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OCTOBER 14-20, 2021

T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M MU N I T Y N E WS PA P E R

Volume 32 - No. 41 • 12 Pages

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DATELINE Fil-Am labor leader Larry Itliong inducted into California Hall of Fame FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

FILIPINO American labor activist Larry Itliong is among the six notable individuals posthumously inducted into the California Hall of Fame.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom on Tuesday, October 12, announced the honorees for the California Hall of Fame 14th class through a webcast streamed by the California Museum.

“Sometimes the Hall of Fame gives us the opportunity to bring outstanding Californians out of the shadows when their contributions to society have been largely overlooked in history books,” said Siebel. “And there is no better example of that than Larry Itliong.”

Newsom added, “We all benefit from Larry’s leadership and unapologetic advocacy.”

Itliong, according to his description on California Museum’s website, was one of the most important civil rights leaders of the

PH government urges US to investigate Pinay nurse’s death

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

MALACAÑANG is seeking justice for the death of a Filipina frontline health care worker in New York.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday, October 11, urged the United States government to prosecute the man who killed 58year-old Maria Ambrocio from New Jersey.

“All victims of violations of the right to life are entitled to a speedy domestic remedy. So, we appeal of course to the U.S. administration to investigate and prosecute the killer of this Filipino nurse,” he said in a Palace briefing.

“We call upon the U.S. government to do what is incumbent upon any state where there is a killing,” he added.

Ambrocio was an oncology nurse at Bayonne Medical Center. She was walking with another Filipina near Times Square at around 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, when a homeless man shoved her to the ground, causing her to slam her head against the pavement and suffer severe head trauma.

She was brought to NYC Health and Hospital/

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‘Everybody is hurting’: Filipino American community mourns nurse killed in New York

by MOMAR

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Poll: About half of all Filipino Americans blame Trump for antiAsian discrimination WITH a little more than a year out from the contentious 2022 midterm elections, among the most pressing issues that candidates are facing this year is one that is long overdue and could be politically costly: understanding the diverse Asian American community and improving Asian American outreach.

A new poll from POLITICO/Morning Consult released this week reveals a much more self-aware and politically invested AAPI community, which itself has historically been ignored in mainstream data gathering and surveying.

Because of the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the anti-Asian hate it helped produce, there have been dramatic shifts in the ways the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is perceived: by others and by itself.

A new poll from POLITICO/Morning Consult reveals a far more self-aware, self-assured and politically engaged AAPI community that is more willing to call out

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G. VISAYA

AJPress

FEW DEVOTEES. Only a handful of Catholic devotees offer prayers to the image at the open doors of St. Peter Parish: Shrine of Leaders along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Wednesday, October 13. Social gatherings have been discouraged to control the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

MORE than a hundred Filipinos and Filipino Americans gathered at St. Francis of Assisi church in Midtown New York for a memorial mass in honor of Maria Luningning Ambrocio on Monday, October 11.

Ambrocio, 58, was walking near Times Square on Friday, October 8 with her friends Emilia Cruz and Norma Lardizabal on their way to the Philippine Consulate on Fifth Avenue when a suspect, who was reportedly fleeing another crime, slammed into her and knocked her unconscious.

In his remarks after the mass, Consul General Elmer G. Cato reiterated the Consulate’s call for authorities to take more effective steps to make the streets of New York safe again for everyone.

“While we know that authorities are doing their

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Months after VFA restoration, PH agrees to hold over 300 military activities with US

by PIA LEE-BRAGO Philstar.com

MANILA — A few months after President Rodrigo Duterte decided to fully restore the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States, the two countries agreed to hold over 300 activities for the next year.

This decision came after the completion of the 2021 Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB), an annual

defense and security cooperation meeting between the two allies.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) commander Adm. John Aquilino led the annual meeting on Thursday, October 14.

In a joint media release, the AFP and the US INDOPACOM said the meeting resulted in “ensuring continued, robust relations between the U.S. and Philippine militaries.”

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Rappler co-founder and chief executive officer Maria Ressa

AJPress file photo

Fully-vaxxed travelers from ‘green countries’ no Maria Ressa becomes longer required to undergo quarantine in PH first Filipino to win New protocols don’t apply to US arrivals ed its rules for travelers qualified for “green lanes.”

“Green lanes” can be availed FACILITY-BASED quarantine by travelers coming from “green” will no longer be mandatory for countries and territories, which fully-vaccinated inbound Filipino are classified by the IATF-EID as and foreign travelers from cer- “low risk” countries or jurisdictain countries starting October tions, upon the recommendation 14, according to Malacañang. of the Department of Health.

Presidential Spokesperson According to Roque, fully-vacHarry Roque on Wednesday, cinated travelers will now need Oct. 13, announced that the In- to present a negative reverse ter-Agency Task Force for the transcription-polymerase chain Management of Emerging Infec- reaction (RT-PCR) test result tious Diseases (IATF-EID) updat- within 72 hours prior to deparby RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

ture from their country of origin.

“Upon arrival, no facility-based quarantine will be required but the passenger is enjoined to selfmonitor for any symptoms until the 14th day,” said Roque.

Meanwhile, fully-vaccinated Filipinos can now choose to avail facility-based quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken in the quarantine facility upon arrival.

“For fully vaccinated Filipinos, they can choose facility-based

quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken in the quarantine facility upon arrival, or no facility-based quarantine after getting a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin,” Roque said.

“But the passenger is enjoined to self-monitor for any symptoms until the 14th day,” he added.

As for unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be in-

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Nobel Peace Prize

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

RAPPLER co-founder and veteran journalist Maria Ressa has made history as the first Filipino to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday, October 8, announced that Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov won the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for their “efforts to safeguard freedom of

expression.”

“The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace,” it said in its announcement.

“Ms. Ressa and Mr. Muratov are receiving the Peace Prize for their courageous fight for

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From The FronT Page

Maria Ressa becomes first Filipino to win...

PAGE 1 freedom of expression in the Philippines and Russia,” it added.

According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Ressa and Muratov are “representatives of all journalists who stand up for this ideal in a world in which democracy and freedom of the press face increasingly adverse conditions.”

“Maria Ressa uses freedom of expression to expose abuse of power, use of violence and growing authoritarianism in her native country, the Philippines,” it noted.

“In 2012, she co-founded Rappler, a digital media company for investigative journalism, which she still heads. As a journalist and the Rappler’s CEO, Ressa

has shown herself to be a fearless defender of freedom of expression,” the Nobel Peace Prize body added.

For her part, Ressa dedicated the award to her colleagues at Rappler.

“I think what we have to do as journalists is to just hold the line... When you attack the media, it’s oftentimes shooting the messenger... The recognition of how difficult it is to be a journalist today, this is for you Rappler,” she said in a live video with Rappler.

“I hope energy for us to continue the battle for facts...

We’ll just keep doing on what we are doing,” she added.

In February this year, Ressa was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 by Norwegian labor leader and parliamentary representative Jonas Gahr Støre.

Støre noted that Ressa has been harassed, persecuted, and arrested numerous times due to her critical coverage of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. In 2020, Ressa and a Rappler staffer were found guilty of cyber libel over an article tying a Filipino businessman to alleged wrongdoings.

“Ressa has for years lived with death threats and harassment on social media.

She is thus both a symbol and a representative of thousands of journalists around the world,” he said.

“The nomination fulfills key aspects of what is emphasized as peace-promoting in Alfred Nobel’s will. A free and independent press can inform about and help to limit and stop a development that leads to armed conflict and war,” he added.

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Swedish industrialist, inventor, and armaments manufacturer Alfred Nobel.

Nobel laureates will receive 10 million Swedish kronor (SEK) or $1.15 million, as well as a diploma and a gold medal.

Before the Nobel Prize, Ressa was one of several journalists named Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2018 for efforts to preserve press freedom. n

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Procurement Dept.

340 N. 11TH Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS- RFP NO. P22011 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE INFRASTRUCTURE & A CLOUD-FIRST STRATEGY SNRHA CONTACT PERSON(S) ONLY: Note: Contact with any other SNRHA staff other than the named within this document is prohibited and will result in your Proposal being rejected. This also includes contact with SNRHA’s Residents and Board of Commissioners.

HOW TO OBTAIN THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS ON THE APPLICABLE INTERNET SITES:

PRE-BID MEETING & SITE VISIT: COVID-19 PPE is required to attend.

Bidders must email W. Beckett by 10/20/21 to confirmation attendance, and provide the number of people attending.

QUESTION & ANSWER DEADLINE

Wanda Beckett, Contract Administrator Telephone: (702) 477-3145 TDD: (702) 387-1898 Email: WBeckett@snvrha.org –orLinda Price Simpson, Contract Administrator Telephone: (702) 477-3144 Email: Procurement@SNVRHA.org;

All bidders must be registered on the Nevada Government E-Marketplace https://www.ngemnv.com/ to participate in the bidding process and to obtain the solicitation requirements and scope of work, etc.

This RFP is also available for download only from the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority website: SNVRHA.org website.

October 25, 2021 @ 2:00 p.m. (pst)

In Person: SNRHA - Executive Conference Room 340 N. 11th Street. LV NV 89101 Conference Call: WEBEX Join from the meeting link https://snvrha.webex.com/snvrha/j. php?MTID=m7a88378ca88d109b3fe23f4b02956b70 Join by meeting number (access code): 2555 160 8236 Meeting password: 7m3GkhpMfz3 To join from a mobile device: 415-655-0001,25551608236## Site Visit at the above address and 5390 E. Flamingo Rd. LV89126.

November 8, 2021 @ 10:00 am All questions and points of clarification must be submitted through: Nevada Government E-Marketplace https://www.ngemnv.com/ -or- emailed directly to SNRHA at Procurement@snvrha.org by the deadline date noted above.

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November 30, 2021 @ 10:00 a.m.

This is a Two (2) Step Bid Submission Process: STEP I: Enter Cost Proposal in NGEM https://www.ngemnv.com/ under “Line Items” Tab STEP 2: Deliver three (3) Copies Hard Copy Proposal per RFP Instructions in a sealed box or package to Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority Procurement Department 340 N. 11th Street, Suite 180, Las Vegas, NV 89101

PH government urges US to...

PAGE 1 Bellevue where she succumbed to her injuries on Saturday, Oct. 9.

In a statement on Sunday, Oct. 10, the Philippine Consulate General in New York said the incident is the latest in the series of violent acts against members of the Filipino Community in New York City since the start of 2021.

“Beginning January, we have seen several of our kababayan, most of them senior citizens, violently assaulted by individuals with mental health issues,” it added.

Ambrocio’s attacker is currently in the custody of the New York police. He was identified as Jermaine Foster, 26, of Irvington, New Jersey.

According to FOX 5, Foster snatched a phone away from a 29-year-old woman near the scene of the incident. As he attempted to flee, he pushed Ambrocio to the ground.

The suspect has been charged with second degree murder.

The consulate, for its part, urged authorities to take the necessary steps to protect the public as well as address mental health issues.

“We have joined calls for authorities to take the necessary steps, including heightened police visibility, to protect the public after we noted the surge in anti-Asian hate incidents that targeted some of our kababayan.

We also supported calls for authorities to take the necessary measures to address mental health issues, especially among the homeless,” it said.

“We reiterate these calls as we mourn our loss but we also ask ourselves: How many more Maria Ambrocios do we have to mourn before the streets would be made safe again?” it added. n

Fully-vaxxed travelers from ‘green...

PAGE 1 dependently verified, and those vaccinated but failed to comply with the test-before-travel requirements, they are required to undergo a facility-based quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day.

In the case of foreign nationals, Roque said they are required to secure hotel reservations for at least six days.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated minors traveling with their fully vaccinated parents or guardians, on the other hand, are required to observe quarantine protocols corresponding to their vaccination status.

“A parent/guardian shall accompany the child in the quarantine facility for the full term of the latter’s facility-based quarantine period,” said Roque.

For verification of vaccination status, travelers may present certificates from VaxCertPH, the Bureau of Quarantine, the World Health Organization, or the country where they were vaccinated.

Those included in the roster of “green” countries and jurisdictions are American Samoa, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Chad, China (mainland), Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Hungary,

Madagascar, Mali, Federated States of Micronesia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Niger, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Poland, Saba (Special Municipality of the Kingdom of Netherlands), Saint Pierre, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, Taiwan, Algeria, Bhutan, Cook Islands, Eritrea, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Nicaragua, Niue, North Korea, Saint Helena, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tokelau, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.

As the United States is not included in the list, the new protocols do not apply to its outbound travelers. n

Fil-Am labor leader Larry Itliong inducted into...

PAGE 1 20th century and a father of the West Coast labor movement.

He was born in the Philippines and migrated to the United States in 1929, working in the Alaskan fish canneries and along the West Coast as a farm laborer.

After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Itliong became a U.S. citizen in 1954 and settled in Stockton, where he organized for the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC).

“He was so good at recruiting new members that union leaders asked him to move to Delano to organize Filipino grape workers,” noted the California Museum. “It was there that he helped change the history of farm labor.”

Among Itliong’s achievements include uniting with the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) and starting the Delano Grape Strike and Boycott, which is one of the most important social justice and labor movements in American history.

Itliong also formed the United Farm Workers (UFW) with César Chávez, with the latter as director and the former as assistant director.

In addition, Itliong successfully secured funding for the construction of the Paulo Agbayani Retirement Village in Delano, which has provided housing and support for retired Filipino farmworkers since 1974.

Aside from Itliong, LGBTQ advocates Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, artist Ruth Asawa, singersongwriter and guitarist Jerry Garcia, and rock music icon Ritchie Valens were inducted into the California Hall of Fame.

“Jennifer and I are pleased to

Larry Itliong as photographed by Jon Lewis Courtesy of Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University

induct this group of extraordinary Californians into the Hall of Fame,” said Newsom.

“There is no doubt their lives and legacies have helped make California synonymous around the world with innovation, imagination and progress,” he added.

The new inductees joined 134 other Californians recognized for embodying the state’s “innovative spirit.”

“These luminaries represent the best of California,” said Siebel. “Each one has left their own indelible mark on history

and reminds us of the creativity, ingenuity and courage that lives inside all of us.”

The California Hall of Fame was established in 2006 at the California Museum by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver.

Inductees are selected from all walks of life and have made distinguished achievements across a variety of fields, including the arts, education, business and labor, science, sports, philanthropy and public service.

(AJPress)

Poll: About half of all Filipino Americans blame...

PAGE 1

discrimination and vitriol.

The poll was conducted this past June and surveyed 2,000 adults from nearly 50 ethnic groups that make up the entire AAPI diaspora, and although the communities that make up the AAPI community are disparate, there were shared A majority of AAPI adults surveyed, 71%, blame former President Donald Trump for the increased bigotry and hate against AAPIs. Trump’s rhetoric regarding the pandemic often included xenophobic language that created a false equivalency between the virus’ origins in China to anyone who looked remotely Chinese.

As the Asian Journal previously reported, Filipinos make up about 18% of the entire Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community, making it the third-largest Asian origin group in the nation.

According to the poll, 49% of Filipinos square the blame on the former president for the increase in anti-Asian discrimination.

But among all other AAPI groups, Filipinos are less likely to actually place blame: 66% of Chinese Americans, 63% of Japanese Americans, 59% of Korean Americans, 54% of Vietnamese Americans and 52 % of Indian Americans surveyed blame Trump.

Among the Filipinos surveyed,

46% see discrimination as a threat, while 61% and 66% see white supremacy and violence as threats, respectively.

Since the onset of the COVID19 pandemic — which became a breeding ground for anti-Asian resentment, hate, and violence due to the false equivalency between anyone who looked Chinese and the virus’ known origins in China — the advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate has tracked more than 9,000 reported incidents of hate incidents directed at Asians and Asian Americans.

While the pandemic provided a necessary albeit costly jumping off point, the hypervisibility of the AAPI community now is helping folks outside of the community understand AAPIs with greater contexts.

American Studies professor Janelle Wong of University of Maryland, College Park told POLITICO that political and social outreach to the AAPI community mainly centered around immigration and education, zeroing in on the “forever foreigner” and “model minority” stereotypes that stymie progress for the vast and diverse community.

“This is to me what should have happened long ago among those who have been trying to mobilize Asian Americans — and that is focusing on racial bias and racial discrimination as something that is very important

to Asian Americans as a whole,” Wong said.

Political campaigns and candidates have a problematic history in shutting out the AAPI community because it represents a relatively small portion of the overall American population, tends to reside in less politically crucial districts, and takes far more preparation and resources to target the multilingual community and understand each culture’s unique needs.

While ethnic and racial representation has become a major talking point, AAPI politicians and candidates have harnessed their racial backgrounds in the last few years with little to no avail — like the divisive Andrew Yang, who ran for president in 2020 but failed to garner majority AAPI support.

The study found that a vast majority, 87%, of AAPIs feel most represented when elected officials share their values, regardless of their race. The 30% who want politicians to look like them and the 43% who want politicians from similar backgrounds paled in comparison.

“Just appealing on the basis of ‘common identity’ was often quite difficult because the community is remarkably diverse,” said Taeku Lee, UC Berkeley professor. “What often works is this shared sense of threat or hardship.” (Klarize Medenilla/ AJPress)

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Nadia Hojjat: AAPI candidate seeks appointment for a Las Vegas judicial seat

by Pat

Shaw AJPress

“My life Is a duality. I am proud of my Iranian heritage and I am also a proud American”.

For 33 year old Nadia Hojjat, the combination of her personal background and professional passion makes her a unique asset to the Las Vegas Judicial community. For the past 10 years, she has worked in the Clark County public defender’s office. Now she’s one of the final candidates being vetted for the position of Las Vegas Justice of the Peace, Department 10. The position was left vacant when Judge Melanie Tobiasson resigned in the middle of her term back in May. “This process started with more than a dozen applicants in the first round. Now we are down to the final 3 and I am very excited and humbled to be among them,” said Hojjat.

Hojjat is the daughter of first generation Iranian immigrants who settled in Southern California. She said growing up it’s always been her dream to become a public defender. She received her undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley at the age of 19.

Then at 22, she obtained her law degree at Georgetown University. While in school, she interned at the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant in Northern California, representing individuals fleeing violence and persecution and seeking asylum in the US. “My parents were born and raised in Iran. They came here in their teens and early 20’s hoping for a better life for their family,” said Hojjat. “I have seen their struggles and sacrifices as they provide for me and my sister, and we are so grateful to have the opportunities and rights that we have here in this country. It’s something that we wouldn’t have had if we were back in Iran. So all this just pushes me even more to help others who are working hard to stay in this country”.

In the last decade at the Clark County Public Defender’s office, Hojjat took pride in representing indigent members of this community. As a trial attorney, she has been counsel in nearly 20 felony injury trials and dozens of misdemeanor bench trials. Hojjat has also conducted over 150 preliminary hearings in the justice court and has represented over 2000 clients in her career.

Hojjat moved from Washington DC to Las Vegas right after law school and she said she’s really grown to love Southern Nevada. She is especially

Nadia Hojjat

excited to see the growth of the Asian American community, the fastest growing ethnic group in this state according to the latest census.

“There’s so much culture and diversity here and it’s really a great place to live,” said Hojjat. “I have really made it my home. I met my fiancée here. We are getting married next year. I bought a house here and my parents are looking forward to moving here soon as well. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

In addition to her legal career, Hojjat is also an adjunct professor at Nevada State college and volunteers at UNLV Boyd School of Law teaching students the importance of courtroom advocacy skills. She also volunteers with Legal Aid of Southern Nevada, representing abused and neglected children in the family court.

The Clark County Commission is set to make a decision on who will replace Judge Tobiasson on October 19th. That person will take on the position until the next election in November of 2022. n

Months after VFA restoration, PH agrees...

PAGE 1 Faustino said the Philippine military is privileged to to witness the advancing level cooperation and communication between the Philippine and U.S. militaries.

“I am optimistic that our alliance will continue to be robust in view of new and emerging security challenges that confront our nations. After all, we share the same goal of keeping peace and stability in this region,” Faustino said.

INDOPACOM’s Aquilino also

noted that the two countries have shared a “deep friendship” for more than 200 years.

“This friendship is based on values, to include upholding freedom for all people. The sanctity of freedom was the foundation of our alliance… and is still applicable today,” Aquilino said.

In July, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that Duterte decided to recall his decision to abrogate the decades-old VFA following a meeting with U.S.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Lorenzana, however, had called for a “comprehensive review” on the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty due to evolving “geopolitical realities.”

“Much is to be desired in terms of the 70-year-old alliance, given what is happening in the South China Sea and beyond, not to mention the Philippines’ commitment to cultivate more balanced relations with other countries in the region,” Lorenzana said in September. n

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‘Everybody is hurting’: Filipino American... California becomes the first state to require ethnic studies for high school students PAGE 1 best, we hope that they exert more serious efforts and make more resources available to make this happen,” Cato said.

Cruz and Lardizabal spoke with the media outside St. Francis of Assisi in midtown and shared their memories of Ambrocio who passed away Saturday, Oct. 9 after more than 24 hours on life support. They have been friends with Ambrocio for almost 20 years.

At the Bayonne Medical Center, Ambrocio was known as “a caring nurse and a wonderful person” who went out of her way to help others. She is remembered by colleagues on how she mentored the younger nurses among them.

An oncology nurse, Ambrocio worked at BMC with Cruz. “She is kindhearted, she is not selfish, she always brings food and our co-workers miss her a lot.

Everybody is hurting,” she said.

One other colleague described her as an “angel sent by God to guard and be with her during her long and difficult journey to a foreign land,” and “who gave her the hope and courage to live and survive the harsh conditions of the concrete jungle of New York City.”

In a statement posted on social media, the CEO of CarePoint Health called Ambrocio a longtime devoted and cherished member of the hospital’s family.

“Maria devoted her life to helping others, caring for patients, and serving the community. She was caring, compassionate, and outgoing.

She loved to take pictures and spend time with friends and family. At work, she was generous and always promoted

teamwork and positivity,” said Dr. Achintya Moulick. “Maria always appreciated those she worked with and was grateful for the comradery and teamwork.”

Compassionate nurse “We always walked in New York together. She is a good person, loving, she is very honest and loyal to her friends, very religious and very good to her family,” Cruz recalled, adding that they were on their way to the Philippine Consulate after a visit to the Philippine National Bank on Seventh Avenue.

Lardizabal said she heard the commotion less than a block away and the next thing he saw was a “tall, slender man” barreling directly towards them.

She then heard a thud and when she looked down, her friend was already on the ground unconscious.

“I saw her on the ground, ‘Oh my God, Ningning!’…she was right beside me,” she said in between sobs. “I don’t know how I am going to recover from this.

She has always been with me.”

The robbery suspect, 26-yearold Jermaine Foster was fleeing with a woman’s phone police say he snatched on Broadway and West 40th Street. Foster was charged with murder in the second degree after he was arraigned in court Sunday, October 10 following Ambrocio’s death. He was arrested Friday for two separate incidents — stealing the cellphone and breaking into an apartment.

Among those who attended the memorial mass was theater performer Miguel Braganza who was mugged and attacked outside his apartment last August.

“I’m here to just be with the friends and family of Luningning,” he said. “This is

The requirement will be included in curricula starting with the class of 2030

IN order to graduate high school, students in California will now be required to complete an ethnic studies course according to a new law that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed on Friday, Oct. 8, becoming the first state in the nation to mandate a course about ethnic and racial groups that have been historically overlooked in the classroom.

Newsom’s approval of the legislation ended a years-long debate among state lawmakers concerning the most appropriate ethnic studies model for high school curricula across the Golden State.

The law, AB 101, would require local education institutions and charter schools serving ninth to 12th graders to include an ethnic studies requisite, starting with the class of 2030.

A model for ethnic studies has been a priority among education advocates and state lawmakers from the five ethnic caucuses (Asian Pacific Islander, Black, Jewish, Latino, and Native American), who believe that social studies curricula neglected many cultural groups “America is shaped by our shared history, much of it painful and etched with woeful injustice,” Newsom said in a statement regarding the mandate. “Students deserve to see themselves in their studies, and they must understand our nation’s full history if we expect them to one day build a more just society.”

According to the California Department of Education (CDE), more than 75% of K-12 students attending public school are nonwhite, meaning a vast majority are students of color.

Educators and lawmakers — including California Assemblymember Jose Medina (D-Riverside), who authored AB 101 — argue that a more inclusive social stud-

ies model that more accurately reflects the demographic makeup of the state would benefit the rapidly diversifying student body.

Specifically, the ethnic studies requirement is designed to help fill in the gaps that previous social studies curricula had in regards to the histories of the struggle of marginalized communities.

“The inclusion of ethnic studies in the high school curriculum is long overdue,” Medina said in a statement. “Students cannot have a full understanding of the history of our state and nation without the inclusion of the contributions and struggles of Native Americans, African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans.”

The new law comes after a tumultuous 2020 and the so-called summer of racial reckoning which spurred renewed conversations of race, ethnicity, and justice in America. Since then, the state has expedited the drafting of the ethnic studies curriculum, which had already been in the works for three years.

But previous versions — one of which was vetoed by Newsom last year — were criticized for the exclusions of some groups, like the Arab, Armenian, Jewish, and Sikh American communities, and for being too politically correct.

Older drafts of the bill included niche terms like “cisheteropatriarchy” and “hxrstory” as well as lesson plans that described capitalism as the root of exploitation toward native people and communities of color.

Despite the historic value of the curriculum’s inclusion in high school classrooms, the mandate has its critics.

Republican and conservative groups have been campaigning for months against any teachings that remotely touched on critical race theory, an interdisciplinary study of structural and systemic racism.

Others think that the bill is not thorough enough in its mission to offer a more inclusive and complete look into the histories of certain groups.

Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum — a group of educators and experts that consult school districts and who contributed to the early drafts of the mandate — argued that the curriculum that Newsom signed into law is “a watered-down version” of history, citing lessons that were excluded in the final draft like “the true causes of police brutality” against the Black American community.

California becoming the first state to mandate an ethnic studies requirement aptly reflects the state’s history in cultivating ethnic studies as a branch of academic study.

The ethnic studies movement dates back to the 1960s, when students from San Francisco State University and UC Berkeley demanded the inclusion of courses that covered African American, Asian American, Chicano and Native American studies.

The state’s requirement follows ground-breaking ethnic studies requirements that school districts across the state implemented over the last couple of years.

Last year, the Los Angeles Unified School District — the second-largest school district in the nation — approved a district-wide ethnic studies course requirement in order to graduate, starting with the 2023-2024 academic year, as previously reported in the Asian Journal.

Other school systems — like the California State University system — also recently approved an ethnic studies requirement for graduation.

“It’s been a long wait,” Medina said. “I think schools are ready now to make curricula that is more equitable and more reflective of social justice.” n

attack on Vilma Kari, a 65-yearold Filipina who was walking to church also in Manhattan.

A few weeks ago, a 67-year-old Filipina nurse was also assaulted while distributing face masks on a subway train also in Manhattan and more recently, a 75-year-old Filipina was badly injured after

she was shoved while exiting a subway station in Queens.

“Most, if not all, of those who were behind these acts of violence, are mentally ill and homeless individuals and, according to reports, there are more than 12,000 of them in the streets of New York City,” Cato

said. “The Filipino Community stands in solidarity with many others who have been calling on authorities to give more focus on improving mental health care as well as in strengthening ‘Kendra’s Law’ so that dangerous people could be taken off the streets.” n

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

Maria Ambrocio Photo courtesy of Facebook

a major problem and the city should not take it for granted.

When it happened to me, I have friends who sent me messages na nangyari din sa kanila, verbal to physical abuse.”

Father Julian Jagudilla called on the dozens of Filipinos who attended the memorial mass to “look after each other and take care of each other”.

“There are many more testimonials and anecdotes that would reveal just how much Luningning was loved and admired and how much she brightened people’s lives, ultimately, measuring up to her name – Luningning, which means sparkle or brilliance in Filipino,” Cato said in his remarks, describing what happened to Ambrocio as “an unfortunate incident that could have probably been avoided had the streets of New York been made safer.”

Consulate’s plea The Consul General noted that the incident happened at a time when violence against members of the Filipino community and the larger Asian and Pacific Islander community—whether induced by pandemic-exacerbated xenophobia or by mental illness—remains on the rise.

According to Cato, at least nine members of the Filipino community have been at the receiving end of unprovoked acts of violence that have been reported to or monitored by the Philippine Consulate since January.

He mentioned the 72-yearold Filipina who ended up in the ICU after she was assaulted while entering her apartment building in Queens. This was followed by the face slashing of Noel Quintana, a 61-year-old Maria Ambrocio’s friends Emilia Cruz (left) and Norma Lardizabal (right) speak to the media outside of St. Francis of Assisi church in Midtown New York on Monday, October 11. The pair were Filipino on board a subway train with Ambrocio when the assault happened.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya in Manhattan, and the violent

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5

PH boosts air power with new Black Hawk choppers, aerial systems

by Dempsey

Reyes ManilaTimes.net

THE Philippines has received four unmanned aerial systems (UAS) from the United States worth $4 million or P20 million, as well as five S-70i Black Hawk helicopters from Poland for the Philippine Air Force.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana led the turnover of the ScanEagle UAS in Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga on Wednesday, October 13. U.S. officials and representatives, including Charge d’Affaires Heather Variava and Adm. John Aquilino, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command also attended the event.

The ScanEagle UAS, according to a statement by the US Embassy in Manila, will boost the Philippines’ unmanned intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) operations on counterterrorism, humanitarian

assistance and disaster relief efforts.

“We remain committed to our promises on helping modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and we hope this will further strengthen our combined capabilities in working together towards a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Variava said.

Lorenzana said the newest U.S. equipment would enhance the aerial reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities of the Philippine military.

In the same event, Lorenzana also received the five S-70i Black Hawk helicopters that were procured by the government from the Poland-based Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Sp.z.o.o. for the Philippine Air Force as part of the military’s ongoing modernization program.

The five Black Hawk helicopters were part of the second batch that arrived in June while the first batch, composed of six units, ar-

rived in November 2020.

One of the first six Black Hawk units figured in a crash in late June during a night-flying exercise, leaving no survivors. This prompted the Defense department to temporarily ground all Black Hawk units.

Also in the event, the Air Force also decommissioned all 10 UH1D helicopters that were acquired in 2013 and 2014, under the Aquino administration.

Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano, the Air Force spokesman, said that the decommissioning stemmed from the arrival of more helicopters.

Mariano assured that with the new arrivals, the Air Force won’t have a shortage of choppers.

The 10 UH-1D helicopters will be placed in storage by the 410th maintenance wing, Mariano told ART VENDOR. Joey Guerrero, 42, rests beside the oil canvas paintings he sells along Roosevelt Avenue, Quezon City on Thursday, October reporters.

“These are already the aircraft 14. He said the paintings were his uncle’s masterpiece that he helped sell on the street in various parts of Quezon City and its neighboring PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler that have served its purpose,” he areas. added. n

Marcos tops ‘street surveys’ among presidential bets PH ranks 102 out of 139 nations on rule of law by beRnaDette

e. tamayo

by RobeRtzon

RamiRez

Philstar.com

ManilaTimes.net

FORMER senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. would be a runaway winner in the 2022 presidential race, based on a series of surveys by vloggers.

The Kalye (Street) Surveys from October 1 to 11 showed that 60% of respondents preferred Marcos over six other candidates to be the country’s 17th president.

Of the 2,137 respondents, 1,307 expressed their preference for Marcos. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso came in second, with 345; Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo at third with 231; Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, 125; Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, 89; Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, 23; and Davao City Mayor DuterteCarpio, 17.

Marcos is the standard bearer of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.

The Kalye surveys, conducted in Metro Manila and Region 4-A

MANILA— The Philippines ranked 102 out of 139 countries on rule of law performance, falling three notches on the list, the World Justice Project (WJP) reported on Thursday, October 14.

The WJP, an independent and multidisciplinary organization, released the annual Rule of Law Index 2021, which assesses the rule of law in 139 nations based on national surveys of over 138,000 families and 4,200 legal practitioners and experts worldwide.

Based on the report, the Philippines’ new overall rule of law score is 0.46, declining 2.9 percent from 0.47 in 2020.

Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ManilaTimes.net The group’s framework for (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, the surveys veered away from the rule of law covers eight facand Quezon), people on the the usual methods, the respon- tors namely constraints on govstreets, buyers in mini-groceries, dents were picked at random and ernment powers, absence of and vendors in public markets, may not serve as a real yardstick corruption, open government, among others, were randomly to predict the outcome of next fundamental rights, order and asked who they will vote for pres- year’s polls, as “they manifested security, regulatory enforcethe sentiment of the common ment, civil justice, and criminal ident on May 9, 2022.

The vloggers said that while people”. n justice.

The following is the country’s global ranking in the following factors: • Constraints on government powers – 85/139 • Absence of corruption – 77/139 • Open government – 71/139 • Fundamental rights – 123/139 • Order and security – 110/139 • Regulatory enforcement – 82/139 • Civil justice – 101/139 • Criminal justice – 120/139 “Significant trends for the Philippines included a deterioration in the factor measuring Order and Security,” the WJP said in a statement.

Regionally, the Philippines placed 13 out of 15 countries.

The country also ranked 18th out of 35 among lower-middleincome nations.

Globally, more nations lowered than improved in overall rule of law performance, the 2021 Index showed.

“In a year dominated by the global COVID-19 pandemic,

74.2% of countries covered experienced declines in rule of law performance, while 25.8% improved. The 74.2% of countries that experienced declines this year account for 84.7% of the world’s population or approximately 6.5 billion people,” the organization noted.

WJP co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Bill Neukom mentioned that the 2021 Index should be a “wake-up call.”

“With negative trends in so many countries, this year’s WJP Rule of Law Index should be a wake-up call for us all,” Neukom said.

“Rule of Law is the very foundation of communities of justice, opportunity and peace. Reinforcing that foundation should be a top priority for the coming period of recovery from the pandemic,” he added.

Denmark, Norway, and Finland topped this year’s report while the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cambodia, and Venezuela, RB settled in the last three spots. n

6

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OPINION

Next president

FEATURES

WITH the campaign for the presidency in the May 2022 elections having begun in earnest, it is time for the candidates to move beyond promoting their personalities and political affiliations and begin addressing the many substantial issues faced by the nation. After all, if one is bold enough to apply for a job, he or she must be prepared to have something relevant to say in the interview.

Voters also benefit from a deeper discussion of the issues that should be included in any presidential candidate’s platform. Too often, candidates resort to repeating mere buzzwords and motherhood statements such as “provide economic opportunities,” “improve peace and order” or “achieve food security” to curry favor with voters without explaining — and in some cases, perhaps not even fully understanding themselves — what those ideas mean.

Voters cannot make informed choices if they are not actually informed, and so in the coming weeks we will from time to time share our views on key election issues. These views can be regarded as what we would like to see in candidates’ detailed policy platforms, but to be clear, they are not endorsements. Rather, they are offered as “talking points” for the all-important interview between candidates and voters.

As the Philippines recovers economically from the coronavirus pandemic and then moves beyond recovery to return to growth — a trajectory we are confident will be realized within the next year or two — implementation of a responsive energy policy will be critical to the country’s success. Despite the gains made in the 20 years since the passage of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) of 2001, the Philippines is still beset by chronic problems of high energy costs and insufficient and sometimes unreliable supply. Until these problems are resolved,

the Philippines will continue to fall short of its investment and economic growth potential, and continue to be at risk from external shocks, such as the crisis in energy supply and prices currently spreading around the globe.

A responsive energy policy for the Philippines has three pillars: more government investment in energy; promoting diversified investments development in energy resources, with preference given to sustainable energy; and comprehensive reform of the energy regulatory structure and market.

Again, as these are planks in a policy platform, each candidate may have different ideas about how to realize each of the objectives; these simply represent broad problems for which there may be a number of reasonable solutions. We can, however, offer some examples of what we believe would be a productive approach to managing the country’s energy.

With respect to government investment in energy, the Epira mandates that electricity generation and distribution be privatized, but where government can improve energy security and the investment environment is in, on the one hand, properly funding what infrastructure it still does control (such as the power barges and other small plants managed by the National Power Corp.) and on the other, subsidizing or partially subsidizing incentives such as the feed-in tariff to encourage development,

Editorial

WITH at least five major candidates filing for president of the country in the May 2022 elections, there is no doubt that popularity will not be enough to bring the country together, but the ability of the new leadership to put together a good economic team, coupled with experienced health experts in the aftermath of the worst pandemic to hit the world.

Whoever will be inaugurated as the next occupant of Malacañang will face enormous challenges.

As highly respected NEDA chief Karl Chua said, it will take 10 years for the economy of the Philippines to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and return to pre-pandemic growth. While the economy is slowly recovering and is expected to expand by up to five percent this year and up to nine percent next year as growth prospects remain promising – the losses will be felt up to the next 10 to 40 years, Secretary Karl warned.

A key factor in sustainable re-

covery would be the vaccination rollout, as averred in the September Call Market Report issued by economists from First Metro Investment Corp. and the University of Asia and the Pacific, who said they “remain confident that the economy will overcome the current obstacles – especially with faster vaccination rollouts and better weather conditions.”

It goes without saying that economic recovery will be an uphill climb, with the government doing a tough balancing act between lives and livelihood.

Several positive developments are driving optimism however, such as the decline in the number of COVID-19 cases and the lowering of hospital admissions.

The government is set on vaccinating at least 50 percent of the target population by the end of this year, and speeding up the rollout to reach the target of 80 to 90 percent immunization by the first quarter of 2022.

Secretary Charlie Galvez has confirmed that we have secured enough vaccines, which is why guidelines for the inoculation of children aged 12 to 17 is now being drafted to expand the vaccination coverage. In addition,

Commonsense

MARICHU VILLANUEVA THIS is a free country. Everybody and anybody can dream.

But to the very few who made it to the presidency, they believe it was destiny, fate.

In principle, we cannot begrudge the 97 Filipinos who boldly stepped up to offer themselves as candidates vying to be elected as successor to outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte.

This number will be down to less than ten though once the Commission on Elections (Comelec) makes the final cut of these presidential wannabes. In the end, we might have more or less five candidates who are really serious contenders in next year’s presidential contest.

Officially, the Comelec reported this total number of 97 aspirants who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) to enter the May 9, 2022 presidential elections. On the other hand, 29 individuals filed their COCs to sig-

particularly in renewable energy.

This would, in turn, enable government to diversify its energy strategy and encourage development of potentially productive sources that have until now been given very little attention. Most of these, of course, are renewable energy sources, such as biomass generation, tidal power, and hydrogen energy storage, and these, along with the more familiar solar, wind, hydro and geothermal sources should be given preference. A diversified strategy can also include other, not necessarily “sustainable” but still cleaner and more efficient sources, so long as they represent a substantial improvement over

current, obsolete means of creating electricity.

Finally, reforms to the regulatory structure and energy markets are badly needed; shortcomings in these areas are more responsible than anything else for the Philippines’ lack of progress in energy development. Good ideas such as expanding distribution competition, creating a forwards market to reduce power price volatility, and expanding renewable distributed energy generation have been slowed or thwarted entirely by a planning and regulatory structure built on outmoded ideas and awash in red tape, and that is something that desperately needs to change. (ManilaTimes.net)

Enormous challenges face our next president

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ

ManilaTimes.net photo

nify their ardent dreams also to become the next Vice President (VP) of the country.

This is a free country. Everybody and anybody can dream.

But to the very few who made it to the presidency, they believe it was destiny, fate.

During the weeklong filing period from Oct.1 to 8, the Comelec received a total of 47,853 COCs and certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONAs) from individuals and organizations who will run next year for various national and local elective posts. As earlier announced

by Comelec official spokesman James Jimenez, the seven-man poll body will come out on Oct. 29 with the official list of candidates who have fully submitted and met the documentary requirements of their individual COCs filed.

Jimenez clarified though the official list is only to enable these candidates to make last-minute corrections of their names and other erroneous entries in their COCs. Once all of these lists of COCs are finalized, the Comelec will start the crucial process of

booster shots will be administered to health care workers starting in November. Worldwide scientists are optimistic that the pandemic will be “under control” by next year because of the effectiveness of the vaccines, particularly the US-made ones, plus the emergence of promising drugs and other therapies to treat severe COVID-19 infection.

According to the Asian Development Bank, sustained growth in public infrastructure spending is necessary for the country’s economic growth this year and next. Even the United States recognizes the importance of investing in infrastructure to revive its economy, underscored by the massive $2-trillion social infrastructure bill being pushed

by President Biden.

Under the proposed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, new spending is outlined to modernize, improve or rehabilitate roads, bridges and transport systems over a period of five years as America’s roadways are deteriorating, while over 45,000 bridges are described to be in poor condition. According to the “2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure” issued

by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the current state of U.S. infrastructure only merits a grade of “C” and would need about $2.6 trillion over the next decade to put everything in good condition.

Aside from roads and bridges, the U.S. infrastructure bill also covers spending to improve broadband internet access with an estimated 40 million Americans having no broadband access; upgrade public rail and other transport systems; improve airports and ports; expand the network of electric vehicle charging stations and rebuild or improve water and power systems, among others.

Everyone knows the critical role that infrastructure plays in generating jobs and spurring economic growth, especially during times of economic depression. Certainly, the P39.5 billion released by the Development Bank of the Philippines for infrastructure lending to both private and government firms to finance over 400 infrastructure projects across the nation is a big step towards the right direction.

As articulated by Build Build Build committee chairman Anna

Mae Lamentillo, a good infrastructure network is necessary to achieve real and inclusive economic growth, citing the risks and difficulties that people in the countryside go through because of the lack of roads and bridges.

To date, some 29,264 kilometers of roads, 5,950 bridges, 11,340 evacuation centers, 150,149 classrooms, 214 airport projects and 451 seaport projects have been completed under the Build Build Build program, said Lamentillo, who believes the program should be institutionalized.

The World Bank report titled “Well Maintained: Economic Benefits from more Reliable and Resilient Infrastructure” also highlights the importance of keeping infrastructure in good condition to boost prosperity. In fact, G20 finance ministers have placed infrastructure maintenance at the top of their policy agenda, seeing it as an investment with significant, long-term benefits.

Clearly, our next president will need a good economic team to boost economic recovery efforts and navigate the challenges that the country will be facing in the

‘Place-holder’ candidates

vetting and screening to determine the legitimate candidates who really have bona fide intention to run and resources to support his or her candidacy.

These 47,853 candidates will vie for the 18,100 national and local government posts up for grab in next year’s elections. Or this is about an average of three individuals vying per one elective post. However, this law of average does not apply though in every presidential race that we had had in the Philippines.

In fact, there were only five candidates in the last May, 2016 presidential race that had 130 presidential candidates who submitted COCs to the Comelec. Eventually, it was former Davao City Mayor Duterte who won the presidential derby.

As required by the country’s laws, the Comelec has to accept and entertain anybody who submits and meets the complete documentary requirements in filing their COCs and CONAs for whatever elective positions.

Among those who trooped to Comelec to file COC for the presidential elections included

the usual scene-stealers like Daniel Magtira. Aside from his ludicrous claims to be the “husband” of Kris Aquino, he was previously declared by the poll body as a “nuisance” candidate. A newcomer in this category is Laurencio Jun Yulaga, a self-proclaimed “international scientist” who claims to be a Harvard graduate and said that electrocution can cure COVID19. And mind you, he has a VP running mate, Alexander Lague who claims to own an oil company and wants collected urine converted into perfume and fertilizer.

Obviously, they will be among those who would be cut out by the Comelec. But how would Comelec treat the likes of former presidential spokesman and later as Foreign Affairs undersecretary Ernesto Abella who registered himself as an “independent” candidate?

Or for that matter, incumbent Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa who admitted having entered the presidential race for possible substitution later by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Car-

pio? That is, if the President’s daughter who has been topping the mock polls in surveys changes her mind and decides to run after all in next year’s presidential elections.

This is because our election laws allow for substitution of candidates for those under the same political party. The filing for substitution is until Nov.15.

Like an after-thought candidate for the ruling administration PDP-Laban, Sen. Dela Rosa was one of the last-minute entries in the presidential race.

As the presidential standardbearer—for now of the PDP-Laban-- the former top cop of the country was fielded with fellow Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go as his VP runningmate.

Sen. Dela Rosa, who arrived two hours before the COC deadline last Friday, Oct. 8, wore the green shirt emblazoned with the logo of Mayor Sara’s regional political party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) inside the red jacket with PDP-Laban logo.

Sen. Dela Rosa subliminally presented himself as a unifying body for the two pro-Duterte

coming years.

For our part, we continue the work we have been doing with Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez and the Department of Trade and Industry to attract American companies that are planning to relocate to the ASEAN region as part of their diversification efforts from China.

As the current chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Washington, my focus will be on the economic recovery of our country and the region. We have lined up several economic activities such as our first in-person networking event the embassy organized with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. We also plan to hold several hybrid forums with U.S. business groups and put together investment promotions forums with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) headed by Director General Charito Plaza.

(Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

political parties.

But an hour later on the same day in Davao City, Mayor Sara filed her COC for re-election at Davao City Hall under her own HNP. The PDP-Laban is not among the political parties that earlier entered into a coalition agreement with HNP. But the following political parties signed up for coalition with HNP for next year’s elections, namely: Lakas-CMD party; the Nacionalista Party (NP); the National Unity Party (NUP); Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) party; and the People’s Reform Party (PRP).

So there are now loose talks that certain candidates are supposedly the designated “placeholder” candidates for certain presidential timbers and VP still on hold. It would not be a surprise if President Duterte himself changes again his mind and revive his initial plans to run for VP as substitute candidate to Sen.Go, his long-time aide.

Slips of the tongues have come out publicly that two COC filers for the Lakas-CMD for president u PAGE 7

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7

Jollibee group, Ayala, Aboitiz SFIO commences US roadshow led by among best employers – Forbes newly-appointed advisory board members by iRis

Gonzales Philstar.com

MANILA — Three listed Philippine companies Jollibee Foods Corp., Ayala Corp. and Aboitiz Equity Ventures made it to the Forbes list of the World’s Best Employers composed of 750 companies around the world.

JFC ranked 256th, while Ayala was at 487th place and AEV in 665th spot. All are multinational companies with presence in and outside the Philippines.

JFC is the listed food conglomerate founded by Tony Tan Caktiong while Ayala is the country’s oldest conglomerate led by Fernando Zobel de Ayala as president and CEO. According to Forbes, it partnered with market research company Statista to compile the ranking by surveying 150,000 full-time and part-time workers from 58 countries working formultinational companies and institutions.

Statista asked participants to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. Aside from this, they were also asked to evaluate other employers in their respective industries that stood out positively or negatively.

The list is composed of 750 companies that received the highest scores.

“All the surveys were anonymous, allowing participants to openly share their opinions. The respondents were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. They were also asked to evaluate other employers in their respective industries that stood out either positively or negatively.

“Furthermore, participants were asked to rate the companies on aspects such as image, economic footprint, talent development, gender equality and social responsibility,” Forbes said in

a recently published report.

JFC has roughly 11,808 employees, according to the Forbes article. At present, JFC operates in 34 countries, with over 5,800 stores globally.

Outside the Philippines, JFC is in the United States, Canada, People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Panama, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and India.

Ayala, meanwhile, has 60,000 employees. It is into banking, telecommunications, property, water, infrastructure, power generation, automotive, IT/BPO and health care, among others.

The Aboitiz Group is the Cebu-based conglomerate of the Aboitiz clan. It has 37,188 employees, according to Forbes, and is into the power, food, financial services, real estate and infrastructure businesses. n

SFIO has started to embark on its six-month roadshow program across the United States through SFIO’s ‘The Global Academy.’

SFIO’s ‘The Global Academy’ (Training Hub for Entrepreneurship) is a strategic learning provider of masterclasses and workshops for business partners, shareholders and potential investors. It is led by newly appointed Advisory Board member Jonathan Petalver, who has over 25 years of designing and conducting learning and development programs under his belt.

Coach Petalver, the CEO and co-founder of ‘The Global Academy.’ is headquartered in New Zealand, and with offices in New York, Melbourne, Dubai and Manila, it has extensive experience in conducting and facilitating masterclass programs in entrepreneurship and business leadership across Asia, Middle East, North America and Europe.

Petalver will also be conduct-

ing conferences with existing investors during the roadshows.

He is to be joined by Roger Oriel, another newly appointed Advisory Board member of SFIO, and the CEO of Asian Journal Publication, Inc. headquartered in Los Angeles.

SFIO has recently established a new headquarters in New York City to accommodate U.S. investors and business partners.

Messrs. Petalver and Oriel will travel to Los Angeles to meet potential business partners for SFIO’s property development projects in the U.S. and to expand the business opportunity in the U.S. Moving toward the expansion in the U.S., Petalver scheduled to meet with the potential business partner who will operate the pilot store of Epiphany Cafe. He will be in Silicon Valley, where SFIO plans to establish its technology and development division. Then he will proceed with meeting a

partner in San Francisco, who has been shortlisted to operate the commissary of Ardent Bakers in the U.S. The six-month roadshow program is planned to complete in April 2022. The Chairman of SFIO, Jeths Lacson and the New Zealand team will follow in the first quarter of 2022.

To achieve the SFIO’s target of a $100M business roadmap, SFIO officially appointed the CEO of Australia-based MLV group, Michael Venezuela, as the new Chief Financial officer with over 30 years of tax, accounting and audit international experience.

His vision is to offer affordable charges of professional tax, accounting and business advisory services to a well-diversified customer base. The commencement of the U.S. roadshow with the new appointment is all part of SFIO’s $100M business roadmap to be achieved by 2022.

(Advertising Supplement)

80% of youth suffer from climate anxiety – study

by Rhodina

VillanueVa Philstar.com

A NEW study on climate anxiety showed that eight of 10 young people around the world are extremely worried about climate change.

“Forty-five percent globally reported that their feelings toward the prevailing climate crisis are having negative impacts on daily functioning, which include eating, concentrating on work and school, sleeping, spending time in nature, playing, having fun and dealing with relationships,” the Climate Reality Project Philippines said.

“In the Philippines, this number went up to a worrying 75 percent, with the report recognizing that young people in the global south are experiencing more severe climate anxiety, which is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a chronic fear of environmental doom,” the group added.

These figures were shared

by Caroline Hickman, a psychotherapist and teaching fellow at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom, during the 18th episode of The Climate Reality Project Philippines’ Klimatotohanan webcast series.

Hickman is a co-author of the study titled “Young People’s Voices on Climate Anxiety, Government Betrayal and Moral Injury: A Global Phenomenon.”

She is also a board member of the Climate Psychological Alliance, a non-profit organization that aims to address the psychological dimensions of the climate and ecological crisis.

The study has been released on a pre-publication basis by the scientific journal Lancet Planetary Health while it is undergoing peer review.

It was the first large-scale investigation of climate anxiety in children and young people globally and its relationship to government response.

The group surveyed 10,000

children and young people, aged 16 to 25 years from Australia, Brazil, Finland, France, India, Nigeria, Philippines, Portugal, UK and USA. The group noted that the results of the survey among the Filipino youth are sobering.

“Seventy-one percent of the respondents think that they won’t have access to the same opportunities that their parents had. Seventy-seven percent think that their family’s economic, social, and physical security will be threatened.

Forty-seven percent are hesitant to have children because of climate change,” Hickman said.

She said that climate anxiety is not a mental illness.

“But if we put together the realities of climate change with climate anxiety and global inadequate action, what we are looking at are chronic, inescapable stressors that will inevitably impact the mental health of children and young people.” n

SFIO has recently established a new headquarters in New York City to accommodate U.S. investors and business partners.

‘Place-holder’ candidates

PAGE 6 and VP elections are among these so-called “place-holders” for some real candidates still under the wraps of political strategists. Belatedly reacting to this not-so-new political tactic, Senators and House lawmakers have initiated proposed legisla-

tion to amend Sections 69, 261 (CC) and 264 of the 1985 Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines.

While it seeks to stop the mockery of our electoral process, Congress would be hard put to pass into law dis-allowing “place-holder” candidates

because it would be like cutting off one of their own tentacles to power. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

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Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino closes LA Fashion Week red carpet night

Actress Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and singer Kiana Valenciano

A closeup of Tolentino’s black and silver swirl cocktail dress

THe expected crowd doubled and quickly became standing room-only at the fashion show of Beverly Hills-based designer Oliver Tolentino on Friday, October 8 for Los Angeles Fashion Week (LAFW).

Tolentino presented a 33piece couture collection on the rooftop of the Peterson Auto Museum, with its landmark red racing stripe façade, for the closing show of LAFW’s red carpet night.

Hollywood and Manila celebrities turned out to support Tolentino. Apl.de.Ap from the Black eyed Peas and boxing champ Nonito Donaire chatted next to each other front row, while Hollywood Fil-Am actors Mike Cabellon, who co-stars with Ted Danson in “Mr. Mayor,” and Carlin James, from “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” miniseries, watched on the other side. Also front row were Tolentino walks down the runway during the final bow of his LAFW show on October 8. actress Anna Maria Perez de Photos by John Salangsang, courtesy of Oliver Tolentino Tagle (Sylvia La Torre’s granddaughter and known for “Camp Rock” and “Hannah Montana”), singer Kiana Valenciano, and Philippine Consul General edgar Badajos. Many guests front row donned the designer’s creations, including former Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner in a black beaded lace mini dress.

Tolentino kicked off the show with his muse and former Supermodel of the World Philippines, Tutay Maristela, vamping solo on the runway in a bright red ball gown with a beaded bodice and

Tutay Maristela and Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados take a final walk at Oliver Tolentino’s LAFW 2021 show.

Ganados dons a red terno designed by Tolentino.

Apl.de.ap, Nonito Donaire and Tolentino after the show Photo by Andrew Caruthers

thousands of hand-cut rosettes.

Gazini Ganados (Miss Universe Philippines 2019) stepped out in a modern bright terno and surprised many with her LA runway debut.

Tolentino showcased his style of old Hollywood glamour with intricate couture details and topnotch finishing. He presented beautiful sequined column gowns in pink hues, followed by difficult to make outfits in gold and silver

chain mail, including a silver gown one with layered peplum at the hip and a high slit. Another notable look was an impressive structured bell skirt mini dress out of silver chain mail, modeled

by Tutay.

Blue dresses followed in sequins, beads, and hand-cut-flowers, as well as side peplums and geometric layered strips. In a final segment of black dresses, Gazini modeled a gown with a

black fully-beaded bodice and shimmering red ball skirt. Tutay closed in a black multi-layered voluminous tulle skirt gown that had hints of white horsehair underneath.

The collection was well received and featured enough requisite bling, while staying true to elegant old Hollywood glamour, worthy of any red carpet, and making it a hugely successful night for the designer.

Arjo admits talking marriage with What’s next for Zephanie after Now United boot camp?

Maine, declares she’s ‘the one’

by Nathalie

tomada Philstar.com

by daNa

Cruz

Inquirer.net

ARJO Atayde admitted that he and his girlfriend, Maine Mendoza, have talked about getting married in the future. He believes the actress is “the one” for him.

The actor made this declaration in an interview with broadcaster Julius Babao for the latter’s YouTube vlog on Wednesday, Oct. 13. He was asked if he and Mendoza had plans of getting married in the “near future.”

“Of course, napag-uusapan yan (Of course, we’ve talked about

Arjo Atayde and Maine Mendoza

it). I’m at the right age, we’re not getting any younger and we’re both very happy, hopefully until we get old,” he told Babao. “Ito na po ‘yon, I think so.” (This is it, I think so.)

“Obviously, I’m not wasting time. Sobrang mahal ko po yung tao, very sincere yung tao (I love her very much, she’s very sincere),” he added.

When asked if he thinks he has found his soulmate or “the one,” Atayde answered affirmatively.

“I did, yes,” he said. “Whatever adjective it may be.”

According to the actor, he

found a best friend and partner in Mendoza. He then described her as a “very loving person” with a good heart.

“I’m overwhelmed with the way I love her and she loves me back. It’s a different understanding,” he said.

Atayde admitted in January 2019 that he was in a relationship with Mendoza. The actress followed suit in March 2019, confirming that she and Atayde were “exclusively dating.”

The couple celebrated their second anniversary in December last year.

Photo from Instagram/@arjoatayde

“IDOL Philippines” winner Zephanie Dimaranan is excited about career possibilities after recently taking part in the Now United boot camp in Abu Dhabi.

The 18-year-old singer was among 11 representatives selected from around the world to train for two weeks at the Now United Creative Hub of the 18-member global pop group Now United, the brainchild of American Idol creator Simon Fuller. Other talents came from Brazil, Argentina, U.S., Indonesia, Greece, Nigeria, France and Saudi Arabia.

The boot camp included song and dance workshops under Blackpink choreographer Kyle Hanagami and America’s Got Talent alum and vocal coach Joseph Clarke. They also recorded a song with Grammy-nominated producer emile Ghantous. The training culminated with a joint performance of the boot campers and Now United members for the song Come Together, the music video of which is currently trending on YouTube with almost two million views.

Fresh from her overseas trip, Zephanie shared the challenges and lessons learned during the Now United boot camp. “I would say the whole boot camp experience was a really big challenge for me. Just going there, thinking about the fact that I would be with different people from different parts of the world, was challenging for me. Kaya ko ba makisama sa kanila? Mahirapan ba ako makipag-usap at maintindihan sila or sila maintindihan ako? And also the fact that it’s another level for me, as I’m trying to make my skills better, in terms of singing and dancing, es-

Idol Philippines winner Zephanie Dimaranan

Photo from Instagram/@zephanie

pecially the latter,” she said during a Zoom interview.

She noted that while she learned a lot on the technical side of performing, what made more impact was what it did to her confidence.

“Mas nabaon ko na lessons ay talagang more on the attitude na dapat na iniisip mo, whenever you’re performing, is that you really should believe in yourself and in what you can do. every time you perform, it’s important to know your worth, and how talented you are,” she shared.

“And I learned to be a risk taker more. I really experienced going out of my comfort zone not just in performing, but also when it comes to being who I am. I think, mas na-boost yung confidence ko sa pag-pe-perform and also personally. I guess, I learned to work more efficiently and in the best way possible with other people, especially since we all came from different countries and we had

to be united. I think nagawa po yun ng Now United to unite us (laughs).”

Asked what’s next for her after the boot camp, Zephanie told The STAR, “We weren’t informed yet of what their plans are for us, if they’re looking for new members or if we’re going to be part of another group of the company.

All I know is that I’m so excited to see all the output that we did, from shoots to songs. I’m really hoping for good feedback from them.”

She added, “Napakarami pong possibilities ngayon kasi wala pa silang sinasabi sa amin but I’m just so happy to be part of the boot camp. It’s a great opportunity and a blessing if ever I’m given the chance to be part of their group or to be part of one of their projects. But now nakauwi na po ako, I’m excited to apply all that I’ve learned — slowly. I’m so excited to execute everything when PAGE 9

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Gerald ‘grateful’ to be busy amid pandemic

by Nathalie

tomada Philstar.com

GERALD Santos has found reasons to be “grateful” despite the pandemic. He’s taking the lead in a musical and starring in a couple of movies.

The 30-year-old singer and theater actor topbills I Will: The Musical, which after delays due to the COVID situation, is pushing through this weekend.

Written and directed by Antonino Rommel Ramilo (San Pedro Calungsod The Musical), the original musical filmed last July in a physical theater drew inspiration from the life and love story of husbandand-wife doctor tandem Willie and Liza Ong. In the musical, Gerald plays opposite Paulina Yeung. Born in California and raised in Hong Kong and the Philippines, the theater actress recently finished her run as Princess Tuptim in the Tonywinning Broadway musical The King and I. She toured with the production across the U.S., Canada and UK from 2018 to 2020. Also in the cast are theater stalwarts Ima Castro, Robert Seña and Bo Cerrudo.

I Will is set for streaming on ABS-CBN’s digital events platform KTX.ph starting Oct. 16, with each e-ticket priced at P249 and giving 24-hour access to the musical. It will be shown for free “soon” on the YouTube and Facebook pages of the Ong couple, who are also co-producers of the musical.

According to Gerald, the musical started coming together in January, was originally scheduled last June, but filming only took place in July while postproduction got delayed due to changing pandemic restrictions as well as the Delta surge.

“The musical experienced a lot of challenges because of the pandemic. And we know how it is with theater, it thrives on the rehearsals, in the gettogether. It’s all about ensemble, it’s teamwork. An original musical takes a minimum of two months of rehearsals. With us, we did it for one week, but gladly before that, we were having music rehearsals online. We already studied the songs, so what we had to work on were blocking, choreography and technical aspects. We’ve been able to come up with a musical and are very happy with the result,” Gerald told The STAR. When asked about the experience of playing a real-life person in a musical, he said, “Ang hirap kasi ang daming tinackle ng musical — bullying, mental health, anxiety disorder, problems with the family. It’s more on the chaos on his mind. Kasi nung bata daw siya, ang dami niyang questions sa sarili niya, na ano dapat kong gawin? He’s like the typical Chinese person story na gusto mag-business siya ng kanyang magulang, pero siya gusto niyang mag-doctor, so, ang daming battlefields sa buhay niya…”

“There’s this number titled Chaos, dun sinasabi yung frustrations niya. Naglalaban yung personality nako-confuse, personality na nina-nag siya, personality niya na, ‘Hindi, kakayanin mo yan,’ very positive… It tackles a lot… (but) there’s resolution in the ending that’s why it’s titled ‘I Will’. All in all, positive yung vibe niya and yung mararamdaman ng tao na manonood.”

It’s a different experience for Gerald because “finally, dito sa Pilipinas, di na ako gaganap ng santo,” referring to his last musical where he played the second Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod, “but I’m still wearing white (here). Here, they’ll see different sides of me as a performer, different emotions. It’s a very challenging part but I’m very happy I was able to do it.”

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 14-20, 2021

Raymond survives car crash in LA: ‘It could’ve been worse’ by daNa

Cruz Inquirer.net

RAYMOND Gutierrez is beyond grateful after he survived a car crash in Los Angeles, California, though he admits he was still shaken up by the incident.

The TV host recalled the events leading to the crash through a series of Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Oct. 13. The car that Gutierrez was riding can be seen with its hood crushed due to the

incident.

“Still shaken up. My Uber driver got into an accident,” he said. “Good thing I was wearing a seat belt during the impact.

Just happy to be safe [because] it could’ve been a lot worse.”

Gutierrez also showed another vehicle that was involved in the collision, a black car that bumped into a fire hydrant. According to him, the other driver “turned from the wrong lane” while traffic lights were green, leading to a

9

“strong” impact.

“I don’t drive and that’s still on my to-do list here in [Los Angeles]. I miss the convenience of having a driver in Manila but I know I’m gonna have to learn this life skill at some point,” he told fans.

Despite the unfortunate experience, Gutierrez hopes it will not make him anxious about driving.

He also reminded the public to always be careful when on the road by wearing seat belts.

Gerald Santos

Apart from the musical, Gerald is starring in two movies. These are the Joel Lamangan-directed Deception, which happens to be the reunion film project of Claudine Barretto and Mark Anthony Fernandez, and Mamasapano, to be directed

by Lawrence Fajardo. Both are produced by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio’s Borracho Films with Deception co-produced by Viva. Gerald said that both Deception and Mamasapano are his first-ever foray into the “mainstream” film scene.

In Deception, he is also a love interest of Claudine.

“Nakaka-intimidate (siya) lalo nung nandoon ka sa set because of course, you’re relatively new in the movies. But she (Claudine) never made me feel like, ‘I’m your senior.’ She was just telling stories about her life. She was so friendly but when it came to the scenes, wow!

“There was this one scene that we needed to shoot in different angles. It was a break-down scene, three or four times kinunan siya so three or four times din siya umiyak. I learned a lot from her, especially when it came to techniques she used to motivate herself. She would just be asking for a silent moment, ‘O, quiet muna.’ Then she’d go to one corner, tapos pag sinabi niya ng, ‘I’m ready direk,’ that’s it, on cue,” he said.

Deception will be released in December.

As for Mamasapano, which is based on the 2015 clash that resulted in the deaths of 44 Special Action Forces (SAF) troopers, according to Gerald, it will definitely push through. Shooting will resume in December.

There’s a plan to do a comedy film (tentatively titled Bigote Power) also under Borracho and if it pushes through, “I’m excited about it because it’s going to be my first time ever to do comedy.” He is also eyeing an online concert late this year. Also being hammered out is a possible co-management with a leading talent management company that will produce his sixth studio album.

Gerald, who became part of the Miss Saigon UK run as Thuy, still hopes to be cast in international musical productions. Right before the pandemic, he had received a final callback for Les Miserables production in the UK, but it was put on hold because of the pandemic. “I am hoping balikan pa rin ako, but I’m really happy with my career here right now.

Very thankful ako sa mga dumating despite the (COVID) situation.”

Raymond Gutierrez

Photos from Instagram/@mond

What’s next for Zephanie after Now United...

PAGE 8 I’m going to perform na.”

The ASAP Natin ‘To winner and artist’s first taste of the music scene was via The Voice Kids six years ago. Professionally, she’s been in the business for two years now after becoming the first-ever grand winner of Idol Philippines.

“I still can’t believe that I’m now two years in the business.

Up until now, I still feel the same way, kung paano po ako nagstart, na talagang I’m trying my best to improve every day. And sobrang happy po ako, sa mga na-re-receive na opportunities from my management Cornerstone and ABS-CBN.” She said it’s not been an easy journey choosing to pursue music. Being a pastor’s kid helped her, she added. “Sobrang blessed po ako na lumaki sa church and namulat po ako na kilala ko si Lord. Marami na rin po akong na-experience in life na kahit papaano na-test rin yung faith ko.

“Sometimes, may dumating na moments na I kept on trying and nothing was happening and paulit-ulit lang. Minsan, I would ask Him kung para sa akin ba talaga ito kasi kung hindi ilagay niyo nalang ako sa iba, mag-change nalang ako ng path, something like that. But lagi niya po akong binabalik sa path na ito. I think, naririnig talaga ni Lord yung mga questions ko at binibigay niya yung answers kahit hindi directly,” she reflected.

Zephanie just turned 18 and she’s all about discovering more about herself and finding her voice. “I really can’t say I’m happy with my voice. Right now, I’m happy with my genre (popballad), but I also don’t want to stay here. I want to explore different genres and styles, lalo na sa songs i-release in the future, so who knows I might do rock!” said the singer, who’s releasing her first studio album soon.

“Since I just turned 18, I’m still

on my way to nagde-decide for myself. Now po nafi-feel ko na yung responsibility na kailangan alam mo na talaga ginagawa mo, aware ka sa surroundings mo and tao na dapat pinapasalamatan or binabalikan. And with the right people that God gave me to guide me, challenging pa rin but kahit papaano po, di ako masyado nahihirapan.”

Zephanie said she’s aware that she still needs more training and improvement as an artist, but the boot camp definitely “opened” a lot of possibilities and further ignited dreams of “sharing my talent worldwide” and that “I’m praying for the best.”

“Right now, siguro po, I’m looking at the present. Right now, gusto ko lang talaga i-continue yung pagpe-perform,” adding that she also wants to explore other facets of the industry. “Definitely, po. I’ve been taking acting classes... It’s also fun to act. I think I will.”

10

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Health @Heart PhiliP S. chuA, Md, FAcS, FPcS WHAT is reflux heartburns?

Reflux Heartburns is a milder stage of Reflux Esophagitis, which is an inflammatory condition where hydrocholoric acid, normally produced by the stomach to aid in the digestion of food, regurgitates (goes back up) to the lower end of the esophagus (food pipe) which is connected to the stomach. In majority cases of reflux, the lower esophageal sphincter (“valve”) is incompetent (loose) and allows stomach acid and food to back up to the esophagus, a disease medically known as Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). In some cases, acid reflux is not necessary for heartburns to occur.

Can reflux mimic COVID-19?

COVID-19 and GERD can have similar initial symptoms, like cough and chest pains, but the similarity ends there. While the pandemic can cause severe stress and increase stomach acid production, there is no medical evidence that coronavirus can cause reflux. Statistically, there could be aggravation of GERD symptoms during this global corona viral disease.

Why is acid reflux bad?

The stomach mucosa (lining) normally produces the digestive acid and tolerates it much better than the esophagus, which has a different cell lining that is less resistant to the acid. Reflux of stomach acid into the lower end of the esophagus, therefore, causes esophagitis (irritation, inflammation and swelling), which, if allowed to continue untreated, could cause esophageal stricture (scarring) and narrowing, making the channel connecting the food pipe to the stomach too small for food to pass through. Constant acid fumes could also be inhaled for years, decades, ultimately causing (non-smoker’s) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Is this condition common?

Yes, very common. Sixty percent of the adult population has some type of GI reflux. About seven million Americans have GERD. Most patients complain of burning discomfort in the pit of the stomach after meals or at night, while lying down, allowing stomach acid to flow back to the esophagus. Many times, the burning disappears when the person gets up. The symptom could also be that of indigestion or “sour stomach.” People who take antacids, like Alka Seltzer, Maalox, Tums, etc. could have GERD. Is Hiatal Hernia present in Reflux Esophagitis?

The food pipe, which is in the chest, goes down through a hole in the diaphragm (the tent-like flat muscle that separates the ab-

Features

Reflux heartburns domen from the chest) to connect with the stomach in the abdomen. This hole is called a hiatus.

If this hole becomes too large, the stomach, which is normally in the abdomen, could move up to the chest through the hole. If this happens, it is called Hiatus Hernia. Hiatus Hernia is found in only 20-30 percent of those with reflux esophagitis. The majority do not have accompanying Hiatus Hernia.

Any other possible cause of esophagitis and stricture?

Caustic acids, or alkali (the chemical in Liquid Plumber, Sosa, etc.) when swallowed (as in suicides), cause massive burns, swelling, sometimes esophageal perforation (hole through the damaged foodpipe) and leads to severe esophagitis and esophageal stricture. The perforation could also result in Mediastinitis, a serious and overwhelming infection inside the chest, which has a high fatality or mortality rate. Chest surgery is usually carried out immediately the moment the diagnosis is made.

What are the possible complications of GERD? Uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux responds well to medical therapy, and may be tolerated for many years. However, some people on treatment may still develop complications, like esophagitis, esophageal ulcer, hemorrhage, esophageal stricture, and Barrett’s metaplasia (cell changes in the esophagus that could transform to cancer).

How is the diagnosis of GERD confirmed?

A careful history and thorough physical examination, coupled with X-Ray Barium Swallow (done with the patient on his back and the head lower than the feet to check for reflux of barium), esophageal manometry (pressure measurement), pH (acidity) monitoring, Bernstein acid test, and endoscopy (looking inside and down the foodpipe by passing a lighted “telescope” to see the condition of the lower foodpipe and stomach). Through this same scope, tiny biopsies could be performed, to see the tissue reaction, Helicobacter pylori, Barrett’s, and to check for cancer.

What is the first step treatment of GERD? The initial management of patients with persisting symptoms of GERD consists of (1) Changing diet (avoiding hot spices, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, cola drinks); (2) Quitting cigarette smoking; (3) Avoiding tight, binding clothing, especially after a meal; (4) Refraining from lying down immediately after a meal, and elevating the head of the bed when lying down to keep gastric acid and contents in the stomach by gravity; and (5) Taking antacids, Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) drug (like Nexium), histamine blockers, prokinetic agents (a

combination of these) under the close supervision of your physician which is usually 80 percent successful in healing severe erosive esophagitis. Today, medical treatment is the hallmark in taking care of patients with GERD. Surgery is reserved for the complications of the reflux, untreated or undertreated.

When is surgery recommended?

When the strategic and intensive medical treatments enumerated above fail after several months to a year of trial, or when the acid reducer drug is ineffective, or when the esophageal stricture does not stay open after dilatation, then surgery is recommended. Today, all these complications are rarer compared to yesteryears. A current option is Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF), which shortens treatment period and has faster recovery compared to laparoscopic surgery.

What is the objective of the operation?

The aim of the operation is to restore the anatomical and physiological condition in the lower end of the esophagus, as surgically possible, to minimize or prevent reflux of the gastric acid and stomach content up the esophagus. If a bleeding esophageal ulcer and a stricture are present, then the surgeon will also address these accordingly.

How successful anti-reflux operations?

Very successful in majority of cases. Ten-year follow-up studies, some even longer, show that up to 90 percent of the patients are rendered asymptomatic (symptom-free), doing well, provided the changes in lifestyle recommended above are strictly followed.

Luckily today we have an effective medical regimen for GERD to minimize or prevent symptoms and complications of reflux. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and antigraft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

ABS-CBN respects Karla’s decision to run as party-list rep that voted against franchise NETWORK giant ABS-CBN released a statement saying they respect Kapamilya host Karla Estrada to run for representative of Tingog party-list.

It will be recalled that the party-list, represented by Yedda Romualdez, voted against the ABSCBN franchise last year.

ABS-CBN supporters, as well as Karla’s son Daniel Padilla and girlfriend Kathryn Bernardo’s fan base KathNiel, stormed social media sites opposing Karla’s run.

In a statement by the network, ABS-CBN said they respect Karla’s decision to run for public office.

“In her desire to continue serving her kababayans, Karla Estrada

EMPLOYMENT

“We respect her decision and wish our Kapamilya well as she pursues her mission of service,” it added.

Karla recently said that she asked the network’s executives for permission.

“Nagpaalam ako sa aking mga bosses sa ABS-CBN at ako naman ay pinayagan nila at talagang susuportahan nila ako. Hangad ko na magkaroon ng boses ang aking mga Kapamilya sa Kongreso,” Karla said.

“Kung dumating man ang Karla Estrada ABS-CBN photo usapin muli tungkol sa ABS-CBN has decided to run for public of- prangkisa, alam ko na magiging fice,” ABS-CBN said in a state- bukas ang Tingog sa usapin na ito,” she added. ment.

EMPLOYMENT

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Tax Tips Victor Sy, MBA, cPA (retired) WHAT Is a Step-Up in Basis?

The term “step-up in basis” refers to the readjustment of the value of an appreciated asset for tax purposes upon inheritance. It adjusts the value of an asset when it passes from owner to heir. The higher market value of the asset at the time of inheritance is used for tax purposes. When an asset is passed on to a beneficiary, its value is typically more than what it was when the original owner acquired it. The asset receives a step-up in basis so that the beneficiary’s capital gains tax is minimized. A step-up in basis is applied to the cost basis of property transferred at death. In summary: • A step-up in basis readjusts the value of an appreciated asset.

• It is applied to the cost basis of property transferred at death.

Step-up in basis for assets transferred at death Biden tax plan series

• Step-up in basis is used to calculate tax liabilities for inheritance assets.

• Transferred assets receive a step-up in basis so the beneficiary’s capital gains tax is minimized.

• There are other proposals to replace it with lower capital gains taxes.

Current Tax Law: “Step up in Basis” may not be a household term, but folks, this is the holy grail of tax planning.

It’s a tax loophole (the best) for assets transferred at death.

• If you bought a $500,000 investment property many moons ago and is worth $2 million at your death, there’s a gain of $1.5 million. Capital gains tax would be horrendous, but would be zero (yes zero) due to the step up in basis concept. The cost of $500,000 would be “stepped up” to $2 million resulting in a gain of zero and… tax of zero!

• I’ve used this legal concept for my clients during my 50 years of tax practice. It works beautifully.

• Alas, this would change under Biden’s plan described below.

Proposed Tax Changes: Proposed law would eliminate the step-up in cost basis for inherited and gifted wealth. Sigh. *** Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV – Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation. *** He retired after 50 years of defending taxpayers audited by the IRS, EDD, BOE and other governmental agencies. He published a book on “How to Avoid or Survive IRS Audits” that’s available at Amazon. Readers may email tax questions to vicsy@live.com.

Andrew E. gets deep about life

by Charmie Joy

Pagulong Philstar.com

ANDREW E. may be known for his comedic roles in films, as well as naughty and hilarious lyrics in his songs, but the rapper-comedian is a serious person in real life.

He talked about his life mantra and how he would handle problems during a virtual press conference for his latest film Shoot!

Shoot! Di Kita Titigilan! under Vivamax.

Despite him being hospitalized before the pandemic, he was still thankful for all the things that he’s been through. He follows the mantra, “Always give thanks to the Lord.”

In a separate press conference, he was asked if he got depressed during these extraordinary times.

His answer was in the negative.

“Why? Because busy ako na tinataguyod ko yung sarili ko, yung kalusugan ko because na-ospital ako even before pandemic. Kaya imaginin mo kung iniisip ko yung sarili ko na magpagaling, ba’t pa ko mag-iisip ng pandemic?” shared Andrew.

He’d rather put his focus on his health to recover for his family and make a living.

“The best thing you can do to your problem is to embrace it,” said Andrew when asked about how he handles tough situations.

“Your problem, the moment na niyapos mo at natuto mong yapusin, ‘yan ang magpapatalas sa’yo sa buhay. Yan ang magpapatibay sa’yo hanggang sa lalo kang maging mature. You will be so sharp. You will be so strong. You will be so sturdy,” he added.

At the same time, he was able to apply the saying, “Problematize your problem like time.” “Ibig sabihin ang problema mo sa alas dose ng gabi, ‘wag mong problemahin sa alas onse ng umaga.

Problemahin mo siya sa alas dose ng gabi….So you can dedicate yourself to things you must do and sasapulin mo lang ang problema kapag kailangan mo na siyang sapulin. So nakakagawa ka. Unlike if you think about your problems the whole time, you can’t do anything else.”

Meanwhile, Andrew, who rose to fame in the ‘90s, also shared his memorable experiences back in the day when he was paired with A-list stars such as Sharon Cuneta and Maricel Soriano.

“Ang dalawang stars na yan ang nagbigay ng dalawang kinang, tuldok at nagbigay ng total prism sa pangalang Andrew

‘The best thing you can do to your problem is to embrace it… (the problem) will make you sharp, strong and sturdy.’

Philstar.com photo

E. Yun po ang nagpatibay sa akin sa ‘90s. Nagpatibay sa pangalan ko dahil sa pag-pair nila sa akin at pagbigay ng kanilang biggest talent of all and to share it,” reminisced Andrew.

He continued, “Napakaraming artista din by that time ang namamayagpag kaya isa ako sa mga kulelat din. Kaya kung naibigay sa akin yung chance na ‘yun, Sharon Cuneta and Maricel Soriano, two of the biggest stars at that time up until now.

Believe me when I tell you, their names are still in the hearts and minds of people, ayun po ay total achievement po sa isang Andrew E.” In his latest film Shoot! Shoot!

Di Kita Titigilan!, which is streaming on Vivamax, he plays Jack, a small-town guy, whose ultimate dream is to become an actor.

As per synopsis, Jack finally gets chosen to play the role of an heir to his wealthy relative, after countless auditions. While rehearsing his lines, his neighbor hears him talking about inheriting $100B. Jack’s misadventures start when word spreads around town that he’s now a billionaire.

He suddenly gets lucky with girls who just want his “money,” but he also gets in trouble with the wrong people.

Directed by Al Tantay, Shoot!

Shoot! Di Kita Titigilan! was based on Andrew’s original song released years ago but became a recent hit on TikTok. His leading ladies are sexy stars AJ Raval and Sunshine Guimary.

AJ had this to say about her co-actor: “Kay Kuya Andrew, marami siyang knowledge na natuturo at nasha-share sa akin.

At the same time, meron akong partner, meron akong kuya, meron akong tatay.”

She also revealed how caring Andrew was on set and added, “Maraming akong natutunan about sa buhay sa mga kuwento

SERVICES

niya. Hindi man siya nag-a-advice ng direct sa’yo, pero pag nagku-kwento siya, may matututunan ka.”

Sunshine liked to be paired up again with Andrew because he is “kind” and he “always shares ideas.” “Napaka-importante sa akin yun. Magtulungan kayo bilang artista. And napaka-galante niyan, guys. Namimigay.”

He may seem “naughty” because of the roles he portrayed in movies and his music style, but he is not at all. “‘Pag makakasama mo ako sa isang lugar or sa isang pagkakataon, maybe ang naughty lang sa akin eh yung mind. But my lips and my actions, actuations and all that, mga kilos at galaw, hindi po ako ganun. Mind you, pagmakikilala niyo po ako ng lubusan at tahasan, pag nakakasama niyo ako, and that entails the truth coming from my leading ladies na kapag nakakasama nila ako sa set, hindi po ako ganun,” clarified Andrew.

In fact, he is a shy type.

“Pumapasok ngayon sa mindset mo na maybe ganun ako dahil rapper ako, hindi po. Sa pagiging rapper ko lang po yun, pero sa pagkatao po, tunay, mahiyain po ako. Mukha lang po ako makapal ang mukha pero mahiyain po ako (laughs).”

Given his humble beginnings, Andrew said his biggest lesson is to appreciate those people around you and who have helped you, especially during your lowest moments. “Kung sino yung mga nakakatulong sa’yo nung araw, nung walang-wala ka pa, dapat yun din ang taong una mong nililingon nung nagkaroon ka na. Kasi po may kasabihan na kung sino yung taong na-meet mo, nung ikaw ay papa-akyat sa tagumpay, yun din naman ang ma-me-meet mo ‘pag pababa na ang tagumpay na meron ka,” he said.

EntErtainmEnt

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

Why Erik insisted on casting Megan in ‘OTJ’

by Kathleen

a. llemit

Inquirer.net

ERIK Matti revealed he insisted on casting Megan Young in “OTJ: The Missing 8” because he was keen on sharing his observations on why politicians tend to marry beauty queens.

“Nagpasintabi ako sa simula pa lang at nakiusap ako sa kanya (Megan). She barely has a line in the film but I really wanted to cast a beauty queen like Megan Young. I wanted the impression that a beauty queen gives off... ‘Di ba mga senador mahilig sa trophy wives? Usually binibingwit talaga nila mga beauty queen. Pinaplano, sikat na artista,” he explained.

Megan, crowned 2013 Miss World, plays the wife of Wendell Ramos, who essays the role of a senator.

“Beside Wendell, I wanted somebody statusque. Unang tingin mo pa lang, ‘Ay beauty queen.’ Kasi totoong beauty queen si Megan.

Hindi ko na kailangan pang damitan siya na (parang) beauty queen.

Just casting alone, beauty queen na agad makikita mo,” Matti added.

“OTJ: The Missing 8” takes off from the events of the 2013 film.

Taking the form of a six-part series as an HBO Asia Original premiering on September 12, it looks into the gun-for-hire business operated by corrupt prison officials, with the series expounding further into the dynamics of Philippine elections, politics and the spread of fake news.

Megan Young “OTJ: The Missing 8” was also an official entry at the 78th Venice Photo from Instagram/@meganbata International Film Festival.

Bautista brothers carry on father’s legacy WORKING with family members can be difficult at times, especially when it comes to public service. But for brothers Herbert and Hero Bautista, carrying on their father’s legacy serves as a guiding light for both.

“Our father was our inspiration. He was the reason why we entered public service,” Hero shared. Both entered at a young age, with Herbert becoming the president of the Kabataang Baranggay National Federation in 1986, and Hero being one of the council members.

In later years, Hero devoted his time to running the family business while Herbert continued to make strides in the political field.

However, the call to serve the public remained. For Hero, this led to the creation of the Batang QC Foundation in 2004 and has been continuously helping kids go to school through this foundation. Apart from that, he is also an active member of YMCA of Quezon City, the Rotary Club of Cubao West, the Knights of Columbus and the Quezon City Capitol Jaycees, among others.

Despite being executives in their own rights, both brothers see to it that their staff and employees can easily approach them. “We always treat our employees and staff as family. That was how we were raised by our parents — we learned love and God is always the first,” Herbert said. This solidarity allows their

Hero and Herbert Bautista with Liza Soberano

offices to quickly address any concerns that are brought to them.

The brothers were able to team up once again when Hero became councilor of the 4th District of Quezon City during the term of Herbert as mayor. Herbert served as the experienced mentor who helped his brother navigate the waters of local politics. Meanwhile, Hero was the fiery newcomer who was ready to help his constituents but needed some guidance in the new playing field.

One of their crowning achievements as brothers is the passage of a local ordinance establishing the Quezon City Scholarship Pro-

Photo from Instagram/@herbertbautista

gram for Specialized Courses. Authored by Hero who is a staunch proponent of education for all, and signed by Herbert during his term as mayor, the ordinance expands Quezon City’s scholarship program to include specialized courses such as international studies, environmental science, social work and community development, and other courses.

Herbert served as mayor for three consecutive terms while Hero is currently an incumbent councilor. Hero continues to find ways to serve his constituents, especially now with the COVID19 pandemic severely affecting the livelihood of Filipinos.

(ManilaTimes.net)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 14-20, 2021

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october 14-20, 2021 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JoUrNAL

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