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SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2020 Volume 13 - No. 46 • 16 Pages 133-30 32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 • 2500 Plaza S. Harborside Financial Center, Jersey City, NJ 07311 • Tel. (212) 655-5426 • Fax: (818) 502-0858

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

Palace: The worst of COVID-19 crisis is over

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE worst of the novel coronavirus crisis in the Philippines is over, Malacañang insisted on Wednesday, September 16.

“Naintindihan po natin yung pessimism ng ating kababayan dahil napakahirap po talaga nitong pandemiya na dinulot nito. Pero ang

DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Federal court rejects Trump administration’s attempt to leave undocumented immigrants out of census count A THREE-JUDGE court in New York unanimously blocked an order by President Donald Trump that looked to exclude undocumented immigrants from the 2020 Census for the purpose of apportioning representatives.

Federal statute governing the decennial census and apportionment requires the commerce secretary to report a single “tabulation

masasabi ko lang po (I understand the pessimism of our citizens because the situation is really difficult now. But all I can say is) the worst is over,” said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

The statement was in response to a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that found 57 percent of Filipinos fearing “the worst is yet to come” with the COVID-19

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA

AJPress

PHILIPPINE Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday, September 15, said his office will push to have a representative observing the court martial proceedings of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton.

“We might have an observer present in the court martial. That’s not a bad idea... if they will allow us, because that falls under military relations but we will certainly press

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gan sa lahat, puwede po tayong mabuhay na nandiyan pa ang COVID dahil hanggang wala namang bakuna, walang gamot eh talagang matatagalan ang ating pandemya ‘no (We only really hit rock bottom because we closed the economy. That is why today we call on everyone, we can live while COVID is still here because as long as there is no

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New Jersey allows undocumented immigrants to obtain professional licenses

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA

AJPress

GOV. Phil Murphy has signed a bill allowing the approximately 500,000 undocumented immigrants who live in the state to be able to apply for professional licenses.

“This eliminates a roadblock. There have been many that have been put up against our immigrant families and communities,” Murphy said.

According to Migration Policy Institute numbers, about 97,000 or 23 percent of New Jersey’s estimated 526,000 undocumented residents has a Bachelor’s, graduate or pro-

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Locsin: PH wants to observe Pemberton’s court martial proceedings

pandemic.

Roque noted that the country only “hit rock bottom” because of the lockdowns that the national government had to enforce in an attempt to contain the further spread of the virus.

“Kaya lang naman po talaga tayong we hit rock bottom dahil sinara natin ang ekonomiya. Kaya nga po ngayon ang ating panawa-

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CHRISTMAS IN THE AIR. Despite the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic, a seller displays his Christmas lanterns in different styles and sizes worth up to P1,500 in Las Piñas City on Monday, September 14. Chrismas lantern, or locally known as “parol,” is one of the most iconic symbols of the Filipino Christmas celebration.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

UK’s first Filipina mayor passes away Pandemic threatens human capital gains of the past decade, new report says

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

CYNTHIA Alcantara Barker, the first Filipina mayor in England, has passed away “following a bout of serious illness.” She was 58 years old.

Her death was confirmed on Tuesday, September 15, by her brother, Gene Alcantara.

“It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of The Worshipful Hertsmere Mayor Councilor Cynthia Barker following a bout of serious illness,” he said in a Facebook post.

“We will be issuing further information in due course, but may we ask

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Cynthia Alcantara Barker was the incumbent mayor of Hertsmere, a local government district and borough in Hertfordshire, England.

Photo courtesy of Alcantara Family

THE COVID-19 pandemic threatens hard-won gains in health and education over the past decade, especially in the poorest countries, a new World Bank Group analysis finds. Investments in human capital—the knowledge, skills, and health that people accumulate over their lives— are key to unlocking a child’s potential and to improving economic growth in every country.

The World Bank Group’s 2020 Human Capital Index includes health and education data for 174 countries – covering 98 percent of the world’s population – up to March 2020, providing a pre-pandemic baseline on the health and education of children. The analysis shows that pre-pandemic, most countries had made steady progress in building human

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From the Front Page Survey: Fil-Am voters most enthusiastic about 2020 election among Asian American groups Majority of Fil-Ams prefer Biden, but segment shows 2nd highest support for Trump

by Christina

M. Oriel

AJPress

FILIPINO American registered voters are showing the highest levels of enthusiasm among the major Asian American groups as the 2020 presidential election nears, according to a new survey.

The 2020 Asian American Voter Survey — released on Tuesday, September 15 by APIA Vote, AAPI Data, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC — gauges how registered voters are feeling about the upcoming election and candidates, and their positions on certain issues.

The survey, which is one of the few pre-election surveys that offer an in-depth look into the Asian American electorate, found that Asian Americans (54%) are highly enthusiastic about participating in this year’s election,

building upon the electorate’s record turnout in the 2018 midterm election.

Of the Fil-Am voters, 62% said they are “more enthusiastic” compared to previous cycles, the highest level support compared to the Chinese, Indian, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese groups surveyed.

“The key findings are that Asian Americans are highly motivated this year. You see high enthusiasm but many are still persuadable [and] they’re not getting contacted by either party,” Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and director of APIA Data, said. “So it’s a missed opportunity with less than two months to go.”

The survey was conducted among 1,569 registered voters from the six Asian American communities across the country via telephone and online from July 15 to Sep-

tember 10. (Broken down by group, 263 Filipino respondents participated.)

Despite the enthusiasm, when it comes to contact from either the Republican or Democratic Party, a majority of respondents responded “not at all.” 55% of Filipinos said the Democratic Party has not engaged them, while 56% said the same for the Republican side.

The majority of Asian Americans collectively identified as Democrats, but 31% still identified as independent or “other,” showing an opportunity for either side to capture their votes.

When asked who they are “inclined to vote for” in the presidential race, 54% of Asian Americans are leaning toward former Vice President Joe Biden, while 30% would back a second term for Presi-

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Bureau of Corrections Chief Gerald Bantag turned over to the Bureau of Immigration the custody of Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton on Friday, September 11. The US marine, who was convicted in 2015 for killing Jennifer Laude, was flown out of the country on Sunday, September 13, after he was released from detention in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Photo courtesy of BuCor

Locsin: PH wants to observe Pemberton’s...

PAGE 1 for that,” he said in a budget hearing.

Malacañang on Monday, September 14 said Pemberton will continue to face court martial proceedings in the U.S. as promised by U.S. authorities.

“There was a promise made by American authorities along with a representative from the Marine corps,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in Filipino.

“They promised that even if Pemberton is released and the process in the Philippines ended, he will still face court martial proceedings where it will be determined if additional punishment will be imposed and if he is still qualified to remain in service,” he added.

Pemberton was deported from the Philippines on Sun-

day, September 13 on board an American military aircraft bound for the U.S., at exactly 9:14 a.m.

He was released from the detention after being granted an absolute pardon by President Rodrigo Duterte, who said that it was unfair to keep Pemberton detained.

According to Locsin, Duterte talked to him and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra before giving the pardon to Pemberton.

“All I can is tell you exactly what happened. There was no grant for a request for a pardon. The president, on his own initiative…when we were in a meeting, he told me, ‘Teddy Boy, you know, a prisoner has no control over the conditions of his confinement,” he said.

“This is his view, he is a practicing lawyer, a litigator,

and a prosecutor,” he added.

“Teddy Boy, I think I’m going to give him a pardon.”

Locsin then said he and Duterte waited for Guevarra to arrive, after which the president inquired about Pemberton’s case status.

“Guevarra came in and he (Duterte) said, ‘Where are we now?’ And he (Guevarra) said, ‘Well, there’s a motion for reconsideration in court (against Pemberton’s early release). If you want to wait for that, you can and see where it goes,’” he narrated.

“But he (Duterte) said, ‘No, I think it’s unfair.’ And he explained again, ‘If the court has already found that he qualifies for good conduct time allowance, why don’t I just give him a pardon and cut this all short?’ Sec. Guevarra said, ‘Well that’s your prerogative,

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Palace: The worst of COVID-19 crisis...

PAGE 1 vaccine, there is no cure, the pandemic will go on),” he said.

“Pero ang sinasabi lang po ng ating Pangulo, puwede naman pong mabuhay basta pag-ingatan po ang ating mga kalusugan para tayo ay makapaghanapbuhay at makakamit natin ito sa pamamagitan ng hugas, mask at iwas (But what the President is saying is that can survive as long as we take care of our health so that we can pursue our livelihoods and we can achieve this through washing of hands, wearing face masks and prevention),” the spokesman added.

The SWS survey, con-

ducted from July 3 to 6 and released on Tuesday, September 15 noted that the Filipino adults who believe that the worst-case scenario has yet to happen rose from 47 percent in May to 57 percent in July.

Of the new figure, 70 percent came from Metro Manila. This was followed by Visayas (61 percent), balance Luzon or areas in Luzon excluding Metro Manila (56 percent) and Mindanao (49 percent).

“Compared to May 2020, the proportion of those who fear ‘the worst is yet to come’ rose sharply in Metro Manila, up by 20 points from 50 percent,” the pollster said.

Meanwhile, Filipinos who believe that “the worst is behind us” fell from 44 percent in May 2020 to 35 percent in July.

The survey was conducted among 1,555 Filipinos nationwide through mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone interviewing.

SWS noted the sampling error margins of ±2% for national percentages, ±6% for Metro Manila, ±5 for Balance Luzon, ±5% for the Visayas, and ±5% for Mindanao.

As of this writing, there are 272,934 confirmed COVID19 cases in the country, with 4,732 fatalities and 207,858 recoveries. n

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New Jersey allows undocumented...

UK’s first Filipina mayor passes away...

PAGE 1 please to respect the family’s privacy at this very difficult time,” he added.

Barker was appointed mayor of Hertsmere, Hertfordshire in England last June.

Prior to that, she served as deputy mayor in 2019. She was also a borough councilor for Borehamwood’s Kenilworth ward.

The local government of Hertsmere expressed sadness over Barker’s death.

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this extremely sad and difficult time, and we send them our sincerest condolences,” the council said in a statement on the Hertsmere website.

“She was the first Philippines-born elected representative in the borough, extremely proud of her heritage and committed to doing her utmost to champion equality and diversity for all our com-

munities in Hertsmere. She was also chosen as one of the 100 most influential Filipinas by the Filipina Women’s Network,” they added.

Councilor Morris Bright MBE, the leader of the council, said Barker thrived at being a local councilor.

“I knew Cynthia as both a colleague and friend. Nothing was ever too much for her. She thrived at being a local councilor, always wanting to help residents with their issues. She left a lasting impression on the council and Borehamwood,” he said.

“We are all struggling to take in the sad news at the moment but I am sure we will all remember Cynthia as a kind, wonderful person who was a hard working community representative.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Cynthia’s family and friends,” he added.

Meanwhile, Councilor

Jeremy Newmark, leader of the Labour group, described Barker as “a trailblazer and role model for women and minorities in local government. “ “It was a privilege to have known and worked with Cynthia. She was a trailblazer and role model for women and minorities in local government. Cynthia was kind and supportive to me personally when I was first elected as a councilor, despite being on opposite sides of the political divide,” he said.

He added, “She brought grace and dignity to the office of Mayor but was always approachable and down to earth, particularly when engaging with children and young people. Her commitment to charitable causes, notably the NSPCC and the Rotary Club, was relentless.

May her memory continue to inspire us all.” n

Pandemic threatens human capital...

PAGE 1 capital of children, with the biggest strides made in lowincome countries. Despite this progress, and even before the effects of the pandemic, a child born in a typical country could expect to achieve just 56 percent of their potential human capital, relative to a benchmark of complete education and full health.

“The pandemic puts at risk the decade’s progress in building human capital, including the improvements in health, survival rates, school enrollment, and reduced stunting. The economic impact of the pandemic has been particularly deep for women and for the most disadvantaged families, leaving many vulnerable to food insecurity and poverty,” said World Bank Group President David Malpass. “Protecting and investing in people is vital as countries work to lay the foundation for sustainable, inclusive recoveries and future growth.”

Due to the pandemic’s im-

pact, most children – more than 1 billion – have been out of school and could lose out, on average, half a year of schooling, adjusted for learning, translating into considerable monetary losses. Data also shows significant disruptions to essential health services for women and children, with many children missing out on crucial vaccinations.

The 2020 Human Capital Index also presents a decade-long view of the evolution of human capital outcomes from 2010 through 2020, finding improvements across all regions, where data are available, and across all income levels. These were largely due to improvements in health, reflected in better child and adult survival rates and reduced stunting, as well as an increase in school enrollment. This progress is now at risk due to the global pandemic.

The analysis finds that human capital outcomes for girls are on average higher than for boys. However, this

has not translated into comparable opportunities to use human capital in the labor market: on average, employment rates are 20 percentage points lower for women than for men, with a wider gap in many countries and regions. Moreover, the pandemic is exacerbating risks of gender-based violence, child marriage and adolescent pregnancy, all of which further reduce opportunities for learning and empowerment for women and girls.

Today, hard-won human capital gains in many countries are at risk. But countries can do more than just work to recover the lost progress.

To protect and extend earlier human capital gains, countries need to expand health service coverage and quality among marginalized communities, boost learning outcomes together with school enrollments, and support vulnerable families with social protection measures adapted to the scale of the COVID-19 crisis.

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Locsin: PH wants to observe Pemberton’s...

PAGE 2 it’s an absolute prerogative as president.’ Then he (Duterte) said, ‘I’m doing that right now,’” Locsin added.

Pemberton was convicted of homicide on December 1, 2015 for the murder of Jennifer Laude. He was sentenced

to six to 10 years imprisonment.

Prior to Duterte’s pardon, the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court ordered his release, saying that the convicted American serviceman has completed the minimum of his sentence after serving

a total of 2,142 days or over five years and eight months in prison as well as accumulating a good conduct time allowance (GCTA) of 1,548 days or more than four years.

The pardon voided the issue of whether or not Pemberton is entitled to GCTA. n

PAGE 1 fessional degree.

“New Jersey is stronger when everyone is given the opportunity to contribute and everyone is given a chance to live their American Dream,” Murphy added. “This law sends a simple, powerful message that immigration status can no longer be used as an excuse to discriminate among equally educated, trained, and qualified individuals.”

In the state, professions and occupations that require licenses include accountants, architects, acupuncturists, audiologists, beauticians, court reporters, cosmetologists, doctors, dentists, engineers, home inspectors, morticians, nurses, occupational therapists, optometrists, pharmacists, plumbers, real estate appraisers, social workers and veterinarians.

New Jersey, known for its diversity and thriving immigrant population, is the first state in the east coast to do so.

Under the federal Personal

Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), states may grant an individual who is not lawfully present in the United States eligibility for certain State or local public benefits, including professional and commercial licensure, through the enactment of state law.

The sweeping legislation is the first on the East Coast that removes all immigration barriers to obtaining professional and occupational licenses, immigration advocates said. California, Nevada and New Mexico are among other states with similar legislation.

Paul Rodriguez, the acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, who will oversee the implementation of the legislation, said the law takes effect immediately.

“Applicants’ immigration status should have no bearing on their ability to obtain a professional or occupational license provided they meet educational and all other requirements,” Rodríguez

said. “Eliminating the current residency requirement will allow prospective licensees who fulfill all other prerequisites to practice in their chosen profession.”

He added that in New Jersey there are 51 occupational and professional licensing boards that license collectively about 750,000 individuals across 175 professions in the state. The boards review educational and training requirements before approving licenses.

Federal law prohibits employers from hiring someone living in the country illegally, but immigrants of any legal status are able to work as independent contractors or to start a business using a Social Security number or Individual Tax Identification Number.

According to the American Immigration Council, nearly one-quarter of New Jersey’s population was born in another country, while one in six residents is a native-born U.S. citizen with at least one immigrant parent. n

Federal court rejects Trump administration’s...

PAGE 1 of total population by States” to the president, which the president is then to use in connection with apportionment.

The federal judges, on Thursday, September 10, ruled that Trump’s Presidential Memorandum issued on July 21, violated statutory requirements by directing Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to include a second set of census figures excluding noncitizens.

It also violated requirements by excluding noncitizens from the required “whole number of persons in each State” count that is used as a basis for apportionment of House seats.

The Presidential Memorandum, the judges said, was an “unlawful exercise of authority” granted to Trump by statute, and thus there was no need to move on to the question of whether the memorandum violated the U.S. Constitution itself.

“Because the President exceeded the authority granted to him by Congress by statute, we need not, and do not, reach the overlapping, albeit distinct, question of whether the Presidential Memorandum constitutes a violation of the Constitution itself,” the judges wrote in the 86-page opinion.

“The merits of the parties’ dis-

pute are not particularly close or complicated.”

When issuing the memorandum, Trump said in a statement that the “radical left” was trying to “conceal the number of illegal aliens in our country.”

“Just as we do not give political power to people who are here temporarily, we should not give political power to people who should not be here at all,” said Trump.

The judges said that while Trump did have some discretion in overseeing the conduct of the decennial census and how the results of the count would be issued for reapportionment, such authority, they emphasized, is limited.

“Nevertheless, where the authority of the President (or other members of the Executive Branch) to act is derived from statutes passed by Congress, the President must act in accordance with, and within the boundaries of, the authority that Congress has granted,” the judges wrote in their conclusion.

The case was brought forward by a coalition of states, local cities, and civil right groups who were concerned over the possible loss of congressional seats in areas where representation is critical.

Looking at 2019 population estimates, the Pew Research

Center in July said that California, Florida, and Texas, for example, would each end up with one less congressional seat if unauthorized immigrants were excluded from the apportionment count.

The case was also one of eight other legal challenges in California, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Massachusetts, and will possibly be appealed directly to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Dale Ho, director of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) Voting Rights Project, one of the groups that challenged Trump’s order, called the ruling a “huge victory for voting rights and for immigrants’ rights.”

“President Trump has tried and failed yet again to weaponize the census against immigrant communities,” Ho said in a statement. “The law is clear—every person counts in the census.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, called the ruling a “resounding victory for justice, equality and our American Democracy.”

“The President’s unlawful order was a brazen violation of the rule of law, purposebuilt to cause traditionally underounted communities to be even further underrepresented and left behind,” added Pelosi. “We are pleased that the

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OPINION

FEATURES

Safety during Undas THE coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has upended traditional celebrations and rituals in the country, among them the Lenten observances and the Flores de Mayo processions. The latest to be affected by the COVID-19 health crisis is this year’s holiday for commemorating the dearly departed.

Following the lead of the city government of Manila, which hosts some of the most crowded cemeteries in the country, the rest of Metro Manila will also shut down cemeteries not only during the holidays for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days or Undas, but from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4.

The announcement of the shutdown was made to allow people to visit the dead much earlier or after the special days. For many, this is an annual ritual of cleaning tombs, checking for damage, repainting and refurbishing. And for many, this is an occasion for family gatherings.

With COVID quarantine measures gradually easing, it’s likely that people will still

5

plan for such gatherings this year – not during Undas itself, but in the weeks leading up to the holiday. This early, authorities should draw up public health safety protocols for those who will visit cemeteries.

Local government units may also devise their own systems for crowd control inside cemeteries. Marshals can be fielded to ensure compliance with COVID health regulations particularly wearing of face masks and shields as well as physical distancing. Health protocols must be strictly enforced among vendors of flowers, candles and other items.

This year’s Holy Week traditions were not observed as Metro Manila and many other parts of the country were under the strictest enhanced community quarantine at the time.

Undas will be the first major public holiday following the easing of COVID quarantine restrictions. It will be a test of crowd control and compliance with health protocols in the weeks leading up to the biggest holiday period of the year, Christmas. Undas safety

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

protocols must be put in place as early as possible. The days of the dead must not lead

to the spread of the coronavirus and more deaths. (Philstar.com)

Betrayal of public trust: Trump’s deliberate Remembering Marichu Vera-Perez Maceda cover-up, misinformation of the COVID-19 Peacethreat has killed 192,000+ Americans Maker The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS As we remember the sad day in our nation’s history, when at least 3,000 people were killed and thousands more were injured in a series of coordinated attacks

on American soil on September 11, 2001, carried out by the Islamist global terror network Al Qaeda, we come to realize another sobering fact happening now, almost two decades later.

The American people’s lives and safety continue to be under threat, not only by homegrown extremists in America, but also by people in government who have betrayed their sacred oath to protect us.

We feel betrayed to know that the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, deliberately covered up information he already knew in January from the warnings coming from our own intelligence agencies and scientists, and purposely downplayed the grave and fatal threat of the coronavirus pandemic to the American people.

This judgment call by PAGE 10

FORMER SPEAKER JOSE C. DE VENECIA, JR. NINE days ago, our beloved 77-year-old sister-inlaw Ma. Azucena Vera-Perez Maceda, wife of the late Senate President Ernesto Maceda and eldest sister of my wife former Congresswoman Gina de Venecia, succumbed after battling heart and kidney ailments for several months.

She was the eldest among seven Vera-Perez siblings, whose family owned the famed Sampaguita Pictures, a pioneer in the Philippine movie industry. Their grandfather was the renowned Senator Jose O. Vera, who also served as governor of Albay, which then included the now Catanduanes province.

Marichu or “Manay Ichu,” as she was affectionately called by family and friends, was until her final days an untiring advocate of the advancement of the film industry.

PAGE 10

Matriarch of Philippine Cinema Maria Azucena “Marichu” Vera-Perez Maceda (December 23, 1942 – September 7, 2020)

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Virus-induced foreign borrowing bloats to $8.96 billion

by Ian

nIcolas cIgaral Philstar.com

MANILA — Foreign creditors sustained lending to the Philippines’ coronavirus response even as the economy has all but fully reopened 6 months into the pandemic fight, finance department data showed.

With tax revenues still seen weakening this year despite business restarting, the Duterte administration secured $8.96 billion worth of foreign loans, grants and securities from March to September 14.

The latest tally was up 10.2% from $8.13 billion raised as of August 5 when the data was reported. The government has heavily relied on incurring bigger debts to bridge the gap between revenues and spending poised to widen to record-levels by yearend.

The list represents borrow-

ings already agreed upon by the Philippines and lenders, which may or may not have been credited to state coffers as of posting. Figures also only cover foreign debts, and do not include peso liabilities which account for the bulk of the debt pile.

From last month, data showed the fund pool increased as a result of two loan agreements with Asian Development Bank (ADB) cumulatively worth $700 million. Loans were payable for 15 years, inclusive of a 3-year grace period, and charged with corresponding interest.

Washington-based World Bank also accounted for a huge share of funding for coronavirus programs at $1.67 billion in the current tally, data showed.

The China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, another multilateral agency, also loaned out $750 million.

The Japanese government,

on its own and through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, also gave out a combined $477.31 million to the pandemic response, part of which was for the purchase of medical equipment by the health department.

Agence Française de Développement, the French aid agency, likewise extended $275.7 million in loans.

To replace revenues lost from virus-battered consumers and businesses, the government said it is to be expected to borrow more and fund the economy’s needs.

Borrowings have started to trickle down to the state’s balance sheet in the form of debt reaching a record P9.16 trillion as of July.

According to official assumptions, the uptrend in debt is likely to persist with outstanding obligations hitting P10.16 trillion by yearend and to P11.98 trillion next year. n

Pandemic threatens human capital...

PAGE 4 The World Bank Group is working closely with governments to develop long-term solutions to protect and invest in people during and after the pandemic.

For the Philippines, one of the hardest hit countries in South East Asia, the Bank is helping provide personal protective equipment, essential medicines, and test kits as well as supporting the Department of Health in preparing guidance on standard

design for hospital isolation and treatment centers and fund expansion of the country’s laboratory capacity for preparedness against emerging infectious diseases.

In Ethiopia, Haiti and Mongolia, the Bank has been supporting the acquisition of vital medical equipment while in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, and Nepal, the Bank is supporting the development of school safety and hygiene protocols while working with Water Supply, Sanitation,

and Hygiene teams to provide basic sanitization and hygiene supplies.

Ambitious, evidence-driven policy measures in health, education, and social protection can recover lost ground and pave the way for today’s children to surpass the human capital achievements and quality of life of the generations that preceded them.

Fully realizing the creative promise embodied in each child has never been more important. n

Federal court rejects Trump administration’s...

PAGE 4 court unanimously declared that the President’s directive violated the law and blocked this latest Trump attack on our immigrant communities.”

While the ruling was a win for advocates for a complete census, many remain focused on a separate effort by the Trump administration that looks to end all census counting efforts in less than three weeks—a full month earlier than it had previously planned.

A federal judge on Saturday, September 5 ordered the

Trump administration to halt its plans at least until September 17 when a court hearing on the issue will be held.

The Trump administration has until Sunday, September 13 to present documents explaining why the administration moved the census count deadline from October 31 to September 30.

“Trump has tried to sabotage the census from the beginning, leaving states with inaccurate numbers that will deprive communities of federal assistance to recover from the pandemic. The court has

blocked this attempt to cut people and communities out of the once-in-a-decade count, but we still need Congress to do its job and stop the administration from rushing the census,” the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights said in a statement.

“The Census Bureau needs more time to finish and process a complete count. And organizers need time to reach immigrants and other communities this administration has tried to scare away from the census,” it added. (Rae Ann Varona/AJPress) n

FOOD VENDOR. A vendor sells food on the sidewalk on Congressional Road, Barangay Salitran 3, Dasmarinas, Cavite on Tuesday, September 15. The food vendor has put plastic barriers on his stall as a health safety protocol amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.

PNA photo by Gil Calinga

Ten minutes will change our world for Asian Americans Commentary

John C. Yang IF you could do something in ten minutes or less that would make sure we have translated materials for limited English proficient members in our Asian American community, local grocery stores that carry Asian-related products, or tell Asian-owned businesses where to build new stores, would you do it?

Right now, you can make the difference in how our communities are seen and supported if you take a few minutes to fill out the 2020 Census. We can no longer afford to let others view our communities as monolithic.

Right now, we are in a crisis.

The Coronavirus pandemic has shown how little national data is available about the impact of this virus on Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Government officials scrambled to figure out where to send resources when the pandemic started.

With accurate census data, we can prove where resources need to be deployed across the country, within the states, and down into specific communities. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are missing from data on how the coronavirus impacts us. Initially, reports did not show that people in our communities were

dying from this virus faster than other ethnicities. Nearly 190,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 but little to no data about the impact of the virus on Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

The death rate among Pacific Islander Americans is higher than the Asian American community, but it took months before those scant statistics were reported. We still do not have an accurate picture of the extent of the disparities.

The Asian American community is the fastest-growing population in the U.S. We learned this fact because of 2010 Census data. Without every one of us filling out the 2020 Census, we will not know if that fact continues to be true. We will not know how our communities are growing or changing. We can’t argue the need for new schools, elder care services, or debate about fair political representation in Congress, state legislatures, and even local school boards.

Within our communities we have more than 50 detailed subgroups that differ dramatically across key social and economic indicators. The detailed data from the 2020 Census is critical to our ability to break down the stereotype of the “model minority,” which has been used to erase the history of exclusion and discrimination against Asian Americans. This stereotype is also used to obscure our concerns — failing to recognize critical differences and priorities between Asian American

subgroups — and therefore to excuse the lack of government resources and investments in our communities.

Some of you may be struggling at home right now with finances, your business barely making ends meet, or concerned about your job security.

It is data from the census that will tell the government where to put resources that will help your business, send healthcare supplies or workers, and tell businesses where to build or rebuild. We must fully participate in the census to make sure the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are included in the planning and get our fair share of those resources.

But that cannot happen without you filling out your census. The deadline to respond has been extended so you have no excuse not to do the right thing for our community. Right now, you may be feeling unsure of what to do or how you can make a difference amid this pandemic and the calls for racial justice in protests and rallies.

One thing you can do right now is to change our visibility.

Be seen and be counted by filling out your census form now.

You have ten minutes, right?

••• John C. Yang is the president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC, a national nonprofit founded in 1991 in Washington, D.C. with the mission to advance the civil and human rights for Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.

SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2020 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

Survey: Fil-Am voters most enthusiastic...

NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY

EVERYDAY

9:00am - 11:00am

PAGE 2 dent Donald Trump. However, 15% said they don’t know or are undecided.

Among Fil-Ams, 52% back Biden, while 34% support Trump — the second highest support among the groups after 48% of Vietnamese voters who would re-elect the current president.

The survey also asked about the candidates’ favorability with a majority of Asian Americans as a whole saying they have a very or somewhat favorable opinion of Biden, while a majority had an unfavorable view of Trump. However, “You see Biden favored over Trump among Japanese Americans, Korean Americans, Chinese Americans and Filipino Americans. This is important because there’s been a lot of speculation, for example, with the Filipino American community and the Chinese American community in terms of how they will vote,” Ramakrishnan said.

Top issues The survey also took a look at voters’ positions on issues from jobs to health care to gun control. Largely, the data

points to Asian American groups moving more progressive.

“This just means that the parties and campaigns, including issue campaigns, have to pay attention to our communities, including those working on environmental issues and gun control,” Ramakrishnan added. “I can’t tell you the number of times people have these stereotypes in terms of these issues not being Asian American issues and we have to change that.”

• Government spending: 39% of Fil-Ams said they would prefer a bigger government providing more services, while 38% said it would depend.

• Healthcare and immigration: 55% of Fil-Ams said they agree that the government should expend access to health insurance for all immigrants, regardless of their legal status. Meanwhile, over 60% said they agree that undocumented immigrants should have the opportunity to become U.S. citizens.

• Climate change policies: A majority of Asian Americans support stronger legis-

lation to reduce the effects of climate change, with 77% of Fil-Ams agreeing.

• Gun control: 51% of FilAms said they “agree strongly” that the U.S. should have stricter gun laws.

How COVID-19, racism affects voters Since the onset of COVID19 in the U.S., the Asian American community has largely experienced hate crimes, harassment and other forms of discrimination.

The survey asked voters to rate the level of discrimination against Asian individuals to which 55% of Fil-Ams said “some,” while 48% said they worry very or somewhat often about experiencing a hate crime or harassment because of the stigma around the virus.

Given the protests against police brutality and call for racial and social justice, participants were also asked about civil rights (58% of Fil-Ams strongly in favor), support for reallocating police funds (57% of Fil-Ams agree), and affirmative action (69% of Fil-Ams in favor).

“The Asian American elecPAGE 10

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SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2020 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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

Betrayal of public trust: Trump’s...

Survey: Fil-Am voters most enthusiastic...

PAGE 5 Trump has killed more than 192,000 people and has infected almost 6.5 million people and counting.

COVID-19 has killed more Americans than during 9/11 and more than the 67,830 troops who died in every war since the start of the Vietnam conflict in 1964. It did not have to happen this way and more lives could have been saved if Trump had been honest with the American people.

You should have already watched or heard news reports, and listened to Trump’s voice himself from an interview, recorded with his permission for a new book by the legendary investigative journalist Bog Woodward.

(Woodward teamed up with another investigative journalist, Carl Bernstein, to report on the Watergate scandal which led to government investigations that pushed President Richard Nixon to resign.)

Woodward interviewed Trump 18 times from December 2019 to July 2020.

The president told the journalist that he downplayed the threat of the virus to avoid panic.

Quoting the reporting by the respected news organization of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), contrasting “What Trump was telling Woodward v saying publicly”: 28 Jan: National security adviser Robert O’Brien tells the president: “This is the biggest national security threat you will face.”

7 Feb: “This is deadly stuff,” he tells Woodward, far more serious than the flu.

23 Feb: “We have it very much under control,” President Trump tells reporters.

26 Feb: On the 15 confirmed cases at the time, he tells a briefing: “within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero, that’s a pretty good job we’ve done”, implying that flu is far more dangerous.

27 Feb: The virus is going to “disappear”, he says.

10 March: “We’re doing a great job with it. And it will go away. Just stay calm. It will go away,” the president says on Capitol Hill.

19 March: He tells Woodward he wanted to play it down to avoid a panic.

Following the backlash that ensued after the news broke out, Trump chose to lie about his lie despite the

evidence of an audio recording.

“I didn’t lie, what I said is we have to be calm, we can’t be panicked,” he said in response to a reporter’s question in a White House news conference on Thursday afternoon, September 10.

And then Trump resorted to his usual tactic: Shoot the messenger. Deflect blame to anybody or everybody other than him.

“Bob Woodward had my quotes for many months. If he thought they were so bad or dangerous, why didn’t he immediately report them in an effort to save lives?”

Trump contended. “Didn’t he have an obligation to do so? No, because he knew they were good and proper answers. Calm, no panic!”

Woodward said the reasons he did not immediately release the tape and information: “The biggest problem I had, which is always a problem with Trump, is I didn’t know if it was true,” Woodward told The Post in an interview.

The investigative journalist also wanted to know the source of information and the context of Trump’s statements, so that he could tell the bigger picture to the American people before the November election.

Why is Trump deflecting the blame to Woodward?

Trump is the President, the Commander-in-Chief, and it is his responsibility and obligation to be truthful to the American people about what is really happening in our country, the threats we are facing. He is duty-bound to unify the country instead of dividing our people to defeat the invisible enemy by urging every American to follow safety measures based on science and facts to protect lives and keep us all safe.

Trump contends, “I don’t want to jump up and down and start screaming, ‘death, death,’ because that’s not what it’s about.”

YES, Mr. Trump, that is what it is about: To protect the lives of the American people from death because of the severity of the virus.

You said you did not want the American people to panic? That is not the way to do it, Mr. President. Lying is not the way to do it.

The facts that we are No. 1 in the world with the most number of infected cases and No. 1 in the death toll, with a continued uptick

in cases just as other progressive countries have already defeated the virus just prove you have failed in your duty to protect the American people.

Panic and death happen when people are confused because of mixed messaging coming from the government without a true, trustworthy and unifying leader for the nation. We, the people, cannot trust a leader who is not truthful to us. We cannot be calm when we do not have a true leader who has a clear plan and strategy based on facts and science to defeat the enemy, a plan we all can follow and abide by together.

But you, Mr. President, despite knowledge about the severity of the virus and its threat to human lives, continue with your misinformation campaign.

Through your dangerous rhetoric and example, you have been selling us to the invisible enemy because the truth is — you are more obsessed about defeating your political opponents to be re-elected than defeat the virus and save people’s lives.

President Trump, you are too focused on covering up the facts, the numbers, downplaying the required wide-scale testing and contact tracing because such statistics will make you look bad and that is your worst nightmare more than seeing people die under your watch.

Despite warnings from our health officials and scientists, despite what you already know about the virus, and despite the death toll and the growing number of confirmed cases, Mr. President, you have been pushing states, businesses, and schools to open because the numbers you want are good economic indicators that will be your bragging right in your re-election bid.

Consequently, we see more people dying as a result. These are hundreds of thousands of ordinary people, including our front liners and teachers. You hardly even talk about this to urge people to come together and be united in the battlefront against COVID19. But then you tweet urgently on the ratings and economic numbers you think are good for you, and more incessant tweeting against your political opponents and critics.

PAGE 8 torate faces greater barriers to voting in 2020 with the fear of anti-Asian violence, COVID-19 infection and confusion about how to vote,” APIAVote Executive Director Christine Chen said, adding that the organization is sending translated mailers to Asian households in battleground states that report they speak a language other than English.

Vote by mail As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, states are

increasing their vote by mail capacity in an effort to slow the virus’ spread and keep communities safe.

Over half of Asian Americans (54%) said they plan to vote by mail or by absentee, while 27% said they would do it in person on Election Day. Since 1 in 3 Asian Americans said using language assistance would help them cast their ballots, John Yang, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, emphasized provi-

sions in the Voting Rights Act that allow for ballot materials in an Asian language or the ability to bring someone to the polling center who can help you vote if you don’t feel English proficient.

Though the survey only targeted registered voters, this year, Asian Americans are the fastest-growing segment of eligible voters out of the major racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., with 11.1 million eligible to vote, according to Pew Research Center. n

Remembering Marichu Vera-Perez...

PAGE 5 She helped establish the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (ECP), and Philippine Motion Pictures Producers Association (PMPPA), which are now the backbones of the country’s movie industry.

Marichu was intelligent, articulate, lovely, nurturing, and kindhearted. She spent her personal money, and encouraged her children, according to Manila Congressman Edward Maceda and her four other distinguished sons, to help people in need especially those from the

movie industry. She was generous too with her time, expertise and wisdom.

When we ran for president in 1998 against then Vice President Joseph Estrada and eight capable and distinguished others, Marichu was one of our indefatigable campaigners. We knew how emotionally difficult it was for her then as she and Erap both belong to the film industry and have been very good friends long before this columnist even met and married her younger sister Gina. President Estrada and we have remained friends up to this day.

In December last year, she came to our home to personally bring her Christmas and our birthday presents, a collection of some 1,000 movies, which includes our all-

time favorites, particularly the classics and biographical films.

We were later told by our assistant that although Marichu was already sickly then, she meticulously chose the movies to be included in the collection and made sure that it was done thoroughly.

The movie collection she so thoughtfully gifted us with has been a treasure, delight and respite for us who have been stuck at home since the onslaught of the Coronavirus in our country, considering that we are now almost 84.

We, together with my wife Gina and son Pangasinan Congressman Christopher de Venecia, will miss you, dear Marichu, mother to her accomplished sons and mover of many successful Filipino movies in our country. n

You foolishly think that fabricating a semblance of normalcy like life as we know it pre-COVID will make the virus go away.

No, Mr. President. This approach only exacerbates the problem, and prolong our journey toward healing and true recovery, both in our health and in our economy.

My fellow Filipinos in America, my fellow American citizens, we deserve more than this from our president.

There is blood on his hands, and we have to call him out for his failure in leadership. No self-respecting American will give him four more years for betraying his constitutional duty to defend us and protect our lives because of his personal and political agenda. This is a betrayal of the public trust and power accorded to him by the Office of the President of the United States.

It is a betrayal of public trust when you use the bully pulpit and power of the Office of the President to attack people, institutions, even our own state and federal government officials who do not flatter you as they fulfill their constitutional duties to provide checks and balances in government, even fabricating lies against your critics.

It is a betrayal of public trust when you attempt to disenfranchise people of their right to vote safely by mail amid the threat of the pandemic, and peddle conspiracy theories without bases in fact to discredit mail-in voting, which you yourself use to cast your vote. President Trump, you even tactically and maliciously smear the election process to cast doubt in the minds and faith of the American people in case you lose, as you are trailing behind your opponent, Democratic nominee Joe

Biden, in the polls.

My fellow Filipinos in America, my fellow Americans, it does not have to be this chaotic in America for another four years. We can do something to change the course of our country for the greater good this November.

We, the people, have to fire Donald Trump. We, the people, need to vote him out in November. Remember that we get the government that we deserve. A true democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABSCBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community.

You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos.

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • SEptEmbER 18-24, 2020

COMMUNITY Journal

Should I appeal or refile?

Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I just received a denial from USCIS, giving me 33 days to file an appeal. I truly think I was eligible, but am so heartbroken. Would you advise I file an appeal?\ Very truly yours, RD Dear RD: The decision on whether to appeal a denial is not always simple and straightforward.

There are many facts and factors to consider, such that I would advise people to immediately consult with an attorney on the decision, rather than trying to do it on their

own. Among the factors to consider are: • WHY was the case denied? The Decision/Denial typically spells out or explains the reasons for the denial.

But in some cases, the reason is erroneous, either because the officer misapplied the law or the facts.

• Was the person eligible or entitled to the benefits sought? If they are not, it would be a waste of time to appeal.

• Did the person submit proper evidence, showing their eligibility for the immigration benefits sought?

Typically, when a person appeals, they are limited to the “record on appeal,” which is the presentation they made to the officer. A person is not typically entitled to submit additional documents or evidence on appeal. But if a person did not make a full or

proper evidentiary showing to the officer, then the record on appeal would support the denial. For example, in connection with a fraud waiver, if a person submitted a barebone declaration and evidence, which failed to show extreme hardship to a qualifying relative, appealing the denial may not help because the record shows they did not meet their burden of proof to the officer.

• Would it be faster to file a new petition or application than it would to appeal?

Sometimes it could take years before an appeal is finally heard. In addition, based on the “record on appeal,” the appeal could be dismissed or denied. As a result, years were wasted. Had the person filed a new petition, application, etc., it might’ve been faster, and they could’ve had better PAGE 12

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THE LAW OFFICES OF MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL CONTINUES ITS PUBLIC SERVICE BY ANSWERING IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS ON CITIZEN PINOY – SOCIAL DISTANCING STYLE! Atty.

Gurfinkel answers several questions on this Sunday’s episode of Citizen Pinoy. Anita from San Jose, CA (top right) asks if she can petition her relatives to work as caregivers in a care home that she owns. Across the Pacific Ocean, Edward, from Laguna in the Philippines (bottom right) would like to know if his petition is still valid even if his petitioner (his brother) just died a few weeks ago. He would also like to know if having a grandfather who was 100% American and who served in WWII would help his case in any way. These are just some of the questions that Attorney Gurfinkel (left) will answer on a brand-new episode of CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style this Sunday, September 20 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

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12

SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2020 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS COVID-19 update As of Tuesday, September 15, 2020, 5:48 PM EST, the total global cases of COVID19 stood at 29,676,303, with 937,519 deaths; Philippines – 269,407 cases, 4,663 deaths; United States – 6,778,273 cases, 199,893 deaths; India – 5,018,034 cases, 82,091 deaths; Brazil – 4,382,263 cases, 133,119 deaths; and Russia – 1,073,849 cases, 18,785 deaths.

There are almost 11,000 COVID-19 cases among overseas Filipinos around the world.

The COVID-19 cases among nations and cities around the world are very fluid, and increase almost every few minutes. Some anti-COVID-19 vaccines are now in the third stage clinical trial, making it possible for at least one to be available by the end of this year or early next year. In the meantime, evidence-based data available today show social distancing and wearing facemask are effective in minimizing the risk of getting COVID-19. Some countries have mandated mask-wearing in public, with steep penalty, even jail term, for violators.

Societal protection and security, especially for the most vulnerable persons, is vital, and outweigh individual civil rights.

UVC destroys viruses Ultraviolet light was discovered by German physicist Johann Wilhelm Ritter in 1801 and its power to destroy microbes was first noted in 1878. Since then, and after its radiation effect on DNA

Vital health issues was proven in 1960, UVC light (wavelength: 100-400, the shortest one compared to UVA and UVB) has been used for food (meat-fish-poultry-fruit-vegetables), air and water by industries for sterilization to protect the public around the world for more than a century. Besides killing bacteria, protozoa and mold, UVC light also destroys viruses, including the SARSCoV2 (COVID-19) virus. A UVC portable 2-gallon-size tabletop sterile Tote (bag), with USB connection, is available to sterilize, baby bottles/ bibs/pacifier/toys, electronic devices (CPAP masks and tubing, cell-phones, tablets, headsets/camera lenses), watches, jewelry, eyeglasses, toothbrushes, and any item that fits in this tote), including food. When the UVC light is on, the lid of the tote should be closed, to prevent eye and skin exposure. For more info, email: steriletote@hotmail. com Shaken Baby Syndrome About 1,000 children die each year from a condition called Shaken Baby Syndrome. As the name suggests, the baby is shaken, resulting in either broken neck bones, bleeding in or around the brain, severe injury and, most of the time, death. Shaking the baby’s head back and forth is very dangerous. The impact on the brain could cause seizure disorder, mental retardation or blindness if the baby survives. A common precipitating situation is when the baby won’t stop crying, causing the tired and overwhelmed ignorant mother or babysitter to be so upset as to shake the baby to make the infant stop crying. The

baby is so delicate that the shaking has resulted in many a fatality.

Babies cry for a reason.

They may be hungry, wet, colicky, in need of burping, or sick. Picking them up and carrying them for a while, or rocking them, putting them in a stroller, or even taking them for a ride often help. But no matter what, remember to never, never shake a baby, and always support and protect their delicate neck.

If you are taking care of an irritable baby, whose usual demands you have met, but the baby still cries and you are terribly exhausted and frustrated, and your patience is down to zero, leave the baby in the crib for a few minutes, or ask for help from a relative or a friend. A moment of anger causing an unintended injury to the baby may result in a lifetime of guilt, regrets, and pain.

Anti-flu nasal spray vaccine Influenza, which afflicts about 40 million Americans each year, is a viral infection in the nose, throat and lungs, sending 150,000 people to the hospital each year.

Its complications kill about 25,000 annually. The flu shot is well-known and effective, but a lesser painful way to get the vaccine is by nasal spray. However, it is not for everyone. Those who should not get the spray are: children younger than 5 years of age, adults 50 and over, pregnant women, those with allergy to eggs or had allergic reaction to flu vaccine in the past, people with Guillain-Barre syndrome, people with weakened immune system, and PAGE 13

Should I appeal or refile...

PAGE 12 chances of success, especially if they properly packaged the new application, rather than appealing with the existing record. Of course, there are many factors to consider before deciding to submit a new application rather than filing an appeal, such as whether it would affect a person’s immigration status, or push a person’s priority date far off into the future.

These are only a few of the factors a person would need to consider in connection with the decision on whether to appeal. Of course, the best course of action is to properly package and present your case at the outset to avoid

the denial. That’s where having an attorney could greatly increase the chances for approval. If you get a denial, the decision on whether to appeal is complex and you should consult with an attorney on the best course of action. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different, and results may depend on the facts of the particular case.

The information and opinions contained herein (including testimoni-

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

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US:

1-866-487-3465

(866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES

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Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers more immigration questions from the US and PH in Sept. 20 edition of ‘Citizen Pinoy-Your Tanong, My Sagot!’

CITIZEN Pinoy continues to provide relevant information to individuals and families who have concerns about the latest immigration policies and how they affect them.

This Sunday, September 20 leading U.S. immigration attorney, Michael J. Gurfinkel, will provide answers to various questions raised across the U.S. and from the Philippines.

Find out if one can petition relatives for green cards to work at the petitioner’s care home facility; if one can petition and marry one’s cousin; and if a long-time seafarer with a C1D and a B1B2 visa can convert these to an immigrant visa.

Another question is if a petition is still valid even if petitioner (his brother) just recently passed. Can his

other brother, living in the U.S. and about to acquire his citizenship, take over as the petitioner?

Find out the answers to these questions and more on another informative and brand-new edition of “CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot,” this Sunday on TFC, at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

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Past struggles with depression and anxiety make Heart stronger amid COVID-19

By AllAn

PolicArPio Inquirer.net

REFLECTING on her struggles with depression and anxiety, Heart Evangelista surmised that what she had gone through may have, in a way, helped her become better equipped to keep her mental health in check—especially with COVID-19’s shadow still looming large.

“Mas matatag ako, mas matibay ako. But of course, there are moments when I can’t help but feel scared or worried. My God, there have been lots of instances like that,” she said in an email interview for the feminine hygiene product brand Kotex Luxe, which she endorses.

“But I feel that, mentally, I can handle them, because of what I have experienced in the past,” the GMA 7 star added.

Heart dealt with depression after miscarrying her twins with husband, Sorsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero, in 2018. Last November, she had a major bout of anxiety that lasted until February this year. And it ended up having physical manifestations: Her hands and feet would go numb; she also developed what is called Burning Mouth Syndrome, a condition that produces scalding or tingling sensations in the mouth and other areas around it.

“Prior to the pandemic, I went through anxiety—a very,

Heart Evangelista Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte

very bad episode. And at the time, I didn’t understand how it started, where it came from, how it happened, why it was happening to me,” she recalled.

But as they always say, “this, too, shall pass.” “We have to hold on to hope that we will be OK eventually. We have to pray, and, as hard as it is, we have to have a little bit more hope,” related Heart, who’s also known for philanthropy and work in fashion and visuals arts.

As Kotex ambassador, Heart will participate in an empowerment campaign called “Love Yourself a Little More,” which aims to encourage Filipino women to rethink their self-worth, and promote self-love—something the 35year-old actress has had to learn through the years. It was a process, she said. While she

was already considered one of showbiz’s “it” girls in her teenage years, Heart still harbored insecurities about her looks and her capabilities as an actress.

“I’m only 5’2”. And when I’m surrounded by all these perfect-looking, beautiful women, you feel a bit insecure—especially in our industry where looks matter.

And then as I got older, I went through a phase where I felt like, ‘I have nothing more to give. I had doubts,’” she related.

Looking back, Heart feels that she may had been a little too hard on herself when she was younger. But in the end, it was her perceived flaws that shaped her into becoming the woman she is now.

“When I started to discover myself more, let go and understand my insecurities and fears, I started to build my characters as a person. I started giving myself a pat on the back and that really made me feel good. It all starts by loving oneself and being able to share that love to the people around you.” said Heart, who’s also set to appear on “Love Yourself Live: How SelfLove Can Save You”—a Facebook Live event on Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.Heart has been shuttling between Manila and Sorsogon as of late, juggling charity work to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, PAGE 15

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Baron marks 1st wedding anniversary with ‘very loving, supportive’ wife

By Ryan

aRcadio Inquirer.net

BARON Geisler penned a heartfelt message for his wife Jamie Evangelista to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.

“I’m blessed to have a very loving and supportive wife who has endured me for a year now,” he said in his Instagram post last Sunday, Sept. 13.

“Praying for an abundant life together,” Geisler added.

“God knows I love you very much @jamieevangelista [heart emoji].”

Along with the romantic evening, the couple also spent time on a beach and swam in its clear waters the morning after. Geisler simply described the moment as “happiness,” as per a separate post.

Geisler and Evangelista tied the knot in a civil ceremony in September 2019, a year after they began their relationship.

The actor met Evangelista, a psychologist, while he was receiving treatment for his

Baron Geisler with wife Jamie Evangelista

past drug addiction in a rehabilitation center.

Months after their wedding, the two welcomed their first child, Talitha Cumi, last January in Cebu City.

Geisler previously appeared in the seventh season

Photo from Instagram/@baron.geisler

of the long-running TV crime series “Ang Probinsyano” as the antagonist Dante “Bungo” Madarang. Along with acting and raising his daughter, Geisler began pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Theology last year.

Vital health issues...

PAGE 12 patients with long-term health problems. Before considering the nasal spray flu vaccine, confer with your physician.

Influenza can kill As stated above, the flu can be fatal. The best is to avoid it by getting the flu vaccine.

It is not 100% guaranteed to prevent the flu, but when it occurs after getting the vaccine, the flu is usually a lot milder. It takes about 2 to 4 weeks for the vaccine to take effect. There are antiviral medications that can also prevent the flu. To prevent getting or spreading of the flu, wash hands frequently, keep distance from people with the flu, cover mouth and nose when coughing, avoid secondhand smoke, quit if you are a smoker, drink at least 8 glasses of filtered water daily, and, of course, live a healthy lifestyle, which will strengthen the immune system.

Condom not 100% safe A condom is used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and as a means of contraception. The public in general has the impression that condoms are fully protective. Studies of various brands

of condoms in different countries revealed that about 23% of condoms have holes in them right out of the factory.

Rough handling by the user can also cause minute tears.

This obviously means the user is not totally safe and has at least 2-3% risk of getting STD from an infected partner, and/ or women with condom-wearing partner has a 2-3% risk of getting pregnant. As for STDs, when one gets HIV, it is not 23%, but 100% devastating.

Our nation’s health The Philippines is afflicted with the cancer of pervasive graft and corruption among countless officials in the nation, and even earned the shameful distinction of being the most corrupt in Asia.

A Dollar Moral Crusade Against Graft and Corruption in the Philippines has been launched overseas by the Filipino United Network (FUN) to encourage accountability, honesty, and transparency in governance. The news about this movement (see its inspiring challenge at its website: www.FUN8888.com) is in all Filipino-American newspapers in the United States and some in the Philippines. It is

13

time for every decent Filipino, most especially the youth of the land, to stand up and be counted, and come to the aid of our country. After all, the health of our nation is at stake, and its survival, is in our hands.

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 articles is for general medical information and is 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. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States.

Websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

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SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2020 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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• (212) N E W http://www.asianjournal.com YO R K / N E W J E R S EY 655-5426 SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

people events arts culture entertainment

Chef Raj Abat opens first Filipino vegan restaurant in New York

by MOMAR

WHEN his boss Ravi DeRossi told chef Raj Abat last September to come up with an idea for a Filipino vegan restaurant, he was a little hesitant. Growing up in La Union, Philippines, he knew for a fact that Filipinos love and adore their meats and seafood.

G. VISAYA / AJPress

He took it as challenged though, began to think of his favorite dishes and how he’d be able to make them vegan.

He told his mom who echoed his initial one word response to DeRossi: impossible. The restaurateur was insistent and he told Abat to just have fun and do it.

And that’s exactly what he did.

A couple of months ago, he made a test run and cooked vegan Filipino dishes based on what he thought would work.

“Nakita ko, meron siyang kaluluwa. The taste is there, PAGE 15

Among the dozen dishes offered at Saramsam are: (clockwise) Tokwa (Chef Rajʼs take on sweet and sour fish, using crispy silken tofu); Kinirog (garlic fried rice); Halo Halo (the only dessert on the menu for now); Pancit Canton (noodles with impossible rage) and Sisig (using “waygu” teriyaki strips).

AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

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Saramsam joins its neighbors including Jeepney,, Mama Fina’s and Ugly Kitchen in the East Village and a little further downtown, Kabisera, Pig & Khao and Tsismis in the Lower East Side to satiate the burgeoning interest on Filipino cuisine.

AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

Chef Raj Abat opens first...

PAGE 14 posible pala siya. Puwede, so we went for it,” he told the Asian Journal.

A week ago, they informally opened the doors of the new place and they called it Saramsam, a nod to chef Raj’s Ilocano roots. Abat’s family moved to New York when he was about ten years old. He grew up in the Spanish Harlem area in upper Manhattan.

Among his first steps was to find substitute for some of the ingredients integral to the dishes he wanted to serve, like bagoong, which is a staple for pinakbet and kare kare. He thought of fermenting black beans in-house and conducted a few experiments.

His taste test confirmed his theory, the fermented beans can be used instead of bagoong, The beans bagoong is used in a couple of dishes on the menu: an appetizer called Kamatis Bagoong and one of the main dishes Kare Kare.

We had both and indeed, the funkiness of the fermented beans gave the dishes a similar flavor.

We first met Abat (whose full name is Raja Dakila) in 2015. He was then executive chef at Joseph Leonard, a small, casual place in The Village where he added Filipino dishes to the restaurant’s late night menu. From midnight to closing, the restaurant served Filipino fare like balut, arroz caldo, pulled pork sandwich and beef mami, under the menu heading ‘Midnight in Manila’.

Chef Raj said he knows what Ilocano cooking is by heart but he claims he is no expert. He knows that he won’t be able to copy or repli-

In an interview with Asian Journal five years ago, Chef Raj Abat talked about how his Lolo Artemio and Lola Crescencia inspired him to do what he is doing now. “My grandmother used to cook our food and my lunchbox going to school had tortang talong, igado. I was never teased because the neighborhood where I grew up had a nice mix of Chinese, Filipino, Dominican, Puerto Ricans. They bring their rice and beans and I bring my adobo,” he quipped. “I always had that mix of cuisines growing up; I think we were spoiled because we were exposed to all these kinds of cultures.”

cate the dishes, so he did the next best thing: to copy the way Ilocanos cook.

That means going to the market every morning to buy the freshest produce.

Armed with his backpack and scooter, Abat goes to the Farmer’s Market in Union Square to get fruits and vegetables. He also makes quick trips to Chinatown for the bitter melon and string beans, and other products not found in the farmers’ markets.

“That was my idea of the Filipinos way of cooking and that’s what we’re trying to do here at Saramsam. Take the Ilocano philosophy and make it Filipino somehow and yet very New York,” he said.

Typically, restaurants have big purveyors for their sup-

plies and ingredients for ease and convenience but Abat decided to go the other way.

“I really want to push that boundary of not being so comfortable. Gusto kong mamalengke and I want to be creative with whatever I get from there,” he added.

Creative, soulful food More people know more about Filipino cuisine now but most of them don’t realize that it is diverse and regional.

“I am not by any means a master of Filipino food, or Ilocano food for that matter. It’s not even Ilocano food pero yung puso at kaluluwa niya, definitely Ilocano,” Raz reiterated.

What he has to offer is another option: Filipino food that is more vegetable for-

ward yet creative and bursting with Filipino flavors.

Their overall vision is a table filled with various plates and with a magnum of wine or beer and friends and family in a conversation and having a great time.

Chef Raj, who gained his chops working in France and Indonesia, shared that he is also experimenting on vegan versions of dinuguan, and for brunch, tocino, torta and longganisa.

When he returned to New York, he worked with famous celebrity chefs including Jean-Georges and David Bouley and restaurants such as Brooklyn’s Saul and the Market Table. Prior to his move to DeRossi’s group last year, Abat was at the now shuttered Bar Sardine.

Saramsam is part of DeRossi’s Overthrow Hospitality Group, a Manhattanbased family of vegetableforward bars and restaurants which includes Ladybird, Avant Garden, Proletariat and Amor y Amargo. DeRossi also started Death & Company, The Bourgeois Pig and Mayahuel.

Simple Menu For now, Saramsam has about a dozen dishes on the menu. They recommend multiple plates to reflect the meaning of their name in Ilocano, which means casual dining or snacking.

The traditional ones are there, from adobo to sinigang to sisig.

“I believe sisig can make or break any amazing Filipino restaurant. For our version, we use waygu and so far, we’re the only one in the New York and New Jersey area using it,” he revealed, sharing a story about its origins.

He said there was a blind tasting among Japanese chefs which involved teriyaki strips where nine out of 10 were actual beef and one was plantbased protein called “wagyu”. In the end, the textured soy protein alternative ended up as the second best among the chefs and has become a plant-based alternative to the

famed “wagyu” beef.

His version of sinigang (root vegetables are the star) is cooked with fresh tamarind and orange wine and the adobo using roasted mushrooms has pinot noir.

Raj also takes pride on their extensive and well-curated wine list from Spain, Italy and California and craft beer list, which includes San Miguel Beer pale pilsen by the way.

They even have Filipino cocktails creatively named: Saramsam Sunrise, Kabit Sling and Pinay Colada.

He said that the idea that Filipino dishes don’t do well with wine paring is just that, a theory and a misconception.

“At the end of the day, you have to flip the way you think, and see if the combination tastes good,” he said. We have the food, we have the wine list, beer and cocktails and that warm embrace na para kang dumadadating sa bahay ng lola mo.”

There’s one dessert and it’s halo halo, topped for now with vegan ice cream from Van Leeuwen, while they’re still perfecting their own ice cream flavors.

Opening in the pandemic Abat and his team are excited that more and more people are now dining out.

“We’re very lucky we’re busy and I feel like there are many opportunities now,” Raj said when we asked about opening a business during the pandemic. “People will know and will come back if you’re good.”

They look forward to the gradual reopening of indoor dining in the city on September 30. With a capacity of around 40 people, they will be able to offer maybe around four tables inside, aside from the nine they have outdoor.

He is hoping to ride the Filipino food wave and with its location in the East Village, a Filipino food crawl in the neighborhood is possible.

Saramsam joins its neighbors including Jeepney, Mama Fina’s and a little further downtown, Kabisera, Pig & Khao and Tsismis in the

Lower East Side to satiate the burgeoning interest on Filipino cuisine and fill the vacuum particularly for those looking for vegan options.

Indeed, it’s not your lola or nanay’s pinakbet where everything is left in the pot to cook.

And since people eat with their eyes first, Saramsam’s dishes are also eye candy and needless to say, Instagram and Pinterest friendly.

“What we serve are vegetable dishes with Filipino soul and heart and are plated with a lot of care, and a few garnishes,” he quipped.

And since he goes to the market daily, his ingredients will tend to change depending on the availability and seasonality of the vegetables.

“The way we cook pinakbet, sinigang or adobo will always be the same but the ingredients we include will vary depending on the season,” he said.

He is also ready to face who he calls “the hardest, toughest critics: Filipino moms and titas.”

His mom Zenaida went to the restaurant the day before we visited. She gave her son a thumbs-up.

“I kid you not, she doesn’t mince any words. Before, she told me it’s going to be impossible. After she ate, sinabi niya, ‘Anak, I’m sorry, mali ako’,” Raj shared.

Having said that, Raj shared that he is ready to face the Titas and listen to what they have to say after they eat at Saramsam.

“As chefs, we get criticized a lot so you got to have an open mind. Maybe the Tita has a point, right?” he said.

For the Titos and Titas then who have cholesterol and hypertension issues, pigging out at Saramsam could be a worthwhile experience.

“Sometimes when we eat out in Filipino restaurants and they order lechon kawali, they’d say “makapa high blood met” which roughly means the food makes their blood pressure shoot up. Not here, it’s all vegetables,” he said laughing.

Past struggles with...

PAGE 12 and initiating projects to support Sorsoganon artists who have been reeling from canceled orders and trade fairs.

Last month, Heart launched Maison Love Marie, an online store that puts the spotlight on locally made clothes, arts and crafts culled from all over the province. “A big percentage goes back to the artisans, to

help them build businesses.

And I hope more people order, so I can give them more, so they can have a fresh start,” she said.

What’s left of the sales she uses to buy necessities for children in local orphanages.

“I shop for them, especially now that no one travels and visits them,” related Heart, who stressed the importance

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of paying it forward.

“I feel that there’s so much love being given to me that I should give more love. So that’s what I have been doing,” she said. “In this time when everyone’s going through the pandemic, I think it’s important that we give as much love as we can. No amount is too small; it all makes a difference in everyone’s life.”

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