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MAY 28-JUNE 3, 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. 21 • 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

USA

DATELINE American citizen gets life sentence in PH for online child abuse FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

AN American child sex offender this week was sentenced to life in prison by a Philippine court for exploiting Filipino children online.

David Timothy Deakin will service a life sentence after being found guilty of three counts of “large-scale qualified human trafficking.”

Judge Irineo Pangilinan Jr. announced the ruling on Tuesday, May 26, through video conferencing from Branch 58 of the Regional Trial Court in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Aside from life imprisonment, Deakin has been ordered to pay a fine of P2 million, as well as pay each victim the amount of P500,000 representing moral damages, and an additional P100,000 as civil indemnity for his crimes.

Deakin, who has been in the Philippines since 2000, is the first foreigner to be convicted of trafficking offenses through online proceedings in the country.

His conviction is a strong warning to offenders that “they could not hide even if they commit sexual exploitation crimes in cyberspace because law enforcers are collaborating worldwide to catch them,” said NBI Anti-Human

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2020 Census Analysis: Asian New Yorkers are being undercounted based on latest self–response rate

Political representation, funding for education, health, and essential services at risk

ASIAN-MAJORITY census tracts in New York City had an average response rate of 44.7% compared with a citywide self-response rate of 46.3%, according to an analysis released by the Asian American Federation (AAF) at a virtual community forum this week.

The Filipino community’s response rate is at 43.4%, lagging behind the Korean, Pakistani and Chinese communities, as well as the citywide self-response rate.

AAF’s analysis of the largest Asian ethnic groups showed significant differences in participation.

Census tracts with 20% of more Chinese residents had self-response rates slightly below that of the citywide average. Census tracts with

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Las Vegas casinos set to open next week with new guidelines

by RAE

ANN VARONA AJPress

“THE world has changed, and Vegas is changing with it.”

That’s the new ad campaign slogan put together by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

(LVCVA), the organization behind the famous “What “We’re welcoming visitors back, but we’re going happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” campaign. to take every precaution possible,” said Sisolak in an The new slogan comes as Nevada Governor Steve online briefing. “We’re encouraging visitors to come Sisolak said Tuesday, May 26 that a number of re- and enjoy themselves and have a good time.” sort casinos would be allowed to open as soon as But the Las Vegas people know — crowded caJune 4 as part of the city’s Phase 2 reopening stage. u PAGE 2

ABS-CBN franchise renewal receives overwhelming support

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Philippine House of Representatives has received 181 position papers that support the bills seeking a fresh 25-year franchise to broadcast giant ABS-CBN, Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Alfredo Garbin, Jr. said Wednesday, May 27.

“There are 181 position papers which support the renewal of [the] ABS-CBN franchise and there are eight that oppose it,” he said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

Garbin, a member of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, also said that “impartial and comprehensive” discussions will be held in succeeding hearings.

“It will be ABS-CBN who will present first, at pagkatapos susundan ito ng nagkokontra naman (and then it will be followed by the opposing side). We will receive all the evidence, there will be appreciation of evidence, expert witness, resource persons can be invited,” he added.

Garbin stressed that it is important for ABS-CBN to

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NATIONAL FLAG DAY. A giant Philippine flag flies proudly at the Heritage Park in Alapan, Imus, Cavite in observance of the National Flag Day as per Presidential Proclamation 374 declaring May 28 as National Flag Day. Filipinos are encouraged to display the Philippine flag in all offices, agencies and instruments of government, business establishments, schools, and private homes from May 28 to June 12 of every year.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Anti-Asian racism and COVID-19: How to be an ally Three Fil-Ams seek judicial seats Community orgs offer bystander trainings to prepare during Nevada’s June 9 primary individuals for encounters of anti-Asian harassment

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA

AJPress

ON May 14, a young Asian woman in Wisconsin was minding her own business and walking down the aisle of a grocery store. A white man stopped her and started hurling racial epithets at her; later, a police report stated that multiple Asian “customers were called names and harassed for wearing masks because of their race.”

The day after that, in a New York City subway an Asian woman was verbally harassed by a stranger for allegedly not wearing her mask “properly,” yelling at the

Asian woman, “You f**king Chinese don’t speak English! Go back to China!” before slapping the victim’s phone from her hand.

The next day on May 16 in San Luis Obispo, California, a Zoom meeting among members of the Cal Poly Chinese Student Association was bombed by anonymous trolls who drew swastikas and spammed the chat box with xenophobic language and blamed the COVID-19 pandemic on the entire Chinese community.

If you saw these incidents happen, what would you do?

These incidents, which happened three

The Filipinos mentioned were Marylou Armer of Sonoma Valley, California; Chad Capule of Cheverly, Maryland; Loretta Mendoza Dionisio of Orlando, Florida; Noel Sinkiat of Olney, Maryland; and Maria Linda Villanueva Sun of Newport News, Virginia.

Armer, 43, was a “veteran police detective” who spent 20 years at the Santa Rosa Police Department. She died on March 31, becoming the first line-of-duty death related to the viral disease in the state of California.

Armer was a member of the police department’s domestic violence sexual assault team at the time of her death. She began her career in Santa Rosa as a field evidence technician in 1999 and was sworn in as a

THREE Filipino American attorneys are eyeing judicial posts in Clark County as Nevada holds its primary election on Tuesday, June 9.

Caesar Almase, Maricar “Rica” Andrade and Gemma NazarenoEdquilang are on the primary ballot, which registered voters in the state received by mail to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

A former Clark County deputy public defender, Almase is among four candidates vying for the Department 21 seat of the Nevada 8th Judicial District Court.

Almase, who moved to the U.S. from the Philippines in 1973, obtained his law degree from West Virginia University and started his legal career in Las Vegas as a law clerk for District Court Judge Valorie Vega.

After spending nearly five years in the county’s Public Defender’s Office, he turned to private practice and handles criminal law cases.

“My opponents simply do not have the jury trial or District Court experience that I bring to the table,” Almase told the Las Vegas-Review Journal. “I’m in court almost every day for a variety of proceedings. As a voter, you need to consider what type

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Five Filipinos listed in New York Times front page honoring those who died of COVID-19

by RAE

The New York Times’ front page on Sunday, May 24 listed 1,000 individuals to represent 1% of COVID-19 deaths in the United States.

ANN VARONA AJPress

FIVE Filipinos were among names featured on the powerful New York Times front page published on Sunday, May 24 that honored nearly 1,000 individuals who died of COVID-19.

The New York Times headline read: “U.S. deaths near 100,000, an incalculable loss.”

Its subtitle read: “They were not simply names on a list. They were us.”

The listed names included their age, city and a short fact about their lives. They represent 1% of the total COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. that as of Wednesday, May 27, reached over 100,000.

by AJPRESS

Caesar Almase

Rica Andrade

Gemma Nazareno Edquilang

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

May 28-June 3, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIan JOuRnaL

Las Vegas casinos set...

From The FronT Page

PAGE 1 sinos, and packed day and night clubs — will look and feel different as facilities comply with new guidelines put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Of the properties set to open on June 4 include four MGM Grand’s properties: the Bellagio, New York-New York, the MGM Grand Las Vegas, and The Signature.

Also opening are The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, the Flamingo Las Vegas, the Venetian, and Wynn Las Vegas.

Facilities Changes will be seen as soon as visitors step into the opened hotel-casinos as all guests will be required to have their temperature checked upon arrival. Several hotel-casinos, like the Wynn Las Vegas, also plan on using thermal cameras at entrances.

Designated COVID-19 testing areas will also be required where guests can be tested and wait for results.

Guests can also expect to see an amped-up medical crew presence.

The Venetian, for example, plans on having a team of 25 emergency medical technicians on-site at all times.

To further prevent the spread of the coronavirus, hand sanitizing stations will be put through-

out the properties. The Bellagio and New York-New York plan on taking it a step further by putting handwashing stations complete with water, soap, and towels throughout their properties.

While masks will be required for employees, visitors are only encouraged to wear them and may be provided with masks.

Many flock to Las Vegas to attend its many day club pool parties, however, guests can expect limited pool access and no day club festivities. Night clubs, shows, and some spas will also remain closed in the current reopening phase.

All hotels will also be required to meet cleaning standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Southern Nevada Health District, the local Nevada Gaming Control Board, and the World Health Organization.

This includes frequently cleaning HVAC filters and sanitizing hightouch surfaces and items.

Games To maintain social distancing, some games will be adjusted to comply with precautions set by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. For example, blackjack will go from six players down to three. Craps players can expect three at each end of the table instead of seven for a total of six

players instead of 14.

The number of available slot machines will also be decreased with many casinos looking at getting rid of chairs to prevent people from even sitting at certain machines. Chips, dice, and cards will also be sanitized regularly.

Guests will also likely see acrylic and plexiglass barriers, as well as face shields.

Dining Takeout will continue to be available, but when it comes to dining in, buffets — which are a Las Vegas experience in itself — will remain closed, as will bars.

As for other dine-in restaurants, no walk-ins will be allowed, meaning reservations must be made in advance. Groups must also have no more than five people.

Restaurant settings will also look different as tables will have to be at least six feet apart from each other, and won’t be preset with utensils, napkins, or condiments. When getting drink refills, guests will also receive new glasses.

Restaurants are also encouraged to post menu boards throughout their facility or online, or use disposable menus.

Electronic payments are also encouraged, and restaurants may choose to only accept electronic payments over cash. n

PAGE 1 Trafficking Division Chief Janet Francisco.

In April 2017, the NBI arrested Deakin in his rented house in Angeles City. The raid in his apartment led to the discovery of hard drives containing child sexual exploitation materials, sex toys, and drug-use paraphernalia.

Agents also found children’s underwear, toddler shoes, cameras, bondage cuffs, fetish ropes, meth pipes and stacks of hard drives and photo albums in Deakin’s apartment.

Using a webcam scheme, Deakin would sell videos, photos and livestreams to buyers abroad, including in the U.S., Canada and Europe, according to the Associated Press.

The International Justice Mission, a Washington, D.C.-based human rights organization, called the ruling “inspiring.”

“To behold this e-conviction of a high-profile criminal in the middle

of a pandemic is so inspiring,” Kathleen Piccio Labay, senior lead lawyer for prosecution development from IJM’s Manila office, said.

“The journey we had to take to ensure David Timothy Deakin’s accountability was fraught with so many legal challenges and in the process of securing justice for the victim-survivors, caseworkers from the law enforcement, social services and prosecution teams have been exposed to hundreds of traumatic child sexual exploitation materials but in the end, righteousness prevailed,” she added.

IJM national director Samson Inocencio Jr. said, “More than ever, our justice system should continue to work to protect vulnerable children who are unsafe during the lockdown, and that criminals are made to account for their crimes. We commend the Philippine courts for their relentless work amidst a pandemic.”

The Philippines has become the

world’s largest known source of online child sexual exploitation, a study from IJM published on May 21 revealed.

The seven-year study, entitled “Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines: Analysis and Recommendations for Governments, Industry and Civil Society,” also said the combination of English fluency, high internet connectivity, long-entrenched poverty, and wide access to vulnerable kids helped make the country a “global hotspot” for child pornography.

Identified victims have an average age of 11 years, with the youngest known victim being less than 1 year old, the study found.

“We need to act as a global community — ending impunity in both source countries like the Philippines and demand countries,” Philippine Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Villar told the Associated Press in response to the findings. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)

American citizen gets life sentence in PH...

TRAFFIC. The situation along Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City seems back to normal as trucks line up on Thursday, May 28. Since the implementation of enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region, motorists experience light to moderate traffic in the area and even in major thoroughfares of the metropolis.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

ABS-CBN franchise renewal receives...

PAGE 1 defend the issues raised against it such as the citizenship of ABSCBN chairman emeritus Gabby Lopez and the alleged issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) to foreign investors.

“It is necessary to prove and defend these because these are valid issues that were raised against them before the Committee on Legislative Franchises,” he said.

“As to the issue on citizenship,

the PDRs, and of course the alleged tax evasions of ABS-CBN, perhaps ang pinakamaganda niyan is imbitahan natin ‘yung mga (the best way to resolve this is to invite) regulatory agencies or different agencies of the government who has primary jurisdiction and who can answer those issues,” he added.

Garbin listed the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the National Telecommuni-

cations Commission as the government agencies which may be invited to the hearings.

“Mahalaga po kunin natin yung kanilang opinyon (It is important to get their opinions) based on the law and based on the Constitution because you know there is a presumption in the regularity of the performance of their duties,” he pointed out.

The next hearing on the franchise bills is scheduled on Monday, June 1. n

Three Fil-Ams seek judicial seats during...

PAGE 1 of judge you’d want in your trial.

If you had a trial in District Court, would you want a person with very little jury trial experience?”

Andrade is seeking the judgeship for Department Y of the District Court’s Family Division.

Family Court handles cases involving divorce, annulment, child custody, visitation rights, child support, spousal support, community property division, name changes, adoption, and abuse and neglect.

Andrade, who immigrated to the U.S. at the age of six, went on to earn her law degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ William S. Boyd School of Law. She has been practicing family law for 12 years and was appointed to be a pro tem hearing master in 2014.

“Family court judges have

strong influences over people’s lives and families. If the community continues to elect judges who are representative of only a certain group or who belong to a certain class, this can have longstanding effects on its citizens,” Andrade said on Ballotpedia. “In order to have decision-making power and make real change, we need to elect people who we believe will bring our voices, concerns, and issues forward. Rich, affluent people can afford to litigate their family court cases and are in a better position than their counterparts. It is important to elect people who come from the communities that they serve because they have a true understanding of common struggles.”

Outside of law, Andrade cofounded nonprofit organization Bamboo Bridges, which brings culturally relevant services, such

as domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy services, to Asian American and Pacific Islander women and families in Southern Nevada.

Nazareno-Edquilang, a resident of Clark County for over 18 years, is competing for the Department T seat of the District Court’s Family Division.

She obtained her law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law and has been a licensed attorney in Nevada since 2001, focusing on family law, general civil litigation, personal injury, estate planning, probate, and immigration.

A candidate who wins more than 50% of the vote in the June primary will win the election.

If no one receives the majority vote, the top two candidates will advance to the general election in November. n

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

Dateline USa

Anti-Asian racism and COVID-19: How to...

PAGE 1 days in a row last week, were reported to hate crime hotlines catering the Asian American community, like those established by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) or Asian Americans Advancing Justice’s (Advancing Justice) Stand Against Hatred tracker.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Journal has been extensively reporting on the disconcerting uptick of anti-Asian harassment, violence and overall sentiments, most of it spurred by the understanding that the virus is known to have originated in China.

Accusations that any given Asian or Asian-passing person has the virus or blaming any and all Asians for the spread of the pandemic are common themes within the harassment, which ranges from microaggressions to outright violence.

More than 1,500 incidents have been reported to A3PCON’s hate crime tracker since the middle of March, and the incidents continue to pile up as the pandemic rages on across the country.

Bearing witness to these incidents could bring about discomfort and doubt for whether or not intervention would be helpful or harmful. In many cases, individuals may want to help the victim or stand up to the harasser, but they are unsure of what to do.

As a way to coach individuals on what to do if they find themselves as bystanders of such incidents, two community organizations have teamed up to provide virtual training sessions to educate individuals about the types of disrespect and harassment Asian Americans are facing right now and to prepare them to become allies in any given situation.

The anti-harassment and discrimination organization Hollaback!, along with Advancing Justice, has organized bystander intervention training sessions every week for May and June to help various communities become effective allies to the Asian Americans who are victims to what the organizers describe as the “spectrum of disrespect.”

“These instances, however small they seem, build up over time,” Bessie Chan-Smitham, director of Community Engagement at Advancing Justice, explained during the training held on Thursday, May 21. “They’re

also part of a larger spectrum of disrespect and contribute to an environment that allows for more extreme incidents to occur.”

The education portion of the training details the long and winding history of anti-Asian

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 28-JUNE 3, 2020

2020 Census Analysis: Asian New Yorkers are...

PAGE 1

concentrations of 20% or more of Korean or Pakistani residents had higher average self-response rates than the citywide average.

Census tracts with 20% or more Filipino, Bangladeshi, or Indian residents were much lower than the citywide average. The analysis also shows that the Filipino community had some of the highest week after week growth in self-response rates while the Bangladeshi and Indian/Indo-Caribbean communities had some of the lowest changes.

Because of the global pandemic, Census 2020 has adjusted its schedule accordingly, and extended the self-response period from July 31 to October 31.

US Census Bureau reports released last year indicated that Asian Americans were the least likely to participate in the Census as a result of several factors including the failed attempt to add the citizenship question, concerns about privacy, and lower English proficiency rates, and the current participation rates seem to bear out the predictions.

This is the first census where people can respond online or through phone, aside from the traditional snail mail.

The COVID pandemic that has disproportionately affected some neighborhoods with large Asian populations has further complicated outreach and participation efforts.

At the community forum called Self-Response Rates in Asian Neighborhoods, Howard Shih, AAF’s Director of Research and Policy said that they noticed CUNY Center for Urban Research showed that Asians in the largest US cities were lagging in their self-response rates, so they wanted to see what was happening to the Asian communities in New York City.

“While we have been able to identify the neighborhoods where more outreach is needed, we still face the hard work of addressing the barriers to participation, including internet access, social isolation, and language access,” he said.

Nationally, communities of color are all lagging in terms of selfresponse data, specially in large cities with more than one million Illustrations courtesy of Hollaback! in population. Asians are 49.6%, sentiments from the time of followed by Hispanics at 45.9% the Chinese Exclusion Act of and Blacks at 43.3%.

Community leaders and groups 1882 to the internment of more than 100,000 Japanese Ameri- who participated in the forum cans during World War II to the agreed that they would require to current coronavirus pandemic intensify the collaborative outreach PAGE 4 efforts of community groups, civic

religious leaders, elected officials and most importantly, residents, to increase participation in these neighborhoods.

“During this period of virtual outreach, data plays a key role in shaping citywide outreach efforts in order to get the most hard to count communities to fill out the census and secure their fair share in resources,” said Farzana Linda, Advocacy and Organizing Program Manager at Chhaya CDC “The Asian American Federation’s analysis of census response

rates shows that our communities can’t afford to wait and be overlooked again, when so many resources and political representation are at stake,” said Chuck Park, Civic Participation Manager at the MinKwon Center. “Armed with the Federation’s maps and data, activists, organizers, and civic leaders will be able to take action to target outreach in the most undercounted, immigrantdense neighborhoods of New York City.” (Momar G. Visaya/ AJPress)

Dateline USa

May 28-June 3, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIan JOuRnaL

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

Anti-Asian racism and COVID-19: How to...

Marylou Armer

Chad Capule

Loretta Dionisio

Noel Sinkiat

Maria Linda Villanueva Sun

further remembered as someone who grew up reading his father’s National Geographic magazines, dictionaries, and encyclopedias.

For eight years, he organized trivia fundraisers for the Rotary Club of Dupont Circle. In 2015, he appeared on an episode of “Jeopardy!�

Dionisio, 68, was described by the New York Times article as a cancer survivor born in the Philippines. In another article, it described Dionisio — called “Lettie� by those who knew her — as “outgoing and unstoppable.�

In highlighting her friendliness, Dionisio was remembered as someone who would go as far as inviting a T-Mobile sales clerk to join her family for dinner.

The retired Filipina and her husband Roddy arrived in Los Angeles on March 8 after a trip to the Philippines. Dionisio reportedly fell ill the next day and died on March 10 at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.

She became the first fatality related to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County.

Sinkiat, 64, was a nurse at Howard University Hospital for

41 years and was planning on retiring soon, as previously reported by the Asian Journal.

According to The Atlantic, Sinkiat was among the tens of thousands of Filipino health care workers who moved to the U.S. in the late 1970s to early 1980s.

He was the first member of National Nurses United and second known Filipino American nurse to succumb to COVID-19 on March 27.

Upon retirement, Sinkiat was planning going on a long motorcycle trip with his friends, reported the Washington Post.

Villanueva Sun, 61, was described by the New York Times as someone who organized food programs for children in the Philippines.

Born in Rizal, Philippines, Villanueva Sun studied accounting at the University of the East before immigrating to the San Francisco Bay Area, according to her obituary. She was further described as a restaurateur, interior designer, accountant, and small business owner.

She moved to Newport News, Virginia last fall after her hus-

Five Filipinos listed in New York Times front...

PAGE 1 police officer in May 2008, as previously reported by the Asian Journal.

Before moving to Northern California, Armer grew up in San Diego and joined the National City Police Department’s Explorer program.

Colleagues also remembered how Armer would bring lumpia (Filipino fried spring rolls) to staff potlucks or even on any given day. “It wouldn’t last a half hour,�

Blaine Hunt, a retired officer, told the Napa Valley Register.

She could never make enough of it to make the whole department happy.�

Capule was described by the newspaper as an “I.T. project manager remembered for his love of trivia.�

The 49-year-old was assigned to install a new computer system at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He began feeling ill and tested positive for the coronavirus; a week later, he was intubated at the hospital. He died on March 29.

Capule was a former member of the George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates IT Group, which remembered him as a “dedicated coworker, vibrant personality, & wonderful human being who “brought smiles to many with his humor, cheerful personality & optimism� and was a “fierce competitor in all things trivia.�

The youngest of three, Capule was born in the Philippines and immigrated to Northern Virginia in elementary school, and eventually graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in history and a minor in computer science, according to the Washington Post.

Touching on his affinity for trivia and knowledge, Capule was

PAGE 1 where every day, Asian Americans are being ostracized for being Asian.

Notably, the use of the misnomers “Wuhan virus,� “Chinese virus,� and the “Kung-flu� — which have been used among everyday individuals as well as high ranking lawmakers, including the president himself — exacerbates the anti-Asian hate by establishing an fraudulent inherent association between the virus and an entire racial group.

As implausible as it may seem to eliminate racism and discrimination from society, these are learned constructs that require community engagement to reverse, and that starts by understanding how to remedy these situations as a bystander.

Hollaback! has devised a fivepronged methodology called the 5D’s of bystander intervention which those witnessing an act of anti-Asian hate can utilize in an effort to mitigate the situation and stand up for the victim(s).

The 5D’s include: Distract, which involves creating a diversion to de-escalate the event; Delegate, find someone else like law enforcement or store management to help out; Document, record what’s happening on your phone to use as evidence that could be used to bring justice to the harasser; Delay, which is to wait until the incident has passed to check up on the victim; and Direct, which involves direct intervention between the assailant and the victim.

The hour-long training sessions are designed to help dis- tinguish these strategies and to find which method is best suited tions at Hollaback!. “This is the to a variety of incidents that may methodology that will hopefully help us in a moment when we happen in person or online. “This is about creating a tool freeze and we just have that huthat’s super easy for folks to use man reaction to want to show up and refer back to whenever hap- for someone else.�

Hollaback! and Advancing pens in the street or online and when it’s something [in which] Justice is also organizing trainthey want to react or intervene ing sessions for conflict de-esbut don’t know how to,� said calation for frontline workers of Jorge Arteaga, director of opera- Asian descent. Asian Americans

who are also health care workers, first responders or other essential workers face a uniquely serious predicament as a community fighting against racism as well as the virus itself.

To learn more about the bystander intervention training sessions, please visit https:// www.ihollaback.org/bystanderintervention/. n

The Filipina died on March 25, and was buried in a private funeral on April 8. “Of all her personal traits, the most important was her faith in God, which she instilled in her family through encouragement, prayer, service, charity, forgiveness, and love,� reads her obituary.

The death toll in the U.S. from COVID-19 has reached a grim new high of 100,047 as of

Wednesday afternoon, according to data from John Hopkins University. The number of people who have contracted the virus has reached 1,694,599, but public health experts say the actual number is likely higher.

The U.S. numbers remain higher than counts of other countries — making up approximately 30% of the world’s total cases.

Globally, more than 5.6 million have contracted COVID-19. n

band, who is in the U.S. Army, was transferred to Fort Eustis. In early March, she had flown back to California to oversee items that needed to be packed and moved, according to the Washington Post. By March 14, she and her husband were feeling ill with flulike symptoms. Three days later, she was admitted to Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital for pneumonia and tested positive for COVID-19.

Illustrations courtesy of Hollaback!

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL â&#x20AC;˘ MAy 28-JUNE 3, 2020

(702) 792-6678 â&#x20AC;˘ http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline PDuterte hiliPPines calls for more OFWs to be returned home

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

INSPECTION. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora inspects tricycles parked at the Agora Terminal along N. Domingo Street in San Juan City, as tricycle operations resume on Thursday, May 28. Only one passenger per trip is allowed and back riders are not permitted.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered government agencies to bring some 24,000 repatriated overseas Filipino workers back to their home provinces by the end of the week.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte gave the order to officials from the Department of Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Department of Health after OFWs were reported to have been stuck in Metro Manilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modified enhanced community quarantine for a month due to delayed COVID-19 test results. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hindi katanggap-tanggap sa ating Presidente na matapos maglingkod sa ating bayan ang mga OFWs na napahiwalay sa kanilang mga pamilya, nalungkot at nahirapang magbayad eh ngayon lalo pang mahihirapan habang naghihintay ng kanilang results (Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unacceptable to the president that our OFWs, after serving the country by being separated from their families, left alone and struggled to pay, are suffering more while waiting for their test results),â&#x20AC;? he said.

In a separate interview with DZMM, Roque stressed: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sabi niya [Duterte] enough is enough â&#x20AC;&#x201D; one week â&#x20AC;&#x201D; otherwise, marami pong mananagot (He said enough is enough â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they have

RETURNING HOME. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) heading to their hometowns after completing mandatory quarantine queue at the departure area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 during a send-off on Tuesday, May 26. President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered that the 24,000 OFWs stuck in quarantine centers in Metro Manila and already tested negative for Covid-19 be sent home within one week.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

one week â&#x20AC;&#x201D; otherwise, many will be held accountable).â&#x20AC;?

The spokesman added that Duterte is allowing all officials in these government agencies to use government funds and all modes of transportation to bring home the OFWs to their respective hometowns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sabi po ng Presidente kung hindi sapat ang mga pribadong bus, eroplano, at barko, pwede pong gamiting ang mga eroplano at barko ng hukbong sandatahan (The president said if private buses, airplanes, and ships are not enough, they could use the

militaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s airplanes and ships),â&#x20AC;?

Roque said.

Duterte, in his public address late Monday night, said OFWs have the â&#x20AC;&#x153;constitutional rightâ&#x20AC;? to return home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You know, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m ordering you [local government units] to accept them, open the gates of your territories and allow the people â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and allow the Filipinos to travel wherever they want,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do not impede it. Do not obstruct the movement of people because you run the risk of getting sued criminally,â&#x20AC;? he added. n

Duterte approves Metro Manilaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Palace may lift deployment ban on shift to GCQ starting June 1 by daRRyl John

esgueRRa

Inquirer.net

MANILA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila has been downgraded into a more relaxed general community quarantine (gCQ).

This is after President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, May 28 approved the proposal of the InterAgency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to impose gCQ in the National Capital Region (NCR)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;now seen as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;high-tomoderate-risk areaâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D; starting June 1. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You know the NCR will now be placed under the general community quarantine or the gCQ starting June 1,â&#x20AC;? Duterte

said in a televised speech.

The gCQ implementation will allow more sectors to reopen as the government looks to revive the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The easing of quarantine measures came even as the Department of Health (DOH) reported a sudden spike in new cases this week.

On Thursday afternoon, the DOH reported 539 new casesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; the new highest single-day increase in coronavirus infection since March 31â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 538.

Prior to this, the DOH has also recorded a total of 1,014 confirmed cases from Monday to Wednesday. However, the Health department attributed the sudden surge in new cases to its increased capacity to validate

more cases.

Overall, there are now 15,588 confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide, including 3,598 recoveries and 921 deaths.

Limited mass transport Once the gCQ takes effect, mass transportation will be allowed on a limited capacity, however, bus and jeepney operations are still suspended.

The Metroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s train systems will also be allowed to run as well as shuttles of private companies, transport network vehicle services, and point-to-point buses.

Meanwhile, residents of gCQ areas will be allowed to go out of their residence except for those aged below 21 and those 60 and older to limit infections. Mass gathering activities remain prohibited. n

US Embassy cancels visa interviews until June 11

by KatRina

hallaRe Inquirer.net

DUE to community quarantine measures imposed in Metro Manila to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the U.S. Embassy on Thursday, May 28 announced that it has canceled all immigrant and non-immigrant visa interviews until June 11.

In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said that it would resume visa services â&#x20AC;&#x153;as soon as possible,â&#x20AC;? but it was not able to

provide a specific date.

Metro Manila, known to be the national epicenter for the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s COVID-19 outbreaks, is currently under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until May 31.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s COVID-19 task force, has recommended to ease lockdown measures in the metro starting June 1, as earlier announced by Interior and Local government Secretary Edu-

ardo AĂąo.

The U.S. Embassy said that once the community quarantine is lifted in Metro Manila, all affected applicants should reschedule their interviews either by calling +63 (2) 77928988 or +63 (2) 8548-8223, or through the online appointment system at ustraveldocs. com/ph. â&#x20AC;&#x153;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,â&#x20AC;? the embassy said. n

PH economy stands to lose P2.2 trillion this year

by Ben

o. de VeRa Inquirer.net

THE COVID-19 crisis will cost the Philippine economy P2.2 trillion in losses this year as firms shed profits while millions of workers lose their jobs and income.

To ease the economic pain inflicted by the pandemic, acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua told the business community at an online seminar on Thursday that an additional P846-billion stimulus was needed.

The amount had been calculated to not add pressure to the already widening budget deficit which had jumped to 10,000 percent of April 2019 level.

Chuaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presentation showed that in case the economy shrinks by 3.4 percent in 2020â&#x20AC;&#x201D;the worst case scenarioâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;nominal gross domestic product (gDP) will fall to P19.3 trillion from P19.5 trillion in 2019.

The economic team had projected contraction of 2 to 3.4 percent.

Before the pandemic, Philippine gDP had been projected to rise to P21.5 trillion.

Based on that, total valueadded loss this year as an impact of COVID-19 was estimated by the Department of Finance (DOF) and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) to reach P2.2 trillion.

Profit and wage losses accounted for the bulkâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;P1.919 trillion or 87 percent of estimated total value-added loss for 2020.

Chua said that of the P846

billion needed to revive the economy, only P173 billion, equivalent to 0.9 percent of gDP, will have to be shelled out by the government through a fiscal stimulus program embedded in the proposed Philippine Program for Recovery with Equity and Solidarity (PHProgreso) being pitched by the economic team to Congress.

PH-Progreso included the proposed Bayanihan 2, Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer Act (FIST) and guide billsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;capital and spending support to businesses and consumers.

The proposed measures seek to provide liquidity to banks and companies.

The economic team was also pushing for the proposed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act which seeks to slash corporate income tax to 25 percent in July while providing flexible tax incentives to investors.

Under Create, forgone revenues had been estimated to hit P42 billion during the second half of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;at a time when tax collections were low amid a recession on top of a projected P625-billion loss in the next five years.

Chua noted that fiscal measures under PH-Progreso would slightly jack up the projected budget deficit for 2020 to 9 percent of gDP, higher than the 8.1-percent ceiling approved by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) this month, equivalent to P1.563 trillion.

On the other hand, the P673 billion, equivalent to 3.5 per-

cent of gDP, needed for additional stimulus, can come from budget savings, off-budget items, monetary policy, financial sector regulatory relief and private sector contribution, which wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t add to the deficit, Chua said.

Chua told another forum hosted by The Manila Times also on Thursday that instead of a Bayanihan 2 bill, it will more practical to extend the validity of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act until yearend. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is simplest mode,â&#x20AC;? said Chua.

He said extending the validity of the Bayanihan law would keep budget and procurement flexible, allow transfer of allocations and changes in priorities in the use of 2019 savings and this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget.

To support small businesses, Chua said the government was looking into another round of wage subsidies for workers, while also imposing a â&#x20AC;&#x153;temporary and targeted wage reduction to keep jobsâ&#x20AC;? moving forward.

Chua said the ongoing P51billion small business wage subsidy (SBWS) program so far already benefitted close to 3.4 million employees of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that were shuttered or struggled to pay salaries.

The first tranche of P5,000 to P8,000 in wage subsidies was distributed in the first half of May, with another tranche for disbursement in the second half of the month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready to provide more (wage subsidy) but it should be very targeted,â&#x20AC;? Chua said. n

health workers once pandemic crisis ends

by AJPress MALACAĂąANg said this week that the deployment ban on healthcare workers abroad may be lifted once the threat of the coronavirus ends in countries where they would be employed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kapag humupa na siguro â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yung banta ng Covid-19 sa mga lugar na nais nilang puntahan (Once the threat posed

by COVID-19 is addressed in countries where they would be employed),â&#x20AC;? said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday, May 26, when asked what would make President Rodrigo Duterte lift the deploy-

ment ban.

The deployment ban was issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration so frontliners could instead help the country in fighting the pandemic.

It was later revised to allow nurses and other healthcare workers with existing contracts to return to their jobs abroad.

Roque also said that the deployment ban only covers healthcare workers with new contracts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yung mga perfected contracts po dapat napaalis. Ang sakop lang nung ban ay yung mga bagong mga kontrata na

ipinasok matapos po mag-issue ng ban ang POEA (Those who have perfected contracts are allowed to leave. The ban only covers those who have new contracts after the POEA issued the ban),â&#x20AC;? he said.

Earlier, Duterte said he would consult Justice Secretary Menardo guevarra on the legality of stopping healthcare workers from leaving the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Justice, for its part, said it would consider the health care workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; right to travel and find jobs abroad, as well as the health situation in the country. n

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

NOTICE OF EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY MAIL BALLOT DROP-OFF SITES FOR THE 2020 PRIMARY ALL-MAIL BALLOT ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that early voting for the June 9, 2020 Primary Election Mail Ballot will begin on May 23, Saturday, and continues through June 5, Friday. Any voter registered in Clark County is encouraged to mail in their voted mail ballot or drop-off their mail ballot at any drop-off location. NO VOTING MACHINES WILL BE USED ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME IN CLARK COUNTY, NV. Any voter registered in Clark County will receive a mail ballot for voting in the June 9, 2020 Primary Election. The packet will contain: (a) Your ballot; (b) Instructions for voting a mail ballot; (c) A pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope that you must use for returning your voted mail ballot; and (d) A list of mail ballot drop-off sites for personally dropping off your own mail ballot. Please note that voters are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO MAIL THEIR BALLOT rather than drop it off in person. For additional information, call the mail ballot hotline at (702) 455-6552.

The early voting drop-off locations, dates, and times are listed below. All drop-off sites are ADA compliant. For additional information, call the Clark County Election Department at (702) 455-VOTE (8683). The TTY/TDD number is 711. Also check online at www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/vote.

2020 PRIMARY ELECTION EARLY VOTING DROP-OFF SCHEDULE MAY 23 (SATURDAY) TO JUNE 5 (FRIDAY) DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

DATES AND HOURS

For coronavirus prevention reasons, some sites may be subject to temporary closure or revised times, until further notice.

For updates, check our website (www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/vote) or call (702) 455-VOTE (8683).

CLARK COUNTY ELECTION DEPARTMENT 965 Trade Dr., North Las Vegas Only the Clark County Election Dept. will be available on May 25, 2020, Memorial Day.

CLARK COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy., Las Vegas

83 72 0$< Â&#x2021; 021 )5, DP SP

Â&#x2021; 6$7 $1' 681 &/26(' MAY 23-JUNE 3, EVERY DAY (including Sat.,Sun., and Memorial Day): 8am-6pm JUNE 4-5, THURS.-FRI.: 8am-8pm MONDAY-FRIDAY: 8am-5pm CLOSED: All Saturdays, Sundays, and May 25, Memorial Day Holiday

BOULDER CITY, CITY CLERK City Hall, 401 California Ave. Boulder City

MONDAY-THURSDAY: 7am-6pm

HENDERSON CITY CLERK City Hall, 240 S. Water St. Henderson

MONDAY-THURSDAY: 7:30am-5:30pm

LAS VEGAS CITY CLERK City Hall, 495 S. Main St. Las Vegas

MONDAY-THURSDAY: 7am-5:30pm

CLOSED: All Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and May 25, Memorial Day

CLOSED: All Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and May 25, Memorial Day

CLOSED: All Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and May 25, Memorial Day MONDAY-THURSDAY: 8am-5pm

MESQUITE CITY CLERK City Hall, 10 E. Mesquite Blvd.

Mesquite

FRIDAY: 8am-3:30pm CLOSED: All Saturdays, Sundays, and May 25, Memorial Day

NORTH LAS VEGAS CITY CLERK City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. North, North Las Vegas

MONDAY-THURSDAY: 8am-5:45pm CLOSED: All Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and May 25, Memorial Day

DROP-OFF LOCATION ON JUNE 8, 2020, (MONDAY) On this date, voters may drop-off their own voted mail ballot in-person, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Clark County Election Department, 965 Trade Dr., North Las Vegas.

DROP-OFF LOCATIONS ON JUNE 9, 2020, PRIMARY ELECTION DAY (TUESDAY) On Primary Election Day, voters may drop-off their own voted mail ballot in-person at the locations and during the times listed below DROP-OFF LOCATIONS ON JUNE 9 PRIMARY ELECTION DAY, OPEN 7:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M. For coronavirus prevention reasons, some sites may be subject to temporary closure or revised times, until further notice. For updates, check our website (www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/vote) or call (702) 455-VOTE (8683).

VETERANS MEMORIAL LEISURE CENTER, 101 N. Pavilion Center Dr., Las Vegas WALNUT COMMUNITY CENTER, 3075 N. Walnut Rd., Las Vegas WHITNEY RECREATION CENTER, 5712 E. Missouri Ave., Las Vegas

CLARK COUNTY ELECTION DEPARTMENT, 965 Trade Dr., North Las Vegas

WINDMILL LIBRARY, 7060 W. Windmill Ln., Las Vegas

BOB PRICE RECREATION CENTER, 2050 Bonnie Ln., Las Vegas

ADDITIONAL DROP-OFF LOCATIONS ON JUNE 9 PRIMARY ELECTION DAY, VARYING HOURS

BUNKERVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER, 200 W. Virgin St., Bunkerville CLARK COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; LOGANDALE, 1301 Whipple Ave., Logandale DESERT BREEZE COMMUNITY CENTER, 8275 Spring Mountain Rd., Las Vegas DR. WILLIAM U. PEARSON COMMUNITY CENTER, 1625 W. Carey Ave., North Las Vegas ENTERPRISE LIBRARY, 25 E. Shelbourne Ave., Las Vegas HOLLYWOOD RECREATION CENTER, 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd., Las Vegas INDIAN SPRINGS COMMUNITY CENTER, 715 W. Gretta Lane, Indian Springs LAUGHLIN LIBRARY, 2840 S. Needles Highway, Laughlin MOAPA COMMUNITY CENTER, 1340 E. Highway 168, Moapa MOAPA TRIBAL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 1 Lincoln St., Moapa MOAPA VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER - OVERTON, 300 N. Moapa Blvd., Overton MOUNTAIN CREST COMMUNITY CENTER, 4701 N. Durango Dr., Las Vegas PARADISE RECREATION CENTER, 4775 S. McLeod Dr., Las Vegas PASEO VERDE LIBRARY, 280 S. Green Valley Pkwy., Henderson SAHARA WEST LIBRARY, 9600 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas SANDY VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER, 650 W. Quartz Ave., Sandy Valley SEARCHLIGHT COMMUNITY CENTER, 200 Michael Wendell Way, Searchlight SILVER MESA RECREATION CENTER, 4025 Allen Ln., North Las Vegas Dated this 13th day of May, 2020.

For coronavirus prevention reasons, some sites may be subject to temporary closure or revised times, until further notice. For updates, check our website (www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/vote) or call (702) 455-VOTE (8683).

BOULDER CITY, CITY CLERK, City Hall, 401 California Ave., Boulder City 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

CLARK COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER, 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy., Las Vegas 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

HENDERSON CITY CLERK, City Hall, 240 S. Water St., Henderson 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

LAS VEGAS CITY CLERK, City Hall, 495 S. Main St., Las Vegas 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

MESQUITE CITY CLERK, City Hall, 10 E. Mesquite Blvd., Mesquite 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

NORTH LAS VEGAS CITY CLERK, City Hall, 2250 Las Vegas Bl. North, N. Las Vegas 8:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

IN-PERSON VOTING LOCATIONS AND SCHEDULE NO VOTING MACHINES WILL BE USED Early Voting Period, May 23 (Saturday)-June 5 (Friday), Hours Vary During the early voting period, in-person voting will be available only at the Clark County Election Department, Suite F, 965 Trade Dr., North Las Vegas. The dates and hours will be: Â&#x2021; 0D\ -XQH (YHU\ 'D\ LQFOXGLQJ 6DW 6XQ DQG 0HPRULDO 'D\ 0D\

8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Â&#x2021; -XQH 7KXUVGD\ )ULGD\ D P S P Primary Election Day, June 9, 2020 (Tuesday), Open 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Â&#x2021; &ODUN &RXQW\ (OHFWLRQ 'HSDUWPHQW 965 Trade Drive, Suite F, North Las Vegas, NV 89030 Â&#x2021; 'HVHUW %UHH]H &RPPXQLW\ &HQWHU 8275 Spring Mountain Rd. at Cimarron Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89117 Â&#x2021; 3DUDGLVH 5HFUHDWLRQ &HQWHU 4775 S. McLeod Dr. at Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89121

JOSEPH P. GLORIA Registrar of Voters Clark County, Nevada

PUB: May 21, 28, & June 4, 2020 Las Vegas Asian Journal

6

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

MAY 28-JUNE 3, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Remember Marawi

FEATURES

MUSLIMS celebrated Eid’l Fitr, marking the end of the monthlong Ramadan fast, from Saturday night until Sunday, May 24. The event coincided with the third anniversary of the start of the five-month siege of Marawi, which was launched by extremist Maute militants.

In September 2017, the military confirmed that Abdullah Maute had been killed in an airstrike in August.

His brother Omar was shot dead together with Abu Sayyaf commander Isnilon Hapilon in the battle to liberate Marawi on Oct. 16. While the three leaders were neutralized, the siege that involved airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling as well as close-quarters combat flattened nearly the entire city.

When the smoke finally cleared and the damage to the city assessed, there was general agreement that rebuilding would be a tough undertaking.

Even with low expectations, however, those displaced by the conflict have expressed disappointment over the pace of rehabilitation of Marawi.

Last March, less than two weeks before the government imposed a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic, Malacañang received complaints about the slow reconstruction effort. This prompted President Duterte to designate new

housing chief Eduardo del Rosario as pointman for Task Force Bangon Marawi.

Del Rosario’s mission is not merely to provide decent housing for approximately 40,000 families displaced by the siege, but also to coordinate efforts to ensure the viability of the reconstructed areas. There are no more people housed in evacuation centers, but projects meant to help residents get back on their feet were delayed “by circuitous approval process in the bureaucracy,” according to a Malacañang statement.

That was before the pandemic. Now that much of the activities across the country have been paralyzed by the coronavirus crisis, what will happen to the Marawi reconstruction effort?

Extremism thrives in a crisis. If the reconstruction moves at snail’s pace, the biggest concern is that the militants inspired by the terrorist Islamic State will be able to rebuild their ranks faster than devastated Marawi. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Commentary

SENATOR JACKY ROSEN SINCE the COVID-19 crisis began, Americans and Nevadans alike have experienced tremendous loss and heartbreak. In addition to losing loved ones, we’re also seeing small businesses close, working families struggling to pay bills, and streets emptied.

What’s equally disheartening, however, is the disturbing increase in xenophobic and racist attacks against our Asian

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS WITHOUT the constitutional authority to do so, President Donald Trump on Friday, May 22 “ordered” state leaders to allow churches and places of worship to open immediately, starting last Sunday.

This came after asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to hold off the publication of guidelines that will help them safely re-open.

White House officials told the Washington Post that Trump did not want to displease the evangelical ministers who have been supporting him, and so the CDC was made to modify the guidelines without consultation with church leaders on the real health and safety concerns.

“If they don’t do it, I will override the governors,” Trump threatened.

After Trump’s bizarre announcement, church leaders have been sharing their perspectives on the issue as the world continues to fight the war against COVID-19, which, has infected more than 5.495 million people and killed 346,232 and counting, as of press time on Tuesday, May 26.

Let me share with you some of these perspectives and may they help you in your discernment on what to do as true Christians.

“Bishops from the Washington State Catholic Conference: “We will wait.” ”We want to let you know the public celebration of Mass was suspended, not out of fear, but out of our deepest respect for human life and health,” reads a Friday statement signed by several bishops in a “unified response.”

“While we share the desire to bring people back to Mass as quickly as possible, we will wait to schedule our public worship

Philstar.com photo

We must stop discrimination and hate crimes connected to COVID-19

American and Pacific Islander community.

Using reckless and offensive terms and phrases in an attempt to cast blame or inject fear related to this pandemic does nothing to solve our current crisis. Simply put, this behavior is unconscionable, and these vicious, discriminatory attacks must be forcefully and unequivocally condemned by public officials everywhere.

This misplaced anger is hateful and shameful and it is only sowing more fear and division in communities across the country.

The Silver State is the proud

home of the nation’s fastestgrowing AAPI community. Our diversity is a source of pride for Nevada– something we all should celebrate. AAPI Nevadans are our innovative small business owners who are suffering from the effects of COVID-19 as much as anyone, and they are dedicated doctors, nurses, grocers, first responders, and other frontline workers who are putting their lives on the line, working to combat this pandemic and by providing care and assistance to those in need.

This is an issue occurring across our country. All Asian

Americans deserve to feel safe and supported during this pandemic and beyond. As a Senator, I have called for emergency funding for law enforcement in order to combat these hate crimes. I have also urged the Justice Department to immediately address these incidents and put steps in place to prevent them. And I’ve called on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) to issue guidance to federal agencies on preventing and addressing anti-Asian racism and xenophobia related to this pandemic. This week, I’m also joining as a co-sponsor of the Jabara-

Heyer NO HATE Act, a bill to improve the reporting of hate crimes and provide support to communities in need. My office and I will continue to be vigilant and monitor reports of discrimination and xenophobia connected to COVID-19, and we stand by ready to act.

We face a global virus that requires our full attention; however, during this time of crisis, we must also stand together and refuse to be driven apart by thoughtless words or reckless actions. Let us make clear that members of the Asian American community are our friends, family, and neigh-

bors; they are an integral part of Nevada’s community. Let’s remember that uniting as one community is what will get us through this crisis as a stronger Nevada. *** Before being elected to the Senate, Rosen represented Nevada’s Third District in the 115th Congress. Rosen served on the House Armed Services Committee, where she successfully worked to secure a pay increase for our men and women in uniform and introduced bills to help servicemembers find good-paying jobs after leaving the military. Rosen also served on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, where she passed bipartisan legislation through the House to improve early childhood STEM education.

Christian leaders call out Trump for putting politics over public health: We don’t need to open churches to practice our faith. We will wait. when it is safe and we are prepared to do so,” the statement read.

The bishops’ statement added that the state conference follows guidance from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Thomistic Institute, along with public health experts, and that is working to develop a plan with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) for a safe reopening.

“Parishes must create an environment that is not only safe, but is liturgically reverent,” the bishops said, adding that there is no current date established for Mass gatherings resuming in the state.” (As reported

by The Hill) “Mr. President, we don’t need to open churches to practice our faith...”

“Who says that religious organizations haven’t already been providing ‘essential’ services without this presidential ‘blessing?’ I am a Roman Catholic priest in the Passionist Community serving, at the moment, in New York. During this pandemic I have buried the dead at cemeteries — with limited family members present. I have prayed with people via FaceTime and Zoom. I even heard a confession in a supermarket parking lot.

“Priests with whom I live have blessed the sick and dying in hospitals and nursing homes.

We have also celebrated virtual Masses and prayer services for countless of the faithful.

“The churches in my area have been open for individual prayer, Benediction services and Stations of the Cross, and social distancing is strongly encouraged. Priests have even paraded in processions in neighborhoods with the Blessed Sacrament in order to bring elements of the church service out to the faithful. Similarly, rabbis and imams whom I know have been doing the equivalent with

their respective religious congregations. That is all ‘religious service.’

“What most of us have not done is put ourselves and our parishioners in danger by gathering in large groups for Mass or other religious services ‘as usual.’ That would have been — and would continue to be, in this time of contagion — irresponsible and sinful. It would also violate the right to life of many.

Yes, responsible action with regard to religious organizations during this pandemic is a rightto-life issue. This is a right that needs to apply to those who live after birth, too.” — Fr. Edward Beck, interviewed on CNN “Dear Trump, your call to allow all churches to reopen was dangerous. Sincerely, two evangelicals.”

“Before any church opens its doors, leaders must spend time setting up policies and guidelines that protect those who will be in attendance using the best science and guidance available.

“As leaders who have navigated pastors through natural disasters in the past, we provided a checklist for reopening churches. For instance, we recommend churches reach out to their insurance company to make sure they aren’t putting their congregation financially at risk. Churches also need to be able to secure proper sanitation supplies that would help prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus.

“Leaders need to recruit and train volunteers to guide the reopening process, such as helping with social distance measures. Leaders especially need to communicate to attendees about possible policy or procedural changes, such as how Communion might look different.

“We encourage faith leaders to look to the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-

tion, which has new guidance, for how best to respond. We have also regularly encouraged church leaders to look to local officials and authorities, including public health agencies, for direction.

“Unfortunately, public health guidance from the federal government has been confusing.

Early draft guidelines for houses of worship that were direct and concrete ultimately were shelved after much debate in the White House and replaced with less concrete guidelines on Friday. For example, the new guidelines do not make recommendations about important questions pastors are navigating, such as whether singing is safe or logistics of how people should gather in the building.

“Friday’s announcement makes it harder for leaders to look to federal agencies as trusted resources based on how Trump already has used his executive authority. He has minimized voices who hold differing views (such as suppressing earlier CDC guidelines for faith communities), he goes against current medical knowledge by saying he would take malaria medication that scientists have warned against using to treat the virus, and he refuses to wear face masks in public.

“Trump’s pronouncement corrupts our country’s ability to respond justly to this pandemic by putting politics over public health. The purpose appeared to be aimed at reaching evangelicals and Catholics, who will be valuable voters in the coming election.

“Several faith leaders we have spoken with say people in their congregations, who already are under emotional strain, express a range of opinions about wanting to come back to church buildings. Some will stay away until there is a vaccine, and some want to be (or have been)

back the minute it’s possible.

“If we gather and cause community outbreaks, as happened in a large church in South Korea, and this week here in the United States in Georgia, Texas and Arkansas, it risks people’s lives. We must care for others in how we reopen.

“In some places in the country, starting to gather in person can be done cautiously, wisely and with joy. Those of us who live in areas where caution remains high can continue to be creative in worship, in supporting each other, and in serving our community. If we choose to emphasize the impact on our rights over the public health impact of our gathering, we diminish our love for our neighbor.

“As the Apostle Paul once wrote, ‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say — but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’ — but not everything is constructive.’

“During the states’ lockdowns, many Christians expressed frustration at seeing liquor stores remain open and categorized as “essential” while houses of worship had to close their doors. Of course houses of worship remain crucial to the lives of many people and provide key resources to their communities. Churches are absolutely essential, but gathering in person is not yet.” — Kent Annan and Jamie Aten in the Washington Post (Kent Annan is director of Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership at Wheaton College. Jamie Aten is founder and executive director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton.)

“All these preventive actions are ways of caring for the other person--that is, ways of loving.”

“Churches are indeed essential for Christians and the desire to worship together is a holy desire. But holy though your de-

sire may be, it’s not just about you and your desire. It’s about protecting the other person, especially if you are, like many people, asymptomatic. Wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and even not gathering in churches, protects the other person.

“There have already been confirmed cases in Texas and Minnesota where Catholic churches have opened and the priests were found to have been unknowingly infected.

Coming into contact with their parishioners, and exposing them to infection, may end up causing death......especially among the most vulnerable-the elderly, who are in many denominations the majority of churchgoers.

“I’m not sure why this is so hard to understand. If you have the measles and a doctor tells you, “Don’t go to church because you might infect a woman who is pregnant,” you don’t rail at your doctor for “impinging on your freedom. What does the loving person do? You listen to the doctor, and stay home, even though it’s a sacrifice, as a way of protecting the other person. All these preventive actions are ways of caring for the other person — that is, ways of loving.” — James Martin, SJ on Twitter (James Martin, SJ is a Jesuit priest, editor at large @ Americamag, author of ‘Jesus: A Pilgrimage’ and ‘Building a Bridge,’ consultor to the Dicastery for Communication @VaticanNews) *** 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.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 28-JUNE 3, 2020

NBI, Immigration to join hunt ‘Negligent in the extreme’: HRW says PH for ‘underground’ medical clinics fails to assist children affected by ‘drug war’ by tetCh

torres-tupas Inquirer.net

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday, May 28 said he would order the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to join in hunting down clandestine clinics catering to Chinese suspected of having COVID-19.

Since the last week of April, authorities have dismantled three underground clinics that treated Chinese COVID-patients.

“It seems that clandestine medical clinics catering mostly to foreign nationals have sprouted and have been operating without proper authority. Considering that they are not being supervised by the government, it is possible that the health of people who seek treatment in these illegal facilities is being compromised,” Guevarra said.

“I will, therefore, ask the NBI and the BI to help the police in locating other similar under-

by Gaea

Clark officials have ordered the closure and full lockdown of Fontana Leisure Park inside the Clark Freeport following the raid.

Philstar.com photo

ground clinics and the people running them, and if warranted, to file the appropriate charges against them,” he added.

During the last week of April, an underground clinic was raided by the police in Parañaque City. The clinic allegedly caters

to the Chinese suspected of infected with COVID-19.

This month, two more clinics have been discovered in Pampanga and Makati.

The clinics are reportedly operating without a business permit. n

Online child sex exploitation spikes by 264% by evelyn

MaCairan Philstar.com

MANILA — During this state of public health emergency, the Department of Justice-Office of Cybercrime (DOJ-OOC) reported that there has been a 264.63 percent increase in the number of reported online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) in the country.

DOJ Undersecretary Markk Perete, who is in charge of the OOC, said from March 1 to May 24, when the country was placed under a state of public health emergency because of the coronavirus disease 2019, the department observed an increase of 264.63 percent, or more than 202,605 reported incidents of OSEC compared to the same period last year.

In total, for the same period from March 1 to May 24, 2019 there were 76,561 reports received, compared to 279,166 reports received this year.

As a breakdown, for March, there were 23,465 reported incidents last year, compared to the 132,192 reported incidents this year; for April, there were 24,147 reported incidents last year, compared to 53,882 incidents for the same month this year; and for May 1 to 24, there were 28,949 reported

incidents in 2019, compared to 93,092 reported incidents this year.

According to the DOJ-OOC report, “The aforesaid increase in NCMEC-CTR (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children-CyberTipline Report) is attributed to the fact that during the enhanced community quarantine, strict home quarantine is observed in all households, and internet usage surges as people stay home.”

The DOJ-OOC said these reports are evaluated and assessed and if found actionable, these would be endorsed to the law enforcement agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation-Anti-Human Trafficking Division and the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center for further investigation and appropriate action.

However, the DOJ-OOC clarified that not all the reports received by the NCMEC-CTR are categorized as actual cases of OSEC in the country “as these are merely made available to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further review and potential investigation.”

It added that there are instances when there are viral photos/videos or identical potential OSEC materi-

als shared by several electronic communication service providers’ users that lead to the generation of multiple NCMEC-CTRs with the same content.

There are also misleading digital images for instance of nude photos of children that were generated by their parents or relatives in good faith, where the children are not engaged in real or simulated explicit sexual activities nor lascivious exhibition of private parts of the body.

To strengthen the monitoring and campaign against OSEC, Perete said there is a need to tap internet service providers (ISP) such as Globe Telecoms and Smart Communications.

“Technological solutions need to work alongside legal and policy in order for the Philippine government to effectively and efficiently combat OSEC,” Perete said.

Last March 11, the DOJ-OCC met with ISP companies and reminded them of their duties to install available technology, program or software to ensure that access or transmittal of any form of child pornography would be blocked or filtered pursuant to Republic Act No. 9775 or the “Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.” n

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

MANILA — The Philippine government failed to assist the children whose parents or guardians have been killed in the administration’s brutal war on drugs, making their impoverished situations worse, the Human Rights Watch said.

In a report released on Wednesday, May 27, the human rights organization detailed how the children orphaned in the drug war—which began in mid2016—have suffered psychological distress, experienced bullying and stigmatization, and face economic hardship.

“The killing of drug suspects affects the families left behind not just in terms of death but also what happens afterwards: families driven deeply into poverty, some children forced to live in streets, children being forced to work and stop schooling, bullying in schools and their communities because of the stigma of drug use of family members,” Carlos Conde, HRW Philippines researcher, said.

One of the children interviewed said she became distressed and bullied in school after police shot her father in her presence in 2016, while another has been living on the streets and working to support his family after he was orphaned.

The HRW said that while the government sometimes pays for the burial expenses of family members killed in operations, it

has no specific programs addressing the needs of children whose families have been destroyed by the drug war.

HRW said an unidentified former senior official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development told the rights watchdog in an interview that the impacts of the anti-drug campaign on children had not been raised in any Cabinet meeting as of May 2019.

“This is negligent in the extreme,” Phil Robertson, HRW Asia deputy director, said.

“Killings get the attention of the top people but repairing the damage and having accountability, these are the things not spoken of in Malacañang Palace,” he added.

‘Step up’ Aside from calling on the government to put an end to the ferocious war on drugs and investigate the killings, HRW also urged agencies, particularly the DSWD, to reach out to families who have lost loved ones in the brutal campaign.

“They need to step up and try to reach out to these children,” Conde said.

HRW said the DSWD must provide material assistance and targeted financial support programs to the parents and guardians of orphaned children and protect them from economic exploitation. It also called the department to ensure that its conditional cash transfer reach the families of the victims.

The rights watchdog likewise

urged the Department Education to ensure that children adversely affected by the anti-drug campaign enjoy their right to free primary educations. Schools must also enforce anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policies.

It also recommended that the Department of Health assist the DSWD in providing mental and psycho-social health services to children of families affected by the anti-drug campaign.

“This drug war has created a generation of Filipino children who have been scarred probably forever by the violence…

It’s difficult as it is to live in an extremely poor community and being targeted by state agents, by killers roaming on the streets at night. I can’t even begin to imagine how they must feel five, 10 years from now and how this madness will affect their lives,” Conde said.

Latest government figures put the number of alleged drug personalities killed in the war on drugs at 5,601. But the figure is significantly lower than the estimates by human rights watchdog of as many as 27,000.

The UN Human Rights Council is expected to present a report on the human rights situation in the Philippines pursuant to a resolution adopted last year.

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court earlier said it is seeking to finalize its preliminary examination into the alleged extrajudicial killings linked with Duterte’s anti-drug crackdown this year. n

Number of displaced Pinoy workers hits 2.7 million MANILA — While more commercial establishments are now allowed to open and resume operations, the number of workers losing their income nationwide continues to rise.

Data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) showed that as of May 23, the total number of workers affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had reached 2,757,640.

DOLE also recorded at least 102,607 commercial establishments nationwide that either have closed shop or adopted flexible work arrangements, which affect the income of workers.

Data from the DOLE Bureau

of Local Employment indicated a total of 1,927,308 workers losing their jobs following the temporary closure of 80,891 establishments. It further noted that 23,488 establishments employing 949,873 resorted to flexible work arrangements.

Among the industries severely affected by the pandemic are wholesale and retail, accommodation and food service, manufacturing, construction, education, financial and insurance activities, administrative and support service, and transportation and storage.

The National Capital Region (NCR) accounted for the biggest number of displaced work-

ers with 896,020; followed by Central Luzon with 295,458; and Calabarzon with 286,630.

Central Visayas posted 209,033 total displaced; Davao region, 205,380; Northern Mindanao, 181,523; and Zamboanga peninsula, 121,786.

Other regions with high number of displacement are Cagayan Valley (90,983); Mimaropa (88,474); Bicol (79,564); Western Visayas (73,525), and Cordillera Administrative Region (68,210).

DOLE said the regions with the least number of displacements are Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Ilocos, and Soccsksargen. (Mayen Jaymalin/{hilstar.com)

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

May 28-June 3, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIan JOuRnaL

Journal

CLASS OF 2020: Fil-Am students across the country share what it’s like to graduate during a pandemic

by AJPress

G

raduation season is upon us but it’s not what students had anticipated. For graduates of the Class of 2020, this step in their academic journey is unprecedented as the pandemic forced them to shift their last semester online and leave campus abruptly without proper closure and spending the final weeks counting down with their peers.

Walking across the commencement stage is symbolic of the years of hard work they put in to obtain their degrees. it’s also a moment of pride to be witnessed by and shared with their family and friends. However, instead of the senior week traditions, caps and gowns, and large-scale ceremonies, students across the country are marking their milestones during this extraordinary time at home or will have to wait longer for a physical celebration at a later date.

From virtual commencements to car parades, the Asian Journal interviewed Filipino and Filipino american students about how they spent their big day and what’s next for them.

Monica Chernoff, 22 | Occidental College Hometown: Palos Verdes, CA Degree: B.A. in Psychology (Minor in Sociology and Gender, Women and Sexualities Studies) “Occidental College sent a survey to the current seniors on different options for the graduation ceremony. As a result, Occidental is having one virtual ceremony where they are sending graduation boxes in June and planning to have another in-person graduation ceremony sometime next year for those who want to attend. Even though we have these options, it does not make up the experience of graduating with your entire college class and receiving the diploma in front of your family. Graduating college is a significant milestone for all students and their families. In addition, not having the traditional celebration is heartbreaking and makes us feel not recognized for all of our hard work and efforts.

What I feel like I missed out on the most is the last few weeks hanging out with your college friends. We were not able to have senior celebration banquets, go on senior trips, and say proper goodbyes to other peers and teachers. I am a college athlete and my water polo season was cut short. I was heartbroken to miss out on many exciting things as a senior captain: senior day, the opening of our new pool, and just playing more water polo. Despite missing out on so many things, my family and friends have been so supportive. For my graduation day, my family and I did a little ceremony at home and had different zoom calls. I learned to still be proud and grateful for my college education, family, and health.”

Future plans: Start the marriage and family therapy graduate program at the University of Southern California this July Julio Sabangan, 26 | Rutgers University - Newark Hometown: Little Ferry, NJ Degree: B.A. in Video Production “Since I graduated at the end of the fall semester, I was fortunate enough to receive my diploma in the mail around April.

I wished they had the ‘pre-graduation’ festival in the quad. I would have attended that. I sat at home with a plate of food, a cup of coffee, and had my family surrounding the television while we waited many, many hours for my name to appear on the screen. As you can see, my name starts with an ‘S.’” Future plans: Venture into voice acting and video editing for television/films and advertising agencies

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Marcelle Cruzado, 21 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada Degree: B.S. in Business Administration - International Business “The Lee Business School handled the transition to virtual learning very well, in my opinion. In this time of uncertainty, the professors and faculty made sure to communicate with their students and be direct about any potential next steps for the future.

While I did not have the senior year that I expected, the Lee Business School, the Honors College, and the student organizations I am involved with all celebrated their students through a YouTube video, social media, or Zoom! In addition, the Lee Business School has postponed their graduation, to be determined.”

Future plans: Pursue an MBA with a concentration in management information systems at UNLV Jared Ortaliza, 21 | University of California, Los Angeles Hometown: Glendale, CA Degree: B.S. in Human Biology and Society; Minor in Asian American Studies “Fortunately, UCLA was a bit more responsive to students’ critiques of transitioning to a solely digital ceremony and gave seniors a survey as to whether we would eventually want to hold an in real-life ceremony in the coming months after the COVID-19 crisis is over. Not being able to walk in a real-life ceremony is underwhelming, given that it’s the culmination of four years worth of hard work and an opportunity to celebrate that with the people who have supported me along the way. However, I ultimately know that sense of accomplishment does not come from a piece of paper and that regardless of the events, I still find satisfaction that I was able to graduate from university. I feel like the experience I missed out on most was getting to say goodbye to my friends — there were many last meetings I didn’t know I had that when news of a virtual spring quarter broke out. I keep in touch with many of my friends, but having a proper in person send off for all of us would have prevented our last time seeing each other from feeling so abrupt. My graduation is the same week as my birthday…I may hold a family dinner at home with my mom and dad! We can’t do too much because of quarantine but it’s the best we can do for now.”

Future plans: Apply for a Fulbright Scholarship to do research on the Southeast Asian governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and eventually a graduate degree in public policy to help support progressive policymaking PAGE 11

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Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS COVID-19: China’s bio-weapon While there is ample evidence, even in the Chinese medical literature that the nCorona virus outbreak originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, most likely starting from a bat (not pangolin) infecting the first patient in early November 2019 who became symptomatic and diagnosed about 10 to 14 day later, there is no evidence the virus was developed, intentionally spread, or even accidentally escaped from a Chinese bio-lab a few kilometers from Wuhan.

As I have said more than a month ago, if China had wanted to use any virus/bugs as a bioweapon, it could have simply infected airplanes (or persons) destined for the United States, without first causing and enduring a deadly outbreak that killed almost 5,000 (suspected to be multiple times higher) in China itself, and making obvious to the world that the infection originated in China.

But China is culpable and accountable for its gross negligence and incompetence for not containing the Wuhan outbreak, for its deceit and lack of transparency, silencing all the Chinese whistleblowers wanting to warn the world about the nCorona infection, and allowing international flights out of Wuhan and China which then resulted in the COVID-19 pandemic (with about 5.5 million cases and 350,000 killed around the globe).

Recovery confers total immunity Simply because COVID-19 patients have recovered does not guarantee they will not get reinfected. It depends on the immune-integrity of the patients; some may have developed sufficient antibodies to be immune from SARS-Cov2 virus, but others may not. This is why recovered patients should still follow COVID-19 guidelines of wearing mask, gloves, not touching the face and social distancing when going out for essential movement/travel to prevent re-infection.

Young COVID patients do not die This is a myth, and a dangerous one, a misconception that could embolden young persons to be careless and not follow the guidelines, thus contributing to the spread of COVID-19. Yes, young people, even children 9 years old, have died during this pandemic. In New York alone, there were 9 (10-17 years old) who died (0.06%), none below 9; and 601 (ages 18-44) who died (3.9%), compared to 8% for ages 70-79, and 14.8% for those 80 and older.

Alcohol/bleach rub destroys SARS-CoV2 While it is true that alcohol (75% and higher) and chlorine bleach (5 tablespoon in one gallon water) are good surface disinfectants that are effective in destroying SARS-CoV2 virus and other past coronaviruses, they are very toxic when applied to the skin, eyes, nose, mouth, any part of the body, humans or pets.

If ingested, these could kill…and hot baths/sauna, contrary to social media claims, do not prevent or cure COVID-19 Vitamins, zinc can prevent COVID-19 No, they cannot. Vitamin C and

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 28-JUNE 3, 2020

COVID-19: Myth buster Bayanihan Musikahan: The trust factor D, zinc, local anesthetic agents and steroids have been touted on social media to be effective in preventing or treating COVID19, but they do not. Garlic, onion, pepper, and spices in general, nuts and fruits and vegetables have all been listed in the social media as anti-COVID-19. No, none of these can prevent COVID-19. A good diet with all those could boost the body’s immune system, but they cannot prevent getting COVID-19. If added as a regimen in addition to following the guidelines, yes, that will help, but not in themselves alone.

Speech, breaths do not transmit SARA-Cov2 Wrong. The transmission of COVID-19 is by droplet. When an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes, thousands of invisible SARS-CoV2 virus molecules (size about 120 nm) is spread shot-gun style, with trajectory up to 13 feet, depending on the air movement (fan, aircon, wind) and these molecules could be in the air for 2 or more hours before landing on furniture surfaces, countertops, and on the floor.

Shoes have been found to be contaminated with the virus, and so with clothing, and even mail and packages, if touched by a virus carrier or infected person.

Leaving all these items in the garage overnight or washing them with soap and water (or using disinfectant or UVC light on them) destroy the virus. A virus survives only in a host. Mosquitoes, tick, fleas, flies, and bed bugs do not transmit the SARS-CoV2 virus.

We, humans, are now the spreader of this deadly virus. Hence, all of us, with no exception, must strictly follow the guidelines if we are to contain this pandemic.

Weather affects SARS-CoV2 virus No, the weather temperature (superhot or winter chilly cold) and humidity do not affect COVID19 infection, one way or the other. A close relative of SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) virus, the SARS virus is inactivated at temperatures of 56 to 65 degrees Celsius (132.8 to 143 degrees Fahrenheit, so boiling (100 degrees Celsius or 212 Fahrenheit) will expectedly destroy the COVID-19 virus.

There are items to prevent, cure COVID-19 False. To this day, there is no drug, herb, beverage, food, substance, lotion or potion that prevents or cures COVID-19 infection. Even vaccines being evaluated for safety and effectiveness are still being investigated and not available yet. Exposure to the warmest sunlight is not effective either, because the UVA, UVB do not destroy the SARS-Cov2 virus, and the UVC light from the sun that can disintegrate this virus is filtered (prevented) by the ozone layer above from reaching the earth at an effective dose.

Electric UVC lamps are available today for sterilizing surgical suites, ICU, hospital wards and rooms, and portable units that could be used in homes. Warning: UVC light is dangerous to the eyes and skin. The areas being sterilized should have no people, pets, or plants. Far-UVC lights that would be harmless to people, pets and plants are being developed at Columbia University by Dr. David Brenner. The units for home use would be like the electric mosquito/fly zapper lanterns available today COVID-19: All negative results While this pandemic has wreaked havoc upon the world,

Charo Santos-Concio and Daniel Padilla behind the scenes: “Whether the Weather is Fine”.

Photo courtesy of Star Cinema

Daniel on his ‘difficult, intense’ scene with Charo

“SHE’S my boss, so I treated her like a precious gem. I really tried to take care of her,” recalled Daniel Padilla on how it was like to work with former ABS-CBN president, Charo Santos-Concio, his costar in Carlo Francisco Manatad’s film “Whether the Weather is Fine.”

They play Samar-based characters trying to survive the aftermath of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” that struck eastern Visayas in 2013.

“Unlike me, Ma’am Charo isn’t from Samar and doesn’t know how to speak Waray; but how she studied the dialect so that she would be able to effectively portray her character was what made

Community Journal

her awesome,” said Daniel.

The actor then recalled “a really difficult and intense” confrontation scene with Charo.

“I stammered several times while delivering my lines, to think that I’m the one who knows Waray,” he said, laughing. “I said, ‘Ma’am Charo, sorry po. Please don’t get mad at me.’ She’s very supportive, and so game.”

Daniel added: “Iba rin si Ma’am Charo. I saw how dedicated she is to her work. My experience while working with her renewed my passion for acting.

“If you’re in a scene with her, you really have to give that scene all you’ve got.” (Marinel Cruz/Inquirer.net)

with severe human and economic tragedies and miseries, there are also positive side-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among them are: with more than 90% of cars in the garage, accidents and injuries fell by more than 50% (62% in Washington); with 20-30% less (emission) pollution, it has saved more than 4,000 children under age 5 and 73,000 adults over 70 from pulmonary problems; assault and robbery significantly down; hospitals, restaurants, casinos, other public places are cleaner with much less bacteria and viruses; people around the world are more health-conscious and have cleaner hands than ever before; infidelity is at an all-time low, a lot of happy wives even without going shopping, which makes for a lot of happy husbands; healthcare workers are wiser and more prepared for future outbreaks; nations around the globe will be watching China with magnifying lenses; even the HIV and STDs diagnoses appear to be lower, obviously as casual sex has been restrained for fear of COVID-19.

On the lighter side: The past few weeks, I get a kick out of wearing a cap, dark glasses, mask, and gloves, going to the bank teller “demanding” money.

THE massive online concert series initiated by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab—Bayanihan Musikahan — raised nearly USD 1.8 Million (P90 Million) in two and a half months.

Organized to provide food for the poor during the Philippines-wide lock-down during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project relied on the resurgence of citizen action in the creative industries and civil society. The complex integration of individual and group singers, community organizers, fund management experts, music industry technical teams, farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives, and many more mobilizing quickly, relied on decades of trust-building to pull off.

More than 150 individual concerts were performed through the project run that will end on May 30 with the return of Lea Salonga and Gary Valenciano; and the special participation of Filipino-American rock star Apl. de.Ap. Each of the artists were brought into the project by Mr. C, as Cayabyab is fondly called, and songwriter Trina Belamide— both whom are with the group of five friends and acquaintances who hatched the project and set *** it in motion within three days Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac of an initial online chat. The Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana artists rest such trust in Mr. C and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international and Belamide, that the concert medical lecturer/author, a Health Public series has lasted nearly three Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino months of nightly programs (exUnited Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian cept weekends): performing artfoundation in the United States. Websites: ists and tech teams giving talent philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com; Email: and skill gratis. scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Simultaneously, 100,000 food

Ryan Cayabyab

packs have been delivered to the inner cities of Metro Manila and obscure barangays in surrounding provinces. Most of the deliveries were successfully carried out by the Samahan ng NagkakaisangPamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP) the biggest urban poor association of the Philippines. In turn SNPP worked with nearly 50 people’s organizations representing microcosms of the Philippine poor communities.

The food packs as well as the hot meals provided daily by the artist-driven project to more than 400 homeless individuals sheltered in Manila universities, typically included fresh vegetables and produce. This change in the character of the food supply marks a shift in relief operations in a country that meets natural calamity nearly annually.

Instead of the typical cans of sardines and noodles, the recipients found fresh carrots, cabbage, lettuce and other newly

Philstar.com photo by Geremy Pintolo

harvested produce from Benguet in the southern Cordilleras with rice from Camarines Sur in Bicol.

Some received dressed chicken from Rizal Province; or dried fish from La Union in the Ilocos.

The produce were purchased from small farmer cooperatives in different parts of Luzon and indeed in Cebu by Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the fund and logistic manager of Bayanihan Musikahan. Rey Laguda, Executive Director of PBSP, said that the sudden shift was initially necessitated by the abrupt collapse of supply chains to groceries and supermarkets; and the orders for relief goods from local governments.

PBSP’s turn to farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives came about naturally. The fifty year old institution that pioneered the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility has been working with individual and networked coPAGE 10

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May 28-June 3, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIan JOuRnaL

Features

Class of 2020: Fil-Am students across...

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678 Nathaniel Padre, 28 | Columbia University Hometown: Seattle, WA/Pasadena, CA Degree: B.A. in Evolutionary Biology of the Human Species “I didn’t think much of it until I experienced it. I attended graduation at Columbia last year, and I remember the proud feeling I experienced of my friends walking across the stage. I really wanted my parents to feel that for me. While I don’t particularly feel robbed or upset, because I find it necessary, but I do feel like I’ve missed out. Hopefully this will be remedied soon with the possible in-person graduation ceremony. My family thought it was appropriate to have a kamayan feast, but in my absence. ‘Kamayan’ is ‘eating with the hands’ in the Philippines and also refers to a type of feast in which large portions of various Filipino foods are served on top of banana leaves that you eat with your hands. Unfortunately, I’ve been quarantining on my own on campus in NYC so that I don’t possibly bring the virus to my family. I watched them eat and celebrate my graduation on my behalf through Facetime.”

Future plans: Take a gap year and search for medical-related positions for experience before applying to medical schools next year

Jose Alaras, 22 | University of Southern California Hometown: Topeka, Kansas Degree: B.S. in Biochemistry & B.A. in Spanish “Although the festivities were relocated to a livestream, it was quite difficult for me and my peers to gain any sense of closure during our virtual celebration. All of us worked years to succeed in our classes and all of that hard work culminated into a recorded livestream where the celebration felt distant and removed. The pandemic is obviously of higher priority, and the health risks simply would be too severe to warrant our in-person commencement in May. Nevertheless, I wish we had experienced the celebration as a USC community, surrounded by friends and family before receiving our diplomas. Instead, my parents threw a celebration at home for my graduation. Although this graduation season was far from what I envisioned, I am thankful to have been able to celebrate with my family — they truly are my motivation and I was honestly more excited to show my parents how Michelle Gutierrez, 21 | University of California, Santa Barthankful I was for all their sacrifices for sending me to USC.” Future plans: Attend University of Kansas School of Medicine in bara Hometown: Cerritos, California the fall to begin journey toward becoming a doctor Degree: B.A. in Political Science Jacqueline Rafael, 23 | St. John’s University “I think the most heartbreaking part of it is that my mother, who Hometown: New Hyde Park, NY helped me go to college, won’t be able to see me walk through that Degree: Doctor of Pharmacy stage and get my degree. I’m sad I won’t be able to see all my friends “We will have an online virtual slideshow graduation on May in our cap and gowns and cry during our commencement. It was a 30. But it was devastating since I was in school for six years! I moment of happiness that was abruptly taken away from us. I’m still wish I experienced pharmacy ‘formal’ with all my classmates. I trying to cope with the idea that we won’t have a graduation, but I will celebrate with a party with my family.” know that it’s a necessity and it’s out of everyone’s control. I also Future plans: Take the three New York state board exams to truly wished I could have experienced my Pilipino Graduation cerbecome a registered pharmacist and continue to work for CVS emony. Our loved ones present our Filipino flag stoles to us and everyone gets a one minute speech dedicated to whoever they want. I Alicia Gabrielle Puzon, 21 | California State University, was ready to dedicate the ceremony to my mom and to all my friends Northridge who were with me through my journey in college. My housemates Hometown: Makati City, Philippines and I still plan to dress up in our cap and gowns to take pictures in Degree: B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations (Minor in Com- our house. We also plan to have our own little ceremony by handmunication Studies); Dean Scholar for Mike Curb College of Arts, ing out fake diplomas and playing the graduation music while video Media, and Communication chatting our families.”

“CSUN postponed the ceremony until further notice. DependFuture plans: Move back to hometown and continue job search ing on the situation, they might move it to December of this year or spring next year. Thankfully, CSUN and all the individual colleges Roderick Perez, 22 | Fordham University within the university held their own ‘virtual’ celebration of sorts.

Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ The university prepared a celebration video with messages from Degree: B.S. in Marketing school officials, while the journalism department sent out congratu“I think Fordham handled our graduation well. Instead of outlatory email blasts. I admit, it’s a bit disheartening to have all the right canceling the ceremony, our achievements were celebrated festivities cancelled. While I understand the reasons behind all the virtually through a livestream while our in-person graduation was postponements, it’s still a bit disappointing. Originally, my family postponed. Knowing that some other colleges canceled formal was supposed to come here from the Philippines and we were all graduation ceremonies altogether, I’m grateful for how my universupposed to celebrate together, but because of the travel risks, that sity handled the situation with how meaningful in-person graduahad to be cancelled. I know that the ceremony is just a formality, but tion would be for many of us…I think the feeling of graduating knowing that the class of 2020 ended their studies at home while occurs when we walk across the stage alongside our peers and entering a scary economy makes the whole situation all the more receive our diplomas. Since my time at college ended abruptly, discouraging. Nevertheless, I was still able to celebrate in my own alongside not experiencing Senior Week events or an in-perlittle way — my sister, her boyfriend, and I ordered takeout and ate son graduation, part of me still feels like I’ll return to my regular together during graduation day, and we Facetimed my relatives.” college life after the pandemic. The lack of a transition made the Future plans: Look for a job in public relations or journalism end of my college career feel incomplete.” before student visa expires Future plans: Seek employment at a marketing agency Caroline Raquel, 21 | University of Pennsylvania Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Degree: B.S. in Economics with a concentration in finance and B.S.E. in Bioengineering “Penn rescheduled our in-person commencement to May 22 and 23, 2021, a week after the Class of 2021’s commencement. During graduation weekend, they posted pre-recorded graduation videos of the deans’ speeches and awards. It is a disappointing way to end such a momentous occasion. However, with the current state of the world, there are much worse things happening and I feel lucky to be home and safe with my family. Penn does Senior Week, the week between finals and graduation, with tons of fun activities and parties. I wish my friends and I got a proper goodbye since most of us left campus during spring break thinking we would be coming back in a few weeks.

My family surprised me with a surprise parade outside my house. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate with family and friends even if through car windows and masks.”

Future plans: Start first job as an associate at Innovation Lab at KPMG U.S. in New York this September; working remotely in LA until NYC reopens, most likely until 2021 Elvelyn Fernandez, 22 | Georgetown University Hometown: Honolulu, HI Degree: B.S. in Biology “Since my freshman year, I performed at the annual lu’au and bayanihan showcase for my university’s Hawaii Club and Club Filipino, so I was looking forward to performing for the last time as a senior. My university is postponing our in-person graduation to a currently unknown date. During the day graduation was scheduled to happen, they streamed a virtual graduation ceremony, which felt pretty anticlimactic especially because I am not physically on campus with my friends. Fortunately, I was able to celebrate with my family back home as they gave me leis and hosted a large Filipino lunch for everyone in our house.”

Future plans: Perform research or work in a clinical setting before applying to medical school; ultimate goal is to become an oncologist Eleanora Velez, 22 | Seton Hall University Hometown: Summit, NJ Degree: B.S. in Diplomacy and International Relations and a B.A. in Economics (Minor in French) “Not being able to experience the big ceremony and receive my diploma on stage is upsetting and makes me feel like I lost out on an experience I longed for since starting college. I also wish I experienced the Senior Toast Ceremony where the dean of our school and our president host an intimate event just for seniors to toast and celebrate our accomplishments. While in quarantine, I celebrated my graduation with my mom, sister, and plenty of FaceTime calls with other family members and friends.”

Future plans: Pursue another internship while going back to school for a master’s degree in foreign security; goal is to become an international security advisor for the State Department or the Defense Department Ferdinand Gerard Suba, Jr., 25 | Cornell Law School Hometown: New York, NY Degree: Juris Doctor (J.D.) “While an in-person convocation will take place in the future, the law school hosted a virtual convocation ceremony on May 9, in which graduates, family, and friends were able to watch the dean, the dean of students, and an alumnus offer words of celebration and encouragement. Although it was disappointing that I could not celebrate in person with my peers, family, and faculty on the original convocation date, I nonetheless felt proud of what I had accomplished in the past three years and thankful for the many lessons learned and friendships formed. I wish I had experienced many end-of-the-year traditions with my peers, namely Barristers’ Ball, the banquets of the law school journals, and the 3L class dinner in the Reading Room of the Cornell University Law Library. While quarantined, I celebrated my graduation day by video chatting with my family and friends.”

Future plans: Litigation associate in the New York office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

Bayanihan Musikahan: The trust factor PAGE 9 operatives for decades. The trust level was well-established by the time of the COVID-19 catastrophe; however, as Laguda says, “it took institutional agility on the part of PBSP to quickly reconstruct supply chains in which the key links depended on calculated risk-taking, and in the end, pure trust.”

The cooperatives consist of farmers and fisherfolk who have no official receipts and asked PBSP to send payment through non-banking channels. The pro-

curement of the produce and transportation to Metro Manila beneficiaries’ homes needed to be done within less than 24 hours. The entire chain was unseen by PBSP staff: the repacking, loading, transport, drop off and SNPP last leg deliveries to homes.

The system depended entirely on long decades of alliancebuilding in poverty alleviation projects in which the PBSP, the SNPP, and many community organizations have been important payers. That the trust paid off is

in large measure, says Laguda, “knowledge of the people involved in all those decades of work.

Still, trust in the citizenry—especially on the poor—is more than expedience. Civil society leader Danilo Songco, another of the 5 project initators, goes back to the first days of the concert series in mid-March, when Fr. FlavieVillanueva of the Kalinga Center for the homeless, sought tempory shelter for them during lock-down.

The homeless, for the time

Stephanie Sison, 22 | New York University Hometown: Lancaster, Pennsylvania Degree: B.A. in Economics (Minor in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology) “I felt cheated to not graduate in Yankee Stadium alongside my fellow Class of 2020. I have looked forward to walking across the stage these past four years, and have dreamt of throwing my cap in the air with family, friends, and professors by my side. Aside from commencement in Yankee Stadium, I wish I could have experienced our Senior Cruise, NYU’s Grad Alley, and our annual Strawberries and Champagne. All of these events would have given me lasting memories to end my four years on campus. Instead of riding the subway to graduation, I walked downstairs and graduated on my couch.

However, I felt grateful to be surrounded by family and felt thankful for my school and its efforts. We watched both graduation videos together followed by a brunch and dinner in our home. My family decorated our home for the festivities and surprised me with a Zoom celebration with all of my family back in Manila. Though I am looking forward to an in-person commencement, I had an unforgettable graduation day with family.”

Future plans: Working in New York City for AlphaSights as an associate in their consulting segment Tiffany Ashley De Guzman Viray, 23 | D’Youville College Hometown: Freehold, NJ Degree: Dual B.S. and M.S. in Occupational Therapy (Cum Laude) “Although graduating from my living room couch was not the ideal situation, it does not change the fact that I’ve worked the hardest I ever had these past five years to earn both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in occupational therapy. Traditionally, the Occupational Therapy Department will throw a White Coat ceremony before graduation, so it’s unfortunate that I didn’t get to experience that with my classmates and professors. To make up for this, my entire program celebrated our accomplishments through a virtual happy hour on Zoom, which was nice and special. For the most part, I think not being able to spend and celebrate my last semester of college with my friends and professors hurt the most.

I met life long friends in Buffalo, NY and I had the most amazing college experience, so to be pulled away from that so abruptly was really hard to face.”

Future plans: Take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam later this summer; eyeing a specialty in pediatric or traveling occupational therapy Monica Zafra, 26 | University of the Pacific - McGeorge School of Law Hometown: Fullerton, CA Degree: J.D. (Concentration in International Law) “I wish I was able to experience our school’s graduate luncheon and commencement. In addition, serving as the Asian Pacific American Law Students’ Association co-president, I also wish I was able to have our end of the year spring celebration. My co-president and I put so much work into the event and it was unfortunate for us to have to cancel an event that would’ve had such esteemed members of the Asian American legal community in attendance. Right after my last day of finals (via my computer screen), my family surprised me with a mini celebration in our backyard and ordered my favorite meal from the location I had my debut at.

As for June 6th, we will watch the virtual commencement and I hope to have family and friends on Zoom to celebrate as well. I’ll also be watching the Youtube Virtual Graduation Ceremony the Obamas are hosting that same day.”

Future plans: Take the bar exam in September; long-term goal is to be an international human rights law attorney being guests at the College of St. Benilde and other Manila schools, and who are given hot meals daily by Bayanihan Musikahan, have organized themselves into repacking centers.

The wholesale produce from provincial cooperatives are dropped off at these shelters/schools and repacked into family sized bags for SNPP to distribute. Songco says “the poorest of the poor have given forward quickly!”

The same ecosystem of mutual and collective support was quickly constructed when project initiator Jay Adlao Block, whose outfit Outbound Asia Inc provide the technical bench for

the entire three-month series of concerts, helped organize the out-of-work communities of the live performance industry. Bayanihan Musikahan was able to provide a major financial package to the newly formed Artists Welfare Project, Inc. “We trust that the poor have excellent survival skills, and only need the basics of food and care to re-energize in themselves the capacity, not only to live, but to participate in citizen action” says Corazon Juliano Soliman, who brought in SNPP into the project and guided their activities.

Bayanihan Musikahan brought

together artists and community organizers, technical teams in management and music production, big NGO’s and micro-scale cooperatives, talent managers and civil society coordinators, and demonstrates the deep fund of skills, experience, and heart of all.

Independent curator Marian Pastor Roces, among those conceptualized and rolled out the project with Mr C and company, “attempts a conclusion to the project in saying that the Filipino citizenry deserves each other’s trust, and the trust of their leaders: that the capacity for citizen action is enormous and powerful.”

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

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 28-JUNE 3, 2020

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May 28-june 3, 2020 • LaS VeGaS aSIan jOuRnaL

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