MARCH 28-31, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 24 • 2 Sections – 24 Pages
The US now has the highest number of coronavirus cases globally, reaching over 100,000 (44,876), New Jersey (8,825), California (4,657), Michigan (3,634) and Washington (3,477). THE United States now leads Meanwhile, Italy trails behind with the highest number of con- with 86,498 cases and China with firmed cases of the novel coro- 81,897. navirus (COVID-19), surpassing U.S. President Donald Trump, China and Italy. in response, said: “It’s a tribute The country has 101,657 cas- to the amount of testing that es of infection and over 1,500 fa- we’re doing.” talities and as of Friday, March “We’re doing tremendous test27, according to a tracker run ing, and I’m sure you’re not able by Johns Hopkins University. to tell what China is testing or The top five states with con- not testing. I think that’s a little firmed incidences are New York hard,” he added.
by AJPRESS
USA
DATELINE Washington state names Fil-Am as head of health care response team FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Last week, 3.3 million people in the U.S. filed for unemployment — the biggest single-week jump in history, as stated by The Guardian. “It’s nobody’s fault. Certainly not in this country. Nobody’s fault. We got very lucky when we made a decision not to allow people in from China on a very early date. I say that because some people don’t want to accept it, but this was a great decision made by our country, or u PAGE A2
The United States on Thursday, March 26 became the country with the highest number of known cases of coronavirus in the world. As of Friday, the top five states with the most cases are New York, New Jersey, California, Washington and Michigan, as shown on the map.
‘You must have coronavirus’: Fil-Ams face discrimination, harassment amid pandemic by CHRISTINA
M. ORIEL
AJPress
KYLE Navarro, a Filipino American school nurse, was unlocking his bike on a San Francisco sidewalk after delivering prescription glasses to a student when he noticed an older white man staring at him. He initially brushed off the glare, until the man walked past him, looked back and yelled a derogatory term used against people of East and Southeast
Asian descent. “He called me a ‘g**k,’ spat in my direction, and kept walking. All I said back was a loud ‘No thank you.’ Thankfully none of the spit landed on me,” Navarro wrote in an email to the Asian Journal. Though a “wave of emotions ranging from anger, sadness and fear” overcame him, Navarro didn’t act upon his first instinct to engage with the man as he feared it would put him in more danger. An older Filipina woman behind
GOVERNOR Jay Inslee has named retired Navy Vice Admiral Raquel Cruz Bono as Washington state director for COVID19 Health System Response Management. As the former chief executive officer and director for the Defense Health by KLARIZE MEDENILLA Agency, Bono led AJPress a joint, integrated support agency ON the same day that the House approved that enabled all the plan, President Donald Trump signed Retired Navy Vice Admiral Raquel branches of the into law the $2.2 trillion relief plan, the largCruz Bono Photo by Monica King/U.S. Army u PAGE A5 est economic stimulus package in modern American history, to help address the ramifications of the coronavirus. The highly anticipated bill will direct financial aid to taxpayers and provide benefits for unemployed individuals. Additionally, states will also receive funding to be
him shortly afterward asked if he was okay, he said. “I assume she saw it happen and asked me ‘Okay ka lang?’ I heard her speaking and it just brought a calm over me,” he added. “I turned around, gave a smile and a head nod, and let her know how grateful I was for being safe.” Navarro took to Twitter later that day to share his experience to “process through and validate what I was feeling and have an open dialogue on the
topic,” he said. Filipina American Paola Mardo, host and creator of the podcast Long Distance, tweeted on March 15 that as she was leaving Eagle Rock Plaza in Los Angeles, she heard a woman of color yell something that must have been intended for her since no one else was around. “A woman said ‘OMG China brought this virus here.’ I knew she u PAGE A2
Five takeaways from $2.2 trillion relief plan Trump signs off on sweeping spending bill to provide taxpayers with financial relief, businesses with a special lending program
Community organizations, advocates unite against anti-API racism
AS the United States continues to struggle with the lack of test kits and medical equipment to combat the new coronavirus outbreak, the country now leads the world with the most confirmed cases, according to the latest update from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. As of Friday, March 27, the U.S. now has more than 97,000 confirmed cases within its 50 states, Washington, D.C. and its territories with a total of 1,478. The numbers keep rising and despite efforts from governments to impose stay-at-home measures, hospitals continue to overflow and medical resources are quickly running out as health care professionals demand more federal aid to treat the growing number of patients. What’s more, is that the damning numbers only reflect those who have been tested as many people in the U.S. — especially those who live in lower-income areas and/or don’t have health insurance — don’t have access to u PAGE A4
allocated to pandemic relief. “I want to thank Democrats and Republicans for coming together and putting America first,” Trump said on Friday, March 27 as he signed the bipartisan bill in the Oval Office surrounded by Republican lawmakers. Previously, Trump has undermined the impact of the novel coronavirus of which the United States now leads in confirmed cases, according to the John Hopkins Coronavirus Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and his wife Kathryna Yu-Pimentel u PAGE A3
Duterte to self-quarantine as several officials test positive for virus by AJPRESS PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte will start his selfquarantine over the weekend after several officials tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Malacañang said on Friday, March 27. “PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) will self-quarantine himself on his birthday tomorrow following the advice of the PSG as well as doctors for his Photo provided by Sen. Bong Go shows President Duterte under self- protection following his expoquarantine at Malacañang’s Bahay Pagbabago. The president, who sure to some officials who themturned 75 years old on Saturday, March 28, will be staying inside the selves have been exposed to a Malacañang complex for two weeks. u PAGE A3
Inquirer.net photo
Philippine police to probe Sen. Pimentel over quarantine breach by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will launch an investigation on Senator Aquilino “Koko” for allegedly breaching quarantine protocols after testing positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID19). “PNP is ready to launch investigation once complaint is filed by hospital or by an aggrieved party,” said PNP Spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac on Friday, March 27. While no complaints have been filed yet, “once [a] complaint is filed, [the] formal investigation will commence,” the spokesman added.
The Office of the Ombudsman said it will deliberate on whether or not to investigate Pimentel. “I’m discussing with my subordinates if a motu proprio investigation will be conducted on Senator Koko Pimentel’s supposed breach of COVID-19 protocols at the Makati Medical Center,” Ombudsman Samuel Martires said Thursday, March 26. Pimentel on Wednesday, March 25, confirmed that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He received his test result from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine while he was accompanying his pregnant wife Kathryna to the Makati Medical Center. In response, the hospital u PAGE A5
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From the Front Page
‘You must have coronavirus’: Fil-Ams...
PAGE A1 t wanted me to hear it. I walked in front of her to confirm. She stepped back and said ‘OMG pls don’t give me the virus,’” she wrote, adding that she wore a face mask that day because her partner’s 80-year-old father is staying with them. Mardo released a podcast episode this week recounting her story while delving into the increase of similar incidences as well as the
anti-Asian patterns during major events in history. “Nothing would have changed the racist sentiment she already believed to be true. That moment, I realized we’re battling more than a virus right now,” she narrated. Since the outbreak reached the United States, AAPIs have faced xenophobia and discrimination, including physical attacks, microaggressions and business down-
turn. One instance early in February involved a 16-year-old student in Los Angeles County who was bullied and assaulted for being Asian. Asian American restaurant owners have shared that their sales have declined. False information has also been disseminated claiming cases of coronavirus in certain areas. One example included a flyer that said a case was reported in Carson and listed several Asianowned restaurants and shops to avoid. Though not physical attacks, the rhetoric and framing of the virus spread have also contributed to the misguided fears. In other examples, mainstream news outlets have irresponsibly used generic photos of Chinatown or of Asians wearing masks, without any providing any context, to accompany articles in their coverage on the virus. Further adding fuel to the fire, President Donald Trump recently labeled the coronavirus, the “Chinese Virus” despite the World Health Organization in 2015 issuing guidance that the names of infectious diseases shouldn’t include geographic locations to minimize negative effects on nations and people. An Asian American CBS News reporter also tweeted that a White House official referred to the coronavirus as the “Kung-Flu.” California Governor Gavin Newsom, in contrast, is a high-profile leader who has denounced the hate crimes and promised that the state would take action against them. “We have seen a huge increase in people that are assaulting people on the basis of how they were born and the way they look,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said during a recent press conference. “I just want folks to know we are better than that. We are watching that. We are going to begin to enforce that more aggressively.” National organization Asian Americans Advancing Justice, which has an existing tracker hate crimes at StandAgainstHatred.org, said that it has also noticed an uptick of reports in recent weeks. The STOP AAPI HATE reporting center — a website co-founded by the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) and San Francisco Asian American Studies Department — on Thursu PAGE A4
MARKET ON WHEELS. Residents observe social distancing while buying their basic food needs from the “Mobile Palengke” in Sitio Inuman, Barangay Inarawan, Antipolo City on Friday, March 27. The market-on-wheels was initiated by the city government and a group of vendors from the City Mall of Antipolo. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
The US now has the highest... PAGE A1 t
the numbers that you’re talking about — we’re a big country — they’d be far greater, far bigger,” Trump said. “I heard it could be six million, could be seven million. It’s 3.3 or 3.2, but it’s a lot of jobs, but I think we’ll come back very strong. The sooner we get back to work — you know, every day we stay out it gets harder to bring it back very quickly, and our people don’t want to stay out...I think you’ll see a very fast turnaround once we have a victory over the hidden enemy,” he added. Trump has received flak for downplaying the virus outbreak, failing to act fast enough, and blaming others. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the frontrunner in the Democratic presidential nomination, noted: “The president is not responsible for the coronavirus, but he bears full responsibility for the slow and uncoordinated response that has exacerbated both the public health and economic impact on our country.” “The harsh reality is that at least 3 million people now don’t have jobs because our president didn’t do his job when it mattered,” he added. LA County numbers In Los Angeles County, 257
new cases were reported on Friday, as the number of cases has increased to 1,465 in all areas. Five new deaths — four men and one woman all over the age of 60 — were reported, bringing the total to 26 deaths since the outbreak reached the county. On Thursday, nine deaths were announced by the county, including eight individuals over 60 and one in their 40s with underlying medical conditions. “These numbers that I report every day represent the lives of real people, and they are people that are mourned by their families and their friends,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of the LA County Department of Public Health. The mortality rate in the county, Ferrer said, is at 1.8%, higher than that of New York City and the overall country. The county also said it continues to improve access to testing and drive-thru testing centers are being set up. Ferrer also reminded the public that those showing severe symptoms should check with their medical provider about getting approval to be tested. PH cases reach 800-mark Meanwhile, the Philippines has now more than 800 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The Department of Health re-
ported Friday, March 27, 96 new cases, nine deaths, and three recoveries, bringing the official tallies to 803 cases, 54 fatalities, and 31 recoveries. Of the number of fatalities, seven are Filipinos with no recent travel history overseas. They are as follows: • a 63-year-old Filipino from Muntinlupa City who had bronchial asthma, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease; • a 75-year-old Filipino from Quezon City who suffered from hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tongue cancer, cardiovascular disease, and benign prostatic hypertrophy; • a 74-year-old Filipino from Manila who had hypertension; • a 71-year-old Filipina from Quezon City who had hypertension and diabetes mellitus; • an 83-year-old Filipina from Cavite who suffered from chronic kidney disease; • a 57-year-old Filipino from Manila had hypertensive cardiovascular disease; • And a 62-year-old Filipino from Manila who had hypertensive cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus. (With reports from Christina M. Oriel and Ritchel Mendiola / AJPress)
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DISINFECTION. Fire volunteers conduct disinfection along the national highway of Santa Cruz, Laguna on Thursday, March 26. Mayor Edgar San Luis has ordered a lockdown to disinfect public places in Santa Cruz to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
Five takeaways from $2.2 trillion relief... PAGE A1 t Resource Center. But since declaring a national emergency over the pandemic earlier this month, Trump has prioritized averting massive economic fallout. “I think we are going to have a tremendous rebound,” the president said. Though the administration has emphasized the bill’s promise to “economic recovery” for everyday Americans, the bill also includes a sizable bailout fund for businesses who have taken a beating from the crisis. Most adults will receive a one-time payment of $1,200 One of the most talked-about mandates of the massive spending bill is the promise of $1,200 directed to most American adults ($2,400 for married couples) who earn up to $75,000 a year ($150,000 for married couples) with an additional $500 for each child. Similar to a universal basic income (UBI) measure, the onetime payment was meant to provide Americans with a safety net as safer-at-home orders and other isolation mandates are enacted in cities and states across the country. But what may be missed in the fine print is that to be eligible for these payments, you must be a Social Security recipient or someone who has filed federal tax returns in recent years. This means that roughly seven million low-income households wouldn’t be eligible for the cash payment. The bipartisanship of the bill meant that it went through different iterations before being finalized this week, with the original Republican-led bill to direct less money to lower-income Americans. According to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, people should expect to receive their payments within three weeks. But the bill still leaves out many Americans. According to the bill, those who are able to work from home are not covered in the bill. Additionally, those receiving paid sick leave or benefits from a paid family leave program are not eligible. Student loan payments to be suspended The federal government previously waived two months of payments and interest for many federal student loan borrowers, and this bill extends that moratorium Until Sept. 30, 2020, payments will be suspended for any loan held by the federal government. Direct loans made within the past 10 years are eligible as 90% of loans are eligible for the suspension, according to the Institute for College Access and Success. Moreover, the bill indicates that interest “shall not accrue” during the six-month suspension period. Loan borrowers are advised to
review their online accounts to see if the loan servicer has reset the billing system to represent no payment due. Unemployment benefits expand to include more Americans Just before the lockdowns began, 282,000 people filed for unemployment. As of Thursday, March 19, that number climbed to 3 million, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Labor. The new spending bill addresses this uptick of unemployed Americans — many of whom were laid off for coronavirus-related reasons — and expands unemployment benefits to workers who are usually not eligible. Those workers include all selfemployed people including gig workers, freelancers, independent contractors as well as parttime workers. These benefits will be used to replace the average worker’s paycheck. Unemployment often compensates for 40% to 45% of that paycheck, but the expansion of benefits will attempt to close that gap and provide 100% of lost wages. The exact amount of unemployment welfare depends on the state, but the average person who is eligible for unemployment under this plan will receive an extra $600 of federal pandemic relief per week for up to four months. Businesses get a boost through $500 billion lending program As a way to help businesses who have been and will be affected by coronavirus-related orders, $500 billion has been allocated toward a lending program for struggling businesses. The measure offers $377 billion in federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. While the measure provides aid to struggling industries like airlines, the cruise industry and the oil industry are not included in eligible businesses. The bill also calls for an inspector general and an accountability committee to oversee the spending, but given that the administration gets to choose the overseers, those who opposed the 2008 bank bailout worry that any misuse of funds may slip through the cracks. Notably, the bill also provides $100 billion to hospitals who are overcrowded with COVID-19 cases. Credit damage aversion and relief for renters Those who may be worried that the expanded benefits will hurt their credit report should not be worried. The sweeping bill states that from Jan. 31, 2020 to 120 days after the national emergency declaration is moot, lenders and other creditors are ordered to mark credit files as current. Any irregularities or marks on file that appeared before the outbreak will remain unless fixed
Duterte to self-quarantine... PAGE A1 t confirmed COVID-19 victim,” said presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo. Presidential Security Group Commander Col. Jesus Durante III said that Duterte’s self-quarantine will last until April 10. All the PSG personnel and their family living in the compound will also be quarantined. “Nobody goes in, nobody goes out for all PSG personnel dito sa (here at the) Malacañang Complex, together with their dependents living in the complex,” Durante said. He added that Duterte is currently residing at Malacañang and observing the same quarantine rules imposed on all residents in Luzon. “He’s not going around, tuloy pa rin ang trabaho niya (his work continues). But we haven’t been accepting visitors for him, parang self quarantine na rin ‘yan
(like a self-quarantine already). He’s just staying here, abiding by the lockdown in the National Capital Region,” Durante said. Likewise, Panelo assured that the president will still be fulfilling his duties as the country’s highest official while on selfquarantine. “He will continue with his work while on quarantine. His only birthday wish is for our countrymen to stay home and the total eradication of the coronavirus,” Panelo said. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, as well as Sens. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara have tested positive for COVID-19. Former Senator Bongbong Marcos is awaiting test results. As of writing on Friday, the country has 803 confirmed cases, with 54 fatalities and 31 recoveries. n
during the national emergency period. The bill also puts a temporary, nationwide moratorium on evictions for renters whose landlords have mortgages associated with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other federal-sanctioned entities. The moratorium will be in effect for 120 days after the bill’s passing and landlords are prohibited from charging fees or penalties due to nonpayment of rent. n
NEW YORK continues to grapple with skyrocketing coronavirus cases and because of the spiking numbers, the state launched earlier this week a clinical trial for an experimental drug treatment to heal those who are critically ill. One of those patients in critical condition is Filipino American lawyer David Lat who has been intubated on a ventilator and sedated inside the NYU Langone hospital, according to his mother Zenda Garcia Lat. In an update to family and friends through social media, Dr. Lat said that her son’s doctors have put him “on Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin and an experimental drug to ease the inflammation in his lungs which are heavily damaged.” “It will take a while before we really see much progress but at least, he is stable. Hopefully, he will put up a good fight,” she said. “It has indeed been a very difficult and trying time for us, especially because we cannot see him at all and it takes a lot before we get through to anyone in the ICU to get updates.” The federal government cleared the way for New York to experiment with the malaria and lupus drug hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic Zithromax (generic name azithromycin) as a treatment for COVID-19, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said over the weekend. David’s husband Zachary
Shemtob is recovering and their 2-year-old son, Harlan is with Lat’s parents, Emmanuel and Zenaida, who are both doctors. They are not allowed to visit Lat at the hospital because of the very contagious virus. According to Shemtob, the doctors at NYU Langone are also treating him with an IL 6-inhibitor to fight the inflammation of Lat’s lungs. Lat, author and the founder of the legal blog Above the Law has been hospitalized since March 16 due to a COVID-19 infection. The 44-year-old lawyer experienced intermittent fevers, joint aches, chills, fatigue and coughing for more than a week. He went to the emergency room on March 15 because by this time, he was already having difficulty breathing. In an interview with the New York Law Journal, Shemtob said he was told about his husband waking up Saturday, despite being under sedation, by an attending nurse at the hospital. The nursing staff then asked Lat to go back and get more rest. Last week, Lat documented his experience with the virus in a series of tweets on Twitter, giving it the hashtag of LivingWithCovid. His latest tweet was on March 18, a comparative graph showing various countries and how many coronavirus tests were done per one million people. Dr. Lat called on for more prayers for her son, as she thanked acquaintances, friends and fam-
Fil-Am lawyer David Lat shares a photo of him on March 20 using a ventilator after being admitted to the hospital for COVID-19. Photo courtesy of David Lat/Facebook
ily who have been sending them prayers and good wishes. “Thank you so much for your outpouring of prayers for David, your kind thoughts and well wishes. It brings us a lot of comfort and we truly appreciate it,” Dr. Lat said, adding that they are also mourning the loss of four of their physician colleagues back in the Philippines. Shemtob also expressed his thanks to everyone, including “people we don’t even know who have been touched in some way by this.” “We appreciate everyone’s love and thoughts and prayers,” he said. “I just want to stress again, for folks to stay safe and to stop congregating together, to please take this stuff seriously.” n
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‘You must have coronavirus’: Fil-Ams... PAGE A2 t day, March 26 said it received 673 reports of coronavirus-related discrimination from Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country in the six days since the website launched. “The data from our reporting center — both the numbers and the self-reported narratives — clearly reveal that Asian Americans are being racially profiled as threatening, disease-carriers. Not only are Chinese Americans blamed and mistreated, but Asian Americans of other ethnic backgrounds are also being targeted,” Russell Jeung, chair and professor of Asian American studies at SFSU, said in a statement. Of the reports the website has received, most of them are incidences of verbal harassment and the “reasons for discrimination” include race, ethnicity and wearing a face mask. Individuals from California make up a bulk of those who reported and 4% are Filipino. The website, which has incident report forms in English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese, is slated to make it available in Tagalog in the coming
weeks. LA County officials have also urged those who have experienced acts of hate to report them to the county’s hotline, 211. Also in the Bay Area, a Filipino man shopping at Serramonte Center Target in Daly City was approached by a man who told him to “go away” after he coughed in public. A video of the confrontation was uploaded online, in which the Filipino man can be heard asking, “For what? For coughing? For coughing while Asian?” Writer and educator Rachelle Cruz said that earlier this March, her parents were wearing masks on the BART train home to Hayward when a passenger told them to go back to their country. “The person called my Filipino mother a ‘Chinese coronavirus bitch’ and said that both of my parents are ‘bearers of the virus,” Cruz told the Huffington Post, adding that it was the third incident her mother had “experienced or witnessed on the train” in recent weeks. A Fil-Am lawyer, who asked not to be identified, told the Asian Journal that he took a trip to Costco in Marina Del Rey ahead of the
LA County safer at home order when he had his own racist experience. He was passing three preteen boys in an aisle and one of them uttered, “Hey you’re Asian, you must have coronavirus,” while another said, “If you don’t, I’ll cough on you.” “I just turned and looked at them and was pretty disgusted. I didn’t want to escalate it because there were a lot of people around,” he told the Asian Journal. “For kids to just blurt something like that to a stranger is indicative of [bad] parenting, that they think it’s okay to harass someone, but I guess maybe that’s just the way they were raised.” Several PSAs and social media campaigns — from #RacismIsaVirus to #WashTheHate — have been circulated to dispel misinformation and counter the anti-Asian sentiments, and also to encourage other groups to stand in solidarity and speak up when they witness them. The Fil-Am lawyer added, “I don’t think Asians should take incidents like this standing by. These people and their actions should be called out on.” n
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PRICE CHECK. Agriculture Secretary William Dar (3rd from left), with Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez (left), visit the vegetable section of the Farmers Market in Araneta Center, Quezon City to monitor the prices and supplies of food commodities on Thursday, March 26. The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier proposed a P32 billion supplemental budget to implement its food security program to ensure the production of adequate, accessible, and affordable food during a national emergency period such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
3 US sailors aboard warship in Philippine Sea test positive for COVID-19 THREE U.S. Navy sailors aboard an aircraft carrier sailing in the Philippine Sea tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the U.S. Department of Defense or Pentagon confirmed. Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said the three sailors have been evacuated from aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt after being diagnosed with the disease. “We’ve identified all the folks they’ve had contact with, and we’re quarantining them as well,” Modly said at a Pentagon press conference on Tuesday, March 24. “This is an example of how we are able to keep our ships deployed at seas and underway, even with active COVID-19 cases,” he added. The three sailors have been flown off the aircraft carrier to a U.S. Defense Department hospital in the Pacific, USNI News reported. According to a report from ABC News, about 5,000 crew members are aboard the war-
ship currently in the Philippine Sea. “Our force remains on watch throughout the world [during] this crisis, and they’re continuing to execute their primary mission under the National Defense Strategy,” Modly said. In the same press briefing, U.S. Navy Adm. Michael Gilday, chief of naval operations, said it was still unclear where the virus came from. The aircraft carrier’s last port call was in Da Nang, Vietnam, 15 days before the U.S. Navy sailors were diagnosed. “I think it would be difficult to tie down these active cases to that particular port visit. We’ve had aircraft flying to and from the ship, and so we just don’t want to say it was that particular port visit. We took great precautions when that crew came back from that shore period to do enhanced medical screening of the crew,” Gilday said. Gilday noted that the three sailors who tested positive for the virus are “running a temperature” and have some body
aches but wouldn’t necessarily be characterized as needing hospitalization. “But they’re positive, those three cases. So we are rapidly removing them from the ship, and we are understanding who they came in contact with over the recent days and weeks so we can begin to take a look inside the ship, how we can isolate and contain as best we can,” the admiral said. The number of deaths around the world from the novel coronavirus now stands at 18,259, according to a tally compiled by AFP on Tuesday from official sources. More than 404,020 declared cases have been registered in 175 countries and territories since the epidemic first emerged in China in December. The tallies, using data collected by AFP offices from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), likely reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. (Patricia Lourdes Viray with reports from AFP)
Community organizations, advocates unite... PAGE A1 t the limited testing locations. The severe human influence of the COVID-19 pandemic is twofold: the virus itself continues to stun medical professionals as they work tirelessly to learn more about in hopes of developing a cure, and widespread reports of acts of hate, violence and harassment of Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs). In a teleconference hosted by APIA Vote and TDW+co, a coalition of API political and community leaders shared their thoughts on the rising instances of anti-Asian discrimination and provided solutions to suppress discrimination of all kinds, especially during a time in which the well-being of millions of humans hangs in the balance. “Over the last month, there has been a steady increase (in incidents) and as COVID-19 conditions intensify, we are concerned that these kinds of anti-Asian attacks will only continue to go up,” Greg Orton, the national director of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) said. The exact number of such incidents, however, is unclear for many reasons. In addition to incidents that are legally dubbed hate crimes, a majority of the incidents being shared across social media involve verbal harassment as seen in videos in which people call the victims “chink” or blame them for the virus itself. In the cases of violence, another reason that there may be underreporting of these events may be because of victims’ hesitance to report these cases to authorities. (In Los Angeles County, victims may report any acts of hate to the county health and human services hotline 2-1-1.) Nevertheless, despite the scant number of incidents being reported to the police, the numerous viral videos capturing these incidents paint a grim picture of the escalation of these attacks. As being reported in the Asian Journal, there are a growing number of incidents involving Asians of all cultures, including Filipinos who, in some cases, were mistaken for being Chinese. This issue poses a significant problem and can stifle the effort to provide adequate health care to those at risk of contracting the virus, Adam Carbullido, director of policy and advocacy at the association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) said. In other words, the rise of anti-Asian sentiments instills a collective sense of danger if one is seeking medical health. “The COVID-19 pandemic has
stretched health centers, and our entire health care system, beyond capacity. Racism and xenophobia targeting Asian Americans make it more difficult for health care professionals to provide care, and for families to feel safe to seek the care they need,” said Carbullido. “We encourage everyone to continue to seek the care they need and to call their providers before visiting, as many have adjusted their operations to manage the crisis. Viruses don’t discriminate—we must stand together to fight this global public health crisis.” Much as been written in the Asian Journal and other news outlets about the patterns of antiAsian harassment and violence amid the coronavirus crisis, and as the virus spreads and claims more lives, the trend of antiAsian sentiments detailed across social media and various report centers also rages on, catalyzing many pushback efforts from the API community. President Donald Trump’s efforts in containing the spread of COVID-19 have come in the form of promises for economic recovery and mitigation of actual cases, but so far, there has not been a substantial solution from the White House to combat antiAsian discrimination. U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) remarked on the dangers of using the names “Wuhan virus” and “Chinese virus” to describe the COVID-19 virus and criticized the president’s usage of the term during press conferences and on Twitter. “Donald Trump is just fanning the flames of xenophobia by insisting on calling it the ‘Chinese virus,’ despite the fact that all responsible health leaders have warned against that term because it causes stigma,” Chu said, name-dropping Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Robert Redfield, director of the CDC; Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization (WHO). “The danger of this anti-Asian bigotry is what led us in CAPAC to take action immediately.” And one of the ways in which CAPAC is sounding the alarm on anti-Asian bigotry is through legislative solutions. Chu is one of the 124 cosponsors on a new House resolution put forth by Rep. Grace Meng (D-New York) that officially denounces antiAsian sentiments amid the coronavirus outbreak. “Asian Americans, like millions of others across the nation, are
worried about the coronavirus; however, so many Asian Americans are also living in fear following the dramatic increase of threats and attacks against those of Asian descent,” Meng wrote in a statement on Wednesday, March 25. “The House must take a strong stand against the sickening intolerance, bigotry, and violence that is leaving a terrible stain on our nation’s history, especially during this moment of an unprecedented public health crisis.” The long history of anti-Asian attitudes and behaviors goes back to when workers from China and the Philippines first came to the U.S., helping to build the nation’s railroad system and work in the farms of the Central Valley. Pandemics and global health crises like the Asian flu of the 1950s and the SARS outbreak of the early aughts trigger those same bigoted sentiments. But in the era of cultural justice, Asian Americans have been fighting back, and in a big way. “But what’s been even more remarkable is seeing how quickly the Asian American community has come together to push back against the harmful rhetoric coming from the White House,” Chu remarked. “Not only did we have elected leaders and community leaders speak out, but we had celebrities, journalists, business leaders, and everyday Americans come together to oppose this xenophobia.” As previously written in the Asian Journal, the force with which Asian Americans have wielded in response to the racism and discrimination has sparked campaigns like #RacismIsAVirus, which Filipina Broadway star Diane Phelan founded and has garnered wide participation from hundreds of thousands of Asian Americans and allies. The influence of the API community which pushed back against the president’s usage of the “Wuhan virus” as a descriptor led to a tweet in which the president seemed to acknowledge the problematic insinuation of the misnomer: that Asians are to blame for the spread of the virus. “It is very important that we totally protect our Asian American community in the United States, and all over the world,” Trump tweeted on Monday, March 23. “They are amazing people and the spreading of the virus is NOT their fault in any way, shape, or form. They are working closely with us to get rid of it. WE WILL PREVAIL TOGETHER!” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
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California Gov. Newsom announces 90-day mortgage payment relief
BOTCHED DELIVERY. Metro Manila Development Authority workers sweep the wheat that fell from a delivery truck on Nagtahan Bridge in Manila after its doors opened accidentally on Wednesday, March 25. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike Alquinto
Philippine police to probe Sen. Pimentel over... PAGE A1 t slammed the senator for his “irresponsible and reckless action.” “We denounce the irresponsible and reckless action of the senator. He added to the burden of a hospital trying to respond in its most competent and aggressive manner to cope with the daunting challenges of this COVID-19 outbreak,” said Makati Medical Center Medical Director Saturnino Javier in a statement. “He violated his home quarantine, exposed health workers to
possible infection, and therefore, to me, that is reckless and unacceptable,” he added. According to Javier, the senator created another problem for the Makati Medical Center. “A number of our nurses and doctors may need to be quarantined which will further deplete the dwindling workforce of the hospital,” he said. Pimentel has since apologized for his actions. “I would like to sincerely and profoundly apologize for this
very unfortunate incident. I never intended to do any harm to anyone,” he said Thursday. He added, “I never intended to breach any protocol but I realize now, I unnecessarily caused additional anguish, concern to the courageous healthcare workers who we all depend on.” The senator also urged the MMC to communicate with him. “I’d like to extend my apologies to the Makati Medical Center. Please tell me how I can make it up to you,” Pimentel said. n
Washington state names Fil-Am as head of...
PAGE A1 t U.S. military medical services to provide health care services to those engaged in combat. Bono is currently a senior fellow with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. “I am honored and delighted to join Governor Inslee and the Washington state health care community in their collective leadership and expertise to develop a model of care for all Washingtonians and others during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bono said. She is the first woman surgeon in the military to hold the rank of vice admiral. “Vice Admiral Bono will help bolster our existing coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic across our state’s health care system,” Inslee said. “She brings an impressive medical background, a long and distinguished military career and a deep understanding of complex medical delivery systems. Her
expertise will help us ensure that we can meet the needs of Washingtonians who are sick, or will become ill from COVID-19.” In this role, Bono will advise the governor, his staff and state agencies on actions needed to address the capacity and strain across the health care system. She will work closely with acute care facilities, long-term care facilities, clinics, tribal facilities, and the federal government to assess and address the greatest needs. Her role will include work to ensure medical staffing needs are met, as well as develop standard protocols across facilities and coordinate with the state Emergency Operations Center to operationalize statewide efforts. “We are very pleased to have the expertise and leadership of Vice Admiral Bono in our coordinated efforts between the public health and health care system as we continue to respond to this
unprecedented public health crisis,” Secretary of Health John Wiesman said. “Her leadership will enhance our response on behalf of all Washingtonians.” Bono obtained her medical degree from Texas Tech University and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She completed a surgical internship and a general surgery residency at Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, and a trauma and critical care fellowship at the Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine in Norfolk. Bono served in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as head of casualty receiving for a fleet hospital in Saudi Arabia. Upon returning, she worked as a surgeon at Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth and as a surgical intensivist and attending surgeon at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. (Momar G. Visaya/AJPress)
CALIfOrNIA Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday, March 26 announced that financial institutions will provide major financial relief for millions of Californians suffering financially as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. “Millions of California families will be able to take a sigh of relief,” said Newsom. “These new financial protections will provide relief to California families and serve as a model for the rest of the nation. I thank each of the financial institutions that will provide this relief to millions of Californians who have been hurt financially from COVID-19.” The governor secured support from Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank, and Wells fargo and nearly 200 state-chartered banks, credit unions, and servicers to protect homeowners and consumers, his office said. Under the governor’s proposal, Californians who are struggling with the COVID-19 crisis may be eligible for the following relief upon contacting their financial institution: 90-Day grace period for mortgage payments financial institutions will offer, consistent with applicable guidelines, mortgage payment forbearances of up to 90 days to borrowers economically impacted by COVID-19. In addition, those institutions will: • Provide borrowers a streamlined process to request a forbearance for COVID-19-related reasons, supported with available documentation; • Confirm approval of and terms of forbearance program; and • Provide borrowers the opportunity to request additional relief, as practicable, upon continued showing of hardship due to COVID-19. No negative credit impacts resulting from relief financial institutions will not report derogatory tradelines (e.g., late payments) to credit reporting agencies, consistent with applicable guidelines, for borrowers taking advantage of COVID-19related relief. Moratorium on initiating foreclosure sales or evictions for at least 60 days, financial institutions will not initiate foreclosure sales or evictions, consistent with applicable guidelines. relief from fees and charges
for at least 90 days, financial institutions will waive or refund at least the following for customers who have requested assistance: • Mortgage-related late fees; and • Other fees, including early CD withdrawals (subject to applicable federal regulations). Loans held by a financial institution may be serviced by another company. n California Governor Gavin Newsom
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Kai Sotto pushes on for NBA dream LA County closes down beaches KAI Sotto’s desire to play in the NBA is common knowledge and his journey to the United States has been the stuff of sporting headlines in the Philippines for several months now. The 7-foot-2 center has been training in The Skill Factory and even played in the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp during the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend, both of which have helped him in his road to the NBA. Yet, Sotto has to go through so much before achieving his dream since he’s not even in college yet. Nevertheless, there’s a sense of maturity for the 17-year-old who wants to become the first Philippine-born player to get to the NBA. “My ultimate dream is to make it to the NBA and I also want to represent the Philippines on international tournaments,” said Sotto in an interview with Bleacher Report. “I just want to show the Philippines is part of the basketball world.” Rob Johnson, the head coach
of The Skill Factory, said he’s aware of Sotto’s aspirations but he’s also impressed with the teenager’s sense of responsibility. If Sotto does end up in the NBA, he’ll be the third athlete with Filipino blood to play in the league after Raymond Townsend, who played from 1978 to 1982, and Jordan Clarkson. “It’s just a breath of fresh air to work with somebody whose goals are so enriched but also knows and is willing to put in the work in that it’s going to take there,” said Johnson. Jeremiah Buswell, a partner in The Skill Factory, added that even though Sotto’s been working hard the goal is still a long reach from where they’re at. “I think he saw kind of where he was and was able to size himself up a little bit and now he’s able to take a step forward because he’s grounded in reality, he’s not caught kind of in the hype world,” said Buswell. “I think he understands that and so as long as he continues to move forward and progress got
by AJPress Los Angeles County beaches and beach facilities were closed to the public Friday, March 27 in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19. By order of the Health Officer, all beaches, beach facilities and beach accessways will be closed through April 19, when the order expires. Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH) crews began closing the beaches and amenities, including restrooms, Friday morning. The bike path that runs along the beach also was closed and will remain off-limits to cyclists. Beach parking lots were closed earlier in the week and volleyball nets were removed to discourage gatherings on the beach. But as the number of COVID-19 cases in the Los Angeles area continues to surge, health officials determined full beach closures were necessary. Kai Sotto Photo from Instagram/@kzsotto “As predicted, we are beginevery, every opportunity in the world to be a good NBA player.” (Inquirer.net)
ning to see a dramatic increase in diagnoses of COVID-19, and diagnosed cases have more than tripled in the last week,” said Third District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who represents Malibu and other coastal communities north of Marina del Rey. “Over the weeks to come, we very strongly urge everyone to take every possible step to stay out of harm’s way and avoid infecting other people. I ask every County resident to comply with the Safer at Home recommendations, including today’s health order to stay off of County beaches. Your cooperation could literally mean the difference between life and death for many County residents.” The closures come after a weekend where tens of thousands of people flocked to the coast, ignoring the “Safer at Home” directive by gathering in large groups and not maintaining a social distance of 6 feet between each person. “The crowds we saw at our
beaches last weekend were unacceptable,” said Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose district covers beaches in the South Bay. “In order to save lives, beaches in LA County will be temporarily closed. I understand that this is a huge sacrifice for everyone who enjoys going to our beaches, but we cannot risk another sunny weekend with crowds at the beach spreading this virus. This closure is temporary, and we can always reopen these beaches when it is safe to do so.” DBH staff will monitor the coastline and coordinate with lifeguards, local beach cities, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and local law enforcement agencies to make sure people stay off the beaches, said DBH Director Gary Jones. “Now is also the time for us to care for one another, to care for ourselves, and to care for our community,” Jones said. “If we help each other now, we’ll be back at the beaches soon.” n
WBO postpones all sanctioned fights until June 2020 THE World Boxing Organization (WBO) has announced it won’t be sanctioning fights until June 2020 over fears of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. “Amidst the current situation worldwide caused by Covid-19 the WBO has postponed all boxing events through June 2020,” the Puerto Rico-based organi-
zation announced as posted on boxingscene.com. “We will update accordingly.” Prior to the announcement, many title fights involving the WBO had already been pushed back indefinitely. One of those bouts is the keenly-anticipated bantamweight title unification showdown between WBO champion John
Riel Casimero and WBA (Super) and IBF titleholder Naoya Inoue which was originally scheduled on April 25 in Las Vegas. Last week, Top Rank also suspended all of its events through April, which also included Jerwin Ancajas’ ninth title defense of his IBF super flyweight crown. (Mark Giongco/Inquirer. net)
Philippines a ‘happier’ country at 52nd place in the world — UN report THE United Nations’ annual World Happiness Report ranked the Philippines as the 52nd “happiest” country in the world. The country, with an average score of 6.006, was among the biggest gainers, moving 17 notches from its place last year— at 69th out of the 156 nations ranked. The Philippines ranked higher than its Southeast Asian peers such as Thailand (54th), Malaysia (82nd), Vietnam (83rd), Indonesia (84th), Laos (104th), Cambodia (106th) and Myanmar (133rd). The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Networks’ World
Happiness Report 2020 ranked 156 countries using the Gallup World Poll and six factors: level of gross domestic product, life expectancy, generosity, social support, freedom and absence of corruption. A Social Weather Stations survey released in June 2019 found 44% of Filipino adults assessing their lives in general as “very happy.” Forty-nine percent said their lives are “fairly happy,” while 8% said they are unhappy. Nordic countries outrank the rest of the world Experts at the United Nations declared Finland as the world’s happiest nation for the third year
running with an average score of 7.809. Nordic countries such as Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden also ranked up high on the index. “Time and time again we see the reasons for wellbeing include good social support networks, social trust, honest governments, safe environments and healthy lives,” Jeffrey Sachs UN SDSN director, said. Meanwhile, the countries at the bottom of the list are those afflicted by extreme poverty and violence such as Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Afghanistan. (Gaea Katreena Cabico /Philstar.com)
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Bongbong Marcos takes COVID-19 test by aJPress FORMER Philippine Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has taken a test for the new coronavirus (COVID-19), his sister Sen. Imee Marcos confirmed on Thursday, March 26. The testing comes after Bongbong Marcos arrived from Spain and was reportedly feeling ill. “He came back from Spain unwell. Finally got a test two nights ago, getting better at home, no result yet,” Imee Marcos said. Bongbong also confirmed Imee’s statement, refuting claims online that said he is currently confined in a hospital. “I am deeply touched and overwhelmed by your concern over my condition. Don’t worry, I am doing ok and contrary to popular belief, I am home on self-quarantine,” he said in a statement. He added, “As my sister said, a few days ago I was feeling a little under the weather and as a result went to get checked. We are still waiting for the results.” He assured everyone that he is doing okay. “Fortunately, I feel much better and am getting stronger by the day. I have no doubt in my mind that this is partly due to
Former Sen. Bongbong Marcos recuperates from a unknown condition in his home in this photo release from his wife, lawyer Liza Marcos, on Thursday, March 26, 2020. “I’m sending you a photo of Bong which my sons and I took this morning,” she said in a statement. Photo from Facebook/Bongbong Marcos
excellent work of the nurses and doctors who helped me during this time,” he said. Likewise, Bongbong’s entire household took tests for COVID19. According to his wife, lawyer Liza Araneta-Marcos, they have received their results — the process only taking a day, which is much faster than average processing and turnaround time of days or weeks. “Yesterday, we had ourselves and our entire staff tested for
COVID-19. Fortunately, we all tested NEGATIVE,” she said. She also denied rumors that Bongbong flew to Singapore using a private plane of Ilocos Sur politician Chavit Singson. “Contrary to rumors currently circulating, my husband is well. His lungs did not collapse. He was not airlifted in Manong Chavit’s plane to get treatment in Singapore,” Araneta-Marcos said. “He is not dying. Nor is he dead,” she added. n
Champion of child health, pillar of infectious disease medicine in PH dies by Kristine Joy
Philstar.com
Patag
MANILA — A pillar of the Philippines’ Pediatric Infectious Disease medicine and a champion of children’s health has fallen in the battle against the deadly coronavirus. Dr. Salvacion RodriguezGatchalian passed away on Thursday, March 26, her sister Ruby Rodriguez announced. Gatchalian was the president of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) that leads training of physicians on child health. She also served as the assistant director at the Research of Institute of Tropical Medicine that houses the country’s lone testing center for COVID-19. She too had been a fellow of Pediatric Infectious Disease for more than three decades.
A mentor, champion in Infectious Disease Gatchalian’s Facebook account was flooded with expressions of grief as her colleagues mourned the passing of a mentor to young researchers and doctors. A post remembered Gatchalian as a “great mentor and friend to many young doctors and scientists in [University of the Philippines and RITM].” On Twitter, tributes for Gatchalian continue to pour from her colleagues locally and abroad. Dr. Edsel Salvana, an infectious disease specialist and molecular biologist, recalled that Gatchalian was “a mentor, friend and cheerleader for us [Infectious Disease] specialists.” Dr. Kristy Murray, a professor of paediatrics and director at Center for Human Immunobiolo-
Dr. Salvacion R. Gatchalian was the president of the Philippine Pediatric Society when she passed away due to COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Philippine Pediatric Society
gy at Texas Children’s Hospital, remembered her as “a champion for children’s health.” “She helped create the Philippines Coalition against TB and fought infectious diseases, sav-
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OPINION
Lights out for the Earth
FEATURES
IT’S difficult to look for any silver lining in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which continues to claim lives around the planet. Environmental advocates, however, cite an obvious consequence of suspending much of transport operations by land, air and sea to prevent the further spread of COVID-19: air quality has become much cleaner. This is the only piece of positive news as the international community proceeds with the 13th annual observance of Earth Hour. Tonight starting at 8:30, participants in the Philippines will switch off non-essential lights for an hour, in a symbolic commitment to confront climate change and protect the environment. Because of the extraordinary circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, activities to mark the event will be conducted digitally, as people stay at home and observe physical distancing. The virtual observance is a show of solidarity with those affected by the disease. COVID-19, which has killed thousands of people and infected over 600,000 others in 199 countries and territories, need not kill Earth Hour as well. In the Philippines, local curfews start at 8 p.m., imposed by many local govern-
ments in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, which is under enhanced community quarantine. People heeding calls to stay home can switch off lights for an hour. This year’s theme for Earth Hour is “climate action” and sustainable development. The event continues to inspire individuals, organizations and businesses around the globe to commit to measures that will reduce global warming. The Philippines, with its extensive coastline, is one of the countries most vulnerable to the impact of climate change. This year’s Earth Hour should prod world leaders to approve the proposed New Deal for Nature & People, which seeks to restore nature by 2030. When a vaccine is finally in use against COVID-19, the existential threat posed by climate change will still be there, calling for a sustained battle. (AJPress)
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
Pope Francis’ blessing to us all in the age of the coronavirus storm: ‘Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?’
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS POPE FRANCIS, on Friday evening, March 27, shared his meditation on the calming of the storm from the Gospel of Mark during the prayer service on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica to “urbi et orbi,” which means to the “city and the world”. This is such a timely message when the whole world is full of fear and uncertainties brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, which as of press time, has infected 566,000+ globally, and killed 1,545+ after it was first reported just three months ago, in December of 2019. Here in the United States, the confirmed coronavirus cases have surpassed 100,000 with a death toll of more than 25,000. The United States is now the hotspot of the pandemic in the world. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, the hotspot of the pandemic in the United States, said that given the facts and present circumstances, the
outbreak is expected to reach its apex in about three weeks, which means things will get worse before it gets better. This is the path the rest of the country will have to navigate. Pope Francis, in his “urbi et orbi” gave a special blessing to the world after sharing a very poignant reflection, comparing what we are all now going through to being in a boat amid an unexpected turbulent storm in the sea. In the Gospel of Mark, the apostles were so afraid for their life, and they could not fathom why in the midst of of this tempest, Jesus was sleeping and they tried to wake Him up saying, “We are perishing”, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” Then Pope Francis then continued on saying, “When [Jesus] wakes up, after calming the wind and the waters, he turns to the disciples in a reproaching voice: “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” Pope Francis reflected:
“Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” Lord, your word this evening strikes us and regards us, all of us. In this world, that you love more than we do, we have gone ahead at breakneck speed, feeling powerful and able to do anything. Greedy for profit, we let ourselves get caught up in things, and lured away by haste. We did not stop at your reproach to us, we were not shaken awake by wars or injustice across the world, nor did we listen to the cry of the poor or of our ailing planet. We carried on regardless, thinking we would stay healthy in a world that was sick. Now that we are in a stormy sea, we implore you: “Wake up, Lord!”. Then the pope articulated what could perhaps be the most difficult test of our faith, especially for us who are Christians, who say we believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, of all visible and invisible…” “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” Lord, you are
Wanted: A great leader
Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA THE coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is just one more crisis, among the many, that the world has experienced in the 20th century and the present millennium. Each crisis has been a test of leadership, underscoring the need for a great leader, someone who can rally the citizenry, inspire them and keep up their spirits in the face of discouraging odds. Someone on whose wisdom they can depend on, whose words they can believe, and in whom they can entrust their lives. Winston Churchill, as newlyappointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1940, went against the policy of appeasement of his predecessor, Neville Chamberlain, in dealing with Hitler, whose forces had conquered much of Europe. Churchill defiantly declared: “We shall fight on the seas and the oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…”
These words kept up the spirits of the British people throughout the Nazi blitzkrieg that devastated London and resulted in 32,000 civilian fatalities and 82,000 seriously injured. In the end, they prevailed. How does President Rodrigo Duterte compare to Churchill in the face of China’s incursions into territory claimed by the Philippines in the South China Sea? Beijing has claimed nearly all of the resource-rich South China Sea, while Duterte has disregarded a 2016 decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that China’s claims has no legal basis. In 2016, on a visit to Beijing, Duterte told President Xi Jinping, “We are staking our claim in our economic zone and we will dig for oil in our territory.” At this, Xi patronizingly advised Duterte that it was “better to hold talks first because if you insist on your position, there might be trouble.’” That could have been Hitler talking to Chamberlain. And, like Chamberlain, Duterte chose to appease the Chinese. In a speech before the Philippine Navy, Duterte said: “I cannot afford at this time to go to war. I cannot go into a battle which I cannot win and would only result in destruction for our armed forces.” While Vietnam and Indonesia,
which also have claims over sections of the South China Sea, have warned Beijing to back off, Duterte lamely explained, “I had no choice. If I send my navy and my soldiers there tomorrow and start to travel toward them, in a matter of seconds they’ll all explode ... they will be slaughtered and the missiles that are parked there will arrive in Manila in about four minutes. Do you want a war?” Duterte did make snarling sounds when some 200 Chinese ships moved into a disputed area in the vicinity of Pag-Asa island, occupied by Filipinos. Duterte said that he would be forced to send a suicide mission to confront the Chinese. But he was like a mouse warning a dragon to stay away. On the other hand, the Royal Air Force also went on a virtual suicide mission, bravely engaging the superior Nazi Lutwaffe in the skies over England. On September 15, 1940, the RAF trounced Hitler’s air force, shooting down 56 planes. The Lutwaffe turned tail and the Battle of Britain was won. Describing the victory, Churchill said, “Never in the history of human conflict have so many owed so much to so few.” Unfortunately, Duterte is no Churchill, although his supporters insist that Duterte demonstrated true leadership by avoiding a
calling to us, calling us to faith. Which is not so much believing that you exist, but coming to you and trusting in you. “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith”? Faith begins when we realise we are in need of salvation. We are not self-sufficient; by ourselves we flounder: we need the Lord, like ancient navigators needed the stars. Let us invite Jesus into the boats of our lives. Let us hand over our fears to him so that he can conquer them. Like the disciples, we will experience that with him on board there will be no shipwreck. Because this is God’s strength: turning to the good everything that happens to us, even the bad things. He brings serenity into our storms, because with God life never dies.” The Lord asks us and, in the midst of our tempest, invites us to reawaken and put into practice that solidarity and hope capable of giving strength, support and meaning to these hours when everything seems to be
floundering. The Lord awakens so as to reawaken and revive our Easter faith. We have an anchor: by his cross we have been saved. We have a rudder: by his cross we have been redeemed. We have a hope: by his cross we have been healed and embraced so that nothing and no one can separate us from his redeeming love. In the midst of isolation when we are suffering from a lack of tenderness and chances to meet up, and we experience the loss of so many things, let us once again listen to the proclamation that saves us: he is risen and is living by our side. The Lord asks us from his cross to rediscover the life that awaits us, to look towards those who look to us, to strengthen, recognize and foster the grace that lives within us. Let us not quench the wavering flame (cf. Is 42:3) that never falters, and let us allow hope to be rekindled. Embracing his cross means finding the courage to embrace all the hardships of the present time, abandoning for a moment
our eagerness for power and possessions in order to make room for the creativity that only the Spirit is capable of inspiring. It means finding the courage to create spaces where everyone can recognize that they are called, and to allow new forms of hospitality, fraternity and solidarity. By his cross we have been saved in order to embrace hope and let it strengthen and sustain all measures and all possible avenues for helping us protect ourselves and others. Embracing the Lord in order to embrace hope: that is the strength of faith, which frees us from fear and gives us hope.” This reflection of the pope is indeed a wake-up call for us to re-think the meaning of “faith in God” in our lives. I do not think the pope is asking us to deny the natural and normal human feelings of fear, worry, doubt especially during the most difficult times of our lives, like what we are now going through as people all over the world.
slaughter of the Filipino people. Perhaps. But if Churchill had taken Duterte’s attitude, the United Kingdom would have fallen. In 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt assumed the U.S. presidency at the height of the Great Depression following the 1929 stock market crash. In his inaugural speech, he endeavored to revive the spirits of the American people, not by offering false hopes, but by admitting the harsh facts and laying out his plans for recovery: “This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today.” Roosevelt then said these immortal lines: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!” Appealing for the “understanding and support” of the citizenry and of Congress, Roosevelt bluntly added: “But in the event that the Congress shall fail to take one of these two courses, and in the event that the national emergency is still critical, I shall not evade the clear course of duty that will then confront me. I shall ask the Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis-broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe.’ During his first 100 days of his presidency, Roosevelt worked to hasten recovery by stabilizing industrial and agricultural produc-
tion, and mounting massive public works projects that employed thousands. He also reformed the financial system and established a safety net for Americans He created the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and signed the Social Security Act that provided unemployment and disability benefits and old age pensions for American retirees. The economy was well on the way to recovery when a recession hit the country in 1937 and again in 1938, prolonging the depression up to the end of the decade. And then on December 7, 1941, Roosevelt faced another test of leadership when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Roosevelt dubbed it “a day of infamy.” But he proved equal to the new crisis. Compared to him, how has Trump fared in the face of the coronavirus crisis? Here is how one U.S. publication characterized it: “President Donald Trump’s failure to respond to the coronavirus pandemic didn’t begin with the administration’s failure to provide testing kits needed to tackle the crisis. It didn’t start with Trump’s bungled messaging and and inability to send out the millions of test kits even as the crisis worsened. “It began in April 2018 — more than a year and a half before the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease it caused, COVID-19, sickened people in China — that authorities realized they were dealing
with a new disease. “The Trump administration, with John Bolton newly at the helm of the White House National Security Council, began dismantling the team in charge of pandemic response, firing its leadership and disbanding the team in spring 2018. “The cuts, coupled with the administration’s repeated calls to cut the budget for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health agencies, made it clear that the Trump administration wasn’t prioritizing the federal government’s ability to respond to disease outbreaks…The federal government is only now playing catch-up, as thousands of coronavirus infections are confirmed and the death toll steadily increases every day.” At a time when credible leadership is so urgently required and a leader’s word must be his bond, Trump has also wallowed in lies. And at a time when taking responsibility is proof of leadership, Trump has been notorious for passing the buck. Asked if he felt accountable for the botched testing process, he replied, “ I don’t take any responsibility at all.” And when asked if he had anything to do with dismantling of the White House National Security Council’s Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense, Trump said he did not know about it. He lied. Sadly, Trump is no Roosevelt. (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)
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Dateline PhiliPPines
Tagle’s message: Social distancing should not stop community caring by RobeRtzon
RamiRez
Philstar.com
MANILA — Former Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle reminded the faithful not to allow the social distancing measure to eliminate “community caring” amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon in a bid to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In his homily for the prayers on healing of the world at the Pontificio Collegio Filipino in Rome on Wednesday night, Tagle said the public should always observe physical distancing wherever they go, but appealed to them not to forget their ties with their neighbors amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “I know, we need physical distancing and that is needed and we’re appealing to everyone to observe it where possible. Physical distancing should not lead to forgetfulness of neighbor,” said Tagle, who recently assumed his new post as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in Vatican City. Tagle said people might get used to physical distancing that will lead to being distant from their neighbors and would resort to name-calling and suspicions of one another. “Or we might get used to physical distancing even without the epidemic, we will be distant with one another; we will be suspicious with one another. And we will brand people, we will blame, blame, blame – and that is a
SOCIAL DISTANCING. As the Philippine government tries to restrict the movement of people in response to the growing pandemic of COVID-19 in the country, establishments, such as pharmacies implemented a 1-meter distance per person to protect the people from catching the coronavirus. AJPress photos by Godwin Gasacao
community quarantine in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19 while the Philippines is under a six-month state of calamity due to the coronavirus. Records from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that the Philippines has already more than 700 confirmed cases with 45 deaths and 26 who have recovered from the virus as of Thursday, March 26. Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said that health workers and other frontliners attending to COVID-19 patients are “the faces of Jesus.” “You are taking care of God. We cannot pay back your love and service that you are giving them,” Villegas said in his message for them posted yesterday on the Facebook page of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. Villegas added, “Jesus in the sick, and Jesus in you, you meet together, caring for each other.” He remembered when Jesus touched the lepers, the blind, the deaf when he raised up the dead and showed His compassion. Villegas narrated a story about then Pope John Paul II when he visited the Philippines in 1981 and wanted to see the lepers from the Tala Leprosarium in Caloocan. But since it was an impossible thing to meet him there, the lepers were brought to the back of the auditorium of Radio Veritas in Fairview, Quezon City. After the program and the pope saw the lepers at the backstage of Radio Veritas, he knelt and kissed the first leper he saw As Filipinos continue to face the COVID-19 threat, free rides are provided by Bacoor City to and whispered, “My Lord, my frontliners such as medical personnel, soldiers, media and policemen. Lord.” n deadly virus,” he added. “Physical distancing is for the common good, physical distancing should not eliminate community caring and that is what is needed today. This is a pandemic. This crisis, meaning pan, all demos, and people: it affects all people,” he added. Tagle led the healing prayers of the world in the Vatican on Wednesday evening, Philippine time, where he reminded the faithful of the great renewal that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the people. Tagle hopes that there will be a rebirth and resurgence of spirituality and mission when the COVID-19 pandemic ends, with people learning to care for each other, to be compassionate and to review their lifestyle. The Philippine government has placed Luzon under an enhanced
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CPP declares nationwide ceasefire by Dempsey
Reyes ManilaTimes.net
THE Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) has declared a ceasefire and ordered the New People’s Army (NPA) to observe the truce starting at 12 a.m. of March 26, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. of April 15, 2020. The declaration was issued days after the Philippine government declared a unilateral ceasefire as it focused all efforts in containing the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) that has infected hundreds in the country. “[T]he Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines hereby orders all commands and units of the New People’s Army and the people’s militias to observe a nationwide ceasefire that will take effect from 00:00H of 26 March 2020 to 23:59H of 15 April 2020,” the ceasefire order read. The CPP said a truce would
facilitate the unhampered and immediate delivery of medical, health and economic assistance to people affected by the enhanced community quarantine. “This ceasefire is also a gesture towards national unity and based on humanitarian principles in the context of the serious public emergency to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all,” it added. It said the ceasefire would also “potentially contribute” to the “positive atmosphere” of the holding of informal talks preparatory to the formal meeting in resuming the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the ceasefire declaration and called on communist rebels to “reflect” on what peace really means. “Let this be a time also for
them to accept with all honesty, with sincerity, and let this be a moment for them also to reflect on the true meaning of peace, the true meaning of patriotism so that we altogether work collectively…in combating Covid-19,” Maj. Gen. Ernesto Torres, acting AFP spokesman, said. Torres said a ceasefire was a “welcome development,” but he lamented that from the time the government declared its unilateral truce, several violations have been monitored. He claimed that based on past experiences, communist rebels still launched attacks against soldiers and civilians despite the declaration of a ceasefire. “I just hope that by this time, they will be sincere not only for the period of the Covid-19 [pandemic] but forever. Let this be a time for them to really reflect, to truly establish lasting peace and eventually, sustainable development,” Torres said. n
Groups urge DENR to investigate Manila Bay’s ‘turquoise’ waters Balikatan 2020 canceled due to pandemic IMPROVISED. A man wears an improvised face mask made out of a water bottle while monitoring the arrival of National Food Authority (NFA) rice at its warehouse in Malanday, Valenzuela City on Thursday, March 26. Agriculture Secretary William Dar has assured enough rice supply even during the lean months of July to September. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
by Gaea
KatReena Philstar.com
by Dempsey
Reyes ManilaTimes.net
CabiCo
MANILA — Organizations on Friday, March 27 called on government agencies to investigate the abrupt change in color of Manila Bay’s surface. This, after photos and videos that showed Manila Bay’s waters turning turquoise went viral, fascinating social media users. But according to a fisheries expert, the discoloration of Manila Bay manifests that there might be pollutants discharged in its waters. “This abrupt change in color in Manila Bay does not seem natural and should not be attributed to the enhanced community quarantine… For a eutrophic and polluted body of water like Manila Bay, marine rehabilitation will take years and won’t happen drastically over a period of a lockdown,” Jerwin Baure fisheries expert of fishers group PAMALAKAYA said. Baure said pollutant materials by an establishment might have been dumped into Manila Bay, which can be hazardous to the marine environment. “The DENR should get to the bottom of this. In case, on whatever establishment or entity responsible for a possible pollution discharge
A cleaner-looking Manila Bay as viewed from a room inside Microtel Mall of Asia, which was taken on Thursday, March 26. Photo by John Angue via Facebook
should be held accountable over violation of the government’s very own rehabilitation drive of Manila Bay,” Baure said. Non-profit ocean conservation organization Oceana said the development requires immediate study and continuous monitoring on the water and its impact on fisheries resources and marine environment of Manila Bay. “The government, while appropriately engulfed in public health response to COVID-19 crisis, should also look into this potential public health and environmental concern, not only for Metro Manila but in nearby provinces, cities and municipalities,” lawyer Gloria Ramos, Oceana vice president, said.
Manila Bay is a principal fishing ground for sardines, mackerel, mullet, threadfin, bream, squid, blue crab, round scad and fusilier, according to the National Fisheries and Research Development. “The people’s expressed interest on this observed change in color of the surface of the bay indicates a heightened awareness and concern in protecting not only the heritage and beauty of the world renowned sunset view but also the benefits of its marine resources for the people dependent on this body of water for their livelihood,” Ramos said. The rehabilitation of Manila Bay kicked off on January 23 last year. n
THIS year’s joint Balikatan exercises between the United States and the Philippines have been canceled due to the global spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has announced that the cancellation was in accordance with the travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Philippine government in response to the global pandemic. “In light of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding [the ] Covid-19 pandemic and in the best interest of the health and safety of both countries’ forces, it is prudent to cancel Balikatan 2020,” Admiral Phil Davidson, U.S. Indo-Pacific commander, said in a statement issued by his command. “We remain deeply committed to our long-standing alliance and friendship,” Davidson added. The Balikatan exercises were
supposedly slated on May 4 to 15 of this year which was also supposed to be held in the Philippines. Rear Admiral Adelius Bordado, head of the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command and the co-director of the Balikatan drills 2020, also confirmed the cancellation of the annual exercises. “We are in an extraordinary situation. Since Monday, the [Armed Forces of the Philippines] chief of staff was considering that since Monday and we already advised our J8 (AFP deputy chief of staff for training and education) to cancel [the exercises]. ” Bordado told reporters. He insisted that it was the Philippines who first suggested the cancellation by submitting a formal written request to American counterparts. Bordado also acknowledged that the cancellation of the exercises were also for the safety of thousands of personnel that were supposed to participate in
the drills. “This is for the safety of our troops and safety of all people that will be involved in this. This exercises has been the biggest drills we have,” he pointed out, adding that U.S. forces have not sent an advance party yet. The Philippine military earlier disclosed that a total of 10,875 soldiers were to join the annual exercises with 6,529 U.S. soldiers, 4,302 Filipino troopers and 44 from the Australian Defense Force as observers. Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte has formally ordered the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement which came after he learned the cancellation of the U.S. visa of Sen. Ronald de la Rosa, one of his staunchest allies in the Senate. This prompted Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to announce that any exercises that will take place after the sixmonth grace period before the decades-old pact’s termination takes effect. n
Officials deny rumors of total, extended lockdown MANILA — Officials on Friday, March 27 denied that the government is imposing a total lockdown nor an expanded nationwide lockdown next week. The Presidential Security Group said circulating messages on a supposed “total lockdown” from March 28 to April 15 is false. “There is no such guidance coming from the PSG and no such approval coming from the president himself,” the advisory read. Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles also nixed rumors that there will be military control starting next week, lockdown will be extended for another 60 days, and that public markets, including Divisoria, are closing. “I want to clarify that these are all fake news. Let us not believe [these posts],” he told DZMM in Filipino. Nograles is the designated spokesman of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force. At Friday’s “Laging Handa” briefing, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar also said that posts claiming that the Malacañang will declare a nationwide lockdown next week is
“fake news.” Check only IATF, government advisories Nograles also appealed to the public not to share the posts. He asked the public to wait for official announcements. “If it is not coming from the IATF itself, from the president, or the DOH, do not believe it,” he also said. PSG added: “Only the InterAgency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Disease has the sole authority to release official advisories and announcements pertaining to our government’s fight against COVID-19.” Fake news in the time of COVID-19 pandemic Nograles also warned in Filipino: “To whoever is creating these, just wait because our security and police personnel know who you are.” The PSG said that it will investigate the incident. President Rodrigo Duterte recently approved the “Bayanihan to Heal As One” law that will grant the executive branch new powers to address the coronavirus pandemic. One provision of the law penalizes spreading false information on social media and other platforms. The law punishes the follow-
ing: • Individuals or groups creating, perpetrating, or spreading false information regarding the COVID-19 crisis on social media and other platforms, such information having no valid or beneficial effect on the population and are clearly geared to promote chaos, panic, anarchy, fear or confusion • Those participating in cyber incidents that make use or take advantage of the current crisis situation to prey on public through scams, phishing, fraudulent emails or other similar acts Rights groups and journalists have raised the alarm on the provision saying it is over-broad and open to abuse. The Philippine National Police has filed criminal complaints against four individuals, from Laguna and Lapu-Lapu City, who allegedly spread false reports and information on COVID-19. All suspects are facing charges for violating Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances under the Revised Penal Code and Section 6 of the Anti-Cybercrime Law. (Kristine Joy Patag/Philstar.com)
Pope Francis’ blessing to us all in the age of the... PAGE A8 Instead, I think the pope is asking us to use the very energy we spend worrying, and fearing and doubting for prayer. Praying to our one God, who we call the “Almighty” who is watching over us. Such reconnection with God fills us up with strength, faith and hope, trusting that God will make everything work out for the good. It is this FAITH and TRUST in God that moves God’s miracle in motion in our life. God is expecting us to faithfully do what we can do on our own to help us in our circumstances — like social distancing, staying at home, washing our hands, listening to facts from scientists and experts, and obeying our lo-
cal government’s orders that will help contain the outbreak for the community. Then trust God will do what we cannot do on our own. Rest and have peace in that assurance, in that promise.. “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith”? Dear brothers and sisters, from this place that tells of Peter’s rock-solid faith, I would like this evening to entrust all of you to the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Health of the People and Star of the stormy Sea. From this colonnade that embraces Rome and the whole world, may God’s blessing come down upon you as a consoling embrace. Lord, may you bless the
world, give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts. You ask us not to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. Tell us again: “Do not be afraid” (Mt 28:5). And we, together with Peter, “cast all our anxieties onto you, for you care about us” (cf. 1 Pet 5:7). *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@ icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.
Champion of child health, pillar of...
PAGE A7 ing so many lives,” Murray also wrote on Twitter. According to her 2018 profile at the PPS, Gatchalian is affiliated with the World Society of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Asian Society of Pediatrics Infectious Disease and International Society for Tropical Pediatrics. Gatchalian was also a member of the Board of Trustees of
Tropical Disease Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1984 “that seeks to control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases with public significance through research, training and the provision of timely and relevant service.” ‘Manang Sally’ She is also known as the sister of noontime TV host Ruby Rodriguez who took it to Instagram to mourn the death of
her sister she fondly called as “Manang Sally.” Ruby said their family will remember her sister “with happy memories, laughing and sleeping, your Johnson outfits and all, how [you] love your bling bling, your Kuaff hair [every day], your [Korean drama] addition (you got me hooked up too).” The TV host bid goodbye to her sister: “Have fun in heaven!” n
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WKND COVID-19 and its effects on immigration
Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ W I T H t he ad vent of t he COV I D-19 pa ndem ic, a long w it h “st ay-at-home,� “shelter i n pl ace,� q ua r a nt i nes, t ravel ba ns, etc., t here has been a profound effect on immigration. Here are some of the restrictions, limitations, changes at the present time. This is not an exhaustive list, and is subject to change literally on a daily basis: 1. The Department of State (DOS) is temporarily suspending routine visa services at all U.S. E mbassies. E mbassies and consulates will cancel all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments as of March 20, 2020. Interviews will be rescheduled as soon as possible, but no specific date can be provided at this time. 2. The U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines noted that as of March 16, 2020, they have stopped processi ng rout i ne immigrant and nonimmigrant v isas due to t he Ph i l ippi ne government’s announcement of a n en ha nced com mu n it y quarantine for Luzon. Applicants will be advised of any new interview dates. 3. There are U.S. travel bans imposed for China, Europe, UK, etc., and airlines have suspended international f lights. Therefore, even if visas were issued, people would have a ver y di f f icu lt t i me enter i ng the U.S. 4. ICE is temporarily adjust-
ing its enforcement priorities, and will focus on apprehending and deporting those who pose a public safety risk and a r e “subje c t to m a nd ator y detention based on criminal grounds.� In other words, ICE will go back to the Obama administration’s policy of going after only those who pose a risk to society. 5. Immigration courts are canceling and w i l l later reschedule hear ings for t hose who are not being detained. T hey are a lso closing some courthouses. 6. USCIS has suspended inperson services, including all interviews and naturalization ceremonies. 7. ICE is rescheduling inper son check I NS of i m m igrants who are not in detention to “minimize the impact� of COVID-19. 8. USCIS will accept photocopies of signatures on many petitions and applications, as opposed to original, “wet ink� signatures. L et u s a l s o h o p e U S C I S will not be ser ving requests for evidence (RFE’s), denials, etc. du r i ng t h i s pa ndem ic, where people are supposed to respond within a certain time limit, especially when people are confined to their homes, with limited ability to gather documents and prepare decent responses. In add it ion, i f a person should miss a deadline because of the COVID-19 pandemic, in certain circumstances t here could st i l l be relief available based on “extraordinary circumstances.� “For my part, my office is still open and operational in order to serve our clients and community. While we are all oper at i ng f rom ou r homes,
all of our staff members are equipped with technology and tools to continue to call clients, work on cases, and keep clients informed at all times. Consultations are still done by phone. This is a testimony to our commitment in serving our clients, and we are prepared to do so no matter what. This is a very difficult time for all of us, requiring virtually an overnight retooling in t he way we operate. But we are up to the challenge, and we will continue to keep you informed of any further developments.� *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories�, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
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#RacismIsAVirus: Fil-Am Broadway stars rally against anti-Asian racism through social media campaign
By Klarize
Medenilla Inquirer.net
LIKE industries across the country, Broadway has closed the curtain and joined the millions of Americans in self-isolation amid the current outbreak of the new coronavirus. The Broadway community — which includes many notable Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) actors, singers
and artists — has always prided itself as an inclusive space that celebrates humans of all origins, genders, abilities and sexual orientations. And the latest example of the comes in the form of a social media campaign #RacismIsAVirus, which was launched to shed the spotlight on the reports of hate and violence against the AAPI community amid the COVID-19 viral outbreak, which originated
Wall Financial Inc. DBA Win Prime Lending 695 So. Harvard Bl. Los Angeles, CA 90005
in Wuhan, China. As written in the Asian Journal, social media posts of mostly individuals hurling insults directly at Asians or blaming Asians for the massive spread of the COVID-19 virus have catalyzed an enormous pushback effort from AAPIs and allies on social media. Organized by the Broadway Diversity Project’s Diane
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B march 28-31, 2020 • La WEEKEND aSIaN JOUrNaL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
SoCal-based Pinay pastry chef wins Food Network’s ‘Chopped Sweets’ by
Christina M. Oriel AJPress
Broadway Diversity Project’s Diane Phelan (left) started the #RacismIsAVirus campaign and garnered the support of fellow actors, including Marc Dela Cruz of “Hamilton.�
#RacismIsAVirus: Fil-Am Broadway...
PAGE B1 phelan, a Filipina American Broadway actress (“School of Rock,� “The King and i,� “Here lies love�) and director, the #RacismisAVirus campaign was inspired by photos and videos she saw countering the “timid stereotypes� of Asians. “i imagined how immediate and critical it could be for social media to be flooded with Asian and ally faces with a unifying sign calling for awareness and an end to the ignorance placed upon the Asian and Asian American community,� phelan said. “This includes the term ‘Chinese Virus’ used by the president to place blame and scapegoat. Our cultures have long been associated with stereotypes of being the timid, model minority, and while stoicism bears much honor within our parents’ cultures, it’s time for us to speak up.� Shortly after phelan launched the campaign, other Broadway stars immediately supported the cause, including Filipino American Marc Dela Cruz (“Hamilton: An American Musical�), Chinese American Telly leung (“Aladdin,� “Rent�). The movement has also gained the support of other celebrities like actors Daniel Dae Kim and Tzi Ma, nBA star Jeremy lin and renowned filmmaker Spike lee. To join the campaign, users may post a selfie or any photo of themselves to any social media platform and include the hashtag #RacismisAVirus; according to a press release, the campaign has “reached over 600,000 users� and is
spreading rapidly throughout instagram, Twitter, Facebook and other popular social media platforms. According to phelan, the call to action for the campaign is to ensure that Asian voices are heard in a way that adheres to the stay-at-home measures put in place. “We can’t gather or march right now but we can let our voices be heard through social media. My dream is to heal any sense of powerlessness in our people through standing up for ourselves and pushing back on the acts of racism happening in our country,� phelan said. For Filipinos who may feel like they don’t have to join in the cause since the virus began in China, specifically, phelan noted the importance of solidarity among all Asian and pacific islander cultures, and that the impact of a cross-cultural campaign is instrumental in suppressing the racist and xenophobic attacks. “Filipinos should care and get involved because racism against any other Asian American community is racism against all of us,� she remarked. “Many people don’t discern between who is who amongst Asians and the for all of us to stand up together shows the world we won’t tolerate being treated this way.� As previously written in the Asian Journal, the history of racism against Asians during epidemics and pandemics is largely rooted in the myth that certain bodies are biologically inferior or are more susceptible
Tremendous Communications founder Jeremiah Abraham joins in on the #RacismIsaVirus campaign.
to infection, therefore dangering the American public. Though local, state and federal governments in the U.S. have since abandoned implementing policies that reflect these sentiments, the notion that because a virus may have originated from Asia that those of Asian descent — or those who resemble Asian heritage — are either to blame or are infected. “Discrimination toward Asians and Asian Americans has run rampant for quite some time, but has generally been overlooked,� said Filipino American film producer Jeremiah Abraham, who is also the founder of Tremendous, a cross-cultural communications company. “it’s unfortunate that it takes a global pandemic to make our struggle seen by the masses. The furious outcry from our communities gives me hope in the sense that we will never let xenophobia go unnoticed ever again.�
Just Add Tea to Your Next Meal By Grace O
Serving and enjoying hot tea is a daily ritual in many countries. Most Brits wouldn’t dream of skipping their 4 p.m. cuppa. Good for them, because black tea contains the FoodTrient catechins, as well as flavonoids, theaflavins, and magnesium. These antioxidants help reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack by lowering cholesterol and triglycerides. They protect against certain cancers, help prevent dental cavities, and enhance weight loss by stimulating metabolism. The compounds in black tea also improve blood flow (by strengthening blood-vessel walls), lower blood pressure, and promote artery health while reducing the risk of blood clots. The caffeine in black tea boosts energy and improves concentration. The Japanese tea ceremony, or The Way of Tea, is a ritual involving powdered green tea (matcha) that dates back over a thousand years. Green tea has all the antioxidant power of black tea with a little less caffeine. Green tea isn’t fermented like black tea, so it has all the benefits of black tea, plus it shields against environmental toxins. I love to cook with tea. In my cookbook is my recipe for Gingerroot Black Tea. Gingerroot provides protection from inflammation to ease arthritis and allergy symptoms. I also like to boil my soba or Udon noodles in green tea so that they soak up all that antioxidant power (see my recipe for Green Tea Noodles with Edamame in my Age Gracefully Cookbook). I’m not the only person who likes cooking with tea. Eric R. Braverman, M.D., author of Younger You, extols green and black tea for their brain-boosting power. In his latest book, Younger (Thinner) You Diet, Dr. Braverman recommends drinking tea with every meal. He loves that tea has absolutely no calories “and can stimulate digestion, cleanse the body, reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and give you lots of energy.�
Jasmine Tea-Infused Brown Rice with Sweet Peas and Duck Serves 8, 400 calories per serving
Ingredients
2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth Ÿ cup brewed jasmine tea þ FXS VDIà RZHU RLO ODUJH RQLRQ À QHO\ FKRSSHG 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 pound duck breast, cut into thin strips 2 cups brown rice 2 cups sweet peas 1 tsp. oregano 1 tsp. coriander 2 Tbs. fresh basil, cut into thin strips
Directions 1. Combine the chicken broth and tea in a large pot and heat until boiling EA \ ? garlic until the onion starts to turn golden. Add Ÿ A f A 3. Add the rice to the chicken-tea broth and reduce heat. Cover and simmer until liquid is completely absorbed, about 45 minutes.
Dr. Braverman’s book includes a recipe for 4. Stir in the peas, oregano, coriander, and basil Jasmine Tea-Infused Brown Rice with Sweet Peas and mix until combined well. Divide into and Duck. He gave me permission to give this four portions and top with duck breast. recipe to you.
ABOUT GRACE O
GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooks—The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which recently won Gourmand’s ‘Best in the World’ Award for Innovation. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20 years in the healthcare industry. Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com
A FilipinA American pastry chef and entrepreneur from Southern California won a recent episode of Food network’s “Chopped Sweets.â€? Ginger lim-Dimapasok, the owner of ube-centric bakery CafĂŠ 86, triumphed during the Monday, March 16 episode of “Chopped Sweetsâ€? entitled “Carnival Crunch Time.â€? “Chopped Sweets,â€? a spinoff of the network’s popular show “Chopped,â€? features four bold pastry artists who compete for the $10,000 prize. “The win could truly bring a lot of exposure to the cafe because this reached such a broad audience — not just nationwide, but worldwide,â€? lim-Dimapasok told the Asian Journal in an interview. Since the episode was aired, she has been receiving dozens of messages from individuals around the world. She added, “To be honest, the messages i receive from around the world thanking me for giving them some sort of ray of light, even for that one day, meant so much more to me than anything else.â€? lim-Dimapasok was scouted for the show last summer and went through a series of interviews and auditions. By October, she was flown out to Food network’s studios in new York to film the carnival-themed episode, which she said was “exciting and scary all at the same time.â€? leading up to the episode’s release, she kept her TV appearance under wraps. “Whatever you see on TV, that is just a part of how truly scary and exhilarating the entire process is. For me, being someone who has watched Food network most of my life and watched these shows and at some point fantasized about what it would be like to be on them, it was so surreal to be in the studios actually competing. it was literally like a dream come true,â€? she said. Originally from Manila, limDimapasok grew up in a family that ran a turo turo restaurant and bakeshop and was inspired by female chefs from Doreen Fernandez to Martha Stewart. She migrated to Southern California and was a stay-at-home mom until she started CafĂŠ 86 with her husband James in Chino Hills, California in 2014. To date, the couple has stores in pasadena, Artesia, San Diego and las Vegas and is famous for having over 50 desserts and drinks featuring ube. “i came into the ‘Chopped Sweets’ competition knowing one thing for sure: i was going to cook what i love — Filipino food — and i was going to cook from the heart. i had confidence that my knowledge and love of Filipino food and especially my Kapampangan roots would definitely help me deal with whatever ingredients they threw at me,â€? lim-Dimapasok said. in her interviews during the episode, she proudly boasted her Filipina heritage and her competi-
“Ginger Lim-Dimapasok, the owner of bakery CafĂŠ 86, triumphed during the Monday, March 16 episode of “Chopped Sweetsâ€? entitled “Carnival Crunch Time.â€?
“Lim-Dimapasok made three carnival-themed desserts, inspired by her Filipina heritage and love of Mexican street food, during an episode of “Chopped Sweets.�
tive spirit. During the first round of the episode, the basket items were churro corn dogs, watermelon slices, cream soda and corn on the cob. inspired by Filipino desserts with corn, lim-Dimapasok created a corn and cheese egg roll with cream soda and watermelon caramel. Though her first batch of egg rolls burned, she was able to quickly frying more for the judges to taste. Judge Brandi Milloy, who is also Fil-Am, said the egg roll had a “beautiful texture,� while Waylynn lucas said it was the “perfect combination of sweet and savory.� The second round presented contestants with a grilled pineapple sundae, chewy fruit squares, kiwi and cherry pickles. The pinay chef recalled this being the biggest challenge during the competition because she initially envisioned a fruit salad dessert but ended up concocting fruit nachos with pickle-fruit pico de gallo “inspired by the Mexican fruit carts of los Angeles,� she said. The nachos, which judges deemed a favorite, were topped
with a swirl of pink cotton candy. For the final round — where lim-Dimapasok was left alongside Angela Malpedo of Bethlehem Dairy Store pastry chef in Bethlehem, pA — the surprise ingredients included unicorn popcorn, ice cream beads, rambutan and circus peanuts. lim-Dimapasok, sharing that her mother had a rambutan farm back in the philippines, channeled the famous Filipino summer treat, halo halo, using coconut rambutan and lime sorbet. When the time was up, judges presented the dish that would be eliminated and revealed lim-Dimapasok’s win, which she dedicated to her two children. “i was in tears when they announced me as the winner because this was truly a dream come true. All i could think of was my family who has inspired me to do what i love to do and that is feed people,� she said. “Being able to utilize my mom’s favorite fruit in my winning dish was also amazing. Everything that i have become was because she and my dad believed in me and allowed me to do what i truly love.�
Filipino stars put their influence, platforms to good use during pandemic By allan
POliCarPiO Inquirer.net
TElEViSiOn networks and film outfits may have shuttered entertainment production, but work continues for many show biz personalities who have decided to maximize their influence and platforms to be of help to people worst affected by the new coronavirus disease (COViD-19) pandemic and the front-liners working hard to contain it. Realizing that not everyone has the privilege of staying at home without going hungry, Maine Mendoza facilitated a fund drive, dubbed “Donation,� which aims Alden Richards and Main Mendoza to provide financial aid to workers GMA photo who have no choice but to go out to earn a living, and those “who are greatly affected by this catastrophe.� “Consider yourself blessed if, despite all, you can purchase food and sanitation supplies (even hoard) for your homes. But what about workers who live on a day-to-day basis? now that they’re obliged not to go to work, how do they survive?� Maine said in a statement. public donations made through the virtual wallet app GCash are personally forwarded by Maine to workers whose livelihoods were disrupted by the said outbreak, like public utility vehicle drivers, construction workers, street/market vendors, etc. They’re required to provide proof—photos, iDs or documents—of employment. “i know how hard it is for these people nowadays to sustain their living, so i decided to share as much as i can to them. i’m sending p1,000 per household for food, groceries and other essentials. PAGE B3
Comedienne Pokwang
Heart Evangelista
GMA photo
Photo from Instagram/@itspokwang27
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 28-31, 2020
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99 Ranch Market makes public announcement
PETITION APPROVED ALMOST 15 YEARS AFTER DENIAL: SEE THIS STORY UNFOLD ON CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY. Marvin was petitioned by his father as a single adult child of an immigrant in 2001. However, his father moved and did not notify the USCIS of the new address. When the USCIS served a request for evidence, the family never got the notice, and did not reply. The petition was therefore denied due to abandonment in 2005, and the family almost gave up. Finally, Marvin’s family consulted with the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel who, in 2015, fought for the family, arguing the case should not have been denied. But victory did not come easy. Each time a motion to reopen/reconsider was filed, it was denied as untimely and that the denial was proper. But the Law Office did not give up and finally, after the 4th motion, the case was approved in 2019! Watch how the team of Atty. Gurfinkel was able to get Marvin to enter the U.S. as an immigrant after 18 grueling years, on all-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)
Petition finally approved 14 years after denial, 4 motions to reconsider on a brand-new Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
PERSEVERANCE and persistence will get one the results they hope to get, as evidenced in the story of Marvin, who was petitioned by his father more than 18 years ago. However, when the family moved to a new home, they failed to inform the USCIS. So, when a request for evidence was mailed to the old address, the family never got it and failed to reply on time. The petition was then denied in
2005 due to abandonment. The family was crushed upon finding out, until they decided to consult with, and retain, leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel almost a decade later. The team at the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel worked hard, persevered, and fought for Marvin’s case by filing motions to reconsider, arguing the denial was in error. But USCIS kept denying the motions as untimely and that the original
denial of the petition was proper. But the Law Office would not give up. Finally, on their 4th attempt, the USCIS agreed, and approved the petition in 2019. After 18 years, Marvin celebrated his first Christmas with his family in the US. Watch this inspiring story of perseverance and determination on an all-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.
(Advertising Supplement)
Filipino stars put their influence...
PAGE B2 This is to help as many employees as possible,” said the 25-year-old star, who makes all her project’s transactions viewable on thedonationdrive.wordpress.com. “We can all help in our own little way to at least make things easier for those who need it the most … Our share, no matter how big or small, will go a long way.” The television host-actress also
recognized the sacrifices being made by our front-liners, who put their own health on the line to perform their sworn duties. “Our front-liners—be they from the government or the food and medical industries—have been trying their best to fulfill their duties. They’re our modern heroes in these difficult times,” she pointed out. “Let’s pray for a better tomorrow, free from all the worries our nation
has today. Keep safe and may God bless us all.” Putting her love for cooking to good use, comedienne Pokwang whipped up sandwiches, which she distributed to military and police personnel manning the checkpoints on Marcos Highway, a busy thoroughfare that connects Metro Manila to Antipolo, Rizal, where she lives. “In a world full of worries and fears, it’s people’s
99 RANCH Market, via a public announcement signed by CEO Alice Chen, recently shared a public announcement on how the company and its stores are addressing shoppers’ needs during the coronavirus crisis. Here’s the announcement in full: To our valued customers and the 99 Ranch Market community: As we continue to monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID19) situation very closely, we wanted to share the actions that 99 Ranch Market is taking to better serve customers, employees and community. Gratitude for our dedicated employees As we have been given the social responsibility to keep our stores open and provide food for our communities, our loyal employees have risen up and met the challenge. In order to meet unprecedented demand, our employees have dedicated their days and nights to keep our stores stocked so our customers have food to buy. In recognition of the incredible contributions of our frontline store employees, for 4 weeks starting March 15, 2020, we have allocated a special budget to enact a temporary raise of $2/hour for all our hourly store employees. We truly appreciate our employees’ teamwork and loyal service during this challenging time. The health and safety of our customers, employees remain our top priority We take great pride in maintaining the highest standards of cleanlinees, hygiene and safety. In response to the Coronavirus, 99 Ranch Market has taken additional measures developed in consultation with global and local public health authorities (including the WHO and CDC) to make our cleaning protocols smiles we want to see. Please, don’t lose hope. This, too, will pass, my beloved fellowmen,” she wrote on her Instagram account. Aside from donating meals, Pokwang repacked rice and other food essentials and gave them to needy families with the help of her barangay captain.
even more rigorous and to ensure the safety of our customers and employees, including: • Increased frequency of cleaning high-traffic areas (including shelves, product displays, cashier stations and restrooms) and have continued the use of hospital-grade disinfectants. • Increased deep cleanings of our stores and distribution centers. • Increased accessibility of antibacterial hand sanitizers for customers and employees. • Providing disposable face masks and gloves to our store employees. • As a precautionary measure, we have suspended all food samplings and demonstrations and closed all of our dine-in areas (Take-out orders are still available). • Ensuring that all of our employees stay home if they are feeling unwell. • Suspending employee travel internationally and all other nonessential travels. This weekend, 99 Ranch Market has also begun: •Installing plexiglass shields at every cashier check-out aisle. • Limiting the number of customers in the stores to approximately 50% capacity. •Implementing social distancing both within the stores and in any lines that may form outside the store by requiring that all persons keep within at least 6 feet of one another whenever possible. • Reducing business hours to allow stores to clean and restock to better service the community. Meeting the needs of our most vulnerable communities All of our stores have reserved the first hour of business on weekdays to accommodate the elderly 60+, expectant mothers, persons with disabilities, and/or persons with compromised immune systems. We ask that our “Social media is of big help during these times, especially when used properly,” she said, adding that it’s not the time for bashing. “It (social media) allows us to inspire and help others,” she pointed out. Alden Richards had packed food delivered to front-liners in his home city, Biñan, Laguna. So
customers respect these hours for those who are most at risk in our communities. Together we will fight, support one another 99 Ranch Market, Cravings by 99 Ranch Market and our partners offer our deepest sympathy to those who have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID19) outbreak. We are prepared to navigate these challenging circumstances with everyone’s safety in mind. While our stores remain open for business, we recognize that you may choose to shop from home. IN an effort to provide you with the highest customer service, we are offering the following alternatives should you choose to shop from home: • Shop online at 99ranch.com to get dry groceries delivered to your home. • Shipt – a third-party grocery delivery service, offers same-day delivery to your home. Available nationwide. • Coming soon: in-store pick up and local delivery via 99ranch.com will be available in 15 stores across regions: Northern California – Milpitas and Sacramento; Southern California – Anaheim, Chino Hills, Corona, Irvine-Culver, Monterey Park and Van Nuys; Texas – Austin and Houston; Washington State – Edmonds; Maryland – Gaithersburg; Massachusetts – Quincy; New Jersey – Edison; Oregon – Beaverton. We firmly believe that it is our responsibility to prioritize the health and well-being of our employees and customers. In an effort to protect our customers and employees, and slow the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, we vow to play a constructive role by supporting local and government health officials. Thank you for being a loyal 99 Ranch Market customer. We look forward to continuing to serve you.
(Advertising Supplement)
did Solenn Heussaff for health care workers. Couple Joyce Ching and Juancho Triviño sent coffee to weary medical staff in various hospitals. Heart Evangelista had face masks distributed among rural health units in Sorsogon province, where her husband, Chiz Escudero, is governor.
B4 MARCH 28-31, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797
Tomorrow is another day. What’s next?
has a story. Yes, I’ve met amazing souls, and the lights fill me. These flattering lights shine in my by MYLAH face and I confront myself in the mirror to take a deep howling DE LEON look into the troubles that have lined and distorted me, that gave the streaks and shrieks of anger, like firecrackers exploding from small ignitions so I DON’T know the answers to minuscule that they are barely the big questions of life. But ev- visible. After the blast, there is erything is relative, everything no trace of their existence; of
MOONLIGHTING
that yet another relationship, another being, who passionately ejects out of one’s life to become another memory unforgotten. How many times must one live this story before you can re-route the landing and make it smooth without too many bumps on the runway? What creates this weakness, and what prevents us from improving our choices? When will the roads we choose be paved with concrete instead of quicksand? Enlightenment? The painful thing about enlightenment is that you can not go back to the warm safe place that ignorance keeps so impenetrable for us. You simply accept that it’s the only protection from knowledge and existence and that a partner has to be working alongside you. If he doesn’t, then it’s like one hand clapping. It has to meet the other hand to make the sound of applause. I’ve had a great run, the highest and lowest of lows, both professionally and personally, as one does in living dreams to the fullest. Life and death live in the flicker of an eye, a flash in a cloud or a bubble in a stream. That is how fragile they can be. That one we’ve lost yet, we were blessed to have and had his light in on life. I feel his presence daily. And I feel grateful that my time happened when it did. I’m grateful I can look back and say once more, “I’m so glad we had this time together.” As for the career, sometimes I catch myself daydreaming, about being young again and doing it all over. But as you reflect on all the wonderful times you’ve had and continue to have, you just live your dreams to the fullest. You can strip away the things that seem important, and go back to the basics. We discover that all we really have that matters is family: the four girls and the grandchildren who continue to encourage us to run the race, to live life honestly, to never forget to play and to love as if there is no tomorrow. Along the way, we’ve learned that compassion is great medicine. And if we can cultivate compassion for those who PAGE B5
Sacrifice, care and love: the Filipino women on the front lines during these challenging times AS International Women’s Month comes to an end, WorldRemit wants to recognize and honor the incredible Filipino women who offer their selfless service as doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, emergency medical personnel and caregivers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that many Filipino women will be working tirelessly to support victims of the virus amid an overwhelmed healthcare industry. With the number of active cases exceeding300,000 worldwide, health care workers will be on the front lines in the face of a national crisis facing the American health system.
With women making up 58% of the Filipino immigrant population overseas (according to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas), and 4% of practicing nurses in the U.S. being Filipino, Filipino women are an integral part of America’s internationally educated healthcare workers. Many of these Filipino women across America will continue to work and support their families and loved ones, despite the difficulties brought on by the pandemic continuing to send money back home to support their extended families in coping with the impact of the pandemic in the Philippines. WorldRemit is honored to help these women at this crucial time, providing
Menggie Cobarrubias
a fast, convenient, and secure money transfer service. International Women’s Month celebrates all women across the world, and as we continue to battle a global pandemic, we want to observe the Filipino women on the front lines. We acknowledge the hard work and personal sacrifices these women will undertake in the upcoming weeks and months. We honor you, we thank you and we support you. To find out more about WorldRemit visit www.worldremit. com or download the App (Branded article)
Philstar.com photo by James Banaag
Pinoy celebs mourn award-winning actor Menggie Cobarrubias’ passing by
RATZIEL SAN JUAN Philstar.com
NOTHING less than a starstudded farewell greeted the p a s s i ng of a w a r d-w i n n i n g ac to r D om i n go “M en g g i e” Cobarrubias, as celebrity condolences coalesced for their
beloved senior. T he f i l m a nd telev ision i n d u s t r y m a i n s t a y r e p o r tedly succumbed to pneumon i a pend i ng to t he r esu lt s of h is test i ng for t he novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). He posted a cryptic, hea r t br ea k i ng “G o o d bye”
message on social media before his death. His career, which spanned decades, included credits in classic movies and teleseryes, including the Lino Brocka film “Jaguar” in 1979, for which he won Best Supporting Actor at the 1980 Gawad Urian.
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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • mARch 28-31, 2020
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Pechanga T.K.O. (Tawanan Kantahan Overload) upcoming shows postponed
ASAP Birit Queens Jona, Morissette Amon, Angeline Quinto and Klarisse De Guzman
ANS-CBN photos
ABS-CBN airs 1st digital concert worldwide for Pantawid ng Pag-ibig by
Kane eRRol Choa Philstar.com
THE emotional plea of a taxi driver interviewed in TV Patrol because he lost his daily source of income following the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine went viral on social media. Reynaldo Alcala was one of some 600 taxi and bus drivers apprehended by police authorities for plying EDSA on the first day of the community quarantine last week. “Magugutom talaga kami kapag hindi kami bumiyahe. Dahil wala kaming pera, wala kaming pambili ng bigas,” he said, breaking into tears midway. “Mahirap ‘pag mahirap. Walang pagkukunan. Ang kailangan ay pagkain.” Like Reynaldo, a 68-year-old vendor named Carlota walked from Caloocan to Divisoria for two hours because there was no public transportation on the same day. She buys and sells vegetables for a living. “Dapat hindi pinasara yung mga sasakyan. Mahirap. Naghahanap-buhay. Walang kakainin, lalo ang mga katulad namin. Wala kaming pinagkakakitaan, kamatis, sibuyas, pakonti-konti, para mabuhay lamang,” she said tearfully in an interview with ABS-CBN news reporter Nikko Baua. The interview clip, posted on ABS-CBN News’ Twitter account, has been viewed by more than 520,000 times, liked by some 20,000 times, and retweeted more than 6,000 times. These are the plights of Filipinos who have lost their sources of income. They do not know how they can provide for their families until the quarantine ends in mid-
April. They have to struggle to survive. The need to provide food and necessities to Filipinos, like Reynaldo and Carlota, who are unable to work or make a living because they are in quarantine, is the goal of ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pag-ibig project. Like all other people staying at their homes, more than 100 Kapamilya stars gathered together from their homes for the first-ever virtual concert Pantawid ng Pagibig: At-Home Together Concert by ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. The “at-home together” concert, which aimed to raise awareness and donations for the project, was aired on ABS-CBN, S+A, MOR 101.9, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, DZMM TeleRadyo, ANC, iWant and The Filipino Channel (TFC). Filipinos here and abroad were able to watch the digital concert with the artists performing or giving out inspiring messages from their homes via Zoom. It featured heartfelt performances by some of the country’s finest singers Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Darren Espanto, Erik Santos, Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera, among others. Newlyweds Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli made their first TV appearance and did a duet of the inspirational song You Are The Reason. Sarah’s fellow The Voice Philippines coaches Lea Salonga, Bamboo and apl.de.ap also supported the cause as they sang songs of hope dedicated to Filipinos. Moira dela Torre offered a prayer and performed an original song written for those who
are affected by the Luzon-wide quarantine. The hosts of It’s Showtime – Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Karylle, Amy Perez, Ryan Bang, Jhong Hilario and Vhong Navarro – gave an energetic performance. Vice debuted his new quirky song Corona Bye Na, with lyrics talking about how to get rid of the coronavirus, while Anne appeared on TV for the first time after giving birth as she shared an encouraging message with the madlang people. Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil brought kilig to viewers’ homes, singing the theme song of their teleserye Make It With You. Aside from the musical performances, the virtual concert also had live interviews with ABS-CBN’s brightest stars from their homes. Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla both reminded everyone to stay at home amid the ongoing health crisis, while Bea Alonzo commended the health frontliners for their unwavering service. Judy Ann Santos sent a message of hope to Filipinos, saying that we are a resilient nation and highlighted the value of bayanihan in times of crisis. The concert ended with the Kapamilya stars singing Heal the World. ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pagibig campaign is in partnership with the local government units of Metro Manila, to which the relief packages will be turned over. The local governments will then lead the preparation and distribution of relief packages for families in need. To kick off the campaign last March 19, the Lopez Group of Companies donated P100M to Pantawid ng Pag-ibig.
Top fashion designers sew PPEs for frontliners by iza iglesias ManilaTimes.net
WHAT can the Philippines’ celebrated fashion designers do amid the coronavirus pandemic? The answer is a whole lot of difference. A number of the country’s top couturiers are lending their talent, resources and ateliers to produce scarce but vital personal protective equipment (PPEs) for healthcare workers and other frontliners. Michael Leyva turned his atelier into a PPE factory with the help of his master cutters and sewers, assuring frontliners help is coming their way on his Instagram account. Leyva wrote, “We are one (in) this. #TeamMichaelLeyva will be donating PPEs, head covers and masks for our heroes #frontliners. “Mabuhay po kayo at salamat sa dedikasyon at pagmamahal sa ating bayan. This wouldn’t have been possible without my team’s dedication and willingness to help. Stay home, stay safe and we will get through this together. God will be with us. #SinulidContraCovid.” Leyva’s celebrity muses were quick to praise the designer for his initiative, among them Anne Curtis who posted, “Mabuhay ka @michaelleyva.” “God bless you @michaelleyva and the entire team!” Kim Chiu wrote, while actress and beauty queen Vicky Rushton said, “May God bless you more and more and more.” Kathryn Bernado posted three heart emojis in the comments section. Angel Locsin, who is also actively helping out in the crisis, asked Leyva, “How much per piece?” The designer replied, “Will give you dear. Para sa mga bayani natin like you.” Pattern for heroes Mich Dulce — whose design have been worn by the likes of pop star Lady Gaga, socialite Paris Hilton, Vogue
Famed bridal designer Michael Leyva turns his atelier into a manufacturing hub for personal protective equipment and head covers for COVID-19 frontliners. Photo from Instagram/@michaelleyva
Nippon editor and fashion icon Anna Dello Russo, and British singers Paloma Faith and Shingai Shoniwa — has also rallied industry friends and fashion suppliers to help make PPEs. “Dear friends, my friend Cynthia Diaz has rolls of 75 gsm non-woven fabric she would like to donate that can be made into protective suits, masks and shoe covers. In lieu of this, VP (Vice President Maria Leonor) Leni (Robredo) will be lending us samples of protective gear so we can make pattern(s from them) and begin production. My studio will be focusing on making this from home. The gear will be distributed via the Office of the Vice President,” Dulce posted on Instagram read. “To friends in the fashion industry who have studios still in operation or with capacity to work from home and want to help, please DM (direct message) me and let’s try to get this material to become something our health workers can use. If you have a sewing machine you can help. Once we make the suit patterns we will make copies and distribute alongside the
fabric,” she continued. “It’s all very new and I have to think more about logistics, so if you have any ideas, please let me know. Keep safe.” For those interested in helping, Dulce listed the materials needed for making PPEs. These are water repellant fabrics such as umbrella/raincoat material, poly microfiber and taffeta; non-woven material 50 gsm and up; zippers of 26 inches or longer, or continuous zippers; garter/elastic 1/4 inches thick; velcro; twill tape/ribbon 1/4 inch thick; and manila paper (for pattern replication). Garment factories were among the first to heed Dulce’s call saying they were ready to receive the pattern for PPE production as soon as possible. As of press time, Dulce said close to 400 volunteers have pledged to sew protective suits for the frontliners. “Now we have more makers than material so I am posting this call for donations. I urge everyone to centralize donations via @chynchong for distribution to volunteers rather than go to individual makers so that we can account for all donations and be completely transparent about how [they are] used and each maker will be accountable for fabric [they] receive,” Dulce said. “I will be uploading the pattern for the suit. Please be patient with us while we make the tech pack accurate and detailed. Thank you for all you generosity,” she ended. Heroes’ designers Besides Leyva and Dulce, other top designers who are making PPEs for donation to frontliners are Patty Ang, Steph Lim, Patrice Ramos Diaz, Puey Quinones and Rajo Laurel whose team is designing and manufacturing hazmat suits. “A little help will go a long way… We all must help in every possible way,” the famed couturier said on social media.
AT Pechanga Resort Casino, we are committed to the health and safety of our guests, and our team. As part of that commitment, we want to take a moment to assure you that Pechanga is taking the developing coronavirus (COVID-19) very seriously. Pechanga Resort Casino announced it will be closing starting on Monday, March 16 at 12 p.m. through March 31 to protect its guests and team members from COVID-19. Team members will receive their base pay and benefits during this time. At this time, we must also sadly confirm that the upcoming Filipino show T.K.O. (Tawanan Kantahan Overload) scheduled for Saturday, April 11 at 8 p.m. has been postponed. Those who purchased tickets will receive a full refund
via the credit card used to pay for the original tickets. Guests who purchased tickets for the show through Ticketmaster can refer to their online refund and exchange policy. If guests purchased tickets from Pechanga Resort Casino, please contact the Pechanga Box Office by calling (888) 810-8871. State Public health officials urge that events and gatherings of more than 250 people be postponed or canceled until at least the end of March due to concerns about the spread of the novel COVID-19. We ask for your understanding as these decisions have been made in consideration for the safety of the audience and performers. Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States.
Voted the number one casino in the country by USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 5,000 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,090 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebookand on Twitter @ PechangaCasino. (Advertising Supplement)
Claudine mulling a comeback – again by
Ronnie CaRRasCo ManilaTImes.net
SHOULD talks about Claudine Barretto staging a comeback anytime soon be taken seriously this time? As far as Bianca Lapus — who co-manages the Optimum Star with Star Magic—is concerned, Claudine is gearing up for a much-awaited return only that she needs to be back in shape. A movie most probably under Star Cinema and a soap opera on ABS-CBN are just two of the projects that await Claudine upon her return, Bianca reveals. It was around this time last year when Claudine—in her guesting on “Tonight With Boy Abunda”— confirmed her reunion movie with Piolo Pascual (by June or July). She and Piolo
the project will push through as planned since Italy comes in second as far as the number of COVID-19 cases around the world is concerned. It is with sheer excitement however to see Claudine back in harness, both on TV and on the giant screen. Before her self-imposed hiatus, Claudine last appeared in Star Cinema’s “Etiquette for Mistresses” (2015) and TV5’s “Bakit Manipis Ang Ulap?” (2016). Despite having been megged by the country’s ace directors Chito Roño and Joel Lamangan, Claudine Barretto Photo from Instagram/@claubarretto respectively, box office and rating results were a frustrating fact last teamed up in Cathy Garcia- to contend with. Molina’s “Milan” (2004) which Figures set aside, Vignettes gave her Best Actress trophies in though can’t wait to see one gem Famas and Luna Awards. of an actress like Claudine spring To be shot in Florence, Vi- back, this time with renewed gnettes however casts doubt that zest. And for good.
Tomorrow is another day...
PAGE B4 have hurt us, we might have the possibility of overcoming our anger, pain and fear, which stifle joy. So, all you need is the intention and the wish to be happy and it will be so.
I don’t know, but it’ll chart my own course through unexpected terrain, responding to the changing times and using my own internal compass. I won’t be afraid to commit a mistake, maybe not being perfect is
what prefect really means. What’s next? I don’t know, but I’ll wake up each morning just happy to be alive. *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@ aol.com.
B MARCH 28-31, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL
Tax & Stock Tips
Tax deadline extended to July 15 amid coronavirus pandemic
15, 2020 will not incur penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment cPA, MBA (retired) applies to all taxpayers, includIRS extends the Federal in- ing individuals, trusts estates, come tax deadline from April corporations, sole proprietors, 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. This other non-corporate tax filers as new due date applies to both well as those who pay self-emfilings and payments due April ployment tax. 15, 2020. This extension is auIRS Commissioner Chuck Rettomatic. There’s no need to file tig encouraged taxpayers who additional forms. are due a refund to file as soon If you need additional time be- as possible instead of waiting yond July 15, 2020 (which I sus- for July 15. Treasury Secretary pect most of you will), file form Steven Mnuchin also encour4868. Businesses who need ad- aged individuals and businesses ditional time use Form 7004. to use this extra 90 days to file Taxpayers who defer pay- and pay the IRS if they owe adments from April 15, 2020 to July ditional taxes for 2019.
Victor Sy,
Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAMSon SIMULA Marso 18, 2020, ang USCIS ay nagsuspende ng mga routine in-person service sa mga field office, asylum office at Application Support Center para pabagalin ang pagkalat ng COVID-19. Ito ay epektibo hanggang Abril 1, 2020. Dahil sa suspensyon, lahat ng green card at naturalization interview mula Marso 18, 2020 hanggang Abril 1, 2020 ay kinansela muna. Ang USCIS ay magpapadala ng mga bagong Interview Notice kapag nag-resume ang “normal� operations. Ganun din sa biometrics appointments at naturalization oath ceremony – magpapadala ang USCIS ng mga bagong Notice. Bukod sa temporary closure ng mga USCIS Office, ang COVID19 ay nagdulot ng issuance ng Governor ng State of California na si Gavin Newsom ng Executive Order N-33-20, epektibo ng hatinggabi ng Marso 19, 2020. Ayon sa Executive Order, lahat ng residente ng State of California ay kailangang manatili lamang sa kani-kanilang bahay maliban kung kinakailangan talagang lumabas para sa essential activities. Ang Mayor ng Los Angeles na si Eric Garcetti ay nagpahayag din ng “Safer at Home Order� epektibo rin ng Marso 19, 2020. Sa “Safer at Home Order�, lahat ng nonessential businesses ay pinapasarado at lahat ng residente ng Los Angeles ay pinapanatili sa
Community Journal
California just updated the tax deadline from June 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020 to be consistent with IRS. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation. *** He retired after 50 years of defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He published a book on “How to Avoid or Survive IRS Audits.� Readers may email tax questions to vicsy@live.com.
Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS
THE Covid-19 Pandemic is a scary reality which affects everyone globally and has shut down the global economy. Individuals over 60 years old and individual that are immune compromised are more at risk of having serious complications with this virus. Individuals are dying all over the world in exponential numbers. Although we cannot completely control how our bodies and immune system would respond to this virus, we can prepare our finances and estate in case the worst happens to make sure our loved ones are properly provided for. Legally, there are several ways you can do this. Create a Living Trust If you pass away with at least yos, sa kanyang awa, ay panatili- $166,250 in gross assets and you hin tayong ligtas. do not have a living trust (even *** if you have a will), your benefiEffective March 18, 2020, US- ciaries would have to open up a CIS has suspended routine in- probate case before title to the person services at its field offices, asylum offices and Application Support Centers to help slow the Debt spread of COVID-19. The suspen- Relief sion is effective until at least April 1, 2020. In connection with the above suspension, all green card and naturalization interviews from March Atty. LAwrence yAng 18, 2020 up to April 1, 2020 are cancelled. USCIS will mail new I MUST admit that the $2 trilInterview Notices when “normal� lion stimulus package to counoperations resume. Likewise, for ter the virus-induced slowdown biometrics appointments, a new is noteworthy. In the next three appointment notice will be mailed weeks, 93% of Americans will be by USCIS. For naturalization oath receiving $1,200 each, according ceremony, a new oath ceremony to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin. notice will be mailed by USCIS. The Senate has just approved Aside from temporary closure this bill. President Donald Trump of USCIS Offices, COVID-19 has is all for it, and it goes to Conalso caused the issuance by the gress for its adoption on Friday, Governor of the State of California, hopefully. It’s a truly bipartisan Gavin Newsom to issue Executive bill of historic proportions. It Order N-33-20, effective midnight also provides temporary loans of March 19, 2020, ordering all to businesses to tide them over individuals living in the State of during this period of national caCalifornia to stay home except as lamity. Further, those who lose needed to maintain continuity of their jobs will be given 100% operations of the federal critical plus a little more, for four or six infrastructure sectors. Likewise, months. And the Feds has given Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti more liquidity, $500B more to announced the “Safer at Home avoid a credit crunch. Order� effective March 19, 2020, On the financial side, these which orders nonessential busi- steps are truly a big help. Hownesses to close and residents to ever, if the virus is not contained stay at home as much as possible in the next couple of months, it to help contain COVID-19. The just won’t be enough. The cause Order applies in Los Angeles un- of our predicament now is the til April 19, with the possibility of virus and the fear of it. So, hopeu PAGE B7 fully, God gives our president
USCIS offices temporary closure and California lockdown kanilang tahanan para hindi kumalat pa ang COVID-19. Ang Los Angeles Order ay epektibo hanggang Abril 19, 2020, na may posibilidad ng extension. Sa ilalim ng “Safer at Home Order�, lahat ng mga public at private group event at gathering ng 10 tao ay ipinagbabawal sa LA County. Ang mga indoor mall, shopping center at nonessential retail business ay kailangang magsarado. Ang mga grocery store, supermarket, food bank, at mga business at organization na nagbibigay ng pagkain, kanlungan, social service at iba pang mga pangangailangan o basic necessities ay maaaring manatiling bukas. Pwede pa rin ang take out at delivery sa mga restaurant. Ang mga gas station, banks at financial institutions, at mga transportation service ay maaari ring magpatuloy ng kanilang operasyon. Sa Order, ang mga professional service tulad ng legal o accounting services, kapag kailangan upang matupad ang mga legally mandated activities ay itinuturing na essential businesses. Kaya’t ang aming opisina ay magpapatuloy sa mga trabaho upang magkapagcomply sa mga Court/ USCIS deadlines, at magpapatuloy kami sa pagkonsulta sa mga kliente sa pamamagitan ng email, phone calls, at video calls. Ngayon ay nabubuhay tayo sa hindi sigurado at nakakatakot na panahon dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic. Tayong lahat ay sumunod sa mga directives ng ating gobyerno upang malapasan nating lahat ang krisis na ito. Naway ang Di-
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Should I create a will and living trust in preparation for the COVID-19 pandemic? assets can pass to them. When I say gross asset, I mean regardless of how much debt you owe on them. For example if you own a house valued at $350,000 at the time of your death, it does not matter that your mortgage balance is $300,000, a probate case has to be opened in order to pass title to that property. The same is true with other types of assets such as owning a business, a professional practice, bonds, equities, etc. This is a very low threshold to exceed specially in California where real estate prices, even after the economic crisis, remains in the upper end of the curve among the 50 states. Commencing a probate case is expensive and a very slow process. Someone qualified will have to file a Petition with the probate court to have someone appointed as executor or administrator. The Petitioner’s attorney gets paid a statutory rate for attorney’s fees commencing with
4% of the gross estate. The probate referee will have to be paid for appraising the assets of the estate. If it is necessary to post bond, the premium on the bond would have to be paid as well. There is also the cost of administering the estate such as selling some of the assets to satisfy the estate’s obligations and to divide the estate according to the will or the intestate line of succession if there is no will. The entire process could take up years specially if certain beneficiaries and creditors file certain claims. The probate court file would be public record. On the other hand if you have a living trust, your estate can avoid the entire court system and court supervision. In certain situations, the process may also save you estate taxes which may be substantial if your assets exceed a certain threshold. Basically, you and/or your spouse can
u PAGE B9
$2 trillion stimulus on the way to you the wisdom and character to do the right thing to contain the invisible enemy. We are all in this together. So let’s all act civilly towards each other and help one another. What is the role of credit cards and credit lines in all of this? People will start drawing on credit cards and credit lines to cover any shortfall in income. There’s nothing surprising about this. It’s an emergency. Eventually, credit cards and credit lines will get maxed out, the longer this crisis lasts. I fully expect this to happen. Lots of people are losing their jobs. Unemployment applications hit 3.3 million this week. This is seven times the normal. Restaurants employ many people. Social distancing requires that we don’t go eat at restaurants. A lot of people working for restaurants will lose their jobs because there is virtually no restaurant business anymore. Pretty much, Los Angeles has ground to a halt. People do not want to expose themselves to the risk of getting the virus, so people are mostly self-isolating and staying home, especially seniors.
Even in bankruptcy court, hearings are being postponed. In hearings that have not been postponed, the court requires that lawyers appear in court, not in person, but telephonically. Some judges are wearing masks and rubber gloves. You can’t approach the clerk of the court to check in anymore, you have to check-in at the podium in front of the microphone, which is at least a hundred feet from the judge and the clerk. They don’t want to get exposed to the virus either. Trying calling the Chapter 13 Trustee offices, they are closed. But debtors are still expected to pay their plan payments via TFS when they are due. So even the court system is adapting to the crisis by delaying hearings and keeping minimum physical contact. But trials still require the physical appearance of parties and counsel. Credit card use will increase exponentially during this crisis. People will have no choice because incomes will go down despite the $2 trillion stimulus. Bills will still have to be paid. Mort-
u PAGE B7
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Community Journal
LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MARCH 28-31, 2020
B
Employees’ rights and the coronavirus Removing the conditions of your permanent residence without your petitioning spouse’s participation Part 3
Q: I read about severe cases of COVID-19 infections requiring several weeks of recovery. Can the employer fire me while being on leave due to this illness? Do I have remedies? A: The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) protects employees’ rights to take a leave of absence due to the serious health condition of the employee or the employees’ child, parent or spouse. This means employees may use this leave to self-quarantine as a result of potential exposure to COVID-19 if quarantine is mandated by medical or civil authorities, or to care for a spouse, child, or parent diagnosed with COVID-19. California employers are subject to CFRA if they employ 50 or more part-time or full-time employees. Covered employers also include the State of California, its political and civil subdivisions, and cities and counties, regardless of the number of employees. To be eligible for CFRA leave, an employee must be a full-time or part-time employee with more than 12 months of service with the employer, and have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12month period before the date the leave begins. Qualified employees may be entitled to a total of up to 12 workweeks in a 12 month period, which does not need to be taken continuously. Employees must give advance notice to take a CFRA leave. While a verbal notice is sufficient, providing a written notice is advisable. The notice
Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr.
must state the reason for the leave and its anticipated duration. An employer may require 30 days advance notice if the need for the leave is foreseeable. If the leave is an emergency, notice must be given as soon as possible. The employer must immediately respond to a leave request and no later than 10 calendar days after receiving the request. After granting a CFRA leave, the employer must reinstate the employee to the same or comparable position and provide such a guarantee if requested by the employee. The employer may deny reinstatement of an employee if, for example, the position no longer exists. Finally, the employer must continue health care coverage during their CFRA leave up to a maximum of 12 work weeks in a 12-month period. Violations of CFRA may result in significant damages for the fired employee. California law prohibits discrimination based on disability or medical condition. If an employee is unable to perform his or her old duties, the employer must engage in a timely, good faith interactive process to determine if reasonable accommodation can be made for the employee. The employer
must start the interactive process if the employee’s disability becomes known or obvious. The type of reasonable accommodation to be provided will depend on the employee’s specific restrictions and the employer’s circumstances. Reasonable accommodation may include offering part-time or modified work schedules to the employee to accommodate the employee’s disability. If the disabled employee was terminated, even though he or she could have performed the job with reasonable accommodation, the employer’s conduct may be wrongful. The employee, who sues for wrongful termination and prevails, may be entitled to the following: reinstatement, back wages, loss of future earnings, damages for emotional distress, attorneys’ fees and costs, including punitive damages in certain instances. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at nocost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw. com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.] (Advertising Supplement)
USCIS offices temporary closure... PAGE B6 t
extension. Under the “Safer at Home Order”, all public and private group events and gatherings of 10 people or more are prohibited in LA County. Indoor malls, shopping centers and nonessential retail businesses must close. Grocery stores, supermarkets, food banks, businesses and organizations that provide food, shelter, social services and other necessities are allowed to remain open. Take out and delivery at restaurants can still be done. Likewise, gas stations, banks and financial institutions and transportation services can continue their operations. Under the Order, professional services, such as legal or ac-
counting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities, are considered as essential businesses. Hence, our office will continue to work on legal matters to meet Court/USCIS deadlines, and continue to consult with clients through email, phone calls, and video calls. Right now, we are living in uncertain and frightening times due to COVID-19 pandemic. We are all mandated to comply with directives of our government so that we can all get through this together. May God, in his mercy, keep us all safe. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a
member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005). SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 381-5710; Email: info@samsonlawfirmpc.com” info@samsonlawfirmpc.com. (Advertising Supplement)
A PERSON who obtains his/ her green card via marriage to a U.S. citizen spouse, and who is married for less than 2 years has conditional permanent resident status. A conditional permanent resident has a green card that is valid for 2 years. In order to continue to have permanent resident status after 2 years, the conditional permanent resident and his/her U.S. citizen spouse must file an I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence during the 90 days before the expiration of the green card. 8 CFR 216.4(a)(1) But what if things don’t work out with the U.S. citizen spouse after getting married, and the conditional permanent resident can no longer get the participation of his/her U.S. citizen spouse in filing the I-751 petition? In such a case, the conditional permanent resident may seek an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement. In order to qualify for an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement, the conditional permanent resident must show that the marriage upon which his/her status was based was: 1.) entered into in good faith, and 2) terminated. 8 CFR 216.5(a)(1)(ii) With respect to the required showing that the marriage was entered into in good faith, the conditional permanent resident must show that his/her marriage
Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn was not a “sham.” A marriage is considered a “sham” if, when they married, the couple did not intend to establish a life together. An intent to obtain something other than or in addition to love and companionship (such as a green card) from that life does not make a marriage a sham. Matter of Soltan, A76 888 125 (BIA 2001). Documents such as joint bank and credit card statements, and photos that demonstrate that the marriage was entered in good faith should be presented. Also, in order to qualify for an I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement, the conditional permanent resident must show that the marriage was terminated. By “terminated,” the USCIS requires a valid, formal divorce judgment. An I-751 waiver of the joint filing requirement cannot be approved in cases where the conditional permanent resident is legally separated or in divorce proceedings that are still pending. Also, once the marriage is terminated, the conditional resident may file the I-751 petition immediately,
and does not have to wait until the normal 90 days before the expiration of the conditional green card. It is worth noting that if the conditional permanent resident and his/her U.S. Citizen spouse live in California, a valid divorce judgment must be obtained in the California courts. I have had numerous California-resident clients in the past who have obtained a “quick” divorce judgment in Nevada only to face USCIS scrutiny after presenting the Nevada divorce judgment in support of an I-751 waiver request (since one must be a Nevada resident to obtain a divorce in Nevada). The assistance of an experienced attorney in handling the divorce as well as the I-751 waiver request is accordingly recommended. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association (PABA). LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
$2 trillion stimulus on the way...
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gages and rents still have to be paid, even if the stimulus bill does require FHA mortgages to allow a two or three-month moratorium on mortgage payments without interest or penalty. Foreclosures and evictions will also have a couple of months of the moratorium. So now we will wait and see. Nobody knows what is going to happen next. It most certainly appears that virus infections will rise exponentially in the next few months, while the president has set his own timeline of getting back America, or at least some parts of it, restarted and back to business. But NY now appears to be ground zero. It’s crazy over there. Half of the virus cases in America are in NY. But NY has their competent Governor Andrew Cuomo who knows what to do.
Once you maxed out your credit cards and credit lines, and things have gone back to normal, it’s time to seriously consider filing Chapter 7 to wipe them out, or Chapter 13 to reorganize your financial situation. In the meantime, the fact is, we are just living one day at a time. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring; maybe more bad news, or some good news, but certainly more infections and more deaths. Well, kudos to our front line defenders, all our doctors and nurses who are giving all they have to fight the good fight, while potentially exposing themselves to the virus. Thank you for what you do! They really need effective protective gear. Testing, testing, testing; the faster the better. Several biotech companies are coming up with very fast testing methods.
One is coming out this week that gives test results in 45 minutes — happy to hear this. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies are trying to come out with a vaccine soonest possible. But this too will pass. America will survive and come out stronger for it. In our God, we trust. If you need debt relief, please set an appointment. I will analyze your case personally. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation, and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803. (Advertising Supplement)
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Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS THE younger generation is also vulnerable to get COVID-19! It is a deadly misconception that they are not, a fake news that puts the elderly at even greater risk. Irresponsible people of any age could make this pandemic worse than the virus itself, by being arrogant and inconsiderate, not cooperating with the health authorities. Some of the Florida spring-breakers on beaches shown on TV a few days ago, disregarding warnings to stay home or practice social distancing, tested positive for COVID19! It is obvious that those young people on their school break – celebrating on beaches and bars, etc., not heeding the call to hunker down and do social distancing, not staying home to self-quarantine themselves – do not realize how vital isolation is when it comes to a killer infectious disease, like COVID-19. Perhaps believing they are invincible because of their robust immune system, they apparently did not know that in the United States alone, almost 30 percent of those hospitalized for COVID19 were between 20-44 years old, and 18 percent between 45 and 54, as reported by CDC. In France, more than 50 percent of COVID-19 infected patients in the ICU are under the age of 60.
be named as the initial trustee of the trust while you are alive. The trustee is the person who manages the trust. This means you retain control of all your assets the same way as if you never had a trust. For revocable trusts, you can later on, at any time during your lifetime, revoke the entire trust if you change your mind. The assets held in your living trust will be managed by the trustee and distributed according to your directions without court supervision and involvement when you pass away. This can save your heirs time and money. Since the trust would not be under the direct management of the probate court, your assets and their value and your beneficiaries’ identities would not become a public record. Your heirs and beneficiaries would still have to be notified about the living trust and advised, among other things, of their right to obtain a copy of the trust. Having a trust is also beneficial in case you become incapacitated. The person you name as successor trustee can step up and manage the assets in your trust on your behalf. Power of Attorney A power of attorney designates another individual the power to manage your financial affairs on your behalf. You can limit this power and define what the scope of the power you are giving your attorney in fact. A power of attorney is also revocable if you decide to cancel the power you have given this individual. By giving another person the power of attorney, you do not lose the power to manage your financial affairs. You can continue to make financial decisions on your own affairs. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare allows your to designate specific individual to have the power to make healthcare decisions on your behalf incase
While it is true that seniors are at a higher risk to die from COVID-19 infection, especially those super seniors with medical issues (diabetes, COPD, high blood pressure, heart and/or lung disease, etc., who are at the highest risk, like those immunocompromised patients), young people, are nonetheless at risk of catching the virus and possibly die from it. To protect the elderly, young people must be far away from them, and everybody is safer at home. Postpone our appointment with God Let us try to postpone our meeting with God as long as we can. This is a wonderful world we live in. And we can certainly make it even more wonderful, with understanding, patience, forgiveness where needed, love and compassion among all peoples of all nations on this planet Earth. During this crisis, all who can must stay home and enjoy family bonding. We have so many electronic gadgets plus internet access to help us “beam” ourselves (like Captain kirk) to any part of the world. With Amazon, YouTube, Netflix, Vudu and others, with Google, Alexa, Siri, Bixby, not to mention Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Messenger, Tango, Skype, we can do a lot to enjoy at home. Our spirit and our mind can still soar to greater heights in this age of endless information and mindboggling technology during this crisis, while all countries around the globe commune with each
you no longer have the capacity to make decisions for yourself due to health conditions. You can define the scope of your agent’s authority. This is also revocable if you change your mind in the future. Your agent will have the authority to access and review your medical records and sign any authorization on your behalf. This is helpful incase you are unable to make healthcare decisions for yourself. Last Will and Testament A Last Will and Testament allows your to designate how your assets will be distributed after you pass away. This allows you to customize how your estate will be divided and distributed. In the absence of a Will, you would pass away intestate and the probate court would simply follow the California intestate succession laws which are in the probate code. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
People and Events
City of Carson to suspend bus services CARSON – The Carson Disaster Council (Mayor Albert Robles – City Manager Sharon Landers [Director of Emergency Preparedness] - Assistant City Manager John Raymond - Carson Sheriff’s Station Captain Jason Skeen), which was activated pursuant to Carson City Council Resolution No. 20-053 that declared a local emergency due to the coronavirus, made a decision to suspend Carson’s bus services effective Saturday, March 28th during the declared emergency of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic. To slow down the spread of the coronavirus, the city is suspending its bus services out of concern for the public’s safety. “We understand this will severely impact those individuals who can least afford alternatives to the use of mass transit, and disproportionately impact those most vulnerable like our senior citizens; however, the concern for the public health and safety of everyone, including all the bus riders, clearly outweighs the inconvenience this may cause some,” said Carson Mayor Albert
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Robles. Public health experts have reported that the virus can spread exponentially in groups, and the virus can remain on surfaces for up to 72 hours. “It is with a heavy heart that we have to make this decision, but it is necessary, and I implore the State and the LA County Metro Board to join Carson in making the right decision and suspend all mass transit throughout the County in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus,” added Carson Mayor Albert Robles. “It makes no sense that while experts say mass transit is a main vehicle for the spread of the virus that LA METRO continues to operate, because merely reducing the bus schedules is not enough, as all mass transit needs to be suspended immediately in order for our efforts at limiting the coronavirus pandemic to be successful.” “As someone who relied on buses in years past, I know mass transit is important for many reasons, but this coronavirus pan-
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other to defeat a vicious invisible common enemy. No handshake, no hugging Self-quarantine, isolation and social distancing are all vital and very effective in our battle against COVID-19. Smiling and greeting each other, instead of handshaking or Hi-Fiving, or hugging, or cheek-kissing, even with our elderly parents or grandparents are part of our DIY strategy to protect the more vulnerable among us – the seniors, especially those with health issues. Most of the carriers, asymptomatic or with symptoms, are usually the young ones who are out on the street. Let us stay home, remain healthy, and not be the carrier and courier of death. Also, washing hands well after touching money, our mail, and delivered packages will help prevent a disaster. Heroes amongst us Our healthcare providers, physicians and nurses, allied care personnel, and the first responders, who are on the frontlines of this war against killer COVID-19, are our unsung heroes who risk their health and their lives to serve patients of this pandemic. Some of them have actually died. While we, at home, have the choice to stay away from those infected patients, these unselfish and dedicated heroes are in the war zone, putting themselves in harm’s way, exposing themselves to the bullets and bombs during this pandemic, just to save countless lives. They also risk the lives of their family when
WE can spend many years of studies, read many books, travel to many places, hear from both the simple and the learned people, and learn lessons from the experiences of life. Still, we can’t have all the answers to many existential questions. We may have unwavering faith in God, but we still grapple with many mysteries of life and faith, such as suffering, sickness, death, and eternal life. Take, for example, our quandaries on our experiences of crisis and tragedies in this era—wars, terrorism, mass shootings, firestorms, earthquakes, tsunamis, and now the coronavirus pandemic. What do we make out of them? As we grow older, we continue to confront many questions and complexities, and we can never have absolute certainties about many issues affecting us. No generation will ever have all the answers to life’s struggles. No science and technology will ever bring satisfaction to our queries. It’s because our minds are limited. All that we can do I s to succumb to uncertainties and surrender ourselves to God’s mysterious ways. The absolute truth in life is that everything will end. We cannot know the day nor the hour, but this world will come to an end too. As the Gospel this Sunday (Mark 13:24-32) states, the time will come when the sun will darken, the moon will stop shining, and the stars will fall from u PAGE B10 the sky.
The Prophetic Voice REVEREND RODEL G. BALAGTAS With this realization, should we stop living passionately, loving generosity, exploring, and studying life and the world? I don’t think so. For the purpose
Gospel, “this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place, but my words will not pass away.” The key then to accepting and surrendering to life’s pains and mysteries is faith in God’s Word, which he spoke to us in Jesus Christ. God’s words declare that we matter, and we belong to Him! In God and his Word, we experience peace more durable than all sufferings of this world. Moreover, we feel His presence in prayer, in sincere dialogue with others, in silence, in our interaction with nature, in reading a luminous and profound passage. His words fill us with passion and strength. His words, “I am with you until the end of time…” (Matthew 28:20) echo within all that we are and experience. C.S. Lewis sheds light on God’s wisdom: “God whispers to us in our pleasures; speaks in our consciences but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world…” Pope Francis encourages us also with words grounded in the Scriptures: “Do not fear time; nothing is eternal. Do not fear wounds; they make you strong. Do not be afraid to cry; it cleans the soul. Do not fear challenges; they make you agile. Do not fear making mistakes; they make you wise. Do not fear loneliness; God is always with you.” *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
“Let’s deal with them, struggle with them, remain hopeful for each other and the whole humanity, and trust in the mighty power of God over our lives and the universe.” and meaning of life is to give our personal lives away for the glory of God. It is no wonder that Jesus Christ said that it is in losing one’s life that we gain it. And the highest wisdom that we can learn from our earthly journey is that a life spent in service and love is what matters most! And so, what shall we do with our continuous wrestling with the questions and mysteries of life? Let’s deal with them, struggle with them, remain hopeful for each other and the whole humanity, and trust in the mighty power of God over our lives and the universe. As Jesus says in the
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PeoPle & events
LA County business and worker disaster help center opens WITH support of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Departments of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) and Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS) announced this week the launch of the new L.A. County Business and Worker Disaster Help Center, a new centralized call center and website providing free, one-on-one counseling and support for business owners and workers who have been adversely affected by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. Whether you are a business owner struggling to keep your doors open or a worker who’s uncertain about their next paycheck, LA County now has a single location where you can get immediate help, tailored to your situation. You can get assistance from the L.A. County Business and Worker Disaster Help Center in the manner that’s most convenient to you: • Telephone: (833) 238-4450 • Online: LACountyHelpCenter.org • Email: DisasterHelpCenter@ lacounty.gov • Social media: @LACHelpCenter on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram “While we are doing all that we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 throughout Los Angeles County, we know that this pandemic is having an enormous impact on residents, businesses and organizations throughout our local communities, said L.A. County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “This Help Center will be a critical resource for businesses and employees by providing direct assistance to those in need.” “While the residents of Los Angeles County have demonstrated an incredible amount of resilience during this challenging time, they will not weather this storm alone,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L.
Solis. “The L.A. County Business and Worker Disaster Help Center is in line with my commitment to support our local businesses, and now more than ever, they deserve our help. L.A. County will respond by providing businesses, employers, and workers centralized resources at lacountyhelpcenter.org to ensure clear and consistent information as we collectively work to slow the spread of COVID-19.” “Small businesses are facing serious financial distress and disruption during this time, and we want them to know they can rely on the County to be an effective leader and service provider as we help our business owners and workers navigate this crisis. The Help Center will not only help them to connect to resources but position our communities for recovery,” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. Joseph M. Nicchitta, Director of DCBA, said, “We recognize that every person in the County is dealing with their own unique circumstances due to the coronavirus emergency, and L.A. County is rising to meet that challenge. DCBA is proud to lead a coalition of departments and agencies to help improve the lives of business owners and workers in our communities.” The Help Center will assist businesses in determining the applicability of public health orders and accessing state and federal resources, including recent relief packages from the state and federal governments. For individuals, the Help Center will assist with filing unemployment insurance claims, finding employment opportunities, and discovering available County resources. “They can now turn to one dedicated place for assistance,” said Nicchitta. “WDACS and our partners have been working around the clock to ensure businesses and workers have clear, one-on-one access to essential services.
This free one-stop shop from L.A. County, easily accessible in different languages by phone, email, and online, will support all affected businesses and workers,” said Otto Solorzano, Acting Director of the L.A. County Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services. “Through this Help Center, workers will have easy access to a number of financial benefits, including state unemployment insurance, as well as job search and career services provided by America’s Job Centers of California. Businesses will be helped with emergency loans, workshare programs, and individualized assistance. During this difficult time, L.A. County is moving quickly to address the growing need for support and guidance for our businesses and workers.” The Business and Worker Disaster Help Center, operated jointly by DCBA and WDACS, is open to answer calls Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. With the support of our County partners, the Help Center is staffed with dedicated, helpful, and multilingual support. Participating County departments and State agencies include: • LA County Chief Executive Office • LA County Office of Emergency Management • LA County Child Support Services • LA County Counsel • LA County Internal Services Department • LA County Department of Public Social Services • LA County Treasurer and Tax Collector • LA County Library • LA County Department of Public Health • LA County Department of Regional Planning • California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) n
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demic will continue for much longer than necessary unless this action of suspending all mass transit is taken,” exclaimed Mayor Robles. “Continued recklessness will prolong this pandemic and result in needless deaths of
our residents, and as leaders we need to make the tough decision now.” Dial-A-Ride and Access services are still available in Carson during this temporary closure. Carson residents, 60 and over and adults with disabilities can utilize
the Dial-A-Ride Program (i.e. curb-to-curb service provided by taxis and lift-equipped vehicles subsidized by the City). In addition, ACCESS Paratransit also continues to be available for all individuals with disabilities through the County of Los Angeles. n
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Beware of COVID-19 scams
LOS Angeles County residents are reminded of several fraud schemes designed to prey on the vulnerable in the midst of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Reports of malicious websites, email schemes, and suspicious links have come to the attention of law enforcement and public officials. “Malicious actors can prey upon those that are distracted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and use it to their advantage,” stated Los Angeles County Chief Information Officer William Kehoe. “The public needs to be mindful and careful, and avoid websites, phishing emails, and scams that engage people through false information about the health crisis, and steal personal user information and data. By clicking on fraudulent weblinks, hackers can deliver malware and then gain access to passwords, browsing information, credit card numbers, and other personal information. We all need to stay vigilant.” Currently, there are several
Coronavirus tracking and mapping sites that are actually malware websites. Instead of clicking on these links, cybersecurity experts advise that website users should instead hover over the link to verify the uniform resource locator (URL) before moving forward. Online hackers may also send users emails from fraudulent accounts impersonating official websites and doctors, or offering medical supplies and services. A trusted COVID-19 mapping resource is the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Global Map, which can be found at coronavirus.jhu. edu. Additionally, there are several websites the County of Los Angeles recommends for accurate, up-to-date information on COVID-19. As residents in Los Angeles County practice “Safer at Home” directives, they are spending more time at home and online. Scammers are also taking advantage of this change in circumstances by reaching out door-to-door asking for donations
and fundraising contributions through cash, Bitcoin, or Paypal. The County of Los Angeles reminds residents that they are not required to open their door, and encourages everyone to not feel intimidated by a false sense of urgency to answer door-to-door solicitations. The following is a list of safety tips the public can follow: • Avoid online advertising offers related to COVID-19 • Decline door-to-door solicitations claiming COVID-19 fundraising • Do not click on emails and attachments that you do not recognize • Visit trusted websites for COVID-19 related information Everyone should remain vigilant and take these steps to avoid being victimized by malicious scammers trying to profit from the COVID-19 crisis. If you believe you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report the information to local law enforcement. n
ventilated home is our best isolation sanctuary from COVID-19 to protect ourselves and others. If only China was transparent According to the whistleblower in Wuhan, the first case of nCorona virus infection (later officially named COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV2 virus), was in November 17, 2019. The official report from China to the WHO was December 31, 2019, 34 days after the fact. If the first patient and all the healthcare providers involved, all the patient’s family members and people the patient had contact with, let’s say 100 of them or even more, were traced and quarantined for at least 2 weeks, the infection could have been contained in Wuhan, and not spread outside of that city and around the world. The outbreak could have been contained within 2 to 4 months right there and there. Isolation works. The Black Death (1347), Spanish Flu (1819), SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009) MERS (2012) have all proven that quarantine worked. Some experts think COVID-19 could infect 40 to 60 percent of the 7.8 billion world population before it ends. Existential – Who is culpable? After the COVID-19 pandemic
is totally defeated and this existential crisis is over, investigation on culpability and accountability must begin. The World Health Organization, the United Nations, in cooperation with any interested nation devastated by this killer virus, must independently conduct a study on China’s health system and all issues and questions (the delay in warning, the lack of transparency. the mysterious death of the young and healthy whistleblower physician), and all other matters surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far infected more than half a million and killed more than 20,000 people, devastated businesses and national economies in almost 200 countries, and painfully disrupted billions of families and lives around the globe. A preventable cataclysmic horror like this should never be allowed by the international community to ever happen again. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com and philipSchua.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com
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they get home to catch some sleep and rest. Indeed, we must never forget them. Without them, hundreds of millions of people would die around the world. The Bubonic plague (Black Death, caused by bacterium Yersinia pestis) of 1347-1351, the worst pandemic, killed an estimated 75 to 200 million people in EurAsia, wiping out about 1/3 of the population of Europe. Let’s protect our health defenders or we all could die. Each of us must make sure these frontline heroes and foundation of our national and individual health are themselves protected. Let us not hoard masks, gowns, medications, and other items they might need while serving the public. Above all, let us follow the guidelines recommended by President Trump, Vice President Pence, and the COVID-19 Task Force, in order not to get infected ourselves and add more patients to an already overwhelmed healthcare system. If we, as individuals, cannot help provide healthcare or other vital function to society, let us stay home and OUT OF THE WAY of the health providers and not be an added burden to society by catching and spreading COVID19. As we said in our columns the previous weeks, a clean and well-
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