031822 - Northern California Edition

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Volume 21 - No. 11 • 14 Pages

T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER

1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136, Burlingame, CA 94010 • Tel: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 • www.asianjournal.com

MARCH 18-24, 2022

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

Pfizer seeking authorization for second DATELINE USA US travel mask mandate COVID booster for adults 65 and older extended to April 18 FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

THIS week, days before the requirement to wear masks on public transportation was set to expire, U.S. officials extended the mandate through to April 18.

The measure affects those who plan to travel airplanes, trains, and buses — masks will also still be required at airports, train stations, and other hubs of public transit.

In a statement released on Tuesday, March 8, the agency responsible for setting safety measures for transportation, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), said that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will weigh other approaches to public safety, through a “revised policy framework for when, and under what circumstances, masks should be required in the public transportation corridor.”

The transportation mask requirement was set to expire on March 18.

“If you’re moving from one zone to another and picking people up, it’s a little bit different, and that requires some consultation, which is what [CDC officials] are going to

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

OLDER people may soon be able to get a fourth COVID booster after it was announced that Pfizer and its partner, BioNTech, plan to ask the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency authorization for a second COVID-19 booster shot for

those 65 and older.

According to the Washington Post, in which this was first reported, Pfizer and BioNTech’s submission to the FDA includes “real-world data”’ from Israel, which has already allowed for older folks to receive a second booster shot.

Those close to the situation said that the move is meant to further protect older adults against the omicron variant, which biomedical experts have said

is more advanced at evading the immune system than variants past.

Authorization could be granted as early as Tuesday, March 22.

Currently, the COVID-19 booster is authorized for everyone aged 12 and older per an emergency authorization basis, as previously reported in the Asian Journal.

 PAGE 2

67-year-old Filipina in New York savagely beaten in brutal anti-Asian attack PH Consulate urges authorities ‘to do more’

by MOMAR

 PAGE 5

California EDD adds 15 languages, expands access to unemployment insurance SETTLING a complaint brought about by several civil rights organizations, California’s Employment Development Department will expand language access for its unemployment insurance program by translating all written materials into the 15 most-used languages in the state and adding more interpreters to its phone lines.

Documents from the EDD will now be available in Arabic, Armenian, Cantonese, Farsi, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer (Cambodian), Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese. Phone line services will be available in Cantonese, English, Mandarin, Spanish and Vietnamese, Armenian, Korean, and Tagalog.

Critically, people may also ask to have an interpreter in any other language, and, according to the terms of the settlement, if an interpreter is not available immediately, one must be provided within five business days.

The EDD is also required to form a multilingual access advisory board and to collect data on which languages people are

 PAGE 5

G. VISAYA

AJPress

ALMOST DONE. President Rodrigo Duterte responds to the queries of Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, Inc. founder and leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy during a pre-recorded TV interview of the Sonshine Media Network International in Davao City aired on Saturday, March 12. With few months left before stepping down from power, Duterte said he has fulfilled his campaign pledges to the people when he ran for the presidency in 2016, from attaining peace and order to fighting illegal drugs and building modern infrastructures.

Malacañang photo by Joey Dalumpines

A 67-year-old Filipino woman in Yonkers, New York is now recovering in a hospital after being brutally beaten in the latest anti-Asian hate attack to rock the community.

The victim was entering her apartment building in Yonkers when she was attacked from behind by the suspect. Security video shows the victim was punched 125 times, stomped on seven more times and spat on.

She sustained fractures and lacerations to the head and face as well as bleeding in the brain.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York on Monday, March 14 called on authorities “to do more to protect the vulnerable” as it expressed outrage over the violent attack that left the elderly woman seriously

 PAGE 2

DFA: 370 Filipinos repatriated, DFA: All Philippine embassies, consulates to return to ‘normal’ evacuated from Ukraine MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs said it has helped 370 Filipinos leave Ukraine, which Russian troops started invading in late February.

As of Tuesday, March 15, the department said 286 have been repatriated, while 84 have been evacuated from Ukraine. The DFA is expecting 24 more seafarers to arrive in Manila Tuesday, it said.

During the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs hearing on Tuesday, the DFA reported that 39 land-

operations from March 21

based overseas Filipinos have been repatriated, while 247 sea-based workers have been brought back to Manila.

by ZACARIAN SARAO Inquirer.net The DFA said in a statement that the seafarers repatriated were from the MANILA — All Philippine following vessels: embassies and consulates • MV Star Helena worldwide will resume accepting • MV Pavlina • MV Rio Grande • MV Key Knight • MV Riva Wind • MV S-Breeze

 PAGE 4

Marcos, Sara top Pulse Asia survey

by KAITHREEN

CRUZ , KRISTINA MARALIT AND BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio were again the runaway leaders in the February survey of Pulse Asia.

Marcos retained the 60 percent rating he notched in the January survey, while DuterteCarpio improved her rating by 4 percentage points to 53 percent.

He was also the top choice across all subnational areas, 68 percent in Mindanao; National Capital Region (NCR), 66 percent; Former senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. was greeted by a big crowd during a motorcade the rest of Luzon, 58 percent; and in Las Piñas City on Sunday, March 13.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Gerard Seguia the Visayas, 53 percent.

He also led in all socioeconomic classes C, D and E. Marcos garnered support from 60 percent in the C bracket, 61 percent in the D bracket and 58 percent in the E bracket.

His closest rival, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, received 15 percent.

She was followed by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (10 percent), Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquaio (8 percent), Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson (2 percent), Faisal Mangondato (0.4 percent), labor

 PAGE 4

walk-in transactions starting March 21, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said on Wednesday, March 16.

In a tweet, Dulay said this means that Philippine embassies

 PAGE 4

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MARCH 18-24, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

Pfizer seeking authorization for...

PAGE 1 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 66% of Americans aged 65 or older who are eligible for the booster have received it. Pfizer and BioNTech didn’t indicate whether they’re seeking authorization of a second booster shot for other age groups.

Pfizer spokesperson Jerica Pitts

told the Washington Post that the company was “continuing to collect and assess all available data and we’re in continuous, open dialogue with regulators and health authorities to help inform a COVID-19 vaccine strategy as the virus evolves.”

According to the Biden administration, the U.S. only has

enough doses of the COVID-19 booster for immunocompromised people to receive the fourth dose.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told the Washington Post last week that the company’s data presently shows that receiving a fourth dose “dramatically” improves protection compared to a third dose. g

67-year-old Filipina in New York savagely beaten...

PAGE 1 injured.

The latest incident took place on Friday evening, March 11, and came a few days after the Consulate reminded members of the Filipino community to be vigilant and to take the necessary precautions following two shoving incidents in Queens that left two elderly Filipino women injured.

“We are outraged by this unspeakable act committed against another elderly member of the Filipino community,” Consul General Elmer G. Cato said on social media. “This is the third incident in less than a week where elderly kababayan have become victims of random violence.”

“We call on authorities to do more to protect the vulnerable.

We remind kababayan to be extra vigilant and to take the necessary precautions, especially in public,” Consul General Cato added.

Yonkers officials led by Mayor Mike Spano have condemned the attack.

“Hate crimes are beyond intolerable in our city. I applaud our Yonkers Police for swiftly apprehending this violent criminal and removing him from our streets,” Mayor Spano said in a statement. “I expect the suspect to be charged to the fullest extent of the law for his heinous actions.

I continue to keep the victim and her family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Yonkers Police Commissioner John Mueller agreed and called the hate crime despicable and one of the most appalling attacks he has ever seen.

“This defendant must be held to the maximum punishment allowed by law to send a clear message that hateful, violent behavior will not be tolerated in

An Asian American woman was punched more than 100 times and stomped and spit on during an attack in her Yonkers apartment building on March 11, 2022. The assault was captured on surveillance video and the suspect was charged with a hate crime.

Courtesy of Yonkers Police Department

our communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family, that she may make a full recovery.”

In a tweet, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said, “Everyone deserves to feel safe in our streets — discrimination, hate, & violence will never be tolerated in New York State. I’m praying that the victim makes a full recovery and have offered assistance from New York State Police to investigate this horrific act.”

The suspect, who was identified as Tammel Esco had 14 previous arrests and multiple convictions, was immediately arrested and charged with attempted murder as a hate crime as he was shouting anti-Asian slurs while he was beating up the victim.

Consul General Cato said the Consulate is in touch with authorities in Yonkers and is also trying to reach the family of the victim.

In a statement issued over the weekend, the Consulate expressed concern over the latest incidents that followed similar assaults against other members of the Asian-American Community

since the start of the year.

It said that the recent spate of attacks against Filipinos and other Asian Americans—whether triggered by racial bias or mental illness—is a serious concern that must be immediately addressed.

On Thursday, March 10, a Filipina in her late 50s, who walks with a cane and suffers from poor eyesight, was injured after she was shoved down the stairs by an unidentified man at the 179th Street Station of the F Train in the neighborhood of Jamaica in Queens.

On the same day, a Filipina in her mid-60s was pushed by an unidentified man at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train platform, also in Jamaica, causing her to land on her face and breaking her eyeglasses in the process. She sustained multiple injuries.

The Yonkers incident brings to three the number of attacks involving members of the Filipino Community in New York that have been reported to the Consulate this year. There were 23 incidents reported to the Consulate last year. g

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Dateline USa

MARCH 18-24, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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DFA: All Philippine embassies, consulates to... Marcos, Sara top Pulse Asia...

PAGE 1 and consulates would return to pre-pandemic operations.

“SFA @teddyboylocsin has ordered all our Embassies & consulates worldwide to return to normal (pre-pandemic) operations

just like @DFAPHL Manila,” he wrote on Twitter.

“We cannot discriminate against those slaving in PH HQ. WALK-IN transactions in all posts abroad shall RESUME on Monday, March 21st,” he added.

This development comes on the same day the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) started accommodating passport courtesy lane walk-in applicants in all consular offices in the Philippines. g

DFA: 370 Filipinos repatriated, evacuated...

PAGE 1

• MV Global Aglaia • MV Polar Star • MV Star Laura • MV Bolten Ithaki • MV Marika •MV Bonita • MV Ithaca Prospect • MV Joseph Schulte • MV Puma Meanwhile, 41 land-based workers and 43 seafarers have been evacuated out of Ukraine so far.

The Department of Labor and Employment’s International Labor Affairs Bureau and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration said during Tuesday’s hearing that they have accounted for 472 Filipino seafarers who

have been affected by the war between Ukraine and Russia.

From DOLE-ILAB’s count, it was expecting 30 crew members to arrive in the Philippines Tuesday, while another 19 are expected to come home by Wednesday, March 16.

Both have accounted for 27 vessels based in 11 ports.

It said 146 Filipino seafarers remain onboard, while 277 have been repatriated and 49 have been evacuated and are awaiting repatriation.

“Narinig ko po kanina (I heard) that the DFA has already reported that they already have 286 repatriated and 84 waiting to be repatriated. I guess the discrepancy lies with the

receipt of the report through the local landing agencies through the POEA OFW Welfare Monitoring System, but we are coordinating with them, requesting for regular updating and reports,” POEA’s Charity Jacob said.

DOLE-ILAB said it has provided assistance for repatriation to Filipino seafarers, transportation, help with food and quarantine facilities, cash assistance of P10,000, educational assistance starting at P20,000, and livelihood assistance worth P20,000.

It has also provided stress debriefing services and psychosocial counseling.

(Kaycee Valmonte/Philstar.com)

PAGE 1

leader Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman (0.1 percent) and Jose Montemayor Jr. (0.01 percent).

Former Malacañang spokesman Ernesto Abella and former Defense chief Norberto Gonzales did not receive any support from the respondents.

Four percent of the respondents refused to answer when asked for their preferred presidential candidate.

Domagoso was the top second choice presidential candidate of 26 percent of respondents if their first choice drops out. He was followed by Pacquiao (13 percent), Robredo (12 percent), Lacson (11 percent), Marcos (9 percent), de Guzman and Magondato at 1 percent each, Abella (0.4 percent), and Montemayor and Gonzales at 0.2 percent each.

In the vice presidential survey, Duterte-Carpio posted a 29 percent lead over Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto 3rd, who had 24 percent. Trailing them were Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (11 percent), Dr. Willie Ong (6 percent), Buhay party-list Rep. Jose “Lito” Atienza (1 percent), Manny Lopez and former Akbayan party-list representative Walden Bello at 0.1 percent each, and lawyer Carlos Serapio at 0.01 percent.

Rizalito David essentially did not receive substantial support from the respondents.

The Davao City mayor also took the lead across all subnational areas, with 82 percent in Mindanao, 51 percent in the Visayas, 48 percent in NCR and 41 percent in the rest of Luzon.

She was also the top pick of respondents in socioeconomic class C at 55 percent, class D at 54 percent and class E at 51 percent.

Sotto was the top second choice vice presidential preference of 31 percent of the respondents if their preferred first choice for the post quits the race. He was followed

by Pangilinan (15 percent), Ong and Duterte-Carpio at 11 percent each, Atienza (5 percent), Lopez (1 percent), Bello and Serapio at 0.1 percent each, and David at 0.05 percent.

Pulse Asia conducted faceto-face interviews with 2,400 registered voters who are likely to vote in the May elections.

The survey was conducted from February 18 to 23, after the campaign period officially kicked off last February 8.

Robredo’s spokesman, Barry Gutierrez, said the Pulse Asia survey did not capture the recent

“surge” in the support for the vice president.

“Recent weeks have seen a snowballing in support for VP Leni, with massive, record[-] breaking rallies from Butuan to Bacolod, Cavite to Isabela, Sampaloc to Malolos. The latest Pulse Asia survey was done prior to these game[-]changing developments, and does not yet capture the more recent surge in VP Leni’s support,” Gutierrez said in a statement on Monday, March 14.

“With this clear momentum from the people’s campaign — reflected both in the massive rallies as well as in online metrics — we are confident that the next 56 days will culminate in an election day victory for Leni Robredo,” he said.

Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) President and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said on Monday the results of the Pulse Asia survey showed that the UniTeam tandem is headed for a landslide victory.

Lakas-CMD is chaired by DuterteCaprio.

“Our candidates have maintained their high marks, less than two months before the May elections. Despite such survey showing, they will keep on campaigning and spreading their message of hope, patriotism and unity,” Romualdez said.

Raffy Tulfo leads in Pulse Asia’s survey for senatorial candidates, as broadcaster Tulfo kept his lead at 67 percent.

Trailing him were Antique Rep. Lorna Regina “Loren” Legarda (59 percent), former Public Works and Highways secretary Mark Villar (56 percent), Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (55 percent), Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri (51 percent) and Sorsogon Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero (50 percent).

Rounding up the list were actor Robin Padilla (47 percent), former vice president Jejomar “Jojo” Binay (46 percent), Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian (45 percent), Sen. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva (42 percent), former senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estada (39 percent), former Quezon City mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista (33 percent), Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros (32 percent) and former senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito (32 percent).

At the 15th to 24th positions were Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon (27 percent), former Information and Communications Technology secretary Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan 2nd (27 percent), former

Interior and Local Government secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro (20 percent), former Palace spokesman Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr. (20 percent), former senator Antonio Trillanes 4th (17 percent), former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar (16 percent), Human Rights Advocate lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno (12 percent), former Commission on Filipinos Overseas executive director Astravel Pimentel (12 percent), Sen. Leila de Lima (11 percent) and lawyer Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon (11 percent).

Pulse Asia said there were nine party-list groups that surpassed the 2-percent voter preference threshold needed to secure at least one seat in Congress.

These were ACT-CIS with 8 percent; Ako Bicol with 6 percent; Senior Citizens party-list with 6 percent; Malasakit@Bayanihan at 5 percent; 4Ps at 5 percent; An Waray at 3 percent; Uswag Ilonggo at 3 percent; Gabriela at 2 percent; and AGAP at 2 percent.

Only 83 percent of survey respondents expressed support for a party-list group among 177 participating groups for the 2022 polls.

Kilusang Bagong LipunanParañaque chairman Florencio “Jun” Bernabe Jr. vowed to fully support the UniTeam slate.

“We are the longest ally of the Marcoses here in Parañaque.

Loyal kami sa mga Marcos, hanggang may Marcos na tumatakbo nand’yan kami (We are loyal to the Marcoses, as long as there is a Marcos running, we’ll be there),” Bernabe said during a gathering of members of KBL, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and Muslim Alliance for BBM-Sara in Parañaque City recently.

In Cauayan, Isabela, where he is campaigning, Lacson claimed that the camp of Robredo has sent feelers for him to back out of the presidential race.

Lacson is Partido Reporma’s standard-bearer, while Robredo is running as an independent.

“Pino-project nila na dalawa lang sila magkalaban (They were trying to project that only the two of them were the competitors [to the presidency],” Lacson said in a press conference.

Asked if Robredo herself asked him to withdraw, Lacson said it was an emissary which he refused to name.

Sotto, Lacson’s running mate, described as plain “rumors” reports that he and Lacson would drop out of the race. g

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US travel mask mandate extended...

PAGE 1 endeavor to do between now and April 18,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a briefing on Thursday, March 10.

As of March 3, the U.S. reached the benchmark — 90% of the U.S. population living in low to mid-levels of Covid positivity rates — to which the CDC no longer recommends face masks in public indoor settings.

The relaxed mask guidance from the CDC was justified by the dwindling hospitalizations and many states and jurisdictions

easing their own mask mandates.

The mask requirement extension mirrors the continued mask mandates being upheld in several Philippine airlines, including Philippine Airlines (PAL), AirAsia Philippines, and Cebu Pacific which all still require face masks and shields for passengers and cabin crew.

“Alert levels may have eased, but Philippine Airlines’ safety protocols remain the same. The highest standards of safety continue to be observed on each and every flight,” PAL said in a state-

PAGE 1 requesting during a two-year compliance period.

The complaint was filed by the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles on July 20, 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic when 1.7 million Californians — 9.2 percent of the state’s workforce — were unemployed. 1.2 million Californians filed unemployment claims that year. That number dropped dramatically in 2021 when just 402,000 Californians filed unemployment claims, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics at the US Department of Labor.

LAFLA filed the claim with California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Several other civil rights organizations joined the complaint, including: Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, California Rural Legal Assistance, Center for Workers’ Rights, and Legal Aid at Work.

The settlement of the complaint was announced Feb. 28. “The Employment Development Department partners with communities across California to provide multilingual information and support,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias in a press statement.

“One in five Californians communicate in languages other than English, making it critical that EDD communicates with customers in many languages.”

Almost 7 million people in California primarily use one of more than 200 non-English languages. While Spanish is the most common, constituting approximately 64%, roughly 2.4 million residents use languages other than Spanish.

Joann Lee, Special Counsel on Language Justice at LAFLA told EMS in a Feb. 28 interview that the Covid-19 pandemic laid bare the disparities in language access at

the EDD. “Although EDD has historically provided some language services, our community members have always encountered some barriers in accessing the benefits and services that they provide. And the main point of entry for many of our linguistically marginalized communities has been through the phones.”

“During the height of the pandemic, EDD’s phone lines were extremely busy,” said Lee, noting that the agency was encouraging people to use its web portal where materials were available only in Spanish and English.

Many people who did not speak English or Spanish used third party brokers who often turned out to be scammers. The fraudulent representatives set up email accounts in the claimant’s name but would not give them the password to access email from the EDD. Many fraudsters demanded payment every time they had to confirm something or certify benefits, said Lee, noting that scammers also demanded a portion of each payment once it came through. Benefits were issued via Bank of America debit cards, which brought with them additional possibilities for fraud, she said.

The EDD must also update its “antiquated” systems for data collection, said Lee, noting that part of the delays during the pandemic were old systems incapable of processing the increased flow of data.

Winifred Kao, Senior Counsel for Impact Litigation at the Asian Law Caucus told EMS that during the pandemic, ALC and other organizations were fielding an unprecedented volume of inquiries and requests for assistance with EDD. Kids were helping their parents navigate the complex

Da te lin e USa

ment.

The move comes at a time when the Philippines expects an influx of travelers this year.

“We are confident that summer 2022 is really the onset of recovery not only for AirAsia Philippines but also to all other airlines in the country,” AirAsia Philippines spokesperson Steve Dailisan told the Manila Times, adding that the upcoming Easter holiday as well as the May 2022 election when many expect Philippine voters to travel home.

(Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

California EDD adds 15 languages, expands access...

system online.

“It really just exposed what a tremendous barrier these issues were. What struck me during the pandemic was a lot of coverage about the problems at EDD,” said Kao, referring to huge backlogs and delay in receiving payments and a lack of communication from the agency.

“But for our clients, all those issues were 10 times worse because of language access, which just overlaid every single problem you were hearing about with EDD,” said Kao, who also leads the ALC’s workers’ rights program.

“We were encouraged that new leadership at EDD recognized the dire situation for so many of our client communities, and the urgent need to address these problems.”

Kao shared the story of two women who are Arabic speakers, who were not able to communicate with EDD and not able to read the agency’s materials on how to apply for benefits. So they ended up turning to a broker who promised to help them apply and secure benefits and then kept the benefits for himself.

The women are now worried about over-payments and the tax consequences of fraud. “That problem certainly wouldn’t have been the same if the clients could have communicated with EDD directly or applied just on their own, as English speakers do,” said Kao. “The benefits were talking about here are critical safety net benefits that community members are entitled to, and that they need to be able to support their families during crisis,” said Lee. She added that language barriers prevented thousands of people who were eligible for unemployment benefits from applying, because they did not know they were entitled to receive them. (Sunita Sohrabji/ Ethnic Media Services)

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MARCH 18-24, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 18-24, 2022

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OFWs most concerned about graft, corruption As PH reopens borders, Immigration in upcoming 2022 elections — study renews warning vs online love scams

by KAYCEE

VALMONTE Philstar.com

MANILA — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) identified graft and corruption as part of their “priority issues” for the upcoming presidential elections, a study by De La Salle University professor Ma. Divina Gracia Roldan showed.

Roldan said “corruption ranks first, this is seen as the main problem in the country.”

“The participants expressed that if corruption is eliminated, there will be more budget for health, education and livelihood programs, poverty will be addressed. They also think that the country will develop and there will be no need for them to go abroad to work,” Roldan said in a webinar organized by the La Salle Institute of Governance on Friday, March 11.

She said most of the study participants source their information from online news and social media, family and friends, and online OFW communities.

The other “priority issues” identified by survey respondents were pandemic response and health, employment opportunities, poverty, and education. However, voting remains to be an independent decision.

“These priority issues mentioned by the participants are all connected to their main priorities which are family, work, health and safety, and financial security,” Roldan said.

Profile of respondents She conducted online interviews with 118 overseas Filipino workers from January

to September last year. Majority or 62.5% of her respondents were women, while 37.5% were men.

Roldan interviewed healthcare professionals, managers, office workers, seafarers, engineers, and domestic helpers aged 25 to 54 years with at least two to 10 years of work experience abroad.

She interviewed OFWs from Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Central Asia, Asia, Asia Pacific, Latin America and North America.

However, the “top locations” of her survey respondents were California in the United States, Dubai, Doha in Qatar, Hong Kong, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. Roldan said this “correspond(s) to the top destinations with high overseas voter turnout in the past elections.”

Ideal presidential qualities “Integrity is the main trait that the OFW voter looks for in a presidential aspirant, one who is not corrupt and sincere in serving the people.

Trustworthiness and honestly are also given weight,” Roldan said.

Respondents also wanted a candidate that is “tapat sa bayan,” “may malasakit,” competent and compassionate, God-fearing, with vision and conviction, and someone who is a good communicator and someone “who Filipinos can be proud of.”

Some referenced Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern.

“It is interesting that a few participants prefer the

strongman leadership style like that of President Rodrigo Duterte as one participant said, he wants the next president to be someone like Duterte,” Roldan said.

Citing a survey participant, the hotel worker from Cambodia wants someone like Duterte: “May takot sa kanya, sinusunod siya. ‘Pag sinabi niya, gagawin niya.’”

(People are scared of him, they follow him. Whatever he says he’ll do, he’ll follow through.)

Voting ‘an opportunity to change as a country’ The majority or 69% of her 118 survey participants will be voting in the upcoming elections.

“They see the elections as important to bring about change, they see voting as a right, and an opportunity to change as a country,” Roldan said.

Preferred means of voting Over 1.5 million Filipinos abroad are registered to vote in the upcoming 2022 polls.

Asked if OFW votes are “gamechangers,” retired Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon disagreed. “‘Di naman sila game changer, eh 1 million sila eh.

Kaya lang, pag senador ka, it will matter. Pero hindi, kasi ang mga presidential candidates mga more than a billion, sa senator it will matter,” Guanzon said.

(They’re not a game changer, that’s 1 million. However, if you’re [running for the senate], it will matter. But no, because presidential candidates have more than a billion votes, for senators, it will matter.) 

‘Nothing is impossible’ says Hidilyn Diaz after third PSA Athlete of Year plum

by MARK

GIONGCO Inquirer.net

MANILA — Dreams do come true. Hidilyn Diaz could attest to it.

Diaz had only dreamed of being at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night before.

On Monday, March 14, Diaz recalled that moment after receiving her third Athlete of the Year award at the PSA Awards Night at Diamond Hotel.

“Naaala ko noon pangarap ko lang na makapunta dito sa PSA Awards. Nakikita ko sina Ate Marestella Torres (long jumper and former PSA Athlete of the Year Awardee). Little did I know, pangatlo ko na ngayon.

Wala talagang impossible ‘no?”

Diaz said during her speech.

(It was only a dream of mine to be at the PSA Awards. I remember seeing Marestella Torres. Little did It know, I will win my third Athlete of the Year award. Nothing is really impossible.)

Diaz was named Athlete of the Year for delivering the Philippines’ breakthrough Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games last year.

The 31-year-old Diaz’s humble beginnings as an aspiring weightlifter led to a realization that anything is possible.

“Ibig sabihin lang ito na walang imposible at kaya nating mga Pilipino na manalo ulit ng ginto sa Olympics. Kung nagawa ko, kaya ng iba pang

EMPLOYMENT

by KRISTINE JOY

Philstar.com

PATAG

MANILA — As the country reopens its borders to foreign nationals, the Bureau of Immigration warned the public not to fall victim to online “love scams.”

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente reiterated the bureau’s warning against a syndicate that targets Filipinos seeking biracial relationships.

“With the re-opening of our borders to foreign tourists comes the return of the love scam,” he added.

The BI chief said the syndicate usually meets victims online and they will promise them international travels and small gifts, and then would say they are coming to the Philippines for marriage.

But upon arrival to the

country, the scammer would claim he is being held by immigration authorities or other government agencies.

Morente added: “The scammer then will dupe his victim in depositing large sums of money in exchange for his freedom.”

The government on February 10 allowed foreigners from visa-free countries to enter the country for business and leisure purposes, after nearly two years of borders closure due to the pandemic.

Modus The bureau said one victim requested about his partner who was allegedly being held at the Davao International airport.

The victim showed screenshots of messages supposedly from Morente who was demanding payment in exchange for the release of the person.

The scammer also told the victim he was held at immigration counters for holding large sums of money in his hand-carry bag.

But Morente said that no foreign national has arrived in Davao He also explained: “It is not within our jurisdiction to check bags of arriving passengers.

We are concerned with the person and their documents, and not his luggage.”

The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. also reminded the public “to be cautious and verify identities of people while engaging them through online platforms.” “[K]ababayans must be war when giving financial and personal information, especially when they are not in a position to vet the identity of the other party,” the embassy added. 

COVID-19 vaccines are brand new BASED ON DECADES OF RESEARCH.

Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, receives her Athlete of the Year award from the Philippine Sportswriters Association.

Inquirer.net photo by Andy Santos

Filipino athletes,” stressed Diaz, who finally won the gold in her fourth Olympic stint.

(This just means that nothing is impossible and Filipinos are capable of winning the gold medal in the Olympics again. If I can do it, so can other Filipino athletes.)

“Sabi nila dati napakataas kong mangarap. Bakit hindi?.

Isa kaya na magandang bagay na libreng gawin ang mangarap.

Kaya kung ikaw at tayong lahat patuloy lang mangarap.”

(They said before that I have such high ambitions. Why not?

One of the best things to do that are free is to dream.)

The pride of Zamboanga City also won Athlete of the Year in 2017 for her silver medal feat in the Rio Olympics and again in

2019 for delivering the gold in the Asian Games.

“Hindi pwedeng walang pagsubok kasi yon ang nagpapatibay sa atin. Okay lang ilang beses magkamali, ilang beses na matalo.

Ang mahalaga ay natututo tayo at makabangon. Kayangkaya natin ito na mas marami pang Pilipino na mananalo sa Olympics at makakuha ng ginto,” she said.

(There will always be challenges because these are what make us tougher.

It doesn’t matter how many mistakes you make and how many times you lose. What’s important is we learn to rise again. We can do it that more Filipinos will win in the Olympics and get the gold.) 

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MARCH 18-24, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

FEATURES

Double Barrel Finale

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WITH the easing of most of the country to COVID Alert Level 1, law enforcement operations have also intensified. The Philippine National Police said the war on drugs is now in its endgame. What this means exactly is raising concern among those who have decried the human rights abuses in the campaign against illegal drugs.

Only time will tell if the concerns are valid. The PNP has said operation Tokhang has been dropped and the “finale” version of Double Barrel will instead be pursued in earnest with the lifting of most COVID restrictions.

Tokhang is the knocking on doors ostensibly to encourage any drug personality within the premises to register and, if desired, to avail oneself of rehabilitation programs. Suspected pushers are also informed that they are under surveillance and must mend their ways, or risk arrest.

Double Barrel Finale is more focused on a holistic approach to the problem, according to the PNP, which also calls it ADORE – for AntiIllegal Drugs Operation through Reinforcement and Education. PNP officials have said the strategy is “reinforcement, rehabilitation, recovery and wellness and reintegration” of the more than 1.2 million drug personalities who surrendered under Tokhang.

According to the police, ADORE is a multisectoral approach to the drug menace that employs the so-called 8E’s: engineering the structure, extraction of information, enforcement, enactment of laws, environment, economics and evaluation.

The problem has always been in the enforcement.

No country has completely eradicated the drug menace. There’s simply too much money to be made in drug trafficking. Upon assuming power in 2016, President Duterte promised to eradicate the drug scourge in six months. Six years later, with over 6,000 drug personalities killed by police in the drug war, he himself has acknowledged that the scourge is still around – and very much so, as that one-ton shabu haul this week indicates.

With enforcement come opportunities for abuse.

The PNP must show that there is no cause for concern as it pursues the finale of the war on drugs.

(Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Leni Robredo’s momentum goes full speed and the trapos are in panic mode to stop her

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS PHILIPPINE Vice President Leni Robredo’s momentum strikes like a flashing lightning with roaring thunder, gaining even more strength and velocity as she and her chosen candidate for Vice President Sen. Kiko Pangilinan weave through towns and cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with their caravans and the people’s rallies.

Indeed, this is a campaign riding on the wave of our kababayans’ yearning for the truth, for clean, honest government that works for them and they found their hope in Leni and Kiko. True to what Filipinos have been saying on social media, this is more than a campaign — it is a movement propelled by the sense of volunteerism and service inspired by the example of Robredo and Pangilinan.

The Leni-Kiko followers took it upon themselves to give everything they have to support the fight of Robredo and Pangilinan for #GobyernongTapat, volunteering their time, their talents, their own hard-earned money in the truest sense of the Filipino Bayanihan spirit to wake up and mobilize the silent majority wherever they go.

Every stop of the caravan offered the experience of sharing their collective goal for the Philippines

and the Filipino people with a “Fiesta” vibe in it, with songs and dances of artists who have come to share their talents to the people in this movement for free, with chants and cheering, with the tender and funny moments of Leni reading the placards created by the people themselves expressing their support for Leni and Kiko, funny jokes and “hugot” emotional shout-out, including the call for hugs they long to get from a mother.

Lights and fireworks, banderitas, waving pink hearts all frame Leni and Kiko and their candidates for Senator on stage, as they deliver their vision, campaign promises, and platform to make these vision become their new reality.

There has been a feeling of “Olympics style” friendly competition among different towns and cities on how they would create their own “peoples’ Rally, but the truth is — each new town/city stands on the shoulders of past towns/cities to make the movement stronger.

Other people describe it like the relay and the batton is passed from one to another until we reach the Finish Line.

The Leni-Kiko crowds sweep beyond capacity, attended by 40,000 to more than 70,000 people, breaking barriers in areas already marked as Marcos/ Duterte territories, including those where other Presidential candidates come from — Bongbong’s “Solid North,” Isko Moreno’s Manila, Ping Lacson’s

Cavite, and Pacquiao’s Gensan.

While the one-month delayed surveys still show a Bongbong Marcos lead, the people’s investing themselves in the Leni-Kiko movement reveal what numbers in survey would not show: voter enthusiasm for their candidates, rooted in trust in their leadership by example.

These are breathing, thinking, feeling people whose spirits are roaring like Tigers, ready, willing and able to fight head on roadblocks along their way to victory.

THIS is what is scaring the Trapos who want to keep the status quo the most. Since the support for the Leni-Kiko campaign has reached a tipping point, these network of public officials have banded even more together and have launched even more attacks against Leni and Kiko, picking up from Dictators’ playbook. These questions beg some real answers for people to think about: On cue, why did they bring out the concerted “communist” scare card, with no less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself red tagging, irresponsibly using the Office of the President for his claims.

In an interview with his Pastor Apollo Quiboloy — Duterte’s “spiritual adviser”/ Kingdom of Jesus Christ pastor who calls himself the anointed son of God/ SMNI news media network chief acting as Duterte/Marcos propaganda tool and one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitive,

When will we ever learn?

Commentary

MARLEN RONQUILLO THE Russian invasion of Ukraine, a horrific war with no end in sight, has led much of the world to a so-called Great Rethink.

For example Europe — which is heavily dependent on heating gas from Russia — is now taking steps to wean the continent from too much dependence on Russia gas.

The plan is to reduce in the near future gas imports from Russia by 80 percent. And with winter almost over, they have several months to prepare for the drastic reduction of Russian gas imports.

The plan also involves sourcing gas from less toxic sources from within the continent if possible.

Or using other energy resources, like coal, on a short-term basis but with big shifts to clean energy after that. Russia's aggression has turned off one of its major gas markets, and Europe wants to end its dependence on Russian gas for good.

The transition to an economy less dependent on fossil fuel is

baked into the climate change and energy development programs of the Biden administration. As such, drilling for new oil fields has been stalled by such planned transitioning to energy sources other than oil. Now, the Biden administration may have to pause its squeeze on new drilling and allow the drilling permits already approved to do their thing. The oil imports of the US from Russia are insignificant. But still, there are preparations to offset that insignificant import volume.

Republican Party leaders, who are mostly for more oil drilling and exploration, are pushing the Biden administration into intensified domestic oil production.

Shell, the global oil giant, recently issued an apology for buying the deeply discounted Russian oil shunned by the global market. It is now sourcing from less toxic sources.

The nations in North Africa and the Middle East heavily dependent on Ukrainian wheat are also looking at Plan B, as the critical seaports needed for the shipment of Ukraine's wheat to those areas are now in peril.

Nations that are dependent on Russian-Ukraine corn for their animal feed production, are likewise crafting their Plan B. The two, before February 24, supplied 25 percent of the world's yellow corn requirement. Agricultural producing nations are easing their heavy dependence on Russian fertilizer.

Even before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the pandemic-induced gridlocked supply chains and the inflationary effects of delayed goods and jammed seaports, had already led to a serious questioning of the traditional manner of moving goods and critical commodities into nations that need them and on schedule. Which was — and still is — to source these goods and commodities from the efficient suppliers that can deliver and sell them cheap and on time. This is the efficiency doctrine.

The jammed ports and delayed deliveries and shipments — plus the inflationary effect of such — have led progressive economists to question the tenability of the efficiency doctrine. The free market zealots say the warts on the efficiency doctrine are merely

Duterte said on SMNI that there might not be a clean and orderly election in May because he claimed to have received intelligence reports that the Leni campaign and the “Dilawan” have been working with the NPA/ NDF to disrupt the elections.

This accusation was denied by the Leni campaign and the NPA/NDF. Where are the details, Mr. President? What are your proofs? Why are you using your bully pulpit to fabricate these lies for fear mongering? You know many deranged people have used this kind of accusations to put the law in their hands and kill people!

Some members of the PNP, presidential candidate Panfilo Lacson, and the supporters of Marcos and Duterte also used the red tagging card and their followers even produced malicious videos full of falsehoods and disinformation to connect Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan to the NPAs. Why are political dynasties and Trapos like the Remullas of Cavite doubling down on malicious projection of their own dirty political tactics to the Robredo Campaign, downplaying the size of the crowd, and accusing their own constituents of corruption, alleging that they are in the rallies because they got paid by the Robredo campaign?

We have seen videos on social of these violations of the Omnibus Election Code on vote buying and hakot, in different places and they were all coming

from the Marcos campaign, not from the Robredo movement!

Why did these Trapos even connive with their friends and cronies to cancel bus service to people attending the Leni rallies, even orchestrating to have road and bridge work at the time of the rally that caused traffic congestion? To deter people from attending the event?

Lo and behold, they learned that these supporters were on fire, and nothing could stop them. People walked to the venue while Leni rode and “angkas” ” a motorcycle to get to the rally on time. “Kung gusto, may paraan. Kung yaw, marrying dahilan” - like Bongbong and Sara declaring they would not join any Comelec-sponsored debates!

Why did Comelec print out 66M ballots or 98% of all ballots as people have been talking about on social media. These were printed in violation of Sec. 15 of RA 9369 and Sec. 187 of the Omnibus Election Code.

These laws require presence of observers for transparency and accountability.

Commissioner Marlon Casquejo disallowed the presence of observers citing Covid ( alert 2) as reason, but this is no excuse to follow the law!

With complaints from different sectors on this, the Senate under Imee Marcos who is Chair of the Committee on Electoral Peoples participation, held a hearing but no action was made to nullify the illegally printed ballots.

Why did Comelec sign the

P353-M contract to transport ballots and election materials with F2 Logistics, owned by President Duterte’s Davao based favorite crony Dennis Uy? Why did President Duterte appoint election lawyer George Garcia to be Comelec Commissioner when he was Bongbong Marcos’ lawyer during his electoral protest in his failed Vice Presidential bid in 2016?

Why are all these allowed to happen during the time when the people need to have faith and trust in the election system for a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to the next administration? How could they even perform their solemn duty to protect the integrity of the elections and honor the will of the Filipino people? What is driving them to desperately stop the Leni momentum? ***

temporary. The progressive economists want the world to move to a new paradigm — resilience.

This means stepped-up domestic production and the building of buffer stocks and reserves, in case a war of aggression (which indeed happened) or an epic calamity (which indeed happened via COVID-19) tightens or disrupts the seamless supply and movement of critical goods.

Those arguing for resilience instead of efficiency have found the compelling backdrop (the disrupted supply chains and Russia's war on Ukraine) to prop up their proposition.

OK, which part of the globe is unmoved, unfazed and unbothered by such Great Rethink and the raging debate between the proponents of efficiency and the proponents of resilience? As if no disruptive and epic events are currently roiling the broader world? Your guess is right. Our sad sack of a country. As they often say, Only in the Philippines.

The business news that came out of a recent meeting of the country's economic managers — the meeting was on how to cushion the impact of rising commodity prices — was along the lines of the broken record sung by the Duterte economic

managers for the past several years. The headline of the business news report said it all: "Amid rising global prices, govt urged to cut tariffs, import more."

Expletives cannot see print, but that was the only logical reaction to the policy response of our sad sack of a country to critical shortages. But many cannot help asking this question. Is doubling down on cutting tariffs and allowing more importation, which even one who flunked his Economics 101 can prescribe in a minute and without much thinking, the only way out of current supply gaps and price surges? It was supposed to be an ad hoc policy prescription when it started with reckless rice imports via the rice Tariff Law and the end of the QR on rice. But no. The ad hoc policy became the feckless way out of shortages and price surges.

The same import-pa-more via tariff cuts policy prescription was applied on pork after the African swine fever ravaged much of the thriving hog farms in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog.

Then, it was applied on fish. Then sugar.

On top of the extra-liberal import rules, has been the smuggling of fruits and vegetables

and other critical food items. The classic toxic pile-up of reckless importation and commodity smuggling.

The global disruptions on trade have clearly pushed our economic minds deeper into the rabbit hole of ruinous orthodoxy, unmindful that there are intense debates and new economic paradigms being carved out of the disruptions done

by COVID-19 and Russia's war on Ukraine.

The epic events that have been roiling and disrupting the old paradigms and pushing the world to think creatively and freshly on how to deal with these disruptions.

While much of the world is adjusting to these supply shocks with forward-looking responses, we still stuck to cutting tariffs and recklessly importing for national survival. And tragically, anchoring our national food security policy on tariff cuts and importations.

Even wars and pandemics seem to have no impact on the way we make policy. When will we ever learn? (ManilaTimes.net) ***

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. She was a news anchor, TV host and radio commentator and public service host for ABS- CBN and DZMM. She is now working on her advocacies independently, serving the Filipino audience using different media platforms. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos. Also on Twitter, Instagram: Gel Santos Relos

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

The 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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Friday, March 18, 2022

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LIFESTYLE • CONSUMER GUIDE • COMMUNITY • MARKETPLACE

CA COVID 19 rent relief program still accepting applications until March 31 THE State of California COVID-19 Rent Relief program is accepting new applications and additional funds requests until March 31. Eligible renters and landlords impacted by COVID-19 may apply for financial assistance to cover rent or utilities unpaid between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2022 as a result of financial hardships during COVID-19.

As of March 15, almost $2.37 billion have been awarded to 205,782 households through the state program. In San Francisco alone, 9,230 households (from 18,463 completed applications) have received assistance totaling almost $106 million.

Tenants and landlords are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Ensure all required

documents are included to avoid processing delays. Approved households may receive up to 18 months of assistance for unpaid rent payments owed and 12 months for past due utilities incurred within the specified assistance period.

An active and complete application may further assist households in avoiding eviction.

Under state law AB-832, through March 31, 2022, tenants with pending applications to the State of California COVID-19 Rent Relief program are protected from eviction regardless of the time it takes to fully process.

For eligibility information and online application, including program requirements, please visit HousingisKey.com or call

833-430-2122.

If you need assistance with your program application, or to appeal a denial to your application, contact Homeownership San Francisco (Homeownership SF) at 415-202-5464 or email to info@homeownershipsf.org to be connected to a housing counselor.

If you have been served with an eviction notice or lawsuit, do not move out! Contact the Eviction Defense Collaborative to help you with the legal process: call 415-659-9184, email legal@ evictiondefense.org or visit inperson at 1338 Mission Street (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m.).

(Advertising Supplement)

LEADING U.S. IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL (3RD FROM LEFT) ANSWERS MORE IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS FROM THE FIL-AM SOUTH BAY COMMUNITY IN PART 2 OF “YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT” WITH FILIPINO ORGANIZATION. Atty. Gurfinkel provides answers to questions like: “Our sister was charged with fraud. Is there hope for her case?,” “My brother was petitioned by our mother, but she passed away. Will he still be able to immigrate to the U.S.?,” “Can a tourist stay in the U.S. and wait for his petition to be current and adjust status in the U.S.?” and “Is there a way for my son to come to the U.S. while waiting for his petition to be approved?” Watch Part 2 of this special brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, March 20 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

(Advertising Supplement)

City of San Pablo seeks local Atty. Gurfinkel answers more immigration youth for city’s internship program questions and concerns in part 2 of episode Youth have until March 24 to apply featuring the Fil-Am South Bay Community SAN PABLO – The City of San Pablo has announced that they are seeking current high school students, GED, or recent high school graduates to apply to become interns within various city departments.

Applicants have until 5 p.m. on March 24 to submit their application on-line. The first one hundred applicants will be considered for an internship opportunity. Internship slots are limited.

The City of San Pablo has long been committed to providing opportunities for local youth. In

2019, the city hosted 18 interns through their Summer Internship Program. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the internship program was suspended in 2020 and 2021.

Nevertheless, the city hosted a virtual high school intern during summer 2020 from the Center for Youth Development Through Law, is hosting a UC Berkley student intern through May 2022, and launched a virtual college student internship in Spring 2021 with a second round of implementation in Spring 2022, serving 4 college level

interns.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the City’s ability to host summer interns, the city was able to continue San Pablo City Hall Career Day by hosting virtual events in 2020 and 2021. This fourth-year event is a collaborative event organized by the City of San Pablo’s Youth, School, & Community Partnerships Division and the Richmond High School Law Academy.

City Hall Career Day was started in an effort to expose students PAGE 13

PREVIOUSLY, viewers watched leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel meet with the Fil-Am South Bay Community of San Jose, California, where he highlighted the organization’s mission of supporting one another, especially during the challenging times of the pandemic.

In this second installment, Atty. Gurfinkel answers more immigration questions from the local community, like: • “Would expunging the felony conviction of a lawful permanent resident help him in renewing his

expired green card?”

• “My brother was petitioned by our mother, but she passed away. Will he be able to immigrate to the U.S.?”

• “Our sister was previously charged with fraud. Is there still hope for her?”

• “Is there a way my son can come to the U.S. while waiting for his petition to be approved?”

These questions and more will be answered by Atty. Gurfinkel in Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” with the Fil-Am South Bay Community.

Other Fil-Am community

organizations in the U.S. can get the chance to be featured on Citizen Pinoy. Visit the Facebook page of the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel and signify your interest by sending a private message via messenger.

Watch Part 2 of this community feature on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, March 20 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.

(Advertising Supplement)

10

MARCH 18-24, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Features

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

Getting to know Robert Alonzo, stunt coordinator and 2nd unit director of ‘The Batman’ Fil-Am stunt coordinator Alonzo trained Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz for the film MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

Wayne’s character as The Batman, they trained Pattinson and used more hammer fists, WITH nearly 30 years of stunt Deadpool, Bright, Braven, Lethal elbows, and knees, while also design experience, Filipino Weapon, and Ad Astra. He also drilling with sticks that would American Robert Alonzo is add- worked closely with Disney’s later enable him not only to iming this week’s box-office hit The Pixar film Incredibles 2, to forprove his reaction time in closer Batman into his extensive inter- mulate and capture the physics pockets of engagement but also of live-action filmmaking. national resume. to pick up anything and use it as In our recent conversation, the He has accumulated over 200 a weapon. credits in television, commer- 51-year-old martial artist talked He explained that he likes to cials, music videos, and film and about his Filipino background train this way and he doesn’t his broad work in front of and be- and how he incorporates Filipino show them any choreography hind the camera includes train- Martial Arts in his thought prountil two or three weeks before ing the likes of Dwayne Johnson, cess when he designs Hollywood they shoot primarily because he action-packed Tom Cruise, Mark Walberg, Jer- blockbusters’ doesn’t want them to get used to emy Renner, and Jake Gyllenhaal fight scenes. doing the same thing over and The Batman just to name a few. With The over and over the same way.

Alonzo’s journey to becoming Batman, we are adding Robert “You don’t want to say diaPattinson and Zoe Kravitz to this the Supervising Stunt Coordinalogue because then it’s anticipator and Second Unit Director for growing list. tory, and you’re not really feeling Alonzo is a multi-hyphenate The Batman began with a call the moment so I hone in on reactalent in Hollywood. He is a fight from Dylan Clark, who he had tive training,” he shared. choreographer, stunt performer, worked with previously on OblivThrough reactive training, stunt coordinator, occasional ac- ion starring Tom Cruise, where they’re able to learn how to fight tor, and 2nd unit director in films he also had the dual roles hanin a particular style, so that they’re such as Oblivion, Tomorrowland, dling stunts and as unit director. always looking at center mass or knowing how to stand and how to close or open their center line when they need to, and knowing how to change ranges.

“It’s not necessarily about learning the choreography but so that they understand their own spatial awareness. And also so when they’re doing an offensive or defensive position, or neutral position, they can understand what the options are in the positive and negative effects of each position so that they’re actually using their mind to see what opRobert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz lead the cast of The Batman. Both stars underwent weekstions there are,” Alonzo added. long training with Fil-Am Robert Alonzo, the film’s supervising stunt coordinator.

Alonzo sounded like a proud Photos courtesy of Warner Bros. mentor when he shared that he was Zoe’s taekwondo teacher when she was only seven years old.

“Yeah, it was such a great experience working with her on this. I mean, I’ve known her for so long and I always have an affinity… to have my students succeed in whatever shape or form and whatever age they are,” he said.

“She was really good and was so driven and focused, even at such a young age, when I noticed a lot of kids were so easily distracted.”

Alonzo’s Journey Alonzo was born in Manila and moved to the States with his family when he was 10 days old.

“The first five years of my life, I think we lived in San Francisco Alonzo told the Asian Journal that he prefers giving the actors reactive training rather than actual choreography to make the action sequences close to Daly City, where I beby

more real and organic.

Clark called him without telling him what the project was. Then they got on the phone with director Matt Reeves and he started talking about the project and what he would want to see from this project. Alonzo pitched in his ideas as well.

Looking back, he says that the meeting had “an instant like chemistry in regards to creative collaboration.” He told Reeves that he gravitates towards “designing action sequences that are so raw and gritty and real and based on the actual physics that we as humans can understand.”

And that’s exactly what he did when he trained the cast led by Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz.

“My process pretty much stays the same from movie to movie, project to project. But you know, what I do is delve deep into the study of the actual character, just like what Rob and Zoe have done,” Alonzo told the Asian Journal. “What I love to do is do grounded, raw, real emotional-based action.”

Reactive Training Alonzo said he did a lot of reactive training with the characters “so that they don’t get used to doing choreography.”

“I kind of focused more on reactive training - with Rob Pattinson I did some Filipino Martial Arts like Eskrima Kali, and Arnis, Penjak Silat drills, some Muay Thai, also some boxing and kickboxing and with Zoe, I focused a lot on Taekwondo and Hapkido,” he said.

This means that for Bruce

Robert Alonzo

lieve there’s a big Filipino community,” he recalled. “The family moved down to LA five years after that.”

His mom Julieta was from Tarlac while his Dad Dionisio was from Cagayan.

“Unfortunately though, my brother and I were never taught to speak in Tagalog or Ilocano.

One thing I wished I would have learned growing up,” he lamented.

He started training in martial when he was around eight or nine.

He got into Filipino Martial Arts when he was 16 years old, adding to his growing arsenal of skills.

He made it a point to be trained in different styles including Capoeira, Jujitsu, Judo, and Wing Chun because all he wanted to do when he was younger (before he got into showbusiness) was to have his own school as a martial arts instructor.

“I love it. I train all the time in various styles because I think the more styles you have as a martial artist, it’s like a painter. If you only have three colors, obviously you can have the colors you should have all the primaries. But if you have more colors on your palette, you can create much more definitive paintings and, you know, visual pieces,” he said.

Another thing he wishes he could have done more was visit his parents’ homeland, responding to our question on the last time he was in the Philippines.

“Oh, man when I was 14, it’s been a long time,” he exclaimed.

“So I’m hoping that I would be able to go back at some point.”

He shared a story where he had an opportunity to potentially work there, for The Bourne Legacy with Jeremy Renner.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

“He asked me, he’s like ‘Man, I would love for you to come work on this with me,’” Alonzo recalled. “My schedule didn’t allow me to accept the offer because I was already locked in to do a film called Jack Reacher with Tom Cruise.

Alonzo said that he and Renner have become good buddies after they trained together for Mission Impossible. He said he gave the same approach and Renner loved the training he got that they trained when they were traveling and whenever there was an opportunity.

“You know, I don’t deal with choreography. I like to teach or train actors how to fight in their particular style because I kind of draw from different styles according to who their character is, and that’s how their character is shaped physically,” he said.

The reactive training has paid off and using Renner as an example, he said other actors should continue this kind of training even after their films.

“I mean, now he’s so wellversed and can do a lot of his own action,” he said. “He constantly wanted to train and it shows because looking now, in any of his fight sequences, that’s him doing it.”

Nowadays, Alonzo lives where he works and says he’s all over the place.

“So I still live in LA but I also live and work in London. I’m currently in Italy right now. So I’m kind of wherever the work is.

That’s where I lay my head. But you know, I will always be an Angeleno. I’m a huge Laker fan, huge Dodgers, and huge Rams fan,” he said. “I will always have my roots there. But you know, I love traveling, and I love London as well, too.”

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Features

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 18-24, 2022

11

Proximity of Las Vegas, a boon to Pahrump real estate buyers WHETHER you are buying real estate in Pahrump as an investment or as a place to live in or have a vacation home, its proximity to Las Vegas is a distinct advantage.

Located about 62 miles west of Las Vegas, it is only about a 45- to 55- minute drive for those who want to take advantage of the living in an area that does not present the big headaches of big city living, which includes traffic, crime, and higher rents/ mortgages.

Besides, you can enjoy all the things that Las Vegas has to offer, which has become an

entertainment capital, aside, of course, from its traditional gambling reputation.

Let’s take a closer, quick look at Las Vegas.

According to Wikipedia, stablished in 1905, Las Vegas initially attracted farmers, mostly from the Utah area, and was a designated water stop for wagon trains – and later railroads – between Los Angeles and other areas. Las Vegas is the Spanish name for meadows or what can be termed as “fertile plains.” Clark County, which is the county where Las Vegas was incorporated in around 1911, was established in

1909.

The city has undergone its ups and downs, and has experienced several booms and transformations from its humble beginnings.

The first boom took place with the construction and completion of Hoover Dam in the 1930s, which was responsible for increasing its population five-fold. Along with Hoover Dam began the rise of the gambling industry, which initially mostly catered to the dam workers. Fremont Street, which is currently home to an oft-visited tourist attraction, was the site of licensed casinos such as Las Vegas Club and Hotel Apache then.

After World War II, another boom took place when banks began lending money to casino businesses, which led to the building of casinos like Sahara, the Sands, the Riviera and the Tropicana, with their glittering facades and promises of fun and excitement. With these casinos also came the entertainment – big-time performers like Frank Sinatra, Liberace, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Carol Channing and Bing Crosby started to sing/ perform at intimate settings for their fans.

It is said that Howard Hughes was responsible for starting the move of Las Vegas to a more cosmopolitan image from its initial Wild West roots. The aviation entrepreneur moved to the city in 1966 and quickly extended

From left: Edna Gonzales (extreme left) of Edna’s School in Dagupan City, Philippines, with Russ Bateman and Fely Quitevis-Bateman.

his empire, spending about $300 million to take over many of the well-known hotels/venues.

From 1989 to this day, Las Vegas has become the venue for the mega-resort. Not only armed with gambling and entertainment/ shows, these huge venues are the go-to places for people for dining, shopping, photo opportunities, weddings/birthdays, conventions, expos and fairs, and just about any event you can think of. Starting with the Mirage in 1989, megaresorts built in the Strip include: Rio and Excalibur (1990); MGM Grand, Treasure Island and Luxor (1993); Stratosphere and Monte Carlo (1996); New York-New York (1997); Bellagio (1998); Mr. & Mrs. Hung Yeh of Las Vegas invested on a commercial lot on Highway 160. They are in Mandalay Bay, Venetian and Paris photo above with Fely Quitevis-Bateman (extreme right).

(1999); Planet Hollywood (2000); Palms (2001); Wynn (2005); Palazzo (2007); Encore (2008); The Cosmopolitan (2010); and The Linq (2014). The latest to join the bunch are Circa Las Vegas (2020) and Resorts World (2021).

Currently, top performers like Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, BTS and The Weeknd have concerts scheduled in Las Vegas, while singers/groups like Katy Perry, Donny Osmond, Jabawockeez, Journey USA, The Australian Bee Gees and tribute shows to Prince, Whitney Houston and Elton John/Billy Joel have residencies in the area’s hotel-casinos and performance venues. Mariah Carey, Tina Turner and Celine Dion have been some of the major stars who have held residencies in the past.

Dining has become a great The Abrishamis (seated) from Beverly Hills bought several commercial Gene Easton and his family from LA (behind Realtor Quitevis-Bateman in above photo) bought a 5-acre parcel lot two years ago, and is parcels along Highway 160, which is ideal for assisted living facilities. experience in Las Vegas as well.

Each of the mega-resorts have With them is Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (center). looking to invest more.

Dr. Irene Taburnal (left), one of Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s closest friends, bought several parcels of land that she can flip now should she desire so.

The $1-B plus 17,500 seat Sphere Stadium at Venetian under construction will create hundreds of jobs when it opens in 2023.

their specialty restaurants, and well-known buffets. Celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay, Giada de Laurentiis, Wolfgang Puck, Gordon Ramsay, Jose Andres, Alain Ducasse, Todd English, Thomas Keller, Michael Mina, Nobu Matsuhisa, Joel Robuchon and Guy Savoy have restaurants in the city’s well-known resortcasinos where people can taste their take on different cuisines.

You can find Filipino fare in restaurants in Las Vegas, including at Resorts World.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 count, Las Vegas’ estimated population is at 641,903, with Clark County having a total population of more than 2.2 million.

If you are looking to buy real

estate, investing in property in Pahrump – and even Las Vegas, for that matter – are great options for those with the ability to do so. Nevada has no personal income tax, and the effective property tax for both places are still significantly lower than the national average. Year-to-year, home prices have risen about 5.3 percent in Las Vegas; in Pahrump, home prices are up about 23% in 2022, as compared to last year.

Precious Properties is a fullservice company serving its clientele since 1992 and can be reached at 775-513-8447, 805559-2476 and 702-538-4948. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

(Advertising Supplement)

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MARCH 18-24, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Features

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99 Ranch Market opens in Westfield PROMOTIONS ARE WAITING FOR YOU AT GRATON CASINO! Oakridge: A new shopping experience! Don’t miss the chance – concerts are back at Graton HAVE you ever been window shopping at Westfield Oakridge and suddenly realized that you still need to run to the grocery store to get stuff for dinner? Ugh. Now your free time has been cut short. Fortunately for you, 99 Ranch Market has everything covered.

“We’re so excited for new and returning customers to see this new location. By combining a great location with our trusted services and a brand-new interior look, 99 Ranch Market is ready to welcome you in,” says Teddy Chow, Vice President of 99 Ranch Market in Northern California.

The new San Jose-Westfield Oakridge Store is going to have its grand opening on March 26, and is located at 925 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA, 95123.

Teddy adds, “We’re so excited to introduce our huge variety of Asian foods, produce, and other goodies to this community. This new location offers our customers unparalleled convenience.”

In addition to offering customers top-quality and fresh foods at this new store location, 99 Ranch Market at Westfield Oakridge is also designed as a food destination with several quick-service food counters offering a great place for a delicious meal.

For those who don’t know much about 99 Ranch Market, here’s a quick introduction: The produce section boasts the freshest vegetables and seasonal fruits, both locally sourced and imported! After visiting the produce aisles, take a walk toward the seafood section. Here, you will find a great selection of seafood items that aren’t as commonly found in other grocery stores.

From clams to crabs, oysters to lobsters, you’re sure to find the perfect seafood item for your meals. Along with the seafood section, the store is still offering the same services as our other locations. So, for those that want to have their purchased seafood fried up or have a fish cut up, just let the staff know and they’ll get that done for you.

If you’re looking for something to eat or interested in taking some food home or to go, the store’s hot deli is the perfect place for you. The hot deli has a delicious selection of made-to-order BBQ, Taiwanese Burrito (Run Bing),

and red bean cake. And for those who love dim sum, check out all the traditional handmade dumplings, buns, and other food available like rice noodle rolls, baked pork puffs and steamed pork ribs.

So, for those looking for delicious high-quality food and seasonal fruits and vegetables, look no further than 99 Ranch Market! The staff of this Asian American grocery leader pride themselves in being able to provide their customers with great service and an amazing selection of products.

Oh, and if you’re someone with a busy schedule, take advantage of 99 Ranch Market’s mobile app!

This convenient and easy-to-use app offers services like free sameday delivery for orders over $49, in-store pick up, no service fees, and exclusive in-app deals. Get the same wonderful shopping experience and selection of groceries and products all from your phone.

The new San Jose store will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays through Mondays and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays. For more information about the new San Jose-Westfield Oakridge Store, please follow our announcement on social media, local media, or visit our website at www.99ranch.com.

99 Ranch Market’s success in the supermarket industry has made them more than just a typical grocery chain store as they have become closely associated with Asian American communities.

99 Ranch Market strives to give back and enrich lives with various community involvement

programs. 99 Ranch Market is proud to become the “Gateway to Asia” and provide opportunities for mainstream American families and global customers to experience the authentic flavors of Asian cuisines.

Located in the Blossom Valley neighborhood in San Jose, California, Westfield Oakridge is a premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination, anchored by three major department stores and a lineup of approximately 200 global and local brands. The property is home to favorites like Apple, Living Spaces, Sephora, Forever 21, Hollister Co., Lush Cosmetics, H&M, Swarovski, and more. Century 20 Oakridge and XD is among the 20 most productive cinema locations in the nation, and Bowlero offers unique retro-inspired bowling, dining, and nightlife experiences. The center’s leading dining destinations, including its top-performing dining terrace, feature a wide variety of nationally and internationally recognized restaurants such as BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, The Cheesecake Factory, Jinya Ramen Bar, NooBowl, Ruby Thai, Slater’s 50/50 coming in 2022, and more. Soon, Oakridge will be welcoming 99 Ranch, the highly acclaimed premiere grocery shopping destination for Asian products and the brand’s first concept store in California, into its renowned roster of tenants.

Oakridge was established in 1971 and has been redeveloped several times across its history. For more information, please visit: https:// www.westfield.com/oakridge.

ROHNERT PARK – Let’s gather with relatives and friends at Graton Resort & Casino to spend great moments together!

The last Friday of March, April and May, there is Lexus and Cash Giveaway promotion, where a Lexus will be guaranteed given away as well as cash prizes.

Bring back with you unexpected good fortune by driving a luxury car home! And, starting today until May 26, every Thursday, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Good Fortune Slot Tournaments will be held, with the top prize up to $15,000 cash, and total prizes up to $500,000. All reward members get one free entry into each tournament and get a chance to win double or triple the prize amount! For more information related to these promotions, please visit GratonResortCasino. com or call 707-588-7100.

In addition to the exciting entertainment gaming, Graton Resort & Casino, located at 288 Golf Coiurse Drive West in Rohnert Park, will also host three concerts, namely “Vietnamese Night Summer Concert” on June 3, “Filipino Hitmakers Concert” on June 25 and “William So Concert” on September 2. All concerts take place at The Ballroom.

Lots of famous Vietnamese singers and artists will perform on June 3, such as MC Ky Duyen, Ha Thanh Xuan, Dan Nguyen, Minh Tuyet, Nguyen Hong Nhung, Trinh Lam, Lam Anh, Van Son, Bao Liem, Ky Phuong Uyen, Nguyen Hung, who all will bring you a variety of different styles of performance.

This concert definitely is a most anticipated one!

The Filipino Hitmakers

Concert will be held on June 25.

Famous artists Marco Sison, Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera and Nonoy Zuñiga will be performing, along with special guest Pops Fernandez. Please don’t miss this chance!

“Prince of Love Songs” William So will perform on the night of September 2. He will use his meticulous and tender voice to sing his masterpieces such as “Men Shouldn't Let Women Cry,” “Na Shui,” “Ai Yi Ge Ren Hao Nan,” and “More Kisses, More Sorrows.” His charming voice will take you back to the past. We hope that the fans who grew up with his music can get together for a fun and unforgettable night.

Tickets for all three shows are on sale now. Buy tickets online at GratonResortCasino.com as soon as possible. This is a rare opportunity, don't miss out!

• Vietnamese Night Summer Concert Date & Time: Friday, June 3; 8:30 p.m.

Venue: The Ballroom at Graton

Resort & Casino Ticket prices: $48, $68, $88 • Filipino Hitmakers Concert Date & Time: Saturday, June 25; 7 p.m.

Venue: The Ballroom at Graton Resort & Casino Ticket prices: $58, $68 • William So Concert Date & Time: Friday, September 2; 9 p.m.

Venue: The Ballroom at Graton Resort & Casino Ticket prices: $68, $88, $108 Located in Sonoma County, Graton Resort & Casino has a commanding presence among the rolling hills of Northern California's wine country.

Owned and operated by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Graton Resort & Casino features table games, the latest slot machines, upscale and casual dining, plus entertainment options for visitors and locals alike. For more information, please visit www.gratonresortcasino.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

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celebrityworld

By Ferdie Villar PINOY-POP (P-pop) group Calista launched their first music video on March 8 for their song “Race Car,” written by music producer Marcus Davis.

The group, whose idols include Korean-pop (K-pop) groups

BTS, Black Pink and Twice, have dreams of hitting it big internationally. To jumpstart this dream, Calista’s team, according to an article in the Philippine Star, decided on an English debut song and a music video showing the

“Asian Drama King” Jericho Rosales will headline the upcoming international drama series “Sellblock.”

Photo from Instagram/@jerichorosalesofficial

Consulate invites community to PTIC dialogue series on health, wellness THE Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco wishes to invite members of Filipino communities across the U.S. Pacific Northwest to join the business dialogue of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Silicon Valley, entitled “HIMSS 2022 Key Takeaways – Conversations with the Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines,” happening via Zoom and in person on March 21, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time). This event is part of the PTIC’s “Make It Happen In The Philippines” dialogue series.

Healthcare Information Management Services (HIMS) companies are representing the Philippines at the ongoing Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Conference 2022 (HIMSS 2022)

in Orlando, Florida. The HIMSS is a global health conference and exhibition, where professionals throughout the global health ecosystem connect for education, innovation and collaboration for health and wellness.

With insights drawn from the conference, Philippine companies supporting global healthcare institutions will share during the business dialogue how the Philippines can help U.S. healthcare and life sciences companies scale and grow.

Interested members of the Filipino Community may join and register via Zoom through the following link: https://bit. ly/MIHHIMS22. They may also send an email to siliconvalley@ dti.gov.ph for details on how to join the in-person event in San Francisco.

(PCGSF Release)

City of San Pablo seeks local youth for city’s internship...

PAGE 9 to careers in local government, increase their awareness of programs and services available to San Pablo residents, and for students to gain skills through interactive workshops with city professionals.

To apply, go to https://www. governmentjobs.com/careers/ sanpabloca.

San Pablo is located in West Contra Costa County off Interstate 80, minutes away from the Bay Area cultural centers of Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco. Interstate 80 is the principal arterial route between the Bay Area and Sacramento.

The City of San Pablo is nestled between the cities of Pinole and Richmond and the neighboring cities of El Cerrito

and Hercules. Historically one of the oldest Spanish settlements in the region, San Pablo has become a thriving residential and business community with a population of about 30,000 in an area of approximately three square miles. San Pablo's diverse community, affordability, and access to the entire Bay Area region are advantages that are found in this “City of New Directions.” In 2014, the National Civic League named the City of San Pablo an AllAmerica City for its outstanding civic accomplishments in improving community health, strengthening neighborhood safety and bolstering its local economy. For more information, visit www.sanpabloca.gov.

(City of San Pablo Release)

Features

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 18-24, 2022

13

Calista wants to make mark in international music scene group’s members sitting behind the wheel of a sports car and aboard a helicopter. The agency and management team behind Calista reportedly spent P8.7 million on the music video as they wanted to reflect the group’s personality as dynamic, edgy and innovative.

Calista is made up of Anne Tenorio, Laiza Comia, Elle Pascual, Denise Pello, Daine Leones and Olive Bihag. They are the final members of Calista after a nationwide search which saw over 100 girls audition for a chance to become a part of the group.

Each of the ladies brings her own set of skills to the group – Anne, the group’s leader, is an actress, singer and dancer who has released two hit singles on her own; Denise, the one with the dancing prowess, placed in the top 10 at the open division in the Revolution International Dance Championship in Melbourne, Australia in 2019; Daine, who’s competed (and won) in numerous beauty pageant competition, brings visual, charms and stage performance; Laiza, an actress who has appeared on TV and films, brings both vocals and her own moves; Elle, another group member who has an acting background, who has been nominated at local film festivals; and Olive, a 2019 Miss Teen Cebu who underwent professional training in acting, singing and dancing prior to being discovered.

While hitting it big internationally may be the immediate goal for this group, bringing decidedly Filipino values

P-pop group Calista wants to make waves internationally with the release of their debut single and accompanying video, “Race Car.” Philstar.com file photo

and becoming instruments to the rise of P-pop in the global stage is their long-term aspiration.

That is why they want to compose a Filipino song that will be included in their next project.

The group’s members also bring about Filipino characteristics in talking about their signature song (“Race Car”), which they say speaks of the famous Filipino resiliency.

“It’s about fighting troubles and being brave every day, no matter how hard the challenges are,” they said in a recent media event where the group had a live performance.

The official music video for Calista’s “Race Car” has had nearly 55,000 views since it debuted on March 8.

Calista is set to perform at a tribute concert for health care

front-liners in April that will also feature performers such as Darren Espanto, Ken San Jose, Andrea Brillantes, AC Bonifacio, Elmo Magalona and Yeng Constantino. *** Jericho Rosales is set to headline “Sellblock,” an international drama series to be co-produced by ABS-CBN International Production and Co-Production and Philippines’ BlackOps Studios Asia, the United States’ Story Arch Pictures, and Hong Kong’s Agog Film, according to an article in PEP.ph.

The story quoted ABS-CBN International Production and CoProduction head Ruel Bayani, who told international news website Variety recently that “ABS-CBN is excited to announce that Sellblock will be headlined by our very own Jericho Rosales.

In his nearly three-decade-long career, Jericho has earned the title of ‘Asian Drama King’ and is one of our network’s finest homegrown talents and country’s top leading men. We are thrilled for this opportunity to showcase Filipino talent on the global stage.”

In an earlier interview, Bayani said that the project had been planned some time before.

“It’s something we’ve been developing pre-pandemic pa, 2019. We were already supposed to produce it, and then everything happened – the pandemic and the shutdown, so na-delay,” he said.

Aside from Rosales, the prison drama series will also star Tirso Cruz III, Cherry Pie Picache, Ronnie Lazaro, Rosanna Roces, Mon Confiado and RK Bagatsing.

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MARCH 18-24, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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