070222 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

JULY 2-5, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 52 • 2 Sections – 18 Pages

Bongbong Marcos: We do not look back, but ahead DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Los Angeles’ minimum wage increases to $16.04

WORKERS in Los Angeles experienced a minimum wage increase on Friday, July 1.

The city's minimum wage increased from $15 per hour to $16.04 per hour for all covered employees. For unincorporated areas of LA County, the increase goes to $15.96.

The increase applies to all businesses, regardless of size.

Those experiencing an increase are fulltime, part-time, seasonal or temporary employees who perform at least two hours of work in any week within Los Angeles.

Workers, regardless of immigration or work status, will be covered by the hike.

The increase was made official on February 1 and is in accordance with the Los Angeles Municipal Code, which states that on July 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, the minimum wage will increase based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers in the Los

by MELVIN

GASCON Inquirer.net

PRESIDENT Marcos on Thursday, June 30 pledged that he would solve the country’s problems without adding more burden on ordinary Filipinos as the country’s 17th President, and that he would offer “no excuses” for things he would be unable to accomplish over the next six years.

“I will try to spare you, you have your other

responsibilities to carry. But I will not spare myself from shedding the last bead of sweat or giving the last ounce of courage and sacrifice,” he said in his inaugural speech.

He gave tribute and praise to his father, the late ousted leader who ruled the country for 20 years, as well as set the elder Marcos’ supposed achievements as the benchmark for his own administration.

“Believe. Have hope. The sun also rises like it did today and as it will tomorrow. And as surely as that,

Pres. Marcos hints at pursuing foreign policy similar to father’s

 PAGE A4

Steven Raga wins primary election for New York state assembly STEVEN Raga is one step away from the New York State Assembly.

As the New York State primary elections concluded on Tuesday night, June 28, it became apparent that Raga won his campaign for Assembly District 30 and will become the official Democratic candidate.

He is now on the November ballot against his Republican opponent. If elected, Raga would make history and become the first Filipino American to be elected to serve in the state assembly. There are 150 seats in the New York State Assembly that serve two-year terms without term limits.

“We’re going to the general election this November, we’ve won the primary. This is the first time that we will have AAPI representation in this district, the first time that a Filipino American will represent,” Raga said, speaking before supporters and volunteers as they waited for the election results.

A former chief of staff of Assemblymember Brian Barnwell of District 30 who announced last April that he won’t be running for reelection, Raga was thrust into the position

 PAGE A2

UNITY. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (3rd from right) raises the hands of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte (3rd from left) during his inauguration as the country’s 17th Chief Executive at the National Museum of the Philippines in the City of Manila on Thursday, June 30. Both Marcos and Duterte won via a huge lead in the May 9 polls, each of them garnering over 30 million votes. Malacañang photo by Avito Dalan

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

AMID the rise in anti-Asian hate and discrimination across the United States, California reported a 177.5% increase in anti-Asian hate incidents from 2020 to 2022, according to Attorney General Rob Bonta.

On Tuesday, June 28, Bonta’s office released the 2021 Hate Crime in California report which found a sharp increase in hate crimes — defined as any crimes against individuals based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and religion — across the Golden State.

The number of reported hate crimes in

 PAGE A2

2020 was 1,330 while in 2021, that number jumped to 1,763 — a 33% rise — making it the highest surge in reported hate crimes since 9/11, according to Bonta.

Amid the wave of anti-Asian hate since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of reported anti-Asian hate incidents jumped from 89 in 2020 to 247 in 2021.

“Today’s report undeniably shows that the epidemic of hate we saw spurred on during the pandemic remains a clear and present threat,” said Bonta — who is Filipino American — in a statement.

Bonta said that the Office of the Attorney President Rodrigo Duterte  PAGE A5

Malacañang photo by Joey Dalumpines

Duterte has drawn high ratings Rappler to appeal SEC closure order from 2016 to 2022 – Pulse Asia CROW MAGHANOY ManilaTimes.net

Philstar.com file photo

MANILA — After taking his oath of office at the National Museum on Thursday, June 30 President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hinted that he plans on pursuing a version of an "independent foreign policy" similar to his father’s.

Marcos Jr. emphasized that it is only the Philippines that knows "what is best" for the country.

"Past history has often proven that. Solutions from outside divided us. None deepened our understanding. They were always at our expense," Marcos Jr. said in his inaugural speech on Thursday morning.

“We resisted and never failed to defeat foreign attempts to break up our country on my father’s watch. His strongest critics have conceded that.”

However, this comes even if the newly inaugurated president has yet to name his secretary of Foreign Affairs. Marcos Jr. also failed to mention specific policies he plans to pursue throughout his vaguelyworded inaugural speech.

On its website, the Department of Foreign Affairs noted that the elder Marcos "redefined foreign policy as the safeguarding of territorial integrity

AG Bonta: Anti-Asian hate incidents jumped 177.5% in California

by CHRISTIAN

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa

we will achieve the country all Filipinos deserve,” he said in an allegorical clincher to his 26-minute speech.

Mr. Marcos, 64, took his oath of office before Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo at the National Museum for Fine Arts, the former Legislative Building that was shut down by his father, who declared martial law and ruled by decree from 1972 until he was toppled in the 1986 People Power  PAGE A2

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has affirmed its order shutting down the online news site Rappler, but its Chief Executive Officer Maria Ressa said that they will appeal the ruling.

Ressa announced the SEC ruling in her speech at Hawaii's East-West Center international media conference late Tuesday, June 28.

She said the move "effectively shuts down Rappler," claiming that the SEC's decision is "highly irregular" and not immediately executory, without the court's approval.

"In an order dated June 28, our

Securities and Exchange Commission affirmed its earlier decision to revoke the certificates of incorporation of Rappler Inc. and Rappler Holding Corp.," Ressa said in a social media video posted by a fellow journalist Annalisa Burgos. "We were notified by our lawyers of this ruling that effectively confirmed the shutdown of Rappler."

She affirmed that Rappler's closure will depend on the verdict of the Supreme Court."Although it's up to the highest court of the land, this is business as usual and it is business as usual as we hold power into account," Ressa said.

"We will tell the truth. Since in our view, this isn't immediately executory without the court approval, where rule of law is being bid to be broken," she said.  PAGE A4

by ZACARIAN

SARAO

Inquirer.net

MANILA — Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte has been getting high approval ratings from September 2016 to March 2022, according to a report released by Pulse Asia on Tuesday, June 28.

As of March 2022, Duterte had a 73 percent approval rating, which as Pulse Asia was lower than earlier ratings he got.

Throughout his term, Duterte’s approval rating has coasted above 70 percent, except in September 2021, when it dipped to 64 percent, according to the report.

Not long after that, Duterte’s

rating jumped back up to 72 percent in December 2021.

His rating, however, stayed in the low 70s from September 2021 to March 2022.

Before this, Duterte enjoyed ratings ranging from the high-70s to the 90s. He got his highest rating of 91 percent in September 2020 and November 2020.

By region, Duterte in March 2022 scored his highest rating in Mindanao at 89 percent, Metro Manila at 74 percent, Balance Luzon at 70 percent, and the Visayas at 61 percent.

He also gained a rating of 73 percent from both rural and urban  PAGE A2

A2 JULY 2-5, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Pres. Marcos hints at pursuing foreign...

PAGE A1

and national dignity, and emphasized increased regional cooperation and collaboration."

The DFA noted that under Marcos Sr., the Philippines

joined the Association of Southeast Nations, and "normalized economic and diplomatic ties" with China and the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

The Philippines at the time also allowed the U.S. to maintain bases in Subic and in Clark in exchange for military concessions and economic support. (Philstar.com)

Duterte has drawn high ratings from 2016...

PAGE A1 areas.

In terms of income class, Duterte fared the highest among those belonging to Class ABC at 77 percent, then Class D at 73 percent, and 72 percent in Class E. By age group, Duterte scored the highest among

the 25 to 34-year-olds at 80 percent, followed by the 18 to 24-year-olds at 75 percent, the 35 to 44-year-olds at 74 percent; the 45 to 64-year-olds at 73 percent, and senior citizens aged 65 and above at 70 percent.

He scored the lowest, 65 percent, among the 55 to 64 age group. 

Los Angeles’ minimum wage increases...

PAGE A1 visits to businesses to share the work should always be met Angeles metropolitan area, as new wage laws and compliance. with the dignity, respect, ‘THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN’ Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. conceded that he “did not talk much” or debate with his rivals during the published by the Bureau of In June 2015, Garcetti led and opportunity that fair campaign. Pulling off a resounding victory despite all that, he offered the broad strokes of what he plans to do to lead the country out of its Labor Statistics. the coalition to sign the wage pay brings,” Garcetti said in many crises, in his inaugural speech as the country’s 17th President. Administering his oath of office on Thursday was Supreme Court Chief Over 600,000 workers in Los increase into law, raising the February. “Our decision to end Justice Alexander Gesmundo, with his first lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos and their sons Ferdinand Alexander, Joseph Simon and William Angeles are said to receive a City’s minimum wage to $15 poverty wages in L.A. caused a Vincent sharing the historic moment onstage.

Inquirer.net photo pay increase through the wage per hour by 2020 and making ripple effect across the nation, boost, according to Los Angeles Los Angeles the first big city in and this additional increase is America to implement such a the latest reason to celebrate Mayor Eric Garcetti's office. today – and a reminder of how The County Department of change.

“We fought to raise the our fight for better wages is far Consumer and Business Affairs said staff will conduct on-site minimum wage because hard from finished.” (AJPress) PAGE A1 focus on agriculture, potential for achievement, and to yet they were poor. But he got it lamenting that the supposed Revolution.

Without directly referring to done,” he said. “Sometimes with gains his father’s administration his father’s dictatorial regime, the needed support. Sometimes, had achieved in food sufficiency the new President said he without. So, will it be with his were squandered by succeeding PAGE A1 when he was selected by a committee to determine wanted Filipinos to be forward- son. You will get no excuses administrations.

“The role of agriculture cries who would replace Barnwell on the ballot. looking and not to dwell on what from me.”

“I am proud of the campaign that Steven and In his speech, Mr. Marcos for the urgent attention that its had happened.

“I am here not to talk about the offered reconciliation to his neglect and misdirection now his team ran in about three short months, and we past,” he said. “I am here to tell opponents and critics, and urged demands. Food self-sufficiency are witnessing a historic event happening now in you about our future. A future of Filipinos to unite to recover from has been the key promise of New York, in Queens,” said Rep. Grace Meng, who sufficiency, even plenty of readily the economic crisis caused by every administration. None but thanked Raga’s campaign volunteers for their “hard one delivered,” said Mr. Marcos, work, and hitting the pavement every single day.” available ways and means to get the pandemic.

Raga amassed a slew of endorsements from “Come, let us put our who will lead the agriculture done what needs doing—by you, elected officials and community and civic leaders shoulders to the wheel and give department in the meantime. by me.”

He lauded his father and Mr. such as Congresswoman Meng, Congressman “We do not look back, but that wheel a faster turn to repair and to rebuild and to address Duterte especially for improving Gregory Meeks, State Sen. John Liu and ahead,” he said.

But he himself could not challenges in new ways to the country’s infrastructure and Assemblymembers Ron Kim and Catalina Cruz.

Assembly District 30 has undergone significant help harking back to the days provide what all Filipinos need agricultural production.

“My father built more and change due to redistricting. It currently covers the of “glory” under his father, to be all that we can,” he said.

He said he was glad that his better roads, produced more rice neighborhoods of Woodside, Maspeth, Elmhurst, although avoiding any mention of the allegations of human call for national unity during than all administrations before along with parts of Jackson Heights. The district is presidential campaign his. President Rodrigo Roa one of the most diverse in the state and is majority rights violations, corruption and the among Filipino Duterte built more and better AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders). ill-gotten wealth amassed by the resonated Meng described Raga as the perfect candidate voters—the same message he than all the administrations late dictator. intended to emphasize during succeeding my father,” he said for the position, having served as the chief of staff Reconciliation offer in the presence of two former for four years, has run nonprofit organizations, Steven Raga, who won the primary election for the New York State His remarks suggested that no his presidency.

“I believe that if we focus on presidents—Joseph Estrada and and worked tirelessly in the district during the Assembly District 30 seat on Tuesday, June 28, speaks before his better president came before and supporters and volunteers in Queens. pandemic. after his father, except to some the work at hand, and the work Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

He also praised Mr. Duterte Raga was optimistic that his team’s hard work level of excitement and enthusiasm and all of the extent, his predecessor, Rodrigo that will come to hand, we will Duterte, whose daughter, Sara go very far under my watch. You for his administration’s efforts to was going to pay off. At a fundraising dinner held volunteers coming every day, and crowds and believe that too. And I listened to help Filipinos handle COVID-19, at the residence of community leader Loida Nicolas events like this,” he said. “In less than seven days, Duterte, is his Vice President.

“I once knew a man who saw your voices who are calling for especially for “the courage of his Lewis last week, he said he was looking forward we will make history.” hard decisions.” to proudly wearing a Barong Tagalog on the floors what little had been achieved unity, unity and unity,” he said.

On Tuesday night, Raga’s words came true and He said it is the government, of the New York State Assembly if he gets elected. he made history, garnering more than 70 percent Focus on agri since independence in a land “I guarantee that with this support, with this of the vote cast. (Momar G. Visaya/AJPress) Mr. Marcos said he intended filled with people with the greatest  PAGE A4

Bongbong Marcos: We do not...

Steven Raga wins primary election for New York...

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DATELINE USA

TIES. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. receives United States Second Gentleman Douglas Craig Emhoff during a meeting held at the National Museum of Fine Arts following the inaugural ceremony on Thursday, June 30.

Malacañang photo

COVID-19 vaccines are now available for infants and toddlers Get COVID-19 facts on vaccine safety and efficacy

by KIMBERLY

S.G. CHANG, MD, MPH

GREAT news for Californians and Americans across the country—children 6 months and older can now receive their COVID-19 vaccine and get protected. This highly anticipated announcement could not come at a better time, with summer underway and upcoming travel, get-togethers and celebrations, getting vaccinated is the sure way to protect the entire family.

As a doctor and community member, I hear concerns from parents looking for ways to protect themselves and their families all the time. Getting vaccinated is the best protection, and when coupled by handwashing and mask wearing, your chances are greatly reduced.

There are many unknowns about how COVID-19 could affect health outcomes in the long-term, but what we do know is that the vaccine is safe, effective and the right choice to make. Now that it is available for this younger age group, everyone can be protected, which is a very good thing.

Parents have questions and concerns, and it is absolutely to be expected. Below are some common questions and my responses to help parents and caregivers get the information they need to make informed decisions.

COVID-19 vaccines are now available for children under 5. Are the vaccines safe for children this young?

COVID-19 vaccines are proven to be safe and effective for all age groups, including infants and toddlers 6 months and older. The COVID-19 vaccines go through rigorous testing before it goes through clinical trials. For children under five specifically, three phases of clinical trial were conducted with thousands of vaccinated

young infants and toddlers from all ethnic groups enrolled.

Why should parents vaccinate their children under 5 when infants and toddlers are not dying from COVID and only experiencing minor symptoms?

COVID-19 has become one of the top five leading causes of death in children, and children who are vaccinated experience far less severe symptoms than children who aren’t vaccinated.

The benefits of getting kids vaccinated definitely outweigh the risks of not getting vaccinated against COVID-19, providing them with protection from the worst outcomes of COVID-19 including hospitalization, long COVID, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) and death. The vaccine is safe and effective, and not getting them vaccinated is a risk not worth taking.

Can you provide data on serious COVID-19 symptoms and even death for children under 5?

COVID-19 and its variants have dominated hospitalizations across the nation. During the Omicron surge, one in five children were either hospitalized or admitted into the ICU due to COVID. Studies show children were also five times more likely to be hospitalized if they contracted COVID. Today, COVID-19 has become one of the top five leading causes of death for children, and it is preventable.

How effective are the vaccines for children under 5 when they can still get COVID? Getting your children vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best protection you can give them. The vaccines have been well-studied and are safe and effective, as demonstrated in the vaccine  PAGE A4

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DATELINE USA

What you need to know about monkeypox

by CÉLINE

GOUNDER

Kaiser Health News

THE World Health Organization said June 25 that monkeypox wasn’t yet a public health emergency of international concern. More than 4,500 cases have been reported worldwide, with more than 300 in the U.S. And with public health officials unable to follow all chains of transmission, they’re likely undercounting cases. Everyone should be aware of its symptoms, how it spreads, and the risks of it getting worse.

Q: Should I be worried about monkeypox?

The American public is currently at low risk for monkeypox. It is spreading among men who have sex with men, but it is only a matter of time before it spreads to others. As of June 27, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control had reported 10 cases among women. Monkeypox is generally a mild disease but can be serious or even deadly for people who are immunocompromised, pregnant women, a fetus or newborn, women who are breastfeeding, young children, and people with severe skin diseases such as eczema.

But monkeypox could become endemic in the U.S. and around the world if it continues to spread unchecked.

Q: How does monkeypox spread?

Monkeypox is a viral infection, a close cousin of smallpox. But it causes a much milder disease.

It is transmitted through close contact, including sex, kissing, and massage — any kind of contact of the penis, vagina, anus, mouth, throat, or even skin. In the current outbreak, monkeypox has primarily been transmitted sexually.

Condoms and dental dams will reduce but won’t prevent all transmission because they protect only against transmission to and from the skin and mucosal surfaces that are covered by those devices. It’s important to know that the virus can enter broken skin and penetrate mucous membranes, like in the eyes, nose, mouth, genitalia, and anus.

Scientists don’t know whether monkeypox can be transmitted through semen or vaginal fluid.

Monkeypox can be transmitted through respiratory droplets or “sprays” within a few feet, but this is not thought to be a particularly

efficient mode of transmission.

Whether monkeypox could be transmitted through aerosols, as COVID-19 is, is unknown, but it hasn’t been documented so far.

It is not known whether monkeypox can be transmitted when someone doesn’t have symptoms.

Q: What are the common symptoms of monkeypox?

Symptoms of monkeypox may develop up to 21 days after exposure and can include fevers and chills, swollen lymph nodes, rash, and headaches.

It is not known whether monkeypox always shows any or all of those symptoms.

Experts currently think monkeypox, like smallpox, will always cause at least some of these symptoms, but that belief is based on pre-1980 science, before there were more sophisticated diagnostic tests.

Q: What does the monkeypox rash look like?

The monkeypox rash usually starts with red spots and then evolves into fluid-filled and then pus-filled bumps that may look like blisters or pimples. The bumps then open into sores and scab over. People with monkeypox should be considered infectious until after the sores scab over and fall off. Monkeypox sores are painful. The rash was often seen on palms and soles in the past, but many people in this outbreak have experienced external and internal lesions of the mouth, genitalia, and anus. People may also experience rectal pain or the sensation of needing to have a bowel movement when their bowels are empty.

Q: How do I get tested for monkeypox?

If you have symptoms of monkeypox, including oral, genital, or anal lesions, go to your nearest sexual health clinic for testing. A medical professional should swab any suspicious lesion for testing. There’s also emerging evidence that throat swabs may be useful in screening for monkeypox, but health officials in the U.S. are so far not recommending them.

Q: Is there a vaccine for monkeypox?

Yes. Two vaccines are effective in preventing monkeypox: the Jynneos vaccine and the ACAM2000 vaccine. The FDA has approved the Jynneos vaccine for preventing monkeypox and smallpox among people 18 and older. The ACAM2000 is FDA-

approved to prevent smallpox.

The U.S. is currently using only the Jynneos vaccine because it’s safer and has fewer side effects.

The Jynneos vaccine is safe. It has been tested in thousands of people, including people who are immunocompromised or have skin conditions. Common side effects of the Jynneos vaccine are similar to those of other vaccines and include fevers, fatigue, swollen glands, and irritation at the injection site.

The Jynneos vaccine is effective in preventing monkeypox disease up to four days after exposure and may reduce the severity of symptoms if given up to 14 days after exposure.

Q: Can I be vaccinated against monkeypox?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends vaccination against monkeypox only for those at heightened risk: people who have had close contact with someone with monkeypox; men who have sex with men and trans women who have recently had multiple sex partners in a venue where there was known to be monkeypox or in an area where monkeypox is spreading; and some health care workers, laboratory staffers, first responders, and members of the military who might come into contact with the affected.

Supplies of the Jynneos vaccine are currently limited.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response will release 56,000 doses from the strategic national stockpile immediately.

An additional 240,000 doses will be made available in the coming weeks, 750,000 doses later this summer, and 500,000 this fall, for a total of more than 1.5 million doses.

Q: What are other ways to lower the risk of monkeypox transmission?

The best way is to educate yourself and your sex partners about monkeypox. If you’re worried you might have monkeypox, get tested at a sexual health clinic. Many emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and other health care facilities may not be up to date on monkeypox.

The CDC link to find the nearest sexual health clinic is https:// gettested.cdc.gov/.

Abstain from sex if you or your partner has monkeypox. And remember that condoms and

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Bongbong Marcos: We do not...

PAGE A2 not the people, that would carry the responsibility of economic recovery.

“Government will get as much done alone without requiring more from you,” he said. “That is what government and public officials are for. No excuses. Just deliver. It was like that, once upon a time.”

Crowd of 5,000 Mr. Marcos took his oath in front of the country’s dignitaries, including outgoing Senate President Vicente Sotto III, diplomats, his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, and other members of his family— his wife Louise “Liza” AranetaMarcos, sister Sen. Imee Marcos, and his three sons, Ferdinand Alexander, Joseph Simon and William Vincent.

The Philippine National Police reported 5,000 Marcos supporters witnessed the inauguration from a portion of Club Intramuros Golf Course across the National Museum. It was smaller than the “25,000 to 30,000” crowd that the police anticipated.

Uniformed personnel outnumbered the attendees, with the government deploying more than 18,000 police and “force multipliers” from other agencies comprising the Task Force

Manila Shield which secured the inauguration.

Authorities had asked rallyists to hold their programs at any of the four freedom parks in Manila—Liwasang Bonifacio, Plaza Miranda, Plaza Dilao and Plaza Moriones.

An estimated 1,000 members of progressive groups, held theirs at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo after Marcos’ supporters took control of Liwasang Bonifacio close to the National Museum.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said they moved to Plaza Miranda, “in consideration of the peaceful holding of the rally program, and to avoid any untoward incident with Marcos supporters, and upon the request of the PNP.” Expectations Many expect Mr. Marcos will be less violent and more predictable than Mr. Duterte, but activists and clergy fear he could use his victory to entrench himself in power.

“Marcos Jr.’s refusal to recognize the abuses and wrongdoings of the past, in fact lauding the dictatorship as ‘golden years,’ makes him very likely to continue its dark legacy during his term,” Bayan warned.

Unlike Duterte, who pivoted

away from the United States toward China, Mr. Marcos had indicated he would pursue a more balanced relationship with the two superpowers.

He said last month he would adopt a “friends to all, enemy to none” foreign policy.

But unlike Mr. Duterte, he insisted he would uphold an international ruling against Beijing over the resource-rich South China Sea. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a congratulatory letter to Mr. Marcos, according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua.

Xi recalled that he had talked with Mr. Marcos by phone and reached “important consensus with him on upholding goodneighborly friendship of the two countries and joining hands for common development,” the report said.

Xi said he was ready to work with the new Philippine leader “to chart the course for the development of bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, and continue to write a great chapter of the China-Philippines friendship and cooperation for the new era, so as to benefit the two countries and their people.” (With reports from Dexter Cabaliza, Tina G. Santos and AFP)

COVID-19 vaccines now available for...

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trials. Between the Pfizer and Moderna trials, which included over 11,000 infants and toddlers over the age of 6 months, the vaccines proved to be effective against COVID-19 and resulted in a strong antibody response in children who received the vaccine. Not vaccinating is just not worth the risk.

How are vaccines different for children under 5 years old?

The doses for young children are smaller amounts than the adult and adolescent doses.

The Moderna vaccine is given in two doses four weeks apart.

The Pfizer vaccine is offered in three doses, with the first two doses given three weeks apart and the third dose given 60 days later. Both vaccines underwent thorough clinical trials to ensure both regimens were both safe and effective at preventing  PAGE A5 severe illness, hospitalization

and death from COVID-19.

What are the side effects of the vaccines for children under 5?

Mild to moderate side effects from the vaccines are normal, with common side effects including slight pain at the injection site, fatigue and a slight fever.

Everyone should be vaccinated against COVID-19, and with the last age group to now be approved, there is no time like the present. Visit MyTurn.ca.gov to schedule an appointment or call the hotline at 833-422-4255 to find the closest vaccine near you.

Parents can also talk to their child's health care provider, or visit Vaccinate All 58 to learn more about the safe and effective vaccines available for all Californians aged 6 months and older. For more information about COVID-19, including

proper masking and COVID testing, visit covid19.ca.gov.

Kimberly S.G. Chang, MD, MPH, is a Family Physician at Asian Health Services (AHS) in Oakland, California. In 2015, Dr. Chang completed the Commonwealth Fund Minority Health Policy Fellowship at Harvard, examining the role of federally qualified health centers in addressing human trafficking.

Previously, Dr. Chang was the inaugural Clinic Director at AHS’ Frank Kiang Medical Center and provided care for many commercially sexually exploited children.

She was elected as the Vice Speaker of the House on the Executive Board of Directors for the National Association of Community Health Centers in 2018 and appointed to the American Public Health Association Committee on Women’s Rights. 

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DATELINE USA

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 2-5, 2022 A5

Rappler to appeal SEC closure...

P11 MINIMUM FARE. A jeepney barker (in red shirt) collects the fare from passengers boarding at a loading area in Munoz, Quezon City with route from Project 8 to Arroceros, Manila on Friday, July 1. The increase in minimum fare in public utility jeepneys was set at P11 which began on Friday, July 1 throughout the country.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

AG Bonta: Anti-Asian hate incidents jumped...

PAGE A1

General will create a statewide hate crime coordinator in the Criminal Law Division within California’s Department of Justice, which he said is designed to assist state and local law enforcement to better address hate crime.

“While there is no single solution, it’s up to all of us to heed the call, because when our communities feel empowered, they come forward. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we stand united — there is no place for hate in California.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, thousands of victims of anti-Asian hate incidents have come forward with reports of abuse, ranging from verbal to physical attacks. Despite lawmakers, law enforcement agencies, and advocates bolstering efforts to combatting the disturbing trend, assault reports continue to flood in.

Last year saw a long string of assaults against elderly Asian individuals in California, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area — which weeks ago reported a whopping 567% rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2021 — and Los Angeles County.

According to these incident reports and witness accounts, many of the assailants referenced the COVID-19 pandemic during the attack.

Bonta’s report follows the 40th anniversary of the murder of Vincent Chin, a Chinese

What you need to know about...

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dental dams can reduce but not eliminate the risk of transmission.

The CDC also warns about the risk of going to raves or other parties where lots of people are wearing little clothing and of saunas and sex clubs. It has other suggestions like washing sex toys and bedding.

Q: Is there a treatment for monkeypox?

There is no proven, safe treatment specifically for monkeypox. Most cases of monkeypox are mild and improve without treatment over a couple of weeks. Medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used to reduce fevers and muscle aches, and medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and opioids may be used for pain.

In rare cases, some patients — such as immunocompromised people, pregnant women, a fetus or newborn, women who are breastfeeding, young children, and people with severe skin diseases — will develop more severe illness and may require more specific treatment. Doctors are trying experimental therapies like cidofovir, brincidofovir, tecovirimat, and vaccinia immune globulin. If administered early in the course of infection, the Jynneos and ACAM2000 vaccines may also help reduce the severity of disease.

Q: What misinformation is circulating about monkeypox?

Conspiracy theories about monkeypox abound. Monkeypox is not a hoax. Monkeypox is real. Covid vaccines can’t give you monkeypox. Monkeypox was not invented by Bill Gates or pharmaceutical companies.

Monkeypox didn’t come from a lab in China or Ukraine. Migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border haven’t brought monkeypox into the U.S. Monkeypox isn’t a ploy to allow for mail-in ballots during elections. There is no need for a monkeypox vaccine mandate or lockdowns due to monkeypox.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. 

American man who was targetted by white autoworkers in Detroit who blamed the Japanese community for taking their jobs.

And Bonta acknowledged that these statistics, while sobering, do not paint the true picture of hate in California, and often, crimes go unreported. And, as previously reported in the Asian Journal, prosecutors have admitted that crimes based on demographic bias is more difficult to charge and prosecute than other crimes.

“These, of course, are statistics but they are more than just numbers. Each of these incidents represents an attack on a person, a neighbor, a family member, a fellow Californian, and worse, we know our statistics likely are not exhaustive. Still today, too many are too afraid to come forward,” Bonta said.

However, the report also found a 30% increase in the number

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Metro will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) No. AE83177E0130 Construction Management Support Services (CMSS) for Link Union Station (Link US) Project on June 28, 2022. The complete RFP documents are available for download from the Metro Vendor Portal website at http://business.metro.net/.

For more information about the project, visit our project website at https://www.metro. net/projects/link-us/.

The Link US Project will transform how regional rail operates in Southern California by converting Union Station from a ‘stub-end’ to a run through station that will increase operational capacity to meet the future growth of the regional rail system, while accommodating a new future California High Speed Rail service. Metro expects to implement the Project in two phases, Phase A and Phase B. The CMSS Consultant Team shall be highly competent, highly specialized individuals with extensive experience and expertise to assist Metro manage the Link US Project by providing preconstruction and construction support services for Phase A and preconstruction services for Phase B. The CMSS Consultant will provide project management support services including services critical to control the design to budget, negotiate a construction contract with the Link US Construction Manager/General Contractor, and assist Metro in managing construction of Phase A to ensure completion within budget and on schedule. The CMSS contract will include options for CMSS related services subject to the availability of funds. The estimated Contract value including the optional scope of work (if funded) ranges between $58 million --$122 million.

Metro will hold a virtual Pre-Proposal Conference on July 21, 2022 at 1:30 pm. The link to the meeting will be provided to Planholders and posted on the Project/Metro Vendor Portal Website prior to the date.

For further information, please email, Diana Sogomonyan, Principal Contract Administrator, at sogomonyand@metro.net.

7/2/22 CNS-3600593# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

of hate crime cases filed for prosecution by district and city attorneys.

The report also shed alarming rises in hate against other communities.

Hate crimes which were motivated by sexual orientation bias jumped 48%, going from 205 reports in 2020 to 303 in 2021.

The most prevalent form of hate crimes reported, according to the report, were crimes against the Black community, which experienced 513 reported incidents. Anti-Latino or antiHispanic bias increased from 115 in 2020 to 152 in 2021. 

PAGE A1 The SEC first issued its order against Rappler in 2018. Its recent decision reiterates that the digital news organization allowed foreign investor Omidyar Network, an investment company owned by eBay auction site founder Pierre Omidyar, to hold Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs), a financial instrument that foreign entities can buy for financial returns in a local company but not in the form of dividends, which are tied to ownership.

"We have discussed all possible scenarios with Rappler's [staff] since the SEC issued its first order in 2018," Glenda Gloria, executive editor and co-founder of the site, told reporters. "Nothing ever sufficiently prepares an organization for a 'kill' order."

Rappler has had to fight for survival as President Rodrigo Duterte's government accused it of violating a constitutional ban on foreign ownership in securing funding, as well as tax evasion.

It has also been accused of cyberlibel.

Ressa is also fighting at least seven court cases, including an appeal against a conviction in a cyberlibel case, for which she is on bail and faces up to six years in prison.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) slammed the SEC's closure order, describing it as the government's attempt to block alternative news sites using regulatory laws on block time

broadcasting arrangements.

The union also said this order plunged the country's media into uncertain waters.

"The order to shut Rappler down comes on the heels of the National Telecommunications Commission's moves to block alternative news sites Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly," NUJP said in a statement.

Bulatlat is the Reporters Without Borders' (RSF) mirror website that is part of their Operation Collateral Freedom program, while Pinoy Weekly is an alternative online news website critical of the administration.

Both sites were among the red-tagged news outfits that have been subjected to cyberattacks since December 2018.

"It is clear now...that the journalism community and the communities that we report about and for must stand together against government moves to harass, restrict and silence any of us to keep the press free for all of us," NUJP said.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson believes that Rappler's closure order was Duterte's retaliation against the online news platform known for its fearless reporting about drug war human-rights abuses.

"Rappler is facing government retaliation for its fearless reporting about rights abuses in the 'drug war,' Duterte and Marcos' use of disinformation on social media, and a wide

variety of rights-abusing actions over the past six years," Robertson said in a statement.

In a related development, defeated senatorial candidate and controversial lawyer Larry Gadon said on Wednesday that he hopes the SEC will implement its own order against Rappler.

"Besides, the decision of SEC is long overdue," he told reporters.

Gadon said Rappler has been operating illegally.

"It has no corporate entity and no legal personality. Therefore, it must cease from impressing upon the public that it is a dulyauthorized company when it is not," Gadon said.

On Rappler's move to appeal the decision, Gadon said it was not the remedy.

"Compliance with regulations is a must and when an applicant for registration fails to comply with the requirements of the law, then that's the end of it," he said.

"Appeals are not in order.

What an applicant has to do is reapply and comply by submitting all the requirements," Gadon added.

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) has urged the Philippine government to reverse its order to shut down Rappler.

"This legal harassment not only costs Rappler time, money and energy. It enables relentless and prolific online violence designed to chill independent reporting," ICFJ said in a statement posted on Twitter. 

A6 JULY 2-5, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

FEATURES

Handover

IN a final official act as president, Rodrigo Duterte peacefully handed over power on Thursday, June 30 to a successor who, while lacking an official presidential endorsement during the campaign, had Sara Duterte as running mate. The victory of the UniTeam is also seen as a salute to the Duterte administration.

With that impressive 60 percent majority win comes high public expectations. Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. was sworn in on Thursday as president, marking a spectacular comeback for a clan that was driven out of power through a peaceful revolt 36 years ago. His elder sister has thanked Filipinos for the “second chance.”

“Bongbong” Marcos can count on the support of the 31 million who voted for him and his running mate. But at noon Thursday, he will be the president of all Filipinos, and his team campaigned on a platform of unity. He will enjoy a traditional period during which he will have breathing space to articulate his goals and policies, and to lay the groundwork for his priority programs, beyond the vague campaign promise of a “golden age” under “Marcos 2.0.”

The new administration will have to hit the ground running, because it will be inheriting multiple crises: the continuing one in public health due to COVID and the economic devastation it has caused, in energy and mass transport, in education, in the record-high government debt

and a looming food crisis. On the eve of the inaugural of the country’s 17th president, the peso skidded to its lowest in nearly 17 years, with analysts saying the Philippine currency is the worst performer in Southeast Asia.

His camp has said the new president should be judged not by his forebears but by his own actions.

Marcos Junior will assume power under the shadow not only of his parents’ 20-year dictatorship, with the gross human rights violations, large-scale corruption and crony capitalism associated with it, but also the human rights record of the Duterte administration.

The new president’s choices for his economic team have been applauded, reassuring the jittery business community. Some appointees are raising concern about the direction that the country might take in the next six years. Every president, however, gets the benefit of the doubt, and deserves the nation’s support as he begins his service. The new president has promised that Marcos 2.0 will be an improvement on the original.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s success will be the nation’s success. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Fr. Melanio Viuya’s reflections reveal God’s favor in life

Rhizomes

PROSY ABARQUEZDELACRUZ, J.D. “It is the Lord Jesus whom we meet in the faces of our marginalized and discarded brothers, in the migrant who is despised, rejected, put in a cage, but also in the migrant journeying toward hope, toward a better life.”

–Pope Francis, Dec. 4, 2021 AS I write this, June 28, 2022, BBC reported on 46 folks who died in the outskirts of San Antonio, Texas. They were found in an abandoned truck, along with survivors “hot to touch,” and suffered from heat stroke, some of whom had come from Guatemala.

I could hear the birds tweeting, as it is dawn, while the sun peeks out to give colors to the gray sky.

Notice the pink plumerias have bloomed, as also the dragon plant. Will it bear fruit when left to simply self-pollinate? Could we nurture our growth, without our divine pollinator guiding our paths? For me, not.

The pandemic has claimed 6 million plus folks, worldwide, while 1 million have died in the United States. Did they actualize their dreams? Was God’s dreams for them, realized in their lifetimes?

God’s purpose served by His life, travellng from Congo, LA & Guatemala A wood sculpture captured my attention with etched wrinkles, a chiseled jaw and a bearded Jesus with a crown of thorns placed on his head. The art conveyed

worry to me, and I couldn’t help the contrast I saw then to Fr. Melanio’s face with a reluctant smile. That was 2011.

Ten years later, his face radiates inner contentment and a broad smile that perhaps God’s purpose is being served by his life. He is looking forward to his trip to Guatemala.

He was first assigned to Congo by the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM), a Belgian-run religious organization, whose theme is “One Heart, One Soul.”

To get to the Catholic Congolese, he travelled through rivers, forests, and fields and learned French and Lingala.

He heard confessions early in the morning, next to a trap for tsetse flies (which caused the sleeping sickness disease, trypanosomiasis). By sunset, he had ministered to hundreds.

He ate like the Congolese who harvested their produce and caught their game, whether it was antelope, squirrels, deer, alligator, crocodile and snails as big as turtles and catfish from the rivers. Caterpillars were fixed into cassava leaves, now enriched with protein and iron.

Cassava flour was mixed with corn flour.

He saw how people made salt: banana peelings were gathered, dried, grass added, burned, filtered, then water evaporated, until only the potassium salt remains. Salt was added to the cassava leaves that have been boiled and red palm oil was added. This became their primary source of food. Given the lack of iodine, the common

ailment was goiter, including amoebiasis, trypanosomiasis and AIDS. He transported medicine for AIDS, purchased in Europe by CICM and benefactors. He traveled three to four days, through rough roads and riverbanks and various military checkpoints. That lasted seven years.

On June 12, 2002, 41 religious members of CICM outgrew the organizational structure run by the Belgians, formed a new religious order, called Missionaries of Jesus, (MJ), who believed in being God’s dream catcher for folks in the margins, in the inner cities, in the hinterlands, and far-flung mountains.

MJ’s mission articulates seeing the Face of Jesus in the poor, migrants, refugees, and the marginalized. One of the first supporters was Archbishop Oscar Cruz who helped raise funds for this new religious order, Missionaries of Jesus (MJ), amongst his base.

Fr. Melanio was then assigned to create a Missionaries of Jesus Promotion Office (MPO), a twoyear assignment in Precious Blood Church (PBC) in 2007, that lasted 13 years, until his current assignment in Tierra Blanca, eight hours from Guatemala City. He went back for a short holiday break in November 2021 and I had another interview with him.

On a chilly day, we sat in the outdoor gardens of PBC, near a lima tree, full of hanging fruits, a breed of lemon and lime, with a mild lime taste, and a light green color. It was a lovely scent, until

America’s boy?

Looking Back AMBETH OCAMPO U.S. President Joe Biden may have been the first foreign leader to congratulate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on his landslide election victory, but the seven-man delegation sent to represent him at the Marcos Jr. inaugural caused speculation on the current state of U.S.Philippine relations. Biden was represented by Douglas Emhoff, second gentleman of the U.S., husband of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. Sitting U.S. vice presidents were in attendance at three Marcos Sr. inaugurals: Hubert Humphrey represented Lyndon B. Johnson (1965), Spiro Agnew represented Richard Nixon (1969), and George Bush represented Ronald Reagan

(1981). The last was particularly memorable for toasting Marcos with the immortal words: “We love your adherence to democratic principles and to the democratic processes.”

Since historians recreate the past from traces left in written records, it will take at least half a century to know how the U.S. calibrated the start of Marcos Jr.’s term. Declassified U.S. state department records give us a view of the 1965 presidential elections from Washington.

Top contenders in the 1965 presidential elections were incumbent President Diosdado Macapagal, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and Sen. Raul Manglapus. A month before the elections, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reported that Marcos Sr., with an estimated 43 percent of the votes, had a slim lead over Macapagal’s

39 percent. Manglapus didn’t have a chance and it was not clear how his votes harmed or helped the leading candidates.

A significant admission on the 1965 elections said it was “the first time the Filipinos have conducted an election without the direct and, at least to some extent, steadying influence of United States involvement; they are on their own and they may be expected to indulge in many more manipulatory tactics than in previous elections since 1949.”

The CIA reported that “given past experience, both sides will undoubtedly engage in widespread manipulation tactics, including vote frauds, subversion of election officials, stuffing of ballot boxes, votes lost through managed counting, etc. In addition, both sides will use every other means at their

the ambiance was abruptly disrupted by loud swearing sounds, from a mentally ill homeless guy, screaming his grievances.

Fr. Melanio shared his belief: “it is to discover, to recover, to uncover the hidden face of Jesus in every person scarred by impoverishment, indifference, and injustice.”

I wondered if we saw the face of Jesus in this homeless guy, what would PBC do? Would they disrupt his street living conditions and call LA City Hall to touch his life to get him off the streets, provide mental health services and perhaps help him in the process to find himself?

Pete Avendaño, a musical director of St. Genevieve, and prior, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles and PBC, shared: “Fr. Melanio has dedicated himself to being a missionary of the Catholic Church. He has given his life to be a spiritual father to a lot of people wherever he is assigned.”

I wondered how one becomes a father to many? What cultural skills did he use?

A Culture’s Iceberg: Accessing doors of language, food, shared stories If culture were an iceberg, and the tip is touched by sharing food, how do we immerse in another’s culture, I asked?

Without losing a beat, Fr. Melanio spoke of entering the first door of language: “I need to brush up on Spanish to reach the Spanish-speaking villages, twelve of them, much later an Indian Mayan language, spoken Fr. Melanio at Santiago de Compostela, a pilgrimage trip on his bucket list, which he completed Photo courtesy of Fr. Melanio Viuya  PAGE A7 with a group from Texas. disposal to improve their own position,” adding that incumbent Macapagal had the upper hand in “hanky panky.” In the end, the CIA memo of Oct. 27, 1965 bet on the wrong horse. The postelection analysis of Nov. 26, 1965 said of Ferdinand Marcos Sr: “Both Macapagal and Marcos prize power, former sometimes appeared inept in its use and unsure what he wished to do with it. Marcos appears to measure it carefully and to be very sure of uses to which he puts it. Up to now, basic objective of his harnessing power has of course been to gain the Presidency. “… What Marcos really believes in, what his goals are, and how he proposes to go about achieving them, are largely matters of conjecture.

To some degree, he has been a guerrilla both in war and during the campaign, placing great emphasis on careful planning, systematic intelligence, secrecy, element of surprise and final

massive surfacing of his forces at right time. “…

Marcos has very considerable potentialities, and that coming years will show whether these potentialities will be exerted for high or sinister purposes. Pres. Macapagal recently observed, as earlier reported, that Marcos was brilliant but unscrupulous, but that great responsibility might sober him. “… Marcos is realist with high awareness of pragmatic and empirical considerations.

He weighs and sifts facts carefully, considers numerous angles and acts only after searching consideration and assessment. Once decisions are reached, however, he displays generalship of high order in implementing them. “… there is some evidence that Marcos is more keenly attuned to needs of country than his critics give him credit for.

Woeful conditions throughout nation seem to have had

considerable impact on him in his extensive travels in past year. His speeches reflected increasing bitterness, in a manner that seemed to be more than merely campaign oratory, at Macapagal administration’s largely ineffectual attempts to improve people’s welfare. If theory is correct that Marcos has high absorptive capacity and is greatly influenced by things he is exposed to, then his nationwide observations may serve valuable purpose. “ In between, the promise of his first term in 1965 to the time he fled Malacañang in 1986, do U.S. state department documents paint Marcos Sr. as “America’s Boy”? (Inquirer.net) *** 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.

*** Comments are welcome at aocampo@ ateneo.edu

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

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

Amid Rappler shutdown, US encourages freedom of speech, press freedom

by DANIZA

FERNANDEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — U.S. Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, husband of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday, June 29 said the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden supports media workers’ rights as he stresses his country’s “deep commitment” towards freedom of speech and press freedom.

“I’ll leave the administration to respond to that. But I know, on behalf of the president, the

vice president, and the entire administration, it’s just a deep commitment towards freedom of speech, freedom of expression, human rights, and that’s what we stand for and that’s what we believe in,” he answered in a media interview when asked for his reaction on Rappler’s shutdown during his visit at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City.

“The United States encourages freedom of speech, freedom of the press wherever we are in the world,” the lawyer went on, saying that the U.S.

administration values freedom of the press.

Early Wednesday, Rappler chief executive officer and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa announced that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) affirmed its initial decision to shut down the news outlet.

Ressa said that they will appeal the decision “especially since the proceedings were highly irregular.”

In 2018, the SEC ordered the revocation of Rappler’s license to operate. 

Fr. Melanio Viuya’s reflections reveal God’s...

PAGE A6

in 38 villages, Q’eqchi.”

Ma sa salá chool? – How are you, is about asking if there is contentment in your heart?

It is not a simple hello, it is a greeting connecting one’s heart to another.

He conducted Advent retreats in 12 Spanish-speaking villages.

After, one notices their smiles and a sense of satisfaction in receiving a certificate of completion, and now validated, they are tasked with a mission to evangelize others.

Tierra Blanca’s (TB) weather is 86°F, with 65% humidity.

Intermittent rains degrade roads, mostly unpaved, muddy, and bridges washed down by floods.

As motorbikes daily traverse, pockmarked surfaces are common. While on a motorbike, he carried his mass book, the vessels for the eucharist, vestments, and on the way back, generous gifts of rice, coffee beans, produce, and sometimes, chickens that he has to balance in his lap, so as not to suffocate them on transport. Kindness becomes lap luggage. But he is a passenger, dependent on others’ schedules, which prolongs his day into night.

Not only must Fr. Melanio prepare his homily, he wants to teach them how to read and write, and uses the Bible as the instrument of learning. His principle is “Yes, they are poor, we accept that, but what can we do to address basic needs, like reading?” He was certain

he could find enough leaders amongst those who had returned to TB, who worked in the U.S., saved dollars, and now have farmlands.

Aside from celebrating masses, hearing confessions, he and Fr. Arsen, the parish priest fluent in Q’eqchi who ministers to the 38 villages, divide up their daily chores of marketing for fish, coffee, cooking, and laundry.

Exposed to the elements, clothes stay wet and do not get dry, from intermittent rains.

He told PBC’s parishioners about TB’s conditions and parishioners were moved to donate generously.

Within months, the space was built that now doubles as a hall for bible studies, and a space for drying clothes.

With that first door of language opened, it is now easy for Fr. Melanio to enter the second door of sharing food with families.

In TB, corn and cassava are grown. Prayers were offered to thank for a bountiful corn harvest, from which tortillas were made. Daily staples are beans and corn, and for guests, like the priests, they are served caldo de pollo with cilantro, onions, and other spices. If three villages are visited in a day, that would mean three bowls of caldo de pollo, multiplied by several days, one ultimately desires fish, pescado for dinner.

With two doors opened for him to enter, a third door of sharing life stories comes next.

Fr. Melanio came across a family with two teenage boys, whose life is spent in a wheelchair, helped by their mother. Another sibling is Livni, a 14-year-old girl whose life’s dream is to help out her father, the only worker on their farm, and for her to quit school, go to the U.S., and work. Livni was offered a scholarship so she can go to school full time, but the family’s dreams of helping their plight by Livni’s migration had been set in motion. Can you imagine perhaps the fear of Livni travelling by herself, connecting to the coyote, the transporter, from one border to another?

It got me looking at the wabisabi art of the Japanese where they find beauty in things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete, of things modest and humble and unconventional.

If we apply these same eyes of seeing the face of Jesus in these migrants, seeing beauty in these poor families who live off their farmlands, to support their families, would we perhaps volunteer to train them in better sharecropping so that the farmlands are devoted to more than two crops of corn and cassava, to grow higher-value crops like coffee, and high value produce like agave for sugar alternatives? All of course, would require agricultural training and technology to generate these high-value products. Consider even a motorized wheelchair so the two boys are mobile and  PAGE A8

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Fr. Melanio Viuya’s reflections reveal God’s...

De Lima urges Marcos admin to restore Philippine membership in ICC PAGE A7

by ANGELICA

Y. YANG

Philstar.com

MANILA — Former Sen. Leila de Lima called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reestablish the country as a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the prosecutor's office of which has recently asked to re-open the probe into the drug war of Marcos Jr.'s predecessor.

In 2011, the Philippines ratified the treaty which established the ICC— known as the Rome Statute.

Seven years later, then President Rodrigo Duterte withdrew the country's ratification of the treaty, citing "baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks" on him and his administration, and accusing the ICC of being used as a political tool against the country.

In a statement Friday, July 1, De Lima said that the Hague-based ICC is the court of last resort which can exercise jurisdiction if the state itself is unable or unwilling to investigate crimes — which is why she believes it is important for the new administration to make the Philippines a member again of the international tribunal.

"Restoring the country’s membership in the ICC will not only bring positive impact to the country’s image, but it will also

strengthen our defense against possible future acts of aggression by foreign countries and protect people from crimes against humanity committed by state forces," she said.

For her, being a member of the ICC and a state-party to the Rome Statute is vital in holding those responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable for their actions when the State courts cannot do so.

“Our membership means a solid protection for all the Filipinos and is vital in upholding human rights of all persons, and the holding of public officials accountable to their abuses against the people they ought to serve," the former lawmaker said.

Based on the ICC's primer, it is not considered as a substitute for national courts and can only intervene when a State is "unable or unwilling genuinely to carry out the investigation and prosecute the perpetrators."

In 2018, the ICC launched a preliminary examination into the alleged killings and human rights violations that took place under Duterte's controversial war on drugs.

De Lima is among the individuals who questioned

the constitutionality of the withdrawal at the Supreme Court in May 2018, arguing that the country's withdrawal from the Rome Statute first needed the approval from at least two-thirds of the members of the Senate.

The SC, voting unanimously, dismissed the three petitions due to mootness.

The Philippines' departure from the ICC, which took effect on March 17, 2019, makes the country the second to leave the tribunal.

De Lima, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, has been detained in Camp Crame for more than five years over conspiracy charges to commit illegal drug trading— which she has consistently denied. She ran for a fresh term in the Senate in her cell, but did not make it to the so-called "Magic 12" in the 2022 polls.

De Lima has been vocal against former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs where 6,221 suspects were reported to have died due to anti-drug operations by state agents, based on official figures. But the death toll may be closer to 30,000, according to local and international human rights groups. 

Robredo launches volunteer group

by MOISES

CRUZ ManilaTimes.net

LAWYER Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo on Friday, July 1 launched her volunteer group a day after stepping down as the nation's vice president.

The group, which was known as Angat Buhay during her time as vice president, is now called Angat Pinas, and aims to bring together the individuals and groups from the public and private sectors to help families in the most remote and impoverished towns in the country.

Angat Pinas will initially raise funds by selling more than 900 art works which Robredo received as gifts during the 2022 presidential campaign.

Donors can also make contributions of between P1,000 and P20,000 using the Angat Buhay app.

"Angat Pinas Inc. has four main focuses, namely health, education, disaster relief and community engagement," Robredo said.

During the launch, Robredo introduced former Quezon City representative Jose Christopher "Kit" Belmonte, Rafael Lopa, Joanne Baylon, Gary David and Judith Azarcon as among the members of the board of Angat Pinas.

"Our current challenge is to encourage people to participate in projects that will benefit the community. We have the power to ignite the volunteer spirit. We can't let all of our work go to waste. We hope to get better at it and do it even better," Robredo said.

"If these kinds of activities are kept up, we genuinely believe that the spirit of volunteerism is still very much alive in our hearts, and many more people

Lawyer and former vice president Leni Robredo at the Angat Pinas Inc. launch in Quezon City.

Photo from Facebook/@angatbuhaypilipinas

will be motivated," actress Jolina Magdangal, who was one of Robredo's most enthusiastic supporters, said. 

can assist with some chores or fieldwork?

Could reflecting on God’s favor as one ministers to poor folks turn their lives into sustainable, prosperous ones?

Pope Francis wrote on January 23, 2022 to let us try to excavate our memories. Instead of simply looking, look for signs of God’s presence in our lives.”

“What are the hints of his presence, “ Pope Francis asked, “that God has allowed us to experience His love, which he has allowed me to feel His tenderness?”

Might even the poorest of the poor see themselves as with potential to develop?

I asked Fr. Melanio to share God’s favor in his life. He had three examples, two favoring him with what matters to him most, and one for MJ. While on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, near the border of Croatia, he was stopped

by Dubrovnick’s immigration officials. He was asked to return to Vienna, his last destination, accompanied by two policemen, he gave his passport to the pilot and exited the plane, to return to Vienna.

When he reached Vienna, he got back his passport and sought lodging at the first hotel he found.

The front desk staff inquired as to the group he was travelling with, a usual pattern with priests travelling. He explained what happened. The staffer consulted his supervisor, and said: “your stay for three days will be 50% off and all your food in the hotel will be on the house.” He then remembered that a fellow pilgrim called out, as he exited the plane: “Look for Nenita Reguinding.”

Vienna has a population of close to two million, which would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Nenita happens to be this hotel clerk’s godmother. The long and short of it, Fr. Melanio got a tour of Vienna, celebrated Sunday mass and the community gave funds to benefit MJ’s needs.

When God gives you a detour from what you had planned, accept it, as who knows – it just might be a shower of unexpected blessings.

Several days later, Fr. Melanio got reconnected with the group of pilgrims that he was to lead.

Second God’s favor - he was invited to go to the US, after studying in Rome, he had a three-year religious R1 visa.

Fr. Melanio Viuya during a pilgrimage in Santiago de Compostela.

Photo courtesy of Fr. Melanio Viuya

He was travelling back and forth. By the third year, with six months to spare, he came from the Philippines, passing through Guam, to go to the U.S. In Guam, he was stopped, and advised by an immigration officer who explained the rules, including his qualification to have another renewal, provided he goes back to the Philippines, seeking visa renewal there, before coming to the U.S. He got a tourist visa to go to the U.S., but went back, lined up at the Philippine Embassy, and his visa was renewed for five years. That renewal qualified him to be petitioned by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’s Cardinal Mahoney for a green card, and ultimately a path to US citizenship.

Third God’s favor – MJ has a goal of having a center at the border to Guatemala, but in Texas. Missionaries of Jesus’ nuns already have a center there but, the institution requires sustenance for the future, with staffing and funds. A plan is now in place to nurture this Godgiven gift of collaboration and for the center to be sustained.

God ultimately finds you to do His plan.

Do you get a sense from Fr. Melanio’s reflections that God’s gifts are overflowing in kindness, generosity, and tenderness?

Could we perhaps do the same reflections in our own lives, open our hearts and say, “How are you? Is your heart content?" to the strangers amongst us, and invite them to enter our hearts? *** 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. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.”

She has been writing for AJ Press for 13 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong.

She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.

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Features

LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 2-5, 2022 A9

Multi-billion project gains steam as heavy hitters plot new arena, entertainment mecca

by RealtoR

Fely Quitevis-Bateman

IT was not that long ago that Las Vegas was still awash in brush, dirt, rocks and empty land.

Slowly and steady, bigger resort-casinos have dotted the Las Vegas landscape, gradually extending its reach further and further south of the Strip. And so with residential properties and developments – many have been developed as a response to the demand from people who have continually flocked to the city.

The Oak View Group is going to be behind one of the biggest planned developments in Las Vegas – a privately financed $3 billion sports and entertainment district which would sit near the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road.

It recently bought 66 acres of land in that area for just under $100 million, according to the Las Vegas Sun, which is about 3 miles north of South Point.

The Southern California-based investment firm also had two additional hires who have had success with other projects and will be part of the group that will see its own project through, namely Marc Badain, former president of the Las Vegas Raiders (and who was connected to the building of Allegiant Stadium), and Randy Morton, a longtime

executive at the Bellagio. Both started out recently on their new roles.

The Oak View Group’s plan is to build what would include a hotel-casino and amphitheater, plus a world-class arena that could eventually be home to a Las Vegas basketball franchise. The arena would be NBA-ready, and will also be a possible home to major events, concerts and meetings.

Although there have been no specifics or rendering released on what the arena would like, the group has said it would be about 850,000 square feet. An additional entertainment district is planned to sit on 25 acres.

Although nothing is assured, the group is motoring on with its plans for the arena. Recently, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had announced that the league is not discussing any future expansion as of yet in response to persistent rumors of Seattle and Las Vegas as cities which are on its radar for expanding the league.

The most important thing for the Oak View Group is having had the opportunity to buy the land where they want to put their development in. This would help tremendously in concretizing any plans for the hotel-casino, amphitheater, arena and entertainment district.

While it has said that it will

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (extreme right) with her great real estate team: son Primo (middle) and nephew John (extreme left) who are both ready to assist their company’s broad clientele, be it for residential, commercial or vacant land both in Pahrump (Nye County) or Clark County.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (standing, middle) is shown with her young investors, Wilmer and Gerlie Comahig, who bought parcels of land in Las Vegas and Pahrump. The land in Pahrump has been approved for a 100-bed senior resort living development.

look for a partner for its hotelcasino, it will be taking care of the operations of the arena. The Oak View Group is not new to the development, management and providing event programming services to arenas as it has a client list in different locations around the U.S., including Washington, New York and Kentucky. It also owns arenas in New York and Seattle.

Along with Allegiant Stadium, this new $3 billion project, which will not be built with public funds, will certainly add to the branding

The glove factory planned for Pahrump is moving forward fast. A recent meeting between Alka Products CEO/President Andrew Hoang (middle) and Nye County Chief Planner Brett Waggoner (extreme right) was very informative; details were also discussed for the site approval.

With Hoang and Waggoner in photo is Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman.

conceived and marketed by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority of Las Vegas as “Sports Capital of the World” and as “The Greatest Arena on Earth.” After all, it already has football, soccer, women’s basketball, Triple A baseball and other sports teams based in the city. Las Vegas will also host the 2024 Super Bowl, and this month it will be the location of the NBA’s Summer League.

According to industry analysts, the piece of land chosen by the Oak View Group is a prime location – what with its access to freeways, proximity to the airport and existing transportation infrastructure, and its location along Las Vegas Boulevard.

The purchase price of this land, along with the other recent high-value land transactions that have taken place, shows just how much real estate has appreciated in this corridor. In a couple of years, those tracts of land would not just be rocks and dirt – they would showcase brighter, shinier additions to the landscape of Las Vegas and add more glamour to the city, which is already a gaming and entertainment capital in the world.

Badain, in the Las Vegas Sun article, pretty much summed up how their project is the next step in Las Vegas’ evolution, by saying, “This project represents the next step in that exciting evolution.

This city always bounces back, and it’s time for the newest and best arena to be in Las Vegas. If you’re an entertainment brand,

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

you better have a foot in the door in Las Vegas because it’s an incredible city, and an incredible place to do business.”

I have been a Realtor since 1988, and have personally experienced the tremendous growth of Las Vegas and other areas in Nevada, including Pahrump, which is just 62 miles west of Las Vegas. While the area suffered in the 2008 housing debacle, along with the rest of the U.S., and was affected by the recent pandemic, it has shown signs of coming back.

Construction of many projects has helped provide steady employment for many, while plans of major companies like the one of the Oak View Group, are keeping many people interested in what the city will next have to offer to tourists, visitors and residents.

Although indicators have shown lately of a slight slowdown in home purchases, that isn’t expected to last long in a market like Las Vegas. After all, home prices in the city – and for the State of Nevada, for that matter – are still more affordable than

some parts of the country. Clark County, which is where Las Vegas is located, is expected to add more than a million people by 2060, according to a forecast from the UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research.

If you are looking to invest your money in real estate and/or property, or you are in the market for a new home or vacation/second home, I can help. Together, we can look at the properties available in the market and find that suitable piece of land or property that you can call your own.

My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has successfully helped its clientele find the best deals since 1988. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-5592476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

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A10 JULY 2-5, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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Saturday, JULY 2, 2022

LIFESTYLE CONSUMER GUIDE COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE

The immigration journey that took 24 years, on an all-new Citizen Pinoy this Sunday LEADING U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel presents another brand-new success story, after he provides the latest immigration developments, as featured on his YouTube channel: US Immigration TV. After the important U.S. immigration highlights, Citizen Pinoy shares an inspiring success story on how a family persevered, despite the many bumps along their immigration journey.

Allain was petitioned by his mother in 1997.

Due to certain circumstances, Allain and his family entered the U.S. in 2002, but overstayed.

Meanwhile, Allain’s mother, his petitioner, passed away in 2006. Uncertain about the future

of his petition, Allain and his family lived in fear because of their undocumented status. Still, they took on several odd jobs to make a living. They persevered and kept the faith that someday they will achieve their American dream.

Finally, after 24 years, Atty. Gurfinkel was able to help Allain and his family adjust their status and acquire their green cards.

Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 3 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/ Satellite providers). Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free.

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Candy’s son with autism graduates from junior high with awards

By Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

ACTRESS Candy Pangilinan is one proud mother to her son Quentin after he graduated from junior high school with awards.

In her Instagram account, Candy posted photos of Quentin during the graduation ceremony.

“Quentin graduates grade 10!”

Candy captioned the post.

“Thank you to all our teachers from Grade 1 to present. Dami po kayo. From teacher Amor to Teacher Frank. Thank you to Candy Pangilinan and son Quentin Photo from Instagram/@candypangilinan all therapists from our first OT disorder (ADHD). Candy thanked teacher Tisha, teacher Sean, she added.

Quentin has autism and their family and friends for joining Teacher Giselle, to Teacher Yani.

Too many therapists to mention,” attention deficit hyperactivity in their journey.

PAGE B2

HUMANITARIAN REVALIDATION OR SURVIVOR LAW – THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Allain (left) was petitioned by his mother in 1997.

He came to the U.S. as a tourist with his wife, Lorraine (center), in 2002 and overstayed. His mother passed away in 2006, which, at that point, Allain thought his mother’s petition for him was gone. What would now happen to Allain and his petition? Leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) is the attorney-of-last-hope, who guided them through the process and presented them the option to be able to acquire their green card, despite the death of the petitioner. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 3 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers). Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free.

(Advertising Supplement)

Kris opens up on dealing with illness as sons test COVID-19 positive

By Dana

Cruz Inquirer.net

KRIS Aquino has given a glimpse of the treatments she underwent while in the United States as she revealed that her sons Josh and Bimby both tested positive for COVID-19.

The actress disclosed this through an open letter she addressed to her late brother, former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, on her Instagram page on Thursday, June 30. She also showed a video of herself getting a treatment and bonding

with her sons.

So far, Aquino has three confirmed autoimmune conditions: autoimmune thyroiditis, chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and Churg Strauss syndrome, collectively known as EGPA. She flew to Houston in Texas, USA, earlier this month to get medical treatment.

“I had to do this corticosteroid challenge which unfortunately caused me to have unbelievable body pain,” she narrated, noting that it felt “worse” than a bone marrow aspiration that she had prior.

PAGE B2

B2 JULY 2-5, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

Community

Markus breaks silence over rumored split with Janella

By JAn

Milo severo Philstar.com

ACTOR Markus Paterson revealed the real score in his relationship with Janella Salvador.

In his recent interview with Cinemanews, Markus said he will let Janella do the talking about their relationship.

“Our relationship status is definitely something that people are asking about. But as of now, I’m gonna let her do the talking on this status… but we’re both very good,” Markus said.

“We have a very good relationship with each other.

So let’s just leave it like that for now,” he added.

Though he didn’t deny or confirmed their breakup, Markus said he’s happy now.

“Ang puso ko ngayon? Ang masasabi ko lang, masaya.

Magaan in a lot of ways,” he said.

“I’ve come to terms with a lot of things this year so far. I just

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‘Together We Rise, the Time is Now’ for LA County’s biggest Philippine American celebration Event to be held on July 9 in Cerritos, CA

Celebrity couple Markus Paterson and Janella Salvador with their son Photo from Instagram/@markus

can’t wait to grow more and learn more about everything in life, my craft, relationship, fatherhood.

I’m so young and I can’t wait to just become the best version of me,” he added.

Their breakup rumors came

after social media users noticed that they are not posting about each other anymore on Instagram.

Markus, however, greeted Janella on Mother’s Day last May. g

CERRITOS, CA – There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing people coming together – breaking bread and celebrating in this postpandemic time. And this is what the Filipino American community and its supporters will witness on July 9 at the Don Don Knabe Community Regional Park on 19700 S. Bloomfield Ave. in the City of Cerritos.

The day will start at 9 a.m., with a parade of community leaders, dignitaries and beauty queens. Get ready and fit with an interactive Zumba dance at 9:50 a.m. Listen to inspiring panels featuring Filipino elected officials. There will also be cultural presentations on the main stage packed with entertainers who are hyped and ready to entertain the crowd – Miss Saigon alum Emeben Baysic; “Star in a Million” finalist, performer and actor Garth Garcia; The Filipino

American Symphony Orchestra of FASO; and many more!

The Filipino Channel will host a TFC hour featuring games and prizes capped off by performances from Filipino R&B singer/songwriter and celebrated performer Kiana V and music producer, MYX VJ and Wish 107.5 DJ Robin Nievera. Prepare to dance with 80’s and 90’s dance band Playback Jukebox who will take over the stage in the last hour.

The band features Introvoys’ Paco Arespacochaga.

Food trucks will be present, as well as a total of 62 confirmed food, retail, nonprofit organization booths that will be offering an array of services to the attendees. In addition, several workshops will be held in the gymnasium: Atty. John Perry of Perry & Alznauer law office will be giving a talk on immigration, and entertain questions in a live QnA. VistaLand will talk

about real estate and investing in the Philippines. There will also be a musical instrument class facilitated by FASO. This historic gathering is hosted by National Federation of Filipino American Federation Associations (NaFFAA) Greater Los Angeles in partnership with Los Angeles County’s 4th District Janice Hahn and L.A. Sheriff Alex Villanueva.

Interested parties may contact Overall Event Chair Dan E. Nino at 562-508-8099 or email him @ denino1951@ gmal.com, NaFFAA President Noel Omega @ 747-777-9811 or noel.omega@gmail.com; Mary Ann Omega @ 818-8058032 or maryann.omega@ naffa.org; Jun Aglipay @ 310-414-7851 or @jaglipay@ hotmail.com; ‘Erlinda GranadaSabah @ 562-682-9576 or @ erlindagranada@yahoo. com.

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Catriona goes to Vietnam, helps put smiles on the faces of kids born with cleft

By Alex

BrosAs Inquirer.net

FORMER Miss Universe Catriona Gray is staunchly promoting the welfare of children who are born with cleft, going as far as Vietnam to advance her cause.

Gray is spreading awareness on the treatment for cleft as can be seen in her Instagram page on Thursday, June 30, where she shared photos of children born with cleft.

“Did you know 1 out of 500 babies is born with a cleft? It is an incredibly stigmatized condition, one that not only affects a child’s ability to breathe, speak and eat – but can also affect their self esteem and confidence. The good news is – there is treatment for cleft,” she said.

Gray is happy to support Smile Train founded in 1999 and which has since become the world’s leading cleft charity. “@smiletrainvietnam is doing amazing work, helping those affected by cleft all over the country, with a milestone of 25,000 surgeries this year – that’s 25,000 lives changed for the better,” the beauty queen said. “[So] that children would have a smile on their face.”

In her visit to Vietnam, Gray was able to meet “with a handful of @smiletrain beneficiaries who are to undergo surgery, have their check ups or orthodontic work. The treatments they receive

Photo from Instagram/@catriona_gray

are free.”

She encourages everyone who knows any individual or child with untreated cleft to refer them to email vietnam@smiletrain.org.

Gray had her first stop at Mý Thien Hospital, one of the sixteen hospital partners of Smile Train Vietnam, as per her Instagram page on Wednesday, June 29.

“Here, patients come from both locally and hundreds of kilometers away to receive free, comprehensive and complete cleft care,” she said. g

Candy’s son with autism graduates...

PAGE B1 “To every person who have joined us in our journey, my family mom, tita MM, my siblings Ate Marissa, kuya Boboy, kuya Phey, pamangkins holli, ehrlich and their children. Of course, Camille. To all caregivers, household help, driver,” said the single mom.

“Thank you @quendy corner for your love and care. Thank you. To the Living Word Community Ate Maye, Bro. Art, Dra. Ev, Noligene, etc. especially the youth who tirelessly and patiently included

Quentin like Faith, Aba, Cecile, Ciara, Jenny, Joseph, Trazo kids and those I wasn’t able to mention you know who you are. To all my supportive ninangs and friends, kilala niyo na sino kayo. Salamat,” she added.

She also thanked Quentin’s doctors and above all, God. “Of course, to my doctor @ fxdmd. Thank you. Ang daming dapat pasalamatan pati mga guards na pinagbigyan kami sa pagwawala ni Quentin. To everyone we have encountered in one way

or another. Salamat. And to my spiritual mentor, thank you for the guidance and understanding. To God, OUR Father All Glory to You! Everything by Your Grace and Mercy,” she said.

“Next level na po tayo. The journey continues. Quentin have taught me more than I have taught him. Thank you Quentin.

Congratulations! PS: Sobrang enthusiastic ni Quentin nasira yung barong. Nagka-slit. Hahaha!

Congratulations to all graduates!” she added. g

Kris opens up on dealing...

PAGE B1 Aquino recalled the hives and body pain she experienced after receiving the treatment, despite being given a “baby dose.”

“Normally my pain tolerance is impressive but this time bunso started sobbing. Then of course, my [blood pressure] went haywire,” she said.

According to her, she was sedated from May 7 to 11 because the pain was “so hard to endure,” adding that she asked Bimby to stay at home with her, given that they had a planned trip to Disneyland for Josh’s birthday.

Aquino also had a cancer gene panel, which came out negative for various kinds of cancers such as breast, gastrointestinal, endocrine, skin and brain. She stated that her kidneys and liver are functioning normally as well. Aside from this, she also tried a medication that was supposed to help her reintroduce solid food into her body.

The actress then recounted finding out that her sons had contracted COVID-19. Josh tested positive for the virus last June 20, Texas time, while she and Bimby caught COVID-19 later on. “[My] instinct was to go and hug kuya but everyone told me I needed to leave immediately and move to a hotel with nurse and Bimb because I was severely immunocompromised and being [COVID-19] positive could mean ICU for me,” she recalled.

“It was heartbreaking to leave kuya, I felt I was abandoning him in our time of need. That night nurse Christina came to our hotel and she gave all of us PCR tests. The results came out midnight of the 21st at that point we were all still negative,” she added. However, she and Bimby tested positive for COVID-19 a few days later.

“Since this was already your death anniversary, somehow I felt reassured knowing that the three of us would get through this new ordeal especially because you would never allow us to have a death date so close to yours,” Aquino addressed her late brother. “I even joked with you — I said, Noy you are super bida now because you’re the only one with mom and dad. If I die Bunso will of course get the majority of their attention and for sure you won’t like that.”

Aquino expressed hopes to have a stronger immunity after getting more shots of medication

Kris Aquino

Photo from Instagram/@

for her CSU. She also plans to get an immunosuppressant, which acts as chemotherapy for some autoimmune cases, among others.

“From the time I was barely 15, what you saw was what it was, that’s why in saying my goodbye for now, at 51 years old, it was my choice to address as many issues about my health as I could while allowing myself some privacy by not saying where we’ll be going because that decision will be made after we are totally [COVID-19] free and my attending physician here in Houston can help me choose the hospital, team of doctors, and proximity to friends or family (meaning a solid support system) that will best suit my needs,” she said.

Aquino then expressed gratitude to those who sent her family well wishes and prayed for her.

“I want to just keep the suffering to myself with only family and trusted friends kept informed on a ‘need to know basis’ because everyone else is also going through their own personal trials,” she told the public. “I know me, impossible na hindi ako umamin ‘pag hirap na hirap na (that I do not admit if I am suffering) — so for now, focus tayo (let us focus) on ourselves… we all have problems, we all have worries, and we all have hardships. God bless us all.” g

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‘Absenteeism’ and the employee’s right to intermittent medical leave Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr.

Pechanga Resort Casino racks up four more AAA awards for 2022

Awards include two Four Diamond distinctions and two Best of nods THE hit parade keeps rolling for Pechanga Resort Casino as it adds two new AAA Four Diamond Awards for 2022. This is the 21st consecutive year the 1,100-room luxury resort/ casino has been awarded this honor, and the 11th year for the resort’s signature restaurant, the Great Oak Steakhouse. Hotels and restaurants must meet stringent standards of cleanliness, comfort, and hospitality to be qualify to the AAA Diamond Program, with higher levels of excellence awarded with levels three, four, and five diamond distinctions.

The resort has earned Four Diamond status every year since its opening in 2002. Only 14 other resorts in Riverside County hold a AAA Four Diamond decoration. The Great Oak Steakhouse is the only restaurant in Temecula to receive a Four Diamond rating, sharing this distinction with only one other restaurant in the Inland Empire, five others in all of Riverside County.

“The AAA Four Diamond awards tell us that guests appreciate commitment to quality and excellence we exhibit at Pechanga,” said Tjeerd Brink, General Manager of Pechanga Resort Casino. “Accolades like these promise our guests a positive experience every time they visit – including our dining experiences, top-class rooms and suites, and our impeccable service.”

Pechanga Resort Casino was also awarded AAA’s Inspector’s Best Of award for housekeeping and for the massive, 4.5-acre pool complex, The Cove. The resort is ranked in the top 25-percent of all hotels based on cleanliness and conditions.

“This is my favorite pool area in town. It’s equipped with five spas, three pools (including a zero-edge with swim-up bar), waterslides and cabanas,” stated an anonymous AAA inspector regarding the new four-and-one-half acre pool complex.

For more than 80 years, AAA professional inspectors survey more than 59,000 hotels and restaurants throughout North America each year to determine the ratings of each. The scale is a three through five diamond rating system.

AAA officials say only 4.8-percent of the 30,000

approved lodgings make the Four Diamond list. The number is smaller yet, 2.9-percent, for the 29,000 AAA approved restaurants.

Establishments are graded in person by professional inspectors and arrive unannounced, presenting themselves as any other guest.

In order to achieve AAA Four Diamonds, the lodging establishment must be “refined, stylish with upscale physical attributes, extensive amenities and a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail,” according to the agency’s 39-page rating guidelines book.

For restaurants must have a “distinctive fine dining, well-serviced amid upscale ambience,” according to the agency’s two-page fact sheet.

Pechanga Resort Casino is one of the largest resort and casino properties in the United States.

Guests can enjoy one of 1,100 rooms and suites, a new pool complex, 15 restaurants and bars, 275,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, expansive casino, and live entertainment every week. Also included is Journey at Pechanga, a premier championship golf course and Spa Pechanga, one of the largest two-story luxury spas in Southern California.

Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States.

Voted the number one casino in the country by USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property

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PETER Albrecht worked as a psychiatric nurse for University of California Irvine (UCI) Medical Center. In 2007 Peter was seriously injured while restraining a violent patient.

Because of his injuries, Peter was unable to work for three years and UCI approved this extended medical leave. He returned to work in October 2010.

In 2011, Peter began to accrue what UCI deemed to be unexcused absences. On January 5, 2012, UCI warned him of substandard attendance due to 5 absences in three months. These were deemed to be a third occurrence under UCI attendance policy, as he had received similar letters in 2005 and 2008. The letter advised Peter, “If you believe any of the absences above qualify as exclusions under the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA), please notify me immediately.”

In April 2012, Peter (now 63 years old) was transferred to the Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program and reported to its director, Paula Martin. On April 4, 2012, Peter received another letter for his absences on March 19 and March 31, 2012. The letter deemed this a fourth occurrence, and once again included the same FMLA leave advisement.

Peter was required to attend staff meetings twice per month, led by Martin. In those meetings, he endured harassing, degrading, and discriminatory comments based on his age and disability.

For example, the staff would suggest he was absentminded, mentally slow, forgetful, and out of it. Martin did not attempt to put a stop to those comments.

In June 2012, Martin asked two employees to monitor Peter

for the purpose of building a case to fire him. One of those employees was Connor, who testified Martin asked them to keep a written log of complaints against Peter to document reasons for firing him.

In July 2012, Peter received another letter concerning substandard attendance, this time for an absence on July 2, 2012. The letter deemed this a fifth occurrence and contained a similar FMLA leave advisement.

In August 2012, Peter applied for intermittent FMLA medical leave, which was granted. This entitled Peter to take leave twice per month, for up to two days per leave.

In September 2012, Martin met privately with Peter stating she was concerned about his FMLA history and asked him when he planned to retire. Peter said he had no plans of retiring any time soon, and that he had not used his full allotment of intermittent FMLA leave for the year.

In October 2012, Martin completed Peter’s annual evaluation and gave him an average score of “exceeds expectations” on several criteria. She wrote comments that were generally positive.

On February 4, 2013, Martin accused Peter of taking his FMLA leave around holidays.

She stated that any FMLA leave taken around holidays from then on would need to be supported by a doctor’s note “to indicate that flare-ups are more likely to occur on or around the holiday and we will attempt to accommodate that.” In the e-mail, she listed seven FMLA absences, which showed that some days of leave were taken near holidays, but others were not.

On March 25, 2013, Martin and the assistant director of neuropsychiatry terminated Peter due to absenteeism. The termination notice identified additional absences of 5 work days. Martin commented that Peter really “needed to retire,” and noted how “disabled” he looked.

Peter sued his employer

and alleged, among other things, age and disability discrimination and retaliation in violation of California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and FMLA. A first jury trial ended with the jury siding with the employer. After the appellate court reversed, a second jury trial was conducted.

This time, the second jury sided with Peter, awarding him $495,000 in past lost earnings, $521,000 for future lost earnings, $650,000 for past emotional distress, and $500,000 for future emotional distress, for a total award of $2.166 million.

Even if a medical condition does not limit any major life activities (i.e., there is no disability), an employee is still entitled to reasonable accommodation. This means allowing the employee to be absent from work for medical treatments or doctor appointments. The employee is still required to comply with the employer’s attendance policies. Thus, the employer may require the employee to provide a doctor’s note covering time away from work for illness or injury. The employer, however, cannot use medically sanctioned absences as reasons to fire or demote the employee. *** 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. *** The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www.joesayaslaw.com. [For more than 25 years, C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, consistently selected as Super L aw ye r by t h e Los A n g e l es Magazine, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino

B6 JULY 2-5, 2022 • LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL

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

Owner of several businesses needs bankruptcy relief Seniors need relief for credit cards

Debt Relief

Atty. LAwrence yAng GAS prices are very high at $7 a gallon at some stations.

The Ukraine war is entering its fourth month. Inflation is at 8.2%. And the pandemic is still around. Given this environment, not all businesses here are able to survive. Many businesses are operating at a loss for some time and are no longer liquid enough to pay their debts.

For instance, small businesses like Asian restaurants are suffering large reductions in sales. Some have lost 50% of sales just because of the virus problem. I don’t want to get further into it, except to say that many small businesses are now suffering.

They can’t repay debt.

EMPLOYMENT

Now comes the client who owns several businesses.

Some of his businesses are losing money and one remains profitable. The ones losing money cannot continue operating for lack of funds.

They cannot pay their debts as they come due. The ones losing money can’t pay their debts so they need bankruptcy relief. The problem that comes to mind is, how does the owner of the businesses, as an individual, get affected by the bankruptcy of the unprofitable businesses?

You need to see if the owner has made himself liable in his personal capacity.

For instance, if one business rents a warehouse that owner personally guaranteed the lease of, then there’s a problem. If the business can’t pay the warehouse lease, then the landlord will go against the owner as guarantor. This can become a big problem. Why? If there are three more years of the lease and the monthly

lease is $20,000, then the personal liability of the owner as guarantor of the lease is $720,000. This is a large amount of debt.

Thus, if this were to happen, then the owner himself has to look at the possibility of his own personal bankruptcy. So the idea is if you are a business owner, as much as possible, do not guarantee the debt of the business. Let the business stand by itself. Of course, in reality, this is not easily done.

Most creditors require owners to put some skin in the game.

This defeats the purpose of setting up a corporation for the business because the personal guarantee makes the corporate veil useless.

When the owner files for personal bankruptcy, you have to be able to exempt the value of the profitable business, which operates as a corporation. It is the market value of the ownership that is scrutinized. Of course, in private companies, it’s not

EMPLOYMENT

easy to determine the value of the business. If there are no buyers, then the private business is almost zero in value. This is a tricky question. Unlike shares in a public company can be easily valued because the shares are publicly traded. If you own 10 shares of Tesla right now, you can sell that for $700 more or less in the open market, so the market value is $7,000.

But if you own all the shares of private company A that with gross receipts of $1 million a year and just barely breaks even, what is the value of that?

The second client is 62 and owes $40,000 in credit cards.

He still works in the post office and makes a gross of $70,000.

He is married and the wife grosses about $30,000. She’s about five years younger.

They gross $100,000 together but net about $70,000, which is about $5,800 a month.

They have two teenage sons.

They rent a house for $2,100, and have a car payment of

$500. It’s getting really tight because $40,000 of credit cards requires $1,300 a month of minimum payments to keep them current. Almost 25% of their net household income goes to credit card payments every month. This demand on their income is becoming a big strain on the household since their sons are going to college soon. With college, they will have new and more expenses.

So you see the problem. They need to get rid of the $40,000 cards now. Either pay them off, which they can’t. Or, wipe them out or cut them down substantially. Chapter 7 will wipe them out. Chapter 13 will provide them with a reorganization plan that provides for a manageable monthly payment, a partial payment of the $40,000.

And, whatever you decide to do, do not liquidate your 401K to pay the $40,000 because 401K up to $1.0M is exempt in bankruptcy. Keep the $1.0M for your retirement, that’s

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

what it’s for. That’s why the law exempts 401K and other ERISA qualified retirement accounts up to $1.0M, actually, a little more than $1.0M now.

In other words, you can wipe out the $40,000 credit cards, while keeping your 401K, or without touching your 401K. If you need debt relief, please set an appointment. I will analyze your case personally. *** Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal opinion and no attorney-client relationship is created between reader, any third party and attorney. *** Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California.

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

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LA WEEKEND ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 2-5, 2022 B7

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

Get out of debt to California court’s power to make divorce orders build real wealth when one spouse does not live in California Minding Your Finances atty. Raymond BUlaon DON’T let this happen to you!

A client of mine said he never saw it coming. Everything he ever wanted in life, he always purchased on credit. The “preapproved” credit cards just kept coming in the mail and he never said NO to any of them. Buy now and pay later, why not? As long as they allow you to pay in installments, just charge it. Easy peasy.

When the time came that he was able to save a little bit of money for a down payment on a house, he purchased the biggest house he could buy because the bank gave him an “interest only” loan for 5 years.

Of course, he also had to buy a nice car to go with the houseit looked great in his driveway.

He thought he was living the “American Dream”.

Everything seemed OK until one day my client lost his job of 15 years. He thought he “owned” everything he had until he found himself scrambling just to keep from losing it all. That’s when reality hit him like a ton of bricks- He realized that in reality he owned NOTHING and that the banks actually owned EVERYTHING. The moment he could no longer pay, they took everything away.

Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with buying a house and the toys that go with it if that’s what makes you happy.

Just make sure that by doing so, you are not living beyond your means or otherwise there’s a good chance you’ll end up losing it all or in bankruptcy court. Everything you want in life comes with a price. And when you are borrowing money to purchase and the bank takes a security interest in what you are buying, you don’t own it until the loan is paid off.

Have you become a prisoner of debt? You see, as long as you owe people money, they actually own you- until you pay your debt. A lot of people

who come to me for help tell me that they just want to live a better life and build wealth so they can be financially free one day. But see, it is impossible to save any money when you have excessive debt hanging over your head.

A government study shows that 95% of the population will actually never achieve financial independence. That’s almost everybody! Yes, 95% of all the people in this country, at the age of 65, will end up depending on the government, charity or their families or they just need to keep working until the day they die!!! Can you believe that? Is this the kind of life you want to live? I was completely bothered when I read that.

I know how stressful life can be when you are in debt. For the last 23 years, I have counseled thousands and thousands of people whose lives have been wrecked by debt problems. If you are currently in debt and have been honest with yourself, don’t be afraid of taking a reality check and seeing exactly where you are at the current moment.

Face the cold hard facts now and figure out a way to get out of debt- the sooner, the better.

Some people may find that they have no other way out but to file bankruptcy and start over.

Some may find that bankruptcy is not necessary and other options are available. Before you can build up personal wealth, you must eliminate all the debts that are hindering you from planning for the future.

For a free consultation, call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. Let me evaluate your situation and recommend possible options. *** N OT E : D u e t o t h e p a n d e m i c , 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.

Barrister’s Corner atty. Kenneth URsUa Reyes THIS is a common question among people contemplating divorce in California when the other spouse does not live in the state. The California Courts has the power to grant a divorce, annulment, or legal separation if either party is domiciled in the state. Domicile is where a person lives and intends to remain.

However, there is an additional requirement if you are seeking a divorce rather than annulment or legal separation. To obtain a divorce in California, one of the parties must have been a resident of California for six months immediately before the filing of the divorce petition. Responding spouses can use this requirement as a defense if the Petitioning spouse does not meet such requirement when the petitioner

Pastor’s Notes ReveRend Rodel G. BalaGtas

WE now have Fr. Ramon Reyes as our new associate pastor at Incarnation Church. He’s a 31 year old newly ordained priest.

We welcome Fr. Ramon with love, joy, and peace. We pray that his first pastoral assignment will be fruitful and fulfilling.

He’s the first to say that he has much to learn. But he also knows he has many gifts to share with our people. He’s eager to minister to our parish’s youth and young adults while not forgetting other age groups. He will be involved in school ministry and help me with pastoral care to the sick, homebound, and bereaved families.

He will be a brother priest, a co-worker, and a team player. As he learned from his training in (Advertising Supplement) the seminary, he will collaborate

filed for divorce. In addition, divorce petitions may be filed in the county where at least one spouse resided for 3 months immediately prior to filing the petition.

Now apart from getting a divorce, legal separation, or annulled status, there may be issues relating to distributing community and separate properties between the spouses and awarding support payments.

In order for the California Courts to have the power to make orders, the California Courts must have personal jurisdiction over the respondent.

Personal jurisdiction means the respondent has minimum contacts with California even if not physically here. Some of the factors looked at is respondents presence in the state, domicile, residence, citizenship, consent, appearance in the action, doing business in the state, doing an act that causes an effect in the state, ownership in the state, other relationship to the state.

If the respondent does not have minimum contact with California, respondent may

challenge any orders relating to distribution of property and support based on the court’s lack of jurisdiction.

With regards to initial child custody issues, these issues are resolved under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. California Courts have the power to make initial custody orders if it is the child’s home state at the time the action was filed. California may also assume power to make custody orders if California has been the child’s home state within six months before the action was filed, the child is absent form California, and a parent continues to live in California.

California may also exercise jurisdiction when no other state is the child’s home state or when all court’s having jurisdiction over the child has declined to act and deferred to California as the more appropriate place to make custody orders. California may also exercise jurisdiction if no other state would have jurisdiction over the child. *** 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 Board 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 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010.

Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

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Greetings! and journey with our staff, lay leaders, volunteers, and others in fulfilling Christ’s mission of evangelization, teaching, and service.

He will often learn to trust God, the “master of the harvest,” and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to meet the challenges of ministry, carrying “no money bag, no sack, and no sandals.”

Indeed, he’ll depend on the generosity of God and the people he serves.

He realizes the urgency of the times to keep proclaiming the values of Christ’s Kingdom. So, as Jesus told his disciples in this Sunday’s (July 3) Gospel, there is no time for dilly-dallying for the harvest (the mission) is so great.

He’ll try to keep a balanced life of work, prayer, study, and

rest. It’s what he learned in the seminary. So we will be hospitable to him by respecting the time he needs for prayer and rest. We’ll remind him of this need to take care of himself.

We need good and holy priests

young vocation candidates from our parish.

Indeed, God calls some of us to the Holy Orders, but let’s not forget that he called us all too common priesthood founded in the sacrament of baptism. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “by Baptism (the baptized) share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission.” (CCC, 1268) Blessings to all, and Happy 4th of July! *** 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. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

He realizes the urgency of the times to keep proclaiming the values of Christ’s Kingdom. So, as Jesus told his disciples in this Sunday’s (July 3) Gospel, there is no time for dilly-dallying for the harvest (the mission) is so great. for “the harvest is abundant, and the laborers are few. And so, we keep praying for more young men like Fr. Ramon to respond to God’s call to the priesthood.

We hope his stay with us for three years will bring about