COVID-19 boosters as the Philippines recovers from the impacts of the pandemic. He hoped that getting his second booster dose will “trigger a reaction from our people” and help improve the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. More than 72 million Filipinos have completed vaccination against COVID-19. However, the booster coverage remained
PAGE 2
Californians whose licenses expire this month can upgrade to a REAL ID NEARLY a half million California drivers will need to renew their driver’s licenses this month, and the California Department of Motor Vehicles suggests this is the perfect time to upgrade to a REAL ID. Driver’s licenses expire on a customer’s birthday every five years. “While you don’t have to wait, if your driver’s license is expiring, you can give yourself a birthday present and get your REAL ID,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon. “The REAL ID is good for five years and, starting May 2023, if you want to use your license to board flights within the United States, you’ll need a REAL I’d.” (212) 655-5426
list THE
MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rolled up his sleeves and received his second booster shot Wednesday, August 17 in a show of confidence to encourage more Filipinos to get additional protection againstMarcosCOVID-19.reiterated the importance of getting DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
PAGE 2 US
Polio virus detected in NYC wastewater O cials urge unvaccinated New Yorkers to get vaccinated now
MANILA — Rosalyn (not her real name) is a 34-year-old mother of three who works as a domestic helper in Parañaque City. She has been with her current employer since 2005 and has seen her monthly wage increase from P3,500 to P12,000 a month. Still, Rosalyn complains that her earnings are never enough. Her common-law husband Jerry (not his real name) works as a night watchman in a public school in Pangasinan, but is paid by the local government “only when there are surplus funds from the municipal budget.” For months when most of Luzon was on lockdown, Jerry did not get paid as the school he
MANILA — Senator Raffy Tulfo said on Wednesday, August 17 that he does not see any issue with the merger between media giants ABS-CBN and TV5, which he described as a “dream team.” The Kapamilya and Kapatid networks signed a landmark deal last August 11, elevating their existing block time agreement to a partnership. “Sa ngayon, wala akong nakikita. Pero again, I have to study that. I have to ask
2.3-M Filipinos into poverty Marcos gets second
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN Volume 15 - No.41 • 16 Pages We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway... and Online! AUGUST 19-25, 2022 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • Tel.
REAL ID enforcement date now 9 months away
Level 3 applies to destinations that have had over 100 cases per 100,000 people in the past 28 days. The Department of Health recorded 28,008 additional cases—or 4,001 infections per day—from August 8 to 14. The figure was 3% higher than infections logged from a week before.
PAGE 4 PAGE 4 ‘Dream team’: Ra y Tulfo sees no issue with ABS-CBN, TV5 merger PAGE 4 Pandemic
your COVID-19 vaccines, avoid travel to the Philippines,” the CDC said on its website.
JOLLIBEE OPENS IN TIMES SQUARE. Jollibee inaugurated its New York City flagship store in Times Square on Wednesday, August 17. In attendance were Jollibee North America officials and Consul General Elmer G. Cato. It is the second Jollibee in Manhattan (the fourth in NYC) and offers Chickenjoy—adjudged by Eater as the best fried chicken in America—and other exclusive items not available in its regular menu. Photo courtesy of Philippine Consulate General New York pushes COVID-19 booster shot, hopes Pinoys follow his lead CDC adds PH to ‘high’ travel risk United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added three countries, including the Philippines, to its “high” risk list for COVID-19. The Philippines, Russia, and Nepal were added to places with Level 3 or “high” risk designation.“Makesure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before traveling to the Philippines. If you are not up to date with by GAEA KATREENA CABICO Philstar.com by BEN O. DE VERA, CATHY C. YAMSUAN Inquirer.net
THE New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH) updated New Yorkers last week on the detection of poliovirus (the virus that causes paralytic polio) in sewage, suggesting likely local circulation of the virus. Polio can lead to permanent paralysis of the arms and legs and even death in some“Forcases.every one case of paralytic polio identified, hundreds more may be undetected,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. “The detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples in New York City is alarming, but not surprising. Already, the State Health Department – working with local and federal partners – is responding urgently, continuing case investigation and aggressively assessing the spread. The best way to keep adults and ABS-CBN and TV5 joint venture. Illustration from
The Philippines is once again seeing a spike in infections fueled by the presence of fastspreading variants, increased mobility, and waning vaccine immunity of the population. Despite the increase in cases, the Philippines remained at low risk for COVID-19 spread. The country has confirmed 3.8 million COVID-19 cases, with 61,078 fatalities, since the health crisis began in 2020. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com) n
A core component of CDC’s NYSDOH for all school-aged children, most children are already vaccinated. According to CDC, inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), which is the only polio immunization that has been given in the United States since 2000, protects 99% of children who get all the recommended doses. Most adults do not need the polio vaccine because they were already vaccinated as children. New Yorkers who are not up-to-date with vaccination should speak to their health care provider or their child’s provider to schedule an appointment for vaccination against polio and other dangerous diseases, such as measles, mumps, whooping cough, chickenpox, and COVID-19.According to health officials, the most important way for children and adults to protect themselves from polio is to get vaccinated right away if they have not received all recommended polio vaccine doses. They have increased communication with healthcare providers, stressing the on-time administration of the polio vaccine among their patients. NYSDOH has also engaged community-based organizations in the affected areas to partner on outreach, disseminating education about the virus, the safe, protective nature of the well-established immunization, and the gravity of the current situation.
Customers who want to upgrade to a REAL ID can fill out an application and upload their required documents online before visiting a DMV office to complete their application and take a new photo. Get started Customersat REALID.dmv.ca.gov.renewingaREALID may qualify to do so online. Californians who are changing their address or personal description at the time of renewal will need to renew in person.
According to DMV records, 476,000 Californians celebrating an August birthday have a license up for renewal this year, making August the most popular driver’s license renewal month. November has the fewest driver’s licenses up for renewal with 381,000. Beginning next May, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require a valid passport or other federally approved document, a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card, to board flights within the United States and access secure federal facilities and military bases. Most DMV tasks do not require an office visit. The DMV encourages customers to use its online services and other service channels to complete transactions, including vehicle registration renewals. Customers can also use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV business.g
REAL ID enforcement date now...
g
These findings follow the identification of a case of paralytic polio among a Rockland County resident on July 21, and the detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples collected in May, June, and July from neighboring New York City counties, Rockland and Orange County – underscoring the urgency of every adult, including pregnant New Yorkers, and children staying up to date with the polio immunization schedule, particularly those in the greater New York metropolitan area.
“After two and a half years confronting covid, and several months facing monkeypox, today’s news on polio just feels exhausting. Thankfully polio is an easily preventable disease,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who echoed the call for unvaccinated individuals to get vaccinated. “It is urgent that everyone who is not vaccinated for polio–especially children–get vaccinated immediately. Adults who have not received all three polio vaccines should also finish their vaccine series, regardless of how long it’s been since their last vaccine,” he added. NYSDOH and NYCDOHMH will continue their active, ongoing wastewater surveillance efforts in partnership with CDC and to ensure prevention measures, particularly immunization clinics, are in place as the best way to keep New Yorkers and children polio-free is to maintain high immunity across the population through safe and effective immunization.
Get a boost against COVID: What you need to know about boosters
Polio
“The risk to New Yorkers is real but the defense is so simple – get vaccinated against polio,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “With polio circulating in our communities there is simply nothing more essential than vaccinating our children to protect them from this virus, and if you’re unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated adult, please choose now to get the vaccine. Polio is entirely preventable and its reappearance should be a call to action for all of us.”
“If you think you are going to need a REAL ID, there is no reason to wait,” reminds Gordon. “Appointments are available, and it only takes a few minutes to finish the process at a DMV office.”
PAGE 1 COVID vaccines and boosters have reduced the threat of COVID, allowing many people to gather, travel, and celebrate with more peace of mind. Vaccines and boosters provide the best protection against the worst outcomes of COVID, yet people still have many questions around boosters. As of August 10, CDC data showed that while Asian Americans were among the highest boosted group – with nearly 70 percent of those eligible having received their first booster doses – only 14 percent of fully vaccinated Asian Americans 50 years or older have gotten their second booster. First booster rates are still low for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, with less than half of the population age 5 and older receiving their first booster doses. To that end, the “We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign” has engaged ofof“remindsevokesartists,ofReturn.”exhibitwithbehindhumanizedCommunitiesEmpoweringMuseumPacificuptakeincreaseorganizationscommunity-basedaspartnerstovaccineandboosteracrossthecountry.ApartnershipbetweenIslandEthnicArt(PIEAM)andPacificIslander(EPIC)hasthenumbersthoselosttoCOVID-19acuratedcommunitytitled,“ToeFo’i:TheThroughthepowerstorytellingfrom6Pasifika“ToeFo’i:TheReturn”anarrativethatvisitorsthestoriesthoselostarethestoriesthosewhosurvived,”says
Of particular concern are neighborhoods where coverage of children aged six months to five years old with three doses of polio vaccine is less than 70%, putting these children at risk of contracting polio.
virus detected in... PAGE 1
AUGUST 19-25, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-54262 children polio-free is through safe and effective immunization – New Yorkers’ greatest protection against the worst outcomes of polio, including permanent paralysis and even death.”
Polio can lead to permanent paralysis of the arms and legs and can be fatal due to paralysis in the muscles used to breathe or swallow. Most people infected with the virus do not have any symptoms, though some will have flu-like symptoms, like sore throat, fever, tiredness, nausea, and stomach pain. One in 25 people with infection will get viral meningitis and about one in 200 will become paralyzed. While there is no cure for polio, it is preventable through safe and effective immunization.
Kiki Rivera, PIEAM Guest Curator and EPIC Storyteller. “COVID-19 devasted our Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders,” says Rivera, “We are as dedicated to drawing awareness to the importance of vaccines and boosters as we are to guiding our communities through the hurdles of misinformation, fear, mistrust, and entitlement that surround the topic.” Here is what people should know about the COVID boosters: Boosters provide the best protection against severe illness and death. Over time, vaccines may become less effective at preventing COVID, and just because you’ve had COVID doesn’t mean you can’t get it again. Getting boosted extends your protection and keeps you safer from emerging variants. A booster shot is another dose that – as the name suggests – boosts immunity to the virus as time passes. Vaccinated people who have also had a booster are less likely to get sick; but if they do catch the virus, the illness is usually less severe. For adults ages 65 or older, boosters can more than double their protection. Vaccines and boosters protect vulnerable populations against COVID. Everyone 5 or older who has completed their initial COVID vaccination series should get a booster. Individuals who are up to date on COVID vaccines not only receive protection for themselves, but they also help reduce the spread of COVID to people who are at high risk due to age or compromised immune systems. Second boosters provide added protection for people at higher risk. Adults age 50 or older and pregnantimmuneconditionsunderlyingcareleastJohnsonandJohnsonfourwhofor:Pfizerboosters,CDCwiththeirindividualsimmunocompromisedcanimproveprotectionevenmoreasecondbooster.recommendssecondwitheithertheorModernavaccines,•Peopleage50oroldergottheirfirstboostermonthsormoreago,•Peoplewhogota&Johnsonvaccinetheirfirstboosterwitha&Johnsondoseatfourmonthsago,•Residentsoflong-termsettings,•Peoplewithcertainmedicalthatimpacttheirsystems,and•Pregnantandrecentlypeople.
Vaccine coverage for routinely recommended vaccines has fallen among children in New York City since 2019, putting us at risk for outbreaks and devastating complications of vaccinepreventable diseases. Only 86.2% of NYC children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old have received 3 doses of the polio vaccine – nearly 14% remain not fully protected.
Boosters are readily available to all vaccinated people ages 5 years or older. Just like the vaccines, booster shots are available at no cost to anyone living in the U.S. People who got Pfizer or Moderna vaccines should get a booster five months after the initial doses. Vaccinated adults 18 or older may choose any available vaccine as a booster, regardless of the type or brand of vaccine received previously. Only the Pfizer vaccine is available as a booster for those ages 5 to 17. For more information and to find a vaccine, visit www. vaccines.gov. (Advertising Supplement)
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Marcos: Philippines may need to import some sugar as supply dwindles by Alexis RomeRo Philstar.com to import sugar that the agency issued but that the Palace said the president had thumbed down. In a vlog posted on YouTube on Sunday, August 14, Marcos said the country has enough sugar so there is no need to import for now. The local supply should be consumed first before importing additional sugar, he added. However, the president said the Philippines’ sugar supply might dwindle in October so the government might need to buy the commodity from other countries.“Perokakaunti lang, hindi kasing dami ng kanilang sinasabi dati na 300,000 tons. Eh siguro marami — malaki na ‘yung 150,000 (metric) tons para sa buong taon na ito (But it won’t be as much as the 300,000 tons they said previously. Maybe 150,000 metric tons is already too much for this entire year),” he said. Marcos was referring to Sugar Order No. 4, which called for the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar and uploaded on the SRA’s website last Malacañangweek.has described the order as “illegal,” saying the president, who is also the chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board, had not authorized the issuance of the document. The Palace is now investigating to determine if there is negligence or malice behind the release of the order. Leocadio Sebastian, the Screengrab from People’s Television shows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. getting his booster shot. Screengrab from People’s Television
Pandemic pushes 2.3-M Filipinos...
AUGUST 19-25, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-54264 low with only 17 million getting additional shots. “[I am here] to show everyone that [booster] is safe and effective and it is needed as we try to open the economy, schools, trying to bring everything back to the normal situation,” the 64-year-old chief executive said during a vaccination drive in Manila. The government launched the “PinasLakas” immunization campaign in July, which seeks to administer boosters to 23.6 million individuals within the first 100 days of the Marcos administration. The drive also seeks to immunize 90% of the target senior citizen population. Marcos contracted COVID-19 for the second time last month.Hisson, Rep. Sandro Marcos (Ilocos Norte), also received a booster shot. It is unclear whether it is the first or second booster dose of the 28-year-old lawmaker. Only health workers, people aged 50 and up, immunocompromised adults, and individuals with comorbidities aged 18 to 49 are eligible to get their second boosterHealthshot. department officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire administered the president’s booster shot, while Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna administered the younger Marcos’ additional dose. g F rom the F ront P age questions from experts. Tignan kung mayroong violation. ‘Pag may violation, then it’s a different story. It’s a different ball game,” Tulfo said on ANC Headstart when asked if he sees a problem with the joint venture. (As of now, I do not see anything. But again, I have to study that. I have to ask questions from experts. Let’s see if there is a violation. If there is, then it’s a different story. It’s a different ball game.)
Marcos gets second... ‘Dream team’: Raffy... PAGE 1 PAGE 1
Tulfo said the viewing public will benefit from the merger as both networks offer excellent news and entertainment shows. “The best of two worlds joining together, at ang (and the) end result, dream team at sino ang makikinabang dito (and who will benefit this)? The viewing public,” the senator “Makikinabangsaid. ‘yung viewing public kasi dalawang higante nagsanib pwersa,” he added. (The viewing public will benefit because two giants combined forces.) Aside from shows, ABSCBN and TV5 provide opportunities for people through their contests which are aired on television, Tulfo noted.Tulfo’s remark is in contrast with that of Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta who expressed belief that the deal must be reviewed. A broadcaster prior to becoming a legislator, Tulfo’s popular public affairs program used to air on TV5, while he also used to be news anchor in the Kapatid network.On the other hand, Marcoleta is among the congressmen who pushed against the provision of a franchise for ABS-CBN, leading for the network’s cessation of broadcast on television and radio in 2020. (By Daniza Fernandez/ Inquirer.net) worked in was closed, forcing Rosalyn to advance portions of her future wages to send to her partner who is caring for their three children—now age 10 to 14. Rosalyn said that a few days ago, Jerry called to tell her to borrow P12,000 from her employer as their kids still did not have school uniforms, books and other supplies.Anargument ensued, Rosalyn recalled, saying she was already tired of borrowing money and blamed Jerry for being unable to make ends meet with the cash she sends every month. “But deep inside, I know he tells the truth. The price of everything has gone up. And because he has lost his job during the pandemic, Jerry stays at home to take care of the children. I know he feels ashamed. But my borrowings are now at P40,000. And I can never send enough back home,” Rosalyn said, her voice Rosalynbreaking.andherfamily are among the 2.3 million Filipinos who joined the ranks of the poor because of the lingering COVID-19Preliminarypandemic.results of the family income and expenditure survey for 2021 released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Monday, August 15 showed that the poverty rate had worsened to 18.8 percent from 16.7 percent in 2018. This translates to 19.99 million Filipinos who are living below the poverty line, or those making less than P12,030 a month for a family of five. In 2018, the last time the survey was made, there were 17.67 million Filipinos living below the poverty threshold of P10,481 a month. The poverty rate was worse in 2015 at 23.5 percent, or the equivalent of 23.68 million poor Filipinos. Unemployment The poverty threshold is the minimum income needed to meet the basic food and nonfood needs such as clothing, fuel, light and water, housing, transportation and communication, and health and education expenses. “The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including income and employment losses, caused the poverty incidence to rise. Restrictions on mobility and low earning capacity of poor households due to limited access to regular and productive jobs made the lives of Filipinos difficult,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, who heads the state planning agency National Economic and Development Authority (Neda). “We do know that we have a tough road ahead, but we are already prepared to face these challenges head-on. Our poverty reduction efforts will focus on three main areas: full reopening of the economy; more investments in human capital, social development, and social protection, and transformation of the production sectors to generate more and quality jobs and competitive products,” Balisacan said. “Social protection programs and services must effectively reach and empower them,” Sen. Grace Poe added onTheMonday.senator said improving employment opportunities for Filipinos would be critical, particularly in the agriculture sector, as the pandemic forced many companies to close down. She said the passage of the Public Service Act, which allowed foreign ownership of companies in telecommunication, airlines and railways, would definitely help in generating jobs. She also noted that the government should let drivers of public utility vehicles return to their routes “as they have waited for too long without income.”
“The commuters need them, especially the millions of students who will return to schools next week,” she stressed. Despite recent employment gains due to the reopening of more economic sectors, the Philippines’ latest jobless rate in June of 6 percent, equivalent to 2.99 million Filipinos, was still the second-worst in emerging Asia. “The unemployment rate in the Philippines remains one of the highest among major Asian economies, though much lower than that of India,” Neda noted in a report issued on Monday. India’s jobless rate in June was 7.8 percent.Theunemployment rate in Vietnam was 2.5 percent in June; Malaysia, 3.9 percent in May; China, 5.6 percent in March; and Indonesia, 5.8 percent in February, Neda’s report showed. Economic reopening Among families, poverty incidence inched up to 13.2 percent of households in 2021 from 12.1 percent in 2018, although still below the 18 percent in 2015. This meant the number of poor Filipino households increased to 3.5 million last year from 2018’s three million.While the PSA has yet to release sectoral poverty statistics, National Statistician Dennis Mapa told a press briefing that farmers and fisherfolk were historically among the poorest of the poor in the country. Mapa said it did not help that entrepreneurial activities and cash receipts from abroad—among the top sources of Filipino families’ incomes— were the most badly hit by the hard times caused by the pandemic. Thousands of small local businesses had been shuttered by the most stringent lockdowns at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. The COVID-19 crisis also temporarily stopped the deployment of overseas Filipino workers, while hundreds of thousands of them lost their jobs and returned home due to a global recession.Mapanonetheless said domestic cash remittances—mostly dole-outs from the government—kept many households afloat last year. He said the government would now monitor poverty statistics every two years, with the next survey slated in 2023, unlike before when it was conducted every three years. For Neda, “the full reopening of the economy needs to be prioritized to steer the economy back to its highgrowth path and reinvigorate job creation.” g
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MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is open to importing additional sugar in October but the volume may be less than the 300,000 metric tons proposed by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) last week.Marcos rejected the SRA’s proposal and the House on Monday, August 15 started hearings on the authorization
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EARLIER this month, President Marcos Jr. met America’s most senior diplomat in Malacañang. For U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, widely known as U.S. President Joseph Biden’s alter ego, it was his first official visit to PAGE 7
police abuses are rare exceptions rather than the rule in the continuing campaign against the illegal drug scourge. (Philstar. com)
Of course the Philippine National Police will continue going after drug offenders, as promised by the new PNP chief, Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. No country has fully eradicated the drug scourge, and the
The only question is the way the campaign is carried out. The architect and first implementer of Rodrigo Duterte’s Oplan Tokhang and Double Barrel, now senator Ronald dela Rosa, has openly said his main regret in the bloody campaign is his failure to first carry out a thorough cleansing of the PNP, to prevent police abuses that have bred accusations of extrajudicial killings.
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Mind-altering and habit-forming drugs have been around for centuries, with governments launching regular crackdowns against banned substances. But with continuing demand, there is constant supply, with colossal profits because of the risks involved in trafficking illegal items. Rodrigo Duterte, who promised during his campaign to eliminate the drug scourge within six months of his presidency, conceded six years later that he underestimated the extent of the problem. He urged his successor to continue his campaign, but Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been silent on the issue. Human rights advocates have called for a holistic approach to the problem, addressing not only the law enforcement aspect but also the demand, which is a social and health problem. The previous administration tried to adopt this approach, but in line with repeated pronouncements from the president, the focus remained on the law enforcement aspect, characterized by overwhelming police response to suspects who purportedly resisted arrest or “nanlaban.”
The brutal campaign drew complaints that prompted the International Criminal Court to launch a preliminary examination of the conduct of the war and the possible indictment of certain Philippine officials for crimes against humanity. Apart from showing the ICC and the world that the country is fully capable of conducting its own probe, the government must show that Editorial Philstar.com photo Manila. Make no mistake: This was no routine exchange of Overpleasantries.the past half-acentury, the relationship between the Marcoses and America has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Almost four decades ago, the notorious dynasty had to flee the same halls aboard a U.S. Air Force plane in order to avoid the fate of less fortunate fallen tyrannies (think of Romania or Russia). The twilight decades of the 20th-century America, at once, represented both a vital ally and a political sanctuary for the Marcoses, who spent their brief yet luxurious exile in Hawaii, as well as a site of numerous court cases based on allegations of widespread human rights violations and corruption during the dark days of martial law. And it goes without saying that the Marcoses weren’t pleased with the Reagan administration’s eventual, albeit initially reluctant, embrace of the democratic opposition.Thus,Mr. Marcos’ meeting with Washington’s most senior Cabinet member represented a major juncture in both Philippine-U.S. relations, as well as the dynasty’s ties with America. Ahead of Blinken, the new Filipino president held a flurry of meetings and exchanges with top Western officials, including a cordial phone conversation with Biden as well as in-person meetings with two of the most capable diplomats in Washington, namely Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and the new U.S. ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson. Right off the bat, the new Filipino president made it clear that his term won’t be a poor replica of his Beijingfriendly predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who made antiWestern pronouncements a centerpiece of his streamof-consciousness foreign policy speeches. Mr. Marcos signaled that the fundamentals of the alliance will remain intact after six years of disruptive populism under Duterte.
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An alliance restored: Marcos Jr.’s US policy
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PINION Continuing the war
AUGUST 19-25, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-54266
Press corps raises concern over denial of Palace reporter’s accreditation
agriculture undersecretary who had signed the order for Marcos, has resigned and has admitted to signing the document without the president’s permission.
“While we are fixing our production, we still have to import but we will make sure our imports won’t be more than what is needed,” he added. Fertilizer sources In the same vlog, Marcos said the government would look at non-traditional sources of fertilizers to enhance the production of farmers. “Iyong mga iba’t ibang bansa na hindi naman natin iniimporta noon ay nilalapitan na ngayon natin at baka sakali makabili tayo ng fertilizer na mas mura (We are approaching different countries that are not the usual source of our imports, hoping that we can buy cheaper fertilizer),” the president said.“On the part of the government, we are talking to our friends from different countries because if the trading of fertilizer is done through government-to-government, it would be cheaper,” he added. Marcos recently announced plans to reach out to China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia and the United Arab Emirates to buy cheaper fertilizer through bilateral agreements. He said the government is also planning to issue e-vouchers to farmers and is talking to fertilizer traders to control the price of urea, which has been affected by oil price hikes. g
(Philstar.com) Marcos: Help admin bring change to PH
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bong bong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, August 16 enjoined the vice governors nationwide to join his administration to bring change and development to the country. Marcos made the call during the oath-taking of the officers of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LGVP) at Malacañan Palace’s President’s Hall. In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Marcos acknowledged the vice governors’ role as agents of change. “Dalangin ko na ang bawat isa ay maki kipagtulungan sa ating administrasyon upang makamit ang pagbabagong hangad natin para sa bansa (I pray that each of you will help our administration in bringing change we desire for the country) ,” Marcos said.Marcos also thanked the LGVP members for their pledge to be honest public ser
MANILA — The Malacañang Press Corps, which comprises members of the press assigned to cover the president, on Monday, August 15 said it was “concerned” that the Office of the Press Secretary decided against accrediting a longtime Palace reporter over unspecified violations. According to the MPC, the Palace did not accredit Hataw reporter Rose Novenario although it is yet unclear why. “We call on the OPS to clearly state Ms. Novenario’s alleged violations as well as the circumstances that led to the denial of her accreditation,” the Palace reporters said, adding its members need “clear cut rules on what is deemed as an unacceptable behavior.” At the Senate public information and mass media panel’s hearing later Monday afternoon, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed that her office denied Novenario’s request for accreditation after the office’stousedrepliedreporterwhat“anti-LGBTQmembersreporter “insulted”oftheOPSwithwords.”AskedbySen.RaffyTulfotheveteranPalacesaid,Cruz-AngelesthatNovenario hadaphrasediscriminatorygays.Citing“reports”fromhermediarelations unit, Cruz-Angeles said that Novenario used a homophobic slur when complaining about the office’s media relations processes, though she did not present Cruz-Angelesproof. said Novenario can still be reinstated as an accredited Palace reporter later on if it’s proven that the Office of the Press Secretary is in the wrong. MPC to continue dialogues with OPS The Malacañang Press Corps urged the Office of the Press Secretary to “communicate properly” the grounds for the denial of accreditation of any of its members, adding that it would continue to hold dialogues with the OPS. Journalists accredited with a government agency are typically given access to press conferences, releases, and other avenues for information on the goingson in that Althoughoffice.the MPC is independent of government, the Palace has generally accredited its members and allowed them to cover. “Ms. Novenario will remain a member of MPC despite the ban and we will continue to exhaust measures to address the issue, taking into account the need to balance the role of journalists to report independently and to ensure proper decorum in the performance of such a duty,” the press corps said. The MPC has had a generally good relationhip with the Palace. In 2018, the press corps stressed that Rappler reporter Pia Ranada, who had been banned from the Palace and from covering President Rodrigo Duterte’s events, would remain a member and said then that it was “[asserting] its prerogative to accept, suspend or revoke membership to the body.”
Dateline PhiliPPines
What made the meeting even more interesting, however, is Mr. Marcos’ statement on the ongoing crisis in neighboring Taiwan. Instead of laying blame on the U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s controversial visit to the self-ruling island nation, Mr. Marcos nonchalantly stated, “To be perfectly candid, I did not think it raised the intensity, it just demonstrated it—how the intensity of that conflict has been. It actually has been at that level for a good while, but we got used to it and put it aside.” No other Southeast Asian nation has so categorically shut down Beijing’s (self-serving) narrative on what many have come to see as the “Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis.” The Taiwan issue is particularly sensitive for Manila for two major reasons: First is the “tyranny of geography,” since the Luzon strait separates the two nations by just over 200 miles; and second is alliance entanglements since the Philippines will almost inevitably serve, or be treated, as a major base of operations for U.S. and allied troops in an event of contingency. Early in office, Mr. Marcos rebooted Philippine foreign policy toward major powers. While open to robust commercial ties with China, Mr. Marcos has effectively tossed out his predecessor’s often fawning, if not slavish, predisposition toward the Asian superpower.Shortlyafter securing the presidency, the new Filipino president underscored his commitment to a more proactive defense of his country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, as well as a more critical, results-oriented approach to the largely “high rhetoric, low output” strategic relations with China. This has clearly been music to Washington’s ears. It also underscored Mr. Marcos’ determination to fully restore, if not further expand, a century-old alliance on the verge of collapse only a few years earlier. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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“We really do not want to import but if the supply of food is not enough, we would be forced to import because if we do not import and the supply is low, prices would go up,” the president said in Filipino.
It also said then that it “deplores any arbitrary attempt to bar access and harass reporters performing their duty as an independent monitor of power and guardian of public interest.”
In 2017, the press corps issued a statement in response to then
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* * * rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph An alliance restored... PAGE 5 PAGE 10
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SCHOOL PREPS. Two teachers, with one bringing along her daughter, paint the wall of a classroom as part of preparations for the upcoming school year at Dr. Jose P. Rizal Elementary School in Barangay Sto. Cristo, Dasmarinas City, Cavite on Tuesday, August 16. The annual weeklong “Brigada Eskwela” has started to prepare schools for the resumption of classes in public elementary and high schools on August 22.
then. publictheitThiscontroversyofinflammatorythethispropensitymartialDuterte’smediaMartinCommunicationsPresidentialSecretaryAndanar’sclaimthathad“misreported”statementaboutlaw.“WearedisturbedbytheoftheofficialsofadministrationtoblamemediawheneverthestatementsthePresidentstirordrawflak.trendshouldstopaswouldnotcontributetoelevationofthelevelofdiscourse,”itsaid
“We cannot, we can no longer isolate one part of our relationship from the other. We are too closely tied because of the special relationship between the United States and the Philippines and the history that we share,” Mr. Marcos told his guest. On his part, Blinken made it clear that Washington treats Manila as an “an irreplaceable friend, partner, and ally” and reassured his hosts that “an armed attack on Philippines’ armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under that [Mutual Defense] Treaty.”
Marcos: Philippines may...
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Meanwhile, in another piece of news for Las Vegas, billionaire Tilman Fertitta is reportedly eyeing a 6-acre property to build an upscale resort, according to recent reports. This will reportedly give the Houston Rockets owner a bigger footprint in Las Vegas. Fertitta also owns the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in the downtown area, which is part of his Landry’s Inc. portfolio that operates more than 600 restaurants, hotels, casinos and entertainment destinations across the U.S.
My company, Precious Properties, is a fullservice company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-5138447, 805-559-2476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@precious-properties.com or fely. precious@gmail.com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days. (Advertising Supplement)
Marcos: Help admin bring change to PH...
Although this is just speculation at the moment as there have been no confirmed reports of a finalized deal, the property in question is located near the Planet Hollywood Resort and across from the CityCenter Complex. Sources quoted by news outlets have suggested that Fertitta is buying the property for over $200 million. Per sources quoted by news reports, the casino-resort property being developed in the 6-acre property will not be another Golden Nugget type, but will be more upscale. This project, if it happens, will probably take a few years to Althoughcomplete.thereis a reported slowing down in the housing market in Las Vegas, it is still one of the most viable land and property markets in the U.S. With a lot of construction projects happening in the city, and unemployment at or near historic lows, Las Vegas will continue to be a great destination for real estate buyers in the years – or decades – to come. Property values in Las Vegas and nearby communities are more affordable than in other parts of the United States. Many property owners who took a gamble before and plunked down their money for Las Vegas properties are reaping the benefits of their investments, by way of increasing real estate prices and the ability to turn their property purchases into income-generating investments in the form of airbnbs or rentals. If you are looking to invest in real estate in Nevada, I have decades of experience in helping kababayans find their piece of the American Dream, whether it is in Las Vegas, Pahrump (which is only 62 miles west of Sin City) or other neighboring cities/towns. My team and I would be more than happy to help find your slice of land in one of the most exciting cities in the world.
Atomic Range will be an immersive kind of golf experience for Nevada residents and tourists. Photo above shows where the Atomic Range will be constructed relative to The Strat; inset photo shows a rendering of the golf facility by Flite Golf & Entertainment. File
Flite Golf & Entertainment, which will share the revenue with Golden Entertainment, the company that purchased The Strat in 2017, shared with news outlets both companies expect a mutually-beneficial arrangement with Atomic Range customers who may end up going to the casino, and The Strat bringing in customers to the golf facilty.
Atomic Range is expected to be a premier golf destination in Las Vegas with facility users able to have an immersive experience. The facility will feature the latest in golf and entertainment technology, and will certainly create memorable experiences for facility visitors.TheAtomic Range project is just one of the many projects expected to open or take place in the latter part of 2023 in Las Vegas. The Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which is only about a mile away from The Strat, is expected to open towards the end of 2023, just ahead of the 2024 Super Bowl scheduled in the city.
AUGUST 19-25, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-542610 vants.“Lubos ang ating pasasalamat sa mga bise gobernador na kasapi ng League of Vice Governors of the Philippines na nanumpang sila’y magiging tapat na lingkod-bayan sa mga mamamayan ng kanilang mga probinsya (We are extremely grateful to the vice governors who are members of LGVP for their vow to become an honest public servant in their respective provinces) ,” he said. Marcos shared several photos taken during the oath-taking ceremony. The LGVP is composed of vice governors of the 81 provinces nationwide. On August 11, Marcos met with members of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) and discussed strategies to keep the country’s food supply stable.During his meeting with LPP, Marcos said the local officials’ improved coordination with the national government is important to ensure food security. He also stressed the need to lay out plans for the provinces’ cropping schedules, yield, soil problems, and use of fertilizers. (PNA)
New golf entertainment facility expected to open near The Strat by Fall 2023
By REALTOR FELY QUITEVIS-BATEMAN LAS Vegas continues to expand the boundaries when it comes to presenting fun for people of all ages and skill levels. No longer just purely a gambling haven, the city that hosts a PGA Tour stop at TPC Summerlin will see an Atomic Range rise on seven acres of adjacent land near The Strat Hotel. The 99,000-square-foot golf entertainment complex will feature 103 hitting bays, 10 putting bays, plenty of places to eat and drink, and a large “Astrocade” where visitors can view sports and entertainment on large scale screens. Atomic Range is expected to be completed by Fall of 2023. Local officials, including Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Councilwoman Olivia Diaz, took part in groundbreaking ceremonies recently for the project that will eventually add 500 jobs to the city’s economy, according to local news Accordingreports.toan official with Flite Golf & Entertainment, which is developing the project, they see this as a way to allow people of all ages to come and learn to play golf in a non-intimidating environment, while having fun in a facility that will be about four stories high.The company, which owns facilities in other parts of the United States as well as in locales like London and Saudi Arabia, estimates that the cost to build the Atomic Range in Las Vegas will be about $70 million. The LV Atomic Range will be the company’s flagship, per a company official.
Work is ongoing at the Fontainbleau Las Vegas, the blue building behind Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman, which is scheduled to open in 2023. Realtor Nida Santos (right), an investor from Manila of Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (left), was amazed at the massive changes that have taken place in Las Vegas and Pahrump since her last visit 13 Atomic Range, which is scheduled to open in late 2023, is just behind The Strat. It is just about a 10- to 15-minute walk from Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s Turnberry Place residence.
PAGERealtor7 Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702) 5384948, or send email to or fely.precious@gmail.com.fely@precious-properties.com
The many-sided tall blue building with the “fb” etched prominently in the 2000 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard is one of the tallest structures in Las Vegas and will feature a casino, retail mall spaces and lots of meeting spaces. The Fontainebleau, according to reports, will focus on conferences to take advantage of its location adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Formula 1 Racing will also be on the menu for late 2023 as the Las Vegas Grand Prix event will have the sport’s top drivers competing in a 14-turn track that will run for 3.8 miles, with top speeds expected to hit around 212 miles perSinhour.City’s iconic landmarks will serve as the backdrop for the race that will feature three straights, a high-speed cornering sequence and a single chicane section, with Grand Prix drivers running over 50 laps and trying to outmaneuver each other to win the event. Not since the 1980s has there been a Grand Prix event in Las Vegas, and racing fans are excited at the prospect of witnessing Formula 1 Racing and seeing their favorite drivers.
Visas issued despite petitioner’s death, this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy
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ALMITA’S father petitioned her in 2001. However, before her visa was issued, her father died on Christmas Eve of 2014. This resulted in the petition being “revoked.” Her previous lawyer suggested that the family lie about the petitioner’s death, pretending he was alive, and continue pursuing the case. However, Almita’s mother did not want to lie. They discussed Humanitarian Revalidation but were informed by the lawyer that he did not handle such cases. However, the lawyer sent a single-page letter to the National Visa Center (NVC) seeking Humanitarian Revalidation. Due to delays and missing documents from the previous lawyer, the USCIS eventually officially revoked the petition.Mom refused to give up and insisted on getting the “Attorneyof-Last-Hope,” Michael J. Gurfinkel, who was able to submit a new humanitarian revalidation request that was approved. Almita and her five children were able to get their immigrant visas and arrived in the U.S. in November 2021. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy’ on Sunday, August 21 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/ Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)
THIS FAMILY NOW NEEDS A “BIGGER RICE COOKER” AFTER DAUGHTER AND HER FIVE CHILDREN GOT THEIR IMMIGRANT VISAS, THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Almita (left) was petitioned as single by her father in 1997, but because she married her boyfriend, she had to be re-petitioned in 2001. Unfortunately, Almita’s father died before she could get her visa. Her previous lawyer sent a one-page letter seeking Humanitarian Revalidation, but USCIS revoked the petition. It seemed her dreams of immigrating to the U.S. were “dead.” Almita’s sisters, Evelyn (2nd from left), Mimi (3rd from left) and their mother consulted with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) who filed a new humanitarian revalidation request and was able to get it approved. Almita and her five children had their visas issued and immigrated to the U.S. in November 2021. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, August 21 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
Microbiome There are approximately 40 trillion different organisms living in our gut and in our mouth and skin. This world of microbes plays a critical role in our health. It is important for us to have a healthy balance between the good and the bad microbes in us to prevent or minimize various diseases. Besides inflammation as the inducing cause of diseases, unhealthy microbiome is now recognized as a vital initiating factor in the causation of most illnesses, and not only gut ailments. That shows how important a balanced microbiome is for health maintenance. The human gut microbiome is essential for body development, immunity, and nutrition. The bacteria in our gut help us digest food, control our immune system, and produce vitamins our body needs. What we eat or drink affects our microbiome. Each person has a unique gut microbiome.Symptoms of an unhealthy microbiome include constipation, bloating, diarrhea, gassy stomach, and inflammation, all due to an unbalanced microbiome. Avoiding or minimizing red meat to once to twice a week; eating a lot of fish, vegetables of various colors, fruits, nuts, and pre- and probiotic supplements; daily physical exercises; no smoking; disciplined alcohol intake or abstinence; stress
* * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
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consultingstartthosebyforfiveofMedicalofBostonprofessorDr.disease,” accordingcardiovasculartoMichaelF.Holick,ofmedicineatUniversitySchoolMedicineasstatedinNewsToday.Adultswhotook2000IUsvitaminD3dailyforuptoyearsthereducedriskallautoimmunediseases22percentcomparedtowhodidnot.Donottakinganydrugswithoutyourphysician.
* * The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
AUGUST 19-25, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-542612
Fiesta In America’s relaunch to highlight community cohesion
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GERD-COPD COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a lung disease usually caused by smoking, which, over time, burns the lung tissues, rendering the air sacs to thin out and inefficient in oxygen transfer from the lungs to the blood. This leads to chronic hypoxia (low blood oxygen level) and shortness of breath, which could be so severe as to require continuous nasal oxygen treatment. But a significant number of COPD is seen among nonsmokers who have gastroesophageal regurgitation (reflux), where the sphincter between the esophagus (food pipe) and the stomach becomes loose, allowing acid fumes (normally in the stomach) to rise up and get inhaled into the lungs. Over time, this burns the lung tissues, and leads to COPD, some shortness of breath. This condition is milder than smoking-related COPD. Treatment is primarily aimed at the gastric reflux. Vitamin D Anti-inflammatory foods, like various vegetables (except night shades), fruits, nuts, and certain supplements are known to reduce the risk for development of diseases. Night shades, which are bad for arthritis, include white potato, tomato, eggplant, pepper,“Therepaprika.is mounting evidence that improvement in vitamin D status reduces risk for autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and other inflammatory disorders such as type 2 diabetes and
Health@Heart Polio in NYC
This is a response to an email query about a “scary rapid heart rate.”
Fe delos Reyes Florante Lani Misalucha
For more information about Fiesta In America, please call 212-682-6610, send an email to info@fiestainamerica.com or visit www.fiestainamerica.com. (Advertising Supplement)
PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS
management are ways to help maintain a health microbiome in our body.
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(1) “Instead of quarantining if you’re exposed to COVID-19, wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on or after day 5, irrespective of vaccination status;” and (2) “quarantine is no longer recommended for persons exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status.”This departure from pure science, particularly from the principles in epidemiology in dealing with serious infectious diseases, like COVID-19, might cause a rebound. Let’s continue to be vigilant and see what happens with this lowering of our guard. For those who are concerned and want to be careful, especially seniors and those with weak immune system, there is no law against wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, and doing social distancing to prevent infection, even if others don’t. Scary racing heart
FIL-AM community strength and unity will be on the spotlight on Saturday, August 20, 2022 in Court A of American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey when Fiesta In America celebrates its relaunch. Admission is free and open to the general public; festivities will start at 10am with a Mass, followed by a santacruzan in full regalia and a daylong concert featuring Original Pilipino Music icons and various performers from New York and New Jersey. In addition, the first 1,000 guests will receive a 25% discount on American Dream’s theme park rides. The discount vouchers will be given away at Fiesta In America’s Information Desk on 3. To qualify for the 25% discount on American Dream theme park rides, attendees will only have to provide their email address and that of another person. The Philippine Consul General of New York Elmer Cato will be the Keynote Speaker, and Joyce Waterman, Council President of Jersey City will join the opening ceremony with leaders of the Fil-Am community at 12noon.“Aside from the free concert to celebrate our return from a two-year pause due to the pandemic,” said Nanding Mendez, Fiesta In America’s President-CEO, “event attendees will be treated to a fashion show mounted by Asia Pacific Fashion Week (APFW) in partnership with GMA Pinoy TV and Asian Journal.” The fashion show will present ethnic-inspired designs by four innovative Filipino couturiers. Lani Misalucha, famed as Asia’s Nightingale, will enliven the fashion show with her distinctive blend of pop, rock, jazz and R&B music. According to Mendez, the fashion show will benefit a scholarship for talented, low-income design students in the Philippines under the Ramp for a Cause initiative. Two celebrated names in Original Pilipino Music will highlight Fiesta In America’s daylong cultural extravaganza. Pinoy folk-rock legend Florante will regale the audience with his biggest hits, including “Pinay” (Filipino Woman), “Ako’y Isang Pinoy” (I Am A Filipino) and his anthem “Handog” (Offering) Complementing Florante will be singer and stand-up comic Fe De Los Reyes, formerly of showband Music & Magic, with her side-splitting takes on immigrant life in the U.S., the mystique of Filipino femininity and aging. Rising singers and bands from the New York-New Jersey area, as well as folkloric dance troupes, will round out Fiesta In America’s diverse entertainment fare. On Court A’s third floor, Filipino food will be one of the varied come-ons of a large area reserved for Fiesta In America. American Dream visitors of all cultures will also enjoy a wide range of Philippine native products and immigrant-tailored services from exhibitors based in the U.S. and the Philippines, free vital-signs screenings and health awareness tips from the Philippine Nurses Association(PNA) New Jersey volunteers, a Filipiniana and painting gallery, a Children’s Section hosted by UniFFied, glimpses of Philippine village life, and so much more. An exhibition of simultaneous chess game will feature a Filipina prodigy Megan Paragua, who is currently ranked by FIDE as the Number One Chess Player in the World Under-10 Years“Fiestaold. In America’s re-opening fortuitously coincides with our 25th Anniversary,” Mendez added. “The milestone is an opportunity not only to make Philippine culture shine among thousands of American Dream visitors of all cultures; it’s also an effective way for Fil-Am associations of all stripes to come together in the spirit of unity, while their members are having total family fun at Fiesta In America and at American Dream’s theme parks.”
THE Polio virus was detected in the sewage system in New York City, a discovery that signals this dangerous virus has been spreadingPoliomyelitislocally.(Polio) is a contagious, disabling, and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus which infects the spinal cord and results in paralysis. It can lead to meningitis and death. The polio virus enters the mouth, through fecescontaminated hands. A most popular polio victim infected in 1921 at age 39 was U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the early 1950s, before the polio vaccines were available, it was a most feared disease, with outbreaks of 15,000 cases of paralysis among children and adults per year. Like the vaccines for COVID-19, the vaccines for Polio are safe and very effective as the historical statistics below show. With the introduction of the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) in 1955 and the oral polio vaccines (OPV) in 1963, the polio cases dropped precipitously to less than 100 in the 1960s and less than 10 in the Last1970s.month, a man in his 20s in New York was found to be infected with polio and is now Peopleparalyzed.whohave not been vaccinated for polio are at a great risk and are advised to get vaccinated. Consult your physician about this matter. COVID new rules Last Tuesday, August 9 in the United States, there were almost 130,000 cases and 555 deaths from COVID-19, with 40,406 hospitalizations. In spite of these statistics, the CDC revised its mitigating guidelines to the following:
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UBE GALORE. Ube has become ubiquitous in mainstream America, evolving from a halo-halo topping for one of Jersey City’s The Backyard’s dessert offerings (top left) to a special ube cheesecake donut from Dough (top right). Trader Joe’s has released an ube line - ice cream, pancake mix, shortbread cookies, and most recently, spread while Dominique Ansel also created an ube cronut and Lady M made a seasonal ube mille crepes cake. AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya
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W HILE Filipinos in the diaspora have their distinct ube memory – from the fish-shaped halaya with flecks of Star margarine or the jars of ube jam pasalubong from Baguio City, or ube in pastillas or otap – it was only about a decade ago when food lovers around the world began taking notice. by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress
Ube, a tuber indigenous to the Philippines has been touted as the next big thing in the culinary industry. It may be because of its subtle nutty and vanilla taste and its strikingly vivid violet hue which have made it into a social media superstar, garnering millions of posts, views, and likes. It is also healthy, sustainable, and a feast for the sight and taste. A quick and cursory search on the internet for “ube desserts” (Instagram and TikTok, preferably) would net a plethora of recipes and dishes showcasing this purple tuber’s greatest qualities: flavor, color, and texture. The fascination began several years ago when these mouth-watering lilac-colored pastries and desserts like cakes and ice cream became trending on social media. This year, even mainstream publications such as Wall Street Journal and New York Times have featured ube. Last month, Food and Wine Magazine took it a notch higher and put tocino burger with ube buns by DC-based PogiBoys on their cover. BBC also did a feature entitled “Ube: The Filipino tuber taking over the world”. In this ode to ube, the writer explained “This lovely lilacfleshed tuber has long been one of the country’s most beloved foods, and though chefs around the world have recently begun adopting it for use in all manner of desserts, ube is much more than an ingredient in the Philippines; it reflects the nation’s complex history.” We’ve seen the products on the shelves of every Trader Joe’s: ube mochi pancake & waffle mix, ube shortbread cookies, ice cream, and jam. NYC ice cream purveyors Oddfellows and Van Leeuwen have offered ube before and Chinatown’s Original Ice Cream Factory, Flip Sigi, and Soft Swerve continue to do so today. There’s an ube soft cheesecake at Keki; Purple Dough in Queens offers a variety of ube desserts and Kabisera has its version of ube biko At the now-shuttered Mountain Province, a cafe in Brooklyn that served traditional Filipino pastries like ube ensaymada, ube latte was among the bestsellers. Today, some mainstream coffee and dessert shops like Grace Street, Caffe Bene, and Brooklyn Kolache offer ube latte to match their other ube introducedBjörnManilaNearby offerings. inWilliamsburg,SocialClub’sChefDelaCruzin2015theGoldenCristal Ube Donut, NYC’s most extravagant donut (coated with 24-karat gold, Cristal Champagne icing, and with a filling of ube mousse) that sold for $100 per piece. Maharlika had its ube waffles (served with fried chicken) and Seattle’s Hood Famous Bakeshop got famous for its ubecheesecake, which was introduced in 2013. Chefs Romy Dorotan and Amy Besa love ube so much that they named their Brooklyn restaurant Purple Yam.In California, there is Cafe 86, an ube-centric cafe that sells, among others – ube truffles, ube butter bars or ube crack cheesecake, and ube tres leches. Ginger Lim Dimapasok and her husband James started the business in 2014 and through the years, the place became known as the Mecca for all things ube, thanks to the more than 50 ube-related dessert items on its menu. They now operate seven locations across California, with an outpost in Las Vegas. Dimapasok has also gone beyond the borders of Filipino desserts by innovating and creating her versions of panna cotta, pop tarts, babka, paleta, and concha, all made with ube of course. In an interview with Good Morning America, Dimapasok expressed her hopes that local farmers will grow purple yams so that it is more accessible for chefs to integrate into their menus. “The ultimate goal is to bring ube to the main stage and be able to make ube as normal as matcha is today,” she Insaid.Manila, Shake Shack offers a Filipino exclusive not available anywhere else: ube shake, made with their thick and creamy vanilla
AUGUST 19-25, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-542614 14NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY AUGUST 19, 2022 people events arts culture entertainment
The delicious rise and rise of Ube NYC Fil-Ams celebrate all things Ube
Last weekend’s Ube Festival organizers (from left) chocolatier Daniel Corpuz, So Sarap NYC’s VJ Navarro and Kabisera’s Augee Francisco chat with with Congressional candidate Yuh-Line Niou and State Assembly candidate Steven Daniel Corpuz, one of the breakout stars of the Netflix reality series School of Chocolate prepares some of his ube bestsellers.
The delicious rise and rise of Ube...
(212) 655-5426 • http://www.asianjournal.com NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 19-25, 2022 15 if you’re in Queens and craving for ube, visit Max’s for their halo-halo; Purple Dough for their wide array of ube drinks and desserts, and Kape’t Torta for their ube pan de sal. Among the big hits at the Ube Festival were So Sarap’s ube taho and baked goods and pastries such as these ube cake jars. AJPress Photos by Momar G. frozen custard blended with ube. Destileria Barako introduced in 2021 the world’s first Ube Cream Liqueur, an innovative blend of sugar cane vodka from Negros blended with full cream and Filipino ube. Last year, it won Double Gold Award and Innovation Award from The SIP Awards, the largest consumer-judged spirit awards in the world. It has even reached a point where an “Ube Festival” is staged in various cities across the globe. Last April, San Francisco had its Filipino Ube Crawl & Festival at the SoMa called Yum Yams: A Celebration Of All Things Ube Last week, there was another event called Ube Fest & The Palengke Collective. Germany had its own “Ube Fiesta” last month, sponsored by the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt, together with The Filipino Catholic Community in the Archdiocese of Cologne. The festival aims to promote and raise awareness of ube as a sustainable, healthy, organic, versatile, and next-trend product from the Philippines. New York’s version happened over the weekend, attended by hundreds of foodies, home bakers, and ube enthusiasts. Dubbed Ube Festival, the event was staged for three days from August 12 to 14 at the Canal Street Market in Chinatown.
Now, ube is used in a host of desserts and pastries – from pancakes, cheesecakes, and doughnuts to milkshakes, crinkles, and macarons.Let’s not forget the sentimental favorites: pan de sal and ice cream. Nora Galleros, the owner of Kape’t Torta, a coffee and dessert place in Queens, told the Asian Journal that their ube pan de sal saved theirWhenbusiness.thelockdown happened, Galleros worried that her business would close. As soon as the city allowed it, they went back and baked bread and pastries for pick up. They have been baking ube pan de sal even before the pandemic so Galleros hoped that the customers would return. They stuck to what they were doing and churned out ube pan de sal, baking them fresh daily. They would sell them out easily so they started a reservation system to make sure that the demand was met.
In the Philippines, ube is usually grown in small patches of land, particularly in Central Visayas, Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON (Southern Tagalog), Northern Mindanao, and EasternBasedVisayas.onPhilippine Statistics Authority data, the exportation of ube is still very minimal at 4 to 5% (2019 and 2020 data) of its total production. It is exported mainly in powder or grated form, puree, and jam to the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Qatar, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. Ube is among the Filipino food products that are part of the next wave of exportable products or as DTI calls them, the “rising food stars”.These are heirloom rice, calamansi, ube, pili nut, turmeric, moringa or malunggay, muscovado sugar, tamarind, and dalandan –joining the “Premium 7” (banana, cacao, coffee, coconut, mango, pineapple, and tuna) as the country’s top food exports, based on supply, according to CITEM’s Executive Director Pauline Juan. However, despite the growing global demand, ube production in the country decreased from 2017 to 2020. The numbers dipped from 14.37 thousand metric tons in 2017 to 13.96 thousand metric tons in 2020. It was 17.85 thousand metric tons in 2011.
The Department of Agriculture (DA), in partnership with the University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna (UPLB), and the different DA regional field offices, also implemented a project that provides farmers with enough tissue-culture yam plantlets and trains them in the handling and management of tissue-culture plantlets and overall cultural management for yam production. Whether ube is just a food trend or it’s here to stay, only time can tell. What we have right now is that more people are learning about it beyond its alluring color – that it is an ingredient that’s both healthy and sustainable. And for many Filipinos outside the Philippines, seeing the ubiquitous ube in various incarnations inadvertently triggers nostalgia - flooding happy childhood memories of devouring ube jam straight from the jar or halaya from the llanera, one teaspoon at a time. g
Fil-Am entrepreneurs sold their ube items at the market, some selling out a couple of hours after they opened the doors. There was definitely no shortage of ube here. So Sarap NYC offered its take on ube taho and dinuguan with ube puto; Purple Box had crinkles and ube flan cakes; Whisk had its beautiful pastries including ube ensaymada, and Daniel Corpuz showcased his ube ice cream, pan de sal, and bonbons. There was even ube-scented candles from New Jerseybased PinatNJ while Hatzumomo displayed some of their ube-hued items such as jackets, backpacks, and bucket hats. One of the organizers, Augee Francisco of Kabisera is thankful that the community came out to support the festival and with their success, plans are already underway for another one. Going global Through the years, Filipinos have been using ube for dessert. As its reach has become global, ube has gone beyond the classic halaya or ube jam that was a staple dessert in every Filipino celebration, whether it is a birthday, wedding, or town fiesta.
Islander’s Creamery is a relatively new ice cream business that opened during the pandemic by Rowena Sy-Santos and her childhood friend. On top of Islander’s Creamery’s bestseller list is their ube ice cream. “Ube, definitely. Hindi lang Filipinos ang market namin for the ube, many non-Filipino customers order it as well,” Santos shared. She recalls having new customers get enthralled and intrigued by the flavor. “I remember we had a kid who said it tasted like Froot Loops and then we had one who told us that the flavor was hard to describe but something was definite, it was good and it’s not like something they’ve had before,” she added. “When they ask me, I tell them that ube has this sweet and earthy tone.”There are misconceptions about the ube, with some people mistaking purple sweet potato or taro (gabi in Filipino) as ube. While they may be similar in appearance, the taste and flavor profiles are different. Ube has darker skin and deep purple flesh. It has a subtle, nutty, vanilla-like creamy flavor that easily adapts to other ingredients. Think about the halaya or ube ice cream adding more depth to halo-halo or ginataan. Or the saltiness of the cheese mixing perfectly with the slightly sweet notes of the ube pan de sal. Because of this sweet flavor and creamy texture, ube is a natural choice for pastries and treats like crinkles, cakes, cheesecakes, and yes, ice cream. Ube as a rising food star
The shortage led to Good Shepherd releasing its “white ube” line in 2019. Good Shepherd Convent in Baguio City is famous for its ube jam and a trip to the mountain city is not complete without bringing back a couple of jars. “Due to changing climate, our ube farmers are having difficulty growing ube. It has been our struggle in recent years to find a stable supply. And in the past weeks, there were none,” shared Good Shepherd on its Facebook page.In August 2020, Filipino food manufacturer and exporter Ramar Foods announced their ube supply shortage. The company said that the ube they use is imported straight from the Philippines and is not available anywhere else.“The challenges in supply come from the high demand in the Asian American market, logistics, and supply issues caused by COVID-19,” the company said then. According to the Value Chain Study conducted by the Department of Agriculture, ube supply is really limited, hence the shortage. The industry also faces recurring problems of seasonal production, overproduction, and the rejection of farmers’ harvests that could not be readily absorbed by the existing market. “The unstable and limited supply of ube remains to be the most challenging aspect in meeting the demand requirement, especially of agro-processors and exporters,” said the report shared by the Philippine Trade and Investments Center in New York. “Its production is very limited due to poor seed system, production, and post-production practices.”“Farmers grow yams in small patches of land, supply the processors with mixed white and purple rice varieties, of high percentage mechanically damaged tubers, poor storability and inconsistent supply. The seasonal availability of ube affects production expansion of agro-processors and exporters,” the report Partnershipsadded. have been made by the government, academe, and the private sector to address some of these issues. In 2017, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University with the support of the USAID launched and implemented “Upscaling Business and Engineering Technology (UBE-Tech) for the Purple Yam Industry in the Northern Philippines.”Thisproject aimed to help farmers, entrepreneurs and researchers improve the production of ube by upscaling and establishing viable, locally generated technology for value-added products and extraction of bioactive compounds from anthocyanin-rich Philippine purple yam (Dioscorea alata) varieties.
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AUGUST 19-25, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-542616
