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APRIL 30-MAY 6, 2020

T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R

Volume 31 - No. 17 • 12 Pages

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

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

Nevada unveils plan to reopen as stay-at-home order extended to May 15 The first phase of the plan, which will begin in the next two to three weeks on or before May 15, includes testing and identifying close contacts of those said to be infected with COVID19 and wearing face coverings when going out for essential activities.

The governor touted that the previous stay-at-home order an-

by AJPRESS

the state’s economy in a tiered approach, and preparing the NEVADA is the latest state health care infrastructure.

“The next 15 days will be our to outline a coordinated plan to reopen its economy, Gover- active transition to reopen our nor Steve Sisolak announced on economy. While we will maintaining safety standards, we will Thursday, April 30.

Called the Roadmap to Re- be working businesses to make covery, Sisolak laid out goals sure the plans accommodate under the plan, which include the differences among the cities reducing the transmission of the and counties,” Sisolak said on novel coronavirus, reopening Thursday.

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch to happen?

PREMIER Boxing Champions owner Al Haymon is supposedly convinced a rematch between super WBA welterweight champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao and undefeated Floyd Mayweather, Jr. will happen sooner or later.

“Al thinks it’s coming,” said a source. “I love his thoughts. This crisis is affecting everybody, including Floyd and for sure, he wouldn’t mind making over a hundred million dollars when the situation normalizes.”

There is talk that boxing may be back in business in some parts of the US and Europe by June but under controlled conditions, including a limited audience. “The big names in boxing like Manny, Triple G, Canelo, Errol Spence and Anthony Joshua make a lot of money with the fans they pull in but we don’t know how long before fights are back and crowds are al-

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Pinay nurse, considered ‘Mother Hen’ at Kings County Hospital, dies from virus MARIA Guia Cabillon, fondly called by many as Mama Guia, spent more than three decades of her life as a nurse.

She was described as the “number one ally, caregiver and mom to the nurses and staunchly protected all the techs” and “a legend.”

Cabillon was the Head Nurse at Kings County Department of Emergency Medicine in Brooklyn, which has overtaken Queens as the epicenter of the novel coronavirus in the United States today.

She passed away on April 26 from COVID-19 after almost a month of battling the infectious disease. She was 63.

Rob Gore is one of the doctors who called Cabillon ‘Mama Guia.’ He said he sat next to Cabillon almost every night shift for close to 14 years. “[She is] one of the toughest, most feared and one of my favorite nurses,” Dr. Gore, an emergency medicine physician at Kings County, wrote on his online journal. “We talked trash to each other. She introduced me to her relatives in the U.S. and whenever possible we faced time

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BARANGAY CARES. Members of the Quezon City-Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) visit every barangay on board electric bikes along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Thursday, April 30. They use loud speakers to remind residents and other motorists to follow quarantine measures such as social distancing and curfew hours.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

COVID-19 cases in PH now at 8,488

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

NEARLY 300 new cases of the coronavirus have been recorded in the Philippines, the Department of Health said on Thursday, April 30.

The department announced 276 new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the country, bringing the official count to 8,488.

Ten new deaths were also reported, raising the death toll to Residents of Taguig will soon be able to undergo testing for the new coronavirus 568. Meanwhile, the 20 new redisease without having to step out of their vehicle as shown in a mock drive- coveries brought the tally of rethru test conducted on Wednesday, April 29 by city health officials for Health covered patients to 1,043.

Secretary Francisco Duque III.

Inquirer.net photo by Lyn Rillon

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire noted that 1,619 healthcare workers have tested positive for the virus.

Of the infected, 604 are physicians or doctors, 557 are nurses, 99 are nursing assistants, 63 are medical technologists, 31 are radiologic technologists, 17 are respiratory therapists, 18 are midwives, 13 pharmacists and 217 are other healthcare workers like dentists, barangay healthcare workers, and administrative aides.

Vergeire also said that 33 medical workers have died due to COVID-19, of which 24 are physi-

cians, and seven are nurses.

According to her, 92,822 total unique individual tests have been conducted by the COVID-19 testing laboratories nationwide.

“At 82,438 o 89 percent dito ay nagtala ng negative results, samantalang 10,245 o 11 percent naman ang nagtala ng positibong results. Muli, lilinawin lang po namin na ang total positive tests ay maaaring mas mataas sa total confirmed cases dahil ito ay dumadaan pa rin sa case validation and processing (about 82,438 or 89 percent here yielded negative results, while 10,245 or 11 per-

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PAL to fly repatriation flights to Manila from LA, NY Unwilling to retire, 81-year-old Filipino doctor in Las Vegas practiced until he died from COVID-19

by AJPRESS

PHILIPPINE Airlines will continue offering flights for filipinos who need to be repatriated from the United states amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The national carrier is scheduled to operate special flights to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport from both Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK).

The LA to Manila flights are scheduled on May 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. They will depart from LAX at 23:15 local time and arrive in Manila at 04:45 local time two days later.

The New York flights, meanwhile, are scheduled on May 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10. They will depart from JFK at 19:15 local time and arrive in Manila at 23:45 local time the next day.

The PAL also reminded that only Filipino citizens will be allowed entry into the country.

“All issuance for entry visas for visa-required foreign nationals were suspended by the Department of Foreign PAL in-flight crew with PAL president and COO Gilbert Santa

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Maria

Inquirer.net photo

Duterte offers P20M reward to any Filipino who develops respirator for COVID-19 patients

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is willing to give a P20 million reward to any Filipino who can develop a durable respirator that will be used to help patients who contracted the novel coronavirus, Malacañang said on Tuesday, April 28.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the respirators should “outlast” the lives of the patients.

“Nagbigay ng pabuya ang Presidente ng P20 million para sa sinumang Pilipino na makakabuo ng local respirator na sabi niya ay would outlast the

life of the patient. Ito po ay may kakulangan talaga sa respirators (The president has put up a P20 million reward to any Filipino who can create a local respirator that would outlast the life of the patient.

This is a result of the shortage of respirators),” he said in a virtual press briefing.

Duterte on Friday also raised the reward money for anyone who develops a vaccine against COVID19, saying it can go as high as P100 million.

“I am raising the bounty to P50 million because it is a collegial thing,” the president said in his address.

“Baka sa ligaya ko, another P50 million, kung

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by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

AT 81 years old, Dr. Arthur Tayengco had no plans of retiring and continued seeing patients at his private practice along Charleston Blvd in Las Vegas.

An obstetriciangynecologist for over 50 years, Tayengco practiced until he physically couldn’t anymore after he contracted COVID-19, the disease linked to the novel coronavirus. Dr. Arthur Tayengco, an 81-year-old “He loved medicine. OB-GYN in Las Vegas, died on April Contributed photo He just wouldn’t stop. 22.

I kept asking, ‘Don’t you want to retire yet?’ He would say, ‘No, I’m not done,’” his eldest daughter Michele Tayengco, told the Asian Journal.

Dr. Tayengco reportedly got infected in midMarch after two medical assistants at his office tested positive for COVID-19, according to his ex-wife Delia Tayengco, with whom he remained close.

He started exhibiting pronounced symptoms associated with the illness, such as a fever, cough and loss of taste. He was able to get tested for the disease and the result came back positive.

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april 30-MaY 6, 2020 • laS VEGaS aSiaN JOUrNal

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

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 30-MAy 6, 2020

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

From The FronT Page

Unwilling to retire, 81-year-old Filipino doctor...

EFFECTIVE? A worker sprays disinfectant on the sidewalks of Manila along United Nations Avenue on Wednesday, April 29. Disinfection efforts to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are becoming common worldwide but there are questions regarding the efficacy of spraying.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Nevada unveils plan to reopen...

PAGE 1 nounced last month has helped keep Nevada’s positive cases and deaths lower than most states.

Clark County has recorded 3,979 positive results and 202 deaths. Statewide, there are 4,998 cases and 243 fatalities, as of press time.

However, Sisolak said a tiered approach must be taken to reopen the state as to not overwhelm the health care system and spark a second wave.

“I have the unfortunate responsibility to remind you that the threat remains real,” he said.

The governor’s plan comes after the original stay-at-home order, which was set to expire on Thursday at midnight, has been extended until May 15.

He reminded Nevadans to continue to stay home to protect vulnerable groups during the first phase of reopening as there is no vaccine yet.

Certain retail businesses, including the possibility of some dine-in restaurants and personal care services, would be covered.

But it would not cover bars, nightclubs, malls, sporting ven-

ues and large areas of worship.

The prohibition of social gatherings with more than 10 people will continue for now.

As for casinos and gaming operators, the governor said the Nevada Gaming Control Board will be monitoring the situation with health authorities.

“Gaming will not be reopening at the start of phase 1,” he said for certain.

After each phase of re-openings, state public health officials will continue reviewing new COVID-19 case counts, hospitalizations and deaths in order to determine the next steps.

Sisolak declared a state of emergency on March 12, then closed K-12 schools three days later. Later in the month, he issued a directive closing casinos, gaming establishments and other non-essential businesses.

The state is set to begin easing some restrictions previously imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19, starting Friday, May 1.

Retail businesses, previously deemed non-essential, can start to reopen if they offer curbside pickup, as outlined by the governor on Wednesday, April 29.

Marijuana dispensaries are also included under retail.

“Our ability to enter the next phase and any subsequent phase of reopening will be determined by the continued commitment of Nevadans to follow aggressive social distancing guidance and requirements,” the governor said.

The relaxed rules also cover places of worship that can now have drive-up religious services on the condition that people remain in their vehicles and uphold social distancing.

Further, residents can head out to play golf and tennis but must keep safety and distancing measures.

Nevada and Colorado earlier this week joined Western states — which includes California, Washington and Oregon — to form a regional coalition focusing on jumpstarting their economies again.

“Millions of visitors from our fellow Western states travel to Nevada every year as a premier tourism destination, and this partnership will be vital to our immediate recovery and long term economic comeback,” Sisolak said in a statement. n

PAGE 1 Tayengco self-isolated at home until he told Delia that it was time to go to the hospital on April 5. She called 911 and paramedics took him away with a non-rebreather mask on.

The doctor stayed in the hospital for 16 days and was transferred to hospice care on April 21. In the early hours of April 22, he died.

He became the first practicing Filipino doctor in Las Vegas to die from COVID-19, according to Dr. Teresita Melocoton, a pediatrician who is the president of the Philippine Medical Association of Nevada, an organization of which the late doctor was a founding member.

Melocoton recalled Tayengco’s peacefulness and compassion — qualities she strived to emulate while attending to patients. He was also instrumental in helping her start her solo practice in the city.

“Every time I see newborns, the mother would always say, ‘I hope Dr. Tayengco will not retire because I want to have another child.’ That’s how good he was,” she told the Asian Journal.

Tayengco instructed hundreds of residents over the years, as he served as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Las Vegas School of Medicine.

His daughters estimate that the number of newborn deliveries he made over the course of his career would be equivalent to the student populations of four high schools.

“He loved the idea of being able to bring new children into the world. With every child that he met, he was always super engaged,” Tayengco’s younger daughter Stephanie, who lives in Washington, told the Asian Journal. “He would try to get on their level and speak to them both as children but also treating them like miniature adults.”

The extent of Tayengco’s medical work continues to surprise Michele and Stephanie as stories of him trickle in. When he was at home, he was foremost a father and made it a point to eat dinner each night, even if late, and attend Sunday mass together as a family.

During a company mixer some years ago, the husband of one of Michele’s co-workers came up to her and introduced himself by saying, “Your father saved my

mother’s life.”

“My father was so modest that when I recounted this story to him, he said, ‘From God through my hands,’” Michele recalled.

Born in Iloilo City, Philippines on October 18, 1938, Tayengco received his medical degree from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center College of Medicine in Manila.

There, he met Encarnita Tinio, a classmate who would later become his first wife.

Tayengco came to the United States in the early 60s for his OB-GYN residency at St Clare’s Hospital And Health Care Center in New York, while Tinio pursued pathology. He also completed a fellowship at Nassau County Medical Center.

The couple married in 1966 and had two daughters, Michele and Stephanie.

They moved west in 1972 after an opportunity was presented by Nita Pablico, a registered nurse in Las Vegas whose cousin was Tayengco’s childhood best friend.

Pablico had called him to say that her boss was looking for another doctor to help run the OB-GYN practice.

Tayengco worked with Dr. Kenneth Turner, a prominent physician in the city, for a year before venturing off in 1973.

“Art was one of the most caring doctors I have worked for. Some nights, he stayed alongside patients until they gave birth,” Pablico, who worked at Tayengco’s practice for 10 years, told the Asian Journal.

The practice, which was originally located inside a medical office building along Rancho Drive, was managed by his wife Encarnita until she died in 1986.

(Tayengco is set to be cremated and buried next to her at a local cemetery.)

Tayengco purchased a property for his practice on the corner of Charleston Boulevard and Darmak Drive in 2004. That was where he worked each day until his passing.

“He would have loved to pass his practice onto me and my sister, but neither one of us wanted to do OB-GYN. In the end, we both decided that we didn’t want to become medical doctors,” Michele said.

Though he lived in Las Vegas for 48 years, Tayengco was

Dr. Tayengco, a father of two daughters, is remembered as a compassionate and devoted physician. Photo courtesy of Michele Tayengco

still connected to his home country and took part in regular medical missions, his classmate Dr. Cefereno Cheng, a retired physician in Torrance, California, said.

“We’d organize medical missions back to the Philippines and go to provinces to help those in need. Of course, we wouldn’t forget to visit our medical school and see old friends,” Cheng said.

In addition to his daughters and ex-wife, Tayengco is survived by sisters Gloria Lopinco, Yvonne Pacquing, Rose Tayengco, and Anne Tayengco; and stepdaughter Guinevere Torres and her husband Gino, and their children, Gino, Gianna, and Giovanni.

Outside of his medical practice, Tayengco was fond of playing craps and watching a good game of basketball.

He was an avid reader, crediting Father Ian Madigan, a Redemptorist priest at his elementary school, for instilling in him a love for books. Tayengco’s favorite authors included Ian Fleming and Ernest Hemingway, whom his daughters suspect “influenced his love of hunting and fishing.”

The priest was also credited as a mentor who guided Tayengco to reach his potential.

In the 1985 book “Bringing Out the Best in People” by Alan Loy McGinnis, Tayengco was quoted as saying, “I don’t know where I’d be, if Father Madigan hadn’t noticed me and talked to me about my possibilities.” n

april 30-May 6, 2020 • laS VEGaS aSiaN JOUrNal

Dateline USa

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WHO: 6 candidate vaccines under study Pinay nurse, considered ‘Mother Hen’ at Kings...

by Mayen JayMalin Philstar.com

MANILA — Six candidate vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are under clinical study worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Monday, April 27.

But acting WHO country representative Socorro Escalante said it will take at least a year for a COVID-19 vaccine to become available to the public.

“WHO is inviting scientists, experts and institutions worldwide to participate in the efforts to develop a vaccine for COVID. At this time, there are six candidate vaccines being studied in various parts of the world,” Escalante disclosed during a virtual press briefing on Monday.

“The earliest a vaccine can be developed and released (for public use) is one to one and half year. That’s the shortest period to develop an effective vaccine,” she added.

According to Escalante, COVID-19 has already spread to 200 countries and afflicted 2.9 million people while 190,000 infected persons have died.

She said a vaccine should be developed to prevent the further spread of infection, which could easily be transmitted from person to person.

However, Escalante said the normal process of developing a vaccine really takes a while.

First, she said, experts should do research and development to identify a potential vaccine.

The process of research takes an average of six months before it could proceed to the laboratory

The process of research takes an average of six months before it could proceed to the laboratory followed by animal study, she said.

Philstar.com photo by Walter Bollozos

followed by animal study, she said.

“Then there is the clinical trial, which has three phases to test the efficacy and safety of the vaccine before it could be registered to the national regulatory authority that will again evaluate the vaccine before marketing,” she said.

Even after marketing authorizaiton has been approved, Escalante said the regulatory authority will still observe and monitor the safety of the vaccine while being used by the population.

While awaiting the development of the COVID vaccine, the WHO suggested to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prepare this early for the evaluation of the soon to be developed vaccine.

“The vaccine development will take time, in the meantime, we encourage the country to

prepare the regulatory process in terms of assessment and registration,” Escalante said while stressing the need for the Philippines to prepare a vaccine strategy to provide and prioritize the vulnerable population in the vaccination.

She said the Philippines has experts and may now prepare its capacity and technology for the local production of the vaccine.

In the absence of a vaccine, Escalante said the Philippines should focus efforts on non-pharmaceutical interventions such as washing of hands and coughing etiquette to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Health Undersecretary Maria Vergeire advised the public not to purchase and use drugs being marketed as vaccine against COVID-19.

She said that drugs to treat COVID are yet to be developed. n

PAGE 1 her family in the Philippines.”

Gore’s work at Kings Against Violence (KAVI), a nonprofit he founded to help at risk students, earned him a CNN Hero award in 2018. He praised Cabillon for her commitment, and that despite talks of retiring soon, she “fought alongside and in front of us” during this pandemic.

“She trained, groomed and nurtured countless healthcare providers around the world with her own unique style and voice. We will never forget you,” he added.

Cabillon is survived by her husband, four daughters and two grandchildren.

A GoFundMe page has been set up as a means to help bring her back home to Iloilo and proceeds will go directly to her daughters here in the United States, Fatima and April.

Fatima described her mother as selfless and as someone who loves unconditionally. She said she became a nurse as well because she wanted to follow her mother’s footsteps.

“I am who I am now because of you. I became a nurse because I admire you and how you treat your kids in the ER,” Fatima wrote. “You trained me to become a good nurse and most of all a better person, that I should always think about others first.”

“She was the glue that cemented and kept the ER staff they way it is. She ran a tight ship at the zoo that the ER can be and she ran it effortlessly,” the GoFundMe page described Cabillon. “Selflessly, she took all residents, attendings, nurses, EMTs, PCA, PCTs, techs, and many others under her wings

and treated us nothing short as her own children. Whatever she had, she would share.”

The initial goal of $30,000 has been reached, and along with it, an outpouring of support from coworkers, former patients and people whose lives she has touched.

It is evident in the testimonials left by some of the donors, including a resident who said Cabillon “taught us more about caring for sick patients than anyone else” and that she was dearly loved as she “has been a rock and mother to all faculty, residents and staff of the SUNY Downstate-KCH Emergency Medicine Department.”

“Words are insufficient to fully describe her,” Shane De Gracia, a co-worker at Kings County, told the Asian Journal. She has worked with Cabillon for six and a half years.

Asked about the biggest lesson she learned from Cabillon in those years of working together, De Gracia responded: selflessness and kindness.

“Mama Gui gave herself to everyone without asking for anything in return. She’s a giver and I’d say she is the epitome of what a giver is,” she added.

Cabillon is the first person they have lost in their department, following an ICU attending who died early this week and a pediatrics nurse who passed away a few weeks ago.

De Gracia says it has been “madness” and a “rollercoaster ride of emotions” when asked to

describe how it is working in a hospital right smack in the middle of the epicenter of the coronavirus in New York.

“At times you feel helpless for the patients. There were shifts where it has been so busy that you don’t even have the opportunity to mourn the patient before another critical patient comes through the door,” De Gracia said.

She also posted an emotional tribute to Cabillon on Facebook.

“HERO doesn’t begin to define you. Your love for the work you do is evident in everything you’ve done and how much you’ve affected every single life that was blessed to cross your path, be it nurse, PCA, PCTs, techs, doctors, patients, family members,” she wrote. “Your death is not in vain.

You did what you loved til the very end, which was to take care of others. I can only aspire to be an inkling of the kind of nurse and person you were. You devoted your life to the service of others.”

De Gracia also remembered how Cabillon was a mother to the nurses as she took them under her wing as if they were her own children.

“You protected us the way a mother lion protected her cubs.

You fed us, sometimes overfed us because you just won’t take no for an answer when you offered food.

You shared your wisdom and expertise as a nurse through the stories you’ve told and by simply seeing the way you work,” De Gracia wrote. (Momar G. Visaya/AJPress)

COVID-19 cases in PH now...

PAGE 1 cent yielded positive results. We just want to clarify that the total positive tests are higher than the total confirmed cases because they still go through case validation and processing),” Vergeire said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs recorded 33 new cases of COVID-19 among Filipinos abroad, bringing the total to 1,677 infections.

“The WHO Situation Report as of yesterday, records Europe and

Americas, both home to most of our OFWs, as the two regions with the highest total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the globe,” said DFA Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez.

Of the number, 367 cases were recorded from the Asia Pacific region, at least 483 in Europe, 356 in the Middle East/Africa, and 471 in the American region.

The agency also reported that 17 Filipinos recovered, bringing the tally to 451 — higher than the death toll, which is at 201. n

Duterte offers P20M reward...

PAGE 1 maligaya ako masyado (If I’m too happy I might add another P50 million),” he added.

Initially, the reward money was P10 million.

“Because COVID-19 is public enemy number one not only in the Philippines, but also in the whole world, the President is announcing that he will give a reward of up to P10 million to any

Filipino who can discover a vaccine against COVID-19,” Roque said on April 21.

Duterte also offered a “substantial grant” to the laboratories of the University of the Philippines and the Philippine General Hospital for vaccine development.

As of writing, there are 8,212 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 558 fatalities and 1,023 recoveries. n

PAL to fly repatriation flights...

PAGE 1 Affairs, while all previously-issued visas are deemed cancelled. The DFA circular adds that visa-free privileges of foreigner nationals are likewise temporarily suspended,” it said in its advisory.

“Exempted from this suspension are foreign spouses and children who are traveling with the Filipino national, foreign crew members, as well as foreign government and International Organization officials accredited to the Philippines” it added.

The PAL cancelled all domestic

and international flights until May 15 following the government’s extension of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. However, the flag carrier continues to operate repatriation and all-cargo flights.

It has operated flights to Vancouver, Toronto, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, London, Auckland, and a few Asian destinations since March 24.

The airline recently operated a Manila to London route to fly British nationals back and on the flipside, return Filipinos home. n

Pacquiao-Mayweather rematch...

PAGE 1 lowed in again,” said the source.

“Everyone’s hoping and praying this ends soon.”

For Pacquiao, the plan was to fight in Saudi Arabia in July with Mikey Garcia the leading candidate as opponent. Pacquiao himself confirmed that talks had begun to arrange the bout. When news came out that Mayweather was back in the gym, Pacquiao said his next opponent is now up in the air. “It depends on Floyd,” said Pacquiao, indicating who’s No. 1 in his wish list.

Pacquiao, 41, hasn’t fought since defeating Keith Thurman in Las Vegas last July while Mayweather, 43, is coming off a first round knockout over hapless Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Kasu-

kawa in an exhibition in Saitama in December 2018. Mayweather claimed he was paid $9 million for the stunt.

If the situation normalizes, Pacquiao could fight once this year in September or October or even in December, perhaps against Mikey Garcia. Saudi Arabia could be the host and will be able to control who enters the stadium to watch. When the crowds are allowed back in, then it would make sense to stage the Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch in Las Vegas next year for what could be their final fight. As for Top Rank CEO Bob Arum’s recent hint that Terrence Crawford may be Pacquiao’s next opponent, the source said Haymon wouldn’t hear of it. (Joaquin Henson/Philstar.com)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 30-MAy 6, 2020

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

Dateline PhiliPPines

‘Foreign travel unlikely this year’ by edu

Punay Philstar.com

MANILA — Plans to travel abroad after the two-month enhanced community quarantine will have to wait until next year, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

“International travel might not happen this year. At this point in time, traveling (abroad) is but a dream,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said during a virtual hearing of the House committee on tourism on Tuesday, April 28.

Puyat did not say whether such policy would cover domestic travel as she revealed plans for a “new normal” in the tourism industry.

The new normal will be implemented until a vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is found.

She said there would be mandatory regular sanitation or disinfection of hotels and accommodation facilities, tourism transport services and tourismrelated establishments such as meeting and exhibit venues, restaurants and spas.

Puyat said inspection of tourism establishments would be conducted regularly.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat

businesses and their workforce get back on their feet.

The DOT earlier implemented a moratorium on the collection of accreditation fees from new and renewing applicants from tourism enterprises (TEs) and tourism-related enterprises (TREs) for the year 2020.

The DOT and the Tourism Promotions Board waived participation fees in international fairs and exhibitions set between now and the end of 2021.

Under the proposed Philippine Economic Stimulus Act of 2020, the DOT will get at least P43 billion to assist affected businesses in the tourism industry.

During the hearing, DOT officials said they are planning to use P36 billion to extend soft loans to tourism enterprises, P4 billion for projects of the Philippine Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, P500 million each for domestic and international tourism promotion and capacity building for industry stakeholders training, and P1.5 billion for tourism crisis response by supporting private sector activities.

Puyat said the year-on-year revenue in the tourism sector dropped by 40 percent in the first quarter to P79.8 billion from P134.3 billion last year.

She said there were only 1.3 million tourist arrivals from January to March as compared to the 2.2 million in the same period last year.

The DOT pledged to bring home local tourists who are stranded in various tourist sites in the country due to the enhanced community quarantine.

The agency welcomed the approval by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) of its request to charter and fund sweeper flights for qualified stranded local tourists from other regions to the National Capital Region.

There are at least 2,390 local tourists stranded in various places in the country.

Stranded tourists can get in touch with the DOT regional offices and wait for the schedule of Philstar.com photo sweeper flights. n

Sanitation and disinfecting devices, including personal protective equipment, will be provided for tourism workers.

She said the DOT would pursue the development of online systems that can facilitate tourism-related transactions digitally such as applications for accreditation, training and modules, and retail.

Hotels are advised to establish systems for contactless check-in, where guests can simply get their keycards and proceed straight to their rooms.

Hotels may have to do away with breakfast buffets that require guests to use the same serving spoons to get food.

Instead, hotels will provide bento boxes, expand their kitchens and institute better spacing of tables to allow proper social distancing.

Puyat said the DOT plans to limit the capacity of tourism transportation, restaurants and tourist spots such as parks, museums and meeting/convention facilities.

Aside from these plans for the new normal, she said the DOT implemented the Tourism Response and Recovery Program during the initial stages of the pandemic to help tourism-related

IS-linked groups monitored in Marawi

by JaiMe laude

regrouping of IS-Dawla Islamiya forces in the Bubong-kapaiTagaloan II and Butig-Sultan MANILA — Terror groups Dumalondong-Marogong corwith links to the Islamic State ridors.

(IS) have been sighted in Marawi The areas straddle the border City and nearby areas, accord- of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon ing to a non-government conflict and Lanao del Sur and Iranun monitoring group. corridor in Maguindanao.

In a special bulletin, the Inter“There is a distinct opportunational Alert-Philippines (IAP), nity to prey on the deflected atsaid monitoring by the Lanao tention of the state as the central del Sur Emergency Response government redeploys military Network showed evidence of assets to support pandemic-rePhilstar.com

lated activities,” the IAP said.

The group said tension, pressure and violence brought about by the national health emergency is compounding the problem with terror groups.

The IAP conflict monitoring system recorded over 300 conflicts related to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in the Bangsamoro region and Eastern and Southern Mindanao from February to the first week of April. n

Working seniors in Luzon allowed to go out during quarantine

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

WORkINg senior citizens in Luzon will not be placed on house arrest during the enforcement of the general community quarantine, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease clarified on Thursday, April 30.

The task force reminded those with significant health risks and of certain age groups that they should remain in their homes unless they must perform essential activities.

“Any person below twentyone (21) years old, those who are sixty (60) years and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities, or other health risks, and pregnant women, including any person who resides with the aforementioned, shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, except when indispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices,” it said.

Several senior citizens earlier this week appealed to the government about its directive of prohibiting senior citizens and young people from going outside during the quarantine period.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, a member of the IATF, explained that the ban was just an “overall policy” due to the vulnerability of the aged segment to the coronavirus disease.

“The operating guidelines are to be issued. Of course, the seniors who are actively working or running businesses will be allowed. We will use [an] ID system,” he said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also reminded senior citizens they are vulnerable

members of society.

“There are many grandmothers who called and wanted to pinch me due to the supposed house arrest for senior citizens.

To our elderly, that is not true because our President and most Cabinet members are senior citizens,” he said in Filipino.

“You will not be completely locked up but I repeat that studies show the elderly people are vulnerable. You may leave the house to get essential goods and services and work in authorized industries,” the spokesman added.

Quarantine’s age restriction slammed The Employers Confederation of the Philippines on Wednesday, April 29, pointed out that the regulation restricting those aged 60 and above, as well as the young or 20 years old and below, from leaving their homes could lead to job losses.

“By that simple regulation, you blacklist the 18 to 20 and the senior citizens from work, which can be permanent,” said ECOP president Sergio OrtizLuis Jr. “They say senior citizens are endangered. Fine. But you have to help them, not make their lives difficult. Don’t discriminate against them. [Y]ou think you’re protecting them. No, you’re harming them. You’re harming the economy. That [regulation] wasn’t well thought of,” he added.

Meanwhile, 1-Pacman Rep. Enrico Pineda, head of the House of Representatives’ committee on labor and employment, called the restriction “arbitrary,” citing statistics from the Department of Health that showed the age bracket 50 to 59 make up 24 percent of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country, and that the 60

to 69 bracket make up 26 percent.

“Thus, the age bracket 50 to 69 years old represents 50 percent of all cases. Therefore, if the age bracket 50 to 59 is not covered by the extended lockdown, so, too, should be the 60 to 69 age bracket,” he said.

He also said that the 70 to 79 bracket only make up 14 percent of the cases.

“What then is the basis of the DOH rule that 19-year-olds and below, [and] 60-year-olds and above must suffer [during] the extended lockdown period? It appears to have no real basis and therefore arbitrary,” Pineda added.

Rep. Ron Salo of kabayan party-list, chairman of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, believed that the regulation was “inhumane at worst or ill-thought of at the least.”

“No less than our president, most members of the Supreme Court and Cabinet officials, as well as chairpersons of most companies, belong to this category,” he said.

“Protecting them from COVID-19 does not justify complete disregard of their civil liberties as well as their right to gainful employment and practice of their profession,” he added.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. also slammed the ban, taking to Twitter to express his frustration about senior citizens barred from going out. “go ahead, house arrest seniors with disposal incomes — and let’s see how far the economy goes — one a half and flat on its face—with just the young unemployed running around malls taking selfies without a f*^king cent in their pockets,” he said in a tweet. n

MEAT SHOP ON WHEELS. A mobile meat shop, owned by a businessman, makes a stop at the corner of Agham Road and North Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, April 29. The mobile meat vendor makes the rounds of barangays in Quezon City to sell fresh meat products so residents need not go to public markets and run the risk of contracting COVID-19.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Economic losses from COVID-19 onslaught hit P700B

by Pia lee-BRago Philstar.com

MANILA — Economic damage from the coronavirus outbreak and lockdowns enforced to control the contagion have reached P700 billion, Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary karl kendrick Chua said on Thursday, April 30.

The assessment is based on around 244,000 answers to two surveys of consumers and enterprises collated by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) last month.

The goal was to gauge how the pandemic, and government efforts to contain it, have affected households and businesses.

“We are not projecting, in general, a positive economic growth for 2020,” Chua told an online forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines on Thursday.

“We would rather be conservative and flatten the curve so when we open up the economy, we won’t have regrets,” he added.

In a text message, Budget Undersecretary Laura Pascua said

economic managers are set to release next week a new set of macroeconomic targets, which have undergone several tinkering as a result of evolving distractions from the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Apart from taking into account the damage from COVID-19, economic officials also had to amend assumptions to consider the rebasing of gross domestic product (gDP) data to 2018 prices from the old 2000 prices.

Originally, the Duterte administration targeted to grow the economy by 6.5-7.5% this year before the pandemic messed with its plans. On Thursday, Chua provided journalists a rough calculation of zero growth for the entire year, which roughly translates to P1.1 trillion in economic costs from the coronavirus.

“The only thing we are sure of is that we’re not really sure of the trajectory of the economy,” Chua said.

While for the first quarter the economy may still surprise on the upside, Chua said the health crisis already dented chances of growth for the rest of the year.

“In fact, it can be slightly nega-

tive,” he said.

Last March 17, President Duterte placed Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), a move that effectively paralyzed business and commerce in the main island that generates 70% of the country’s economic output.

The quarantine had since been extended until May 15 for “highrisk” places including Metro Manila and key cities like Cebu and Davao City, while other areas like Davao de Oro will transition to a more relaxed general community quarantine (gCQ).

As some businesses in areas with gCQ status prepare to resume operations, Chua is optimistic that the economy will bounce back by June. “That I think is a very clear indication that we are getting towards some end of the tunnel,” he said.

Back at the finance department where he served as undersecretary for nearly four years, Chua helped craft the government’s four-pillar economic plan, a blueprint of immediate government responses to the virus’ impact.

He is now tasked to develop PAGE A7

Karagdagang kaalaman sa Filipino (Tagalog) ay makikita rin sa website ng Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan sa: www.clarkcountynv.gov/vote.

NOTICE TO ELECTORS OF CLOSE OF REGISTRATION FOR ALL-MAIL PRIMARY ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY JUNE 9, 2020 IBINIBIGAY ANG ABISONG ITO na ang Tagapagtala ng mga Botante ng Lalawigan ng Clark, Nevada, ay magsasagawa ng pagpaparehistro ng mga karapat-dapat na mga manghahalal para sa Pangkalahatang Koreo na Pangunahing Halalan na gaganapin sa Martes, Ika-9 ng Hunyo, 2020.

Sino man ang karapat-dapat na manghahalal na ang pangalan ay hindi nakikita sa opisyal na talaan ng pagpapatala ay maaaring humiling para sa pagpaparehistro sa pamamagitan ng koreo o online sa paraan na pinagtibay ng batas ayon sa mga huling araw na nakatala sa ibaba..

Ang mga huling araw upang isapanahon ang iyong umiiral na pagpaparehistro ng botante sa pamamagitan ng koreo o online sa oras para sa Ika-9 ng Hunyo, 2020, Pangunahing Halalan at makakatanggap pa rin ng isang pangkaraniwang koreong balota ay nasa ibaba. Pagkatapos lumipas ang mga petsang iyon, ang mga botante na ninanais na gumawa ng mga pagbabago sa kanilang impormasyon ng pagpaparehistro ay kinakailangang gawin sa pamamagitan ng magkaparehong araw ng pagsasaahanon na pamamaraan, alinman sa online o sa personal, at sila ay maaari lamang bumoto ng isang papel na pansamantalang koreong balota ng personal sa Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan. Kami ay mahigpit na naghihikayat sa iyo na gumawa ng kahit anung kinakailangang pagsasapanahon sa lalong madaling panahon upang ikaw ay makaiwas ng pagpunta sa Tanggapan ng Kagawaran ng Halalan. Tingnan ang bahagi ng “Pagsasapanahon ng Iyong Umiiral na Pagpaparehistro” para sa karagdagang impormasyon.

2020 PANGKALAHATANG KOREO NA PANGUNAHING HALALAN MGA HULING ARAW AT ORAS NANG PAGPAPAREHISTRO NG BOTANTE Pamamaraan ng Pagpaparehistro Ipadala sa pamamgitang ng koreo ang iyong aplikasyon ng pagpaparehistro ng botante sa: Lalawigan ng Clark Sentro ng Halalan 965 Trade Drive, Suite A North Las Vegas, NV

Online lamang www.registertovotenv.gov

Petsa

Oras

Martes, Ika-12 ng Mayo

8 n.u. – 5 n.h.

Miyerkules, Ika-13 ng Mayo hanggang Huwebes, Ika-4 ng Hunyo 24 oras hanggang 11:59 n.g. sa Ika-4 ng Hunyo

Ang Nevada at batas na pederal ay inaatasan ang mga unang beses na nagpaparehistro na magbigay ng isang pagkilala na numero (Nevada lisensya sa pagmamananeho o ang huling apat na numero ng kanilang social security na numero). Kung ito ay hindi nagtugma sa talaan na pinapanatili ng Kagawaran ng Sasakyan o Social Security Administration, ang nagpaparehistro ay kinakailangang magpakita ng pagkakakilanlan bago bigyan ng pahintulot na bumoto. Mga uri ng umiiral at wastong pagkakakilanlan kabilang ang Nevada Lisensya sa Pagmamaneho, Nevada Pagkakakilanlan na Kard, Pagkakakilanlan na Kard ng Militar, O isang kopya ng kasalukuyang pahayag ng kagamitan, pahayag ng bangko, tseke para sa sweldo, o kasulatan na ibinigay ng isang sangay ng pamahalaan, na nakatala ang pangalan ng nagparehistro, at direksiyon ng tirahan. Ang mg taong ito ay nabigyan ng pahayag sa pamamagitan ng koreo sa pangangailangan na ito.

PAGSASAPANAHON NG IYONG UMIIRAL NA PAGPAPAREHISTRO Pagsasapanahon sa Pamamagitan ng Online: Kung hindi ka maaaring magsapanahon ng iyong umiiral na pagpaparehistro ng botante sa pamamagitan ng koreo sa Ika-12 ng Mayo, 2020, ikaw ay maaari pa rin magsapanahon sa website ng Kalihim ng Estado sa www.registertovotenv.gov hanggang Ika-4 ng Hunyo, 2020 (Huwebes).

Ika-13 ng Mayo hanggang Ika-21 ng Mayo: Kung isinapanahon mo ang iyong pagpaparehistro sa pamamagitan ng online sa pagitan ng Ika-13 ng Mayo (Miyerkles) at Ika-21 ng Mayo, 2020, (Huwebes), sa loob ng isang linggo ikaw ay makakatanggap ng isang pangkaraniwang koreong balota kasama ang naisapanahon mo’ng pangalan, presinto, partido, at iba pa, gaya ng naaangkop.

May 22 to June 4: Kung isinapanahon mo ang iyong pagpaparehistro sa online sa pagitan ng Ika-22 ng Mayo (Biyenes) at Ika-4 ng Hunyo, 2020, (Huwebes), ikaw ay maaari lamang bumoto ng isang papel na PANSAMANTALANG KOREO NA BALOTA NG PERSONAL SA LALAWIGAN NG CLARK KAGAWARAN NG HALALAN, NA KAILANGAN MO’NG IBIGAY KAAGAD-AGAD. Ang direksiyon ay 965 Trade Dr., Suite F, North Las Vegas, NV. Hindi mo maaaring dalahin ang iyong balota papalabas ng gusali. Ang iyong papel na pansamantalang koreo na balota ay magkakaroon ng lahat ng labanan at kandidato na mayroon sa isang pangkaraniwang balota. Ito ay naiiba mula sa pangkaraniwang balota na mabibilang lamang pagkatapos ng pagpapatunay na: (a) Ikaw at karapat-dapat na bumoto ng isang balota sa kasalukuyang halalan; (b) Ikaw ay hindi bumoto ng higit sa isang balota sa magkaparehong halalan; (c) Ikaw ay nagpakita ng katanggap-tanggap na pagkakakilanlan nuong ikaw ay bumoto; at (d) KUNG kinakailangan, ikaw ay nagbigay ng katanggap-tanggap na pagpapatunay ng paninirahan.

NAPETSAHAN APRIL 14, 2020

JOSEPH P. GLORIA Tagapagtala ng mga Botante

PUB: Ika-23, 30 ng Abril at Ika-07, 14 ng Mayo, 2020 Las Vegas Asian Journal

6

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

APRIL 30-MAY 6, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

FEATURES

Waiting for the national ID

PILOT testing began in September last year, and all Filipinos living in the country were originally scheduled to start registering this July for the Philippine Identification System.

PhilSys is the first-ever national ID system to be implemented in the country. Rights advocates had expressed concern over privacy breaches, particularly because the system will record every transaction using the ID card. Supporters of the program point out that those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear, and that the information contained in the cards are already in the databases of various government agencies.

Concerns were also raised about possible data breaches and inaccuracies as well as duplication, identity theft and other cyber crimes in the implementation of PhilSys. The Philippine Statistics Authority, in tandem with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, exerted effort to address such concerns.

The first phase of the program involves demographic and biometric recording. The pilot test for the program, to initially cover select beneficiaries, is supposed to run from September 2019 to June 2021.

Mass registration can then proceed until mid-2022.

Now, amid the confusion and complaints over the distribution of the multibillion-peso social amelioration program for the coronavirus disease

2019 pandemic, there are people who want the national ID fully implemented ASAP. A national ID would have facilitated the targeted distribution of aid, starting with the hardest-hit impoverished households. The ID system can also allow direct payouts to beneficiaries, bypassing epal politicians who may take credit for dole-outs of tax money.

Resources for the cash aid are limited, especially with revenue sources drastically reduced by pandemic quarantine measures. Distribution of the limited funds requires efficient prioritization of beneficiaries. Instead, there have been complaints of barangay officials playing favorites and giving the cash aid to friends and supporters, and bypassing needy households.

There is no way the PhilSys can be rolled out fully for the ongoing community quarantines. But this crisis is expected to linger for many more months, until a COVID vaccine or cure becomes commercially available. Millions of Filipinos will continue to need assistance in the near future. The national ID program can still be speeded up and used to make life easier in this pandemic. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Pope Francis warns of a deadlier virus spreading: selfish indifference The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THE coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 213,824 people in the world, and has changed life as we knew it before its spread was initially reported in January 2020.

In an effort to stop the spread of the virus, many governments around the world have enforced lockdowns, quarantines and shelter-in-place orders, forcing many businesses, schools, and public services to close and mandating people to stay-athome or work from home, while most have to be laid off or be furloughed for an indefinite period of time.

The pandemic also affects not just the economy of every family, every city, every nation, but of the whole world in this interrelated global community.

These social distancing safety measures have totally shaken and threatened the basic needs of many families, disrupting schools, and livelihoods. For a privileged few, the effect was not as ominous — it is just an

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ NEVER in the history of the world since 1918 did we ever see a highly contagious virus like this. Some historians are even likening this pandemic to a World War, where the enemy is unseen yet deadly, with 210 countries and territories or even more now affected.

The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic infected 500 million people (representing about a quarter of the global population then) with fatalities estimated at 50 million. The pandemic lasted for two-and-a-half years, with the impact so devastating.

There was no flu vaccine and no medication then to treat the secondary infections that came with the disease.

This COVID-19 is expected to be around for sometime until a vaccine or a cure is found.

If only China had reported the new coronavirus outbreak early enough, things might have been different. Today, the actual number of infections and deaths is still relatively unknown with a number of countries still unable

inconvenience from not getting their hair or nails done, not being able to shop, not being able to eat out, party, or travel, and for most, boredom. All of these to save lives.

Amid the anxieties and challenges to our comfort zone coming from the many layers of uncertainty, some people have been protesting against social distance safety measures, focusing on financial losses, downplaying the threat to life of the pandemic, thereby forcing the community to be more vulnerable just so these people may be able to “go back to normal” despite the reality that the threat to life remains.

We have become stubborn and demand to have our “civil liberties” back, forgetting that we are in a war -- war against the invisible but fatal common enemy, and that during wartime, we give up most of these civil liberties because our primary goal as one nation, as one world, is to LIVE. We forget that while we have rights and liberties, our liberty ends when we encroach in the rights of other people.

This is what is happening right now. We become blind to the fact that not complying to social distance safety measures mean we encroach on the

rights of other people to be safe and alive, just because we allow our selfishness to determine that these so-called “rights” are more important than the rights of others to be safe and to live during this war against the pandemic.

Many forget that we are in this together and that not acting as one just impedes our healing, prolonging our agony and pain when the virus spread resurges. This disregard causes us to focus on what is good for us and us alone, forgetting the rest of our people, when in fact, the affliction and infirmity of one become an affliction and infirmity of all during a pandemic. In the end, we all lose the battle because we fail to think beyond our own needs, wants, and interest.

Pope Francis calls this the “virus of selfish indifference.”

“Now, while we are looking forward to a slow and arduous recovery from the pandemic, there is a danger that we will forget those who are left behind. The risk is that we may then be struck by an even worse virus, that of selfish indifference. A virus spread by the thought that life is better if it is better for me, and that everything will be fine if it is fine for me. It begins there and

Pope Francis

ends up selecting one person over another, discarding the poor, and sacrificing those left behind on the altar of progress.

The present pandemic, however, reminds us that there are no differences or borders between

Philstar.com photo

those who suffer. We are all frail, all equal, all precious.” *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different

platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@ icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.

Relos.

The race for a COVID-19 vaccine to detect infections or even report casualties.

The United States has been severely affected by this pandemic with over 925,000 infected and about 60,000 deaths projected so far. The US is now on top of the race to find the vaccine and is undoubtedly one of the most advanced in the field of biotechnology. A number of molecular biologists and scientists have been working tirelessly to find the vaccine for COVID-19.

Other developed countries like Japan, the UK, France and Germany are also racing to find a cure for COVID-19, with 70 potential vaccines currently under development. The number one ally of the United States, Israel – also recognized as a world leader in biotechnology – has made a lot of headway in discovering a cure for the coronavirus.

The US Patent and Trademark Office has granted a Tel Aviv University professor a patent for technology that could develop a COVID-19 vaccine in a matter of months. By reconstructing the Receptor Binding Motif or RBM (called the “Achilles heel”) of SARS-CoV-2 or the new coronavirus, the body’s

immune system can learn how to block the virus from target cells. While vaccines normally go through a long process to secure approval, the US FDA can authorize the use of an experimental drug in emergency situations like this COVID-19 pandemic.

A coronavirus drug by Israel biotech company Pluristem Therapeutics is also being tested in the US, with promising results as seven patients experiencing respiratory and multi-organ failure survived after receiving the medication. Pluristem uses allogeneic placental expanded (PLX) cell therapy that can reverse the overactivation of the immune system which causes the body to attack its own organs – resulting in death among many critical coronavirus patients.

PLX cells work by secreting therapeutic proteins that help the body regenerate and reduce inflammation. With the technology, a single placenta can treat over 20,000 people, the company said.

In the Philippines, President Duterte has offered P50 million to any Filipino who could develop a vaccine against COVID-19.

This is not farfetched, because

we have a number of Filipino medical scientists that are also working on finding a cure.

Having good international relations nowadays counts more than ever, with many countries collaborating today in finding a cure for COVID-19. Our alliances with developed countries such as the United States, Israel and many others are key because in the end, cooperation is critical in this warlike battle.

The United States has allocated an additional $5.3 million (P269 million) in health and humanitarian assistance to help the Philippines fight the pandemic. The call of President Trump to President Duterte was important, with the two leaders committed to continue working together in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

Our relationship with Israel is now at its best most especially because during the Nazi regime in Germany, President Quezon welcomed Jews fleeing from the Holocaust to the Philippines when other nations closed their doors. The Jewish people are forever grateful for that gesture. I’m also very pleased to have developed good relations with the AmericanJewish community in Washing-

ton, D.C. President Duterte’s state visit to Israel, the first and only Filipino president to do so, has made an impact in our relationship. We can count on Israel in many ways to help if and when they develop a cure for COVID-19.

While we try to minimize our casualties, imposing lockdowns is very difficult because of the big population especially in the metropolis where people live side by side, making it extremely difficult to impose social distancing. Senator Bong Go’s “Balik Probinsiya” proposal encouraging people to go back to their provinces is a good idea to help disperse the population in the very congested Metro Manila. As Bong Go pointed out, the congestion in Metro Manila will more likely spread the virus which is exactly what happened in Singapore on the second virus wave where immigrant workers lived in a dorm-like area.

Government financial assistance to people and businesses as an incentive to relocate to the provinces might even be what we need in the long term to bring progress to the countryside as more jobs will be created from micro, small or me-

Photo by Vincent Ghilione on Unsplash

dium enterprises. During times like this, we need to look for innovative and creative solutions.

Let’s all pray that a vaccine will be developed sooner than later. We all know it’s the only final solution to this horrific plague. More than anything else, we should all do our best and be cooperative. When all is said and done, it will ultimately be our faith in God that will pull us through. (Philstar.com)

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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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 30-MAy 6, 2020

‘Balik-Probinsya’ part of new normal – Palace

by catherine

VaLente ManilaTimes.net

SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go’s proposed Balik Probinsiya Program (Back to the Province Program or BPP) will be a “top priority” as the country shifts to the “new normal,” Malacañang said on Wednesday, April 29.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said government agencies had started to finalize the relocation of people from Metro Manila and other urban centers to their home provinces.

“So, ‘yung mga gusto nang bumalik na ngayon (those who wish to return to their respective provinces), we’re finding ways and means, subject to the quarantine requirements,” Roque said in a television interview.

“But the long-term program will be threshed out. But that’s now become a top priority.

Huwag po kayong mag-alala (Do not worry). It’s forthcoming,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte backed the proposed BPP, saying that having a fresh start in the provinces would give a sense of hope for people amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Go on Wednesday said the national and local governments should begin drawing up a stable and conducive policy environment that will entice stakeholders and investors to start businesses in the provinces.

“Habang patuloy nating nilalabanan ang Covid-19, pinaghahandaan na rin natin ang ‘new normal’ kung saan kaya nating harapin ang epekto ng krisis na ito sa ekonomiya at sa pang-araw araw natin na buhay. Nais nating siguraduhin na makakaahon ang bansa at magiging mas handa sa anumang krisis na daratin (while we continue to fight Covid-19, we are preparing for the new normal

Senator Bong Go

that will allow us to face the effects of the crisis. We have to rise from the pandemic and be more prepared for other crisis that may come),” Go said.

He explained that motivating city dwellers and incentivizing businesses to relocate to the provinces would be the long-term goal. Key programs of different agencies that can help promote the BPP must be identified and prioritized.

“Bukod sa gusto nating umuwi sa probinsya ang mga Pilipino mula sa mga siyudad, tulad ng Metro Manila, isa sa mga layunin ng Balik Probinsya Program ang pagsigurong handa at kaaya-aya ang mga probinsya para sa mga bagong negosyong ipapatayo ng mga mamumuhunan (We want those in the city to return to their provinces, thus, the program aims to make these provinces attractive to businessmen),” Go said.

The senator said the policies that the government and local government units might come up with would complement the objectives of the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira) now pending in the Senate. The bill, which seeks to reform the corporate income tax and incentives

ManilaTimes.net photo

system, will provide a fair ground of tax collection and incentive for urban and rural areas, and benefit local and rural communities with the new investments coming in.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd and acting National Economic and Development Authority Director-General and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua believe that passage of the Citira bill will reinforce the BPP. Chua says the grant of tax incentives can be more targeted to the provinces since the present system grants the same incentives regardless of the location of a business in the country.

And by giving more incentives for new business in the countryside, Chua believes that investors can invest outside of Metro Manila and other metropolitan areas.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año told local government units to start preparing for a peaceful environment for businesses under a post-lockdown scenario for the success of the BPP. “If we want the proposed BalikProbinsiya Program to succeed, then we must ensure peace and order in all provinces,” Año said in a statement. n

ISOLATION FACILITY. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has converted 10 40-foot container vans into isolation facilities for COVID-19 patients at the Quirino Grandstand, Manila on Wednesday, April 29. According to the Department of Health, there are 8,212 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country as of April 29, with 1,023 recovered and 558 deaths.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

De Lima slams ‘foul, unfair’ exclusion from virtual Senate sessions

MANILA — Sen. Leila De Lima denounced the Senate leadership’s decision to exclude her from participating in the chamber’s virtual session, calling it “foul and unfair.”

“This is petty politics,” the detained lawmaker said in a statement Thursday, April 30.

Senators filed a resolution seeking to amend Senate rules to allow teleconferencing in conducting legislative proceedings amid the novel coronavirus crisis, which prompted the government to prohibit mass gatherings.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III told Rappler that De Lima— who has been detained since participation in Senate hearings De Lima said.

February 2017—may not be able via electronic means,” De Lima “If my colleagues really beto participate in virtual sessions said. lieve in the role of the Senate because she remains under the In August last year, Senate in our democracy, I should be jurisdiction of the courts and the Minority Leader Franklin Drilon allowed to participate regardPhilippine National Police. and Sen. Panfilo Lacson filed a less of my political affiliation and De Lima, a former Justice sec- resolution seeking to allow their views,” she added. retary, said Sotto’s statement is detained colleague to participate De Lima has been detained “completely and absolutely mis- in the chamber’s plenary ses- since Feb. 24, 2017 for allegedly peace and stability,” the state- informed.” sions through teleconferencing. having a hand in the proliferation ment read.

“The ruling of the Supreme They argued that De Lima “has of drug trade in the New Bilibid Just last week, Foreign Affairs Court on this matter is clear. The the mandate to participate in the Prison during her stint as Justice Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. only limitation brought about by lawmaking process and delibera- chief. She has vehemently deconfirmed that two diplomatic my detention is my mobility and tors of proposed legislation.” nied the allegation, saying the protests were filed at the Chi- ability to travel. As long as I stay “I reckon that if I were not a charges were prompted by her nese Embassy over “the point- in my detention center, there is member of the opposition there criticism of the Duterte admining of a radar gun at a Philippine nothing that prevents me from would have been no ifs and buts istration.

Navy ship in [Philippine] waters” performing my job as a duly- in allowing me to participate reCongress is set to resume sesand “declaring parts of Philip- elected senator. The jurisdiction motely, just like everybody else, sion on May 4. (Gaea Katreena pine territory as part of Hainan of the court is not affected by my under the proposed new rules,” Cabico/Philstar.com) province.”

The country’s top diplomat said both moves from Beijing constitute “violations of international law and Philippine sovereignty.”

In February, a Chinese navy vessel pointed its radar gun to a Philippine Navy ship near the Malampaya gas field in the West Philippine Sea. Vice Admiral Rene Medina, C<>8C @DD@>I8K@FE `j X 9@> @JJL< k_\j\ [Xpj% D8EP `e fli Zfddle`kp E<<; commander of the military’s pfli j\im`Z\j% K_\i\ Xi\ k_fljXe[j n_f dXp nXek kf \og\[`k\ k_\`i i\j`[\eZp fi Western Command, confirmed glijl\ ]lcc Z`k`q\ej_`g Ylk [feËk befn _fn kf Y\^`e Xe[ n_\i\ kf ^f% this incident which was reported to the commanding officer of

BRP Conrado Yap. The Philippine Navy’s BRP Conrado Yap sailed out of Puerto Princesa City on February 15 to 8J@8E AFLIE8CËJ GIF=<JJ@FE8C J<IM@:<J ;@I<:KFIP# n`cc efn Y\ patrol the Malampaya gas field and the Kalayaan Islands Group ilee`e^ n\\bcp# \m\ip K_lij[Xp f] CXj M\^Xj <[`k`fe% in the West Philippine Sea. On February 17, the Philippine Navy ship detected a radar 8AËj GJ; ZXe _\cg PFL i\XZ_ flk kf k_\d X]]fi[XYcp Xe[ \]]\Zk`m\cp% contact of a vessel while sailing to Rizal Reef.

The Conrado Yap issued a radio warning to the Chinese navy ship but the latter responded that “the Chinese government has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea, its islands and 8jb XYflk fli GIFDFK@FE8C @EKIF;L:KFIP G8:B8>< GI@:@E> n_`Z_ ilej its adjacent waters.” n

PH protests China’s self-declared South China Sea districts, naming of Kalayaan features

by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA — The Philippine government opposed China’s latest moves in the South China Sea while the rest of the world is preoccupied with the deadly COVID-19, which first emerged from Wuhan City late last year.

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday said the government “strongly protests” China’s establishment of two districts in the South China Sea. Earlier this month, Beijing established the districts of Nansha (Spratly Islands) and Xisha (Paracel Islands), which would be under the administrative jurisdiction of its self-declared Sansha City.

The DFA said the Philippine government does not recognize Sansha City, nor its constituent units, as it overlaps with the country’s maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea. “The Philippine government has protested since 2012 China’s unlawful establishment of Sansha City and the extent of its administrative jurisdiction, which encompasses Philippine territory and maritime zones in the West Philippine Sea,” the DFA said in a statement.

Beijing’s establishment of the two new districts in the South China Sea violate Philippine territorial sovereignty over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal, the DFA said.

China’s latest actions in the

contested waterway also infringes on the country’s sovereign rights over the waters and continental shelf in the West Philippine Sea, the statement read.

“The unanimous Award issued by the Tribunal constituted under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the arbitration instituted by the Philippines has comprehensively addressed China’s excessive claims and illegal actions in the South China Sea,” the DFA said.

The Philippines does not also recognize China’s naming of some features in the KIG, which falls under the jurisdiction of Palawan province.

Pointing out that Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef is within the LIG and an integral part of Philippine territory, the DFA also protested the designation of the reef as administrative center for the so-called Nansha district.

Kagitingan Reef is one of China’s three artificial islands in the West Philippine Sea, where it had installed surface-to-air missiles and radio jamming equipment in recent years.

“The Philippines calls on China to adhere to international law, including the UNCLOS, as well as to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, specifically Paragraph 5 thereof, under which parties undertake to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect

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This Jan. 1, 2018 satellite image shows China’s installations on Fiery Cross or Kagitingan Reef in the West Philippine Sea. Photo courtesy of Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative

Economic losses from COVID-19 onslaught....

PAGE 5 another program, one that will outline the Duterte government’s over-all economic recovery plan once the outbreak comes into its culmination. Under the program, Chua is carefully balancing the need for the economy to

restart while avoiding a potential second wave of infection.

“Some people are basically saying we can lift the ECQ and let businesses resume, but we already know from other countries that too hasty a decision without necessary preparation could

lead to a second or a third wave (of infection),” he said.

“We would like to prepare better and recover and sustain that. We don’t want a recovery followed by a sudden collapse again. That would be very bad,” he added. n

VEGAS&STYLE

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april 30-May 6, 2020 • laS VEGaS aSiaN JOUrNal

Journal

THE FORK INITIATIVE & FEED OUR WARRIORS Despite the pandemic, Fil-Am chef Ria Barbosa’s Petite Peso opens Fil-Am groups unite to feed the frontliners for service in downtown LA

By MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

By Christina

M. oriel

AJPress

WITH the city of Los Angeles’ stay-at-home order that took effect nearly two months ago, restaurants have been limited to take-out and delivery, or faced the decision to close.

Opening a restaurant would seemingly be among the last things to do in this climate, but a new Filipino American takeaway spot has pushed ahead with its spring launch and opened for business two weeks ago.

Petite Peso — with Ria Barbosa as its executive chef and vice president of culinary — is the “third generation” Fil-Am restaurant to occupy the humble 275-square-foot space along 7th street in downtown LA’s Jewelry District.

It was previously home to AC Boral’s Baon for several months last summer and before that, Charles Olalia’s Rice Bar from June 2015 to May 2019.

“We’ve gotten people who are not Filipino coming in asking for stuff like halo halo before we’ve

even opened. Because of what had been here before with AC and Charles’ restaurants, they set the tone and opened that gateway to Filipino food in this space,” Barbosa told the Asian Journal in an interview in early March before the pandemic shifted the city’s culinary scene. (An opening date had yet to be announced at the time of our conversation.)

Conceptualized as “Filipino food with thoughtful ingredients,” Petite Peso is now operational seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. through pickup at its location or delivery on Postmates and ChowNow. The restaurant has put social distancing and sanitization measures in place to ensure cleanliness and quality.

The long-awaited project fuses Barbosa’s forte in French and California cuisine and her Fil-Am upbringing.

“I’ve always done Filipino influenced dishes everywhere I’ve worked. Maybe two years ago, I didn’t think I was ready but I was open to trying something new and actually making things I like to

Sign outside Petite Peso along 7th street in downtown LA AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

EMPLOYMENT

Chef Ria Dolly Barbosa makes ensaymadas in house at Petite Peso. Photo by Alfonzo Bell

make,” Barbosa said.

Barbosa led the culinary program at Paramount Coffee Project, a Sydney-based coffee shop with outposts in Los Angeles’ Fairfax District and downtown LA, from 2017 up until December of last year. There, she introduced lumpia sausage rolls and an adobo braised beef bowl, with the latter continuing to be a mainstay on the menu after her departure. Her two-year tenure garnered a “Chef of the Year” nomination from Eater LA in 2018.

She met partners Robert Villanueva and Tiffany Tanaka back in the summer of 2018 as they had the idea of a casual Filipino restaurant and were looking for the right chef.

They reached out to the Pinay chef on Instagram and the project got underway.

Seeing how other Fil-Am chef colleagues have left prominent restaurants to start their own places with the free rein to cook what they grew up eating, Barbosa knew it was her time to venture off as well.

For the past few weeks, we have seen small Filipino businesses and organizations come up with projects to send food and drinks to frontliners and first responders.

Kabisera in the Lower East Side has its coffee runs, where they deliver caffeinated drinks to various hospitals. This week, they were able to log in their 30th delivery.

Then there are hot meals prepared by restaurants and caterers alike.

“At this time, our heroes are fighting the toughest fight to keep people alive. We want to help the best way we know how - through food and by making sure that it nourishes, provides solace and fuels the frontliners that need it most,” explained a social media post, calling for donations in order to keep these operations running.

That call to action came from Ayesha Vera-Yu, CEO and cofounder of the organization Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK),

a social impact organization that partners with farmers on a 5-cent school lunch that enables rural communities to stand on their own, and secure their food, kids’ schooling and new income in just three years.

Vera-Yu, together with friends and colleagues who are in the realm of food and communitydriven social impact, started the FORK (Friends of Rural Kids) Initiative.

Their goal is to provide nourishing meals to kababayans and

their fellow nurses, doctors and aides in hard hit hospitals. The group has been pooling the donations and they have established a network of partner restaurants to prepare the food, which they will then deliver to a hard hit hospital in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

“Our hope is that other kapwa Filipinos in NYC or other parts of the world will have a trusted platform for them to be able to share their love and help,” VeraPAGE 11

Father of Fil-Am actor Darren Criss passes away By ritChel Mendiola AJPress

FILIPINO American actor Darren Criss is mourning the loss of his father, Charles William “Bill” Criss, who passed away from a rare heart condition on Monday, April 27. He was 78.

The former “Glee” actor took to Instagram to confirm the news.

“Bill Criss has left the building. After many years of coping with a rare heart condition which, true to his form, very few would have even been aware of he finally checked out peacefully yesterday morning, PAGE 11 surrounded by his loved ones,”

SERVICES

Both initiatives have established GoFundMe pages to raise funds in order to keep making and delivering meals to health care workers all over the city.

In a series of photos on his Instagram, Darren shared memories with his late father Bill Criss.

Also included in the photos are Darren’s Filipina mom Cerina, and brother Charles.

Photos from Instagram/@darrencriss

he shared on Monday.

“Dad lived an extraordinary In the same post, Darren life. Anyone who ever met Bill paid tribute to his father.

PAGE 10

SERVICES

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Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS WITH novelty comes misinterpretation, misinformation, and myths rapidly disseminated via social media around the globe.

This is what is happening with the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV2 virus, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic that has infected more than 3 million and killed greater than 230,000 in 210 countries around the world – more than a million in the U.S., with about 60,000 deaths; and almost 8,000 cases and nearly 550 deaths in the Philippines. From the emails we received from our readers, here are some of them. Accurate information is a must for survival, especially during a pandemic.

Viruses are alive No. Viruses are not living microbes, unlike bacteria which are alive. Viruses are protein molecules surrounded by a protective layer of lipid (fats), which enables them to merge with cells and be transmissible and infective.

When the protective envelope around them is damaged (as in handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds), they are unable to replicate and cause infection, and are subsequently destroyed. Viruses need a host, like humans, to survive.

Novel coronavirus in Wuhan was from bats False. It had been officially ruled out that the nCorona virus (SARS-CoV2) did not originate from bats or snakes sold in a seafood market in Wuhan, China but possibly from a biolab working on viruses located a few kilometers away. The circumstances surrounding the Wuhan outbreak, which is now a pandemic victimizing 210 countries around the world, is being investigated.

In the meantime, lawsuits have been filed in 7 states and also in the UK against China seeking damages for injuries, deaths, and economic losses caused by COVID-19, courtesy of the recklessness, deceit, duplicity, and irresponsibility of the Communist Party in Wuhan. Other states and countries are expected to follow suit.

Feeling well means no COVID-19 Wrong. Unless one has tested negative for COVID-19, anyone, especially those who go out in public without cap, protective goggles, mask, gloves, without distancing, are possible carriers of the virus because it takes about 2 weeks for symptoms to appear, and in a few cases up to 19 days. So, feeling well alone is not a guarantee, unless one has self-quarantined for at least 2-3 weeks without falling ill. Therefore, a person exposed should be considered infected, an ignorant carrier, and thus potentially a geometric/exponential spreader of the virus unknowingly.

Hand sanitizers are effective Hand sanitizers, to be effective, must contain at least 70% alcohol. If soap and water or peroxide or bleach solution are not available, any hand sanitizer may be used at that moment, followed by handwashing with soap and water soonest thereafter. Drying

Community Journal

Debunking COVID-19 myths hands very well is vital. The use of moisturizers (with simethicone) helps protect the skin further against the virus and also for skin health and comfort.

Masks only protect others While masks (even the N95 primarily for healthcare providers) protect others if worn by someone who is infected and a carrier of the virus or who is sick by lessening transmission, it also protects the healthy wearer.

Imagine ten people, half wearing masks and the others without, being sprayed with dust or flour or red powder. Those wearing a mask would obviously have much less powder on their face compared to those not wearing one, whose faces would be full of the powder. It is a medical fact that even the N95 mask is not 100% protective or preventive, but both versions of the masks minimize the spread both ways, albeit perhaps not totally equal in extent. Together with frequent handwashing, using a cap, gloves, social distancing (staying home if possible), the use of a mask when going out (properly, tight-fitting, covering the nose and the mouth) and not touching it even with the gloved hands are protective measures, second to self-quarantine with non-infected people at home.

Staying home is 100% safe The home is like a gated, screened, protective fort in a jungle with countless man-eating animals roaming around, hungry, looking for a prey; or a bunker during a war, where bullets and bombs are bursting in the air outside. This analogy magnifies how vital the home is during this COVID-19 pandemic that kills people of any age, even children, but especially the elderly. But, the home is ONLY totally safe IF everyone strictly follows the guidelines below, with wisdom, discipline, and with a bit of what I term as healthy paranoia (medical vigilance). The home is the safest place to be during an outbreak, an epidemic or a pandemic. But if anyone at home violates any of those preventive measures, then that individual could get infected and spread it to everyone at home, like a massive fire inside a cage. We are reposting this acronym, Fight COVID-19 with C-O-V-I-D: Cover face to scratch, sneeze or cough; Omit non-essential travels; Voluntary quarantine; Intensive handwashing; Distancing is now social. The effectiveness of this C-O-V-I-D strategy in minimizing spread of the virus has been proven around the world, starting from China, to South Korea, to the Philippines, to the U.S., and even to Italy, where the curve has started to flatten.

Tea tree oil is effective against SARS-CoV2 virus While tea tree oil is reportedly used for herpes simplex virus, it is not effective against this virus that is causing the COVID-19 pandemic. Other items advertised as useful against this virus, which are totally a scam, include herbs, coconut and all other oils, pomegranates and other fruits and vegetables, Noni, SuperBeets, turmeric, curcumin, curry, garlic, peppers, steroids, anesthetic agents, etc. There is no food, drug, potion or lotion

that has been proven to prevent or cure COVID-19. NONE so far, not even vaccines, which are being developed and still a couple of years away. While fruits, vegetables and supplements, like vitamins D3, C, B-Complex, Zinc, etc., help boost the immune system none of them can prevent or cure COVID-19. Various drugs, including anti-malarial, anti-lupus drug hydroxychloroquine, developed after WWII, are still being clinically tested, in combination (a trio) with antibiotic Azithromycin and Zinc.

Vinegar is a COVID-19 disinfectant While 5% kitchen vinegar (acetic acid) can destroy some bacteria and some viruses on surfaces, there is no evidence it destroys SARS-CoV2 virus. Vinegar is also damaging when used to clean electric iron, electronic screens, countertops, floorings, dishwashers, and other appliances.

Peroxide is useless for COVID-19 According to CDC, hydrogen peroxide, a common household agent today, discovered in 1818, is an effective disinfectant against coronaviruses like the SARSCoV2. Peroxide had been used effectively to disinfect masks, gloves, etc. for re-use when the supply of PPE was low, and useful at home to disinfect (3% undiluted spray) various surfaces, leaving it on for one minute against bacteria and the COVID-19 virus and 6-8 minutes for rhinoviruses.

Peroxide 3% or diluted with water may be used for gargling, but not to be swallowed or its vapor inhaled because it is toxic to the stomach and to the lungs.

Stay-home policy is a civil rights violation The government, during war or an epidemic or pandemic, has the constitutional right, obligation, and power to issue, declare, mandate any policy or measure during a national (international) emergency to protect its citizens.

Societal/community rights supersedes and outweighs individual civil liberties when personal behaviors or actions of individuals jeopardize others. Those who do not follow the national guidelines to minimize the spread of killer SARS-CoV2, and are even now staging protests in various cities, have the right to expose themselves to the virus and get infected or even kill themselves, but they do not have the right to infect and kill others. Their twisted thinking and selfishness, a major factor why COVID-19 has spread so much and infected and killed so many, would also prolong this deadly pandemic whose curve is just beginning to flatten.

Let’s safeguard the civil rights of the people who are following the medical guidelines and sacrificing to protect themselves, their loved ones, and society as a whole. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

AAPIDC supports NV Dems’ voter protection efforts

LAS VEGAS, NV - This month, the Supreme Court issued its first ruling and blocked the extension of the deadline for absentee voting in the Wisconsin primary.

The Court’s decision to prohibit readjustments to election procedures amidst the current pandemic split the vote 5 to 4. This decision has forced Wisconsin voters to choose between their health and their civic duty.

In her dissenting opinion, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg writes that “the court’s order, I fear, will result in massive disenfranchisement because gathering at the polling place now poses dire health risks, an unprecedented number of Wisconsin voters — at the encouragement of public offi-

cials — have turned to voting absentee,” she writes that, “About one million more voters have requested absentee ballots in this election than in 2016. Accommodating the surge of absentee ballot requests has heavily burdened election officials, resulting in a severe backlog of ballots requested but not promptly mailed to voters.”

The Asian American Pacific Islander Democratic Caucus of Nevada strongly supports NV Dems efforts to protect our democratic process during this forthcoming election cycle. Improving mail voting, allowing for voter assistance, and expanding in-person polling locations ahead of the June primary election are all es-

sential steps to allow our community to have our voices heard in the midst of this global pandemic. Our elected officials should be doing everything in their power to prevent the disaster that recently took place in Wisconsin by prioritizing the health and safety of our citizens and making the process as accessible and inclusive as possible. Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic on top of being historically disenfranchised. We strongly urge Secretary Cegavske to take immediate action to protect our community’s ability to exercise our civic duties while not having to sacrifice the public health and safety of Nevadans.

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 30-MAy 6, 2020

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SilverSummit Healthplan supports Meals, masks, and shields for front-liners program offers support to Desert community needs during COVID-19 pandemic Partnerships and programs address the social Springs Hospital Medical Center staff determinants of health across Nevada LAS VEGAS/RENO – During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people across Nevada are facing challenges that extend beyond medical care and include basic daily needs, such as food and essential supplies. Centene, a leading multi-national healthcare company, has partnered with various organizations to support efforts that address these social determinants of health. SilverSummit Healthplan, as part of the Centene family, will be deploying these programs locally in Nevada.

Social determinants of health are non-medical barriers to achieving quality health outcomes. They include socioeconomic and environment factors such as food accessibility, employment, education, and more. Research shows that medical care accounts for approximately 10 to 20 percent of health outcomes, while the other 80 to 90 percent is affected by the social determinants of health.

“The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are far-reaching and have extended beyond medical care to affect people’s access to food, employment, connectivity, and more,” said Eric Schmacker, CEO of SilverSummit Healthplan.

“These social determinants of health have a significant impact on people’s overall wellbeing, especially among vulnerable populations. SilverSummit Healthplan

wants to help ensure we’re supporting the additional needs of communities during this challenging time.”

Hunger and Food Security The demand food banks face has significantly increased during this pandemic, and SilverSummit Healthplan’s donations totaling $64,000 will provide food assistance to people facing food insecurity in Nevada. SilverSummit is supporting local community partners including Three Square, Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Lutheran Social Services, SHARE Village, Just One Senior Food, and Catholic Charities - Meals on Wheels.

SilverSummit Healthplan is also partnering with the Nevada Hispanic Legislative Caucus, UNLV, United Way, and La Bonita on food delivery operations that deliver boxes of food to individuals and families that are COVID positive. This effort helps COVID-19 positive community members stay home and prevents them from having to go out into the community to purchase food.

Connectivity SilverSummit Healthplan has also implemented a Community Connections Helpline. Community Connections Helpline liaisons assist callers by connecting them with over 2,200 communitybased solutions, including unemployment benefits, housing, food

and utility assistance, transportation, and childcare. A live agent answers the phone to assist, and then follows up with the caller to ensure they received the help needed.

Direct Assistance To ensure community members have access to crucial supplies during this time of need, SilverSummit Healthplan, in coordination with Centene, will be distributing 500 gift cards for use on essential items. SilverSummit will deliver the cards to local providers and other community agencies such as the Salvation Army, HELP of Southern Nevada, Nevada Homeless Alliance, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Baby’s Bounty, Eddy House, Chicanos Por la Causa, and Street Dogs and Cats for distribution to individuals in need. The gift cards will be used to purchase essential healthcare and educational items, including diapers, over-the-counter medicines, cleaning supplies, books, and more.

SilverSummit Healthplan is also providing additional resources to support communities across Nevada that include funding for meals to healthcare workers of Renown and UMC and funding for essential supplies to Community Health Alliance, Nevada Health Centers, Northern Nevada Hopes, and Women’s Health Associates of Southern Nevada.

Lea brings pride to PH anew at Stephen Sondheim concert KAPAMILYA singer Lea Salonga raised the Philippine flag once again as she was among the performers in the star-studded concert yesterday that celebrated the 90th birthday of musical theater legend Stephen Sondheim.

Lea performed “Loving You” from Sondheim’s musical “Passion” before giving a birthday message for Sondheim.

“I just wanted to wish you a very happy 90th birthday. I think it is absolutely fantastic that you have allowed for ASTEP to raise funds as part of this celebration,” Lea said.

“In this crisis, all of us are turning to the arts for comfort and solace and sanity so I feel that it’s important to expose children to the arts. Whether or not they end up as artists as adults, it is some-

thing that will only serve to enrich, enhance and fill their lives,” she added.

The concert also featured other artists such as Meryl Streep, LinManuel Miranda, Neil Patrick Harris, Kristin Chenoweth, Josh Groban, Aaron Tveit and Jake Gyllenhaal, among many others.

The online concert is also a fundraiser in support of Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP), a youth development program conceived

by Broadway Musical Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Juilliard students to connect performing and visual artists with underserved youth in the U.S. and around the world to awaken their imaginations, foster critical thinking and help them break the cycle Award-winning singer-actress Lea Salonga ABS-CBN photo of poverty. (Philstar.com)

DESERT Springs Hospital Medical Center is the latest local hospital to benefit from the Bayanihan Project’s Meals, Masks, and Shields for Front-liners Program. As part of an ongoing effort to support our local medical workers, the Bayanihan Project delivered lunches and personal protective equipment (PPE) to the brave nurses and doctors fighting against COVID-19. The distribution took place on Monday, April 20.

Project volunteers Luz S. Micabalo, Gloria T. Caoile, Minda and Frank Banaria, Dr. Rhigel “Jaei” Tan, Cesar Almase, Cynthia Deriquito, Leo and Amie Belmonte were all on hand to facilitate the drop-off. Practicing social distancing, our volunteers met with Beverly Shahan, hospital director of the donation’s center, to distribute meals and face shields designed by Dr. Tan. These donations were met with huge smiles and a lot of gratitude!

Hospitals have been taxed during the COVID-19 crisis, and the Meals, Masks, and Shields for Front-liners Program has been working with local hospitals to determine their needs. It is our goal to support them as their staff fight so selflessly for our community. Our meals help boost morale, while surgical masks and shields address the PPE shortage many hospitals are facing.

The Meals, Masks, and Shields for Front-liners Program under the Bayanihan Project provides much-needed

assistance to the heroic front- the help of our generous supliners who are risking their lives porters.

Donations may be sent to: to fight COVID-19. To date, NaFFAA-NV (Bayanihan) hundreds of meals, masks, and P.O. Box 60961, shields have been distributed Las Vegas, NV 89160 by volunteers to medical workers at several hospitals. More MEMO: Meals, Masks, and distributions are planned with Shields

Father of Fil-Am actor Darren Criss...

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Criss adored him instantly. He could talk to anyone about anything. Well-read and well-traveled, he made a world a better place wherever he went. He was as deliriously charming as he was relentlessly selfless; always putting other people first, making anybody who ever got in a conversation with him genuinely feel like they were the most incredible person in the room,” he wrote.

“And although he would have been the first to gracefully protest it, the simple truth is that

he was in fact, every inch the exemplary man: a devoted husband, an outstanding father, a loving grandparent. He lived his days the same way he loved his friends and family with an unwavering sense of composure, compassion, generosity, and humility,” he added.

Darren said he wanted to be just like his father, who was a true gentleman and a constant source of joy and inspiration for him.

“I’ve spent most of my life trying to be like him, wanting to see and do all the incred-

ible things he did and I’m so grateful he was around to see me actually pull a few off. He was there for all the greatest moments of my life, which of course, he always dressed up for. His kind, blue eyes, big laugh, and infamous warm smile could not have been a better representation of who he was to his core,” he said.

“I cherished him every day, and will forever,” he continued.

Bill is survived by his Cebuana wife, Cerina, and two sons, Charles and Darren.

The Bayanihan Project Impact: Thank You Notes from Frontliners and the Community “We salute our frontliners. May God protect you all.“ Ͳ Priscilla Santayana, retired RN

“I’m very proud of you Filipino heroes.” Ͳ Elizabeth Cusi, former UMCRN, retired

“Great job for all your effortless project for our frontline responders. Stay safe.” Ͳ Maribeth Miller, preͲK teacher

“Great Job!!! God Bless all of you!!!” Ͳ Vivian Lindsey

“Excellent community works. …

Proud to be Filipino. Thank you to all!!! Ͳ Flor Nawrocki, community donor

“Dr. Tan, thank you. You and the Bayanihan group are really our 911.” Ͳ Maggie D., CNA UMC IMC Staff

“Thanks for all you do! Stay safe and God bless!” Ͳ Arlene Soriano Gordon, RN from the Philippines

“Thanks for this PPE, thanks to Bayanihan Group!” Ͳ ih Daianne G. BSN, RN UMC, CDI

“You are an inspiration and truly bayanihan of Las Vegas!” Ͳ Bambee Quijano, retired RN “We fed everyone! Thank you “Thank you, salamat po! God bless you all!” frontline committee of NaFFAA, Ͳ MICU, IMC, SICU, 2NMS staff Alvin EstrellaBayanihan and Ate Minda. do Manager—Valley Hospital Ͳ Elena May Cruz, UMC Hubert Augustine IMC Unit “Thank you Bayanihan Project. Stay safe.”

“Great job by the organizers and the collaboration!! Kudos to the healthcare frontliners and support group all over the community. You're the unsung heroes!!” Ͳ Christy Sampal, PNANV board advisor

“Great job everyone! Keep safe and stay healthy always! God bless!” Ͳ Angie Lantin The Meals, Masks, and Shields for Frontliners Program under the Bayanihan Project provides much-needed assistance to the heroic frontliners who are risking their lives to fight COVID-19. To date, hundreds of meals, masks, and shields have been distributed by volunteers to medical workers at several hospitals. More distributions are planned with the help of our generous supporters. Ͳ Agnes Duremdes Luzano, BSN, RN UMC, Clinical Dedicated Instructor

For more information, contact: Minda Banaria (702) 738-1943; Doris Bauer (702) 409-1077; Luz S. Micabalo (702) 375-7874; Gloria T. Caoile (202) 257-4314; Dr. Rhigel “Jaei” Tan (702) 882-8484

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

Features

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • ApRIL 30-MAy 6, 2020

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Despite the pandemic, Fil-Am chef Ria... Fil-Am groups unite to feed the frontliners PAGE 8 “The food is Filipino roots and an LA outlook. When you’re trained a certain way, you want to introduce a technique that isn’t traditionally used in Filipino cuisine. It might look different, but the flavors are there,” she said.

The trio operates under Peso Hospitality, with Villanueva bearing over 20 years as a sommelier and general manager at several fine dining establishments in Las Vegas, and Tanaka bringing her marketing experience with companies like Saks Fifth Avenue and the Mina Group.

Petite Peso illustrates the mission the group is taking on inside the tiny space to bring more Filipino food offerings to LA diners.

“The currency is very undervalued and that’s the way we feel about Filipino cuisine, that it’s very underutilized and undervalued so we want to bring value to the name,” Villanueva said. “We’re owning it and putting it out there by saying, ‘Hey, we are Filipino.

We’re not fusion. We’re not doing tacos.’ We’re doing Filipino food.

It’s something that we’re going to put at the forefront. We don’t want to mask and deny what it is.”

Barbosa, who moved to Los Angeles from the Philippines at the age of six, got her start in traditional French cuisine and fine dining, working at places like Michael Mina and Daniel Boulud Brasserie in Las Vegas. But, her culinary portfolio at several LA eateries speaks for itself.

Prior to PCP, she helped open Go Get Em Tiger in Los Feliz and later oversaw the food program at all its locations. She was a part of the opening team of Sqirl as chef de cuisine and was a lead line cook at Canelé in Atwater Village, where she later returned to launch lunchtime pop-up series, WILD at Canelé, which featured some familiar Filipino flavors.

Though Barbosa credits the French training for teaching her structure and how to run a kitchen, she said she’s learned to be less rigid over the years.

“You have to be conscious of how people are treated. People produce tastier, better food when they’re happy,” Barbosa said.

Barbosa had pinned down an iteration of the opening menu for Petite Peso by early March, featuring rice bowls, morning pastries and comfort food dishes based on available seasonal ingredients.

Everything is fresh and made to order, given the lack of a freezer and storage space.

Peso Hospitality team consists of Robert Villanueva, Ria Barbosa and Tiffany Tanaka.

Adobo French Dip

Kare kare Rice Bowl Photos by Alfonzo Bell

“With a restaurant, we want to be progressive, innovative and fun, but you can’t be too far ahead,” said Villanueva. “We have to be able to find that balance to where it’s still approachable, especially for those who have never had Filipino food in their life. We want to make it something for everyone but at the same time stick to the integrity of what we believe and know Filipino food can be.”

Standouts from the “soft digital opening” menu include the pot pie machado, adobo French dip with gouda cheese, chicken sisig salad with a poached egg, and kare kare and Bicol express rice bowls. The impossible lumpia, spring vegetable pancit, pinakbet salad and munggo bean rice bowl are available as vegan options.

Family style kits, priced $28 for two people or $50 for four, are available and come with white rice, pancit, lumpia and a choice of two entrees.

Not to miss are the pastries available individually or in a $25 Pastry Box: ensaymada, strawberry mamon, money rolls, and polvoron cream cookies. Barbosa also bakes pan de sal in house, an addition on the menu that came after experimenting and perfecting the recipe.

“Developing the menu was the fun part. We talked about what we

like to eat and our favorites growing up — that identity of being born there [in the Philippines] and moving here to the U.S. with your whole family. We have to have the Filipino hits while keeping guests in mind.

We’re not going to have dinuguan right off the bat, but the starting lineup is full of dishes we feel really strongly about and tie back to family memories,” Barbosa said.

When it’s safer to dine out again, Petite Peso will have a formal grand opening and roll out its initial plans, which include a monthly rotation of pieces by an artist or photographer featured on the restaurant’s walls.

Graffiti artist Alex Kizu, known as DEFER, was commissioned to paint the space’s floor as well as the ceiling in the doorway.

Though the space won’t have the room for more than three to four dine-in guests at a time, the Petite Peso team is looking forward to the foot traffic and more interactions with those they’re serving, even if quick.

“We’d like to be known as a dependable and consistent restaurant with an emphasis on service and the Filipino way of making sure people feel welcome and comfortable,” Barbosa said.

Petite Peso, located at 419 W. 7th Street in downtown Los Angeles, is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

PAGE 8 Yu said.

Over the past couple of weeks, they have fed frontliners at NYU Langone with the help of donors and partner restaurant, Honeybrains and the anesthesiology department of Northwell Long Island Jewish Medical Center, delivering food from Atoboy.

“The nurses and doctors have shared how much it makes them feel good to be appreciated,” she added. “One of the nurses shared that the gifted meals is really vital because most of them are paying out of pocket for AirBnB or hotels to stay away from their families while they save lives in the hospital.”

Within ten days of operations, the initiative raised $7,000 and has made more than a dozen drops. They are hoping to raise more funds and get to more hospitals.

“The FORK Initiative has also inspired restaurants to give as well. Atoboy funded a lunch for a unit in NYU from their own funds while Kabisera gave free coffee and HoneyBrains gave green drinks alongside the lunches we funded,” Vera Yu added.

The group has partnered with hospitals that are underserved, overwhelmed and where they have a contact who are either nurses or administrators who give them the insight on where

Chef Jordan Andino (left) takes time out from the kitchen to help deliver food to hospital front lines.

there is need.

They aim to keep raising funds and keep operations going “until it dies down”. Based on projections from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office, the peak in NYC is from April to May with the tail or decline coming in around July.

Feed Our Warriors A number of Filipino restaurants in New York have also partnered with organizations and individual donors to provide meals to healthcare workers.

Flip Sigi has its “Feed Our Warriors” program, which provides food to healthcare providers such as nurses, doctors and technicians, during their long shifts.

Through donations, more than

700 meals have been delivered to date in over 40 clinics and hospitals in various hospitals such as Mount Sinai, NYU Langone and Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, Elmhurst Hospital, Bellevue and Memorial Sloane Kettering, among others.

“We’re beyond grateful for everyone in the medical field fighting this virus daily,” Flip Sigi Executive Chef Jordan Andino posted on social media. “All of this is keeping us going…more love, more positivity, more being grateful for what you have, and knowing that more positive moments are to come.”

He has also been busy doing online cooking and sharing his recipes of Filipino classics such as pancit and sinigang.

Tsismis NYC has organized weekly food deliveries to hospitals in collaboration with some of its partners such as Liga Filipina @nycheroes network and International Wings Factory Phil-Am Foods.

“Let’s show the hardworking hospital staff helping to save our city how much we appreciate their hard work,” Executive Chef Jappy Afzelius said, adding that Tsismis will be holding a fundraiser on May 4 to benefit frontliners at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Ugly Kitchen and Jeepney, both East Village hangout of Filipinos, have brought food to some hospitals in New York City including Elmhurst Hospital in Queens and NYU Langone-Tish Hospital in Manhattan.

In her own call to action post, Jeepney’s Nicole Ponseca said, “Lots of frontliners are not getting fed! We are trying to feed as many Two different organizations came up with a project to feed the frontliners with delicious and people as we can. Some of our nourishing food. Both The FORK Initiative and Feed Our Warriors aim to serve the underserved Titas tell us they only have Kind hospitals in New York City. Together, they have delivered more than a thousand meals to around Bars to eat all day. This is not the Filipino way!”

40 hospitals and clinics in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and The Bronx.

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april 30-MaY 6, 2020 • laS VEGaS aSiaN JOUrNal

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