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JUNE 3-9, 2022 Serving San Diego Since 1987 • 12 Pages

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DATELINE Got long COVID? Medical expertise is vital, seniors should prepare to go slow FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

OLDER adults who have survived COVID-19 are more likely than younger patients to have persistent symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, muscle aches, heart palpitations, headaches, joint pain, and difficulty with memory and concentration — problems linked to long COVID. But it can be hard to distinguish lingering aftereffects of COVID from conditions common in older adults such as lung disease, heart disease, and mild cognitive impairment. There are no diagnostic tests or recommended treatments for long COVID, and the biological mechanisms that underlie its effects remain poorly understood.

“Identifying long COVID in older

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‘It’s really the right time for me to retire,‘ says Duterte

by Daphne

Galvez Inquirer.net

MANILA — “It’s really the right time for me to retire,” President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday, May 31 referring to the end of his term on June 30, when a new president will be sworn into office.

The remark was part of Duterte’s speech, delivered in a mix of Filpino and English, during the recognition ceremony of athletes who participated in the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

The event was live-streamed on Facebook by the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

Duterte took the opportunity to recount his years in public service as a chief executive, first

by Kaycee

valmonte Philstar.com

Nationwide survey seeks to gauge Fil-Am attitudes on COVID-19 vaccines

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Philippines files diplomatic protest vs China’s fishing ban that covers West PH Sea

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A NEW nationwide survey is seeking to gauge how the Filipino American community feels about COVID-19 vaccinations.

The project is being launched by the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), through its Tayo project, the group announced in a recent release.

The MAGPABAKUNA na Tayo (“Measuring and Gathering data on Pilipino/a/x American Behaviors, Attitudes, and Knowledge Understanding the Novel Coronavirus vaccines”) study is a 20-minute survey that will be conducted online and via telephone

by Tayo and community partners the Council of Young Filipinx Americans in Medicine (CYFAM).

The survey is open to all Filipino Americans over the age of 18 and will be conducted in English and Filipino. Participants can answer whether or not they have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Led by Tayo medical advisor Dr. Melissa Palma, a board certified preventive medicine and public health physician in Chicago, IL,

serving as vice mayor of his hometown Davao City all the way up to the presidency.

“I have not tasted defeat since 1988. So this, this would be my… it’s time,” he said.

He acknowledged that he had not been very active for the past year with his ailments beginning to take their toll. He recalled that he fell several

HONORED. President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his speech during the recognition of the 31st SEA Games Medalists at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday, May 31. The Philippines hauled a total of 226 medals in the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, finishing in fourth among 11 nations. The president encouraged the Filipino youth to engage in sports and other productive activities to learn the distinct Filipino values and at the same time, uphold the country’s distinction as among the most competitive athletes in the global community.

Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante

MANILA — The Philippines has once again filed a diplomatic protest against China’s annual fishing moratorium in some areas of the South China Sea for three and a half months as it extends to some parts of the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said it protested against China’s unilateral fishing ban in a diplomatic note dated May 30.

“The DFA reiterated its continuing protest of China’s annual practice of declaring a fishing ban over areas that extend far beyond China’s legitimate maritime entitlements under the 1982 UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” it said in a statement.

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PH scraps COVID pre-departure test for fully vaccinated, boostered tourists MANILA — The Philippine government will no longer require a pre-departure COVID-19 test for incoming fully vaccinated passengers as part of its measures to revive the pandemic-hit economy starting May 30, 2022.

Following the recommendations made by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as a means to further ease the travel requirements and encourage more tourists to visit the country, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging

Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved Resolution 168 exempting all fully vaccinated and boostered foreign nationals from the RT-PCR test requirement. Based on the resolution, the visitor must be at least 18 years old and must have received the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and at least one booster shot.

Also exempted from the pre-departure RT-PCR requirement are foreign nationals aged 12 to 17 who have received their

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Mayor Christina Frasco of Liloan, Cebu, and Erwin Tulfo

Inquirer.net photos

Marcos names 5 more

Fact check: Robredo’s recent Robredo congratulates members of his Cabinet US trip was not sponsored by Sara Duterte, prepares J I. a transition Fil-Ams plotting against gov’t smooth m .r l t by eannette

Inquirer.net

by

by Kaycee

valmonte Philstar.com

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo had just arrived back in Manila over the weekend following a trip to the United States where she spent the past few weeks on vacation and to attend her youngest daughter’s college graduation.

CLAIM: A YouTube video claimed that Robredo’s U.S. trip was sponsored by FilipinoAmericans to plot against the Philippine government.

RATING: This is false.

FACTS: Along with her three daughters, Robredo went to the United States on her own account to attend her youngest Jillian’s college graduation and to spend time with Outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo

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a

eIna eanne olentIno ManilaTimes.net

VICE President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo is ready to meet with Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio for a smooth transition of power.

Robredo indicated her readiness in a letter responding to Duterte-Carpio’s request for an initial meeting between their teams.

“Warmest congratulations on your proclamation as the 15th vice president of the Republic of the Philippines,” Robredo said in the letter dated May 30 to DuterteCarpio.

“Please be advised that we are ready to meet to answer any questions you may have regarding the Office of the Vice President and to take all necessary steps to ensure a Philstar.com photo

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MANILA — After naming key members of his economic team last week, President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. identified on Monday, May 30 five more officials joining his Cabinet, including the spokesperson of Vice President-elect Sara Duterte.

At a press briefing at Marcos’ national campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City, the incoming administration’s Press Secretary nominee Trixie Cruz Angeles announced the nominations of the following: • Liloan, Cebu Mayor Christina Frasco as tourism secretary • Amenah Pangandaman as head of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)

• Erwin Tulfo as social welfare secretary • Lawyer Ivan John Uy as head of the Department of Information and Communications Technology • Former Manila Rep. Ma. Zenaida Angping as chief of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Angeles said the nominees were chosen “generally for their experience in public service and proven service records.”

Frasco was the recipient of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan regional award from the Civil Service Commission in its 2021 search for outstanding government workers, according to Angeles.

She said Frasco was also named the top performing mayor

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JUNE 3-9, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

From The FronT Page

Palace to endorse bills to new admin

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

ISRAEL-BOUND PINOYS. Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Abdullah “Dabs” Mama-o (4th from left) poses with Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss (6th from right) for a souvenir photo with the first batch of 61 Filipino hotel workers bound for Israel during the send-off ceremony at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration building in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, May 31. Around 500 Filipino hotel workers will be hired for the initial phase.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Marcos names 5 more...

PAGE 1 in the Central Visayas region.

Frasco won her third term as mayor of Liloan in the recent May elections. A lawyer, professor, and businesswoman, she served as the spokesperson for Sara Duterte, daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte, during the election campaign.

She was also the vice president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines’ Visayas cluster for the term 2019 to 2022.

Frasco is the daughter of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and the wife of Cebu Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco.

Pangandaman, currently assistant governor and chief of staff at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), started her career as a researcher in the Senate. She later became head of the policy research group, political and constituency, and later chief of staff in the office of thenSenate President Edgardo Angara.

Pangandaman also worked as chief of staff of Senator-elect Loren Legarda, who said the incoming budget chief “brings to the table a deep-seated knowledge of the budget and legislative process (and is) a dedicated government worker with an exceptional work ethic.”

In 2016, Pangandaman served as assistant secretary in the DBM and was appointed undersecretary and concurrent director of the budget technical bureau in 2018.

She later joined the BSP as a technical adviser and subsequently became managing director. In 2021, Pangandaman was named assistant governor of the BSP. According to Angeles, “(Pangandaman) has over two decades of policy development in finance expertise.”

Angeles described Uy as “an expert in technology law (and) wellexperienced in information technology project management.”

She noted that Uy “oversaw the formulation of the Philippine digital strategy for 2011 to 2016,” and added that the lawyer was an international commercial arbitrator on areas involving IT-related disputes.

Uy was chair of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology during the late President Benigno Aquino III’s term. He also served as chief information officer and director of the management information systems office of the Supreme Court.

A member of the Philippine bar, he is well-known in the Philippine legal and IT circles. He is a cyberlaw expert and also lectures on computer forensics, cybercrime, electronic evidence, e-commerce and digital ethics.

Public service As for Tulfo, Angeles said the media personality “is known for his involvement in covering and helping Filipinos here and abroad through his social programs and partnerships with other organizations,” Angeles said.

Tulfo, she said, has been in public service, “doing social work [for] three decades.”

Tulfo is the brother of Senator-elect Raffy Tulfo and former Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo. He works as a broadcaster in the government media channel, People’s Television Network, and previously as a news anchor for media network TV5. He also hosted shows produced by his brother, Ben, who owned Bitag Media Unlimited Inc., which is known for hardhitting public service programs.

Tulfo also backed the Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support Inc. (ACT-CIS), the front-runner party list in the May 2022 national elections.

As for the PMS secretary nominee, Angeles said that Angping “comes with the professional experience in the fields of public service and administration and international relations and diplomacy.” “(Angping) is a three-term congresswoman who advocated legislative measures that promoted diplomatic relations, tourism development, public health and education, women and children’s welfare,” she added.

Angping served as a congresswoman in Manila’s third congressional district for nine years. She is also a member of the Marcos Jr. transition team.

She is the wife of former Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping.

Economic team Just last week, Marcos announced key appointments to his economic team, emphasizing his incoming administration’s focus on steering the economy out of a slump.

A day after he and Duterte were proclaimed winners by Congress in the May 9 polls, Marcos said he was nominating BSP Gov. Benjamin Diokno as his finance secretary and former National Economic and Development Authority chief Felipe Medalla as BSP governor.

Marcos also named former UP President Alfredo Pascual as trade secretary and Manuel Bonoan, chief executive of San Miguel Tollways Corp., as head of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Angeles also said that there was no formal invitation yet for President Duterte to join his successor’s executive family.

Angeles clarified reports that Marcos was eyeing President Duterte to be the drug czar under his incoming administration.

“That was during the first interview, postproclamation interview.

(Marcos’) words were that it wasn’t a formal invitation. But if [Duterte] should want to, he certainly would be considered,” Angeles said. n

MANILA — The Duterte administration will endorse to the incoming government of president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. its priority bills that will be bypassed by Congress.

Cabinet Secretary Melvin Matibag said the endorsement of priority measures would form part of the transition to the next administration.

“We will make endorsements, but of course, we will respect the prerogatives of the incoming administration on their choice of priority legislations (that) need to be passed,” Matibag told The STAR in a text message on Tuesday, May 31.

He said the passage of laws involves a joint effort of the executive and legislative branches of government.

“We have to be mindful that the effort to pass a law does not only come from Malacañang,” he said.

Matibag was responding to a

question on why the proposed National Land Use Act, one of the bills that President Duterte mentioned in his previous State of the Nation Addresses, was not passed.

Data from the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office showed that more than 30 priority bills of the President are not yet enacted into law.

Aside from the proposed National Land Use Act, other legislative priorities of the President that are pending in Congress include the bill creating the department of disaster resilience, the passive income tax and financial intermediary tax reform, a measure creating a unified pension system for the military and uniformed personnel, the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines, department of water resources bill, the government rightsizing bill, a measure reimposing death penalty by lethal injection, the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps bill and the

measure providing free legal assistance to uniformed personnel.

Digital workforce The Senate on Monday, May 30 approved on third and final reading a bill that aims to improve the country’s digital workforce competitiveness.

With a vote of 18-0-0, senators approved Senate Bill 1834 or the proposed Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act. The measure aims to enhance the digital competence of workers and equip them with skills to make them globally competitive.

Sen. Joel Villanueva, principal author of the bill, said the measure underscores the need for the Filipino workforce to be globally competitive with the development of digital careers.

Senators also approved on Monday House Bill 10306, which proposes to expand the franchise granted to MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) and allow it to serve more consumers in Iloilo.

The bill seeks to authorize the firm to operate in the city of Passi as well as in the municipalities of Alimodian, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Zarraga, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Duenas, Dumangas and San Enrique.

MORE Power currently distributes electricity in Iloilo City.

The chamber also passed House Bill 10554 to expand the franchise area of Davao Light and Power Co. Inc. (DLPC), another distribution utility which operates in Davao City, Panabo City and the municipalities of Carmen, Dujali and Sto. Tomas in Davao del Norte.

If signed into law, the bill will expand DLPC’s services to Tagum City, the Island Garden City of Samal, Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro and Talaingod in Davao del Norte. (With reports from Cecille Suerte Felipe, Paolo Romero, Delon Porcalla/Philstar. com) n

Philippines files diplomatic protest vs China’s fishing...

PAGE 1 The department added that the ban “has no basis in law, and undermines the mutual trust, confidence, and respect that should underpin bilateral relations, as affirmed most recently by President Rodrigo Duterte and President Xi Jinping during their Telesummit on April 8.”

The Philippines had always protested against China’s annual fishing ban as it covers some of the areas that have already been recognized as part of Philippine territory.

This year, China imposed the fishing moratorium on May 1 and is seen to continue until August 16 this year. The ban covers some areas of the South China Sea up to waters north of the 12 degrees north latitude.

Earlier this month, Vietnam also condemned the annual

fishing ban for violating its sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction.

Back home, the DFA cited the 2016 arbitral ruling that provided that Manila has the right over the living resources over its exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, which the South China Sea falls within.

The Philippines once again is urging China “to comply with its obligations under international law,” specifically the UNCLOS and the arbitral ruling on the South China Sea, and to stop illegal activities that violate Philippines’ sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in its own waters.

Earlier on Tuesday, May 31, the DFA summoned a senior official of the Chinese Embassy in Manila following a reported harassment of a maritime research vessel by Photo shows a 30-foot navigational buoy bearing the Philippine flag and deployed by the the Chinese Coast Guard. n Philippine Coast Guard at the West Philippine Sea. Photo from Philippine Coast Guard

‘It’s really the right time for me to retire,‘ says...

PAGE 1 times while riding a motorcycle.

“You know, God is really smart,” he said.

“It’s really just right because if I continue [in public service] for another six years, even three years, I can’t take it. So it’s really time for me to retire,” he added.

In 2021, Duterte was nominated by his political party, the PDPLaban, to run for the vice presidency. He accepted but later balked at the prospect during the filing of certificates of candidacy in early October, citing once more his intention to retire from politics.

Duterte was supposed to be President Rodrigo Duterte makes his remarks on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, honoring the the running mate of his long-time athletes who participated in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.

Photo from a PTV livestream video aide, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go,

but Duterte’s withdrawal move prompted the senator to run for the vice presidency instead.

Then in November, Duterte said he would run for senator instead, as he would want to change how senators conduct an inquiry. So he filed his COC for senator — only to withdraw again in December.

Meanwhile, Go also withdrew his vice presidential bid and aspired for the presidency under another party, a position he had been claiming he was not interested in.

However, he withdrew from the presidential race, also in December.

On Tuesday, Malacañang said Duterte was looking forward to his retirement in his hometown Davao City. n

PH scraps COVID pre-departure test for...

PAGE 1 primary COVID-19 vaccine/s; and those aged below 12 and traveling with fully vaccinated or boostered parents or guardians.

The same exemption guidelines apply to Filipinos travellng to the Philippines.

“We are glad that the propositions we have worked on have been approved by the IATFEID and are now up for implementation. As we make it more convenient for tourists to visit the country, the public’s health and safety will remain the DOT’s priority.”, Tourism Secretary Berna-Romulo Puyat said.

“The DOT sees this development as a win

for the local tourism industry as welcoming more tourists in the country will yield more revenues for our MSMEs and restore more jobs and livelihoods in the sector,” she added.

Meanwhile, travel insurance is no longer required, but still highly encouraged, for arriving passengers. All types of vaccinations certificates, regardless of country of origin, will also be accepted.

Based on recent data, a total 517,516 foreign tourist arrivals have been recorded in the Philippines from 10 February to 25 May 2022.

A bulk of foreign tourists, totaling to

104,589 came from the United States, followed by South Korea with 28,474, and Canada with 24,337.

Australian nationals, British/English, and Japanese tourists came next on the list with 23,286; 20,846; and 13,373 respectively.

Other foreign visitors in the Philippines during the early months of the year include Vietnamese, Singaporeans, Malaysians, Italians, Irish and French.

Puyat said the Department is looking forward to an uptick in tourist arrivals in the coming weeks following the further easing of entry requirements into the country.

(DOT) n

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 3-9, 2022

Nationwide survey seeks to gauge...

PAGE 1 the survey team includes CYFAM members Abigail Ahyong, Giana Apoderado, Neille John Apostol, Siegried Chen, Diana Del Rosario, Sheena Garcia, Samantha Sumait, Matthew Roces, Mericien Venzon, and Megan Yee, with additional support provided by FYLPRO board members and Tayo core leaders Mark Calaguas, Jobel Vecino and Leezel Tanglao.

Tayo hopes the survey will not only improve data collection on Filipino Americans specifically, but also assist in the disaggregation of data on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities at large.

“The longstanding practice of aggregating socioeconomic, Outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte ManilaTimes.net file photos public health, and other data under one broad AAPI category oftentimes obscures pernicious inequalities at the individual Last May 25, Congress proclaimed Ferdinand ethnic community level,” the PAGE 1 smooth transition,” Robredo said.

“Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as president-elect and The vice president said her chief of staff will Duterte-Carpio as vice president-elect. contact Duterte-Carpio’s team for the meeting.

Duterte-Carpio, Marcos’ running mate, ruled The incoming vice president had requested the the vice presidential derby with 32,208,417 votes. meeting in a letter to Robredo dated May 27.

Her closest rival, Sen. Francis “Kiko” PAGE 1 “To ensure a smooth transition between the Pangilinan, Robredo’s running mate, garnered family. They did not entertain outgoing and incoming officials and personnel of 9,329,207 votes. requests for meet-ups. the Office of the Vice President, may we request In a post on Facebook on Sunday, May 29, What the posts say for an initial meeting between the members of Robredo, who had traveled with her daughters YouTube channel “Showbiz our respective teams at the soonest possible time to the United States for the graduation of her Fanaticz” published the video to discuss protocols, policies, precedents and youngest daughter, Jillian, from New York entitled, “ILANG FIL-AM, other matters concerning the Office of the Vice University, said that, “[W]e’re back. Ready to ROBREDO AT GUANZON President. We further request that this initial work again. Energized by the longest vacation I’ve MAY KINALAMAN SA meeting be held via Zoom,” Duterte-Carpio said. had in 10 years.” n PINAPLANONG MASAMA LABAN SA ADMINISTRASYON NI PRES. BBM” (Some FilAms, Robredo, and Guanzon are conspiring against the administration of Pres. BBM), referring to former Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon.

In the video, the vlogger identified as one Bryan Calagui said that Robredo, her camp, and Guanzon were planning to “ruin the government.” “‘Yung mga Fil-Am na nakatira sa Amerika ay sponsoran itong si ‘Len-Len’ na pumunta sa Amerika,” Calagui was shown saying in the first few seconds of the YouTube video. Robredo has been referred to by her crictics on social media as “Len-Len.” (These Fil-Ams who live in America are sponsoring this “Len-Len” to go to America.)

The vlogger added “LenLen,” a derisive nickname proadministration supporters use ART INSTALLATION. Dr, Vincent M. Balanag Jr (center), Lung Center of the Philippines Executive Director, poses with other staffers during to refer to the Vice President, is the art installation of 321 pairs of shoes and slippers at the hospital’s main lobby to remember the 321 Filipinos who die every day due to supposedly plotting something, tobacco-related diseases on Tuesday, May 31. Various civic groups urged stronger tobacco control to save lives. and urged supporters of PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr. president-elect Ferdinand

Robredo congratulates Sara Duterte...

group said in the release.

The survey comes as Fil-Ams continue to be underrepresented in medical research, despite being the second largest Asian ethnic group in the United States.

“Despite making up over 6% of the U.S. population, less than 0.2% of the National Institutes of Health budget is dedicated to studying the health of Asian American populations,” stated Dr. Palma.

“Oftentimes academic researchers label immigrant groups like Filipinos as ‘hard to reach,’ but in my experience it’s often that they aren’t sending the right people to ask and engage with us,” she continued.

Tanglao, FYLPRO president and Tayo project direct said, said the survey results will help create a deeper understanding of the pandemic’s effect on the Fil-Am community.

“The lack of disaggregated

Fact check: Robredo’s...

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Marcos Jr. and vice presidentelect Sara Duterte to prepare.

Without providing pieces of evidence or links, he claimed that a “Philippines page” allegedly leaked information that Robredo met with a so-called “NAFA” in the US. Calagui claimed her visit there, along with accommodation expenses, were again sponsored by unnamed Filipino-Americans.

“Ibig sabihin mga ka-BBMSara, hindi lang ‘yung pagattend ni Len Len sa graduation ng kanyang anak, meron pang ibang binabalak,” he said.

“For sure, may binabalak tong mga to, may niluluto ‘tong mga ‘to. At subukan niyong hanapin yung Philippines na page at makikita niyo dun na yung mga Fil-Am na nakatira sa Amerika ay i-sponsor-an itong si Len-Len na pumunta sa Amerika.”

(Fellow BBM-Sara supporters, she did not just attend her daughter’s graduation, there were other plans made. For sure, these people are planning, trying to get something out. I urge you to look for the Philippines page and you will see that the Fil-Ams in America are sponsoring Leni to go there.)

Calagui also spent quite some time mocking former Comelec Commissioner Guanzon’s “fighting spirit,” making fun of her doing one of her live Facebook streams. n

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data has made it difficult to fully understand the impact of COVID-19 on the Filipino community. This is the first step in better telling our story,” she said.

The survey, which is supported by a grant from the CDC Foundation, can be accessed at redcap.link/ FYLPROTayoSurvey.

Analysis of results is expected in late fall 2022. For more information about the survey, visit https:// bit.ly/TayoVaccineSurveyInfo.

(AJPress) n

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of San Diego (City) is seeking to receive Electronic Bids for the below named Public Works project.

The solicitation, including plans and specifications, may be obtained from the City’s website at: https://www.sandiego.gov/ cip/bidopps Contractors intending to submit a Bid must be prequalified.

Please refer to the solicitation for instructions.

Project Name: Job Order Contract (JOC) Pipeline Project Number: K-22-2076Estimated Value: DBB-3-A $40,000,000.00 Bid Open Date: 06/14/2022, at 2:00 P.M. License Requirement: A It is the policy of the City of San Diego to encourage equal opportunity in its Construction and Consultant contracts. Bids or proposals from local firms, small, minority-owned, disabled, veteran-owned, and womenowned businesses are strongly encouraged. Contractors are encouraged to subcontract with and/or participate in joint ventures with these firms.

The City is committed to equal opportunity and will not discriminate with regard to race, religion, color, ancestry, age, gender, disability, medical condition or place of birth; and will not do business with any firm that discriminates on any basis.

Bids shall be received no later than the date and time noted above at: City of San Diego’s Electronic Biding Site PlanetBids at: h t t p s : / / w w w. p l a n e t b i d s . com/portal/portal. cfm?CompanyID=17950 Claudia C. Abarca, Director Purchasing & Contracting Department May 31, 2022 6/3/22 CNS-3590145# ASIAN JOURNAL

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JUNE 3-9, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

Creating safe working environments: Rajeev Agarwal Got long COVID? Medical... shares how Sales Rain thrived amid COVID-19

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

THE COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly changed the way businesses work. With the virus limiting social interaction, corporations across the globe were forced to close their offices and send their workers home. In turn, the demand for office spaces gradually decreased as employees adapted to remote work.

In the Philippines, a 13.9% office vacancy was recorded at the end of the third quarter last year, according to professional services and investment management firm Colliers. It also recorded the least office transaction volume, at around 69,000 square meters amid the Delta variant surge of COVID-19.

Still, some seat leasing services managed to avoid being severely impacted by the subdued office leasing activity in the country. One of them was Sales Rain, a premier office space provider with multiple sites in Manila. Rajeev Agarwal, Sales Rain CEO, shared with the Asian Journal how his company thrived and expanded despite the global health crisis.

One step back, two steps forward According to Agarwal, the pandemic was a “one step back, two steps forward” process for Sales Rain. While they lost some clients to the crisis, the company’s quick response and strategic decisions successfully created new growth opportunities.

“As everyone knows, office real estate was one of the hardest hit sectors during COVID,” Agarwal noted. “It was one step back, two steps forward for us… We did lose a few clients, but that make up was a very small portion of our business.”

“On the brighter side, we gained some new clients,” he added.

For this to happen, Agarwal said the company readily provided the “highest level of support” to its clients and helped them “with whatever we can during the tough times.” These include creating safe office spaces and assisting with vaccinations.

“We provided discounts, more flexible terms, social distancing, sanitized facilities, work from home and hybrid setups, on-site and off-site support, and help with the vaccination program,” he enumerated.

Agarwal also attributed Sales Rain’s high retention rate to the sacrifices its own employees made amid the pandemic.

“The kind of sacrifice our employees made being physically present in the offices, overcoming little to no transportation, and many other hardships were some of the key differentiators that helped us retain clients and win some new clients,” he stressed.

Keeping in mind the constant threat

Sales Rain CEO Rajeev Agarwal

of infection while working at an office, Agarwal said Sales Rain compensated by paying all of its employees, getting them vaccinated, and extending concern to their families. And unlike other companies that decided to let go some of its workforce, Sales Rain retained all of its own.

Ushering growth and expansion Despite COVID-19 and its variants, Sales Rain remained a leader in providing premier seat leasing services, coworking spaces and private offices. Its client retention rate was more than 90%, and new offices and further expansions were welcomed before 2021 ended.

Agarwal pointed out that these are due in part to their existing clients growing during the pandemic.

“One of our existing clients added the entire new floor in BGC,” he said. “Another client signed up for the entire new floor in Ortigas and additional floor again in Eastwood.”

In June last year, Sales Rain announced its expansion in BGC to house multinational organizations and startup businesses across various industries. The new floor accommodated over 250 workstations and various workspaces, like conference halls, interview rooms, and training facilities.

Likewise, Sales Rain expanded in Ortigas with the intent to provide outsourcing businesses with flexible and cost-effective

workspace solutions. The new floor it acquired in One Corporate Center catered mostly to BPO and call center companies, having amenities such as common areas, meeting rooms, training rooms and sleeping quarters.

Additionally, Agarwal announced that Sales Rain is opening its first office in Palawan soon, and that it’s already fully occupied, indicating the company’s relentless pursuit of creating sustainable working environments to serve and accommodate clients better.

“So overall our retention rate was more than 90% and very satisfactory given the situation,” Agarwal said.

Office market recovery With the Philippines showing marked improvement in terms of handling the pandemic, property market experts have predicted the office space demand to grow in the next few months of 2022.

Furthermore, the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector will remain as the country’s biggest demand driver in the local property market – something Agarwal himself has acknowledged.

“The Philippines is a growing economy with a thriving BPO industry. It’s also home for top-quality and hardworking people who are naturally hospitable and can speak good English,” he noted.

According to him, the country is an ideal destination for business professionals who can work from anywhere. Of course, this is a prospect that Agarwal admitted to being excited over.

“For those who are not required to be in the office full time, [the] work from home [setup] will evolve into work from anywhere. Now that travel restrictions are being lifted, digital nomads and some business professionals would want to explore the world and work from anywhere,” he explained.

“The Philippines is a perfect destination for those. We currently have many domestic and international clients from over 20 different countries. We are very excited about our future prospects,” he added.

For Sales Rain’s prospective customers, Agarwal assured that the company will continue to provide safe working environments that are both flexible and economical.

“They can continue to expect the same dedication, service, pricing, and wholesome inclusions,” he said.

Sales Rain is a renowned provider of world-class offices in prime business districts of the Philippines. It provides access to adaptable workspaces, competitive rates, and prime locations that guarantee immense growth for numerous business process outsourcing companies and startup businesses.

(Advertising Supplement)

PAGE 1 adults with other medical conditions is tricky,” said Dr. Nathan Erdmann, an assistant professor of infectious diseases at the University of AlabamaBirmingham’s school of medicine. Failing to do so means older COVID survivors might not receive appropriate care.

What should older adults do if they don’t feel well weeks after becoming ill with the virus? I asked a dozen experts for advice.

Here’s what they suggested.

Seek medical attention. “If an older person or their caregiver is noticing that it’s been a month or two since COVID and something isn’t right — they’ve lost a lot of weight or they’re extremely weak or forgetful — it’s worth going in for an evaluation,” said Dr. Liron Sinvani, director of the geriatric hospitalist service at Northwell Health, a large health system in New York.

But be forewarned: Many primary care physicians are at a loss as to how to identify and manage long COVID. If you’re not getting much help from your doctor, consider getting a referral to a specialist who sees long COVID patients or a long COVID clinic. Also, be prepared to be patient: Waits for appointments are lengthy.

At least 66 hospitals or health systems have created interdisciplinary clinics, according to Becker’s Hospital Review, an industry publication.

For people who don’t live near one of those, virtual consultations are often available.

For specialist referrals, ask whether the physician has experience with long COVID patients.

Also, more than 80 medical centers in more than 30 states are enrolling patients in a fouryear, $1.15 billion study of long COVID that is being funded by the National Institutes of Health and is known as RECOVER (Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery). Older adults who choose to participate will receive ongoing medical attention.

Pursue comprehensive care. At the University of Southern California’s COVID recovery clinic, physicians start by making sure that any underlying medical conditions that older patients have — for instance, heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — are well controlled. Also, they check for new conditions

that may have surfaced after a COVID infection.

If preexisting and new conditions are properly managed and further tests come back negative, “there is probably an element of long COVID,” said Dr. Caitlin McAuley, one of two physicians at the Keck School of Medicine clinic.

At that point, the focus becomes helping older adults regain the ability to manage daily tasks such as showering, dressing, moving around the house, and shopping. Typically, several months of physical therapy, occupational therapy, or cognitive rehabilitation are prescribed.

Dr. Erica Spatz, an associate professor of cardiology at the Yale School of Medicine, looks for evidence of organ damage, such as changes in the heart muscle, in older patients. If that’s detected, there are wellestablished treatments that can be tried. “The older a person is, the more likely we are to find organ injury,” Spatz said.

At the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago, a rehabilitation hospital, experts have discovered that a significant number of patients with breathing problems have atrophy in the diaphragm, a muscle that’s essential to breathing, said Dr. Colin Franz, a physician-scientist.

Once inflammation is under control, breathing exercises help patients build back the muscle, he said.

For older adults concerned about their cognition after COVID, McAuley recommends a neuropsychological exam.

“Plenty of older patients who’ve had COVID feel like they now have dementia. But when they do the testing, all their higherlevel cognitive functioning is intact, and it’s things like attention or cognitive fluency that are impaired,” she said.

“It’s important to understand where deficits are so we can target therapy appropriately.”

Become active gradually.

Older patients tend to lose strength and fitness after severe illness — a phenomenon known as “deconditioning” — and their blood volume and heart muscles will start shrinking in a few weeks if they lie in bed or get little activity, Spatz said. That can cause dizziness or a racing heart upon standing up.

u PAGE 8

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Rim of the Pacific: Philippines joins 25 Tobacco’s environmental impact devastating – WHO countries in world’s largest naval exercises THE tobacco industry is a far greater threat than many realize as it is one of the world’s biggest polluters, from leaving mountains of waste to driving global warming, the World Health Organization (WHO) charged Tuesday, May 31.

The World Health Organization accused the industry of causing widespread deforestation, diverting badly needed land and water in poor countries away from food production, spewing out plastic and chemical waste, as well as emitting millions of tons of carbon dioxide.

In its report released on World No Tobacco Day, the UN agency called for the tobacco industry to be held to account and foot the bill for the cleanup.

The report, “Tobacco: Poisoning our planet,” looks at the impacts of the whole cycle, from the growth of plants to the manufacturing of tobacco products to consumption and waste.

While tobacco’s health impacts have been well documented for decades — with smoking still causing more than 8 million deaths worldwide every year — the report focuses on its broader environmental consequences.

The findings are “quite devastating,” Ruediger Krech, WHO director of health promotion, said, slamming the industry as “one of the biggest polluters that we know of.”

The industry is responsible for the loss of some 600 million trees each year, while tobacco growing and production uses 200,000 hectares of land and 22 billion tons of water annually, the report found.

It also emits around 84 million tons of carbon dioxide, it said.

4.5 trillion cigarette butts In addition, “tobacco products are the most littered item on the planet, containing over 7,000 toxic chemicals, which leech into our environment when discarded,” Krech said.

He pointed out that each one of the estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts that end up in our oceans, rivers, sidewalks and beaches every year can pollute 100 liters of water.

And up to a quarter of all tobacco farmers contract so-called green tobacco sickness or poisoning from the nicotine they absorb through the skin.

Farmers who handle tobacco leaves all day consume the equivalent of 50 cigarettes worth of nicotine a day, Krech said.

This is especially worrying for the many children involved in tobacco farming.

“Just imagine a 12-year-old being exposed to 50 cigarettes a day,” he said.

Most tobacco is grown in poorer countries, where water and farmland are often in short supply, and where such crops are often grown at the expense of vital food production, the report said.

Tobacco farming also accounts for about 5 percent of global deforestation and drives the depletion of precious water resources.

At the same time, the processing and transportation of tobacco account for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions — with the equivalent of one-fifth of the global airline industry’s carbon footprint.

In addition, products like cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes also contribute significantly to the global buildup of plastic pollution, WHO warned.

Cigarette filters contain microplastics — the tiny fragments that have been detected in every ocean and even at the bottom of the world’s deepest trench — and make up the second-highest form of plastic pollution worldwide, the report said.

And yet, despite tobacco industry marketing, WHO stressed that there is no evidence filters provide any proven health benefits over smoking non-filtered cigarettes.

The UN agency urged policy-makers worldwide to treat cigarette filters as single-use plastics and to consider banning them.

It also decried that taxpayers around the world had been covering the towering costs of cleaning up the tobacco industry’s mess.

Each year, China, for instance, dishes out around $2.6 billion and India around $766 million, while Brazil and Germany pay some $200 million each to clean up littered tobacco products, the report found.

WHO insisted that more countries should follow the so-called Polluter Pays Principle, as in France and Spain. (ManilaTimes.net) n

INDEPENDENCE DAY PREPS. General Services Department personnel install Philippine flags on light posts along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Caloocan City on Monday, May 30. The flags will be on display as the country prepares to celebrate its 124th Independence Day on June 12.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

• Thailand MANILA — The Philippines will Navy said.

• Tonga be joining 25 other nations in the This year’s participating forces • United Kingdom world’s largest maritime exercise, will come from: • United States the United States Navy announced • Australia on Wednesday, June 1.

• Brunei The participating forces will be The U.S. Navy said the • Canada trained on capabilities, such as: biennial Rim of the Pacific will be • Chile • disaster relief and maritime conducted from June 29 to August • Colombia security operations 4 in and around the Hawaiian • Denmark • sea control and complex Islands and Southern California.

• Ecuador warfighting Approximately 25,000 • France • amphibious operations, personnel, 38 surface ships, four • Germany gunnery, missile, anti-submarine submarines, nine national land • India and air defense exercises forces, and more than 170 aircraft • Indonesia • counter-piracy operations from 26 countries are expected to • Israel • mine clearance operations join the exercise.

• Japan • explosive ordnance disposal “As the world’s largest • Malaysia • diving and salvage operations international maritime exercise, • Mexico “During RIMPAC, a network of RIMPAC provides a unique • Netherlands capable, adaptive partners train training opportunity designed to • New Zealand and operate together in order foster and sustain cooperative • Peru to strengthen their collective relationships that are critical to • Philippines forces and promote a free and ensuring the safety of sea lanes • Singapore open Indo-Pacific,” the US Navy and security on the world’s • South Korea said. (By Patricia Lourdes Viray/ interconnected oceans,” the US • Sri Lanka Philstar.com) n

6

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OpiniOn

A continuing battle

Features Philstar.com photo

It was his most remarkable campaign vow, and by his own admission, President Duterte overpromised: the drug scourge in the country was not eliminated within six months of his assumption to power, or even after six years Now in the final weeks of his presidency, he is urging his successor to continue the battle against the drug menace. This goes without saying, since drug offenses are among the crimes that the state is tasked to fight. Still, the Philippine National Police has found it necessary to remind its personnel that the campaign will continue into the new administration.

What might need clarity is whether the campaign against illegal drugs will be carried out using the same brutal methods that have characterized the war waged by the Duterte administration. The president has lamented that the involvement of politicians and law enforcement officials themselves in the illegal drug trade hampered his campaign, and he has admitted underestimating the extent of the problem nationwide.

What the president did fulfill in his campaign promise is to kill: the PNP has reported that over 6,000 drug suspects have been slain in police operations since the start of the current

administration in 2016.

The enormous profits from the illegal drug trade, however, continue to draw players, even at the risk of being shot dead while resisting police arrest.

The bigger dealers simply use drug money to buy protection. This has allowed them to run drug trafficking rings even while behind bars, or slip tons of prohibited drugs through Customs. The drug killings were also not accompanied by the same level of zeal in addressing the continuing demand, which is a social and public health problem.

Addressing the demand calls for a holistic approach, with parents, educators, health professionals, religious groups and the community working on preventive measures and helping drug abusers kick the habit even as law enforcers go after the suppliers. It is a complex problem that even advanced economies have not completely eradicated, and the campaign now awaits a new direction from the incoming administration.

(Philstar.com)

Editorial

Looking towards a Marcos Jr. presidency

Babe’s Eye View BaBe Romualdez THIRTY-TWO days from now, Filipinos and the whole world will witness the swearing in of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as the 17th president of the Republic of the Philippines, proclaiming to the world our flourishing democracy.

During my interview last Thursday, May 26 at CNN’s The Source with Pinky Webb, I said that the overwhelming mandate the president-elect received will be the biggest motivation for him to do well, and give back to the people his best service ever in earning their trust. It made me recall what he told me when he first joined government at the young age of 23 as vice governor of Ilocos Norte: “It’s time to give back to the people who put us here” – which undoubtedly is his mantra as he begins his presidency.

Those who are accusing

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of being a “revisionist,” or that he wants to “rewrite” history – they got it all wrong. History is judged by those who write it – Bongbong Marcos is about to write history.

No doubt there will always be what I would call the hardliners who will never change their minds or their attitude towards BBM – perhaps as a matter of conviction or principle, but worse, out of vindictiveness or bitterness – even if he does well.

One can continue to argue about the things that happened in the past but whichever way one looks at it, the overwhelming majority of people – all 31 million of them who cast their votes for Bongbong Marcos – have made their judgment loud and clear: they are willing to give him the chance to prove his worth with hope and prayers for his success.

I have known the presidentelect for a long time and I know that when he puts his mind into it – he can do it. How he worked very hard during the campaign is a preview of how hard he will work twice over as president.

As BBM himself said, “Judge me not by my ancestors, but by my actions.”

He promised to be a president for all Filipinos – which is in keeping with his core message of unity that has resonated very well with millions of Filipinos during the campaign. I know he was not merely paying lip service because as we are beginning to see, he is already looking for people from different political persuasions, who are prepared to work with him – certainly a good way to start as he charts the course of our country under his leadership.

One of the issues the president-elect tackled during his press briefing following his proclamation in Congress was foreign policy, particularly our country’s relationship with the United States and China.

It is obviously clear that we will continue to pursue a truly independent foreign policy that would truly benefit the Philippines. There is no question that a country should always look out for its own national interest while continuing to

forge bilateral relationships with all nations.

“We have to find an independent foreign policy where we are friends with everyone; that’s the only way.

We have to be good neighbors and ask them to be good neighbors to us as well. It is of mutual benefit to us,” he affirmed.

People certainly welcomed BBM’s statement that we will not compromise our sovereignty in any way. “We are a sovereign nation with a functioning government. We do not need to be told by anyone how to run our country. There is no room for negotiation there. It is sacred, inviolable,” he said.

On the issue of the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, Bongbong Marcos assured that it will be used to continue to assert our country’s territorial rights. “It’s not a claim, it’s a territorial right. That’s what the arbitral ruling can do to help us,” he said, promising that we “will not allow a single square millimeter” of our maritime rights to be trampled upon.

That being said, I believe that our relationship with other countries that have conflicting maritime claims, among them China, will continue along the path started by President Duterte who reached out not only to resolve issues but to have strong economic ties with them.

While we value our friendship with old allies like the United States, we certainly want to reach out to other nations – and this is not a motherhood statement but a fact that we need to accept.

During our meeting with U.S. embassy chargé d’affaires Heather Variava who paid a courtesy visit to the presidentelect at his campaign headquarters, BBM reiterated his continuing belief that the United States, a longtime ally and friend of the Philippines, must continue to work together not only in regional security but more on economic cooperation for the recovery of the global economy. “No one country can do it alone,” he said.

Needless to say, the White

House was very pleased with the telephone conversation between President Joe Biden and president-elect Marcos.

During my private meeting with him last week after I arrived from Washington, he requested me to stay on in Washington as his ambassador. Of course, I am more than honored to be his ambassador, but more than that – to do whatever I can in helping him succeed.

By noon of June 30, we will witness another historic occasion that should make us proud that our democratic system – while not perfect – is very much functioning. Once again allow me to reiterate: For those who have strong doubts about the incoming president, judge him not by the past but by what he intends to do for our beloved country. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

Buckle up: It’ll be a bumpy ride in the next six years of ‘democracy’ under Marcos if...

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS PENDING the decision of an enlightened Philippine Supreme Court (SC) on petitions to disqualify/cancel the candidacy of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, then we Filipinos should fasten our seatbelts.

If the weeks prior to June 30 oath taking of Marcos will be an indicator, then we are in for a bumpy ride — far worse than what we’ve experienced in the past six years under outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.

While even more questions arise on the legitimacy of his candidacy built on his selfdeclared primary motivation to save the Marcos family name, and they have been doing everything to win at all cost.

To win at all cost would entail using lies, deception and misrepresentation, allegedly peddled by an army of paid trolls and “influencers” to “refresh” the Marcos brands, and to rewrite history by twisting the facts and fabricating narratives in order to sow so much hate against the Aquinos and Leni Robredo.

This toxic disinformation has been employed to program the mind of susceptible Filipino people that they — the opposition, including the mainstream media -- are the enemies of the people, while Bongbong and his family

are the “true heroes” who can make the Philippines great again by continuing the “golden years” of the presidency of the deposed dictator, Ferdinand E. Marcos.

To win at all costs would also allegedly include forming the “UniTeam” — the unified forces of traditional politicians and political dynasties, including those already convicted of plunder, graft and abuse of power — all motivated to keep the status quo, hold on to power, and enrich themselves using their public post in betrayal of public trust.

To win at all costs would also allegedly include employing vote buying, using “hakot” and cheating using computer programming to ensure the Marcos and Duterte victory.

And so as we wait for the SC to decide on the two petitions, and as we wait for the Commission of Elections (Comelec) to even act on the alleged violations against the Omnibus Election Code, we look at any signs that might give us a glimmer hope that indeed, the sin of the father would not be the sin of the son.

Unfortunately, what we have been hearing and seeing now so far would make it feel like the Philippines has retrogressed back to the Marcos Sr. years.

Up to this point, Bongbong Marcos has not yet presented to the Filipino people the details of his vision, platform and programs

— something that a candidate would have to start with before running for office.

But because his primary motivation is to clear the Marcos family name, he has failed to work on this number one requirement that would have been the basis of the Filipino people to make an informed decision when compared with those of other candidates running for President.

“Unity” was his answer to everything, and he did not even join any debates (except the one produced by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s SMNI) to face the Filipino people, the independent truth warrior journalists tasked with asking hard questions, fact checking, and scrutinizing whatever vision, platforms, and programs he was offering the nation. “Unity” does not qualify as a valid platform.

After being “president-elect”, Marcos had a “press conference,” but he did not invite members of the free independent press other than SMNI, Net25 and GMA 7 — all deemed to be “friendly” to Marcos. No hard probing questions were asked on behalf of the Filipino people who need clarity about how he would run the country in the next six years.

Bongbong could not even articulate his plans to solve the pressing problems plaguing the nation, his foreign policy and principles on international relations, which would cover

our dispute with China on our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea. It also took him a long time to announce his appointees for cabinet positions.

Some were encouraged about his choices to lead his economic/financial team, but more are alarmed that his appointees for the other cabinet posts were chosen not because of their merit, qualification, knowledge and expertise about the departments and institution they will be heading but based on their “loyalty” to Marcos and Duterte, how they have helped him/them in this campaign. To discuss some of them: Vice President-elect Sara Duterte was picked as Department of Education Secretary, and people are concerned about further revisionism of history in favor of the Duterte and Marcos legacies at the expense of the truth and the facts of what truly happened in our nation’s recent history.

Trixie Cruz-Angeles was appointed Press Secretary, thanks to her vlog defending Marcos by spreading disinformation.

Cruz was slapped with a threeyear suspension by the SC for violating provisions of the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Bongbong Marcos, however, did not designate a presidential spokesperson because he said he would be the one who would

personally face the media, and his non transparency during the campaign period is a red flag.

Broadcaster Erwin Tulfo was appointed Secretary of Department of Social Welfare and Development, bypassing career officials in the department.

The Tulfo brothers were staunch Marcos and Duterte supporters.

Worse, Tourism Secretary Bernas Romulo-Puyat confirmed that the P60 million in ad placement fees paid to Ben Tulfo’s Bitag Media has not yet been returned to the department.

As ABS-CBN News reported, state auditors flagged the payment for “possible conflict of interest” because the former tourism chief, Wanda Teo, is Tulfo’s sister. The Tulfos have not returned the money despite their declaration to do so. Duterte Transparency and accountability are two important principles that are required in democracy as they keep the public servants in check, knowing that they are NOT above the law, and should therefore be embodied by public officials even during the campaign period.

If they could not be honest and transparent during the campaign , what more could we expect from them when they are accorded public trust and the power of the office they are voted and/or appointed to?

What would be our basis of knowing that they are not abusing

their power, especially when it comes to handling taxpayers money? How can they be held accountable if the people who surround them are their family members and political allies?

How can Bongbong Marcos lead a country toward the eradication of graft and corruption when his own family has not been made accountable for their transgressions against the country?

How can we end impunity in the Philippines when Marcos himself would say we need to forget the past despite the abuse of power of public officials, who continue to be accorded so much power by being in government, including the Marcos and Duterte families and their minions? How could there ever be justice under the Marcos presidency? *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989. She was a news anchor, TV host and radio commentator and public service host for ABS- CBN and DZMM. She is now working on her advocacies independently, serving the Filipino audience using different media platforms. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@ icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos. Also on Twitter, Instagram: Gel Santos Relos

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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Anti-terrorism exercises held in Subic Freeport

by MahatMa

Randy V. ManilaTimes.net

datu

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — As part of the national government’s thrust to thwart terrorism in the country, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and other government agencies jointly conducted simulation exercises at the Binictican Water Treatment Plant.

SBMA chairman and administrator Rolen Paulino said the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Simulation Exercise 2022 was conducted by the AntiTerrorism Council-Program Management Center (ATC-PMC) headed by the Project Management Office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Paulino added that the inter-agency simulation exercise series (IA Simex Series) included personnel from the DILG, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), ATC-PMC, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Prevention (BFP), Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices from Bataan and Zambales, Peace and Order Councils of LGUs, CBRN National Team Observers, Subic Water and Sewerage Company Inc. and the SBMA. “The opening scenario during the CBRN Simex was a negotiation between the terrorist group who took over the Subic Water Binictican Water Treatment Plant with plans to contaminate the water supply of Olongapo City. The terrorist group demanded P10 million, along with the release of their comrades. A PNP negotiator then attempted to communicate with the terrorist group,” he said.

“Should negotiations fail, the PNP will cordon off the area while the SBMA Special Weapons

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 3-9, 2022

DOT chief named BSP deputy governor

by LawRence

agcaoiLi Philstar.com

MANILA — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has named outgoing Tourism Secretary Bernadette RomuloPuyat as its fifth deputy governor, the maximum allowed under its new charter.

Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia Frasco, spokesperson for vice president-elect Sara DuterteCarpio, will replace Puyat at the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Puyat was appointed to the BSP a few weeks after the central bank launched the search for a new deputy governor.

On May 12, the BSP published the vacancy for a new deputy governor that needs to have a Philstar.com photo Master’s degree or certificate in Outgoing Tourism Chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat Master’s degree in economics. the central bank enjoys fiscal leadership in management from Prior to her stint at the DOT, the Civil Service Commission, and administrative autonomy 120 hours of supervisory and from the national government. Puyat served as undersecretary ensure independence, of the Department of management training and To learning and development the six-year term of the BSP Agriculture between January intervention as well as 15 governor expires a year after 2007 and May 2018. She also years of relevant experience, the president steps down from served as economic consultant and deputy Cabinet secretary including five years supervisory office.

Puyat joins BSP Deputy during the term of former or management experience.

Outgoing BSP Governor and Governor for monetary and president Gloria Macapagalincoming finance secretary economics Francisco Dakila Jr., Arroyo as well as economic Benjamin Diokno said the Deputy Governor for financial consultant at the Housing Urban Development central bank’s Monetary Board supervision Chuchi Fonacier, and has approved the appointment Deputy Governor for payments Coordinating Council. and currency management BSP Monetary Board member of Puyat.

“Yes, in last week’s Monetary Mamerto Tangonan and Deputy Felipe Medalla has been named Board meeting,” Diokno said in Governor for corporate services as Diokno’s successor, who Eduardo Bobier. is serving the unexpired term a message sent to The STAR. President Duterte appointed of the late governor Nestor Unlike the BSP governor and members of the Monetary Puyat as DOT secretary in May Espenilla Jr. until July 2023.

BSP Assistant Governor Board who are appointed by 2018.

Puyat was a former lecturer Amenah Pangandaman is set to Malacañang, deputy governors and assistant governors are at the UP School of Economics vacate her post after presidentappointed and confirmed by the from 1994 to 2006. She finished elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. MANILA — The Philippines deployed four of its central bank’s policy-making BS Economics cum laude at the appointed her as secretary of University of the Philippines, the Department of Budget and maritime vessels to the regional marine oil spill body.

As an independent body, where she also completed her Management. n response exercises currently held in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi province.

In a statement dated May 30, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is joining the Regional Marine Pollution Exercises (MARPOLEX 2022) this year in Makassar City in South Sulawesi.

The country, joined by Indonesia and Japan, MANILA — The administration of President “These include the expansion of value-added conducts the exercises every two years in line with Rodrigo Duterte has proposed a plan to reduce the tax (VAT) base by removing ineffective VAT the Sulu Sulawesi Oil Spill Network Plan 1981. “[The exercises] aims to train and enhance country’s debt to the incoming administration of exemptions except for some sectors, among cooperation and interoperability capacities as well president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos others, to generate revenues,” the official added.

The proposal, however, is subject to the as ensure participating countries’ preparedness Jr., Malacañang said on Thursday, June 2.

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed consideration of the next administration, in firefighting, rescue, and oil spill recovery that the country’s debt soared to P12.68 trillion Andanar stressed. operations,” the DFA said.

For the incoming Marcos administration, a The Philippines deployed four ships, which as of March.

“The Duterte Administration’s Economic tax hike is not a priority, Senate Majority Leader includes the newly acquired BRP Teresa Magbanua, BRP Gabriela Silang, BRP Cape Engaño, and the Team has proposed a fiscal consolidation and Juan Miguel Zubiri recently noted. resource mobilization plan, containing fair, Despite his scheduled term termination by the BRP Malapascua.

Coast Guard Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor efficient, and corrective tax measures,” acting end of this month, reducing the country’s debt is Punzalan, Jr. is heading the PCG’s 350-member presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said still Duterte’s priority, according to Andanar. (by in a statement.

Danize Fernandez/Inquirer.net) n delegation. (Philstar.com) n and Tactics (SWAT) team conducts a meeting before an insertion operation. Following the insertion, the SWAT personnel will then neutralize the terrorist threat and rescue hostages taken by the terrorists. Both the SWAT and the hostages are then thoroughly checked for any chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear contaminations before they are allowed to conduct further operations. Debriefing immediately follows after decontamination.”

Paulino added that the explosive ordnance disposal teams from the AFP and PNP scouted the area for any explosive devices that the terrorist group may have left behind. The SBMA Fire Department and the BFP then carried out extraction of injured victims and live suspects using hazmat suits.

“Medical teams from the SBMA Public Health and Safety Department then immediately attended to the wounded victims, including the terrorists,” Paulino said.

DILG Assistant Secretary Brig. Gen. Alexander Macario lauded the participation of various government agencies at the CBRN Simex 2022, citing that with a bit more polishing, the operation would be seamless. He added that the exercise is designed to meet the needs of the particular area in partnership with stakeholders.

“The exercise should support and develop exercise practitioners’ competency to plan, implement and evaluate simulation exercises within the terrorist-related CBRN crisis field. This exercise also requires the active participation of representatives from both local and national government agencies, and includes nongovernment units and stakeholders,” he said. n

PH deploys four vessels to marine pollution exercises in Indonesia

Duterte admin presents plan to cut PH debt to Marcos admin, says Palace

Philippine Consulate General in Manado’s Consul General Angelica Escalona as well as Philippine Embassy in Jakarta’s Philippine Consul General Bryan Lao and Second Secretary Jonathan Abe on deck at the BRP Teresa Magbanua and the BRP Gabriela Silang with the officers of each vessel deployed.

DFA photo

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JUNE 3-9, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

Got long COVID? Medical expertise is vital, seniors should prepare to go...

PAGE 4 In line with recent recommendations from the American College of Cardiology, Spatz advises patients who have developed these symptoms after COVID to drink more fluids, consume more salt, and wear compression socks and abdominal binders.

“I often hear that going for a walk feels awful,” Spatz said. When returning to exercise, “start with five to 10 minutes on a recumbent bicycle or a rower, and add a couple of minutes every week,” she suggested. After a month, move to a semi-recumbent position on a standard bike. Then, after another month, try walking, a short distance at first and then longer distances over time.

This “go slow” advice also applies to older adults with cognitive concerns after COVID. Franz said he often recommends restricting time spent on cognitively demanding tasks, along

with exercises, for brain health and memory. At least early on, “people need less activity and more cognitive rest,” he noted.

Reset expectations. Older adults typically have a harder time bouncing back from serious illness, including COVID. But even seniors who had mild or moderate reactions to the virus can find themselves struggling weeks or months later.

The most important message older patients need to hear is “give yourself time to recover,” said Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn, director of the Mayo Clinic’s COVID Activity Rehabilitation Program in Rochester, Minnesota.

Generally, older adults appear to be taking longer to recover from long COVID than younger or middle-aged adults, he noted.

Learning how to set priorities and not do too much too quickly is essential.

“In this patient population, we’ve

LEGAL SERVICES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9010245

care services.

“We all share concern about marginalized seniors with limited health care access and poorer overall health status,” said Erdmann, of UAB. “Sprinkle a dangerous new pathology that’s not well understood on top of that, and you have a recipe for greater disparities in care.”

“A lot of older [long COVID] patients we deal with aren’t accustomed to asking for help, and they think, perhaps, it’s a little shameful to be needy,” said James Jackson, director of long-term outcomes at the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

The implications are significant, not only for the patients but also for health care providers, friends, and family.

“You really have to check in with people who are older and vulnerable and who have had COVID and not just

LEGAL SERVICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9011422

Adame Paralegals located at 470 Third Ave., Suite 9, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Diana I. Adame, 1130 Sea Bird Way, San Diego, CA 92154.

This business is conducted

by Individuals.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/29/2022.

Signature: Diana I. Adame.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/02/2022.

AJ 950 05/13, 05/20, 05/27, and 06/03/2022. AJSD#950

GoCryo located at 7807 Convoy Court #103, San Diego, CA 92111.

Registrant: Nextgen Cryo Inc., 7807 Convoy Court #103, San Diego, CA 92111.

This business is conducted

by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 11/16/2018.

Signature: Mark Amparo.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/17/2022.

AJ 956 05/27, 06/03, 06/10, 06/17/2022.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9010131

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9011468

AJSD#956

Luckys Painting located at 6371 Seascape Dr., San Diego, CA 92139.

Registrant: Victor M. Robles, 6371 Seascape Dr., San Diego, CA 92139.

This business is conducted by Individuals.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 04/29/2022.

Signature: Victor M. Robles.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/29/2022.

AJ 951 05/13, 05/20, 05/27, and 06/03/2022. AJSD 951

PHO KHA located at 2424 Hoover Ave., Suite K, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: PHO KHA INC, 8718 Longwood St., San Diego, CA 92126.

This business is conducted

by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/17/2022.

Signature: Hai Phuong Tran.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/17/2022.

AJ 957 05/27, 06/03, 06/10, 06/17/2022.

AJSD#957

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9009509

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-901810

New Valley Landscaping Services located at 2551 1/2 Sumac Dr., San Diego, CA 92105.

Registrant: Ninrod Gudiel Ceron Sanchez, 2551 1/2 Sumac Dr., San Diego, CA 92105.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Ninrod Gudiel Ceron Sanchez.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 04/22/2022.

AJ 954 05/20, 05/27, 06/03, and 06/10/2022. AJSD#954

Koi Sushi located at 1430 E. Plaza Blvd., Ste E7B, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: JZ Food Inc, 1430 E. Plaza Blvd., Ste E7B, National City, CA 91950.

This business is conducted

by Corporation.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature Jian Zheng.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/23/2022.

AJ 958 05/27, 06/03, 06/10, and 06/17/2022.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9010464

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9010642

JAMMING’S MOBILE GRILL located at 31405 QUARTER HORSE WAY, MENIFEE, CA 92584.

Registrant: a. Ann Marie Anntonette Barnett, 31405 QUARTER HORSE WAY, MENIFEE, CA 92584. b. Tajae Annieke Nelson, 31405 QUARTER HORSE WAY, MENIFEE, CA 92584.

This business is conducted

by Co-Partners.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Ann Marie Anntonette Barnett.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/04/2022.

AJ 955 05/20, 05/27, 06/03, and 06/10/2022. AJSD#955

found that having patients grit their teeth and push themselves will actually make them worse” — a phenomenon known as “post-exertional malaise,” Vanichkachorn said.

Instead, people need to learn how to pace themselves.

“Any significant health event forces people to reexamine their expectations and their priorities, and long COVID has really accelerated that,” said Jamie Wilcox, an associate professor of clinical occupational therapy at the Keck School of Medicine. “Everyone I see feels that it’s accelerated their aging process.”

Consider vulnerabilities. Older adults who have had COVID and who are poor, frail, physically or cognitively disabled, and socially isolated are of considerable concern. This group has been more likely to experience severe effects from COVID, and those who survived may not readily access health

CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00017776-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Alexis Nichole Vaca filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Alexis Nichole Vaca to Alexis Dagny Kwon.

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 06/23/2022 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county.

Asian Journal: MAY. 11, 2022 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Michael T. Smyth Judge of the Superior Court AJ 953 05/13, 05/20, 05/27, and 06/03/2022 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date.

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

AJSD#953

AJSD#958

a. Street Life San Diego CC 1904 located at 22 E. Olympia Court, Chula Vista, CA 91911. b. Street Life San Diego Car Club located at 22 E. Olympia Court, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant:Alberto Paniagua, 22 E. Olympia Court, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/06/2022.

Signature: Alberto Paniagua.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/06/2022.

AJ 959 05/27, 06/03, 06/10, and 06/17/2022.

AJSD 959

make assumptions that they’re fine just because they tell you they are,” Jackson said. “We need to be more proactive in engaging them and finding out, really, how they are.”

We’re eager to hear from readers about questions you’d like answered, problems you’ve been having with your care and advice you need in dealing with the health care system. Visit khn. org/columnists to submit your requests or tips. (Judith Graham/California Healthline) This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues.

Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. n

LEGAL SERVICES

CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00019612-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Sonia Vilmorin filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Sonia Vilmorin to Sofia Cohen Gindi.

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 07/11/2022 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county.

Asian Journal: MAY 24, 2022 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Michael T. Smyth Judge of the Superior Court AJ 960 05/27, 06/03, 06/10, 06/17/2022 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date.

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

AJSD#960

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9011377

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9012458

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9012361

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-901210

a. Cotija Mexican Food located at 7695 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. b. Cotija Taco Shop No 6 located at 7695 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945.

Registrant: Gonzalo F Gonzalez, 4618 Barrington Ct., Bonita, CA 91902.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/17/1978.

Signature: Gonzalo F Gonzalez.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/16/2022.

AJ 962 06/03, 06/10, 06/17, and 06/24/2022. AJSD#962

Jonna Bon Bon located at 2426 F St., San Diego, CA 92102.

Registrant: Kenneth Taylor, 2426 F St., San Diego, CA 92102.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Kenneth Taylor.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/27/2022.

AJ 963 06/03, 06/10, 06/17, and 06/24/2022.

AJSD#963

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9012457

PHUONG NGA located at 4016 54th Street, San Diego, CA 92105.

Registrant: PHUONG NGA INC, 4016 54th Street, San Diego, CA 92105.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/17/2013.

Signature: Nga Pham.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/31/2022.

AJ 964 06/03, 06/10, 06/17, and 06/24/2022.

AJSD#964

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9012189

Vangie’s Shuttle located at 7425 Alsacia St., San Diego, CA 92139.

Registrant: Evangeline A. Carino, 7425 Alsacia St., San Diego, CA 92139.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature Evangeline A. Carino.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/26/2022.

AJ 961 06/03, 06/10, 06/17, and 06/24/2022. AJSD#961

EMPLOYMENT

a. PHUONG NGA 2 located at 9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. H1, San Diego, CA 92123. b. PHUONG NGA Bakery and Cafe located at 9353 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. H1, San Diego, CA 92123.

Registrant: PHUONG NGA INC, 4016 54th Street, San Diego, CA 92105.

This business is conducted

by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/26/2020.

Signature: Nga Pham.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/31/2022.

AJ 965 06/03, 06/10, 06/17, and 06/24/2022. AJSD#965

ALLPRO COATING located at 2500 B Ave. Apt#12, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: ALLPRO COATING, 2500 B Ave. Apt#12, National City, CA 91950.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE. Signature: Juan Alejandro Rios Manriquez.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/25/2022.

AJ 966 06/03, 06/10, 06/17, and 06/24/2022.

AJSD#966

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9011763

Sprits Of St Germain located at 3251 Holiday Ct., Ste 101, La Jolla, CA 92037.

Registrant: Hyon S. Song, 3563 Voyager Circle, San Diego, CA 92130.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/11/2015.

Signature: Hyon Sook Song.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 05/20/2022.

AJ 967 06/03, 06/10, 06/17, and 06/24/2022. AJSD#967

SAN DIEGO

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 3-9, 2022

JOURNAL

9

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J U N E 3, 2 0 22

Eva Noblezada on creating her legacy as a Filipino Mexican woman in America today

by MoMar

G. Visaya / AJPress

T

HE Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) held its Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month event last week and Tony-nominated and Grammy-winning performer Eva Noblezada.

The Filipino-Mexican Noblezada is no brought the family to the United States in stranger to CACF. The nonprofit honored her 1973. She said he “could grow anything and in 2019 with their Catalyst for Change award. was the funniest person ever and made the “I think that CACF is doing such a good best Filipino food.” job at opening the conversation about anti“I wasn’t able to go unfortunately API hate and other inequities affecting our because I was in a lockdown in Vancouver, community that’s why I am so fiercely happy and I would have literally gotten fined and to be here tonight,” Noblezada told the Asian arrested if I left my hotel room to go home.

Journal. “I spoke to someone today saying It sucked,” she shared. “It makes me sad, but that they’re trying to put forward to teach also like the second he passed away, I felt about Asian history in schools in New York him on my side.”

State. That’s huge, I’m just hearing about Noblezada believes that it is absolutely this and I’m so excited.” important to understand who we are and Currently the star of the hit Broadway where we come from. musical Hadestown, Noblezada originated “Being in Miss Saigon gave me such a the lead role of Eurydice, where she was f*cked up ‘myself identity’ because I didn’t nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress know who I was. I was a Filipino playing a in a Lead Role and for which she won a Vietnamese woman and everyone in the cast As special guest performer, Noblezada sang She Used to be Grammy. felt the same. They’re like ‘I’m Chinese,’ ‘I’m Mine from the musical Waitress.

The actress made her Broadway debut Japanese and Korean,’ ‘I’m not Vietnamese’ via Miss Saigon in 2017 where she received two Filipino movies written, directed, and that show f*cks you up because it’s not her first Tony nomination. She previously produced, and starred by Filipinos.” right. You know?”

Tracing Roots starred in Hadestown at the National Theatre “The music is beautiful, but at the root of Noblezada grew up in San Diego down it, it does nothing but set us back, two steps in London after being a lead in the West End the street from both her Mexican and Filipino back. And what I want to do is f*cking hurdle revivals of Miss Saigon and Les Miserables.

Noblezada made her film debut in grandparents. jump 18 steps forward,” she said sighing.

She feels lucky for that, knowing now “But that’s easier said than done.” the acclaimed Sony Pictures film Yellow Rose, playing the lead for Filipino-American that there are younger people who are just Asked about what her major takeaway so coming to terms with their Filipino culture far since she started her career as a brightdirector Diane Paragas.

This year, her fans can catch her in Apple and what it means for them. eyed teen, she paused and got excited.

“I love being Filipina. I f*cking love being TV+ animated adventure film Luck this “I’m a woman now, I’m 26! I’m not 17, August and the upcoming Jo Koy film Easter Filipina,” she exclaimed. “I’m still learning I’m new here today,” she said, singing a line every day. There are still things that I have from the musical. “I think what I’ll say is this Sunday.

“So yeah, my character plays a very to learn about like the colonialism in the might sound cheesy, but I just want to be unlucky human and she always thinks that Philippines and the imperialism, and the honest about how I feel right now. Enjoy your she is cursed with bad luck and she finds out history.” life and dig deeper. It’s not enough to enjoy “I’m 26 years old and I’m the fruit of the the things that happen on - como si dice - the by the end of the movie that there is no such thing as always having bad luck,” she said. privileges of being who I am in the States. surface, it isn’t enough,” she explained.

“And if anything is just like, that’s life. You But what did it mean for my family? What “So the thing, the lesson I’ve learned know, it’s about how you deal with the cards sacrifices did they make for us to be here,” is to understand who I am really, where I she shared. that are dealt you.” come from, and that will give me a direction In her short speech, Noblezada paid of where to go from here. And then I’m in “I’m really excited for Easter Sunday because that’s a very important movie,” she tribute to her grandfather Ephraim Noblezada control of how I live my life. I don’t have to said. “I’m proud and grateful to have been a who passed away in Iloilo last year due to play victim to things that aren’t actually more part of both Yellow Rose and Easter Sunday, pancreatic cancer. He was the one who powerful than who I am,” she added. n

Eva Noblezada is a two-time Tony Award nominee and a Grammy-winning performer. She is a part of Easter Sunday, a film starring comedian Jo Koy. Currently, she stars as Eurydice on the hit Broadway musical Hadestown.

Photos by Lia Chang for CACF

Noblezada with her boyfriend and Hadestown co-star Reeve Carney

10

JUNE 3-9, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

Former Filipina caregiver, now a fast-rising fashion designer in Canada

NAFFAA celebrates Fil-Am leaders in the LGBTQI+ community for June’s Pride Month celebration

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) will celebrate and recognize the thoughts, stories and accomplishments of its LGBTQI+ leaders in honor of Pride Month. Through the “National Advocacy” pillar of empowerment, NaFFAA calls for a more inclusive Filipino-American community and be an example of showing love and intolerance against all forms of hate crimes toward the LGBTQI+ community.

Recent studies show that 40% of AAPI LGBTQI+ youths have considered suicide in the last year. A survey from the Trevor Project found that 40 percent of LGBTQI+ youths who are Asian American or Pacific Islander, or AAPI, have seriously considered suicide in the past year. Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian youths experienced the highest rate, at 49 percent, followed by Korean American youths, at 47 percent, and Filipino American youths, at 41 percent.

For many Filipino Americans, coming out is a lifelong process that can require a different approach because of cultural norms or traditions that emphasize duty to family and community.

“We celebrate each member of our Filipino community. We are proud of the unique talents, perspectives, and offerings each of you provides to make our 4 million strong Filipino community stronger than ever,” said NaFFAA President and Chairman Brendan Flores.

“Diversity includes differences in sexual orientation, religion, political parties, and other groups you affiliate yourself into. We hope that instead of focusing on these differences, we will take time to focus on our biggest similarity - being Filipino-Americans.”

Diverse Segments Director Gio Duaqui says: “Approximately 4.2 million Filipino Americans are working tirelessly to achieve the American Dream and to improve their communities. Imagine how much more we can accomplish and amplify our efforts as a unified voice by building bridges to other segments of our diverse population. I am proud to see NAFFAA is moving in that direction to ensure everyone is welcome and included. After all, the American Dream belongs to all of us. Happy Pride Month!”

NaFFAA does not tolerate any forms of prejudice against any of our “kapatid” in the LGBTQI+ community. We celebrate their successes and recognize the great and important contributions they make to make us a better and stronger country. Our leaders look forward to continuing to support our “kapatid” in the LGBTQI+ community.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization. Established in 1997, NaFFAA promotes the welfare and well-being of the four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States.

NaFFAA’s vision is to serve as the voice of all Filipinos and Filipino Americans by uniting, engaging, and empowering diverse individuals and community organizations through leadership development, civic engagement, and national advocacy.

(NaFFAA Release) n

County kicks off 2022 Cool Zones Program THE County of San Diego on Wednesday, June 1 kicked off its 2022 Cool Zones program to help San Diegans beat the heat this summer. Cool Zones are free, airconditioned locations, available throughout the region, where people can go to escape extreme temperatures.

A list of Cool Zones locations is available onlinen (https://www. s a n d i e g o c o u n t y. g o v / h h s a / programs/ais/cool_zones/).

People can enter their address once they navigate to the map and it will show locations near them. Residents can also call 2-11 to find a location.

Excessive heat can be particularly dangerous for seniors and children, and they are advised to seek shelter in cool locations when temperatures rise. Working or exercising outside on a hot day, or staying in an overheated place for too long can cause heat-related illnesses, including cramps, exhaustion and heatstroke.

An extremely high body temperature (103 degrees or

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higher), dizziness, nausea, confusion, and headache are signs of heatstroke or exhaustion.

If someone shows these signs, call 9-1-1 and begin cooling the person immediately.

San Diegans who are unable to get to a Cool Zone on their own can call 2-1-1 to request transportation to a location free of charge.

In addition to Cool Zones, the County, in partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric, provides free electric fans to San Diegans who are living on limited incomes.

To be eligible for the fan program, a county resident must not have access to an airconditioned space at their home or apartment building. To learn more about the Cool Zones Fan Program or to request a fan, call 2-1-1.

For more information on the Cool Zones program as well as tips to stay cool at home, visit www.coolzones.org.

(Katie Cadiao/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

GENETTE Mujar, a Vancouver-based fashion designer of Filipino descent, is a former caregiver turned fast-rising designer in Canada.

Genette, who hails from Albay in the Philippines, is the owner and chief operating officer of Gnetz Design, a fast-rising fashion house based in Vancouver, Canada.

Genette, who completed her studies at Bicol University, has had a passion for fashion design since she was young.

Even during those formative years, whenever her classmates would ask her about her unique and stylish outfits, her ready reply has always been: “It’s from Gnetz.” That’s how the Gnetz brand started.

While in the Philippines, Genette had to face numerous challenges — such as growing up with limited resources. Her life did not change much when she had her own children. She’s also had to give up her ambition to be a fashion designer.

As such, Genette had to take the same path as millions of Filipinos: she had to become an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in order to provide a better life for her children, and it wasn’t easy.

Initially, her OFW journey took her to Taiwan. She moved to Hong Kong after a few years, where one of her most traumatic experiences was being ejected by her employer.

Genette then moved to Canada in 2007 to work as a caregiver. Her pay at the time was insufficient to fully support her family in the Philippines. But despite her financial difficulties, she maintained her enthusiasm for fashion.

She would frequent thrift stores in Canada,

NEVER TOO LATE. Genette Mujar (right), who became a fashion designer at age 50, is living proof that, no matter our age, hard work can lead to success. Photos courtesy of Genette Mujar

UNCONVENTIONAL FASHION. At a fashion show for Vancouver International Film Festival, Genette is surrounded by models wearing her modern Filipiniana creations.

FROM CAREGIVER TO FASHION DESIGNER. Genette Mujar, a Vancouver-based fashion designer of Filipino descent, is a former caregiver turned fast-rising designer in Canada.

looking for old clothes which she could restyle or upcycle.

Genette chose to pursue her passion of being a fashion designer after a few years in Vancouver, at the age of 50. She enrolled in a fashion school and got an award despite being the oldest in her class when she graduated.

She was then hired as a fashion designer for a local Vancouver apparel firm. She eventually mustered the guts to open her own fashion house, Gnetz Design.

Today, among her favorite designs is Filipiniana, a unique Philippine look that

conjures grace, elegance and beauty.

It is never too late to realize one’s dreams.

Genette’s remarkable success story is another illustration of how, no matter our age, hard work can lead to success. Genette is hoping that her story becomes an inspiration to many.

Asia Pacific Fashion Week: A global platform Genette is slated to showcase her latest Filipiniana designs at the Asia Pacific Fashion Week (APFW), the newest global platform which showcases the diversity of Filipinoinspired fashions, in two iconic American cities.

The first show is on August 6 (Saturday), at 4 p.m., at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, a historic landmark on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the heart of Los Angeles.

The second show is on August 13 (Saturday), at 4 p.m., at the Decades Event Center, located in Vegas Pointe Plaza, Unit 168, 9175 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas.

The Los Angeles leg of APFW enjoys the support of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. Trending Beverages Inc., Napa Valley Distribution Inc., Montemaria Cellars, House of Pacquiao Wine, Individual Health Care, Lombard by the Bay, MTS Law Firm, Premier Asia Pacific Real Estate & Development, and Tina Modeling.

The Las Vegas edition is co-produced

by InterEdx, a dba of Dynasty Exchange Ltd. LLC., headed by Dr. Lee Dedicatoria, in cooperation with Asia on Earth, Dynasty Ventures, Club Paradisia, World Edoption, Royal Blue Staffing, Lend with Love and MODERN FILIPINIANA. A modern interpretation of the Decades Event Center.

(APFW Release) n Philippine Terno by Genette Mujar.

Set a course for adventure with the San Diego Public Library’s Summer Reading Program Readers of all ages earn prizes for reading books and completing activities

SAN DIEGO – Explore your world and beyond during the City of San Diego Public Library’s 2022 Summer Reading Program!

The theme of this year’s program is “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” and it encourages people of all ages to explore something new in the pages of a book and through activities.

This year’s program began on Wednesday, June 1, and runs through Wednesday, Aug. 31. Participants can earn prizes by completing 10 books or a combination of reading and activities. The activities include attending a storytime at the library, reading to a friend, going on a nature walk or visiting a local park.

“The Summer Reading Program is a great way to keep reading skills sharp and explore new horizons while kids are out of school for the summer,” said Library Director Misty Jones.

File photo/www.sandiego.gov

“We encourage readers of all ages to find adventure through the pages of a book.”

The Summer Reading Program offers age categories for children (ages 0-5 and 6-11), youth (ages 12-17) and

adults (ages 18 and up). Upon completion, readers will be eligible for prizes including free books, meal vouchers and passes to local museums. Reading and activities can be tracked online or on paper logs available at

any San Diego Public Library location.

Last year, nearly 16,000 people participated in the Summer Reading Program, reading more than 261,000 books. To register online and view lists of activities and recommended books, visit sandiego.gov/ summerreading.

With a vision of being the place for opportunity, discovery and inspiration, the San Diego Public Library is a hub for knowledge and lifelong learning.

As the largest library system in the region, it serves a population of more than 1.4 million people.

Learn about events at the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Irwin Jacobs Common and 35 community branch libraries, find links to programs and resources or search for materials in the online catalog at www. sandiegolibrary.org.

(SDPL Release) n

Moira, Jason end three-year marriage

By Lyka

Nicart Philstar.com

TO the shock of music fans, Jason Marvin Hernandez and Moira dela Torre have decided to part ways after three years of marriage.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday night, May 31, Jason shared a joint statement with Moira announcing their separation. The breakup news sent the hitmaker, known for heartbreak-inspired songs Malaya and Paubaya, to the top of Twitter Philippines trending topics, as of Wednesday morning, June 1.

“It is with a heavy heart that after three years of marriage, we announce that we are parting ways. Our love and respect for each other remains. We request for privacy during this difficult time,” read the joint statement.

In the caption, Jason revealed that cheating on his part was the reason behind the end of their marriage.

“This is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write,” he said, confessing that he had been unfaithful to Moira while they were together.

“Three years ago, I married my best friend with the intent of spending the rest of my life with her. Though my love for her has always been genuine, a few months ago, I confessed to Moira that I have been unfaithful to her during our marriage.

“I believe that she deserved to know the truth rather than continue down a ‘peaceful’ but dishonest path. I take full responsibility and I’m doing my best to be better.”

He then publicly apologized for the hurt

After their breakup announcement, Moira and Jason request for privacy during this difficult time.

Photo from Instagram/@moiradelatorre

he caused his wife.

“From the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry for everyone I hurt. Especially Moi,” said Jason.

To recall, the music power couple first sparked breakup rumors in April after eagle-eyed fans noticed that Moira removed photos of her with Jason from her Instagram page as well as some of their videos on TikTok. Jason also posted a song he wrote with lyrics that some fans interpreted as trouble in their relationship.

“Wag kang lalapit diyan ka lang/ At baka makita ang lahat ng aking kahinaan/ Pilit kong tinakpan. At kung malaman mo kaya, mga kasalanang nagawa, kaya bang matanggap/ Pag di na ako nagpanggap…

Iibigin mo pa ba ako? Pipiliin mo pa ba ito?” the song’s lyrics went.

However, days later, Jason clarified speculations about their marriage, saying that he and Moira were still married.

In an interview in Gandang Gabi Vice in 2018, Moira and Jason shared how their friendship blossomed into love.

“We’ve been friends for seven years, tapos naging best friends po kami for three years,” said Jason admitting that they were not romantically attracted to each other initially.

Jason related that it was him who developed feelings at first, adding that their frequent heart-to-heart talks and mutual love for music, made them “super close.”

Jason and Moira, who have collaborated on several songs together such as their wedding theme song Ikaw At Ako, tied the knot in a garden wedding last January 2019.

Moira said then in their wedding vows: “Today, I stand before you in front of our family and friends fully convinced that you are mine and I am yours. I vow to you that even if I can be too independent sometimes that I will submit to you, that I won’t let our panganay-bunso syndrome ever come in the way again even if I strongly feel about it that you will always have the last say. That by grace, there will be no records of wrongs and that I will always choose to forgive…”

The singer-songwriter also wrote a song for her husband, titled Promise.

In a STAR interview late 2021 to promote her reimagined album Halfway Point, Moira said that they were ready and planning to take the next step in their marriage and have children. n

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • JUNE 3-9, 2022

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I-15 expansion aims to be done by late summer

By RealtoR

Fely Quitevis-Bateman

THINKING of ways to improve the experience of those using the Interstate 15 corridor to go to and from Las Vegas, governors from both states – Gov. Steve Sisolak of Nevad and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California – had announced last December that the five-mile stretch between the NevadaCalifornia border and Barstow, California will be expanded to help ease traffic congestion.

Caltrans officials, according to news reports recently, have said that the contract has gone out to bid, with the goal of having the expanded section open in a couple of months.

Originally slated to be done by July 4 (Independence Day for the United States), the project looks like it will be completed by late summer. Although the delay is a bit concerting to some, many are praising that the project is moving forward.

Officials are hoping that the bottleneck that happens at the state line will be eased by adding a third lane during peak hours. The $12 million project, funded by the California State Highway Account resources, will expand the five-mile segment between the Nevada border and the California Department of Food and Agriculture station to three miles. Per officials, this is where the majority of the congestion

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948 or send email to fely@precious-properties. com or fely.precious@gmail.com.

occurs.

At the moment, the interstate goes from three lanes on the Nevada side down to two lanes during the first handful of miles on the California side.

This project has been muchheralded by both officials, the trucking association and constant travelers to and from Las Vegas. About 20% of the millions of visitors to Las Vegas come from Southern California, and at times the traffic delay, especially during the weekends or holidays is a put-off for many prospective visitors.

This would, for sure, improve the travel experience for those using the I-15 as their main corridor for travel to and from Las Vegas for those coming from California. Aside from bringing in more business to the state, it will also ease the burden faced by major transport operations carrying goods into Nevada.

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas housing market experienced a little tumble in late spring as typical sales of singlefamily homes went down by 8.3% from March and 14.9% from April 2021, according to a report from the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Homebuilders’ net sales are also down by about 30% from March, the report cited, with builders’ total sales down 18 percent from the four-month stretch of January to April 2022 when compared to 2021 figures for the same period.

However, industry observers still consider Las Vegas a seller’s market overall as there is still a tight inventory of listings available.

Currently, mortgage prices continue on the upswing for many areas in the region. Southern Nevada single-family homes, for example, have a median sales price of $475,000, which is still an improvement over 2021 prices.

These are Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s (extreme left) investors, including the Comahig couple, who got approved by the Nye County Commission to build a 100-bed senior resort facility in Pahrump.

With Realtor Quitevis-Bateman in photo are Gerlie Comahig, RN, Wilmer Comahig, RN, Tim Evangelista and Glenda Evangelista. The Evangelistas are also looking for some business opportunities in Pahrump or Las Vegas.

Homes are still selling, but the expected downtrend in sales may be a result of some house hunters reexamining their budget and looking at homes they can afford, with mortgage costs continuing to rise.

If you are looking to purchase a new home, a vacation home or simply an investment for the future, now is the time to look at what the housing market has to offer in Las Vegas and other neighboring communities.

With Clark County expecting an influx of more than a million people by 2060, Las Vegas and its neighboring areas continue to be hot prospects for homebuyers and major businesses.

And that means a lot of people looking for housing and other real estate opportunities.

I have seen the development of areas Dr. Phil Paleracio (middle), one of Realtor Fely like Las Vegas and Pahrump through Quitevis-Bateman’s (left) investors in both Las the decades, and I have helped many Vegas and Pahrump, is the best dentist in town.

With them in photo is CPA Bing Longakit, Jr. who will be Realtor Quitevis-Bateman’s neighbor in June once they close escrow in one of the towers at Turnberry Place.

A commercial home office in Pahrump, approximately 2600 sqft on 20,000 sqft of land, will be available in the market soon.

of my clients find the right piece of land or housing for their budgets and needs. For some of my clients, they are now reaping the benefits of having invested in the market early – some are even looking for new opportunities now, as they look at the many projects that are in development in Las Vegas and other areas.

My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has successfully helped its clientele find the best deals since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-5592476 and 702-538-4948 for more information. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

(Advertising Supplement)

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JUNE 3-9, 2022 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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