061121 - New York & New Jersey Edition

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JUNE 11-17, 2021 Volume 14 - No. 32 • 16 Pages

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Yuka Saso wins US Women’s Open, becoming first Filipino player to win golf major tournament

by RITCHEL MENDIOLA

AND

AJPress

GOLF CHAMP. Filipino Americans celebrate with U.S. Women’s Open golf champion Yuka Saso at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, California on Sunday, June 6. Saso became the first Filipino ever to win a major golf event as she prevailed over Japan’s Nasa Hataoka in the sudden death playoff.

Photo courtesy of Robert Beck/United States Golf Association

DATELINE

CAROLINE GIOVANIE

FILIPINA Japanese golfer Yuka Saso has made history as the first player from the Philippines to win a golf major.

Saso, 19, claimed victory at the 76th U.S. Women’s Open golf championship at the Olympic Club in San Francisco on Sunday, June 6.

“My dream was to be world No. 1 and win the U.S. Open, but I wasn’t thinking I would hold this trophy this week,” Saso said during the press conference following her win.

After bouncing back from the two double bogeys in her first three holes, the Filipina teen triumphantly outlasted Japanese Nasa Hataoka in a sudden-death playoff in the final round.

Saso mentioned the two early double bogeys

USA

California Public Health urges public to report vaccine incentive scams

u PAGE 4

IATF relaxes rules for inbound travelers vaccinated in PH

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA

CELEBRATING PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY IN NEW YORK. Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Consul General Elmer G. Cato joined the officers of the Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. (PIDCI) in raising the flag at the Philippine Consulate General in New York as part of the commemoration of the 123rd anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence. PIDCI has been the moving force behind the biggest Independence Day parade and festival outside the Philippines but due to the coronavirus pandemic national day parades are still not allowed. A hybrid live/virtual gala celebration followed and was live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

Photo by Joyce Andes-David/PIDCI

MENDIOLA

AJPress

INBOUND travelers fully vaccinated in the Philippines will undergo a shorter quarantine period, according to Malacañang.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday, June 4, said that the InterAgency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the guidelines on inbound international travel to any port of the Philippines

u PAGE 2

A FILIPINO man was reportedly a victim of an unprovoked attack at a subway station in Manhattan.

In an ABC7 New York Eyewitness News exclusive, the 52-year-old Filipino from Queens, who asked not to show his face or use his name, said he was attacked around 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8 after getting off the 6 train at the 103rd Street station on the Upper East Side.

A man, possibly also Asian, was being attacked by another man yelling “go back to where you come from.” When the victim managed to escape, the assailant turned to the Filipino man, cornering him on the platform and then allegedly punched him in the

u PAGE 4

US to donate vaccines Duterte reluctant to run for vice to PH, other countries president, very keen to retire

by RITCHEL

AJPress

u PAGE 2

Filipino attacked at Manhattan subway station

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

THE California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is asking Californians to be aware of and to quickly report any indications of possible fraudulent or other questionable activities by individuals attempting to take advantage of the state’s recently announced COVID-19 vaccination incentive programs.

The first cash prize drawing of $116.5 million Vax for the Win incentives program

which seemed to doom her chances.

“I was actually upset,” she admitted about her poor start.

“My caddie talked to me and said there are still many holes to go and to keep doing what I’ve been doing the past few days,” she added.

“And to trust the process.”

She also thanked Filipinos for rooting for her

THE United States has announced that it will donate 7 million of its surplus COVID-19 vaccine doses to the Philippines and other Asian countries.

In an effort to end the pandemic globally, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden said 80 million vac-

cine doses will be distributed to various countries by the end of June 2021.

An initial batch of 25 million doses will be donated by the U.S., of which 19 million doses will be shared through the World Health Organization-led COVAX facility, while approximately 6 million will be shared directly with countries experienc-

u PAGE 4

by KRISSY

AGUILAR Inquirer.net

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has admitted he is reluctant to run as vice president in the 2022 national elections, saying he is now ready to retire.

“Mahirap yan Pastor kasi magretire na ako and this time, ako ang mamili ng presidente, tapos ‘pag manalo sabihin nila, ano lang yan, perpetuate yourself in power. So

u PAGE 4

President Rodrigo Duterte declares that he’s ready to go into retirement.

Inquirer.net file photo

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‘Nurse Unseen’: Documentary charting history, IATF relaxes rules for... humanity of Filipino nurses reaches fundraising goal

by Christina

M. Oriel and ritChel MendiOla AJPress

THE Kickstarter campaign for “Nurse Unseen,” an independent documentary that explores the history and humanity of Filipino nurses in the United States, has surpassed its goal and raised over $64,000 in a month.

The documentary team — led by Emmy Award-winning Filipina American filmmaker Michele Josue — started the fundraising campaign on May 6, National Nurses Day, to bring “Nurse Unseen” to life, encouraging people to pledge amounts ranging from $5 to $10,000, with different benefits from merchandise to film credits and a private community screening attached to each tier.

“When we launched our Kickstarter fundraising campaign on May 6th, National Nurses Day, we were excited and a bit nervous about not only whether we would be able to make our funding goal, but also about how ‘Nurse Unseen’ would be received,” Josue, whose previous projects include “Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine” and Netflix’s “Happy Jail,” told the Asian Journal.

The producers hoped to raise $50,000 by June 6 in an “all or nothing” challenge, which meant if the amount was not reached, the project would not get anything. As of this writing, a total of $64,382 was raised.

On May 31, the production team reached its goal and decided to “raise more money to offset the approx. 8% in Kickstarter fees that are charged to successful projects.” The move was done to further help the team’s considerable production costs.

They aimed to raise at least $55,000 by June 6, which was successfully met through the help of their community support-

The documentary team films at the home of Merlin Pambuan, a Filipina nurse who recovered after spending eight months in the hospital for COVID-19.

Photo courtesy of “Nurse Unseen”

“Nurse Unseen,” a forthcoming documentary featuring the history of Filipino nurses migrating to the United States, contains stories of frontliners who dedicated their lives to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo courtesy of “Nurse Unseen”

ers and backers.

“Now, having successfully come to the end of the campaign, we are truly humbled by the community’s overwhelming support for our film. We’ve been deeply touched by the many poignant stories people have shared with us — stories about loved ones who immigrated from the Philippines decades ago as well as stories of loss, love, and resilience in the face of the pandemic. Supporters from around the world have shared with us just how much the story of our unsung Filipino nurses means to them and how it deserves to be shown on screen,” Josue added.

“Nurse Unseen,” which will be the first documentary of its kind, dives into why troves of Filipino nurses left the Philippines to work in the U.S. health care system and why they have been so disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nurses of Filipino descent currently make up 4% of the nursing population in the U.S. During the pandemic, however, Filipino nurses have comprised 26.4% of registered nurse fatalities (or 83 individuals), according to the National Nurses United’s “Sins of Omissions” report, highlighting at least 329 RNs of different backgrounds who have died up until February 2021, as previously reported by the Asian Journal.

The production team also features individuals “whose personal histories and identities are so tied to nursing:” Josue’s sister Anna is co-producer and archival producer; producer Carlo Velayo whose credits include Isabel Sandoval’s “Lingua Franca” and Jessica M. Thompson’s “The Light Of The Moon”; co-producer Joe Arciaga, a Fil-Am nurse, writer and filmmaker; and co-producer Arlyn Dela Pena, a Fil-Am U.S. Army Veteran, RN, actress and producer based out of Hawaii and Los Angeles. n

PAGE 1 of all fully vaccinated individuals who have been inoculated in the Philippines.

“An individual shall be considered as having been fully vaccinated two or more weeks after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series, or two or more weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine,” explained Roque.

Vaccines administered to individuals in the Philippines should be included in either the country’s Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization list or through Compassionate Special Permit.

Roque added that fully vaccinated individuals must carry their vaccination cards “which must be verified prior to departure, and must be presented to a Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) representative for re-verification at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) One-Stop Shop upon arrival in the Philippines.”

Under the new guidelines, the fully vaccinated individuals who want to enter the Philippines will undergo a seven-day facility-based quarantine upon arrival.

“RT-PCR test shall only be done when the individual manifests COVID-19 symptoms within the seven-day quarantine,” Roque said.

For its part, the BOQ will conduct strict monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms during the quarantine period.

“After completing the seven-day facility-based quarantine, the BOQ shall issue a Quarantine Certificate indicating the individual’s vaccination status,” the spokesman added.

However, Roque stressed that the new guidelines don’t apply to fully vaccinated individuals who were inoculated abroad.

“Wala pa (There is no new) protocol for them,” he told Palace reporters through a text message.

Returning Filipinos and foreign nationals who have been fully vaccinated abroad will continue to undergo a 10-day facility-based isolation and take a swab test on the seventh day.

The IATF also ordered the National Economic and Development Authority as well as the departments of Health, Finance, Trade, and Foreign Affairs to provide recommendations to further relax testing and quarantine protocols for certain classes of travelers.

In May, the Department of Tourism proposed setting up a “green lane” that will facilitate the entry of foreign travelers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“The green lane will pave the way for the reopening of our tourist destinations to leisure travelers who are now fully vaccinated. It will give the jobs back to many of our tourism workers and gradually revive the tourism industry under safe conditions,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said on May 21.

“We must keep pace with our neighbors and the rest of the world in slowly reopening our tourist destinations. We must be ready for the visitors when the whole world is ready to safely travel again,” she added. n

Yuka Saso wins US Women’s Open, becoming first...

PAGE 1 during the championship.

“I’m just thankful that there’s so many people in the Philippines cheering for me,” Saso said. “I don’t know how to thank them. They gave me so much energy. I want to say thank you to everyone.”

The Filipina golfer managed to shake off the two early double bogeys and made back-to-back birdies and a par in the last three holes to end the fourth round with a 73, forcing a two-hole aggregate playoff on No. 9 and 18 with Hataoka for the U.S. Open Crown.

“I just don’t want to be selfish,” Saso said. “Everyone here is a great player.

If it’s their time, it’s their time, if it’s my time, it’s my time. I just want to cheer everybody.”

Saso also experienced a physical in-

convenience during the last few holes.

“After 18, I felt my stomach a little, it hurts, I don’t know why,” Saso said. “But I ate a banana and it feels better now.”

Meanwhile, American Lexi Thompson, who held a one-shot lead over Saso on Saturday, June 5, finished third after going 4-over par in the final round.

With her victory, Saso tied with South Korean Park In-bee as the youngest winners in the championship’s history at 19 years, 11 months and 17 days. She also earned her LPGA tour membership.

In order to develop her golfing career, Saso’s family traveled back and forth between the Philippines and the U.S. “When I turned nine, I told my parents I wanted to play golf. And I had to move back to the Philippines with my dad. My dad goes back and forth with my broth-

ers and sisters. I think that’s the biggest sacrifice they did. All I have now is to thank them. I wouldn’t be here without them,” she said.

She also credits watching YouTube clips of Rory Mcllroy winning his first major at the U.S. Open in 2011, and said she patterned her swing after him.

Saso became pro in 2019 after meriting her LPGA card, and has won two titles on the Japanese tour.

The 76th edition of the U.S. Women’s Open marked the first time that it has been played at the hilly and challenging Olympic Club, the oceanside course that has hosted five men’s U.S. Opens.

Next year’s tournament will be played at Pine Needles Golf Club in North Carolina before it returns to California at Pebble Beach in 2023. n

In addition to becoming the first Filipino champ at the U.S. Women’s Open, Yuka Saso tied with South Korean Park In-bee as the youngest winners in the championship’s history at 19 years, 11 months and 17 days.

Photo courtesy of United States Golf Association

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From the Front Page

WHO warns vs relaxing health protocols

by Sheila

CriSoStomo Philstar.com

AMID proposals to stop requiring the use of face shields, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday, June 7 cautioned against relaxing the Philippines’ minimum public health standards against COVID-19.

At a public briefing, WHO country representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe said it is not advisable to reduce compliance with basic health protocols since the Philippines’ vaccine coverage is still low.

“We know that it’s way too early with coverage so low to go there as yet. So we have to be very careful in the messaging,” he noted.

Abeyasinghe added that in “reality,” the supply of COVID-19 vaccines is “still a challenge,” but they are expecting to see “increasingly larger quantities” in the next

two to three months.

He gave assurance that the WHO remains committed to providing vaccines to 20% of the country’s population through the COVAX Facility.

“As we’ve said from the beginning, the COVAX Facility is committed to adding vaccines to protect 20% of the Philippine population. And we are optimistic, particularly (during) our last donors’ meeting,” he said.

Abeyasinghe added that “subject to manufacturing capacities,” COVAX will be able to honor this commitment and “deliver vaccines to protect the most vulnerable 20% in the Philippines.”

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) meanwhile is pushing for easing of restrictions for fully vaccinated senior citizens or those 65 years old and above, and shorter quarantine period for vaccinated travelers.

During the commitment ceremony to mark the start of the vaccination of A4 priority group or economic frontliners on Monday, June 7 Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the government would want individuals who have been inoculated against COVID-19 to enjoy some benefits.

He said the DTI would want fully vaccinated senior citizens or those 65 years old and above to be allowed to step outside their residences.

In an interview with dzBB yesterday, he said this has been proposed to the InterAgency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease and is currently being studied.

He said it could be allowed initially only in the morning and further easing may be considered.

“If the health experts say that the benefit of getting vaccinated is that if ever one

is infected by COVID-19, the person’s case won’t get severe and he or she won’t die, the risk is more managed,” he said in a Viber message to reporters, emphasizing minimum health protocols would still have to be observed.

He said this would also be a good incentive for other seniors to get inoculated.

In terms of domestic travel, he said the government is looking at having a shorter quarantine period for those who have been vaccinated.

As for foreign travelers, he said the government also wants them to have a shorter quarantine when they get a negative swab test result.

“That is a big help also to investors. A lot of investors are really wanting to get in but are discouraged by the long quarantine,” he said.

As vaccination of the A4 priority group composed of PAGE 7

Filipino attacked at Manhattan subway...

PAGE 1 face multiple times.

The suspect also reportedly told the Filipino man to “go back to where you came from.”

“It seemed so random and so sudden,” the victim told Eyewitness News.

“Kinda realized it’s potentially a hate crime because of what the man was shouting and what was said,” he added.

The aftermath of the attack left the victim with a bloody nose and a face covered with bruises.

According to Filipino man, the suspect appeared relatively young, possibly in his 20s or 30s.

He also noted that the suspect “didn’t appear homeless, but he did seem to be mentally ill.”

The victim told Eyewitness News

that he was “not afraid” or “even angry,” adding that he’s speaking out to help raise awareness about anti-Asian hate.

“Just a little bit worried that something so random could happen and could happen to anyone else,” the victim said.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York issued a statement as it urged Filipinos in the area “to remain vigilant, especially when taking the subway, due to rising criminality.”

“We strongly condemn this latest anti-Asian hate crime that targeted a member of the Filipino Community in New York City. We call on authorities to take the necessary steps to protect members of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander Community, including addressing the mental health concerns

of 40 percent of homeless individuals in New York City,” the statement read.

Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition that tracks anti-Asian American discrimination, reported that it received 6,603 hate incidents against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) from March 19, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

Of the 6,603 incidents reported, 4,193 hate incidents occurred in 2020 and 2,410 of hate incidents occurred in 2021.

To address the anti-Asian hate crimes that have risen since the start of the pandemic, Congress passed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which would expedite the Department of Justice’s review of such crimes. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law last May. (AJPress) n

US to donate vaccines to PH, other countries...

PAGE 1 ing surges as well as partners and neighbors of the U.S. Included in the 19 million doses shared through COVAX are the 7 million doses that will be distributed to the Philippines and other regions in Asia.

“Approximately 7 million for Asia to the following countries and entities: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands,” the White House said in a fact sheet on Thursday, June 3.

For its part, the U.S. Embassy in Manila confirmed the inclusion of the Philippines among the countries receiving U.S.-donated vaccines.

“The initial tranche of at least 25 million doses, the Philippines will be included. And I think that as we continue to see vaccine production increase in the months to come, that we’ll be going to see in every increasing stronger mo-

mentum of vaccine delivery from the U.S. to countries all around the world, and certainly the Philippines is going to be an important part of that,” Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John Law said in a virtual briefing on Friday, June 4.

However, Law didn’t provide a specific date for the delivery of the Philippines’ portion, noting that the White House needs to consider logistical aspects first.

“The White House is currently looking at not only the logistical aspects but also, of course, each country may have different regulatory aspects, we’re talking about different as well, so I think the White House needs a little bit of time to sort those out but I would expect the announcement very soon,” he said Globally, over 172 million COVID-19 cases have been confirmed, with more than three million deaths.

In the Philippines, a total of 1,255,337 infections have been confirmed, with 21,537 fatalities and 1,173,006 recoveries. n

WATER WORLD. Rather than sulk, residents of K-6th Street in Kamuning, Quezon City swim in floodwaters on Tuesday, June 8. About three hours of rain flooded low-lying areas in the city.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

California Public Health...

PAGE 1 kicked off on June 4 to motivate residents to get vaccinated before the state’s reopening on June 15.

Following the drawing, members of the public notified the state of scammers impersonating state officials through calls, email, text, and direct messages on social media.

If you encounter a possible vaccine incentive scam, please email rumors@cdph.ca.gov or call the Vax for the Win incentives hotline at 1-833-993-3873.

There is no process for entry in the Vax for the Win program. All vaccinated individuals are automatically entered.

Winners can decline the prize and/or remain anonymous.

The privacy of winners is protected. Only CDPH knows the identity of the person associated with the random number drawn.

Winners will be notified by CDPH officials through an official “State of CA CDPH” caller and text ID, a CDPH email address, or in person by CDPH staff.

Winners will not be asked to pay any fees associated with verifying eligibility for the cash prize.

Winners will not be asked to provide their bank information.

CDPH will email winners an official state government form to be awarded their winnings. A check will be mailed to the winner by the State Controller’s Office. (AJPress)

Duterte reluctant to run...

PAGE 1 nagreresist ako (The situation is difficult, Pastor, because I will retire and I will choose the candidate for president, but if any of them wins, they will say ‘it’s only a way to perpetuate yourself in power.’ So I resisted it),” Duterte said when asked about possibly running for the vice presidency in an interview with Pastor Apollo Quiboloy aired Tuesday, June 8.

“Ako naman, I’m ready for retirement,” he went on.

If there is one thing he is proud of during his term as president, Duterte said it would be “exposing” the country’s oligarchy.

“But if you ask me, what is my greatest achievement in a very humble [way], ako Pastor, I exposed the oligarchy in the Philippines,” he said.

Duterte mentioned the water concessionaires whom he had repeatedly threatened to sue due to the “onerous” contracts with the government.

Asked what his plans are after the presidency, Duterte said: “Uwi ng Davao, retire. (Go home to Davao and retire.)”

Duterte’s party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has formally urged him to run for vice president in the 2022 national elections.

Malacañang has said the president was still in the process of deciding on his future for 2022. n

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OPINION

5

FEATURES

A breath of fresh air

Philstar.com photo

AFTER an unending stream of bad news since the start of the COVID pandemic, the victory of Yuka Saso in the U.S. Women’s Open provides a much needed breath of fresh air in the Philippines.

The 19-year-old Filipinoapanese golfer’s historic eat also raises hopes that he Philippines might finally bag an elusive gold medal in he Olympics – if the Games push through his year in Tokyo despite the COVID pandemic.

Saso first grabbed national attention at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, wherein she bagged two gold medals. The next year she urned pro. Last year despite the pandemic, she won her first tournament sponsored by he Japan Ladies’ Professional Golf Association. Saso’s journey to glory in the U.S. Women’s Open in San Francisco last Sunday, une 6 shows the dedication and discipline needed for excelling in international sports.

As early as age eight, Saso had reportedly expressed interest in becoming a top-ranked player. Her Japanese father Masakazu then

moved his Filipina wife and their children back to the Philippines, where the cost of living including playing golf is cheaper. The father laid out a grueling training schedule for his daughter. Before beginning her golf swings, Saso would start her day with a run at 5:30 a.m. followed by 10 sets of 50- and 100-meter sprints while wearing two-kilogram weights.

After 30 minutes of repetitive side step jumping, the golf training would start.

Her defeat of Japanese golfer Nasa Hataoka in the U.S. Women’s Open boosted Saso’s place in the Rolex Rankings from 40th to ninth. Her victory should also provide inspiration to other aspiring athletes in the Philippines. With rigorous training, discipline, sufficient resources and an abiding love of the chosen field, Filipinos can excel in international sports. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective

GEL SANTOS-RELOS

POLL after poll reveals that a majority of the American people, about 6 out of 10, want the Infrastructure Plan proposed by President Joe Biden to come to fruition.

The plan will create jobs hat will expand the middle class and help the United States become more compettive in the 21st century, and yet why are the Republicans not heeding the will of their

A majority of Americans support Biden’s infrastructure plan. But why are Republicans blocking it?

constituents and the majority of the American people?

According to the reporting of CBS News in April, which reflects the same results among other polls nationwide: “58% approve of the administration’s infrastructure proposal. This includes 90% of Democrats and a 57%-majority of independents, but only 19% of Republicans. People of color approve of the plan in large numbers, while White Ameri-

cans are split fairly evenly, divided by partisanship and ideology.”

The overwhelming support for Biden’s Infrastructure Plan amid the pandemic gives hope of a better, brighter and stronger America because Americans know and believe that what it aims to accomplish will help make their lives better, and will not just benefit the billionaires and millionaires and rich corporate America.

“Americans broadly approve of Congress passing bills to fund a variety of types of infrastructure spending. At least 3 in 4 approve of spending additional federal money on five areas of investment, when asked generally without Biden’s name or either party attached. Most popular is building or repairing American roads and bridges (87%), the report revealed.

“Close behind that are replacing or repairing water

pipes (85%) and providing more home care for the elderly (83%), followed by installing broadband internet in rural areas (78%) and building public schools (73%). Each of these items finds majority approval among Democrats, independents and Republicans alike,” the CBS News report stated.

The plan will also build more rail lines as the United States of America — supposedly the richest and most

powerful country in the world — is lagging behind Japan, Europe, and other progressive countries. It also aims to set up electric car charging stations, provide internet access to rural America that will empower them with access to information. These are also supported by closer to six in 10 Americans.

How do we pay for the $ 2 trillion Infrastructure Plan?

By raising revenues, and imPAGE 10

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Gibo offers to be Sara Duterte’s VP

by Keith

Calayag ManilaTimes.net

NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY

EVERYDAY

9:00am - 11:00am

FORMER Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said he is willing to be the running mate of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio if she decides to run for president in 2022.

Teodoro made the announcement in a television interview on Monday, June 7, a week after he met with Duterte-Carpio in Davao City.

Teodoro told ANC’s “Headstart” that the meeting was arranged by former representative Rolando “Nonoy” Andaya Jr. whom he consulted after many people prodded him to run next year.

“Nonoy Andaya thought that it would be good for me to meet up with Mayor Sara and my impression of Mayor Sara talking about issues was that she will make a very good president of this country,” he said.

If Duterte-Carpio does run,

Former Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. ManilaTimes.net photo

“I would gladly be her vice president if she should decide,” he said.

Teodoro said Duterte-Carpio has the “independent mind” and “managerial skills” to be a good president.

He made it clear that a team-up with President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter is

not yet a done deal, as Andaya claimed.

If the mayor decides to run and chooses him as her running mate, Teodoro said he will likely run as an independent candidate.

Teodoro, who was the Lakas-CMD (Lakas–Christian PAGE 7

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Gibo offers to be Sara Duterte’s... Pacquiao expects ‘hard’ fight at MGM

PAGE 1 Muslim Democrats) standard-bearer in 2010, said he is no longer affiliated with the party.

“I do not want to be bound by preexisting promises and conditions,” he said.

Teodoro, who was Defense chief under former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, said Arroyo had nothing to do with his Davao visit.

He said his political comeback is driven by the “calling” to help Filipinos who are struggling through the coronavirus pandemic.

Asked if he will still run if Duterte-Carpio spurns his offer, Teodoro said: “I can’t say right now. All I can say right now is that I think she will be a good president.”

Improper Meanwhile, former Negros Occidental governor Rafael “Lito” Coscolluela, one of the convenors of the 1Sambayan coalition, described a Duterte daughter-father team-up as “highly improper and shame-

less.”

“This is tantamount to running for reelection, which is too bad because in the spirit and intent of the Constitution, the president should serve only for one term without reelection,” Coscolluela said.

The newly formed coalition plans to put up a united opposition that will challenge the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipinas-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in next year’s elections.

There is a clamor in the PDP-Laban to field a DuterteDuterte tandem.

“I believe this is part of a scenario that in case they win, he (President Duterte) will still call the shots,” Coscoluella said.

On June 12, 1Sambayan will launch an online portal application to bring together members and nonmembers who want to participate in “a democratic selection process of choosing their candidates for president, vice president

and senators,” he said.

By August, the coalition could come up with its lineup of candidates so they could file their certificates of candidacy by October, he said.

On Monday, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. blasted 1Sambayan for claiming that Filipinos will reject a teamup of President Duterte and his daughter.

“See you on election day.

Taumbayan po ang magdedesisyon diyan (The people will decide on that),” Roque said.

He cited surveys showing that less than 5 percent of Filipinos do not support the President.

Roque also lashed out at former senator Antonio Trillanes 4th for saying that he wanted any member of the Duterte family to run so Filipinos can reject them in the elections.

“I’m afraid he (Trillanes) cannot claim to be the spokesperson of the people of this country,” he said. n

WHO warns vs relaxing...

PAGE 4 workers from both the public and private sector has begun, he said the economy is getting its much needed shot in the arm.

Asked when businesses could operate at 100%, he said this could happen when herd immunity is achieved or even when 50 to 70% of the population has been vaccinated.

He said according to vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, 70% of the population could be inoculated within the year.

During the same event, the private sector led by presidential adviser for entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion vowed to support the national vaccination program and educate and encourage their employees on the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

“We commit to help reopen the economy and jumpstart its recovery safely for our workers to go back to their jobs,” he said.

Spurring the economy Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said authorities should consider the relaxation of requirements for COVID-19 testing and quarantine protocols on all fully vaccinated tourists – both foreign and local – to help spur the slow reopening of the country’s economy.

“If we’re easing travel re-

strictions on fully vaccinated Filipinos returning from trips abroad, I don’t see any reason why we should exclude those fully vaccinated foreign and local tourists as they are similarly situated,” said Gatchalian, vice chair of the Senate economic affairs committee.

“Besides, there’s more to gain economically speaking as it will bring back the workers in the tourism sector.”

In the new policy announced by the Department of Health (DOH) and the IATF on June 4, Filipinos who were vaccinated in the Philippines and went abroad will now only need to undergo sevenday quarantine when they return home.

An RT-PCR or swab test will only be done if symptoms manifest during the quarantine period. The inbound traveler must carry a vaccination card which must be verified prior to departure and checked upon arrival in the Philippines.

However, the IATF did not mention if this “green lane” policy is applicable to returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and travelers already vaccinated abroad.

Sen. Bong Go for his part urged local government units (LGUs) particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao to come up with creative ideas to ramp up their vaccination efforts and fast-track the roll-

out in order to reach a wider population in accordance with the prioritization order.

Go asked LGUs and authorities in charge of the vaccine rollout to ensure that the vaccines in their possession are immediately distributed and utilized to those eligible for inoculation.

“To the LGUs, let’s intensify vaccination. Don’t keep the stocks with you. Many already want to be vaccinated but are waiting. Let’s speed up the vaccine distribution system,” Go said.

Go also encouraged members of vaccination priority groups, particularly senior citizens, to get vaccinated to sustain the expansion of the national vaccination program.

He reminded vaccinated individuals to complete their COVID-19 doses as he suggested the intensification of the vaccine information campaign to encourage them to get their second dose.

While COVID-19 remains a threat, Go is optimistic about the progress of the country’s pandemic response, including its vaccination efforts.

He said Filipinos should not imitate Americans who have no use for face shields, maintaining that stricter health protocols have worked in the Philippines’ favor. (With reports by Louella Desiderio and Cecille Suerte Felipe) n

by Joaquin

Henson Philstar.com

MANILA — Super WBA welterweight champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao said on Monday, June 7 he expects a “hard” fight against WBC/IBF ruler Errol Spence Jr. when they square off in a scheduled 12-round unification showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Aug. 21 and while declining to make a prediction of the outcome, promised an action-packed duel.

Pacquiao admitted being “a little behind” in his training schedule but “not by much” as he was set to head for camp in General Santos City City on Thursday, June 10. While formal camp is yet to open, Pacquiao has stayed in shape doing roadwork, hitting the gym and playing basketball so it’s not as if his conditioning will start from scratch. Long-time hands Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri will watch over his workouts then the Pacquiao team packs up to leave for Los Angeles in the first week of July to hook up with Freddie Roach at the Wild

Manny Pacquiao

Photo from Instagram/@mannypacquiao

Card Gym. A media tour to promote the fight in key US cities may be held after Pacquiao arrives in LA. In training, Pacquiao said his priority is to build up stamina as the fight against Spence may be a war of attrition. His other goals are to strengthen his upper body, raise his level of power and drop a few pounds to get lighter so he’s quicker on his feet. He’s watched some film of Spence’s fights, studying

his movements, tendencies and habit punches. Pacquiao declined to give hints of how he intends to battle Spence, noting his strategy is a secret.

Pacquiao said working hard in training is the key to a solid performance in the ring. “To make boxing easier, do your best not to be flat-footed in training because what you do in training, you can adapt to the PAGE 10

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PH elected VP of 76th United Nations General Assembly

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines was elected as one of the vice presidents of the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) for 2021-2022.

Ambassador Enrique Manalo, permanent representative of the Philippines to the United Nations, will represent the Philippines at the session.

“I look forward to working with the president of the General Assembly and representing the Philippines as vice president of the 76th Session.

Together with the other vice presidents, I will work collaboratively with colleagues to contribute efficiently towards addressing the complex issues the UN faces,” Manalo said.

The election for the vice presidents was held on June 7 following the election for president of the UNGA of the 76th session, in which Minister Abdullah Shahid of the Maldives was elected after a secret ballot, with Dr. Zalmai Rassoul of Afghanistan as the other PGA candidate.

The nomination of the Philippines as vice president was endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Group through a silence procedure last May 12, along with three other VP candidates to represent the 54member states of the AsiaPacific Group: Bangladesh, Kuwait and Lao PDR. There are 18 VPs across all regions, which include the African Group, Group of the Latin American and Caribbean States, Western European

and other States Group, Eastern European Group, also elected by acclamation.

Phl renews commitment to fight corruption Meanwhile, the Philippines renewed its commitment to fight corruption by nurturing a culture of integrity through prevention, deterrence and implementation.

During a statement at the UNGA special session on corruption, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. noted that “the merest prejudicial disparity in a bid invites a charge of corruption,” and that “corruption strikes at the life and soul of nations, killing the credibility and therefore viability of states which are nations’ political expression, encouraging the deadly, fast-spreading virus of public cynicism that kills love of country.”

He added that the Philippines’ fight against corruption is not all punitive but also recognizes integrity.

Locsin cited the Seal of Good Local Governance Act that rewards transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, the Anti-Terrorism Act that fills gaps in the investigation and prosecution of money laundering especially for terrorism financing, and the Philippine Government Procurement and Reform Act that requires the presence of civil society observers in local and national government bidding procedures in public procurement.

The secretary also highlighted the creation of the joint oversight committees under the Bayanihan to Heal

as One and Bayanihan to Recover as One laws as a response to the pandemic.

The Special Session of the General Assembly on challenges and measures to prevent and combat corruption and strengthen international cooperation was convened

by General Assembly president Volkan Bozkir pursuant to General Assembly resolutions 73/191 and 74/276, as well as Decisions 74/568 and 75/562.

In his statement, Bozkir urged policymakers to leverage the special session to take concrete measures to prevent and address corruption, saying in his remarks that “corruption corrodes public trust, weakens the rule of law, seeds conflict, undermines human rights and hinders efforts to achieve the targets of the 2030 Agenda.”

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammad stressed that corruption in public service delivery increases costs, lowers quality and distorts the allocation of resources.

She encouraged the General Assembly to use the special session on corruption as an opportunity to chart a different path forward through a transparent, inclusive and accountable approach to governance that will strengthen the social contract between State and people.

“Expectations are high,” she stated, “I encourage you to lead by example, by realizing the commitments you have made in the draft declaration, with the support of the United Nations system.” n

More Filipinos fishing in West Philippine Sea by

eireene Jairee gomez ManilaTimes.net

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Tuesday, June 8 reported that more Philippine commercial fishing vessels have been spotted in the West Philippine Sea. Agriculture Secretary William Dar attributed this development to the increased presence of vessels deployed

by BFAR and the Philippine Coast Guard. The fisheries bureau is under the Department of Agriculture.

BFAR said that more than a hundred commercial fishing vessels were seen in the West Philippine Sea since January this year. These included 108 commercial fishing vessels coming from Bataan and Zambales, 20 from Pangasinan, 19 from Palawan, and 2 from Occidental Mindoro.

“The West Philippine Sea is a rich source of fish for the Philippines, contributing significantly to the country’s food security. Our increased presence in the area, through the DA-BFAR’s floating assets, is the Department of

Agriculture’s way of ensuring that our fisherfolk are able to enjoy access to our fishery and aquatic resources in the WPS while ensuring at the same time that these activities are within sustainable and rational means,” Dar said in a statement.

The DA deployed five Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) vessels and one multi-mission offshore vessel at the Kalayaan Island Group, and one MCS vessel at the Bajo de Masinloc to provide assistance and protection to Filipino fisherfolk. n

ITALIAN VIBE. Shoppers at a Taguig City mall take a break with boat rides that give a feel of Italy’s Venice Grand Canal on Monday, June 7. Malls are operating amid the COVID-19 pandemic but enforcing strict health protocols.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dala

Pacquiao expects ‘hard’ fight at...

PAGE 7 fight,” he said. “The most important thing is to do in training twice or thrice more than what you do in a fight. If you do a combination of eight punches in training, you’ll probably do only two or three in a fight but you’re ready to go all out.”

Pacquiao confirmed that the fight will be at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, ending speculation that it may be brought to the 72,000-seat Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders football team. “It’ll

be a good fight,” he said. “A lot of world titles will be at stake. Spence is unbeaten, younger. But I’m confident, I have the experience, speed and power.” Pacquiao was installed the early underdog but over the last few days, the odds have gone down from +300 to +260. “It was the same trend when I fought (Keith) Thurman,” he said. “In the beginning, he was the favorite but as people found out how I was training and saw my speed and power hadn’t changed, the odds reversed by the time the fight started.” n

A majority of Americans support...

PAGE 5 plementing an equitable way to do it — asking the powerful billionaires and millionaires and corporate America to pay their equitable share.

“To pay for infrastructure, most Americans would favor raising taxes on both large corporations and people making over $400,000 annually — seven in 10 each. Both of these measures find support among approximately half of Republicans, as well as large majorities of Democrats and independents. By contrast, only four in 10 Americans would support raising taxes specifically on people who use roads and bridges more,” CBS News reported.

And yet, the Republican Party continues to obstruct the plans, not so much because of the cost of the plan because they had been willing to splurge, at taxpayers’ money, Trump’s lavish lifestyle, provide support for manufacturing guns and war weapons and warfare against people of color around the world, and give handouts and bailouts to the richest and most powerful demographics of America — who are mostly their most generous campaign donors.

But why, oh why, are they not worried and mindful of our deficit when their agenda caters to the interests of the richest and most powerful people, lobbyists and corporations?

Yet, they are so fiscally conservative and frugal in investing in ordinary hardworking Americans?

It is about time this ends as this inequitable system just makes the richest richer and the poor poorer in America, a country founded on the principle that all men are created equal.

The Constitution is clear that the government is of the people, by the people, for the people, and it is time we, the People, reclaim that power.

Call, email, and bang on the doors of your senators and representatives to remind them of their Constitutional duties to look after you and defend your interests.

If these Republicans in Congress remain remiss in fulfilling their Constitutional duty to us, the People they vowed to serve, let President Joe Biden and the Democrats and Independents in Congress forego the goal of bipartisanship, break the gridlock in any way legally possible.

ENOUGH! *** 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 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.

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COMMUNITY Journal

New Biden memo limits deportations, can you benefit?

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ ON May 27, 2021, the Biden administration issued a memo entitled “Interim Guidance to OPLA Attorneys Regarding Civil Immigration Enforcement and Removal Policies and Priorities.” That memo could benefit so many people who are in deportation or removal proceedings, or are concerned they may be placed in deportation or removal proceedings.

Basically, this memo instructs OPLA attorneys on

how and when to exercise prosecutorial discretion.

What is OPLA? OPLA means “Office of the Principal Legal Advisor,” which are basically the government attorneys who prosecute deportation or removal proceedings. They are like trial attorneys or prosecutors.

What is “prosecutorial discretion”? According to the memo, “prosecutorial discretion is the long-standing authority of an agency charged with enforcing the law to decide where to focus its resources and whether or how to enforce, or not to enforce, the law against an individual.” In other words, the discretion to decide if the government will bring removal proceedings against a person, or

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even drop proceedings if the person qualifies under the memo.

This memo instructs OPLA attorneys to focus primarily on what is called “enforcement and removal priority cases,” and be more flexible and lenient with other types of cases.

According to the memo, there are three categories of cases that are “presumed to be enforcement and removal priorities for ICE personnel” and the government should prioritize agency resources on removing people who fit in these categories: 1. National security.

This includes noncitizens who have engaged in or are suspected of terrorism or PAGE 12

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CATCH PART 2 OF CITIZEN PINOY’S VERY FIRST VIRTUAL Q&A ON U.S. IMMIGRATION – AXG: ABUNDA AND GURFINKEL. Asia’s King of Talk, Boy Abunda, and U.S. immigration attorney, Michael J. Gurfinkel, lead the discussion in the first virtual forum where Atty.

Gurfinkel provides answers and relevant information to viewers’ immigration questions. Nico, from Quezon City, Philippines, would like to know if the name difference on his passport and his birth certificate will be an issue when he goes to the U.S. Embassy for his interview. Angel wants to know if she needs to return to the Philippines for her U.S. Embassy interview.

She fears that if she leaves the U.S., she might be banned from returning since she is currently out-of-status. These questions and more from the “rapid consultations” will be answered in Part 2 of Citizen Pinoy presents AXG: Abunda and Gurfinkel, this Sunday, June 13 at 5:30 PM PT (8:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

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Citizen Pinoy presents AXG: Abunda and Gurfinkel (Part 2) this Sunday

THIS Sunday, Citizen Pinoy brings more of the questions answered during their very first virtual Q&A held via Zoom.

AXG: Abunda and Gurfinkel, moderated by Asia’s King of Talk, Boy Abunda, and leading U.S. immigration attorney, Michael J. Gurfinkel, provide answers and relevant immigration information to guests and viewers.

In the second installment, Nico, from Quezon City in the Philippines,

relates that the petition from his father is current. However, the name on his passport is different from the name on his birth certificate. Will this be an issue when he goes for his Embassy interview later this year?

Angel arrived in the U.S. as a tourist in 2010. Her mother petitioned her in 2013, and now, she got a letter from the NVC telling her to prepare for her Embassy interview in Manila. Angel wants to know if she must go back to the Philippines for her interview. She

is worried that if she leaves the U.S., she might be banned from returning, as she is currently out-of-status.

These and more immigration questions will be answered in the second installment of “Citizen Pinoy presents AXG: Abunda and Gurfinkel,” this Sunday, June 13 at 5:30 PM PT (8:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers). Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free.

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New Biden memo limits deportations...

PAGE 11 espionage or are otherwise a threat to the national security of the U.S. 2. Border security. This includes noncitizens who were “apprehended at the border or at a port of entry [like an airport] while attempting to unlawfully enter the U.S. on or after November 1, 2020.”

3. Public safety. This includes noncitizens who have been convicted of an “aggravated felony,” or are members of criminal street gangs.

For other types of cases, ICE and OPLA attorneys may consider whether or not to exercise “prosecutorial discretion,” which includes: • Deciding whether to assume custody of a noncitizen who is subject to a previously issued detainer.

(A detainer is a notice to local law enforcement agencies that ICE wants to assume custody of a person who’s about to be released from jail, so they can be deported) • Deciding whether to issue, reissue, serve, file or cancel a notice to appear or NTA • Deciding whether to focus resources only on administrative violations or conduct • Deciding whether to stop, question, or arrest a noncitizen for an administrative violation of the civil immigration laws • Deciding whether to detain or release a noncitizen from custody • Deciding whether to settle, dismiss, oppose or join in a motion on a case, narrow the issues in dispute, or pursue an appeal in removal proceedings • Deciding whether to agree to administratively

close or continue a case, while the noncitizen pursues other forms of relief • Deciding when and under what circumstances to execute final orders of removal; and • Deciding whether to grant deferred action or parole, which is basically an agreement not to deport a person at the present time.

This memo also instructs OPLA attorneys on the various mitigating (favorable) and aggravating (negative) factors they should evaluate on whether or not to exercise prosecutorial discretion. Mitigating or favorable factors include: • length of residence in the U.S. • military service • family or community ties in the U.S. • circumstances of the person’s arrival in the U.S. and their manner of entry.

Did they sneak across the border? Did they enter on a fraudulent visa? Etc. • prior immigration history • current immigration status, especially when they are already a lawful permanent resident or green card holder • work history in the U.S. • education in the U.S. • status as a victim, witness, or plaintiff in a civil or criminal proceeding • whether the person has potential immigration relief available, such as they just married a U.S. citizen, or have a 21-year-old U.S. citizen child, who wants to petition them • contributions to the community • compelling humanitarian factors, including poor health, age, pregnancy, status as a child, or status as a primary caregiver of a seri-

ously ill relative in the U.S. I know many people are caregivers to elderly, sickly people, and this would seem to be a very favorable factor.

There are also several aggravating or negative factors, where OPLA may not be willing to exercise prosecutorial discretion, and instead will continue to go after the person for removal, including: • Criminal history, participation in persecution or other human rights violation, extensiveness and seriousness of prior immigration violations, or fraud or misrepresentation.

People who believe they may be eligible may request prosecutorial discretion from OPLA attorneys.

Even if no request is made, the OPLA attorneys should examine cases themselves and determine whether a favorable exercise of discretion may be appropriate. I remember during the Obama administration, we had clients in removal proceedings, and the government attorneys called us up, asking if WE would agree to have the case dismissed or closed. They could also join in motions to reopen, re-calendar, or motions for other forms of immigration relief. That’s how prosecutorial discretion could work.

If you are in deportation or removal proceedings, or if you were previously ordered removed, but now have a way to apply for immigration benefits, and you are not one of the enforcement priorities, I would recommend that you consult with an attorney, who can evaluate your case and determine if you could be eligible for relief by way of seeking prosecutorial

discretion, which could include reopening your case or having it dismissed, and the like. The attorney could negotiate with the OPLA attorney, or package your request for prosecutorial discretion depending on the circumstances of your case.

This breaking development is great news, as it is a radical departure from the Trump administration, where everybody was considered an enforcement priority, and the government seems to want to deport everybody who had even the most minor immigration violation. * * * Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California.

Each case is different, and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Fo l l o w u s o n Fa c e b o o k . com/GurfinkelLaw, YouTube: US Immigration TV and Instagram. com/gurfinkellaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES

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Vegan longevity Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS “AnimAls are my friends, and i don’t eat my friends.”

– George Bernard shaw DIET plays a very important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases and some forms of cancer, especially of the gastrointestinal tract. One particular diet – high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and low in fiber – consisting mainly of red meats (pork, beef, nonskim dairy products, etc.) and eggs, has been linked to more than half a million deaths from heart attacks each year in the U.S. alone.

This translates to one person dying from cardiovascular illness every 60 seconds.

And this does not even include the mortality from cancer, etc.

Vegetables and fruits Vegetables and fruits have phytochemicals that are good for our body. Twentythree epidemiological studies have shown that a diet rich in grains and vegetables reduces the risk of colon cancer by 40%, and breast cancer by 25%. Some of the hundreds of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables are lycophene, ellagic acid, lutein, flavanoids, saponins, monoterpenes, phthalides, phenols, ajoene, cassaicin, coumestrol, genistein, sulforaphane, zeanthin. Our mothers were right in cajoling us to eat vegetables and fruits while we were growing up. Too bad, most of us didn’t listen. But since we are now wiser and know better, let’s educate our own children and persuade them to eat more vegetables and fruits – and less animal meat – for better health. The incidence of cancers, heart and kidney diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity among vegetarians is much lower than among meateaters. Veggies and fruits in capsules are most inadequate and expensive.

Types of vegetarians Vegetarians come in three forms: (1) Lacto-ovo vegetarians, whose diet consists of vegetables, dairy products and eggs, no meat or flesh of any kind (pork, beef, lamb, poultry, fish and seafood); (2) Lacto-vegetarians who do not eat eggs, but eat vegeta-

bles, fruits and milk; and, (3) Vegans or pure vegetarians, who do not eat any food or food products of animal origin, including milk and eggs, and susbsist on vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits only.

Most vegans also do not buy or use animal products, such as those made of leather, fur, feather, ivory, etc., all of which involves the killing of animals.

Imported from England The Rev. William Metcalfe of England, together with his friend, Sylvester Graham, a young Presbyterian minister and 40 other English church members, brought the vegetarian way of life to the United States in 1817. For thousands of years, being a vegetarian was a part of socio-cultural-religious practice around the globe, most notably in the Far East. Many people around the world today choose to be vegetarians for health reasons.

Vegetarian Who’s Who If you are a vegetarian, you’re in good company.

Some of the famous vegetarians include Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, Leonardo da Vinci, Buddha, Plutarch, John Milton, Sir Isaac Newton, Mahatma Gandhi, The Dalai Lama, Benjamin Franklin, Shakespeare, Vincent Van Gogh, Leo Tolstoy, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Voltaire, Albert Schweitzer, George Bernard Shaw, Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Rabindranath Tagore, Mark Twain, Robert Browning, Linda and Paul McCartney, John Denver, Richard Gere, Kim Bassinger, Steven Spielberg, Cameron Diaz and Josh Hartnett.

Was Jesus a vegetarian?

Knowledge as recorded in the Bible about how the Essenes, the Nazoreans and Ebionites lived suggests that Christ was probably a vegetarian. He was vehemently against animal sacrifices.

Matthew and Peter were said to be vegetarians. The brother of Jesus, James the Just, the first head of the church in Jerusalem after the death of Christ, was raised as a vegetarian. If Jesus’s parents raised James as a vegetarian, then it would be likely that Jesus was also raised as one. The early Christian fathers adhered to a meatless regime. Many early Christian groups supported the meatless way of life. In fact, the writings of the early Church indicate that meatPAGE 13

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Meet Ari Agbayani: Marvel introduces Filipina superhero

By AJPress

Maricel Soriano shares an intense scene with Raymond Bagatsing in ‘Soltera.’

Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN

Digitally restored ‘Soltera’ marks Maricel’s 50th showbiz anniversary

THE digital restoration of the 1999 Star Cinema hit drama film, Soltera, celebrates the 50th showbiz anniversary of Maricel Soriano.

After many years of appearing in various roles in film and on TV, Maricel has maintained her legion of fans since her younger days and managed to attract a new set of followers among young millennials and Gen Z’s.

The observation was shared by ABS-CBN head of film archives and restoration, Leo Katigbak, who spearheads ABS-CBN’s awardwinning Sagip Pelikula campaign during the restored film’s premiere via KTX.ph.

When it was announced that Soltera would be restored, Leo recalled receiving many inquiries from Maricel’s fans, who were in their 20s and too young then to watch movies in theaters and cinemas.

“I find it so fascinating that your fans come from different generations,” Leo told the award-winning Diamond Star. “Unlike others whose fans have grown old, you have your older fans and a new generation of fans who fervently follow and support you.”

Maricel shared she was bewildered to see PAGE 15

Vegan longevity...

PAGE 12 eating was not officially allowed until the 4th century, when the Emperor Constantine decreed that the practice of vegetarianism was heresy and punishable by death.

Man: A natural herbivore?

Was man supposed to be plant-eaters instead of meat-eaters? Yes, according to several investigations and books on the subject.

A. D. Andrews, author of Fit Food For Man, made an anatomical and structural comparison between herbivores (plant-eating animals) and carnivores (meat-eating animals), and came to the conclusion that man’s teeth, salivary glands, quality of saliva, long intestinal tract, and absence of claws are all similar to those of herbivores, very much unlike those of carnivores. Thus, he argues that man is a natural herbivore, and must eat what herbivores eat: vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, and not meat or flesh in order to stay healthy. Staying away from what herbivores should eat, and eating a lot of red meat, is unhealthy and is the cause of most, if not all, of man’s ailments. It is also a well-respected argument in the scientific community.

Strength, vigor and vitality The belief that vegetarians are weak and sickly is a myth. Elephants, bulls, cows, carabaos, and some dinosaurs (plateosaurus, brachiosaurus, etc.) are a few of the strongest animals known to man – all are herbivores. Various studies comparing athletes who are carnivores and herbivores revealed astonishing findings: Vegetarian athletes fared 2 to 3 times better, with greater endurance and better recovery time, compared to their meat-eating counterparts in similar sports activities.

Vegetables with protein Vegetarians get their protein from soybeans, lentils, kidney beans, lima and pinto beans, black beans, chickpeas, black-eyed

peas, peanuts, almonds, cashew, sunflower seeds, and other nuts, broccoli and other vegetables, wheat, grains, brown rice, potato, and eggs and dairy products. These sources easily meet the daily requirement of between 60-80 grams of protein, even for vegans. So, animal meat is not really essential for health and life.

Rx for myself A daily low-fat, low-cholesterol, high-fiber diet of fish and a lot of vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains (brown rice instead of white), with occasional red meat, if desired, coupled with abstinence from tobacco, doing daily exercises, maintaining proper weight, drinking a glass or two of red wine with dinner, taking a daily multivitamin-mineral supplement, taking time off with friends and/or family for rest and relaxation on weekends, visiting the doctor for check-up as advised, and adequately treating any existing medical condition (hypertension, diabetes, etc) is our prescription for health, peace, happiness, and better productivity. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and antigraft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

MARVEL Comics has unveiled a new Filipina American superhero joining the fourth issue of the “United States of Captain America” limited series.

Ari Agbayani is a scholar student who seeks justice at her small and private university when her best friend becomes a victim of a wealthy legacy student and her campus turns a blind eye, according to Marvel’s website.

“When editor Alanna Smith approached me about creating a new, local Captain America for this series, I immediately knew I wanted to write a Filipino-American girl. There just aren’t very many of us in comics!” halfFilipina writer Alyssa Wong said of Ari’s characterization and storyline.

“I grew up without a Filipino American community for the most part, so every time I see a Filipino character, I get excited. And getting to cre-

Ari Agbayani is a Filipina American superhero created by Alyssa Wong and Jodi Nishijima to be unveiled in “United States of Captain America #4” Illustrations courtesy of Marvel Comics

ate one — a Captain America, even! — feels incredibly special,” she added.

Dubbed ‘local Cap,’ Ari Agbayani shares likeness with Captain America in terms of costume and choice of weapon. Jodi Nishijima made sure Ari’s design feels not only confident and fierce but also as comfortable and realistic as it can be.

“Ari’s design was inspired

by all the girls I’ve known in my life who in their day to day appear very sweet and empathetic, but when challenged can be terribly fierce.

Her style is very much what [my friends and I] would feel comfortable and confident in wearing as well!” explained Nishijima.

While her hate for bullies is inspired by Steve Rogers’ PAGE 15

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CELEBRATING THE 123RD PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY:

What independence means to Filipinos

by RITCHEL

J

MENDIOLA / AJPress

UNE 12 marks the day the Philippines gained independence from Spain after being under its colonial rule for four centuries.

On this day every year, Filipinos — in the Philippines and beyond — commemorate and celebrate the country’s hardwon freedom.

However, there was a time when Filipinos observed “Araw ng Kasarinlan” or “Araw ng Kalayaan” on July 4, which is the same day as American Independence Day. A refresher on Philippine history shows that the country found itself under another rule less than a year after declaring its independence.

The Philippines was given to the United States by Spain as part of the 1898 Treaty of Paris Agreement when it lost the war against the U.S. The refusal to acknowledge the Philippines’ declaration of independence pushed Filipinos to revolt against the U.S., triggering the Philippine-American War that went on from

1899 to 1902.

But it was only on July 4, 1946 that the Philippines gained sovereignty through the Treaty of Manila. This prompted Filipinos to celebrate the country’s independence on that date, which continued annually for 15 years until Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal officially changed the date back to June 12.

“It is proper that what we should celebrate is not the day when other nations gave recognition to our independence, but the day when we declared our desire to exercise our inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence,” Macapagal said in a 1962 public adon Indedress

pendence Day. June 12, 1898 is the “true birthday of an independent Filipino nation” for its resolve to declare itself “absolved of allegiance to the Spanish crown,” the president added.

This year, the Philippines will mark its 123rd year of independence from Spanish rule with the theme “Kalayaan 2021: Diwa sa Pagkakaisa at paghilom ng Bayan.”

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), which leads the nationwide Independence Day celebration, will mark the holiday by conducting flag-raising and wreath-laying rites at various locations including the Rizal National Monument in Rizal Park, Manila; Bonifacio National Monument, Caloocan City; Barasoain Church Historical Landmark, Malolos, Bulacan; and Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite.

In the United States, Filipino American communities and organizations — from Los Angeles to New York, and everywhere in between — observe the holiday through festivals, parades, performances and flag-raising ceremonies. As the country b e g i n s to slowly reopen, events this year will

AJPress Illustration by Jillian Peñalosa

The Forever Young Seniors delight with a cultural performance during the Philippine Independence Day event jointly held by the Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) and the Movement to Help Eradicate Rape and Other Child Abuses (MoTHER Movement) at FASGI’s Bayanihan Center in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown on Saturday, June 5.

Photo courtesy of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles

continue to be virtual or offer a hybrid approach with social distancing and capacity limits in place.

Meaning As the years go by and the country continues to observe the holiday, the meaning and significance of the Philippine Independence Day have changed for Filipinos.

Lourdes Capule, an online teacher from Bulacan, said that this celebration is for Filipino heroes.

“To me, the Philippine Independence Day is a strong reminder of everything our heroes selflessly dedicated so we could be free. It is also a good time to reflect on the values they imparted and how we can inculcate them in our lives,” she said.

“Even though we have National Heroes Day, I can’t help but to think of them

on Independence Day,” she added.

Capule noted that the country’s liberty was the Filipino heroes’ “ultimate goal,” reminding her of “how they valiantly fought” to set the Philippines free and give Filipinos their own identity.

“Even when faced with foes they seemed no match to, they never lost heart.

What they lacked in, they made up for with wit and grit,” she said.

“They are who we should aspire to be: bold, brilliant, unyielding, and loyal to their country and not to the powers that be. We must forever be grateful for their sacrifices. These exceptional ancestors of ours give meaning to this special day,” she added.

John Almerc Dy, a BPO specialist from Marikina City mirrored this sentiment, say-

ing “Ang araw ng kalayaan ay isang espesyal na araw upang ipaalala sa bawat Pilipino na maraming bayani ang nagbuwis ng buhay makamit lamang ang kasarinlan ng Pilipinas (The Independence Day is a special day to remind every Filipino that a lot of heroes sacrificed their lives to achieve the Philippines’ independence).”

“Kaya naman, dapat nating mahalin ang ating bansa at ipagtanggol kung sakali mang dumating ang pagkakataon na may dayuhan na muling magtatangka na agawin ulit ito sa atin (That’s why, we should love our country and defend it in the event that foreigners try to take [our freedom] away again),” he added.

Meanwhile, Fatima Abdukahil, who works in Taguig PAGE 15

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Kim, college girl – soon Celebrating the 123rd...

By Ronnie

CaRRasCo ManilaTImes.net

IF THERE’s one thing which has earned my admiration for Kim Chiu, it’s her determination to finish her college even if it’s way past her age.

The 30-year-old actress rues she barely had time to focus on higher studies. In fairness though, she had been able to send her three siblings through college.

Kim aptly justifies her lack of education with a reason though.

More than ever, the first grand winner of “Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition” back in 2006 is set to pursue her college this year amidst these pandemic-wrought times.

That’s welcome news for her fans, if not an inspiration to propel the youth then her age to give education a shot no matter what. Since online classes are the in thing these days, Kim doesn’t necessarily have to be physically present in her classes. All she has to do is to keep up with the modules and meet the requirements on time.

Thus Kim will be able to squeeze in her showbiz schedule no matter how hectic it becomes. For indeed, for someone her age, it’s never too late to obtain a college degree.

I remember our teaching days many years ago when I had a female literature student twice Kim’s age. Never mind which year, but it was my first year in teaching in an evening class at a semi-private school in Pasay City.

Already a grandmother, she wasn’t ashamed at all of her classmates much younger than her. All she wanted was to get a high school diploma she could be proud of herself.

Once during an exam, I caught the old lady flipping through the pages of a book on which the questions in the written test were based.

Kim Chiu

Photo from Instagram/@chinitaprincess

Quietly, I sauntered toward her seat and politely told her to set her “codigo” aside.

Embarrassed, she did just that while the rest of the class pretended not seeing her.

In fairness, my granny student was a standout during oral recitations. She had a good command of the English language making me doubt if there was a stray teacher in my class.

Came the commencement exercises in March, the old lady was among her batch’s proud graduates. But what turned out to be the most touching scene was her grandson’s pinning the sampaguita corsage on her chest.

Of course, Kim need not wait until she reaches that age to finish her college. Her marriage to Xian Lim can take a backseat until after her college graduation.

A shining example to the youth? Kim Chiu proves to be just that. n

Digitally restored ‘Soltera’ marks...

PAGE 13 young girls during her fans’ day gatherings and asked them why they followed her as she is old enough to be their mother.

“Sabi ko sa mga ‘junior Maricelians,’ bakit kayo andito? Nagtatanong ako sa inyo kasi ang babata ninyo,” shared Maricel. “Hindi ninyo ako kilala. Ilang dekada ang layo ng edad natin. Mga anak ko na kayong lahat. Mga dalagita pa lang kayo. Hindi niyo ako kilala.”

“Sagot nila, hindi totoo yan. Kilala namin kayo. Di ba sa ‘Inday Bote,’ may mga duwende noon? Napanood namin. Jinu-justify nila bakit nila ako gusto at kilala,” she said amusingly.

Now, young and old fans of Maricel can watch Soltera and her other classic films that show her versatility as a drama and comedy actress via Sagip Pelikula Festival. Streaming on KTX.ph are her digitally restored films that include Mila, Ikaw Pa Lang Ang Minahal, John & Marsha ’85 sa Probinsya, Separada, Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin and Inagaw Mo Ang Lahat sa Akin.

In Soltera, Maricel plays Sandra, a successful wedding planner, who falls in love with an indecisive young real estate salesman, Eric (Diether Ocampo). Despite their vast age difference and contrasting outlooks in life, they try to defy the odds that come with their affair.

But things take a swerve as Eric’s restlessness draws him to Sandra’s beloved assistant, Lisa (Claudine Barretto).

Directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng and cowritten with Jun Lana, the film also stars Maila

Gumila, Nida Blanca, Edu Manzano and Raymond Bagatsing, who scored a grand slam win as Best Supporting Actor.

“I am honored to be part of Soltera, which has a great story. I am elated to be part of something worth remastering,” said Raymond.

According to direk Jerry, the film is close to his heart. He was inspired by the story of a close friend, who had a relationship with a younger man.

“My best friend and I used to live together, so I saw the daily existence of her relationship. Napaka-interesting gawing pelikula at ikuwento. Ang mga napapanood ko in the past ay mas matatanda ang mga lalake. Ngayon, mas matanda ang babae. Tribute ito sa kanila.

Witness ako sa relationship nila at grabe yung mga pinagdaanan,” he shared.

Jerry said he also feels “blessed” that two of his three films have been digitally restored, enabling young Filipinos to watch the best Filipino films done in the past.

“They will now have the opportunity to see these films in better quality,” he added. “I hope ABS-CBN will continue to restore films through Sagip Pelikula.”

ABS-CBN Film Restoration’s Sagip Pelikula project has earned multiple recognitions from award-giving bodies worldwide, including the prestigious Gold Quill Award given by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and the Gawad Pedro Bucaneg from Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL). (By Kane Errol Choa/Philstar.com) n

PAGE 14 City, saw the country’s Independence Day as the “declaration of new ideas.”

“I think we all know that June 12 is the declaration of the Philippine Independence from Spain, and that was way back in 1898. But with the new era and new generations, what is really great about the Philippine Independence is also the declaration of new ideas,” she noted.

“Of course, there is a lot to tackle about the conquest of Spain, Americans, Japanese, and even from the dictatorships of former Philippine leaders. But with the new era, we are also embracing the changes. We are now in an era where we can choose whoever we want, and what we want to do. This is a declaration of free minds and Independence,” she added.

However, Abdukahil pointed out the need for accountability from Filipinos as we enjoy our independence and freedom.

“For every freedom and Independence that we are gaining, there is always a responsibility and accountability that we need to look out for. That is why we have the constitution, the law, and ethics to be looked out for,” she said.

Likewise, Lairamel Tolang, an editor from Pasay City, said that the Philippine Independence Day is a reminder for Filipinos to “take a closer look at the status quo.” “[Independence Day] is a remembrance of how our country was freed from colonizers that once took control of our land and heavily influenced a big part of our culture,” she said.

Tolang stressed, “It is also a constant reminder to take a closer look at the status quo, reassess the ‘independence’ that we have now, and come up and share attainable solutions on how we could experience a more extensive

independence and freedom from the people and system that overpower us.”

While the holiday is for celebrating the country’s hard-won freedom, Airamae Guerrero, who works for a start-up company in Pasay, noted that the Philippines’ current situation has made it difficult to do so.

“It’s hard to see the silver lining of freedom at this moment when innocent lives are being taken away, Filipinos are losing jobs, small businesses are shutting down, and I can hardly see concrete actions from the administration to defend its people from COVID and its socio-economic effect,” she said.

“This pandemic has shown that freedom is only being enjoyed by a few — the powerful and born with privilege,” added Guerrero.

On the other hand, Pasig City-based Patricia Benito outright questioned if Filipinos still have their freedom today.

“To be honest at this point, sa situation ng bansa natin, may totoong independence pa ba? Kasi kahit, oo given na independent tayo, pero kung araw-araw parang sinasakal ka lang ng gobyerno — slowly but surely — may halaga pa ba yung independence (To be honest at this point, with our country’s situation, do we still have true independence? Even though we are independent, if our government seems to be stifling us — slowly but surely — does independence still have significance)?” she said.

Benito was referring to the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA) that took effect last year on July 18 in the country.

Under the anti-terror law — which expands on the Human Security Act of 2007 — incitement of terrorism can be done “by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners

or other representations… without taking any direct part in the commission of terrorism.”

Those arrested and detained may be held for 14 to 24 days.

The law also enables the suspected “terrorist” to also be placed under surveillance for 60 days, extendable by up to 30 more days, by the police or the military.

“Siguro kung sa mababaw na interpretation, nasasabi ko freely yung gusto kong sabihin online or with my friends, pero kahit yung simpleng posts online honestly natatakot din ako na baka ma-red tag din ako dahil lang sa isang post (Maybe in shallower interpretations, I can freely say what I want online or with my friends, but even the simple posts online, honestly I’m scared of being red-tagged too just because of a single post),” Benito explained.

Meanwhile, Jomaica Lizardo, a BPO specialist in Quezon City, claimed that true independence means Filipinos being able to think critically for the country.

“I think the true Philippine independence would be pag nakakawala na tayo sa kulay and mas mag-isip na ng malawak para sa ikakabuti ng Pilipinas (when we have gotten rid of our prejudices and we can broaden our way of thinking for the betterment of the Philippines),” she said.

She also urged everyone to remember and emulate the bravery displayed by Filipino heroes who fought for the Philippines’ freedom as the country celebrates its Independence Day. “Huwag natin sabihin na hayaan na lang yung mga dayuhan na sumasakop ng isla natin just because takot tayo sa giyera (We shouldn’t say that we should just allow foreigners to take over our islands just because we’re n of war),” Lizardo scared

Meet Ari Agbayani: Marvel...

PAGE 13 version of the superhero, Ari’s tactics are more in line with Bucky Barnes.

“Like the other Caps, Ari has a strong sense of justice and admires the ideals Captain America embodies. But the Captain America she’s inspired by isn’t Steve Rogers — it’s Bucky Barnes.

Someone who hates bullies as much as Steve does, but is

willing to use sneakier, shadier tactics to deal with them,” Wong said.

“The United States of Captain America” follows Steve Rogers on a road trip across America to find his stolen shield, all with the help of Captain Americas of the past.

Written by Christopher Cantwell and illustrated by Dale Eaglesham, the series

introduces a diverse cast of new heroes who each has unique challenges to overcome.

The first out of five editions is set to be released this June, in time for Captain America’s 80th anniversary.

Meanwhile, Ari’s cover, illustrated by Gerald Parel, with a variant cover by Peach Momoko, will be released on September 22. n

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