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Modified quarantine eyed to PH restart economy economy, such as construction, might be allowed to open “partially” but under strict public MANILA — President Ro- health regulations to prevent drigo Duterte may relax quar- the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the antine restrictions in low to new coronavirus that causes moderate-risk parts of the the severe respiratory disease Philippines in a phased reopen- COVID-19.

More than 860 Filipinos have ing of the economy while the country tries to beat back the been killed since the local outonslaught of the new corona- break in February.

“It’s imminent. Others will virus.

In a televised address to the still be in lockdown while we nation late on Monday, April 27, may open partially—construcDuterte said some sectors of the tion workers and things like

by JULIE

M. AURELIO Inquirer.net

DATELINE

that. You just wait for the modified quarantine,” Duterte said.

A bit of normality He said some sectors of society might be allowed a bit of normality, though they would be required to strictly observe social distancing.

“We cannot be cramped together. It has to be modified. If you will just cram into the LRT (Light Rail Transit) again, there will be no end to our problem,” he said.

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USA

techs” and “a legend.”

Cabillon was the Head Nurse at Kings County Department MARIA Guia Cabillon, fondly of Emergency Medicine in called by many as Mama Guia, Brooklyn, which has overtaken spent more than three decades Queens as the epicenter of the of her life as a nurse. novel coronavirus in the United She was described as the States today. “number one ally, caregiver She passed away on April 26 and mom to the nurses and from COVID-19 after almost a staunchly protected all the month of battling the infectious

Two relatives die from Covid-19 two days apart

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Over 200 new cases of Filipinos positive with COVID-19 globally

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

MORE than 200 overseas Filipinos have tested positive for the novel coronavirus this week, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said.

The latest numbers on Tuesday, April 28 revealed that there are 209 new cases of COVID19 among Filipinos abroad, bringing the total to

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Pinay nurse, considered ‘Mother Hen’ at Kings County Hospital, dies from virus

by MOMAR

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

FE Olegario-Pakula, a former elementary school teacher from Mangatarem, Pangasinan, passed away on April 5 from coronavirus complications at a nursing home facility in New York City. Ms. Pakula, 81 is survived by her husband Marian Pakula, a Polish-American and younger brother, Dr. Eddie Olegario, a

RELIEF OPERATION. San Juan City residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic receive sacks of rice donated by a private foundation on Wednesday, April 29. Presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said the poor should be allowed to go back to work because they are “somehow resilient to the virus” and those who are sick should be separated from the healthy through isolation. Concepcion said in an online seminar that he talked to those involved in relief operations in poor communities about infection rates where they bring aid. They were “unanimous in saying that it’s very minimal,” he said.

Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

G. VISAYA

AJPress

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

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UN calls out PH’s ‘highly militarized’ lockdown response Locsin on China ship radar

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

The United Nations this week raised concern over the “toxic lockdown culture” that several countries have adopted as they fight the coronavirus pandemic, citing the Philippines’ “highly militarized response” to violators of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet on Monday, TOTAL LOCKDOWN. Army personnel enforces strict quarantine checkpoint at the April 27 noted that 120,000 Fil- entrance of Molino 3, Bacoor, Cavite on Wednesday, April 29. April 30 is the last day ipinos have been arrested for of total lockdown imposed by Bacoor Mayor Lani Mercado Revilla to prevent the

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spread of COVID-19.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

gun aiming incident: Wanna point then fire away

by CHRISTIA

MARIE Inquirer.net

RAMOS

MANILA — “Never ever point anything at my country unless you’re looking for a fight.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. issued this warning as he stood by the diplomatic protest filed by Manila over a Chinese vessel’s act of aiming a radar gun at a Philippine Navy ship.

This after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana surmised that the Chinese warship may just

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may 1-7, 2020 • NEW yORK aND NEW JERSEy aSIaN JOURNaL

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From the Front Page

Modified quarantine eyed to restart... Pinay nurse, considered ‘Mother Hen’ at...

PAGE 1 Duterte announced the plan three days after he extended the Luzon lockdown to May 15 in Metro Manila and other parts of the country with numerous coronavirus infections but relaxed quarantine restrictions in parts of the country with few cases of the disease starting May 1.

Public transportation and selected businesses in specific industries will be allowed partial resumption of operations in parts of the country where quarantine restrictions will be loosened.

Earlier, Malacañang said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, the temporary government body overseeing the administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, was completing guidelines to be implemented in parts of the country under the “general community quarantine” (GCQ) imposed on Metro Manila and other parts of the country with high infection rates.

GCQ is the government’s term for limited restrictions

in areas with low to moderate rates of infections; the opposite is “enhanced community quarantine” (ECQ) or lockdown.

High-risk areas In his press briefing on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Metro Manila, Central Luzon (except for Aurora), Calabarzon, Pangasinan, Benguet, Baguio City, Iloilo, Cebu, Cebu City and Davao City made up the updated list of high-risk areas.

Capiz, Aklan, Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro were removed from the list, he said.

Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Albay, Catanduanes, Antique and Davao del Norte were on the list released by Roque’s office on Friday, but they were no longer on the new list.

A statement released by Roque’s office on Friday said Antique, Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Cebu, Cebu City, Davao del Norte, Davao City and Davao de Oro would be placed on the list, subject to the assessment of the task force.

A check of Roque’s Power-

Point presentation on Friday showed that Capiz, Aklan and Davao de Oro were “moderate risk” areas.

As of press time on Tuesday night, the Palace had yet to respond to requests for clarification on just how many provinces were removed from the list of high-risk areas.

In his briefing, Roque said there would be a decision by May 15 if some places on the high-risk list would be moved to low to moderate-risk list, inspiring hope among Metro Manilans of gaining access to personal services, such as barbershops.

Roque read through the lists of services that would be allowed to open partially under “modified quarantine” (see list), including dental clinics but not barbershops even though barbers who only cut hair are less in danger of contracting the coronavirus than dentists who work through the open mouths of people who may be infected.

Schools will remain closed in low and moderate-risk areas, Roque said. n

PAGE 1 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 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

Guia Cabellon was described by one of the doctors at Kings County as “one of the toughest, most feared and one of my favorite nurses”.

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 co-workers, 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

Fatima Cabillon (left) described her mother Guia 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.

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. n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • mAY 1-7, 2020

Dateline USa

may 1-7, 2020 • NEW yORK aND NEW JERSEy aSIaN JOURNaL

Two relatives die from Covid-19...

PAGE 1 retired physician now based in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

She is remembered as a warm, caring, giving, jolly and loving person.

Due to the cause of her death, only her younger brother, Dr. Eddie Olegario who also serves as a deacon, was personally on hand to attend the funeral services. Relatives from the US and Canada witnessed the funeral via Zoom.

Fe Agripina Olegario-Pakula was born on Oct. 21, 1938. Her parents are Fortunato, a former high school principal and Agripina Sevilla Olegario. She is the fourth child among seven children. Fe graduated from the Philippine Normal School.

Upon arrival in the United States in 1973, Fe studied nursing at Kings County Hospital Nursing School in Brooklyn New York. After two and a half years, she graduated and worked at Bellevue Hospital and then moved to a Veterans Hospital in New York.

She got married in 1988 to Marian Pakula. Marian and Fe traveled to Poland several times to visit his family.

Two days after Pakula’s death, her nephew, New Jersey-based Renato Olegario Valdez, an insurance agent, also died of Covid-19 after six

days in ICU at the Community Medical Center in Toms River, New Jersey. After visiting a client in New York City on March 31, he fell. He was rushed to the hospital but he passed away a week later. He was 69.

Rene, as he is fondly called, graduated salutatorian from Mangatarem National High School in Pangasinan in 1967.

He later obtained his B.S. degree in Commerce major in Banking & Finance from University of the Philippines.

He became a branch manager of Philbanking in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. He is survived by his wife Muriel Valdez and their three children and three grandkids.

Valdez was born on Dec. 10, 1950 in Mangatarem, Pangasinan, Philippines to teachers Emiliano and Mercedes Olegario. He worked very diligently as a bank manager for PhilBanking in Laoag City for years and then went on to work as an insurance agent for over 25 years for New York Life in New York City.

Rene was a very devoted Christian and a proud member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) his entire life, where he performed his office of Head Deacon in his local congregation. Rene lived

his life to the fullest through simple pleasures and always managed to look at the bright side of every situation he encountered in his life’s journey.

He was a loving and doting husband to Muriel, his wife of over 45 years and were by each other’s side until the end.

His family reveals that Rene was the most incredible father to his three children, Aizel, Marianne and husband Fernan, Rafael and wife Anne, and the most nurturing grandfather to his three grandchildren, Jason, Audrey, and Penelope. He was an avid tennis player and a loyal Knicks fan.

Valdez lived to take care of his family and to give them a happy life. He was a man full of humor with an infectious laugh, brightening any room he walked into. He had an uncanny ability to reach people in a deep and positive way and impacted the lives of many. He was well loved, a nice guy and will be missed by everyone, according to his friends who have known him through the years.

He was buried on April 11 at the Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River, New Jersey. (By Dan E. Nino, denino1951@gmail. com)

Locsin on China ship radar gun aiming incident...

PAGE 1

have been testing for reaction by the Philippines when the former readied its guns for firing at a Philippine Navy vessel.

While saying it was “offensive,” the defense chief also said the Chinese ship did not intend to harm the Philippine Navy ship.

“Well we passed the test; I slapped them back. Don’t even dream of pointing anything at my country,” Locsin said in a tweet Tuesday night as a reaction to Lorenzana’s statement.

“Wanna point then fire away. Let’s see where that takes us. But never ever point anything at my country unless you’re looking for a fight. I know my soldiers,” he added.

The foreign affairs chief said he “just interpret(ed) actions (and) responded accordingly” when he filed the protest. “(A)s the country’s chief diplomat I don’t do mindreading,” Locsin said in a separate tweet.

“I won’t tolerate anyone pointing at me or my countrymen unless they’re admirers;

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

BEST TIME TO DO ROAD WORK. Personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region conduct repair and reblocking works along the Roxas Boulevard northbound lane in Pasay City on Monday, April 27. The government has allowed essential road repair and rehabilitation works to continue amid the enhanced community quarantine.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

US embassy cancels visa interviews

by Bernadette

tamayo ManilaTimes.net

THE United States embassy in Manila has canceled all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa interviews scheduled through May 31 after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was extended to May 15.

The quarantine was set to end on April 30, but President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an

extension to allow the Department of Health and local government units to conduct mass testing for the coronavirus disease 2019.

“We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time,” U.S. embassy spokesman Heather Fabrikant said on Sunday, April 26.

Fabrikant said after the lift-

ing of ECQ in Metro Manila, “all affected applicants should reschedule their visa interviews through the embassy call center at +632-77928988 or through the online appointment system at ustraveldocs. com/ph.

“There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid,” she added. n

Over 200 new cases of Filipinos positive...

PAGE 1 1,604.

The department noted that this is the largest single day increase of confirmed cases in the past month.

Meanwhile, there are now 419 recoveries and 189 fatalities.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Eduardo Meñez noted that the newly reported cases from the Americas and Europe also raised the number of countries with Filipino COVID-19 patients to 46. It was previously 44.

“The DFA personnel in our foreign service posts remain steadfast in partnering with local health authorities and agencies in ensuring adherence of our people with preventive measures against (the) COVID-19 pandemic, and commit to tirelessly attending to the needs of our people affected by this pandemic, whenever possible,” Meñez said.

On Monday, 52 cases were reported in Europe and the Middle East. The department also said that 829 overseas Filipinos are currently undergoing

treatment.

“For the past month, the total number of Filipino COVID-19 patients who recovered remains higher than the total number of fatalities by 104%,” the DFA noted.

More than 3 million individuals have been infected with COVID-19 globally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

Meanwhile, there have been 213,824 recorded deaths.

In the Philippines, the center recorded 7,958 confirmed cases and 530 deaths. n

UN calls out PH’s ‘highly militarized’...

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

then I expect the pointing to be accompanied by a shower of petals,” he added.

In a more recent tweet on Wednesday, Locsin said he would no longer be making any more comments regarding the issue.

“This is the last word on the subject that I already warned everybody is strictly my exclusive competence and jurisdiction under the President and nobody else in the

Inquirer.net photo

government,” he said.

The radar gun incident was the basis of one of the two diplomatic protests the Philippines lodged against Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea. The other protest involved China’s move to “(declare) parts of Philippine territory as part of Hainan province” with the creation of two administrative districts in the South China Sea. n

PAGE 1 violating the curfew imposed under Luzon’s lockdown.

The emergency powers “should not be a weapon governments can wield to quash dissent, control the population, and even perpetuate their time in power,” she said.

“Shooting, detaining, or abusing someone for breaking a curfew because they are desperately searching for food is clearly an unacceptable and unlawful response. So is making it difficult or dangerous for a woman to get to hospital to give birth. In some cases, people are dying because of the inappropriate application

of measures that have been supposedly put in place to save them,” Bachelet added.

The UN has reportedly received reports of the disproportionate use of force by security officers, particularly in poor and informal settlements.

“Rubber bullets, tear gas, water guns and whips have been used to enforce social distancing in shopping lines… and outside their homes,” the high commissioner said.

Earlier this week, lockdown enforcers were caught on camera beating a fish vendor with a rattan stick for allegedly not wearing a face mask. Last

week, a military personnel was shot dead by a cop manning a community quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City.

“They should only use force when strictly necessary, and lethal force can only be used when there is an imminent risk to life,” Bachelet said.

“If the rule of law is not upheld, then the public health emergency risks becoming a human rights disaster, with negative effects that will long outlast the pandemic itself,” she added.

So far, 136,517 lockdown violators have been recorded by the Philippine National Police. n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 1-7, 2020

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

5

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

Editorial

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-inplace orders, forcing many businesses, schools, and public services to close and mandating people to stay-at-home

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 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 PAGE 10

Philstar.com photo

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)

The race for a COVID-19 vaccine

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-anda-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 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 PAGE 10

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Duterte offers P20M reward to any Filipino who develops respirator for COVID-19 patients respirators (The president has put up a P20 million reward to any Filipino who can create PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte a local respirator that would is willing to give a P20 million outlast the life of the patient. reward to any Filipino who can This is a result of the shortage develop a durable respirator of respirators),” he said in a that will be used to help pa- virtual press briefing.

Duterte on Friday also tients who contracted the novel coronavirus, Malacañang said raised the reward money for anyone who develops a vacon Tuesday, April 28.

According to Presidential cine against COVID-19, saySpokesperson Harry Roque, ing it can go as high as P100 the respirators should “out- million.

“I am raising the bounty last” the lives of the pato P50 million because it is a tients.

“Nagbigay ng pabuya ang collegial thing,” the president Presidente ng P20 million said in his address.

“Baka sa ligaya ko, another para sa sinumang Pilipino na makakabuo ng local respirator P50 million, kung maligaya na sabi niya ay would outlast ako masyado (If I’m too happy the life of the patient. Ito po I might add another P50 milay may kakulangan talaga sa lion),” he added.

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

ny Census 1/2V

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

More than 1,300 PH PH health care workers infected with virus

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

OVER 1,300 health care workers in the Philippines have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to the Department of Health.

The latest figures on Tuesday, April 28 show that 1,336 health care professionals have contracted COVID-19.

Of the infected, 493 doctors, 507 nurses, 74 nursing assistants, 47 medical technologists, 28 radio technologists, 11 midwives and 11 respiratory therapists and 165 are other healthcare workers like dentists, barangay healthcare workers, and administrative aids.

Twenty-nine medical workers have succumbed to the disease, according to DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in an online press briefing.

As of April 27, personal protective equipment (PPE) have been delivered to hospitals and healthcare facilities by the DOH nationwide.

These include 270,320 coveralls, 1,667,090 face masks, 301,300 gloves, 154,075 gowns, 137,675 kN95 masks, 83,680 N95 masks, 39,292 face shields, 358,200 head caps, 2,392 thermal scanners, 144,903 goggles, 30 noninvasive ventilators and two sanitation tents.

Among the facilities that received them are the Unihealth Parañaque, Parañaque Hospital and Medical Center, World Trade Center Quarantine Facility, Rizal Coliseum Quarantine Facility, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology National Headquarters Quezon City, Ninoy Aquino Stadium Quarantine Facility, CHD1 San Fernando La Union, CHD2 Tuguegarao Cagayan Valley, and the Philippine Air Force 505 Wing Villamor Airbase Pasay City.

Vergeire also noted that 84,738 unique individual tests have been recorded by the country’s COVID-19 testing laboratories. n

AID FOR SOLO PARENTS. Residents of Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon in Novaliches, Quezon City submit requirements to be certified as solo parents on Monday, April 27. Under the city government’s Kalingang QC program, solo parents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, tricycle, jeepney, and taxi drivers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers who were not included in the national government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP) will receive P2,000 financial assistance.

PNA photo by Christelle S. Reyes

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • mAY 1-7, 2020

Taiwan OFW targeted over social media posts Philippines’ new lawyers face a legal landscape shaped by technology and COVID-19 keeps job — migrant workers’ advocate MANILA— Elanel Ordidor, also known as also known as Linn Silawan, will keep her job and will stay in Taiwan, the director of a migrant support group said Wednesday, April 29.

Ordidor had been targeted by labor attaché Fidel Macauyag for social media posts that the Department of Labor and Employment described in a ress release as “nasty and malevolent materials against President Duterte.”

It also said that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office “coordinated with her broker and employer on her deportation on the basis of the gravity of Ordidor’s offense under Philippine law.”

In a Facebook post, Lennon Ying-Dah Wong, director of SPA Shelter-Free Help for Migrant Workers in Taiwan, said a mediation meeting by the the director of labor of the Yunlin County government resulted in Ordidor getting to keep her job.

Citing an update from the county’s director of labor, Wong said Ordidor’s “employer will continue to hire her, and she won’t be fired, nor will they be brought to [the Manila Economic and Cultural Office] or deported.

“As long as Linn does not violate the laws in Taiwan, she will not be deported,” Wong also said, adding that the labor department has asked the police to ensure Ordidor’s safety.

“Linn has now returned to her employer’s home to continue her work and the emergency is temporarily lifted,” he also said.

SPA—Serve the People Association—works with Migrante International-Taiwan Chapter and Asosiasi Tenaga Kerja Indonesia-Taiwan to provide

assistance and shelter to distressed migrant workers.

Wong noted that because MECO and the POLO “has the power to suspend any agency from recruiting migrant workers from the Philippines, so the brokers often prefer to cooperate with MECO/POLO.” A Focus Taiwan report on the mediation meeting corroborated Wong’s statements, citing Yunlin County Labor Affairs Department DirectorGeneral Chang Shih-chung as saying Ordidor would not be deported.

“During the talks, Chang said the woman’s employer and broker said they had no intention of terminating her contract or seeking her deportation to Manila through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), the Philippines de facto embassy in Taiwan,” the Focus Taiwan report also said.

MECO: Labor attaché’s move vs Taiwan OFW unilateral, regrettable There was no request by Manila to have OFW Elanel Ordidor deported from Taiwan, the Philippines’ representative there said on Wednesday.

Angelito Banayo, chair of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, confirmed, however, that labor attaché Macauyag had talked to Ordidor, her employer and employment broker over her social media posts critical of the government.

“The labor attaché in Taichung... apparently talked to the broker of the employer of Ms. Ordidor,” Banayo said in an intervew on the ABS-CBN News Channel, adding that Macauyag got to talk with Ordidor.

“And then the employer informed the broker that he wanted to dismiss or let off the services of Ms. Ordidor. I do not know the reason behind that,”

Banayo said.

DOLE, in an April 25 press release, said the POLO had “coordinated with her broker and employer” to have Ordidor deported.

“Someone must have brought the attention to a labor official in the Philippines and the labor official talked to the labor attaché in Taichung and asked him to look into this and the action, of course, done is something that is regrettable,” Banayo also said, saying he has apologized to Taiwan’s foreign affairs ministry over reports that the Philippines had tried to have Ordidor deported.

He said that someone in the Department of Labor and Employment had made a mistake in how the press release on the issue was written and that he wrote Taiwan’s foreign affairs ministry and “apologized for the wording of whatever statement that was.”

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that migrant workers in Taiwan have freedom of speech, Taiwan News reported Tuesday.

“Taiwan is a sovereign, independent country where foreign workers enjoy ‘citizen treatment,’ and their rights and interests are protected by relevant laws and regulations, including freedom of speech, which should be respected by governments of all countries,” Taiwan’s MOFA reportedly said.

It has also been quoted as saying that “no person or institution, in this case, has the right to pressure her, her employer, or broker, nor shall she be deported without consultations held between both governments.”

Ordidor, who also goes by Linn Silawan, had been critical PAGE 8

Senate bill seeks creation of PH Center for Disease Control by gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

MANILA — Sen. Grace Poe filed a bill seeking to create a public health institution that will focus on disease prevention and control to improve the country’s response to public health crises.

Poe’s Senate Bill 1450 or the Pandemic Preparedness and Response Act aims to establish the country’s version of the United States’ Center for Disease Control, which will strategize and lead in communicable disease control and prevention and strengthen

the country’s preparedness and response to public health emergencies.

Under the proposed measure, the center is also envisioned to provide consultation and assistance to other countries and international agencies to collaborate in improving the effectiveness of disease prevention and control mechanisms.

“We need to strengthen our preparedness and become far more equipped in the face of continuing health risks. We all have a stake in this,” Poe said.

The filing of the bill comes as Philippine authorities

scramble to stem the spread of the new coronavirus that has already infected 7,777 people in the country. Of the number, 511 have died, while 932 have recovered.

“We need to restrategize, restructure and reinvent our systems if we are to stay afloat and cope with the scourge and disruption brought about by COVID-19, including the threat of new diseases,” Poe said.

Last January, Rep. Joey Salceda (Albay) also filed a bill seeking to create CDC. The proposed legislation remains pending at the House committee on Health. n

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — The world is ever changing—that change has been more drastic in recent days, with our greater dependence on technology as a pandemic that infected millions has virtually forced the world to a halt. With these changes, the legal landscape has evolved too.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court released the results of the 2019 Bar examinations. The country will soon welcome 2,103 new lawyers.

These soon-to-be members of the Philippine Bar will take on a landscape where “human interactions are carried on to a large extent with the use of high technology,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra told Philstar.com.

“Commerce is conducted electronically, communications through the internet and social media, and many other transactions, crimes included, via cyberspace,” he pointed out.

The National Bureau of

2019 Bar passer Sarah Marie Gemanil-La Madrid did not make it to the Roll of Attorneys in her first try. She was then juggling being a mom to her first child, a law student reviewing and a newly designated local court worker. There was little difference when she reviewed for the 2019 Bar exams: La Madrid was still juggling three things at once, but she was determined to finally be called an “attorney,” a dream that once eluded her.

Philstar.com photo

Investigation has reported a 100% rise in cybercrime incidents during the lockdown. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also warned that there may be a surge in cybersex trafficking of children in this period.

With these changes, the le-

gal framework has changed too.

“Laws governing electronic transactions and penalizing offenses committed through cyberspace have been enacted, and the way our legal institutions operate PAGE 10

may 1-7, 2020 • NEW yORK aND NEW JERSEy aSIaN JOURNaL

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Depression on the rise due to ECQ

by Büm

D. Tenorio Philstar.com

Jr.

MANILA — Expect the number of individuals with depression to rise in the country following the prolonged lockdown.

“Mood disorder, as prime characteristic of depression, is on the rise. Many people feel sad and slowly lose interest in life because of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) caused by COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Roland Cortez, chief of the National Center for Mental Health during a Zoom press conference yesterday.

Every day, Cortez said, about 200 people call the 24-hour hotline numbers (0917-898-8727 and 9898727) of the hospital ever since the ECQ took effect in Luzon last month.

Last year, the hospital recorded depression as the third leading cause of consultation with the NCMH with a total of 637 patients.

Schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder came first and second with 2,552 and 1,322 patients respectively.

With the pandemic, Cortez

said the hospital now only admits patients who are suicidal or who have the capacity to hurt others.

Cortez said the hospital has recorded 60 employees infected with COVID-19, of whom 11 have recovered. And of 16 patients of NCMH who tested positive for the coronavirus, one recovered.

Pavilion 7 of the hospital with a 100-bed capacity has been turned into an isolation center where COVID patients are being treated.

“Depression is on the rise because of the feeling of uncertainty. Those who are affected by it are asking: When will I go back to work?

Do I still have work after the ECQ? How do I feed my family? When will we stop depending on government aid? When will COVID-19 be totally eradicated?” said Cortez.

“Anxiety and nervousness are common” among those who are locked down in their houses. “They always worry about their finances.

They feel uneasy inside their houses. They are uncertain of the future,” he added.

To combat the feeling of being depressed, Cortez suggested that “the government must have clear guidelines on how to help the people.”

“They must feel and be reassured that after the lockdown they will still have a job. Because for many, they feel that it is already the end of the world,” he said.

Cortez said kids and senior citizens are also emotionally affected by the lockdown.

“Parents should reassure their kids that the ECQ is temporary; that when it is lifted, they can play again outside the house or with their friends,” he said.

Senior citizens, Cortez said, also feel the depression of being locked down. “They should exercise by walking around the house. Or even simple flexing (of arms and legs).

“The senior citizens also have feelings; they get depressed. They silently absorb the feelings of their children or grandchildren who lose their jobs. Cheer them up with good news. If they can also connect with PAGE 10

BOUNDARY CHECKPOINT. Quezon City Police District (QCPD) personnel inspect IDs of motorcycle riders coming from España Bo u l eva rd i n M a n i l a entering Quezon City at the cities’ boundary on Tuesday, April 28. The government has extended the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and other ‘high r i s k a re a s ’ f o r t h e coronavirus disease 2019 until May 15.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Taiwan OFW targeted over social media posts...

PAGE 7 of the government’s reponse to the COVID-19 pandemic, Banayo said, and some Filipino social media users in Taiwan had taken offense. He stressed that Macauyag’s actions were “unilateral” and had not been coordinated with MECO, the agency that maintains de facto relations with Taipei.

In a separate interview on the ABS-CBN News Channel, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Palace is leaving the matter “to the jurisdiction of Taiwanese authorities, which forms part of China.”

He stressed that Ordidor’s case is up to the authorities of

“Taiwan and China. Taiwan is part of China.”

The Philippines does not have formal relations with Taiwan and recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the legitimate government of China. The MECO, according to its website, is “the duly designated instrumentality to promote and protect Philippine interests in Taiwan, [and] has been authorized and conferred with authority to perform functions usually carried out by Philippine foreign missions but of a non-political, non-security nature.”

The government’s “One China” policy previously led

to the sudden expansion in early February of a travel ban on arrivals from the People’s Republic of China and its special administrative regions to include those from Taiwan.

The travel ban was criticized by the Taiwanese government which said the measure was based on “wrong information” since Taiwan is not under the People’s Republic of China.

The government lifted the ban on arrivals from Taiwan days later “by reason of the strict measures they are undertaking, as well as the protocols they are implementing to address the COVID-19.” (Jonathan de Santos/Philstar.com)

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10 may 1-7, 2020 • NEW yORK aND NEW JERSEy aSIaN JOURNaL

The race for a COVID-19...

PAGE 5 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 SARSCoV-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 COVID19. 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 American-Jewish community in Washington, D.C. President Duterte’s state visit to Israel, the first and only Filipino president to do so,

Dateline PhiliPPines

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 medium 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)

Pope Francis warns of a deadlier virus spreading...

PAGE 5 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 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 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.

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Depression on the rise due...

PAGE 8 their friends and relatives via social media, that will do them good,” said Cortez.

He advised everyone under lockdown to tap the artist in him or her.

“In this time of the pandemic, we should learn new skills, learn art. Indulge in poetry, painting or learn to play an instrument. We have to be creative,” Cortez said.

“We keep being sane by taking a break from listening to bad news or reading too much about the pandemic.

Let’s listen to our favorite music or watch feel-good movies. We can clean the house or read inspiring books,” he added.

To keep sane during the lockdown, Cortez also suggested people meditate or practice mindfulness, to eat

healthy and live a healthy lifestyle.

“Get an eight-hour sleep daily. It’s not good to be sleeping always. Drink at least eight glasses of water.

Exercise regularly. Don’t forget the benefit of taking a deep breath from time to time. Avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs – they weaken the lungs. And pray,” he said. n

Philippines’ new lawyers face a legal...

PAGE 7 has been modified to cope up with and make use of computer-driven technologies,” Guevarra said.

“All new lawyers should be equipped to tread on this new landscape, where the environment for many human activities has become a virtual reality,” he added.

To be a lawyer during lockdown amid pandemic Aside from cyberspace expanding the legal landscape, a global pandemic has restricted movement and business across the world.

COVID-19 upended lives and forced billions of people into home confinement.

The Philippines is no exception. Luzon, the largest island in the country — including the capital where the Supreme Court sits — is still on an extended lockdown, in a drastic bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

In the middle of the lockdown, the high court also held the historic first virtual en banc session.

Associate Justice Marvic Leonen shared that it took them days to prepare for their first ever online deliberations. They had to familiarize themselves with software and hardware to be used.

“For almost all of us, our younger staff and even our families in our respective households helped orient us and gave us the confidence to embrace this technology,” Leonen wrote on Twitter on April 17.

The SC also announced it will pilot test videoconferencing of criminal trials in this time of public health emergency: To minimize physical presence and interactions in our courts and help flatten the curve of the rising infections in the country.

The new crop of lawyers is coming in at an extraordinary time, when the health

emergency “highlights the congestion, delays, inefficiencies and inequalities in our justice sector,” Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Egon Cayosa told Philstar.com.

The technology at their disposal will make them “competitive global lawyers” and they should be “courageous not only to protect the rights and interests of their clients (especially the poor) in the traditional way, but to be bold in trying out new and revolutionary ways of resolving differences,” he added.

They too “have to be competent in harnessing technology to do their work and deliver justice faster and more efficiently,” Cayosa said.

To be a lawyer when justice is elusive to some The Philippines’ new lawyers will also step on a legal landscape where “finding justice...will not be easy,” said veteran rights lawyer and Free Legal Assistance Group national chairman Chel Diokno.

“In many ways, our justice system is a contradiction in terms: for the majority of our people, justice is as elusive as a home is for the homeless,” he said.

“To build a better house of justice for our people, we need lawyers who will exert every effort to level the playing field, defend the oppressed, and see to it that no one is above the law,” Diokno added.

Recent incidents involving the police cast doubt on whether law enforcement personnel have been following their own regulations.

Calls for justice for victims of what may be instances of power abuse have been ringing and mounting.

In this time of the COVID19 pandemic, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers national president Edre Olalia said “draconian emergency measures and autocratic, even

despotic, mindsets that impact viciously and recklessly on basic rights are being venerated as acceptable and necessary.”

“Economic and social rights remain fundamentally dishonoured. Double and even multiple standards of justice as well as inconsistencies in the legal and justice system taunt us in our faces,” Olalia said in a message to Philstar.com.

“The new lawyer must not fall into conformity and complacency amidst these all. He/she must be bold, critical yet with a deep well of forbearance and most of all compassion and commitment especially to the ordinary people, the vulnerable, the persecuted and the victims of all sorts of injustice,” he added.

“There is no new normal.

Only perspectives and new approaches from the lens of the people and not the powerful. Lawyers must serve justice and complain incessantly against everything that is wrong in our society,” Olalia also said.

Cayosa, who heads the national organization of lawyers, also expressed hopes that the new Filipino lawyers will “will deepen their ethical values, realize that lawyering is not a livelihood but a vocation, and measure up to their social responsibilities.”

“I hope they will help us tell and live the story of the Good Filipino Lawyer,” he added.

Justice Leonen, who may be the most social media savvy among the magistrates, posted this message for would-be lawyers on the eve of 2019 Bar exam results: “Remember that the profession is not all that you are.”

“Be humble. Resist greed.

Learn to sacrifice. Every privilege comes with responsibility. Address inequality. Strive for social justice.

Serve the people.” n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 1-7, 2020

COMMUNITY Journal

Immigration Corner

May 2020 priority dates The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:

Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ

First Preference

EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below.

If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.

Beginning in October 2015, the format of the Visa Bulletin changed, in that a new column was added, called the “Application Filing Date.” If a person’s priority date is earlier than the Application Filing Date, they can already file for adjustment of status and work authorization (provided they are otherwise eligible and USCIS indicates on its website it will use the Application Filing Date for that month).

This could allow people to obtain work authorization much sooner than before, where they had to wait for the priority date to be current (in the Visa Issuance or Final Action Date column) in order to both file for adjustment and be eligible for a green card.

Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

June 01, 2011

September 01, 2010

(2A) Spouse and Second Preference minor children (below March 01, 2020 Current 21 years old) of green card holders (2B) Unmarried sons February 01, and daughters (21 years old or older) 2011 of green card holders

June 01, 2010

Third Preference

Married sons and daughters of US Citizens

August 22, 2001

November 15, 2000

Fourth Preference

Brothers and sisters of US Citizens

June 01, 2001

October 01, 2000

Application Filing Date

Visa Issuance Date

LABOR CERTIFICATION:

Second Preference

Advanced Degree (Masters)

Current

Current

Third Preference

Professional/ Skilled Workers

April 01, 2019

January 01, 2017

Other Workers

Non-Skilled Workers

April 01, 2019

January 01, 2017

*** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty,

guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter.

No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw and Twitter @ GurfinkelLaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

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 conPAGE 12

11

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

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE SUSPECTED OF FRAUD IS SAVED BY “ATTORNEY-OF-LAST-HOPE” ON CITIZEN PINOY. For Randa (left) and Phey (center), it was love at first sight when they met. They were in previous marriages that ended in divorce. U.S. citizen Randa petitioned Phey, but they were suspected of fraud. It did not help that Randa’s first marriage was also suspected of being a fixed one. After working with a paralegal and two other attorneys, who told the couple their case was hopeless (and they could even go to jail, and/or get deported), Randa and Phey decided to consult with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL. The couple admired the confidence and honesty of Atty. Gurfinkel. His thorough analysis and preparations for the case assured Randa and Phey that they were in good hands. Watch how true love wins the day on an all-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

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May 1-7, 2020 • NEW yORK aND NEW JERSEy aSIaN JOURNaL

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Debunking COVID-19 myths Same-sex couple faces suspicions of a fixed marriage, but love conquers all, Health@Heart on a new Citizen Pinoy this Sunday 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, SARSCoV2 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 COVID19, 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 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 COVID19 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 COVID19. NONE so far, not even vaccines, which are being PAGE 13

WHEN U.S. citizen Randa met Phey for the first time, it was as if Cupid shot an arrow straight through their hearts, and they fell in love.

Phey had been married to an opposite-sex spouse in 2002, with whom she had three children. She came to the U.S. as a tourist in 2014, and later realized that she would be able to provide a better future for her children if she stayed on. Phey took odd jobs here and there.

She eventually divorced her husband in 2016.

Randa was previously married to a same-sex spouse and when Randa

petitioned her spouse they were suspected of marriage fraud. They ended up in divorce in 2017. Shortly after, Randa and Phey got married, after having known each other for some time.

Being an ardent viewer of Citizen Pinoy, Phey believed she learned a lot from the TV show and could work on their documents on her own. Then, she hired a paralegal. When her case did not pan out, the couple worked with two more lawyers, both of whom gave up – one lawyer even said the couple could go to jail, and that Phey could get de-

ported.

Frustrated and worried, Randa finally decided to not just watch the show on TV but should consult with the “Attorney of Last Hope” – Michael J. Gurfinkel. Atty.

Gurfinkel was straightforward and worked on putting all documents together and establishing proof that the marriages were real.

See how love conquers all, with the help of the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY – on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC.

(Advertising Supplement)

Father of Fil-Am actor...

PAGE 11 firm 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, surrounded by his loved ones,” he shared on Monday.

In the same post, Darren paid tribute to his father.

“Dad lived an extraordinary life. Anyone who ever met Bill 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 incredible 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

Photos from Instagram/@darrencriss

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.

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 1-7, 2020

The Songbird at 50

Debunking COVID-19...

Regine Velasquez celebrates with a milestone benefit concert from home

By Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

ASIA’S Songbird Regine Velasquez had a successful online fundraising event dubbed “One Night With Regine” over the weekend and raised over P4.2 million in donation.

The three-hour special was streamed live from her home on ABS-CBN’s Facebook and YouTube pages on April 25 and was held for the benefit of Bantay Bata 163’s programs outside its coronavirus relief efforts, including the “Children’s Village,” which houses rescued abused, neglected and abandoned children.

The singing diva’s husband, fellow OPM icon Ogie Alcasid, saw to setting up Velasquez’s performing area and the technical side.

“Just before we aired #onenightwithregine last night.

Boy, was I nervous. Felt like I was in school in UP again for production classes,” Al-

EMPLOYMENT

Regine Velasquez

Photo from Instagram/@reginevalcasid

casid said on his Instagram on Sunday.

“All worth it. My wife was just amazing again. Praise the Lord for she is good.

TY to all who donated and watched. God bless your wonderful hearts. Will post more pics and vids. Congrats baba @reginevalcasid,” he

added.

Velasquez, who celebrated her 50th birthday on April 22, delivered a wide repertoire of songs including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Ben&Ben’s “Pagtingin,” Unique Salonga’s “Sino, “ Moira Dela Torre’s “TaguPAGE 15

FOR RENT

PAGE 12 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 SARS-CoV2. 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

SERVICES

13

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.

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MAY 1-7, 2020 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

• (212) N E W http://www.asianjournal.com YO R K / N E W J E R S EY 655-5426 M AY 1 , 2 0 2 0

people events arts culture entertainment

THE FORK INITIATIVE & FEED OUR WARRIORS

Fil-Am groups unite to feed the frontliners

F

by

MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress

or 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.

Two different organizations came up with a project to feed the frontliners with delicious and nourishing food. Both The FORK Initiative and Feed Our Warriors aim to serve the underserved hospitals in New York City. Together, they have delivered more than a thousand meals to around 40 hospitals and clinics in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and The Bronx.

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 co-founder 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 community-driven 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

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

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.

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,” VeraYu 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 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 PAGE 15

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • MAY 1-7, 2020

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Fil-Am singer vies for top 10 spot in ‘American Idol’ with Katy Perry song By niña v. Guno Inquirer.net

John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo

ABS-CBN photo

John Lloyd introduces son to Bea

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

ON-leave Kapamilya actor John Lloyd Cruz introduced his son with actress Ellen Adarna, Elias, to love team partner Bea Alonzo, and also to her followers in an Instagram live video on Monday, April 27.

John Lloyd joined the Instagram Live of Bea to the delight of their fans.

The love team brought a throwback night for their fans as they dropped some of their most memorable movie lines through the years, including those from their blockbuster film “One More Chance.”

John Lloyd then shared how much he appreciates that Bea stayed in his life despite the ups and downs.

“Nandoon ka nu’ng nagmahal ako, nandoon ka nu’ng nasaktan ako, nandoon ka nu’ng wala akong matakbuhan, nandoon ka nu’ng kailangan ko ng kaibigan, nandoon ka nu’ng kailangan ko ng kausap,” John Lloyd told Bea. “‘Pag binabalikan ko lahat ng ‘yan, minsan, ‘di ko na alam kung ano pa tayo… kung sino tayo. Pero okay lang kasi ‘yung mahalaga

‘yung nandoon ka. ‘Yun lang, sapat na ‘yun,” he added.

Bea replied with “Anong movie ‘yan?”

“Wala, gusto ko lang sabihin,” John Lloyd replied.

John Lloyd then took out an acoustic guitar and sang “You Are My Sunshine,” which prompted Bea to say that she misses her love team partner.

“Namiss kita,” Bea said.

“Nami-miss kita,” John Lloyd replied.

The Instagram live ended when John Lloyd’s son entered the room and the actor introduced Elias to Bea and their viewers.

John Lloyd also recently reunited with “Home Sweetie Home” co-stars Kuya Jobert and Nonong.

In Cinemo’s Facebook account, Jobert and Nonong had a live chat where John Lloyd was one of the people who asked Jobert and Nonong.

“Puwede po ba akong magtanong kay Julius? Julius, ano ba ‘yung pinaka-epektibo at saka paraan para patulugin ang isang baby?” John Lloyd asked Jobert.

“Sa akin ka pa talaga nagtanong ha? Ang pinakamagandang paraan sa isang bata ‘pag ‘di natutulog ay

ipatong mo sa unan tapos paikutin mo nang dahan-dahan. Tapos patulugin mo na,” Kuya Jobert answered John Lloyd.

“Matatanggalan kami ng trabaho,” Jobert jokingly added.

Jobert added that John Lloyd needs to put vaporub into his son’s eyelid.

“Well, ang pinakamagandang pampatulog ng bata ayon sa isang kaibigan kong komedyante rin, walang ibang solusyon diyan kung hindi vaporub. Tulad ng ginagawa ng ating mga magulang, lagyan mo sa talukap ng mga mata. Iiyak nang kaunti ‘yan tapos sasabihin sa’yo, ‘I cannot see’.“ he continued to joke.

“Sabihin mo ‘You cannot see but you can sleep.’ Untiunti siyang matutulog. Hihipan mo tapos sabihin mo sa kanya, ‘Anak, sorry mahal kita pero kailangan mong matulog.’ ‘Yun, ganoon,” he added.

Other questions from John Lloyd included, “Ano nauna, itlog o manok?” and “Meron po bang paliwanag kung bakit hindi mo mapigilan ang pagtiklop ng mga daliri natin sa paa ‘pag tapos nang pagire mo sa kubeta?”

Fil-Am groups unite to feed...

PAGE 14 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 Fili-

pino 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 people as we can. Some of our Titas tell us they only have Kind Bars to eat all day. This is not the Filipino way!”

FRANCISCO Martin impressed judges as he fought to be a top 10 contestant Sunday, April 26, on “American Idol.”

The top 20 participants of the reality singing competition are all filming from home amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Martin, a Filipino college student in California, chose to perform the 2010 pop hit “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry, who happens to be a judge on the reality singing competition.

His acoustic rendition got praises from judges Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, who all viewed the song choice as a risk.

“What a dice roll to do that song. Good for you because it really worked,” Perry said.

Francisco Martin sings for “American Idol” judges from inside his home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo courtesy of ABC

She did give some pointers to work on: “I would’ve liked to see you come down just a little bit and bring it back to that sultry ‘Teenage Dream’ subtle part, but that’s just me being overly critical of a song I’ve sung tens of thousands of

The Songbird...

PAGE 13 Taguan,” KZ Tandingan’s “Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako,” Eraserheads’ “With A Smile,” and of course some of her biggest hits including “Dadalhin,” “Tuwing Umuulan,” and “Araw Gabi.”

During one segment, son Nate Alcasid joined her to sing “A Million Dreams” from “The Greatest Showman.”

Meanwhile, her special guest was Broadway star Lea Salonga with whom she sang several duets over video call, namely “I Don’t Know How To Love Him,” “What I Did For Love” and “Someone Like You.” “First of all, Regine, happy, happy birthday! I hope that it’s been a wonderful celebration for you, so far.

Singing with you was hard, but because it was your birthday, and because you asked, as in ikaw mismo yung nag-request that I sing this with you, I couldn’t say no,” Salonga told the celebrant.

“It’s your birthday request. So, my God! It’s hard to sing with you, but I mean that only in the best way!

You still sound the way you always did. But because of what you’ve been through in life, there’s so much color to your interpretations and to your vocal quality, and to just everything about you.

You are one of the funniest

people that I know. You have one of the most amazing voices that I’ve heard. And I don’t think that things are going to stop for you. So, I hope that the day has been fantastic,” she added.

Salonga, bidding goodbye to Velasquez, enthused, “I love you, and the next time you and I sing together again, it should be in person, with full-on glam and fullon gown in a much bigger venue than this. Talking concert hall, stadium, an arena.

Something. And it will be fun.”

Birthday greetings Celebrities from Sunday ensemble variety show “ASAP Natin To” also sent out their birthday greetings for Velasquez, as well as Vice Ganda, Judy Ann Santos, Sarah Geronimo, Matteo Guidicelli and Sharon Cuneta.

“Regine! Belated happy birthday sa’yo! Gusto ko lang malaman mo kung gaano kami kaswerte maging kaibigan mo, maging kumare mo.

Isa kang blessing sa maraming tao. Keep doing what you do best. I love you and I really, really hope to see you soon. Happy birthday Mare!” Santos said.

“Ms. Reg, thank you so much for everything, for the friendship. We are so lucky to have you in our lives.

Maraming, maraming salamat po sa pagmamahal, sa

times.”

“But you did it real justice, good job,” she concluded.

Bryan admitted he was nervous for Martin. “I was like please do not let this kid cover a Katy song and mess it up.”

“You didn’t man, you made it you, and you just have the magic. And I’m jealous,” he quipped.

Richie too commended the cover: “You turned it into your song, you made it your song.”

Martin and other contestants can receive votes through the American Idol app or website, or by texting the contestant’s number to 21523. Martin is contestant number 12.

Audience votes will determine the 10 who will advance to the next round, and the result will be announced next week.

suporta, for simply being you Ms. Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. We love you so much,” Geronimo remarked.

Meanwhile, Cuneta greeted Velasquez by recalling how they first met through an impromptu singing.

“Naaalala mo pa ba, mga una nating pagkikita, akala ko’y masungit ka. Sabi ko pa nga mayabang ka. Yun pala’y nahihiya. Di makasalita. Kaya tayong dalawa ang tagal, nakanganga. Pasensya ka na pala sa munting regalo kong ito. Tutal musika naman ang nagdala sa akin sa’yo. Salamat sa ‘Iconic’ nagkakilala’t nagkalapit. Ngayo’y di lang kaibigan kundi kapatid,” Cuneta sang.

“Happy birthday my Nana, mahal na mahal kita.

Salamat sa friendship, totoong kay ganda. Sa dami ng mga plastic at hinanakit, niregalo ka ni Lord sa akin.

Heto magkapatid. Salamat my Nana, aalagaan kita. Di pababayaan, si ate nandito lang. Happy birthday my Nana. Mahal na mahal kita.

Habambuhay nandito, sabi nga ni Juday, hanggang kabilang buhay. Magkasama tayo kahit saan magpunta,” she added.

Not only did Megastar sing for the celebrant but Cuneta also donated P1 million to Velasquez benefit concert.

It was in 2002 when the Songbird also held “One Night With Regine” concert outside the National Museum where Bantay Bata was also the beneficiary.

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May 1-7, 2020 • NEW yORK aND NEW JERSEy aSIaN JOURNaL

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