053020 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

MAY 30-JUNE 2, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 42 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages

LA County prepares to reopen salons, restaurants as case numbers continue to rise

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

CALIFORNIA Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, May 29 announced that Los Angeles County — one of the most concentrated hubs for COVID-19 in the country — can now reopen restaurants, barbershops and salons, signaling a possible return to normal life with the addition of social distancing and safety guidelines that all residents should follow.

“This further brings our communities together and resumes

DATELINE

a sense of normalcy, representing monumental progress for Los Angeles County as we join the vast majority of other regions in California toward reopening and recovery,” LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in response to the governor’s announcement.

Previously, Newsom has said that data and science-based information will guide the state’s steady re-opening, which is formatted through the state’s “resilience roadmap” that details criteria for counties to follow in order to ease restrictions.

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Las Vegas casinos set to open next week with new guidelines

In a letter sent to Sacramento, LA County credited its efforts to the decrease in hospitalizations by 1% in the past week and an overall COVID-19 positivity rate of 6.7% — the state’s requirement to move forward in the plan is an 8% or lower positivity rate.

But the county figures on Friday don’t reflect the downward trend that Newsom and other officials are hoping for to move forward in the plan.

There have been an additional 50 deaths, bringing the total numu PAGE A2

PATRIOTS. Members of the Philippine Navy wear face masks with the Philippine flag to commemorate the 122nd Philippine National Flag Day on Thursday, May 28. A flag raising and wreath laying ceremony at the Battle of Alapan Shrine in Imus, Cavite marked the event.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike Alquinto

‘They’re not even naming our dead’: Digital memorial tracks deaths of transnational Filipino health care workers

by CHRISTINA

al health care system, 41 deaths have been reported.

Despite the rate at which Filipino health care workers have been dying on the global front lines of the pandemic, there is no centralized place for tracking this data for Filipinos beyond separate sources that include news articles, online obituaries, fundraising pages and social media posts. u PAGE A2

M. ORIEL

AJPress

SINCE March, 74 health care workers of Filipino ancestry have died of COVID-19 in the United States. The number is nearly double the fatalities of individuals working in the “THE world has changed, and Vegas is same sector back in the Philippines.

Released after Memorial Day by organization AF3IRM, Kanlungan.net is a memorial website changing with it.”

In the United Kingdom, where around That’s the new ad campaign slogan put honoring Filipino health care workers around the world who lost their lives to the coronavirus 20,000 Filipinos are employed in the nationpandemic. together by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the organization behind the famous “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” campaign.

by RITCHEL MENDIOLA The new slogan comes as Nevada Govercases, while the daily rate of recoveries inAJPress nor Steve Sisolak said Tuesday, May 26 that creased with 11 new recoveries across the a number of resort casinos would be allowed major geographic regions. Six new fatalities to open as soon as June 4 as part of the city’s TWENTY-FOUR overseas Filipinos have were also recorded in Europe and [the] MidPhase 2 reopening stage. tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the dle East,” it added.

“We’re welcoming visitors back, but we’re total number of infected individuals to 2,845, Currently, there are 1,558 overseas Filipigoing to take every precaution possible,” said according to the Philippine Department of no infected with COVID-19 that are undergoSisolak in an online briefing. “We’re encour- Foreign Affairs’ latest tally on Friday, May ing treatment. aging visitors to come and enjoy themselves 29.

Overall by region, Europe — which comand have a good time.”

The agency also recorded six new fatalities prises 16 countries with PH Foreign Service But the Las Vegas people know — crowded in Europe and the Middle East, raising the coverage — has recorded 816 Filipino cases, including 467 undergoing treatment, 258 reu PAGE A2 death toll to 340.

Meanwhile, 11 Filipinos abroad success- coveries and 91 deaths.

The Middle East and Africa, covering 12 fully recovered from the disease, bringing the countries, has reported 909 cases; of which, total number of recoveries to 1,558.

“Based on the latest figures, the daily rate 682 are undergoing treatment, 97 deaths and Rosary Castro-Olega, a nurse for 37 years, never missed a party despite long work shifts. of confirmed cases decreased with 24 new u PAGE A3 She came out of retirement to join the front lines of the COVID-19 fight and died on March 29,

Filipinos abroad infected with COVID-19 now at 2,845

American citizen gets life sentence in PH for online child abuse

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 u PAGE A5

becoming the first health care worker fatality associated with the viral disease in Los Angeles County.

Photo courtesy of Tiffany Olega

PAL seeks to resume flights on June 1 Garcetti honors fallen Pinay nurse

by AJPRESS NATIONAL carrier Philippine Airlines is finalizing plans for June flights, after President Rodrigo Duterte announced that Metro Manila will be transitioning to a more relaxed general community quarantine starting on June 1.

“Philippine Airlines welcomes the opportunity to resume regular commercial operations following the Philippine government decision to upgrade certain areas of the country, including the National Capital Region (Metro Manila), to General Community Quarantine (GCQ) status starting June 1,” said PAL in its advisory dated Thursday, May 28.

Philippine Airlines seeks to resume its flights after Philippine President PAL previously canceled its doRodrigo announced that Metro Manila will be placed under general u PAGE A2 community quarantine begnning on Monday, June 1. Inquirer.net photo

who came out of retirement to help LA’s coronavirus fight

“Our city has lost an angel and we will honor Rosary by showing the generosity that she did, LOS Angeles Mayor Eric Gar- by acting to keep each other safe cetti recently honored a Filipina and healthy, and sending all of American registered nurse who our love to those who are grieving died of COVID-19 after coming a lost one,” Garcetti said. out of retirement to rejoin the The mayor’s tribute came as front lines once the outbreak hit Castro-Olega was cremated and the city. laid to rest earlier that morning.

During his daily briefing on “I didn’t realize how many Friday, May 22, the mayor spoke people were watching the mayabout Rosary Celaya Castro-Ole- or’s speech because family and ga, 63, the first health care profes- friends texted me and said they sional to succumb to COVID-19 in saw it and thought it was a beauLA County on March 29. u PAGE A3

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

A May 30-june 2, 2020 • La WeeKenD aSIan jOuRnaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

From the Front Page

LA County prepares to reopen salons...

PAGE A1 t

ber of deaths to 2,290 in LA County as of Friday. There are also a total of 1,024 new cases (including 500 new cases from one lab alone), an increase from the 933 new cases reported on Thursday.

LA County now has a total of 51,562 COVID-19 cases, accounting for half of the number of cases in California.

Despite these findings, officials are still following through with the reopening of “high-risk” places detailed in Stage 3 of the state’s reopening plan, including service industries that often involve close contact between staff and guests.

The Maya Salon, a beauty salon in South Pasadena, hasn’t set a date to reopen yet but Filipina American owner Azelle Santa Ana told the Asian Journal that she is “constantly trying to stay ready” and that the pandemic has “dramatically” affected the business.

“We are primarily a service industry who work closely with clients with social distancing, [and] we could not work at all,” Santa Ana said in an email.

The Maya Salon has been closed since March 19. Short for Mayaman, Tagalog for rich and abundant, the Maya Salon was opened in February 2017 by Santa Ana and her brother Patrick.

Like many other contemporary salons in LA, the full-service salon supports the concept of the artist, meaning that each stylist and makeup artist is “an independent business owner.”

“Independence with a community vibe” is how Santa Ana describes her business, and lean-

ing into that philosophy, she has prioritized safety and cleanliness among staff and clients in her salon since before the emergency declarations upended small businesses of all industries in midMarch.

Though she hasn’t set a reopen date, Santa Ana knows that her business must run in a slightly “stricter” way than before to adhere to social distancing guidelines to safeguard her staff and clients.

In addition to ensuring that clients aren’t showing symptoms, contactless thermometers will be available to double-check that anyone coming into the salon is healthy. Staff and clients will be required to wear masks and stylists will be required to wash their hands frequently and wear disposable gloves.

“By appointment only, it will allow more time with each client,” Santa Ana shared, adding that this will help with “building great relationships, providing a clean and healthy space since we won’t be rushing or double booking anymore. For new clients, virtual consultations will be happening.

We will do our part [and] stay home as soon as there are any symptoms showing. Our goal is to have a safe, healthy, comfortable place that is still enjoyable.”

Although Santa Ana doesn’t have any date set for the salon’s reopening (her interview with Asian Journal occurred before Newsom’s Friday announcement), she feels that there are far too many risks with reopening too early and preferred to err on the

A stylist from The Maya Studio in South Pasadena, California cleans a chair after serving a client. The salon shared a video of its sanitation practices until the salon closed on March 19 due to LA County’s stay-at-home order. Photo courtesy of The Maya Salon

side of caution.

“I would love to hear [that] the virus is contained and can safely go out,” she said. “But the numbers seem to still be growing so there is that risk of opening too soon. I would feel safer if the numbers were declining because I do miss working. I miss my colleagues, my clients and socializing.”

Businesses that are still closed and haven’t been given the green light to reopen include gyms, bars and nightclubs, cinemas, stadiums, theme parks, piers, u PAGE A4

ries.”

The website, made by a small volunteer team of activists, data analysts, artists and writers over the course of five weeks, contains a digital memorial wall highlighting the names and photos of the fallen workers.

“We took so much time to choose the photos and it reminded me of the process of the funeral rights of our family members where you try to choose a photo they like of themselves, a photo that shows them in their joy,” Jollene Levid, a union organizer and member of AF3IRM’s trans-

PAL seeks to resume flights on June...

PAGE A1 t mestic flights to and from airport hubs in Manila, Clark and Cebu until May 31.

The continued pause in its Manila, Cebu and Clark hub operations is in compliance with the Philippine government’s declaration of the modified enhanced community quarantine and related local restrictions for the period

from May 16 to 31.

On Thursday night, Duterte placed Metro Manila, Davao City, Region II, Region III, Region IVA, Pangasinan, and Albay under the GCQ starting next week.

The rest of the country will be placed under modified general community quarantine.

“PAL is closely coordinating with local and national govern-

ment authorities on the necessary implementing rules and arrangements to finalize our routes and flight schedules,” the carrier said.

“We intend to start with limited flights on selected routes.

As soon as these are finalized, we shall inform the public of the flights and routes we shall operate,” PAL added. n

Las Vegas casinos set to open next week with...

PAGE A1 t

casinos, and packed day and night clubs — will look and feel different as facilities comply with new guidelines put in place national committee which spear- to prevent the spread of COVIDheaded the project, told the Asian 19.

Of the properties set to open Journal.

The information was pulled on June 4 include four MGM from at least two public sources, Grand’s properties: the Bellagio, such as news sites or GoFundMe New York-New York, the MGM pages, that confirmed the pass- Grand Las Vegas, and The Siging and the individual’s Filipino nature. Also opening are The ancestry. Social media accounts Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Caehave also provided an added layer sars Palace, the Flamingo Las of confirmation. However, the Vegas, the Venetian, and Wynn team has been cautious to not as- Las Vegas.

Facilities sume ethnicity solely based on last Changes will be seen as soon name or physical appearance.

“There are actually several as visitors step into the opened names that are not on the list be- hotel-casinos as all guests will u PAGE A4 be required to have their tem-

‘They’re not even naming our dead’: Digital...

PAGE A1 t A new digital project housed on Kanlungan.net — the Filipino word for shelter and resting place — was unveiled this week by transnational feminist organization AF3IRM, which seeks to memorialize all the health care worker deaths of Filipinos in and out of the Philippines.

“Kanlungan has this tenderness to it. It’s a cradle, it’s where you are held,” Ninotchka Rosca, the organization’s co-founder, told the Asian Journal. “It’s a very good word to convey the idea that we maintain a home in these memo-

STRANDED MOTORISTS. Stranded motorcycle riders take refuge under the MRT-3 due to heavy rains along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Quezon City on Friday, May 29. The sudden downpour caused traffic in the area.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

perature 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 throughout 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 u PAGE A3

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline USa

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 30-JUNE 2, 2020

A

LA City Council proposes $100 million in rent relief for residents

by Rae

ann VaRona AJPress

A NEW Los Angeles City Council motion is seeking to use $100 million in federal funding for the city’s Emergency Renters Assistance Program.

The proposal, filed by Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez on Wednesday, May 27, is said to be the largest rent relief program of any city in the U.S. “From the very start of this pandemic, the Los Angeles City Council and Mayor Garcetti have Castro-Olega (far right) is survived by her husband Mario, daughters Tatiana, Trisha and Tiffany (second from right).

Photo courtesy of Tiffany Olega had one job, and that is to keep Angelenos safe,” said Martinez, who represents Council District 6 in the San Fernando Valley.

PAGE A1 t “The next step is to protect their housing.” tiful tribute,” her eldest daughter, Joining Martinez was MayTiffany Olega, told the Asian Jouror Eric Garcetti, and Councilnal. “Even though it was a coincimembers Herb Wesson, Mitch dence, it felt like everybody was O’Farrell, and John Lee. there at the same time because The city is expecting to receive it was my mom’s cremation day. about $694 million in aid from We were able to put her to rest the federal Coronavirus Aid, Reand grieve.” lief, and Economic Security Act In addition to Tiffany, Castro— the funding must be used by Olega is survived by her husband the end of the year for responses Mario, twin daughters Tatiana to the coronavirus pandemic and and Trisha, two brothers and other efforts addressing ecothree sisters, including her twin sister Rosalie, who is still a prac- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Friday, May 22 paid tribute to Castro-Olega’s work and details of her life, including how she was an avid Lakers fan. ticing nurse.

“Even though it’s been two sisters to be re-admitted and me and my sisters. She was months, it’s hard for my family treated since they were still expe- pretty much a mom to everyone, PAGE A1 t whether it was to her own sisters, and my mom’s twin, especially. riencing severe symptoms.

130 recoveries.

She added, “Thirty minutes af- brothers, or my friends, and took They’ve been attached to the hip The Asia Pacific region, which the time to go out and take care ter they were discharged [on Sunand now my aunt has to be on her spans across 12 countries, has 487 own and she’s been trying to take day], that’s when my mom passed of everybody else before herself,” cases, with 139 under treatment, away, even though doctors told Tiffany said. n care of us too,” Tiffany said.

346 recoveries, and two deaths.

Castro-Olega was born in Los me she was supposed to pass away on Friday night.”

Angeles on October 7, 1956 to Two days after Castro-Olega’s parents Jesusa and Pascal Castro.

She earned a bachelor of science death, the LA County Departdegree in nursing from the Uni- ment of Public Health publicly versity of San Francisco in 1978 announced it as the first known and returned to her hometown, COVID-19 fatality of a health care where she landed a job as a regis- worker in the region.

To date, 30 health care worktered nurse at Cedars-Sinai Mediers in the county have died from cal Center.

She worked there, primarily in the viral disease with 52% being the med-surg unit, for 37 years nurses.

Despite the 12-hour shifts, Casuntil her retirement in 2017.

After hanging up her scrubs, tro-Olega never missed a party or Castro-Olega devoted her time to holiday celebration, where she family and to travel internationally. could show off her dance moves.

Though, she could never escape One time, she drove to Nevada for the nursing profession and still a birthday party and came back home the next day. lent a hand wherever needed.

“She enjoyed life pretty much In mid-March, she had booked a cruise but it was canceled be- doing whatever made her happy,” cause of the coronavirus pandem- Tiffany said. “She made time so ic. Instead of staying at home, she she could be at everything.”

Often dressed in purple attire, stepped up to help local hospitals Castro-Olega was a “super fan” that were short-staffed.

By the end of that week, the of the LA Lakers, especially Kobe nurse went to the emergency room Bryant, and was a “daredevil” after developing a fever and cough who enjoyed the thrill of riding and tested positive for COVID-19, rollercoasters, as the mayor mentioned in his remarks. according to her daughter.

“Her house is filled with Kobe Tiffany received a text days later that her mother was going Bryant stuff and she even spent to be intubated at the intensive huge money to go to his last care unit at Panorama City Medi- game,” Tiffany added. “She went to the first Lakers game after he cal Center.

At the same time, Castro-Ole- passed away and went to the mega’s 27-year-old twin daughters, morial that fans made outside of Tatiana and Trisha, also fell sick Staples Center.”

The family set up a GoFundMe and spent two days in the hospital but were discharged because page in Castro-Olega’s honor and more critically ill patients were was surprised to see $8,000 had been contributed by friends and being given priority.

“I was pretty scared that I was colleagues.

“She was more than a nurse. going to lose all three of them,” Tiffany said. She pushed for her She was more than a mom to

Garcetti honors fallen Pinay nurse who came...

nomic impacts on businesses or renters.

Under the city’s proposed program that is intended to start on July 1, $100 million would go towards helping both tenants and landlords. Checks would go directly to landlords.

Martinez said that many of the city’s landlords are independent “mom and pop” operators and persons of color who depend on rent.

“The last thing we want to see is for these landlords to go into foreclosure and lose their properties, and for the City of Los Angeles to become a corporate driven rental market,” said Martinez. “That is not the city we want to be.”

Details of the program are still being finalized, but to qualify, renters would need to prove that they have experienced economic or health effects due to the current pandemic, and prove that they earn 80% or less of their area’s median income.

Since LA County went into safer-at-home orders as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic, unemployment reached 20%.

According to a report by the UC Berkeley Terner Center for

Housing Innovation, approximately one million in the Los Angeles metro area were found likely to be immediately impacted by COVID-19-related income or jobs losses.

“There is no question that as we have saved lives, that people’s livelihoods have been hard hit.

This pandemic has resulted in the highest unemployment rate in Los Angeles in our history, higher than in the Great Depression,” said Garcetti. “People are struggling, they feel that they’re either looking over the cliff, or they’re already falling off of it.

That’s why it is so important for us to offer relief immediately.”

The proposed program is expected to provide relief to more than 50,000 households or roughly 150,000 residents, said Garcetti. The city’s housing department estimates that as many as 74,074 renters would benefit.

Martinez added that the city was not stopping at $100 million and has plans of expanding the program.

Martinez also encouraged those who could donate to the city’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program to do so by visiting hcidla.org. n

Filipinos abroad infected with COVID-19 now...

Las Vegas casinos set to open...

PAGE A2 t Organization. This includes frequently cleaning HVAC filters and sanitizing high-touch 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. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress)

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY IFB NO. PO781-20 CONCRETE AND FIBERGLASS PULL BOXES The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking Bids for concrete and fiberglass pull boxes. The maximum dollar value for the contract will be for a total not-to-exceed amount of $1,000,000.00.

Bid documents may be obtained via download by visiting SCRRA’s website at http://www. metrolinktrains.com/agency/ page/title/doing business. Vendors must register for no fee on the website in order to download the documents.

The contract to be awarded will be funded in part by grants under the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transportation Administration.

For further information contact: Melissa Cousart, Contract and Compliance Administrator at 213.452.0207 or email Cousartm@scrra.net.

5/30/20 CNS-3368467# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

The Americas — covering six countries like the United States — have 633 reported cases, with 270 undergoing treatment, 213 recoveries, and 150 deaths.

“The DFA personnel in our

foreign service posts continue to actively monitor the status of the Filipino community abroad and work to safely repatriate more of our stranded nationals home,” the DFA said. n

A May 30-june 2, 2020 • La WeeKenD aSIan jOuRnaL

Dateline USa

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

Three Fil-Ams seek judicial seats Five Filipinos listed in New York Times front during Nevada’s June 9 primary page honoring those who died of COVID-19

by AJPress 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 Nazareno-Edquilang 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 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 long-standing 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 co-founded 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.

by Rae

Caesar Almase

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.

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

u PAGE A4

Rica Andrade

Graphic shows how individuals of Filipino ancestry are largely employed in the health care sector in North America.

Photo courtesy of AF3IRM Transnational Committee

Gemma Nazareno Edquilang

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

‘They’re not even naming our dead’: Digital...

PAGE A2 t cause we couldn’t verify whether or not they’re Filipino,” Levid said.

Levid recalled how in late March, she lost two family friends who worked as nurses alongside her mother for 20 years at a hospital in Los Angeles. Yet, their names hadn’t been released or honored widely.

She reached out to Rosca and aired frustrations about the lack of data, while Rosca offered the idea of a memorial, similar to a living altar. The ideas then spun into the website.

“We had a discussion about the fact that our family members are dying around the world to COVID19, particularly those in the health care sector,” Levid said. “So it becomes not just a personal issue, but also a workers’ right issue, an immigration issue, and a dignity issue.”

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs provides daily updates on the number of overseas Filipinos who have been infected or have died, but does not provide further detail in terms of age, gender or occupation. To date, it has reported 340 deaths globally.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Washington in mid-May reported 137 Filipinos have died since the virus outbreak hit the U.S., and said 40 were health care workers. However, new evidence shows that the number of deaths among Filipinos employed in U.S. health care system is nearly double that.

A global map on the Kanlungan website bears symbols marking where the deaths took place. By clicking each one, a visitor can see the individual’s name, location, profession and a link to a news article or obituary.

A graph also tallies the total number of known deaths by country: the United States (74 deaths), United Kingdom (41 deaths), the Philippines (33 deaths), United Arab Emirates (4 deaths), Canada (3 deaths), Bahamas (1 death) and Kuwait (1 death).

In the U.S., for example, the map shows that a large cluster of deaths occurred in the tri-state region, as 1 in 4 Filipinos in the New York and New Jersey area is employed in the health care sector.

The nurses who have perished included Maria Guia Cabillon, head nurse of Kings County Hospital emergency department in Brooklyn, New York, and Imelda Tangonan, who worked at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, New York.

But the fallen Filipinos are not only nurses. Deceased individuals include physicians, such as Dr. Tomas wPattugalan, 70, a primary care physician in Queens, New York; Dr. Alejandro Albano, 74, a doctor at Clove Lakes Healthcare

and Rehabilitation in Staten Island, NY; Dr. Jessie Ariel Ferreras, 62, of New Jersey; and Dr. Leo Dela Cruz, 57, a geriatric psychiatrist at CarePoint Health in Jersey City, New Jersey. Or they held other positions at care facilities, such as Louis Torres, director of food services at a nursing home in Woodside, Queens and Lemuel Sison, a medical laboratory scientist who lived in Fresh Meadows, New York.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics started releasing the percentages of infections and deaths by race but only goes as far as clumping Asian groups together. Of the reported COVID19 deaths nationwide, 5.4% are Asian.

In California — where nearly one-fifth of its registered nurse workforce is Filipino — the Department of Public Health also aggregates the data, finding 14.8% of the total deaths are among Asians, which comprise 15.4% of the total state population. The LA County Department of Public Health has the racial data available for 2,112 deaths and reported 17% are individuals of Asian descent.

Going deeper into LA County’s numbers, however, 30 COVID-19 related deaths have been among health care workers — 74% in skilled nursing facility staff and 52% nurses — as of May 21.

“We know those numbers must be Pinays,” Levid said.

Among the county’s known deaths are Rosary Castro-Olega, the first health care worker in the region taken by the disease; Emily Gualberto Canonizado of Oxnard who spent 31 years as a nurse; Anabelle Soriano Lustina, an RN from Carson; Celia Lardizabal Marcos, who was only equipped with a surgical mask when she responded to a patient suspected to have COVID-19 at CHA-Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center; and Arlene Aquino, a single mom and nurse who died on May 24.

“Data, anything from statistics to budgets, are not just political documents. They’re moral documents. What we’re seeing here in the United States, for example, is an unprecedented closure of hospital units and the displacement of health care workers who are already risking their lives every day to treat potentially positive COVID-19 patients,” Levid said.

As the health care profession has become part of the Filipino migration story, as well as as a career route for multi-generations of many families, the AF3IRM team noted that Filipinos moving abroad to deliver care and risk their lives is not a new phenomenon under COVID-19.

However, decades later, higherpaying jobs overseas as well as a global demand for workers continue to fuel the Philippines as the largest exporter of nurses and other positions.

“It’s both a global and national issue. If we’re going to change the situation, we have to go to the root of the problem of migration,” Rosca said. “There’s such a disparity in the recognition of the essential skills of health care work. That cannot happen unless medical workers in the Philippines themselves get organized and push.”

Based on available sources that highlight the circumstances surrounding the worker’s death, several patterns have emerged, including: the disproportionate rate at which nurses have died at non-unionized facilities in the U.S.; higher mortality rates for those employed in long-term care facilities in Canada and the United Kingdom; and in the Philippines, the majority of fatalities have been among doctors.

Another trend, Rosca noted, is the correlation between a country’s number of deaths and how its government acted and responded upon the onset of COVID-19.

“With Boris Johnson in the UK and the high rate of deaths among Filipinos, it’s directly due to his unpreparedness and dismissal of the virus,” Rosca said. “Of course, that was until he got it. The irony is that the Filipino nurse who ended up in the same ward as him died.”

The group envisions the website as a resource for journalists, educators and activists to help with news reporting or advocating for workers, whether it’s for adequate personal protective equipment, better working conditions, fair wages, or more transparent contracts before Filipinos migrate abroad for work.

“How are we supposed to demand justice and talk about egregious working conditions when they’re not even naming our dead? Without data, your campaign will only go so far,” Levid said. “This data can be weaponized in a way that any data is weaponized, or in the way that Trump uses data against us every single day.”

On the website, individuals are encouraged to submit information about a deceased loved one or colleague along with a photo and fond memory.

“You don’t have to identify yourself so that you can remain anonymous if you choose to. But if you have a colleague, if you have a cousin, if you have someone else that has has died and their employer refuses to release their name, this is a place where you can go so that your loved one can be rightfully named and honored,” Levid said. n

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Dateline USa

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 30-JUNE 2, 2020

A

Five Filipinos listed in New York Times front American citizen gets life sentence in PH... page honoring those who died of COVID-19 PAGE A1 t

PAGE A4 t 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.

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.

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 husband, 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.

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

LA County prepares to reopen salons...

PAGE A2 t playgrounds, museums and community centers.

Other Southern California counties that have been given the go-ahead to reopen faster include Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Despite the governor’s approval to reopen salons and barber-

shops and restaurants, officials stress the fact that the COVID-19 crisis isn’t over and encourage all residents to practice physical distancing guidelines: wear face coverings, stay 6 feet apart and only go out when needed.

If the county’s infection rate or the figures represent an uptick to “unsafe numbers,” the LA County Department of Public Health has the power to restrict or close re-

opened spaces.

“We are only able to take this important step forward because everyone did their part,” LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis said in a statement. “As we move along in our progress to reopen, let’s continue to keep our guard up. This highly contagious virus hasn’t disappeared; it is still out there, imposing a real threat to our communities.” n

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 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 por-

nography.

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)

A6 MAY 30-JUNE 2, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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O PINION Reckless endangerment

FEATURES

IF foreigners living in the Philippines prefer to be treated by their compatriots in clinics that they themselves operate, they can do so – under normal circumstances.

Like nearly the entire planet, however, the Philippines is facing extraordinary circumstances.

Extraordinary care is needed, particularly in all matters pertaining to public health. Those tasked to safeguard public health amid a coronavirus pandemic that has already killed 350,000 people and infected nearly 5.6 million others worldwide as of Friday, May 29 must be able to track all inhabitants of the country, Filipino and foreigner alike.

This task, difficult enough as it is, becomes impossible when foreigners operate health facilities underground – as several such establishments catering mainly to Chinese nationals are doing.

Last Tuesday afternoon, police raided yet another such facility, this time operating in Makati, and arrested two Chinese men, one of them supposedly a doctor. Four other Chinese men reportedly manifesting symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 were found in the Goldstar Clinic and Pharmacy Corp. The facility occupied the entire fifth floor of the New Lasema Spa Building along Sampaloc street in Barangay San Antonio. Its pharmacy contained medical supplies with labels all printed

in Chinese.

The raid came on the heels of a similar one on May 19 on one of the villas at the Fontana Leisure Park in Clark, Pampanga. A Chinese patient was found seeking treatment for a cough and sore throat, and the raiders found rapid antibody test kits used for viral infections.

But the supervisor and supposed pharmacist, both Chinese, were freed with no cases filed against them because there is still no certification that the medical supplies were untested by the Food and Drug Administration. The villa is being used by Shidaikeji Technology Corp., a service provider for POGOs or Philippine offshore gaming operators, whose employees and clients are mostly Chinese.

In late April, police also raided two illegal clinics and a medicine stockroom in Baclaran, Parañaque, home to several POGOs and their service providers. The facilities were operated by Chinese nationals.

Operators, employees and clients of these facilities have been mingling with the general communi- Philippine authorities must not only try to find out, ty since the start of the pandemic. How many have but also ensure that penalties are imposed on those the coronavirus, and how many have they infected? who recklessly endanger public health. Republic

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Act 11469, the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, is supposed to apply to all – Filipino and foreigner alike. (Philstar.com)

Over 100,000 deaths in the United States: Let the true American spirit move us to win this war against the pandemic

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS 100,000. That is the number of Americans who lost their lives to the coronavirus pandemic, as of the afternoon of Wednesday, May 27. Add to this, 40 million jobless Americans.

The threat of COVID-19 was labeled as a hoax by no less than President Donald Trump. When we first knew about the first three patients who died in the United States deaths in February, he said it was just like the seasonal flu and that it would disappear on its own come April.

The Office of the President had been forewarned by our very own intelligence and health agencies that this could escalate to be a pandemic as early as January.

Offers had been made to equip our stockpile with protective masks. The importance of widescale testing to isolate those who had been infected to mitigate the spread of the virus had been advised. These proactive measures had been ignored.

Instead, Trump chose not to do testing because he was fixated on his “numbers.” He knew that if he would acknowledge the threat of the pandemic in the United States, businesses could be affected, the stock market index would plummet, the unemployment rate would rise.

These would not be good for Trump’s “numbers,” and consequently, his chances for re-election. And so he chose to create his own narrative, conning his loyal followers that COVID-19 was just another crisis fabricated by the Democrats to kick him out of office.

And so he used this playbook to continue dividing the country, inflaming anger among his base on Twitter and during rallies, interviews and White House briefings. January, February and March were critical months that should have been used to unify the country and pro-actively prepare for the war against the virus to mitigate its spread.

Unfortunately, the truth caught up with him, and when COVID-19 had been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March, Trump declared a national emergency and started his daily coronavirus task force briefing.

He did it half-heartedly, I would opine, because his double-speak and actions continue to reveal his intentions. He even wanted to re-open America by Easter Sunday when the pandemic was in an upward trajectory.

He would continue to do that up to now, encouraging people to pressure state leaders to ease

Beyond just black and white by

TAMMY RASSAMEKIARTTISAK

[Editor’s note: Once a year, an essay competition is held at California State University, Northridge, amongst Asian American Studies and Education majors, as part of an endowment set up

by Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz for her deceased mother, Asuncion Castro Abarquez and her deceased sister, Rosalinda Abarquez Alcantara, to provide a scholarship grant to deserving students.

The essays are vetted by a committee headed by Dr. Tomo Hattori, Dr. Philip Hutchinson and Dr. Kimberly Teaman Carroll with oversight from Dept. Chair Eunai Shrake this 2020. This year’s winning essay is from Tammy Rassamekiarttisak, a recent graduate of CSUN, with a bachelor of science in Public Health and a bachelor of arts in Asian American Studies.]

Since double majoring in Public Health and Asian American Studies, I have seen the lack of resources specifically addressing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students’ needs, which stems from the Model Minority Myth (MMM).

The MMM stemmed during the

Civil Rights Era, where the government used this myth to show that Asian Americans are “doing well” despite the adversities they have faced. However, with the MMM used as a wedge against other communities of color and for Asian American communities to be lumped into “one” uniform, interchangeable person, is problematic. It’s problematic because when an Asian American fails to “meet the standard,” they are individually blamed for it, rather than looking at the laws, policies, and/ or institutional racism that might be the root of the cause instead.

Through my Asian American Studies 311: Research Methods course, my group and I are in the process of conducting a mixedmethods study on academic expectations and racial experiences for AAPI students at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). We seek to explore how discrimination and racism affect AAPI students’ academic experiences, how they navigate them, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in their experiences. This research is significant

social distancing and other safety measures like wearing masks, and he and his cohorts in his administration would even be the number one stubborn violators of these safety measures that remain to be the only effective way to help mitigate the spread of the virus as we await a vaccine that would work.

He would even make unsubstantiated statements on social media that claimed mail-in ballots would be “substantially fraudulent,” and pushed for people to go to precincts to vote amid the continued threat of the coronavirus pandemic, potentially discouraging people who heed the advice of scientists and health officials to avoid gathering together without social distancing.

Trump and his minions in state government and Congress would force states and churches to re-open, stating that these stringent measures Democratic governors are implementing go against the very spirit of the American people. They want to go back to work.

Unfortunately for the science and fact deniers in government, most Americans do not feel safe to go back to work and expose themselves and their families, especially when the threat of the virus remains, contrary to

Trump’s delusional claim, COVID-19 did not disappear on its own. Trump even threatened that those who would not go back to work would lose their unemployment benefits, a big blow to ordinary hardworking Americans.

Who are the most affected by the pandemic?

Quoting from a report by the National Public Radio (NPR) based on the data from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): • The disease has been far deadlier for males than females.

For age groups up to 75 years old, about twice as many men and boys have been killed by COVID-19 as have women and girls.

• Older people have died in much greater numbers than those who are younger. Eighty percent of the known fatalities were at least 65.

• Racial and ethnic disparities in who is dying have also become apparent, even while tracking data that Johns Hopkins University has compiled remain incomplete.

In Alabama, for example, 44% of those killed by COVID19 were black in a state where fewer than 27% of its residents are African American. Similarly, while African Americans make

because of the pandemic and how the AAPI community is currently affected by racism and acts of violence. In order to turn this research from deficit/damage-centered research to desire-based research, we used Ethnic Studies as Praxis by utilizing the Critical Race Theory (CRT).

In “White Logic, White Methods: Racism and Methodology,” Tufuku Zuberi and Eduardo Bonilla-Silva (2008) argues that scientific research on communities of color has been plagued by a White ideological methodology that binds communities of color to inequality in society. The authors contextualize White ideological methodology through the terms White logic and White methods.

To understand what these terms mean, they present problems to researchers and pose their research on communities of color.

First, the authors state that Whites in society are the dominant group materially and ideologically, they have an incentive to maintain their position of power by legitimizing and accepting racial differences.

Since social science research is dominated by White, cisgender males who regularly do not acknowledge work by scholars of color, it makes sense that the logic of analysis and methods used to examine communities of color

reflect the lens of their White, heteronormative, cisgender male hegemony. Thus, Zuberi and Bonilla-Silva define white logic as the context in which White supremacy has defined the techniques and process of reasoning about social facts (2008). White logic assumes that White views are neutral and objective, rendering communities of color perspective as subjective.

This act is harmful to communities of color because it allows Whites to be the center of building “legitimate” knowledge of history and culture, and grants them the authority to label communities of color as the “Other” without such contexts. Consequently, this justifies White superiority and urges them to educate or to “civilize” communities of color. Aiding White logic is White methods, which are practices and tools used to manufacture empirical data and analysis to support the racial stratification and racial knowledge in society (Zuberi and Bonilla-Silva, 2008).

Employed together, White logic and White methods standardize the knowledge and experiences of white people to produce racial knowledge that dehumanizes communities of color by constricting communities of color as uncivil, prone for exclusion, and primitive under White domination. Mori

up 14% of Michigan’s population, they account for 40% of that state’s COVID-19 fatalities.

Native American communities have also been hit especially hard by the pandemic. In Arizona, Native Americans account for about 5% of the population but make up nearly 17% of that state’s COVID-19 fatalities.

The University of Chicago’s Cagney said that differences in socioeconomic status — and thus the ability to practice social distancing — are contributing to COVID-19’s uneven lethal impact.

“If you look at the locations where people are disproportionately dying, they are in places that are lower income,” Cagney said. “They are places that likely have multiple residents in a single-unit space. They are places where people rely on public transit and rely on services like big-box locations, where by entry alone you’re putting yourself at risk.”

“I really believed we as a nation would have taken the decision to put in place social distancing and accepted the economic hardship that it’s creating, and that we would have stuck to it to get transmission down to a very low level, said Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics

and Evaluation at the University of Washington.

The NPR report pointed to a study done in May 2020 by a Columbia University research team that suggests “the number of coronavirus deaths in the U.S. could have been considerably lower had Americans been told sooner to stay home and maintain social distancing.”

“Some states in the South are seeing double-digit increases but have no plans to pull the emergency break on their reopening schedule,” Kaiser Health News reported.

Citing Reuters: “Twenty U.S. states reported an increase in new cases of COVID-19 for the week ended May 24, up from 13 states in the prior week, as the death toll from the novel coronavirus approaches 100,000, according to a Reuters analysis.

Alabama had the biggest weekly increase at 28%, Missouri’s new cases rose 27% and North Carolina’s rose 26%, according to the analysis of data from The COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer-run effort to track the outbreak. New cases in Georgia, one of the first states to reopen, rose 21% after two weeks of declines.”

UNFORTUNATELY, the president himself and his followers

u PAGE A7

Tammy Rassamekiarttisak

Nishida offers institutional change as a solution to stop the continuation of White ideological methodology (2001).

This means that knowledgemaking through research must undergo a shift in theoretical perspective to place communities of color as active participants. Ethnic

studies provide a voice to communities of color by conducting community-based research through the lens of CRT. Asian migration to the United States has been drenched with stories of horrific nightmares revolving around unimaginable pain

u PAGE A8

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Duterte places Metro Manila under GCQ starting June 1

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

METRO Manila will be shifting to a more relaxed general community quarantine on June 1, according to a recent announcement from President Rodrigo Duterte.

“You know, the NCR (National Capital Region) will now be placed under the general community quarantine or the GCQ starting June 1,” he said in his public address aired over staterun PTV4 on Thursday night, May 28..

Duterte also placed Davao City, Region II, Region III, Region IVA, Pangasinan, and Albay under GCQ starting next week. “‘Yan sila (That’s all of them), until we have reviewed the general situation,” he said, adding “We are not happy to put you in

this place but after review maybe we can.”

Meanwhile, the rest of the country will be placed under modified general community quarantine.

“In other areas, it will be, again, on a piecemeal basis depending on the viability of the place to meet the challenges of COVID-19,” Duterte said.

“But from time to time, Secretary Roque (Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque) will give us the places where there will be changes,” he added.

Under the GCQ, mass transportation will be operating on a limited capacity. Train systems, as well as shuttles of private companies, transport network vehicle services, and pointto-point buses will be allowed to run; meanwhile, bus and jeepney operations will still be

suspended.

Residents of GCQ areas will be allowed to go out of their houses, except for those aged below 21 and those 60 and older to limit infections.

Mass gathering activities will remain prohibited, however.

Duterte reminded everyone to wear face masks, stressing that law enforcers will strictly implement it to protect the public.

“Alam mo (You know), remember, the COVID-19 microbes are still in the air that you breathe, that you pass on to your fellowmen if you are not ready or willing to wear the mask,” he said.

“It is the precisely… this is the protection not for you but for the other guy. That is why the State has every right to control your movement if you pass on a contagion to the other (members of the) population,” he added. n

World Bank approves $500 million more for PH by anna leah

e. Gonzales ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippines got another $500 million loan from the World Bank, which it will use to ease the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on poor and vulnerable households and provide financial relief to small and medium businesses.

In a statement on Friday, the World Bank said the Philippines Emergency Covid-19 Response Development Policy Loan supported the country’s efforts to provide social assistance to 18 million poor and vulnerable Filipinos badly hit by the pandemic.

It includes additional subsidies in the monthly cash transfers to 4.3 million beneficiaries of the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” (4Ps), expansion of social assistance to 13.6 million affected households that are not part of the program and support for repatriated overseas Filipino workers.

The new funding also supports government efforts to lighten the financial burden of small and medium enterprises

through a two-month wage subsidy, additional financial relief through deferrals of tax and social security payments, and a credit guarantee scheme to help ensure continuity of their business operations and the preservation of jobs.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has badly hurt millions of poor and vulnerable Filipino families, particularly daily wage earners,” said Achim Fock, World Bank Acting Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.

“This new financing can help with the delivery of financial support for struggling families and communities while the country is ramping up efforts to contain the pandemic and reduce its economic impact,” he added.

Last month, the World Bank loaned the Philippines $500 million to enhance its disaster preparedness policies, planning, and investments for public health emergencies.

A $100-million loan to help meet urgent healthcare needs in the wake of the pandemic

and bolster the country’s public health preparedness was also approved.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd thanked the World Bank for the additional funds.

“We thank the World Bank for its prompt action on this financial support for the Duterte administration’s efforts to provide immediate relief to poor and low-income Filipinos, plus small business workers who lost their income as a result of the work stoppages induced by the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

The World Bank Group said it was taking broad, fast action to help developing countries strengthen their pandemic response.

It added that over the next 15 months, the bank would deploy up to $160 billion in financial support to help countries protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic recovery, including $50 billion of new International Development Association resources in grants or highly concessional terms. n

3.2 million workers face unemployment

by WilliaM

depasupil ManilaTimes.net

MILLIONS of employees are expected to lose their jobs in the coming weeks as 78 percent or 79,550 of the 102,000 establishments affected by the COVID19 pandemic declared that they would be temporarily closed for six months, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said on Thursday, May 28.

Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said around 3.2 million workers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), stand to lose their jobs because of the economic slowdown.

She noted that of this number, 1.9 million were from the formal sector.

“What we fear is slowly becoming a reality. Those establishments that reported to us their flexible work arrangement or temporary closure have already sent feelers that they might close permanently because of the huge effect of Covid-19 in their operations,” Tutay said.

“There are some [establishments] who have sent letters informing us that they will retrench their employees in the coming days or months,” she added.

Based on DoLE records, there are 2.9 million formal sector workers coming from 102,000 establishments nationwide that are currently under flexible work arrangement or on temporary work closure (TWC).

Of the 102,000 establishments, 78 percent or 79,560 are temporarily closed, while the remaining 22 percent or 22,440 companies are under flexible work arrangement, which means the workers’ income have been reduced.

Workers wait for a ride on Monday, May 25, along the corner of NAIA road and Roxas Boulevard.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike Alquinto

Establishments that are under TWC are given six months to resume their operations.

Those that will be unable to resume operations after six months would be considered permanently closed.

“That is what we don’t like to happen, that firms on temporary work closure will become permanent closure. We are talking here of 1,9 million [formal sector] workers,” Tutay said.

She added that aside from the proposed economic stimulus package now pending in the Senate and House of Representatives, the Labor department proposed a wage subsidy for affected businesses to preserve jobs.

“The money will go directly to the payroll account of employers on the condition that they will retain their workers,” she said.

The DoLE had concluded its Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, Barangay Ko Bahay Ko (Tupad #BKBK)

program, all part of the government’s response to mitigate the adverse economic effects of the pandemic on low income earners, as well as its Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) cash assistance emergency program.

But Tutay said the Labor department had requested for the regular implementation of the Tupad program, which provides workers in the informal sector a 10-day emergency employment.

Also on Thursday, the DoLE said the AKAP program is on again after it was able to generate another P1 billion, which would enable the department to assist 250,000 more workers.

The fund came from the DoLE’s 2020 budget to further provide assistance to OFWs. There are 450,000 OFWs applying for assistance from the AKAP program.

AKAP is a one-time $200- or P10,000-cash aid for OFWs displaced by the pandemic. The program has so far benefited close to 145,000 OFWs. n

Over 100,000 deaths in the United States...

PAGE A6 are the very people exacerbating the problem instead of using their leadership position to help solve it and save more lives.

BUT, they are not the only part of the equation.

What can we do as people?

We, the people, have much to say and do to protect ourselves and our nation. We need to make a moral decision asking ourselves this very important question: What is the American spirit that we should allow to rise up from within us to help us win this war against COVID-19?

Do we agree with Trump and his cohorts who — capitalizing on our financial worries and boredom brought about by

the “stay-at-home/”shelter-inplace” safety measures — have been pushing that the unyielding spirit of the American people would make us fearless to fight for our personal rights and liberties even if they transgress on other peoples’ right to safety and life, just so we can go back to work and live our normal lives pre-COVID-19?

OR, does the unyielding spirit of the American people go beyond our own feelings, personal rights and liberties to do what we all can do together as one nation and one people?

Let’s ask ourselves: Aren’t we willing to make personal sacrifices like wearing our masks, following social distancing guide-

lines, stay at home orders and other safety measures? Aren’t we willing to do these to protect and save our lives and the lives of other people?

The sooner we act together, the better will our chances to win this war against the pandemic be.

Let our conscience and our heart be our guide. *** 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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Extension of bayanihan law pushed in Senate

by Bernadette

tamayo ManilaTimes.net

SENATE Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri wants to amend the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act in order to extend up to September 30 the special powers granted to President Rodrigo Duterte to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

He appealed to other senators to amend section 9 of Republic Act (RA) 11469, which allows the President to realign public funds to finance the government’s response to Covid-19.

Zubiri filed on May 26 Senate Bill (SB) 1546, which declares the existence of a continuing national emergency arising from Covid-19 pandemic.

SB 1546 seeks to extend the validity of RA 11469 until Sept.

30, 2020 to allow the government to continue addressing the threat and impact of Covid-19 in the country.

Zubiri said despite claims of flattening the curve, there was a sustained community transmission as more cases were reported daily.

“It is apparent that the country is far from seeing the end to this extraordinary situation and the threat to life and livelihood persists,” the senator added.

“The extension will allow the President to continue to exercise the realignment of items in the national budget and other powers granted to him under the said law to be able to provide emergency support for vulnerable groups and individuals, expand medical resources to fight Covid19, and finance emergency initiatives to keep the economy afloat,” he said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd on Wednesday gave assurances that the Senate would approve before the adjournment of Congress on June 3 the proposed extension of RA 11469. “’Yung Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, walang kaduda-duda na ma-e-extend namin ‘yun (There is no doubt that we will extend Bayanihan to Heal as One Act). In what form at kung ano ‘yung amendments, depende sa usapan mamaya (and what will be the amendments [to be intro-

duced] will depend on our discussion later on),” he said in an online interview.

“Since the intent of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act is to cushion the effects of Covid-19 to the country’s health system and to its citizens, it did not cover the economic effect of this pandemic,” he continued.

Quezon Province Rep. Mark Enverga, Sotto’s party mate at the Nationalist People’s Coalition, filed a similar measure at the House of Representatives.

Sotto also sought a P548-billion economic stimulus package to rebuild the economy once the government relaxes community quarantines.

He recently filed SB 1542 seeking to “establish an economic stimulus strategy for the country’s growth and development” in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“In order to offset and mitigate the damages that Covid-19 brought to our country, measures should be put in place through legislative enactments,” Sotto said. n

SC: More than 22,000 detainees released since lockdown

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — The Philippine Judiciary has released more than 22,000 detainees through videoconferencing since the lockdown was enforced, Court Administrator Midas Marquez said.

Marquez said that 1,350 trial courts were able to conduct 3,201 videoconferencing hearings while parts of the country are placed under community quarantine.

The trials resulted in the release of 22,522 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) since the lockdown.

The court administrator disclosed this in a webinar hosted by the Judicial Integrity Network in ASEAN, the Supreme Court Public Information Office said in a statement Friday.

The inmates were released “either through bail or recognizance, or after serving the minimum imposable penalty for the crime they were charged,” SC said.

Marquez added the release of the PDLs also “eliminated the risk of further spread of COVID-19 infection to the inmates inside the jail facilities.”

Since the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus in the country, the tribunal has issued several guidelines to help overcrowded decongest prisons and detention facilities in the country where social distancing is impossible.

These include allowing electronic filing of charge sheets and transmission of release orders, reiteration of guidelines on release of qualified PDLs through self-recognizance and provisional dismissal and expanding videoconference to cover other courts in the country.

The Bureau of Jail and Management Penology, which manages jails, reported that it identified 517 confirmed COVID-19 cases in ten of its facilities.

The Bureau of Corrections, meanwhile, said that 161 convicts, from the New Bilibid Prison and Correctional Institution for Women, have contracted the deadly virus.

The Department of Justice relaxed application for parole and executive clemency to also decongest penal facilities.

Videoconferencing in this time of pandemic

Marquez also stressed in the webinar that the use of videoconferencing technology “eliminate the safety, security and health risks posed by the personal appearance of PDLs who are ‘considered to be high-risk or afflicted with highly contagious diseases.’”

The webinar was held with Hon. Sundaresh Menon, Chief Justice of Singapore, Hon. Judge Andriani Nurdin, Vice President of the High Court of Jakarta and Hon. Tan Sri Azahar Mohamed, Chief Judge of Malaya, Malaysia.

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta earlier issued a circular saying that courts under general community quarantine will be physically open, but walk-in requests will not be entertained.

Courts in GCQ areas shall continue deciding on pending cases, the chief justice said. “The hearings, either in-court or through videoconferencing, of all the matters pending before them, in both criminal and civil cases, whether newly-filed or pending, and regardless of the stage and trial, are now herein authorized,” he added. n

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

Study finds: Filipinos pray more, have less vices during quarantine

by Jan

milo severo Philstar.com

MANILA — A recent survey revealed that Filipinos turned to prayer and slowed down on their vices during the community quarantine in Metro Manila and other parts of the country due to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Researchers of the PhilCare Community Quarantine Wellness Index revealed that of its 800 respondents, eight out of 10 (76.7%) said they prayed at least more frequently than they did before the lockdown.

The study, which aimed to determine the state of Filipinos’ wellness while in community quarantine, also revealed that six out of 10 respondents (60.9%) said they now rarely drank beer, wine, or liquor products as compared to before the lockdown; while half (50.4%) said they now rarely smoked.

The survey was first administered via phone calls, with 400 randomly-selected respondents from May 11 to 14, the final stretch of the extended enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and several other areas.

Another 400 were interviewed from May 16-20 -- the first days of the modified enhanced community quarantine in the metro and

PAGE A6

other areas.

“The community quarantines and the pandemic as a whole have altered the way we live, which shocked many Filipinos.

This survey provided us the opportunity to take a deeper dive into their sentiments and behaviors when it comes to health and wellness,” said lead researcher Dr. Fernando Paragas of the College of Mass Communication at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

“The ongoing pandemic naturally makes everyone feel helpless. What’s good about the findings is that we saw how Filipinos turned to spirituality -- which is a positive coping mechanism – in order to deal with the anxiety.

It is interesting that vices only played a minor role in helping Filipinos through the ordeal of quarantine,” said PhilCare Associate Medical Director Dr. Ultra Tan. Meanwhile, six of 10 respondents (60.1%) particularly said they were not comfortable about going back to their offices, similar to the study’s preliminary results.

Nearly all respondents, nonetheless, are most concerned with the health of their loved ones (95.9%), a possible “second wave” of COVID-19 (94.1%), and contracting the disease itself

(93.6%).

“We believe that the findings of the index serve an eye-opener to employers and policymakers on how responsive they should be towards their respective stakeholders given that our way of life has dramatically changed.

With these learnings, we hope to work together with various sectors in order for us to continue living healthy even amid the pandemic,” said PhilCare President and Chief Executive Officer Jaeger Tanco.

The company recently launched its Wellness From Home workout videos uploaded on the company’s Facebook page, featuring exercises taught by fitness experts to help followers achieve optimal wellness despite being unable to go out to exercise. To date, the videos have reached 500,000 people, of which 350,000 have viewed them.

In addition, the company offers its DigiConsult service, a timely response to the study’s findings wherein members need not leave their homes to be able to consult a doctor on the phone anytime. They just have to use their HeyPhil app, which can be downloaded on Google Play and the App Store. The health maintenance organization (HMO) is also working to have the service available to non-members. n

Beyond just black and white

and gamble to anticipative, hopeful new beginnings promising a better economic and social stability that was otherwise unattainable in their home countries. Regardless of their reasons for migrating, Asian migrants have become the largest group of immigrants in the United States, and have steadily and successfully assimilated to American culture and lifestyles all the while maintaining their own culture and proudful origins. Existing research and literature on migration from Southeast Asia discusses the frightful journeys to the United States, accompanied by struggle, sacrifice, and the social and historical contexts that surround each.

The article, “Introduction: Refugee in the Hyperghetto” by Eric Tang, follows the life of Ra Pronh after Cambodia. Although her immigration process began in Cambodia, it wasn’t just a straight destination to the United States. There were many stops along the way and even after the immigration process, there were still ways that the immigration process affected Ra Pronh and her family. Despite the many stops and finally getting to the United States, the family living situation becomes unstable and there are many movements in her living environment. Hyperghettos could be compared to the times that Ra Pronh was in Cambodia during wartime, wherein she had to develop survival skills.

When considering the immigration process, it doesn’t end with just the journey of traveling, but it also includes the process and the immigrants’ lives after migrating.

When thinking about refugees in the hyper ghetto, they are living in places that bring trauma

that potentially haunt them. Looking at the article, “White Entitlement and Other People’s Crimes”

by Lisa Marie Cacho, the author discusses White entitlement and how that affects people’s lives.

According to the perpetrators, they believed that they were doing a service to the state by impersonating and acting how they believed the states would have handled the situation. Despite the victims being citizens who have lived in America for most of their lives, they were racially profiled as the other. There is an argument of, “We conventionally separate identity into realms of status and conduct, and have presumed that status (for example, one’s race) as opposed to conduct (in the form of how one behaves) has constituted the primary barrier to citizenship.

But what we remember as statusbased exclusions in fact were premised on assumptions about appropriate conduct. Thus, history shows the impossibility of separating the realm of status from that of conduct” (Cacho, 2012).

Citizenship and a sense of belonging are often linked to race and the stereotypes of who is considered a part of the state. Looking closely at the relationship between laws, policies, and race, one can see the connection to citizenship and who is allowed into the state.

The author, Jose Antonio Vargas discussed his feelings of living his life as an undocumented immigrant in the article, “My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant.”

Although his mother had sent him as a child to immigrate to the States, Vargas’papers were forged and fake, unbeknownst to him.

When examining his hesitancy to tell people for fear of being judged, ridiculed, and persecuted, Vargas

was forced to hide his status and lived in constant fear. Vargas was unable to get the help nor the resources like financial aid, a job, given the laws and regulations.

Although the migration process ended, his life was still affected and he continues to deal with the trauma that follows him due to his undocumented status. Vargas had trouble trusting people and felt unable to communicate with others about his status. Like most immigrants living in the United States, Vargas didn’t feel comfortable telling people and oftentimes, the negative stereotypes persisted, despite who they were. Laws and policies, like Prop 187, were discussed and came up from these racially, negative stereotypes, and misperceptions of other people.

They had real impacts on immigrants’ lives, as it made them relive the trauma and constant fear of not having their immigration status legalized.

Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, AAPI communities are faced with racism and acts of violence. History repeats itself during these times of crises, pitting blame onto one another, similar to times like the Yellow Peril and discriminatory immigration laws and regulations.

Despite claiming to be “colorblind,” U.S. society needs to reflect on how institutional racism has come back to remind us of the changes we need. These essential workers fighting for us, not just the healthcare workers, but also sanitation workers, fast food employees, and many others were deemed “non-essential” before by this society. Perhaps, now people may see beyond the black and white narratives that society has painted for so long?

PRAYER INTENTIONS IN. A couple lights candles for prayer intentions outside the closed St. Peter Parish: Shrine of Leaders church along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on Thursday, May 28. Catholic practice is fervent and extensive among Filipinos who find time to visit the church even during community quarantine.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

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SC to hear ABS-CBN case on June 2

THE Supreme Court (SC) will tackle the case of ABS-CBN Corp. in an en banc session on June 2 after the government submitted its comment to the network’s petition for a temporary restraining order.

The high court has yet to determine if it will hold the en banc session face to face or via videoconference.

The tribunal will discuss the comment filed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), which asked the court to junk ABS-CBN’s petition. The NTC ordered the network to stop its operations after its franchise lapsed early this month.

Last week, the tribunal includ-

ed the House of Representatives and the Senate as parties to the case and ordered the two chambers to also file their comments.

In its 98-page comment, the NTC, represented by the Office of the Solicitor General, said the network’s petition should be dismissed for lack of merit.

It maintained that the cease and desist order (CDO) it issued against ABS-CBN was lawful since it was purely an administrative act that was within the powers of the agency.

“The NTC respected the jurisdiction of Congress because the expiration and renewal of petitioner’s franchise is an expression of legislative will,” it said.

“The NTC’s issuance of the

CDO did not curtail ABS-CBN’s right to freedom of speech and of the press. Neither did it deprive the public of its right to information. The petitioner’s alleged right to freedom of speech and of the press in relation to its broadcast operations becomes irrelevant because it had already lost its privilege to use the State’s frequency for such purposes,” the commission said.

The NTC also asked the high court to drop the House and the Senate as parties to the case.

Meanwhile, a source said ABS-CBN might start laying off workers in August if the network remains closed. (Jomar Canlas/ ManilaTimes.net)

NBI, Immigration to join hunt for ‘underground’ medical clinics

INGENUITY. The coronavirus health crisis brings out the ingenuity of some Filipinos, like pedicab driver Ramil who installed a plastic divider between him and his passenger as a precautionary measure. He and other pedicab drivers plying Agham Road, Quezon City are back on the streets on Wednesday, May 27, less than a week before the expected shift into a less strict quarantine starting next Monday, June 1.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

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

Menardo Guevarra on Thursday, During the last week of April, May 28 said he would order the an underground clinic was raidNational Bureau of Investigaed by the police in Parañaque tion (NBI) and the Bureau of ImCity. The clinic allegedly caters migration (BI) to join in hunting to the Chinese suspected of indown clandestine clinics caterby Gaea Katreena CabiCo fected with COVID-19.

Philstar.com ing to Chinese suspected of havThis month, two more clinics ing COVID-19. have been discovered in PamMANILA — The United Nations Since the last week of April, panga and Makati. authorities have dismantled The clinics are reportedly in the Philippines condemned the three underground clinics that operating without a business mortar shelling in Maguindanao province that killed two children treated Chinese COVID-papermit. n as it called for a halt to armed conflicts in the country.

Two girls, aged 10 and seven years old, were killed when a mortar projectile hit at least four houses in Barangay Kitango in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town during the celebration of Eid’l Fitr last Sunday. The incident also left 14 others injured.

In a statement Thursday, May 28, the UN in the Philippines called attacks that result in the death of innocent children unacceptable.

“We join the government of the Republic of the Philippines in condemning these attacks, which violate international human rights and humanitarian law. The indiscriminate use of weapons impacting civilian areas must stop,” Gustavo Gonzales, UN resident coordinator in the Philippines, said.

The organization stressed that children should be safe and Clark officials have ordered the closure and full lockdown of Fontana Leisure Park inside the Clark Freeport following the raid.

Philstar.com photo protected from violence so they by tetCh

torres-tupas Inquirer.net

tients.

“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-

UN calls for halt of hostilities after mortar shelling in Maguindanao could enjoy their childhood and reach their full potential.

“We reiterate the urgent appeal to halt hostilities, protect children in the Philippines and safeguard their well-being,” Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov, UNICEF Philippines representative, said.

The UN country task force on monitoring grave violations of children’s rights in situations of armed conflict—co-chaired by the UN resident coordinator and UNICEF representative—called on all parties to the conflict in the Philippines to demonstrate their commitment to international humanitarian law and uphold protection and well-being of forcibly displaced children.

It is yet unclear who was behind the shelling, although the military had denied it has any operations in the area at the time of the incident. Local reports have also noted that the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a group inspired by the Islamis State of Iraq and Syria, operates in parts of the town.

The Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front, former rebel groups

that have signed peace agreements with the government, have members in Datu Saudi Ampatuan as well and sometimes clash with each other, according to local reports.

In March, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for a ceasefire in conflicts worldwide to aid the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Probe The Bangsamoro government said it will conduct a parallel investigation into the mortal shelling through its Ministry of Interior and Local Government, the military and the police.

“He (Chief Minister Ahod ‘AlHaj Murad’ Ebrahim) has directed the appropriate offices in the regional autonomous government to conduct an impartial investigation to unearth the truth,” Naguib Sinarimbo, MILG minister, said in a release Tuesday.

The Bangsamoro government earlier said that the mortal shelling was “totally inhumane and evil, occurring as it did on what is supposed to be a festive day of Eid-al Fitr.”

The Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission will also conduct a separate investigation. n

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WKND USCIS to start reopening around June 4, 2020

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ USCIS recently announced that it is preparing to reopen some of its offices and resume naturalization ceremonies and adjustment interviews on or after June 4, 2020. Notices will be sent out to applicants whose interviews and ceremonies were previously canceled because of COVID- 19, so watch your mail for your new appointment dates.

Adjustment Interviews As with most businesses, USCIS is adapting to COVID-19, and there will be many changes in procedures. Offices will reduce the number of appointments and interviews to ensure social distancing, allow time for cleaning and reduce waiting room occupancy. Appointment notices will contain information on safety precautions that visitors to USCIS facilities must follow, such as if a person is feeling sick, they should reschedule their appointment for when they are healthy. There is no penalty for rescheduling an appointment if the person is sick. But make sure your request to reschedule your appointment is sent (and received by USCIS) before the date of the appointment date.

Visitors may not enter the building more than 15 minutes before the appointment time, and are limited to the applicant, one representative, one family member, and one individual providing disability accommodations.

The applicant should arrange to have their interpreter available by phone.

Naturalization Ceremonies USCIS will send notices to applicants to reschedule postponed naturalization ceremonies. The ceremonies may be shorter to limit exposure to those in attendance. Instead of playing videos

during naturalization ceremonies, attendees will receive a flyer with information and links directing them to the videos on the USCIS website. Under the shortened format, all legally required portions of the ceremony will take place. The applicant may not enter the building more than 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony.

Attendance is limited to the naturalization candidate and individuals assisting disabled persons. Therefore, it appears family and friends can no longer attend the naturalization ceremonies.

Application Support Centers (Fingerprints and Photos) USCIS will automatically reschedule any necessary ASC appointments that were cancelled due to the temporary office closure. Individuals will receive a new appointment letter in the mail with specific safety requirements. Individuals who appear at a date or time other than what is listed on the ASC appointment notice may encounter significant processing delays, except for military members.

Other Procedures Other procedures USCIS will put in place are now familiar to people who have endured the “shelter in place” lockdown during this pandemic: • Hand sanitizer will be provided for visitors at entry points.

• Members of the public must wear facial coverings that cover both the mouth and nose when entering facilities. Visitors may be directed to briefly remove their face covering to confirm identity or take their photograph.

There will be markings and physical barriers in the facility; visitors should pay close attention to these signs to ensure they follow social distancing guidelines.

• Individuals are encouraged to bring their own black or blue

ink pens.

People should already expect and prepare themselves for delays and long waiting times. The fact that the number of people scheduled for interviews will be reduced will of course create a longer waiting time. For example, if an officer had previously interviewed 20 people a day, but interviews are being reduced to seven people a day, there will be longer waits and delays.

Moreover, under Pres. Trump, with new and stricter rules and regulations, it is almost as though USCIS is looking for ways to deny cases, unless every single requirement is met at the outset.

There are new public charge regulations, memos to deny cases at the outset, without serving a request for evidence (if all the evidence is not included in the initial filing), etc.

That is why it is so important that when it comes to your interview, you should consult with and have an attorney represent you at these interviews, to make sure you are eligible, go over the requirements, deal with any legal issues or changes in your circumstances that may come up, and make sure there is no miscommunication or misunderstanding at the interview, which could also result in a denial or deportation. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any

Eastern European Favorites Walk on the Lighter Side

By Grace O

Eastern European foods are not necessarily known for their healthy attributes. In general, the foods of countries including Russia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Lithuania and the Czech Republic are heavy on meat, sour cream and lard or chicken fat. However, they are delicious comfort foods, no matter where in the world you or your ancestors hail from.

In the spirit of FoodTrients, I’ve adapted some recipes to make them lighter, more healthful versions of the originals. Here are a few of the guidelines I used to make these recipes more modern and health-friendly: Add vegetables – By increasing the amount of vegetables or adding them when the original ‘grandma’ recipe didn’t call for them, calories and fat content are reduced, but fiber, vitamins and other nutrients are increased.

Change the fat – I’ve changed the cooking fat for these dishes from saturated fats (schmaltz, which is Yiddish for chicken fat and lard, which is from pigs) to unsaturated fats like olive or avocado oil. You probably won’t miss them!

Increase the seasoning – For many of these recipes I’ve included larger amounts of herbs and spices or added new ones.

Replace sour cream – Plain, full fat Greek yogurt is still lower fat than sour cream and it contains more protein and fewer calories, but you’ll still get the rich effect.

GREEN BEAN AND POTATO SOUP MOSCOW SERVES 4-6

Ingredients 1 Tbs. vegetable oil, such as olive or avocado oil 1 large onion, halved and sliced thinly 2 medium stalks of celery, sliced 5 red potatoes, cubed ½ lb. fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 5 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth if the VRXS GRHVQ·W QHHG WR EH YHJHWDULDQ

7EV ZKROH ZKHDW Á RXU ½ cup full fat plain Greek yogurt ¾ cup sauerkraut with juice 1 Tbs. chopped fresh dill Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Instructions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a 6- to 8-quart pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and gently cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add the celery, potatoes and green beans; cook until the green beans have softened, about 6 more minutes.

2. Pour in the vegetable stock. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes have softened, about 15 minutes.

6WLU WKH Á RXU LQWR WKH \RJXUW DQG DGG LW D VSRRQIXO at a time to the simmering soup. Stir in the sauerkraut and dill, season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes then serve.

ABOUT GRACE O

GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of two award-winning cookbooks—The Age Gracefully Cookbook and The Age Beautifully Cookbook, which recently won Gourmand’s ‘Best in the World’ Award for Innovation. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 20years in the healthcare industry.

Visit FoodTrients.com to learn more. Email us at info@FoodTrients.com

LifestyLe Consumer Guide Community marketpLaCe

Smart lands CLOY’s Captain Ri as endorser

by Charmie Joy

Pagulong Philstar.com

CAPTAIN Ri will be landing in Manila – if not physically amid the pandemic, then online and on TV. PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. has announced that South Korean heartthrob and Netflix’s “Crash Landing on You” Hyun Bin (a.k.a. North Korean Captain Ri Jeong Hyeok) is their new endorser and will drop a campaign on Monday.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan confirmed the news in his Twitter account.

“Yes, Hyun Bin it is. Ad online and TV will break out on Monday, June 1, around noon. Go go go Smart!”

Smart posted on Wednesday in their social media accounts a video of a man in a sports car captioned, “The Captain is coming. Watch out for the big RiVeal.”

Hyun Bin said he “is glad to be part of the Smart family.”

“I am going to show you my best in new campaign with Smart. So please keep an eye on me and Smart,” he said in a viral video on Smart’s Facebook page.

“Mahal ko kayo (I love you), Smartees,” were his parting words in the video and fans couldn’t help but show their admiration for the 37-year-old star in the comment section.

“His awesome smile with a deep dimple on his cheek

Hyun Bin as Captain Ri in South Korean hit drama “Crash Landing on You.” Philstar.com photo

and his expressive eyes that captured my heart,” a netizen commented.

Another fan posted, “Thank you Smart... we are happy that you brought Hyun Bin fever in the Philippines for real... Looking forward to meet him here in our country in the future.”

“Hello Hyun Bin! Your smile and dimples are enough to make my heart flutter! All the more to see you soon in our country!

Thanks to Smart Communications!” a Facebook user said.

Local retail giant Bench earlier released “Your crush, landing soon” teaser, fueling speculations that Hyun Bin will be their next endorser.

“Crash Landing on You” is a South Korean drama directed

by Lee Jeong-hyo and starring Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Junghyun and Seo Ji-hye.

It is a story about a South Korean businesswoman who accidentally crashlands in North Korea and falls in love with an Army officer.

1-866-487-3465 WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com particular case, and do not constitute (866) – GURFINKEL Follow us on Facebook.com/Gurfina prediction, warranty, guarantee or Four offices to serve you: legal advice regarding the outcome of kelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and your legal matter. No attorney-client YouTube: US Immigration TV LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW Call Toll free to schedule a consulta- YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES relationship is, or shall be, established tion for anywhere in the US: with any reader.

(Advertising Supplement)

B May 30 - June 2, 2020 • La WeeKenD aSIan JOuRnaL

EntErtainmEnt

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Liza pleads for unity, asks gov’t to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise again by

katRina haLLaRe Inquirer.net

Geneva and boyfriend Nikolaus ‘Niko’

KAPAMILYA actress Liza Soberano has appealed for unity among people quarreling because of differences in opinions about ABS-CBN’s franchise.

In an Instagram post on Thursday, May 28, Soberano lamented how pride seemed to have prevailed upon individuals “during these tough times.”

“Hindi po ito ang tamang panahon para mag away-away ang lahat (This is not the right time to fight each other). We all have different principles in our life and Photos courtesy of Geneva Cruz we all have the right to our own opinions,” her post reads.

“Pero kung mapapansin po ninyo, pride ang nanaig, and because of our pride and beliefs we are forgetting what is truly important during these tough times, at ‘yun ang maging mabuting tao sa lahat.”

(But if you look at it, pride prevailed, and because of our pride and beliefs we are forgetting what is truly important during these tough times, and that is to be a good person to all.)

“The key is to be united. Not only the company and the government but the nation as a whole,” it also states. “Nobody is perfect and nobody ever will be, but if we choose to humble ourselves and focus on what really needs to be addressed, then maybe we can also help the world heal.”

After six years in the so-called Land of Milk and Honey, the former Smokey Mountain band ABS-CBN has been off the air member is home for good, older and wiser since May 5 as the National Telhis own new family. Their son was working at a medical clinic Heaven, now 24, is with the sales that helped people lose weight department of Horizon, living and had skin problems. It was alone, happy with his girlfriend not a hard job but it took me time and is into hip-hop. “Tulad ng to get used to a 9-to-5 routine ama niya,” said Geneva, adding, Mondays thru Fridays. Every “Paco and I are okay. We are now and then, producers would hire me for concerts and that’s good.”

Her relationship with Niko, how I met Niko. We’ve been toby cha Lino even if “long-distance,” is work- gether for six years...my longest Inquirer.net relationship.” ing beautifully, thank heavens.

AGA Muhlach and Charlene Asked why she left t.h.e PhilActually, admitted Geneva, she had an “ex” (a Fil-Australian, ippines when her career was Gonzales showed their strong London’s father) who proposed going well, Geneva said, “I went and lasting bond as a married to her into their third month to- to the US to give birth to London. couple, as they marked their gether, but it went pffft because, I wasn’t planning to stay but then 19th wedding anniversary yesaccording to Geneva, “we didn’t my son Heaven, who was only terday, May 28.

Gonzales, a former beauty really know each other well; 18 then, needed a mother so I queen, expressed her love for hindi pa namin masyadong kilala stayed.”

America turned out to be a Muhlach via Instagram on the ang isa’t-isa.” same day. She reminisced on Niko is, well, something else. humbling experience.

“America has taught me how their special day by showing “Even if we are mostly apart, because he’s in Virginia and to grow, how to be more humble a couple of collages featuring I was in L.A., he never fails to and how to appreciate my job in their wedding and some of their make me feel his presence. He the Philippines. Ibang-iba ang bonding moments together.

“19 years of love, marriage calls and texts me every day. life doon. Before I left, I told ArHe’s very expressive. It’s not nold (Vegafria, her manager) that a n d h a p p i n e s s , ” G o n z a l e s an easy relationship but he has I didn’t like acting, only for me declared. “My forever [and] a way of making it easier. He’s to start missing it when I was in ever… What a wonderful jourdifferent from the others. Pina- America. While out there, I real- ney it continues to be.”

Gonzales and Muhlach have paramdam niya sa akin kung ized that I was missing so many saan man siya naroroon. I have things back home that I took for twins, who recently finished high school despite the conhad relationships na parang granted.”

Nothing like home, so goes straints brought about by the palagi kong hinahanap kung nasaan, hindi tumatawag, hindi the cliché. Home is where it’s COVID-19 crisis. The family celebrated the milestone in nagpaparamdam. I’m tired of at.

“Showbiz is the only work I Atasha and Andres’ life in that kind of relationship.”

Between her “ex” and Niko, know, starting when I was 12,” the confines of their home, Geneva said that she was dat- admitted Geneva who is staying through an online graduation ing other guys but never went in Las Piñas City near her cousin ceremony.

The beauty queen was also Sunshine Cruz (in BF Homes, beyond that stage.

“I was busy raising my daugh- Parañaque City). “I’m starting hospitalized for appendicitis last November during the ter,” added the single parent. “I all over again.”

Geneva: America a humbling experience Ricky Lo Philstar.com

by

BARELY recovered from jetlag as soon as she arrived from the States last February, Geneva Cruz reported to the set of Coming Home, the Jinggoy Estrada movie which is an official entry in the indefinitely-postponed first Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (SMMFF), a brainchild of Sen. Bong Go. “It’s nice to be home,” she told Funfare in an exclusive phone interview, echoing the back-home statement of other stars who have gone back from loving abroad. “It feels good.

Nothing really like home.”

Older and wiser now, ages apart from the 12-year-old lone female member of Smokey Mountain (SM), the band formed

by Ryan “Mr. C’’ Cayabyab, Geneva has gone far just like the other members (their mentor has risen to be a National Artist for Music): Tony Lambino is an Assistant Finance Secretary; Jeffrey Hidalgo is single, film director and triathlete; and James Coronel runs a few call centers and holds (with Mr. C) the rights to SM songs. (“James is locked down in Bali, Indonesia with his family,” shared Jeffrey). From Mr. C: Other Smokey Mountain “graduates:” Jayson Angangan, farmer, married with child, resides in Isabella; Shar Silonga, married with children, lives in Las Vegas; Chedi Vergara, married with children, lives in Australia; and Anna Fegi, professional singer, married, lives in Cebu.

The title of Geneva’s comeback vehicle (with Martin del Rosario as partner) perfectly describes her long and winding journey back home, with her six-year-old daughter London and Nikolaus “Niko” Booth, a FilAm who is with the U.S. Marines based in Virginia, and a concert producer.

“He got me for a concert, started sending me flowers and notes and, before I knew it, kami na,” related Geneva who is divorced (legally separated) from Paco Arespacochaga who is also based in California with

Liza Soberano

Photo from Instagram/@lizasoberano

ecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered the broadcasting network to cease operations after its franchise lapsed on May 4.

Instead of granting an interim franchise to the media network giant, the House of Representatives opted to push through with deliberations on ABS-CBN’s bid for the renewal of its 25-year franchise.

Soberano, however, expressed optimism that the leaders of ABS-CBN, Senate, and House are doing their best to correct everything in the right process.

“Naniniwala ako kung may pagkakamali o pagkukulang man ang aming istasyon, sinisikap po ng aming leaders na maisaayos po ang lahat,” she said.

(I believe that if our station has flaws and setbacks, our leaders

are trying its best to correct it.)

She added that if ABS-CBN goes back to full operations, everyone who works for the company – including herself – will be elated.

Previously, ABS-CBN president and chief operating officer Carlo Katigbak warned that if the network would not be granted either a provisional or new franchise, it would have no choice but to start retrenching employees

by August.

Soberano then said that if there was one thing ABS-CBN and the government have in common, it is giving service to the nation.

“To our dear lawmakers, may I humbly ask, please renew the ABS-CBN franchise,” she also pleaded.

Aga, Charlene celebrate 19 years of marriage

Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales

Photo from Instagram/@itsmecharleneg

twins’ 18th birthday. Mean- Korean movie “Miracle in Cell while, Muhlach starred in the No. 7” for the 2019 Metro MaFilipino adaptation of the South nila Film Festival.

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

By MaRineL

cRuz

Inquirer.net

“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 ef-

fectively portray her character was what made 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.”

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 30 - JUNE 2, 2020

B

Asian Smokers’ Quitline still operates during COVID-19 outbreak Quit smoking while staying at home

FOR many of us, the coronavirus means staying at home for an extended period of time.

While it may be disappointing to hear that events are being cancelled, these measures are necessary to help slow down the spread of the outbreak. At the same time, being at home gives us a chance to make some positive changes, whether it is starting an exercise routine, eating healthier, or resting more. If you smoke or vape, one of the most important and timely changes you can make is to quit.

According to the US Surgeon General’s Report, smoking weakens the immune system and makes it harder for the body to fight off disease. There are more than 7000 chemicals in a cigarette, 70 of which can cause cancer. The smoke from a cigarette or aerosol from vaping attacks the upper respiratory system, one of the same things the Coronavirus does. For someone whose respiratory system is already compromised from smoking or vaping, they may experience more serious COVID-19 symptoms should

they contract the virus.

Currently, there is no guaranteed treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. One important way to fight back is to build up the immune system by getting plenty of sleep, regularly exercising, managing stress and staying hydrated. Quitting smoking and vaping is another way to bolster the immune system. Using telephone counseling alone or in combination with FDA-approved quit aids increases the chance of quitting for good.

During these challenging times it feels like the pause bottom has been pressed. But the Asian Smoker’s Quitline (ASQ) is still up and running. We are here to support smokers and vapers, their friends and family, community partners, and healthcare professionals. Please give us a call at [insert a specific quitline #]or go to our website [insert specific quitline website] to register.

Quitting smoking and vaping is hard. But the key is to never ever give up . ASQ provides a free two-week supply of nicotine patches to eligible smokers along with the encouragement

and strategies to support quit attempts. We also provide help to tobacco users who have quit but are struggling to stay quit.

Asian Smokers’ Quit line (ASQ) is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ASQ provides FREE evidence-based stop smoking services in Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese to Asian communities throughout the U.S. Eligible smokers can receive a free two-week supply of nicotine patches. Studies have shown that smokers who enroll in ASQ services double their chances of quitting successfully.

ASQ operates Monday through Friday, 7am to 9pm Pacific Time (10am – Midnight Eastern Time). To enroll, call or register online today!

Mandarin & Cantonese 1-800-838-8917 www.asq-chinese.org Korean 1-800-556-5564 www.asq-korean.org Vietnamese 1-800-778-8440 www.asq-viet.org (Advertising Supplement)

Julia shares how she shot a movie all by herself during lockdown

by Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

ACTRESSES Marjorie and Julia Barretto, together with their family members Dani and Claudia, opened up about how their family stays strong despite the controversies they are facing and despite the challenges posed by the ongoing lockdown.

“I think we are each other’s rocks. I think we are each other’s anchors. That why it’s so hard for the waves to take us with it,” Julia said in a recent interview with Tim Yap for his online show “Tim Yap Live!”

According to Julia, her mom serves as a good example and has taught them how to be strong.

“I think we’ve just also learned how to clearly compartmentalize things, like, things that really matter, and the things that don’t really matter, opinions or backlash, or bad feedback, or the bad criticisms.”

Julia said that for them, the only things that really matter are her mom and siblings.

“The bashings, technically, those things don’t really matter, especially if they come from people who don’t really know, don’t know the story, don’t know us personally… It’s what they feel, it’s what they think, it’s their opinions.”

Tim was also “amazed” at how the actress was able to shoot a film — all by herself.

“I’m so amazed at this because people, despite the lockdown,

Julia Barretto

shooting is mass gathering, ‘di ba? But you were able to do a movie kahit na naka-lockdown, doing your own camera work, setting, props, wow! What was that like?” Tim asked Julia.

“Actually, it was a really good experience because I did everything on my own. I wasn’t even able to ask help from anybody,” Julia said.

The actress shared that she was able to do different shots and angles using three different cameras.

Photo from Instagram/@juliabarretto

“I also learned how to operate the mixer with the lapel... It was so much fun! It was so nice to be able to act again after so long because you know, we’ve been in lockdown for so long, so I missed doing it.”

Most importantly, Julia said she learned to appreciate more the jobs of everyone involved in filmmaking.

“A project won’t really be successful without each one of us, the people who play our part in the movie.”

How Julie Anne stays positive and productive at home

by Honey

orio-eScullar Philstar.com

JULIE Anne San Jose celebrated her 26th birthday last May 16 by mounting an online miniconcert dubbed Jam with Julie.

Via Facebook Live, she treated fans to a collection of songs from Original Pilipino Music (OPM) bands such as Parokya ni Edgar, Sponge Cola, Eraserheads, Hale and Rivermaya.

The Kapuso star shared via Zoom that organizing a concert at home was challenging but she managed to pull it off, thanks to her supportive family.

“The challenging part, for me, was setting up (the instruments) because I didn’t know anything about the technical (side), so for a day, naging technician ako, hahaha!” said Julie Anne, adding, “Kailangan maganda yung quality ng music, the Internet connection should be stable… You have to see to it that everything runs smoothly. You need to be hands-on with it so that the next time you do another online show, you know what to do already.

Meantime, online muna because of social distancing. This is more convenient for everyone kasi lahat may access sa cell phones and laptops, etc.”

Despite the situation these days, Julie Anne makes sure to keep a positive vibe by spending quality time with her family, writing songs, doing Tiktok covers and revisiting old hobbies like sketching and baking.

“Let’s just be optimistic. We have to continue praying and trust in the Lord. What we need

Julie Anne San Jose

now is magtulong-tulungan.

Let’s pray for all the frontliners, for those who lost their jobs and the sick people affected by the virus. Let’s help in our own way,” she said, adding that she has friends who are having anxiety attacks.

“I told them to keep themselves busy and productive.

Think of the things that inspire them. Try to innovate themselves and discover the things that they like doing.”

Speaking of being productive, Julie Anne has finished writing three songs so far. She has plans to make more online content and shows, and use her voice to “inspire more people through my craft, through my music and remind everyone to stay healthy, eat well.”

Her latest original single Better, which debuted at the top of the iTunes Philippines All-Genre Chart upon its re-

Photo from Instagram/@myjaps

lease last month, has also been featured on Spotify New Music Friday playlists across Asia, including the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and Malaysia.

Better is available in all digital platforms.

“We may not have achieved some of our plans this year but it doesn’t mean we have to give up.

There are other ways para makagawa ng bago. For me, medyo nag-slow down nga po but I’ve been productive at home. Mas nakilala ko din yung sarili ko. I was able to discover and explore other things na pwede kong pasukin and I have more time to do the things that I love.

“This pandemic has helped me realized that every day is a blessing so we have to value our life. Be mindful of your health, take plenty of rest, sleep as much as you can and bond with your family.”

AFTER 15 YEARS OF SEPARATION AND CHARGES OF FRAUD, A MAN’S NAME IS CLEARED AND A FAMILY IS REUNITED! Mike (left) was charged with fraud and alien/human smuggling while trying to return to the U.S., where his wife, Aye (center), and their daughter, were living.

It appeared he had lost his first passport containing a U.S. visitor visa. He got a new passport and applied for a new B visa, which was granted. The consul later claimed the first passport was used by Mike’s brother to obtain a visa to Japan. Therefore, he was being charged with fraud for lying about having lost his first passport. The embassy was also considering charging him with human smuggling in connection with his brother. He claimed he was innocent, and after his two previous attorneys gave up – one who filed for his Asylum, and the other one filed for his waiver – Mike researched about leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) and his many successes with seemingly impossible cases. It was then that Mike decided to consult with and retain Atty. Gurfinkel’s services. See how a daughter’s dream of having her father in the U.S. comes true on an encore episode of CITIZEN PINOY on Sunday at 6:15 pm (PST) on TFC. (Advertising Supplement)

B4 MAY 30 - JUNE 2, 2020 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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The daughter I could never have MOONLIGHTING

BY MYLAH DE

LEON

I COULD only dream of an apple that fell far from the tree: a perfect news professional who is God’s little pencil.

I would have taught her to begin each work by having real and passionate curiosity about how people behave in the infinitely various situations they find themselves in.

I would have made her aware that no art can be reduced to principles or rules because, at the center, there is a mystery no one has explained or could explain, which gives great authors work their literary force, particular charm and vitality.

I would encourage unobtrusiveness and inculcate that she is just a consummate observer.

She is as a reporter, to be the reporter’s reporter, as objective, as free of prejudices and pre-conceptions, neutral and fair-minded as possible.

She would be a news professional faithful to the facts; one who does not invent, but uses her determination to look for the telling detail to reinforce her understanding of her subject

until she finds the happiest form in which to cast her piece. This method chooses to inform and convey precisely what people did and said in certain circumstances in their life’s journey.

She doesn’t interpret, analyze nor pass judgment. What she does is to get at the truth. She does that with clarity, accuracy, simplicity — a simplicity grounded in her knowledge of just how complex every human being and every human event is.

I want her to look at the world with affection and enormous humor and sanity. She would be watchful, listening and bringing back reports that cast light and give lasting pleasure in a manner of reporting that is neither new or old journalism but categorized in the timelessness. She is of the highest tradition yet utterly original.

I imagine her reporting in a style that should be transparent and never calls attention to itself and be ever-present when people are going through actual experiences in their lives, beyond being interviewed, as they interact with one another.

She reports in a style without ornament and without devices.

It is natural and crystalline, as pure spring water nor she does in her work without calling attention to herself, but places her considerable skills in the service of the subject at hand by having real and passionate curiosity

about how people behave in the infinitely various situations they find themselves.

Above all, I want her to surge across the boundary separating women into the former bastions of the editorial, where men previously controlled as chief opinion giver and defined what was newsworthy.

Whether she is writing facts or fiction, I imagine when she gets the things she feels are right and will for those things wherever she finds herself.

She will learn to savor the breathtaking way she can walk into people’s lives to ask them anything she wants at that moment available to her, the whole universe of a person’s life, the pain and suffering, the joy and the struggle. She can learn from it, as she takes it with her, and walks away.

She thinks for us, listens for us, asking the questions we might ask, if we were on the spot.

She can ask a decent question, broad enough to allow people to take off in many directions. Yet, she knows how to turn on the tap, eloquently and colorfully, and achieves celebrity status, with power that staggers the mind.

This daughter I could not have because I would have died in labor. *** E-mail Mylah at moonlightingmdl@aol. com.

Matteo gives advice to Alden, Army reservist aspirants

by JAN

MILO SEVERO Philstar.com

ACTOR Matteo Guidicelli is happy to hear the news that his friend, Kapuso actor Alden Richards, is planning to join the reserved forces just like he did.

During the recent online press conference of his iWant movie “Ranger G,” Philstar.com asked Matteo what he feels about the news that Alden wanted to join the reserved forces.

“That’s great. All these active celebrities started joining the reserve force, also Alden, he likes to join the Air Force, if I’m not mistaken,” Matteo said.

“A lot of other celebrities have joined the Army, the Air Force, merong Coast Guard and all these different places,” he added.

Matteo said it doesn’t really matter which branch of the military the actor will join.

What is important is to learn the discipline.

“I feel that this is important to learn to be unified, passion to learn discipline, camaraderie from the reserved force from the military. No matter what branch, Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, I think they are all good especially the basic training for reservist,” he said.

“It really teaches you different things that you really need

Matteo Guidicelli

Alden Richard

GMA photos

to learn for yourself and for the country.”

In his original documentary fi lm “Ranger G,” now streaming on iWant app or iwant.ph, Matteo shows his month-long journey as the first celebrity to take the Philippine Army’s Scout Ranger training, considered as

one of the hardest military trainings in the world.

According to Matteo, “Ranger G” presents a rare opportunity to see the usually top-secret antiguerilla jungle warfare, raids, close quarters combat and urban warfare training of the country’s elite force.

Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS COV I D -19 : C h i n a’s bi o weapon W hile there is ample evidence, even i n t he Ch i nese medical literature that the nCorona virus outbreak originated i n Wu ha n, Hubei P rov i nce, most likely starting from a bat (not pangolin) infecting t he fi rst patient in early November 2019 who became symptomatic and diagnosed about 10 to 14 day later, there is no evidence the virus was developed, intent iona l ly 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 fi rst 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 t he nCorona i n fect ion, a nd allowing international fl ights 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 COV ID-19 patients have recovered does not guarantee t hey w i l l not get re-infected. It depends on t he 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 COV ID-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 t hat cou ld embolden you ng per sons to be ca reless a nd 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, t here 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 7079, and 14.8% for t hose 80 and older.

A l c ohol / bl e ac h r u b de stroys SARS-CoV2

COVID-19: Myth buster

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, hu m a n s or p et s. I f i ngested, 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 D, zinc, local anesthetic agents and steroids have been touted on social media to be effective in preventing or treating COVID-19, but they do not.

Ga r l ic, on ion , pepper, a nd spices i n genera l, 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.

Sp e e c h , br eat h s 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 t he air movement (fan, air-con, wind) and these molecules could be in the air for 2 or more hours before landing on furniture surfaces, countertops, and on the fl oor.

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 i n t he ga r age over n ight 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, t ick, fl eas, fl ies, 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.

We at h e r a f f e c t s S A R S CoV2 virus No, the weather temperature (superhot or winter chilly cold) a nd hu m id it y do not a f fect COVID-19 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 Fahren heit) w i l l ex pected ly 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 COV ID-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 t he U VC light from t he sun that can disintegrate this v ir us is f iltered (prevented) by the ozone layer above from reaching the earth at an effective dose.

E l e c t r i c U VC l a m p s a r e 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/f ly zapper lanterns available today.

COV I D -19 : A l l ne gat i ve results W h i le t h is pandem ic has wreaked havoc upon the world, with severe human and economic tragedies and miseries, there are also positive sideeffects 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 signifi cantly down; hospitals, rest au r a nt s, casi nos, ot her public places are cleaner with much less bacteria and viruses; people around the world are more hea lt h-consc ious a nd have cleaner hands than ever before; infi delity is at an alltime 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 watchi ng Ch i na w it h mag n i f y i ng lenses; even the HIV and STDs diagnoses appear to be lower, obv iously as casual sex has been rest ra i ned for fea r of COVID-19.

On the lighter side: The past few weeks, I get a kick out of wearing a cap, dark glasses, mask , a nd gloves, goi ng to the bank teller “demanding” money. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Public Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino U n ite d N et wo r k- USA , a 5 0 1(c) 3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: philipSchua.com and FUN888.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

Assunta raring to be a mother after 18-year wait

by DOLLY

ANNE CARVAJAL Inquirer.net

Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza in “Ampalaya Chronicles Presents: Labyu Hehe”

ABS-CBN photo

What’s the real score between Karina and Aljon?

by RATZIEL

SAN JUAN Philstar.com

COULD these former housemates be soulmates?

“Pinoy Big Brother” alums Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza, who then and now stand strong among their fans as the “KarJon” tandem, have finally bared their status in answer to what fans have been dying to know since day one.

Asked if there’s a space between “girl” and “friend,” referring to her place in Aljon’s world, Karina said that there is, for now, but clarified that they are not closed to removing it in the future.

“Sa ngayon, meron po muna,” Karina said squarely in a virtual conference on Friday af-

ternoon.

Her partner affirmed this, saying that they still have a long way to go but would continue to make the most of their time together as friends.

“Gusto naming ma-enjoy po ‘yung pagiging magkaibigan kasi alam namin bata pa po kami... basta nag-e-enjoy po kami,” Aljon explained.

Until the love team chooses to close that gap, fans of KarJon will be able to visualize their OTP’s maybe-someday scenario in an upcoming episode of anthology series “Ampalaya Chronicles.”

“Labyu Hehe,” set to premiere on video-on-demand streaming platform iWant on June 3, will star Karina and Aljon in an alltoo-familiar setup as best friends turned lovers.

The episode’s synopsis reads: “Dapat ba o hindi dapat jinojowa ang best friend? Meet Sol and Peng! Mag-BF turned into mag-BF and GF? Saan kaya mauuwi ang love story nila? Sa happy ever after o sa bitter ever after?”

The episode’s director, Isabel Quesada, praised KarJon’s responsiveness to feedback and direction, mentioning how they were able to keep up with veteran actors.

“On set talaga, walang naging problema dahil... first of all, I saw how they really work hard for this project. As in nagkaroon kami ng rehearsals, workshops, talagang trinabaho nila ‘yung character kaya pagdating nu’ng shoot parang okay kami, ang galing, na-impress nga ko eh.”

AMID the pandemic, a miracle came Assunta de Rossi’s way. After 18 years of waiting, she and her husband, Jules Ledesma, are finally infanticipating They resorted to in vitro fertilization in 2016 and were planning to try it again. So, it’s a “miracle baby,” indeed. As Carl Sandburg once said, “A baby is God’s opinion that life should go on.”

So, pregnancy in the time of coronavirus is truly a spark of hope.

I remember when I interviewed Assunta a few years ago, she said, “Jules and I are busy being stewards of our two haciendas in Negros. We plan to become philanthropists. We are too blessed to complain why we don’t have a baby yet, aside from Jules’ grown-up children, whom I love like my own. In God’s time, it will come.”

That “someday” for Assunta is here at long last. Call her “Hot Mama de Rosey” because she’s in full bloom, and so is her joy.

Here’s my chat with Assunta: What scares and excites you about motherhood?

First-time jitters. I’m always wary if I’m doing the right thing. I’ve always loved babies, so I’m excited to have my own bundle of joy. It’s the best surprise of my life.

How’s your pregnancy so far?

During my first trimester, I would wake up in the middle

Assunta de Rossi (right) with husband Jules Ledesma

of the night, feeling super hungry. It frustrated me because I couldn’t go anywhere due to the pandemic. I also didn’t want to wake anyone up to cook for me. All I could do was nibble whatever I could get my hands on and wait until sunrise.

My second trimester is very different. I don’t wake up in the middle of the night anymore, and I’m losing my appetite.

I actually have to force-feed myself.

I still haven’t gained weight, and my bladder is more uncontrollable. Nausea, fatigue and dizziness are still there, and almost nothing smells and tastes good.

What do you love and hate about being pregnant?

My brain and heart love it.

Unfortunately, my body hates

it. It’s like someone or something just possessed me, and I can’t do anything about it (laughs). My mom assures me it’s all fine.

What is it in the parenting style of your mom that you want to follow?

Her being so hands-on. Although the thought of being assisted is nice, I would still like to do the rearing myself.

Do you and Jules want a baby boy or girl?

It doesn’t matter if it’s a boy or a girl. We haven’t thought of a name yet. We’re both traditional, so the name we will pick won’t be out of this world.

Definitely not Corona or Covid, like some babies who were born recently.

How is Jules making your PAGE B5

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 30 - JUNE 2, 2020

B

Miss Universe Philippines 2020 How theater helped Mike vows to crown a new queen Tan find his acting mojo

by ChRistinA

AlPAd ManilaTimes.net

AMID setbacks the newly organized Miss Universe Philippines has struggled with due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pageant’s first edition will still push through with coronation night now scheduled on October 25.

It can be remembered that Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) originally intended a May 3 coronation, but announced a rescheduling to June 14 when the virus broke out. However with extended community quarantines in Metro Manila and many other parts of the country still in place, pre-pageant activities and preparations have neither been possible, forcing organizers to rethink and adjust their plans.

MUP is headed by Miss Universe Philippines 2011 Shamcey Supsup-Lee as National Director. Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) previously held the local franchise of the world’s most prestigious beauty pageant and had been training and sending the Philippines’ representatives to Miss Universe for the last 50 years.

With the pandemic still affecting millions of lives, the challenge for MUP is no longer just to live up or surpass the standards set by BPCI — which already won four Miss Universe title for the Philippines — but, more importantly, to ensure the safety of the 2020 candidates and even the audience on pageant night.

Given the emerging “new normal,” the organization released a new set of guidelines on their website, fittingly titled “2020 Pageant Way Forward.”

Downsized One of the major differences on how preliminary competitions and the coronation night itself will be carried out is downsizing the massive gathering of contestants, judges, production teams and technical crew and candidate supporters.

“We are challenging ourselves to be as creative as possible given limitations we will have to contend within the time of COVID,” the official document stated.

For preliminaries, which

MUP National Director and Miss Universe Philippines 2011 Shamcey Supsup-Lee Photo from Instagram/@supsupshamcey

involve swimsuit and evening gown competitions, the contestants will be divided into 10 groups. Each group will further be divided into two with five candidates at a time proceeding to the designated competition area, all wearing a mask until their individual turns on stage.

In other words, there will be no stage grouping taking place at any time, and every candidate will be told to go home as soon as they descend the stage.

For coronation night, assuming the pageant will be allowed a big venue, the guidelines clearly state only the production team, judges and candidates will be present all the same.

At most, MUP estimates not more than 100 people needed to mount the finals all together, and guarantee that strict social distancing will be observed.

Moreover, the production will pre-tape most of the material to lessen the need for candidates to be onstage.

Finally, there will be no live audience allowed inside the venue, with the show to be made available via pay per view

streaming.

‘Spectacular show’ Despite these major changes, MUP Creative Director Jonas Antonio Gaffud, nevertheless promised pageant fans a spectacular show.

“The final show in October will be one of a kind,” he posted on MUP’s Facebook page.”The theme, the opening number, the colors and the interviews will be very interesting to say the least. Not to be coy but all I can say is we will give you a show unlike anything you have seen before.”

Gaffud further noted that the organization has drawn out a four-month schedule to prepare the candidates and their own team to adjust into this new style of pageantry as follows.

June will be dedicated to shooting all candidate materials with partner brands, provided local airlines can resume flying. Based on guidelines set by government when the Enhanced Community Quarantine was relaxed, MUP will limit production shootsto only five people, already including the candidate.

They will also hire production crews all over Philippines to create jobs.

Besides shooting, June will also see candidates undergo a series of orientations, modular lessons, workshops and inspirational talks online. From these, MUP will design graded challenges to add to their preliminary scores.

July will then signal the start of “Learning Journeys” where the candidates will be trained for the “Miss Universe stage and beyond” through August.

The MUP merchandise will also be launched during this time.

By September, MUP hopes to be able to resume shoots in Metro Manila with 10 people on set at the most to complete material for “Ring Light: Miss Universe Philippines Limited Series.”An eight-episode online special, the series will “showcase of the journey of the contestants in realizing the best version of themselves, key moments from their trainings, reflections, and also application of their lessons.”

The all-access series will also premiere in September via pay-per-view, and will further

by Rito

P. Asilo Inquirer.net

MIKE Tan’s good looks and strong presence are a given— and, up close, he’s even more st r i k i ng a nd cha r ismat ic, especially when he’s far away f rom t he r ig id for ma l it y of show biz functions. After all, you can’t be declared “StarSt r uck ’s” u lt i mate su r v ivor (along with Ryza Cenon, for its second season in 2005) if you don’t have the “potential” to make it big in the biz.

And while Mike has yet to reach the pinnacle of stardom enjoyed by the enduring likes of Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Her r as, t he t a lent sea rch ’s f i r s t b i g w i n n er s , t h e 3 3 year-old actor has nonetheless been consistently cutting his

thespic teeth in various GMA 7 teleser yes—whet her as a lead star (“I ka-6 na Utos”), supporting actor (“Kara Mia”), in cameos and special appearances (“Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita”) or as a contravida (“Legacy”).

W hile some insiders consider the thespic f lip-f lopping a liability, others see it as a measure of versatility.

“That’s why I’m grateful to GM A 7 because t he Kapuso network has always given me a platform to show what I could do as an actor,” Mike told us in an interview. “Sila ang nagbibigay sa akin ng trabaho. All I need to do is to be aware of what’s up for grabs, then it’s up to me to fight for a role and prove to them that I’m right for it.”

Mike Tan

Inquirer.net photo

Assunta raring to be a...

PAGE B3 pregnancy easier?

He’s been very supportive, although in the beginning, he felt like he was also “naglilihi.”

I was constantly complaining about how horrible I felt, and he felt helpless and was so worried for me. He would eat with me when I felt hungry, but he was the one who gained so much weight, so he’s dieting now.

He talks to the baby and plays classical music. He’s already thinking of what to buy for me, and I said no. My health and the baby’s health are my primary concern now. I told him to give me my presents after I deliver (laughs).

How do your stepkids feel about their coming baby

brother/sister?

Cristina and Carlos are so excited. If they can love our pet dogs, what more a human being? And it’s their sibling. They would absolutely love to have a baby in the house.

How are you handling the challenge of being pregnant in the time of COVID-19?

I haven’t had a scan in over two months. I hate feeling like a prisoner, and I’m scared it might be affecting my mental health. I can only hope things will get better. The world just seemed to stop.

I try to be more appreciative of the fact that almost no one bugs me.

What are your thoughts about disciplining and spoil-

ing your child?

To be honest, I haven’t gotten there yet. It’s different when it’s already your own. For sure, I won’t be a monster mom. But Jules and I were able to raise two good children. They’re definitely the kind of people my baby should look up to.

How will you and Jules not let parenthood get in the way of your being husband and wife?

Even if it was unexpected, we gladly welcome the change.

We’ve been together for 18 years, so it’s about time. My prayer is for this pandemic to be over soon. I miss my family so much. I want us to be complete when the baby arrives.

include features on preliminary interviews, swimsuit evaluations and gown competitions.

According to Gaffud, “Ring Light was originally intended to be a limited series aired from April 13 to May 2, the lead up to the [original] coronation night.

It is now a fundraising activity for charity via pay-per-view access, which actually gives the audience a more active role in making the event a success.”

Forward-looking Given the new set up and

program, MUP remains optimistic the 2020 Miss Universe Pageant will be a success. They are grateful their sponsors have not withdrawn their promise of support and that all the candidates are in the pink of health and have neither backed out.

Closing their announcement, the MUP stated, “We take seriously the role of being the caretaker of the one of the strongest and influential brands of the Philippines. We acknowledge its ability to do so much good at

a time of great adversity. Now more than ever, it should play an active role in helping the nation rebuild and recover [because] holding the title was never and should never be just about the presence of bright lights, cheers from millions of fans, [and] glamorous gowns, hair or make up. It is about being able to provide answers to the unique challenges presented by the times and a truly phenomenal woman will surely rise up to the challenge.”

B May 30 - June 2, 2020 • La WeeKenD aSIan JOuRnaL

Tax Tips Victor Sy, cPA, MBA & roger L. orieL PENNSYLVANIA • Retirement income: No state tax on your 401(k), IRA or pension income except if you retire early.

• Social security benefits: No state income tax on your Social Security benefits.

• Income tax: low, flat income tax rate of 3.07% (but municipalities can tax earned income).

• Inheritance and Estate taxes: Has inheritance tax from 4.5 to 15%, depending on a recipient’s relationship to the deceased and their age.

South Dakota • Retirement income: No state tax on your 401(k), IRA or pension income.

• Social security benefits: No state income tax on your Social Security benefits.

• Income tax range: No state income tax.

• Inheritance and Estate taxes: No state inheritance tax or an estate tax.

Tennessee • Retirement income: No state tax on your 401(k), IRA or

Tapat Sa Batas Atty. rheA SAMSon ANG isang karaniwang paraan ng pagkuha ng green card ng dayuhang nasa loob ng U.S. ay sa pamamagitan ng family petition ng kanyang asawang U.S. citizen (USC). Dahil ang asawa ng USC ay tinuturing na immediate relative, ang dayuhan ay binibigyan ng pinakamataas na priyordidad sa ilalim ng Immigration Law –maaaring makakuha siya ng kanyang green card sa loob ng isang taon mula sa kanyang filing ng adjustment of status application. Ngunit dahil dito, maraming dayuhan at USC ang nagsasamantala at nag-aabuso ng probisyon ng Immigration Law sa pamamagitan ng sham marriage upang mabigyan ng immigration benefits o green card ang dayuhan.

Ang marriage fraud ay tinuturing na malubhang pagkakasala o serious offense.

Parehong mag-asawang USC at dayuhan ay pananagutin at maaaring maparusahan sa ilalim ng Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Ayon sa INA, ang isang indibidwal na sadyang pumasok sa sham marriage para sa layuning iwasan o labagin ang immigration laws ay papatawan ng kulong ng hindi hihigit ng 5 taon, mumultahan ng hindi lalampas ng $250,000, o parehong kulong at multa. Ang parusang ito ay naaangkop sa USC at sa dayuhan. Maliban dito, ang dayuhang asawa ay nagkakaroon ng “Marriage Fraud Bar.” Sa “Marriage Fraud Bar,” walang subsequent petition na maaaring maaprubahan para sa dayuhang nabigyan o humiling na mabigyan ng immediate relative status bilang asawa ng USC kung ang kasal ay sham marriage ayon sa determinasyon Attorney General.

Sinasakop ng “Marriage Fraud Bar,” ang subsequent approval ng lahat ng immigrant petition. Tinutukoy nito hindi lamang mga family petition, ngunit pati na rin mga employment-based petition.

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12 states that don’t tax retirement income Part 2 of 2

pension income.

• Social security benefits: No state income tax on your Social Security benefits.

• Income tax: Flat 3% tax on interest and dividends only (Rate goes down 1% in 2020, and 0% from 2021.

• Inheritance and Estate taxes: No state inheritance tax or an estate tax.

Texas • Retirement income: No state tax on your 401(k), IRA or pension income.

• Social security benefits: No state income tax on your Social Security benefits.

• Income tax: No state income tax.

• Inheritance and Estate taxes: No state inheritance tax or an estate tax.

Washington • Retirement income: No state tax on your 401(k), IRA or pension income.

• Social security benefits: No state income tax on your Social Security benefits.

• Income tax: No state income tax.

• Inheritance and Estate

taxes: No inheritance tax but has estate tax on estates with a value of at least $2,193,000.

Wyoming • Retirement income: No state tax on your 401(k), IRA or pension income.

• Social security benefits: No state income tax on your Social Security benefits.

• Income tax range: No state income tax.

• Inheritance and Estate taxes: No state inheritance tax or an estate tax. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

Marriage fraud bar Kaya’t kung nagkaroon ng determinasyon na ang dayuhan ay may dating sham marriage, kahit ang kanyang bagong kasal ay totoo at may anak na sila ng bagong asawang USC, hindi maaaring aprubahan ng USCIS ang immigrant petition ng bagong asawang USC. Kahit ang immigrant petition ay employment-based I-140 Immigrant Petition, ito rin ay hindi aaprubahan ng USCIS dahil sa “Marriage Fraud Bar.” Ang “Marriage Fraud Bar” ay permanente at walang waiver of inadmissibility dito. Walang ring legal remedy upang matanggal ang bar – kapag nagkaroon ng determinasyon na ang dayuhan ay nagkaroon ng sham marriage, hinding-hindi siya makakakuha ng green card mula sa family-based petition or employment-based petition.

One of the most common ways for an alien to get a green card in the U.S. is through family petition by a U.S. citizen spouse. Since spouses of U.S. citizens are considered as immediate relatives, they are given highest immigration priority under Immigration Law - if the alien is present in the U.S., the alien spouse can usually get his green card within one year of filing the adjustment of status application. Unfortunately, some aliens and U.S. citizens take advantage of provisions of Immigration Law and enter into a sham marriage for purposes of procuring immigration benefits – getting a green card for the alien spouse.

Marriage fraud is considered a serious offense and both the USC spouse and the alien spouse can be held liable and penalized under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Under the INA, an individual who knowingly enters into a marriage for the purpose of evading immigration laws shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both. This penalty of imprisonment, fine, or both, is applicable for both spouses. Aside from this, the alien spouse is subject to the “Marriage Fraud Bar.” Under the INA, no petition shall be

approved for an alien who has been accorded or sought to be accorded, an immediate relative status as the spouse of a USC by reason of a marriage that is determined by the Attorney General to have been entered into for the purpose of evading immigration laws.

Under the “Marriage Fraud Bar,” an alien who was found to have engaged in or attempted to engage in sham marriage or a marriage entered into for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits will be barred from having a subsequent immigrant petition approved on his behalf. This subsequent petition refers to all family petitions and employment-based petitions. Hence, if the alien was found to have previously entered into a sham marriage, a subsequent petition by another USC spouse, even if bona fide as evidenced by children born of the marriage, will not be approved by USCIS. Similarly, even if an employer files an I-140 Immigrant Petition for the alien employee, the same will be denied on the basis of “Marriage Fraud Bar.” “Marriage Fraud Bar” is permanent and not subject to waiver of inadmissibility.

There is no legal remedy to remove the bar – once the alien is found to have engaged in marriage fraud, the alien will never be able to get a green card through marriage, other family members, or through employment. *** ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty.

Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005).

SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 274-4561; Email: info@ samsonlawfirmpc.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

On keeping the mission open who were recently ordained or are still in seminary forThe mation. I thank God for them Prophetic because, despite these challenging times in the world and Voice Church, they are giving themselves generously and openly to God to serve his people. reVerend These young men will sucrodeL g. BALAgtAS ceed those of us who have I WAS happy to see two of my had long years of service in former students on livestream the Church. And many more get ordained as transitional will follow suit because God deacons last week for the Dio- never stops calling people cese of Monterey, California. to serve him despite the But I felt sad that only their Church’s ongoing struggles parents, a few priests and li- and crises. God will never turgical ministers witnessed abandon his Church!

We heard this contention in in person this long-awaited event due to COVID-19 re- the Gospel last Sunday when Jesus made his promise to his strictions.

Nonetheless, I saw how disciples to send them an Adtheir faces looked serene and vocate—the Holy Spirit. The well disposed to be ordained Holy Spirit would guide and deacons in preparation for enliven the Church in the difthe priesthood. I felt pleased ferent periods of history, be and grateful because I know they dark or glorious.

And so, the Great Commisthat these men are ready for priestly ministry and are ea- sion would ring in the hearts of many people, old and ger to serve.

As I was viewing their or- young: “Go, make disciples of dination, I also kept thinking all nations, baptizing them in of other young men I know the name of the Father and of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

The crises of today’s times, including the closure of churches during this pandemic, might make people think of the signs of the impending death of the Christian faith. But for us who are steadfast in the faith, these crises challenge us, even more, to keep loving and building our Church, and proclaiming the truth of the Gospel. We’ll remain bold and passionate about our faith because we see its centrality in our life and the world.

And so, we’ll keep on making disciples who are men and women of prayer. It’s through prayer that would keep them focused on the essential matters of Church and ministry.

It’s in their intimacy with Jesus in prayer that will give them wisdom, understanding, courage, and hope to trek the difficulties of ministry and life.

We’ll keep working together—bishops, priests, rePAGE B7

K-1 visa: Fiance visa to marry US citizen

IN previous editions of this article, the process of obtaining permanent residence through marriage was explored. Discussion of that procedure began with the supposition that the couple was married, and continued with the various steps to ultimately gain permanent residence. In many cases, however, a problem exists in even getting to the point at which a couple is married. Often, a foreign national is in his/her home country and, for one reason or another, the U.S. citizen cannot travel to that country to marry him/her. A solution in such a scenario can be found with the K-1 Fiance(e) Visa.

A K-1 visa allows a foreign national to come to the United States to marry a United States citizen. The K-1 visa is valid for ninety (90) days after entry to the United States, during which time the marriage must take place. Once the foreign national is issued a K-1 visa, any of his/her unmarried children under the age of 21 may be issued K-1 visas. Upon arrival in the United States, the foreign national may immediately apply for permission to work. A two-step process is involved to obtain a K-1 visa.

First, the United States citizen (the petitioner) must file Petition for Alien Fiance(e) along with supporting documents with the USCIS. Through the filed petition and documents, the petitioner must demonstrate three things. To begin, it must be shown that the foreign national has a bona fide intent to marry within ninety (90) days after arrival. This is often accomplished by producing evidence that a marriage is going to take place—i.e. wedding announcements, catering contracts, etc. In addition, it must be shown that both parties are unmarried

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrSUA reyeS and of legal age. Birth certificates, and if one has been previously married, evidence that the prior marriage has been legally terminated are usually satisfactory to accomplish this. Finally, evidence must be provided to show that the parties have physically met each other within the past two (2) years. The petitioner may submit photos of the couple, plane tickets, hotel receipts, etc. as proof that the couple has met. Exceptions to this third requirement apply in certain circumstances that cannot be explored here due to space limitations of this article. The USCIS may also schedule an interview of the petitioner wherein inquiry will be made on the foregoing issues. Once approved, notice is sent to the petitioner and the file is forwarded to the appropriate consulate abroad.

Second, after the petition is approved, the foreign national can apply for a K-1 visa in his/ her home country. An interview is scheduled where the foreign national must provide certain documents for issuance of the visa. An affidavit of support from the petitioner, proving that the foreign national will not be relying on public assistance upon arrival, in addition to originals of documents mentioned hereinabove, must be presented.

Other documents may also be requested by a particular consulate. If all requirements are met, visa issuance will follow.

After arrival in the United States and marriage, the for-

eign national may thereafter begin the process to obtain permanent residence.

The fiance may also bring any children below the age of 21 years old as derivative beneficiary as a K-2 visa. This is another advantage of the fiance visa route. It is not necessary to prove that the marriage to the US Citizen Petitioner occurred prior to the immigrant’s children turning 18 years of age. The K-2 derivative can still adjust to greencard after the K-1 fiance marries the US Citizen even if the marriage occurs after the K-2 derivative reaches the age of 18 as long as they are under 21 years of age. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your m a t te r m ay m a ke th e o u tco m e different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes was President of the Philippine American Bar Association for 2005. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Mr. Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYE S, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or email kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com; visit at www.kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

Uber driver needs Chapter 7 relief for $50K credit cards THE client is in his 50s. Believe me, 50s is still young.

He has been divorced more than 10 years ago and now lives by himself. He used to own a house but lost that house in the divorce to his exwife. Now he rents an apartment. He’s planning to marry again but he says needs to get a fresh start first on the financial side.

He owes $50,000 in credit cards. He has not been able to cover the minimum monthly payments of $1,600 a month for the last couple of months as his income has gone down.

He used to gross about $4,000 a month by driving Uber full time. Since COVID-19 struck and the lockdown began, his income from Uber has been reduced significantly. Well that’s not surprising. People don’t have to go to work anymore unless you’re an essential employee who has to show up at the office. People can’t go to restaurants and bars anymore so there’s overall less demand for Uber.

He wants to know if filing for Chapter 7 will affect his future wife in any way? The answer is NO. She has absolutely nothing to do with client’s finances and debt relief. She’s not even in America yet. She’s in another country.

Well, the client is an American citizen so he has the right to petition for his fiancée to come into the United States so he can marry her. He needs to get her a K-fiancée visa but needs to prove they’ve known each other for the last two years. All Americans have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The client is simply pursuing his right as an American citizen to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness by getting a fresh start in life in Chapter 7 by wiping out his $50,000 of credit card debt.

He obviously can’t afford to pay the $1,600 a month minimum payment to keep MasterCard and Visa, his masters, happy. He’s a debt slave and he desires to break out of debt slavery. There’s nothing wrong with that desire, he wants freedom from debt at this point in his life. That’s the correct way to think. Instead of setting aside $1,600 a month as tribute to his credit card masters, he needs to save the entire $1,600 a month for his future married life. By wiping out $50,000 of credit cards and marrying his fiancée, he is pursuing his right to life, liberty and happiness.

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng Quite simply, that’s what’s in his mind, and that’s what he wants to do.

He’ll be on the way to saving $20,000 a year without $50,000 in credit cards now.

With the money he saves, he will be able to get his fiancée here to the U.S. and marry her, which also costs money. Immigration lawyers have to get paid too. At least, the airline ticket to get her here will cost less because airlines are offering lots of discounts since the pandemic has caused air travel to dry up to such an extent that Warren Buffet, the sage of Omaha, has sold all of his holdings of hundreds of millions of dollars in airline companies because of his belief that air travel will never get back to normal.

But I think it will get back to normal eventually when the vaccine is discovered. The polio vaccine was discovered in the year 1790 when there was virtually no technology around to help discovery of the vaccine. What more now in the year 2020 when we have all kinds of new technology to help use with experiments and analysis? So this pandemic too will end, and life as we knew it will get back to normal. Billions of dollars are backing the research for the vaccine. Big and small pharmaceuticals all over the world, here, in China, in Europe are racing to be the first to develop the vaccine that the world so badly needs now specially us because our beloved country is now number one in infections at 1.6 million and deaths at over 100,000. A lot of our fellow Americans did not have to die. But that’s another story. Just keep your guard up and wear your face masks and gloves and sanitize, sanitize, sanitize and keep social distancing. These simple steps will protect you and your loved ones from getting infected.

Caregiver needs Chapter 7 rel ief for $15K credit cards The second client is also in her 50s. No, she doesn’t drive Uber. She is actually a caregiver. Her gross income is $2,500 a month. She’s been taking care of her patient /employer for the last 15

years starting at his age of 85 then. Do the math, 85 plus 15 is old, very old. The lucky ones among us can live up to 90s without getting sick, but physically at 90 you lose a lot of muscle mass and you shrink a couple of inches. I met this doctor from UCLA who is 92 and retired at 89. He still has muscle mass. I also met his wife who is maybe 86. She also has muscle mass. They look pretty good and healthy.

I asked them what’s the secret to the fountain of youth?

They said they walk 2 miles a day, everyday! And they basically eat Mediterranean food; you know, lots of grilled vegetables, tubule salad, humus, rice and probably some chicken kabob once in a while. It’s the muscle mass you have to watch out for as you age. Don’t lose the muscle mass, never mind the hair. You can always get a hair transplant if you want one. But once you lose muscle mass, will look frail and old. But even then, as long as you are still healthy, who cares anyway? Life is good but way too short. It’s really unfortunate for seniors living in nursing homes because they account for a big portion of fatalities all over the world.

I understand that half of all fatalities are seniors in nursing homes, and this is true worldwide.

Going back to caregiver client. She foresees that once her employer crosses to the other side, she will lose her job and income, so she won’t be able to pay for her $15K credit cards so she might as well get rid of them now with Chapter 7. Well, she owns a house with more than $150,000 of equity. Fortunately, her daughter owns half of the house as joint tenant, so her $100,000 of homestead exemption protects her share of the house.

There are other factors to consider, but all told, my conclusion is that she is eligible for Chapter 7. *** Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice. Each case is different. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes i n B a n k r u p t c y, B u s i n e s s , R e a l Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California.

Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont Ave., Mailstop 58, Building A-10 South, Suite 10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

(Advertising Supplement)

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Returning to work in this pandemic: Do you need reasonable accommodation?

Interactive process in the COVID-19 era Q: SINCE the shelter-inplace order, I have been working from home. Now that we are re-opening, I heard from HR that we will be going back to the office soon. My work entails interacting with people throughout the day. I am older and have asthma, although this is well controlled. I understand that I am at higher risk for COVID-19. I want to keep my job but I also do not want to needlessly take risks. What are my rights?

On May 4, California announced that some retailers will be allowed to reopen with curbside pickup and physical distancing. As of this writing, the state continues to move further into phase two of its fourstage approach to reopening.

On May 25, the state said it would allow places of worship and retail stores to let people in.

On May 26, the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health issued its own Order which allows all persons to engage in all permitted activities but requires that persons practice Social (Physical) Distancing at all times while out in public and wear a cloth face covering.

However, the Order goes on to say that all persons living within the County of Los Angeles should remain in their residences whenever practicable. All persons who are age 65 years or older and anyone regardless of age who has an active or unstable pre-existing health condition, should stay home as much as possible, leaving only when necessary (such as to seek medical care, exercise, or obtain food or other necessities). “The Health Officer strongly recommends that employers offer telework or other accommodations to persons who are age 65 years or older and all people of any age

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr. who have an active of unstable pre-existing health conditions.”

As California workplaces reopen, employees who are 65 years or older or employees of any age who have an active or unstable pre-existing health condition, may request their employers for a “reasonable accommodation.” Under California law, there is a need for reasonable accommodation if the employee’s medical condition limits a major

accommodation: 1. Allow the employee to continue to telework or work from home; 2. Provide employees with personal protective equipment (PPE); 3. Stagger work schedules so fewer workers are in the office at any given time 4. Extend medical or disability leave; 5. Transfer or re-assign employees to a vacant position that may reduce the risks of contagion for the employee (for example, assign to positions that limit interactions with customers); 6. Offer part-time or modified work schedules or tasks The obligation to make reasonable accommodation is intended to remove barriers to equal opportunities for disabled individuals. However, in these pandemic times, the duty to engage in interactive process and provide reasonable accommodation to at-risk workers take on more urgency. At the end of the day, the employer who provides reasonable accommodation to an at-risk employee is protecting, not just the employee, but the entire workforce. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic.

All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced trial attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.]

(Advertising Supplement)

“However, the Order goes on to say that all persons living within the County of Los Angeles should remain in their residences whenever practicable.”

EMPLOYMENT

life activity, such as working. It can be argued that being able to work safely without getting sick (due to a one’s pre-existing health condition), may qualify an employee for reasonable accommodation.

In the case of employees who may be at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, employers with 5 or more employees may have a duty to engage these employees in a timely, good faith interactive process in order to determine what reasonable assistance the employer may extend to the employee, in order to enable the employee to do his or her job despite their medical condition.

We have previously detailed in this column many examples of reasonable accommodation.

However, specifically for COVID19 related requests for reasonable accommodation, the following may constitute reasonable

EMPLOYMENT

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • MAy 30 - JUNE 2, 2020

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Reinstatement for surviving beneficiaries of an I-130 petition filed by a deceased relative

DEAR Attorney Tan, My U.S. Citizen mother filed an I-130 immigrant petition on my behalf, which has a priority date in February 2000 and which has been approved.

She filed the I-130 petition after I came to the US in 1999 as a tourist from the Philippines.

Since my arrival, I have lived in the US and have been out of status. Since I was petitioned as an unmarried adult daughter, I was advised that I had to wait several years to get a green card. Recently, my mother passed away. Can I still get a green card through my mother’s petition?

-Apparently In Limbo Dear Apparently In Limbo, When your mother passed away, the I-130 that was approved on your behalf was revoked by operation of law pursuant to 8 CFR Section 205.1.

However, depending on the facts of a particular case, all is not lost. You may be eligible to get a green card pursuant to INA Section 204(L).

Under INA Section 204(L), relief from an automatic revocation of an I-130 petition is available to certain surviving relatives. Surviving relatives who are eligible to seek 204(L) relief include a 1) principal or derivative beneficiary of an I-130 petition that was filed by a deceased permanent resident or U.S. Citizen, and 2) derivative beneficiary of an I-130 petition that was filed by a permanent resident or U.S. Citizen where the principal beneficiary has died.

Section 204(L) relief is also

Legal Advice Atty. DArriCk tAn available to derivative beneficiaries in I-140 employment-based petitions where the principal beneficiary has died.

Another requirement for Section 204(L) relief is that the person seeking relief must have “residence” in the US. What is meant by “residence?” It is your primary home or principal actual dwelling place. At least one beneficiary must have resided in the U.S. when the petitioning relative died, and must continue to reside in the U.S. when seeking Section 204(L) relief. It is worth noting that all beneficiaries of a petition can benefit from Section 204(L) relief as long as at least one of the beneficiaries meets the residence requirement. Further, although “residence” is required, Section 204(L) does not require actual physical presence in the U.S. when the relative died.

In your case, it appears that you are eligible to obtain a green card. You are a principal beneficiary of an I-130 petition filed by your US Citizen mother.

Further, you appear to meet the residence requirement in that you have been in the US since your arrival in 1999—you resided in the US when your mother passed away, and currently reside in the US. A check of the

USCIS visa bulletin indicates the priority date for the I-130 petition filed by your mother on your behalf is current, so you can file an I-485 adjustment of status application, requesting reinstatement of the I-130 petition filed by your mother pursuant to Section 204(L).

As a sidenote, Section 204(L) relief is also available if one’s relative died while the I-130 was pending, not only after the I-130 petition was approved.

Section 204(L) relief therefore is broader than Humanitarian Reinstatement of a petition under 8 CFR Section 205.1, which can only be requested by the principal beneficiary when the petitioner him/herself has died, and after approval of an I-130.

Relief under Section 204(L) is discretionary, and can be denied if factors in support of relief are not presented properly.

It is accordingly recommended that you seek the assistance of an experienced attorney. *** Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada.

Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles. Previously, He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association. *** LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323-6390277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

On keeping the mission...

PAGE B7 ligious, and laypeople—to evangelize the world because we know that it is by adhering to the teachings of Jesus Christ and encountering his love and mercy that would save the world from hopelessness, corruption, and sin.

We’ll keep growing in knowledge and understand-

ing of the Scriptures and how it can become relevant to the needs and changes of the time.

Indeed, we remain firm in faith and love for our Church.

We’ll keep opening the door of the Sacred through the Sacraments of the Church.

We’ll keep proclaiming and living the commandments

FOR RENT

of Christ. And we’ll take the more significant challenge of making disciples in all of us because it’s what the world needs now—disciples who are on fire to keep the mission of Jesus alive in the world! *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

B May 30 - June 2, 2020 • La WeeKenD aSIan JOuRnaL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797