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APRIL 8-14, 2021

T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M MU N I T Y N E WS PA P E R

Volume 32 - No. 14 • 12 Pages

2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 201 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879

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

‘Vital part of Las Vegas’: AAPIs, elected leaders denounce recent acts of hate

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

THOUGH no incidents of anti-Asian hate have been reported in Southern Nevada, members of The Chinatown Plaza event on Thursday, April 1 was attended by dozens of the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander community organizations representing Las Vegas’ many Asian American and (AAPI) community were joined by Governor Steve Sisolak at a recent rally denouncing the violence Pacific Islander groups.

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal occurring around the country.

DATELINE

A crowd of over 100 individuals, many of whom represent local organizations, gathered at Chinatown Plaza on Thursday, April 1, bearing signs and chanting along to slogans such as, “hate is a virus” and “stop Asian hate.”

The rally featured remarks from Sisolak, first lady Kathy Sisolak, who is of Chinese descent, and Rep. Dina Titus, whose district covers Chinatown and other neighborhoods with a sizable

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Sen. Rosen visits Fil-Am owned café in Las Vegas to promote relief for small businesses

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Rock throwing incident reported at LA Historic Filipinotown restaurant

AAPI population.

“When you see these signs, — ‘stop Asian hate,’ ‘hate is a virus,’ ‘end violence’ — this community understands what we need,” the governor said. “And this community is an important part of diversity in the state of Nevada. As long as I am governor, know that you have a friend and first lady in Carson City who are going to do ev-

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

ANDRE Cadiz was having lunch outside of Dollar Hits in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown on Saturday, April 3 when he heard a man yelling incoherently.

The 26-year-old Filipino American graphic designer, who was sitting facing the restaurant with his back toward the strip mall’s parking lot, chose to ignore the remarks and kept eating.

Then, he heard a loud bang on the window in front of where he was sitting.

A rock that was allegedly thrown by the man narrowly missed Cadiz’s head, he said in an interview.

“I jumped out of my seat and then I realized

SENATOR Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) visited a Filipino American-owned restaurant on Wednesday, April 7 to discuss how the American Rescue Plan and other relief measures are supporting Las Vegas’ small business community.

The senator met with Truffles N Bacon Cafe owner Magnolia Magat and staff about the impact that COVID-19 has had on the business.

“During the start, it was very scary. We didn’t know what we were going to do,” Magat, an immigrant from the Philippines, told Rosen.

The café, which is in Regal Plaza along Eastern Ave, has been in operation for seven years and has garnered a following for its American comfort food and brunch fare, with some dishes having Filipino influences. During the first few months of the pandemic when indoor dining was temporarily shuttered, the café had to rely on delivery and take-out to survive.

Sen. Jacky Rosen (left) visits Truffles N Bacon Café, owned by Filipina American Magnolia Magat, on Wednesday, April 7 to talk about Magat secured a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

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Los Gatos police looking for suspect who attacked Fil-Am health care worker POLICE are asking the public for help in its search for a man suspected of attacking a Filipina American medical worker in Los Gatos, California on March 30.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, March 30, around 5 p.m. near Los Gatos Boulevard and Garden Lane, according to the Los GatosMonte Sereno Police Department.

The 40-year-old Fil-Am, who was wearing medical scrubs, was reportedly walking along the boulevard when she was shoved from behind to the ground unprovoked.

The suspect also allegedly yelled at the vic-

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recovery aid for Las Vegas’ small business community, which includes the American Rescue Plan. The café is one of 20,000 AAPI-owned small businesses in the Silver State.

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

US warns China over its maritime militia on WPS

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE United States is doubling down on its support for the Philippines amid the presence of Chinese ships at Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun Reef) in the West Philippine Sea. “We have reiterated our strong support for the Philippines and we have called on the PRC to abide by the 2016 arbitral tribunal award under the Law of the Sea Convention, which is final and legally binding on all parties,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said Wednesday, April 7.

According to him, the U.S. “shares” Manila’s concerns over the Chinese vessels sighted on the contested waterway.

“We share the concerns of our Philippine allies regarding the continued reported mass-

ing of PRC maritime militia near the Whitsun Reef,” said Price.

Price also maintained that the U.S. will defend the Philippines in the event an “armed attack” happens.

“As we have stated before, an armed attack against the Philippines armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, will trigger our obligations under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” he said.

Around 220 vessels believed to be manned

by Chinese maritime militia personnel were sighted at the Julian Felipe Reef on March 7, according to a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) report.

On March 22, the Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed that around 183 Chinese

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17 PH tycoons land on Forbes 2021 World’s Billionaires List

By AJPRESS

SEVENTEEN Filipino tycoons have secured their spots on Forbes’ annual list of the wealthiest people in the world.

Forbes on Tuesday, April 6, released its 2021 list of global billionaires, with this year’s roster having a record-breaking 2,755 billionaires, including 493 newcomers.

“The number of billionaires on Forbes’ 35th annual list of the world’s wealthiest exploded to an unprecedented 2,755 — 660

more than a year ago. Altogether they are worth $13.1 trillion, up from $8 trillion on the 2020 list,” the publication said.

“There are a record high 493 newcomers to the list — roughly one new billionaire every 17 hours,” it added.

Former lawmaker and property tycoon Manny Villar led the pack of Filipino billionaires on the list, retaining his title as the richest Filipino for the third year in a row.

He placed 352nd worldwide, with a net worth of $7.2 bil-

lion (around P349.7 billion) this year.

Villar is the founder and chairman of Vista Land and Lifescapes, the largest home builder in the Philippines. The firm has built about 300,000 homes in more than 140 cities.

He also owns stakes in Golden Bria Holdings, a property and death care company, as well as Vistamalls, a shopping mall operator.

Following Villar was Enrique Razon Jr., chairman of International Container Terminal Servic-

es (ICTSI). Razon ranked 561st in the list with a net worth of $5 billion (around P242.8 billion).

Lucio Tan, founder and chair of the LT Group, is the third richest Filipino, ranking 925th with a net worth of $3.3 billion (about P150.2 billion).

Tied at 1008th are Hans Sy, Herbert Sy, and Andrew Tan with a net worth of $3 billion (about P145.7 billion).

The other Sy siblings, namely Harley Sy, Henry Sy Jr., and Teresita Sy-Coson, placed 1,174th

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Former President Joseph Estrada

ManilaTimes.net photo

Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada in stable condition

by AJPRESS FORMER Philippine President Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada is reportedly in stable condition after being placed on a ventilator due to pneumonia.

In a Facebook post, his son, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, said that his father’s requirement for oxygen support is “getting better.”

“As per updates from my father’s physicians, he continues to be in stable condition. His kidney function is improving and his requirement for oxygen support is also slowly getting better,” the younger Estrada said on Wednesday, April 7.

“His other vital organs are

functioning well,” he added.

Jinggoy also expressed hope that his father’s inflammatory markers being on a “downward trend” means his immune system is responding to the treatment.

“We were informed by his physicians that his inflammatory markers are on a downward trend for which we are thankful and hopefully this signals that his immune system is responding well,” he said.

Jinggoy reiterated his call for more prayers for the recovery of his father.

“We are praying that no new complications set in and that he continues to improve. Please continue to pray for him,” he

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http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

April 8-14, 2021 • lAS VEGAS ASiAN JOUrNAl

From The FronT Page

Sen. Rosen visits Fil-Am owned café in Las Vegas...

PAGE 1 loan through the Navy Federal Credit Union, which was used to support employees and retrofit the interior to be indoor dining friendly amid COVID measures.

“Without the PPP loan, we would have tanked,” she said.

Rosen said 99% of businesses in the state are considered small businesses. Of the 280,000 small businesses, 20,000 of them are owned by Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).

“This is the story of Nevada and this is why I fought to be sure that the PPP loans went to [the] small business community, went to minority communities, went to our veterans, went to our women,” Rosen said. “It’s important that the fabric of our neighborhoods didn’t go away Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak addresses the crowd at an anti-Asian violence rally in Las Vegas’ Chinatown Plaza on Thursday, April 1. He told community members that he and first lady Kathy Sisolak are “going to do everything we can to bring peace to this community and to stop because there was a pandemAsian hate.”

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal ic.”

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, includes direct aid to restaurants and an additional $7.25 billion for the PPP. PAGE 1 Assistant Sheriff Andy Walsh that AAPIs constitute the fasterything we can to bring peace to est-growing population in her said that while Las Vegas’ AAPI this community and to stop Asian district. community isn’t seeing rampant hate.”

Though there have not been incidents like in New York or The governor and first lady last hate incidents reported in the San Francisco, he encouraged PAGE 1 month held a roundtable discus- Silver State in high numbers members to speak up in the sion with local leaders in the wake compared to other states, Sisolak event they experience hate and vessels were spotted by a Philipof the Atlanta area spa shootings underscored that elected leaders to call either the local 911 or 311 pine Air Force aircraft in the area.

The Philippine Department of that killed eight individuals, six need to send a message that they numbers.

National Defense (DND), for its of whom were of Asian descent. are standing in solidarity with the “Underreporting is a chalSisolak on Thursday said AAPI community. lenge in some cities but I believe part, welcomed the U.S.’ remarks.

“The U.S. admonition to China businesses “deserve our sup“While there isn’t anything we have the faith and confidence port and protection” as the state that’s been reported yet, it needs of the Asian community that if against the use of force on Philipemerges from the pandemic. to say that way. We need to be something happens in this area pine public vessels and aircraft, “The tragic events in Atlanta proactive in terms of stopping that is criminal in nature that it which are performing their conjust shone a light in the hatred this,” the governor told the Asian is reported to the police,” Walsh stitutional mandate to protect and bigotry that have existed for Journal. told the Asian Journal following and defend Philippine rights in a long time. But at least now, we The first lady said she’s hop- Thursday’s program. “Thankfully the South China Sea, including can point it out more strongly. ing to use her platform to raise we haven’t seen any acts of vio- the West Philippine Sea, is an adWe can talk to law enforcement, awareness. lence or anything that we’ve seen ditional affirmation of the longstanding partnership between talk to public officials and say, “It’s really to support the Asian in other cities.”

‘Enough is enough,’” Titus said. community, and if you can help, Rep. Susie Lee of Nevada’s our two countries,” said Defense The congresswoman cited donate money to some of these 3rd congressional district on spokesperson Arsenio Andolong.

He also said that the two counsome measures under the Biden causes to help with translation Wednesday, April 8 also held a administration to counter the up- services, which is important, and Facebook live roundtable with tick in violence against the com- if you’re qualified, help with legal local AAPI leaders. munity, including the creation of services,” Kathy Sisolak told the Stop AAPI Hate said it received a task force to combat xenopho- Asian Journal. “If you see some- nearly 3,800 incidents of racism bia and a directive for the Justice thing, say something. If you see and discrimination — with verbal PAGE 1 Department to enforce hate crime something violent, call 911 or in- harassment, shunning and physi- said. laws. She also said she’s working tervene if you are capable.” cal assault the top three types — “Thank you very much for all with Rep. Grace Meng of New Chinatown Plaza was the loca- across the country since it began your love and concern for my faYork “on a law to enhance penal- tion for another rally in recent in March 2020. The report found ther. Very much appreciated,” he ties against hate crimes.” weeks that community leaders that women were 2.3 times more added.

“This community is a such vital held with representatives of the likely to experience hate comEstrada was rushed to the part of Las Vegas — you are our Las Vegas Metro Police Depart- pared to men. hospital on March 28 and tested teachers, our business partners, ment to discuss the steps law Of that number, 503 incidents positive for COVID-19. our neighbors, our friends and enforcement is taking to prevent took place in the first two months He was said to be in “a stable our family,” Titus said, adding racist incidents. of 2021. n condition,” but was sedated and

‘Vital part of Las Vegas’: AAPIs...

Sen. Jacky Rosen and Truffles N Bacon Café owner Magnolia Magat discuss programs like the Paycheck Protection Program, which have helped small businesses like Magat’s to stay afloat during the pandemic.

AJPress photo by Robert Macabagdal

Small businesses in the Silver State have received a total of 77,941 PPP loans, amounting to more than $6 billion, since April 2020. The senator’s office was able to directly assist 1,071 small businesses, it said.

Rosen also co-sponsored the PPP Extension Act of 2021, which would extend the application window for PPP loans to small businesses through May 31

of this year.

Restaurants in Nevada are now operating at 50% indoor capacity, which has been a relief for owners like Magat.

“Regarding resiliency, I think it’s about toughing it out, and we as Filipinos, we’re used to that hard work and it really pays off, but you still have to focus on what your true sense is,” Magat told the Asian Journal. n

US warns China over its maritime... tries are committed to “undertake” their obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty.

“Both parties are committed to undertake their obligations under the Mutual Defense Treaty so that neither stands alone in these issues involving the two states’ inherent right of self-defense, individually and collectively,” Andolong said.

Daily diplomatic protests The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has vowed to file a diplomatic protest against China “everyday” until the Chinese vessels are gone in Philippine waters.

“Firing another diplomatic pro-

test. Everyday till the last one’s gone like it should be by now if it is really fishing,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a tweet on Wednesday.

The agency first filed a diplomatic protest on March 21, but the ships remained in the West Philippine Sea. Previously, the Chinese Embassy denied that the vessels spotted at Julian Felipe Reef were operated by China’s maritime militia.

It said they were fishing vessels “seeking shelter” near the reef due to rough sea conditions.

As of March 29, 44 Chinese vessels remain at the Julian Felipe Reef. n

Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada... moved to the intensive care unit on April 4.

On April 6, Estrada was placed on mechanical ventilation following the doctors’ recommendation “to improve oxygen delivery” and “prevent the tiring” of his respiratory system.

Estrada, 83, served as the country’s president from 1998 to 2001 until he was ousted af-

ter a series of protests on EDSA held from January 16 to 20, 2001 amid his trial for plunder charges.

He was convicted of plunder in 2007, but his successor former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pardoned him.

Estrada also served as mayor of the city of Manila from 2013 to 2019. n

(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline USa

Rock throwing incident reported at LA...

PAGE 1 this guy in the parking lot was in a stance that looked like he just threw something,” Cadiz, who was dining alone with his dog at around 4 p.m., told the Asian Journal. “There was a mark on the window and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, that was a rock that went over my head.”

His first instinct was to pull out his phone to record a video, in which he confronts the man and asks him, “What the (expletive), bro?”

The man, who Cadiz said was holding another rock and a pair of scissors, can be heard on the video daring restaurant staff to “come outside” and “call the cops.”

During the exchange, Cadiz alleged that the man threw another object, which could have been a small black rock or piece of charcoal that landed on the table where he had been sitting.

Some witnesses are heard on camera telling the man to stay put in the parking lot, but he then

walked away.

There have been no reports of injuries from the incident. The man in the video has not been identified, as of this writing.

Cadiz said he did not hear the man use any racist language targeted toward Filipinos or Asians, but noted that Saturday’s incident comes amid a string of violent attacks that have been reported

by Asian Americans across the country, with some incidents going viral in recent weeks.

“I wondered if it was even worth reporting or if it was racially motivated,” said Cadiz.

“From my perspective, whether someone said something racist or not, there’s still violence against Asians happening here in LA and around the country.”

After the incident, Cadiz posted the one-minute video on his Instagram account, along with a photo of rocks reportedly found outside the restaurant and another image showing a white mark left on the window.

He sent the photos and vid-

Photo shows a mark on the window of Historic Filipinotown restaurant Dollar Hits after an unidentified man allegedly threw a rock on Saturday afternoon, April 3.

Two rocks were reportedly found outside of Dollar Hits on Saturday, April 3.

Photos courtesy of Andre Cadiz

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 8-14, 2021

3

eos to the restaurant owner for evidence if a police report is filed.

The Los Angeles Police Department did not respond to the Asian Journal’s request for comment on whether it was investigating the incident, as of press time.

Elvie Chan — who owns Dollar Hits, which specializes in Filipino street food along the 4200 block of Temple Street — told the Asian Journal that she and the staff had not seen the man before and suspected he could be a transient.

She was uncertain whether Saturday’s incident could be classified as a racially motivated attack.

Chan hopes the encounter will not scare customers away from coming to her restaurant, which C.J. Enguillado suffered a bruised and swollen face after he was punched outside of a San Francisco bar on Friday, April 2 in what he and his Photos courtesy of Sofia Enguillado/TikTok in addition to having prepared family are alleging was a racially-motivated attack. dishes inside, sets up grills outside for customers to cook their skewers at night until they close at 10 p.m. In the hours following the incident, she said the restaurant had its usual influx of Saturday night customers.

“We want our community to “By the way it sounded, he Meanwhile, police maintained

by Ritchel Mendiola be aware, but to not be scared AJPress said, ‘Get the f— out of here, that they did not have evidence of supporting Filipino businesses you don’t belong here,’ that’s to indicate that the incident was like ours,” Chan told the Asian A FILIPINO American teen- what he said, and I cannot for- a hate crime.

Journal.

“We do not have evidence to The day after, Cadiz returned ager was reportedly the victim get those words,” he told KPIX believe this incident was prediwith pepper spray and a baseball of an anti-Asian attack outside 5.

“That’s, like, traumatizing to cated by hate,” police said in a bat to thank the staff for making a San Francisco bar over the weekend. me,” he added. statement. sure he was okay.

The victim’s mother, Sofia EnAfter Enguillado refused to Rossi told reporters that he “We need to really take charge of protecting ourselves because it guillado, posted a TikTok video leave because he was waiting has been receiving death threats seems like at this point, we’re not that showed images of her 18- for his parents — who were re- because of the incident. His bar able to count on others to pro- year-old son, C.J, with a bruised portedly waiting to get food at a also received an influx of negatect our communities and busi- and swollen face after allegedly nearby pizzeria — a bystander tive reviews on Yelp, prompting nesses,” he said. “There’s still a getting punched outside of Gino who was also a patron of the bar the website to disable reviews, saying that while it “unequivostereotype that Asians aren’t go- and Carlo, a bar on the 500 punched him in the face.

Rossi, for his part, denied that cally” rejects “racism in any ing to speak up or fight back so block of Green St. in the city’s the incident was due to racism. form,” entries must “reflect an maybe that’s why they’re seen as North Beach neighborhood.

“If you’re Asian, this is the He insisted that the victim was actual first-hand consumer exvulnerable or easy to take advantype of service you get waiting asked to leave because of his perience.” tage of.”

“I want to say that they’re Kimmy Maniquis, the executive for pizza in Little Italy North age, not his race.

“You have to leave this area, mistaken, their son shouldn’t director of HiFi’s Search to In- Beach, San Francisco,” says the volve Pilipino Americans, told the caption on the now-viral video you are not allowed in this area, have been hit,” Rossi said in a this is our area. It’s considered message to the Enguillado famAsian Journal that the nonprofit posted on Sunday, April 4.

Officers responded at about inside the bar, even though it’s ily, who are accusing him of organization plans to offer online self-defense and Filipino martial 5:27 p.m. on Friday, April 2 to outside, it’s like a bar. You can- racism. “[The arrested man] doesn’t arts classes for community mem- a commotion on the sidewalk not – you’re under 21,’” Rossi work for us, he never did work bers who want to learn tactics to and found an adult male who allegedly told C.J. had been struck during a physiHe also said that he “went for us. He’s just a customer. protect themselves in public.

The organization is also hold- cal altercation and who suffered nuts” after a bystander got in- Sorry it happened, but it wasn’t racism at all, or a hate crime ing virtual spaces with mental non-life threatening injuries, as volved with the situation.

“I went nuts when he hit him, against Asians,” he added. health practitioners to help com- reported by CBS SF Bay Area.

C.J. Enguillado was report- went nuts. I could not believe he Gino and Carlo released a munity members talk about and process the recent anti-Asian edly sitting in an area outside did it. There was no threat, no statement on its Yelp page on the bar while waiting for his threat. I was completely caught April 4: “An unfortunate incihate incidents. dent occurred on our property Maniquis reminded the com- parents, thinking it was open off guard by it,” said Rossi.

The suspect, identified as between two patrons when an munity of resources, such as by- seating.

According to Enguillado, the a retired professional boxer underaged guest refused to stander trainings and reporting platforms like the county’s 211 bar owner Frank Rossi repeat- Pat Lawlor, was arrested and leave. No Gino and Carlo emhotline or StopAAPIHate.org, edly told him to leave after charged with assault and bat- ployees were involved in the tery, according to the San Fran- physical altercation. We don’t which allows individuals to report learning he was underaged.

The Fil-Am teen said he inter- cisco Chronicle. He was cited condone violence or racism of an incident in English or another language like Tagalog. (Christina preted the request to leave as and released on a misdemeanor any kind. Sincerely, Frank Rossi racially charged. battery charge. and Gino and Carlo staff.” n M. Oriel/AJPress)

Fil-Am teen punched at San Francisco bar in alleged anti-Asian attack

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April 8-14, 2021 • lAS VEGAS ASiAN JOUrNAl

Dateline USa

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

Commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine

by Ethnic

MEdia SErvicES

DR. DALI FAn, Health Science Clinical Professor at UC Davis, is also a volunteer vaccinator at a clinic on the California northstate University campus in Elk Grove, California. In this FAQ, Dr. Fan addresses the most common questions asked by his patients regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Three brands of the vaccine are currently available in the U.S. – the two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the single-shot Johnson and Johnson: all three have similar levels of efficacy.

Q: Where can I get the vaccine? And how do I know if I am eligible?

A: Find out when and where you can get vaccinated by signing up at MyTurn.ca.gov, where information is available in 12 languages. For those without internet access, appointments can be made by calling (833) 422-4255. The hotline is available in English with third party translators available in more than 250 additional languages.

Individuals also can contact their primary care physician, local pharmacy, or local public health department.

Starting today, all California residents over the age of 50 are eligible to get vaccinated. On April 15, eligibility will expand to everyone 16 and older. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated when it’s your turn with any of the three COVID19 vaccines available, all of which are safe, effective and have undergone rigorous clinical trials.

Once you are eligible, log into MyTurn.ca.gov to find an available appointment. Appointments fill up quickly, so keep checking back. Vaccine appointments are most plentiful in remote areas, so if you have transportation, check in those areas.

Check with your local health department for mega sites run by the state and FEMA, and popup sites run by community health organizations.

Kaiser members can schedule an appointment at

kp.org. People can also call their family doctors.

The California state COVID information line is: 833-422-4255. Please note that this service cannot schedule appointments.

Q: What documents do I need?

A: Take your ID card or some form of identification. Vaccine distribution is based on eligibility irrespective of residency or immigration status.

Q: If I get the vaccine, how long will the immunity last?

A: At least 6 months. Longer immunity is likely, but there is no data yet, as the COVID vaccine has not been studied for longer than that.

Q: Will I need another booster shot later in the year?

A: Most likely not, though scientists are studying the necessity of a booster shot.

Q: Can pregnant women take the vaccine?

A: Yes. The CDC recommends that if you are pregnant, you may choose to be vaccinated when it’s available to you.

Q: What is the effect of the vaccine on the fetus?

A: There is no known effect of the vaccine on the fetus. And there is currently no evidence that antibodies formed from COVID-19 vaccination cause any problem with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta.

People who are trying to become pregnant now or who plan to try in the future should also receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available to them. There is no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines. There is no routine recommendation for taking a pregnancy test before you get a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you have questions about getting vaccinated, talk with a healthcare provider to help you make an informed decision. n

ESSENTIAL SECTOR. Delivery riders present their identification cards at a checkpoint along Marcos Highway in Antipolo City on Thursday, April 8. Authorities remind that delivery of all kinds of food items is allowed 24/7 and not covered by curfew hours.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Fil-Am son of basketball champ Ron Harper declares for NBA Draft maintaining my eligibility,” wrote the 6’6” winger.

“This has been a life long FILIPInO American Ron Harper Jr., son of nBA champion Ron dream of mine that Rutgers UniHarper, has declared for the nBA versity has put me in the position to chase,” he added.

Rookie Draft.

Harper Jr. was born to MaHarper Jr., who has been with Rutgers University (RU) for three ria Pizzaro, who is Filipina, and seasons, announced his intention the older Harper, who won five on Saturday, April 3, in an Insta- championships as a member of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angegram post.

“I will be entering my name les Lakers.

The Fil-Am hooper played a into the 2021 nBA Draft while vital role for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the 2020 to 2021 United States national Collegiate Athletics Association season, averaging 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.

The Scarlet Knights reached the second round of this year’s national championship but lost against the University Houston Cougars.

Harper Jr., in his Instagram post, thanked the people who helped in “shaping” him into the person he is today.

“These past three years have been nothing short of a blessing. Coach Pikiell and his staff took a chance on a kid from Jersey when not many other people would and for that I am extreme-

by AJPress

Ron Harper Jr.

ly grateful. The success I’ve had wouldn’t be possible without the people around me,” he wrote.

“My family, coaches, and teammates push me to become the best version of myself everyday on and off the court. I couldn’t thank them enough for shaping me into the man I am today,” he added.

Harper Jr. concluded his post, saying: “Thank you Rutgers nation for your support. Go RU.” n

17 PH tycoons land on Forbes...

PAGE 1

with a net worth of $2.7 billion (about P131.1 billion).

Elizabeth Sy, on the other hand, ranked 1,299th along with Tony Tan Caktiong and his family, recording a net worth of $2.7 billion (about P131.1 billion).

Below is the complete list of Filipino tycoons included in Forbes’ Billionaires List: 1. Manuel Villar, $7.2 billion 2. Enrique Razón Jr., $5 billion 3. Lucio Tan, $3.3 billion 4. Hans Sy, $3 billion 5. Herbert Sy, $3 billion 6. Andrew Tan, $3 billion 7. Harley Sy, $2.7 billion 8. Henry Sy Jr., $2.7 billion 9. Teresita Sy-Coson, $2.7 bil-

lion 10. Elizabeth Sy, $2.4 billion 11. Tony Tan Caktiong, $2.4 billion 12. Ramon Ang, $2.2 billion 13. Inigo Zobel, $1.4 billion 14. Lance Gokongwei, $1.2 billion 15. Roberto Ongpin, $1.2 billion 16. Ricardo Po Sr., $1.1 billion 17. Edgar Sia II, $1.1 billion Amazon’s Jeff Bezos topped this year’s global list, with a net worth of $177 billion. He was followed by Elon Musk ($151 billion), Bernard Arnault ($150 billion), Bill Gates ($124 billion), and Mark Zuckerberg ($97 billion). n

Los Gatos police looking for suspect who attacked...

PAGE 1 tim to “go back to China” before leaving the scene on his bicycle.

“Without provocation, she was shoved from behind, causing her to fall to the ground,” said Police Chief Peter Decena in a video.

“As she was falling, she heard someone say, ‘Go back to (expletive) China,’” he added.

The suspect was described as a white man with tan skin or a light-skinned Hispanic. He was wearing a black or gray bicycle helmet, a dark-colored neck gaiter, a black T-shirt with white lettering on the back, and darkcolored jeans.

Decena noted that the victim was “shaken” but not injured.

The police chief highlighted the importance of reporting hate crimes and incidents to authorities.

“I know from experience that many Asian Americans, and especially our seniors, are often reluctant to report crimes against them. We need to make sure that our family and our friends understand how important it is to report these incidents,” Decena stressed.

An investigation is ongoing but anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the police department (408) 354-8600 or email police@losgatosca.gov.

Los Gatos Mayor Marico Sayoc, who is also Fil-Am, told the Asian Journal in an email that she was “heartbroken” to learn there was a hate crime in her own town following incidents reported in other parts of the Bay Area and across the country.

She said the town, which is located in Santa Clara County

about an hour outside of San Francisco, is increasing foot and bicycle patrols, training for police officers on hate incidents and crimes, “upstander” training for community members, and encouraging residents to report any incidents.

“I want everyone to know that we are a town that will not tolerate this hatred not only to the AAPI community but also to our Black, Indigenous, Latinx, LGBTQ+, and other communities,” she said.

The mayor added, “We can not prevent these incidents/crimes; however, we are doing what we can to collectively assure our community that hate is not welcome in Los Gatos and we will prosecute to the full extent of the law.”

Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition that tracks anti-Asian American discrimination, reported earlier in March that from March 19, 2020 to February 28, 2021, it has received 3,795 firsthand incidents of racism and discrimination from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Of that number, 503 incidents took place in the first two months of 2021 alone.

Verbal harassment (68.1%) and shunning (20.5%), which entails the “deliberate avoidance of Asian Americans,” are the top two types of discrimination reported. Meanwhile, physical assault (11.1%) comprises the third largest category of total incidents. Businesses were the “primary site” of discrimination (35.4%), followed by public streets (25.3%) and public parks (9.8%). (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)

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FeATUres

OPINION

Another week of ECQ

WITH fresh COVID cases still rising steadily, breaking new record highs almost with each passing day, the government has decided to extend by another week the enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal or NCR-Plus.

The move was expected; the OCTA Research Group and epidemiologists had said it would take at least two weeks for the impact of ECQ, the strictest quarantine status, to be reflected in a slowdown in infections.

OCTA fellows, who had pushed for the ECQ in mid-March amid a spike in infections, warned that the numbers would likely get worse before they get better. The worst projections of OCTA are coming to pass, overwhelming private hospitals. Without ECQ, daily cases could surge to 18,000 to 20,000 by mid-April, OCTA had warned.

Whether the ECQ would be enough to contain the surge remains to be seen. Several local government executives have lamented that the transmission is unusually rapid and widespread, leading to speculation that more infectious variants are fueling the surge. With the Philippine Genome Center able to sequence only 750 specimens every week, the government should be erring on the side of caution and responding as if the variants are the

principal culprits.

The current ECQ is unlike the original last year, with allowances given to keep certain economic sectors going. At the current infection rate and with vaccines scarce, however, even these concessions to the economy may have to be reviewed. Contact tracing has deteriorated, as described by contact tracing czar Benjamin Magalong who has been infected, and testing is still beyond the reach of many.

If the ECQ fails to slow down infections, OCTA has warned that by June 30, some 8.5 million people would have been infected in the NCR, epicenter of the pandemic. Herd immunity would then have been achieved – but at what cost to health and life? Not everyone will survive or have only mild or asymptomatic afflictions. Millions won’t be able to work and the economy will be in even worse shape for a long time. Even as the NCR-Plus enters another week of ECQ, it should review the accompanying protocols and measures to curb transmission. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS DEMOCRACY is the government of the people, by the people, for the people. The laws of the land, therefore, are meant to protect the governed, and not the governor; the citizens and not the public officials who only have the power and the public trust accorded to their office by the citizens.

The will of the people is voiced out through the right of suffrage.

The right to vote freely is the foundation, the cornerstone of democracy.

The right to vote freely is protected by the Constitution, as it should be by federal and state laws. Constitutional Amendments 15th, 19th and 26th, are added onto the highest law of the land to make sure voting rights of U.S. citizens cannot be abridged on account of race, color, previous condition of servitude, sex, or age (18 and older is now the legal age to vote).

The sacred goal of every branch of government — executive, legislative, and judiciary — is to make sure this most sacred right in a democracy is protected and strengthened by each generation so that the will of the people, and not the selfish and twisted personal and political

Commentary

Voter suppression by Republican leaders is a blatant violation of the most important constitutional right of citizens in a democracy

agenda of public officials and their conspirators and enablers that go against what is in the best interest of all citizens, pursuant to the rule of law.

But this is not what is happening now in the United States, especially after the term of the 45th President of the United States Donald J. Trump, who has hijacked the Republican Party, the Good Old Party (GOP), that used to be faithful to and fight for the Constitution and the rule of law, because of his and his cronies’ greed for power.

What have these GOP leaders been doing after the American people voted out Trump and many Republicans in the legislature and state posts? What have they been pushing after counties and states that used to lean Republican have now been leaning Democrat, which lead to the Republicans losing the Presidency and the leadership in both the House and the Senate?

This shift of vote of from red to blue was evidenced in a clean and honest election certified by election officials representing Republicans, Democrats and Independents, affirmed by no less than the Supreme Court of the United States and many lower courts in the judiciary.

These despicable Republi-

cans who would not respect the will of the people through their sacred votes have decided to change the laws instead, rationalizing this assault on our democracy and our Constitution by lies and conspiracy theories espoused by Donald Trump who maliciously and falsely claim that the election was stolen from him by massive election fraud, a lie supported by his minions without bases in fact.

As Mother Jones reported, “361 voter suppression bills have already been introduced this year,” and that “Republicans in state legislatures are dramatically escalating their efforts to restrict voting rights.”

A new report by the Brennan Center for Justice revealed that “361 bills to make it harder to vote have been introduced in 47 states in the first three months of this year, overwhelmingly by Republicans. That’s up from 253 restrictive bills tallied as of February 19, an increase of 43% in just over a month.”

The reporting further said: “Five restrictive bills have already been signed into law—in Georgia, Iowa, Arkansas, and Utah. The Georgia law passed last week prohibits giving food and water to voters in line, severely restricts mail ballot drop boxes, allows right-wing groups

to challenge the eligibility of an unlimited number of voters, and gives the GOP-controlled legislature sweeping new powers over election administration.”

As of press time, there are 55 restrictive bills that are moving through state legislatures in 24 states; 29 have passed at least one legislative chamber.

More details on the voter suppression as reported: “The Texas Senate passed a sweeping bill that bans extended voting hours, prohibits drive-thru voting, closes polling places in minority neighborhoods, and allows partisan poll watchers to record voters who receive help filling out their ballots, greatly increasing the prospect of voter intimidation. The bill is widely viewed as targeting the voting methods used by large Democratic areas like Houston’s Harris County to increase voter turnout in 2020. Lawmakers in Texas (49 bills), Georgia (25 bills), and Arizona (23 bills) have introduced the largest number of restrictive measures this year.”

“Most restrictive bills take aim at absentee voting, while nearly a quarter seek stricter voter ID requirements,” the report reveals. “State lawmakers also aim to make voter registration harder, expand voter roll

purges or adopt flawed practices that would risk improper purges, and cut back on early voting.”

In Arizona, ‘legislation would make it more difficult to receive a mail-in ballot and add new requirements for casting one.

Florida wants to ban all mail ballot drop boxes, which 1.5 million voters used in 2020. Michigan Republicans introduced eight restrictive bills in a single day, including adding new voter ID requirements for mail voting and prohibiting election officials from sending out absentee ballot request forms to voters, the report finds”.

Thankfully there are legislators who push to help more citizens exercise their votes freely, in fulfillment of the Constitutional mandate.

Mother Jones reported: ‘843 bills to expand access to the ballot have also been introduced in 47 states. While most have no chance of becoming law in red states, nine bills have been signed into law this year, mostly in blue states like Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.”

In Virginia, Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam “signaled his support for a state-level Voting Rights Act, which would make it the first southern state

to adopt protections for voters that the Supreme Court gutted in 2013”.

“At a time when voting rights are under attack across our country, Virginia is expanding access to the ballot box, not restricting it,” he said.

WE, THE PEOPLE, need to speak up and speak out against these rotten politicians who are undermining our power and our rights. They do not deserve the public trust they are abusing for their own selfish agenda. They are not true public servants and must be voted out from the office they hold.

WE, THE PEOPLE, have such power. Let us not abdicate our solemn duty to defend and protect our democracy. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos.

A border of bureaucracy has kept On dealing with racists, bullies and thugs my family apart for 35 years Street Talk

MICHAEL MILAN I WAS born in Los Angeles to immigrant parents from the Philippines. My father served in the U.S. Navy and my mother was a registered nurse who traveled across the country and finally landed in California.

After my parents divorced, my sister and I stayed with our mother who raised us as a single parent while she continued to work at the hospital. My mother worked hard to provide for me so I could have a good education and be an upstanding citizen in this community.

As a U.S. citizen, my mother petitioned her sister to come to the United States a few years after I was born. After 11 years, my family received confirmation that the petition was received. We were told that we could now submit the visa application for my aunt. We had to wait 11 years for confirmation of receipt from INS – the wait period was excruciating, but we were still hopeful.

The INS document stated: “This completes all INS action

Philstar.com photo

GREG B. MACABENTA

on this petition” and at that point, we were approved to apply for a visa. We immediately applied for a visa in 1997, we knew it was going to take some time to get a response back.

We did not receive further notice until 2019, 22 years after we applied for a visa.

Some try to equate the immigration backlog to a line at a grocery store, or the post office. But have you ever waited 33 years for a government document? A few of us have.

My aunt was corresponding with the U.S. Embassy in Manila and was given a notice that stated in part that my mother was required to provide a birth certificate from the Philippines.

However, my mother was born in 1941, during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and did not have a birth certificate. She had to find two witnesses from her hometown, who knew my grandparents and could provide a signed affidavit u PAGE 7

TWO instances of unprovoked attacks on elderly Asian women were featured on network TV in March — one in New York and the other incident, in San Francisco.

The New York attack was so brutal. I’ve only seen that kind of cruelty in movies, inflicted by Nazis on prisoners of war (POWs).

The 65-year-old Filipino woman, Vilma Kari, was walking on the sidewalk, in the vicinity of Times Square, when a big, burly man met her with a kick to the body. The poor woman fell on the pavement. The brute then kicked her thrice, before walking off.

The assailant was arrested the next day. He was on parole and had served time for killing his own mother.

The San Francisco anti-Asian attack, which was also unprovoked, frankly made me feel good. The intended victim, 76year-old Xiao Zhen Xie, fought back with a piece of wood and

maimed the assailant. The old woman suffered a swollen face, but the attacker — also big and burly like the New York brute — was in an even worse condition and had to be carried off in a stretcher by the police.

According to data compiled by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism of California State University, San Bernardino, hate crimes in the U.S. have decreased overall by 7%.

But acts of violence committed against Asians have increased by almost 150%.

Yet, it could be a mistake to attribute all of these attacks to racism. Some may have been plain bullying or an intended robbery or hold-up. Asians may just seem more vulnerable, particularly the elderly.

When I sent my wife and four kids to the U.S. in 1986, racism was rampant in America. I was told that this was the case in Cambridge, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where my elder sister had a medical practice.

Our two youngest children, Jinx and Jojo, were the only Asians at Cambridge South Dorchester High School. Before my sister’s children went on to college, they were also the only Asians in that school. But our

boys had no problem making friends, some of whom keep in touch to this day.

But one morning, as I prepared to drive to work in Makati, my wife called me long distance to inform me that Jinx had been suspended for getting into a fight in school.

Asked what had happened, Jinx explained that a classmate used a racial slur on him. “So I hit him!” Then he asked me quite candidly: “What would you have done, Papa?”

My response must have sounded awkward, coming from a father who wanted to properly raise his kids: “Well...I would have waited until after school.”

In truth, I felt conflicted. Gigi and I had endeavored to raise our children, according to the Boy Scout motto: Physically strong mentally alert, and morally straight. While the kids, all strived for good grades, they were also active in competitive sports. Jinx, Jojo and Christina, our only girl, had been members of the tae kwon do team at Colegio San Agustin in Makati.

Ringo, the eldest, was a member of the swimming team at Don Bosco. He was also taking judo lessons at YMCA. u PAGE 7

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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7

D ateline PhiliPPines WHO worried over PH health care capacity PH lawmakers call for probe after and

by MaRicaR cinco PatRicia denise M. chiu Inquirer.net

MANILA — The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, April 7 said the Philippines was close to crossing the “red line” in exhausting its health care capacity to handle the COVID-19 pandemic after recording the highest number of new cases and fatalities in the Western Pacific Region recently.

WHO officials said the current surge was due to multiple factors, including the emergence of “variants of concern” from the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the severe respiratory disease, the people’s lack of compliance to nonpharmaceutical interventions like minimum health protocols, and increased mobility.

“We are concerned about the situation in the Philippines,” said WHO Regional Director Dr. Takeshi Kasai. “We are concerned because the surge is really continuing and moving toward the so-called red line [when] the number of cases exceed or surpass the capacity of health care.”

“And we know that once we cross that red line, we put healthcare workers in a very difficult situation and once health-care workers start [getting the] infection, the health-care capacity goes down,” he said at a press briefing to mark World Health Day on Wednesday.

Kasai stressed that it was “very, very important to avoid crossing this red line.”

Over 11K new cases In its latest COVID-19 update, WHO noted that the Philippines reported 11,028 infections, the highest number of new cases recorded over a 24-hour period ending on April 5 among 37 countries in the Western Pacific.

The Philippines also has the highest number of fatalities in the region with a cumulative total of 13,245 on that day, followed by China with 4,851, it said.

The Department of Health (DOH) gave an even higher death toll of 14,059 on Wednesday after reporting 242 more had died.

It reported fewer new cases, 6,414, but said that was due to the small number of samples for testing received by laboratories.

The new infections brought the country’s total caseload to 819,164. The independent OCTA Research Group predicted it would hit 1 million by the end of the month.

The WHO said that on April 5, the country with the highest number of new cases next to the Philippines was Malaysia, but it only had 1,349, followed by Mongolia (620) and South Korea (473).

Kasai said that while vaccines, albeit limited, were now available, people should keep wearing masks, wash hands frequently and observe physical distancing.

Jabs alone not enough He said business owners should also think of ways to operate with minimized risk of workplace transmission.

“These measures are effective even [against] the variants of concern,” he said.

Kasai said WHO was encouraging countries to improve their surveillance system, including monitoring the virus’ variants of concern, referring to three that were found to be more transmissible.

Governments also should speed up the vaccination of health-care workers, the elderly and people with existing health conditions, he said.

“But I also wanted to remind [people] that vaccine alone cannot control COVID-19,” Kasai said. “We can anticipate that there will be more of these surges [as] the virus is still circulating and we simply cannot let down our guard. Not yet.”

In addition, he said WHO also was encouraging the Philippine government to continue improving its health-care capacity, including setting up “intermediate” facilities for severe cases.

On Tuesday, the DOH opened a field hospital on the grounds of Quezon Institute in Quezon City with 110 beds for critical cases.

Strengthen contact tracing WHO also encouraged countries “to strengthen contact tracing so that they can know where infections are occurring and they can think how effectively we can suppress those infections.”

Responding to calls by local government officials, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) on Wednesday said it could spend P205 million of its P18-billion cash-for-work fund this year to hire 4,000 contact tracers for three months in Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal—the worst-hit by the current surge and now under enhanced community quarantine.

According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Metro Manila has 10,375, contact tracers, Bulacan has 5,590, and Calabarzon region has 30,000. Nationwide, the country of 110 million has 238,000 contact tracers.

The DOH on Tuesday reported that the national capital and the four provinces accounted for more than half of the 9,373 new cases nationwide on that day.

Metro Manila logged the highest number, 3,768, followed by Cavite (589), Rizal (459), Bulacan (378) and Laguna (325).

Karina Trayvilla, director of Dole’s Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns, said the department had initially considered using that same amount of money to hire 12,000 informal sector workers as contact tracers for 30 days.

“The mayors really want to expand the period for contact

tracing. They said at least three months will be sufficient,” she said.

Trayvilla said Dole would either reduce the number of contact tracers to work for three months or stick to the original target of 12,000 for one month, she said.

She said the contact tracers would be paid the minimum wage, which is P537 in Metro Manila, P369 in Central Luzon and P400 in Calabarzon.

They would also get P400 worth of personal protective equipment and microinsurance, Trayvilla said.

Almost 160K active cases The DOH on Wednesday reported that 163 more patients had recovered, bringing the total number of survivors to 656,404.

The deaths and recoveries left 158,701 active cases. Of the total, 1.2 percent are asymptomatic, 0.5 percent critical, 0.5 percent severe and 0.3 percent moderate.

The surge was apparent in Metro Manila’s rail lines where 522 railway personnel tested positive for the coronavirus as of Wednesday, following a mass testing ordered by Secretary Arthur Tugade of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) last week.

This total is more than a fifth of the 2,821 rail workers from Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3), Light Rail Transit (LRT) Lines 1 and 2, and the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

According to the DOTr, 117 tested positive in LRT 1, 143 in LRT 2, 131 in MRT 3 and 131 in PNR. On March 29, just before the rail lines’ scheduled maintenance during the Holy Week, 13 MRT 3 personnel had tested positive for COVID-19, 12 of whom were tellers at the Santolan, Ortigas and Cubao stations, and one was a cash assistant.

Assistant Transportation Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran told reporters that a review of all videos showed “no evidence of known exposure of an infected person to a passenger who was not wearing a mask, face shield or PPE.” “Thus, no evidence of rail employee to passenger exposure so far as contact tracing investigation suggests,” she said.

MRT 3 Director Michael Capati said the 13 employees had close contact with one employee who was infected by a family member.

While the tests are continuing, MRT 3, LRT 2 and LRT 1 will be running at 30 percent of their prepandemic capacity.

In the case of MRT 3, it is carrying only 65,000 passengers daily on 12 trains compared with 400,000 daily before the pandemic.

There were no immediate comparative figures for the other rail lines. n

On dealing with racists, bullies...

PAGE 6 t Christina was the first of the children to study in the U.S., as a high school exchange student in Massachusetts. In one of her letters, she told us about a boy in the school bus who kept taunting her. Apparently, the boy had heard that she knew “some tae kwon do.” Boasting that he was good in martial arts, he said he wanted to test Christina. She avoided the boy for as long as she could — but finally gave in one day.

She gave the boy a sound beating.

In another incident in Cambridge, three boys ganged up on Jinx outside of school. The next day, the news was all over the campus: “Hey, we heard you got beat by a guy named Jesus!”

Jinx’s full name is Jesus Federico.

Indeed, having lived in the U.S. for almost 35 years, my family and I have had a taste of racism, as well as bullying. But, frankly, I experienced more racism growing up in the land of my birth.

I spent my boyhood in Tacloban, Leyte, overlooking Cancabato Bay and the San Juanico Straits. To say that I was swarthy from frequent dips in the sea, would be an understatement.

People actually used the “N” word on me.

In Tagalog movies, where I worked for many years, a common plot was a variation of the ugly duckling who — you guessed it — was always dark-skinned.

Towards the end of the film, she would be magically transformed into a cream-complexioned Gloria Romero.

Former Makati Mayor, Vice President and presidential candidate, Jojo Binay, knows what I mean. Because he was leading early in the polls, pundits quipped that he could be “the first black

president of the Philippines.”

However, VP Binay did not suffer from an “inferiority complexion.” During the presidential campaign, he actually made his swarthiness part of his “pangmasa” appeal. But, for good or ill, another non-Tisoy candidate won the presidency.

Sadly, we Filipinos have been so brainwashed in over 300 years of Spanish colonization, followed by decades under the influence of America and Hollywood. This could explain why most Pinoy men fantasize about a “white cover” girlfriend and why the women have made skin whiteners a hot-selling commodity.

Whether we are willing to admit it or not, Pinoys tend to regard those with darker skin as inferior. I understand that this attitude is also common in Latin America, a region of indios and mestizos.

In 1978, as I prepared for my first trip to the U.S. to attend the Advertising Age Creative Workshop in Chicago, Ruffin Grey, a friend from Clark Field, warned me about the dangers of walking around Chicago and downtown Los Angeles. It sounded like the advisory the State Department issues about going to Muslim Mindanao.

However, I enjoyed Chicago and Los Angeles without any incident. Well...almost. There was this drunken salesman at the bar of the Conrad Hilton in Chicago.

He barked at me to vacate my seat at the bar, so he could take over.

Having had a few drinks myself, I snarled back at the fellow and told him I didn’t want to kill anyone on my birthday. I was bluffing, of course, although it really was my 38th birthday. The guy turned pale and backed off.

We ended the evening buying drinks for each other.

Wolfgang Schoen, a client at Nestle Philippines, gave me an earful about dealing with people in strange places. A German with a fondness for beer and playing the piano, he frequented the honky-tonks in Culi-Culi in Makati, West of South Superhighway. Worried for his safety, I cautioned him about going to Culi-Culi, then notorious as a red light district.

“You don’t know your people enough,” said Wolfgang. “You should go with me sometime.”

I did join him in Culi-Culi and was amazed at how protective the bar girls and the “tambays” (street gangs) were of him.

“If you look for trouble,” Wolfgang lectured, “trouble will find you.”

Of course, the two elderly Asian women who were assaulted in New York and San Francisco were not looking for trouble. But trouble found them, nonetheless.

And I’m afraid that they won’t be the last victims of anti-Asian violence in America. In fact, my eldest grandchild, Derick, who is active with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, has been designated to organize a protest march against antiAsian violence in San Francisco.

But I would still advise everyone to heed Wolfgang Schoen’s words as much as possible: “Don’t look for trouble or trouble will find you.”

The keywords are: “As much as possible.”

However, if it is not possible, my own advice is also from the Boy Scouts: “Be Prepared!” *** 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.

*** (gremacabenta@hotmail.com)

Filipino man dies doing squats as punishment for breaking curfew

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

PHILIPPINE lawmakers are calling for an investigation into the death of an alleged quarantine violator who was forced to do 300 rounds of squats as punishment.

Bayan Muna Reps. Eufemia Cullamat, Carlos Zarate, and Ferdinand Gaite on Wednesday, April 7, filed House Resolution No. 1697, urging members of Congress to defend the human rights of Filipinos.

“It is imperative for members of Congress, as representatives of our people, to defend the rights of our people and check on excesses and violations committed against them, especially in this time of crisis,” they said.

“Laws and rules should serve the interest of our proper, and should not be weaponized to suppress their rights and oppress them,” the lawmakers added.

On April 1, 28-year-old Darren Manaog Peñaredondo nabbed by village guards (barangay tanod) while he was on his way to buy water during curfew hours in a village in General Trias, Cavite.

He was ordered to do 100

rounds of squats as punishment for violating curfew. The enforcers also reportedly made him repeat the exercises, leading him to do a total of 300 rounds.

Peñaredondo returned home on April 1, and died from a stroke the following day.

“Umuwi po siya ng Friday ng 8 a.m. ng umaga hindi na sya makalakad ng maayos.. Tapos sabado ng madaling araw nagcomvulsion siya na-revive pa namin siya sa bahay… Sinumpong ulet siya na-revive ulet kaya lang comatose na siya. Hanggang ngayong 10 p.m. wala na (He went home on Friday at 8 a.m. and he couldn’t walk properly.

In the middle of the night on Saturday, he started convulsing but we managed to review him. It happened again and we revived him but he was already comatosed. As of 10 p.m., he’s gone),” wrote Peñaredondo’s cousin Adrian Luceña in a Facebook post.

Rights group Karapatan likewise called for an investigation into the incident.

“We call for the investigation on this incident on the possible violations of the Anti-Torture Law among others. Law enforcement

officials who impose cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment should be held accountable,” Karapatan Secretary General Tinay Palabay said in a Facebook post.

The country’s Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said that the punishment was an overreach of quarantine rules.

“Excessive punishments and fines which are punitive in nature and disproportionate with the violation represent an overreach of the enforcement of quarantine rules and regulations,” said CHR spokesperson Jacqueline De Guia in a statement.

She also stressed that the quarantine measures are for public health, not for peace and order.

“We stress that quarantine measures are being implemented as a public health measure and not as a peace and order solution – this is the rationale as previously espoused by the Chief Executive himself when he stated that the quarantine is not tantamount to martial law,” said De Guia.

Following the incident, General Trias police chief, Police Lt. Col. Marlo Solero, and two other cops were relieved from their post. n

A border of bureaucracy has kept my family...

PAGE 6 t acknowledging my mother’s birth. It took a while to make this happen, but with a 33 year wait – we had to do everything we were asked.

It wasn’t until November of 2020, after nearly 35 years of waiting and stuck in the backlog, we received notice that my aunt’s visa application was denied and that she was not eligible. She did everything that was asked of her yet, she was forced to be separated from our family for 35 years and was denied.

We searched for the attorney who helped my mom file the paperwork 35 years ago, but he has since passed away. These

documents were filed before I was even born and now I have witnessed firsthand the injustices of the separation of families and the extreme backlog to reunite families and process immigration paperwork.

I joined the Value Our Families campaign to fight for reform in the family immigration system, and as someone who has witnessed the limitations of this program, I fight for other families who are working to reunite. My family wants to share our immigration story to raise awareness about problems caused by our country’s seriously flawed immigration system, in the hopes of helping to pass important legislation

intended to address these very fixable problems.

I have met with governmental officials such as Congressmembers Norma Torres, Pete Aguilar and Ken Calvert, and back then Senator Kamala Harris to ask for their support in the passage of the Reuniting Families Act. I will continue to advocate for immigrant rights and the reunification of families. *** 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.

*** Michael Milan is a U.S. citizen and the son of Filipino immigrants.

April 8-14, 2021 • lAS VEGAS ASiAN JOUrNAl Las vegas ASIAN JOURNAL

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April 8, 2021

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inside

LifestyLe • Consumer Guide • Community • MARketpLAce

‘Chopped’ champion chef Denevin Miranda on how his Filipino heritage defines culinary style by

MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

MEET the new Filipino American chef creating waves in the culinary industry.

His name is Denevin Miranda and his latest claim to fame?

He was recently declared as the champion of the Food Network show “Chopped” with its new season focused on “Meat Fight,” a glorious, carnivorous throwdown for gastronomy lovers.

The new episodes focus on pork, beef, goat and bison and for Denevin’s episode, pork was the protein of choice. The show — which described Denevin, a Chef de Cuisine at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in New York City as a “classically Frenchtrained with a lot of his flavors rooted in Filipino-style cuisine” — was an epic meat fight among the four chefs highlighting their arsenal of ideas for their dishes.

There are three rounds and one chef is cut, well, “chopped” from the competition in every round. They are each given a mystery box of ingredients that they have to use and highlight in the dishes they create.

For the appetizer round, the chefs had these in their box: pork butt, barbecued spare ribs, Brussels sprouts, and Calvados brandy, and they had 20 minutes to prepare a dish.

“I was looking at all these ingredients and I said, ‘Yeah, I can sisig this,’” Denevin told the Asian Journal in an interview.

Sisig is a nod to his Filipino heritage which he wanted to highlight. He served the crisped-up pork butt and spare ribs along with Brussels sprouts and apple salad on the side to complement the unctuousness of the sisig.

The dish ended up winning the judges’ praises and called it the best dish in the competition.

Pro football player turned Food Network star Eddie Jackson described Denevin’s sisig as “remarkable” while chef and restaurateur Chris Santos said it was an “absolutely dynamite, a really great dish.”

Their fellow judge, executive chef Amanda Freitag, praised Denevin for his efforts in keeping the pork as the star of what she referred to as a perfectly seasoned dish. “Denevin really introduced himself as a very buttoned-up chef who knew how to put flavors together,” Freitag added.

After three grueling rounds, Denevin was the last man standing and was declared the champ, winning a $10,000 grand prize as he dedicated his win to his dad.

Denevin was confident from the get-go, as he went into the competition with a goal to win it and if he could, promote Filipi-

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no cuisine as well. He also said he wanted to make his parents proud, especially his father who has passed away.

“I knew going in there that I wanted to do something Filipino and show something to the judges. And sisig is one of my favorite dishes,” he said. “Actually, my grandma never cooked it. I was introduced to that when I went to the Philippines. And you know, it’s a dramatic dish, because it comes out sizzling.

Yeah, and it’s like, you know, it’s like you can’t stop eating.”

For sisig fans who want to try his winning dish, you’d have to wait.

“There’s something I’m actually working on translating that dish to one of the dishes on my menu,” he shared. “It’s not ready yet. We just opened like, two weeks ago so I definitely want to get everything established.”

He’s looking forward to including the dishes he made on the show in The Osprey’s chef’s tasting menu.

A tribute to his family We met with Denevin in his work at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge one rainy Sunday morning and had a freewheeling chat about his win, dreams and aspirations, and growing up as a gay Filipino American.

Denevin was born and raised in New York. His dad Fernando was from Manila and his mom Lilibeth from Tarlac. It has been a while since he visited the Philippines but as he told host Ted Allen on the show, he wanted to use his prize money to bring his husband Alex to the country.

“My family was very rooted in our culture,” he shared. “I was raised in a very Catholic way and my grandmother actually lived with us, she practically raised us.”

The Mirandas moved to Long Island because his parents felt it was a better environment for Denevin and his brother to grow up in. He fondly remembers his lola Liberata had a garden in the backyard where she planted all these Asian vegetables.

In hindsight, it was his first experience in farm-to-table dining as his lola would just pick the vegetables she needed for whatever dish she was cooking at that time.

At The Osprey, a locallysourced farm-to-table restaurant serving New American cuisine, he is inspired by this memory and he and his team are always looking for the best local produce so they go to the local green markets and try to build relationships with the farmers.

“That really brings me back to like you know, going out in our backyard with my lola picking vegetables, some of the tomatoes that she was grow-

ing were so sweet. And I still have that memory kind of in my head, you know? And she’d make beautiful dishes with that, like sinigang. And it’s like, you can’t replicate it,” he shared.

He remembers his lola loved to cook and entertain and on Sundays, there would be families coming together in their home after church, enjoying delicious home-cooked Filipino food.

One distinct memory he has is that of his lola not cutting corners. If she wanted coconut milk, she would go the traditional way and grate and squeeze the coconut herself.

But more than the culinary skills of his lola, it was her strength, resiliency and fortitude that continue to amaze Denevin to this day.

Denevin was in high school when he realized he wanted to be in the culinary industry. He said he was asthmatic growing up so he wasn’t as athletic as he is now. He ended up gravitating towards cooking through his home economics classes and he realized how much he was enjoying it.

His parents told him a story that when he was a toddler, he wouldn’t play with the toys they bought for him but he would crawl over to the kitchen and play with the pots and pans. He remembers sitting on a stool watching his lola prepare their meals from scratch observing her intently as she sliced and diced the ingredients. He would gaze in awe as his lola cooked the meals with love and respect for quality and tradition.

These memories helped him to define the kind of chef that he is today.

“I love to kind of bring that same kind of feeling back with my food like how my grandma and seeing people eat her food, you know, especially like people that she’d bring out from the community that weren’t Filipino,” he said, referring to the neighbors including priests that would get together in their home.

Journey to ‘Chopped’ Some of Denevin’s friends and colleagues have encouraged him to join these realitybased cooking shows on the Food Network or Bravo. He said he applied to be part of Top Chef before, went through the interview process but had conflict in the scheduling process since he had just accepted a new job in Miami and couldn’t afford to take a couple of months off.

Denevin went to school at the Johnson & Wales University in Miami where he received his degree in culinary arts and decided to stay in the city for a few years. There, he honed his craft working at Setai in Miami Beach, SLS and Mandarin Oriental, cultivating his mastery of classical as well as modernist

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cooking techniques.

He returned to his birth city of New York because it is such an established culinary destination. “And I wanted to create a name for myself here,” he quipped.

While working at The Osprey one day, he received a call from a casting agency working with the Food Network for Chopped asking him if he’d consider being part of the show. This was around March 2020 and due to COVID-19, it was postponed and pushed back much further.

The production reached out around September to ask if he was still up for it and that they have resumed shooting episodes in Tennessee. They shot the episode around October and it was aired in mid-March.

Denevin said it was a great experience and that he would do it again in a heartbeat, so he could showcase his Filipino heritage and use the platform to promote Filipino cuisine and its flavors.

On the plane en route to Nashville, Denevin thought about the relationship he had with his father Fernando and how he came out to him. His dad succumbed to cancer 11 years ago.

He was both nervous and anxious and his emotions were all bottled up inside. Then he felt a sudden calm and felt his father’s presence and he knew he wanted to tell their story.

“You know, (as a) Filipino American, you see the struggle that your parents felt to come to this country, and to build a life for you here, you don’t want to disappoint. And that was my biggest fear was to be a disappointment,” he shared.

He mustered enough courage and told his father what he was and that the friend he introduced to his parents a few years earlier in Miami was actually his boyfriend (now husband).

“And basically, he was kind of like, ‘I knew that.’ That’s one thing, but when he, you know, what he really wanted to tell me was, ‘That’s not important, I want you to be happy’,” he added. What Denevin got was more than just acceptance from a father.

“He gave me amazing courage, and he pretty much broke down my insecurities. You know, to be myself, and he encouraged me to do that. And I’m glad that I was able to share my story,” he said.

Denevin looked up to the show’s host Ted Allen and while in the show’s shoot, he was grabbed the serendipitous opportunity to thank him for inspiring a young kid to be his true self.

When he was growing up, he considered Allen as an inspiration and he remembers sitting in the living room with his PAGE 9

Chef Denevin Miranda shows his seasonal razor clam dish inspired by the kinilaw. On the first few days they offered the dish, he went to the diners who ordered it and asked for feedback. He said the response to the dish was great and they asked him for the inspiration behind it. “I told them it’s actually inspired by a Filipino dish. All the flavors are there. It’s citrus, coconut and I use fish sauce. I love fish sauce, it’s like my favorite,” he said. The look of the dish is inspired by the triangle on the Filipino flag.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 8-14, 2021

Diether says Huwag Kang Mangamba a reminder to renew his faith

9

by Boy

ABundA Philstar.com

IMMEDIATELY after Diether Ocampo finished reading the script for his role in Huwag Kang Mangamba, he realized that there’s still one aspect of his life that he needed to focus on — his faith.

Huwag Kang Mangamba is ABS-CBN’s latest inspirational offering following May Bukas Pa, Starla and 100 Days to Heaven.

The series aims to show how God’s miraculous love is found in the simplest of things and to remind people that they are never alone in facing life’s challenges and trials.

“To be honest, I was busy doing some conditioning physically and mentally when this project was offered to me,” said Diether. “And when the story was revealed to me, I realized that there’s still one aspect of my life that I have yet to train for — my faith. That’s why, spiritually, I also have to do some training for it and so, I became focused on that the whole time (while taping the series).”

The actor felt that the project also serves as a reminder for him to improve his spiritual wellness.

“I also have to renew my faith,” stressed Diether whose last TV acting appearance was in 2013 with Piolo Pascual and Angelica Panganiban in the drama series Apoy Sa Dagat.

Ever wonder why you haven’t seen Diether in a long while?

Well, there’s a good reason why the brilliant actor took a break from showbiz.

“Hindi naman ako nawala. I just became too busy learning new things, to improve myself.

In my case, I’ve been doing some trainings mentally and physically.”

For those not in the know,

Dominique Roque and Bea Alonzo Diether Ocampo

Diether earned a rank as a lieutenant commander of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary after undergoing indoctrination ceremonies, trainings, orientations and outreach activities in 2019.

He, too, completed the seafarer’s training conducted by the Philippine Center for Advanced Maritime Simulation and Training.

Diether also became quite busy finishing his flight school and, in fact, he should be a licensed pilot by now if not for the pandemic.

“I was supposed to get my full license as a pilot and because of these challenging times, everyone has to adjust.”

Before the pandemic hit globally, Diether also had his hands full with activities outside of showbiz like participating in various art exhibits, the most recent one was at Pinto Art Gallery in Antipolo City.

“I’m more excited to come back in front of the cameras and I would like to thank Dreamscape Entertainment for this opportunity,” he declared.

In regards to speculations that he became too picky with acting projects that caused his long hia-

ABS-CBN photo

tus from showbiz, Diether said, “Not at all. To be honest, maliit lang naman ang ating ginagalawan kaya walang masamang tinapay dito sa atin. It’s just sometimes, schedules don’t fit (with the others) or minsan hindi talaga akma ‘yung character na binibigay sa atin.”

He expressed his heartfelt gratitude for being part of Huwag Kang Mangamba and declared that everything just fell into place even in this time of pandemic. He, too, is thankful to directors Jerry Lopez Sineneng, Emmanuel Palo and Darnel Villaflor for their all-out support to actors.

What amazed him the most during their taping was the impressive acting performances of Andrea Brillantes, Seth Fedelin, Francine Diaz and Kyle Echarri, collectively known as the Gold Squad.

“They remind me so much of our early days in the industry and how we started. They’re a good reminder of how far we’ve gone but of course, there are still lots of work to do and this is really a timely project for all of us.”

Jasmine’s tips on how celebs should react to a scandal

by MARinel

CRuz

Inquirer.net

CHOOSE when to speak up and learn how to speak properly in order to convey your message.”

Thus said actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith when Inquirer Entertainment asked her for pointers on how a celebrity should react when she finds herself embroiled in a scandal or controversy.

This was in relation to her latest project, the black comedy film “General Admission,” wherein she plays Katja, a sexy dancer who had a wardrobe malfunction while performing on live TV. “Explaining yourself can be exhausting,” she said during an exclusive Zoom interview. “Calculate first whether or not it’s worth it for you to speak up. You can’t be too complacent also. You have to be prepared for two reactions, either people will accept your explanation or get questioned some more. “Know that it will never go away, especially now that we have social media. If you choose to keep quiet, at least it’s just one article. If you decide to react to it, it’s best to do it just once, and just on one platform.

Don’t invite everyone because it will be like agreeing to livestream your whole life. With social media now, people have a platform to air their opinions.”

“General Admission,” which streams worldwide on iWantTFC starting April 9, shows how excessive media coverage ruins a sexy dancer’s suddenly public life. It also stars JC de Vera as Jasmine’s boyfriend, Carlito.

Jasmine said she agreed to do the project as soon as she read the script. “I always look for a material that I will enjoy doing.

Its topic should also be something that I believe in, something that I can defend well when I get asked about it,” she explained.

Thought process Another reason is that Jasmine would be working with the film’s director, Jeffrey Hidalgo, for the first time. “It was nice to see the

Jasmine Curtis Smith

thought process that someone has as a director knowing that he also has a background in acting.

He understands me in terms of what I have to do or how much time I need to prepare myself as a lead actor,” she explained.

When “General Admission” was screened to a select group two weeks ago, Jasmine said she loved what she saw. “I really felt I’m Katja. There’s a sense of mirroring what’s happening in the lives of show biz celebrities. I also liked how Direk Jeff presented it with his unique camera angling.

He shot the beginning of the film, which ran for a few minutes, in one whole take. It’s like doing theater at the same time. It was fun to experience that journey with the entire team,” Jasmine recalled.

Jasmine shared that as an actress, she needed to be conscious of the differences in mannerisms and nuances between her and Katja. “That was the hardest part, I guess, because Katja and I have a lot of similarities. I’m actually like her behind the scenes. I go, ‘Attack! Talk! Listen to me, this is what I know!’ In order to get to the place where I can do the projects I want, I had to be like that. You fight for something you

Photo from Instagram/@jascurtissmith

want.”

Be critical While the story is presented in a manner that’s light and funny, its topic is quite serious, Jasmine pointed out. “It does happen.

The first biggest message that the audience will notice when they watch this film is that in any form of media, it’s easy for us to form opinions; it’s easy for us to accept information the way we want to accept it. But we also have to remember that it is also our job to be critical when we accept information from the media,” she stressed. “At the end of the day, you have to understand a particular issue through your own research. You can’t just say, ‘I read this one article,’ and that becomes your basis for everything.”

She further said: “In the movie, we talk about it through show biz; but it also goes for politics or for what’s happening in the environment. We assume these things and this is where we make our own forms of judgment, whether it’s discriminating against a certain race or minority.”

Human beings The second lesson, Jasmine said, is that everyone behind PAGE 10

Photo from Instagram/@dominiqueroque

Bea clarifies status of her relationship with Dominic

BEA Alonzo finally opened up about the real score between her and Dominic Roque, after months of speculation that they are dating.

Alonzo confirmed that she is indeed dating her fellow actor in an interview with Mega, April 8.

She clarified though that they are not in an exclusive relationship yet.

“Wala pa kami. Ang hirap kasing sabihin,” she stated. “Nahihiya ako sa mga tao na ‘I’m 33, I am dating.’” (Not yet. It’s hard to tell. I get embarrassed telling people, “I’m 33, I am dating.”)

Alonzo also admitted that she is still feeling uncertain about how her relationship with Roque will progress. She noted that she does not want to face another

failed attempt in dating, but Roque is “a good guy.”

“Hindi ko alam kung it will materialize into something else or like it would lead to something else but then, what if I fail again?

I don’t want to keep failing in front of you guys, it’s embarrassing.”

(I am not sure if it will materialize into something else or like [if] it would lead to something else, but then, what if I fail again? I don’t want to keep failing in front of you guys, it’s embarrassing.)

Alonzo also stated that she is happy, but also a little terrified of the decisions that she thought she will not be making at 33 years old. She stated that she did not imagine being single at her age now but promised that she

will talk more about her love life if she becomes sure about the person she is seeing.

She also said she did not want to be a “prisoner of her past” which is why she is open to falling in love again. At the same time, she is being careful about trusting anybody just yet.

Fans started asking about the real score between Alonzo and Roque when the actor professed his admiration for Alonzo last year. The actress’ most recent relationship was with Gerald Anderson, which ended in controversy in 2019 after allegations of a third party, speculated to be Julia Barretto. Anderson admitted his relationship with Barretto last March. (Dana Cruz/ Inquirer.net)

James not taking path of least resistance with his music

by Rito

P. Asilo Inquirer.net

JAMES Reid has always let his music do the talking—and explaining—for him. The official music video of his latest single “Soda,” as smooth and stylish as it is catchy, was released last March 20, featuring a sci-fi story set on an alternate Earth in the Year 3038.

But in the Black Saturday edition of ANC’s chat show “LSS: The Martin Nievera Show” last weekend, which revisited portions of some of the Concert King’s favorite episodes (and featured guests like Iza Calzado, Jay R and Nadine Lustre), James explained why, instead of conveniently taking the path of least resistance, he is instead pursuing the sort of R&B-hybrid sound we’ve been hearing from him these days.

“With Careless (the record label he put up with his partners), I’m really just going back to the kind of music that I first fell in love with growing up,” James said in the interview. “And they’re not necessarily the sounds that are more popular now. My music has been changing a lot—it started mainly with R&B, then it became more like R&B pop and soul.

Now, I’m playing around with a bit of funk.”

James Reid

It’s this evolving musicality that is served well by having a music label of his own, James said: “I wanted to take a different direction with my music than from my acting career. Acting is very different from making music. I wanted more creative freedom [because] music is extremely personal.”

The singer-actor said this has given him and his creative pro-

Photo from Instagram/@james

cess more elbow room.

“It’s made me just want to focus on the things that I know I love, instead of what I think other people will love,” James explained. “It’s definitely given me a deeper understanding of music production, and how it works. So, I’ve been focusing on that. And I don’t just get to do it for myself.

Now, I can also do that for other artists.”

Rhian tested positive for COVID-19, now ‘out of the woods’ KAPUSO actress Rhian Ramos revealed that she tested positive for COVID-19 but is now “out of the woods.”

In her Instagram account, Rhian posted her COVID-19 journey with her road manager Rach Librado, who also tested positive for the virus.

“We’re out of the woods @ rachlibrado,” Rhian wrote.

“The past few weeks have been harrowing at times, but I’m not really here to scare anyone, just sharing how grateful I am for life, health, love, and friendship. Thank you to everyone who sent us encouragement and help through this experience. It meant Rhian Ramos the world to us and I’ll always Photo from Instagram/@whianwamos remember how much you’ve

blessed us.. (you know who you are),” she added.

Rhian also advised COVID-19 patients to stay motivated and keep their morale up to win the battle against the virus.

“Can I just say though. The light at the end of the tunnel is wonderful. If you or someone you know is still going through the covid battle, stay motivated my friend. Keep your morale up.

When you see your first negative result, you’ll be overcome with relief and that feeling you’ve been dreaming of, where for 5 minutes there’s finally no fear. God bless our countrymen and God bless our healthworkers,” she said.

“Praying for you all out there.

Stay safe.” (Philstar.com)

‘Chopped’ champion chef Denevin Miranda...

PAGE 8 family watching and enjoying Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. It was a special moment and he is happy that the show was able to incorporate parts of that conversation as he came full circle of sorts.

Filipino flavors On The Osprey’s current menu is a razor clam appetizer dish, his homage to the Filipino kinilaw. Denevin’s creativity and artistry are in full display in this beautiful and delicious dish.

On the first few days they offered the dish, he went to the diners who ordered it and asked for feedback. He said the response to the dish was great and they asked him for the inspiration behind it.

“I told them it’s actually in-

spired by a Filipino dish. All the flavors are there. It’s citrus, coconut and I use fish sauce. I love fish sauce, it’s like my favorite,” he said. Even the main look of the dish is inspired by the triangle on the Philippine flag.

The Osprey serves contemporary American cuisine, inspired by the cultural melting pot and global diversity of New York City’s neighborhoods.

From his perspective as a Filipino-American chef, it could be dishes that are inspired by his roots, as well as dishes based on experiences he had having Jamaican food in Brooklyn, or maybe even a combination of both, using techniques he has learned throughout his career.

(He shared that the Rotisserie Half Chicken uses a Caribbean

jerk chicken marinade similar to the flavors of adobo.)

He is also working with their corporate mixologists on a cocktail drink that incorporates ube, which he also describes as an adult version of halo-halo.

For the summer, there are plans for an outdoor Filipino-inspired New England-style seafood boil inspired by the kamayan or what some people call “boodle fight.”

These are just a couple of the many food experiences that he plans to implement in the hotel’s restaurants and bars and he is thankful that the management has given him this opportunity to cultivate this great culture.

“I’m pragmatic and I’m mostly optimistic,” Denevin said, describing the current situation

of the food and beverage industry and where he sees it going. “New York is going to find a new renaissance and as the rent has become much more affordable, it is bringing younger, innovative and creative people to the city. It’s like a reboot.”

He is excited and looking forward to an almost magical moment as the food scene goes through this transition. He wants to be that beacon of optimism and show that the players in the industry can pivot and come out stronger than ever.

Denevin also hopes to further bring Filipino food out there and his optimism extends to a possible collaboration with fellow Fil-Am chefs in the city to get the job done and demonstrate the hospitality connection they have.

Denevin Miranda, chef de cuisine of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

10

FEatUrES

April 8-14, 2021 • lAS VEGAS ASiAN JOUrNAl

IRS, FBI, FTC warn of new mobile phone scams

Tax Tips VICTOR SY, MBA, CPA (RETIRED)

mit to help protect taxpayers from identity theft and refund fraud. *** Victor Santos Sy, MBA. CPA (Retired) Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV – Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation. *** He retired after 50 years of defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He published a book on “How to Avoid or Survive IRS Audits” that’s available at Amazon. Readers may email tax questions to vicsy@live.com.

THIEVES’ new target: Mobile phones. People are vigilant in protecting their computers but not their cell phones; accordingly, scammers are feasting on mobile phones. The IRS FBI FTC have issued warnings about protecting phones especially when shopping. Make sure that your phones and tablets are just as secure as your computers. Federal and state agencies are working together stem this dangerous scheme.

1. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued warnings about fraud related to the

pandemic. It specifically warned of COVID-19 schemes related to taxes, antibody testing, healthcare fraud, cryptocurrency fraud and others. We urge you to report COVID-related fraud complaints to the national Center for Disaster Fraud.

2. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also has issued alerts about fraudulent emails claiming to come from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.

3. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), state tax agencies, and the private sector tax industry, including tax professionals, work in partnership as the Security Sum-

Las Vegas-based NetEffect launches ‘Laptops of Love’ drive to aid families with Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation Individuals are encouraged to donate laptops, iPads and tablets as part of April-May drive to help youths

they will recycle them with the Blind Center. Aside from the drive, Rounds said a golf tournament with The Gentlemen’s League is also being held in June to raise funds for nVCCF. “We are grateful for the outpouring of support from netEffect and The Gentlemen’s League to help our families,” said Blanca Grajeda, director of Adult and Volunteer Services for nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation.

“All these efforts are significant and will help our programs tremendously.”

For more information on the Laptops of Love drive, please call the netEffect offices at (702) 318-7700.

nVCCF at 3711 E. Sunset Rd., Las Vegas, during workday hours.

“While we have all faced tough circumstances during this pandemic, many children have been dealing with even more dire situations, especially those who have cancer and had to maintain ongoing social distancing from loved ones,” said netEffect CEO David Rounds. “This drive to collect laptops and other technical devices will allow the families to have an extra method of communicating with loved ones virtually. It truly makes us happy to help them out in this fashion and bring some joy to their lives.”

Rounds said that if any laptops are not in a stage to be donated,

LAS VEGAS – netEffect, a Las Vegas-based computer and information technology support and consulting services provider, announced today it is kicking off a “Laptops of Love” drive to collect devices for families involved with nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation (nVCCF). The donated laptops, along with iPads and tablets, will be wiped clean by netEffect before being donated to the children and families at nVCCF. The drive will be held from April 5 through May 15, 2021, and the drop-off locations to donate the devices will be at netEffect at 375 E. Warm Springs Rd., Suite 102, Las Vegas, and at

Jasmine’s tips on how celebs should react to...

PAGE 9 the lens, whether they’re the ones acting or manipulating it, are human beings. “Everyone is struggling to make a buck. Lahat tayo nahihirapang kumita.

Katja is a sexy dancer. She will do anything just to be famous, to earn money that she would send to her siblings for school. It also shows what people are willing to do just to earn,” she added. Jasmine said the film was shot pre-

ing,” she recalled. “I feel like we’re learning how to adjust to the way that some international productions have already been practicing many years ago. It may have taken us this long, it may have taken us this pandemic, for us to make this a standard practice. That’s actually what I’m thankful for. We’re now able to set guidelines, follow them and still deliver the same quality of output.”

pandemic, in 2018. Hence, the crowd scenes.

She also said they have interesting stories on how they coped with the pandemic lockdown, which caught everyone off guard.

“For the most part, in terms of work, it was very limiting. When we finally experienced going to the set, complying with all the protocols like having the 12-hour work limit, it all felt so refresh-

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Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS AS of Monday, April 5, 2021, there were 478,884 new cases of COVID-19, increasing the total to 132,432,231 cases worldwide and with 7,404 new deaths, making the total deaths to 2,873,411.

In the U.S., there were 500 new deaths that day, bringing the total to 569,282 mortalities; the total COVID-19 cases rose to 31,496,976. Brazil had the highest deaths for that day at 1,623 (total cases, 13,023,189; 38,233 new cases). The Philippines has had 803,387 total cases and 13.435 deaths, with 10 new deaths.

The following day, the U.S. had 7,335 new cases and 116 deaths, while the Philippines had 9,373 new cases and 382 new deaths.

More than 1/3 of the people in the U.S. (population: around 332.5 million) have been vaccinated.

The Philippines (population around 110.8 million) started its COVID-19 vaccination on March 1, 2021, using China’s Sinovac.

To contain COVID-19 in the country, foreign citizens are currently not allowed to travel to the Philippines, including Filipinos who are not holders of Philippine passports. Those who are allowed to enter the country must have a hotel reservation for 7 days,for quarantine purposes upon arrival.

CDC COVID-19 advisory Fully vaccinated (those who completed their shots two weeks prior) are “no longer required to test before or after traveling domestically or internationally from the U.S, unless required to do so by the international destination country, and they no longer have to self-quarantine after returning to the U.S., unless required to do so by a state or local jurisdiction,” according to the updated guidelines from the CDC. The rest of the advisory follows: “The agency still recommends that even fully vaccinated travelers wear a mask in public, and take other public health precautions, such as social distancing and avoiding crowds, and practicing hand hygiene.

“Some travel guidance remains unchanged. CDC still recommends fully vaccinated people have proof of a negative COVID19 test prior to returning to the U.S., and get tested 3-5 days later.

“Meanwhile, nothing has changed for travelers who are not fully vaccinated. CDC continues to recommend that not fully vaccinated travelers get a COVID-19 test 1-3 days prior to domestic or international travel, as well as 3-5 days after returning. Those who are not fully vaccinated should continue to self-quarantine for 7 days after travel and a negative test, or 10 days after travel if not tested. CDC also said those who are not fully vaccinated should

COVID-19 stats

avoid non-essential domestic travel.”

Fourth wave?

Fearing worsening of the COVID pandemic in the United States and a probable fourth wave as the COVID-19 cases increased by 10 percent and hospitalization to around 4,800 per day on a 7-day average, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, her voice shaking, “warned of ‘impending doom’ if states continue to relax restrictions, and if Americans continue to increase travel and ignore public health precautions.”

The 4 more common variants of COVID-19 include the UK strain (B.1.1.7), with around 2,000 cases found in 45 states so far, and also found in Denmark and Scandinavia; the South African variety (B.1.351), which emerged in South Africa and found in 14 U.S. States; and the Brazilian variant (P.1), present in at least 5 cases in Minnesota, Oklahoma, Florida, and Maryland; a U.S. variant, found in California (CAL.,20C), has infected more than 30 percent of entire state by mid-to-late January and more than 40 percent in Southern California.

The importance of following the guidelines, especially with the re-opening of businesses, is even more important today.

Masking, social distancing, good hygiene, and avoiding crowds, limiting travels to essential needs, even after vaccination, could help mitigate the labile situation. The significance of this discipline might not be earth-shaking until a loved one is taken away from us because we did not behave accordingly. The SARS-CoV2 virus is new and it is mutating to new strains, which could be expected to be more virulent. There are a lot we still do not know about this killer and the available vaccines.

So, it is best to be cautious or even a bit over-protective, than to be arrogant, overly confident and let our guard down simply because we have been vaccinated. It is now clear worldwide that these vaccines are generally effective (95 percent and greater) and safe, and that wearing a mask and social distancing work.

One shot not enough Some people refuse to get the second shot of the 2-dose vaccines (P-BionT and Moderna), fearing danger from the second dose and thinking one dose confers full protection. That is not true and very dangerous. And a waste of the vaccine. Also, if one was okay after the first dose, the second one should also be fine, as statistics today show.

A physician colleague of mine had his first dose of the vaccine, still got COVID-19 infection from his son five days post-shot, and died. We do not totally know our enemy, especially the variants and worse strains that might evolve; let’s be wise and stay safe.

Amazing FAR-UVC One of the beneficial side-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

is the development of antiviral treatments and mitigating technologies that were also found to be useful in the management of other bacterial/viral illnesses, and the discovery of new uses for old medications we have been using for specific conditions for some time. An example of this is the use of UVC light, the conventional form of which has a wavelength of 254 nm. UV radiation was first discovered on February 22, 1801

by Johann Wilhelm Ritter. Subsequently, they were differentiated by wavelength into UVA (315-400 nm), UVB (2870-315 nm), and UVC 100-280 nm).

Dr. David Brenner and his team at Columbia University have developed a technique “that zaps airborne viruses with a narrowwavelength band of UV light and shows promise for curtailing the person-to-person spread of COVID-19 in indoor public places.”

The technology “uses lamps that emit continuous, low doses of a particular wavelength of ultraviolet light, known as far-UVC (wavelength 222 nm), which can kill viruses and bacteria without harming human skin, eyes and other tissues, as is the problem with conventional UV light.”

“Far-UVC light has the potential to be a ‘game changer,’” said Professor Brenner. “It can be safely used in occupied public spaces, and it kills pathogens in the air before we can breathe them in.”

These Far-UVC lamps could be used like today’s mosquito electric zapper, installed in homes and public places, offices, hotels, dorms, convention centers, sports arenas, theaters, restaurants, stores, schools, etc., to destroy bacteria and various viruses, including Flu viruses and SARSCoV2 virus of COVID-19, without health risks to humans, animals, and plants. This will eliminate the need for countless toxic chemicals we currently use to kills microbes. Progress, indeed! *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life.

Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and antigraft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Welcome back to City Of Las Vegas community centers Residents invited to attend open houses and participate in free programs THE city of Las Vegas invites residents to discover the fun in 2021 by visiting one of our community centers beginning today, April 5. The centers have been closed due to COVID-19 and have only been offering assistance to families during the pandemic for the Vegas Strong Academy. The centers will now be re-opening to the entire community.

Residents are invited to visit their local community center during operating hours to take a tour and learn more about the facility and programs. For more information, visit the center’s webpage or call: • Doolittle Community Center, 1950 n. J. St., 702.229.6374 • East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 n. Eastern Ave., 702.229.1515 • Mirabelli Community Center, 6200 Hargrove Ave., 702.229.6359

• Stupak Community Center, 251 W. Boston Ave., 702.229.2488 • Veterans Memorial Community Center, 101 n. Pavilion Center Drive, 702.229.1100 *Cimarron Rose Center will remain open for Vegas Strong Academy only.

During the weeks of April 19 and 26, each center will offer a selection of free classes and events which range from fitness to dance and youth sports skills to family movies. Call your local center for more information.

Weight rooms and cardio rooms are open in centers where available. Locker rooms, showers and water fountains will remain closed.

All social distancing and mask guidelines must be followed per the mitigation directives.

The city currently is working

on plans for the reopening of other facilities and programs; additional details will be provided as those facilities become available. Reopening plans for senior centers are being finalized; more details will be shared at a later date.

Parks, playgrounds, skate parks, courts, exercise and fitness stations remain open. Other facilities that remain open include: • Chuck Minker Sports Complex, 275 n. Mojave Road, 702.229.6563 • Dula Community Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road, 702.229.6307 • Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road, 702.229.6309 • Pavilion Center Pool, 101 S. Pavilion Drive, 702.229.1488 Visit www.lasvegasnevada. gov/welcomeback for the most up-to-date reopening information for the city of Las Vegas.

WGU launches ‘essential workers scholarship’ in appreciation of the dedication shown during pandemic LAS VEGAS/REnO, nV – WGU nevada announced today a new scholarship program for essential workers seeking high education degrees in high-demand career fields, including Business, Teaching, Information Technology, and Health Professions, such as nursing.

The deadline for nevada essential workers to apply is June 30, 2021.

“We are truly thankful for the dependability and dedication of the essential workers in the Silver State during the pandemic, including our grocery store employees, postal workers, sanitation workers, delivery drivers, and many others,” said WGU Regional Vice President Rick Benbow. “This is one way we

can say ‘thank you’ and express our gratitude”.

The scholarships are valued at $3,000 each, which is nearly half of the total annual tuition for the affordable, accredited, competency-based online university. More information on the scholarship and how to apply can be found at: https:// www.wgu.edu/financial-aid-tuition/scholarships/general/essential.html.

Relevant in today’s workforce, WGU offers personalized support, giving students an affordable option to obtain higher education degrees in popular fields. Aside from the Essential Workers Scholarship, WGU provides a multitude of other scholarships to help individuals

throughout nevada.

Designed to meet adult learners’ needs, WGU’s competency-based education allows students to take advantage of their knowledge and experience to move quickly through material they already know, so they can focus on what they still need to learn.

Students complete their programs by studying on schedules that fit their lives and advancing as soon as they demonstrate mastery of the subject matter. While WGU’s degree programs are rigorous and challenging, competencybased learning makes it possible for students to accelerate their progress, saving both time and money.

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