040622 - Southern California Midweek Edition

ARIL 6-8, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 27 • 14 Pages

California ends vaccination, test DATELINE USA Fil-Am Remy Martin, proof mandate for indoor mega-events Kansas rally to stun FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

North Carolina for US NCAA crown

NEW ORLEANS – Filipino American Remy Martin nailed four triples to help the University of Kansas mount the biggest comeback in the history of the U.S. collegiate basketball national championship game to defeat North Carolina, 72-69, on Monday, April 4.

The top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks had trailed 40-25 at half-time against the eighth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

But a superb second-half performance saw Kansas reel in North Carolina to claim the dramatic victory.

David McCormack and Jalen Wilson dragged Kansas over the line with 15 points apiece as North Carolina were outscored 47-29 in a pulsating second half.

Kansas had trailed by 16 points at

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Patients’ perilous months-long waiting for Medicaid coverage is a sign of what’s to come KORRA Elliott has tried to avoid seeing a doctor while waiting to get on Medicaid. She worries she can’t afford more bills without any insurance coverage. But in early March — five months, she said, after applying and with still no decision about her application — a suspected case of the flu sent her blood pressure soaring and landed her in the emergency room.

The 28-year-old mother of four from Salem, Missouri, is among the tens of thousands of uninsured Missourians stuck waiting as the state slogs through a flood of applications for the state-federal health insurance program.

Missouri expanded the program last year after a lengthy legal and political battle, and it now covers adults who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level — about $18,800 annually for an individual.

Missouri had nearly 72,000 pending

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The Golden State — once one of the nation’s strictest states in terms of COVID mandates — eases many pandemic-related mandates

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test in order to attend indoor mega-events, including sporting events.

The state announced last week, and effective April AS COVID-19 metrics continue to trend downward, California is no longer requiring people to provide 1, that the requirement for vaccine proof or negative

test has been scaled back to a recommendation for indoor events that host 1,000 attendees or more and outdoor events with 10,000 or more attendees.

This means that individual venues, event planners,

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Filipino American Friendship Monument unveiled in Glendale, CA

by AJPRESS GLENDALE, California now has a monument to pay tribute to the Filipino residents in the city and in greater Los Angeles County.

The Filipino American Friendship Monument was unveiled on Monday, April 4 at 201 E. Colorado Street, Glendale, California, near the Central Library by the entrance of the Adult Recreation Center.

The project was spearheaded by the Filipino American Business Association of Glendale - Greater Los Angeles County (FABAG-GLAC), a non-profit organization of business and community leaders that has been operating in the city for over 30 years.

“A tribute, in commemoration of and a symbol of gratitude and everlasting friendship, that’s our Fil-Am monument,” said Editha Maniquis Fuentes, FABAGFIL-AM FRIENDSHIP. The City of Glendale, California on Monday, April 4 unveiled the Filipino American Friendship Monument near the central GLAC past president, board member and chair of the library to honor the community in the city and greater Los Angeles. The dedication was spearheaded by the Filipino American Business Special Projects Committee who spearheaded this Association of Glendale, which was founded in 1990 to bring together Fil-Am businesses and community leaders.

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AJPress photo

Duterte says PH has no quarrel with China PH remains under minimal COVID risk amid new variant threat

by ALEXIS

ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — Despite the longstanding maritime row in the West Philippine Sea, President Rodrigo Duterte maintained that there is no quarrel between the Philippines and China and that the two countries can discuss issues related to the dispute, including the fishing rights of Filipinos.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Binondo-Intramuros bridge Tuesday, April 5, Duterte called China a "partner" in enhancing the Philippines' infrastructure.

He then told Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian that Manila and Beijing "do not have any quarrel."

"I also thank and with gratitude the

People’s Republic of China for the confidence and for being a partner in enhancing key infrastructure projects in our country," the president said.

"Ambassador Huang, the Philippines and China we do not have any quarrel.

And we can talk about the Spratly Islands and probably the fishing rights of my countrymen — plain talk, nothing else," he added.

The Chinese envoy was seen noding and applauding after Duterte made the remark.

China claims virtually the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea, the area within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and

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by RED

MENDOZA ManilaTimes.net

THE country continues to be under minimal risk for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with the continued decline in the number of cases, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergiere said 2,568 cases were reported over the week of March 29 to April 4, equivalent to 366 cases per day, while the

national positivity rate slid to 1.8 percent "Ang pagbabang ito ng kaso ay makikita na sa lahat ng island groups sa ating bansa, [at] magandang balita ito dahil nakikita na mababa na talaga ang ating case rates (Decreases are now registered in all island groups in the country, and this is good news because we are seeing the decline in our case rates)," Vergeire said during the department's media briefing on Tuesday, April 5.

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Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway installed, community ribbon-cutting scheduled for May 7 The long-awaited landmark celebrates the Filipino American community

by AJPRESS A COMMUNITY celebration to officially unveil the Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway will be held on May 7, following the landmark’s installation at the beginning of April.

Rising 30 feet high and spanning 82 feet across the width of Beverly Boulevard at the eastern entrance into Historic

Filipinotown, "Talang Gabay: Our Guiding Star,” was designed

by Filipino artist Eliseo Art Silva with Celestino Geronimo, Jr. “This past weekend, we installed the beautiful new gateway in Historic Filipinotown, and I have one thing to say: Wow!” said Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, who represents Historic Filipinotown. “This community is so deserving of such an iconic, impressive landmark.

The Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway pays fitting tribute to the incredible contributions of the Filipino community in Los Angeles and beyond.”

The gateway features numerous design elements including: the Parol; the Gumamela flower also known as hibiscus, which pays tribute to frontline workers; and the Sarimanok – all symbols with The Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway, known as“Talang Gabay: Our Guiding Star,” was officially installed on Friday, April 1.Designed by Filipino deep roots in Filipino culture. artist Eliseo Art Silva with Celestino Geronimo, Jr, it features design elements, such as the parol; the Gumamela flower also known as hibiscus,

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which pays tribute to frontline workers; and the Sarimanok – all symbols with deep roots in Filipino culture.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell

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From the Front Page

California ends vaccination, test...

PAGE 1 and businesses may still choose to require proof of vaccine or negative COVID test, but they are no longer legally required to do so per the state.

The state’s decision to ease mandates at mega-events comes after California dropped the indoor mask mandate in

most public places, only now “strongly” recommending masks for unvaccinated people in shops, gyms, bars, theaters, schools, and other public spaces.

Even though mandates are relaxing across the board, officials remind the public that if COVID-19 numbers begin to surge again, they should be prepared to revert back to those

public safety protocols.

“California must be vigilant to maintain situational awareness through surveillance and be ready to pause or reinstate a higher level of protective mitigation recommendations or requirements,” the California Department of Public Health wrote in announcing the updated guidance for mega-events. g

Duterte says PH has no quarrel with...

PAGE 1

Taiwan also have overlapping claims in the area, where more than $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes through every year.

The presence of Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea has affected the livelihood of Filipino fishermen, according to earlier reports.

In 2016, a Hague-based arbitral court invalidated

China's wide-reaching claim in the South China Sea but the Chinese government does not recognize the ruling, calling it "illegal."

During a speech delivered before the United Nations General Assembly two years ago, Duterte said the Philippines would reject efforts to undermine the 2016 arbitral ruling, which also affirmed the

Philippines' sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone.

In a public address delivered in May last year, the president called the Hague ruling a "piece of paper" that could be thrown FABAG-GLAC board member Editha Fuentes, Glendale Mayor Paula in the waste basket. Officials Devine and Philippine Consul General Edgar Badajos in front of the have clarified that the president new monument was talking about China's perspective when he made the remark. g

Filipino American Friendship Monument...

PH remains under minimal COVID risk amid...

PAGE 1

An expert also said that there is no huge risk if the socalled recombinant Omicron XE variant surfaces even with increased growth over the parent variant.

Thailand recently reported a case of the XE variant, which contains both the BA.1 and the BA.2 sublineages of the Omicron in a single strain.

According to DOH Technical Advisory Group member

Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana, recombinant variants happen when two sublineages infect a person at the same time, which enables them to combine into a single virus.

Aside from XE, there were also XD and XF Omicron recombinants, but these contain certain sublineages of the highly-infectious Delta variant aside from Omicron.

"We don't really expect na mas mataas ang breakthrough

infection ng (that there is a high chance of breakthrough infection on) any of these recombinants [than] their parent lineages," Salvana said.

While XE may have a 10 percent growth advantage and could be a cause for concern, Salvana thinks that the variant would not be more severe and dodges vaccines compared with the original Ba.1 and Ba.2 sublineages of Omicron. g

Fil-Am Remy Martin, Kansas rally to stun...

PAGE 1

one stage, and seemed to be heading towards defeat against a fired-up North Carolina team who were chasing a seventh title after wins in 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009 and 2017.

But Kansas star McCormack revealed the Jayhawks had never lost hope despite a daunting half-time deficit.

"I was in the locker room at half-time smiling to my teammates, they thought I was crazy. I just said 'Yo, we come out here in the second half and have fun, do what we was born

to do, do what got us to this moment,'" McCormack said.

"And we just executed."

McCormack nudged Kansas into a 70-69 lead after hauling in a rebound with 1:16 remaining, and then added another twopoint basket to put the Jayhawks 72-69 ahead with 22.3 seconds on the clock.

There was still time for North Carolina's Caleb Love to attempt a game-tying threepointer on the buzzer, but the air ball drifted harmlessly wide of the target as Kansas erupted in celebrations.

FABAG-GLAC board member Editha Fuentes with Theresa and Andy de Vera, the daughter and husband of Ruby de Vera, the late community leader who co-founded the business organization and was active in the greater Glendale area.

The Kansas comeback eclipsed the previous biggest mark from 1998, when Kentucky overturned a 10-point deficit to defeat Utah.

Martin, for his part, finished with 14 points in the fifth and last year of his college career.

He transferred to Kansas from Arizona State shortly after foregoing his plan to enter the NBA draft.

The Gilas prospect hit 4-of-6 triples and had three rebounds, one assist, one steal and a block. (Philstar.com with reports from AFP)

PAGE 1 project.

The monument, made in black stone, features white engravings of the Philippine sun and stars and the American flag joined together by interlocking hands.

It also says, “commemorating more than three decades of outreach programs, inter-cultural relations and collaborative community services” with a list of names of the City Council, FABAG-GLAC past presidents, officers and sponsors who made the monument happen.

The organization dedicated the monument to the late Ruby De Vera, a community leader who was one of the founders and past presidents of the organization.

“I’m so proud, that my final act as mayor, was the unveiling of the Filipino American Friendship Monument — the only one in California. It is a tribute to 32 years of service and a symbol of lasting friendship and collaboration with our city. It is also a tribute to Ruby de Vera, a wonderful leader and inspiration for this monument,” Outgoing Hon. Mayor Paula Devine said.

The unveiling comes after the Glendale City Council on Tuesday, March 8 unanimously approved the construction and installation of the monument.

Philippine Consul General Ed

Filipino American Friendship Monument was unveiled during a ceremony in Glendale, CA on Monday, April 4 and was attended by Glendale city leaders, Philippine Consul General Edgar Badajos and various community leaders.

Photos courtesy of Filipino American Business Association of Glendale - Greater Los Angeles County

Badajos said at the ceremony, "Projects like this make us so proud to be Filipino Americans.

Collaborating with the city and other groups also make us visible.” g

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IN-PERSON CLASSES. Spaced a few feet apart, school children at Tomas Morato Elementary School in Kamuning, Quezon City attend limited in-person classes on Tuesday, April 5. The students are in smaller class settings, with only about 10-12 of them inside the room.

PNA photos by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Patients’ perilous months-long waiting for...

PAGE 1

Medicaid applications at the end of February and was averaging 119 days to process one, more than twice the maximum turnaround time of 45 days allowed by federal rules. Adding people to Medicaid is labor-intensive, and the jobs require training and expertise. The program covers many populations — children, people with disabilities, seniors, adults who are pregnant or have children, and some without children. Different rules dictate who qualifies.

Missouri simply doesn’t have the workers to keep up. Last fiscal year, 20% of its employees who handled Medicaid applications left their jobs, said Heather Dolce, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Social Services.

And the average number of job applications received for each opening in the department’s Family Support Division — which oversees enrollment — dropped from 47 in March 2021 to 10 in February 2022.

Just about every industry is struggling to find workers now, but staffing shortages in state Medicaid agencies around the country come at a challenging time. States will soon need to review the eligibility of tens of millions of people enrolled in the program nationwide — a herculean effort that will kick off once President Joe Biden’s administration lets the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration expire. If Missouri’s lengthy application backlogs

are any indication, the nation is on course for a mass-scale disruption in people’s benefits — even for those who still qualify for the insurance.

“If you don’t have people actually processing the cases and answering the phone, it doesn’t matter what policies you have in place,” said Jennifer Wagner, director of Medicaid eligibility and enrollment for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank in Washington, D.C. Federal officials have said they will give states 60 days’ notice before ending the public health emergency, so it’s unlikely to expire before summer. Once it does, enrollees won’t be kicked off immediately: States can take up to 14 months to complete renewals, although budget pressures may push many to move faster. A bump in federal Medicaid funds to states, provided by Congress through COVID relief legislation in 2020, will end shortly after the emergency’s expiration.

Ultimately, workers are needed to answer questions, process information confirming someone’s Medicaid enrollment should be renewed, or see whether the person qualifies for a different health coverage program — all before the benefits lapse and they become uninsured.

State Medicaid officials have said staffing is one of the top challenges they face. In a January meeting of the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access

Commission, an outside panel of experts that advises Congress, Jeff Nelson said 15% to 20% of the Utah Department of Health’s eligibility workers were new. “We’ve got a fifth of the workforce that potentially doesn’t know what they’re doing,” said Nelson, who oversees eligibility for Utah’s Medicaid program.

Eligibility worker vacancies at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission quadrupled over roughly two years — 1,031 open positions as of late February compared with 260 as of March 31, 2020, according to spokesperson Kelli Weldon.

Medicaid renewals are less labor-intensive than initial applications, but it takes time before an eligibility worker knows the ins and outs of the program, Wagner said.

“It’s months before you are fully functional,” said Wagner, who previously oversaw the Illinois Department of Human Services’ offices that determine applicants’ eligibility for Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provides food stamps, and other assistance programs.

Other social services may be gummed up in the process because many workers also handle applications for other programs.

In addition to Medicaid, workers for Kentucky’s Department for Community Based Services handle SNAP and child care assistance applications.

Consumer advocates who PAGE 5

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Patients’ perilous months-long waiting for...

PAGE 3 connect people to safetynet programs worry that an overwhelmed workforce won’t be able to keep up.

“It’s going to be a lot of work for everyone,” said Miranda Brown, who helps people apply for benefits as outreach coordinator for the Kentucky Equal Justice Center, a legal aid group.

Brown said she recently called a state office on behalf of a client toward the end of the day. She waited on hold for an hour only to be told by a caseworker that the agency couldn’t process any more cases that day.

“I even have a [phone] line that I get through faster than a consumer calling for themselves,” she said. “If it’s hard for me, it’s very hard for consumers who are trying to call on their lunch break at work.”

South Carolina planned to hire “a couple hundred workers” beginning this spring to help manage renewals at the end of the public health emergency, said Nicole Mitchell Threatt, deputy director of eligibility, enrollment, and member services at the Department of Health and Human Services. The turnover rate among eligibility workers was about 25% from July 2020 to June 2021, jumping from a 15% rate in the previous 12 months.

In Missouri, Dolce said her department hopes a recently approved pay increase will help recruit more workers and improve staff morale and retention. The department is being sued over delays in enrollments for SNAP benefits, which it also oversees.

Kim Evans, director of the Missouri Department of Social Services’ Family Support Division, told the state Medicaid oversight committee in February that her division was offering overtime and she was even offering to buy pizza to speed up the processing of applications.

But the department is enrolling fewer than 3,000 people per week, leaving tens of thousands waiting and delaying their care.

In the suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri, Stacey Whitford, 41, applied in December for Medicaid for herself and her 13-year-old son. Her son needs hearing aids that she said cost $2,500 apiece without insurance. She also lined up a support worker for the boy, who has autism, through the Department of Mental Health but said she was told the worker can begin only once her son is enrolled in Medicaid.

“It’s just like hanging a golden ticket right in front of your face and saying, ‘Here it is, but you can’t touch it,’” she said in early March.

Whitford spent hours on the phone trying to sort out the status of their applications, then on March 31, just shy of four months after applying, they were finally approved.

Stacey Whitford applied for Medicaid for herself and her son in December. He needs the coverage for hearing aids but the family had to wait months before finally being approved on the last day of March. “It’s just like hanging a golden ticket right in front of your face and saying, ‘Here it is, but you can’t touch

it,’” Whitford said in early March as their wait neared 100 days.

(CHRISTOPHER SMITH FOR KHN) “I am so excited! We can run with scissors now,” she joked.

But Elliott, the mother of four in Salem, is still waiting. She gave up calling the state’s Medicaid helpline after growing frustrated from spending hours on hold and being disconnected because of high call volumes. Instead, she checks on her application through the enrollment specialists at the clinic where she applied.

She was sent home from the ER with ibuprofen and Tamiflu and has yet to see a bill. If her Medicaid application is approved, her coverage will be backdated to the month she applied, likely covering her ER trip. But if her application is rejected, that cost will be added to her medical debt, which Elliott estimates is already tens of thousands of dollars.

“It makes me feel like it’s a joke,” Elliott said of Missouri’s expansion of Medicaid. “Like they’re just throwing it out there to get all these people to apply for it, but they’re not going to really help anybody.” (Bram SableSmith and Rachana Pradhan/ Kaiser Health News) KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

WET MORNING COMMUTE. Commuters, armed with umbrellas to keep them dry, brave the rain while waiting for a ride along the stretch of Commonwealth Avenue amid the usual morning traffic on Tuesday, April 5. It is going to be rainy for most parts of the country due to the low-pressure area, the intertropical convergence zone, and the northeasterly surface wind flow, the weather bureau said.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 6-8, 2022 5

Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway installed...

PAGE 1 Crews completed the structural installation this past Saturday, April 2.

“The Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway project has been nearly two decades in the making,” said Jessica Caloza, former commissioner for the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works. “It’s a monument not just for the Filipino and Asian community, but for all immigrant communities who come to Los Angeles to build a life and a home. The gateway represents that hope and dream of what’s possible and thanks to the community, our elected officials, and so many partners, it’s now a

reality.”

Councilmember O’Farrell, joined by local leaders and community members, will officially dedicate the Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway with a community ribbon-cutting on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. at the intersection of Beverly Blvd and Belmont Ave. The celebration will include food, music, and dance performances.

Residents interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP at bit.ly/ HiFiGateway.

“2022 is a huge year for SIPA and Historic Filipinotown.

Not only are we celebrating 20 years of the Historic Filipinotown designation, but

SIPA is also celebrating our 50th anniversary,” said Kimmy Maniquis, executive director of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA). “The Talang Gabay gateway is a beautiful symbol of a neighborhood that holds great significance to Filipino Americans in Los Angeles and we are proud to have been part of the process. As SIPA opens our community center on Temple street later this year, we celebrate with the City of Los Angeles and our fellow legacy organizations in creating longstanding cultural markers that will honor the Filipino American community for generations to come.” g

Starfleet Innotech partners with startup Luyten to enter $19-M global 3D printing construction market STARFLEET Innotech, Inc. announced a new strategic partnership with Australiabased 3D concrete printing startup Luyten.

The exclusive agreement will see Luyten’s revolutionary construction technologies utilized across SFIO’s real estate projects in the Philippines, towards the conglomerate’s goal of building a more sustainable, equitable future for community living.

As SFIO continues growing its portfolio of development projects through its real estate division, led by premiere wellness tourism brand Moraya, Luyten will play a pivotal role in championing Moraya’s mission of wellness through purposeful innovations.

According to Grand View Research, the global 3D printing construction market is estimated at roughly $19 million and is expected to reach almost $5 billion by 2030. Using their own 3D printing devices and proprietary mixtures, Luyten is able to complete construction projects with 60% less waste, 70% less production time, and at only 20% of the labor costs of traditional means.

According to the startup, walls for a twobedroom home can be printed in as little as two days. Optimized for quick deployment, Luyten’s devices can be mobilized and operational in hours, as opposed to the multiple days it takes to set up traditional machinery. Through their robotic systems, Luyten can remotely control their machinery from anywhere in the world. These innovations translate to more productive, and, therefore, more cost-effective,

construction periods.

Over the next few years, Luyten will be providing the machinery and materials needed to augment SFIO’s real estate developments – an exclusive arrangement in the Philippines, where a majority of the Moraya developments will be placed. Under this agreement, SFIO will have exclusive distribution rights to Luyten’s devices in the Philippines and projects to sell at least fifty units of 3D concrete printing machinery to other developers and organizations over the next 12 months, following regulatory approvals.

“Our partnership with Luyten stems from our commitment to invest in the futures of the industries we operate in,” said Starfleet Innotech CEO Jeths Lacson. “Joining Moraya’s divisional ecosystem, Luyten will play a key role as an enabler for our various real estate initiatives. Their affordable, sustainable offerings will allow us to build exciting projects that champion both the new communities we hope to build, as well as the existing communities we hope to serve.”

In addition to augmenting Moraya’s current township developments, this partnership will see up to 500 low-cost housing units constructed across the Philippines over the next two years. Through this exclusive agreement in the Philippines, SFIO will also be able to distribute Luyten’s machinery to local government units and nonprofit organizations seeking more affordable means to build quality, resilient homes.

(Advertising Supplement)

OpiniOn & Features

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Fighting fake news THE task force against fake news that an official of the Commission on Elections is proposing will not cover disinformation being spread against candidates in the May elections. Instead, the Comelec intends to focus on fake news related to the conduct of the elections, according to the proponent of the task force, Commissioner George Garcia.

In particular, Garcia cited stories spreading on social media that the May 9 elections are virtually over since the ballots have been filled out and just waiting to be tallied. Garcia said the Comelec must “fight back” to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

Exactly how the Comelec intends to fight back remains unclear. It can take some tips from victims of trolling and other forms of online smear campaigns, which have intensified in this election season. Social media platforms have cooperated in global efforts to cleanse their sites of trolls, fake news and black propaganda, taking down multiple accounts for coordinated inauthentic behavior or CIB, brigading and mass reporting.

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, describes CIB as a “coordinated campaign that seeks to manipulate public debate across our apps.”

Brigading is carried out by “adversarial networks” wherein “people work together to mass comment, mass post or engage in other types of repetitive mass behaviors to harass others or silence them.”

“Mass reporting” refers to adversarial networks wherein people work together “to massreport an account or content to get it incorrectly taken down from (Meta’s) platform” – a tactic used, for example, against legitimate dissent in repressive regimes.

Meta owns Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instragram and WhatsApp. The Comelec, if it is serious in its intent to go after purveyors of disinformation, can work with Meta as well as Google and other social media platforms.

Beyond coordination, the Comelec must conduct a more aggressive campaign to encourage the public to get their information from reliable news sources. News reporting requires years of training and specialized skills, and there are ethics that govern responsible journalism. There are no such rules on social media, where anonymity protects those who spread lies and black propaganda masquerading as news.

At the same time, the Comelec must draw up

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

penalties for established attempts to undermine the integrity of the electoral process through fake news. Facebook previously revealed the identities of some of the persons engaging in CIB. The

country also has cyber crime laws that can be applied in certain cases. As in other offenses, the prospect of punishment should serve as a deterrent against the spread of fake news. (Philstar.com)

‘Bakit si Leni Robredo for president?’: Proven integrity, transparency, accountability and the heart of a true public servant

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS LENI REOBREDO is my President. She is NOT the lesser of two evils. She is NOT capitalizing on the gender vote as a woman.

She is NOT capitalizing on the sympathy vote being a widow herself like Cory Aquino. Leni Robredo is the BEST candidate the Philippines needs during this very important chapter in our nation’s history. And it seems, all the different chapters of her life story have prepared her for this biggest calling of her life.

Maria Leonor “Leni” Santo Tomas Gerona Robredo was not born to a rich family, nor was she a part of any political dynasties.

She did not even dream of becoming a vice president nor a president. But she knew she always wanted to be a lawyer like her father.

Leni was born in Naga, Camarines Sur, the eldest of three children of the late Naga City Regional Trial Court Judge Antonio Gerona Sr. and Salvacion Santo Tomas, an English professor at the Universidad de Santa Isabel in Naga.

Leni's parents raised their children in a modest family, instilling in them the values of faith, hard work, integrity and the commitment to be true public servants through their own life examples of fighting for justice and education. These are the core values that made Leni aspire to follow in her father’s footsteps.

Leni completed her elementary and secondary education in the same school where her late mother was a teacher. She

went to the University of the Philippines in Diliman, stayed in a university dormitory living a simple and frugal life she was used to and studied diligently to obtain her bachelor’s degree in economics in 1986.

While she promised her father that she would be a lawyer like him someday, she decided to work first to save money and help pay for her law education. She worked as a researcher for the Bicol River Basin Development program, a government agency responsible for integrated area development planning in the three provinces of the Bicol Region.

Serendipitously, it was through this temporary pre-law school job that she met thenprogram director Jesse Robredo, who was smitten by Robredo’s beauty, grace, intelligence and personality. As Leni shared on video, it was a whirlwind romance that lead to marriage in 1987. Her parents, especially her father, were initially against it, but gave his blessings when Jesse made a sacred promise that he will help Leni graduate from law school and become a lawyer as she promised her parents.

Leni attended law school at the University of Nueva Caceres while she was already a wife to Jesse who by then already started serving Naga as Mayor since 1988.

In her video, Leni said she had to juggle her time being a student, a wife, a mother while in law school. She also had to work part-time to help pay for

her tuition because the meager salary of mayor won’t be able to pay for all the expenses of their growing family. And so with blood, sweat and tears, and the grace of God, Leni graduated in 1992.

The growing responsibilities of being a mayor’s wife, mother, part-time worker and reviewing for the bar exam did not daunt her. She remained steadfast in fulfilling her promise to her father and to herself that she would be a lawyer and fulfill her God-given destiny no matter how hard it would take. In 1997, Leni Gerona Robredo passed the bar exam on her second attempt and became Atty. Leni Gerona Robredo in 1997.

In her video, Leni intimated how her journey to be a lawyer humbled her and made her realize how she wouldn’t have achieved her goal without God’s grace. This sense of gratitude made her decide to use her profession to give back and help those in need.

Hence, Leni served in the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) in 1997. From 1998 to 2008, Leni became the coordinated efforts of SALIGAN — a Naga-based alternative legal support group, encouraging young legal professionals to be leaders committed to visiting rural communities to provide legal services to people who couldn’t afford to hire their own attorneys.

Under Leni’s leadership, SALIGAN also conducted legal advocacy to improve the system of delivering justice for all, by

Seeming increase in Asian hate crimes across the US Babe’s Eye View BaBe Romualdez AFTER receiving messages from Filipinos expressing concern about their relatives and the situation in the United States on the seeming increase in violent hate crimes against Filipino Americans, we were compelled to grant an interview with Joel Reyes Zobel and Weng Salvacion over dzBB. Over the past three months, there have been seven cases of violence against members of the Filipino community in New York, many of them in the Manhattan area in New York City, with authorities investigating if these are assault and robbery cases or hate crimes.

One of the most vicious attacks was against a 67-year-old Filipina who was punched in the head and face more than 125 times, kicked and stomped on and spat at as

she was entering her apartment building, with evidence indicating that the perpetrator – who has since been arrested and charged with attempted murder – uttered a racial slur as the victim passed by.

According to the New York City Police Department, there has been a 361 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2021, jumping from 29 cases in 2020 to 85 last year. In January, a woman of Asian descent was pushed into the path of an oncoming subway train in Times Square – a horrific, unprovoked attack. Members of the Asian American community are now living in fear and anxiety, prompting a lawmaker to call on New York Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency.

From March 2020 to December 2021, there have been close to 11,000 cases of violence against Asian Americans, but the number could be higher because not all incidents get reported to the police, or are not classified as hate crimes. A preliminary report from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University in San

Bernardino showed that hate crimes in major cities across the U.S. that include New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, Dallas and several others increased by 46 percent last year. More significantly, hate crimes against Asian Americans increased by 339 percent in 2021, the preliminary report indicated.

While we are not certain if all the incidents of violence can indeed be classified as hate crimes, there is a high possibility that they may indeed be hate crimes because the attacks against Filipinos and other people of Asian descent became more prevalent since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Millions of Americans became jobless, many lost their homes and they were angry at, and frustrated by, the restrictions imposed on travel and mobility due to the pandemic. Not surprisingly, this frustration and anger has spilled over to Asians, whom they blame for spreading COVID-19 in the United States.

According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, the COVID-19 pandemic and the

proposing amendments and new legislation based on the needs of marginalized communities.

SALIGAN’s services later included helping women to acquire capital to participate in competitive markets.

But Leni’s advocacy to empower women dated back to 1989 when she founded the “Lakas ng Kababaihan ng Naga Foundation”, which provided training and livelihood opportunities for women.

Jesse Robredo was appointed Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) by the late President Noynoy Aquino from 2010 up to his untimely death in an airplane crash in 2012.

Mourning and carrying on her shoulders the responsibility of raising their three daughters as a single parent, Leni found strength and continued sense of purpose in accepting the calling to carry on her late husband’s legacy of good governance. As her bio stated, she stepped into the political arena in 2012 when she won as Representative of the Third District of Camarines Sur. As Representative, Leni would go even to the most remote areas of Camarines Sur to check on her constituents face to face.

She would visit with them, get to know and understand their needs to author legislation to help them.

Her advocacies in government are reflected by her committee leadership and membership. “During this time, she was Vice Chairman of two committees: Committee on

Good Governance and Public Accountability, and Committee on Revision of Laws. She was also part of the Committee of Appropriations; Bicol Recovery and Economic Development; Climate Change; Human Rights; Land Use; Local Government; People’s Participation; Rural Development; Suffrage and Electoral Reforms; Welfare of Children; and Women and Gender Equality,” her bio stated.

Among the laws she passed: Philippine National Railways Charter Extension - Republic Act RA10638, an act extending the corporate life of the Philippine National Railways for another 50 years which was enacted on June 16, 2014 Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 - Republic Act RA10742, an act establishing reforms in the Sangguniang Kabataan creating enabling mechanisms for meaningful youth participation in nationbuilding which was enacted on January 15, 2016 Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act Republic Act RA10708, an act promoting fiscal accountability and transparency in the grant and management of tax incentives which was enacted on December 9, 2015 Open High School System Act - Republic Act RA10665, an act establishing and appropriating funds for the open high school system in the Philippines which was enacted on July 9, 2015 Graphic Health Warnings

Law - Republic Act RA10643, an act prescribing the printing of graphic health warnings on tobacco products which was enacted on November 15, 2014 Decriminalizing Premature Marriage - Republic Act RA10655, an act decriminalizing premature marriages which was enacted on March 13, 2015 Strengthening the Probation System Republic Act RA10707, an act rationalizing and strengthening the probation system and amending the “Probation Law of 1976” which was enacted on November 26, 2015 Election Service Reform Act – Republic Act RA10756, an act rendering election service noncompulsory for public school teachers enacted on April 8, 2016 And then in 2016, another calling she had to heed: to be vice president of the Philippines.

(To be continued) ***

resulting economic fallout has caused significant hardship, with unemployment remaining high throughout 2020. While improved employment and substantial relief measures helped reduce the high levels of hardship, there was still considerable unmet need towards the end of 2021, with 20 million households reporting that they had little to eat while 10 million households were behind on rent.

Last Sunday, a 73-year-old Filipino who was crossing a street in Midtown Manhattan was violently pushed to the ground and kicked several times, with the perpetrator attempting to get the victim’s wallet. The attacker – who has since been arrested and charged with attempted robbery, attempted grand larceny and assault – was a homeless man.

In 2017, there were an estimated 550,000-plus homeless people in the U.S., but the COVID-19 pandemic has become an added complication to the problem as it may have caused more Americans to become homeless and desperate so they resort to stealing, snatching and other crimes, also becoming increasingly violent in the process.

Liberal cities such as New

York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland in Oregon and Seattle in Washington have long allowed the homeless to build makeshift tents and shelters on sidewalks, roadways, storefronts and public spaces. However, authorities are now starting to crack down on homeless encampments and clearing up tents along certain roadways – an initiative that has also become a political issue due to the complexity of the situation because there are mental health and other issues attached with homelessness.

As I shared with Joel and Weng during my interview with dzBB, many hate crimes are committed by people with mental health issues, who just shove victims randomly or beat them up without any apparent provocation. A number of these attacks have occurred in subways, so we have been advising our kababayans in the U.S. to always have a companion with them if possible.

Our New York Consul General Elmer Cato, known to be creative and imaginative in solving problems, initiated the conduct of webinars on self-defense and situational awareness to heighten vigilance among members of

the Filipino community and educate them on ways to protect themselves outside their homes.

When violent assaults against Filipino-Americans began to increase in March last year, we immediately sent diplomatic notes to the State Department together with our ASEAN colleagues who experienced similar problems.

The White House weighed in, too, with the federal government deploying undercover agents especially in subways. The local police are doing their best in doing more but it is also difficult to categorize an attack as a hate crime when there is no clear evidence that a perpetrator was motivated by racial hatred.

For our part, we have instructed our consulates to continue helping our kababayans in every way possible – constantly reminding them of always being conscious and mindful of their surroundings.

(Philstar.com) ***

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

*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989. She was a news anchor, TV host and radio commentator and public service host for ABS- CBN and DZMM. She is now working on her advocacies independently, serving the Filipino audience using different media platforms. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos. Also on Twitter, Instagram: Gel Santos Relos

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

*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

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Pacquiao vows to probe drug war deaths Tax experts clear Marcos of liabilities

by FRANCO JOSE

C. BAROÑA

ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Sen. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao vowed to launch an investigation into the hundreds of killings during the Duterte administration's relentless war on drugs.

The Promdi standard-bearer said he will continue the antidrug campaign but will focus on "killing drug suppliers."

"Iimbestigahan natin ang sinasabing EJKs (extrajudicial killings).

Iimbestigahan natin ng mabuti. Hindi tayo basta-basta magbibigay ng conclusion (We will investigate the alleged EJKs. We will investigate carefully. We will not rush into a conclusion),"

Pacquiao said during the second round of presidential debates on Sunday organized by the Commission on Elections.

He said he will not spare members of the police from punishment who violate human rights while conducting the drug war.

"But let us also remember that we cannot stop this war on drugs because the number of illegal drugs being caught in the country is increasing," he said.

He noted the recent string of seizures of large volumes of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu is a sign that drug suppliers are aware that President Rodrigo Duterte is about to end his

term.

Another presidential aspirant, Dr. Jose "Joey" Montemayor Jr., said there is no need for an investigation to affirm that EJKs have been committed by the government because the killings have been happening since the time of the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

Montemayor said police officers will willingly admit to committing the killing once President Duterte steps down.

He said "so many families are crying because their relatives were killed. May due process pa ngayon? Wala na (Is there still due process? None.) The government is committing human rights violations right and left," he said. 

Pres. Duterte says not endorsing any presidential bet to avoid controversy

by GABRIEL

PABICO LALU

Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has explained his decision to not endorse any presidential candidate in the May 9 elections.

During his weekly Talk to the People aired Tuesday night, April 4, Duterte said he avoids being partisan so people would not think that he is using the government’s resources to advance the interest of a particular politician.

He, however, admitted that he would support and vote for his daughter, Sara DuterteCarpio, who is running for vice president in this year’s polls.

“Talking about the elections, ako, wala akong kandidato, hindi ako namumulitika ah, I’m just announcing, wala akong kandidato ni sino man sa pagka-presidente. I remain neutral,” the President said.

“Ang akin kasi, presidente ako tapos magkampi ako ng isa? Magdududa ‘yong iba na ginagamit ko ‘yong mga resources ng gobyerno, magulo na,” he added.

According to Duterte, people become suspicious

about incumbent officials — especially presidents who have command of the budget — supporting candidates.

“If you are a president and you have the resources na nasa beck and call mo, ano man ang gawain mo may suspetsa kaya ang tao, na ginagamit mo (‘yong pondo) para sa isang tao. Even if it is not true, kung budgeted na ‘yong project na ‘yan, tuloy-tuloy naman, hindi na nga ako maka-ano ng pera, bawal na,” he noted.

Duterte’s endorsement has been heavily anticipated with at least two candidates – Bongbong Marcos and Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso — hoping to secure his blessing.

Earlier, Duterte said he prefers a lawyer and a compassionate person as his successor, prompting people to speculate if he was referring to Vice President Leni Robredo. But she is from the other side of the political fence and had been at odds with Duterte a number of times in the past over certain policies.

Aside from openly endorsing the vice-presidential run of his

daughter, Duterte said he is endorsing the candidacy of 17 politicians running for senator although only 12 slots in the Senate are declared vacant for the May elections.

“Kaya nga wala kaming kandidato except of course my daughter, so I have to mention her because she is my daughter. Ano man ang dynamics namin sa mga party nila, anak ko ‘yan eh. So ‘yon lang ang isa, pati ‘yong mga senador, na gusto ko sanang mailagay dyan but I’m not mentioning any names,” Duterte said during his Talk to the People.

“Just trying to avoid politicking kasi baka masabit tayo sa Comelec. Ang isang ano ko is, the government — at least the Armed Forces pati ang pulis, pati kami sa gobyerno, we are not allowed to campaign. Well of course ‘yong mga cabinet members they can, but just to make things equal, sinabi ko no’ng past two elections lalo na ngayon paalis na tayo, ‘wag na tayo magkampi-kampi ng kandidato, we’ll just make the most of the remaining days,” he added. 

COVID-19 vaccines are brand new BASED ON DECADES OF RESEARCH. SHARE THE FACTS, NOT THE VIRUS. MyTurn.ca.gov | 833-422-4255

by JOMAR

CANLAS ManilaTimes.net

TAX and legal experts are convinced that presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. cannot be faulted for his family's failure to settle its estate tax liabilities.

In a phone interview with The Manila Times over the weekend, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said cases involving the Marcoses' tax debt are still pending in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals.

Enrile taught taxation in college and was finance minister during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos. He earned his Masters of Laws degree at the Harvard School of Law with specialized training in international tax law.

Enrile said the cases have to be settled first before the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) can demand that Marcos Jr. and former first lady Imelda Marcos, the administrators of the family estate, settle the tax debts.

The Department of Finance has reportedly been pressing the BIR to collect the unpaid taxes from the heirs of the late president, which have reportedly ballooned to around P203 billion from P23 billion.

Last December, the BIR sent a letter to the Marcos heirs demanding that they pay the tax dues.

But Enrile said the job of an estate administrator "is to gather the assets, gather the liabilities, and then establish the plan of partition, sell the assets to pay liabilities." If the administrators are not able to sell the assets to liquidate the liabilities, and if they indicate this in their tax returns, no violation exists, Enrile said.

Marcos Jr. needs to "gather all the assets and all the liabilities... and then liquidate it. Then after paying the liabilities...after paying all the taxes they will submit to the court...partition of estates...he has to file an estate return," he said, a process that takes time because some of the assets are considered to be ill-gotten wealth.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling of June 5, 1997 on the Marcoses' estate tax liability, there are still pending criminal and civil cases against the family and its cronies before the high

Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

tribunal and the Sandiganbayan.

Former Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Edwin Abella told The Times the estate and the executor and administrator of an estate have separate and distinct personalities.

"That is why the estate has a separate TIN [tax identification number]," Abella, a tax law professor and bar reviewer, said.

"It means that the government or the BIR in particular just needs to go after the estate itself." Abella said the power to tax involves the power to destroy, citing the case of McCulloch v. Maryland 17 US 316 (1819) —Chief Justice John Marshall, "Hence, it must be used judiciously and not treacherously." "Lady justice is blind, let us not use our tax laws like Damocles' sword; taxation is not a weapon but rather our equitable contribution to a just and civilized society. Justice must always be tempered with compassion and mercy," he said.

Abella said President Rodrigo Duterte "cannot reverse the decision nor preempt and make the decision himself. The tax code is clear on this." The Marcoses "have been subjected to harassment since they left office, in fact, their properties have been subjected to auction, and have been sequestered," he said.

Abella said the government can only get a fraction of the estate to be taxed and cannot be more than the whole property which is considered "unconscionable."

Several jurists who talked to The

ManilaTimes.net photo

Times on condition of anonymity said that the tax claim could be covered by prescription.

One jurist faulted the government for going after the Marcos estate. He said the government cannot execute the claim because the properties to be covered have yet to be determined due to the pending cases before the high court and the Sandiganbayan.

Another source said that under Sections 203 and 222 of the National Internal Revenue Code, the government must execute a tax claim within five years in good faith and 10 years if there is fraud committed.

"Likewise, an internal revenue tax which has been assessed within the prescribed period may be collected by distraint or levy or by a proceeding in court within five years following the assessment of tax," The Times source said.

It cited the Supreme Court case of Clara Diluangco vs Commissioner of Internal Revenue on the reckoning period for the collection of taxes. "In case of self-assessed taxes like income tax, the date of the actual filing of the return is considered as the date when the tax is said to have been assessed. For collection by judicial action, the action is deemed instituted upon filing of the corresponding complaint in the court of competent jurisdiction. In case of summary remedies, the period is reckoned from the service of the distraint and levy on the persons or entity authorized to receive the same,"  PAGE 8

8 APRIL 6-8, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

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WET MARKET. Fish vendors prepare pieces of bangus (milkfish) for their customers at their stalls inside the wet section of the Gapan market in Nueva Ecija on Tuesday, April 5. Gapan market is one of the big wet markets for different fish in Nueva Ecija.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez

‘Shift of support to Robredo not political turncoatism’ MANILA — Groups shifting support to presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo is not a form of political turncoatism, her spokesman said on Tuesday, April 5.

Lawyer Barry Gutierrez made the statement after groups supporting the presidential bid of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno shifted to Robredo.

“We have to make a distinction between turncoatism in terms of a politician shifting political parties … and a shift in a volunteer group deciding to support a different presidential candidate. So, I don’t think you can equate the two here,”

Gutierrez told ANC. He said the decision of several groups who used to support different presidential candidates to throw their support behind the Vice President is “proof” that her campaign is gaining momentum.

“The recent declarations of support for the VP have been freely given and they were accepted in the same spirit,” Gutierrez said.

“And we believe, they will soon be reflected in the numbers both in terms of surveys and in votes on May 9,” he added.

Last Monday, the Visayas chapter of Ikaw Muna (IM)

Pilipinas announced its shift of support to the presidential bid of Robredo.

During the second presidential debate hosted by the Commission on Elections last Sunday, April 3, Robredo said turncoatism for political convenience weakens the political party system in the country.

She reiterated her push for the passage of legislation that would prevent politicians from jumping from one party to another for the sake of political convenience.

Despite the rains, Robredo and her running mate Sen. Francis Pangilinan wooed voters in Rizal. (Philstar.com)

PAGE 7 the source said.

Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel 3rd wants the BIR investigated for failing to collect the tax due on the Marcos estate.

In filing Senate Resolution 998 on March 28, Pimentel raised the need to identify the BIR officials, past and present, responsible for the noncollection of the estate tax since 1997.

He said the BIR has the power to assess and collect national internal revenue taxes, fees, charges, and to enforce the necessary forfeitures, penalties and fines.

He said that on June 5, 1997, the Supreme Court affirmed "in toto" the Court of Appeals decision that the deficiency income tax

assessments on the Marcos estate were final and unappealable.

"The case has long become final and executory and thus by the legal principle of res judicata, can no longer be questioned and hence should be fully implemented and executed," Pimentel said.

Pimentel said the Filipino people "are suffering from the effects of recession due to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the ongoing effects of the Russian-Ukraine war which have led to gargantuan fuel price increases almost overnight and, in turn, to great increases in the prices of basic commodities, transportation, and services."

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said the monthly

cash aid of P200 to the poorest of the poor is not enough, and there would be funding problems if it is increased to P500.

The Department of Labor and Employment has proposed a wage subsidy of P24 billion for about one million minimum wage workers.

"There is no clear funding source for these proposed subsidies and it is immediately obvious that the government would be hard-pressed to source the much needed funds in order to support these social alleviation measures," Pimentel said.

He said the P203 billion that could be collected from the Marcoses "would be more than enough to fund these proposed subsidies." g

Tax experts clear Marcos of...

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Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars, H.E.R.: Fil-Am artists win big at the 2022 Grammy Awards Between Rodrigo, Mars, H.E.R. and Saweetie, the 64th Grammys were quite possibly the most Filipino Grammy awards

by Klarize

N

Medenilla / AJPress

O matter what part of the world they’re from, Filipinos everywhere know the value that music, performance, and skilled singing hold in the culture — there is a 99% chance that the Filipino reading this has, at one time, been begrudgingly forced to sing karaoke at a family gathering.

After last Sunday night, nobody is safe from that Magic Sing machine.

On Sunday, April 2, the 64th Grammy Awards aired, and it was a thoroughly Filipino American affair with America’s It Girl, breakout super star Olivia Rodrigo, and the multitalented Bruno Mars winning some of the biggest awards at music’s most important night.

After performing her viral hit “Drivers License” early in the show, Rodrigo won the coveted Best New Artist award, to which she said in her acceptance speech, “This is my biggest dream come true.”

Additionally, Rodrigo, 19, won the awards for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Drivers License” and Best Pop Vocal Album for her debut album, “Sour.”

After winning Best Pop Vocal Album, Rodrigo dedicated her award to her parents, saying in her speech, “When I was 9 years old, I told my mom I wanted to be a gymnast even though I could barely do a cartwheel.

She thought I was joking, but I was super defensive. So the next week when I told her I was going to win a Grammy, she was very supportive even though she probably thought it

19-year-old Olivia Rodrigo took home three Grammys on Sunday, April 2, winning for Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album for “Sour” and Pop Solo Performance for breakout hit “Drivers License.”

She was nominated for seven awards during this year’s award show.

Bruno Mars, who is part of R&B duo Silk Sonic with Anderson .Paak, won in all four nominated categories in the 2022 Grammys: Best R&B Performance, Best R&B Song, Song of the Year and Record of the Year.

Photo from Instagram/@brunomars

R&B artist H.E.R. was nominated for eight Grammys and took home: Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Fight For You” on Sunday, April 2. The 24-yearold now has five Grammys under her belt.

Photo from Instagram/@hermusicofficial

was just a little kid pipe dream.”

Rodrigo, whose father is Filipino, finished her speech, saying, “I want to thank my mom and dad for being equally as proud of me for winning a Grammy as they were when I learned

how to do a back walkover.”

Rodrigo — who hails from Temecula, California and is also an actress on the Disney Channel — was up for seven awards in total in all four major categories, including Record of

the Year.

Mars, known for his commitment to modernizing retro sounds, won Record of the Year for the song “Leave the Door Open,” the sultry soulful lead single Mars released as

one-half of Silk Sonic, his current collaboration with musician Anderson .Paak.

Though Record of the Year is considered the biggest award of the night, the duo also won Song of the Year for “Leave the Door Open,” which also earned them the Grammys for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. (The latter was a tie between Silk Sonic and R&B songstress Jazmine Sullivan.)

Not to be outdone, the alreadyaward-winning R&B singer and musician H.E.R. also won her fifth Grammy Award on Sunday, taking home the award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Fight For You,” for which H.E.R. had already won a Golden Globe award, Critics’ Choice award, and an Academy Award.

Though she didn’t win any awards on Sunday, Saweetie (real name Diamonte Quiava Valentin Harper) was the only female rapper nominated in the Best New Artist.

She was also nominated for Best Rap Song for the catchy hit “Best Friend.”

As a half Black and half Filipino and Chinese woman, Saweetie has Continued on Page 11

community

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - April 6, 2022

10

3 Filipino international designers you need to know in 2022 Their works are to be showcased at Asia Pacific Fashion Week 2022 in Los Angeles and Las Vegas

THE diversity of designs in the Filipino community is unparalleled, and what makes them even more unique is each artist’s subtle homage to their culture. Get to know three mustsee Filipino designers who are doing their country proud.

Their works are to be showcased at Asia Pacific Fashion Week (APFW) – a global platform for emerging fashion designers – on 06 August 2022 at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, and on 13 August 2022 in Decades Event Center in Las Vegas.

Neo-Ethnic Fashion by LCL For Lionell Christian Lanuzo and his self-named fashion brand LCL, guests will be impressed by his statementmaking shapes and patterns, which encourage the wearer to express her uniqueness and ethnicity.

His favored sillouette, the “Philippine Terno” and its trademark butterfly sleeves, Community leader Charlie Bonilla with Angeli Valenciano, Gary Valenciano and G. Tongi at LA’s Historic Filipinotown’s Unidad Park on is combined with modern March 27, 2022 for a rally in support of Leni Robredo and Kiko Pangilinan’s bid for the top posts in the Philippines. Contributed photos European aesthetics to create a decidedly “neo ethnic” look.

Christian’s creations have been featured in several fashion magazines in Europe. Various Philippine embassies in Europe, From Page 10 recognizing his unique Filipinoaccepted the award for Best Performance by a inspired designs, have invited Chorus for their debut album, “Presenting the always been vocal and proud of her mixed him to showcase his neo-ethnic New Christy Minstrels.” heritage. In an interview with the Recording clothes during important Filipino Filipino American songwriter and composer Academy, she said, “The reason why I share community celebrations. for musical theatre and film Robert Lopez is both sides is because I know there are Asian Based in Milan, one of famously the youngest —and the quickest to kids at home, Black kids at home, and it’s the world’s fashion capitals, become an— EGOT winner, winning at least dope to represent where you’re from — Christian proudly raises the two awards in the major American awarding because if I can do it, I know they’ll feel like Philippine flag wherever his bodies: the Academy Awards, the Emmy they can do it. I try to share as much as my creations take him.

Awards, the Grammy Awards, and the Tony background as possible, so that kids who Indigenous Weaves by Awards. need inspiration can identify with me — and MYET Lopez’s first Grammy came in 2012 for Best so they know that if Saweetie can do it, they For Mayeth Codoy and her Musical Theater Album for the hit stage musical can too.”

Norway-based label MYET, Though this year’s Grammy Awards certainly “The Book of Mormon.” In 2015, he won fashion entails showcasing the Grammys for the soundtrack to “Frozen” and had an undeniable Filipino presence in its distinct beauty of the Philippine the film’s lead song, “Let It Go.” superstars, it is important to know that Filipino textiles – pinya (pineapple) and The renowned producer Ramon Ibanga, musicians and producers have always been part abaca (Manila hemp) – in such Jr., better known as Illmind, has worked with of Grammy history. beautiful, modern masterpieces the industry’s biggest names, and has been As part of the American folk group “The nominated for Grammys 10 times, twice winning that are appropriate for both New Christy Minstrels,” the guitarist and special events and everyday for his extensive work — including “Everything vocalist Larry Ramos was the first Filipino — wear. is Love,” the collaborative album between and the first person of Asian descent — to Mayeth, a 2020 graduate Beyonce and Jay-Z. win a Grammy. In 1963, Ramos and the group of Esmod Oslo (an affiliate of Esmod International School in Paris), was one of six international designers whose creations were featured last year in a fashion show of the French non-profit association Fashion for Foundation at the historic Salon des Miroirs on Paris’

Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars...

Mayeth Codoy

Genette Mujar

Photo by Canna Zhou

Genette Mujar Creation Photo by Vanity Wall

Lionell Christian Lanuzo

Photo by LCL

Lionell Christian Lanuzo Creation Photo by Sujata Photography

College of Art and Design, the fashion school she attended.

Genette’s remarkable success story is another illustration of how, no matter our age, the big effort can lead to even bigger success.

Asia Pacific Fashion Week: a global platform The range of designs within the Filipino community is unlike any other. But what makes them extra special is the subtle nod they make to their culture.

Indeed these designers are drawing well-deserved attention to Filipino glam – and Asia Pacific Fashion Week will be their newest global platform to showcase the diversity of Filipino-inspired fashions.

This inaugural edition of APFW is presented by the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, DTI Los Angeles office, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

The Los Angeles leg of APFW enjoys the support of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. Trending Beverages Inc., Napa Valley Distribution Inc., Montemaria Cellars, House of Pacquiao Wine, Individual Health Care, Lombard by the Bay, MTS Law Firm, Premier Asia Pacific Real Estate & Development, and Tina Modeling.

The Las Vegas edition is co-produced by InterEdx, a dba of Dynasty Exchange Ltd. LLC., headed by Dr. Lee Dedicatoria, in cooperation with Asia on Earth, Dynasty Ventures, Club Paradisia, World Edoption, Royal Blue Staffing and Lend with Mayeth Codoy Creation Photo by Emmelot Grace Photo by Esmod Oslo Love.

Grand Boulevard.

Mayeth sources the fabrics used in her collection from artisan communities in Aklan, a province in Central Philippines.

Luxe Fashions by Gnetz Designs Finally, Genette Mujar, the proud owner and CEO of Gnetz Design, a clothing business she established in Vancouver, is another Filipina is making a name for herself in Canada’s fashion scene.

Genette’s luxe designs have been featured in various Canadian magazines, and she has collaborated with noted Canadian photographers and make-up artists.

However, before she could pursue her goal of becoming a fashion designer, Genette had to work as a caregiver in Canada.

Genette finally summoned the confidence to pursue her big goal at the age of 50. Genette’s hard workd paid off when she received the “Best Achievement Award” from Vancouver’s Visual

Preparing your estate for the COVID-19 pandemic 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 65 are more at risk of having serious complications with this virus.

Although we cannot completely control how we would respond to such virus, we can prepare our finances and estate incase the worst happens.

Legally, there are several ways you can do this.

1. Create a Living Trust If you pass away with at least $166,250 in gross assets and you do not have a living trust (even if you have a will), your beneficiaries would have to open up a probate case before title to the 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 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 Continued on Page 12

community There are many things to do in Pahrump The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - April 6, 2022

Racing, biking, shooting among recreational activities for residents, visitors

By RealtoR

Fely Quitevis-Bateman

THERE are times when the question of “What activities can we do in that place?” becomes one of the main questions when a person is considering a location to invest property in, buy a first or second home, or retire to.

This makes sense, obviously, because you would not want to move to an area where there is absolutely nothing for you to do.

Of course, aside from this, there is the question of availability, affordability and getting a good return on your investment. In this week’s article, I will focus on some of the things that you can do recreationally in Pahrump, which is located about 62 miles west of Las Vegas.

If racing or motorsports is your passion, look no further than Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club, which is currently owned by John Morris. The place hosts various driving schools, track rentals and is the home of a private motorsports country club.

It has North America’s longest racetrack at 6.1 miles, and there are signs, and perhaps already in the works, of an expansion for additional track (as well as facility expansion) that will make the total racetrack grow to over 9 miles when completed.

It has generated excitement in the community as job openings have resulted with these expansion plans,

Tony and Neneth Suarez are extremely happy with their Airbnb in Pahrump, which is always fully booked. All their kids own properties in Pahrump as well.

Gloria Estillore of Silicon Valley (right) is looking for a large commercial parcel to build at least a minimum 100-bed assisted living facility. She is in photo above with Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman.

with some reports saying that “Spring Mountain will be one of the most exciting places to work and build a long-lasting career.”

Incidentally, right next to the racetrack is Spring Mountain Estates, luxury trackside homesites where homeowners will have access to all the amenities that Spring Mountain has to offer, which includes the Clubhouse Lounge, workout facility, and other services (e.g. massage therapist).

What’s more, owning a home at the Spring Mountain Estates puts you minutes away from the cool, clear waters of Lake Spring Mountain where you can enjoy activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, flying on jetpack

and more. There are 80 homesite lots (for home and mixed-use), 50 of which have been sold. As of now, there are 17 homes built or are under construction.

If cycling is your passion, a new bicycling group in Pahrump called Pahrump Valley Cyclists, is inviting the community to ride with them, according to the Pahrump Valley Times. This social club gathers biking enthusiasts for fitness and for fun, and welcomes riders of all age levels and gender.

The club’s goal is to connect cyclists and allow them the opportunity to get together and enjoy group rides in Pahrump and neighboring communities. The group’s rides can be shifted to accommodate cyclists of all levels, from beginners to the more experienced.

If walking or hiking is what drives you, there are many trails and parks in the area that are of interest. Among them are Discovery Park, Ian Deutch Memorial Park, Calvada Eye, Simkins Park and Petrack Park. These areas offer trails, opportunities for bird watching and nature-tripping, and wonderful walkways to share with the four-legged members of your family. What’s more, there are friendly residents to chat with or share a moment with as you enjoy your walk or hike.

Golf, one of the popular sports in the country, has a presence in Pahrump with the Mountain Falls Golf In photo above are some of my big repeat investors – Dr. Pete Racoma, and Wilmer & Gerlie Club, which is co-designed by famed architecture firms Nicklaus Design Comahig – who got approved for a 100-bed senior living resort on Homestead Road.

Group and Cal Olson Design. It is an 18-hole golf course and country club that is capable of hosting events of all types, be it weddings, holiday parties, corporate weddings and more. It has visually striking, breathtaking views, and is a must-visit visitors to the area.

I had the pleasure of hosting former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos at Mountain Falls Golf Club many, many years ago. He was impressed with it, and enjoyed playing golf at the club.

Aside from these, there are many other activities to do in the area.

Sports activities include leagues for soccer, basketball, baseball and softball. Residents can indulge in tennis, bowling, martial arts (karate, jiu jitsu, muay Thai) and even horseback riding.

There are gambling establishments in Pahrump, which include the Pahrump Nugget Casino, Terrible’s Lakeside Casino, Saddle West Hotel, Casino & RV Resort, Irene’s Casino and Terrible’s Road House Casino.

When you have partaken of all the things that you want to do in Pahrump, there is Las Vegas, which is less than an hour’s drive from Pahrump. Concerts, theater shows, more gambling, shopping and dining is at your fingertips in Las Vegas.

Whether you want to consider Pahrump as your retirement place, your next residence or an investment, it has many factors going for it.

Real estate prices continue to thrive in Pahrump and it is one of the many places that housing builders are looking at, especially with the skyrocketing land prices in Las Vegas.

Pahrump’s proximity to Las Vegas and it’s having less crime and big

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (right) with Dr. Philip Palarecio (left) who is planning to expand his dental clinic to Pahrump. Dr. Palarecio has one of the most advanced dental facilities in Las Vegas.

city problems make it ideal for those looking to settle down with their family in another area, or a prospect for those wanting to invest in their future.

Now is the time to take a look at Pahrump. I can help you look for the best real estate opportunities in the area.

My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has successfully helped its clientele find the best deals since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-5592476 and 702-538-4948 for more information. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short

How bankruptcy debt relief can get rid of your financial stress Minding Your Finances Atty. RAyMond BulAon ARE you having problems paying your debts? Are creditors calling you day and night threatening you with a wage garnishment, repossession, or foreclosure? Are you starting to feel hopeless and depressed about your situation and don’t know where to turn for help?

We are living in tough financial times. Economists are foreseeing a recession right around the corner. Soaring gas prices, businesses still struggling from the pandemic shutdowns, a lot of people who resorted to using credit cards to stay afloat while unemployed during the pandemic- these are just some of the causes of the financial hardship that a lot of people are experiencing. Or perhaps you may have suffered a job loss, foreclosure, lawsuit, divorce. or other unexpected calamity and you now find yourself overwhelmed with debt. You realize that your debt problems are not simply going to go away unless you do something about them but just don’t know where to start.

You have rights under federal law to file bankruptcy and get immediate relief from debt.

Bankruptcy is nothing more than a legal remedy that allows you to regain control of your finances so that you can get back on your feet as quickly as possible. Of

course, it is not the answer to all financial problems but when appropriate for your situation, it may be the only way for you to get out of the mess you’re currently in.

Although Congress has passed tougher bankruptcy laws over the years, debt relief is still available- whether they are wiping out debts under Chapter 7 or reorganizing under Chapter 13. Depending on your circumstances, your debts can be wiped out under Chapter 7 in only a few months, or the Court may ask you to repay your creditors with lower monthly debt payments over a 3 to 5 year period. Either way, the goal is to help you recover financially and help you start a new life free from the burden of excessive debt.

Briefly, Chapter 7 allows you to cancel or discharge your debts but in return, you must give up whatever non-exempt assets you may have. The good news is that most people don’t have much and whatever little they have, they are often protected by the exemption laws in bankruptcy.

So it is a misconception that “once you file bankruptcy, you will automatically lose everything.” The truth is that most people keep everything they have (homes, cars, bank accounts, retirement plans, etc.) and they lose nothing at all. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can evaluate your case and help you plan so that you can maximize your exemptions and claim the full benefits allowed by law.

Chapter 13, on the other hand, is a debt reorganization or debt consolidation plan. The court requires you to submit

all your income information as well as a monthly budget to assess your ability to pay. Your Chapter 13 plan payments will be based on the surplus income as determined by the Court.

Chapter 13 allows you to keep valuable property such as your home or car (although you were behind on your mortgage and car payments at the time of filing) and will stop foreclosure and repossession immediately on the day your case is filed. Credit card debts are included in your monthly payment under Chapter 13 and, in most cases, they can be significantly reduced or even totally eliminated.

The only way to know if bankruptcy is right for your situation is to consult with a professional who has the knowledge and experience to advise you regarding your options under bankruptcy law.

If you need debt relief, it is unnecessary for you to continue suffering under the huge burden of debt when the solution you need may be right under your nose. If anything, at least find out if bankruptcy is for you. Do it for yourself and your family. For a free office consultation, please call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. ***

NOTE: Due to pandemic safety concerns, I am offering free consultations BY PHONE to anyone who needs help in dealing with their debt problems. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation.

Atty. Ray J. Bulaon has successfully helped over 6,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772.

(Advertising Supplement)

Preparing your estate for...

From Page 10 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 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.

4. 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, APC 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)

community

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - April 6, 2022

Immigrant Living: 101 and BeMonette AdevA MAglAyA STORIES have the power and influence to touch the heart that a cut and dried essay or a report does not have. Somehow the lessons and insights we learn from stories have a longer shelf life. They stick.

Along the way, I have met many whose stories seem like the stuff of fiction. Other stories are cautionary and some are horrific. A lot of what I write are stories told to me. I view them from my personal lens and filter.

I listen quietly, file them away and sort things out. I fictionalize story elements to protect their privacy and some elements, for purposes of conciseness and flow. Like the deft fingers of a tapestry maker, I hope to weave the colorful threads together, conjure a composite character from different, engaging people I have met. Hopefully these series warm and lift the heart just a tad. For as long as we live, we all need a boost daily.

“I’ve had it!” Charisse said to herself as she put down her phone.

This one broke up with her via text message, saying he’s found someone else and something about her being too square.

They say three is a charm or in her case, she thought, three strikes and you’re out.

She stiffened her spine, picked up her phone and was going to just block his calls, hesitated for a bit, and with a glint in her eye and a decisive finger, deleted his name from her contact list forever.

Charisse used to go into a season of self-pity after a breakup but realized that it was like flogging yourself silly after the one you foolishly trusted kicks you to the curb.

One day she took action.

She decided to be kind to herself and take none of the bad behavior others feel they can pile on her. She built her self-confidence daily, rigorously with positive affirmations and learned to do many things with excellence just like her Mom and her Lola taught her — two generations of awesome women who continue to guide her.

As a research associate for a non-profit firm for a decade, she made a modest living allowing her to have her own place and some expendable time doing things for others. She kept close tab of her expenses but made sure she had money for her continuing education and time to spend generously with other people. Charisse kept in close touch with her family keeping

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Once upon a time series

Charisse’s confection Part 1 of 2

“ … Baking was her magic wand to shoo away the blues…” them in the loop about her simple but utterly engaging life.

She mentally threw out the window the new wave speeddating, internet dating, webchatting schtick.

It works for some but certainly not for her. It’s a jungle out there. She decided she will do things the old fashioned way. She was going to be a jolly mini-renaissance girl, a wellrounded lady that considers technology as a useful tool but never a crutch.

“Hah! Tall order,” she admitted to herself but she knew on the gut level she was going to do it or die trying.

Her dad and her brother said she had spunk and gumption.

She always got going when the going got tough. She thought it was the built-in spark plug wired into her by praying to God constantly.

She learned how to do things, like write, bake and cook, even dance and sing and do stand-up comedy — pursuits that made her so busy, so disciplined and so doggone tired she just didn’t have time to be sad.

She talked to senior people in the mall and at the senior center and realized she enjoyed learning so much from their stories. She also felt their intense loneliness. She became friends with them and looked forward to senior center nights.

She became particularly close to Dolly, an elegant graceful, silver-haired lady that seemed like she was to the manor born.

Boy, were those senior citizens a hoot to be with!

She learned to tango and do the foxtrot with them.

She volunteered to read to the children at the library.

The kids made her laugh and they taught her to be joyful and lighthearted. Her friends complained that she was missing in on the action.

Quietly, she begged to differ.

Best of all, she rediscovered prayer and its powerful, wonderful effect on her and the people around her. She found comfort in the quiet sanctity of her small parish church.

Through her journey of self-discovery, Charisse learned to never be one to wallow over a break-up — more so with an extremely crass text break-up.

“What is wrong with guys these days who won’t be man enough to do a face-to-face break-up? So many beta boys, spineless soy boys around her orbit! Where are the gentlemen alpha males that pursued the love of their life with all they’ve got?

Charisse was convinced romance and courtship are dead like the dodo. Or perhaps, she thought, the reason there are no alpha males and manly men is that women don’t act like women these days. And the men are so confused they want to be like women. “What

a warped world we live in these days,” she lamented.

“Oy Vey!” She picked up the expression from one of the Jewish women at the center.

She alternates it with her mom’s expression of exasperation, “Hay Naku!”

At this rate, I will be the only single lady aka “old maid” whose sell by date is about to expire among her group of friends. The current social media template seems to work for her friends but not for her.

Charisse shrugged her shoulders. With an impish grin, she said out loud, “I don’t care.

I will be a happy, single lady just the same. So goodbye to love.”

Charisse sprung into action to slam shut another annoying damper of a mini-chapter of her life. She went to her kitchen, tied her long lustrous brunette hair into a bun, put on her apron determined to whip out a delicious baked goodie, a confection like no other.

Baking was her magic wand to shoo away the blues. She opened her pantry, peeked at her refrigerator and checked out ingredients for one of her specialties, Crema de Fruta, a layer of lady fingers, covered by cream, then a layer of peaches and cherry and a thin layer of clear gelatin on top to hold the layers together. She will bring her delicious confection to the Senior Center tomorrow for Dolly who will be celebrating her 80th birthday.

Dolly loved seeing her every time she stopped by at the Senior Center. Her eyes lit up when she sees the younger woman. She loved to regale her with wonderful tales of a glorious past. Charisse listened and learned of a wonderful, well-heeled family life until a tragic accident wiped out all except for a grandson.

Dolly’s eyes would close when she recalls the tragedy while Charisse kept her respectful silence squeezing the woman’s hand slightly as a tiny measure of comfort.

Charisse’s natural curiosity as a researcher would normally drive her to check out her story on the internet. But she felt Dolly’s story was told to her in confidence like a secret and so it will stay that way. She purposely didn’t ask for her full name because she enjoyed the mystery and the company of the older woman. She thought that too much information overload has killed all the mystery and wonder in this world. And so she just let it be.

(To be continued next week …) ***

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

***

To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

Beauty on self-care: ‘It’s a long process’

By Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPUSO actress Beauty Gonzalez revealed that self-care is her secret to being happy and healthy.

During the Hakubi White C’s Facebook Live recently, Beauty said she tried to be open-minded because she’s too perfectionist.

“It’s a long process, but worth it. The first is to mentally prepare me to be open. It’s the hardest part for me, and to believe in the people who believe in me. I really try to be open,” Beauty said.

Beauty Gonzalez Photo from Instagram/@beauty_gonzalez

“Masyado akong perfectionist so being open is hard and to think that everything else is the noise, that one I really have to prepare. I try to convert to positive yung mga noise na yun,” she added.

Beauty also said that lying on the floor makes her feel better.

“Mahilig ako humiga sa sahig. I’m not drunk or whatever, it’s my thing in the house. I like lying down on the floor. I don’t know why, but it makes me feel good. Like sa garden, I look at the sky. I feel relaxed when I do that. I take care of my body from head to toe like massages, yoga, acupuncture, simple things like stretching – you feel good after that. Kahit dental flossing,” she said.

She also do yoga to help her rediscover her beauty from within.

“Insecurity is psychological warfare at its finest,” she said.

“Acknowledging your feelings and that it is only within your power to convert these into happy, positive ones,” she added.

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - April 6, 2022

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - April 6, 2022

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