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APRIL 8-14, 2022 Volume 15 - No.22 • 16 Pages

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

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

‘We’re scared and angry’: Filipinos rise up against Asian hate in NYC

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA

AJPress

THE Filipino community of New York and its allies are up in arms against hate as numerous community members continue to be viciously attacked.

Different organizations and individuals gathered in a united front with one agenda, to keep the community safe.

“This rally marks just the beginning of a united Filipino community,” remarked Rachelle Ocampo, who hosted the program.

“This is not the city that I imagined my

Filipino American Friendship Monument unveiled in Glendale, CA

 PAGE 4

 PAGE 2

Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway installed, community ribbon-cutting scheduled for May 7

FIL-AM FRIENDSHIP. The City of Glendale, California on Monday, April 4 unveiled the Filipino American Friendship Monument near the central library to honor the community in the city and greater Los Angeles. The dedication was spearheaded by the Filipino American Business Association of Glendale, which was founded in 1990 to bring together Fil-Am businesses and community leaders.

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

The Filipino American Friendship Monument was unveiled on Monday, April 4 at 201 E. Colorado Street, Glendale,

family to live and work in. I am scared.

We are all scared, angry, and honestly fed up with these unprovoked attacks on our community.”

“We just all wanted to make sure we were doing something because last year, almost

The long-awaited landmark celebrates the Filipino American community

by AJPRESS

Noel Quintana, (right) one of the first anti-Asian hate survivors last year, listens to speakers at the Filipinos Rise Up rally in downtown Manhattan last week. “He recalled what happened on February 3, 2021 when a man slashed his face with a box knife aboard the L train from Brooklyn. He is calling for more police visibility not just in areas where most tourists visit and he is asking victims of crimes to speak out. “Our silence is interpreted as ‘it’s okay for us Asians to be violated’,” he said.

AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya

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

Rising 30 feet high and spanning 82 feet across the width of Beverly Boulevard at the eastern entrance into Historic Filipinotown, “Talang Gabay: Our Guiding Star,” was designed

by Filipino artist Eliseo Art Silva with Celestino

 PAGE 4 PH remains under minimal COVID risk amid Bautista out, Ejercito takes Robredo team sees further rise new variant threat in surveys; Marcos campaign last slot in Pulse Asia’s THE country continues to be under to push for 70% preference minimal risk for the coronavirus disease Magic 12 for senators 2019 (COVID-19) with the continued decline in the number of cases, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergiere said 2,568 cases were reported over the week of March 29 to April 4, equivalent to 366 cases per day, while the national positivity rate slid to 1.8 percent “Ang pagbabang ito ng kaso ay makikita na sa lahat ng island groups sa ating bansa, [at] magandang balita ito dahil nakikita na

 PAGE 7

by GABRIEL

PABICO LALU

Inquirer.net

MANILA — Former Quezon City mayor and senatorial bet Herbert Bautista has dropped out of the Magic 12 according to Pulse Asia’s senatorial survey released on Wednesday, April 6 while former senator

JV Ejercito took the last slot.

The Pulse Asia survey conducted from March 17 to 21 showed Ejercito and his brother, fellow former senator Jinggoy Estrada at the 11th and 12th spots. Bautista used to occupy the 12th spot, while Ejercito was ranked 14th, behind re-electionist

 PAGE 7

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo’s nine-point rise in the latest Pulse Asia survey shows the campaign momentum that will only further intensify until elections day, her spokesperson Barry Presidential candidates Vice President Leni Robredo and former Gutierrez said.

Marcos campaign Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. speak at their respective spokesperson Vic rallies in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and in Digos City, Davao del

 PAGE 2 Sur.

Philstar photo by EC Toledo/VP Leni Media Bureau

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Robredo team sees further rise in...

PAGE 1 Rodriguez meanwhile said they are focused on raising presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s ratings up to 70%.

“The survey numbers are starting to reflect what we have been seeing on the ground all along: the massive crowds, the fierce passion, the untiring commitment of Filipinos from all walks of life, coming together to rally behind Leni Robredo’s bid for the presidency,” Gutierrez said in a statement.

“What we are seeing now is the turning of the tide,” he added.

Although Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard-bearer Marcos maintained his top spot in the pre-elections survey with 56%, he however recorded a four-point drop.

Meanwhile, Robredo remained at the second spot but climbed by nine points in the latest survey to 24% from 15%.

Voter preference for other presidential candidates was generally unchanged, with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso getting 8%, Sen. Manny Pacquiao with 6% and Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson with 2%.

Robredo campaign: Rise shows campaign momentum Gutierrez said a change in public sentiment in the last two months before the elections shows that Robredo “has the momentum, which we expect will only further intensify and accelerate all the way to May 9.”

The survey was conducted from March 17 to 21, after CNN Philippines held its presidential debates and the Commission on Elections staged its own debates—both events Marcos snubbed. Robredo has also

started, during this time, to attract huge crowds at rallies in different parts of the country.

For the campaign team of Marcos, they will be no letup in their campaign even with the majority preference rating of 56%.

“We shall not rest until the 70% preference survey polls position is attained until every vote is counted and the aspirations of the Filipino people become a reality,” Rodriguez said.

Three-way fight?

But for the campaign for Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who came in third with 8%, Aksyon Demokratiko said own survey showed a three-corner contest among Marcos, Robredo and Moreno.

“By Friday, we will discuss before the media a more recent survey done a few days ago that shows it will be a three-corner contest. With Mayor Isko having the best possibility to increase his numbers as the election draws near,” Ramel also said.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who came in fifth, dismissed the survey, pointing out that what they feel when they go around is different. “I don’t believe it. Based on what we feel on the ground because we don’t remain in our house and watch, we ourselves go [there],” he said in an ambush interview in their campaign leg in Argao, Cebu on Wednesday, April 6.

His running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” III Sotto, who came in far second to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, meanwhile, said there is “something wrong.” — Kristine Joy Patag with reports from Philstar.com/Xave Gregorio, Angelica Y. Yang; The STAR/Marc Jayson Cayabyab (Philstar.com)

More than a hundred Filipino American students, professionals and community leaders and organizations gathered at Foley Square last week for the Filipinos Rise Up rally in the aftermath of the recent spate of attacks against elderly Filipinos.

AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

‘We’re scared and angry’: Filipinos rise up...

PAGE 1 exactly one year ago, this happened to Vilma Kari and the fact that it’s happening over and over again, it’s time that we make sure that our voice is heard,” added Deirdre Levy, one of the event organizers.

Levy, along with Fr. Julian Jagudilla, Ocampo, and Steven Raga were discussing the recent spate of attacks particularly the case of the 67-year-old elderly Filipina in Yonkers who was assaulted and struck more than 125 times as she was entering her apartment building in Westchester County.

In less than two weeks, they organized a network and decided to stage the rally in Foley Square. They worked with community organizations such as Damayan, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, Little Manila in Queens, NAFCON, among others.

“I don’t feel safe. This is the first time in my 16 years that I haven’t felt safe in New York City,” said Kalayaan Mendoza, who works with Nonviolent Peace Force.

“I do this for a living, and this is what I do in my spare time and if I feel completely unsafe, I can’t imagine what others, especially our elders are experiencing right now.”

The last reported attacks before the rally were that of two Filipino men in unprovoked attacks that happened in broad daylight.

The first one is a 73-yearold man who was attacked on the corner of Eighth Avenue and 40th Street while he was on his way to church while the second one, a 53-year-old man was just buying his breakfast at the McDonald’s on Seventh

Kalayaan Mendoza

Avenue near 34th Street when he was assaulted from behind.

Like the Yonkers attack, everything was caught on CCTV cameras, and to catch the perpetrators, the police released the videos.

“It’s infuriating. It also disgusts me to see the complacency in New Yorkers when that happens.

New Yorkers, I know that we’re not nice, but we are kind. And I think every New Yorker has it in them to be an upstander when violence happens,” Mendoza added.

Noel Quintana was one of the high-profile cases of anti-Asian hate last year when he was attacked and slashed in the face while riding the subway. He has been active in sharing his story in rallies across the city.

He called on other victims of crimes in the city or anywhere in the US to speak out and complain.

“We want to hear your stories too. It is not your fault to be a victim of crime,” Quintana said. “Be active in gatherings like this because there is force in number. For the elderly, have a whistle or pepper spray with you and if possible, always have somebody with you.

Deirdre Levy

Loida Nicolas Lewis

Fr. Julian Jagudilla started a Facebook page called Filipino American Network Against Asian Hate upon hearing about the Yonkers case.

He said some of the victims he has personally met do not want to divulge their names because they are afraid their relatives in the Philippines would find out or that they are undocumented and are worried about their immigration situation.

“Nakakagalit kasi kababayan nation inatake, for what? Random acts of violence? So what is the city’s response? Our response is very concrete that we have to unite and speak as one community,”

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From the Front Page

‘We’re scared and angry’... Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway installed...

PAGE 2 he said.

Like Fr. Jagudilla, JoAnn Yoo is also asking for a concrete response from city officials. Yoo is the executive director of Asian American Federation, an organization that has been at the forefront of fighting against Asian hate which dramatically increased at the start of the pandemic in 2020.

“I want to know where is the help that our community needs? Where is it and when is it coming? Why haven’t our elected leaders reached out to us to say, ‘we know what is happening, we hear you, we see you because we watch those tapes too.’

They need to show up for us because we can do this by ourselves,” she said.

Yoo also mentioned the Yonkers case, saying that the Filipina attacked there who was seven years older than she could have been someone’s sister or mother.

“Somebody told me ‘Don’t watch it’ and it took me days to not watch it. I don’t even know what to say and every political person is trying to use that to score political points, you can score points after you help us and you take care of us,” Yoo said.

“This is horrible. How many times do we have to come out here and demand recognition and visibility.”

Rising Together The greater Asian American community has rallied support for the Yonkers survivor with an official GoFundMe fundraising campaign that has raised almost $50,000 through more than 1,000 donations as of Wednesday, April 6.

The woman’s name was withheld by the organizers of the fundraiser to protect her and her family’s privacy.

They posted a letter from the children of the woman who was assaulted in front of her own home.

“In this despicable, unprovoked attack, she suffered serious head trauma and internal injuries.

She is currently stable and out of the hospital, but has extensive injuries that requires constant outpatient care,” her family said. “It’s a miracle that she’ll be able to make a full recovery, but it will be a long journey and we don’t know when she’ll

be able to go back to work.”

“We want to protect our mother any way we can, so we ask to stay anonymous so that she can focus on her recovery without being bombarded by the media or having more fears for her safety,” the family added.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of love for our mom and any support you’re willing to contribute to her medical bills, rehabilitation, and mental health services, and move to a new home.”

“What we have here tonight is an outpouring of anger and heartbreak,” said Lara Gregory, founder of Filipino Americans for Racial Action.

Gregory believes that the rally is an opportunity to reframe the “Filipino culture of hiya (shame) or not wanting to rock the boat” because it stops people from reporting the attacks to the proper authorities.

“We need to recalibrate that, a misplaced value of hiya is not what we need right now. We need to celebrate the strength to survive of these hate crime survivors,” she said. “To the 67-year-old lady in Yonkers.

I want you to know that we have the self-defense class because of you and your strength to survive.”

Community leader Loida Nicolas Lewis described the spate of attacks as atrocious and alarming.

“We have to stand up and say ‘Enough already. Tama na!’ It’s getting worse,” Lewis said. “Those who are mentally ill or for whatever reason, are now giving their hatred towards us just because our eyes are different, we speak with an accent or even just the color of our skin.”

Lewis, who is the first Filipina accepted to the New York State Bar in 1975, believes that the law about hate crimes has to be changed. The law says that unless the attacker says Asian slurs, it’s just an assault.

She called on kababayans to stand up and protect themselves.

“We are getting a little bit braver,” Lewis said, adding that the rally is a good start.

“We have to stand up and get alarmed. Get some things to protect yourself and learn karate if necessary. Be

PAGE 1 Geronimo, Jr. “This past weekend, we installed the beautiful new gateway in Historic Filipinotown, and I have one thing to say: Wow!” said Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, who represents Historic Filipinotown.

“This community is so deserving of such an iconic, impressive landmark. The Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway pays fitting tribute to the incredible contributions of the Filipino community in Los Angeles and beyond.”

The gateway features numerous design elements including: the Parol; the Gumamela flower also known as hibiscus, which pays tribute to frontline workers; and the Sarimanok – all symbols with deep roots in Filipino culture. Crews completed the structural installation this past Saturday, April 2.

“The Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway project has been nearly two decades in the making,” said Jessica Caloza, former commissioner

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

Photo courtesy of the Office of Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell

for the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works.

“It’s a monument not just for the Filipino and Asian community, but for all immigrant communities who come to Los Angeles to build a life and a home. The gateway represents that hope and dream of what’s possible and thanks to the community, our elected officials, and so

many partners, it’s now a reality.”

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

celebration will include food, music, and dance performances.

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

“2022 is a huge year for SIPA and Historic Filipinotown. Not only are we celebrating 20 years of the Historic Filipinotown designation, but SIPA is also celebrating our 50th anniversary,” said Kimmy Maniquis, executive director of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA). “The Talang Gabay gateway is a beautiful symbol of a neighborhood that holds great significance to Filipino Americans in Los Angeles and we are proud to have been part of the process. As SIPA opens our community center on Temple street later this year, we celebrate with the City of Los Angeles and our fellow legacy organizations in creating long-standing cultural markers that will honor the Filipino American community for generations to come.” n

Filipino American Friendship Monument...

PAGE 1 California, near the Central Library by the entrance of the Adult Recreation Center.

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

“A tribute, in commemoration of and a symbol of gratitude and everlasting friendship, that’s our Fil-Am monument,” said Editha Maniquis Fuentes, FABAG-GLAC past president, board member and chair of the Special Projects Committee who spearheaded this project.

The monument, made in black stone, features white engravings of the Philippine sun and stars and the American flag joined together by interlocking hands. It also says, “commemorating more than three decades of outreach programs, inter-cultural relations and collaborative community services” with a list of names of the City Council, FABAGGLAC past presidents,

FABAG-GLAC board member Editha Fuentes, Glendale Mayor Paula Devine and Philippine Consul General Edgar Badajos in front of the new monument

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

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

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

officers and sponsors who made the monument happen.

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

“I’m so proud, that my final act as mayor, was the unveiling of the Filipino American Friendship

Monument — the only one in California. It is a tribute to 32 years of service and a symbol of lasting friendship and collaboration with our city. It is also a tribute to Ruby de Vera, a wonderful leader and inspiration for this monument,” Outgoing Hon. Mayor Paula Devine said.

The unveiling comes after the Glendale City Council

on Tuesday, March 8 unanimously approved the construction and installation of the monument.

Philippine Consul General Ed Badajos said at the ceremony, “Projects like this make us so proud to be Filipino Americans.

Collaborating with the city and other groups also make us visible.” (AJPress) n

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OPINION

FEATURES

Fighting fake news

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Philstar.com

THE task force against fake news that an official of the Commission on Elections is proposing will not cover disinformation being spread against candidates in the May elections. Instead, the Comelec intends to focus on fake news related to the conduct of the elections, according In particular, Garcia cited stories spreading on social media that the May 9 elections are virtually over since the ballots have been filled out and just waiting to be tallied.

Garcia said the Comelec must “fight back” to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

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

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, describes CIB as a “coordinated campaign that seeks to manipulate public debate

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

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

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

Beyond coordination, the Comelec must conduct a more aggressive campaign to encourage the public to get their information

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS LENI REOBREDO is my President. She is NOT the lesser of two evils. She is NOT capitalizing on the gender vote as a woman. She is NOT capitalizing on the sympathy vote being a widow herself like Cory Aquino. Leni Robredo is the BEST candidate the

from reliable news sources. News reporting requires years of training and specialized skills, and there are ethics that govern responsible journalism. There are no such rules on social media, where anonymity protects those who spread lies and black propaganda masquerading as news.

At the same time, the Comelec must draw up penalties for established attempts

to undermine the integrity of the electoral process through fake news. Facebook previously revealed the identities of some of the persons engaging in CIB. The country also has cyber crime laws that can be applied in certain cases. As in other offenses, the prospect of punishment should serve as a deterrent against the spread of fake news.

(Philstar.com)

‘Bakit si Leni Robredo for president?’: Proven integrity, transparency, accountability and the heart of a true public servant Philippines needs during this very important chapter in our nation’s history. And it seems, all the different chapters of her life story have prepared her for this biggest calling of her life.

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

dream of becoming a vice president nor a president. But she knew she always wanted to be a lawyer like her father.

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

Universidad de Santa Isabel in Naga.

Leni’s parents raised their children in a modest family, instilling in them the values of faith, hard work, integrity and the commitment to be true public servants through their own life examples of fighting for justice and education.

These are the core values that

made Leni aspire to follow in her father’s footsteps.

Leni completed her elementary and secondary education in the same school where her late mother was a teacher. She went to the University of the Philippines in Diliman, stayed in a university dormitory living a simple and frugal life she was used to and

studied diligently to obtain her bachelor’s degree in economics in 1986.

While she promised her father that she would be a lawyer like him someday, she decided to work first to save money and help pay for her law education. She worked as a researcher for the Bicol PAGE 10

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Philippines beefs up security Tax experts clear Marcos of liabilities in tourism destinations

by Jomar

Canlas ManilaTimes.net

AS Philippine tourism moves towards its muchanticipated recovery, the Department of Tourism (DOT) joined hands with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to beef up security in tourist destinations across the country.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been signed between the three government agencies at the PDEA Head Office last March 14 in unison with the national government’s effort to step up security and safety of the general public, especially in the area of drugs-related crimes, a flagship program of the current administration.

“We welcome this latest collaboration with our country’s police force and drug enforcement agency

in an aim to provide greater deterrence and protection against the illicit trafficking of dangerous drugs in tourist destinations,” said Philippines Tourism Secretary Berna RomuloPuyat.

Branded as Tourism Operation Protection Against Illegal Drugs or the TOPAID, this latest partnership between the DOT, PDEA and PNP is a follow through to the TOPCOP program, the tourism security force assisting in maintaining peace and order within areas of high tourism traffic.

TOPCOP was established in 2011 and has trained 5,457 tourist police and put up 365 Tourist Police Assistance Centers (TPAC) in strategic locations across the country.

Under the new TOP-AID MOA, between the DOT,

PDEA and PNP, the parties agree to cooperate and render assistance to ensure further protection, safety, and security of tourists in DOT identified tourist destinations.

“Tourists safety and wellbeing is paramount in the design of the Philippines’ strategy to boost tourism in the country. A conscious and collaborated effort toward making foreign visitors feel welcome and safe are needed to make their stay in the country most enjoyable,” added Puyat.

On the part of PDEA, they have agreed to deploy appropriate manpower to TOP-AID centers in DOT identified tourist destinations. These tourist assistance and complaint desks will focus on drug PAGE 7

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

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

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

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

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

Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ManilaTimes.net photo

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

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

Marcos Jr. needs to “gather all the assets PAGE 7

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Bautista out, Ejercito takes last slot...

PAGE 1 Senator Risa Hontiveros.

Ejercito leapfrogged Hontiveros, who remained at the 13th slot.

There were also minor changes in the rankings compared to Pulse Asia’s February survey: broadcaster Raffy Tulfo and Antique Rep. Loren Legarda are still at the number one and number two spots, but former House speaker Alan Peter Cayetano is now third, overtaking former Public Works secretary Mark Villar.

Behind Cayetano is Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero at the fourth spot, followed by Villar (5th), Senator Win Gatchalian (6th), Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri (7th), Senator Joel Villanueva (8th), actor Robin Padilla (9th),

Senator JV Ejercito speaks at a campaign sortie in General Trias, Cavite.

and former vice president Jejomar Binay (10th).

Outside the top 14 are the following senatorial candidates: Former Senator Gringo

Contributed

Honasan (15th) Senator Richard Gordon (16th) Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV (17th) Retired Police General

7

Guillermo Eleazar (18th) former Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro (19th) former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (20th).

Earlier, Pulse Asia showed that presidential candidate and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is still leading the surveys, grabbing 56 percent of the respondent’s votes. However, it also showed Vice President Leni Robredo gaining nine percentage points, en route to a 24 percent voter share.

For the vice presidential race, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio managed to widen her lead, gaining the nod of 56 percent of the respondents compared to Senate President Vicente Sotto III who had a 20 percent voter share. g

Tax experts clear Marcos of liabilities...

BYGONE ERA. Dilapidated stairs remain in a property in Gapan, Nueva Ecija probably built in 1928 as engraved in the arched structure. The photo was taken Monday, April 4 in Little Vigan, inspired by the Ilocos Sur city famous for preserving its Spanish era houses and buildings.

PAGE 1 and all the liabilities... and then liquidate it. Then after paying the liabilities... after paying all the taxes they will submit to the court...partition of estates...he has to file an estate return,” he said, a process that takes time because some of the assets are considered to be ill-gotten wealth.

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

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

“That is why the estate has a separate TIN [tax identification number],” Abella, a tax law professor and bar reviewer, said. “It means that the government or the BIR in particular just needs to go after the estate itself.”

Abella said the power to tax involves the power to destroy, citing the case of McCulloch v. Maryland 17 US 316 (1819) — Chief Justice John Marshall, “Hence, it must be used judiciously and not treacherously.” “Lady justice is blind, let us not use our tax laws like Damocles’ sword; taxation is not a weapon but rather our equitable contribution to a just and civilized society. Justice must always be tempered with compassion and mercy,” he said.

Abella said President Rodrigo Duterte “cannot reverse the decision nor preempt and make the decision himself.

The tax code is clear on this.” The Marcoses “have been subjected to harassment since they left office, in fact, their properties have been subjected to auction, and have been sequestered,” he said.

Abella said the government can only get a fraction of the estate to be taxed and cannot be more than the whole property which is considered “unconscionable.” Several jurists who talked to The Times on condition of anonymity said that the tax claim could be covered by prescription.

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

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

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

Philippines beefs...

said.

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

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III wants the BIR investigated for failing to collect the tax due on the Marcos estate.

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

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

He said that on June 5, 1997, the Supreme Court affirmed “in toto” the Court of Appeals decision that the deficiency income tax assessments on the Marcos estate were final and unappealable.

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

Pimentel said the Filipino people “are suffering from the effects of recession due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the ongoing effects of the Russian-Ukraine war which have led to gargantuan fuel price increases almost overnight and, in turn, to great increases in the prices of basic commodities, transportation, and services.” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said the monthly cash aid of P200 to the poorest of the poor is not enough, and there would be funding problems if it is increased to P500.

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

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

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

PAGE 6 related concerns. They will also lead information drive on “Drug Free Workplace Program,” while assisting in drug clearing operations including apprehending any person engaged in illegal drug activities in coordination with the PNP and concerned local government units.

Meanwhile, other than

identifying key tourist destinations with hightourism traffic where TOP-AID centers may be put up, the DOT will also spearhead the training of these personnel on Tourism Awareness and the signature Filipino brand of service and hospitality that is world renowned.

(DOT Release)

PH remains under...

PAGE 1 mababa na talaga ang ating case rates (Decreases are now registered in all island groups in the country, and this is good news because we are seeing the decline in our case rates),” Vergeire said during the department’s media briefing on Tuesday, April 5.

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

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

According to DOH Technical Advisory Group member Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana, recombinant variants happen when two sublineages infect a person

at the same time, which enables them to combine into a single virus.

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

“We don’t really expect na mas mataas ang breakthrough infection ng (that there is a high chance of breakthrough infection on) any of these recombinants [than] their parent lineages,” Salvana said.

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

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APRIL 8-14, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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There are many things to do in Pahrump, NV Racing, biking, shooting among recreational activities for residents, visitors By realtor FelY QUiteVis-Bateman

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

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

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

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

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

It has North America’s longest racetrack at 6.1 miles, and there are signs, and perhaps already

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

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

Estates, luxury trackside homesites where homeowners will have access to all the amenities that Spring Mountain has to offer, which includes the Clubhouse Lounge, workout facility, and other services (e.g. massage therapist). What’s more, owning a home at the Spring Mountain Estates puts you minutes away from the cool, clear waters of Lake Spring Mountain where you can enjoy activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, flying on jetpack PAGE 10

In photo above are some of my big repeat investors – Dr. Pete Racoma, and Wilmer & Gerlie Comahig – who got approved for a 100-bed senior living resort on Homestead

in the works, of an expansion for additional track (as well as facility expansion) that will make the total racetrack grow to over 9 miles when completed.

It has generated excitement in the community as job openings have resulted with these expansion plans, with some reports saying that “Spring Mountain will be one of the most exciting places to work and build a long-lasting career.”

Incidentally, right next to the racetrack is Spring Mountain

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APRIL 8-14, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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Pacquiao vows to probe drug war deaths

by Franco Jose

c. Baroña

ManilaTimes.net

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

PNA photos by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

There are many...

PAGE 9 and more. There are 80 homesite lots (for home and mixeduse), 50 of which have been sold. As of now, there are 17 homes built or are under construction.

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

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

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

Golf, one of the popular sports in the country, has a presence in Pahrump with the Mountain Falls Golf Club, which is codesigned by famed architecture firms Nicklaus Design Group and Cal Olson Design. It is an 18-hole golf course and country club that is capable of hosting events of all types, be it weddings, holiday parties, corporate weddings and more. It has visually striking, breathtaking views, and is a must-visit visitors to the area.

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

Aside from these, there are many other activities to do in the area. Sports activities include leagues for soccer, basketball, baseball and softball. Residents can indulge in tennis, bowling, martial arts (karate, jiu jitsu, muay Thai) and even horseback riding.

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

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

Whether you want to consider Pahrump as your retirement place, your next residence or an investment, it has many factors going for it. Real estate prices continue to thrive in Pahrump and it is one of the many places that housing builders are looking at, especially with the skyrocketing land prices in Las Vegas.

Pahrump’s proximity to Las Vegas and it’s having less crime and big city problems make it ideal for those looking to settle down with their family in another area, or a prospect for those wanting to invest in their future.

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

My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has successfully helped its clientele find the best deals since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702-538-4948 for more information. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

(Advertising Supplement)

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

The Promdi standard-bearer said he will continue the anti-drug campaign but will focus on “killing drug suppliers.”

“Iimbestigahan natin ang sinasabing EJKs (extrajudi-

cial killings). Iimbestigahan natin ng mabuti. Hindi tayo basta-basta magbibigay ng conclusion (We will investigate the alleged EJKs. We will investigate carefully. We will not rush into a conclusion),” Pacquiao said during the second round of presidential debates on Sunday organized by the Commission on Elections.

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

“But let us also remember

that we cannot stop this war on drugs because the number of illegal drugs being caught in the country is increasing,” he said.

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

Another presidential aspirant, Dr. Jose “Joey” Montemayor Jr., said there is no need for an investigation to affirm that EJKs have been

committed by the government because the killings have been happening since the time of the late president Ferdinand Marcos.

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

He said “so many families are crying because their relatives were killed. May due process pa ngayon? Wala na (Is there still due process? None.)

The government is committing human rights violations right and left,” he said g

‘Bakit si Leni Robredo for president?’: Proven...

PAGE 5 River Basin Development program, a government agency responsible for integrated area development planning in the three provinces of the Bicol Region.

Serendipitously, it was through this temporary pre-law school job that she met then-program director Jesse Robredo, who was smitten by Robredo’s beauty, grace, intelligence and personality. As Leni shared on video, it was a whirlwind romance that lead to marriage in 1987.

Her parents, especially her father, were initially against it, but gave his blessings when Jesse made a sacred promise that he will help Leni graduate from law school and become a lawyer as she promised her parents.

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

In her video, Leni said she had to juggle her time being a student, a wife, a mother while in law school. She also had to work part-time to help pay for her tuition because the meager salary of mayor won’t be able to pay for all the expenses of their growing family. And so with blood, sweat and tears, and the grace of God, Leni graduated in 1992.

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

Leni Gerona Robredo in 1997.

In her video, Leni intimated how her journey to be a lawyer humbled her and made her realize how she wouldn’t have achieved her goal without God’s grace.

This sense of gratitude made her decide to use her profession to give back and help those in need.

Hence, Leni served in the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) in 1997.

From 1998 to 2008, Leni became the coordinated efforts of SALIGAN — a Nagabased alternative legal support group, encouraging young legal professionals to be leaders committed to visiting rural communities to provide legal services to people who couldn’t afford to hire their

own attorneys.

Under Leni’s leadership, SALIGAN also conducted legal advocacy to improve the system of delivering justice for all, by proposing amendments and new legislation based on the needs of marginalized communities. SALIGAN’s services later included helping women to acquire capital to participate in competitive markets.

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

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

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

Her advocacies in government are reflected by her committee leadership and membership. “During this time, she was Vice Chairman of two committees: Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability, and Committee on Revision of Laws. She was also part of the Committee of Appropriations; Bicol Recovery and Economic Development; Climate Change; Human Rights; Land Use; Local Government; People’s Participation; Rural Development; Suffrage and Electoral Reforms; Welfare of Children; and Women and Gender Equality,” her bio stated.

Among the laws she passed: Philippine National Railways Charter Extension - Republic Act RA10638, an act extending the corporate life of the Philippine National Railways for another 50 years which was enacted on June 16, 2014

Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 - Republic Act RA10742, an act establishing reforms in the Sangguniang Kabataan creating enabling mechanisms for meaningful youth participation in nation-building which was enacted on January 15, 2016 Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act - Republic Act RA10708, an act promoting fiscal accountability and transparency in the grant and management of tax incentives which was enacted on December 9, 2015 Open High School System Act - Republic Act RA10665, an act establishing and appropriating funds for the open high school system in the Philippines which was enacted on July 9, 2015 Graphic Health Warnings Law Republic Act RA10643, an act prescribing the printing of graphic health warnings on tobacco products which was enacted on November 15, 2014 Decriminalizing Premature Marriage - Republic Act RA10655, an act decriminalizing premature marriages which was enacted on March 13, 2015 Strengthening the Probation System - Republic Act RA10707, an act rationalizing and strengthening the probation system and amending the “Probation Law of 1976” which was enacted on November 26, 2015 Election Service Reform Act – Republic Act RA10756, an act rendering election service non-compulsory for public school teachers enacted on April 8, 2016 And then in 2016, another calling she had to heed: to be vice president of the Philippines.

(To be continued) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989. She was a news anchor, TV host and radio commentator and public service host for ABS- CBN and DZMM. She is now working on her advocacies independently, serving the Filipino audience using different media platforms.

You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud. com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos. Also on Twitter, Instagram: Gel Santos Relos

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COMMUNITY JOURNAL

11

How a son who jumped ship was able to petition his out-of-status mother, this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy THIS Sunday’s episode features Nanay Emi who wanted to legalize her status after she arrived in the U.S. on a tourist visa and overstayed in 2010.

After consulting with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, she was advised to wait for her son to first legalize his status and become a U.S. citizen. Only then could the son be able to petition his mother.

They had to wait patiently though, since Nanay Emi’s son, Jerome, was a crewman who jumped ship in 2004. Even though he was married to a U.S. citizen, he was unable to file for adjustment of status in the U.S. It was Nanay Emi who saw the news

of a new regulation in 2013 that could benefit her son: provisional waiver.

Jerome was able to safely return to the Philippines in 2015 to get his immigrant visa from the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

After three years, Jerome became a U.S. citizen, and he was finally able to petition his mother.

Watch this success story on a brandnew episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, April 10 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo.

Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free.

(Advertising Supplement)

JUMPSHIP SON HELPS LEGALIZE HIS MOTHER THIS SUNDAY (APRIL 10) ON CITIZEN PINOY. Did you know that family members can “spread the love” by helping each other legalize their status? Mommy Emi (left) came to the U.S. on a visitor’s visa and overstayed. Upon consulting leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right), she was advised to wait for her son to legalize his status in the U.S. first. But Emi’s son, Jerome, was a crewman who jumped ship and was not eligible to adjust status in the U.S. When the provisional regulations came out in 2013, Atty. Gurfinkel filed a provisional waiver so Jerome could get his green card in Manila, and eventually become a U.S. citizen, so he could petition his mother. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, April 10 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

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APRIL 8-14, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS NEW large-scale studies found that a high intake of artificial sweeteners (particularly aspartame and acesulfame-K, the most used ones worldwide) is linked to a 13 percent increased risk of cancer in general, with the highest probability for breast cancer and malignancies related to obesity. The research above involved 102,865 adults, studied from 2009 and followed up for 7.8 years.

Nearly 165 million adults in the United States consume artificial sweeteners. The worldwide market for artificial sweeteners is estimated at US$22.2 billion, and still increasing, with nearly $3 billion in the last two years. The statistics in 2017 show 41.4 percent of American adults and 25.1 percent of children use artificial sweeteners.

The sweeteners that are becoming more popular are “natural,” from Stevia rebaudiana leaves, like NuNatural, Splenda, Truvia, Stevia, etc. These natural sweeteners appear to be safe, with zero calories, and are an excellent substitute for sugar, especially healthy for those with diabetes mellitus.

While Agave has a low glycemic index, it has higher calories than granular sugar and has higher fructose content, which is not healthy.

Second booster?

The US FDA recently authorized a second booster (shot #4) for those 50 years old and older, and for those who are immunocompromised, at least four months after the first booster because of waning protection from the previous vaccinations. The Omicron sub-variant, BA.2, Stealth Omicron, is also part of this concern. Those infected with the original COVID-19 or the Delta and Omicron variants, even with the two shots and a booster, are not immune to Stealth Omicron or any other future variants. The second booster is aimed at protecting the most vulnerable. There is a high probability that the second booster might be recommended for everyone.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been infected with COVID-19 for the second time (the first one in November 2020, and last one onMarch 28, 2022). The most compelling

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Sweeteners and cancer 3 Filipino international designers you need to know in 2022

statistics came from an Israeli study that showed adults older than 60 who had the second booster were 78 percent less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who got only three shots.

Those who had been infected with COVID-19 now have some natural immunity, but vaccination is still recommended because immunity from the vaccine is much more protective and more stable than natural immunity. They are also recommended to have a second booster shot for better protection.

Ivermectin ineffective While we are all praying and hoping for medications that would prevent or cure COVID-19, which has so far killed almost 6.2 million around the world (more than one million in the United States, and almost 60,000 in the Philippines), we had high hopes for a veteran anti-parasitic drug called Ivermectin, which was introduced in the late ‘70s.

Anecdotal reports claimed it was effective in preventing the progress of early COVID-19 infection.

Several studies have been done since, and like this one performed on 10,467 outpatients screened for trial, 679 were treated with Ivermectin and 679 with placebo. The median age of both cohorts was 49 years old and 58.2 percent were females. The team found no substantial differences between the ivermectintreated and the placebotreated in the clinical course, hospitalization rate and length of stay, viral clearance, recovery, risk of death, and the number of days mechanical ventilation was required or time of death. Furthermore, there was no difference between the two groups in the PROMIS global-10 score or the mental component score.

COPD from GERD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is very commonly associated with smoking, which, over time, “burns” the lung tissues and renders them less efficient in the air exchange and production of oxygen for the entire body.

The lung tissues are basically destroyed and emphysema develops.

The person becomes short of breath.

COPD is the third leading cause of death around the world.

COPD could also be caused

by Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), where the sphincter (valve) between the esophagus (food pipe) and the stomach becomes incompetent (loose). Normally this valve is closed tight, preventing stomach acid and food from going back up (regurgitate) to the esophagus. The stomach normally produces hydrochloric acid to aid in digestion and keep the stomach content sterilized, free from bacteria. When the valve is not competent (loose), it allows the acid fumes to float upwards, which get inhaled by the person every few minutes, especially at night in bed. The acid fumes destroy the lungs, much like among smokers, albeit less with GERD. Those with COPD due to GERD could clinically present with bronchitis or bronchial asthma, necessitating the use of steroid inhalers, like Trelegy, Fasenra, Spiriva Espimat, etc.

Nebulizer using albuterol solution also helps ease breathing.

All these require physician supervision and prescription.

Sleep Apnea Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which has become a more known entity in the past three decades, is a serious medical condition if left untreated. Although many individuals with OSA snore, not everyone who snores has OSA. These persons have excessive daytime sleepiness, feel tired all the time, lack concentration, and have an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and cancer. Because they hold their breath for a long time while sleeping, the body and vital organs, including the brain, do not get enough oxygen. The pathology here is the soft palate at the back of the throat which has degenerated into a flimsy tissue that falls back and covers the airway When the airway is blocked, no oxygen gets to the lungs from the nose and mouth. This results in hypoxia (diminished oxygen level), which, when sustained for a long period of time, is dangerous. A heart attack could occur in this situation during sleep.

All those advertised gadgets for the nose or dental props are useless (a scam) because the pathology is in the throat. The Inspire implant is a surgical procedure and is not useful for everyone with Sleep Apnea. The standard proven

Their works are to be showcased at Asia Pacific Fashion Week 2022 in Los Angeles and Las Vegas

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

Their works are to be showcased at Asia Pacific Fashion Week (APFW) – a global platform for emerging fashion designers – on August 6, 2022 at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, and on August 13, 2022 in Decades Event Center in Las Vegas.

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

His favored sillouette, the “Philippine Terno” and its trademark butterfly sleeves, is combined with modern European aesthetics to create a decidedly “neo ethnic” look.

Christian’s creations have been featured in several fashion magazines in Europe.

Various Philippine embassies in Europe, recognizing his unique Filipino-inspired designs, have invited him to showcase his neo-ethnic clothes during important Filipino community celebrations.

Based in Milan, one of the world’s fashion capitals, Christian proudly raises the Philippine flag wherever his creations take him.

Indigenous weaves by MYET of care for Sleep Apnea is the use of a CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) machine that pushes in room air at a higher (prescribed) pressure to keep the airway open, preventing the flimsy tissue in the throat from collapsing and blocking the airway.

CPAP therapy ensures good breathing and oxygenation, freedom from snoring (spouses are grateful for this), improved and restful sleep, better concentration and alertness, and clearer mental faculties. Always using CPAP for sleeping or a nap also reduces the risk

Lionell Christian Lanuzo has a selfnamed fashion brand, LCL Photo by LCL

One of Lionell Christian Lanuzo’s creations.

Photo courtesy of Sujata Photography

Mayeth Codoy has a Norway-based label, MYET Photo by Emmelot

One of Mayeth Codoy’s creations.

Photo courtesy of Esmod Oslo

For Mayeth Codoy and her Norway-based label MYET, fashion entails showcasing the distinct beauty of the Philippine textiles – pinya (pineapple) and abaca (Manila hemp) – in such beautiful, modern masterpieces that are appropriate for both special events and everyday wear.

Mayeth, a 2020 graduate of Esmod Oslo (an affiliate of Esmod International School in Paris), was one of six international designers whose creations were featured last year in a fashion show

of the French nonprofit association Fashion for Foundation at the historic Salon des Miroirs on Paris’ Grand Boulevard.

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

Luxe fashions by Gnetz Designs Finally, Genette Mujar, the proud owner and CEO of Gnetz Designs, a clothing

of heart attack, stroke, and cancer. *** 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 Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 8-14, 2022

3 Filipino international designers...

PAGE 12 business she established in Vancouver, is another Filipina is making a name for herself in Canada’s fashion scene.

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

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

Genette finally summoned the confidence to pursue her big goal at the age of 50.

Genette’s hard workd paid off

when she received the “Best Achievement Award” from Vancouver’s Visual College of Art and Design, the fashion school she attended.

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

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

Indeed, these designers are drawing well-deserved

Genette Mujar, CEO of Gnetz Designs Photo by Canna Zhou

A Genette Mujar creation Photo courtesy of Vanity Wall

PSYCHIC

attention to Filipino glam – and Asia Pacific Fashion Week will be their newest global platform to showcase the diversity of Filipinoinspired fashions.

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

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

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

SERVICES

Syncing for a cause GK USA partners with Synchrony to help Typhoon Rai/Odette victims

WHEN Typhoon Rai ravaged the Philippines late last year, it wasn’t just the Filipinos living in the affected areas who felt its wrath.

The catastrophe caught the attention of global Pinoys, and roused them to action.

Gawad Kalinga (GK) USA was one of the organizations that served as forces of light amidst the gloom, drawing strength from other groups who shared its goal: To be in solidarity with those who lost loved ones and livelihoods, and help them get back on their feet.

Among GK USA’s allies in gifting the typhoon victims with hope is Synchrony, a financial services company based in North America.

Synchrony presented GK USA with a grant valued at $100,000. Having witnessed how GK’s work on-ground has touched lives and opened many doors for Filipinos, Synchrony is one PAGE 15

Synchrony Employees and Families Build Side by Side

Synchrony GK Village and Management Team

SERVICES

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N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY A P R I L 8 , 2 0 22

people events arts culture entertainment

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

by KLARIZE

N

MEDENILLA / AJPress

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

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

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

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

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

After winning Best Pop Vocal Album, Rodrigo dedicated her award to her parents, saying in her speech, “When I was 9 years old, I told my mom I wanted to be a gymnast even though I could barely do a cartwheel. She thought I was joking, but I was super defensive. So the next week when I told her I was going to win a Grammy, she was very supportive even though she probably thought it was just a little kid pipe dream.”

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

19-year-old Olivia Rodrigo took home three Grammys on Sunday, April 2, winning for Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album for “Sour” and Pop Solo Performance for breakout hit “Drivers License.” She was nominated for seven awards during this year’s award show.

Photo from Instagram/@OliviaRodrigo

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

Photo from Instagram/@

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

Photo from Instagram/@

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

Mars, known for his commitment to modernizing retro sounds, won Record of the Year for the song “Leave the Door Open,” the sultry soulful lead single Mars released as one-half of Silk Sonic, his current collaboration with musician Anderson .Paak.

Though Record of the Year is

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

Not to be outdone, the alreadyaward-winning R&B singer and musician H.E.R. also won her fifth Grammy Award on Sunday, taking home the award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for

“Fight For You,” for which H.E.R. had already won a Golden Globe award, Critics’ Choice award, and an Academy Award.

Though she didn’t win any awards on Sunday, Saweetie (real name Diamonte Quiava Valentin Harper) was the only female rapper nominated in the Best New Artist. She was also nominated for Best Rap Song for the catchy hit “Best Friend.”

As a half Black and half Filipino and Chinese woman, Saweetie has always been vocal

and proud of her mixed heritage.

In an interview with the Recording Academy, she said, “The reason why I share both sides is because I know there are Asian kids at home, Black kids at home, and it’s dope to represent where you’re from — because if I can do it, I know they’ll feel like they can do it. I try to share as much as my background as possible, so that kids who need inspiration can identify with me — and so they know that if Saweetie can do it, they can too.”

Though this year’s Grammy Awards certainly had an undeniable Filipino presence in its superstars, it is important to know that Filipino musicians and producers have always been part of Grammy history.

As part of the American folk group “The New Christy Minstrels,” the guitarist and vocalist Larry Ramos was the first Filipino — and the first person of Asian descent — to win a Grammy. In 1963, Ramos and the group accepted the award for Best Performance by a Chorus for their debut album, “Presenting the New Christy Minstrels.”

Filipino American songwriter and composer for musical theatre and film Robert Lopez is famously the youngest —and the quickest to become an— EGOT winner, winning at least two awards in the major American awarding bodies: the Academy Awards, the Emmy Awards, the Grammy Awards, and the Tony Awards.

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UPAAA launches music-focused Practice makes progress, says Joyce community outreach

By Alex

BrosAs Inquirer.net

Spring events showcase Filipino choral, folk and pop music SAN FRANCISCO — The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) proudly announces two Spring concerts that will showcase Filipino choral, folk and pop music, while raising funds for its scholarship programs. The concerts are Tempus, a hybrid recital at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana on April 28, and Alay Kay Inay (A Gift to Mother), a virtual preMother’s Day celebration on May 6.

“Music is our shared language across cultures, to paraphrase (Henry Wadsworth) Longfellow,” notes UPAAA President Jose M. David, Jr, MD. He adds, “Food is also something we all share. Filipino cuisine is now part of the mainstream in many parts of the country, centuries after the first Filipino landed in Morro Bay in 1587. And we hope that UPAAA’s efforts will help bring Filipino music and Filipino musical talent to even more US audiences.”

Featuring a performance of Chichester Palms by Leonard Bernstein, and the world premiere of Pastol, a choral devotion based on Psalm 23 by Filipino contemporary composer Eudenice V. Palaruan, Tempus is the final recital of Filipino conductor Emmanuel de Leon, Jr, a Doctor of Music Arts candidate at University of Notre Dame.

Like Palaruan, de Leon, Jr is an alumnus of the University of the Philippines, and the 2021 recipient of the UPAAA International Student Assistance Grant (ISAG). De Leon, Jr acknowledges, “I am a UP alumnus studying in the U.S., and the funds helped me continue my research, music encoding and video editing. I am grateful to UPAAA.” UPAAA is spearheading a fundraising campaign for Tempus. Among the donors is UP alumnus Dr. Francisco S. Sy, a professor of Public Health and chair of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health in the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He states, “I cannot imagine a world without music. It is an essential element of life.”

Beyond choral music, the playlist for UPAAA’s annual fundraiser Alay Kay Inay will feature music across various genres — from folk and Spanish-influenced to jazz, OPM (Original Pilipino Music) and U.S. pop.

UPAAA Community Outreach and Advocacy

Committee chair Joy Pasamonte Henry observes, “Filipino music reflects a rich history, including the influence of American pop music.”

This year’s Alay Kay Inay performers include: Sounds of Manila, the premier OPM band in the U.S.; the Awit Award-winning music icon Jun Polistico; emerging talent Kayla Tejero; and UP Alumni and Friends Rondalla of New Jersey, beloved music ambassadors (rondalla refers to a string instrument ensemble that originated in medieval Spain).

Three musical acts from the San Francisco Bay Area will also perform, including tenor and long-time choir director Leon Palad; singer Tiffany Carandang who performs solo, and as part of the band, The Aura; and vocalist Jacqui Naylor with multiinstrumentalist Art Khu, who are known for “acousting smashing,” an arranging technique that combines the lyrics and melody of a jazz song over the groove of a rock song, or vice versa.

UPAAA Ways & Means Committee chair Minnie Corpuz-Castillo, RN heads the allvolunteer team that is putting together Alay Kay Inay. She says, “This UPAAA signature event is our most heart-warming one. Mom plus music equals a combination that’s hard to resist, and we look forward to seeing our regulars in the audience, and welcoming new attendees.”

Tempus is a free event, and open to the public. Tickets are required for in-person attendance and can be obtained by emailing info@upaainamerica.org.

For further information, including the option to attend by livestream, visit the Sacred Music at Notre Dame website at https://sacredmusic. nd.edu/events/2022/04/28/smnd-choralconducting-recital-emmanuel-deleon/.

Alay Kay Inay is a virtual event, and open to the public. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/alay-kay-inay-a-virtual-mothers-dayconcert-tickets-304092397547. In addition, song and video dedications are available for $25 and $50, respectively.

Corporate sponsorship and patron

HOST and vlogger Joyce Pring thinks that practice and preparation are the things that can really make one’s career more interesting.

Pring explained how practice can make one competent in a craft, as can be seen in her Instagram page today, April 4, where she shared a short video of what practice does for her.

“Practice. And practice not just in my craft, but in the tiny habits that fill up my day,” she said. “99% of the things you see me put out online are a product of hours and hours of preparation.”

She shared that she makes it her practice to read books and keep herself updated on news and current events.

She also makes it a practice to watch people she looks up to, to “see how they

Joyce Pring

Photo from Instagram/@joycepring

carry themselves,” so she can apply the wisdom she learns from their journeys.

It is also her practice to “create structures, systems and schedules” to balance her career, family and personal growth. She also

encourages everyone to focus on “progress, not perfection.”

“What’s the saying?

Success is where preparation meets opportunity,” she stressed. “So, when the right opportunities come along, I’m ready.” g

Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars...

PAGE 14 Lopez’s first Grammy came in 2012 for Best Musical Theater Album for the hit stage musical “The Book of Mormon.” In 2015, he won Grammys for the soundtrack to “Frozen” and the film’s lead song, “Let It Go.”

The renowned producer Ramon Ibanga, Jr., better known as Illmind, has worked with the industry’s biggest names, and has been nominated for Grammys 10 times, twice winning for his extensive work — including “Everything is Love,” the collaborative album between Beyonce and Jay-Z. g

Syncing for a cause...

PAGE 13 of many staunch supporters of GK. Officers from Synchrony offices in the US and the Philippines have even participated in Gawad Kalinga activities.

Apart from that, GK USA created a fundraising page that was made available to Synchrony employees.

Setting a funding target of $25,000, GK USA was hoping for an outpouring of love, but they were overwhelmed with wave upon wave of generosity from the Synchrony employees. By the end of the fundraising period, GK USA garnered more than half of its target at $61,029 in donations.

“This is a true testament

of the bayanihan spirit of our Synchrony family,” shares Carlos Capucion, Synchrony’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager. “The help and support we have received was truly overwhelming and even though we are thousands of miles apart, we can sincerely feel the love and care for the Filipinos who have been impacted by the typhoon. It’s true that by joining hands, we can make a difference, and by working together, we can change lives!”

Edgar Calandria, one of the recipients of a home shares his deep gratitude, “Our old house was located alongside a river which would

opportunities are available. Please contact Joy S. Celo, MD at info@upaainamerica.org.

For media inquiries, contact either Lisa Boquiren or Joe Santos at press@ upaainamerica.org.

The University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America is a duly registered 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1981 in New Jersey by a group of graduates

overflow when it rained, bringing a foul smell that made my children sick. Our new home is such a big help to my family. With Synchrony and Gawad Kalinga, I saw and experienced true caring, sharing, and giving among everyone in the village.”

Healing from the physical damages and the trauma brought about by Typhoon Rai may not happen overnight, but having people moving in sync to help pick up the pieces eases the process. On behalf of its beneficiaries, GK USA expresses its gratitude to Synchrony and its employees for exemplifying bayanihan at a time when it is needed the most. g

of the University of the Philippines led by Dr. Arsenio Talingdan. We are a strong broad-based organization of alumni of the University of the Philippines working together on educational, charitable, cultural, and other meaningful projects that benefit alumni, the UP System, and the community in pursuit of common goals.

(UPAAA Release)

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