031921 - New York & New Jersey Edition by Asian Journal Community Newspapers

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MARCH 19-25, 2021 Volume 14 - No. 20 • 16 Pages

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

Nearly 3,800 anti-Asian hate incidents reported across US since start of pandemic by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

503 incidents in first 2 months of 2021 alone; 7.9% of total reports came from Fil-Ams, Stop AAPI Hate finds

NEARLY 3,800 hate incidents have been self-reported by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) — including approximately 8% of reports coming from Filipinos — across the country since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new

data from Stop AAPI Hate. Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition that tracks anti-Asian American discrimination, reported on Tuesday, March 16 that from March 19, 2020 to February 28, 2021, it has received 3,795 firsthand incidents of racism

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‘It’s un-American’: Biden denounces violent attacks against Asian Americans in first primetime address

USA

DATELINE Fil-Am Uber driver verbally harassed at LAX FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

A FILIPINO American Uber driver was subjected to racist comments by a passenger at the Los Angeles International Airport (LA X) earlier this week, according to a viral video. The incident comes in the midst of an uptick in racism and violent attacks against Asian American communities

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and discrimination from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Of that number, 503 incidents took place in the first two months of 2021 alone. The reporting center previously announced

LOCKDOWN. Police officers guard the entry and exit points of Barangay 675 Zone 74 in Paco, Manila, which is among the six villages in the city placed under granular lockdown starting Wednesday, March 17. The lockdown will be in effect until Saturday, March 20. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

IN his first primetime address marking the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the “vicious” and “un-American” attacks on Asian Americans. Speaking to the nation from the White House on Thursday, March 11, Biden acknowledged the divisiveness deepened during the pandemic, from refusals to wear masks to hate incidents and crimes against the Asian

PH to suspend entry of foreigners, AAPI Democrats endorse Fil-Am Pope Francis celebrates 500 years non-OFW returnees Nani Coloretti to lead Office of of Christianity in the Philippines starting March 20 Management and Budget by RITCHEL

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

FOREIGN nationals and Filipinos who are not overseas workers will be temporarily barred from entering the Philippines in an attempt to curb the rising cases of COVID-19 and its variants in the country. The National Task Force Against COVID19 (NTF COVID-19) on Tuesday, March 16, released a memorandum announcing that

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ASIAN American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Democratic leaders are urging President Joe Biden to nominate Filipina American Nani Coloretti to lead the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) amid concerns over the lack of AAPI representation in his Cabinet. This comes after contro- Nani Coloretti, a former Obama admin

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official

File photo

MENDIOLA AJPress

POPE Francis on Sunday, March 14 led a Holy Mass commemorating the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. Held at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Mass was attended by several members of the Filipino Church including Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, and Car-

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dinal Angelo De Donatis, the pope’s vicar for Rome. “Dear brothers and sisters, 500 years have passed since the Christian message first arrived in the Philippines. You received the joy of the gospel, the good news that God so loved us that He gave His Son for us. And this joy is evident in your people. We see it in your eyes, in your songs and in your prayers,” Pope Francis said in his Homily.

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MARCH 19-25, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

‘She left behind this legacy’: Nurse of nearly 3 decades dies of COVID-19 in West Covina by Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

SINCE she was a child, Amelia Agbigay Baclig dreamt of becoming a nurse. Baclig, 63, fulfilled that dream and worked for almost three decades at West Covina’s Queen of the Valley Hospital, where she was fondly known as “Mama Amy.” “It was pretty much the profession that was made for her,” her daughter Aubrey Joy Baclig told the Asian Journal. “If we were to think about some other profession that my mom would be really good at, honestly, the answer is nursing.” On Jan. 22, Baclig died nearly six weeks after being infected with COVID-19. She became the first nurse at Queen of the Valley taken by the virus. Baclig, who was born in Batac, Ilocos Norte in the Philippines, earned her nursing degree in her home country and migrated to Hawaii in 1984 to join and marry her high school sweetheart, Nestor. The couple moved to Hacienda Heights, California and raised their family of one son, James, and two daughters, Aubrey and Joanne Mae. She took her NCLEX exam to be recognized as a registered nurse in the U.S.

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Amelia Agbigay Baclig worked for nearly 30 years at Queen of the Valley hospital in West Covina. Photo courtesy of Aubrey Joy Baclig

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North Hollywood Fil-Am restaurant Tatang burglarized, cash stolen SINCE the start of the pandemic, independentlyowned restaurants have been fighting to keep their doors open. Tatang, a Filipino American restaurant along Oxnard Street in North Hollywood, California, had to deal with another setback on Thursday, March 11, when it was broken into and robbed of the cash in the register. Tatang owner and chef JR Martin was in line to get his COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday morning when he received a call from a neighbor that the restaurant’s front door was shattered. Surveillance video uploaded to the restaurant’s Instagram page shows the suspect entering and taking the cash register in the early morning of Thursday. As the suspect unplugged the register, several signs and glass containers can be seen falling to the floor. The suspect did not take any of the restaurant’s electronics, Martin told the Asian Journal. This is the first time the restaurant has been broken into in its three years of operation. “The register itself, in terms of what the retail cost is for registers, was probably the same amount of cash that was actually sitting there so it wasn’t a crazy amount of cash,” Martin told the Asian Journal. “Thank goodness I have some background in the food and beverage industry so I built protocols and safety measures to make sure that if by chance we

The front door of Tatang, a Filipino American restaurant in North Hollywood, was broken into on the morning of Thursday, March 11. The suspect walked away with cash in the register. Photo courtesy of JR Martin

do get it, it’s not something that’s as detrimental.” Martin filed a police report and an investigation is underway. The front door has been boarded up as they await a replacement. Despite the incident, Tatang was slated to reopen for takeout and outdoor dining service on Thursday night. “Many Filipino American establishments do need support and patronage. A lot of businesses are struggling, us included, and whatever we can do to help keep our community, culture and food

represented is definitely worth maintaining,” Martin said. In addition to its regular menu, Tatang has Dine LA lunch and dinner menus featuring family-style packages until Sunday, March 14. The Fil-Am chef is currently in the running for the online world’s Favorite Chef competition. The winner will get a $50,000 cash prize. “That prize money is important to help make sure that we’re going to be okay and that we can do whatever we can to sustain our mission,” he said. (AJPress) n

AAPI Democrats endorse Fil-Am... PAGE 1 versial pick Neera Tanden, who is Indian American, withdrew her nomination as budget chief on March 2, saying “it now seems clear that there is no path forward to gain confirmation.” AAPI leaders have addressed a letter to Biden — first reported by POLITICO’s Anita Kumar on March 12 — endorsing Coloretti, who was deputy secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Obama administration. She was the highest ranking Fil-Am at the time.

“Our country is facing unprecedented challenges — worldwide pandemic, economic crisis, racial injustice, xenophobia and increase in anti-AAPI violence across the nation. To meet this moment in our nation’s history, we urge you to nominate Ms. Coloretti as the director of OMB,” the letter said. The Yappie reported that the effort, led by Democratic National Committee AAPI Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong, has the support of leaders, such as Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois), Sen. Mazie Hirono

(D-Hawaii), and Rep. Grace Meng (D-New York). They commended Vice President Kamala Harris as the first AAPI and Black woman to hold the second-highest office, but “are troubled by the lack of AAPI representation in your Cabinet.” Aside from Tanden, Biden has nominated Katherine Tai as U.S. Trade Representative. However, there are concerns over the new administration being the first in 20 years to not have an AAPI in the Cabinet at the

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 19-25, 2021

MARCH 19-25, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

From the Front Page

Nearly 3,800 anti-Asian hate incidents reported... PAGE 1 that it received 2,808 incidents from March to December 2020, but that number has increased to 3,292 based on accounts submitted at a later date. Chinese are the largest ethnic group (42.2%) that say they’ve experienced hate, followed by Koreans (14.8%), Vietnamese (8.5%) and Filipinos (7.9%), Stop AAPI Hate found. Women are 2.3 times more likely to report the incidents versus men. Youths (those up to 17 years old) accounted for 12.6% of incidents, while 6.2% were experienced by individuals 60 years and older. Verbal harassment (68.1%) and shunning (20.5%), which entails the “deliberate avoidance of Asian Americans,” are the top two types of discrimination reported. Stop AAPI Hate shared some examples of incidents, including one from Milpitas, California, in which the individual was shopping at a store when an older man started making faces. The report continued, “I asked him what was wrong and he said, “What’s wrong? You are out here shopping!” I was confused, and he followed up with, “We delisted your companies, shipped back your international students...when do you ship out? When do you ship out? We are going to take away your citizenship!” Meanwhile, physical assault (11.1%) comprises the thirdlargest category of total incidents. Civil rights violations — which include workplace discrimination, refusal of service, and being barred from transportation — comprise 8.5% of total incidents and online harassment makes up 6.8%. Businesses were the “primary site” of discrimination (35.4%), followed by public streets (25.3%) and public parks (9.8%). Online harassment accounted for 10.8% of total incidents. The reporting center said that the 3,795 incidents “likely represent only a fraction” of experiences by the AAPI community. A Pew Research Center study from July 2020 said that four in 10 Asian (39%) adults said: “someone has acted uncomfortable around them because of their race or ethnicity since the coronavirus outbreak.” In recent weeks, high-profile cases have included violent attacks and assaults against Asian Americans, as previously reported in the Asian Journal. The reports include 84-year-old Thai immigrant Vicha Ratanapakdee being pushed to death in San Francisco; Noel Quintana, a Filipino man who was slashed in the face on the New York subway while on his way to work and received nearly 100 stitches; and 74-year-old Juanito Falcon, a Filipino grandfather who was punched in the face in Phoenix, Arizona, and later died of his injuries. In White Plains, NY, an 83-year-old Korean American woman was spat on and punched, causing her to hit her head on the

ground and blackout, without provocation on Tuesday, March 9. Police arrested the 40-year-old suspect two days later. A Filipina American medical worker was assaulted at a Caltrain station in San Jose as she was on her way to work on Wednesday, March 10. The suspect — identified as Johan Strydom, who was later arrested and charged — reportedly grabbed her from behind and pulled her hair back, as he hurled expletives about her Asian ethnicity, according to KTVU. “The Asian American community needs more than solidarity; we need solutions,” said Manjusha Kulkarni, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and executive director of Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council. “We ask policymakers at the local, state and national level to partner with us on implementing community-based solutions that will help ensure Asian Americans have equal rights and access to opportunities.” Stop AAPI Hate was started by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, Chinese for Affirmative Action and San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies department in March 2020, following a troubling rise in hate at the beginning of the pandemic. In his first primetime address marking the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday, March 11, President Joe Biden condemned the attacks on Asian Americans “who have been attacked, harassed, blamed and scapegoated.” “At this very moment, so many of them, our fellow Americans, they’re on the front lines of this pandemic trying to save lives, and still, still they’re forced to live in fear for their lives just walking down streets in America. It’s wrong. It’s unAmerican. And it must stop,” Biden said. The president signed an executive order on Jan. 26, which included directives to remove language in federal actions or documents that would contribute to xenophobia and racism against the Asian American and Pacific Islander population and for the Department of Justice to expand its collection of data and public reporting regarding hate incidents against community members. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus have been pushing for a meeting with the DOJ and the administration to carry out the order. Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) in the House of Representatives and Sen. Mazie Hirono in the Senate, plan to introduce new legislation addressing the hate incidents against Asian Americans, according to USA Today. Members of the AAPI community who have experienced hate during the pandemic are encouraged to report the incident at https://stopaapihate.org/reportincident. In addition to English, individuals can report in one of 11 languages, including Tagalog. n

PH to suspend entry of foreigners, non-OFW returnees... PAGE 1 the travel ban would start on Saturday, March 20, and end on April 19. Exempted from the travel restrictions are the following: • holders of 9(e) visas • medical repatriation and their escort/s duly endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) • distressed returning overseas Filipinos duly endorsed by the DFA and the OWWA • emergency, humanitarian and other analogous cases approved by the NTF COVID-19 Earlier, the Civil Aeronau-

tics Board (CAB) also implemented a cap on inbound arrivals at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Incoming international flights would be allowed to carry only 1,500 passengers per day from March 18 to April 18. “By and large wala naman po pagkakaiba, 2 araw lang po ‘yan pero ang motive po ng pareho circular na ito ay ‘young paghihigpit ng pagpasok ng ating bansa para mapababa ang bilang ng may sakit na COVID-19 at mga bagong variant na nakukuha natin (By and large, there’s no difference, it’s just 2 days. The motive of both circulars is to tighten the entry to our country to lower the num-

ber of COVID-19 cases and those with new variants),” NTF spokesperson Ret. Gen. Restituto Padilla told ABSCBN’s Teleradyo. For its part, flag carrier Philippine Airlines announced that it would be cancelling several flights to and from Manila following CAB’s directive. “To comply with the restriction, airlines will need to cancel a number of international flights to and from Manila during the stated March 18 to April 19 period. Philippine Airlines will operate our full international schedule for March 18 but we will be announcing in due course any flight cancellations on other days for the

rest of the period,” the airline said in a post on Facebook. “Airlines will likewise comply with any directives from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) and concerned authorities on the type of travelers that will be allowed entry into the Philippines within the same March 18 (8 AM) to April 19 (8 AM) period. Please note that certain passenger types will thus need to postpone their Manila-bound travels until after the stated period,” it added. To date, there are a total of 635,698 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 12,866 fatalities and 561,099 recoveries. n

HANDICRAFT. Customers select different kinds of kapis products being sold at a stall in Dapitan Arcade in Quezon City on Tuesday, March 16. The government has allowed selected businesses to operate in a limited capacity as long as they follow health protocols amid the coronavirus disease pandemic. PNA photo by Rico H. Borja

‘It’s un-American’: Biden... PAGE 1 American community, which have soared since last spring according to various reports. “Too often, we have turned against one another. A mask, the easiest thing to do to save lives, sometimes, it divides us, states pitted against one another, instead of working with each other, vicious hate crimes against Asian Americans, who have been attacked, harassed, blamed and scapegoated,” the president said. The chief executive’s remarks come as the community has recorded nearly 3,000 accounts of xenophobia, racism and harassment from March to December 2020, according the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center. “At this very moment, so many of them, our fellow Americans, they’re on the front lines of this pandemic trying to save lives, and still, still they’re forced to live in fear for their lives just walking down streets in America. It’s wrong. It’s un-American. And it must stop,” Biden urged. Since the beginning of 2021, more incidents have been reported, particularly against elderly individuals. The attacks include 84-yearold Thai immigrant Vicha Ratanapakdee being pushed to death in San Francisco; Noel Quintana, a Filipino man who was slashed in the face on the New York subway while on his way to work; and 74-year-old Juanito Falcon, a Filipino grandfather who was punched in the face in Phoenix, Arizona, and later died of his injuries. The president did not offer concrete details on combating the attacks, but Asian

American elected leaders and community members were quick to point out his words in contrast to the previous administration, which they argue fueled the hate and xenophobia in associating the coronavirus. “THIS is how a President can & should denounce hate & inspire unity & inclusion!” California Assemblymember Rob Bonta wrote on Twitter. Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii tweeted, “It matters when our president condemns hatred and violence against Asian Americans. Thank you President Biden for your strong words and moral leadership.” Biden signed an executive order on Jan. 26, which included directives to remove language in federal actions or documents that would contribute to xenophobia and racism against the Asian American and Pacific Islander population and for the Department of Justice to expand its collection of data and public reporting regarding hate incidents against community members. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus have been pushing for a meeting with the DOJ and the administration to carry out the order. Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Grace Meng (DNY) in the House of Represenatives and Hirono in the Senate, plan to introduce new legislation addressing the hate incidents against Asian Americans, according to USA Today. “We want to continue to not only raise awareness, but also to try to help find real long-term solutions,” Meng told the outlet. n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 19-25, 2021

OPINION

FEATURES

End to impunity?

Philstar.com photo

MALACAÑANG has declared an end to impunity in assaults on media workers in the country. The statement was issued by the Presidential Task Force on Media Security following the release of a global report on journalists’ safety by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Where the task force statement is based remains as murky as the Palace assessment that the government’s pandemic response has been “excellent” a year into the public health crisis. UNESCO estimates that on average, a journalist is killed every five days around the world. UNESCO also reports that nine out of 10 journalist killings are unsolved. In the Philippines, the conviction of the principal defendants in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, mostly members of the Ampatuan clan and their henchmen, brought the country out of the worst five in the 2020 Global Impunity Index drawn up by the Committee to Protect Journalists. The Philippines was also removed from the list of most dangerous countries for journalists in 2018. In highlighting the importance of the issue, UNESCO declares: “Impunity for crimes against the media fuels and perpetu-

ates the cycle of violence and the resulting self-censorship deprives society of information and further affects press freedom. It directly impacts the United Nations’ human rights-based efforts to promote peace, security and sustainable development.” Among the critical players in ending impunity is the judiciary. This, unfortunately, is one of the weakest links in the campaign against impunity, whether the targets of assassination are journalists, drug personalities, left-leaning activists and even lawyers. Even in the Maguindanao massacre case, it took a decade before the masterminds were finally convicted. Apart from armed violence, journalists in the Philippines face other forms of threats. Last year the country slid by two notches to 136th place in the World Press Freedom Index. The slide was fueled by the shutdown of ABS-CBN, legal moves against news web-

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS YES! President Joe Biden has announced that by May 1, ALL adults in the United States will already be eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This is made possible by the government’s expedited procurement of

site Rappler, the deployment of troll armies against certain journalists, and cyber attacks against alternative news sites. Last December, Manila Today editor Lady Ann Salem was arrested on International Human Rights Day, detained on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and held for several more weeks even after a lo-

cal court had ordered her release. UNESCO is working with judiciaries in several countries for capacity building particularly in prosecuting crimes directed at media workers and threatening freedom of expression. In the Philippines, ending impunity is clearly a work in progress. (Philstar.com)

It’s COVID-19 vaccine season. What are the options?

vaccines to help save lives and protect us as we safely move toward “normalcy” and build our life and our nation back better and stronger. After Biden’s announcement, even more Americans feel empowered and hopeful that YES, WE CAN and YES, WE WILL defeat this virus as more people begin to understand how important it is to get vacci-

nated. In fact, individuals have been reaching out to their health care providers to know when we can be scheduled for our lifesaving shots. I am one of them. My husband is a doctor working on the front lines and so he is done with his two doses of shots of the Pfi zer vaccine. Our psychologist daughter, who is a clinician therapist in di-

rect patient care, has also completed her two doses of Moderna, another vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration with a 95% effi cacy rate. People who have already been vaccinated post their pictures on social media like a badge of honor because indeed, it is a humanitarian and patriotic act to get our shots, along with wearing masks, ob-

serving physical distance, avoiding crowds, washing hands often and practicing hygiene even after vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines are important weapons in our war against the pandemic. They “teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. It typically takes a few weeks after vaccination for the body

to build protection (immunity) against the virus. That means it is possible a person could still get COVID-19 just after vaccination, because the vaccine has not had enough time to build immunity, covid19.ca.gov explains. I am sharing more information here. Many people ask me if this is safe, including my PAGE 10

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal. ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

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MARCH 19-25, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Vatican says Catholic Church can’t bless same-sex unions by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

THE Catholic Church does not have the power to bless same-sex unions despite their “positive elements,” the Vatican said Monday, March 15. The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith (CDF) issued a formal response to a question about whether the Church has the authority to bless gay unions, answering “negative.” Signed by Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the doctrinal office, the explanatory note said that blessings are not allowed because what is to be blessed needs to be “objectively and positively ordered to receive and express grace, according to the designs of God inscribed in creation, and

fully revealed by Christ the Lord.” “For this reason, it is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships, or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage, as is the case of the unions between persons of the same sex,” the CDF said. “Furthermore, since blessings on persons are in relationship with the sacraments, the blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered licit. This is because they would constitute a certain imitation or analogue of the nuptial blessing invoked on the man and woman united in the sacrament of Matrimony, while in fact ‘there are absolutely no grounds for considering homosexual unions to be in any way similar or even remotely analogous to God’s

plan for marriage and family,’” it added. Pope Francis, lauded for taking an unprecedented welcoming tone towards the LGBT community, approved the note. However, the CDF maintained that the statement was “not intended to be a form of unjust discrimination,” but rather a “reminder of the truth of the liturgical rite and of the very nature of the sacramentals, as the Church understands them.” In a separate explanatory note, the CDF said that the decision on same-sex unions “in no way detracts from the human and Christian consideration in which the Church holds each person.” It added that the Church could bestow blessings “to individual persons with hoPAGE 8

Metro Manila under curfew until March 31

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

ON top of its general community quarantine status, Metro Manila has implemented a curfew until the end of March in an effort to curb the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the capital region. The curfew, which took effect on Monday, March 15, will be observed daily from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. It will last for two weeks until March 31. “The mission is plain and simple: All police forces will strictly implement the Uniform Curfew Hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and will ensure that people in Metro Manila observe the minimum health safety standard protocol,” Philippine National Police (PNP)

LOCKDOWN ENFORCERS. A Quezon City Police District officer and a barangay personnel prepares to enforce health and safety protocols in a special concern lockdown area (SCLA) along C. Benitez Street in Barangay San Martin de Porres, Quezon City on Monday, March 15. At least 23 areas in Quezon City are under SCLA due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

officer in charge Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said on Sunday, March 14. Under the new restric-

tion, the majority of the general public will not be allowed outdoors with PAGE 8

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 19-25, 2021

Fil-Am Uber driver verbally...

CELEBRATION. Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle thanks Pope Francis and the Catholic Church for sharing the Christian faith with Filipinos during the Sunday Mass celebrated by the Pontiff marking 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines at St. Peter’s Basilica on March 14. Photo courtesy of CBCP

Pope Francis celebrates 500 years of... PAGE 1 He also noted that Filipino women in Rome are “smugglers” of faith, saying that they “sow the faith” wherever they go. “It is part of your genes, a blessed ‘infectiousness’ that I urge you to preserve. Keep bringing the faith, the good news you received five hundred years ago, to others,” the Pope said. “I want to thank you, then, for the joy you bring to the whole world and to our Christian communities,” he added. Pope Francis also urged Filipinos to continue spreading the word of God. “On this very important anniversary for God’s holy people in the Philippines, I also want to urge you to persevere in the work of evangelization – not proselytism, which is something else.

The Christian proclamation that you have received needs constantly to be brought to others,” he said. According to the Pope, one should “never be afraid to proclaim the Gospel.” “With your joy, you will help people to say of the Church too: ‘she so loved the world!’ How beautiful and attractive is a Church that loves the world without judging, a Church that gives herself to the world. May it be so, dear brothers and sisters, in the Philippines and in every part of the earth,” he added. Tagle, for his part, thanked Pope Francis for the Mass. “I want to express our gratitude to you for leading us in this Eucharistic celebration and thanksgiving for the arrival of the faith in the Philippines 500 years ago. We bring you here the filial love of the Filipinos in the

7,641 islands of our country,” he said in his message to the Pope. On March 16, 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew landed in Cebu, bringing Christianity to the Philippines. The first Mass in the country is believed to have been celebrated on March 31 on the island of Limasawa. The island of Mactan, Cebu did not welcome Christianity, according to various historical accounts, leading to a battle between Rajah Humabon under the command of Magellan and LapuLapu and his warriors, who rejected Spanish colonization. Magellan was killed in the battle. A yearlong commemoration of Christianity’s 500th anniversary in the country will be launched on Easter Sunday, April 4. n

EARLY CARE. A medical worker attends to an infant due for immunization at a public health center in Barangay Kaligayahan, Novaliches, Quezon City on Tuesday, March 16. The Department of Health is aggressively promoting its Measles, Rubella and Oral Poliomyelitis Vaccine Supplemental Immunization Activity nationwide. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

PAGE 1 in the United States. The driver’s sister, Chelle Anne Alcala, shared the video of the incident on Facebook, which happened around 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, at the LA X-it pick-up location. “Stop Asian Hate!! This hit close to home, as it happened to my brother,” she wrote on Wednesday, March 10. “He is an Uber Driver, waited for his passengers for over 30 minutes at LA X and the father wanted to sit in the front seat. My brother told him that due to COVID, he couldn’t sit in the front seat.” As part of Uber’s safety measures to curb COVID19, passengers must agree to sit in the back seat and open windows for ventilation. The ride-hailing service also reduced the maximum suggested number of passengers for an UberX ride from four to three. “The guy got out, slammed the door and yelled at my brother,” continued Alcala. “My brother informed him that he will just can-

cel the trip, so the guy wouldn’t get charged. He started yelling more and said, ‘You Asian sh*t. You probably don’t have papers to be here!’” she added. Alcala also pointed out that an Asian lady came to her brother’s defense. “Luckily an Asian lady defended my brother,” she noted. The witness was identified as Korean American Stella Hwang. According to NextShark, Hwang was only observing the situation after hearing the passenger, who was with two boys, slam the driver’s door. She decided to defend the driver when the man started to say xenophobic remarks. “The Uber driver was timid, helpless, and in shock. There was a little bit of a language barrier so I had to say something,” she told NextShark. Hwang said the police appeared later, but did not write a report about the incident. “Didn’t bother asking me about my side of the story, didn’t ask if I wanted to file a report, he just said not to engage so that

it doesn’t escalate. They came after the fact it already escalated and nothing was done,” she noted. Airport Police Sgt. Tarek Azmy explained that if there was no crime, there’s “usually no report.” “As long as there’s no physical contact, which would be a crime, then there’s not much more we can do than try and help them resolve the issue,” he told NextShark. In response, Uber identified the harassed driver as Mr. David, and condemned the action of the passenger. “Uber does not tolerate racism or hate in any form, against any community,” a spokesperson said in a statement to NextShark. “When one community is being attacked, we are all being attacked. We are shocked and saddened by the recent increase in antiAsian hate, particularly when it affects a driver or rider,” it added. Uber has since removed the passenger’s access to use the app and contacted David to offer support. (By Ritchel Mendiola / AJPress) n

MARCH 19-25, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

‘She left behind...

PAGE 2 Baclig worked at Queen of the Valley Hospital for the next 28 years until December 9, 2020, when she had her last shift in the definitive observation unit. She had avoided infection in the nine months working on the frontlines and tending to COVID-19 patients. In one photo from the past year, she was wearing full-length scrubs and personal protective equipment while holding up the sign, “I stayed @ work for you. Please stay home for us.” But on December 12, she tested positive and started experiencing symptoms like a sore throat. Her family, except her youngest daughter, also tested positive. Baclig, who was diabetic, started feeling severe symptoms, such as an inability to breathe, and was taken by paramedics to St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton on December 19. For the first time, the tight-knit family did not spend Christmas together. Whenever Baclig had a day off pre-pandemic, it was always a celebration with

extended relatives coming over and large meals prepared, Aubrey said. “With it being the holiday season, and all this happening, it felt so horrible. Our whole world just kind of flipped upside down,” she said. Baclig spent the next five weeks in the hospital, including the last three in the intensive care unit hooked up to a ventilator, until her death on Jan. 22. It’s been nearly two months since her passing, but the tributes continue to pour in. Messages center on how she was compassionate and a mentor, and how she touched others’ lives. Her family joined the hospital and California Nurses Association for a threehour caravan memorial last month. The city of Batac and the province of Ilocos Norte have paid tribute to Baclig’s work and recognized her contributions as a health care worker. “If my mom saw all this attention, she would be so shocked,” Aubrey said. “She left behind this legacy that’s PAGE 10

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

Metro Manila under curfew until March... PAGE 6 some exemptions: • Medical practitioners, nurses, ambulance drivers and other workers of medical facilities while on their way to and from work; • Attendants of other persons dealing with an emergency medical situation; • Persons who are obtaining emergency medical assistance for themselves or for other persons; • Drivers of delivery trucks while on their way to deliver essential goods/ products; • Owners, vendors and other persons involved in the transport and delivery of essential goods; • Private employees such as call center agents

while on their way to and from work; • Construction workers while on their way to and from work; • Media practitioners while performing their job; • Persons who are traveling to or from the airport prior to or after a flight; • Drivers of private transportation used as shuttle services while on their way to and from work; • Members of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), including Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, and other emergency responders; • Security guards; and • Employees of open fast-foods (take out only). Penalties for curfew vio-

lators will depend on the ordinances passed by local governments, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The MMDA is also drafting a resolution that bans minors in Metro Manila from going outside. “Only individuals aged 18-65 years old are allowed to go outside their residences amid the alarming rising number of COVID19 cases in Metro Manila starting tomorrow, March 17,” it announced Tuesday, March 16. “We are implementing age restrictions because of the increase in our COVID19 cases,” it added. The MMDA also reminded the public to observe

and practice the minimum health protocols. “Be extra careful and follow stringent measures particularly when around vulnerable family members, as there have been reports of transmission among family members,” MMDA chief Benhur Abalos said. “As I’ve said before, the metro mayors and MMDA are regularly monitoring the COVID-19 numbers and we will implement calibration and changes on our directives depending on the figures that we have,” he added. To date, there are a total of 631,320 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, with 12,848 fatalities and 560,736 recoveries. n

Vatican says Catholic Church can’t... PAGE 6 mosexual inclinations who manifest the will to live in fidelity to the revealed plans of God as proposed by Church teaching.” Last year, Pope Francis

shocked Catholic clergies when he called for civil unions for same-sex couples in the documentary “Francesco.” “They’re children of God and have a right to a family.

Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it,” the pontiff said, referring to same-sex couples. “What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally

covered.” However, the Vatican clarified that the statement was taken out of context and did not indicate a change in Church doctrine on samesex marriage. n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 19-25, 2021

MARCH 19-25, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

It’s COVID-19 vaccine season...

AAPI Democrats endorse Fil-Am... PAGE 2 secretary level. “There is only one AAPI member of your Cabinet and no AAPI Cabinet Secretaries. This stands in stark contrast to the last three Administrations which had at least one AAPI Cabinet Secretary. Ms. Coloretti will be an asset to you and a source of pride for us,” the leaders added. The letter was set to be delivered by organizers to the White House on Friday, March 12, POLITICO said. Fil-Am advocacy groups and organizations like the AAPI Victory Fund and CAPA21 are also joining the effort, according to The Yappie’s report. If tapped by Biden, Coloretti, who is from Honolulu, Hawaii, would be the first American of Filipino descent to be nominated to a Cabinet-level position. Previously, she served as deputy secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. She managed the department’s day-to-day operations and cross-cutting program initiatives, including a $45 billion annual budget and approxi-

mately 8,000 employees. During her Senate confirmation hearing in 2014, Coloretti shared how she comes “come from a family with a tradition of community service and one that represents the best of what our country has to offer.” Her maternal grandfather was a minister and a community organizer who advocated for Filipinos working in Hawaii’s sugar cane fields, while her grandmother was among the first wave of nurses working in the U.S. Her mother was also a nurse and later a preschool teacher. “There are two things I am most proud of: Helping create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) after the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act in 2011, and helping finish the regulation to guide communities in their efforts to affirmatively further fair housing,” Coloretti told the Asian Journal in a 2016 interview. “In both instances, I was able to help address the conditions for individuals and families that are working to achieve the American dream but who face the challenges of im-

perfect or unfair markets.” Before HUD, she spent five years at the Department of the Treasury, most recently as the assistant secretary for management. Prior to the Obama administration, Coloretti spent four years as policy adviser and budget director for thenSan Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. She is currently the senior vice president for financial and business strategy at think tank Urban Institute. “I think the broader challenge for me as a Filipino American who is half Filipina is to make sure that my voice can be heard in an effective way. I think it helps that I come from a diverse state of people with different ways of communicating and interacting. I also think that any challenge can also be an opportunity. So, being someone who is different from others in a table can be helpful, particularly if I am operating with both ears open and with curiosity,” Coloretti told the Asian Journal in a 2016 interview. (By Ritchel Mendiola / AJPress) n

‘She left behind this legacy’... PAGE 8 so enormous that I don’t think she thought about.” Together with her husband Nestor, whom she had been with for 50 years, Baclig found joy in watching comedy and action movies. The family’s favor-

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

ite movie was “Coming to America.” In addition to her immediate family, Baclig is survived by her daughterin-law Rizel, two grandchildren Trixia and Stryke James, four sisters and two brothers.

“All I ask is for people to just be safe and really think about what they’re doing because these frontliners are putting their lives at risk, including my mom who got exposed, got COVID, and then passed away,” Aubrey said. n

PAGE 5 own mother who has also been bombarded by antivaccine propaganda in the Philippines. “COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the FDA have been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials. These vaccines were authorized only after it was found that they make it substantially less likely you’ll get COVID-19. The authorized vaccines are up to 95% effective against a person becoming ill with COVID-19. The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines. These vaccines have undergone the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history, using both established and new safety monitoring systems. These vaccines cannot give you COVID-19.” Many kababayans in the United States who are working on the frontlines, especially those in nursing homes, are reportedly hesitant to take advantage of their priority position to get the shots because they wanted to be sure they would not have fatal side effects if people they know who are vaccinated are still well and alive. “After COVID-19 vaccination, you may have some side effects. These are normal signs that your body is building immunity. The most common side effects are pain and swelling in the arm where you received the shot. In addition, you may have fever, chills, tiredness, and headache. They may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.” Other than having a sore arm, my husband did not have any side effects after getting the two doses. My daughter, who is in the early 30s, had “flulike symptoms,” like chills and a fever, after getting the second shot. She was aware of these side effects and just took Tylenol and a day or two after, she was back to normal. The younger ones are reporting more of these side effects after the second dose but then again, this only means they are building strong immunity against the virus.

My health care provider is Kaiser Permanente and before they schedule members for vaccination, they determine if it is right for you. According to Kaiser Permanente: “People who are allergic to most types of allergens (like animals, food, pollen, latex, or most medicines) are no more likely to have an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine than people who don’t have any allergies. Allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare and typically occur immediately after receiving the vaccine. All vaccination sites have the appropriate medications and equipment to treat an allergic reaction. You should NOT receive a vaccine that contains an ingredient to which you have had an allergic reaction. If you have had an allergic reaction to an ingredient of a particular vaccine, you may still be able to receive a different type of vaccine – if one is available – following a consult with a physician. If you’ve had swelling, hives, trouble breathing, or anaphylaxis within 4 hours of receiving any previous vaccine or injectable medication, the risk of developing another severe allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine is not fully known. Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, you can still receive the COVID-19 vaccine. You’ll be observed for 30 minutes afterward as a safeguard. If you’re concerned about a severe allergic reaction, you may consider waiting to get the vaccine until more information is available. If you’d like to discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination further, please contact your doctor.” Many of you also ask: “Can I choose which vaccine to have?” Vaccine types and supplies are limited at this time as the government is still working with vaccine manufacturers to expedite production to meet the demand as soon as possible. After Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, the FDA has given emergency authorization to COVID-19 vaccines developed by Janssen (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson). John-

son and Johnson vaccine is a single-dose vaccine. Some people are hesitant to have the J&J shots and would rather wait for Pfizer and Moderna. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explains: “The J&J/Janssen vaccine was 66.3% effective in clinical trials (efficacy) at preventing laboratoryconfirmed COVID-19 illness in people who had no evidence of prior infection 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine. People had the most protection 2 weeks after getting vaccinated. The vaccine had high efficacy at preventing hospitalization and death in people who did get sick. No one who got COVID19 at least 4 weeks after receiving the J&J/Janssen vaccine had to be hospitalized. Early evidence suggests that the J&J/Janssen vaccine might provide protection against asymptomatic infection, which is when a person is infected by the virus that causes COVID19 but does not get sick.” BOTTOM LINE: The sooner we get vaccinated, the better are our chances to save our lives and the lives of others. Waiting for one brand to be available means time lost in helping you become immune from the virus which can be a life and death situation for you and those of others. These vaccines not only keep you safe from being infected. If in case you still get the virus even after the shots, they also mitigate the symptoms of the virus, which means you would not have to be hospitalized and would not have to be in the ICU. It’s still life-saving. (To be continued…) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABSCBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos.

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 19-25, 2021

COMMUNITY Journal

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ THE Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) is complex, confusing, and can be extremely frustrating. During my 40 years of practicing law, I always encounter cases where a child may have been petitioned many years before their 21st birthday, but by the time their visa is available (or priority date is current), they have aged out. They are told they are no longer included in a petition, and must be left behind. The family is left wondering, why did my child age out? How come the CSPA doesn’t apply? Is there anything that can be done? I have good news for some aged-out children – A recent Second Circuit Court of Appeal decision held that if a parent naturalized AFTER their child’s 21st birthday, the child may still possibly be eligible for CSPA benefits, based on the child’s STATUTORY age, instead of their BIOLOGICAL age. Before this case, the child was out of luck if the parent naturalized after the child’s biological 21st birthday. By way of background, the CSPA provides age out protection for certain children, if they turned 21. • For children of U.S. citizens, their age is locked in, if the parent filed a petition before the child’s 21st birthday, or naturalized before the child’s 21st birthday. • For other family and employment-based petitions, there is a mathematical computation to calculate the child’s age, by subtracting the processing time of the petition from the child’s age when the priority date becomes current, and the child applies for a visa within one year. Under this scenario, a child could have two different 21st birthdays. – Their “biological” 21st birthday, which is 21 years after the date they were born; or – Their “statutory” 21st birthday under the CSPA, where the government excludes or subtracts from the child’s age the time United

New hope for CSPA age out children States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) spent processing the visa petition. For example, an immigrant parent files an F2A petition for their daughter when she is under 21, but the daughter is 22 years old when her F2A visa becomes available (or priority date is current), and it took the USCIS two years to process her petition, her “statutory age” for F2A purposes would be 20 years old (22 years old, minus 2 years processing time), making her still eligible for an F2A visa. In this recent case, the parent petitioned her minor child in the F2A category (minor child of green card holder), but the parent later naturalized after the child’s biological 21st birthday. Even though the child may have been eligible for a visa under the CSPA mathematical computation, (based on her “statutory” age at the time the parent naturalized), the family was told that because the parent naturalized after the child’s biological 21st birthday, the child no longer qualified under the CSPA. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals sided with this child, noting that “The legislative history shows a clear desire by Congress to fix the aged-out problem for ALL minor beneficiaries, and there is nothing to suggest that Congress intended to exclude beneficiaries like [this child].” The court concluded, “the CSPA dictates that, in determining whether an F2A beneficiary is a minor, we use a statutory formula rather than pure biological age. To hold otherwise, would put the family in a WORST position because the parent naturalized. The court further noted that “penalizing people for becoming citizens run counter to the entire family-based visa scheme.” In this case, because the child was still statutorily under 21 years of age on the date her parent naturalized, she was eligible for a visa as an immediate relative. If this situation applies to you, you should consult with

an attorney, who can evaluate your case, do the mathematical computations under the CSPA, and determine eligibility. If your child has ever been refused a visa for aging out, you may also want to consult with an attorney. I had many situations of a CSPA denial and was able to convince the U.S. Embassy or USCIS the child was eligible. But no guarantee. Also, if a parent has already filed an F2A petition and their child has turned 21 years of age, don’t just rush out and naturalize, assuming your child will still be eligible. There is still a mathematical computation that has to be performed, to make sure the child’s age would still be under 21 on the date of any naturalization. But this case could help many families where the child had qualified under the CSPA, but the parent had mistakenly naturalized after their child’s biological 21st birthday. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different, and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw, YouTube: US Immigration TV and Instagram.com/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)

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM KAPAMILYA IN THE U.S. AND IN THE PHILIPPINES ON A BRAND-NEW EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) answers several questions from Kapamilya in California and Pangasinan in the Philippines about their immigration situations. Rio from San Ramon, California (right) asks about her mother’s petition for her two sisters. The petitioner died just as their petition became current. What do they do now? Rachel from Pangasinan, Philippines (center) wants to know if her 10-year-old daughter, who got her U.S. citizenship through her U.S. citizen father, can help her get an immigrant visa? And a person who chose to remain anonymous asks if there is anything she can do to adjust her status. She came to the U.S in the 90’s with a fake name and a fake U.S. passport. She is now married to a U.S. citizen. Find out the answers to these questions on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, March 21 at 5:30 pm PT (8:30 pm ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)

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MARCH 19-25, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS ITALY, “the first western country to be severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic is also the first nation to face a third wave of COVID-19 and now re-imposing a strict nationwide lockdown a year and more than one hundred thousand deaths later.” There has been six weeks of increasing COVID-19 cases, attributed to people lowering their guard, especially young people who refused to wear mask and do social distancing. The preventive value of masks and social distancing has been proven beyond doubt around the world. There are about 3.3 million cases of COVID19 in Italy, with around 103,000 deaths. Let us all behave wisely and responsibly. Hopefully, we would have herd immunity by the end of summer. Worldwide, there are more than 120.5 million cases and almost 2.7 million deaths; more than 30 million cases in the U.S. with about 548,000 deaths; and, in the Philippines, around 627,000 cases and almost 13,000 deaths. AZ vaccine and blood clots Some countries have temporarily ceased using the AstraZeneca vaccine after some patients developed blood clots, post-vaccination. According to the Washington Post, “AstraZeneca said that of the 17 million people so far inoculated with its vaccine, jointly produced with Oxford University, there have only been 15 cases of deep vein thrombosis and 22 pulmonary embolisms. This is much lower than would be expected to occur naturally in a general population of this size and is similar across other licensed COVID-19 vaccines.” Clinical analysis is ongoing. Zinc and COVID-19 Zinc is an important element needed by our body to maintain good health. It helps boost the immune system and aids in the production of protein and the DNA. Zinc is also one of the ingredients used in the treatment of COVID-19. A recent study found that “participants with low zinc levels had a 21% mortality rate compared with 5% in those with healthy zinc levels; the time to clinical recovery was ap-

COVID-19 updates

proximately three times less in those with healthy serum zinc levels; and the authors concluded that serum zinc levels could help predict the outcome of individuals with COVID-19.” Consult with your attending physician before taking Zinc or any other medications. Comparing the vaccines Everyone is interested to compare the three vaccines currently used in the U.S. Here is last week’s comprehensive report from Kristina Fiore of MedPage, a consumer medical publication circulated to the medical community. Company: Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine name: BNT162b2 Mechanism of action: mRNA vaccine Dosing schedule: Two doses, 21 days apart (30 μg/ dose) Efficacy: 95% at least 7 days after dose 2. Illness was defined as having a confirmed positive COVID-19 test and at least one of the following symptoms: fever, new or increased cough, new or increased shortness of breath, chills, new or increased muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, diarrhea, or vomiting. Research trial participants: 43,548 people age 16 and up. Side effects: Most common were fatigue and headache after both doses, with both being more prominent after the second dose. These were milder for participants over 55 compared with those age 16 to 55. In this latter group, the rates of fatigue and headache were 59% and 52%, respectively, after dose 2. Storage: Ultra-cold freezer required, -112ºF to -76ºF (-80ºC to -60ºC) for up to 6 months; FDA recently agreed to allow storage of frozen, undiluted vials at standard pharmacy freezer temperatures between 13ºF and 5ºF for up to 2 weeks. Variants: No clinical data; lab studies have shown that the South African (B.1.351) variant may reduce antibody titers by two-thirds. Pfizer is studying a third “booster” dose of the original vaccine against this variant, as well as evaluating a variant-specific vaccine with a modified mRNA sequence. Number of doses contracted by the U.S.: 300 mil-

lion. Company: Moderna Vaccine name: mRNA1273 Mechanism of action: mRNA vaccine Dosing schedule: Two doses, 28 days apart (100 μg/dose) Efficacy: 94.1% at least 14 days after dose 2. Illness was defined as having a confirmed positive COVID-19 test and at least two of the following symptoms: fever, chills, myalgia, headache, sore throat, new olfactory or taste disorder; or at least one respiratory sign or symptom including cough, shortness of breath, or clinical or radiographic evidence of pneumonia. Research trial participants: 30,420 people age 18 and up. Side effects: Overall systemic adverse events including fever, chills, headache, and myalgia were recorded in 60% of participants after the first dose and in 80% of participants after the second dose. Storage: Frozen between -13ºF to 5ºF (-25ºC to 15ºC); can be stored refrigerated from 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC) for up to 30 days prior to first use. Variants: No clinical data; lab studies found no significant impact on neutralizing antibodies with the U.K. variant (B.1.1.7) but a six-fold reduction in neutralizing antibodies with the South African variant (B.1.351). Moderna plans to test a variant-specific booster candidate, a multivalent booster candidate, and a third dose of the original vaccine at 50 μg. Number of doses contracted by the U.S.: 300 million. Company: Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Vaccine name: Ad26. COV2.S Mechanism of action: Adenovirus vector vaccine Dosing schedule: One dose (two-dose regimen under evaluation) Efficacy: 72% in the U.S. and 66% globally against moderate-to-severe disease; 85% effective against severe disease, 28 days after a single dose. Moderate illness was defined as a confirmed positive COVID-19 test plus one more of the following: evidence of pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, shortness of breath or abnormal blood PAGE 13

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

Is there hope when the petitioner dies? What if someone used a fake name and passport to come to the US? Answers to these questions this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy

LEADING U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel provides the latest news on immigration developments, as featured on his YouTube channel, “US Immigration TV.” Atty. Gurfinkel also answers another round of immigration questions from Kapamilya in the U.S. and from the Philippines. Rio from San Ramon, California wants to know what

happens to the petition of her two sisters since their mother (the petitioner) passed away in 2019 – the same year the petition became current. Rachel from Pangasinan, Philippines asks if she can get an immigrant visa through her 10-year-old daughter who is a U.S. citizen by virtue of her U.S. citizen father. Someone who chose to remain anonymous shares that

she used a fake name and a fake passport when she entered the U.S. in 1998. She has since married a U.S. citizen. What can she do to adjust her status? Get answers to these questions and more on a brandnew episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, March 21 at 5:30 pm PT (8:30 pm ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)

Manuel Pineda Macapinlac, M.D., Ph.D. at 90 years old joined his Creator at 6:06 a.m. on March 6, 2021.

Dr. Macapinlac was born on January 2, 1931 in Minalin, Pampanga. He earned his medical degree at the University of the Philippines in 1955. He went on to study biochemistry at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and earned his Master of Science degree in 1961 and Ph.D. degree in 1967. He worked and conducted research during his studies at Vanderbilt under the mentorship of Dr. William J. Darby, considered one of the leading nutrition researchers of the 20th century, and Dr. Stanley Cohen, who was awarded the Nobel prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1986. Upon his return to the Philippines, he taught and served as Faculty and Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and at De La Salle University - Emilio Aguinaldo College of Medicine. He also served as a consultant for major organizations and foundations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and pharmaceutical companies such as United Laboratories. With his busy schedule, he maintained a clinic and tirelessly practiced medicine every Sunday to treat and serve his fellow residents of his beloved hometown in Minalin. Near his retirement, he founded United Physicians

Educational Center (UPEC) in 1988, which prepared medical doctors from various medical schools in the Philippines for the medical board exams. By staying focused and devoting his full efforts and attention to his pursuits, he accomplished plenty throughout his life. As a teacher, mentor, and professor, he enriched the lives of many students, passing on a wealth of knowledge to many different generations. As a scientist, he made significant contributions to the

knowledge of vitamin and mineral deficiencies and was a pioneer in addressing the issue on how to alleviate malnutrition in the Philippines. As a father and grandfather, he instilled the value of love and hard work through example. He preached the importance of self-reliance, the value of time, and providing for one’s family. He is survived by his wife, Letty, sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, grandsons-in-law and great grandchildren.

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 19-25, 2021

H.E.R. wins Song of the Year for ‘I Can’t Breathe’ at 2021 Grammys By AJPress

R&B singer-songwriter H.E.R. took home “Song of the Year” at the 2021 Grammy Awards on Sunday night, March 14 for her single “I Can’t Breathe.” The 23-year-old artist released the song last summer in response to the killing of George Floyd and the protests for racial justice. “We wrote this song over FaceTime,” H.E.R. said in her acceptance speech, joined by co-writer Tiara Thomas. “I didn’t imagine that my fear and that my pain would turn into impact, and it would possibly turn into change. And I think that’s what this is about. And that’s why I write music.” She added, “I want to thank my mom, I recorded this song myself in my bedroom at my mom’s house. And I want to thank my dad. He cried. He was in tears when I wrote this song and I played it for him. He was

PSYCHIC

the first person I played it for.” H.E.R., whose real name is Gabriella Wilson, was born in Vallejo, California to a Filipina mother and an African American father. Robert Glasper’s “Better Than I Imagined” won Best R&B song on Sunday, which H.E.R. is featured in alongside Meshell Ndegeocello. With two wins on Sunday, H.E.R. now has four Grammys under her belt. She won two Grammys in 2019, for R&B album and R&B performance. “I’m so speechless right now, I can’t believe this,” she said in her speech. “Remember, we are the change that we wish to see. That fight that we had in us in the summer of 2020, keep that same energy.” On Monday, March 15, H.E.R., along with collaborators Tiara Thomas and D’Mile, was nominated for best original song at the 2021 Academy Awards for “Fight for You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah.”

COVID-19 updates...

H.E.R, a Black and Filipina American R&B artist, took home two Grammys on Sunday, March 14, including one for Song of the Year. Photo courtesy Instagram/@hermusicofficial

PAGE 12 oxygen saturation above 93%, abnormal respiratory rate (≥20); or two or more systemic symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. Severe illness was defined as a confirmed positive COVID-19 test plus one or more of the following: signs consistent with severe systemic illness, admission to an intensive care unit, respiratory failure, shock, organ failure, or death. Research trial participants: 43,783 people age 18 and up. Side effects: Most common systemic reactions were headache (39%), fatigue (38%), myalgia (33%), nausea (14%), and fever (9%). Storage: Stable for 2 years at -4ºF (-20ºC) but can be stored for at least 3 months at typical refrigeration temperatures of 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC). Number of doses contracted by the U.S.: 100 million. Hundreds of millions of the COVID-19 vaccines have been administered around the world and they have

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been found to be safe and effective. The medical reality is that those who refused to get the vaccine would have the greatest risk to get infected and potentially succumbed to the virus. Life is precious! *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua. com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

MARCH 19-25, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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Fil-Am hoop star DJ Mitchell catches his elusive March Madness dream M

by MOMAr

G. VIsAYA / AJPress

ARCH Madness is upon us and sports fans across the country are excited after missing out on the tournament last year due to the pandemic. A total of 68 men’s college basketball teams will be in Indianapolis to duke it out for the championship.

For DeRohn “DJ” Mitchell, Jr., a Black and Filipino American guard on the University of Hartford’s men’s basketball team, playing in this 82-yearold American tradition has been a lifelong dream. “Getting into March Madness is an unbelievable feeling. It’s something I have dreamt about all my life since I was a kid,” Mitchell told the Asian Journal. “I spent countless hours thinking about when I would arrive here — if I would even ever make it. Not many people believed that this was possible for me. But luckily for me, with the support of my family and friends, my dream has become a reality.” Mitchell is excited and he is looking forward to their game this Friday, March 19 against their bracket’s top seed Baylor. This is the first time in his school’s history that their team made it to its first NCAA tournament, March Mad-

DJ Mitchell, guard on the University of Hartford’s men’s basketball team Photo courtesy of Hartford Athletics/Steve McLaughlin

ness no less, something that Mitchell and his Hartford Hawks teammates are mighty proud of. “A few of my teammates and I have been talking about this moment over the last few weeks — about the ‘what if this?’ and ‘what if that?’ We kept circling back to ‘let’s be legendary.’ Let’s do some-

thing that no one else has done before and pave the way. Right now, we have accomplished that and we’re in unchartered territory,” Mitchell, a junior majoring in business management and administration, said. “But we traveled this far to make it all the way to Indiana — why don’t we stay awhile?”

For the first time in program history, the University of Hartford’s men’s basketball team is heading to the NCCA tournament after winning the America East Conference men’s basketball championship. Photo by Steve McLaughlin via University of Hartford/Twitter

The 21-year-old Mitchell knew he wanted to play college sports at the young age of 8; although initially, he thought it was going to be football. At 12, he found basketball and there was no looking back. Monica Alvarez-Mitchell and her husband DeRohn fully supported their second child’s dream. “I believe it was around 12 years old when he declared basketball to be his destiny. Like most parents, I was happy to see him enjoy a sport that I assumed he’d outgrow,” Alvarez-Mitchell said. They sent their son to summer basketball camps and programs to nurture his passion. After a summer camp basketball program at IMG Academy in Sarasota, Florida, DJ Mitchell came back and said he wanted to attend boarding school there. After a thorough discussion of the pros and cons, the couple sent him to IMG as they saw in their kid a drive that was too compelling to ignore. The entire family has been supportive of Mitchell’s quest ever since, something that he fully acknowledges. It has not been easy at all but they all knew that it was the price they had to pay. It is a full-time commitment all year long, with most basketball events in school were always DJ Mitchell, a guard on University of Hartford’s men’s basketball team, is fulfilling held over holidays and week- his dream of playing in the NCAA tournament. PAGE 15

Photo courtesy of DJ Mitchell/Instagram

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 19-25, 2021

Alex feels lucky to be among those who beat COVID-19

By Marinel

Cruz

Inquirer.net

ACTRESS-TV host Alex Gonzaga, who survived COVID-19 in October 2020, said the experience has taught her a valuable life lesson: “That everything you have can disappear with a snap of God’s fingers.” Alex, who recently tied the knot with longtime boyfriend Mikee Morada, said that at the time she got COVID-19, she was already planning for her wedding, as well as the vacation that was supposed to follow shortly. “The offer to host the game show ‘Lunch Out Loud’ [on TV5] also came at that time,” she added. “But then it felt like with just one

snap, God changed everything and put me inside my room to do nothing. “That’s when I realized that as you plan your life, it’s also important that you offer those plans to God. You have to be patient, too, because everything happens in His time. You don’t own your life. Things can change and you realize that you don’t even have a plan for these changes,” Alex told Inquirer Entertainment in an interview to promote her becoming an endorser of the pawnshop chain Villarica. Mikee and Alex’s parents got infected, too. Alex said it was fortunate that they only experienced mild symptoms while battling the virus. “I

never felt that it’s gonna be the end of me when I got COVID-19. I got a text message from Kuya Luis (Manzano, TV host, and Alex’s good friend). He asked how my family and I were doing. I said, ‘We’re getting by. We’re almost on our 14th day in quarantine.’ I think we were on our ninth or 10th day already. Then he said, ‘Wow! You guys beat Covid! Ang galing!’ That’s when I realized that, ‘Yeah! We’re lucky to be among those who eventually beat COVID-19!’” Alex said she was especially worried about her sick parents being that they’re both seniors. “It was a good thing that like me, they were also asymptomatic. I really felt that God has spared them.

We’ve gone through something that other people failed to win over. We’re the lucky ones,” she declared. Another thing that the always perky and extroverted Alex said she was grateful for was that she has won over depression and anxiety while on quarantine. “I guess I was very lucky that my mental health was stable. Thanks to my parents for that,” she said, adding that what helped was that her dad, Carlito, encouraged them to do Bible study sessions every night. “Our faith grew as a family. So if I was feeling down during the day, I know that I would get a reset around 5 or 6 p.m., after our study sessions. That’s really how I was able to get by

Fil-Am hoop star DJ Mitchell catches... PAGE 14 ends. When he wasn’t in school or with the team, he was working with speed coaches and trainers at the gym. “There isn’t a day from the moment I chose to pursue a career in basketball that I wasn’t doing something to train for it and I still continue to today. I continue to also dream of making it to pro one day,” Mitchell said. There have been epic highs and lows so far, and like every sports parent out there, DeRohn and Monica understand this all too well. “For me, the worst moments were the obstacles that seemed overwhelming at times and the injuries. Like any parent, injuries are scary, but for an athlete, they can be career-ending,” Alvarez-Mitchell shared. She recalled DJ’s first scary injury when he hurt his hand, chipped his tooth, and needed stitches one year in post-grad while at St. Thomas More in Connecticut. “When that happened though, it felt like the world was ending because during the fall, he fractured his hand, and his only thought was, ‘Can I still even play?’ It was one of the darkest moments we had,” she said. Last year, he fell and hit his head hard. “My heart dropped at the game watching my son hit the ground and lie still on the court. He had a massive goose egg concussion so my hubby and I took him off the court and rushed him to ER,” Alvarez-Mitchell shared. “In another crushing blow, the injury had him benched for a few weeks. But again, he healed and jumped back onto the court.” With sheer hard work and a bit of luck, Mitchell’s perseverance is starting to pay off. He was never the tallest or biggest, but he found a way to help the teams he played on in any way he could. He trained himself to be aware of everything on the court and knew that he had to play smarter against bigger competition. According to his mother, Mitchell learned to speed up the game, catch a rebound, get that breakaway steal, and score a three. He was naturally athletic and he has a great vertical. He fast-tracked his basketball IQ to understand team dynamics and his competitors’ weaknesses to add more value than just a shot or two and help set up his team to win. “It was his way to shine differently than others on the court,” she added. “Today, his value is clear; even announcers say he’s one of the most undervalued players on the court. But we believe that’s his strength. Never underestimate his will to win and making sure he is doing all he can every second he’s playing.” Road to March Madness Hartford’s entry to the March Madness is what hoop dreams are made of. They were set to play Vermont for the America East Tourna-

ment title last season, but COVID-19 happened and the rest of the season got canceled. For the first time in its 81-year history, even March Madness itself was canceled. This year, the team won over Vermont in the semifinals on March 6, then UMass-Lowell last week in the America East Tournament championship game. The major win gave Hartford the America East Championship for the first time in the school’s history and along with it, their ticket for their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. “Eleven years ago, I got this and I said, ‘Let the dream begin,’” Hartford coach John Gallagher told AP. “There were a lot of nightmares to get to this point. So many people to thank but this program, this neighborhood that we built, is so special. To put it into words is really hard. But we’re dancing.” “This moment is a dream come true for us. After last year’s letdown, the team came together and played their hearts out,” Alvarez-Mitchell shared. “They finally got a ticket to the dance for the first time. This achievement has made all the lows we experienced worth it and even that more meaningful.” DJ is grateful to his family for the support and understanding they have given him. He says all of them have worked hard and made sacrifices. “I would be lying if I said I arrived here without my family. They have given me every opportunity in the world to make this happen,” he said, acknowledging that they haven’t had proper time off or a family vacation since his career started. Through his journey’s ups and downs, there is one thing consistent in DJ, his motivation. “Most people don’t know this about me, but my motivation through all of this — through everything I’ve endured, both the good and the bad — has been my little brother, Bryan,” he shared. “I wanted to show him you can achieve anything you want to and pursue different dreams that you have for yourself — to break the mold and create your path. Not everything is perfect in life, but resiliency is key. Being resilient will take you anywhere you want to go.” Looking back now, DJ’s mom Monica couldn’t help but be proud of her young son’s achievements. As a mom, she said she always wanted her children to dream big. This echoes DJ’s motivation to show his younger brother to chase whatever dream he wanted. “You live through every emotion your child has and become invested on all levels. But you keep going because there is no option. This is your child’s dream, and you will go with them to explore all roads until the end to help them achieve their destiny,” she said. “But I’ll say this to others: support your kids’ dreams — foster it and grow it. If your kid dreams big, works hard, keeps his head down grinding, never gives up, and gets a little lucky too, dreams can come true.”

during the lockdown.” Now that Alex has become Mrs. Morada, she still refuses to lie low from work. “I love what I’m doing. My work right now isn’t too demanding, anyway. ‘Lunch Out Loud’ is a noontime show and it doesn’t take too much of my time. Doing my vlog also keeps me preoccupied. It’s my passion. Producing content and editing are things that I really want to do,” she explained, also mentioning that she does movies from time to time but her schedule has always been easy to manage. “I will probably lie low when I already have kids, but that’s not part of the immediate plan. We still have prior commitments to fulfill. When we already want to have a baby, hopefully, God will want it for us, too,” the 33-year-old celebrity said. These days, Alex said she shows gratefulness and

maintains relevance through the content she produces for her vlog. “As an entertainer, I want my audience to forget all about their worries in the short time that they watch my content,” she said. “That’s what concerns me most these days—helping other people cope with the pandemic.” She further said: “My prayer is always about me becoming a blessing to other people. I would often think of how blessed I am even though I don’t really deserve to be. It’s what I read in the Bible: ‘…that I’m not worthy of anything,’ but then the Lord has given me a lot. I pray to be able to change my mindset, to not always focus on myself but on what other people need and whether or not I could give it to them. I want to focus on what I can do in order to be God’s instrument in answering other people’s prayers.”

Free weekly credit reports during COVID extended until April 2022 IF you’re feeling anxious about your financial health during these uncertain times, you’re not alone. That’s why the three national credit reporting agencies, which last year gave people weekly access to monitor their credit report for free, are extending that benefit until April 20, 2022. This is some helpful news, because staying on top of your credit report is one important tool to help manage your financial data. Your credit report has information about your credit history and payment history — information that lenders, creditors, and other businesses use when giving you loans or credit. Now it’s easier than ever to check your credit more often. That’s because everyone is eligible to get free weekly credit reports until April 20, 2022 from the three national credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. To get your free reports, go to AnnualCreditReport.com. If you’re one of the many Americans struggling to pay your bills right now because of the Coronavirus crisis, here’s what you can do: • Contact the companies you owe money to. Ask if they can postpone your payment, put you on a payment plan, or give you a temporary forbearance. • Check your credit report regularly to make sure it’s correct — especially any new payment arrangements or temporary forbearance. The CARES Act generally requires your creditors to report these accounts as current. • Fix any errors or mistakes that you spot on your credit report. Notify the credit reporting agencies directly. You can find out more by reading Disputing Errors on Credit Reports (https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/ articles/0151-disputing-errors-credit-reports). Find more advice and tips on handling the financial impact of the Coronavirus at https://www.consumer.ftc. gov/coronavirus/financial-impact, and subscribe to the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer alerts at https:// www.ftc.gov/stay-connected. (By Atty, Cathlin Tully/Division of Privacy and Identity Protection)

MARCH 19-25, 2021 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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