061522 - Southern California Midweek Edition

JUNE 15-17, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 47 • 14 Pages

DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

California mortgage relief program expands eligibility for homeowners amid COVID hardships THE California Mortgage Relief Program announced that it is significantly expanding eligibility requirements to offer funding to a greater number of California homeowners who have fallen behind on housing payments due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program has modified the past-due requirement to include homeowners who missed payments in the first half of 2022, expanded the income eligibility and will now cover past-due property taxes for more homeowners.

“Many California homeowners, like many renters, felt the impact of COVID-19 on their household finances, putting them at risk of losing the homes they’ve worked so hard for,” said Secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Lourdes Castro Ramírez. “I’m proud of the partnership with the U.S. Treasury providing $1 billion for the California Mortgage Relief Program and I applaud the California Housing Finance Agency for removing barriers to participating and providing greater program flexibility to assist

Biden signs off on first steps toward national AAPI museum

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

UNITED States President Joe Biden on Monday, June 13 signed a bill that will kickstart the creation of a national museum dedicated to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history and culture.

HR 3525, also called the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act, will establish a select group of AAPI leaders who will issue recommendations for a “plan of action for the museum.”

INCREASES in new Omicron variants continue to fuel high transmission in Los Angeles County, with cases and hospitalizations currently much higher than they were at this time last year, showing just how infectious the current Omicron variants and sub-lineages are.

For specimens collected for the week ending May 21, 98% of specimens continue to be BA.2 and its sublineages. However, the proportion of the BA.2 Omicron variant itself, excluding its sublineages, appears to be plateauing, and continues to account for about half of the specimens sequenced in the County. The BA.2.3 Omicron sublineage has decreased, accounting for only about 3% of specimens in the most recent week.

In contrast, BA.2.12.1 sublineage accounted for 42% of positive sequenced specimens, a small increase from the previous week. Nationally, the Centers for

 PAGE 4

by PIA LEE-BRAGO Philstar.com

124TH INDEPENDENCE DAY. House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez leads the flag raising as part of the country’s commemoration of the 124th Independence Day at the historic Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Sunday, June 12. Romualdez was accompanied by Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, incoming Justice Secretary Crispin “Boying” Remulla and Kawit Mayor Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo, a great grandchild of the Philippines’ first President Emilio F. Aguinaldo who declared the country’s Independence on June 12, 1898.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

A FILIPINO family was a victim of another hate crime when they were mocked and physically attacked at a fastfood restaurant in North Hollywood, California.

An ABS-CBN report said the incident happened on May 13 that began at the fastfood drive-thru around 10 p.m. when a jeep bumped the family car of Patricia Roque.

“As we were about to get to the drive-thru, someone bumped the back of our car and we immediately went ahead and called 911 and our dad to help us,” Roque said.

“What started out as a minor traffic collision escalated into something more dangerous, and something we never would have expected,” she said.

She said her family was verbally attacked and threatened by the other driver after telling them they were “so Asian.”

“He said ‘I’ll kill you,’” she said.

Nerissa, Patricia’s mother, narrated that her husband Gabriel arrived in the area, but the driver of the other car rushed to him and punched him as he fell to the

 PAGE 2

Marcos to work closely with Church MANILA — President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has voiced his readiness to cooperate closely with the Catholic Church and the Vatican, according to Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown.

In an interview yesterday over the Church-run Radio Veritas, Brown said Marcos made the commitment during his courtesy call on the president-elect – along with five other foreign diplomats – on June 10.

Brown said their meeting was “positive” and “very productive.”

“We had a very productive, encouraging and positive discussion and the presidentelect assured me of his desire to collaborate, cooperate closely with the church and Holy See,” Archbishop Brown said.

Earlier, the social arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) congratulated Marcos and vice

president-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio for their electoral victory.

But while Caritas Philippines – through its chairman Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo – has congratulated the country’s incoming leaders, it reminded Marcos and Duterte-Carpio of their campaign promises and that they would be held accountable if they fail to fulfill them.

“We will, as always, exercise principled cooperation with the government. As such, we will support all his administration’s programs that will respect the rights and dignity of the Filipino people; honor the rule of law and history; and make government more accountable to its people,” Caritas said.

“With our post-election accountability Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte with daughter Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio program, we will hold him and all elected Malacañang photo officials liable of all their election promises,” it added. (Evelyn Macairan/Philstar.com)

Duterte to Sara on Senator-elect Robin Padilla to debate drug war: ‘Take over’ in Filipino: ‘I won’t be facing Americans’

by NEIL

Senator-elect Robin Padilla attends a briefing on the legislative process Tuesday, June 14.

Senate photo

 PAGE 2

Pinoy family mocked, attacked in California

 PAGE 2

Omicron variants fueling recent increases in COVID-19 cases

In other words, this commission will be responsible for what is included in the museum as well as possible locations, likely within the Washington D.C. area.

At the signing in the East Room of the White

ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net

MANILA — Neophyte Senator-elect Robin Padilla said Tuesday, June 14 he is “100 percent” ready to join the Senate, but will opt to debate in Filipino, saying he would be facing Filipino legislators, “not Americans.”

Padilla, who topped the 2022 senatorial elections, attended a legislative briefing in the Senate ahead of the opening of the 19th Congress in July.

“One-hundred percent,” said Padilla when asked about his readiness to join the Senate.

Padilla said he is also ready to debate with his fellow legislators, but will do so using the

vernacular, and not the English language.

“Tagalog… una, hindi naman Amerikano mga kaharap ko para mag-English ako.

Siguro kung Amerikano, well I’m willing to debate. Pero mga Tagalog sila eh, eh ‘di Tagalog tayo,” Padilla said.

(Tagalog… for one, I will not be facing Americans for me to speak in English. If I am facing Americans, well I’m willing to debate.

But they are Filipinos, so let’s use Tagalog.)

Padilla topped the senatorial elections after receiving over 26 million votes.

As a neophyte senator, Padilla took lessons at the Development Academy of the Philippines in preparation for his role as a

by KRISTINA

MARALIT ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, stressing the importance of shielding the youth from the harmful effects of illegal drugs, wants his daughter and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio to continue his advocacy.

"Take over," the outgoing leader said at an event in Valenzuela City last Sunday.

"Ikaw na... Kunin mo 'yang trabaho (You do it. Get the job)," he said.

Duterte pointed out that  PAGE 2

the Department of Education (DepEd), which Duterte-Carpio will soon lead, will play a vital role in ensuring school-aged children will not be influenced to be drug users. "'Yang Department of Education, maraming bata diyan (there are a lot ot children involved). Do not ever allow contamination diyan sa kanila (among them)," he urged.

The President likewise encouraged his daughter to not hesitate in ruling with an iron fist and just "do it" if it would mean having a drug-free school system. 

2 JUNE 15-17, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

Pinoy family mocked, attacked in...

PAGE 1 ground.

“The attacker then tried to open our car to get my daughter. My husband stopped him and the man punched him. My husband fell on the ground, and as I was helping him to get up, the suspect strangled me,” Nerissa said in Filipino.

Bystanders tried to intervene and police arrived in the area.

She was able to avoid the attacker who tried to hit her.

“But he hit my chest. So the pain until now is with me. I remember the pain until now.

The attack left my husband with a broken rib,” she said.

“I was traumatized. It hurts.

It’s different when your very family is the one being attacked.

That’s what we see on TV. I thought it would not happen, but it happened to my family.

It’s traumatizing. Up to now, it’s painful,” Nerissa said.

Police would not identify the attacker yet pending investigation, the family said. g

(Everything’s easy. Nothing is difficult when you like what you’re doing.)

“Pag gusto mong gawin, madali lang yon. Medyo ano lang, naninibago lang ako kasi hindi naman ako — summa

cum laude ako sa cutting classes noong araw,” he added.

(If you wanna do something, it’s easy. It was just different. I was summa cum laude in cutting classes back in the day.) g

Senator-elect Robin Padilla to...

PAGE 1 legislator.

Asked if he found preparing for the Senate to be easy or difficult, Padilla said: “Lahat madali. Wala namang mahirap kasi gusto mong gawin eh.”

California mortgage relief program...

PAGE 1

more California homeowners struggling to stay in their homes.”

The California Mortgage Relief Program has expanded eligibility to homeowners who missed mortgage payments in 2022. With this change, homeowners who missed at least two payments before June 30, 2022, and are currently delinquent, may now be eligible for full reimbursement for missed housing payments up to $80,000. Previously, program criteria required homeowners to miss at least two payments prior to program launch on December 27, 2021.

The program has also adjusted the income threshold for program qualification.

Homeowners are now eligible for assistance from the program if their household income is at or below 150% of their county’s Area Median Income (based on federal limits established

by HUD for the program). The adjustment will make it so more California homeowners who experienced financial hardships during COVID-19 can get help.

Applicants can find their county’s income limit at CaMortgageRelief. org.

In addition, assistance with past-due property taxes will now extend to mortgage-free homeowners and those whose mortgage payments are current.

Previously, property taxes were covered for reverse mortgage holders or as part of a complete reinstatement for homeowners

who were also behind on their mortgage. These newly eligible homeowners can now receive up to $20,000 to cover pastdue property tax payments if they missed at least one payment prior to May 31, 2022.

“When launching the California Mortgage Relief Program, our first priority was to ensure access to those who were most at risk and in need,” said Tiena Johnson Hall, Executive Director of the California Housing Finance Agency. “After six months and over $68 million distributed, we can confidently expand to include additional delinquent housing payments, raise income limits and extend the delinquency timeline to include people who missed payments in the first half of 2022.”

Applicants who were previously deemed ineligible have been notified of the program expansions and anyone who believes they meet the new criteria is encouraged to apply.

"I think the pandemic has had an exponentially negative impact on non-English speaking families across LA County.

When there is a lack of language access, often these families are left out of conversations related to financial assistance," said James An, President, Korean American Federation of Los Angeles. "We are grateful for the federal funding and for all the government entities that have made The California Mortgage Relief Program available to our

community, in their language. It's great to see the program evolve with the announcement of expansions effective today, and we look forward to working alongside other communitybased organizations who have relationships in these underserved communities to continue helping our LA homeowners in need."

“In the 58 counties in the State, there are so many homeowners who have fallen behind on their property taxes,” said Shari L. Freidenrich, CPA, Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector and President of the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors.

“By offering them assistance in paying delinquent property taxes, this program should help keep them in their homes and offset some of the financial hardships they experienced during the pandemic.”

Since its launch, over $68 million has been distributed to more than 1,900 California homeowners to help them get caught up on their mortgage.

The assistance provided through the California Mortgage Relief Program is in the form of a one-time grant only for eligible households and does not need to be paid back. While there is no strict deadline for applications, homeowners in need should apply as soon as possible. Homeowners can apply at CaMortgageRelief.org or call the program Contact Center at 1-888-840-2594. (AJPress)

United States President Joe Biden on Monday, June 13 signed Rep. Grace Meng’s bill to establish a commission to study the creation of a Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture is law.

Photo courtesy of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

Biden signs off on first steps...

PAGE 1 House, Biden spoke on the generations of AAPIs who “have literally shaped the history and the contours of this country.”

“It's about time for a national museum to capture the courage, the character, the imagination and – maybe from my perspective, looking at it from a little bit from a distance – the dreams and the heart and the soul of the generations of our fellow Americans that came before you,” Biden added.

The commission will also study the costs of such a museum and whether or not it should be an off-shoot to the Smithsonian Institute.

Biden was also joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, who as a South Asian American is the first Asian American vice president.

“Growing up, my mother made sure that my sister Maya and I learned of the important, glorious history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians

and Pacific Islanders in America,” Harris said.

“Because that, of course, is part of the history of America.

She continued, “To teach this history is to help all of us as Americans understand where we come from, and to teach this history is to help us understand who we are,” Harris added.

In addition to celebrating the American triumphs for which Asian Americans are responsible, the museum is expected to provide a sobering look into the history of antiAsian discrimination in the U.S. “This is also a story about some of our country’s darkest moments,” Harris said on Monday before the signing.

“The Chinese Exclusion Act, the internment of Japanese Americans, the murder of Vincent Chin, discrimination against South Asian Americans after 9/11, and today’s epidemic of [antiAsian] hate.”

As previously reported in the Asian Journal, AAPI advocacy groups all agree that education and more exposure to the nuances of Asian cultures is a necessary step to curbing antiAsian hate.

Biden and Harris have been vocal about their commitment to addressing the rise in antiAsian hate crimes since their election. Among his first acts as president, Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, a broad piece of legislation that promised to strengthen law enforcement to better address hate crimes.

The legislation comes as Washington is also in the process of planning two other cultural museums: the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian Women’s History Museum. In 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened, which kickstarted talks to establish other museums dedicated to other minority identities. g

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Dateline USa

The “Letters to…” exhibit runs until August 31 at the Billie Jean King Main Library in Long Beach, CA. Photo courtesy of Make Some Noise

Long Beach social justice art exhibit highlights youth stories

by Donnabelle GatDula-arevalo AJPress

LONG BEACH, Calif. — To amplify the power of youth’s voices, Intertrend Communications Inc., an award-winning multicultural communications agency, recently launched the first-of-itskind art exhibition, showcasing entries from a writing contest, dubbed “Letters To…An Extraordinary Correspondence," conducted by its branding unit Make Noise Today (MNT).

Launched in December last year, the “Letters to…” contest has allowed over 900 high school students from around the country to sound off otherwise difficult to utter feelings and thoughts into words.

Julia Huang, founder and CEO of Intertrend, told the Asian Journal during the unveiling of the art installation at the Billie Jean King Main Library in Long Beach, California, that this unique experience is generally aimed at combating racism by empowering the youth.

“MNT was an initiative generated by our employees during the height of Asian American violence and discrimination but we opted to focus more on telling stories,

encouraging Asian Americans to tell their stories, and amplifying our voices. [For] this particular exhibition called 'Letter To…' we focused on high school students. So we asked high school students around the country to submit letters addressed to anyone, letters to yourself, letters to your future self, letters from the past, or teachers or people who believe you or discriminated against you or any kind of letters talking about identity and racial equality and it was really expanded to more than Asian Americans,” Huang said.

MNT is a platform that creates empathy and equity through Asian storytelling.

It accomplishes this through collections of content and stories on the lives of Asian AmericansRecipe for Change.

For over 20 years, Long Beach-based Intertrend has been successfully helping its clients nurture and establish brand leadership positions in this emerging market through an integrated mix of advertising, public relations, promotions, events, and interactive strategies via various culturally relevant marketing programs.

With the recent school shooting in Texas, the Intertrend

chief believes that mental health is extremely important and the “Letters to…” exhibit provided a venue for teens to put their feelings into words and present them to the world.

According to Huang, Intertrend allocated some $10,000 cash prizes for the 10 winners. The first prize got $5,000 and the rest was equally divided amongst the nine runners-up.

Around 60 letters, including the Top 10 winners, are being highlighted in the exhibit, which will run from June 9 to August 31 and will be free for the public.

For his part, Intertrend executive director and MNT project manager Michael Vitug said this social justice initiative, which basically provides the youth with not only an alternative but a relevant platform to voice out their experiences, might be carried out in other parts of the country.

“We are looking at this one as a travelling exhibition so after this one, hopefully we can have this in other Southern Californian parts of the country. We are also thinking of other forms of platforms. Our objective is still to provide the platform for the youth so it could be in the form PAGE 4

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Dateline USa

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BEACH VISITORS. Visitors want to know what it’s like to be on a “white sand” beach as they visit a portion of Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard on Tuesday, June 14. The controversial dolomite beach was officially reopened to the public on Sunday evening, following rehabilitation to improve the water quality in the area.

PNA photo by Rico H. Borja

Omicron variants fueling recent increases...

PAGE 1

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that BA.2.12.1 will account for 62% of specimens collected the week ending June 4.

The BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants continue to remain rare in LA County, but a few cases are being detected every week. To date we have detected a total of 49 positive, sequenced specimens of these two subvariants - 27 of BA.4 and 22 of BA.5. The CDC estimated that, across the country, these two variants combined may have increased from about 1% to 13% of specimens collected in the past month. This suggests they may have the ability to outcompete other circulating variants. There is also concern that they may be able to cause re-infections in people who have already been infected by other Omicron subvariants.

The average number of daily new cases reported over the last seven days increased to 4,847 from one month ago when the average number of cases reported was 2,793 - an increase of 74%. The current high case numbers are also in stark contrast to the average number of cases last year, nearly 25 times higher in fact, as there were only 190 average daily new cases in the middle of June 2021.

The current seven-day average test positivity rate, at almost 5%, continues to be higher than it was a month ago when the seven-day average test positivity rate was 2.7%.

The highly infectious variants and sub-lineages

fueling the recent higher case numbers have translated to more than double the number of people severely ill and needing to be hospitalized than a month ago.

Over the last seven days, the average number of COVIDpositive patients per day in LA County hospitals was 580, an increase of 124% from one month ago when the average number of COVID-positive patients per day was 259.

Deaths, which typically lag hospitalizations by several weeks, while still low, are beginning to slightly increase at an average of seven deaths reported per day this past week.

One month ago, on May 13, there was an average of four deaths reported for the previous seven days.

“As always, we extend our deepest sympathies and prayers for healing to everyone mourning the loss of a loved one from COVID,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “The highly infectious Omicron variants are providing uncertainty about the trajectory of this recent surge in cases. At this time last year, we benefitted from a much lower rate of transmission associated with a more stable virus. The concern with the rapidity of emerging highly infectious variants is that for each new variant, we need to reassess how much the new strain evades vaccine protection, causes severe illness, and avoids detection with current tests.

And to be dominant, the new strains are likely to be even more

infectious than the previous strains. Until we have a more precise understanding of how the new viral strains interact with us and our community, we need to remain vigilant and cautious. This includes layering protections to keep those most vulnerable as safe as possible, including wearing masks indoors, getting tested before gathering or attending events, and staying home if you are sick.”

Public Health reported 17 additional deaths and 6,385 new positive cases for Saturday, 3,583 new cases for Sunday, and 2,998 new cases for Monday. The lower number of cases and deaths are likely to reflect reporting delays over the weekend. Of the 17 new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 30-49, two people were between the ages of 50-64, five people were between the ages of 65-79, and eight people were aged 80 years or older. For information on the one death reported by the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach. gov. Of the 17 newly reported deaths, 14 had underlying health conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 32,218.

Public Health has reported a total of 3,038,588 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 4.8%.

There are 593 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized.

Testing results are available for more than 12,088,466 individuals, with 23% of people testing positive. (AJPress)

could encourage young people to be proud of who they are, the better of we gonna be moving forward.”

“My message (to fellow Filipinos) is just exactly what the title of the exhibit is, Make Noise Today. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Tell your story, talk about these things that are hard, don’t be ashamed, be proud of who you are. Be proud to be a Filipino,” de Leon added.

During the opening of the one-of-a-kind exhibition, some contest winners and a student activist were asked to share their thoughts on how this experience created an impact on their lives.

Millie Liao, student and youth activist, said “These letters, essays, poems and other forms of writing contain the invaluable stories of the next generation. They capture the voices of the future leaders of this nation, and they shed light on the experiences we have gone through using those experiences to call for change.”

“Through the 'Letters To…' campaign, Make Noise Today has uplifted Gen-Z voices, making sure we are heard and allowing us to contribute to the greater nationwide conversation,” Liao said. “Thanks to MNT, more and more youth are realizing the power of their voices, and using that power to change the world we live in. So when MNT launched the Letters To competition, you can imagine how overjoyed and elated I was.

I wanted to get involved, and I started working as an intern helping to give feedback from a youth perspective.”

The top 10 winners of the contest, which was judged by Morell Jones (History Educator from Geffen Academy at UCLA), Ian Kumamoto (Writer from New York),Eleanor Wikstrom (Poet Laureate, Editor of The Harvard Crimson), are: First Place - Aida G., (Cary, N.C.) – “Mama”; Gold - Scarlett C., (Maplewood, N.J.) – “Nothing To See; Gold - Kenna P., (Shreveport, La.) – “Were You With Them?”; Silver Amerie G., (San Fernando, Calif.) – “The Hands That Built Us”; Silver - Natasha Q., (Lake Forest, Calif.) – “Your Hair, Your Crown”; Silver - Arabella V., (Fullerton, Calif.) – “Other”

Honorable Mention - Arshia A., (Warren, N.Y.) – “What’s in a Name?”; Honorable Mention My H., (Aurora, Colo.) – “Con”; Honorable Mention - Xin L., (Queens, N.Y.) – “Xin Lu”; and Honorable Mention - Sage S., (Washington, D.C.) – “How Do You Love Yourself in a World That Hates You, Black Girl?”

Natasha Q, a 17-year old student from Lake Forest, talked about her winning piece, “Your Hair, Your Crown," and narrated how this experience brought significant change in her life.

“I remember sitting in my room like two o’clock in the morning brainstorming ideas about what I could talk about. I just [got] memories of what people used to say about my hair and how they felt about and how it would make me feel and growing up, I had very low self-esteem. I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood where people are not really looking like me. I am a lot taller than everyone else, darker than everyone else, my hair a lot different. So struggling to look for that connection really did me a disservice as a kid.

When I grew up and went to high school, my friends looked like me and they had curly hair just like me and they just inspired to write from the heart and they always made me feel that I did not have to earn my blackness or earn my whiteness, they just accepted me as who I am and they made me love the person that I am today,” she said, in an interview with the Asian Journal.

In joining the contest, Natasha said, “It made a huge difference in my life. It kinda help my confidence grow. I was terrified getting up there talking in front of everyone but the organization has helped so much in making me feel comfortable for who I am, my skills and my talents. This kinda helps me accept who I am and love that part of me.”

Amerie G., from San Fernando, California, said she wrote about her family’s heritage in her winning story entry. “Since it's Hispanic Heritage Month and me being Hispanic, I wanted to recognize my parents, they’re everything that I am right now but I also wanted to grow and become my own person and grow in to theirs as Hispanic people,” she said. g

Long Beach social justice art exhibit...

PAGE 3 of art. It could be another writing contest, but we are looking to do something that could be similar but something to do with art,” Vitug said.

Vitug said they are planning to launch a similar initiative early 2023. “We are looking at next year, opening up another contest. “We started this contest in December 2021, so we probably do the same, maybe roll out another similar project in January (2023) and then have the exhibition in summer,” the Intertrend official said.

Tanya Raukko, Intertrend chief strategy officer (CSO), echoed Vitug’s optimism that this initiative will continue to expand every year.

“I think, we might make this an annual project. Maybe, it’s more art next time. We need to see what the format is. We might create a book by aggregating these letters,” Raukko said, attributing the success of the initiative through a aggressive digital marketing campaign, educational and multi-personal networks among Asian Americans and by setting up a scholarship website.

Cathy de Leon, director of Long Beach Public Libraries, on the other hand, is elated to play an active part in this social and racial equality campaign.

“My role is to be able to make sure that everybody feels welcome and to let people know the Long Beach Public Libraries are a place where we are going to highlight these stories and these voices and really make space that everyone to feel included and welcome,” de Leon said.

When asked how she feels about hosting this kind of event in her jurisdiction, De Leon, a Filipino American, said, “It’s really amazing, it’s such an important conversation to have — as Asian Americans, as Filipinos, and with everything that is going on around the country.

It’s really kinda sad when we see our lolas and our lolos being attacked in different places. So to be able to have this space in the library, this gallery’s space to be able to highlight and give full space to young people that want to tell their stories, we are all for it. The more we could talk about these things, the more, we

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Manilla? Philippine capital is most mispronounced city in the country, study says

by Kristofer

Purnell Philstar.com

listen count.

Wordtips says cities have some of the hardest names to master, MANILA — A study by Wordtips most likely because the correct found that the Philippine capital of pronunciation is sometimes Manila is the most mispronounced translated or simplified — for city in the Philippines, often example, London (the fifth most pronounced as if it were spelt mispronounced city) is Londres in French.

"Manilla."

Another reason is that some Thankfully, it did make the Top 10 list, which saw the Brazilian city names are just difficult to city of Rio de Janeiro hit the decipher. The Scottish capital number one spot with a listen of Edinburgh (the sixth most count of seven million on the mispronounced city) has the same language website Forvo, the last four letters as Pittsburgh in largest pronounciation dictionary the United States, but the two are pronounced very differently. in the world.

Celebrities are also not Rio was followed by the Japanese capital of Tokyo with immune to their names being a 4.1 million listen count, while mispronounced, most prominent Chicago, USA and the Irish capital among them Irish actress Saoirse of Dublin tied with a 1.3 million Ronan with a listening count of

95,000. Also with high numbers are "Joker" actor Joaquin Phoenix and "Obi-Wan Kenobi" actor Ewan McGregor.

Even singers such as Ed Sheeran, Shakira, Justin Bieber, and Billie Eilish find their names mispronounced a lot, as do athletes like NBA stars Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyrie Irving; and footballers Sergio Aguero, Kylian Mbappe, and Wojciech Szczesny.

Surprisingly, among brands, it is the search engine Google that is most mispronounced with a listening count of 1.3 million in a list that was dominated

by German car brands like Porsche, BMW, MercedesBenz and Audi. g

Pangilinan has no problem supporting Marcos gov’t ‘if programs are good’ by neil

Arwin MercAdo Inquirer.net

MANILA — Outgoing Senator Francis Pangilinan said Tuesday he is ready to support the incoming administration of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “if the programs are good.”

However, if the programs are insufficient, Pangilinan urged the public to call for better programs from the government.

“If the programs are good, of course we should be able to support. But if the programs, to our minds, are insufficient, then let us push for better programs and say we should be able to do or approach it differently,” Pangilinan said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel when asked if he would support the incoming administration.

“That has always been our position ever since — under the administration of President [Gloria] Arroyo, under the administration of Noynoy [Aquino], and [Rodrigo] Duterte.

If we think it should be supported, we would,” he added.

According to Pangilinan, who lost to Marcos’ running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-

Carpio in the vice presidential race, he has been supporting good programs regardless of who was the president.

“That has always been our position ever since — under the administration of President Arroyo, under the administration of Noynoy, and Duterte. If we think it should be supported, we would,” Pangilinan said.

“We’ve endorsed, passed, voted in favor of several — many — of these measures that were being pushed by the administration because we felt it was good for the country,” he added, stressing that there has been disinformation that the opposition has not done anything except criticize the administration.

Asked if he is willing to work with the administration if he is specifically asked, Pangilinan said: “We are willing to help in whatever way if it is good for the country.”

Eyes wide open When asked if he was surprised by the numbers and the turnout of the elections, Pangilinan said their camp “pretty much had a sense of what was happening on the ground,” while admitting that they did not have enough

time.

“The decision to run, medyo kulang ang oras. In fact, nung nag-desisyon kaming tumakbo, alam namin na hindi madali dahil nga ang plano naman talaga natin noon ay reelection lang but the challenge — we faced that challenge,” Pangilinan said.

(The decision to run, we did not have enough time. In fact, when we decided to run, we knew that it wouldn’t be easy because my plan then was to seek re-election but we faced that challenge.)

“We were asked to help and therefore we set aside our own plans and decided, hindi madali ito, mahirap ito, kulang ang oras, pero sige ilaban natin. I entered into the arena with my eyes wide open,” he added.

(We were asked to help and therefore we set aside our own plans and decided, this wouldn’t be easy, we don’t have enough time, but let’s fight. I entered the arena with my eyes wide open.)

Pangilinan placed second in the vice presidential elections, behind Duterte-Carpio.

Duterte-Carpio received over 32 million votes compared to Pangilinan’s 9.3 million votes. g

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OPiniOn

FeatURes

No gas, no transport

THOSE who have been stuck in traffic regularly since COVID restrictions were eased will not believe it. But take it from the Metropolitan Development Authority: there have been fewer vehicles recorded at least on EDSA in recent weeks. And a likely reason, according to the MMDA, is the continuing surge in fuel prices.

To save on fuel costs, motorists are reducing vehicle use, whether private cars or public utility vehicles.

PUV drivers and operators have lamented that even the higher minimum fare is not enough to offset the ever-increasing prices of fuel. Free rides offered by the government, while naturally welcomed by commuters, have also cut into PUV earnings.

Operators have grounded their jeepneys or reduced their trips, while some PUV drivers have said they will just return to their home provinces to try their luck at farming, because in Metro Manila, their earnings are no longer enough to feed the family.

The grounding of jeepneys and reduction of bus deployment are happening at the same time that private car owners are being forced to leave their vehicles at home and take mass transportation to save on fuel costs. The result can be seen in those Philstar.com photo long, slow-moving lines of people waiting for rides

at bus stops, transport hubs and light railway stations.

The lack of mass transport facilities will inevitably impact efforts to revive businesses. Commuters account for the majority of the workforce, and mass transport services were already inadequate even before the pandemic. The inadequacy of mass transport facilities is the biggest reason why people who can afford it prefer to use private vehicles.

Even the full resumption of face-to-face classes, meant to promote economic recovery, may have to be reviewed as the fuel price surge leads to a reduction in mass transport services. PUV operators have said even cash assistance doled out by the government is not enough, and doesn’t cover all mass transport drivers. What they want is for the government to deal with the high fuel prices. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The irony of Independence Day: When Filipinos embrace and hail their oppressors as their heroes

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THIS year’s celebration of Independence Day felt like there was a dark cloud hovering above the 7,100 beautiful islands of our beloved Philippines.

Where there should be pride and joy and a jubilant spirit in celebrating the day when we won our freedom from foreign intrusion and occupation of our Motherland, gloom and helplessness were the overriding emotions for many Filipinos, exacerbated by the meanness and hatred of other kababayans who live in a parallel universe. ”Alab ng puso, sa dibdib mo’y buhay” goes a line in the Philippine’s national anthem “Lupang Hinirang,” but I do not feel that burning, pulsating enthusiasm that I felt from our kababayans just before the May 9, 2022 election — the fire of hope for a better brighter Philippines seemed to have lost its flame to become a dying ember.

“Sa manlulupig, di ka pasisiil” is another popular line in “Lupang Hinirang,” which means the Filipino people will never allow ourselves and our nation to be oppressed again

by its conquerors.

Our victorious bloodless revolution to fight for freedom from the Marcos dictatorship in 1986 had earned the admiration and respect of people from all over the world.

Imperfect as our journey back to a true democracy — government of the people, by the people, for the people — might have been, we have gone a long way, only to transgress to where we were during Martial Law, sinking to a new low when Rodrigo Duterte was elected President, and even to a seemingly bottomless pit when Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the son of the dictator we deposed 36 years ago, was elected to the Presidency.

Our national hero Jose Rizal once said, “Kailanman hindi ako natatakot sa mag mananakop, mas natatakot ako sa kamangmangan ng aking mga kababayan (I have never been scared of the conquerors, as I am afraid of the ignorance of my fellow Filipinos)”.

Indeed, we Filipinos have become our worst enemy toward our collective quest toward realizing and owning the clean and honest government we all have been

yearning and praying for.

We may have been freed from foreign oppressors, but many of us have not realized that the chains of oppression from within us, from among us, has been the most difficult to break free from.

We have allowed our minds to be manipulated and conquered by the conquistadores of our generation, and they were not tyrants from foreign soil. They are Filipinos.

They used the toxic arsenal of lies, disinformation, fake news, revision of history, spread by social media platforms more deadly than COVID-19. And many of us took them all in, without question, without critical thinking.

The conquistadores used our frustrations to fan the flames of hate and division, and many of us allowed our minds to be conquered by the very people who have been abusing them, violating the Constitution to rule as if they are above the law.

What is there to celebrate on Independence Day after we drank their poison wine, that made many of us believe they were the heroes, and those who fought for our freedom are the enemies of the people.

FLYBY. Philippine Air Force aircraft make a flyby above Rizal Park in Manila as the country commemorates it’s 124th Independence Day on Sunday, June 12. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the flag -raising and wreath-laying at the Rizal Park, reiterating his call for Filipinos to join hands and work together for the benefit of the country and people.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

And we hailed and exalted the very people that oppressed us, the very people that abused us. We betrayed ourselves.

When will we ever be truly free? Do we even deserve to be free? *** 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

Duterte’s lasting legacy

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ FOR over a week now, people have been seeing electronic billboards along certain parts of EDSA and Mandaluyong with an image of President Duterte above a Philippine map and the words “Salamat PRRD” (Thank you PRRD). Apparently, the digital billboards were put up by ordinary Filipinos who, on their own, contributed funds for the initiative to show their gratitude to the outgoing president. In fact, many people have also been posting individual photos wearing shirts and hoodies with the “thank you” message.

Clearly, these gestures show that President Rodrigo Duterte – with his unique leadership style – was effective and appreciated by a large majority of Filipinos for all he has done for them as president.

No matter what critics may say, there is no denying that many of the projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte administration will have long-lasting impact

on the lives of people across the nation, as these roads, bridges, seaports, airports and railways play a major role in the development of the Philippines which had difficulty attracting foreign investments in the past due to complaints about poor if not lacking infrastructure to support growth and expansion plans of investors.

Under the modernization programs of the Department of Transportation, more than 200 airport and aviation projects were completed, with modern terminals and facilities built for airports that include the Clark International Airport, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport and the Bicol International Airport in Albay that has been dubbed as the country’s “most scenic” gateway.

Transportation Secretary Art Tugade gets credit because despite all kinds of criticisms and roadblocks he faced, he just kept going. Under his watch, railway projects that have been languishing were completed.

Commuters were also very relieved when the MRT Line 3 was rehabilitated and the LRT East Extension (serving those from eastern portions of

Metro Manila and Antipolo) was completed.

Former DPWH secretary and now senator Mark Villar also did well with the completion of expressways that have significantly lessened travel time, with the TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway) among the most notable. Under the Duterte administration, approximately 26,500 kilometers of roads and 5,500 bridges have been built nationwide, while 145,000 classrooms and 2,000 school buildings have been constructed in the last five years.

Education being the great equalizer, underprivileged students will benefit from Republic Act 10931 that allows qualified students to enroll in any state college or university without having to pay tuition and other fees.

Overseas Filipino workers were not forgotten, with the Department of Migrant Workers created to address the concerns of OFWs. During the height of the pandemic, free repatriation and financial assistance were provided to workers who lost their jobs. Aside from an OFW bank, a hospital in Pampanga was also built specifically to

cater to the medical needs of OFWs and their families.

So affected is he by the plight of our OFWs that the President was ready to break relations with a country to make sure justice is served, like the time when a domestic helper was killed and kept in a freezer by her employers.

In so many ways, he made it loud and clear that the Philippines is a sovereign nation that must be respected no matter what, brooking no interference or intervention from foreign groups or entities.

It is perhaps only during the time of Duterte that one would see a police general with a reputation for being “astig” (tough guy) publicly breaking into tears while expressing his gratitude to the President for covering their backs and looking after their welfare. Every single Philippine military official who came to Washington, D.C. and dropped by the embassy had only the highest praises for President Duterte for beefing up their defense capabilities with muchneeded equipment such as missile frigates, anti-submarine helicopters, multirole jets, high powered firearms and truck

mounted Howitzer systems, plus almost doubling their outdated salaries.

No less than outgoing senator and former PNP chief Ping Lacson thanked the President.

“On behalf of all retired and active military and uniformed personnel, I thank President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for looking after our welfare like no other Commander-in-Chief before him ever did,” he tweeted.

We give credit to Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez and the rest of the economic team for steadfastly keeping the economy in the right place with a strong fiscal position amid the pandemic. The passage of the TRAIN law has benefited many Filipinos in terms of reduced income taxes, while key reform measures have made the Philippines more competitive as an investment destination – with international analysts commending our resilience amid global uncertainty.

After initial challenges, the COVID-19 vaccination rollout has proved to be successful, with the Philippines ranking high in Nikkei Asia’s Recovery Index (No. 33 out of 121 countries) with a marked decrease in daily COVID-19 cases, outranking

developed countries such as Japan, Canada, Italy, UK, Switzerland, US, Singapore and many others. As a matter of fact, I received so many messages thanking the President for the free vaccination which continues to this day.

One can say that the President has been to the deepest valley with the challenges that he faced during his term, among them the COVID-19 pandemic and now the impact of the war in Ukraine. Critics can keep trying to denigrate or diminish what have been accomplished during his watch – but President Duterte will leave the presidency at the top of the mountain because he has undoubtedly done extremely well – the only Philippine president to end his term with unprecedented high trust and approval ratings.

Salamat po, Mr. President!

(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.

*** babeseyeview@gmail.com

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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Duterte wants to visit West Philippine Sea as civilian MANILA — President Duterte on Sunday, June 12 expressed hope that he can go to the West Philippine Sea after stepping down from office, citing the need to assert “what is ours,” even as he reiterated that the Philippines cannot afford to fight with China over the maritime row.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship BRP Melchora Aquino in Manila, Duterte said his desire to go to West Philippine Sea would not have any ramifications if he does so as a civilian.

“Someday, I could maybe ride with the Coast Guard to see. Even if I am already a civilian ... that you can invite me to ride with you... And I could maybe ride with you there in West Philippine Sea. It is a gamble,” he said.

“But you know, you have at one time in our national life that we have to assert … what is ours,” he added.

The President disclosed that he had clarified with Chinese President Xi Jinping that the Philippines “cannot give up sovereignty” over the waters in West Philippine Sea, including the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which he described as “vital for our national life.”

Experts, however, have noted that under international law, the Philippines has sovereignty over its 12-nautical mile territorial sea, not in the 200-nautical mile EEZ. But the Philippines has sovereign rights in its EEZ, which permits the country to exclusively enjoy the marine resources in the area.

The constitution also requires the state to protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea and EEZ, and “reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.”

Food security, conflict After citing the importance of the resource-rich EEZ, Duterte said the population is growing and the country needs to keep pace.

He also warned that the Philippines may face problems on food security because of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

“You know, even in food security in the coming years, we will have difficulties. And the longer that this ruckus in Europe between Russia and Ukraine continues, (prices) will really spiral. That’s what I’ve been warning the Filipinos about two

months ago,” Duterte said.

“I said there is fighting over there. But the flow of oil will be disrupted,” he added.

Rich nations would be prioritized in terms of oil supply, according to the President.

“We’ll have to be very careful to navigate and maybe there are countries (that) will look kindly upon us to give us the fuel of the economy,” he said.

“Well, aside from the fact that there is really danger to the world if Russia decides to use nuclear arms, if they are pressed against the wall. And I hope Ukrainians will have the common sense to remain in the boundary because they are using the arms of the United States and of the West,” he added.

The outgoing Chief Executive underscored that an intrusion into another territory “would really put the entire population (of) this planet in jeopardy.”

“I am praying that this can be sorted out by just talking.

There’s really no need to kill a human being,” he said.

Duterte explained that the consequence of a conflict was the reason that the Philippines prefers to address its dispute with China through negotiations.

He noted that the Philippines only sends civilian ships like coast guard vessels, not war ships, to West Philippine Sea. “I’m glad that they have also adopted the same behavior. We continue to talk,” Duterte said.

“But we cannot afford (to fight) with China. We cannot win and we will lose and the population will suffer. The Filipino nation would be in a very tight situation, a quandary of how to go about, I said, navigating the geopolitical issues in Europe and here, Taiwan,” he added.

Duterte ended his speech by commissioning PCG ship BRP Melchora Aquino.

The vessel is the second of the two 97-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRV) made in Japan for the PCG. The ship is named after Melchora Aquino, the Filipino heroine known as “Tandang Sora” and the “Mother of Katipunan.”

The vessel has a maximum speed of not less than 24 nautical miles per hour and endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles and can conduct sustained maritime patrols in the Philippines maritime jurisdictions.

PCG says yes The PCG on Sunday said it would allow Duterte to board one of their ships and bring him to West Philippine Sea, even after he retires on June 30.

PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said he does not see any problem if Duterte, even after he has ended his term as president, will join one of their ships going to the WPS, where there had been reported recent sightings of Chinese vessels.

“Of course, we would bring President Duterte to the WPS. I do not see any problem with that. That is allowed since he is a former statesman, a former president after June 30,” Balilo said, using the acronym of West Philippine Sea. “We will accord him the proper honor as a former head of state, once he has retired. We would allow him to ride one of the ships heading to the WPS anytime he wants. We owe him so much,” he added.

In his speech, Duterte praised the PCG for its “excellent record” and that he was “very much impressed” with its performance.

“You have helped the government a lot in maintaining its independence and integrity as a republic. So bilib ako sa inyo,” he said.

BRP Melchora Aquino, skippered by Commander Patrick Babag, and its already commissioned sister ship BRP Teresa Magbanua are currently the biggest vessels of the PCG. The two MRRVs were built under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project (MSCIP) Phase II, a Japanese-assisted project funded by the Official Development Assistance loan from the government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

They are modeled after the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Kunigami-class vessel, which has a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots and an endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles.

While the BRP Melchora Aquino’s first mission assignment has yet to be discussed, it could be deployed to conduct maritime patrols in West Philippine Sea, Philippine Rise and even at southern part of Mindanao. (Philstar.com)

COVID-19 boosters are now available for

children ages 5+

Boosters can help protect the whole family against serious illness and hospitalization.

Visit MyTurn.ca.gov to find a vaccine near you.

GET VACCINATED. Medical front-liner administers a COVID-19 vaccine to elderly man during the “Resbakuna sa Barangay” vaccination drive of the GenTri City Health Office at the Ph-8 covered court Parklane, Barangay Santiago, General Trias, Cavite on Tuesday, June 14. The program also gave vaccines to children ages 5-11 and 12-17 years old, and adults 18 years old and above.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

COVID-19 cases up by 53% in NCR

by RED

MENDOZA ManilaTimes.net

CORONAVIRUS disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases had been increasing by as much as 53 percent in the National Capital Region (NCR or Metro Manila) over the past week, but independent tracker OCTA Research said there is no need to reimpose stronger restrictions like lockdowns.

According to OCTA Research senior fellow Dr. Guido David, the seven-day average cases also jumped from 86 cases per day to 131.

The reproduction number in the region has increased, too, to 1.5, while the positivity rate rose to 2.7 percent.

David said if the current case trends continued, the NCR may experience around 200 to 300 cases in the coming days and 400-500 cases by the end of the month, and below a thousand cases across the country.

Despite the increasing numbers, hospital and intensive care unit utilization rates in the NCR remained stable at 23 and 18 percent, respectively.

Dr. Jose Rene de Grano of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines echoed David's sentiments in a separate

interview, saying while they are experiencing slight increases, non-COVID cases still dominate their facilities.

"Bumabalik na kasi ang mga pasyente sa mga ospital at nagkokonsulta na (The patients are now returning to the hospitals, and they are now consulting)," de Grano said, noting that most of COVID-19 cases in their hospitals are mostly unvaccinated or partly vaccinated.

David said there is a possibility that the Department of Health may escalate NCR to Alert Level 2 if cases and hospitalizations continue to rise and the risk level in the region worsens from low risk to moderate risk based on their own metrics.

"At the minimum, the government needs to decrease the capacities in public transport and indoor establishments so that it would allow more space and prevent crowding in establishments," he added.

David urged private companies to delay their return to work and implement flexible working arrangements, which would also help workers deal with increased oil prices and fares.

In a separate forum organized by the Integrated Studies and Development Institute, OCTA founder Ranjit Rye said while it is yet premature to remove the current state of a public health emergency, he believes that this possible surge will not lead to a crippling lockdown that could affect the economy.

"We have seen that this [COVID-19] variant, if it becomes dominant, will provide us more leeway to make decisions veering away from lockdowns. I don't think we would have that kind of lockdowns like we had last year," Rye added.

He urged the incoming administration of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to strengthen the public health system, improve the collection of taxes, and keep corruption at bay to allow the country to "restart" the economy that has been battered by the pandemic.

"You really have to start confronting the real problem, which is weak institutions, and that would require not just geniuses in the government, [but] it requires confronting the problem head-on and that would require a whole-of-nation approach, whether it is on COVID or on finance," Rye said. 

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‘Why is IATF still requiring masks outdoors?’Angara asks

by Maila

ager Inquirer.net

MANILA — Senator Sonny Angara is baffled by the continued mandatory wearing of face masks outdoors here in the country when the same is no longer required in open spaces all over the world.

For Angara, the wearing of face masks outdoors should be made optional but should still be required in crowded places.

The senator expressed his sentiments on the issue when asked about Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra’s opinion that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF) requirement of wearing face masks should prevail over that of the Cebu governor’s optional policy.

“Sec. Guevara has no choice but to implement the law and policy; having said that, why is the IATF still requiring masks outdoors?” Angara asked in a text message on Tuesday, June 14.

“All over the world masks are no longer required outdoors; why do we still have such a policy to begin with? Doesn’t science already support the proposition that there is much less risk of catching the virus in an outdoor setting?” he added.

In Europe and in the United States, he said, people are no longer required to wear masks outdoors.

“That’s why the US economy has rebounded and produced over a million jobs in the last few months,” the senator pointed out.

So when asked if the wearing of face masks should just be made optional here in the Philippines, Angara said: “Outdoors yes; in crowded spaces ok to still require masks.”

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, meanwhile stressed that policies— either by the national or local governments— “must be science-based and data-driven.”

“Who between the two governments have such basis?

Then that one must prevail,” Sotto said in another text message.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is standing by the optional GAS UP NOW. An attendant fills a tricycle’s tank with fuel at a gasoline station along Arnaldo Highway in Barangay Santiago, General Trias, Cavite wearing of face masks in outdoor on Monday, June 13. Motorists would have to pay more as another hefty oil price hike takes effect on Tuesday -- P2.15 per liter for gasoline, PNA photo by Avito Dalan and well-ventilated areas in P4.30 per liter for diesel, and P4.85 per liter for kerosene. their province even if it runs against the IATF’s mandatory wearing of face masks in open and indoor spaces. g planned filing of protests should is a low-tide elevation within the

by BernaDette e. tamayo come first from the National territorial sea of relevant high-tide ManilaTimes.net Security Agency (NSA), vetted features in the Kalayaan Island THE incoming administration or approved by the NSA chief, Group, including Chigua Reef, of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Meñez said, "It depends on the over which the Philippines "has Marcos seems set in maintaining cause cited." "If it has something sovereignty," the DFA said.

"The lingering unauthorized the present balancing act in its to do with activities in the WPS relations with China — treating [West Philippine Sea], it has to be presence of Chinese fishing and it as a partner but not ruling verified by other agencies, then maritime vessels is not only illegal, out diplomatic protests when discussed in NTF-WPS (National but is also a source of instability Task Force on the WPS) before in the region," the DFA said in a warranted.

Assistant Secretary Eduardo action is taken by DFA," he said. statement on June 9. It explained Meñez of the Department of "If other causes can be quickly that the "persistent swarming" Foreign Affairs (DFA) echoed verified by DFA alone, then we of Chinese vessels violates the statements made earlier can act with more speed," Meñez international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention by incoming National Security added.

According to a recent on the Law of the Sea and the final Adviser Clarita Carlos, who said the Philippines will continue commentary published by the and binding 2016 ruling of an News Service arbitral court. "It is also a violation a critical and constructive Independent (INS), the last elections created of China's commitments under the engagement with China.

Last Friday, Marcos referred to an opportunity for China to 2002 Declaration on the Conduct China as this country's "strongest strengthen its position in of Parties in the South China Sea, in particular, the exercise of selfpartner" in fighting the Covid-19 Southeast Asia.

"The Xi Jinping regime in restraint pursuant to Paragraph 5 pandemic and overcoming the Beijing will continue to take thereof," the DFA said. economic crisis it triggered. advantage of the region's "The Philippines regrets this "The relationship between the ManilaTimes.net file photo Philippines and China is a very economic needs to force regional Chinese violation of international recanting his earlier claim important relationship that we states to see China as their only law days before the successful that he delivered P10 million should continue to evolve as the viable economic and security April 8, 2022 telesummit between to De Lima. The said amount years go by and as the changes partner," the INS said.

President Rodrigo Duterte and supposedly came from the that we have seen around the "If the Philippines new president Chinese President Xi Jinping, proceeds of the illegal drug world are affecting our own status is not wary of Beijing's efforts to where the two leaders reaffirmed trade at the NBP. within the region," Marcos said subvert Philippine interests in their commitment to solve issues Espinosa also submitted a during the ceremonies for the favor of its own economic and of mutual concern through four-page counter-affidavit Award for Promoting Philippines- security preferences, Philippine peaceful dialogue, and exercise before the justice department China Understanding. economic self-determination will restraint in any and all endeavors clearing De Lima of any On the same day, however, become subordinate to China's," relating to the South China Sea," involvement in the drug trade. Carlos said, "We will continue it warned. the DFA said.

He claimed that he was just to file diplomatic protests, never At least for now, the Philippines The Philippines has called coerced and intimidated to mind that we are filing 10,000 of seems to be standing its ground. on China "to comply with its testify against De Lima.

The DFA recently protested the obligations under international them." Meñez told The Manila On the other hand, Dayan, Times on Sunday that "filing return of over 100 Chinese vessels law, cease and desist from De Lima's former driver and DPs [diplomatic protests] when "illegally operating" in the waters displaying illegal and security aide, has denied getting warranted is the current policy — in and around the Julian Felipe irresponsible behavior, avoid P10 million from Ragos. so it appears that will not change Reef on April 4, barely a year further escalating tensions at Adorco, likewise, recanted a when the new administration after the same swarming incident sea and immediately withdraw previous statement linking De takes over." Pressed on whether was protested by the Philippine all of its vessels from Philippine Lima to the illegal drug trade. g it is always necessary that any government. Julian Felipe Reef maritime zones," it added. g

Balancing act with China to continue

DOJ to continue prosecution of De Lima

by William

B. Depasupil ManilaTimes.net

FOLLOWING a review of Sen. Leila De Lima's drug cases, a panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DoJ) is convinced that "there is good reason" to continue the prosecution of the outgoing lawmaker for alleged drug trading.

"The panel of prosecutors in the De Lima case has advised the justice secretary that after a thorough review of the evidence already presented as well as evidence still to be presented, there is good reason to continue the active prosecution of the senator," Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Tuesday, June 14 in a Viber message to reporters.

Guevarra has ordered the review of De Lima's two remaining cases pending before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court amid calls for her release from detention after several of the witnesses recanted their allegations that De Lima was involved in the drug trade inside the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

The DOJ pointed out though that as far as the retraction of certain personalities was concerned, "the prosecution takes the position that until these persons are actually presented in court for examination to ascertain their truthfulness,

EMPLOYMENT

Sen. Leila de Lima.

their alleged recantation has no probative value whatsoever."

"In any event, the final say on the disposition of the cases rests on the judge alone and no other," Guevarra added.

De Lima has been detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame after three cases of illegal drug trading were filed against her in February 2017 before the Muntinlupa courts.

One of the cases was dismissed in February 2021.

Those who recanted their testimonies were former Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos, Kerwin Espinosa, Marcelo Adorco and De Lima's co-accused, Ronnie Dayan.

Ragos executed an affidavit

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

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Wednesday JUNE 15, 2022

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Fil-Am collaborates with Vans to design shoes inspired by father’s immigration story L

by Donnabelle

GatDula arevalo / AJPress

OS ANGELES – When Filipino American artist and graphic designer DJ Javier was designing the shoes for his biggest collaboration with shoe manufacturing giant, Vans, all he could think about was to pay tribute to his father, Liberato.

On this Father’s Day 2022, Javier wants to remember all his dad’s sacrifices and hard work being one of the first generation immigrants in America who opted to leave the Philippines and seek greener pastures to be able to give a better life for his family.

Javier’s father, along with his mom and two older siblings, migrated in United States in the early 80’s on a work visa as an accountant. Javier and another sister were born here.

“I’m inspired most by my dad and what he has put in to build a better life for our DJ Javier shows off collaboration with shoe brand Vans, as a tribute to his father and family,” he said.

The 29-year-old is recalling his father’s Filipino heritage.

Photos courtesy sacrifices uprooting his family to a new country.

“He really sacrificed everything and I feel like this collaboration is like a fruit of him coming here in the U.S. If he hadn’t come here, who knows, I wouldn’t have been born and pursued art and so just seeing him worked so hard to give me and my siblings and my mom a better life I think that is a direct result of where I am in my career right now,” said Javier.

Javier also simply admires his father’s work ethics which he tries to replicate in all his works and projects.

“Even though we have different career path, I think a lot of my work ethics comes from my dad. He always does his best.

He never does just an okay job. If he’s gonna do something, he does it well. So in whatever I do, whether it’s a big project, Vans slip ons and high tops sharing Javier’s a mural, a painting, I am always inspired A pair of Vans slides designed by Javier designs by how my dad works. If I’m gonna do

DJ Javier and father Liberato

something, I’m gonna do it right the first time,” he said, when asked who is his greatest inspiration.

Liberato, who came from San Pablo City in Laguna, Philippines, now owns and runs a telecommunication business.

Over a year and a half ago, Javier sealed a deal with Vans, an American manufacturer of skateboarding shoes and apparel, to design three kinds of shoes: a slip-on, a high top and a slides. Two of these, the slip-on and high top shoes, have already been released to the market earlier this June. The slides will be out by next month.

A graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design in 2015 at Azusa Pacific

University, Javier is known for his bold artwork that blur lines between fine arts and graphic design.

In designing this big project with Vans, Javier drew up his design idea by combining traditional and diverse Filipino culture with his influences in Southern California where he grew up in. Growing up, Javier used to go skateboarding, drawing graffiti with his friends, and playing rap music. Now, he is in to surfing.

Javier lives in Santa Barbara, California most of his life and now with his wife Courtney and son, Duke.

“Every design element in this collection is rooted in my Filipino culture, from the Filipino flag checkerboard, Carabao (Water Buffalo), and Sampaguita (Philippine National Flower) on the Sk8-Hi, to the warrior and rice field worker on the slip-on, to the bamboo “Nipa Hut” scene on the slides,” Javier said in a Facebook post.

His dad’s life experiences were also incorporated in his shoe designs.

“This project represents Filipino culture, identity and Filipino people. It represents the immigrant story,” he said. “This only goes to show that Filipinos are tough and resilient.”

Javier is thankful that his dad is appreciating all his works and arts. “My dad is now my biggest fan and supporter, and I am honored to tell our story and hopefully encourage the many Filipinos, Asian Americans and first generation immigrants who share this same story.”

He is also overjoyed by the Continued on Page 10

entertainment

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 15, 2022

Ice looks back on his mistake of playing it ‘safe’ By

Alex BrosAs Inquirer.net

SINGER Ice Seguerra spoke up about fear in the life of an artist and refusing to do things that might affect one’s career, which leads one to walk the safe path.

Seguerra talked about uncertainty in one’s life and career in his Instagram post today, June 13, where he shared an art card about resistance and self-doubt, stating: “Selfdoubt can be an ally. This is

Ice Seguerra

live without certainty), just to pursue our passion,” he said.

Seguerra admitted that while growing up, he was fearless in pursuing his dreams.

“When I was younger, mas matapang ako (I was braver) to follow my dreams. Pero di pa rin gano’n katapang kasi alam kong may responsibilidad akong kailangan gampanan (But not that brave because I know I have a responsibility to do),” he said.

He shielded himself “from failure and pain.” That, he said, turned out to be a big mistake.

“Looking back, I’ve come to realize that it’s the worst mistake to make when you’re an artist. I have resisted my soul’s growth in exchange of being ‘safe.’ I stopped dreaming big ‘coz I was afraid to fail,” he realized.

Being older and wiser now, and not to mention braver, Seguerra is no longer afraid to wade into untested waters.

“I cannot do that anymore,” he said. “I can’t let fear stop me Photo from Instagram/@iceseguerra from being who I really am.”

because it serves as an indicator of aspiration. It reflects love, love of something we dream of doing, and desire, desire to do it. If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), ‘Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?’ chances are you are.”

“The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death,” the card further stated.

“As artists, we are all familiar with the whole concept of uncertainty. Nabubuhay tayo nang walang kasiguraduhan (We

Fil-Am collaborates with...

From Page 9 overwhelming response that his shoe collection has been receiving from all over the world. “I was checking out the Vans website and I’ve seen that about 2/3 of the slip-on designs have been sold out and the high tops are halfway sold out,” he said.

He said he had been receiving warm messages from Filipinos all over the world who would want to purchase his Vans’ shoe collection.

“I got a lot of messages from complete strangers telling me how excited they are. I feel truly honored to be able to work on this and put it out in the world and see a sense of pride.

These Filipino people that I have never met, they can see the story and they see it as this is my moment as well and that’s one thing that I am really excited about. As much as I wanna say that this is my project, it’s really not. It’s a project for all, it’s our project, it’s the Filipino people’s collaboration with Vans,” he said.

He also wants to encourage all young Filipino artists like him to try to stay authentic to their story and not waver and continue to find richness in Filipino culture and heritage.

“I think the best inspiration comes from just staying true and authentic to yourself.

It’s a big thing because for me that’s why this collaboration even just in a few days have done so well because people can see that the story is true and is real to me,” he said.

Javier said he hopes to seal a more long-term collaboration with Vans. His shoe collection is available in select Vans stores and retailers across the U.S. Customers can also visit Vans.com for orders.

For interested buyers in the Philippines, they could visit select Vans stores or go to Vans Philippines’ Instagram account for more information.

At present, Javier said his company is working out another huge collaboration project.

“I have a similar project with a big company that would be coming out later this summer,” he said.

Javier currently owns Bayan Surf Club Inc., a multi-disciplinary creative studio which does art direction, branding and identity, graphic design, illustration, artist collaborations, apparel design, murals, and fine art.

His list of clients include: L.A. Rams, L.A.FC, Adidas, Amazon, SeaVees, Paragonia, Hucberry, Coors Banquet, Surfrider Foundation, Parks Project, Teva, Vissla, Undefeated, Roark, Farm League, General Admission, True Ames.

Why Rabiya chose an acting career instead of becoming a physical therapist By

AllAn PolicArPio Inquirer.net

AFTER competing and representing the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2020 pageant Rabiya Mateo could have either relocated to the United States to work as a physical therapist, or take a full scholarship offer to a medical school.

But she opted to take the more “practical” route—show biz. “I really wanted to earn and to pursue a career in acting,” she said in a virtual conference for Sparkle GMA Artist Center’s recent contract signing event, “Signed for Stardom.”

Even before her stint in Miss Universe, where she was a semifinalist, Rabiya and her management were already in talks with GMA 7 about the possibility of joining the network’s roster of talents. And it was no less than executive Annette Gozon-Valdes who saw potential in her.

Opportunities “During a dinner with her, she asked me if I had a background in acting. I said no. But I did declamation back when I was in high school and college. I didn’t know if that counted,” Rabiya said. “But things eventually went full circle… I grew up watching GMA 7 shows such as ‘Mulawin’ and ‘Encantadia.’ And now it’s my time to be seen on television through their shows.”

The 25-year-old beauty queen couldn’t be more thankful for all the blessings that helped her change her life’s course. “My life was very different three years ago. I came from nothing.

I’m happy about where the Lord has taken me, so I won’t waste opportunities given to me,” she said.

After only two years in the entertainment industry, she has already managed to buy a house and lot for her single mother. She has also invested in two business ventures. “I feel proud… Every day I wake up and thank God for giving me energy to do good things for my mother,” she said. “Soon, I will also be able to give her a new car.”

“As a single mother, she has sacrificed a lot of things. She lost many opportunities and had to give up her dreams so I could fulfill mine.

Now that I’m 25, this is my time to give back to her, because she deserves all the good things in this world,” she added.

Since joining the Kapuso network in November last year Rabiya has had the chance to try drama in the “Magkaibigan” episode of “Wish Ko Lang,” horror in the “Gabi ng Labim IX” episode of “Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho” and action in the weekly series “Agimat ng Agila.” She has also tried hosting the show biz segment of the evening newscast “24 Oras.”

“I signed only around November but already, I have tried different genres like horror, drama and action. I also got to do hosting,” she related. “I’m so lucky because I’m not being put in just one spot. I’m allowed to try various things to see what works. And so I’m looking forward to doing different kinds of acting projects. I love being challenged and being

Rabiya Mateo

Photo from Instagram/@rabiyamateo

able to grow.”

Dream project Aside from a potential afternoon series, Rabiya will also cohost the upcoming variety show “TiktoClock” together with Pokwang and Kuya Kim Atienza. “It’s a variety show that features talented Filipinos who sing and dance. .. I’m excited because I get to share the stage with different personalities, like Kuya Kim who’s an intellectual person, and Pokwang who’s extremely funny. And then there’s me in the middle,” she said, laughing.

“I’m happy because I feel like this show will allow me to finally showcase my real personality. It’s just me, Rabiya— not a pageant contestant,” she pointed out.

Asked what her dream project is, Rabiya, who graduated cum laude from Iloilo Doctors College with a degree in physical therapy, said she would love to star in a medical drama.

“It would be great if I could mix my medical background and acting. In Korea and the United States there are a lot of those like ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘House M.D.’ and ‘The Good Doctor,’” she said. “I hope to be part of something that can educate.”

Rabiya is currently in a romantic relationship with fellow Kapuso talent Jeric Gonzales. What has she learned from her boyfriend in terms of navigating showbiz?

“Work ethic is important and you always have to respect the people around you. What I have seen from Jeric is that he treats everyone with the same respect, from the director to the staff. It’s not just about how good you are, but what kind of person you are on- and off cam,” she said.

Another strip of land along Las Vegas Blvd sells for millions

By RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman BIG land deals seem to be in vogue this season in Nevada.

According to a report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, a strip of land on the southern part of the Strip has been acquired by a mystery buyer recently.

The plot of land is a 2.2acre property along Las Vegas Boulevard and Russell Road, and was reportedly bought at a price of $12.8 million. Lily Funds founder Tom McManus is the seller, per the news reports.

The land is between the Diamond Inn motel and the Little Church of the West wedding chapel, and is said to have been bought by a limited liability company called Object Dash, which is managed by Object Dash Trust according to state records.

Over the past year, there have been several big land purchases in communities in Nevada that has created excitement and continued the great momentum for both buyers and sellers in the state.

With the return conventions and tourists to cities like Las Vegas, dubbed as the gambling and entertainment capital of the world, many are eyeing continued development in the state and looking at audiencegenerating projects for communities.

Aside from the recent big land purchase, there have been other big transactions which are expected to bring a wealth of projects to different communities in Nevada.

Formula One’s parent

company, for one, completed a $240 million purchase of nearly 40 acres just east of the Strip.

Formula One is gearing up for its high-speed race in 2023 which will have drivers navigate a course that provides many of the iconic landmarks in Las Vegas as backdrop and brings Formula One racing as close as ever to fans and observers. The 14-turn, 3.8 mile-race course will see drivers navigating the course at speeds of up to 212 miles per hour.

The Siegel Group, on the other hand, purchased about 10 acres near the north part of the Strip for $75 million in April, just across from Resorts World Las Vegas. While the firm has not made any comments as to what it plans to put up on the piece of real estate dubbed as “the last great piece of land available on the north Strip,” many industry observers are speculating that long-term options for the group may include a casino-hotel, a condominium tower, retail outlets and multi-family apartments.

The Oak View Group, meanwhile, acquired 25 acres of land in an area just minutes away from Harry Reid International Airport, and plans to build a major arena, entertainment hub and casino which will cater to people who can afford it. The 20,000-seat arena, reports say, will have the ability to host major music acts and can become a home to a professional sports

community

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 15, 2022

Soon-to-be neighbors of Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman at Turnberry Place, Tower 1 are Dr. Phil Paleracio and Mr. Bing Longakit. Escrow is scheduled to close soon assuming that everything is in place. Photo above shows (from left) Realtor Quitevis-Bateman, Dr. Paleracio and Mr. Longakit.

team. And since the National Basketball Association (NBA) has indicated that Las Vegas is among the cities it is considering expansion to, the arena being built within this entertainment/ sports complex will be NBAready, just in case.

Aside from these huge land deals, news reports have touted other big transactions in Las Vegas including Hard Rock International’s plans to buy The Mirage’s operations for more than $1 billion along with a goal to build a guitar-shaped hotel tower on the Strip, and casino landlord Vici Properties buyout of MGM Resorts International’s real estate spinoff for $17.2 million.

In Pahrump, which is only 62

11

A breakfast meeting with Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s Pahrump investors, notably Alka Products CEO Andrew Hoang, who is close to getting approval from Nye County to build a glove factory in Pahrump. Photo above shows (from left) Jenny Truong, Kelly Tiam, Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman, Harold Tiam and Andrew Hoang.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s new investors, Clark and Angelica Games of Palm Springs, CA who are both nurses, are looking at business opportunities in Pahrump. Photo above shows (from left) Clark Games, Angelica Games, Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman and Russ Bateman.

miles west of Las Vegas, a project that has gained momentum will see 400 acres of open farmland in the northern part of the town become a gaming and entertainment hub that will include a 40,000-squarefoot resort casino centered around a 7/8-mile track, with stables for 280 racing horses, and amenities like restaurants, shopping facilities, campgrounds, a water park, batting cages, a movie theater and parking for recreational vehicles. That project will also bring the first parimutuel harness racing track to the state.

Another big project that is on the horizon for the town is the planned development for what is dubbed as “Mountain Falls South,” which will see Adaven Management and its associated parties build more than 5,000 residential units in a planned community on approximately 1,177 acres of land southwest of the intersection of Manse Road and Hafen Ranch Road.

Requirements set forth in the development agreement for this project have been carried out over the years, with the most recent item being the construction of a roundabout on Highway 160 at Manse Road which the company is working Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including This Google Maps photo shows the property bought by a mystery owner in Las on with the Nevada Department loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948 or send Vegas along South Las Vegas Blvd., between the Diamond Inn Hotel and the Little of Transportation (NDOT). The roundabout is expected to cost email to fely@precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com.

Church of the West.

about $1.5 million.

Millions of dollars are being pumped into projects in the state, and in big cities like Las Vegas and towns like Pahrump.

Real estate opportunities abound for those who want to take advantage of land and/ or properties available in the market. Some of my buyers both in Las Vegas and Pahrump are enjoying the benefits of having invested in the market – whether it is in terms of the continued rise in real estate prices and valuation of their properties, or by investing in properties which continue to make money for them (Airbnb or other types of rental properties).

I bring a few decades worth of experience in real estate that will help you, my kababayans, in your search for real estate – whether it is for a new home, a second/vacation home, an investment property, or a piece of land where you want to construct your dream home.

My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-559-2476 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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community

Barrister’s Corner

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 15, 2022

Does filing bankruptcy make sense for your situation?

Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon NO one ever likes to talk about bankruptcy. However, it’s simply a fact of life. Things happen. Whether it’s losing your job, going through a divorce, having huge medical bills that you can’t pay – or sometimes simply making poor financial decisions- any of these can lead to bankruptcy.

It’s a scary thing to a lot of people and most never imagine that it could ever happen to them.

But like everything else in life, fear often comes from a lack of understanding. Most people have heard negative things about bankruptcy so they try to stay away from it the best they can- until one day they realize that it’s the only option they have left. Understanding that bankruptcy is not the end of the world and that it is simply a chance for you to start over can be helpful if you ever find yourself in such. Under what circumstances is bankruptcy advisable? Well, cases vary, but let me mention a few examples.

1. When there is no other way out of debt Some people are so buried in debt that unless they file bankruptcy, they will simply remain in debt until hell freezes over. This is especially true for people who owe large amounts of credit card debt. As you already know, credit card companies usually charge anywhere from 18-29% in interest and paying only

the minimum required every month guarantees that you will never pay off what you owe. If your credit card accounts are now seriously delinquent and you’ve been sued by creditors or about to be sued, filing bankruptcy may be the only way for you to either wipe out or consolidate your debts.

2. When creditors have taken you to court Creditors will often harass you for months, making you feel like a deadbeat and a criminal, to force you to pay.

But sooner or later, they will bring a lawsuit so they can obtain a judgment against you.

Once they have a judgment, they can enforce the judgment

tax liabilities can either be discharged in bankruptcy or be paid back with no interest and additional penalties.

3. If your home or other property is in or under threat of foreclosure Bankruptcy immediately halts foreclosure proceedings.

If a Notice of Default or a Notice of Trustee Sale has been filed by your lender, you have very limited time to protect your property so you must act quickly. Chapter 13 may be an option for you if you have regular income and you can afford to continue making mortgage payments.

All back mortgage payments are combined with other debts and can be paid back under a 5-year plan. In certain cases, you may even be able to wipe out debt owed under a second mortgage (lien stripping) or significantly reduce the amount owed. If mortgage payments are too high, modifying the first mortgage and then “stripping off” the second mortgage may be your best strategy in making your home more affordable.

Bankruptcy can be a tool for financial recovery. Don’t be discouraged. There is hope for you and it could be the only way for you to put your finances back in order. ***

Bankruptcy can be a tool for financial recovery.

Don’t be discouraged.

There is hope for you and it could be the only way for you to put your finances back in order. by several ways- going to your employer to garnish your wages, levy your bank account or place a lien on your home or other real property.

Unless you can work out a reasonable settlement with creditors to avoid the above, you may be forced to file bankruptcy in order to protect yourself and your assets. Filing for bankruptcy protection immediately stops all legal proceedings against you and your property. Even the IRS (a government agency that you don’t want to mess with), who has more powers than ordinary creditors, cannot continue to collect from you once you are in bankruptcy. Unpaid

NOTE: Due to the pandemic, consultations via phone or video are available. Please call the office at 866-477-7772 to schedule your appointment with me. Questions?

Email me at gethelp@rjb-lawoffices.com. *** None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772.

(Advertising Supplement)

Atty. Kenneth uRsuA Reyes

How important is it to have a living trust?

the estate. If it is necessary to post bond, the premium on the bond would have to THINKING about one’s be paid as well. There is also demise is not something the cost of administering the people want to spend time estate such as selling some thinking about. However of the assets to satisfy the reality is that we all have to estate’s obligations and to face this one day. It is just divide the estate according to a matter of whether you the will or the intestate line of depart this world prepared or succession if there is no will. unprepared.

The entire process could take If you pass away with at up years specially if certain least $184,500 in gross assets beneficiaries and creditors file and you do not have a living certain claims. The probate trust (even if you have a will), court file would be public your beneficiaries would have record. to open up a probate case On the other hand if you before title to the assets can have a living trust, your estate pass to them. When I say gross can avoid the entire court asset, I mean regardless of system and court supervision. how much debt you owe on In certain situations, the them. For example if you own process may also save you a house valued at $350,000 at estate taxes which may be the time of your death, it does substantial if your assets not matter that your mortgage exceed a certain threshold. balance is $300,000, a probate Basically, you and/or your case has to be opened in order spouse can be named as the to pass title to that property. initial trustee of the trust while The same is true with other you are alive. The trustee is the types of assets such as owning person who manages the trust. a business, a professional This means you retain control practice, bonds, equities, etc. of all your assets the same way This is a very low threshold to as if you never had a trust. For exceed specially in California revocable trusts, you can later where real estate prices, even on, at any time during your after the economic crisis, lifetime, revoke the entire trust remains in the upper end of the if you change your mind. curve among the 50 states.

The assets held in your Commencing a probate living trust will be managed case is expensive and a very by the trustee and distributed slow process. Someone according to your directions qualified will have to file a without court supervision and Petition with the probate court involvement when you pass to have someone appointed as away. This can save your heirs executor or administrator. The time and money. Since the Petitioner’s attorney gets paid trust would not be under the a statutory rate for attorney’s direct management of the fees commencing with 4% of probate court, your assets the gross estate. The probate and their value and your referee will have to be paid beneficiaries’ identities would for appraising the assets of not become a public record.

Immigrant Living: 101 and Bemonette AdevA mAglAyA (CONTINUED from last week…)

I plead the case for mindfulness for everyone at all times and in all places.

Do you feel incomplete, naked, inept and insecure when you are not tethered electronically to your cellphone or your computer? Do you feel less of a person? Take heart. You are not alone.

The advances in communication technology have created a world where we can send and receive information at breakneck speed. The thoughts, the images of anyone, from kings to paupers, from the most profound to the most profane, from the wisest to the most foolish, from the most beautiful to the most horrific, once formed, can be transmitted to billions of people around the electronically wired community.

Just like the common cold and the dreadful Covid19 pandemic that had the world on a stranglehold, thoughts and images “go viral…” The power of a message or image online is now measured by the number of retweets, hits and views it gets.

Many are choosing to live in virtual reality rather than in the real world believing they can safely hide behind a cloak of anonymity. Disabuse yourself of the idea. No one remains anonymous for long. No one in the internet is sacrosanct.

Everyone is fair game.

The pandemic forced billions to work from home, earth’s inhabitants are becoming more and more sucked into a virtual world for work and more and more into the real world of inyour-face home life. Many are getting used to this new lifestyle where the borders of home life and work life are fused.

One can work in her pajamas and slippers, talking to clients and earn a living while the casserole is simmering in the slow cooker and the baby is in the playpen absorbed listening and watching Simple Songs on youtube.

The human work force had to adapt and once again, for the most part when presence in the work place is not mandatory, the home has become the center of life in the modern world. Throw in the advantage of cancelling the dreadful commute.

Yay! An upside to having to deal with Covid? A silver lining?

Maybe so….The post pandemic story is still evolving.

The Holy Spirit uses every tool at His disposal to renew the face of the earth.

The upside of staying put at home or any one place for longer periods of times may work in favor of mindfulness and sharpening our senses of our

Your heirs and beneficiaries would still have to be notified about the living trust and advised, among other things, of their right to obtain a copy of the trust.

If you are contemplating setting up a trust or have an existing trust that needs to be updated because your family circumstances have changed over the years, you should set an appointment with an experienced attorney that understands and can competently advise you in the law. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

Mindfulness as a survival skill Part 2 of 2

“Be present. It is the only thing that matters.”

— Ways of the Peaceful Warrior immediate environment.

Thoughts and images go around fast just like the weather patterns that change and swirl around the globe. And just like the weather, our cultural world is being shaped by our collective thoughts within the structure and framework of the technologically wired environment we live in today.

Do we then damn technology because of the potent power it wields over us?

Certainly NOT! It would be a big mistake to blame technology for our present woes. Just like fire and electricity and practically all of man’s tools and inventions through the ages, technology is a double-edged sword. It can enhance human life or it can destroy just as well.

The fault, dear tech user, is not in our stars but in OURSELVES. It is how we define our relationship to technology and use it in our daily lives.

We can be the boss of it.

Or if we lose control, we can let ourselves be obsessed by technology and all its bells and whistles. It can wreak havoc on our souls, our persona and ultimately our lives if we use it as a tool to enable a hubristic tendency among many people today who think the world revolves around them and who then count their worthiness with the number of likes they get from their posts.

How do we know if technology has us wrapped around its little digits? It is easy enough to self-diagnose this condition.

Observe if you cross streets and railroad tracks with your phones tethered to your ears unmindful of the coming truck or train. Note if you like taking selfies even in dangerous places, elike the edge of a cliff, just to be able to post a photo or video on Instagram. See if you become unhinged because you forgot or lost your phone.

Note if your instinct for risk assessment or the ability to sense danger has become dull.

If so, break the habit pronto If not, we, as a specie and you as an individual will disappear just like the dodo bird who has become so stupid that it has foolishly lost its instinct to sense danger and veer away from it.

When we are no longer mindful of our present conditions and depend on technology overly much to do the thinking for us, then we are truly in deep trouble.

People have become so preoccupied and distracted by the mind boggling possibilities

presented by multitasking that is engendered by a tech-enhanced way of life, that they tend to forget what is important and what truly matters.

How badly can it get? There are horror stories of mindless idiocy. Countless car accidents borne of texting while driving, are a testament to the tragic loss of mindfulness and by extension, common sense, among us earthlings. Thankfully, Bluetooth technology stepped up to the plate and we can make and receive calls in our vehicles safely.

Witness the number of news items about overly busy working parents, juggling balls of parenthood and a career and who forget that they have babies strapped in car seats in the back of their cars leaving them to die in the heat of the sun. It is a sad commentary that while we have all the technological aids at our disposal to make our lives better, we fail to use them appropriately.

How do we detox? Try going tech free at designated times or for long stretches of time without having to check your phone or your computer for messages that you feel compelled to respond to ASAP. As I have said in another article championing the cause of living mindfully in the moment, “Log off and enjoy your hot chocolate.”

Unless your work involves saving lives, taking a vacation from technology may prove to offer a higher quality of life.

Eventually, as we learn to synch and balance our lives with our tech tool, it will be an obedient dog serving us as its master.

Think of the perks. We get to appreciate the present moment and appreciate and deeply love the people we are with right then and there. We get to “Carpe Diem” and experience JOY in real time. We get to open our eyes and our hearts to the beauty and infinite majesty of just breathing and knowing LIFE IS GOOD – so good you can feel it in your bones.

Best of all, we get to reserve the eminent right to remain ESSENTIALLY HUMAN. ***

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.

***

Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya writes for Asian Journal Publications, Inc. Her opinions are her own. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc.com.

Asia Pacific Fashion Week presents fast-rising children’s clothing designer Chewy Jang

CHEWY JANG (Joo Yung Jang) is the CEO of Kid’s Dream, a special occasion children’s clothing brand that inspires young girls to feel beautiful and confident on their special day. Whether it be a birthday, communion, life milestones, or holiday occasions — Kid’s Dream is here to celebrate them!

Chewy – one of the designers to be showcased at Asia Pacific Fashion Week 2022, a global platform for emerging designers to be held in Los Angeles and Las Vegas in August 2022 – takes pride in her active involvement in her business and locally in her city, LA. Kid’s Dream is also proud of its fashionable and high-quality designs, which are all produced in the United States.

As a family-owned kids apparel brand designed and made in Los Angeles, Kid’s Dream is sold directly online, as well as through an extensive wholesale network that spans over 35 countries through 500 authorized retailers worldwide.

A quick pivot during the pandemic Taking control of how Covid has suddenly impacted her business, Chewy quickly pivoted to make fabric face masks and started LA Face Masks.

Chewy is now also the CEO of LA Face Masks. As a local manufacturer located in Los Angeles, Chewy quickly produced face masks to save her business and also donated thousands of masks to hospitals and frontline workers.

A dream come true Chewy grew up in Los Angeles since immigrating from South Korea at the age of 5.

Her parents worked as sewing contractors in downtown Los Angeles because, back in South Korea, this was their trade, and the garment area in LA was booming at the time.

Because there was minimal competition from abroad, much of the clothing sold in the United States was created in Los Angeles.

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 15, 2022

Hollywood Walk of Fame in the heart of Los Angeles.

The second show is on August 13 (Saturday), at 5:00 pm, at the Decades Event Center, located in Vegas Pointe Plaza, Unit 168, 9175 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas.

Both events are organized

by One Global Management Company Inc., an international events production and talents development agency based in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles leg of APFW enjoys the support of Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, Philippine Department of Trade and Industry-Los Angeles office, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and the Asian Journal Multimedia Group.

Main sponsors also include The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Trending Beverages Inc., AN IMMIGRANT SUCCESS STORY: children’s clothing designer Chewy Jang immigrated from South Korea at the age of 5, and is now CEO of Kid’s Dream, a special occasion children’s Napa Valley Distribution Inc., clothing brand.

Photo courtesy of Chewy Jang Montemaria Cellars, House of Pacquiao Wine, Individual A global platform Health Care, Lombard by the Her parents began sewing Chewy is eager to showcase Bay, Premier Asia Pacific Real dresses for a few “special Estate & Development, and Icon occasion girl’s dress” companies Kid’s Dreams’ latest collection of flower girl dresses, Easter Model Group. in 1998 after starting their own dresses, Communion dresses, The Las Vegas edition sewing contractor business. graduation dresses, holiday of APFW is co-organized by Kid’s Dream was their biggest dresses, and baptism gowns InterEdx, Dynasty Exchange customer. in a global platform that is the Ltd. LLC., headed by Dr. Lee When the owner decided APFW, slated in two iconic Dedicatoria, in cooperation with to sell the company in 2011, American cities.

Asia on Earth, Dynasty Ventures, her parents leaped at the The first show is on August Club Paradisia, World Edoption, chance. Chewy, who graduated 6 (Saturday), at 5:00 p.m., at Royal Blue Staffing, Lend with from Marlborough School the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Love and Decades Event Center. and received her Bachelors in a historic landmark on the Finance and Management from (Advertising Supplement) Santa Clara University Leavy School of Business, became President of the company, with her parents assisting her with manufacturing.

Chewy had always wanted to be an entrepreneur, so having the chance to run this firm and expand the Kid’s Dream brand was a dream come true.

Chewy’s father died of cancer a few years ago, and Kid’s Dream is his legacy.

Kid’s Dream has expanded dramatically since 2012. Chewy is more determined than ever to keep Kid’s Dream running smoothly for the benefit of her family, employees, and clients.

Chewy Jang is very proud of her fashionable and high-quality designs, which are all produced in the United States.

community

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Chewy Jang is a young entrepreneur striving to increase her market share in the children’s apparel industry.

Kid’s Dream, a special occasion girl’s dress brand headquartered in Los Angeles, creates beautiful dresses for girls 6 months to 14 years.

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - June 15, 2022