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OCTOBER 15-21, 2021 Volume 14 - No. 50 • 16 Pages

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‘Everybody is hurting’: Filipino American DATELINE USA community mourns nurse killed in New York California becomes FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

the first state to require ethnic studies for high school students The requirement will be included in curricula starting with the class of 2030

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA

AJPress

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

Ambrocio, 58, was walking near Times

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

In his remarks after the mass, Consul General Elmer G. Cato reiterated the Consulate’s call for authorities to take more effective steps to

make the streets of New York safe again for everyone.

“While we know that authorities are doing their best, we hope that they exert more serious efforts and make more resources available to make this happen,” Cato said.

Cruz and Lardizabal spoke with the media outsidethe church and shared their memories

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PH government urges US to investigate Pinay nurse’s death

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

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

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Rappler co-founder and chief executive officer Maria Ressa AJPress file photo

Consul General Elmer G. Cato consoles María Luningnjng Ambrocio’s friends Emilia Cruz and Norma Lardizabal after the memorial mass in honor of the nurse at the St. Francis of Assisi Church.

AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya

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

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

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

“We call upon the U.S. government to do what is incumbent upon any state where there is a

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Maria Ressa becomes SF to ease certain indoor Fully-vaxxed travelers from ‘green requirements for countries’ no longer required to first Filipino to win mask fully vaccinated Nobel Peace Prize undergo quarantine in PH AJP RAPPLER co-founder and veteran journalist Maria Ressa has made history as the first Filipino to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

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

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by

RESS

SAN Francisco this week is set to relax mask requirements for certain indoor settings where stable groups of fully vaccinated people gather.

Mayor London N. Breed and the San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) an-

nounced that so long as case and hospitalization rates remain stable or decline, indoor masking requirements will be lifted on October 15 in certain, limited settings. This includes places where stable cohorts of fully vaccinated individuals gather, and where other safety measures are followed. These

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by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

FACILITY-BASED quarantine will no longer be mandatory for fully-vaccinated inbound Filipino and foreign travelers from certain countries starting October 14, according to Malacañang.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry

Roque on Wednesday, Oct. 13, announced that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) updated its rules for travelers qualified for “green lanes.”

According to him, fully-vaccinated travelers will now need to present a negative reverse transcription-poly-

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Poll: About half of all Filipino Americans blame Trump for anti-Asian discrimination

by Klarize

Medenilla AJPress

WITh a little more than a year out from the contentious 2022 midterm elections, among the most pressing issues that candidates are facing this year is one that is long overdue and could be politically costly: understanding the diverse Asian American community and improving Asian American outreach.

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

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

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

The poll was conducted this past June and surveyed 2,000 adults from nearly 50 ethnic groups that make up the entire AAPI diaspora, and although the communities that make

up the AAPI community are disparate, there were shared A majority of AAPI adults surveyed, 71%, blame former President Donald Trump for the increased bigotry and hate against AAPIs. Trump’s rhetoric regarding the pandemic often included xenophobic language that created a false equivalency between the virus’ origins in China to anyone who looked remotely Chinese.

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

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

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

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

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic — which became a breeding ground for anti-

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Maria Ambrocio’s friends Emilia Cruz (left) and Norma Lardizabal (right) speak to the media outside of St. Francis of Assisi church in midtown Manhattan on Monday, October 11. The pair were with Ambrocio when the assault happened.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

‘Everybody is hurting’: Filipino American...

PAGE 1 of Ambrocio who passed away Saturday, Oct. 9 after more than 24 hours on life support. They have been friends with Ambrocio for almost 20 years.

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

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

Everybody is hurting,” she said.

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

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

“Maria devoted her life to helping others, caring for patients, and serving the community. She was caring, compassionate, and outgoing. She loved to take pictures and spend time with friends and family. At work, she was generous and always promoted teamwork and positivity,” said Dr. Achintya Moulick.

“Maria always appreciated those she worked with and was grateful for the comradery and teamwork.”

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

Lardizabal said she heard the commotion less than a block away and the next thing he saw was a “tall, slender man” barreling directly towards them. She then heard a thud and when she looked down, her friend was already on the ground unconscious.

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

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

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

“I’m here to just be with the friends and family of Luningning,” he said. “This is a major problem and the city should not take it for granted.

When it happened to me, I have friends who sent me

messages na nangyari din sa kanila, verbal to physical abuse.”

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

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

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

According to Cato, at least nine members of the Filipino community have been at the receiving end of unprovoked acts of violence that have been reported to or monitored by the Philippine Consulate since January. he mentioned the 72year-old Filipina who ended up in the ICU after she was assaulted while entering her apartment building in Queens. This was followed by the face slashing of Noel Quintana, a 61-year-old Filipino on board a subway train in Manhattan, and the

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From the Front Page

California becomes the first state to require ethnic...

OVERLOADED. Commuters hang on the steel bars over the estribo (footboard) of the passenger jeepney along Marikina-Infanta Highway in Antipolo City on Tuesday, October 12. Passenger jeepneys may not exceed half of their regular seating capacities under government regulation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Maria Ressa becomes...

PAGE 1 “The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace,” it said in its announcement.

“Ms. Ressa and Mr. Muratov are receiving the Peace Prize for their courageous fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines and Russia,” it added.

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

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

“In 2012, she co-founded Rappler, a digital media company for investigative journalism, which she still heads. As a journalist and the Rappler’s CEO, Ressa has shown herself to be a fearless defender of freedom of expression,” the Nobel Peace Prize body added.

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

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

“I hope energy for us to

continue the battle for facts...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress) n

PAGE 1 Newsom’s approval of the legislation ended a years-long debate among state lawmakers concerning the most appropriate ethnic studies model for high school curricula across the Golden State.

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

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

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

Educators and lawmakers — including California Assemblymember Jose Medina (D-Riverside), who authored AB 101 — argue that a more inclusive social studies model that more accurately reflects the demographic makeup of the state would benefit the rapidly diversifying student body.

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

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

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

But previous versions — one of which was vetoed by Newsom last year — were criticized for the exclusions of some

groups, like the Arab, Armenian, Jewish, and Sikh American communities, and for being too politically correct.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fully-vaxxed travelers from ‘green countries’ no...

PAGE 1 merase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result within 72 hours prior to departure from their country of origin.

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

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

“For fully vaccinated Filipinos, they can choose facility-based quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken in the quarantine facility upon

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

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

As for unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently verified, and those vaccinated but failed to comply with the test-before-travel requirements, they are required to undergo a facility-based quarantine until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day.

In the case of foreign nationals, Roque

said they are required to secure hotel reservations for at least six days.

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

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

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

‘Everybody is hurting’: Filipino American community...

PAGE 2 violent attack on Vilma Kari, a 65-yearold Filipina who was walking to church also in Manhattan.

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

75-year-old Filipina was badly injured after she was shoved while exiting a subway station in Queens.

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

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

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OPINION

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FEATURES

Next president

Philstar.com photo

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

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

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

view between candidates and voters.

As the Philippines recovers economically from the coronavirus pandemic and then moves beyond recovery to return to growth — a trajectory we are confident will be realized within the next year or two — implementation of a responsive energy policy will be critical to the country’s success. Despite the gains made in the 20 years since the passage of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) of 2001, the Philippines is still beset by chronic problems of high energy costs and insufficient and sometimes unreliable supply. Until these problems are resolved, the Philippines will continue to fall short of its investment and economic growth potential, and continue to be at risk from external shocks, such as the crisis in energy supply and prices currently spreading around the globe.

Editorial

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ WITH at least five major candidates filing for president of the country in the May 2022 elections, there is no doubt that popularity will not be enough to bring the country together, but the ability of the new leadership

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

ergy regulatory structure and market.

Again, as these are planks in a policy platform, each candidate may have different ideas about how to realize each of the objectives; these simply represent broad probPAGE 8

Enormous challenges face our next president

to put together a good economic team, coupled with experienced health experts in the aftermath of the worst pandemic to hit the world.

Whoever will be inaugurated as the next occupant of Malacañang will face enormous challenges. As highly respected NEDA chief Karl Chua said, it will take 10 years for the economy of the Philippines to recover from

the COVID-19 pandemic and return to pre-pandemic growth. While the economy is slowly recovering and is expected to expand by up to five percent this year and up to nine percent next year as growth prospects remain promising – the losses will be felt up to the next 10 to 40 years, Secretary Karl warned.

A key factor in sustainable

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

It goes without saying that economic recovery will be an uphill climb, with the government doing a tough balancing act between lives and livelihood. Several positive developments are driving optimism however, such as the decline in the number of COVID-19 cases and the lowering of hospital admissions. The government is set on vaccinating at least 50

percent of the target population by the end of this year, and speeding up the rollout to reach the target of 80 to 90 percent immunization by the first quarter of 2022.

Secretary Charlie Galvez has confirmed that we have secured enough vaccines, which is why guidelines for the inoculation of children aged 12 to 17 is now being PAGE 10

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

PH’s pandemic scars seen Metro Manila eases to Alert Level 3 starting Oct. 16 turning off foreign investors

by Ritchel

mendiola AJPress

METRO Manila’s alert level status will be downgraded to Alert Level 3 from October 16 until the end of the month, according to Malacañang.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday, Oct. 13, announced that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the recommendation to ease the COVID-19 restrictions in the country’s capital region.

“The Inter-Agency Task Force on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, approved the recommendation to place the National Capital Region under Alert Level 3 beginning October 16, 2021 until October 31, 2021,” he said.

Under Alert Level 3, restaurants are allowed to accommodate customers at 30% capacity and up to 40% if they have a government-issued Safety Seal.

The same capacity restrictions apply to barbershops, salons, gyms, tourist attractions, libraries, museums, casinos, cockfighting, concerts, parties, receptions,

family reunions and motorcades.

Meanwhile, in-person religious gatherings are allowed a 30% capacity for outdoor venues and 20% for indoor venues provided that all attendees and ministers are fullyvaccinated.

On the other hand, cinemas, karaoke bars, clubs, theaters, indoor and outdoor theme parks, playgrounds and kiddie rides will remain prohibited under Alert Level 3.

Persons of all ages will be allowed to individually exercise outside, while interzonal travel will also be allowed, subject to rules imposed by the local government.

Quarantine status The IATF-EID also approved placing Apayao, Kalinga, Batanes, Bulacan, Bataan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, and Naga City for Luzon; and Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Norte for Mindanao under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

The general community quarantine (GCQ) status with heightened restrictions will be imposed in the provinces of Abra, Baguio City, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, City of Santiago, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Quezon, and Batangas for Luzon; PAGE 10

by Ramon

Royandoyan Philstar.com

MANILA — Economic scars left by the coronavirus pandemic would make the Philippines among the least attractive destinations for foreign direct investments in Asia Pacific over the next decade, according to a new report released on Monday, October 11.

Out of 14 Asia Pacific economies tracked by UKbased Oxford Economics, the Philippines ranked 13th in terms of ability to attract FDIs, which come in the form of investments from multinational companies opening up shop here and boosting local employment.

This is because pandemic scars run deep in the country. Oxford Economics gave the Philippines an “overall scarring” score of -0.4,

matching the score of Taiwan which emerged as the least appealing Asia-Pacific economy for FDIs over the next 10 years.

“This adds further weight to our forecast that the extent of economic scarring caused by the pandemic will be especially large in the Philippines,” the think tank said.

Oxford Economics’ FDI attractiveness scorecard examined an economy’s appeal to foreign investments based on five indicators, namely labor dynamics, quality of infrastructure and logistics, political and business climate, market size and growth prospects, and export structure.

Under labor dynamics, the Philippines scored 0.3, among highest in the region, because of its relatively young workforce and cheap

labor costs. The country likewise bagged good scores in terms of market size and export structure.

However, the country got a score of -1.3 in terms of quality of infrastructure and logistics despite the Duterte administration’s hefty investments in the past five years under its “Build, Build, Build” program. In its report, Oxford Economics forecasts infrastructure investment in the Philippines to account for 2.3% of gross domestic product by 2025, among the lowest in the region.

The Philippines also scored poorly in political and business climate with a rating of -0.8 due to its protectionist Constitution that limits foreign investments and persistent difficulties in opening up a business in the country.

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PH government urges US to investigate...

PAGE 1 killing,” he added.

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

She was brought to NYC Health and Hospital/ Bellevue where she succumbed to her injuries on Saturday, Oct. 9.

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

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

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

New Jersey.

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

The suspect has been charged with second degree murder.

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

“We have joined calls for authorities to take the necessary steps, including heightened police visibility, to protect the public after we noted the surge in anti-Asian hate incidents that targeted some of our kababayan. We also supported calls for authorities to take the necessary measures to address mental health issues, especially among the homeless,” it said.

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

SF to ease certain indoor mask...

PAGE 1 controlled settings with individuals who regularly interact are considered safer indoor settings for fully vaccinated individuals to remove their masks.

These settings include offices, gyms, and fitness centers, employee commuter vehicles, religious gatherings, and indoor college classes or other organized gatherings of individuals who meet regularly, not exceeding 100 people. People in these settings may remove their masks if the employer or host of the gathering can control access to the setting and verify 100% full vaccination of everyone in the setting. The employer or host must also ensure proper ventilation, no recent COVID-19 outbreaks, and children under 12 and guests are not present, among other safety measures.

“I’m excited that we’re once again at a place where we can begin easing the mask requirements, which is the direct result of the fact that we have one of the highest vaccination rates in the country, our cases have fallen, and our residents have done their part to keep themselves and those around them safe,” said Mayor Breed.

“This is an important step forward for San Francisco, particularly for our downtown, because when I talk to office workers and business leaders one of the things I continue to hear is that they’re anxious to get back to a more normal routine at work where they can interact with their colleagues.

Our economy is bouncing back, the city feels like it is coming alive again, and this is yet another milestone in our recovery.”

San Francisco, in concert with eight other Bay Area jurisdictions, also on Thursday released the criteria for lifting the indoor universal mask mandate in most other settings once a sustained period of low and stable COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have been achieved and a high threshold of the population is fully vaccinated, including children.

More information about the criteria can be found at sf.gov/ news.

Indoor masking remains in effect for all settings accessed by the wider public, including retail stores and other shared indoor areas such as common areas of a building elevators, lobbies and restrooms, where people from different workplace settings could interact.

Indoor masking also continues to apply in bars and restaurants except for patrons while actively eating or drinking, subject to the proof of vaccination requirements.

“Throughout this pandemic we’ve implemented common sense measures like masking and vaccinations to protect us through four surges in COVID19 while keeping hospitalizations manageable,” said Director of Health, Dr. Grant Colfax.

“Tragically, other areas of the country have seen outcomes much worse than ours. San Francisco’s health orders and shared mitigation efforts have been successful in keeping us safer as a community, and a relaxation of masking orders is warranted. We’ll continue to follow the data and science where it leads us.”

When issued, the changes to San Francisco’s Safer Return Together Order will include further details about

the requirements to allow for mask removal by fully vaccinated individuals in these controlled settings. San Francisco has led the way in requiring proof of vaccination for many businesses, which provide the best defense against the virus and, along with indoor masking, has slowed the spread of the disease. San Francisco has a current weekly average case rate of 77 cases per 100,000, a drop from 309 at the height of the summer’s surge. Cases among fully vaccinated individuals are currently at 7.4 per 100,000, while among those not fully vaccinated are 14.4 per 100,000. The vaccines remain highly effective in preventing hospitalization and death.

“Vaccines continue to be our path out of the pandemic, but masks have blunted the Delta-driven surge and protected our vital hospital capacity, while allowing businesses to remain open and children to return to school,” said Health Officer, Dr. Susan Philip. “We thank all San Franciscans for participating in those successes. Well-fitted masks will continue to have a place in our lives in higher-risk settings, and everyone should feel free to wear a mask whenever they would like an extra layer of protection.”

Even as masking restrictions lift, indoor masking will remain in effect where required under state or federal rules, like public transportation, hospitals, jails, homeless shelters, and schools, as a recommendation for everyone to wear in large, crowded outdoor settings, and as a requirement under certain circumstances if there is an outbreak of cases. n

Health experts to Duterte: Don’t hinder Senate probe

7

by Red

Mendoza ManilaTimes.net

A GROUP of doctors and health experts called on President Rodrigo Duterte to allow key government officials to testify in the Senate investigation into the questionable purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers.

In its manifesto, the group also urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to create an “independent panel,” which would investigate claims of corruption in the Department of Health (DOH).

The more than 300 physicians, including six former officials of the DOH, who signed the manifesto said the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed “free and unrestrained politicians and people with absolutely no competence in running the country, much less this catastrophic health debacle, to abuse power with impunity, misuse and steal taxpayers’ money and insult their intelligence, feed on the Filipinos’ desperation and helplessness at the time when their plea for true leadership is loudest but has remained unheeded.”

“Ito pong alleged na pangyayari na ito ay nangyari sa gitna ng pandemya habang kami po ay nagbubuwis at naghihirap sa pakikipaglaban

Health workers hold a rally outside the Lung Center of the Philippines on Monday, October 11 to air their demand for better benefits.

ManilaTimes.net photo by John Orven Verdote

sa COVID-19 para mailigtas ang mga Pilipinong nagkakasakit (These alleged corrupt activities happened at the height of the pandemic when we were fighting COVID-19 to make every sick Filipino safe),” Dr. Ma. Encarnita Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), said during a media forum on Monday.

Dr. Norbert Uy, a former president of the PCP, said medical workers have been sacrificing their time and effort to help in the pandemic, so it is only fitting that Duterte

“rewards” their efforts by allowing government officials to testify in the Senate Blue Ribbon hearings.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said that government officials had testified in 12 Blue Ribbon hearings before the President issued a memorandum stopping them from further attending the inquiry.

Another former PCP president, Dr. Anthony Leachon, said that when he sat down as a “resource person” in the hearings, he PAGE 10

Poll: About half of all Filipino...

PAGE 2 Asian resentment, hate, and violence due to the false equivalency between anyone who looked Chinese and the virus’ known origins in China — the advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate has tracked more than 9,000 reported incidents of hate incidents directed at Asians and Asian Americans.

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

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

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

Political campaigns and candidates have a

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

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

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

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

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Moreno won’t back down from presidential race Next president...

by Kristina

Maralit ManilaTimes.net

MANILA mayor and Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso will not back down from next year’s presidential race.

The former actor’s camp issued the statement amid an online clamor for him to drop out of the May 2022 polls, riding on the belief that he is “more winnable” and “much qualified” for the land’s highest elective position.

Past surveys among presidential candidates showed Domagoso as the top choice for president among votingage Filipinos.

“Why would Isko withdraw? Clearly, he is the more winnable and as much qualified to lead us out of this pandemic and the bad economic condition we are in. It’s high time that we all focus on the sad plight of the Filipinos and our country,” Aksyon Demokratiko chairman Ernest Ramel said in a statement, hitting the #WithdrawIsko campaign

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso

on social media against the local chief executive.

This was echoed by Domagoso’s chief campaign strategist, Angelito Banayo, who noted that the mayor, in choosing Dr. Willlie Ong as his running mate, is proof that he has a set plan on how to steer the country towards recovery amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.

The Domagoso-Ong tandem, Banayo noted, is anchored on the party’s vision to have an administration aimed at healing “the wounds of divisiveness” and

ManilaTimes.net photo

dealing with the “extreme crisis the country is facing” because of COVID-19.

“His resolve to run for the presidency on a platform of unity and transparent governance has reaped political goodwill from all sides of the political spectrum and various sectors of society,” he stated.

Banayo then pointed to Domagoso’s 10-point agenda of governance called “Bilis Kilos,” which was mainly based on his many accomplishments as mayor of the nation’s capital which

include the construction of mass housing for the poor of Baseco, Tondo and Binondo; swift construction of a Covid19 field hospital and a newlook Ospital ng Maynila; free antigen testings; free Remdisivir and Tocilizumab for coronavirus patients; and continuous delivery of boxes of assistance and food boxes to Manila residents hardest hit by the pandemic.

All these, Banayo said, are examples of Domaagoso’s political will to alleviate the plight of Filipinos. #WithdrawISko trended online almost immediately after Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo announced she will also be gunning for the presidency next year.

To recall, Robredo had been vocal in her willingness to have a united opposition and had discussed the possibility with Domagoso, Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, and Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.

All three eventually filed their respective certificates of candidacy (CoC) for president.

PAGE 10

PAGE 5 lems for which there may be a number of reasonable solutions. We can, however, offer some examples of what we believe would be a productive approach to managing the country’s energy.

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

This would, in turn, enable government to diversify its energy strategy and encourage development of potentially productive sources that have until now been given very little attention.

Most of these, of course, are renewable energy sources,

such as biomass generation, tidal power, and hydrogen energy storage, and these, along with the more familiar solar, wind, hydro and geothermal sources should be given preference. A diversified strategy can also include other, not necessarily “sustainable” but still cleaner and more efficient sources, so long as they represent a substantial improvement over current, obsolete means of creating electricity.

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

(ManilaTimes.net) n

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9

Hypergrowth global expansion of Epiphany Café commences as part of SFIO’s $100M business roadmap to be achieved by 2022 SMOKEFREE Innotec, Inc. (“SFIO”) announces the opening of franchising slots for Epiphany Café in the U.S., Australia, UAE and Canada, following the completion of acquisition of Agrokings Inc. This will be marketed as part of SFIO’s global investor roadshows, which will be held in key states in the U.S., including Los Angeles, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, from October 2021 onwards. A new name for SFIO is also well underway.

Meanwhile, SFIO’s ‘The Global Academy’ — a masterclass and business coaching arm of the company — has been established, which will lead the global marketing campaign of SFIO by conducting informative sessions to highlight the entrepreneurial mindset about investing and owning a business.

A key part of SFIO’s strategy is tapping into businesses and individuals who are in the sharing economy, which is aligned with its business model and particularly, the integration of co-ownership and microbusiness concepts in the holistic franchise model of Epiphany Café.

This fully integrated Epiphany Café franchise system will be epitomized at its upcoming pilot stores and is backed up by robust industry and market research to ensure the viability and sustainability of the business.

Epiphany kiosk

SFIO has recently fully-owned Australianbased subsidiary, Accord Investment Group (AIG), and has successfully completed the strategic acquisition of MLV Group and Big Lou’s Donuts (BLD).

BLD is a successful Australian company headquartered in Melbourne that specializes in producing a wide range of commercial

File photo from SFIO

donuts for retail and wholesale supermarkets across Australia. The state-of-the-art donut factory of BLD is capable of producing more than 9,000 donuts per hour. The facility will be utilized by SFIO to produce Epiphany Café’s pillow-soft donuts as part of its expansion plan in Australia.

Additionally, SFIO has also successfully

acquired MLV Group – a well-established accounting firm, 100% Filipino-owned company in Australia serving more than 5,000 Filipino-Australian clients which has a seen growth rate of more than 30% annually due to its reliable, professional, and trustworthy services. MLV Group will also provide accounting and financial services to the SFIO conglomerate while pursuing its accounting firm expansion throughout Australia.

“The acquisitions will expedite the expansion of Epiphany Café in Australia.

Big Lou’s donut factory will be utilized as the central commissary to supply the Epiphany Café outlets with its signature pillow-soft donuts using SFIO’s Smart-Freeze technology while continuing Big Lou’s supply of commercial donuts to supermarkets across Australia,” says Jeths Lacson, CEO and Chairman of SFIO. There will be more synergistic companies to be acquired in the next 12 months to bring value to the conglomerate to strengthen the portfolio of the company. SFIO’s official website (www.sfio.co.nz) is now live with relevant and informative content about the company and its subsidiaries. Investor pitch deck and calendar of events pertaining to SFIO’s global campaign and roadshows will be posted on the website soon. Stay tuned for more updates.

(Advertising Supplement)

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Lacson, Sotto PH’s pandemic... Enormous challenges... vow discipline for Cabinet

by Paolo

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — Cabinet officials will not be spared from prosecution if caught engaged in illegal activities under the leadership of Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III if they win as president and vice president, respectively, in the 2022 elections.

“If we become president and vice president of this country, Filipinos may yet witness the spectacle of a Cabinet member turned rogue being arrested for extortion. This is the kind of discipline that the Lacson-Sotto leadership intends to instill in government officials,” Lacson said.

“It’s about time we make example of high-ranking officials. We cannot fire the small fry just to let the big fish continue to extort,” Lacson said in an interview on Radyo 5.

He also pushed anew for the digitalization and interoperability of systems in government agencies to minimize corruption.

Lacson said while government agencies, such as the Bureau of Customs (BOC), are computerized, their systems are not yet automated so human intervention and red tape are still possible.

“If you just change the personnel, they will be lost in their new assignments. Worse, if they get bitten by the corruption bug, the problem starts all over again,” he said.

Lacson noted that several BOC personnel would merely observe the new head for a few weeks to see if he or she has the political will to reject corruption.

“People can reform too, but if they see the new head would give in to corrupt personnel and practices, they will all backslide,” he said. n

Moreno won’t...

PAGE 8 Talks between Domagoso and Robredo particularly turned sour due to their differing views on certain issues.

This includes Domagoso’s stance regarding late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, a matter Robredo said is “non-negotiable”.

Interestingly, the former dictator’s son, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., was Robredo’s closest rival for the vice presidency in 2016 and is also making a run to be the next occupant of

Malacañang.

Domagoso went on the defensive and asserted that the world does not revolve around the fight between the Marcos and Aquino families.

Robredo, Domagoso further said, must not talk of unity when she herself failed to do this as head of the Liberal Party.

“You cannot talk of unity when you yourself hindi mo nga ma-unify sarili mong [party] (when you can’t even unify your own party),” he said. n

PAGE 6 Overall, Taiwan emerged as the least attractive Asia-Pacific economy to FDIs in the next 10 years after the pandemic and US-China tensions led to some reshoring of manufacturing by Taiwanese multinationals.

China, meanwhile, remains the top destination for FDI given its “rapidly growing domestic market” and investment liberalization efforts over recent years. Oxford Economics projects inflows to China to account for over 9% of global FDI over the next decade.

FDI reaches 19-month high Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed FDIs to the Philippines posted a net inflow of $1.3 billion in July, the largest in 19 months. Year-on-year, FDIs grew 52% in July.

That brought the seven-month net inflows to $5.6 billion, up 43.1% compared with the same period last year. For this year, the BSP sees FDIs posting a net inflow of $7 billion.

Driving the surge in FDIs in July was the rebound in economic production everywhere back then, said Nicholas Antonio Mapa, senior economist at ING Bank in Manila. This was a month before the hyper-contagious Delta variant triggered another hard lockdown in August.

“The pickup in July FDI is an important and welcome development. The overall improvement in real sector activity compared to last year, both in the Philippines and globally contributed to the rebound in direct investment flows,” Mapa said in an email exchange.

“Should the recovery continue, we can look forward to a modest recovery in direct investments, which will help bolster the recovery efforts further,” he added. n

Health experts to...

PAGE 7 felt that the voices of health workers and the public were not being heard.

The group also wants the Senate to complete its investigation.

Roque said the President supports the move of the Senate Blue Ribbon panel to turn over documents and evidence to the DOJ and the Ombudsman.

Limpin said that while the Commission on Audit found no evidence of corruption in the Health department over the transaction for the PPE, the group still wants the truth to come out.

She said she needs to find out why the DOH passed on the responsibility of buying PPE to the Department of Budget and Management, in the process incurring additional expenses on the part of the government.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said she respects the call of the PCP and other medical experts to let government officials testify freely in the Senate inquiry, but they have already participated in numerous hearings to explain their side.

“The national government has been transparent, at nakapagsumite na tayo sa mga kinauukulang ahensya and the investigations are undertaken, and iwanan na po natin doon (We have submitted [the necessary documents] to the proper agencies, and the investigations were underway, so let us leave it at that),” Vergeire said. n

Metro Manila eases to Alert Level 3...

PAGE 6 Bacolod City, Capiz, Lapu-Lapu City, Negros Oriental, and Bohol for the Visayas; and Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, Davao de Oro, Butuan City, and Surigao del Sur for Mindanao.

Meanwhile, GCQ without heightened restrictions will be implemented in Ilocos Norte, Dagupan City, Ifugao, Benguet, Tarlac, Lucena City, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Princesa, Marinduque, Albay, and Camarines Norte for Luzon; Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, Cebu City, Cebu Province, Mandaue City, Siquijor, and Tacloban City for the Visayas;

and Zamboanga Sibugay, Misamis Occidental, Iligan City, Davao City, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Cotabato City, and Lanao del Sur for Mindanao.

“All other areas shall be placed under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ),” said Roque.

“This latest risk-level classification shall take effect beginning Oct. 16, 2021 until Oct. 31, 2021,” he added.

To date, there are a total of 2,690,455 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, with 40,069 fatalities and 2,567,975 recoveries. n

PAGE 5 drafted to expand the vaccination coverage. In addition, booster shots will be administered to health care workers starting in November. Worldwide scientists are optimistic that the pandemic will be “under control” by next year because of the effectiveness of the vaccines, particularly the US-made ones, plus the emergence of promising drugs and other therapies to treat severe COVID-19 infection.

According to the Asian Development Bank, sustained growth in public infrastructure spending is necessary for the country’s economic growth this year and next.

Even the United States recognizes the importance of investing in infrastructure to revive its economy, underscored by the massive $2-trillion social infrastructure bill being pushed by President Biden.

Under the proposed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, new spending is outlined to modernize, improve or rehabilitate roads, bridges and transport systems over a period of five years as America’s roadways are deteriorating, while over 45,000 bridges are described to be in poor condition. According to the “2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure” issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the current state of US infrastructure only merits a grade of “C” and would need about $2.6 trillion over the next decade to put everything in good condition.

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

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

As articulated by Build Build Build committee chairman Anna Mae Lamentillo, a good infrastructure network is necessary to achieve real and inclusive economic growth, citing the risks and difficulties that people in the countryside go through because of the lack of roads and bridges. To date, some 29,264 kilometers of roads, 5,950 bridges, 11,340 evacuation centers, 150,149 classrooms, 214 airport projects and 451 seaport projects have been completed under the Build Build Build program, said Lamentillo, who believes the program should be institutionalized.

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

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

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

As the current chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Washington, my focus will be on the economic recovery of our country and the region.

We have lined up several economic activities such as our first in-person networking event the embassy organized with the US Chamber of Commerce. We also plan to hold several hybrid forums with US business groups and put together investment promotions forums with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) headed by Director General Charito Plaza. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

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COMMUNITY Journal

11

DHS to cease worksite enforcement/raids

stead refocus our workplace enforcement efforts to better accomplish the goals outlined above.”

This memo is certainly good news in terms of changAtty. MichAel ing the focus of immigration Gurfinkel, eSQ enforcement away from the exploited worker to the unscrupulous employers, who FOR anyone who is out of make their employees work status, one of their biggest long hours for low pay, in fears is an immigration raid at unsafe working conditions, their workplace. We have all while constantly threatening seen news reports of immigrato keep quiet or they would tion raids at carwashes, resbe reported to DHS. taurants, factories, processing But what is really needed plants, etc., where workers is for Congress to act, and to are rounded up, and if out of provide a way by which these status, are handcuffed, and hard-working undocumented taken away in vans for deporimmigrants can finally have tation/removal. a way to legalize their status During my consultations, once and for all, rather than I’m constantly being asked, living in the shadows “What are the chancand in uncertainty. es of DHS coming We should urge Conto my workplace, On October 12, 2021, Alejandro gress to finally act on handcuffing me, and Mayorkas, the Secretary of the immigration reform, marching me out instead of bickering in front of all of my Department Homeland Security and fighting among coworkers?”

(DHS), issued a memo to ICE, themselves, while There is now good the people suffer USCIS, and CBP, which radically news, which should inaction. bring a sigh of relief changes the focus of DHS’s worksite from their *** to these hardworkenforcement policies or priorities.

Michael J. Gurfinkel ing individuals. On has been an attorney for October 12, 2021, over 40 years and is liAlejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of the De- or witnesses to, or victims censed, and an active member of partment Homeland Security of, abusive and exploitative the State Bars of California and New (DHS), issued a memo to ICE, labor practices.” There are York. All immigration services are USCIS, and CBP, which radi- also several temporary visas provided by, or under the supervision cally changes the focus of available for victims of crime, of, an active member of the State Bar DHS’s worksite enforcement trafficking, or abuse, or will of California. Each case is different, policies or priorities. From be witnesses at trial. DHS and results may depend on the facts now on, DHS will focus its should also, “consider ways of the particular case. The informaworksite enforcement efforts to ensure that noncitizen vic- tion and opinions contained herein on “unscrupulous employers tims and witnesses generally (including testimonials, “Success who exploit the vulnerability are not placed in immigration Stories,” endorsements and re-enof undocumented workers,” proceedings during the pen- actments) are of a general nature, rather than apprehending dency of an investigation or and are not intended to apply to any workers who are out of sta- prosecution” of their unscru- particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or pulous employer. tus.

The memo also instructs legal advice regarding the outcome of Sec. Mayorkas points out these employers “engage in ICE to “cease mass worksite your legal matter. No attorney-client illegal acts, ranging from pay- operations,” or immigration relationship is, or shall be, established ment of substandard wages raids. Secretary Mayorkas with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com to imposing unsafe working recognizes that the “deployFollow us on Facebook.com/Gurfinconditions and facilitating ment of mass worksite operahuman trafficking and child tions, sometimes resulting in kelLaw, YouTube: US Immigration TV exploitation.” By paying sub- the simultaneous arrest of and Instagram.com/gurfinkellaw Call Toll free to schedule a consulstandard wages, these un- hundreds of workers, was not scrupulous employers not focused on the most perni- tation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 only harm the undocumented cious aspect of our country’s (866) – GURFINKEL employment worker, but also create an un- unauthorized Four offices to serve you: fair labor market, and create challenge: exploitative emLOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ a disadvantage to their busi- ployers.” Accordingly, DHS ness competitors who fol- will, “no longer conduct mass NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINE (Advertising Supplement) low the law and pay proper worksite operations and in-

Immigration Corner

wages.

By changing the focus of worksite enforcement (by going after unscrupulous employers), DHS hopes to “enforce wage protections, workplace safety, labor rights, and other laws and standards.”

DHS recognizes that many exploited workers are afraid to come forward and report the abuses they endure, out of fear their employer will report them to DHS. Therefore, rather than apprehending these victims of exploitation, DHS should consider providing a number of protections and benefits, such as “deferred action, continued presence, parole, and other available relief for non-citizens

A FAMILY IS FINALLY REUNITED AFTER 25 YEARS, THIS SUNDAY AT 6:30 PM (PST) ON CITIZEN PINOY. Marjun (right) missed the opportunity to join his father, Marcelo Sr. (left), and siblings in the U.S. in 1996 because his name was missing from the list of accompanying family members on his father’s petition. Because his parents did not know what to do, Marjun was left behind. His mother (2nd from left) finally petitioned him in 2007 as a single adult child of a green card holder (F2B). After several years, his petition became current. When it came time for his visa interview in 2019, his case was put under “administrative review” due to his work as a staff nurse in Libya and Saudi Arabia back in 2012 and 2015. The family never lost hope and retained leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (3rd from left) to guide them through every step. Finally, the long wait was over. The family was reunited for the first time in August 2021. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday, October 17 on its new and better time at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol.

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Reflux heartburns...

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS WHAT is reflux heartburns?

Reflux Heartburns is a milder stage of Reflux Esophagitis, which is an inflammatory condition where hydrocholoric acid, normally produced by the stomach to aid in the digestion of food, regurgitates (goes back up) to the lower end of the esophagus (food pipe) which is connected to the stomach.

In majority cases of reflux, the lower esophageal sphincter (“valve”) is incompetent (loose) and allows stomach acid and food to back up to the esophagus, a disease medically known as GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). In some cases, acid reflux is not necessary for heartburns to occur.

Can reflux mimic COVID19?

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

Why is acid reflux bad?

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

Is this condition common?

Yes, very common. Sixty percent of the adult population has some type of GI reflux. About seven million Americans have GERD. Most

patients complain of burning discomfort in the pit of the stomach after meals or at night, while lying down, allowing stomach acid to flow back to the esophagus.

Many times, the burning disappears when the person gets up. The symptom could also be that of indigestion or “sour stomach.” People who take antacids, like Alka Seltzer, Maalox, Tums, etc. could have GERD. Is Hiatal Hernia present in Reflux Esophagitis?

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

Any other possible cause of esophagitis and stricture?

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

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

How is the diagnosis of GERD confirmed?

A careful history and thorough physical examination, coupled with X-Ray Barium Swallow (done with the patient on his back and the head lower than the feet to check for reflux of barium), esopha-

geal manometry (pressure measurement), pH (acidity) monitoring, Bernstein acid test, and endoscopy (looking inside and down the foodpipe by passing a lighted “telescope” to see the condition of the lower foodpipe and stomach). Through this same scope, tiny biopsies could be performed, to see the tissue reaction, Helicobacter pylori, Barrett’s, and to check for cancer.

What is the first step treatment of GERD? The initial management of patients with persisting symptoms of GERD consists of (1) Changing diet (avoiding hot spices, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, cola drinks); (2) Quitting cigarette smoking; (3) Avoiding tight, binding clothing, especially after a meal; (4) Refraining from lying down immediately after a meal, and elevating the head of the bed when lying down to keep gastric acid and contents in the stomach by gravity; and (5) Taking antacids, Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) drug (like Nexium), histamine blockers, prokinetic agents (a combination of these) under the close supervision of your physician which is usually 80 percent successful in healing severe erosive esophagitis.

Today, medical treatment is the hallmark in taking care of patients with GERD. Surgery is reserved for the complications of the reflux, untreated or undertreated.

When is surgery recommended?

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

What is the objective of the operation?

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

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Regine, Sarah, Daniel lead winners at Star Awards for Music

By Dana

Cruz Inquirer.net

REGINE Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo and Daniel Padilla led the roster of winners at the 12th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Music held on Sunday, Ocober. 10.

Velasquez, Asia’s Songbird, was named the Female Recording Artist of the Year as well as Female Concert Performer of the Year. Meanwhile, Padilla was hailed Male Recording Artist of the Year, as seen on PMPC’s Facebook page.

Geronimo was hailed Female Pop Artist of the Year for “Ang Tangi Kong Pangarap” and GMA artist Garrett Bolden was given the Male Pop Artist of the Year award for the song “Handa Na Maghintay.”

The awards show featured production numbers from Kuh Ledesma and Gary Valenciano, among others. The event was hosted by Alfred Vargas and Sanya Lopez.

Here is the list of winners for the 12th PMPC Star Awards for Music: • Song of the Year: “Mabagal” by Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre (Star Music)

Daniel Padilla

How successful anti-reflux operations?

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

Luckily today we have an effective medical regimen for GERD to minimize or prevent symptoms and complications of reflux.

ABS-CBN photo

• Album of the Year: “Himig Handog 2019” (Star Music) • Male Recording Artist of the Year: Daniel Padilla for “Mabagal” (Star Music) • Female Recording Artist of the Year: Regine Velasquez for “I Am Beautiful” (Vehnee Saturno Music Corp.)

• Concert of the Year: “Perfect Ten” at Resorts World Manila (Ultimate Shows, Inc. and Full House Theater Company, Inc.) • Male Concert Performer of the Year: Luke Mejares for “Sound Trip Sessions Vol. 1” (Dragon Arc Events Management) • Female Concert Performer of the Year: Regine Velasquez for “Iconic” (iME , NSYshows and Artisthouse) • Duo/Group Concert Performer of the Year: Southborder for “Romantic Wednesdate” (Red Crane Productions and Resorts World Manila) • Music Video of the Year: “Miss Flawless” (Ex Battalion Music and Frontrow International) • Pop Album of the Year: “Lara Maigue” by Lara Maigue (Star Music) • Male Pop Artist of the Year: Garrett Bolden for “Handa Na Maghintay” (GMA Music) • Female Pop Artist of the Year: Sarah Geronimo “Ang Tangi Kong Pangarap” (Viva Records) • Duo/Group Artist of the Year: Ben&Ben for “Pagtingin” (Sony Music Philippines) • New Male Recording Artist of the Year: Lucas Garcia for “Because You Believed” (Star Music) • New Female Recording Artist of the Year: Zephanie for “Pangarap Kong Pangarap Mo” (Star Music) • New Group Artist of the Year: Three Two One for “Hinahanap” (Star Music) • Collaboration of the Year: Daniel Padilla and Moira Dela Torre for “Mabagal” (Star Music) • Dance Recording of the Year: “Pinapa”

by Ianna Dela Torre (Star Music) • Rock Album of the Year: “Langit Mong Bughaw” by December Avenue (Tower of Doom Music) • Rock Artist of the Year: December Avenue for “Huling Sandali” (Tower of Doom Music) • Female Acoustic Artist of the Year: Marion Aunor for “Paasa” (Viva Records) • Male Acoustic Artist of the Year: Jeric Gonzales for “Taksil” (GMA Music) • Rap Artist of the Year: Ex Battallion (Bozs1ne and Flow G) for “Miss Flawless” PAGE 15

*** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life.

Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate

for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States.

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

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Peter Georgo: How ‘stranded’ American actor ended up in PH showbiz

By Marinel

Cruz

Inquirer.net

Sarah Wurtzbach

Photo from Instagram/@sarahwurtzbach

Pia Wurtzbach’s sister Sarah reveals she was victim of gang assault

By Dana

Cruz Inquirer.net

PIA Wurtzbach’s sister, Sarah, opened up about her past experience with gang assault as she hopes to raise awareness about mental health.

Sarah, who is an influencer in the United Kingdom, made this revelation in a video on her Instagram page Sunday, Oct. 10. She can be seen singing along to Moonlight Scorpio’s “Pretty Girl Magic” while she compared

EMPLOYMENT

her past and present self.

According to Sarah, she was a victim of gang assault and grooming. She became “depressed for 10+ years,” was “anxious 24/7” and experienced post-traumatic stress disorder.

Despite what she experienced, Sarah now has a “happier outlook in life” and is “helping others do the same.” She also described herself as a “better mom and partner.”

“All I want to do is spread good, raise awareness and

be my authentic self,” she said.

Pia and Sarah got involved in a public word war last year. Sarah claimed that their mother abused her and that the Miss Universe Philippines 2015 titleholder refused to support her emotionally and financially.

The two sisters have since managed to settle the matter privately and appeared to have made peace. Pia expressed her love for Sarah during her sister’s birthday last March. n

“AT that point, I realized that I needed to start a new life here,” said American Peter Georgo, whose experience of getting stranded in Manila during the first implementation of the pandemic lockdown in March 2020 has lead him to an all-important acting gig in the iconic action-adventure series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.”

Georgo is of Greek descent, with Georgopoulos as real name. “I used a stage name because ‘Georgopoulos’ is too difficult for non-Greeks to pronounce,” he explained.

He flew to the Philippines in June 2019 to personally meet his would-be wife, Jennifer, who hails from Libmanan, Camarines Sur. They got married a month later. In January 2020, they traveled to Manila to process their documents. “But it was a very slow process,” Georgo recalled, adding that they were making progress until the government decided to declare Manila, and later the rest of Luzon, under enhanced community quarantine.

“Our documents weren’t completed and travel was stopped. Jennifer wasn’t able to return to Libmanan and I had to make a very difficult decision because I had a flight to the United States scheduled later that month,” he said.

FOR RENT

Peter Georgo in “Ang Probinsyano”

Tough decision Georgo had to decide to either return to the United States and leave Jennifer stranded in Manila alone with their baby and with no place to live in, or push his flight back in the hope that COVID-19 would be over in a few weeks. “It finally got to the point that the agency where I bought PAGE 15

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people events arts culture entertainment

Fans troop to Javits Center and witness a ‘new normal’ New York Comic Con

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA / AJPress

EW York Comic Con made a triumphant return to New York City’s Jacob Javits Convention Center last week after being sidelined for a year due to the N COVID-19 pandemic.

Thousands of fans made a beeline to the convention center to attend the four-day extravaganza for fans of pop culture. Event organizers made sure health and safety protocols were followed.

Outside the Hudson Yards subway exit, tables were set up on a vacant lot where attendees had to show proof of vaccination and were issued wrist bands that would allow them to enter the building.

They were also asked to wear masks at all times.

According to a Bloomberg report, New York Comic Con is now the largest pop culture event in the country, having eclipsed San Diego’s. It has in the past generated more than $100 million in economic activity.

Comic Con attracted around 275,000 people in 2019. According to ReedPop, the show’s producer, the total number this year was capped at about 150,000 attendees including celebrity guests, exhibitors, and staff.

Fans go to the show for plenty of reasons, among them catching sneak peeks of their favorite shows, watching panel discussions led by cast and creatives of various projects, hopping between exhibitors’ booths, and enjoying the cosplay of attendees. Others opt for meeting celebrities and getting their autographs or purchasing books, artwork, memorabilia, and collectibles.

Another big come-on for many is the Artist Alley, where hundreds of artists

Jerome Opena on the best part about his job: I get to draw, you know, I know a lot of people who have jobs that are way more physically taxing than I do, so I feel very fortunate that what I get to do for a living is sit down and draw.

Mask mandates and strict vaccination requirements didn’t stop cosplayers and pop culture fans from trotting to the Javits Center to attend the four-day New York Comic Con 2021.

Thanos played around with a bevy of Spidermen at the New York Comic Con

from around the world set up booths to sell their works or do commission pieces.

This year, a handful of Filipino American comic book artists and illustrators made it to the NYC Comic Con’s Artist Alley. a returning comic con regular, Jerome Opena is happy to just be back. He first exhibited in 2013. He brought some original art some pages

and comic book pages and some prints, along with some sketchbooks and some comics with special variant covers that he did.

Opena gained fame in the industry through his Uncanny X-Force comic book series published by Marvel Comics which was created by writer Rick Remender. They collaborated as well in Seven to Eternity.

Fabian Lelay is the brains behind “We Are the Danger,” which is about a young Filipina American immigrant navigating adolescence who meets new friends and as their friendship progressed, they decided to form a band.

For the youngsters, Opena offers a piece of advice: focus on the storytelling part.

“One thing that I’ve learned through the years is if you want to do comic books, doing like a cool drawing of a superhero is always good.

But if you want to do comics as an art form, practice your visual storytelling,” he shared. “That’s the most imPAGE 15

TCNY (The City Needs You) publishes The Realest Bayani comics which tackles the story of a Filipino action hero

Joe Eisma, a half-Filipino comic artist for DC Comics, Archie Comics, Valiant Comics and co-creator of Morning Glories, the New York Times Bestselling series from Image Comics.

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • OctObER 15-21, 2021

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Fans troop to Javits Center... Peter Georgo: How ‘stranded’ American...

PAGE 14 portant and the hardest thing to do. I don’t consider myself having mastered it. There are some artists like Alex Toth, he was a master visual storyteller.”

The Brooklyn-based artist was born in the Philippines, raised in Taiwan and San Francisco, graduating from the Academy of Art in San Francisco where he studied illustration and animation.

He said he knew at a young age that this was something he wanted to do and that he and his brothers enjoyed their time drawing together.

“The last big thing I finished was Seven to Eternity, the series is done. That was the last big thing and lately, I’ve just been doing some covers here,” he said. “I needed a little break from the kind of grind of doing interior comic book work so I’m just trying to take it a little easy and just doing some covers.”

Fabian Lelay draws and writes comics and has been going to the comic con since 2011. Last year, he released “We Are the Danger,” which is about a young Filipina American immigrant navigating the high school world who meets a new friend, and as their friendship progressed, they decided to form a band.

“They’re into music, you know us Filipinos, we love music. Yeah, so they join a Battle of the Bands and they try to win it,” Lelay told the Asian Journal.

Lelay took up fashion design at the College of St. Benilde in Manila but he didn’t finish because he returned back to the States to try his hand in other things so, in 2015, he decided to venture into comics. He got his big break the following year.

“The beautiful thing that the pandemic did was probably open up the floodgates for people to just like contact me and see, like, ‘Hey, do you want to do this?’ and it’s enabling me to jump into

Bayani comics

The hottest show on Netflix, Squid Game, makes its first appearance at the comic con.

this like more full time.” he shared.

His advice to young students who are considering a career in the comics industry?

“Don’t be afraid to tell your story, like tell the story that you want to read. Tell your story. There’s always going to be people who are going to tell you like ‘that story is not going to sell, that story is not going to be popular,’ it doesn’t matter, just tell your story,” he said.

He believes that even if such a story is not going to be well known, as long as it is good and interesting, there will always be certain people who will enjoy it. Lelay said that observation was based on his own experience.

“I think the biggest thing that I have taken away from doing comics is back in 2016, another Filipino immigrant who just moved here to New York read my book and came up to me and said, I’ve never seen myself represented in a book, and I’m really glad that you did. It’s very beautiful to be told that because I felt exactly the same way. That’s why I made it,” he shared.

Lelay feels lucky that he

AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

has the support of his dad from the get-go, albeit with reservations.

“He’s very supportive but also you know, like Pinoy parents, they’re very wary of the stability of it, and I understand where they’re coming from, especially with how things are right now. But you know, with a lot of hard work, elbow grease and just being good friends with other people, you can thrive if you try hard enough,” he said.

Also a happy returnee is Joe Eisma, a half-Filipino comic artist for DC Comics, Archie Comics, Valiant Comics, and co-creator of Morning Glories, the New York Times Bestselling series from Image Comics.

“Yeah, it’s really surreal.

It almost feels like catharsis, in a way, it’s nice to see people interact again and to see friends again,” he shared.

“It’s a little nerve-wracking in some respects because you know you’re with a whole lot of people, after being isolated for so long, but I’m enjoying it.”

He talked about his dad, a doctor from the Philippines who originally hails from Jolo, Sulu who graduated from the University of Santo Tomas.

After immigrating to America and initially practicing medicine in upstate New York, he moved to a small town north of Waco, Texas, and began a family there.

“My dad was a voracious reader and he loved going to bookstores and he would bring me with him. And one of the bookstores he took me to carries comics, and so he’d be off looking at books and I started reading the comics and I just loved it,” he shared.

PAGE 12 my ticket from wouldn’t allow any further adjustments,” he said.

Georgo has since started making his “stay” in the Philippines legal and documented. He is now a bearer of a 13A ACRI card (permanent residency), has his own TIN number and official receipt (OR) for his business transactions.

Of course, he needed to generate income in order for his family to survive. “Since I have been part of several film productions, as well as TV shows and commercials [in the US], I started looking into the entertainment industry here,” Georgo said.

“I’m not going to lie… my journey has been difficult!”

Georgo said that for a long while, he couldn’t find anyone willing to help guide him properly. “I would ask hundreds of questions to people we met during auditions,” he recalled. “I noticed that very few of them knew what an IMDb page was, so saying I was an American indie actor didn’t mean anything to them.”

Then came an online audition for a TV series. “As soon as I was done with the audition, about five people popped up on the Zoom meeting and introduced themselves to me. The main person, and the one I remember was Direk Albert Langitan. We then discussed my part and the show, ‘Ang Probinsyano.’ That’s how I ended up in the Philippines entertainment industry,” he beamed.

Georgo added that his stint in “Ang Probinsyano” got him a role in the new GMA 7 series “Never Say Goodbye,” which starts airing on Oct. 18. Georgo is also “in discussions” with the production team of an upcoming action movie.

Asked to recall some of his memorable experiences while working on the set of “Ang Probinsyano,” Georgo said: “Everyone, even the biggest stars, was so polite and courteous. We were at the Batangas pier shooting the drug/money transaction with Lito Valmoria (Richard Gutierrez). I was dressed in a suit while we were all under the sun with very little shade. It was at least 42 degrees at the time.”

‘Memorable moment’ “I was standing, waiting for the next scene, when Richard brought me a chair and cold bottle of water. I thought, ‘Are you kidding me?’ There were dozens of people there that could have done that at Richard’s request, but he did it on his own!

Several hours later, Direk Albert did the exact same thing for me, except that he sternly directed me to sit,” he recalled.

He further said: “No one will ever see that on TV, but that was such a memorable moment. The caring and concern they both showed me—remember, I’m just an unsigned foreigner—was heartwarming. I felt that they both respected me, not just as a person, but also as a fellow actor.”

When it came to sharing what Filipino industry practices he appreciated the most, Georgo said: “It’s how laid-back the director and cast members are. We’re human and we all make mistakes. You can read, memorize and learn your lines days in advance to the point where you don’t need to look at the script any longer, but everything changes once you’re doing the scenes live with your actual acting partner.

Feeling relaxed on set allows you to focus on creating a memorable character rather than reading a perfect script.” n

Regine, Sarah, Daniel lead...

Regine Velasquez and Sarah Geronimo

As he fell in love with the medium, he began to draw in school, and as a young kid, becoming a comic book illustrator and writer became his dream job. The self-taught artist took up film in college

ABS-CBN photo

PAGE 12 • R&B Album of the Year: “Evolution” (Star Music) • Male R&B Artist of the Year: Garth Garcia for “Asian Girls” (Ivory Music and Video Inc.) • Female R&B Artist of the Year: KZ Tandingan for “Halik sa Hangin” (Star Music) • Revival Recording of the Year: “Next in Line” by Iñigo Pascual (Star Music) • Compilation Album of the Year: “Himig Handog 2019” (Star Music) • Folk/Country Recording of the Year: “Oryang” by Davey Langit (Star Music) • Novelty Song of the Year: “Mataba” by Cool Cat Ash (Star Music) • Novelty Artist of the Year: Cool Cat Ash for “Mataba” (Star Music) n

and as an adult, he tried other things and worked in television news production for a while but he wasn’t feeling it so he went back to drawing and ended up rediscovering his love for it.

“I just want to do work that I love. And be on a schedule that allows me to have fun in life, like to do stuff with my kids and to travel, and to be able to do fulfilling work,” he said. n

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