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SEPTEMBER 26-OCTOBER 2, 2019

T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R

Volume 30 - No. 39 • 16 Pages

2770 S. Maryland Pkwy., Suite 201 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Tel: (702) 792-6678 • Fax: (702) 792-6879

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

USA

DATELINE Trump nominates Fil-Am attorney to 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for second time FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

PRESIDENT Donald Trump has once again announced his intent to nominate a Filipino American federal prosecutor to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday, September 20.

Patrick J. Bumatay, who is an assistant attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California in San Diego, was previously tapped for the appeals court last October 2018, but the Senate did not entertain a confirmation hearing, resulting in the nomination to expire.

The Ninth Circuit — considered to be the most liberal of circuits — is the largest federal appeals court with 29 judges, serving nine western states including Alaska and Hawaii. It is headquartered in San Francisco.

Following the nomination last year, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Buma-

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Ambassador Romualdez visits LA hospital spearheading Fil-Am community health research DURING a recent trip to Los Angeles, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez visited Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, which is leading a research program into the health needs of Filipino Americans in Southern California and across the country.

While it’s common to see Filipinos among the majority of health and care providers worldwide, this local hospital — which employs over 3,000 Filipino Americans — seeks to present one of the most comprehensive profiles of the state of Fil-Am collective health.

The hospital has done similar inquiries into other underserved populations, such as the Korean American and Hispanic communities by conducting outreach and screenings at churches and other local events.

The convening on Monday, September 16 was attended by Philippine Consul General Adelio Cruz, Consulate delegates, and key leaders from Cedars-Sinai who recommended partnership ideas between the medical center and the Philippine government, as well as how it can engage Fil-Ams who are reluctant to

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Duterte to evaluate suspension of foreign aid order - Palace aid agreements with countries in favor of the Iceland-led resolution seeking a probe into the Philippines’ war PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Sal- on illegal drugs. vador Panelo on Tuesday, September This is after the defense department 24, said President Rodrigo Duterte made an appeal to exempt military will evaluate his directive suspending deals from Duterte’s memorandum.

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

“The president is a very reasonable man. If it involves national security, he might. I do not know yet, we have to wait for his thoughts on the matter,” said Panelo at a press briefing.

“We will wait for the... evaluation of the secretary of national defense...

I’m certain the president will evaluate it,” he added.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday, September 24, pointed out that Duterte’s order does not cover buying of key defense equipment

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Survey: Majority of Filipinos still satisfied with anti-drug campaign

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

FILIPINOS remain satisfied with President Rodrigo Duterte’s three-year war on illegal drugs, a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed.

The poll, conducted from June 22 to 26, found 82% of adult Filipinos satisfied with the government’s anti-narcotics campaign. Those dissatisfied accounted for 12% and 6% were undecided — resulting in a net satisfaction score of “excellent” +70.

According to SWS, the net satisfaction of the anti-illegal drugs campaign has always been either “very good” or “excellent” in the past 11 survey rounds with the highest rating recorded in December 2016 at “excellent” +77.

The pollster also noted that the main reason why 82% of Filipinos across the country are satisfied with the war on drugs is because of the reduction of drug suspects in their local communities.

The undecided respondents, meanwhile, claimed that the drug trade and drug suspects are still prevalent.

Those who are dissatisfied, SWS noted, were the same

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SURRENDERED FIREARMS. President Rodrigo Duterte led the historic decommissioning of arms and forces of the the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas - Revolutionary Proletarian Army - Alex Boncayao Brigade - Tabara-Paduano Group (RPMP-RPA-ABB-TPG) at the headquarters of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army here in Jamindan, Capiz. The RPMP-RPA-ABB-TPG, now known as the Kapatiran sa Progresibong Lipunan, is a breakaway faction of the communist (NPA) New People’s Army. The group signed a peace agreement with the Philippine government in 2000. As part of the peace agreement, 727 members of the Kapatiran from Negros, Aklan, Bukidnon, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Luzon and Mindanao were decommissioned, while 337 firearms previously surrendered to the government were “demilitarized” onsite.

Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal

WHO: Philippines remains polio-free

Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque administers anti-polio vaccine to a child during the launch of a campaign to end the resurgence of polio on Friday, September 20.

Photo courtesy of DOH

MANILA — The Philippines has not yet lost its polio-free status despite having two cases of the highly contagious disease, the World Health Organization stressed on Wednesday, September 25.

Rabindra Abeyasinghe, acting WHO representative in the Philippines, explained that a country remains polio-free if no new case of wild poliovirus has been reported.

The United Nations Headquarters in New York.

“The Philippines continues to remain polio free... The occurrence of the vaccine derived polio cases does not constitute the

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De Lima calls AFP deal with China-backed telco a ‘Trojan Horse’

Opposition Senator Leila de Lima, in a blue power suit, smiles and waves at well-wishers after attending the continuation of the trial of one of the trumpedup illegal drug trading cases filed against her at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256 on Wednesday, September 25.

Senate photo

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

“TROJAN Horse.” That’s what opposition senator Leila De Lima on Friday, September 20, called the signed agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and China-led Mislatel Consortium, now called Dito Telecommunity.

“Any time now, this Trojan Horse will be knocking on the gates of different facilities and expose our other vulnerabilities,” she said in a statement, warning the government that the deal may pose a threat to the country’s national security.

The AFP on September 11 signed an agreement with Dito Telecommunity that allows the telco to put up its communication equipment and facilities inside military camps and military com-

munication sites.

However, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on September 16 said he was unaware of the agreement at the time it was signed.

Dito Telecommunity being composed of a consortium with Chinese government-controlled China Telecom has drawn worries and criticism that China may use the deal for espionage.

Senator Risa Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution No. 137 seeking to investigate the national security implications of the deal between AFP and Mislatel.

De Lima expressed her support for Hontiveros’ resolution and called on the Congress to exercise its oversight function into the controversial deal.

“Congress needs to assert its oversight function and look into this MOA

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Photo from un.org

UN: PH among 48 anti-civil society, activist countries

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

AS the Philippines continues to distance itself from other countries that criticize its controversial war on drugs, it has been named among 48 countries that have a rising rate of reprisals against human rights groups and advocates that cooperate with the United Nations.

According to the UN Human Rights Office, it has been receiving more information on incidences of intimidation and reprisals against victims, members of civil society and activists, reflecting a rise in cases globally.

The cases range from activists suffering detention and prison sentences, to acts of intimidation such as filming participants in meetings without their consent.

“We also have some severe cases of authorities threatening and harassing family members of activists,” said UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Andrew Gilmour on Thursday, September 19.

He added, “Some governments seem prepared to go to almost any lengths to punish people who cooperate with us. This may actually underscore the justice of the victims’ causes.”

The report, presented Thursday to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, detailed the cases in the Philippines as well as other countries. Philippine Senator Leila De Lima’s detention was cited as one of the cases.

“Regarding the former Chair of the Commission, Ms. Leila M. de Lima, on 24 August 2018 the

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september 26-OctOber 2, 2019 • LAs VeGAs AsIAN JOUrNAL

From The FronT Page

UN: PH among 48 anti-civil society...

PAGE 1 Working Group on Arbitrary Detention adopted an opinion which highlights, among other things, that the detention is deemed arbitrary and recommends that Ms. De Lima be released immediately, afforded compensation and that her detention be investigated.

Ms. de Lima has been in prison since February 2018 on allegations of drug-related charges,

deemed ‘politically motivated’ by several special procedures mandate holders,” the report read.

Another one was the complaint filed by Karapatan, a national human rights organization, before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) with regard to the red-tagging and terrorist-labelling of rights groups.

“In April 2019, Karapatan members reportedly were subjected

to continued threats, harassment and intimidation against them and their partners. They noted in particular the ‘red-tagging,’ which attempted to discredit the reports Karapatan sends to the UN as a basis for smear and vilification campaigns, and the terrorist-labelling of organizations in line with the Government’s counterinsurgency program,” the report said.

Other countries included in the report are Algeria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Burundi, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Cuba, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Poland, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, State of Palestine, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen. n

De Lima calls AFP deal with...

PAGE 1 between the AFP and Mislatel Consortium. I fully support Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ Senate Resolution to look into the agreement as our sovereignty is already in a compromising position,” she said.

“Our national security is at stake in this agreement,” she added.

According to De Lima, the AFP’s deal with Mislatel was tantamount to treachery “in the same league as President Rodrigo Duterte’s setting aside our claim over the West Philippine Sea and his entering into onerous deals with the Chinese government.”

“Since the start of the Duterte administration, the public remains in the dark over the deals the government has been making with China. We do not know what the exact consequences of these deals are,” she pointed out.

“We just might wake up one day with our sovereignty totally stripped off our nation, all because of the deals President Duterte made with China,” De Lima added. n

CHANGE OF COMMAND. Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (middle), hands over the command saber to newlyinstalled Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff, Lieutenant General Noel Clement (right), after receiving it from outgoing Chief-of-Staff, General Benjamin Madrigal (left), during the change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday, September 24. General Clement is a member of PMA Sandiwa Class of 1985 and hails from Lipa, Batangas.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Duterte to evaluate suspension...

PAGE 1 from any particular state, as it is only for grants and loans.

He maintained that the defense department will abide by the president’s order but said he will request for an exemption for loans pertaining to defense contracts.

“We are going to request for an exemption because we really need to transact business with other countries,” Lorenzana said at a forum of the Association for Philippine-China Understanding in Mandaluyong City.

“We are now in the process of talking with the Australians about the building of our six offshore patrol vessels. We’re going to buy that. I will talk again with the higher ups on how we can go around the directive of

the president. But we will follow the directive,” he added.

In July, Iceland filed a resolution calling on rights chief Michelle Bachelet to investigate the human rights situation and prepare a comprehensive report to be presented before the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The 18 countries who voted favorably for the resolution calling for a “comprehensive report” on the human rights situation in the Philippines were Argentina, Australia, Austria Bahamas, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Fiji, Iceland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Slovakia, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Uruguay.

The 14 countries who opposed were Angola, Bahrain, Camer-

oon, China, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, Hungary, India, Iraq, Qatar, the Philippines, Somalia and Saudi Arabia, while the 15 others that abstained from voting were Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Japan, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Togo and Tunisia.

In light of the administrations’ strong rejection of the resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Malacañang issued last August 27 the memorandum directing agencies to suspend negotiations for and signing of all loan grant agreements with the governments of countries that cosponsored and voted in favor of the resolution. n

Survey: Majority of Filipinos still satisfied...

PAGE 1 group who recently gave Duterte lower net satisfaction rating.

The June 2019 survey also revealed that net satisfaction with the performance of Duterte was excellent +76.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the poll showed that the international community has a warped understanding of what was happening in the coun-

try.

“If it’s true that there are human rights violations, then the people of this country will rise against this administration,” Panelo said Monday, Sept. 23.

“It’s not true that policemen just kill at will, they cannot do that,” he added.

The survey was conducted by SWS using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults nationwide:

300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, and ±6% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao).

Since Duterte took office in July 2016, government data has claimed that at least 6,600 people have been killed in the anti-illegal drug operations. n

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Dateline USa

Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez (center) visited Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Monday, September 16 and met with key figures and several Filipino American staff. He was joined by (L, first row) Executive Director Janet Villarmia Consul General Adelio Cruz, Cancer Institute Director Dr. Dan Theodorescu, Dr. Edwin Posadas, Dr. Robert Haile, HR Senior Vice President Andy Ortiz and Dr. Heitham Hassoun, vice president and medical director for international health.

AJPress photos by Noel Ty

Ambassador Romualdez visits LA hospital...

PAGE A1

seek medical care.

Cedars-Sinai’s Research Center for Health Equity conducted an initial survey this past summer and received about 500 respondents from the Fil-Am community. The full results of the survey are slated to be unveiled during a Filipino Cultural Day event in October at the hospital, Peachy Hain, executive director of medical and surgical services, said.

Hain, a Filipina American who has been at Cedars-Sinai for 40 years, organized Monday’s event after previously meeting with Consul General Cruz about the survey.

She asserted that the medical center has more to offer in terms of its outreach efforts within the Fil-Am population, which is considered the second-largest Asian American group in Southern California.

Some of the health findings of the survey include Fil-Am women having high rates of breast cancer and Fil-Ams showing the highest incidences of thyroid cancer and obesity among any Asian group, Dr. Robert Haile, director of the Research Center for Health Equity, said during his presentation.

“They’re not getting screened for cancers at the rate they should be. Health insurance is a concern…but they don’t see a need for going to the doctor unless they’re sick,” Haile told the group.

Romualdez suggested aligning with Filipino businesspeople like Manuel V. Pangilinan, who has invested in several cancer treatment centers and a children’s hospital in Metro Manila.

“What I would like to see down the road is hospitals to be able to

Dr. Edwin Posadas, medical director of the Urologic Oncology Program at Cedars-Sinai

Peachy Hain, Cedars-Sinai executive director of medical and surgical services

share the information with the Philippines…” the ambassador said. “Perhaps that is what we’d like to ask in exchange for the service many Filipino doctors and nurses who work at [CedarsSinai].”

Dr. Dan Theodorescu, director of the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute; Dr. Heitham Hassoun, vice president and medical director for international health; Janet Villarmia, executive director; and Josie De Jesus, hospital administrator were also among the Cedars-Sinai officials present on Monday.

Scholarly exchanges between the hospital and medical schools and nursing programs back in the Philippines were also suggested.

As the nation faces a shortage of registered nurses, California would be among the states hardest hit, with an estimated need of 193,000 new nurses by 2030, a report published in the American Journal of Medical Quality said.

With the Philippines continuing to be the leading exporter of nurses to the U.S., partnerships between the government and U.S.-based hospitals are one of the ways to address the void, of-

ficials said.

While Monday’s meeting was an exchange of ideas and verbal assurances, Cedars-sinai officials said they will follow up with the local Consulate office to continue the dialogue.

“The fact that the leadership of Cedars-Sinai and the ambassadorial leadership came together is ground shaking,” Dr. Edwin Posadas, the medical director of the Urologic Oncology Program at Cedars-Sinai, told the Asian Journal. “This will allow us to make some long-lasting and an important impact on our understanding of Filipinos and their health issues, opportunities and barriers that will lead to changes in health care learning here in Los Angeles, across the U.S. and across the globe since Filipino immigrants are everywhere.”

The hospital also plans to do another round of the survey this fall.

Prior to visiting the hospital, the ambassador’s weekend schedule included a meeting with Mayor Eric Garcetti, a town hall session with Fil-Am community members, and a tour of local businesses.

(Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)

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Dateline USa

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Family searching for Fil-Am trans woman who went missing at Dallas airport

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

A FILIPINO American family is searching for their loved one who reportedly went missing on Saturday, September 14 during a layover at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

Pauline “Paula” Del Mundo, a 59-year-old transgender woman, was last heard that Saturday while transferring airlines en reroute to Cozumel, Mexico from Tampa, Florida. She never took her connecting flight on American Air-

lines, and reportedly expressed hesitance to taking the flight.

Now the family is asking the public for help in locating their loved one.

“It was such a nightmare for our entire family because she [is] the kind of person who is bubbly and loves her trips documented,” Yolanda Del Mundo, Paula’s older sister, said in an email sent to the Asian Journal. “Unfortunately we never heard from her since then.”

The older sister noted that Del Mundo “was half-hearted to leave” according to her last

text messages. The family is also concerned for Del Mundo’s mental health since “she was on the verge of desperation and we are so worried.”

Yolanda Del Mundo then flew to Dallas from New York City on Friday, September 20 to look for Del Mundo with the help of local law enforcement. According to Yolanda Del Mundo, DFW police under the Department of Public Safety is currently investigating the case and working with law enforcement in Tampa, Florida “Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana (Filipino Americans: A Glorious History, A Golden Legacy),” the mural by Filipino American artist Eliseo where Del Mundo lives.

AJPress file photo Del Mundo is a naturalized Fili- Silva at Unidad Park in Historic Filipinotown. pina American federal employee with a medium build and height of 5’6”. She has long brown hair and brown eyes, and may also be using the name Paulino. She speaks English.

Anyone who may have information about her whereabouts are urged to contact the DFW’s Department of Public Safety at

by Klarize Medenilla (972) 973-3434, Dallas police at taurants that host karaoke like Time Out also praises Woon, AJPress (214) 671-4268 or the Philippine Bahay Kubo and Chibogs and the new Chinese restaurant that Consulate in Houston at (346) IN the last two decades, An- modern Filipino fusion joints like blends authenticity and innova256-4522. n gelenos have lamented gentri- Park’s Finest and Tribal Cafe line tion and Bloom & Plume Coffee fication’s impact on the erasure the thoroughfare. On Beverly which celebrates black art. of the historic local color that Boulevard, longtime local favorIn the extensive list, Time Out has raised rents and kicked out ite Little Ongpin serves classic remarked that Historic Filipiresidents who’ve lived in certain Filipino flavors and sits across notown “is still in the early stages In April, Rubio and four other neighborhoods for decades. from the hip HiFi Kitchen, which of its rise” but that “HiFi is a spirit American senators — Edward Among the neighborhoods on serves up vegan takes on Filipino as much as an area, a place that Markey of Massachusetts, Richard the cusp of that societal transfor- cuisine. feels refreshing and honest in Durbin of Illinois, Marsha Black- mation is Los Angeles’ Historic And it’s not just Filipino busi- a Los Angeles landscape that is burn of Tennessee, and Christo- Filipinotown, which seems to be nesses that make up Historic quickly becoming over-funded pher Coons of Delaware — passed reforming that jaundiced take of Filipinotown’s vibrant landscape. and monotonous.” n a resolution condemning the im- gentrification in a non-generic prisonment of de Lima and called way that actually embraces the on dropping the charges against local culture. news website Rappler and its chief So it’s really no surprise that Maria Ressa. this week, the global culture Their resolution read that De and lifestyle magazine Time Out Lima is “a prisoner of conscience” released a list of the 50 coolest who was “detained solely on ac- neighborhoods in the world and count of her political views and the named Historic Filipinotown No. legitimate exercise of her freedom 5 on the list. of expression.”

With its official designation Malacañang, in response, told in 2002 by then-Councilmemthe senators to “mind their own ber Eric Garcetti, Historic Filipibusiness,” reminding them that notown — nicknamed HiFi — was the Philippines is “not under the the first official geographic locale dominion of the United States of outside of the Philippines honAmerica or any of its high-ranking oring the Filipino community. It officials.” exists within the section of Echo A group of lawmakers in the U.S. Park south of the 101 Freeway, House of Representatives also filed which was the hub for Filipino a resolution calling for the Filipina immigrants in the early 1900s. senator’s release and condemned Time Out highlights the growthe Philippine government for “its ing food scene of Historic Filipirole in state-sanctioned extraju- notown which “reflects L.A. as its dicial killings by police and other best: a convergence of cultures.” armed individuals” under the war Along Temple Avenue are on drugs. n remnants of the historic Filipino American sensibility of the area: beloved traditional Filipino res-

LA’s Historic Filipinotown dubbed one of the ‘coolest’ neighborhoods in the world Time Out magazine highlights Filipino cuisine option in one of LA’s up-and-coming areas

Pauline “Paula” Del Mundo

US Sen. Marco Rubio calls for De Lima’s release

by AJPress UNITED STATES Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) over the weekend called on the Philippine government to release Senator Leila De Lima who has been imprisoned for the past two years on drug-related charges.

In a tweet, Rubio claimed the Philippine senator has been in prison on “bogus charges.”

“Philippine Senator Leila de Lima, a critic of extrajudicial killings under [President Rodrigo] Duterte’s so-called ‘war on drugs,’ has spent the last two years in prison on bogus charges.

I call on the Philippine government to unconditionally release her #FreeLeilaNow #ExpressionNOTOppression,” Rubio tweeted Saturday, Sept. 21.

De Lima, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, initiated a probe into his administration’s crusade against illegal drugs. She was arrested and detained in 2017 for allegedly asking money from drug convicts to fund her senatorial campaign and for supposedly allowing the drug trade to continue

in the national penitentiary while she was the justice secretary.

She, however, denied committing the alleged crimes and claimed that the cases against her were politically motivated.

In response to Rubio’s message, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo brushed it off as “bogus.” “‘Yung statement ni Sen. Rubio, ‘yun ang bogus, walang batayan (The statement of Senator Rubio is bogus and baseless),” Panelo said during a Palace briefing on Monday, asserting that De Lima’s cases were reportedly investigated and received due process.

“Paano naman magiging bogus? Dalawang process ang dinaanan. Nagdemanda, nagkaroon ng PI — preliminary investigation, nagsubmit ng ebidensiya, nagsubmit rin yung kalaban, tapos dinitermine ng prosecutor na may probable cause (How would it be a bogus case if it goes through two processes? There’s a complaint, preliminary investigation, submission of evidence from both sides, and then the prosecutor determined that there is probable cause),” he added.

WHO: Philippines remains...

PAGE 1 fact that you have lost your polio-free status,” Abeyansinghe said in a press briefing.

The last case of wild poliovirus is the Philippines was reported in 1993. WHO declared the country-polio free in 2000.

Only Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries where the wild poliovirus has not been eradicated.

“Vaccine derived polio is not unique,” Abeyansinghe said, citing outbreaks in Papua New Guinea, China and Laos.

In the Philippines, there are reported two cases of polio—a three-year-old-girl from Lanao del Sur and a five-year-old boy from Laguna. Both cases were caused by the vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2.

In 2015, WHO certified that type 2 virus has been eliminated around the world so this strain was removed in the oral polio vaccine.

“All oral polio vaccines produced and distributed since

2016 only give protection to type 1 and 3 and for the children in the Philippines, children will only be protected from type 2 if they get the immunized polio vaccine, which is a mixture of all three,” Abeyansinghe said.

Low vaccine coverage The acting WHO representatives in the Philippines stressed that the transmission of vaccinederived polio usually happens when the vaccine coverage in an area is inadequate.

“It’s unfortunate that in the Philippines, the vaccine coverage is far from satisfactory,” Abeyansinghe said.

The oral polio vaccine coverage in the Philippines for three doses is only around 66%—way below the target of 95%. The coverage of the injectable vaccine is even lower at only about 40%.

“That means that one in three children is not receiving their vaccine. This situation is giving rise to the occurrence of vaccine derived polio outbreaks,” Abey-

ansinghe said.

He also pointed out that while the Dengvaxia controversy has contributed to the low vaccine coverage, it is not the only factor that gave rise to the low immunization rates in the country.

“Vaccine coverage for polio was around 70% even before the Dengvaxia issue happened. The Philippines has been at high risk for the emergence of such situation. It’s critically important that we ensure that all children have access to vaccines on a regular basis,” Abeyansinghe said.

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children. The virus is transmitted by person-to-person spread mainly through the fecaloral route.

Initial symptoms of the disease include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs.

Polio can cause paralysis, which is often permanent, in a small proportion of cases. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar.com)

Trump nominates Fil-Am attorney to 9th Circuit...

PAGE 1 tay had “no judicial experience,” while Sen. Kamala Harris likewise raised similar concerns. Trump then nominated the 41-year-old Fil-Am for a district judge position on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California this past January.

If confirmed to the Ninth Circuit, Bumatay would become the first Fil-Am judge to serve on a federal appeals court, and the second Fil-Am Article III judge ever in U.S. history. Bumatay would also become the second openly LGBT federal circuit court judge.

In his current position, which he has held since 2012, Bumatay is a member of the Appellate and Narcotics Section. He previously served as counselor to then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions on various criminal issues, including the national opioid strategy and transnational organized crime.

“Patrick Bumatay will make a terrific judge on the Ninth Circuit,” Sessions said in a statement on Friday. “He has dedicated his career to upholding the rule of law. Patrick’s many fine qualities, including his integrity, intellect and collegiality, make him exceedingly worthy of this position.”

Bumatay has also served in the Department of Justice in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the Office of the Associate Attorney General, where he over-

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Fil-Am federal prosecutor Patrick J. Bumatay

Department of Justice photo

saw aspects of the department’s civil enforcement program, and the Office of Legal Policy.

A graduate of Harvard Law School, and an alumnus of Yale University, Bumatay started his career as a law clerk for Judge Timothy M. Tymkovich of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Court, and for Judge Sandra L. Townes of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

He is also a member of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the Tom Homann LGBT Law Association, and the Federal Bar Association.

Like many second-generation Fil-Ams, Bumatay’s family fol-

lows the immigrant experience, with his grandfather arriving in California from the Philippines in the 1920s, and working as a farm laborer while earning advanced education degrees. His parents are medical doctors who came to the United States in the 1970s.

The Ninth Circuit has been the bane of conservatives and the Trump administration; the president has before blamed the Ninth Circuit for a “broken and unfair” federal court system.

Since Trump came into office, the Ninth Circuit’s moves have included blocking the president’s travel ban order and the shutdown of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and striking down restrictions on socalled sanctuary cities. (AJPress)

6

http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678

SEPTEMBER 26-OCTOBER 2, 2019 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

FEATURES

OPINION

Coastal cleanup

AS the country marked the 47th anniversary of the declaration of martial law last Saturday, September 21, about 20,000 people gathered around Manila Bay for a different type of observance: International Coastal Cleanup or ICC Day. The special day is now seen as the world’s most extensive volunteer effort to promote ocean health, with over 100 countries participating. The Philippines has been among the most active participants in the event, which was started in 1986 by the U.S.-based environmental group Ocean Conservancy. This is due in part to the fact that the country, with its extensive coastline, is also among the most threatened by rising ocean temperatures and sea levels.

Beyond the annual observance, the Philippine government continues its cleanup of Boracay. In Metro Manila, about 10,000 people participated in the launch on Jan. 27 this year of the government’s ambitious program to clean up Manila Bay, including the rivers and other waterways that drain into the bay.

During every ICC observance, tons of garbage are collected from Manila Bay. This indicates that the clean-up effort isn’t trickling down to communities around the bay and the waterways that flow into it. Encouraging such communities to clean up should be the job of local government units, starting with barangay offices.

In Metro Manila and other urban areas facing the sea, this task often goes hand-in-hand with governance in informal settlements. The so-called Battle for a Trash-Free Manila Bay must include a program to deal with the slum communities that use the bay and waterways as their septic tank and garbage receptacle.

Garbage piles up even in waterways that run through communities where there are no squatters. Local governments must intensify efforts to enforce ordinances on proper garbage disposal.

Garbage collection must also be enhanced, with recycling and segregation encouraged. Ordinances against littering must be enforced, with violators apprehended and appropriate penalties imposed.

Alongside this, garbage receptacles must be installed at strategic spots and the trash collected regularly. People litter because they can’t find a place to put their trash.

Outside the cities, there are areas that are facing the risk of becoming another Boracay before the cleanup. With a clear plan and political will to carry it out, it’s possible to clean up coastal areas.

(Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS HISTORY has again and again documented how the youth has been the driving force of change in society through many generations in different parts of the world.

The youth and young adults ignited the spirit of the French Revolution that overthrew the abusive monarchy and established a republic in France. The youth and young adults were the force behind the civil rights movement that challenged racism, pushed forward voter rights and civil rights legislation in America.

The youth and young adults were a strong force in the bloodless People Power Revolution that ousted the Marcos dictatorship in the Philippines.

These are but some of the many other chapters in world history where the youth’s idealism, boldness, and uncorrupted spirit pushed for the change that the complacent, self-serving, powerdriven and money talking adults refuse to respond to the call and the urgency of the times so as not to rock the status quo.

The youth takes charge of the adults’ denial, apathy and inaction on the climate crisis threatening life on earth Just recently, we have seen how the students from Parkland, Florida who faced a tragic shooting at their high school in February 2018 spearheaded a movement that demands gun control legislation and came up with the “Peace Plan” to put an end to gun violence and mass shooting in America, all because the adults of the country — especially the current occupant of the White House and the Republican leadership have nothing to offer but “thoughts and prayers” as they remain beholden to the rich and powerful National Rifle Association lobby group for political expediency.

This is the same dilemma faced by activists in a more urgent problem that affects not just a state, or a country, or a region of the world. It affects the whole planet earth. It affects all of us living thing.

Last Friday, September 20, millions of the youth and young adults in different countries all over the world walked out of their classrooms and work to join a global protest to demand URGENT action on climate change.

This was lead by climate activist Greta Thunberg, a 16-year old student from Sweden who started this global movement. She happens to be in New York City to speak before the UN General Assembly, after delivering her forceful message to Congress.

Greta Thunberg and 15 other young people on Monday, September 23 filed a potentially and hopefully world-changing climate complaint, announcing that “they’re suing five of the world’s major carbon polluters on the grounds that the countries are violating their rights as children’.

The lawsuit, according to Gizmodo report, was filed on behalf of the youth by the international law firm Hausfeld. It contended “that world governments are violating children’s rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The convention drafted in 1989 is the most-signed human rights treaty ever crafted and lays out the inalienable rights of children. They include among others, the right to life, health, and peace, all with special stipulations for indigenous groups. They’re also all things climate change is up-

For Congress to address climate change, we must recognize its impact on Asian American and Pacific Islander communities Commentary

SENATOR CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO HAVING been born and raised in Las Vegas, I’m so thrilled to see our community’s growing diversity. I’ve watched an engaged and thriving Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community take root and enrich my hometown. So many of these proud Nevadans are small business owners, educators in our schools and advocates for a stronger and more diverse Silver State.

At a recent AAPI community business roundtable hosted by the Asian Community Development Council, UNLV student Caitlin Gatchalian asked me about environmental sustainability and how young Nevadans can make their voices heard in the fight for their future. As a young Filipina, she wanted to make sure climate change was at the forefront of the issues I’m fighting for in the Senate on behalf of Nevadans.

And she’s not alone in her concern about the disproportionate impacts climate change is having on communities of color, and the

Philstar.com photo

overall harm it’s bringing to our planet. Here’s why: while climate change is already impacting all Americans — including through increased air pollution, extreme weather and dangerous heat waves — these impacts are not equally shared among all communities.

Studies have shown that API Americans hold a higher risk of being exposed to harmful substances in the air they breathe. In fact,twenty percent of Asian Americans live in counties with poor air quality.

Therefore, this issue is of particular importance to AAPI communities throughout the U.S. Data has shown that many are considerably more likely to prioritize environmental protections over economic growth. Seventy-one percent considered themselves environmentalists back in 2013, a staggering 30 points higher than the national average at the time, according to a series of National Asian American Surveys.

Nevada communities, including its AAPI members, are already suffering from the impacts of climate change. In Clark County, we have an F rating from the American Lung Association for particle pollution and high ozone days. For the 25,000 AAPI’s living in poverty in Nevada, deteriorating ur-

ban housing only increases their exposure to air pollution and lead poisoning. And that exposure has serious consequences. Air pollution is the number one environmental cause of death across the world, responsible for more fatalities annually than vehicle crashes. And Asian Americans are exposed to air pollutants linked to cancer and other serious health effects at a rate even higher than Hispanic populations and only just below African Americans. As our climate continues to warm, these dangerous pollutants will only increase, placing a particular burden on our at-risk communities.

The time to act on meaningful legislation to ensure protections for communities of color, including AAPI communities, is now.

I’m taking immediate action in the Senate. I’ve introduced the GEO Act, which promotes the growth of geothermal energy to power our communities and invest in green jobs of the future. Nevada is a leader in the production of renewable energy, and I’m excited this legislation invests in innovation, sustainable job growth and a healthier planet. I also recently cosponsored the Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion PAGE 8

ending. There’s ample evidence climate change is already making kids and adults sick, killing them, and uprooting their lives.”

With the success of this fight, the UN would then classify the climate crisis as a children’s rights crisis. “And more importantly, it would compel Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, and Turkey— the five countries named in the suit—to work with other nations to forge binding emissions’ reduction targets,” as reported by earthergizmodo.com.

Greta was only 15 when she took time off school to demonstrate outside the Swedish parliament, holding up a sign calling for stronger climate action. The power of one exploded to a global movement driven by young people who are afraid about what is happening in our planet and how this will affect their future.

“This is all wrong, I shouldn’t be up here,” Thunberg said, addressing the General Assembly and shaking with rage. “I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean. You have stolen my dreams, my childhood with your empty words. We will not

Demand and Supply BOO CHANCO MANILA Mayor Isko Moreno said in so many words to hold the praises because he has really done nothing yet ot her than basic governance.

The problem with us, the mayor said, is that we have gotten used to corruption and inefficiency as normal. “So, when I start doing what is expected of a mayor, it is abnormal.”

I met the mayor for the first time last week when he spoke before the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF). I have covered all sorts of politicians and officials in my journalism career, but I have yet to figure out who Mayor Isko Moreno really is. Those who know him tell me “what you see is what you get.” Few politicians are like that.

He served as Manila councilor for nine years and then as vice mayor. But he had the initiative to attend governance courses at the Kennedy School in Harvard and then in Oxford. That only shows he sees more in public office than making it a family business.

He started poor… knew hunger in his youth… lived in a garbage… then got a break in showbiz. If lots of money is all he wanted, he could have remained in showbiz.

let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line.”

The message isn’t just for the world’s major carbon polluters, but are also directed toward the adults — who, despite the facts and data from scientific research, had not acted urgently enough to solve the climate crisis that has now endangered life on earth as we know it.

“We are at the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and fairytales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!” were the strong impassioned messages of Greta on behalf of her generation and the future generations.

She continued, “For more than 30 years the science has been crystal clear. How dare you continue to look away and come here and say that you’re doing enough when the politics and solutions needed are still nowhere in sight.

You say you hear us and understand the urgency. But no matter how sad and angry I am I do not want to believe that because if you really understood the situation and still kept on failing to act,

then you would be evil, and that I refuse to believe.”

“There will not be any solutions or plans presented in line with these figures here today, because these numbers are too uncomfortable and you are still not mature enough to tell it like it is,” Thunberg added. “You are failing us. Young people are starting to understand your betrayal.

The eyes of all future generations are upon you. If you choose to fail us, I say we will never forgive you. We will not let you get away with this. Right here, right now is where we draw the line.

The world is waking up. Change is coming whether you like it or not.”

I AM WITH GRETA. I am fighting for my children and grandchildren and the generations more to come.

ARE YOU WITH US? *** Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFilAmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook. com/Gel.Santos.Relos

Basic governance He seems strongly motivated to show the world that poor boys can aspire for anything in life and achieve it.

The young Manila mayor caught the people’s attention the day after he was sworn into office.

Over the next two months and a half, he has done more than his predecessor who had two terms at city hall.

Indeed, the mayor provided a bright spot of hope at a time when many Filipinos have given up on their public officials. People wonder if he is for real, or if he can keep this up.

The mayor seems amused at all the attention. “I just do what I am supposed to do under the law,” he said, “I am just doing basic governance.”

He cited the example of rampant rumbles involving young people in the depressed areas of the city. He used a long existing city ordinance that penalized parents of children caught in the streets. He imposed a curfew for children from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Overnight, there was peace and order.

As for clearing the streets of Divisoria, he said he simply talked to the organizers in the language of one who grew up in Tondo and they understood. The streets were clean the day after his deadline.

The mayor joked that the eminent business people in the audience are in the wrong careers. If

they want oodles of money, they should just be mayor of Manila… he was offered P5 million a day to look the other way in Divisoria.

He rejected it and insisted that they give the streets back to the people.

The mayor manages by wandering around. He wanders around at odd hours of the day and night.

No city official or even police officer is safe if he finds something wrong in their areas.

The mayor said his idol in governance is the late Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He has been reading a lot about LKY and tries to apply lessons learned.

He also subscribes to the broken window theory used by Mayor Rudy Guilliani in New York City. This is why he is focused on cleaning up the city and asking the private sector to help him revive the historical buildings in Escolta and Binondo.

He claims to have a PhD in garbage management because he spent a good part of his youth earning a living in the garbage dumps. He knows what to do about garbage collection, which he said, starts with changing the mindsets of citizens.

Hunger is a special concern of the new mayor. So he sought the help of another Tondo boy, Ramon Ang of San Miguel. Last week, the mayor and Mr Ang inaugurated SMC Better World Community PAGE 8

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D ateline PhiliPPines PH backs landmark UN declaration

PMA head resigns over death of cadet from hazing

on universal healthcare

by Janvic

Mateo Philstar.com

THE Philippines has joined other member-states of the UN in supporting a landmark declaration that commits to provide universal health coverage to all citizens.

Speaking before the UN General Assembly here in New York on Monday, September 23, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the Duterte administration recognizes that health is a fundamental right and a driver for stronger and more resilient nations.

“In promoting such right, the Philippines joins other memberstates in their earnest pursuit of universal health coverage, and took the bold step last February 2019 to pass our very own Universal Health Care (UHC) law,” he said, referring to Republic Act

11223 that is expected to take effect next year.

“Through this law, we have the opportunity to reorganize our health system with primary healthcare envisioned in the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 as the foundation,” he added, referring to the declaration that expressed the urgent need to protect and promote the health of all people.

Duque said the government is collaborating with various sectors to design environments that foster healthy choices, as well as investing more in creative and thoughtful engagement of the public to promote health and prevent diseases.

“This means inverting our pyramid so primary care becomes the base of our healthcare system,” he added, noting efforts of the Philippine government to mobilize

File photo taken during media coverage at Makati City hall.

by DeMpsey

Reyes ManilaTimes.net

resources for the policy.

“We worked hard to increase taxes for sugar-sweetened beverages and imposed higher taxes for tobacco products. And in the spirit of innovative financing, the UHC law earmarked lottery and casino remittances for the reforms,” he added.

The health secretary said the national government is clear in its role as a creative enabler of local government units to practice participatory leadership and responsible stewardship of their local health systems.

“But apart from being aspirational in that our reforms will be for all Filipinos, it is also a call to action. Everyone is called to contribute. The transformation of the Philippine health sector requires a whole of system, a whole of government and a whole of society effort,” he said. n

Philstar.com photo

Online, broadcast journalists now protected vs being compelled to reveal sources MANILA — Online and cable television journalists are now covered by a law protecting journalists from being compelled to divulge the source of confidential information used in their reports.

Journalists can still be compelled to do so if a court or congress believesl “such revelation is demanded by the interest of the State.”

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Republic Act 11458, which amended Republic Act 53, known as “An Act to Exempt the Publisher, Editor or Reporter of any Publication from Revealing the Source of Published News or Information Obtained in Confidence.”

Duterte signed the law on August 30, but the copy was made public only on Wednesday.

‘The Sotto Law’ RA 53, signed on Oct. 5, 1946, is known as the Sotto Law—for Sen. Vicente Sotto, its main author—and ensures that a journalist can refuse to reveal the source of information that was received in confidence, except when the court or a committee of congress finds that the revelation is demanded by the interest of the state.

RA 53 was later amended through RA 1477, which holds that “without prejudice to his li-

ability under the civil and criminal laws, the publisher, editor, columnist or duly accredited reporter of any newspaper magazine or periodical of general circulation cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news-report or information appearing in said publication which was related in confidence to such publisher, editor or reporter.”

More journalists protected The new law extends protection to the following members of the media: • Owner • Contributor • Opinion writer • Columnist • Manager • Media practitioner involved in the writing, editing, production, and dissemination of news for mass circulation While RA 1477 only covered journalists from “any newspaper, magazine or periodical of general circulation,” the new law expanded protection to journalists of different forms of media including print, broadcast, wire service organization or electronic mass media, including cable TV and its variants.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, author of the bill to expand coverage of the law named after his grandfather, noted that “technology has advanced by leaps and

bounds and with it, the expansion of the coverage of mass media where news and investigative reports are not only broadcast through the print media, but also through radio, television, cable and the internet.”

“The law was conceived at a time when today’s technology was unthinkable. Nonetheless, the purpose of the law of protecting and enhancing the freedom of the press, so as to inform the public of current events and issues that affect their lives, remains relevant and important,” he also said.

Antonio Trillanes IV, co-author of the bill during the 17th Congress, said in the explanatory note of his version of the bill that “it is imperative that the protection enjoyed by members of the print media be extended also to broadcast media practitioners.”

On his Twitter account, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., a former journalist, said: “And am I still hearing that Duterte is an enemy of freedom of the press?

Aver? Am I still hearing that?”

Locsin said the law shows Duterte is “willing to take the risk that the media who are avid fictionists will pretend they had sources for their lying libels.”

Libel is still a crime in the Philippines. (Kristine Joy Patag/ Philstar.com)

House panel tackles death penalty bills

by Glee Jalea ManilaTimes.net

THE House Committee on Justice on Tuesday, September 24, launched its deliberation on bills seeking to reinstate death penalty on heinous crimes in the country.

At least 11 House bills are pending under the justice panel, all seeking to repeal Republic Act 9346 or the law prohibiting the imposition of death penalty and to impose higher penalties to designate death by legal injection among other penal laws.

Among these measures are House Bill (HB) 1380 filed by Capiz Second District Rep. Fredenil Castro, which seeks to highlight the imposition of death penalty on drug-related crimes, with the execution ranging from hanging, through a firing squad or through lethal injection under the authority of the Bureau of Corrections director.

HB 1588, filed by Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante Jr., a pastor and a self-proclaimed “life” advocate, seeks the same methods of execution of death sentence, but prefers carrying them out in a public place except for lethal injection.

Witnesses may include the media and children nine years old and above who are accompanied by their parents or guardians.

Abante justified the imposition of death penalty by citing Bible verses in his explanatory note.

“If God did not see death penalty as a deterrent, if He did not consider death penalty as right for the good of men and society, He would not have instituted it.

If God saw it right, who is man to consider it otherwise?” a portion of Abante’s explanatory note read.

“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil,” the lawmaker said, citing Ecclesiastes 8:9.

Sarangani Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao, the brother of evangelical Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao who is a known death penalty advocate himself, also filed House bills imposing the death penalty, focusing on the heinous crime of kidnapping and illegal detention, drug use and rape under HBs 1800, 1806 and 1807, respectively.

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Biazon zeroed in on the imposition of capital punishment on illegal drug traffickers and their cohorts.

“There have been instances where the convicted trafficker continues to deal in the illegal drug trade even behind bars. They continue to profit from the misery of others, to the detriment of society, under a very secure base of operations — our prisons,” Biazon said.

His stand was opposed by representatives from different government agencies, who sat as resource persons in the panel.

Domingo Cayosa, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, noted that the death penalty is not a “reformatory approach” to penology, citing the failure of the Duterte administration’s antidrug campaign.

“There are certain deaths, instantaneous deaths that have happened, but [these have] not

completely eradicated the drug problem. [The] death penalty may not be the best deterrent to the drug problem and other heinous crimes,” Cayosa said.

“But there are better deterrents to criminality than death penalty and that is swift justice,” he added.

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Commissioner Karen Gomez Dumpit, on the other hand, also noted that not all victims of those who committed heinous crimes are for the death penalty.

“Yearning to stop [the use of illegal] drugs is understandable, but to fight with revenge as motivation will only perpetuate the culture of violence,” she said.

The House-approved measure seeking the revival of capital punishment has failed to hurdle 17th Congress as senators were quick to reject the imposition of death penalty at the time.

President Rodrigo Duterte took office and carried out the drug war in 2016, leading to at least 5,300 deaths of drug suspects, who allegedly fought back during anti-narcotic operations.

But reports of rights groups including the CHR show that the death toll had risen to at least 27,000 as of this year.

The House panel has suspended its deliberation and will continue to tackle the death penalty in a later date.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said at the start of the 18th Congress that they would ensure a “very healthy” deliberation on the bill after Duterte tagged it as one of his priority measures in his remaining years in office. n

LT. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista resigned on Tuesday, September 24, as superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), a day after Malacañang asked him to step down over the death of Cdt. 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio.

The commandant of the academy’s Cadet Corps, Brig. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, also stepped down from his post.

Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, confirmed that AFP chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. has accepted the resignation of Evangelista and Bacarro.

“We have to show the Filipino people what command responsibility should be. I did not leave my post in the midst of crisis,” Evangelista said in a news briefing.

His resignation came a day after the military confirmed that two other cadets were confined at the V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City for “maltreatment.”

Evangelista said no one pressured him to quit.

“I feel being the one responsible [being] the head or superintendent [of PMA]. I think this is the right time that I have to step down to pave way for further investigation if it necessitates, so nobody actually pressured me to resign,” he added.

“I think it is by virtue of command responsibility. So, me, together with the commandant of cadets will step down,” Evangelista said.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez had called for Evangelista’s resignation.

Bacarro clarified that his stepping down does not mean admission of lapses. “[This is part of] command responsibility. Even if we did everything we can, for the principle of command responsibility, we volunteered [to resign],” Bacarro told reporters. “Whether you like it or not, we are the commanders.

Our resignation does not mean that there was admission [of lapses] on our part,” he said.

The Palace and the Department of National Defense (DND) commended Evangelista and Bacarro for their move.

“By choosing this course of

Cadets of the Philippine Military Academy are seen during the change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quzon City on Tuesday, September 24.

ManilaTimes.net photo by Gerard Seguia

action, Lieutenant General Evangelista and Brigadier General Bacarro have shown the hallmark of true leadership as espoused by the military profession and the principle of command responsibility,” DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

“We wish both gentlemen the best in their future endeavors,” Andolong added.

On Monday, September 23, the military said two other PMA cadets suspected to have been injured during hazing rites were taken to the V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City last week.

Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, said another cadet was admitted in the same hospital on Monday.

The cadet, who was not identified, had marks on his stomach and had been complaining of stomach pain, Arevalo said.

He said the two cadets who were admitted on Sept. 17 and 21 were in stable condition.

Suspects identified Bacarro identified the cadets and military officers suspected to be behind Dormitorio’s death.

They are Cadets 3rd Class Shalimar Imperial and Felix Lumbag, who allegedly had direct participation in the hazing. Cdt. 1st Class Axl Rey Sanupao allegedly encouraged the maltreatment.

Cdt. 2nd Class Nickoel Termil, the squad leader, was also included.

Bacarro said the platoon leader, Cdt. 1st Class Irvin Sayud and Cdt. 1st Class Elbert Lucas, the commanding officer, face suspension;

while Cdt. 1st Class Christian Correa, the floor inspector, was meted “class one” punishment.

Bacarro said some officers were removed from their posts. They are Maj. Rex Bolo, senior tactical officer; Cpt. Jeffrey Batistiana, tactical officer; Col. Cesar Candelaria, commanding officer of the PMA Hospital; and Cpt. Flor Apostol, Dormitorio’s attending physician.

Dormitorio, 20, died on September 18 after complaining of stomach pain.

Panelo gave assurances that investigation would continue to pin down those responsible for Dormitorio’s death.

“The Office of the President guarantees that there will be no whitewash and expects that justice will be rendered for those responsible for the PMA plebe’s fatal death,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said the PMA should pursue justice for Dormitorio.

Recto added that PMA cadets were “Iskolar ng Bayan” (state scholars), whose studies were shouldered by taxpayers.

The senator pointed out that PMA cadets get the highest subsidy — P2.9 million is needed to produce one PMA graduate, compared to P507,000 to produce a University of the Philippines graduate.

PMA cadets, he said, were “the people’s investments,” and if they have to drop out, it should be on their own steam, not on a stretcher out of a hospital or morgue. n

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DOJ set to release 300 inmates whose releases were legal, but surrendered following Duterte’s order

by Kristine Joy

Philstar.com

Patag

MANILA — The government is set to re-release 300 ex-inmates who surrendered to authorities following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for freed convicts of heinous crime through a controversial law.

“These are non-GCTA related cases for immediate release,” Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete told reporters on Wednesday, September 25.

Perete, who is also the Justice department’s spokesperson, explained that the ex-prisoners were allowed to leave detention as their release were “presumably” based on court orders such as acquittal, commutation of sentence, pardon, and parole.

But the DOJ is still “cleaning up”

the list of the 300 persons set to be released from detention at the Bureau of Corrections.

“We are checking if: 1) They are surrenderers whose cases as non-[Good Conduct and Time Allowance] related. 2) If not surrenderers, they have been acquitted, on parole,” Perete explained.

Perete said they are placing priority on cases that are not related to the controversial law.

“It’s a tedious process but called for under the circumstances. Considering the number of PDLs involved, we plan to release in tranches, the first of which will hopefully happen today,” he added.

Last week, Perete said that those who were freed with no legal obstacle or not through the GCTA law refused to leave BuCor premises.

“They refused to do so because

they are asking for a certification from the BuCor that they will no longer be the subject of re-arrest,” he said in a press conference.

The Justice spokesperson said they are preparing a document that could protect them for their immediate release. “The certification should be legal protection against re-arrest,” he added.

As of morning of September 23, some 2,221 ex-inmates have turned themselves in: 1,985 are in the custody of BuCor while 236 were with the Philippine National Police.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año for his part ordered the PNP to suspend operations to arrest convicts freed under GCTA. Año gave the directive as they were still waiting for the clean list of convicts freed due to the GCTA. n

Immigration confirms ‘drug queen’ left the country MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration confirmed on Wednesday, September 25, that the alleged drug queen, a central figure in the “drug recycling” scheme involving cops, has fled the country.

Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Regional Police Office director, identified the so called “drug queen” as Guia Gomez Castro, according to a report by the Philippine News Agency.

Eleazar said Tuesday that the alleged “drug queen” has already fled the country. Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval confirmed this report.

“As per travel records, she

PAGE 6

indeed recently left the country, but with no derogatory records, hence she was allowed to depart,” Sandoval told reporters.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino earlier said that a “drug queen” based in Sampaloc, Manila had been conspiring with policemen in recycling shabu confiscated from legitimate operations.

The PDEA chief said the alleged drug queen is said to be distributing two kilos of shabu in Sampaloc, and is being protected by police and politicians.

Aquino revealed last week: “When they seize drugs, half of that will be surrendered. They will

and hotels.

Ease of doing business is now a reality in the City of Manila, he said, and business permits can be had in a day or two at the latest.

He said there is no valid reason to delay.

There are those who say the mayor reminds them of Duterte and is his best successor in 2022.

But Mayor Isko dismisses the thought. He is focused on proving good governance can change the city for good.

But I noticed how he differentiates himself, perhaps subliminally, to Duterte. He says he believes in the rule of law and he intends to stay within the law at all times. No EJKs, no shortcuts.

Highly placed sources tell me

Duterte warns vs making ‘havens’ for illegal foreign workers

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte told real-estate developers on Wednesday, September 25, that their buildings “should never serve as a haven” for undocumented foreign workers.

The president said this in his speech before a crowd of businessmen, most of them Chinese nationals, at the launch of flagship projects of the Golden Topper Group in Parañaque City.

“While I recognize the potential of these projects to help the Philippines withstand future challenges in the global [economic] setting, I nonetheless stress that your buildings should never serve as

say that’s all that they have seized.

The other ones are being kept either for future operations or the worse, they sell the drugs.”

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, meanwhile, said that President Rodrigo Duterte will soon reveal the names of ranking police officers who are linked to the “drug recycling” scheme.

“We are consolidating with the president the lists, and reports from different agencies of government, from the PDEA, the intelligence community and all of these the president ordered a cross validation, especially these PAGE 6 so-called ninja cops,” Go said. Act. This legislation would support (Kristine Joy Patag /Philstar) state and local health departments in conducting research to develop plans so that our communities can better handle the health impacts of climate change. Additionally, to that Duterte is a fan of the mayor. help further Nevada’s green energy Duterte likes the spunk and humil- production and create sustainable ity of the man. Duterte liked it that jobs, I cosponsored the Clean Enerwhen Moreno reportedly asked to gy for America Act. This legislation be made DSWD Secretary, but it would reduce carbon pollution over was already promised to someone the next decade by incentivizing else, Moreno accepted being un- clean energy and new technologies dersecretary. that employ hard-working Neva“Take a second look again at dans. I’ll also continue to support Manila. Give me a couple of years. state-level proposals, like the recent Tingnan natin kung sino ang mag- ballot question to increase Nevada’s wawagi - yung nakagisnan o yung renewable energy portfolio stanluma - yung luma na tama. Kasi dard to 50 percent by 2030. This what happened to us - yung ab- vote, and the recent passage of normal naging normal…” companion bills in the Nevada legWill a basurero be the next islature, mark an important step to tenant of Malacañang? Probably, significantly reduce pollution, spur but he has to prove he can collect job growth and improve the health Manila’s garbage first and deliver of communities across Nevada. All a City of Manila we can be proud of these initiatives will help address of. (Philstar.com) climate change and protect Asian

Basic governance

food bank and education center in Tondo.

The San Miguel feeding program would help students do better in school. “I know what it feels like to come to school starving,” said Moreno. “Hindi lang ako, pati ‘yung mga kaklase ko, medyo slow at hirap ‘pag walang chicha,” he said.

San Miguel Foundation’s “Better World Community” will provide daily meals to impoverished kids in Tondo for the next 10 years. They are also planning to build nine other food banks in other depressed areas of Manila.

They are working with another volunteer group to help gather food donations from restaurants

WALK FOR A CAUSE. Thousands of participants, both from government and private sectors, join the Alay Lakad 2019 with theme: “Para sa Pag-asa ng Kabataan” at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park before proceeding to Roxas Boulevard on Sunday, September 22. The walk for a cause has benefited more than 97,000 scholars in its 47-year run.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

a haven for undocumented foreign workers or for the manufacture of and trafficking of illegal drugs,” the president said.

“This is in line with this administration’s unrelenting commitment towards the eradication of corruption and illegal drugs in this country. I am sure that [you are] with me in this drive, especially considering [that] criminality and illegal drugs are detrimental to the good business,” he added.

Duterte said this amid the growing concern over the influx of Chinese nationals mostly working for Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo).

They would often fill up hotel rooms and office towers, swamp condominiums and boost retail sales.

China had earlier urged the Philippine government to “punish” Pogos, casinos and other forms of gambling entities illegally recruiting Chinese citizens.

China made the call as its embassy in Manila said a large number of Chinese citizens had been illegally recruited to work in the Philippine gambling industry with some “even lured into and cheated to work illegally with only tourist visas.” (Christia Marie Ramos/Inquirer)

and Pacific Islander Americans from the negative health outcomes of climate change.

I’m grateful for organizations working to bring the voices of AAPI Nevadans to the table on issues like climate change at the local, state and national level. The Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) does incredible work to organize and boost civic engagement among the many communities that make up the diverse Asian and Pacific Islander experience in Las Vegas. From educating the community to turning out the vote and hosting candidate forums, ACDC is laying critical groundwork to secure political representation for AAPI Nevadans. In some Clark County state assembly districts, Asian Americans comprise close to 25 percent of the electorate. Amplifying AAPI voices through organizations like ACDC ensures that they have a seat at the table to confront the issues impacting their communities. Now, as the fastest-growing

demographic in Southern Nevada, totaling over 220,000 people in the state, the AAPI community represents a crucial voice in fighting for action on the climate crisis.

I would not be in Washington today, representing the great state of Nevada as its first female Senator, without the support of Nevada’s AAPI community. And I’m in Washington fighting on issues like climate change that impact our communities. I’m doing everything in my power to listen, bring stakeholders together and fight for policies that protect our planet. There is no Planet B. We will only stem the climate crisis if we come together and fight for environmental justice and a greener future for all.

For Congress to address climate change...

*** Born and raised in Las Vegas, Catherine Cortez Masto has spent her career fighting for Nevada’s working families. She served two terms as Attorney General of Nevada and in November 2016, she made history by becoming the first woman from Nevada and the first Latina ever elected to the United States Senate.

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VEGAS&STYLE Journal

‘70s matinee idol Jojit Paredes, 68

Jojit Paredes

ABS-CBN photo

JESUS Maria “Jojit” Paredes, also known as the other half of the singing duo “Twofus” with Ronnie Henares, died in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, September 24, his sister said using his Facebook page. He was 68.

“Today we say goodbye to Jojit Paredes, who passed away peacefully in Los Angeles, surrounded by loved ones,” Carol posted. The singer reportedly succumbed to brain aneurysm.

Carol said her brother, a matinee idol of the ’70s, “loved making music for every one of you who ever watched one of his concerts, every one of you who ever bought his records, every one of you who listened to him on the radio, every one of you who watched him on TV or movies, every one of you who wrote to him or read about him, every one of you who shared a memory or an experience with him while listening to the ‘Guitar Man,’ or a ‘Beautiful Sunday.’”

“Guitar Man” and “Beautiful Sunday” were two of the late singer’s popular songs.

He last appeared in public on September 1 last year, when he and Henares performed at Solaire in Pasay City. His brother, singer Jim Paredes, and fellow APO Hiking Society member Boboy Garrovillo, joined the friends on stage. (Aric John Sy Cua/ManilaTimes.net)

More ‘Unforgettable’ milestones for Sarah

by Tessa

Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

BESIDES a movie in the works, the box-office actress and pop star is the first OPM artist to land major concert into streaming platform Her star just keeps getting bigger and brighter.

It was with pride that the ever dynamic showbiz umbrella organization that is Viva Entertainment informed The Times of the latest milestones in its prized talent Sarah Geronimo’s 16th year in her most winning career.

Now 30 years old, Sarah is indeed at her most beautiful and prolific as she juggles television, movie and music projects with grace, magnetism and talent that ages just like wine.

Hard at work since June for her much awaited return to the big screen via Viva Films’ “Unforgettable,” Sarah just staged a coup when her sold out April 2018 major concert “This I5 Me” at The Big Dome landed a spot on the leading global streaming platform Netflix.

“This is a major event for Filipino talents as it opens the doors of the streaming platform to other Filipino concert films,” said company publicist and veteran music columnist Baby Gil. “This I5 Me” marked Sarah’s 15th anniversary in show business and features a repertoire of Filipino and foreign songs as directed by Paul Basinillo with Louie Ocampo as musical director. Featured guests are Billy Crawford, Mark Bautista, Xian Lim, James Reid and Daniel Padilla, and the concert is now available for viewing at any time

by Netflix subscribers all over the world.

Though overwhelmed by her latest achievement, the ever humble Sarah continues to pour her energy into her movie, which is turning out to be a star-studded event in itself.

Besides a topnotch support cast in Ara Mina, Kim Molina, Meg Imperial, Gina Pareño and Yayo Aguila, “Unforgettable’s” multi-awarded director Jun Robles Lana has been generous in giving sneak peeks into his set and has thus confirmed cameos from other big-named stars as Regine Velasquez and Anne Curtis, as well as veterans Cherie Gil and Tirso Cruz III. “Here I am with the multi-talented, lovely young lady Sarah Geronimo while we were shooting. I am one of the many guests in her movie,” wrote Cruz on his Instagram account.

The first teaser of “Unforget-

Sarah Geronimo

Photo from Instagram/@justsarahgph

table” was released on August 31 and has garnered millions of views since. It showed Sarah’s character and her pet dog seemingly lost as they supposedly travel to visit her sick grandmother.

“Unforgettable” is a co-production of Viva Films and Lana’s The Idea First Company, which is scheduled for release on October 23.

Milestones for all To be sure, it isn’t just Geronimo who is on a roll this season but the umbrella company of her Viva management.

Fresh from the success of VivaCon — the first Filipino fan convention in local entertainment history — in July the showbiz outfit has gone from strength to strength leading up to the final quarter of 2019.

Kicking off Viva’s latest conquests was Anne Curtis and Marco Gumabao August’s erotic drama “Just A Stranger” in August. Now acclaimed as a box-office and critical success, the movie continues to thrill audiences all over the country where it is still being shown. Written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana and partly shot in Portugal, the movie tells the story of how a married woman gets into a passionate affair with a younger man and how she suffers the consequences.

Shortly after the Curtis-Gumabao hit, the Viva-distributed Hollywood action flick “Angel Has Fallen” became the number one

grossing foreign film of the year.

The third installment of the famous “Fallen” franchise starring Gerard Butler was a satisfying sequel to forerunners “Olympus Has Fallen” and “London Has Fallen,” which all follow the heart pumping adventures of Agent Mike Banning to protect the president of the United States.

Without missing a beat, Viva Films segued with “Sanggano, Sanggago’t Sanggwapo” and brought back the “Gamol” triumvirate of Andrew E, Janno Gibbs and Dennis Padilla to the big screen. Directed by Al Tantay, the picture was reminiscent of the ‘90s trend of naughty comedies, which drew a nostalgic generation into cinemas.

Finally, just before Geronimo’s much awaited movie opens in October, another sexy comedy hits the big screen from Viva today via “Jowable.” Based on the much-talked about short film

by Darryl Yap on Facebook, the movie stars the love team of the smash PETA musical “Rak of Aegis,” Kim Molina and Gerald Napoles with Yap again as writer and director.

With Sarah and Viva’s triumphs, there can be no doubt that Philippine cinema and the entertainment industry as a whole is on the up, which is why The Manila Times Entertainment joyfully extend congratulations and “keep it up’s” to showbiz’ talented, tireless and dedicated souls.

Arjo praised for ‘sensitive, nuanced’ portrayal of character with autism by ryan

arcadio Inquirer.net

Arjo Atayde

ARJO Atayde received praise from the Autism Society Philippines (ASP) for his interpretation of his character with autism in the TV drama series “The General’s Daughter”.

ASP is a non-profit organization that provides services and training to families living with family members who have autism.

“Arjo Atayde’s portrayal of #autism is sensitive and nuanced,” the organization said in a Twitter post yesterday, Sept. 21. “The character was well developed and avoided stereotypical caricatures. Bravo!”

“I did not expect this!!! Maraming maraming salamat po (Many many thanks),” Atayde replied via Twitter on the same day. “[It] means a lot.. it really does.. Salamat po talaga (Thank you, really).”

ASP was referring to Atayde’s scene in the episode entitled “Napahamak”. A portion of the said episode was posted at ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel last Thursday, Sept. 5.

In the scene, Atayde’s character, Elijah “Elai” Sarmiento grieves as he comes to terms with the fact that his father Mayor Dante Velario (Emilio Garcia) passed away in front of him.

Aside from his work on “The General’s Daughter”, Atayde also starred in the romance film “Stranded”, which premiered last April, alongside Jessy MenPhoto from Instagram/@arjoatayde diola.

Aside from physical strength, Jane reveals other equally important demands of Darna role by allan

PolicarPio Inquirer.net

IT has been three months since Jane de Leon learned that was chosen to play Darna.

But to this day, she has yet to fully grasp the magnitude of the said project and the impact it could make not only on her career, but also on her life.

“I still can’t believe it. I’m not really sure what they saw in me—I just did my best during my auditions,” she told the Inquirer in a brief chat, moments before she took the red carpet at the 2019 ABS-CBN Ball.

“Just the same, I’m thankful that our bosses saw potential in me; that they believe I have the qualities and what it takes to take on the role,” added Jane, who bested over 200 hopefuls for Star Cinema’s 2020 film adaptation, featuring the iconic Filipino superhero.

The training is reportedly rigorous and physically demanding, so much so that the two previous actresses tapped for the movie were both forced to withdraw due to health issues.

Angel Locsin injured her back.

Liza Soberano, meanwhile, felt she wouldn’t be able to perform stunts properly because her broken finger kept hampering her.

Preparations are already underway, and she’s starting to feel the pinch. But she’s up for the challenge. She works out every day and maintains a healthy diet to make sure she has the strength and endurance during training.

“At first, it was difficult, but as we go on, I feel like I’m starting to get used to it … I’m quite athletic; I do wushu,” the 20-year-old Star Magic talent related. “I also have to be mentally strong.”

But more than the role’s physical requirements, she stressed that it’s just as crucial that she em-

Jane de Leon

bodies Darna’s values. “She and I are both tough … And we’re both willing to sacrifice everything for our families and loved ones,” Jane pointed out.

In earlier social media posts, “Darna” director, Jerrold Tarog— who replaced Erik Matti—said Jane was the “unanimous choice for the role.”

“The execs wanted a new face for Darna and I was all for it,” he wrote on Instagram. “Thus, open auditions—newbies, celebs, chinita, mestiza, morena, etc. The short list was a good mix, but ultimately, it was about who could carry the role.”

On the ABS-CBN Ball red carpet, she wore a drapey, bluishgrey gown by Vania Romoff. But it wasn’t the outfit itself that had people talking. It was her pendant:

Photo from Instagram/@imjanedeleon

a golden South Sea pearl which, observers believed, was a nifty allusion to the stone Narda swallows to transform into Darna.

For her ensemble, Jane was named “Belo Beauty on the Rise,” one of the special awards handed out at the ball.

And as Darna would have probably done herself, the actress donated her winnings to the night’s beneficiary, the Bantay Edukasyon program of the charity organization Bantay Bata 163.

Jane used to be a member of the dance group Girltrends, and had played mostly minor roles in such TV series as “Halik” and “La Luna Sangre.”

“Darna” could potentially catapult her to stardom. “I’m committed, 100 percent, and I will give it my all,” she said.

James sees his music label as ‘the bridge between OPM and international music’

by Tcel

MaraMag Inquirer.net

THERE is something about James Reid’s cool, calm and collected personality that gives off this mysterious vibe—a character with so many layers to him that one’s curious self cannot help but try to discover.

What’s even more fascinating is that despite the buzz that surrounded him as the very first Filipino endorser of Armitron Watches during its official Philippine launch, James reveals a playful demeanor toward his “baby,” which he coparents with girlfriend Nadine Lustre—an 8month-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi, named Calcifer Dante Pendragon (or simply Cal)—who accompanied him to the event.

It was refreshing to have the “usually elusive” James candidly answering Inquirer’s questions ranging from his current endorsements, to his maturing relationship with Nadine, and his foremost passion—music, as the CEO of his own music label, Careless Music Manila.

News recently broke out that he severed ties with Viva Artists Agency, his longtime management company, due to “sensitive reasons.” His career is now being managed by his father, Robert Malcom Reid.

On being on his own and comanaging his career, he said: “There are benefits and drawbacks. But the rewards would have to be having the freedom in this business, although there’s lack of management assistance, which is also difficult.”

He added, “It’s great, but it’s also scary. It’s just me. I’m focusing a lot on my music right now. I want to give it a chance and see how far I can take my music. I have big plans for it.”

When asked to clarify rumors that he will be transferring to the Kapuso network, James was quick to reply, “No.” After withdrawing from a remake of “Pedro Penduko” due to a spinal injury, James shared: “I’m still planning to stay in the movies. I am just waiting for the right project.”

On Nadine’s recent acting successes, including best actress awards from Famas and Urian for their hit movie, “Never Not Love You,” James said: “I am definitely proud of her. She deserved all of those awards. She is humble, hardworking and very strong.”

James, who last appeared in the 2018 film “Miss Granny” alongside Sarah Geronimo and Xian Lim,

James Reid

added that he did not feel any pressure to step up his acting game and expand his filmography. “It isn’t a competition. It was never about winning awards, ever. I always did it because I enjoyed it.”

Now that he has more control of his career, James also said he was open to starring in indie movies.

“I’d love to try. As an artist, I’d also would love to grow.”

Excerpts from our interview: What is it about Armitron’s campaign of “One Watch, Many Faces” that resonates with you?

As one with a lot of roles to fulfill, I really vibe with the brand. I actually found out just today that they named a watch I was “feeling” on the day of the shoot and called it “The James.” This is the very first watch that is named after me. It’s flattering.

What is it about producing your own music that you find fulfilling? How do you choose your artists?

There is something about creating that gives me purpose. Just creating something out of nothing, I get a lot of fulfillment out of that.

When it comes to choosing my artists, every single one of them has a story about how we’ve met.

Looking 10 years forward, where do you see your record label going?

I see it as the bridge between OPM and international music.

I don’t see it specifically associated with R&B or hip-hop. It’s really whatever is current because music changes, and it changes fast, especially nowadays.

What is your current challenge in producing your own music?

My challenge is my need for

Photo from Instagram/@james

more producers.

How do you manage your time?

I have a lot of people supporting me—I have my team, my family, my friends, my girlfriend.

What do you like to do on your “me time”?

What I really love to do is to travel. That’s what I love to do, like hiking or going to the beach.

I am a huge video game nerd. I like “Tekken,” and “God of War,” but I haven’t played the new one yet.

How do you spend quality time with your girlfriend Nadine?

Well, for us, when we get the chance, we get away from the city [or] out of the country, where people do not know us, in a place where we can be “truly private.”

Is there an upcoming project that your fans and followers can expect from you?

I am working on a personal album (after “Palm Dreams”). The Careless Mixtape was a vehicle to promote all of the other artists (Nadine, Bret Jackson, Curtismith, Massiah, Astro Kidd, Midnasty) under my label, and to see what people could create if we collaborate like that.

My album is going to take a while, but there are new singles being released online from Careless Music Manila every week now, which is very exciting.

So far, what is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career?

It is important to take [your] time. There is a time for everything, and sometimes there is a time to sit back and relax, and there’s a time to go 100 percent.

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

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Health@Heart PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS FOLLOWING our article on the use of UVC and ozone for sterilizing CPAP system for sleep apnea and almost any other items at home, we received queries about the use of ozone cleaner, since UVC lamps comes with or without ozone. Natural beneficial germicidal UV-C rays in the stratosphere do not reach us on earth.

What is ozone?

Ozone is activated oxygen (O2) with an added atom of oxygen (O3), a super-charged highly reactive gas. The ozone layer in the stratosphere, encircling the earth, protects us from harmful UV rays from the sun. This is ozone from nature, but there is also ozone that is man-made. A tiny machine available today (5x2x2.5 inches, about the size of a can of soft drink) produces ozone emission, which kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds, mites, some parasites) and deemed safe and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cleaning CPAP machine, masks/nasal pillows, tubing, and accessories.

How is the ozone unit used?

The tubing connected to the machine (heated or not) that is connected to a shorter tube where the mask or nasal pillow is attached to the head gear is connected directly to the ozone-maker gadget. This unit has a one-press button to turn it on and a green light on-indicator. It also has a set timer for 25-minute sterilization dose and automatic shut-off feature, turning off the green light when sanitation is completed. The ozone (03) gives off one atom of oxygen and becomes O2 (regular oxygen we breathe in) in about 30 minutes. There is a 2-hour airing time to allow ozone to dissipate completely together with the postthunderstorm (ozone) smell. This “waiting period” must be followed diligently.

How much microbes are in our home?

It is mind-boggling but there are trillions of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds, algae, protozoa) in every home, no matter how we clean it in the conventional way. Indeed, there are more microbes in one home than the number of humans (currently 7.72 billion) in the galaxy. While not all of them are pathogens, a significant number of them can cause illnesses of varying degrees, some silent infections which result in continuous inflam-

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA THESE are the best of times.

These are the worst of times.

Charles Dickens could have said these words just as fittingly to apply to this tech crazy world we live in today.

There are far too many distractions emanating from tech wizardry that derail us from being mindful — that glorious state of mind which allows us to fully live joyfully while recognizing and appreciating the present moment.

Mindfulness is a skill borne of discipline. It is the mental and deeply spiritual process of laser focusing one’s energy and full attention to the sensations and experiences happening right now.

This skill effectively places all other concerns in the back burner while fully engaged in the moment. Mindfulness has become a highly valued skill in today’s extremely distracting world seemingly spinning at warp speed.

It is essentially a mental skill that can be honed and developed by consciously tuning out all distractions through the discipline of regular prayer and meditation.

It is the finely honed craft of just being yourself in the moment, without the baggage of the past or the anxieties of the future. It is considering the present moment as a gift to be relished and enjoyed fully.

Do you feel incomplete, naked, inept and insecure when you are not tethered electronically to your cellphone or your computer? Do you feel less of a person? Take heart. You are not alone. There are billions of us in this increasingly wired world.

The advances in communication technology have created a world where we can send and receive information at breakneck speed. The thoughts, the images of anyone, from kings to paupers, from the most profound to the most profane, from the wisest to the most foolish, from the most beautiful to the most horrific, once formed, can be transmitted to billions of people around the electronically wired community.

Just like the common cold, thoughts and images “go viral…”

The power of a message is now

Ozone for sanitizing mation in our body we do not even know or sense. This inflammation increases our risk for the development or aggravation of cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic illnesses, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. Any form of inflammation in us is the enemy of our body, negatively impacting our immune system. Besides microbes, stress, tobacco, vaping (e-cigs), alcohol, lack or exercise, loneliness and bitterness also cause inflammation within us.

Can this gadget sanitize areas or other items?

This ozone-producing unit is being used to sanitize in-sink garbage disposer, closets, drawers, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, crawl spaces, etc. using the same procedure as stated above. To sanitize shoes, jewelries, cell phones, charger cables, headsets, earbuds, and other small items, use a large plastic bag (like plastic covers from dry cleaners) tied shut on one end. The gasblowing-output end of the unit is inserted into the “mouth” of the plastic end, and tied around, to seal the bag. The air-intake end of the gadget allows outside air to get into the unit to produce ozone that is pumped into the bag, like a balloon Any enclosure, like a shoe box, a large box (make a hole), a plastic grocery bag, a luggage, a purse, may be used to sanitize objects that fit inside, using a small tube that fits perfectly into the mouth of the gadget, the other end inserted into the hole in the box, to pump in ozone. The house vent could be turned on to get rid of any ozone leak, or the sanitizing could be done outside the home.

Ozone also gets rid of the bad odor or musty smell of shoes, slippers, any clothing items, etc.

Can an entire room be sanitized with ozone?

Theoretically, yes, but for homes it is cumbersome, inconvenient, and not practical.

For sanitizing an entire room, bathroom, family room, office, bedroom, etc, the use of UV-C lamps is more practical and more efficient. One UV-C lamp with 25 watts (less than $20) could sanitize 400 square foot of space in one hour. For info about the lamp and a small portable collapsible bag sanitizer (for travel) email Shu Wenphone at steriletote@ hotmail.com Is ozone better than chlorine?

Ozone from this machine rapidly oxidizes and destroys other molecules, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and mold, and odors – the reason ozone is used in CPAP cleaning devices. There are several layers of ozone that

surround earth, and naturally created by lightning storms and by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. It is a bactericidal agent, killing microbes. The smell we sense immediately after a storm or rain is ozone. Ozone as a cleaning agent has been found to be more effective than chlorine and bleaches as cleansing/sterilizing agents. After a 30-minute ozone treatment, at least two hours of “airing” is needed to dissipate the residual ozone. After it does its job, it disappears within an hour.

When it dissipates, it releases back an atom of oxygen and is transformed back into oxygen.

Ozone at its original concentration right after being generated by the machine is irritating to the eyes, nose, throat, skin, and dangerous to inhale. Ozone does not last long, but a little ozone smell may linger a bit. After two hours and beyond, the CPAP, or other items you sanitize with it, are ready to use. This waiting period for ozone dissipation is very important and must be strictly adhered to.

Is ozone safer than chemicals for cleansing?

With discipline, proper attention and care, ozone sanitizers are safer and more effective than chemical cleaning agents for our home. The ozone gas can reach tiny spaces, nooks, and corners, even on the ceiling, where chemicals like chlorine and other bleaches and cleaning agents could not be used as safely. Chemical fumes are also much more harmful to inhale (unintentionally but could not be helped sometimes) than residual ozone smell. Ozone also removes bad odors in our homes. Releasing an extra atom of oxygen into the atmosphere (as O3 dissipates within an hour, and becomes O2 again) provides a little more oxygen for our environment, and is therefore ecologically better than the chemicals that pollute our respiratory system, our rivers, lakes (our sources of drinking water) and finally the oceans. Although the use of ozone is becoming popular, it is still prudent to do a due diligence before using any method of sanitizing.

Cardiovascular Surgical Society. He is the chairman of the Filipino United Network – USA, a 501(c)(3) humanitarian foundation in the United States. Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

“Be present. It is the only thing that matters.”

— Ways of the Peaceful Warrior How badly can it get? There are horror stories of mindless idiocy. Countless car accidents borne of texting while driving, are a testament to the tragic loss of mindfulness and by extension, common sense, among us earthlings.

Witness the number of news items about overly busy, distracted working parents who forget that they have babies strapped in car seats in the back of their cars leaving them to die in the heat of the sun. It is a sad commentary that while we have all the technological aids at our disposal to make our lives better, we fail to use them appropriately.

How do we detox? Try going tech free at designated times or for long stretches of time without having to check your phone or your computer for messages that you feel compelled to respond to ASAP. As I have said in another article championing the cause of living mindfully in the moment, “Log off and enjoy your hot chocolate.”

Unless your work involves saving lives, taking a vacation from technology may prove to offer a higher quality of life by getting back to a state of mindfulness.

Eventually, as we learn to synch and balance our lives with our tech tools, they will be obedient dogs serving us as their master.

Think of the perks. We get to appreciate the present moment and appreciate and deeply love the people we are with right then and there. We get to “Carpe Diem” and experience joy in real time. We get to open our eyes and our hearts to the beauty and infinite majesty of just breathing and knowing LIFE IS GOOD– so good you can feel it in your bones.

Best of all, we get to reserve the eminent right to remain essentially human — ever mindful that we are created in God’s own image and likeness. *** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette. maglaya@asianjournalinc.com

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Ask Alexa for a job at McDonald’s MCDONALD’S Corporation is now working with a voice millions know and love. Alexa can now assist with the first step of a McDonald’s restaurant job application, helping drive talent attraction worldwide through the McDonald’s Apply Thru skill.

The world’s first voice-initiated application process, the McDonald’s Apply Thru, is available on Wednesday, September 25 as part of the recently launched Made at McDonald’s global hiring campaign that seeks to drive applications worldwide.

“We must continue to innovate and think of creative, and in this case, ground-breaking, ways to meet potential job seekers on devices they are already using, like Alexa,” said McDonald’s Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer, David Fairhurst. “Alexa has many of the qualities we look for on our teams — friendly, responsive and fun. I am looking forward to having our application process simplified with Alexa.”

Thanks to Alexa, starting a job application is as simple as saying “Alexa, help me get a job at McDonald’s.” Applicants can also use any device with the Google Assistant built-in by saying, “Ok Google, talk to McDonald’s Apply Thru.” As the Apply Thru is further developed for the Google Assistant, the Action will be activated by simply saying, “Ok Google, help me get a job at McDonald’s.” The voice experience is available on Alexa and Google Assistant devices in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ire-

land, Italy, Spain, and the U.K. and is expected to roll out to other countries in the coming months.

After opening McDonald’s Apply Thru, all users need to jumpstart their application process is to answer a few basic questions ranging from their name, job area of interest and location. Potential applicants receive a short text message shortly thereafter with a link to continue their application process.

“Alexa makes life easier, and we’re thrilled to see McDonald’s utilize voice to create a simpler, more convenient job application process for customers,” said Steve Rabuchin, Vice President, Alexa.

“With Apply Thru, customers can start the process for a job at their nearest McDonald’s restaurant – all they need to do is ask.”

This move is part of the company’s larger Made at McDonald’s campaign, which highlights all the opportunities a first job, part-time job, or lifelong career

at McDonald’s can create. A recent survey said more than 128,401 McDonald’s crew members have gone on to become nurses, 489,302 have made a career teaching and 2,403,460 have become entrepreneurs.

With McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity education program, eligible employees at participating U.S. restaurants receive an opportunity to earn a high school diploma, receive upfront college tuition assistance, access free education and career advising services and learn English as a second language so they are set up for future success.

Later this year, McDonald’s said it intends to launch a career navigation app in the U.S. that will allow eligible employees and the communities in which McDonald’s serves the chance to explore careers at McDonald’s and in other industries like healthcare and IT. (Advertising Supplement)

Nevada students invited to help raise awareness about opioid misuse and abuse prevention

LAS Vegas — SilverSummit Healthplan is sponsoring the OpiEnd Youth Challenge poster contest to help raise awareness about opioid misuse and abuse prevention. Nevada students between 9 and 14 are invited to learn about opioids and the harm opioid abuse can cause, then are challenged to design a poster *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, Cardiac that helps to raise awareness of Surgeon Emeritus in Northwest Indiana and the issue. Winning students can chairman of cardiac surgery from 1997 to 2010 receive national and state level at Cebu Doctors University Hospital, where he prizes by joining SilverSummit holds the title of Physician Emeritus in Surgery, Healthplan in the battle against is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a Fellow of opioid abuse.

Poster submissions will be the American College of Surgeons, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Denton A. Cooley judged at both the state and na-

Mindfulness as virtue measured by the number of tweets, retweets, hits and views it gets.

Many are choosing to live in virtual reality rather than in the real world believing they can safely hide behind a cloak of anonymity. Disabuse yourself of the idea. No one remains anonymous for long. Just like sin, nothing and no one remains hidden in secret.

These thoughts and images go around fast just like the weather patterns that change and swirl around the globe. And just like the weather, our cultural world is being shaped by our collective thoughts within the structure and framework of the technologically wired environment we live in today.

Do we then damn technology because of the potent power it helps wield over us? Certainly not. It would be a big mistake to blame technology for our present woes. Just like fire and electricity and practically all of man’s tools and inventions through the ages, technology is a double-edged sword. It can enhance human life or it can destroy just as well.

The fault, dear tech user, is not in our stars but in ourselves. It is how we define our relationship with technology and use it in our daily lives.

We can be the boss of it. Or if we lose control, we can let ourselves be obsessed by it. It can wreak havoc on our souls, our persona and ultimately our lives.

How do we know if technology has us wrapped around its little keypads? It is easy enough to self-diagnose this condition.

When we are no longer mindful of our present conditions and depend on technology overly much to do the thinking for us, then we are truly in deep doodoo.

People have become so preoccupied and distracted by the mind boggling possibilities presented by multitasking that is engendered by a tech-enhanced way of life, that they tend to forget what is important and what truly matters.

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 26-OCTOBER 2, 2019

tional levels with monetary prizes to the winner’s school or club, and a savings bond to the winning student entrant. The national winner will receive $5,000, with $3,000 for second place, and $1,500 for third place.

Nevada judges will choose the winning poster from among the state’s submissions based on judging criteria, and the school or non-profit organization that helped the student apply will receive a $1,000 prize from SilverSummit Healthplan.

Full details are available at OpiEndYouthChallenge.com. The site also includes downloadable

Calendar of Events across

information sheets about opioids and guidance on designing a poster. The deadline for entry is November 1.

SilverSummit Healthplan (SilverSummit) is a managed care plan that provides health insurance to the people of Nevada.

Established in 2017, SilverSummit exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate and coordinated care.

SilverSummit is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise. For more information, visit www.silversummithealthplan.com.

America

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75th Anniversary of Leyte fundraiser gala in Carson, CA The Erasto R. Batongmalaque Foundation will be holding a fundraising gala on Saturday, September 28 at the Carson Community Center leading up to the 75th anniversary of the Leyte landing on Oct. 20. The foundation is dedicated to servicing the ongoing needs of surviving veterans of World War II as well as other veterans of recent conflicts. This will lead into two other events on Oct. 12 and Oct. 20. The ticket is at $75 payable to the E.R.B. Foundation. Call Julie at (310) 8358365 or (424) 257-2504 for more information.

Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Chatsworth, CA The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Filipino Ministry invites you to the San Fernando Region celebration of the feast day of the first Filipino Saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila. This festive occasion will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at St. John Eudes Church, 9901 Mason St., Chatsworth, CA 91311. Procession will start at 10:30 a.m. Eucharistic celebration will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Joel Henson, director of Ongoing Formation of Clergy, Archdiocese of Los Angeles as the main celebrant. Reception, fellowship and program to follow immediately after the mass. For further inquiries, please contact Patty Santiago (818)-472-4288, Dominic Mendoza (818) 687-4890 or Mia Macalino (818) 517-4300.

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Asian American Drug Abuse Program to host annual benefit in Los Angeles Back by popular demand, the legendary Kalapana and special guest Michael Paulo will be performing once again at the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP)’s annual benefit on Saturday, October 5. Kalapana emerged as one of the most popular bands on the Hawaiian music scene in the 70s, producing a steady stream of hits. Their 1975 debut album was hailed as one of the best of the mid-70s Hawaiian renaissance. Tracks like “Naturally,” “Nightbird,” “The Hurt,” “You Make It Hard,” and “When the Morning Comes” became household tunes and still enjoy frequent play on contemporary Hawaiian radio. Musical trends have come and gone, but Kalapana’s many hits have remained Island classics. This promises to be an unforgettable experience, as it pays tribute to the late Malani Bilyeu, founding member and Hoku Award-winning artist. Performing as Kalapana will be: DJ Pratt (lead guitar, vocals), Gaylord Holomalia (keyboards, vocals), Kenji Sano (bass, vocals); accompanied by: Todd Yukumoto (saxophone & flute), Garin Poliahu (drums) and John Valentine (vocals, guitar); and special guest Michael Paulo (saxophone). Aratani Theatre is located at 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The program will begin at 6 p.m. with a VIP reception, followed by the concert at 7 p.m. and a dessert reception and meet-andgreet at 9 p.m. For more information, please visit www.showtime-AADAP.org.

Filipino American History Month celebration in Carson, CA The City of Carson, California will be holding its annual Filipino American History Month celebration on Saturday, October 5 from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. It will be at the Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center (801 E. Carson St. Carson, CA 90745). For more information, please call (310) 830-9991.

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Beatrock Music’s 10 year anniversary in Los Angeles Beatrock Music, an artist-driven, independent West Coast Hip Hop record label announced their entire lineup for their 10 Year Anniversary concert on Sunday October 6, 2019. Since 2009, the label has released a prolific catalog and has amassed a dedicated fanbase around the globe.

To celebrate their 10 Year anniversary, Beatrock Music will host an all-day music festival, partnering with community organizations to produce programming fit for Hip Hop fans of all ages. Fans can expect a day of music and arts programming, with live performances from Beatrock Music artists including: Klassy, Ruby Ibarra, Bambu, Prometheus Brown, Rocky Rivera and more. Parents are welcome to bring kids and can enjoy the live-art activation led by artist Bodeck Luna. Attendees can also enjoy food and merchandise for purchase from local artisan vendors. The 10 Year Anniversary will also feature local community organizations, utilizing the event to amplify the work and increase the impact of each organization’s mission. As an added treat, the concert will feature a special guest performance from G. Yamazawa, a National Poetry Slam Champion, Cultural Diplomat for the Department of State and Kundiman Fellow. The Beatrock Music 10 Year Anniversary celebration takes place on Sunday October 6, 2019 (12 p.m.-8 p.m) at Bootleg Theater (2220 Beverly Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90057). All ages are welcome. Tickets are available at BeatrockMusic.com.

If you have an upcoming event and would like us to post it, please email us the details at info@asianjournalinc.com or calendar@asianjournalinc.com

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Features

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MASTER OF HER OWN FATE Hadestown’s Kay Trinidad is living her best life by

MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

Hadestown is undoubtedly the hottest show on Broadway this season. It led the pack and received an astounding 14 tony award nominations, winning in eight categories including Best Musical.

It is special for Filipino americans too, because one of the principal cast members is eva noblezada, who received her second tony nomination for lead actress. eagle eyed audience members will notice though that it’s not just eva who is Filipino in the cast but one of the three scene stealing trio called the Fates is a certified Pinay as well.

Her name is Kay trinidad and in an interview with the asian Journal, she expressed how thankful she is for being part

EMPLOYMENT

of an amazing cast and an even more amazing show.

“It feels like a dream! I am so incredibly humbled and grateful to be a part of this very special show, this beautiful, inspiring and epic masterpiece.” trinidad said.

It was an arduous casting process, something that trinidad relished in remembering. she first went in and sang her own song for the casting director, then got a callback and was given a packet of material, which included both Persephone and Fate music. she was was asked to stay and dance, and later that day, she performed Fate choreography to “when the Chips

are down.”

“I thought that was the final city for the holidays. I was given part of the audition and left the a call while out of town to come back and dance more for them as they were figuring out casting,” she recalled. since she was not in the city, trinidad had to send her video dancing. she said they were kind enough to send a video of their choreographer, david neumann, dancing to “Papers” music. she studied the tape and learned that choreography with her older sister taping it for submission. trinidad was then called in one more time, once back in town, to sing with another performer up for the role of one of the Fates. a day or two later, she received the call that I had booked the role of Fate #2!

“I was in my apartment when I received the call! I was so elated my heart could burst and I wanted to be one of the Fates so badly,” she said. trinidad had just finished a presentation of a new musical called “Lempicka” when the opportunity to join Hadestown presented itself.

Her husband and his company, Marathon digital, had already been running the social media for the show and she had the opportunity to see the production both in edmonton, Canada, and at the national theatre in London. “since the first time I saw it, Photo from Instagram/@kaytrinidadkarns I fell in love with the stirring

FOR RENT

Photo by Jenny Anderson/Broadwaybox.com

music of anaïs Mitchell. then when I saw the show once again in London, with all of the great adjustments and tightening (aka director Rachel Chavkin is a genius), that’s when I realized...

I wanna be one of them (the Fates),” she said.

Hadestown has no shortage in great songs and numbers, so we had to ask her what her favorite scenes and songs are in the show. “this is always a tough question because I have such a blast throughout every part of the show depending on who I’m playing with onstage,” she started. then she mentioned a couple: “when the Chips are down” (“It’s so fun to perform) and “epic III” (when Hades and Persephone are sharing their moment of pure love and all the Underworld is swept up in it as well, it’s so incredibly beautiful and symbolic of how goodness can overcome the world and feel so damn uplifting - to see how the world could be).

“I love performing the powerhouse songs that are “wait for Me” and the “wait for Me Reprise” and getting to be the ominous presence in both songs,” she added.

Herstory “the best part of my job is sharing a piece of theater that is life-changing not only for me,

but for anyone who sees it. I also find it so utterly gratifying to be able to represent my fellow asians,” she said. I didn’t grow up with many asian role models or anyone who really looked like me on the stage. Lea salonga was always someone I looked up to, but it wasn’t common to see diversity on stage as it is today, although we still have a long way to go regarding diversity in the arts. this is just the beginning.”

Kay feels like she has always been singing and putting on productions as far as she can remember.

“I would create and perform my own shows, concerts, and sock-skating performances for my family when I was a child. I would make tickets, make them buy them, have them purchase snacks during intermission, and would always force my little sister to be my co-star,” she recalled.

Growing up, she was always involved with choir and began taking voice lessons around 4th or 5th grade. It wasn’t until she went to high school and auditioned for show choir that she realized that singing and dancing at the same time was so hard. that was her cue. she began taking all different kinds of dance lessons. she has always been

FOR RENT

Photo from kaytrinidad.com

very active in sports growing up, and by her junior year in high school, she had to choose between sports and drama and musical theater.

“Performing had my heart.

It was then that I decided that I wanted to pursue a career on Broadway - my later high school years,” she quipped. and how exactly did her parents react?

“My parents knew I was meant to be a performer before I did,” trinidad revealed. “they have always been incredibly supportive in every way possible. I’m so thankful that at a young age, they enrolled me in piano lessons. this made learning music a breeze.” they have also attended every single performance and concert she was a part of, and supported her decision to pursue her career and attend college far away from home at new York University’s tisch school of the arts. trinidad was a sophomore in college when she received an offer to join the cast of Bare: a Pop opera as diane Lee. as a young college student, she couldn’t believe it was happening. the offer also meant getting her equity card and joining PAGE 13

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Features

Hadestown’s Kay Trinidad is living...

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the professional actor’s union.

Her father called her high school musical theater teacher, Peg Waldschmidt, and asked if she should leave NYU for this show.

“She said, “Yes!” and I’ve never looked back. I don’t know how much more supportive my parents could have been, especially when faced with the unknown regarding my education and future. I love them so incredibly much, and they have always been my number one fans,” Trinidad added.

Creating memories Doing the show has been an incredible experience for her because she gets to work with an amazing group of fellow cast members every single day, including fellow Filipino Americans Eva Noblezada and Adam Hyndman whom she describes as “Nothing less than incredible, inspiring human beings”.

Together, they’ve been through a lot of memorable and unforgettable experiences, including this year’s Tony Awards, which she was also very happy to share with her husband Mike Karns, Social Media Director/Co-Producer/ Fates Fan Club President.

Doing the Tony Awards takes a lot of time and preparation and after the actual awards show, she felt exhausted and elated, all at once.

“It was a big recovery day for me and I’m sure for the rest of the cast as well. The Tony Awards day is a very crazy day,” she explained.

The cast starts the day with only 2-4 hours of sleep since they had a two-show day the day before and had a call time of 5:00 a.m. at the theater to get into hair, makeup and costumes.

Then they had to head over to Radio City Music Hall and run the entire Tony’s Show for rehearsal, then head back to their theater for a matinee, and then head back to Radio City Music Hall for the actual Tony Awards.

“By the time the awards were over, we had our company party, and then the after parties...and just like that it was 5:00 am!

Bedtime!,” she said.

Opening Night was also memorable, and for her, a dream as her husband’s parents and her own parents shared in the celebration. “We are so blessed to have the most loving and supportive parents anyone could ask for. And to have them all at the

show for Opening Night was such a blessing,” she said.

“It is so fulfilling to be performing in a show that is lifechanging. This is why we do it!

This is why I do theater,” she exclaimed. “I’m so blessed to be paid for doing what I love and call it a job. And to do art that moves the heart and makes people think.”

Learnings Based on the time she has spent doing the show, Trinidad has learned quite a few lessons, something that she’d bring wherever fate brings her next.

Balance work and life. Continue to learn and grow personally and professionally. Discover new things onstage every day.

Although show life seems glamorous, it’s also a fulfilling asskicking.

In the end, it’s not all about the glamour and fame, and the Hollywood personalities who go backstage after the show. The audiences see two and half hours of great songs and performances, something that the cast does eight times a week.

That requires a lot of discipline and practice. In order to do that, Trinidad does a lot of stretching, yoga and strengthening exercises. She also runs, hydrates as much as she can, gets plenty of rest when possible, and keeps her body as healthy as possible.

Asked about her message to young Fil-Ams who want

Photos from Instagram/@kaytrinidadkarns

to become performers/artists, Trinidad quipped, “Shoot for the stars! Believe in everything you want to do and be, and work hard for it.”

Then she followed it up with some tips: Never stop learning and growing. Always be kind to others. If there is anything else you can see yourself doing other than performing, do that because you really need to go all in and put all of your heart into your career. Have faith. Embrace everything you are and all of your differences. That’s what sets you apart and makes you the special person you are.

In the end, she is simply thankful, and full of gratitude. For her family and closest friends, and God, “for without him I wouldn’t be doing what I was meant to be doing or have my gifts to share”.

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PeoPle and events

AAG celebrates 16th Asian American Community Awards ON Saturday, September 21, the Asian American Group presented Community Achievement Awards to outstanding Las Vegas citizens and a community organization.

This is the sixteenth annual Gala Awards night. The event was held at the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino Grand Ballroom. Attendees arrived in traditional attire from their countries of origin or evening wear. Cocktails were served while a silent auction and live entertainment kept the guests busy prior to the program.

The individuals honored were: • Kathy Ong Sisolak, First Asian First Lady of Nevada • Dr. Victoria Chen, DDC, MS Orthodontist, CEO of Significant Dental Specialist • Dr. Shazia Kirmani-Pasha, Pediatrician • Dr. Faisal Suba, Psychiatrist

• Attorney Steve Dimopoulous, Dimopoulous Injury Law • Sonny Vinuya, President, Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce • Tamar p. Hoapili, Community Relations Manager, Cox Communications • Annie Evans, Manao Asian North American Beauty Pageant • MNSN Men In Nursing of Southern Nevada • Dr David Lee, DDS , Nevada Dental Board Member • Dr R. D. Prabhu, MD, President Nevada State Board of Medical examiners The event was attended by distinguished guests including District Attorney Steve Wolfson, Judge Gloria Sturman, Judge Nancy Allf, David Thomas, Judge Vincent Ochoa, Judge Adrianna Escobar, Judge Bill Henderson, Judge Eric Johnson. Judge Susan Johnson, Hon. Melissa De La Gar-

za and Hon. Bita Yarger, Judge Mary Kay Holthus, Judge Jacqueline Bluth, Cristina Silva, Judge Gloria Sturman, Justice Elissa Cadish, Judge Adrianna Escobar, Kristopher Sanchez (Interim Executive Director International Trade for Governor ‘s Economic Development), Harpreet Singh (Marketing Director for Outreach Community Of Silver State Health Services), and Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske.

Other honorables guests included Judge Bonnie Bulla, Judge Mark Denton, Judge Joseph Sciscento, Judge Nacy Alf, Judge Vincent Ochoa, Judge Adrianna Escobar, Judge Jerry Weiss, Judge Susan Johnson, Judge Eric Johnson, Judge Ron Israel, Judge Chris Lee, Judge Bill Kephart, Judge Michael P. Villani and Judge Mark Denton.

The Asian American Group is an organization with a mis-

sion of unifying and strengthening the community. It has united Asian leaders in the community to work with law enforcement, charities, elected officials, and recognizing the outstanding contributors to our community each year and to identify and help areas of the community in need.

The Marion E. Cahlan – Edison Elementary School & Matt Kelley Elementary School have been chosen by the AAG and has helped yearly with books, toys and meals for the students. For the past few years, the AAG has developed and awarded colleges scholarships to students in need.

Last year, the AAG gave away 1, 000 turkeys and plans to double their donations this year.

For more information, please visit www.AsianAmericanGroup. org.

AJPress photos by Robert Macabagdal

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