090222 - Northern California Edition

PHILIPPINE Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said the Philippines had sent a diplomatic note to the U.S. State Department at the height of the Asian hate crime in 2021. This was Romualdez's reply to the query of Sen. Ana Theresia "Risa" Hontiveros on what the Philippine government had done to address these cases involving Filipinos living in the U.S. The query comes as another Filipino elderly was attacked in New York City over the weekend in what U.S. authorities branded as a hate crime against Asians. The ambassador on Wednesday, August 31 virtually attended the Commission on Appointments' (CA) deliberation on his ad interim appointment as the Philippines' top envoy to the U.S. "We have sent a diplomatic note to the State Department especially at the height of all this last year," Romualdez said. "In fairness to the [U.S. President Joe] Biden administration, they reacted California to launch new anti- hate initiative with a focus on healing

Marcos: Be heroes in our own right, inspire future generations of Filipinos

"We are a democracy. We hope to build a strong PDP-Laban; we already have four senators," he said before the more than 300 National Council Members in attendance, including senators, congressmen, governors, city mayors and other government officials.Duterte was referring to Senators Francis "Tol" Tolentino, Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, Robinhood Padilla and Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go.

Another elderly Pinay assaulted in New York City

ANOTHER elderly Filipino woman was assaulted by an unidentified woman in New York City last week, the latest in a string of attacks on Filipinos in the United States In an advisory, the Philippine Consulate General in New York said the 74-year-old victim was walking along Madison Avenue near East 52nd Street on Wednesday, August 24 when a woman struck her. The assailant immediately fled the scene. The motive of the attack was unclear as the suspect was unprovoked, the consulate said.

DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPERVolume 21 - No. 35 • 14 Pages SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136, Burlingame, CA 94010 • Tel: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 • www.asianjournal.com Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY by BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO ManilaTimes.net  PAGE 4 by KRISTINA MARALIT ManilaTimes.net by ALEXIS ROMERO Philstar.com  PAGE 3  PAGE 3 CHRISTMAS DECORS. A Dapitan tiangge stall sells different styles of Santa Claus figurines and other Christmas decorations ahead of the ‘ber months’ on Dapitan Street in Quezon City on Wednesday, Aug. 31. The Philippines has the longest Christmas season in the world, with preparations and celebrations starting as early as September. PNA photo by Alfred Frias  PAGE 4  PAGE 2 ‘President Marcos respects press freedom’ PH has addressed hate crimes in US, assures envoy up for appointment Duterte leads PDP-Laban assembly Biden announces plan to studentforgiveloandebt

“We remember and honor each of them for the sacrifices they made in our behalf so that we may live in peace, security, and liberty as well as realize our full potential as Filipinos,” Marcos said in his first National Heroes Day message as the chief executive.Heurged the public to not forget them as “their legacy of heroism lives on in the hearts of our medical professionals, civil servants, uniformed  PAGE 2  PAGE 2

Fil-Ams react to the landmark effort that will affect 43 million borrowers IN 2015, when she graduated from USC with a degree in criminology, Filipina American Stephanie Rivera was tasked with her first mystery to solve: how she was going to pay off her student loans. Rivera, who now works as a forensic psychologist in San Diego, recalled that getting accepted to USC as the first person in her immediate family to attend college was a huge triumph. But the celebration over her acceptance at USC was short-lived when her family had to figure out how to fund her education as they, like so many other families who

MANILA — As the country observed National Press Freedom Day for the first time on Tuesday, August 30, the Office of the Press Secretary gave assurance that the Marcos administration respects freedom of the press as guaranteed by the Constitution. “The government, under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., recognizes and respects press freedom in our country that is stated in the Constitution,” Press Secretary Trixie CruzAngeles said in Filipino in a Facebook post. Republic Act 11699, which declared Aug. 30 of every year as National Press Freedom Day, was signed into law in April by former president Rodrigo Duterte.Theworking holiday is in honor of Marcelo H. del Pilar, regarded as the father of Philippine journalism. While the Philippines is dubbed as the home of the freest press in Asia, various media watchdogs have expressed concern over the constraints that Filipino journalists face as they carry out their FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte this early is rallying his party-mates to prepare for the midterm elections in 2025. The "retired" 77-year-old former chief executive issued the call during the National Council Meeting of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Parañaque City last August 29. Duterte is the PDP-Laban chairman.

HATE crimes and hate-related incidents have been on the rise in recent years, prompting fear and anger across communities. But according to experts and civil rights advocates more public engagement — not increased policing — is key to addressing theAnd,issue.they say, raising public awareness is a critical step toward individual and communal healing.“Hate doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” says Becky L. Monroe with the California Civil Rights Department. “If we’re truly going to address hate incidents and hate crimes, we have to enforce all of our civil rights protections.” Monroe, among a panel of speakers during a media briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services, referenced her former mentor at the Department of Justice, Ron Wakabayashi, whose family was among some 120,000 Japanese Americans sent to concentration camps during WWII. “He used to say: ‘There is a reason for hope, and that reason is actually in all the people who are targeted for hate.’ Many communities who had every reason to give up on this country refused to give up on the idea of making this a more just place for all.”In response to the rise in hate crimes and hate incidents, California’s Civil Rights Department is launching the California vs Hate initiative, a resource line and network to support victims, and to increase awareness around what is a hate crime and how to report them when they Californiaoccur.state and federal law define a hate crime as a criminal act targeting individuals on the basis of gender, race, nationality, religion or political affiliation. A hate incident, on the other hand, is an action that, while motivated by hate, may not cross the line into criminality. Common examples include racist name calling or displaying hateful messaging targeting protected groups.

Philippine Consul General Elmer Cato, in a post on Twitter, advised Filipinos in New York “to be vigilant at all times when outside their homes” in the wake of the latest attack. Ma. Teresita Daza, spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), told reporters on Saturday, August 27 that Cato had recently raised the issue with authorities in New “[They]York.gave the assurance that they are taking this matter very seriously and are taking

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday, August 29 paid tribute to Filipinos of “extraordinary courage” who fought to establish and protect the Philippines as the country celebrates National Heroes’ Day.

Kondado ng Contra Costa Konsolidasyong Taunang Pagganap at Ulat ng Ebalwasyon

He expressed confidence that with enough preparation, "[m]any here are capable, even better than me."The party patriarch vowed his continued support for PDPLaban's elected national and local officials, especially those running for seats in the election in three years."I'm 77 years old, the right time to retire. I have many ailments, but I will still help PDP-Laban," Duterte said. "I can still campaign. Let's changing anything. Whatever freedom we have now will always be our freedom. Our Constitution guarantees that,” she said during the oath taking of the officers of the National Press Club on Aug. 25. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said it marked the first National Press Freedom Day with hope “despite knowing that the community is navigating a challenging media landscape.”“Despite the recognition by law of the importance of the press, journalists still face issues on accreditation and access to government offices that they cover, labeled as purveyors of ‘fake news’ and remain under threat from a colonial-era libel law as well as from loose interpretations of laws like the Anti-Terrorism Act,” the NUJP said in a statement.“More than government recognition, it is the media community’s assertion of freedom of the press and of expression and of the people’s right to know as well as the support from the public we serve that will make Aug. 30 – the birth anniversary of journalist and revolutionary propagandist Marcelo H. Del Pilar – a true celebration of press freedom and of journalism in the Philippines,” it added. As this developed, journalists based in Central Luzon on Tuesday joined the first observance of the National Press Freedom Day in Del Pilar’s hometown in Bulakan, Bulacan.Carmela Reyes-Estrope, president of the Central Luzon Media Association, said journalists attended a wreathlaying at the shrine of Del Pilar in Barangay San Nicolas in Bulakan town before joining the symbolic planting of cupang trees at the Gen. Gregorio del Pilar Integrated School, also located in Bulakan. g mga Bayani in Taguig City. His father, a dictator, was buried there with military honors in 2016 despite protests saying he is not Aroundhero.  70,000 individuals were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, and 3,240 were killed during martial law, according to rights group Amnesty International. Lessons of the past  In a statement, Vice President Sara Duterte called on Filipinos to “look at the future of our country and its unrelenting longing for the same profound sense of patriotism from us.”

“Let us honor our national heroes with the promise that their sacrifices will serve as our light and inspiration as we vow to protect the integrity of our independence and the interest of our nation against those who wish for us to fail, to fall, and to break as a nation,” she added. There is no law, executive order or proclamation officially proclaiming any Filipino historical figure as a national hero, according to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. But there were laws enacted and proclamations issued honoring Filipino heroes.  (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. leads the commemoration of the National Heroes’ Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on August 29, 2022. Screengrab from PTV livestream prepare for the next election. I commit to campaign for our candidates," he added. He thanked those who have remained loyal to the party. "The members of PDP-Laban are principled. If you don't have principle[s], you would have already jumped the fence," Duterte said. g

Ang mga komentong pampubliko sa CAPER ay maaaring gawin sa pulong ng Lupon ng mga Superbisor sa Martes, ika-20 ng Setyembre, 2022 tinatayang 9:00 ng umaga. Upang mapabagal ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 at kapalit ng pampublikong pagtitipon, ang pulong ng mga tagapangasiwa ay maaaring makita sa pamamagitan ng telebisyon at live streaming sa lahat ng miyembro ng publiko na pinahintulutan dahil sa utos ng gobernador, N29-20. Ang pulong ay makikita sa Comcast cable 27, ATT/U-Verse Channel 99 at WAVE Channel 32, at maaari ring makita sa www.contracosta.ca.gov. Ang mga taong gustong magsalita habang nasa oras ng pampublikong komento o may tanong ukol sa isang aytem sa adyenda ay maaaring tumawag habang nagpupulong sa numero (888) 251-2949 at pindutin ang kodigo ng akses, 1672589#. Kung nais ninyong magsalita ukol sa isang aytem na nasa adyenda, maaaring pindutin ang “#2” sa inyong telepono. Kung mayroon kayong espesyal na pangangailangan dahil sa kapansanan, tumawag lang sa (925) 335-1900. Telekomunikasyong aparato para sa mga may pagkabingi o TDD: tumawag sa 711 at hingin sa tagaantala ng serbisyo ang (925) 335-1915.

SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-51602 PAGE 1 From the Front Page

Ang Kondado ng Contra Costa ay naghanda para sa Piskal na Taon 2021/22 ng Konsolidasyong Taunang Pagganap at Ulat ng Ebalwasyon (CAPER) para sa Pagpapaunlad ng Komunidad Blok Grant (CDBG), Bahay Pamumuhunan sa Pagkilos ng Pakikipagsosyo (HOME), Solusyon sa Emergency Grant (ESG), Programa na may Oportunidad sa Pabahay para sa mga tao na may AIDS (HOPWA) at Programa sa Pagpapapanatag ng Kapitbahayan (NSP). Ang CAPER ay taunang ulat ukol sa paggamit ng pondo ng CDBG, HOME, ESG, HOPWA at NSP mula sa petsa ng ika-1 ng Hulyo, 2021 hanggang ika-30 ng Hunyo, 2022.

Duterte leads PDP-Laban... responsibilities.ThePhilippines’ ranking in the World Press Freedom Index slipped nine notches to 147th among 180 countries this year, according to a report released by the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in May thisTheyear.RSF cited what it described as the government’s targeted attacks and constant harassment since 2016 on journalists and media outlets that are critical of the administration.Journalists who covered Marcos during the 2022 election campaign have complained about difficulties in gaining access to him. Marcos has denied this, saying he is “always out in the public.”Angeles said the freedom being enjoyed by journalists would not change under Marcos.“You’re free to talk. We’re not

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‘President Marcos respects press...

Ang mga mamamayan na interesadong suriin ang CAPER sa Kagawaran ng Konserbasyon at Pag-unlad na may adres na 30 Muir Rd., Martinez, CA 94553, ay maaaring bumisita sa pagitan ng oras na 8:00 ng umaga at 5:00 ng hapon, o sa pagpunta sa pahina ng web: http://www.contracosta. Angca.gov/CDBG.mgagustong magkomento sa ulat ay maaaring sumulat kay Gabriel Lemus, tagapamahala ng programa ng CDBG, o kay Kristin Sherk, senior planner sa pabahay sa itaas na adres. Ang mga nakasulat na komento ay kailangan natanggap sa naitakdang oras na 5:00 ng hapon, ika-19 ng Setyembre, 2022.

She said the blood of national heroes is “now permeating into the minds and hearts of many Filipinos who have committed to the cause of rebuilding the nation from the rubbles caused by disunity, hatred, misunderstanding, and acts of hostilities perpetuated by antipeople, anti-government, and local terror groups that hostaged the progress of the country for a longThetime.”vice president, who also heads the Department of Education, said the lessons of the past must be used to awaken the heroes inside the hearts of Filipinos, especially the youth.

personnel, and ordinary citizens who toil to keep the Filipino dreamMarcosalive.”also said that their heroic deeds do not only remind Filipinos “of the nobility of our race,” but also invite them to take part in nation-building. “We are Filipinos—a people destined to greatness. In our veins flow the blood of heroes and in our bodies reside the indomitable spirit required to accomplish incredible feats so long as we manifest our will into action,” Marcos said. “As we celebrate this day dedicated to our nation’s heroes, let us strive to fulfill our own promise so that we may also be heroes in our own right and a source of pride and inspiration for the succeeding generation of Filipinos to emulate,” he added. The president led the commemoration of the National Heroes’ Day at the Libingan ng

Marcos: Be heroes in your...

forgiveness efforts follows the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, another landmark win for the Biden administration and key Democrats who are looking to maintain the majority in Congress ahead of the midterm election.However, the Biden administration’s attempt to make good on a key campaign promise will likely face legal challenges. According to the United States Department of Justice, the administration is harnessing a 2003 law called the HEROES Act that allows it reduce or eliminate student debt in certain situations. The law was adopted in the middle of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and it gives the Department of Education power to bypass rules concerning financial aid and student loans during national emergencies. (Former President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration made in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic is still in Educationeffect.)Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement, “Today, we're delivering targeted relief that will help ensure borrowers are not placed in a worse position financially because of the pandemic, and restore trust in a system that should be creating opportunity, not a debtFortrap.”years, student loan forgiveness has been a keystone issue among Democratic voters who have been calling out Biden and other moderate Democrats for delaying the issue. In fact, activists say that the effort doesn’t go far enough and have called for $50,000 in debt relief to address systemic inequalities in the student loan and financial aid industry. “I think it’s what separates a lot of liberal, middle-ofthe-road Democrats from more progressive blue voters, this issue of student loan forgiveness,” Joseph Castillo, a Los Angeles-based marketing consultant, told the Asian Journal over the phone. Castillo shared that despite graduating from San Diego State University in 2012, he’s still grappling with student loan payments. He said he’s on the tailend of his payments (less than $3,000 left to go), but he thinks that Biden’s plan could usher in more “necessary loan“Justforgiveness.”because I’ve paid off most of my student loans doesn’t necessarily mean I’m entitled to say that current and future loan borrowers don’t deserve to get their loans forgiven,” Castillo declared, referencing the hordes of individuals on social media who say because they’ve had to pay off their loans, current and future students should, too. And, aside from the legality of erasing student debt, many believe that student loans shouldn’t be forgiven on such a wide scale. But Castillo argues that the rising cost of education has become out of control and it’s putting many students in “nightmarish situations.” He added, “Even stepping back from just student loans: most white-collar professions require a bachelor’s degree at minimum. Most people now need not just that but a graduate degree to move up in their industry. Going to and graduating from college — which is now a requirement for most decent-paying professions — is so much more expensive now than it was for Gen X-ers and older.” According to a Forbes article, the average cost to attend a four-year college as a full-time student in 1980 was $10,231 annually, accounting for inflation adjustment; and this covered all tuition fees and room and board. By 2019, that cost skyrocketed $180% to an average of $28,775. The 20202021 and 2021-2022 academic years saw a 1.7% drop in public institutions, which is likely due to pandemic-related relief“You’llprograms.hear tons of older people, even Filipinos, who might complain about how ‘unfair’ this is, but when you look at the landscape from when they were college students to now, and just the overall increase of the cost of living, I think most would see that as unmanageable,” CastilloAccordingsaid. to the Biden administration, borrowers should visit plan.signforgov/debt-relief-announcement/https://studentaid.moreinformationandtoupforupdatestotherelief g

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 3Dateline USa

The halting of immigration “From the middle of 2019 until the end of 2021, there has been essentially zero net immigration to the U.S,” said Giovanni Peri, Ph.D. Professor of Economics and Founder and Director of the UC Davis Global Migration Center, citing US Bureau census data. “Although in late 2021 and early 2022 these numbers started growing again, the fact that the inflow of immigrants stopped made the country lose more than 1.7 million (immigrants),” added Peri, noting that 900,000 of them would have been college educated who work in the STEM sector – doctors, computer scientists, biomedical engineers, bio experts — and 800,000 would have been non-college educated concentrated in sectors such as food, hospitality, elderly and child care. “We are talking about the 1.1% of the U.S. labor force,” Peri added.

Peri spoke during a media briefing on 8/26/22 hosted by Ethnic Media Services that sounded the alarm over how the lack of immigrants is hurting the economy. Meanwhile, public discussion focuses on an estimated 2 million border crossings for the fiscalTheyear.halting of immigration coincides with more and more U.S. citizens opting to work from home in online jobs, and people in their 50s and 60s opting for early retirement. When companies are struggling to hire people, wages go up and the rising cost of labor translates into inflation, Peri explained.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in July 2022, there were 10 million unfilled jobs in the U.S. Before COVID, in a similar period, that figure was 6 million. Experts agree that there should be a government effort to make the H1B visa program (sponsored by employers) stronger and more inclusive for all sectors, while addressing the monstrous backlog in green cards and asylum claims. Backlogs and delays in the immigration processes “In the past six or seven years we have seen tremendous delays in the immigration processes across the country, both in the courts and also through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),” said Gregory Z. Chen, Senior Director of Government Relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Chen noted that when President Barack Obama left office, there were about 500,000 immigration cases in the backlog compared to 1.4 million cases during the Trump administration. “As of today we have about 1.6 million cases that are waiting to be heard, (each one) typically takes four to six years now,” Chen said. “Many businesses can’t wait to be operational.”Meanwhile, the Automated Export System (AES), the agency in charge of processing work permits, has increased its processing times from 180 days to up to seven months. These backlogs can be fixed through a comprehensive immigration reform. Although almost 70% of Americans are in favor of it, there has been no appetite in a polarized Congress to ease restrictions for even legal immigrants.Chenhighlighted how President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act -recently signed into laworiginally included provisions to legalize unauthorized immigrants, a provision that had to be abandoned to gain bipartisan support.“Theconcern about the benefits immigration provides to the country and the economy has been subsumed by the idea that it’s related to border national security issues,” said Chen, who doesn’t u aren’t quite poor but aren’t quite rich, turned to alternative ways to pay, such as taking out numerous loans. “We weren’t rich enough to easily foot my tuition, but we weren’t considered lowincome enough to qualify for any financial aid, so I ended up having to apply for scholarships and take out several loans,” Rivera told the Asian Journal in a phone Fast-forwardinterview.to now, Rivera is living a more comfortable life but is still racked with tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt. “I don’t think I can feel truly relaxed until my debt is entirely done, whether I pay it off in a million years or it’s forgiven,” RiveraWhenshared.President Joe Biden announced his administration’s effort to forgive up to $20,000 in federal student loans for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000, Rivera saw it as good news.Biden’s announcement, which was made on Wednesday, Aug. 24, revealed that individuals who make under $125,000 a year or couples earning less than a combined $250,000 are eligible for up to $10,000 in loan forgiveness. Currently, Americans — current and former recipients — owe nearly $1.6 trillion in federal student loans. Nearly 43 million loan borrowers are expected to receive some relief, totalling a collective $20 million debt that will be erased. Biden’s plan would also include current students, and student loan borrowers who are still dependents will be included depending on their guardians’ income. The plan also covers graduate degrees, and beneficiaries of loan forgiveness will not have to pay taxes on the amount forgiven. According to the White House, most borrowers will need to provide proof of income in order to qualify, but nearly 8 million borrowers whose information is already on file with the Department of Education should have their debt cancelled automatically.

by Jenny Manrique Ethnic Media Services

CLOSE to 15% of job openings that employ immigrant or foreignborn workers in the U.S. are still vacant, while the legal immigration system is in dire straits. From meat packing to home building to STEM professionals to nurses, the post-pandemic economy is reeling from a labor force decimated by restrictive immigration policies, which worsened under Donald Trump’s administration.

Biden’s relief plan also extends the student loan payment freeze to Dec. 31, 2022. It was set to expire at the end of August 2022. Biden’s student loan

SAFE COMMUNITY. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna inspects firearms during the launching of the National Capital Region Police Office’s Oplan S.A.F.E. (Seen, Appreciated, Felt, and Extraordinary) program at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park in Manila on Monday, August 29. The program aims to ensure the safety and protection of communities against criminal elements.

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Loss of 1.7M immigrants fuels United States labor shortage and inflation

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-51604 Dateline USa PAGE 3 PAGE 1 PAGE 1 Loss of 1.7M immigrants fuels United States...

ADOPT-A-PARK PROJECT. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora (3rd from left) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Carlo Antonio Dimayuga III (2nd from left) look at a fountain during the inauguration of El Polvorin Linear Park at the San Juan Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 30. The park was left in a state of disarray after several demolition and construction activities until the city government included it in the MMDA’s Adopt-A-Park Project.

Monroe says that while hate incidents may not technically be criminal acts, they can have a “devastating impact on the person and the community” beingAndtargeted.whilethere is ample data available on hate crimes, experts say the numbers are likely far from“Thereaccurate.isno question when you look at the data that hate crimes are on the rise, but they are also underreported,” Monroe explained. The FBI counts just over 8,000 hate crimes per year, notes Monroe, but the real number could be closer to 250,000.Thedisparity is explained in part by the fact that many victims often do not see law enforcement as a safe or reliable option when it comes to reporting hate crimes. For Monroe, focusing on communitycentered strategies will “help us to connect individuals with culturally competent resources andAnothersupport.”factor has to do with state and local law enforcement agencies, which are not mandated to provide data on hate crimes to the FBI. In fact, 85% of law enforcement agencies serving jurisdictions with over 100,000 people in California routinely report zero hate crimes in their Nationwide,area. the majority of hate crimes continue to be perpetrated by white men, while the majority of victims are African American. But in recent years there has been a spike in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans, Latinos, Muslims, andAccordingJews. to Stop AAPI Hate data, there have been 11,000 incidents of hate targeting the AAPI community since 2020. The majority have taken place in public spaces and have targeted largely women and elders. Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipinos and Vietnamese Americans are among the groups most targeted, with 63% of cases involving verbal harassment, 16% physical assault, and 11% civil rights violations. Stop AAPI Hate Director and Co-Founder Manjusha Kulkarni says the drivers behind these incidents vary, and so “a onesize fits all solution doesn’t work.” She added, “Policing is not going to be the answer. We need a comprehensive civil rights infrastructure all across theStopcountry.”AAPI Hate is currently pushing two bills — SB 1161 and AB 2549 — in the California State Legislature to work with state officials in three core areas: civil rights, community safety, and educational equity. Brian Levin with the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State-San Bernadino says rhetoric from elected officials and media has helped fuel the uptick in hate crimes and hate incidents across the country.

“Anti-Latino hate crimes in 2018 were the highest in a decade because of the craven discussion on TV,” noted Levin, adding that hate crimes targeting the LGBTQ community doubled in Los Angeles and rose 40% nationwide in that same year, with attacks becoming “more vicious and more violent.” And while Levin agrees that non-carceral solutions are an important tool in addressing the rise in hate, he also notes that the Justice Department currently prosecutes fewer than 20% of referrals. ForSassana Yee, whose grandmother died after being brutally beaten in San Francisco in 2019, healing has meant building crosscultural connections between communities that often exist side by“Herside. death has sparked in me an awareness to reach across cultural lines and develop friendships,” said Yee, who advocates for what she calls transformational justice. As part of her work, Yee led a month-long road trip around the country with 10 high schoolers: half African American and half Chinese American. “We went to 16 cities to learn about each other’s culture, history, and contributions to the U.S,” she said. “We got to understand who we are as individuals and as a collective.” Last May, the legislature approved renaming the playground where Sassana’s grandmother, Yik Oi Huang, was attacked as Yik Oi Huang Peace and Friendship Park. “A black elder in the community suggested this name,” noted Yee, “which is a very potent symbolic gesture of solidarity.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

see a major immigration reform bill happening even in 2023. Shortage of nursing professionals For Julie Collins, perfusionist and Program Director Department of Cardiopulmonary Sciences in the College of Health Sciences at Rush University, one field where the absence of immigrants is acutely felt is medical care. Working on the COVID floor of her hospital for two years, Collins saw firsthand the impact of the critical shortage of nursing professionals.“Iwashelping to cover shifts and I saw how burnt out nurses were becoming taking care of patients in COVID units,” she said. “As COVID began slowing down, nurses sought early retirement, some of them changed professions, and some even died of COVID. This left us with fewer nurses to fill the open positions in ourAlthoughunits.” COVID floors have been essentially shut down, hospitals are short staffed and one-on-one patient care is over, she said. “Oftentimes nurses are caring for multiple patients, which is increasing their chances of creating errors and causing emotional distress,” There are close to 194,000 open positions for nurses, and not enough U.S. nurses to fill them. Since the 80s, when hospitals were understaffed, nurses from other countries have filled these roles. But today, annually, H1B visas are limited to 140,000 and family-sponsored visas are limited to “I226,000.amseeing how tired and exhausted the nurses are and how frustrated they feel like their voices aren’t being heard,” Collins said.” If hospitals come up with a system so that they could keep bringing in (immigrant) nurses, they wouldn’t have problems filling their open positions,” she concluded. g

Another elderly Pinay assaulted in... steps to address it,” Daza said. “We assure our fellow Filipinos that our Consulate General in New York will continue monitoring these incidents accordingly and is ready to assist hate crime victims and other distressed Filipinos in the area.” Tally reaches 43 Reported hate crimes against Filipinos have reached 43 mostly in New York City, Manhattan, and Queens, according to Daza. The states under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate in New York are Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, andTheVermont.latest attack was also the third incident in just a month. On July 13, an 18-year-old Filipino traveler from Cebu was hit in the face while he was walking with three fellow Filipinos near the Philippine Center in Manhattan. Three days later, a 51-yearold Filipino woman was verbally assaulted and harassed by a homeless woman. The consulate earlier said that such cases were hate-related assaults that were “racially motivated.” (Inquirer.net)

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

California to launch new anti- hate initiative...

Dateline PhiliPPines

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 5

The DOH had said: “Because of the rarity of their disease, not much poor assistance was given to them in the past. There is scarcity in terms of expertise and available treatment for these patients in the country.”

by Jomar Canlas ManilaTimes.net

Rare, deadly diseases in PH get attention from barely enforced law

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has denied former Senator Leila De Lima's petition questioning Senate rules preventing her to attend the committee meetings or hearings when she was a lawmaker due to her detention. In a five-page ruling penned by Associate Justice Jaime Fortunato Caringal, the CA's 10th Division dismissed De Lima's petition for certiorari for being moot and academic. "Given that the petitioner is no longer a senator, we hold that the sole issue, in this case, has already been mooted. The adjudication of the present petition becomes unnecessary," the CA said. De Lima did not make it to the Top 12 of the 2022 senatorial polls, ranking 23rd in the race for the so-called Magic 12. The detained senator was just behind reelectionist senators Richard Gordon and Antonio Trillanes 4th. The Senate and the House of Representatives conducted several inquiries on the proliferation of dangerous drugs syndicates at the National Bilibid Prison. These led to the filing of several complaints with the Department of Justice.

MANILA — Republic Act No. 10747, or the Rare Diseases Act, was signed in 2016 and gave “new hope” to Filipinos suffering from rare but often chronic and life-threatening diseases, the Department of Health (DOH) said. But six years later, public health stakeholders stressed that the legislation has yet to be fully implemented, with Prof. Victorio Andres Manhit, president of the think tank Stratbase ADR Institute, saying that there is a “deeply complex issue of “Thereinequality”.isan evident disproportion in the availability of treatment and resources, and this inequality is being aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said in the hybrid town hall discussion, “The State of the Rare Disease Law: Continuing Implementation and the Delivery of Responsive Health Services to the Affected Population.”“Nowthat Congress has earmarked P104.9 million for this after six long years, it is time all stakeholders work to address the deeply complex issue of inequality through good governance, political reforms, social investments and multisector efforts,” he said. This, as it was only in 2022 that the law, which was signed to help address the problems confronting Filipinos with rare diseases, was given an allocation of P104.9 million in the General Appropriations Act. Sen. Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate committee on finance, said there were funding challenges because of the pandemic and that the appropriation is hardly enough to provide treatment and fund research into new rare diseases. However, he stressed the Senate’s commitment to support the cause, saying that the private sector should be encouraged and offered incentives to partner with the government in the fight against rare diseases. Neglected Alvin Manalansan, health care fellow of the Stratbase ADR Institute and co-convenor of UHC Watch, said every Filipino has the right to health and no one should be left behind. He had said in a column that the law envisioned that Filipinos with rare diseases are diagnosed early and provided immediate access to interventions so that their rate of survival is increased, and they are given a chance to live a normal way of life. But the COVID-19 pandemic, which has already claimed 61,720 lives, Manalansan stressed, “posed several challenges and showed the gaps” throughout the Philippines’ health system. He said addressing the crisis has been the “priority and concern of the government for two years now, and still counting”. As a result, patients, like those who were diagnosed with rare diseases, “are sadly kept on the sideline”.

Appellate court junks De Lima’s appeal by Kurt Dela Peña Inquirer.net

Life-threatening Because of this, Angara said some patients die as early as infancy or, if they manage to survive, suffer from chronic and debilitating illnesses that greatly diminish their quality of life, not to mention the severe strain on their families. In a 2017 article published in the Science journal SciDev.Net, it was said that about 80 percent of rare diseases are of genetic origin that begin in childhood, with about 30 percent of patients dying before the age of five. The PSOD said as of 2017, there are 319 patients in the PSOD registry, which accounts for 63 rare diseases. But Manalansan said as of 2021, there are already 887 cases registered with rare diseases. g

A panel of prosecutors was then constituted, and it recommended the filing of information against De Lima, before the Regional Trial Court of Muntinlupa City. Meanwhile, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 372 which amended its rules to allow the conduct of plenary sessions and committee hearings through teleconferencing.Withthis,De Lima sent a letter to then-senate president Vicente Sotto III asserting her right to participate in the Senate proceedings as a duly-elected senator.TheSenate and the House of Representatives conducted several inquiries on the proliferation of dangerous drugs syndicates at the National Bilibid Prison. These led to the filing of several complaints with the Department of Justice. A panel of prosecutors was then constituted, and it recommended the filing of information against De Lima, before the Regional Trial Court of Muntinlupa City. Meanwhile, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 372 which amended its rules to allow the conduct of plenary sessions and committee hearings through teleconferencing.Withthis,De Lima sent a letter to then-senate president Vicente Sotto III asserting her right to participate in the Senate proceedings as a duly-elected senator. g Former senator Leila de Lima. ManilaTimes.net file photo

FREE ANTIGEN TEST. A health worker gets a mucus sample from two-year-old Gabriel Espihon from Mabuhay Subdivision for an antigen test at the City Health Office 3, Barangay Salawag, City of Dasmarinas, Cavite on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Gabriel's mother said he had been running a fever for three days and had a cold and cough but he was tested negative for COVID-19.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

It said the Rare Diseases Act, which was signed by the late President Benigno Aquino III, was expected to address these gaps and provide the much needed attention that Filipinos afflicted with rare diseases highlyManhitdeserve.stressed that this was the reason that it was high time for the government to address the problems confronting the implementation of the law, saying that it would guarantee access to responsive medical care. Rare diseases The World Health Organization defines a rare disease as an “often-debilitating disease or condition with a prevalence of 0.65 percent to 1 percent”.Herein the Philippines, a disease is considered rare when it affects one patient in every 20,000 population: Patients afflicted with rare diseases often have their quality of life reduced to taking medications, checkups and suffering from pain. “They are often dependent on other people to attend to their basic needs. They also need lifelong medical care, food supplements, medications and multidisciplinary therapies to alleviate the symptoms and effects of the disease,” the DOH said.According to the Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders (PSOD), 5,000 to 8,000 rare diseases are thought to exist, with an estimated 250 new diseases being discovered on a yearlyAngarabasis.had said in a bill he filed then that a rare disease or “orphan disorder” is afflicting less than 1,000 Filipinos and that many of the cases are because of genetic defects, with many patients exhibiting symptoms in early“Unfortunately,childhood. there is minimal interest among research institutions in learning more about these diseases because they affect only a small segment of the population,” AngaraLikewise,stressed.because of the rarity of the diseases, medicines and health care products have been called “orphan drugs” because of minimal attention paid by pharmaceutical companies to them because of the high cost of production resulting from low demand.

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PPA revamp a strong step

Marcosforwarddoing

A BILL recently introduced in the House of Representatives and backed by several key business groups would correct the problematic status of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) as both a port regulator and operator. The measure is, to use a popular phrase, a “no brainer,” and should be passed as quickly as prudence allows by both houses of Congress. Under House Bill (HB) 1400, or the proposed "Philippine Ports Corp. Act" filed by Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette HerreraDy, the regulatory functions of the PPA would be "decoupled" from the agency and transferred to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina). The PPA would thus be converted into the Philippine Ports Corp. (Philports), a government-owned and -controlled corporation under the Department of Transportation.ThenewPhilports would own, develop, manage and operate public ports within the old PPA system, as well as collect port fees and dues approved by Marina, which already has responsibility for regulating shipping enterprises. HB 1400 received a strong endorsement last week from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport), and Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP). In a joint statement, the business groups welcomed the proposed changes, saying that the "problematic mandate" of the current PPA has led to a steady rise in cargo-handling rates and harmed the country's competitiveness.Thestatement, signed by PCCI President George Barcelon, Philexport President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. and SCMAP President Pierre Carlo Curay, stressed that "the Philippines is said to have the highest cargo handling cost in Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), which undermines its global competitiveness."Thebusinessgroups also pointed out that divorcing the regulatory and operating functions of the PPA was part of the 2017-2022 Philippine Development Plan. "This policy reform will address not only the conflict of interest, but more importantly, the competitive neutrality issue hounding the port authority. Competitive neutrality recognizes that significant government business activities in competition with the private sector should not have a competitive advantage or disadvantage simply by virtue of government ownership and control," the group's statement said. "In PPA's case, the competitive neutrality issue centers on its power to regulate against competition to protect its commercial interest, sometimes at the expense of public interest," it added. Higher port charges are reflected in higher cargo handling costs passed on to customers in the form of higher shipping rates. Over the past six months, shipping rates into or from Philippine ports have increased by about 25 percent. This is not entirely due to PPA fees, of course, but they are an aggravating factor, particularly since the PPA is permitted to collect 10 to 20 percent of cargo handling charges. The business groups also called for the revocation of the Letter of Instruction 1005-A that permits this, as it is not explicitly included in HB 1400. Irrational and counterproductive We fully agree with the position of the business groups. No matter what sector is involved, it is irrational and counterproductive for a government Editorial agency to serve as both a regulator and service provider, as it puts the agency in the position of regulating itself, often to the detriment of legitimate private sector competition, and ultimately harming consumers. Another example of such an arrangement is the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), which both regulates casinos and operates them. Similar to the call of HB 1400 to separate regulatory and operational functions of the PPA, we have recently urged the same be done with Pagcor; only in the latter's case, we believe the government should remove itself from operating casinos entirely. Ports, being important public infrastructure, are of course a different matter. The changes proposed by HB 1400 are not just matters of good administrative housekeeping, they are important for the country's economic recovery and growth, particularly with the prospects of increased trade as a result of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). We urge Congress to treat the measure with some urgency, and move quickly to pass it. (ManilaTimes.net) BEFORE the inauguration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we received a prognosis by an investment banker expressing doubts that the world would accept the late dictator’s son because of his lack of leadership qualities, management experience and a college degree. Yet as Marcos completes his first two months in office, within the 100-day “honeymoon” allowed a new president, many world leaders – including U.S. President Joe Biden and Pope Francis – have already welcomed his presidency and expressedRegardlesssupport.ofthe acceptance by his peers, however, questions linger about his stance on human rights, the view possibly dimmed by the shadow cast by the grim records of past Philippine leaders, including his father Marcos Sr. and former president Rodrigo Duterte. His Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla is not helping any, not after rejecting calls to act on the case of former senator Leila de Lima, who has been detained on unfounded charges since 2017. Neither is Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., who barred opposition leaders, lawmakers, justices, lawyers, academics and bureaucrats from personally greeting De Lima on her 63rd birthday on Saturday at Camp Crame.Butwe see a glimmer of hope in Marcos’ display of openmindedness. To our amazement, he attended the burial of former president Fidel V. Ramos, who played a key role in the 1986 People Power Revolt that overthrew his father’s regime. His list of holidays for 2023 includes Feb. 25, recognizing the EDSA event. If Marcos will continue to prove that he is above the redversus-yellow quarrels and that he will not only tolerate but even champion democracy and respect human rights, he will continue to earn the respect not only of Filipinos but also of worldOneleaders.good thing going for Marcos is his having assembled a solid economic team led by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, recognized as Global Central Banker of the Year by The Banker, an international monthly banking and finance magazine affiliated with the Financial Times. Thanks to Diokno, while the economy contracted by an alarming 9.5 percent in 2020, it emerged from the pandemicinduced recession with a gross domestic product growth of 5.7 percent in 2021, an expansion sustained with an impressive 8.3 percent in the first quarter of In2022.his first State of the Nation Address on July 25, Marcos emphasized that he is keen on making the Philippines an investment destination. The economic team must be working onThethis.day after his SONA, the economic managers, including NEDA Chairman Arsenio Balisacan, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Felipe Medalla, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual and the rest of the Cabinet, addressed the business community and diplomatic corps at their own event at the PICC called the Philippine Economic Briefing. The next Philippine Economic Briefings will be in Singapore this September and in New York in October, as parallel briefings to the state visits of Marcos aimed at investors. These meetings, as well as round table discussions with global business leaders, could help boost investor confidence and increase foreign direct investments in the Philippines. The President must remember, though, that economic progress must be achieved alongside peace. If this administration could prove that peace is also on its agenda, including the end of extrajudicial killings and the respect for freedom, then he would become a president that even his harshest critics would respect.NCAP fines same as LTO rates We still hear grumbling against the nationwide NoContact Apprehension Program that uses computerized cameras to take videos of traffic violations and send the record to a central base that starts a process for collecting fines from erring drivers.One good deterrent to the violation of a law is the certainty of being caught and punished. The NCAP system certainly does that, with such coldblooded objectivity that many drivers who are used to loose enforcement protest. Many drivers, especially of public utility vehicles, say the fines are “too high.” Critics also question the sharing of the funds collected – which usually is 70 percent going to the private supplier and maintainer of the equipment, and 30 percent to theAsgovernment.tothefines that many drivers said were too high, we found out that they were merely based on the existing rates of the Land Transportation Office.

FOR seven consecutive years, the Philippines has maintained its Tier 1 ranking in the Trafficking in Persons Report released by the U.S. State Department every year. In the latest report released last July, it noted that the Philippines continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts to fight human trafficking despite the COVID-19 pandemic, but gave several recommendations that include increased efforts to investigate, prosecute and convict complicit officials and labor traffickers.

But one priority recommendation that was pretty poignant for those who read the report was the need to increase support for programs that provide specialized care for child victims of sexual exploitation. Online sexual exploitation of children or OSEC is considered as the “modern face” of human trafficking and described as one of the most heinous crimes in the world today because it victimizes children who are the most vulnerable members of society. A 2019 study by the International Justice Mission – a non-government organization based in Washington, D.C. –which was released in May last year identified the Philippines as a “global hotspot” for OSEC. The study disclosed “disturbing findings” that the estimated prevalence of internetbased child sexual exploitation in the Philippines more than tripled within three years, with data from participating law enforcement agencies from across the globe showing that the country received more than eight times as many referrals as any other country during the 2010-2017 baseline period. A study by the UN International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) in 2016 also said that the Philippines has become “the global epicenter of the live-stream sexual abuse trade, and many of the victims are children.”AttheWorld Economic Forum in Davos last May, Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock revealed during a panel discussion on cybersecurity that data from private industry and public hotlines as well as law enforcement agencies showed a consistent rise in the number of online child abuse images. According to Stock, 2021 was “the worst year on record” and warned that an even bigger number of children could become victims of abuse and exploitation due to internet connectivity.“Everyimage, every video is evidence of a horrific crime with a real victim who suffers for the rest of their life,” Secretary General Stock said, sharing that “the sheer volume of images is already overwhelming law enforcement worldwide. Unless the public and private sectors do more to unify our efforts, we will only see this upward trend in casesBasedgrow.”on data from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a private non-profit corporation with funding from the U.S. government, the Philippines has been identified as the top source of child sexual abuse materials. Our special envoy to UNICEF, Nikki Prieto-Teodoro, disclosed that the number of OSEC cases has almost tripled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the lockdowns playing a big part. The country has become number one for child trafficking and online pornography, Nikki said, noting that parents are actually “marketing their children online forAccordingprofit.” to Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla, chair of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, the government has declared war against online sexual exploitation of children, stressing that punishment is certain for those who engage in the exploitation. He also warned telecom companies and internet service providers that they will also be charged for OSEC if they refuse to cooperate with government in tracking down abusers. Some companies like PLDT are already utilizing technology that can help prevent online sexual exploitation of children, with 1.3 billion attempts to open OSEC-related web addresses that have been blocked since the telco launched its child protection platform. Considering that online child pornography has become a very lucrative, billion-dollar global industry, the cooperation between the DOJ and the AntiMoney Laundering Council is a good move to help track the online payments made to the operators of these online sex sites, with a lot of the “paying customers” coming from Europe. As noted by UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres, technology has given consumers “the ability to anonymously demand increasingly dangerous and degrading content that fuels humanOSECtrafficking.”isaglobal problem that has been going on for many years, and we certainly need to continue cooperating with other countries and international agencies to combat this horrific, disgusting and shameful crime that continues to be a growing threat to society. In some of my meetings with officials of the U.S. State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, they confirmed that the Philippines is one of the countries that is most vulnerable to human trafficking and online sexual exploitation of children, and encouraged us to continue our collaboration to combat this global menace. In a 2014 column titled “Trafficking Filipino Children,” I wrote about an international child prostitution ring that has been victimizing Filipino children, and how cooperation with British, Australian and U.S. authorities by their Filipino counterparts busted this ring. Codenamed “Operation Endeavor,” it took two years for the authorities to successfully uncover those behind the syndicate whose network of operations covers the U.S., Asia and Europe. The criminals used the internet to set up cybersex dens and forced children to perform sexual acts in front of a web camera that streamed the child’s “performance” to a global audience. One of the most traumatic things that can ever happen to a child is to become a victim of trafficking and sexual exploitation – but the worst is when it is parents themselves who engage in the trafficking and sell their own children. There is absolutely no question – the hottest place in hell should be reserved for them. (Philstar. com)

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The fines in a Joint Administrative Order issued on June 2, 2014 by the LTO titled “Revised Schedule of Fines and Penalties for Violation of Laws, Rules and Regulations Governing Land Transportation” are similar to those imposed under NCAP by Metro Manila cityAngovernments.example: Reckless driving draws under LTO rules a fine of P2,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second and a P10,000 fine for each subsequent violation – plus the confiscation of the offenders’ license. The same penalties are imposed under NCAP. Some LTO officials said a study in Iran has shown that bigger fines have contributed to decreasing traffic fatality, injury and offenses. They also cited a World Health Organization study in Spain that attributed a 14-percent reduction of accidents, injuries by 15.7 percent and deaths by 14.5 percent to heavier traffic fines.

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Dexter Cardenas, chief of the Quezon City Traffic Management bureau, reported a 93 percent drop in the number of traffic violators in the city. QC Mayor Joy Belmonte expressed her faith in NCAP, as did Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian, among five Metro mayors who have adopted NCAP as part of their traffic violation detection system. Gatchalian reported a lower incidence of road rage in his city, while Belmonte said road safety considerations convinced her and the city council to adopt NCAP technology. She said NCAP has increased citations by 99 percent. On the reported 70-30 percent (sometimes 60-40 percent) sharing in the fines, the mayors explained that the camera systems are used under a publicprivate partnership agreement. An average NCAP system can cost P60-100 million, depending on its coverage. (Philstar.com) * * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. * * * NB: Author is on Twitter as alsoEmail: fdp333@yahoo.com. All Postscripts are@FDPascual.archivedat ManilaMail.com

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well in his first 60 days

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Marcos initially did not oppose sugar importation

Solon urges public to scrutinize social media posts, avoid fear-mongering

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 7DATELINE PHILIPPINES by FRANCO LUNA Philstar.com Senate probe into sugar asco: O cials say

TRAFFIC. A motorcycle stops in between two vehicles along Quezon Avenue, Quezon City on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Riders face fines or revocation of their licenses under House Bill 1419 or the Anti-Lane Splitting measure that prohibits motorcycles from lane filtering or splitting, defined as using or sharing a lane already occupied by one vehicle by another vehicle on a road or highway.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

During the hearing of the House of Representatives committee on public order and safety, committee chair and Sta. Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez said that the credibility of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is taking a toll due to the posts about crime on the internet — only to find out that the incident had either been already solved or did not happen recently.Fernandez noted that crime incidence actually dropped compared to recent years, despite numerous posts on social media about several criminal activities. “Some of our public servant and other agencies of the government and other people were saying na ‘oh lumalala yung krimen, ano ginagawa ng PNP’ (crime rate is going up, what is the PNP doing).  They are accusing something right away against the PNP. But it was proven, I read also the news article about what you said after a week that you have found out that old video,” the lawmaker said. “Yung nai-upload nung concerned citizen (was an old video) and that’s a reason why we have to go back to the volume of crimes.  Kasi nga mako-compare mo, ito bang nangyayari is isolated? Makikita mo naman yung crime volume or index natin bumababa from 10 years ago and today,” he added. (The video uploaded by the concerned citizen was an old video and that’s the reason why we have to go back to the volume of crimes.  Because if you compare, are these events isolated?  You can see the country’s crime volume or index go down from 10 years ago to today.) “And that’s a reason why I wanted to make a plea to our citizen to be wary also of those videos that you wanted to upload,” he further said. Fernandez did not single out a particular incident, but there have been posts on social media about the supposed growing incidence of crime in the country.  However, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. — who was also in the committee hearing — recently complained about fake news spreading on social media sites. According to Azurin, there has been a surge of sensational crime reporting on social media, including some that have been solved already by the police.

There were also reports, particularly from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), where the supposed victim was found to have just made up a story about her being abducted — as witnesses whom she claimed helped her get away from kidnappers did not recount anything weird happening. Fernandez also stressed that while some netizens are really eager to have the crime solved by the police, some are doing it for the limelight — which further damages the PNP. “Kasi (Because) there are two personalities eh, one is if you wanted to upload it to a concerned agency to know it because you wanted to solve it. But others wanted for self glorification. They wanted to have so many views to the detriment of the organization itself,” he said. “That’s the reason why I wanted this to be checked as well and to us, our people, to be responsible enough. The organization and the PNP is doing its job but unfortunately with this kind of uploading of past crimes that were committed and being uploaded and a lot of people are commenting is damaging our organization,” he added. (Inquirer.net)

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MANILA — A lawmaker has urged the public to scrutinize information about crime incidents posted on social media first before sharing these to avoid unnecessary fear-mongering.

MANILA — The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's second hearing into the sugar fiasco saw doubts raised over Malacañang's rejection of the importation order behind the sugar fiasco being investigated by lawmakers. Thecontroversy stems from Sugar Order No. 4 or SO4, which would have authorized the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar into the country to bridge a deficit that has been pushing up the local prices of the sweetener. The Palace eventually rejected the order, saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. never signed off on theMajorityorder.  lawmakers in the first hearing pounced on claims by a former agriculture undersecretary that the move was meant to prevent a shortage in sugar. Here's a rundown of the principal findings at the hearing thus far: Marcos wasn't against SO4 at first Former Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, among the officials who quit his post in the wake of the controversy, said that there was no opposition from the chief executive earlier on before he eventually disowned the order.  But citing data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration, Sebastian said that while there isn't technically a shortage at the moment, the effects of the accelerating deficit could be felt as early as end-August, which prompted his office to offset the diminishing supply with imports greenlit by industry groups. TheSRA is an attached bureau under the Department of Agriculture, concurrently headed by FormerMarcos.SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica added that in a meeting dated August 4, his office reiterated the importation plan and they presented the facts of the tightness of sugar supply and the rising sugar price in the market. Serafica said that "almost all" of the industry stakeholders recommended 300,000 metric tons of sugar in position papers and meetings with the government, the same amount listed in SO4. Sen. Risa Hontiveros questioned why not even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was cool to the sugar order in the face of "near unanimity" among industry groups about the need to import. "Many things are not clear. And it also seems that many powerful forces are at play... Who is feeding the President or Malacanang wrong information?" the opposition senator said. "Is the president caught in the crosshairs of opposing camps? [And] is it not the Executive Secretary's job to protect the president? Are they not gatekeepers of these competing interests so that the President make policy decisions unfettered by political considerations?" Importation weakening the local sugar industry  Senators at the hearing Tuesday also pointed out the significant disparity between the price of sugar in the world market and domestically, with international prices of sugar standing at P22 per kilo while the cheapest retail price is at P70 per kilo.  Meanwhile, retail prices of sugar in the country are now at P100 per kilo with the P70 per kilo available only in just a few outlets around the archipelago. "Is sugar P22 in the market? Even if we go to give the money as a subsidy to the sugar industry, the consumers are still not at a loss, so why don't we think of the right policy to balance that," Sen. Grace Poe asked as she recommended the government look at the timing of the importation and the harvest season."Ireally think we can support the industry by adding a little bit of tariff and that tariff will not even disadvantage consumers because it will still come out cheaper...I support the sugar industry but I should also advocate for our consumers who are clearly the ones getting the short end of the bargain." The same majority senators in the upper Chamber rushed to the defense of the president by shifting the conversation to the need to import in the first place.  Sen. JV Ejercito said the SRA’s supposed efforts to implement the Sugarcane Industry Development Act were not felt by local sugar planters and refiners."It'ssaddening to think that our local industry, it really won't develop. The rice, no one will invest. The sugar industry, what is happening now. As long as the entry of smuggled agricultural products continues," Ejercito said in Filipino. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri framed the rejection of SO4 as a move against importation to help farmers strengthen the sugar industry on the ground. "ThePresident stopped the order and called it illegal, and he wants the farmers to take advantage of his newfound mandate as DA secretary so we can help farmers longterm so we no longer need to import," heHesaid. went on to call for "unity" among players in the industry: "Right now, it's a mess because they're all fighting. One is calling the other side pinklawan, and the other one is calling them Marcos loyalists. We should stop calling each other names." Attendance To recall, Sebastian at the first hearing said that he sent two memos to Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez on the impending SO4 and the possible sugar crisis. He never got a response and admitted he signed for Marcos of his own volition to prevent a sugar crisis. Citing a memo sent to him by Rodriguez months earlier, he said he believed he had the authority to do so.   Rodriguez at the same hearing last week admitted to receiving these but said he purposely did not reply because Marcos had yet to come to a decision on the matter.  Sebastian on Tuesday reiterated that he got "signals that the sugar order is a go" given the lack of opposition from the Palace but later admitted this was only his "own perception." Sens. Koko Pimentel and Hontiveros questioned why Rodriguez was not present at this hearing to clarify this, to which Tolentino said he received word that the latter would be at a Cabinet meeting. 

contribute dito sa committee na ito na maging successful kami sa aming investigation,” he said. (I’m not power-tripping. I just want to contribute to the committee so that we can be successful in our investigation.) “Hindi ako nagpa-power-trip, matagal na akong very powerful physically and whatever. Powerful ako pero ayokong gamitin yung power dito para ipapahiya kayo or ipakita na siga kami na mga senador. Ayaw namin ng ganun,’ Dela Rosa added. (I’m not power-tripping; I’m already very powerful physically and whatever. I’m powerful, but I don’t want to use my power to embarrass you or to make us senators look menacing. We don’t want that.) In the end, the Commissioner promised to call the concerned customs official’s attention and review their processes and modify them accordingly. g

PNA photo by Avito Dalan by pia lEE-Brago Philstar.com materials to Bicol schools

Kare-kare is not the first Filipino dish to have received international recognition from the famous food website. Taste Atlas recognized two Filipino dishes in the Taste Atlas Awards 2021, ranking sinigang first in the soup category while lumpia ranked second in the side dish category. g AJPress photo

by EvElyn Macairan ralph Edwin villanuEva Philstar.com

MANILA — The United States government has donated reading materials worth P27 million to the Department of Education (DepEd) office in Bicol. The U.S. Agency for International Development handed over the 540,000 early grade reading materials, representing the first batch of materials that USAID is providing to DepEd this schoolyear as part of its Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines (ABC+) project.

SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-51608 Dateline PhiliPPines

Kare-kare ranks as 52nd best stew in the world –Taste Atlas Dela Rosa urges BoC to be transparent: I’m powerful but not ‘power-tripping’

MANILA – The traditional Filipino kare-kare has been ranked as the 52nd best stew in the world, according to Taste Atlas.Taste Atlas is an extensive food guide website that compiles and ranks international food dishes. Kare-kare received 4.3 stars out of 5, based on reviews, ranking higher than Moroccan couscous and gumbo from the United States.Taste Atlas described karekare as “a traditional Filipino stew consisting of meat such as tripe, pork leg, ox tail, goat or chicken, vegetables, and a thick, savory peanut sauce flavored with annatto seeds.”

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USAID-Philippines acting deputy mission director Jennifer Crow and education director Thomas LeBlanc led the handover of the reading materials at the Sto. Domingo Central School and Salvacion Elementary School in Albay on Aug. 22. “We are working with DepEd so that children who are returning to school have access to age- and context-appropriate learning resources,” LeBlanc said. “Our presence here today affirms USAID’s support and commitment to our shared vision of improving education outcomes for Filipino children.” More than 1.2 million early grade reading materials will be distributed to around 7,000 public schools in Bicol, Western Visayas and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao under the ABC+ project, bringing the total amount of aid to P63 million. The reading materials, which include picture books, storybooks and leveled readers, are written in mother tongue languages, English and Filipino to address gaps in reading practices of young learners and help students from kindergarten to Grade 3 develop foundational reading skills. The materials were developed in collaboration with DepEd to ensure quality and relevance to Filipino early grade learners. More than 11 million copies of reading materials have been distributed to kindergarten to grade 3 students in the three regions under the ABC+ project in the past two years. g by JEan Mangaluz Inquirer.net by Maila agEr Inquirer.net

DOLE-DOT PARTNERSHIP. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (2nd from left) and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco (2nd from right) show the memorandum of understanding they signed at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City on Tuesday, Aug. 30. The MOU is for the staging of a multi-month tourism job fair during the Hotels Supplier Show on Sept. 22-24 at SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia.

The U.S. Agency for International Development gave over 540,000 “early grade reading materials” to the Department of Education in the Bicol Region under its Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines (ABC+) project.

DOJ on barring of De Lima’s visitors: PNP followed rules

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, August 29 defended the police officers who barred guests from visiting former senator Leila De Lima at her detention cell at Camp Crame over the weekend. DOJ spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano said members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were merely performing their job when they prohibited visitors from personally greeting De Lima, who turned 63 on Saturday, August 27. “The PNP was merely following the rules,” Clavano said. Among those who were not allowed to visit De Lima were retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, former ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, former senator Franklin Drilon and lawyer Chel Diokno. Clavano said the denial to visit De Lima was a matter that should be left for the courts to decide. Police maintained that the denial of De Lima’s guests was bound by “strict rules on visitation” under the PNP Memorandum Circular No. 201802.Written requests should be submitted at least 10 days prior to the date of visit, police said. De Lima has been detained at the PNP Custodial Center since February 2017 on drug charges. g

US donates P27 million reading

MANILA —Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Tuesday, August 30 asked the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to be transparent after he was denied a spot report on a raid conducted in a sugar warehouse in Davao. As vice chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, Dela Rosa said he wanted to get information about the raid in the province, but local customs collectors told his office to request it at their central’s office. The committee chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino is investigating the issuance of the controversial Sugar Order No. 4 that would have authorized the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar. “We shall be transparent. Kung wala tayong tinatago (If we’re not hiding anything)… that’s a public document, spot reports are public documents,” Dela Rosa said during the ongoing hearing of the Delacommittee.Rosa,a former police chief, said that spot reports in the Philippine National Police are made accessible to the media. “E bakit sa customs, vice chairman ng blue ribbon committee ayaw bigyan ng spot report ng customs collectors niyo dun sa Davao? Bakit, may tinatago ba kayo?” Dela Rosa asked. (But why are your customs collectors in Davao refusing to give the vice chairman of the blue ribbon committee the spot report? Are you hiding something?) Immediately, the senator clarified that he wasn’t mad at the Commissioner, but he only wanted to know why the local customs collectors denied their request for spot reports. “Hindi naman ako nagpapower-tripping, commissioner. Ako lang, gusto ko lang maka-

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 9C J LIFESTYLE • CONSUMER GUIDE • COMMUNITY • MARKETPLACEINSIDE >>> Friday, September 2, 2022 FILIPINO IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIATHEASIANJOURNALMAGAZINE

LEADING U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel visited San Diego, where he answered questions of Kapamilya based locally, and even from some coming from out-of-town. In Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” viewers will hear answers to the following immigration concerns:•Salvie, of National City, wants to know if there is a way to speed up the petition process so that his only son’s family can join them in the U.S. • Fulvio, of Paradise Valley, is asking if his brother-in-law, who was petitioned by his wife in 2011, can have his interview in the U.S. since he is currently in San Diego for vacation. • John, of Van Nuys, would like to know how he can correct his documents that all contain a fake date of birth. • Thelma, from Chesapeake,

PAGE 12 Atty. Gur nkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya during part 2 of the San Diego leg of Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’

‘YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT’ IN SAN DIEGO PART 2. Leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in San Diego, in Part 2 of Citizen Pinoy’s “Your Tanong, My Sagot.” Some of the questions Atty. Gurfinkel answers are – From Thelma of Chesapeake: I petitioned my daughter who will soon be coming to the U.S. with her husband. My grandson was supposed to be included in the petition, but he aged out. How can my 35-year-old grandson join his parents in the U.S.?; From John of Van Nuys: My mother used a fake birth certificate for me because she was worried that I might age out. While I did not age out, the fake birth certificate was used in all my documents. I now want to petition my wife and baby but would like to naturalize first. How can I correct my documents for my naturalization?; From Salvie of National City: I petitioned my only son in 2011. Is there a way to speed up the petition process so that his family can join me here in the U.S.?; From Fulvio of Paradise Valley: My wife petitioned her brother in 2001, but until now, we have not heard from the U.S. Embassy in Manila. Is it possible to have his interview in the U.S. since he is now in San Diego on vacation? Watch Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” in San Diego on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, September 4 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement) MOMTEMARIA WINE PRESENTED. MAPI President Arturo V. Magtibay (extreme left), with MAPI Chairman of the Board Hermilando I. Mandanas (2nd from left) meet with Mr. Roger Oriel (3rd from left), Chairman of the Board of Napa Valley Distribution, Inc. for the presentation of Montemaria Wine. The wine was produced to celebrate the launch of the Montemaria Mother of All Asia Tower of Peace during the sesquicentennial celebration of Catholicism in the Philippines. Joining them is MAPI Corporate Secretary Vicente Rafael L. Rosales.

wants to know – what options are available for her 35-year-old grandson to join his parents in theAtty.U.S.? Gurfinkel answers these questions in the second installment of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” with Kapamilya from San Diego and adjacent areas. Watch this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, September 4 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) JO KOY is no stranger to rejections. He has been told “no” more times than he can count in his 33 years in the business. Some of them were disheartening, yes, but never did they make him feel like a “failure.”“Ifyou feel like that’s going to happen—and I say this to everyone trying to make it in this field—if you’re scared of failure, then you might not want to do show business. Because you will fail every day—and they will tell it to your face,” he told “Headstart” in an interview to promote the Manila stop of his “Funny is Funny” world tour on Aug. 31 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.Ifthere’s one thing Jo has learned in entertainment, it’s that it can take multiple tries just to get a “maybe,” and even more to get a “yes.” And that still doesn’t guarantee anything. Keep moving “Whether you’re auditioning, producing something you want to create or pitching to direct a film or a project, they will say, ‘No, no, no, no, no.’ That can make you feel like a failure. But the moment you feel that way, then you might as well just quit,” he added. “I was like, ‘Fine, you said, no, but I will keep moving till I get that yes.’” Case in point: Jo Koy’s first Netflix special “Live from Seattle” (2017). The streaming platform didn’t want it. “They said no eight times,” Jo recalled. He dug money out of his own pockets. He hired his own camera crew, a director and editor. And just as he was about to film his special, he received a call from Netflix saying, “We heard you’re shooting your special. We don’t want it.” He had no money left after producing the special. And there were two things that could happen afterward: either Netflix changes its mind and buys it, or upload it to YouTube for free and pray it goes viral. He was disheartened, but he dug deep. Thankfully, the risk he took paid off. “That’s what they said to me before I went up onstage … Just because I was filming, it doesn’t mean they’re going to buy it,” he told reporters in a separate online interview. “But I knew that routine was good. And I had to kill it, and it had to be undeniable.”The Filipino-American comedian, whose real name is Joseph Glenn Herbert, has since released two more Netflix specials (“Comin’ In Hot” and “In His Elements”), which made him a household name in the Philippines. Universal comedy Jo’s material is inspired by his experiences growing up in the United States with his Filipino mother whose hilarious quirks, quips and affectations remind fans of their own moms. He also has a sense of finding humor in the most seemingly mundane aspects of Filipino and Filipino-American culture. But while his jokes and punchlines are influenced by his Filipino experience, the essence remains universal. “You don’t have to be a Filipino to get a mom joke. My mom’s a mom. She just happens to be Filipino. That’s the beauty of comedy. We can laugh and we can cry. And at the end, you realize that they’re all relatable,” he pointed out. Doing stand-up is a cathartic exercise for Jo. “Some people pay someone to listen to their problems; I get paid to tell you about my problems,” the 51-yearold stand-up comic jested. “But we have to talk about our stories and be more vulnerable. We shouldn’t be afraid to shine the light on things that we think are negative. Because later on, you realize that it happens to others, too.”Mounted by Live Nation Live, Jo Koy’s “Funny Is Funny” Manila show is his first since the pandemic hit. How will this new routine differ from the one he did for his “Just Kidding” show in January 2020? “It’s about my stories of struggles in the business,” he said of his upcoming show—a version of which will be available on Netflix on Sept. 13. “This is really special for me because I get to go to the Philippines and do the show live, before everyone else sees it on Netflix,” he said, adding that one thing he observed from his last visit to “the motherland” is how Filipinos are.”amazingentertainment,”dancing.entertainment—singing,embraceacting,“It’sinourblood,thegiftofhesaid.“It’showtalentedFilipinos

Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares, a Filipina senator, celebrates her 53rd birthday on Saturday, September 3. File photo from gracepoe.ph

SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-516010 Features by AllAn PolicArPio Inquirer.net

Dorie Cachuela Paniza, a Filipina community leader, celebrates her birthday on Sunday, September 11.

CURRENT Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr., who is also known by the intials BBM, heads the list of prominent personalities and celebrities who are celebrating their birthdays in the month of September. President Bongbong Marcos Jr. turns 65 on September 13. The son of former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and former first lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, BBM was elected as the 17th president of the Philippines in May 2022, assuming the post officially on June 30, 2022. He is concurrently Secretary of Agriculture. BBM, at the time of his proclamation as president-elect, received 31,629,783 votes in the 2022 national elections, representing about 58.7% of the votes cast, easily outdistancing his election opponents. He ran under the Patrido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)Priorparty.to his being elected to the highest position in the Philippines, he was elected to the Senate (2010-2016), and also elected to various posts mainly in his native Ilocos Norte province as Governor and Congressman, upon the Marcos’ family’s return from exile in Hawaii. He is said to be the first candidate to lose a vice presidential campaign (losing to former VP Leni Robredo in the 2016 elections), but win the presidency. During the time of his late father’s presidency, BBM he was elected as Vice Governor (19801983) in Ilocos Norte, eventually being named Govenor (19831986) upon the resignation of former Fiesta Filipina executive and LBC president Isidro (Sid) Protasio;September 2: Beauty titleholder/volleyball player MicheleSeptemberGumabao;3:Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares, recording artist Nonoy Zuñiga, actor/ musician Carlo Aquino; actress KylineSeptemberAlcantara; 5: Singersongwriter Arnel Pineda, actress/ TV and radio presenter Amy Perez;September 8: Hillsborough fashionable society matron Virgie Corpuz Gualberto, Certified Public Accountant ConnieSeptemberProtasio;9: Actor JM de Guzman, actress Kristine Hermosa;September 10: Former Miss RP-USA winner and singer Fatima (Helga) Yusuf; September 11: Former San Mateo Democratic Club president Dorie Cachuela Paniza, Costway Products business associate Jonathan Tan; the late former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.; September 12: TV host/reality show mentor and judge Joey MeadSeptemberKing; 14: Actor/TV host Edu Manzano, Kapamilya teleserye actor Patrick Garcia; September 15: Fashion designer Monique Lhuillier, tennis player/TV host/reporter Dyan Castillejo, former Miss RPUSA winner Patricia Torres of Hayward, the late multi-awarded movie director Wendel Rama; September 16: Actor/singer/ comedian Janno Gibbs, San Francisco community leader Violet Orence, NorCal resident IreneSeptemberMarcos-Araneta;17: Singer/ songwriter Ice Seguerra; September 19: Professional basketball player Kobe Paras; September 20: Kapamilya teleserye actress Erich Gonzales; September 21: GMA artist Miguel Tanfelix, film/TV director JoelSeptemberLamangan; 22: California Attorney General Rob Bonta, handsome actor Jericho Rosales, former Pilipinas Got Talent winner Marcelito Pomoy; September 23: Philippine Delicacies owner Lina Quiambao, Daly City well-loved political and community leader Lina Mesina Susbilla;September 24: Miss Universe 2015 Pia SeptemberWurtzbach;25: Computer expert and analyst Jun Jun Villar, Senator Ramon Bautista Bong RevillaSeptemberJr.; 27: Entertainment host and TV commercial announcer Dave Rodriguez; September 29: Entertainment producer Frank Sityar, veteran actress Miriam Jurado of Larry Santiago Movie Productions who now resides in Las Vegas. To all birthday celebrants, Happy Birthday!

Current Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. heads the list of prominent personalities celebrating their birthdays in the month of September. President Marcos Jr. turns 65 on Tuesday, September 13. might not want to do showbiz

Philippine President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos heads list of prominent personalities celebrating birthdays in September

celebrityworldByFerdieVillar

Violet Orence, a San Francisco community leader, celebrates her birthday on Friday, September 16.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta turns 50 on Thursday, September 22. Singer-actor Ariel Rivera celebrated his birthday on Thursday, September 1. Photo from Instagram/@rivera.arieljose Edu Manzano, a handsome actor and TV host, celebrates his birthday on Wednesday, September 14. Photo from Instagram/@realedumanzano

Jo Koy Photo from Instagram/@jokoy

Atty. Gurfinkel answers

PAGE 9Jo Koy: If you’re scared of failure, then you

Arnel Pineda, an internationally-known Filipino singer-songwriter, celebrates his 55th birthday on Monday, September 5. Photo from Instagram/@arnelpineda2007 Frank Sityar, an entertainment producer in Northern California, celebrates his birthday on Thursday, September 29. his aunt who held the post due to health reasons. He was also appointed chair of the Philippine Communications Satellite Corporation (PHILCOMSAT) board in President1985.Bongbong Marcos Jr. is married to Louise “Liza” Cacho Araneta and they have three children: Ferdinand Alexander III ( Sandro), Joseph Simon and William Vincent (Vinny). The couple’s oldest son, Sandro, is currently the Representative of the 1st congressional district of Ilocos Norte, and was named as House Senior Deputy Majority Leader in July 2022 in the 19th Congress of the Philippines. He is also brother to Philippine Senator Imee Marcos-Manotoc and Irene Marcos-Araneta. Other celebrities who will be celebrating their birthdays this monthSeptemberare: 1: Singer-actor Ariel Rivera, who can be seen on TV at Kapuso Channel 7; Myrna Diaz Cabrera, a senior tax specialist at the Fremont Group in San Francisco; Fil-Am singer/ songwriter Kris Lawrence, former Batangueños of Northern California leader Rudy Manalo, former Mutya ng Pilipinas winner Azenith Briones (1975), Salvie (left) and Fulvio (right) ask their questions during the Citizen Pinoy “Your Tanong, My Sagot” in San Diego. John (left) and Thelma (right) get answers to their Immigration questions from Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel.

immigration...

Myrna Diaz Cabrera, a senior tax specialist of the Fremont Group in San Francisco, celebrated her birthday on Thursday, September 1.

Renderings by Fontainebleau Development of what the 90,000-square-foot shopping district will look like, integrating the space fully into the resort ecosystem. Images captured from internet pandemic.Perhaps that is why some casino-resort property groups are positioning their pieces better on the Strip in order to get a bigger slice of the consumer market coming back to Las Vegas. After all, the city remains to be one of the most attractive options for tourists and visitors from around the world, what with its restaurants, top shows/acts/ singers on display, shopping, spa/ resort experiences, sports events, off-Strip activities, and, of course, gambling.Recently, there have been news of the housing market slowing down in Las Vegas. This has given way to buyers having more of negotiating power at the table, as opposed to a time when sellers had all the chips fall their way due to the shortage of home units available.Withconstruction still at a good pace and many projects still in development or planned for the Las Vegas area and surrounding communities, housing will still be in demand for the area. A study by UNLV researchers expect the population of Clark County, where Las Vegas is situated in, to grow by 1 million people by 2060 – and that growth will mean more people looking for housing opportunities.Ifyouarelooking to purchase your first home, a second/ vacation home, an investment property or land in Nevada, let us look together at what’s available in the market. We can find one that will suit your needs and your budget.Ihave had decades of experience in real estate and I am confident my team and I can help you find that piece of land or property that will help you accomplish that American Dream of homeownership. Many of my clients who have brought their own properties before have now turned them into investments, such as by turning their places into Airbnbs or retals. My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805559-2476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@preciousproperties.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)

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 11Features Fontainebleau property to feature high-end shopping complex

Property/real estate investors of Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (above, middle) were at her ranch house in Pahrump recently. With Realtor Quitevis-Bateman in photo are Luila Ecat from Spokane, WA and Jean Gatos from London.

IT seems a precursor for resortcasino properties that are being built in Las Vegas nowadays –retail space that will help draw in moreYoucustomers.canseeit with properties like the Wynn/Encore, or the Venetian/Palazzo, or the Bellagio, or Ceasar’s, or Aria (with the nearby Crystals shopping center) where both tourists and locals have multiple avenues to walk to and explore the many shops (and restaurants) that are located inside its Fontainebleaumega-venues.seems to be the latest property to explore the trend as it recently announced that its Las Vegas location, which will include about 3,700-plus rooms, a casino, a giant convention space and several restaurants, will have about a two-level shopping district spanning about 90,000 square feet and feature about 35 highendWhilestores.there is no report yet on what high-end stores may be joining the Fontainebleau’s shopping district when the property opens in late 2023, many are excited at the prospect of seeing another destination rise in a town that hasn’t seen a highend luxury hotel built in the city in Locateddecades.close to the expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Fontainebleau will also feature pool experiences, spa and wellness offerings, and nightlife options – you simply just don’t come to Sin City to do one or two things… it’s more of a whole plethora of experiences that you want to indulge in and be a part of. Already, it is a prominent building at the north end of the Strip, it’s huge blue façade with the “fb” letters readily seen by casino visitors as they either traverse Las Vegas Blvd. or visit any of the resort-casino properties within its Accordingvicinity.tothe most recent releases about the Fontainebleau, it “aims to allow for the retail space to be fully integrated into the resort ecosystem, with all stores neighboring the prominent casino and food and beverage venues so that guests can play a round of blackjack then do some shopping without having to leave the center of Butactivity.”theFontainebleau is not the only property planning updates to its mega-venues in Las Vegas. Caesar’s Entertainment, which is competing with MGM and Wynn for dominance in the Las Vegas Strip, is renovating its Bally’s hotel-casino property, which will now be rebranded to the Horseshoe name. Renovation on the property is expected to be finished by the end of 2022. Workers recently removed the Bally’s lettering from its façade so that the Horseshoe name can goTheup. Horseshoe brand, according to Caesar’s, has always been a valued and iconic place. It has long been associated with the casino operations of Benny Binion, a former Texas resident who launched the World Series of Poker at his Glitter Gulch casino in 1970. It was known as the center for high-stakes, risk-takers and gamblers looking for sports betting action. Binion had a motto for his Horseshoe brand: “good food cheap, good whiskey cheap, and a good gamble.” Also on the north end of the Strip, Circus Circus is getting its own renovation – a modest one, but which is intended to highlight the original feel of the property – of Las Vegas being a family destination for fun. Among the work being done on the property is repainting, a renovation of the “big top,” a revamping of the pool to double its capacity and give it a new resortfeel look, and the plan to add new rides to the Adventuredome theme park area. With current visitor levels to Las Vegas rising and the airport reporting a record number of passengers passing through recently, Sin City is coming back from its dark days when the Strip was empty and there were no visitors during the height of the

by RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman

Russ Bateman walks along the Strip whenever the weather is good. Behind Russ (to the right) is the façade of the Fontainbleau, which is scheduled to open in late 2023, which will include 90,000 square feet of shopping/retail space.

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

PhiliP

SACRAMENTO — Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Thursday, August 18 issued Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to warn California consumers and businesses about insurance scams involving unlicensed sellers of insurance, including robocalls selling extended vehicle warranties.TheCalifornia Department of Insurance (Department) estimates that unlicensed activity costs Californians tens of millions of dollars every year. One example of this is the hardworking Californians who have paid thousands of dollars for vehicle extended warranties illegally sold by unlicensed companies, only to have their claims improperly denied and then having to pay again for expensive repairs. Individual losses of several thousand dollars per victim can add up to massive fraud. “We have all gotten those phone calls trying to sell us an extended vehicle warranty,” says Commissioner Lara in one of the PSAs. “What a lot of people don’t know is that’s illegal in California.

KULARTS presents the world premiere of “Nursing These Wounds” at the Brava Theater in San Francisco. Photo courtesy of KULARTS

S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS @HeartHealth

In many cases, small businesses were left without insurance coverage and business owners’ livelihoods were put at risk.Some examples of illegal acts by unlicensed sellers of insurance leading to fraud include:

Erectile Dysfunction Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is the inability of a man to have a good and sustained erection to perform sexual intercourse. Foods good for those with ED, young or old, are fish, oatmeal, spinach, blackberries, pistachio, watermelon, pomegranate juice, chili pepper, and most green leafy vegetables. Three items that worsen ED are alcohol, sugary drinks and some food items, like soybased products and licorice. Blood pressure medication also aggravates ED. A healthy lifestyle, including abstinence from tobacco, minimal alcohol intake or abstinence, exercise, multivitamins, counseling, and the ED pills, like Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, etc., are helpful. A good foreplay is always a must to initiate an exciting romantic adventure. Cervical Cancer About 80 million people have been infected with the human papilloma virus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, and around 150,000 in the Philippines. Annually, there are about 13,000 cases of cervical (mouth of the womb) cancer and it kills about 4,000 women each year in the U.S. and about 342,000 a year in the world. The 5-year survival rate of those treated is about 66 percent. While Hispanic women are more prone to get it, Black women have higher mortality rates compared to others. Fortunately, there are now vaccines (Gardasil 2,4,9) which could prevent 98-99 percent of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) infection types 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer. Children (boys and girls ages 9-12 and 13-26, respectively) are recommended to get Gardasil vaccines to prevent developing cancer later in life. The sad reality, though, is some parents, either ignorant, misinformed, or simply against vaccines, refuse Gardasil for their children, who are then helpless sitting ducks for HPV infection and cancer. Today, this cancer is totally preventable, with the vaccines. It is indeed most unfortunate. A devastating reminder of the millions of people who died from COVID-19 because they refused the vaccines. Great lessons to remember. * * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. * * * The 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.

Performance details EveningDate/Time performances are at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, October 21, 22, 28, and 29; Matinee performances are 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, October 22, 23, 29 and 30 BravaLocation Theater (2781 24th St., San Francisco CA, sf.org/nursing-these-wounds.Website:Morehttps://bit.ly/ntwbrava$20-$30Cost/Tickets/Registration 94110) information https://www.kularts-

“Thank you to Senator Rubio for her tremendous partnership and leadership in authoring SB 1040, which will help victims of insurance fraud recover,” added Commissioner Lara. “I look forward to ensuring that victims of insurance scams receive direct restitution for their losses, as well as continuing our work with the Legislature to protect California consumers and businesses.”

SMDC OFFICIALS CALL ON PH CONSUL GENERAL IN SAN FRANCISCO. Consul General Neil Ferrer (4th from left) received officials from SM Development Corporation (SMDC) during their call at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on August 10, 2022. During the call, the SMDC executives discussed possible partnerships between the Consulate and SMDC, as part of the Consulate’s economic diplomacy program to promote Philippine businesses and brands in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. SMDC also said that apart from marketing their property developments, they share with their prospective buyers some of the positive developments in the Philippines including the construction of new infrastructure and the continued expansion of the Bay City where the SM Mall of Asia, the country’s biggest shopping mall, is located. With ConGen Ferrer in photo above are (from left) Trade Commissioner Celynne Layug of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley, SMDC Senior International Property Specialist Sonny Evangelista, SMDC Senior International Associate Sales Director Cecille Miranda, SMDC Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications and Marketing Dulce Marie Saret, and Vice Consul Adrian Baccay. San Francisco PCG photo

SBA, Small Business Majority announce new collab, webinar series to help small business community navigate economic challenges presents the world premiere of ‘Nursing These Wounds’

Announced following the passage of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which opens the door to enacting more robust, targeted policies that benefit Americans and small business owners still navigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including lowering healthcare and energy costs, reducing the federal deficit, and investing in clean energy solutions that create new opportunities for small manufacturers, the SBA and Small Business Majority have committed to helping entrepreneurs navigate challenges such as inflation, supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages, and other issues addressed in the IRA. Through these webinars, members of the small business community will be connected to a diverse suite of SBA and resource partner tools and strategies for longterm, stable growth, facilitate networking connections, and receive insight on the BidenHarris Administration’s policy priorities.“Small business ownership is a potent force that can help address economic inequality and build dignity,” said John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO, Small Business Majority. “A healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem provides an innovative pathway for women, people of color, young adults, veterans, disabled people, immigrants, and rural residents to enter the mainstream American economy and build income and independence. We are excited to join in this collaboration with the SBA to bring forth knowledgebased and useful tools and resources that will help to enhance the business ecosystem and support a drive toward confident entrepreneurship.”

(KULARTS Release)

* * * 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.

The Department of Insurance is here to protect you and stop these illegalInvestigationspractices.” by the Department have revealed numerous instances of insurance premium theft, embezzlement, and fraud by unlicensed sellers of insurance specifically targeting vulnerable populations, such as seniors, immigrants, and historically underrepresented communities.

SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-516012 Features Commissioner-sponsored bill for restitution for victims of insurance scams passed state legislature Commissioner Lara issues PSAs on unlicensed insurance scams, vehicle warranties Health News

LILIWENOS International is inviting all its town mates from Liliw, Laguna, Philippines living in the United States and abroad to attend a Grand Reunion to be held in Las Vegas on October 1-3, 2022.The activities include a potluck picnic in the park for Saturday, Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 6p.m. where attendees can bring their favorite summer dish to share with other Liliwenos, and a get-together scheduled at the Gold Coast Casino Hotel (4000 W. Flamingo Road) in Las Vegas on Sunday, Oct. 2 from 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. For those who wish to attend or have questions about the grand reunion, please contact Carmen at (702) 256-8005, Loida at (201) 654-5482, or Tessie at (201) 913-7800. Or send an email to program and invitation committee chair Fred Polistico at polisticoalfredo8@gmail.com.

SB 1040 received strong bipartisan support throughout the legislative process and wide support from consumer groups, business associations, and local governments. (CA Dept. of Insurance Release)

• In 2021, a Department investigation led to the arrest of an unlicensed insurance agent who provided falsified workers’ compensation certificates and pocketed the premiums, leaving businesses without coverage for worker injuries.

• In 2019, a Department investigation led to the arrest of an unlicensed insurance agent for allegedly stealing $174,000 in premiums from truck drivers and charter bus companies. The release of the PSAs comes as the California State Legislature also on August 18 passed Senate Bill 1040, authored by Senator Susan Rubio (D-West Covina) and sponsored by Commissioner Lara. The bill, currently on its way to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for his consideration, would help victims recover their losses from sellers of insurance who are not licensed by the California Department of Insurance to transact insurance by giving the Insurance Commissioner the ability to order restitution to consumers from unlicensed sellers of insurance who are breaking California laws. Restitution for consumers in the above real-life examples of illegal acts could mean reimbursement of premiums paid, payment for denied claims, and lost wages, among others. “Trying to figure out if a sales call is a scam gets harder all the time, but recovering victims’ money shouldn’t be,” said Senator Rubio. “I’m proud to work with Commissioner Lara and author SB 1040, which will eliminate barriers that keep many from getting their money back when harmed by a fraudulent insurance sale. When a scammer targets hundreds or thousands of California consumers with the same fraud, we should make it as easy as possible for victims to be made whole. Right now, many cannot afford to file a lawsuit themselves, and the scammers know this. SB 1040 authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to order restitution on victims’ behalf. The Commissioner investigates and stops fraudulent insurance sales activity. Also, while investigating and taking legal action against scammers, the Department of Insurance often learns the identities of additional victims. This puts the Department of Insurance in the best position to identify the size and scope of a fraud, and by authorizing the Commissioner to order restitution on their behalf, allows the Department to return money back to victims.”

WASHINGTON – On Monday, August 22, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 33 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, and John Arensmeyer, founder and CEO of Small Business Majority, signed a co-sponsorship agreement to partner on a new webinar series, “The Bottom Line”, to introduce small businesses across America to SBA tools and resources to address timely economic challenges, on the heels of President Biden’s signing of the Inflation Reduction Act. “This alliance between the SBA and Small Business Majority will help expand and deepen the SBA’s outreach network to better connect with small businesses and entrepreneurs in every corner of our nation. Throughout COVID, with the support of our incredible network, the SBA has helped small businesses pivot and survive during COVID with relief from the American Rescue Plan. This collaborative training series comes at a critical time as small businesses continue to navigate inflation, supply chain disruptions, and workforce challenges,” said Administrator Guzman.“WithSmall Business Majority, we will be working to provide relevant educational webinars and better communicate to small businesses owners about the vital resources the SBA offers that can help them strengthen their balance sheets and leverage the opportunities and benefits in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act which will lower health and energy costs, bolster our clean energy economy and supply chains, and shrink our federal deficit – all while strengthening success pathways to the American Dream for our entrepreneurs,” she added.

The first webinar in this series is scheduled for Tuesday, September 6, titled “How to Combat Inflation as a Small Business Owner.” This session will provide an overview of operational strategies, funding options, and resources that can help business owners deal with inflation and will be a partner collaboration with organizations like the Urban League, the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, and Prosperity Now. SBA and Small Business Majority remain steadfast in lowering the barriers to opportunity for smaller firms and businesses and ensuring entrepreneurs, especially those in under-resourced areas, have equitable access to capital, essential benefits, and a solid pathway toward sustainable growth.For additional information on “The Bottom Line” webinar series, please programs.at www.sba.gov/funding-opportunitiesinformationseries-with-the-sba. events/the-bottom-line-webinar-smallbusinessmajority.org/visit https://AdditionalonSBAfundingcanbefound (SBA Release)

Tomato Flu Cases of what is termed “Tomato Flu” (a misnomer) were first reported in Kerala, India, in early May, mostly involving children under 5. As of July 26, there were 100 cases diagnosed. It is a very contagious disease, but said to be non-fatal, presenting with rashes (like tiny flat tomatoes) in the mouth, hand, foot. It is not a new virus. It is suspected to be

Liliwenos Int’l grand reunion, Oct. 1-3 in LV

the well-known illness, “hand, foot, and mouth disease,” caused by coxsackie virus A16. They tested negative for monkeypox. Jobs and COVID Just like in the Philippines and other countries, the COVID pandemic negatively impacted businesses. The U.S, has about 10.7 million unfilled jobs, about 4 million accounting for the labor shortage because of the pandemic. COVID cases in the United States still average about 90,000 new cases and about 400 deaths a day for the past several months. The correct figures are not known because countless people who had tested positive with their home test kits never reported themselves to the health authorities, in view of milder symptoms. Monkeypox There were about 16,000 cases per day of Monkeypox in the United States the past several weeks, but the past two weeks the increase was only about 3 percent, a welcome sign. California and New York have the lowest number now. Monkeypox is transmitted through male-to-male sexual contact or from touching the infected bodily fluid. In spite of the seeming plateau, the CDC is not abandoning its guard. CPAP and Ozone CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the clinically proven state-of-the-art effective treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a condition where the person, during sleep, holds the breath for a prolonged period of time, even 100 times during the night, causing low blood oxygen level, impaired sleep, tiredness during the day, lack of concentration, and sleepiness while driving or at work. OSA also increases the risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and even cancer. There are some “ozone totes or boxes” for cleaning CPAP masks and tubing sold in stores. Ozone is very harmful to the lungs. The safer way to sanitize the masks and tubing, after washing them well with soap and water (no detergents), is the use of “UVC light SARS-CoV2bacteriaUVCtoteetc.watches,home,foodrooms,1908,1877,UVC(steriletote@hotmail.com).totes”lights,discoveredinhavebeenusedsinceforsterilizingoperatingICUs,patientrooms,itemsatwarehousesoratjewelries,cellphones,toothbrushes,combs,Anythingthatwillfitintheissafelysanitizedbythelight,whichalsodestroysandviruses,likethevirusofCOVID-19.

KULARTS presents the world premiere of SF Artistic Legacy Awardee choreographer Alleluia Panis’s “Nursing These Wounds,” a site specific, immersive dance performance investigating the impact of colonization on Pilipinx health and caregiving through the lens of Pilipinx nurses' history. “Nursing These Wounds” explores the experiences of Pilipinx nurses with Westernized medical education and how subsequent migrations laid the groundwork for the continuing global export of Pilipino labor, shaped the United States medical field, and created a fissure between traditional forms of knowledge and our community's conceptions of well-being. “Pilipinx nurses are highly respected by the community. We see them as heroes, and as a result it is often difficult to speak about the challenges of their own lives,” explains Panis. Through surveys, interviews and facilitated gatherings, Panis and the creative team have engaged Pilipinx nurses to share their own unique stories, including the different generational understandings of the profession, what they do for enjoyment, immigration, and the perceptions of their communities at home and Additionally,abroad.Panis and her dancers draw from their own connections to nurses in their own families. Panis’ sister-in-law is a working nurse in San Diego and her cousin is recently retired from a hospital in the Boston area, and several of the dancers have nurses in their families, including siblings, mothers and grandmothers. Panisaddsthat “Nursing These Wounds” is in response to this status quo: “I want to bring out the Pilipinx nurses’ narrative as a complex human experience.” The project expands on Panis’s ongoing development of a community-based ritual and ceremonial language that allows diasporic Pilipinx people to create a space of belonging, informed by rigorous traditional shamanistic practice but within the language and context of the Bay Area's Pilipinx American community. Founded in 1985, Kulintang Arts, Inc., now known popularly as KULARTS, is the premier presenter of contemporary and tribal Pilipino arts in the United States. Through its three decades of service, KULARTS has grown into a leading elder arts organization, uniting generations of artists and community activists in a common effort to build a collective space and sense of belonging within our city.

STEM cell Neuroscienceembryonews revealed that researchers headed by Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz, Professor of Mammalian Development and Stem Cell Biology from the University of Cambridge, “have created model embryos from mouse stem cells that form a brain, a beating heart, and the foundations of all other organs of the body – a new avenue for creating the first stages of life.” This was accomplished asexually, without semen or ova (eggs). A potential Nobel Prize winner, and deservedly so. This sacred discovery is not only mind-boggling but marvelous for the future of human organ (heart, lungs, liver, kidney, etc.) transplantation, which today has minimal donors, or none at all. Many patients die while waiting for donors. If this “new technology” is fully developed and successfully tried with human stem cells in producing human organs, countless lives could be saved or made healthier, comfortable, and productive. Obviously, this will take years or decades to come to fruition, but this “first step” proves this technology works. This would certainly be a boom to our universal goal of conquering diseases. The ethical, moral, religious, legal, and other ramifications will surely follow suit later. Post COVID risks New studies revealed that even after two years people who had COVID-19 were at a high risk for several neurological and psychiatric late complications like cognitive deficits, dementia, and seizures. Others (about 20 percent of patients) develop Long COVID four or more weeks following the infection. These are the reasons why “refusing the vaccines, wanting to acquire natural immunity by getting infected with COVID-19” is unwise and dangerous. There were people who died from COVID-19 and never achieved their goal. The vaccines and other mitigating measures (masking, distancing, hygiene, avoiding crowds) are still the best strategies to minimize or even prevent COVID-19 infection and reinfections. The newly “tailored” vaccines and booster for Omicron are even better.

KULARTS

• In 2020, the Department issued a cease and desist against an unlicensed Southern California agent after a consumer who thought they had coverage suffered an uninsured $100,000 residential loss.

• In 2020, the Department issued a cease and desist against an unlicensed company that illegally sold automobile extended warranties (also known as “vehicle service contracts”) to more than 1,000 California drivers – many of them seniors – for over $2 million.

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 13

SEPTEMBER 2-8, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-516014