Gurfinkel sought reconsideration from the U.S. Embassy, arguing that Paolo was still under 21, based on the Child Status Protection Act’s (CSPA) age calculation. Find out how leading U.S. immigration attorney MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL was able to turn a denial into a visa, by convincing the Embassy that Paolo was eligible for immigration benefits under the CSPA, on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy – on Sunday at 6:15 PM (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

12

MARCH 6-12, 2020 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. ChuA, Md, FACS, FPCS ACCURATE and timely information is vital to any preventive, pre-emptive, proactive strategy when it comes to almost any potentially harmful or catastrophic situation or diseases, like the COVID-19 pandemic that is spreading around the world today. To educate the public on this 2019 nCorona virus, I am presenting this FAQ from the World Health organization to ward off any misinformation that could make this current devastation even worse. Don’t panic; influenza kills a lot more each year.

Coronavirus FAQ [to dispel fake and harmful advice] The current outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is making headlines by the minute.

However, some less-thantrustworthy advice can be found among the information. Understandably, many people are concerned and confused. To prevent unnecessary panic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has assembled advice for the public.

Q: Are hand dryers effective in killing the new coronavirus?

A: No. Hand dryers are not effective in killing the SARSCoV-2. To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water and dry them thoroughly using paper towels or a warm air dryer.

Q: Can an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection lamp kill the new coronavirus?

A: UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation can cause skin irritation.

Q: How effective are thermal scanners in detecting people infected with COVID-19?

A: Thermal scanners are effective in detecting people who have developed a fever (i.e. have a higher than normal body temperature) because of infection with the new coronavirus. However, they cannot detect people who are infected but are not yet sick with fever. This is because it takes between 2 and 10 days before people

coronavirus facts and information

who are infected become sick and develop a fever.

Q: Can spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body kill the new virus?

A: No. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body.

Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that both alcohol and chlorine can be useful to disinfect surfaces, used under appropriate recommendations.

Q: Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent COVID-19?

A: No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus. There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold but has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections.

Q: Is it safe to receive a letter or a package from China?

A: Yes, it is safe. People receiving packages from China are not at risk of contracting the new coronavirus. From previous analysis, we know coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages.

Q: Can pets at home spread the new coronavirus?

A: At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.

Q: Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against COVID-19?

A: No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus. The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine.

Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts. Al-

though these vaccines are not effective against 2019nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health.

Q: Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus?

A: No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria. The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

Q: Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus?

A: To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019nCoV). However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care.

WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts.

Q: Does sesame oil kill the new coronavirus?

A: No. Sesame oil does not kill the new coronavirus.

There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019-nCoV on surfaces.

These include bleach/chlorine-based disinfectants, either solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform. However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin.

Q: Are older and younger people more susceptible?

A: People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable.

WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene. *** As of March 4, 2020, PAGE 13

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Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA THE default setting for modern life is to plan a vacation elsewhere, the farther away, the better.

Vacations are fine. They are meant to recharge our energy levels so we can come back swinging and getting into the groove of normal life. The problem with an elaborate, all too often expensive vacation, is we come home tired, jetlagged, light in the wallet, a few pounds heavier and needing a vacation from the vacation.

Are we idiots or what?

So how about learning the art of “staycation?” This is when we decide that our home is the best place to stay put and spend our time away from work, away from stresses and just away from it all: ringing phones; deadlines and production quotas, intrigues, to-do lists and every aggravation known to man.

Sure, the mountain of laundry is there, the kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms need cleaning, the garden

Bucket List #8

the art of “staycation” “When you clear your mechanism and tune out the noise that invades your being, you may come to a rare state of grace — that state when you are thoroughly convinced that God is in His heaven and all is right with the world.” needs weeding. But for a “staycation” to recharge your spirit, you may need to turn a blind eye to the screaming demands of your immediate environment.

Just say NO. This time is for you alone.

So okay, you are obsessive about a clean home. Just reserve a day or two of your vacation time to sprucing up just the essentials. Don’t go to Home Depot and decide painting the house as your “staycation” project. It doesn’t work that way.

The art of doing a proper “staycation” is deciding you just want to give yourself time to JUST BE. You rip and shred your to-do list and

find joy in the moment, forgetting the demands of your life, for the time being.

So go ahead. Wear your pajamas all day. Turn off or mute the phones. Turn off the TV and mute the music.

Vegetate. Order pizza. Let the world turn without your input. If you have a stressful job, you will appreciate a true “staycation” done right.

Swing in a hammock and look at the sky and dwell on the wonderful parts of your life as you remember lessons learned over the years mixed with countless moments of overwhelming joy.

Edit out the ugly and blot out its existence, for the time PAGE 13

Naturalization denied...

PAGE 12 lar case, a person obtained permanent resident status through PERM/labor certification in 2008. After five years, he applied for naturalization (Form N-400) and appeared for interview.

Because he obtained a green card through employment, he was questioned extensively about his employment history with the petitioning employer, such as when did he start working, how long did he work there, how much was he paid, etc. The officer became suspicious on whether the person was qualified for the job and if he actually worked there. A request for evidence (RFE) was served, asking for the person’s certified college transcripts (to confirm he did not submit fake transcripts when applying for his green card, and he actually had the required education), tax returns, W-2’s, and other documentation to establish that he actually worked for the employer.

It turned out he never worked for the employer. His N-400 was denied because he obtained his permanent

resident status (green card) unlawfully. In other words, the employment-sponsored green card was obtained through fraud because he did not work for the employer.

Not only was the application for naturalization denied, but USCIS was now considering revoking the green card and placing him in removal proceedings.

I know people are told by friends or relatives that it’s not necessary to work for the employer. That’s not true. If you obtained a green card through employment sponsorship, and are now thinking about naturalizing, I would suggest you consult with an attorney to review your case (even if you actually worked for the employer), because the Trump administration is going back and digging into all the details on how a person obtained a green card, and whether all the requirements were fully met, or if corners were cut.

You want to make sure that before you file for naturalization, you fully met all the requirements for the green card, because now USCIS is not only denying applica-

tions for naturalization citizenship but placing people in deportation/removal. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 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 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 attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw 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)

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Bucket list #8...

PAGE 12 being. Or better yet, think of nothing and take a nap just because you’re sleepy and just because you can. Wake up happy.

There will be time enough for all the demands of your life in the next few days. But for the moment, all you want is to do absolutely nothing Film Development Council of the Philippines chief Mary Liza Diño (fourth from left), poses with Dr. Dante A. Ang, Chairman Emeritus of The Manila Times (fourth from right). With them were (from left) Jennifer Jones, operations manager of The Manila Times TV; Renneth Moldes, communications lead officer; Maiza Ilustrisimo, junior executive assistant; Anna Abalahin, Distribution and Exhibition Division head; Maria Rosanna Mina, PR and communications officer; and Joanna Ang, assistant operations manager of The Manila Times TV. ManilaTimes.net photo

PH to make it to Oscars in 5 years – Diño

By Arlo

Custodio ManilaTimes

THE Philippines has yet to reap honors from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, but the country may make it to the Oscars in five years, said Liza Diño, head of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

Since 2016, when Diño took over the reins of the FDCP as chairman and chief executive officer, Filipino movies have made leaps and bounds in festivals abroad.

Although Filipino-made films or the actors in those movies have won awards in festivals abroad like the Cannes Film Festival, Venice

International Film Fes-tival, Berlin International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Cairo International Film Festival, Asia Pacific Film Festival and Brussels International Independent Film Festival, among others, no local film has been nominated to the Oscars Best Foreign Language Film since Manuel Conde’s “Genghis Khan” in 1953.

The Judy Ann Santos-starrer “Ploning”raised some hope in 2008, but it fell short despite its strong plot. The multi-awarded “Heneral Luna”also raised expectations in 2015, but it failed to get enough attention from the 7,000-strong voting

members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to merit a nomination.

South Korea’s “Parasite,” making history in this year’s Oscars, shifted the focus to Asian cinema.

With the Philippine cinema celebrating its centennial from Sept. 12, 2019 to Sept.

11, 2020, the question as to when a Filipino movie can finally make it to the Oscars is inevitable.

For Diño, it could be soon.

“It took 30 years for [South] Korea to achieve that feat [of making it to the Oscars]. And with our movies technically now at par with international productions — what with the stringent technical requirePAGE 15

Angelica on having a family: ‘Hindi sa lahat binibigay yun’ By ryAn

ArCAdio Inquirer.net

WHILE Angelica Panganiban wishes to have a family of her own in the future, she accepts that it is not for everyone.

Panganiban was candid about the thought of raising kids of her own when she was answering questions from her followers on Twitter last Tuesday, March 2.

One user (@yuRi_ka12) asked the actress about her love life, noting that most of the colleagues she grew up with in the showbiz industry already have families of their own.

“Pero I know happy ka and successful,” she added.

“Just want to know if sumasagi sa isip mo [yun].”

Bituin Escalante

Philstar.com photo

(But I know you are happy and successful. Just want to know if it crosses your mind.)

Panganiban did not shy away from the question, saying the thought always crosses her mind and that she wants to have her own family.

“Pero hindi sa lahat binibigay yun,” the actress said. “Okay naman ako.”

(But it is not given to everyone. I am okay.)

The fan then thanked Panganiban for answering her question before mentioning that she has admired the actress since she appeared on the 1999 TV show “G-mik.” The Twitter user added that she was also a fan of Camille Prats, who was one of Panganiban’s fellow cast members at the time.

Panganiban was last linked to her former boyfriend Carlo Aquino after they reunited in the 2018 film “Exes Baggage.” However, the two clarified that they were not on speaking terms late last year.

and JUST BE. There is an upside to a quiet “staycation.” When you clear your mechanism and tune out the noise that invades your being, you may come to a rare state of grace — that state when you are thoroughly convinced that God is in His heaven and all is right with the world.

Unplug and be receptive.

It is in the stillness that we find who we truly are. It is when we are quiet that we can listen to our thoughts and perhaps, listen to that still small voice that speaks to us. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc. com.

Coronavirus facts and...

PAGE 12 2:29 PM, GMT, there are 82 countries with cases of 94,343 COVID-19 cases and 3,222 deaths. China has 80,282 infected, with 2,981 deaths. There were 3 cases in the Philippines, 2 recovered, one death, the first one outside China. In the U.S., there are 128 cases, the very first in Washington, which now has now 27 cases, with 9 deaths; followed by California, with 24 cases. Next to China, South Korea has the most infected at 5,621 (35 deaths), followed by Iran with 2,922 (92 deaths), and Italy, with 2,502 (79 deaths).

It is prudent to avoid

crowded places and non-essential travel, even in your city; to wash hands frequently, especially after touching money, public door knobs, handles, handrails, surfaces; avoid touching the face; say “Hi” instead of a handshake; avoid areas with confirmed cases; eat healthy, get enough sleep; avoid activities or behaviors that would lower body resistance. Stay well-informed, be vigilant. A clean home is the best sanctuary. CDC warns that even the better N95 mask is not enough when an infected person is nearby.

UVC-ozone lights (antibacterial anti-viral, antimold) are routinely used to

13

sterilize operating rooms, ICUs, instruments, etc., and for CPAP masks and accessories, baby bottles and bibs, cellphones, tooth brush, etc. at home. Email steriletote@ hotmail.com about efficacy, proper use, and safety details of UVC-ozone lamps for personal use. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States.

Visit our websites: philipSchua. com and FUN8888.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

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people events arts culture entertainment

Sustainable, ethical wear: How Pinay designer Claire Powers built her KINdom

T

by

MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress

HE words “fashion” and “sustainability” were rarely ever used in the same sentence before.

However, things began to change when people began talking about climate change and its chilling effects on the planet, and policies were made in order to make sure that the next generations to come would have a future.

This was the impetus for Filipina American designer Claire Powers.

Her epiphany happened the first time she held her sister’s baby who was then a week old. Knowing what she knew about the usual practices done in the industry (which she calls “natural phenomena, because they happen all the time”), she told herself she was going to make a stand.

Armed with decades of experience and know-how due to her work in fast fashion, she decided to start her own eco company in 2007. However, her timing was not right because the economy tanked the following year and she decided to close shop and return to the world of fast fashion.

Fast forward 10 years and the baby she was now holding was her own. She knew

KINdom’s accessories created by artisans complement the indigenous fabrics the company uses for its designs.

she was not going back to her old world. She knew it was time to start something new.

And that was how KINdom was born.

When Powers started KINdom in 2017, she reawched out to the Philippine government and a couple of non-profit organizations for her to be connected to the indigenous communities that need help the most because she wanted to help the most impoverished and marginalized tribes. She also went to local Philippine cultural trade shows and connected with other artisan weavers, and bought directly from them as well.

“The Philippines is a nation with a rich culture, and with my passion being in fashion, I have a purpose and expertise to help preserve and protect it, as it is the roots and identity that future generations will have, so they don’t just read about it in textbooks or see disintegrating textiles in museums,” Powers said.

The designer was surprised to learn that in TawiTawi — a province in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao — there was only one weaver left, and there is no one to pass the weaving art to because no one wants to learn it.

“It’s sad that the art and heritage for that indigenous community may die out,” she said.

At a recent fashion show

in New York coinciding with Fashion Week and focusing on sustainability, Powers showcased items she sourced out from various tribes like T’boli, Iranun, Bagobo and Yakan in the Philippines and Xhosa in South Africa.

Sustainable fashion About 93 billion cubic meters of water — enough to meet the needs of five million people — is used by the fashion industry annually, and around half a million tons of microfiber, which is the equivalent of 3 million barrels of oil, is now being dumped into the ocean every year, according to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The fashion industry also generates around 10% of global carbon emissions, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.

As someone who spent decades designing and working in fast fashion, Powers had firsthand experience in seeing the ugly side of things. It has been said that the amount of water used to prepare and make one pair of jeans is equivalent to the amount of water the average person drinks over a period of seven years, according to experts.

Asked about where she PAGE 15

Claire Powers was one of a handful of designers invited to showcase their designs at the Sustainable New York Fashion Week held last month at the Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex.

AJPress Photos

by Momar G. Visaya

KINdom showcases designs made with indigenous fabrics created by artisans from tribes in the Philippines and Africa.

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15

Ian recounts daughter’s coming out as Darren quits China’s ‘Singer lesbian, assures her of his full support 2020’ due to COVID-19

ACTOR Ian Veneracion declared that he and his wife are in full support of their daughter Deirdre (Dids) after she came out as a lesbian.

The father recounted his daughter’s coming out story back when she was 16, which apparently began with a few teary eyes but ended in laughter, as seen the TV morning show “Magandang Buhay”, a clip of which was posted via ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel on March 3.

Veneracion narrated that while he was tinkering with his bike, a teary-eyed Dids approached him and said: “Daddy, I have to tell you something.”

The actor, who sensed his daughter’s distress, made her sit down before she finally admitted, “I like girls.” Instead of getting upset, Veneracion humorously responded, “Me also, I like girls.”

Dids was apparently confused and shocked at her father’s reaction, prompting her to ask, “It’s okay?”

“Just don’t ever be apologetic about it. Not even to me,” Veneracion recalled saying. “You can be whoever you want to be and I have full support.”

By Ratziel

San Juan Philstar.com

Ian Veneracion and his daughter Dids Photos from Instagram/@ianveneracion1, @didsdaflyer

When Dids asked her father if he previously knew, the actor affirmed. “Oo naman! Bata pa lang macho ka na (Of course! Even when you were little you were already macho).”

The actor’s daughter, who is also a budding musician, revealed that it felt “weird” at the time especially since she was not yet open about telling anybody that she preferred the companionship of women.

On being apologetic about one’s sexuality, Veneration said, “Nakaka panghinayang lang, isa lang ang buhay natin. Tapos pag nabuhay ka — ano pa, apologetic ka pa, na nahihiya ka sa sarili mo,

hindi mo mailabas ang pagkatao mo. What a waste of life!”

(It’s such a waste [because we] only have one life. Then while you are living it, you are apologetic and you are shy, and you are not able to let your true self come out.

What a waste of life.)

As the TV show’s hosts Jolina Magdangal, Melai Cantiveros and Karla Estrada lauded Veneracion, he also recalled telling the news to her spouse, Pam Gallardo.

She also only has her daughter’s best interest at heart.

“She has the full support of the whole family,” Veneracion assured his daughter.

(Cha Lino/Inquirer.net)

Sustainable, ethical wear...

PAGE 14 thinks sustainable fashion is right now and how far is it from the ideal, Powers said that it is still in the early adopter stage.

“We are still a long way away from the ideal, because the masses have been trained to consume fast fashion at cheap prices, which have been, and still is, destroying the environment and continuing the unethical treatment of workers,” she explained.

It’s not all grim, however, since there seems to be growth every year.

“The good news is, I’m seeing it grow exponentially each year, especially in 2019, when they introduced the UN (United Nations) Alliance for Sustainable Fashion (which follows the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals) and the rise of youth activist Greta Thunberg. It’s just a matter of continuing to educate both consumers and corporations on how important sustainability is, and to keep pushing eco-ef-

forts in order to make a difference,” she said.

Producers and consumers of fashion are increasingly waking up to the idea that the industry needs to change. A number of companies, including large volume retailers, are integrating sustainability principles into their business strategies.

Because sustainable fashion is in the early adopter stage, it only distributes to a small market. An article from a major fashion media discussed how there is a sustainability gap that needs to be bridged between brands and consumers.

“Being from a fast fashion background with the knowledge of both worlds, I know how to bridge that gap, but it’s up to the shareholders and stakeholders of fast fashion brands and retailers to decide if they are going to stay with the status quo and destroy the planet and its people, or are they going to do something about it?”

Powers asked.

The fashion industry is a $2.4 trillion-dollar industry that employs approximately 60 million people worldwide—most of them women—and the scale of the industry is only expected to grow over the coming years.

Smaller companies like KINdom are helping change the environmental landscape of fashion and building sustainability into their whole business model.

Design process Powers describes her design process as something not too complicated.

“It’s actually very brief, because having your own fashion business, you must split your time between technical development, production, sales and distribution, marketing, accounting, etc. I would love to take a few days to really sketch and explore what the designs will be, but at this moment, I’m lucky if I put in a few hours each month in designing,” she shared.

Luckily with the experi-

SINGER-actor Darren Espanto has pulled out of the hit Chinese show “Singer 2020” due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

“I can’t talk about it much now pero I was supposed to go to China pero hindi nga po natuloy dahil doon sa coronavirus and all the travel bans. I think it’s safer na ‘di muna lumipad,” the 18-yearold said during the launch of his product endorsement

earlier this week.

(I can’t talk about it much now but I was supposed to go to China but the plans were canceled due to the coronavirus and all the travel bans. I think it’s safer not to fly for now.)

The pop star was initially chosen as the show’s only Filipino guest performer for its finals last year.

Darren rose to fame at 14 years old after placing runner-up in the TV talent search “The Voice Kids” in 2014.

Soon after, he signed with

Star Magic and penned a record and management deal with MCA Music Incorporated.

KZ Tandingan was the first Filipino who competed on “Singer 2018,” where her performances with international artists Jessie J and Coco Lee became viral online.

According to the latest situational report of the World Health Organization, COVID19 has been recorded in 76 countries, with cases reported in new countries daily over the past week.

PH to make it to Oscars...

PAGE 13 ments of Netflix to show films on the platform, I can say that we can make it in five years,” Diño told The Manila Times in an interview when she and her team visited The Manila Times TV for a meeting with its Chairman Emeritus Dr. Dante Arevalo Ang on Tuesday.

“As anyone working in the Asian film industry knows, a Korean Oscar winner is no accident. Bong [Joon Ho] is a product of an industry that

benefits from a strong studio system and venture capital funds, a generation of savvy producers that understand both arthouse and mainstream filmmaking, and decades of state support,”she said.

“FDCP’s mechanisms of support are patterned after Kofic (Korean Film Council) and CNC (National Center for Cinema and the Moving Image) because the FDCP has been working closely with these agencies for technical

support and assistance in the past three years — kahit malayo ang budget natin sa kanila (even if our budget is not as big as theirs),” she added.

“To those who question the Philippines’ participation in international film festivals and film markets, but aspires to have a ‘Parasite’like success in Philippine cinema, international success in a globally competitive market doesn’t happen overnight,”Diño said.

ence she has earned in the last couple of decades, she tries to focus and maximize what little design time she has when she gets into design mode.

Powers follows and adheres to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) when she designs, among them #17, which is Partnership for the Goals.

By collaborating with other artists or organizations, it helps the design process while at the same time, educate others about the importance of sustainability.

The SDGs are global objectives set by the United Nations in 2015 dealing with issues including poverty, hunger, health and well-being, education, equality, sanitation, climate action, peace and justice and more.

Growing KINdom At KINdom, it is all about the relationship between humans and nature, and that is why they carry it in their name.

“We are created from the same building blocks of the universe, and we are related to each other. We are KIN,

and that is what we stand for,” Powers said. “We are of the same elements that make up the world around us and beyond the reaches of space. Let’s build an environment where we are all connected.”

That interconnectivity with the environment is what propels KINdom to reach greater heights.

Powers told us that in order to promote sustainability, they use a variety of fabrics in their designs, from indigenous to sustainable, reclaimed, recycled fabrics.

They also use ethical, certified and compliant factories to make sure that there’s no child labor and the workers are treated fairly.

“We also use sustainable packaging.

Every single garment or product shipped from anywhere in the world has to be packed individually in its own plastic to protect it from damage. If there’s 80 billion garments that get produced every year, that’s 80 billion pieces of plastic,” she said.

“Ours is made from vegetable resources, the minimums are high because it is

not common practice in the industry. I refuse to pack our products in [a] plastic bag.”

Her dream now is to expand the market by increasing sales and distribution for KINdom and she is doing it by adding sales distribution to major retailers who need help understanding how to convert their business model to be more sustainable, decreasing the space of that gap and bridge sustainability, and reducing the amount of pollution and reliance on the planet’s finite resources.

Powers is also hopeful that consumers get to be more mindful and aware of their purchases, particularly since it takes two to tango, and with informed and conscious consumers, the industry will be forced to adapt to their needs.

“It’s also up to the consumers to say ‘enough is enough,’ and demand more sustainability from companies, and choose to purchase and consume sustainable products versus products that pollute the planet,” she said.

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