040822 - Northern California Edition

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Volume 21 - No. 14 • 14 Pages

T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER

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DATELINE ‘Our Guiding Star’: Cultural gateway installed in LA’s Historic Filipinotown FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

THE next time you drive through Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown, there’s a new landmark to see as the long-awaited gateway was installed on Friday, April 1.

The eastern entrance of Beverly Boulevard is now home to the Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway, officially named “Talang Gabay: Our Guiding Star.”

Standing 30 feet high and spanning 82 feet wide, the gateway features the work of Filipino artists Eliseo Art Silva and Celestino Geronimo, Jr. Blocks from the gateway is Silva’s “Gintong Kasaysayan” mural in Unidad Park.

The gateway has design elements that illustrate Filipino culture and its roots in Historic Filipinotown.

APRIL 8-14, 2022

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

California ends vaccination, test proof mandate for indoor mega-events The Golden State — once one of the nation’s strictest states in terms of COVID mandates — eases many pandemic-related mandates

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

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

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

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA

AJPress

Filipino WWII veterans leader Celestino Almeda dies at 104

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Fil-Am Nani Coloretti makes history in Biden’s administration

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CELESTINO Gonzales Almeda, a prominent leader of the Filipino World War II veterans’ fight for U.S. government recognition, died at 104 on March 27 in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Almeda, born on June 8, 1917 in Biñan, Laguna, Philippines, fought against the Japanese during their occupation of the Philippines in 1941. He retired as a 2nd Lieutenant in the recognized guerrilla forces of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) commanded by General Douglas MacArthur.

Retired Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project, wrote of Almeda: “He is the embodiment of Patriotism and Duty to County.

He survived the battles in WWII. He and his fellow veterans want to be remembered simply for the honor and privilege to serve for their Duty to Country.”

Almeda survived the horrific battles in World War II as one of the 260,000 Filipinos and Americans who fought under the American flag from Dec 1941 to September 1945.

He survived the war, but later experienced formidable challenges in pursuit of U.S. and

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

This means that individual venues, event

FREE-FOR-ALL. Campaign posters and tarpaulins of candidates for various elective posts hanging from electric wires virtually cover the signage Bago Bantay Health Center along Bukidnon Street in Quezon City on Wednesday, April 6. The Commission on Elections has designated common poster areas for election-related materials.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

NANI Coloretti is now the highest ranking Filipino American in the Biden Administration as the U.S. Senate voted Tuesday, March 29 to confirm her nomination as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget.

“Nani will bring strong leadership experience and the ability to inspire the next generation of Filipino American leaders in Hawaii and across the country,” said Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii. “I am proud to call Nani a friend, and I look forward to continuing to work with her in her new role at OMB.” Sen. Schatz was one of the 57 senators who voted to confirm Coloretti.

The Office of Management and Budget works with federal agencies to oversee the execution of spending programs approved by Congress.

According to Schatz, OMB is the largest office within the office of the president, “overseeing

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Fil-Am Remy Martin, Kansas rally to PH must break free from stun North Carolina for US NCAA crown political dynasties, make NEW ORLEANS – Filipino American Remy Martin nailed four triples to help the University of Kansas mount the biggest comeback in the history of the U.S. collegiate basketball national championship game to defeat North Carolina, 72-69, on Monday, April 4.

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

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

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

Kansas had trailed by 16 points at one stage, and seemed to be heading towards defeat against a fired-up North Carolina team who were chasing a seventh title after wins in 1957, 1982, 1993, 2005, 2009 and 2017.

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

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Marcos maintains lead as Robredo rises in March Pulse Asia survey

by XAVE

GREGORIO Philstar.com

MANILA — A newly released poll showed that former Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is still leading the presidential race by a wide margin, even as his numbers declined, while Vice President Leni Robredo, his closest rival for Malacañang, surged.

In a survey by private pollster Pulse Asia, Marcos dropped four percentage points to 56% from 60% in February, while Robredo leaped nine percentage points from 15% to 24%.

The poll was conducted from This composite photo shows former Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo.

Philstar.com photos March 17 to 21, capturing the

presidential debates of CNN Philippines and the Commission on Elections, which Robredo attended but Marcos skipped.

It was also during this time that Robredo held mammoth rallies across the country, including in Pasig City which was attended by some 130,000 people.

Marcos’ four-point drop was due to his decline in all regions and in all economic classes, except for A and B, which Pulse Asia still did not provide numbers for.

In contrast, Robredo posted two-digit leaps in Balance Luzon (+14), Class C (+13) and D (+10) and only declined by one point

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democracy ‘inclusive’ – study

by ZACARIAN

SARAO

Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines should do away with political dynasties and achieve “inclusive democracy” in order to address the burgeoning inequality in the country.

This was the finding of a study made by Ateneo School of Government Dean Ronald Mendoza, titled “Reducing Inequality in the Philippines: Rationale and Reforms,” which emphasized the country’s failure to liberalize its politics that causes bad governance.

In his paper, Mendoza pointed out that the country was not able to build a more inclusive democracy, which is crucial to making “upward mobility among people.”

“We managed to liberalize the economy, but we failed miserably to liberalize our politics. Eventually, even if you liberalize your economy, you will still hit a ceiling because of bad governance and because of that failure to liberalize politics,” his study states.

According to Mendoza, there are three facets of inequality in

the Philippines: “weak upward mobility in our economy, our vulnerability to disaster, and the concentration of power among just a few political clans.”

“All these affect our people in a deep way,” he said.

“It’s not very surprising that we are divided because we are very unequal as a country right now. Inequality is selfreinforcing. We need to break free from this anti-democratic, anti-inclusive growth trap.”

These gaps were then widened even further by the COVID-19 pandemic, said Mendoza.

“Under lockdown, there is a deep divide between the technology ‘haves’ and ‘havenots,’ creating a demarcation in resilience and crisis coping across students, workers, firms, and communities. Just to illustrate, several million students may be unable to enroll during the lockdown, due to factors such as lack of connectivity,” Mendoza said in his paper.

“Inequality is of interest not merely because of a desire for a more equal distribution of wealth,” he likewise said.

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APRIL 8-14, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

California ends vaccination, test...

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

The state’s decision to ease mandates at mega-events comes after California dropped the indoor mask mandate in most public places, only now

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

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

public safety protocols.

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

‘Our Guiding Star’: Cultural gateway installed...

PAGE 1 Among the symbols include the parol (star-shaped lantern associated with Christmastime), the gumamela flower also known as hibiscus, which pays tribute to frontline workers; and the sarimanok (a legendary bird in Maranao art that symbolizes good fortune).

The construction has a price tag of $587,000, according to a previous report from the Asian Journal.

“This project has been a labor of love by so many people in Historic Filipinotown. This beautiful, historic landmark will be a source of pride for the Filipino community, and will rightfully celebrate this vibrant neighborhood and the incredible contributions Filipino Americans make to the City of Los Angeles,” Councilmember O’Farrell, who represents HiFi, said last February.

In 2018, through a Council motion, O’Farrell committed an initial $152,000 for the Eastern Gateway Project and then identified additional funding for the completion of the landmark.

With full funding finally secured, the community and local organizations helped guide the process which led to design renderings that were released in June 2020. Construction began in March 2021.

“The key to building and enhancing the beautiful neighborhood we all know as Historic Filipinotown has always been community. The community has long advocated for more visibility and was committed to bringing the Eastern Gateway to life,” said LA Board of Public Works Commissioner Jessica Caloza, who played a leading role in the project.

A public community event

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

PAGE 1

“I was in the locker room at half-time smiling to my teammates, they thought I was crazy. I just said ‘Yo, we come out here in the second half and have fun, do what we was born to do, do what got us to this moment,’” McCormack said. “And we just executed.”

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

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

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

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

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

The Gilas prospect hit 4-of-6 triples and had three rebounds, one assist, one steal and a block. Filipino American Remy Martin helped the University of Kansas mount the biggest comeback (Philstar.com with reports from in the history of the U.S. collegiate basketball national championship game to defeat North Carolina, 72-69, on Monday, April 4.

Photo courtesy of Instagram/@remymartin1fk AFP)

highlighting the gateway is scheduled for May 7 in time for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

“Our community finally had a ‘win’ in 2002, when the City Council, under the leadership of then-Councilmember Eric Garcetti, officially designated a 2.5 square mile area just west of downtown Los Angeles as Historic Filipinotown,” said Joselyn Geaga-Rosenthal, community leader and Building and Safety Commissioner with the City of Los Angeles. “20 years later, we have another win: a majestic Eastern Gateway to Historic Filipinotown will rise on Beverly Boulevard! This was hard won - the result of 40 years of community advocacy getting key champions along the way, including this chapter today, from the City of Los Angeles and Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell.” g PAGE 1

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

Fil-Am Nani Coloretti makes history in... the implementation of the president’s vision across the Executive Branch. OMB also manages department and agency organization, the regulatory process, and ensures that funds appropriated by Congress are properly spent.”

Coloretti has led public, private and non-profit organizations to achieve outstanding results, with a focus on increasing opportunity for all. She was a Senior Vice President at the Urban Institute, an independent policy research organization and think tank dedicated to using evidence, insight, and analysis to advance upward mobility, equity, and shared prosperity all Americans.

Coloretti’s federal government service includes deputy

secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting CFO of U.S. Department of the Treasury, and Acting COO of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Before joining the Obama Administration in 2009, she served as Policy and Budget Director for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Her prior experience includes work in San Francisco to improve the lives of children, youth, and families; program examiner and Presidential Management Fellow in the Office of Management and Budget and work on the State of Hawaii budget.

Ms. Coloretti currently serves as an independent director on the board of the Bank of the

West. She is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, Strategic Advisor to Government Executives with the Partnership for Public Services, and has been independently recognized for innovation and leadership, receiving the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy Special Award for Policy Innovation, the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Alumni Achievement Award and the National Public Service award.

She holds a BA in economics and communications from the University of Pennsylvania and an MPP from the University of California, Berkeley. She was raised in Hawaii and currently lives in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband and together they have a son in college. g

Dateline USa

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Philippines beefs up security in tourism destinations

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

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

PH must break free from political dynasties...

PAGE 1 Inequality itself can derail economic growth, breed populism, and weaken social cohesion, he added.

“For these reasons, the challenge of our generation is no longer simply about reducing poverty. Reducing inequality is the key to political stability, crisis resilience, and sustained economic development,” Mendoza noted.

“Similar to the inequality trap scenario, the reform scenario described here is also mutually reinforcing—a spiral of citizens’ empowerment along the social, economic, and political spheres that tends to support sustained and inclusive economic growth and development,” he added.

Genuine competition, level playing field Also, Mendoza believed there should be a resurgence of “genuine competition in the market economy” and a “level playing field where abuses of market power and other anticompetitive behaviors are prevented.”

A key institutional innovation that could encourage this is the creation of a strong and independent competition authority, he said.

Meanwhile, during the presentation of the study in a

virtual town hall discussion held recently, Stratbase ADR Institute president Victor “Dindo” Manhit said the problem of inequality in the country is “crippling.”

“Inequality requires a multistakeholder strategy,” he said.

Manhit stressed the need for public-private partnerships, investments by the private sector, and a better environment for investment by the incoming administration by June 30, 2022, “with the hope that it can provide jobs, livelihood and income, and a comfortable life for many Filipinos in the long run.”

He then underscored the importance of a conducive environment, fostered by the government, for the private sector to prosper.

“The country’s next administration would need to exert a holistic effort for these challenges to be significantly addressed. We need a leader who acknowledges the important role that the private sector plays in development, especially through their investments across a wide range of sectors,” Manhit said.

For PHINMA Education chief operating officer Christopher Tan, the country should address the issues of access, completion, and employment to be able to tackle inequality.

Marcos maintains lead as...

PAGE 1 in Metro Manila.

Prior to the release of this survey, the Robredo campaign was saying that the polls that have been released have yet to capture the groundswell of support for the independent presidential candidate, which they said is seen in her massive rallies.

Meanwhile, voter preference for other presidential candidates were practically unmoved, with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso getting 8%, Sen. Manny Pacquiao with 6% and

Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson with 2%.

Marcos' running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, is also still leading the pack of vice-presidential candidates as she increased by three percentage points to 56% from 53%.

Lacson’s running mate, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, comes in at a far second at 20%, followed by Robredo’s running mate, Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, at 15%, and Domagoso’s running mate, Willie Ong, at 5%. g

Filipino WWII veterans leader...

PAGE 1 benefits promised him and to thousands of his fellow soldiers.

He was determined to fight for their benefits, but he did not realize how long this fight would last.

In February 1946, the U.S. Congress passed the Recission Acts, which denied the active duty status and revoked the U.S. nationality status of 200,000 Filipino WWII soldiers. Promised compensation were revoked and not made available for their wartime service.

Almeda helped organize a national action organization comprised of WWII veterans, civic leaders, community supporters to call attention to the injustice and inequality the Veterans suffered at the end of WWII. Almeda and his brothers in arms never wavered in their faith, hope, and trust in the United States. They confronted and appealed to Congress in pursuit of their case for equity. They were undeterred despite being denied repeatedly by members

of Congress, senior leaders at the Dept of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Army and relentless in presenting their case to audiences at civic events across the country.

A story of patriotism and duty to country Celestino Almeda lived with his family in Gaithersburg, Maryland and is survived by his daughter, Evelyn Campbell, and his sons, Roberto and Reynaldo, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His favorite quote was from General Douglas MacArthur: “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that contributions be made to the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project. https://filvetrep.org/ donate/ A Graveside Service was to take place on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd, Triangle, Virginia 22172. g

Celestino Almena with his Congressional Gold Medal

Photo courtesy of FILVETREP

“For access, the core market failure in the Philippine educational sector is the lack of supply of high-quality, low-cost education,” he said.

“There’s too much focus on diplomas instead of the skills needed by employers. The world of work is changing; more and more businesses operate through discrete projects and are less likely to provide employee tenure. Hence, they are looking at more specific skills rather than degrees,” Tan added. g

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 TOP-AID, 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 well-being 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

DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat

Inquirer.net file photo

centers in DOT identified tourist destinations.

These tourist assistance and complaint desks will focus on drug 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 high-tourism 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)

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APRIL 8-14, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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Da te lin e USa

PCGSF cautions public against fraudulent site, informs Filipinos in need of One Health Pass when traveling to the Philippines THE Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco (PCGSF) wishes to inform the public that based on Resolution 160-A dated February 3, 2022, as amended by Resolution No. 164-A dated March 10, 2022 of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), all arriving overseas Filipinos and visiting foreign nationals are still required to register at least three (3) days prior to their scheduled travel to the Philippines at the One Health Pass (OHP) portal (https:// www.onehealthpass.com. ph/) managed by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) and the

Department of Transportation (DOTr) One-Stop-Shop (OSS).

OHP registration is free of charge and is part of the border control and quarantine measures for all passengers entering the Philippines to prevent and/or minimize the local spread of emerging infectious diseases (EID). Such measures are intended to establish and reinforce a system in screening possible patients infected with EID, contact tracing, identification of the mode of the exposure to the virus, and implementation of effective quarantine and proper isolation procedures.

The public is also hereby informed that in view of the reported presence of a fraudulent website which poses as the official OHP website, and is now the subject of an investigation, the One-StopShop for the Management of Returning Overseas Filipinos (OSS MROF) warns all arriving international passengers seeking entry to the Philippines to check on the correct URL and to only use the official registration portal stated above.

To watch a video on the OHP guidelines, please visit: https:// bit.ly/3DjkUCm. (PCGSF Release)

City announces opening of Van Ness bus rapid transit system Completion of Van Ness Improvement Project increases transit efficiency, addresses traffic congestion, and upgrades City infrastructure SAN FRANCISCO — On Friday, April 1 , Mayor London N. Breed and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) celebrated the completion of the Van Ness Improvement Project and the opening of the City’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

The project, which includes red center-running transit-only lanes, upgraded pedestrian crossing signals and utilities, and new landscaping along Van Ness Avenue, will significantly improve transit service and address traffic congestion along the corridor.

“Today marks a significant step forward in our effort to transform transit safety and efficiency along one of San Francisco’s busiest corridors,” said Mayor Breed. “Not only does this project make Van Ness Avenue a more enjoyable place for residents and visitors to walk, bike, and take public transit, it also helps get people out of their cars. In order to have a San Francisco that is livable and healthy for our residents, we must reduce emissions from transportation and make it easier for people to get around in more sustainable ways.”

“The first of its kind in San Francisco, the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit System will provide easier commutes through the heart of our city – reducing congestion, improving safety and helping combat the climate crisis,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “As a proud representative for San Francisco, it was my privilege to secure more than $116 million in federal support for this critical project – one third of its total funding. Let us also salute President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg for helping to deliver world-class transportation options for Bay Area families by including funds for this project in the American Rescue Plan. As we work to Build a Better America, Democrats will continue fighting to expand clean, reliable public transit in San Francisco and across the country.”

The planned transit improvements are expected to cut travel times for Muni and Golden Gate Transit by a third. In addition to other improvements, highlights of BRT on Van Ness Avenue include: • Dedicated transit-only lanes physically separated from traffic

for Muni, Golden Gate Transit, and emergency vehicle use.

• Enhanced traffic signals optimized for north-south travel with Transit Signal Priority, giving buses the green light as they approach an intersection.

• Low-floor vehicles and alldoor boarding, making it quicker and easier for passengers to load and unload at each stop.

• Sidewalk extensions, median refuges, high visibility crosswalks, and audible countdown signals, enhancing pedestrian safety.

• Nine fully furnished northbound and southbound boarding platforms, which consist of seating and NextMuni prediction displays.

• Accessible Pedestrian Signals at crosswalks and the locations of boarding platforms.

Funded by Federal Transportation Authority (FTA) Formula Funds, Prop K funds, developer contributions, and other sources, the project also included extensive utility maintenance, civic improvements, and safety enhancements, which involved: • Replacing more than 22,000 feet of 1800s-era underground u PAGE 8

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APRIL 8-14, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Fighting fake news

OpiniOn & Features

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

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

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

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

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

mass behaviors to harass others or silence them.”

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

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

Beyond coordination, the Comelec must conduct a more aggressive campaign to encourage the public to get their information from reliable news sources. News reporting requires years of training and specialized skills, and there are ethics that govern responsible journalism. There are no such masquerading as news. rules on social media, where anonymity protects At the same time, the Comelec must draw up those who spread lies and black propaganda penalties for established attempts to undermine the integrity of the electoral process through fake

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

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

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

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

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

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

But she knew she always wanted to be a lawyer like her father.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In her video, Leni said she had to juggle her time being a student, a wife, a mother while in law school. She also had to

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

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

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

Hence, Leni served in the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) in 1997. From 1998 to 2008, Leni became the coordinated efforts of SALIGAN — a 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 nationbuilding which was enacted on January 15, 2016 Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act Republic Act RA10708, an act promoting fiscal accountability and transparency in the grant and management of tax incentives which was enacted on December 9, 2015 Open High School System Act - Republic Act RA10665, an act establishing and appropriating funds for the open high school system in the Philippines which was enacted on July 9, 2015

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

(To be continued) *** 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

There is a dire need for Filipino language access services in San Francisco

by South of Market CoMMunity aCtion network (SoMCan)

FILIPINOS have been a significant part of San Francisco and California’s history and society for more than a century, and a majority use Filipino (Tagalog) as a language. Not to mention the constant influx of Filipino immigrants from different regions in the Philippines with English as their second or even third language.

It is through language that our needs are conveyed and addressed in our daily lives and our society.

Proficiency in a language can mean the difference in having our needs met, fighting for our rights, getting justice, understanding the impacts of ever-changing policies, and receiving benefits that are due to us.

Filipino (Tagalog) was officially certified as San Francisco’s third language spoken under the Language Access Ordinance by the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA) on April 2, 2014. It was then expected that all city departments providing information or services to the

public were to fully implement required Filipino Language Access Services by December 31, 2015.

But eight years have passed and the full implementation of Filipino Language Access Services by the city of San Francisco remains to be accomplished.

According to the findings published in the report, Speaking Up, Speaking Out: Recommendations for Implementation of Filipino Language Access in San Francisco (2018), prepared by Valerie Francisco-Menchavez, PhD of the Department of Sociology and Sexuality Studies, San Francisco State University in collaboration with the South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN), Filipinos in San Francisco are in dire need of language access services, Filipinos speak English but comprehend in Filipino, and there are institutional barriers to Filipino language access.

Along with these findings is the fact that Filipino communitybased organizations are the ones providing the needed language access services that the city of San Francisco is unable to provide.

Although this can temporarily alleviate some of the lack in Filipino language access services, it comes at the expense of communitybased organizations and workers.

These community-based organizations and workers are doing unpaid and unfunded “double-duty” on top of their community work by providing Filipino language access services that includes translating and interpreting city and governmental documents.

Community workers would go as far as accompany clients to city departments or become liaisons between clients and city workers due to the lack of translators and interpreters in city departments.

It is therefore highly recommended that the Language Access Ordinance be fully enforced with the use of multiple strategies to increase Filipino Language Access; that the work of community-based organizations in providing culturally-sensitive, linguistically-competent, and context-specific language services be recognized; that there should be a Filipino interpreter and translator workforce development program in place; and to generate public awareness of Filipino as

a recognized language in San Francisco.

“It should be standardized. In translating documents, people should follow a particular style guide. I always propose that we use the style guide of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (Commission on the Filipino Language),” says Dr. Joi Barrios-Leblanc, senior lecturer at UC Berkeley whose expertise is in Filipino language and literature.

Dr. Barrios-Leblanc consulted with the OCEIA and was instrumental in determining and agreeing on an official Filipino language style guide. She offers a medium term plan and a short term solution to address this issue along with the city having “to invest in programs that will develop knowledge” in Filipino language services.

The medium term plan is “to have courses in colleges and universities that teach the language sufficiently and will include translation and interpreting courses.”

The short term solution is through providing Filipino language translation and interpreting workshops and encouraging translators to use the

official style guide in doing their work.

Dr. Barrios-Leblanc adds that it should be acknowledged that for some Filipino immigrants, “their own knowledge of Filipino (Tagalog) is not as good as their knowledge of their native languages.”

A big part of the problem is the assumed assimilability of Filipinos, that all Filipinos are fluent in English, and the lack of pride in Filipino language as a result of a colonial past. “[Filipinos] come to the U.S. with a lot of baggage in relation to language and class.

That’s really the problem.”

More Filipinos should advocate and not be ashamed of needing Filipino Language Services.

When a majority of Filipinos insist that they do not need Filipino Language Services, Filipinos will not get the services and support that is needed. Why would one expect the city of San Francisco to fund and implement something that seems not to be needed to begin with?

There is a dire need for Filipino Language Access Services in San Francisco. We strongly urge the city of San Francisco to fully implement Filipino Language

Dr. Joi Barrios-Leblanc

Access Services. We also strongly urge Filipinos to be proud of their own language and get the language access services that they need and deserve. *** 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.

*** Established in 2000, the South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) is a multi-issue and multi-strategy organization that nurtures the lives of youth, families, individuals and workers. The organization works on a wide range of issues—from tenant rights to community planning to Filipino language access to workers rights—and provide culturally competent direct services ranging from tenant counseling to family support to youth empowerment to employment.

For more information, visit www.somcan.org.

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

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • APRIL 8-14, 2022

7

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

by FRANCO JOSE

C. BAROÑA

ManilaTimes.net

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

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

"Iimbestigahan natin ang sinasabing EJKs (extrajudicial killings).

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

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

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

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

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

term.

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

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

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

The government is committing human rights violations right and left," he said. 

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

by GaBrieL

PaBiCo Inquirer.net

LaLu

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

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

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

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

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

According to Duterte, people become suspicious

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

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

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

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

Aside from openly endorsing the vice-presidential run of his

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

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

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

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

by JOMAR

CANLAS ManilaTimes.net

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

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

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

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

Former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

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

ManilaTimes.net photo

billion.

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

But Enrile said the job of an estate administrator “is to gather PAGE 8

8

APRIL 8-14, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

Lacson-Sotto back new franchise for ABS-CBN

by AngelicA

YAng

Philstar.com

MANILA — Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said on Tuesday, April 5 they are in favor of renewing the franchise of ABSCBN, which was denied two years ago by a House panel.

Lacson, an independent candidate, and Sotto, who chairs the Nationalist People's Coalition, are both running for the presidency and vice presidency, respectively, in this year's elections.

Asked if he was in favor of giving ABS-CBN a new franchise, Lacson replied: "Yes...I think that will enhance competitiveness or competition."

"There used to be only two networks. Right now, there's SMNI, TV 5, CNN. There are many others. But if you take one out, there will be less competition," he

said in Filipino.

Lacson pointed out the need to enhance the participation of the mass media in society, highlighting their role as watchdogs.

"I think if there is no media, there would be more abuses," he said.

Meanwhile, Sotto said he supports ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, citing a bill he filed seeking to revive the network's broadcast franchise.

On July 10, 2020, 70 lawmakers at the House of Representatives voted to reject the media giant's application for a new franchise, following through President Rodrigo Duterte's threats to shut the network down.

Six months later, Rep. Franz Alvarez (Palawan) of the House legislative franchises committee said the panel's decision is final as lawmakers who voted against it, did not file a motion for reconsideration.

Decriminalize libel, but...

Lacson, on Tuesday, promised to support any move to decriminalize libel, if elected as president.

"This is a perennial problem... but this is the catch- we'll decriminalize it, but we [will] put in...more teeth in the civil liabilities of the media because after all, you should be responsible with what you are writing or broadcasting," he said.

Press freedom and freedom of expression advocates have long called for the decriminalization of libel and cyber libel, which the UN Human Rights Council has pointed out is excessive and is incompatible with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Sotto, meanwhile, said he will focus on media protection WET MARKET. Fish vendors prepare pieces of bangus (milkfish) for their customers at their stalls inside the wet section of the Gapan market in and ensuring that national and Nueva Ecija on Tuesday, April 5. Gapan market is one of the big wet markets for different fish in Nueva Ecija.

PNA photo by Oliver Marquez local media practitioners will be assured of security of tenure. g

‘Stronger foundation of economic growth’

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Duterte administration is leaving behind stronger foundations for inclusive economic growth, Malacañang said on Tuesday, April 5, as it vowed to continue creating a market-friendly environment in its last few months in office.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said the administration has implemented “game changing reforms” in its relentless pursuit of economic growth that is “not only measured by statistics but can be seen, touched and felt by the Filipino people.”

He said reforms have benefited Filipinos and set the foundation for more resilient and sustainable growth and broadly shared prosperity.

“Through our joint efforts, we will continue to build a market friendly policy environment that reflects the shared vision and aspiration of the business, youth and civil society sector.

While many challenges remain, I am confident that we have shaped a better future for our economy and our people,” Medialdea said during the Philippine Economic Briefing at the Philippine International Convention Center.

“The Duterte administration

will continue to work towards smooth transition and leave public office with stronger foundations in place for inclusive sustainable economic growth,” he added.

Medialdea admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the Philippines’ path to upper middle-income status but expressed optimism that the disruption is only temporary.

He said the country was able to withstand the test to its fiscal stability largely due to the reforms implemented by the administration long before the health crisis.

The executive secretary cited President Duterte’s zero to 10-point socio-economic agenda that he said has increased the net take-home pay of workers, lowered the taxes of corporations, rationalized the fiscal incentives system, increased the Philippines’ competitiveness, promoted financial inclusion and digitalization and improved the ease of doing business in the country.

Medialdea also thanked the government’s partners in the business, youth, civil society groups, as well as the international community, which have consistently supported Duterte’s socio-economic reform agenda.

Rising prices In a statement, acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said the administration remains focused on mitigating the impact of the rising prices of goods on ordinary people.

“Our economic managers continue to keep a tight watch over inflation as it hits four percent in March 2022. They attribute this upward trend in transport, gas, other fuels among others,” Andanar said.

“Having said this, we will not relax in our efforts and will work twice as hard to address the national issue of higher prices,” he added.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said President Duterte’s “game-changing” reforms allowed him to “masterfully” steer the Philippine economy amid the pandemic.

He claimed that under Duterte, the Philippines “made the decisive shift from an inward-looking economy to one ready to compete with the rest of the world.”

“We have sailed through fine and rough weather. But President Duterte has proven to be a strong and steady captain of the ship. The waves may be high, but the ship of state has been masterfully steered,” Dominguez said during the Philippine Economic Briefing. g

City announces opening of Van Ness bus...

PAGE 5

water mains.

• Building an earthquakeresistant sewer system.

• Overhauling the emergency firefighting water supply system.

• Repairing Muni’s overhead contact system, which powers zero-emission buses.

• Installing an electrical duct bank to power traffic signals and Muni overhead wires.

• Updating streetlights and sidewalk lighting.

“We have long awaited today’s momentous grand opening and can’t thank the City and the Van Ness corridor enough for their patience and cooperation,” said Jeff Tumlin, SFMTA Director of Transportation.

“With a significant planned improvement in travel time for Muni and Golden Gate Transit, San Francisco’s first bus rapid transit system will serve our pedestrians, riders, motorists and wheel riders providing them with quick and safe transit, long lasting underground infrastructure and a beautified Van Ness Avenue.”

“The Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit corridor runs through

HOUSING

the heart of our city. These buses make it possible for San Franciscans get to work and school and provide direct access to so many of our wonderful small businesses,” said Senator Scott Wiener. “Now, riders will be able to get where they are going faster than ever before.

This is a very exciting day for San Francisco.”

“Congratulations to SFMTA and its partners on delivering the greatly improved Van Ness Avenue, featuring San Francisco’s first center-running Bus Rapid Transit,” said District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who is Chair of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority. “The Transportation Authority is proud to have helped lay the groundwork for this day by allocating almost $45 million to support every phase of this project. Thank you to all the building and construction trades workers and Muni operators who made this project happen, showing us that economic resilience and recovery, sustainable infrastructure, and good union jobs go hand in hand.”

History of Van Ness Improvement Project In 2003, 75 percent of voters approved the sales tax to plan rapid transit service on Van Ness Avenue. In September 2013, the Board of Supervisors, acting as the San Francisco County Transportation Authority Commission, unanimously approved the Van Ness BRT Project, the core of the Van Ness Improvement Project.

Construction of the project began in October 2016.

Today, the Van Ness Avenue corridor serves as a vital connector of neighborhoods and a regional link for travel between Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties. Van Ness Avenue is one of the busiest north-south corridors in the city, serving over 16,000 Muni customers daily on the 49 Mission/Van Ness and 90 San Bruno Owl bus routes as well as Golden Gate Transit customers.

It is part of the California State Highway System and US Route 101, a primary artery connecting Interstate Highways 280 and 80 with the Golden Gate Bridge.

(SF Mayor’s Office Release)

SERVICES

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last Monday, April 4, the Visayas chapter of Ikaw Muna

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

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

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

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

Tax experts clear Marcos of...

PAGE 7 the assets, gather the liabilities, and then establish the plan of partition, sell the assets to pay liabilities.” If the administrators are not able to sell the assets to liquidate the liabilities, and if they indicate this in their tax returns, no violation exists, Enrile said.

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

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

SERVICES

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 III 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

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Syncing for a Cause

GK USA partners with Synchrony to help Typhoon Rai/Odette victims

by ERIC

SAYNO

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 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

Synchrony GK Village and management team

Synchrony employees and families build side by side

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 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

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.

(Advertising Supplement)

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 brand-new 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.

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Olivia Rodrigo, Bruno Mars, H.E.R.: Fil-Am UPAAA launches musiccommunity outreach artists win big at the 2022 Grammy Awards focused Spring events showcase Filipino choral, Between Rodrigo, Mars, H.E.R. and Saweetie, the 64th Grammys were quite possibly the most Filipino Grammy awards

By Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

NO matter what part of the world they’re from, Filipinos everywhere know the value that music, performance, and skilled singing hold in the culture — there is a 99% chance that the Filipino reading this has, at one time, been begrudgingly forced to sing karaoke at a family gathering.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rodrigo — who hails from Temecula, California and is also an actress on the Disney

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/@brunomars

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

Photo from Instagram/@hermusicofficial

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 already-award-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.

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.

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 pre-Mother'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.”

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

What’s more, owning a home at the Spring Mountain Estates puts you minutes away from the cool, clear waters of Lake Spring Mountain where you can enjoy activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, flying on jetpack and more. There are 80 homesite lots (for home and mixed-use), 50 of which have been sold. As of now, there are 17 homes built or are under construction.

If cycling is your passion, a new bicycling group in Pahrump called Pahrump Valley Cyclists, is inviting the

community to ride with them, according to the Pahrump Valley Times. This social club gathers biking enthusiasts for fitness and for fun, and welcomes riders of all age levels and gender.

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

If walking or hiking is what drives you, there are many trails and parks in the area that are of interest. Among them are Discovery Park, Ian Deutch Memorial Park, Calvada Eye, Simkins Park and Petrack Park. These areas offer trails, opportunities for bird watching and nature-tripping, and wonderful

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.

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 co-designed 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, In photo above are some of my big repeat investors – Dr. Pete Racoma, and Wilmer & Gerlie Comahig Casino & RV Resort, Irene’s Casino and Terrible’s Road House Casino.

– who got approved for a 100-bed senior living resort on Homestead Road.

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, 805-5592476 and 702-538-4948 for more information. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

(Advertising Supplement)

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APRIL 8-14, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Features

Star Cinema films to air on GMA-7 celebrityworld

By Ferdie Villar

FILIPINO audiences have reason to celebrate as ABS-CBN and GMA-7 made a breakthrough deal on Tuesday, April 5 to license the airing of Star Cinema films at the Kapuso network.

The historic move is being hailed by many in showbiz as a dawn of a new age in Philippine television as the two networks have been bitter rivals over many decades, competing for the attention of viewers in the Philippines and abroad.

In an article in PEP.ph, GMA Network president and COO Gilberto Duavit Jr. was quoted as saying, “To us, we are very pleased because the significance of our partnership today ushers in the possibility of a far broader set of conversations, potential partnerships, and cooperation that will have the benefit not only mutually to GMA and ABS-CBN, but as importantly, if not perhaps more importantly, to the benefit of the public we both serve—the Filipino viewer.

“Looking forward, since we have, as they say, broken the ice, there is great optimism that these conversations will start and continue, and we look forward

Eat Bulaga! co-host Ryan Agoncillo recently revealed that he has struggled with alopecia.

He said that in past movies and TV series where he was included, he had long hair to cover his bald spot at the back of his head.

ABS-CBN file photo

to the possibility of this type of an opportunity again moving forward,” he added.

For his part, ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak said, “Every storyteller’s dream is to have as many people as possible experience their creations. Now, because of the kindness of our friends at GMA, we have the special opportunity to bring our Kapamilya stories to a new audience.”

“We hope the Kapusos find joy and inspiration in viewing our Star Cinema movies, and we also look forward to a new era of friendship and cooperation within our small industry.

Maraming salamat, Chairman Gozon, Jimmy, Annette, Philip, Joey, Joel, and all our other friends at GMA who have made this partnership happen.

Maraming maraming salamat po,” Katigbak added in the same PEP.ph article.

Star Cinema hits like “The Hows of Us” starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, “Hello, Love, Goodbye” starring Bernardo and GMA-7’s Alden Richards and “My Ex and Whys” starring Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil are among the toprated films that will be shown on the Kapuso network.

Other films expected to air include “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank,” “It takes a Man and a Woman,” “No Other Woman,” “The Panti Sisters,” “Isa Pa With Feelings,” “Feng Shui,” “Suddenly It’s Magic,” “Just the Way You Are,” “Fantastica” and “Finally Found Someone.”

Many viewers were excited when the Kapuso network started airing teasers about the start of a new age in Philippine television. The word “start” had the letters S-T-A-R highlighted, hinting at the possibility of a tieup between what have been the two biggest networks competing for bragging rights over Filipino viewership through the years.

The teaser ad also claimed that what was impossible before will happen when it comes to its library of movies being aired

Kapamilya stars Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo’s movie “The Hows of Us” will be among the Star Cinema films that will air on the Kapuso network as ABS-CBN and GMA-7 signed a historic agreement licensing the showing of Star Cinema movies on the Kapuso channel.

Inquirer.net file photo

over the network.

This, indeed, is an historic event that must be celebrated – two networks joining forces for the benefit of Filipino viewers both in the Philippines and abroad. Star Cinema movies will be the start; many industry watchers are salivating at the prospect of the two rival networks widening their partnership to include other segments/genres in the entertainment industry.

Congratulations to both ABSCBN and GMA networks! *** The slap that was heard around the world at the recent Oscar Awards has generated news stories after news stories. And most of these include the reason why actor Will Smith attacked comedian Chris Rock, stressing that the “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” star was displeased about the comedian seemingly making fun of his wife’s condition, alopecia.

(Chris Rock has denied that his G.I. Jane joke poked fun at Jada Pinkett Smith’s autoimmune disease, saying that he had no idea about the actress’ battle with alopecia.)

In a recent episode on Eat Bulaga!, co-host Ryan Agoncillo revealed that he has struggled with the autoimmune disease since he was 17 years old after a contestant on the show talked about her daughter’s experience with alopecia, which worsened after she tried a medication and later led to a bout with acute cancer in the blood.

He was taken surprise with the news, according to an article in PEP.ph, remaking, “I got surprised by what Ma’am Jenette said because I have been diagnosed with alopecia.”

“I was about 17 when I got diagnosed. It’s news to me that hair loss is not the only effect of alopecia,” he added.

Agoncillo then related to his co-hosts that he had to take weekly steroidal injections to help manage his condition.

He also revealed that even as was working on projects before, he had to hide a bald spot at the back of his head.

“I got diagnosed with it, but my condition, it’s recurring.

Every few years. I did not reach the point of total baldness,” he said.

“It did reach a point where it was not just a patch…it was as big as my hand, I did not have hair at the back of my head. In fact, there were some TV series before and some movies that I appeared in where the reason for my long hair was that we were trying to cover my bald spot,” he continued.

The segment in the popular variety show included Agoncillo asking the contestant Jenette Pitallar what she wanted to share by way of advice to parents whose kids have the same condition.

“For mothers who are in the same situation as myself, I hope we do not judge them… Let’s take care of them, look after them. Let’s give them our time while they’re here because we don’t know what fate will bring us,” she said.

“Katulad ko po, hindi ko naibigay lahat. Hindi ko naibigay yung one hundred percent sa kanya. Hindi ako perfect na mother, pero alam ko ibinigay ko yung kaya ko. Kaya kayo po, sana mahalin niyo po yung mga anak niyo, lalo na yung mga may sakit,” she added. g

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UPAAA launches music-focused...

PAGE 8 This year’s Alay Kay Inay performers include: Sounds of Manila, the premier OPM band in the U.S.; the Awit Awardwinning 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 CorpuzCastillo, 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-choral-conducting-recitalemmanuel-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-kayinay-a-virtual-mothers-dayconcert-tickets-304092397547.

In addition, song and video dedications are available for $25 and $50, respectively.

Corporate sponsorship and patron 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) nonprofit organization founded in 1981 in New Jersey by a group of graduates of the University of the Philippines led by Dr. Arsenio Talingdan. We are a strong broadbased 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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3 Filipino international designers you need to know in 2022 Their works are to be showcased at Asia Pacific Fashion Week 2022 in Los Angeles and Las Vegas 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,

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

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

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

One of Mayeth Codoy’s creations.

Photo courtesy of Esmod Oslo

Ryan focuses on businesses, wants to settle down

by Pat-P

Daza Philstar.com

BECAUSE of the COVID pandemic, the ensuing lockdown and the Netflix availability of Crash Landing On You, many Filipinos became addicted to Korean dramas in March 2020. There is no denying that Pinoys have embraced “K” culture wholeheartedly and are now avid consumers of its food, music, TV shows, make-up and even gadgets.

But there is one Korean who has done the opposite, embracing the Philippines and even thinking of himself more as a Filipino than a Korean: actor Ryan Bang.

Recently, Ryan was all over social media when Yeng Constantino openly admitted on It’s Showtime that she appreciated Ryan when he courted her back in 2010. Yeng, who is now married, admitted she was hurt when Ryan ghosted her. For his part, Ryan never thought he even had a chance with the singer/composer of Hawak Kamay.

But Yeng assured Ryan that he had an inexplicable charm and is grateful for the friendship they share. Ryan doesn’t have a girlfriend at the moment but is hopeful that he will find a suitable partner in the next few years so he can settle down.

Not many know that Ryan came to Manila in 2005 from Seoul after his parents split. His mom sent her only child to Manila to live with a good friend of hers. Ryan was enrolled at Reedley International School. In 2010, when he was in senior high school and the student council president, a classmate convinced him to audition for ABSCBN’s Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Teen Edition. He was the first runnerup to James Reid, that season’s big winner.

Though Ryan was the PBB second placer, he was invited to be a “hurado” on It’s Showtime. The rules had viewers voting to keep their favorite hurados, with those who didn’t get enough votes being kicked out. And what Ryan thought was going to be a brief stint lasted 48 weeks! To this day, Ryan is still with the noontime show. He also joined the cast of Banana Sundae and even had his own travel show on Studio 23 (later renamed as the ABS-CBN Sports and Action channel), Kaya Mo Bang, which was sponsored by a very successful food company.

Ryan is thankful that he is still the company’s endorser after many years. He shared that this endorsement might be traced to the day he was waiting outside ABS-CBN for a taxi when three high school students asked if they could interview him. He gamely accepted and answered their questions. To his surprise, a few days later, his road manager told him that there was an inquiry to get him as the food brand’s endorser.

He later found out that the three students were related to the owner of the food company. He’s still unsure, though, if the trio had a hand in what happened or if it was a mere coincidence. Whichever way you look at it, Ryan still feels so blessed that he continues to be the company’s brand endorser after 12 years.

From 2010 to 2020, Ryan focused on his showbiz career. In February 2020, he formed a company with his very good friend, Tommy Yoon.

Ryan decided that for this decade, the 2020s, he will focus on becoming a businessman as well. And so, Ryan and Tommy formed DUJABA Entertainment, which hopes to bring Korean artists to the Philippines. Unfortunately, the pandemic happened in March 2020 and those plans were put on hold.

Not to be disheartened, they opened a Korean Hair Salon named Moridu along Sct. Rallos street in Quezon City with a resident Korean hairstylist and has been a favorite among showbiz personalities. They also opened DUCUP, which serves affordable Korean rice dishes and is open for franchising.

Now that businesses are bouncing back thanks to the Alert Level 1 status of the National Capital Region (NCR) and other areas, Ryan’s business plans for the 2020s are back on track. He is hopeful about opening a full-service Korean restaurant soon, since he knows that K-food makes many Filipinos happy.

And what does the actor/host/businessman do to unwind on weekends? He goes to New Clark City to play golf, dines at any of the many Korean restaurants there, and visits the authentic Korean sauna Jjimjilbang.

There is no denying that Pinoys have embraced ‘K’ culture wholeheartedly. But there is one Korean who has done the opposite, embracing the Philippines and even thinking of himself more as a Filipino than a Korean — actor Ryan Bang.

Philstar.com photos

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

This inaugural edition of APFW is presented by the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, DTI Los Angeles office, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions

Genette Mujar, CEO of Gnetz Designs Photo by Canna Zhou

Lionell Christian Lanuzo has a self-named fashion brand, LCL Photo by LCL

A Genette Mujar creation Photo courtesy of Vanity Wall

One of Lionell Christian Lanuzo’s creations.

Photo courtesy of Sujata Photography

(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 coproduced 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.

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APRIL 8-14, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160