081420 - New York & New Jersey Edition

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AUGUST 14-20, 2020 Volume 13 - No. 41 • 16 Pages 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • 2500 Plaza S. Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, NJ 07311 • Tel. (212) 655-5426 • Fax: (818) 502-0858

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Fil-Am leaders praise choice of Senator DATELINE USA US State Dept. issues Kamala Harris as Biden’s running mate FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

travel advisory for PH

THE United States is urging its citizens to reconsider traveling to the Philippines due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The appeal came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a level 3 Travel Health Notice for the country.

“Reconsider travel to the Philippines due to COVID-19. Additionally, exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, a measles outbreak, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk,” the U.S. State Department said on Thursday, August 6.

It warned tourists against traveling to Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping, as well as Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest.

It also urged the tourist to reconsider traveling to other areas of Mindanao due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.

“Terrorist and armed groups continue

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Amid slump, tourism players cry for aid Industry leader laments P10-B allocation to Tieza for infra and other programs, says they need low-interest loans, financial assistance

by NESTOR

P. BURGOS JR.

Inquirer.net

ILOILO CITY—Owners of tourism-related businesses have appealed to the government to look into their “urgent needs” as the industry suffers a slump due to travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Jose Clemente III, president of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, said the tourism sector urgently needed financial aid in terms of low-interest working capital

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Harris becomes the first Black woman and Asian American person on a major party ticket

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

SEVERAL Filipino American elected officials and community leaders on Tuesday, August 11

reacted to the selection of California Senator Kamala Harris as former Vice President Joe Biden’s running mate.

“Fierce, endlessly-talented, values-based, and Oakland-born, [Kamala] will not back

down as we take back our country and restore our American values of opportunity, equity, justice and inclusion for all!” California Assemblymember Rob Bonta, who represents the

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Foreign spouses of Filipino citizens will now need visas to enter PH

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE foreign spouses and dependents of Filipino citizens will need visas to enter the Philippines, the country’s Bureau of Immigration recently announced.

The new requirement took effect on August 9.

“Foreign spouses of Filipinos must now secure entry visas from our Consulates abroad before traveling to the Philippines. Otherwise, they will be denied entry by our immigration officers and sent back to their ports of origin,” said Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente in a statement.

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ADDED PROTECTION. Residents of Taytay, Rizal wear face shields and face masks at Taytay Public Market on Tuesday, August 11, as a double layer of protection from the coronavirus.

Inquirer.net photo by Grig MontegrandeÐ

Davao City hospital got biggest PAL to require passengers PhilHealth cash advance to wear face shields, masks

by MARLON

RAMOS Inquirer.net

MANILA— Weeks before it approved the guidelines for the use of special funds for the government’s COVID-19 response, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) had already handed out P9.3 billion in cash advances to various hospitals, especially favored health facilities, Sen. Panfilo Lacson disclosed on Tuesday, August 11.

At the resumption of the Senate hearing on the corruption scandal hounding the state-run health insur-

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by AJPRESS

PhilHealth inquiry: Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III on Tuesday, August 11, moves for the resumption of the second hearing of the Committee of the Whole on the Senate resolutions calling for an inquiry in aid of legislation the reported widespread corruption and mismanagement in the PhilHealth. Also in photo are (left) Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino and (right) Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

Senate photo by Joseph Vidal

ALL passengers traveling on Philippine Airlines will be required to wear face shields, on top of the mandatory face masks, starting August 15.

The new measure is in compliance with the latest guidelines that the Philippine Department of Transportation set for the public transport sector.

“Passengers are required to wear masks and face shields

during all phases of the flight,” the airline said in a recent advisory.

As “safety remains the cornerstone of PAL’s operations,” the airline said the latest directive is in line with the existing measures, which include the cabin crew in full personal protective equipment during the flight.

“The new directive on face shields complements our existing multi-layered safety

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From the Front Page

Ramona Diaz’s new documentary ‘A Thousand Fil-Am leaders praise choice of Senator...

Cuts’ offers an immersive look into Maria Ressa’s fight for press freedom in PH

by Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

TWO years into Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s term, Filipina American filmmaker Ramona Diaz set out to make a documentary about the crackdown on illegal drugs that has drawn international attention.

However, the strongman’s war on drugs has become the focus of many films, which led Diaz — whose previous work includes “Motherland,” “Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey” and “Imelda” — to meeting Rappler co-founder and veteran journalist, Maria Ressa, who soon became the “center of gravity” of the project.

“The final product is “A Thousand Cuts,” referring to the supposed chipping away of the Philippines’ democracy,” a thrilling look at the state of press freedom in the country

and Ressa’s role as a vocal critic set amidst the backdrop of the country’s midterm elections in 2019. Duterte supporters, Mocha Uson and former Police General Bato dela Rosa, now a senator, are also highlighted in the documentary.

“After I met Maria, she was also talking about disinformation and impunity and how that intersected with the drug war, which I thought was a more global story,” Diaz said. “With the rise of fascism and authoritarians around the world, it made it more relevant and global.”

“A Thousand Cuts” made its debut at Sundance Film Festival in January and was released virtually on August 7, nearly two months after Ressa and a former Rappler staffer were convicted of a cyber-libel charge. It will subsequently be released on PBS Frontline in January 2021.

In a recent interview with the

Asian Journal, Diaz and Ressa talked about the making of the film and how the lessons from the Philippines can resonate with a global audience. The interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

AJ: First for Ramona, after you finished the documentary, how did you decide to take the festival route and get PBS on board for distribution?

Ramona Diaz (RD): I moved to the Philippines to look for the story in 2018, found the story and went back twice in the span of that year. Then, we shot principal photography in 2019 and then we got into Sundance so our post production was cut short. Usually I have a post production of like 10 to 11 months but this one was really curtailed because we got into Sundance so we had to rush, like four and a half months. PBS Frontline saw it at Sundance and shortly made an offer. I think we had 13

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PAGE 1 state’s 18th Assembly District, wrote in a Facebook post.

Juslyn Manalo, vice mayor of Daly City, California, said the announcement “sends the right message” of what a Biden presidency will look like.

“Joe Biden choosing Senator Harris will dramatically improve how the voters look at his candidacy and values,” she said.

Manalo serves as the state’s co-chair for “Filipino Americans for Biden,” a national group of Fil-Ams working to send the former vice president to the White House this November.

Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, revealed the first-term senator as his pick in a historic move on Tuesday after months of speculation.

Harris — the daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants — is the first Black woman and the first Asian American person to be on a major party’s presidential ticket. (She is also the third woman to be a vice-presidential choice after Geraldine Ferraro in 1984 and Sarah Palin in 2008).

“I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked @ KamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate,” Biden wrote in a Twitter post.

Melissa Ramoso, Fil-Ams for Biden national campaign co-chair and Artesia, California councilmember, said Harris brings “good judgment, good leadership skills and can be a trusted advisor to Biden.”

“A historic selection Filipino Americans can be proud of and it energizes our community for the November elections,” Ramoso said.

The 55-year-old first-term senator from California has risen as a prominent leader in the Democratic Party and previously vied for the presidential nomination before dropping out in December. Prior to the Senate, Harris was the former California attorney general and San Francisco district attorney.

“Senator Harris represents so many communities and selecting her as vice president solidifies that not only can women and people of color have a seat at the table, but we can be at the head of it,”

Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, announced California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate on Tuesday, August 11.

“I’m honored to join him as our party’s nominee for Vice President, and do everything it takes to make @JoeBiden our next Commander-in-Chief,” Harris wrote in an Instagram post.

Photo courtesy of Kamala Harris/Instagram

File photo shows California Sen. Kamala Harris making a plea to AAPI voters in Las Vegas in May 2019 when she ran for the Democratic presidential nomination.

AJPress file photo by Robert Macabagdal

added Jessica Caloza, president of the Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats.

Following Biden’s performance on Super Tuesday in March, Harris threw her support behind him, despite their contentious exchange during a primary debate last summer during which she grilled the former vice president on his civil rights record.

On Tuesday, Harris wrote in a Facebook post, “I’m honored to join Joe Biden in the fight for the soul of our country as the Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee.”

“I know that winning this race will be tougher than anything I’ve faced before, but I’ve never been more ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work. Donald Trump thinks this country belongs to him. But Joe Biden knows it belongs to all of us. To the people,” she added.

For New York-based philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis, the announcement is a “winning combination” and a call to action for fellow Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).

“Kamala knows what are the hardships and triumphs of a person of color in America,” Nicolas Lewis, a spokesper-

son for Filipino Americans for Biden and AAPI Victory Fund board member, told the Asian Journal. “We will be the margin of victory for Biden/Harris in this historic iconic election, which is a fight for the soul of America.”

AAPIs are considered the fastest-growing segment of eligible voters out of the major ethnic groups in the United States, according to a recent report from the Pew Research Center.

Filipino Americans, along with Chinese and Indian Americans, are among the top three groups in the U.S. Asian electorate.

In an April interview with the Asian Journal, Harris made a plea for Californians to fill out their 2020 Census form, as the data helps determine how federal funds are allocated to each state, and to vote in the upcoming election this fall.

“Who holds these positions matters in times like this,” Harris told the Asian Journal.

“We have to make sure that we have elected representatives who understand the community…and who speak up for the community. No one should be made to fight alone, we’re all in this together.” n

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Davao City hospital got biggest... Foreign spouses of Filipino citizens will now...

PAGE 1 er, PhilHealth officials said a hospital in Davao City was the biggest recipient of funds from the P30-billion Interim Reimbursement Mechanism (IRM).

Southern Philippines Medical Center, a public hospital in President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown, received P326 million. The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital in Manila, a major referral hospital for COVID-19 patients, received P262.3 million in advance payment.

Another hospital in Davao region, Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City,

ranked third, getting P209 million. Lacson, Senate President Vicente Sotto III and other senators pounced on the questionable distribution of the IRM allocations, which were specifically allocated for hospitals treating patients infected with the new coronavirus.

Lacson said a review of PhilHealth records showed a “pattern” that some hospitals, particularly private-owned, were favored in the distribution of IRM over state-owned hospitals. For example, he said Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone had been complaining about the delay in the re-

imbursement of P24 million in benefit claims of at least 10 district hospitals in the province.

“There’s a pattern here.

Why is this happening? There seems to be favoritism in choosing… private hospitals receiving IRM funds,” Lacson said.

Sen. Joel Villanueva said the swift release of P45 million in cash advances to B. Braun Avitum Philippines despite the dialysis center’s pending cases in PhilHealth proved that the health insurer had given preferential treatment to certain health facilities.

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PAL to require passengers to wear face...

PAGE 1 measures such as the use by our cabin crew of full PPE or Personal Protective Equipment in flight, the availability of hand sanitizers on-ground and inflight, thermal scanning of all passengers, special inflight service, installation of protective barriers at airport and ticket office counters, intensive disinfection of aircraft surfaces using high-grade ecofriendly cleaning agents, hightech cabin air flow systems to refresh cabin air, and use of HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filters to cleanse cabin air of impurities, bacteria and viruses, with 99.99 percent efficacy,” it added.

Cebu Pacific has also required its passengers to wear face shields “during the entire flight” starting Aug. 15.

“This is on top of the mandatory use of face masks upon entering the airport terminal until arrival at the destination,” it said.

Earlier, the DOTr issued a memorandum circular ordering all passengers to wear face shields when using public transportation.

This applies to all public transportation in the aviation and airports, railways, road

PAL Area Manager in Los Angeles Michelle Narvaez and New York Area Manager Josh Vasquez show that passengers must wear a face shield in addition to a face masks, in compliance with the Philippine Department of Transportation’s latest guidelines for the public transport sector.

Contributed photos

and maritime sectors.

“Let us remember that no amount of protection is too much when it comes to health and safety, especially that we are battling an invisible enemy,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on August 2 placed Metro Manila under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) again as novel coronavirus cases in the country exceed 100,000.

The quarantine classification will take effect on August 4 and will be in place until August 18.

US State Dept. issues travel...

PAGE 1 plotting possible kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in the Philippines. Terrorist and armed groups may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities,” the U.S. State Department said.

“The Philippine government has declared a ‘State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless Violence in

Mindanao,’” it added.

The CDC also noted that the COVID-19 risk in the Philippines is high.

“CDC recommends travelers avoid all nonessential international travel to the Philippines. Some examples of essential travel may include traveling for humanitarian aid work, medical reasons, or family emergencies. Older adults, people of any age with certain underlying medical

Duterte approved the Cabinet’s recommendation to return to a more stringent lockdown in response to the medical community’s plea for a time-out.

Aside from Metro Manila, the provinces of Laguna, Rizal, Cavite and Bulacan were also placed under MECQ. Under this quarantine status, strict home quarantine will be observed in all households.

There will be no public transport, domestic flights, and mass gatherings. There will also be limited transporting services for essential goods and services. n conditions, and others at increased risk for severe illness should consider postponing all travel, including essential travel, to the Philippines,” it said.

“If you get sick in the Philippines and need medical care, resources may be limited,” it added.

As of writing, there are 139,538 COVID-19 cases in the country, with 2,312 fatalities, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. (AJPress) n

PAGE 1 The requirement also applies to children of Philippine citizens and children with special needs, regardless of age, as well as to foreign parents of Filipino and children with special needs, also regardless of age.

Prior to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID) Resolution 60, foreigners married to Filipinos only needed to present their marriage certificates and other proof of their matrimonial relationship to enter the Philippines.

“But that is no longer the case with the issuance of this latest IATF-EID resolution,” Morente said.

BI Port Operations Acting Chief Grifton Medina, meanwhile, said foreign spouses, dependents and parents of Filipinos who are holders of long-term visas do not need to apply for a new entry visa.

“Those aliens who already hold valid permanent and temporary resident visas which they acquired by reason of marriage to Filipinos under Section 13(a) of the Philippine Immigration Act can enter the country anytime,” he said.

He also reminded foreign spouses of Filipinos to always bring with them their authenticated marriage cer-

tificates and other supporting documents when traveling to the Philippines so they could readily present them when asked to do so by immigration officers.

“There have been many instances already wherein foreign passengers claiming to be spouses of Filipinos were turned back by our officers at the airport due to their failure to show proof of marriage,” said Medina.

International travel under MECQ No additional restrictions on international travel have been imposed by the government despite the National Capital Region being placed under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) anew.

“Existing travel restrictions remain unchanged until these are revised or changed by the IATF-EID,” said Morente.

Domestic flights are suspended under the quarantine, but international flights out of the Manila, Cebu and Clark airports are still running as scheduled.

Medina, for his part, said the country remains off limits to foreign tourists. Aside from Filipinos, only holders of permanent immigrant visas and foreign spouses, minor dependents and foreign parents of Filipino minor children are allowed to enter the country.

He added that only foreigners, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and Filipinos who are permanent residents or

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Amid slump, tourism players cry for aid...

PAGE 1 loans and other assistance to tour operators, tour agencies and owners of tourism-related businesses, including hotels, resorts, restaurants and transport services.“The stakeholders, as represented by the various associations, have been consistent in their request, from the beginning of the pandemic and quarantine, that financial assistance for business continuity is what the industry needs.

Never did we advocate for more infrastructure at this time,” Clemente said in a statement. Tourism industry players have lamented that the P10 billion was allocated for infrastructure projects, under the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza), in House Bill No. 6953 (Bayanihan to Recover as One Act) instead of financial aid through loans.

The proposed law provides for a P162-billion standby fund “to support operations and response measures to address the COVID-19 pan-

demic.”

‘Close to nothing’ “Who will use those infrastructure projects when the industry collapses? Most of us are hanging on by a very thin thread. We are now approaching 150 days of not being able to work and conduct business yet we have gotten close to nothing in assistance,” said Clemente, also president of the Metro Manila-based travel agency, Rajah Tours Philippines Inc. “As an industry that provided more than P3 trillion to the economy, provided 5.7 million jobs and 12.7 percent to the (gross domestic product), is this all we get? P10 billion na nga lang, kukunin pa (This is only P10 billion and yet they will take it away from us)?” he added.

Clemente said the P10 billion, even if allocated as financial assistance, is “just a drop in the bucket” considering the losses to the tourism industry due to international and local travel restrictions, and prolonged community quarantine measures.

Struggling “We are struggling to survive and make sure that we can still provide for our employees at least until the end of the year,” Clemente told the Inquirer. He said losses in the tourism industry would be around P500 billion by the end of September.

In an earlier interview, he said the tourism slump had affected around 5.2 million workers directly employed by industry players and about the same number of those indirectly benefiting from tourism activities.

According to Clemente, the government should prioritize helping tourism workers because the industry is not expected to recover until a vaccine for COVID-19 is available.

Domestic tourism is also not expected to bounce back until the end of year and international travel until next year, he said.

Clemente said he hoped that the funds intended for Tieza would be reallocated to tourism industry players. n

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OPINION

FEATURES

Proper screening FILIPINOS continue returning en masse from different countries, most of them workers who lost their jobs abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic. Since the start of the community quarantine in mid-March, 221,275 overseas Filipinos have returned to the country. All of them were required to undergo 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

The Department of Health has reported that 211,540 of the returning Filipinos have been released from quarantine while 4,831 have tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019.

Of that number, the DOH said 4,113 have recovered, 574 remain in hospital while five have died of COVID-19.

Another 1,796 Filipinos staying abroad have also tested positive, the DOH reported. The Department of Foreign Affairs, for its part, has recorded 9,692 confirmed COVID cases among Filipinos staying abroad.

Screening of all people entering the Philippines amid the pandemic, Filipinos and foreigners alike, must be stringent as the country grapples with community transmission of CO-

5

VID-19. International flights are still limited so this is possible.

The global spread of COVID from the Chinese city of Wuhan has been attributed to international travel.

In the Philippines, the belated ban on travelers from China gave the country its first COVID case on Jan. 30: a 38-year-old female Chinese tourist from Wuhan. Her male companion from Wuhan, the Philippines’ patient No. 2, died on Feb. 1 in Manila.

By March 7, the first case of local transmission was recorded. And by March 11, a 67-yearold woman with no history of overseas travel became the first Filipino to die of COVID. These developments show the importance of screening travelers and subjecting them to proper testing and isolation. In the Philippines, local government executives have complained of recording their first COVID cases only after the arrival of locally stranded individuals from Metro Manila.

The DOH has stressed that detecting SARSCoV-2 requires the “gold standard” reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction swab

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

testing and not just the rapid test for the presence of antibodies. A positive swab test result must be followed by proper isolation for anyone who tests positive.

There is general agreement that the country

needs to gradually reopen the economy. But reopening without the necessary measures to prevent the further spread of COVID can only spell disaster, for both the economy and public health. (Philstar.com)

The Joe Biden-Kamala Harris tandem represents the diversity and the soul of the new generation of America

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS YES, BIDEN-HARRIS 2020!

“I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked @KamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate,” former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, announced on Twitter on Tuesday, August 11.

This personally excited me

and I know Harris will energize all the more the Democratic Party as this tandem works together toward ending the chaos and retrogression we are experiencing right now under the Presidency of Donald Trump and his spineless VP Mike Pence.

Harris is intelligent and well educated, and has exemplary work experience in public service. A gifted communicator and a fierce, substantive debater with great presence and energy, she will be a great as-

set during the campaign.

Her roots and life experience have very well equipped her to represent us immigrants in America.

Choosing Harris is the first executive decision made by Biden and this judgment call reflects much about Biden’s discernment, values, priorities and vision for America. And he delivered on his promise to select a woman of color for his running mate. Should they win, Harris will be the first woman of color vice president

in America.

Senator Kamala Harris represents California, home to the biggest population of Filipinos in America and outside of the Philippines.

Harris was sworn into office in 2017, and as her webpage states, she is the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history. She serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee

on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Budget.

Harris was born in Oakland, California on October 20, 1964 and was raised in Berkeley, California.

She shares the experience and perspective of many people in today’s America, being biracial and born to immigrant parents.

Harris’ father is Donald Harris, a respected Stanford University Emeritus Professor of economics. He is from Jamaica with African descent

and moved to America in 1961 to pursue graduate study in economics at UC Berkeley.

Kamala’s late mother was Shyamala Gopalan Harris, an immigrant from South India who emigrated to the United States in 1960 to pursue a doctorate at UC Berkeley, earning her Ph.D. in nutrition and endocrinology at age 25.

This amazing woman who raised Kamala and her sister Maya “embodied an independent, confident and curious PAGE 10

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Lorenzana firm about NCR’s return to GCQ status

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday, August 12, reiterated his confidence over the National Capital Region (NCR) returning to general community quarantine (GCQ) once the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) enforced on the area and nearby provinces ends on August 18.

“My statement has a caveat.

If trends continue that the new cases decrease, because during my interview, (the case was only) 3,000 (on) the day before, from 6,000 (during) the previous days. That was the trend I was referring to,” he said in a statement.

His statement came after an additional 6,958 novel coronavirus cases were recorded in the country on Monday, August 10 – coincidentally the day he claimed Metro Manila is ready to return to a less stringent quarantine status due to the gradual decline of COVID-19 cases.

“But we still have five days to go before the end of MECQ.

I may be proven right yet,” Lorenzana noted.

On Monday, the Defense secretary also noted that the country cannot afford to continue enforcing lockdowns as it would only hurt the economy further.

“Sa katunayan nga, kahapon nagsalita na si (Finance) Secretary (Carlos) Dominguez (III) na ang sabi nya, we have to do something to open up the economy, hindi pwedeng lockdown na lang tayo ng lockdown dahil nga baka mas marami pang mamatay sa gutom kesa sa COVID kung walang trabaho ang mga tao (Yesterday, Secretary Dominguez said we must do something to open up the economy. We cannot go on imposing more lockdowns as many more people might die of hunger than of COVID-19 if people will no longer have jobs),” Lorenzana said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque likewise admitted that the country’s economy will not be able to withstand a prolonged MECQ. “Tatapatin ko po kayo, hindi na po kaya ng ekonomiya

ang mas matagalan pang lockdown (I will be blunt, the economy cannot withstand a longer lockdown),” he said on August 4.

President Rodrigo Duterte on August 2 placed Metro Manila under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) again as novel coronavirus cases in the country exceed 100,000.

The quarantine classification took effect on August 4 and will be in place until August 18.

Duterte approved the Cabinet’s recommendation to return to a more stringent lockdown in response to the medical community’s plea for a time-out.

Aside from Metro Manila, the provinces of Laguna, Rizal, Cavite and Bulacan were also placed under MECQ. Under this quarantine status, strict home quarantine will be observed in all households. There will be no public transport, domestic flights, and mass gatherings. There will also be limited transporting services for essential goods and services. n

Davao City hospital got biggest...

PAGE 4 “I don’t think there’s any doubt that there’s favoritism in PhilHealth,” Villanueva said.

“IRM has now become ‘Inequitable Reimbursement Mechanism.’ It’s being used

by PhilHealth to the advantage of some ‘blessed’ (hospitals),” he said during the ninehour hearing.

Lacson said records showed that B. Braun was not even registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Are you not conducting due diligence? You are releasing millions of pesos,” Lacson said. “You made advance payments to B. Braun, which is charging their patients for dialysis. So where did the money that you gave go?”

Thorrsson Montes Keith, who had resigned as PhilHealth antifraud legal officer, said he suspected PhilHealth Senior Vice President Rodolfo del Rosario actually owned B. Braun, based on the deposits made to a rural bank in Balanga, Bataan province, which

the PhilHealth official allegedly frequented.

Del Rosario denied owning the dialysis center.

LP bailiwick Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also lamented that the requests for IRM funds of 33 hospitals in his home region of Western Visayas, regarded as the bailiwick of the opposition Liberal Party, had not been granted

by PhilHealth since April 6.

“Up to this point, not a single peso was released to these 33 hospitals,” Drilon said. But Robert Labe Jr., PhilHealth corporate counsel, insisted that all the IRM releases were consistent with PhilHealth’s existing regulations.

“The IRM is not provided arbitrarily. There is a process being followed,” he said.

Sotto, who spearheaded the investigation along with Lacson, asked PhilHealth President and CEO Ricardo Morales about the legal basis of the IRM that would justify the distribution of billions of pesos in cash advances to public

and private health facilities.

Morales, who joined the hearing via the internet, said Republic Act No. 7875, the law that created PhilHealth, allowed it to “supervise the provision of health benefits… and set standards, rules and regulations necessary to ensure quality” of health care in the country.

But Sotto said the concept of “payment mechanism” as stated in the law was different from “financial mechanism” that the PhilHealth board cited in creating IRM. “Does PhilHealth have the power to finance any (hospital)? That’s not included in your mandate, right?” Sotto asked the PhilHealth chief.

Morales agreed, adding that the corporation’s authority was to pay for health services.

Anticipating Covid-19 Morales claimed that the PhilHealth board had started discussions on crafting IRM as early as January in anticipation of the effects of COVID-19.

BROOMS FOR SALE. A reed and raffia brooms hang on display along Marikina-Infanta Highway in Antipolo City on Tuesday, August 11. Many businesses such as this one still continue to operate amid the modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and the neighboring provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal from August 4 to August 18. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Foreign spouses of Filipino citizens will now...

PAGE 4 students abroad are permitted to leave the Philippines.

President Rodrigo Duterte on August 2 placed Metro Manila under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) again as novel coronavirus cases in the country exceed 100,000.

The quarantine classifica-

tion took effect on August 4 and will be in place until August 18.

Duterte approved the Cabinet’s recommendation to return to a more stringent lockdown in response to the medical community’s plea for a time-out.

Aside from Metro Manila, the provinces of Laguna, Rizal,

Cavite and Bulacan were also placed under MECQ. Under this quarantine status, strict home quarantine will be observed in all households. There will be no public transport, domestic flights, and mass gatherings. There will also be limited transporting services for essential goods and services. n

“We were in the state of anxiety (then) because we knew COVID-19 was coming,” Morales said. “We wanted to take preemptive measures to be able to prepare our hospitals to respond to this pandemic.”

Lacson and Drilon took Morales to task for claiming that PhilHealth came up with the idea about the IRM in January.

Drilon pointed out that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III was telling the public in early March that there was no need for the public to worry.

PhilHealth board member Alejandro Cabading and Dr. Susan Mercado, who recently resigned from the board, denied Morales’ statement.

“As far as I can recall, we were not talking about COVID-19 (that time),” Mercado said, adding that it was not the board that initially allotted P27 billion for IRM. Replying to Lacson’s queries, Mercado said the PhilHealth board was just “informed and asked to endorse” PhilHealth Circular No. 20200007, which Morales supposedly signed on March 20.

Antedated resolution At the time, Lacson said, official PhilHealth records showed that the company had already released P703 million. Showing another set of documents, the senator said the resolution was “antedated,” as it was finalized only on April 22, or more than a month after the health insurance started disbursing IRM funds.

Lacson said PhilHealth’s IRM distribution had already ballooned to P9.3 billion by then. Worse, PhilHealth adopted only on March 31 Board Resolution No. 2515, which was needed to justify the March 20 circular, according to the senator.

“So what were the guidelines (used by) the regional vice presidents in issuing IRM when the guidelines, called the SOP (standard operating procedures), were issued only after (the funds had been distributed)?” Lacson asked.

‘Some expedients’ In response, Morales explained: “In the administration of our efforts, there were some expedients that had to be adopted because we did

not know the possible impact of COVID-19.”

“We had to immediately release the funds. But we made sure that all the releases were covered by a contract and that we would be able to account for all the funds that were (made) available,” he added.

Lacson wondered why the cart came before the horse.

“The (board) resolution is the one which should pull the cart,” he told Morales.

P1,000 for fake patients Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said PhilHealth investigators had informed him that many unscrupulous hospitals were not only involved in “upcasing” of treatments, but were also behind the “nonexistent patients” and rebates schemes.

Zubiri said these hospitals were allegedly paying individuals P1,000 each for “acting” as patients, who were entitled to reimbursements from the health insurer. “Some (hospitals) pay people P1,000 to act as patients in order to (collect benefit) claims for more serious ailments from PhilHealth,” he said. n

AUGUST 14-20, 2020 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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After entering recession, Philippines set for record collapse this year

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines is poised to plunge to its deepest slump on record this year as consumers remained too wary to go out and spend with the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic still beyond government control, analysts said on Wednesday, August 12.

In an online briefing, economists at First Metro Investment Corp, an investment house, and University of Asia and the Pacific projected gross domestic product (GDP) to shrink between 8-9% yearon-year in 2020.

If realized, the scale of contraction would be the largest on record, beating the previous low of 7% under the Marcos dictatorship in 1984. “We’re now in a rough patch,” said Victor Abola, economist at UA&P School of Economics.

“We just saw very bad figures on GDP led by domestic demand, which used to be our main driver,” he added.

As it is, GDP, the sum of all products and services, already reached a grim quarterly milestone from April to June after sinking 16.5% year-onyear. The high-end of FMIC and UA&P’s annual forecast matched the first half tally of 9% slump, although this may still go up and down depending on third and fourth quarter performance.

That said, the projections were more pessimistic than the Duterte government’s own assumption of up to 5.5% decline this year. Last year, the economy expanded 6% annually.

A tepid household spending, which typically accounts for around 70% of GDP, is to blame for the dismal outlook, as most Filipinos remain indoors even with quarantine controls in most areas, including Metro Manila, loosened since June.

Bernardo Villegas, another UA&P economist, said people are still “very hesitant” to spend, making any economic recovery difficult to achieve.

“Our people are still psycho-

logically afraid even if things are improving. Our people is still suffering from the pandemic of fear,” he said.

The central bank has stepped in to bring down interest rates to record-lows so that consumers may borrow funds at cheaper rates for banks. But Villegas said any monetary stimulus is being offset by a public “not interested in spending.”

“If we have people who are very hesitant and even investors are also very hesitant, even if interest rates are low and banks are willing to (extend) loan…, we will not see recovery,” he explained.

Fiscal stimulus awaited A potential savior would be the government if only officials are able to come up with a “good level of stimulus,” said Francisco Sebastian, FMIC chair, in the same briefing. As of the moment, the Duterte administration is awaiting the passage of Bayanihan to Recover As One bill, its preferred stimulus measure that provides up to P162 billion in new allotments under the big-

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EVERYDAY

9:00am - 11:00am

TRIMMING. A Quezon City government worker cuts down excess tree branches as part of the clearing operation at Lagarian Creek, K-6th street, Kamuning Quezon City on Wednesday, August 12. The area is where the flash flood occurred last week after non-stop rains that swept away 13 houses, leaving two persons injured and one dead. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

ger Lower House version.

The government has been criticized for its hesitation to spend more and counter the pandemic’s economic repercussions, for fears doing so would damage the Philippines’ creditworthiness, but Sebastian sided with the economic managers.

I’m very respectful of (Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III’s) prudence in making sure we don’t over-resuscitate

the (economy) because it will have long-term-effects,” Sebastian said.

“We don’t want to break institutions. We don’t want to break our credit ratings.

We don’t want to overspend.

We don’t want to be accused of spending habits that may haunt us in the future,” he added.

Despite the pandemic, Cristina Ulang, FMIC’s research head, said investors appear

to be looking forward to next year when a rebound between 6-7% is expected by government. The local bourse neared the 6,000-mark anew on Wednesday after ultimately ignoring a worse than expected GDP print in the second quarter.

“What the market is focusing now is the 2021 budget— that I think, is the focus now and its impact on next year,” she said. n

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 14-20, 2020

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AUGUST 14-20, 2020 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Ramona Diaz’s new documentary...

PAGE 2 festivals in the spring and then COVID-19 happened.

AJ: For Filipino Americans here in the U.S., there’s still this connection back to the news in the Philippines, yet they are physically distanced from there. What do you want the community to know following the film?

RD: If you watch the film, it’s an immersive experience. It is both a global story and a very specifically Philippine story. I’m not into messages necessarily.

I’m into experiences if you get the experience of what it was like to live in Maria’s shoes in the most beleaguered time of her life when she was arrested twice and the backdrop of the midterm elections, which is always crazy to begin with in the Philippines. So to me, it’s a perfect backdrop because it shows local color and people are also out and about so it’s kinetic and cinematic.

So just watch it, be there, and feel it. I think messages are really informed by personal history, by lived experiences. But really listen, understand what fake news and disinformation [are], what the drug war is about and how Duterte gets people…Just listen and let’s have a conversation after that.

I think my job as a filmmaker is to give you an experience and you come to your own conclusion. I’m not saying it’s purely objective — it cannot be — because film resists objectivity and it’s very subjective. But I’m not very explicit when it comes to that.

AJ: Maria, in recent weeks, we’ve read about your case, the shutdown of ABS-CBN and President Duterte’s SONA. As Filipino Americans here in the US, again, there’s this connection, but how do we reconcile this dual identity and interest in what’s happening on the ground and with this sometimes romanticized view of the Philippines and that love of country?

Maria Ressa (MR): By next year, I’ll have been a journalist for 35 years and…at no other time can I remember our two countries, the people in our two countries, the manipulation online of the people in our two countries, be in such identical situations. Love of country is not our beaches or yes, we’re proud of the Philippines. It feels like home and it’s why I chose it as my home. But if you’re like me, you feel most Filipino with Americans and most American with Filipinos, right? I’ve struggled to pull those things together.

But the difference I think today is that our foot in each

world gives us a very unique perspective of the trends [and] the patterns of what our democracies are going through. I think the second one is…you can’t even say at any point that tens of thousands of people killed in the drug war is acceptable, that sexist, misogynistic language from the leader of a country is accepted, or that… people who want to stand up for their rights that they get arrested or they get teargassed. There’s a line that is being crossed in both of our countries. So I think the first is to recognize the similarities and the second is recognize… the biggest difference between the United States and the Philippines is that our institutions were significantly weaker than the United States. So the battle for us is for our lives.

Definitely, for me, it’s my life and freedom. You [Filipino Americans] are powerful soldiers in this battle, partly because you come from both worlds. So I think relish that, understand your power and help hold the line. I say this all the time because we need to protect our rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution in the Philippines and the U.S. As you know, the Philippines was patterned after the United States so we have a Bill of Rights. The difference here is that our institutions have essentially collapsed. We have the most powerful leader we’ve ever had. The Philippines is now a dictatorship masquerading as a democracy with rule of law.I hope that love of country gains these colors. I didn’t know what that meant until I came under attack. You don’t really know who you are until you are forced to fight to defend it then you will draw your own lines. We choose to create the world we want and that’s the upside of this time period. I hope Filipino Americans look and realize the ties because your ties that bind are positive and are still strong, like Ramona’s or mine. Don’t stop with the beauty of the Philippines because it masks such violence.

AJ: With your cases and ABS-CBN, and other news against journalists in the Philippines, as well as the newly signed Anti-Terrorism law, what kind of message does this all send especially to future Filipinos who want to go into a media career?

MR: The shutdown of ABS is unthinkable. We see the government really taking advantage — it’s opportunistic and consolidating power. Yes, it can make you afraid but it is also something history has taught us: the more oppressive

a government becomes, the more resistance to it grows.

That’s what we’re starting to see as people who didn’t really care before now care. It’s funny, it’s been four years that we’ve been under attack but people who are in Rappler chose to be [here]. We are stronger and the mission and sense of purpose are so clear. Fear and violence will have an opposite effect…I’m not a rebel without a cause. I want to see the Philippines do well in the fight for COVID. I want to see the president to be wise and build an inclusive society. I want to see him let journalists do our jobs because every time they attack journalists, it makes me think that they have something to hide.

Please focus because where our president goes, our entire nation goes. So having said that, this is a rallying cry for journalists. The risks are greater, but the stakes are higher.

AJ: After watching this documentary, what’s the call to action? How can viewers stay engaged and keep a watch on what’s happening with Rappler and Maria?

RD: There’s a coalition of some 80 organizations, the Hold the Line coalition.

That’s one way they can really get involved and stay in touch.

They should sign up for that. It’s so hard to just keep the story alive because there’s so much happening, there’s so much noise. So that’s one way of really just been shining the light on this story, which is key. Just keep the story alive.

MR: Please hold Silicon Valley accountable because if you don’t, the poison or virus of lies will continue infecting all of us and that is global. Journalists can’t even begin to do our jobs if lies laced with anger and hate spread faster and further than the stories of facts.

Number two is, please help us keep shining the light. The only reason I think I’m still “free,” kind of, because I think my government forgot I spent a lot more time outside the Philippines and so people are doing our stories. Thank you for that. Ramona is now the major rabble-rouser. The third is, sign the petition for Hold the Line and we also have a crowdfunding campaign [for] our legal fees. We wouldn’t have been able to pay this so it’s from the kindness of strangers. That to me puts my faith back. I think people know what’s right and wrong. But power and money are very big incentives. In the Philippines, it’s been really hard to get beyond what the Duterte administration has done and to punch through the fear. n

NO STOPPING. A family harvests vegetables despite the heavy downpour in Bacoor, Cavite on Sunday, August 9. Tropical Storm “Enteng” drenched Metro Manila and other areas before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

The Joe Biden-Kamala Harris...

PAGE 5 spirit that led her to travel alone to the U.S. as a teen; forge a career as a brilliant breast cancer researcher; join the Civil Rights Movement; introduce a generation of students of color to careers in science,” her obituary stated when she died after a courageous battle with cancer in 2009.

Harris’ mother was respected as a breast cancer researcher around the world. Her body of work as a researcher made substantial contributions to the field of hormones and breast cancer, publishing her research in countless journals and receiving numerous honors.

Her parents separated when Kamala was only five years old.

She and her sister were raised singlehandedly by her mother, who inspired Kamala to make a name for her self and make a difference.

Her bio on her web page talks about her early childhood: “Growing up in Oakland, Kamala had a stroller-eye view of the Civil Rights movement.

Through the example of courageous leaders like Thurgood Marshall, Constance Baker Motley, and Charles Hamilton Houston, Kamala learned the kind of character it requires to stand up to the powerful, and resolved to spend her life advocating for those who could not defend themselves.”

Harris earned her undergraduate degree from Howard University and a law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law. After graduating, she began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.

“In 2003, Kamala became the District Attorney of the City and County of San Francisco. Among her achievements as District Attorney,

Harris started a program that gives first-time drug offenders the chance to earn a high school diploma and find employment.

Having completed two terms as the District Attorney of San Francisco, Kamala was elected as the first AfricanAmerican and first woman to serve as California’s Attorney General. In this role, she worked tirelessly to hold corporations accountable and protect the state’s most vulnerable people.

Over the course of her nearly two terms in office, Kamala won a $25-billion settlement for California homeowners hit by the foreclosure crisis, defended California’s landmark climate change law, protected the Affordable Care Act, helped win marriage equality for all Californians, and prosecuted transnational gangs that trafficked in guns, drugs, and human beings.

In the United States Senate, Kamala’s mission remains unchanged: fighting for the rights of all communities in California. Since taking office, she has introduced and cosponsored legislation to raise wages for working people, reform our broken criminal justice system, make healthcare a right for all Americans, address the epidemic of substance abuse, support veterans and military families, and expand access to childcare for working parents.”

When she ran for President during the Democratic Party primary elections, Harris was already being attacked for her ethnicity, just as President Barack Obama was. Contrary to her detractors’ false allegation that she was not eligible to run for office to be president [and VP for that matter] because she is not a “naturalborn American”, HARRIS IS

AN AMERICAN, according to the provisions of our Constitution.

The U.S. Constitution Fourteenth Amendment, Section 1, which was added in 1868 states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

What are the technical requirements a presidential candidate must meet to run for office? This is important for a VP candidate because she will be next in line in the order of succession should something happen to the President that would incapacitate him to perform his duties as President.

The candidate for president (and VP) has to be: a natural-born citizen of the United States, a resident for 14 years, and must be 35 years of age or older.

Kamala Harris checks all of those requirements. She has birthright citizenship, and that makes her eligible to run for president (and VP).

Harris is only 55 years old. If Joe Biden, who is now 78, decides not to run for re-election in 2024, then Harris may very well be the frontrunner of the Democratic Party, and therefore be the elected as the first woman president should she win the election in four years.

MABUHAY! ***

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

Relos.

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 14-20, 2020

COMMUNITY Journal

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ IN A previous article, I wrote that on July 29, 2020, a federal court judge issued a nationwide injunction prohibiting USCIS from enforcing, applying, implementing, or treating as effective, President Trump’s new public charge rules as long as there is a national health emergency caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

On the same day, the judge also issued a nationwide injunction prohibiting the Department of State (DOS) and U.S. embassies around the world from applying their own 2018 public charge regulations, which went into effect February 24, 2020.

As everyone is aware, DOS’s 2018 public charge rules were very strict and restrictive, and people could have their visas refused on public charge grounds unless they could demonstrate, among other things, that they already had available, within 30 days of entry, “approved health insurance” or the financial resources to pay for medical expenses, and had not received 12 months of public assistance during a 36-month period.

The previous/existing 1999 public charge guidance defined “public charge” as a noncitizen who has become, or is likely to become, “primarily depend-

Federal court also bans State Department’s 2018 public charge rule

ent on the government for subsistence, as demonstrated by either (i) the receipt of public cash assistance for income maintenance or (ii) institutionalization for longterm care at government expense.”

In 2018, DOS changed the public charge analysis, instructing consular officers to give negative weight to the receipt of any kind of public assistance, including non-cash benefits, and that the affidavit of support would merely be a positive factor, rather than normally sufficient to satisfy the public charge requirements. (In other words, before these changes, if a sufficient affidavit of support (Form I-864) was submitted, that was the end of the inquiry on public charge. But in 2018, an affidavit of support merely became one of many factors in the public charge analysis.)

In its 52-page ruling, the court concluded the DOS’s 2018 public charge revisions “likely exceed the limits of the ‘public charge’ definition under the Immigration and Nationality Act” (INA), because they require consular officers to evaluate the receipt of public assistance of any type, at any time, and by any family member in making the public charge determination,

including non-cash benefits, and are thus “arbitrary and capricious.”

While this is great news, I would still advise people to consult with an immigration attorney concerning their eligibility for the immigration benefit they are applying for, and concerning public charge issues. The Trump administration could appeal the injunction and have it overturned or lifted.

That means you should still evaluate your case in reference to eligibility under these new, proposed rules, and be careful about applying for or accepting the types of public benefits included in this new rule, just in case this injunction is lifted.

In addition, Trump issued a proclamation banning issuance of immigrant visas until 2021. So, there could be further developments on public charge or visa eligibility. The rules on eligibility for immigration benefits are changing all the time, and it can be very confusing and complex for people. That’s why I advise that rather than taking chances and handling your case on your own, you should seek the advice and assistance of an attorney. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an PAGE 12

Third edition of ‘Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style’ answers more of your questions on Sunday, Aug. 16 CITIZEN Pinoy seeks to provide answers to individuals and families who have concerns about the latest immigration policies and how these affect their case.

Leading U.S. immigration attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel continues a fascinating series of special Citizen Pinoy episodes, where he answers questions from Maricor of Jersey City, NJ; Jhoy of An-

11

chorage, AK; and mother Minda from National City, CA with her son, Jonathan, from Quezon City in the Philippines.

Stay tuned as Atty. Gurfinkel answers questions like: What are the latest immigration policies for a tourist who married a U.S. citizen?

Is there any bearing on the petitions of children if their birth certificates indicate

that their mother is married to their father, even if she is not?

These and more questions will be answered on the third online episode of CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style this Sunday, August 16, at 6:15 pm PST/ EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

LEADING U.S. IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL ANSWERS YOUR IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS VIA ZOOM ON THE THIRD EDITION OF CITIZEN PINOY – SOCIAL DISTANCING STYLE. Citizen Pinoy continues its public service by providing relevant information and updates on immigration. In this episode, Atty. Gurfinkel answers questions from Kapamilya in New Jersey, Alaska, California and the Philippines. Are there any new requirements that could affect the petition of a person who arrived in the U.S. on a tourist visa, but married a U.S. citizen? A son petitioned by his mother is now preparing for his Embassy interview. On a business trip to the U.S., he made a side visit to his brother in Canada, and was denied re-entry to the U.S. Would that affect his mother’s petition? Answers to these and more on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style this Sunday, August 16 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

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AUGUST 14-20, 2020 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS “COOKING” N95 masks N95 respirator mask has been the standard personal protective equipment (PPE) for COVID-19. Since this face covering is frequently in short supply and a bit pricey, sterilizing it for re-use is in demand. Some wash it with peroxide, others expose it to UV-C light, some even microwave it. A recent study from the University of Illinois, Urbana, Champaign, showed that placing the N-95 mask on top of a thick bath towel folded several times over (so the mask does not touch the heated metal wall) in an electric cooker (rice-cooker, power cooker, instant cooker), and “cooking” the N-95 mask for 50 minutes of dry heat (100 degrees Celsius or 212 Fahrenheit) will thoroughly decontaminate and sterilize the mask, inside and out, against 4 different viruses, including the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes COVID-19.

The filtration power and fit of the mask were 95 percent maintained even after 20 repeated cycles of “cooking” decontamination.

COVID-19 damages multi-organs While the known cytokines storm in severe COVID-19 infection destroys the lungs and kills these patients, new data show that other organs are also adversely affected by the virus. Inflammation of the heart, both among those with previous heart problem and those without, is very common among severe COVID-19 patients (51 percent, 40 percent with arrythmia). The devastating cytokine storm syndrome, besides damaging the lungs, also causes acute necrotizing (brain) encephalitis, kidney damage, hepatitis, gastrointestinal derangement, and venous thromboembolism. It is obvious by now that no one, even children, is exempt from getting COVID-19 when they are careless, non-compliant with the guidelines: frequent hand washing, avoiding non-essential travel and exposure, wearing cap, eye goggles, mask, gloves, and doing social distancing in public. Better safe, even a little paranoid, than sorry.

SARS-CoV2 virus is a killer.

And we have only one life, no spare.

Health Tips

Disinfectants are poison A reader inquired if disinfectant could be used to clean food items. The answer is NO. Disinfectants, like Clorox, alcohol, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, iodophors, etc. are all poisonous. These solutions must not be applied to the skin either. While they destroy the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes COVID-19, they are all harmful for use on the body. Fruits and vegetables may be washed with peroxide solution, but this is an expensive way, compared to soaking and washing them with liberal amounts of water, and with salt if desired.

The food industry uses UVC light to sterilize meat, other food items, and water for drinking to meet FDA guidelines for health safety. Disinfectants are for cleaning surfaces (FDA approved: 2 tablespoons of bleach in one quart water or 1.2 cups bleach ger gallon of water, or alcohol that is 70 percent or higher). Good ventilation is needed to expel chemical odor after cleaning; turn room vent on.

Bad for arthritis The pathology in arthritis (joint swelling and pain) is inflammation. Behavior, activity, and food all affect our body, including our joints (neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, finger, back, hip, knee, ankle, toe). Lack of exercise or abuse on any of our joints, as well as food, can cause the inflammatory process that leads to arthritis. As far as vegetables are concerned, the Night Shade family (Latin term: Solanaceae) aggravates arthritis of our joints, especially the knees. This variety includes white potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, bell and cayenne peppers, paprika and tobacco. The alkaloids in these seem to be the culprit. They are also avoided by those with autoimmune diseases.

Skin moisturizers Our skin, especially in the face, is very sensitive to dryness, which causes the loss of turgor and collagen and encourages wrinkle formation. Dry skin in the face or anywhere else in the body is not healthy. Drinking eight (8) glasses of filtered water daily and showering helps hydrate our skin. Since water, especially with soap, robs our skin of our protective natural body oil, it is best to use moisturizers for the face and the entire body daily.

Vaseline for callouses To moisturize the foot and also soften callouses and cracks at the sole (plantar aspect) of the feet, petroleum jelly has been around from time immemorial and found effective when used two to three times a week.

There are various creams on the market advertised for callouses, but they are pricey.

Anti-wrinkle There are dozens of antiwrinkle creams out there that could cost up to $200 per jar. The promotional psychology used by advertisers is that the more expensive it is, the more people will think it is more effective. Some of them have a “starch or crazy glue effect” which lasts a couple of hours (for party goers).

This stretches out the facial skin a bit, but without lasting effect. Using it round the clock is not harmless.

These anti-wrinkle creams are preferred by some women in their fifties and older, who are wiser to avoid Botox or cosmetic surgery.

The majority rely on good diet, exercise, and facial moisturizers.

Alzheimer’s wonder pill Presently, there are no drugs that could slow down the progress of Alzheimer’s disease, a dementia that erases memories, cognition, and steals independence and skills, rendering a person helpless and worse than a baby. Biogen, a U.S. company, announced that it has created the first therapy that could slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease, and that it will soon seek regulatory approval in the United States. This groundbreaking drug is called aducanumab, which targets a protein called amyloid, which are abnormal deposits toxic to the brain. This new drug “will slow down the clinical decline and preserve more of their memory and everyday living skills, things the disease usually robs.” In the meantime, let’s all do mental calisthenics daily to exercise our brain and promote mental health.

Pills for the brain There are a lot of pills and potion for “brain health,” to boost memory, concentration, and cognitive ability.

Since business entrepreneurs know by experience that millions of gullible people are out there, they never cease to manufacture, advertise, and sell

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

Gerald still mum on real score with Julia

By Deni Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actor Gerald Anderson joins not only the clamor to cancel 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If he would have his way, he also would like to cancel 2019 — the year when he was embroiled in a scandal for allegedly “ghosting” former girlfriend Bea Alonzo and for being linked to “Between Maybes” co-star Julia Barretto. “’Yung lockdown ko kasi nag-start ng 2019. More on personal (reason),” he admitted to Philstar.com in a teleconference Tuesday for his reunion movie with Arci Munoz, “Hook-Up.” “Kung pwede rin i-cancel ang isang taon, talagang itong 2020. Marami pong nangyari sa isang taon na ‘to na sobrang unexpected, sobrang nakakademoralize, nakakalungkot, nilalagay tayo sa sitwasyon na napakahirap, buong mundo – namatay si Kobe, sumabog ‘yung Taal, coronavirus…

Nagshutdown kumpanya namin, livelihood namin, nawala.

So, tulad ng sinabi ni Arci, the only choice we have now is to stay positive,” he said.

“Pag naiisip mo lang ‘yung nangyari sa Lebanon, naiisip mo pa, Ano pang pwedeng mangyari sa 2020?... ‘Yung 2020 talagang cancel ko talaga ‘to… saka 2019!”

When asked by another

Gerald Anderson and Julia Barretto in a scene from their film ‘Between Maybes’.

Star Cinema photo

media outlet to finally set the record straight about his rumored relationship with Julia, Gerald said: “Unang una, ayaw ko po pag-usapan ang isang taong wala namang connection sa ginagawa natin ngayon. Respeto na rin po siguro sa kanila. At labas po tayo d’yan. I want to stay silent. Ganu’n po talaga ‘yung kalakaran. I mind my own business at sana, ipapayo ko rin ‘yun sa ibang tao.”

According to him, this 2020 is a test for everyone as a human race.

“We have to stay resilient and strong. Dapat nating dalhin’ yan sa mga susunod na taon. We just have to stay strong. Naniniwala talaga ako na magkakapositive outcome ang lahat ng ‘to,” he

enthused.

Apart from staying safe and strong, he said it is also important to remain as a good person every day.

“Not every day is promised to us… Sa sitwasyon natin ngayon, ‘di natin alam kung anong pwedeng mangyari bukas. Ang importante talaga kasama natin pamilya natin, pangalagaan natin na maging mabuting tao tayo arawaraw.”

In “Hook-Up,” Gerald and Arci will play lovers who will try to spice things up by attempting to make love online. But as they continue to explore more about online lovemaking, they will discover new things about each other that will change the course of their relationship.

Federal court also bans State...

PAGE 11 attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained

herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorneyclient relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com

Follow us on Facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

various “breakthroughs” and “miracle cures.” They are actually the snake oils of the past centuries, packaged more elegantly today.

The potential side effects and complications of these “supplements,” will someday be obvious. The best brain health booster is a healthy lifestyle: a high protein, low-carb, low-fat diet of fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, a little red meat; por-

tioned calories, no smoking or alcohol abuse, daily exercise, and stress management (mini-vacation with family/friends, contemplation, relaxation and rest).

Those who wish to try any of these brain health boosters, please email me about your experience.

May God bless all the peoples of the world, especially during this global crisis. We are all in this together, and

this too shall end. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail. com.

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 14-20, 2020

The awakening of Liza

Screen sweetheart dishes about the eye-openers that helped her ‘come into full bloom’

By Rito

Bea looks back at rejections, life as an ‘extra’

By Deni Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com

P. Asilo

Inquirer.net

IF you suddenly found yourself dealing with anxiety attacks or low self-esteem issues some time over the course of “the world’s longest lockdown” in this COVID-19-stricken part of Asia, Liza Soberano wants you to know you’re not alone. Liza, who’s about to finish her first year as a Psychology student in Southville International School and Colleges, disclosed to a panel of journalists last Friday that she has since decided to make “Day

by Day” her theme song because “we’re facing too many crises these days, so it’s important to constantly keep resetting our minds, feelings and emotions [to help us cope with the difficulties].”

The actress explained, “These past few days, I’ve been trying to get off social media and not read too much because while it’s important to [be aware of what’s happening around you], we also need to take care of our mental being. And you can do that by focusing on things that make you happy. It’s important to take a break [from all the noise].”

Liza isn’t just saying niceties. In fact, in the beginning of the Metro-wide quarantine, the 22-year-old screen sweetheart admitted without batting an eyelash that she sometimes found herself crying because of feelings of helplessness and uncertainty—reactions shared these days by so many Filipinos, whose busy lives were brought to a screeching halt by the pandemic.

“It’s weird not to be doing anything when you’re used to doing something all the time,” she shared. “Before the lockdown, I already had a routine of waking up at 5 in the morning to prepare to go to taping. On weekends, I would shoot commercials.

Then, suddenly, nothing—it was ‘deafening silence!

“I thought, ‘Is this the end of the world? Is this the end of my life? At first, I didn’t know what to make of it. But I soon realized that there’s more to life than all that. There are so many things I need to figure out about myself and the future. And over the course of the quarantine, I’ve learned to love myself even more.”

Deeply intimate and wel-

13

Liza Soberano

come disclosure like this couldn’t have come at a better time than during the launch of Nivea Blooming Pink Range’s “ComeIntoFullBloom campaign in the midst of NCR’s return to modified enhanced community quarantine last week, where Liza was joined by “Ang Probinsyano” star Yassi Pressman and beauty vlogger Raiza Contawi during the virtual event.

Like the similarly lovely Yassi, there’s nobody more suited for the impressively organized beauty-and-wellness campaign that is as much about self-care as it is about skin care.

Put in place for the virtual launch was a fun and relaxing atmosphere that allowed us to get more intimate with Liza and Yassi, far removed from the time-consuming and rigidly by-the-numbers “show biz” press cons that were the norm in prepandemic times.

Later on in the launch, even Liza was “game” enough to show attendees a breezily choreographed number to pitch the product, realized with the help of boyfriend Enrique Gil naturally.

At the event, we were also just as thrilled to quickly catch up with ABS-CBN’s MJ Felipe and TV5’s MJ Marfori, dear friends in media we haven’t seen in a long time. So, kudos, Nivea and Castro Communications.Like the happy circumstance of reconnecting with old pals, Liza said she was only too happy to embrace any form of normalcy these days. Being a student, she said, has taken her mind away from all the doom and gloom happen-

Photo from Instagram/@lizasoberano

ing around her.

“School keeps my mind running. I am enjoying my time as a student,” she mused. “I started going back to school two years ago, but this [arrangement] is even better. Back then, I had to go to school once a week or twice a month, which was something I couldn’t really commit to doing [because of my schedule].

“But the quarantine gave me the opportunity to really focus on my studies and attend school more often. So, in a way, even if it’s not really the regular classes as we know them, they feel like ‘regular’ to me because there’s a regular schedule I need to adhere to.

“I feel like I’m learning a lot.

In the beginning, the intention was to take psychology as a prelaw course because I wanted to become a lawyer.

Then, I realized I didn’t want to have anything to do with the law or politics in general (laughs). So now, I just want to be a counselor and help people who are dealing with mental health issues.”

More than dealing with personal endeavors she had little time to focus on before the pandemic, the political and social unrest that soon engulfed the country triggered an “awakening” of sorts in Liza.

It’s a testament to the actress’ likability as a public figure that she doesn’t get trolled as brutally as the other celebrities who speak their mind about the injustices they see, or the culture of impunity in government PAGE 15

BEFORE she became one of today’s most sought-after Filipino actresses, Bea Alonzo went through countless auditions — and the countless rejections that came with them.

In a recent Zoom teleconference with the media, Bea disclosed that she auditioned “a thousand times” and also “got rejected a thousand times” before she finally landed in a starring role.

She gave an example of how one of those many auditions went.

“Before, I was casted for a role, but parang actually ex production, extra lang ako,” she began disclosing during her virtual launch as new endorser of direct-selling brand Avon Philippines.

“I showed up in the set at like seven in the morning and then I got my shot at nine in the morning – the next day!”

As if that was not horrible enough, she shared what PAGE 15

Bea Alonzo

Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo

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AUGUST 14-20, 2020 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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people events arts culture entertainment

Fil-Am culture critic, author Jia Tolentino on the gifts and curses of the internet in the time of a pandemic, racial reckoning

The renowned best-selling writer talks about her release “Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion” and how the COVID-19 crisis props up capitalist structures

W

by

KlARiZe MeDenillA / AJPress

I TH the year more than halfway over, the maelstrom that is the year 2020 continues to impose an unabating state of dread underscored by confusion, anger and despair.

A year that began with the plausible fear of nuclear war with Iran to the awareness of a new mystery virus that catapulted a full-blown pandemic that has, unless you’re a penguin in Antarctica, turned the world upside down. With more than 150,000 people dead (and counting) from COVID19 and the further politicization of the virus, which by its nature is apolitical, doesn’t show much hope for the future.

Civil unrest continues to ravage the United States following the re-emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement that has Americans across the country reconfiguring the ways in which systems and institutions slight people of color, especially Black Americans.

And, all of this is occurring in a generation obsessed with personal branding, a culture that espouses a very narrow view of wellness and success through algorithms and optimization: the corporatization of self-care, the transparent way that capitalism has monetized “be-

ing yourself,” and an attention economy that pushes a toxic image of productivity.

These topics form the foundation of the popular

“Trick Mirror” is now available in paperback version.

Photo courtesy of Jia Tolentino/Instagram

New York Times bestseller, “Trick Mirror: Reflections of Self-Delusion,’’ by celebrated Filipina American writer and journalist Jia Tolentino of The New Yorker magazine, who last week embarked on a second book tour to celebrate the release of the paperback version of her debut book.

A voice of a generation, Tolentino’s book navigates and tries to make sense of the ways that systems of power exploit people’s insecurities — or, in more nefarious cases, procure such insecurities. And, to be a millennial or a Gen Z-er in 2020 is to be a case study of a digitized world that seeks to prop up more and more funhouse mirrors that further distort the self into oblivion.

And during a global pandemic that has people depressed, angry, confused and frustrated while quarantining in their homes, it is perhaps the most opportune moment for this distortion to reach unprecedented levels of influence.

“One of the things that is really important for people that were sort of raised on the internet, whose industries are being shaped by the internet and people who could use the internet para-professionally is separating the internet’s incentives from your own,” Tolentino explains in a virtual interview with Rabbi Aaron Potek of the Washington, D.C. synagogue Sixth & I on

Author and writer Jia Tolentino and her best-selling book, “Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self Delusion.” (inset) Photo by Elena Mudd / courtesy of Penguin Random House

M o n d a y, July 20.

“Trick Mirror,” which was released in August 2019, comprises nine sweeping essays that intertwine relevant critique of these deeply rooted cultural issues (and the ways they con people into delusion) and Tolentino’s personal life and her upbringing as the daughter of Filipino immigrants in Houston, Texas.

The densely-packed book remains a modern Bible, a thought-provoking salve to the confusion many felt after the 2016 election for an entire generation that grew up in a world rocked by war, financial crises and surveillance capitalism.

But the point was never to categorically answer questions because, as To-

lentino points out, that’s almost impossible. Particularly, the point isn’t to denigrate the emergence of the internet and social media. The first chapter of “Trick Mirror,” called “The I in Internet,” is a sweeping critique of how the modern computer became a vehicle for nefarious business practices and for people to present a particular brand of themselves.

The internet’s incentives, Tolentino says, are “to make us feel as if it’s normal to self-broadcast to an audience that is hypothetically increasing indefinitely until the end of time” and that the top most influential properties on the internet “want us to use it compulsively and wants us to

feel superior to other people and wants us inferior enough that we get more addicted that way.”

Tolentino points out that in her writing and reporting of the internet, “I have tended towards the critique because the utility side is so obvious.”

She continues, “It’s magic and really parts of it are incredibly wonderful and especially now during the protests, the whole world is changed because of the way that videos of police brutality were all over the internet and completely unavoidable in a way that has really changed the conversation and the whole discourse around policing and racism in a way that’s really PAGE 15

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 14-20, 2020

Fil-Am culture critic, author...

Anjo leaves ‘Eat Bulaga!’ after 21 years, will reportedly host new noontime show

By Niña

V. GuNo

Inquirer.net

ANJO Yllana announced his departure from noontime show “Eat Bulaga!” after cohosting it for 21 years.

“With a heavy heart… today Aug.11 2020… I submit my resignation,” he said on Facebook on Tuesday, August 11.

He shared photos of him and his co-hosts, and in his post thanked them and the GMA 7 variety show.

“21 years and it was a blast,” he said.

As it turns out, he could be moving to another network, as per Inquirer Bandera.

Yllana is expected to host a new noontime show in Net 25, which is run by Eagle Broadcasting Corp.,

Joey de Leon and Anjo Yllana

according to comedienne Kitkat Favia. She announced her signing with Net 25 on Monday, Aug. 10.

While the title of the show is still under wraps, Favia

Photo from Instagram/@anjo.yllana.5

told Bandera the show could start airing around September or October.

Yllana has yet to make an announcement of his own about his new endeavor.

Bea looks back at...

PAGE 13 happened next after waiting so long to get a shot.

“And then nakunan naman ako. I was waiting for the episode to come out that week and then nu’ng nakita ko ‘yung scene, na-edit out pala ako.”

According to the actress, she shared that story to remind everyone “to never let anything, not even a heartbreak or a pandemic, to stop you from pursuing your dreams.”

“If you are able to rise above those things, parang feeling ko mas sweet ‘yung victory, ‘di ba?” she pointed out.

Victory over hardship and heartbreak Although Bea misses shooting, taping and everything about her work as an artist, she makes sure to always show gratefulness and to count her blessings.

“Of course, everyone’s affected by the pandemic…

Aside from my shootings, of course, my business is also a bit affected but you know what, I try to look at things from a different perspective,” she enthused.

“I acknowledge what’s important in life, I try to always have compassion for others.

I think that’s the key to being happy and calm amid chaos.”

According to Anna Fernandez-Llamas, Avon Philippines

Head of Beauty, they chose Bea to be the brand’s new face because “not hardship, not a heartbreak, not even a pandemic could pull her down.”

“She has been an inspiration to many in real and reel life,” Anna vouched.

“She’s an embodiment of the power of dreams, and the Floral Wonderland lipstick collection (which Bea endorses) is for those who want to pursue their dreams,” added Anna Garces, the company’s director for marketing.

The new Floral Wonderland Collection comes in six dreamy floral shades in matte finish. These include Floral Fuschia, a vivid mid-tone pink with blue undertones for making a bold statement; Ruby Rose Red, a classic regal rose-burgundy; Midnight Orchid, a deep bruised plum that is subdued yet striking; Dainty Coral, a red with hints of burnt apricot; Red Poppy, a bright true red; and Nude Petals, a stripped neutral brown that sits well with any look.

Bea said she agreed to become the company’s brand ambassador because they both believe in women helping women and they share the same advocacies they can collaborate in.

“Actually, the quarantine allowed me to realize that I have a bigger purpose,” said the star.

During the enhanced

community quarantine, she formed an organization aiming to help frontliners, I Am Hope Foundation. From frontliners, the group is now into helping women to get livelihood and poor kids to have proper online education.

“I realized I can use my platform now for a bigger purpose… (the pandemic) actually empowered me more. I discovered different hobbies and made me discover that I empathize with many people – helping different orphanages – if not because of the pandemic, baka hindi ko nagawa ‘yun,” Bea professed.

According to her, her key to success is to always strive to give her best no matter what the situation.

“I’ve come to love myself, flaws and all… I’m bound to do a movie and a teleserye for this year. If it means more mistakes and challenges, bring it on! You owe it to yourself to be happy, blooming, to grow,” she said.

“It’s never easy. You have to always and constantly remind yourself to always be happy. I try to eat right, exercise, put a little makeup to remind myself of who I am despite of the pandemic. In the end, the way I deal with the fear and uncertainty is by making sure to take care of myself through big or small gestures. I make sure to serve my life’s purpose through advocacies.”

PAGE 14 incredible.”

In-community discourse on racism, many of which wouldn’t have occurred without the internet, Tolentino says, is also one of the things that have sparked from the protests and the movements for police abolition. Anti-Blackness within the Asian American community, on which the Asian Journal has previously reported, is pervasive and relevant to nearly every Asian community in the United States.

Understanding what it means to be Asian American, however, is the first step to unpacking the community’s (and the specific cultures that exist within that broad term), tenuous race relations, especially with the Black community.

“One of the most salient parts of being Asian American is that knowing you’re kind of an invented group identity and, for me, learning that I could benefit from the same systems that

were punishing me at the same time,” Tolentino says, pointing out the radical origins of the term “Asian American,” which was first documented in 1968 by a coalition of Asian American college as a response to the labor strikes and civil rights battles of that time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it more difficult to engage within the community in a meaningful way, but understanding the origins of Asian American solidarity movements and the history of Asians in the United States is a start, Tolentino says.

Many Asian Americans today are grappling with the desire to stand in solidarity with Black Americans who are calling for systemic change while also fighting for their own respects in a time when anti-Asian sentiments are also rampant due to the false association between the COVID-19 virus and the Asian community.

As Tolentino writes in her book, social media has per-

15

fected the ways it encourages people into adopting hasty, fallacious ways of thinking, that more than one thing can be true at once: Black Americans are being slighted in ways that the Asian community is not, and the Asian community is also facing its respective slights, Tolentino shares.

“I find a lot of grounding in just the actual history of how you know this term of Asian American was meant to be a radical term and it still can be, especially for young people,” Tolentino offers. “It feels like that this is a weird position on the bullshit racial hierarchy of the United States where you have an advantage that you can use on other people’s behalf, but it doesn’t mean you have to ignore whatever you face in your own life.”

“There’s such a long tradition of Asian solidarity within the civil rights movement that now it’s the time for our own version of that,” she remarks.

The awakening of Liza...

PAGE 13 that has been spreading like wildfire.

For many people, the urge to protect or respect Liza’s views is stronger than their need to put her on the spot—an enviable ability for any celebrity of her stature to possess.

When we asked Liza how she thought women her age could “come into full bloom” in times of unrest and global disasters, she stressed the importance of knowing oneself and the things that affect her.

“The issues that came out during the lockdown became eye-openers for a lot of people, including myself,” she admitted. “Before this, I wasn’t as vocal or outspoken because I was scared of what the public would say. But I eventually gathered the confidence from other people I admire, like Ate Angel (Locsin) and Ate Bea (Alonzo).

“I realized that I’m the type of person who fights for what I believe in. I decided to make a choice, to stand up for what’s right. When I saw that Ate Angel and Ate Bea were fighting, it also encouraged me [to let my voice be heard]. But the way I fight is through emotions, which can sometimes be a bad thing.

“It’s best to weigh things

out carefully when I’m speaking because I know that my work can influence or have an impact on a lot of people.

Also, I make sure that I keep an eye out on the younger women, the younger generation… so I can inspire people in a good way.

“So, for people who want to come into full bloom, they really need to get to know themselves better and love themselves before anything or anyone else, because media feeds us a lot of things that influence. You have to set aside your biases and get to the core of things.

“Think for yourself, know what your thoughts are about something—and that’s what I’m trying to focus on. Despite everything, there’s always something to be hopeful about.”

After disclosing to us that she had just spoken to Star Cinema executive Olivia Lamasan about a movie idea for Liza that the company is toying with, we asked the actress what she sees herself doing if she has to quit acting or other causes she’s advocating.

“It’s my dream to become a humanitarian. I’m reading up right now on the most famous humanitarians we have,” she said. “I’ve also been very vocal about children’s rights.

I admit I don’t know everything about the urgent issues of the world, but I’m trying my best to understand the difficult situations we’re facing and figuring out what my true opinion is about them.

“We easily get affected by the things people say and we take them to heart. We never forget if someone says, ‘Oh, you don’t look pretty enough’ or some other putdown. We tend to talk about it too much.

But, does that really matter?

What truly matters are the people close to us.

“People should be more aware or conscious of the words they say to other people. We should try to be nice to everybody, especially because we’re all going through something right now. A lot of people lost their jobs, so it’s not the right time to pick on people’s flaws or poke fun at them. It’s time for us to connect and work together if we have to survive this crisis.

“We only have one earth, and we were given one life, so let’s make the most of it!

I just hope the coronavirus would end soon so that our front-liners can breathe a little bit. Hoping for things to go back to the way it was would probably be impossible at this point. But there’s nothing wrong with being hopeful, right?”

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AUGUST 14-20, 2020 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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