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OCTOBER 15-21, 2020

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Volume 31 - No. 41 • 16 Pages

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

DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

NorCal Fil-Am father in desperate need for Filipino stem cell donor People of color, including Filipinos, are less likely to find a stem cell match on national registry ALAMEDA, CA — In a year marred by crises of varying proportions, everything feels a little bit precarious. Political divisions layered over a global health crisis and the quick erosion of socioeconomic normalities continue to shake the public consciousness.

And just because the COVID-19 remains at the fore of public health doesn’t mean other unfortunate health catastrophes take a backseat.

For a Filipino American family in the Bay Area, the fight for soundness of mind is literally a matter of life and death.

This year, Andrew, a 35-year-old Sacramento-based father of two of Filipino heritage, was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare pre-leukemia disease, in June and he is in need of a stem cell transplant.

MDS often goes unrecognized and, consequently, is an under-diagnosed group of bone marrow failure disorders. According to the MDS Foundation, between 12,000 and 20,000 new cases are reported every year with patients’ ages ranging from 33 to 55 years old.

Organizations often try to connect patients

Rules approved for PH’s anti-terror law

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA) have been completed and approved by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday, October 14.

“The ATC has approved today (Oct. 14) the IRR of the ATL crafted by a technical group led by the DOJ. We will disseminate copies to Congress and to law enforcement agencies as required under the law, and will publish the IRR online and in a

newspaper of general circulation in the next few days,” said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

The IRR will be effective once it has been published and registered with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

Justice Undersecretary Adrian Sugay said the DOJ clarified the anti-terror law’s provision on warrantless arrests in the IRR. “Yes we clarified what it means and what other laws should be followed. We clarified all of it and it abides by the Constitution,” he said in Filipino.

“The IRR clarifies what our law enforcement agencies should do. What is more important is it

should guide the people to follow the law. It’s for all of us, not just the police or authorities that will enforce it,” he added.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, for its part, welcomed the approval of the IRR. “This will surely capacitate and empower the AFP to run after, assist in the arrest and prosecution, and secure our country and people against terrorist organizations, associations, groups, individuals, proponents, and supporters,” AFP spokesperson, Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, said Thursday, Oct. 15.

The anti-terror law, signed by President Ro-

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IMF: PH to the suffer biggest blow from COVID-19 in region

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

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PUTO BUMBONG. A woman makes “puto bumbong” for their customers at their store on K-E street, Barangay Kamuning, Quezon City on Thursday, October 15. Puto bumbong is a Filipino violet rice cake cooked in bamboo tubes-- traditionally sold during the Christmas season.

PNA photos by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday, October 13, downgraded its gross domestic product (GDP) forecast for the Philippines this year following the slowdown in private investment and consumption due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In its October 2020 World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, the multilateral lender said the country’s GDP is expected to contract by -8.3%, which is a decline from its -3.6% projection in June.

The contraction is deeper compared to Thailand’s 7.1%, Singapore’s -6%, and Indonesia’s -1.5%. China and Vietnam are seen booking GDP growths of 1.9% and 1.6%, respectively. Taiwan’s GDP, meanwhile, is expected to stay flat.

“The downward revision of 2020 growth forecasts for the Philippines from -3.6% in the June WEO to -8.3% in the October WEO mostly reflects a larger-than-expected downturn in Q2 and a more gradual resolution of the pandemic as witnessed over the past months,

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US Census count cut short COVID-19 infects more after Supreme Court ruling than 11,000 Filipinos abroad

by AJPRESS

National Filipino American Lawyers Association launches voter protection program to help voters in CA, AZ & NV THE National Filipino American Lawyers Association unveiled its first-ever Voter Protection Program (VoPro), a national non-partisan effort designed to protect the vote and rights of voters for the upcoming 2020 general election.

The program is comprised of over 30 NFALA attorneys from the group’s various affiliates across the nation. They will be available to answer questions via phone, email, or text from voters in three key states where there are large concentrations of Filipinos—California, Arizona, and Nevada. The volunteers have undergone extensive training that will allow them to understand and address specific questions on the voting process.

California • Call or text (213) 316 – 8458 — Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. PST • Email: NFALAVOPROCA@gmail.com Arizona • Call or text (209) 565-2860 — Open Mon-

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IN the latest debacle over the decennial enumeration, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to halt all counting efforts on Thursday, October 15, two weeks before the deadline.

The high court on Tuesday, October 13 approved the administration’s request to suspend a lower court’s order that extended the census’ deadline to the end of the month.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor was the only

dissenter, saying that “the harms associated with an inaccurate census are avoidable and intolerable.”

“And respondents will suffer their lasting impact for at least the next 10 years,” she added.

This comes after a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit rejected the administration’s request and said that the count should continue until October 31.

Following the ruling on Tuesday, the

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by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday, October 15, logged 24 new additional cases of the novel coronavirus among overseas Filipinos, bringing the official tally of infections to 11,141.

The agency also recorded three new recoveries, which pushes the total number of

recovered and discharged patients to 7,175.

Meanwhile, the death toll remains at 811 as the DFA reported no new fatalities.

“Today, the DFA reports no new fatality due to COVID19 among Filipinos abroad.

Meanwhile, there are 24 new confirmed cases and 3 new recoveries among our nationals in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, the Middle

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Nevada candidates address Fil-Am voters in virtual forum

by GLORIA

T. CAOILE

A GROUP of Filipino American voters heard directly from candidates on Monday, October 12, 2020. Taking part in a virtual candidates’ forum, they were able to listen to candidates for congressional seats, State Senate, State Assembly, and County Commission and judge positions. The event was hosted by the Filipino American Political Organization With Equal Representations (Fil Am POWER).

A total of 37 candidates addressed Fil Am voters via Zoom. The group included two Congressional Candidates, Congresswoman Dina Titus of District 1 and Congresswoman Susie Lee of District 3. Each took their two-

minute time allotment to speak about their platform issues, including health care, education, and unemployment. Both acknowledged the voting power of the Fil Am community and praised our Fil Am frontliners, who are working round the clock in this pandemic.

Voter education and engagement were the major goals of the event. “A voter’s role in democracy is not just to vote, but to make informed decisions,” says Amie Belmonte, President of Fil Am POWER. “One of the best ways to do that is to listen directly to candidates and ask questions.”

In a presidential election year, downballot races can be overlooked. However, there are important decisions to be made

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Rep. Dina Titus (NV-1)

Rep. Susie Lee (NV-3)

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OctOber 15-21, 2020 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL

From The FronT Page

Rules approved for PH’s anti...

PAGE A1 drigo Duterte on July 3, took effect on July 18.

Under the new law — which expands on the Human Security Act of 2007 — incitement of terrorism can be done “by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners or other representations…without taking any direct part in the commission of terrorism.” Those arrested and detained may be held for 14 to 24 days.

The new law enables the suspected “terrorist” to also be placed under surveillance for 60 days, extendable by up to 30 more days, by the police or the military.

Acts punishable under the

law include: • Engaging in acts intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person, or endangers a person’s life; • Engaging in acts intended to cause extensive damage or destruction to a government or public facility, public place, or private property; • Engaging in acts intended to cause extensive interference with, damage, or destruction to critical infrastructure; • Developing, manufacturing, possessing, acquiring, transporting, supplying or using weapons; and • Releasing of dangerous substances, or causing fire, floods or explosions.

• Any person who proposes,

incites, conspires, participates in the planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of a terrorist act, as well as those who will provide material support to terrorists and recruit members in a terrorist organization, will also be penalized by life imprisonment without the benefit of parole.

Meanwhile, anyone who threatens to commit terrorism, and those who propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism, will suffer imprisonment of 12 years.

This goes the same for anyone who voluntarily and knowingly joins any organization, association or group of persons knowing that such is a terrorist organization. n

US Census count cut short after...

PAGE A1 U.S. Census Bureau released a statement, saying that the option to self respond online would be available through October 15, 2020 through 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time at 2020census.gov.

“As of [Tuesday], well over 99.9% of housing units have been accounted for in the 2020 Census. Self-response and field data collection operations for

the 2020 Census will conclude on October 15, 2020,” the bureau said.

The phone response option was also made available through Thursday, while paper responses had to be postmarked by that date. Meanwhile, nonresponse followup census takers were to finish enumeration efforts by the new deadline.

The administration argued

that in order to meet the deadline of Dec. 31 to submit the data to the president, the data collection would need to end immediately.

The census count determines how many seats each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives and how federal funds are distributed to communities for services from medical services to afterschool programs. n

Nevada candidates address Fil-Am voters in...

PAGE A1 at every level of government.

“Voters owe it to themselves and their communities to learn about the candidates running and vote for those who will best represent them,” says Sonny Vinuya Board

Member, Fil Am POWER. “Elected officials are public servants; by definition, they serve the public,” adds Caesar Almase. “Listening to them and asking questions helps ensure that they will serve their con-

stituents well.”

“Our vote is our voice, so it is up to us to make sure we choose candidates who will speak on our behalf and act in our best interest,” says Bernie Benito, Board Member Fil Am Power. n

NorCal Fil-Am father in desperate need for...

PAGE A1 with stem cell matches, like the Asian American Donor Program (AADP), a non-profit organization based in Northern California that works with a diverse array of blood cancer patients like Andrew to help them find a stem cell match.

“Andrew is dependent on a stranger, most likely Filipino heritage or of Filipino and European

heritage, to step forward and register,” AADP Executive Director Carol Gillespie said in a statement, stressing the necessity of more multiethnic donors and donors of color to help close existing ethnic health care gaps.

Andrew is part Filipino with European ancestry, but after it was discovered that his family could not provide a match for him, the family began its search for a stranger who would be a match.

Stem cell matches are based on ethnicity, specifically a patient’s human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tissue type. HLA contains key genetic characteristics and markers that make it possible to undergo a successful transplant. This complicates patients’ of color efforts to find a match and increase their chances of successful recoveries.

The AADP said that people of color who are blood cancer patients PAGE A3

SECURED. Anti-narcotics agents guard the seized illegal drugs worth PHP6.25 billion to be disposed of at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. in Barangay Aguado, Trece Martirez, Cavite on Thursday, October 15. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director-General Wilkins Villanueva said the destruction of the illegal drugs is in compliance with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to immediately destroy seized contraband to avoid recycling by unscrupulous individuals.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

IMF: PH to the suffer biggest blow...

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with prolonged social distancing,” IMF country representative Yongzheng Yang said via email.

The country’s economy experienced a record contraction of 16.5 percent in the second quarter after a national lockdown was imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“Despite a somewhat softer global contraction expected in the October WEO, weak public confidence and low remittances in the Philippines as a result of the pandemic are expected to continue weighing on private investment and consumption,” Yang said.

“The negative impacts of COVID-19 are expected to be only partially offset by policy support,” he added.

For next year, the IMF expects the country’s economy to rebound and grow by 7.4%, which is better than the 6.8% it projected earlier.

“We have seen some signs of recovery in high frequency data with the gradual reopening of the economy,” Yang said.

“Real GDP is projected to expand by 7.4% in 2021, helped by — in addition to the base effect — an expected rebound in pentup demand from the relaxation of quarantine measures and contin-

ued effects of the policy easing in 2020,” he added.

However, Yang noted that the Philippines will be left significantly scarred by the pandemic.

“Significant scarring effects (e.g., hysteresis, bankruptcies) are expected and it will take a couple of years before real GDP to return to the pre-pandemic (2019) level,” he said.

“Over the medium term, the COVID-19 crisis is expected to result in lower levels of potential output and higher structural unemployment, but real GDP growth is expected to converge back to potential, of 6.5% by 2025,” he added. n

COVID-19 infects more than 11,000 Filipinos...

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East, and Africa,” it said.

Overall by region, Europe – which comprises 19 countries – has recorded 1,211 Filipino cases, including 173 undergoing treatment, 943 recoveries and 95 deaths.

The Middle East and Africa, covering 32 countries, has reported 7,364 cases; of which, 2,295 are undergoing treatment, 529 deaths and 4,450 recoveries.

The Asia Pacific region,

which spans across 20 countries, has 1,755 cases, with 520 undergoing treatment, 1,226 recoveries, and nine deaths.

The Americas – covering 10 countries like the United States – have 811 reported cases, with 167 undergoing treatment, 466 recoveries, and 178 deaths.

“To date, the total number of countries and regions with confirmed cases among Filipinos is now 81, following a confirmed case reported in one country in Africa,” the DFA said.

“The DFA shall continue to keep track of the status of overseas Filipinos and stands ready to assist and facilitate repatriations, whenever possible,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has recorded 348,698 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 6,497 fatalities and 294,161 recoveries. It is currently the 19th country with most infections globally, according to John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. n

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NorCal Fil-Am father in desperate need for...

PAGE A2 are more likely to die from their illnesses than patients of European ancestry who are diagnosed with the same cancers. According to statistics provided to the Asian Journal, the likelihood of finding a matched donor from the national Be The Match registry is 41% for Asians and Pacific Islanders, just above African Americans whose chances are 23%.

“If there’s not enough donors on the registry, then it’s less likely that a patient will find someone with that same genetic marker,” said Mylanah Yolangco, a community engagement representative at AADP. Yolangco said that potential matches need to be between the ages of 18 and 44 and in “general good health.” Although the age range is wide, the younger the donor, the better the outcome, Yolangco added.

The Be The Match registry — which is operated under the United States Health Resources and Services Administration’s National Marrow Donor Program — says on its website that transplants have higher success rates “when the HLA tissue type of the marrow donor or cord blood closely matches the patient’s.”

It is crucial that patients like Andrew be able to find a match before it’s too late, and his family knows all too well the realities of MDS. Andrew’s father passed away from the genetic deficiency in 2014, according to a press release, which punctuates the urgency of Andrew’s search for a stem cell match.

The news of Andrew’s diagnosis was a shock to the entire family, especially in a year that was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic “I guess to put it bluntly, it was like an insult to injury,” Jonah Candelaria, Andrew’s nephew, told the Asian Journal in an interview.

“He’s an amazing father and he’s definitely a family man and he lives life to the fullest, and he loves his daughters and his wife very, very much,” Candelaria said, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic and the safer-at-home orders have made coping with Andrew’s diagnosis doubly difficult.

The distance between Candelaria and his uncle — who haven’t seen each other in person since Christmas of 2019 — has been

Andrew currently receives a weekly routine blood transfusion.

Photo courtesy of TeamAndrewZ/Facebook

Andrew and his two children

Photo courtesy of Asian American Donor Program

hard on both nephew and uncle.

But because the family is tightknit, not even the COVID-19 pandemic could dampen the family’s efforts to find a donor for Andrew.

The family has set up a Facebook page to get the word out to potential donors and encourage anybody who may be eligible to request a swab kit.

“Being Filipino, it’s just kind of inherent how we’re just naturally very close and there’s just a lot of love between everyone,” Candelaria said. “So when all this happened, we all kind of came together and did what we needed to do to try to find a donor. There was no hesitation.”

Like nearly every other health care organization, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted daily affairs for the AADP, but the organization is still fully operational, and even

those who are not located in the Bay Area could sign up on its website for a swab kit to help patients like Andrew.

For those interested in registering as a potential stem cell donor, visit the AADP website to find out how to receive a home swab kit.

Yolangco added that even if potential donors aren’t a match for Andrew, they may be a match for someone else.

“We really want to encourage as many people as we can to sign up,” Yolangco said. “If you think about it it’s kind of like an insurance policy and you never know who will be diagnosed with a blood cancer or disease. It could affect someone in their family down the line, and if we already have people signed up as donors, they’ll be able to find them and get a transplant.” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 15-21, 2020

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‘This is what we needed this year’: Fil-Am Laker fans react to the team’s 17th championship title

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

LOS ANGELES — When it became clear that the Los Angeles Lakers would clinch their 17th NBA Championship, Josemaria Esteban began to cry tears of joy.

The 38-year-old registered nurse in Northridge is a lifelong fan of the Lakers and, in particular, an admirer of the late great Kobe Bryant.

“I was beyond excited when it became clear that the Lakers would get their 17th Championship. It’s not an uncommon moment for Lakers fans since they’re one of the best teams in all of pro sports but to get it this year felt special,” Esteban told the Asian Journal in a recent phone interview.

Filipinos Americans across the Southland erupted in cheers during Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, October 11 when the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 106-93 to LOS ANGELES — When it became clear that the Los Angeles Lakers would clinch their 17th NBA Championship, Josemaria Esteban began to cry tears of joy.

The 38-year-old registered nurse in Northridge is a lifelong fan of the Lakers and, in particular, an admirer of the late great Kobe Bryant.

“I was beyond excited when it became clear that the Lakers would get their 17th Championship. It’s not an uncommon moment for Lakers fans since they’re one of the best teams in all of pro sports but to get it this year felt special,” Esteban told the Asian Journal in a recent phone interview.

Filipinos Americans across the Southland erupted in cheers during Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, October 11 when the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 106-93 to emerge the victors of

quite possibly the most unusual NBA season in history.

It was easily one of the least contentious games of the series with the Lakers leading by double digits throughout most of the game, but the gravity of what an NBA Championship feels like for the population of Lakers fans across the world was like a Richter-breaking earthquake.

Throughout the longest season of NBA history — which was extended due to the cancellation of the season after the COVID-19 pandemic and its return to the infamous COVID-19-free “bubble” in Orlando, Florida — the Lakers played with a chip on their shoulder.

Following the death of Bryant, the organization and fans alike felt a collective pulsating sorrow. As previously covered in the Asian Journal, Bryant was a legend, his jersey numbers 8 and 24 becoming emblems of hard work, tenacity and unrequited love for the game across the globe.

Bryant resembled hope and strength of will, and in the immediate aftermath of his passing, fans across the world saw it as a cruel and confusing resolution to one of the most revered legacies in all of sports.

But as teammate Anthony Davis said in a post-game interview, the spirit of Bryant continued to inspire the team even when hope felt far away.

“Kobe and Gianna’s legacy will last forever,” Davis said after Game 6. “It will impact lives around the world in positive ways, and this Lakers championship in 2020 is partly to build on that legacy and honor them. The moment couldn’t be any more special to do that for them.”

“He would come to the game and just tell us, ‘This is y’all year.

This is y’all year. Go out and take it,’” Davis added. “He had a lot of confidence in our team. He had a

lot of confidence in our organisation to go out there and win it this year.”

On Sunday, the Lakers not only tied their rivals, the Boston Celtics, in NBA Championships with 17 titles apiece, but since the beginning of the new millennium, the Lakers have one the NBA Championship: 2000, 2010 and now 2020.

For a whole coterie of younger Lakers fans, this championshipwinning roster could signal a new stage for the Lakers, a team that is marked by dynasties the Showtime! era in the 1980s to the colossus of the early aughts 3-peat era with Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal to the back-to-back title wins in 2009 and 2010 during Bryant’s Mamba Mentality period.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get used to a new roster of your favorite team since you feel so personally tethered to certain players, but this current roster with Anthony Davis and [team captain] Lebron James feels like the start of a new era,” said Hilario Gomez, an Orange County-based physical therapist who has been a Lakers fan since the 1990s.

“I think this is a new team that will bring new excitement and new things to celebrate for younger generations of Filipino fans, and I think that the impact that players like Davis have could be similar to the impact that Kobe had globally,” Gomez said.

Gomez also talked about the Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who is half-Filipino and, for the last decade, has been making a name for himself as one of the best coaches of all time.

“Obviously I wanted the Lakers to win. But if Miami had won, I wouldn’t have been totally bummed because of [Spoelstra].

I feel very proud that he’s a Pinoy and he’s actually done a lot for Filipinos in basketball, and

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National Filipino American Lawyers Association...

PAGE A1

day, Wednesday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Arizona time • Email: NFALAVOPROAZ@ gmail.com Nevada • Call or text (702) 900-3937 — Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. PST • Email: NFALAVOPRONV@ gmail.com

The program can also be engaged via the association’s website or Facebook page.

“2020 has brought about significant change in our daily lives, but it has not taken away our right, and the community’s right, to let our voices be heard,” said Philip Nulud, President of NFALA. “Voting is even more important now than ever. We want

to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.”

The program officially opened for questions from voters on Monday, October 12, 2020 and will run until election day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020. For more information about the program, please visit www.nfala.com/VoPro. (AJPress)

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D ateline PhiliPPines DENR: Manila Bay dolomite not washed out

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Velasco is new PH House Speaker, Cayetano resigns

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

THE Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Wednesday, October 14, maintained that dolomite “white sand� along Manila Bay was not washed out by the recent rains. “Wala pong na wash out, hindi po nabawasan yung ating white dolomite ang nadagdagan tayo ng black sand galing sa ilalim ng dagat (Nothing was washed out, the black sand from the sea were instead washed in from the sea),� DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said in a briefing.

According to him, about two to three inches of black sand settled on top of the dolomite white sand after being “washed in� by the recent rains.

Antiporda stressed that authorities will clean up the darker sand.

“Kaya ho hindi pa talaga minimaintain ngayon dahil this is still under the jurisdiction of the contractor (The reason why we are not yet maintaining is because this is still under the jurisdiction of the contractor),� he said.

He likewise turned down the suggestion of marine biologists from the University of the Philippines to plant mangroves in Manila Bay. “You cannot put it in the middle of the baywalk area wherein it will destroy the landscape, hindi magandang tingnan and at the same time hindi mabubuhay dito sa lugar na to yung mangrove (it will not be pleasant to the eyes and at the same time the mangroves will not survive in the area),� Antiporda said.

Last month, Manila Bay temporarily opened for two days to showcase the artificial “white sand beach� implemented under the DENR’s P389-million Manila Bay rehabilitation program.

The Manila Bay opened to the public from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 19 and 20 after the completion of its makeover project that involved pouring piles of crushed dolomite on the stretch of Manila Bay’s shore.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, during Manila Bay’s reopening, maintained that the DENR will continue its work on Manila Bay despite the criticism that the artificial white sand beach project received. “Sadly there are those who are telling or accusing us of not contributing solutions. Finding fault just wanting to stop [these] beach nourishment activities here at Baywalk for reasons that are critical rather than environmental. We will not allow them to deter or distract us,� he said. “We have nothing to fear as long as we know that we are doing something good,� he added. n

‘This is what we needed this year’: Fil-Am Laker...

PAGE A4 it would be amazing to see him win another title. Just not against the Lakers,� Gomez added with a laugh. “We always talk about Lakers-Celtics and their rivalry, but there’s also now a Lakers-Heat rivalry so going into this series was exciting,� said Gomez, who nearly joined the post-game rally at Staples Center. “I live alone so I’ve been watching all these post-season games alone so after Game 6 I just felt this adrenaline and this need to be with people who were also hyped up after the game,� Gomez said.

Angelenos are famous for partaking in raucous celebrations following the victory of all teams in LA, especially the Lakers. Historically, fans would take to Downtown LA to cause traffic, flip cars, vandalize property — all in the name of LA sports pride.

But not all fans celebrated the Lakers 17th championship title with theatrics.

The rally on Sunday night — which began with chants of “Kobe! Kobe!� to the arrest of 76 rowdy fans — was too out of the bounds of social distancing for

Gomez. “I like to think that Kobe and even the rest of the Lakers team wouldn’t want us breaking social distancing,� he said. “The bubble in Orlando operated for all these months with thousands of people and came out with not one COVID-19 case. I think that’s the standard we should follow.�

For one Filipino American, in particular, the NBA Finals provided a return to comfort and relief. “This is what we needed this year, after losing Kobe and then being thrown into the pandemic and the cancellation of sports,� said Annalynn Rosario, a graphic designer from Lakewood.

In June, Rosario lost her father to COVID-19, a moment that punctuated the continuing dread in the age of the coronavirus. After Game 6, she teared up watching the players’ interviews and watched quietly, thinking about her father the whole time. “He was a real inspiration in my life, and he was really the one who influenced me in terms of being a Laker fan because he was obsessed with them growing up,� Rosario, 35, shared, adding that her father “would’ve been

overjoyed [at the Lakers’ win on Sunday] if he were here.� “He’s been a fan since he came to the U.S. in the early 1980s so he witnessed Magic Johnson and Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] and got to see Kobe’s career from beginning to end. But what was awesome was that he was a fan through and through and supported the team even when they weren’t doing so well,� Rosario said.

Speaking about her father’s affinity for the Lakers brought emotions back for Rosario, who admitted to still having a difficult time coping with the death of her father. But Sunday’s game felt like a moment of closure for her, that the Lakers winning felt like a soft, welcoming cushion of solace after months of uncertain freefall. “I like to think my dad is in Heaven. Maybe he watched the game from above with Kobe and [his daughter] Gigi and they celebrated,� she added. “I wish my dad was here to watch the game with me and to experience all this with me, but as we kind of all felt when Kobe died, people who physically pass away don’t really leave us.� n

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

THE Philippine House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 13, ratified the election of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco as the new speaker, unseating Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano.

In a plenary session inside the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, a total of 186 House members voted to ratify Velasco’s election in a bid to remove doubts over the legality of Monday’s plenary session at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City where the same number of lawmakers elected Velasco for speakership. “This is for our people, for this august body and the institution we call Congress, for the word of honor of our beloved President Duterte, and for God who makes all this happen, we will not let you down!� Velasco vowed as the new House leader.

He also stressed the importance of “word of honor,� apologizing to President Rodrigo Duterte over the “perceived rejection� of the term-sharing agreement that the Chief Executive brokered. “A rejection of the agreement is a rejection of palabra de honor, and likewise a rejection of Mayor-President Rodrigo Duterte himself. If this agreement is hon-

ored in the breach, what future agreement will not be subjected to doubt and disbelief owing to our failure to honor it?� Velasco said. “Let us show our countrymen that loyalty and fidelity to the promises we make are not mere conveniences for us. Let us be good examples of palabra de honor, and demonstrate that our word is our bond,� he added.

Resignation Cayetano tendered his irrevocable resignation as House Speaker following the ratification of Velasco’s election. “From the start I have always said that I will abide by what the president, as leader of our coalition, will say,� he wrote in a Facebook post. “Today, given the untenable political situation that Congress has been placed, and the possible damage to the country if the 2021 budget is not passed on time — I take his admonition to put aside all politics and focus on the budget to heart, and with this, tender my irrevocable resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives effective immediately,� he added.

Cayetano also said he is leaving his post without any regrets. “I have done my best, I have given my all, I leave with no regrets, and I hold no rancor in my heart towards anyone,� he said.

Last week, Duterte directed

Newly installed Speaker Lord Allan Velasco bangs the gavel during the opening of a special session called by the Chief Executive for the passage of the 2021 National Budget at the House of Representatives, Batasan Hills, Quezon City on Tuesday, October 13.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

Cayetano and Velasco to resolve the matter before it affects the timely passage of the proposed P4.5-trillion budget for 2021.

He also called on Congress to conduct a special session on Oct. 13 to 16 to resume the congressional deliberations on the proposed 2021 national budget and to avoid any further delays on its prompt passage.

Cayetano and Velasco are supposed to be in a term-sharing agreement, brokered by Duterte in 2019, where Cayetano will serve as speaker for 15 months before Velasco takes over for the remaining 21 months of their term. n

INFLATABLE TOYS. A vendor of inflated toys crosses the pedestrian lane on Scout Ybardollaza Street, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City on Wednesday, October 14. Many ambulant vendors brave the streets even during a heavy downpour to sell their merchandise.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Karagdagang impormasyon sa Filipino (Tagalog) ay makikita rin sa website ng Lalawigan ng Clark Kagawaran ng Halalan sa: www.clarkcountynv.gov/vote

NOTICE OF EARLY VOTING FOR THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that early voting for the November 3, 2020 General Election will begin on October 17, Saturday, and continues through October 30, Friday. Any voter registered in Clark County is eligible to vote at any early voting location.

The early voting locations, dates, and times are listed below. All voting sites are ADA compliant. For additional information, call the Clark County Election Department at (702) 455-VOTE (8683). The TTY/TDD number is 711. Also check online at www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/vote.

General Election Early Voting Is October 17 (Saturday) to October 30 (Friday), 2020

Any registered voter in Clark County may vote in-person before Election Day at any early voting site. VOTING IS EASY at the 35 convenient early voting sites per day during October 17-30 or on Election Day at any of the over 100 Vote Centers. During early YRWLQJ JR WR ZZZ &ODUN&RXQW\19 JRY 9RWH IRU D OLQN WR DQ LQWHUDFWLYH PRELOH GHYLFH HQDEOHG PDS IRU ÂżQGLQJ WKDW GD\ÂśV QHDUE\ sites and their approximate wait times.

You may also drop-off voted mail ballots in-person at any early voting site during the hours listed in the schedule. Not all locations will be open every day during early voting.

If you decide to vote in-person instead of by mail, you will need to do one of the following: ‡ ,I \RX KDYH \RXU PDLO EDOORW VXUUHQGHU \RXU YRWHG RU XQYRWHG PDLO EDOORW SUHIHUDEO\ LQ WKH SDFNHW VHQW WR \RX WR DQ HOHFWLRQ RI¿FLDO DW WKH YRWLQJ VLWH ‡ ,I \RX GR QRW KDYH \RXU PDLO EDOORW \RX ZLOO VLJQ DQ DI¿UPDWLRQ DW WKH YRWLQJ VLWH VZHDULQJ WKDW \RX KDYH QRW DOUHDG\ YRWHG LQ the current election and that you understand no one may attempt to vote or actually vote more than once in the same election.

LONG-TERM EARLY VOTING SITES

Open Every Day During the 14 Days of Early Voting, Oct. 17-30 LONG-TERM EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS WITH ADDRESSES / CROSS STREETS Hours for All Long-Term Early Voting Sites Are October 17-29 (Saturday-Thursday), 9am-7pm, and October 30 (Last Friday), 9am-8pm

Las Vegas Strip Site at Pebble, EVENT TENT Parking Lot, 8755 S. Las Vegas Blvd. / W. Pebble Rd. Lowe's - Craig / Losee, EVENT TENT Parking Lot, 2570 E. Craig Rd. / Losee Rd.

Arroyo Market Square, EVENT TENT Parking Lot Near the Men’s Wearhouse, CC-215 / S. Rainbow Blvd.

McCarran Marketplace, EVENT TENT Parking Lot near Peter Piper Pizza, S. Eastern Ave. / E. Patrick Ave.

Blue Diamond Crossing, EVENT TENT Parking Lot Between Target and Kohl’s, Blue Diamond Rd. / Arville St.

Meadows Mall, EVENT TENT NEAR DILLARD’S CLEARANCE CENTER Parking Area Yellow 4, 4300 Meadows Ln. / S. Valley View Blvd.

Boulevard Mall, EVENT TENT SOUTH OF APPLEBEE’S Parking Lot South of Applebee’s on Maryland Pkwy., 3528 S. Maryland Pkwy. / E. Desert Inn Rd.

Mountain Crest Community Center, 4701 N. Durango Dr., South of Lone Mountain Rd.

Centennial Center Home Depot, EVENT TENT Home Depot Parking Lot, 7881 W. Tropical Pkwy. / Centennial Center Blvd.

Mountain’s Edge Regional Park, EVENT TENT Parking Lot, 7929 W. Mountain's Edge Pkwy., East of S. Durango Dr.

Cora Coleman Senior Center, 2100 Bonnie Ln. / E. Lake Mead Blvd.

Neighborhood Recreation Center, 1638 N. Bruce St. / North of E. Owens Ave.

Deer Springs Town Center, EVENT TENT Parking Lot Near Home Depot, North 5th St. / E. Deer Springs Way

Nellis Crossing Shopping Center, EVENT TENT Parking Lot Near Target, S. Nellis Blvd. / E. Charleston Blvd.

Desert Breeze Community Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Rd. / S. Cimarron Rd.

Paradise Community Center, 4775 S. McLeod Dr., North of E. Tropicana Ave.

Downtown Summerlin Las Vegas Ballpark, EVENT TENT Aviators South Parking Lot, 1650 S. Pavilion Center Dr.

Parkdale Recreation and Senior Center, 3200 Ferndale St., North of East Desert Inn Rd.

East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave. / Stewart Ave.

Silver Mesa Recreation Center, 4025 Allen Ln. / W. Alexander Rd.

Galleria at Sunset, EVENT TENT NEAR LA-Z-BOY FURNITURE GALLERIES Parking Lot, 1300 W. Sunset Rd., East of N. Stephanie St.

Silver Springs Recreation Center, 1951 E. Silver Springs Pkwy., East of N. Green Valley Pkwy.

Heritage Park Senior Facility, 300 S. Racetrack Rd. / Burkholder Blvd.

Silverado Ranch Plaza, EVENT TENT Parking Lot Near PetsMart, S. Eastern Ave. / E. Silverado Ranch Blvd.

Hollywood Recreation Center, 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd., Between E. Sahara Ave. and E. Charleston Blvd.

Las Vegas Athletic Club - North, EVENT TENT Parking Lot, 6050 N. Decatur Blvd. / W. Tropical Pkwy.

Las Vegas Athletic Club - Northwest, EVENT TENT Parking Lot, 1725 N. Rainbow Blvd., South of Lake Mead Blvd.

Veterans Memorial Leisure Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Dr., North of Alta Dr. Walnut Recreation Center, 3075 N. Walnut Rd., South of E. Cheyenne Ave. West Flamingo Senior Center, 6255 W. Flamingo Rd. / S. Jones Blvd.

Whitney Community / Recreation Center, 5712 Missouri Ave., West of Boulder Hwy.

SHORT-TERM EARLY VOTING SITES

The sites below are open for a Limited number of days, as listed. Locations, dates, and hours vary.

Boulder City, City Hall 401 California Ave. / Arizona St.

Oct. 17-18 (Sat.-Sun.) 8am-6pm Oct. 19-20 (Mon.-Tue.) 7am-6pm

Mountain Shadows Community Center 9107 Del Webb Blvd. / Crown Ridge Dr.

October 20-22 (Tue.-Thu.) 9am-7pm

CSN Henderson Campus Student Union, 700 College Dr. / Heather Dr.

October 28-29 (Wed.-Thu.) 9am-4:30pm

Nevada State College, Rogers Student Center 1300 Nevada State Dr., Henderson

October 26-27 (Mon.-Tue.) 9am-4:30pm

CSN N. Las Vegas Campus Tyrone Thompson Student Union 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. / Campus Dr.

October 19-20 (Mon.-Tue.) 8am-6pm

Searchlight Community Center 200 Michael Wendell Way, Searchlight

October 30 (Fri.) 9am-4pm

CSN West Charleston Campus, Student Union 6375 W. Charleston Blvd. / Community College Dr.

October 28-29 (Wed.-Thu.) 8am-6pm

Sun City Anthem Center 2450 Hampton Rd. / Anthem Pkwy.

October 28-29 (Wed.-Thu.) 9am-7pm October 30 (Fri.) 9am-8pm

Desert Vista Community Center 10360 Sun City Blvd. / Thomas W. Ryan Blvd.

October 26-27 (Mon.-Tue.) 9am-7pm

Sun City MacDonald Ranch Community Center 2020 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy.

East of Green Valley Pkwy.

October 26-27 (Mon.-Tue.) 9am-7pm

Doolittle Senior Center 1930 J St. / W. Lake Mead Blvd.

Oct. 17-23 (Sat.-Fri.) 9am-7pm

Sun City Mesquite 1350 Flat Top Mesa Dr., Mesquite

October 25 (Sun.) 9am-7pm

UNLV Lied Library E. Harmon Ave., East of University Center Dr.

October 21-23 (Wed.-Fri.) 8am-5pm

Dr. William U. Pearson Community Center, Room C 1625 W. Carey Ave., West of Martin Luther King Blvd.

October 24-29 (Sat.-Thu.) 9am-7pm October 30 (Fri.) 9am-8pm

Laughlin Library 2840 S. Needles Hwy., Laughlin

October 23-24 (Fri.-Sat.) 10am-6pm October 25 (Sun.) 11am-5pm

Mesquite Deuce 2 Building 150 N. Yucca St., Mesquite

October 22-24 (Thu.-Sat.) 9am-7pm

Moapa Valley Community Center 320 N. Moapa Valley Blvd., Overton

October 21 (Wed.) 9am-6pm

Dated this 2nd day of October, 2020.

JOSEPH P. GLORIA Registrar of Voters Clark County, Nevada PUB: October 8 and 15, 2020 Asian Journal

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

OCTOBER 15-21, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Plantitos, plantitas

FEATURES

THE coronavirus lockdowns have an upside: they have given people time to stop and smell the roses literally. People cooped up in their homes, involuntarily or by choice to avoid COVID-19 infection, have taken to gardening, according to several reports. The phenomenon has even created new words to describe the budding gardeners: plantitos and plantitas.

While gardening has become an environment-friendly way of destressing amid the pandemic restrictions, however, the renewed interest in plants has led to certain problems.

In Baguio City, for example, officials have appealed to citizens to stop getting plants from parks.

The city and neighboring La Trinidad Valley in Benguet, one of the country’s principal vegetable producing areas, are sources of a wide variety of flowers, potted succulents, cacti and other ornamental plants. The items are sold all over the country, including in Metro Manila, even if many of the species rarely thrive in the lowland heat.

A bigger problem is that some of the new plant enthusiasts are poaching endangered species from their natural habitats, either for personal enjoyment at home or for commercial propagation.

The Department of Environment and Natural Re-

sources sounded the alarm before the weekend about this emerging problem.

Limited resources and personnel have long made the conservation of endangered flora and fauna in this country a challenge. The country is blessed with rich biodiversity. But illegal logging, slash-and-burn farming and unsustainable forestry activities have depleted forests and destroyed the habitats of many species, putting them on vulnerable or endangered lists.

Environmental advocates are hoping that the plantitos and plantitas in the time of COVID, apart from indulging their interest in gardening, will also find time to look at the problems confronting those who are working to preserve this biodiversity. The enthusiasts may also help prevent poaching of flora from parks, where the plants are meant for the enjoyment of the general public. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS HEALTH CARE, more than ever, especially in the age of the coronavirus pandemic, remains to be the among the top concerns of the American people as we head to the polls to vote.

In Part 1, I wrote about President Donald Trump’s “America First Health Care Plan,” which just laid out the three pillars of his “vision” without details on how he plans to overhaul the Affordable Care Act — a campaign promise he has yet to deliver.

Here is a summary of former Vice President Joe Biden’s detailed health care plan. Compare and contrast this with Trump’s plan and make a decision on whom to trust for your family’s health care and safety.

The Biden plan to protect and build on the Affordable Care Act

Commentary

Philstar.com photo

DECISIONS 2020: Comparing Trump, Biden health care plans (Part 2) Give every American access to affordable health insurance.

As president, Biden will stop this reversal of the progress made by Obamacare. And he won’t stop there. He’ll also build on the Affordable Care Act with a plan to insure more than an estimated 97% of Americans. Here’s how: • Giving Americans a new choice, a public health insurance option like Medicare. If your insurance company isn’t doing right by you, you should have another, better choice. Whether you’re covered through your employer, buying your insurance on your own, or going without coverage altogether, the Biden Plan will give you the choice to purchase a public health insurance option like Medicare.

• As in Medicare, the Biden public option will reduce costs for patients by negotiating lower prices from hospitals and other health care providers. It also will better coordinate among all of a patient’s doctors to improve the

efficacy and quality of their care, and cover primary care without any co-payments. And it will bring relief to small businesses struggling to afford coverage for their employees.

• Increasing the value of tax credits to lower premiums and extend coverage to more working Americans. Today, families that make between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may receive a tax credit to reduce how much they have to pay for health insurance on the individual marketplace. The dollar amount of the financial assistance is calculated to ensure each family does not have to pay more than a certain percentage of their income on a silver (medium generosity) plan.

Expanding coverage to lowincome Americans. Access to affordable health insurance shouldn’t depend on your state’s politics. But today, state politics is getting in the way of coverage for millions of low-income Ameri-

Nevada’s AAPI community can make a difference this November

cans. Governors and state legislatures in 14 states have refused to take up the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid eligibility, denying access to Medicaid for an estimated 4.9 million adults.

Biden’s plan will ensure these individuals get covered by offering premium-free access to the public option for those 4.9 million individuals who would be eligible for Medicaid but for their state’s inaction, and making sure their public option covers the full scope of Medicaid benefits. States that have already expanded Medicaid will have the choice of moving the expansion population to the premium-free public option as long as the states continue to pay their current share of the cost of covering those individuals.

Provide the peace of mind of affordable, quality health care and a less complex health care system. The Biden plan will not only provide coverage for uninsured Americans, it will also make health care more afford-

able and less complex for all.

The plan’s elements described above will help reduce the cost of health insurance and health care for those already insured in the following ways: • All Americans will have a new, more affordable option. The public option, like Medicare, will negotiate prices with providers, providing a more affordable option for many Americans who today find their health insurance too expensive.

• Middle class families will get a premium tax credit to help them pay for coverage. For example, take a family of four with an income of $110,000 per year.

If they currently get insurance on the individual marketplace, because their premium will now be capped at 8.5% of their income, under the Biden Plan they will save an estimated $750 per month on insurance alone. That’s cutting their premiums almost in half. If a family is covered by their employer but can get a bet-

Commentary

We are responsible for change

NEVADA FIRST LADY KATHY SISOLAK

DR. NOEL FAJARDO

I AM humbled to serve as Nevada’s First Lady, and I do so embracing my Chinese heritage.

I am a native Nevadan, but I am also a proud daughter of immigrants. My mother worked as a data processor for Clark County, and my father was the first Chinese card dealer on Fremont Street.

Like so many first-generation immigrants, being the first to do anything meant they frequently dealt with discrimination. Despite these struggles, my parents persisted, worked hard and raised us to treat others the way we wanted to be treated.

The principles of hard work, getting a good education, and serving the greater good isn’t unique to me and my family.

These are values that so many other families in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community share.

So when we have a president who actively demonizes us and exhibits the same displays of racism that my parents experienced years ago, it proves we have so much more work to do.

Joe Biden not only shares our values, but he is ready from day one to lead with them.

Joe will invest in our education system and help families who need the most help by tripling funding for schools serving low-income communities and make public colleges and universities tuition-free for all families with incomes below $125,000 a year.

With nearly two million Asian American-owned businesses across the country, Joe will invest in small businesses to not

For many in Asian American communities, when we look at our systems of government we see too much gridlock and partisanship. We see elected leaders and campaigns who take our votes and communities for granted, often assuming, rather than asking, our point of view on important matters. Pair that with a constant bombardment of information, breaking news, and the struggle of daily life, and one can see it is easy for us to feel apathetic. For many of us, this is more than enough reason to sit back and stay silent, especially during elections. But, we know the times are changing, views are shifting, and Asian Americans, like myself, could make a big difference in elections nationwide.

For me, the past four years have shown that our votes matter. Those we have chosen to elect have immense power over our communities’ progress. The decisions we make as a community, or the ones we don’t participate in, can affect – and have directly affected – our families, our businesses, and our communities for generations to come. As a doctor, I

only assist in enduring our current economic crisis, but help us emerge even stronger.

Finally, Joe will stand with us.

With President Trump fanning the flames for hate crimes against Asian Americans, Joe will set the tone from the nation’s highest office and prioritize prosecuting hate crimes, making it clear that hatred has no place in this country.

At the end of the day, the Asian American community needs a leader who stands for our shared values, and that leader is Joe Biden.

This election is going to be close. We know that the power of the Asian American vote grows in each passing election. This year, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will make up roughly 11% of Nevada’s voting population, the largest share of any battleground state.

Our votes will make a real difference in this election.

Early Vote in Nevada begins on October 17th and runs

until October 30th. You can show up to vote at any polling location in your county and drop your mail ballot or vote in person.

Bring your mail ballot and walk right in! If you aren’t registered to vote yet, there’s also same-day registration.

To check your registration or find your nearest Early Vote polling location, go to iwillvote.com/ NV. Just type in your address – it’s that easy!

How you vote is your choice.

No matter how you vote this year, do it early. Once you know how you are going to vote, make sure your friends and family have a plan, too.

To learn more, you can go to NevadaVotesEarly.com or call 888-525-VOTE (8683) to speak with someone in English, Spanish or Tagalog.

The Asian American community simply can’t afford another four years of bigotry, hatred and division. It’s time to end this period of darkness, and make a plan to vote for Joe Biden today. ■

have seen how the decisions made by the people we elect can help or hurt the patients I serve. Whether that be ensuring they have access to affordable healthcare or public transit to get to and from my office; all of these issues and more are on the ballot. Our community needs to have our voices heard. By voting, we can hold those in power accountable and make sure they look out for us.

We know Asian American communities are strong, especially in times of crisis. In response to this pandemic, I have seen my patients coming together, donating food and resources to those who lost their jobs or worse – their loved ones – to COVID-19. I have seen many in our city rallying together to support our restaurants. I have felt the strength and compassion of our community. As someone who lost my parents at a young age, the people of Las Vegas supported my practice and helped me find a sense of purpose. It gave me a reason to go to work every day and supported me. Now, I am trying to do my best to support all of us. In the face of this pandemic, it is up to us to sustain and protect the spirit of our community, and that includes voting.

Voting is one of the main ways our elected officials hear us and our concerns. If we go unheard,

ter deal with the 8.5% premium cap, they can switch to a plan on the individual marketplace, too.

• Premium tax credits will be calculated to help more families afford better coverage with lower deductibles. Because the premium tax credits will now be calculated based on the price of a more generous gold plan, families will be able to purchase a plan with a lower deductible and lower outof-pocket spending. That means many families will see their overall annual health care spending go down.

Stop “surprise billing.” Consumers trying to lower their health care spending often try to choose an in-network provider.

But sometimes patients are unaware they are receiving care from an out-of-network provider and a big, surprise bill. “Surprise medical billing” could occur, for example, if you go to an in-network hospital but don’t realize a specialist at that hospital is

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then it will be impossible for us to get the resources and policies we want and need for our communities to thrive. Until we voice our opinions through our vote, the interests of Asian Americans will be at the whim of leaders we did not elect. Our people are facing many challenges brought about by the mishandling of this pandemic and our economy. Come November, our votes can help elect leaders that will begin to get these people back on their feet.

We can elect leaders who won’t ostracize our people, but will embrace them. Come November, we all need to vote for those who will fight for us and meet this urgent national moment. The time for our diverse communities to come together once more is now. We need to hold each other accountable by ensuring that we are registered and have a plan to vote for that leadership.

As immigrants and descendants of immigrants, we know that change may not come tomorrow, or next week. But, by voting, we can all begin to move forward.

We need a president we can trust to be honest with us, especially about the challenges we face.

When COVID-19 broke out, there was skepticism and widespread disinformation and conspiracies surrounding the disease. That disinformation, continues to affect lives and cause real harm. I have seen it in the medical field firsthand: words matter, and actions matter even more. When our leaders cannot be a role model for our country, people get put in harm’s way. We need to hold them accountable. It’s up to us to protect our communities, and that begins with voting.

*** Dr. Noel R. Fajardo is a gastroenterologist in Las Vegas, an immigrant, a graduate of the University of The Philippines Manila College of Medicine, and a community organizer.

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

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 15-21, 2020

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OctOber 15-21, 2020 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines MASTERPIECE. Ivan Dale Pantig, 18, a Grade 12 Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) student of Nazareth School of National University in Manila, shows his landscapes oil and acrylic painting at their home in Barangay Sauyo, Quezon City on Thursday, October 15. Pantig said due to the community quarantine caused by the coronavirus, he spent his time discovering his skills in painting.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Study: Over half of young women in PH experience online harassment

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

SEVEN in 10 girls and young women living in the Philippines have experienced online harassment on social media, according to a recent study by girls’ rights organization Plan International (PI).

Released on Sunday, October 11, in celebration of the International Day of the Girl, the research, entitled “Free to be online? Girls’ and young women’s experiences of online harassment,” was based on a survey and in-depth interviews of over 14,000 girls aged 15-24 in 31 countries including the Philippines.

The study found that the majority of the girls in the country experience harassment frequently (50%) or very frequently (33%).

Eight out of 10 (67%), meanwhile, revealed that they were harassed by people they know.

“The high incidence of online violence against girls and young women is alarming. In this global

pandemic and in an increasingly digital world, girls are more at risk than ever,” said Mona Mariano, PI Gender Specialist.

“We must understand that it may also impact girls’ lives offline. Experiencing harassment or abuse online may take a huge toll on a girl’s confidence and well-being,” she added.

The study also found that girls and young women who identified themselves as having at least one intersecting characteristic (being from an ethnic minority, identifying as LGBTIQ+ or living with a disability) are more vulnerable to online violence.

Most of the respondents said being online has become increasingly important during the pandemic as it acts as a lifeline for those often isolated at home, as well as a tool in keeping up with studies, but online violence and harassment has limited their freedom of expression.

“Online violence is disempowering girls. They’re being shut out of a space that plays an

important part in fulfilling their potential to thrive and become leaders,” Mariano said.

In response, PI launched its #FreeToBeOnline global campaign which seeks to end online violence and uphold the digital rights and freedom of girls and young women.

PI’s campaign highlighted the important roles of governments, private sector especially technology and social media companies, civil society, and communities in recognizing the harm caused by online violence against girls and young women, promoting digital citizenship education, reporting abuse, crafting and implementing inclusive policies and laws, and amplifying girls’ voices.

“Everyone has a role to play in ending gender-based violence online. The government, social media companies, our families, and communities — and young people themselves — have enormous power and potential to stop this,” Mariano noted. n

Duterte wants all Filipinos vaccinated against COVID-19 PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he wants all Filipinos to be vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In his public address on Wednesday, October 14, Duterte bared that the government now has the money to procure the vaccines but would need more to able to cover all 113 million

Filipinos in the immunization program.

Duterte said all Filipinos should receive vaccine “without exception.” Among priority are the poor and members of security forces, according to Duterte.

Duterte repeated that he prefers vaccines to come from either

China or Russia. Both have submitted applications to conduct clinical trials for their inoculations in the Philippines.

The Philippines recorded 1,910 new Covid-19 infections as of Wednesday, bringing the total in the country to 346,536 cases, the highest in Southeast Asia.

(ManilaTimes.net)

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DECISIONS 2020: Comparing Trump, Biden...

PAGE A6 not part of your health plan. The Biden Plan will bar health care providers from charging patients out-of-network rates when the patient doesn’t have control over which provider the patient sees (for example, during a hospitalization).

Tackle market concentration across our health care system. The concentration of market power in the hands of a few corporations is occurring throughout our health care system, and this lack of competition is driving up prices for consumers.

The Biden Administration will aggressively use its existing antitrust authority to address this problem.

Lower costs and improve health outcomes by partnering with the health care workforce. The Biden Administration will partner with health care workers and accelerate the testing and deployment of innovative solutions that improve quality of care and increase wages for low-wage health care workers, like home care workers.

Stand up to abuse of power by prescription drug corporations. The Biden Plan will put a stop to runaway drug prices and the profiteering of the drug industry by: • Repealing the outrageous exception allowing drug corporations to avoid negotiating with Medicare over drug prices. Because Medicare covers so many Americans, it has significant leverage to negotiate lower prices for its beneficiaries. And it does so for hospitals and other providers participating in the program, but not drug manufacturers.

• Repeal the existing law explicitly barring Medicare from negotiating lower prices with drug corporations.

• Limiting launch prices for drugs that face no competition and are being abusively priced by manufacturers.

• For these cases where new specialty drugs without competition are being launched, under the Biden Plan, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will establish an independent review board to assess their value.

As a condition of participation in the Medicare program and public option, all brand, biotech, and abusively priced generic drugs will be prohibited from increasing their prices more than the general inflation rate. The Biden plan will also impose a tax penalty on drug manufacturers that increase the

costs of their brand, biotech, or abusively priced generic over the general inflation rate.

To create more competition for U.S. drug corporations, the Biden Plan will allow consumers to import prescription drugs from other countries, as long as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has certified that those drugs are safe.

Improving the supply of quality generics. The Biden Plan supports numerous proposals to accelerate the development of safe generics, such as Senator Patrick Leahy’s proposal to make sure generic manufacturers have access to a sample.

Ensure health care is a right for all, not a privilege for just a few Expanding access to contraception and protect the constitutional right to an abortion. The Affordable Care Act made historic progress by ensuring access to free preventive care, including contraception. The Biden Plan will build on that progress.

Reverse the Trump Administration and states’ all-out assault on women’s right to choose. As president, Biden will work to codify Roe v. Wade, and his Justice Department will do everything in its power to stop the rash of state laws that so blatantly violate the constitutional right to an abortion.

As president, Biden will reissue guidance specifying that states cannot refuse Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood and other providers that refer for abortions or provide related information and reverse the Trump Administration’s rule preventing Planned Parenthood and certain other family planning programs from obtaining Title X funds.

Just as the Obama-Biden Administration did, President Biden will rescind the Mexico City Policy (also referred to as the global gag rule) that President Trump reinstated and expanded. This rule currently bars the U.S. federal government from supporting important global health efforts – including for malaria and HIV/AIDS – in developing countries simply because the organizations providing that aid also offer information on abortion services.

Defending health care protections for all, regardless of gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Before the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies could increase premiums merely due to someone’s gender, sexual

orientation, or gender identity.

Further, insurance companies could increase premiums or deny coverage altogether due to someone’s HIV status.

Doubling America’s investment in community health centers. Community health centers provide primary, prenatal, and other important care to underserved populations. The Biden Plan will double the federal investment in these centers, expanding access to high quality health care for the populations that need it most.

Achieving mental health parity and expanding access to mental health care. In the months ahead, Biden will put forward additional plans to tackle health challenges affecting specific communities, including access to health care in rural communities, gun violence, and opioid addiction.

Supporting health, not rewarding wealth Biden believes in rewarding work, not just wealth – and investing in hard-working Americans’ health, not protecting the most privileged Americans’ wealth.

Warren Buffett said it best when he stated that he should not pay a lower tax rate than his secretary.

The Biden Plan will make health care a right by getting rid of capital gains tax loopholes for the super wealthy. Today, the very wealthy pay a tax rate of just 20% on long-term capital gains.

According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, the capital gains and dividends exclusion is the second largest tax expenditure in the entire tax code: $127 billion in fiscal year 2019 alone.

As president, Biden will roll back the Trump rate cut for the very wealthy and restore the 39.6% top rate he helped restore when he negotiated an end to the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy in 2012. Biden’s capital gains reform will close the loopholes that allow the super wealthy to avoid taxes on capital gains altogether. The Biden plan will assure those making over $1 million will pay the top rate on capital gains, doubling the capital gains tax rate on the super wealthy. *** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community.

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

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 15-21, 2020

VEGAS&STYLE Journal

New Fil-Am-led startup plans to harness the power of data and AI for the emerging middle class in the Philippines by

MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

EARL Valencia has been working on startups for as long as he can remember and he has made it his passion to help accelerate the development of the startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

Over the past decade, he was able to build three startup accelerators focusing on the Philippines - IdeaSpace for emerging market needs (70+ startups), QBO, the national innovation center of the Philippines (300 startups) and Cognity Labs, AI accelerator (3 startups).

These initiatives were instrumental in the country as it paved the way to have the Philippines’ startup and innovation law that was passed in Congress.

Because of this string of achievements and in recognition of the programs that helped the Philippines’ startup ecosystem, Valencia was honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the country in 2016.

This year, Valencia is spearheading yet another project, this time focusing on finance technology and digital financial services.

Earl and Kevin Gabayan, his partner in this venture were friends in Stanford, Kevin was in the PhD program for Machine Learning and Earl was taking his MBA at the Graduate School of Business.

They were both members of Filipino Graduate School Club, and were even co-presidents of that club at that time. Gabayan was previously a computer vision researcher at NASA Ames, and led data science at Bump Technologies when it was acquired by Google.

Valencia on the other hand was an aerospace engineer by training before going to business school. He founded a startup incubator while he was VP of the largest telecom in the Philippines, held executive

Valencia co-founded Plentina with his friend from Stanford, Kevin Gabayan, a fellow a Fil-Am. Gabayan was in the Machine Learning PhD program while Valencia was pursuing his MBA. Gabayan left Google in their headquarters to start the company.

Plentina is an alternative credit score and microlending for emerging markets. They use AI/ Machine learning to build a credit model in markets like the Philippines where the equivalent of a FICO score is not abundant.

roles at Bridgewater and Charles Schwab, and was a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.

The duo started in late 2019 with the concept of Plentina, which they hope would create better financial opportunities to the emerging markets in the

Philippines.

They had a test launch recently with 7-11, one of their partners in the Philippines. They are also looking to scale their operations and build more financial products for the digital generation of the country.

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New Fil-Am-led startup plans to harness...

‘Guadalupe’ to be streamed Oct 30-31 AFTER a long wait due to the COVID19 pandemic, “Guadalupe: The Musical” returns as a streamable video, taped live at the Meralco Theater in 2018, brought to the comfort of your living rooms and favorite devices starting at 9 a.m. October 30 for the premier showing until 11:30 AM on October 31, 2020 (Philippine standard time).

The success of the musical has encouraged the producers to bring the story of the Our Lady of Guadalupe and Mexico via the Ticket2Me.net video streaming platform. Through technology, the Julie Borromeo Performing Arts Foundation Inc. and the producers of the online edition of this musical viewing hope to reach all the art aficionados and devotees alike in the Philippines and all over the world.

This original Filipino musical is directed by theater legend Baby Barredo and was created by award-winning artists Joel Trinidad and Ejay Yatco. “Guadalupe: The Musical” is once again led by the inimitable Victor “Cocoy” Laurel (“Miss Saigon”), who reprises his role as Juan Diego, the Aztec mat-weaver at the center of the tale. Joining him once again are award-winning performers Shiela Valderrama-Martinez (“Binondo”), Lorenz Martinez (“Spamalot”), and a host of other theater stalwarts.

“Guadalupe: The Musical,” set in 1531 New Spain, shows the quest of Juan Diego: a man claiming to have seen a vision of a half-Aztec, half-Spanish Virgin Mary who has given him the impossible task of building a church in her name. He relays this to Archbishop Juan de Zumarraga (who has lost his faith due to the countless atrocities he has seen but nevertheless sees the symbol as a way to unite the land) and his sickly old uncle Juan Bernardino (who thinks his nephew

has gone insane). A ruthless governor Nuño Beltran De Guzman opposes the Archbishop’s idea and throws Juan Diego out, threatening to imprison him if he ever shows his face again.

Meanwhile, the Archbishop’s young niece Clara and his Aztec assistant Luis have fallen in love.

Because of the current political climate, they are forced to keep their love secret; little do they know that, all this time, someone has been silently watching them from the shadows.

One night in early December, a comet sets the sky ablaze. To the people of New Spain, it is an omen. For Zumarraga, it is a symbol of hope for his dying faith; for Guzman it is the spark of a revolution that must be extinguished; for Clara and Luis, it is passion, burning bright; for Juan Diego, it is no less than a sign from the Virgin herself.

Soon afterwards, miracles begin to occur: A dying man returns from the brink of death.

Flowers flourish where they cannot bloom. Unexplained images appear on a simple piece of cloth. And a doubter finds his faith once again.

What is significant in this online event is that proceeds from the sale of the e-tickets from

Ticket2Me.net and sponsorships involved will benefit the following organizations: Joshua Evangelical Group Inc., Philippine Independence Day Council Inc., San Antonio De Padua Parish, St. Josemaria Escriva Mission Church, Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish, Nativity of Our Lady Parish, Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary of Sorsogon City, Southeastern Virginia Filipino American Lions Club, Montero Medical Mission, Regnum Christi Young Women’s Section, UP High Prep Elem Integrated School Foundation, Sigma Delta Phi Alumni Assocation, JCI Makati Senate, One Global Management Company Inc., SFO Cursillo Movement, UPIS Alumni Foundation, Punlaan School and Julie Borromeo’s Performing Arts Foundation Inc. E-tickets are still on sale at Ticket2Me.net or at the links at “Guadalupe The Musical Online” FB page, or contact via email at guadalupethemusicallive@ gmail.com, or call the following numbers: 650-550-9851, +63 2 8634 5063, +639 939 910 2629, +63 918 921 8182. A 10% surcharge will be applied by Ticket2Me.net on all tickets prices as payment for its services.

(Advertising Supplement)

PAGE B1 Valencia shared that the name Plentina is from the song “Table of Plenty” that Kevin heard in Church. The song says that everyone can benefit because there food is plentiful to share.

“We attached ‘na’ because that gave it a unique spin, but ‘na’ is also a uniquely Filipino expression, so you can say, it’s like ‘plenty na,’” he quipped.

He hopes that through the power of technology, more and more people in the Philippines will be able to establish a good line of credit and gain access to better financial tools and services.

“We believe that everyone deserves access to credit and the right customer experience for financial services, and with our technology, we hope that we can build an alternative credit score for millions of Filipinos, especially the emerging middle class,” Valencia explained. “We hope that we create more opportunities for Filipinos and people in emerging markets because we help build a new digital first financial services experience for them.”

Accelerator program Valencia has gone full circle.

When he built Idea Space years ago, he took inspiration from the leading accelerator programs, and one such program is Techstars, a global platform for investment and innovation.

Plentina made it to the 2020 Class of the Techstars and Western Union Accelerator, something that made the founders beyond inspired and excited, specially since it is the first Filipino-led startup to participate in the program.

You see, when applying to these top startup accelerators, all one can do is to pray and hope but not expect to get in. That’s exactly what they did.

“I believe Techstars only takes 1-2% of all applicants, so when we got the call that we are in, Kevin and I did a ‘virtual high five,’” Valencia shared. “The biggest thing really is that we are so excited to be around a group of people, the 10 other startup companies and the team that believe in our vision of financial access and inclusion.”

The companies in the 2020 class are led by diverse founders from around the world including the Philippines, Egypt, Gambia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Is-

rael, Nigeria, Singapore, Spain, South Africa and the United States.

It is already a given that building a startup is extremely difficult and one needs all the help and support possible.

Valencia and Gabayan believe that Techstars will help provide them part of their initial funding ($120k), the network and the mentorship in order to give them a shot to succeed.

The Plentina co-founders have both committed to their investors that after Covid is done, at least one of them will be in the Philippines at least three weeks per month.

They have also hired a country manager, Alex Capulong, who came from the fintech industry in the Philippines to help build out their Philippine operations.

“I think with Covid, we have proven that we can execute virtually and build a business even if our families are based in the Bay Area, NYC/Connecticut and Manila,” he said.

Based on his experience in startups and innovations, Valencia named the must-haves that these new companies should possess in order to thrive and prosper.

“One thing I learned in Techstars that their criteria after we got in are: ‘team, team, team, market, traction, idea.’ I thought it was a typo, but it wasn’t. I think it is important for the founding team to be aligned in the mission of the company and what positive impact you want to see if you become successful,” he shared.

For example, both Kevin and Earl are passionate to democratize financial services in emerging markets, especially the Philippines.

Another area is a balance in the skill set.

“Kevin is one of the smartest Filipino engineers I know, coming from Google’s Android and emerging market credit team. I balance the team with my background in partnerships and investing that I learned when I was VP at Smart Communications and in financial firms Bridgewater and Charles Schwab,” he explained.

The last one is to create something the people want.

“It may seem simple, but if you begin on how you can change the customer experience

because of a new technology, a lot of amazing innovations can happen,” he said.

Emerging market The Philippines has always been called an emerging market and it is something that startups need to take advantage of, in terms of both helping it grow and the business climate it offers.

Valencia said that most investors don’t know that the Philippines is the 13th largest country in the world by population but the amazing thing is that it is one of the youngest populations at age 24 and one of the most digital/mobile savvy.

“I think that you can see the next 10 years of the Philippines to approach the economic sweet spot, where there will be the rise of the middle class,” he shared. “Also, the Philippines is an English speaking country with amazing talent, we feel that we can build a great team from the Philippines even if we start expanding our company beyond the Philippines.”

The startups in (and for) the Philippines have been growing at a steady rate.

There have been many innovations in the Philippines with great funding stories in the social space, including fintech, edtech and others over the past few years, he said, citing coins. ph selling to Go-Jek a few years ago.

“I think that if compared with our neighbors like Indonesia or Singapore, we maybe 3-4 years behind, but I believe that the next 3-5 years [post-Covid of course] will be the golden age for Filipino startups, that we will be set-up to build the next ‘unicorn’ or billion dollar business because of the startup environment,” Valencia said.

He is likewise hopeful that with partnerships between large conglomerates and the government, the passing of the Startup Law and support for incubators like QBO and the DOST Technology Business Incubator (TBIs) in universities, they will be able to find these new companies that will be the next big companies of the country.

As he moves forward to a new chapter in his professional career, Valencia is all set to pack up his suit as a corporate innovator/investor and put on his hoodie as a VC-backed startup founder.

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 15-21, 2020

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Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the stress in people’s lives. One of the collateral sideeffects is aggravation of existing psychologic and/or somatic conditions among individuals. This is exemplified by stress intensifying gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which causes reflux heartburns.

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, regurgitate (goes back up) to the lower end of the esophagus (food pipe) which is connected to the stomach. In most cases, 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 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

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, and even cancer.

Is this condition common?

Yes, very common. 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 GER. Is Hiatal Hernia present in reflux esophagitis?

The food pipe, which is in the chest, goes down through a hole in the diaphram (the tent-like flat muscle that separates the abdomen 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% of those with reflux esophagitis. The majority do not have accompanying Hiatus Hernia.

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Acid reflux heartburns 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 modern 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 monometry (pressure measurement), pH (acidity) monitoring, Bernstein acid test, and upper 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, electro-cautery could be done to stop bleeding, and tiny biopsies could be performed, to see the tissue reaction 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 alcohol, 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 regular Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) pills (like esomeprazole, etc.) under the close supervision of your physician.

If this treatment fails, then what?

If the initial therapy fails after 4 to 6 weeks, then endoscopy should be performed by your Gastroenterologist. More intensive treatment with PPI or H2 blocker to reduce acidity, use of bathanecol to raise the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure to reduce reflux, or metoclopramide or cisapride to speed up gastric emptying into

the small intestines. About 80 percent responds well to this therapy.

However, this medication must be taken consistently under the care of your physician because recurrence is frequent with cessation of therapy.

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 PPI or H2Blocker pills are ineffective, or when the esophageal stricture does not stay open after dilatation, then surgery is recommended.

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 content to the esophagus. If a bleeding esophageal ulcer and a stricture are present, then the surgeon will also address these accordingly.

How successful are these antireflux operations?

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

COVID-19 update Worldwide, there are almost 38.3 million cases of COVID-19 and about 1.1 million deaths, 3352 new deaths in one day; Philippines, about 345,000, with 6,400 deaths; USA, almost 8.1 million, with about 221,000 deaths; India, 7,2 plus, almost 111,000 deaths; Brazil, 5.12 plus million cases, and 151,000 deaths. COVID-19 kills young and old alike, and using facemask properly and social distancing could significantly minimize the risk. Vigilance and a little healthy paranoia can spell the difference between getting infected or not. Be smart. Be safe.

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 anti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

Massage for a cause TO show their appreciation to local healthcare workers who risked their health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, local Massage Envy franchise owners teamed up with their members to raise more than $140,000 worth of free wellness services for frontline nurses.

Massage Envy owner Marissa Hawkins, who opened Las Vegas’ first Massage Envy franchise along with the four other owner groups will present the more than 1200 massages raised to the Philippine Nurses Association, in a check presentation at their Las Vegas Massage Envy location next Friday.

From July 1 through Aug. 31, the 12 Massage Envy locations partnered with the Philippine Nurses Association in an effort to support the nurses who risked their health for the community.

All locations offered their mem-

bers and guests the opportunity In total, 1,227 massages to use these services when the were donated, valued at over stores reopened or challenged $140,000. them to donate them to the frontFor more information, visit line nurses. the Massage Envy website.

SilverSummit Healthplan supports Hope Springs Bridge Housing to help homeless population regain stability LAS VEGAS – SilverSummit Healthplan announced that it is donating $100,000 to support Northern Nevada HOPES’ Hope Springs project which, when complete, will work to provide homeless individuals in the Northern Nevada area with dedicated bridge housing and services such as medical and behavioral healthcare, housing placement, and case management.

“We are pleased to support Northern Nevada HOPES’ Hope Springs bridge housing,” said Eric Schmacker, SilverSummit Healthplan President and CEO. “While SilverSummit serves many homeless Nevadans, our commitment to the commu-

nity reaches beyond our member base. This support will help some of the most at-risk populations in our state regain stability, and make positive long-term changes for their wellness.”

Since 1997, Northern Nevada HOPES has been working to serve Northern Nevada’s vulnerable and underserved communities by making access to comprehensive medical, behavioral, and wellness support services possible under one roof. When completed in 2021, Hope Springs will support 30 individual sleeping units, and a 3,200 square foot shared facility with restrooms, showers, laundry, a kitchen, and community space.

“This donation from Silver-

Summit Health Plan will make a substantial difference in the lives of Nevada’s homeless population,” said Sharon Chamberlin, Northern Nevada Hopes’ CEO. “Without dedicated partners, like SilverSummit, Hope Springs could not exist.”

“In Nevada we’ve experienced a doubling in the homelessness population since 2009 and 1 out of 7 Northern Nevadans live below the poverty line,” said Dr. Jeff Murawsky, Chief Medical Director for SilverSummit Healthplan.

“Places like Hope Springs give chronically homeless individuals a place to be connected with the care and services that they need to get back on the path to a permanent home.”

SOCIAL Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 1.3% in 2021, the Social Security Administration announced today.

The 1.3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2021. Increased payments to more than 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2020. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits). The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of

Labor Statistics.

Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $142,800 from $137,700.

Social Security and SSI beneficiaries are normally notified by mail starting in early December about their new benefit amount.

Most people who receive Social Security payments will be able to view their COLA notice online through their personal my Social Security account. People may create or access their my Social

Security account online at www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Information about Medicare changes for 2021, when announced, will be available at www. medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries receiving Medicare, Social Security will not be able to compute their new benefit amount until after the Medicare premium amounts for 2021 are announced.

Final 2021 benefit amounts will be communicated to beneficiaries in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.

The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. To read more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.

Open enrollment starting November for Social Security announces 1.3% benefit increase for 2021 health insurance assistance and enrollment LAS VEGAS - The Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) Health Navigator Program and Nevada Health Link are having an open enrollment from November 1 through January 15, 2021 for the 2021 Health Insurance Plan coverage. ACDC has state-licensed health navigators and their service is FREE to consumers seeking information about health insurance and enrollment assistance. Please see below for the checklist of requirements.

Open enrollment checklist: - NV Driver’s License/ID - Permanent Resident/Alien Registration Card (if applicable) - Certificate of naturalization (if appli-

EMPLOYMENT

cable) - Social Security Cards and dates of birth for all tax household members - Proof of NV residence (i.e, phone or power bill) - Estimate of household income - Two (2) most recent pay stubs - Recent tax return - Current health Insurance (personal or employee, If applicable) We are here to help you! Please reach out for any assistance: Joy Avendano at 702-738-0800, email: joy@acdcnv.org or Rose Ann Apellido at 702-782-4482, email: roseann@acdcnv.org for Tagalog

SERVICES

SERVICES

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EntErtainmEnt

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 15-21, 2020

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Gary V. still has high hopes for tomorrow My interview with the one and only Bayani

By Boy

ABundA Philstar.com

by nikA

Roque ManilaTimes.net

IN the past seven months, it seems more difficult to stay motivated as industries struggle, particularly the events and entertainment fields.

OPM icon Gary Valenciano can attest to this as he is among the many artists whose work the Covid-19 pandemic has upended.

Both his local and international shows were postponed indefinitely, and his job has taken a confusing turn following the shutdown of his home network ABS-CBN. Despite these issues, he believes that they will all bounce back.

Valenciano spoke about his experiences and thoughts during the lockdown in a webinar organized by the SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation or SMHCC. Entitled “Playlist of Hope,” the webinar also had SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy Angeles and sustainability and culture advocate, and founder of Great Women and Echostore, Jeanie Javelosa.

“This whole pandemic hit me in a different way. I wake up at night and [think of] what’s going to happen tomorrow. But it’s also wakened me to realize that fear is always going to be knocking at our doors.”

In several industries’ effort to continue working and generate income, most have moved to online, something that Valenciano is grateful for as it brings his creativity to a different level.

He learned how to set up cameras and other equipment at home, whereas rare trips to the studios involve enhanced safety protocols.

He also learned new techniques on how to mix and arrange music at home for online concerts.

He saw how more artists and employees have become more open-minded with adjusted talent fees as well, and he has worked

Dubbed Mr. Pure Energy, this pandemic proved to be an anxious time for Gary Valenciano.

Photo from Instagram_@garyvalenciano

to raise funds for struggling musicians, such as those who can no longer perform at hotels, weddings, or parties. Together with his wife, he held meetings with different people who are in need of income even from online events, and they do what they can to help out.

Seeing good outcomes of today’s world, Valenciano said, “We are just thankful that history will prove that if there’s one thing that when catastrophes would hit, people would always look for entertainment no matter what. And music is thankfully one that can be really streamed online. In that aspect, that’s okay.”

Valenciano shared that he feels optimistic with new plans in the entertainment industry that are meant for the last few months of this year — be it for online or actual live events.

“Looking ahead, the music industry is slowly making its way [into the future.] This is all we have now, we have our creative juices flowing. People have become more self-sufficient, self-reliant. Let’s roll up our sleeves and let’s see what we can do. Production has tran-

Twice voted Most Beautiful Woman in the Philippines (2018 and 2020), Kisses Delavin says, ‘To me, a beautiful person is someone who reaches out and finds beauty in other people.’

Photo from Instagram/@kissesdelavin

Kisses on being beautiful

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

AS soon as the ECQ (Extended Community Quarantine) in Metro Manila was eased several weeks ago, Kisses Delavin and her parents, Carrie and Gilbert Delavin, drove home to their native Masbate and stayed there since then.

Although she has topped the recent 2020 Starmometer online poll on “The most beautiful woman in the Philippines,” for the second time (the first was in 2018; Angel Locsin was No. 1 seven times), Kisses isn’t just sitting pretty nor being simply a sleeping beauty while off from work as contract artist of All Access to Artists, Inc. (Triple A) management and APT Entertainment. When a powerful earthquake last August hit Cataingan, a town several kilometers from Masbate City, Kisses went there not just to sympathize with the residents but to distribute ayuda. In their own way, the Delavins have been contributing relief goods among the needy in the city. You call it (as beauty contests are wont to do) “beauty with a purpose.”

“I didn’t expect to receive such an honor again,” Kisses said about the “most beautiful poll” that has been conducted for 15 years now. “and I thank my Kissables (her fans) for their continued support.

I feel kilig. This award feels like when it’s so early in the morning and you just showered and have no makeup on yet and you’re told by someone you appreciate, eye to eye, that you’re beautiful. It’s like romcom kilig. You say thank you and smile nonchalantly, of course.”

She added, “But really, when a love this big is given to you by people from around the world, from different walks of life, it moves you. It feels as if it’s absolutely impossible to ever be sad or insecure. And it makes you wish you could instantly share that empowering love to every girl and boy in the world because each of them deserves to feel beautiful, too. That’s how it feels.”

An only child born after her mom suffered seven miscarriages and who was intubated at five years old due to viral encephalitis at the ICU of Lourdes Hospital, Kisses believes that beauty goes deeper than skin-deep. “While

beauty is already within everyone of us, an important element for beauty to flourish more is a wonderful thing called self-worth.

To know your worth and to be reminded of it each day, that is something your future self will thank you for. As Coco Chanel said, ‘Keep your head, heels and standards high!’

“I think that in this time, when I think of a beautiful person, I think of a person who reaches out and finds beauty in others, especially now that most people are so hard on themselves because of society’s pressures. Imagine how less lonely this world would be if we practiced telling people what we find most beautiful about them and do that on a regular basis. There are people that we pass by, hang around with, message online, and people we consider the closest in our lives who may not have a clue what makes them beautiful or have already forgotten what it felt like and we can fix that.”

She remembers that when she was three years old at preparatory school, there was a contest.

“My parents told me that I went home triumphantly waving a P500 bill and a certificate in my hands that said ‘Most Beautiful Smile.’ I haven’t stopped showing off my smile since then.”

Every success, no matter how small, is celebrated by the family.

“I would come home from school and group work with random good news, and my dad and I would celebrate it over two-piece fried chicken and Coke float meals, my go-to recharge meal at the only open fastfood joint at one a.m., and I’d tell him all about it with my mom on the phone and they’d tell me how proud they were. Quarantining in Masbate gave me time to appreciate where I am, how incredibly supportive my family and supporters are for me and my career, and just how generous God is to me.”

Her Kissables are patiently waiting for Kisses to resume work.

“They have grown into one of the strongest, most positive and loving groups of people and individuals you could find. I’m so excited to get back to working hard after the pandemic, now with more focus than ever, making exciting movies and TV series to repay my supporters for all their hard work and love.”

scended into the new normal.”

Valenciano considered how viewers and listeners now have a new view of artists which goes beyond the hype and performing just for the sake of earning. He said that musicians would most likely create music with more depth and more messages from hereon.

“Music is really one of the powerful [media] that can really change a life; it can make [the listeners] decide on what is right.

They can take the right direction because music can guide them.

“I’m hoping that people will be looking at artists differently especially those that really have stood in the area of wanting to give not just their best talents, but really give something that can encourage people at this point in time when people need it the most,” he ended.

BAYANI Agbayani is either your favorite comedian or he will be soon when you get to watch the video for One: The Interview. He’s so convulsively funny that even the grumpiest person will certainly break into a hearty laughter upon seeing his reaction at the end of our virtual interview.

Known for his quick wit and humor, Bayani accepted my invitation to appear on the Boy Abunda Talk Channel, a.k.a. Batalk Channel, on YouTube for One: The Interview.

Apple, my executive producer in The Bottomline, Robby and some production staff in ABSCBN assisted me in hooking up Bayani to my network connection and laptop. He was too patient and cooperative in following directions. He was smiling while being repeatedly asked to adjust the camera of his laptop for a better view and position himself a bit closer to the monitor to achieve the perfect angle and lighting.

While my team was still busy setting up, I engaged Bayani in a casual chat for some kumustahan.

Like me, Bayani does not go out when not necessary. He is protective of his health and that of his wife Lenlen and their children. He does his morning routine exercise by jogging around the village in Quezon City. He lives just a stone’s throw away from my residence.

“Lagi akong nag-e-exercise; araw-araw tuwing 5:30 ng uma-

ga,” he said and then I also checked on his family. He again replied, “They’re fine and they’re already upstairs. We usually sleep early. So, what I did when I learned that this (interview) will be at 10 in the evening, I slept at 5 in the afternoon. Pinaghandaan ko ito kasi pag alas-otso, inaantok na ako kaya natulog ako ng hapon; ng 5 at nagising ako ng 7 (p.m.).”

With his showbiz schedule not as tight as before, Bayani revealed that there’s nothing much to do but to exercise, sleep, binge-watch on Netflix, eat and take care of the kids.

Apple recalled that our very first interview with Bayani took place several years ago at his home in Fairview.

“It’s my mother who is staying there now,” he replied while visibly uncomfortable with the pair of wireless earbuds he’s wearing.

“Do I still have to use these (holding the earphones) even if I can hear you clearly?” He was told that the earphones help in reducing or blocking feedback.

His daughter Sab helped him check his set-up before we proceeded with the interview. I, too, was asked to move my laptop a bit to my left.

For the last time, I asked if everybody’s ready. And then, I proceeded, “Yani, welcome to One: The Interview.”

“Good evening, Tito Boy,” he responded excitedly. “Long time no see!”

“Maraming salamat. Long time no see! Na-miss kita. Here’s your question.”

Bayani Agbayani is so funny that even the grumpiest person will certainly break into hearty laughter upon seeing him at the end of this writer’s virtual interview.

Philstar.com photo

“Opo,” said Bayani.

With a straight face, I asked, “Yani, are you sexy?”

“Yes,” he responded with a smile.

“Maraming salamat. That’s the end of our interview. Thank you, for being part of One: The Interview. Goodbye.”

He shot back, “’Yun na ‘yun?

Salamat din, Tito Boy.” His hands were covering his mouth while trying to control his laughter.

“Matagal pa ‘yung dasal ko, sa sagot ko, hahaha.”

B OctOber 15-21, 2020 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL

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

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