071520 - Southern California Midweek Edition

July 15-17, 2020 Volume 30 - No.55 • 2 Sections - 14 Pages

LA County reports record high COVID-19 cases, DATELINE USA LAUSD, San Diego hospitalizations as certain industries close again Unified campuses to FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

stay closed for start of new academic year Filipino parents, teachers support closures, say school districts should prioritize health and safety

4,244 new cases, 73 new deaths

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

LOS Angeles County on Tuesday, July 14 broke its single-day record for highest number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, signaling a disturbing turn of events as the statewide situation contin-

ues to worsen.

The LA County Public Health announced 4,244 confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number to 140,307. Additionally, 73 people have died due to complications from the coronavirus and 2,103 patients are currently hospitalized (27% re-

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

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Tech CEO who harassed Fil-Am family on Fourth of July resigns from company

THE San Francisco-based CEO of a technology company who was caught on video hurling racist and xenophobic insults toward Filipino American family in Carmel Valley, California has resigned from the company, according to multiple reports on Monday, July 13.

After the video went viral, the white man was later identified by social media sleuths as Michael Lofthouse, the CEO of the cloud and IT start-up Solid8, as previously reported in the Asian Journal.

In an email sent to CNN and ABC News, Lofthouse said, “I can confirm that I have stepped down from Solid8, terminating all business relationships with immediate effect.

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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday, July 13, begins the distribution of the 2nd tranche of government’s social amelioration program (SAP) for the at least 146 beneficiaries in Brgy. Guadalupe in Cebu City.

PNA photo by Joey Razon

AJPress

ESGUERRA

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has launched a barrage of fresh tirades against embattled media giant ABS-CBN just days after Congress denied its franchise application based on an audio recording of his entire speech obtained by the Inquirer.

In a speech before troops in Jolo Tuesday morning, Duterte said he could now die happy knowing that he had “dismantled” the oligarchy in the country even without declaring martial.

Duterte did not mention the Lopezowned ABS-CBN in a video aired by Radio Television Malacañang.

However, in a 40-minute audio recording of the entire speech acquired by the

THE United States on Monday, July 13, rejected most of China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea. “We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them,” U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

“The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire,” he added.

Pompeo also stressed that the U.S. stands with its Southeast Asian allies.

“America stands with our Southeast Asian allies and partners in protecting their sovereign rights to offshore resources, consistent with their rights and obligations under international law. We stand with the international community in defence of freedom of the seas and respect for sovereignty and reject any push to impose ‘might makes right’ in the South China Sea or the wider region,” he said.

According to Pompeo, the unanimous decision “re-

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WHO reports another daily record for global coronavirus cases

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

The World Health Organization on Sunday, July 12, reported another record increase in global coronavirus cases, with the total rising by 230,370 over a 24-hour period.

The previous WHO record for new cases was 228,102 reported on Friday, July 10.

Of the new figure, 66,281 were from the United States, topping WHO’s list among countries with the virus.

The U.S., as of writing, has 3,304,942

confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 135,205 deaths and 1,006,326 recoveries.

Other countries with the biggest increases were Brazil, India and South Africa.

On Sunday, India’s COVID-19 cases increased by 28,637, which prompted authorities to announce a week-long lockdown.

Data from Johns Hopkins University also noted that India went from the world’s sixth worst-affected country by the virus to third in just three weeks.

Around 150 individuals gathered at Wilson Park in Torrance, California on Saturday, July 11 to Meanwhile, the Philippines has 57,006 workout and call for greater justice, a month after Lena Hernandez, a retired social worker

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Inquirer, the President once again took a swipe at ABS-CBN after lamenting how Metro Manila’s water concessionaires — the Ayala-owned Manila Water and the Manny Pangilinan-led Maynilad — allegedly milked Filipinos of billions of pesos for years. “’Yun namang ABS-CBN binaboy ako.

Pero sinabi ko kapag ako nanalo, bubuwagin ko ang oligarchy ng Pilipinas. Ginawa ko. Without declaring martial law, sinira ko yung mga tao na humahawak sa ekonomiya at umiipit sa tao at hindi nagbabayad. They take advantage, sa kanila political power,” he added.

[ABS-CBN defiled me. But I said if I win, I will dismantle the oligarchy in the Philippines. I did it without declaring martial

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from Long Beach, was filmed for her racist tirades against two Asian Americans at the park, including a Fil-Am named Sherry Bulseco.

Photo courtesy of Sandy Roxas

Protesters flock to Torrance park to demand justice a month after viral anti-Asian videos

Duterte sets off fresh tirades vs ABSCBN after network lost franchise bid

by DARRYL JOHN

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US rejects China’s claims in disputed sea

AS the coronavirus pandemic rages on with no end in sight, the Los Angeles and San Diego school districts announced on Monday, July 13 that campuses and classrooms will remain closed at the start of the next academic year.

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the San Diego Unified School District — the two largest school districts in California — released a joint statement on their decision to maintain the distance learning format at the start of the school year.

“One fact is clear: Those countries that have managed to safely reopen schools have

The video that went viral shows the white CEO making “unprovoked” racist remarks toward the family

quire intensive care and 19% are on ventilators).

The positivity rate among Angelenos remains at 9%.

“Today’s numbers are alarming and unfortunately are the result of many businesses and individuals

by AJPRESS

President Rodrigo Duterte

Inquirer.net photo

ABOUT 150 individuals gathered at Wilson Park in Torrance, California on Saturday, July 11, roughly a month after a woman was captured on video hurling anti-Asian sentiments in two separate incidents.

The participants took part in a group workout protest, wearing black T-shirts with the message, “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied,” in an effort to pressure local authorities to take action after videos went viral in June, showing Lena Hernandez’s racist

tirades against two Asian Americans, including a Filipina American named Sherry Bulseco who was exercising at the park.

“What started off as acts of hate and racism brought the community together,” Sandy Roxas, a lawyer representing the victims pro bono, told the Asian Journal following Saturday’s event.

In the first video posted on June 10, Hernandez — a 56-yearold retired social worker from Long Beach — is heard berating Bulseco who was exercising on the steps of the park.

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A JuLY 15-17, 2020 • SoCal ASIAN JOuRNAL

US rejects China’s claims in...

PAGE A1 jected the (People’s Republic of China’s) maritime claims as having no basis in international law.”

“As the United States has previously stated, and as specifically provided in the Convention, the Arbitral Tribunal’s decision is final and legally binding on both parties,” he added.

China, in response, said the U.S.’ rejection of its maritime claims in the South China Sea is

completely unjustified.

“The United States is not a country directly involved in the disputes. However, it has kept interfering in the issue,” the Chinese Embassy in Washington said on Tuesday, July 14.

“Under the pretext of preserving stability, it is flexing muscles, stirring up tension and inciting confrontation in the region,” it added.

Tribunal ruling ‘invalid’ The Chinese Embassy in Ma-

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

From the Front Page nila also responded to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. urging China to comply in good faith with the arbitral ruling on the South China Sea case.

“China’s position is consistent, clear and firm,” it said in a tweet that was quickly deleted on Monday.

“The South China Sea arbitration and so-called award are illegal and invalid,” the embassy added.

Locsin, on the 4th anniversary of the historic ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, said the award is “non-negotiable.”

“The Philippines, as a lawabiding, peace-loving and responsible member of the international community, reaffirms on this occasion its adherence to the award and its enforcement without any possibility of compromise or change,” he said.

“The award is non-negotiable,” he added.

Locsin noted that the ruling, which was “initiated and overwhelmingly won” by the Philippines, is a contribution of great significance and consequence to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea and to the peace and stability of the region at large.

Likewise, the arbitration award conclusively settled the issue of historic rights and maritime entitlements in the South China Sea. “As a reaffirmation of UNCLOS, and by laying down an authoritative interpretation of key UNCLOS provisions such as Article 121(3), the award is a milestone in the corpus of international law, the cornerstone of a rulesbased regional and international order,” Locsin said.

He stressed that China’s “ninedash line” had no basis in law, adding that China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea violated the Philippines’sovereign rights.

“The Tribunal ruled that certain actions within the Philippines EEZ violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights and were thus unlawful; that large-scale reclamation and construction of artificial islands caused severe environmental harm in violation of international conventions; that the large-scale harvesting of endangered marine species damaged the marine ecosystem; and that actions taken since the commencement of the arbitration had aggravated the disputes,” Locsin said. n

RECOGNITION. President Rodrigo Duterte witnesses the conferment of medals on the wounded soldiers he visited at the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Headquarters in Jolo, Sulu on Monday, July 13.

Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal

LA County reports record high...

PAGE A1

not adhering to the basic public health requirements of distancing and wearing face coverings,” Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the county’s public health director, said in a daily briefing on Tuesday. “We are just not able to continue on a recovery journey without everyone doing their part. Keeping businesses open is only possible if we get back to slowing the spread.”

The spike in cases in LA County — which has the most countywide cases in the country — comes one day after California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered new statewide lockdown mandates to mitigate the spread of the virus.

In response, LA County issued an amended local health order to comply with the governor’s directive.

Ordered to close again were gyms, centers of worship, indoor protests, personal care services and salons, indoor malls, bars, indoor dining, indoor museums, indoor operations at zoos and aquariums and all large events and gatherings.

Sherry Younge, a Filipina American who owns a hair salon called The Artform Studio in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, had reopened in

mid-June after securing personal protective equipment for all of the staff, setting safety protocols for the salon, and having certain hours devoted to higher-risk clients.

“I am still calling it a new practice because this is what we’re going to have to live by for a very long time,” Younge told the Asian Journal.

On Monday, she was among the business owners who suddenly had to shut down again, though it was something she had anticipated would happen in the coming weeks. ”I knew that we could possibly shut down again, but I didn’t know when. I really thought it was going to be at least one more week so I was trying to get as many of my clients a little bit earlier to get them before the closure,” Younge said. “There was no possible way that everyone was going to be compliant. We’re very compliant when it comes to being clean for our clients. It’s not something where we take safety lightly so I was definitely frustrated when I heard, again, that we had to shut down. I believe that other industries that don’t require wearing a mask the whole time are the ones that should be shut down.”

She added that with the uncertainty around the latest round of closures, she will continue pivoting to online by offering lessons and videos on how clients at home can do their own hair cuts or coloring.

“These direct services are definitely what have been keeping us afloat for a very long time and to be stripped away from our livelihood, it’s so hard,” Younge said.

“At least we have technology.

Even if I do re-open, it’s still going to be a part of my services in between the physical clients that I see because there are people that are really at high risk.”

Newsom’s orders could potentially LA County closer to renewed stay-at-home orders, only allowing essential businesses to stay open given they follow social distancing protocol and mandate face coverings.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, whose efforts to slowly return city life back to normal, expressed concern in his daily COVID-19 update on Monday, saying that the city’s conditions could move its COVID-19 emergency status from “orange” to “red,” urging Angelenos to “stay home when you can, avoid gatherings and only visit businesses when you have to.” n

pecially for the ICUs according to our data, is now in the danger zone and more than — that was about 70 percent,” Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said Monday, July 13.

“We need to address this and we have to make sure that if ever there is a rise in the number of severe and critical patients, hospitals would be able to adjust in terms of providing critical care and expanding their intensive care units,” he added.

St. Luke’s Medical Center and Makati Medical Center earlier announced that all of their beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients are occupied.

“The (number of occupied)

ICU beds is increasing gradually. This is one of the reasons why we came up with (a system for) hospital management so we can apportion the number of patients who are (going to) private (hospitals) and who cannot be given access so we can refer them to public institutions or other specialty centers that handle COVID-19,” Vega said.

“We are trying to collaborate with the different health facilities so that we will work as a network and there’s a system to it...What is most important right now with this crisis, is that we need to come up with a system and move as one,” he added. n

WHO reports another daily record for global...

PAGE A1 cases of COVID-19 after the Department of Health reported 836 additional cases on Monday.

The country’s death toll has risen to 1,599, while the total number of recoveries is now at 20,371.

“We are experiencing an increase in the number of positive cases due to increase in testing and identified community transmission,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

The health agency also noted that the critical care capacity for intensive care unit beds has reached the “danger” zone.

“Actually... the capacity right now, the critical bed capacity es-

Protesters flock to Torrance park to demand...

PAGE A1 “Get the (expletive) out of this world…Get the f— out of this state. Go back to whatever (expletive) Asian country you belong in,” Hernandez shouts.

“This is not your place. This is not your home. We do not want you here.”

Workout participants on Saturday wore all black in reference to Hernandez’s remarks later in the video during which she asks Bulseco, “Who wears black in California sun? Who the f—wears black? Are you an idiot? You wear black in California sun? Seriously?”

Hernandez was also recorded during a racist tirade against an unidentified Japanese American man who was at the parking lot of the park that same morning with his young son.

“You are going to go to real jail now,” she says, and then uses a mock Asian accent. “You understand me, China man?”

The rally also featured representatives from local Asian American organizations who called on Torrance officials to do more after announcing they would not pursue charges against Hernandez for the two incidents because of “critical gaps in the evidence.”

Hernandez was previously arrested and released on bail on Friday, July 3 for a battery charge stemming from a separate encounter last October. The woman was accused of physically attacking another Filipina American, Kayceelyn Salminao, inside a restroom at the Del Amo Fashion Center.

Salminao filed a police report

Filipina American Kayceelyn Salminao (left) is joined by her husband and daughter to share her encounter with Lena Hernandez last October. Hernandez was arrested on a battery charge in connection with the incident, but was subsequently released on bail.

Photo courtesy of Sandy Roxas

but nothing transpired, until months later, when Hernandez was the subject of the two viral videos.

Hernandez was taken into custody on July 3, a day after charges for the October incident were announced by the Torrance City Attorney’s Office. She was released hours later after posting her $1 bail.

After the statements on Saturday, participants formed small groups for workout sessions led

by volunteer trainers from the area.

“The ugly and racist actions of one individual [have] highlighted the greatness in coming together for a certain cause, in this case, fighting racism and xenophobia.

We know that we are not alone.

We know that together, our unified voices can be heard. And now the world knows that we will not tolerate racism and stay silent,” Roxas said in a statement with Blackbelt Legal, Inc. n

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Dateline USa

BACK IN BUSINESS. A vendor assists a customer in choosing among souvenir religious items being sold at the Antipolo Pasalubong Center in Antipolo City, Rizal. Small business owners are getting back on their feet as the government gradually reopens the economy, which has been severely affected by quarantine restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Duterte sets off fresh tirades vs ABS-CBN...

PAGE A1 law, I destroyed the people who were controlling the economy and oppressing the people and not paying. They take advantage, they have political power.]

The President also claimed that ABS-CBN’s equipment was tax-free. He also accused the network of having “holding companies” outside the country and “misdeclaring” the land area of its compound on Mother Ignacia Avenue in Quezon City.

“Tapos may mga holding company sa labas. Ganun din.

Ano yung, ano yung inano nila ni Marcos. Sila rin. Cayman, tapos may holding company sa Hungary, dun nila binubuhos.

Kunwari, may ano sila, may investment sila dun. Padala sila ng pera. Pero yung investment na yan, wala na. ‘Yung pera hindi na yan babalik. Kaya walang taxes. And to think that they talk and they play God over the lives of the Filipino. Kaya ako, wala akong ano.”

[They have holding companies outside. It’s the same thing — as Marcos had done. They did it too.

Cayman, and a holding company in Hungary. That’s where they divert the money. They make it appear that they have investments there. They send money.

But their investments are gone.

Their money won’t be returned anymore. So they don’t pay taxes. And to think that they talk and they play God over the lives of the Filipino.]

However, Duterte denied that he was the one behind the clo-

sure of ABS-CBN, as he stressed that it was the House of Representatives’ Committee on Legislative Franchises that denied the franchise application.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said that Malacañang was “neutral” on the ABS-CBN franchise issue.

During his regular Palace press briefing on Tuesday, Roque, who was not in Jolo when Duterte delivered his speech, insisted that it was not a policy of Malacañang to edit the President’s speech.

He also said that Duterte was referring to the oligarchs he had publicly warned in the past and “personally dealt with” – not the Lopezes.

“I go by his prior statements.

Alam niyo po kami dito sa opisina ko, lahat ng sinasabi ng Presidente, ini-index po namin yan. So pagdating sa oligarchy paulit ulit naman po niya sinasabi, well, bati naman na po sila ngayon. Paulit-ulit niyang sinasabi MVP (Manny Pangilinan), Ayala, Lucio Tan,” the Palace official said.

[I go by his prior statements.

You know, we here in my office index everything that the President says. So when it comes to the oligarchy that he has repeatedly mentioned, well, they’ve reconciled. He kept on mentioning MVP, Ayala, Lucio Tan.] Duterte’s former long-time aide, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, who shared the stage with Duterte in Jolo during the President’s visit, said in a statement that the fight against corruption

and abusive practices stems from Duterte’s love of country.

“I will continue to support the President in this fight in order to rid our country of corruption from top to bottom,” he said. “Kung mahal mo ang bayan mo, ipaglalaban mo ito laban sa lahat ng nang-aabuso mula sa pinakamaliit hanggang sa pinakamapangyarihang gumagawa ng masama sa kapwa nating Pilipino.”

[If you love your country, you will fight for it against all those who commit abuses from the less to the most powerful who do bad things to their fellow Filipinos.]

“That is why when oligarchs, terrorists, criminals and abusive or corrupt officials try to harm or take advantage of the people — in the eyes of the President, they are the enemies who threaten our democratic way of life, and he will not hesitate to fight them to protect the interests of the ordinary Filipinos,” Go added.

The President has repeatedly lambasted the television network over its alleged biased reporting and for not airing his 2016 presidential campaign advertisement.

Late last year, Duterte even said that he would see to it that ABS-CBN would be out of the industry.

ABS-CBN was ordered shut on May 5 following the expiration of its legislative franchise, in compliance with the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) order. n

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 15-17, 2020

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A JuLY 15-17, 2020 • SoCal ASIAN JOuRNAL

Dateline USa

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Social justice advocate, community ally Robert Gnaizda passes away

by Joseph

L. peraLta

AJPress

HARDWORKING MOM, Anne Minion, 45, sells candies and newspapers, not minding the rain along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, corner Kamuning Road, Quezon City on Monday, July 13. Minion, a solo parent with six children, says she perseveres in her work and trusts God for their daily subsistence.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Tech CEO who harassed Fil-Am family on...

PAGE A1 I will make it my duty to ensure my personal actions do not continue to have a detrimental impact on those people closest to me.”

The Filipino American family who was targeted in this incident was taking a trip up to Carmel Valley over the Fourth of July weekend to celebrate a birthday.

On July 4, the family went to the Bernardus Lodge and Spa’s Lucia restaurant when out of nowhere, during dinner, Lofthouse began berating the family.

“We were having fun, playing games and when we were having dessert, suddenly we hear somebody behind us yelling, ‘You f--ing Asians,” Raymond Orosa, one of the family members, previously told the Asian Journal following the incident.

The unprovoked harassment

prompted Jordan Chan, Orosa’s niece, to begin filming Lofthouse, who is seen sticking up a middle finger to the family and saying, “[President Donald] Trump’s gonna f--- you.” The video also shows him yelling, “F--- you, Asians,” Go back to whatever f--ing Asian country you’re from,” and “You don’t belong here.”

“This is the face of the man who relentlessly harassed my family and I completely UNPROVOKED, UNWARRANTED, and UNCONSCIONABLE,” Chan wrote in her Instagram post. (Lofthouse was eventually forced to leave the restaurant by restaurant staff.)

After the video went viral, Lofthouse issued an apology to the family, saying “This was clearly a moment where I lost control and made incredibly hurtful and divisive comments.”

“I think he shouldn’t just apol-

ogize to us. He should apologize to the whole Asian community that’s seen his video and from that point on, take all the responsibility that comes with it,” Orosa told the Asian Journal in reaction to Lofthouse’s apology. “He did it and everybody witnessed it. He’s gotta be responsible for what he’s done and said.”

In his statement on Monday, Lofthouse also noted that he has “once again begun my journey back to sobriety” and enrolled himself into an anti-racism program.

“The reactions to what was said have been deserved and I wholeheartedly acknowledge that I am complicit in a system that enables this behavior and these broken beliefs to exist but I am dedicated to changing,” he said. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

LAUSD, San Diego Unified campuses to stay...

PAGE A1 done so with declining infection rates and on-demand testing available. California has neither,” the statement read. “The skyrocketing infection rates of the past few weeks make it clear the pandemic is not under control.”

The LAUSD school year begins on August 18 and San Diego Unified’s school year on August 31.

LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner released a separate announcement stressing the moral obligation that school districts have in protecting students while acknowledging the disappointment and frustration students, teachers and their families feel about distance learning which lacks many benefits of classroom learning.

“While the new school year will begin in August, it will not start with students at school facilities. The health and safety of all in the school community is not something we can compromise,” Beutner said in his address, acknowledging the “anxiety” families feel about prolonging distance learning.

But like many public education leaders and officials have stated in the last week, Beutner is gauging the reopening by the COVID19 virus’ containment. Currently, there’s no date set for when campuses will reopen and in-classroom learning will resume but the district hopes to share more details as the semester progresses and as, hopefully, the pandemic begins to simmer down.

“Reopening schools will significantly increase the interaction between children and adults from different families,” Beutner explained. “A 10-year-old student might have a 30-year-old teacher, a 50-year-old bus driver or live with a 70-year-old grandmother. All need to be protected.

There’s a public health imperative to keep schools from becoming a petri dish.”

The LAUSD and San Diego Unified’s decision to maintain the distance learning model comes after the Trump administration’s threatened to withhold funding from schools that don’t re-open in-person classrooms this upcoming school year.

“Some of the exhortations don’t come with money — and we need more,” Beutner explained, adding that the district needs more funding and resources to be able to pay for devices and internet access for students as well as personal protective equipment and sanitation products.

The union that represents LAUSD teachers, the United Teachers of LA (UTLA), celebrated Beutner’s decision, citing the importance of keeping students, teachers and other school staff safe to help mitigate the virus’ spread.

Last week, 18,000 union members participated in an informal poll on whether or not LAUSD should reopen schools and 83% percent voted in favor of keeping schools physically closed. In

March at the beginning of the pandemic, UTLA was a driving force in the initial LAUSD closure.

“It was the right thing to close school campuses then, and it’s the right thing to keep them closed now,” UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz said in a statement. “In the face of the alarming spike in COVID cases, the lack of necessary funding from the government to open schools safely, and the outsized threat of death faced by working class communities of color, there really is no other choice that doesn’t put thousands of lives at risk.”

As the LAUSD moves forward with starting the new academic year with 100% virtual learning, the teachers union shifts its focus on bargaining with the district to improve the model and “ensure a robust and strong remote learning program.”

“We must continue to take bold action together to build well-funded schools with the necessary conditions to protect everyone’s health; robust student supports, including increased mental health and academic services; and resources for hard-hit communities so they can survive this crisis such as income replacement and rent and mortgage forgiveness,” MyartCruz said.

The LAUSD is the second largest school district in the United States, serving more than 600,000 students and employs 75,000 people across more than 1,000 schools in the Southland.

Among the nearly 15,000 LAUSD teachers who voted yes to keeping campuses closed in favor of improving distance learning was Filipina American Cheryl Zarate, a teacher at Thomas Starr King Middle School in Silver Lake.

Zarate, who teaches English, History and a Peer Mediation elective course to 7th graders, supports Beutner’s decision to start the school year with distance learning. Prior to Beutner’s decision, she and her family were scrambling to come up with action plans should the district reopen its schools.

“I was actually quite relieved,” Zarate told the Asian Journal.

“Now I can finally plan on how I’m going to teach for fall because there’s just been talks in the last few days with me and my family about, if we’re going to have to be forced to work, if I’m gonna have to quit, or if I’m gonna have to draft up my will — these conversations I don’t want to think about right now.”

As UTLA moves forward in accommodating distance learning with existing teaching models, Zarate hopes that the district will prioritize mental health and social emotional counseling for all students, especially lower-income and at-risk students.

“I think now that students are going to be distance learning and parents may be going back to work, it’s important to figure

COMMUNITY advocate and pioneering civil rights lawyer Robert Gnaizda passed away on July 11 surrounded by his loving family.

He was 83.

Gnaizda, known as Bob to his colleagues, friends and even to his adversaries across the aisle, was a fiery, articulate and thoughtful community advocate who fought for equality, minority rights and social justice throughout his career that spanned over six decades.

He was born on August 6, 1936 and spent his youth in the Brownsville area of Brooklyn, which was a tough Jewish neighborhood.

A graduate of Columbia University and Yale Law School, Gnaizda co-founded many groups involved in the fight for his advocacies, including California Rural Legal Assistance (1976), Public Advocates in San Francisco (1970), the Greenlining Institute (1993), and most recently was involved with the National Asian American Coalition (NAAC)/National Diversity Coalition (NDC) as its General Counsel.

He was a key advisor to the administration of California Governor Jerry Brown in the 1970s where he served as deputy secretary of health and welfare for the state.

Even prior to his involvement in the many groups he co-founded, Gnaizda showed his mettle by collecting testimony in 1965 on how white police and officials were preventing Blacks from voting, which helped influence the Voting Rights of 1965.

Perhaps, people will most recognize Bob Gnaizda as he was featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “Inside Job,” which focused on the financial crisis in the late 2000s directed by Charles Ferguson and narrated by Matt Damon. Prior to the crisis, the Stuyvesant High School alumnus had repeatedly warned the Federal Reserve about the coming subprime mortgage crisis and predatory lending.

It was with NAAC and NDC that Bob devoted his time in his later years, joining the organization in his 60s, and continuing to fight for access to equal opportunity, affordable housing and loans for small and minority-owned businesses.

The NAAC and NDC work with government institutions and corporations, aiming to seek policy changes so that underserved communities may benefit through different programs offered or developed by these entities, including supplier diversity programs. Areas tackled by NAAC/NDC-supported programs have tackled issues like homeownership, financial literacy education for youths and adults, digital and broadband literacy, affordable housing and healthcare.

It was at this time that Bob continued to build alliances and coalitions to open a gateway for underserved communities, and he was known to reach across lines to collaborate and negotiate a solution to problems. He also mentored many young people from different ethnicities and backgrounds who today continue to fight for the same advocacies that he cared about.

Faith Bautista, who collaborated with Gnaizda in NAAC/NDC, told the Asian Journal via email that “Bob is the hero of Filipino community, he won the suit for Filipino CPAs to have reciprocity. He worked with Larry Itliong to help

Gnaizda was a community advocate and pioneering civil rights lawyer.

Filipino and Hispanic farmworkers, he fought against Marcos regime, he built NaFFAA with Alex Esclamado, and most of all he made me who I am to follow his footsteps and continue the advocacy work since 1960.”

She further said: “I worked with Bob since 2002, spent thousands of hours fighting for small business and homeowners, changing policies. If there’s a message that bob will continue to preach is to have more Filipinos in power! Now it’s all up to us to make that happen.”

“I lost my partner, colleague, mentor and most of all, I lost the other half of me,” Bautista, who is president and CEO of NAAC/NDC, concluded in her email message.

NDC Board chair Jin Sung also sent a message to the Asian Journal on Gnaizda’s passing, saying, “Our general counsel Mr. Robert Gnaizda was a true hero who fought the financial structures that deepened the wealth inequality and racial discrimination in our times. National Diversity Coalition is tremendously honored to have worked along-side with him, as he actively taught the next generation how to be the change through indirect public policymaking. His brilliance and tactics supersede all strategists that I have come across, and I am found grieving for the loss of this magnificent man of justice. Thank you, Bob, for your dedication and love for the minority communities and shedding light on the power of people in this nation.”

The Greenlining Institute issued a statement after Gnaizda’s passing, extending its “deepest sympathies to Bob’s family during this difficult time.”

“Since the mid-1970’s Bob was a tireless leader who created community around a simple, shared and powerful vision,” said Greenlining Institute President and CEO Debra Gore-Mann. “To bring together grassroots community leaders from the African American, Asian American, Latino and disabled communities to both fight institutionalized discrimination and redlining and to proactively bring investments and opportunity into these communities. Bob was fearless. He and John Gamboa forced big banks and other institutions to listen, and brought billions of dollars in investment into communities that had been redlined.”

“Before racial and economic justice was a popular hashtag, Bob was bold enough to say what others wouldn’t and brave enough

to do what most wouldn’t,” said Greenlining Board Co-Chair Tunua Thrash-Ntuk. “He wielded a pen and paper that was guided by his vast and unrivaled knowledge of our national economic and banking system. Coupled by his love of people, Bob never shrank in the face of the racial justice fight against outsized circumstance -be it a financially endowed CEO, a Federal Reserve Chairman or a powerful member of Congress or the Cabinet. His uncanny knack for strategy yielded Greenlining and the communities it serves countless wins that bent the arc of justice toward righteousness.”

Greenlining Institute co-founder John Gamboa, who along with Gnaizda initially served as the organization’s staff as both formulated a strategy that used the Community Reinvestment Act to push banks to lend and invest in long-redlined communities of color, said, “Bob is one of the most underappreciated civil rights leaders of our time because he never cared about being honored or celebrated, he cared about the work,” John Gamboa said.

“Bob Gnaizda was a social justice creative genius,” said Orson Aguilar, who led Greenlining after Gnaizda and Gamboa retired. “He mixed his vast legal skills with a creative organizing approach that often mixed baseball statistics with current and historic events.

He always sought to uplift leaders of color and never backed away from talking about race. Nobody has worked harder than Bob to build a long-lasting, multi-ethnic coalition. Bob had an enormous spirit that will leave a long-lasting impact on all of us who were fortunate to have worked alongside him in our march towards social and racial justice.”

“Bob was a brilliant lawyer, advocate and comrade for social and economic equity for, with and in our communities,” said Ortensia Lopez, another co-founder and longtime Greenlining Institute board member. “Bob was always ahead of his times and always had great insights and strategies to address our issues. I am honored, privileged and thankful to have worked with him on so many issues.”

Gnaizda is survived by his wife, Claudia Viek, sons Josh and Matt and granddaughter August. A private funeral is planned in Petaluma, CA on Saturday, July 18.

Plans for a public online memorial are being developed and will be announced later. n

out how the district and community can work together to provide safe childcare for families who rely on schools to help take care of their kids,” Zarate said.

Zarate is also the mother of a first grader in the LAUSD and empathizes with frustrated parents who want things to get back to normal for their children and home lives.

But she stressed the fact that the pandemic is affecting everybody at different levels and everybody ought to do their part in keeping everyone safe, and that starts with making sure families are adhering to the public safety guidelines like wearing masks, social distancing and limiting time outside the home.

“I want everyone to start thinking about everyone else and the community because it’s not just an individual problem, this pandemic,” she remarked. “It’s a global problem and the way to fix this is to really work together.

We need to start thinking and working collectively because that’s how we’re going to get through this.”

Monica Hill, a Filipina mother and former school teacher of the Scripps Ranch neighborhood of San Diego, said she was relieved to hear that students at San Diego Unified would be starting the school year “safely with limited risk of contracting and spreading the virus.”

“Of course it’s unfortunate that my daughter and her peers won’t get to spend the next school year in a classroom, but it’s a small price to pay to keep her safe,” Hill told the Asian Journal.

Hill’s daughter will be an 8th grader at Challenger Middle School. According to the mother, she has been struggling trying to keep her from “going crazy” but she keeps reminding her that distance learning is only a temporary compromise to keep the community safer and to keep the COVID-19 case numbers from continuing to spike.

“It’s been difficult, for sure, and you know, kids really benefit from the classroom and being on campus, and not just for aca- Bob Gnaizda (in wheelchair), gives a thumbs up, along with Faith Bautista (behind) and NAAC/NDC members at a press conference in Sacramento demic reasons. These kids need in August of 2019.

Photo by Joseph Peralta/AJPress to socialize in a real way and it’s hard to do that in quarantine.

But there are workarounds, like hanging out over Zoom and talking on the phone, and I really appreciate the teachers working to replicate group activities and interaction virtually,” Hill said.

HONOLULU – An Oahu grand jury indicted a Filipino man for alShe added, “At the end of the legedly stealing more than $1.2 million from his church. day it’s simply weighing what’s Prosecutors accused Martin Zialcita, 45, of stealing the money most important: being bored beby using church credit cards to pay for his own personal expenses, ing in the house all day and the while he was an office manager at the Olivet Baptist Church. inconvenience of not being able Zialcita allegedly stole money from the church from 2013 to 2019. to be around people or risk getProsecutors said he was able to conceal the alleged thefts by proting sick or worse. I think most viding the church with phony bank statements, Hawaii News Now parents would agree that their reported. kids’ safety is the most important Zialcita was also charged with using a computer to commit theft, thing, which is why it’s baffling which ca. That’s a new law that carries a mandatory 20-year sento me that we have this president tence upon conviction, according to a new law. and Education Secretary willIn May 2019, he allegedly took $110,000 from an Olivet investment ing to put that at risk. Nothing An Oahu grand jury indicted Martin Zialcita is worth more than protecting for allegedly stealing more than $1.2 million account at Charles Schwab and digitally transferred it to his own acour kids.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJ- from the Olivet Baptist Church in Makiki. count at the Bank of Hawaii. A warrant has been issued for Zialcita’s arrest. (Inquirer.net) Press) Photo from Twitter

Filipino in Hawaii charged with $1.2-M theft from his church

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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3 more Filipinos abroad contract Most Filipinos believe China held back COVID-19; no new deaths – DFA info on virus from the world — survey

of COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad is now at 8,872, with three new infections recorded in MANILA — Three more over- Europe and the Middle East. seas Filipinos have contracted Meanwhile, 2,977 are still unthe coronavirus disease (COVID- dergoing treatment while 5,277 19) but no new fatalities have have already recovered from the been reported, according to the disease. The death toll remains Department of Foreign Affairs at 618.

(DFA).

In the Philippines, health ofThe DFA said the total number ficials have so far confirmed

by Christia

Marie Inquirer.net

raMos

57,545 cases. Of the number, 1,603 patients have died while 20,459 have recovered.

Globally, over 12.7 million individuals have so far been infected by the new coronavirus, which originated from Wuhan City in China’s Hubei province late last year. More than 566,000 have died from the disease across the world. n

Marie Inquirer.net

raMos

MANILA — A suspected American pedophile who allegedly sexually exploited girls in Cebu City during his travels in the country has been deported, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Tuesday, July 14.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the American as 64-year-old Craig Alex Levin, who was deported on July 9, aboard a chartered special flight of the US Embassy from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The immigration bureau said agents from the US Marshals Service fetched Levin at the airport from his detention cell at the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Morente said BI Board of Commissioners decided to expel Levin for being an undocumented and undesirable alien on top of his status as a fugitive wanted by the US government.

“He has been placed in our immigration blacklist, thus, he is now perpetually banned from reentering the Philippines. Henceforth, he would no longer pose a threat to our Filipino children,” Morente said in a statement.

Citing records, BI said that Levin was arrested at his condominium unit in Barangay (village) Cogon Ramos in Cebu City in May 2019, after he was seen accompanying a 15-year-old girl to his room.

The arrest came after American authorities informed local authorities that Levin is wanted

Philstar.com

MANILA — Three out of five Filipinos are of the consensus that China withheld information from the international community when the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first emerged in Wuhan in December, new survey data suggests.

The belief that China could have shared more information on the COVID-19 outbreak is a sentiment most Filipinos, around to stand trial before a US district 61% of them, interviewed by the court in Philadelphia on charges Social Weather Stations seem to of sexually exploiting minors in share. the Philippines and for engaging According to SWS, the July in child sex trafficking, the immi- 2020 National Mobile Phone gration bureau said. asked participants: “How much Following his arrest, Levin was do you believe the accusation of turned over to the BI where he other countries that China did was detained until his deporta- not immediately share their intion. formation on COVID-19 to the “US prosecutors have de- world, such as the severity of scribed Levin as a dangerous sexual predator who targeted vulnerable children in the Philippines,” BI said.

“They also alleged in their indictment that Levin used the internet to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a child into sex trafficking, and that he frequently traveled to the Philippines to engage in illicit sex with minors,” the bureau added. n

BI deports suspected American pedophile

by Christia

by FranCo Luna

BICYCLE BOOM. What used to be a parking lot for UV Express and public utility jeepneys at the Victory Mall in Caloocan City has been practically “overran” by bicycles. Photo shows that more and more people have turned to using bicycles amid inadequate public transportation brought about by community quarantines imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

the disease and the number of deaths in China because of this virus?”

Of the 61% who voiced their agreement with the statement, 28% strongly believed it while 33% somewhat believed it. The remaining 23% did not believe it—with 13% somewhat feeling this way while 10% were in strong disagreement—while 15% were undecided.

This, while 7 out of 10 of those who believe the accusation, or 77% agreed that “China should be held accountable for not immediately sharing their information on COVID-19 to the world.”

The survey interviewed 1,555 adult Filipinos via mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone interviewing with sampling error margins of ±2% for national percentages, ±6% for Metro Manila, and ±5 for Bal-

ance Luzon, ±5% Visayas, and ±5% in Mindanao.

As Beijing claims to assist the Philippines against COVID-19, it also launched and still maintains two research stations on Fiery Cross (Kagitingan) and Subi Reefs in Spratly Islands, areas that Manila claims and is part of what it calls the West Philippine Sea. Though Beijing’s press releases boast of an overall victory against the new pathogen, the international community has long cast doubt on its transparency in its handling of the situation, with some implying that China doctored false statistics to cover up its progress or lack thereof.

U.S. Senator Ben Sasse (RNebraska) has called Beijing’s numbers “garbage propaganda,” saying, “This much is painu PAGE A7

OPINION & FEATURES

A6 JULY 15-17, 2020 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

OPiniOn

Phishing season

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FeatURes

ANYONE with a cellular phone or computer has received messages offering a prize, soft loan facility, product or service while seeking sensitive personal information from the user.

Most people know enough to reject the messages. But there are still many who are victimized by the cyber crime called phishing, especially when the message comes from someone posing as a major organization or legitimate institution. The crooks can pose as the user’s bank, internet service provider or telecommunications provider, and succeed in getting the user to give passwords, banking and credit card details.

Information gathered by the Department of Justice’s Office of Cybercime from March to June, while the country was under various degrees of community quarantine to contain the COVID pandemic, showed that phishing has overtaken online sexual exploitation of children as the top criminal activity in cyberspace. The OCC said online selling scams and dissemination of fake news or disinfor-

mation followed closely.

Because of the COVID lockdowns, online communication and transactions have surged, and fraudsters have pounced. The problem has become so bad that an official of the National Bureau of Investigation called the COVID pandemic “phishing season.”

While many people have become tech-savvy enough to foil phishing attacks, others need help.

Internet service providers, telcos and social media companies need to beef up capabilities to protect users from phishing and other forms of fraud.

Banks and companies engaged in ecommerce should do the same. With people increasingly relying on online transactions amid the pandemic, government agencies must also ramp up capabilities to detect and prevent cyber crimes as well as apprehend their purveyors. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Duterte’s minions in Congress kill ABS-CBN franchise: The chilling effect on the Philippine free press gets more real than ever

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS CONGRESS has ruled to deny a new franchise to ABS-CBN, the nation’s biggest broadcasting company that has been serving the Filipino people for more than 65 years.

The company has spearheaded the growth of the industry from analog to digital in providing news, information, entertainment and public services to Filipinos wherever they may be — from Manila to the far-flung islands of the Philippines to the different parts of the world kababayans call home.

On Friday, July 10, Filipinos all over the world, international news organizations and press freedom advocates were shocked to hear the verdict of the House committee on legislative franchises, which overwhelmingly voted, 7011, against granting a franchise to ABS-CBN. Perhaps the word “shocked” was not the most accurate word to use, because President Rodrigo Duterte had threatened to shutdown ABS-CBN several times for its reporting news and investigative stories that were critical of him and his war on drugs.

Duterte had likewise an axe to grind when the network was

not able to air some of Duterte’s campaign ads during the 2016 Presidential Election and had not refunded the campaign for the unaired advertisements.

Contrary to the claims of his administration that the president is “neutral” on the franchise renewal issue and had no hand on the outcome of the hearing, Duterte, in no uncertain terms, had vowed to block the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN. And he had his army of supporters and allies in government to make sure that happens.

ABS-CBN was ordered to shut down the by the National Telecommunications Commission(NTC) after its old franchise expired on May 4, without any hearing pursuant to the rule of law. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano failed to do his job to hear numerous petitions filed before House, with others dating back to 2014, during the time of President benign Aquino III. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, Cayetano already determined that the issue was not a priority, and waited for the franchise to expire.

This tactic went against the industry practice, whereby a company could expect an automatic renewal of license/franchise, especially when the company has

been employing 11,000 employees as in the case of ABS-CBN, especially during a coronavirus pandemic.

Moreover, the renewal of the franchise would be warranted when such a franchise had been used by the company for the greater good of the people, which ABS-CBN has proven through its decades of service to the Filipino people.

Unless there were violations to the terms and conditions of the original franchise. Should this be the case, then the hearings would be conducted in a timely manner, according due process to the company.

During such period that the issuance of franchise renewal was pending, companies were also allowed to continue operating until a final decision following a fair hearing had been made on franchise renewal. This was not the way it went with Congress in handling the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. After backlash following the shutdown of the network, Congress finally conducted “hearings”. But the hearings were used by lawmakers to grandstand for political purposes and to make sure the “vow” of the president is fulfilled.

And so even after all issues tac-

The anti-immigrant virus

Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA SAN Francisco, California is said to be a bastion of liberal and progressive folks. The city has a black mayor, London Breed, who replaced a Chinese-American mayor, the late Ed Lee. Governor Gavin Newson, who was first to recognize same sex marriage, was mayor before Ed Lee and after Willie Brown, who is black.

And yet, the following disturbing incident was reported on social media by a couple of friends, Lloyd LaCuesta and his wife, Mona Lisa Yuchengco. Lloyd was South Bay Bureau Chief for the San Francisco Bay Area of KTVU TV’s news division. A Hawaiian-born GI (Genuine Ilocano), Lloyd was a familiar oncamera personality up to his retirement a few years ago.

Lisa Yuchengco was founder and original publisher of Filipinas Magazine and is one of the highly-respected leaders of the Filipino-American community.

She also currently publishes the online magazine, Positively Filipino.

I hope Lloyd and Lisa will not mind my reposting and circulating their narrative. I do not want to unduly create any tensions or resentments among those who consider the US home – whatever their race, creed, nationality or

political persuasion and whether native born or naturalized citizens, immigrants or are in the process of making their stay permanent. However, I believe we should all be aware of what is happening in our midst that can – or will – affect us, the better for us to be prepared for it.

The Facebook narrative of Lloyd LaCuesta and Mona Lisa Yuchengco (Posted Juy 9, 2020): My wife and I live in the “liberal” San Francisco Bay Area and yet this is what happened to her this morning: Dear All, We have seen so many videos of white racist people attacking Asian Americans lately, and you do not think it would happen to you. Well, this morning, I had a very close call.

I went to the office to pick up the mail. Since the concert is already tomorrow, I wanted to see if there would be additional donors that needed to be included in the credits. So this was not a regular trip as I only go in on Fridays. I thought it would be an opportunity also to buy my favorite kronuts (croissant and doughnut fried together). I parked in the handicap zone. Beside me was another car with two white male occupants who were just getting out of their car. I think they were father and son. The older man was already grumbling. My car door was open as I was about to get out of the car. Then I heard the older man

yell at an Asian lady who just exited from the doughnut shop, “It took you fucking 20 minutes just to get coffee?” At that point, the younger man, started cursing too: “Fucking people. Why don’t you go back to your fucking country? I served in the war, but not for fucking people like you (something like that).” And he kept going on cursing for another 30 seconds maybe, saying the same things, and at the same time walking near my car (he went around his car to go to my side) since he saw I was Asian.

I was tempted to take out my phone to record the incident, but feared that it would just further anger them and didn’t want to be spat on! So I just quickly got out of the car, ran to my office to pick up the mail and got out of there. The irony is, the doughnut shop they went into is owned and run by Asians!!!

The hate is very real, friends. If you need to go out, have somebody else accompany you.

Please be careful and cautious.

Lisa The reactions to the incident ranged from shock to outrage to pugnacity, to one that could only have come from a military man, retired US Army Major General Antonio Taguba: “I would turn on my cell and calmly confront him and his son.

This hate will not go away but I would want to know why he hates so much. And offer to buy

tically and maliciously raised in the court of public opinion even before the hearings had been addressed by ABS-CBN in testimonies under oath, substantiated and affirmed by government agencies like the Department of Justice, Bureau of Internal Revenue, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Labor that the network has not violated any terms of the franchise, the House committee on legislative franchises still ruled to kill the franchise of ABS-CBN. “It is what is – a denial of a privilege granted by the State because the applicant was seen as undeserving of the grant of a legislative franchise. By no means can this franchise application be related to press freedom,” the lawmakers said in the House committee on legislative franchises resolution.

House Speaker Alan Cayetano even claimed the House legislative franchises panel did Filipinos a favor by moving against one of the country’s “oligarchs,” the Lopezes who own ABS-CBN. But what is an “oligarch”?

Merriam-Webster defined it as “member or supporter of an oligarchy.” Oligarchy is defined as “a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish pur-

poses.”

Are the Lopzes oligarchs? In this case, the government has singled out the Lopezes from among the many oligarchs in the Philippines, especially those of Chinese descent and connections, many of them with strong ties to this government.

Moreover, whatever happened to the “oligarchy” in political terms - political power held by families to protect their own political and economic interests.

Ever heard of nepotism? The practice among those in power or influence of favoring relatives or friends. Or family members - parents, spouses, siblings, children of the same family and same last name all in government at the same time, generations after generations. You know who they are.

Rappler reported on the response of Vice President Leni Robredo on the shutdown of ABSCBN: “Robredo then released a statement saying it will no longer be far-fetched for newsrooms to think twice when making editorial decisions after what lawmakers did to the country’s largest media network., Senator Grace Poe was also quoted from her statement saying: “The non-renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise indeed sets

a dangerous precedent for all other franchises. The high and unforgiving bar to which the media entity was judged affects the legitimacy of all other franchise holders which use Philippine Depositary Receipts, tax schemes, and digital platforms – all of which were treated legal before the instant case.”

Speaker Cayetano responded: ”Both Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Grace Poe have also warned of the ‘chilling’ effect this will have on journalists and the freedom of expression.

This is completely false,” insisting that the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise will have a chilling effect only on those who have breached the law.

So what law was breached to rationalize the shutdown of ABSCBN? Or is this a blatant use and abuse of power to silence critics and warn against the toxic venom of vendetta? ***

his coffee and his happy pill his donuts!”

Of course, not everyone can face enemy bullets as calmly as a military officer, either. A pair of racists would hardly rattle the general.

The reaction of Jon Melegrito, founding executive director of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and “forever” information officer of the federation, as well as the entire Fil-Am community, was typical of someone who wouldn’t budge an inch during the repressive years of President Ferdinand Marcos: “This is no longer an isolated incident. It’s happening everywhere, almost daily. But we’re not going to let these haters drive us out. This is as much our country as theirs. Their forbears were immigrants too. We are staying and we’re not moving an inch.”

My own reaction was more prudent and, I think, practical: “Hi Lisa and Lloyd, it was prudent to avoid a confrontation, but I suggest that the next time this happens, we should take a photo of the car license plate so that the bullies can be traced and exposed.”

The harsh fact is that there is a virus that has infected America.

The people whom Lisa and Lloyd described are just two among a group of Americans who may be characterized as “anti-Asian” or “anti-Chinese” or “anti-immigrant” or “anti-colored,” depending on where they stand in the American racial spectrum.

“Anti-colored” obviously re-

fers only to white folks. Among them, there are those who believe that only they have a right to live in the U.S. because “they were here first.” The bigoted father and son apparently belong to this group.

That attitude, of course, is an exercise in self-denial because it glosses over the fact that native Americans were in this land ahead of these father and son’s ancestors, as well as Christopher Columbus, the Vikings, the Spaniards, the Portuguese, the Pilgrims and the Puritans.

That means that these bigots who verbally assaulted the Asian woman could also be told to go back to their country. But that kind of trash talk sets back America several hundred years.

This anti-immigrant virus has been around for a long time, but folks were more discreet about displaying their affliction. Unfortunately, President Donald Trump made it fashionable to openly bare the virus when he recently told a group of nonwhite members of Congress to “go back to your country.”

Trump may not have realized that he was spitting in the wind, because he also can be told to go back to Germany, where his relatives reportedly had their roots.

And his wife Melania could be told to go back to Slovenia.

Aside from the anti-immigrant virus that Trump unleashed he also made it fashionable to attach an anti-Chinese label to the other virus that the world has had to struggle with: COVID-19, also called Kung Flu by Trump.

It is, in fact, possible that in Trump’s bigoted mind, Kung Flu applies to everyone who isn’t white. We could all come from South of the border, for all he cares. It’s the attitude of white supremacists and neo-Nazis – including the father and son in Lisa’ post.

Fortunately, not everyone who is white is a bigot like Trump.

There are many enlightened Americans who don’t care about race, color, creed or even sexual orientation. Being a human being is good enough for them.

But what is sad is that there are some Filipino-Americans who have mindlessly jumped on Trump’s anti-Chinese bandwagon, conflating the coronavirus with other perceived Chinese “sins,” from fake products to the trade war.

What these anti-Chinese Pinoys may not realize is that they are also showering in their own saliva like Trump, mainly because, to many non-Asians, everyone who comes from “that part of the world” (i.e., Asia), is “Chinese.”

And that includes Pinoys.

That brings to mind that classic Mad Comics strip where the Lone Ranger and his faithful sidekick, Tonto, were surrounded by Indians.

“Hey Tonto,” the Lone Ranger warned, “looks like we’re surrounded.”

At this, Tonto replied: “What you mean we?”

Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel. Santos.Relos.

* * *

(gregmacabenta@hotmail. com)

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

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De Lima asks Cayetano: Why criticize Robredo when House was really lax on pressing issues?

by GabRiel

Pabico Inquirer.net

SEPARATION. The Philippine government is giving motorcycle riders until July 19 to comply with the prescribed barriers set by the task force against COVID-19.

Photo from the office of Defense Secretary Lorenzana.

Plant-based diet vs climate change pushed

by Rhodina

VillanueVa Philstar.com

MANILA – Filipinos are being urged to help fight climate change by switching to a plant-based diet, which has been shown to reduce the ecological footprint of human food consumption.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its attached agency Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), has launched a monthlong public information campaign to encourage every one to consume more fruits.

The campaign, which coincides with the celebration of July as Nutrition Month, urged Filipinos to follow the recommendations of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute regarding the proportions of the three main food groups – go, grow and glow – that should be taken every meal.

“Shifting to plant-based diet is one way to reduce the environmental impact of one’s food consumption. It does not only benefits one’s health, but also helps protect the environment due to the smaller environmental footprints that plant-based diets tend to have,” EMB director William Cuñado said.

A 2013 study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization showed that meat and dairy, particularly from cows, account for around 14.5 percent of the global greenhouse gases each year.

The figure is roughly equivalent to the global amount of gas emitted by all cars, trucks, airplanes and ships combined.

A recent study by the University of Oxford suggested that cutting meat and dairy products from a person’s diet could reduce his carbon footprint from food by

Palace: Philippines’ critical healthcare capacity remains ‘manageable’ by alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — While the Department of Health has admitted that the critical care capacity of hospitals is approaching the “danger zone,” Malacañang claimed the situation remains “manageable” as there are still enough hospital beds for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the DOH is coordinating with hospitals to ensure that the patients would be admitted to establishments with enough healthcare facilities.

“With regard to critical care capacity, during our meeting, we were informed that (the utilization rate is) 60%. (DOH) Usec.

(Leopoldo) Vega said it’s at 70%, which is manageable,” Roque said at a press briefing Tuesday.

“The work of the team of Usec.

Vega is to coordinate with hospitals. They serve as liaisons so that when the ICU (intensive care unit) of a private hospital is already filled up, they can refer the patient to another hospital and the patient won’t be turned away due to lack of space,” he added.

Asked whether the country would run out of hospitals for COVID-19 patients, Roque replied: “Not under the system adopted by Usec. Vega because we are urging patients to just listen when informed about the hospital they can go to. They should not insist (on going to another hospital). They should not worry if one hospital’s capacity is already filled up. They will be referred to another hospital.”

“Overall, sapat-sapat naman po ang ating mga hospital beds kasama na na po diyan iyong ating mga ICU beds (we have sufficient hospital beds, including ICU beds),” he added.

Last Monday, Vega said the critical care capacity of hospitals, especially their ICU beds, is “now in the danger zone” because of the rise in the number of COVID19 patients. He noted that 573 out of 739 ICU beds have been occupied as of July 8.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Philstar.com file photo

To address the problem, the government adopted a “one hospital system,” which seeks to set-up COVID-19 bed allocation guidelines to ensure effective minimum and surge capacity in hospitals. The mechanism requires the government to expand hospital capacity by increasing COVID-19 bed allocations, provide additional health care personnel even for private hospitals; and augment hospital supplies.

At least three Metro Manila hospitals—St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, and the Makati Medical Center—have announced that their COVID-19 wards have reached full capacity.

Roque said the COVID-19 case doubling rate in Metro Manila is seven to ten days, which means that quarantine restrictions in the region may not be eased yet. The capital region, which has more than 22,000 COVID-19 cases, has been under general community quarantine since June 1.

“Our classification should not be upgraded. But we also cannot be under a more relaxed scenario,” the Palace spokesman said, noting that an area has to achieve a case doubling rate of “almost 18 days” before it can be downgraded to the most lenient modified general community quarantine. n

Most Filipinos believe China held back info on virus...

PAGE A5 fully obvious: The Chinese Communist Party has lied, is lying, and will continue to lie about coronavirus to protect the regime.”

Despite questions about China’s transparency over the coronavirus, scientists agree that there is no proof that the virus was made in a lab in China as a

fringe conspiracy theory claims.

At one public address to the nation, the chief executive made it a point to praise China’s president, both for China’s help to the Philippines on the COVID-19 pandemic and for his supposedly decisive response to the new pathogen when the outbreak started in China’s Hubei province. n

up to 73 percent.

Cuñado said a plant-based diet could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and land use for factory farming, which are factors in global warming and environmental degradation.

The month-long campaign is being conducted virtually or online due to the restrictions brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic. n

lalu

MANILA — A senator has wondered why House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano was irked with Vice President Leni Robredo’s comments on Congress’ inaction on the fate of health workers, when it is actually true.

According to opposition Senator Leila De Lima, the ABSCBN franchise issue is already a glaring example of the House of Representatives’ tendency to sit over pressing concerns, as some lawmakers have been pushing for the legislative body to discuss it even weeks and months before the pandemic started.

But the ABS-CBN franchise renewal was only discussed after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order against the network, after its old franchise expired last May 4.

“Babatikusin pa nya si VP Leni Robredo, eh totoo namang nagpa-banjing-banjing sila sa mas dapat tutukang mga usapin,” De Lima said in a note handwritten from her detention cell in the Philippine National Police Custodial Center at Camp Crame.

(He would criticize VP Leni Robredo, but it’s true that they were too lax and comfortable with a lot of issues that need to be discussed.) “‘Di ba’t inabot sila nang siyam-siyam bago sinimulan ang pagdinig sa franchise renewal

ng ABS-CBN? Kung hindi pa pupunahin, hindi pa nila gagawin ang trabaho,” she added.

(Isn’t it that it took a lot of time before hearings for ABS-CBN’s franchise were conducted? If people would not prod and criticize them, they would not work on it.)

Last Thursday, Cayetano told Robredo that the House was not sleeping on its duty, after the Vice President said in a radio program that Congress could have prioritized increasing the salaries and giving benefits to nurses, doctors, and other health workers who have been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19.

Robredo said that instead of talking about things that do not help the government’s COVID19 response, Congress could have discussed what aid would be given to frontliners.

In response, Cayetano enlisted several bills that the House approved for the sake of solving problems brought by COVID19.

But for De Lima, Cayetano’s reaction fits well into his alleged role of saving face for President Rodrigo Duterte — Cayetano’s ally and his running mate during the 2016 presidential elections.

Back in 2016, Cayetano lost to Robredo, the eventual winner.

“Hindi nga siguro natutulog sa pansitan ang Kongreso. Ang tama: karamihan sa kanila ay sunud-sunuran lang sa kapritso

ng Pangulong batugan at tinutulugan lang ang sandamakmak na problema ng bayan,” De Lima noted.

(Maybe Congress really did not sleep on its job. The correct term: a lot of them blindly follow a lazy presidents who sleeps on the numerous problems of the country.)

The senator also asked Cayetano about the P50-million cauldron that was used for the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games, which the Speaker helped organize.

“Napakagandang simbolo nito lalo na sa panahon ngayon—sa kung anong prayoridad ng gobyernong ito at kung paano nila sinasayang ang pondo sa mga walang katuturang proyekto,” she added.

(It would be a great symbol especially for these times, as to what the priority of the government is and how they are wasting public funds for senseless projects.)

The government’s COVID-19 response has drawn comparisons to the initiatives of the Office of the Vice President, as Robredo and her team were able to provide services to frontliners and other donations despite operating on a small budget.

Recently, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque called out Robredo for being too fixated on the government’s shortcomings in terms of the fight against COVID-19, supposedly looking at the glass “half-empty.” n

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Fil-Am makeup guru Patrick Starrr on defying beauty standards and debunking misconceptions about being an ‘influencer’ Patrick Starrr, a leading beauty expert online, has amassed over 4 million followers on various platforms from YouTube to Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Starrr

S

IntervIew by ChrIstIna M. OrIel / AJPress

EVEN years ago, Patrick Starrr wasn’t given a shift at a MAC Cosmetics store he was working at in Orlando, Florida, so he turned to YouTube and uploaded his first tutorial walking viewers through his daily makeup routine.

To date, Starrr has become a leading beauty guru in the online space, amassing over 4.4 million followers on the video hosting platform and 4.6 million on Instagram.

Born Patrick Simondac, Starrr grew up in Orlando as the eldest of three boys. Like the pressures in many Filipino families, he was encouraged to study nursing, but his heart was in all things beauty after experimenting with photography and Photoshop to eliminate blemishes and add makeup.

His digital following has garnered him opportunities to have famous faces from Naomi Campbell to the Kardashians in his videos and brand collaborations, including a five-collection line with MAC Cosmetics.

Most recently, he worked with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire for its “Drag Queen Mukbang� series for Pride Month in June, during which he filmed a video talking about his foray

into makeup and first drag experience — while eating a spread of food and mixing cocktails using the whiskey.

On top of his collaborations, Starrr recently announced that he will be launching his own beauty brand called ONE/SIZE, debuting on Sephora online on July 17 and in stores on July 30 through a joint venture with Luxury Brand Partners. The brand’s moniker comes from Starrr’s mission of inclusivity and body positivity. “ONE/SIZE is diversity, variety, for everyone,� Starrr told WWD. “This is an overweight, bald, Asian American man. But I’ve somehow been able to break through the glass ceiling to be celebrated. It is all-encompassing diversity and I think that is gonna be something special.�

In a recent interview with the Asian Journal, Starrr talks about developing relationships with major brands and how he’s defying Filipino beauty standards through his platform.

Asian Journal (AJ): During June as Pride month, you took part in a campaign with Jack Daniel’s. How did you get involved and what was

Starrr has collaborated with major brands, including most recently, with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire for its Pride Month “Drag Queen Mukbang� series.

Photos courtesy of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire

In the Jack Daniel’s video, Starrr talks about his journey from living in Orlando to being a makeup YouTuber and LGBTQ+ causes he supports.

the process of filming yourself for that?

Patrick Starrr (PS): With my manager, who I’ve had for five years now, it’s always been a thing to get a Jack and Coke with a little lime at events. It was organic when this partnership happened because she was like, ‘You love Jack Daniel’s.’ Never in my life would I have known Jack Daniel’s to be an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. For me, I had to jump on this because the magic of my

social media and my [YouTube] channel was to partner with people larger than my own to create a presence and make a difference in the room and in the space that I live in on social media. For example, partnering with celebrities, I was able to create a conversation and utilize the viewership and spark conversation. The same goes for the brands that I chose to work with. It was so exciting to see Jack Daniel’s want to partner Continued on Page 2

entertainment

T h e A s ian Jour nal MDW K M A G A Z I NE - J ul y 15, 20 2 0

Nominations for outstanding UP Alumni now open LOS ANGeLeS, CALIFORNIA – July 11, 2020 – The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) is seeking outstanding and highachieving U.P. Alumni to be recognized in their first Alumni Awards Program scheduled on October 29, 2020.

Patterned after the U.P. Alumni Association Awards in the Philippines, UPAAGLA aims to identify and recognize the contributions of exceptional U.P. alumni in the Greater Los Angeles area, from Kern County to Orange County in the following categories: Service, Leadership, Most Distinguished, Lifetime Distinguished, and Family Recognition.

UPAAGLA President and Selection Committee Co-Chair, ethel Rubio said, “This is our way of highlighting FilipinoAmericans who are U.P. alumni and making a difference not only in the Fil-Am community but the whole Greater Los Angeles community at large.”

All U.P. alumni in the commu-

Patrick Starrr shows off a Filipina inspired look, while donning a yellow terno.

Photos courtesy of Patrick Starrr

Fil-Am makeup guru Patrick Starrr...

From Page 1 with drag queens and myself.

AJ: It’s now July but what do you want viewers to learn from your episode and how can they continue to support the LGBTQ+ community?

PS: Social media is not enough. I think people assume that a retweet or a post is enough. It does spark change, but what are we doing that’s action-based and that we can actually grow intention within our community? In working process is available at www. nity (UPAAGLA members and with Jack Daniel’s, I was able upaagla.org/awards. Comnon-members) are invited and to highlight my favorite centers pleted online nomination forms encouraged to participate in in Florida, which is where I’m are due on Monday, August the ongoing nomination and from, and what we can do to 31, 2020.

Awards Program. spark conversations. During Starrr (center) with his two younger brothers and parents during their 2019 holiday photo.

Details of the nomination (Advertising Supplement) COVID-19, there’s so much more to consider like living situations for the LGBTQ+ community and it’s hard even finding a job. It was hard for me to find a job growing up in Orlando and I was reprimanded for wearing makeup. I can’t even imagine my trans brothers and sisters By ritchel MendiolA having a hard time keeping up AJPress a substantial livelihood.

These centers provide FILIPINO American actor refuge for those who don’t have Darren Criss on Monday, July the means to carry on and to 13, paid tribute to his “Glee” find people who are like them co-star, the late actress Naya to talk to. The places I highlight Rivera, who was found dead are like the LGBTIQ Center in after drowning in a river in Orlando, which has programSouthern California. ming, activities and testing.

He took to social media to Also, GaYBOR District Coaliremember Naya as someone tion in Tampa and here in Los who was “bold, outrageous Angeles, the Trans Wellness and a lot of fun.”

Center. I think it’s amazing to “Naya made me laugh like just spark conversation to enno one else on that set. I always Starrr posted a 10-year challenge showing an old photo of him before his YouTube days in contrast to courage them to participate in said it while we were working him now. any way that they can, whether together and I’ve maintained it it’s through donation or particiever since. Her playful, wicked pating in programming. Social sense of humor never ceased media is what we’re depending to bring a smile to my face,” On his Instagram, Fil-Am actor Darren Criss wrote a moving tribute to his former “Glee” co-star Naya on, especially now because of wrote Criss.

Rivera (right). Also in photo is their fellow “Glee” star Amber Riley (left). quarantine. So I want to chal“She played by her own Photo from Instagram/@darrencriss lenge people what we can do rules and was in a class of her within our means and reach to own. She had a brashness the actress died after saving very thought of her cracks me do something to make a differabout her that I couldn’t help her son, Josie. up and still brings a smile to ence in people’s lives? but be enchanted by. I also “We know from speaking my face. That was Naya’s gift.

AJ: In the episode, you talk always loved her voice, and And it’s a gift that will never go with her son, that he and Naya about growing up in Orlando savored every chance I got to swam in the lake together away. Rest in peace you wild, and being encouraged to do hear her sing. I think she had at some point during their hilarious, beautiful angel,” he your first drag pageant. What more talent than we would journey,” said Ventura County concluded. was that conversation like have ever been able to see,” Sheriff Bill Ayub at a news Meanwhile, Filipino singer with your Filipino family about he continued. conference.

Jake Zyrus, who appeared on this form of self-expression Criss also talked about how the second season of “Glee” as “It was during that time and your identity?

Naya took care of her family that her son described bea transferee named Sunshine PS: It’s funny because being and friends, and how grateful ing helped into the boat by Corazon, posted Naya’s name Filipino and Asian American, I he is for her friendship.

Naya, who boosted him onto on his Instagram story as tribhad to come at it with a busi“I was constantly moved by ute to the actress. the deck from behind. He told ness angle — this is makeup, the degree to which she took investigators that he looked Naya disappeared last this is what I love to do, and care of her family, and how she week, on July 8 while boating back and saw her disappear unto reassure my family that this Patrick Starrr, born Patrick Simondac, grew up in Orlando, Florida. His parents were originally from looked out for her friends. She der the surface of the water,” with her four-year-old son on is a potential livelihood. I’m the Philippines. showed up for me on numerhe added. “The idea perhaps Lake Piru in Ventura County, first-generation, born here in ous occasions where she didn’t California. being that the boat started the U.S., with my parents who YouTube channel. My image community as well. have to, and I was always so drifting, it was unanchored, Her body was found on immigrated and eventually bewas plastered everywhere in AJ: How has quarantine grateful for her friendship then, Monday, which coincidentally and that she mustered enough came citizens of the U.S. So for been for you? I know you’re the Philippines and I proudly as I certainly am now,” he said. was the seventh anniversary of energy to get her son back me to prove to them economihave my tan skin. For the Asian so used to doing things at “And even as I sit here, the death of her “Glee” co-star onto the boat, but not enough cally that I could make it…that community to see someone home and through a screen, struggling to comprehend, to save herself.”

Cory Monteith. conversation was long and hard but has anything changed in that is unconventionally beautigutted beyond description- the Rivera was 33 years old.

Authorities believed that and just proving it to them. I’m ful at the top of their game, terms of what kind of content sure a lot of POC members of whether it’s me, Bretman [Rock] you’re putting out there or the LGBTQ+ community have or anyone else, it really speaks connecting more with your had a hard time relating to their audience? volumes. I told her, ‘Yes, I’m traditional families and their tan and I’m plus-sized and I’m PS: I would say, if there ideologies of what it is to be different. Yet I’m here eating was a FaceTime bill, I would be new and to evolve and to be with you with my MAC collaboway past my bill and my limit.

LGBTQ+. ration.’ She was very surprised FaceTime has been such a savThrough the spectacle of after our interview. It was so ing grace to me in connecting drag, my fellowship and follow- to my peers in the influencer thrilling to have that experience

by AJPress ers, they were able to see that and to praise diversity and adcommunity and with all my I was making a positive differfriends back home. I encourage versity all at the same time.

FILIPINO stars and personence. Simply eating at a restau- people to continue to connect AJ: There are times when alities took to social media to rant, people would come up you share yourself without a with people with the power decry Philippines Congress’ deand say, ‘Oh my god, are you full face of makeup and open of technology and to make a cision to keep ABS-CBN off air.

Patrick Starrr? I love what you up about what’s going on in difference. We have a purpose The show of support comes do. I love what you stand for.’ I your life. How do you balance and that is to make the world after a House of Representatives think that brought the change being vulnerable and shara better place for humanpanel on Friday, July 10 denied in their minds that this was with ity through Pride, Black Lives ing your life for everyone to the bills seeking to grant the positive intent and with good watch while having a sense of Matter. broadcast giant a fresh 25-year faith to bring a voice for myself privacy?

AJ: With the Black Lives franchise. and millions of other people.

PS: This younger influencer Matter, I’m sure you’ve found “We can’t always control AJ: What does this mean asked me the same question in a lot of Asian American, what happens around us, but for you to inspire a new genin regards to how we go about especially Filipino American, we can control how we react. eration of Filipino Americans standing for what we believe conversations is how people For myself, I choose optimism and show that they’re reprein and balancing our privacy. are talking to their families rather than vengeance and hate. sented on social media and in about the movement. It’s also I said, ‘Who you are on social In every crisis, there is opportubig partnerships with brands media, no boundaries, tell opening up questions about Karen Davila nity. We need to take the time like Jack Daniel’s? anti-blackness and colorism in them who you are — your race, Photo from Instagram/@iamkarendavila Lea Salonga ABS-CBN photo to figure out what that’ll be.

PS: It means everything. your ethnicity, everything.’ our culture given how FilipiTomorrow is another day. Must When I tell you I was at the For what you stand for, I think nos have put lighter skin on a create,” said international singer grocery store last night, with there’s a balance between pedestal. How have you used Lea Salonga in a tweet. my mask on and a fitted hat, you know, asking your friends your platform to defy those She added that she sat at and this girl looked at me and and educating yourself. That beauty standards and show her kitchen table in stunned siwas like, ‘Do you know Patrick way you can protect and really that Filipinos are diverse in lence for much of the day trying Starrr’ and I’m like, ‘Yes.’ And make the right move because skin tones and no one type of to make sense of things. she goes, ‘Are you Patrick sometimes people share too skin is superior?

“I ask for kindness please, Starrr?’ It’s funny because I much and then it’s almost like PS: In 2017, I met the one not for myself, but for everyone didn’t have makeup, a turban an IOU to the audience when and only Kris Aquino. I was else hurting today,” the singer or [acrylic] nails on. She was that’s not what you origifortunate enough to have a said.

Filipino and to see just through collaboration internationally nally came to do to serve your TV Presenters Gretchen Ho my eyes that have been viewed with MAC Cosmetics. She was community. I’ve been able to and Karen Davila, in separate over 300 million times on the develop authentic friends in my a such a fan. She looks at me tweets, said to remember July internet, my connection, and close circle, being my makeup over some lumpia, pancit, ado10. that they see a little bit of them- bo, the whole nines — she had artists and family. You’ll start “Let us remember this day selves and their heritage in me, showered the table with all the to find a sense of balance and in history. Maraming salamat means so much. I’m very proud food at her favorite restaurant where you fit and where you’re (Thank you very much), Kato have sparked a change in called. For me, if I’m going to — and goes, ‘You’re so tan.’ pamilya. In the service of the Kim Chiu Maja Salvador the Filipino community and talk about something that may The video was viewed millions Photo from Instagram/@chinitaprincess Photo from Instagram/@iammajasalvador represent them in the beauty of times on Facebook and her Continued on Page 3 Continued on Page 3

Darren Criss, Jake Zyrus honor ‘Glee’ co-star Naya Rivera

Celebrities decry denial of ABS-CBN franchise

Jennylyn slams basher asking her to shut up over ABS-CBN franchise issue

By Jan

MIlo Severo

Philstar.com

KAPUSO actress Jennylyn Mercado talks back to an Internet user asking her to be neutral in responding to current events such as the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.

In her Twitter account, the “Descendants of the Sun” actress posted a screenshot of a Twitter user’s comment, saying: “Nd masama magbigay ng opinyon, better maging neutral ka nalang para iwas bashing. At the end of the day ur not Kapamilya star.”

“But I am a Filipino and that alone is enough. To be neutral or silent in times of injustice is injustice. If being ‘bashed’ is a small price to pay for practicing my right to freedom of speech. Then I am fine with it,” Jennylyn said as reply to the Twitter user’s comment.

she wrote in another post.

Jennylyn also criticized Sen. Koko Pimentel, Metro Manila police chief Debold Sinas and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) undersecretary Mocha Uson for allegedly violating quarantine protocols but are still allegedly unpunished.

“Kamusta na po pala ang nagMananita, ang senador na gumala, at ang blogger na nagmass gathering? Hindi sila pumasa sa vibe test,” Mercado said.

She also took a swipe at the Congress for denying the franchise application of rival network ABS-CBN. Jennylyn Mercado “When the Philippines Photo from Instagram/@mercadojenny unemployment rate just recorded an all time high, that’s “’One quick reminder to when the congress decided to the people na nagrereply ng terminate a renewal which will ‘shhh’, ‘shut up’ o ‘tumahimik cost and additional thousands ka nalang’, at “huwag ka mangelam’... Respecting other of people their jobs. Nasan yung logic don?” she wrote in people’s opinion is a value another post. you seem to have forgotten,”

Daniel: From actor-model to fisherman

By MarInel

Cruz

Inquirer.net

“I TURNED into a fisherman during the lockdown,” revealed Daniel Matsunaga, who was vacationing at their family’s resort in Batangas when the government imposed the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in March.

Daniel and his family left for Batangas three days before the lockdown for a short vacation, “but we ended up staying there forever,” recalled the Brazilian-Japanese actor-model. “Forever” meant being trapped on the island for three whole months, he added.

“To be honest, quarantine life for us there was great. I couldn’t complain. But what made our stay there memorable was that we were able to help the community,” Daniel told Inquirer Entertainment on Thursday. “You see, life had been hard for the fisher folks there because of the ECQ. There was a point when their local market had to be shut down, so they couldn’t sell their catch.”

Daniel’s family bought vegetables and chicken, and had them delivered to the community every week during the ECQ. “Other than what they got from the sea, they really had no food to eat. When they received the delivery, they were so happy,” Daniel recalled. “I really didn’t want to publicize this because some people might say I’m mayabang, but the chance to be of help to them has made me really happy. I actually learned a lot from the fishermen.”

Even though helping the community had kept him busy, Daniel said he also felt worried and anxious as a result of the isolation. “There were areas on the island that we were not allowed to go to.

Local officials also prohibited gatherings. One time, we were told off when we had wanted to play volleyball on the beach. Of course, when we were there, we missed our homes, as well as our close friends.”

It also didn’t help that Internet signal there was very

Daniel Matsunaga Photo from Instagram/@dandanmatsunaga

poor. Daniel said he had a hard time communicating with business partners, as well as potential clients. “I had to do business meetings via Zoom, but couldn’t. At one point, I had to borrow my brother-inlaw’s phone because he had a better signal.”

On Thursday, Daniel was finally back at work—a first since the lockdown. He renewed his contract as brand ambassador and business partner of iFuel gas station, along with iFranchise president and CEO Krizzia LoyangTanabe. “I’m here in one corner; super isolated,” he told Inquirer Entertainment during a Zoom meeting. “Beside me is a mask, face shield, a pair of goggles, and an alcohol bottle. It’s important to follow rules in order to stay safe.”

These days, everything has gone virtual, Daniel observed.

This includes his photo shoots.

On Wednesday, he had a session with a photographer who was in New York. “We did the pictorial at my home via FaceTime. My assistant, who lives with me, had to be the one to hold the camera for me. Between the two of us, we did the wardrobe change, fixed the lighting and camera angling on our own. It was so hard. I don’t know what the outcome of that will be. The photographer said I’ll know within a week or two,” Daniel recalled.

“As an effect of the

pandemic, everybody had to adjust. I personally had to find new ways to earn and save up for my future. ‘Show biz is not forever,’ they always say.

Look at what happened to our network, ABS-CBN. I support it 100 percent, but even the actors are jobless now. It’s really important to have a backup plan so that your family’s future is safe.”

Speaking of family, Daniel admitted that he has been single since November 2019.

“Ganoon talaga,” he said, laughing. “Everything in God’s time. He really has his ways.”

Daniel had dated Polish model Karolina Pisarek. They had maintained a long-distance relationship (LDR) for a year. However, Daniel claimed this wasn’t the cause of the breakup.

“Yes, LDR is hard, especially for us because our time difference is seven hours.

We really had to adjust when we’re both busy with work. I just think God has other plans for us. I just have to trust Him,” Daniel declared, but quickly added: “I’m already 31. I need a wife! But yes, I’m all about trusting his ways.”

The would-be new girlfriend, Daniel said, “has to be someone who will bring me closer to Him—that’s really important for our relationship to grow. She also has to be kind and intelligent. She likewise has to learn to be close to my family. It’s not so hard to love them. If you know what they are like, you’ll know that I’m blessed to have them.”

Asked whether or not it was tough to be single during ECQ, especially since his sister Vanessa was with her husband and family at that time, Daniel replied: “Not at all. I enjoyed my pamangkin so much. They make me so happy. My mom was there, too. We all slept in one room. Of course, I also miss my Papa and brother, who are both in Brazil,” he confessed. “It was good that my brother, who lives with me here in Manila, was able to catch a flight to Brazil days before the lockdown, or else, our Papa would have been alone. We had no idea that this would happen.”

Celebrities decry denial...

From Page 2 Filipino, we remain,” Ho said.

Davila, meanwhile, wrote: “HISTORY. Remember this day.

ABSCBN has been shut down twice.”

Several ABS-CBN stars also addressed the lawmakers that voted to adopt the rejection.

“We voted for our lawmakers into power hoping that they will act for the greater good. But what happened today? What happened to the 13 hearings?

ABS-CBN proved na walang violations ang nagawa. Why are we experiencing this? Why now?

Why not help each other for the better?” asked Kim Chiu.

“Nangako naman na aayusin ang mali. Para saan pa at naghearing. Para mapahiya? Sorry for my words pero sobrang grabe lang po talaga ang nangyari (They promised to fix the mistakes. What were those hearings for? To humiliate? Sorry for my words but what happened was too much),” she added.

“Sa 70 plus na ayaw i-renew ang ABS-CBN... bakit po? Bakit?

(To the 70 plus who didn’t want to renew ABS-CBN...Why?)” asked Maja Salvador.

“The 11 who voted for the 11,000 employees of ABS-CBN. Maraming salamat po sa inyo (Thank you very much to all of you),” said Jake Cuenca.

GMA artists Gabbi Garcia and Barbie Forteza offered comfort through hugs.

“Yakap (Hug),” Garcia tweeted, while Fortez wrote, “Isang mahigpit na yakap (One tight hug).”

Comedian and actor Ramon Bautista, on the other hand, asked the Congress to provide jobs to the 11,000 displaced ABS-CBN workers.

“Congress baka pwede man lang gumawa ng moves para makagawa ng trabaho para sa mga nawalan (Congress, maybe you can make some moves to create jobs for those who lost theirs),” he said.

Musician Johnoy Danao accused those who voted to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise as “representatives of the Palace,” not of the people.

“Tanungin mo kung bakit na-deny ang ABS-CBN dun sa 70, sigurado walang matinong maisasagot kasi walang nilabag ang network. Walang basehan, nautusan lang. Representative ng palasyo, hindi ng mamamayan (If you ask those 70 why ABSCBN was denied, it’s guaranteed they won’t be able to give decent answers because the network didn’t break the law.

No basis, they were just asked.

Representatives of the Palace, not of the people),” he wrote.

Radio DJ Mo Twister also stressed that showing support isn’t about associating with ABS-CBN. “I’ve said this a lot the past few weeks. It’s not about whether you associate yourself as a [Kapamilya]. It should be about being united in acknowledging that hijo de p*ta is a dictator wielding power cuz of a personal vendetta. It doesn’t matter who the target is,” he said.

Voting 70 to 11, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises adopted the recommendation of its technical working group to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise. Two congressmen inhibited while one abstained.

The network stopped its operations on May 5 in compliance with the National Telecommunications Commission’s cease and desist order due to the expiration of its congressional franchise.

The order directed ABSCBN to shut down its various TV and radio broadcasting stations nationwide “absent a valid Congressional Franchise as required by law.”

Republic Act No. 7966, which granted the network a 25-year franchise to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations expired on May 4, 2020.

entertainment Bela on being kind: ‘Don’t let your heart harden because of anyone’ T h e As ian Jou r n al MDWK MAGAZ IN E - Ju l y 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

By Ian

BIong Inquirer.net

ACTRESS Bela Padilla is determined that she will always be kind and that she will never be mean, even when someone tries to do her harm.

Padilla told her fans her take on kindness after a friend tried to comfort her following her stalker incident by saying “that’s what’s hard when you’re kind.”

“But I refuse to change and be mean because of a person who tried to harm me,” Padilla stressed on Twitter earlier on Wednesday, July 14.

“It’s not my fault if I am kind, it’s his fault that he did something wrong. Don’t let your heart harden because of anyone,” she added.

Padilla’s tweet came after the incident of a stalker fan who tried to enter her condo-

minium in Mandaluyong on Thursday night, July 9. The man, who had two companions at the time, insisted that he was Padilla’s former classmate and boyfriend, as per “TV Patrol” yesterday, July 13.

Padilla has stressed that she does not know the man at all and that she never went to school in Davao, contrary to the stalker’s claims.

Her neighbor and the security guards helped Padilla deal with the situation as she stayed inside her unit while the stalker insisted for around 30 minutes to be allowed entry.

Padilla has since filed an unjust vexation case against the stalker whose name was not disclosed, while Padilla’s condominium management has also filed a complaint at the Mandaluyong City Police Station, as per report.

Bela Padilla

Photo from Instagram/@bela

Fil-Am makeup guru Patrick Starrr...

From Page 2 or may not get me in trouble, I’m able to talk to my family and best friends to vent to them. If it’s something that I’ve evaluated and considered to post online, then I’ll take that next step. It’s still unfiltered but I want to make sure it’s said in the right way. That to me is balance in having a sense of community both in personal and public life.

AJ: What are some of the misconceptions about being an online influencer that you want to debunk?

PS: The misconception is that being an influencer is easy and that we are not entrepreneurs. But people need to understand that we have our own wheelhouse, a business. I have an amazing team close to 10 people that no one may see or know. I’m here to support the business and the messaging, whether it’s amplifying through PR, beauty, production value or storytelling and how we authentically tell that. Influenc-

ers in general, beauty or not, we may not have inventory or a distribution center to fulfill our supply and demand. We’re here as advertisers in the space and how we go about advertising and voicing who we are and what we stand for is a misconception. People think we just TikTok. But that’s the point of difference between me as Patrick Starrr and a younger influencer. In a matter of seven years that I’ve done this, that’s what I’ve learned. Also being Asian, Filipino, that’s the other part of it too, and having to build a business as a minority. I encourage people to really find their voice and their business to become a successful entrepreneur and influencer.

AJ: Any beauty and makeup trends you foresee in the coming months. People aren’t really going anywhere right now but they’re taking the time to focus on their skincare versus makeup.

PS: The biggest trend I foresee happening is skincare

and how we go about removing the makeup. I’ve been talking to a few of my friends about how do you take off your makeup here and how do you do that there? That way we can have a proper skincare [routine] because those of us who love makeup aren’t properly taking it off. That’s something I found really interesting on how to remove makeup in a very performative way, but also beneficial.

I’ve been looking at brands like Tatcha, Glam Glow, Ole Henriksen and Drunk Elephant — they have so much in their positioning when it comes to what they put into their brand.

But for us in makeup, we have to make sure that they perform to the highest levels. So I think makeup removal will become the trend.

AJ: Anything else you want to add or what we can expect from you later this year?

PS: More content! For me, my mantra is that makeup is a one size fits all.

entertainment

T h e A s ian Jour nal MDW K M A G A Z I NE - J ul y 15, 20 2 0

Deadline to file by July 15, 2020 is not extended again Tax Tips VictoR Sy, cPA, mBA & RogeR l. oRiel IS the 2020 tax deadline extended again? no.

1. requests for more time to file your taxes have been denied. IrS will stick with the July 15 deadline for 2019 income tax returns.

2. treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced via IrS news release that the tax filing and payment deadline of July 15 will not be postponed.

3. However, you can request an extension by filing Form 4868.

4. Extension Form 4868 will give you three more months to October 15, 2020.

5. remember: this is only an extension to file – not an extension to pay.

6. pay what you can by July 15 to avoid penalties and interest.

7. the penalty for failure to file is 5% of the unpaid tax you owe (10 times more than penalty for failure to pay).

8. penalty for failure to pay is only 0.5% penalty of tax.

9. Quarterly filers must also pay taxes for the first two quarters of 2020 by July 15, 2020.

10. remember is that the July 15 due date is only for federal income taxes. State tax deadlines vary. Most states moved their filing and payment deadlines from april 15 to July 15, but some did not. For exam-

ple, Hawaii income tax returns are due by July 20; Iowa by July 31. california conformed to federal deadline by postponing the filing and payment deadlines for all individuals and business entities to the same July 15, 2020 deadline. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV - Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation in Pasadena, California. *** He has 50 years of experience in defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, FTB, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He is publishing a book on his expertise - “HOW TO AVOID OR SURVIVE IRS AUDITS.” Our readers may inquire about the book or email tax questions at vicsy@live.com.

Job loss due to the virus?

Here’s how bankruptcy may help Minding Your Finances Atty. RAymond BulAon Bankruptcy is often a last resort for people who are in serious debt trouble. But if you’re one of many millions of people who have suffered a job loss due

to the cOVID-19 crisis, it might make sense if it’s your only hope of being able to survive financially during these tough times. this is a very unpredictable time for all of us. Just when we thought that businesses can start re-opening slowly after being closed down for months, the government re-imposed some of the former restrictions last week and this could just be the beginning. the IrS stimulus checks proved to be a temporary financial band-aid, and the extra $600 weekly EDD payment ends

Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse refuses to sign?

division, custody, visitation, and support. However, the court Barrister’s will still review your proposed judgment and property division Corner to make sure it conforms to the policy towards equal division of community property. Meaning, Atty. Kenneth you have to propose a division uRSuA ReyeS of community property that is pretty much equal between the spouses. If your proposed tHErE seems to be a property division is one sided misconception in the general such as distributing all commupublic that you can only obtain

By Jan Milo Severo nity property to you and giving a divorce in california if your Philstar.com all the community debts to your spouse will sign the divorce spouse, the court would probpapers. I get this question a HOurS after model clint ably not grant your judgment. lot from our family law clients.

Bondad sent a message to the court would probably set a the fact is that california is a kapamilya actor Sam Milby, hearing for you to explain why no fault state and you do not Sam and his girlfriend, Miss need your spouse’s signature in this is an equal division of comuniverse 2018 catriona Gray, munity property. order to get a divorce. What is posted a similar video showthe only time you may need more important is being able to ing them helping unfortunate properly serve your spouse with your spouse’s signature is if families in tondo in partyour spouse files a response to the divorce petition and satisfy nership with charity group the jurisdictional requirement of your divorce petition. this is young Focus. the court by showing that either called “contesting” the divorce.

In the video, Sam was If your divorce is contested by you or your spouse resided in seen helping distribute sacks your spouse, you can resolve the State for at least 6 months of rice to families while catriprior to filing the petition and in the case either by “settlement” ona was speaking about her the county for 3 months prior to or by “trial.” However, you do fundrasing project dubbed not have to settle all the issues filing the petition. “#passthekindness.” in the case at once. under the When you file a divorce “a few weeks ago, I was petition, you have to serve your concept of divisible divorce, you able to take part in an outcan settle some of the issues spouse with the summons and reach program for @youngand set the other issues which petition. your spouse then has focusph. I’ve heard so much you and your spouse cannot 30 days to file a response after about them and the work agree on for trial. Our office being served with a divorce that they do from @catriona_ try to resolve cases through petition. If your spouse fails gray so I wanted to also get settlement because it is more to file and serve you with a involved and support. Going response, you can file a request cost effective and the parties there and working with their are usually happier with the for default against your spouse volunteers was really rewardoutcome. In that situation, the after 30 days. you can also file ing. It proved to me that parties may avoid the cost and a proposed judgment for the helping others is one of the uncertainty of going to trial court to approve. the default most rewarding things you by executing what is called a procedure can be done even Continued on Page 5 Sam Milby carrying donations for girlfriend Catriona Gray’s ‘”#PassTheKindness’ project. P stipulated judgment which is in hoto from Instagram/@catriona_gray if there are issues of property

Sam joins Catriona’s outreach project

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

this month. In the meantime, a lot of people have not paid their rent or mortgage in the last 3 months.

It is unlikely that whatever further relief the government decides to provide will keep everyone afloat as the virus crisis continues unabated. For those who were able to get temporary payment forbearances from their lenders and credit card companies, they now have to work out a resolution to catch up on missed payments. How can they Continued on Page 5

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

essence an agreement as to all the issues in the divorce case.

For issues which you and your spouse cannot agree on, you will have to go through the litigation process which involves obtaining discovery, exchanging declarations of disclosures, and preparing the case for trial. ultimately, you will obtain your divorce at trial in addition to adjudication of the distribution of community assets and debts amongst other issues. It is in the best interest of the party to retain the representation of competent counsel who will assert his or her rights under the family code.

*** 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, APC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Reyes is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Immigration and Family Law Sections. You may contact Atty. Reyes at (213) 388-1611 or via e-mail at kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APC. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA. (Advertising Supplement)

community

T h e As ian Jou r n al MDWK MAGAZ IN E - Ju l y 1 5 , 2 0 2 0

Job loss due to the virus...

Sheena Halili with husband Jeron Manzanero

Photo from Instagram/@mysheenahalili

Mon shows stills for upcoming film ‘Turncoat,’ says it’s coming soon

By Ian

BIong

Inquirer.net

VETERAN actor Mon Confiado shared with fans some stills from his upcoming film with Italian actress Annaluisa Capasa titled “Turncoat,” even as he announced that it is coming soon.

Confiado will be starring as the lead for the U.S.-set film, which is helmed by Filipino-American indie director Marcial Chavez, as per his Facebook post earlier on Wednesday, July 14.

“A mild mannered man lives a happy and quiet life with his Italian wife in [Los Angeles]. Suddenly mysterious people telling him he was a former hitman in Manila and charging that he is someone else for whom they’ve been looking. Is this a case of mistaken identity or he has a history no one knows about?

He must confront his violent past,” the synopsis read.

The photos show a gunwielding Confiado in several scenes including an intimate moment between Confiado’s

and Capasa’s characters.

While Confiado noted that the film is coming soon, no release date was disclosed.

Besides “Turncoat,” Confiado worked with Chavez for another film titled “Stateside,” where he also played the role of a Filipino immigrant living in the United States.

Confiado last week also shared some stills from the South Korean adventurecrime flick “The Golden Holiday,” which was directed

by Kim Bong-han.

Sam joins Catriona’s outreach...

From Page 4 can do. You can support too by visiting www.youngfocus. org,” Sam captioned his post on his Instagram account.

Catriona was seen commenting on Sam’s post, thanking her boyfriend for the support.

“Thanks for being so supportive of my @youngfocusph family,” Catriona told Sam. For her part, Catriona said her #PassTheKindness cam-

paign has been successful since the launch last month.

“Sharing with you some amazing individuals who have been working to spread kindness throughout the community to help them overcome these challenging times. Sharing these because I want to show, that it doesn’t matter how big or small an act, it can still make a difference for someone today,” she wrote.

“I’m encouraging you to share your good works or nominate someone using the #PassTheKindness hashtag in hopes to inspire the people around you! I’ll be featuring submissions on my platforms to help spread positivity!” she added.

Sam and Catriona revealed that they are in a relationship last May while Catriona and Clint separated last February 2019.

From Page 4 do this if they have less income now than they did when the pandemic started?

If you don’t see a clear pathway through the virus crisis after you have lost most or all of your income, bankruptcy may be inevitable for you. But before you get to that point, there may be some advanced planning needed to avoid problems later.

For example, what chapter should you be filing? Do you have any assets that may be at risk?

How do you protect those assets, if possible? Which debts can be wiped out, and which debts still have to be paid back after bankruptcy? When is the right time to file? How does filing bankruptcy affect your ability to credit again in the future, and how long will it take to rebuild credit? What about asset transfers? Have you transferred assets or given money to family and friends to get them out of your name (and if so, how does that affect a bankruptcy filing?). What happens if you file bankruptcy and you’re behind on your mortgage payments?

These are questions I came up with just off the top of my head that people often ask when consulting with me. These are IMPORTANT questions and sometimes they are best asked, not when a person is about to file, but way before a person files so that they can obtain the maximum protection afforded by law. Most people do not realize until it’s too late that a lot of bankruptcy cases require careful analysis and planning with an experienced bankruptcy attorney. Yes, there are traps for the unwary that can be avoided with proper planning.

If you have been recently laid off, don’t automatically assume that you qualify to file bankruptcy to wipe out of your debts just because you’re not making any money at this time. The courts look at your income for the last 6 months as well as current income.

And that may also include unemployment benefits that you’ve been receiving since you stopped working. All of this requires a thorough analysis.

For a free evaluation of your case, please call our office at TollFree 1-866-477-7772 to schedule

a free consultation. *** NOTE: Due to the virus lockdown, I am currently offering consultations via phone or video.

Please call the office 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 1-866-477777.

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T h e A s ian Jour nal M D W K M A G A Z I NE - J ul y 15, 2 0 2 0

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